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Uncontained Wildfire Shuts down Freeways in Southern California; President Speaks to Troops in Hawaii; Top News Stories of 2015 Reviewed. Aired 2-2:30p ET

Aired December 26, 2015 - 14:00   ET

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

[14:00:00] DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN ANCHOR: -- in for Fredricka Whitfield. And we begin this hours with breaking. Police in Vienna, Austria, say they've been warned by an unnamed intelligence service of a possible terror attack on some European cities. The threat warned that the attack was set to take place between Christmas and New Year's Eve. It wasn't specific about the type of attack but did say guns or explosives would be involved. Police across Europe have stepped up security at key events in high traffic areas.

Earlier I spoke with CNN law enforcement analyst Tom Fuentes. I asked if it was significant that the warning came with the names of possible attackers?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FUENTES, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: They don't know that the names are real. So in looking into this, they have not confirmed that the names provided actually are people they can locate and stop from attacking. So they don't know if that part is fiction.

Also, the warnings issued were apparently before Christmas saying that an attack would occur not just in Vienna but cities beyond Vienna and other capitals in Europe which authorities have not named, saying that the attack would occur between Christmas and New Year's. So you have an unspecified location, really not at a specific time other than saying that it would involve guns or explosives. To me, this is almost a worthless threat because European cities are already on alert for that type of attack ever since the attacks of the past year in Paris and Brussels. To me, it's so unspecific, but the authorities want to cover themselves and they put this warning out.

FEYERICK: You call it a worthless threat. On some levels, let's say it's a verified threat. Do you think it's ISIS' way of making sure people don't forget and make sure they're in the public consciousness at all times?

FUENTES: Well, that could be. I want to clarify. I don't want to say the threat is worthless because it could happen. There could be an attack some place even unrelated to the threat warning. It could just already be in process that individuals intend to do something over the next week.

But what I meant by worthless is, what do you do about it? If you're a citizen and visiting one of the capitals of Europe, the see something, say something, major capitals of all cities including here in Washington D.C. have a diversity of people. They have diplomats, they have tourists, visitors, vacationers, students, business people that aren't going to look like you. They're not going to look like people that are normally local resident. And in some cases they may be local residents because of the diversity in these cities.

So I think that in a way it's swaying watch out for people. And they may have guns, but in wintertime they may not see the guns until the last minute because they'll be under a coat. The explosives may be a vest or some device that's also hidden by a coat, a winter coat. In a way, this is really difficult. The authorities that need to be on alert, the people aren't going to see something until the shots start being fired or the bombs go off.

FEYERICK: And CNN reached out to French police. They would not comment on this threat but said more the 48,000 police are currently assigned to the security of sensitive sites during the holidays. The warning also indicates that intelligence services are sharing information more rapidly with one another.

And now to the weather threats facing some 15 million people across the U.S. You may be right in the thick of it. The south is still reeling from tornados and widespread flooding and the death toll rising once again to 17. In Alabama residents are bracing for the worst as the river swells just inches away from topping a levy that was protecting the town of Elba. In western U.S. both fire and ice with an arctic cold front set to swoop down on west Texas. This fresh blanket of snow is covering parts of northern California. And in the southern part of California a raging wildfire fuelled by fierce winds. The fire has burned roughly 1,200 acres so far. Officials have closed parts of two major highways, the 101 and the Pacific Coast Highway.

Sara Sidner is following the story. Sara, they just gave a press conference, so some new information coming out. What are you learning?

SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They're talking about the fact that they are trying to build sort of this line to keep the fire from moving further and further. They have already saved some homes. That's the good news. They have told people to evacuate.

What's odd is some of these homes are right on the water. It's the most beautiful view in the world, but the fire is coming behind them. And so they're trying to make sure that they stop that fire from getting to those homes. There are about 35 or so homes and structures that have been threatened by now. But one of the big things they want to do is get those two major highways reopened in the areas where they are closed. And we were hearing from Chief Norm Plott, the incident commander of the Ventura County Fire Department, and here's what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF NORM PLOTT, INCIDENT COMMANDER, VENTURA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT: This is very dynamic. If you look up on the hillside you can see a lot of smoke. Whether we open something up is still a dynamic situation and it could change, and even if we do open up the roadways and still not a contained fire. So I just want to caution is that any openings that do happen is subject to being closed again if the fire change direction.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[14:05:16] SIDNER: To give you some idea of just how significant this is starting to become, they are saying this is going to take a couple to three days. This is not something they're going to be able to stop today. This may go on trying to stamp this out for several days.

FEYERICK: What about, one thing that the chief mentioned the changing direction. Is there any threat that the winds could in fact blow it into a populated area? And 35 houses is a lot, but there are also a lot more dense areas that could potentially be at risk.

SIDNER: It's a really good question. The truth is, the answer is yes. There are 850,000 residents in Ventura County, and it is always one of those tricky situations where firefighters have to try and determine, they really have to watch the weather and understand what is happening with the weather pattern, because suddenly those winds can shift and they're fighting a whole different kind of fire.

FEYERICK: How many people, you've got, I think you said 600 firefighters that are out there now. How do they rotate the shifts and strategically try to contain the fire and make sure they have the right kind of backup in case the winds shift?

SIDNER: They do fire lines. And this is something that they are used to in California. They will call in other fire departments for help if they need it. They blast it out to everybody who is in the area. If they need help from L.A. County, they will get it. That is one of the things they do very well in California. But you can't change the weather and you can't change the fact that there is a drought. So it's tough going. Plus Ventura County, by the way, hasn't gotten the bits of rain the rest of the area has. So they're suffering more than most.

FEYERICK: Yes, the drought definitely not making it any easier. They need two, three inches of rain, but wishing for that. All right, Sara Sidner, thank you so much. Really appreciate the insights on that.

And widespread flooding is hitting parts of the south, a region still reeling from tornados and heavy rain this week. The death toll from this week's severe weather is now at 17. CNN's Nick Valencia has the latest on the weather system and all the damage that it's causing to people.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VALENCIA: Severe weather battered several southern states. Heavy rain hammered parts of Alabama. At least 20 inches fell in less than 24 hour at the airport. The water made some roads impassable. Rescue crews helping residents trapped in their homes. The National Weather Service said a potential tornado touched down in Birmingham, causing damage to several blocks. CHIEF CHARLES GORDON, BIRMINGHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT: The damage that was

done was confined to one square mile. We had three structures, three houses that collapsed. We transported one person from the scene. There were two others that were removed from the structure, but we were reporting no injuries.

VALENCIA: Alabama's governor declared a state of emergency because of widespread flooding. At least 117 homes overcome by water. In Georgia, the rain damage rose and made driving treacherous.

And in Mississippi, flood warnings and relentless rain add more misery to areas already devastated by tornadoes they killed at least eight people in the state. Many roads are flooded and some people are dealing with rising water in their homes. In Wren, Mississippi, Victor and Tamika Hale watched as their home of ten years was overtaken by water.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The trailer, it just floated away, garbage can, everything gone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It happened so fast we had to get up and get out of there. The rain was coming way too fast.

VALENCIA: The couple and their nine-year-old son now homeless, staying with relatives.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is discouraging. We lost everything. My child didn't get none of his Christmas items.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK: Nick Valencia, thank you so much for that report. And Mother Nature is not done yet. The central plains could see more

severe weather. There could be snow and ice causing a travel nightmare in another part of the country. CNN meteorologist Karen Maginnis joins us now. Karen, people who are going to be coming home from this holiday weekend have a lot to wrestle with.

KAREN MAGINNIS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: They certainly will. You heard in Nick Valencia's report that 17 people dead in two states over the last several days from the outbreak of the severe weather. Now we have a tornado watch. It does include the Dallas, Fort Worth area. There are about 6 million people in the line of fire for the potential for the severe weather. But rain all the way up across the Ohio River valley.

We show you that, but what happens in our forecast? We've got a lot of activity over the next 24 to 36 hours. And we take you through the rest of the afternoon, from Austin to Dallas into south central Oklahoma. Those are the areas that are going to be impacted by the potential of severe weather. High winds and potential for hail. This is a very moisture latent system. It's not going to be moving much. And that's evidence by Sunday's forecast about 7 million people could be impacted from Shreveport to Houston and to the east of Dallas.

[14:10:08] That's not just exclusive to those areas, but it does incorporate these high metropolitan areas.

Look what lies behind this. Pueblo, Colorado, is 30, Amarillo is 32, but you've got Dallas at 80 degrees, a huge temperature difference. So the atmosphere has to give, and it's going to give in the form of severe weather.

On the backside of this, if you are traveling, today may be your best day, especially across the south central United States, because we got ice and snow and wind impacting some of the interstates from Texas into the central plains and also for portions of the Midwest. Back to you.

FEYERICK: All right, Karen, thanks so much.

The irony is that all the sweaters are on sale here in New York, we need to send them over to Texas because they're getting some cold weather up in the north. Thanks so much.

And President Barack Obama is spending part of the holiday weekend with the troops. Coming up we're going to show you what he said to a group of marines in Hawaii. A live report from Honolulu after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FEYERICK: And President Barack Obama is spending part of the holiday weekend with the troops. He and the first family are on vacation in Hawaii. The president thanked troops and their families for their service during Christmas Day remarks at the Marine Corps base in Hawaii. White house correspondent Michelle Kosinski is there. She joins us live. And Michelle, how was the commander in chief received by the marines and everyone who was there?

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Deb. It was well received. There were hundreds of people there, soldiers and their families, nearly 500 of them. There was a long line to get their picture taken with the president and first lady. This is a Christmas tradition for them. Every year on Christmas Day they go to the marine base here on Oahu and they pay tribute to American soldiers.

[14:15:00] They acknowledge that it's a tough job, that these people work tirelessly, that it's tough to be away from your families during long stretches even during the holidays. And he made special mention of the dangers that the job entails, that Iraq and Afghanistan are still dangerous places, and mentioning those six American service members, five men and one woman, who were killed in Afghanistan by a bomber just this week. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There's still folks over there every single day, and it's still dangerous, as we saw this past week. We had outstanding brave men and women who were killed. And so we never take for granted what all of you do for American people. You help keep us free. You help keep us strong. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSINSKI: This year, of course, coming up is going to bring tough challenges in the fight against ISIS, more decisions for the president and his advisers to make just as polls now are showing an increasing number of Americans dissatisfied with how the president is handling the fight against ISIS and against terror, Deb.

FEYERICK: So interesting. I bet the marines are very focused on who is going to be nominee there in the Republicans. Some want boots on the ground and others do not. Michelle Kosinski, as always, doing a fine job. Hawaii, that is a pretty good assignment, actually.

KOSINSKI: Thanks so much, take care.

FEYERICK: And still ahead, a look back at the biggest headlines of 2015 next in the news room.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FEYERICK: And as 2015 winds down, we're looking back at the personalities and stories that made headlines. This year we met Caitlyn Jenner, Donald Trump triumphed in the polls. And who can forget the faces of refugees fleeing Iraq and Syria. Brian Stelter counts down the top 10 media stories of 2015.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN STELTER: Debates, shootings, scandals, a relentless news cycle kept the media buzzing in 2015. But 10 moments stood out among the crowded landscape. Here are the top 10 media stories of the year.

[14:20:13] Number 10, late night's new look. Steven Colbert taking over for David Letterman on CBS. Larry Wilmore taking Colbert's spot on Comedy Central, where Trevor Noah was taking over for Jon Stewart. Former "Daily Show" correspondent Samantha Bee also getting ready to host a new late night show as well starting early next year on CBS. Her photo-shopped version of a "Vanity Fair" picture showing the 10 men of late was a hit on the internet.

Number nine, scandal brings down "19 Kids and Counting." TLC cancelled the show after Josh Dugger admitted he molested children, including some of his sisters, when he was a teenager. The family stood by Josh in a FOX interview, but things got worse. His name was among those released by hackers who broke into Ashley Madison's database. He admitted cheating on his wife and doing pornography. In an online post he called himself, quote, "the biggest hypocrite ever."

Number eight, Caitlyn Jenner's new name, new look, new life. Her "Vanity Fair" cover had everyone talking, spreading awareness about transgender issues. Her P.R. rollout started with a Diane Sawyer interview, and then Jenner accepted an ESPY, giving the sports awards show a ratings boost. Her reality show debuted on E! and was renewed for a second season.

Another cover marks number seven, but it couldn't be more different. July's "New York" magazine featured 35 women who had accuse Bill Cosby of sexual assault. The headline read "Cosby, The Women, An Unwelcome Sisterhood." The magazine's website crashed for 12 hours following its release. It was a stunning statement of unity against the legendary comic. Cosby has not been charged with any crime and continues to deny the accusations.

Now to number six, "Washington Post" correspondent Jason Rezaian convicted in Iran. His trial for espionage and other charges started in May, ended in August, but was cloaked in secrecy. The "Post" has called the whole thing a sham. The media has widely condemned his detention, saying he's a pawn in Iran's geopolitical power struggle. December marks his 500th day in jail.

Number five, a reminder of the power of a photograph. A three-year- old Syrian refugee drowned off the coast of Turkey. The image of his body changed the coverage of the refugee crisis gripping Europe, waking the world up, something that countless hours of news coverage and gallons of ink have failed to do. The heated debate about how to solve the problem is ongoing, but the picture remains a haunting look at its toll on humanity.

Number four now, a shooting on live TV. The execution style killings of WDBJ reporter of Alison Parker and photojournalist Adam Ward shocked the country. Both victim's significant others also worked at the station. One was in the control room at the time. The murderer, a disgruntled former employee, posted a point of view angle of the shooting on social media, then shot himself later in the day as police closed in. Horrific events, but a strong response, broadcast journalists posting pictures of themselves out doing their jobs like Alison and Adam were doing that day. Others pitched in to help WDBY stay on the air in the awful days following the tragedy.

Number three, "Charlie Hebdo." January 7th in Paris gunmen stormed the satirical magazine's offices killing 12 people, including the magazine's editor and several cartoonists. The attackers were apparently seeking revenge for cartoon's depicting the prophet Mohammed, but the world pushed back. "I am Charlie" became a global rallying cry. Unfortunately it would not be the only time Paris underwent a terror attacks in 2015.

Number two, here in the U.S., Brian Williams gets kicked off the air. The celebrated "NBC Nightly News" anchor was suspended without pay for six months in February after exaggerating a story about a helicopter mission during the Iraq war. An NBC investigation found at least 10 other embellishments in the anchor's cast. Lester Holt took over the "NBC Nightly News" permanently. Some critics thought Williams would never return at all, but he did in a new rule covering breaking news on MSNBC.

And he told Matt Lauer this about the exaggerations.

BRIAN WILLIAMS, MSNBC CORRESPONDENT: It had to have been ego that made me think I had to be sharper, funnier, quicker.

STELTER: And number one, the biggest media story of 2015 is Donald Trump taking over. It started with controversy. DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: They're bringing drugs,

they're bringing crime, they're rapists, and some, I assume, are good people.

STELTER: But it was followed by rising poll numbers, record debate ratings, talking heads in disbelief, and some frustrated fact checkers. Even when the media calls him out, Trump never seemed to back down. He is not afraid to pick a fight with the media, like making controversial comments about FOX News anchor Megyn Kelly, or kicking Univision's Jorge Ramos out of the press conference, or mocking "New York Times" reporter Serge Kovaleski.

[14:25:09] Thanks largely to Trump, the early GOP debates attracted more than 20 million viewers each, smashing all prior records. It's the reality TV effect on the campaign trail. As primary season heats up in 2016, the media circus will continue, but voters have the last word on Trump.

Happy media new year, Brian Stelter, CNN, CNN New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK: And coming up, the search for suspects in a possible arson fire at President Clinton's former home.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FEYERICK: And here's a look at our top stories. A fire at former president Bill Clinton's childhood home in Hope, Arkansas, is being investigated as arson. Police say the fire started in the back of the home which is a national historic site. The home's walkway and door were vandalized with graffiti. Clinton lived there the first four years of his life.

A Texas judge shot last month in Austin is now home from the hospital. Julie Kocurek was shot and wounded in her driveway November 6th. A person of interest in the attack remains in jail on an unrelated murder trial. Police belief the judge is targeted.

Some people are waking up furious at FedEx because their packages did not get delivered in time for the holiday. That's because FedEx's main hub is in Memphis, Tennessee, and it was affected by severe weather. So to make up for the delays FedEx said some of its employees volunteered and worked extra shifts on Christmas just to help get packages to their customers.

I'm Deborah Feyerick in for Fredricka Whitfield. Thank you so much for joining us this afternoon. CNN Newsroom continues at the top of the hour. "Vital Signs" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta starts right now.