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Minot Flood Worsens; Suspect Charged in Military Shootings; Pilot Suspended After Tirade; Lindsay Lohan Arrives At Court; The Help Desk; N.Y. Same Sex Marriage Debate; The New Sheriff Of Wall Street

Aired June 23, 2011 - 12:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, again. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Let's get you up to speed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The tide of war is receding. Fewer of our sons and daughters are serving in harm's way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: President Obama's decision to bring 33,000 U.S. troops home from Afghanistan is drawing praise from that country's leader. President Hamid Karzai tells CNN's Fareed Zakaria that it's the right decision for both countries. Karzai has been increasingly critical of the U.S. presence in recent months.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRES. HAMID KARZAI, AFGHANISTAN: Regardless of what the security situation in Afghanistan is, it is the responsibility, it's the job of the Afghan people to defend their country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Oil prices are diving today, and the U.S. Energy Department announced it will release 30 million barrels of crude from the nation's strategic reserves. Officials say the move will help ease disruptions from ongoing unrest in the Middle East and North Africa.

And soldiers attacked a refugee camp in a Syrian border village today. Thousands of people are trying to get into Turkey as the army bears down. Many refugees had already crossed into Turkey to escape Syria's crackdown, but the people being targeted today stayed on the Syrian side of the border. One refugee says the army is trying to terrorize Syrians who want democracy.

The Transportation Security Administration is telling airport screeners to go the extra mile and try to avoid pat-downs of children 10 and under. Many people got angry after this video went up on YouTube. Screeners must now make repeated attempts to screen kids before resorting to the pat-downs.

And drug companies have a right to commercial free speech. Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled states cannot stop marketers from data mining your prescriptions. Marketers buy details on prescription patterns from pharmacies. Drug companies then use that information to tailor their sales pitches to doctors.

And in Orlando, a source close to the defense team tells CNN's sister network truTV that Casey Anthony's mother Cindy may take the stand today to testify on her daughter's behalf. She has already testified for prosecutors. The attorney for the parents tell CNN that they believe "she's not innocent," but he adds they don't want her to get the death penalty. The law firm now says that statement was taken out of context.

Casey Anthony is charged with killing her 2-year-old daughter Caylee.

An emergency services spokeswoman in North Dakota says the city of Minot can expect, in her words, "historic proportions of water."

CNN's Jim Spellman is in Minot. Chad Myers is here in the CNN Weather Center.

Jim, let's begin with you. What is the situation right now?

JIM SPELLMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, it's not good. City officials here, it's shocking. I've never really heard officials be so frank in their assessment.

They say there's just no hope for saving the majority of the homes and businesses in this town. They have had to resort to only diking in vital infrastructure. You can see them here still working as the water rises on building this dike around City Hall and the police station so that they're sure that they still have that kind of command infrastructure here as this event goes on.

The water is rising right now. It is at the top of the levees and the dikes around town. It is coming over. We've heard some repots of some small breaches and the water is flowing in fast.

This water has advanced towards us about 15 feet or so just in the last maybe two-and-a-half hours. It's coming in fast.

And the 12,000 people here have already evacuated. And evacuated knowing, I think, that when they come back, the news is not going to be good. All of their furniture -- we have seen houses that are just empty, people even taking kitchen appliances out with them, knowing that when they come back, if their house is still standing, it's going to need a lot of work to be habitable again -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: Wow. That's incredible. Jim, thanks so much.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: All right. Meantime, here's a rundown of some of the stories that we're covering for the next hour.

The Taliban and al Qaeda. We take a look at the similarities and difference between these extremist groups.

Then our own Jacqui Jeras ditches the weather maps in favor of adventure racing.

Also, Casey Anthony's parents tell their attorney they don't think she's innocent as her mother prepares to take the stand.

And we have the latest maneuvers in the fight for same-sex marriage in New York.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Now it's time to "Choose the News" that you want to see. Here are the choices.

First, there's a new sheriff on Wall Street. Meet the man taking down white collar criminals by the dozens.

Or, psychic economy in the midst of a global recession. Everyone wants to know which way the markets will go. We talk to some psychics who think they know the answer.

And last of the choices, a 10-year-old hero. When his best friend starts choking, this quick-thinking young man leaps into actions and then saves the day -- and his best friend.

You can vote for your favorite story by texting 22360. Text 1 for the "New Sheriff of Wall Street"; 2 for "Psychic Economy"; or 3, "10-Year-Old Hero."

The winning story airs later on this hour.

And now we want to update you on a man suspected in several military facility shootings being charged.

Our Jeanne Meserve is in Washington with more on this -- Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Fred, the man they have charged was the man who was arrested last Friday for suspicious activity around the Pentagon. An investigation has now linked him with five shootings at military facilities in northern Virginia last fall, including the Pentagon and the Marine Corps Museum.

He was charged today. They released an affidavit.

It talks about a video that they found in his bedroom, a digital videotape. Let me read to you from the affidavit.

It says, "A review of the videotape shows Melaku in an automobile driving in proximity to what appears to be the National Museum of the Marine Corps and repeatedly firing a handgun from the video out the passenger side window." According to the affidavit, Yonathan Melaku also made statements, including -- and I'm quoting from the affidavit -- "That's my target. That's the military building. It is going to be attacked." According to the affidavit, after he fired those shots, he then said, "Allahu Akbar" repeatedly.

Other very interesting information in this affidavit, including the fact that the shell casings that were found in his backpack at the time of his arrest are of the same manufacturer as the casings found at the shootings at the military facilities. Also, they say that they found ammonium nitrate in his backpack when he was arrested. And the affidavit says that when they searched his home, they found a list that appeared to list components for a timing and firing device for an IED.

Now, authorities say he was not on their radar before his arrest. Here's a bit more of what the FBI had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES MCJUNKIN, ASST. DIR. FBI WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE: Agents and task force officers worked Friday, through the weekend and through this week, to develop evidence to support these charges. The evidence includes, but is not limited to, the contents of that backpack, videos, and other items located at the residence. These charges are the culmination of an intensive eight-month investigation that was representative of the hard work of partner law enforcement agencies in the national capital region.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: Yonathan Melaku was scheduled to make a court appearance today in Loudon County in Virginia on unrelated grand larceny charges. That appearance was cancelled. No federal court date has been set at this point in time. The Marine Corps, by the way, today announced that it's kicking him out of the Marine Corps Reserves.

Back to you, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Jeanne Meserve in Washington.

Thanks so much.

(NEWSBREAK)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Southwest Airlines is apologizing today after one of its pilots went on a wild rant about his sexual pursuits.

CNN Homeland Security Correspondent Jeanne Meserve tells us the private cockpit conversation was heard by many.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MESERVE (voice-over): The pilot's tirade about flight attendants is peppered with obscenities, insults and slurs against homosexuals and women. PILOT: Eleven (EXPLETIVE DELETED) over the top (EXPLETIVE DELETED) homosexuals and a granny. Eleven. I mean, think of the odds of that.

I thought I was in Chicago, which was Party land. After that, it was just a continuous stream of gays and grannies and grandes.

MESERVE: "Grande" is an apparent reference to overweight people.

PILOT: I don't give a (EXPLETIVE DELETED). I hate 100 percent of their asses.

MESERVE: The pilot talks about exploits with some of them.

PILOT: So six months I went to the bars three times. In six months, three times. Once with a granny and the (EXPLETIVE DELETED), and I wish I hadn't gone. At the very end, with two girls, one that was probably doable.

MESERVE: An air traffic controller tries to stop the pilot.

CONTROLLER: Whoever's transmitting better watch what you're saying now.

MESERVE: But the rant goes on.

PILOT: I just wouldn't anyone to know if I had (EXPLETIVE DELETED). I mean, it's all these (EXPLETIVE DELETED) old dudes and grannies, and there's like maybe a handful of cute chicks.

CONTROLLER: OK. Someone has got a stuck mike and telling us all about their endeavors. We don't need to hear that.

MESERVE: Finally, the transmission ends. Pilots on other planes chime in to quickly to say, it wasn't me. One adds some commentary.

SKY WEST PILOT: And they wonder why airline pilots have a bad reputation.

MESERVE: The Federal Aviation Administration says it expects a higher level of professionalism from flight crews. Southwest put out a video press release.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What he said is offensive and inconsistent with the professional behavior and overall respect we require from all employees.

MESERVE (on camera): The pilot was reprimanded, suspended without pay, and underwent diversity education. He is now back on the job.

The pilot has apologized, Southwest says, to controllers, his bosses, pilots, and, of course, flight attendants. But the Flight Attendants Union is not happy. It says Southwest's response to the incident has added insult to injury, and it is considering filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right. CNN reporters, anchors and producers, well, we always have a bag packed. And we've got the inside scoop on some of the best restaurants, hotels, travel spots around the globe.

In this week's "Travel Insider," CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras gets muddy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hey, everybody. I'm CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras. And today we're in Conyers, Georgia.

One of my favorite things to do for traveling is to check out a region and area parks by doing adventure races. This is the old equestrian park that they used for the 1996 Olympics in the Atlanta area.

This is my buddy Mike. And you do this kind of race with a partner. It's a really great introductory race where you mountain bike, you do some trail running, and then you do obstacles in between.

It's only about six miles, so it's a great warm-up for a lot of people just getting into adventure racing. And yes, of course, at the end, there is a mud pit.

One of my favorite things about the Muddy Buddy is that it's all about fun. In fact, you get bigger prizes for having a great costume than you do for coming in first place with your time.

All right. We're here at the starting line. I'm a little bit nervous, but I'm really excited.

Frank is a veteran over here, so he's going to blaze the trail. Hopefully, I'm going to be able to follow him. We'll see what happens. So wish me luck.

FRANK, RACER: I will blaze it for you, Jacqui.

JERAS: We'll see you at the end.

FRANK: Stay right on my tire.

(HORN BLOWING)

JERAS: Why did I do this?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fun stuff. Fun stuff.

JERAS: All right. To the mud!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get down low, please. JERAS: Whoo! No better way to cool down than in the mud, have some fun with some friends. Explore a little bit of your region. That's the Muddy Buddy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: That looks like a little bit of fun there.

All right. Straight ahead, the latest twist in the Casey Anthony trial. It comes from the lawyer for Anthony's parents, what he said about whether or not they believe her guilt or innocence.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Here's a rundown of some of the stories that we're working on.

Casey Anthony's parents reveal through their attorney their thoughts on daughter's Casey's guilt or innocence.

And later, New York's governor looks close to a deal with state Republican lawmakers on a bill legalizing same-sex marriage.

President Barack Obama repeatedly spoke about the Taliban and al Qaeda last night. And at one point in his speech he praised U.S. troops for tremendous progress in degrading the Taliban's capability. At another point, he said, "Continuing to degrade al Qaeda's capabilities must remain a top priority."

Of course, there are differences between al Qaeda and the Taliban, and we thought it was a good time right now to kind of step back, explore, and understand the similarities and differences.

Michael Holmes, from CNN International, joining us right now.

So because they are used interchangeably, al Qaeda, Taliban, but they really are different structures, so should we begin with the differences?

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Yes, let's do that.

I mean, the Taliban, for a start, they operate pretty much only in Afghanistan, parts of Pakistan as well. Al Qaeda, well it's a worldwide organization. Actually, more accurately, let's call it a network.

The thing about al Qaeda is that it's decentralized. There is no AQ HQ, if you like. More a series of like-minded organizations around the world from the Middle East to Africa, Asia, Europe, and points in between. In fact, they are thought to have cells in more than 100 countries.

That's partly why they're hard to fight. It's tough to fight an ideology.

WHITFIELD: OK. So now the Taliban. HOLMES: Yes. The Taliban? OK.

The Taliban was borne actually out of the fight against the Soviets after the Mujahideen, as they were know, the fighting forces, pushed the Soviets out. Those who had done the fighting began fighting each other for control of the country. A little history lesson here for you.

Now, the Taliban came into being around 1994. They actually won that fight. And, as we know, from about '96, actually, ruled with an iron religious fist right up until 2001, putting them -- putting in a strict system.

We remember these days that put women in burqas, forced the girls out of school, banned things like music, photography, and all that sort of stuff. That lasted, of course, until they were forced out post-9/11 by the U.S. and the northern alliance forces.

The U.S. backed those who later became the Taliban when they were fighting the Soviets, and then pretty much walked away when the Soviets pulled out. There has always been criticism of that.

WHITFIELD: So how did the two, al Qaeda and the Taliban, almost become one in one circle?

HOLMES: Well, some similarities in ideology, of course.

Al Qaeda had been formed by Osama bin Laden. That happened back in '88. And they were always focused on killing Americans, other Westerners, the infidels.

They also helped out in the fight against the Soviets. So there you've got the link with Afghanistan. Now, the long-term aim of al Qaeda is to create a pan-Islamic global caliphate, one borderless Islamic region, if you like, based on its interpretation of the Koran.

Now, when bin Laden, put simply, ran out of places to base, you know, like Sudan, where he was kicked out of, it was the Taliban who said, all right, come here. We'll give you a base, and that's where 9/11 was planned out.

One of the obstacles these days, of course, in getting the Taliban into a reconciliation in Afghanistan, a political reconciliation, is that the West is demanding that it openly abandon and denounce al Qaeda. That hasn't happened yet. The hope is it will.

So there you go. There's the background between the two, how they came together. And they are not interchangeable, but they have similar thoughts and beliefs.

WHITFIELD: And I wonder if it will be difficult to try and get that kind of reconciliation, because al Qaeda, funneling some funds to the Taliban, helping them with supplies, et cetera. And it's hard to turn that away. HOLMES: Oh, yes. And the Taliban are making a fortune out of drugs, too, out of the opium trade. So they're funded a lot from that opium trade as well.

And when it comes to that political reconciliation process, I mean, my own thought is that there's an old saying, the West has the watch, the Afghan people have the time. And there's a lot of people who feel that the Taliban, they're going to sit back and wait. We'll be gone in five years or so. They'll wait and then they'll come back in and do what they do.

WHITFIELD: All right. Michael Holmes, thanks so much. Good to see you.

HOLMES: Good to see you, too, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Appreciate it.

All right. I'd say it's time now to "Choose the News." This is an area that people really look forward to in this hour.

Vote for your favorite by texting 22360. Text 1 for the "New Sheriff of Wall Street." Meet the man taking down some of the biggest white collar criminals.

Text 2 for "Psychic Economy." In tough times, some people are turning to fortune tellers for investment advice.

And then text 3 for a "10-Year-Old Hero." A young man's quick thinking saves his best friend's life.

The winning story airs just moments away this hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: All right. Now to the latest on the Casey Anthony murder trial. Casey Anthony is accused of killing her two-year-old daughter, Caylee. A source close to the defense told our sister network TruTV that the defendant's mother could take the stand today. That would come on the heels of a bombshell statement by the lawyer for Anthony's parents.

The attorney made the comment to CNN national correspondent Gary Tuchman, who is joining us live right now from Orlando. So, Gary, what was said?

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, it's good talking to you. I did have a conversation with George and Cindy's personal attorney last night. Since I have been covering it the last few weeks, I have been curious as to what the parents feel about their daughter. They are there supporting her. They love her.

And I asked them specifically, how do you feel? What he told me was they don't feel she's innocent. Now, that sounds like a dramatic statement. But what I need to tell you, there are some semantics there. Doesn't mean necessarily that they feel she is guilty of the charges against her. Innocent is not a legal term, so I must say that. And that's why I thought the attorney was comfortable telling me that.

But he also wanted to emphasize that they wanted to see justice, they want the truth to come out, and the most important thing for them, the reason they have been here every day at least one of them for the 26 days of the trial, is they do not want her to get the death penalty and they will do everything they can to fight her getting the death penalty.

WHITFIELD: But Gary, those are strong words said to you, and since you're reporting, one of the attorneys, Mark Lipman, has actually sent out this statement from that law firm representing the parents saying, quote, "The Anthony family maintains they do not under any circumstances support any theory that the defense has put forward regarding George Anthony's actions. The Anthony family maintains while they want both the state and defense to do their jobs respectively, they do not under any circumstances wish to see the state achieves the ultimate sanction that the state of Florida is looking for, which is the death penalty."

That's not exactly a response to what was said to you, but instead it's talking about Casey Anthony's father and the allegations the defense has been able to establish in court or say in court that the father may have had inappropriate relations with the daughter, who is now the defendant.

TUCHMAN: Well, Fred, Mark Lipman is a nice man and he's a good attorney. I will tell you that. He has a very tough situation. He has a client, George, who's not charged with any crime, but the defense put him under a bus and implicated that he's involved in this. It's a very rough job.

He was not happy after he saw our story that aired last night. He said he felt the context was wrong. He also added that he felt like I did not include everything. What he didn't say, and this is really important, he did not say that he was misquoted. He also did not say it was off the record.

That being said, I asked him specifically what he felt was out of context, and then he got into more coverage afterwards. He thought the conversation, there was too much hype about it. That could be a valid complaint. That happens sometimes.

But as far as context about a report, he did not tell me anything with the context. As far as not including everything that he told me, that is very true. Guilty as charged. And that's because we don't always include everything we're told, but I certainly included every single thing that was important and relevant to this discussion.

So, yes, (INAUDIBLE) He said her parents do not feel she's innocent, that's what he told me, but they are not saying that she's guilty of a murder count. And that's not at all what they're saying. And that's really important to know that you could feel that someone is not innocent but it doesn't necessarily mean that they are legally guilty. And we need to draw that distinction. WHITFIELD: All right, Gary, we know it's still not over because the attorney for Casey Anthony's parents, Mark Lipman, the same one who put out that statement, the same one who spoke with you, will be a guest tonight on "AC 360." That's at 10:00 Eastern time. Thanks so much, Gary.

And we're getting new insight from Casey Anthony about a woman who lived with Anthony after her daughter was first reported missing. Diane Dimond is a special correspondent for "Newsweek" and The Daily Beast, who interviewed Casey Anthony's former roommate. Diane joining us right now from New York.

All right. So, how did this woman by the name of Tracy Conroy actually get to live with Casey Anthony in the Anthony household?

DIANE DIMOND, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, NEWSWEEK: This woman works for Leonard Padilla. We know all him, the TV bounty hunter. He said as part of the agreement in putting up the bond for Casey Anthony back in August of 2008, "I'll do that for you, but you have to have one of my people live in the house to protect my investment." And they agreed to let Tracy Conroy come in and live.

And boy, she told me quite a tale, Fred.

WHITFIELD: OK, and among those things, she told you that Casey Anthony is, quote, "completely narcissistic" - or "in a completely narcissistic world," and she said that never during the nine days that she actually stayed there with Casey Anthony did Casey Anthony ever say anything about Caylee. What else did she say to you?

DIMOND: Right. Well, she said that there were never any tears for Caylee. One time she, Tracy, brought up Caylee Anthony, you know, where is the child? And she said, Casey dropped her shirt off her shoulder and said, well, see, here is the tattoo that I got in memory of her.

Well, Fred, this is a time when everybody was searching for her. Nobody thought she was dead. And there was Casey displaying that tattoo. One time, Tracy was looking at a baby book of pictures of Caylee, and Casey came across the room with her own book, and, yes, but look at my pictures from when I was a baby.

It was instances like that that gave her the opinion that it was a narcissistic world that she lives in. One time she looked out to see the media trucks, and then up at the sky where it was a thunderstorm, and she said oh -- with a pout - oh, I guess there will be no helicopters today.

So, it was all about her kind of world.

WHITFIELD: And that's what Tracy Conroy was telling you.

So then I wonder, why wouldn't the prosecution call Tracy Conroy to at least describe those kind of moments, while everyone is looking for Caylee, and why wouldn't, you know, Tracy be called to testify about the behavior of Caylee Anthony?

DIMOND: Casey Anthony.

WHITFIELD: Casey Anthony.

DIMOND: Yes, that's a good question. I know, I get it mixed up myself. And then her mother's name is Cindy.

But that's a really good question. And I think because they don't want to introduce the whole idea of the TV bounty hunter. She works for Leonard Padilla. Leonard Padilla, who has spent exactly five or six minutes with Casey, yet seems to be such an expert on it. And I think they had enough other witnesses to talk about Casey Anthony's personality.

WHITFIELD: So, did Tracy Conroy give you any details that are kind of in concert with the kind of photographs that we're seeing right now, which have been introduced to the court, showing Casey Anthony having a really good time and much more sell celebratory at a time when she should be mourning or worried?

DIMOND: Yes, she did. She gave me the impression, Fred, when she was there for the nine days -- she would have stayed longer, but Casey Anthony was rearrested and taken away.

She said it was like almost a slumber party attitude. One time she thought that he heard Casey actually crying. And she knocked on the bedroom door, and opened it, and no, she was laughing at Facebook messages that she was getting from a hot guy who said that she looked gorgeous.

So again, it was always, you know, can borrow your hand lotion, come and sit with me on the bed and let's talk, rather than, hey, Casey, how about going and talking to the Eccusearch (ph) people, which by the way, she never, ever did. The people looking for her child, she never spoke to.

WHITFIELD: Diane Dimond, thank you so much. Good to see you.

DIMOND: You bet.

WHITFIELD: Legislators are negotiating New York's same-sex marriage bill. We have the latest now, live from the state house.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Don't forget to vote to Choose the News. The stories you want to see, this hour, just a few minutes from now. You can vote by texting 22360. Text 1 for the new sheriff of Wall Street. Meet the guy who's putting some of the biggest white-collar criminals in history behind bars. Text 2 for psychic economy. If you want to know what will happen next in the markets, just ask these fortune tellers. And then text 3 for the Ten-Year-Old Hero. A young man saves his best friend from choking to death. The winning story airs at the end of this hour. All right. Actress Lindsay Lohan failed a court-ordered alcohol test last week. A source close to CN - close to the case, rather -- tells CNN that. And now she has to go before a judge for a probation violation hearing.

CNN entertainment correspondent Kareen Wynter is live in Los Angeles, following the story for us where many are staked out, once again, for her appearance. Kareen?

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Fred. Correct me if I am wrong, but I feel as if we've been here before. We've done this story before. Another court appearance for Lindsay Lohan. You can see all the press, the photographers around. (AUDIO GAP) red carpet, catwalk press, if you want to call it, that will be strutting down when she arrives. Probably an half an hour from now is when the case is expected to officially start. She could arrive early, so if that happens, we'll of course show you her big arrival.

But here is what landed Lohan back in court today. She was undergoing home confinement for pleading no contest for a theft case. She allegedly stole a jewelry - a necklace from a jewelry store in January, and so last month she was sentenced to home confinement. And not even four weeks into home confinement, guess what happens? She was subjected to random drug and alcohol tests, and that test came back positive for alcohol last week. You can see the photographers getting into place. A little bit of buzz of activity here. Not sure if she is arriving. So, we'll look out for Lohan's arrival.

But that's pretty much why we're here today. You are about to see Fred Lohan's black SUV which she typically arrives in. It's pulling up now. Not sure if the actress' mom is with her, perhaps her dad, Michael Lohan. But in a few seconds from now, you will see her exiting that.

And another big question besides whether or not she'll be facing jail time today, we just don't know. Our sources say they don't know how the judge will rule, how she's going to rule. But what she will be wearing - so, I'm going to try to get myself into position, Fred, to see, what Lohan is wearing as she is coming out. Let's pause a bit until I get a better shot.

All right. You see Lohan walking in. I believe she is wearing black slacks, and a navy shirt. Her hair is pulled back. Conservatively dressed, Fred. You have seen previous court appearances that she has made with her attire that has made headlines. Tight dresses. Today she is dressed very, very conservatively. And so there you have it. She's arrived on time today, which she's tried to do in the past. You can hear the choppers above me. But it's really a big day for her because the judge -- this is a judge who, you know, she's given this actress multiple chances and so you've screwed up your probation, and this, again, is for a DUI arrest that happened, you know, in 2007. So this judge may be tough on her today, may send her to the slammer. We'll have to see when that proceeding begin a short time from now, Fred. WHITFIELD: All right, Kareen Wynter in a -- seemly a very serious, much more conservative approach to arriving to court today. And I know you'll keep us posted on all the proceedings there involving Lindsay Lohan before -- you've got the same judge who has been handling a number of the previous cases, as you just mentioned. Kareen Wynter, thanks so much. Appreciate that.

All right, we'll have the latest on the fight over legalizing same-sex marriage in New York straight ahead. But first, here's some free money advice from the CNN "Help Desk."

(BEGING VIDEOTAPE)

CARTER EVANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Time now for "The Help Desk," where we get answers to your financial questions. Joining me this hour, Greg McBride. He's a senior financial analysts at bankrate.com. and Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, she is the founder of the financial advice blog askthemoneycoach.com.

Kimberly in Florida asks, "my dad is 71 and retired in June of last year. He has money to live on and planned his retirement execution well. Not counting his cash savings, he has $250,000 in a 401(k) account, drawing it out when he's scheduled to do so. My dad wants his 401(k) to be as conservative as possible to limit any loss, so where should he invest the money he draws out?"

Greg.

GREG MCBRIDE, SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST, BANKRATE.COM: Well, for all the money ideally that you're going to take out for the next five years, you want to have that invested very conservatively. You're looking at things like money markets, even CDs or short term bonds. However, you don't want to invest that entire $250,000 account extremely conservatively because your dad could live another 25 or 30 years in retirement and you want to make sure that the money lasts as long as he does. So you will have to take a more aggressive stance with some of that money just to preserve the buying power when he's in his 80s and 90s.

EVANS: OK. Wummi in Florida says, "I just started building my credit last year and I'm trying to improve it. I only have one credit card from Capital One right now. I tried to apply for another card, but I got denied due to my short credit history. So, how do I go about building my credit?" This is a great question, Lynnette.

LYNNETTE KHALFANI-COX, FOUNDER, ASKTHEMONEYCOACH.COM: This is a great question. Obviously a lot of people out there want to improve their credit rating because we're in the credit crunch and your credit score matters more than ever. Listen, the keys to improving your credit score are somewhat basic. Keep those credit card balances low. Make sure you pay all your obligations. And I mean everything on time. And you actually should not think about applying for a lot more credit cards. You said you just got one a year ago. Inquiries can actually hurt you. That's when a lender does a hard pull and decides whether or not to extend you credit or a loan. And inquiries, by some people's estimates, can cost you anywhere from five to maybe as much as 35 points on your credit score. So only apply for credit when you really and truly need it.

EVANS: Yes, you're right about paying all those bills on time. Some credit reporting agencies now count rent payments in your credit rating.

KHALFANI-COX: That's right. That's right, Experian.

EVANS: Have a question you want answered, send us an e-mail any time to cnnhelpdesk@cnn.com.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Dozens of supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage are out in force today at the New York State House. Legislators are considering amendments to a bill to legalize those marriages. CNN's Mary Snow is live in Albany at the state house.

So, Mary, what's happening right now?

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Fredricka.

Well, behind me, in the state capital, there is an intense effort, a lobbying effort. All eyes concentrated now on the senate. It is controlled by the Republicans. And the head of the Republicans in the senate did meet with Governor Cuomo early this morning -- earlier this morning, I should say, and he came out of that meeting saying that this was wrap-up time. The legislative session was supposed to end on Monday. Before legislators can vote if they do vote on the same-sex marriage bill, they first must tackle this -- another bill that has nothing to do with same-sex marriage, rent regulations, property tax caps. It is likely, or it is looking likely, that that vote will happen today on that bill. That would clear the decks for a same-sex marriage bill.

But, Fredricka, we still do not know if the Republicans in the state senate will bring that vote up for a bill. The lead Republican in the senate saying that he is meeting with Republican legislators, lawmakers, just now. They're conferencing. And he expect it to be a lengthy conference. Could there be a vote? If it is -- potentially there could be a vote later today, but everybody is bracing for a very long night.

Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And so, Mary, we saw pictures of the protesters. Who are they?

SNOW: You know, there have been dozens of people coming in, flooding the halls of the capitol all week. They are young, they are old, they are for same-sex marriage, they are against it. We've seen people from religious groups, Tea Party activist, other advocacy groups for same-sex marriage and equality, celebrities, all trying to make their point of view known and deliver a message to New York state lawmakers on this crucial vote. WHITFIELD: All right, Mary Snow, thanks so much, from Albany, New York. Appreciate that.

So, you told us what you wanted to see. Your "Choose The News" story just moments away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, all morning long we've been keeping a close watch on the markets and keeping a close watch on the Dow Jones Industrial. Take a look right now. Still down. This time down by about 161 points. Also keeping a close watch on oil prices. They too are down by about $4 a barrel, just as the U.S. dips into the oil reserves.

All right. And now the moment you've been waiting for. The "Choose The News" winner. Meet the man taking on white collar criminals on Wall Street. Poppy Harlow has his story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PREET BHARARA, U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK: Greed sometimes is not good.

POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM (voice-over): Taking down the Gordon Gekkos of Wall Street, Preet Bharara is making quite a name for himself as U.S. attorney for the southern district of New York.

PROFESSOR JOHN COFFEE, COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL: From the standpoint of Wall Street traders who are thinking of crossing the line, they should view him as not just a sheriff, but Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal.

HARLOW: Tackling the biggest insider trading case in U.S. history, he's keeping the financial world on its toes.

RAVI BATRA, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I see what he's done as nothing short of throwing the neutron bomb on to Wall Street.

HARLOW: In less than two years, 49 people charged with insider trading, 44 convicted and eight sentenced.

JEFF TOOBIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: He is using these insider trading cases, not just to prosecute the guilty, but to use them as a warning to all of Wall Street that this behavior will not be tolerated.

HARLOW: It's his aggressive tactics that have people talking.

DANIEL RICHMAN, FMR. ASST. U.S. ATTORNEY: (INAUDIBLE) we think the use of wiretaps is something rather new in the securities area. But, frankly, snatching hard drives is too. When the hedge fund guys start acting like mobsters, they get treated like that.

RAJARATNAM: And there's a rumor, that Goldman might look to buy a commercial bank.

GUPTA: Mhmm. RAJARATNAM: Have you heard anything long that lines?

HARLOW: What was that?

RAJARATNAM: Have you heard anything along that lines?

HARLOW: That's the sound of someone breaking the law.

CHIESI: I just got a call from my guy, I played him like a finely-tuned piano.

HARLOW: All from wire tabs ordered by Bharara.

WILLIAM COHAN, "FORTUNE" CONTRIBUTOR: That is sending a shiver through Wall Street. People are afraid to talk on their phones now or to text messages. All the -- it has the desired effect.

HARLOW (on camera): Bharara took down the man that ran this hedge fund, Galleon Group. His name is Raj Rajaratnam. And he was found guilty on 14 counts of insider trading.

HARLOW (voice-over): But Bharara is taking on more than Wall Street. He brought down online poker websites that were allegedly involved in money laundering. He's prosecuting Bernie Madoff's cohorts and he sent the Times Square bomber to prison. But critics say Bharara has failed to take on any of the Wall Street big wigs.

ROBERT KHUZAMI, DIRECTOR OF ENFORCEMENT, SEC: It's not for a lack of desire. It has to do with the fact that the evidence is not there.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If there are charges to be brought, he'll bring them. If there are convictions to be had, he'll take them.

HARLOW: Something the SEC applies.

KHUZAMI: Both of us together are better than us separately. I think in this case, one plus one equals three.

HARLOW: And when you look at his numbers, so far they're pretty solid.

Poppy Harlow, CNN Money, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And if your choice did not win or you just want to check out the runners up, I'll have the links on them on Suzanne Malveaux's page at facebook.com/suzannecnn.

All right, CNN NEWSROOM continues right now with Randi Kaye.

Randi, have a great day.