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Five Dead In Small Plane Crash Near Louisiana; New Reporting About President's State Of Mind As He Celebrates Holidays Amid A Stalled Impeachment Battle In Washington; Frightening Trend Putting New York's Jewish Community On Alert. Aired 6-7p ET
Aired December 28, 2019 - 18:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[18:00:06]
RYAN NOBLES, CNN HOST: You are live in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Ryan Nobles in tonight for Ana Cabrera. And tonight, heartbreak at the Peach Bowl. One of the top coaches for LSU learning, his daughter-in- law was among five people killed when a small plane crashed in dense fog in Lafayette, Louisiana this morning.
Carley McCord works as a sports reporter for our affiliate WDSU was traveling to Atlanta to watch the game where her father-in-law, Steve Ensminger is actually coaching tonight.
This video was recorded by a witness who said the plane looked like it was trying to land in a field and skidded through a parking lot and caught fire. Another witness said that it looked like the plane hit some overhead wires.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I saw it, it came down and when it came down, to me, it tilted -- it tipped the power line. You can see -- you can see right there, they went to tip the power line and hit that post. It tipped the Suburban -- and then it hit that cone, it hit that and it blew up and the plane started to blow up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NOBLES: All right, let's get the latest from the scene. CNN's Natasha Chen is there at the crash site. Natasha, six people were on that plane, all but one were killed. Where do emergency officials stand on the investigation tonight?
NATASHA CHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: All right, well, we are waiting for the National Transportation Safety Board to arrive with their investigators. N.T.S.B. is sending a team. We're not exactly sure how many people they're sending at this point. But I was told that some will be arriving today, some arriving tomorrow.
So we're not expecting officials to brief us on what they find until at the earliest tomorrow. What we are hearing from witnesses like the one we just played the sound bite from is that people saw this plane teetering and tilting before it crashed in the fields behind us. Let me show you what we are seeing on scene here. There is still some
debris in the distant field there and what you're seeing to the right is a post office.
So people were seeing that this plane crashed into a vehicle and the vehicle caught fire and the plane caught fire. We're seeing pieces of the plane in different places. And of course there is damage to that Post Office. There is a window boarded up.
So it's very -- it's just devastating to see because the debris field is so wide right here, and of course, officials will be coming in, experts coming in to take a look at all of this.
As you mentioned, one of the people confirmed to have died on this plane was Carley McCord, a 30-year-old sports reporter from WDSU, just very devastating for that TV station family.
And as you mentioned, her father-in-law is the offensive coordinator for LSU. He is planning to still work that game today. So that family also going through incredible heartbreak.
For other people, aside from McCord that died in this crash, and we know that one person from that plane survived and is being treated for serious injuries in the hospital.
The Fire Department also says that three other people are being treated for serious burns considered life threatening also being hospitalized and then two other people were in the Post Office treated for smoke inhalation, but they are expected to be okay.
So again, this plane took off from the Regional Airport here. This is just a few miles away, so it didn't get very far. And officials will be taking a look at what exactly might have caused it to go down.
Now I do want to clarify and correct something that I mentioned in earlier broadcasts, Ryan, I said that WDSU lost another anchor earlier this year. There was another New Orleans anchor who died in a plane crash in August. That was Nancy Parker, but Parker worked for Fox 8 and not WDSU, I apologize for that and just wanted to clarify they worked for different stations -- Ryan.
NOBLES: All right, no problem. Natasha, thank you so much for that report. We appreciate the update. And last hour I spoke with CNN Aviation Analyst, Miles O'Brien, who told me what he thinks could have caused the crash.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN AVIATION ANALYST: If something did in fact happen mechanically to the aircraft immediately after it took off and that the crew was in the clouds, situational awareness becomes more of a challenge.
And we should tell you this is a single pilot. It's perfectly legal to fly this as a single pilot. But when things happen with a twin- engine aircraft, let's say an engine failed on departure, you have to do a lot of things quickly correctly and compounded with that would be bad weather that might be a contributing factor.
Looking at the radar track, it did veer sharply to the left as it took off and only gained altitude to about 300 feet, so it never really got that far into the sky, and it veered very sharply to the left.
So if there was some problem with the left side engine, for example, the pilot would have had to scramble pretty quickly to get the plane feathered is the term so that it doesn't provide aerodynamic drag.
[18:05:00]
O'BRIEN: In other words, the blades are edged on to the wind as it approaches and those things have to happen quickly, and in a bad weather situation, it can be difficult.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NOBLES: Of course as we mentioned at the top, LSU Coach Steve Ensminger is coaching right now at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, this after learning of his daughter-in-law's passing in that plane crash on the way to the biggest game of LSU season.
A Louisiana Sports Director who was at the game called in and said that some of the student athletes were coming up to him to give him a hug, and that he came out of the locker room with tears in his eyes.
With me now to talk about this, CNN Sports Analyst, Christine Brennan. Christine, we can't understate the impact, the importance of this game here tonight for Ensminger and his career, and he learns that his own daughter-in-law has died on the way to the game. That had to have been a gut-wrenching decision for him to make about whether or not to coach tonight.
But Christine, you've been around sports a long time. That's generally the decision that athletes and coaches make when confronted with a tragedy, they usually plow on and go right into continuing on with the game.
CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORTS ANALYST: That's right, Ryan. And because there is such a wonderful base of support there, obviously this huge game and LSU is playing very well right now and maybe riding on the emotion of this moment, the sadness, the tragedy, as well as of course, just being a great, great football team, even though the football seems so insignificant as we talk here.
But the fact that Carley, of course, is the daughter-in-law of Ensminger who is the offensive coordinator and a great name in LSU history, he was playing quarterback for LSU in the late 70s and 80s himself. And then of course, his son, marries Carley, a sports journalist on the rise.
We all know what that's like, those of us in the business, the dream of continuing to cover what you love. In this case, Carley was covering sports and racing to a game early in the morning as so many of us have done. And so because I think you've got just a wonderful system of support
and a very loving, warm, LSU family, it is all tied in here. I think it makes sense that he would be coaching as tragic, of course, as this is for everyone.
NOBLES: Yes. And to that point, Christine, I want to show you what ESPN played during their coverage of the Peach Bowl tonight. They actually showed a graphic of Carley and her father-in-law together during much happier times.
And you know, I think college sports even more than professional sports, maybe sports at any level, they spend so much time together. It usually ends up feeling more like a family than a job or responsibility. You have to imagine the hearts of everybody on this team must be heavy tonight.
But Christine, I would assume that to your point, they must be leaning on each other during this difficult time.
BRENNAN: Well, that's true and the Southeastern Conference of course where LSU plays is, they love their football and I've covered SEC football early in my career. I was that young reporter racing to games in the Southeastern Conferences. Carley was, and so many of us, men and women now, especially young women getting into the business.
So I understand that and one other the things I want to say, Ryan, is I did not know Carley. I've just read about her over the last few hours and her career and the arc of her career at 30 was exactly that same arc of so many young journalists dreaming of covering the big events, starting out and going to Cleveland for a while coming back home to Baton Rouge, and being around as many sports as she could and work her way up to a very, very influential role at the age of 30.
And the fact that I didn't know her I think speaks to the generation that she came from, and that is these young women play sports growing up with Title 9, our country welcoming them with their love of sports, their love of athletic participation and also knowledge of sports.
Dads wanting their daughters to learn about sports just like their sons and play sports just like their sons and I don't know, Carley, but my guess is that is her background, she was doing what she loved and as tragic and awful as this is, I feel like so many of us do know her and know what she was dreaming and hoping and to see those dreams die and of course, her young life end so soon, it really hits home for all of us, even as I say for people who never met her and never knew her.
NOBLES: Terrific sentiment. Excellent point that you make, Christine and Carley McCord, only 30 years old, probably well-known to folks in that part of the country in addition to her reporting on television, she also served as the in-game host for the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans games, so if you went to one of those games, you probably saw her on the Jumbotron.
Just an awful tragedy and our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time. Christine, thanks so much. BRENNAN: Ryan, thank you.
NOBLES: Coming up, new reporting about the President's state of mind as he celebrates the Holidays amid a stalled impeachment battle in Washington. Stay right here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:11:56]
NOBLES: Turning now to the impeachment impasse and new signs today that President Trump is growing frustrated with the uncertainty surrounding his Senate trial. Limbo, it seems, not really to his liking.
Check out his Twitter page from today. The President has now spent every single day of his vacation, tweeting about impeachment, how unfair it is, mocking the Speaker of the House, sent it 20-plus times.
He is also re-tweeting bots and fan accounts of the conspiracy theory group Qanon. He also retweeted and then had removed an attack that included the name of the purported whistleblower.
For more now, let's go right to CNN's Kristen Holmes. She is in West Palm Beach near the President's Mar-a-Lago estate. So Kristen, what else are we learning about the President's state of mind?
KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Ryan, President Trump may be physically here in Florida, but it is very clear that his mind is back home in Washington and on that impeachment trial.
While he has been spotted mixing and mingling with guests and members at Mar-a-Lago, we've also learned that he's been seeking their advice, asking allies who should be on his defense team going into the impeachment trial and what exactly his defense strategy should be?
And of course, we have spotted him numerous times on the golf course. But we've seen him on Twitter much more, as you said, attacking impeachment, Democrats and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
And just to give a breakdown of where exactly we stand right now, President Trump clearly unnerved or disturbed that the Speaker has yet to transmit over those Articles of Impeachment, right now, this impasse over what exactly a fair trial means.
Democrats believe that it includes witnesses and documents and Republicans will not agree to that at this stage. And I have to say, Ryan, I spoke to several Republicans who said that they hope this really worked itself out, that Speaker Pelosi when the House was back in session in early January would feel a lot of political pressure, and would just go ahead and transmit over those Articles of Impeachment.
But last night, Democratic Congressman Dan Kildee told CNN that it could possibly be as late as a February, so I think those Republicans might be in for a rude awakening. NOBLES: No doubt about that, Kristen. Everybody sitting and waiting
to see how this impeachment trial is going to play out. Kristen Holmes live in West Palm Beach, Florida. Kristen, thank you for that update.
So let's turn out of the 2020 race. The top Democrats back on the campaign trail after a Holiday break making a big push with just now 37 days until the first-in-the-nation Iowa Caucuses. That race remains wide open with several candidates making the case that they can win.
Among them, Bernie Sanders who has held on to his core supporters and appears to be slowly gaining some traction. In many ways, the Sanders campaign, the candidate himself seemed reinvigorated after he suffered a heart attack in October.
It's a new level of energy I saw firsthand, of course, when he challenged me to a basketball shoot around in Iowa last month. But Sanders isn't the only candidate in a strong position and he certainly faces some challenges.
Here to talk about the state of the Democratic race, CNN Political Commentator and Democratic Strategist, Maria Cardona and CNN Political Commentator and former Hillary Clinton Campaign Manager, Patti Solis Doyle.
[18:15:00]
NOBLES: So Patti, let me start with you, and I want to talk about the headwinds for Bernie Sanders, particularly with some of these moderate voters, and I want to play a clip from him today in New Hampshire. He was questioned about how a transition to Medicare-for-All would impact workers in the health insurance industry and listen to how frank he is in his response.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Will there be some administration? Yes. Will it be anywhere near the kinds of administration that we currently have? No, there will not be.
Will there be job loss? Yes, there will be, but what I want to tell you is we are putting into Medicare-for-All what we call a just transition program, which will help everybody in the industry for a five-year period, maintain their income, get the job training that they need to get another job. I think that's the fair and right thing to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NOBLES: So Patti, Sanders, to his credit, being honest about this, right? But this isn't something new. He has admitted it for some time. But is it an example of how his pitch for radical transformation could scare particularly some of those moderate voters on the Democratic side? PATTI SOLIS DOYLE, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Look, Bernie Sanders
has been remarkably consistent on this issue. As he likes to say, he wrote the damn bill. He has stuck to his guns on this issue and people know what they're getting when they are supporting Bernie Sanders, and I think that works for him.
There is this level of authenticity when it comes to Bernie Sanders, and he, you know, in Iowa, in particular, remember in 2016, during the primary process, he came very, very close to beating Hillary Clinton. I think they were separated by, you know, one percentage point in that race in Iowa back in 2016.
So I think that Bernie Sanders is absolutely playing it right. You know, he cannot change mid-race right now. He is sticking to his guns and his supporters are sticking with him. The question for Bernie is, is he going to be able to attract, you know, people who did not support him in 2016? The more moderate voters.
Is he is he going to be able to have traction when he moves on to South Carolina and Nevada and to Super Tuesday states? And that's really the question for Bernie.
NOBLES: So, Maria, let's then talk about how these candidates are appealing to Latino voters and that's an area where Sanders admits he probably didn't do as well in 2016 as he'd like to do.
This time around, he has made it a big focus of his campaign. He held an all-Spanish speaking Town Hall with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He is not the only one though. It seems like a lot of these Democratic candidates are making a pitch to the primary electorate.
You can see where Sanders and Biden sit atop the field as it relates to Democratic primary voters. Maria, what's your sense about their pitch to this voting bloc? And do you see one of the candidates emerging as a favorite?
MARIA CARDONA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, right now what we're seeing and poll after poll, especially from pollsters who are experts at polling the Latino electorate is that it is Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.
And you know what? I have to commend Bernie Sanders at really doing things differently than what he did in 2016. In 2016, it really was one of his weak spots in terms of the support that he had among Latino voters. He has really fixed that.
He has gone after Latino voters. He has pitched them directly. He has pitched them authentically. And as you know, the Latino electorate, the Latino population is by far a lot younger than the mainstream population in the country. And we know that Bernie Sanders, one of his strongest points is his appeal to young voters. And so I think you have that sort of overlap that's really working for him.
He is doing a lot of stuff with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which is super smart. She is really well liked among the young Latino electorate, and so I do have to commend him for doing it and frankly, a lot of the other candidates are doing the same thing.
They need to be doing more, Ryan because as you know, in 2020, the Latino electorate is going to be the biggest ethnic voting bloc that we have seen in this country today, and so they could really swing these elections.
Even in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan, where the eligible Latino voting numbers are a lot larger than what the margin was that Trump won. And so it's going to be a very important voting bloc, they need to get them out there to vote, and if they get them out there to vote and the numbers that Latinos represent, it could be game over for the Republicans.
NOBLES: And what's interesting, Sanders has had AOC on the trail. I've been to many of these rallies with the two of them together. They seem like an odd couple given their generational and racial divide, but an amazing amount of chemistry between the two of them on the campaign trail, and they're bringing massive crowds, a huge crowd in Venice Beach just about a week ago. So you're right. That impact is huge.
Patti, let's shift gears a little bit here and talk about how the impeachment process is going to handle or have an impact on this race. So much of this final ramp to Iowa is going to be impacted by the impeachment trial. It could dominate the entire month of January.
[18:20:04]
NOBLES: This could uniquely impact Vice President Joe Biden, right? And he has gone back and forth a little bit trying to clarify where he would stand if he was issued a subpoena to testify -- that does seem unlikely.
But again, has been forced to answer questions about that. Do you see any danger here for Vice President Biden, especially because President Trump seems insistent in dragging his name into this controversy?
DOYLE: You know, look, first of all, I think, while it took him a day, I think he landed absolutely in the right place with his answer. You know, there is no basis really for him to be subpoenaed. He doesn't have any firsthand knowledge on either the, you know, abuse of power or the obstruction of Congress. So it I think it will be very unlikely that he gets subpoenaed.
But also, I think that this whole Ukraine business as it relates to Joe Biden and his son has only made Joe Biden stronger. You know, the President's attack on Vice President Joe Biden has really rallied Democrats around him, and let's remember the reason that President Trump asked for help in this from the Ukrainians is because he is worried about Joe Biden as an opponent, and he sees him as the real threat. So there's that.
And then also, the other thing that is going to be helpful to Joe Biden and to Pete Buttigieg is that the sitting senators, Senator Sanders and Senator Warren are going to have to be in Washington, D.C. at this trial, while Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg are going to be available to campaign and be sitting at diners with voters in Iowa and New Hampshire, and that's a real, you know, leg up against the other candidates that are running.
NOBLE: And Maria, a quick thought from you on that. Are you concerned at all about how this could impact Joe Biden in Iowa in particular?
CARDONA: No, I'm actually not. I completely agree with Patti and the other thing is that it hasn't just rallied Democrats around Joe Biden, it has rallied Independents, Republican never-Trumpers, people who are sick of this chaotic presidency and this unfit President.
And they see that this President is completely afraid of Joe Biden, and that has I think, made people really understand well, if he is afraid of Joe Biden, he must be the strongest one in the Democratic candidate field, and that he can beat Donald Trump, and for so many people, that is the number one priority.
NOBLES: All right, great conversation. I thank you both for being here. Maria Cardona and Patti Solis Doyle.
CARDONA: Thanks, Ryan.
NOBLES: Have a Happy New Year.
DOYLE: Thanks, Ryan. Happy New Year.
CARDONA: And to you, too.
NOBLES: And coming up, a frightening trend putting New York's Jewish community on alert. What police are saying about a string of apparent anti-Semitic attacks during Hanukkah?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:26:12]
NOBLES: Sundown tonight mark the beginning of the seventh day of Hanukkah, but it is a stark reminder of the rise of anti-Semitic incidents.
The City of New York has seen at least eight alleged anti-Semitic attacks since Monday. It includes one incident, Friday, when a man walked into a Jewish Center and allegedly threatened to shoot and kill people.
The string of attacks have spurred police to step up their patrols in Brooklyn neighborhoods. Mayor Bill de Blasio reiterated the city stands with the Jewish community.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO, NEW YORK CITY: We have to show people who right now are really worried here in Crown Heights and other communities that the City of New York will stand by them, the NYPD will stand by them so you will see those increased patrols to protect people. (END VIDEO CLIP)
NOBLES: With me now is CNN's Polo Sandoval. Polo, what more can you tell me about those incidents?
POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, even then Ryan, you also have other groups that are calling for a state of emergency to be declared by the Mayor saying that just simply condemning them is not enough. And when you see those numbers, they certainly are mounting much of the story of those numbers.
And also much of the story, those pictures that have been released by the NYPD have some of these incidents that were captured on surveillance video.
In fact, just this morning, the NYPD releasing a video of an incident that happened about one in the morning on Christmas Day and in this footage, the video is grainy, but you can see a gentleman, a Jewish man in traditional religious clothing, he is confronted and then punched in the face by another individual in a hoodie and then makes his way away from the scene. Authorities are working to track him down.
A very similar incident played out about 24 hours before that where another Jewish gentleman wearing traditional Jewish attire is approached by multiple individuals and then beaten as well. This footage has also been released here by authorities, hoping that they can eventually track down those responsible.
But really when you add all of these incidents up, it really does beg the question, what is actually happening here. We reached out to the Anti-Defamation League to ask what could potentially be behind this, and when you hear from the Regional Director here in New York, he says that they are very confident that there are multiple factors behind what's happening.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EVAN BERNSTEIN, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY REGIONAL DIRECTOR, ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE: A lot of theories are around gentrification, housing issues; unfortunately, old stereotypes that are now rising up again, you know, around money and power.
You also unfortunately, deal with people with mental illness who are may be impacted by some of those things that instead of being able to hold back on their aggression are lashing out. We're seeing that more and more based on our talks with the NYPD.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANDOVAL: And you heard from Evan Bernstein there. They are in constant communication with the NYPD, and it seems that really, it's not white supremacist behind this, but there's much more nuanced, much more context and this is a complicated issue.
But of course for law enforcement here, Ryan, the answer is simply making their presence known in some of these neighborhoods, staying in contact with various Jewish community leaders because it really does add just another layer here when you consider the timing here as Jewish families are peacefully gathering to celebrate Hanukkah, now they have this to worry about here in New York.
NOBLES: No doubt. Polo Sandoval, thank you so much for being on top of this story. We appreciate it.
SANDOVAL: Thanks, Ryan.
NOBLES: And can you tell the difference between an authentic vaping cartridge and a fake one? Most people can't and it's a growing health threat. We will break down what you need to know coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:31:36]
NOBLES: It is now illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to buy tobacco products in the United States. The change is part of a massive $1.4 trillion Spending Bill signed by President Trump on December 20th. It covers all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes. Nineteen states already had their own laws restricting tobacco sales to people 21 and older.
In the meantime, the C.D.C. says the number of people getting sick and dying from e-cigarettes is starting to slow down. But with more than 50 people dead and 2,500 other sick, the agency is still working to pinpoint the exact cause of the outbreak.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports that signs point to the THC vaping black market.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: This is a chronic pain relief center. That's cute.
MARK HOASHI, CREATOR, DOJA: Right. This is a legal and licensed dispensary in California. You know this is one of the nicer lines. It's important to keep in mind that there are some illicit shops that looks just like this.
GUPTA (voice over): It can be really hard to tell. So we sent an undercover camera to see for ourselves.
According to the California Bureau of Cannabis Control, this is an illegal vaping store. The thing is, it looks just like a legal one. Within minutes, we were able to purchase these illicit THC cartridges for $30.00 to $55.00 apiece. We paid cash and there was no sales tax.
And this store is also in California where THC is legal.
GUPTA (on camera): It feels like we're at the, you know, the Wild West in terms of actually figuring this out. HOASHI: It is the Wild West. I think there needs to be more
enforcement on the illicit shops and an easier way for consumers to identify which shops are operating legally.
So this is the Doja app --
GUPTA (voice over): That's exactly why Mark Hoashi created Doja. Think of it as the Yelp for cannabis.
HOASHI: On the Doja app, I do you see people getting headaches and nausea.
GUPTA (on camera): When you've heard people were having symptoms and then subsequently tested, what have you found?
HOASHI: I found cartridges that test positive for over 15 different pesticides and even heavy metals including lead and mercury.
GUPTA (voice over): Hoashi says a lot of consumers have no idea the products they're buying are fake.
HOASHI: The fake brands are easily identifiable because there's no testing. There's no government warning, and they have no child resistant mechanism.
GUPTA (on camera): Those are big red flags.
HOASHI: Now this one is interesting because this is a really well done counterfeit. It has this information on the testing data here. It does have the government warning and it does have a manufacture date and a batch number. This would be really confusing to the end user.
GUPTA: But that's what's happening and when people say black market, they think they're buying a legitimate product.
GUPTA (voice over): And that has started to affect the legal companies which abide by the regulations like Pure Vape.
ART KUSHKYAN, CEO AND FOUNDER, PURE: We found that it is possible to purchase our cartridges and our packaging from a number of internet websites. This is the California --
GUPTA (voice over): Take a look. These are the authentic Pure Vape products that Art Kushkyan sells. And now look at what Art says is counterfeit packaging being sold online.
They look exactly the same. The problem is, anyone can buy these and fill them with whatever they want.
KUSHKYAN: Personally, I mean, it makes me feel very, very angry, but most importantly, it creates a possible danger to public of consuming products that are untested.
[18:35:16] MYRON RONAY, CEO, BELCOSTA LABS: When you concentrate the THC, you
concentrate everything along with it. So every pesticide that could have been in that plant material, if it went from let's just say 20 percent THC, and now you've concentrated it to 80 percent THC, you've also concentrated the pesticides that same amount. So they're trying to get off --
GUPTA (voice over): Myron Ronay runs BellCosta Labs, one of California's state certified labs that approves products for consumer use.
This year alone, Ronay says they've tested more than 10,000 different products.
GUPTA (on camera): Vaping has been around this country for some time, more than a decade. What we're seeing is relatively new. When you add that into the equation on top of all the testing you've done here, does it start to lead you to some sort of conclusion?
RONAY: Yes, I think it leads us to really that. There's something going on either in the illicit market that's causing this. You also have a challenge of average consumer not wanting to pay more, so they look at, well, I could buy this for $40.00 or I go to a legal store and buy it for $60.00.
GUPTA (voice over): One way the illicit market keeps the price down, by cutting the product. Let me show you what that means.
A typical legal THC cartridge would have 70 percent to 90 percent pure THC distillate, the rest terpenes, aromatic oils which give it flavor. In illegally cut cartridges, you might have only 40 percent to 50 percent THC distillate, the rest terpenes and a cutting agent like vitamin E acetate, which is a near perfect cutting agent because it looks very much like the actual product, the same color and the same thickness.
It would also pass something known on the street as the bubble test. Basically, if the bubble moves slowly, that should mean that it's viscous enough to be mostly pure THC oil.
GUPTA (on camera): When you look at any of these things, propylene glycol, vitamin E acetate is superheated, you breathe it into the lungs. Do we know what those molecules then do to the body?
RONAY: So vitamin E acetate can convert into acetic acid, which is essentially vinegar and when it heats up, I mean, you are then inhaling an acid.
GUPTA (voice over): It's why the CDC has identified vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern. But here's the challenge. The illicit market is a moving target. And if it's not vitamin E acetate as a cutting agent today, before long, it'll be something new.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Long Beach, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE) NOBLES: All right, coming up, a newborn rhinoceros bringing hope for
one of the world's most critically endangered species. We're excited to have animal expert, Jeff Corwin on next who is going to join me on the push to save the black rhino.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:40:49]
NOBLES: In Australia where brushfires have been raging for more than two months, there are some of the most vulnerable -- the koalas. The Environment Minister saying now that 30 percent of the koalas, thousands of them may have been killed as the fires continue to ravage and destroy their habitat.
And with a heat wave hitting the country over the next few days, many fear that dire conditions will only get worse.
With me now to discuss this, renowned wildlife expert, Jeff Corwin. Jeff, tell us what's at stake for the wildlife there, especially the koalas as these fires continue to burn.
JEFF CORWIN, WILDLIFE EXPERT: Well, unfortunately, these animals are right in the crosshairs of these blazes that are unprecedented. Certainly, they give us an in-your-face heated feel of the power of climate change, and these animals are being consumed literally as a species by these fires.
It's been declared that probably 30 percent of this population has been likely consumed by these fires. The promising news is that koalas aren't limited to this part of Australia. They are found throughout Australia and including Tasmania, so in other areas, the population is doing stronger.
But fires are just only one of the challenges to koalas. The other is an STD called chlamydia that's wiping out thousands of koalas, and the impact of invasive predators and feral dogs and cats kill thousands of koalas every year.
NOBLES: The video of these koalas escaping the fire is just heartbreaking, just terrible. I do want to pivot to some good news though. And that's the fight to save the black rhinos in what's being described as one of the largest international rhinos translocations to date.
British troops have helped African parks transport 17 black rhinos from South Africa to their new homes in Malawi. We've also learned that a Michigan Zoo welcomed a black rhino calf for the first time in the zoo's 100-year history. Do you think things are starting to turn around for the black rhino population?
CORWIN: No. I think this is a promising sign, but we are certainly not in the clear. We're far from it. Rhinos are critically endangered. All the world's species of rhinos are on the edge of extinction, especially the black rhino. The total population from Central Africa all the ways to Southern
Africa is about 5,000 animals. As you mentioned, they translocated 17 into Malawi with the help of the British government. They've invested over 30 million pounds to try to protect this species.
But these are dark days for conservation, especially the black rhino, when you put the impact that poaching has on these animals. The price of one black rhino horn in the black market sells for around $100,000.00, so that desire to put life and limb in jeopardy to get that sort of cash in hand for people that are disenfranchised is too great, but this is a very exciting sign for the black rhino, but they are in a lot of trouble.
NOBLES: Yes, some good news, but certainly some headwinds ahead, especially when you consider climate change, which we didn't even get a chance to talk about.
Jeff Corwin, thank you so much for your expertise. We appreciate it.
And from the most talked about new user on Instagram to the amazing us women's soccer team victory, and their fight for equal pay to the teenager who became the face of a worldwide movement. Next, a look at the biggest trending stories of 2019.
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[18:47:47]
NOBLES: From political showdowns to scientific breakthroughs, and even a misplaced Starbucks cup, we're looking back at the top trending stories of 2019. Here's Brooke Baldwin.
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BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN HOST: From the U.S. women's soccer team demanding equal pay to the passionate teenager fighting to save the planet, social media remained a powerful weapon for advocacy in 2019.
And then of course, there were the memes. So here are our top nine trending stories of the year.
Number nine, a friend who nearly broke the internet. Jennifer Aniston joined Instagram and the internet just couldn't handle it. Her first post actually managed to crash her page, her first photo, an epic "Friends" reunion selfie and the caption, "And now we're Instagram friends, too."
It became one of Instagram's most popular photos of the year with more than 15 million likes.
Number eight, and now to even more Instagram Royalty, the young son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor whose birth, gender and name were all announced on the social media platform.
The family regularly post pictures of their son to their Instagram page before they're seen anywhere else. Just another way these modern Royals are shaking up the monarchy.
Number seven. Winter came and fans were not happy. It was one of the most eagerly anticipated final seasons ever and the most tweeted about show of all of 2019 and all viewers were split on the ending of "Game of Thrones."
It was some unintended product placement that brought divided fans together: A coffee cup left on set. The internet erupted in memes. The official "Game of Thrones" account tweeted this response out, "News from Winterfell. The latte that appeared in the episode was a mistake. Daenerys had ordered an herbal tea."
Number six --
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ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: Another death on Mount Everest, bringing the total to 11 thus far this climbing season.
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BALDWIN: These amazing pictures went viral, showing how record numbers of climbers packed the summit.
Some mountaineers think this traffic jam actually contributed to this year's death toll. Climbers endured waits of two to four hours while in the death zone, that's near the top of the mountain, where there's only one third of the oxygen found at sea level.
[18:50:09]
BALDWIN: Number five. A scientific event of intergalactic magnitude.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A huge breakthrough for humanity.
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BALDWIN: The first photo of a Black Hole.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Black holes are the most mysterious objects in the universe. They're cloaked by an Event Horizon, where their gravity prevents even light from escaping.
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BALDWIN: Located 55 million light years away in a galaxy called M87. In this galaxy, another black hole photo went viral. The moment researcher, Katie Bouman processed the first image showing the massive phenomenon.
To see it, scientists in multiple countries around the world linked local telescopes to create this virtual observatory. Predictively, Twitter couldn't escape the donut memes.
Number four. In Paris, a catastrophic fire shocked the world.
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JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: The world famous Notre Dame Cathedral is on fire.
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BALDWIN: Millions watched in disbelief as flames engulfed Notre Dame, the city's iconic 856-year-old Cathedral.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We heard the tower fall. People screamed.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's so sad.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What went through my mind was the heart of Paris was burning.
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BALDWIN: People poured onto the streets to pray.
And on social media, so many paid tribute by posting photos of their visits to the Holy Site, #NotreDame became the most tweeted news related hashtag of 2019.
The loss inspired generosity near and far, establishing a $700 million reconstruction fund. Restorations are now underway.
Number three. In 2019, Democrats took back the House. Nancy Pelosi regained the Speakership and had some of the year's most viral moments from the infamous State of the Union clap back, the rebuke that launched thousands of hashtag #Don'tMessWithMe memes.
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REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): As a Catholic, I resent you're using the word hate in a sentence that addresses me. I don't hate anyone, so don't mess with me when it comes to words like that.
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BALDWIN: And staring down Trump from across that Cabinet Room table. The image meant to be an insult, the President's caption, "Nervous Nancy's unhinged meltdown," instead went viral showing Washington's most powerful woman standing up to the President.
Number two, the U.S. women's soccer team proved once again, they are the best in the world. Congratulations poured in from all over social media. Ellen DeGeneres said, "Her world cup runneth over." While former President Barack Obama thanked the women for being a strong inspiration to women and girls and everybody all across the country. The players' game poses became instant memes --
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AUDIENCE: (Chanting "Equal pay.")
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BALDWIN: And many of the players took their pleas for pay equity right to their fans via their social media pages.
And number one, she is the teenager on strike for the planet.
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GRETA THUNBERG, TEENAGE CLIMATE ACTIVIST: Our house is on fire.
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BALDWIN: "Times" Person of the Year.
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THUNBERG: Change is coming, whether you like it or not.
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BALDWIN: Greta Thunberg is leading a generation of climate kids.
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THUNBERG: People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you?
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BALDWIN: Her impassioned speech at the U.N. Climate Action Summit catapulted her meteoric social media rise, making her the face of climate activism online.
Thunberg used her new platform to lead a global climate strike with more than 4,600 events in nearly 150 countries. #ClimateStrike was the eighth most popular hashtag of the year.
So for this 16-year-old and her army of climate kids, it's only the beginning.
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NOBLES: Thank you, Brooke. Coming up, what's 12-feet long, almost a thousand pounds and hanging out near South Florida? Of course, that would Ironbound, the Great White Shark.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [18:56:25]
NOBLES: Well, check this out. A research group has tracked a 12-foot Great White Shark from off the coast of Nova Scotia to the Miami area. The shark named Ironbound because of its feisty nature was located near Key Biscayne, Florida two days before Christmas.
Researchers with OCearch had been tracking the shark as part of a study on migration patterns. They do remind everyone that shark attacks are very rare and there's no increased concern for beach goers in Florida.
Another historic moment for astronaut Christina Koch breaking the record for the longest single space flight by a woman. December 28th marked her 289th day in space, surpassing Peggy Winston's record of 288 days.
And of course, she was one of the first women on the world's first all-female spacewalk in October. She is scheduled to remain on the International Space Station until February.
Ten Grammys, 11 Platinum albums and a voice that could conquer everything from pop to country to opera. A new CNN film about Linda Ronstadt is telling the inside story of her meteoric rise to fame and how she amassed millions of fans. CNN has a preview.
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BILL WEIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When it comes to range and risk -- she is one of a kind.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And the winner is Linda Ronstadt.
BONNIE RAITT, SINGER AND SONGWRITER: Linda was the Queen. She was like what Beyonce is now.
WEIR: But how many mega stars risk opera? And Broadway?
How many rock stars manage a smash hit album of Mexican folk songs or can hold their own with country goddesses like Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton?
But for Linda Ronstadt, those risks worked because they came from the heart -- a heart full of childhood singalongs on the Mexican border.
LINDA RONSTADT, AMERICAN SINGER: When I was growing up, I thought people singing in Spanish and spoke in English --
WEIR: She left Tucson for LA at 18 and it only took a couple of open mic nights at the Troubadour to launch a rocket ride. Yet, she managed to stay grounded.
RONSTADT: Rock and roll stars tend to end up isolating himself more and more and more, you know, thereby increasing your own feelings of alienation and anxiety, and they wonder why they're so miserable.
WEIR: But at age 63, after a lifetime of multi-platinum harmony, an amazing voice went away.
RONSTADT: I just lost a lot of different colors in my voice. It turned out I had Parkinson's disease. I still sing in my mind, but I can't do it physically.
EMMYLOU HARRIS, SINGER AND SONGWRITER: I don't think she misses going on the road. I think she misses singing with her friends and singing and living with her family. There's just no one on the planet that ever had or ever will have a voice like this.
WEIR: Thank goodness for the recordings. Thank goodness for the range, risk and reward of Linda Ronstadt.
Bill Weir, CNN, New York
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NOBLES: Bill, thank you. And that does it for me. I'm Ryan Nobles.
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