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Snow Storms and Frigid Temps Hit the Country; Habitat for Humanity Not Struggling with Foreclosures; The New Green Night Clubs
Aired December 22, 2008 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Misery by degrees. Suffering measures by inches. Frigid temps and wicked storm right in most of the country. And just think, this is merely the first full day of winter.
Chilling images usher in a busy week of holiday travel. An airliner veers off the runway and bursts into flames. Investigators want to know what went wrong. Survivors are celebrating what went right.
A new year, a renewed mission. Afghanistan demands new attention and more U.S. troops.
Good morning, everybody. I'm Heidi Collins. Today is Monday, December 22nd, you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
From California to Connecticut, drivers are putting on the snow chains. In some cases being ordered to do that for safety's sake. Snowplow operators are working overtime. Two blizzard sweeps across the northern half of the country. Thousands of people without power. Many others stranded at airports and bus terminals.
So much snow it's nearing a record in Wisconsin. The National Weather Service reports this is the second snowiest December. 30.1 inches so far. And still ten days to go. Almost everywhere else, Rob Marciano, it's plain old bone-chilling cold.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN, METEOROLOGIST: It is and it's all the way down to where you typically would go to kind of get away from it. You know, the snow birds head down to say Houston over to Phoenix, 63. That's not bad. It's the highest today. Austin to New Orleans, temps are going to remain in the 30s and lower 40s.
Tomorrow's forecast weather map across showing drier weather across parts of the east. 31 in Chicago for a high. That is balmy compared to where they are right now which is right around zero. 30 degrees for a high temperature in New York City. So there will be a little bit of a warm-up. But today the frigid air remains across much of the western Great Lakes, into the northeast and all the way down into Florida and with the snow in some spots, and the wind blowing and others, the wind chills are down right dangerous. Minus 19 is what it feels like in Atlanta. So just a few days ago, it feels like we're up in the 70s.
And hour delay here at the Newark La Guardia. Indianapolis seeing 30 minute delays. Louisville seeing some delays as well. So these will rotate throughout the day. Expected delays in New York will continue. That wind will be the problem. Not so much the snow and the blizzard conditions continue across parts of Maine. We're looking for heavy snow in spots because the lake-effect in Michigan to parts of western New York. Some of these numbers are pretty impressive, parts of Maine seeing over 40 inches of snow. Montpelier, Vermont, 13 inches.
So even the northeast ski resorts getting a foot or more of the fresh powder. So they'll take it and they're getting a lot of it across parts of the west. 12 to 24 inches expected. More in parts of Colorado and Utah.
Speaking of, Salt Lake City, live shot for you. You're under a winter storm warning. Cloudy right now. Temperatures below freezing. KTVX is the affiliate. And I expect the snows to start here in the next couple of hours. You could see several inches fall right down to the Lake Florida, right down to Salt Lake below the benches, as matter of fact.
COLLINS: Yes, beautiful shot. But actually, very, very cold. All right. Rob will stay on top of it with you. Thanks so much, Rob Marciano.
MARCIANO: Sounds good.
COLLINS: We'll be back with you in a moment. Meanwhile, our i- reporters have been out and about capturing on camera their winter woes. Aaron Cloward tells us so much snow as fallen so quick in Walla Walla, Washington and the snow plows can't just keep up and the stores have run out of snow chains.
In Burlington, Massachusetts, John Sullivan shows us the near white-out conditions there. By Saturday afternoon a foot of snow had fallen. And more was on the way. Remember now, you can share your weather pictures with us. Just go to ireport.com. And we'll try to get them on the air for you.
Also, a chilling image for anyone boarding a flight this holiday season. A Continental Airlines jets with 115 people aboard, veers off a runway and bursts into flames. Dozens of people are injured. Countless questions of course still need to be answered. CNN's Susan Roesgen is out at the Denver International Airport now. So Susan, investigators are on the scene this morning asking a lot of those questions.
SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. They're asking questions and going through that wreckage right now. And when you look, Heidi, at those aerial images. It is amazing that everybody got out alive. There was a fire on the right side of the airplane that was so intense that it melted the luggage bins.
Parts of the luggage bins were melting under the passenger seats. There was a lot of terrified passengers there. People didn't know what was going on. One guy yelling. It's going to explode. There's a bomb, there's a bomb. So investigators have to talk to and passengers, talk to the crew. And they are going through that wreckage right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is extensive fire damage to the right side of the aircraft. And the interior is quite burned. The left engine has separated from the aircraft. The right engine is still attached to the pylon in the wing.
JEB TILLY, PASSENGER: It was incredibly violent. It was a big left-hand turn and we sort of started bouncing a lot as if you were in the roller coaster, just getting tossed around in your seat. And then there was kind of a lot of silence all of a sudden. We took a big drop. And then when we hit the ground, that's when things really got screwy. You know I think the plane cracked in half at that point. All the overhead baggage compartments broke open and fell down and stuff.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROESGEN: And you know, Heidi, there are 38 people are injured after this. Two of them are in critical condition initially. We just checked with the hospital this morning. One is in fair condition now. One is in serious condition. Mostly broken bones. No burn injuries.
Investigators don't know yet whether those broken bones came from the actual hard landing of the aircraft, the bumpiness of that, or whether it came from people pushing and shoving each other to get out. You know, you get on a plane, and lots of people will be flying this week to go home for Christmas. You see these, you know, plastic laminated placards in front of you in the seat pocket in front of you and they always say, review the evacuation procedures.
And the flight attendants are there and they're going through their spiel but how many people actually even listen to that anymore? Maybe it's a good time to actually look at where the exits are and listen to the flight attendants and follow the emergency lighting and maybe get out without killing the guy next to you. Heidi.
COLLINS: Absolute. Something to be always be familiar with. Before I let you go. Obviously because of the outcome of all of this, no one was killed. There were some injuries, obviously. But people did things right. Things did happen the way they're supposed to in an emergency situation.
ROESGEN: Yes, all the shoots, all the evacuation chutes deployed. They were able to get everybody down those chutes. The people were actually self-evacuating with the help of the flight crew. They were getting off that air plane, walking up the ravine, already moving away by the time the first emergency crews got there. So you're right. It was obviously chaotic and scary. There were some injuries, but everybody did get out. That's the good news.
COLLINS: Yes, absolutely. All right. CNN's Susan Roesgen for us in Denver at the airport there. Thanks so much, Susan.
All right. I want to do a quick check of the big board now. Dow Jones industrial average for this Monday down about 30 points or so. We'll continue to watch those numbers as we have a short trading week this holiday week and let you know what happens.
Meanwhile, issue number one, your money. And retailers are having a tough time prying that cash loose from your wallet this holiday season. In fact, this is shaping out to be one of the worst shopping seasons in decades. Christine Romans is in New York now with more on this. So Christine, we knew it would be bad. But I don't know if we knew it was going to be this bad.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Well, the thing now is the weather. That weather in the northeast, to the midwest, you know, I mean that kept people in. That kept some people in. In some cases there was good traffic.
But people are needing big discounts to spend their money. They're worried about their job, they are worried about the foreclosure situation. They're worried about falling home prices. They know that the economy is in a recession, and it could continue next year. And so they're focusing a lot of the surveys say on needs and not wants.
One survey showing 61 percent of those surveyed said that they will buy things they need, not necessarily things they want. Also showing that 81 percent of people say they're going to spend less this year. Now Americans often say they're going to spend less, and they don't.
But this year is different because they've got all these reasons to spend less. And they're looking for store sales, deep discounts. 30 percent of people surveyed said they won't buy unless it's a sale. They're using coupons. They're using membership programs. They're using anything they can to lower the price of what they're shopping for.
We knew over the Thanksgiving weekend it was the discount retailers where they were shopping. And we also know that apparel is the category that will probably get hit the most. Because people are focusing like I said on the things that they need. Not necessarily the things they want. So that's really hurting the apparel category.
COLLINS: Yes. No question about it. Keep wearing the same black sweater will be just fine, right?
ROMANS: Right. You know the important thing is to pay, you know, only buy it if you can afford it. We're getting back to a little bit of reality here. And we can say, it's so bad. It's so bad for the overall economy but if it's good for your economy, I think that's the only thing, people can do.
COLLINS: Absolutely. All right. CNN's Christine Romans for us in New York this morning. Thank you, Christine.
ROMANS: You're welcome.
COLLINS: President-elect Barack Obama is what you could call a working vacation in Hawaii. Obama has decided to increase his job goal. He now wants to create three million jobs over the next two years. Obama upped the number after receiving projections that suggest the recession will be worse than expected.
One official told CNN the stimulus plan in the works in the Obama camp would have oversight and transparency measures. The plan will be focus on stimulating the economy and not evolve into just handing out congressional pork projects. They say it would also include measures that will lay a foundation for a stronger economy in the future like health care, education, and energy spending.
A review of any contact, members of President-elect Barack Obama's staff had with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is expected tomorrow. But officials say the review does not mention any conversations recorded by the federal prosecutors. A federal complaint accusing the governor of trying to get cash and favors for the vacant senate position. Does not mention any conversation with anyone on Mr. Obama's transition staff.
Vice president-elect Joe Biden has big plans for keeping jobs here in America during his term in office.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOE BIDEN (D), VICE-PRESIDENT ELECT: The combination of stopping the projected job loss and creating new jobs will be a total of $2.5 million. We believe we can do that by investing as I said new technologies, by investing in infrastructure, building roads and bridges. All things, by the way, that add to the productivity of the country what keep American businesses in America that generate high paying jobs, that can't be exported.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: For more on how he intends to keep companies from exporting jobs and his role during the historic presidency, tune into CNN's "Larry King Live" at 9:00 p.m. tonight.
Seven weeks after the election, the recount continues in Minnesota's U.S. senate race. Officials there say it will probably be next week before a winner is named. The "Minneapolis Star Tribune" is reporting comedian Al Franken now leads the incumbent Norm Coleman by some 250 votes. The newspaper says that's an unofficial tally. The Minnesota secretary of state says it's meaningless until all the ballots are counted.
More troops expected to be heading out. Where the military has decided to beef up the presence.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Visiting wounded veterans. President Bush is expected to stop by U.S. Army hospital Walter Reed at 1:00 this afternoon. It could be the last time he visits the hospital as president. The shoddy conditions inside the hospital sparked public outrage last year. The President apologized publicly and vowed to make changes. U.S. military focusing attention on Afghanistan. Officials say up to 30,000 additional troops could be sent there next year. Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr has been looking at this story and is joining us now this morning from Washington. So up to 30,000. I think you said between 20 and 30, correct?
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Heidi. You know that number has been creeping now up for several weeks. The U.S. has long been saying it needs to send more troops to Afghanistan. But it's not clear that President-elect Obama knew the Pentagon was talking about maybe doubling the size of the U.S. force. But that appears to be just about what's in the works. Have a listen to what Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Join Chiefs had to say and we'll talk about it on the back side.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADM. MIKE MULLEN, CHAIRMAN OF JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: Some 20,000 to 30,000 is the window of overall increase from where we are right now. I actually don't have an exact number.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STARR: 30,000. Up to 30,000. That's the key number to watch. Because that would double the size of the current force of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. But this whole strategy may not be accomplished all that easily. NATO appears to have no interest in sending additional troops. So it may all wind up being U.S. troops.
Defense secretary Robert Gates has been warning that sending too many troops to Afghanistan could cause a lot of resentment amongst the Afghan people, of course. And the bottom line is U.S. commanders have been saying more troops won't solve it. Afghanistan is a country that needs billions in aid and development. And that's going to be tough money to find these days. Heidi.
COLLINS: And then the helicopter unit that we've been talking about that's going to be heading over there for the first of the year. What's that about?
Air power here is a little bit different.
STARR: Right. this is really the first step down the road to these additional forces going into Afghanistan. The helicopters approved last Thursday by Mr. Gates, and this is the first step because you need to get the helicopters in there early so that you can move these 30,000 troops around in that rough mountain terrain. What they're going to try and do is get as many troops in by the summer of next year because come September Afghanistan has its own presidential election. And they want to improve security before that takes place. Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Very good. Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr this morning. Thanks, Barbara.
COLLINS: The reporter charged with throwing his shoes at President Bush during a news conference says he does not regret it. That according to his brother. The reporter's trial is scheduled for next Wednesday. Thousands of Iraqis have rallied to demand his release. Since it happened more than a week ago, if convicted, he could spend up to two years in prison. His brother says he asked for a new suit to wear in court and an Iraqi flag.
It's not your typical vacation. Traveling overseas in hopes of getting pregnant. But have these trips delivered the results couples expect?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Cheaper plastic surgery or maybe even Botox are some reason that people head overseas. Alina Cho reports now, more American women are heading to the other side of the world for in vitro fertilization.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELLEN LAVESQUE, MOTHER: This is from the top of Prague Castle in Prague.
CHO (voice-over): It's a vacation that literally changed Ellen and Bob Lavesque lives forever.
ELLEN LAVESQUE: We didn't even have passports.
CHO: Their first time abroad. The Lavesque traveled halfway around the globe to the Czech Republic, but sightseeing wasn't their ultimate goal. This was their dream trip for a different reason. They came home with a special souvenir.
ELLEN LAVESQUE: Then we found out that I was pregnant with twins.
CHO: They went to the Czech Republic specifically for in vitro fertilization. Ellen and Bob had been trying to get pregnant for years. She was in her early 40s. Doctors told her IVF was the best option. But the cost was huge. And Ellen said her insurance wouldn't cover it.
ELLEN LAVESQUE: I literally left the office in tears when I heard what the number was and of course you know just doing in vitro once doesn't necessarily take.
CHO: And what was that number?
ELLEN LAVESQUE: That was about $28,000 per attempt.
CHO: Enter IVFvacation.com, one of several web sites for women seeking in vitro fertilization overseas. Here for a fee, almost everything except air fare is booked for you and included in the cost. Lodging, medication, IVF and spa treatments. One stop shopping.
LAVESQUE: I remember being amazed. CHO: Ellen had to go twice because the first try didn't take. Each trip cost about $12,000. Still less than one attempt in the U.S. the Lavesque were lucky, but there are some risks.
DR. SLAN COPPERMAN, DIRECTOR OF INFERTILITY, MT. SINAI MEDICAL CENTER: We have local and state rules that help govern us, that help make sure that it's that patient's egg, her husband's sperm, their embryos that are put in place. We're not as sure in many other parts of the world.
CHO: Marcella and Craig Fite, founders of ivfvacation.com disagree. They insist the Czech clinic is safe. Reassuring clients that they did it themselves. Marcella is from the Czech Republic and went to her home country for IVF. The Fites now have twins.
CRAIG FITE, IVFVACATION.COM: There's nothing quite like getting that phone call from a woman who's been trying for five years to get pregnant and she says, I'm pregnant, I'm pregnant! And she just, you can feel the tears through the phone.
CHO: Ellen Lavesque gave birth to her twins a year and a half ago. The family she's always wanted with a little overseas help.
LAVESQUE: This is our dream. A little tiring on occasions, but joyful.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: That was AMERICAN MORNING's Alina Cho reporting. Alina says it's important to point out if you are considering this as an option, do your homework. There is no international body that regulates fertility clinics overseas. The people who run ivfvacation.com say they've had no problems.
The Atlanta Botanical Gardens reopens for the first time since Friday's fatal construction accident. Part of an elevated walkway collapsed. One construction worker died. 18 others were hurt. Investigators will return today to find out what caused the accident.
Much of the nation now shivering under a blanket of snow. Who's been buried and who's bracing for the next big wallop.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Icy and dicey across the northern half of the country. Some places have declared snow emergencies with one blizzard after another. In New Hampshire, some people still without power from the ice storm the weekend before. Mainers are busy digging out from more than three feet of snow. The town of Hustis (ph) recorded 41.8 inches over the weekend. Can you believe that? For some people, the more snow the better, though. These kids obviously not wasting a moment of sledding time in the Sierras.
So, Rob Marciano, what do you have to say for yourself?
MARCIANO: I want to go sledding. COLLINS: People are looking for a change. People are looking for power, grocery. I mean it's all over the place.
MARCIANO: It's kind of a mess but if you didn't get the snow, you've got the cold. Even down here in Atlanta. This is a map of the wind chill. Minus 28. Feels like nine right here in Atlanta. Minus 5 in St. Louis. So go get some hot cocoa or something.
COLLINS: We knew this was coming though. You've been warming us.
MARCIANO: Yes. And people want to see snow for the holidays, right?
COLLINS: Yes.
MARCIANO: But you don't want drive through it. So It's always a catch-22. Blizzard conditions across parts of New England until about noon. Mostly because of blowing snow. The snow has pretty much stopped but the winds are blowing 20, 30, 35 miles per hour.
And that certainly will lower the visibilities. Lake-effect snow kicking in from Buffalo south towards Erie, Cleveland as well. Then lower parts of Michigan east or downwind of Lake Michigan itself will see several inches of snow, lake effect, snow warnings in effect in that area. Winter storm warnings again for parts of the Colorado. 12 to 24 inches in some spots.
Like (INAUDIBLE) have seen more snow already this year today than they saw last year. The last year broke records. So that gives you an idea of how much was dumped there.
Salt Lake City under a winter storm warning. The city itself with several inches or half foot or more with this next system coming in. There you see it on the radar scope parts of Nevada and Utah getting the snow. Portland and Seattle almost all the way down to Sacramento, snow at very low elevations and icy conditions across the northern part of the I-5 corridor or so. Almost an unprecedented event, certainly the length of this cold snap across the northwest is remarkable to say the least.
All right, the storm going into the Rockies tomorrow kicks out. And now we already have winter storm watches that are posted for parts of the western great lakes, including Chicago. So they just can't catch a break there. We'll see a bit of a warm up, Heidi, mostly east of the Mississippi come Christmas eve or Christmas day. But everywhere west of that I think will just stay cool. Monday night football, by the way, Packers at the bears. It will be maybe five degrees.
COLLINS: But they're used to that. Both those teams though. ` MARCIANO: Always fun to watch. I've seen some games this weekend. A couple of snow bowls.
COLLINS: Yes. Excellent. All right. Rob, thanks for that. (BUSINESS HEADLINES)
COLLINS: The nation's mortgage crisis. Foreclosure rates are climbing in both good neighborhoods and bad. But, there's one group that sees home losses of less than one percent. It's among those who earned their homes through Habitat for Humanity. What's the secret to the group's success?
CNN's Ted Rowlands takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here's your key.
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There were plenty of tears this weekend as the Gaxiola family received the key to a brand new Habitat for Humanity house in Los Angeles.
VERONICA GAXIOLA, 21 YEARS OLD: It's so beautiful. Thanks to every one of you guys that has helped us to get our dream come true house.
ROWLANDS: The family of five, including father Jose, who's legally blind are going from an apartment in a crime-ridden area, to this three-bedroom, two-bath home complete with an elevator for Jose and a much safer neighborhood for the kids.
CARLOS GAXIOLA, 17 YEARS OLD: The most I go outside is either go to school or church and come back home.
ROWLANDS: The Gaxiola's don't get this house for free. They do have a mortgage, like anyone else. Given Habitat for Humanity's track record, odds are they'll be able to live here as long as they'd like. Of the more than 250,000 homes built by Habitat for Humanity, less than one percent have ended in foreclosure.
JO-AN TURMANT, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: That family that worked so hard all these years to become homeowners. And finally have obtained home ownership. They usually try to do whatever they have to do to keep their homes with us.
ROWLANDS: The reason for Habitat's success could be traced back to the lending system. The Gaxiolas, for example, will be paying $750 a month, about 35 percent of their income. The mortgage is no interest for $135,000 over 20 years. There was no down payment required.
But the Gaxiolas, like every family, put in 500 hours of work during construction. They also took classes in basic finance and home repair. But, most importantly organizers say, the lender is Habitat for Humanity. So, if a payment is missed, or a job is lost, there's an open line of communication to help keep them in the house.
TURMANT: We have worked with a lot of people, especially in the past two years who have been late on their payments and almost near default. But, somehow they've been able to come back through. ROWLANDS: Although Jose Gaxiola was hospitalized this week, the family is looking the forward to spending their first Christmas of many together in their new house.
Ted Rowlands, CNN, Los Angeles
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: In the U.S. gas prices take another dip. The national average for unleaded now just over $1.66 a gallon. That's a one-day drop of a half penny. Since gas prices hit their record high in July, Americans are now paying on average, more than 59 percent less.
Want to party the night away in an eco-friendly way? From Hollywood's Eco Lounge to Rotterdam's Watt, green nightclubs are the latest trend. CNNMoney.com's Poppy Harlow has our Energy Fix from New York.
Hi there, Poppy.
POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: Hey, Heidi. This was a fun Energy Fix because I got to go party at a green club --
COLLINS: Oh, good for you.
HARLOW: -- in New York. It's definitely cool to be green. Everything from organic clothing to hybrid cars, they're hip right now. And now you can party at a green club right here in New York and around the world.
Check out this one. This one is in London. This is Club Suria (ph). The dance floor at this club, no joke, it helps power the club. There are special crystals underneath the floor. They generate a charge when they bump together. That's fed into batteries. And that saves the club it says, thousands of dollars every single month.
Here in New York, we visited Club Greenhouse. It just opened in November. Check it out there. It features bamboo floors, recycled glass, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems and LED lights. The club says it uses 40 percent to 60 percent less than a standard nightclub. Building it, though, certainly did not come cheap.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN BAKHSHI, OWNER, GREENHOUSE: I would say that the average club in New York costs about $1 million. And this easily cost double that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARLOW: Ouch. Especially in a recession. The big question, will people choose to spend their money at an energy-efficient club over one that's not?
We asked some club-goers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You want your money to mean something. So, if you're going out and you're going to spend the money anyway, why not do it in a green nightclub where at least you're reducing your impact on the environment a little bit.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's a little bit gimmicky just by nature of what it is and being green is so trendy right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARLOW: All right. Being trendy, that's not a bad thing. After all, this nightclub -- it's a nightclub. It's not for everyone coming out to save the planet. But, it's interesting, Heidi. People definitely had different opinions -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Yes, I bet they did. We are in a recession. I mean, people are spending less. The club was more expensive to build.
What kind of challenge does that pose? You know, do they charge a cover fee to get in, or something like that?
HARLOW: Yes, you know, I think they do charge. And the drinks certainly I can tell you, they are not cheap.
But, you know, the owner -- he financed this all himself. He didn't even have investors. Well over a million dollars to build the club. He says he expects to break even in a year and a half. That is still to be seen since it really seems like no cost was spared. Here's one that had us scrunching our noses.
Check out these pictures. The men's bathrooms has two waterless urinals. That means no flushing. They are sanitized daily, though. They say that saves about 15,000 gallons of water a year. The low- flow sinks also save 15,000 gallons. Really scrunching our noses at that one. It's an Energy Fix we're not recommending you try it at home, though -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Yes. Yes. How'd you know I was scrunching my nose, too?
All right, Poppy. Thanks for that. Appreciate it.
HARLOW: You're welcome.
COLLINS: Fewer people are going out these holidays though. Looking to home entertainment instead. No surprise, one business is seeing a boom in their business.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Winter storm warnings are out again for Portland, Oregon. A rare snowstorm brought the city to a standstill over the weekend. Some roads are still closed and people are being urged to just stay at home. Dozens of holiday travelers stuck at the airport overnight are hoping to get a flight out some time today. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was supposed to take three hours. And here I am 13 hours later. And still no movement. No nothing. Nobody is saying anything. Nobody is doing anything. It's ludicrous.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: So, a lot of people are in that same boat. In Seattle, buses are going nowhere. Amtrak is canceling or delaying more service, and the airport is packed. Reporter Melody Mendez of affiliate KOMO, is there.
So Melody, any chance that anybody's going to be able to get out of there soon?
No, not a very good chance. You've got to be really lucky if you want to fly out of SEA-TAC this morning. We're seeing hundreds of cancellations and even more delays at this point. And I want you to take a look. Because you can see how busy it is here this morning. Cars are driving through. And we've seen traffic like this through the airport all morning long.
Now, Lee, if we can push into the airport, you can see the lines built up inside. Passengers waiting at the gate. Passengers waiting in security lines. It is busy inside that airport. Now, the good news here today is that Alaska and Horizon airlines have just announced they will resume flights this morning. That's after completely being forced to shut down all of their flights yesterday due to weather.
Now, the bad news is, they'll be resuming with significantly reduced schedules. Thousands of people, as we said, are stranded here. We've seen families and people sleeping in the airports all morning long. Now, we took a walk inside a little while ago. And just to give you an idea of the backlog of passengers that SEA-TAC is dealing with. We walked into some of the airport shops. They are completely sold out of food and water. Anything.
Passengers are really dealing with a rough day of travel. And they've got a tough day in store if they're planning to fly out of SE- TAC. Passengers are being told to call ahead and make sure you get your flight information before you even try coming to the airport this morning.
Reporting live at SEA-TAC, Melody Mendez. Heidi, back to you.
COLLINS: All right, Melody. Boy, what a mess. Sure do appreciate that. Thank you.
Retailers ringing in the season. Well, more like ringing their hands. The stores are reporting this could be the worst shopping season in decades. Consumers are nervous about the recession and reluctant of course, to open their wallets. That's despite huge discounts as retailers try to coax as many sales as possible during the last three shopping days.
Unnerved by the economy, though, a lot of people are choosing to stay home. And Many are staying glued to their video game consoles. For video game companies, a bright spot indeed.
Here now, CNN's Eunice Yoon.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
EUNICE YOON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): How well do video games sell in a recession? The theory is, that games fly off the shelves, even in a tough economy. Because spending money to play a game like this for a week at home costs a whole lot less than a holiday vacation. And here at the Seventh Annual Asia Game Show in Hong Kong, there are a lot of people seem to believe that video gaming is recession resistance.
ALEX YAU, DIRECTOR, LAGFREESERVER.COM (through translator): People spend less on outside entertainment and they will stay home and play more online games. So actually, online gaming market is getting bigger.
YOON: Gamers have been flocking to this trade show to get their hands on limited edition video and online computer games. Most of the hundreds of thousands of people here are teenagers and young men. Gaming companies say these people help add another layer of recession proofing to the industry. Not only are they big spenders, they view gaming as an important part of their lives.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Games, I guess, is independent from like normal savings. I mean, I can cut back on clothes and stuff. Basically, we see, we like, we buy. It's basically how most people buy games.
YOON: But, there are signs of the tough economic times here. Exhibitors are offering massive discounts to ensure greater sales this holiday season. Some video game makers have started laying off workers, too. So, if the buzz here is anything to go by, the gaming industry is thriving. The question is, will the excitement carry on into 2009?
Eunice Yoon, CNN, Hong Kong.
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COLLINS: Pets in need. How a woman cares for a 100 dogs, even though she can't afford to take care of herself.
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COLLINS: Investigators searched the home of Caylee Anthony's grandparents for a third time on Saturday. Caylee and her mother Casey lived in house before the toddler disappeared. Meanwhile, all the toys the little girl received at a makeshift memorial are being given to charity.
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BRAD CONWAY, ATTORNEY: There are at least 88 children and several families that are homeless and won't really have a Christmas but for the gifts that everybody has given to Caylee. They know that if Caylee were here she would share these.
Caylee is not here. She can't play with these gifts. But she's looking down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: The girl's mother, Casey, is facing murder charges.
Here's a lady whose heart has really gone to the dogs. She never met a pooch with a sob story she didn't like.
Jon Jordan of CNN affiliate, KWTV, has the rest of the story.
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JON JORDAN, KWTV REPORTER: For the past five years this is where 71-year-old Catherine Titus has called home. Living out of this van with her closest companions -- all 100 of them.
(on camera): What do these dogs mean to you?
CATHERINE TITUS, RESCUED DOGS: Everything. Everything.
JORDAN (voice over): Which is exactly what Katherine has given up to take care of these dogs.
Katherine used to work for the Humane Society in Texas. She says she fell on hard times and eventually landed here. Now, she survives on her $700 Social Security check, most of which goes to feeding the dogs. But she says her situation is nothing compared to what these abandoned dogs have gone through.
TITUS: I get them. They wander in from the pasture, starved, beaten.
JORDAN: Dogs she has never asked for, but that she has adopted. And once the word got out, they just kept coming.
TITUS: I've picked them up out of trash bags, I picked two out of the mailbox, I pick them up out of cardboard boxes. They tie them to the fence, they tie them to this the gate.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She did a wonderful job for what she had to deal with.
JORDAN: Karen Morrison runs Compassion Seeds Animal Sanctuary just a few miles from Catherine's home. Once she got word of Catherine's situation she and her co-workers jumped into action.
They've taken more than 40 dogs from Catherine's home and spayed and neutered them in hopes of giving them a second chance. (on camera): Is there hope for these dogs?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know what? We never know if there's any hope or not. Maybe for someone, maybe not for all of them.
TITUS: They need to be adopted. I've done what I can for them. But they deserve a home. They deserve just as much love as anything else does.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Boy. You may have heard in the piece Catherine cares for all of the dogs out of her own pocket. Her only income is that Social Security check.
Today is the first full day of winter. And many Americans are facing it head on. We'll tell you who is digging out and who is hunkering down in the next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM.
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COLLINS: Officers on President-elect Barack Obama's security detail are taking no chances at next month's historic inauguration. A new strict "Do Not Bring" list is stirring up mixed feelings. Strollers, tents, even silly string have been banned along the parade route. And while many feel it's a minor price to pay to witness the swearing in of the nation's first African-American president, many are wondering what to do with the kids. Some senior citizens are backing out because there is a no chair rule.
The pomp and circumstance of Obama's inauguration will be huge and will carry a huge price tag as well.
CNN's Kate Bolduan reports.
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KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Washington, D.C., a city that knows inauguration. But district officials say past experience will likely pale in comparison to the historic swearing in one month from now.
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON (D), D.C. DELEGATE: Even though we are very practiced at inaugurations and large event, this is one that will rewrite the book on inaugurations.
BOLDUAN: The city is preparing for 2.5 million people to descend upon the nation's capital to witness the start of the Obama presidency. Great news for local restaurants and retail, hotels are already near capacity.
MAYOR ADRIAN FENTY (D), DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: In some way, this is somewhat of a stimulus package for the city, if you will.
BOLDUAN: But with the good comes the bad, the price tag. Officials are complaining Congress allotted only $15 million to help the city pay for all major events for the entire year.
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton says they'll need double that amount.
NORTON: Witness what the Congress did for the Republican and Democratic National Conventions -- $50 million to each of the jurisdictions to handle what were approximately 50,000 people, each.
BOLDUAN: While city officials are coordinating with federal agencies, much of the on the ground security and traffic control will fall on the district, a city that's financially strapped, just recently announcing $130 million in budget cuts.
FENTY: Our police force is about 4,100, which is a lot. And we're going to double that police force. And most of them are going to be working huge overtime shifts.
BOLDUAN: No matter the price, D.C.'s mayor says they'll be ready.
FENTY: Whatever steps have to be taken to make sure that the police resources, fire resources, transportation resources, et cetera are available, we will make sure it happens.
BOLDUAN (on camera): In the past, part of the National Mall was used as a staging ground for the parade. This time, the entire Mall, running about two miles, will be open to accommodate the huge crowd. But that demands extra help, from first responders to clean up. Further proof hosting history comes at a price.
Kate Bolduan, CNN, Washington.
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COLLINS: I'm Heidi Collins. You can join me again tomorrow morning beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern.
For now, CNN NEWSROOM continues with Tony Harris.
