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Holiday Travel Nightmare?; Record High Temps along East Coast; Growing Tension in South Sudan; Obama's Highs and Lows in 2013; NASA Delays Emergency Spacewalk; Santana Reunites With Homeless Bandmate; Finding Evidence Of Noah's Big Flood

Aired December 22, 2013 - 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: First up this strange mix of dangerous weather that's hitting about 180 million Americans right now.

Let's start in the south where torrential rain and severe thunderstorms are putting some roads under water. A live look here in Atlanta's Centennial Park. And tornados partly fueled by unseasonably warm temperatures damaged homes in Mississippi and turned over four semi trucks. Two people were killed. A third person died in a car crash in Missouri.

And roads are also treacherous to the north for very different reasons. An ice storm is moving through upstate New York and northern New England, bringing down tree limbs and power lines. Nearly 100,000 people do not have electricity.

And then there's the Midwest getting hit with just about everything, up to a half foot of snow is in the forecast for parts of Wisconsin and Michigan.

You're looking at a live shot right now of Lake Michigan where it's icy cold. Other warmer areas got hammered with torrential rain and street flooding.

We'll have more of that and all of this happening when nearly 100 million people are on the move for the holidays.

Our George Howell is at one of the busiest airports in the world, Chicago O'Hare.

So, George, lots of flights are being cancelled. What's happening there at O'Hare?

GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, you know, so we saw the morning rush, you know, plenty of people getting here, getting out early to beat the weather. Now you see the midday rush. You can see the TSA lines. Pretty busy here. Standard here for Chicago's O'Hare airport. But keep in mind what you see here -- Jake, if you can pan down there. There are plenty more people who will be joining this line here in the next few minutes to join -- to get off on time on their flights.

What we see right now is sort of good news. The weather is at least cooperating here in Chicago for the moment.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL (voice-over): Traveling through Chicago's O'Hare Airport on one of the biggest travel weeks of the year.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We actually changed our flight. We're supposed to get out at 4:30 and yesterday we called to change it to be on an earlier flight. So when I saw the snow this morning I said, good. I'm glad we're on an earlier flight. That way if we get delayed we'll at least -- we'll get there some time delay.

(LAUGHTER)

HOWELL: Rachel, John and their slightly camera shy son Michael Coppolla hiding behind his mother on this occasion didn't take any chances on their way to New York. Because for many travelers weather is top of mind as a winter storm threatens to snarl travel from the East Coast to the west.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are monitoring the weather a little bit. And we're thinking we're going to be OK.

HOWELL: So far at least 15,000 flights have been delayed this weekend. More than 1,000 cancelled. All according to the airline tracking site, Flightaware.com. With widespread delays, major hubs from Dallas to Chicago are feeling the holiday ripple effect.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're hoping the weather cooperates so we can get out on time.

HOWELL: Fortunately when it comes to getting your Christmas packages to friends and family, companies like FedEx and UPS are on the ready. Armed with snow removal equipment and teams of meteorologist on staff.

Executives in the shipping industry tell CNN they can route planes around the storms and remain confident that they can deliver packages ahead of the holidays. It is a different story for air travelers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't have anyone to watch our kids. So if we don't show up then we're hoping they'll just be OK.

HOWELL: Just hoping that their luck holds up.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL: You know, the thing about it is, if you think that you can get to the airport -- you know, an hour before your flight, maybe not the best idea. Here in Chicago it might be a good idea to get here two hours before your flight at least. You can consider the same in Washington, D.C., in New York, these cities that are also dealing with the weather situation.

And Fredricka, even in Atlanta. As you mentioned, you know, the rain storms that are coming through, on this particular week, this travel day given how many people were flying just best to get out early. Get out with plenty of time to spare before your flight.

WHITFIELD: Absolutely. Given you've got so many more people flying all at one time and it's kind of precarious weather no matter which corner you look at. Great advice.

George Howell, thanks so much.

HOWELL: Yes.

WHITFIELD: In Chicago. So about 90 percent of people traveling for the holidays are in fact driving in the snow and ice will make that trip to grandma's house or mom's house much more difficult.

Here's Nick Valencia with that.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kansas City, Missouri, woke up to about three to five inches of snow this morning. Check it out. Looks very, very pretty, right? But it's creating some miserable road conditions out there for those traveling on the interstates here in Kansas City and Missouri, and beyond.

Take a look at the roads right now. Not a lot of traffic out but those roads are slick. Missouri Department of Transportation does warn travelers anyone getting in the car or taking the roads today throughout the state of Missouri to be careful out there. It's already caused one weather related death.

And what's happening here in Kansas -- Kansas City, Missouri, really is a microcosm, Fred, of what's happening all across the Midwest. We've seen problems in Arkansas with a possible tornado there. Oklahoma waking up to severe weather as well. And, you know, it hit Memphis, Tennessee, and going all the way up through southern Illinois. It's creating problems for travel delays and really anyone that's traveling this holiday season.

The weather couldn't have come at a worst time. This weekend, of course, 94 million Americans traveling. And the first day of winter certainly lived up to the hype -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Indeed it did. Thanks so much, Nick Valencia.

So really the first weekend of winter is feeling a little bit more like spring in certain parts particularly in the south and the northeast. In New York City, in fact, weather records are being shattered.

Alexander Field joins us live from a very balmy Central -- oh my gosh. No jacket, short sleeves. Yes, balmy indeed.

(LAUGHTER)

ALEXANDER FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes.

WHITFIELD: This is crazy in Christmas.

FIELD: Yes. A really uniquely, bizarre experience, right? Can you imagine, Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: No.

FIELD: Standing outside in Central Park in short sleeves on December 22nd? It's so bizarre. We just had to do it. A lot of people you can see at these holiday booths behind me. They didn't know what to wear because when the calendar says December 22nd, you think you should put your coat on.

But we are seeing people sort of strip those coats off because these are record-setting temperatures. Seventy degrees right now in Manhattan. The high today is expected to be 71 degrees.

This is a record setter. The last record was set in 1998 when it was 65 degrees. So we are really a few degrees above that. Just again bizarre for people here.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

FIELD: Tourists came to New York at this time of year, they expect to see the snow in Central Park. Now they're telling us that they definitely did not pack the right things.

WHITFIELD: Oh my --

(LAUGHTER)

I know that's miserable, when you go to New York, love the city all the time, you've got all your layers, you're ready, and then you're hot, you're burning up because you've got too much and it's warm.

So what a contrast, though, we're talking about. While there in Manhattan it's balmy enough for you to wear short sleeves. That's not the case, right, in Upstate New York where apparently the temperatures are plummeting and ice and snow might be on the way, and -- am I being told that was Lambeu Field? Wait a minute. What? No, no, no.

OK. All right, go ahead, Alexandra. So we're seeing folks who are enjoying --

FIELD: Sure. Yes.

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: The elements here in Central Park.

FIELD: North of here, Fred -- right. Yes, people totally enjoying the elements here. These tourists from out of town saying they're getting a very unique experience that they did not pack for. You know, didn't plan for it. They came here on their winter coats. They came with their hats. So they're -- actually they're doing their holiday shopping, they're up buying their T-shirts, too, starting with those "I Love New York" T-shirts even.

But this is again a very different picture from what we're seeing in the rest of the state. Up north it certainly looks like winter. And in fact it looks like the very worst of winter. Crews were working through the nights to cut down branches on ice covered trees in order to avoid power problems.

New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo, has issued a snowstorm state of emergency for parts of upstate New York. So definitely very winter like up there and this warm weather here, it's not going to last for long. We hit 65 degrees here yesterday but temperature is going down in the 50s tomorrow and then down into the 30s later this week -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: Oh my gosh.

FIELD: So we'll get the cold temperatures still.

WHITFIELD: Yes. So don't put the jackets away too far. You're going to need them.

Thanks so much, Alexandra Field, appreciate it.

All right. Let's turn now to Jennifer Gray who's tracking the storm or storms of so many different sort of travel delays.

JENNIFER GRAY, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Fred, we could see some slowdowns in parts of the country as we go throughout the late afternoon and to the evening. Chicago could be delayed up to two hours due to snow and the forecast. D.C. could see thunderstorms and showers. So one to two hours there. New York City also because of the thunderstorms one to two-hour delay is possible.

So we are going to see this storm move out. We're going to track it through Atlanta as we go throughout the 6:00 hour and then it's going to be pushing off the East Coast gradually through Monday. So by the time we get to tomorrow the forecast does look significantly better. It actually gets better and better by the hour.

But that doesn't mean we're not going to see heavy rain still across the East Coast throughout the day totals by the end of the day could range three to five inches around Atlanta. Could see two to four inches around Charlotte and then D.C. could pick up a couple of inches as well.

Temperatures, it has felt so spring like especially across the East Coast. New York City forecasted to be 58 on Monday. So temperatures coming down from the 60s where they were today. So we're going to see temperatures gradually get cooler and cooler. It will definitely feel like the holidays by Christmas Day with the high temperature of 30 degrees.

The same goes for D.C. Forecasted high of 60 on Monday. But then temperatures get down into the 30s once again by Christmas eve and Christmas day.

So the set up for today, we're going to see snow around the Great Lakes. So this is for Monday, rather. Snow in the Pacific northwest. We're also going to see rain across the Eastern Seaboard with mostly suspect skies down in the south. Looking good as head into Christmas eve and Christmas day -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, very good. Thank you so much, Jennifer.

All right. A musician who played with Carlos Santana back in the day may have fell on hard times but the two actually found each other thanks to a reporter in Oakland. There is part of the reunion. We're going to show you more coming up later.

And next the violence in south Sudan is getting worse. We have breaking news on some of the Americans who were trapped there on the other side of the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

WHITFIELD: All right. Now to a developing story out of south Sudan and rapidly changing situation. Breaking news on trapped Americans there.

Foreign affairs reporter Elise Labott is live for us now from Washington.

So, Elise, what do we know about the Americans who were to be evacuated yesterday. Didn't quite happen. But now what?

ELISE LABOTT, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS REPORTER: Well, Fred, the U.S. is still trying to confirm whether there are any left but we understand from the State Department that they have been evacuating citizens from the town of Bohr. Now this is the combination of U.S. and U.N. helicopters. U.S. working very closely with the United Nations where a lot of these Americans were hold up on their base. They flee the fighting there.

And also the United Nations needs to coordinate with some of these fighting factions to make sure they can get these helicopters out after what happened yesterday. So State Department spokesman Jennifer Psaki in a statement just issued moments ago said that they have safely evacuated American citizens from Bohr.

I understand from another State Department official there were about 15 Americans. These are the ones that have presented themselves to the U.N., said I need to get out of this town to flee the fighting.

They're still trying to confirm headcounts and whether there are remaining, but so far the U.S. has been able to get about 300 Americans out of the country most of them going to Nairobi, and they're still to get the rest out.

But right now, this area of intense fighting in Bohr, it looks like most of the Americans are out at this time -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: And so while that's the primary mission or that has been the primary mission, are you able to tell us how involved is the U.S. willing to be or are they even considering as it pertains to diffusing the crisis there? This new conflict taking place in south Sudan.

LABOTT: OK. Well, they're not going to get involved militarily. We saw over the last couple of days that President Obama sent about 45 military personnel to protect the embassy there. You know, in the wake of the Benghazi attack last year, this is the new normal. When there's an area of conflict they send Marines in to protect the embassy. But as far as diffusing the crisis, U.S. is working diplomatically, working with other countries, African countries in the region that have sent envoys there.

The U.S. Secretary of State Kerry has send Ambassador Donald Booth. He's on his way. It's unclear when he's going to get there because of the security situation. But he will be trying to get the government the rebel forces to sit down, start in a dialogue and really walked back from the brink, Fred, of what everyone is fearing will be an all- out civil war if they don't find some political solution.

WHITFIELD: All right, Elise Labott, in Washington. Keep us posted. Thank you.

Meantime, President Obama has been briefed about the situation in Sudan.

Our Athena Jones is live for us now from Honolulu where the president is spending Christmas with his family.

So, Athena, has the president made any statement on this situation in south Sudan?

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Fredricka. Well, the president himself has not made a statement but the White House has been putting out updates letting the press know that the president is being briefed and kept updated all along by his national security team. We know that as soon as he landed in Honolulu very late on Friday night. He was given an update on the status of those American personnel, those four service members who were injured In that initial evacuation attempt from Bohr.

He was updated again Saturday morning, and we just got a statement a short time ago saying that he was given another update today after his National Security advisers, Susan Rice, had a meeting with the National Security team, and also with personnel -- spoke with personnel on the ground in south Sudan in Juba.

And so we know the president has been -- being kept up-to-date all during the situation. And we expect at some point to get another statement but not likely to see the president himself speak -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Meantime, tomorrow is a big day for Obamacare. People who want to enroll need to pick a plan by tomorrow if they indeed want health insurance by January 1st. So what do we know about enrollment numbers and the kind of activity right now?

JONES: Well, this is really interesting, Fred. Because the latest enrollment numbers that we have actually came from the president himself. We have to wait until mid-January to get official numbers for the month of December but on Friday, in that press conference before he left the White House to come here to Hawaii, the president said that as of the first three weeks of December, more than half a million people had signed up for health insurance via healthcare.gov.

He's talking specifically about the federal Web site but even that 500,000 plus number is a lot faster than in previous months or just over 300,000 in October. And far below that in October. He also said that when you put together the state marketplaces, the marketplaces being run by the states themselves, and the federal marketplace, that as of October 1st when all of this began more than one million people have signed up.

So it's kind of unusual to get these numbers directly from the president himself. But it's clear that as he was leaving, getting ready to leave, to head here, he wanted to share certainly what the administration has to see as good news because of the pace enrollment -- the pace of enrollment is speeding up -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Athena Jones, thanks so much, in Honolulu. Appreciate that.

So of course there have been lots of ups and downs for this 44th president of the United States in 2013 so was this President Obama's worst year ever? We'll break down his highest and lowest moments of the year.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. There's just about a week left in 2013 and President Obama is ready to put this year behind him. He acknowledged at a Friday news conference that there were a lot of low points and responded to some pretty direct questions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Has this been the worst year of your presidency?

(LAUGHTER)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I got to tell you, Julie, that's not how I think about it. I look at this past year, there are areas where there's obviously I wish Congress had moved more aggressively. But if you're measuring these by polls, my polls have gone up and down a lot during the course of my career.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: So I'm joined now by "Newsday" columnist Ellis Henican and CNN political commentator Will Cain.

Good to see you, gentlemen. So the president says it wasn't all bad. But he knows there were some very big issues.

So, Ellis, you first. What do you think are the biggest lows of 2013?

(LAUGHTER) ELLIS HENICAN, POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, listen, the main lows not nearly enough got accomplished. Right? The president had a big agenda. He wanted to do something about immigration reform and get the --

WHITFIELD: So similar to what he said.

HENICAN: Well --

WHITFIELD: Even in Congress.

HENICAN: But you know what, the frustrating -- yes, the frustrating thing about it was honestly he had plenty of good things to get done and very few of them actually got achieved. And that's very maddening to be in that position.

WHITFIELD: And Will?

WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, I mean, look, the low point is of his own doing. The low point is Obamacare. The low point is illustrated or symbolized by if you like your health care plan, you can keep it. Because what it reveals about this year actually and not just this program, is it's not just about mistakes. But about misrepresentations.

I think that line, Fredricka, not -- does not only become emblematic of the problems with Obamacare, that it was sold on false promises, but you've seen the polls about President Obama's waning credibility, and so statements like that or setting false red lines on Syria, or whatever it may be, what's happened in 2013 for President Obama is his credibility has completely cratered.

WHITFIELD: And if there are any high points in the year 2013, Ellis, what do you see? I mean, the president himself said, you know, I look at it as -- you know, half glass full. I'm not quite looking at it as here are a bunch of my low points. So how do you look at this in a more positive way?

HENICAN: Will knows this, but you know how losing football coaches say? This was a building year? I think you have to say this was a -- this was a building year. Right? I mean, the Obamacare thing is doing better. You're right. The roll out was horrible and, you know, we've got some things -- we got John Podesta in the White House which is a good thing. We've got a much better position with the filibuster in the Senate so some actual appointments can be achieved but in the executive branch and in the judiciary.

And you know, I think that things are likely to be better next year. I just -- I cannot honestly point to you and say here were the six wonderful achievements of this year, because this was not the year for that.

WHITFIELD: So, Will, if you say, you know, his credibility is -- which was once an asset is now his biggest liability. If the president has a big old to-do list for 2014 how does he go about trying to restore his credibility if that's what you think it's kind of most important on his agenda or how does he focus on turning the page in 2014?

CAIN: Well, I feel like you're asking me a political question and the answer politically is it's going to be very difficult. Not only has he lost collateral, with the American public. He never had it with Republicans. So to get anything done legislatively he has -- he has nothing to work with.

But that's not just me pontificating. The president just hired John Podesta to be his kind of consigliore and they have said quite honestly they're going to look as aggressively as they can at using executive orders, executive action to push through who knows what? Immigration, climate change, climate change control -- measures. Who knows where he's going to go? But he's going to try to do it without Congress. That's what it looks like right now.

And by the way, can I just say, Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Yes.

CAIN: Look, you -- we come on these programs, we sit in left and right, and here I am and there is a certain expectation from what I'm going to say. You want to know the president's high points? The truth is --

WHITFIELD: OK.

CAIN: And Ellis is right. There weren't many. And you can't -- you just can't put lipstick on this past year. But the truth is it's Republicans' self-inflicted wounds and the government shutdown in October. That was the president's high point. And unfortunately he had very little to do with it.

WHITFIELD: All right. What's on the agenda you see in your view, Ellis, for the president, 2014?

HENICAN: Well, let's hope that -- let's hope that Will is right about those assertive executive actions because you know what?

CAIN: I hope not.

HENICAN: No president has had to deal -- has had to deal with the Congress as obstructionist as this one has been. And maybe hey, you've got to create new tactics for new situations and maybe it's hey, just watch us get stuff done.

CAIN: No.

HENICAN: You know? You don't help, we'll go do it alone.

WHITFIELD: All right. Will Cain, Ellis Henican --

CAIN: Yes, but I hope it didn't go that way. Yes.

(LAUGHTER)

WHITFIELD: All right. We'll have you back. Thanks so much, gentleman.

HENICAN: It'll be fun. Good to see you, guys.

WHITFIELD: Appreciate it.

CAIN: Thanks.

WHITFIELD: Happy holidays.

CAIN: You too.

HENICAN: Same.

WHITFIELD: All right. A reporter didn't know what to think when a homeless man told him that he used to play with Santana meaning an instrument and the band. But it didn't take long to really check out the story and eventually led to a pretty amazing reunion. You're going to see more of that next.

And I'll talk to a former commander of the International Space Station. I'll ask him why they are delaying this next emergency space walk.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: NASA says a second emergency spacewalk is now set for Tuesday. Astronauts spent several hours yesterday working on a replacement for a broken cooling pump on the International Space Station. Without the pump some of the station's important electronics have been shut down.

The second spacewalk was originally scheduled for tomorrow, but that is now being delayed while they make adjustments to one of the space suits, so possibly Tuesday. So what should we make of the delays to this next spacewalk?

Joining me now is Chris Hadfield. He is a retired astronaut and former commander of the International Space Station. He is also the author of the book "An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth." We talked about that last month with your book and your survival guide. So NASA says they are delaying this next spacewalk so that they can make some adjustments to a new suit for one of the astronauts. So what happened to the suit that was worn yesterday? Now what?

CHRIS HADFIELD, ASTRONAUT: The spacesuits, we call them spacesuits, Fredricka, but they are like one person space ships. You are completely separate from the space station. It has to be as reliable as we can make it and there are three on board. You build them out of pieced parts. Everyone's arms and legs are different lengths. You start with the core and build the suit around the astronaut.

Yesterday, when they were coming in, one of the suit showed maybe a sign that it got a little water into the evaporator on the back so just to be good and safe because they only probably need one more spacewalk, if things go well they will be able to get everything down prior to Christmas, which should be nice. They just want to make sure that they have the two best ones configured so they just resizing that suit today to get ready to go out on Tuesday.

WHITFIELD: All right, best is good. I think everybody agrees on that one. Yesterday we understand that the spacewalk that were happening, they were happening ahead of schedule. They stayed out much longer than at first expected, some estimates five hours, six hours, even 7 hours. In any way, might the stress of those hours outside of the space station doing that work might have impaired the suit or are you saying that this is fairly customary? It really is about just building a suit for a different person.

HADFIELD: Well, you know, it's every all machinery eventually breaks, you know, fundamental nature of machines, everybody's car or whatever, and the suits are just very beautifully honed machines. And it would probably work fine if we went out? But if we had a choice we would probably take it and when time is short.

Now we're coming up to a phase soon where the orbit gets more sunlight, sort of more parallel like turning a dish towards the sun. So it gets really hot and so they don't want to do the spacewalks when we're turned that way. So we're really focused on the sunlight. So it kind of gives us a deadline. We want to get the spacewalk down in the next few days.

So you just weigh out all of the variables. It looks like probably once more spacewalk. We get a suit that is guaranteed really good. So we just modify that one, you know, just line up all the things so that we have the best chance of success.

WHITFIELD: So in your experience, when you've done these spacewalks, you can reflect on what has been the most exhilarating part about that experience and perhaps the most nerve racking?

HADFIELD: Nerve racking you try to minimize, but it is like a thousand dominos in a row and you're outside for hours. It is sort like a really complex ballet with only two performers and they have to do everything properly for the ballet to come off. And so you are very carefully choreographed and you recognize that you have a problem early on. That could escalate into messing up the whole rest of the EVA.

I was blinded for about a half hour during my first spacewalk because of some contamination in the suit and fortunately we work through it, my eyes eventually cleared and we stayed out 8 hours and got everything done, but that type of event could be one of the more difficult parts.

The exhilarating side though I think, Fredricka, is the part that really dominates. Imagine yourself outside holding on to a spaceship with one hand being able to see the whole world in the 8 hours that you are outside. You are going to go around the world six times. You will see the whole planet six times.

You will fly through the northern lights sometimes. So that they are pouring under your feet, it is a really busy job. It's more dangerous than staying inside. It is necessary, but so beautiful and such an amazing way to see our planet. WHITFIELD: Wow, so fascinating. Chris Hadfield and all that underscoring the premise of your book, you talk about how you prepare for the worst and by way of doing that means you are always ready when something happens that is unexpected.

HADFIELD: That is what the guys are doing out there today. They are sweating the small stuff right now so we'll have a better chance of success in a couple --

WHITFIELD: Fantastic. The book called "An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth." Chris Hadfield, thanks so much.

HADFIELD: Thanks, great to talk with you. Happy holidays.

WHITFIELD: Happy holidays. Here is another story for you, very up lifting and inspirational. Marcus Malone's friends called him the magnificent. He is living on the streets now, but lucky for him, his most famous friend hasn't forgotten him. Find out who that is next in the newsroom.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, this is probably one of the best stories and most inspirational stories. It really is kind of Christmas miracle and a Bay area reporter by the name of Stanley Roberts actually help uncover it. While doing a story on illegal dumping, he met a homeless man that said he was once in Carlos Santana's band. That random encounter led to a remarkable reunion and in a moment, we'll speak with Roberts and Carlos Santana, but first here is the incredible story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STANLEY ROBERTS, FOUND SANTANA'S FORMER BANDMATE ON THE STREETS: How you been, man?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Man, it has been hard.

ROBERTS: You know, I did some research on you. You are the real deal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You thought I was kidding you.

ROBERTS (voice-over): Back on December 9th, I had a conversation with this man who was picking through piles of trash Paramaine Street in East Oakland. I asked him what were some of the things he found.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One time I found an old pair of jeans and it had about $800.

ROBERTS (on camera): You found an old pair of jeans with $800 of cash on it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I was riding by one day.

ROBERTS (voice-over): I asked him what he did with the money. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Used it to by equipment, I'm a landscaper and a composer.

ROBERTS: And then I asked him his name.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My name is Marcus. Marcus Malone. I was with the Santana Blues band and now I'm homeless and on the streets.

ROBERTS: I went back to visit Marcus to bring him something he asked me to do before we parted ways.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn't get your name.

ROBERTS (on camera): My name is not important.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To me it is.

ROBERTS: Your name is important. I brought you a friend.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who? Man!

CARLOS SANTANA, MUSICIAN: Marcus the man. Marcus, the magnificent Malone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Man. Look at you.

SANTANA: Marcus the magnificent Malone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Man. It is so great to see you.

SANTANA: It is an honor to be in your presence man. You and your family were so gracious to us.

ROBERTS: After this story aired, Carlos Santana made numerous trips to East Oakland looking for Marcus. After failed attempts, his manager reached out to me via Facebook and I went searching and found him in less than 20 minutes.

SANTANA: We got to hook up.

ROBERTS: This is the only photo of Marcus that I could find. That is him in the sombrero.

SANTANA: That is him, man, that's Magnificent Marcus Malone, man, all right. He is his spirit is indefinable.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Wow, is that a beautiful story or what? So touching. Stanley Roberts, the one who brought us that story, made the discovery and has brought it to us. Carlos Santana is also on the phone with us. First, you, Stanley, how did Marcus end up on the streets? What is it to that part of the story that you would like to share?

ROBERTS: Well, first of all, I got to say this, the fact that Carlos Santana watches people behaving badly and new to go out and look for this guy blows me away. This guy is a rock legend, but the whole story happened by going out -- you know, Oakland has a big problem with illegal bumping. It has been going on for years. And I was asking people what was the weirdest think you have found in this trash.

And there was this gentleman ravishing through the trash and I figured you know what, I'm going to ask him the same question. When he said $800, wow, that was a lot of money and then he also said he found jewelry too.

WHITFIELD: And then you did a little digging after he told who he was and what his history was like in terms of with the Santana Blues band and come to find out he really is who he said he was. Did he ever reveal to you or did you learn in detail what happened why did he fall off the map? What were the circumstances that led to him living off the streets?

ROBERTS: Well, he whispered to me, on the original piece I did. Which in talking to him, he said I got in trouble and I ended up in jail. I said to him, you are telling me the truth, right, because I'm going to look this up. No, it is the truth and he actually worded to me, hey, if you can get me some help I would appreciate it. I said I would do the best that I can do.

You know, thinking that this is just guy who just as saying, but everything he said to me jived. I went back and started doing the research. One of the technical guys sent me information said this guy spent time in prison. I said wait a minute this might be the actual guy.

WHITFIELD: You didn't just find him help you connected him with Carlos Santana who is on the phone with us now. So Carlos, I understand from your point of view, you had been looking for Marcus, "The Magnificent" for a really long time. Why were you looking for him and what did you understand to have happened to him all of these years?

SANTANA (via telephone): Hi, well, we knew he got in trouble and before we worked with him and he wound up in San Quentin. We were trying to look for him because we have royalties. He co-wrote some of the songs in the beginning and though had been going to his family someone in charge of all that financial stuff for him. The important thing I want to say for Stanley, that you are doing something from your heart and to you too CNN.

In the news people are starving for some good news thing that is make you cry. The prodigal son happens every day to a lot of people. And I think that if I had a chance to talk to my brother, Ted Turner, that congratulations that you created this TV station 24 hour news station, but now can we create a 24 hour good news station because people need to be touch at the core of their heart and so they can do other things.

Someone said one positive start creates news and positive vibrations. Right now, I'm on the place where I want to offer him a place to stay and an apartment and get him out of the street. WHITFIELD: That is so sweet. And I'm sure Marcus would really appreciate that. And Stanley you are key in helping to facilitate this because you seemed to always know where Marcus is and how to find him. More great news to deliver so, you know, wanting to give him a place to stay.

ROBERTS: I just got off the phone --

SANTANA: And people are in need and it has gone viral. People are crying and they don't mind crying. In gratitude and joy the two brothers can get back together. We have people that are getting misplaced and for me, what I would like to see before I die is a TV station 24 hours that only shows excellent and takes the high road the big picture which is compassion.

WHITFIELD: Well, Carlos, your positive vibrations are being felt everywhere now and this is so beautiful it is an up lifting encouraging story. To see how genuinely happy the two of you are to see each other in this videotape that we are looking at. It is heart breaking and touching and it brings tears to everybody's eyes. So now what?

You had been looking for him for years. You know he fell on the hard times as you had explained and you are offering him a place to stay, which is amazing and beautiful and brilliant. What now in terms of your relationship is it difficult to look in the crystal ball and look ahead?

SANTANA: No, it is very clear. There are two things that I'm concentrating right now, miracles and blessings, blessings and miracles. I want to offer my brother, Marcus Malone, and opportunity to record on my next album. We wrote a song for him called, "Magnificent Marcus Malone." We are going to start next month, January or February. I would like to stay in touch with him. Get him some congas to get his hands hard again. He hasn't played for a while.

So there is a follow through. You are a manifestator. You created this. I offer you my gratitude. What you did, it is a story of redemption like Bob Marley. It takes all of us together. We can make a difference in the world, less money for the pentagon and more money for love.

ROBERTS: I just got off the phone with Marcus a few minutes ago and we were both on the phone crying because he is, he thinks this is a blessing and he wants to get back into the way things are. You are an icon of history in San Francisco and in the music industry. You shouldn't be living what you are living right now. This is the biggest story I have come across. It happened by happenstance. I firmly believe there is a reason for everything. I want to see Marcus perform with the band again.

WHITFIELD: We all do.

SANTANA: He will. This is not -- I know time is valuable to all of you. It is important to invest at this point emotionally with more love, less fear. Let's invest in love. A lot of people all over the world are connecting with the story and they in return will do something for someone near them. God bless both of you this course that you started with Marcus is a on due course now to have a divine story. With elegance and grace and live a happy life.

WHITFIELD: Carlos Santana, that is so beautiful. Thank you so much. Stanley Roberts for bringing us this story and bringing these two men together, Marcus Malone. Congratulations for an incredible effort and happy holidays and it is a Christmas miracle and thank you so much to all three of you for inspiring us all appreciate it.

ROBERTS: I have to say if it wasn't for a crime to create the ability to create this segment. Had I not talked to him, this wouldn't be where it is today.

WHITFIELD: The beauty of never making assumptions. So you know, you took it a step further and I know he is grateful for that. Thanks to all of you. Gentlemen, appreciate it, all the best. We'll have more right after this.

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(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: Open Court traveled to Boca Raton for a rare up close look at the Evert Tennis Academy. The operation is a family affair, co- owned by Chris and his brother, John. John focuses on the technical side with Chris mentors the players.

CHRIS EVERT, TENNIS PLAYER: It's important to tennis now, it's a power game to go for winners, but maybe not at the expense of making too many enforce errors.

ANNOUNCER: Many players live at the academy full time when they aren't on the court or doing fitness drills, they are inside this classroom.

EVERT: Every kid that is in our program, gets an education and every high school that's graduated from the Evert Academy has gone to college.

ANNOUNCER: And if there is one thing Chris Evert hopes young players can learn from her career, it's best summed in an article about her, which she remembers to this day.

EVERT: The first line days in my mind it was, you know, she is not the fastest and doesn't hit the hardest so why am I number one. And that left a big impact in my brain because I think I was proud of that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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WHITFIELD: The Bible contains ancient and dramatic stories, Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden, the Exodus of the Jews, and Noah escaping the great flood. Well, tonight CNN's Christiane Amanpour investigates these stories in her documentary, "Back to the Beginning." She talks with oceanographer, Robert Ballard, the same man who found the wreckage of the Titanic. He believes he has found evidence of Noah's flood as well.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): Ballard believes about 12,000 years ago much of the earth was covered in ice that began to melt. The oceans began to swell causing a series of devastating floods all over the world.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We talk about the floods of our living history, boy, they don't compare at all to the flood of ancient times. The question is was there a mother of all floods.

AMANPOUR: Ballard thinks there was and he is testing a controversial theory that the biblical flood happened here.

ROBERT BALLARD, OCEANOGRAPHER: Why the Black Sea? Well, because the Black Sea appears to have had a giant flood. Not just a slow moving, advancing rise of sea level, but a really big flood and people were living there.

AMANPOUR: The theory goes this was once an isolated fresh water lake, but then the Mediterranean swell --

BALLARD: At some magic moment, it broke through and flooded this place violently.

AMANPOUR (on camera): What did Noah or the people who live there during what you believed to be this huge flood, what did they see?

BALLARD: Probably was a bad day and a lot of real estate, a 150,000 square kilometres of land went under.

AMANPOUR (voice-over): And 400 feet below the surface, Ballard believes he has found proof of that catastrophic event. They unearthed an ancient shore line.

BALLARD: Well, we've actually dated it, about 5,000 B.C.

AMANPOUR (on camera): And that is about the time the bible says Noah and the great flood happened.

BALLARD: Wow, so it nailed it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And you can watch Christiane Amanpour's documentary "Back to the Beginning" tonight at 9:00 Eastern Time.

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