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Travel Mess?; Interstate Info; Hollywood Actor Accused of Murder; "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Subject of Newly Scheduled Senate Meetings; He Can't Believe He's Alive; Clash of the Koreas
Aired November 24, 2010 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: And so it begins, in the air, on the ground, millions of Americans heading home, and the busiest time of this travel crush starting right now. We're all over it in 60 seconds.
I'm Brooke Baldwin.
BALDWIN AND CROWD: The news is now.
(voice-over): A former actor on "Ugly Betty" accused of killing his own mother. Police say he chased her down and attacked her with a samurai sword.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That is an understatement for something like this.
BALDWIN: Wait until you hear what he allegedly yelled while doing it.
Plus, buried alive, trapped for three days after the earthquake hit Haiti.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn't know if I was going to get out of there.
BALDWIN: You will hear his amazing story of survival beneath the rubble.
And a carjacker takes off with a baby still inside, but a mother and a father fight back.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I ended up busting out the window with my elbow.
BALDWIN: I will tell you how this turns out as an urgent manhunt continues.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BALDWIN: I'm Brooke Baldwin. Hey, thanks to that CNN tour for helping me out. Rapid fire starts now. Let's go first to Southern California. Investigators trying to figure out why an Escondido man had a house and yard full of explosives and weapons. Listen to this, the unemployed man being held on $5 million bail, accused of turning his home into -- you heard the explosions -- a bomb factory.
George Jakubec had been flying under the radar until a gardener was hurt in an explosion at the home last week. Here's what Jakubec's wife had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARINA IVANOVA, WIFE OF JAKUBEC: He's a good man. And I love him. I just -- he's crazy. I think he's lost his mind. He lost his mind or something.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Jakubec has pleaded not guilty to more than two dozen explosives charges and two counts of bank robberies.
Next, in New Zealand, sad story, no miracle mine rescue to report today. A second explosion rocked the Pike River mine overnight. Rescue workers say there's no way those 29 trapped miners could've survived that blast if even they were still alive. The country's prime minister says New Zealand is a nation in mourning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN KEY, PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand is a small country, a country where we are our brother's keeper. So, to lose this many brothers at once strikes an agonizing blow.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Next, here's a warning for any of you with holiday travel plans that may take you to Mexico, the Mexican government warning travelers today, if you're driving into New Mexico for the holidays, to travel in daytime convoys to avoid any trouble possibly with drug cartels down there.
The warning comes during the time of year when many Mexicans living in the U.S. heading home for Thanksgiving.
Next, take a look with me at the latest jobs report. The number of Americans filing for their first week of unemployment benefits sunk to its lowest level in more than two years. The number of initial claims fell to 407,000 last week. That is down 34,000 from the week before. The unemployment rate, though, still sticking there at 9.6 percent.
Next, American Amanda Knox back in an Italian courtroom today. There she is, the former exchange student appealing her murder conviction. And today's hearing lasted all of 15 minutes before the judge adjourned until December 11. Foxy Knoxy convicted last December of sexually assaulting and murdering her roommate. The appeal is a gamble for Knox. If she loses, she could end up spending life in prison, instead of the 26 years she is now serving.
Next, the FCC is considering making 911 even more accessible for us. It's aimed at the texting crowd. So, under consideration here, allowing people to report crimes via a 911 text message and also streaming video from their cell phones to emergency centers. Apparently, the FCC cites an example, the 2007 Virginia Tech campus shootings. Many of the students there in Blacksburg and also witnesses sent texts to 911 that were never received by local dispatchers.
Next, the Senate Armed Services Committee announcing today they will hold two days of hearings to review the military's don't ask, don't tell policy. You know that's the policy barring openly gay members from serving in the U.S. military. And this news comes days after the Pentagon's report on what effect a repeal of don't ask, don't tell would have on our military. Witnesses will include Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen.
Next, listen up here, another recall from Johnson & Johnson, this recall involving three over-the-counter popular drugs here, including two for your kiddies. Here's the list, Children's Benadryl Allergy Fastmelt Tablets, both cherry and grape flavors. Also, you got the 24-count package of Junior Strength Motrin Caplets. Those are being recalled. And Rolaids Extra Strength Softchews on the recall list. That's the cherry flavor 36-count package. So, take a look.
Next, here is proof that the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us. Look at these big balloons. Cue the balloons. This is the Macy's balloons getting pumped up for tomorrow's big parade. This is the event more than any other that really unofficially kicks off the holiday season. And if you're keeping track, tomorrow marks the 84th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I love watching that.
Finally, it is official. Sarah Palin's new book is out. She's now out and about on the road promoting it. And the question on a lot of your minds is, is Palin dropping any hints perhaps for a 2012 plan to run for president?
CNN's Shannon Travis caught up with the Palin book tour in Phoenix -- Shannon.
SHANNON TRAVIS, CNN POLITICAL PRODUCER: Brooke, Sarah Palin kicked off her book tour here at this Barnes & Noble here in Phoenix, but she's off and running right now. She's visiting many, many states.
But guess what? They're virtually all red states. Three in particular -- three stops in particular we want to mention are two stops in Iowa, home to the first presidential caucus there, and one stop in South Carolina, where the first presidential primary in the South will happen in the next presidential cycle. That's fueling speculation about whether she will run or not.
But take a listen to something that she said to Sean Hannity on his radio show yesterday. This will add fuel to the fire. She says -- quote -- "The cause that we all need to be engaged in is stopping the Obama/Pelosi/Reid fundamental transformation of America. And if I get in the way of that cause, I don't need a title, I don't need a position, I don't need to run for office in order to effect positive change, in order to reach the goals that we have in the cause."
Brooke, that's the first time many of us have heard Sarah Palin mention anything about possibly not running for office -- Brooke.
BALDWIN: That's definitely different narratives. Shannon Travis, thank you.
Trapped for days. Imagine this. This guy survived the devastating earthquake in Haiti. But for three days, he had no idea if he would survive. His fascinating story, literally writing letters to his loved ones, thinking he wouldn't make it, that is ahead.
Plus, Americans on the move -- one of the busiest day of the travel season. And I have the news you want. We are all over Thanksgiving rush next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Talking about all the holiday travel because so many of you are facing long lines and delays this busy holiday. We turned some of our correspondents -- sorry, guys -- into travel guinea pigs.
And Ted Rowlands was I guess one of the ones who, I don't know, drew the short straw. We put him a plane from Los Angeles to San Francisco to test out how things are going, the lines, the flying.
And we also have meteorologist Jacqui Jeras. She's monitoring some of the weather, some of the travel trouble spots as well.
Of course, CNN is your holiday travel headquarters.
And, Mr. Rowlands, I want to begin with you.
You are still in SFO, San Francisco Airport. And I'm looking behind you, not too bad. So far, so good.
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's amazing.
Imagine walking up to the security line right now. Of course, it's all timing, Brooke. Sometimes you walk up and it looks like that with three or four people in front of you. Other times it's completely packed, especially on holiday weekends.
Our travels from Los Angeles to here, no problems at all. One of the big concerns, of course, was this opt out, where there was a campaign to encourage people to opt out of the body scanners and get a pat down, so that they could intentionally delay security lines and bring this issue of the body scanners to light and to make people actually talk about it.
Really didn't work in terms of this campaign. We haven't seen any evidence of it in San Francisco or in Los Angeles. And across the country, there have been no reports of long lines because of the opt out.
What we have heard are a wide range of opinions considering -- or talking about the scanners and the pat-downs. Here's a sampling of a couple of those opinions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I had no problem with that. But once they started, you know -- they come to the pat-down and they're feeling all up inside you and groping you, I just totally didn't like it. I'm totally -- I feel violated.
ROWLANDS: What's your take on this whole controversy over the pat-down and the body scanners?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't have any problem with profiling. I mean, I don't exactly look like a threat, first of all, but I think the body scanner's probably the way to go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROWLANDS: And one of the things that a lot of people have talked about, Brooke, is common sense. They think that the TSA should adopt a little bit more common sense in terms of profiling, if you will, and not pull out the 87-year-old grandmother, get her up out of the wheelchair and do a full-body scan.
And that really -- actually we did see a guy who was in that state today here in San Francisco. That's been a real theme that we have gotten from people. The other theme that we have gotten from people is that this whole thing's been blown out of proportion and it's no big deal. Everybody knows they're going to have some delays when they come to the airport, especially during Thanksgiving week.
So, at this point, no troubles, no delays, and a lot of folks thinking, you know what? This whole thing is being blown out of proportion by politicians and by a fringe group that tried to get this opt out up and running.
BALDWIN: Ted Rowlands, I'm knocking on my glass desk here that it stays that way. Ted, thank you.
I want to go over to Jacqui.
I know you have been looking at some of the weather, some of the yucky travel spots around the country, I guess, what, by air, by road. What are you seeing right now?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: All of the above.
And one of the biggest hot spots right now that we're seeing in terms of traffic trouble is Minneapolis-St. Paul. This is like the third time in the last week that we have been dealing with major weather systems, and lots of accidents as a result of this.
This is from our affiliate KARE 11 Minneapolis-St. Paul. And there you can see this is I-94 at Riverside Avenue. And look at how congested that traffic is.
BALDWIN: Yikes.
JERAS: Yes, all that snow is coming down. So you combine that with, you know, pushing the rush hour, and the holiday, people are trying to get home a little bit early. And that's just one of the interstates in the Twin Cities that is having problems.
This Web site, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, which you can easily find on the Web, by the way, showing all kinds of red around and in the city, so a lot of trouble that we're looking at in that area as well.
All right, let's talk about what's been happening by the airways. We had some spotty delays throughout the morning, but now as we're heading to the afternoon hours, things have really been picking up. Take a look at this. These delays in La Guardia just due to volume, 35 minutes, and so that's for people taking off and trying to arrive into La Guardia Airport.
Newark, about the same thing, 35 minutes. The departure delays at Teterboro right now about 40 minutes. And then we have some delays in Calgary, 10 minutes. Hey, we have got 10 minutes, right? You can deal with 10, probably. That's one's not so bad.
(LAUGHTER)
JERAS: All right, want to show you what's going on over here at the magic wall, Brooke. Brooke, we're going to have a little bit of fun. How about that? You want to do a little Q&A with me?
(CROSSTALK)
BALDWIN: Bring it on.
JERAS: Is that all right?
(CROSSTALK)
JERAS: All right.
Now, this is just some information I found for fun, because more people do travel by the interstate than anything else throughout the holiday season.
BALDWIN: Right.
JERAS: So, we have got some sites together to tell you about interstate highway extremes.
All right, first category, don't look at the bottom, travel volume. What interstate in the U.S. has more volume than any other?
BALDWIN: How am I not supposed to look at the bottom? Come on.
JERAS: I know. I'm sorry. (LAUGHTER)
JERAS: I-405, Los Angeles.
BALDWIN: Los Angeles, California.
JERAS: OK. You could have picked the city, probably, right?
BALDWIN: Right.
JERAS: All right, next one, an elevation. Highest-elevation interstate?
BALDWIN: Denver?
JERAS: There you go.
BALDWIN: There we go.
JERAS: Yes, just outside of Denver, I-70, and that's at the continental divide just west of the Denver area.
Next, the widest interstate.
BALDWIN: You got me.
JERAS: Right here in Atlanta, Georgia.
BALDWIN: Really?
JERAS: I-75 in Atlanta, 17 lanes at the intersection of I-285.
BALDWIN: Really?
JERAS: Yes, 17. That's a lot.
BALDWIN: Yikes, What else you got?
JERAS: I have the longest interstate in length, that's I-90, goes all the way from Seattle to Boston. So cross-country right there, right?
BALDWIN: Yes.
JERAS: And then we have the most states served --
BALDWIN: Served, meaning how many people the most amount of people driving on those interstates?
JERAS: How many states are on that one road.
BALDWIN: I imagine that's what, the I-95 corridor?
JERAS: I-95. Yes, 15 states and Washington, D.C. so that's quite a few.
And then we also have the very first interstate, that was I-70 in Kansas and Missouri.
BALDWIN: Been there, done that. Kansas.
JERAS: Yes. It's a long, flat ride, isn't it?
BALDWIN: Very long and flat. Very long and flat, indeed.
Jacqui Jeras, interesting, learned a little something today. Thank you.
Coming up next, this bizarre murder case. A TV actor is accused of chasing down his mom and attacking her with a samurai sword. I'm going to tell you what he also allegedly yelled at the scene.
Stay right there.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: I don't know if you, maybe some of your kids watch this huge show on ABC called "Ugly Betty," well an actor who had a bit part in the show has now been charged with murder. His name is Michael Brea, he was arrested yesterday. Kareen Wynter has been digging on this one for us. She joins me from L.A. with the latest on this investigation.
And, Kareen, I woke up, read about this thing, I mean, entirely bizarre. What do we know about this guy?
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: It's absolutely bizarre. It has so many people wondering, Brooke, what could've driven this actor over the edge?
Well, here's what we do know. As you mentioned, he appeared on ABC's "Ugly Betty." But according to witnesses, this guy just flipped out. That's right, just flipped out inside his Brooklyn apartment, one he shared with his mom. He allegedly stabbed her repeatedly with a samurai sword.
And now what's even more alarming here, when people finally broke into his apartment, they say they found Bea wielding that 3-foot sword near his dead mother's body. He was ordered to undergo a psych evaluation, Brooke, at a New York hospital yesterday and he's expected to be, in fact, handed back over to police sometime today.
But many, many people who live in that complex say they heard screams, they heard some sort of dispute going on inside that apartment. And that, again, the 31-year-old shared with his mom.
But I think, Brooke, really the interest in this story, it has more to do with the gruesome manner in which he killed his mom rather than the fact he appeared on the small screen.
BALDWIN: Absolutely. A samurai sword, allegedly. I know obviously as you said, police are investigating. He also, as we mentioned, had this bit role in "Ugly Betty", this hugely popular show. We know he wasn't a cast member. Is ABC at all coming out speaking about this?
WYNTER: Nada, nothing at this point. We reached out to the network today. They're not commenting on this story.
And you know, I can't say I'm surprised at all as he was really little more than an extra, a background actor on one episode. There's no mention of him on ABC's website or IMDB, which is widely considered the industry standard for who's who in Hollywood. But unfortunately, we all know who he is now.
BALDWIN: To another story you and I have talked about for a couple of days. The long-time movie publicist, really veteran, well- respected in Hollywood, Ronni Chasen, we know she was buried Sunday, she was shot to death. She was literally walking off the red carpet at the "Burlesque" premiere, shot.
There are reports, Kareen, that there's some kind of surveillance video of Chasen that police are reviewing from when she was in her car. Is there any truth to that today?
WYNTER: We did a lot of digging this morning, Brooke. Those reports came out. Well, now it turns out that they're false.
Yes, police were given surveillance video from inside the building where Chasen lived, it's a condo, and it showed a woman in a four-door black Mercedes. As you may remember, when Chasen was shot last week, she was driving her two-door Mercedes.
Turns out it wasn't her, that surveillance video that police looked at, it was someone else. And right now, they say they have nothing new.
But we are keeping our eyes out for that autopsy report. It's expected to be released some time on Monday. So we'll let you know about that, Brooke.
BALDWIN: Two odd stories. Two stories baffling two different police departments.
Kareen Wynter, thank you.
You know, the pictures are shocking. Hundreds killed in a human stampede, and now we are seeing new video this afternoon of what happened on that bridge. Look at this. This is Phnom Phen, Cambodia. That is next.
But first, the "CNN ALL-STARS HEROES TRIBUTE" with Mr. Anderson Cooper, it airs tomorrow night 8:00 Eastern, here's a preview for you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: I have a follow-up for you on that national festival that turned national tragedy in Cambodia earlier this week. New information and new pictures that, quite honestly, are tough to watch, but I want to show it to you because it's part of the story. We just got this today. This is from Monday night when this massive crowd of people trying to cross this narrow bridge suddenly began -- you see them, crushing into one another. I mean, talk about a terrifying scene there.
The death toll has skyrocketed from yesterday. The new number we have, 456 people -- look at them -- 456 crushed to death or suffocated were on that bridge.
Well, onlookers could do anything, you could tell they can't move. Witnesses say the bridge began to sway and move under the weight of the crowd, and that caused people to panic and make a terrible situation even worse.
Again, 456 people dead, at least 800 others are injured, and that happened on the last day of what was supposed to be a festive happening, Cambodia's annual water festival. An estimated 4 million people were in attendance then.
Got a story for you about a relief worker survives being buried alive for three days in Port au Prince during January's earthquake and is telling the world about his experience and why Haiti needs our help now more than ever. You will hear his amazing story for yourself ahead.
And we have all your political news making headlines with Ms. Dana Bash. She has your Political Ticker, that is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Welcome back to the NEWSROOM.
CNN has your latest political news with "The Best Political Team on Television." Dana Bash joins me from Washington.
And, Dana, we mentioned this in the show, but tell me what more you know about the Senate Armed Services Committee, the announcement today.
DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Brooke.
Well, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is being reviewed by the Pentagon, and that report is due next week. Well, the Senate Armed Services Committee has already announced two hearings to deal with that. They're going to have the defense secretary, they're going to have the chairman of the joint chiefs along with the authors of the study.
And the results of this report are really going to be critical to whether or not Democrats can find the votes to pass the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal during this lame-duck session of Congress. Many senators said that they're reluctant to do anything before the Pentagon finishes its review.
Now second item on the Ticker, should President Obama face a challenger from within his own party in 2012? It's a question a new survey asked Democrats and the answer actually may surprise you it surprised me. Democrats were actually split, 45 percent of Democrats say they do want someone from their own party to take on the president and 46 percent said that they don't.
Very interesting, Brooke.
BALDWIN: Dana Bash, that is sort of interesting, indeed. That seems like a higher number, especially perhaps for a sitting president.
Dana, thank you.
BASH: Thank you.
BALDWIN: We will get more political news from CNN here. You can always go to CNNPolitics.com, go to Twitter @PoliticalTicker.
And I promised you this story and this relief worker. He was in Haiti in January. He was trapped under all of the rubble, in total darkness -- imagine -- for three very long days. He lived to tell the story.
This is not a movie, I promise you. This is very real. You will hear Dan Woolley compelling story for yourself. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Really, there are no two ways about it -- it's not getting better in Haiti, at least not yet. In fact, it's getting worse. I'm talking about that outbreak of deadly cholera. The death toll is going higher and higher. So far, it's killed more than 1,400 people now.
And we have some new figures today. Sixty thousand people in Haiti have the disease. Did you hear me? Sixty thousand. Health officials there are planning to treat upwards of 400,000 people for cholera next year.
The outbreak only made worse by the lasting effects of January's massive earthquake. You know, infrastructure, the roads, general sanitation all subpar, and hampering efforts to fight the spread of the disease.
Let's go back to the earthquake. There is this man who still can't believe he's spending Thanksgiving with his family this year because he was sure he would die under all the rubble in the Haiti earthquake. How do I know? He told me.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BALDWIN: Dan, take me back to Haiti. You're in Hotel Montana the day the earthquake hit. Talk me about those first few minutes when, I guess, the walls started to crumble.
DAN WOOLLEY, HAITI EARTHQUAKE SURVIVOR: I'd returned to the Hotel Montana, and I was walking through the lobby of the hotel. And we looked at the elevators and decided -- it was a beautiful day, so we decided to turn towards the stairs and walk up the stairs to our room. And all of a sudden, all chaos broke loose.
And the first thing I experienced was the sound, just explosive sounds. And I -- I saw the walls start to crumble. And I felt the earth moving underneath my feet. And my colleague yelled out, earthquake. And I looked for some place safe to jump to. And then, all of a sudden, everything crashed around me and everything was dark.
BALDWIN: And everything was dark for you. You write about in your book for three, I imagine, very long days. You're trapped in the darkness.
And at one point, Dan, you talk about the moment when -- I don't know if it was pen or paper, I don't know what you're writing on, but you have enough presence of mind to want to say good-bye to your wife, to your two sons, so you start writing letters. Tell me about that.
WOOLLEY: Well, as I assessed my situation, I really felt that -- you know, I didn't know if I was going to get out of there. And I didn't feel that my chances for survival through this were very high. And so, as I thought about my family and not being able to get back to them, I wondered if there's anything I could do, is there anything I could leave for them, any last words for them.
And I remembered that I had my journal and had a pen. And so, I pulled that up and just started to write notes to them thinking about, you know, what would I want -- what would I want to say, really as last words to them, and what would I want them to hold on to as messages from me?
BALDWIN: And you still have those papers -- I've read your blood-stained papers, your letters to your family. Have they read them yet? And what has your wife said about it?
WOOLLEY: Yes, I still have the journal. And I've been able to share some of those messages. Actually, there are some I've still withheld, some, you know, now that I'm back --
BALDWIN: really?
WOOLLEY: -- that were -- that were too intense, especially for my boys.
BALDWIN: You sustained some injuries, what, to your head and legs. And instead a first aid kit you could grab, because you were trapped, you had an iPhone. Tell me how that came in handy.
WOOLLEY: In the first moments after the quake, I realized that my injuries were very severe. So I realized I had my iPhone with me and so, I pulled it out of my pocket. But I remembered I had a first aid app on the phone with information --
BALDWIN: A first aid app? WOOLLEY: That's right. That's right. And so, it already had information downloaded about first aid situations. And so, I looked up excessive bleeding to see if I needed to do a tourniquet on my leg or if I could just wrap it or what I needed to do.
BALDWIN: Amazing. What about -- were you the only one trapped down there? Or there were others you were trapped with, I imagine. And, you know, 10 months later, Dan, have you kept up with them at all?
WOOLLEY: Well, it was amazing to be in a place, you know, very isolated in many ways. Just in complete darkness and -- and the building collapsed around me. But at the same time, there were some other people that I could talk to or shout to. And so, there were -- there were six Americans who were trapped nearby, four of them were able -- were rescued. And are safe back with their families.
BALDWIN: There's a huge cholera outbreak now in Haiti, thousands of people are suffering -- though you get to sit around with your family this Thanksgiving. And I imagine you are very thankful.
WOOLLEY: I'm very grateful for that. I'm also very aware of the suffering of others who didn't have the outcome I did. In fact, I live with that every day. And my prayers go out to those who are -- who are suffering. And I also really try to live my life in a way that helps them.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BALDWIN: And again, my thanks to Dan Woolley. And imagine being trapped and writing journals, writing letters to your loved ones because you think you're not going to make it. He also told me he'll be back in Haiti in January to just continue his relief work there.
CNN, by the way, gets to make a little news of its own, as part of the Thanksgiving tradition. The network will introduce the 10 heroes of this year making an impact all around the world. That is what's -- part of trending. That is next.
Plus, the Travolta family celebrating more than just the holiday. We'll talk about the details about their newest addition.
Stay right here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Time to see what's trending in the news today. What you're talking about, what you're tweeting about.
Sandra Endo has been watching the Web, the social media today.
And, Sandra, you're beginning with us, CNN -- big night tomorrow night for us.
SANDRA ENDO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, something -- absolutely, Brooke. This is something close to home. And this is the biggest trend for CNN right now.
Coming up tomorrow, it goes hand-in-hand with Thanksgiving. "CNN's Hero All-Star Tribute" will introduce you to the 10 heroes of this year -- extraordinary people making an impact around the world. It's so moving to watch. The 33 Chilean miners and their rescuers will also be honored there, as well.
And it's a star-studded event, Brooke, with performances by John Legend, Sugarland and Bon Jovi. And it's all really to recognize the amazing feats of people representing the best of humanity through their charity work and a whole host of selfless acts.
Now, get this: more than 10,000 nominations were submitted from 100 countries worldwide. It all boiled down to 10 heroes with the Hero of the Year to be announced tomorrow night. And, of course, Anderson Cooper will be hosting it.
And we'll all be watching, right, Brooke?
BALDWIN: Yes. And huge names, what a great show. And I was talking to someone who got to go to the show. And they said, you know, yes, Jon Bon was there, Halle Berry, the miners, I mean, it feels like so many are so star struck by Chilean miners, which I love, but maybe I'm just biased to love that story.
ENDO: Yes, they're the rock stars.
BALDWIN: Let's talk John Travolta, Kelly Preston. They have big, big news.
ENDO: Yes, this is really sweet. Actors John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston, as you mentioned, welcome a new addition, a baby boy. Benjamin was born yesterday at a Florida hospital. And he weighs eight pound, three ounces.
And just last year, the couple's 16-year-old son Jett died of a seizure. So, some good news today after that tragedy. And Benjamin joins big sister Elle Bleu.
BALDWIN: And congratulations to them.
And finally, the big show. A lot of people were watching "Dancing with the Stars." I'm a big "Dirty Dancing" fan.
ENDO: Oh, yes.
BALDWIN: So, I was kind of happy with the winner.
ENDO: Yes, the big finale. It's trending big time today on Twitter. And it's the winner of the "Dancing with the Stars." And you're looking at her, "Dirty Dancing" star Jennifer Grey. And she took the title despite all the drama and talk surrounding Bristol Palin being the crowd favorite, right? Well, the 50-year-old actress beat out her younger competitors and even competed with a slipped disk. Now, here, back on the Twitter board, if you want to see some reaction. It's so funny to watch because, of course, the key phrase here, "Nobody puts baby in the corner, congrats to Jennifer Grey."
Another tweet: "Of course Jennifer Grey would win 'Dancing with the Stars.' She did 'Dirty Dancing,' people. That alone guaranteed a win."
And this is kind of funny. We have here a guy's tweeting, "Jennifer Grey edging out Bristol Palin in 'Dancing with the Stars.' I can see 'Dirty Dancing' from my house."
And we all know what that's all about, right?
BALDWIN: Of course, we do. What about -- what about Bristol Palin? What is she saying?
ENDO: Yes. Well, it's funny, because before the finale, Bristol Palin said if she won, it would be like a big middle finger to the people who dislike her and her mom.
BALDWIN: Whoa.
ENDO: But a little graciousness after the show -- yes. She said she just thanked her fans for all the support.
BALDWIN: Now, I know you just breezed past it, but Jennifer Grey, a slipped disc, and she could still dance with those moves. I stand impressed with really all of them, but her in particular.
Sandra Endo, thank you. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
ENDO: You got it. You too.
BALDWIN: Thanks.
A mother's worst nightmare is caught on camera. This is one of those "What would you do?"
We're going to tell you why cameras captured this mom clinging to a moving car. That is next.
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BALDWIN: If you're wondering this afternoon what's going on, North Korea, South Korea, here's the deal.
After North Korea's artillery attack on a South Korean island, the threat of war, very real. Obviously, this has the entire region on edge.
And in response, President Obama and his counterpart in South Korea have agreed to hold more joint military exercises. In fact, Mr. Obama going as far as saying he's strongly condemning yesterday's attack. But it was actually comments from South Korea's president that's really turning heads today. So, during this military visit to headquarters in Seoul, here's what he told reporters. Read along with me. "I think enormous retaliation is going to be necessary to make North Korea incapable of provoking us again."
Very strong words from the president there.
Now CNN's Stan Grant. He visited a port in South Korea. And it's there that he found people who were just evacuated from that island that was recently attacked. In fact, here he is with an update on the situation there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STAN GRANT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They survived a deadly attack on the island, now plunged into the middle of a media frenzy. Hundreds of evacuees pouring onto the Port of Incheon -- the young, the old, the frail, some carried on stretchers to waiting ambulances. All share a similar tale of terror.
"It's a mess," this woman says. "There's nothing's left. All the stores are blown up, glass shattered. All of it just disappeared in no time."
Some have seen their homes destroyed, lost their possessions as North Korea rained down shells on to Yeonpyeong island. South Korea returned fire. For over an hour, an armistice of more than 50 years were shattered, buildings ablaze, smoke billowing into the sky.
For some, the island can never truly be home again.
(on camera): Do you feel that you want to go back to your island? Will you feel safe on your island again?
(voice-over): A large number of villagers are thinking of leaving Yeonpyeong island. "This experience was just too shocking, too threatening."
(on camera): Do you think that this has taken the tension between the two countries to a new level, that relations are now worse? "I think this situation is at its extreme. In reality, what we experienced was much graver than what you see on TV."
The South Korean military is on full alert. President Lee Myung- bak threatening a "enormous retaliation." Next week he will hold joint military exercises with the United States, a show of military might designed to send a warning to Pyongyang.
KIM TAEY-YOUNG, SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE MINISTER (through translator): The fact that they have indiscriminately fired upon a defenseless civilian zone was a brutally inhumane action, an illegal and intentional action against the U.N. constitution and the armistice between North and South Korea.
GRANT: North Korea also ratcheting up the rhetoric, warning of a merciless military confrontation. South Korea leaving no doubt how serious this situation is, talking of wartime aid being shipped to those left stranded and without electricity on the island.
(on camera): This is different to past provocations. This is different to past flash points on the Korean Peninsula. Now we are seeing an attack on South Korean soil. And these people, civilians, caught in the crossfire.
Stan Grant, CNN, Incheon, South Korea.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BALDWIN: Now, here's where else that the U.S. factors in. As Stan mentioned, the Pentagon has dispatched this aircraft carrier strike group to the Yellow Sea. And here's what you need to understand. Sending in entire strike groups is really an enormous show of force.
I want to break down the strike group for you.
This is led by five main ships. That includes the aircraft carrier -- that's the USS George Washington there. Now, the George Washington carries all of 75 war planes. It also carries a crew of more than 6,000. So this thing is huge.
This is in addition to the 28,500 troops, American troops, already stationed in South Korea. And that aircraft carrier will join South Korean naval forces in the waters just west of the Korean Peninsula, and it will conduct air defense and surface warfare readiness training.
Now, remember here, we have to talk about China. In the past, China has pressed Washington not to send aircraft carriers to the sea.
Obviously, it's a story -- we have reporters there in South Korea. We'll stay on it and take care of any developments that happen later on.
Now, also, a carjacker attacks. Two parents fight back.
Parents, watch this with me. I think you may do the same thing, even though it is quite frightening to watch the dramatic video. This happened in Missouri.
A man tries stealing this car. It's parked at a gas station. But here's what he didn't know -- a key piece of information -- a 6- month-old baby was in the backseat of that car.
He tried to take off. The parents are like, heck no. They're hanging on. The mom even ran after the car and broke the window.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I ended up busting out the window with my elbow and lost my footing. So I started getting dragged because I wouldn't let go of the car. And I just kept saying, "My baby! My baby! My baby!"
(END AUDIO CLIP)
BALDWIN: So here's the deal -- the dad ends up jumping through the window, scares off the suspect. Thank goodness, baby, fine. It's fine.
Police, though, they're still looking for the carjacker. Unbelievable there.
Next, watch this.
(MUSIC)
BALDWIN: OK. This is just too cool.
What are they using? Those are just PVC pipes, like what you use when you're plumbing. So the college students actually built their own instrument. They say they can play everything from Lady Gaga to Mozart.
How did they get this idea? The Blue Man Group.
Forget Thanksgiving. Some people are already thinking about Christmas. Take a look at this.
Do you know what that flash mob is? At flash mob is a group of normal people. You know, they randomly jump up -- there they are -- they're singing, breaking into this choreographed routine. And it happened in the middle of a food court.
(MUSIC)
BALDWIN: What would you do if you were munching on your fries and somebody breaks out with Handel's "Messiah"? Dozens of people joined in -- right? -- helping the shoppers getting into the holiday spirit.
Nice.
Heavy snow out West. The storm system moving East, may kind of clash with the travel plans this holiday.
We're going to have all the weather news and travel information next. Hallelujah.
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BALDWIN: Pretty good day on the Street. Take a look at the Big Board with me, up 150 points. The Dow 11,187.
Obviously, the rally really responding, probably in large part to the drop in the number of people filing for unemployment claims. Next week, huge week for the markets since investors will be looking to see how retail sales do on Black Friday.
Also, this just in here. The shuttle Discovery, space shuttle Discovery, now has another launch date. Have you been watching this with us? Mark your calendars.
A NASA official is telling us it should happen December 17th. The date, as you know, has been pushed back a couple of times because of weather, some technical issues. We are told that date could be pushed back to January, maybe February, pending an investigation into what caused the cracks on the shuttle's external fuel tank. Of course, keep in mind, this will be the space shuttle's final launch.
And with that, let's talk some weather.
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BALDWIN: And hey, thank you so much for watching. I'm off on a flight tomorrow. Wish me luck, huh?
I'm Brooke Baldwin. Thanks for watching.
"THE SITUATION ROOM" begins now with Suzanne Malveaux -- Suzanne.
