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Major Winter Storm Hitting Nearly 10M People Over 1,500-Mile Stretch; FBI Lays Out Detailed Timeline Of New Orleans Attack; President Biden, First Lady Plan To Visit New Orleans Monday; The Late President Lying In Repose At Carter Center In Atlanta; Tomorrow: Congress Meets To Certify Presidential Election; Cincinnati Bengals Win, Keep Longshot Postseason Bid Alive. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired January 05, 2025 - 14:00   ET

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

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[14:00:37]

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. Thank you so much for joining me this Sunday. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

And we're following breaking news.

A massive winter storm is targeting nearly 70 million people. A dangerous mix of snow, ice and high winds is hitting the Central Plains states already today and tracking all the way to the Mid- Atlantic Coast.

NOAA's Weather Prediction Center warns some areas like Kansas City and Indianapolis, could see the heaviest snowfall in over a decade.

The governors of Kentucky, Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri and West Virginia have already declared states of emergency, while Maryland is under a state of preparedness. Officials are warning of treacherous road conditions. And if all of that snow and ice isn't enough, then brutal cold temperatures will set in.

The South, right there, facing a very different threat. A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas with severe storms and hail expected to pummel those states.

Meteorologist Elisa Raffa is tracking all of this.

I mean, it really is cutting across at least half of the country with severe conditions.

ELISA RAFFA, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Multi-threat, multi-hazard, multiple regions of the country. It's really keeping us busy today.

I mean look at this storm. You've got the heavy snow that's been pumping across Missouri all day. Look at the line of thunderstorms. All of that lightning stretching from the Missouri Bootheel down to the Gulf Coast.

We have had reports of thunder, snow and thunder sleet across parts of Missouri. That's how dynamic this is. That's how much that warm air is rising, how quickly it is, and it is creating thunder sleet for the southern suburbs there at St. Louis. You can see thunderstorms coming into Paducah there with some icing just to the north.

Now, the reason why this storm has so many different types of hazards is because the temperature profile is very different. You've got temperatures in the 20s up in Indianapolis and Cincinnati where you have pure snow. But then where you've got all that pink, the icing, that's where those temperatures are flirting with freezing.

So you're finding that rain falling as rain until it gets to the surface and it's freezing on contact. That's that freezing rain and it is really such a burden. You know, it doesn't really take much of that ice to really cause some problems.

Temperatures in the 40s in Nashville, 50s in Memphis. And that's where you've got the thunderstorms.

So the stretch of this is more than 1,500 miles. We have blizzard warnings in effect for parts of Kansas, including Kansas City. Ice storm warning across parts of South-Central Missouri, southern Illinois, where you have the ice really stacking up and the winter storm warnings stretch all the way to D.C., where you wake up with a sloppy mess in the nation's capital by tomorrow morning.

Plus, you have the tornado watch that's in effect through 6:00 this evening from southern Arkansas, across Louisiana, down into eastern Texas, where we have the possibility of a few tornadoes, some of which could be strong. That is the wording from the Storm Prediction Center.

You've got a line of severe thunderstorms -- severe thunderstorm warnings in effect for part of that line where you get that push of damaging winds up to 60 miles per hour.

So again multi-threat right. You have the winter threat with the snow and the ice to the north. Plus you have all the severe storms along the Gulf Coast. A lot of it keeping us on our toes.

So as we go through the day today this continues to charge eastward. By midnight tonight we're looking at the snow still wrapping around St. Louis. Storms starting to get into Atlanta, some of that snow starting to encroach in the D.C. area.

When you wake up tomorrow morning, you're clearing some of the snow from the Plains states, but you're getting in on some of that snow from parts of Virginia up into D.C., Philadelphia, and again, the line of storms stretches down towards the Gulf Coast.

It exits as we go into Monday afternoon. Some of that snow, though, still wraps around some of the Appalachian mountains. So that snow forecast could be 6 to 12 inches in some locations. Again, it could be heavy at times from Cincinnati to Charleston.

We're looking at that ice again where you don't get that heavy snow from that deeper cold air. You get that ice where that warm air comes in and start to melt things around, and you get sleet and freezing rain.

Some of the freezing rain accumulations could be up to three quarters of an inch. That would weigh down tree limbs and power lines could cause some significant power outages as we go through the next couple of days.

[14:04:50]

RAFFA: If, you know, we get that ice to really accumulate, the power outages could be long lasting.

Now, behind all of this comes a blast of some frigid arctic air. This will be a problem for two reasons.

One, if there are long standing power outages, that means no access to heat. That could really be a problem.

Number two, that means any of the snow and ice that falls will likely stay around, because you have these temperatures well below freezing that will last through the next several days. In fact, through the next seven days, we're looking at more than 70 percent of the country with these temperatures at or below freezing. So that means, again a lot of the ice and snow is just going to freeze and hang around.

Look at these overnight low temperatures. In Chicago, we're dipping into the teens by Wednesday morning. And New York, again well below freezing. Same thing in D.C. Even Atlanta, we have our morning lows in the 20s as we go through the next couple of days. So a big chill on the way on the backside of this storm, Fred.

WHITFIELD: I mean, the big freeze, the big snow, big chill, all of it.

All right, Elisa Raffa thank you so much. We'll check back with you. Appreciate it.

All right. And to our other breaking news item we're following.

Officials in New Orleans are revealing a detailed timeline of the hours, days and months leading up to the truck attack on New Year's Day.

In a news conference that just wrapped up not too long ago, the FBI saying that Shamsud-din Jabbar used Meta glasses to record Bourbon Street as he planned his attack.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LYONEL MYRTHIL, FBI SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE, NEW ORLEANS FIELD OFFICE: From what we now know, Jabbar stayed at a rental home in New Orleans beginning October 30th, 2024. He was in town at least two days.

During that time, Jabbar using Meta glasses, recorded a video as he rode through the French Quarter on a bicycle. This video shows Jabbar during that trip in October with his Meta glasses.

As we continue to learn more about that trip, we ask anyone who may have seen or interacted with him to contact us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. Right now, let's get to Rafael Romo in New Orleans.

There was so much from that press conference. The details of the planning and some of the evidence that has been collected. And officials mentioned they have had a lot of assistance from a lot of the public in tips.

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right, Fred.

And we're standing live here at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets. Of course, this is the site of the terrorist attack on New Year's Day.

And yes, it was a very significant press conference because essentially, FBI officials released two crucial pieces of information.

Number one, that the attacker, Jabbar, visited New Orleans twice before the attack on New Year's Day. The first time he came on October 30th, stayed for a few days. And what's significant about that first trip is that he rode a bicycle through the streets here in the French Quarter.

And this is the number two fact that they revealed that he was wearing what is called -- what are called -- what is known as Meta glasses. These are glasses that have video recording capabilities.

So in essence, he was riding his bike through these streets and as he was doing so, he was recording all of that.

Now, Jabbar visited New Orleans again in November. That was the second time before the attacks. A new revelation, officials say the attacker planted two improvised explosive devices that didn't go off because he used the wrong device to try to detonate them.

During the same press conference, they also talked about the travels that he went to, including going to a trip to the Middle East.

This is how Special Agent Myrthil explained it.

Let's take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MYRTHIL: We have also tracked that Jabbar traveled to Cairo, Egypt from June 22nd until July 3rd of 2023. A few days later, he flew to Ontario, Canada on July 10th and returned to the U.S. on July 13th, 2023.

Our agents are getting answers as to where he went, who he met with, and how those trips may or may not tie into his actions here in our city in New Orleans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMO: And we're back live here at Canal and Bourbon Streets. As you can see, that wall there -- wooden crosses, the American flag, people have painted messages on the wall. There are many, many flowers.

I also wanted to mention, Fred, that the mayor of the city of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, has asked the federal government for what she calls tactical experts.

[14:09:43]

ROMO: And the idea here is that they review security plans, including the bollards here on Bourbon Street that we've been talking about, because they were installed here for the first time ten years ago, and they malfunctioned. And they were in the process of replacing them when the attack occurred.

So the mayor wants somebody from the federal government to come over, make sure they're working fine, and give them any idea as to what they need to do to make sure that the attack that happened on New Year's Day doesn't ever happen again. Fred, now back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right.

Rafael Romo, thank you so much. Well check back with you.

All right. Joining me right now to discuss further, CNN law enforcement contributor Steve Moore.

Steve, great to see you.

So on that last bit with the New Orleans mayor requesting more tactical expert input this week, she says, what would that constitute? Would it mean bringing in certain personnel? Would it mean reevaluating what they have in place? What does this mean?

STEVE MOORE, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTRIBUTOR: Well, the FBI has some pretty sophisticated infrastructure protection programs that are nationwide. They will assist power plants, cities, any airports, anybody who feels that they may have some vulnerabilities and the FBI will assist you in that, even private companies who are part of the FBI's program.

So that would involve obviously, FBI personnel coming out and evaluating not just Bourbon Street, but all of the locations in New Orleans, which might be vulnerable.

WHITFIELD: Sure. And that should be proactive. The mayor was saying this is ahead of the Super Bowl that New Orleans is hosting, as well as Mardi Gras activities and even their parades this week.

Now to the investigation of this terror attack. Incredible detail coming from both the FBI and the ATF.

And we're looking right now at some of the video that was shared and this is the point of view of the suspect, Jabbar, by the use of Meta glasses. He was surveilling a good portion of the French Quarter. But investigators say it doesn't appear as though, you know, he live- streamed it or -- on the day of the attack.

What does this tell you about the kinds of forensic evidence that they've already gathered and this kind of graphic evidence?

MOORE: Well, the FBI just dove into this as right after the attack happened. And these are -- this is information gleaned from his body, from his truck, the location where he rented his home, his actual home in Houston. They went straight into this.

But what's really telling about this, Fred, is that this is all stuff that -- he didn't learn this in the army. This is very consistent with what we've seen before. Self-radicalized Americans actually traveling to places like Egypt or the Middle East and being trained overseas.

And so what the FBI is going to want to do is literally, with the help of other agencies overseas, determine who he was talking to, where they met, and how they communicated to set up the trip and after the trip.

WHITFIELD: Right. This is a 42-year-old man, army veteran, as you say, there -- Shamsud-din Jabbar.

And what was also revealed by the FBI is that he had traveled to Egypt, to Canada, as well as some U.S. cities, including Tampa and Atlanta. And this dates as far back as June of 2023.

And now investigators say they want to go and try and interact with people that he may have interacted with, even though during the press conference, it was said that they still believe that he acted alone. Is it premature to say that?

MOORE: No, I don't think so. All of his -- all of his modus operandi, all of his techniques are -- well, it's getting into nuance, Fred. Because when they say a lone wolf, I believe he did the attack by himself. But there was some training that I believe he got.

And that's kind of blurring the lines between lone wolf and some kind of sponsored system. I believe that the interviews we have in places like Tampa, when the Canadian Mounted Police -- they're awesome. They're going to help up in Canada and all sorts of groups in the Middle East.

They're going to help determine who he spoke to, what the significance of those communications were and what kind of training. And frankly, if you find that a cell in Egypt or a cell somewhere in the Middle East traveled to Egypt to train this guy, there's going to be some issues.

And this is going to go forward with not just the FBI, but at the presidential and the State Department level.

[14:14:53]

WHITFIELD: And in addition to the -- Jabbar's point of view through the Meta glasses, we're also looking at videotape, various surveillance, showing him loading his vehicle, and showing him with the ice chest that investigators say two ice chests with explosive device material had been placed by Jabbar throughout the French Quarter.

Even though a passerby picked one up, investigators say they don't believe that person -- you know, they unwittingly did so. That they didn't have any kind of coordination with Jabbar.

But seeing this evidence and it now being revealed, clearly Jabbar had even bigger aspirations of terrorizing and killing people.

MOORE: Yes. And that's part of what leads me to believe, and I think leads the FBI to believe, that he got some training and some assistance in planning this because the lone wolf attacks we've seen have involved things like somebody walking into an airport terminal and starting to fire, vehicle attacks with guns at the end of that.

But when you start to see remote -- remote IEDs detonated from your vehicle, then you're seeing somebody with a higher level of training. And this, as I said, this is not -- the army doesn't train their people to make IEDs and run people over. This is not training you get in the army at any kind of, you know, normal level.

So I think what happens is we have to determine where he got his training and his communications are going to be absolutely essential. As far as communicating overseas to Canada and around the United States.

WHITFIELD: Indeed.

All right. Steve Moore, thank you so much for your expertise, really appreciate it.

MOORE: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are expected to visit New Orleans tomorrow.

Let's bring in Julia Benbrook, who is at the White House.

Julia, we heard the New Orleans mayor make that announcement now. Are there more details about the president's visit?

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Their visit takes place just five days after the terror attack on Bourbon Street killed 14 people and wounded dozens of others.

While we're still waiting on some of the exact details surrounding the president's trip, a White House official says that the president and first lady will grieve with the families and community members impacted by the tragic attack on January 1st, and meet with officials on the ground. A source familiar with the planning says that the president will

attend a vigil in New Orleans and is expected to make remarks. Local officials, local community members, law enforcement, local clergy and the family members of some of the victims are likely to attend.

Now, during that press conference we've been referencing today, Mayor LaToya Cantrell gave a bit of a preview of what's expected.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR LATOYA CANTRELL, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: The city of New Orleans will welcome President Biden tomorrow to demonstrate, one, his unwavering support of our victims, their families and the city of New Orleans.

The city of New Orleans just continues to demonstrate its resilience and its love for its people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BENBROOK: The president has pledged federal resources to help with the investigation. And this trip is one of the final displays of Biden in the role of consoler-in-chief, a role that he has had to step into frequently during his four years in office, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right.

Thank you so much, Julia Benbrook. We'll check back with you. Appreciate it.

All right. Still to come, a powerful winter storm set to hit at least a dozen states. For some, it could be the heaviest snowfall in over a decade. What to expect and where it will hit hardest next.

And later --

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WHITFIELD: So many emotional moments, including this one. This service at Jimmy Carter's hometown church in Plains, Georgia as the late president lies in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta. We've got details.

[14:19:19]

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WHITFIELD: All right.

You're looking at live pictures right now. Images out of St. Louis where you would normally see The Arch on this tower cam, but you can barely see it right now.

Visibility is pretty bad. The city, one of many getting slammed by a brutal winter storm hitting from the Central Plains to the Mid- Atlantic states. Joining me right now is Becky Amara Allmeroth, the chief safety and operations officer with the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Great to see you. I'm glad you're inside where it's warm for now. But, oh my gosh, those conditions outside are tough. And you are a city that's accustomed to some intense winter weather. But are you approaching this one any differently?

BECKY ALLMEROTH, CHIEF SAFETY AND OPERATIONS OFFICER, MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: We're used to some intense weather. This one is one that only comes around about once every decade.

So just the intensity of the storm, coupled with the change and the switch from freezing rain to sleet to snow, it's one for the books for sure.

WHITFIELD: Well, at least in that shot that we saw, we don't see a lot of road traffic. And even in these other images just a few cars here and there.

I imagine you're asking people, you know, except for extenuating circumstances, to just simply stay off the roads.

ALLMEROTH: Absolutely. And that really is the key component. With the severity of this storm, things should not be going this well. But we put out some really strong messaging, along with the Missouri National Guard, the Highway Patrol, FEMA and the governor's office and the motorists are really staying home and giving us room to do our work. And that is the key to the success right now.

WHITFIELD: So yesterday, I understand the Kansas City airfield was temporarily closed because of ice. The Kansas City Chiefs even struggled to make it to Denver for tonight's game. So, you know, what is your message to people out there?

[14:24:53]

ALLMEROTH: Yes, the Kansas City side of the state that came in as freezing drizzle first. And some of those elevated surfaces that had been treated, they're a little bit cooler so that freezing drizzle really diluted everything that was on there.

But tell you what, diehard Chiefs fan we were about to go help salt that runway just to get the Chiefs into Denver today.

WHITFIELD: Oh, I'm sure.

Now, you know we are still in the holiday season. It's the New Year and some folks are making their way back, you know, from trips whether they were driving or flying. What are you warning people to brace for?

ALLMEROTH: Luckily, we've been messaging ahead of this storm for the last three days, so a lot of motorists got to where they needed to go. Left early, got to where they are. But anybody else, we expect it to still be really rough tomorrow morning. The precipitation won't be out of the St. Louis region until later

tomorrow morning. So plan to stay hunkered even tomorrow morning. Telework if you can. If you have to get out, take it very slow. Give yourself plenty of time.

WHITFIELD: Another blast of arctic air. Sorry to share this with you unless you know it already, you know is set to come on Tuesday. Temperatures could drop to the single digits.

So what about your resources? Are you concerned that you've got what it takes? Or will you be, you know, looking upon your neighbors to donate some materials?

ALLMEROTH: No, we have plenty of material. And really, we tackle this as a state, so nobody goes home until everybody's done.

So we already plan to send resources up to the northern part of the state that have those blizzard conditions. And lots of strike teams will be moving once we get things buttoned up in the southern part of the state.

So very proud of the effort of those crews that are out there. And we'll keep going until we get it. The cold temperatures will be a challenge. Chemicals quit working, but we have additives that will help with that.

WHITFIELD: All right.

All the best on those continued efforts. Stay warm, stay safe. Becky Allmeroth, thank you so much.

ALLMEROTH: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: And now live pictures out of Atlanta where the body of former President Jimmy Carter lies in repose at the Carter Presidential Center. After a quick break, how the former president championed Habitat for Humanity from the time he left the White House through the end of his life. The CEO of Habitat for Humanity joins us live.

[14:27:18]

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[14:30:47]

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST: Today, Jimmy Carter is lying in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta. His body will remain there until Tuesday morning. He will then be taken by an Air Force plane called Special Air Mission 39 to Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, D.C.

That afternoon, his funeral procession will head to the U.S. Capitol, where he will lie in state until his funeral service on Thursday.

Earlier this morning at the church in Plains, Georgia, where Carter taught bible study, his niece, Kim Carter Fuller, talked about moving forward.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KIM CARTER FULLER, JIMMY CARTER'S NIECE: Today, I will let the past die. All the undone things, all the misjudged things. Today, there are new pleasures, new challenges and new magic. And I just liked that quote, just thought today is a new day. We're going to have to learn how to cope without Uncle Jimmy down the road. But I liked the last two words new magic. There's new magic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Hmm. That's nice.

CNN's Eva McKend is in Plains, Georgia.

I mean, that is so beautifully said. How was that received there?

EVA MCKEND, CNN NATIONAL POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: It was, Fred. There were people in church this morning that knew Jimmy Carter for decades, but also people that traveled from neighboring states who used to come to hear him teach Sunday school, which he, of course, did for many decades.

And you heard from Jimmy Carter's niece there. She has since taken over teaching Sunday school lessons. She led with the Book of Psalms this morning and talked about, though their hearts were heavy, they were leaning on God's strength at this time. What's also remarkable at Maranatha Baptist Church is that it is now led by a female pastor and President Carter notably broke with the Southern Baptists more than two decades ago over this issue, over women having equal footing in religious spaces.

Take a listen to how the pastor of the church is thinking about this moment.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASHLEY GUTHAS, PASTOR OF MARANATHA BAPTIST CHURCH: The verse that just stands out in my mind right now is, I think, of preparing for this week and for President Carter to be laid to rest, really is to die is gain, and just this morning, as -- as I worked through this sermon, I genuinely look at President Carter's life and I see how he willingly embraced death throughout his life. Death to ideologies that were harmful, like those to women.

There was once a time where maybe he believed those core things from the Southern Baptist about women not being able to be in the pulpit, and he had to die to that belief in order for something new to be reborn within him so that he could carry forward this work of equality in all of the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCKEND: And in her sermon this morning, she preached about how Jimmy Carter hungered for God and how he was a man of faith. And, Fred, I will leave you with this. As I was leaving church this

morning, I saw the choir assembling, going to the front of the church as they were rehearsing and getting together the final details for the service that is going to be held here in plains on Thursday.

This, of course, is hometown is going to be Jimmy Carters final resting place -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: Oh that's beautiful.

All right. Eva McKend, and that sounds like its happening simultaneous to the services that will be happening in Washington, D.C.

All right. Eva McKend in Plains, Georgia, thank you so much.

All right. Jimmy Carter's legacy extends well beyond his time in the White House. Carter was active in his local church, as you saw right there, and also traveled the globe working to secure safe elections and public health. And, of course, he dedicated years of his life to working with Habitat for Humanity, the organization that helps build and renovate houses for those in need.

You might recall, back in 2019, Carter was set to attend a Habitat event in Nashville.

[14:35:00]

Just hours before the event, he fell and hit his head at home. Well, despite getting a black eye and stitches, Carter still showed up to help build the home. That was one of the moments.

Jonathan Reckford is the CEO of Habitat for Humanity. He's joining us right now.

I mean, that -- that moment is just indicative of the kind of dedication that Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter had to your organization and really to the -- the promise of giving someone a home that has been, you know, a big dream for so long. How meaningful was he to your organization?

JONATHAN RECKFORD, CEO, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: You know, you really can't separate Habitat for Humanity from the impact of president and Mrs. Carter.

Habitat was a tiny organization in 1976 when it was founded, and still tiny in 1984. And all that really started to change when President and Mrs. Carter joined a busload of volunteers and drove up to New York City, slept in a church basement, and helped rehab a tenement building on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

And that's when the world found out about Habitat and really put it on the map and started that remarkable run from 1984 all the way to 2019. And every year, building somewhere in the world. And that inspired millions of volunteers and engaged so many people in our work.

WHITFIELD: So what is behind why he and Rosalynn Carter gravitated toward Habitat for Humanity? Where did that, you know, interest come from, and how is it that it blossomed into something so grand?

RECKFORD: Well, you were just talking about his faith. And President Carter often said that Habitat for Humanity was the best way he knew to put his faith into action in a very tangible and practical way. And he was a skilled carpenter. He enjoyed building. But I think what really drew and kept them coming back was the feeling of community and making a difference.

And he understood so deeply how much it meant for a family to have a home. You know, he grew up in a depression era and with no indoor plumbing and no electricity originally. And so I think for him, he understood at a visceral level how much a stable home means for a family, for health, for education, for livelihoods, for all the other things we want out of life.

But I know for him, seeing the transformation that could take place in families was a key driver of what made them want to do that, year after year.

WHITFIELD: We've heard so many beautiful words to describe Jimmy Carter from people who knew him, encountered him, that he represented dignity, decency and goodness. How would you describe the Jimmy Carter that you knew?

RECKFORD: You know, incredibly driven and incredibly kind. You know, I remember the first time I met him, I was pretty nervous. I was came down to Plains and he was my final interview to get the job at Habitat in 2005. And I expected, you know, a whole retinue and a -- and a group of and staff.

And once I was cleared through secret security and I think their house was bigger than the Carter's house, you know, he greeted me at the door. He and Mrs. Carter sat holding hands in a double rocker and just were so kind to me, and that pattern continued all the way through his compassion and caring about people. And I had the chance over the years to be with some of the most powerful people in the world and some of the least powerful people. And President Carter was always the same person.

And I think that personal integrity, along with that great drive to make the world better and personal kindness, I will always remember.

WHITFIELD: That's beautifully said.

Is there a way in which to characterize the continued need for Habitat for Humanity?

RECKFORD: Well, sadly, you know, with a huge lift from the Carters, Habitat has moved from helping hundreds to helping millions a year around the world, which is the good news. The bad news is there's never been a greater gap between what it costs to create a home and what families can afford. The last five years have been tragically bad with the pandemic and inflation and all the other things that have happened to housing costs. So we now have a deficit here in the United States of, depending on whose math you use, between 3 million and 6 million units of housing. And that's one of the reasons we're seeing housing inflation of almost

40 percent from five years ago. And so that's a huge burden on families, whether you're renting or trying to buy. And the same issues are true globally.

So we have a -- if you use U.N. data, 1.8 billion people living in substandard housing. So there's still plenty of need for the work.

WHITFIELD: We're continuing to look at live pictures of Jimmy Carter -- Carter's body lying in repose there at the Carter Center in Atlanta. There will be a number of tributes and the journey of his body over the next few days, in addition to other memorial services.

How will you be able to pay tribute to the late Jimmy Carter over the next few days yourself?

[14:40:01]

RECKFORD: Well, we will certainly be praying for the family and we'll have a group. It would be lovely of affiliate directors and families who -- who for whom President Carter actually worked on their houses, visiting the president, lying in repose at the Capitol. And my wife and I will be at the funeral on Thursday.

But I think the most important thing and the best way to honor President Carter is to keep the work going. If there's time for a short story, he -- one of our bad stories that turned out well was we were building in Canada in 2017, and we built 150 homes across Canada for the 150th anniversary of the country, and one of the main sites was Winnipeg.

President Carter was working hard, as he always does, and worked a little too hard. It was a very hot day and got a little bit dizzy picking something up and out of abundance of caution. Secret Service rushed him off and unfortunately all the cameras were lined up. We were about to have a press conference.

And President Carter called me slightly grumpily from the car, being irritated, being pulled off the build site, and I asked him, what do you want me to tell the press? And he said, tell them I'm fine and to get back to work. And of course, he was back working the next day.

But I think that message is still the right message. Knowing his faith that he is with our God and back with his beloved Rosalynn, and I think his message to all of us would be, I'm fine, get back to work.

WHITFIELD: Habitat for Humanity CEO, Jonathan Reckford, thank you so much.

RECKFORD: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Coming up, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to certify Donald Trump's second election win exactly four years after Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. That's next.

And live pictures out of Covington, Kentucky, and the Ohio River, where a massive winter storm is just getting started. Millions of Americans are facing ice and snow, thunderstorms, all of that. A live report from the weather center, coming up.

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[14:45:38]

WHITFIELD: Tomorrow, exactly four years after the attack on the U.S. Capitol, Congress will again meet on January 6th, this time to certify President-elect Trump's return to the White House. The proceedings will be led by Trump's 2024 opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Monday's certification will mark a striking political turnaround for Trump, who was widely condemned even by prominent supporters, for his actions on the day of the Capitol attack. Trump is now promising to pardon many of those convicted of January 6th crimes as soon as he takes office.

CNN's Steve Contorno is joining us right now.

Steve, how is the Trump transition team approaching tomorrow's event?

STEVE CONTORNO, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Well, Fred, one of the ways they have been preparing for tomorrow is by making sure that it happened at all. Remember, if the House did not elect a speaker by January 6th, then the certification of the election could not take place.

And so, that is one of the reasons why you saw Donald Trump. So, involved last week with ensuring that Speaker Mike Johnson had the votes to continue with his role, leading the Republican conference and the House of Representatives.

And so you saw him. Vocally support the speaker Johnson publicly, as well as make phone calls on his behalf during those sort of tense moments when it wasn't clear that Johnson had the support he needed. So that is clearly one way that they have had this date on their mind. But look, this January 6th is normally a pretty mundane process that doesn't necessarily attract a lot of attention. And the only reason it is this time around is because of what happened four years ago and because of what Donald Trump is promising to do for the individuals who were part of the January 6th attack on the Capitol in 2021.

So that that is what is making this notable. Otherwise, its just basically a date on the calendar. And his transition, which is now two weeks away. Hmm.

WHITFIELD: All right. Steve Contorno, thank you so much.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow. CNN will have live coverage as Congress certifies the 2024 election results.

All right, straight ahead. The NFL's regular season is coming to an end. Who's in, who's out and who still has a chance to make the playoffs next?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WHITFIELD: All right. Welcome back.

The NFL regular season wraps up today with several teams facing must win games to make the playoffs. On Saturday, the Cincinnati Bengals kept their playoff hopes alive with a big win.

CNN's Coy Wire has a breakdown of Saturday's games and a preview of what's on the line today.

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COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka.

Those Cincinnati Bengals are still alive. They now need a broncos and dolphins loss today to make the playoffs. Here's how they got it done.

Lots of Joe Burrow, lots of Ja'Marr Chase. Burrows had an MVP season statistically, leads the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns. And with continued plays like that, he is still a legitimate contender.

How about this throw and catch to chase again? Fourth quarter, Bengals up 16-7. Chase is like poetry in motion. First player in NFL history with 1,700 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns in a season.

Bengals win 19-17 and now grab their popcorn and watch to see if the Broncos lose to the Chiefs and Miami loses to the Jets.

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens hosting the Browns with a chance to clinch their division on the line. Lamar continues his sorcery touchdown to Mark Andrews. Lamar finishes the season with just four interceptions with 41 passing touchdowns.

But watch this one -- Rashod Bateman. Jackson pulls the Steph Curry turns and celebrates before the ball is even in the bucket. First player with 4,000 passing yards and 800 rushing.

But best play of the day, big man interception Michael Pierce, all 355 pounds of him, stepping in front of that one and then taking a slide to seal the win. His team goes absolutely berserk.

Baltimore are your AFC North champs after a 35-10 beat-down of the Browns.

MICHAEL PIERCE, BALTIMORE RAVENS DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: There's a long history of turning big guy interceptions and fumbles and all that stuff in the means. So at the risk of ruining a career play like that for myself, it's time to go home. So to us is out of gas. We're good.

WIRE: Here's a look at the AFC playoff standings and who will get the seventh seed. Broncos get it if they beat the Chiefs who will rest several starters including Patrick Mahomes.

In the NFC, only the Eagles are locked into their spot as the two seed. And it's all on the line for Atlanta Falcons. If they win today and the bucks lose, they are in the postseason. But if the bucks win, they are in.

The NFL saving its biggest game of the week, 18 for last though. The Vikings at the Lions Sunday night, both 14-2, 28 combined wins is the most ever for a regular season matchup. The winner gets the one seed and a first round bye, while the loser will not only have to play in the wild card, they'll also be the visitors. This game is huge.

Now, Frederica, the Vikings reportedly spent about 2 million bucks to buy about 1,900 tickets right behind their team's bench in Detroit, then offered them at a steep discount to their fans.

[14:55:02]

This, according to "Sports Illustrated's" Albert Breer, talk about a creative way to try to get an edge for your team in a game with huge implications.

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WHITFIELD: Very creative. I don't think I've ever heard that happening before. I like it.

All right. Coy Wire, thank you so much.

All right. Newly released body cam footage shows U.S. Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley being arrested and tased in Florida. We want to warn you that you might find this video quite disturbing.

The incident happened Thursday in Miami after police say Kerley approached officers about his parked vehicle while they were investigating an unrelated case. Police claim Kerley pushed an officer and resisted arrest. In court Friday, his attorney criticized the officers' actions and in a statement to CNN, the attorney called the footage, quote, obscene.

Kerley won the bronze medal in the men's 100 meter dash at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He now faces several charges, including resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

All right. Still ahead, we have new details on the actions of Shamsud- Din Jabbar prior to his attack on New Orleans. The places he visited, and how he used Meta glasses to record Bourbon Street as he planned his attack, after the break.

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