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CNN Live At Daybreak

In Action; Missing Teen; Bush-Blair Talks

Aired June 07, 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: It is Tuesday, June 7. President Bush and Tony Blair meet today at the White House.
It is not Iraq or Afghanistan that's top of the agenda for the two leaders. It's Africa.

Also, in action. We'll take you into the heart of a major military offensive going on right now. CNN has exclusive pictures this morning.

And volunteer soldiers and FBI agents, they've all been searching, but Natalee Holloway is still missing.

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.

COLLINS: And good morning to you. Also ahead on DAYBREAK, could an ancient Chinese remedy help ease your pain? Dr. Sanjay Gupta checks out acupuncture.

And planning on visiting the Big Apple this summer? We'll tell you what to see the Great White Way.

But first, "Now in the News," a huge aid package for Africa. That's what President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair will announce when they meet at the White House this afternoon. The U.S. is putting up an additional $674 million.

A vote is expected today on another one of President Bush's judicial nominees. Last month's Senate compromise should mean confirmation for California Supreme Court Justice Janice Rogers Brown. She was first nominated for a seat on a federal appeals court two years ago.

It looks like a river, but actually, this is a road. Check out the flooding in central Pennsylvania. Workers had to rescue a couple of cars and at least one driver.

Some vehicles damaged, but Chad...

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes?

COSTELLO: ... luckily, no one hurt here.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: You just wonder again why people drive through that stuff.

MYERS: Well, because they didn't know how deep it was. But we tell you, if you don't know how deep it is, don't go through it. But they continue to do it, and then some people get washed away. And then you know the rest of the story.

So you had to be careful yesterday. It was a very severe day across the Northeast.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

MYERS: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: Topping our news this morning, a disturbance erupts at the notorious U.S.-run Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad. The military revealed today that detainees threw rocks and portable-like generators at guards Sunday after a detainee tried to escape. Four guards and six detainees received minor injuries. All is said to be calm there this morning.

In northern Iraq, three suicide car bombings targeted Iraqi army checkpoints in the Hawija area. There's word that at least six Iraqi soldiers have been killed and a dozen other people wounded. In the meantime, a car bombing in Baghdad has wounded a police officer.

Another major show of force against insurgents in Iraq. At this moment, U.S. and Iraqi troops are in action in the northwestern city of Telafar near Syria's border. CNN Senior Baghdad Correspondent Jane Arraf is embedded with U.S. forces. She joins us live now.

Tell us what's happening, Jane.

JANE ARRAF, CNN SR. BAGHDAD CORRESPONDENT: Carol, it started just before dawn this major operation involving almost 50 (ph) tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles meant, as you said, as a show of force and an effort to demonstrate that the Iraqi soldiers, with the American troops, were a viable force. They went into small alleyways. They -- the soldiers darted in between these, trying to find insurgents and disrupt what they say is an insurgent stronghold still affected by infiltration from the Syrian border.

This has been a place that has been considered so dangerous for U.S. troops that they travel only in tanks and Bradleys through those streets.

Some gunfire today, two mortar attacks. And at the end, one American soldier was killed in the operation. Four suspected insurgents died as well. The U.S. military says they detained 23 suspected insurgents, including a sniper team and a mortar team -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jane, how many U.S. forces are involved? And are Iraqi security forces fighting alongside them? ARRAF: This operation was a major one for the city. And, in fact, they've beefed up the security forces here, Iraqi and American. But 4,000 American troops in the area.

Now, this operation was about 800 U.S. and Iraqi troops. About 200 of them Iraq. The point of it is to get the Iraqis out in the streets, the streets where policemen are afraid to tread.

This has been a very volatile, quite a dangerous neighborhood in the city of Telafar in northwestern Iraq. And one of the points that they wanted to make was that Iraqi forces are backed by U.S. forces, but they can also stand on their own -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jane Arraf. Be careful out there. Jane Arraf reporting from Iraq this morning.

Police in Aruba say two men arrested in the missing teen investigation have not been cooperative. In the meantime, the search for 18-year-old Natalee Holloway goes on. It's now been more than a week since she was supposed to come home from her graduation trip to the island.

CNN's Karl Penhaul has the latest from Aruba.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Around 500 government employees took part in a large-scale search on the wind-swept eastern tip of Aruba. The Aruban government had given them time off from work to take part in the hunt for clues as to the whereabouts of the missing teenager, Natalee Holloway.

Those government employees were joined by Dutch Marines and members of Aruba's search and rescue team. Using sticks, they prodded through mangrove areas. They also prodded through thorny scrub and an area covered by cactus. They haven't found anything, we are told by police.

The area of today's search, though, was very close to the town St. Nicholas, where two men aged 28 and 30 were arrested by police on suspicion that they are connected to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway exactly one week ago. A senior police official has told me that in the course of the day those two suspects underwent further interrogation, but he says that so far they haven't been cooperative.

The police are pursuing two urgent lines of inquiry. First of all, to press these men on any clues as to the whereabouts of Natalee Holloway, and secondly, to try and determine if these two men have any links to three other young men who were last seen in the company of Natalee Holloway outside Carlos and Charlie's bar in Aruba. That was the last time Natalee was seen.

Karl Penhaul, CNN, Palm Beach, Aruba.

(END VIDEOTAPE) COSTELLO: In news "Across America" now, a Utah judge sentenced convicted wife killer Mark Hacking to six years to life in prison. This case made headlines last year when it was first believed Lori Hacking was kidnapped while jogging. Mark Hacking later admitted to shooting his wife while she slept. The Utah parole board will decide the length of sentence, but the judge said she hopes it's a very long time.

And, by the way, in court he says he really doesn't know why he did it.

Lacy Peterson's mother will be the latest to write a book about her late daughter. The book will be titled "For Lacy," and it's scheduled to be released in December. Sharon Rocha and Lacy's stepfather will both take place in the writing process. At least five books about the case have already been published, including one by Amber Frey.

The Washington governor's race is finally over. A state judge upheld the 129-vote win by the Democrat, Christine Gregoire. Republican challenger Dino Rossi says he'll now drop anymore challenges. Rossi had been declared the winner until a third recount in January gave Gregoire the victory.

Now for a follow-up on a story we told you about yesterday. New York's Olympic movement may be in trouble after the state decided against spending money on a new stadium in the city.

The state was expected to chip in $300 million towards a $2 billion west side stadium. The stadium was seen as crucial for the city to have a chance at getting the 2012 summer games. The failure may also cause the city the 2010 Super Bowl.

Chad, it's time for our e-mail segment.

MYERS: You don't think Donald Trump's going to build that?

COSTELLO: Who knows. He might.

MYERS: He can put a casino on the outside and the stadium on the inside if they give him the permit, I guess.

COSTELLO: Yes. They'll have to call it "Trump Stadium," though. Maybe that will be too much. Who knows. But I don't know, I doubt it. That's a lot of money.

MYERS: It sure is.

COSTELLO: Well, Chad, I was going to say, this is our e-mail segment time.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And we know you're a licensed meteorologist.

MYERS: That's true. COSTELLO: But you're also a licensed driver.

MYERS: Yes, I'm a card-carrying member of the driving community. Thank you.

COSTELLO: Yes, as am I. We want you to prove it, so it's time for a pop quiz, hotshot.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: Remember that study we told you about that estimates one in 10 drivers nationwide would fail a written driver's test?

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Yes.

MYERS: Are you going to pull this on me today?

COSTELLO: I am, because...

MYERS: All right.

COSTELLO: ... you pulled that question out of the air yesterday.

MYERS: You know what? Fine.

COSTELLO: It made me a fool on the air.

MYERS: I will put up or shut up. Fire away.

COSTELLO: OK. You have to pass the test when you're 16. I'm just reminding everybody. But like you don't know that.

Anyway, here goes.

MYERS: A flashing red traffic light means?

COSTELLO: We're testing you throughout the morning. A flashing read traffic light means, A, it means you'll stop until the light turns green...

MYERS: That would be a really long time. So don't do that one.

COSTELLO: ... B, it means you slow down and proceed with caution.

MYERS: And that would get you a ticket, so don't do that one.

COSTELLO: C, has the same meaning as a stop sign.

MYERS: Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding.

COSTELLO: D, warns you to clear the intersection.

MYERS: No, C is the correct answer. COSTELLO: All right.

MYERS: Final answer.

COSTELLO: Final answer is C, you are right.

MYERS: For $64.

COSTELLO: You are right. A flashing red light has the same meaning as a stop sign.

MYERS: This is going to be fun.

COSTELLO: Go ahead. You have an e-mail question prepared.

MYERS: Well, you know, the whole thing about this thing is that, what are people doing? Some of these people, I don't even know that they took this the first time. But anyway, the e-mail "Question of the Day," Carol, should you be required to take a written driver's test regularly?

What does that mean, every four years, every eight years? I don't know. Just make me a number. Should you be required to take this thing?

Once in a while, some of these people just mail them back in and they get another one in the mail. Now, come on.

COSTELLO: No, I really think you should...

MYERS: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: ... because, you know, you take it once at 16 years old, and then you never take it again. Shouldn't we be up for a refresher course of some kind?

MYERS: And some things change. You can make a left on red now if it doesn't say "No left on red." Not through the boroughs of Manhattan.

COSTELLO: Well, a one-way street to a one-way street, right?

MYERS: Correct. Correct. And if you don't know that -- oh, you can't do that -- don't do that in New York City or you'll get another ticket. But, yes, I think you definitely should take it regularly.

When do you think -- how often do you think you should have to take that driver's test?

COSTELLO: DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

And still to come this hour, Michael Jackson has his share of trials, not just in court, but in the hospital.

Also, we'll put you on pins and needles, but don't worry, it will make you feel so much better. And just about Anything Goes on Broadway this summer. We'll take you out for a preview.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 5:14 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

Iraq, Iran and Africa are expected to be on the agenda when President Bush meets British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Washington. This is the first meeting between the two world leaders since Blair won reelection last month.

Many states say it will be business as usual concerning medical marijuana despite the Supreme Court's ruling. The court said users can be prosecuted even if they're taking the drug under a doctor's orders. But the ruling does not strike down laws in 11 states that allow the use of medical marijuana.

In money news, a former Enron figure is out of jail. Lea Fastow was released into a halfway house to finish out her one-year sentence. The wife of Enron finance chief Andrew Fastow was jailed on tax charges related to her husband's kickbacks from the company.

In culture, Molly Ringwald -- remember her -- says a sequel to "16 Candles" may be on the way. The movie itself is celebrating its 21st anniversary. Oh, you're feeling old, aren't you? Ringwald says she's finally seen a sequel script that she likes.

In sports, the Detroit Pistons are moving on to the NBA finals. They advanced with an 88-82 win over the Miami Heat and Shaquille O'Neal in game seven of the Eastern Conference finals. Game one of the finals between the Pistons and Spurs begins on Thursday.

So, Chad...

MYERS: Yes?

COSTELLO: ... the seemingly never-ending saga does continue.

MYERS: Exactly. You know what? But this was a game that was away, Carol. The Pistons played very well on their home port with Larry Brown.

I think they were 8 and 2, something like that. But they played well to win game seven on the road, and I kind of get -- take the hats off to them for that. And there's another series still to go.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

That's a look at the latest headlines for you this morning. Still to come on DAYBREAK, he's been in and out of the hospital, so how ill is Michael Jackson? We'll take a look at his medical history coming up.

And later, oh, that looks painful, doesn't it? But more Americans are turning to this rather prickly procedure for pain relief.

You are watching DAYBREAK for Tuesday, June 7.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Oh, are you running on empty when it comes to knowing the rules of the road? We've been checking under Chad's hood to see how much he knows.

A new study says one in 10 drivers nationwide would fail a written driver's test. It also says people in the Northeast have the least knowledge about road rules.

I know you don't live in the Northeast, Chad, but so what. It's time for your second question of the morning.

MYERS: OK. Go ahead. Fire away.

COSTELLO: OK. A white painted curb means what, A, a loading zone for freight or passengers, B, a loading zone for passengers or mail only, or C, a loading zone for freight only?

MYERS: It's not freight only. It's for people. A loading zone for freight or passengers, or a loading zone for passengers or mail?

COSTELLO: You can't show him the right answer before -- who did that graphic?

MYERS: What's that?

COSTELLO: They -- they're showing you the right answer.

MYERS: Where?

COSTELLO: OK, you can't see -- oh, you can see it and you know it.

MYERS: No. Where? Oh, it's already -- oh, yes. I'm looking at a black and white monitor.

COSTELLO: Oh, that's good.

(LAUGHTER)

MYERS: Yes, well, you know, only you get the colored monitors up there in New York.

COSTELLO: B. MYERS: I guess it is B there, because it's yellow. Loading for passengers and mail only. I thought maybe freight could pull up there as well, but this is very typical of some place like an airport, where you can only get in and out.

This is going to be painted white, you can't stop the car and get out of it and then leave the car there. You can only drop people off, and so on and so on and so on, Carol.

COSTELLO: That is excellent, Chad. Excellent.

Our e-mail "Question of the Day," should you have to take your driver's test more than once in your lifetime?

MYERS: And you think, Carol? Yes.

COSTELLO: I was waiting for some response.

MYERS: Yes, I think you probably should.

COSTELLO: I actually do. I do. I think you should. You should take it at least -- I don't know, should you take it every five or 10 years?

MYERS: Yes. But you know what? The line just to get a driver's license in Fulton County, Georgia, here sometimes can be -- can be a day.

When I first got moved here from Detroit, I went there to pick up my little tag. And you have to -- you take a little ticket like you're going to go to the deli, and you pull the ticket. It was 10:00 in the morning, and you're -- when you pull the ticket, it tells you when you're going to get there. It's going to estimate a time.

I pulled it at 10:00. It said, "You will get to the counter at 2:00 tomorrow." Tomorrow.

COSTELLO: No it did not.

MYERS: Oh, yes it did.

COSTELLO: Did you leave?

MYERS: Yes, certainly I did. I went to a different office.

COSTELLO: Wow.

DAYBREAK@CNN.com if you want to weigh in this morning. DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

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

The British prime minister crosses the pond to visit an old ally. Why President Bush may be welcoming Tony Blair with an American checkbook. Plus, he's been in and out of the hospital throughout his trial. What's making Michael Jackson so sick? Is it his body or his mind? We'll explore the possibilities when DAYBREAK continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.

COSTELLO: Good morning to you. Thank you. And thanks for waking up with us. Welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK.

Coming up in the next 30 minutes, George Bush and Tony Blair meet today at the White House to discuss financial aid for Africa. Will the president ante up?

And want to see a Broadway show this summer? We'll tell you what's worth the ticket price later on DAYBREAK.

But first, "Now in the News," U.S. and Iraqi troops have launched another major assault against insurgents today in Iraq. Dozens of tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles and Apache helicopters moved into the city of Telafar in northwestern Iraq. CNN's Jane Arraf, who's embedded with the U.S. troops, says 16 suspected insurgents have been detained.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers take action to better protect children from violent and sexual crimes. A House subcommittee will hold hearings today on bills designed to get tough on sexual offenders.

Tens of thousands of people in Michigan could wake up this morning without power. Severe thunderstorms knocked down trees and power lines and spawned two suspected tornadoes in Saginaw County last night. At least 193,000 utility customers lost power.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: To the -- oh, jeez, Chad. Good morning.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

MYERS: You bet.

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 June 7, 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: It is Tuesday, June 7. President Bush and Tony Blair meet today at the White House.
It is not Iraq or Afghanistan that's top of the agenda for the two leaders. It's Africa.

Also, in action. We'll take you into the heart of a major military offensive going on right now. CNN has exclusive pictures this morning.

And volunteer soldiers and FBI agents, they've all been searching, but Natalee Holloway is still missing.

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.

COLLINS: And good morning to you. Also ahead on DAYBREAK, could an ancient Chinese remedy help ease your pain? Dr. Sanjay Gupta checks out acupuncture.

And planning on visiting the Big Apple this summer? We'll tell you what to see the Great White Way.

But first, "Now in the News," a huge aid package for Africa. That's what President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair will announce when they meet at the White House this afternoon. The U.S. is putting up an additional $674 million.

A vote is expected today on another one of President Bush's judicial nominees. Last month's Senate compromise should mean confirmation for California Supreme Court Justice Janice Rogers Brown. She was first nominated for a seat on a federal appeals court two years ago.

It looks like a river, but actually, this is a road. Check out the flooding in central Pennsylvania. Workers had to rescue a couple of cars and at least one driver.

Some vehicles damaged, but Chad...

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes?

COSTELLO: ... luckily, no one hurt here.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: You just wonder again why people drive through that stuff.

MYERS: Well, because they didn't know how deep it was. But we tell you, if you don't know how deep it is, don't go through it. But they continue to do it, and then some people get washed away. And then you know the rest of the story.

So you had to be careful yesterday. It was a very severe day across the Northeast.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

MYERS: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: Topping our news this morning, a disturbance erupts at the notorious U.S.-run Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad. The military revealed today that detainees threw rocks and portable-like generators at guards Sunday after a detainee tried to escape. Four guards and six detainees received minor injuries. All is said to be calm there this morning.

In northern Iraq, three suicide car bombings targeted Iraqi army checkpoints in the Hawija area. There's word that at least six Iraqi soldiers have been killed and a dozen other people wounded. In the meantime, a car bombing in Baghdad has wounded a police officer.

Another major show of force against insurgents in Iraq. At this moment, U.S. and Iraqi troops are in action in the northwestern city of Telafar near Syria's border. CNN Senior Baghdad Correspondent Jane Arraf is embedded with U.S. forces. She joins us live now.

Tell us what's happening, Jane.

JANE ARRAF, CNN SR. BAGHDAD CORRESPONDENT: Carol, it started just before dawn this major operation involving almost 50 (ph) tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles meant, as you said, as a show of force and an effort to demonstrate that the Iraqi soldiers, with the American troops, were a viable force. They went into small alleyways. They -- the soldiers darted in between these, trying to find insurgents and disrupt what they say is an insurgent stronghold still affected by infiltration from the Syrian border.

This has been a place that has been considered so dangerous for U.S. troops that they travel only in tanks and Bradleys through those streets.

Some gunfire today, two mortar attacks. And at the end, one American soldier was killed in the operation. Four suspected insurgents died as well. The U.S. military says they detained 23 suspected insurgents, including a sniper team and a mortar team -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jane, how many U.S. forces are involved? And are Iraqi security forces fighting alongside them? ARRAF: This operation was a major one for the city. And, in fact, they've beefed up the security forces here, Iraqi and American. But 4,000 American troops in the area.

Now, this operation was about 800 U.S. and Iraqi troops. About 200 of them Iraq. The point of it is to get the Iraqis out in the streets, the streets where policemen are afraid to tread.

This has been a very volatile, quite a dangerous neighborhood in the city of Telafar in northwestern Iraq. And one of the points that they wanted to make was that Iraqi forces are backed by U.S. forces, but they can also stand on their own -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jane Arraf. Be careful out there. Jane Arraf reporting from Iraq this morning.

Police in Aruba say two men arrested in the missing teen investigation have not been cooperative. In the meantime, the search for 18-year-old Natalee Holloway goes on. It's now been more than a week since she was supposed to come home from her graduation trip to the island.

CNN's Karl Penhaul has the latest from Aruba.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Around 500 government employees took part in a large-scale search on the wind-swept eastern tip of Aruba. The Aruban government had given them time off from work to take part in the hunt for clues as to the whereabouts of the missing teenager, Natalee Holloway.

Those government employees were joined by Dutch Marines and members of Aruba's search and rescue team. Using sticks, they prodded through mangrove areas. They also prodded through thorny scrub and an area covered by cactus. They haven't found anything, we are told by police.

The area of today's search, though, was very close to the town St. Nicholas, where two men aged 28 and 30 were arrested by police on suspicion that they are connected to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway exactly one week ago. A senior police official has told me that in the course of the day those two suspects underwent further interrogation, but he says that so far they haven't been cooperative.

The police are pursuing two urgent lines of inquiry. First of all, to press these men on any clues as to the whereabouts of Natalee Holloway, and secondly, to try and determine if these two men have any links to three other young men who were last seen in the company of Natalee Holloway outside Carlos and Charlie's bar in Aruba. That was the last time Natalee was seen.

Karl Penhaul, CNN, Palm Beach, Aruba.

(END VIDEOTAPE) COSTELLO: In news "Across America" now, a Utah judge sentenced convicted wife killer Mark Hacking to six years to life in prison. This case made headlines last year when it was first believed Lori Hacking was kidnapped while jogging. Mark Hacking later admitted to shooting his wife while she slept. The Utah parole board will decide the length of sentence, but the judge said she hopes it's a very long time.

And, by the way, in court he says he really doesn't know why he did it.

Lacy Peterson's mother will be the latest to write a book about her late daughter. The book will be titled "For Lacy," and it's scheduled to be released in December. Sharon Rocha and Lacy's stepfather will both take place in the writing process. At least five books about the case have already been published, including one by Amber Frey.

The Washington governor's race is finally over. A state judge upheld the 129-vote win by the Democrat, Christine Gregoire. Republican challenger Dino Rossi says he'll now drop anymore challenges. Rossi had been declared the winner until a third recount in January gave Gregoire the victory.

Now for a follow-up on a story we told you about yesterday. New York's Olympic movement may be in trouble after the state decided against spending money on a new stadium in the city.

The state was expected to chip in $300 million towards a $2 billion west side stadium. The stadium was seen as crucial for the city to have a chance at getting the 2012 summer games. The failure may also cause the city the 2010 Super Bowl.

Chad, it's time for our e-mail segment.

MYERS: You don't think Donald Trump's going to build that?

COSTELLO: Who knows. He might.

MYERS: He can put a casino on the outside and the stadium on the inside if they give him the permit, I guess.

COSTELLO: Yes. They'll have to call it "Trump Stadium," though. Maybe that will be too much. Who knows. But I don't know, I doubt it. That's a lot of money.

MYERS: It sure is.

COSTELLO: Well, Chad, I was going to say, this is our e-mail segment time.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And we know you're a licensed meteorologist.

MYERS: That's true. COSTELLO: But you're also a licensed driver.

MYERS: Yes, I'm a card-carrying member of the driving community. Thank you.

COSTELLO: Yes, as am I. We want you to prove it, so it's time for a pop quiz, hotshot.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: Remember that study we told you about that estimates one in 10 drivers nationwide would fail a written driver's test?

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Yes.

MYERS: Are you going to pull this on me today?

COSTELLO: I am, because...

MYERS: All right.

COSTELLO: ... you pulled that question out of the air yesterday.

MYERS: You know what? Fine.

COSTELLO: It made me a fool on the air.

MYERS: I will put up or shut up. Fire away.

COSTELLO: OK. You have to pass the test when you're 16. I'm just reminding everybody. But like you don't know that.

Anyway, here goes.

MYERS: A flashing red traffic light means?

COSTELLO: We're testing you throughout the morning. A flashing read traffic light means, A, it means you'll stop until the light turns green...

MYERS: That would be a really long time. So don't do that one.

COSTELLO: ... B, it means you slow down and proceed with caution.

MYERS: And that would get you a ticket, so don't do that one.

COSTELLO: C, has the same meaning as a stop sign.

MYERS: Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding.

COSTELLO: D, warns you to clear the intersection.

MYERS: No, C is the correct answer. COSTELLO: All right.

MYERS: Final answer.

COSTELLO: Final answer is C, you are right.

MYERS: For $64.

COSTELLO: You are right. A flashing red light has the same meaning as a stop sign.

MYERS: This is going to be fun.

COSTELLO: Go ahead. You have an e-mail question prepared.

MYERS: Well, you know, the whole thing about this thing is that, what are people doing? Some of these people, I don't even know that they took this the first time. But anyway, the e-mail "Question of the Day," Carol, should you be required to take a written driver's test regularly?

What does that mean, every four years, every eight years? I don't know. Just make me a number. Should you be required to take this thing?

Once in a while, some of these people just mail them back in and they get another one in the mail. Now, come on.

COSTELLO: No, I really think you should...

MYERS: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: ... because, you know, you take it once at 16 years old, and then you never take it again. Shouldn't we be up for a refresher course of some kind?

MYERS: And some things change. You can make a left on red now if it doesn't say "No left on red." Not through the boroughs of Manhattan.

COSTELLO: Well, a one-way street to a one-way street, right?

MYERS: Correct. Correct. And if you don't know that -- oh, you can't do that -- don't do that in New York City or you'll get another ticket. But, yes, I think you definitely should take it regularly.

When do you think -- how often do you think you should have to take that driver's test?

COSTELLO: DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

And still to come this hour, Michael Jackson has his share of trials, not just in court, but in the hospital.

Also, we'll put you on pins and needles, but don't worry, it will make you feel so much better. And just about Anything Goes on Broadway this summer. We'll take you out for a preview.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 5:14 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

Iraq, Iran and Africa are expected to be on the agenda when President Bush meets British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Washington. This is the first meeting between the two world leaders since Blair won reelection last month.

Many states say it will be business as usual concerning medical marijuana despite the Supreme Court's ruling. The court said users can be prosecuted even if they're taking the drug under a doctor's orders. But the ruling does not strike down laws in 11 states that allow the use of medical marijuana.

In money news, a former Enron figure is out of jail. Lea Fastow was released into a halfway house to finish out her one-year sentence. The wife of Enron finance chief Andrew Fastow was jailed on tax charges related to her husband's kickbacks from the company.

In culture, Molly Ringwald -- remember her -- says a sequel to "16 Candles" may be on the way. The movie itself is celebrating its 21st anniversary. Oh, you're feeling old, aren't you? Ringwald says she's finally seen a sequel script that she likes.

In sports, the Detroit Pistons are moving on to the NBA finals. They advanced with an 88-82 win over the Miami Heat and Shaquille O'Neal in game seven of the Eastern Conference finals. Game one of the finals between the Pistons and Spurs begins on Thursday.

So, Chad...

MYERS: Yes?

COSTELLO: ... the seemingly never-ending saga does continue.

MYERS: Exactly. You know what? But this was a game that was away, Carol. The Pistons played very well on their home port with Larry Brown.

I think they were 8 and 2, something like that. But they played well to win game seven on the road, and I kind of get -- take the hats off to them for that. And there's another series still to go.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

That's a look at the latest headlines for you this morning. Still to come on DAYBREAK, he's been in and out of the hospital, so how ill is Michael Jackson? We'll take a look at his medical history coming up.

And later, oh, that looks painful, doesn't it? But more Americans are turning to this rather prickly procedure for pain relief.

You are watching DAYBREAK for Tuesday, June 7.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Oh, are you running on empty when it comes to knowing the rules of the road? We've been checking under Chad's hood to see how much he knows.

A new study says one in 10 drivers nationwide would fail a written driver's test. It also says people in the Northeast have the least knowledge about road rules.

I know you don't live in the Northeast, Chad, but so what. It's time for your second question of the morning.

MYERS: OK. Go ahead. Fire away.

COSTELLO: OK. A white painted curb means what, A, a loading zone for freight or passengers, B, a loading zone for passengers or mail only, or C, a loading zone for freight only?

MYERS: It's not freight only. It's for people. A loading zone for freight or passengers, or a loading zone for passengers or mail?

COSTELLO: You can't show him the right answer before -- who did that graphic?

MYERS: What's that?

COSTELLO: They -- they're showing you the right answer.

MYERS: Where?

COSTELLO: OK, you can't see -- oh, you can see it and you know it.

MYERS: No. Where? Oh, it's already -- oh, yes. I'm looking at a black and white monitor.

COSTELLO: Oh, that's good.

(LAUGHTER)

MYERS: Yes, well, you know, only you get the colored monitors up there in New York.

COSTELLO: B. MYERS: I guess it is B there, because it's yellow. Loading for passengers and mail only. I thought maybe freight could pull up there as well, but this is very typical of some place like an airport, where you can only get in and out.

This is going to be painted white, you can't stop the car and get out of it and then leave the car there. You can only drop people off, and so on and so on and so on, Carol.

COSTELLO: That is excellent, Chad. Excellent.

Our e-mail "Question of the Day," should you have to take your driver's test more than once in your lifetime?

MYERS: And you think, Carol? Yes.

COSTELLO: I was waiting for some response.

MYERS: Yes, I think you probably should.

COSTELLO: I actually do. I do. I think you should. You should take it at least -- I don't know, should you take it every five or 10 years?

MYERS: Yes. But you know what? The line just to get a driver's license in Fulton County, Georgia, here sometimes can be -- can be a day.

When I first got moved here from Detroit, I went there to pick up my little tag. And you have to -- you take a little ticket like you're going to go to the deli, and you pull the ticket. It was 10:00 in the morning, and you're -- when you pull the ticket, it tells you when you're going to get there. It's going to estimate a time.

I pulled it at 10:00. It said, "You will get to the counter at 2:00 tomorrow." Tomorrow.

COSTELLO: No it did not.

MYERS: Oh, yes it did.

COSTELLO: Did you leave?

MYERS: Yes, certainly I did. I went to a different office.

COSTELLO: Wow.

DAYBREAK@CNN.com if you want to weigh in this morning. DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

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

The British prime minister crosses the pond to visit an old ally. Why President Bush may be welcoming Tony Blair with an American checkbook. Plus, he's been in and out of the hospital throughout his trial. What's making Michael Jackson so sick? Is it his body or his mind? We'll explore the possibilities when DAYBREAK continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.

COSTELLO: Good morning to you. Thank you. And thanks for waking up with us. Welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK.

Coming up in the next 30 minutes, George Bush and Tony Blair meet today at the White House to discuss financial aid for Africa. Will the president ante up?

And want to see a Broadway show this summer? We'll tell you what's worth the ticket price later on DAYBREAK.

But first, "Now in the News," U.S. and Iraqi troops have launched another major assault against insurgents today in Iraq. Dozens of tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles and Apache helicopters moved into the city of Telafar in northwestern Iraq. CNN's Jane Arraf, who's embedded with the U.S. troops, says 16 suspected insurgents have been detained.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers take action to better protect children from violent and sexual crimes. A House subcommittee will hold hearings today on bills designed to get tough on sexual offenders.

Tens of thousands of people in Michigan could wake up this morning without power. Severe thunderstorms knocked down trees and power lines and spawned two suspected tornadoes in Saginaw County last night. At least 193,000 utility customers lost power.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: To the -- oh, jeez, Chad. Good morning.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

MYERS: You bet.

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