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Hillary's Assassination Remark; NASA's Mars Probe; Further Severe Weather
Aired May 24, 2008 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Hillary Clinton has stirred up a storm of her own with comments referring to Robert F. Kennedy's assassination.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN ANCHOR: And NASA hopes to land a vehicle on Mars tomorrow. We'll tell you why this mission is not a sure thing. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
HOLMES: We start with weather, a second night of twisters. Another morning after in the central plains.
DE LA CRUZ: Let's take a look at what plowed through west central Kansas. The town of Protection took a direct hit.
HOLMES: Only a few injuries reported, however, but we're seeing a lot of damage to farm buildings and power lines.
DE LA CRUZ: The storms also brought dramatic lightning. Take a look. It really lit up that city in Kansas overnight. Pretty dramatic images there.
HOLMES: And more storms to tell you about in northern Oklahoma. A funnel cloud to show you here was spotted just outside Fort Supply. Several homes were damaged, roads were washed out. Nobody hurt there as well. Also right now, a concern on the minds of many, downed trees and power lines that are still blocking roads in that area making it tough for a lot of relief and rescue workers to get to those areas.
(WEATHER REPORT)
DE LA CRUZ: All right. Going to get you back out to California now. Firefighters there making some gains on those wildfires. But there is still plenty of concern. Nearly 2,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes. There are at least that many firefighters moving in to fight the fires, and fires have destroyed more than two dozen buildings. And there are more than 500 in harm's way. The good news, though, crews have now contained about 25 percent of the blaze, and no injuries have been reported.
HOLMES: Hillary Clinton says she regrets the reaction to remarks she made about the 1968 Robert F. Kennedy assassination. And as CNN's Joe Johns now reports, the controversy comes at an awkward time for Clinton's presidential campaign.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The general rule for politicians heading into holiday weekends, no news is good news. Oops! When asked whether her candidacy was jeopardizing party unity, Hillary Clinton said this to the editorial board of a Sioux Falls, South Dakota newspaper.
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary in, somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. You know, I just -- I don't understand it.
JOHNS: She's actually said something like this before, this past March, to "Time" magazine managing editor Richard Stingal. "Primary contests used to last a lot longer. We all remember the great tragedy of Bobby Kennedy being assassinated in June in L.A. My husband didn't wrap up the nomination in 1992 until June. Having a primary contest go through June is nothing particularly unusual." Then it went largely unnoticed, but this time it stuck, or sort of hung in the air, like an unpleasant odor.
JENNIFER PALMIERI, CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS: She sounds like she's exhausted. I don't think she woke up today saying let me go ahead and draw a parallel between '68 and 2008, but to evoke the assassination of Bobby Kennedy, I think it gives the people who've been looking for a reason to say enough with her and to push her out of the race, it gives them a reason to do that.
JOHNS: Friday night is suddenly damage control night for the campaign, quickly invoking the innocent explanation for the remark. All she was saying was that historically, democratic presidential nominating races have gone into the summer. At an event the senator clarifies and apologizes.
CLINTON: I regret that my referencing that moment of trauma for our entire nation and particularly for the Kennedy family was in any way offensive. I certainly had no intention of that whatsoever.
JOHNS: It was an awkward time to mention the Kennedy name in this way. Especially with the family's patriarch, the surviving brother of the three, now battling brain cancer. But Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a Clinton supporter, defended the senator's remarks, telling the "New York Times," "It sounds like she was invoking a familiar historical circumstance in support of her argument for continuing her campaign." The Obama people decided not to pile on, saying only that, "Senator Clinton's statement was unfortunate, and has no place in this campaign." Joe johns, CNN, Washington.
(END OF VIDEOTAPE)
DE LA CRUZ: Regardless of the comments, Hillary Clinton says that it is still not over. So the campaign for the democratic presidential nomination is moving to Puerto Rico. Both Clinton and Obama have been campaigning there today and CNN's Suzanne Malveaux joins us now live. Suzanne, another plum assignment for you. I believe that you were in Hawaii, Puerto Rico. How are you doing this? SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I feel like I have earned my dues here with Iowa for six weeks. But yes, it's beautiful here, and both of the candidates are here in Puerto Rico over the weekend and really it's interesting. Right now Barack Obama speaking at the University of Puerto Rico later today he's supposed to participate in what they call Boriqua style and that is of the band, the caravans, the maracas, kind of almost like a big political parade. So we're looking forward to seeing how all of that unfolds. But Barack Obama really beginning, he started his campaign here in April, beginning of April. He's got ads out with Spanish sub titles saying that he grew up on an island as well in Hawaii, that he came from meager means and that he really wants to push forward his economic plan here, developing the island as well as seeing an end to the Iraq war. On the other hand, Senator Clinton also has her own ads out and she is talking about making universal health care for the people who live here as well. She also reminds voters how she'd helped them after hurricane George. Both of them competing over those 55 delegates. Let's take a listen to Barack Obama talking about the need to work for veterans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It's fitting to be here today, not just because Memorial Day is around the corner, but because Puerto Ricans are such an important part of the United States military. On this island and in Puerto Rico's neighborhoods across America, you can go into almost any home and find a veteran living, a veteran living there or a photograph of a loved one in a uniform hanging on the wall.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Veronica, there are about 4 million Puerto Ricans who live on the island here, the commonwealth. But there's about the same number who live on the mainland. A lot of those people very much in support of Hillary Clinton, you know she represents a lot in the state of New York, and so it's really seen as being favored for Hillary Clinton, but Barack Obama also working very hard to win over the support. This is one of those contests here next Sunday that once again is going to make a difference. We're wrapping this up very closely. People are watching closely. Wrapping up very soon here at this 55 delegates, this is something that means a lot to both of these candidates. Veronica?
DE LA CRUZ: You're right. Only three more contests to go. Puerto Rico being one of them on June 1st. All right Suzanne, enjoy the weather there in Puerto Rico. It's good to see you.
MALVEAUX: Good to see you Veronica.
HOLMES: How does she keep getting those assignments, that Suzanne? Just two weeks ago, it was Cindy McCain who said she would never release her tax information. They tell you to never say never. Well now she's changed her tune. The wife of Republican presidential candidate John McCain has in fact released her 2006 tax returns and they indicate that she made $6 million that year and paid about $1.7 million in taxes. Cindy McCain is the daughter of a millionaire and the McCains file separate tax returns.
DE LA CRUZ: John McCain releasing his tax records last month. But yesterday he released some other personal information, his health records. They indicate that McCain who has battled skin cancer in the past is currently cancer-free. His doctor says McCain's health is excellent. McCain is 71 years old. If he wins in November he would be the oldest elected first-term president in U.S. history. Our special investigations unit will take an in-depth look at presidential health this weekend. You can join us for "CNN SIU" The First Patient. You can find it right here at 8:00 p.m. eastern tonight also 8:00 p.m. eastern tomorrow night only here on CNN.
Also ahead on CNN, the "Ballot Bowl", our in depth look at the candidates, also the issues. That's beginning at 3:00 p.m. eastern, 12:00 noon pacific here on CNN. It is your home for politics.
HOLMES: We've been talking about you all out there, you drivers feeling the pain at the pump. The airlines feeling it as well and they are about to ask you for some relief.
DE LA CRUZ: Yeah. And don't expect any free lunches if you are grilling out this weekend. We're going to be taking a look how the rising cost of food is impacting your cookout plans.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We have been listening to those and we'll continue to listen to those throughout the Memorial Day weekend. iReports from family members who have lost loved ones on the battlefield. Once again, reminding us of what this Memorial Day weekend should be and is really all about. We will continue to talk now about another story making news this weekend. Of course, the high price of gas. Well, the big airlines raising fares and in a major way and all this is gas related. Flights over 750 miles will cost you an extra $60 roundtrip on United, American, as well as Delta. The carriers say they have no choice in the matter. Jet fuel up 90 percent this year. American is tacking on a $15 fee to check your first bag. United says it's seriously considering doing the same thing.
DE LA CRUZ: So you really do have to keep a sense of humor about today's stratospheric fuel prices. Regular and mid-grade will run you in the high 3s at this Missouri gas station. But premium, LOL. Which maybe you know is text shorthand for laugh out loud. It is just -- it's just that ridiculous, T.J. Laughing apparently gets you more smiles per gallon, so there you go. Gas near or over the $4 mark, we were checking with Kara Finnstrom earlier, $4.09 in Anaheim, California. AAA is predicting the number of U.S. people, the number of us traveling throughout the U.S. this weekend, dropping by several hundred thousand. And just before Memorial Day, just think you are paying $3.23 a gallon. What a bargain. Let's check in once again with Kara Finnstrom, she is in Anaheim, California which is where Disneyland is. Kara, you were saying $4.09 earlier today on the east coast still paying in the $3s. But still, it doesn't really matter. Analysts are saying $4 a gallon is what we're facing next week.
KARA FINNSTROM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. Some very steep prices. We are just about a block away here from Disneyland. All morning long we've been talking with people who have been driving or flying part of the way, getting here from all around the country to spend their holiday in the magic kingdom. A little earlier this morning, there was an RV parked here and the guy spent $174 to fill that up. Now, gas prices high, but still, these roadways are expected to be very busy this holiday weekend. As you said, fewer people expected to be hitting the roads, but a survey by the AAA suggests that the number of people who expect to travel 50 miles or hoar is down, but down by only 1 percent. So again, that tells you that travel will still be very busy this weekend. Here in California, this comes at a time when gas prices have topped $4 a gallon. Take a look right here. They're going for $4.06 and as you mentioned, just across the street, they're going for $4.09 a gallon of regular self-serve. We ran into a man here earlier this morning who is from Anaheim and he says all of this is going to affect much more than his holiday plans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JESSE LOPEZ, MOTORIST: We're looking at both cars, its $150 every week. $600 a month, that's half of my house payment.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
FINNSTROM: Now, for those of you who will be traveling, a couple tips from the AAA. First of all, drive a little slower on the highways, that will actually save you money. The other thing they say, is don't only route out your trip, as far as where you're going to stop for food. Also route out where you're going to stop for gas. If you stop in urban areas, those gas prices will be less than if you stop in a rural area where there's not as much competition. Back to you.
DE LA CRUZ: Hey Kara, you know Disneyland definitely a popular tourist destination. We've been talking a lot about staycations this morning, a lot of people staying close to home. Are you seeing a lot of tourists from outside the country? Maybe from other parts of the country here in the U.S.?
FINNSTROM: We definitely are. Not only from around, you know, around the country but people from outside of the country. A little earlier this morning we talked with a couple that drove a trailer home all the way down from Canada. And they said that they expected to spend $2,000 on gas to get here and back but they wanted the adventure of a road trip, they weren't going to fly.
DE LA CRUZ: $2,000 in gas. All right. Kara Finnstrom there in Anaheim, California, Kara thanks.
HOLMES: A reunion here to tell you about in Texas. 12 children from that polygamist sect will now live with their mothers, however, this will be under state supervision. Child protective services wants the Texas supreme court to keep the other children, about 400 of them in foster care. A lower court ruled the state had no proof of abuse and no legal grounds to remove those children. Child protective services says girls were forced into spiritual marriages with older men and boys were being groomed to be perpetrators. DE LA CRUZ: The U.N. secretary-general gets a closer look at the damage in China.
HOLMES: Also we get a reality check on U.S. war efforts in Afghanistan. That's ahead in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
DE LA CRUZ: All weekend long we are going to be remembering our nation's fallen heroes through your iReports and that brings us to the situation on the ground in Iraq today. Attacks there on the rise. In the western part of the country a suicide car bombing killed two Iraqi police officers and an interpreter, seven U.S. marines wounded by the checkpoint blast. Fallujah has seen attacks drop since 2006 when Sunni tribal leaders turned on al Qaeda. But the city and Anbar Province have recorded a spike in attacks in recent weeks, its raising concern al Qaeda may be trying for a comeback.
HOLMES: We hear an awful lot about the casualties in Iraq. We don't, however, hear as much about troops being killed in Afghanistan. Some have even called Afghanistan the forgotten war. CNN's Josh Levs has a reality check for us now on "operation enduring freedom." Good morning to you again, Josh.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you. It's absolutely not forgotten here, we're at the international desk in the CNN NEWSROOM right now where we follow stories from all over the world including the Afghanistan war on a daily basis. I want to show you some resources right now to help understand what we were talking about. The mounting casualties in Afghanistan. I'm going to start here, which I got directly from the military. This right here is the number of U.S. troops killed in the Afghanistan war. It's at about 500 now. About 300 of them were killed in action. There's a popular website out there that tallied these called icasualties.org. It's got a lot of numbers on here but the basic idea for you to take away, it has been more and more each year. Close to 100 in 2005-2006 and 2007 that jumped to 117. Already for this year, U.S. troops killed in the Afghanistan war, 31. That's more than at this time last year. It is mounting. We're going to go behind the numbers now. I want to show you who these people are. At cnn.com we tell you about them. All of these people lost their lives in Afghanistan. For example, here, Staff Sergeant Leroy Alexander, he was 27 years old. His hometown was Dale City, Virginia. We described what happened when he died. He was killed by a roadside bomb, when it exploded near his ground mobility vehicle during operations.
If you scroll through you can learn about all sorts of troops and what they've done. On Memorial Day, a lot of people want to have some ways that they can express how they feel. What we've opened at cnn.com, is an opportunity for you to send in your messages to the families of people who have been lost in this war, whether Iraq, Afghanistan or any war. This, for example, here, messages that we've gotten from fellow veterans saying how they think of other veterans and their families this day. Also a popular site we have here, Impact your World," on Memorial Day and on some other holidays, this gets a lot of traffic. What we do for you here is hook you up with some organizations that you can contribute to or join with to in some way take part in a volunteer program. For example, this is about Fisher House. Now Fisher House is a really popular site that we get often on Memorial Day, a lot of links through cnn.com. They help build homes. They build homes on the ground in major military and VA centers so that family members can be close to their loved ones if they're injured in the war. That's just one of the many sites we have available at impact your world and guys we know on Memorial Day, a lot of people want to send messages or visit. It's really easy to get to. Just go to the cnn.com web page and it will navigate you all the way through. T.J., Veronica?
HOLMES: All right, a lot of information in there for folks, useful stuff on this Memorial Day weekend and any time really. Josh Levs, we appreciate you.
LEVS: Thanks.
DE LA CRUZ: We're getting a closer look today at China's ground zero two weeks after China's catastrophic earthquake. The death toll keeps rising, latest count more than 60,000 dead. The U.N. secretary- general has been visiting some of the hardest hit areas near the quake's epicenter. CNN's Kyung Lah is following the latest developments from Chengdu.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We've heard a lot of numbers coming out of the quake devastated area but there is one number, the 45 million people who are affected that becomes abundantly clear when you look at the devastation from the air. We flew via military chopper to the town of (INAUDIBLE). Some 10,000 people used to live in this town, two thirds of them were killed when the quake struck. Every single building in this town was destroyed. There are no people left in this town. They were all evacuated. This is one of the hardest hit cities in the epicenter. And it was a backdrop for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's trip as he toured the area. He also met with China's Premier who pledged international cooperation that the international community was there behind China, that China so far has shown extraordinary leadership. So far he was hoping for a correct assessment of the damage, and looked to where the country heads next and he stressed that China is not alone.
BAN KI-MOON, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: The whole world, United Nations, stands behind you and supports you. I'm here to send support to you.
LAH: Despite having his hands full, China pledged that it would be donating to the country of Myanmar $10 million. China's premier said despite the fact they have their own humanitarian crisis, this entire region needs a help from the entire world. Kyung Lah, CNN, Chengdu, China.
(END OF VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: And is John McCain healthy enough to be president? Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta checks his medical record and gives us some answers. DE LA CRUZ: Also, it's been a stormy few days across the plains. So what's ahead for the rest of the weekend? We're going to take a look right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Part of the Memorial Day tributes we are getting from some of our iReporters. Here now another look at some stories making news. Senator Hillary Clinton facing fallout over remarks about Robert F. Kennedy. She says she regrets citing his 1968 assassination in explaining why she's still in the race. Senator Clinton says she did not mean to offend anyone.
Also terrifying tornadoes swept through Kansas for a second straight night. One man was reportedly hurt when his vehicle was blown across the highway. More than a dozen homes were badly damaged. Damaging weather also reported in Oklahoma.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN ANCHOR: But we are hoping for sunny and not a stormy holiday weekend forecast. We're looking for some good news. Hopefully Reynolds Wolf has it. Let's head over to the CNN weather center.
(WEATHER REPORT)
DE LA CRUZ: Issue number one, record oil prices mean that you are digging deeper to travel this holiday weekend. Three big airlines are raising ticket prices to keep pace with fuel costs. American, United and Delta all tacking on $60 for flights over 750 miles. American, also charging $15 to check a bag. United says it may as well. AAA says fewer of us are on the road this Memorial Day weekend. The first time that's happened in about six years. One analyst says Americans are spending $1.5 billion a day on gas. And that has tripled since 2002, T.J.
HOLMES: The average right now is at another record of $3.91 a gallon for regular. Again, that's the average. We're almost at $4. Summer prices historically peak around the fourth of July, so Memorial Day at $3.91 may actually be looking like the bargain. Nicole Collins is along Chesapeake Bay this morning keeping an eye on that, on traffic, on gas prices. Hello to you. Are you there?
NICOLE COLLINS: Hi, T.J. we are here. We are keeping an eye on traffic. You are looking at the Bay Bridge over the Chesapeake Bay there. You see some very light Memorial Day traffic. Let me tell you, last night that bridge was absolutely packed with travelers trying to get a jump on their Memorial Day holiday. Now as you come a little bit closer to me, you see there are people out here. People have traveled, people are celebrating Memorial Day. They're having picnics, flying kites, fishing, having a really good time. But the fact of the matter is, while people are out here and they are celebrating, AAA estimates that Memorial Day travel will be down to its lowest point this year since 2002 and there's a survey out by DeLoitte & Touche that also says, estimates a quarter of all Americans have changed or cancelled their Memorial Day plans because of gas prices. Joining me now is Genevieve, she's from near Baltimore. Genevieve, you said that while gas prices have not forced you to change or cancel your plans, they have affected you. Can you tell me about that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, usually on a three-day weekend we'll go somewhere, usually Chicago and drive out there, because my husband's from there. But gas prices are just so ridiculous right now that we have to stay local.
COLLINS: And have you changed in your daily life anything about what you do daily, eating out, anything like that to compensate?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Definitely. We are home more often now and rather than going out and going shopping, say, like to Towson or D.C., me and my son usually stay local like around our house and just go to the park. We do a lot of stuff closer to home now.
COLLINS: Great. Thank you so much. Obviously a lot of people making changes as gas prices continue to climb. One interesting thing is that gas price for the summer driving season tend to peak on Memorial Day. They did that last year at $3.23 a gallon. But it doesn't look like we're going to have any luck like that this year in 2008. As we saw last night, the 17th straight record high of gas prices, we're now at $3.91.
HOLMES: Well, Nicole, thank you, again, for ending on a happy note. Nicole Collins for us there in Chesapeake Bay, we appreciate you keeping an eye on things for us this morning. Thank you so much.
DE LA CRUZ: Hillary Clinton, she is saying that she regrets the controversy over a remark she made about the 1968 assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy. It came while Clinton was defending her decision to stay in the democratic presidential race. She noted that Kennedy was still campaigning for the nomination when he was assassinated in June of 1968. Clinton says she was merely pointing out that there is nothing unusual about a nomination battle going into June, but she's sorry if her remark caused any offense.
And democrat Barack Obama is in Puerto Rico, which holds its presidential primary June 1st. Speaking at a rally just a short time ago, Obama criticized Republican John McCain on veterans' benefits. Hillary Clinton will address a rally in Puerto Rico, that's coming up a little later on today. 55 delegate seats will be at stake in the Puerto Rico primary.
HOLMES: If Republican John McCain wins in November he'll be the oldest elected first-term president in U.S. history. That's one reason why there was so much interest yesterday when McCain released his health records. CNN's chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta was one of the first reporters who went for a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): We've seen Senator John McCain crisscrossing the country on the campaign trail. But the question is, is he ready for the rigors of the presidency? Now we've gotten some more information. It's sort of a little bit of a different experience than I'm used to as a medical doctor. We're going to be sort of (INAUDIBLE) this room for a period of time. No electronic devices are allowed in. I have my notes, preparing for things that I'm looking for and we're going to see what we find. We're learning just how extensive McCain's operation for melanoma was in 2000. Doctors removed 34 lymph nodes in his neck. Doctors say the high number was due to an abundance of cautions. He still has swelling that is obvious. McCain's had melanoma removed four times. The most recent in 2002. There is a 66 percent chance of it recurring within 10 years. Eight years have already passed. Also new, McCain had skin cancer taken off his leg in February of this year, (INAUDIBLE) carcinoma. His campaign insists it's under control.
Blood pressure 134 over 84, fine. Cholesterol, 192, that's down from 226 just five years ago. It looks like the medications are helping here. He's also had an operation to reduce the size of his prostate. He smoked two packs a day for 25 years up to 1980 and had polyps removed from his colon. But no signs of cancer from any of those. He was beaten and tortured while a P.O.W. His shoulders were both broken. To this day he can't lift them over his head. Doctors say he may need both shoulders replaced. He does get dizzy from time to time, especially when tipping his head back. Diagnosis, vertigo. A problem with his inner ear. As far as fitness goes, medical records had him at both 5'6" and 5'9". We'll go with 5'9". Weight 163 that puts his BMI at 24. Pretty good, pushing the normal limit. His heart and circulatory system were all within normal limits for a man his age. There was hardly any mention of his mental health and while he talks about his 96-year-old mother on the campaign trail, it is worth noting his father died at age 70 of a stroke. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Fountain Hills, Arizona.
(END OF VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: And CNN, of course, your home for politics. We'll have much more on the campaign later today on our "BALLOT BOWL" that comes your way at 3:00 eastern, noon pacific, right here on CNN.
DE LA CRUZ: So, what are you doing for the weekend? You got any grilling plans?
HOLMES: I'm here, I'm relaxing. I might grill but it's not going to look like that.
DE LA CRUZ: No? It's not?
HOLMES: You looking for somewhere to eat?
DE LA CRUZ: How'd you guess? You're not going to invite me over?
HOLMES: No, actually. Because it costs too much to feed people these days. You might want to check your account balance. Head to the ATM before you head to the grocery store. Prices heating up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
DE LA CRUZ: Very important to honor our fallen heroes on this Memorial Day weekend. HOLMES: And of course on Memorial Day weekend a lot of times people have family members on the mind. A lot of families getting together for cookouts, grilling, friends as well.
DE LA CRUZ: Yes.
HOLMES: But Memorial Day is traditionally kicking off the cookout season, but it might just not be that chicken and that food on the grill that you are burning and you feel the burn in your wallet.
DE LA CRUZ: You're saying it is your wallet, which is why you wouldn't invite me over?
HOLMES: It gets expensive to feed people. And it's tough enough just to feed one mouth.
DE LA CRUZ: So it's not just me, then it's not a personal thing?
HOLMES: Oh, don't take it personal, oh no.
DE LA CRUZ: Ok, then I guess I won't. You know I thought you missed me. I've been in New York and -- but, no.
HOLMES: This is enough.
DE LA CRUZ: All right.
Well let's tell you why it is that your wallet is feeling the pinch. The bureau of labor statistics tracks the national food price average and the cost of that backyard barbecue is costing a lot more this year. But with a few exceptions that we're going to tell T.J. about, we're still trying to get him to grill out this weekend. Ground beef for hamburgers, T.J., almost even with a year ago, averaging just two cents higher per pound from last year. So, I'll tell you what, pick up the burgers. How's that?
HOLMES: Ok, fine, all right.
DE LA CRUZ: What do you think about the chicken?
HOLMES: How's the chicken doing?
DE LA CRUZ: It's the same story there. Only up a couple cents per pound from a year ago and T.J., steak is a downright bargain from last Memorial Day.
HOLMES: Eleven percent cheaper, who knew that that's the way to go. $5.69 a pound.
DE LA CRUZ: So you get the steak then.
HOLMES: That's fine, but also I have provide the grill, the charcoal, the fire, the flames, the labor.
DE LA CRUZ: It's a party at T.J.'s after the show.
HOLMES: The cheese as well. You got to have cheese, so that's costing you more. Cheddar's up 15 percent, that's $4.59 a pound.
DE LA CRUZ: And a half gallon of ice cream expect to pay about $4.20, that's up 8.5 percent. Also snacks like chips, also up more than 10 percent. A one-pound bag now averaging $3.88, just about the same as -- what? A gallon of gas? Does that sound familiar?
HOLMES: So it's kind of expensive. Like I said, I have to feed you and then you're here visiting so you need a ride. It's a lot.
DE LA CRUZ: I know it costs you $80 to fill up your tank. So if we head over to your house, at least you're not paying for any gas.
HOLMES: Somebody has to pick you up, so you're just expensive is all I'm saying.
We will turn now to a teenager who's actually missing her prom for a good reason. To help the troops.
DE LA CRUZ: That's right. She is our newest CNN hero. We're going to tell you why she is music to the ears of our men and women in uniform.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Again, part of our Memorial Day tributes. Our iReporters sending those in to us telling us about their family members they have lost on the battlefield.
DE LA CRUZ: That's right. In the meantime, NEWSROOM does continue at the top of the hour with Fredricka Whitfield. So nice to see you, Fred.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Good to see you as well.
DE LA CRUZ: Hello.
WHITFIELD: This is like twice in one month you're here in Atlanta.
DE LA CRUZ: I know.
WHITFIELD: That's good. We like the trend. And hello to you, too, T.J. I'm not ignoring you. I gave you a blanket hello and then --
DE LA CRUZ: Thank you, Fred.
WHITFIELD: Ok. Let's talk about what's straight ahead in the noon hour. Of course, those children taken from that polygamist ranch in Texas now being returned, reunited with their family. What happened to this legal case? Why did it fall apart? Or is it falling apart? Our legal experts will be delving in.
Also, tornadoes, hail, just within the past two days, reports of 100 sightings of tornadoes. All that taking place in the Midwest. And guess what? Possibly more to come this Memorial Day weekend. Our Reynolds Wolf is keeping tabs on all things weather related.
DE LA CRUZ: But the good news is, we're going to have phenomenal weather right here in Atlanta. Which is why T.J.'s having a barbecue today. So as soon as you're done, make sure you come on over.
WHITFIELD: Oh really? How come I didn't get the invite?
DE LA CRUZ: Oh no, it's there.
HOLMES: She didn't either. She didn't get invited. Poor thing.
WHTIFIELD: I know we're inviting ourselves.
DE LA CRUZ: I'm trying to convince him. I'm never here in Atlanta -- should have a barbecue.
HOLMES: She's been here five hours on the air and hasn't convinced me yet.
WHITFIELD: Oh my goodness. Ok. I have a feeling you'll be firing something up. Just to be hospitable, at least, right?
DE LA CRUZ: Exactly. I'm working on it.
HOLMES: Well thank you, Fredricka. We'll see you in a couple of minutes.
This week CNN's hero recognizes Memorial Day in her own way. This hero is almost 16 years old and one of our viewers nominated Kaylee Radzyminski for what she does to help our men and women serving overseas. And get this, she's so dedicated she actually missed her junior prom to do it.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Music, first of all, gets stress out and you relax to it. It's a big part of my life and it's a big part of theirs.
I've always had a very special place in my heart for the military. They sacrifice so much for us. Why can't I do a little bit to give back to them? My name is Kaylee Marie Radzyminski, I've been sending CDs and DVDs overseas to our troops to bring a little bit of home and a little bit of entertainment. I got to talking with the military personnel and I asked them what was the number one thing you missed? First thing, was of course, their families, but second to that was entertainment. Well, CDs, DVDs, those are entertainment. So I started asking my friends and I got all mine together and then we did a drive at school and eventually it spread to the community and now it's a nationwide project. They all get a sticker with the troops' e- mail address. And then all you have to do is finish filling out custom forms and pay for shipping. Sometimes it does get very stressful. I missed my junior prom, but that is nothing compared to what these 18, 19 and 20-year-olds give up. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It kind of takes you out of this place for a little while. It gives me a chance to feel like I was back home a little bit.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The project is awesome.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To have such a large outcome of happy soldiers is so worth it.
(END OF VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: All of our CNN heroes are extraordinary people nominated by viewers like you on our website. If you know someone who deserves to be a CNN hero, tell us about him or her, go to cnn.com/heroes. You never know. You could see your hero right here on CNN.
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DE LA CRUZ: Lieutenant Colonel Eric Kruger, just one of the many that we will be remembering through this Memorial Day weekend through your iReports.
HOLMES: Meanwhile, tomorrow night, something we're keeping an eye on, mankind standing on the threshold of a new era in planetary discovery.
DE LA CRUZ: That's right, NASA's phoenix probe due to land on the Martian surface, possibly to find out whether or not there are any kinds of life, maybe?
HOLMES: But we have a big if before all that could possibly happen. If the thing doesn't crash. CNN's chief technology and environment correspondent Miles O'Brien with the story.
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MILES O'BRIEN, CNN CHIEF TECHNOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT CORRESPONDENT (on camera): This is an engineering model of the phoenix mars lander here at the University of Arizona where the science team is headquartered. The real spacecraft is knocking on mars' doorstep and it's a risky mission indeed. The last time NASA arrived on mars four years ago, the two rovers spirit and opportunity, landed successfully but they landed in an entirely different way, inside giant air bags. This spacecraft is much too big to land that way. So it will land using a parachute and a series of rocket thrusters. It's a lot more complicated landing that way. As a matter of fact, nearly 10 years ago in 1999, the sister spacecraft of this, the mars polar lander, as it arrived on mars was lost, and there were a series of problems with that spacecraft it was determined later, but the bottom line was they all lead to a lack of funding. NASA now says that program was horribly underfunded. This spacecraft was delayed and has been tested and retested according to the engineers and they believe that whole experience of mars polar lander has in fact made it one of the safest landers ever to arrive on mars. But statistically the averages aren't good, less than half of the missions that go to mars are successful. If this spacecraft makes it, it will land just shy of the Martian North Pole, it will be in the tundra, it has a shovel that will go out to dig into the sidewalk concrete hard tundra. Scoop up some dirt, scoop up some ice, put it into some sensors and see if they can find some clues to the question of life on mars. Past or perhaps even present. If they do that, and they fill in a few blanks that would be pay dirt indeed. Miles O'Brien, CNN, Tucson, Arizona.
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HOLMES: So tomorrow, starting at 7:00 p.m. our Miles O'Brien will host a one-hour special from mission control in Pasadena as NASA attempts to last its Phoenix spacecraft on Mars.
