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More Storms On The Move; Houston School Shooting; The Gulf: One Year Later; President's Deficit Tour; McDonald's to Hire 50,000: Lawsuit Against Taco Bell Dropped; Some Not so "Happy Days"; Just Say No to Prescription Meds; Convicted of Human Trafficking; Robots Test Radiation in Japan; Creating the Middleton Coat of Arms

Aired April 19, 2011 - 13:00   ET

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

RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: Hi there, Suzanne. Thank you.

Too hot, too dry, too windy, too many wildfires in Texas, 10 new ones since yesterday. A spring storm could do wonders, but from Oklahoma to Indiana, they're not bracing for wonders, they're bracing for damage.

We'll get to the latest severe weather threat in just a moment, but I want to begin with the really, really stressful scenario in Texas. I'm quoting a pregnant woman whose husband is helping fight the fires, and whose home she says is in constant danger.

Just look at the map, 252 of the state's 254 counties are said to be burning. Look at all that red, that's what's burning, or they might be in danger of burning, or otherwise affected by wild fire. The only counties not on the governor's major disaster list, San Patricio, southwest of Galveston, and Wood, just east of Dallas.

CNN's Ed Lavandera is roughly 90 miles west of Fort Worth, near the town of Possum Kingdom. Ed, what's going on around you right now?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Randi, just a little while ago, actually all of the -- the fire -- there were about five or six fire crews that had descended on this ranch property here, because you can see here in the distance thee, you see the green and then the dry grass, and then it hits the burn line.

And -- but in the last hour and a half, there was quite a line of fire, if you follow from the left of your screen down to the right, there was flames about five feet high coming off the ground. And we were here as these fire crews descended on this.

But as you can see, some of the smoke that's still coming off the ground there, and those hot spots, you can see how strong the winds are. And the concern here was is that as the wind pushed from left to right, that it would jump this roadway right over here, and look at all this brush, these small trees, big wide open field of all that, and that is nothing but a fresh fuel for those fires. So, they were really concerned and that's why they descended on this spot so quickly on the southern edge of Possum Kingdom Lake.

And they were afraid that if the fire got into this area it would have been a really devastating scene. So, crews descended on here and we also saw, as we were standing here on the edge of this fence line, those C-130 aircraft dumping fire suppressant and came over.

They made five runs over this area, and you can see it and some of it -- some of this -- the suppressant that they dropped actually landed on us as they were standing here. But that fire suppressant they just dropped it right along that line and it took about an hour or so to kind of get everything under control and as you can see, they feel confident that for now this area is much safer.

They say that they might have to come back to this area to check it out. But also, look at one of the things they were trying to protect, as well, as you see here, structures in the background, homes, some barns and that sort of thing.

And if you look in the background, you see a couple of heavy bulldozers, and with those bulldozers, they've come on to this property, and they're doing passes along these structures to get rid of all of that dry brush that they're worried about catching on fire, any kind of embers getting tossed up in the air can land on that and easily start a fire.

So, that's what those heavy bulldozers are doing right now. They've been making passes around those homes and those barns to try to keep them safe.

So, as soon as they're done there, they'll hit another location, and the firefighters here, they fell in here, and Randi, they were -- they were gone as soon as they were done, and they say that it's going to be a crazy afternoon for them jumping from spot to spot, putting out fires, just like this, all over this area on the southern edge of Possum Kingdom Lake -- Randi.

KAYE: Yes, it sounds like they're trying to play catch-up. You have a unique view there on the ground, but you are seeing progress, I mean, you seem to believe that these C-130s and the fire deterrent that they're carrying are helping?

LAVANDERA: Well, in these situations, it does help, because one of the firefighters was telling me that this was a perfect scenario for it, the line was going right along the wind here in a little canyon-like area and the plane could just easily come through here. Some of the other areas are tougher to hit.

But think about this, Randi, this fire -- and it's a series of fires around Possum Kingdom Lake which have been kind of brought together, so it's like four or five different fires that essentially have merged into one giant fire that have burned 150,000 acres in the last week. And authorities say by last count, they only have 30 percent of it contained.

KAYE: All right. Ed Lavandera there for us, watching them try to get control of those wildfires in Texas. Ed, thank you.

And now, let's get the very latest on the weather conditions in Texas and beyond, with Chad Myers. So hot there, so dry, is there any hope, any relief in sight?

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: No, there really isn't. And in fact, tonight, there's going to be a piece of a jet stream that comes over that will affect them tomorrow with more gusty winds tomorrow.

During the day, the air goes up and down, just like you're flying in an airplane, kind of get bubbles, you know, you get turbulence. That tumbles down some of the fast wind aloft, that is the jet stream, so the winds get gusty during the day. In the evening, that up and down stops, planes get smoother, and you don't get the wind, so the wind dies off, because you're not mixing in the jet stream with the low level wind. It's called decoupling the atmosphere.

Let's go right here to Texas. This is the area here, New Mexico, Texas, that we will see the fires again today. Believe it or not, this is a NASA image, taking a picture of Texas, and you can see -- you can just see the smoke coming across all of these in every -- it's hard to see on TV right now, but little hot spots, little red spots that show, from the satellite, where the satellite is seeing the heat. The heat from the fires. Obviously not the heat from the 99-degree heat, just the heat from the fires alone.

And then to the east of there, that's where the severe weather is going to be, anywhere from Indianapolis through Cincinnati back down to little rock. That's all part of the next little impulse coming through, part of that same little piece of jet stream. That will come through and make severe weather right through here today.

KAYE: How severe?

MYERS: Maybe five tornadoes. Now, that's not 127 like we've counted so far over the past couple days, but sometimes a minimal day or just kind of a -- we think there might be severe weather day can be a big day because other storms don't get in the way of other storms, they're not bumping into each other. We'll be here all night watching it. And that, yes, that is snow on the north side.

KAYE: Oh, my.

MYERS: Yes.

KAYE: All right. Well, we'll keep an eye on that as well. They could use some of that in Texas, that would help. All right, Chad, thank you.

MYERS: You're welcome.

KAYE: Our "Sound Effect" is a painful memory from the deadliest act of home-grown terror this country has ever seen. On this date in 1995, Timothy McVeigh blew up a truck bomb outside the Alfred P. Murrow federal building in Oklahoma City, 168 people, some of them children in a daycare center, were killed. This may be hard for you to watch.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is thick smoke still coming from the building and on the ground. Holy cow, about a -- about a -- about a third of the building has been blown away.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You are not watching some scene of international catastrophe. You are looking at your own backyard, downtown Oklahoma City is in flames, and smoke right now. The injuries are numerous.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have emergency workers walking around, scratching their heads, saying they couldn't even estimate the number of victims inside, they wouldn't even venture to guess at a death toll. You can just look at that building and just imagine the worst at this point.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You just can't imagine it, there are just bodies laying (sic) everywhere, there are people just laying there screaming trying to get out. And I have helped rescue several bodies, a bunch of babies, that we've had to drag out. It's just a real gruesome sight.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Anyone here? There's a child here!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just got down here, trying to find out -- they run --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have a live picture right now, we are told there may be another explosion in the area.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE; What happened to you, sir?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We were on the fifth floor, the three of us. When it -- whatever happened, happened.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You were on the first floor?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fifth floor.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Fifth floor. What happened then?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You went under a table?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I Went under a table when the ceiling started to fall in.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just the roar of the whole building crumbling, and where I was sitting is the only place the floor didn't cave in. Right over here, the floor was gone. And --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because of this guy I might have lost my 3- year-old daughter, and my husband, and my 4-year-old. Whoever did this, I hope you're happy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: Hundreds gathered this morning at the national memorial and museum in Oklahoma City for 168 seconds of silence, beginning at 9:02:00 a.m. when that blast occurred.

It's the worst oil spill this country has ever seen. How are the people of the Gulf faring now, one year later? A live report from New Orleans is straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: And we have some breaking news out of Houston that we want to get you right to. These are aerials that you're looking at from our affiliate, KPRC.

This is the Betsy Ross Elementary School in northeast Houston, where we understand, according to our affiliate KHOU, police are confirming a kindergarten student -- let me repeat that, a kindergarten student, brought a loaded gun to school, and it accidentally went off, apparently, it fell from his pocket in the school cafeteria. This is a kindergarten student with a gun at school.

Apparently, a single bullet grazed three victims. None of the children, two boys and a girl we're being told, appear to be seriously hurt. They were all conscious, they were sitting up on stretchers as they were loaded into the ambulance.

Several ambulances did respond, parents also rushed to the scene after learning of the shooting. The school we are told, is on lockdown, but once again, breaking news out of Houston where our affiliate KHOU is confirming that a kindergarten student brought a gun to school, it accidentally went off while in the cafeteria. It apparently fell from the student's pocket.

We'll continue to follow this and bring you the very latest as we get it in here to CNN.

One year ago tomorrow, the Deepwater horizon rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, triggering the world's worst accidental oil spill.

And CNN has been asking iReporters in the Gulf region to send messages in the sand about the anniversary. Some were bleak, like this, of a bird carcass in Grand Isle, Louisiana, with the initials, for rest in place - rest in peace, made from tar balls.

Another simply says, help. How much help did those affected receive, and do they need more?

CNN's Rob Marciano has an update from one charter captain, who's still angry, but for new reasons.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How you been, man?

ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST (voice-over): We met charter boat Captain Josh Forsythe a year ago at the height of the oil spill. Then, he was having no luck getting work as a vessel of opportunity, so we put him on CNN. JOSH FORSYTHE, CHARTER CAPTAIN: The first time that you all aired the piece, we got a call, and they wanted to put us in charting in two weeks, and then after we took you out on the boat, we got a call the next day, they put us in training then in two days.

MARCIANO: Built to pull fish from the Gulf, the bone collector was now pulling oil-coated boom. It was tough, dirty work.

FORSYTHE: We got pictures where you can literally can barely see the white on this boat, it's nothing but oil. Like, we're slipping and sliding around in it, wearing Tyvek suits in 110 degree weather, it was crazy.

MARCIANO: Months of cleaning up oil caused serious damage to the boat. And Josh's father Ted, a charter captain himself says, BP is not making good on their agreement to fix it.

TED FORSYTHE, CHARTER CAPTAIN: We were one of those boats with the attitude, we're going to attack this oil, we're going to work on it, we're going to help clean this stuff up. So, we put the boat through the hoops, and we relied on them to their word, and they were told every day, we'll take care of it, we'll take care of it. Until it comes time it pay, and then they deny our claims.

MARCIANO: Denied the whole thing. You've got a $150,000 claim for damage to this boat and they just said, well we're not --

FORSYTHE: They agreed to $1,200.

MARCIANO: Not only do they say BP denied most of their claim, the joint incident command actually featured the bone collector in a video, promoting the Vessels of Opportunity program. We asked BP about it, but they said, as a policy, they don't comment on individual claims.

FORSYTHE: We worked, we went out there and busted our tail for BP to clean this oil up that they put in the Gulf, we didn't put it there. Yes, they paid us well while we worked, but how is that going to factor in over five, six, seven years if our industry is decimated? We don't know.

MARCIANO: The water is cleaner and safe to fish, but the Gulf of Mexico's image is tarnished. And making a living on the water this year doesn't look good.

JOSH FORSYTHE, CHARTER CAPTAIN, "BONE COLLECTOR": Basically nobody wants to come down. They're afraid to eat the fish because they've got, you know, all the oil around, the dispersants around, and everybody's kind of a little afraid about it.

MARCIANO: So your regular customers that come back year after year aren't planning on coming back this year?

FORSYTHE: No.

MARCIANO: A situation the Forsythes and hundreds of other fishermen never imagined one year ago.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MARCIANO: Well, you know, whether or not the fish population will come back as strong as they were before the oil spill, that still has to be seen. But the fishing out there is clean. The fish is safe to eat. Problem is, that people have a choice. They can go to the east side of Florida, they can go to south Florida, they can go to west Texas. And for that reason, regular customers haven't been booking this year, at least.

Hey, they might actually move themselves. Josh and his father, Ted, they may pull up stakes and move to south Florida, move to the east coast of Florida where they know they can make a living because this year, for the second year in a row, it doesn't look good.

Back to you.

KAYE: All right, Rob Marciano for us there in the Gulf.

Thank you, Rob.

KAYE: President Obama face-to-face with college students and the microphones are open. So what's the message? Our Ed Henry has that for us, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: President Obama on the road today, holding a town hall in northern Virginia, talking about the deficit and spending cuts. But a big part of that message is highlighting the differences between his plan and the Republican plan. CNN senior White House correspondent Ed Henry joins us at this time every day. And there he is today.

ED HENRY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good to see you, Randi.

KAYE: Ed, we'll get to the town hall in just a second. But first, the president had an event this morning that seemed to have a whole lot of significance heading into 2012. What was that about?

HENRY: Well, it does. I mean not on the face of it. On the face of it, it's a substantive event. It was an Easter Prayer Breakfast. The second one the president's done. He's trying to turn this into an annual event, following on the National Prayer Breakfast that presidents of both parties have been doing for many, many years here in Washington.

But specifically gives him the opportunity to focus on the spiritual side. Talk about holy week for Christians. How it's a time to evaluate your sins. Talk about getting forgiveness for those sins. And a time of renewal heading into Easter.

But, by the same token, you will notice that in those remarks, the president mentioned that Jesus Christ is his savior. It's an opportunity, any time he has an event like this, somebody who has not always been comfortable talking about religion, talking about faith publicly, to mention that yet again, because heading into 2012, they're going to persist to be people out there who are going to insist the president's Muslim, he's not Christian, et cetera. Any time the president has an opportunity like this to remind people that he's Christian, he's going to do it.

KAYE: And let's talk about this town hall. I think the timing is interesting because here we are facing a possible future downgrade of America's credit. But I'm curious what the big theme was for the first of these question and answer sessions.

HENRY: You know, it was all about the vision that the president laid out last week on a deficit reduction plan. And as you mentioned, he was speaking to students at a college in northern Virginia, the Washington, D.C. suburbs, so not far away. So they, obviously, went -- when he took questions, they wanted to know about student aid and college loans, et cetera.

And what's significant is, the president, as you noted, kept talking about what he does not want to cut, instead of perhaps what he does want to cut. He was saying, you know, we're not going to end Medicare as we know it, the way he says the Republicans want to do it. We're going to make sure and stand up for Pell grants and student loans. We're going to stand up for education and infrastructure.

So he's laying out his priorities, again, heading into 2012. But at the end of the day, when you add all that up, all the things the president does not want to cut, you have to wonder, how are you going to balance the budget in the long run? And he talked again about raising taxes on the rich. But when you do the math, raising the taxes on the rich does not help you eliminate all this debt the U.S. has. So there's still a lot of tough choices ahead.

KAYE: Yes, raising revenue, spending cuts, everything's on the table I guess, still, huh?

HENRY: Absolutely. And that's why when the president heads out later this week, starting tomorrow he's heading out to San Francisco, he's going to do a Facebook town hall event. Then on to Nevada. He's going to be doing these town halls, engaging people on this issue that has become a big, big one, obviously, all about the debt.

KAYE: All right, Ed Henry on "The Stakeout" at the White House.

Thank you, Ed.

HENRY: Good seeing you.

KAYE: Thousands of people are headed to the golden arches for more than a burger today. If you or somebody you know needs a job, well, this next story is for you. So keep it here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Call it a fast food hiring blitz. McDonald's says it will hire 50,000 new workers today, which adds up to about four jobs per restaurant. CNN's Stephanie Elam joins us from New York with the details.

Stephanie, what type of jobs is McDonald's offering? Are we talking about flipping burgers or something more?

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you are talking about that, Randi, but it also goes higher than that, too. They're McDonald's, after all. You've got to be able to flip a burger, I guess.

KAYE: Oh, yes. (INAUDIBLE).

ELAM: But they're talking about people who are -- yes, you know, you've got the people who are making the sandwiches, you've got the people who are running and managing the restaurant. So they're talking about all kinds of jobs. It's not just flipping burgers. You've got full-time positions, you've got part-time positions. So the crew, the management. And, actually, some people believe, these could actually be some long-term jobs there for people and they could actually have a chance to move up.

So the average crew pay there, as you can see, $8.30 an hour. But it is nationwide today. So for a lot of people who have been out of work for a long time, this is probably pretty exciting for them.

Randi.

KAYE: That is pretty good news for those folks. McDonald's, by the way, not the only fast food giant making news today.

ELAM: Yes. Well, you know, you may have heard about this story a little while ago. Earlier this year, we talked about how Taco Bell was getting sued because this one person believed that they were not actually beef. They're saying what's in your beef, where's the beef, those old-school commercials for folks who remember the "where's the beef?"

Well, she complained and said that, you know what, you guys aren't really giving us 100 percent beef. Taco Bell fought back, bought ads in newspapers and put out what is actually in their beef. And they said this has always been available on their website. So here you go, 88 percent beef. And they're saying just like you would do at home, you season your meat. You don't just have the meat there by itself because that would be pretty bland. So the 12 percent of their -- what they call not so secret recipe, water and all sorts of spices and then oats, sugar, yeast and citric acid. All of that comes together.

And, you know, Randi, part of the issue was, is when they looked at the taco filling, when it comes in, it's already pre-made and pre- seasoned and it comes in boxes that said taco filling and that's what sparked this whole debate. The funny thing is, both sides think they won. Taco Bell says, look, we didn't change anything, we're still doing business just as usual, we haven't admitted anything, so we won. The other side is saying they have come clean and they're saying now that their beef is just 88 percent for their taco filling. So it depends on how you look at that one and, you know, but it is Taco Bell, after all. You know, you go in there and you get a specific thing. It's not like you're going to a five-star restaurant after all.

KAYE: Right. I will say though, I just want to go on the record here, between McDonald's and Taco Bell, I think this is the first "Your Money" segment that has actually made me hungry. So I'm going to have to eat.

ELAM: Well, it's right about the good time, too, for you to want lunch right after this.

KAYE: Yes. All right, Stephanie, thank you. Appreciate it.

ELAM: I know in high school there was a lot of that. Sure.

KAYE: And be sure to join Christine Romans for "Your Bottom Line" each Saturday morning at 9:30 Eastern. And don't miss "Your Money" with Ali Velshi Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. Eastern and Sundays at 3:00.

Another incident in another control tower. And this time fatigue is not to blame. Wait until you hear what one air traffic controlling was doing during his shift.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: And now it's time for news that you may have missed.

We had some breaking news. A school shooting in Houston. Our affiliate, KHOU, is reporting that a kindergarten student actually brought a gun to school, a loaded gun. It accidentally went off when it fell from his pocket in the cafeteria. Three children were apparently grazed by a bullet at the Betsy Ross Elementary School. That's in northeast Houston. None of the children, two boys and a girl, appear to be seriously hurt. We're told they were conscious, they were sitting upright on stretchers when they were loaded into ambulances. The school is on lockdown. And several parents, of course, also rushed to the scene of this shooting.

In other news, researchers released new guidelines today, outlining three stages to treat and study Alzheimer's. In the preclinical Alzheimer's disease stage, symptoms are not evident. Researchers look at blood, spinal fluid and neurological imaging, searching for biological change. In the second stage, MCI or mild cognitive impairment, researchers focus on standardizing biomarkers, which indicate nerve damage in the brain, changes in memory, behavior and thinking can occur. The third stage is the more severe, dementia because of Alzheimer's. The patient eventually becomes unable to carry out basic daily tasks, and is fully dependent on others.

So you've probably heard the sayings, just say no to drugs, crack is whack. But what about prescription meds? Today the Obama administration announced a plan to combat prescription medication addictions. Right now, prescription drug overdoses have surpassed crack cocaine and black tar heroin overdoses. The plan is aimed at cracking down on the use of powerful pain killers like Oxycontin, Vicodin and Demerol, finding better ways to dispose of unused pills, and clamping down on pill mills and doctor shopping are some other ways the administration is tackling this crisis.

Efforts continue to try and stop widespread wildfires in Texas that ignited from a campfire on April 11th. The dry conditions are making it especially difficult to contain the fires, even with C-130s and helicopters. The Air National Guard provided the planes to assist in dropping fire retardant in the affected areas. So far, one million acres have burned in Texas.

Cleveland, we have a problem. An air traffic controller was suspended this week for watching a movie on duty. The movie soundtrack could be heard for three minutes over the radio frequency designated for that air space. The FAA forbids the use of video players and other devices on the radar room floor.

Top FAA officials and union representatives began a nationwide tour this week to monitor professionalism and safety at air traffic control centers. To date, the FAA has suspended seven controllers for failing to stay awake at work.

You know, the popular show "Happy Days?" Well, some of its well- known cast members are making it official, they're not so happy. Certainly not very happy with the way they're being treated. A lawsuit has been filed, and CNN has the exclusive, right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Welcome back.

It is one of the top television shows of all-time. "Happy Days" aired from 1974 to 1984, and is still seen around the world. But now a dark side to the all-American show is emerging, a story that could have widespread repercussions in the entertainment industry. It's all about merchandising and money.

CNN's Poppy Harlow has the exclusive story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(MUSIC)

POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM (voice-over): This is the "Happy Days" known and beloved worldwide..

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ready to race to you.

HARLOW: This is "Happy Days" today. The show's cast on slot machines. Potsie, Ralph, Joanie, even the Cunninghams.

MARION ROSS, "HAPPY DAYS" CAST: Somebody came up to me and said, you must be cleaning up on those casinos. I said what are you talking about? And he said, yes, if you get five Marions you hit the jackpot. HARLOW: The slots represent what the actors say is a merchandising bonanza that began 37 years ago when the show first hit the airwaves. But those same actors also say they haven't been paid for the continued use of their images as their contracts require. And now, they're preparing to sue CBS, which owns the show.

ANSON WILLIAMS, "HAPPY DAYS" CAST: Representing to the public the best of what America has to offer, you know, the opportunities, the friendships, the warmth. Unfortunately, "Happy Days" now also represents the worst of America, of what major companies are trying to get from it.

HARLOW: In exclusive interviews, we spoke with four members of the cast -- Anson Williams, Don Most, Marion Ross, and Erin Moran -- at a 1950's style cafe in Los Angeles.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi, pops.

HARLOW: The estate of Tom Bosley, who died last October, is also part of the lawsuit. And for these actors, who are like family.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You look great.

HARLOW: It was a very emotional reunion.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is the best part. The best part.

HARLOW: The issue, they argue, is simple - they want to be paid for the use of their images.

DON MOST, "HAPPY DAYS" CAST: There's something kind of skewed in that the people who really had nothing to do with making the show, they're exploiting and making money on it by using our face, our pictures, and all that.

HARLOW: After hearing about the "Happy Days" slots, they began asking questions about where all the money went.

JON PFEIFFER, ATTORNEY: "Happy Days" has turned into unhappy days.

HARLOW: Jon Pfeiffer, the actors' attorney in the suit against CBS.

PFEIFFER: They made a promise to pay. They broke their promise. That's the breach of contract. Number two, they made a promise to pay, they purposely didn't pay. They broke their promise, defraud.

HARLOW: Under their contracts, the actors were to be paid 5 percent from the net proceeds of merchandising if their sole image were used, and 2.5 percent if they were in a group. The studio has the right to deduct 50 percent off the top as a handling fee.

PFEIFFER: We have here iconic actors, I grew up watching these people, and yet, they got stiffed.

HARLOW (on camera): You haven't seen a dime from this?

(voice-over): The actors argue the studio knew it owed them money because in 1999, after (INAUDIBLE) asked, the studio, then Paramount, paid her $692 for merchandising. This document shows she was previously paid more than $8,000, which she claims she never received.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bull. No, I didn't. No, I did not.

HARLOW: The merchandising proceeds are especially personal for Moran, who lost her California home to foreclosure last year.

In documents provided to the actors, CBS says it only owes them between $8,500 and $9,000 each, and most of that is from the slot machines. But the actors argue, they're owed millions. CBS sent us a statement saying, "We agree that funds are owed to the actors and have been working with them for quite some time to resolve the issue."

(on camera): Is it possible that CBS Paramount may have just made a mistake?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Please.

WILLIAMS: That I would like to answer that question.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's funny.

WILLIAMS: I would like to answer that question. Let's see. Made a mistake for 37 years?

HARLOW (voice-over): A generation after the show ended, these actors all say this case is bigger than "Happy Days" and will set a precedent for the industry.

(on camera): People watching may be asking, you know, "Happy Days" started 37 years ago, why are they just bringing this suit now?

WILLIAMS: Well, because when we started the show, we were just -

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Actors.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: all consumed.

WILLIAMS: We weren't business people.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

WILLIAMS: And we assumed, they send you the checks and that's it. Didn't think about it.

HARLOW: Are you fighting for more than money?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Principle.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think fairness and --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's principle.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can you think of all the different shows that must be having the same argument about this?

HARLOW: There you go.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe it's for the future that we're doing this.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: And you know, Randi, the actors are going to be asking for a specific breakdown of how much each licensee that deals with "Happy Days" earned from sales, and also, of course, how much CBS took in.

What their attorney says is that the lawsuit was filed today in Los Angeles County superior court. And when you look at these merchandising sales, they are continuing. CBS actually recently announced licensing deals with clothing manufacturers across Europe, and, Randi, there's even plans in the works for a Lottery game with those "Happy Days" characters.

Now, a lot of folks watching right now might be wondering about Henry Winkler who, of course, played the Fonz, and also Ron Howard, the Academy Award-winning director who played Richie Cunningham. Neither of them is part of this case. And we got a no comment from Ron Howard's publicist.

And, of course, Randi, we're going to stay on top of this one and see what evolves.

KAYE: I was going to ask about the Fonz so I'm glad you mentioned that.

HARLOW: Right.

KAYE: I do have to ask, though, have there been other cases like this involving what actors are paid for merchandising? Because this could set the new standard, really.

HARLOW: Yes. It's a good question and you heard them say they're sort of doing this for the future. They say it's about a lot more than how much money they get paid. There have been other lawsuits like this over the years. None of them, though, that we found, at least, have dealt with as high pro-file and iconic a show like "Happy Days."

In terms of what I mentioned before, you have more and more licensing deals coming on board, marketing these images. So there's going to be more scrutiny of how much money is actually being made. This is going to come down to digging deep into the numbers here, looking at past and weather there is any precedent for a case like this. If not, it will be precedent-setting.

And as you saw in the statement from CBS, they agree that money is owed to the actors. What this is coming down to, Randi, is how much money. The actors argue they're owed millions. And we'll see what unfolds.

KAYE: All right. We'll continue to watch it with you.

Poppy Harlow, thank you.

HARLOW: You got it.

KAYE: We're looking it look at the case of a Mexican trafficker coming up in Globe Trekking. But this isn't about drugs. This is someone who is trafficking in young girls for sex, right here in America.

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KAYE: In Globe Trekking today as part of CNN's Ongoing Freedom project, we're going to look at the case of a Mexican trafficker. But this isn't about drugs. It's about women and girls being held as sex slaves right here in the United States.

Rafael Romo has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): By the time Amador- Cortes Mesa gets out of jail, he will be in his 70s. The Mexican national was sentenced to 40 years in prison after being convicted after forcing into prostitution young girls he smuggled from Mexico to Atlanta.

SALLY YATES, U.S. ATTORNEY, NORTHERN GEORGIA DISTRICT: He was the head of the human trafficking ring that brought 10 young women here from Mexico on the promise of love and marriage and coming here for a better life. And after he tricked the women into coming here, he then forced them into prostitution.

ROMO: According to U.S. Attorney Sally Yates, some of the victims were as young as 14 years old, and were held as slaves. They were forced to have sex with dozens of men every night, in locations around the Atlanta area.

YATES: In fact, the first night that they were here, these young girls were forced to have sex with over 20 men each. There were some nights it would be as many as 40.

ROMO: Nine of the victims testified in court against Cortez Mesa. One of them testified that Cortez Mesa would say that he would take it out on her mother if she tried to escape. Authorities say the level of cruelty against the victims is hard to describe.

SPECIAL AGENT BROCK NICHOLSON, IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT: Daily beatings to remind them that they need to stay in line. Atrocities hard to believe they occur here in the United States. ROMO (on camera): This case, tried here in the federal court building in Atlanta, is an example of how human trafficking crosses borders. The victims were recruited in Mexico by Mexican traffickers, were brought illegally to the United States, and offered to American and also foreign customers.

YATES: It used to be that sex tourism was something that you thought of like, for example, in Thailand. Well, now people are coming here to have sex with young children.

ROMO: In addition to Cortez Mesa, five other members of his ring, including a brother and two nephews, pleaded guilty to similar charges. They were all given sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years.

Rafael Romo, CNN Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: For much more on the CNN Freedom Project, be sure to check our Web page, CNN.com/freedom.

Well, it's time now for our "Big I," where we get to share big ideas and some pretty cool innovations, and it's an idea already being implemented in Japan, robots. Special research robots are being used at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. These robots, built by a company in Boston, are surveying and measuring radiation in one of the reactors.

We just heard a problem with conditions fogged up the cameras on the bots today, but their work is critical in determining if and when humans may be able to return to the damaged parts of that plant. Those robots were donated to Japan by iRobot.

And joining me now from Boston is iRobot chief operating officer, Joseph Dyer.

Joseph, glad you're with us.

First, tell me, are the problems that the robots experienced today, are they serious?

VICE ADM. JOSEPH DYER (U.S. NAVY, RET.), COO, IROBOT: Well, you know, Randi, we don't have any information as of today.

We don't believe so, and we have a full set of spares and capability aboard to keep the robots working. They're very, very reliable systems, so we're confident they'll continue to perform.

KAYE: Tell us about the technology that's being used, and how these robots work.

DYER: Well, the robots that we have in Japan are the -- are very similar, in many cases the same of over 4,000 robots that we have in service with U.S. military, including day-to-day service in Afghanistan. We have underwater robots that were in service at the oil spill in the Gulf, and we have what we call our hazmat, our hazardous material robots, serving in Japan.

KAYE: And so, these robots are able to move around on their own, obviously. They don't need to -- they're not stationary.

How does it work? How do you control them?

DYER: Well, the secret to robots is that they're fearless. Our robots put distance between people and danger.

So they're teleoperated. You can think of it much like a computer game. A operator will be at a safe distance, some 100 meters or so away from danger. The robots will have the ability to see, to hear, to sense radiation, oxygen temperature. They have a manipulator, an arm, a whole series of multispectral cameras, so a virtual representation of the scene.

The first look we have gotten, by the way, this last Sunday, the first look inside of the Fukushima plant comes via the iRobot PackBots.

KAYE: And I know we have seen your Roomba vacuum, of course. Many people are familiar with those. Is that sort of the same science between this PackBot concept?

DYER: Well, you know, iRobot is a spin-out of MIT, a 20-year-old company. We laugh sometimes about it being the world's longest overnight success.

But the autonomy, the integration of electromechanical capability is very similar. But very advanced in our military robots, and very cost effective in our consumer robots that serve in the home.

KAYE: And you mentioned also that these were -- these have been used for a while now in Afghanistan and Iraq. So these are the same robots that would, what, detect bombs and dispose of bombs?

DYER: Well, that's exactly right. Many -- probably most of the robots that you see dealing with the IED threat, same concept, the ability to send the robot forward, to deal with an IED.

If you remember the old way of doing business, you would put bomb suits on EOD explosive operators and they would literally walk up to the bomb. Robots are a better way to do business.

KAYE: You know what's amazing to me? Is that Japan is really a leader in the world of robots and robotics, but theirs are mostly used for their stationary robots and used in on assembly lines, so this is something that they desperately need to get in there and figure out what is going on.

DYER: Well, we were happy to have an opportunity to contribute. We were lucky to have folks at a trade show in Singapore on the 11th of March when the earthquake followed by the tsunami hit, and so we quickly dispatched both people and robots into theatre.

KAYE: Well, we are glad you are there to help and we are sure that the robots will get on track and help figure this whole thing out for everyone and try and help folks.

Joseph Dyer, thank you for your time.

DYER: Thank you.

KAYE: And for more information on the iRobot project and our other "Big Is," be sure to log onto our blog at CNN.com/Ali.

It is something elite members of English society are expected to have, in fact, they need it for the royal wedding, but the soon-to-be princess, Kate Middleton, and her family, they didn't have it until now. We'll explain what all these symbols mean next.

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KAYE: Welcome back.

A family's coat of arms, sounds stuffy perhaps, but the coat of arms is actually an important symbol of Kate and William's wedding.

This is Prince William's, unveiled on his 18th birthday. It's unique to him, unlike any other. The different quadrants of the shield represent the countries of the United Kingdom, Will's kingdom, so to speak, when he becomes king. It's a mix of the Queen's and Prince Charles' designs, but look closer. You see that small red scalloped shell? Well, it's a nod to his mother, the late Princess Diana, and the Spencers, her family.

And when Will and Kate get married, their coat of arms actually merge. But here is the problem, Kate Middleton didn't have a coat of arms, until now that is.

Max Foster has an inside look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): London, of course, is a cutting edge capital city, but tucked away in buildings like this one, you still find that ancient traditions and rituals are still very much alive.

(voice-over): On the top floor of the College of Arms, they are using the same craft they have been using here for 500 years. Their latest commission? The Middleton coat of arms.

THOMAS WOODCOCK, GARTER KING OF ARMS: Well, what we have been working on is a coat of arms and a crest to be granted to Kate Middleton's father, Michael Middleton, and as he has a grant of arms, then the right to the coat of arms passes to all his three children. And his son, James Middleton, will then pass it on to his children, and Kate Middleton may use it for her life.

FOSTER: Michael Middleton and his wife, Carol, have chosen acorns to represent oak trees that are common around their family home. Kate specifically asked for oak sprigs as they were more decorative. WOODCOCK: Oak, of course, is a very English tree. It's a symbol of strength and from small acorns, great oaks grow. So an acorn is good in that way.

FOSTER: There's also gold to represent Carol's maiden name, Goldsmith. The chevrons represent mountains, reflecting the family's interest in hill walking and skiing. And it all comes together to create what's effectively a badge or logo for the Middleton family.

But this also matters for the family they are marrying into. A prince and princess without a coat of arms is unheard of, and to create one, they need to merge his with hers, into what is known as the marital arms.

WOODCOCK: And as you look at it, on the left-hand side will be the royal coat of arms and on the right-hand side, as you look at it, will be the Middleton coat of arms.

FOSTER: So, now the Middleton's have a coat of arms and so too do the future king and queen of England. Copies of both will forever be stored in the College of Arms, part of the nation's history.

Max Foster, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: It is also royally romantic, isn't it? I think so.

And you can create your own coat of arms by logging on to CNN.com. And as we countdown to the most anticipated wedding in decades, CNN takes you behind the scenes starting Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern with the "WOMEN WHO WOULD BE QUEEN."

And on the big day, Friday April 29th, join us at 4:00 a.m. Set those alarm clocks for CNN's royal wedding experience. You can watch it, you can DVR it, you can participate, just be sure to join us here on CNN, we will bring you every unforgettable moment of the big royal wedding.

Wildfires are raging in Texas despite the best efforts of more than 1,400 firefighters and the best equipment available. We are live from the frontlines moments from now.

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