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Air Show Plane Crash in Reno Kills Three; Two American Hikers Held in Iran May Be Freed; Libyan Transitional Government Forces Fight Gadhafi Loyalist in Sirte; Financial Planner Gives Advice to Parent with Adult Children Living at Home

Aired September 17, 2011 - 14:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: You're in the CNN NEWSROOM where the news unfolds live this Saturday, September 17th. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

Two American hikers jailed in Iran could soon walk out of Iran's notorious prison free men. A lawyer for Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer says he's hopeful the men will be released today. The pair was seized in 2009 after apparently strange across an unmarked Iraqi border into Iran. An Iranian court convicted them of spying. They insist they were simply hiking. A live report is coming up.

Back in this country, calls are growing louder for the state of Georgia to grant clemency to Troy Davis. He is scheduled to be executed four days from now. Supporters say evidence in the case was flimsy and witnesses later changed their testimony, but the mother of the police officer who was killed says she will never believe Davis is innocent.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNELIESE MACPHAIL, MOTHER OF MARK MACPHAIL: It has been hell because I want like, I would like to have some peace. I would like to have this situation over with. We are the victims. And those people that recanted, why did they wait 17 years before they recanted? They should have done it if they felt that way earlier, not when the final time has come now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: A clemency hearing for Davis is set for Monday.

Former U.S. Senator Charles Percy has died. The moderate Illinois Republican served in the Senate for nearly 20 years and eventually became a chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. In recent He was battling Alzheimer's disease. He reportedly died today at a Washington, D.C. hospice. He was 91 years old.

A teacher strike in Tacoma, Washington, has already cancelled school on Monday. That will be the fifth day of the walkout. Teachers are defying a judge's order to return to the classroom. As a result the teacher's union could face fines, and 28,000 school kids in Tacoma wait for classes to resume. On the campaign trail, presidential candidate Michelle Bachmann will back off her criticism of fellow candidate Rick Perry. As governor he mandated the vaccine for preteen girls in Texas to prevent possible cervical cancer. Bachmann objects, saying the vaccine has potential health risks. But in explaining her position on the "Tonight Show" last night she stumbled into a punch line.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAY LENO, HOST, "THE TONIGHT SHOW": If you become president, and you seem pretty strident in your views you could compromise?

REP. MICHELE BACHMANN (R-MN), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Convicted. I'm convicted.

LENO: Convicted? No, you don't get convicted until after you're in office. That's later. You have to get elected.

(LAUGHTER)

BACHMANN: That was good. That was very good.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Not many laughed outside another Bachmann appearance in Los Angeles, however. The California Republican party convention, a flash mob of gay and lesbian activists protested Bachmann because of her stand on gay issues. The group is sponsored by the Courage Campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bachmann with her homophobic message, she just can't get in the gay way, and that was the message. We're here, and we're queer, and we're here to stay.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: In Nevada, a deadly tragedy with thousands of witnesses.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(SHOUTING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Incredible impact there. Investigators in Reno are trying to figure out what caused that vintage plane to plunge to the ground during an air race. At least three people were killed and dozens more hurt when the plane crashed, barely missing a grandstand packed with spectators.

CNN's Dan Simon is in Reno. Dana, what more have you learned?

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, there is some growing speculation that an important part of the airplane known as the elevator trim tab became dislodged during the flight and came off the airplane. There's at least one to on the Internet right now purporting to show that. I can tell you that I've seen more, I've seen actual evidence of that. I saw some photos taken by this gentleman named Mark Hrutkay, who is a professional photographer from West Virginia.

Mark, I saw your photos, but you don't want to release them at large just yet.

MARK HRUTKAY, CRASH WITNESS: No. I furnished them to the NTSB and the Reno Air Racing Association. When they decide to release them they will be released.

SIMON: You're also a pilot. In your photo I can see that tab coming off the plane. In your mind what does that mean?

HRUTKAY: The trim tab helps you keep the airplane under control. It's part of the horizontal. When you lose that you lose a portion of the control surface, which makes the airplane more difficult to control.

SIMON: I want to ask you what went through your mind when you saw that plane hurl to the ground. You were about 150 yards away.

HRUTKAY: Yes, sir. I knew it was going to be a disaster. I was just afraid it would end up in the stands. It could have been far worse. Fortunately the people at the Reno Air Racing Association are very, very safety conscious, and their crews were on the scene immediately to help the people. They did a great job.

SIMON: Mark, as you know, one of the powerful narratives that is developing is that somehow the pilot steered the aircraft away from the stands, away from the crowds. What is your theory on that?

HRUTKAY: It's possible. It's hard to tell. The point it was at, I would say the airplane was probably so out of control it just went where it went, unfortunately, and thank god could. It have been a lot worse.

SIMON: So based upon your expertise you don't think there's anything the pilot could have done?

HRUTKAY: I don't think there was anything the pilot could have done in this case.

SIMON: Mark, thanks very much for your time. We appreciate it.

So Fred, that's going to be the focus that the federal investigators will look at. They will look at photos taken by people like Mark and others showing that trim tab actually dislodging from the plane, perhaps that's what caused the plane to go down. Of course there is a lot of investigating to do. That's one of the operating theories at this point.

WHITFIELD: Incredible. Thanks so much. We know NTSB officials are soon to be on the ground and begin that investigation.

We're going to talk to an aviation expert, Steve Cowell. He is a pilot who met Jimmy Leeward the pilot of that plane that went down. We'll get his take on what happens at this deadly crash.

(WEATHER BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Those two American hikers jailed in Iran, guess what, they could soon go free. Hear why their lawyer thinks a release is imminent, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A bomb blast rocked a private hospital in the Indian tourist city of Agra just hours ago. Police say the crude device exploded in the reception area injuring three people. It happened two and a half miles from India's famed Taj Mahal. Officials have not determined a motive.

Libyan opposition forces are still fighting to capture Moammar Gadhafi's hometown and two other strongholds today. Gadhafi fighters are putting up stiff resistant to maintain control of Sirte. At least eight anti-Gadhafi fighters have been killed and 38 others wounded.

A roadside bomb has killed nine civilians, including five children in Afghanistan. It happened in a northern province considered to be among the country's more stable regions. NATO Commander General Joihn Allen and Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack.

And there could be some big news coming out of Iran this weekend. The lawyer for jailed American hikers Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer say he's hopeful the pair will be free today. The men are let go, they will likely be flown to Oman.

And that's where CNN's Mohammed Jamjoom is right now. Mohammed, why is the hikers lawyer so confident that they are going to be released this weekend?

MOHAMMED JAMJOOM, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, we've spoken with the lawyer for the hikers several times. The reason he's optimistic he found out that basically what's remaining to be done is the signature of one more judge before the hikers can be released. The lawyer walked us through a very complicated process that needs to take place.

Essentially one of the judges in the case has signed documents stating that bail has been paid. This is according to the lawyer. And there's still one more judge who needs to sign the document stating that bail has been posted. Once that happens, the lawyer can witness that document and he can take it to another government agency. And at that point he says hopefully the hikers can be released.

Now up until the past hour when we've been speaking to the lawyer, even though it's nighttime now, he's expressing optimism they could be released today. We don't have anything definitive. Omani officials are not confirming if that's the case. So still very much a waiting pattern right now but everybody very curious to see how it will play out in the coming hours. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Mohammed, this is a very similar pattern, the conditions of the release that Sarah Shourd was able to enjoy before she was released much earlier.

JAMJOOM: That's right, Fredricka. We've seen Oman play a critical role in negotiations when it comes to the release of these hikers. Sarah Shourd, the first stop he made was here in Oman. It was learned thereafter that, in fact, the Omanis posted her $500,000 in bail that guaranteed her release.

Oman is a strange country in the region because it's -- it's a political rarity. It's a country that has good relations with the U.S. and Iran. Because of that it's a go to country when it comes to mediate disputes between the U.S. and Iran.

And there's a lot of speculation from western diplomats that Omanis are on the ground in Iran trying to negotiate the release of Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal. Many people think when they are released if they are, that they will possibly come here to Oman as their first stop out of Iran. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Mohammed Jamjoom, thanks so much.

Back in this country as the economy continues to suffer and people simply can't find jobs many are moving back home to their parents' house. Well do you know how many Americans are in that very situation? Find out next.

And then at the half hour, if the front row isn't good enough for you when it comes to the hottest fashions, you need to stick around. Our Alina Cho has your back stage pass to fashion week.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: I asked the question before the break, how many young Americans are moving back home to live with mom and dad? According to the recent poverty study by the U.S. census it's a huge number, nearly six million. They're in the age range of 25 to 34 and are often referred to as boomerang kids.

It's the number one issue in American homes, getting your financial house in order. And today in our weekly financial fix, the financial ground rules when adult children do move home, when you got those boomerang kids.

Karen Lee, author of "It's Just Money, so why does it cause so many problems?" joining us right now.

So, you get a call from your kid, you're thinking OK everything is great. I'm coming back home. There's a sinking feeling sadly that a lot of parents have because they are looking at the there are signs. It's going to cost me. KAREN LEE, FINANCIAL PLANNER: They are losing independence of their empty nest. But absolutely, the first thing I want to talk about is they've got to start with looking at their own finances. Can they really afford this? Now, I get --

WHITFIELD: So you're already saying there should be an option. Parents should say yes you may come home, no?

LEE: I'll go out on a limb whether they are 30, 40 or 50 they are still your babies so there isn't a big option. But the ground rules would be dramatically different if you ask yourself can I afford this and of course I'm always talking about talking openly and honestly about money so the next thing I want to you do is tell your children will affect you financially. Will you delay your retirement? You can't go on vacations?

WHITFIELD: Lay on the guilt.

LEE: I just want everyone to know what the situation is. If they are working but just aren't earning enough to live on independently, I like to insist on some kind of financial payment, a little rent, a little help towards food and utilities.

WHITFIELD: It's incentive isn't it, because at least it says you're not taking this for granted. I realize money is tight but even if you go out and get a job where the paycheck is small, a good portion needs to come towards rent.

LEE: That's right. So once you talked to your children about our own financial situation, I want to -- I'm giving you permission, it's time to ask about theirs. What kind of debt are they in? Very important that you help your kids stay on top of those debt payments, not be late.

WHITFIELD: Not just open the door come on in, I'll help you feel better, but we need to have dialogue because this should not be a permanent situation.

LEE: I think the former would be a huge mistake if you just let them in with no ground rules.

WHITFIELD: You have to let your kids know right away there's conditions.

LEE: Absolutely. If your children have an abundance of debt I encourage you to encourage them to seek debt consolidation help.

WHITFIELD: I thought that usually cost more money.

LEE: No. Talk with your credit card companies, lower your interest rates, they package everything together and you get involved.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness.

LEE: The other thing you can do to help you children is insist that they work. Now, there's a lot of people -- WHITFIELD: They are not on vacation because you come home.

LEE: And we have a lot of people not wanting to be unemployed due to education. I would say get a job, get any job. If they absolutely can't, are there some chores at home that you've been paying other people to do, lawn service, cleaning service.

WHITFIELD: Some sweat hours.

LEE: Maybe you can reduce your budget a little in respect for helping them out.

WHITFIELD: Then you come up with this plan and say it's up to parents to then say got to do little checks and balances here. Let's make sure this plan is working or modify it.

LEE: Let start with the ground rules of you must set a plan with your kids. So the first thing is, are you actually going to loan them money? If you are, I would like to see a promissory note written up. I want to see some interest payments. The greatest help you can give them is with some job search assistance. There are outplacement firms that help people put the resume together conduct a better job search.

Your own personal, professional network, help your children find a job that way. But most importantly the last thing on that list the time frame. Give them a time frame. You might not be able to stick to it, but at least say three months, six months. And we'll talk about what happens on our last tip if you get past that point, and that last point is monitor that plan.

WHITFIELD: So hopefully you have all this in writing and you go through this plan, remind them what the arrangement is, and hopefully it will be a happy household happen.

LEE: Have weekly meetings, because what you're saying, there's a lot of resentment that can come up over this situation. So are they actively looking for work? Are they contributing with the chores at home? And then as you come up to that timeframe, do we readjust it or do we now have to practice tough love?

WHITFIELD: You have to crack the whip. Karen Lee with tough love. Good valuable lessons. We want to keep the family intact. So talk. Karen Lee, thanks so much.

LEE: Thanks for having me.

WHITFIELD: Get more information by reading Karen's new book, "It's just Money, so why does it cause so many problems?"

Also, coming up, you know cardigans. Well do you know the story behind the sweaters or why they are considered cool again? Our Alina Cho gets a unique look at the world of J. Crew. Join us for fashion backstage pass.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WHITFIELD: When singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse died suddenly this summer, it put the spotlight on her history of drug and alcohol abuse. Now the Amy Winehouse Foundation is trying to reach children in need. Find out more in this week's "Impact your World."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MITCH WINEHOUSE, AMY WINEHOUSE'S FATHER: I was in New York City, and my cell phone rang and it was Andrew our security guy and he brought to me the news that Amy had died. In my mind immediately was Amy Winehouse Foundation. She loved children. And one of her greatest wishes was to have children of her own. We're looking to help hundreds of charities.

The mission statement is very much to help children who are suffering from economic disadvantage, who are ill, who are suffering with drug abuse. Her legacy will be foundation as well as her music.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And you can impact your world, CNN can show you how. Go online now and visit CNN.com/impact.

Straight ahead, if you don't know her name you certainly know the stars that she dresses. And now you can get the look too. Alina Cho goes behind-the-scenes with Rachel Zoe on "FASHION BACK PASS." That's coming up next.

I'll be back at the top of the hour with a conversation with singer Jennifer Hudson. She has lost weight and now she is encouraging others to win the battle of obesity.

The CNN NEWSROOM continues at the hop of the hour. See you then.

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