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Will Edward Snowden Testify?; Rodman On A "Basketball Diplomacy" Tour; Will Federal Reserve Cut stimulus Program?; Rough Winter Ahead?; Peter O'Toole Dead at 81; House Passed Bipartisan Budget Deal; Shooting Victim Remains in Critical Condition; High School Gunman's Friend Speaking Out; On the Set of "Anchorman 2"; Football Legend Blasts Kobe Bryant; First Case of CTE for MLB

Aired December 15, 2013 - 18:00   ET

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

ROSA FLORES, CNN ANCHOR: You are in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Rosa Flores.

This hour, we are looking ahead to stories you'll be talking about and hearing about this coming week.

Let's begin with our five questions for the week ahead.

Question number one, will Edward Snowden testify under oath?

Former NSA contractor has been formally invited by the European parliament to provide testimony about the U.S. government's surveillance programs. Whether he will or won't is up in the air right now.

CNN's Tory Dunnan is in Washington with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TORY DUNNAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Rosa, the White House is reviewing the recommendations from a task force the president commissioned in the wake of all the damage and revelations by NSA leaker Edward Snowden. That panel gave dozens of ideas on how the country should balance intelligence gathering with privacy concerns from individuals in other countries. Its recommendations won't be made public until next month as part of an overall administration review. And the president is expected to deliver remarks about the outcome.

But the White House says, exactly how much will be made public is still being determined.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAY CARNEY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Obviously, we're talking about fairly sensitive and classified information. But part of this process that the president has asked for is one that will allow us to be as transparent as possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP) DUNNAN: As for Edward Snowden himself, top NSA official charged with preventing more leaks has told CBS News that he would consider recommending amnesty for Snowden in exchange for not revealing more damaging classified information.

Former head Michael Hayden shot down the notion of that idea on NBC's "Meet the Press."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL HAYDEN, FORMER NSA DIRECTOR: He seems to have a negotiating edge on us because he can hold this overhang over us in terms of negotiating. But I -- but I wouldn't do it. I understand the attraction, David, but I wouldn't do it because that simply motivates future Snowdens to do these kinds of things.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DUNNAN: Rosa, of course, as we know Snowden remains in Russia now where he's been for months.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FLORES: And now for our second question. Take a look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, Mr. Rodman, round trip to North Korea?

DENNIS RODMAN, FORMER NBA PLAYER: One way.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: One way? Woo! One way! He said one way!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's not coming back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FLORES: Despite what he said there, Dennis Rodman is going to North Korea this week but he is coming back. But should he even be going in the first place?

Rodman begins a diplomacy trip to North Korea on Thursday. But he has no plans to meet with Kim Jong-un.

Just this week, the North Korean leader had his uncle executed for allegedly trying to seize power and control of the government. However, he did allow his aunt to live. Rodman is going to North Korea to train a basketball team. The North Koreans will play a game against former NBA players next month.

But with a dicey situation in North Korea, is this the time for the hall of famer to be playing basketball there? We're just asking.

Our third question, will the Federal Reserve end a massive stimulus program? If that happens, what will that mean for the markets, and the economy of course?

Alison Kosik is at the New York Stock Exchange.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Rosa.

This week, it's all about the Federal Reserve. Wall Street has been wondering what policymakers will do about its massive stimulus program.

And Wednesday, we could get some clues. The Fed has been throwing $85 billion a month into the economy. And that pushed stocks to record highs. But recent reports on jobs, GDP, housing, and auto sales have been improving. Leading some to believe the economy is strong enough to stand on its own and that the Fed will taper sooner rather than later.

But a survey by the NABE shows two third of economists don't think tapering will begin into early next year. About a third say the second quarter of next year. The upcoming week also brings big economic reports on GDP, existing home sales and manufacturing.

And finally, we'll learn this week if minimum wage in Washington, D.C. will jump to $11.50 an hour by 2016. The city council is set to vote on the initiative. And if it passes, and then it is signed by the mayor, D.C.'s minimum wage will be the highest in the country.

Rosa, that's what's coming up on Wall Street.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FLORES: And question number four, will the Senate follow the House lead and pass the new budget deal? We're not used to seeing Congress get a long and pass a budget without a shut down or political crisis. Will the cooperation last?

We'll talk about it in minutes with L.Z. Granderson and Ana Navarro as well.

And the number five question this week, will anyone win the mega millions drawing on Tuesday? There were no winners on Friday night. So, the $425 million jackpot rolls over. You think you have a chance perhaps?

The odds of getting all six numbers correct for the second largest mega million jackpot are about 1 in 259 million. You have a better chance of death by vending machine, having identical quadruplets or dying in an asteroid Apocalypse. Yikes! Those are tough odds.

The founder of Money Institute, Susan Bradley joins me on the phone from Palm Beach Springs, Florida.

And, Susan, so why is it harder to win now?

SUSAN BRADLEY, SUDDEN MONEY INSTITUTE (via telephone): Because -- hi, Rosa. Because (INAUDIBLE) playing. What happens for these jackpots, as they get to be this size, more people are playing and more people are buying multiple tickets. So, it goes on and on and on. But you know, in my world, I meet people who win the lottery all the time. So, it doesn't seem as farfetched to me, although I'm not buying the tickets and I'm not playing those odds.

FLORES: And, Susan, are the winnings likely to good up by Tuesday, you think?

BRADLEY: Absolutely. Absolutely. In fact, I think it is highly possible that you're going to end up with a billion dollar jackpot, maybe not this time, but probably within the next couple of years. That's just the direction that these lotteries are going.

FLORES: And any tips on choosing those numbers, perhaps winning the lottery?

(LAUGHTER)

BRADLEY: Oh, that's a (AUDIO GAP). But I can tell you, once you do win, that it will probably take you four to five years before you really adapt to that new lifestyle. That's if you do adapt.

FLORES: Interesting.

And here is another question for you.

What do you consider to be the biggest story of 2013? Right now, you can you go to CNN.com. There, you will see a list of some of the most covered stories of the past year. From our list of 20, we want you to choose 10.

Voting for the top stories of 2013 will continue until the end of the month. And on December 30th, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern online and on television, we will reveal your top ten stories of 2013. It should be fun and don't forget to cast your vote.

And still ahead in NEWSROOM, the passing of a legend. We'll take a look at the career of actor Peter O'Toole and how he will be remembered.

Plus, you're just days away from the official start of winter. Is this weekend's snowy weather a sign of things to come? All that and more, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FLORES: Winter doesn't officially begin until next Saturday, but you wouldn't know it by the weather the past few days. Snow, more than a foot in some places, fell from Missouri, all the way to New England. The storm stretching 1,000 miles at one point.

But let's look a bit ahead with meteorologist Alexandra Steele.

And, Alexandra, last winter was a pretty mild one. What are we looking for this one? ALEXANDRA STEELE, AMS METEOROLOGIST: All right. So, for this winter, Rosa, meteorological winter is December, January, and February. So, let's start by showing you what's happened thus far this December 15th. So far in December, temperatures in Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, well below average, below average for a lot of the country, the Northeast, the mid--Atlantic as well.

So, how do we stand in terms of precip? Well, above normal and with below normal temperatures, we've had above average snow here and as well here in the Southeast, above normal precip, and temperatures here have been below normal as well. So that's where we've been so far this December. Now, looking out for the next three months, this is the winter outlook. Below normal temperatures here, above normal for much of the Southeast and this means where there's no blue or yellow or orange, there's an equal chance of below or below average.

So, in terms of the temperatures, you can see where expectations are to be colder and where temperatures is supposed to be warmer.

And in precip, you can see below normal here in the Southeast. And, you know, the equal chance, both -- certainly, we know, Rosa, we have seen above average temperatures and certainly above average precip here in the Northern Plains of the Northeast.

FLORES: Now, I've got to ask you for shopping procrastinators, like myself, is it nasty? What are we doing as shoppers this coming week?

STEELE: I mean, does anyone go to the mall in your living room in your PJs? I think it'll be temporary, right? But here -- the temperature outlook, if you are going to shop a little bit, below normal where it's been. Actually right now and for the next couple of days, Upper Midwest to Northern Plains.

Tonight, 30 to 40 degrees below average. Wind chill, so it is very cold. Certainly, there are warnings up there for the cold.

Here in the Southeast, temperatures are expected to be above normal. So, whatever does fall, rain or snow, obviously rain here. And below normal temperatures there, where we are seeing snow. It's actually lining up.

Precip for the next couple of days, if you're going to be out there, above normal. We'd just had a snowstorm, another one expected for New York and Washington, maybe two to five inches, and above normal there as well. So, we're going to be cold and we're going to be snowy in places in the last few days and even week and half where we have been. So, consistency, certainly in the next 10 days out from what we've just seen.

FLORES: I love your advice. We can just shop in your PJs at home.

STEELE: And make it 68 and 70 degrees, whatever you're comfortable with. We'll pay for it.

FLORES: Thank you so much. We appreciate it. Now, we're not used to seeing Congress get along and pass a budget without a shut down or a political crisis. Will the cooperation last? That's coming up next.

But first, on this one-year anniversary of the Newtown shootings, there is something special happening. A group of people are using the tragedy to inspire, and instill hope around the country.

Tom Foreman shows us in this American journey.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On the Atlantic coast, a labor of love. A playground rising in memory of the children and staff members killed at Sandy Hook school.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And this is playground number 11.

FOREMAN: There will be 26, each to commemorate one life lost, and all with a purpose.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We learned in Mississippi that a playground is more than just a structure. It's a symbol of hope and recovery.

FOREMAN: Indeed, this effort was born amid stormy days. When Katrina ravaged the south, the firefighters from New Jersey who had received letters from Gulf Coast kids after 9/11, went down to build playgrounds to return the favor.

Then, Superstorm Sandy and the Sandy Hook shootings battered the northeast, and they thought, "let's do it again, closer to home," so the "Sandy Ground Project" was born, shepherded by the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association.

JACKIE BARDEN, LOST SON IN NEWTOWN SHOOTING: His favorite color was blue-green, so that's why the T.L.

FOREMAN: The effort has brought together donors, volunteers, and victims' families.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

FOREMAN: Like Mark and Jackie Barden who lost their son, Daniel.

JACKIE BARDEN, LOST SON IN NEWTOWN SHOOTING: I mean, all kids love playgrounds, but Daniel really did have a special thing for playgrounds. He would get into a playground somewhere, didn't know any of the kids and start playing with them and getting a game going.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The pink is for the flamingos that she loved.

FOREMAN: Carlos Soto lost his 27-year-old daughter, Victoria, a teacher. CARLOS SOTO, LOST DAUGHTER IN NEWTOWN SHOOTINGS: And any playground that we built, she's looking down with her students, saying this is a beautiful thing.

FOREMAN: In the end, that is what this is all about -- wrestling against events of unspeakable ugliness to find beauty, happiness and hope once again.

Tom Foreman, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FLORES: Old school holiday, lost one of the greatest this weekend. Peter O'Toole, 81 years old, died in London. He brought "Lawrence of Arabia" to the life on the screen. And he rebelled against show business off the screen.

And despite mega movie stardom, Peter O'Toole somehow never managed to win that one big Hollywood award.

Here is CNN's Martin Savidge.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He was one of the greats. Peter O'Toole was simply an icon who, even toward the end of his life, continued to wow audiences with his screen presence.

Born Peter Seamus O'Toole in Ireland in 1932, his adolescence was spent in England, he made his professional debut on the London stage in 1955. From the West end, O'Toole quickly transitioned from the stage to the silver screen.

His appearance in 1962's "Lawrence of Arabia" catapulted him to worldwide stardom and earned him his first Oscar nomination.

PETER O'TOOLE, ACTOR: Why don't you take a picture?

SAVIDGE: Lawrence was the beginning after spectacular string of successful films during the 1960s. Including another Oscar performed nominated performance opposite Katherine Hepburn in "The Lion in Winter."

O'TOOLE: If you oppose me, I'll strike you anywhere I can.

SAVIDGE: Admittedly a heavy drinker, his taste for alcohol not only threatened his career but also his life. He managed to give up the drink and mounted a come back as a crazed director in the stunt man.

A self-described entertainer by trade, O'Toole, he mocked his own image as an alcoholic, over-the-hill matinee idol in "My Favorite Year," a performance that earned him his seventh Oscar nomination.

Though he made some forgettable films through the '80s, such as "Super Girl," O'Toole continued to work, appearing in several made-for-TV films, including "Joan of Arc."

O'TOOLE: This work is every bit as important as the other.

SAVIDGE: In 2003, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences honored the then 71-year-old actor with the Oscar for lifetime achievement. Initially, he declined the accolade, fearing that it would signal the end of his career.

O'TOOLE: I suppose fighting for love makes more sense than all the rest.

SAVIGE: But Peter O'Toole carried on, returning to the desert sands, where his career began, with a turn in 2004's sword and sandals epic, "Troy."

His role as an out-of-work actor in his golden years who became obsessed with a much younger woman, in 2006, his "Venus" earned him yet another best actor nomination, further cementing his status as legendary performer.

O'TOOLE: In terms of people have gone, I've lost a few, and I've lost through the years. I miss them eventually, but they're not here, on we go.

SAVIDGE: Finally, in July of 2012, O'Toole himself admitted that he could not go on in the acting business. He officially retired, giving the profession a quote profoundly grateful farewell.

Peter O'Toole, an immortal onscreen, uniquely human, off.

Martin Savidge, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FLORES: And Shanon Cook is joining us. She is a spokeswoman for Spotify.

And we were talking about this, whenever an artist dies, there's usually a spark of interest in that artist's work.

SHANON COOK, SPOTIFY" SPOKESWOMAN: Absolutely. We're really seeing that a lot on Spotify. It's kind of become a barometer for the mood of the country or the world in some cases. For example, when Lou Reed passed away in October, we found some real spikes in his songs. Two of them in particular "Walk on the Wild Side" and "Perfect Day, " we found them, those two songs appearing on our top 10 list all around the world, in Italy, in Spain, in the U.K., here in the U.S., in Australia, or Germany.

And it was interesting too because those songs streamed in high numbers for about three weeks. So people were really feeling sentimental about Lou Reed for about three weeks.

We also saw the same thing with Chris from Kris Kross, the '90s rap duo, when he passed away earlier this year. This song "Jump," their massive hit from 1992. That was really popular song. And people were adding it to their personal play lists a lot. We also saw the same thing, MCA from the Beastie Boys, when he died, like people just instantly, when they found out, they instantly went to Spotify and started listening to the Beastie Boys music.

FLORES: Shannon Cook with Spotify, thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate it.

COOK: My pleasure.

FLORES: And still ahead here in the NEWSROOM: compromise and Congress, two words you don't hear together very often. But could Democrats and Republicans join together to pass a budget? That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FLORES (voice-over): With your "Weekly Five," I'm Rosa Flores.

(MUSIC)

FLORES: Disco era favorite, Chic are among the 60 nominees up for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Other nominees include Deep Purple, Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates and Kiss. New York City will host the induction ceremony in April.

We're used to seeing her on the tennis court. But on Tuesday, former tennis star, Jennifer Capriati has a date in a Florida courtroom. She's on trial for punching her boyfriend on Valentine's Day. Capriati is also accused of stalking.

Wednesday night, NASA plans to blast into space a rocket loaded with supplies for the International Space Station. The rocket will lift off from a launch pad in Virginia. Weather permitting the rocket will be visible in the night sky along the East Coast and in cities like Philadelphia.

Dennis Rodman is making another trip to North Korea. The former NBA player and a documentary crew arrive in the country on Thursday. During the basketball diplomacy trip, Rodman will train members of the North Korean basketball team for an upcoming game against former NBA players.

Friday, President Obama and first family head to Hawaii for another annual holiday retreat. This is the first family's sixth Christmas in the Aloha State. The White House says the Obama family will stay on the island throughout New Year's Day.

And that's your "Weekly Five."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FLORES: Congressman Paul Ryan brokered the budget deal that just passed the House but he said today that Republicans will gather after the holidays to plot a strategy over the next showdown. The next vote: to suspend or raise the federal budget -- the federal debt, rather.

Let's talk budget politics with Ana Navarro, CNN political commentator and Republican strategist. She joins us on the phone. LZ Granderson is a CNN commentator as well.

And, Ana, go ahead and rub it in. What's the temperature in Miami right now?

ANA NAVARRO, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: It's a balmy 82 degrees. And beautiful sunny day that we had today, Rosa.

How is the weather in New York?

FLORES: It is cold. It is dark and cold right now in New York City. So as we head into this new week in Washington, all eyes will be on the Senate, of course. They are going to vote on the budget that was just passed by the House.

LZ, let's start with you. Assuming this budget passes, is the House deal a sign that lawmakers are finally going to cooperate?

L.Z. GRANDERSON, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I think it's a sign that the lawmakers have been watching the polls and have finally heard the American people and have realized all of this, you know, managing by crisis sort of situation during the past two years have really damaged their brand. The GOP brand. But also just Congress in general.

I mean, for two years, they've had some of the worst poll numbers in Congress history. So I think both parties are finally listening, especially the GOP.

FLORES: Ana, your take. Do you think Congress is ready to get along?

NAVARRO: I think what we are seeing is reality politics. And what we are seeing from Senator Murray and Congressman Ryan is that they focused on the areas where there is some agreement.

This is a modest piece of legislation. It is a modest start. This is not where we have to end and it is not a game-changing budget deal. But it certainly goes to show some bipartisanship. And I commend Paul Ryan and Patty Murray because both of them understood that making a deal means that you get things that you don't like. But you do get some things that you like. That's called compromise.

And we've add very hard time finding it in this Congress. And so I think it's a refreshing end of the year gift for the American people to see their Congress doing something in a bipartisan manner.

FLORES: Now I want both of you to listen to House Speaker John Boehner. He was happy with the budget deal but very unhappy, we should say, with some conservative interest groups. His party's usual allies. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R), HOUSE SPEAKER: They pushed us into the fight to defund Obamacare and to shut down the government. Most of you know, my members know, it wasn't exactly the strategy that I had in mind.

But if you'll recall, the day before the government reopened, one of the people -- one of these groups stood up and said, well, we never really thought it would work. Are you kidding me?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FLORES: LZ, your take.

GRANDERSON: Well, you know, there are a lot of things I think about with that clip and with this situation. And the first thing I think about is, you wanted these people. And by these people, let's not beat around the bush, we are talking about the Tea Party, right? They used the energy of the Tea Party to help reclaim the House. All the crazy things Tea Party members were saying about President Obama and Democrats.

All the crazy things that was happening during that 2010 campaign, they turned a blind eye to because they knew they're using that momentum to regain control of the house. Well, they have it. But when you invite crazy into your house, crazy tends to stay. So now what he's trying to do is disinvite crazy in his house.

And I commend him for at least having enough courage to recognize that now that what -- what his little gamble did got him into the House but it also made a different problem for him to try to manage. And seems as if now he's finding the position which he feels he has to, or at least a position which he can begin to manage this problem.

FLORES: Ana, I want to you jump in because these Republicans, these conservatives are key. Do you think that the Republican Party can survive while making these conservative groups angry?

NAVARRO: First of all, the Republican Party is going to survive. You know, the Democrat Party lives with something very similar before they elected Bill Clinton. And I think LZ was harsh on the Tea Party. The Tea Party was an organic movement, that unfortunately in my view has been co-opted by some organizations and some elected leaders that use it for their own purpose just to heighten their own profile and fill their coffers.

I can tell you, Rosa, that within minutes of this budget deal being announced I was getting e-mails from conservative organizations and some elected officials in Congress telling me, this deal sucks. Rivers will dry up and the sky will fall if this deal passes. And by the way, can you donate $5, $10 or $25.

So I think John Boehner is fed up. I think he's calling a spade a spade. And I think he's -- what he's saying is, look, I tried, I tried to accommodate everybody in my caucus. I couldn't do it. It's now time to get things done. I commend him for doing that.

FLORES: Do you think it's a change in his leadership?

NAVARRO: I think it's a change in his patience level. You know, he tried over and over again, and I think the shutdown was the big game- changer. The shutdown was a disaster for the Republican Party. And not only that, it provided cover for what was the debacle of the Obamacare launch.

For the first two weeks in October, instead of us focusing on what was happening or not happening with the Obamacare Web site, instead we were having the shutdown be the telenovela that playing out in all of the media.

So I think it is putting focus back where it needs to be focused. And I think he -- you know, I think he's had it, and I think most of his caucus is also fed up and doesn't want to go down that cliff again.

FLORES: Telenovela is well said. Now, LZ, last word.

GRANDERSON: Well, I would just say that I agree with a lot of what she had to say about the situation except maybe one little wrinkle. And that is the fact that Obamacare again and again is not a Web site. OK, the Obamacare launch wasn't consolidated to one particular date. It's a law. It's a law that went through Congress, that was approved by the Supreme Court where it's challenged there and has many different arms and legs to it.

Some of which are already been in place long before the Web site. So while it is true that the Web site has caused problems I think time and time again when we in the media make Obamacare about a Web site and not about this overall comprehensive law, we lose track of the reason why it was needed in the first place. And that is there were several things that's actually wrong with our health care system that was affecting not only the people who didn't have coverage but also our economy in a very negative way.

(CROSSTALK)

FLORES: LZ Granderson --

NAVARRO: And the law has problems and they're all going to be playing out for the next year and a half. So let's stay tuned.

FLORES: And our conversation will continue.

LZ Granderson and Ana Navarro, thank you so much.

And still ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM, his classmates described him as friendly. So what caused Colorado shooter Karl Pierson to snap. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FLORES: In the next few days, we expect to learn more information about Friday's shooting at a Colorado high school. And the condition also of Claire Davis, the 17-year-old girl wounded in that attack.

CNN's Ana Cabrera has details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANA CABRERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Her family just saying they want everybody to pray for her. That she's not doing very well again. She has severe head trauma and in fact a lot of people offering and lifting up those prayers last night in a vigil that was held nearby the high school here. Candlelight vigil with the community members who came out to pray for not only her healing but also the healing of the entire community.

The sheriff still believes the motive here is revenge against the school's speech and debate coach. Apparently he had a confrontation and disciplined Pierson who is on that team sometime back in September. And even at that time, apparently Pierson made a threat against this speech and debate coach. But nobody believed that it would result in what happened here Friday.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FLORES: And that was Ana Cabrera reporting.

In the wake of Friday's shooting, students of Arapahoe High School are speaking out about the gunman Karl Pierson and what kind of person he was. Some say he was friendly and outspoken. Others say he made them nervous.

Will Ripley from CNN affiliate KUSA talked to a young man who says, you know, that looking back, there were warning signs.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, you never think it's going to be your school.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She just told me that they are all really scared and they are locked in their classrooms.

WILL RIPLEY, REPORTER, KUSA: Friday's chaos, Saturday's disbelief.

JOE REDMOND, STUDENT AT ARAPAHOE HIGH SCHOOL: Here, like my school, like the people that I know?

RIPLEY: Arapahoe senior Joe Redmond was hiding in a hallway, listening to a school administrator's radio.

REDMOND: So we heard a play-by-by of everything that happened while we're sitting in this hallway.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's a student down in the Athletic Hall.

REDMOND: And I heard it was Karl Pierson. And I broke down because he's my friend.

RIPLEY: Close friends for three years. Co-captains of the speech and debate team. KARL PIERSON, GUNMAN: Hi, I'm Karl Pierson, a freshman at Arapahoe High School in Middleton.

RIPLEY: During this 2010 Nine News debate, he asked a question that now seems chilling.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What would you like your legacy to be?

RIPLEY: Concerned about his own legacy even then he told friends he had big future plans, plans centered around his passion for speech and debate. His coach and mentor was school librarian, Tracy Murphy.

REDMOND: He went to nationals with Mr. Murphy. And I know that they did not get along on this trip to nationals. Karl had threatened to kill Mr. Murphy, kind of half-jokingly. And Mr. Murphy brought that to the administration and Karl got suspended for that.

RIPLEY: He says his friend was never the same after that suspension in September.

REDMOND: So when Carl came back, he was pretty angry. He felt like the suspension had ruined his chances in getting into college and ruined his future.

RIPLEY: Looking back Redmond says there were signs of trouble. Classmates say Pierson was punished in the past for using strong language and could be verbally combative.

REDMOND: Whenever got angry, like, you know, I just want to -- I just want to shoot everyone up, you know.

RIPLEY: Redmond and others assumed he was joking.

REDMOND: Obviously he wasn't kidding.

RIPLEY: Never did he think his friend was capable of this.

REDMOND: Karl was a good guy. And he made my days better. And that's what hurts the most is he wasn't a villain.

RIPLEY: Today's disbelief, tomorrow's determination.

REDMOND: I want to see Arapahoe recover from this.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FLORES: Now both teenagers also ran cross country together. They had a race at Columbine High School last year and even visited the memorial.

And still ahead, he won the Heisman then he took the NFL by storm. Today Robert Griffin was on the bench. So what went wrong? We'll talk about it, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) FLORES: "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" comes out in theaters this week. It is one of the most widely-hyped and widely-anticipated movies of the season. Now the film which chronicles the misadventures of TV news anchor Ron Burgundy and his news crew was nine years in the making with the plot shrouded in secrecy. While filming in Atlanta, however, we caught up with Burgundy and News Team 6 to get the inside scoop on what to expect. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The great ones always return. Jesus, McArthur, Jay-Z.

WILL FERRELL, "RON BURGUNDY": We haven't seen you in a while, America. You haven't changed a bit.

My name is Will Ferrell and I'm playing the character of Ron Burgundy.

Someone put the story in all capital letters and I thought I was supposed to yell it.

The movie is now set in 1980. We picked up with Ron and his crew are all over the place doing various and a sundry things.

Let's do it.

Champ Kind is running his whammy, whammy chicken franchises.

DAVID KOECHNER, "CAMP KIND": Oh god, I have longed for you.

FERRELL: Brian Fantana is the world's most foremost chicken photographer. And then we attend Brick's great funeral.

STEVE CARELL, "BRICK TAMLAND": And I will not rest until I find his killer.

FERRELL: Which, of course, we find out he's not dead.

CARELL: Why? Why did you take him from us?

FERRELL: Brick, you're not dead.

CARELL: I'm alive?

FERRELL: Yes.

KOECHNER: Yes.

FERRELL: But Ron collects the team and they go back to New York City to begin the launch of GNN.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're starting a 24-hour news channel. First of its kind. GNN.

FERRELL: That is, without a doubt, the dumbest thing I've ever heard. CARELL: And everybody is betting against it. No one thinks that this concept is going to work. And I think we're the news team to prove them wrong.

PAUL RUDD, "BRIAN FANTANA": This just feels right. The news team is back.

FERRELL: They end up kind of mistakenly and through their own resourcefulness and bad journalistic impulses to create a new type of news forum that leads the network to great heights.

CARELL: Let's take a look at the big map. Where's the map?

FERRELL: Look at the monitor.

CARELL: Yes. Oh, god. Ron, where's my legs? I don't have any legs, Ron.

KOECHNER: We find a way to light it up. That's all I can say.

RUDD: Tonight's top story is crack. You feel that right away. It's just refreshing.

JAMES MARSDEN, "JACK LIME": Hey, Chief. What's feeding time for that mustache of yours?

KOECHNER: My gosh. That might be the funniest thing I've ever heard.

FERRELL: Here's the cameos I can confirm with you. The recently retired Pope. We just got him. Ted Turner. Ted Turner's brother, Rob. Rob Turner. And Miss Teen USA from six years ago.

KOECHNER: Let's watch 50 homeruns in a row. Whammy. Whammy. And whammy. I should say, lower your expectations, then you're going to be blown away. But I would say it's going to be a party. And you're going to love it.

FERRELL: I'm going to do what God put Ron Burgundy on this earth to do. Have salon quality hair and read the news.

You, you stay classy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FLORES: We will try to stay classy, America. "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" opens in theaters on Wednesday.

And still ahead, a major -- a first in Major League Baseball and it could mean big changes for the MLB. The details up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FLORES: Football stars past and present cover the headlines this weekend.

Let's talk with Terence Moore, sports contributor to CNN.com and a columnist for MLB.com.

Now, Terence, football legend Jim Brown was on the "Arsenio Hall Show" this week and he really went after NBA star Kobe Bryant. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM BROWN, ACTIVIST/MEMBER, FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME: He is somewhat confused about culture. Because he was brought up in another country. So it doesn't quite fit what's happening in America. In the days, we had a summit, and we call it Top Black Athletes. It got to talk to Muhammad Ali about his status with the Armed Forces. There were some athletes we didn't call. So if I had call that someone all over, there would be some athletes I wouldn't call. Kobe would be one of them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FLORES: Now Kobe Bryant responded. He tweeted, and I'm going to quote here, "A global African-American is an inferior shade of American African-Americans."

Now that doesn't sound very Mandela or Dr. King to me, Terence. What do you think Jim Brown meant when he said Kobe is confuse about culture?

TERENCE MOORE, CNN.COM SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR: Well, Rosa, first you've got to understand that Jim Brown is the greatest running back who ever livered. But he always has preferred to talk about social issues instead of stuff that took place on the field or on the court or on the ice or what have you.

I know Jim Brown. And some of the deepest conversations I've ever had with anybody in the 35 plus years I've been a professional journalist have been with Jim Brown. Just earlier this year we talked for over an hour about his displeasure about black athletes who don't fully understand what he did, what Muhammad Ali did, Jackie Robinson, and Arthur Ashe, these guys did socially to help African-Americans.

Now about Kobe specifically. According to -- from Jim Brown's perspective, Kobe Bryant is a very famous guy who is not using his fame to his advantage to help others. And he talks about another country? Kobe grew up as a youngster in Italy. So from Jim Brown's perspective, he doesn't have the consciousness of what he, Jim Brown, the Muhammad Alis, and all these other guys went through.

And as you just pointed out, Kobe Bryant is not amused with any of this.

FLORES: Now let's move on to Major League Baseball. Former big leaguer player Ryan Freel committed suicide last year and now the "Florida Times Union" is reporting that he was suffering from CTE. The same condition so many pro-football players have suffered due to concussions. Your reaction to this?

MOORE: Well, you know, it's sort of ironic that this week, at the winter meetings, baseball banned collisions at home plate. Because last year, there are 18 concussions, 18 concussions that put players on the disabled list and 10 of those 18 involved catchers.

Well, as you can see here, Ryan Freel was not a catcher. He was a utility guy playing different positions. But during his career he told reporters that he suffered at least nine or 10 concussions. So this is going to have a very deep effect in Major League Baseball. Probably beyond just the banning of the collision at home plate.

And remember now, part of the reason that baseball is doing this is because of what happened in the NFL. In the National Football League, there are all of these concussion lawsuits filed against the league and they have to settle for something like $800 million. And Major League Baseball does not want to go down that route.

FLORES: All right. Terence Moore, live in Atlanta for us. Thank you so much. We appreciate it.

I'm Rosa Flores. Tonight, catch the premier of "BACK TO THE BEGINNING: THE GARDEN OF EDEN, NOAH AND THE GREAT FLOOD." Tonight, CNN's Christiane Amanpour investigates the ancient and dramatic stories of the bible. That's at 9:00 Eastern.

But first, "OPERATION FINALLY HOME," a CNN Hero special presentation, begins right now.