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Weiner Communicated with Teen Girl; Gingrich Campaign 'Begins Anew'; Buying Versus Renting a House; Killing Blamed on Energy Drink; Alabama Immigration Crackdown; Abortions and Medicaid Money; Orphaned by the Storm; TSA Threatens 36 Firings; Weatherproof Your Vacation; A Celebration Fit for a Queen; Beware of Job Scams; Return of Measles

Aired June 11, 2011 - 12:00   ET

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

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN ANCHOR: Well, we begin this hour with a growing scandal surrounding Congressman Anthony Weiner. Police are investigating another set of Twitter messages. This time, it involves a teenage girl.

CNN's Jason Carroll is in the congressman's home district in Queens in New York City. He caught up with the congressman earlier today, and Jason, it is just not getting any better. What did he tell you?

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, a number of things. First let's talk, Deb, about the - this online contact that Congressman Weiner had with this teenage girl in Delaware. She's reportedly 17 years old. Detectives did in fact speak with her. She told them that none of the - the contact that she had with the congressman was inappropriate.

Well, early this morning, I had an opportunity to speak with Congressman Weiner. He came out of his apartment here in Queens. He was running errands, just dropping off dry cleaning, going to the ATM, things like that.

I asked him about this online contact that he had with this teenage girl, also asked him about another - a number of other subjects, about the calls for his resignation, also about the support that he's been receiving from his constituents. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL: I just want to get for the record here about the 17- year-old girl, because you know that's what a number of people are talking about at this point. I mean, in terms of this 17-year-old, were you having (ph) any contact with her?

REP. ANTHONY WEINER (D), NEW YORK: The - the - we put out a statement on that. She's spoken. She's spoken. I think that record is pretty clear.

CARROLL: But, for the record, just coming from you, can you just set the -

WEINER: Nothing - nothing - be careful. Nothing explicit, nothing indecent, absolutely nothing inappropriate.

CARROLL: I just wanted to also ask you about 56 - a recent poll came out showing that 56 percent of your constituents say you should not resign and are supporting you, and I'm just wondering -

WEINER: Listen, I've done - I've made some mistakes. I've acknowledged it. I'm trying to make it - make it up to my wife and my family. But I also have to make it clear to my constituents I want to get back to work for them, and it's not easy to do in this environment, but I'm doing the best I can.

CARROLL: Just to reconfirm about resignation, at this point you have no plans -

WEINER: I have no news for you today.

CARROLL: And no plans to resign?

WEINER: Nothing changing. Nothing has changed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So you're not resigning?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL: So, as you heard there, Debbie, on a number of different issues, the congressman says he has no plans to resign, says he will be back at work on Monday in Washington - Debbie.

FEYERICK: And, Jason, is - has there been any sign that he's actually either meeting with constituents? Is it a phone campaign? How is he reaching out to the folks who elected him to regain their confidence in his leadership abilities?

CARROLL: Well, he said when he was out here, Debbie, that he's had an opportunity to make phone calls. I'm assuming one of those calls maybe are to, you know, some of the local politicians who are here. You'll recall that Congressman Charlie Rangel came out in support of Congressman Weiner, basically saying he feels as though this whole idea of resigning is media hype and that he doesn't feel as though Congressman Weiner should resign.

But he did say this morning that, you know, he has had the opportunity to speak to people in his district and hearing what they have to say. So that's what he's been doing up until this point - Debbie.

FEYERICK: Oh, OK. Jason Carroll, live for us today. We're going to check back as we - back in with you a little later on. Thank you so much.

Well, now to a trial that everyone's talking about, that of Casey Anthony. She's the young Florida woman accused of killing her two- year-old daughter in 2008. It's another Saturday of testimony, and the prosecution is still front and center, presenting its case.

Sean Lavin is at the courthouse for us in Orlando and, boy, Sean, some pretty compelling testimony already today, given what we heard yesterday and the pictures that we saw of little Casey (sic) and - and the skull that forensics found in the woods. What do we hear today?

SEAN LAVIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Today, there was even more major new testimony given today, and just within the last hour, Deb, the state brought out the duct tape. They had a crime scene tech who was there three years ago, looking through all those remains, come out and identify it on the stand. And the duct tape is major because, of course, the prosecutors say Casey took that duct tape and stretched it over her little daughter's mouth to suffocate and kill her.

There was also testimony earlier this morning from a bug expert. His name was Dr. Neil Haskell. He testified how hundreds of flies were found in Casey Anthony's trunk.

The prosecution went ahead to make - and made sure the jury understood how important that was. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF ASHTON, ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY: When you say the body was deposited there, is it your opinion the body was deposited there as a skeleton or that it was deposited there as a complete body, but just in the early stages of decomposition? What - what can you tell us about that?

DR. NEIL HASKELL, FORENSIC ENTOMOLOGIST: Well, I believe since we did have blowflies and - a few blowflies come in, in my opinion, that we - we did not have skeletal remains being deposited there. The insect fauna, the group of insects that we found was consistent with a - a body that was partially decomposed, purging fluids, both that in - somewhere in that realm.

ASHTON: But still - but still with soft tissue?

HASKELL: Oh, yes, with considerable soft tissue.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAVIN: Now, the defense has their own expert that will be coming soon. That expert is going to say that there was no decomposing body in the car, so we'll see what the jury believes when the verdict comes in, Deb.

FEYERICK: And Sean, do you have any sense of when the prosecution plans to wrap up its case so the defense can begin presenting their defense?

LAVIN: The prosecution hopes that it will be probably by the end of next week where they'll be able to rest their case, and then it's up to lead attorney Jose Baez to try and save Casey Anthony's life and get this first degree murder charge a not guilty verdict for her.

FEYERICK: OK, Sean Lavin, thank you so much. We appreciate it. We'll check in with you a little later on. Thanks so much. Well, in about 15 minutes, we're going to bring in our legal guys to talk more about this case, as well as the case known as the Red Bull Defense, energy drinks and insanity. You don't want to miss that, right here in the NEWSROOM.

And in the Western U.S., a massive wildfire in Eastern Arizona is giving firefighters all they can handle, and the battle could get a lot tougher today. High winds and low humidity are expected to fan the flames.

The blaze has scorched an area bigger than Los Angeles. Right now, firefighters are trying to keep it from spreading into New Mexico.

And along the Missouri River, more people are packing up and moving out as floodwaters rise. Neighborhoods near Council Bluffs, Iowa are among the latest to be evacuated. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releasing massive amounts of water from dams along the river, hoping to relieve pressure on reservoirs swollen by heavy rain and snowmelt.

And health officials in Missouri say eight people who are injured in last month's tornado in Joplin have contracted a rare type of fungus. Three of them have died.

One of those deaths is directly attributed to the infection, which can occur when dirt becomes lodged under the skin.

A Republican presidential candidate is getting ready to launch his campaign for the second time. Find out who it is and why he's beginning his campaign all over again.

That's on the other side of the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FEYERICK: And Newt Gingrich is vowing to get his message out to the American people despite this week's mass resignation of his senior campaign staffers. The Georgia Republican says he's re-launching his campaign tomorrow at a GOP event in California. Then, Monday, Gingrich faces his rivals at the New Hampshire Republican presidential debate hosted by CNN.

Now, our deputy political director Paul Steinhauser is live from the CNN Express in Manchester, where debates be - the debate is being held. And, Paul, we're going to talk about the debate in just a moment but first, what new details do you have about why Gingrich's staff left and what he's saying about the walk-out?

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Yes, some serious differences of opinion. You were talking about the top staffers, top advisers for his campaign. I guess what we're hearing from them is they felt that the former House Speaker wasn't committed enough to campaigning, committed enough to fund-raising. Remember, campaign cash is so important when you're running for the race for the White House. Gingrich, he remains defiant. He says he is committed. He says he will do whatever it takes. And I guess you could say the debate, Monday night, he probably has the most proof (ph) of anybody on the stage. It's take two for Gingrich. Let's see if he can rebound from all the controversies from take one, Deb.

FEYERICK: And do you really believe that he can resurrect his campaign compared to the other candidates that are going to be there? Does he have to really win this one, technically?

STEINHAUSER: I - I think if - if I were Newt Gingrich right now, I would try to maybe hit a home run on Monday night, try to stand out, if possible.

But, remember, let's go back four years. John McCain in 2007, many people considered him down and out. His campaign was faltering. He came back and won the nomination.

So anything is possible, of course, in politics.

FEYERICK: Paul, you've got seven candidates. Who do you think are going to be the strongest candidates, and which candidates do you think have the most to prove of all seven?

STEINHAUSER: I think the most - the one with the most - the most at stake, I guess you could say, or the most to lose, though, would be Mitt Romney right now. The former Massachusetts governor, remember, he's making a second bid for the White House.

He's perceived to be the frontrunner right now because of his standing in the polls, because of his fundraising and his campaign staff. So I guess he would have the most to lose.

Who has the most to gain? Maybe somebody like Rick Santorum, the former senator from Pennsylvania who is not well known outside of social conservatives. So it's a good chance for him to be in the spotlight to a national audience.

Also there, of course, will be Herman Cain, the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza and a radio talk show host. Ron Paul, the congressman from Texas. He's making his third (INAUDIBLE) from the White House. You've got former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty there as well. So it is a - and Michele Bachmann, of course, the congresswoman from Minnesota.

We have a full slate on Monday night.

FEYERICK: Well, it's certainly going to be interesting. And don't forget, you can tune in here Monday night, 8:00 P.M. Eastern for the Republican presidential debate from New Hampshire.

Seven candidates, as you saw. They're all going to be taking part, all going to be trying to convince you why you should vote for them. And CNN's John King, he's going to be the moderator. So stay with us. Now, we're getting a whole new look at Sarah Palin in her own words after releasing 24,000 pages of e-mails she wrote as governor of Alaska. We see a woman who's focused on politics yet completely surprised when John McCain names her as his running mate.

CNN's Drew Griffin has been going over the e-mails and he's live for us in Juneau. Drew, this is fascinating. What are you learning that has really surprised you about these exchanges?

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT: Yes, I - I just want - on that point, August 2008, she's becoming widely known on the national stage, but she really has no idea early in that month that John McCain seems to be even looking at her.

And I draw your attention to this e-mail she sent on August 4th. This was after then-Senator Obama, the candidate, gave a speech about energy. She says, "He gave a great speech this morning in Michigan - mentioned Alaska. Stole our Energy Rebate $1,000 check idea, stole our TC-Alaska gasoline talking points. We need to take advantage of this, write a statement saying he's right on."

She points out he's glad he's flip-flopping, and then goes on to tell one of her staffers, "Joe, could you help crank this statement out as our 'reaction' to some of Obama's good points this morning?"

I mean, little did she know, in just a couple of weeks, she would be the person who would attack Obama, and I want to bring you this, too. She's talking about going to the Republican National Convention. This is just like five days after she wrote that e-mail about Obama.

She's talking about how she wants to limit her stay there, travel a day before and a day after that main speech. "I don't want to be there five days, no need to." Obviously, Deb, that trip, she stayed a lot longer. It changed her life. She went right on the campaign trail.

And this is the first reference we have, on August 29th, 2008, that she says anything about being picked for the vice presidential nominee. She says to a friend, "Can you believe it! He told me yesterday - it moved fast. Pray. I love you."

I mean, from a historical perspective, this is just a gold mine for anybody who might want to write a book about Sarah Palin and her rise to power. Not a lot of bombshells, as I think we and a lot of other media outlets have been reporting, but certainly interesting, behind-the-scene look at this governor-turned-candidate - Deb.

FEYERICK: And, you know, Drew, I remember when there was - nobody knew who McCain's running mate was going to be and it wasn't until somebody got the tail number of a plane coming in from Alaska that we began to get a sense that Palin was the pick. Interesting that she herself did not know that many days (ph), and it does seem that at least vis-a-vis her role as governor of Alaska, she seemed to be engaged and - and pretty much on top of things, right?

GRIFFIN: I'm going to tell you, she really is a different person in these e-mails than was portrayed in the national media. And a hard-working, extremely loyal to her staff, courteous, you know, to many people who write to her on such crazy issues.

She does get a little combative on some of the blogs that have attacked her and her administration. She says just disbelief in how they could make up lies. But you see a very hard-working, issue- oriented governor here, working hard over and over again for the state of Alaska and doing incredible things about trying to save money.

At one point, she was being criticized because she was hosting a - a football team, a traveling football team at the governor's mansion. She said, somebody just donated boxes of brownies. I'll bake the brownies myself, that way we wouldn't spend any money on this.

FEYERICK: Wow. Drew Griffin, well, thank you so much. Maybe the title of her book should be "Sarah Palin Before and After."

We will check in with you a little later on this afternoon. Thanks so much.

Well, housing prices, low. Interest rates, also low. Seems like a good time to buy, but, well, is it? That's what we're going to store - that's what we're going to explore, coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FEYERICK: Well, you're young, you have a bit of money saved and home prices are low, so you might think now is the time to buy, but is it? Is it, really?

CNN's Christine Romans takes a look in this edition of "Smart is the New Rich."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

XANDER CLARKE, RENTER: If I own my own home, I wouldn't have any of these amenities.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Like a full-service building and outdoor pool. But, amenities aside, 23- year-old Xander Clarke is at an age when some people consider buying their own homes.

CLARKE: I've thought about investing and - and purchasing a home. My father purchased a home when he was my age. So when I knew I was going to move to Baltimore, I looked at properties, but I just knew that in my line of work that I would need to be re-locatable.

ROMANS: And as the housing market sinks, Xander's seen friends who own homes struggling.

CLARKE: It's been on the market for a year, and, you know, they're not getting the price that they're asking for. And that's scary, to think that you have to keep lowering the price. ROMANS: The numbers tell the story. Homeownership has dropped steeply from its peak rate above 69 percent in 2004, to the current just above 66 percent. Homeownership is now at the level it was in 1998. But even those who have the money and could withstand the tougher credit checks are opting not to buy but to rent instead.

Chris Mayer researches housing for Columbia University Business School.

CHRISTOPHER MAYER, COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL: I think a lot of people are looking and saying, you know, even if I can, you know, make the down payment, even if I have the income and I've got the credit, is this really the best time to jump into the market?

ROMANS: Doug Bibby is President of the National Multi Housing Council.

DOUG BIBBY, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL MULTI HOUSING COUNCIL: We're seeing some opting not to buy right now, even though they can afford it, because some are betting on housing prices falling farther. There are some predictions they will fall more. There are others who are betting on the ability to - to change.

ROMANS: And with the jobless rate at 9.1 percent, being able to pick up and go where the jobs are is critical.

CLARKE: I prefer to rent. I like the flexibility that comes along with renting.

ROMANS: The face of a new generation of renters and perhaps the future of home-dwelling in general.

MAYER: I think there's a lot of evidence that people need to have down payments, and so we should have viable options for people who are not in a position in their lives to be owners. And there's nothing wrong with that, and hopefully we'll, you know, start to eliminate some of the stigma and so when people buy, they'll buy for good reasons.

ROMANS: Christine Romans, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK: And for a lot of people, of course, their work keeps them on the move. Xander works in human resources for a large department store and he can definitely see another move in his future.

But next, it's being called the Red Bull Defense. A man arrested for smothering his father is blaming an energy drink. Will it hold up in court? Wait until you hear what our legal guys have to say.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FEYERICK: Well, graphic testimony lately in the trial of Casey Anthony, all about her little girl's body which was found six months after she was last seen. We're going to bring in our legal guys, Avery Friedman, a civil rights attorney and law professor. He's in Cleveland. Richard Herman, a New York criminal defense attorney and law professor. He joins us from Las Vegas.

First of all, boy, I was watching this trial. I am riveted by this trial. Day 16, we heard the forensics, how they found the girl. Avery, how does that affect the jury, the graphic testimony?

AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Well, this is the most dramatic part of - of the trial, Deb. It is the crescendo that the prosecution is building to achieve their obligation of proving their case beyond a reasonable doubt. They've done it carefully, methodically, they've done it smart.

But again, the skull, the idea of testimony, even the part about drawing the body into the woods where bones were gnawed by animals, obviously is having an effect. Question, prejudicial versus probative. Probative prevails. It's an appropriate way to prosecuting the case.

FEYERICK: You know, and Richard, one thing I don't understand, they've spent a lot of time about the garbage that was in the trunk of her case - of Casey's car. First of all, what kind of mother drives around with garbage in her car? It's not even logical.

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Yes.

FEYERICK: They find traces of chloroform on it. Why is - why do you think they're spending so much time on this?

HERMAN: Well, the key - one of the keys to the prosecution's case is that Casey put the child after she was dead in the trunk and drove around with her about four or five days, deciding what to do with the body. So they're trying to show forensically that, you know, that body was in that car. That was Casey's car, so therefore she had to have killed the child and drove her around in her car.

Problem is, they can't link Casey to driving the car around with the baby. They cannot link it, Deb.

The prosecution has a lot of problems. They went overkill on this forensic crime scene photos. I mean, of course they're admissible in every case, but they went overboard, and that overlay video that they played in court yesterday, that's absolutely going to be grounds for a reversible error in this case. It was horrible to do that.

And with a week to go, Deb, the government, they just haven't done it. They just haven't done it -

FEYERICK: Well, Avery -

HERMAN: -- in a first degree murder case.

FEYERICK: Avery, you're saying that that's probative, that it is not prejudicial, necessarily, which is interesting. But do you think the defense has been able to undermine the testimony put forth by prosecution that in fact George Anthony, the father, was the one responsible for Casey's (sic) death? Has that really stuck as far as the - you know, the cross-examination?

FRIEDMAN: Well, Jose Baez, in the history, in the annals of American criminal law, you've got to take their opening statement and put it at the bottom. And that, unfortunately, has set the tone here.

To answer the question, Deb, I don't think much, if not all, of the prosecution's evidence has been undermined in the least. Again, we're going to hear the defense coming up after - in about a week. But the fact is that - that the evidence has essentially been irrefutable. The defense really has not done much of anything to bias the jury in thinking that maybe there's some justification.

I think the defense is in a world of trouble. That's not a surprise to anyone.

FEYERICK: And before we segue to the next story, I want to say, does she have to testify? Avery, yes or no?

FRIEDMAN: Yes.

FEYERICK: Richard, yes or no?

HERMAN: If she testifies, she's going to get convicted and get sentenced to death.

FEYERICK: OK. A lot of -

(CROSSTALK)

FEYERICK: And it's going to be interesting. We're going to have to see.

HERMAN: That means a no.

FEYERICK: That is the wild card, so we're going to have to see.

Now, we're going to turn to another story, the Red Bull Defense. This energy drink, basically, any energy drinks, really. Stephen Coffeen was arrested back in December 2009 for smothering his 83-year- old father to death. He claims that he was so exhausted, had - was so deprived of sleep that when he drank the energy drink he basically - it basically resulted in temporary insanity.

Richard, is this simply creativity at work here?

HERMAN: Deb, five doctors examined him. Five doctors made the same finding. The government agreed with the doctors. They presented a plea deal to the judge, and the judge accepted it.

FEYERICK: Do you think - Avery, do you think that, in fact, it's fair for somebody who has admitted to killing his dad, that a mental institution is the right place for somebody like that to be?

FRIEDMAN: He's exactly where he belongs. Bottom line, Red Bull Defense didn't work. Twinkie didn't work 10 years ago. Judge did the right thing based upon overwhelming evidence of incapacity. They have the intention, murder.

FEYERICK: Which is fascinating because it means that he did not know what he was doing when he drank this drink, and that it was some sort of surge of energy. Do you think we're going to see this kind of defense cropping up all over the place, Richard?

HERMAN: Anything that could enhance or hamper the mental abilities of someone at the time of a crime, that's going to be used. Here, look, it - the five doctors supported it, Deb. Five. Pretty powerful.

It was - it did go - the temporary insanity was acceptable in this case, approved by the court.

FRIEDMAN: Right. That's right.

HERMAN: The one going insane is his brother because there's about a $400,000 inheritance that's going to be divide between the two, and he was hoping to get the whole thing. But -

FEYERICK: Yes, and the brother basically said he was crazy enough to get away with murder.

(CROSSTALK)

FEYERICK: But, OK, we're going to be checking in with you in just a few moments, guys, so don't go away. You're both going to be back in about 10 minutes.

We're going to be talking about an actor in trouble. Wesley Snipes, he still is trying to get out of prison, and he - this time, he's appealed to the Supreme Court.

And in Alabama, a crackdown on illegal immigration. The state's new law is said to be the toughest in the nation. We're going to go to the Birmingham area for some reaction.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FEYERICK: Well, checking our top stories at the half hour, police in Delaware are investigating another set of Twitter messages from Congressman Anthony Weiner this time to a teenage girl.

This morning, Weiner told CNN's Jason Carroll that his tweets to the girl were neither explicit nor indecent. Police say there's no indication so far of any criminal activity or inappropriate contact.

And this is what firefighters in Arizona do not need, high winds, low humidity, both expected to fan the flames of the massive wildfire in the Eastern part of the state. The blaze has scorched an area bigger than Los Angeles. Right now, firefighters are trying to keep it from spreading into New Mexico.

And a new illegal immigration law that's said to be the toughest in the nation is on the books in Alabama. It takes effect September 1st. Among other things, it requires the state to check the citizenship of every child who enrolls in school.

While supporters defend the measure, critics say it is racist and mean-spirited. CNN's Rafael Romo is in Alabaster near Birmingham.

Rafael, what kind of reaction are you hearing there? This impacts not only immigrants, but also anybody who might come into contact with them effectively.

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Deb. We're more than three months before the law actually goes into effect on September 1st and we are already noticing that many people, especially in the Hispanic community, are very afraid.

There's a lot of misinformation and people just talking about what's going to happen to their children, what's going to happen if they're stopped and they have somebody in their car who's undocumented?

Take a look at the Latino newspaper here in Alabaster, Alabama. The front page news, it says, the governor of Alabama signed law against undocumented immigrants. And as you can see, it's big news here.

And here with me is the owner of this grocery store. It's one of the most popular stores here in Alabaster. Rey Brito is not only an immigrant, but also a businessman who is now going to have to be required to verify the legal status of anybody he hires.

So, Rey, thank you very much for being with us. Let me first ask you, how do you feel about this requirement? Are you going to have to verify the legal status of everybody you hire here at your store?

REY BRITON, SUPERMARKET OWNER: Well, I feel very devastated by this because, you know, a lot of people, Spanish people, they're not legally here. That's our workforce right now.

ROMO: Have you noticed that people are already getting worried about this, people who maybe are not coming back to the store, people who are already hiding?

BRITO: Yes, there's people out that are really afraid. They're planning to go to some other state that it's not the same as this state with Alabama with this law. They're planning to leave.

ROMO: And how do you personally feel about this law?

BRITO: Well, I personally feel that it's going to hurt everybody. It's going to hurt me as a businessman and it's going to hurt the families and the kids cannot go to school. It's going to hurt everybody.

ROMO: Rey, thank you very much. Just so you know, the governor of Alabama, Robert Bentley, says this law is necessary for security reasons and also to create more opportunities for people who are legally here, immigrants or otherwise.

I was taking a look at some of the numbers. The state of Alabama has a population of 4.8 million people. Of those, it's estimated that about 120,000 are undocumented here.

That's about 2.5 percent of the population. But, again, they say it's very important and that's the reason why he signed it. Deb, back to you.

FEYERICK: All right, Rafael Romo, thank you so much. It's going to be very interesting to see whether the citizens of the state are actually pointing out, turning, reporting their neighbors. Thank you so much. Really appreciate it.

Well, another state, another controversial law. This one bans organizations like Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid if they provide abortions. But will it hold up in court? What our legal guys are thinking are going to happen next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FEYERICK: Jurors in the retrial of Rod Blagojevich have the weekend off. They began deliberating yesterday after six weeks of testimony.

The former Illinois governor faces 20 counts in all and he's accused of trying to sell President Obama's U.S. Senate seat. Jurors in his first trial deadlocked on all but one count.

And days after former presidential candidate John Edwards' was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that he violated finance laws. His lawyers have asked the judge to delay his deposition in a civil suit in a video purportedly showing him with his then mistress, Rielle Hunter.

In a court filing obtained by our affiliate WTVD, Edwards says answering questions under oath would violate his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself.

Well, now to Wesley Snipes serving time for tax evasion. He keeps appealing that he is still behind bars. Our legal guys are back, Avery Friedman in Cleveland and Richard Herman in Las Vegas.

First, we're going to look at Wesley Snipes. Well, Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court said it would not hear the actor's latest appeal. Richard, was it a strong case he made as to why he should be given a new appeal, a new trial?

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, he said he couldn't get a fair trial in Ocala, Florida, because that's the hotbed of Klan activity and he's not a resident of Florida except that his drivers' license is a Florida license.

He's brought allegations in Florida naming Florida as his residence. So it was a stupid, ridiculous appeal and it was not such a hot defense. Although at trial, Deb, you'll remember he got acquitted of the felony charges.

Only got convicted of the misdemeanor charges and the judge slammed him with a very harsh prison sentence here. We're talking $40 million for which he failed to file tax returns and failed to pay taxes on. Subsequently, he did pay the tax money, but the judge hammered him anyway.

FEYERICK: So Avery, Wesley Snipes, he can fight vampires but when he goes up against the IRS, he's just not going to win. Do you really think -- is it enough now? Should he just basically accept the fact that he's got six months more to go?

All right, you know, we've got a little bit of a problem with your mic -- Avery, are you there? Not yet. OK, we're going to come back to you. But Richard, let me ask you - just very quickly, should Wesley Snipes just let this go? Is he done?

HERMAN: Well, the judge said, Wesley, give it up, brother, you're not going anywhere with this. But, you know, Deb, if you go to prison, you're going to fight hard. You know, any last bit, you're going to fight. That's what he did, but really doesn't have a chance.

FEYERICK: Well, let's move on. Next topic, very important, Indiana Planned Parenthood. Tuesday, a new law took effect in Indiana. It's going to keeping Medicaid funds from groups like Planned Parenthood, not because of all the services they offer, but just because they offer abortions.

This seems fundamentally unfair, especially since Planned Parenthood is on record saying, we don't use state or federal money for those abortions. Do you think this is right?

HERMAN: No, it's not right. Medicaid funding -- I'm sorry, go ahead, Avery.

FEYERICK: Go ahead, Avery. Since we lost you, do you think this is really targeting just women? What do you think, Avery?

AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: All right. It is clearly unconstitutional. Same law was held unconstitutional in Texas, Missouri. There was a temporary restraining order denied. Ultimately, it will be held unconstitutional.

The new abortion law in Indiana, which takes effect on July 1st, Deb, will also be held unconstitutional. It's heading to the U.S. Supreme Court.

FEYERICK: Avery, do you see this as really -- why are they going after Planned Parenthood when there are other -- there are clinics that offers it. There are hospitals that offer it. This seems almost like a personal vendetta against this organization, Avery.

FRIEDMAN: Yes, I think you nailed it. I mean, Planned Parenthood has been a strong advocate of women's rights and reproductive rights. That's where the focus has been and 9,300 women in Indiana will be adversely affected by this law. But again ultimately, Deb, it's going to be held unconstitutional. It's a right that women have and they've had it since the '70s.

FEYERICK: Richard, do you see it going all the way to the Supreme Court as well? Do you see this as going to the mats?

HERMAN: Yes, it probably will, Deb. You know, Medicaid funding is comprised of state funds and federal funds and what the federal government has said is that if the state withholds their funds, the feds will.

That's $40 billion in revenue, federal funding every year lost by the state. They're just not targeting Planned Parenthood. They're targeting any institution that provides abortions.

FEYERICK: And obviously the problem there is that it affects women's health in general because it's going to go after the institutions that are providing it, certainly to the poor and the uninsured.

Well, Richard Herman, Avery Friedman, thanks so much as always for joining us. Sorry for that little technical glitch earlier on, but thanks a million guys.

Well, hundreds of children are facing a future without their family. They're orphans of the huge tsunami that hit Japan.

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FEYERICK: Well, Japan marked the three-month anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster today with a huge protest. Thousands of demonstrators marched in Tokyo to demand safer energy.

The earthquake and the tsunami that hit Japan in March caused three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant to melt down forcing the evacuation of more than 100,000 people, contaminating farms and fisheries.

More than 15,000 people died when the huge tsunamis hit, among those were moms, dads and grandparents of hundreds of children now left alone. CNN's Kyung Lah has one girl's story.

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KYUNG LAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A landscape of nothingness for this 15-year-old, Sayaka Sugawara. Only her young imagination can paint what was once her house. She describes a horror a child still cannot comprehend.

I can't remember how I was washed away, she says. That's where you ended up? With my mother under the rubble in the nearby school swimming pool, she was alive and talking but trapped. She told me to get out.

When I told her, OK, I'm going, she cried, don't go, but I still left her. Another tsunami wave then hit, throwing Sayaka on the roof where she lay bleeding for two days until rescuers arrived.

Her closest guardians, her great grandmother, grandmother and her mother all died. She is an orphan at age 15. Now living alone in a dorm room at a new high school, the last photo she took of her mother sits nearby, a picture pulled along with a few precious others from a mobile phone found buried in the debris with her mother's body.

(on camera): Three months after this disaster, Japan's government says, it is still trying to get an accurate count of exactly how many children were orphaned by this tsunami.

What they know is that there are 1,200 children at least who have lost one parent, 200 who lost both, but the government adds it is still counting.

YUKICHI OKAZAKI, ASHINAGA: To never forget about their life.

LAH (voice-over): Forgetting the victims is already a problem, says Ashinaga, a group helping orphans who says there are barely any inquiries anymore about how to help the children.

Sayaga's wallet is the only physical remnant that survived the tsunami, a junior high graduation from her mother miraculously found by search crews.

I don't feel anything about any of this, she says. Perhaps it's better that way for now because when those feelings come, there will be no one there to help her cope. Kyung Lah, CNN, Ishinomaki, Japan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK: Well, severe weather has also hit all over the U.S. It can impact your summer vacations and make them costly. How to protect yourself, coming up next.

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FEYERICK: It could become the largest mass firing in the Transportation Security Administration's history. The TSA may fire 36 screeners and their managers at Honolulu International Airport.

Investigators found unscreened bags were routinely allowed on the planes during a four-month period last year. Screeners are supposed to check every bag. Several other TSA workers face suspension.

And severe weather's been in the news a lot recently and hurricane season is just under way. All of this could certainly wreak havoc on your summer vacation. Rob Marciano has some travel tips to help make things sunnier when you're on the go.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST (voice-over): You can't control mother nature, but there are some things you can do to minimize the damage to your summer travel plans, starting with when you book your flight. MARK ORWOLL, TRAVEL AND LEISURE: Book a morning flight. If bad weather descends on the airport in the morning and you're delayed for four or five hours, you could still get a flight in the early afternoon.

MARCIANO: Your cell phone can also be a great tool.

ORWOLL: Make sure you have the airlines' reservation number programmed into your cell phone so you can call the 800 number and be at the head of a virtual line instead of rushing up to the gate agent along with 200 other angry passengers.

MARCIANO: You can even sign up for alerts from your airline or web sites like flightstats.com to stay ahead of the curve if your flight is canceled. On occasion, a delay is inevitable so just like the boy scouts always be prepared.

ORWOLL: Pack your carry-on back smartly. You should have your toiletries with you. Have a book to read. Don't forget your recharger cables for your cell phone, for your laptop, for your iPod. You want to make yourself as comfortable as you can.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK: And high winds are expected to make the firefighting effort in Arizona a lot tougher today. We check in now with Reynolds Wolf. You're watching the nation's weather for us. When does this end?

REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, it looks like it's going to be kind of rough for parts of Arizona. You were talking about the wind today. That's one big issue that we're going to have. Strong winds and something else.

It's very low humidity, which is going to make it very difficult for firefighters in parts of the four corners, namely in Arizona. It's going to be a tough time. We can the winds to increase anywhere from say 15 to 20.

Some gusts though possibly to 35 and then maybe a bit optimistic wouldn't be surprised if we have a gust that might be a bit stronger especially into the afternoon.

Speaking of strong winds, speaking of gusty conditions, let's switch gears and go to the tropics where we're keeping a very sharp eye on something very difficult altogether.

What we're keeping a sharp eye on, of course, is well actually, Tropical Storm Adrian, which is now Hurricane Adrian. Believe it or not. That system is going to be fading out.

Now we're going to switch gears from that to talk about possibly some stronger issues we may have across parts of the central and northern plains, thunderstorm possibilities into the afternoon.

But the eruption of that will take place between 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, maybe as late as 6:00. We've already seen some strong storms developing across parts of Pennsylvania and even New York State. There is the potential of some flash flooding in some of these areas especially north of Boston back over towards Maine.

For the southeast, it's going to remain very muggy, maybe a stray shower or two that might pop up. It's 93 degrees the expected high in Atlanta, 87 in Washington, 72 in New York, 79 in Kansas City as we wrap things up, Salt lake City with 77 and 62 in San Francisco. That is a quick snapshot of your forecast. Let's send it back to you.

FEYERICK: Reynolds Wolf, thanks so much until later on.

Well, a big birthday bash for Britain's beloved monarch. We'll bring you that's right after this.

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FEYERICK: Well, recapping our top story, police in Delaware are investigating another set of Twitter messages from Congressman Anthony Weiner this time to a teenage girl.

This morning, Weiner told CNN's Jason Carroll that his tweets to the girl were neither explicit, indecent or inappropriate. Police say there's no indication so far of any criminal activity or inappropriate contact.

Republican presidential hopefuls are getting ready to face off in their first debate Monday night in New Hampshire. It will air live on CNN.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich plans to be there, despite having to re-staff and restart his campaign. His top aides quit this week over differences on how the campaign should be run.

And pure pageantry in Great Britain for the Queen's official birthday celebration. Thousands of people turned out for the annual extravaganza known as "Trooping the Color." Queen Elizabeth turned 85 on April 21st. But her special day is always celebrated in June when it's a lot warmer and a lot sunnier in London.

So you or a loved one is looking for a new job. Beware of scams. They lure you into thinking you've found a new career. What to watch out for coming up at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.

And later, measles are making a comeback. Dr. Bill Lloyd (ph) has that in our health segment and we'll have a lot more. So stay with CNN this afternoon.

"YOUR MONEY" starts right now.