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Rescue On Hold; Summer Sizzler

Aired August 08, 2007 - 10:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Rescue. Hopes for reaching the six trapped men pushed back at least a week now. An official update a couple hours away. CNN's Dan Simon following the developments right now near Huntington.
Dan, first explain why it's that they have to wait a whole week.

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, this is a significant setback. We were told last night by Bob Murray, the owner of the mining company, that it's going to take at least seven days to get rescuers in there to get the miners out. He explained why it's going to take so long. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOB MURRAY, PRESIDENT & CEO, MURRAY ENERGY: All the work that we have done since yesterday morning, and you being here with me, was wiped out by this seismic and tectonic activity underground. We are back to square one underground.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIMON: So Murray is saying that there were some aftershocks there in the mine and essentially everything they had done up until last night was erased.

Let me tell you what's going on today. That drill going through solid coal, going down 1,500 feet, is still operational. Basically what's going to happen is once they get to the area where these miners are, they're going to punch through a two-inch hole. That can be accomplished, we are told, in about two or three days and will tell rescuers if, in fact, these miners are still alive. So there are two time tables here. Two to three days to determine if, in fact, the miners are still alive. And then seven days to actually reach them by ground.

Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Wow. And that has to be painstaking for the family members. How far away is the location where a lot of the family members are apparently receiving their one-on-one counseling with the American Red Cross from the actual scene of the disaster?

SIMON: Well, we are told that they are huddled in the town of Huntington, which is a few miles away from here. They've been at a senior center. They've also been at a school. We are told that Mr. Murray is meeting with them very often, keeping them abreast of all the various updates. We haven't seen the family members here at the scene. But, obviously, the fact that it's going to be at least seven days before these miners are finally out has got to be agonizing for them.

WHITFIELD: Is there any federal assistance or perhaps even some assistance from other states? I know West Virginia, as we talked to the governor moments ago, who said his state has offered Utah assistance. Is Utah taking anybody up on that offer?

SIMON: Not quite sure about that. Perhaps we'll know a little bit about that when there's a news conference here at 10:00 a.m. local time.

But one thing we've seen reports that the United States military is going to be donating some sonar equipment. Some sonar equipment flown in. And that perhaps that will assist the rescuers in determining quicker if, in fact, these miners are still alive. So stay tuned for that update. It should be (INAUDIBLE).

WHITFIELD: We'll hope for the best. All right, thanks so much, Dan. Appreciate it.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Flight delays. Flooded rail and subway lines. Trees down. Right now parts of New York and New Jersey dealing with the aftermath of torrential rain and strong storms. Some areas were under tornado and flood warnings. The severe weather caught many New Yorkers off guard.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was sleeping. My alarm was going off. And it notified me through my key chain when I came out to see what was going on, I saw a mass of just leaves turning. And it was just dark. Like a dark mess. And I was afraid. And I saw the tree come down. I ran back inside. And you can hear the wind. It sounded like a freight train coming through at full speed. It was like -- and I was just like -- I wouldn't never think that this would happen here in New York. In Brooklyn, at that. You know, Kansas maybe, but not here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: You're not in Kansas.

WHITFIELD: This is not Kansas.

HARRIS: You are not in Kansas.

WHITFIELD: Wow, a pretty frightening moment. But, fortunately, the damage was pretty minimal, right, Jacqui?

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: Of course, when weather becomes the news, as it has in the New York area this morning, even with the heat . . .

WHITFIELD: Yes. HARRIS: Yes, yes.

WHITFIELD: All over.

HARRIS: Well, we hope you know that you can count on us to bring it to you first. And if you see severe weather happening in your area, send us an i-Report. Man, the whole i-Report concept is really taking off. Go to cnn.com, click on i-Report or type ireport@cnn.com into your cell phone and share your photos or your video with us and Jacqui.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, this is something that makes everyone stop and take a big breather. It is a shocking crime. Three college students killed, execution style, in Newark. Now law enforcement officials tell "The New York Times" they are close to identifying at least one suspect, but city officials and police say this morning they have no new information right now.

Also this setback. Security cameras behind the elementary school where the killings took place. Well investigators say they didn't record the attacks. Nineteen-year-old Natasha Aeriel is the only survivor of the attack. She has been talking about what she knows. Police also analyzing gang graffiti at the school. Funerals for the three victims planned for Saturday now. Newark's mayor calls the young people his city's "success stories." Police and prosecutors still urging anyone with information about the case to share it with them.

HARRIS: Well, Barry Bonds, he is the all-time home run king. America, get used to it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And Bacsik (ph) deals. And Bonds hits one high! Hits it deep.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Bonds hit career home run number 756 last night, passing Hank Aaron's 31-year-old record. It took just two days to break the tie with Aaron. After the game, Bonds talked about the record, Commissioner Bud Selig and what he was thinking as he rounded the bases.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARRY BONDS, 756 CAREER HOME RUNS: My mom called me up and she told me how proud she was of me. And she was just glad she got to live to see me just tie the record. And I think that -- that's what I was thinking about, you know. Because I know when my dad was sick, you know, truthfully my dad probably would have said something like, "what the hell took you so long?"

This record is not tainted at all. At all. Period. You guys can say whatever you want. Bud Selig called me after the game and we had an opportunity to talk. He congratulated me. I was very happy about that. I thanked him. He told me it was a great accomplishment. You've endured a lot and I have a lot of respect for you and I also have a lot of respect for him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: A message played in the ballpark. Maybe this was the best moment from now former home run king Hank Aaron. Bonds said that message meant everything to him and was the best part of the entire night.

OK. The responses are pouring in.

WHITFIELD: You asked for it.

HARRIS: I really did, didn't I.

WHITFIELD: And you got it.

HARRIS: Getting hammered here to our question, what do you think about Barry Bonds becoming the new all-time home run king?

Fred writes . . .

WHITFIELD: No me, Fred.

HARRIS: No.

WHITFIELD: Fred Lord.

HARRIS: Yes.

WHITFIELD: I was just making the clarification.

HARRIS: Nice. Nice. Good point there.

"If baseball can't accept Pete Rose because of his transgressions, why should baseball accept Bonds?"

What transgressions, Fred?

WHITFIELD: Well, OK. You don't want me to actually answer. That was a rhetorical question because I was actually (INAUDIBLE) with you.

OK, Michael writes this. "Achieving a milestone like Barry did last night is an amazing accomplishment. It's quite unfortunate that we need to make a bit more room in the record book for the asterisk to go beside Barry's name."

HARRIS: Roy writes, "I'm elated with Barry Bonds new home run record. Records are made to be broker. There's now a new record. No, the record is not tainted, fans are.

WHITFIELD: Ouch. And how about Brandon Speck out of Mississippi saying, "the same ones booing at every opportunity were the same ones vying for the ball in the outfield stands at every game. Stop debating what you don't know and enjoy watching some of the greatest to every pay the game."

HARRIS: Here, here.

WHITFIELD: So there, says Brandon.

HARRIS: So let's keep it going. What do you say?

WHITFIELD: I say so.

HARRIS: It's kind of a split decision, right?

WHITFIELD: It's been wonderful to hear what everybody's saying. Yes.

HARRIS: Back and forth here.

What do you think of Barry Bonds breaking the all-time home run record? There's the address, cnnnewsroom@cnn.com. And we will read some of your responses throughout the newscast this morning.

WHITFIELD: Still ahead for the CNN NEWSROOM, the rescue stalled. Are the Utah miners equipped to survive. A look at some of the gear that could save their lives. Some of the gear they may have with them.

HARRIS: Yes. Also, feisty and combative. Boy, you will meet this mining executive. You met him yesterday. More about him today in the NEWSROOM. A closer look at Bob Murray.

WHITFIELD: And taking back the community. A brutal attack leaves three young people dead in Newark. Now one leader says it's time to step up. More on that straight ahead.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Rob Marciano at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, Georgia, where yesterday the temperature reached 99. Today we may touch 100. Kids starting to cool off in the sprinklers, or the fountains, and this isn't the only city that will be broiling. A live report is coming up. Stay with the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. And you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

Rescue efforts on hold. The miners' families on edge. The latest from Utah.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: All right. Trapped underground. The rescue efforts stalled. Equipment could be the key to survival for the Utah miners. We want to get you now a better perspective, a family perspective, of what's going on in Utah right now. Robby Robertson (ph) is with us now. He is a miner. His cousin, we understand, is trapped in that mine. Robby, thanks for being with us this morning. Are the facts correct there? You are a miner and your cousin is trapped in the mine?

Robby, can you hear me OK? All right. Robby, let me try it one more time. Robby Robertson joining us from Emery County. Can you hear me at all? OK. So we lost him. We'll get him back in just a second as soon as we work out the technical difficulties that we're having right now. But Robby is a miner himself, we understand. And we also understand that his cousin is one of the six men trapped in that mine collapse there in Huntington. As soon as we can correct the technical difficulties, we'll get back to Utah and to Robby.

WHITFIELD: And, Tony, the hope is that those six miners have the kind of equipment that many miners have when they are down below to help keep their lives safe and help them out when trouble looms. Wes Kenneweg is with a Draeger Safety Incorporation, manufacturer of respiration protection and detection devices. He's in Pittsburgh with a look at some of the gear the miners just might have.

Good to see you.

Let's begin with a piece of apparatus that I think most folks are familiar with. And that's kind of the cap lamp. Folks are used to seeing miners with the, what appears to be kind of like an attached flashlight. Tell me what that's all about, why that's so imperative for miners when things are going well and when things are not so good.

WES KENNEWEG, DRAEGER SAFETY INC.: Well, the cap lamp is something that they would use every day. Here we have a sample of one here with a -- here's a cap. A typical miner's cap that they would wear in a coal mine. And this is the cap lamp that would attach here. And they can turn it on and adjust the focus and the lamp.

WHITFIELD: And for obvious reasons, obviously, for visibility, they'd always have that. That's just an essential.

KENNEWEG: Yes.

WHITFIELD: Something else, a self-contained self-rescuer or SCSR. What is that?

KENNEWEG: Yes, the SCSR is a 60-minute self rescuer device that all the coal miners are required to have available to them. They either wear it on their belt or they'll have it cashed nearby. And this will provide 60 minutes of oxygen if they're escaping from the mine. The idea is they would open this up if they thought there was an explosion or if they smelled smoke. And they would end up taking the device out of the case, putting it around their neck, and adjusting the strap and then they would put this mouthpiece in their mouth, put this nose clamp . . .

WHITFIELD: Almost like a regulator, say, if you were diving or something like that.

KENNEWEG: Yes, and it would provide oxygen. WHITFIELD: But, boy, 60 minutes doesn't seem like a whole lot of time when you're talking about, you know, being thousands of feet underground.

KENNEWEG: They have escape plans. The regulations, the new regulations in the mines also require that they have additional units stored in the escape routes. Plus, these units will provide, if you're trapped or you're not moving, you can get up to three hours out of them.

WHITFIELD: All right. And you mentioned, you know, say there were some gases being emitted, that's something that they would use. There's also something called the gas detection instrument. Is that something they use to find out what may be in the air?

KENNEWEG: Yes. The miners themselves, depending on the job underground, may carry this around to detect methane or low oxygen with carbon monoxide.

WHITFIELD: Does that always stay on?

KENNEWEG: Yes, they would keep it on all the time. And then the mine rescue teams that may go in later to rescue someone, they would take these devices, too, to determine the safety levels underground.

WHITFIELD: OK. And then the dust respirator. Explain how that works.

KENNEWEG: This is just a simple dust mask respirator in the mine if it's determined that the dust particles in the air are dangerous. They would put this on.

WHITFIELD: Oh, OK. That's familiar to a lot of folks. They may see that at, you know, other hazmat kind of situations or maybe even sometimes in the hospital.

And then you have an item which is called the mine rescue breathing apparatus. How is that different from what you showed us earlier, that SCSR?

KENNEWEG: The SCSR is a closed circuit breathing apparatus using a chemical to produce the oxygen. And that's just for escape. This breathing apparatus here is also called a re-breather or a closed circuit breathing apparatus. It uses compressed oxygen. And it provides up to four hours of protection to the wearer. So the mine rescue teams who have to go in and look for the people . . .

WHITFIELD: So would a team always have that one? That item? Because it looks, you know . . .

KENNEWEG: a mine rescue team would always have a four-hour breathing apparatus. Yes. And there's five -- usually five people on a team in North America.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, thanks so much, Wes Kenneweg, giving us an idea of just what miners are up against. KENNEWEG: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: And the kind of apparatus that is there to help save their lives, especially prolong them when they are in trouble. We appreciate your time.

KENNEWEG: You're welcome.

HARRIS: And, Fred, let's get back to Robby Robertson. I understand that we have made -- cleared up our issues. And he is with us now in Emory County.

And, Robby, can you hear me OK this time?

ROBERT ROBERTSON, COUSIN OF MISSING MINER: Yes, I can hear you.

HARRIS: OK. Robby, I know this is a difficult time for you. Not only do you have a distant cousin in that Crandall Canyon Mine, but you also have a good friend in that mine as well. Give me a sense -- take me back to when you learned of the collapse and what it's been like for you. I can imagine just a roller coaster of emotions.

ROBERTSON: Well, when you first hear of a mine accident, no matter where it is or who it is, all you can hope for is everybody's OK. I talked to my mother. She told me a couple of people who it was that she knew. It was pretty tough.

HARRIS: I understand a distant cousin. But before I get to some questions about your cousin, this is a mine that you know pretty well. Did you work in that mine at one point?

ROBERTSON: Yes. I worked there for a little while. I quit there in 2004.

HARRIS: Do you know the area that we're discussing? Did you work at the depth that these miners were working at, at the time of this collapse? We understand they're about 1,500 feet down.

ROBERTSON: I have been out in there, yes. It was all developed while I was there. Not while I was there, but previous to when I was there. And we actually went back in there a little bit. Not a lot.

HARRIS: So you've walked and worked this area where it is believed these miners are.

ROBERTSON: Yes.

HARRIS: OK. So put us in that environment and what are you thinking now might be the conditions that they're having to try to survive in, having walked those grounds? And what you know about the details of this event that took place that now has them trapped?

ROBERTSON: Like I said, I was there about three and a half years ago, you know. Back then, it was -- there were good conditions in there. I didn't, you know, notice any problems. Everything changes underground. I mean, overnight. So, you know, you never know what the conditions are in there. Only the people in there know what the conditions are.

HARRIS: You consider this a safe mine, a safe mining operation?

ROBERTSON: Yes. The people who run it, the management that's there every day with these miners, are safe people. They are smart people. They know what's going on. And they ain't going to let you go in there if it's unsafe.

HARRIS: What do you think about the prospects -- a tough question but I have to ask it. What do you think about the prospects that your cousin and your friend are OK? And what are your thoughts about the fact that it will probably take at least a week to reach them?

ROBERTSON: I think they are -- I think they're alive. You know, I'm sure there are some injuries that way. It's going to take a while to get to them. There's no doubt about that. But everybody's doing everything they can. There's no more the people can do. You can't send rescue teams in to a dangerous environment and lose more people.

HARRIS: OK. This is your work. How long you would expect that the miners would be able to survive these conditions? And I know there are a lot of unknowns here. But as we get to three days, four days, what are you thinking?

ROBERTSON: They're tough people. They ain't going to give up. They'll go as long as they can. You know, it's hard to say. You don't know the conditions in there. You don't know what they're going through. You don't know all the details. But I think they're fine and I think they'll be okay OK for -- until we get to them.

HARRIS: So it has to be more than hope for you. I mean give us a sense of the kind of equipment that your cousin and your friend and the other miners who are trapped there might have with them that would help them sustain themselves during the rescue effort.

ROBERTSON: They've got self-rescuers. They have to carry two with them. They each will last an hour. Which, obviously, has been a lot longer than that. But if they've got the air, they'll be OK. They won't have to use them right away. They've got barricade equipment. That's pretty much all -- I mean, they got water in there, I'm sure. They got what food they took. I don't know how long it will last. But they've got the equipment they need to stay alive.

HARRIS: And you're optimistic? You believe they can hold on as long as it takes?

ROBERTSON: I believe they can. You know, if they've got the air.

HARRIS: OK.

ROBERTSON: But I believe they probably do.

HARRIS: Robby Robertson, a miner himself, has a cousin and a good friend trapped in the Crandall Canyon Mine. Robby, thanks for your time this morning.

ROBERTSON: You bet.

WHITFIELD: Also right now threatening a lot of Americans, going outside simply. It is really hot. Killer heat is out there. It's a big killer heat wave, in fact, spreading misery. More on that when we come right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Dangerous, now deadly. At least three deaths now blamed on the extreme heat gripping much of the central and eastern U.S. Meteorologist Rob Marciano is covering this story here in Atlanta where it is hot and it's really humid this summer. I don't remember summers here being this humid.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, this is the hottest and most humid time of the year. And now, 10:30, we're starting to feel it here. Certainly by 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 . . .

WHITFIELD: You need to jump into those sprinklers behind you.

MARCIANO: You know, it's very tempting. That wouldn't be responsible with all the electric gear that I have.

WHITFIELD: That's true.

MARCIANO: But these kids don't have that issue. This is, obviously, a very popular place to come in the heat of the summertime. This is Centennial Olympic Park. We have the Olympic rings to commemorate the 1996 Olympics.

But for these kids, they could care less about that. They're hot. They're steamy. They just want to get in there and cool off. And there's an announcement that comes on about every 20 minutes that says no horse play because the bricks do get slick. You know, you tell that to some six-year-olds and 10-year-olds and they pretty much ignore it.

WHITFIELD: That's right.

MARCIANO: They're not the only kids, Fredricka, that are playing, trying to cool off. We do have some video from yesterday. You know, this isn't the only city that's just absolutely broiling from this heat. Folks in Savannah, Georgia, they are under an extensive heat warning today. They were under one yesterday. But that didn't stop the kids from going out and doing, of all things, playing football.

People in Houston, Texas, they are certainly no stranger to the heat. I'll tell you what, two a days this time of year, oh my goodness. In Savannah, are you kidding me? I hope those kids are taking lots of water breaks.

In the pools in Houston. Hot there. Humid. No doubt about it. Closer to the Gulf of Mexico.

Huntsville, Alabama. Also saw temperatures get close to 100 degrees.

And keep in mind that these temperatures were all measured in the shade. They do not include humidity. When you start to talk about humidity -- and, obviously, school buses don't have air conditioning.

When you start to talk about humidity in there, the heat index, what it feels like. You know, it's -- it will be 108, 110 here in Atlanta. Similar numbers are expected in D.C., New York City, St. Louis, where we were yesterday. And it's just steamy across the board. But as you mentioned, it does get dangerous.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

MARCIANO: Weather is the number -- or, yes, heat is the number one weather related killer, unfortunately, in the United States. So it's something that we think it's that time of year, it's just plain old hot. Deal with it. Well, take care of your neighbors for sure. The elderly are the most venerable to heat. And just look out for those because weather is the number -- or yes, heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer unfortunately in the United States. So it's something that we think that time of year, it's just plain old hot; deal with it. Well, take care of your neighbors, for sure. The elderly are the most vulnerable to the heat, and just look out for them. Because other than flood -- even above floods and hurricanes and all that other stuff, heat is what kills people the most.

WHITFIELD: Which really is remarkable. That's an outstanding reminder, because I think, you know, a lot of us forget about that, you know, and folks need to just continue to drink a lot of fluids, right, and just stay in, and stay in these cool spots as much as they can. Just don't risk it by being outside.

MARCIANO: You know, fluids, lighter food, fruit, watermelon. Think of it as an opportunity to at least, you know, eat more healthy.

WHITFIELD: Eat good food.

MARCIANO: There you go.

WHITFIELD: OK, I like the parallel.

All right, thanks a lot, Rob.

MARCIANO: All right, see you later, guys.

WHITFIELD: Thanks so much.

HARRIS: And welcome back, everyone, to the CNN NEWSROOM, bottom of the hour. I'm Tony Harris.

WHITFIELD: And I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Among the stories we're watching for you this hour, a shocking crime. Three college students killed execution style in Newark. Now law enforcement officials tell "The New York Times" they are close to identifying at least one suspect. But city officials and police say this morning that they have no new information right now.

Also, this setback -- security cameras behind the elementary school where the killings took place, investigators say they didn't record the attacks. Nineteen-year-old Natasha Ariel is the only survivor of the attack. She has been talking about what she knows. Police also analyzing gang graffiti at the school. Funerals for the three victims planned for Saturday.

Newark's mayor calls the young people his city's, quote, "success stories." Police and prosecutors still are urging anyone with information about the case to share it with them.

HARRIS: The community shaken by those killings. But people in Newark aren't entirely surprised. The city has been plagued by violence, and often young people often are involved. Ronald Rice is on the Newark Municipal Council. He joins us with his thoughts this morning.

Ronald, great to see you. I want to feel your outrage over this. We are sitting here in Atlanta, and we've been covering this story the last few days. And we are clearly outraged.

But someone on the ground in that community, what are you feeling? What are you hearing from your community?

RONALD RICE, NEWARK MUNICIPAL COUNCIL: Well, because this is my ward and this community is the residential part of my ward, I'm feeling a lot of outrage, a lot of disappointment, a lot of hurt, a lot of fear, to be quite frank with you. This is a problem that is percolating up, and we have to do a better job of fighting it both from a government perspective and a community perspective and jointly work on the solutions.

HARRIS: Well, wait a minute. This is not new to Newark. This kind of -- well, maybe this kind of extreme brutality but, I mean, the murder rate in Newark is virtually off the charts per capita. I mean, we're talking about 60 murders in Newark this year, 106 last year. You are disappointed. Who are you disappointed with? And I mean, what's going on in your city?

RICE: I'm disappointed in myself, and the leadership that we have at city hall, at times. We're doing everything we can, from bringing new technology to the police department, putting more money into the police department, fixing precincts to make sure they are functionable, making sure the cops have the things they need to do their jobs, putting more cops on the street, on just the crime prevention-side.

But even on the other side, which is where the problems are in the community, increasing more recreation centers for our young people. It is something that has plagued the city for years. And, unfortunately, within a year of us being in office, we have not been successful enough in turning that tide. We have to start doing it, and indeed we have started doing that. The results, obviously, have not been manifested in the community the way we like to see them. And so we have to keep going and working harder to make sure those things...

HARRIS: How much of this is drug related? How much of this is a real drug problem in your community?

RICE: Tony, I think it is like all American cities, particularly urban centers. We're all seeing a spike in the drug activities, and drug murders and drug shootings. Newark is not an island unto itself.

HARRIS: No question.

RICE: Indeed, you can look at Atlanta, and indeed you can look at Philadelphia, which has gone off the charts as well. Every city in the state of New Jersey that has an urban dynamic and a crime and drug dynamic has seen an explosion this summer. So I think it would be wrong to look at Newark isolated from the rest of the country. And we have to start looking at what's happening with gangs, what's happening with drugs that is exploding this summer in the ways that we have not seen.

Indeed, we think that more community policing has to be involved.

HARRIS: OK.

RICE: You talk about the cameras not working behind the schools. I'm committing myself to putting $300,000 to my community to bring 15 more surveillance cameras that are actually powered by the Newark Police Department in those hotspot areas to fight these kind of situations.

HARRIS: Ronald, you're not going to get any help -- I understand that it is larger problem in communities all over the country, and particularly urban communities. But you're not going to get help from the feds until you can demonstrate that the leadership in Newark is doing all that it can, and you've already admitted that more can be done. So what are you going to do moving starting today? What are you going to do moving forward starting today?

RICE: Well, Tony, I don't want you to think that when I say we need to do more that somehow we are not doing more. The fact of the matter is, is that we are bringing new technology. The mayor and his people have started a police foundation to raise additional funds that didn't exist before. They've raised $2 million to equip our officers on the street with more equipment, better technology, to get into these things. We started doing infiltration of the gangs that are in the city. So I don't want you to think that we're not doing more.

HARRIS: Got you, got you, got you. Let me stop you for a half a second here. You know what, this is -- we've got a situation in Baghdad, OK, where we're asking people in the community to help the U.S. military by turning in folks who are committing these kinds of heinous crimes. What is the community doing, and are you getting any kind of assistance from the community, in this case, in general?

RICE: We absolutely are. In fact, again, talking about what we are doing differently. We have tip lines that offer rewards for the first time in our city's recent history. We're actually engaging the community going forward to being part of us solving the crimes. Indeed, A number of the instances, shootings that could have been potential murders and things that would have potentially happened had been averted because we had the community involved.

But at the end of the day, I don't want you to think that it is a law-enforcement issue. We need the community to start doing with us and working with us, and we've got to reach out the community a lot better so that we have watch block-watch groups, that we have stronger community presence in terms of dealing with our young people and getting them off the streets and obeying the curfew. We have to do more on our end.

But we have to be -- this is not just a police problem. This is not just a government problem. This is a community of Newark problem. We are not going to solve it by saying what's the mayor, and council and governor doing. It has to be, what are we doing collectively as a church, as community groups, as block associations, as concerned citizens, to get involved in our kids' lives and stop them before they become entrapped in this lifestyle of crime, and drugs and abusing our community.

HARRIS: All right, you've got less than eight months until the end of the year. We're talking about we're turning the calendar, and it's '08. I don't know want you to get to 70 murders. I don't want to see that...

RICE: I don't want to see us get one more. I don't want one more.

HARRIS: OK, so you'll keep us posted of what's happening? We will check in with you.

RICE: Sorry? Yes. Please do. Please do.

HARRIS: Keep your feet to the fire a little bit on this.

RICE: Always. I want to be held accountable. The mayor wants to be held accountable. But also our citizens, we must collectively be held accountable for what our community looks like in the entirety and as a whole.

HARRIS: Ronald, good to see you. Thanks for your time.

RICE: Thank you, Tony.

WHITFIELD: A firestorm of a very different kind. Fire crews fighting to keep a wildfire from a Montana tourist town.

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(NEWSBREAK)

GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: I'm Gerri Willis. The mortgage meltdown continues. What should you do if your lender goes out of business? We'll have the answers next on top tips, in the NEWSROOM.

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WHITFIELD: All right. Homeowners really nervous today. And those who want to be homeowners really nervous today. The U.S. mortgage industry is now in turmoil. Several companies have closed. Others are in trouble. Quite simply, what if your lender goes out of business?

Here's personal finance editor Gerri Willis. Good to see you.

WILLIS: Hey, Fred, great to see you, too.

WHITFIELD: Yes, this is scary. When you find out that your lender is going out of business, what do you do? Do you continue to make your payments?

WILLIS: Absolutely. Regardless of what kind of trouble the mortgage company may be in, you still need to make your payments on time. Remember, your payments are considered an asset. If a lender declares bankruptcy, those assets will just be sold to another lender. And in most cases, government-sponsored enterprises like Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae will handle that transfer. Rest assured, there will be somebody out there that will require your monthly checks. So be sure to send it.

WHITFIELD: All right, so it also means that you have to know your rights. You need to know the rules, so to speak.

WILLIS: Absolutely, Fredricka. The terms of your loan should always stay the same, no matter who holds it. The interest rate, the type of loan you get shouldn't change. Your lender does sell your mortgage you should receive a letter from the company within two weeks that outlines the new mailing address and payment deadline. You should also be given a toll-free telephone number to call if you have questions. And there should be a grace period of 60 days, two months, to get your payments to the right place on time.

Now if you have complaints or issues, write a letter to the lender. The company has to respond to you within two months of getting your letter. So lots of rules here, and they're on your side.

WHITFIELD: And Get satisfaction -- what's that mean?

WILLIS: Well, if you paid off your loan in full and you want a mortgage-satisfaction document from the company when it's no longer in business, go to your state attorney general's office. A lot of people need that. There you can check the status of the company and who you can contact -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Is there any room for negotiation?

WILLIS: Well, it's interesting. Negotiation can still be hard. There is some debate as to how much wiggle room servicers have when it comes to negotiating the terms of your loan. And those are the folks that may hold your loan. This is the company you'll send your check to every month. Don't try to negotiate, because they don't want to front the money to loan holders. That can happen. Other folks out there say they are there are a lot of limitations and restrictions that tie the hands of the servicers.

Bottom line, here's what you do: If you're having trouble making your payments, get on the phone. The sooner you bring the attention to the problem to the people who hold your loan, the better off you'll be. And if you have a question or you want to share some of your money bloopers -- we've all been there -- send us an e-mail to toptips@cnn.com.

WHITFIELD: All right, we will look forward to hearing about all of those money bloopers. All right, Gerri, thanks so much.

WILLIS: Thanks so much.

HARRIS: Celebrating in San Francisco. Barry bonds hits number 756 to become the all-time home run king.

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HARRIS: Like or not, America -- why did I look at you when I said that? Because we've got a debate.

WHITFIELD: Because we keep going back and forth.

HARRIS: America, we have a new home run king.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bats it. deals. And Bonds hits it deep! It is out of here!

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HARRIS: He's not supposed to be able to hit the bull that far anymore. Oops. Barry bonds passing Hank Aaron with number 756. But there is that controversy.

CNN's Larry Smith takes a look.

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LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When he made his Major League debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986, Barry Bonds didn't look like a future home run champion. He hit just 41 homers his first two years. However, that was one more than home run champ Hank Aaron managed in his first two seasons in the Big Leagues.

But Bonds had star written all over him. With the young outfielder in the lineup, the Pirates began winning, capturing three consecutive division titles from 1990 to 1992. In that last year, Bonds won his second most valuable player award. And he used that cache to land a lucrative free agent contract with the San Francisco Giants, playing for the franchise for which his father Bobby and godfather, Hall-of-Famer Willie Mays, had once played. Bonds evolved from a great player to a superstar. His 34 home runs in his final season in Pittsburgh was a career high. But in the next dozen years, he would fall short of that total only once.

His biggest year came in 2001, when he hit 73 home runs, shattering the single season record set by Mark McGwire just three years earlier, and becoming the most feared slugger in baseball history.

Shortly after that, his name became linked with the BALCO steroid scandal. In grand jury testimony that was illegally leaked, Bonds allegedly admitted he may have unknowingly taken performance enhancers, known as the clear and the cream. Publicly, bonds has denied ever using steroids, and has never tested positive, thought that hasn't quelled the allegations.

Even as he stands on the edge of baseball's greatness, a federal grand jury is probing his alleged perjury in the BALCO trial. His trainer and childhood friend Greg Anderson has been sitting in a jail cell since November, held in contempt for refusing to testify against Bonds.

Despite the distractions, Bonds is one of the most decorated ballplayers ever. His seven most valuable player awards are the most in sports. He's a 14-time all-star. And his defensive prowess won him eight Gold Gloves. And he's the only player ever to hit 500 home runs and steal 500 bases. And he may not be done. Earlier this year, Bonds expressed a desire to play in 2008, and take a shot at getting 3,000 career hits.

Larry Smith, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: But isn't he -- oh, I'm sorry. The debate rages on.

Fred, you've got me going this morning.

WHITFIELD: E-mails as well.

HARRIS: There you go.

WHITFIELD: Because we've gotten a lot in after we've invited quite a few of you. Let's get to them.

HARRIS: Should we get to them to the responses. Everyone knows the question at this point.

Miguel writes, "It's unfortunate the game has lots its heroes. Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and others involved in steroids scandals is a shame. I feel that this record breaking and some of the others are not legitimate."

WHITFIELD: And David out of Ontario says, "People should get off his back and enjoy the moment. Baseball turned a blind eye to steroids, even after Ken Caminiti's interview in 'Sports Illustrated' back in the 90's. Barry can't make up for that."

HARRIS: Yes, this from Precious writing from Austin, Texas: "Barry Bonds broke the record. If anyone wants to challenge it by PROVING he used performance-enhancing drugs then that is one thing, but no one has actually done that yet."

WHITFIELD: All right, and here are Daryl's thoughts: "If he was so sure that he did nothing wrong or that he wasn't hopped up on steroids, why didn't he just submit to a test (if he was asked) or just do a test to show that was clean?"

And you know what, yes, there have been many tests, and he's never tested people.

HARRIS: Oh, people, people.

All right, let's go to the question one more time. Let's show it to folks: What do you think of Barry Bonds breaking the all-time home run record? There's the address for you. CNNNEWSROOM@cnn.com. More of your responses next hour right here in the NEWSROOM.

WHITFIELD: How about beating the heat, something everyone can identify with? Right now a new high-tech a chill pill -- have you heard of that one? -- helping athletes and others cool down.

HARRIS: And still to come, the mother of a Utah miner. She feared her son was trapped. Instead, he's working with the rescuers.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Some were digging with their hands at one time, just to help get those guys out.

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HARRIS: We will talk that mother about the stalled rescue and how families are coping.

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