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Police Confirm 4 Victims Found Along Florida Turnpike Were A Family; U.S. Intelligence Report Preliminary Results Show Radioactivity In Air At Suspected North Korean Test Site; Page Scandal Jeopardizes GOP Control of Congress

Aired October 14, 2006 - 11:00   ET

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

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: "Now in the News": A man, his wife and their two children shot to death on the Florida turnpike. Florida investigators still trying to figure out the motive here. A news conference is expected at any moment, within this hour. When that does happen, we will bring it to you live.
Also now in the news, there is new evidence supporting North Korea's claim that it conducted a nuclear test. Air samples collected over North Korea show evidence of radioactivity. And that, according to a U.S. intelligence report obtained by CNN, the findings are still preliminary. And officials say more analysis is needed.

The U.N. Security Council is set to meet on North Korea in about an hour. In his weekly radio address, President Bush called for sanctions to make North Korea dismantle its nuclear program. Just ahead, a live report from the U.N.

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: The Bush administration tries to save the NSA's warrantless eavesdropping program. The Justice Department filed a 72-page brief last night. It wants an appeals court to overrule a judge who declared the program unconstitutional.

No more airplane flights over New York's East River, unless air traffic controllers are watching. The FAA issued that order yesterday, two days after a small plane crashed into a Manhattan condominium tower. Two people were killed including New York Yankee's pitcher Corey Lidle.

NGUYEN: You're in the CNN NEWSROOM. The news is unfolding live this Saturday, the 14th day of October. Welcome, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.

HOLMES: I'm T.J. Holmes.

Possible confirmation that North Korea did, in fact, test a nuclear weapon, as the U.N. prepares to discuss punishment.

NGUYEN: Plus, CNN investigates post-Katrina. Did some overstressed New Orleans police officers cross the line and actually shoot to kill?

HOLMES: And dictator fashion, the world's strong man in need of major makeovers. You're in the NEWSROOM. First, a missing jeep could lead to a killer. A dead woman found clutching the bodies of her dead children, with her husband's body nearby. Our Susan Candiotti live from Fort Pierce, Florida, with new details on the turnpike killings.

This is just a terrible story, Susan.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM: It is, T.J. Good morning to you.

Who are they? This Florida family? And we know now for sure they are related. They are a husband, wife, young son and daughter, shot apparently execution style. Their bodies abandoned on the Florida turnpike in the early hours of Friday morning.

Next hour, the Saint Lucie County sheriff will reveal who this family is, not only that, but their photographs as well, and tell us something of their recent history. We don't know whether police yet have a motive. Now, this vicious crime did happen overnight on Friday. Police say the killer, or killers, was apparently in the victim's car with them.

This is a dark colored Jeep Cherokee, two-door, with a temporary paper tag in the rear window. It could be dark green in color. Driven by the side of the Florida turnpike south of the Fort Pierce, Florida exit. The victims were apparently made to get out of the car and shot multiple times.

And this chilling detail, the mother apparently tried to use her body to shield her children from the bullets without success.

Authorities are still looking for that jeep as far as we know. They are also searching through nearly 500 hours of surveillance video collected from toll plazas along the Florida turnpike system, in hopes of getting a picture of that Jeep and possibly who was in it. Back to you, T.J.

HOLMES: All right, Susan. They did confirm for us, it is a family of four. That's a terrible story. One we're keeping an eye on; expecting a press conference as well. Thank you so much this morning, Susan.

NGUYEN: When that press conference does happen, we will take it live right here on CNN. So stay tuned for that.

Here's a question, though. Will this be the day the U.N. takes action? Five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council have been holding talks this morning. And the full Security Council is supposed to meet one hour from now.

At issue, sanctions against North Korea for its nuclear weapons program. Now, North Koreans claim they conducted a nuclear test Monday, in a remote area near the Chinese border. There is new evidence today that it wasn't an idle boast. We have a live reports from Richard Roth at the U.N. and Kathleen Koch at the White House.

HOLMES: We're going to start with CNN Senior United Nations Correspondent Richard Roth.

Richard, you have seen a lot of activity? Obviously a busy morning?

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT, NEWSROOM: Yes. The Security Council big powers have been huddling at various levels, in various rooms, moving back and forth through the corridors. All 15 countries of the Security Council might meet in about an hour.

But the three -- the three, U.S., France, Britain, met along with Japan. Then Russia and China has now just joined them. The Chinese and the Russians have particular concerns. Say some say they're dragging it out. The U.S. wanted a vote early this morning. That hasn't happened. China is still has worries about stop and search provisions that under this resolution would have inspections of all goods going in and out from ports to North Korea to make sure they're not turned into weapons of mass destruction use.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WANG GUANGYA, CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N.: I think our position is firmly opposed the nuclear tests by the North Koreans.

ROTH (on camera): Do you think it requires strong measures such as sanctions such as stopping or searching any goods going into that country (ph)?

GUANGYA: I think that is the concern. Because you see that this interception idea, because once you put it in operation it could easily lead, by one side or the other, to lead to a provocation of conflict, which will have serious implications for the region, for the countries.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: One Western diplomat said the Chinese and Russian objections are not deal breakers. They're more tactical in nature, procedural things. The Russians and the Chinese have had meetings with North Korean officials in various capitols in the last few days. Perhaps they're getting more input from Pyongyang. Some diplomats, though, still expect a vote, though it may take several more hours today -- T.J.

HOLMES: All right, Richard, thank you so much from the United Nations this morning.

NGUYEN: We want to take you to the White House and CNN's Kathleen Koch. Obviously, the Bush administration looking for some strong sanctions.

In fact, Kathleen, this morning the president spoke about it in his radio address.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Certainly, and what the president was doing this morning was backing up those negotiators at the U.N., showing a united front. President Bush, in his radio address this morning, insisting that North Korea with this apparent nuclear test last Sunday has, quote, "Once again broken its word, provoked an international crisis and denied its people the opportunity for a better life."

Now President Bush echoed what he has said since the start of this crisis. The U.S. certainly does remain committed to finding a diplomatic solution, but that all options remain on the table.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: As we pursue a diplomatic solution we are also reassuring our allies in the region that America remains committed to their security. We have strong defense alliances with Japan and South Korea. And the United States will meet these commitments.

And in response to North Korea's provocation we will seek to increase our defense cooperation with our allies, including cooperation on ballistic missile defense to protect against North Korea aggression, and cooperation to prevent North Korea from importing or exporting nuclear or missile technologies.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOCH: The latter is certainly one of the United States' greatest concerns, that if, indeed, North Korea did successfully conduct a test that it might now sell its nuclear technology to rogue nations or to terrorists.

As to whether or not there was actually a test, still a lot of questions on that. According to a draft that was prepared by the office of the director of the National Intelligence, there was evidence that was found of radioactivity from that site where North Korea was believed to have conducted the test. But at the same time, the White House says, quote, "The intelligence community continues to analyze the data." -- Betty.

NGUYEN: That's going to be key, because a little bit earlier this week, Kathleen, we heard from a lot of people that there was no indication that a nuclear device was tested there. But now we're hearing something much different. How long is that analysis going to take before we know for sure?

KOCH: We were expecting -- we are expecting, it could take a couple more days. That is certainly what Press Secretary Tony Snow said yesterday at the briefing. But some of the difficulty involved here is they're saying if the test was conducted and the vents were sealed, where it was conducted underground, there may have been very little release of radioactivity, or the test could have failed.

But, again, Snow and President Bush are insisting that North Korea still deserves punishment and condemnation for trying to conduct a test, for bragging about it, and creating this international crisis.

NGUYEN: And we'll see what the Security Council does today when they get together and vote. Kathleen, thank you so much from the White House.

You can learn a whole lot more about North Korea, it's nuclear program, and possible international sanctions. All you have to do is go to CNN.com.

On another subject now, after Hurricane Katrina, police officers fearing for their lives. Did they shoot to kill?

HOLMES: Plus, working the poles like a pro.

NGUYEN: Uh-oh. Can we show this on morning television?

HOLMES: This is still a morning show. Everyday women shaping up like strippers, Rob.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Gentleman, grab your wives and get to the TV. There's some lessons to be learned on CNN on a Saturday morning.

Hey we have some showers, mostly in the form of rain and wet snow. This just does not want to end for folks who live in Buffalo, it is melting. We'll go over your complete forecast in just few minutes. T.J. back to you.

HOLMES: All right, thanks Rob. And support from home. Children connecting to soldiers in Iraq. Stay here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: All right. Here's a look at the most popular stories right now on CNN.com.

Topping the list, first, that gruesome Florida turnpike killing; several of them, in fact. A man, woman, two small children shot dead. Authorities are looking for their missing Jeep. There's a news conference going to happen any minute now. When it does, we'll bring it to you live.

In the meantime, lots of folks also clicking on North Korea's nukes. New air samples seem to support Pyongyang's claim that it conducted a nuclear test this week. The U.N. Security Council is set to meet in less than an hour on whether to punish North Korea.

And new FAA restrictions on New York airspace, also getting lots of hits today. Stricter rules on planes following, of course, that fatal crash involving Yankees pitcher Corey Lidle and his flight instructor.

And a drum please: The most watched video? With now doubt, stripper workouts. What are you people thinking of at home, as you're surfing the net?

HOLMES: Clear heels!

NGUYEN: Pole dancing and chair dancing for everyday women, including many moms. It's catching on across the country. T.J. likes it.

HOLMES: Cool mom, very cool mom.

NGUYEN: Obviously. Details on all these stories and much more at your fingertips on CNN.com.

HOLMES: Clear heels, lovely.

ANNOUNCER: You're watching CNN, your severe weather headquarters.

NGUYEN: All right. Let's move on, shall we?

HOLMES: Let's not.

NGUYEN: Bad news in Buffalo. Yeah. It may be next weekend before everyone gets their power back on. That's not a good thing. Nearly 400,000 customers have no electricity today thanks to the record busting October snow.

Many scrambled to shelters just to stay warm. And some Erie County residents are boiling their water after a pumping station was knocked of offline. Today, higher temperatures, that's the good news. And the big meltdown begins, but that can also be very problematic.

HOLMES: The big meltdown is supposed to help, but still they might have a whole new set of issues.

MARCIANO: They might have some flooding, guys, as you can imagine. But if you live in Buffalo, make sure you keep your storm drains clear of debris, like branches that may have fallen down. That will certainly help the situation there.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HOLMES: In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, what happened when the New Orleans police department became the last line of defense against total anarchy. When police officers lost their homes and feared for their lives did some of them take shoot to kill orders too far? Tonight at "CNN Presents" Drew Griffin uncovers the untold stories. Here's a preview.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We could hear gun shots all around us basically. Most of the firing was coming from the project area, which would be to the north of our station.

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The 1st District Station under fire was now calling itself Fort Apache.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Law abiding citizens leave and now you get kind of like the Mad Max syndrome, I guess. They're harming themselves. They want to do what they want to do. We can't allow them to get the station.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So if anything starts happening, just get low.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We actually had defensive positions on our station.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They challenge them, you all should be on target.

CAPTAIN JAMES SCOTT, NEW ORLEANS POLICE: In a civilized society, that's pretty bizarre that you have defensive positions on a police station.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This will make 9/11 look like nothing. I think the people dead is going to be worse. And we're not going to know (INAUDIBLE)

(GUN SHOTS)

OFFICER PAT MANGUS, NEW ORLEANS POLICE: The guy said, NOPD die. That's when we realized that there were some people out there that didn't want to be rescued, and were just out there looking at maybe taking us out.

LT. SANDRA SIMPSON, NEW ORLEANS POLICE: Dealing with all of this, the aftermath in the city with the flooding, the looting, with the killing, with the raping, some of the things that happened, I just can't comprehend.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: You can watch "CNN Presents: Shoot to Kill", tonight and tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A bridge straddles the two countries, the bridge of no return.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: So how is this bridge? And how did it get its name? But exactly what is it doing there? We're explain it. It has a real purpose, an important purpose. We go to the Demilitarized Zone, dividing North and South Korea.

HOLMES: Also a war sorry that's going to make you feel all warm and tingly inside. We'll show you what happens when America's school children reach out to men and women serving in Iraq.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Let's get you caught up on stories "Across America" this morning.

In Washington, police arrest dozens of Gallaudet University students. Gallaudet is the nation's only liberal arts university for the deaf and hearing impaired. Students are against the hiring of the incoming president Jane Fernandez. She was born deaf, but grew up speaking and did not learn American sign language, widely used at the University.

In the wake of several school shootings across the country, some Utah teachers are learning how to shoot guns. Our affiliate station KSL, reports some teachers, hoping to obtain concealed weapons permits have already completed training. Now, critics say teachers with guns only creates the potential for more accidents.

HOLMES: In California, Secret Service agents questioned a 14- year-old about an apparent threat on her MySpace web page. Upset over the war in Iraq , the girl posted a picture of President Bush, with the words, "Kill Bush". She was placed on the federal authorities check list. After talking to her agents said they would delete her investigation file.

Some scary moments for Yankee's slugger Alex Rodriguez. He was aboard this private jet when it ran off a runway in Burbank, California. The plane was stopped by a arresting system. Six other people were also on board. Nobody, however, was hurt.

NGUYEN: It's a place where tensions could not be any higher. We're going to take you to the DMZ, a unique firsthand look at the situation between North and South Korea.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They've been called soccer moms, security moms. Today we'll call them softball moms.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Women voters speak out about how they're tired of the Mark Foley story.

NGUYEN: And they're dictators of countries, but not of fashion. We'll explain.

HOLMES: That's cold, Betty.

NGUYEN: Hey, not my words. I'm telling you, but it's a good report. You've got to see it. That's coming up in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: "Now in the News": The United States may be closer to confirming North Korea did in fact carry out a nuclear test. And intelligence document obtained by CNN says samples taken Wednesday held radioactivity debris. South Korea defense ministry also tells CNN it has been informed of the radioactive findings.

The U.S. is pushing the Security Council to vote today to punish the North Korea regime. The Bush administration has softened it sanctions in a language that it has been used several times this week, to get China and Russia to back those sanctions. We do have coverage if and when a vote happens. We're watching it very closely. HOLMES: Authorities confirmed today the man, woman and two children found off a Florida turnpike were a family. The bodies shot multiple times. Police say the women was clutching the children apparently trying to shield them from gunfire. The sheriff plans a news conference at the top of the hour, live on CNN.

Also, Gerald Ford's son, Stephen, says his dad is strong and doing well. The former president is in the hospital this weekend for tests. This is the fourth time he's been hospitalized this year. At 93, Ford is the nation's oldest living ex-president.

And the first openly gay person elected to Congress died today. Massachusetts sent Democrat Gary Studs to the House in 1973. He served until 1997. The House censured Studs in the early '80s after he admitted to having sex with a 17-year-old male page.

The capital scandal, the heavy hitters still to come. Republican leaders and their top aides could testify before the House Ethics Committee next week. On Friday the congressman who runs the page program spent more than three hours before the panel. Representative John Shimkus says 20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing. And yes, the Mark Foley e-mail matter could have been better handled. He says he tried to stop Foley's e-mails to pages last fall. Shimkus says he kept things quiet then, at the request of the boy's parents.

NGUYEN: Well, a side player in the page scandal under investigation today. Arizona Congressman Jim Kolbe's Grand Canyon camping trip in 1996 is drawing some scrutiny. The outing included two former male pages. Now the investigation stems from a single source.

One person on that trip claims Kolbe was overly friendly with a page. He said there was hugging but did not see any sexual activity. Kolbe's office said he is shocked and stunned by the allegation and there is absolutely no truth to it. Kolbe is the only openly gay Republican in the House. He retires in January.

Some predict the capitol scandal will cost Republicans seats on Election Day, maybe even control of the House. Our Jonathan Freed spent time talking with voters in the Midwest just to see what's on their minds.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They've been called soccer moms, security moms. Today we'll call them softball moms.

MONIQUE GREGG, INDEPENDENT VOTER: I am neither Republican or Democrat. I try to vote on the best candidate for each election.

FREED: Monique Gregg coaches her daughter's ball team here in upstate Indiana in the second congressional district. The race is a tight one. And Gregg, who calls herself an independent, says she is tired of Mark Foley story. She thinks Democrats across the country are making too much of the former law maker's reported sexual overtures to teenage former congressional pages.

GREGG: I think that they see the Republicans and here is this person who is an anomaly to what they're preaching per se and they're just taking advantage of that situation, the Democrats are.

FREED: However she votes, she says Foley won't have an impact. The so-called married women with children demographic has been an important element of GOP support in recent years. But opinion polls suggest those moms are no longer holding Republicans dearest. Their support now evenly split with Democrats. How does the Foley factor play into your vote this time?

BETH O'CONNOR, INDEPENDENT VOTER: I don't think it really does.

FREED: Beth O'Connor is another independent voter.

O'CONNOR: I think it's an issue that's easy for us to get our hands around. We have some knowledge of how this should work, of decision-making. So why wasn't anybody minding the store? So it's got a lot of play I think because we understand it but it's relatively low on my decision-making tree.

FREED: She says issues like abortion, education and immigration reform come first and the GOP incumbent is trying to keep his campaign focused that way.

REP. CHRIS CHOCOLA (R), INDIANA: But I think that we need to make sure we don't want to make this a political issue. We make this an issue of right and wrong, to determine what happened, make sure it never happens again.

FREED: Are you feeling a lift in your support since this story broke?

JOE DONNELLY (D), INDIANA HOUSE CANDIDATE: I don't know if there's a lift. What we've tried to do is just focus on the fact that this is about children.

FREED: Back at the ball game, this Democrat believes the Foley fallout might help her candidate. But, do you think it will be as big a factor as some people think it will?

JANET GILROY, DEMOCRAT: No. I think the factor in this part of Indiana is going to be, where do you align yourself with the governor?

FREED: Now try a Republican. When I say former Representative Mark Foley to you, what do you think?

ANNE-MARIE KANKEL, REPUBLICAN: That I am not going to sway from voting how I normally vote. I'm going to stick on the real issues that are at hand.

REED: Less than a month to go and moms like these could prove to be a key swing vote in the battles to determine if the GOP keeps control of Congress. Jonathan Freed, CNN, South Bend, Indiana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Well, you got something to say? Betty, you got something?

NGUYEN: We all got something to say.

HOLMES: We always have something to say.

NGUYEN: You know it.

HOLMES: Well this being an election express yourself tour and then (ph) Vegas. Here are some people speaking their minds.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The single most important issue to me in this election is having people in the United States trust in the integrity of the decision-making process of the United States Congress and the White House.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Women to have their own say and not religious rights step in and tell us what the whole world is supposed to do.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Other nations don't like us because we're all telling them, well, you can't have the nukes and stuff like that when we're the ones, the first ones that tested it. You know?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To find out where the tour is headed next, go to CNN.com/election.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: You know, you don't have to go there, actually. I can just tell you. You can still go if you don't believe what I'm going to tell you.

(CROSSTALK)

NGUYEN: Go ahead, go ahead.

HOLMES: Kansas City, Missouri is going to be the next stop on the CNN election express yourself tour out. Be sure to stop by, give us a shout out. We love shout outs. And for all your election coverage, you can stay with CNN for the best political team on television.

NGUYEN: All right, had a little bit of audio problems there. But what you're looking at is a little bit of tension on the border there. We're going to take you to the DMZ and tell you all about that. In the meantime, though, good morning, Veronica.

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: All right. We're having more audio problems. We will fix that. Don't you worry. We'll be right back with it all cleared up. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: We're going to bring you up to date now on that story about North Korea and the UN Security Council. They're scheduled now to meet in about 20 minutes, the Security Council that is on possible sanctions. CNN's Richard Roth will be watching those developments for us. Also, President Bush uses weekly radio address to call for sanctions strong enough to force North Korea to dismantle its nuclear program. And a U.S. government report said air samples collected over North Korea Wednesday show signs of radioactivity. That tends to support Pyongyang's claim it conducted a nuclear test on Monday.

NGUYEN: North Korea's nuclear program has increased tensions with South Korea, separated from the north by a narrow strip of land known as the demilitarized zone. CNN's Zain Verjee went to Korea for a first-hand look at the DMZ.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): When presidents want a close-up of North Korea, this is where they come, checkpoint three on the South Korea side of the DMZ. This 2 1/2 mile buffer zone is the only stretch of land that separates about two million troops from nations still officially at war.

Shoot a glance below. A bridge straddles the two countries, the bridge of no return. This is the closest we can get to the bridge of no return. If you look over there, you can just about make out a North Korean guard post. The military demarcation line runs right through the center of the bridge and on the North Korean side, the bridge has actually been walled off and it's covered by some bushes. So you can't see it too clearly. Bill Clinton posed for a photo op here, but went too far, throwing security in a tizzy.

UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER: President Clinton walked out possibly a little too far. A security battalion was rushed, to get guys to pull him back. It's not a secure location. The guard post on the other side is manned 24 hours a day.

VERJEE: The bridge is a relic of war named for Korean POWs, faced with a cold choice after hostilities ended, capitalist south or communist north. If they cross the bridge, they can never return. American prisoners have also walked this walk.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The last Americans across the bridge were in 1968, Commander Bucher (ph) and the crew of the USS Pueblo had been held captive by North Korea for 11.5 months.

VERJEE: Icons of the cold war on everywhere at the DMZ. A fake town juts up from the North Korean side, tall apartment buildings where nobody actually lives, nicknamed propaganda village. North Koreans used to blast patriotic music and messages from loudspeakers here to entice the other side.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When they constructed apartment buildings and when they played the propaganda -- look how much money we have. You should defect, workers' paradise. VERJEE: It may not be a workers' paradise, but it's a splendid sanctuary for birds, a strange soundtrack to a landscape loaded with land mines.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The most unique part was just seeing how well I think the wildlife is flourishing in this area and having two armies on opposite sides ...

(CROSSTALK)

VERJEE: For the animals here, the state of war is their peace. If this conflict ever ends, the land will be destroyed, the area cleared of mines to make it safe for people. And for the troops station said here, life goes on with a threat of war always in the background.

Zain Verjee, CNN, on the South Korean side of the DMZ.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: We're going to go from that severe weather to some severe weather that some people are watching online. Our Veronica de la Cruz is here now with some I-reporters and weird weather going around the country.

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, T.J. As you know, it's not even anywhere close to Christmas, so it sure is looking like it in parts of the northeast. Take a look at some of these pictures sent into us by our I-reporter. We're going to start with this one from Brian Rogers. Brian sent us a picture of his backyard in northern Michigan. Brian plows snow for a living.

But he woke up, saw this and he chose to stay indoors. He calls the picture fall defying old man winter. If you look at the leaves on the trees, the snow on the ground, it doesn't really look quite right. This is a look at some of the damage in Buffalo, New York. This car is snowed in. A tree has fallen on top of that and this one is from Chris Ibsen. Thanks Chris.

A few before and after photos to share with you from Grand Island, New York. Karen Sorbello took these shots when the snowfall first started and then again when she woke up the next morning. And then this last one is the patio of a restaurant. You can really see how much snow fell.

The weight of that snow pushing the awning down on top of the table. So the question here, why is this happening so early in the year? Let's walk over here in and bring in Rob Marciano to explain. I mean Rob, 20 inches. It wasn't really in the forecast right?

MARCIANO: It just blew out the old record by over 12 inches of snow. The old record was eight inches and Detroit, Chicago, they all saw record breaking snows. So having snow was in the forecast, but that much certainly took a lot of folks by surprise.

DE LA CRUZ: Anything anybody wants to be thinking about right now? Not quite yet. But at CNN.com/winter, you can actually find a few tips on how to deal with this wintry weather. It is of course important to be prepared, right Rob. You want to keep yourself up to date with a forecast which Rob can help you out with, have emergency supplies on hand, a first-aid kit, extra blankets, even a manual can opener because what, there's hundreds of thousands of people without power right now.

MARCIANO: Well, this snow storm took place when there were still leaves on the trees, so although a lot of those tree limbs, a lot of trees just came down, that takes the power lines down. They're going to be without power for quite some time. If you want to eat some food, your refrigerator's down.

You got to deal with canned goods and you can't deal with an electric can opener, so you don't want to drive too much, but there's going to be times this winter where people get stuck on the roads and there's a couple places in the country that, the mountains and anywhere near the great lakes, you can't guarantee a forecast anywhere in those areas during the winter time.

If you get stuck on the road, I mean you want to stay in your car. That's for sure. Run the engine every 10 minutes to keep the heater going and keep the exhaust pipe clear. That's the only reason you want to get out of your car is to keep that exhaust pipe clear.

DE LA CRUZ: So is there any more snow in the forecast? What's going on?

MARCIANO: It's starting to wind down thankfully.

DE LA CRUZ: Good.

MARCIANO: Folks across the northeast and especially in Buffalo, let's go over to the maps and we'll show you what the forecast is for your Saturday. If you don't live near the lakes, it's going to look pretty good across much of the eastern third. There will be some leftover snow showers across the great lakes, but it really shouldn't amount to much. And then across the southwest is where we think we'll see some showers and some thunderstorms.

First the radar across the great lakes, you're starting to see some things wind down, still some snow flurries around Erie, Pa. And still some light rain and wet snow showers across Syracuse and Rochester, New York, but all in all, things began to taper off

A little bit more active weather situation across parts of Arizona, southern California, you see the circulation in the atmosphere here. This is where an area of low pressure is bringing some showers and storms. A couple of water spouts actually out in southern California.

This is going to head into the Rocky Mountains for more snow. I should mention that Arapaho basin today and I think Loveland pass probably also opening, so Colorado getting off to an early start to what they hope to be a good ski season. Fifty degrees in Chicago today, 48, still chilly for the game in Detroit, 59 degrees, a good looking day at Shea Stadium as well.

T.J. and Betty, back to you.

NGUYEN: All right, Rob, thank you.

HOLMES: The CNN newsroom continues of course at the top of the hour.

NGUYEN: Fredricka Whitfield is here with the latest on what is coming up.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Good to see you. Most Americans think they know everything there is to know about the Middle East conflict. We've got an author who is also a journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg, about a book, prisoners, that he authored talking about a thing or two that people need to learn about the conflict between the Israelis and the prisoners.

He knows because of interesting perspective he takes. He was actually a prison guard in Israel. He's an American but he was a prison guard. He forged a relationship with a Palestinian inmate there and he says everyone has a thing or two to learn about the whole conflict.

And in the market for a car perhaps?

HOLMES: Always.

NGUYEN: It depends on what the price tag says.

WHITFIELD: It's interesting you said that because certain times of the year the price tag doesn't always mean exactly what it states.

NGUYEN: Really?

WHITFIELD: Yes. So now is a good time to think about buying a car, not just because the '07s are now hitting the lots.

NGUYEN: See, that's what I would have thought at first.

WHITFIELD: Great. Well, apparent there are a few '06s and even '05s new still on the lot. So you've got some bargaining power, oh yes. We're going to have someone on to explain to us how exactly you negotiate the best deal for some of these new cars.

NGUYEN: Negotiation. That's what it's all about. You always bargain.

WHITFIELD: That's right. Don't believe everything you see on the sticker price. Everything is negotiable.

NGUYEN: All right Fred, thank you, looking forward to that.

So what does the well-dressed dictator wear? Regime leaders not ready for the runway. Oh, no. You can see it right here in the newsroom. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan far from home but not forgotten certainly. School children have been writing to them. Some letters are serious. Some are pretty funny, but all of them are appreciated. Those letters have been put into a book called "Dear Soldier, Heartfelt Letters from America's Children."

And joining us are former Army National Guardsman Jeffrey Waldo, a recipient of some of those letters and also sixth grader Ashley Jones, who wrote some of those letters. Guys, thanks so much for being here. I want to start with you, Ashley. When they told you, hey, we would like you to write a letter to a soldier over in Iraq, did you have a hard time coming up with something you wanted to say?

ASHLEY JONES, PEN PAL FOR SOLDIERS: Yes, I did. I had to think quite a long time how to just come up with something to write, just to write about.

HOLMES: I think we actually have your letter that we can put up on the screen. But tell us a little bit about what you did write down.

JONES: I wrote about Dr. Kaylor (ph) and he went over to Iraq. And he wrote -- he was a doctor over there. And so my grandfather would talk about him for quite a while. And so I decided to write about him because he's my neighbor. So I decided to write about him.

NGUYEN: Well, Mr. Waldo, you tell me now. Jeffrey, you were over there. You started receiving these letters and of course these kids don't have any idea who you all are personally, no real personal connection to some of you. But what's that like to get a letter and just to see some of the thoughts that kids are writing down?

JEFFREY WALDO, FMR. ARMY NATIONAL GUARDSMAN: Well, it was a morale booster to get those letters I think. When the kids would write those letters, it was all positive. It was a reflection, I think, of what they were hearing at home and at school. So it let us know as troops that we were being supported by the American people.

HOLMES: Were you surprised even by some of the things that kids might write down. Like you said, some of them were humorous. Some of them were pretty serious. So any of them kind of surprise you with the thoughts that some kids were having?

WALDO: Yes. They were pretty blunt sometimes. They would say things like, I hope you don't die, things like that. And then the next sentence might be, I like apple pie. It was humorous some of the things and then some of the things were serious.

HOLMES: And we have some examples. We got kid that actually wrote, hey, I hope you're having a great time. Another kid just writes, I like cabbage and pizza. And how can you live without TV? Another asks, are all soldiers boys? So some very cute things and some of them were kind of serious. We're going to have to wrap it up here, but Ashley, I'll ask you, what did you come away with in this experience? Did you feel a lot closer to what was happening in Iraq, a lot closer to the soldiers?

JONES: Yes. I've seen on TV and everything like what's going on over there. So I think it's a hard experience for them to, I mean, just go over there and fight for our country.

HOLMES: Guys, really I appreciate you all coming in and sharing your story and these letters are something else. I really wish more people could get a read from. Again it's called "Dear Soldier, Heartfelt Letters from America's Children." Again, former Army National Guardsmen Jeffrey Waldo did serve in Iraq. And also sixth grader Ashley Jones and Ashley, I have to tell you your southern accent there just melts by heart.

NGUYEN: We love it, Ashley.

HOLMES: It's great but thank you all so much. You all take care now.

NGUYEN: She is so cute. The thing about kids too, they're going to be so honest. Don't die, but I like apple pie.

HOLMES: I have the book over there. I've been reading through it.

NGUYEN: Just fantastic.

HOLMES: I got something else today. We're going to talk fashion here but maybe not what the folks are usually thinking. Guys, they're in control, but not necessarily when it comes to fashion.

NGUYEN: Oh, no. Some actually need a makeover. CNN's Anderson Cooper takes a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For some leaders, fear may always be in style. A good fashion sense, however, is not. And in a world where image is everything, maybe it's time these strong men were given a makeover. Let's start with North Korea's Kim Jong-Il, this international man of mystery is seldom seen without his jump suit, oversized glasses and pompadour. The ensemble isn't exactly flattering. Maybe that's the point.

PATRICK HUGHES, PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN: It is very much a cohesion of ideology that says form follows power, a form of dress that needs no form of communication in a way, that you immediately know, this is the person in charge.

COOPER: The dear leader isn't the only dear leader who likes the simple look. Take Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He is prone to wearing light colored wind breakers that bring back memories of members only jackets. Remember them.

But for others, nothing says power quite like a uniform. Fidel Castro has been in Army fatigues for decades, although recently he was pictured in a snazzy jogging outfit, though not many of us dress up in the hospital.

And while he was ruling Chile, Augusto Pinochet would also wear military garb, usually with a sash and a lot of medals. Uganda's Idi Amin did the same. So did Manuel Noriega, but when the U.S. caught up with him for this mug shot, the toppled Panamanian president could only manage a tee shirt.

Before he was overthrown, Saddam Hussein liked the military look. However, Hussein's style has changed. He now wears a beard in trial and sports sleek, dark suits.

HUGHES: So there is this very interesting sort of corporate almost style message that is coming from Saddam that he's maybe in a certain sort off way, may communicate I represent a time of order.

COOPER: Then there's the eclectic totalitarian, like Moammar Gadhafi. With his lavish robes and loud colors, Libya's long-term colonel in charge knows how to get attention. As for the future, maybe Kim Jong-Il will start a trend, saying goodbye to the old and letting the spring collections dictate what's hot in some world capitals.

Anderson Cooper, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: I don't know how much of a spring collection you'll be taking part in.

HOLMES: I hope I'm OK.

NGUYEN: You're doing just fine. Don't change anything. Well, the CNN newsroom continues with Fredricka Whitfield right after this short break. Stay with us and have a great Saturday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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