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Lawmakers Disappointed About TSA's New Policy; Afghan President Accuses U.S. Of Working With Taliban; Cardinals To Vote For New Pope On Tuesday

Aired March 10, 2013 - 16:59   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello again, I'm Fredricka Whitfield, here in the CNN Newsroom. Our top stories, criticism is growing over new rules from the Transportation Security Administration. Passengers will be able to carry small pocketknives on airplanes starting April 25th.

Some lawmakers oppose the move although the TSA says the new rules are in line with international regions

Lisa Desjardins is live for us in Washington.

So Lisa what is being said by lawmakers today?

LISA DESJARDINS, CNN RADIO CAPITOL HILL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. They are not happy. These lawmakers speaking out this weekend, first, Ed Marquee of Massachusetts, the House member yesterday and then today, Chuck Schumer, who happens to be the third highest ranking Democrat in the caucus in the senate, said that he is certainly not happy. In fact, he thinks this change is dangerous and he spoke to reporters on Sunday, which is rare. But here is what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D) NEW YORK: The TSA ought to smell the coffee. They were to immediately repeal this rule which not only is dangerous, but makes passengers more fearful at fly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DESJARDINS: Now, these are the knives that will be allowed under the new TSA policy. You might call them pocket knives or Swiss army knives. There seems to have blades that are smaller than 2.6 inches, so, a little bit longer than say, your house key.

Also on the list of newly allowed things to carry on are ski poles, lacrosse stick and bill yard cues. Of course, Frederica, not really hearing many arguments about those things, clearly unwieldy, it is the knives that are the main issue here.

And as senator Schumer saying, he thinks because they can potentially hurt an individual, that's one reason that flight attendants are very concerned about this as well. Now, TSA you however, sees things very differently. From TSA's perspective this is about their job being a priority on trying to prevent terrorists from taking over an entire plane. The TSA says that cockpits are protected now. Small knifes can no longer get a terrorist to the plane's controls. But the TSA says hunting for those knives can distract their officers from finding those bigger threats.

Now, these changes are supposed to go into effect in April, Frederica, buts here the thing. Senator Schumer says that if the TSA does not reverse this policy on its own, he will file a bill to force them to do it.

WHITFIELD: OK. Meantime, Lisa, there's something else impacting some air control towers because of the force budget cuts. What is going on with that?

WHITFIELD: Yes, Fred. I don't know how often you fly out of small airport. I know there is one in Columbus, Georgia, for example, that the metropolitan airport that may have to close its control tower because of the forced budget cuts.

Here is another one we are looking at in this video. That's an airport in Hagerstown, Maryland. As a lot of folks know, TSA is going to have to furlough some of its air traffic controllers and what TSA has decided to do is just close control towers in the smaller airport bus it's more than 200 of those airports could be affected. They are all on a list.

This week is the decisive one. These airports have until Wednesday to make their best case for why they should be taken off that list, why they should be allowed to keep their control tower open. Then a week from tomorrow, Fred, we will get the final list of which airports will be closed.

WHITFIELD: All right, Lisa --

DESJARDINS: I'm sorry, which control towers will be closed. The airports may be able to stay open without the control towers.

WHITFIELD: Got it. All right. Thanks so much for that clarification.

Appreciate it, Lisa, in Washington.

All right, overseas now, in Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai is accusing the United States and the Taliban of working together to scare the Afghan people. Karzai said both sides want to convince Afghans that things will worsen if foreign troops leave the country. The comments came after a bombing in Kabul yesterday during a visit by defense secretary Chuck Hagel. A scheduled news conference between Hagel and Karzai was canceled after the comment, but the two did meet privately today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHUCK HAGEL, DEFENSE SECRETARY: We did discuss those comments. I told the president it was not true, that the United States was unilaterally working with the Taliban in trying to negotiate anything. The fact is any prospect any prospects of peace or political settlements, that has to be led by the Afghans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Hagel also visited with U.S. and Afghan troops to thank them for their service.

At the Vatican, cardinals are preparing for historic week. Tuesday, they will cast their first vote for the next pope. I asked Ben Wedeman which is the strongest contenders.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, it is really an open question. And every day single day, you seem to see a different list of the top contenders. So, it is really a guessing game at this point.

We do understand there are sort of three, or rather, two major trends when it comes to the top candidates. There are those outside the roman curia interested in seeing a new face, somebody who can manage the affairs of the Vatican. And when they talked about that, they are looking at perhaps, Marc Ouellet of Canada, a cardinal from Canada who does seem to have the support. So, we are told by Vatican watchers of many of the north and South American cardinals.

The traditionalists are looking more in the direction of Angela Scola, the cardinal from Milan. He is a man who has got one foot in the Italian Catholic Church and another foot in the Vatican, somebody who knows very well the affairs of the Vatican state.

But then you hear other names, for instance, like Peter Turkson of Ghana, that he is somebody that those who want to see a completely different character to the papacy, they would like to see somebody like him.

But as I said, every single day you hear different candidates being discussed and at this point, we are just going to have to wait, Frederica, for that white smoke.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. Thank you so much, Ben Wedeman in Rome.

Here in the U.S., a terrible accident. Police in Warner, Ohio say six teenagers were killed and two others injured in a single car crash. Their Honda SUV apparently went off the road around 7:00 this morning when it hit a guardrail and then rolled into a pond. A dive team was called in to help rescue the injured. Police say it looked like the car was overloaded and that no one was wearing a seat belt.

A federal jury has granted one of the largest civil rights verdicts to an Ohio man who spent 11 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. David Ayers was rewarded $13.2 million for wrongful prosecution and imprisonment. The 56-year-old former security officer was freed in 2011 after DNA tests cleared him in the killing of a 76-year-old woman at the public housing complex where he worked. He talked about what it felt like when he finally got his freedom.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID AYERS, FORMER PRISONER: I was in tear it is. I was just crying because, I mean, my -- you know, I'm finally free after 11 years, for a crime that I was accused of.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The city attorney in Cleveland, which is on the hook to pay, says officials are quote "disappointed" and considering their options.

In dozens of countries around the world where women are considered second-class citizens and people are imprisoned for being gay, a new document will soon ban all forms of discrimination. The document is a new charter for the Commonwealth of Nations. The commonwealth is a voluntary group of 54 independent nations headed up by Britain's Queen Elizabeth. And tomorrow, the Queen will sign the charter.

I asked CNN's royal correspondent, Max Foster, the significance of all of this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: This is the first time that the commonwealth has had a single doctrine really setting out the core values of the organization and the aspiration of its members. As you say, there will be an element of this document that opposes all forms of discrimination, whether in gender, race, color, creed, political belief or other grounds. And those other grounds being -- the feeling is that is about sexuality. They didn't want to put sexuality in there because some countries involved here actually have -- don't have sexuality laws. So there is some sensitivity about it. But what this whole exercise really is about is having a core set of values that gets rid of all forms of discrimination. And 54 countries have agreed to it and the queen is signing it, so it does become a formal agreement between these countries.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And the signing will be the first public appearance for the Queen since being hospitalized for that stomach bug a week ago.

All right. On to sports, Tiger Woods is holding onto the lead through eight holes today at the Cadillac championship in Doral, Florida. He just birdied the tenth home get the latest on tigers a progress on bleacherreport.com.

And a family spots a peculiar box on the side of the road in South Carolina. But then, listen to what happened next.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BRANDON POOLE, VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER: I thought it was little pup his that little box and so here I pulled over around got closer to it and I noticed I heard squealing. And I thought it was little baby pigs and I got closer around picked one up and it was three baby bears. I'm kind of trained to save lives and helps so it felt really good to me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The cubs are about a month old and weigh less than three pounds each. Of course, the kids wanted to keep the little ones but the parents made sure that they got to a nearby bear rescue facility.

A presidential race that pits a Bush against a Clinton, been there, done that? Oh, hey, it could happen again. We are talking about Jeb Bush, Hillary Clinton on the tickets, election 2016.

And that ban on sugary soda goes into effect this week in New York. So why are customers getting new rules for their coffee?

Plus, the centerfold versus the Ten Commandments, "Playboy" launching a Hebrew edition in Israel.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Do you have the bug, the elected office bug?

JEB BUSH (R), FORMER FLORIDA GOVERNOR: The elected office bug, I don't know. I haven't given that much thought. I loved being governor, it was a blast. Eight years was enough, but it was certainly one of the greatest thrills of my life to be able to serve the people of Florida. So I -- I miss that from time to time. But I -- as I said, I got a great life right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Jeb Bush has not been on the ballot in years. But the former Florida governor has been making all the rounds of the television talk show, particularly today. He is being asked a lot about 2016.

Joining us now is John Avlon, a CNN contributor and senior political columnist for "Newsweek" and "the Daily Beast."

OK, so are we look at Jeb Bush who is poising himself for consideration for a run in 2016?

JOHN AVLON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, I mean, he certainly said he has not ruled anything out. That's usually politician code for I'm thinking seriously about a run. But what's really fascinating, Fred, is that he has got so many folks who are pressing him so run, I mean, because the Bushes are an unlikely dynasty. And the fact that they are looking potentially at a third Bush to run for president is unprecedented in American political history.

So, the mere fact there's fascination and a drive to have him run itself is a totally unchartered territory in our country's history.

WHITFIELD: So, it's interesting because even when he is asked about it directly, he does kind of say, well, you know, I am not thinking about that right now. But neighbor a year, I'm willing start talking about it or thinking about it more seriously. So, he is not ruling it out.

AVLON: Definitely not. And you know, here is what's significant. I mean, first of all, we are a world away from 2016. You know, the 2014 midterms are still far, far away. But we do focus on the next presidential race. It's an open seat in 2016 and the Bushes have the benefit, and a curse, in Jeb's case, of a brand name identity.

What is significant right now is that he is promoting a book, a book about immigration reform called "immigration wars". They wrote with Clint Bolick. This is not the traditional way people reached out for the Republican nomination to run as a policy wonk and potential party reformer and to grab hold of the third rail of immigration reform, that itself a pretty gutsy way to introduce yourself to the Republican party.

WHITFIELD: But, how does that serve him well, particular any this political climate?

AVLON: Well, first of all, I do think you have seen a sea change in the way the country approaches immigration reform. One of the clear takeaways from the 2012 election or Republicans is that they got decimated by lack of support from Hispanics. Mitt Romney getting 27 percent, that is down from 44 percent George W. Bush got in 2004. So, Jeb Bush particularly, who is a popular swing state governor of Florida has a demonstrated ability to reach out to Hispanic voters. That is someone who has got credibility on this issue.

So, all of a sudden, those forces in the past that have pandered to the base and polarized on the issue of immigration in the Republican party that stopped his brother from getting immigration reform done in 2007, all of a sudden there, is a sea change in opinion. And Bush is try took force for that change, a bipartisan group in the Senate and now Jeb Bush, with his book, trying to push for comprehensive immigration reform now. That is a serious difference than, for example, when Mitt Romney tried to play to the base and oppose immigration reform and he certainly paid price for that.

WHITFIELD: Marco Rubio is kind of the candidate that many have been seeing as one who would appeal to the Latino voters among Republicans. But Jeb Bush, you know like you said, he has had great appeal among Latinos, particular any Florida. He speaks Spanish and often times would take that opportunity to speak Spanish. So, it seems like he is the full package, considering Republican Party wants very much to, I guess, broaden its base and appeal to a more diversified crowd.

AVLON: Absolutely. Look, demographics are destiny. The Republican Party realized they have an existential problem, unless they can reach out beyond a base of old, white men, frankly. And Jeb Bush is uniquely positioned here. I mean, Marco Rubio is a protege of Jeb Bush in the Florida state legislature. But the Bushes have a unique ability to bridge the old northeastern establishment to the extent it still exists, Sunbelt conservatives, national security hawks. And with Jeb reach doubt to out to Hispanics is real credibility. One of the things he does in his book we need to reach out not just to Hispanic but to gays and African-Americans and single women. That itself is a recognition the Republican Party needs to reform and reach out. And that is exactly the kind of message the next Republican nominee is going to need to have, whether it is Jeb Bush or somebody else.

WHITFIELD: All right. John Avlon, always good to see. Thank you so much.

AVLON: Thanks, Fred, you, too.

WHITFIELD: Well, as the U.S. economy gets better, prices go up. Should you be prepared to pay more? We will find out.

Plus, the great and powerful but is the new oz movie making money at the box office? We will explore.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: It's been a big opening weekend for OZ, the great and powerful.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING)

WHITFIELD: Disney's 3D fantasy adventure earned $80 million the U.S. and $70 million overseas. It is the prequel to the original "the wizard of oz" film. James Franco played the title role of the fast- talking Kansas circus worker who becomes the wizard.

Have Americans been in a spending mood since the holidays? We will find out this week when we get the retail sales report and it's important because how much we shop is one of the best ways to get a handle on how the economy is doing overall.

Let's bring in Kenneth Polcari. He is the director of floor operations or O'Neil securities in New York.

Good to see you Kenneth.

All right. So, what are you expecting with the retail sales, good season?

KENNETH POLCARI, DIRECTOR OF FLOOR OPERATIONS, O'NEIL SECURITIES: I think what you're going to get is - I think you're going to get weakness in retail sales, right, because we have gone through the shopping season now. And now, we are into the payroll tax increase. We have got higher gas prices. And so, you can almost feel that the consumer is getting a little bit squeezed between the hire food costs, by higher energy costs and less money in their pay check. So, it is going to be interesting to see how they come out with these numbers. But, one way or the other, I think that they are going to end up spinning it as a positive story, right? They will find some way to stimulate on how the story and continue the momentum forward.

WHITFIELD: OK. We haven't really talked a lot about inflation in a while. But this week, we are getting a couple of important inflation measures. Will we see signs of prices rising?

POLCARI: Well, here is what you should be - here's what consumers should be concerned about, right? You are going to get PPI, which is the first measure of producer price inflation, which talks about the prices that the producers are paying to produce their products and then passing those on to what will then be the CPI, which is the consumer price index, which tells us where prices are going for the consumer. They are looking for the overall number to be 0.7, right, which is a very high number. But, once you take out food and energy, 0.2.

But here is the problem. We need food and energy. I don't know the last time you ate a computer, but you can't do that, right? You can't drive your car. So, you need food and energy. And so, that is going to be the other issue that is going to affect consumers' right in the pocketbook because it costs you more money, as you know, you go to the supermarket, you go gas station along with, again, the tax increase.

WHITFIELD: And speaking of food, you know, we need food. That is a reflection of our mood and you always have recipes that are really our reflection of the economy or the markets. And this week, you have a delightful pork chops with a spin, a little bubbly, champagne pork chops on your Web site.

POLCARI: Well, because listen. Here is the deal. We marched to new highs last week, right? Got the Dow marching to new highs, we got the S&P teasing new highs. There should be this feeling of excitement and we are not there yet. So you know what, let's get ready. Let's break out the champagne and I have got this great champagne pork chop which is actually -- go to my Web site, you will the recipe there, but it's very simple to make and such a great dish, if you serve it over mashed potatoes with a big green salad and a champagne vinaigrette dressing.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my God. Very fancy shamancy (ph).

All right. Kenneth Polcari has said. Kenpolcari.com for that recipe.

POLCARI: Yes.

WHITFIELD: Bon Appetit (ph)or I should say bon Appetito (ph).

POLCARI: Right. And it is KennyPolcari.com.

WHITFIELD: Kennypolicari.com. OK. There you go.

All right. Grazzi. Thanks so much, Kenny.

All right. New Yorkers are never shy with sharing their opinion. So, with that ban on sugary drinks about to kick in, what are they saying? Find out. Plus, a son races against time as he tries make it home to see his dying mother. What happened next is really pretty amazing. You will hear from him right here in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Welcome back to the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. A look at our top stories right now.

Tensions are rising between the U.S. and Afghan president Hamid Karzai. Defense secretary Chuck Hagel is in Afghanistan for a visit right now. And Karzai accuse the U.S. of working with the Taliban to scare Afghans over the withdrawal of foreign troops. This followed a bombing in cab that killed at least nine. A joint press conference between the men was canceled but they did meet privately earlier today.

And the conclave to elect a new Pope is just two days away now. Today, the cardinals celebrated masses in private chapels, cathedrals and Basilicas across Rome. They will hold one more pre-conclave meeting tomorrow before casting their first ballot on Tuesday.

And earlier today, the cat haven preserve in California reopened. Visitors are being allowed back in four days after an African lion killed 24-year-old intern Diana Hanson. The lion escaped his enclosure and pounced on Hanson as she was cleaning a nearby cage. Police briefed the public before they opened the gates.

Another story that was trending this last week for good reason, it was a simple act of kindness than gave a California man the opportunity to say his final good-byes to his dying mother.

Kerry Drake was flying Lubbock, Texas, where his mother was hospitalized. It started in San Francisco, but the first leg of his flight from San Fran to Houston was delayed. He knew there was no way he could make his connecting flight to Lubbock. But when united airlines crew saw how distraught he was, they radioed the connecting flight and the crew on board that plane delayed takeoff for about 20 minutes so that Drake could see his mother before she passed away. Today, Drake had a message of gratitude for the airline.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KERRY DRAKE, AIRLINE PASSENGER: Me and my family want to say thank you and, you know, you know, when they -- when I realized that they were, you know, trying to help me is when I really became emotional and need some extra napkins. The compassion was overwhelming.

WHITFIELD: And in the end, the end of that journey, you were able to make that connecting flight, you heard them over the loud speaker saying, you know Mr. Drake, we have been waiting for you, you got on that flight. You were able to get to the hospital to see your mom and really was a matter of hours in which you had that contact with your mom and that she would pass away, right?

DRAKE: That's right. I got to spend the night with her and my dad in the hospital room that night. And about 4 a.m. was her last moment of coherence where she woke up. And then the following morning, she was dead. And had I not made that flight from Houston to Lubbock, I would not have been able to say good-bye.

WHITFIELD: Well, Kerry Drake, thanks so much for sharing your story. So glad you got chance to be reunited with your mom and have those very precious moments. I know you have been sending out a big thanks to United Airlines and everyone along the way for helping to make it happen.

DRAKE: Thank you, Fredricka, for helping me thank them.

WHITFIELD: And United Airlines says it's glad Drake was able to make it to Lubbock just in time.

All right, here's a look at what's trending online. Are women grumpier than men? CBS report says yes. I don't believe it! According to the report, women are on edge because they get less sleep than men. That makes women more depressed, angry, and a little grumpy.

Speaking of grumpy, a female cat is stealing the show at South By Southwest, that conference in Austin, Texas. They call her the grumpy cat. Her real name is Tarter Sauce. Almost anyone who has a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account knows this famous little kitty. People use her face to post grumpy messages. And in Austin, the line to see the feline is very, very long one.

Bringing his A-game as host of SNL, singer Justin Timberlake did it again last night. It was his fifth time hosting the show. And this time around, he brought a couple of his celebrity friends with him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CANDACE BERGEN, ACTRESS: Relax, Alec.

(APPLAUSE)

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, ACTOR/SINGER: Candace Bergen! The first female member of the Five Timers Club.

BERGEN: And I would like to say, something. I, too wish we had a second bathroom, but while we're all sharing, could you please try to remember the leave the toilet seat down?

TOM HANKS, ACTOR: Don't look at me!

ALEC BALDWIN, ACTOR I didn't do it.

MARTIN SHEEN, ACTOR: I go in the sink.

TIMBERLAKE: This place is the best. I love being a five timer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Nice friends! All right. And don't touch my super sized soda. That's pretty much what New Yorkers say about that ban on sugary drink. But wait, the new rule affects coffee as well? That's not going to go over well.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. She is the head of the New York City Council, now Christine Quinn wants to replace Michael Bloomberg as mayor.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTINE QUINN, HEAD OF NYC COUNCIL: It's very exciting to get to be here right across the street from the church where my parents were married and my sister was baptized and my father -- my grandfather was buried from right near where my mother grew up to announce that today, I'm announcing I am officially running to be the mayor of the great city of New York.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And if elected, she will become New York's first female and first openly gay mayor.

And if you live in New York or just visiting, your coffee order may soon get a little complicated. It's all part of mayor Michael Bloomberg's ban on big, sugary drinks. It take effects on Tuesday, and complying with the new rules isn't as easy as you might think. CNN's Mary Snow has the story.

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, it's complicated. Lattes won't change because they have milk. Now, coffees with sugar, that's another story. At least one coffee chain is bracing its customers, and we found many who were surprised to learn of the breadth of the city ban.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SNOW (voice-over): Along with the cup of coffee, a side of new rules. Dunkin Donuts is handing out these flyers to its New York City customers on how new regulations spills over into its coffee business.

It is part of the ban on super sized sugary drinks that goes into effect Tuesday. It is part of the city effort to fight obesity. To comply, Dunkin Donuts will no longer put sugar in coffee over 16 ounces. You will have to do it yourself.

KAILA GANT, COFFEE DRINKER: I'm surprised. I thought it was just like sodas and like iced teas. I didn't even know it was coffee until just now.

STEPHANIE FORD, COFFEE DRINKER: It is annoying. I believe it is unnecessary. There are so many other things to worry about in the city. SNOW: The city is not banning restaurants from putting sugar in the coffee. The department of health says the limit per barista is four packs of sugar to 20 ounces. And customer themselves can add as much sugar as they want.

But Dunkin Donuts says, it wants to cut down on any confusion. McDonalds also says it will tell customers to add their own sugar for coffee over 16 ounces. Both places say they're prepping the workers to be ready.

At restaurants, sodas this size is what the city doesn't want served. This is 20 ounces. This one is still OK. It is 12 ounces and customers can order as many as they want. But at restaurants like this one that prides itself on Texas sized servings, it makes a difference.

ERIC LEVINE, DIRECTOR, DALLAS BBQ: Oh, everything is big.

SNOW: Eric Levine is the director of Dallas BBQ, which has 10 restaurants.

Are you going to stop using those 20 ounces?

LEVINE: We will when the law says we have to. Right now, we are sort in a limbo and we are allowed by city law to hold off to until, I think, about June.

SNOW: The city says it will not enforce violations for three months, as restaurants adjust. Levine is waiting to the result of the lawsuits filed by restaurants, beverage companies and others to try and stop the city from its ban on super sized drinks. He estimates all the changes will cost his business tens of thousands of dollars, and plenty of headaches.

LEVINE: I have a lot of aggravation, menu changes, sign changers, digital boards, Facebook, Web sites, information training, posy touch computers, everything.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SNOW: Now another company holding off making changes right away is Starbucks. It says there are some gray areas that it's sorting through, and it's using the city's three-month evaluation period to take a look at what changes it needs to make to be in compliance. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much, Mary. Let's talk more about this. Let's bring in Greg Mocker, reporter for New York's PIX 11 News at Ten.

All right, good to see you. You have been covering this story from the very beginning. And these restrictions are pretty tight. Are folks a little hot over it?

GREG MOCKER, REPORTER, NEW YORK'S PIX11: Well, it is New York. So I'm going to have to hand sanitize some of the stuff that I heard on the subway this morning.

WHITFIELD: OK, keep it clean.

MOCKER: Yes, you know, I do want to be invited back.

I was there when the health commissioner announced this. You know, they try to tell us that it is about information. And you know, I don't think anybody is going to disagree that we need to make smarter health choices. I'm not sitting here saying I had 19 Big Gulps today. But I do know has sent some of my friends running for the 7-11 to get a Big Gulp or to load up on sugary drinks. It is kind of driving us crazy a little bit here.

I went and had my coffee this morning, and Mary mentioned that in the report, and this is the thing I got. And it breaks down what we can and cannot add or what we can or cannot have -- this particular company. Just for the record, I had mine black. So --

WHITFIELD: Okay. No problem with the sugar?

MOCKER: No but what if they start coming -- coming for the caffeine content or something? Then we are going to have a serious problem, right?

WHITFIELD: So, overall, what are your New Yorker friends saying about the mayor's efforts to get people to slim down by cutting back on their sugary drinks? Now there's some discussion about the mayor saying he wants people to kind of tone it down on their ear buds. Regulations on how loud your music and your information would be blasting through your ears. You know, there's just a lot of regulations that are, I guess, likely to sweep through the city if the mayor has his way.

MOCKER: Yes he doesn't like it when I ask him or when somebody suggests it's the nanny state, but that's what we say out on the street around here. Because we know what we have to do; we want to have the choice, though. And when there are so many work-arounds, when, you know, another major coffee chain has said we are not going to do anything until we see if this court things goes through related to the sugary ban. You know, when things just don't make sense, when you can still go to the grocery store and buy as much pop, or soda pop -- soda as we call it in New York, although I am from Ohio, so I call it pop. You know, there are these work-arounds which kind of make us shake our head and say we get the message.

But you know, I know that I'm frustrated, as somebody who just likes to question the government whenever they bring up a regulation. I mean, look what happened with the TSA saying that now you can bring a knife on but I can't bring my big bottle of shampoo. It is just like, okay, I understand these regulations, But really? Where's -- the common sense behind it is people are going to drink what they want. And now this is selling more soda cups almost.

WHITFIELD: Yes? Okay. And so people are expressing their frustration, and the mayor says what? MOCKER: He says it's about information, and he wants us to have to think about refilling that 13 or 14 times. And you know what? I think people probably already are because hopefully we are all noticing that our waistlines can sometimes get a little bigger and our pants don't fit. We can't blame the mayor for that, right?

So, we have to make those personal choices there. But now they kind of limit -- again, if I order a pizza, they can't send a two-liter of pop or soda. They can't send that. And that's just one of those things. So, now I have to buy -- say you're trying to have a nice Saturday night with your family. Now I have to buy five smaller someone in

WHITFIELD: You're just going to have to sip your drink and stretch it out.

MOCKER: Yep.

WHITFIELD: Best you can. Greg Mocker, all right. Thanks so much, good to see you and all the best. Cheers.

(LAUGHTER)

WHITFIELD: All right, marijuana. Well, it's a cash crop right now for drug traffickers, but as two states get ready for legal sales of pot, lots of people are figuring out how they can make money off of that. That is, if the feds don't step in.

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WHITFIELD: Marketing pot. It's unchartered territory now being drawn up. The sale of marijuana for recreational use goes into effect in Colorado and Washington later this year. And officials in those states are scrambling to get rules in place. All the while, the feds are looking over their shoulders, weighing a possible move to stop the states from going forward.

Before marijuana sales start in Washington, the state has to hire a pot czar. As CNN's Paul Vercammen reports, the job is still up for grabs.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Friday after work.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude. I love Washington.

VERCAMMEN (voice-over): Where's my czar, as in marijuana consultant. In Washington State after seminars and lengthy search they still haven't hired a marijuana adviser because they've been swamped with qualified applicants.

The state liquor control board says, it received 98 bids to become the consultant on implementing Washington's landmark legalization of pot, Initiative 502. Entrepreneurs are waiting for guidance.

Dante Jones wants his business, Green Ambrocia, to become a 5,200-foot marijuana superstore. For now, Jones sells only to customers with medical prescriptions. Dead head OG, critical curb and amnesia haze, sales for recreational use become legal at the end of this year as a result of the ballot proposal's passage.

DANTE JONES, MARIJUANA VENDOR: The change in public perception since that November vote has been just dramatic.

VERCAMMEN: The marijuana consultant, law degree preferred, will advise on growing, transporting and packaging marijuana here, in other words, somebody who knows about marijuana from experience. That means some applicants with criminal records may be considered so long as their offenses were marijuana related and nonviolence.

JOSH BOLENDER, WASHINGTON LIQUOR CONTROL OFFICERS UNION: Cannabis is a whole new thing for us. It's unchartered territory.

VERCAMMEN: The liquor board says it expects to pay less than $100,000 for the pot consulting and may divide the work among up to four bidders. The announcement of the winning bid or bids could come as early as next week. For the winner or winners, it could be euphoria. For dozens of losers, reefer sadness. Paul Vercammen, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right. Sure, everybody just read it is for the articles, but this time, you've got read from right to left. "Playboy" launching a Hebrew edition in Israel.

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WHITFIELD: Okay, "Playboy." It's launched a new edition. This one is in Hebrew. And it will be launched in Israel. And the idea to expand the franchise there is causing a little bit of controversy. Here's Jonathan Mann.

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JONATHAN MANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is a land of three great faiths. A place of prayer and piety. And now of Playmates as well. "Playboy" magazine has launched a local Hebrew-language edition. Unlike the English magazine, it reads from right to left, but that's if you're looking at the articles. Natalie Dadon and Marine Teramaretz are on the cover and in the magazine for another reason.

NATALIE DADON, PLAYBOY ISRAEL'S FIRST COVER MODEL: People are telling me why are you doing that? And like open their eyes, like I'm doing something very wrong. There are people that are very proud of me also.

MARIE TERAMARETZ, PLAYBOY ISRAEL'S FIRST PLAYMATE OF THE MONTH: It's the first time it's happening in Israel, first time that an Israeli girl is being Playboy playmate. And I'm very proud and privileged to be a part of it.

MANN: Israelis are mindful of the Ten Commandments and the devout who observe them. Thou shalt not cover thy neighbor's wife. But what about thy newsstand's centerfold? Reaction is mixed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I hear about the magazine. I don't use it because I'm religious.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's good.

MANN: It's good?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lots of pictures of girls without clothes in it?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's not so good.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ohh, it's very nice.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You've seen it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't see it, but I want to see it.

(LAUGHTER)

MANN: Israel has already seen women in prominent roles in politics, the armed forces and every walk of life. Now it's going to see them prominently in "Playboy." Jonathan Mann, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: You know, it's for the articles.

(LAGUHTER)

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Just read it for the articles.

WHITFIELD: Right, right. Hey! Good to see you.

LEMON: It's good to see you.

WHITFIELD: It has been forever since we have shared this space together.

LEMON: I know. We saw each other in the newsroom. I was like, "Fred!" People are like, "What's wrong with you guys?" We're like, obviously we don't like each other.

WHITFIELD: You doing well? Got lots coming up?

LEMON: Doing well. I saw your conversation on the sugary soft drink thing that goes into effect on Tuesday. We had a very lively conversation last night that you want to see -- a lot of disagreement about it.

WHITFIELD: Oh, boy. Lots of people don't like something being regulated.

LEMON: Yes, yes. We hear a lot about professional athletes suffering long-term effects of concussions from the hits that they take. Our guest at 7:00 p.m. Eastern tonight is not a professional athlete. Her name is Lindsay Quarley (ph). She was in a car accident last year and didn't know until a few weeks later that she had suffered a concussion. And over a year later, she still struggles with her memory, speech and reading ability. You know here. It's a story that's really important to us here at CNN because she works right here in the NEWSROOM. She's actually working on my team today. She calls it living with a borrowed brain and we'll talk to her at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

WHITFIELD: Good! I look forward to that. And lots more.

LEMON: It's great to have you back.

WHITFIELD: Good to see you, too! All right. Thanks, Don.

Here's a question for you. You can answer it if you'd like. What do Ron Howard, Marco Rubio and Ruth Bader Ginsburg all have in common?

LEMON: Hmm. Oh, I know, but I can't answer. Because then that would give it away.

WHITFIELD: I know. OK, you have to stick around to find out.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Today, 26 cyclists are pedaling their way from Newtown, Connecticut, to Capitol Hill. Team 26, as today call themselves, is embarking on a 400-mile trip in support of new gun control legislation. Twenty-six, as you'll recall, is the number of people killed at Sandy Hook Elementary back in December. The cyclists plan to arrive in Washington on Tuesday.

Somebody we all grew up with is about to get a big honor, and it tops our look at the week ahead. Ron Howard will be inducted into the TV Academy Hall of Fame tomorrow. He's the winner of three primetime Emmy awards, including outstanding miniseries in 1998. But a lot of us still love him the most as Opie on the Andy Griffith show.

On Tuesday, Roman Catholic cardinals will begin the conclave, the secret process to choose a new pope. Also Tuesday, suspect James Holmes is expected to enter a plea in the Aurora, Colorado, movie theater shooting massacre. Twelve people died, and at least 58 more were wounded last July.

Thursday, the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, gets under way. It's considered a testing ground for 2016. Possible presidential hopefuls will be there. Kentucky senator Rand Paul, Representative Paul Ryan, and Florida senator Marco Rubio. A

Also Thursday, President Obama travels to Capitol Hill to meet with the Senate Republican Conference and the House Democratic Caucus.

And Friday is U.S. Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's 80th birthday. In a speech last month, she says she has no plans to quit any time soon, saying quote, "I will stay in this job as long as I can do it full-steam." End quote. Happy birthday!

Aww, happy birthday to the justice. All right, that's going to do it for me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. I'll see you throughout the week, and again next weekend. Don Lemon is going to take it from here.