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President Bush Authorized Classified Intelligence Leak?; Duke Rape Investigation Intensifies

Aired April 06, 2006 - 15:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, let's get an update now on a developing happening in Washington.
Court papers made public today reveal that a former aide to Vice President Dick Cheney testified Cheney told him he was authorized by President Bush to leak sensitive intelligence information on Iraq. The former aide, Lewis Scooter Libby, was Cheney's chief of staff.

Libby has been charged with perjury, obstruction of justice, and lying to FBI agents who were investigating the 2003 disclosure of a CIA agent's identity. That CIA agent is married to a prominent critic of claims used by the Bush administration to justify the war in Iraq.

It's a complicated story.

For more, let's turn to CNN national security correspondent David Ensor.

Good to see you again, David.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Thanks.

WHITFIELD: Well, if it doesn't appear that any laws were broken because the president is authorized to declassify information, what does that say about the policy of keeping quiet, promoting the anonymity of CIA operatives?

ENSOR: Well, as you say, there's nothing in these documents, these court documents, that suggests in any way the president and vice president -- or vice president -- authorized the leaking of the name of Valerie Plame Wilson.

But the fact that now these court documents say that it was the president himself who authorized leaking some of the contents of a then classified national intelligence estimate, something he could legally do, is awkward for the -- for the White House. There's no question about that.

I mean, this is an administration that has gone after leaks in a big way. The president and vice president have frequently said how deeply opposed they are to any kind of leaking of classified information to journalists. And, yet, if these court documents are accurate, and if Mr. Libby spoke truthfully -- I have no reason to think did he not -- then, the president himself authorized leaking to "The New York Times" in this instance.

So, it -- there may be political implications for this, although there don't seem to have been any laws broken.

WHITFIELD: So, what about for the intelligence community, members of the intelligence community, people you're in contact with? What, if any, immediate reaction is there from them?

ENSOR: You know, intelligence officials serve the White House. They serve the administration that's in office at the time. And they understand very well what the rules of the game are. It's the president and the executive branch that decides when to declassify information and how to do so.

So, if the president wanted to do so by having Scooter Libby leak a few facts to Judy Miller at "The New York Times," that was his privilege. There was no -- no law broken, though it's perhaps Washington business as usual, in a way that the Bush administration has -- has sometimes said it would not -- would not continue with -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: So, while these papers reveal that the president gave the OK for revealing some of this information, what is not clear is whether it is the president or someone else who actually determined what kind of information is actually revealed.

ENSOR: No, he -- he can decide when and how to reveal information that's in classified documents. That -- that is just basically his privilege, and those who work under him have to get authorization from him to do so.

But this does not suggest -- at least these documents don't suggest, that the president or vice president authorized the leaking of -- of this CIA operative's name. That -- that, of course, which this whole case is built around, this -- this does not contribute to our knowledge about that.

WHITFIELD: So, any reaction as yet from Joe Wilson or Valerie Plame, the former U.S. ambassador and his wife, the CIA operative whose name was revealed?

ENSOR: I -- I have not seen any and have not spoken to -- to either of them. But I -- I would not be surprised if Ambassador Wilson were to -- to respond to this. He -- he certainly feels very strongly about this -- this issue -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. David Ensor, thanks so much, from Washington.

Well, the average person rarely gets a chance to quiz the president, but a North Carolina man took advantage of his opportunity today. The man criticized the president's views on everything from abortion to electronic eavesdropping. The president let the man have his say, and then he offered a response.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HARRY TAYLOR, AUDIENCE MEMBER: You talk about freedom. I see you assert your -- your right to -- to tap my telephone, to -- to arrest me and hold me without -- without charges, to try to preclude me from -- from breathing clean air and drinking clean water and eating safe food.

If I were a woman, you'd like to restrict my opportunity to make a choice and...

BUSH: I'm not your favorite guy. Go ahead.

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

TAYLOR: I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened by my leadership in Washington, including the presidency, by the Senate, and...

(BOOING)

BUSH: No, no, let him speak. Let him speak.

TAYLOR: And I would hope -- I feel like, despite your rhetoric, that compassion and -- and common sense have been left far behind during your administration, and -- and I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and the grace to -- to be ashamed of yourself inside yourself.

BUSH: I'm going to start off with what you first said, if you don't mind. You said that I tap your phones.

I'm not going to apologize for what I did on the terrorist surveillance program. If we're at war, we ought to be using tools necessary within the Constitution, on a very limited basis, a program that's reviewed constantly to protect us.

Now, you and I have a difference of agreement on what is needed to be protected. But you said, would I apologize for that? The answer -- answer is, absolutely not.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The exchange happened at the end of an appearance before a nonpartisan group called the World Affairs Council.

The Twin Towers on fire, 9/11 victims jumping to their deaths, a stunned mayor powerless to stop it -- a Virginia jury watched all of that familiar footage today, but with a different eye. They have to decide between life and death for a man who says he had a role in the September 11 attacks.

It's the sentencing phase for Zacarias Moussaoui. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani took the stand today, describing his reaction and feelings during the 9/11 attacks. Moussaoui's defense attorney claims his client is delusional and shouldn't be put to death. Duke University and the city it calls home, both buzzing over rape charge against student athletes. And now the casualties are mounting: the coach of a nationally ranked team gone; the season canceled; and some new details the school calls sickening and repulsive.

CNN's Jason Carroll has more in a report first aired on CNN's "ANDERSON COOPER 360."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Duke University is reeling from new developments in the alleged rape involving the school's lacrosse team. Duke's lacrosse team's coach, Mike Pressler, submitted his resignation, effective immediately -- this after the court released information from a sealed warrant which graphically detailed a threatening e-mail allegedly sent by Ryan McFadyen, one of Pressler's players.

It was sent the same night of the alleged sexual assault. It reads: "Tomorrow night, after tonight's show, I have decided to have some strippers over to Eden's 2c (ph). All are welcome. However, there will be no nudity. I plan on killing the bitches as soon as they walk in and proceeding to cut their skin off while 'blank' in my Duke-issue spandex."

(on camera): The e-mail was sent at 1:58 a.m., just about a half-an-hour after the alleged victim in this case, an exotic dancer, called police, saying three lacrosse players raped and shouted racial slurs at her during a party she was hired to perform at, at the team member's off-campus home.

(voice-over): The university's president, Richard Brodhead, called the e-mail sickening and repulsive. Brodhead canceled the men's lacrosse season. And Ryan McFadyen, who is 19 years old, has been suspended.

No one answered the door at McFadyen's parents' home in Mendham, New Jersey. His attorney released a statement saying -- quote -- "While the language of the e-mail is vile, the e-mail itself is perfectly consistent with the boys' unequivocal assertion that no sexual assault took place that evening."

The team does have a history of trouble. More than a dozen players have previous minor offenses, mostly for underage drinking.

UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTERS: Out of the door, into the street! We won't be raped! We won't be beat!

CARROLL: The university's critics have been speaking out, saying, given the team's past, school administrators have not been tough enough on the team or the coaches, in the wake of the rape allegations.

In a recent interview, Duke's president asked for patience, as the facts unfold. RICHARD BRODHEAD, PRESIDENT, DUKE UNIVERSITY: All the ingredients of humanity are present on campus. You know, a university can't hope to be a place that never has unpleasant or stressful or deeply troubling episodes. All it can hope is that -- is that, if and when such things happen, which God forbid, that they be dealt with in a way that gives everybody some further element of education.

CARROLL: No one has been charged in the connection with the case. DNA test results are expected some time next week.

In the meantime, Duke's president continues to urge anyone with information to come forward.

Jason Carroll, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And make sure to tune in to Paula Zahn's show weeknights at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 Pacific.

And now we want to take you to the South Lawn at the White House, because this is one of the perks -- well, we will show you in -- in a moment or so -- one of the perks of winning the NCAA championship.

There's a live picture right there of the president. He is making great applause to the men's champions of the University of Florida Gators, as well as the women's champion of the University of Maryland Terps.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... men's soccer team won its first national championship in almost...

WHITFIELD: And we're going to listen in, in a moment -- on to some other news right now.

A convicted killer on the loose in Louisiana. Police believe Richard Lee McNair made his escape by hiding in a van that brought mail to the federal penitentiary in Pollock. He was brought to Louisiana after escaping twice from North Dakota prisons. Authorities say McNair is a martial arts expert with a violent past and should be considered extremely dangerous.

Baby shower gone really bad -- a celebration turns into a bad takeoff of "The Jerry Springer Show" in Springfield, Massachusetts. It started when one guest got into an argument with another guest who had been dating his ex-girlfriend -- the issue, whether the woman let their 5-year-old daughter drink beer. Police say more people got involved, punches were thrown, and one man was shot in the stomach. He is in stable condition.

The mother-to-be didn't escape the brawl. She was hit with a big stick, treated at the hospital, and then released.

Well, it's not quite a done deal, but it looks like the Senate is close to a breakthrough in the emotional battle over immigration. Senate leaders from both parties said, a little while ago, that they are closing in on a compromise. The deal would pave the way for many of the nation's 11 million illegal immigrants to eventually become citizens.

A short time ago, President Bush said he supports the compromise.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: I'm pleased that Republicans and Democrats in the United States Senate are working together to get a comprehensive immigration bill. I want to thank the efforts of -- of those involved in the process. I appreciate their understanding there needs to be a comprehensive immigration bill.

I recognize there are still details to be worked out. I would encourage the members to work hard to get the bill done prior to the upcoming break.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The Senate compromise replaces a bill backed by Senators Edward Kennedy and John McCain, which many conservatives considered too lenient toward illegal immigrants. Kennedy says he, too, supports today's compromise.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: Those people that are out there today, the 11 million, we're sending a message. And that is, you're going to be welcomed. And you don't -- won't have to live in fear in the -- in the future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Democratic leader Harry Reid said, while he favors the compromise, the agreement is not yet final. A vote is expected by tomorrow. The Senate version will still have to be reconciled with the House measure, which is much tougher on illegal immigrants.

Meantime, a development in Alexandria, Virginia, involving the Zacarias Moussaoui case.

Let's check in with Kelli Arena -- Kelli.

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Fred, jurors are now hearing from victims' family members, who are describing events of that day, the loss that they have suffered.

We heard from a police officer whose wife was also a police officer who lost her life while she was rescuing several people within the World Trade Center. We heard from a fire department, New York Fire Department employee, who said that his friend who was responding got struck by a -- a falling body, someone who had jumped out of the World Trade Center. We heard from a woman who was visiting New York on business and who was in a hotel right next to the World Trade Center, who described how people were jumping out of the World Trade Center holding hands, you know, two, three at a time, trying to aim for a canopy where there was music that was playing. And they thought, I guess, maybe that it might break the fall.

And the jury was shown some very disturbing pictures of -- of body parts in the street and -- and dead bodies everywhere. At one point, the judge stopped the prosecution and said, you know, that will be enough of that, after we saw three pictures of body parts in succession.

At one point she asked to see a photo before the prosecution even put it up on the screen -- all of this being done, as you know, as phase two of this trial against Moussaoui, the prosecution arguing that he should be put to death. His defense, in its opening statement, said that there are certain mitigating factors that the jury has to be aware of and -- and to keep an open mind -- one of those being that believe that Moussaoui is a paranoid schizophrenic who had a very troubled childhood.

Jury -- just -- just now, I saw the first signs of emotion from this jury. They have been pretty stone-faced throughout. But we did see some people crying, as photos of children who had lost parents were shown. And ceremonies where medals were being given to young, you know, little 2-year-olds, instead of their mothers who had died saving others.

Moussaoui, through this whole thing, has remained pretty defiant. As I said before, Fred, he's still sort of doing the same thing. He's laughing at some points and -- and scowling at others, and seeming quite bored. And, once again, when he left the courtroom, he cursed, you know, everybody there, saying, "God curse America."

The jury does not hear that, but those victims' family members do, and lots of tears, I can tell you, in the courtroom today from them and -- and, actually, from some of the journalists who were there as well -- Fred, back to you.

WHITFIELD: And, earlier, Kelli, when we talked in the last hour, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani was testifying, and then they had a break. And then he was to return to the stand.

ARENA: That's right.

WHITFIELD: Did that happen? And was there anything more...

ARENA: He did.

WHITFIELD: ... that he added?

ARENA: He did. No, he -- it was, as we discussed, I mean, very, very graphic testimony about what he had experienced that day.

He was cross-examined by the defense, which brought up the point that New York had recovered, that it was a resilient city. There's really not much, though, that the defense can do, you know, with these witnesses.

And what do you ask a -- a family member who goes up there and talks about how you know their daughter is -- is now motherless? So, they passed on a lot of cross-examinations, but they did cross-examine Rudy Giuliani, basically just making the point that -- that -- you know, that the city has sort of come back, and that people had been made stronger in -- in Giuliani's words. The ones that have survived have been made stronger, but not -- not really much action on the cross.

And -- and we will see. We're going to hear more and more of these victims' family statements, though. So, it sort of gets numbing after a while.

WHITFIELD: Yes. All right, Kelli Arena, thank you so much, from Alexandria, Virginia.

ARENA: You're welcome.

WHITFIELD: Coming up, protecting our kids from predators online. We will look at some of the people who make it their job to track down offenders.

The news keeps coming, and we will keep bringing it to you -- more of LIVE FROM after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Damage control, but no spin control at the Department of Homeland Security -- that's after this week's arrest of a DHS official on sex crime charges. Brian J. Doyle remains behind bars without bail. His bosses say they are cooperating fully with investigators and taking a hard look at the department's hiring process.

This is the latest in a string of embarrassing security-related incidents at DHS. Doyle appeared in a Maryland courtroom yesterday. A hearing is set for May 4. He was caught in an Internet dragnet, allegedly setting up a rendezvous with someone he thought was a 14- year-old girl.

Young victims, online exploitation, lost innocence -- and who is stopping it? Congress heard this week from a teenager who got life -- got caught, rather, in a life of Internet porn and predators. Today, the issue on Capitol Hill is holding someone accountable.

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will be testifying before the House Judiciary Committee.

Online sex criminals use the relative anonymity of the Web to find their young victims, gain their trust, and, far too often, complete their seduction. But, as you're about to learn, the predator is sometimes the prey.

Gary Tuchman has our report, which was first seen on "ANDERSON COOPER 360."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): We tell our children to respect their teachers. In Delaware, though, police allege this teacher, Rachel Holt, had sex with a 13-year-old student 28 times during one week this past March. We tell our children to be courteous to adults. Carlie Brucia's trust may have cost her her life.

ANGELA LAKIN, AUNT OF CARLIE BRUCIA: It's hard to describe the pain that is felt without having to feel so much loss.

TUCHMAN: We tell our children the Internet is a wonderful teaching tool, but perhaps we aren't putting enough emphasis on this opinion.

JIM MURRAY, PEACHTREE CITY, GEORGIA, POLICE CHIEF: Internet was the best thing they enter invented for child molesters.

TUCHMAN: Jim Murray is the chief of the Peachtree City, Georgia, Police Department, which has started an aggressive Internet task force for predators. Don't talk to strangers is age-old advice in the real world, but it's the same advice in the cyberspace world.

MURRAY: By the time you say to your 13-year-old daughter, I'm going to go in and make you a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich, and, by the time you bring it back, a pedophile could contact your child and steal their innocence away that quickly.

TUCHMAN: We watch the task force in action.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you want to chat?

TUCHMAN: Captain Rosanna Dove (ph) goes into a chat room and says she's a 14-year-old girl named Georgia Peach. Adult men swarm to the site, including a man who calls himself "hottguy" from Texas. He asks if she's single.

(on camera): You single? I mean, obviously, you're 14, right?

(voice-over): He keeps asking what she would like to do. And then he types this.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All right. Here we go. He says he's going to lift my shirt.

TUCHMAN: The officer says play along. It's the only way to catch most of these people.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He says, rub yourself. And I'm going to say, oh, cool.

TUCHMAN: And with those comments, police say hottguy has committed a crime.

MURRAY: He could be arrested. He could get up to 10 years in the state penitentiary.

TUCHMAN: Every time she logs on to a new chat site as Georgia Peach, men are talking to her within seconds.

(on camera): This guy, who is 28 -- and you have said you're 14 -- tells you that he likes kinky, dominant girls.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Correct.

MURRAY: Oh, we have had as many as 15, 16, 17 hits at one time, trying to have a conversation with what they think is a 14-year-old child.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): Police arrest many of these people after face-to-face rendezvous are set up.

So, when it comes to the Internet, this advice:

MURRAY: Put it in a room where it's in a family room, and only allow your children on that when you're there. Get blocking devices, so you can block places you don't want your children to go. And get tracking software, so you can go back and check every conversation your child has.

TUCHMAN: Tell your child never to give personal information over the Net and to stay out of chat rooms.

Banning the Internet is an option for some. But, for those who don't do that, the chief says, you should bluntly tell your children, the Internet is fertile ground for predators.

Gary Tuchman, CNN, Peachtree City, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And get a fresh perspective on the day's top stories from Anderson Cooper, "A.C. 360," weeknights at 10:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

Well, it may surprise you to learn that, in most of the world, child pornography is not illegal. Only five countries, this one included, have significant mechanisms in place to punish those who prey upon the most vulnerable. The International Center for Missing and Exploited Children wants to change that. And it's working to together with Interpol.

The center's president says, child pornography cannot be disguised simply by calling it something else.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What child pornography is, is capturing, by image, by a photo or video, the sexual abuse of a child. This is not art. It is not movies or film. What it is, is crime scene photos.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: And let's get a fact check now on the countries that are serious about fighting child pornography.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Five criteria, that is what the International Center For Missing and Exploited Children uses to gauge where the issue of child pornography stands on the political agenda of each nation.

And only five of the 184 Interpol member countries have laws considered strong enough to significantly impact the crime. Those five nations that meet all five criteria are Australia, Belgium, France, South Africa, and the United States.

There are 23 countries in the next tier of nations that meet four of the five given criteria. Notable nations missing from the top tiers include Russia, which met only one of the five legislative requirements, as did Belarus and the Philippines. There are 95 countries with no child porn legislation at all. And that list includes Cambodia, Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, and Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Still ahead on LIVE FROM, remember the Iran hostage crisis, Amadeus? How about Bette Davis eyes? Then you're old enough to remember the last time the price of gold was high. Well, where is it going next? We will ask Ali Velshi, as LIVE FROM continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Well, if there's gold in them thar hills, you might want to grab a shovel and a pick.

(MARKET REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Well, when the worst weather happens these are the guys that we seem to rely on all the time, the guys that are inside that building. The experts at the National Storm Center in Oklahoma. We'll take you there live. The news keeps coming and we'll keep bringing it to you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: We want to take you straight to Durham, North Carolina, where the investigation is underway involving allegations of rape involving a dancer and three members of the lacrosse team at Duke University. Let's listen in.

PATRICK BAKER, DURHAM CITY MANAGER: It's just not been our practice and we don't think that it's in the best interests of the investigation, particularly in protecting the integrity of the investigation, and that's why you won't see daily reports coming out of the administration.

There are some things that I would like to clarify for the benefit of the council and, again, I can't get into the specific details of this particular case, but a couple of issues that have come up regarding the police department that I would like to clarify for you.

The first issue was concerns about the time of the reporting of the alleged incident and the time that we actually executed the search warrants at the Buchanan Street residence. A couple of things -- and I'm speaking in general terms, not specific terms, but when it comes to allegations of sexual assault we -- the basic rule of thumb is that we work at the complaining witness' timetable.

There are times when the complaining witness is immediately ready to talk to the police department. There are other times when due to either physical or emotional concerns, the victim is not able to completely speak to or is not ready to speak to the law enforcement investigator.

And, again, not speaking to the facts of this particular case, I am very confident based on my conversations with the investigator that the Durham Police Department has responded quickly and adequately under the circumstances, keeping in mind that our response and our timeline is not completely within the control of the investigator but is dependent upon witnesses to the alleged crime and, in particular, to the timetable of the complaining witness.

Once we were able to get the evidence ,necessary we proceeded expeditiously to develop the information needed to get the search warrant from the court. And once we received the search warrant from the court, we executed that search warrant expeditiously within a couple of hours of receiving the search warrant.

Essentially, from the time the allegations were made to us that we became aware of the allegations, to the time that we executed the search warrant at the Buchanan Street residence was approximately 31 hours.

I have seen concerns about it taking three days, and 72 hours but in terms of the actual time, given the fact that this occurred -- the incident was reported earlier early in the morning of March the 14th, it took approximately 31 hours and the police department was constantly working during that time and I'm satisfied at the speed and the thoroughness of their development of the information necessary to secure the search warrant.

Also, there have been questions raised about the length of time it took to collect the evidence, particularly the DNA evidence, pursuant to the non-testimony order, and the time that that evidence was delivered to the State Bureau of Investigation Laboratory.

The DNA was collected during the evening hours of Thursday, March the 23rd, and was processed -- in particular, processed with the development of the chain of custody on the following Friday, the 24th, and delivered to the FBI labs on the 27th.

Generally speaking, it is our practice to deliver DNA evidence to the FBI every Thursday, that is we collect the evidence and move it over to Raleigh every Thursday. And that's just our standard operating procedure. We elected to move this information and the evidence to the FBI on Monday, mainly because it's not every day that we collect as much DNA evidence as we collected in this particular case.

So that was the reason for the delivery essentially three-and-a- half days after the DNA was collected. It's my understanding that the FBI does not take DNA evidence on Saturdays and Sundays. So there was a weekend in between that time and we were expeditious in our delivery of the DNA to the FBI on Monday the 27th.

Also, yesterday some information was released regarding a search warrant and again I'm not going to comment about the contents of the search warrant. That was released to the media but there have been frequent references to this being either leaked or put out by the Durham police department. In fact this was a search warrant that was collected...

WHITFIELD: You've been listening to the comments of the Durham City Manager Patrick Baker talk about the timeline of events and the collection of evidence in the ongoing investigation of rape allegations involving an exotic dancer and three members of the Duke University lacrosse team. We're going to continue to watch the developments in that case. You can continue to watch that press conference on CNN Pipeline.

Meantime, on alert, to issue alert. Forecasters and researchers are keeping watch for any sign of severe weather over the Central Plains. That's the high risk area today. CNN's Rob Marciano has received unprecedented access to the storm prediction center. And he's here now to bring us up to date -- Rob?

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, this is a big deal, Fredricka. I mean, every once in a while they let camera crews come in here. But never on a day where you have moderate to high risk. We're seeing tornadoes across the Central Plains.

So CNN privileged and honored to be here. And it's been quite a thrill for me to be here as well. What's going to get more thrilling as we go on throughout the day for in this area and weather enthusiasts across the country is that things are going to start to pop.

Here's what it looks like outside NOAA's storm prediction center, coupled with the National Severe Storms Laboratory here in Norman, Oklahoma. It's actually pretty nice facility that they will be moving out of in a few months. In the fall, a brand-spanking new place down the road, top of the line everything, is where they will be moving to.

But they can get it done here, you better believe it. They have their eye out for a number of areas across the Central Plains in the Midwest. One being Wichita -- want to take you there, we've got a live picture from our Wichita affiliate KSNW showing for the most part, sunny skies but cumulus clouds. The puffy clouds beginning to build off towards the west. You know what, you can go online if you want and check out some of the products from the SPC. Just go to weather.gov and click on severe. And some of the things you'll see is this, on your computer screen, you'll see it in pure color. These are the outlooks that are produced several time a day.

And today, the reason we're here is a high probability of seeing tornadoes across the Central Plains and actually that shifts towards the southeast tomorrow. So it's going to get active tomorrow, as well.

We have a lead forecaster in this position. A meso-scale forecaster off towards my right. They all work in conjunction with each other. One person that's sole job is to look ahead towards tomorrow. Another meso-scale forecaster here is Sara (ph). Sara (ph), can I interrupt you for just a second? Tell me about what's going on in Wichita. Looks like things may be popping just off toward the west.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Looks like in Wichita right now they are getting some storms off to the northwest. These are supercells. Mainly they've just had a threat with large hail so far. I haven't seen any tornado reports with those yet.

But they are off moving to the northeast. But we're monitoring on the satellite as well as the radar here. These are the local radars out of Topeka and also Wichita.

And then here's the satellite that we're looking at. It's very windy with those systems. There's even some fire danger in fact toward the panhandle in western Oklahoma because of the drought we had. There's actually a fire ongoing right here along Texas/Oklahoma border. You see the smoke plume.

MARCIANO: You see the smoke plume, right there popping up on the satellite. Bigger threat, just as big a threat once these storms pass is the dry wind continues across this area of the country that has been ravaged by drought and fire.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's right.

MARCIANO: Can you show us the storm watches that are up? Just a couple of hours ago, the center here, they popped up those two red watches, which -- tell the viewers what that means.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well we've got two tornado watches right now. They display here in red. This is the area we're really focused on into Nebraska and Kansas. And then we also have a tornado watch in Oklahoma ahead of where the dry line or Pacific front is coming in from the West.

And so, that area is also being monitored for possible severe storms. And then this is an area over in Arkansas and southern Missouri, of storms that formed earlier today. And mainly had hail with them. But they are starting to weaken now. And there's a severe thunderstorm watch out here. So all told, three watches right now and maybe more issues. Probably more issues later this afternoon.

MARCIANO: Excellent. Thank you for that great synopsis. If you watch any sort of T.V. weather, Fredricka, I know you do. I know you pay attention this stuff. On that radar screen you saw that the watch boxes really were pretty clear. That's the main goal of the storm prediction center, is to get ahead of the game, tell the local areas where they think those storms are going to pop.

As we go on through the afternoon, those red boxes which are for the most part clear right now, are going to start to light up with some strong and potentially dangerous thunderstorms later on today. Back to you

WHITFIELD: All right, Rob, thank you so much.

Well news just into CNN right now. A prosecutor calls it the most violent betrayal of the badge New York has ever seen. Two former New York police detectives were convicted this afternoon of moonlighting as hitmen for the mob. The jury deliberated for two days before finding 57-year-old Louis Eppolito and 64-year-old Steven Caracappa guilty of participating in a racketeering conspiracy that included eight murders. Sentencing is set for next month and they could both face life in prison. Defense lawyers say they will appeal.

Meredith Vieira makes a move and Katie Couric calls it quit at the peacock network. A look at Couric's career on "Today" when LIVE FROM continues.

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WHITFIELD: Well it didn't take long for NBC to announce a replacement for Katie Couric. Meredith Vieira will be Matt Lauer's new co-host on the "Today Show." She's expected to begin work in September. Vieira spilled the beans this morning on her current program "The View" and NBC confirmed the announcement just a bit later after that.

Katie Couric is leaving the "Today Show" after 15 years to anchor the "CBS Evening News." And it was just yesterday that we were all talking about the woman who was leaving the "Today Show," Katie. Now that she is going to anchor the "CBS Evening News," Katie is saying good-bye to morning television. In a report that first aired on CNN's "THE SITUATION ROOM," Jeanne Moos takes a look at Katie Couric and her "Today Show" yesterdays.

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JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Katie Couric is facing the music, from this music ...

(MUSIC)

MOOS: ... to this.

(MUSIC)

MOOS: After weeks of speculation ...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Katie Couric Countdown Clock.

MOOS: ... the clock stopped.

KATIE COURIC, "TODAY SHOW" HOST: I know it's the worst-kept secret in America.

REGIS PHILBIN, TALK SHOW HOST: She's gone, baby.

COURIC: After listening to my heart and my gut.

PHILBIN: She cannot be stopped.

MOOS: Katie Couric is no longer merely eyeing the chair. She's going to fill it.

(on camera): The "CBS Evening News" with Katie Couric. Does that do it for you?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That works for me.

MOOS (voice-over): On her 15th anniversary with "The Today Show," Katie announced she was leaving. First they played an old clip of her debut.

COURIC: Wow, I think that was like 172 hair styles ago.

MOOS: Another 172 to come. Then it was time to say how much she'd miss everybody, including her co-host.

COURIC: Just as Dorothy said to the Scarecrow ...

JUDY GARLAND, ACTRESS: I think I'll miss you most of all.

COURIC: I think I'm going to miss him most of all.

MATT LAUER, TALK SHOW HOST: Well done, well done.

COURIC: Get your hand off my knee.

(CROSSTALK)

AL ROKER, TALK SHOW HOST: Can't wait to see Bob Schieffer do that.

MOOS: Can't wait to see Bob Schieffer do that, the CBS anchor Katie will replace. As for replacing Katie, Meredith Vieira from "The View" is said to be close to a deal. Katie was picked for her mass appeal.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She's spunky.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's charming.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very knowledgeable. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's something honest about her.

MOOS: Though some brought up the p-word.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Katie's too perky. When's she going to crack a joke and what not? When she's reading about deaths in Iraq?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I mean, she's cute. Guys like her. My son thinks she's cute. He's 11.

MOOS: In addition to all those serious interviews ...

COURIC: Are you still searching for the real killers?

MOOS: ... Katie has done the voice of a fish.

COURIC: I'm Katie Current, keeping it current.

MOOS: And remember when she guest-hosted "The Tonight Show"?

COURIC: For all you people from L.A. who've never seen them before, these are actually real.

MOOS: She even dressed up as Mary Poppins.

LARRY KING, CNN ANCHOR: Well you'll never get to be the anchor of the "NBC Nightly News."

MOOS: Nope, just the "CBS Evening News." And Katie's days of dancing with Antonio Banderas are numbered. It may take two to tango, but Katie's going solo on this set. Last dance ...

COURIC: This is "Today" on NBC.

MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And more LIVE FROM right after this.

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WHITFIELD: Reacting now to the latest development in the CIA leak investigation, New York's Senator Chuck Schumer. Let's listen in.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

SEN. CHARLES SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: ... leaks just like this in the first place. The American people deserve the truth. I've sent letters to both the president and vice president urging them to clear the air on this matter.

I have asked the president to answer the following questions. Is it true that he authorized the vice president to direct Mr. Libby to disclose information to reporters at a time when that information was classified? Second, does he believe he has the legal authority as president to direct the disclosure of classified information? If he believes so, what is the basis for that legal authority? Third, in addition to Mr. Libby, has he, either on his own or through the vice president or any White House official, directed anyone else to disclose classified information to reporters? Who has he so directed? In other words, if this true...

WHITFIELD: We're re going to continue to monitor these developments from New York Senator Chuck Schumer, reacting to the latest information of court documents showing that the former chief of staff of Dick Cheney testified to the grand jury that the declassification of intel information came directly from the president. More on this in "THE SITUATION ROOM." For now, we're going to take a short break.

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