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High Explosion Cripples Part Of Key Russian Bridge To Crimea; Last Power Line Connecting Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant To Main Grid Disconnected Due To Shelling; Herschel Walker "Not Backing Down" Amid Abortion Allegations; Georgia Senate Race Tightens One Month Before Election; Biden Touts Jobs Report To Contrast Economic Agenda With GOP; U.S. Postal Service Set To Increase Fees, Stamp Prices; National Park Hungry For Votes During Fat Bear Week. Aired 1-2p ET

Aired October 08, 2022 - 13:00   ET

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

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[13:00:25]

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST: Hello again, everyone. Thank you so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. New today, Russia now says cars from the mainland are once again crossing the Crimean Bridge following a massive explosion. These are the moments the blast rock the Kerch bridge right there. The bridge partially destroyed. It's Russia's only mainland link to the annex Crimean peninsula.

The bridge isn't just a critical supply line, it is also a symbol of Russia's attempt to claim Crimea from Ukraine. Russia now says at least three people were killed. A Russian Investigative Committee arrived this morning to inspect the damage. And so far, no one has claimed responsibility for the blast. CNN's Fred Pleitgen is live for us in Kyiv with the latest. So Fred, Russian officials saying traffic has resumed on the bridge. What are you hearing?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're hearing and seeing some of that traffic the Russian officials say has resumed. And it really -- it seems to be just a tiny trickle of traffic, if you will. Just to give you an overview of that bridge, it's pretty large, pretty wide bridge, it's got that rail link that obviously was disrupted for a very long period of time.

We are hearing a train apparently has managed to bypass that bridge now. But it also had four automobile lanes. Two in one direction and two in the other. And of those, it seems that only one lane is currently working for all of the traffic. So, it really is only a fraction of what normally would be going through there. Simply because the explosion, you know, that we keep seeing on our screens there was so powerful that it caused part of the car bridge to collapse.

And essentially, what the Russian Investigative Committee is saying is that all this happened in the very early morning hours of this morning. Their assumption and they do say it's an early assumption is that it was a truck that appeared to be carrying a bomb or some other sort of explosive device that then blew up on the bridge. And at the same time, there was also a train bypassing there as well that had fuel tanks loaded.

Those also went up or at least a significant amount of those went up. And that's where we see that thick black smoke and fire after that explosion. Obviously it took the Russians a very long time to extinguish all of that part of the bridge collapse. And for a very long time, there was absolutely no traffic going through there. And I think, you know, one of the things that you said, Fredricka is actually correct.

This is strategically a very important bridge for the Russians because it's their main link from the Russian mainland to occupied Crimea. They've used it extensively to put -- to get equipment across, military equipment, tanks, rocket launchers, all sorts of military equipment. The rail link, or the -- for the Russians rail is very important for their logistics but also that road link as well. So this is a big blow to the Russian military.

And certainly also, of course, a symbolic blow as well. This bridge was inaugurated by Vladimir Putin who himself drove a truck over it in 2018, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And then Fred, tell us about this Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant that there has been some shelling nearby.

PLEITGEN: There has been some shelling nearby. And that's really an ongoing thing as well. And certainly dangerous situation, it's quite interesting because we had the International Atomic Energy Agency cheap here this week in Kyiv. And he's going to go to Russia in this coming week as well, because they're so concerned about that nuclear power plant. It is the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

Six reactors currently under the control of pro-Russian forces and there's been a lot of shelling going on there. Both sides are blaming each other for it. What happened today was that the last remaining power line to that power plant was separate. And so therefore, there was no power actually going to that plant mostly for the cooling systems there which means that emergency systems then usually have to get turned on.

There's been an extremely dangerous situation around that power plant for weeks now. And it continues to deteriorate. The IAEA saying they want that area to become a demilitarized zone. But so far, the Russians are saying that's absolutely not going to be the case. And this week, actually, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree now saying that that power plant belongs to Russia.

Ukrainians are saying that's null and void. They have their own new head of that power plant that they've installed. But this is really a very, very dangerous situation there with that power plant. Again, the biggest in Europe with six reactors.

WHITFIELD: Yes, indeed. All right, Fred Pleitgen, thank you. Let's talk more about all of this. I want to bring in now CNN political and national security analyst David Sanger. He's also a White House and national security correspondent for The New York Times. Good to see you, David.

DAVID SANGER, CNN POLITICAL AND NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Good to see you.

WHITFIELD: All right. So Russia says, you know, cars are now crossing that bridge that suffered that explosion earlier but at the same time we heard Fred described, this as a major supply route.

[13:05:10]

WHITFIELD: And there's also a lot of symbolism here. So how, you know, much of a setback is this or perhaps even signal to Putin?

SANGER: Well, it's a lot of signal how much setback there is going to take a little while to figure out. If they are beginning to trickle some cars across, there's a possibility that they'll be able to, you know, get some significant traffic going. It depends on just how bad the damage is. And I think it's too early to tell that. The symbolic damage is significant because of course, this was Putin's own pet project to show that Crimea was truly connected to Russia.

And of course, since then, it's been used a lot by the Russian military to feed the operation in Ukraine. But I think the larger issue is this one, Fred, that you heard from President Biden, earlier this week when he was speaking at a fundraiser on Thursday night, that they're thinking about what are the off ramps for President Putin? What might they do in the future that would make it less likely he would reach for his arsenal of tactical nuclear weapons?

And it strikes me that the more that he feels that Crimea itself is threatened, I think the more desperate he may become. That's not an argument for Ukraine, not trying to get Crimea back. But it's a problem.

WHITFIELD: And while you were talking, we're looking at video of, you know, 2018, showing the real personal connection that Putin has with that bridge. He was there to commemorate it, he drove a truck across at after talking with people as well. So, you know, this, perhaps strikes personal. So, now, Ukraine has yet to claim responsibility. But they have put out a postage stamp, you know, to kind of commemorate the destruction of the bridge.

I mean, what does that mean on the messaging? We're not responsible for it. But we had the forethought to put together these stamps which will commemorate what has just happened?

SANGER: You know, it's remarkable. They don't want to take credit for what the Russians will clearly refer to as an act of terrorism. But it's a little bit like the way the Israelis deal with attacks on the Iranian nuclear power plants and nuclear infrastructure. I'm sorry, not the power plants but the enrichment centers. They frequently celebrate the act. But say that, you know, they're not certain how it all happened. So it's not an unusual pattern.

And you've seen other countries do this as well. But the Ukrainians have made no secret of the fact that first, they want to cut that connection between Crimea and the main part of Ukraine. And the second thing they've made no secret of is that Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine has said that getting Crimea back it was taken by the Russians in 2014 is among his objectives. Now American officials will tell you it's probably one objective too far.

But it certainly is on the Zelenskyy list. And we've seen other acts of sabotage happen in Crimea just in the past two or three months.

WHITFIELD: And what do you expect from Putin now at this point after this bridge damage? What's his next move?

SANGER: That's a really fascinating question because so far, his reactions to what's been going on have been to call up more troops unframed troops, but tried to pour more bodies into this, and to do more indiscriminate bombing of some Ukrainian cities. But the question is, if he feels as if he's being publicly humiliated, does he then reach for his unconventional weapons? He's got a lot of steps on the escalation ladder before he gets to nuclear.

He's got chemical. He's got biological. He's got a lot of cyber weapons that are being used now. But I think the big concern in Washington is how far and how fast does he move up that escalation ladder because he's made no secret of his determination to do so?

WHITFIELD: Yes. All right. David Sanger, thank you so much. Good to see you.

SANGER: Good to see you.

WHITFIELD: Restoration and recovery efforts continue in parts of Florida. More than a week after Hurricane Ian slammed into the state leaving behind billions of dollars in catastrophic damage. More than 100 people died because of that storm and tens of thousands remain without power. Crews began secondary searches on Sanibel Island this week after some residents were turn to their homes for the first time.

And you'll remember the storm wiped out parts of the causeway connecting Sanibel Island to the mainland.

[13:10:09]

For some the frustration simply gross. Residents facing long lines at FEMA help centers, some waiting hours to try to get help. Joining us right now is Thomas Fargione. He is the deputy field coordinating officer for FEMA. Thomas, so good to see you. So, what is the priority for FEMA in Florida right now when folks stand in the line, what can they expect in terms of help or guidance?

THOMAS FARGIONE, DEPUTY FIELD COORDINATING OFFICER FEMA: Our main priority is to problems right now. Complete the rest of the response operations that we've had ongoing coordination with state and local efforts that have gone very, very well in a very short period of time, as we are -- and concurrent with that is to see too the needs of those who are most impacted and most needy. And in most -- that conditions because of the storm. So we are working through those as we complete our response activities. And we will continue to focus all of our efforts on addressing the needs of those folks that need us the most.

WHITFIELD: So, can you help me envision, you know, how you address the needs? Say I am someone who, you know, I just lost my home. I have no possessions right now. I've got children, we're hungry. I mean, helped me understand what will happen most immediately are people given vouchers, are they, you know, put in yet another line or place where they find -- where they get, you know, immediate assistance on a roof over their head. Help paint the picture for me.

FARGIONE: OK. Firstly, we have to do is get people registered. But before I even get into what FEMA does, I think it's critical to understand we are one part of this solution.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

FARGIONE: The state has programs or the voluntary agency for state organizations, private industry, everybody has a part of this -- of this puzzle. Back to FEMA. We want -- we need to get people registered. We understand that in areas, there's long lines. We are surging is much staffed into those areas, again, prioritizing those of greatest impact and highest need. We encourage people to register. But there's different ways to register.

The phone number can be, you know, it can be overwhelmed at times to get through those lines. So we recommend that people use our app, the FEMA app or they go to disasterassistance.gov and register that way.

WHITFIELD: What happens when you don't have a cell phone, you don't have access to a computer? I mean, people have nothing. In a lot of cases like no access to anything. So --

(CROSSTALK)

FARGIONE: That's exactly right. And we have established a number of different ways to do that. We have fixed salaries that we are working with the state, and as directed by the state based on their analysis of needs. And we have folks in there who can register them, walk them through the process, health casework their needs right at that point. Then we have roving bands of folks, our Disaster Assistance specialists who are out there and they are going to targeting neighborhoods and post meetings and going right to the people and registering them as quickly as we can.

So we have our assets out there. They are registering people. We have registered hundreds of 1000s of people and 10 days into this, we have $150 million on the street. And there are two programs to your point about direct assistance, we have continuing ease assistance, which will give folks who register and qualify which is virtually everybody, in this case $700 and then we have clean and sanitize to help them prepare to return to their homes where they can get the equipment supplies they need. And that's $300. So there's $1,000 available to most people immediately as our other programs kick in to place them to clean, sanitary and secure housing and to do other things that we are working as we move through the continuum of recovery.

WHITFIELD: Oh, I'm sure that is a great relief for a lot of folks who are just welcoming whatever assistance -- immediate assistance they can get. So then, you know, with so many weather disasters, unfortunately, another underlying problem is fraud. People who will take advantage of people who are incredibly vulnerable. And perhaps you heard, you know, a couple of folks that we've had on the air have talked about, you know, their identity being stolen.

They have been, you know, swindled. What kind of assistance is in place for people to -- not be taken advantage of?

FARGIONE: All right. You guys can help us with this and everyone we talked to, from congressional leaders to local leaders, everyone who has influence. We want them to get the message out that A, fraud is an issue and that anyone who represents FEMA will have an identification badge.

[13:15:02]

They will never ever, ever ask for money and they will always, always schedule an appointment or be met in the street and recognizable uniform with typically a FEMA vehicle with them. So, it's safe. As to their -- protecting their identity. All of our systems are routinely checked, our security is high. That works well is when they deal with other folks. And it's not just with FEMA that fraud is an issue. It's when people come to repair their homes to do lookouts, do all those things that people -- trust people to do when they're most vulnerable.

And they have to be very careful for that, Better Business Bureau on the state, there are a lot of people they can go to if they have a question relative to a contractor. The other thing is, if a truck shows up, and it says FEMA on the side, we're here to pick up your stuff, that is fraud right away.

WHITFIELD: Oh, boy. OK. Well, thank you for those warning signs. Thomas Fargione of FEMA, thank you so much. We know it's a gargantuan undertaking, and I know folks are really appreciative when they see you and are able to get the immediate assistance they need because this was a devastating hit. Thank you so much.

FARGIONE: Thank you so very much, ma'am. Appreciate it.

WHITFIELD: All right. Coming up next. Cleaning house in Uvalde, Texas months after that horrific massacre. The school district suspends its entire police force. How the families are reacting.

Plus, 90 percent of adults in the U.S. say they are living through a mental health crisis. What's driving this troubling trend?

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[13:20:51]

WHITFIELD: More trouble for the Uvalde Texas School District. Its entire school police force is now suspended. And two school officials are on administrative leave. That came after CNN discovered the district had recently hired a school officer who was already being investigated for her comments and actions during the Robb Elementary School shooting. She was a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper at the time.

CNN's Shimon Prokupecz has more.

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: The Uvalde School District suspending all of its officers pulling them out of the schools in Uvalde and putting them into administrative roles. All of this of course happening after our reporting that a newly-hired officer who came from the DPS, she resigned from the Department of Public Safety and was hired by the school district despite the fact that she was under investigation for her response while at the DPS to the Robb Elementary School.

The school somehow someway hired her even though they knew they were told by the DPS that she was under investigation. Also a school administrator by the name of Ken Miller was also suspended. He retired because of that suspension. He decided that he's just going to retire. And then also Lieutenant Miguel Hernandez. He's the lieutenant. He's the commanding officer of the school police force. He also was placed on administrative leave.

And what our understanding is this lieutenant was the one who was behind vetting that officer, Officer Elizondo, the newly hired officer by the school district. And so really the school district here responds -- responding in decisive form taking all of their officers out, removing this administrator and then also suspending this lieutenant. Of course, this is all welcome news for the families who have been fighting for justice, who've been fighting for accountability.

Wanting the school to take this kind of action, certainly after our report, but also since the shooting. They have not felt safe in that community with those officers and they've wanted accountability for the failures but also the failures that they believe occurred by the school district. We're also told on a one final note is that the superintendent how he plans to retire. That announcement is expected sometime possibly on Monday.

So certainly a big shake up there in Uvalde. Something that the families didn't think they would get but finally some accountability for them, offering them some relief.

WHITFIELD: Shimon Prokupecz, thank you so much. And this just in and now an investigation is underway under after what you're about to see is just so hard to believe. CNN has obtained body cam video of a San Antonio police officer shooting a 17-year-old boy who was eating in his car at a McDonald's parking lot and we do want to warn you this video is graphic.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't fire, don't fire, don't fire.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) on it right now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shots fired, shots fired.

WHITFIELD: All right. Still unclear what happened prior to the officer opening the door and saying getting out of the -- get out of the car. Police say the unnamed officer has been fired for violating the department's tactics, training and procedures. He had only been on the job for seven months and was still a probationary officer according to his department. The teen was taken to the hospital and charged with evading detention and assaulting an officer with the car door.

Well, those charges have since been dismissed. And the case is closed according to the county's online court system.

[13:25:06]

But of course, CNN has reached out to San Antonio police for an update on the boy's condition, still have not received a response. Still unclear however what precipitated the stop and asking the young man to get out of the car and what precipitated this shooting. Still lots of questions.

All right. With the U.S. Senate up for grabs next month. Georgia is key. But the GOP candidate there Herschel Walker is fighting an abortion scandal. How the Republican Party is dealing with that next.

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[13:30:04]

WHITFIELD: New controversies are dogging the Republican candidate in Georgia's highly competitive U.S. Senate race. A report in The New York Times has Herschel Walker asked a former girlfriend to terminate a second pregnancy two years after paying for an abortion in 2009. The race between Walker and Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock is critical and the outcome could determine which party controls the U.S. Senate.

CNN Eva McKend has more on Walker's path to being the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in Georgia.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

EVA MCKEND, CNN NATIONAL POLITICS REPORTER (voice-over): Herschel Walker leaning into his legendary football status in his run for Georgia Senate.

HERSCHEL WALKER (R), GEORGIA SENATE CANDIDATE: It's just little town, it's where I grew up.

MCKEND (voice-over): One of seven children, Walker was born in rural Wrightsville, Georgia where his small town high school team helped launched him to fame. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The winner of the 1982 Heisman Memorial Trophy from the University of Georgia, Herschel Walker.

MCKEND (voice-over): A Heisman trophy winner and all-around University of Georgia College football star.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There he goes again.

MCKEND (voice-over): His collegiate career would ultimately carry him to the pros.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Herschel Walker's debut as a professional football player.

MCKEND (voice-over): But before the NFL would take him, he played for an NFL alternative in the early 80s, where he would meet team owner, Donald Trump.

DONALD TRUMP, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't want to take a chance, frankly, I'm losing Herschel Walker.

MCKEND (voice-over): The relationship would continue well beyond the field as President Trump appointed Walker to the Presidential Council on Sports Fitness and Nutrition.

TRUMP: The great Herschel Walker. What an amazing guy.

MCKEND (voice-over): And eventually would back Walker's own political ambitions, urging him to run for the U.S. Senate in Georgia.

TRUMP: You know, Herschel is not only a Georgia hero, he is an American legend.

MCKEND (voice-over): Like Trump, Walker has also been known to go off script and delivered disjointed statements. Walker easily won the GOP primary earlier this year despite a myriad of very public controversies throughout his life. He spoke to CNN in 2008 about his battle with dissociative identity disorder.

WALKER: You can get angry, but the anger that you can go out and really, really hurt someone. And that's when you know you got a problem.

MCKEND (voice-over): In that same interview, Walker's ex-wife discussed how Walker had threatened her with weapons.

CINDY GROSSMAN, EX-WIFE OF HERSCHEL WALKER: Just the guns and knives and I got into a few choking things with him.

MCKEND (voice-over): Walker acknowledged those allegations.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Herschel Walker told us he was troubled by his actions and will always deeply regret any pain he caused Cindy.

MCKEND (voice-over): According to a 2012 police report, an ex- girlfriend said Walker threatened to kill her. Walker denies those claims.

Walker's turbulent pass has made its way into the campaign as a focus of democratic attack ads.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: New details tonight about accusations --

MCKEND (voice-over): Now Walker dealing with a different kind of allegation, a claim reported by The Daily Beast and the New York Times that the staunch anti-abortion candidate paid for a former girlfriend to have an abortion more than a decade ago. The woman says she's also the mother of one of his children.

WALKER: This year, the abortion thing is false. It's a lie.

MCKEND (voice-over): CNN has not independently confirmed the allegations. As Walker repeatedly denies the report, Republicans have rallied to defend their nominee. But the outcome of the race deciding not just Walker's political future, but potentially control of the Senate next year.

WALKER: Let me tell you this, I'm not scared. And I'm not going to back down. The stakes are way, way too high. And we're going to win this race.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCKEND: Now for Senator Warnock's part, he called the allegations disturbing. But beyond that, he doesn't seem too interested in engaging much further. He went on to say Georgia has a choice about who they think is ready to represent them in the Senate. And then he shifts back to the policy issue at hand, saying, he supports a woman's right to choose.

Eva McKend, CNN, Washington.

WHITFIELD: All right, let's talk further about all of these now. Let's go to Washington Correspondent for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Tia Mitchell and Lisa Rayam, she is the host of "Morning Edition" on Atlanta's NPR affiliate station WABE. Good to see both of you, ladies.

Tia, you first.

LISA RAYAM, HOST, "MORNING EDITION" AN ATLANTA'S WABE RADIO: Good to see you.

TIA MITCHELL, WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT, ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION: Hi.

WHITFIELD: All right, Tia, you first. Republicans, you know, have been rather frustrated with Walker's campaign, I mean, sort of. They're still very ecstatic that he is the Republican nominee and still seems to be in this neck and neck race. But we have learned that his campaign has now fired its political director with just a month ago before the election. What's behind the firing and does it, in any way, put the campaign in disarray? MITCHELL: So the news reports say that the firing is because that political director was suspected of leaking information about Herschel Walker to the media. Of course, that has not been substantiated, that's just based on, you know, kind of some unreported -- well, some anonymous behind the scenes, rumors about that.

[13:35:16]

But I don't think it shakes up the campaign that much because we had already heard that new people were being brought in to try to help salvage Herschel Walker's campaign, even before some of this latest controversy came out, you know, maybe about a month or so ago when they were trying to pivot the campaign after the primary.

So I don't consider it a major shake-up. But I do consider it an indication that there are people in the inner circle who are worried about the direction the campaign is going, trying to close ranks, trying to make sure there are no leaks and trying to stay disciplined in hopes of keeping him on a path where he could win in November.

WHITFIELD: And Lisa, I mean, an emphasis on the could, Tia, because, Lisa, we're talking about the polling, which is showing this race is beyond tight. I mean, a Fox News poll put Warnock with only a four- point edge, that was before these allegations came out, a Marist poll that just came out last month shows where Walker support is coming from, 78 percent of white evangelical Christians say they are voting for Walker.

Without their support, does Walker really have a shot? And I guess even before that question, does it appear as though these allegations will in any way, you know, shake-up the support that he has thus far among the white evangelical voters?

RAYAM: Well, I think the polls are very indicative at this point where things are going because there have been several this past week in wake of these new allegations, these new bombs that keep dropping in the Walker campaign. And one poll I looked at this morning had him -- had Senator Warnock ahead as far as 12 percent. Now, we know that's among likely voters, and those numbers can can fudge either way.

But still, I think it's an indication that the campaign is in trouble, and that they do need to do it to access particularly ahead of the October 14 debate, that's just days away. Now, granted, Senator Warnock is not talking about these allegations. He's still referring to Walker as his opponent. He's not talking about the allegations until reporters push him to, you know, indicating that he's staying on point, he's saying on the issues, and that seems to be working in his favor, at least this week.

WHITFIELD: And then, Tia, I mean, Lisa, you know, alluded to it that upcoming debate, scheduled debate televised a debate between Warnock who was a real wordsmith, you know, in order and Herschel Walker. And I guess prefacing, this debate has been Herschel Walker saying out loud, you know, I'm not that smart, you know, trying to lower expectations, perhaps even win some sympathy from people ahead of the debate. Do you think this debate is going to, in any way, tip the balance either way?

MITCHELL: So, you know, the big thing that we know for sure, is that there are not a lot of swing voters that could, you know, impact this race. Most people have made up their minds. You know, most Republicans are going to vote for Herschel Walker no matter what. Most Democrats are going to vote for Raphael Warnock no matter what.

But, you know, of course, both camps are hoping to get some of those independent voters, some swing voters, they don't need a whole lot in order to win that race. That's why the debate is very important. And as you mentioned, yes, Herschel Walker has been trying to manage expectations. We know he's not great speaking off the cuff.

And again, as you mentioned, Raphael Warnock, he speaks for a living as a pastor. So in some ways, it's almost like it's Raphael Warnock's debate to lose like, if he doesn't come out shining, that can be considered, you know, a misstep for him because it is considered so unevenly matched. And then on the fact of Herschel Walker, as long as he doesn't make any major blunders, which, you know, he's made some blunders and misspeaking and misleading folks and not always having the facts straight.

But barring a major blunder, I think most people will figure that's about what we expected. That being said, all eyes are going to be on that debate on October 14.

WHITFIELD: Yes. And Lisa, I mean, then there's the Trump factor, and the Trump factor is really what got Herschel Walker the nomination, right? And he still is getting, you know, full-fledged support from the former President Donald Trump. Is that what it's going to boil down to Trump's popularity really over Herschel Walker's, you know, popularity? I mean, it's the motivation as to how he got the nomination.

[13:40:14]

RAYAM: Yes, given what the former president is going through, his legal troubles, there's been this question even up into the day of how impactful he could be at this point. Yes, he's standing behind Herschel Walker again today and think of all of these allegations. But I think what's really telling -- and I note -- Tia, I read your article yesterday about this -- is that small faction of Republicans who are now disengaging, who are kind of stepping away, saying, you know, I don't really know about this support right now.

So, you know, it's anyone's guess on how this race can go. You know, two weeks ago was heading towards, you know, a runoff. But with these recent allegations, and then, like you said, the Trump factor, I think it's anyone's guess at this point.

WHITFIELD: All right. Ladies, thank you so much. Lisa Rayam, Tia Mitchell, great to have you. We still have another 30 days to talk some more. So look at your calendars.

RAYAM: See you soon.

WHITFIELD: All right, thank you.

RAYAM: All right, then.

WHITFIELD: All right, the unemployment rate fell to 3.5 percent in September, that's a 50-year low. Why economists are worried that's just going to push the Fed to raise rates again. Details straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:45:29]

WHITFIELD: President Biden says the strong jobs numbers prove his administration's efforts are paying off. He's also using the new economic data to draw a contrast between Democrats and Republicans ahead of the midterms. CNN's Arlette Saenz is at the White House for us. So, Arlette, you know, what is the President saying about this new jobs report?

ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, President Biden said that this new jobs report shows that there has been historic progress made in getting American jobs back since the COVID- 19 global pandemic. The President touted the overall growth that there has been in the job sector since he's taken office, but also acknowledged that there is starting to be a bit of a cooling period. And so that more work needs to be done in order to maintain a more stable recovery.

But the President really, in recent weeks, has driven himself to start defending his economic record and trying to tout some of those accomplishments that have been made since he's been in office, things like that bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act. And he's also been sharpening his message against Republicans saying that they have not presented a platform when it comes to the economy if they take control of Congress.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They love to attack Democrats. They say, we -- for what we've done. But they really don't want to see what their plan is. I doubt any of you can tell me what the Republican re-election plan is this time out? What's their platform if they take control of Congress?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAENZ: Some of the items that the President pointed to were Republicans desire to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, which would eliminate things like Medicare being able to negotiate prescription drug prices. The President has also seized on a proposal that was put forth by Senator Rick Scott of Florida, that could target Social Security and Medicare. Those are issues that they believe will resonate with voters heading into those midterm elections.

But President Biden certainly has many challenges ahead for him when it comes to selling what he has done with the economy as inflation still remains high. And there has started to be this uptick when it comes to gas prices. Those are issues that American voters are watching incredibly closely as those November midterm elections are approaching.

WHITFIELD: Right around the corner, 30 days away. Arlette Saenz, thanks so much.

All right, the cost of mailing a letter or package could get even more expensive very soon. USPS saying it must hike its rates to keep up with inflation. Stamps would cost 3 cents more and 4 cents more for postcards. Also, fees for P.O. box, rentals, money orders and insurance for mailing, an item will also go up. That proposal still needs approval from the Postal Regulatory Commission. If greenlit, the changes go into effect January 22. We'll be right back.

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[13:53:01]

WHITFIELD: A National Park in Alaska is holding an annual competition where size is all that matters, so it's bearable for everyone. Fat Bear Week is a March Madness style contest letting voters weigh in on the bear that they think best exemplifies fatness or chunkiness. Here's a look at some of the contenders.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's that time of year Fat Bear Week is upon us again. Each year, Katmai National Park in Alaska asks the public to fill out a bracket to decide which of 12 brown bears they think best exemplifies fatness. Some of the top contenders include the reigning champion 480 Otis, who's won four times and once ate 42 salmon in one sitting.

435 Holly, a mama bear won in 2019 and will need to pack on the pounds to potentially give birth to a new litter this spring. 747 named for the jumbo jet won in 2020 and may be one of the largest brown bears in the world, weighing as much as 1,400 pounds. 32 Chunk will face off against 747 in the quarterfinals. He's known for his patient fishing style.

And check out 164, a younger and smaller bear known for fishing in a spot other bears haven't tried. The base of a waterfall at the edge of a deep plunge pool.

The National Park Service says brown bears in Alaska can eat 80 to 90 pounds of food per day in the summer and fall. And they chow down on salmon and many other foods. You can follow the competition and vote for your favorite bear at fatdearweek.org.

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WHITFIELD: Well, it's got to be 747 at 1,400 pounds. You know, hands down.

We've got so much more straight ahead in the Newsroom. But first, don't miss an all-new season of "Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy." Here's a sneak peek.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, there you go, dad. Look, it's your family home. Familia Tucci.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. Let's go in.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wow, it can be a relative.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

[13:55:01]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As it turns out, being a Tucci isn't that remarkable over here.

Over half of the Marzi's population shares our last name.

Is this will you remember? Which turns out to be a big problem as my dad wants to find his father's house?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My recollection, it was perfectly flat.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And there was a placement.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, let's go back.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A huge clock at the top.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the clock that you just said, right? You remember a flat area?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, yes, flat area.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But do you remember where the house is?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it was down here. What is this?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Watch your step.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gennaro Tucci, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just jogging your memory at all?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was a long time ago. That I remember. I remember the square.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right, don't miss the all-new season tomorrow night at 9:00 right here on CNN. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)