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Security Tightened for Funeral; Women's Groups Attack Santorum Donor; Libyan Militias accused of Torture, Inside Battered Syrian City; Women's Groups Attack Santorum Donor; Remember Her "Inspiration"; Cold & Snow Damages Monuments; Dow Highest in Almost Four Years; Latino Interest in Environment; Hall of Famer Gary Carter Dead at 67

Aired February 17, 2012 - 09:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well, thanks so much.

Hello, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Kyra Phillips who is on assignment.

Among those preparing to pay respects to Whitney Houston, Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson, Jamie Foxx, and Janet Jackson to name a few. This morning we're also getting a clearer view of some photographs never seen before of Whitney as a young woman. And we also have more details about the rundown of the funeral.

Again, among those who are going to be in attendance and eulogizing Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Alicia Keys, all will be performing. Her former co-star Kevin Costner who we haven't heard from so far this week, Kevin Costner will be speaking during the funeral services for Whitney Houston.

And her former husband, Bobby Brown, has now officially been invited.

Susan Candiotti is in Newark, New Jersey, this morning.

So, Susan, authorities are also making special arrangements to try to maintain some security, also maintain a perimeter around the New Hope Baptist Church since so many will be in attendance?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And after doing a walkthrough at the church, Fredricka, we're now seeing some of the new security measures falling into place. For example, perhaps you've noticed right away the biggest change, we're no longer allowed to stand in front of the church right across the street from it, but we have been pushed back across the street and behind a parking lot.

The parking lot behind me is the one where it is believed that the celebrities and all the invitees, some 1500 people, it's one of the parking lots that they'll be using. And so they have moved us back on the other side of that. So over my shoulder you can still make out the church. You can still make out a bit of the tribute and the balloons that are set up, but we're much farther back. This, in fact, might be the very last day that fans of Whitney Houston who want to come by and continue to leave candles, and flowers, and other mementos probably the last day they'll be able to do that because police are in the process of setting up a big perimeter around the church. And the closes anyone from the public will be able to get is about two blocks away. So this is the advice the police chief is giving for anyone who wants to get closer. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAMUEL A. DEMAIO, DIRECTOR, NEWARK POLICE: The best thing to do would be to stay home and watch the service on television. It is going to be aired over all the network channels. And that would be the best place to see it. The funeral is not going to be a traditional procession as we would normally have.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: And, of course, you'll be able to see the funeral on CNN and on CNN.com as well. There are also additional security measures outside the funeral home where the remains of Whitney Houston are. And among them are security tape that the police have set up. There are also white drapes covering some of the entrances. But we're also seeing a large new photograph of Whitney Houston in the front window of the funeral home -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: And, Susan, what about the burial? What plans are there?

CANDIOTTI: You know, those plans remain private. The funeral home not discussing it. Members of the family not discussing it. We believe that Whitney Houston will be buried in the cemetery where her father was laid to rest. We know that because that's the information that's on the death certificate. But anything else is being kept close to the vest -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Susan Candiotti, thanks so much in Newark, New Jersey.

Meanwhile, investigators are focusing on the singer's prescription drug use and her behavior in her final days. They're even examining her last television appearances. One source close to the investigation tells CNN that they're also trying to speed up toxicology testing. The singer was seen drinking on the morning she died and the anti-anxiety drug Xanax was among the prescription bottles found in her hotel room.

CNN has full coverage of Whitney Houston's funeral tomorrow morning beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Join Piers Morgan, Soledad O'Brien, and Don Lemon as the music legend is remembered. "WHITNEY HOUSTON, HER LIFE, HER MUSIC" live on CNN and CNN.com this Saturday morning beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The Syrian city of Homs is enduring its 14th straight day of pounding. Government tanks and snipers have targeted certain neighborhood in the city. Activists based in London say nine bodies have been found in Homs today. Thousands of protesters are gathering across Syria to protest President Assad's regime.

All of this comes one day after the U.N. General Assembly condemned the crackdown.

The Syrian government has restricted access to the country from outside journalists, but CNN's Arwa Damon did get inside Homs. She shows us what two weeks of relentless shelling has done to that city.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's very difficult to actually get around. There's only certain roads that we can take because of sniper positions and some parts drivers really have to gun it to get across to avoid being targeted.

(Voice-over): The streets are mostly deserted. The majority of residents are staying indoors or have already fled.

(On camera): Just the constant sound of gunfire nonstop. They used to bury the dead in the old graveyard over there but once government forces came in, they stopped being able to do that. And this, again, is another position where we can't actually move out into the road because once again you're exposed to sniper positions that are just around the corner on the other side of those buildings.

(Voice-over): You come across some members of the Free Syrian Army who take us around.

(On camera): This is another spot that currently where they can also see their government. If you look up here through this hole in the wall just to the right up against the wall of the building you can see one of the tanks positions that they have set up.

This room that we're taking the video from, just take a look at it. There's a baby's crib right next to the bed. A Winnie the Pooh bag hanging off of the side of it.

In a lot of these homes it looks like the families has just fled in a panic. Shoes have been left behind and obviously there were children who were living here. One can only imagine what took place because this building also was hit in one of the strikes.

Personal belonging are all still inside. We're going through this hole in the wall right now because it's safest. These types of holes were dug into various walls inside the neighborhoods, we're being told, by the Free Syrian Army. And this was how they were getting families out because there was so much firing from the front and they weren't able to evacuate that way. They were forced to come out like this to get to relative safety.

(Voice-over): And when residents are finally able to come back home, this is what they're going to return to.

Arwa Damon, CNN, Homs, Syria. (END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And a "New York Times" reporter had died in Syria. Anthony Shadid apparently had a fatal asthma attack. A photographer for "The New York Times" carried his body into turkey.

Shadid covered the Middle East for 20 years. He won two Pulitzer Prizes for his work in Iraq. And he was kidnapped last year covering Libya. He was 43 years old.

It's been one year since Libya's Arab Spring began with a day of rage. The uprising was the beginning of the end of the Gadhafi regime. Now there are claims that militias are committing human rights abuses and threatening Libya's future.

Max foster joins us live now from London with more on that -- Max.

MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Yes, Fredricka, there's certainly rumors that al Qaeda tried to capitalize on the unsettled nature of Libya suddenly since the uprising began, but it's not organized quite yet. The concern is that it could get more organized. And things could go into a bad situation in Libya because of the lack of progress there really. The "Irish times" writing today, songs and uncertainty one year on in Libya. Some Libyans talk of growing disenchantment with the slow pace of change.

Others cling to determined optimism looking to elections planned for June and arguing anything would be better than chaffing under Gadhafi.

"The National," many challenges ahead on Libya's Revolution Day. Exactly a year after taking up arms against Gadhafi, getting the militias to lay down their weapons is proving as difficult as defeating the old regime. A lot of negativity setting in.

And "The Times of Malta," "Future Still Uncertain." Libya's new leaders face an enormous challenge to build a country based on the rule of law after 42 years of one family rule whilst preventing revenge attacks. So very much looking at Libya and how it's developing and the background to this is that Syria may become another Libya -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Max Foster, thanks so much from London.

Back in this country now, women's groups are blasting a billionaire backer of Rick Santorum. Foster Friess has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a Santorum super PAC and now he's stirred up controversy with this comment about birth control.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER FRIESS, RICK SANTORUM DONOR: And this contraceptive thing, my gosh, it's so -- it's such inexpensive. You know back in my days they used Bayer Aspirin for contraceptions. The gals put it between their knees so it wasn't that costly. (END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Our political director Mark Preston joining us now.

So, Mark, Santorum actually responded to that comment this morning, didn't he?

MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: He did. You know -- you know Fred, we talk a lot about the power of super PACs and how they -- how good they are for politicians because they fund these campaign ads for them. But in the same vein when one of your major supporters says something very controversial you are forced to respond and that's what Rick Santorum had to do this morning on CBS. Let's take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK SANTORUM (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: When you quote a supporter of mine who tells a bad off-color joke and somehow I'm responsible for that, that's gotcha.

CHARLIE ROSE, CBS: But nobody said you were responsible, Senator. Nobody said you were responsible. They said how would you characterize it and what had you said to him, not that you were responsible. It's to understand how you differ from what this person said.

So let me ask you --

SANTORUM: I'm not going to have to respond to every supporter who says something now I'm going to have to respond. Look, this is what you guys do. I mean, I don't -- you don't do this with President Obama. In fact -- in fact, with president what you did was you went out and defended him against someone who sat in a church for 20 years and defended him, that oh, he can't possibly believe what he listened to for 20 years.

ROSE: I -- that was --

SANTORUM: This is a double standard. This is what you're pulling off and I'm going to call you on it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PRESTON: So, Fred, what do they say a strong defense is a very good offense. And what we saw right there is Rick Santorum kind of in a box. He has to be careful not to offend Friess who is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund his super PAC. At the same time he decided to turn the tables on the media there, at least try to, and bring in President Obama, and bring in Reverend Wright who was very controversial back in the 2008 election.

So, of course, this is something that's going to dog Rick Santorum over the next couple of days in the campaign trail. The big question is, could it be helpful to him in a Republican primary? And that's -- that remains to be seen, Fred. WHITFIELD: Yes. And one wonders whether if he becomes a nominee whether that would still be an issue that would come up during the general election.

All right. So let's talk about the Arizona now primary right around the corner and CNN's Arizona debate. Why is it taking on new prominence?

PRESTON: Well, because yesterday, you know, there was a debate that CNN was going to air on super -- on March 1st with Super Tuesday and Mitt Romney and Ron Paul and Rick Santorum have all decided to not participate in that debate. Instead, they said they want to campaign in the state. Super Tuesday, there are 10 states up. But really what that has done is put a whole new added significance on the February 22nd debate in Arizona.

Arizona and Michigan are both going to be voting the following week but this will be the last time that any of these candidates will all be on stage together. So this debate is not really just about Arizona and Michigan, this debate is going to be very much about Super Tuesday as well as voters all across the country or many states across the country will be weighing in.

So it's going to be much talked about and much watched, I suspect, Fred, on the 22nd.

WHITFIELD: All right. Mark Preston, thanks so much, Mark.

And we'll have your next political update in one hour. And a reminder for all the latest political news you know exactly where to go, our Web site, CNNPolitics.com.

All right, up next, award-winning singer Deborah Cox remembers her mentor and inspiration, Whitney Houston.

And two F-16s intercepts this private plane after it strays into President Obama's restricted air space. And wait until you hear what was found on board. That's coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Checking stories cross-country now.

In Long Beach, California, a deadly shootout between U.S. immigration agents. Authorities say one agent shot and wounded another during an argument at their offices. They say a third agent fired at the shooter killing him. The wounded agent is in stable condition.

Also in Long Beach, a pilot reportedly remains in custody after flying his Cessna into President Obama's restricted air space. Two fighter jets intercepted the plane and police made a surprising discovery after it was forced to land. Inside, more than 20 pounds of marijuana on board.

And in New Jersey, jury selection begins in the privacy invasion trial of Dharun Ravi. He is the former Rutgers University student accused of using a webcam to secretly taped his roommate's gay sexual encounter. The roommate later killed himself.

Award-winning singer Deborah Cox who did that duet there with Whitney Houston. She's had several memorable moments with the superstar. This is the video of "Same Script, Different Cast." It's on Whitney Houston's greatest hits album. Record sales have soared since Houston's untimely death, skyrocketing her back into the Billboard's top 10.

R&B singer, songwriter and actress Deborah Cox joins me now.

Good to see you, Deborah.

DEBORAH COX, R&B SINGER-SONGWRITER & ACTRESS: Good morning.

WHITFIELD: What are your thoughts the day before our good friend and mentor is to be eulogized and laid to death?

COX: I'm still in a bit of shock and disbelief. Very saddened by all of this. To be talking about her in the past tense is still something that I'm still working on getting over.

What I do want to remember are the memories, the good memories of us together, and those moments that changed my life.

WHITFIELD: Tell me about some of those memories. Do you have a favorite, one that really stands out as changing your life, impacting your life?

COX: Oh, absolutely. Whitney was a woman of -- a God fearing woman of principle. I believe that she deserves every amount of respect and honor at this time, as well as her family.

And for me, growing up with her music was life-changing. To be in the studio with her, to sing that song, "Same Script, Different Cast," was a dream come true. Being face to face with her and the mic, just the two of us exchanging was the most beautiful.

It's -- she was the epitome of what every girl, you know, wants for themselves as far as a career. And the moments that I remember are before and after the studio, which were the more intimate times where we'd talk about family. And she was so adamant about me making sure that I had balance in my life. She said that music and having a career was great but having a family and people that love you, around you, that's the full picture.

And I remember those words and they resonated with me because she was just that compassionate and genuine. Genuine spirit.

WHITFIELD: Was there something just that was always kind of maternal about her or was it when she became a mother that she, you know, turned from being that friend, that mentor, that idol to you, into that kind of maternal guide post as well?

COX: Yes. She just exuded love. Everything about her was about love, her presence in the room. When she met you, you felt like you were the only person in the room.

She just loved children. She loved family. In fact, before recording that song she was on a cruise with Bobbi Kristina and having a blast and was kind of like, you know, we're going to get to the song. We're going to get to the song.

And it just showed me that, you know, it's important to have that balance of family around you. And she was just one in a million, one of a kind. Genuine.

WHITFIELD: So, Deborah, we've heard from so many of her friends who have said in recent months she exuded a sort of radiance, that she seemed very happy, that she seemed not only just very complete when she was with her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, but that there was something in her that looked like she was excited about the future, excited about this comeback. Did you detect that and see that in her?

COX: She always exuded that. Nothing but professionalism. She loved singing. She loved what she did. She loved that she had this gift from God that could touch people and resonate and get to the core of you to make you want to be a better person.

She just exuded love and I think that's what she was so in touch with. She was very purposeful with everything that she did.

WHITFIELD: What do you want people to remember about her or know about her perhaps that perhaps they just didn't know of her?

COX: Well, for me, again, based on my own personal experience, you know, Whitney Houston was a God-fearing woman, who had a very, very strong faith, who loved family, who knew that she had this gift of God that needed to be shared. And I think that at this time we deserve -- you know, she deserves to be honored and just -- just honored and remembered in that way.

WHITFIELD: Deborah Cox, thanks so much. Thanks for helping us to remember and get to know your friend and mentor.

COX: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: You want to join us tomorrow night at 8:00 for a look back at the life of Whitney Houston. Her rise to fame, fall from superstardom come to and an investigation into her untimely death. "CNN PRESENTS" tomorrow night, 8:00 Eastern Time.

And we'll look ahead to business. The Dow opens this morning at its highest point in nearly four years. Coming up next, we'll tell you what fuelled the latest rise and the market forecast for today.

And one of the world's most famous historic sites is closed. We'll tell you why officials are saying it's dangerous now to visit the Colosseum.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Europe's bitterly cold and snowy winter isn't just affecting people there, it's also damaging some of the region's most famous historic monuments.

CNN's Max Foster is live for us now from London.

Some of these historic monuments like which? We know the Colosseum.

MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, the Colosseum in Rome. A lot of countries, or people from snowy countries would go to Rome and say there's not a huge amount of snow. But they're not used to freezing temperatures essentially in Rome.

And what's happened is with the Colosseum, water has managed to get into the cracks of the building, which is quite usual in many countries around the world. But not in Rome.

It's frozen. The water's expanded and thawed. The rock's falling away.

So, literally in the building, lumps of rock are falling off the building. They're not too concerned about the structure itself at this point although it will be renovated. They are worried about rocks landing on people's heads.

So, Fredricka, it's been closed down for now.

WHITFIELD: So, this has happened before. This has to be a constant worry every time there's been a rough winter, right? It's been there for quite a while.

FOSTER: Yes, exactly. But it hasn't been this cold for 30 years. It stood there. You can see how lots of the rocks have been falling over the centuries there.

And there is going to be renovated later in the years sponsored by Tod's, the luxury brand, sign of the times, isn't it?

But, yes, it's being closed down.

But also Urbino, which is a world heritage site, they have the same sort of problems. And they the same sort of money going into that town. So, it is a concern. As soon as the rock stops -- stops falling away, then I'm sure they'll reopen it.

But they do get something like 7,000 visitors a day. Those visitors very, very disappointed right now.

WHITFIELD: Yes. So, Max, we're looking at this video. We're seeing two workers there. One is constantly using a rag maybe to kind of, you know, sop up some of the moisture on those ice patches. But surely there's more to trying to, I guess, retrieve some of this water than what we just saw?

FOSTER: Yes. They're pretty hopeful, aren't they, to mop up all the water in all the cracks.

WHITFIELD: That's going to take a long time.

FOSTER: No harm (ph) for trying.

They need more long-term plan to protect the outside of the building without changing the look. That's all they're looking into. But good luck with the mopping up.

WHITFIELD: Yes, good luck with that little rag. Max Foster, thanks so much. Enlightening nonetheless.

All right. A marine sees his buddies again for the first time since he was wounded in Afghanistan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You sweat, you bleed with these guys, you know? You suffer with them. So there's a bond you can't break.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: It was a great, happy moment. Emotional reunion in a military hospital. That exclusive story coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Checking our top stories right now.

Final funeral plans are set for Whitney Houston. A long list of stars will honor Houston tomorrow at her childhood church in Newark, New Jersey. Ex-husband Bobby Brown is also expected to attend.

And today, Congress could approve the deal extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefit. President Obama will sign the deal when it hits his desk.

In Louisiana, a five-mile stretch of the Mississippi River is closed after two vessels collided this morning. One of the vessels was a crane barge leaking oil. Coast guard teams beginning cleanup operations. No word on injuries or how much oil has spilled.

Alison Kosik heads up the New York Stock Exchange, following the recent rally on Wall Street. The Dow is at its highest level in nearly four years. The NASDAQ is at a 10-year high.

Alison, how did we get here?

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: How did we get here?

First of all, let's look at the numbers. The opening bell just rang about two minutes ago. The Dow is up 40 points. NASDAQ and S&P, they're mixed right now.

And what's really been happening is that the markets are reacting to economic reports that come out lately that show the recovery is picking up speed. The economy's adding job, housing numbers improving.

GDP is weak, but it is improving and growing. And if you look at the Dow and the NASDAQ, they're actually at multi-year highs but still well shy of all-time records. So, you got to kind of take a breath because, remember, the market isn't really meant to go in a straight line in either direction. It's not the healthiest thing for the markets because that's when bubbles form.

But no worries about that. We've got Greece keeping everything in check.

But some good news on that front. European finance ministers, they're expected to approve a $170 billion bailout on Monday. So, on that good news, if it happens, you do see the Dow up 45 points just a few minutes into the trading day -- Fredricka.

WHITIFIELD: All right. Thanks so much, Alison.

All right. Marines back from Afghanistan made a special trip to see their wounded comrades. Guys they haven't seen since medical teams rushed them out of the war zone.

CNN pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr was there for the emotional reunion and has this exclusive.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, my man.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's going on?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here's my man. How are you?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Glad to see you, man. How you doing?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Marines of Bravo Company just got home from Afghanistan. One of their first stops, this Washington, D.C. military hospital to check up on wounded buddies like Corporal Christian Brown. They haven't seen each other since he stepped on an IED in December. He lost both legs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How are you doing, man?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good. What's up, dude?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How are you doing?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good. How's it going?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's great now.

STARR: CNN was given exclusive access to this extraordinary reunion of young marines taking place all over the hospital, 170 marines back from war for the first time seeing their wounded buddies since they were medivaced under fire.

In the moments before his buddies came in, Corporal Brown was full of anticipation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's going to be very emotional.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's up?

STARR: Lots of hugs and a few tears.

(on camera): What's it like for everybody to see each other again for the first time?

CPL. GEORGE GODWIN, U.S. MARINE CORPS: It's amazing. I can't describe it. I was down the whole week, the whole time I got back until I got to see them. Right now, I can't describe how it feels to see Brown now.

STARR: You haven't seen these guys since you got hit? What's it like today to see them again?

CPL. CHRISTIAN BROWN, U.S. MARINE CORPS: It's good just to know that they're OK, you know?

STARR: You're laying here and you're worried about them?

BROWN: Yes. You learn not to worry about yourself when you're out there. That's the whole point.

STARR (voice-over): Captain Paul Tremblay, the commander of Bravo Company during its seven month combat tour, had the idea for the reunion. After having one marine killed and 16 badly wounded, he thought seeing each other would help everyone heal, including him.

CAPT. PAUL TREMBLAY, U.S. MARINE CORPS: From seeing them on the ground injured, to seeing the medivac experts taking off, to seeing multiple casualties on this deployment, it all kind of happened walking through that door.

LANCE CPL. DUSTIN PHELPS, U.S. MARINE CORPS: You hear about him getting hurt but then you just don't see them anymore after that. It's like they disappeared.

BROWN: You sweat, you bleed with these guys, you know? You suffer with them. So that's a bond you can't break. No one will ever know what it's like to be a marine.

STARR: Good-byes for now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Love you.

BROWN: Love you too, dude. Motivation.

STARR: A final good-bye. A lucky charm carried through the war and brought home for a brother in arms.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And Barbara Starr with us now.

So, Barbara, what was it like being there when they all saw each other?

STARR: You know, it really was very emotional. What I remember is a couple years ago, General David Petraeus said to me once, he said, you know, people, civilians really never will understand the bond borne between men who serve in combat together.

And I think that's what we saw a little bit of. The curtain lifted a little bit, seeing the hugs and kisses. You just knew that the memories of that seven-month combat tour were almost silently being exchanged between these young marines.

WHITFIELD: Yes. It seems like their bond is indelible. It is forever. They really are like brothers, aren't they?

STARR: You know, they really are. They call each other brother. They really mean it.

You ask them and these young men, all the ones we've talked to over the years will tell you that they really feel they will all keep in touch. They will know each other as they become old men in their later years.

So that's what part of this reunion was about. An effort to bring everybody together because when they get wounded, they're medivaced off the battlefield, often under fire, and their buddies who are still there on the ground still fighting never really know what happens to the wounded.

It was really important for them to put eyeballs on each other.

WHITFIELD: Really nice to bring them back together. All right. Thanks so much for bringing us that, Barbara Starr.

STARR: Sure.

WHITFIELD: And funeral plans for Whitney Houston are being finalized now. The star studded guest list, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Whitney Houston's funeral is tomorrow and a more complete star-studded list of guests is out.

"Showbiz Tonight" host A.J. Hammer is live in New York.

A.J., there was a lot of talk about whether Houston's ex-husband Bobby Brown would be among them. The Houston family said, yes, he is welcome, right?

A.J. HAMMER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT HOST: Yes, that is true. Bobby Brown is expected to be there, Fred. "Showbiz Tonight" has confirmed he was officially invited although he is still performing on his tour. He was on stage last night with his group, New Edition. He's going to be back in concert tonight and tomorrow night after the funeral.

We've been told, this is certainly understandable, he finds the shows to be a sort of therapy in helping him get through his grief.

But as for other celebrities expected to be there, Fred, the list of people we've confirmed includes Tyler Perry, Aretha Franklin, Kevin Costner, Clive Davis, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and Dionne Warwick all expected to be there in Newark, New Jersey, at the New Hope Baptist Church tomorrow.

WHITFIELD: And among those actually performing. Aretha Franklin for one. Are there others?

HAMMER: There are, yes. Some of the names I just mentioned, Alicia Keys is expected to perform. Stevie Wonder I wonder is expected to sing as well.

And the Winans family involved. They were like family to Whitney Houston and the whole Houston family. Marvin is giving the eulogy as we know.

Last night on "Showbiz Tonight," I spoke to his brother, the great BeBe Winans. BeBe told me he and his sister CeCe will be singing. I asked BeBe what he chose to sing. Watch what he told m.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEBE WINANS, SINGER: I'm going to sing a song that I actually wrote for my brother that simply says, I'll miss you. I'll miss your smile. I'll miss your wit, your charm, you know? And most of all, most importantly, I'll miss that time that we shared together when there was nothing else to do and there was nowhere else to go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Yes. BeBe told me that he and Whitney used to sing to each other on the phone all the time.

And, Fred, he also told me that he and his brother had a really hard time with the idea of even being a part of the service. They're really grieving, but he said when Mama Houston, as he calls Whitney Houston's mom, Cissy, when Mama Houston asks you to do something, you just do it.

WHITFIELD: That's right. No questions asked.

All right. I know it's going to be a heartfelt tough time for so many people.

Thanks so much, A.J.

And CNN, of course, has full coverage of Whitney Houston's funeral tomorrow morning, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Join Piers Morgan, Soledad O'Brien, and Don Lemon as the music legend is remembered. "Whitney Houston: Her Life, Her Music" live on CNN and CNN.com this Saturday morning, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.

Also coming up, why the environment could be a critical election issue for Latinos, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, checking stories cross-country now.

In Washington state Josh Powell's mother says he will not be buried by the two sons he's accused of killing. Crime Stoppers and the local sheriff even helped purchase the plots on both sides of the boys to make sure Powell would not be buried there.

New Jersey lawmakers pass a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. That sets the stage for a confrontation. Governor Chris Christie vowed to veto the bill and called for a referendum on allowing voters to decide the issue.

And in Tennessee a woman is charged with breaking in to the home of country singer Kenny Chesney. Police say the woman took a bus to Nashville then a limo to the singer's home. But Chesney was not there. Police still found her in a bathroom with a bottle of wine.

The Latino vote: a critical factor in the 2012 presidential race. And both President Obama and the eventual Republican nominee will be campaigning hard to win it. CNN contributor and Democratic strategist Maria Cardona says President Obama has the edge because of his commitment to the environment. Maria, why do you think it's the environment that's the key issue? Explain?

MARIA CARDONA, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Well, it's certainly one of the key issues, Fredricka, that has risen to the top of the concern for Latino voters. And I wrote this piece because it's not necessarily an issue that elected officials connect as being an issue of concern for Latino voters. But it is for several reasons.

The first is the long standing cultural connection that Latino voters who have become a very important demographic, especially in the swing states out in the west, they really see this. They have a keen connection to the air and the water from generations that a lot of the families have been there for.

The second thing is health and safety concerns, Fredricka. As you know, Latinos more than anyone are a group that tend to lack health insurance coverage and Latinos more than one in two Latinos live in counties that frequently violate EPA regulations on pollution.

And so Latinos tend to live in communities where there are dirty facilities, dirty plants, that tend to spew pollution into the air and water.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

CARDONA: And as a Latina mother, which is an important demographic within an important demographic, we really look at these regulations as protecting our families and protecting job growth and job creation in this country as well.

WHITFIELD: Are you or other Latina mothers hearing this being addressed by any of the GOP contenders?

CARDONA: No, and that's another reason why I wrote this piece, because it is something that Latino voters are looking to hear from their elected officials. And a lot of polling that has been done, Fredricka, you see that Latinos across the board, more so than the mainstream population, really support strong regulations, strong federal regulations to keep the air and the water clean.

And what we're hearing from Republican candidates are that all of these regulations are job killers and that's exactly the opposite of what we have actually seen. In 2010 we actually had a savings of $1.3 trillion because of these regulations and those are the kinds of savings that really benefit not just Latino communities but communities across the country in terms of job growth and job creation.

WHITFIELD: All right, Maria Cardona, thanks so much. People can read more on your article at CNN.com.

All right. Straight ahead, more Linformation on the New York Knicks hot rookie, we'll tell you what Jeremy Lyn is doing at NBA All- Star weekend. Where he's crashing now and how he's changing betting lines.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Some stories we are working on for you later today.

At 2:35 Eastern Time, President Obama visits the Boeing factory in Everett, Washington, He'll talk about domestic manufacturing and American exports.

At 3:00 Eastern, NASA celebrates 50 years of Americans in orbit. The first two Americans to circle the earth, John Glen and Scott Carpenter, will be speaking at the Kennedy Space Center.

A couple of hours later, NASA will try again to launch an Atlas rocket, bad weather scrubbed yesterday's scheduled liftoff.

And we're following developments in the next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM, let's check in first with Susan Candiotti -- Susan.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fred. You know, today could be the last day that Whitney Houston fans can bring flowers and other mementos to her childhood church before the funeral on Saturday. I'll have a live report coming up.

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Joe Johns in Shelby Township, Michigan. Rick Santorum campaigning in the state for the second straight day. We've heard a lot of talk about those government- sponsored bailouts. But do the voters here in Michigan really care about that right now? I'll have that coming up at the top of the hour.

KOSIK: And I'm Alison Kosik at the New York Stock Exchange. Got an iPhone? Surprise, "The Wall Street Journal" reports that Google has been tracking where you travel online by side stepping your privacy settings. Frederika, I'm going to have more on that in the next hour.

WHITFIELD: All thanks so much, everyone.

Plus, we'll take a closer look at the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Life is getting desperate in some of the hardest hit areas. Relief groups say people who need food and medicine the most are not getting it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A baseball legend passes on. Jeff Fischel is here with a tribute. Hi Jeff.

JEFF FISCHEL, HLN SPORTS: Yes, hi Fred.

Gary Carter, truly one of the great catchers in baseball history, he loved playing baseball. Got the nickname, "The Kid", for his enthusiasm at his first Major League training camp. That enthusiasm, his winning smile, stuck not only for his entire hall of fame career but also for his life, which ended yesterday.

Gary Carter died nine months after being diagnosed with brain cancer. Carter played 19 seasons for four teams, mostly the Nets and expos. He had 3241 home runs and the catcher was an 11-time all-star. He also won a world series ring with the Mets in 1986. That series was a classic.

Carter started the game six, Mets rallied against the Red Sox, which ended with one most of the famous plays in baseball history, the ball dribble through Bill Buckner's legs. Former Mets teammates Darryl Strawberry saw Carter last month. Carter told him, "I've been blessed. I've lived a good life. Strawberry often troubled said, I wish I could have lived my life like Gary Carter. Carter indeed did die too soon. He was 57.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Two words, Jeremy Lyn.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right now, the biggest star in New York is Jeremy Lyn.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Linsanity.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Linexplicable.

WHOOPI GOLDBERG, HOST, "THE VIEW": Lin-sanity.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you believe this is happening to you?

JEREMY LIN, NEW YORK KNICKS: No.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: I love that.

FISCHEL: The honest truth, right there. Jeremy Lin will be a part of the NBA all-star festivities next weekend. He'll take part in the rising stars game and he'll even make a cameo helping out a teammate in the dunk contest.

Lin is even impacting Las Vegas. One sports book says before his first game the Knicks were a 40-1 shot to take the NBA title. Now the line is 18-1.

Remember how Lin didn't have his own place and was sleeping on a couch, he's moved up -- moving on up, got an apartment in Trump Tower in White Plains, New York.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my. Yes.

FISCHEL: Lin and the Nix take on New Orleans tonight. Lin has a new playmate. In fact, Nick's injured superstar Carmelo Anthony could be back in the line up.

And making a basket, how about-- did Jeremy Lin every tried with this a boxing glove. That's just one of the trick shots by Jonathan Brockman in his Brockness trick shop monster video. The Milwaukee Bucks forward is challenging fans to make their own trick shot. He will choose the best video and will play the winner in, yes, a game of fours. Check this out from the rafters.

WHITFIELD: No. No.

FISCHEL: Yes.

WHITFIELD: Unbelievable.

FISCHEL: Yes, he is --

WHITFIELD: Of course it has to make it because they were rolling on it.

FISCHEL: My favorite is the boxing gloves but, yes, all over the court.

WHITFIELD: What?

FISCHEL: You know, he has got plenty of time to practice because he doesn't play much in the games, he is truly the last guy on the bench that is how he spends his time in practice.

WHITFIELD: He has mastered those shots, pretty impressive. Thanks so much, Jeff. Lots of fun.