Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Sunday Morning
Tropical Storm Threatens Gulf; Egypt on Edge; Health Care Decision Looming; Students Speak out on Health Care Law; Teen Twins Capture Occupy Essence; Interview with President of Plaquemines Parish
Aired June 24, 2012 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, is the EARLY START WEEKEND.
Nervous eyes on the Gulf this morning as Tropical Storm Debby barrels toward the U.S. But its final destination still TBD as areas in Louisiana prepare for a state of emergency.
Plus, it is the biggest Supreme Court case in years and tomorrow could be decision day. Will Obamacare still stand 24 hours from now?
And how's this for change? Gay pride at the Pentagon. We've got the scoop on Tuesday's big event.
It is Sunday, June 24th. Good morning, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye. So glad you're with us.
We start this morning with some pretty extreme weather in the Gulf of Mexico. We have Tropical Storm Debby. That storm is still building strength as it moves closer to the Gulf Coast. Communities along the coast are bracing for the worst right now.
In Colorado, hundreds of firefighters are trying to contain a wildfire that's growing by leaps and bounds. The High Park Fire has already destroyed 125 square miles, nearly 200 homes. Fire officials concede it could take at least three more weeks before it's contained.
And in Minnesota, floodwater have left a path of destruction through Duluth. Heavy rains brought the flash floods. Now people are returning home to devastation and loss. And that includes saying good- bye to those homes badly damaged by the flooding.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're going to have to topple it into the hole because they can't save it. It's a good little building. I wish my granddaughter could have enjoyed it as much as our daughter did.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: And now let's get back to Tropical Storm Debby. Meteorologist Bonnie Schneider is in our severe weather center this morning. So, good morning, Bonnie.
What kind of warnings are in place right now for the Gulf Coast?
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, right now, Randi, we are tracking quite a bit of extreme weather, as you mentioned. Let's take a look at the tropical threat. Here are the warnings. We have them from Morgan City further to the west. And you can see that New Orleans is actually not in the tropical storm warning zone, but we are expecting tropical storm force winds within the next 24 hours across much of this region. And that means winds as strong as 39 miles per hour.
Let's take a closer look at Debby and where the storm is right now. Actually you can see a lot of the convection is impacting Florida at this time. But this storm is actually forecast to work its way to the west. So the maximum winds are at 50 miles per hour, 65 mile per hour gusts. The slow, slow movement, very slow, to the north at three miles per hour. So that storm is barely moving.
But let's take a look at the track. The track is westward. And here's something interesting that we have as of today that we didn't have yesterday. The storm is now forecast to become a category one hurricane within the next couple of days. Even by Wednesday, possibly by Tuesday. It's a slow, slow movement just south of Louisiana.
And you mentioned, we don't know TBD, where the storm will actually impact. And that's a good point because the cone of uncertainty does cover a good portion of Louisiana and Texas.
And, remember, we're still days away potentially from a landfall. So this track could shift and wobble a bit as we go through the next few days. That's why it's so crucial to keep it turned here to CNN because we'll keep you updated on any change that occurs with this track.
Randi.
KAYE: Yes, and you know folks along the Gulf are certainly going to keep it tuned. But does it look like it's going to be more of a rainmaker and maybe some high tides mixed in, or do you think it will do some damage there?
SCHNEIDER: I think the potential is for all three of the things that you mentioned. We are looking at a lot of rain. You know, yesterday we had tornado damage in Florida, pretty far away from where we're saying this storm is going to go, into southwest Florida.
But look at all the heavy rain that's working its way across the Tampa area into Pensacola. You combine this, of course, when we get high tides. We are going to see that risk for flooding.
Plus, the winds are stronger now with Debby than originally anticipating. They're forecast to go to hurricane strength and that means the potential exists for more wind damage, particularly Tuesday into Wednesday. This is something we're going to have to watch. These storms can really shift and change and grow in intensity and sometimes surprise us. So we want to keep you up to date of any threat that Debby poses for the Gulf Coast.
KAYE: All right, Bonnie Schneider, thank you very much.
We also want to mention Billy Nungesser, the president of Plaquemines Parish, will be joining us on the program in about a half an hour or so. He's on the ground there. They're making preparations and declaring a state of emergency today. So we'll speak with him.
All right, now we move to Egypt, where large crowds are gathering in Cairo's Tahrir Square. They are waiting to hear who won last week's presidential runoff. The official announcement now just three hours away. We have heard both candidates declare victory in this one, but look at this from this morning. It is former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik declaring victory on his FaceBook page. CNN's senior international correspondent, Dan Rivers, is live in Cairo this morning.
Dan, Tahrir Square was the epicenter of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak. What are we going to see there when the presidential announcement is made, do you think?
DAN RIVERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's right here behind me. And you can probably just about make out the thousands of Muslim Brotherhood supporters who are beginning to amass here ahead of that announcement. As you say, we're expecting that in about three hours.
There are real concerns here that if Ahmed Shafik is announced as the winner, it will explode into violence down in Tahrir Square. There have been some really ominous statements coming out of the Muslim Brotherhood in the last few hours. We've been told, for example, by one of their spokesmen, SML Arian (ph), "I warn that any rigging of the election results will lead to a colossal rage." Mohammed ElBaradei, a former U.N. watchdog and leading reformist, said if Shafik wins, we're in for a lot of instability and violence and major uprising.
So, all the signs are that if Shafik is announced the winner, as he's proclaiming on his FaceBook (INAUDIBLE). There's the anecdote that Mohammed Morsi is also claiming victory (INAUDIBLE) his people. The truth is, we don't know (INAUDIBLE) been a lot of contested ballots in this. The election commission was due to announce these results last week. They've -- been looking into alleged irregularities and now we're expecting finally to get this result within three hours.
But an independent panel of judges that's been looking at the results without the irregularities is saying that the Muslim Brotherhood have won by a significant margin. Perhaps up to 800,000 votes and therefore if Shafik is pronounced as the next president, there will be an enormous sense of injustice and grievance on the streets of Cairo.
KAYE: So, Dan, is this really the change, then, that people had been hoping for?
RIVERS: Well (INAUDIBLE) going to be a (INAUDIBLE) president while they rewrite the constitution and then there will be another one (ph) (INAUDIBLE) maybe in, you know, nine months or a year. So, (INAUDIBLE) some sense (ph) is this is a symbolic victory, but it is what it will precipitate on the streets, I think, that is the most concern.
The army recently dissolved parliament in a major power grab and sort of brought back emergency laws, allowing them to arrest people. And so in some senses the army, whoever wins, will still have these powers. Parliament is dissolved, you know, potentially leading to a sort of -- a slightly lame duck president as the constitution is redrawn.
Shafik, though, is seen as really the army's man. He used to be the commander of the air force. He was prime minister under Hosni Mubarak. Although he's running independently of the army, many see him as deeply aligned with them.
KAYE: Yes, certainly. Dan Rivers live for us in Cairo this morning. Apologies for a few of those technical difficulties there. That's what live TV does sometimes.
Now back to the U.S. and the latest on the Jerry Sandusky case. Sandusky is in prison right now, in protective custody and under around the clock supervision. We got this exclusive video of his wife, Dottie, showing up at the Centre County Detention Center to see her husband. She testified, you'll recall, in his defense and was visibly shaken when the 45 guilty verdicts were read late Friday night. Meanwhile, one of Sandusky's attorneys revealed on a talk radio show that he and Sandusky's lead attorney both tried to withdraw from the trial before it even got started.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KARL ROMINGER, JERRY SANDUSKY'S ATTORNEY (voice-over): We actually asked to resign from the case. And that was done in secret. Joe Amendola and I asked Judge Cleland if we could withdraw from representing Jerry Sandusky because we felt we were ethically unable to go forward.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): When did you ask to resign the case?
ROMINGER: We did that the morning before jury selection started. It was denied.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: And we are starting to hear now from some of the jurors. They say they were all on the same page in deliberations. But I want you to hear now from juror number six. She was actually dismissed because she got sick on the last day of testimony, so she didn't factor in the verdict. But her take on the case tells the whole story.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALLIE, JUROR NUMBER SIX IN SANDUSKY TRIAL: Mostly what they asked was, do I watch the news and did I know a lot about the case. And I really didn't. So, I didn't really think that they wouldn't pick me.
I thought he was creepy and he didn't look like he was taking it too serious. That was a big thing that I noticed because I thought that was a big red flag that he was kind of like admiring them like they were his lovers.
Oh, yes, you could feel the emotion. There was no doubt about it. But they were telling the truth. To me it was no question.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That he was guilty?
ALLIE: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: We will have much more on the fallout from this case and what may be next for the victims a little later on in the show.
And now here's a rundown of some of the other stories that we're working on.
This week, the Supreme Court will hand down a ruling that will affect every American. Will the court uphold or strike down President Obama's health care law and what will be the implications for the 2012 election?
Plus, 14-year-old twins with their camera in hand went to Occupy Wall Street in New York and they came back with some award-winning pictures of the protest and a whole new understanding of what it all means.
And in Arkansas, 40 inmates are on death row, but a dispute over how they should be killed is now buying them some time. We'll explain.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Good morning, Washington. Glad you're with us.
Why can't we be friends? A lot of folks in need of friends in D.C.
The Supreme Court is on the verge of a landmark decision in Washington D.C. Justices are expected to rule this week on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. CNN's congressional correspondent Kate Bolduan takes a look at the options for the court and the political fallout that could follow the decision.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Long days and late nights at the Supreme Court as the justices rush to finish what Justice Ginsburg recently called the flood season.
RUTH BADER GINSBURG, SUPREME COURT JUSTICE: Many of the most controversial cases remain pending, so it is likely that the sharp (ph) disagreement rate will go up next week.
BOLDUAN: The biggest case this session and the biggest in at least a decade, the president's health care law. The election year blockbuster argued for more than six hours in March has far reaching implications, from main street to the campaign trail.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm actually -- continue to be confident that the Supreme Court will uphold the law.
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If I'm elected president, I will repeal Obamacare and I'll stop it in its tracks on day one.
BOLDUAN: The nine justices face four separate issues in this one case. The centerpiece, will the individual mandate, requiring nearly all Americans to have health insurance, stand or will it fall? And does the rest or any of the law survive if the mandate is struck down? Does the law's expanded Medicaid program unfairly step on state's rights or will the court call for a legal time-out until the main provisions go into effect, though this option is unlikely.
THOMAS GOLDSTEIN, SCOTUSBLOG.COM PUBLISHER: There's going to be a bottom line of whether the mandate is constitutional or not. I would be shocked if we didn't know that after the decision. Then it gets a little bit more complicated.
BOLDUAN: Key to the decision may be these two men, Chief Justice John Roberts and the traditional swing vote, Justice Anthony Kennedy. Both seem skeptical of the government's case.
ANTHONY KENNEDY, SUPREME COURT JUSTICE (voice-over): Do you create Congress -- commerce in order to regulate it?
BOLDUAN: Yet they asked questions of both sides, giving hope to the law supporters it may survive, at least in part.
JOHN ROBERTS, SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE (voice-over): I don't think you're addressing their main point, which is that they're not creating commerce in health care, it's already there. And we're all going to need some kind of health care, most of us will, at some point.
BOLDUAN (on camera): After the decision is handed down, the big question quickly becomes what now? House Republican leaders have made clear if the law is not completely thrown out, they'll vote to repeal whatever's left. And for weeks both the White House and congressional Republicans have been quietly strategizing their message so they are ready as soon as the decision comes.
Kate Bolduan, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE) KAYE: And many of the provisions in the health care law, like the individual mandate, don't go into effect until 2014. But health care isn't the only big decision expected this week. The court is also expected to rule on the controversial Arizona immigration law. Stay with CNN for all the news and analysis on both of those big decisions.
A key group that will be affected by the court's decision on health care will be young people. Right now, those under 26 can stay on their parents' plans, but that could change. Our new intern, Ryan Jones, is a college student, so we asked him to find out what other college students think about the law.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYAN JONES, CNN INTERN: Young adults have the highest rates of being uninsured in the nation. We make up one out of every five Americans who don't have any health insurance whatsoever. So I took to the streets and talked to fellow college students to find out what they thought about the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare.
ADAM NISBITT, GEORGIA TECH STUDENT: I don't believe that it's constitutional for the government to be stepping in and, you know, forcing us.
VICTORIA GISLER, GEORGIA TECH STUDENT: I'm for that because it's something that I don't have to worry about for a little while. I'm third year, so I'm still a little -- pretending that the real world's not actually out there. So can't say that I'm ready to buy (ph) my own insurance (ph) yet.
DALE AVERY, GEORGIA TECH STUDENT: Affordable Care Act. I don't know that much about it. I mean it sounds good, but if they can pay for it, I'm not sure how -- where that's going to come from.
JORVON CARTER, GEORGIA TECH STUDENT: I would much rather maybe get my own health care rather than get a handout from the government.
CHRISTOPHER KLEIN, GEORGIA TECH STUDENT: I am in general against Obamacare and principally because I think that I would prefer to choose my own medical insurance and my own doctors to do my care.
JONES: Now under the plan, Obama's plan, you are still able to choose whatever doctor you want.
KLEIN: Right. But eventually what's -- I mean it's a push towards socialism where I won't be able to make those choices.
NESBITT: And in a way it's, you know, stepping into a private business and telling them how to run their business. Stepping into private lives and telling us how to run our lives. And I don't think that's government's role.
GISLER: I understand the benefits of insurance. I understand that it's very beneficial for me. And so I will be purchasing it. But I don't want to be made. (END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: Our thanks to Ryan Jones for giving us the student perspective on this important issue.
County jails normally want prisoners to stay in their cells. So why is one jail offering money to inmates who escape?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Welcome back. Checking stories across country.
In New York, a 67-year-old man is finally graduating high school at the same time as his grandson. Russell Lee dropped out of high school when he was 16 to serve in the Navy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Russell William Lee, local diploma.
RUSSELL LEE: I think it's right in there with days that I'll remember for a long time.
MIKE ALLEN, HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE: It's an opportunity that not many people get. It's one of those once in a lifetime things that, you know, you'll never really understand until I actually look back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: It is part of Operation Recognition. A program that lets war vets get their diploma as long as they have a high school equivalency.
In Atlanta, the county jail is offering a reward to inmates who can bust their cell lock. The jail commander says the locks aren't good enough anymore. He's looking for new locks but wants to test them out first. Inmates who can bust the test locks will get about $20 at the commissary.
Now to San Diego where a Navy sailor returned from deployment and surprised his three kids while in disguise at a go-cart track. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I saw you crashed a couple times.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How about you, my dear. Was it fun?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now who is that guy in blue suit? Let's see.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's up? UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dad.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi, Tyree (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Daddy!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Daddy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Oh, how cute. Rashad Jeffries (ph) has been away from his kids for four out of five years he's been in the Navy. He just finished a seven month deployment but his kids thought that he wouldn't be back until July. Jeffries said he didn't expect his kids to cry like they did.
Here on this show, I focus a lot on the issue of bullying, but I don't think that we've ever seen anything quite like this. Earlier this week, I traveled to Greece, New York, just outside Rochester, upstate, to meet Karen Klein, the 68-year-old bus monitor who was brutally harassed by a group of middle school students. They even threatened to stab her. Take a listen to some of the profanity laced video that was later posted on YouTube.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're a troll. You're a troll. You're a troll. You old troll.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How about I bring my knife and (EXPLETIVE DELETED) cut you? If I stabbed you in the stomach, I'd (EXPLETIVE DELETED), my knife would go through you like butter cause it's all (EXPLETIVE DELETED) lard.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Pretty unbelievable, right? Well, you don't typically think of an adult as a victim, but the grandmother of eight is receiving an outpouring of support. A fund for her has swelled to over half a million dollar. And she is considering retiring, or possibly donating some of the money. So, what do you think she should do with the money? And what do you think about this story? Tweet me @RandiKayeCNN. You can find me on Twitter and use the #bullyingstopshere. I'll read some of your comments later on, on the air.
This morning, two news journalists are making a name for themselves for documenting the Occupy Wall Street movement. But, get this, the producers of this video are only 15 years old. They'll join me in just moments.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Welcome back, everyone.
Two 15-year-old twin girls from Fairfax, Virginia, were so fascinated by the Occupy Wall Street movement that they convinced their dad to take them to New York City. They taped and photographed their experience on the 23rd day of the protest and submitted it to CNN's i-Report.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just see my country being lost by corrupt forces.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This song ain't copyrighted. This song ain't trademarked either. It's a public domain protest song.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: The fast paced video captured the moment, the energy, the anger and gave a real sense of what it felt like to be at that protest. And last night they were honored at CNN's second annual i- Report Awards.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, just real quick, we'd like to thank our parents -- you guys are just so amazing -- and our siblings, Lauren (ph) and Jim (ph) and Megan (ph) who are not here tonight and everyone at CNN. Thank you so much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Anna and Rachel Otto are with us this morning in studio.
Good morning to both of you.
RACHEL OTTO, CNN I-REPORT AWARD WINNERS FOR COMPELLING IMAGERY: Good morning.
ANNA OTTO, CNN I-REPORT AWARD WINNERS FOR COMPELLING IMAGERY: Good morning.
KAYE: You're getting pretty good at that acceptance speech, I think. That was pretty impressive. So, you won the award for compelling imagery.
Rachel, to you first. I mean did you expect this when you were filming this video?
R. OTTO: No. It -- I mean even just getting it vetted on CNN i- report was a huge surprise. And then being nominated was like, oh, my gosh. And then like winning the award was like, whoa, like, what?
KAYE: So what inspired you, Anna? Why Occupy Wall Street?
A. OTTO: We were really interested in the movement. We had heard about it, like, all over FaceBook and Twitter and a little bit in the news. And so we just kind of wanted to see like what was going on. Like, what was happening.
KAYE: And what did you think about it when you got there? R. OTTO: It was just -- it was so exciting. And the energy was just incredible. And it was really cool to see all of these people and to finally see everything we had read about and everything we'd seen in the news just come to life right in front of us.
KAYE: So you were 14 when you did this and you -- what, you asked your dad, hey, dad, take us to New York City. I want to go do a video on -- make a video on Occupy Wall Street? What was his reaction?
A. OTTO: Well, originally he was like, we can go to the protest in D.C. But then we're like, well, it's a three-day weekend. Why don't we go to New York? And he's like, well, if you create a slide show or power point presentation and convince me to take you, then, yes, we'll go. So we created it.
R. OTTO: So it took about -- we each spent two or three hours. I did all this like research on Occupy Wall Street, you know, figuring out what it truly is beyond what we're hearing in the news and what would even happen when we got there, like if they had any events going on. And she took care of like travel arrangements, you know, hotel accommodations.
KAYE: This is a pretty impressive duo right here. So did you do a lot of research as well, Anna?
A. OTTO: Not as much as her. Like, you know, she would show me stuff that she had found. But mostly it's just kind of like, oh, I booked this hotel. This hotel, you know, like if we don't want to stay here, like this can be canceled last minute. So, mostly that type of stuff.
KAYE: And was there anything about any of the protesters that really surprised you in speaking with them or touched you in some way?
R. OTTO: Well, what I guess was really surprising was just all of the different stories from people who are just like, yes, I've got -- you know, I had a job, I lost it. People who are like, I did really well in high school and I'm getting into colleges, but I have no money. I can't -- like I can't just take out a student loan because I can't afford to go to colleges. And just -- so hearing just the wide range of stories. People who are just there kind of just like us, just there for the day.
KAYE: Right.
R. OTTO: You know, it was really all these different stories, it was really cool.
KAYE: Now, did you participate in these protests or you were just there to take ...
(CROSSTALK)
ANNA OTTO, WONCNN IREPORT AWARD FOR COMPELLING IMAGERY: For a little bit. For like maybe an hour, we were just kind of holding up signs and, you know, that type of stuff. We created some signs that weren't really good but ...
R. OTTO: I had a big center for like sign making, all this actual like cardboard and art supplies.
A. OTTO: Yeah, it was incredibly organized, actually.
KAYE: Where do you go from here? I mean, what's next for you? A great career in TV or filmmaking?
R. OTTO: I don't know. There's so much I want to do in this world. But I think right now, I'm out of school for this summer, so I think we are going to start with an iReport on this weekend and I think after that, we're just going to try and find things locally, you know, maybe in our school to just cover. And if there's anything big, you know, like another big protest, maybe we'll go back to Occupy Wall Street.
KAYE: I think it's great. I love your passion as a journalist. I love your passion. I think it's wonderful.
R. OTTO: Thank you.
KAYE: So, congratulations on the big award. We have them here, so we'll let you take them home with you as well.
A. OTTO: Thank you.
R. OTTO: Thank you.
KAYE: All right. Nice to have you here.
A tropical storm threatening the Gulf Coast. Sandbagging has already begun. We'll talk live to one official there who is preparing his community for the worst.
Plus, the Olympics still weeks away and we already have a new world record in the decathlon.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Welcome back. And thanks for starting your morning with us. I'm Randi Kaye. We're watching Egypt at this hour. You can see people gathering at Cairo's Tahrir Square. They are waiting to hear who won the presidential election. The announcement is expected about two and a half hours from now. Members of the Muslim Brotherhood are promising a lengthy sit-in if their candidate isn't named the winner. We'll have a live report from Cairo for your next hour.
And back here in the U.S., we are watching tropical storm Debbie in the Gulf of Mexico. Already, we're seeing a host of warnings and watches along the Gulf Coast as Debbie tracks towards land. Joining me now on the telephone to talk about what his area is already experiencing is Plaquemines Parish President, Billy Nungesser. Billy, good morning to you. Thanks for calling in. We spoke a lot during Katrina and during the BP oil spill. You have been through quite a bit there. BILLY NUNGESSER, PLAQUEMINES PARISH, LOUISIANA PRESIDENT: Right.
KAYE: Tell me the situation there this morning. Is the water already rising or are things quiet?
NUNGESSER: We have about a half a foot on our back levee, which just this last week, has been accepted by the court going to federal system. But we are expecting three and a half foot storm surge against a three foot levee. So, we'll start sandbagging that levee this morning to keep our only evacuation route out of south Plaquemines, which is a little point in Louisiana that sticks out in the Gulf from flooding. We flooded last year for a small tropical storm. And if this storm sits out there, we'll see the same thing this year.
KAYE: And tell me, have you already declared a state of emergency?
NUNGESSER: I will do it -- I will do it first thing this morning and our crews will start working shortly after that.
KAYE: So, what is the situation there for people who do run into trouble with the water? Are there any shelters set up or what type of plans are being made?
NUNGESSER: We haven't approached that yet. If this thing hangs out there. We have never seen a storm with such different forecasts. You know, one track, it has it going to Florida, one has it going to Texas, and here we sit right in the middle. So, a real concern about it sitting out there and getting strength. So, we're preparing for the worst. We're going to start sandbagging this morning, and then if it picks up speed or the storm surges grow, we will then start putting Haskel baskets along the highway to protect that evacuation route.
KAYE: And have you made any other plans? Any other disaster plans that you want the folks there to know about, if they're watching CNN this morning?
NUNGESSER: No. We just want them to stay tuned to CNN and then keep watching, because this storm, they have it tracked all over. We have never seen anything quite like this. And now, they have it predicted as a category one hurricane. So the longer it sits out there in the Gulf in those warm waters the more strength it's likely to gain. So, this is something that we can't take lightly, although the maximum speed winds are only 60 miles an hour at this time.
KAYE: Well, we will keep an eye on it along with you, Billy Nungesser. Thank you very much. Plaquemines Parish president, calling in this morning.
NUNGESSER: Thank you.
KAYE: We wish you luck.
NUNGESSER: Thank you. KAYE: Mitt Romney's deep pocket donors gathered in Park City, Utah for a weekend retreat. It was their chance to hobnob with fellow donors and high flying Republican surrogates. It was a select group. About 700 people showed up. And in order to get in you had to have raised or given Romney's campaign at least $50,000. Both presidential candidates are back out on the road this week raising money for their respective campaigns. But that's just part of the political week ahead. Here's CNN political editor, Paul Steinhauser.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, Randi. The Supreme Court is expected to rule this week on two controversial measures. The national health care reform law and Arizona's immigration law. The announcements by the high court, especially the health care ruling, could have a really big impact on the race for the White House.
Both President Obama and Mitt Romney spent part of the week raising campaign cash. The president holding fundraisers in Boston, Miami and Atlanta tomorrow and Tuesday. Romney starting this week with a fundraiser in Arizona. Meanwhile, Vice President Biden hits the campaign trail this week with a two-day swing through the battleground state of Iowa. And on Tuesday, long term Republican Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah faces a primary challenge from a candidate with support from many in the Tea Party movement. Randi.
KAYE: Paul Steinhauser, thank you very much.
So, the Olympics have begun. But we already have a new world record in the decathlon. 24-year-old Ashton Eaton finished with 9,039 points in the day two United States Olympic trials in Oregon. This breaks an 11-year-old world record and Dan O'Brien's 20-year-old American record. Pretty darned cool.
In Arkansas, 40 inmates get a temporary reprieve. The Supreme Court has postponed their date with death but for how long?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Welcome back. Let's take a look at stories that may have been off your radar, starting with photos of private moments now available for public viewing. Like this man, take a look, passed out, there he is, on the side of the road. Or this woman perhaps in her bathing suit. Both are photos that you can see on Google maps street view. And New York Senator Chuck Schumer wants these to stop. He issued this statement to Google and Apple, which is also working on 3D mapping, people should be free from the worry of some high-tech Peeping Tom technology violating one's privacy when in your own home. Schumer suggests that your companies let communities know when they'll be out there recording. And taking a cue from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts, wants to outlaw large sugary drinks as well. But Mayor Henrietta Davis' proposal takes things even further. She also wants to ban free refills. That is getting some mixed reaction.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Perhaps it's the first step that needs to be taken in order to really start to address the issue of soda and how it is damaging.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just setting a ban is a silly thing. I think it should be, you know, it's -- the focus should be on educating people as to why they shouldn't want that much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: In Arkansas, there's a battle over how to kill the condemned. CNN's Nic Valencia is covering that for us in the CNN NEWSROOM.
NIC VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Randi, and what is largely seen as a separation of powers issue, this week, the Arkansas state supreme court struck down a law governing how death row inmates are executed. The ruling was made after ten death row inmates challenged the discretion given to the Department of Corrections officials administering the cocktail of chemicals use in those executions. While the decision puts the policy on executions back in the hands of the legislature, the ruling does not invalidate the state's death penalty. There are currently 40 inmates on death row in Arkansas and their sentences still stand. But until a new execution law is adopted, it's unclear when any of them will see the death chamber. Randi.
Nic, thank you. On September 20th last year, "Don't ask, don't tell" ceased to be U.S. policy and boy, have things changed. This week, the Pentagon is hosting a first of this kind event to mark LGBT Pride month.
(COMMERCIAL BREAKER)
KAYE: A whole lot has happened in the nine months since the repeal of the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. A year ago today gays in the military would never, could never serve openly. But come this Tuesday, this place, yes, the Pentagon, will salute them. The headquarters of the Department of Defense is holding a first of its kind event to mark LGBT Pride month. David Hall joins me now from Washington. He is a former Air Force sergeant who was discharged for being gay. Good morning to you, David. Let me just share this photo. Because if you're a fan of the MTV Video Music Awards, you might remember his as one of three discharged service members to walk down the red carpet with Lady Gaga at the height of the "Don't ask, don't tell" debate in 2010. David, I see you there in that photo. You're looking a little -- a little uncomfortable. What was that like?
DAVID HALL, DISCHARGED UNDER DADT: Well, you know, it was actually very exciting but at the same time, yeah, I've never seen that many cameras in my life. So I think we all looked a little shell-shocked by wow, this is a lot of cameras.
KAYE: I'm sure. So tell me, on a more serious note, how big of a deal is it that the Pentagon is celebrating gay pride. I mean what does it mean to you personally? HALL: Well, you know, I think it's a huge deal. I mean, you know, so many people were discharged under "Don't ask, don't tell," including myself, you know, the 14,000 that were discharged. I mean, now I have so many friends that are serving openly now in the military and don't have to worry about losing their job. And so, this really is, you know, the Pentagon recognizing, you know, the fight that they've had to go through, but now that, you know, they're recognized as being part of the team and they can be who they are, they can talk about their spouse, their partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, and, you know, no one blinks an eye, no one really cares.
KAYE: So, what is the plan for the event? I mean what do you expect?
HALL: Wait, no, I think it will probably be, just like most of the other government's agencies that have Pride month. Really, it's probably just some panels discussing, you know, what's happened with since repeal of "Don't ask, don't tell" and, you know, and what are some of the aspects that we are still trying to work on. You know, right now, same sex legally married military members, you know, their spouse receive zero benefits. You know, my brother just had my third nephew. He's, you know, married, straight, he gets all the benefits for his kid, but, you know, my friends that are legally married that are gay, getting none of those exact same benefits that he gets.
KAYE: So, I mean you think about that, I mean you're no longer serving but you are in the process of trying to re-enter. I mean why go back to an organization to the same military that told you to hit the road?
HALL: You know, I love the military. I grew up a military brat. You know, this was a law that had been passed by Congress, you know, in 1993. And we realize, you know, the military has to do its part and we follow the laws. But, you know, I still love the mission that we do, I love the camaraderie, I love the people and, you know, I have a lot of friends that have already gone back in. And, you know, there everyday I hear the stories of, you know, how much they're really enjoying and getting back in.
KAYE: Well, that's what I was going to ask you. Because you have friends in there. And I'm just curious, is there still discrimination? I mean have things really improved from what you're hearing?
HALL: No, I mean there is still a little bit of discrimination. But the big thing is you're not being fired for who you are. And, you know, the discrimination can be dealt with and I think the Pentagon's doing a great job of anything that comes up, of handling it, you know, on the local level.
KAYE: All right. David, we really appreciate you coming on and for sharing that great picture of you with others and Lady Gaga. I appreciate it and have fun at the event.
HALL: Thank you. KAYE: In a matter of days, we'll know what the Supreme Court thinks about the health care law. But in a matter of minutes, we'll hear what people on the street think about it, people like you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: All eyes will be on the Supreme Court this week. The justices are expected to rule on the health care law that requires most Americans to have health insurance. But some states are challenging its constitutionality. So, just what do some people on the street think about this all? Funny man, Bill Santiago is checking the pulse.
BILL SANTIAGO, COMEDIAN: Hey, Randi, I'm out here talking about Obama-care and the Supreme Court decision coming up. They had a lot to say.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a big Supreme Court decision. We've got to get the pulse on the street. Take a picture. (inaudible) from another country.
(on camera): How do you think the Supreme Court will decide?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I hope that the Supreme Court will decide that it is indeed constitutional.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is it equal for everybody?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And especially like old people?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not being on the Supreme Court, I do not know.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They should kill it.
SANTIAGO: Obama should kill his own health care bill?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is no easy answer with health care. How do you pay for it?
SANTIAGO: Can you guys do a song about Obama-care?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Obama-care used to be Romney-care.
SANTIAGO: What do you know about Obama-care?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That you're just covered until 26, that's all I know.
SANTIAGO: Do you think they should raise the age until 36 or 56?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think 26 is fine. SANTIAGO: 26. 27 would be pushing it? Do you think it encourages young kids just stay home and be slackers?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know.
SANTIAGO: What do you think the co-pay should be on vodka martinis?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it should be free.
SANTIAGO: Excuse me, do you have a second, I want to talk to you a little bit about the Supreme Court decision on Obama-care. It will take two seconds. All right. Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It might be declared unconstitutional. Or constitutional.
SANTIAGO: How would you improve the Obama-care bill? So, have you ever read anything about Obama-care, like the actual law, the actual legislation?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I did (inaudible) one day, but I don't remember any of it.
SANTIAGO: So, the justices wouldn't have read it? They torture the clerks that way.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The justices almost never read all of those things, yes.
SANTIAGO (voice over): Oh, I didn't realize they were that lazy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody, constitutional!
UNIDENTIFIED MALES: Constitutional!
SANTIAGO (on camera): I'm sorry, Randi, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. I couldn't help it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: All right. Bill, thank you very much. Of course, as soon as the Supreme Court hands down a ruling, you'll hear about it right here, on CNN.
A fund for a 68-year old grandma who was relentlessly bullied by a group of middle schoolers has topped get this, half a million dollars. What do you think she should do with all that money? Tweet me at Randikayecnn, I'll share your thoughts on the air after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Here on this show, I focus a lot on the issue of bullying. But I don't think we've ever seen anything quite like this video. Earlier this week I traveled to Greece, New York, to meet Karen Klein, the 68-year-old bus monitor who was brutally harassed by a group of middle school students. They even threatened to stab her. Three of the four have since apologized, but it's pretty -- it really is pretty incredible, you don't typically think of an adult as a victim. But the grandmother of eight is receiving an outpouring of support, a fund for her has swelled to over half a million dollars. So, all morning long, I've been asking what you think she should do with the money. Here are some of your responses. Matthew tweeted, she needs to take a vacation and use the rest to find a better job."
Beach-loving Patricia had a fund idea. "She should use the money to buy a condo in an adults-only community on the beach. She's earned it."
All right. So, what do you think? Tweet me @RandiKayeCNN and use the #bullyingstopshere.
Thanks for starting your morning with us. We've got much more ahead on SUNDAY MORNING which starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE (voice-over): From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
Here comes Debby. And where she'll land, no one knows. Nervous eyes watching this newly formed tropical storm as areas in Louisiana prepare this morning for a state of emergency.
UNIDENTIFEID MALE: We're going to see some additional storm surges, more than what's being projected now.
KAYE: Plus, it's the biggest case in more than a decade. And tomorrow could be decision made.
Will Obamacare still stand 24 hours from now?
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm actually -- continue to be confident the Supreme Court will uphold the law.
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If I'm elected president, I will repeal Obamacare.
KAYE: And the verdict is in: guilty on 45 counts. But the Sandusky saga isn't over yet.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: While he's saddened and disheartened, he's prepared to continue to fight.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: Good morning, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye. It is 7:00 on the East Coast, 4:00 on the West. Thanks for starting your morning with us. We start this morning with some pretty extreme weather. In the Gulf of Mexico, we have tropical storm Debby. That storm is still building strength as it moves closer to the Gulf Coast. A state of emergency is being declared in Plaquemines Parish in Louisiana.
In Colorado, extreme heat and wind gusts are fueling a massive wildfire. The High Park Fire has already destroyed 125 square miles, nearly two homes. It could be at least three more weeks before that fire is under control.
Now, let's back to the Gulf and tropical storm Debby. Meteorologist Bonnie Schneider is now in our severe weather center watching it for us this morning.
So, Bonnie, do we even know exactly where this storm is headed?
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: We do have an idea that it is going to impact the Gulf, but you're right. You know, the National Hurricane Center actually describes the track of this storm as extremely challenging to forecast because some of the models are taking it one way and others are taking it in a different direction.
Let's show you where it is right now and, look, the official track is at this moment.
So, right now, center of circulation is about 260 miles from New Orleans. And you can see the movement so slow to the north at three miles an hour. Even though we've been talking a lot about western track, most of the convection or precipitation has been heavy in for Florida and for places like Pensacola, they just don't need all that rain and a lot more is in the forecast.
The winds right now at maximum speed are at 50 miles per hour, but gusts are even higher than that. So, here is the latest track and notice some changes if you're just waking up and joining us now. This is a different track than what we showed you yesterday, because now, the hurricane intensity is up to a category one. This storm wasn't forecast to be a hurricane yesterday. But the latest track shows a widespread movement to the west. But notice, we're still talking about this storm in the Gulf of Mexico as late as Thursday.
So, because it's slow-moving and it has potential to grow in intensity and to sit in the Gulf and impact more people.
Who's being impacted right now? Well, Florida. Heavy rain from Panama City, all the way down through Tampa and Ft. Myers.
Yesterday in Collier County, we had some reports of tornadoes because the rain got so severe for this region. If you look, you'll see some heavy rain working its way into the Tampa area.
And I want to show you where the warnings are right now. We have warnings across Louisiana, into the area just south of New Orleans, the southern parishes. Let's zoom in please and you'll see that the areas around the lakes also may see some problems with the low-lying areas because these inlets here and the way Louisiana is shaped topographically, that is the biggest concern for flooding. So, it's areas in the southern parishes, especially beyond where they're protected. That's where they're sandbagging because of threat.
How much rain? Three to six inches, Randi, and we could see some flooding especially along high tidal areas as early as tonight.
KAYE: All right. Bonnie Schneider, thank you for the update. Appreciate it.
SCHNEIDER: Sure.
KAYE: All eyes will be on the Supreme Court this week as we wait for word on health care. The justices are expected to rule on the Affordable Care Act, that is also known as Obama-care, the sweeping and controversial health reform law passed two years ago.
CNN's Athena Jones is live in Washington this morning.
Athena, the court has several options on the law. For those not following every step of this though like we are, briefly explain what those options are.
ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Randi.
The court is looking at several issues. But most experts we talk to believe it's going to come down to one of three choices. The Supreme Court could decide to uphold the entire law, leave it as is. They could strike down just a portion of the law, the individual mandate, which is that key provision at issue here, the one requiring nearly everyone to buy health insurance by 2014 or face fines, or they could strike down the entire thing, Randi.
KAYE: And the individual mandate, I mean, that certainly is getting the most attention. It's the most controversial part of the law. But the rest of the law can actually survive, right, even if the court strikes down the mandate?
JONES: Exactly, it could. I mean, as you mentioned, there are 450 or so provisions to this law. Several of which have already taken effect and proven quite popular.
Some of those are provisions allowing young adults to stay on their parents' health care plan until their 26th birthday. The one that says that insurance companies can't take away your coverage when you become ill by looking at some technicality on the application. Also, insurance plans can no longer deny coverage to children under 19 with pre-existing conditions.
Most experts say that they believe that if the court strikes down the individual mandate part of the law, it will be up to Congress to probably take a look at the rest of this law, see if it can still stand and function as is, or if they'll have to make some adjustments, Randi.
KAYE: And people actually seem to like some of the other provisions, from what I understand. I mean, even some Republicans like the ones dealing with the pre-existing conditions and lifetime limits on benefits. Is it your understanding those will actually be saved if the entire law is thrown out?
JONES: You know, if the entire law is thrown out, under that scenario, certainly Congress would have to step in and act to keep some of these popular measures in place, the provisions like the ones you mentioned, also that young adult provision, more than 3 million young adults are now getting health coverage, the Obama administration says, since this provision went into effect. But they'd had to step in and act.
And certainly, there would be immediate calls to keep some in place. But this is an election year, as you know. And so, the thinking is that not a lot could happen in the next five or so months leading up to the election.
So, a lot of big questions it would raise if the whole law gets thrown out or just a part, Randi.
KAYE: Athena Jones, live at the Supreme Court this morning, thank you.
And we are just two hours away from a historic announcement in Egypt. Large crowds gathering in Cairo's Tahrir Square, waiting to hear who won the country's presidential election.
We have heard both candidates declare victory in this one. But take a look at this from this morning. It is former prime minister, Ahmed Shafik, declaring victory on his Facebook page.
CNN senior international correspondent Dan Rivers is live in Cairo, waiting the decision.
Dan, Tahrir Square was the epicenter of the uprising, as we know, that toppled Hosni Mubarak. What do you think will happen there when this presidential announcement is made?
DAN RIVERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, all eyes will be on Tahrir Square. This is the entrance to it here. You can see the point that they set up, they're frisking people as they go in. The Muslim Brotherhood trying to insure only their own supporters that get into Tahrir Square because there are real concerns that this could end in violence.
If Ahmed Shafik is announced the winner of this presidential election, real concerns that that will spark a huge protest, which could end in violence. There have been dark predictions from the Muslim Brotherhood's own people here talking about, if there's any rigging of the election results, it will lead to colossal rage.
Mohamed ElBaradei, the former U.N. nuclear watchdog, says we're in for a lot of instability if Shafik wins and major uprising.
So, we've seen people parading (AUDIO BREAK) with their flags in anticipation. People are taking the risk of violence here, but they are emphasizing that they don't intend to start any violence, that they've renounced violence. They are already saying they know that they've won. That's in stark contrast to Shafik's camp, which is already proclaiming him as president on Facebook.
KAYE: And given Ahmed Shafik is from Mubarak's regime, I mean he was his last prime minister, I mean, is this really the change that the people of Egypt had hoped for?
RIVER: Well, no, because Ahmed Shafik is widely seen as really nothing more than a part of Hosni Mubarak. He was prime minister under Hosni Mubarak, former head of the air force. But lots of moderates as well are deeply concerned about the possible victory of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Let's talk to someone who speaks a little English. You're a doctor.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes (AUDIO BREAK)
RIVERS: What do you think is going to happen today?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that Morsi will win.
RIVERS: You think he will win. If he doesn't win, if Ahmed Shafik is pronounced the winter, what is the reaction here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will stay in Tahrir Square. We plan to stay to get our rights.
RIVERS: Do you -- are you worried though this could turn violent?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, no, no.
RIVERS: You're sure?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. I'm sure.
RIVERS: This has been the scene of such bloody confrontation before. How can you be sure it will not be repeated? If the army try and move in and move you, what will happen?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll stand (INAUDIBLE).
RIVERS: Thank you very much.
You can see that they're sort of carve out (INAUDIBLE) any incursion by (INAUDIBLE) do have emergency powers as of a few days ago to arrest people. Parliament has been dissolved. Many have seen it as a soft power grab by the army ahead of this presidential runoff result.
KAYE: Dan Rivers, thank you very much -- taking us inside what's happening there at Tahrir Square, incredible access. Thank you.
The fallout from the Jerry Sandusky case. The jury found him guilty. Now the attention is turning to Penn State University and the victims. Legal contributor Paul Callan will break down what comes next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Jerry Sandusky is sitting in a jail cell this morning now two days after being found guilty on 45 of 48 counts, all of them linked to the sexual abuse of 10 young boys. But what's next for Sandusky, the victims and Penn State University?
Joining me is CNN legal contributor, Paul Callan.
Paul, good morning to you.
PAUL CALLAN, CNN LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR: Good morning, Randi.
KAYE: Let's start with the victims here. Should we expect them to come back to court? I mean, they've been through so much but will they return for Sandusky's sentencing?
CALLAN: I would imagine they will return, at least some of them. You know, some of them -- they were obviously in court for the testimony. Some of them were in court for closing arguments.
So, they braced themselves for the pain of reliving this. I would suspect we'll see them in court, at least some.
KAYE: What do you think we might expect in terms of a civil case, a civil judgment against Sandusky?
CALLAN: I think we're going to see a number of cases being filed by victims, and not only the victims involved in this case but there are many other cases that have been investigated and have been investigated by a Pennsylvania grand jury.
I think you could see anywhere from five to 15 lawsuits probably being filed. Mike McQueary, remember, the assistant coach who testified, he also has a lawsuit against Penn State which he's going to file formally in the near future.
So, lots of suits against the university.
KAYE: Yes. And let me ask you about one of Sandusky's defense attorney -- Karl Rominger went on a radio show yesterday. I want you to listen to what he said. And then I want to ask you about it because it's very intriguing.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KARL ROMINGER, JERRY SANDUSKY'S ATTORNEY: We actually asked to resign from the case and that was done in secret. Joe Amendola and I asked Judge Cleland if we could withdraw from representing Jerry Sandusky because we felt we were ethically unable to go forward.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When did you ask to resign the case?
ROMINGER: We did that the morning before jury selection started. It was denied. (END AUDIO CLIP)
KAYE: Paul, when you hear a defense attorney saying they were ethically unable to move forward, those were his words, what would that mean, possibly?
CALLAN: This is an astonishing claim by this attorney. By the way, this is the same attorney who said before trial the defense was going to be that Sandusky gave showers to disadvantaged boys, he was teaching them how to take showers.
Now, usually in criminal cases, criminal defendants complain that they haven't had a speedy trial, which is guaranteed by the Constitution. This is now going to be the reverse of that. They are going to say he was forced into trial quickly, a rush to judgment.
What it makes me think, Randi, is in the end, it's going to be a claim of incompetence of counsel. You don't hear the attorney saying that. But essentially, I think Sandusky may have a claim that his attorneys acted incompetently, that will be one of his claims. They certainly put on the list they were forced to trial too quickly and couldn't adequately prepare for trial and there are other sort of things that arose during the course of the trial about things that were admitted into evidence.
So, there are areas they can file an appeal, whether that appeal would be granted by an appellate court is another matter.
KAYE: Let me ask you -- it is a fascinating statement, that's why we wanted to get your take on it. But Penn State issued a statement saying the university wants to provide a forum where the university can privately, expeditiously and fairly address victims' concerns and compensate them for claims. How would this work? And what would you expect to happen from here on this?
CALLAN: This was a very, very good thing, I think, that the university did. Of course, they have a new president in place. The university has a $1.8 billion endowment. So, there are funds available and, of course, there's probably some insurance coverage available.
This indicates a willingness to try to settle these cases out of court quietly so that you really don't have to put the victims of sex abuse through a public trial again. So, I would be hopeful that the university and the victims would be able to sit down and reach an agreement on these cases
Of course, the hardest thing is always trying to decide what is an appropriate measure of damages. Some people want millions and millions of dollars and the university is going to try to limit its exposure there. There are going to be hard negotiations about how much to pay these victims.
KAYE: I'm sure. Paul Callan, thank you very much. Nice to see you this morning.
CALLAN: Nice being with you, Randi.
KAYE: It is a little known way to slash your mortgage payments that could you thousands. Financial expert Clyde Anderson will be here on the moment to tell us all about it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: If you already own a home, then the record low mortgage rates probably have you thinking about refinancing. But that is easier said than done. There are tough new standards that can make it hard to take out a new loan and it could cost you a lot of money to do so.
So, leave it tour financial expert, Clyde Anderson, to find a loophole.
It is a little known practice called casting, and you say it could save hundreds, perhaps thousands for homeowners. So, how does it work?
CLYDE ANDERSON, FINANCIAL EXPERT: What it is when you can't refinance, you may recast. And what recasting does is really you put an amount of money, usually a lump sum of money, at least $5,000 down towards the mortgage payment. What they do is recalculate or re- amortize that loan.
So, therefore, you take an advantage of putting that money down and receiving a lower monthly payment -- even if the interest rate doesn't change.
KAYE: But not all loans are eligible, right?
ANDERSON: No, not all loans are eligible. Generally, it can't be an FHA loan, it can't be a V.A. loan. It has to be conventional or Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac type of product for it to work.
KAYE: So, why, I guess the question is here for anybody watching -- why recast versus refinance?
ANDERSON: Well, the situation is, a lot of people just can't refinance. Either they have credit issues that won't allow them to qualify for the loan or some people unemployed and they've done what's called a stated income loan and they don't verify all their income because they are self-employed and don't document it. And a lot of programs allow them to do that. And so, now, if you're in that situation, you may need to look at recasting as second alternative.
KAYE: And I guess the recasting is free, right, for the most part as well?
ANDERSON: For the most part. Maybe some small fees, $100 or $150 for some banks. And you really just have to find out what bank does it. Every bank does not do the recasting feature. So, you want to check with your bank and find out, do they allow you to recast your loan. KAYE: All right. So, let's take an example because anybody who's thinking about this wants to know, OK, what is it really going to save me? So, here's the number for you -- if someone has a mortgage loan for $225,000, how much will they save?
ANDERSON: Well, generally, if it's $225,000, you're talking about maybe 7 percent interest rate. So, you say, OK, I'm interested what I can do to save money. You want to have a lump sum of money, maybe inheritance, maybe some sort of windfall and say $20,000 they want to put down on a 30-year fixed loan, how looking at a month payment of $1,496 before recasting.
Now, once you recast and put that $20,000 down, it's going to go down to probably about $1,300 or so. You're saving about $150 a month over the course of the year, about $1,800. There's a lot of things I can think of I can do with that $1,800.
KAYE: Yes. You did the math pretty fast. I'm impressed there. So, that is a pretty good savings then. For anybody with the question, do you have $20,000 to put down?
ANDERSON: That's the question. It can be as little as $5,000. What you want to make sure of, does it make sense to you.
And that's the same thing with refinancing, does it make sense to pay those closing costs? Here, you don't have a closing cost. So, it maybe an advantage from that standpoint you're not going to pay $4,000 or $5,000 in closing cost. You can take that money and apply it directly to the principle and receive the benefit.
KAYE: All right. So, now, I'm really intrigued. Now, I'm wondering, can you do this for other loans or just homes?
ANDERSON: Generally homes. I have a question about cars and other things. Generally, it doesn't make sense on depreciating assets. In the past, a house has always been appreciating asset, but now, it's changed a little bit. But generally, it's going to make more sense if you do it on something a high ticket item like a home.
KAYE: All right. Recasting.
ANDERSON: Recasting.
KAYE: You can Google and we'll find out everything else that we need to know.
ANDERSON: See if it's right for you.
KAYE: All right. Clyde, thank you very much. Appreciate that.
ANDERSON: Thank you, Randi.
KAYE: Buses full of people trapped in a landslide. We'll tell you why the ground gave way. Look at that!
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KAYE: Checking headlines this morning:
A state of emergency has been declared in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, ahead of tropical storm Debby. Parish President Billy Nungesser told me earlier this morning that high waters are already threatening the only evacuation road out of town. Tropical storm Debby is expected to strengthen to a category 1 hurricane in the next few days.
And now to China, where heavy rains are causing flooding and landslides. Here, you can see one of two passenger buses that was caught in one of those landslides. No one was seriously injured.
We'll have much more at the top of hour when CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues. I'll be back then.
But first, "SANJAY GUPTA, M.D." begins right now.
