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FBI Warns U.S. Troops on ISIS; Obama to Meet with Civil Rights Leaders in Ferguson; Attorney General Eric Holder Also Present; Mom: OSU Player Found Dead Had Concussions; Black Friday Sales Fall $6.5 Billion

Aired December 01, 2014 - 09:00   ET

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


(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Happening now in the NEWSROOM, hands up. A show of solidarity, the St. Louis Rams entering the Ferguson debate. The Police Officers Association not pleased, and today the president holds high level talks.

Front and center.

JANAY RICE, WIFE OF RAY RICE: I was furious.

COSTELLO: The wife of former Baltimore Raven's running back Ray Rice speaking out.

RICE: At the end of the day he's a football player. And that's what they should be really focused on.

COSTELLO: And hacked. Sony Pictures calling in the FBI this morning, unreleased movies on pirate Web sites.

SETH ROGEN, ACTOR: You want us to kill the leader of North Korea?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

COSTELLO: Some are asking is North Korea behind it?

And lines from hell stretching more than a mile long, thousands waiting to get home after Thanksgiving.

Also, sliding sales. Black Friday going from this to this? Is our an annual shopping frenzy a thing of the past?

Let's talk. Live in the NEWSROOM.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: This is a CNN breaking news.

COSTELLO: And good morning to you. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me.

We do begin this morning with breaking news out of Washington where the FBI has issued an urgent warning to U.S. troops about ISIS. The agency says ISIS has not only called for attacks against our service members overseas but here at home as well. ISIS may also be scrutinizing the troops' social media account.

CNN's Barbara Starr joins us now from the Pentagon with more on this.

Good morning, Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security now warning U.S. military troops, not just overseas but here in the United States, to be on the lookout for ISIS looking for them. A law enforcement source tells our own Pamela Brown, and let me quote here, this official saying, quote, "We have new information ISIL or is calling for attacks in the U.S. against members of the military."

Now this new bulletin saying that overseas based individuals are looking for other likeminded individuals in the United States. ISIS supporters to carry out attacks. The bulletin going on to say we are told -- and I want to quote again so everyone sees the exact words. "We also request member of the military review, their online social media presence for any information that might attract the attention of violent extremists and use caution and practice operational security when posting."

But let's put this in some sensible context. The U.S. military for months now has been warning troops not to put too much information on social media, not to put things like their home phone numbers, their personal addresses, personal family details. It's not just a good idea. Something, you know, all of us should think about on social media these days.

So there's been a lot of warnings within the military for months now about being careful about the social media presence. But perhaps what this new bulletin is telling us is that ISIS isn't giving up its efforts -- Carol.

COSTELLO: It's pretty frightening.

Barbara Starr, reporting live from the Pentagon for us.

President Obama in an effort to ease tension over Ferguson will sit down with civil rights leaders today. The topic, how can the black community and law enforcement build trust?

It is a question with no answer at the moment. Tensions again enflamed when five St. Louis Rams players ran on to the field with their hands up. The St. Louis Police Association now wants the NFL to discipline those players.

We have team coverage for you the this morning. But let's start with Ed Lavandera. He's live in Ferguson.

Good morning, Ed. ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. Well, I think

many city officials and people who've been involved in the law enforcement response here in Ferguson hope that the worst is behind them. It was another quiet night in Ferguson.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAYOR JAMES KNOWLES, FERGUSON, MISSOURI: You know, we have now severed ties with Officer Darren Wilson.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): After six years on the Ferguson Police force, Officer Darren Wilson turned in his badge over the weekend.

KNOWLES: The city of Ferguson will not be making a severance payment to Officer Wilson.

LAVANDERA: Wilson's says the risk of violence to residents and police officers prompted his letter of resignation which reads, in part, "It is my hope that my resignation will allow the community to heal."

City officials are ready to move on.

KNOWLES: Now is the time for the city of Ferguson to begin its healing process.

LAVANDERA: But protesters in Ferguson and around the country from Oregon to Washington D.C. aren't ready to let go.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He got away with murder.

LAVANDERA: During Sunday's matchup between the Rams and Raiders, 50 extra security officers surrounded the St. Louis Stadium while protesters chanted outside.

While inside --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They were joined by the rest of the receiving corps.

LAVANDERA: Several Rams players staged a show of solidarity as they took the field displaying the hands up "don't shoot" pose adopted by protesters.

The players' support for Michael Brown struck a sour note with the St. Louis Police Officers Association. The organization's business manager said in a statement, "I'd remind the NFL and their players that it is not the violent thugs burning down buildings that buy their advertisers' products. It's cops and the good people of St. Louis that do."

A community polarized and in need of money.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon called for critical funding Friday to cover the payroll of thousands of National Guard and State Highway Patrol members who've been policing Ferguson's restless streets.

This as the NAACP calls for reform taking their message on a 120-mile march from Ferguson to Nixon's mansion.

CORNELL WILLIAMS BROOKS, PRESIDENT, NAACP: Our goal is really to bring about reform of policing in this country and an end to racial profiling.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA: You know, Carol, it's interesting as you drive around Ferguson this weekend, there's been a lot of talk of kind of turning the corner and looking ahead. And what's happened as you've seen boarded up windows, businesses that had to board up windows because windows were smashed out or businesses that put up as a precaution.

And you've seen groups of people going around this weekend. It's really kind of taken off in the last few days leaving behind murals that you see behind me all over town with joyful, inspirational messages, and hoping that makes a difference here in the city -- Carol.

COSTELLO: We hope so.

Ed Lavandera, reporting live from Ferguson, Missouri, this morning.

So let's talk about President Obama meeting with those civil rights leaders later today. I'm joined by senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta.

What's the purpose of these meetings, Jim?

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, after a long holiday weekend, President Obama is wading back into the politics of Ferguson. If you look at the White House schedule, at least publicly it's all about Ferguson.

First the president will be meeting with members of his Cabinet around noontime today to talk about this issue, of this lack of faith and law enforcement that exists in some minority communities.

The president is also going to get an update from his administration on this program. He asked for review of this program that supplies law enforcement agencies with excess military equipment. There's been a lot of conversation about whether law enforcement agencies in various agencies around the country are over militarized so the president will get an update on that.

Then he meets with young civil rights leaders in the oval office. And following that, a larger meeting between President Obama, Vice President Biden, law enforcement agencies, church leaders, civil rights groups, will all be in the oval office and they'll talk about this. We may actually get some sound from the president, may hear from the president as somewhat as the cameras will be allowed and briefly for a portion of that meeting.

But, Carol, still no word yet from this White House as to this big question of whether or not the president will travel to Ferguson, Missouri, and pay that community a visit. We do know that Attorney General Eric Holder will be down in Atlanta later on today to start this national dialogue that the White House wants to have in various cities around the country. So we'll see the attorney general doing that.

And The White House offering some very candid language, Carol. The White House saying in a statement last night that they really see a disinigration of trust that exists between law enforcement and some of the people that they're sworn to protect.

And we should point out just blocks away from the White House right how. You can't see it on the grounds of the White House or hear from the grounds of the White House. There are Ferguson inspired protestors shutting down traffic on one major thoroughfare, the 14th Street Bridge were shot down briefly this morning, Carol.

That's a major artery for commuters heading into Washington D.C. So all of this is still being felt here in the nation's capital this morning -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right. Jim Acosta reporting live from the White House this morning.

Back to NFL for just a bit. Her husband has been cleared to play football again. Now Janay Rice is breaking her silence on that elevator fight that put domestic violence and NFL in the spotlight.

Rice sat down for an interview with NBC "Today" show with her mother by her side. Janay Rice She told Matt Lauer that after watching the now infamous elevator video, she could not help but wonder one thing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICE: I said as I saw it, I asked him after I saw it why did you just leave me there like that?

MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, NBC'S "TODAY" SHOW: Did you see that part?

RICE: Uh-huh. That's the one right there.

LAUER: Right on the outside. Why didn't you comfort me?

RICE: Yes. He said he was terrified.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: On Friday a judge and an arbitrator sided with Ray Rice and his dispute against the NFL against his indefinite suspension. Rice said Commissioner Roger Goodell never should have never increased Rice's original two-game suspension because he didn't lie to the NFL about what happened inside that elevator.

Much more on this to come in the NEWSROOM.

Also the holiday weekend return trip took a lot longer than expected. More than 4,000 flights delayed across the nation. Imagine a line at the airport over a mile long. It happened in Chicago. Let's talk about that next.

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COSTELLO: OK. We have these incredible pictures from Chicago's Midway Airport. They're hard to believe. Take a look at this. Yes, I know it's crowded Thanksgiving Day weekend and all of that. But this line going into the -- going into security was 1.2 miles long.

(LAUGHTER)

Can you imagine that? It actually had nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with lack of, you know, TSA agents. I guess there weren't enough to check everybody through fast enough. But imagine -- I would have just started crying I think. Anyway, flights were cancelled because there weren't enough TSA agents in Chicago. But flights were cancelled in other parts of the country because of weather.

CNN's Indra Petersons joins us now with more.

Hi, Indra.

INDRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning.

COSTELLO: Can you imagine that, standing in line a mile long at the airport?

PETERSONS: I went through Chicago but I didn't have to go through that line.

COSTELLO: Goodness.

PETERSONS: So I'm very grateful. But places like Denver saw many delays yesterday. I mean, visibility was -- a lot of low cloud fillings were out there and today so many people are still stranded trying to make their way home. Here's where your troubled sport are going to be. New York city looking for some low clouds this morning.

Out toward Chicago looking for some wind. I think the toughest spots, though, around St. Louis. Some freezing rain or wintry mix is in the region. And then San Francisco, a major storm actually headed their way. That's going to bring some much needed rainfall. But unfortunately all at once is never a good thing.

So let's talk about what's going on. You can actually see a little of that wintry mix making its way out of St. Louis. A handful of delays and even cancellations this morning. But from here on out, you're going to watch this system interact with all that cold air. So look what happens. By the time you get to tomorrow morning, commute time for D.C. seeing some slush, even some icy conditions out there that all spreads to the northeast by tomorrow.

But then quickly exits again by the time we get in through Wednesday. Nonetheless look at all the hubs again. By the time we talk about tomorrow, New York City, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, D.C., even Cincinnati will be seeing some icy conditions. Also that wintry mix kind of starting off with complete, some of your turning into snow.

But really, this is a huge story out west. Remember, we're talking about 70 percent of this state seeing extreme drought conditions. One of the worst droughts they've had in history and a series of rainfall storms will be making their way through.

Look at this low. It's not just the low itself. You're talking about this low combining with all tropical moisture. All of that is going to bring heavy rainfall into the region. We're talking in some places three to five inches of rain.

Sounds like a good thing. But you talk about very dry ground. And drought conditions, you don't want it all at once. It's something we'll be watching closely.

COSTELLO: All right. Indra Petersons, thanks so much.

All right. Let's talk about some good -- some good travel news this morning. Oil prices are plunging to a five-year low. Oil is now $64 a barrel. It peaked back in June at $115 a barrel. That's pretty amazing, right?

According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gas right now is $2.77. That's nearly 50 cents lower than this time last year. The big question, will it all last? Strategists say yes, forecasting prices could go as low as $2.50 per gallon. Wow.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM: he played football. He was on the wrestling team at Ohio State University. Now, he's dead. His body was found in a dumpster. Police say it appears to have been suicide. The big question, were concussions to blame? We'll talk about that next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Major questions at Ohio State University this morning. Did the apparent suicide of a football player have anything to do with concussions he suffered on the field?

The mother of this Ohio State football player who apparently took his own life says he complained about having concussions just before he went missing last week. Kosta Karageorge's body was found in a dumpster near campus over the weekend, with a gun nearby. He was just 22 years old.

CNN's Alexandra Fields joins me now with more on this.

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And, Carol, this young man, an athlete, he played contact sports. He was a football, also a wrestler.

So, did any of that activity have an impact? That's the question that we have to ask mostly because of one of the last text messages he sent before he disappeared.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) FIELD (voice-over): Ohio State's football team asked thousands of fans for help as the team took the field this weekend without the backup defensive lineman Kosta Karageorge. A day later, police found a body inside a dumpster near the OSU campus.

SGT. RICHARD WEINER, COLUMBUS, OHIO POLICE: We are able to confirm through tattoos here at the scene that it is the body of Kosta Karageorge.

FIELD: Police say the 6-foot-5 285 pound athlete died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death is raising questions about whether football may have taken a took on his brain.

Karageorge's mother field a missing person report the day before Thanksgiving. She told police her son suffered several concussions and then spells of confusion. In his last text message sent to her around 1:30 Wednesday morning, Karageorge complained about that confusion, writing, "I'm sorry if I'm an embarrassment but these concussions have my head all blank up." Students gather through a vigil Sunday night where friends remember a fifth-year senior who had only been on their team since August.

JOE RAMSTETTER, OSU WIDE RECEIVER: It's just a loss of a kid we only knew three months. But everyone really loved him. It's hard to make an impact in three months, but he did it. Everyone loved being around him. He had the great stories, always laughing.

FIELD: The athletic department at Ohio State University released a statement Sunday saying it was shocked and saddened to learn Karageorge had died. It reads in part, "Our thoughts are with the Karageorge family and those that knew him during this most difficult time."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FIELD: All right. So, Carol, we know in the coroner's office that the autopsy will be conducted today. But they are telling us that there could be further study of his brain that would be done in a different place at another time. But certainly, a lot of people are going to be asking if this is a case of chronic traumatic encephalopathy that's caused by repeated head trauma. And it's something that we have seen in other athletes, but we know it can only be diagnosed definitively after death.

COSTELLO: So, this text to his mother, that was one thing. I mean, did he indicate -- I mean, was he having health problems -- persistent health problems because of concussions, do we know?

FIELD: This is the concern his mother brought forward to police. She was the one who waved a red flag here. The text message and also this history of concussions and the confusion that she has said we had suffered with this sort of spells of confusions. So, in that time where he had disappeared before they found his body, it's something that she really wanted police to be aware of. The team's doctor has come out and he's defended the team's medical policies and their practices. So, I think that we are going to hear probably more about what those policies and practices are. And, certainly, people are going to be asking about policies as they apply to all teams as they have before.

COSTELLO: Alexandra Field, thanks so much.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM: today could be an historic Cyber Monday. At least that's what they say. Online sales expected to reach a record $2.6 billion.

CNN's Stephanie Elam is following it all.

Good morning.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. We are in an Amazon fulfillment center in San Bernardino, California. Cyber Monday was their biggest sales yet last year. They expect it to be even bigger this year. We're going to take you inside and show you how they get all these goodies to your door.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: And good morning. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me.

Black Friday may be losing its luster. According to the National Retail Federation, about 7 million fewer shoppers spent their holiday weekend hunting for deals this year. And those nearly 134 million shoppers, that's 134 (ph) million shoppers less, each shelling out $381. That's actually down 6 percent from the $407 they spent last year.

Are you following that? People spent less. That's it in a nutshell.

In all, total spending dropped $57 billion to $51 billion over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend.

Of course, there's still hope for retailers hoping to turn big profits at the start of the holiday shopping season. Today is Cyber Monday, and 126.9 million shoppers say they're going to shop online today. Of course, some critics blame the whole Cyber Monday as a made up marketing gimmick.

But regardless, online sales today are expected to hit a record $2.6 billion. If that happens, that would be a 15 percent jump from last year.

CNN's Stephanie Elam is behind the scenes at a busy warehouse in San Bernardino, California.

Good morning.

ELAM: Good morning, Carol.

When you think about it, for retailers, fourth quarter is important. That's when they make their money. And Amazon is no different. They say last year, Cyber Monday was

their biggest day. And they're expecting this to be even bigger this year.

And this facility where we are in San Bernardino is one of five in California, and one of 100 in the world. And it is massive. It is 28 football fields big. That's massive.

And just to give you an idea of what 28 football fields can hold, 15 million different items, give or take in each of the facilities. That's how much they can actually hold. And take a look at some of the items here. Just to show you how they pack them in here. You've got some tea next to a compressor, next to some tomato sauce. It's very random. There's no sensicalness when you look at this. That's not a word, I know.

But when you look at this, it's just very random how they have everything packed in here. And they come along. They've got pickers who come along and take these goods and get them into a box.

So, I want to take you over and introduce you to Scott Stansell (ph). Scott is one of the -- I want to call you Amazonian, does that work? He's one of the guys of Amazon.

Explain to me all the randomness on the shelves. How come it's random?

STANZEL: Yes, it's very random and that's by design. We want to maximize our shelves so we can store as big a selection as possible. And, as you may have noted, 15 million products, approximately, in this building.