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South Carolina Serial Killer Claims Fifth Victim; Two Americans Died Fighting in Afghanistan; The Observation Deck in the Statue of Liberty Reopens

Aired July 04, 2009 - 16:00   ET

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

MELISSA LONG, CNN ANCHOR: 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. Perhaps we don't have the tape of that county corner. All right.

Let's go to CNN's Richard Lui who is in Gaffney, South Carolina. He joins us live on the line.

Richard what can you tell us?

RICHARD LUI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The coroner has just confirmed this homicide related to what they are calling a serial killer. What had happened over the course of two days. Three shootings and now a fifth life claimed, 15-year-old Abbey Tyler dying at 11:25 a.m. local time.

A very well-loved high schooler, according to local folks here. Now, the situation is they're moving full steam ahead but has certainly left the town on edge. It is July 4th and despite many wanting to celebrate, they cannot. In fact, we were at a fireworks stand about half an hour ago, talking to one of the sellers there. He said people are thinking twice about what they're going to be doing tonight.

Worried about the explosion. In fact, the seller had a .9 millimeter gun on his belt as he was talking to us at this firework stand. On the other hand, we got those has carrying handguns and are certainly scared. One father told us his four-year-old son came to him last night and said, dad, don't stay up late. I'm worried that you might get hurt. That 4-year-old son then slept with that dad and mom last night because he was so scared.

Now, what we have seen on the streets is an absolute lockdown almost. While people are still out trying to celebrate the fourth of July, they are also seeing many, many law enforcement vehicles. In fact, we asked earlier police chief Rick Turner how the public was reacting to so much police action. Here's what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK TURNER, POLICE CHIEF: Businesses support has been overwhelming for us. That is something I would like to sincerely thank those businesses, those citizens that have come up in support of us by either sending supplies or just give notes. You know, as the coroner said it, just knowing we have their prayers on our side. We haven't got many comments that they're doing that for us, for our families, for the families of the victims. That is something that we are sincerely thankful for.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LUI: All right. So you heard right there, Melissa. That's the police chief Rick Turner. They have over 100 members of the law enforcement task team out there right now. And just to give you a personal story. We have been out driving up and down the roads at the crime scene. We've seen five law enforcement in just five minutes and we were actually pulled over twice ourselves. Melissa.

LONG: Wow, okay. Intense investigation under way. What do they have to go on? What do we have in terms of a suspect and description of a possible suspect?

LUI: OK. Well, Melissa, they just updated a picture yesterday with more details and put out a new flier today. With a $2,000 reward, the suspect, they believe, is a white male, 6'2", about 250 pounds. They're saying salt and pepper hair with a beard that is about three to four days old. Now, they also are looking for a vehicle.

What they believe the suspect is driving. A 1991 to 1994 Ford Explorer, that is a gray or champagne color. They believe it possibly might be in a faded state. And we, in fact, stopped at one of the checkpoints and saw that they were purposely stopping those SUVs that were Ford Explorers. Melissa?

LONG: Richard, do we know whether or not this suspect may have known the victims or were they all random?

LUI: At this moment, law enforcement here is very tight lipped about information that may draw all of the five victims together in terms of how they may have known the suspect or how they may have known each other. However, they've been clear to say that between all of the victims, there is no apparent link between them. As for the suspect and those specific victims, they are not telling us about common threads, such as robbery and such as other items. They're completely staying away from that right now.

LONG: That's Richard Lui live for us on the line from Gaffney, South Carolina. Richard, thank you so much. And I want to make sure you have the very latest in this breaking news stories again. This is from Cherokee county and the sheriff's office there confirming that a serial killer now claimed a fifth person. It was and a 15-year-old girl that was shot several days ago on Thursday that has now died within the last few hours.

As we learn more about this investigation, this town of Gaffney, South Carolina, of course, we'll bring you all the information, There, again, the sketch of the apparent suspect in the five killings.

Americans are celebrating the fourth of July with parades and fireworks, but for tens of thousands of U.S. troops, it is another holiday abroad. American forces were officially withdrawn from Iraqi cities, as you know earlier this week. But 130,000 U.S. troops remain in the country. 57,000 U.S. troops are now deployed in Afghanistan. That number is expected to increase to 68,000 over the next few months. Tens of thousands more are in duty in other overseas outposts.

Two Americans have died fighting in Afghanistan today on the fourth of July. Taliban rebels attacked a U.S. base in Paktika province in southeaster Afghanistan and dozens of insurgents were killed. CNN's Atia Abawi is standing live for us. Atia, what can you tell us about that attack today?

ATIA ABAWI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Melissa, what we can tell you is two soldiers were killed and at least 10 wounded when the Taliban attacked a combat outpost in Paktika province. That's in eastern Afghanistan. A car bomb exploded outside of the outpost and rockets and mortars were flying in. At least one of those containing white phosphorus.

ISAF and Afghan forces did engage the enemy killing at least 10 and capturing one. And when we spoke to the spokesperson for the governor of Paktika province he told us at least 32 militants were killed. Let's listen to a sound bite from the U.S. military spokesperson.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. ELIZABETH MATHIAS, U.S. MILITARY SPOKESWOMAN: An outpost received fire early this morning from insurgent forces and they responded with fire and they actually continued to receive fire and then had to call in close air support, as well. During the engagement that we understand is still on-going and an improvised explosive device is also on-going outside the outpost.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABAWI: This occurring at the same time as operation Kandar. That's operation strike of the sword is on day three in southern Afghanistan. This is an operation to clear the area of militants, where thousands of marines have flood under to the region. Melissa.

LONG: I know it's late in the day on the fourth of July, but were people actually able to celebrate there. Were our soldiers able to celebrate the fourth?

ABAWI: They were, Melissa. We're actually at Bagram Air Field right now where 19,000 troops and civilians had a chance to participate in different festivities to mark fourth of July. It started with a ceremony this morning where eight individuals, two from each branch of the military were able to re-enlist. Let's listen to what one of those marines told us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SGT. DURANTE JENKINS, U.S. MARINE CORPS: It's 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 an honor for us, all those who came.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABAWI: It was a day of music, barbecues and games, such as volleyball and horseshoes. The festivities are winding down now but it was a day for the soldiers and the troops here to have a little piece of America. Melissa?

LONG: Atia Abawi live for us from Bagram Air Field. Atia, thank you.

Vice president, Mr. Biden, spent the fourth of July with U.S. troops in Baghdad. He presided over a naturalization ceremony where some 237 U.S. service members became American citizens. The Vice President commended them for their courage and their service.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: You are the reason why America's strong. We're all immigrants, different stages, different times, different places. We're all immigrants. And the one thing we can never forget, and I hope you never forget, is there's always room for more in America. Always room for more in America. It's the life blood of our country, which has made us so different.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: The vice president joked about the location of the naturalization ceremony. One of Saddam Hussein's former palaces. He told the troops he couldn't think of a better place to hold the event. U.S. officials say it was the largest naturalization ceremony ever conducted in Iraq.

Another act of defiance by North Korea today. It fired seven short-range missiles towards the Sea of Japan. It's a violation of U.N. resolutions. South Korea and Japan in easy range of North Korean missiles are condemning the launches of the provocative act. U.S. State Department says the launches are not helpful and is calling on Pyongyang to refrain from any actions that will further aggravate the tension in that region.

From Honduras now, there could be a showdown between the central American nation's new government and the president who is ousted in a coup. This was, actually, this, right here, was the capital today.

About 10,000 people marching in support of the ousted leader Manuel Zelaya. He said he has plans to return to Honduras tomorrow. If he does, the new president has said that Zelaya will be arrested. Honduras in the meantime has pulled out of the OAS. That's the Organization of American States rather than wait to be expelled.

U.S. military puts on the gas in Afghanistan while forces are winding down its involvement in Iraq. We'll be talking about the military shifting strategy in both countries with retired U.S. Army General Russell Honoree.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

Hi. My Name is Spec. Daniel Calkin from Milledgeville, Georgia, just wishing my family a happy fourth of July and special mention to my wife. I love you, babe, I'll be home.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LONG: Again this year U.S. troops are marking Independence Day on the battlefields far from home. In Afghanistan, the marines have launched a major offensive against the Taliban. In Iraq, U.S. troops have withdrawn from the major Iraqi cities as part of, you know, the pullout strategy. We're going to assess the situation on the ground in both Afghanistan and also in Iraq. Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Russell Honore is a CNN contributor and he joins us live from New Orleans on this Saturday. Happy fourth of July to you. Thank you for your time.

LT. GEN. RUSSEL HONORE, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: And happy fourth of July, America. Happy fourth of July to our warriors on the battlefield around the world that make us proud.

LONG: Let's talk about some of the challenges facing those warriors in the battlefield. First, let's look at Iraq as we are drawing down our forces we will still have more than 100,000 - 130,000 troops in Iraq but in a more support role. What challenge will they face now?

HONORE: Well, a support role sounds like a pretty cushy job. But when you deploy maybe on your second or third deployment and you're waiting to be called out on a mission, that could be a very boring mission and I'm sure General Odierno and General Petraeus they're working, how do they balance that and how do they keep these troops decisively engaged. Because they can be proud of what they've done, but this is going to be a long, hot summer standing around waiting on missions.

LONG: How do you engage them then if they are waiting in this more support role?

HONORE: Well, leave them to our command sergeant majors and our non-commission officer corps which is the best in the world. They'll start training and don't be surprised if you don't see these troops start moving out on training missions so they can keep their skills sharp.

LONG: Let's look to Afghanistan, southern Afghanistan, Helmand province, in particular. Tell us about the challenges that U.S. troops will be facing there and what the terrain is like.

HONORE: A very rough terrain, very sparse roads and it's one of the centers of the opium trade. Kind of been a hands off in the first eight years of the war and it has been treated as an economy of force. Although our British and Canadian brothers have done well down there, this is the first major push we've had with U.S. forces that can go in there and secure the key areas and the locations where the people are, but they've got to get a commitment from the Afghan government to destroy those opium fields which provide about 90 percent of the opiates that is produced in the world.

LONG: And of course, the opium-producing poppy fields from the Taliban.

HONORE: That is correct. That they take and make money from to support their operations.

LONG: 57,000 troops on the ground right now in Afghanistan and another increase to 68,000 over the next few months. What is necessary for U.S. forces to achieve success in Afghanistan?

HONORE: Well, I think you've gotten a very clear message from General McChrystal and that is to protect the people, secure the people, focus on killing the Taliban, secure the people and don't put your missions at risk by killing civilians. And from these the start of this operation, this sword operation, it will be a balancing act to protect the people, sort out the Taliban, but you got to remember the Taliban is still on the offense, as we saw today at the attack at the base.

LONG: Our troops have been in Iraq for five years now. I understand that you believe we will have troops in Afghanistan for 10 years. What makes you say that?

HONORE: Well, it's an undeveloped country. Only about 24 percent of it is literate. It has no economy, the only natural resource it has that is being exploited now for the economy is the opium trade. So you got to build an economy. You got to build a school system. And you got to build roads and you got to build an education system. All that needs to be done and you just can't take the Taliban out and leave and think you won. You have not won until the NATO troops and the collective partners of the western world help them create an economy and education and a health system, as well as a bigger army. You know Afghanistan is 1.5 times larger than Iraq.

LONG: I want to wrap up our conversation, reminding Americans, reminding us all how we should be reflecting today on independence day and thinking of our soldiers and national guard troops.

HONORE: Absolutely. You know, we got 110,000 National Guard and reserve. They're very key to me because that was my last job to help train them and they're making up a large part of those troops, our citizen soldiers that are deployed around the world today and our hats go off to them and you know that our army and our marines and Air Force and Navy are stretched when we got that many national guard deployed.

One of our big issue is, is our Army large enough to meet the missions that the American government continue to commit us to? And I would say we may be a little short. We may need a bigger Army than the one we have.

LONG: Russel Honore, a retired U.S. army Lt. General and a CNN contributor. Thank you so much for your time.

Also a stunning announcement from Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. She is resigning at the end of this month. Palin says when she decided shouldn't run for re-election she chose not to embrace the conventional lame duck status.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. SARAH PALIN (R), ALASKA: It may be tempting and more comfortable to just kind of keep your head down and plot along and appease those who are demanding, hey, just sit down and shut up, but that's a worthless, easy tack out. That's a quitter's way out. And I think the problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just kind of hunker down and go with the flow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: Palin was elected in 2006. Alaskan republican lieutenant governor Sean Parnell will be sworn in as governor now on the 26th of this month. Our T.J. Holmes asked the incoming governor if he guarantee Alaskans that he will keep that job and complete that job.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. GOV. SEAN PARNELL (R), ALASKA: You know, I'll stay in this and I'll complete the term but I'm also conscious that, you know, we don't control life, so, I may be dead tomorrow and I'm not going to commit beyond that.

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Well, sir, we certainly, that wasn't what I was meaning. We certainly hope that you're going to be all right. Maybe we need to check on you every now and then and the one last thing here, I know it's a little way out and you just figured out on Wednesday that you got the job. But 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 seeking election as governor in 2010.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: Parnell tells an Anchorage TV station, KTVA televisions expects to file the necessary paperwork next week.

Statue of Liberty keeps watch, of course, over the New York City harbor. Now for the first time since 9/11 visitors can climb to the top once again and catch the magnificent view from Lady Liberty's crown.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SPC. SHANNON BARBER, U.S. ARMY: This is Specialist Barber from Ticonderoga, New York with the 300th MP Company here in Baghdad, Iraq, just want to wish happy fourth of July to my family, my parents, I miss you, I love you. I'll be home soon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) LONG: It is one of the most magnificent views in the world and now visitors to the Statue of Liberty in the New York Harbor can experience it, once again, for the first time since 9/11. Tourists are being allowed to climb to the observation deck in the Lady Liberty crown and that includes CNN national correspondent Susan Candiotti who was one of the first to make it up to the top.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): It's a long climb, but here we go. This part's not bad because this is the pedestal, the start of 354 steps up to the crown.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now you're going to see the Eiffel structure.

CANDIOTTI: Now, how do you describe that? Wow.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just overwhelming. You can't even say how wonderful it is.

CANDIOTTI: All right. Let's go.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have 24 steps and then another 162.

CANDIOTTI: These steps are not bad at all. No feeling of closeness at this point. OK.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For people that aren't able to go all the way up to the crown they have four options to look up. Each yellow box represents an area that you can look up her skirt.

CANDIOTTI: So we can look up the skirt.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You can look up and see the spiral staircase.

CANDIOTTI: Oh, my.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Her outer coat is only two pennies thick of copper.

CANDIOTTI: Still not bad. I guess we keep going up this way. Steps are very narrow. Only a little over maybe a foot and a half. The creases that you're looking at now, these are the wrinkles in the statute's dress and this is what it looks like from the inside. Also if you have any issues with height, it's kind of scary when you look over the side and peer down below. Double railings are brand new. They were put in recently. And it really does help when you're going up here. Still going.

We're here. We're already up to the crown. It's magnificent. And if you thought it was going to be big, it isn't. Only ten people will come up here at a time and spend about 10, 15 minutes. But look at this view. OK. We can see the bottom of the torch out the window. Lady Liberty's arm. Her sleeve. Through the windows you can also see some of the points on Lady Liberty's crown. There are seven of them and they represent the seven continents, the Seven Seas, and the Seven known planets at the time the statute was built.

These waves that you see in the ceiling actually represent the curls on the other side, Lady Liberty's curls. If you want to experience this, you can go on-line and buy tickets ahead of time. It only costs $15. They are sold out through next month.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LONG: Susan Candiotti has made her way back down hundreds of stairs. A great opportunity for people to celebrate the fourth day. I understand, there is an interesting story that comes out of the Statue of Liberty crown that for a young couple.

CANDIOTTI: We have many stories like that. But that one in particular, yes. Among the visitors a young man from San Francisco and his girlfriend. When they got to the crown the young man dropped to his knees and made a marriage proposal to his girlfriend. She was floored and so was everyone else up there. He presented her with a huge rock and, yes, she accepted.

We also had an eight-year-old little girl up there who had written essays about the Statue of Liberty and was thrilled to be there including a history professor who overcame her fear of claustrophobia to climb up those stairs and she said it was well worth it. And three guys from Sweden who went online. Obviously, the holiday doesn't have the meaning it does for Americans, but they were very excited to be here, too. So quite an interesting mix of people.

LONG: Susan Candiotti live for us from the Statue of Liberty. Susan, thank you and happy fourth.

Now, it is an iconic image, as you know, but you've likely never seen the statue of Liberty quite like this. You have to rely on the internet and Josh Levs for this interesting new look. Josh.

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Did you say, you've seen it before? Have you been inside?

LONG: I did climb to the top about 15 years ago.

LEVS: You did. You know, I'm from upstate New York and I've been to the city so much, but I've never actually gone inside.

LONG: I think a lot of people who have it in their own backyard don't do it but I make the trek and I decided to do. It was a glorious view.

LEVS: Wait. We're both from upstate New York, aren't we?

LONG: We are.

LEVS: Well, you know, one day of these days we're all going to check it out. Hey, everybody, here I am. So take this out too. This is extremely cool. Look at this. This is the statue of liberty created through this composite of iReport photos that kind of smushed together all into one. When you take a look at it, you can click on every single block and see how it works. Let's zoom right in. I want you to check this out. It's at Cnn.com right now. CNN.com/travel, they put together this from so many iReports and when you click on any square you get an image up that's up close from a unique perspective and you get to hear the person's story that goes along with it. I particularly like this section down here where you can see up close the book that Lady Liberty is holding on to. I think that one. There you go. There you can see, July 4th 1776. A unique look, very interesting. Cnn.com/travel.

Right now, we're also showing you lots of other iReports at ireport.com. We're inviting you to send in yours. Check out this sunset cruise image. Isn't that beautiful?

LONG: Beautiful.

LEVS: Beautiful. Yeas, this was taken by MC. She actually took it two years ago, but now that we're collecting these, she put them all together right here. It's stunning and there's no digital changes in there, that's all original. And you know what, let's just show you the graphic because we want you to send in your images. We got ireport.com. We're also hearing from you today on the blog. People are talking about this a lot, Melissa. Cnn.com/newsroom and you can go ahead and use Facebook and Twitter. I'm at joshlevscnn and we love to get your stories and I tell you, today of all days, it's really nice to be getting these beautiful, patriotic images.

LONG: It is. You're so connected on Facebook and Twitter.

LEVS: I do my best.

LONG: All right. Thanks, Josh.

LEVS: Thanks a lot.

LONG: Speaking of josh, he's going to join us in a little bit. We're going to continue to talk about gas prices that are high. Many people deciding to skip the road trip this year and just come back and talk to us about how you are celebrating the fourth of July this year.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SPC. MICHAEL WALKER, U.S. ARMY: I'm Specialist Michael Walker from Gainesville, Georgia. I just wanted to wish my family a happy fourth of July and tell them that I love them and I miss them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LONG: Happening now on this Saturday afternoon. Two American soldiers and dozens of insurgents are dead. Taliban fighters launching two separate assaults today in southern Afghanistan.

Police today in Gaffney, South Carolina, on the search for a serial killer. and now a fifth victim has died. She's a 15-year-old girl who was shot earlier in the week. Her father was also shot to death.

And Michael Jackson will be buried in a custom made casket. The cost -- $25,000. It looks similar to this one. It will have a 14 karat gold plate finish and a blue velvet lined interior. It's being produced by the Batesville Casket Company of Batesville, Indiana.

Jackson's memorial service, as you know, is Tuesday in Los Angeles at the Staples Center.

From North Carolina, preparations for a Fourth of July celebration taking a tragic turn today. It happened on Ocracoke Island. A worker setting up a fireworks display was killed and four others were injured when the fireworks exploded.

The workers were unloading a truck at the dock when the fireworks went off. The explosion shook homes and businesses on that remote island on the outer banks. Federal investigators are now heading to the scene.

This Independence Day, protesters are rallying against high taxes and too much government red ink. They're calling it a second round of tea party protests.

CNN's deputy political director Paul Steinhauser spoke with us earlier from one of the protests.

PAUL STEINHAUSER, DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR, CNN: Melissa, we're right here across the street from the U.S. capital, and behind me is the tea party rally here site in Washington, D.C. People started gathering this morning, and a much larger crowd than what we saw earlier today.

This is one of what organizers say is up to 1,500 rallies across the country. Remember, this is round two because they had their first round of across the country rallies on April 15th, which is tax day. That's really what this is all about.

TEA stands for "Taxed Enough Already," and that's what a lot of the people are very upset about. And they're also upset about the government getting too involved in private business.

And they point to, of course, they say the government getting involved in the federal bailout of Wall Street and the government involvement in the big auto companies like Chrysler and G.M.

People here are also concerned about the federal budget deficit. They think it is getting way out of control. And they are also very upset about the stimulus package that was passed earlier this year.

We spoke to some people here, take a listen to what they had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) LISA MILLER, TEA PARTY ORGANIZER: We'll see at the end of this how you all portray us. But we're just regular citizens speaking up for our rights. And that's just part of taking personal responsibility for your own life.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Really need to be more transparent than they once said that we're going to be. Read the documents and explain what is going on in these documents to the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STEINHAUSER: Another big topic today is that energy bill that's in front of Congress right. The people here are very much against the cap and trade legislation that is being debated in Congress. And they also have some problems with the Obama health care proposals.

What the organizers here say is they hope to do this again maybe later in July, and again on September 12th -- Melissa?

LONG: Paul Steinhauser there at one of the protests in Washington. Thanks, Paul.

Tax protesters in Nevada got an early start. They held a tea party in Las Vegas yesterday. Like the other protests happening across the country, the event was designed to mobilize voters to make an impact in the ballot box in 2010.

Many of the protesters have been targeting the government stimulus spending. The Obama administration claims deficit spending is necessary to revive the economy.

CNN White House Correspondent Dan Lothian takes a look at this debate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN LOTHIAN, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, CNN: The ground is still shaking under the U.S. labor market -- 467,000 jobs lost last month, far worse than expected.

BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Obviously, we are deeply concerned about the employment rate. It's one of the things that I am most focused on when I think about long- term economic policy.

LOTHIAN: Just one block from Mr. Obama's White House, there's deep concern, too, at this card and stationery shop.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's very scary.

LOTHIAN: Business has dropped dramatically this year, and the remaining two employees worry they could soon be out of work.

IVY MONTVILLE, ASSISTANT MANAGER: Valentina and I went from a staff of five to four to three to two.

VALENTINA SHEDRICK, MANAGER: There's not a lot of foot traffic coming in here.

LOTHIAN: While a new research opinion research poll shows almost half of all Americans, 48 percent, think the economy has stabilized, only 12 percent think the recovery has started.

Sensing blood in the water, Republicans like House Leader John Boehner pounced in this Internet video using a GOP job-sniffing bloodhound to criticize Democrats.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where are the jobs?

LOTHIAN: RNC Chairman Michael Steele weighed in too, saying the unemployment proves that stimulus package is not a recovery act.

The president's team says, be patient.

ROBERT GIBBS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We will continue to grow. We do see some less negative trends in the way unemployment is going, understanding we've still got quite some ways to go.

LOTHIAN: Back at the card and stationery shop, they're trying to be optimistic for a turnaround, as well.

SHEDRICK: While I'm very hopeful that they will, but right now things seem to be moving still at a slow pace right now.

LOTHIAN (on camera): The president met with the CEOs of alternative energy companies that White House. This is an area that the president considers a big piece of the country's economic future, where he says millions of jobs could be created.

Dan Lothian, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LONG: On this Fourth of July, President Obama says an unyielding spirit is what defines us as Americans. He used his weekly radio address to talk about health care energy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: Now is the time to reform an unsustainable health care system that is imposing crushing costs on families, businesses, large and small, as well as state and federal budgets.

We need to protect what works, fix what's broken, and bring down costs for all Americans. No more talk, no more delay. Health care reform must happen this year.

And now's the time to meet our energy challenge, one of the greatest challenges we ever confronted as a people or as a planet. For the sake of our economy and our children, we must build on a historic bill passed by the House of Representatives and make clean energy the profitable kind of energy so that we can end our dependence on foreign oil and reclaim America's future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: President Obama during his weekly media address.

Now, prices that pump may seem high, but they are going down. The average cost of a gallon of regular is now $2.62. That's a one cent drop since yesterday.

Prices have fallen a total of seven cents in the past couple weeks, but that's not low enough for so many Americans. AAA reports that there are about 700,000 fewer drivers on the road this July Fourth weekend than there were last year.

With so many people now focused on saving money, again, fewer on the road this weekend. So we asked how you're choosing to celebrate, instead. Josh Levs join us now with some of your answers.

What are people doing?

JOSH LEVS, CORRESPONDENT, CNN: You know what they're doing? They're sending us some really great, patriotic images.

And let's go to the board right behind me. A lot of people saying, look, I'm staying put and enjoying the country around me. I think it's interesting, first of all, they are patriotic images also given what's going on with the automobile industry. It's just interesting to see these are some of the first ones we're seeing from him.

They're in Sonora, California. He says he's showing us a little slice of the town right there, including some of the people who live there.

Chris Gowers (ph), his pictures of some of the patriotic things he's got going, the cake, hot dogs, all the rest of it.

I want to get to one more right here. This is interesting. This one comes to us from Michigan. They got an early start on the fireworks, beautiful tradition that he loves.

We also have a video. Take a look at this clip. This is from one of our frequent iReporters show says let's keep in mind a sense of what July Fourth can be all about.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Soldiers have been fighting for our lives and fighting for our rights for a very long time. And we wouldn't be the country we are without them.

So, dad, thanks for your service, love you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEVS: Stop and take a moment and think about the troops.

LONG: That's a really sweet iReport. Going back to the photograph right there, I know you have some tips on our Web site as well about how you can actually capture the fireworks. It's hard.

LEVS: It is. It's hard.

This is great. Let's put this on the graphic, because I want people to see this. It comes from CNN.com, and you can read more right now. And it talks about exactly what you can do. Don't hold the camera. You want to get a great shot there from budgetcamera.com. Put it on a steady object. Be upwind of the fireworks so you don't get smoke in the way.

And let's go to the next one, talks about how two-thirds to three-quarters of your frame should be filled with sky. If you're near water, have that in the shot, the reflection will be beautiful.

Finally, use a wide angle lens and slow film speed. Great advice to get some great shots tonight.

And then, full circle, you can take some of those shots and send them to us at iReport.com.

LONG: That slow film speed is really essential to capturing the fireworks. Josh Levs, thank you.

LEVS: Thanks a lot.

(NEWS BREAK)

LONG: We continue to say goodbye to the king of pop. Memorial preparations, as you know, are under way as the investigation continues into what exactly killed Michael Jackson.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LONG: Michael Jackson's memorial service has now been set for Tuesday in Los Angeles. It promises to be a huge event. Drew Griffin of CNN's special investigations unit is in Los Angeles where the city is trying, again, to keep things under control.

Drew, also, what is the latest in the investigation into his death?

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, more talk about this drug Diprivan, Melissa. The "Los Angeles Times" now quoting a single source as saying multiple bottles, both empty and full of this drug, were found in Michael Jackson's rented home.

That is the drug that Michael Jackson asked for by name to a nurse that we have interviewed just months ago. He was having problems sleeping, and he was telling nurse practitioner Cherilyn Lee it was Diprivan he needed.

Here is what she told us about this conversation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't you think it's odd he's asking for the super strong medicine without asking for a regular, old sleeping pill?

CHERILYN LEE, NURSE WHO SAYS SHE TREATED JACKSON: Yes. And I said, "Have you taken sleeping pills." And he said they don't work. He said, "I don't want those things. They don't work. I want it in an IV. I don't want pills. I don't want any pills."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRIFFIN: Still circulating around this drug Diprivan. But the question really is, Melissa, was Diprivan even involved in his death. Was he using the drug at the time? Of course, we're waiting for toxicology reports and the final report from the coroner's office.

So, the investigation kind of plodding along as these leaks come out about what was found in his home.

LONG: It will be weeks before we get the full toxicology reports.

Also, with respect to the memorial service on Tuesday, it promises to be a lavish affair, but, again, they're trying to keep the numbers small.

GRIFFIN: Yes. What Los Angeles has done, which I think is pretty smart, they have this limited number of tickets, I don't know how many millions of hits on a computer trying to get at those tickets, but there are only like 17,000 tickets.

And if you do not have a ticket, you will not be able to get within four blocks or so of the Staples Center. That is an attempt to try to keep away the looky-loos, the people who will not have a ticket who will try to see who will show up for that.

Four blocks is a pretty good distance. They won't be able to see who comes in and out.

That's an attempt to try to prevent gridlock, literally, in downtown Los Angeles as people try to attend this memorial event for Michael Jackson.

But that is Tuesday. It's going to be broadcast live, of course, on CNN.

GRIFFIN: Drew Griffin live for us from Los Angeles.

And I want to remind our viewers, you can catch the memorial service on Tuesday not only here on television, but also online at CNN.com/live.

Also in Los Angeles today, our own Don Lemon has been there covering the Jackson story all week. Don, what are you seeing and hearing today? And I know you have a special coming up this weekend.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: That is a lot to ask, Melissa, what am I seeing and hearing. We are seeing and hearing a whole lot.

You heard Drew Griffin talking about the latest on the investigation, and so far the LAPD saying on that investigation that it's simply a death investigation, that it is not a homicide investigation.

They're also asking people to exercise caution and to be calm when coming down for this tribute service that is to happen on Tuesday. They're expecting millions and millions of people to show up here in Los Angeles for that memorial service.

And as Drew Griffin said, if you don't have a ticket, you should not come.

I'm going to talk to an assistant chief, actually, a chief of staff in the LAPD about what is happening with that tribute, with that memorial service come Tuesday.

And, also, we'll talk a little bit about the investigation, as much as he can answer, because there are some questions about thou LAPD handled it. We'll talk to assistant chief Jim McDonnell. I spoke with him yesterday, and we'll talk to him live. But here's what he had to say just late yesterday evening.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM MCDONNELL, CHIEF OF STAFF, LOS ANGELES POLICE : I think we have, I would say, the best detectives in the country, if not the world, in dealing with homicides. They do it frequently. They deal with major cases, high-profile cases. They went out and did their assessment on the scene and did their assessment of the situation, and the made the calls that they made.

I don't think that it's fair to second guess at this point and say they should have done this and should have done that, because anyone can guess from 3,000 miles away what they could have or should have done.

They did what they did, and we always look critically at our own work and try to be as good as we possibly can. So we'll do that with this one, as well.

But I'm comfortable at this point that we had good people working the case and are handling things appropriately.

LEMON (on camera): So you think they secured the scene, did everything popularly, and so all the evidence that you're going to get, you've gotten because the scene was well secured.

MCDONNELL: I believe so.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: And the chief said, again, that the attorney general, state Attorney General Jerry Brown also working the case. And also the DEA says this is routine when it comes to any sort of investigation like this.

And again, I'm going to speak extensively with the chief about those plans on Tuesday, because there are some new developments about who will show up and the stars and what have you. We'll have it all covered for you coming up at the top of the hour.

Melissa, you won't miss any of it live from Los Angeles.

LONG: All right, Don, thank you so much. Looking forward to it.

Also this breaking news story we want to share with you as we're getting nuggets of information. We are getting confirmation from the brother of the former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair. He has been found dead in Nashville. This is according to McNair's brother.

Let me give you history as we look at live pictures of that apartment complex where he has been found today. Little bit of history -- played much of his career with the Tennessee Titans, ending his lengthy and successful career after the 2007 season, playing the last two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.

He led the titans to the super bowl in 2000. That was Super bowl XXXIV. Lost that game to the Rams in a last-second play. He was MVP. Co-MVP in 2003 with the NFL.

But, again, the brother of Steve McNair, a former quarterback from the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans being found dead today in an apartment in Tennessee.

As we learn more information about Steve McNair's death, of course we will bring it to you today on CNN and CNN.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LONG: Want to make sure you're away of a breaking news story out of Tennessee. Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair has been found dead this afternoon in an apartment complex there in Nashville.

Let me give you history on his career and spent so much of his career with the Tennessee Titans, retiring in 2007, however, after two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Led the Titans to the super bowl in 2000 playing, again, for the titans, and lost to the Rams in a last-second play. Back in 2003 he was named co-MVP by the NFL.

But, again, today, according to a brother of Steve McNair, the former Baltimore Ravens quarterback, former player with the Tennessee Titans, has been found dead in an apartment in Nashville, Tennessee.

We learned that news conference will be scheduled at any moment from Nashville police. As soon as it gets started, we will keep you posted on this development. Again, Steve McNair found dead today in an apartment in Nashville.

Also on the Fourth of July, remembering our soldiers. They were in Afghanistan for a year, but a platoon of soldiers from Ft. Hood, Texas, back home for the Fourth.

They returned to Ft. Hood Thursday to a hero's welcome. Among them, army specialist Zachary Boyd became known for fighting the Taliban wearing his pink "I love New York" boxers and flip-flops. There they are.

In May, the 19-year-old soldier was asleep in his tent when his platoon came under attack. He jumped out of his bed wearing his boxers and he started firing at the enemy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SPEC ZACHARY BOYD, U.S. ARMY: Just helping out the guys that need help. That's it. I'm not too worried about what I'm wearing. That came after the fact.

They were giving me a hard time about it, but pretty much any material that you have out there to give somebody a hard time with is going to happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: Boyd says he's just happy to be home to celebrate the Fourth of July with his family.

Thank you for joining us for "CNN Newsroom." Do stay with us for the breaking news development of Steve McNair of the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

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