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CNN This Morning

Kirk's Wife Speaks Out For The First Time Since Husband Was Killed; 22-Year-Old TYLER: Robinson Arrested In Charlie Kirk Killing; Killing Of Minnesota State Lawmaker Sparked Discussions On Funding, Pilot Programs To Increase Security; Department Of Education Cuts Race-Based Grant Funding; Consumer Survey: Americans Are Concerned About Prices, Tariffs, Business Conditions. Aired 7-8a ET

Aired September 13, 2025 - 07:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:00:12]

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to your weekend and CNN THIS MORNING. It's Saturday, September 13th. I'm Victor Blackwell.

Here is what we're working on for you. For the first time, we are hearing from Charlie Kirk's widow. It's the first time since he was shot and killed in Utah.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIKA KIRK, WIDOW OF CHARLIE KIRK: The movement my husband built will not die. It won't. I refuse to let that happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: We'll have the reactions coming in from his supporters.

Plus, the new details we've learned about the alleged shooter.

Kirk shooting has put a renewed focus on political violence. Lawmakers say they need more security, and some say they are changing the way they interact with their constituents.

We are learning more about the fatal shooting of a man during an ice traffic stop in Chicago. Why officials say they had no choice.

Also, the Trump administration says it's cutting funding to some grant -- some grant programs to minority serving colleges. Administrators say that will impact all students, no matter their race. We'll discuss coming up.

So, the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, it led to a 33-hour manhunt that ended in the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. He is being held without bail. A heavy police presence was seen at his home on Friday. Authorities continuing their investigation.

Now, Robinson is expected to make his first Court appearance on Tuesday. He is expected to face several charges, including aggravated murder. We also have heard from Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, this is for the first time she spoke from her late husband's studio.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KIRK: If you thought that my husband's mission was powerful before, you have no idea. You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world. You have no idea.

You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife, the cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Now, the FBI said that after receiving more than 7,000 tips, it was a father's recognition of his son that led to the arrest. During an interview with CNN, Utah's governor, gave an update on the investigation into Robinson's motive.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. SPENCER COX (R-UT): I think maybe what stands out is that nothing stands out the way you would normally expect. You know, this is a -- this is a good family, normal childhood, all of those things that you would hope would never leave to -- lead to something like this.

But certainly, there was a radicalization that happened in in a fairly short amount of time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: CNN's Maribel Gonzalez is live in Orem, Utah. What have you learned about the suspect?

MARYBEL GONZALEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Good morning, Victor.

Well, we have also heard on social media and also from people who are close and who knew Robinson really just conflicting reports. It just depends on who knew him? We were hearing first that you know, an electrician who worked with him a few weeks ago described him as shy, who wasn't very talkative. He also said he didn't talk a lot about politics unless someone brought it up.

But he did mention -- the electrician did mention that Robinson did have a dislike of President Donald Trump. And then, we also heard from investigators. They talked about a conversation that was had at the dinner table between Robinson and family members. And they said He also expressed his dislike for Charlie Kirk and his views.

But we also know that voter registration records show that Robinson is registered to vote unaffiliated. His parents in high school and him, Robinson, included in high school, were supporters of President Trump ahead of the 2020 election.

But really, you know this case is still has so many outstanding questions. But one thing we know is that right now, lawmakers are urging people to remain calm. This case has sparked a lot of divisiveness, especially on social media. And here is what Utah's Governor Spencer Cox had to say about the situation to Anderson Cooper last night. Let's take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COX: I think it's a surprise to most people that something terrible like this could happen. You know, President Trump was almost assassinated a year ago. So, the question is, is this the end of a very dark era? Does this wake us up in a way that we actually change? Or is this just the beginning of something far, far worse?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[07:05:02]

GONZALEZ: And now, while the exact motive still is under investigation, we do know that recovered from nearby here at the campus was a rifle and also some casings that had engravings on those.

Those were inscribed with different phrases, including, "Hey fascist, catch", a message that the Utah governor says speaks for itself.

But experts we spoke to said that these messages are more complex than that. They include a mix of memes and allusions to video games. They are intended to be understood by the audience that understands and share these memes.

Of course, we know that more details will be coming out. There are still questions about the arrest itself. How did that arrest go down? Did the suspect cooperate with law enforcement? Did he resist arrest? All of those questions, and perhaps, even more about the motives and investigation will be coming out in future court documents, as well as the charging filing documents that we're expecting to see early next week. Victor?

BLACKWELL: Yes, it sounds like from these accounts, from friends and family, that this suspect was different things to different people. So, we'll, of course, try to learn more.

Marybel Gonzalez, thank you so much.

Joining me now, CNN law enforcement analyst Jonathan Wackrow and CNN legal analyst Joey Jackson. Gentlemen, welcome to you both.

And Jonathan, let me start with you. Sources now tell CNN that this suspect is not talking to investigators. How much do they need to engage with this suspect, considering what they have learned from his father, this reported confession?

JONATHAN WACKROW, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Well, listen, obviously, if they were able to get a statement, you know, from the suspect, it would be very beneficial to the, you know, the total investigation, and it would start to fill in some of the gaps that we currently have. But investigators will eventually get there, right?

We do know a lot about this individual already. And really, Victor, when it comes down to it, what investigators are doing is they are really trying to, you know, put this individual into what's known as the -- or align this individual to what's known as the pathway to violence. And there are elements of that right now that are a bright line distinction, where we know that he had a grievance, you know, towards Charlie Kirk, and he expressed that grievance with family members.

We know that there were, you know, ideations of violence, just the action of you know -- you know, making these inscriptions on his weapon and on the bullet casings. Again, starts thinking about from that grievance, the ideations of violence and harm.

And then, we know that there was significant amount of preparation and research done into this attack just by the attack dynamics that were conducted. So, investigators take that framework, that pathway to violence framework, which is really a behavioral continuum, and then, they try to fill in the gaps from there.

So, yes, having statements from the suspect would be helpful, and it would help investigators actually move the investigation along. But at this point in time, it's not the critical element for the investigators to really ascertain what the motive was.

(CROSSTALK)

BLACKWELL: Yes.

WACKROW: And then, gather all the items of evidentiary value.

BLACKWELL: Joey, what will the -- will be discovered or considered in the decision over the death penalty over the next few weeks and months?

JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Yes, Victor, good to be with you and Jonathan.

Listen, you have to evaluate the nature and circumstance of this offense. The fact to the matter is, is that he is being charged with aggravated murder, which is a capital offense, which does make it eligible. Now, when you go for the death penalty, not every murder is qualifying for that death penalty.

There are certain specific enumerated factors that officials will attempt to use in this case to make it death penalty eligible, like what? Like the fact that, perhaps, it was particularly, they may argue that it was just particularly depraved. The nature and the circumstances surrounding exactly how it occurred, Like the fact that while this particular individual, you know, certainly whatever radicalization he may have with respect to what he did, you could argue that he did it to a public official.

Now, not an elected public official, but in Utah, it's that or someone similarly situated. So, there is a number of things that they may use, harming or the potential to harm other people during the commission of the action that he engaged in.

And so, they'll look at all of that, and in the event that they do that, they will file a notice with regard to their intention to take his life. And then, the event that, that happens, there will be a trial. We'll have a jury that will make that determination in terms of guilt or innocence, and then you would go to a death penalty phase, and at that point you decide a jury would, whether or not there are these aggravating circumstances that outweigh. Other factors in his life for which they he should get the death penalty.

Last point, Victor relating to this. Utah does kill people. Last year -- well, when I say that, let me withdraw and just say they have the death penalty that they use.

[07:10:08]

BLACKWELL: Yes.

JACKSON: And just last year, on August, they used the death penalty, and they are one of three states that used the firing squad. So, in the event that they apply the death penalty and get it, I would suspect that they would also use it.

BLACKWELL: Jonathan, you mentioned the engraved messages on the bullet casings, one of them being, "Hey fascist, catch," AND there are others. How important are they in building this case? Pull that thread a little more.

WACKROW: Yes, Victor, it's really important. And what it's actually speaks to is it's a part of this normalization of violence. And, you know, there is a real disturbing trend recently, and most notably it's been highlighted by the attack on the United Healthcare president by Luis Mangione.

But what we're witnessing is this, the concept of an assassination culture. Again, aligning to this normalization of violence, where targeted killings are increasingly justified and now often celebrated online. You are seeing these assassins now really, you know, held up on a pedestal.

And what it's all centered around is a grievance similar to the pathway of violence, but it's also to advance a specific political or ideological agenda.

In those markings on that -- on that weapon, in the -- in the shell casings, are really something that investigators are going to look into as to that alignment to either a political or ideological agenda. And I think that, that is where the governor and his statements yesterday were, you know, I wholly agree with him.

What we must do is promote a change in all of our dialog, encouraging, you know, open, nonviolent discourse, really, to temper down this really polarizing threat environment.

BLACKWELL: Joey, the FBI director Kash Patel, has been criticized for his handling of information in this investigation, posting on social media that a subject was in custody, and then later having to say that the subject was questioned and then released, and then, this was his message at the news conference announcing the arrest.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KASH PATEL, DIRECTOR, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION: To my friend, Charlie Kirk, rest now, brother, we have the watch, and I'll see you in Valhalla.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: I wonder your reaction to that, and does that complicate the prosecution of this case? Does it credibly call into question his leadership of the investigation? What do you think?

JACKSON: So, we're in different times, and obviously there is this politicalization of various things that occur. I think, many public officials are not shy about weighing in with respect to what they believe should happen, the death penalty, with regard to the activities, with regard to who was responsible, left wing, et cetera.

So, the rhetoric is pretty inflammatory. You don't obviously expect that of the FBI director, generally. And Jonathan certainly can speak to this better than I can. You expect people who are in positions like that to pretty much just talk about and in a moderate way, the facts, the evidence and the circumstances, without going all in like that.

Having said that, what happened, Victor at a time where there is a jury impaneled, should that be the case? Should there be no plea?

And make no mistake about it, if they seek the death penalty, he can't just say, I'm going to plead guilty and I'm going to preserve my life. No, you're not. We're going to do as a government what we think is important and appropriate. And if it's a death penalty, we're putting you on trial.

But at the point that you pick a jury, the issue is not whether there were inflammatory statements made. Of course, the defense will argue that the issue is not whether people are talking about the case. The issue is, can we select people that notwithstanding the fact that they've heard so many things about this case, can be fair. Notwithstanding the fact that people have opinions and attitudes about things, can evaluate this based on the evidence in the courtroom and not what the rhetoric is outside of the courtroom. So, that's going to be the analysis.

But certainly, there are in these days and age, I mean, just people saying all types of things, who are in positions of leadership, and perhaps, that should not be the case, but that's the world in which we live.

BLACKWELL: All right. Joey, Jonathan, thank you both.

The murder of Charlie Kirk has renewed concerns about political violence against lawmakers in the U.S.

CNN correspondent Arlette Saenz has a look at what's on the table to protect the country's political leaders. Arlette?

ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Victor, the assassination of Charlie Kirk, has reopened a conversation about how to protect lawmakers amid concerns about political violence. That is a common concern that we heard from some lawmakers up on Capitol Hill this week.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he has held preliminary conversations with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on the issue of security, as some members do want to see enhanced security measures for when they are back home in their home states or potentially traveling for events.

[07:15:01]

Now, these concerns about political violence really came to the forefront over the summer after the assassination of that Minnesota democratic state lawmaker back in June. After that shooting, the House and Senate worked through what additional security funding and resources might look like for these lawmakers.

There have actually been some pilot programs underway in the House and Senate to determine what security details could look like for members when they are back home.

I spoke with Senator Markwayne Mullin, who leads a key subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, who said that they are working through what it might cost to have security details and what the size and scope of that could entail. He said, everyone, all lawmakers, will have different needs, and they will need to assess that going forward.

But we've also spoken with some lawmakers who said that they are rethinking how they might approach their own security and their events going forward. Some lawmakers said that they may not hold outdoor, large events going forward. There are others who have signaled that they might use private funds to try to hire security for various events going forward.

These are all some of the dynamics that people are considering amid these concerns about political violence.

But I also spoke with some senators who were worried that these acts of political violence might turn people away from running for office going forward.

Senator Tim Kaine said that he is very worried that this is going to lead to good public servants either deciding not to run or deciding to step down from their posts. So, these are all some of the concerns and dynamics that are playing out among lawmakers as they assess the path forward after this assassination against Charlie Kirk. Victor.

BLACKWELL: All right, Arlette, thank you.

President Donald Trump announced that his administration would target Memphis, Tennessee as part of his efforts to crack down on crime across the nation's major cities. Calls the city deeply troubled, the president suggested the mayor and Tennessee governor were happy with the action, but Memphis Mayor Paul Young said that it was not done at his request. Be sure to tune in to, "FIRST OF ALL", next hour. I'll speak with the mayor for his reaction to the President's plan. His first interview since it was announced.

Again, that's next hour on "FIRST OF ALL".

We have new video of a chaotic scene at a high school football game. This is in North Carolina, after gunfire rang out. This -- the events that led up to the shooting still unclear. One person was injured. Officials described their condition as stable. Now, the local sheriff's office said one person was in custody relating to that shooting.

A judge has ruled that singer Taylor Swift will not be deposed in the Justin Baldoni-Blake Lively case. Lively is suing Baldoni for sexual harassment, also retaliation for his actions that allegedly took place when they were co-stars on the movie, "It Ends with Us".

According to a ruling obtained by CNN, the judge denied a request from Baldoni's team for an extension to depose Swift. CNN has reached out to representatives for Baldoni and Lively for comment on that ruling.

Still to come, NATO is sending a message to the Kremlin after Russian drones cross over into Poland's airspace. We have the latest on the tense standoff.

Plus, a traffic stop during the immigration crackdown turned deadly outside Chicago. And consumer confidence in the U.S., it's falling. We'll explain what's driving that.

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[07:23:16]

BLACKWELL: NATO is stepping up its defenses after a Russian drone crossed into Polish air space this week.

NATO secretary general, announced a new mission called, "Eastern Century". It will bring in fighter jets, warships, and air defenses from allies, including France and Germany. And NATO says Russia's actions are dangerous and vows to defend every inch of its territory.

CNN's Nada Bashir joins me now. Nada, NATO is implementing these plans, as Russia is -- and his neighbor, Belarus, I should say, launched these large-scale military drills. Tell us what you know.

NADA BASHIR, CNN INTERNATIONAL REPORTER: That's right, Victor. Friday mark the beginning of these joint military drills known as the Zapad- 2025 drills between Russia and Belarus. They are set to take place along training ranges in both Russia and Belarus and along the Baltic.

See, and this has certainly put European neighbors on edge, given the breach of Polish airspace earlier in the week, and in fact, there is also some concern, given the precedent that was set by the last Zapad joint training drills in 2021, which Western military officials say they believe set the pretext for Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

However, it's important to note that this year's joint military training drills by Russia and Ukraine -- and Belarus are set to be somewhat smaller, given the fact that the bulk of Russia's combat capabilities are still tied up in Ukraine, particularly in the eastern Donbas region.

But of course, this has set NATO allies somewhat on edge, given the fact that we did see the breach of Polish airspace by Russian drones on Wednesday.

In fact, the Polish officials say that the majority of those drones actually, were flown from Belarus.

[07:25:02]

So, there is certainly concern there. And as you mentioned, we have seen that reaction now by NATO allies. They have set up their own operation, the Eastern Century. As you mentioned, these are including the U.K., Denmark, France, Germany, and other allies. We've heard from the NATO chief, and I'll just read you a bit from with he had to say, General Mark Rutte, saying, the Eastern Century will add flexibility and strength to our posture and make clear that as a defensive alliance, we are always ready to defend.

And it's important to note that we also heard from Mark Rutte saying that the breach of Polish airspace was not a one-off incident. He has said that Russia's recklessness in the air along the eastern flank is increasing in frequency, and that is why they are stepping up their defensiveness and readiness along the eastern flank of these NATO member states in Europe. Again, showing their preparedness and posturing their readiness in response to any incoming threat from Russia and its allies, including, of course, Belarus. Victor?

BLACKWELL: Nada Bashir, thank you.

Still ahead, hundreds of colleges across the U.S. are losing millions in federal funding. Why the Trump White House calls the funding unconstitutional.

And the acceptance speeches at Sunday's Emmy Awards will be a lot shorter than usual. We'll tell you how the show's host says he plans to keep things on track.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:30:50]

BLACKWELL: This morning, there are questions about the fatal shooting of a man in Chicago by ICE agents. Homeland Security officials say the man drove his car at law enforcement officers, hit one of them, dragged that officer a significant distance. The officer, whose name was not immediately released, sustained severe injuries, but is in stable condition.

CNN, senior crime and justice correspondent Shimon Prokupecz has more for us.

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN SENIOR CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: There are still many questions as to how everything unfolded here, Friday morning, when ICE agents, officers opened fire on a man they say was trying to flee. It was a man they say they were trying to detain, who was here illegally. They also say he has a history of reckless driving.

A lot of questions as to how this man got on ICE's radar. What were they doing? We know that the -- there was been a lot of concern here in the community and in the suburbs and the neighborhoods of Chicago over the action that ICE agents were going to undertake this week.

And now, this community is certainly asking questions, people wanting to know more about what happened here. The FBI is investigating, other law enforcement officials were here, Friday, gathering evidence.

The governor issued a statement calling for more transparency, and certainly, community advocates here want to know more about how this unfolded.

Shimon Prokupecz, CNN, Franklin Park.

BLACKWELL: All right, Shimon. Thank you.

The Department of Education is pulling the plug on some discretionary grant programs for minority serving institutions. Critics call it a rollback of equity. Supporters say it's about fairness. With me now, Trinity Washington University President Patricia McGuire. Her university is a predominantly black and Hispanic serving institution.

Thank you so much for being with me. You've called the announced cancelations, "a disgrace" to the country. Tell me why.

PATRICIA MCGUIRE, PRESIDENT, TRINITY WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY: It's a disgrace, because it's sending a message that black and brown students are not really welcome in higher education, and that our nation will not support them or their institutions. And it's part of the ongoing attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion that the Trump administration has prosecuted for a while, but it takes it to a new level by debilitating the colleges and universities that serve large majorities of Hispanic, Black, and Asian students.

BLACKWELL: And you say the loss of the money is debilitating practically. What does it mean for your institution?

MCGUIRE: Here at Trinity, we've received close to $4 million from the predominantly black institutions program over the years, and it has helped us to build out our laboratories for nursing and the sciences. It's helped us to create a Center for Student Success for Academic Advising, it helped us to start a new program in information technology, as a new major program for our students.

All of that kind of funding is now going to disappear, and we do not have the resources to replace that kind of funding. Neither do most of the institutions affected. We serve large populations of low-income students. We put most of the money we have into financial aid for the students. Our students do not come from wealth, and we don't have that many large donors who are able to replace the money.

So, if the money goes away, our ability to support African American, Hispanic and other students will also be diminished.

BLACKWELL: Yes, we're talking about more than $300 million collectively to schools across the country.

Let me read to you what the Education Secretary McMahon says. She equates the grants and the criteria to stereotype. And she says that "Stereotyping an individual based on immutable characteristics diminishes the full picture of that person's life and contributions, including their character, resiliency, and merit."

They say that affording these grants based on those characteristics to schools like Trinity, Washington, and others is discrimination. What do you say in response to that?

[07:35:03]

MCGUIRE: I say she is absolutely wrong, and she doesn't understand the program, nor does she speak for my students or the students in these other institutions.

First of all, the grants are to institutions, they are not to individuals. They help the institution serve all students well, and that seems to be lost in her decision-making that all students on campus benefit from better laboratories, better student services, including white students.

So, this doesn't -- this money does not go to any individual student. It goes to institutions to help build their laboratories and facilities and services.

The second thing is, it is absolutely true that discrimination should not diminish any person, but it is equally true that black students and Hispanic students in this country has suffered pernicious discrimination for centuries, for generations, at the hands of public policy, both federal and local. And to some extent, all of these programs are about helping to remediate the bitter consequences of generations of discrimination that have actually caused unequal educational opportunities for these students.

We are trying to remediate that. We are trying to give students a leg up in education, and here comes the department of education kicking the legs out from under a program that Congress authorized. There is a law that authorized these programs that the secretary is now breaching, and there is no case law to support her claim that the programs are illegal.

It is absolutely part of the war against black and brown students in higher education. BLACKWELL: Trinity Washington University president, Patricia McGuire, thank you.

All right. Still to come, shoppers are feeling worse about the state of the economy. We look at what is driving the drop in consumer sentiment after the break.

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[07:41:40]

BLACKWELL: So many people across the country are worried about the overall economy. Maybe you're one of them. The latest survey and economic data reflect that.

Here is CNN business correspondent Vanessa Yurkevich with a look at the latest numbers.

VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN BUSINESS AND POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Victor.

Consumers are feeling worse about the economy this month than they did last month. Consumer sentiment fell by five percent in September and down 21 percent compared to last year, according to the University of Michigan.

The September preliminary survey found that lower and middle-income Americans are more worried about the economy as higher prices impact them more. And 60 percent of consumers said they are worried about tariffs.

Other major concerns include business conditions, the labor market and inflation. But sentiment overall in September is better than it was in April and May, when President Trump announced his sweeping reciprocal tariffs. A key worry, inflation, which heated up for consumers in the month of August, but held steady at 2.9 percent on an annual basis, it's so far from the Federal Reserve's two percent target rate, but not the runaway inflation that many economists were concerned about.

And worries about a slowing labor market are starting to show up in the data. Last week, unemployment claims reached their highest level since 2021 and the U.S. created 911,000 fewer jobs between April of 2024 and March of 2025.

And August jobs report showed that businesses added just 22,000 jobs, and revisions showed the economy lost 13,000 jobs in June. That Victor is for the first time in nearly five years.

BLACKWELL: All right. Vanessa, thank you.

Hollywood is getting ready to celebrate the best in American television this weekend, and the biggest stars will be in Los Angeles tomorrow for the Emmy Awards.

And it looks like shows on streaming platforms dominate once again in the Best Drama Series category, it's a battle between shows like "Severance", "White Lotus", "Andor", "The Pit".

Nominations for Best Comedy Series includes, "The Studio", "The Bear", "Hacks", "Abbott Elementary.

Comedian Nate Bargatze will host this year's ceremony, and is giving winners new incentives to keep those speeches short.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NATE BARGATZE, COMEDIAN AND EMMY HOST: So, for this one, I was like, look, I'll start the show with the Boys and Girls Club, $100,000 I'll donate that. And then, if the positive two, if they go under, we will put money on top of it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.

BARGATZE: So, I would prefer them not all go that under, because that can get pretty expensive quick. But if you go over, you will be you're just going to take a thousand-dollar, it's a second away from the (INAUDIBLE). We got to do something.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The stakes are high.

BARGATZE: The stakes are high.

They can go to social media. You know, thank everybody on social media. I mean, more people are going to see it there anyway, you know?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: The Emmys are celebrating their 77th year. It's actually a good idea.

All right. Still to come, a huge day for college football.

CNN's Andy Scholes has the games we're watching, coming up in sports.

And remember to tune in tonight for an all new "Have I Got News for You?"

[07:44:44]

Comedian Mae Martin and New York Times climate reporter David Gelles joined Roy Wood Jr., Amber Ruffin, Michael Ian Black, to dig into this week's headlines. That's tonight at 9:00 p.m., only on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: This morning, we're tracking rising temperatures across the country. Across the weekend, more than 90 million Americans are expected to see temperatures above 90 degrees.

CNN, meteorologist Allison Chinchar is here with details. A lot going on, on that map.

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, there is. Again, you can expect these temperatures, you know, in July, and August, not really once you kind of feel like settled into fall, but that's what's going to happen, especially across the central U.S. that but that heat is going to spread into areas of the Midwest, the southeast and the Mid Atlantic over the next couple of days.

But that heat is also actually fueling some thunderstorms, typically what we would see in the -- in the summertime. Here you can see that large line of showers and thunderstorms -- from Wisconsin, down into Illinois. It is expected to impact Chicago here in about the next hour or two. So, keep that in mind, if you have some plans. There is a lot of lightning with that line of thunderstorms. That's going to keep Chicago on the slightly cooler side for today only, with a high temperature of about 78. That's still above where they normally would be, but a lot of 90s on the map here.

Again, just indicating where a lot of that heat is going to be. But notice too, on this trend map, it starts to spread. It starts to expand into a lot of other areas, as we especially head into early next week.

So, you look again. Here, you see the Chicago area. Again, those temperatures will start to go up over the next couple of days, once we lose the chance for showers and thunderstorms. But St Louis, Little Rock getting into the 90s, even Washington, D.C., looking at about 10 to 15 degrees above average. Atlanta also will warm up, but it's just going to take a few more days before we start to see those temperatures rise.

Here is a look at Kansas City. The average high is 80 degrees this time of year. Look at this, 95, 92, 92. You are going to be well above average. You are talking at least 15 degrees above where we normally would be this time of year. They are not the only place. Look at Memphis. The average is 87. They will spend every single one of the next seven days at or above where they normally would be this time of year.

And we mentioned some southern cities like Atlanta, not too bad for this weekend. But then, we're going to start to see the temperatures rising. Yes, back into the 90s once we get to the latter portion of the week.

So, again, it's going to start in the center of the country, and then really start to spread into some other places.

But it's also still peak hurricane season, so, we're keeping an eye on the tropics. We've got this cluster right here that just kind of coming off the coast of Africa here, not really expected to do all that much over the weekend.

The concern would be, as we head into next weekend, moves into much more favorable environment, could this become our next named tropical system? We'll keep a close eye on it. Victor.

BLACKWELL: False fall, summer coming back, something in the tropics. Got a lot going on, Allison. All right, thank you.

So, Coach Prime said that he was at a loss for words after his buffaloes take a beating.

CNN Andy Scholes is joining me now.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Go Cougs, Victor.

BLACKWELL: Oh!

SCHOLES: That's why I'm going to say, first of all, this morning.

BLACKWELL: OK.

SCHOLES: It is my Houston Cougar is delivering that beat down to Coach Prime's Colorado Buffaloes. After the game, Coach Prime, saying, they are not struggling right now. They are getting their butts kicked.

And Houston was in control of this big 12 matchup last night from the start. Connor Wigman, who transferred from Texas, A and M continuing to look great for the Cougs. He threw for 222 yards, ran for 83 more and two touchdowns.

And look at this move he put on the defender right here in the fourth quarter. In for the score, Houston would win 36 to 20 to improve the three. And Colorado, meanwhile, drops to one and two.

And check out 65-year-old Houston coach, Willie Fritz, crowd surfing to celebrate in the locker room after the win.

BLACKWELL: Go ahead, Willie.

SCHOLES: Yes, fun times there, certainly in Houston.

We have a huge day of college football ahead. Clemson at Georgia Tech gets things started at noon, a top 15 matchup between Georgia and Tennessee that's at 330.

Can South Florida pull off yet another upset after beating Boise State in Florida? They play at fifth-ranked, Miami at 4:30. Then tonight, you got Florida at LSU and Texas A&M at Notre Dame.

[07:53:13]

Good day, Victor, to never leave the couch.

BLACKWELL: I'll take it.

SCHOLES: All right. In baseball, meanwhile, Aaron Judge making Yankees history last night, he blasted this one in the first inning against the Red Sox. 468 feet. It left Fenway Park. It was his 47th homer of the season, and it was the 362nd of his career, passing the great Joe DiMaggio for fourth on the Yankees all-time home run list. And Yankees beat the Red Sox in that one, four to won. The Astros, meanwhile, calling up outfielder Zach Cole to make his major league debut last night against the Braves. The very first pitch he saw in the big leagues. Look at that. Absolutely crushed for a home run. And look at this.

His minor league teammates, they had gathered around the T.V. in their clubhouse to watch Cole's first at bat.

BLACKWELL: Yes.

Angle absolutely nuts watching that home run. That's pretty awesome.

And Cole wasn't done. He had two more hits. He finished three for four. He is the first Astro ever to have four RBIs in a debut. And I tell you what, mom was in the stands, absolutely loving all of it. Astros won that 11 to three.

All right. And finally, on this week's difference makers, thousands of people across the country participated in annual stair climb events this past week to honor those who lost their lives trying to save others on 9/11. At Truist Park in Atlanta, each participant wore a lanyard depicting photos and names of individuals who lost their lives during the attack.

Names and photos were also displayed on the Jumbotron throughout the event. Participants climbed 2,200 steps, symbolizing the 110 flights of stairs. First Responders climbed on 9/11. Now, many of the participants were local firefighters who climbed in full gear.

In another event at Richmond Raceway in Virginia, Henrico County, fire chief Jackson Baynard spoke about the importance of the nationwide event.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACKSON BAYNARD, FIRE CHIEF, HENRICO COUNTY: It's still continuing on for these responders and their families, and this is something small that we can do and, in our community, to remember.

[07:55:04]

I take that moment before you climb to look the people to the left is the right of you, and share that common bond that we do want to continue. We don't want to forget.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: And funds raised from the Climb in Atlanta are going to go toward assisting Georgia first responders and their families. And Victor, more climbs, they are scheduled throughout the country this weekend.

BLACKWELL: All right, good to see people are still remembering. All right. Andy, thank you.

"FIRST OF ALL," it's coming up at the top of the hour. We're breaking down what we know about the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, and also -- listen, the tough conversation we need to have as we move forward.

Plus, the mayor of Memphis is here to react to the president's claim that he is happy that the National Guard is going to be coming to his city to crack down on crime there. And later, you meet the new Tuskegee Airmen and woman who just completed pilot training. That has not happened in decades at the HBCU, but the program is now back. We have those stories and conversations you won't see anywhere else, coming up after a short break on "FIRST OF ALL".

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