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CNN Sunday Morning
Sheriff: Charges Will Be Filed in Balloon Saga; Hurricane Rick Becomes Category 5 Off Mexico; Reynolds Wolf Samples Fried Favorites at State Fair of Texas; 'Mrs. Brady' Turns 'Cybermom' To Help Seniors Tackle Tech
Aired October 18, 2009 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everybody. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is October 18. Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Rob Marciano, in today for T.J. Holmes. It's 6 a.m. in Atlanta; 5 a.m. in Houston, Texas, and 4 a.m. in Colorado. Thanks for joining us. T.J. out on some exotic assignment, no doubt.
NGUYEN: Yes. We're going to hear much more about that probably next weekend. It's not really exotic; it's kind of a tough assignment, in fact. But we'll get much more on that.
In the meantime though, in Colorado, that is where we are following a developing story. Now, authorities say that they do expect to file charges in that incident - remember, dealing with the balloon and a little boy who they thought had been inside that balloon. He was missing; they didn't know where he was.
Well, charges might be filed in that case. We're going to be following that for you.
MARCIANO: And bizarre, bizarre story for sure.
NGUYEN: Yes.
MARCIANO: And a Grammy Award-winning singer, Alicia Keys opens up about another passion she has besides singing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALICIA KEYS, SINGER: I was wowed that people that far away would know my music.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SINGING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: The faces of little kids in Africa captured her heart. And now, hear how she's working to save their lives.
NGUYEN: But first, we do want to begin with some breaking news out of Iran. A suicide bomber blew himself up at a Shia-Sunni conference, and local media is reporting that at least 20 people killed, 40 wounded. The deputy commander of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard is among the dead. General Noor Ali Shooshtari was among five top commanders killed in that attack.
Now, the bombing happened in the southeastern city of Shiraz. So far though, no one claiming responsibility for that attack. We're going to have much more at the bottom of the hour; I'm going to be talking with a CNN producer live from Tehran, so stay tuned for that.
MARCIANO: And now back to Colorado, where investigators have taken several boxes of stuff and a computer from the home of Heene family. They're the ones at the center of that balloon drama. Authorities searched the house yesterday; the sheriff then made this announcement:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERIFF JIM ALDERDEN, LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO: We have made some significant progress in this investigation. Obviously, we are conducting interviews as we speak. We have been conducting interviews since noon. We've had investigators here as well as at the house. We're in the process of - of drafting and completing drafting and obtaining some search warrants, and we do anticipate at some point in the future, we - there will be some criminal charges filed with regards to this incident.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Richard Heene gave reporters an update after being questioned yesterday. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD HEENE, BALLOON BOY'S FATHER: I was talking to the sheriff's department just now to further things along, and, you know, we're doing well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: All right. Well, despite mounting speculation that the Heene family says Thursday's 911 call was not a hoax or a publicity stunt, listen to this:
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
VOICE OF HEENE: No, he does not know how to operate.
911 OPERATOR: He does not know how to operate, so - and that's gone though, too, right? So we are sure that he's in that?
HEENE: Yes, we - we looked everywhere. And then my son just said - he's terrified. He said, yes, he went inside just before it went off. Because we had it tethered, it wasn't supposed to take off.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
MARCIANO: Well, questions have began (ph) to surface after a strange comment by the 6-year-old, Falcon, that he made on "LARRY KING." He thought that the little boy - when they thought the little boy was in the balloon.
NGUYEN: Inside the balloon at first. OK, but here's what happened on CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE" on Thursday night. I want you to listen to how Falcon responded when asked why he hid for so long.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FALCON HEENE, PREVIOUSLY MISSING: You guys said that we did this for a show.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: A little uncomfortable moments there for sure.
NGUYEN: He said, "We did this for the show."
MARCIANO: And then his father kind of had to do some backpedaling there. But, you know, there's an explanation, according to them, for that as well.
Either way, hopefully, a lot of questions will be answered coming up there. The Larimer County Sheriff's Department is planning a news conference for 1:00 Eastern. And when all that happens, of course, we'll bring that to you live.
NGUYEN: All right. Let's take a look at some of the other top stories that we are following for you today.
New from overnight, a third person has died from injuries suffered 10 days ago inside an Arizona sweat lodge. Officials say the 49-year-old woman had organ damage. She was one of 19 people who got sick while participating in a ritual led by spiritual leader James Arthur Ray.
A homicide investigation is under way.
MARCIANO: Also overnight, an Air Force pilot who died after his jet collided with another during a training mission never had a chance to eject. The Air Force reports Captain Nicholas Giglio mostly died from the initial impact. The pilot in the other jet was injured, but able to land his plane safely.
NGUYEN: Hurricane Rick now a whopping Category 5 storm. It has winds of 180 miles per hour in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. That makes it the second-strongest hurricane ever in that part of the world.
Forecasters expect it to lose steam as it heads for Baja California and then mainland Mexico a little bit later in the week.
All right. So let's get the latest. Meteorologist Reynolds Wolf has been watching in this severe winter - Weather Center. I should say 'winter' in some parts, too.
But Category 5, man, that is a monster storm.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It really is. And this is what we sometimes like to refer to as a "good" storm. Why would we refer to this as a "good storm"? Well, because, right now it doesn't pose any threat to land whatsoever. And you'll notice, here's Acapulco, here's Mexico. This storm at this time is pushing away from that.
But it is just a powerhouse. Winds of 180 miles per hour, gusts though up to 220. This is the strongest storm on the planet. And we do expect this storm is going to continue its march to the west before turning a bit more to the north, and then to the northeast. But it is also expected to weaken as it enters cooler water. And also it's going to interact with some strong upper-level winds, which we refer to as shear.
So as that happens, we should see the winds drop. Notice sustained winds - the forecast has it as about 110 miles per hour into Wednesday. And then into Thursday, winds of 85, possibly - again, "possibly" the key phrase here, making a landfall on the southern tip of Baja California as a minimal hurricane or even a tropical storm. So there's a lot that can happen between now and then. We're going to watch it for you very carefully.
(WEATHER REPORT)
MARCIANO: All right. Our nation's veterans will be on President Obama's mind this week. Tuesday, he's presenting the Presidential Unit Citation to Vietnam vets.
Now, Wednesday, he'll be at a rally for New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine.
And Thursday, he'll sign a bill to fund the Veterans Department for a year in advance. The idea is to keep congressional budget delays from affecting care.
And Friday, the president will hold an economic event in Boston.
And this morning at 9 Eastern, a rare interview with White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. John King talks - talks to him about health care, the economy, foreign policy and more on "STATE OF THE UNION." Today on "STATE OF THE UNION," 9 a.m. Eastern time.
NGUYEN: Well, a justice of the peace refused to marry an interracial couple. And you - you've been speaking up about this, we've been talking about this since yesterday. But now that official is defending his decision. You've got to hear what he says.
MARCIANO: And, you know, there are all kinds of fried things at state fairs. So...
NGUYEN: Always.
MARCIANO: (INAUDIBLE) I didn't know Reynolds has this assignment, but it's certainly a dooze (ph) one - doozy. He - he went to Texas, and he got to try some of that fried stuff. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WOLF: All right. Next up, we've got fired butter. That's right. Fried butter. Hard to believe you have the two together. Let's give this a shot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: Oh yes, fried butter. And he's here this morning, so he didn't die of a coronary, so that's - that's the good news there. He also ate fried pecan pie, pork chips. We'll find out how his stomach is feeling this morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC, BARBRA STREISAND, "THE WAY WE WERE")
MARCIANO: You when I watch from the homes from the weekends, this - this is the favorite part of my show, when Reynolds gets up here, he gets so emotional.
WOLF: I can't help it, man.
NGUYEN: Oh my gosh. (INAUDIBLE)
(CROSSTALK)
WOLF: It reminds me of the way we were. It really does. Especially yesterday, when we were talking about this segment. Oh my gosh.
Yes, weekend...
NGUYEN: Pull yourself together, Reynolds.
WOLF: Yes, "Weekend Events." We're going to pull ourselves together for that because we got some great events taking place...
NGUYEN: OK.
WOLF: ...around the country this weekend.
First of all, if you are not a fan of Barbra, Babs, you might want to scream. Well, we got Screamfest for you in Los Angeles. It is a major horror-film fest. Also, the Treasure Island Music Festival. That is just up the - the way in San Francisco, don't you know?
And speaking of Babs, it was the Barbra Streisand auction yesterday in Beverly Hills. One of the 500 items for sale - Rob and I were arguing which one of us would really want to buy that - that - that dress of - of - of, you know, Barbra's. I mean, one - the one she was in that movie.
(CROSSTALK)
MARCIANO: I have that CD as well that I was willing to auction off.
WOLF: I celebrate her entire - entire collection. I mean, what can I tell you?
It's certainly a great event there. They had a wonderful time, I'm sure. I mean, who wouldn't?
MARCIANO: Lamps. Chairs.
NGUYEN: Yes. (INAUDIBLE)
WOLF: All kinds of kooky Barbra stuff. And, you know, you want it. You got to have it. But you probably won't get it...
(LAUGHTER)
WOLF: ...unless you happen to be there and your price is right.
Meanwhile, let's switch gears and go to something that really is totally unconnected, and with the beauty of - and the grace of chopping it with an ax, the Banner Elk, North Carolina - the Wooly Worm Festival.
And not but - certainly last but...
NGUYEN: The Wooly Worm Festival.
WOLF: Yes.
NGUYEN: What is that?
WOLF: It's a - it's a little worm that they have. It's kind of like a caterpillar that has those extended hairs, and it's called the wooly worm. And they have not only a - a celebration for them, but they also, like, races with the wooly worms. They put them...
NGUYEN: Are you serious?
WOLF: Unfortunately I am.
(CROSSTALK)
WOLF: I really am. I really am.
NGUYEN: OK.
WOLF: And we're going to end up things by going a little bit more to the west, down in Texas, where it was the Texas state fair. You know, the...
NGUYEN: Now that's an event right there.
WOLF: It really is an event. And it's much than just a fair.
NGUYEN: And it's not the Texas state fair. It is the State Fair of Texas. WOLF: That's what I'm talking about. And, you know, it was incredible yesterday - yesterday, of course, was the big game between the University of Texas and, of course the Oklahoma...
NGUYEN: Hook 'em horns!
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: Complete faith. We won, of course.
MARCIANO: Ah, of course.
NGUYEN: I mean, was there any doubt. Come on.
WOLF: It's always a good time. They call it the Red River Shootout. You know, and it's...
NGUYEN: Well, no, they changed it "the Rivalry." "Shootout" is a little too...
MARCIANO: To make it even more difficult to say.
NGUYEN: ...violent.
MARCIANO: The Red River...
WOLF: It's a shootout. I'm sorry, folks. It was at the Cotton Bowl.
NGUYEN: There were no guns involved though. I promise.
WOLF: But, you know, it's a place that's known for football. But it's also known for something else that's not so great...
NGUYEN: Oh yes.
WOLF: ...for the eyes. It's somewhat good for the stomach. We're talking about fried food.
Take a look at this and try and test yourself.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF (on-camera): You know, at first glance - I mean, this could be any fair in America. I mean, sure, there are a few things that are going to set it apart. I mean, you've got Big Tex and you've got the Cotton Bowl.
But the thing that really makes it different is the unusual fried food that you are going to find here at this fair.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Shrimp corn dog, here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Outstanding.
WOLF: Now what exactly's in this? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's actually three prawn.
WOLF: OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And it is dipped in a special batter.
Once we deep fry it, we put a glaze -- an apricot-jalapeno glaze on it.
WOLF: Wow.
All right. Here is a corn-dog shrimp. Let's try this one out.
I'm going to be awhile. We'll move on to the next one.
All right here's the next one on the list. It's called deep-fried peaches and cream. Let's give this a shot.
This are the preaches (ph); that's the cream; these are other peaches that are not fried.
Let's give this a - a go-through. We're going to do it this way.
Wow. Awesome. All right.
Next on the list, we've got the Texas-fried pecan pie. Take a look at this. (INAUDIBLE) -- oh, forget it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, you hit the rim. We got an almost-winner over here.
WOLF: What - what are you guys eating?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fried bacon.
WOLF: OK, and this is fried pork. You first. How do you like it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's great.
WOLF: It's awesome. Bad day for a pig.
Now, the objective here is to eat just about anything they offer me in terms of food that happens to be fried. So I eat all that stuff, but when it comes to these things, I think I'm - I think I'm going to have to pass.
All right. Next up, we've got fried butter. That's right, fried butter. Hard to believe you have the two together. Let's give this a shot.
Have you guys -- have you been on this ride before?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I haven't. I haven't.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have.
WOLF: You ever see anyone throw up on a ride?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.
WOLF: All right. Here we go. This is the last one on the list. Thank you so much.
All right, guys. Take a look. All right. Got them all done. With the last one, the twisted yam on a stick. And boom. Let's give this guy a shot.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It looks wonderful.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They are wonderful.
WOLF: Hmm. That's good. I'm going for a nap. Bye, bye.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF: Two - two important components to the story is not only just video, but it's also audio. And I wish we had better microphones, because I could hear myself getting fatter.
(LAUGHTER)
MARCIANO: Oh OK.
WOLF: I really could. It was like, (INAUDIBLE)
(CROSSTALK)
WOLF: It was - it was - it was unbelievable. It was amazing stuff.
NGUYEN: OK, well what was the best thing that you had?
WOLF: OK, very quickly, there was a thing that they called "green goblins," which is basically a - a cherry pepper that's stuffed with chicken, all kinds of queso and all kinds of goodies.
NGUYEN: And fried, of course.
WOLF: And battered and fried. And there was there of them on a stick. And it was pure heaven.
NGUYEN: Wow.
WOLF: It was unbelievable. Heart attack on a stick, good times. And you - you know, ask whoever (INAUDIBLE)
MARCIANO: Anything where you took one bite and you just - you just had to spit it out off camera?
WOLF: Fried butter. I mean, I liked the idea, like (INAUDIBLE). But it just - it was just a little bit too much. But...
NGUYEN: It just doesn't even sound appealing.
WOLF: Creative.
NGUYEN: Yes, you couldn't eat three of those fried butter balls.
WOLF: Well, I mean, normally I get a stick of butter for breakfast. I just get a hot-dog bun and a stick of butter and just eat it.
NGUYEN: And just eat it.
(LAUGHTER)
WOLF: That's usually what I have every day. But...
MARCIANO: They got to ruin the flavor by frying it.
WOLF: Exactly. I mean, it takes something away from it. So, yes, (INAUDIBLE)
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: All right. Reynolds, boy, I tell you what...
MARCIANO: Reynolds, good to see you.
NGUYEN: ...we don't pay you enough.
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: We really don't.
WOLF: There you go.
NGUYEN: All right. Taking one for the team.
WOLF: (INAUDIBLE)
NGUYEN: See you a little bit later.
MARCIANO: And that was your state that did that to him.
NGUYEN: I know, right? But hey, look, he was the glutton for punishment when he ate all that fried stuff.
MARCIANO: Easy (INAUDIBLE)
NGUYEN: It sounds good though.
MARCIANO: All right. Let's talk "The Brady Bunch." Florence Henderson, you know her as Mrs. Brady of "The Brady Bunch."
NGUYEN: Yes, but our Josh Levs is going to show us how she's getting seniors to become tech savvy. Hey, Josh.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: I don't think Mrs. Brady would approve of what Reynolds has been eating lately.
NGUYEN: No.
MARCIANO: No.
LEVS: I think she'd give him some issues.
But this is interesting. You know, you want to stay in touch with Grandma, or you want to stay in touch with your grandchildren. That only works if everyone knows how to use the technology: webcams, Facebook.
Well, now, Mrs. Brady, Florence Henderson, is coming along and teaching Americans just how to do it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Checking top stories for you right now, Pakistani forces pushing forward with Day 2 of a massive ground offensive against the Taliban. The operation is taking place in the tribal region of South Waziristan, which is a power base for militants in that region. Pakistan's military reports 60 insurgents and five soldiers killed so far in the fighting.
MARCIANO: And if you're traveling for Thanksgiving or Christmas, don't plan on any last-minute deals. Travel experts say, unlike last year when airlines slashed fares after a sharp drop in travelers, this year, ticket prices are already on the rise. And not only will you pay for a ticket, but many airlines are also hitting you with a $10 peak- travel charge.
NGUYEN: All right. Well, you may be paying a little bit more for that, but not for this, because it is a great time to be a booklover. Yes, a full-scale price war unfolding between two of the country's biggest booksellers. After Walmart began offering upcoming book titles for just 10 bucks, Amazon.com got in on the action and starting offering the same. And when Walmart dropped prices to $9, Amazon.com lowered their prices the next day.
Happy reading.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
LEVS: The latest technology, it can help you keep in touch with family, right? A great thing. But only if you and they actually know how to use it. And now, someone's here to help: Mrs. Brady, Florence Henderson.
She started this business - if we can show it to you here. She's calling it FloH Club. It's for people who didn't grow up with computers. So they take phone calls, and they talk you through how to get hooked up.
In the "NEWSROOM," I got to talk with her about being tech savvy and about the 40th anniversary of "The Brady Bunch."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FLORENCE HENDERSON, ACTRESS: That's one of the most exciting things for me, is to be able to videoconference. Because I have a son, and his wife and - and two children live in St. Louis. I have a daughter in Florida, and they have two children. And now I can actually see them.
And I have new little granddaughter who's just a year old. And I can watch her grow and I can talk to them. To me, that is the most exciting thing.
And so I'm encouraging older adults to really stay connected and use your brain.
LEVS: All right. Well, quickly, I got to talk you about "The Brady Bunch" quick, because it's the 40th anniversary of "The Brady Bunch."
HENDERSON: Can you believe it?
LEVS: Forty years. I - can you - I can't - 40 years after it was created. And we're talking about something that maintained this kind of iconic position in society.
Talk to me quickly - we see sitcom stars come and go. But you, 35 years after the show technically ended...
HENDERSON: Yes.
LEVS: ...you have stayed out there as an icon.
What's your secret? What did you do that no one else figured out?
HENDERSON: You know what, Josh? I think it's because I love what I do; I'm passionate about what I do. I've always kind of felt that my career as my vocation, and I love staying on top of things. That's why I would get so frustrated, and that's why I started the FloH Club.
LEVS: (INAUDIBLE)
HENDERSON: You know, now I'm 'cybermom.'
(LAUGHTER)
HENDERSON: But I think - I genuinely love to communicate, and I - I love people. And I'm so thrilled to be on CNN, I cannot tell you.
LEVS: Well, listen, thank you so much. Oh listen, let's show everyone the - the graphic, because I'm - posted a link to your blog...
HENDERSON: Thank you.
LEVS: ...to your new business right there. Let's go to that. It's at CNN.com/josh has it. I've also posted it at Facebook and I'm sending it out by Twitter right now.
HENDERSON: Thank you.
LEVS: Florence Henderson, so good to talk to you. Thank you so much.
HENDERSON: Thank you, Josh. You're a doll.
(LAUGHTER)
HENDERSON: I'll see you again soon.
LEVS: Mrs. Brady called me a doll. Wow.
(END VIDEOTAPE0
LEVS: Yes, that was pretty cool; a life-changing experience.
All right. Check it out, I want to show you - you can see a lot more from that interview at CNN.com. You should go to the main page right now, and you'll see - there's a link to it right there.
And also, we have posted links at Facebook. She's on Facebook, as you saw. Here's a message from Helen, "Thanks to Florence for her efforts to get seniors involved with technology."
I will remind you, it is a business. It costs $25 a month to sign up for the service, but $250 a year. But it seems to be taking off.
And guys, you know, all the exciting Brady stuff aside, Rob and - and Betty, it is great that there are more and more people out there who are learning to harness this technology that's kind of intimidating, right?
MARCIANO: Mm-hmm.
LEVS: To stay in touch with family.
NGUYEN: It is. I mean, it took me awhile to get on Facebook and Twitter. But once you're on it, it's cool. It's one of the coolest things ever. I love it.
LEVS: Pretty much. (INAUDIBLE).
MARCIANO: I might have to get Mrs. Brady hooked up with Mrs. Marciano to exchange technical ideas.
LEVS: Hey, we'll - we'll hook that up after the show.
NGUYEN: All right.
MARCIANO: You're not talking to my mom the way you talked to Mrs. Brady.
NGUYEN: Yes, no flirting there.
MARCIANO: You guys were a little too flirty there, pal.
LEVS: Uh oh. They're on to me.
(LAUGHTER)
LEVS: Oh no.
NGUYEN: All right. Thank you, Josh.
LEVS: Thanks, guys.
MARCIANO: All right. We're keeping an eye on some breaking news out of Iran this morning as well, where a suicide bomber has killed at least 20 people.
NGUYEN: Plus, charges expected in that runaway-balloon incident that had the media and rescue crews scrambling.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARCIANO: Welcome back. Have a great start to your Sunday. I'm Rob Marciano. T.J. Holmes.
NGUYEN: Good to have you here, Rob.
MARCIANO: Good to be here.
NGUYEN: And hello there, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
All right. Let's get straight to the breaking news out of Iran. A suicide bomber detonates a conference. And it was attended by two revolu-- if I can say this -- Revolutionary Guard commanders. Easy for me to say. And the attack, though, happened in the southeastern city of Sharbaaz (ph). It killed 20 people, wounding 40. To get you the latest now, CNN producer, Shirzad Bozorgmehr, is monitoring the situation from Teheran. And he joins us now by phone.
Shirzad, we understand that some very high-ranking Revolutionary Guard commanders were actually killed in this suicide bomb attack?
SHIRZAD BOZORGMEHR, CNN PRODUCER, TEHRAN: This is correct according to reports that we have been receiving here. Yes, is one of the most important figure, was Shusash Stahadi (ph) who was the city (ph) commander of the IRGC, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, which is a very high position in the Iranian army.
NGUYEN: Exactly how did this go down?
BOZORGMEHR: We don't know exactly how. There are contradictory reports. Some reports say there were two attacks in two different locations. But most reports confirm that it was just in one location and a suicide bomber threw himself at this group of commanders who were on their way to a conference to mediate and to emphasize unity between the Sunni and the Shia Muslims in the Iranian border with Pakistan.
According to reports this, is what happened. The suicide bomber, a lone suicide bomber, caused the whole havoc which supposedly killed 20 people so far, and at least 40 injured.
NGUYEN: All right. OK, but for our audience, help us understand. Because this is really the largest of this type of attack in recent years, correct?
BOZORGMEHR: That is correct, yes. As far as the number of casualties go, yes.
NGUYEN: And anyone claiming responsibility at this point?
BOZORGMEHR: Not so far. And the Iranian authorities have not named names except for the Mr. Larijani, the spokesman for the parliament of Iran, who prior to his departure to Switzerland, a few minutes ago, accused the United States. And said that we see this as a result of the actions of the United States. And we consider this a sign of enmity of the United States with Iran. So, this is the only statement so far coming out of Iran's officialdom and it points the finger toward the United States.
In the past, however, Iran used to accuse Saudi Arabia, because of their Sunni beliefs and because of their enmity with the Shia. But this time Iran is not accusing Saudi Arabia, yet. They might well do later on.
NGUYEN: So, just to be clear. Iranian officials are accusing the United States of this attack?
BOZORGMEHR: Yes. They're not saying exactly how, but the parliament, the head of parliament of Iran, a few minutes ago, said we consider this to be the results of the action of the United States.
NGUYEN: Very interesting. Obviously, we're going to be checking our sources to see if there's anything on the part of the White House as some kind of response to this. But that is quite a statement coming out of Iran today in regards to this attack.
Shirzad, you keep working your sources. We'll do the same. Thank you so much for that update.
BOZORGMEHR: Thank you.
MARCIANO: Here are some of the other stories we're following this morning, Stateside. In Colorado, investigators searched the home of the family at the center of the balloon drama. The sheriff makes this announcement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERIFF JIM ALDERDEN, LARIMER, CO., COLORADO: We have made some significant progress in this investigation. Obviously we're conducting interviews as we speak. We have been conducting interviews since noon. We've had investigators here, as well as at the house. We're in the process of drafting -- completing drafting and obtaining some search warrants. We do anticipate, at some point in the future, there will be some criminal charges filed with regards to this incident.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: Richard Heene gave reporters an update after being questioned yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD HEENE, BALLOON BOY'S PARENT: I was just talking to the sheriff's department just now to further things along. And we're doing well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: We'll get a live report outside of the Larimer County Sheriff's Department at the top of the hour.
NGUYEN: Well, a third person has died from injuries suffered 10 days ago inside an Arizona sweat lodge. Officials say the 49-year- old woman had organ damage. She was one of 19 people who got sick while participating in a ritual led by spiritual leader James Arthur Ray. A homicide investigation is underway.
MARCIANO: And 3,500 U.S. troops won't have to go to Iraq after all. A unit from New York was going to ship out in January, but not anymore. The Pentagon thinks they can get by without them there. The unit was supposed to replace another from North Carolina. Those troops are still coming home as planned.
NGUYEN: A hero's funeral for a soldier whose friends and family says was a gridiron tough person from birth. Army Specialist Stephen Mace will be laid to rest tomorrow at Arlington National Cemetery.
MARCIANO: Mace was among eight soldiers killed October 3 in a Taliban attack on their remote outpost in Eastern Afghanistan. It was the deadliest day for U.S. troops in Afghanistan this year. Audrey Barnes from affiliate WUSA in Percival, Virginia has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AUDREY BARNES, REPORTER, WUSA 9 NEWS (voice over): Relatives and friends walked through an arch of honor to pay their respects to a soldier who lived and died with it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anybody who goes over there is a hero.
BARNES: The dad of a childhood friend put back on the uniform he never thought he would, to talk about Specialist Stephen Mace, who shared stories about Afghanistan with him on a recent trip home, a place they both served, and feared. CRAIG BARR, FAMILY FRIEND: Stephen had a tough challenge ahead of him. There is no question, if he said it once, he said it 1,000 times, that he wanted to go back. He wanted to be with his friends, he wanted to be with his brothers. And he went back and he did exactly what he was trained to do. I don't think he'd changed it, even now.
BARNES: Gridiron tough since birth, speaker after speaker said. His former football coach says everyone wanted Stephen on their team.
JEFF BROWN, FOOTBALL COACH: He wasn't the biggest kid I ever coached, the fastest, the strongest. But he was no question one of the toughest. He took defeat as well as he took victory, and he never one time backed up.
BARNES: If he could change two things, Stephen's friend Adrian Bower, who took him hunting in Africa before he went to the military, said he would have enlisted with him, and would have wanted Stephen speaking at his funeral, rather than the other way around.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: And our nation's veterans will be on President Obama's mind this week. On Tuesday, he is presenting the Presidential Unit Citation to Vietnam veterans. Wednesday he'll be at a rally for New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. And then, on Thursday, he is going to sign a bill to fund the Veteran's Department for a year in advance. That idea is to keep congressional budget delays from affecting care. Then on Friday, President Obama will hold an economic event in Boston.
Coming up this morning, a rare interview with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel. John King talks to him about health care, the economy, foreign policy, and so much more. That's on "State of the Union", 9:00 a.m. Eastern, right here on CNN.
Here's a story that has a lot of you talking today. A white bride, a black groom trying to get to the altar to get married; but one Louisiana justice of the peace says, I object.
MARCIANO: Yes, his name is Keith Bardwell. He refused to give the go ahead to this interracial marriage claiming it is out of concern for any children the couple may have. Bardwell says he isn't sorry and has no plans to resign.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEITH BARDWELL, LOUISIAN JUSTICE OF THE PEACE: It's kind of hard to apologize for some thing that really and truly, down in your heart, you don't feel like you've done wrong.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: Well, Bardwell insists he's not a racist saying, quote, "I have pi piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them. They use my bathroom. They use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else. NGUYEN: Those are quotes, too, piles of black friends.
MARCIANO: Quotes in -we certainly want to get your feed back on that hot topic issue. Go to Betty's Facebook, or Twitter page, or mine.
NGUYEN: Yes, Facebook, twitter, you can go to our blog as well. There are lots of ways to reach out to us today. Send us your comments. There they are, up on the air, how you can reach us. And we'll be reading some of your comments on the air. Got a lot of them already. And they're pretty good so far.
All right. There is much more to come right here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. That includes some there are some jobs that just last, and last, no matter what the economy is doing. We need one of those, don't we?
MARCIANO: Exactly. We want to introduce you to one man who's been at his job for 50 years.
NGUYEN: Wow. An unexpected visitor at a convenience store. You have got to see this -- guess which aisle he went to first. We'll show you that coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right. Let's get you a quick check of the top stories this morning.
Pakistani forces pushing forward with day two of a massive ground offensive against the Taliban. The operation is taking place in the tribal region of South Waziristan, which is a power base for militants in that region. Pakistan's military reports 60 insurgents and five soldiers were killed so far in the fighting.
MARCIANO: Well, will the H1N1 vaccine be available for you or your child when you need it? The government says production delays are causing a shortage. But officials -- health officials say it should be on track by early to mid November. And 86 children have died from H1N1 in just the past month alone.
NGUYEN: An Air Force pilot who died just after his jet collided with another during a training mission never had a chance to eject. The Air Force says Captain Nicholas Giglio most likely died on impact. The pilot in the other jet was injured, but was able to land his plane safely.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARCIANO: Goodness, if you are waking up in the Eastern half of the country this morning, Reynolds Wolf, it is pretty chilly out there.
NGUYEN: Thanks for those covers.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Absolutely. You are absolutely right, you little weirdoes. It is a cold morning out there. No question, a lot of people shivering. If they are going to go out and walk their dog, they had better carry the big coat with them, because -don't carry it, actually put it on. And I'll show you the reason why. It is certainly going to be cold up there.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WOLF: Something else that is warming up, the tropics. We have been talking about Rick, for a good part of the morning. Still, a Category 5 storm, the strongest storm on the planet. Winds of 180 miles per hour, gusts up to 220 miles per hour. If you're wondering where this bad boy is going, take a look at this. We have the path for you all lined up.
It looks like it might be making landfall, weakening considerably as a Cat-1 and maybe even a, say a strong tropical storm, and hitting the Baja of California as we get in to Wednesday morning around 2:00 a.m.
Now, a lot can change over the next couple of hours. Certainly, a lot will change by midweek. It all bears watching. And we'll do that for you. After all, we are your hurricane headquarters.
All right, guys, let's send it back to you and at the news desk. There it goes. Too much technology.
MARCIANO: I feel your pain over there, pal. The magic wall is not always so magic.
Well, the 180-mile an hour winds. When you are talking about the strongest storm on the planet, that's a doozie.
WOLF: It is amazing. It is amazing to see, thankfully, though it is not any direct threat to anyone right now, which is great news. I mean, you have this thing moving towards land directly, that is certainly time for panic. That's not the case for the storm, certainly, right now.
MARCIANO: Keeping an eye on that storm.
NGUYEN: All right.
MARCIANO: Thanks, Reynolds.
WOLF: You bet.
NGUYEN: Let's talk about Alicia Keys for just a second. She's, yes, a talented singer but is also very passionate about health care around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(ALICIA KEYS, SINGING)
MARCIANO: Now she's asking her fans for help.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: That's Alicia Keys, and her beautiful voice with that song, "Karma", from her first album, "Songs in A-Minor". That was released, can you believe, eight years ago.
MARCIANO: She's been around that long?
NGUYEN: Yes. Well, you know her music, but his morning we wanted to show you another side of Alicia Keys, one that is all about saving the lives of HIV/AIDS victims in Africa.
MARCIANO: This isn't just a story about statistics or numbers. It's about the true faces and the fight against AIDS and HIV.
NGUYEN: T.J. Holmes caught one the 12-time Grammy-award-winning singer in New York and talked about her charity, Keep A Child Alive.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALICIA KEYS, SINGER/SONGWRITER: It's crazy when you think about it. How you can change the lives of people forever for the price of a pair of shoes.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SUNDAY MORNING (voice over): Alicia Keys didn't set out to do humanitarian work in Africa. In a way, Africa came to her.
It was 2002, her first album was climbing the charts. She won Grammys for Best New Artist and Song of the Year, but she never expected an invitation to perform in Africa.
KEYS: I was wowed that people that far away would know my music.
(CHILD SINGING)
HOLMES: Maybe she knew that 40 percent of the population there was infected with HIV/AIDS. But those numbers didn't really hit home until she came face-to-face with the people there.
KEYS: When I started to meet kids my age and younger, who were personally dealing with it, lost their parents, watched their parents die, then had to raise their younger brothers and sisters; if they're 14 and they're raising their seven and six-year-old brother and sister.
HOLMES: The people she met changed her life.
KEYES (SINGING): Can you send an angel.
HOLMES: And ever since, this 12-time Grammy award-winning singer has been working to change theirs.
KEYS: All they kept saying, when I was leaving was, don't forget us. Please, don't forget us. HOLMES: Within a year, Keys co-founded the Keep A Child Alive organization with filmmaker and activist, Lee Blake. Their mission is to build clinics and provide kids and their families with medicine that will save their lives.
KEYS: Picture your brother, picture your mother, picture your daughter, picture your son, and picture them suffering greatly. You would not tolerate it, you wouldn't. You would say, whatever I have to do to change it, I'm going to do it.
HOLMES: December 1, World AIDS Day, Alicia Keys will release her fourth CD, "The Element of Freedom". She says it will show a different side of Alicia Keys.
KEYS: I'm renewed and I'm reborn. So you will feel a different side of me. Definitely. A freer side of me, a more confident side of me, a stronger side.
HOLMES: The first single "Doesn't Mean Anything" is already out. She performed it for the first time live this week.
KEYS (SINGING): Because it's over
HOLMES (on camera): Everybody knows about what you do behind the piano. But what do you want to be known for, maybe years down the road?
KEYS: I want to be known as an incredible, global citizen. And a person who has made their mark in an inspiring, positive way.
Tell you one thing, though, they're going to make it through it. And they're going to have something serious to say. They're going to change the world. We're going to change the world. And I felt proud that that was my generation. This is my generation. We're about to do something really big.
HOLMES: T.J. Holmes, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: And she is doing some thing big to change the world. In fact, Alicia Keys will be expanding her charity work into India next year.
MARCIANO: No kidding? Beauty, talent, and a giving heart.
NGUYEN: A big heart, absolutely.
Much more to come here because we're keeping an eye on some breaking news, in fact, out of Iran, where a suicide bomber has killed at least 20 people.
MARCIANO: Also, that developing story out of Colorado. Authorities say they expect to file criminal charges in connection with the run-away balloon incident that had the media and a rescue crew scrambling. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: A little Dave Matthews for you this morning. That will get you awake.
MARCIANO: A little percussion. I like it.
NGUYEN: Yes.
So, we've been bringing you stories about jobs that last, thankfully, as part of our special series, "Americana In Focus".
MARCIANO: That is certainly the focal point. Today CNN photojournalist Bethany Swayne takes us to Baltimore, where she shows us there's an art to keeping a drive in movie theater running.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
D. EDWARD VOGEL, OWNER, BENGIES DRIVE-IN: It's very important to keep these heads clean. Not much has changed in the operation of the Bengies Drive-In Theater.
Being raised in the movie business, third generation. It went from Uncle Hank, to me.
Just a drop every night.
I was taught starting when I was nine. There's an art to projection. That's the heart of the machine. That's what makes it stop every four sprockets.
I was always fascinated with this business. Bengies Drive-In was built in 1956.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ready to open, check.
VOGEL: I tried to make it run the way it did.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, how many? It will be $8.
VOGEL: So I struggle to keep this venue alive so that it is here for future generations.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the only one left around here.
VOGEL: It is a very hard-earned dollar.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm old enough, that I remember when they were everywhere.
VOGEL: At one time drive-in theaters carried Hollywood. There were more drive-in screens than indoor screens.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a lot of fun.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a big thing every weekend with your parents, piling up in the car.
VOGE: If I'm walking through and somebody spots me as the owner, they say I just want to thank you for keeping it open. And sometimes it comes right at a moment when I really need to hear it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whatever he's doing to keep it open this long must be working.
VOGEL: We want you to have a great time. And I welcome each and everyone of you to my house.
Bengies is blessed with the biggest movie theater screen left. We are 52 by 120 feet. One car or 100 cars, I'm going to light that screen. And you're going to see the best show possible. If I have my way, it will be here for a very long time.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MARCIANO: Ever been to a drive-in?
NGUYEN: It's been a long time.
MARCIANO: Yes, well there is one here in Atlanta.
NGUYEN: There's one pretty close by. You like it?
MARCIANO: Yes, it's fun. Go out there on a nice night. Bring your own stuff.
NGUYEN: Especially these days when it's a little chilly outside. Not bad.
That's photo journalist Bethany Swayne reporting. You can find more information on "Americana In Focus, Jobs That Last", online at CNN.com/americana.
From the CNN Center in Atlanta this, is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Hello, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
MARCIANO: Congratulations. I was a little nervous you wouldn't show up after your Horns --
NGUYEN: Oh, the big win yesterday?
MARCIANO: Defeated by the Sooners?
NGUYEN: OU, yes, the Red River Rivalry, as they call it? Well, kind of sad.
MARCIANO: A lot of good games yesterday. Georgia Tech took it to Virginia Tech. You know, I'm right next door to that stadium, so they could -that ruckus kind of kept me up last night.
NGUYEN: Oh, man, when your team is playing a rivalry, it is pins and needles the whole time. MARCIANO: Nothing like college football. Especially this time of year, I don't think T.J. is out covering football. He's out on a more important story than that. I'm Rob Marciano filling in for him. It's 7:00 a.m. Eastern, and 4:00 a.m. on the West Coast. Thank you for starting your Sunday with us.
NGUYEN: All right. Let's get right to the stories we'll be bringing you this hour.
Authorities are taking a harder look at that, you know, "balloon fiasco" some are calling it. When they thought a little boy was inside that weather balloon that just took off. Well, it appears that he was hiding in a garage somewhere. And today we're understanding that charges might be filed sometime soon. We'll give you the latest on that.
MARCIANO: As we say in this business, this story has legs. It just keeps going and going.
NGUYEN: It does, doesn't it?
MARCIANO: It's has been a pretty quiet hurricane season, but now, we have a couple of big storms out there. A monster Category 5. It is in Pacific, but eastern Pacific, near Mexico. And also a Nor'easter headed for New Jersey, which has already been hit with some snow in October -- October's snow.
Reynolds Wolf is monitoring the severe weather and we'll check in with him in just a sec.
NGUYEN: All right. But right now, we want to get you to some breaking news out of Iran.
A suicide bomber kills five top commanders of the elite Revolutionary Guard, along with 24 other people. The commander -- deputy commander of the guard's ground forces is among the dead. That person being this guy right here, General Nur Ali Shustari, which was mediating, in fact, a conference of Sunni and Shia groups at the time of the blast. Now, it happened in southeastern Sarbaz, which is a city there, southeastern part of Iran.
I spoke to CNN producer Shirzad Bozorgmehr in Tehran just a short time ago and he says Iran is blaming the U.S. for that attack.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHIRZAD BOZORGMEHR, CNN PRODUCER (via telephone): And the Iranian authorities have not named names except for the Mr. Larijani, the spokesman for the parliament of Iran, who prior to his departure to Switzerland just a few moments ago accused the United States and said that, "We see this as a result of the actions of the United States." And they consider this as a sign of (INAUDIBLE) the United States with Iran. So, this is the only statement so far coming out of Iran's officialdom and they point a finger toward the United States.
In the past, however, Iran used to accuse Saudi Arabia because of their Sunni beliefs and because of their enmity with the Shah. But this time, Iran is not accusing Saudi Arabia yet. They might -- will do later on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: All right, so the attack was one of the largest in recent years on the Revolutionary Guard. But there hasn't been any reaction from the White House yet as to the accusation that the U.S. was behind that attack.
MARCIANO: And a developing story out of Colorado. Criminal charges are now expected in that run-away balloon scare. Yesterday, police searched the home of the Heenes. On Thursday, there were fears that 6-year-old Falcon Heene was on the family's escaped weather balloon after he was found hiding at home, people started to call the whole thing a hoax. If it was, police are not amused.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERIFF JIM ALDERDEN, LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO: We have made significant progress in this investigation. Obviously, we are conducting interviews, as we speak. We have been conducting interviews since noon. We've had investigators here as well as at the house. We're in the process of drafting, completing drafting and obtaining some search warrants. And we do anticipate at some point in the future there will be criminal charges filed with regards to this incident.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Investigators spoke with the parents for hours yesterday and they had very little to say after leaving the sheriff's office.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD HEENE, BALLOON BOY'S FATHER: I was talking to the sheriff's department just now to further things along and we're doing well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: Well, the sheriff's office plans to update us a little bit later on the case. We'll bring you that live.
And we've already got one of our platform journalists on the ground. Jim Spellman joins us from Fort Collins, Colorado.
Jim, what can you tell us about the search of the home? What kind of things did they find?
JIM SPELLMAN, CNN ALL PLATFORM JOURNALIST: Well, not long after the sheriff made the statement about inspecting charges to be filed, indeed, searches were carried out at (AUDIO BREAK). Deputies were coming and going. Some were wearing gloves that -- you know, gloves that you typically see people from quarantine-type people are using. And as you said, in that sound bite there, the Heenes themselves were here at the sheriff's headquarters for several hours. So, it all seems to really be coming to a head later today when perhaps as charges will be filed. We expect a 1:00 Eastern press conference here to update us on the progress the sheriff has made, Rob.
MARCIANO: They didn't say a whole lot -- the Heenes didn't -- and when they got out of the sheriff's office. But prior to that, they denied that this was any sort of hoax. Are you getting word that they're still -- they're standing by that denial?
SPELLMAN: Oh, yes, as late as yesterday. They were saying absolutely no hoax. Richard Heene came out and said. But -- and, you know, the thing with the sheriff's office is that the most they can do is file a class three misdemeanor which is a very minor -- a very minor crime. The sheriff has gone so far as to check in with federal authorities to see if there is a more serious crime that they could possibly bring in to charge that's more serious than this minor class three misdemeanor. Rob?
MARCIANO: Jim, one other question. I don't know if you know the answer to this. But they had this box that they brought out to the media and the media was supposed to put questions in the box. And then we didn't really hear much about that. Did they -- did they ever answer any of those questions? What happened to this box?
SPELLMAN: No. They had called this press conference yesterday and instead of having a press conference, Richard Heene brought out this box. A few reporters put some questions in. But they never came back out and have it.
I think, really, the case progressed a lot yesterday from when they brought out this case. And it's not only progressed here on sight, but last night, they were ripping on it on "Saturday Night Live." There's already an online video game, balloonboygame.com. You can go and check it out. It's really taken on a life of its own here, Rob.
MARCIANO: We'll have to check that out, for sure. So, 1:00 Eastern Time or local time, is that press conference?
SPELLMAN: One o'clock Eastern Time.
MARCIANO: One o'clock Eastern. Jim Spellman on the ground for us in Fort Collins, Colorado -- thanks, Jim.
NGUYEN: All right. So, the Heenes denied that Thursday's 911 call was a hoax or even a publicity stunt.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
911 DISPATCHER: So, it was an experimental plane?
MAYUMI HEENE, BALLOON BOY'S MOM: Yes, it's a flying saucer.
911 DISPATCHER: It's a flying saucer? HEENE: Yes.
911 DISPATCHER: And that's gone too, right? Is the flying saucer gone as well?
HEENE: Yes, about 20 minutes I think.
911 DISPATCHER: They've both been missing for about 20 minutes?
HEENE: Yes.
911 DISPATCHER: OK.
(END AUDIO CLIP) NGUYEN: All right. So, some are having a hard time believing all of this, especially after the family appeared on CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE." You got to watch this, because during the interview, 6-year- old Falcon Heene said something strange.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, CNN'S LARRY KING LIVE)
FALCON HEENE, PREVIOUSLY MISSINGI: You had said that we did this for a show.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: Now, it's not clear which show Falcon is talking about. These people have been on a number of shows and maybe on a future show.
NGUYEN: Well, and the question was, why did you come out of hiding? You know, why were you hiding? And then he said, you guys said we did this for the show.
MARCIANO: Right.
NGUYEN: And then it kind of leaves you going, what are you talking about?
MARCIANO: Yes. They've been on "Wife Swap," the ABC movie or series. And I think they were trying to get on that again. So, who knows?
You know, 6-year-olds say the weirdest things at any given time, especially when the cameras are on and the parents are leering over you.
NGUYEN: That's true. Exactly.
All right. So, you know, we've been asking, what do you think about this whole situation? And we're expecting to see possibly charges a little bit later today or within the coming days. That's what we're hearing from officials.
And getting some comments from you today. Let me go to the Twitter page, first of all. And Djkaq says, "Yes, it was a hoax. Dad gave it away during the interview, should be charged so that others don't think they could do such a thing." And then Protypedemo says, "Yes, these people need to be charged and made an example of so no one else will think about pulling something like this."
And, quickly, let me go to my Facebook page. Chris Dellinger says, "If it was a hoax, they should be brought up on charges or pay for the whole thing." Because there were, indeed, a lot of resources that went in to this and for hours, too, as they were looking to find the little boy. You had, you know, officials searching for the balloon. You had officials searching around the house. A lot of resources put in to that.
So, let us know what you think. Reach me on Facebook, Twitter, also, our blog here at CNN. Lots of ways to reach out and we'll be hearing your responses on the air.
MARCIANO: At the very least, now that everybody's safe, it's been great theater.
NGUYEN: Yes. But, you know, some people are saying, if it's a hoax, let's just move on. Why give them anymore TV time?
MARCIANO: A good point, too.
NGUYEN: OK. So, two things that will dominate the political calendar this coming week: health care reform and campaigns heating up in two key states.
CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser has a preview.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: The tough negotiations on health care reform resume in Congress this week. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will meet with the chairman of the two committees that passed bills and with top members from the White House led by Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
All of the actions behind closed doors. What they're trying to do is take the two bills there and merge them into one. Now, expect similar action by the top Democrats in the House. Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House bill will include some kind of public option.
One thing not to expect, any form of votes in neither of the House or the Senate before next month. And the whole process may go deep into December before any bill could reach Barack Obama's desk.
Now, talking about the president -- you could call him, I guess, the party guy this week. Just days after headlining a big fundraiser in California for the Democratic Party, he's a main attraction again in at another top dollar party fundraiser in New York City.
The next day, the president is back on the campaign trail, not for himself but for fellow Democrat, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, who's fighting for reelection this year.
Mr. Obama also campaigns later this month with the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Virginia, Creigh Deeds.
Now, while both races focus on state issues, they're also seen as the first referendum on the job the president is doing in the White House. So, even though he's not on the ballot, Mr. Obama's got a lot riding on the two governors' election this November.
NGUYEN: And this morning at 9:00 Eastern, a rare interview with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. John King talks to him about health care, the economy, foreign policy, and so much more. That's on "STATE OF THE UNION" today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern.
You know, yesterday, we told you about a college that is telling its students to pull up your pants. No more sagging, no more, I think, what they call grills, no more dew rags, no more -- any of these things that violate a dress code.
MARCIANO: Or cross dressing.
(CROSSTALK)
MARCIANO: Don't want them dressing up as girls. People have a lot to say about it. And we're going to read some of your comments on Betty's Facebook and my Twitter account. That's all coming up.
Plus, an unexpected visitor at a convenience store. And guess which aisle he went to first.
NGUYEN: Yes, you got to see this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
NGUYEN: It is cold outside in many parts of the country.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Oh, yes.
NGUYEN: We'll look at that in just a second. You got to check this out, Reynolds. It's pretty good pictures of a black bear inside a convenience store.
MARCIANO: Well, he was hungry.
NGUYEN: Yes. He looks pretty cute right there.
MARCIANO: Maybe thirsty.
NGUYEN: But guess where he went to first. He went straight through the front door, acted like he owned the place.
MARCIANO: Past the Skittles.
NGUYEN: And went straight for the beer cooler. Yes, looking for a cold one and sat there until wild life authorities arrived. No injuries, though. And no one checked him for his I.D. I don't get it.
MARCIANO: Well, look at that selection. I mean, how can you pass that up? You know, he's obviously not a wine connoisseur.
NGUYEN: He seems pretty tame, though, considering -- I mean, I'm not seeing any damage.
MARCIANO: Well, he's drunk.
NGUYEN: Yes. How many did you have, Mr. Bear?
WOLF: I mean, how do you handle situation like that? Hey, good evening, how can we help you? Grrr! OK, help yourself, six pack, keg, whatever you want, take it, go and please, on us. Really. Again, but crazy times, man.
NGUYEN: What -- I mean, what causes them to leave the wild life and coming to places like that. I mean, are they searching for food?
WOLF: And hops, barley, beer.
MARCIANO: You know, fall is that time of year when you're looking, you know, to taste maybe a hand crafted brew. And beers are the same way.
WOLF: You know, they say the Octoberfest, those brews are the best. I mean, you have a good selection.
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: All right. Can we talk about something serious now?
WOLF: Well, we do have a bear of a storm that we're dealing with.
NGUYEN: Yes, we do, named Rick.
MARCIANO: Oh, God.
WOLF: Yes, and the good thing about Rick though is Rick does not pose any threat to anyone at this time. At this time -- which is great news.
NGUYEN: We're talking about a hurricane here.
WOLF: We're talking about a big hurricane, and, in fact, the biggest one on the planet. If you happen to be, say, up in the space station, you would be able to look down, you'll be able to see it. And I'll tell you, you'll notice it there on the far left-hand side of the screen. It continues to churns its way with winds of 180 miles per hour, some gusts that have been well, very at 220, in fact. And we expect this giant saw blade to continue to rip its way through parts of the Pacific. And if you want to know where it's headed, take a look at this map. This map gives you a chart of where it's going to go basically in 12-hour increments. As we get into the next couple of days, we're expecting the storm to take more of a turn to the west and northeast and then possibly make landfall right in Baja, California. It will do so, at least if the forecast holds true, as a weak hurricane or a tropical storm. But a lot can happen over the next several hours, certainly over the next several days. So, we'll keep a sharp on that for you.
Meanwhile, something else we're watching -- take a shot of what we have in parts of the northeast. In fact, you can look at this image that we have for you, the Statue of Liberty. It is a gray morning for you in parts of New York. It's kind of misty out there.
Not only that, we also have -- again, some video to show you what's happened a little further to the south and to the east, over New Jersey, where we had snowfall there. That was a little bit of -- not frost on the pumpkin, but try snow. Also, with some of the flowers, you see there. This compliments of News 12 in New Jersey.
It has been a rough time there. They could see some erosion along the coast, compliments of that the big nor'easter that's churning up.
And as we go to the weather map very quickly, most of the snow is now moving back in the pockets of the mountains back towards Pennsylvania. And we're seeing some also into Western Massachusetts, back over towards the Berkshires, decent there for the ski resorts. No question, they'll need all they can for a big season coming up.
And we're going to keep a sharp eye on that. Plus, we're going to talk more about your hurricane coming up in mere moments. But now, it's time to wrap it up.
Let's send it back to you guys at the desk.
NGUYEN: All right. We'll be checking in with you very shortly. Thank you.
WOLF: OK, guys.
MARCIANO: Thanks, Reynolds.
All right. That controversial morning for sure. Police are now using a taser from actual moving vehicles and that's caused quite a stir.
NGUYEN: Yes. That's after an incident turned deadly. Our Josh Levs is following that for us. Josh?
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, guys. This is a teenager who lost his life and a police department has now changed its rules. We're going to tell you all about it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) NGUYEN: Here are some of our top stories this morning.
Hurricane Rick is now a whopping category five storm. It has winds of 180 miles per hour in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. That makes it the second strongest hurricane ever in that part of the world. And forecasters expect it to lose steam though as it heads for Baja, California. That's a little bit of good news, as well as the mainland Mexico area a little bit later this week.
MARCIANO: Pakistani forces pushing forward with day two of a massive ground offensive against the Taliban. The operation is taking place in the tribal region of South Waziristan, which is a power base for militants in that region. Pakistan's military reports 60 insurgents and five soldiers killed so far in the fighting.
NGUYEN: Well, criminal charges now expected in that runaway balloon scare. Police searched the Colorado home of the Heenes yesterday. The family claimed that their giant weather balloon got loose on Thursday. And first, there were fears that their young son was in it, inside the balloon. But he was later found hiding safely at home. Authorities are looking to whether this was a hoax; the Heenes, though, swear it was not.
The death of a young man in Florida has raised a lot of questions about the use of tasers by police.
MARCIANO: And our Josh Levs is following that for us this morning.
Good morning, Josh.
LEVS: Hey, good morning to you guys.
You know, one thing I do on the weekends is look at some of the great reporting we get from our affiliates around the country. And this is a story that's really got a lot of people talking from WKRG.
Let's just go to some video and I'll tell you about it. What happened here is there was an incident in which a young man, a 17- year-old, died after a police officer used his taser on him. And what we do know is the officer had spotted the teenager on a bike at a construction site and tried to talk with this young man. The young man then fled.
Exactly what happened after that, we're not sure, but we do know that, at one point, the officer used his taser on the young man. And witnesses say, after the 17-year-old boy fell off of his bike, the police car then hit him. We know that the 17-year-old died.
It's got -- as you can see, a lot of people very upset, a lot of people talking about this issue that whether tasers are OK to be used in general. And in this case, the Pensacola Police Department has now said police can no longer use these tasers when they're moving inside their cruisers. You can hear how some people are talking about that.
Here's a sound bite. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEXTR WIMBISH, SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL: We are troubled by the fact that the officer would use poor judgment and shoot a taser gun from a moving vehicle to a suspect that ended up causing the untimely death.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is just sad in the entire community.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My prayers are that the truth will come out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEVS: So, what we're seeing there is obviously a lot of people very upset about this and there's a lot of talk about it at this point. And I will say that the officer has been -- is currently on leave with pay.
Now, there's also a counterpoint to this that I find interesting. A lot of what we point to you here is here, CNN.com/US, which is packed with all sorts of affiliate stories.
And I found this, this morning, which is very interesting, from WALB in Albany, Georgia. Look at what they're starting to do. Now, they are having all their police officers -- can we zoom down to this picture -- all their police officers are going to be equipped with these little tiny cameras on their pockets that will keep track of all of their conversations and will keep video of everything that happens.
So it's interesting to see that you have this other police department out there that's coming up with this new technology way of keeping video and audio records of everything that happens while at the same time we're seeing this popular story online out of Pensacola about what may or may not have happened there with the young boy.
So, Rob and Betty, this is something we're going to keep a close eye on the coming days and weeks.
NGUYEN: Yes, no doubt. All right, thanks for that, Josh. We do appreciate it.
LEVS: You got it.
NGUYEN: I want to tell you about this story because there is a new dress code at Morehouse College. And it's called the Appropriate Attire Policy, which means no saggy pants or pajamas in public. Some of these students were going to class in pajamas. No women's clothing or high heels. Mind you, Morehouse is an all-male school.
Well, here's how some students reacted to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVAUGN WATSON, MOREHOUSE STUDENT: A few extra leisure for someone to tell you how you can be comfortable. And you're leisure is kind of stifling your freedom of expression.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: Well, rule breakers are going to face suspension. The whole female clothing thing in the all-male school, there's a handful of openly gay student there and they said this rule is specifically targeting them. So, that's a bit controversial.
So, we're getting some feedback from y'all in our Facebook and Twitter accounts. I got a couple here on my Twitter account, Betty. Interesting points from Mark Logan. He says, "Every institution has a right to have a dress code. And this situation is no different from any other formal arrangements." And also, JP5060, he says, "Private schools have a right to set dress codes, you know, in the classroom. But free time should be just that, in free time, you should be able to dress how you please."
NGUYEN: Yes. I think they're saying, there's one thing about dressing how you want in your dorm, but if you're going to class, you should dress for going to class.
Quickly take you to my Facebook page. JK Washington says, "Sometimes, you have to let go of your childish ways and act more like a man. That's what Morehouse is about, right?"
And then quickly to my Twitter page, Phil Burnett says, "This is college, not the streets. I'm encouraged by Morehouse's stance. Wear that garbage in your dorm or off campus."
And quickly, this is interesting. Kaleeb1 says, "They need to learn how to dress for success. CNN wouldn't have an anchor talking to the nation wearing a grill, right?"
In fact, speaking of grills, that is one of the items on that new dress code that you cannot wear to class.
MARCIANO: No gold teeth.
NGUYEN: Yes. So, make sure you take out your grill before you read this next story.
MARCIANO: So, hit us up on Twitter. Also, hit us up on the blog if you're doing Twitter or Facebook, CNN.com/Betty or CNN.com/TJ.
NGUYEN: Yes. Well, there is much more to come on this show, including amazing 12-year-old is the focus of today's "Faces of Faith."
MARCIANO: Yes. He was inspired to do public service. Now, he's making it his mission to help the poor around the world. That's in the next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Shut up.
MARCIANO: Well, hi.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta stopped by "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien"...
NGUYEN: Yes.
MARCIANO: ... and explained some of his cheating death theories earlier this week.
NGUYEN: And you know what? He got some interesting questions from Conan and actor John C. Reilly. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O'BRIEN")
CONAN O'BRIEN, TALK SHOW HOST: Do you think it's possible that someone can be -- have sustained a life-threatening wound and you could use hydrogen sulfide to sort of get their body -- just almost put a pause on everything for a little bit.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. It's like...
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: And taking them to the hospital.
GUPTA: So, the scenario that was painted for me is that someone takes a mortal wound in the war zone, for example. Medics run over, determine they don't have enough time to actually do something for him -- they just don't have it.
And so, instead of trying to stop the bleeding, they inject this substance and the person completely suspends. They turn gray. Their heart stops, the breathing stops. They get the person on chopper when they can. Fly him to a hospital, get the entire team ready to go and then they reanimate them and they go to work.
O'BRIEN: Sanjay, it's science fiction but this is something that's going to be reality.
GUPTA: Yes.
JOHN C. REILLY, ACTOR: How long before people in Beverly Hills start using this to slow down their aging?
(LAUGHTER)
(INAUDIBLE)
REILLY: This is how I get my career going. You need to save my looks. It's like that sitcom.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: That might be an idea. No, I'm kidding.
But speaking of Sanjay, "HOUSE CALL" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta starts right now.
