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Photo Released of Columbia Mall Shooter; Woman Forcibly Kept on Life Support, Who Foots the Bill?; Sickness Strikes Cruise Ship; President Obama will Deliver State of the Union Address; The Forgotten Super Bowl City; The Beatles Honored at Grammys

Aired January 26, 2014 - 18:00   ET

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

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN ANCHOR: You are in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Miguel Marquez.

We are fast forwarding to the week ahead. We'll take a look at the stories you'll be talking about and hearing coming up this week. Let's begin with our five questions for the week ahead.

Number one, who will pay the hospital bill for keeping a brain dead and pregnant woman on a ventilator against her family's wishes for months? Hours ago, Marlise Munoz was released from all hospital machines. It's what her family wanted. Munoz, brain-dead since November, a Texas hospital had been keeping her body on a ventilator to reserve the fetus she was carrying.

Our national correspondent, Nick Valencia is outside the hospital at the center of this controversy.

Nick, what have you learned about who may foot that bill?

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's the main question. That's the next question in this case, Miguel, is who exactly will pay for those medical bills in crewed by Marlise Munoz as she was on the ventilator since November 28th.

Now, we've learned that she is insured by United Health Care. But because of hip pa (ph) laws we don't know exactly what coverage she has. We have asked the hospital that question. but they said because Eric Munoz, her husband, has not signed the waiver to speak specifically about the unborn fetus or Marlise Munoz, that they just can't answer that question officially -- Miguel.

MARQUEZ: And are Texas lawmakers talking about possibly changing the laws out there to include cases like this?

VALENCIA: Well, we know up until this point that no Texas state lawmaker has come out with a statement or commented on this particular situation. Also, it's worth noting that the Texas legislature is not in session again for another year. So, this could very well be an issue that is taken up by the legislature in 2015. But at this point, we just don't know.

I asked the hospital if they were, despite removing Marlise Munoz from the ventilator, if they were planning on appealing. They said, Nick, we're going to abide by the court's mandate -- Miguel.

MARQUEZ: Nick Valencia for us, thank you very much.

Now, question number two. Why did a Maryland mall shooter do it? I'm talking about the 19-year-old who walked into a crowded mall yesterday with a shotgun, lots of ammunition and a couple of homemade bombs. He opened fire on a store killing two people, then himself. Police know the names of the victims and the shooter but don't have an idea of why.

Our Erin McPike is in Columbia, Maryland, right now.

ERIN MCPIKE, CNN GENERAL ASSIGNMENT CORRESPONDENT: Miguel, that's the big question. Police haven't yet been able to establish a motive. This morning police chief Bill McMahon addressed that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF BILL MCMAHON, HOWARD COUNTY POLICE: Darion Marcus Aguilar is the shooter. We have not been able to verify any type of relationship at this point between him and either of our victims. We can't establish that there is one. We have not been able to establish there is not one. That is an open question. We know that's an important piece of information our community is interested in, but we just don't know that. We're working to find that out now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCPIKE: Police also say that Aguilar purchased that shotgun about a month ago in nearby Montgomery County. But part of the mystery is that he was also carrying a backpack that had two homemade explosive devices. They were never detonated. And police were able to disable them. But he also had a lot of ammunition on him. And so police aren't yet sure if this was a targeted event or if it could have been a bigger mass shooting, Miguel.

MARQUEZ: Erin McPike in Columbia, Maryland, thank you very much.

We continue to learn more information of the victims in the Maryland mall shootings. Coming up next hour, a CNN exclusive interview with a close friend of one of the victims, 21-year-old Brianna Benlolo.

Question number three, what will happen to Amanda Knox if she's found guilty again? It's the case that seems to have no end. Knox and her former Italian boyfriend are waiting for a third verdict from an Italian court. It's the second appeal against murder convictions handed down in 2009. Knox has indicated she has no intention of returning to Italy. So what happens next?

Erin McLaughlin takes a look.

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miguel, for a third time, an Italian jury is poised to decide the fates of Amanda Knox and her former boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito. A verdict is expected later in the week. The pair are on trial once again for the grisly murder of 21-year-old British student Meredith Kercher. They were convicted of her murder in 2009 and sentenced to over two decades in jail, but that decision was overturned by an Italian appellate court in 2011 and they were released from prison.

But Italy's Supreme Court was not happy with the decision to acquit them, saying that it was full of deficiencies and contradictions. A new appeals trial was then ordered in Florence. Now, after four months of proceedings, we will once again be on verdict watch. Amanda Knox is not expected to be in trial for the verdict. She has remained in the United States throughout the course of these proceedings saying that she's too afraid to return to Italy. Raffaele Sollecito has made several appearances in court.

Now, regardless of the decision later this week, both sides will have the opportunity to appeal that verdict to Italy's Supreme Court. That process could take months. Meanwhile, Amanda Knox's fate swings in the balance. If she is ultimately found guilty, Italy could request her extradition from the United States -- Miguel.

MARQUEZ: Erin McLaughlin for us, thank you very much.

Question number four, what's making people sick aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship now docked in the virgin islands? Listen to this frustrated passenger in St. Thomas.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We just would like to know what it's been like being on the ship with the virus and everything.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Terrible.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Terrible?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll never come back again. Not on this cruise line. We were with them two years ago, the same thing. The ship was overrun with this sickness. You know, any sickness has been involved. But it's the most disorganized trip I've ever been on in my life. I'm almost 80 years old.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wow.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's sad.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: Now, Dr. Rodney Samaan used to work for carnival cruise lines.

Dr. Samaan, thanks for joining us. The CDC is now investigating this incident. How many people are typically on that team and how do they go about their investigation?

DR. RODNEY SAMAAN, FORMER CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE EMPLOYEE: Well, thanks for having me on. Usually, this is run by a group called the EIS, the epidemiological information surveillance, is probably equipped of eight to ten epidemiologists. I actually --

MARQUEZ: How do they go about -- once they get on that ship, what are they looking for?

SAMAAN: So you know, it's like an investigation. Just very similar to a murder trial of some sort. So, where they go and they ask all the primary cases and try to interview everybody and try to piece this together, where were you at? Did you spend your time in a certain area of the ship? Did you go to the gym? Did you eat the shrimp? And they piece it together through time. And they map it out and try to figure out where the cases came from at what time.

MARQUEZ: Clearly ,not very comfortable conditions for anybody on that ship. How long do these things typically take to get through, these investigations?

SAMAAN: You know, it could last a few weeks. The initial data collection probably is three to four days. They also go and look at the protocols that the ships are following. You know, are they using proper sanitation? Are they cooking foods at the right temperature? That process, they will take that data, they will collect samples from different foods and different parts of the ship. They will take that data likely back to the CDC and investigate that. Do an analysis to try to figure out what the virus was, what strain it was that caused this illness. And then try to piece that all together and see if there's something that happened that was out of the ordinary.

Cruise ships have a close relationship with the CDC where they follow something called a vessel sanitation program. And they're supposed to report any food borne illnesses and quarantine the patients that start showing signs of food borne illnesses. Diarrhea, cramping, vomiting, all those symptoms. They quarantine those patients.

Once it gets to a certain level, those patients -- then the CDC is notified. Then they get into an outbreak. There's certain definitions that they follow for that.

MARQUEZ: All right. Dr. Samaan, thank you very, very much for joining us. They are well into it now. Appreciate it.

SAMAAN: Thanks for having me.

MARQUEZ: And question number five, what will be the Grammy Awards' most buzz worthy moments. You know, the moment everybody will be talking about tomorrow around the office water cooler. Here's one option. A massive on stage wedding with Madonna as the maid of honor?

Our entertainment correspondent Nischelle Turner resplendent out there on the red carpet at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Nischelle, what are you hearing about this big marriage?

NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Well, that is definitely one of the possibilities for a buzz worthy moment, a water cooler moment. We're hearing Macklemore (ph) who will be performing their big hit "Same Love." They are nominated in seven categories tonight. And we are taking advantage of by being one of the performers as well.

You know, on stage, while they're singing the song, 34 couples, gays, straight, black, white, old, young, will be getting married with Queen Latifah officiating and Madonna as the maid of honor. How does that happen? Well, it is that kind of crazy, collaborated mash up that we see on the Grammys so many times.

We're also told that Madonna could be performing her song "open your heart" that's kind of remixed and flipped into the same vein as "same love." Now, you talked about some buzz worthy moments, Miguel.

A couple other ones. Beyonce performing, Jay-Z performing, if they're performing together. That will be talked about especially if they do their new song "drunk in love" or take it back and hit us with "crazy in love," one of their best songs together. Or it could be if we see Paul McCartney or Ringo Star together on stage. Well, if they are performing, we don't know if they're performing together. We know the Beatles are getting their lifetime achievement awards. So, three of those -- if any of those three happen they will all be buzz worthy moments.

MARQUEZ: Jay-Z and Beyonce, that's the one I'm going for. Come on. On Ringo Star and Paul McCartney, they must perform together, right? Come on. Stop teasing.

TURNER: My gut would say yes. But I am a journalist, Miguel. So I don't have the facts. So I don't know.

MARQUEZ: You've got a good journalist gut though, kid.

TURNER: I'm trying. You know what, it would be interesting. Very interesting. And maybe even almost more buzz worthy if they didn't perform together. I think that we may be talking about that even more tomorrow if that happened.

MARQUEZ: I vote for Kanye. Kanye!

Thank you, Nischelle. You look lovely.

TURNER: Kanye is up for two nominations but he's not scheduled to perform. See you guys.

MARQUEZ: All right. Bye. Thank you very much.

Now, another big question for the week ahead, what will the president say in the state of the union address on Tuesday? Will it even matter? We'll discuss it, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARQUEZ: Gun control was the center piece of last year's state of the union address. The president proposed changes through legislation. Did they get through?

Here's CNN's Tom Foreman.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: With the terrible shooting of all those school children in Connecticut still fresh, the president spoke passionately about the need for more gun control.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Police chiefs are asking our help to get weapons of war and massive ammunition magazines off our streets, because these police chiefs, they're tired of seeing their guys and gals being outgunned. Each of these proposals deserves a vote in Congress.

FOREMAN: The White House got behind a bill to expand background checks at gun shows and for internet gun sales while adding some protections for legal gun owners. In the Senate, a majority approved all of that. But the measure did not get the 60 votes needed for passage. The president called it shameful that this effort is stalled.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: Now, President Obama will deliver the state of the union address Tuesday night before Congress. It's an official presidential duty required by the constitution. And, of course, you can watch it right here on CNN.

What will he say and what can he accomplish? We'll ask our all star political panel, professor Julian Zelizer is a Princeton historian and CNN commentator's Kevin Madden and Lx Granderson are also here.

You guys need better titles I think.

All signs point to a speech heavy on helping the middle class, reducing income inequality. But Professor Zelizer, to you first. He has a divided Congress. Mid-term elections coming up. Historically not much that the president in this position can accomplish, is that right?

JULIAN ZELIZER, PROFESSOR, HISTORIAN, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY: That's absolutely correct. This is time for the president when getting a lot through Congress is difficult. Not impossible. There's been some success stories like president Reagan who figured out ways to turn Congress in their favor.

MARQUEZ: And Kevin, he is going to promote an agenda the hopes will put some wind in the Democrats' sails for the mid-terms coming up. Can he do it?

KEVIN MADDEN, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Well, it'll be very difficult. I think to Professor Zelizer's point, the president has a very declining -- he has a very narrowing window right now with which to get things done. He really is only a few months away from being a potential lame duck -- lame duck president.

And I think with the mid-terms coming up, one of the big problems is not only are Republicans going to be looking to draw contrast with the president and Democrats, but many Democrats right now looking at a president with very low approval ratings will look to go out on their own and sort of define their own way forward and their own agenda. It comes as a big problem for him as he looks to forge some coalitions up on Capitol Hill to get things done.

MARQUEZ: Lz, is this is sort of speech that the president will try to set the agenda for that mid-term election and try to help out those Democrats that Kevin is saying they're going to have problems?

LZ GRANDERSON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: You know, if you look at history, right, this is the first president since Eisenhower to get more than 50 percent of the popular vote in both his elections. This is a president who does have low approvals, but his lowest point still has been higher than any other president going back to Kennedy. That's including Reagan. Look at the Gallup poll.

So, with that being said, I don't think it's very wise for Democrats to run from a president who may be unpopular in terms of look at popularity in his own presidency. But if you look at the numbers of Congress, it's not as if they're above 50 percent either. They're historically low as well. President Obama still remains the most popular figure in D.C. and, thus, in my opinion, is still an asset.

MARQUEZ: But those elections, they are won on the margins. Let's get a look at this CNN poll of polls. An average of the latest nonpartisan surveys. His approval rating just 43 percent. Does a president with a 43 percent approval rating push a lot of stuff through Congress, Mr. Zelizer?

ZELIZER: Well, I think more likely he's going to turn to executive power. This something that many presidents turn to in this day and age. They use executive orders or other measures where they don't need congressional approval to try to get some momentum on issues like immigration reform or climate change, which are two outstanding issues that Congress can't resolve.

So, I think there's a high likelihood that he's going to turn to this tool. And we've heard indications from the White House this is the strategy for the coming year.

MARQUEZ: Kevin, I take it if this president trying to go around Congress that's going to be like kicking the proverbial beehive?

MADDEN: Yes. And it's also an admission that he can't do the one thing that really was a central part to why he was elected in 2008 and then re-elected in 2012, which was that he was going to be able to bring people together.

So, it goes against his brand. But it also like you said with the beehive analogy, it does invite more partisanship. It invites more rancors. And not only does Congress get harshly judged by the American public when there's that types of partnership in Washington. But it also, the president is also judged harshly as well.

MARQUEZ: So Lz, what does the president have to say, how does he have to say it and what does he do in the months ahead? GRANDERSON: Well, listen. First of all, I want to challenge the notion that the president has not been able to get people together. As I said it before, he's the first president since Eisenhower to get more than 50 percent of the popular vote. Clearly he's been able to get a lot of people together underneath his agenda.

What he needs to do, I think he needs to start playing the rhetoric game. Just focus in on actually accomplishing the things he wants to get done. He's been trying to win favor in a game of words with Republicans who expressed in 2008 their primary goal is to make sure he's a one term president. That failed. Now they want to make him a lame duck character. Stop playing games with these people because they --

MADDEN: Lz, if he could bring people together he wouldn't have to work with just executive action. If he could bring people together he could get some big coalitions up on Capitol Hill to get things done. He hasn't able to do that.

MARQUEZ: Professor Zelizer.

(CROSSTALK)

GRANDERSON: You know what he hasn't been able to do? He hasn't been able to get Republicans to stop being obstructionists. That's what he hasn't been able to do. He's been able to convince the American people that his agenda is the one that's preferable. That's why he's a two term president. What he hasn't --

MARQUEZ: Professor Zelizer, I'm sorry. Hold on a second, gentlemen. Professor Zelizer, I'm sorry you have to witness this. But this is -- he's got a very tight line to walk because of the partisan rhetoric and how quickly it takes off, yes?

ZELIZER: Absolutely. Look. He governs in a very difficult environment. Its true both that he is a person who's been reelected and has some rather healthy numbers during those elections. At the same time, it is a polarized Congress and he has been unable to move Republicans.

So the other option, other than executive power, is to find the issues and play on those issues that divide the GOP and use those divisions as a way to win over some votes as Republicans think about what's going to be good for the mid-terms and the presidential election. But it is very difficult. And obviously, the prospects are slim for any big legislative items to get through.

MARQUEZ: We'll give the professor the last word. Professor Zelizer, Kevin, Lz, thank you all very much.

MADDEN: Great to be with you again.

ZELIZER: Thank you.

GRANDERSON: Thank you. MARQUEZ: This just into CNN. We are getting details of a U.S. military mission that targeted a militant group in the horn of Africa. Our military sources are telling us about an American air strike in southern Somalia.

On the phone with me now is our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr.

Barbara, tell us what you found out?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (via phone): WELL, Good' evening, Miguel. A U.S. military official is now confirming that the U.S. military did conduct an air strike in southern Somalia today. But what they will not say is who was the target, and whether they got that target?

All the official will say is that they were going after a senior militant leader believed to have ties to Al Qaeda and Al-Shabaab, the Al Qaeda affiliate, if you will, in Somalia. It was someone they say they were -- they wanted to get and that they had good reason to go after this person.

It's probably going to take them some time to confirm whether or not they got the target they were going after. Very difficult to get in there, get the identification. A lot of rumors floating around Somalia today about who they got. But right now U.S. officials aren't confirming any additional details other than they did conduct this air strike, Miguel.

MARQUEZ: Yes. Recently the S.E.A.L.s did have to back off of a mission to get Shabaab leader there. This may be the one they're going after. Somalia has quieted down. Why are they still hitting and going after Shabaab in this way?

STARR: Well, you know, it's interesting. A lot of people will tell you that al-Shabaab has been decimated. That Somali security forces have been able with the help of other African peace keepers to move against them and that the group is decimated. But we saw, of course, that mission that you spoke about to go after a key al-Shabaab leader because that leader in part had begun to link up and communicate with Al Qaeda. We have seen suggestions that al-Shabaab related militants were behind the attack against the Nairobi shopping mall last year.

So, you know, not down and out. Perhaps regrouping, establishing communications with other militant groups in the region. That's a big concern to the United States. This is about more than al-Shabaab and its operations in Somalia. As tragic as it's been for the Somali people, a lot of concern that these Al Qaeda affiliates are on the rise across Africa, the Middle East, and that they are going to cause big problems.

MARQUEZ: Very, very interesting. Local affiliates growing their tentacles and the U.S. trying to stop it.

Barbara Starr for us, Pentagon correspondent. Thank you very much.

Did President Obama keep his promises about terrorism at last year's state of the union?

Once again, here's CNN's Tom Foreman.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FOREMAN: The president pledged last January to make the fight on terrorism more of an open book.

OBAMA: So in the months ahead, I will continue to engage Congress to ensure not only that our targeting, detention and prosecution of terrorists remains consistent with our laws and system of checks and balances, but that our efforts are even more transparent to the American people and to the world.

FOREMAN: A month later the director of national intelligence essentially told Congress no data was being collected on Americans. But now we know better. We've learned that the U.S. government has routinely spied on al lies and collected massive amounts of data on phone calls by all of us. About two weeks ago the president announced new guidance for intelligence gathering, although the same basic framework remains. Any transparency here seems to have come despite the administration. That is a broken promise.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: Thanks, Tom.

CNN is your one stop shop for all things state of the union. This political programming note, our coverage begins 7:00 p.m. eastern time, Tuesday night, right here on CNN.

Coming up, Times Square is getting transformed for that big game, the Super Bowl. But wait. The big game isn't even in New York state. What's up with that?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARQUEZ: We have a little breaking news for you. Howard County police have just released this photo of the shooter, Darion Marcus Aguilar. The young man who shot and killed two people before killing himself on Saturday at a crowded mall in Columbia, Maryland. We are awaiting more details about this picture and about the investigation into why Mr. Aguilar did what he did.

About 10:15 yesterday, he said -- police say he went to the mall and then carried out this attack. Our Erin McPike is live on the ground there in Columbia, Maryland.

Erin, what more can you tell us?

MCPIKE: Well, Miguel, you may see it there. The police chief said at a press conference within the last half hour that they were releasing Aguilar's official driver's license photo. They also said that he had no criminal record. But when they searched his house last night, they did find a journal in which he expressed general unhappiness for his life. MARQUEZ: So -- and -- are we expecting any other updates from police tonight, Erin?

MCPIKE: Not tonight. They said to stay tuned to their Facebook page and their Twitter account, but no more press briefings tonight. We do know that the mall is reopening at 1:00 tomorrow. And they are establishing two memorial sites for the victims there.

MARQUEZ: Rough, rough, rough. Thank you very much, Erin McPike, in Columbia, Maryland, for us.

Now, with the Super Bowl happening in just a week, all eyes will be on New York. We should really say New Jersey. It's an easy distinction to miss. Our Alexandra Field saw that for herself.

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miguel, the Super Bowl is one week away. It's going to happen right here in East Rutherford, but if you look around town you won't see a single sign. Not even a single banner that tells you the big game is going to be played right here just down that street.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FIELD: Amid all the excitement, there's a little confusion.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Super bowl XLVIII in New York. Congratulations!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can only send one of you to cover the game in New York.

FIELD: This is Metlife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The host of Super Bowl XLVIII.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tell them they better get a geography lesson.

FIELD: Did you think this would put you on the map?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely.

FIELD: It's a small town. Just 9,000 people.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The stadium is right down here. Less than a mile away.

FIELD: A detail that looks to some as if it's been overlooked.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was just talking to a radio host in Seattle, and he didn't even realize that the stadium was in New Jersey until a couple weeks ago. That says something.

FIELD: In New York City the NFL is transforming Times Square into Super Bowl Boulevard. But in East Rutherford, there isn't a single banner in sight. Only one small sign that the mayor had to order himself. And because it uses the trademark phrase Super Bowl, the NFL could object.

What happens if you're told to take it down?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well I think it would be pretty dopey of them to tell us to take it down.

FIELD: Do you feel like you were left out in the cold here at all?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm used to it. You know.

(LAUGHTER)

FIELD: That sounds like a little New York/New Jersey rivalry to me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're kind of used to it. And, you know, you accept it. Life goes on.

FIELD: Hey, is there a little New York/New Jersey rivalry playing in here? How would you answer that?

RON SIMONCINI, EAST RUTHERFORD TAILGATE PLANNER: My PR answer is I'm sure glad I'm next to the biggest city in the world because that's how I make my living, but my New Jersey answer is I'd like to kick them in the shins.

FIELD: Town officials say there's been no effort to promote East Rutherford, but the NFL insists that New Jersey isn't getting the short straw, telling CNN there are more activities in New Jersey than New York. Players are staying in Jersey City, training and media appearances will be held in state. Come game day the mayor says his town will feel proud, even if East Rutherford has taken a back seat. Even though the mayor will have to find his own seat.

MAYOR JAMES , EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY: I also will probably be sitting in my lounge chair watching -- on my recliner watching the game.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FIELD: The mayor may be watching the game from home, but he does have one hot ticket to the town's very own tailgate party. It's their attempt to drum up some business right here in the middle of town on Super Bowl Sunday. Miguel?

MARQUEZ: All right. Alexandra Field, thank you very much.

Remember this guy? That's Ray Nagin, the incredibly blunt former mayor of New Orleans, who became a household name in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. We'll tell you why he could face up to 20 years in prison.

But first, jobs stress, worry and the fast pace of modern life often make us lose sight of the simple joys in life, but when a New Orleans man faced his fears the result was inspiring and positive. CNN's Tom Foreman has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In the city that care forgot, it's hard to find anyone with fewer worries than David Menasche.

DAVID MENASCHE, AUTHOR, "THE PRIORITY LIST": At times I have felt a lot like Huck Finn. Just floating down the river. Free.

FOREMAN: Odd. Because for seven years, he's had an inoperable brain tumor. So why is he happy? Because his terminal illness has led to the adventure of a lifetime.

MENASCHE: Well, that's one of the perks of being told you're going to die. You don't have a lot left to be afraid of.

FOREMAN: Menasche was a teacher who loved literature, poetry, and shaping young lives. The illness made him wonder if he'd really made any difference, so he set out to visit as many former students as he could, through 8,000 miles of buses, planes, trains, hitchhiking.

MENASCHE: Some were amazed. I repeatedly got the question, what are you doing in Seattle? how did you get to San Francisco? Oregon, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama.

FOREMAN: A lot.

MENASCHE: A lot. Ladies and gentlemen, the Pacific.

FOREMAN: The adventure became a book, "The Priority List." Friendships became a new reason to live.

MENASCHE: Even in this state, mostly blind and crippled, I'm alive. And I'm doing things with my life. And I'm very happy about that.

FOREMAN: What did you learn?

MENASCHE: I did make a difference, and I'm very proud of that difference, and the people that they have become.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There was no cap for the shampoo bottle.

FOREMAN: Some of his old students now help him get to the doctor, run errands, read books.

JENNIFER BREWER, FORMER STUDENT: To be honest, there was a time in high school where I didn't know if he would be there to see me get into college and graduate and to know that I wanted to be a teacher.

FOREMAN: This has all been more than you expected?

BREWER: Oh, absolutely. Absolutely.

MENASCHE: We're all going to die. We both know this. It is an inevitability if you just spend your time dreading and mourning, you miss out on the good stuff that happens before then, and very much about living.

FOREMAN: Still he pushes on. Not to the end. But to whatever comes next. Tom foreman, CNN, New Orleans.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARQUEZ: Police in Maryland have just released a photo of the teenager who they say opened fire inside a crowded mall yesterday, killing two people, then himself. This is Darion Marcus Aguilar, 19-years-old from College Park, Maryland. He walked into the mall yesterday in Columbia, Maryland, he had a shotgun and some homemade bombs in a backpack. He shot a woman and a man dead in the store. Then killed himself. Police still don't know what his motive was or even if he knew 21-year-old Brianna Benlolo or 25-year-old Tyler Johnson.

You may remember the former mayor of New Orleans for his role in Hurricane Katrina. Ray Nagin was credited with leading the city through its darkest days during the 2005 disaster. And he became internationally known. But now Nagin is in a much different spotlight. His federal bribery trial begins tomorrow. He could face up to 20 years behind bars. Rosa Flores joins me now with the details.

ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: As you know, Nagin has been quite the character. Things that he has said about the city of New Orleans has made headline news around the nation like this. Roll it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FMR. MAYOR RAY NAGIN, NEW ORLEANS: It's time for us to rebuild a New Orleans, the one that should be a chocolate New Orleans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FLORES: But now it's not the things that he is saying about the city of New Orleans, but things that he allegedly did while he was mayor there.

Here we go. There's a 21 count indictment for things like money laundering, bribery, wire fraud. In a nutshell, Miguel, here's what is alleged.

It's alleged that he took thousands of dollars, whether it be cash, personal services or free trips that he and his family took, in exchange for city contracts. And these city contracts were numerous. According to this indictment.

His jury selection is tomorrow. When asked about this, here is what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NAGIN: No, man, I can't make a comment.

(END VIDEO CLIP) FLORES: So there you have it. He's not saying much, but there's a lot of allegations in this 21 count indictment. I can tell you about the size of these contracts, between $1 million and $3 million. A lot of people in New Orleans, of course, following it very closely.

MARQUEZ: Louisiana, New Orleans known for rough and tumble politics no matter what happens, it seems, as his political career appears over at least.

FLORES: Definitely so, and I've been looking at the 'Times (INAUDIBLE)" the local newspaper there. A lot of the comments, there's a lot of mixed emotions. People are saying, really? Again? We have here allegations of corruption in Louisiana, in New Orleans. Why?

MARQUEZ: Rosa Flores, thank you very much.

FLORES: Of course.

MARQUEZ: Take a look at this. Looks like the North Pole, doesn't it? Nope. That is Grand Forks, North Dakota. It's minus 2 degrees there right now. That's warm, compared to tonight's low of minus 19. So for all you folks in Grand Forks, and for anyone sick of this cold weather, this is for you.

Sunset in Key West. It's 75 degrees there now. Balmy. So when, oh, when, will we be able to kick back and enjoy some warm weather like the lucky folks on the beach? We'll tell you, next.

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MARQUEZ: Here we go again with the extreme winter weather. Nearly everyone in the country will have a colder than normal commute in the morning. And don't look for it to warm up much as the week goes on. Karen Maginnis is in the severe weather center.

KAREN MAGINNIS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Miguel, the cold air has really been the topic of the weather for weeks now. But now now it moves farther to the south, encompasses more of the west, and that frigid cold air is going to feel even colder. Because we've seen blizzard conditions across the upper Mississippi River valley and Great Lakes where the wind gusts are right around 50, 60 miles an hour, producing windchill factors minus 30. Minus 40 degrees.

And even daytime high temperatures below zero. Not below freezing, below zero. Minus 4 expected coming up for Monday in Chicago. New York City, Washington, Boston, it's cold. But just wait. You're not finished. We've got teens coming up for Tuesday. New York and Washington. Washington, D.C., maybe 20 degrees.

Atlanta, readings that have been in the 50s, only in the 30s. So amazing just how penetrating cold this weather has turned. And it gets a little more interesting in the forecast. There you can see along the Gulf coast, yes, a big temperature drop. But then the development of a storm system right along the Gulf coast this time of year with cold air plunging to the south, computer models are suggesting maybe a wintry mix all the way from mobile to Charleston, South Carolina. Could be rain, could be snow, could be a rain/snow mix. Just have to watch this as it evolves over the next 24 hours or so.

Miguel, back to you.

MARQUEZ: I'm happy to say, Karen Maginnis, I'll be headed to lovely Los Angeles tomorrow. Thank you very much.

Here's a live look at Hong Kong's world famous Victoria Harbor where it's already Monday morning. Preparations are underway there and around the world for the lunar new year celebrations. Friday kicks off the year of the horse. Much of east Asia will essentially shut down for several days due to the holiday. The food will be amazing, of course. Maybe some mandarin chicken or spring rolls. Look for these festivities here in the U.S. as well. Again, great food. I'm thinking dim sum. Making myself hungry.

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MARQUEZ: From tonight's Grammys to next Sunday's Super Bowl, you are looking at live pictures in Los Angeles. Ringo Starr there. This is shaping up as a packed week for pop culture. Samantha Schacher hits us with the highlights.

SAMANTHA SCHACHER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Miguel. What's going on in the entertainment world next week? What shows or events should you tune into? Here are my top five must sees this week. I do the research so you don't have to.

Coming in at number five, the 56th annual Grammys are tonight. Hosted by L.L. Cool J. Catch performances by Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, Lorde, Robin Thicke, Metallica as well as Daft Punk, Stevie Wonder and Pharrell (ph). Also the one and only Madonna will take the stage. Rumor has it that Beyonce and Jay-Z will be performing together as well. Who will be the big winner of the night? My bet is on Lorde and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. We will have to tune in and see.

Coming in at number four, Thursday here on CNN at 9 eastern, a special one hour presentation executive produced by none other than Tom Hanks is "The Sixties: The British Invasion" which highlights the landmark musical revolution of 1964. Critics are calling this special epic. So trust me, you do not want to miss it.

Number three, want to catch a movie this weekend? Why not. Friday the highly anticipated romantic comedy "That Awkward Moment" hits theaters starring Zac Efron and Michael B. Jordan. A lot of people are saying that this movie is supposed to be hilarious. Hey, a movie full of awkward moments will be sure to make you laugh.

Coming in at number two on Saturday, skip going out because you do not want to miss the Gabby Douglas story on Lifetime. Everyone is talking about this inspirational portrayal of the Olympic gymnast. Regina King and Gabby herself star. I have to say, you may want to have some Kleenex on hand. Just saying, it is lifetime. And the number one event of the week, drum roll, please. Next Sunday, one week from today, Super Bowl XLVIII. However, I'm more excited about the commercials. And everyone is buzzing About David Beckham's highly anticipated commercial for H&M. Where get this, the fans get to decide the ending of the commercial by voting on their website this week.

The premise of the commercial is that David is locked out of a photo shoot, left on a roof and fans can vote #covered for an ending that leaves Beckham covered in his skivvies or #uncovered so that Beckham dons his birthday suit instead. I've already voted, uncovered. Yes. So what? We'll have to wait until the Super Bowl Sunday to find out Beckham's fate.

MARQUEZ: Samantha Schacher, I'm voting right now. Thank you very much. We just saw Ringo Starr looking star-sational on the red carpet. If you're a child of the' 60s here an event you should remember very, very well

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THE BEATLES SINGING "MONEY CAN'T BUY ME LOVE"

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: That, of course, is The Beatles singing can't buy me love. it's hard to believe next month will mark 50 years since John, Paul, Ringo and George lit up America. We'll tell you why Paul McCartney is disappointed when he looks back at the British invasion.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARQUEZ: Well, you are looking at a live picture of Abbey Road and that famous crosswalk outside the studios where The Beatles made so many hit records. Next month marks the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' arrival in the U.S. CNN's one hour documentary on that event airs this Thursday at 9:00 p.m. eastern. Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney will also be honored at tonight's Grammys with lifetime achievement awards. Anthony Curtis of "Rolling Stone Magazine" knows The Beatles just about as well as anyone. I spoke to him about the massive impact The Beatles had on the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANTHONY CURTIS, ROLLING STONE: When The Beatles arrived, I mean, there really has not been a pop culture event of that magnitude since then. I was a 12-year-old kid in New York at the time. It was just massive. I mean, every radio station. There was just constant coverage of them at the airport. Them at their hotel. And then, finally, them at the "Ed Sullivan Show." You know, it was an extraordinary breakthrough. We're still feeling its ripples today.

MARQUEZ: In 2007, you talked to Paul McCartney. He expressed some feelings of disappointment that the '60s didn't quite live up to their potential. What was he talking about? CURTIS: Well, I think there was a sense that, you know, expectations were very high. People felt led by artists like The Beatles, that there was going to be a transformation of consciousness and really a kind of utopia was going to follow. I mean, people talked this way. It's hard to believe now. And obviously that did not happen. In fact, you know, things went in a much, much different direction. So I think probably everybody who went through that period, you know, feels a little bit of that sense of goals that were never reached.

MARQUEZ: As a journalist, you probably know these guys as well as anybody; 50 years on, how do Paul and Ringo explain the phenomenon that The Beatles were?

CURTIS: Well, it's interesting. I mean, when I spoke to them and -- and to George Harrison as well, one of the things they emphasized is they were as swept up in it as anybody else was. You know, there was so much happening so fast that even as someone like me or anybody who was around then saw them as the kind of apex of everything that was going on, they felt themselves in the eye of the hurricane. And it created a bond between the four of them and between them and their audience that is something that I think people still yearn for. I think that's part of the enduring appeal of The Beatles is the phenomenon that everybody could feel that good about and, you know, draw a lot of emotional nurture from.

MARQUEZ: Yes. It caused a bond, but also a rift between them. I mean, McCartney eventually sued The Beatles. He took a hit for doing that. Was it right for him to do that? Does he regret that now?

CURTIS: Oh, I don't think he regrets it, and nor should he regret it. I mean yeah, it fell apart. I mean, there was, you know, The Beatles -- it was a very short and hugely impactful career. By the end of it, you know, no one had ever done what they had done. And they really began to irritate each other. And there were lawsuits back and forth. They wrote songs about it. You know, it was messy. I think one of the reasons I think that people keep going back to The Beatles is, is wanting another ending. Wanting a kind of sweeter ending to it.

MARQUEZ: The other thing that's amazing about them is just how much influence their music still has. How much it stands up. It is -- has there ever been a force like The Beatles since?

CURTIS: Well, I mean, there's very few phenomena that you can compare to The Beatles.