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Trump Says U.S. Has To Stay Ahead Of China On A.I.; Obama Urges Democrats To Put A.I. At The Center Of Their Agenda; Iranian Commercial Vessel Struck In Strait Of Hormuz; Cuba Facing Its Worst Energy Crisis In Living Memory; Strategies To Get Ready For Retirement; Ground Zero Blues Club; NFL season. Aired 4-5p ET

Aired September 13, 2026 - 16:00   ET

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

[16:01:23]

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

Former president Barack Obama wants Democrats in the next Congress to own the artificial intelligence conversation. During a private fundraiser Thursday, he said if he were a candidate, he would tell voters, "Here's our plan for safety. Here's our plan for making sure our kids are not corrupted by this," end quote. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says he's ready to make A.I. regulation part of the party's agenda.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): Well, we certainly need to begin to act urgently to address the challenges that exist. And unfortunately, Republicans have abandoned their responsibility. So under Speaker Mike Johnson, he killed a bipartisan task force, this Congress, that was prepared to do the serious work necessary to try to erect the guardrails to protect the health, the safety, the well-being of the American people.

We should take decisive action now so that we can slow down, as the CEOs have recently acknowledged. Slow down the pace of development in order to protect the American people and ensure that A.I. is proceeding safely.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: This follows high-profile incidents involving A.I.. Among them, A.I. agents going rogue and hacking other companies. In addition, a former Anthropic researcher quit the company and predicted A.I. could kill all of humanity by the end of the decade. President Trump also weighing in today.

Julia Benbrook is in Ireland, where the president just wrapped up a two-day visit.

Julia, what did he say?

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. President Donald Trump, he just left Ireland. But there's going to be a lot to deal with when he gets home. This was a very quick trip, a two-day trip with some official meetings. But it really all seemed to be planned around his attendance at the Irish Open, which was taking place at one of his properties. He even handed out the trophy at the end of that.

But during this trip there have been these growing concerns about artificial intelligence and the lack of regulations around it, and those seem to have really come to a head as a number of lawmakers, former A.I. employees and even A.I. executives have voiced concerns about the rapid growth of this industry. Some at the leading companies like Anthropic and OpenAI are even calling on Congress to put into place some national safety regulations to intentionally slow the pace of production here.

Trump was asked about all of this as he walked the golf course earlier today. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're leading China in A.I.. We're the most sophisticated country in the world. And frankly, I want to keep it that way because whoever wins A.I. wins. And we can put guardrails, we can do this and that. But I think you have a lot of negative forces that are bringing it up, that shouldn't be bringing it up, and they're bringing up things that won't happen. But whoever wins with A.I. wins. You know? It's an expression that I came up with. And it's true.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BENBROOK: So some strong statements from the president there. He said repeatedly, whoever wins A.I. wins. And he is making it clear that he wants the United States to be a leader on this.

Now, earlier today, while speaking with CNN, House Speaker Mike Johnson said that there has to be a balance when it comes to competition with other countries like China and what that could mean for national security and the immediate security of the models that are in the works.

[16:05:02]

Now, he did say that he wants to have a meeting with some of these leading officials at top companies. He said that they have had different ideas of what these future regulations could look like, and there needs to be some type of a conversation.

Now, when pressed on the urgency of that, Johnson said that he would be willing to do that tomorrow, that he would be willing to do that quickly. He said that he has spoken with Trump about this overall issue, and that a gathering like that could take place at the White House.

WHITFIELD: All right, Julia Benbrook, thank you so much, in Ireland.

With just over 50 days until the critical midterm elections, the debate over the potential dangers of A.I. is quickly becoming a major political issue.

Earlier, I spoke with CNN's senior political analyst, Nia-Malika Henderson, about the political impact of the A.I. debate on the upcoming November elections.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: I think if you are smart Democrat, you should make this over this next stretch sort of a centerpiece of your campaign, because it's where the public is. This backlash against this runaway A.I. technology in some ways it's also a backlash against these tech titans, right, who are rushing full speed ahead, gobbling up land to create these data centers, which are then raising people's electricity bills.

So I think in the public's mind, all of this is connected, and they don't necessarily see a long-term benefit for themselves. They see lost jobs. They see tech titans getting very rich from this. And then they see just sort of this uncontrolled technology that doesn't necessarily benefit them. And in fact, could threaten them. Right? I mean, these are sort of, you know, 1950s and 1960s sci-fi movies that people have in their heads.

But when you have the leaders of these companies essentially saying the same thing, that regulation and slowing down is necessary because this technology is so unknown at this point that I think, you know, if you're a Democratic politician, you would be wise to be where the public is on this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. Nia-Malika Henderson, thanks so much.

Coming up, we just got a fresh look at inflation, and there are some warning signs for the economy. We'll break down what it could mean for interest rates and even your retirement plans. And a race against time off the coast of Indonesia after a passenger ferry overturns in rough seas. Several people killed and more than 100 remain missing.

Plus, actor and now music producer Morgan Freeman says music has a way of bringing people together no matter what divides us all. His powerful message of hope and why the blues is still resonating in 2026.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[16:12:29]

WHITFIELD: At this hour, roughly 130 people remain missing in the Java Sea. This after a passenger ship capsized there. More than 100 people have been rescued and six bodies have been recovered. Indonesia is made up of 17,000 islands and relies heavily on ferries as transportation between them.

Iran says one of its commercial vessels has been struck in the Strait of Hormuz. State media reports one person died. Local officials blame the strike on what it calls a terrorist enemy.

Larry Madowo has more on that incident and an additional vessel that was hit in the strait.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz now down to a trickle as reports of attacks on vessels continue. On Saturday into Sunday morning, the U.K. Maritime and Trade Organization said a vessel had been hit by an unknown projectile that later caught fire, and emergency crews were on site assisting the crew and evacuating. But the Iranian state media also reported that an Iranian flagged commercial vessel had been hit there, and one person killed, and at least four people were injured.

They quoted the Qeshm governor, the island near where this attack took place, blaming it on the U.S. terrorist enemy. The U.S. has not commented on it. CNN has reached out to CENTCOM, but U.S. has previously hit Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz as it to enforce this blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to make sure that Iran does not profit from it.

It's not clear if these two incidents are related, and that is a backdrop of the meeting expected on Monday in Oman, in Muscat, between the foreign minister of Iran, Iraq and the Gulf Arab States. Bahrain now saying it will not participate in this. An official from Bahrain telling CNN that this is nothing more than a photo-op and it is not a gesture of peace the way Iran would like it to be seen.

Bahrain is demanding that there's proper responsibility taken for the attacks, that they have to stop the harm named before it can go back to the negotiating table. So not completely walking away from negotiations, but also saying there has to be conditions. The big line from Bahrain here is that the right to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz is enshrined in international law. It is a privilege, not a right, and it should not be controlled by any one person.

That is one major regional development. The other is in Saudi Arabia. On Sunday morning, the Iran-backed Houthis taking responsibility for an attack in a military base in Sharurah region. They say that they used a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones to target weapons depots and command and control centers at the Saudi military base.

[16:15:07]

It's not clear when this happened, but this follows a week when Saudi Arabia was forced to shut down its east west pipeline after a drone attack as a precautionary measure. That's what the Saudis said. But that complicated its ability to export its oil resources at a time where the rest of the world is watching exactly what happens in this region and where the Strait of Hormuz is blockaded. And now the Red Sea threatens to be a second front in this war six months into the war.

Larry Madowo, CNN, Nairobi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right. Thank you, Larry.

All right. Cuba is facing its worst energy crisis in living memory, and the U.S. oil blockade on the island nation shows no sign of easing any time soon.

CNN's Patrick Oppmann took a drive through the capital of Havana at night for a look at a city in darkness, with exasperated residents enduring hot, sleepless nights without power.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN HAVANA BUREAU CHIEF: This is one of the issues that a lot of the intersections, their traffic lights are no longer on anymore, and so it becomes very dangerous to drive at night.

(Voice-over): Here's what Cuba looks like as the island's failing energy infrastructure nears total collapse. Aging power plants with no access to fuel as the U.S. oil blockade turns the lights off longer and longer. Cubans have lived with power cuts most of their lives, but this is the worst they can ever remember it.

We stopped here because I'm actually shocked to see this. This is Havana's central part. We're surrounded on all sides by hotels. They're all in total darkness. We've arrived at where there's a blackout. You can actually look up and see the stars.

Taxi, taxi, taxi!

(Voice-over): Taxi driver Yasmani tells me there are few tourists to drive and blackouts every night, all night.

"How do I pass the time? I play dominoes or sit on our porch, and fan my daughter so she can sleep and go to school the next day."

Power is off now in most of Cuba most of the time these days. And Havana, a city famous for its nightlife, has become a city of shadows. As we drive around in the dark, the only large gathering of people we see are Cubans waiting in a bread line that is fast being depleted.

Well, the other thing here now is that life has just become more and more unaffordable. So if there's any food product that's on sale, people immediately get in line and try to get it because it is going to run out.

(Voice-over): Anger boils over in the nighttime heat.

"You wait for them to put the light on," he says, "and for them to take it away. There's nothing else to do. It's criminal to go to sleep without power and then wake up without power. It's too much."

Even if their leadership blames a crisis on the U.S. pressure campaign, many Cubans tell me they are furious at how the government distributes the little power there is. So you can see we're kind of at the edge of where there's power and

then you look over here and the power cuts out. This is what they call circuits. And so some people's power will be on and then you can almost look across the street and the power will be off. And the frustrating thing is it's not divided equally.

(Voice-over): Cuban officials say they've been forced to prioritize power for certain areas and industries as the U.S. wages what they call an economic war against their country. But as the U.S.-Cuba stalemate drags on and negotiations are at a standstill, regular people say they're the ones paying the price. A few blocks further on, we find residents playing dominoes under light provided from batteries. Blackouts now last more than 24 hours in this neighborhood, they tell us.

"Every day we are too tired," she says, "to go to work, to take kids to school. We're all exhausted."

Life feels like it has ground to a halt. Increasingly unlivable. But there's nothing left for people to do other than fan themselves as they face another long night in the dark.

Patrick Oppmann, CNN, Havana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Patrick, thank you so much.

Coming up, a 401(k)s, Social Security, IRAs, pensions, investments. There are so many pieces to the retirement puzzle. So how do you turn all of that into a paycheck that lasts? We'll look at a new way to think about retirement and what to do if you're behind.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[16:24:06]

WHITFIELD: Investors are bracing for the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates this week. The central bank's governors are meeting just weeks ahead of the midterm elections, and just days after one of the Fed's key inflation gauges showed consumer prices heating up in August, rising 3.4 percent. Experts say that strengthens the case for a rate hike in order to prevent price increases from becoming more entrenched.

Earlier today, President Trump was asked if he expects the Fed to raise rates.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I don't know. We should be paying. The United States is so strong. We should be paying the lowest interest rate in the world, regardless of their formulas. I know more about formulas than anybody, and we're the best credit in the world. We make other countries rich. We could turn that off in two minutes. Do you understand that?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. Joining us now, Jean Chatzky. She is the CEO of HerMoney.com and host of her money podcast.

[16:25:06]

Always great to see you, and congratulations on your new book, "The Forever Paycheck: The New Retirement Strategy to Spend, Worry Less, and Never Run Out of Money."

Ooh, what a concept. I like that. We're going to talk about your book in a moment, but I was watching your expression as we were listening to the president there. So, you know, given that high interest rates are, I don't know, likely not to come down, I mean, do people need to be shifting their behavior or even expectations about money? What do you -- do you agree at all with what the president was saying?

JEAN CHATZKY, CEO, HERMONEY.COM: I think we're probably looking at an interest rate hike. That's at least what it seems like. But either way, there's no doubt that these prices are hurting people. They're outpacing wage gains. And it just means that people need to be a little bit more conscious about where every dollar goes in order to make sure that they can not only afford the things that they need, but some of the things that they want as well.

WHITFIELD: And that's applicable to everybody right now. All right. So now, you know, to your book, "The Forever Paycheck," I mean, everybody loves the idea of that, but particularly to those Gen Xers, right, who are about to retire, or maybe they just retired, what should they be doing to assess whether they can afford to live with these higher energy bills even higher, you know, insurance prices right now?

CHATZKY: Before retirement, preferably, everyone should take a look at how much they've saved, what they're expecting to get from Social Security, and what their life costs pre-retirement. Because as the research that I did for this book shows, your life before retirement is a really good gauge of what your life will cost after retirement. In fact, the years right around retirement tend to be our heaviest spending years.

What I'm suggesting in the book is that we actually take a chunk of whatever it is we've saved and convert it to a paycheck to help cover those needs and wants because what we're learning about people in retirement is that they tend to spend the money that comes in, in Social Security, in pension checks, if they're lucky enough to receive one. But they're not spending down those big balances in their retirement accounts out of fear.

WHITFIELD: So when you say take a big chunk, how does one assess how big or how small that chunk should be?

CHATZKY: It tends to be about a third. You invest the rest of your money largely in stocks, because you want it to continue to grow for the rest of your life, however long that's going to be. But the way to get to an exact number is to look at what you're expecting from Social Security. Want to max that out, and then what's the gap between that cost that you have to bear every single month and what you expect to have coming in? That's what you want to cover with a paycheck. And you can do it in a couple of ways. You can buy a paycheck with insurance products like annuities.

You can build a paycheck with income producing investments like tips, which keep up with inflation, which are very handy these days, or dividend paying stocks. And then you know that you've got a chunk of money that you can count on no matter what the market does, and no matter how long you live, which is something that's scaring people these days.

WHITFIELD: So when you say, you know, in your book, you know, spend more, worry less, never run out of money, you really are talking about trying to come up with this best equation for yourself.

CHATZKY: That's exactly what I'm talking about. And the spend more part is really important. When people have money coming in on the regular, in a paycheck, they will spend significantly more of it than they'll spend that balance in the 401(k), because the balance in the 401(k) has become such a precious asset that to see it go down after 40 years of saving is really, really difficult.

WHITFIELD: It is indeed. All right. Fantastic advice. Jean Chatzky, always love having you. Thank you so much.

CHATZKY: Thank you. Thanks for having me.

WHITFIELD: All right. Coming up, a Hollywood legend is helping bring a century of blues history to new generations. Up next, my interview with Morgan Freeman on the music, the artist and the unexpected journey behind his new blues album.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. You know him from movies like "Shawshank Redemption," "Driving Miss Daisy" and "Unforgiven," just to name a few. But, in recent years, people have gotten to know Oscar winner, Morgan Freeman, through his passion for music, particularly Mississippi blues.

He is the founder and one of the owners of the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

[16:35:01]

WHITFIELD: And the success of that joint has grown into a tour. And now, an album where Freeman hosts and narrates, introducing the audience to a fusion of music like no other, orchestral sounds, paired with classic blues.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MORGAN FREEMAN, ACTOR: This is the story of people who turn hardship into something powerful, who found beauty in their sorrow, and who sang out loud when the world tried to keep them quiet. This is their story. The sound of America's past and present and the heartbeat of culture that refused to be forgotten. This is the symphonic blues experience.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And I spoke with Morgan Freeman and Eric Meyer, both owners of that blues club and producers of this new album.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD (on camera): When you listen to the album or when you made the selections of these 12 tracks, Morgan, you and your partners, I mean, how does it, you know, make you feel? What does it evoke in you? Especially knowing that it is history telling of 100 years of blues music?

FREEMAN: Well, first of all, I should say it's a -- it evokes pride in what we've accomplished and where we are from where we started. That was a long time ago. And this little club in Clarksdale, I don't know, it just caught hold. And now, thanks to Eric, here we are out in the open. I feel good about that.

WHITFIELD: I mean, that's a --

FREEMAN: Pretty good.

WHITFIELD: -- that's a lot to feel good about. Because, look, I mean, there is a very serious, you know, blues' artistry fan base. But now, really through your partnership, too, together with the club and this tour and the album, you all are reaching new audiences.

Eric, you know, so, in so doing, kind of tell me about how this genre of music and the musicians are also flourishing, I mean, in great part to the efforts that you all have made

ERIC MEIER, PRODUCER, MORGAN FREEMAN'S SYMPHONIC BLUES EXPERIENCE: Well, look, they deserve all the credit. We've put this together. The arrangements are beautiful.

It's an atypical approach to merge classic blues songs with a symphony. But we had the right music director, Martin Gellner. We partnered with Boo Mitchell, who's won several Grammies, really, as a record producer here. And then, the musicians themselves.

And the thing I'd like to highlight that we're bringing the music to venues and people that might not see it. Whether they're new time blues listeners, or whether they haven't had the opportunity to get to Clarksdale.

And that's really the goal. It's how do we export the heart of the Mississippi Delta to folks around the globe? It started with the concert series, and the album has taken it a step further.

WHITFIELD: So, I do want to play a quick clip of "Death Letter Blues." And then, I want to ask you about your vision for this song right after this clip.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TAJ MAHAL, MUSIC ARTIST: Didn't have a soul to throw my arms around. Don't you know it's so hard to love someone like you. When it don't look like this satisfaction. Don't care what you do. It's so hard to love someone. Don't care what you do. Well, it don't look like dissatisfaction. Don't care --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Oh, my gosh, that's Taj Mahal. I mean, he is 84. He's been doing this for 50 years plus. I mean, it's crazy. Morgan, I see a big grin on your face. I mean, when you listen to that, see that, I mean, it's magic. How would you put it?

FREEMAN: No. You have it there. Taj (?) is -- he's in his world. And, at the same time, he's in a brand-new world. And he's eating it up. He's just as happy as he can be.

WHITFIELD: I mean, that's so true. I mean, there's, like, almost like a revival, you know, Eric, that we're seeing. I mean, he's timeless. But then, I mean, here he is taking new turns, you know, in music. And he's bringing us all along with him.

What was your intention with this "Death Letter Blues" or his performance?

MEIER: Well, look, it's a serious song. Yes. I mean, Sunhouse first performed the song. The song's from Clarksdale, Mississippi. And it was a perfect song to do. A really powerful, soul stirring. It's a very sad song.

[16:40:00]

MEIER: It's -- you know, it's about a fellow you -- learns of his -- of his partner's death. And it's a -- it's a -- it's a very stirring song.

And I think what Martin did on an arrangement is awesome. It's got a lot of energy. Taj was the perfect person. You know, he said, yes, right on the spot. He said, how do you want to be a part of this project? And he's a master. And, again, I think he's enjoyed this project immensely.

WHITFIELD: So nice. Hey, Morgan, you know, you all are telling history, you know, wrapped in rhythm. You know, and some of your fans who visited you all and your tour say the experience is cinematic.

And speaking of cinema, you know, award-winning director and movie maker, Ryan Coogler, found inspiration in you all's club and the town of Clarksdale, Mississippi. So, and that was before "Sinners" came out.

But, you know, what was that like for you both knowing? I mean, I know you had just mentioned a bit ago about the journey. You had no intention, you had no idea that the reach would be this grand, when you decide to, you know, open up that club in Clarksdale. But look at this and the impact it's making. So, now thinking about all those things and all those wonderful

elements that it's -- that have come from it, what has that been like for you?

FREEMAN: A ride. Best way I can describe it. I'm not -- I don't have the reins. I'm not guiding it. I'm not -- I'm just -- I'm just -- I'm just there. Bill and I decided to build that club. Bill and I and Howard. I don't know. What was that, 25 years ago now, Eric?

MEIER: Yes.

FREEMAN: And what it was going to do, we had no idea. But we knew it was needed there in Clarksdale. Because we saw a couple of backpackers one day who were looking for some place they could hear some blues. They were in Clarksdale, Mississippi. They -- ground zero for the blues.

WHITFIELD: Your tour continues. Next stops, I understand, Memphis, Gulfport. And, I mean, this question to both of you, you know, Morgan and Eric. I mean, something else I find very striking, you know, about "Ground Zero," your club, which opened May 2001. Morgan, you mentioned 25 years ago, and here we are.

But 25 years ago for your club. And then, here we are as a nation, marking 25 years since 9-11. It was September 2001, also ground zero of another kind.

And I'm wondering, you know, what this year feels like for you. Particularly this weekend, as the nation grips with what happened 25 years ago. How we heal as a nation. And, at the same time, the building blocks that you all, you know, put into place. And what emerged from that idea 25 years ago.

FREEMAN: What has emerged from that idea is actually the credit for it belongs to Eric, dragging me along with him. For where we are today, I think it might be a reassurance of who we really are. That's my feeling and my hope. This music, this effort does bring people together. We do come together over music no matter -- no matter what. So, we're going to keep going and with hope.

WHITFIELD: Very nice. And Eric.

MEIER: Yes. I mean, to echo Morgan's sentiments, I think music is a great connector. And, you know, we -- I think we do a great job at the club. You know, they're -- our club allows all ages on any given night. About a third of the folks are from the Mississippi area. A third around the United States. But a third globally.

And so, what we try to do with this, our symphonic blues, albeit very successfully, is continue to bring people together. And by coming to them.

[16:45:01]

MEIER: And this album is just the next step. So, I think it's, you know, a very profound question you're asking, you know, given the anniversary here. And, hopefully, we can do our small bit to kind of bridge folks together and keep them informed. And just recognize that -- the importance of social justice along the way.

WHITFIELD: Well, thank you for bringing us all together through this incredible venture, through the music, through the fellowship, your partnership, and really exposing and educating, you know, America to this beautiful culture of the Mississippi delta blues.

Morgan Freeman, Eric Meyer, what a pleasure talking to you all.

[16:45:43]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD (live): The first weekend of the NFL season is kicked off with several big matchups underway. CNN's Andy Scholes is in East Rutherford, New Jersey, inside MetLife Stadium. And that's where the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys will be facing off later on.

Andy, walk us through some of today's highlights.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Well, Fredricka, I'll tell you what, the excitement here at MetLife Stadium is building for John Harbaugh's Giants coaching debut. We'll have much more on that in a moment.

But, first, let's take a look at some of the action that's already happened today. We had a thriller between the Bills and the Texans in Houston to open up this season. There were five lead changes in this game. And the last one coming from Josh Allen, who hits Joshua Palmer for a 33-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Allen had two passing T.D.s, two more rushing. So, that put the Bills up by five.

The Texans had one last chance, but C.J. Stroud picking up right where he left off in the playoffs. He would fumble. That pretty much ended the game right there. Buffalo recovered it. They beat the Texans 36 to 31 there.

Elsewhere, Bears' head coach, Ben Johnson, said, before the season, he wanted to score more points than any team ever. And so far, so good. Caleb Williams had two passing touchdowns, two more rushing. Chicago scored eight T.D.s in this game. They blow out the Panthers by a final of 59 to 37. The Bears fans certainly happy with their opener.

Meanwhile, here at MetLife Stadium tonight, they are going to be paying tribute to all of those who lost their lives 25 years ago on 9- 11. All of the fans who come here to MetLife Stadium, they are going to be welcomed by a fire truck known as ladder three four three. It's a ceremonial FDNY fire truck named to honor the 343 members of the New York Fire Department who lost their lives on September 11th.

A steel beam from the World Trade Center, it's also displayed outside the stadium tonight. And there will be, again, tributes throughout the night to honor the 25th anniversary of 9-11. Now, all the fans here are hoping for a great start to the Harbaugh era. After 18 years and one Super Bowl title with the Ravens, Harbaugh was brought here to New York to turn the Giants around. The G-men have only won seven games over the last two seasons. Haven't made the playoffs since 2023.

Harbaugh says he's pumped to make his debut tonight in a huge matchup against the Cowboys.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN HARBAUGH, HEAD COACH, NEW YORK GIANTS: It's the first time for me personally in this rivalry. You know, it's going to be the first time, you know, like some of the other guys on the team, too, and some of the other coaches. To be in that stadium for a -- for a regular season game.

That's going to be exciting. I can't wait to see it. I can't wait to be a part of it. I'm really fired up about it, and I'm looking forward to it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Yes. And the Cowboys, meanwhile, they have the longest conference title drought in the entire NFC conference. They haven't made conference title game since 1996. Fredricka, they had a terrible defense last year.

But they got eight new starters. So, you know, their fans are hoping that they will look good on defense this year, especially in this opener against Jaxson Dart and the New York football Giants.

But one thing's for sure, when you come --

WHITFIELD: Yes?

SCHOLES: -- into the first day of this season, Fredricka, everyone can be optimistic, right? And think that their team is going to turn it around this year and be good. We'll see what happens tonight between this Cowboys-Giants' games, because both, like I said, fan bases have optimistic hopes for this season.

WHITFIELD: That's right. Everybody is excited. There's a whole lot of kumbaya going on. All right, Andy Scholes, thank you so much. We'll be right back.

[16:53:51]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Dolly Parton's unifying legacy lives on in a rare bipartisan and unanimous vote on Friday. Nashville and Tennessee officials agreed to rename the city's airport after the late country music icon. The move would make Parton the first woman whose name adorns one of America's 50 busiest airports.

Airport officials said the name change could take a year or more and involves working with Parton's estate to work out the details.

Acclaimed chef, David Chang, is on a cross-country search for unforgettable food, guided by local tips and word of mouth recommendations. And it's all for the new CNN original series, "THE DETOUR."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID CHANG, CNN HOST, THE DETOUR WITH DAVID CHANG (voice-over): Think of it this way. It's because a chef like this is here for a very specific reason. About 30 years ago, Vegas realized that in order to draw these high-stakes' gamblers and keep them happy, they needed to offer a kind of dining that would suit their palates. A taste of home. Something that American Chinese restaurants just didn't offer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the first course of the king crab. So, the chef will prepare with a special golden sauce. So, please enjoy.

CHANG (on camera): I've never had anything like this before. This is a perfect example. Like, I don't know what the hell this is.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Me neither. I've never had anything like it.

CHANG: It's extremely good, though.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE.)

CHANG: Hi, chef.

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[17:00:00]

WHITFIELD: Be sure to watch "THE DETOUR WITH DAVID CHANG," premiering next Sunday, September 20th, right here on CNN. And streaming the next day on CNN all access.