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Al Qaeda Holiday Threat; Ice Storms Slams the South; Larry King Signing Off After 25 Years at CNN; Memphis Court Ejects Man for Braided Hairdo; Pair of Thieves Steal Christmas Tree in Cypress; New Addition to Miami Aquarium; Senate Passes Tax Deal, House Votes Today; Hackers Use Free Wi-Fi to Get Personal Information

Aired December 16, 2010 - 09:00   ET

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

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, good morning and thanks, guys. John and Kiran, you guys have a good one.

As it is, 9:00 on the East Coast, 6:00 a.m. out West. Wherever you may be, glad you are right here with us. I am T.J. Holmes sitting in today for Kyra Phillips.

We begin with some news we got just a short time ago. Minutes ago really. Britain's high court has granted bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The ruling supports a lower court decision that he could be freed on bond. Swedish prosecutors want to ask him some questions about sex charges unrelated, though, to WikiLeaks.

We'll continue to follow that story and give you the latest updates as we get them in.

Also, it has been a rough morning, a rough commute for a lot of folks in the eastern part of the country. We've got snow, we've got ice from the upper plains to the Deep South. Icy roads, of course, means a whole lot of accidents.

We'll give you the latest on this weather as it continues for some parts of the country.

Also a TV meteorologist is off the air and under arrest. New York Police say Heidi Jones that you're seeing there lied to them about an attempted sexual assault. They say she admits to lying but everybody's asking the question -- why in the world would she make up this story?

Also, this morning, the federal government going to court over last summer's oil spill in the Gulf. Yesterday, the federal government has now filed a lawsuit against the oil giant BP and several other firms connected to that blown-out well.

All that coming up but here we get started here in the NEWSROOM. Think back, folks. We're almost to Christmas again but think back to Christmas of last year. You're enjoying the day with your family, having Christmas, and then breaking news comes that someone trying to possibly blow up a plane over the U.S.

Yes, the Christmas Day bomber. We all remember that. Now there are new concerns that al Qaeda could once again be planning suicide attacks in the U.S. this holiday season. The U.S. official says the new intelligence is coming from captured insurgents.

CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is following this story for us.

Barbara, hello. We all remember what happened last year around the holidays so now hearing this again, a lot of people will certainly get nervous, but I guess how credible is the information that we're getting?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, T.J., that is exactly what U.S. officials are trying to assess. As you said, here we are again, the holiday season and here we are again talking about a potential, a possible al Qaeda threat.

Why does al Qaeda raise its head seemingly every holiday season? Well, they are trying to cause disruption and they know they can do it at the holiday season when so many people are out and about.

What do we know about this? Well, U.S. officials say they have received information from Iraqi authorities who have talked to captured insurgents, interrogated them and those people say al Qaeda in Iraq is planning attacks possibly against the U.S. or Europe at this holiday season.

Now they say that there's no specific target or timing or specific location associated with it. A U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad gave CNN this following statement. Let me read it.

He says, quote, "We are aware of the announcement by officials within the government of Iraq yesterday regarding alleged terrorist plans for attacks against the U.S. and Europe. The U.S. mission in Iraq will work closely with the government of Iraq and our interagency partners to help determine the extent of any potential threat."

So they're taking it seriously. They're looking into it. But right now, nothing specific in terms of a location or a specific plan -- T.J.?

HOLMES: All right. Looking into it, but is there anything, any talk -- I know this is early and I'm sorry if I'm even putting you on the spot here, but any talk about doing anything any differently at this point as we head for the holidays. More people heading to the airports as well, whether or not they're possibly going to be asking Americans once again to even step up their vigilance if we can step it up any more than we already have?

STARR: Well, you know, I think you just -- you just hit the question right there. Can it be stepped up reasonably any more than it already is? No indication at this point that U.S. authorities are planning any step up but let's remind ourselves.

Vigilance in Europe is also very high. Just a few days ago, that car bomb explosion in Sweden. Swedish authorities very concerned. And over the summer, a lot of intelligence emerging in Germany about potential attacks that let the German authorities to be very concerned. London always concerned. Always vigilant.

So it's that time of the year when so many people are on the move and the massive disruption is possible that everyone is keeping their eyes more than open -- T.J.?

HOLMES: Yes, Barbara Starr, we appreciate you as always. Barbara, thank you so much.

And speaking of Christmas Day last year, that so-called underwear bomber? He is due in court today. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab set to be arraigned on new charges specifically tied to terrorism.

You'll remember, of course, this is the Nigerian man accused of that failed bombing attack aboard a Christmas Day flight to Detroit. Passengers and crewmembers subdued him after they say he tried to ignite an explosive device hidden in his underwear. The new charges mean Abdulmutallab could face life in prison.

The United States still on track to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan and Pakistan next July. A highly anticipated White House report says there's been enough progress in the region to stick with that planned to draw down of forces, but the report also cautions, quote, "these gains remain fragile and reversible."

Let's turn back to Panama City to a story yesterday that captivated so many folks because of that video you saw. Police say that gunman who opened fire during a school board meeting had a grudge and he also had a plan.

His wife, though, is taking a different view. There he is. The suspect. Clay Duke. His wife calling him a gentle giant who didn't want to hurt anyone.

We're going to get back to that in a second. We, of course, need to warn you that some of this video that you're going to see is graphic from that school board meeting. Officers say Duke had circled the day, December 14th, on his home calendar. And that was the day -- that was on Tuesday -- he walked into the meeting with more than two dozen rounds of ammunition.

He spray-painted as you there a "V" on the wall and he started shooting at one point. He missed the board members, eventually killed himself during a shootout with a security guard. Now take a listen to this 911 call that came in from an unidentified woman.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh my gosh. He's firing.

UNIDENTIFIED 911 DISPATCHER: OK.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's firing.

UNIDENTIFIED 911 DISPATCHER: OK.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's firing. I don't know if he turns out -- UNIDENTIFIED 911 DISPATCHER: Are you secure?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We don't believe we need an ambulance. It looks like everybody is up walking.

UNIDENTIFIED 911 DISPATCHER: OK. So the person that was shot --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, they don't know. Right. Somebody is down. Somebody is down.

UNIDENTIFIED 911 DISPATCHER: We don't know who's down?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We don't know.

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED 911 DISPATCHER: OK. Do you have visual of him?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Karen? Everybody's OK? Everybody's OK. Who was shot? The gunman was shot.

UNIDENTIFIED 911 DISPATCHER: The gunman was shot?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The gunman was shot.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Now Duke's wife says it's clear from the video that her husband wasn't trying to hurt anybody except himself.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REBECCA DUKE, GUNMAN'S WIFE: If you totally look at the video, when he starts actually shooting, he's a military man. He's been trained in guns. He knows how to use them. OK? He knows about them.

Now, as close as he was, seriously, people. He was that close. If he really wanted to shoot somebody, they would have already been dead.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Now Rebecca Duke there is a former teacher for the school district who lost her job last year. He says her husband was upset about the firing and the world simply got the best of him.

Let's turn now to the weather and parts of the country including the south. Having some issues with the commute this morning. Of course, as you get all that ice on the ground, you know what happens. You get pile-ups, fender benders on those frozen streets including in and around the Atlanta area.

Up in Minnesota, another leak, as well, for the Metrodome. You will remember these pictures from over the weekend. The snow piled on top of that building just a little too heavy and caused a hole, caused that bubble up there, if you will, to sink. You saw this video of snow coming through. Well, now they have another problem. Snow continues to dump. Another panel has crumbled under the weight of that snow. The repair work has now been suspended for the time being.

Workers are checking this new dodge. So don't know when the Vikings are going to end up back in the Metrodome.

Also, take a look at this picture. This is a Lake Erie lighthouse. You can't even make up probably what it is but it is a Lake Erie lighthouse. Frozen solid. You see how it could possibly happen. Water gets tossed up on it, water freezes and that's what you get.

The Coast Guard telling boaters to beware because the ice is cold -- the ice cold, that ice could obscure some of those navigation aids that the lighthouses are meant for.

Our Rob Marciano live for us out in Louisville.

Rob, how are you?

ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I'm cold. How are you?

HOLMES: I'm a little better than cold. It's a little cold in Atlanta, of course. And we saw the streets here.

How are the streets there? Louisville was supposed to be one of the spots that was really under the gun when it comes to this ice.

MARCIANO: Yes. You're right about that. And Louisville did get much -- hit much harder than places like Atlanta and Huntsville and Birmingham who had freezing rain but Louisville's prepared for it. And Louisville already had a couple of inches of snow over the weekend so the roads which are pretty good right now were pretty much pre- treated. So not too shabby.

But last night, you know, things were looking a little bit slick. When we woke up this morning, pretty much the roads and the sidewalks coated in ice. Temperatures are still right about freezing but between the salt and the traffic moving over the roadways, we're doing OK.

You know you throw salt on there it lowers the freezing temperature of water well into the 20s so that's all you really need to help.

Atlanta, no such luck. One, they weren't expecting a whole lot of freezing rain. Two, not really prepared as far as pre-salting the roads. Cherokee County, especially hard hit last night and this morning. Hundreds of accidents around the Atlanta metro area and even a few onramps and off ramps and overpasses closed this morning. But temperatures are rising quickly.

Scary stuff.

(WEATHER REPORT) MARCIANO. Home of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Louisville Sluggers. It is not a day made for man nor beast nor baseball player. That's for sure.

T.J., back over to you.

HOLMES: You handling it just fine. You wrapped it all up there for us in weather.

Rob, we appreciate you as always, buddy. And we will talk to you again real soon.

We're going to turn to Capitol Hill now where, folks, if they don't do something your taxes are going to go up in about two weeks. If something is not done on Capitol Hill.

This morning, the House is going to take up the Bush era tax cuts but of course we know this deadline is looming and there are still a few obstacles here. Some Democrats, as you know, are against cuts for the wealthiest Americans. However, it seems many have gotten past that point and willing to have that be a part of this compromise.

Many Democrats -- excuse me -- also against the estate tax which they say would also just benefit the rich. Both parties worried that the 13-month extension of jobless benefits that's in this compromise will only add to the nation's staggering deficit.

Now again hanging over the objection is this warning. Republicans say they will walk, they will walk away from this deal if any changes are made from the Senate version that was just approved yesterday to the House when they get their hands on it and decide to vote on something.

They say if it's changed one bit, that kind of puts this whole deal up in limbo. If it doesn't get done, again, your taxes in about two plus weeks are going to go up.

We are monitoring all of that on Capitol Hill closely. We will have a live report for you from there in just a few moments.

Excuse me. Been a little under the weather here in Atlanta. Forgive the cough. Let's move on.

Let me show you some video here. Take a look at this guy's hair. You see that? Get a little closer to the screen there. You see that? Well, that's his style of choice. OK? He likes it. That's fine. Everybody has their own style, their own thing. But a judge doesn't like it. You'll have to hear what happens next.

Also, it's the season of giving. Not taking. Of all things to take, how do you take the Christmas tree?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Well, it's 17 minutes past the hour. Time, now, to travel Cross Country. The first stop, in my old stomping ground, Memphis, Tennessee, where this guy's hair's got him banned from traffic court. Bobby Todd says a bailiff told him he had to leave because of how his 'do looked.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOBBY TODD, BANNED FROM COURT BECAUSE OF BRAIDS: Can you explain to me how does a black man supposed to wear his hair? And he just asked me to leave.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: We're told court officials declined to comment. There is, however, a dress code that's posted at that Memphis court. It also bans halter tops, shorts, and tank tops.

We turn, now, to Cypress, Texas. A pair of thieves swiped a Christmas tree. A Christmas tree from a VFW post. It was all caught on this surveillance tape, as you see here. They also made off with an inflatable Santa Claus and a snow globe. A Christmas tree.

Also, let's turn to Miami's Seaquarium. They have a new addition, a baby dolphin that was born a couple of days ago. The water park wants help, though, with the name. They have launched a name that dolphin contest.

Let's turn back to Capitol Hill now. Like I told you a moment ago, in just over two weeks, if doesn't take place on Capitol Hill, your taxes are going to go up. So, the House is taking up that tax cut compromise that was reached between the White House and Republicans. Some Democrats, of course, upset about that compromise.

But the Senate has already passed that compromise. So now, it's in the House's hands. Brianna Keilar on Capitol Hill for us. Brianna, they're taking it up today. How quickly are they going to move to end debate on it or add or take away, and then finally vote on this thing?

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's going to move pretty quickly, but the big question here, T.J., is, are Democrats going to be changing this bill which Republicans have said, "You can't change it. This whole deal is going to unravel if you change it."

And a lot of liberal Democrats in the House say, "You know what? We have a big problem with this estate tax in here that we feel is a giveaway to the rich."

So, here's what's going to happen today in the House. We're going to be seeing this going down this afternoon. It is going to be two different votes, and the first one is going to be a vote on the change to this estate tax that is at a lower rate than a lot of Democrats would like to see. Then, we're going to be seeing a vote on the underlying bill.

What does this do? This allows some of those liberal Democrats that just -- they downright hate this, T.J.. It allows them to get on the record saying, "We don't like this."

If it were to fail, then the big question would be, would enough of them get behind the overall bill, just kind of hold their nose, even without this change in the estate tax, and pass this through? There's still, obviously, some sort of uncertainty about how this is all going to go down.

But bottom line, I have to tell you, no one is saying that tax cuts are not going to be extended. But the thing is, when you get this close to the wire, everyone just starts to bite their nails and really worry that it's in jeopardy, T.J..

HOLMES: They're going to get this done. They have to get this done. And it's amazing, we're talking about estate tax that only affects a few thousand people in this country is really the thing that's holding this up. Brianna, we know you're on it. We'll continue to check in with you, and if anything pops out of there, by all means, let us know and we will get you right back on the air. All right? Thanks so much, Brianna. Good to see you.

Coming up next, we're going to be talking about just how vulnerable you are when you get on the internet. You know, don't you just love that free Wi-Fi? For hackers, they love that free Wi-Fi, too. They love it because you love it, and it makes stealing your identity oh so much easier.

(MUSIC - "Somebody's Watching Me")

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: We continue now with our week-long series on End of Privacy. Up now, the use of public Wi-Fi in restaurants, in malls, airports. Very convenient. It's also a little risky. Hackers target places like that, trolling for personal information they can use to steal to use your identity. CNN's Ted Rowlands sat down with a former hacker to show you how easy it is to do.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Inside Terminal Five at the Los Angeles International Airport, dozens of people are on their computers. Gregory Evans is a former hacker whose resume includes two years in federal prison.

GREGORY EVANS, CONVICTED COMPUTER HACKER: We were doing almost a million dollars, if not more, a week against some of the biggest corporations in the world.

ROWLANDS (voice-over): We set up in the corner of the terminal so Evans, who now owns a cyber-security company, could show us just how vulnerable people are to hackers.

EVANS: I will go and set up a fake Wi-Fi and watch everybody connect to it. And once they connect to it and they start surfing the internet, now what I'll do is just grab all their traffic.

ROWLANDS (voice-over): We launched a fake network named LAX Free Wi- Fi. Within minutes, people started connecting to it. Evans then showed us how a hacker can record everything off of a computer that joined our network by tracking what I was doing on my laptop.

EVANS: So, if they go to their bank, it'll grab all their banking information. If they go to their Facebook, it'll grab all that. Their Twitter accounts, if they're writing love letters, I can grab all of that.

ROWLANDS (voice-over): Or, Evans says, even worse, if a hacker has enough time, spyware can be installed, which stays with the victim.

EVANS: You get on the plane, you go one to country, I go to another. But everything that you do, as long as you have that computer, is going to be e-mailed back to me.

ROWLANDS (voice-over): During our experiment, we stumbled across what appeared to be a real hacker at work. Along with our fake network, there was another one called Free Public Wi-Fi. Airport administrators told us T-Mobile is the only authorized Wi-Fi provider.

ROWLANDS (on camera): So, you think that there could be a hacker here right now?

EVANS: That's correct.

ROWLANDS (voice-over): Catching and prosecuting a hacker, especially at an airport, is extremely difficult. EJ Hilbert is a retired FBI agent who specialized in cyber-crime.

EJ HILBERT, RETIRED FBI AGENT/ONLINE INTELLIGENCE: It's virtually impossible to catch them. Law enforcement's aware of this, and there's always the next piece. You steal the cards, you steal the information, you've got to use them somewhere. And that's when you start getting the real investigations going.

ROWLANDS (on camera): Experts say there are a few things you can do to protect yourself. If you're at an airport or a public spot, find out who the Wi-Fi provider is and use that. If it costs some money, pay the money. They also say change your password every now and then, and use different passwords for different accounts. Another tip, turn your computer off when you're not using it.

ROWLANDS (voice-over): And if you do go online using a public Wi-Fi, keep in mind that someone may be watching you.

EVANS: You don't know if you're getting on a true Wi-Fi or you're connecting to some hacker's network. Like, you don't know if you're connecting to me, or if you're really connecting to the airport.

ROWLANDS (voice-over): Ted Rowlands, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Coming up next, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, he is getting out of jail, but there will be some conditions. We're heading to London after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) (STOCK MARKET REPORT)

HOLMES: Well we're at the bottom of the hour here. About 6:30 out west, 9:30 in the east wherever you are. Glad you are right here. Tell you what we're keeping an eye on here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

Certainly keeping an eye on the weather. It's been a mix of snow and ice from the Upper Plains to the Deep South. The Thursday morning commute was a doozy. Icy roads blamed for dozens and dozens of accidents in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, as well.

A TV meteorologist in New York is off the air. Police say Heidi Jones, you're seeing there, they say she lied about an attempted sexual assault. They say she now admits to lying but everyone's wondering now, why? They're not clear about the motive right now. Her bosses at WABC-TV have suspended her.

Also, here we are a year after the infamous underwear bomber incident and now word al-Qaeda is planning suicide attacks in the United States and Europe this holiday season. The officials say that word coming from captured insurgents in Iraq. There's no specific threat, however, against the United States.

We are going to get back now to that developing story out of London. We got this just a short time ago, that a British court granted bail for Julian Assange. He, of course, the WikiLeaks founder. He's been in jail since last week, wanted in Sweden on sex charges. Sweden did not want him out on bail.

Atika Shubert is live for us now in London.

Atika, he's granted bail but still he has to get that money together and has to post it. So he's not out just yet, is he?

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No, he's not out just yet. They're basically waiting to make sure that that more than $300,000 is actually hit the court's account. And when that's finally basically achieved, then they will allow him to walk out the front door. And we are hoping to get a statement from him.

Basically the judge ruled that he is not a fugitive and that he did not exhibit any behavior to suggest that he would be fleeing justice or that he would refuse to surrender himself to the court. They point to the fact he did submit himself for questioning in Sweden. He did ask for permission to leave Sweden and then once he came to Britain, he actually volunteered surrendered himself to police. These are things that the judge took into account making that decision.

His lawyers, Julian Assange's lawyers, came out briefly just about 15 minutes ago to give a statement saying that they hope that he will be released today.

Here's what they said.

I understand we don't have that sound bite but what they basically sound was that they hope he'll be released, that they're delighted that he has now gotten bail, and they do expect him not to return to the prison, but to instead, go to the Manor House which will become his residence while the legal proceedings ongoing. It's a 600-acre estate which has a 18th century mansion on it. So he will be living in luxury waiting out this trial -- T.J.

HOLMES: Waits out? Do we know when Sweden might be able to get their hands on him? They didn't want him released in the first place. Any idea when he might, or if he might be heading back to Sweden?

SHUBERT: Well, that's the next step is the extradition hearing. That -- we won't be talking about proceedings like that until January and February is now being mooted as the possible date for the actual extradition hearing when we'd get a decision.

But yes, that has always been the concern that Sweden really just wants to get him into custody so they can try them himselves (sic).

HOLMES: Atika Shubert, we appreciate you, as always. Thank you so much.

Want to turn to the White House now. President Obama is going to be speaking at an event there at the White House, speaking at the White House to a tribal nations conference that's taking place there. They've invited Native American leaders from some 565 federally- recognized tribes. They get a chance to be up close and personal with the president. Each tribe sent one representative.

But again, that is expected to get under way. It might be getting underway as we speak. We're hoping to have a live picture from inside. If we do get one, or the president makes some comments, we will monitor that and bring it to you.

Well, it's been 25 years, 25 years and Larry King will sign off tonight.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY KING, CNN HOST: My name is Larry King and this is the premier edition of "LARRY KING LIVE." Every night at this time we'll be here for one hour.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: We're going to be taking a look back at his remarkable, remarkable career.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(VIDEO CLIP, PUNCH LINE)

HOLMES: We turn from that to politics for you now. And for some folks, certainly some folks, in our political unit, it's never too early to be talking about the White House race in 2012.

Our deputy political director Paul Steinhauser lives for this stuff. He has the story for us from the CNNPolitics.com desk.

And Paul, the survey says --

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: T.J., never too early. Never too early. Hey, listen, starting next year you're going to see a lot of these Republicans come out of the closet, start announcing for the White House. But there's polls out already, obviously, on the race for the White House and take a look at this.

New this morning, NBC/"Wall Street Journal" hypothetical, President Obama versus unnamed Republican, you can see, it's a pretty close contest right now. The president ahead for a few points, 42 to 39 percent. That's what this poll suggests. But when you start putting some names on those GOP candidate, the changes, the President ahead by seven points over Mitt Romney.

And check this out, the president versus Sarah Palin, in a very hypothetical matchup in 2012, and this poll from NBC/Wall Street Journal indicates the president far ahead of Sarah Palin. Remember, hypotheticals here, 2012 election, a long, long, long, long, long way away, T.J.

But, some of these possible contenders are starting to talk out about that tax cut compromise. It passed the Senate yesterday. It's going to be voted on in the House today. Rick Santorum, add him to the list of possible contenders who may want to run for the White House, who is against the deal. The former senator from Pennsylvania who is thinking about running for the White House was in Iowa yesterday. Interesting state to be, of course. And he came out against the plan. He joins Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin and Mike Pence, as those are possible contenders who are against that tax cut compromise, T.J.

HOLMES: All right. As always, you are a numbers guy as always.

What do we hear the Americans feel? Always hear about the politicians feel about these compromises, these deals. With this tax cut now, Americans think what?

STEINHAUSER: Yes. I mean, we've been talking about this for a while. And there's a brand-new poll this out morning, again from NBC/"Wall Street Journal" and it indicates that about six in 10 Americans give a thumb's up to that tax cut compromise plan, which of course, also extends long-term unemployment benefits.

And those numbers, T.J., are pretty much in line with other recent surveys from other organizations we've seen over the last couple of weeks. So there you go.

HOLMES: All right. We appreciate you as always.

Paul Steinhauser, good to see you, buddy. Thanks so much.

STEINHAUSER: Thank you.

HOLMES: Well, today as many of you may know, marks the end of an era here at CNN. Larry King is going to sign off for the final time tonight after 25 years as host to the stars on CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE."

Let's take a look back.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LARRY KING, CNN ANCHOR: Good evening. My name is Larry King, and this is the premiere edition of "Larry King Live." Every night at this time, we'll be here for one hour. We're going to meet fascinating people from all walks of life.

You're a legend. I mean, you do know that?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody is really a legend, but nobody nor (ph) normal people in the world.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE) is almost impossible.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From here up, I'm fine. From here down, I need makeup.

(SINGING) everybody going to dance around tonight.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Larry, kiss me, just do it now, don't be afraid, hold me. I love you. Your nipples are hard.

KING: Struggling, too.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wait, wait.

KING: Dance, dance.

SNOOP DOGG, RAPPER: See, I told you low to the floor.

KING: I'm low to the floor.

You want more children?

BRAD PITT, ACTOR: Oh, yes, yes, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're pointing glance right here man, right back there. When a dog eats it -- no, no he's not going to hurt you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get away from me. Get off of me.

HEATHER MILLS, FORMER WIFE OF PAUL MCCARTNEY: Paul is going to get upset. You're touching my leg, Larry.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You must have conjured something in your head for you to come out and call me a murderer of my child.

BILL COSBY, ACTOR: We went downhill carrying that coffin feeling like slaves and we're going uphill feeling like free people.

MARLON BRANDO, ACTOR: When the chapel bells ring out --

KING: I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse -- BRANDO: Darling. Good-bye.

KING: Good-bye.

CHRISTOPHER REEVES, ACTOR: Like an accident didn't help. And that wasn't road I would have picked but a lot of times things you know get picked for you.

JOHNNY CASH, ACTOR: Why should I be bitter? I'm thrilled to death with life.

MATTIE STEPANEK, POET: Is peace possible? Can we do it? Why are we even trying?

TAMMY FAYE MESSNER, EVANGELIST: Jesus, Jesus. You know, the Bible says that his name is all powerful; that his name is above every name.

ELIZABETH EDWARDS, JOHN EDWARDS WIFE: Don't spend your time worrying about when it is you're going to die. Spend your time worrying about how it is you're going to live today.

STEVE IRWIN, ANIMAL PLANET: That's why I was put on this earth, to try to help conserve our trees, our wilderness, our oceans and our wildlife.

KING: Police radio are saying that Simpson, the passenger in the car, has a gun at his head.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I will not run as either a Democrat or a Republican.

GEORGE W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I know, that's kind of a line you're trying to come across with. But either -- no. It's weak.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You said your sons --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No that you guys never do anything but propaganda.

KING: Was there a holocaust?

MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, PRESIDENT OF IRAN (through translator): You want to impose your viewpoint on me --

KING: No, it's not a viewpoint it's a question.

RICHARD NIXON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, I've never been in the Watergate. So it's kind of hard --

KING: Never been in? Never in --

NIXON: No, no. Other people are in there. But no unfortunately.

KING: And still a Texas driver's license?

GEORGE H.W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Yes. You want to see it?

KING: Yes.

VIRGINIA CLINTON, MOTHER OF BILL CLINTON: I don't have a question. I have a statement, please.

KING: Go.

V. CLINTON: I want to say hello to my son Bill Clinton.

BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Hi, mother.

MARGARET THATCHER, FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF U.K.: That's a strange question to ask.

KING: What happened with the submarine?

VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRIME MINISTER OF RUSSIA (through translator): It sunk.

KING: Does it come with a curse of any kind?

ELIZABETH TAYLOR, ACTRESS: Oh, no. It comes with so much love.

KING: What's it like to kill someone?

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

JERMAINE JACKSON, BROTHER OF MICHAEL JACKSON: It's his creation, this is his idea. To come here and to feel him here. I'm happy.

KING: We're also going live to Haiti showing you specifically what your donations mean.

For now, for here, it's time to hang up the nightly suspenders. And who knows what the future's going to bring?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Ok. We know you are not going to miss this. It's tonight. It's tonight. This is it. Twenty-five years coming to an end here on CNN. Larry is going to have a star-studded hour. A lot of surprise guests. Again, the final live show of "Larry King Live" tonight 9:00 Eastern.

Well, she is one of the most decorated gymnasts around but lately she's been making headlines as the alleged mistress of Russia's prime minister. And now, she's a cover girl.

But first, hard to believe it's been nearly 250 years since a group of angry columnists disguised themselves as Indians and raided three ships in the Boston harbor. It was on this day, December 16th, 1773 that those columnists staged what became known as the Boston Tea Party.

Fast forward to today. There's a new party around. You may have heard of it. Their anger over spending and big government has changed the political landscape.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: All right, scanning the "Morning Passport" for you now, we begun in England where the London Chess Classic just wrapped up. And Magnus Carlson (ph) took home the trophy for the two years in a row now.

But the question this morning, is chess a game or is it a sport? Yes, it's competitive. Yes, it's intense, requires a lot of mental and sometimes some physical stamina to endure those matches. And we're told a few years ago, one player left a tournament 20 pounds lighter actually.

The International Olympic Committee may have already answered the question, though, it considers chess a sport.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GARRY KASPAROV, FORMER WORLD CHESS CHAMPION: Chess is a very tiring game so -- and its -- if you look at the -- the sacrifices, you know, that a professional player makes to preparation and -- and -- and the game you know with his energy, sometimes losing weight, and being totally exhausted, yes, you can hardly find physical sports that could be so demanding.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: You -- you -- you sit down across from a table, it's on a table right, and you've got one opponent across and you move some pieces around, right? Ok, checkers is a sport as well. That word just in here to the CNN NEWSROOM.

We're going to turn to Moscow now. the alleged mistress of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has now snagged as you see there, the cover of Russian Vogue's January issue. It is all the buzz in the fashion and political circles in Russia, in case you run around in those circles.

Twenty-seven-year-old, Alina Kabaeva. Kabaeva, I believe is her name. She's an Olympic gold medal winning gymnast. She gave birth to a son last year, the father never been named. Both Putin who is married and the alleged mistress have denied allegations of any affair.

Now we are following a whole lot of developments in the next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM. First, let's check in with Rob Marciano. Hey there, Rob.

ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Hey, T.J. Louisville, Kentucky, Nashville, Atlanta, all spots not used to this kind of winter weather. And this area was coated in ice earlier this morning. The freezing rain has stopped at least for now, but the storm is on the move east. We'll have a live weather report from Louisville, Kentucky in the next hour.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Brianna Keilar on Capitol Hill, it's two weeks until your tax rates are set to go up, two weeks until unemployment benefits are set to expire for millions of Americans. Will a House vote today stop that from happening or have us biting our nails a little longer? I'll have that at the top of the hour.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Stephanie Elam in New York. Looking for a job? Well, who better to get a vote about whether jobs -- a company is a good one to work for than from the people who work there now. We have the list of the best places to work according to employees of these companies and we'll tell you if these companies are hiring and what kind of jobs they're looking to fill -- T.J.

HOLMES: Are we on the list, Stephanie? Turner Broadcasting?

ELAM: Not in the top five, but I still say --

(CROSSTALK)

HOLMES: Ok. Stephanie, Brianna and Rob. Yes, we are all happy to be working here, I should say on behalf of all of you.

ELAM: We're very happy, we're all smiling.

HOLMES: All right, thanks so much, guys. We'll see you guys soon.

Also coming up next hour, we're asking the question, is the statue of Liberty the lady she appears to be? Or does Lady Liberty hold a dark message, a dark secret that's right in front of our eyes? Interesting stuff whether you believe it or not. We're going to be talking to Brad Miltzer. He joins us next hour to the code one of America's most celebrated icons.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TONY HARRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is "Thriller"? Are we changing this Evert? They want me to do --

HOLMES: I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to do that.

(CROSSTALK)

HARRIS: Thank you.

Because Kyra would have me doing the dance and the shimmy and the shake.

HOLMES: No, you don't have to.

HARRIS: Thank you. How are you?

HOLMES: Good to see you, man. I always say we don't do enough TV together. HARRIS: And we ought to.

HOLMES: We ought to.

HARRIS: Have you ever been to a Knicks game in the Garden?

HOLMES: Have not been to the Garden.

HARRIS: You have to do that. And if you can do it, you should do it in this current run this season.

HOLMES: How long is it going to last.

(CROSSTALK)

HARRIS: Because we don't know how long. Because the Knicks haven't been relevant -- what -- in 10 years, 15 years.

HOLMES: In a long time.

HARRIS: Big game last night. The Knicks and the Celtics, everybody wants to make this out to be a rivalry game. In my opinion, it's not a rivalry game until the Knicks beat the Celtics in a really important game. This is regular season.

But it was a heck of a ball game last night. We're talking about big shot after big shot in this game. Amare Stoudemire, who is the difference maker in New York, right? You've watched this guy's entire career.

He was amazing. Thirty points again last night, for the ninth straight game. That was it right there -- that was the dagger right there. And Paul Pierce, superstar for the Celtics hitting the shot with 10 seconds left to give the Celtics a lead.

HOLMES: Now that -- that was the moment.

HARRIS: Yes.

The Garden is losing its mind because Amare goes up for this three, it goes down, everyone thinks that's the game winning shot, but as you can see -- he didn't release it in time, four-tenths of a second left on the clock -- and we know because we watched. You can't get a catch and release in four seconds and so the Knicks lose.

But get there if you can. It is a terrific scene --

HOLMES: But it sets up now, something to look forward to when those two meet up again.

HARRIS: And are you anxious to see the Friday game in New York with the Heat?

HOLMES: With the Heat.

HARRIS: That's going to be terrific. You've been following the Sal Alosi story, I know that.

HOLMES: Yes, this guy.

HARRIS: Yes. How do you -- do you feel as though he is being scapegoated? Sal Alosi is the strength and conditioning --

HOLMES: I think so, yes.

HARRIS: Yes.

HOLMES: I'm sorry to say that. But still you're not supposed to trip -- you go ahead and set the whole thing up.

HARRIS: All right. So here it is. Sal Alosi is the strength and conditioning coach for the Jets, and he trips this player from the Miami Dolphins, who is the gutter going down on kick coverage. Right. He trips and he sticks out his knee. He trips the guy, the guy could have been seriously hurt. But he wasn't.

HOLMES: Coach apologized.

HARRIS: Coach apologizes , but now the internal investigation from the Jets -- what do you do, they talk to the team manager? Learns that Alosi may have had a hand in recruiting the players to stand up and form this wall, players in an illegal area, so the guy who was supposed to be the get back coach when things go wrong is now the "get up here coach".

I have to go, man. Stop --

HOLMES: Before you go, is chess a sport or is it a game?

HARRIS: It's hard. That's what it is.

HOLMES: It stands to take.

As always, Tony. We'll see him in one hour. Tone (ph) is coming back, of course, top of the hour, next hour.

Tony Harris, always good to see you, my man.