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Extreme Weather Taking Its Toll on Eastern U.S.; Aftershocks Stop Rescue of Trapped Miners; Public Needs to Take Precautions in Heat Wave; China Preparing for '08 Olympic Games
Aired August 08, 2007 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Tony Harris.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Fredricka Whitfield, in for Heidi Collins who is on assignment. Watch events come in the NEWSROOM live this August 8th.
Unstable earth stalls searchers at a Utah mine, live this hour. A Red Cross counselor and the families agonizing wait.
HARRIS: Also, the execution-style killings of three young people. Are Newark police closing in on a suspect? We have a city councilman live this hour.
WHITFIELD: And slugger Barry Bonds' new home run king? Your thoughts, e-mail us. It's cnnnewsroom@cnn.com. We'll read a few of those e-mails.
HARRIS: Yes.
WHITFIELD: We know you have fiery comments, straight ahead in the NEWSROOM
HARRIS: Well, at the top this hour, flight delays, flooded rail and subway lines. What a mess. 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. One eyewitness described the scene this way.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, about 6 o'clock in the morning, the trees were falling. There was thunder and lightening, everything. And when, it lasted about 15 minutes. People started running on the blocks and everything.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you -- thank you. Go ahead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Started running on the blocks and everything.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Scary stuff. Folks aren't used to that really in that area, Jacqui Jeras in the severe weather center. And wow some really frightening moments. It lasted about an hour and a half or so? JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yeah, about an hour an a half. It happened really fast. You know it happened really early when people were just kind of getting up and getting oriented to the day. It caught a lot of people off guard, I think. And just created a real commute nightmare for so many people.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: Let's turn our attention now to the Utah mine rescue. We're back to square one. Hopes for reaching the six trapped men now pushed back a week or more? What's going on here? CNN's Dan Simon following developments near Huntington.
Dan, yesterday we were talking two to three days to reach the men. And now we're talking about a week? What's changed?
DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Tony, it's a significant set back. Robert Murray, the owner of the mining company, took to the microphones last night and he now says its going to take at least seven days to rescue these miners if, in fact, they are alive. But Tony, there are actually two timetables here, this is where it gets a bit confusing.
Seven days to reach the miners by the ground, but there's also a second timetable. And that's two or three days to determine, if in fact, they are still alive. He basically said that all of the progress that they had made up until last night had been erased because of some seismic activity.
Remember, Murray says that what happened, the collapse, was triggered as a result of an earthquake, but scientists we have talked with have basically said that the seismic activity that was registered was a result of the collapse. So still some disagreement there, but here's some of what Murray had to say. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOB MURRAY, PRES/CEO, MURRAY ENERGY CORP: If the miners were killed, at the time of the earthquake, that's in the Lord's hands, and what is done is done. But it's my job to get to the miners, if they're alive, and maintain their lives until I can get them out. And that is all I'm focused on. As well as the welfare of the families.
SIMON: So basically, two methods being carried out to accomplish this mission. First, here on the ground, rescuers are building what amounts to a very large tunnel. That is what the going to take seven days and that ultimately that tunnel will lead the miners out, if, in fact, they're still alive.
Now, in terms of two or three days, to determine if they're alive, what is happening is a drill is being -- is going down vertically and has to go down 1500 feet. Ultimately, the drill will produce about a two-inch hole and that will tell rescuers hopefully if, in fact, the miners survived the collapse, Tony.
HARRIS: It is complicated. All right, that sorts it out for us. Dan Simon for us.
Dan, appreciate it. Thank you.
WHITFIELD: So this stalled rescue is adding to the anxiety for relatives of the trapped miners. Tracy Kiest is with the American Red Cross, providing support for the family. She joins us now from Huntington, Utah.
Tracy, this is an agonizing time for the family members. What can you possibly say to them to comfort them at this time as they wait?
TRACY KIEST, AMERICAN RED CROSS: Well, the family members are at the family center. The mine is managing that. And basically, there are people there for them to talk to, to hug, whatever they can to find means to bring them comfort. They're also being briefed every day.
And last night, after the briefing, there was supper. Everybody sat down for supper, had a meal together. They have friends and family there providing that support and encouragement of hope.
WHITFIELD: So, they're briefed so they are hearing from the horse's mouth the fact that this rescue effort is being delayed by about a week or so? What's the reaction?
KIEST: You know, you can see the stress on their faces. It is a very stressful time. Each minute feels like an hour. But they are being informed and they're taking it in stride, doing the best that they can to get by.
WHITFIELD: How much are the family members thinking about the Sago mine disaster in West Virginia? I think everyone in this country as soon as they heard about this situation it harkened back to memories of West Virginia.
KIEST: You know, I'm not really sure, you know, if they have been talking about that. I just know that the family center is providing a lot of support for them. They have friends and family coming in day in and day out, to give them hugs, and comfort them.
WHITFIELD: Do you worry about the family members who perhaps are not coming forward like the majority of family members who are coming to that counseling center? How do you reach out to them if they're not coming to you?
KIEST: You know, our mental health counselors, the Red Cross mental health counselors basically what -- in a situation like this, they'll just walk around. And, you know, stop and sit down to folks and just start conversation. And that's the first step is dealing with it is talking about it. You know, give them a glass of water, what have you and everybody copes in different ways.
WHITFIELD: So this is not a situation where you try to talk to them about anything but the situation at hand. You are taking it on face first to talk about what their loved ones may be enduring, going through if they are, indeed, still trapped, and aware of their surroundings down below? KIEST: You know, really, it's really they just find it within themselves the strength they need and everybody -- as I mentioned, everybody copes their own way and there are counselors available for them to talk to. There are family members coming in and out, friends, they're getting information they need every single day. And so, they have the support of the community. And, you know, they're holding on to that hope.
WHITFIELD: Tracey Kiest with the American Red Cross, thanks so much. And continued luck on your efforts to comfort those loved ones as best you can.
HARRIS: Barry Bonds! -- let me say it again-- Barry Bonds! All- time home run king. America get used to it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And that's it. Deals and Bonds up high!
HARRIS: Got it! High and deep.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And it is! Out of here!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: You better believe it! 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 RUNNER: 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. I know what my dad would have said. Truthfully, my dad 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 have 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: How about this? A message played in the ballpark from now former home run king Hank Aaron. Bonds said the message and meant everything to him and the best part of the moment. Man!
WHITFIELD: Something tells me though Hank will always still be king. HARRIS: Yeah, yeah.
WHITFIELD: Two kings now. So guess what? And you got one very lucky fan who could be cashing in on Bonds' record breaking home run right there. You see the melee. Bedlam in the stands last night! A New Yorker Matt Murphy, New Yorker Matt Murphy ...
HARRIS: Huh? OK.
WHITFIELD: Came away with the prized souvenir. He was in San Francisco on his way to Australia for a vacation. Man, is he lucky? Memorabilia experts say the ball could be worth a half million dollars and when asked about the ball, Bonds said he didn't want it.
HARRIS: What?
WHITFIELD: Yeah. He said he never thought the ball should belong to a player.
HARRIS: OK. Now we want to hear from you. What do you think about Barry Bonds taking the home run crown? e-mail us at cnnnewsroom@cnn.com. Right now, can't wait to get a hold of some of these e-mails. Oh man!
WHITFIELD: You are chomping at the bit.
HARRIS: Yeah! OK, again, here's the address cnnnewsroom@cnn.com. Bring it on!
WHITFIELD: Baghdad's Sadr City, the scene of some intense action today, the military said the U.S.-led raid and air strike killed 32 suspected insurgents. The military says the operation targeted militants linked to Iran. Twelve were detained Iraq's interior ministry says coalition forces also clashed with members of the Nabi (ph) Army. That's a Shiite militia group. At least eight people died in the fighting.
Meantime, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has arrived in Tehran. He is there for security talks.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I'm Rob Marciano in Centennial Park in Atlanta, Georgia, where behind me, kids will be filtering in to try to cool off. This is not the only city broiling in an extensive heat wave. A live report is coming up in the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: Heat and humidity, a deadly combination. We'll find out from Dr. Sanjay Gupta what to do to keep to getting sick if you have to venture out -- if you have to venture outside, during this heat wave.
WHITFIELD: Operative word, "if".
Getting ready for the games here, no if here. It's real, it's happening right now we'll look at live pictures of the one-year-away ceremonies taking place in very beautiful Beijing. Beautiful ceremony there. The countdown is on. We'll take you there. HARRIS: And a ceramic turtle, a woman gave it away, but a little later, she had to reclaim it.
WHITFIELD: Oh yeah?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It will go back on the shelf where it belongs and, you know, we'll make sure we discuss anything else that needs to go in a rummage sale from now on.
HARRIS: Huh? OK, wait until you hear what or should that be who is inside the turtle. You are in CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Dangerous and now deadly. At least three deaths now blamed on the extreme heat gripping much of the Central and Eastern U.S. CNN Meteorologist Rob Marciano covering the story here in Atlanta.
Really, at a place where a lot of people like to go to stay cool.
MARCIANO: Yeah. We are, we're at Centennial Park and hearing an automated announcement that coming on about the --
WHITFIELD: Lucky you.
MARCIANO: Let me tell you what they announcer's saying. Be careful when you go out in the spray because the bricks can be slick. As you can see, and right now, I'm in sneakers. Maybe as the temperatures begin to warm up, I might have to take the sneakers off and cool the tootsies off, for sure.
But this is definitely a spot where kids come to cool off here. We have video of that from yesterday afternoon. Obviously, right now 9 o'clock in the morning Eastern Time. Not quite the heat of the day. But as the afternoon wears on, you can be sure this will become a popular place no doubt about that.
This heat wave extends far beyond Atlanta where it was 99 yesterday, not including humidity. Savannah, down the road, they're under an excessive heat warning today. Yesterday, they almost touched 100. They'll get up and over the actual temperature of 100 degrees today. Kids playing football outside, yeah that's pretty crazy.
Also some spots in Houston, Texas, they're used to heat and humidity no doubt about that. Nonetheless kids were playing by pools and trying to cool off before they had to go to school.
And kids in school buses in Huntsville, Alabama, where yesterday temperatures topped off in the mid 90s. They'll see heat and humidity once again today. But a lot of this continues northward. We were in St. Louis yesterday where temperatures got to 100 degrees. And they're under excessive heat warnings, right on through the week into Friday. And the heat boils all the way up into Philadelphia. New York City will see it as well today, so we're in the midst of what is going to be -- well, unfortunately a deadly heat wave.
You know, Fredricka, you mentioned fatalities, and we hate to be morbid about these kind of situations, but the fact of the matter is, is that heat is the number one weather related killer, more than floods, more than hurricanes, more than tornadoes. And that's why it's so important to look out for your neighbors.
Do what you need to do to stay cool, and especially the elderly, they're the most vulnerable. And Sanjay is going to talk to you about that. It's going to be an ongoing issue as we go through the next several days -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right well thanks so much, Rob. It is important to really impress upon folks heat is a killer. Don't take it lightly and especially matched up with humidity, as Rob was saying. Really some dangerous stuff.
HARRIS: Should we put numbers on it?
WHITFIELD: I think we should.
HARRIS: Here's the thing, every year in the U.S., intense summer heat kills dozens of people and as the mercury climbs as it will today, maybe it's and opportunity for us to explain what we're doing here in the lower right hand portion of the screen.
I believe the number to the left is the actual air temperature, and then the heat index, is the number to the right. And that is the combination of the air temperature and humidity.
WHITFIELD: What it feels like out there.
Let's check in with CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Doctor Sanjay Gupta, who will give us an idea exactly what we need to do when we're dealing with this kind of combination.
For one, I like that you took off your jacket. You have to try to think of ways to stay cool when you're in this intense heat.
HARRIS: And looking good.
Oh, no. We are not. We have a mic problem? There we go.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Can you hear me?
HARRIS: There we go. Yeah. I was thinking it was just my hearing.
GUPTA: I'm not sure what it is, it couldn't be the heat. Technical difficulties.
I mean, look, it can be a real problem. A lot of people sort of joke around about the heat but you guys may remember back in '95 in Chicago, 700 people died of heat-related illness and people pay attention. Especially with the temperatures this hot. A lot of people also ask about dry heat versus wet heat and the humidity, what happens is -- you may know this. There's so much water in the air that one of your natural cooling mechanisms of your body, the sweat can't actually evaporate off your skin. So it is much harder to get cooler as a result of having so much humidity in the air. It makes a difference.
There's people who are at greater risk. Certainly, people with heart disease, with lung disease, young children, at greater risk. And also as Rob pointed out, just the air here, you know, trying to get outside, trying to do an kind of activity, whether it's exercise or working outside, it's awful. It is awfully hard. And also near the end of the day it gets even more difficult as the air quality decreases even further, guys.
HARRIS: So, we talk, Sanjay, a lot about people who actually die from being exposed to the extreme heat, but what is heat stroke? And how serious a consideration is that when you're out there in these conditions?
GUPTA: Well, here's three things to sort of keep in mind. There's heat cramps. There's heat exhaustion. There's heat stroke. Heat stroke is far and away the worst and there are some symptoms of heat stroke, in particular, that you can look at.
One of the ones you should really pay attention to, is the one that says if your skin gets red, it gets hot and it stays dry. The reason that stays dry part means you've stopped sweating. And it goes back to what we were saying earlier. Your body's cooling mechanism has just shut down, and all of a sudden your body's temperature can rise exponentially. You can go to 106 degrees even, internally, within about 20 or 30 minutes.
So, heat stroke is obviously the most serious. But some of the symptoms can be vague. You can have a headache, you can feel a little bit tired. You can think it's just been a long day, when, in fact, it's directly attributable to the heat. You need to do something about it.
WHITFIELD: And Doctor Sanjay Gupta, I'm going to guess that the most vulnerable are the very young and the very old. So what can they, in particular, do to try to beat the heat?
GUPTA: Yeah, the young and the old, and I also add people who may have not ever had heart problems, but may be at risk of heart disease or lung disease. You also need to be a little bit careful. There's some obvious answers. Obviously, you want to try to get out of the heat. Try to get inside some air conditioning, try to get as much fluids as possible, as well.
Electric fan is probably not the best bet. They just sort of circulate the hot air more on you, so a fan alone probably won't do the trick. Get inside a public library, malls, anything.
HARRIS: Yeah.
GUPTA: If you don't have air conditioning in the house, that might be a good option for people, as well.
HARRIS: Sanjay, let me ask you this, though. There are times -- I love the heat and Fred does, as well. But there are times when I have not been aware of the symptoms until it felt to me it was, whoa, almost too late. Sometimes this actually sneaks up on you, doesn't it?
GUPTA: Yeah. You know, you're absolutely right. And they can happen quickly, especially if you're in a car or something like that. The temperature goes up, and you can develop the symptoms quickly, as well. You know, you got to keep hydrated even if you think you're not thirsty during in the day. Don't overdo it, but make sure you are drinking a couple of glasses of water every couple of hours for sure.
As you may know, I don't really advocate sports drinks, in a lot of situations. But you do end up losing a lot of salt and your ions, as well. So taking some or getting some food that has salt in it, or even a sports drink, may also be a good option. Just so you never start developing symptoms, or they don't creep up on you suddenly.
HARRIS: Great advice, great tips. Sanjay, appreciate. Thank you.
GUPTA: All right. Stay cool inside.
WHITFIELD: Ahead, in the NEWSROOM, mine safety after the Sago disaster. West Virginia's governor on new regulations. Could they help the trapped miners in Utah?
ALI VELSHI, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Ali Velshi in New York, "Minding Your Business".
Barry Bonds hit 756 and some guy from New York caught the ball. What's it worth? Stay with us. I'll tell you when you come back in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Slugger Barry Bonds hits home run number 756 breaking Major League Baseball record that's stood for 31 years. And a lucky 22-year-old New Yorker catches the ball in the stands, so exactly how much is that record breaking baseball worth? Ali Velshi here "Minding Your Business" this morning.
OK, Ali, I have heard a couple of $100,000 and wondering, whoa, whoa, whoa. That's undervaluing the baseball. This thing should be going for at least a million, shouldn't it?
VELSHI: Think back to 1998. Mark McGuire got his, what was that, the 70th home run, for a season.
HARRIS: The 70th, right.
VELSHI: Somebody bought that ball for $3 million.
HARRIS: That's what I'm talking about.
VELSHI: This is 756, it's not 70th in the series. This is the most.
HARRIS: Yes.
VELSHI: But no. The people we have heard from say $350,000 to $500,000. There it is. Watch that.
HARRIS: Got it! All of it.
VELSHI: A guy named Matt Murphy of Queens, New York, 22-year-old guy catches that thing. And you'll see him walking out with police escorting him.
HARRIS: Oh, man!
VELSHI: Why only $350,000 to $500,000? Three major factors. First of all, he's got to do this fast. On Saturday, we saw Alex Rodriquez hit his 500th. Made him the youngest one to do that. Now people have on their mind that Alex Rodriquez could catch up to this. The memorabilia market has a short memory, so get this out fast.
HARRIS: Are you kidding me? Get it out quickly?
VELSHI: That's what the experts are saying. Get it out now, while this is fresh in everybody's mind. Number two, who's Barry Bonds? What's the personality? Is he likable? The steroids thing had definitely tainted -- although we have seen in that in the past, you know, scandal doesn't always affect the price of things. But it does taint it a little bit.
A collector we heard from said definitely a million if Barry Bonds were not involved in the steroids business -- or alleged involved in the steroids business.
HARRIS: Thank you.
VELSHI: And the third one it's the 756, it's the record now. We haven't heard anything about him retiring this year.
HARRIS: That's right.
VELSHI: But the last ball is going to be the one where the real money is. Because that will be the record that everybody has to then chase.
HARRIS: Yes, yes.
VELSHI: Could be 775, or whatever it is. The folks -- collectors, professional collectors we heard from said, they will go hard after that last ball, whatever that last ball is.
HARRIS: I guess that makes sense. You want 756, and you probably want the last home run ball even more.
VELSHI: But 756 ends up being the last one, this kid in Queens is lucky.
HARRIS: Yeah. All right. Appreciate it. Thank you, sir. Good to see you.
VELSHI: You, too.
HARRIS: well, the responses -- we want to do this now? You want to get to some e-mails now?
OK, the responses have been pouring in to our e-mail question this morning. What do you think about Barry Bonds becoming the new home run king? Here are a few responses.
This from Helen, who writes: "Congrats to Mr. Bonds. However, it would be more exciting if there wasn't the controversy of steroid use hovering over his talent."
This one from Curt, who writes: "Barry Bonds biggest problem isn't the steroids allegations, it is the fact that he is an unpleasant guy."
You hear that kind of universally about him, though.
WHITFIELD: I have heard that.
HARRIS: Yeah, yeah.
WHITFIELD: But you know? I don't know. I don't know him. And you never know what other people's intentions are when they say nasty things about you.
HARRIS: Curt goes on to say, "Congratulations to Barry. Let's not ignore the magnitude" -- thank you, Curt -- "of his accomplishment.
And Carrie, from Huntersville, North Carolina, says, "It just feels dirty."
Luke writes, "I must say that I am happy that Hank Aaron came on the screen to speak to Bonds, because I thought Hank was being very unprofessional about it."
Thank you for your e-mails.
WHITFIELD: No. "Hank was professional about it."
HARRIS: Yeah, did I misread it? Yeah, yeah, yeah.
WHITFIELD: At least on the screen it says --
HARRIS: There is a typo in the script. Sorry. My apologies.
All right, so send them on. Let's show everyone the address again. Cnnnewsroom@cnn.com, and we'll get more of the e-mail resources to Barry Bonds breaking the all-time home run mark, later in the NEWSROOM.
ANNOUNCER: You're watching CNN NEWSROOM on CNN, the most trusted name in news. HARRIS: And here we are, bottom of the hour. Welcome back to the CNN NEWSROOM, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.
WHITFIELD: And I'm Fredricka Whitfield, in for Heidi Collins.
We are talking about weather, very extreme weather. Lots of bad stuff like this.
HARRIS: You bet.
WHITFIELD: Lots of rain. This is the New York area.
HARRIS: Yes.
WHITFIELD: Where, you know, they were also quivering over the notion of a tornado...
HARRIS: Yes.
WHITFIELD: ... warning in effect. And then we've also been talking all morning long about severe heat. That along with the humidity, and you're going to see on the screen we're going to be having temperatures across the country of the actual temperature and then with the humidity, the heat index. What it feels like.
So Jacqui Jeras is in the severe weather center, covering it all. These are new pictures...
HARRIS: Whoa.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Wow.
WHITFIELD: ... we're just now getting from the New York area. Not the kind of picture you usually see coming out of there.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: That is Baghdad heat.
WHITFIELD: Yes, that really is bad..
JERAS: Close.
HARRIS: It's insane
WHITFIELD: Jacqui, now you'll remind me. I've got to call my dad again this morning. Because I talked to him the other day. He's in the Washington, D.C., area. But he goes, it's not that bad.
HARRIS: Right.
WHITFIELD: Now, seeing this heat index of 112?
JERAS: Yes.
WHITFIELD: That's bad. JERAS: Call him. Make sure he's all right. Make sure he's got his dog inside.
WHITFIELD: All right.
HARRIS: We'll get to the break so you can give him a call.
WHITFIELD: I think I'm going to do that.
HARRIS: And still come to the NEWSROOM this morning, the Minneapolis bridge collapse. Moments after the disaster, dramatic new video released.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm John Vause, live in Tiananmen Square. A year to go before the Olympics, Chinese officials they'll control every detail, even the weather. That's coming up in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: This is CNN, the most trusted name in news. Now back to the CNN NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: Celebrations in Tiananmen Square this morning. One year to the summer Olympics in Beijing. CNN's John Vause joins us live now with the year latest on the countdown.
And John, boy, we have been treated to quite a celebration today.
VAUSE: Yes. Absolutely, Tony. Tiananmen Square, a notorious reputation internationally, but tonight Chinese officials hoping very much that the world sees a very different Tiananmen Square, and that they did. The celebration was quite a spectacular. Perhaps a glimpse of what we may be seeing a year from now during that opening ceremony.
And if you're wondering what the weather may be like, whether it's going to rain, well, officials here say they're almost certain that it's going to be fine and clear.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE (voice-over): With their aging anti-aircraft guns and shells loaded with silver iodide, China's rainmakers have been shouldered with a national burden: blue skies for the Olympic opening ceremony, now just over a year away.
Because August in Beijing is usually when the heavens open up, potentially a disaster, because officials decided to scrap the roof on the national stadium to save $40 million.
"This is still an experiment, trying to dissipate cloud formations and reducing rainfall. We're not professionals at it yet," says the head of Beijing's weather modification office.
While stopping the rain may still be untested, the Chinese firmly believe they have the ability to make it rain. China is one of the driest countries on earth, with 400 cities facing major water shortages and since the 1950s, has invested heavily in cloud seeding.
Today there are 37,000, mostly peasants, who work as part-time rain makers, firing on command at passing clouds, the biggest operation of its kind in the world.
But in the United States, the National Academy of Sciences has its doubts, a few years ago deciding that, for now, the science is simply too weak.
Even so, Beijing's weather makers say they plan to make it rain the day before the opening ceremony, but as for the big day itself, they're not making any promises.
"I can't say I can guarantee blue skies for the Olympics. We're sure we can control light rain, but if there's heavy rain, there's nothing we can do," she says.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Now, the Chinese say they can make it rain on demand to lower summer temperatures, clear pollution, even put out forest fires. So given that, imagine that the Olympics, well, it's going to be a snitch -- a cinch.
HARRIS: You -- you would think so. But I have to ask you. Whenever we get to about this point in time, you know, we remember Athens a few years back. There were a lot of concerns leading up to those games as to whether or not the city would be ready.
How about Beijing? What are projections? Will Beijing be ready?
VAUSE: Sure. Think Athens. Think the anti-Athens is Beijing. These guys are so far ahead of schedule, the IOC said slow down. Those venues, those stadiums, they're going to be ready too early. You're going to have all these maintenance charges. So it actually delayed construction in some cases.
HARRIS: Wow.
VAUSE: By the end of this year, all but one venue will be completed, and the one that's yet to be built or yet to be finished, rather, is the national stadium, that very spectacular bird's nest structure.
The big problem, though, the one they've yet to get a handle on, is pollution. It's been foul here for the last couple of weeks. Athletes, officials from around the world are really worried about what impact that will have on those, you know, the world's best athletes, who have to come here and gulp that air in.
So they've got a year to get that under control. IOC warns they could postpone some events if they don't.
HARRIS: Nasty air. That's what we're dealing with here in the States. John Vause for us this morning. John, appreciate it. Good to see you. Thanks. WHITFIELD: It's a nasty situation of another kind that folks are having to deal with in Utah. The mine rescue under way but now actually on hold. Mine operators say dangerous conditions brought searchers to a standstill. That means crews are at least a week away from reaching the trapped miners.
(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)
WHITFIELD: Murray says smaller holes will be drilled. Within a few days crews could know whether the six miners are alive.
New mine safety regulations, the result of the Sago disaster where 12 miners died. West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin helped lead the push for reforms. He's joining us now from Charleston, West Virginia.
And Governor, before I ask you about those reforms, let me just ask you how this was kind of deja vu all over again for you while you were on travel, and then hear another state and their miners are dealing with something very similar to what your state dealt with, Sago mine.
GOV. JOE MANCHIN (D), WEST VIRGINIA: Well, Fredricka, first, the thoughts and prayers from every West Virginian goes out to the miners and their families. And I've spoken to John Huntsman, the governor of Utah, twice and expressed our condolences to this. Anything that we can do in West Virginia to help.
But it has been deja vu. I know the anxiety that's going on right now, the anticipation. But right now all the support should be for the families and do everything they can to get the miners out. And hopefully, that's being done.
WHITFIELD: So does that concern you, when you already hear talk of causes of how this happened, kind of preceding or upstaging the discussion about how the miners are doing?
MANCHIN: Well, excuse me. They have a different situation than we have. We had a very lethal methane mine problem, which is lethal. We're hopeful that these miners -- and my hope would be that their -- they have sufficient air, they have air pockets and that they don't have a methane problem.
And with that, everything in the world should be done, which I'm sure is being done, to get them the supplies they need and to locate them.
Also, and I spoke to Governor Huntsman, and I'm sure John Huntsman is a good person and working hard to make sure that the families have the support that's needed. Their lives have to continue and they need that support. And they'll need the continued support after whatever the outcome may be.
WHITFIELD: I know you said at the top that you're offering, you have a long-standing offer to Utah about any kind of assistance that, you know, they need. You're able to provide it. On what scale? How might you be able to offer assistance to Utah, if indeed they take you up on that offer?
MANCHIN: Well, we have -- you know, we have expertise in the rescue operations, and we have mine rescue teams all over West Virginia. And the federal government, I'm sure, is giving all the assistance they possibly have available to them.
If more is needed, any of the expertise we might have, from the drilling operations, to the rescue operations, that we're going to make available, and we'll get them there ASAP. And I've expressed that to John, and I'm sure that they'll be contacting, if need be. If -- I assume they have everything under control.
But it's just imperative to locate these miners as quickly as humanly possible and make sure they have the sufficient necessities they need to survive. And we're hoping that's going to happen.
WHITFIELD: And let's talk about those regulations that you mentioned at the top. How did what happened at Sago help fuel your push or others' push for tighter, tougher regulations when it comes down to the mining industry?
MANCHIN: Well, I explained before, Fredricka, I can't explain human nature, why it takes a horrific tragedy such as these in order to make change. There had not been any changes in mining laws for over 25 years.
After the Sago tragedy, and I stayed with the families entirely for approximately 40 or more hours, saw what the human suffering that was going on and then knowing that there's things that we could do.
And then three weeks later, we had the Aracoma, same situation. We had miners lost. So I knew we needed rapid response. I knew that we needed auxiliary oxygen, caches of oxygen. And I knew we needed communication. So we did not put anybody else in danger; we could get to them as quickly as possible.
So when we found the Aracoma miners on Saturday, by Monday evening, we had passed landmark legislation. We were prepared to go. We were not going to wait any longer. And with that came the National Miners' Act that's now been implemented.
We are implementing ours in -- as of July 31. Our -- all the mines in West Virginia had to start putting their plans into effect of how they would start their communication technology, how that would be working so we could better locate our miners and give the assistance needed.
WHITFIELD: So I wonder... MANCHIN: ... as quickly as humanly possible.
WHITFIELD: And so I wonder in your view, with this now third pretty sizable catastrophe taking place involving one of America's mines, is this a bigger signal of some other large scale problem, common denominator problem, that mines in this country are now facing?
MANCHIN: Well, since nothing had been done for so many years, Fredricka, we're playing -- we're playing catch up. I understand that with technology. But you know, we've been able to do that. During crisis, this country's always come to the aid of the people.
The first and foremost thing must be the safety of every miner, man or woman, working in that condition. And we owe it to their families to make sure they return safe.
With that being said, we put nothing aside except getting that accomplished. And what we're doing right now is making sure that communication, I think, is as important as everything else we do.
We need to know where they communicate with them, to let them know that help is coming or where they should either retreat to a portion of the mine that might be the safest. And once you have form communication, you can continue to move in an expedited way and not put anyone else in danger.
WHITFIELD: West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, thanks so much for time and your insight.
MANCHIN: Thank you, Fredricka. God speed.
WHITFIELD: And I know the folks in Utah appreciate your offer of assistance. Thanks so much.
HARRIS: And still to come this morning in the CNN NEWSROOM, on the hunt for a killer. Young people gunned down in a brutal attack. Now a report, police may be close to identifying a suspect.
And let's get you to the New York Stock Exchange right now. The Dow begins the day at 13,504 after gaining 35 points yesterday after the Fed decided to leave rates unchanged.
So here we are in the first few minutes of trading, and the Dow is up, oh, 58 points. We are really going to watch the NASDAQ on the heels of Cisco Systems reporting big second quarter profits. We understand the NASDAQ is up by as many as 30. Following all the business news is Susan Lisovicz, right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.
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HARRIS: Remembering victims of the Minnesota bridge collapse this morning. As the sun rose, flags were flying at half staff at the capital, the governor asking people across the state to do the same.
Last night, in Minneapolis, crowds observed a moment of silence at 6:05. That is the exact time the I-35W bridge fell into the river a week ago. Church bells also rang.
But this, newly released, another dramatic video of moments after the collapse. It shows some drivers trying to get off the bridge. And a rising cloud of dust you see there. Eight people still missing. Navy divers are using sophisticated sonar to scan the wreckage in the Mississippi River.
City, state and federal officials are now talking about a new wider bridge, one they hope will open by the end of 2008.
WHITFIELD: A ceramic turtle, a woman gave it away, but a little later she had to reclaim it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANITA LEWIS, SOLD TURTLE: It will go back on the shelf, you know, where it belongs. And you know, we will make sure we discuss anything else that needs to go to any kind of a rummage sale from now on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Wait until you hear what or maybe, we should say, who was inside that turtle.
HARRIS: And a visitor tries to get into the country under the radar, but he can't stay under the hat. We'll explain the monkey business.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Let's call this monkey business. On board a flight from Florida to New York, get this, Spirit Airlines says a passenger smuggled this monkey onto the flight by stuffing the animal under his hat.
HARRIS: What?
WHITFIELD: The airline says the man just about got away with it. That is, until other passengers saw the monkey hanging on the guy's ponytail.
Police rounded up the man and his pet, and they landed in New York. And while they all got there safely, I have a feeling the two were separated at least for a period of time.
HARRIS (singing): Curious George, that curious little monkey.
And how about this?
WHITFIELD: That's funny.
HARRIS: A real pottery puzzler. Just what was that inside a ceramic turtle at the thrift shop and why was it returned to the woman who sold it? Katie Graham of affiliate WETM has this strange tale.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEWIS: That is the turtle.
KATIE GRAHAM, WETM CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Anita Lewis says she had no idea the ceramic turtle held her husband's late ex-wife's ashes. That's why she put it out at her yard sale last weekend.
The woman who bought the turtle at the yard sale ended up dropping it off at the local Salvation Army. The turtle caught the manager's eye.
BARB PHILLIPS, SALVATION ARMY MANAGER: I thought it was pretty unique, so I asked the gentleman if they wouldn't me mind me taking it back into the store, which they said, sure. So that's how we got the turtle.
GRAHAM: The Salvation Army then contacted Anita Lewis. Lewis says she's relieved to have her turtle back.
LEWIS: My husband is relieved, and I'm glad we have it back. It will go back on the shelf, you know, where it belongs. And, you know, we will make sure we discuss anything else that needs to go in any kind of a rummage sale from now on.
GRAHAM: Lewis says she wants to personally thank the woman that gave the turtle back.
LEWIS: Thank you.
GRAHAM: Reporting in Elmira, Katie Graham, WETM-18 News.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Thank goodness the turtle's back.
Still ahead in the NEWSROOM, Barry Bonds smacks another one, becoming the new home run king. The best part of breaking the record? Well, we'll tell you what Bonds actually had to say.
HARRIS: And rooting out insurgents said to be linked to Iran. A new operation in Baghdad's Sadr City.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Well, good morning, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield, in for Heidi Collins, who is on assignment.
HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris. Stay informed all day in the CNN NEWSROOM. Here's what's on the rundown.
A new story we're following: torrential downpours, strong winds making a real mess of New York's morning commute.
WHITFIELD: And stalled in Utah. A search for trapped miners now on hold. Standing by for us -- for a live update on the next move. HARRIS: Number 756. Full extension. Got it. Slugger Barry Bonds, the new home run king on Wednesday, August 8. And we are taking your e-mails in the CNN NEWSROOM.
WHITFIELD: Unfolding this hour, the Utah mine 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 is it they have to wait a whole week.
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