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Angela Ferrell-Zabala is Interviewed about the School Shootings; Story of Rebuilding After Katrina; Millions Expected to Travel for Labor Day. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired August 29, 2025 - 09:30   ET

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

[09:30:00]

ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR., HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: Launching studies on the potential contribution of some of the SSRI drugs and some of the other psychiatric drugs that might be contributing to violence.

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ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: Kennedy's take prompting this swift response from Democratic Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota, who wrote in response, "I dare you to go to Annunciation School and tell our grieving community, in effect, guns don't kill kids, antidepressants do." She went on to say, "you should be fired."

Angela Ferrell-Zabala is the executive director of Moms Demand Action, which is part of Everytown for Gun Safety's grassroots network.

Angela, appreciate you taking the time to join us today.

The comments that we heard from the vice president, again, in response to what we heard from -- from RFK Jr., from the secretary, what does that do in terms of a focus on gun violence? Does it help or hurt your efforts?

ANGELA FERRELL-ZABALA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MOMS DEMAND ACTION: Look, I think it's -- first of all, I just have to say, it's absolutely ridiculous. One of the things I often say when people talk about mental health is, sure, I think we need more resources when it comes to mental health, not just in this country, we're thinking about across this globe people face crisis like this, but we -- yet we're the only place on earth that this is happening. The only place. It's access to firearms. It's easy access to firearms, period.

I was just in Minnesota yesterday and the community is reeling after the mass shooting that happened. And that was only day -- a day after one that happened before with an AR-style rifle. So, this is not about mental health. This is about easy access to firearms. And what we need to see is our lawmakers have courage to actually do what it takes to make sure that our babies don't have to put their bodies over each other to -- to -- to protect each other, as they had to do the other day at the catholic school. HILL: How have you seen the conversation shift in the years since the

founding of Moms Demand Action and what we've seen? I mean we've seen these shootings feel like, in many ways, they are so commonplace that Americans are either numb to them or they just can't deal with the volume in some ways. How has that impacted the conversation about gun violence and protection?

FERRELL-ZABALA: Well, it's so unfortunate that we can literally name cities and our places and identify them as places where mass shootings or shootings happen. And this doesn't even count the day-to-day gun violence that happens in communities across this country. But I can definitely tell you that the conversation has changed because this is now an issue -- this used to be a third rail of politics. No one would touch this issue.

Now people are speaking up about this because, unfortunately, over 56 percent of Americans in this country themselves identify or someone they love as someone that has been faced with gun violence or experienced gun violence, as a survivor of gun violence. And so that's a very unfortunate truth. And I have the great privilege of traveling across this country because we have our Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action leaders in every single state, plus D.C. And it doesn't matter if it's a red state, a blue state, a purple state, people are sick and tired of this. And so, I think it's changed the conversation because now we know we have solutions. We have people that have run on curbing gun violence and have the courage to stand up and do what they have to do. And so we're seeing that.

And we also have seen lots of legislation passed, including a bipartisan Safer Communities Act that happened. A 30-year logjam. We did that federally. And across states we're even seeing bans on assault weapons. So, the conversation has changed, but also action is happening on this issue.

HILL: It's -- I think it's important to note, you're a nonpartizan organization. You also have among your members, and welcome among your members, gun owners who, for some time, felt like they were not part of the conversation. How important is it to make sure that it is a fulsome conversation, including all Americans who want to be a part of it?

FERRELL-ZABALA: This is absolutely important because it's an all hands on deck moment. This is a national public health crisis in this country. This is a leading cause of death for children. And in fact, when we talk about folks that are stepping up and advocating to -- for gun safety measures that are going to save our communities, this includes gun owners. This includes Democrats, Republicans, mothers, fathers, faith leaders, veterans. We have all kinds of folks in the community. It's going to take every single one of us to do something about this and to push these efforts.

So, I think it's really important. And Moms Demand Action is a strong grassroots arm of Everytown for Gun Safety, which, when we mean it, when we say every single town. And that means all these folks need to come to the table when we talk about solutions to this crisis.

HILL: Angela, thank you for your time here and for your work.

Just ahead, as we look at what has changed in the 20 years since Katrina struck the gulf coast, such a focus, of course, on New Orleans. You'll hear directly from someone who lost their home in the wake of that storm, coming home to find nothing. Why he was able to stay behind and find a new home.

Plus, police chasing -- a police chase in Indiana. Not the normal suspect, you see.

[09:35:02]

Sort of a slow motion chase because perhaps you can tell, this guy has got hooves. Yes. Horse on the run. Cue the puns.

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HILL: It is tough to overstate how the widespread devastation from Hurricane Katrina touched literally every corner of New Orleans. Not just physically, but also the soul of that city. Jazz bassist Michael Harris lost everything when the levees broke just blocks from his home. He was actually on tour when the time -- when the storm hit. When he finally made it back home, he had nothing but the clothes on his back and his bass.

Decades later, he has rebuilt, and thanks in part to Habitat for Humanity.

[09:40:03]

The nonprofit itself built a neighborhood in the wake of Katrina, known as Musician's Village. Made and built, not just to help the musicians displaced by Katrina, but also to make sure that the city's rich musical heritage wouldn't be lost.

Joining me now, Michael Harris, along with the CEO of Habitat for Humanity, Jonathan Reckford.

It's so good to have both of you here with us as we mark this 20-year anniversary.

Michael, I can't imagine what it was like for you to be on tour, to see all of this happening when you're -- I believe you were in Brazil at the time. This storm is wiping away your home, your city. When you got back to where your home was, can you walk us through what that moment was like for you?

MICHAEL HARRIS, LOST HOME IN KATRINA: When I got -- when I was finally able to get back home, I was in the lower Ninth Ward. It was -- it was surreal. And more than anything, it was the -- the silence was deafening because it was a thriving neighborhood. Just 80 percent of the city. And it -- it was -- it was -- it was -- it was surreal. It was like an out-of-body experience.

HILL: It's like you're seeing something that you only see on TV. HARRIS: There was so much debris. Yes. There was so much debris in the

trees it looked like Christmas decorations. It looked like tinsel or whatever.

HILL: When -- when you come home to that surreal scene, did you believe it could be rebuilt? Did you believe in that moment that the New Orleans you knew and called home could and would come back?

HARRIS: Of course. But in my heart, I knew that we would rebuild and we would come back. New Orleans is very resilient city. And telling my age, I'm 65, I went through Hurricane Betsy. So, this is the second time. We rebuilt from that one. We rebuilt bigger, better and stronger. And we've doubled down on it this time around. And, yes, it's -- yes, New Orleans is a very, very resilient city. And I'm so happy to be a part of it.

HILL: Yes. And that -- that resilience is key. And I think that's certainly what we saw in the days, the weeks, and, frankly, now even the years after Katrina.

Jonathan, this was also a turning point in many ways for Habitat for Humanity in terms of really cementing its place as an organization that also responds to disaster. Why was it so important for Habitat to focus on New Orleans, and specifically to focus on Music Village in that moment?

JONATHAN RECKFORD, CEO, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: You know, for Habitat for Humanity, we've always done some work after disasters, but the scale of both the Indian Ocean tsunami, and then particularly Katrina and Rita, were unprecedented. So, over a million people displaced and the scale of damage. And it was such a housing disaster for the country. It was so clear we needed to respond at an unprecedented level. And that really started a movement with support from all over the country that ultimately led to not only Michael, but 6,000 families that we were able to rebuild or build with after the -- after the storm.

And I think for us, Musicians Village was a -- we wanted a focal point to show that New Orleans was going to come back. It actually went all the way back to a CNN spot right after Katrina. Harry Connick Jr. and I were both on at the same time with Larry King. And Harry Connick put out a clarion call saying, help Habitat for Humanity rebuild New Orleans. And he and Branford Marsalis got involved and -- that together we came up with this idea of, not only for musicians, but a place for musicians, but more a critical mast (ph) to show the city that we could rebuild.

HILL: Yes, and you certainly did.

Michael, I was struck by your description that -- of the silence when you first arrived home. Because New Orleans is so much about music and it is so vibrant. It is never a city in my mind that would be silent for a moment. Being able to return home, to still live there, to keep the music alive, what has that meant for New Orleans?

HARRIS: Oh, it's -- it's meant the world, the recovery and everything. The music, the festivals, everything, it -- it just is so much more meaning. It's so -- and Habitat, for me personally, has made it possible. There's no place like home. And homeless is -- and homeless is not a good feeling. But the music, that was the -- that was my therapy.

[09:45:04]

And the arts are really important because, like I said, you know, it speaks to the human condition. It really does.

HILL: Yes.

HARRIS: And the music, you know, sometimes -- at one point all we could do was moan. That was the release, you know? But now there's joy. There's -- there's joy.

HILL: Yes. There really is.

HARRIS: And, yes. And I'm living witness and I am so thankful.

HILL: Yes. And so many in the community and beyond thankful as well because you being able to continue with that music brings them joy as well.

Michael Harris, Jonathan Reckford, appreciate you being with us today. Thank you.

This is it, my friends. Labor Day travel. The unofficial end of summer. We're not giving up yet. A tip, though, for you. Pro tip, if you will. We're going to let you in on a few nuggets about what you should and should not do if you would like your holiday weekend to be stress free.

Plus, we are keeping a very close watch on the wildfires in California wine country. New video shows just how fast these flames are spreading and the impact on that area and the industry.

Stay with us.

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[09:50:38]

BERMAN: All right, happening now. If you are planning on traveling for the long holiday weekend, go now. It's going to be a busy day on the roads and at the airport as millions of Americans prepare to say goodbye to summer.

Let's get right to CNN's Pete Muntean, in the middle of his own endless summer at Reagan National Airport this morning.

What are you seeing there, Pete?

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: The question, John, is, how do we make Labor Day a sexier holiday? I would argue that Flag Day is slightly cooler, having it be my birthday. It's also the president's birthday. A little fun piece of trivia there.

We're not going to break any records on Labor Day, but it's still going to be huge. TSA says today is actually going to be the busiest at airports of the entire holiday rush of this three day weekend, 2.91 million people expected by TSA at airport checkpoints nationwide.

Yesterday was actually the busiest in the airspace system. The most flights handled yesterday by the FAA air traffic controllers. Today, slightly smaller. Then it really dips over the weekend but comes roaring back on Monday. So many people trying to get back to normal on Tuesday.

There was a bit of an issue yesterday with air traffic control in Newark. The approach control facility that has been plagued by these problems the very start of the summer had a radio frequency outage that led to a long day of delays and cancellations there.

I just checked FlightAware. The delays rising right now. The cancellations relatively low. AAA says, though, even still, so many people trying to cram in this one last getaway of the summer. Kind of depends on whether or not you have kids back in school. But so many people hitting these domestic destinations, Seattle, New York, Orlando, try and hit one last trip into Disney.

And then also international destinations if you can extend the week. People going to Vancouver, and then western Europe. It's pretty easy to get to from the East Coast. Rome, Dublin are pretty top destinations.

Want you to listen now to AAA's Alza Diaz, who says a lot of people just trying to cram in one more trip.

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ALXA DIAZ, MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER, AAA: As we reflect back on summer, we had pretty good luck at the airports. And it seems as though, for the most part, things moved along. So, what we recommend always is just get to the airport ahead of time and give yourself plenty of time. But for the roads especially, that's where a lot of the dangers lie in terms of crashes, impaired driving, distracted driving. So, just be really careful.

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MUNTEAN: Today is going to be big on the roads. Tomorrow, even bigger AAA says. So many people just waiting to drive, do that road trip until tomorrow. So, the worst time is between about ten and six tomorrow, between 12:00 and 8:00 today.

We're not out of the woods yet when it comes to delays and cancellations today. And the FAA says we might see ground stops in places like Boston and in the Florida area because of thunderstorms as the day goes on.

John. BERMAN: All right, again, get on the road now if you want to beat it

today. Otherwise, wait until, I don't know, 5:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Pete Muntean, great to see you there. You have a wonderful holiday weekend. You certainly deserve it.

Erica.

HILL: Well, how about this for a wild police chase. Happening in Indiana. No speeding car, just a little galloping through the streets. Yep. This is about 50 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Officers still slow moving there. Why? Well, the horsepower. The low, turns out. They're chasing a horse. I don't know if chasing is the right word. They're following a horse. Eventually, it got to a grassy area where the owner was able to pick her up.

BERMAN: I think that was the first ever in-studio gallop at CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

HILL: And I don't think it was on camera. You want to see it again?

BERMAN: Yes. There -- all right.

HILL: Maybe I should stick to my day job, John.

BERMAN: It is not a holiday Friday.

All right, so this Sunday, Eva Longoria returns with special back to back episodes of "Searching for Spain." She takes viewers to Marbella and explores how Spain's gastronomic rise is shaping the world's culinary stage. Eva and I also looked back at her adventures throughout the series, revisiting the food and moments that stood out to her the most.

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EVA LONGORIA, HOST, "SEARCHING FOR SPAIN": The interesting thing about the show in general was the history of ingredients and how they arrived in Spain, or how they're endemic to Spain or how they left Spain. The tomato being one of them.

You know, for gazpacho being so famous, and pantomat (ph) being so famous in Spain, the tomato is not endemic to Spain.

[09:55:02]

It came from Mexico. So, to see the tomato have such a life, you know, in a country that it wasn't native to but they ended up cultivating it. Same thing with the potato. The potato came from Peru. And the incas used to cultivate it. Somebody took the potato back and it's a huge part of Spanish cuisine.

The thing that did not make it back was the chili. So, Spain has no spicy food. They do not like spice. They like flavor, they don't like the burn. BERMAN: You know, flavor doesn't have to be painful. That's the lesson

there.

LONGORIA: Yes. Yes.

BERMAN: It doesn't have to hurt.

LONGORIA: I disagree (INAUDIBLE). No, no, no. But I love spicy food. I love spicy food. So, when I'm in Spain, I'm like, this is so interesting. They use very minimal spices.

BERMAN: But they have -- the flavors are distinct and powerful.

LONGORIA: But the food flavors are amazing.

And, you know, I live in Marbella. And there's a whole episode about Marbella. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth. But the cuisine there is so

amazing. Talk about mar y tierra, you know, surf and turf, if you will. They have amazing cuisine from the mountains. They have an arroz with goat that is a specific species of goat that is only found in the south of Spain. And then you have a chiringuito, which is a little restaurant on the beach. And you can have fresh fish that they just cook right there on the lenya (ph), on the fire, and they serve it to you, and you just have the most amazing meal looking at the sunset on the beach.

Marbella is magical. But let me tell you, it was so fun to be able to travel through Spain and eat and drink my way through these stories.

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BERMAN: Pronounced Marbella, by the way.

HILL: Yes, eat and drink your way through the stories. That's pretty much my goal.

BERMAN: That's life. Eva Longoria, "Searching for Spain," back to back episodes Sunday at 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. only on CNN.

And thank you all for being with us. "THE SITUATION ROOM" up next.

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