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CNN Live At Daybreak

Recapping Senate Hearings on Nomination of Condoleezza Rice for Secretary of State; Latest Clues to Identity of BTK Serial Killer

Aired January 26, 2005 - 05:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, she's been debated, delayed and dragged over the coals. Today, the Senate decides on Condoleezza Rice.
Plus, back to school -- it's not something a lot of kids look forward to. But for children in Indonesia, it's a sign of hope after a tragic lesson.

And a nice day for a walk. This one just happens to be miles above the Earth.

It is Wednesday, January 26th.

You are watching DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter has crashed in western Iraq this morning. It happened near the town of Rutbah. A rescue team is there, but no word yet on casualties or why the chopper went down.

Back in the United States, Condoleezza Rice is expected to win Senate confirmation this morning. In about six and a half hours, senators plan to vote on her nomination as secretary of state.

Another cabinet post is also on the Senate's agenda this morning. The Judiciary Committee meets to consider attorney general nominee, Alberto Gonzales. Democrats say Gonzalez has dodged questions about U.S. anti-terror policies.

A federal appeals court has upheld a stay of execution for convicted serial killer Michael Ross. He was initially supposed to be put to death in Connecticut early this morning, but Ross' lawyer wants him ruled incompetent.

And they've been floating out in space for, oh, three hours now. And they have three more to go. The two crew members of the international space station are on a space walk. One of their jobs? Installing a robotic arm.

It looks nice up there in space, doesn't it -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, but it's not, Carol. It's cold. That's why they have to wear those space suits.

COSTELLO: Not any colder than it is here on Earth this morning in New York.

MYERS: Absolutely. Much colder.

COSTELLO: I know.

MYERS: Sixty degrees colder for you.

COSTELLO: All right.

MYERS: I'm just kidding.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Our top story this morning, today's Senate vote on Condoleezza Rice. There have been delays and heated debates.

CNN Congressional correspondent Joe Johns reports on Rice's road to confirmation. It's been a bumpy one.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With the outcome of the vote on the president's choice for secretary of state all but certain, a handful of Democrats morphed the record of Condoleezza Rice and the administration's record on Iraq into one big picture and debated them both.

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: Dr. Rice was a key member of the national security team that developed and justified the rationale for war. And it's been a catastrophic failure and a continuing quagmire. In these circumstances, she should not be promoted to secretary of state.

JOHNS: It seemed as if some of the critics had zeroed in on Rice's call in her confirmation hearings not to have her credibility or integrity impugned.

SEN. MARK DAYTON (D), MINNESOTA: I don't like to impugn anyone's integrity, but I really don't like being lied to repeatedly, flagrantly, intentionally. It's wrong. It's un-democratic, it's un- American and it's dangerous.

JOHNS: Because there was little to no doubt that she has the votes to get the job, this was a public relations war more than a confirmation battle. Off the Senate floor, Republicans, seeking to make the defiant Democrats pay for prolonging the vote, focused on Rice's personal story, even enlisting help from some well known African-Americans, including Democrat and former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Andrew Young, and C. Dolores Tucker of the National Congress of Black Women.

On the floor, Republican Majority Whip Mitch McConnell argued that much of the criticism of Rice is misplaced, because it's the president who makes the policy that subordinates must execute.

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY), SENATE MAJORITY WHIP: Of course, as America's top diplomat, Dr. Rice will be expected to bring her expertise on a wide variety of issues to the table. The president's chosen her because he values her opinion. But all foreign policy decisions ultimately rest with the president.

JOHNS (on camera): The vote on Condoleezza Rice's nomination is scheduled for Wednesday. While Republicans argued the long debate was a waste of time, Democrats called it their constitutional obligation, realizing the power of debate is a way to get their message out after the losses in the last election.

Joe Johns, CNN, Capitol Hill.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: And CNN will bring you live coverage of the Condoleezza Rice confirmation vote in the Senate. That's at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, 8:30 in the West.

In other news across America this morning, all eight Navy crew members were rescued after their helicopter crashed about 30 miles off the coast of Virginia. The Sea Dragon helicopter was on a training mission off the USS Eisenhower when it went down. The Navy now investigating.

A 78-year-old California man is planning to sue the Los Angeles airport police after he was tasered not once, but twice. Police say William Lamb had become irate when his car was impounded and say he moved toward them. Lamb says that airport police also broke a bone in his elbow. But police say their actions were justified and that Lamb had exceptional strength for a man his age.

A local Wichita, Kansas TV station reports that the infamous BTK killer may have contacted them. The station says a news crew found a package from the alleged serial killer after being directed to the scene by a post card.

We get the story from Chris Frank of CNN affiliate KAKE in Wichita.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This one is a postcard, it's not a letter.

CHRIS FRANK, KAKE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The postcard sent to the KAKE TV newsroom, possibly from the serial killer BTK, gave us specific directions to this cereal box. It didn't take KAKE producer Ashley Oliver (ph) and I long to find it once we started driving along the road.

But why here? Why in this rural area has he chosen to leave this cereal box, presumably with more clues inside?

BTK's other communiques were inside the city limits. Dr. Howard Brodsky points out the serial killer may be using this cereal box in a playful manner like a game.

DR. HOWARD BRODSKY, PSYCHOLOGIST: One, I think he has set this up as a scavenger hunt and there is this kind of eccentric playful aspect to him. And he likes the word games. And he likes the hunt for him. So we have a playful serial killer on our hands.

FRANK: This is the second known postcard he's used. The other card was in the communication regarding Shirley Vian, one of BTK's murder victims. That, according to former Wichita police chief, Richard Lamunyon.

RICHARD LAMUNYON, FORMER WICHITA POLICE CHIEF: I think what is unusual in this particular case is the style within the postcard, which is a little clearer in terms of the riddle that he's been playing and the almost social way in which he's, is putting it out there. So I think that's a change.

FRANK (on camera): If this is, indeed, a communication from BTK, and we have reason to believe that it is, well, what's inside this cereal box will add to the pile of evidence stacking up in this case, evidence that we can only hope leads to the capture of the serial killer, BTK.

From north of Wichita, in Sedgwick County, Chris Frank, KAKE News.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: In the fight for Iraq, the Pentagon is looking for more help. Active duty soldiers leaving the service can get a $50 bonus if they join the National Guard. But now the Pentagon wants to increase that bonus to $15,000. About 44 percent of the Army combat forces in Iraq are Guard troops. The move will require congressional approval.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has ruled on a time line for withdrawing British troops from Iraq. Still, the prime minister tells the "Financial Times" there are areas of the country where control could be transferred after national elections there on Sunday.

The Pentagon has learned a significant lesson from insurgents in Iraq. It's drafted a plan that puts more emphasis on dealing with insurgencies, terrorist operations and non-traditional threats.

And from Baghdad, a live picture. Iraq's minister of interior is expected to give reporters an update on security for Sunday's national elections. If he makes news, we will tell you about it. Of course, he hasn't begun speaking yet.

A videotape of an American held hostage in Iraq is shocking. A rifle barrel is pointed at his head as he pleads for help.

Our Rusty Dornin traveled to Corona, California to talk with those close to Roy Hallums. (BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For nearly three months, it's been the agony of not knowing. Roy Hallums' ex-wife Susan says she was in denial before she saw the video of her former husband pleading for his lifer.

SUSAN HALLUMS, EX-WIFE OF ROY HALLUMS: What hit me hardest was seeing the gun to his head.

DORNIN: Hallums, 56, was kidnapped November 1 from a well-to-do neighborhood in Baghdad, along with five others. Four hostages were released, but Hallums and Robert Tarongoy, a Filipino accountant, are still being held by the kidnappers.

"Free Roy" -- that's the point of this Web site. Photos and background on Roy Hallums' life, a labor of love by his 29-year-old daughter, Carrie, who is dedicated to keeping the spotlight on her dad.

For Carrie Cooper, the release of the video made her heart run cold. It's something she's been dreading.

CARRIE COOPER, ROY HALLUMS' DAUGHTER: This doesn't make me hopeful. It seems like a lot of times it doesn't have a good outcome when a video comes out.

DORNIN: Family members told CNN Hallums had a preexisting medical condition and are sure he has not been receiving the medication he needs. That, too, worries them.

COOPER: He looked very ill. But, you know, they're definitely, his gestures -- you know, I'm a therapist. So, I mean, I can -- there was, there was, there was something strange, too. I mean, obviously, he was under a lot of duress.

DORNIN: Described as a loving, caring father and grandfather, Hallums has worked much of his life overseas. Despite the fact they are divorced, Susan Hallums kept in close touch with her ex-husband by e-mail before his kidnapping.

HALLUMS: You never lose hope when you loving -- love and care about someone, and absolutely, hope. And I just hope our government does something to help this extremely horrible situation.

DORNIN (on camera): A situation that has this family putting new pressure on U.S. officials to secure Roy Hallums' release. His daughter Carrie and his former wife Susan wanted to take advantage of the incredible publicity generated by the release of the video. So they flew to New York and plan to do a round of interviews on the morning talk shows.

Here at Susan Hallums' home in Corona, California hangs a large blue ribbon. Traditionally in hostage situations, those ribbons are yellow. But the family wanted to add a personal touch. Roy Hallums' favorite color is blue. Rusty Dornin, CNN, Corona, California.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: And stay right here. In the next hour of DAYBREAK we'll talk to an intelligence expert who specializes in recovering hostages. Randy Spivey also trains people on how to survive a kidnapping.

Much more to come on DAYBREAK this hour, though.

A threat from the ground leads to fears in the air. It happened overseas, but could it happen here in the United States?

Also, children laughing -- it is a sign of life returning to normal one month after the tsunami disaster.

And something is really bugging Nicole Kidman, and the police are getting involved. We'll tell you why.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday, January 26th.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 5:15 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

Condoleezza Rice is expected to win Senate confirmation today as secretary of state. That's despite getting flak from some Democratic senators. Some say she lied about the reasons for going to war in Iraq.

The alleged terrorist plot against Boston was a false alarm. So says the FBI. It turns out the anonymous tip about the terrorists armed with hazardous chemicals was concocted by a suspected smuggler. Officials say it proved to have no credibility whatsoever.

In money news, a class action suit claiming McDonald's made children fat will be allowed to go forward, at least in part. An appeals court reinstated only the deceptive advertising part of the suit against the fast food giant. The rest of the suit was thrown out two years ago.

In culture, a handwritten letter by controversial boxing champion Jack Johnson is being sold at auction. In the letter, Johnson claims he purposely lost a title fight to the great white hope, Jess Willard, in 1915.

In sports, if Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens plays in the Super Bowl, it'll be against his doctor's wishes. Owens has said he plans to be in uniform for the game on February 6. But his doctor says he hasn't taken enough time to recover from a broken ankle.

To the forecast center and Chad.

MYERS: He was dancing on the bleachers the last game, so maybe he's feeling better than the doctors think. Who knows?

COSTELLO: Well, you know, you don't want to have permanent damage in that ankle, though.

MYERS: No, you sure don't. You sure don't. You don't want to ruin the whole next year and season, as well, and your career, for that matter, maybe.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Chad, we're talking about smoking bans this morning as it applies to our e-mail question.

MYERS: Yes?

COSTELLO: Have you heard about this?

MYERS: I just heard about it from my producer. They're banning smoking outside in parts of San Francisco.

COSTELLO: In public parks in San Francisco, all public areas, like where lots of people gather and it's owned by the city.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Smoking would be illegal. That means like parks and public squares, including major tourist spots like the Golden Gate Park. I think this is the first time that smoking has been banned outdoors. You know, a lot of places have banned smoking in restaurants and in public buildings, but never outside.

MYERS: Yes. I will say, obviously there's not a smoking ban in Georgia. But there is in New York City and I was in New York City because I was in Hoboken the other day. And to walk into a place to watch the football game on Sunday night and not to be smoke filled was quite refreshing, actually.

COSTELLO: See, I find that terrific, because, you know, you go on public beaches like in Florida and people flick their cigarettes and they're in the sand. It's like a huge ashtray.

MYERS: Maybe they should put a $0.17 a butt tax on a cigarette, like they did on the -- or they're hoping to do on the little garbage bags.

COSTELLO: What, on cigarettes? There's huge taxes on cigarettes.

MYERS: Well, I know.

COSTELLO: Huge, huge, huge, huge, huge. But anyway, we wanted to know what you thought about this this morning. Should smoking be banned in outdoor public places or is that just taking things a bit too far? Daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com.

It should be interesting, shouldn't it?

MYERS: Um-hmm.

COSTELLO: Security guards for Nicole Kidman earned their keep the paparazzi take things a step too far outside of Kidman's Sydney, Australia home. We'll tell you what happened just ahead.

And we'll check in on schoolchildren in Indonesia's Banda Aceh Province one month after the tsunami changed their lives forever.

You are watching DAYBREAK for Wednesday, January 26.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Today is the one month anniversary of the tsunami disaster in South Asia and on this day, children in Indonesia's worst hit Aceh Province go back to school.

Let's go live to CNN's Atika Shubert.

She's in Banda Aceh, Indonesia this morning -- hello, Atika.

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.

It was a pretty emotional first day at school. We actually went to a few schools today. And what we saw is that it was the first chance for many to see old friends and colleagues, to find out if and how they survived the tsunami. So, as you can imagine, it was pretty emotional. We saw some teachers breaking down into tears. They were happy to see their colleagues survive, but saddened to find so many students missing.

In one class we visited, 42 students were supposed to be there, but only six returned to school. So it was a bittersweet day -- Carol.

COSTELLO: A bittersweet day, but I think it's an important sign, too, psychologically that life is somewhat returning to normal.

SHUBERT: That's exactly it. Government and aid agencies have said it's so important for schools to start today, or as soon as possible, because it means that the emergency relief phase is over and most of the survivors have gotten the help they need. Now those survivors need to get back to normal life, whether that's finding good homes for those that have been displaced or getting their jobs back or getting kids back to school. Just a way to pick up the pieces and try to return to normal life as much as possible.

COSTELLO: Atika, I wanted to ask you, too, about relief efforts, if money is still coming in, if rebuilding has begun. SHUBERT: Money is certainly coming in. A lot of it was going to this emergency relief, just getting food, clean water and medicine. And now what aid agencies are saying is that what they need the money for more is for this rebuilding, to get homes rebuilt, schools rebuilt. The government has said that in the tsunami, at least 1,000 schools were destroyed and many more severely damaged. So there needs to be a lot of rebuilding of the infrastructure. And what the government and aid agencies are doing now is taking a step back and reassessing where all of these resources need to go.

COSTELLO: Atika Shubert reporting live from Indonesia this morning.

Thank you.

More tsunami relief is coming from the stars. American country, gospel and contemporary Christian artists will perform a benefit concert tonight in Nashville for tsunami victims. The long list of performers includes Steven Curtis Chapman, Marty Roe of Diamond Reo, CeCe Winans, Ricky Skaggs, the Oak Ridge Boys, Kirk Whalum, tobyMac, and the list just goes on and on. The show will be aired live on X.M. Satellite Radio stations.

Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.

How much worse can it get in the next four days? We're counting down to the elections in Iraq and we're going to take you live to Baghdad.

Plus, treatment for mental illness has made significant advances over the last 20 years, but you might be shocked to hear about one old treatment that's still very much around.

And a reminder, our E-Mail Question of the Morning. Should cities ban smoking in the great outdoors, yes, outside in public, outdoor spaces? We want to know what you think this morning. Daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Good morning.

Welcome to the second half hour of DAYBREAK.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, we're still awaiting word about casualties from the crash of a U.S. Marine helicopter in western Iraq. It happened less than 12 hours ago near Rutbah. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing chopper was flying troops from the 1st Marine Division. It is unknown what caused this crash.

After a grilling by Senate Democrats last week, Condoleezza Rice is expected to win confirmation as secretary of state this morning. That vote, after an hour of debate, is expected to come six hours from now.

Connecticut plans to appeal a federal court's decision halting the execution of convicted serial killer Michael Ross. Ross admits to killing eight women in Connecticut and New York in the early '80s.

And high above us right now, the Russian and American crew members of the international space station are installing a robotic arm. Oh, see them out there on the space -- oh, that's amazing -- Chad.

MYERS: It is.

COSTELLO: That's cool.

MYERS: And some will say that's a sound stage in Los Angeles, right?

COSTELLO: It looks like it.

MYERS: Of course.

COSTELLO: But it's not.

MYERS: You can see the guys waving out there. They knew the cameras were on.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired January 26, 2005 - 05:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, she's been debated, delayed and dragged over the coals. Today, the Senate decides on Condoleezza Rice.
Plus, back to school -- it's not something a lot of kids look forward to. But for children in Indonesia, it's a sign of hope after a tragic lesson.

And a nice day for a walk. This one just happens to be miles above the Earth.

It is Wednesday, January 26th.

You are watching DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter has crashed in western Iraq this morning. It happened near the town of Rutbah. A rescue team is there, but no word yet on casualties or why the chopper went down.

Back in the United States, Condoleezza Rice is expected to win Senate confirmation this morning. In about six and a half hours, senators plan to vote on her nomination as secretary of state.

Another cabinet post is also on the Senate's agenda this morning. The Judiciary Committee meets to consider attorney general nominee, Alberto Gonzales. Democrats say Gonzalez has dodged questions about U.S. anti-terror policies.

A federal appeals court has upheld a stay of execution for convicted serial killer Michael Ross. He was initially supposed to be put to death in Connecticut early this morning, but Ross' lawyer wants him ruled incompetent.

And they've been floating out in space for, oh, three hours now. And they have three more to go. The two crew members of the international space station are on a space walk. One of their jobs? Installing a robotic arm.

It looks nice up there in space, doesn't it -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, but it's not, Carol. It's cold. That's why they have to wear those space suits.

COSTELLO: Not any colder than it is here on Earth this morning in New York.

MYERS: Absolutely. Much colder.

COSTELLO: I know.

MYERS: Sixty degrees colder for you.

COSTELLO: All right.

MYERS: I'm just kidding.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Our top story this morning, today's Senate vote on Condoleezza Rice. There have been delays and heated debates.

CNN Congressional correspondent Joe Johns reports on Rice's road to confirmation. It's been a bumpy one.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With the outcome of the vote on the president's choice for secretary of state all but certain, a handful of Democrats morphed the record of Condoleezza Rice and the administration's record on Iraq into one big picture and debated them both.

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: Dr. Rice was a key member of the national security team that developed and justified the rationale for war. And it's been a catastrophic failure and a continuing quagmire. In these circumstances, she should not be promoted to secretary of state.

JOHNS: It seemed as if some of the critics had zeroed in on Rice's call in her confirmation hearings not to have her credibility or integrity impugned.

SEN. MARK DAYTON (D), MINNESOTA: I don't like to impugn anyone's integrity, but I really don't like being lied to repeatedly, flagrantly, intentionally. It's wrong. It's un-democratic, it's un- American and it's dangerous.

JOHNS: Because there was little to no doubt that she has the votes to get the job, this was a public relations war more than a confirmation battle. Off the Senate floor, Republicans, seeking to make the defiant Democrats pay for prolonging the vote, focused on Rice's personal story, even enlisting help from some well known African-Americans, including Democrat and former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Andrew Young, and C. Dolores Tucker of the National Congress of Black Women.

On the floor, Republican Majority Whip Mitch McConnell argued that much of the criticism of Rice is misplaced, because it's the president who makes the policy that subordinates must execute.

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY), SENATE MAJORITY WHIP: Of course, as America's top diplomat, Dr. Rice will be expected to bring her expertise on a wide variety of issues to the table. The president's chosen her because he values her opinion. But all foreign policy decisions ultimately rest with the president.

JOHNS (on camera): The vote on Condoleezza Rice's nomination is scheduled for Wednesday. While Republicans argued the long debate was a waste of time, Democrats called it their constitutional obligation, realizing the power of debate is a way to get their message out after the losses in the last election.

Joe Johns, CNN, Capitol Hill.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: And CNN will bring you live coverage of the Condoleezza Rice confirmation vote in the Senate. That's at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, 8:30 in the West.

In other news across America this morning, all eight Navy crew members were rescued after their helicopter crashed about 30 miles off the coast of Virginia. The Sea Dragon helicopter was on a training mission off the USS Eisenhower when it went down. The Navy now investigating.

A 78-year-old California man is planning to sue the Los Angeles airport police after he was tasered not once, but twice. Police say William Lamb had become irate when his car was impounded and say he moved toward them. Lamb says that airport police also broke a bone in his elbow. But police say their actions were justified and that Lamb had exceptional strength for a man his age.

A local Wichita, Kansas TV station reports that the infamous BTK killer may have contacted them. The station says a news crew found a package from the alleged serial killer after being directed to the scene by a post card.

We get the story from Chris Frank of CNN affiliate KAKE in Wichita.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This one is a postcard, it's not a letter.

CHRIS FRANK, KAKE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The postcard sent to the KAKE TV newsroom, possibly from the serial killer BTK, gave us specific directions to this cereal box. It didn't take KAKE producer Ashley Oliver (ph) and I long to find it once we started driving along the road.

But why here? Why in this rural area has he chosen to leave this cereal box, presumably with more clues inside?

BTK's other communiques were inside the city limits. Dr. Howard Brodsky points out the serial killer may be using this cereal box in a playful manner like a game.

DR. HOWARD BRODSKY, PSYCHOLOGIST: One, I think he has set this up as a scavenger hunt and there is this kind of eccentric playful aspect to him. And he likes the word games. And he likes the hunt for him. So we have a playful serial killer on our hands.

FRANK: This is the second known postcard he's used. The other card was in the communication regarding Shirley Vian, one of BTK's murder victims. That, according to former Wichita police chief, Richard Lamunyon.

RICHARD LAMUNYON, FORMER WICHITA POLICE CHIEF: I think what is unusual in this particular case is the style within the postcard, which is a little clearer in terms of the riddle that he's been playing and the almost social way in which he's, is putting it out there. So I think that's a change.

FRANK (on camera): If this is, indeed, a communication from BTK, and we have reason to believe that it is, well, what's inside this cereal box will add to the pile of evidence stacking up in this case, evidence that we can only hope leads to the capture of the serial killer, BTK.

From north of Wichita, in Sedgwick County, Chris Frank, KAKE News.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: In the fight for Iraq, the Pentagon is looking for more help. Active duty soldiers leaving the service can get a $50 bonus if they join the National Guard. But now the Pentagon wants to increase that bonus to $15,000. About 44 percent of the Army combat forces in Iraq are Guard troops. The move will require congressional approval.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has ruled on a time line for withdrawing British troops from Iraq. Still, the prime minister tells the "Financial Times" there are areas of the country where control could be transferred after national elections there on Sunday.

The Pentagon has learned a significant lesson from insurgents in Iraq. It's drafted a plan that puts more emphasis on dealing with insurgencies, terrorist operations and non-traditional threats.

And from Baghdad, a live picture. Iraq's minister of interior is expected to give reporters an update on security for Sunday's national elections. If he makes news, we will tell you about it. Of course, he hasn't begun speaking yet.

A videotape of an American held hostage in Iraq is shocking. A rifle barrel is pointed at his head as he pleads for help.

Our Rusty Dornin traveled to Corona, California to talk with those close to Roy Hallums. (BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For nearly three months, it's been the agony of not knowing. Roy Hallums' ex-wife Susan says she was in denial before she saw the video of her former husband pleading for his lifer.

SUSAN HALLUMS, EX-WIFE OF ROY HALLUMS: What hit me hardest was seeing the gun to his head.

DORNIN: Hallums, 56, was kidnapped November 1 from a well-to-do neighborhood in Baghdad, along with five others. Four hostages were released, but Hallums and Robert Tarongoy, a Filipino accountant, are still being held by the kidnappers.

"Free Roy" -- that's the point of this Web site. Photos and background on Roy Hallums' life, a labor of love by his 29-year-old daughter, Carrie, who is dedicated to keeping the spotlight on her dad.

For Carrie Cooper, the release of the video made her heart run cold. It's something she's been dreading.

CARRIE COOPER, ROY HALLUMS' DAUGHTER: This doesn't make me hopeful. It seems like a lot of times it doesn't have a good outcome when a video comes out.

DORNIN: Family members told CNN Hallums had a preexisting medical condition and are sure he has not been receiving the medication he needs. That, too, worries them.

COOPER: He looked very ill. But, you know, they're definitely, his gestures -- you know, I'm a therapist. So, I mean, I can -- there was, there was, there was something strange, too. I mean, obviously, he was under a lot of duress.

DORNIN: Described as a loving, caring father and grandfather, Hallums has worked much of his life overseas. Despite the fact they are divorced, Susan Hallums kept in close touch with her ex-husband by e-mail before his kidnapping.

HALLUMS: You never lose hope when you loving -- love and care about someone, and absolutely, hope. And I just hope our government does something to help this extremely horrible situation.

DORNIN (on camera): A situation that has this family putting new pressure on U.S. officials to secure Roy Hallums' release. His daughter Carrie and his former wife Susan wanted to take advantage of the incredible publicity generated by the release of the video. So they flew to New York and plan to do a round of interviews on the morning talk shows.

Here at Susan Hallums' home in Corona, California hangs a large blue ribbon. Traditionally in hostage situations, those ribbons are yellow. But the family wanted to add a personal touch. Roy Hallums' favorite color is blue. Rusty Dornin, CNN, Corona, California.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: And stay right here. In the next hour of DAYBREAK we'll talk to an intelligence expert who specializes in recovering hostages. Randy Spivey also trains people on how to survive a kidnapping.

Much more to come on DAYBREAK this hour, though.

A threat from the ground leads to fears in the air. It happened overseas, but could it happen here in the United States?

Also, children laughing -- it is a sign of life returning to normal one month after the tsunami disaster.

And something is really bugging Nicole Kidman, and the police are getting involved. We'll tell you why.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday, January 26th.

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(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 5:15 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

Condoleezza Rice is expected to win Senate confirmation today as secretary of state. That's despite getting flak from some Democratic senators. Some say she lied about the reasons for going to war in Iraq.

The alleged terrorist plot against Boston was a false alarm. So says the FBI. It turns out the anonymous tip about the terrorists armed with hazardous chemicals was concocted by a suspected smuggler. Officials say it proved to have no credibility whatsoever.

In money news, a class action suit claiming McDonald's made children fat will be allowed to go forward, at least in part. An appeals court reinstated only the deceptive advertising part of the suit against the fast food giant. The rest of the suit was thrown out two years ago.

In culture, a handwritten letter by controversial boxing champion Jack Johnson is being sold at auction. In the letter, Johnson claims he purposely lost a title fight to the great white hope, Jess Willard, in 1915.

In sports, if Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens plays in the Super Bowl, it'll be against his doctor's wishes. Owens has said he plans to be in uniform for the game on February 6. But his doctor says he hasn't taken enough time to recover from a broken ankle.

To the forecast center and Chad.

MYERS: He was dancing on the bleachers the last game, so maybe he's feeling better than the doctors think. Who knows?

COSTELLO: Well, you know, you don't want to have permanent damage in that ankle, though.

MYERS: No, you sure don't. You sure don't. You don't want to ruin the whole next year and season, as well, and your career, for that matter, maybe.

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COSTELLO: Chad, we're talking about smoking bans this morning as it applies to our e-mail question.

MYERS: Yes?

COSTELLO: Have you heard about this?

MYERS: I just heard about it from my producer. They're banning smoking outside in parts of San Francisco.

COSTELLO: In public parks in San Francisco, all public areas, like where lots of people gather and it's owned by the city.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Smoking would be illegal. That means like parks and public squares, including major tourist spots like the Golden Gate Park. I think this is the first time that smoking has been banned outdoors. You know, a lot of places have banned smoking in restaurants and in public buildings, but never outside.

MYERS: Yes. I will say, obviously there's not a smoking ban in Georgia. But there is in New York City and I was in New York City because I was in Hoboken the other day. And to walk into a place to watch the football game on Sunday night and not to be smoke filled was quite refreshing, actually.

COSTELLO: See, I find that terrific, because, you know, you go on public beaches like in Florida and people flick their cigarettes and they're in the sand. It's like a huge ashtray.

MYERS: Maybe they should put a $0.17 a butt tax on a cigarette, like they did on the -- or they're hoping to do on the little garbage bags.

COSTELLO: What, on cigarettes? There's huge taxes on cigarettes.

MYERS: Well, I know.

COSTELLO: Huge, huge, huge, huge, huge. But anyway, we wanted to know what you thought about this this morning. Should smoking be banned in outdoor public places or is that just taking things a bit too far? Daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com.

It should be interesting, shouldn't it?

MYERS: Um-hmm.

COSTELLO: Security guards for Nicole Kidman earned their keep the paparazzi take things a step too far outside of Kidman's Sydney, Australia home. We'll tell you what happened just ahead.

And we'll check in on schoolchildren in Indonesia's Banda Aceh Province one month after the tsunami changed their lives forever.

You are watching DAYBREAK for Wednesday, January 26.

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COSTELLO: Today is the one month anniversary of the tsunami disaster in South Asia and on this day, children in Indonesia's worst hit Aceh Province go back to school.

Let's go live to CNN's Atika Shubert.

She's in Banda Aceh, Indonesia this morning -- hello, Atika.

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.

It was a pretty emotional first day at school. We actually went to a few schools today. And what we saw is that it was the first chance for many to see old friends and colleagues, to find out if and how they survived the tsunami. So, as you can imagine, it was pretty emotional. We saw some teachers breaking down into tears. They were happy to see their colleagues survive, but saddened to find so many students missing.

In one class we visited, 42 students were supposed to be there, but only six returned to school. So it was a bittersweet day -- Carol.

COSTELLO: A bittersweet day, but I think it's an important sign, too, psychologically that life is somewhat returning to normal.

SHUBERT: That's exactly it. Government and aid agencies have said it's so important for schools to start today, or as soon as possible, because it means that the emergency relief phase is over and most of the survivors have gotten the help they need. Now those survivors need to get back to normal life, whether that's finding good homes for those that have been displaced or getting their jobs back or getting kids back to school. Just a way to pick up the pieces and try to return to normal life as much as possible.

COSTELLO: Atika, I wanted to ask you, too, about relief efforts, if money is still coming in, if rebuilding has begun. SHUBERT: Money is certainly coming in. A lot of it was going to this emergency relief, just getting food, clean water and medicine. And now what aid agencies are saying is that what they need the money for more is for this rebuilding, to get homes rebuilt, schools rebuilt. The government has said that in the tsunami, at least 1,000 schools were destroyed and many more severely damaged. So there needs to be a lot of rebuilding of the infrastructure. And what the government and aid agencies are doing now is taking a step back and reassessing where all of these resources need to go.

COSTELLO: Atika Shubert reporting live from Indonesia this morning.

Thank you.

More tsunami relief is coming from the stars. American country, gospel and contemporary Christian artists will perform a benefit concert tonight in Nashville for tsunami victims. The long list of performers includes Steven Curtis Chapman, Marty Roe of Diamond Reo, CeCe Winans, Ricky Skaggs, the Oak Ridge Boys, Kirk Whalum, tobyMac, and the list just goes on and on. The show will be aired live on X.M. Satellite Radio stations.

Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.

How much worse can it get in the next four days? We're counting down to the elections in Iraq and we're going to take you live to Baghdad.

Plus, treatment for mental illness has made significant advances over the last 20 years, but you might be shocked to hear about one old treatment that's still very much around.

And a reminder, our E-Mail Question of the Morning. Should cities ban smoking in the great outdoors, yes, outside in public, outdoor spaces? We want to know what you think this morning. Daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com.

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COSTELLO: Good morning.

Welcome to the second half hour of DAYBREAK.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, we're still awaiting word about casualties from the crash of a U.S. Marine helicopter in western Iraq. It happened less than 12 hours ago near Rutbah. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing chopper was flying troops from the 1st Marine Division. It is unknown what caused this crash.

After a grilling by Senate Democrats last week, Condoleezza Rice is expected to win confirmation as secretary of state this morning. That vote, after an hour of debate, is expected to come six hours from now.

Connecticut plans to appeal a federal court's decision halting the execution of convicted serial killer Michael Ross. Ross admits to killing eight women in Connecticut and New York in the early '80s.

And high above us right now, the Russian and American crew members of the international space station are installing a robotic arm. Oh, see them out there on the space -- oh, that's amazing -- Chad.

MYERS: It is.

COSTELLO: That's cool.

MYERS: And some will say that's a sound stage in Los Angeles, right?

COSTELLO: It looks like it.

MYERS: Of course.

COSTELLO: But it's not.

MYERS: You can see the guys waving out there. They knew the cameras were on.

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