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Gulf Coast Swamped by T.S. Lee; Rebels Surrounding Pro-Gadhafi Holdouts; Strauss-Kahn Back Home in France; New Video Gives First-Hand Account of Flight 93 Crash on 9/11; Tropical Storm Lee Hovers Over Gulf, Dumps Rain, Threatens Flooding; Exclusive Interview with Moammar Gadhafi's Son, Saadi

Aired September 04, 2011 - 18:00   ET

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

SUSAN HENDRICKS, CNN ANCHOR: Tropical storm Lee tearing through the Gulf of Mexico.

This is what it looks like for oil rig workers. Take a look at this, leaning almost 45 degrees into the wind, holding on to a railing for dear life to find out how fast the wind was blowing. But he found out.

On land, Lee is a major flood-maker. Some parts of Louisiana have already gotten more than 10 inches of rain. That amount could double in some areas.

Great to see you. I'm Susan Hendricks, in tonight for Don Lemon. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM on this Labor Day weekend.

Some of you are here along the Gulf Coast, feeling the impacts of a very slow moving storm named Lee. As it rolls north towards the Tennessee Valley, one thing is certain here. It will be a soggy holiday all across the South and up and down the East Coast.

The Northeast meanwhile is still reeling from the hurricane aftermath of Irene. It is going to feel it, too, in the coming days with Lee. If that isn't enough, another hurricane is building strength in the Atlantic as well.

A lot going on. Jacqui Jeras in the weather center.

Yesterday, Jacqui, Lee you could literally outrun. Today, it sped up a little bit, right?

JACQUI JERAS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It did a little, but then it slowed down once again. It's kind of a fickle storm, at least when it comes to speed. That's for sure. And it's going to continue to be a little erratic here over the next 12 to 24 hours before it gets picked up by that trough. But overall, this is a slow mover. It's slowly moving -- you can catch.

OK. Anyway, 45-mile-per-hour maximum sustained winds. It's a weak storm and it's a flood maker. That's the biggest thing that we're going to worry about with Lee is inland flooding, that we do have some coastal issues as well. Look at the forecast track. This thing only moving through Mississippi tomorrow, throughout the day into Alabama and heading on up towards Tennessee. And we do have concerns as this rain spreads throughout the area, especially into the higher elevations that we could have some problems with mud slides in addition to that flooding.

How much rain are we talking about? Well, it depends on where you live. And we think the core of it is going to be near the center of that circulation.

So, some of the heaviest amounts, this is on top of what you already have. It could be as much as six to 12 inches, maybe up towards Jackson, with four to eight inches here as you head into the Appalachians -- Atlanta maybe three to six inches of rainfall. And then the Northeast, you're going to get heavy rain as a cold front moves in for today. And we could get a little tropical moisture trying to head your way later in the week.

So, one to three inches here. And this unfortunately on top of already flood ravaged places like Vermont, Upstate New York and into New Jersey area. So, be aware of that.

Here are some of the rainfall totals that we've seen already. So impressive -- Waveland, Mississippi, was the highest number I could find. That one was unofficial, though, more than 14 inches. In New Orleans, at Carrolton, over a foot there. Slidell City, 10 inches. Also 10 in Pass Christian, Mississippi. And Gulfport looking at seven inches.

Now, we do have flood watches in effect. We have tornado watches in effect. And this will be ongoing through the night for tonight. And we could watch those spread northward. So, still a big mess, a lot to deal with.

This thing is going to be sticking around, staying in our forecast, Susan, probably for a good week before we can kiss it goodbye.

HENDRICKS: Not a good thing, considering Labor Day weekend, a lot of people will be traveling home tomorrow, at least trying to.

JERAS: Right.

HENDRICKS: We are looking at delays, right?

JERAS: Lots of delays. In fact, coming up in about 30 minutes from now, we'll have the big Labor Day forecast, talk about a cool-down and talk about what you can expect for those travel delays. I think it's going to be a lot.

HENDRICKS: A very busy day for you, Jacqui. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Also, a tropical storm warning as Jacqui mentioned is now in effect from intercoastal Louisiana to Destin, Florida.

CNN meteorologist Reynolds Wolf is near the eastern edge of the warning zone, in Gulf Shores, Alabama. You can see the flag behind him.

Reynolds, it is tempting, I'm sure, for people down there wanting to take a swim for Labor Day. And the officials are saying, don't do it, it's dangerous.

REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Oh, absolutely. I mean, one of the reasons why they came here is the pristine beaches. I mean, the water is normally just beautiful, almost translucent. Just walk up, look all the way down, and you see your toes, even when it's up, you know, chest deep, it's usually beautiful here.

Things have changed a little bit, compliments of this tropical storm, where the ocean is pretty rough, and because of that breeze, I want you to see something. We have seen in a photo journalist, Tim Wall (ph).

Tim, if you can get a shot over there of those double red flags. What I want to share with you about those, that means that you're not supposed to get in the water whatsoever, that is not a suggestion, that is not an advice, that is the law that you should stay out of the water.

The sun, though, has been out for I'd say the last 10 minutes or so, looks good. We had a few bits of rain come through the area. But for the most part, only big problem has been the wind. You can see the effects of the wind on the water.

And also, Tim, perhaps you can show people the families that are out and about. Everyone we've seen here has basically been playing by the rules. We haven't seen anyone actually venture out. We were told earlier by the mayor of Gulf Shores that they have had a few people that have gotten in the water and had to be pulled back in. So, it's certainly one thing that's a big concern. Rip currents, when these things come calling, really intensify.

One thing that is expected to intensify possibly is the rainfall -- seven inches of rainfall in the area over the last 36 hours. They do expect more rain here in the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach area. And as the system drives northward, as Jacqui has been mentioning throughout much of the afternoon, we can see more rainfall.

So, there's real potential we can see additional flooding in parts of Alabama and Florida. Plus, we've already seen, say, in Louisiana and back into Mississippi.

So, this is not exactly the most powerful tropical system we have seen, but it sure packs a punch. It may have caused even further damage in the days to come.

Let's pitch it back to you, Susan.

HENDRICKS: Yes. You don't want to mess with a double red flag. It is the law. Stay safe out there.

Reynolds Wolf, thank you. Meanwhile, Hurricane Irene has been gone for some time now, right? But President Obama got a firsthand look at the damage caused by it. He toured flood damaged areas of northern New Jersey where Irene's torrential rains caused the Passaic River to overflow. This was earlier today.

President Obama offered moral support and government aid to people struggling to recover from that storm. And he said the people hit hard by Irene are not forgotten, even when the cameras go away.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATEES: The main message that I have for all the residents, not only of New Jersey, but all those communities that have been affected by flooding, by the destruction that occurred as a consequence of Hurricane Irene, is that the entire country is behind you. And we are going to make sure that we provide all the resources that are necessary in order to help these communities rebuild.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENDRICKS: Irene is blamed for at least 43 deaths and total losses from the storm are expected to reach $6 billion. That is billion.

To Libya now where and rebel forces are surrounding one of Moammar Gadhafi's last strongholds, the city of Bani Walid. Gadhafi's forces have been given until next Saturday to surrender. But there are indications that rebels could storm Bani Walid any moment after negotiations for a ceasefire fell apart.

Our Ben Wedeman is standing by live now in northwest of Bani Walid, in the capital of Tripoli.

And, Ben, there is talk we're hearing of rebels invading that area before the deadline. Is that right?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly that's one of the options they're considering, but what we heard throughout the day outside Bani Walid from rebel officials is that they're very anxious to avoid bloodshed. They say they don't want to spill a drop of blood or shoot a single bullet.

In fact, what's interesting is that the fighters, at least to the west of Bani Walid, they're all from that town itself or they are members of a Warfalla tribe. Ben Walid is in essence the heartland of this tribe, which is the biggest tribe in Libya and one that traditionally was quite close to Moammar Gadhafi.

So, what -- in fact, one of the fighters I spoke with today, he said, if I go in there, who am I going to be fighting against? Maybe my brother, maybe my cousin, maybe my uncle.

So, there does seem to be a real incentive to avoid bloodshed. And the worry is that if fighters from other parts of Libya go into that town, they may take revenge on its inhabitants who, of course, did play a roll in the military effort of Moammar Gadhafi until now -- Susan.

HENDRICKS: It seems as though Moammar Gadhafi's family, that there's some sort of breakdown, as Nic Robertson had an exclusive interview with one of the sons. It seems as though that is a big aspect to this because that family, at one point, there was no breaking them.

It seems that things are changing.

WEDEMAN: Well, I think that certain members of the family, like Saadi, probably realize that Moammar Gadhafi's days either free in Libya or even alive are numbered, that his area of operation, his freedom of movement is becoming extremely restricted. The rebels now control almost the entire coast of Libya, with the exception of Moammar Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte.

His days are numbered. And therefore, it's not surprising that some of the members of his family are looking to the day after Moammar Gadhafi is on this earth, and probably want to stay here a bit longer.

HENDRICKS: Yes, you have a great point. Ben Wedeman live in Tripoli -- great job, thank you.

Moammar Gadhafi's whereabouts are not known as you know, but one of his sons as I spoke about is talking exclusively to CNN about that desperate options left for his family, what is left. Hear what Saadi Gadhafi had to say to Nic Robertson later this hour.

And later, we are taking you inside Libya, with a look at the most intense moments in recent days. That's coming up at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Now that the sexual assault charges have been dropped in the U.S., Dominique Strauss-Kahn is back home in France. We will show you what his welcome look like.

And later, a CNN exclusive interview with one of Moammar Gadhafi's sons, you don't want to miss this, who expresses his feelings about time running out in Libya.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HENDRICKS: Welcome back.

The former head of the International Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss- Kahn has arrived back home in France now. This comes after sexual assault charges were dropped against him in New York less than two weeks ago. A judge threw out the case against Strauss-Kahn, citing credibility issues with his accuser, a maid at the hotel where he was staying back in May.

Our Jim Bittermann is in Paris with the latest -- Jim.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM BITTERMANN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Dominique Strauss-Kahn coming back to his homeland an hour and a half than expected, taking an earlier flight than predicted. Journalists were there nonetheless, a huge crowd of media there to meet him, as well as some well-wishers who gave him a brief round of applause as he passed through the airport. One of those people that was there to greet him said she has been waiting since 5:30 this morning.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I came to see Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Anne Sinclair. I pray to God to see them and thank God I saw them. I'm really happy to have seen them.

She said a big hello to me, and it was important to me, because she remains an example to us. She's dignified. What she did was an example to us all, life as a couple, with its highs and lows.

BITTERMANN: Not everybody feels that way, of course. In fact, according to opinion polls, more than 80 percent of the French believe that Strauss-Kahn should not run for president in 2012, as he was expected to do before he was picked up by New York City police on May 14th.

And he still faces legal problems in France. A young journalist here has complained to a prosecutor that Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her back eight years ago, and the prosecutor no doubt will want to listen to what Strauss-Kahn has to say about that incident, hoping to decide whether or not there will be charges against him for that.

Jim Bittermann, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HENDRICKS: All right. Imagine this, paying $8 for a gallon of gas, or $33,000 for a Honda Civic -- a car that costs half that in the U.S. now you can maybe understand the rage many Israelis feel about the rising cost of living in their country.

CNN's Kevin Flower reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KEVIN FLOWERS, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Tonight's rally here in Tel Aviv marks the culmination of what has been a six-week social protest movement in Israel, bringing hundreds of thousands of Israelis to the streets of various cities demanding that the government do something about the high cost of living here.

Now, this protest movement started with a few activists setting up some tents in a Tel Aviv neighborhood to protest against high rent prices, and it has mushroomed into a nationwide protest involving a cross section of Israelis, demanding that the government do something right away to bring down that cost of living.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HENDRICKS: You see the massive crowd behind him there. The protests were billed as to the march of a million, an estimated 400,000 people showed up for that. President Obama will layout his job growth plan this week -- something on the minds of many Americans, maybe you as well. What does he need to say, will anything be enough? Americans want answers.

We'll talk about it after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HENDRICKS: Senator Jim DeMint on the CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION" this morning makes his feelings known about President Obama's upcoming jobs speech to Congress. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JIM DEMINT (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: I just don't think those things are going to create jobs, Candy. What we're -- what the president appears to be doing, and frankly, I'm so tired of his speeches, it's going to be hard for me to watch.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENDRICKS: That was Senator DeMint and Candy Crowley -- not a fan obviously of the president's presidential policies, and not expecting a lot from his prime time speech to Congress this Thursday night.

Let's talk about the speech with two of our regular, CNN contributor Will Cain joins us from New York, and LZ Granderson, also a CNN contributor, is in Chicago.

Great to see you both.

Will, I want to start with you. President Obama is set to unveil his latest plan to get the economy moving. Do you see any chance for common ground with the Republicans? I can kind of feel the eyes rolling out there when I ask that. What do you think?

WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: I see very little chance.

I think the way to think about this is let's assume President Obama had all the power in Congress, in Washington, both houses of Congress. What would we see? We'd probably see another massive short-term stimulus plan, probably a WPA-style jobs program and some infrastructure investment. Now, if the situation were reversed, Republicans controlled everything, we'd see deficit cutting, spending cuts, maybe entitlement, tax reform, regulatory burden lifted.

The point I'm trying to make is they come at it from two different ends of the spectrum. But I said very little, not no chance. I think there is a chance you could find a package, sitting around, productive infrastructure investment and tax reform.

President Obama has given lip service to tax reform. Maybe if you did those two things together.

HENDRICKS: But, Will, what about the guy at home watching, or the woman at home who's watching who just wants a job, and is saying, "OK, if President Barack Obama agrees, that's great, but what will it do for me?"

CAIN: Well, you know, I got to say this. I think every time we look at this economic situation, both at home and sometimes in Washington, we assume there's some kind of magic bullet that's going to put everybody back to work, but there's not. This is not like the recessions we've had over the last 24 years, two quarter recession where we just wake up out of it one day in the fall.

This is a problem that has been a long time coming. We have a huge debt overhang. It's going to take a long time to come out of it.

What I am telling you, if there were a magic bullet to put that guy you described to work and we put it in place six months ago, well, we'd still be in the recovery now, we wouldn't be recovered yet.

HENDRICKS: LZ, what do you think? Will the president, what will have to say to get Republicans on board with him, and does it matter? Does President Barack Obama -- is that his goal on Thursday or does he just want the American public to feel better about their future?

LZ GRANDERSON, CNN.COM CONTRIBUTOR: Well, first of all, I just want to address Will's selective memory in terms of what would happen if the Republicans were in power, because I do believe there was a surplus prior to Republicans being in power, and the reason why we have this discussion is because Republicans were in power. So, I don't want to start saying, yes, Republicans are all at fault, but I don't want Will's selective memory either to be stuck in our view as brains.

And with that being said --

HENDRICKS: LZ, President Obama, right -- President Obama did say, look, I adopted this. We were in a financial crisis.

But at the end of the day, who is in the White House? President Obama is. So, we have to come up with a solution.

GRANDERSON: Exactly. Absolutely. He does have to come up with a solution. What I -- while we come up with solutions, it's always important to remember how we got in the problem to begin with. We can't just start fixing things without acknowledging the origin.

So, I want to make sure that line is connected and not disconnected so we don't repeat ourselves.

Now, what I would like to hear President Obama say? Something tangible, something real that the GOP can chew on.

And in my book, that is budget amendments, that is saying, you know what, I want to make these cuts, I want to try to stimulate the economy this way, and I want to offer up a budget amendment because I do believe that it is important that we have a budget be balanced for the next time around the next president comes around doesn't have to deal with what I had to deal with. I think that will be something the Republicans have to chew on and not just criticize his speech about.

HENDRICKS: LZ, I think you're right and President Obama --

CAIN: Never happen. Never happen.

HENDRICKS: (INAUDIBLE)

(CROSSTALK)

GRANDERSON: Why?

CAIN: The Democratic president and Democratic Senate would put together a package that included a balance budget amendment? In your dreams. Take it, deal, done, right now.

HENDRICKS: All right. Will and LZ, I got to get to this. We're talking --

GRANDERSON: You want to take it.

HENDRICKS: -- we're talking about Sarah Palin, guys. Today, she's in New Hampshire, yesterday in Iowa. What happens to the Republican field if Sarah Palin jumps into the race? LZ, I'll start with you.

GRANDERSON: Well, first of all, I think that would be horrible for President Obama because what it would do is split up the Tea Party vote even more and I think it would clear the way for someone like Mitt Romney to get in there, who I think is probably the most significant challenge that's facing President Obama right now.

So, I think the best thing the White House will want is for Sarah Palin to keep goofing off the way she is now, and not get serious, and she put her name in there, splitting up the Tea Party vote and clearing the path for Mitt.

HENDRICKS: I thought you would say it'd be a good for President Obama.

Will, what do you say?

CAIN: Well, I do think it would be a huge Tiger Woods style fist pump in the Mitt Romney camp because I agree with LZ, that Sarah Palin would split the Tea Party vote, the Tea Party vote, now four to five ways. You know, everybody from Rick Perry to Michele Bachmann to Sarah Palin to lesser extent Ron Paul and Herman Cain would have some claim to the Tea Party vote, leaving the establishment or moderate or what everyone would call that portion of the Republican vote to Mitt Romney and maybe Jon Huntsman if he can ever get any steam, but it doesn't look like that now.

So, it would be huge deal for Romney if Palin got in.

HENDRICKS: Will, do you think she will run or is Sarah Palin just kidn of stringing us along here?

CAIN: I don't think she'll run, no.

HENDRICKS: LZ, what about you? GRANDERSON: I don't think she runs. She's just looking for another television show.

HENDRICKS: Ooh! Famous last words from you, LZ. We shall see what happens.

Will Cain, LZ Granderson, appreciate your time. Thanks, guys.

CAIN: Thanks a lot.

HENDRICKS: And as I mentioned, President Obama, he lays out his job growth plan next week before a joint session of Congress. He also speaks Thursday night. CNN's special live coverage begins 6:00 Eastern, followed by the president's address at 7:00.

Mitt Romney and the Tea Party have what you may call a complicated relationship. One reason: Tea Partiers don't like the healthcare law that Romney put while serving as Massachusetts governor. But Romney is trying to burnish his Tea Party credentials starting this hour in New Hampshire.

Our deputy political director Paul Steinhauser is standing by with more on this.

Paul, I hear there are actually some protesters there, not happy that he's there. Saying wait a minute, it took you awhile to get on our side, right?

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Oh, exactly. There are a lot of people in the Tea Party movement that are not so happy with Mitt Romney because of the healthcare plan he passed in Massachusetts. As you mentioned, a lot of people say that was basically the inspiration for President Obama's national stage, that healthcare plan, of course, not very popular with Tea Party activists and for other reasons as well. They don't really feel like he is a real conservative.

But a half hour from now, we expect him on the stage in Concord, New Hampshire. I believe we have live pictures of this rally. It's being put on by Tea Party Express. They are doing a cross country bus tour right now that's going to end in Tampa, Florida, when the Tea Party Express and CNN team up eight days from now for a presidential debate on September 12th.

And as you mentioned, there is a counter rally that has been put on. It's going to be just a few hundred yards away from where Romney will be speaking. And this is other Tea Party members, other Tea Party activists who are not happy with Mitt Romney.

And then this is interesting as well, Susan. Tomorrow, Mitt Romney comes right here to South Carolina, and he will be partaking in a presidential forum that has been organized and hosted by Senator Jim DeMint. You just heard some sound from him earlier in your show. He is a Republican senator from here in South Carolina and he is a real favorite, real influential person in the Tea Party movement. You know, it's interesting, Susan, Mitt Romney really -- this is the first time, this rally tonight is the first time that he has spoken at a rally, a Tea Party rally, since he announced for president. Before he comes here tomorrow, he's going to get an endorsement here in South Carolina as well from the state treasurer here who is pretty influential among Tea Party members, Susan.

HENDRICKS: All right. Paul Steinhauser, some interesting facts there. Thanks. Appreciate it.

President Obama tours the devastation meanwhile in New Jersey today caused by hurricane Irene last week. That report after the break.

But, first, in the changing world of air travel, you may book a flight with one airline, but actually find a different airline when you arrive at the gate. Alison Kosik has some tips on how to handle the airline shuffle when you're on the go.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As airlines try to offer more destinations, you might see your plane change before your eyes. It happens when airlines have a code share agreement.

BRETT SYNDER, CRANKYFLIER.COM: Code share means you could buy a ticket on one airline and you fly on a different airline.

KOSIK: These partnerships usually work fine unless you have a problem.

SYNDER: When you're flying on a code share, there's sort of this gray area of who is actually responsible for your ticket if something goes wrong. They might say, well, you have to talk to the original airline to get this fixed.

KOSIK: Keep the contact numbers of each airline in your mobile phone and be aware, policies change when you change planes.

SYNDER: Every operating airline has its own level of amenities, its own plan for how it works with passengers. So, you just need to keep that in mind when you are travelling on code share.

KOSIK: Web sites like seatguru.com can help with seat maps and in flight amenities for most airlines for the next time you are on the go.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HENDRICKS: Checking our headlines now. President Obama today got a firsthand look at the damage caused by last weekend's big storm, Irene. The president toured flood-damaged areas of northern New Jersey this morning where Irene's torrential rains caused the Passaic River to overflow. The president offered moral support and government aid to people struggling to recover from Irene. And he said the people hit hard by it will not be forgotten even when the cameras are shut off.

Iran is claiming a historic achievement in nuclear energy. Tehran said it connected its nuclear reactor to the country's electrical grid Saturday night. That would make Iran the first Middle Eastern country to produce commercial power from a nuclear plant. The reactor is eventually expected to supply 2.5 percent of the country's power needs.

To Libya now. Rebel forces are surrounding one of Moammar Gadhafi's last strongholds, the city of Bani Walid. The rebels have extended the deadline for Gadhafi forces to surrender until next Saturday. But there are indications they could storm Bani Walid at any moment after negotiations for a new ceasefire fell apart.

New video into CNN. It's chilling. It's from 9/11. It is surfacing just now, 10 years after the fact. It was taken just moments after United Airlines flight 93 crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. You will hear the voice of a man calmly narrating what's going on, what he sees. That man is now deceased. His family wishes to remain anonymous. Watch and listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The remains of an airplane crash over on Lambertsville Road, and probably a terrorist bomb on that board blew up. I don't know anything more than that. That's what I heard on the scanner. Saw the smoke come up, and the explosion shook the house clear over here, and we are, what, 15 miles from Lambertsville. And it shook the heck out of the house. I don't know what else is happening. They ran one into the Pentagon and into the World Trade Center. And we're watching it on TV, and this one happened.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENDRICKS: Chilling to hear that. You may remember that Todd Beamer was on that flight, where his last words were, "Let's roll." A lot of brave men and women on that plane that went down. This is believed to be the first known video that shows the smoke cloud from that crash, flight 93.

CNN will bring special 9/11 coverage beginning next Sunday morning, 8:30 eastern time. Anderson Cooper and Candy Crowley among the many people who will help us remember the events of the day and honor those lost on 9/11. Join us for our coverage of "9/11, Ten Years Later," next Sunday.

Tropical Storm Lee continues to hover over the gulf coast states, dumping rain, threatening heavy flooding. An update is next.

Also, Moammar Gadhafi's regime continues to fall in Libya. An exclusive interview with one of his sons who shares what it feels like if his time there runs out.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HENDRICKS: Tropical Storm Lee is spoiling a lot of Labor Day holiday plans this weekend. So far, the giant weather system has dumped more than 10 inches of rain on New Orleans and surrounding areas. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says despite some flooding, all 24 of the storm pumps are fully operational. He said only about 200 homes in the city are without power.

As Lee moves inland and combines with a cold front, it could rain out a lot of holiday plans tomorrow, especially if you're traveling.

Let's go to Jacqui Jeras in the CNN Weather Center for the latest.

Jacqui, it is still slow moving, isn't it?

JACQUI JERAS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, it really is.

HENDRICKS: Which means it's hovering.

JERAS: It is a little faster than yesterday. That's a little progress. But we're waiting for it to get caught up and progress a little more. Unfortunately, it is a washout of a weekend for so many people across the southeast. Not going to the beach. Tornado watches in effect. And that flood threat will remain here all throughout the weekend. And that cold front you were talking about, Susan, is up here, across the Great Lakes, moving into the northeast. Severe thunderstorm watches in effect. So as that moves in, that will basically impact everybody else up and down the eastern seaboard.

We already have big time trouble at some of the airports. We have ground stops at Baltimore and Reagan National and Washington, D.C. Delays in Newark now, as well as JFK. Tomorrow, as you look at the map with Lee and that front, it's basically going to be wet up and down the eastern seaboard. Even if it's not raining at your house, you will have low clouds and that complicates things with the approach.

Things are great out west. Those of you with barbeque plans, expecting nice conditions. The good thing is we have cooler temperatures behind this front. So major delays tomorrow expected in Atlanta and in the New York Metro. Expecting delays, hopefully, shy of an hour for D.C. Metro and Philadelphia. Boston could have trouble later in the day. Dallas and Houston, you'll be dry, but gusty. You could see 40 miles per hour gusts. So you have to shoot that approach a little differently. And San Francisco will have some morning low clouds and fog.

But temperatures are the best thing I can tell you for tomorrow's forecast. It will feel really, really good across the nation's midsection. 71 in Minneapolis, 72 in Kansas City, and much cooler up and down the eastern seaboard as well.

One other note as we take a look ahead into the week, not only are we dealing with Lee all week long as it tries to make its way off the east coast, take a look at this satellite picture that we have from NOAA. That's Katia way out there. The computer models now, and the cone of uncertainty gets close to the Outer Banks. We will have to keep an eye on that. It's still almost a week away, so maybe by Friday we'll get a little more concerned as we watch Katia. HENDRICKS: So we don't know where it is headed, it could take a turn?

JERAS: Right. Best estimates right now do turn it up away from the U.S., but it will be a close approach. And we're talking five days out in the margin of error, almost 200, 300 miles. We're not ruling it out just yet.

HENDRICKS: So you're good news today is that a cool down is coming.

JERAS: A cool down, yes. Glass half full.

(LAUGHTER)

HENDRICKS: Jacqui, thank you.

Just ahead, a CNN exclusive interview with Moammar Gadhafi's son, Saadi. He expresses his feelings about time running out in Libya.

We will be back in 2 minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HENDRICKS: Welcome back. Now, a CNN exclusive as rebels close in on the support of Moammar Gadhafi. The whereabouts of the fallen Libyan leader are still unknown.

But one of his sons, Saadi Gadhafi, is speaking exclusively to CNN. Saadi Gadhafi is considered a relative moderate compared to his brother and his family.

He has called Nic Robertson on the phone to talk about the family's dwindling options. Nic describes there conversation together. Listen

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I asked him specifically where his father was, where his brother, Saif al- Islam al Gadhafi, the heir apparent to Moammar Gadhafi, where they were. He told me he hadn't seen them in two months. I asked him where he was, and he told me he was a little way outside Bani Walid. He told me that he had been moving around a lot, that he hadn't been able to watch television very much, that he was relatively safe, but still in a dangerous situation.

He told me then that he had been negotiating with National Transitional Council, rebel military commanders. They've also confirmed this. He has been negotiating to try to get a ceasefire for the town of Bani Walid. However, he said, on Thursday, when his brother, Saif Gadhafi, gave what he described as an aggressive speech on television, urging his supporters to keep fighting, Saadi Gadhafi told me, at that point, the National Transition Council, the rebels essentially said the ceasefire talks are off if you're brother is going to talk like that. And right now, according to Saadi Gadhafi, he believes there is no point in negotiation, that the National Transitional Council is massing troops to move into Bani Walid. He did, however, say, and this is very significant, that he clearly has differences with his father and his brother, Saif al Islam, and there's clearly there divisions emerging in this family. He said that he is neutral, neither in the rebel camp or his father's camp, and is merely trying to negotiate a ceasefire. The divisions are significant because, until now, Gadhafi's family had been the power brokers, the main people that have run the country. They've always stuck together. Now, that cohesion is falling apart.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HENDRICKS: Also, following this, with the flick of a switch, Iran made history last night, becoming the first Middle Eastern nation to use nuclear power to supply commercial electricity. The achievement may be celebrated in Tehran. But it may not be warmly received in other capitals.

For the latest on this and other international stories, we go "Globe Trekking" with CNN international desk editor, Azadeh Ansari.

Did I get it right?

AZADEH ANSARI, CNN INTERNATIONAL DESK EDITOR: You got it right.

HENDRICKS: Great to see you.

ANSARI: Thank you.

HENDRICKS: Let's talk about it. So other people may not be too happy about this, using nuclear power.

ANSARI: That's true. The reality is that Iran has been pursuing nuclear energy, the technology of nuclear energy since the 1950s. At the time, 60 years ago, it was supported by some of the very critics it has of its nuclear ambitions today. Though, Iran came out, said we deny the allegations that we're trying to develop a bomb, but the reality is they are moving forward. So today's milestone was that they went online with their fissure nuclear power plant. And at this point, it will only supply about 2.5 percent of the electricity the country needs.

HENDRICKS: Not everybody is happy about it still.

(CROSSTALK)

HENDRICKS: Let's talk about what's going on in Bonn, Germany. Explain.

ANSARI: OK, so prostitution in Germany is legal, but the government has said you can do what you want to do, however, you have to pay your taxes. So the city of Bonn, which is the former -- once the capital of western Germany, they have turned a parking meter, believe this or not, into a madam meter.

(LAUGHTER)

HENDRICKS: We're looking at it now as you talk of this

ANSARI: So it looks like the typical parking meter that you would get a receipt out. But the reality, it is hard to equalize prostitution, and how do you collect taxes from street workers, for example. So from the time of 8:15 at night to 6:00 in the morning, you'll go to this machine, you'll pay six Euros, which is about roughly $8.65. You'll get a receipt and that gives you a permit or that says, "I paid my taxes, I have the right to work here." If you're fined -- if you're caught not paying tax, you're fined after you get a warning.

HENDRICKS: Kids at home, hold your ears. There's a receipt even.

(LAUGHTER)

Let's switch to a more G-rated topic. We're talking about Happy Feet, the penguin returning home.

ANSARI: This is like a real-life Happy Feet story. So cut. Look at him here. Here he is getting some encouragement from his handlers as he slides down this makeshift ramp into the southern ocean. Here we go. So he was actually found on the coast of New Zealand three months ago.

HENDRICKS: I remember at that.

(LAUGHTER)

ANSARI: And he thought he was eating snow, but he was actually eating sand. Then, he had to have numerous operations. Finally, he is back on his feet. And the cool part of this story, though, is they have a tracker on him. They can track his movements as he makes his way to Antarctica. And you can track him. It's called mvemperior.com. And you can see all of his movements as he goes. So you can cheer him on.

(LAUGHTER)

HENDRICKS: So Happy Feet is gone but he's never really gone because we can track him.

Azadeh, thanks so much.

ANSARI: You're welcome.

HENDRICKS: Great to see you.

ANSARI: Thank you.

HENDRICKS. We appreciate it. Thanks.

A surprise departure at the U.S. Open from one of the sport's top female players. A mysterious illness is sidelining six-time grand slam champ, Venus Williams. Can she return to the courts?

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HENDRICKS: A shocker this week at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York. Venus Williams, a two-time champ, pulled out of the tournament and announced she's been diagnoses with an autoimmune disorder.

Joining us to talk about it, Jon Wertheim of "Sports Illustrated."

Let's look at the cover. There it is, the NFL preview.

A lot of you looking forward to that, the season a couple days away.

And, Jon, you're covering the U.S. Open. Talk about Venus and her illness.

Here she is. Let's hear from her first.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VENUS WILLIAMS, TENNIS CHAMPION: I lost a lot of feel, like I would miss shots by feet and I just couldn't feel my hands and my hands would hurt when I was playing. I have swelling and numbness and fatigue, which is really debilitating. I just didn't have any energy. It's not that you don't have energy. You just feel beat up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENDRICKS: I was surprised to hear that. Because Venus Williams and her sister, such a powerhouse. Jon, what's been the reaction to the news that she admits that she has deficiency, an autoimmune deficiency?

WERTHEIM: The first reaction was concern, obviously. She's one of the sports legends, a player who had a decent chance of doing well at the tournament. But then it was relief. She's had this mystifying fatigue over the last few years. Now that the mystery seems to be solved, the good news is she'll get treatment and we'll see her back on the tennis court.

HENDRICKS: She will be back? That was the concern. I saw she was tweeting about it and connecting with fans who say, I suffer from what you do as well. Twitter, she's connecting on there and appreciating all her response from her fans. You're covering the U.S. Open. Any highlights out there?

WERTHEIM: Sure. Donald Young, a young American, is in the fourth round. It's really been a nice story. You know, you hear about the demise of American tennis, but it seems like this has been greatly exaggerated. There are four Americans among the top 16 men left. And Venus' sister, Serena, barring the unexpected, is a good bet to win the women's. So American tennis having a good week at the U.S. Open.

HENDRICKS: Yes, they are.

Let's turn to football now. This week's big story, the $100 million six-year contract man, Mike Vick. He's controversial.

Here he is talking about his new contract.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL VICK: I always lent an open ear, always wanted to commit myself to change, you know, especially in the last two years, and I was able to do that. And I think it's led to this point. So where I'm at in my life, you know, being a happy man first and, you know, as well as -- you know, a satisfied football player. So I'm honored to be in the position that I'm in now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENDRICKS: Jon, there's such a backlash surrounding Mike Vick. And now we hear the massive amount of money he's getting. Is that the going rate? Some people say, he paid his dues, he spent time behind bars for dog fighting. This is what football players make?

WERTHEIM: Yes, and he has had an MVP caliber season in between. We'll see if this is the going rate when Drew Brees gets his contract. But, no, this story tells us a lot about our capacity for forgives. And we love redemption stories in sports. But you won't find a bigger one than this. Two years ago, he's in jail. Now he has a nine-figure contract.

HENDRICKS: And $40 million of it's guaranteed, right?

WERTHEIM: Right. He also has access to one of the luxury suites. $100 million, he may not earn all of that, but he gets about half of that guaranteed at least. And this is just an incredible story, where you think where he's been the last two, three years.

HENDRICKS: Final question that we may replay at end of the season. Do you think the Eagles are going to the Super Bowl?

WERTHEIM: "Sports Illustrated" picked the Falcons. So it should be good company.

(LAUGHTER)

No, but the Eagles are definitely on short list, if Michael Vick stays healthy. It's a very deep team. We'll see, as you said, at the end of the season if he's worth that contract. But, no, the Eagles are a very strong team. But I've got to stick with Atlanta.

HENDRICKS: You're a company man, Jon.

I appreciate it. Jon Wertheim, thanks so much.

WERTHEIM: Thanks.

HENDRICKS: From "Sports Illustrated" and author of the book "Sportscasting."

Thanks.

In Italy now, the sister of the woman that American, Amanda Knox, was convicted of killing, is speaking out about her sister. Stephanie is her name. She's worried that her sister is being forgotten in the media frenzy surrounding her appeal. Final arguments on the appeal are set for tomorrow. Knox was convicted of killing Kercher, her roommate, in 2007, and sentenced to 26 years in prison. New DNA analysis may call her conviction into question.

Now a fun tennis story. Novak Djokovic is quick on his feet. And the world's number-one tennis player showed off his smooth moves at a post-match interview at the U.S. Open. There he goes. Look at him jam. He's got the moves. The Serbian tennis star advanced to the final six team in Flushing Meadows on Saturday. He is having fun. He has a well-earned reputation as an entertainer on the court. Who would know? His success this year has impressed his rivals. He lost only twice all year. Bring a smile to your face.

A former held of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss- Kahn, has arrived back in Paris. This, less than two weeks after sexual assault charges were dropped against him in the U.S. A judge threw out the case against Strauss-Kahn citing credibility issues with the accuser, a worker at the hotel where he was staying in May. His troubles aren't completely over. He still faces a civil suit from that woman. and another woman in France accusing him of attempted rape.

I'm Susan Hendricks. The next hour in the NEWSROOM begins in just two minutes. Stay close.

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