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Possible Break in Missing Pregnant Marine Case; Mortgage Lender Rescued

Aired January 11, 2008 - 11:00   ET

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

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning again, everyone. You're with CNN. You're informed.
I'm Tony Harris.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Hi there, everybody. I'm Heidi Collins.

Developments keep coming in to the CNN NEWSROOM on Friday, the 11th day of January.

Here's what's on the rundown.

Major developments. Promise in the case of a missing pregnant Marine. A North Carolina sheriff planning an announcement shortly.

HARRIS: Bank of America makes a big deal with Countrywide. The nation's largest bank will buy the nation's largest mortgage company.

COLLINS: Powerful thunderstorms rough up the South. In the Midwest, floodwaters start to fall.

Weekend cleanup in the NEWSROOM.

So what do we have here? A possible major break expected in the search for a pregnant Marine missing from Camp Lejeune since mid- December. You heard it straight from lead investigator, Sheriff Ed Brown, here in the NEWSROOM just over an hour ago.

Our Ed Lavandera is on the case in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

And Ed, I'm still trying to sort out in my head what the sheriff was saying to us about an hour ago.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Tony, at this point we have to read through the lines a little bit, but everything really centering around Maria Lauterbach's roommate, a Marine sergeant who was brought back from California.

He had been in training there, brought back. Right now he's in the bidding behind me meeting with investigators. They had a whole new series of questions that they wanted to ask him here this morning. And you can hear how the sheriff has described what's going on in there right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SHERIFF ED BROWN, ONSLOW COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA: The wheels are spinning fast. We've got the sergeant back in California. We're getting calls.

I'm just telling you the frustration of an investigation is probably as hard for the investigators as it is anyone. You deal with positive information. You deal with negative information. And the two of them pulling you from one side to the other.

The wheels are just turning. And we still believe, by noon day, we will have a major break.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA: So the Sheriff saying in about an hour or so, some sort of announcement, announcing a break in this case. The sheriff has said he's leaning toward a positive outcome in this situation, but clearly the amount of publicity that this missing Marine has garnered in the last couple of days, the sheriff says that has led to a whole new series of clues and questions that they wanted to ask her roommate. And that's why he's back here. But up until now, it's been a mysterious situation.

HARRIS: All right. Ed, let's sort of leave it there.

Can't wait for the news conference to begin. It's an hour from now here, at least as scheduled in the CNN NEWSROOM.

We'll of course bring it to you live.

Ed Lavandera for us this morning.

COLLINS: Get ready for stiff new regulations on new drivers' licenses. New details coming out today about the Fed's controversial plan. It's called Real I.D.

Most of you will need a Real I.D. by 2014 to board an airplane or go into a federal building. The exception is people over 50. They'll get more time to meet the new requirement. The government says they're less likely to be terrorists or criminals.

To obtain a Real I.D. driver's license, you have to submit a digital photo, birth certificate, proof of social security number, and proof of residence. Critics call it a national I.D. system that threatens privacy and smacks of big brother.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COLLINS: Today, a new measure of the nation's deepening mortgage crisis. Bank of America has agreed to buy the biggest mortgage lender, Countrywide. What does this takeover mean if you have a Countrywide mortgage?

Well, CNN Personal Finance Editor Gerri Willis has been keeping an eye on this story for us.

So, Gerri, if you could first tell us, what exactly is going on with Countrywide?

GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Well, as you said, Heidi, Bank of America is buying Countrywide for $4 billion. Now, you've probably not missed the headlines. Countrywide has had a lot of financial trouble because of the mortgage meltdown.

Not only are they not paying their mortgage loans, but they're also having trouble in the marketplace selling these subprime loans. You can't do that really anymore.

Now, the good news here is that Bank of America has stepped up and agreed to buy Countrywide for $4 billion. That's really a fire sale price. They're going to keep the Countrywide brand. But at the end of the day, I know a lot of people out there have questions about their mortgage, particularly if it's a Countrywide mortgage.

COLLINS: Oh, I'm sure they do.

What does it mean for the average consumer?

WILLIS: Well, you know, I've got to tell you, this is good news. This buyout is good news for Countrywide mortgage holders. Certainly better than a bankruptcy, which could be a real problem, particularly if you were trying to get a loan right now and planning on going to the closing table.

Mortgage brokers tell me if that was your situation, you might have lost your loan. But now that Bank of America is stepping in, things should go much more smoothly.

Now, if you have a mortgage with Countrywide, Bank of America will probably just take it over. You may notice no difference.

Your loan is an asset to Countrywide. If Bank of America buys it, it's buying that asset. You've got to keep making payments because somebody is going to want that asset stream, that money coming in each and every day.

So at the end of the day, don't use this as an excuse not to pay your mortgage. That would be a big mistake.

COLLINS: Yes. Yes, a big mistake, for sure.

What do people in this situation though need to do?

WILLIS: Well, as I said, keep making your payments on time.

COLLINS: Yes.

WILLIS: If the loan changes hands, the new owner will tell you where to send your payments. By law, they have to send you a letter that gives you 15 days, within 15 days to tell you the new address you're sending it to. But again, in this case, it may stay the same for quite some time.

Also, there's a grace period fit does change hands of 60 days. These are your rights under law.

You've got to make sure that you understand what's going on. So open all of those letters from Bank of America and Countrywide. Don't throw them in the trash because you think it's just more information maybe that you don't need.

COLLINS: Yes.

WILLIS: A couple other things to keep in mind here, I was talking to consumer advocates this morning about, is this a good thing, is this a bad thing? They say it's a good thing because of Bank of America's deep pockets.

Keep in mind here, a lot of people are still struggling with those adjustable rate mortgages that are resetting. You have a far better chance of renegotiating that loan now with Bank of America in charge than you ever did before.

So, if you are in that situation, pick up the phone, make the phone call, because at the end of the day, Bank of America is probably going to want to work with you. They paid fire sale prices for this bank...

COLLINS: Sure.

WILLIS: ... and I think, you know, at the end of the day, this is going to help them.

COLLINS: Yes. It probably is.

All right. I bet you will be talking a little bit more about this on "OPEN HOUSE" this weekend?

WILLIS: We will, indeed. Yes, we'll be talking about it on "OPEN HOUSE," 9:30 a.m. Saturday, right here on CNN.

We'll also be talking about the political campaign, dollars and cents. And we'll be talking to Sanjay Gupta about the price of pills and what you need to know but might not know about generics.

COLLINS: OK. Very good. A great show lined up.

Gerri Willis, appreciate that. We'll be watching.

WILLIS: Thank you, Heidi.

COLLINS: And to get more information on Bank of America's takeover of Countrywide, you can always check out cnnmoney.com.

HARRIS: A disgraced athlete facing possible prison time. Former Olympic track star Marion Jones arriving at court, oh, about 45 minutes ago.

She is to be sentenced at any moment now. She's already confessed to lying about steroids and a check fraud scream. She's been stripped of the five Olympic medals she won as a runner and long jumper.

Her attorneys say the woman who was once the most -- really the most celebrated female athlete in the world has been punished enough. She's lost her career as motivational speaker and has suffered a series of financial hardships.

He was a skating champion whose moves thrilled crowds, but Christopher Bowman apparently died alone in a budget hotel room. Authorities in California are investigating Bowman's death as a possible drug overdose. An autopsy is scheduled for this weekend.

Bowman won a silver medal at the 1989 world championships and was two-time national champion. But the skater known as "Bowman the Showman" battled addiction problems off the ice.

Christopher Bowman was 40 years old.

COLLINS: An international bridge along the U.S./Mexico border is set to reopen this morning after a deadly chain reaction crash. At least four people were killed, six others injured.

It happened last night on the Reynosa International Bridge. Authorities say two tractor-trailers crashed and burst into flames, and that triggered a chain reaction accident with three other vehicles, including a pickup that plunged off the bridge.

The bridge connects Texas and Mexico, and handles more than 17,000 cars and trucks every day.

HARRIS: Well, President Bush has wrapped up his three-day visit to Israel and the West bank, and he's already planning his return trip. Mr. Bush says he will return to the region in May to continue work on an Israeli/Palestinian peace deal.

He is calling for an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory, and in return, wants an end to violence against Israel. He highlighted the dangers of blind hatred with a visit to the Holocaust Museum.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I would hope as many people in the world would come to this place. It would be a sobering reminder that evil exists, and a call that when we find evil we must resist it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Right now the president is in Kuwait. We're told the rest of his Mideast trip will likely focus on Iraq and his concerns over Iran.

COLLINS: A former presidential candidate raising a big question.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. BILL RICHARDSON (D), NEW MEXICO: You know, whatever happened to experience? Is experience kind of a leper?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: Change or experience? A look at what voters want.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: A seasoned politician, but Bill Richardson's credentials couldn't keep him in the race for the White House. And his exit raises the question, does experience really matter?

Here's CNN's Dan Lothian.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHARDSON: How are you, sir? I'm Bill Richardson.

LOTHIAN (voice over): If experience were the only qualification, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson would be a shoo-in for president. But the former congressman, ambassador and cabinet member couldn't get any traction.

RICHARDSON: It is with great pride, understanding and acceptance that I am ending my campaign for president of the United States.

LOTHIAN: In his final debate, Richardson seemed frustrated by the notion that experience was a liability.

RICHARDSON: Look, what we need is change. There's no question. But, you know, whatever happened to experience? Is experience kind of a leper?

LOTHIAN: After al, two other veteran politicians, long-time senators Joe Biden and Chris Dodd, had already dropped out.

They all have the kind of experience that some say still matters.

DENNIS BUTT, RESIDENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA: I want somebody that knows what they're doing.

CHARLES BIERBAUER, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA: We want people who understand what's going on, but those aren't always the people that excite us.

LOTHIAN: Charles Bierbauer, at the University of South Carolina, says many voters are looking for much more.

BIERBAUER: They want people who they are comfortable with, they are confident with, and they know have good advice coming to them.

LOTHIAN: Jason Ertter says, frustration with Washington has given experience a bad name.

JASON ERTTER, RESIDENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA: So, they don't want somebody who has been there for decades or, you know, 20, 25 years. They want somebody that is new. LOTHIAN: Senator Barack Obama got attention with his message of change. And that theme is now being echoed by Senator Hillary Clinton, who had built her campaign on experience.

BIERBAUER: Change, change, change, you hear it from every candidate now, even those who might normally be touting their experience.

LOTHIAN (on camera): There does seem to be a big difference, at least here in South Carolina, between how older voters and younger voters consider the issue of experience. For seniors, it's much more important. They want their presidential candidates to have a long track record and to know a whole lot about the issues that directly impact them.

Dan Lothian, CNN, Columbia, South Carolina.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: For more on the presidential candidates and their next stops, go to cnnpolitics.com. It's your one-stop shop for all things political.

Talk about a late library book. Ike was president when this one was checked out. Wait until you hear the procrastination penalty.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWSBREAK)

COLLINS: We keep hearing it's time for change from the campaign trail. And maybe that change should include campaign kissing.

Here's CNN's Jeanne Moos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): OK, maybe Hillary was a little on the edge. Then we in the press went a little over the edge. But now it's time to overanalyze something else -- the campaign kiss.

It wasn't so much the kiss, but the come-from-behind approach and Barack Obama's seemingly blissful smile that got this the photo in so many papers. This New Hampshire loser sure looked like a winner.

And then there was that pat on the cheek before they went their separate ways. It's not easy pulling off a public display of affection -- from the Huckabee hug to the Romney peck. Mitt displayed more audible passion kissing babies.

MOOS: But you'd be a conservative kisser, too, in the wake of the Al and Tipper Gore lip lock -- so gory that Jay Leno did this re- creation.

JAY LENO, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": Come on, what are you doing, Al? Hey, Al!

MOOS: No wonder some politicians barely pay lip service to the campaign kiss.

But Dennis Kucinich and his wife are so smitten they smooch as if no one's looking. And with that guy's head in the way, how can we look?

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Yes, we can!

MOOS: In New Hampshire, the Obamas came back for seconds.

And Hillary came back for seconds -- but not with Bill. He got one hug. Chelsea was the one who got a comeback kiss.

On MSNBC, the anchors were so enamored of Hillary patting Chris Matthews' cheek...

CHRIS MATTHEWS: She didn't show the best part of it.

CLINTON: Christopher, baby.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Love in the afternoon.

MOOS: They were so enamored they played it again in slo-mo.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, wow!

MOOS (on camera): Campaign kissing has even spread to YouTube. The introduction to this home video says Obama doesn't have to kiss the babies, the babies kiss him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can you give Obama a kiss?

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Bama.

MOOS (voice-over): That baby has obviously been watching too much of that Obama Girl Video.

Another YouTuber portrayed Obama and Clinton as kissing balloons.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Come here, big boy. I want to give you a big Hillary kiss. I told you you would pop under pressure.

MOOS: The campaign kiss gives a whole new meaning to change versus experience.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COLLINS: Sunday's Golden Globes -- no superstars, no red carpet, no acceptance speeches. An awards show like none before. Sounds pretty good. A sneak peek, soon. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Hello once again, everybody. 11:30 Eastern Time now. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

I'm Heidi Collins.

HARRIS: Ooh, Friday, getaway day, huh?

COLLINS: Yes.

HARRIS: Yowsa!

Oh, hello, everyone. Lots of -- I lost my mind. Forgot I was on television for a moment there.

Lots of news happening across the nation today. Betty is here with a look at some of the stories crossing our national desk this hour. Good to see you, Betty.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: If you've lost your mind over that, wait until you hear these stories. We've got good ones for you. I'm at the national desk where our assignment editors are working on the stories and videos that's coming in from our hundreds of affiliates across the nation.

And listen to this, Tony. One of the pharmacies said, you know what, I don't want to fill your prescription because it's against my beliefs. That's according to a bill that is trying to be passed in Indiana. They're debating it. Let me tell you about. The bill's author says the so-called conscience clause is aimed at specifically the PlanB morning after abortion pill.

But, opponents say if the measure is passed pharmacists could also refuse to sell all types of birth control. Among those against the bill, Planned Parenthood.

And, take a look at this. In New York, the plan was this, very simple. Put a fake ad online for selling a Porsche, maybe like that one that you see right there. Then here's plan B. Rob whoever shows up to buy the car. Police moved in, though -- this is the good news, arresting a group of teenagers allegedly behind a Craig's List plot.

Police say one couple was robbed of $4,000 when they showed up to buy that Porsche. The ringleader, 17-year-old high school student. Shouldn't he be in school somewhere? Take a look at this in San Francisco, boy, this will set you back on a Friday. A team of doctors being praised for state-of-the-art surgery to replace a damaged thumb with the patient's big toe. You see the difference there?

Yes, one of them is a toe. The new surgery center at St. Mary's Hospital is offering treatment for patients who need reconstruction procedure. And in this case, a man lost his thumb in a wood carving accident. That thumb is responsible for 40 percent of the hand's function. So obviously, he needed it and wanted it, and he decided, you know what, I'll give up by big toe for it. They put it on his hand. It took doctors six hours to complete the operation. Although I have a feeling, Tony, he's going to refrain from the phrase finger licking good. I had to say it.

HARRIS: You did not go there.

NGUYEN: I did, yes.

HARRIS: Did you just really say that?

NGUYEN: You can tell. It's totally a thumb on his hand. You know what, 40 percent of your function, it matters. So he went through with it.

HARRIS: You did it, Betty. You did it. Good to see you. lady. Thanks.

COLLINS: Democratic John Edwards kicking off a three-day bus tour with a town hall meeting next hour. He's hoping for a campaign comeback. Dan Lothian is covering the Edwards event in Summerville, South Carolina. Dan, we've heard that word a lot as of late, comeback. South Carolina is critical for Edwards.

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. It really is critical for Senator Edwards. He came in second place in Iowa. He came in third place in New Hampshire, and he's really hoping for a comeback here in this state. He is kicking off his three-day bus tour across South Carolina beginning here in about half an hour in a town hall meeting in Sumerville. He will hit about seven different cities.

This is really important for him as he reaches out to those middle class families. He has this message of lifting people out of poverty, of creating jobs, of universal health care. But, he's also going back to his roots in order to bolster his appeal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN EDWARDS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I was born here. I know what your lives are like. I do not have to read this in a book. I know it firsthand. I grew up in South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, in mill towns, in mill villages. I know what's happening. I know what's happening in the south. I understand it in a very personal way. And this battle, this battle is personal for me. I take it very, very personally.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LOTHIAN: Senator Edwards won South Carolina in 2004, but of course the political landscape is so much more different this time around with two very strong candidates in Obama and Clinton. But Edwards says that he is in it for the long haul. Someone asked him yesterday what the long haul means. He says all of the way to the White House. Heidi?

COLLINS: All right. We'll be watching. Thanks so much, Dan Lothian from Summervile. If you would like more information on the presidential candidates and their next stops because there are lots of them, gets a little confusing, go to CNNpolitics.com. It's your one stop shop for all things political.

HARRIS: What do you say we get a check of weather right now. Bonnie Schneider standing by for us in the severe weather center. Boy, the stories in Illinois, and the storms that moved through there and the tornadoes we've been talking about. There you go. Bonnie, pick it up from here. Bail me out here.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: How about this? No stars no, red carpet, no gala, no fashion? The writer's strike reducing Sunday's Golden Globe ceremony to some kind of -- I guess a brassy imitation. There she is. Our Kareen Wynter in Beverly Hills. Kareen, great to see you. What are folks saying about this? So, the writers and producers can't come -- what are we left with here?

KAREEN WYNTERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, gosh, I look all around me and I see all the tears that are being shed in Hollywood this morning. Of course, there's so much disappointment. This is one of the biggest parties in town. We're actually right outside the Beverly Hilton, which has been the home for the Golden Globe Awards for years, Tony.

Right about now on any given year, we see all the security around us, the tents going in, the flowers being brought in. No such luck this year. Things are absolutely different. You won't have the traditional ceremony on Sunday with the stars arriving on the red carpet in their beautiful gowns -- the lavish grand affair that it is.

But, instead it's going to be reduced to a stripped down, bare bone broadcast by NBC News on Sunday. In essence, there will be no stars there, Tony. All that we can expect will be a live telecast where they will just simply announce the winners. How boring, some may say. But it is what it is. And you can really credit The Writer's Guild of America for that.

They have been so powerful in their stance. You know, they're feuding right now with the production studios and the networks. Are in intense talks regarding their contracts. One of the big sticking points being new media. Since they weren't able to reach an agreement, well they wanted to make sure, Tony the show did not go on, it's not going on.

And also the actors, they play a big role. Without them, there's really no show. So they refuse, many of them, to cross picket lines. So that's one of the big reasons why we're not seeing the Golden Globes traditionally being held the way it normally is. Talk about the big economic impact here? $80 million just alone from the Golden Globes. Listen to the breakdown.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACK KYSER, LOS ANGELES CO. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: But then you go on down the line. The banquet staff at the hotel, the caterers who would be doing the parties. You don't need as many valet parkers, you don't need security guards, people that make up gift bags and baskets, stylists, even the people in Beverly Hills that do what we say little cosmetic procedures, Botox and Restylane. No need for that if it's a press conference.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WYNTERS: The Guild wanted to hit them where it hurts. They're definitely doing that. NBC is also taking a huge hit.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEVEN GAYDOS, DAILY VARIETY: I think people will tune in. I think there actually will be some curiosity about it. Because the truth is, you do watch the Golden Globes for the gowns and for the red carpet and the falderal that goes on on stage, but you also watch it to see who won the darn things.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WYNTER: And so people really do watch for all of that, Tony. But something tells me it just don't be the same.

HARRIS: No, it won't be the same. I guess it will still be a big deal if you win one of those globes, one of the awards.

WYNTER: Oh, yes. I'll take one.

HARRIS: OK, well, there will be plenty available, it sounds like.

All right, Kareen, good to see you. Take care.

WYNTER: You, too, Tony. See you.

COLLINS: Just in now. Want to tell you a little bit more about another endorsement for Senator Barack Obama. Yesterday we told you about 2004 presidential candidate, John Kerry, who endorsed him. Want to get the CNN senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley, joining us by telephone.

So Candy, who is it?

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Janet Napolitano, she is governor of Arizona, in her second term. She's the most prominent Democrat in Arizona. So this could be a boost to Barack Obama because Arizona is one of those February 5th states, more than 20 states holding primaries across the country. So we're told that she will, in fact, join him in they neighboring Nevada as he campaigns through there.

Those caucuses, obviously, coming up sooner than February 5th. So, this could be a boost. First of all, just to state the obvious, she's female. Hillary Clinton did very well, much better than Barack Obama did among female voters in New Hampshire. So, this is a very visible Western governor supporting Barack Obama. And they think it's a pretty good hit for them. COLLINS: Yes, right, especially when we're talking about super Tuesday. Very good. CNN's senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley. Thanks so much for that. And for more on this story and all the political news, you could possibly want, go to cnnpolitics.com.

HARRIS: A common treatment for cholesterol, could it be a wonder drug for diabetics? Dr. Gupta stops by.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: That was a seriously (INAUDIBLE).

HARRIS: That was good, wasn't it?

COLLINS: Yes.

HARRIS: "YOUR WORLD TODAY" coming up just minutes -- 16 minutes away. Top of the hour. Who is that there? Isha Sesay standing by with the preview.

Good morning, lady.

ISHA SESAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, guys. We have a very busy show at the top of the hour. Two freed female hostages are savoring their freedom after more than five years of captivity deep in the Colombian jungle. On Thursday, FARC rebels released Clara Rojas and Consuelo Gonzalez. We brought you these pictures of their emotional reunion with friends and family. We are standing by now to hear directly from the women themselves to get a sense of what life was like deep in that jungle. When we get that we will bring it to your viewers live at the top of the hour.

In Kenya, tensions continue to run high following the recent presidential elections. Violence has claimed the lives of at least 600 people. And now the opposition is calling for three days of protests and rallies to be held next week. We'll bring the viewers a live report from Nairobi.

And, everyone is talking about this man, Barack Obama. But we're going to take a closer look at the woman by his side, his wife Michelle. We're going to find out what part she is playing in the race to the White House.

We'll have that story and much more at the top of the hour with me and Jim Clancy on "YOUR WORLD TODAY." Back to you.

HARRIS: We'll be there.

COLLINS: All right, thank you, Isha.

SESAY: Thank you.

COLLINS: Your daily dose today. Millions of you take cholesterol lowering drugs, and now, exciting new research suggests statins could be a lifesaver for diabetics. Our chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, has more. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: There is a well-known link between diabetes and heart disease and stroke. That's been pretty well established. And people know that you can take statin medications to try and ward off a heart disease later on by lowering cholesterol. The question is, should you give the statins medication to diabetes, earlier in the disease, even if they don't necessarily have high cholesterol. That was sort of the question that was being posed.

They looked at 14 different large studies on this and tried to make a conclusion. And what they concluded was, yes, for a lot of situations it can actually be a good thing. Take a look at some of the numbers here. What they found was overall, within five years, there was a 10 percent reduction in mortality. That's obviously a good thing. But even more quickly, within a year, there was about a 21 percent reduction in heart attacks and strokes.

And that is, again, from diabetics taking statin medications. Caveats do exist, as you might imagine, Heidi. There are potential side effects. It can cause muscle pain. They can potentially cause liver problems. So they are certainly not for everyone. We talked to folks and they say that, women, men, old, young, could potentially benefit, in terms of those two measureables.

COLLINS: Well I imagine the answer to this question is no. But, should all diabetics start taking these statins?

GUPTA: Yes, I was sort of surprised at the answer that we got back as we started reporting this yesterday. We talk to folks from the American Heart Association, American Diabetic Association, and they say -- they say for the most part, yes. Obviously, beware of the side effects. And if you're a young person who has diabetes, who has absolutely no other cardiac risk factors, you run, you're healthy, you eat well, statins may not be a good medication for you. But for a lot of people who have risk factors for heart disease and are diabetic, even if their cholesterol numbers aren't that bad, statins may be a good option.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: To get your daily dose of health news, online, logon to our Web site. You will find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diet and fitness. The address, cnn.com/health.

HARRIS: We are starting to get some indications out of Jacksonville, North Carolina that the news conference we've been telling you about, scheduled for noon, to announce a major development in the case of the missing pregnant marine, Maria Lauterbach, might be starting a bit early. If it does, we will of course bring it to you, right here in the NEWSROOM.

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I'm CNN meteorologist, Bonnie Schneider with a look at your cold and flu report for Friday. As we take a look at the map, we have sporadic out breaks of the flu pretty much across the country, from Maine all the way to Washington and Oregon state. You'll also find some areas reporting regional out breaks. And that does includes Texas and New Mexico. Otherwise no, activity reported so far for parts of the Southeast and as you head towards Hawaii. That's a look at your cold and flu report for today.

I'm meteorologist Bonnie Schneider.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: OK, strange new twist this morning in the case of a pregnant marine missing from Camp Lejeune since mid-December. There is evidence of mental illness, personal problems and a military investigation gone sour. Also, hints she might have just simply walked away. Investigators are expected to talk to Maria Lauterbach's roommate today. In fact, we believe that's already happened and might still be in the process of happening right now.

The lead investigator, Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown is scheduled to hold a news conference at noon Eastern. Although we're getting some indications it might begin sooner than that, perhaps in the next few minutes. Whatever the case, we'll bring it to you right here in the NEWSROOM.

COLLINS: Subprime borrowers aren't the only ones having a hard time paying their bills. Susan Lisovicz is at the New York Stock Exchange to tell us about some others who are coming up short.

Hi there, Susan.

(BUSINESS HEADLINES)

HARRIS: They took charge in the chaos after Hurricane Katrina. Now, tough talking -- love this man. General Russell Honore, over (ph), is said to begin a new venture and Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen has missions in Iraq and right here at home fighting drugs. Kyra Phillips talks to both men this afternoon right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

COLLINS: Talk about a late library book. Ike was president when this one was checked out. Wait 'til you hear the procrastination penalty.

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COLLINS: So, you find an overdue library book at home. No biggie, you pick it up along with some change to go pay the fee. Well, imagine you borrowed this book from a Massachusetts library back in September of ...

HARRIS: Whoah.

COLLINS: ...1959 and never returned it? Well, the forgetful reader recently mailed back the book. The return address reads, I am L-A-Y-T-E. Yes, I am late. Living on roof away (ph), but not sorry enough to identify himself or herself. May have a little something to do with the late fee. Even at two cents a day, which I'm sure it's more than that ...

HARRIS: Yes.

COLLINS: ...the fee would be $350.

HARRIS: Oh, man. Just a ...

COLLINS: I hope it was a good book.

HARRIS: Yes, I'm sure, I hope, anyway.

Another reminder for you just very quickly here. CNN NEWSROOM monitoring a news conference scheduled to get underway shortly in Jacksonville, North Carolina. We've been telling you about it all morning. We've been promised a major announcement in the case of the missing pregnant U.S. marine, Maria Lauterbach. And we will, of course, bring you that news conference when it happens.

COLLINS: Yes, Ed Lavandera just walked ...

HARRIS: Yes.

COLLINS: ...by there, so he is reporting on that for us as well here at CNN.

Meanwhile, "YOUR WORLD TODAY" is next. I'm Heidi Collins.

HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris. Have a great day.

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