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Celebrating the Fourth of July; Statue of Liberty Crown Reopens; Essence Music Festival; Capital Preparatory Magnate School; Roots of Music Project; Welcome to America Project

Aired July 04, 2009 - 15:00   ET

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

MELISSA LONG, CNN HOST: We will have more on Fredricka's report coming up in our 3:00 hour. How one man is bringing music back to the kids of New Orleans and one trumpet and one trombone at a time.

Good afternoon on this Saturday. Hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend. I'm Melissa Long in today for Fredericka Whitfield. And you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

As Americans are marking the Fourth of July the nation is mourning two more deaths in Afghanistan. The U.S. military spokesperson says two U.S. soldiers died when Taliban rebels attacked a base in southeastern Afghanistan. Now the spokesman says, dozens of Taliban fighters were killed. This battle came as U.S. marines continued their offensive in southern Afghanistan. CNNs correspondent Atia Abawi joins us now with the latest. Atia, first and foremost, what can you tell us about today's attack?

ATIA ABAWI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we know, Melissa, is that a car bomb exploded outside of this combat outpost in Paktika Province that is in eastern Afghanistan. At least two soldiers were killed and ten wounded. They did engage with the enemy, there were mortars and rockets that flew into this combat outpost. At least one containing white phosphorous. We also heard from the military saying that they did kill at least ten Taliban and captured at least one of them. But we also spoke to a spokesperson for the governor of Paktika, who told us that at least 32 militants were killed.

Melissa.

LONG: Of course it's Independence Day. I know the soldiers where you were did have an opportunity to try to celebrate Independence Day?

ABAWI: That's right. We are at Bagram Airfield here. There are about approximately 19,000 troops and civilians trying to celebrate the Fourth of July the best way that they can in a war zone. There were games. There was music. There were barbecues. People were playing volleyball and horse shoes. There was also a ceremony early in the morning where eight individuals two from each branch of the military had a chance to reenlist. Let's listen to what one of those marines had to tell us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SGT. DURANTE JENKINS, U.S. MARINE CORPS: It is a great way for me to celebrate my country. I love what I do. I love where I am. I love being who I am. So today is just to honor all those who came before us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABAWI: It was a little piece of America in Afghanistan in this war zone. And the festivities are winding down now but it was a nice chance to celebrate America's independence. Back to you Melissa.

LONG: As you mentioned a little bit of America in Afghanistan. Atia Abawi live for us from Bagram Air Base. Atia thank you.

A U.S. military official said they are doing everything they can to find a soldier who was abducted Tuesday in Afghanistan. The Taliban have claimed responsibility. U.S. officials believe the soldier is being held by a Taliban-affiliated warlord who on operates on both sides of the Afghan/Pakistani border.

The U.S. effort in Afghanistan may get some help from Russia. President Obama leaves for Moscow tomorrow to meet with his Russian counterpart. A senior administration official tells CNN the two men are expected to sign an agreement allowing the U.S. to fly weapons to Afghanistan over Russian airspace. The Kremlin already allows the U.S. to ship supplies across Russia by rail. But that agreement does not include weapons.

More protests in Honduras. Supporters of ousted President Zelaya are demanding his reinstatement. Ally, Nicaragua's President Ortega says that Zelaya will return to Honduras tomorrow. The interim government says Zelaya if he shows up, he will be arrested. The interim government says Honduras will withdraw from the Organization of American States, the OAS which refuses to recognize the Zelaya's ouster.

North Korea violating U.S. sanctions and firing short-range missiles toward the Sea of Japan. What does this act of defiance mean? How big a threat does Pyongyang pose to the rest of the world? International security expert is going to weigh in and join us straight ahead.

Sarah Palin's stunning decision to resign has left the governor, speculation about her future plans. She announced she is leaving office 16 months before her term expires. And she says staying in office as a lame-duck wouldn't benefit her state. The lieutenant- governor will be sworn in as governor July 26th. Here's what he told my colleague earlier.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. GEN. SEAN PARNELL, (R) ALASKA: You know, I am going to stay in this. I am going to complete the term. But I am also conscious that we don't control life. So I may be dead tomorrow. And I'm not going to commit beyond that. But you bet I will serve out the term.

HOLMES: Sir, we certainly, wasn't what I was meaning. We certainly hope you are going to be all right. Maybe we need to check on you every now and then. One last thing here -- know it is a little way out. You just figured out Wednesday that you got the job. Are we going to be seeing you in 2010 running for governor of Alaska for your own full term?

PARNELL: Yes. I made that announcement yesterday that I am, I am see seeking election in 2010.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: As for Palin her spokesman will only say she looks forward to serving the public outside the governor's office.

President Obama is back in the White House this hour after spending part of the Fourth with family and friends at Camp David. It is also his daughter Malia's 11th birthday. The president is hosting a barbecue for 1,200 military families tonight at the White House. In his weekly address, Mr. Obama called on Americans to summon the spirit of the force to face the tough challenges ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE U.S: We are not a people who fear the future. We are a people who make it. On this July 4th, we need to summon that spirit once more. We need to summon the same spirit that inhabited Independence Hall 233 years ago today. That's how this generation of Americans will make its mark on history. That's how we will make the most of this extraordinary moment. That's how we will write the next great chapter in the Great American story.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: As we mentioned just a moment ago, President Obama leaves for a major overseas trip tomorrow. Heads to Russia for talks on weapons and resettling strained relations and then it is on to Italy for the group of Eight Summit and a meeting with the pope. The president wraps up his week in the West African nation of Ghana.

Michael Jackson fans, wait and they hope, a lottery just hours from now will determine who gets to attend the singer's memorial service which is scheduled for Tuesday in Los Angeles. A crowning moment for an American icon.

For the first time since 9/11. Tourists can visit all of the Statue of Liberty.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LONG: It is about ten minutes after 3:00 on this Saturday afternoon that is Eastern Time of course. Happy Fourth of July to you. It is a Saturday afternoon, rockets are lighting up the skies in North Korea. An apparent message of defiance to the U.S. on Independence Day. South Korea's defense ministry says the regime in Pyongyang launched seven missiles today over a nine hour period, all were short-range. They believed that they have fallen in the Sea of Japan. Such missile tests violate United Nations sanctions on North Korea.

Now, South Korea and Japan in easy range of North Korean missiles. Are condemning the launches as a provocative act. Missile fires come again at a time of heightened tension over Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal. Jim Walsh is an international security analyst and joins us live from Boston today. Jim thank you for your time.

JIM WALSH, INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Happy Fourth of July to you.

LONG: Happy Fourth of July to you as well. The story I just shared with our viewers about, seven missiles being launched today over a nine-hour period. What message does that send according -- what message do you think that sends?

WALSH: Well there is lots of speculation. Some of this, people were tying to our Fourth of July, fireworks for that. Two years ago, back, really three years ago back in 2006; they launched missiles on our Independence Day. Some say it's not the Fourth of July and trying to grab our attention as much as it is an anniversary back to 1972 when North and South Korea signed a communique about trying to unify over time.

But clearly, this is, at least in part, a signal to the rest of the world that despite U.N. sanctions, they're going to go forward with their missile test as they announced they would. You will remember there were tests two days ago. Those did not violate U.N. sanctions. Those were not ballistic missiles the ones shot over the last 24 hours were ballistic missiles and were in violation of U.N. sanctions.

LONG: A moment ago you said it is a signal. Do you think North Korea is in imminent danger?

WALSH: I don't think there is imminent danger here, North Korea attacking another country, attacking Japan, attacking South Korea or U.S. forces. Frankly I don't think we are going to attack them. I think that would be a pretty bad idea. This is driven more by internal dynamics not external threats, not trying to bargain with the outside word, not trying to wrestle aid out of the outside world. But rather internal to North Korea because it is undergoing a leadership transition.

LONG: I want to talk you about that leadership transition, and also, just about Kim Jong-Il himself, what is his health right now?

WALSH: Well I don't know. We also have the pictures from his participation in the People's Assemble meeting back some months ago he did not look good. He looked thinner, he looked frailer. His hair and skin looked whitish, certainly not the Kim Jong-Il we have seen from pictures past. There have been all sorts of speculation in the Korean media, you have to take that with a grain of salt, that they're recycling pictures -- North Korean state media is recycling pictures from an earlier period trying to make him look more robust than he may be.

Trying to put him out there as if he is conducting normal activities, at the end of the day, we just don't know. I think there are plenty of signs that point to the fact that, that the succession process is under way. Why now? Well, I think it goes back to that, alleged stroke he had last August. That would certainly be a serious motivator.

LONG: Well possible internal transition. Let's talk for a moment about one of his sons, Kim Jong-uno (ph) has traveled recently to China. What do we know about his son?

WALSH: Well we don't know a lot. Number one, we don't know a lot about North Korea. Number two we don't know a lot about the North Korean government. Once we peel back those two sets of unknowns we don't know that much about the family. Now, we do know that the third son did -- go to school in Europe. We know people who have taught him and written about that, written about him as a student. But you know that was many, many years ago.

He is now in his 20s. So there is not a lot of current information. The information we are getting though is that he is slowly being given appointments to leadership positions. There was an interesting interview yesterday with the British Ambassador to North Korea from Pyongyang. The first time this happened. He indicated in that interview yesterday, that the Korean people are, North Korean people have been told about the missile test, told about the nuclear test but not have been told about these other maneuvers around the issue of succession. So for those Korean people that is unknown.

LONG: A lot of unknowns in this story.

WALSH: Pretty much.

LONG: Jim Walsh, an international security analyst joining us live from Boston. Jim thank you. Happy Fourth of July to you.

WALSH: Same back at you.

LONG: Thank you. You are watching CNN NEWSROOM. And still to come the hunt for a serial killer it has a small southern town on edge this Fourth of July weekend.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LONG: Let's get to some stories now that are happening across America this Saturday afternoon. One person is dead. Four others critically injured after a truck loaded with fireworks, exploded in North Carolina. It happened on the Ocracoke Island this morning. This is from an ireporter, Joseph Chestnut. See the plume of smoke there. Other pictures we have received as well. Want to share them with you. These are courtesy of another resident in that area. What triggered the explosion? That isn't clear right now. It happened as a fireworks crew was setting up for the July Fourth show tonight.

A subdued holiday likely under way in Gaffney, South Carolina where police say a serial killer is on the loose. Want to show you a sketch of the suspect. Police say he killed four people in the last week. And they warned he is armed and he is unpredictable. Right now up to 150 investigators are following up on hundreds of tips that are pouring in. Tension in the town, described as "so thick you could cut a knife with it."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): All the people in the restaurant. They all talk about it. And people are scared. (UNIDENTIFIED MALE): Just need to be careful and everything. And to keep your eyes open.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: Gaffney residents are being asked to stay in groups. One woman planning a barbecue says she is going to stay inside instead with her doors locked. And earlier, I mentioned, that there were four victims. Police now saying a fifth has been added. We have just learned, a teenager, has just died as well. She was shot, just want to confirm with my producer here, earlier this week, at a store in that community along with her father. So, five victims adding to the intensity of this investigation in Gaffney.

Now, just say no to higher taxes. It is a rallying cry across the nation this weekend. Protestors in Las Vegas yesterday, staged a modern day tea party. The grassroots event was also designed to mobilize voters to make an impact in the ballot box in 2010.

Manny Ramirez back on the baseball field, the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger returned to the game last night after a 50 game suspension, those for violating baseball's drug policy. He apologized to fans and team mates. Ramirez refused to answer questions about his steroid use.

As you know Los Angeles is busy preparing for a crush of humanity. Michael Jackson memorial service set for Tuesday. I want to make sure you are aware of everything we know, fans are registering by the hundreds of thousands for a chance to attend that service in downtown Los Angeles, and 17,500 tickets will be distributed in a lottery. Just a few hours from now, computers will start randomly picking the winners; half a million people have registered.

Now on the investigation front, the Associated Press reports the drug Diprivin was found in Jackson's rental home, given intravenously and widely used in operating rooms to induce unconsciousness. Jackson suffered cardiac arrest, June 25th. His exact cause of death is still undetermined.

Andre Harris and Vidal Davis selectively known has worked on Jackson on the song "Butterfly." It was on his last album. They join us now live from Los Angeles today to reflect and remember on Michael Jackson's legacy. Thank you so much for your time, gentlemen, especially on the Fourth. Appreciate it.

ANDRE HARRIS: Thank you for having us.

VIDAL DAVIS: Thank you for having us.

LONG: Andre, let me start with you. I'm curious what was it like to be in a recording studio with this icon?

HARRIS: Well, I mean, so many things I could look to say. Of course, Michael Jackson is like the king of pop. And being a producer, of course you want to, you know keep your job professional and do the job and get things done. But like at the end of the day, I'm like it was hard keeping the excitement in like working with him. But I had to do what I had to do of course. But this is Michael Jackson. And of course, it didn't really kick in until Mike started saying it in the vocal booth. I was calm, pretty cool, and everything, but it would always just come back around. Like as soon as he was singing, he would let me know. This is Michael Jackson.

LONG: It sounds like you were trying to stay calm. Trying to stay cool and collected and professional.

Vidal, how is it different working with Michael Jackson when you compare your experiences working with other performers?

DAVIS: You know, first of all, Michael Jackson he is the king of pop. Going in with him. It was look no brainers; he's been in the game, so easy. Michael was cooperative. He let us produce his vocals. Writing with him in the back. It was real smooth. No problem. He had his kids in the studio. Just fun.

HARRIS: Mike is like a perfectionist, you know, he was just totally about the song, the music, and his whole vibe in the studio was like extraordinary.

LONG: You mention he had his children with him. The public didn't often get to see Michael Jackson interacting with his children, what tokens can you share from what you were able to observe?

DAVIS: It looked like he really loved his kids. He spent time with them. He took time out. Make sure they eat. Just being a good father. You know? That's the kind of stuff we got to see that people didn't see.

LONG: You guys are young, producers, extremely successful, but what were your key takeaways working with Michael Jackson. What did you learn working with him that you now do every time you work with a performer?

HARRIS: Well, definitely something I learned from Mike is to make the lyrics of the song like count. And Mike was such a perfectionist like from top to bottom if something was wrong he had no problem going back and readdressing an issue or problem. And which we, you know, use in our format today also. You know.

LONG: Perfectionism is tough though, that can make the work process extremely difficult. And almost impossible to achieve perfection. What did that do for the dynamic in the recording studio?

DAVIS: Well, it puts a good pressure on us as producers to make you come up with some of your best work. End of the day this is what we do for a living. It's like second nature. When you get in a situation you know what to do. And Mike, you know he helped us really learn how to get to a hit record. You know, make the song really like the best it can be.

LONG: Andre, where will you be on Tuesday? How are you remembering Michael Jackson?

HARRIS: Well I am definitely remembering Michael Jackson every day. We experienced working with him and like, you know I am just thankful to god that we experienced working with this icon and legend. And you know, just hard to come up with words to express that. But definitely we're in L.A. and hopefully we will be attending Mike's funeral.

LONG: And Vidal what do you do to remember him on a daily basis?

DAVIS: Well, definitely, listen to Mike all the time to remember him. You know, we listen to his music, you know, we have pictures also that we took of Mike in the studio to help us remember you know, when we worked with him. But end of the day, his music is going to live on. For me that helps me to say good-bye to him while he is gone.

LONG: Andre Harris and Vidal Davis, thank you so much for sharing your stories and sharing your memories. Collectively known Dre and Vida sharing their stories of working with Michael Jackson. Thank you.

HARRIS: Thank you.

DAVIS: Thank you very much.

LONG: Michael Jackson will be buried in a custom-made casket, we have learned it will have a 14-karat gold plate finish and a blue velvet lined interior, the cost $25,000. It is being produced by the Batesville Casket Company which is in Batesville, Indiana. The company also made caskets for James Brown, Bob Hope, and Wilt Chamberlain.

Tonight and tomorrow night, CNN's Don Lemon takes an in-depth look at Michael Jackson's life and legacy, his childhood, his music, his finances, his influence. Hope you will join us for "CNN Presents" a special "Michael Jackson, Man in the Mirror." That is tonight and tomorrow at 8:00 pm Eastern only on CNN.

Now the Essence Music Festival it is more than just music. It is about education as well. How they're doing it next.

How one musician is using music to help kids to succeed in New Orleans?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LONG: Happening now, a fifth death is now being blamed on a serial killer in Gafney, South Carolina. A 15-year-old girl shot earlier this week has now died. The girl's father is also one of the people killed by this man.

Also, from North Carolina a worker setting up an Independence Day fireworks display was killed and four others were hurt when the fireworks exploded. This happened on Ocracoke Island in North Carolina, in the Outer Banks. The explosion shook homes and businesses on that remote island.

And two American soldiers and dozens of insurgents killed in southern Afghanistan on the Fourth of July. Taliban fighters launched two separate assaults today. The two soldiers were killed in an attack on a base that houses the U.S. military. Hundreds of thousand of Michael Jackson fans are waiting anxiously to find out if they will be chosen in a ticket lottery to attend the singer's memorial service on Tuesday. The drawing starts in just a few hours from now, 17,500 tickets will be distributed to the public. Again that service is Tuesday, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

It is a new day at the Statue of Liberty in New York's Harbor. For the first time since 9/11 visitors are being allowed back into the crown of the statue.

CNN's National Correspondent, Susan Candiotti, is there on the Fourth.

Happy Fourth of July to you. And I know you got quite a workout and got to climb to the top.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I did. It is something that I will remember always because it is an amazing experience. And I wasn't the only one who was fortunate enough to get to do that, Melissa, because a select number of people, the lucky ones got online just about a month ago when they first announced that the crown would reopen and you had to go online and buy tickets, 240 people were the ones that earned the tickets for this very first day. It's only $3 to go inside the crown and $12 to get on the island, that's what everybody pays. But these people got here bright and early this morning and got to climb up those 354 steps.

Before now, up until -- since 2004, you could only go as high as the observation deck, which is at the very base of Lady Liberty. That's as far as you could get. Of course, the statue itself, the crown itself, has been closed since the September 11 attacks.

But then a safety study was done and completed a few months ago, they installed some double safety railings, they improved the way that you can quickly get in and out by controlling the flow, the number of people that can go up and down, only 10 people at a time, three groups per hour.

It used to be, in the old days that you can stand in line -- stand in line at the very base and it would take you about an hour and a half to get up to the very top and if there was an emergency, very difficult in the past to get someone up and down those very narrow steps. That has changed now because, again they have changed the number of people that can go up at even given time.

We talked to one of the lucky few that got up there. She's a history professor at a local college here, and she talked about how scary it was for her, because she's afraid of closed in spaces, but she said it was well worth it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And on the Fourth of July, of all days, to visit something as iconic as Statue of Liberty just seemed like a great experience that I wouldn't be able to have again. Just being there was the best part, because I expected the views to be breathtaking and they really weren't. I expected the room to be large and it really wasn't, but just, you know, the getting up there was, just so neat.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: And if you want to be one of the people who can now go into the crown, go online to buy tickets, that's probably the easiest way to do it, because you can reserve them in advance. Only will be open for the next two years, because after that, the National Park Service will close down Lady Liberty again for more renovations. But, that's just the statue itself, of course. Back to you.

LONG: Now, I know if people do want to have the opportunity to climb up to the crown, they better have some patience, because the tickets are sold out for the next couple of months.

CANDIOTTI: That's true. Sold out through mid September and completely sold out through all the weekends in September. So, yes, you have to act quickly. And, once you buy those tickets, you can only do that once a year.

LONG: The young lady you interviewed, I give her a lot of credit for clipping up there though she's afraid of heights.

CANDIOTTI: Oh yeah, we even saw the little ones go up there too, today. You have to be four feet tall, so I just made it over that restriction.

LONG: Susan, thanks so much for taking us inside. Great opportunity to take us in there.

CANDIOTTI: You're welcome.

LONG: Thank you.

Now we are going to focus on New Orleans where the Essence Music Festival is kicking into high gear.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LONG: It is a 3-day, 3-night extravaganza considered the ultimate party weekend. This is Ne-Yo performing last night. The annual festival celebrates African-American culture and African-American music, this year it's also honoring the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Beyonce, John Legend, Lionel Richie, Anita Baker, Robin Thicke are also among the artist performing.

Now, at the festival, music, of course, fills the night. Social issues are tackled during the day, during some seminars. Steve Perry is best-selling author of the book "Man Up" and there's also a new book that he has completed "Raggedy Schools" and founded a magnet school in Connecticut to help low income minority children to prepare for college. He joins us now taking a break from the festival in New Orleans.

Thank you for your time.

STEVE PERRY, AUTHOR: Thank you so much, Melissa. It's impossible to take a break with 250,000 people around us, but I'm having fun.

LONG: I'm sure it is. But, thank you for trying to take the break. Tell me a little bit more about your magnate school and why it is successful in the mission, as well as the school?

PERRY: The Capital Preparatory Magnate School is successful because we are committed to win. Winning means sending children to college. We're not going to take any shorts, we fully expect that our children will go on to a four-year college, so therefore, we've designed the school that supports that. We have a year-round college preparatory school, he have faculty who are at the highest of expectations, and each one of us understands that it's not just enough to teach in the classroom, we have to support the children outside the classroom.

LONG: Speaking of outside the classroom, you mention support of the faculty. The support of moms and dads is integral to your program.

PERRY: Well, it's integral to all schools; however, as integral as it is, it is rarely achieved. One of the challenges of running a school, especially an urban school, is that we rarely have the level parental participation we should have. There are many times I have gone to basketball games in which we have 15 kids on our team and a suburban school, mostly white, has 15 kids on his team, they have two busloads of kids, we have about two busload of parents and families and we have five, 10 people behind us. So, that's one of the big problems. We have to educate in spite of our parents' limitations. We can't let the parents off the hook by any stretch of the imagination. But, a good school can overcome the limitations of a less than effective family.

LONG: And I know your book, "Raggedy Schools" also out, as well. What's the main goal you want people -- the message you want people to take away from that new piece of reading?

PERRY: I want people to understand that "Raggedy Schools," which they can check out at Raggedyschools.com, I want people to understand that "Raggedy Schools" is the untold truth. I am somebody who works on the inside of public education, I'm not an outsider, I'm not some pontificator, I'm there every single day. And I want people to understand that the teachers unions are crushing the futures of our children, our children's schools. The teachers unions stand behind a lot of policies that limit what is it a teacher can do. And the best teachers have very little impact or commitment to those organizations.

Likewise, I want them to understand that every school needs strong leaders and too many of our principals are not savvy and hard working enough to ensure that the worst teachers are no longer in the building. And finally parents they have a fundamental responsibility to make sure their children attend good schools. And so until such time as those three parts come together, our children are going to be forever part of the whirlwind of failure.

I therefore suggest that if we can't bring the best teachers and best principals to the children, most in need, then we need to have vouchers so that our children can go to the best teachers. LONG: I want to go back to talking teachers unions. I'm sure there are some phenomenal stellar teachers out there that say that the teachers unions protect them?

PERRY: The teachers union protects the teachers. It protects the future of the teachers. But what we need are people who protect the children. The objective of a teacher's union is to make sure the teachers stay employed and that we as principals cannot extend their work, workday, or work year. When in fact, we know there is an achievement gap, so how on earth are we going to close the achieve gap by having the same limp (ph) school year and having the same expectations.

I, as a principal, need to be able to extend the school year, need to be able to extend the hours. And what cannot happen is that we cost ourselves out of the market. The teachers union will be the first to tell you that the reason why our schools and urban centers are failing is because we don't have enough money. Well, that's a lie. The truth of the matter is, that you spend more money on urban education than you do on suburban education. In fact, the most amount of money on the most failed educational experiences which are prisons. So, it's clearly not money, because we spend the most amount of money on prison and we get the lowest results.

LONG: I want to wrap up. Just reflecting on Michael Jackson's life and legacy, because I know the vibe has changed at the Essence Music Festival. Steve, how are you rembering Michael Jackson, there at the Essence Music Festival?

PERRY: Well, you know, it is funny that you say that. There's a song that's in my head "Falling in Love" is the name of the song. It's in my head. What we don't understand is that Michael Jackson's message is a powerful one in that, he's shown us that one man can truly make a difference in people's lives, simply by singing love songs he was able to change the minds and hearts of an entire world.

So, imagine what each one of us could do if we focused on doing something like working with children directly or working to use our economic resources to improve the lives of others. Michael Jackson was truly, truly, truly a powerful man and a powerful leader, and I sincerely miss him. I wish his family the best in their most trying of times.

LONG: Steve Perry, inspired by Michael Jackson trying to inspire young children, as well. Thank you so much for joining us from the Essence Festival in New Orleans.

PERRY: Thank you so much, Melissa.

LONG: Happy Fourth of July.

PERRY: I appreciate it. You take care.

LONG: Of course, you too.

PERRY: OK, thank you so much. LONG: Also, in New Orleans, a special program for at-risk youth, it started as a summer program to keep children off the streets and now it's blossomed into a year-round music haven. CNNs Fredricka Whitfield tells us how it's also changing lives.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN NEWS ANCHOR (voice-over): The powerful booming reach of Rebirth one of the most popular brass bands in New Orleans just got bigger. A year ago, I told you about how hard members of this nine piece ensemble worked to return home to this city and their most loyal fans after Hurricane Katrina scattered even across the country. For drummer Derrick Tabb, their gift of music needed to reach another audience, one with an even greater hunger to fill.

DERRICK TABB, FOUNDER, CO-FOUNDER, ROOTS OF MUSIC: That music really saved me from a lot of stuff that was going on in the street and I figured I could do the same thing with a lot of other kids.

WHITFIELD: He came up with an idea.

TABB: I had modeled it after my own junior high band director.

WHITFIELD: Offer kids ages 9 to 14 a chance to learn music for free.

TABB: And that was no advertising, it was just word of mouth.

WHITFIELD: No strings attached. No instruments needed. Just bring yourself.

TABB: I call it the no excuse process. I give them a bus, I give them the transportation, I give them the instrument, I give them the food, I give them tutorers (sic), I give them teachers, so you have no excuse why you not here.

WHITFIELD: At first, 42 kids showed up.

TABB: And in week and a half we had like 65, 70 kids.

WHITFIELD: A year later.

TABB: I have like about 100 kids in the program right now still, and 400 almost, still on a waiting list.

WHITFIELD: A year-round mudzing education program for at least three hours a day, five days a week, known as the Roots of Music, fueled by donations, volunteers, and lots of love.

For kids like 9-year-old Jeremiah Russell, who first picked up a trumpet just seven month ago, even riding the program bus 20 minutes is an exercise in discipline. His mother sees the transformation.

CONNIE RUSSELL, JEREMIAH'S MOTHER: Ever since in the band he has been a better child, academically as well as his behavior is better.

WHITFIELD (on camera): How has Jeremiah changed over the past few months because of this?

JEREMIAH RUSSELL, BAND MEMBER: Because they taught me how to behave, how to sit down and listen to the teachers and stuff.

TABB: They actually learning how to do music and to take that further to the school and everyday life.

WHITFIELD (voice-over): Thirteen-year-old Brianna Smith was bringing home Fs from school, clarinet has her hitting higher notes and better grade.

BRIANA SMITH, BAND MEMBER: What keeps me coming is that I know that by me playing in the band is -- I have fun doing it.

WHITFIELD: The fun isn't just here, but here too.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, 10 to the second power.

WHITFIELD: Program co-founder Allison Reinhardt helps make even math something to smile about.

ALLISON REINHARDT, CO-FOUNDER, ROOT OF MUSIC: A lot of kids have gone up a letter grade in mathematics and language arts.

WHITFIELD: A success rate worth bragging.

TABB: I only seen really like one kid that came here that wasn't really interested and it changed his mind. He is actually my band captain, right now. He's the No. 1 kid in my program.

WHITFIELD: That would be tuba player Terrance Knockum who loves the lesson he's nt teaching other kids.

TERRANCE KNOCKUM, BAND MEMBER: Just keep doing it and (INAUDIBLE) you're good at.

WHITFIELD: This 15-year-old, about to graduate from the program, has big plans. Just like Roots of Music founder, Derrick Tabb, play in his school band before one day earning a spot in a big band like Rebirth on a big stage.

Fredericka Whitfield, CNN, New Orleans.

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LONG: In the past year, children from the Roots of Music have already marched in five Mardi Gras parades, the New Orleans Jazz Fest and other festivals in Louisiana.

Now, while reporters, of course, are covering the story developing every day in the black community, Soledad O'Brien has been working on stories you're only going to see on the 22nd and 23rd of this month when CNN presents "Black in America 2." Two nights, two primetime documentaries, all new stories, here on CNN.

New technology that may deter people thinking about getting into some trouble. A new generation of police cruisers could make your life a whole lot worse.

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LONG: A new generation of police cars is in the works. They have a lot of the high tech gadgetry that you actually see in the movies, only these cars are for real. CNNs T.J. Holmes has the stories today's "Techno File."

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T.J. HOLMES. CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Criminals beware -- Carbon Motors purpose-built E-7 police car could be an officer's dream come true.

WILLIAM SANTANA LI, CARBON MOTORS: What we developed is a homeland security platform of technologies. The amount of equipment and technology in this vehicle not only provides them the appropriate performance capabilities, but unparalleled safety.

HOLMES: The 15-inch touch screen computer console, which we compared to the biggest iPhone you've ever seen, controls many of the high-tech features.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And this is the patrol screen.

HOLMES: There's a radar screen that monitors car in the front and rear, a forward and backseat facing camera, an infrared camera that detects heat signatures at night and a license plate recognition system that can read up to 1,500 license plate per minute as the officer drives, then cross-checks them against national and local databases.

LI: Let's go back 50 years, all right? You had a vehicle, maybe you had a radio in it and one little light that goes on top, here. That's no longer the case.

HOLMES: Georgia is the home state of Carbon Motors and among several in discussion to manufacture the vehicle, which is expected to produce 10,000 new jobs. Georgia's senator, Saxby Chambliss, hopes it could provide a much-needed economic boost to the state.

SEN SAXBY CHAMBLISS (R), GEORGIA: Georgia, like every other state, we're suffering from an economic standpoint right now. We've seen a huge loss of jobs in our state and in the manufacturing sector particularly. Any time you have a new company coming in that suggests that they may employ up to 10,000 people, that's huge.

HOLMES: The demonstration vehicle, touring various states, has brought attention from law enforcement, but some officers are taking a wait-and-see approach.

LT DAN WADE, ATLANTA POLICE: They're going to have to produce a few vehicles that they can take to a major police department and say, take these two cars and test them for 15 or 30 days, day in and day out, and give us a report back. HOLMES: The E-7 looks like it should be featured in a summer blockbuster film, but Li says there's one major difference between it and Hollywood crime-fighting cars.

LI: We've heard this is the car of the future. We've heard it compared to "Robocop" and "James Bond" and "KIT" and all of those things, but you know, the fact of the matter is, this is the real deal.

HOLMES: The expected date of production is 2012.

T.J. Holmes, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LONG: The Fourth of July fireworks are all ready, is the weather going to cooperate tonight. Meteorologist Karen Maginnis has your holiday forecast.

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LONG: Americans are celebrating the nation's birthday no matter where they happen to be today on the Fourth. In Iraq, some U.S. troops spent the day playing most American of games, softball. They managed to hit a few balls despite the stifling heat and look at that, the heavy sandstorms that limited their visibility.

In Atlanta, 55,000 runners competed in the annual Peachtree Road Race. It's one of the largest 10k races on the planet. More than 5,000 recyclable paper cups and 65,000 bottles of water are on tap to help the runners to stay hibrated in the heat of Atlanta.

Karen Maginnis, our meteorologist has the forecast for tonight.

Also the glorious morning here in Atlanta. I happened to run the Peachtree last year and this morning didn't seem to be as stifling as last year.

KAREN MAGINNIS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yeah, but you didn't run it this year.

LONG: No, didn't have a chance.

Yeah, I guess I have 15 or 20 t-shirts.

LONG: Good for you.

MAGINNIS: It is one of the most enjoyable things and when I first moved to Atlanta people said, are you going to run the Peachtree? I wasn't even a runner then, but it is great, great fun. Occasionally the heat is very oppressive.

(WEATHER REPORT)

So, Melissa, good for you, the Peachtree, a lot of fun, isn't it?

LONG: It is a great time, and again, they had some nice weather this morning for the annual run.

MAGINNIS: Take care.

LONG: Thank you.

Well, she lost a loved one on 9/11 and the tragedy linked her to others struggling with loss and connected her to a worldwide crisis. Her work helping refugees makes Carolyn Manning this week's "CNN Hero."

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ANNOUNCER: This is CNN news.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have an explosion. There is smoke all over the place.

(BEGIN GRAPHIC)

Terence Manning, 1964-2001

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CAROLYN MANNING, WELCOME TO AMERICA PROJECT: My brother-in-law was killed in tower one on September 11. After September 11, I saw a picture of an Afghan family that had lost a member because of the Taliban, and they had to flee their country.

Our family had five kids. We lost a family member, too. We just naturally went from that to let's show the refugees that we welcome them.

My name is Carolyn Manning, and I started the Welcome to America project to help refugees in Phoenix, Arizona.

How are you? Are you doing well?

The families that we help come from places where there's been war and genocide. Some refugees have never lived with indoor plumbing and they've never flushed the toilets.

All right, let's go.

The Welcome to America Project is the community, and it operates by community volunteers. My husband and I have many a time been out here pulling furniture in before work, after work. This is our life.

(BEGIN GRAPHIC)

Since 2001, Carolyn and her organization have provided furnature, clothing and support to over 550 families in Arizona.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much for all your help.

MANNING: All right, let's go on to the next family.

When they step foot in the United States, they have been invited here. I want the refugees to feel that this is their home.

Welcome to America.

And that's what America has been built on. It's our history. It's who we are. And they are part of it.

ANNOUNCER: Tell us about your hero at cnn.com/ heroes

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LONG: Breaking news at this hour, it appears a serial killer in South Carolina has claimed a fifth victim. A 15-year-old girl died a few hours ago. The county coroner briefed reporters, just a moment ago.