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CNN Live At Daybreak

Hurricane Katrina; Eye of Storm; Bomb Mystery

Aired August 26, 2005 - 06:30   ET

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


ANNOUNCER: CNN, your hurricane headquarters.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: In Miami, a highway overpass under construction collapses in the midst of Katrina. This bridge is over Florida Highway 836, west of the city. You're looking at some live pictures now from our affiliate WSVN-TV.

The highway was closed for about 20 blocks. Crews will begin clean-up later this morning.

Well, Hurricane Katrina isn't going away anytime soon. As we've been talking about all morning long, the storm moving slowly, and that means lots of rain and flooding for people in Florida.

Joining us now is Hector Florin. He covers Palm Beach County for the "Palm Beach Post" newspaper, and he joins us on the phone from I believe West Palm Beach.

Hector, thanks for being here. First, give us a sense of where you are and what you're seeing.

HECTOR FLORIN, "PALM BEACH POST": We're in a really good area. Good morning, Kelly, by the way. We're here in West Palm Beach. Pretty much we've got rain right now, which, of course, was expected.

But we were spared pretty well. It was pretty much the Fulton -- the southern part of Palm Beach County which got the power outages and some of the harsher winds and the rains in the county last night.

WALLACE: And, Hector, give us a sense. We've been talking about it. Four hurricanes last year, two now this year. How does the state have the resources to handle all of these hurricanes and all of the damage that comes along with them?

FLORIN: Well, there is pretty much no choice. I mean, it's just a matter of living here. I think everything changed for most of south Florida 13 years ago with Hurricane Andrew, and folks realized the danger of a hurricane and how necessary it was to be prepared. And, of course, last summer, you know, people became even more aware of the dangers of hurricanes.

You know, there's really no other choice, Kelly, than to just, you know, hunker down and get everything ready.

Folks seemed pretty calm for most of yesterday up here in Palm Beach County. They realized this wasn't a Hurricane Frances or a Hurricane Jean that trudged through the county last year. So, everything seems pretty OK. County officials assured residents yesterday that everything was going to be OK. And it looks like for the most part so far it is.

WALLACE: Hector, in this case, too, we're talking about it, it took people a little bit by surprise. And also, is there a question of whether some people took this a little lightly, because it was a tropical storm and then a category 1? And then did people think, well, this isn't so bad? But, of course, a category 1 can cause a lot of damage as well.

FLORIN: Yes, there definitely was that feeling. And you can tell throughout the day yesterday and even Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday evening county officials sort of were very aware of that. They knew this wasn't going to be last year when shelters were opened. I think something, you know, fewer than 500 people were in shelters by yesterday evening as opposed to, you know, almost 20,000 for each storm last year.

When there were questions asked about whether folks should put up hurricane shutters, it was sort of, well, if you want to. You know, they sort of urged more caution for folks in South County.

But there was definitely that feeling that maybe perhaps people won't be as attentive this time around, because it was a tropical storm, borderline hurricane. But I guess so far it was OK. Unfortunately, the folks down in Broward and Miami-Dade County felt it a lot worse than we did up here.

WALLACE: And I know you're focusing and talking closely with county officials. What are they telling you right now what's their biggest focus? You have more than one million people without power, and we were hearing some, I guess, 4,000 workers might be coming in to that part of the state to help.

FLORIN: Yes, that's right. Right now the big focus is flooding. You know, they're expecting rain for, you know, throughout the day today and into tomorrow. There's another storm or I guess some of a system that's in the Caribbean as well. I guess we heard it was east of Puerto Rico. They really fear that, you know, if there is like a daybreak of rain, that that will come in and just make things a lot worse.

As far as the power outages, up here, you know, that will be, you know, patience will be preached. I think even as early as late last night they were trying to restore power to some residents here as the wind sort of slowed down. But, you know, again, that could always take days for it to restore.

WALLACE: All right, Hector, thanks for joining us and sharing your insights with us. Hector Florin who covers Palm Beach County for the "Palm Beach Post" newspaper joining us live on the phone.

Well, people around the country watch CNN when disaster hits, but if it's in your own back yard you often depend on your local news coverage to find out what's going on. But what happens when local news get caught up in the crisis. We thought you might like this, a look behind the scenes of CNN affiliate WSVN as it was dealing with the eye of the storm.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are off the air, because of a generator problem.

TOM HAYNES, WSVN NEWS ANCHOR: It's unbelievable. And I say that literally, because I've been asking folks around here in the newsplex who have been here for many years, 15-20 years, they've never seen anything like it. And what you were saying before is true. This place has never been in the eye wall of a hurricane.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

BELKYS NEREY, WSVN NEWS ANCHOR: Craig and I are on the desk. We just tossed to Phil Farrow (ph). He was updating us, doing his thing. And it went to black in the studio and everywhere.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just lost my computer.

HAYNES: Not only is the power out, but our generator has blown. And you and I walked out there earlier and saw sparks flying out of it. I mean, this is the power that this storm is packing right now.

CHARLES BILLI, WSVN REPORTER: Actually, what we are experiencing right now is unprecedented in Miami television. I don't believe that Channel 7 has ever gone off the air during any sort of storm coverage -- maybe for a short time because of a power situation.

But you are taking a look inside the 7 newsplex, and in a way you will probably never see it again. You are looking at literally hundreds of news personnel all here to cover Hurricane Katrina and sitting in front of computers that don't work, television sets that are not on, and inside of a station that is dark, black.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE) cell phone right here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow! There you have it. There you have it. They're running. We have executive producers. Look at this. Look at the activity to get this newsplex back up and running, a team effort of massive proportions. You can see Craig getting back up on the desk right there. Belkys is running in. And you'll be able to see them. And the cameras are up. Everything is sparked hot up and running.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, ma'am.

ALICE JACOBS, WSVN VICE PRESIDENT: You've got to (INAUDIBLE).

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: Keep watching CNN, your hurricane headquarters.

WALLACE: An incredible story there, a look behind the scenes when the lights go out.

Well, as you've seen and heard, south Florida is saturated. More on Hurricane Katrina coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Soledad O'Brien is joining us now with a preview. That's easy for me to say, right?

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: There are two O'Briens on this set.

WALLACE: That's right.

S. O'BRIEN: And you can't even get our last name right.

WALLACE: I know. I know.

S. O'BRIEN: Wait until I tell Miles.

WALLACE: It's a sad state of affairs over here. Good morning, Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: Good morning to you, Kelly.

You know, it's not over yet obviously. We're going to continue to track the path of Hurricane Katrina throughout the morning.

Also, we're going to talk to the mayor of Fort Lauderdale. It's one of the cities that's been hardest hit. He's now declared a state of emergency there. We'll ask him what his biggest worries are in the aftermath.

Also, an incredibly disturbing statistic. We'll take a closer look this morning at an alarming problem at one Ohio high school. There are 490 female students in the school. Sixty-five of those students -- 65 of 490 are pregnant or have been pregnant in the last year. That's way more than 1 out of every 10. We're going to talk to the school superintendent this morning and find out what's going on there and what they're trying to do to change things.

Those stories are all ahead on "AMERICAN MORNING." Kelly, we'll see you at the top of the hour.

WALLACE: Soledad, when I heard that story, incredible, incredible. It will be interesting to hear what the superintendent has to say.

S. O'BRIEN: Yes, what they're planning to do. I want to know what the solutions are.

WALLACE: Absolutely. OK, we'll check in with you in a few minutes, Soledad. Thanks so much.

Well, she gained fame with the song "Redneck Woman," but it's her new song, "Skoal Ring," that has Tennessee's attorney general mad at country singer Gretchen Wilson. He says he wants her to stop glamorizing -- those are his words -- the use of smokeless tobacco. State officials say when Wilson pulls a can of Skoal from the pocket of her jeans during concerts she could be violating the 1998 tobacco settlement, which forbids ads targeting young people.

We'll keep watching that one.

Still to come on here DAYBREAK, another celebrity in the hot seat. Lance Armstrong talks about the allegations in a French newspaper. Is there a diplomacy issue here?

And later, can you believe it? It's been two years after that bizarre bombing that killed a pizza delivery man. "USA Today" is following up, and we'll check in with their newsroom.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: A new day dawning here in New York City.

Turning now to Lance Armstrong. He is saying that a French newspaper's charge that he used a performance-enhancing drug back in 1999 is preposterous. Armstrong told CNN's Larry King that it would be crazy for him to use the drug. The allegations were made by a French sports newspaper that has a long history of blasting Armstrong.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LANCE ARMSTRONG, TOUR DE FRANCE WINNER: If you consider the landscape between Americans and French right now, obviously relations are strained. But this has been going on for seven years. Let's not forget that it's 2005, and this all really began in 1999 when I won the first tour. I mean, immediately at that time they started with scandalous headlines and a lot of insinuation and a lot of slimy journalism.

So, I have dealt with it for seven years. This is perhaps the worst of it. I mean, ultimately when somebody comes along and says, oh, by the way, you're positive, that's a pretty serious accusation.

But it's never been pretty. Couple that with the fact that French cycling is in one of its biggest lulls it has been ever. I think it's been 20 or 25 years since they won the Tour de France. And times are tough.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Lance Armstrong speaking out in an exclusive interview on last night's CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE."

As you know, Armstrong retired from professional cycling after winning the Tour de France for a record-setting seventh time this year.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's a little after 44 minutes after the hour. And here is what is all new this morning.

Hurricane Katrina is slowly making its way across Florida. The storm dumped more than a foot of rain, causing flooding around Fort Lauderdale. Fierce winds brought down trees and power lines before the storm moved into the Gulf.

In money, General Motors is extending its employee price promotion until the end of September. GM's plan now includes some 2006 full-size trucks and SUVs. Look for Ford and Daimler Chrysler to take the same route.

In culture, Martha Stewart is ready to throw that unsightly ankle bracelet. She's being released from home confinement next Wednesday and says she's looking forward to her new television and radio shows.

In sports, former New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden is in trouble. He turned himself in to authorities in Tampa, Florida. He was wanted on several charges, including driving under the influence, eluding police and resisting arrest.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WALLACE: So, do you remember that bizarre story of the pizza delivery man who was killed by a bomb locked around his neck? Well, it's been two years since that horrifying incident in Pennsylvania. And when DAYBREAK returns, find out where the case is now.

But first, a look at who is celebrating birthdays on this Friday, August 25.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: And welcome back to DAYBREAK.

The grieving mother of a fallen soldier is taking her antiwar demonstration to Washington next month. Cindy Sheehan will embark on a bus tour when she and other protesters pack up what they call "Camp Casey" near President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. Sheehan placed her son's combat boots by a cross bearing his name at the protest site. She says she is not the only one who wants answers from the president, and that her week-long absence from the protest due to a family emergency proved it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CINDY SHEEHAN, SON KILLED IN IRAQ: I'm just so honored that the universe chose me to be a spark that has set off -- that spark has set off a raging inferno. And it proved when I had to leave, it proved that. It proved that you don't need the spark anymore, because the fire is burning. And it's not going to go out, and it's not going to end. If George Bush came out and spoke with me today and we went home, this wouldn't end. On August 31 it's not going to end, because it's just -- it just will be impossible to put out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Bush supporters for their part have ignited a countermovement. Conservative activists and military families have joined a caravan to Texas from California. It is called -- quote -- "You Don't Speak For Me, Cindy." They plan to hold a rally in Crawford on Saturday.

Marine mom Deborah Johns is bringing along a strong message.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DEBORAH JOHNS, MOTHER OF MARINE IN IRAQ: Before I left home, my secretary made me this little sign that says, "Don't mess with Texas." Right? However, I think somebody has been in Crawford messing not only with Texas, but I think she's been messing with the president. And I know she has been messing with the United States military men and women that serve this great country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: As for the president, he invited reporters to his ranch for dinner Thursday night. But all of the discussions were off the record.

Well, turning again to Lance Armstrong, he is speaking out on CNN against the doping charges against him. He talked to "LARRY KING LIVE" last night.

Let's check in with Carol Costello for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

And you will be covering this one, Carol.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Oh, yes, I find this story so fascinating, Kelly. I know you talked about Lance Armstrong earlier, and he was very strong in his words once again. He had strong words for French officials accusing him of doping. But was it enough to silence his critics? And what happened one night at his girlfriend Sheryl Crowe's home? We're going to take a closer look.

Plus, burning an American flag can often start a controversy. But in this case, it may have ended one. What's that flag burning in there? We'll tell you why this flag bought for $25,000 on eBay has stirred so many emotions among families of 9/11 victims.

Those stories and more on "AMERICAN MORNING."

This is an amazing story, because supposedly this flag once flew over the Pentagon on 9/11.

WALLACE: I know. And I know it's a story you guys covered here on DAYBREAK a little bit over the past few months.

COSTELLO: A very controversial flag, but it's no more this morning. We'll tell you why.

WALLACE: All right, Carol, we'll see you in a few minutes. Thanks so much.

Well, this is another bizarre story, this one with a tragic ending. You may remember this from two years ago. In Erie, Pennsylvania, a pizza delivery man named Brian Wells goes out on a lunchtime delivery. He winds up two hours later with a bomb locked around his neck, robbing a bank, then pleading for help from police. His death came as the television cameras rolled when the bomb blew up.

The case still hasn't been solved. And tensions between Wells' family and police has been growing.

Ginger Gadsen with "USA Today" has been covering this story. She joins us now live on DAYBREAK.

Ginger, thanks for being here.

Sure, good morning, Kelly.

GINGER GADSEN, "USA TODAY": We all remember that story very vividly, because we remember seeing those cameras roll as Brian Wells was pleading for his life. It should have been a lunchtime delivery for a pizza man, but it was anything but.

He was just three miles from where his delivery shop was. He was supposed to be delivering a pizza to a construction site, but it turned out not to be the case. He ended up down an isolated dirt road. That's where authorities believe that Wells was outfitted by that collar that you saw around his neck. And then he went to the bank with a note and robbed the bank.

He was then stopped by police. And as he pleads for his life, saying that the collar will explode if the instructions on the hand- written note was not followed, we see what happened to him over the next two hours.

Many watched the drama unfold on local television. And it ended with that horrific explosion as Wells is still pleading for his life.

Kelly, it was quite disturbing for many people. Investigators say not a day goes by that they are not asked about that crime.

WALLACE: Exactly. And very interesting, because I know "USA Today" talking with Wells' family, and they seem to be pretty angry that federal investigators are not ruling out the possibility that Brian Wells may have been involved in some way in this operation.

GADSEN: Absolutely, particularly his sister. She is upset that local state and federal investigators have been investigating for two years and still they have not made an arrest. And that's what has the family so upset. His sister, Jean Hydie (ph), I believe is her name, she says that the family, they really want answers, and they want his name cleared.

That's created a lot of tension, as you just mentioned, between the Wells family and law enforcement, because they refuse to rule out the possibility that Wells himself may have been involved in that plot.

WALLACE: And what about any leads, Ginger? Because looking at the article, that odd twist that a body was found in a freezer in a home near where Wells was to have delivered those pizzas that morning. Is this a lead that is leading investigators to anything substantial?

GADSEN: Well, Kelly, they made an arrest with the death. They found a body in a freezer of a home near the spot where Wells was supposed to have made that pizza delivery. They arrested the dead man's girlfriend.

Well, she has since died in prison. So, they can't ask her anymore questions. And that's what's making the case even more complicated, because if she were a lead, well, she's not anymore.

WALLACE: Ginger, it's still all so hard to believe to all of us that it's been two years, two years, and still no answers. Ginger, thanks for being here. We really appreciate it. Ginger Gadsen joining us with the latest from "USA Today."

GADSEN: You're welcome.

WALLACE: And this is DAYBREAK for a Friday morning. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: Chad, it's that magical time of the day.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Oh, one bright spot in my day today.

WALLACE: Yes.

MYERS: Let me show you what's going on here. It's time to give away the mug, yes.

What state just set the first cap on wholesale gasoline prices? And that was Hawaii. And who is the director of the Tour de France? And that is Jean-Marie Leblanc. And he was in the news obviously because of all of that stuff with Lance Armstrong.

And the winner, Donovan McNabb. No, no, Donovan McDonald. Donovan McDonald from Boston, Massachusetts, congratulations. Donovan, we just got the new 7:00 a.m. advisory, Kelly. And we'll have that for you. Oh, we do have questions. OK.

In what year did Walter Reed Army Hospital open? And what singer is Tennessee targeting for promoting smokeless tobacco?

Go to CNN.com/daybreak. I thought we had killed that, but OK.

WALLACE: That's all right. All right, Chad, you have a great weekend. I'm Kelly Wallace sitting in today for Carol Costello. For all of us, have a great day. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

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