Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

Cadaver Dogs Find Body in New Orleans Rubble; Neighbor Confesses to 10-Year-Old Girl's Murder; Grand Jury Hears Evidence in Duke Rape Allegation; Generals Defend Rumsfeld's Record; Gold Medalist Joey Cheek Helps African Children

Aired April 17, 2006 - 13:00   ET

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

TONY HARRIS, HOST: And hello everyone. I'm Tony Harris at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. Kyra Phillips has the day off. LIVE FROM starts right now.
More than seven months after Hurricane Katrina, we're still finding evidence of its deadly toll. This is just in to CNN. A house to house search in New Orleans has turned up a grim discovery.

Let's go there now to our Sean Callebs for the latest -- Sean.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Tony. Indeed, the actual -- yesterday the cadaver dog working this area at the lower Ninth Ward came across what they referred to as a hit, meaning the dog indicated there was possibly human remains in the debris behind me, a house that was here on the corner of Rains and Prior.

Today the crews came back with heavy machinery. They began picking their way through the debris, and just as you said, Tony, indeed a grim discovery.

First they found what appeared to be bones, some cover-alls. They presume that it is male, but as you mentioned it has been more than seven months. The body has deteriorated to a great degree.

Right now there are a number of New Orleans firefighters out behind me. We talked to the chief, Steve Glynn, who's overseeing the effort to find remains here in this area. And he said this is the 11th body the crews have found since the cadaver dogs resumed their work on March 2.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF STEVEN GLYNN, NEW ORLEANS FIRE DEPARTMENT: You want to put it to rest at some point. You want to feel like it's over and it's just not yet. You know, it is slowing down. This is the first recovery we've made since March 25, and you know, hopefully, hopefully most of it is done. We still have a number of houses to check and it's really -- there's no predicting it. You know, it's just -- we'll know when we find -- when we get there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLEBS: It is hot and difficult work, and it certainly takes its toll on the crews that are out here. The cadaver dogs, for example. Right now the temperatures are in the upper 80s. The dogs can work on two or three houses. Then they have to be put in air- conditioned vehicles. They also now have ice vests that they can put on these dogs to cool them down in these conditions.

Steve Glynn mentioned the first body found since March 25. It brings the toll to 11. I spoke with the state medical examiner, Lewis Catali (ph), a short while ago. He said there are still more than 740 people listed as missing. No one expects to find that many bodies, but certainly Catali (ph) thought they would find more bodies than they have to date, given the amount of the debris, the sheer devastation in this area.

But again, Tony, a body found here. The coroner is at the site. The crews will be working to collect the remains, and they will be taken to Baton Rouge. And then very difficult, painstaking task of trying to identify the victim and hopefully reuniting a family -- Tony.

HARRIS: Seven months later. Still finding bodies. CNN's Sean Callebs.

CALLEBS: Almost eight months.

HARRIS: Almost eight months. You're right. You're right. CNN's Sean Callebs for us in New Orleans. Sean, thank you.

The killing was brutal. The victim was young, and police say the suspect had even worse things in mind. We want to warn you the details are disturbing.

Kevin Ray Underwood appears in an Oklahoma court in about 90 minutes accused of killing his 10-year-old neighbor. Our Ed Lavandera is in Purcell, a small community living out a real-life horror story -- Ed.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Tony. You know, to be frank here, it is rather a difficult story here to cover, because, quite frankly, many of the details that continue to emerge from this story are just, quite frankly, too graphic to really explain exactly.

But when prosecutors here say that this is the most heinous and graphic crime that they have ever seen in this small town, I don't think it's that far of an assumption to make.

You know, some of the headlines over the last couple of days, this one talking about the suspect in this case, Kevin Ray Underwood: "He Seemed So Normal." But today's headline changing up a little bit, this one saying, "A Dark Past." It is from the "Norman Transcript" newspaper. This is just up the road.

Here in Purcell, all eyes on the courthouse here this afternoon where in about an hour and a half, Kevin Ray Underwood will make his first court appearance. In an hour he will be formally charged with murder, and prosecutors are ready to seek the death penalty.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) LAVANDERA (voice-over): The people of Purcell are trying to come to terms with the brutal murder of 10-year-old Jamie Rose Bolin at this apartment complex just yards from her front door.

Police say Kevin Ray Underwood, who lived on the floor below, confessed to the girl's murder soon after his arrest on Friday, telling FBI agents, "Go ahead and arrest me. She's in there."

Investigators say that earlier in the week, Jamie Rose had used Underwood's phone to order pizza, and on Wednesday she appears to have entered his apartment voluntarily.

CHIEF DAVID TOMPKINS, PURCELL POLICE: It does not appear that this crime was a spur of the moment crime of opportunity, but it appears that this was a well thought out, premeditated act.

LAVANDERA: An online diary that Underwood appears to have kept for several years reveals a man frequently depressed, angry and with violent thoughts. In a question posted prominently on the blog, he asks, "If you were a cannibal, what would you wear to dinner?"

In February of this year, he wrote about antidepressants he'd been taking, saying, "I've been really bad again lately. I need to have the doctor write me a prescription for more Lexapro or something and start taking that again."

But perhaps most disturbing is an entry from late in 2004: "My fantasies are getting weirder and weirder. Dangerously weird. If people knew the kinds of things I think about anymore, I'd probably be locked away."

The 26-year-old seems to have had a few friends. A co-worker at this hamburger restaurant where he recently worked says he was quiet and reserved.

BILL BERDAN, FORMER CO-WORKER: He wasn't a happy person. You could see it, you know. He just -- it was hard to get him to smile, but you know, other than that he was all right.

LAVANDERA: At Easter services, members of the Mission Assembly of God church remembered young Jamie Rose Bolin. The Reverend Duane Elmore said his congregation is struggling to understand how something so evil could happen so close to home.

REV. DUANE ELMORE, MISSION ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH: It's very painful, and I think there's probably a lot of people, teachers and everybody, we all probably have the question what could we have done? You know, did I do enough? And that's -- you know, that's tough.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA: Just a short while ago the prosecutor in this case laid out a little bit more of the timeline of the final moments where Kevin Ray Underwood approached 10-year-old Jamie Rose Bolin.

He says that the entire episode probably took about 30 minutes from the moment he lured Jamie Rose Bolin into his apartment and from the time that he killed her. That from the prosecutor here in Purcell. The rest, quite frankly, is just incredible too graphic to get into, Tony.

HARRIS: You're right. It is. Ed, quick question. We know this guy was on the Internet. Do we know what his most recent Internet posting was?

LAVANDERA: Well, that's been kind of another fascinating deal. The prosecutor also told us just a short while ago that in the process of killing the young girl, at one point he stopped and got back on the Internet and was using that for awhile.

Also the following day, Thursday, while hundreds of people were searching for the young girl he was in his apartment surfing the Internet again.

HARRIS: So he was in the process of committing this crime and what, he paused to get back on the Internet?

LAVANDERA: Exactly.

HARRIS: OK. CNN's Ed Lavandera.

The arraignment is scheduled for 2:30 Eastern Time this afternoon. And just a reminder, criminal profiler Pat Brown will be with us at that time so that perhaps she can help us understand this man.

For the first time names and faces could be attached to the rape investigation at Duke University. That's if charges are filed. CNN's Alina Cho is in Durham, North Carolina.

Alina, good to see you. What's the latest?

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's a big if, Tony. What I can tell you is that the Durham County Judicial Building behind me is swarming with reporters. They are camped out on every floor.

The grand jury is meeting as we speak, and everyone here wants the answer to the central question: will the grand jury move to indict Duke lacrosse players in this very high-profile rape case?

If it happens, it would mark a turning point, and it could happen as early as today.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHO (voice-over): Eighteen anonymous jurors will listen as prosecutors present their case. What they won't hear is anything from the defense attorneys. Lawyers for Duke lacrosse players call it a one-sided process, one that more often than not results in an indictment.

BILL THOMAS, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: That is a very frightful process for these young men who would have to suffer and endure through a charge and a trial.

CHO: The alleged victim is a 27-year-old mother of two and student at North Carolina Central University. On the night of March 13, she and another woman were hired as strippers by Duke lacrosse players. She then accused three players of raping her in a bathroom.

Last week, lawyers for the players announced there was no DNA match linking any of the 46 players tested to the accuser. The D.A. is waiting for more test results and says even without DNA he still has a case.

MICHAEL NIFONG, DURHAM DISTRICT ATTORNEY: It doesn't mean nothing happened; it just means nothing was left behind.

CHO: Late last week, according to the university, Durham police went to the dorm rooms of some of the players without a search warrant and tried unsuccessfully to interview them. One defense attorney said he was shocked police would try to speak to the students without notifying their attorneys.

With feelings on both sides running high, about 50 members of a local church turned out Sunday at the house where the alleged rape occurred to pray for justice.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHO: Now as for the timing of all of this, it is anyone's guess, but we can tell you a lot of activity around here. Just a moment ago, the D.A., Mike Nifong, walked into the building behind me. He did not say anything to reporters.

And a few minutes earlier two defense attorneys left the building. When I asked one of them would there be an indictment today? He said he would not comment. He would only say that he is continuing to work on the case and that if anything happens of any significance, Tony, he will be prepared.

One additional note: Duke University says it will be ready as well. It says if there are indictments handed down today, it will release a response on its web site.

HARRIS: Alina, it's something we've been watching over the last couple of weeks since the story broke, the mood of the Durham community. And I know you're watching it, as well. How would you describe it?

CHO: Well, I can tell you that, if the indictments are handed down today. And many believe, including defense attorneys, Tony, believe they will be handed down some time today, that it will further divide the community. As you well know there are racial tensions here, cultural tensions, socioeconomic tensions and I can tell you that it is expected that it will further divide the Durham community.

HARRIS: And I think we learned this over the weekend, the Reverend Jesse Jackson has become involved in this case. Is that correct? CHO: He certainly has. He actually, Tony, has offered to pay the college tuition for the 27-year-old accuser. She is a mother of two and trying to go to college. As you'll recall she is a student at North Carolina Central University.

Through a spokesman -- Jackson spokesman we understand that he has spoken to someone very close to the family, has told them that he wants to pay for her tuition so, in part, she won't have to work as a stripper to support her family.

Now there's no word on whether the woman has accepted this offer, but certainly, Tony, it is out there on the table.

HARRIS: CNN's Alina Cho at the Durham County -- I can see it right behind you there -- Judicial Building in Durham, North Carolina. Alina, thank you.

A Pentagon memo and a TV appearance by a comrade in arms just part of a growing defense of the defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld. The memo mentions more than 300 meetings Rumsfeld had with the joint chiefs and military commanders since the being of last year. In those meetings, says former joint chiefs chairman Richard Myers, the top brass gave the boss, quote, "our best military advice."

CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is at her post with the latest in the fight over Rumsfeld's future. Good to see you, Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Tony.

Well, the critics might say maybe over 300 meetings, maybe the advice was given, but was the advice listened to? It's really becoming somewhat of a political boiler room operation now. TV appearances by supporters and critics, editorials in the newspapers and that Pentagon memo circulating over the weekend. The Pentagon says it's a fact sheet, simply stating the facts of the secretary's interaction with his top commanders.

But still, the controversy goes on. Now, really, it does appear the door opened to quite a wide-ranging discussion of the mistakes or perceived mistakes. Everybody made in the run-up to the war and in the combat operations.

Retired Brigadier General James Marx was the intelligence chief for the ground combat forces. He's a good example of what we're hearing a lot of retired generals say, which is that they won't come out and criticize the secretary personally, but that they do think mistakes were made, that more troops were needed. And he spoke earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIG. GEN. JAMES MARX (RET.), U.S. ARMY: I think it's inappropriate for me as a retired general officer to demand the resignation of the secretary of defense when I am not convinced totally that his departure is going solve any problem. My concern is how do you move forward at this point? Clearly, one option is the secretary of defense will depart. The president has already stated emphatically he's not going to get rid of him. That debate is over. The only way the secretary would leave is if he, of his own choosing at this point, decides to leave.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: And earlier we heard the White House spokesman, Scott McClellan, talk about this entire controversy. They're pointing to two generals who have defended Secretary Rumsfeld. One is general Richard Myers, chairman of the joint chief of staff.

But listen, even general Myers says that some of the criticism of retired General Shinseki, who was somebody clearly in the secretary's crosshairs, some of that criticism was unwarranted.

Another man who has spoken up, General Delong. He was the deputy at the Central Command. He has written in favor of the secretary, but he also talks about mistakes that were made. So quite a debate going on and no real clear lines being drawn.

HARRIS: It sounds like it, Barbara. What's -- I don't know. What's next in all of this?

STARR: Well, tomorrow should be quite an interesting day, and that's really at the hands of the Pentagon. The secretary is now scheduled to meet with a group of retired military analysts. Those are the people who received that memo that circulated over the weekend, the fact memo about what secretary Rumsfeld had been up to.

By all accounts, on Friday, they decided to put the memo out and they called for a meeting with these analysts tomorrow on Tuesday. The secretary expected behind closed doors to talk to them more about how much he interacts with his commanders and the advice that he says he takes from them.

HARRIS: We will be following it, as you will as well, Barbara, I know that. CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr. Barbara, thank you.

STARR: Sure.

HARRIS: Did Saddam Hussein literally sign off on a deadly crackdown on Iraqi Shiites in the 1980s? Handwriting experts say yes.

At the former Iraqi dictator's trial today in Baghdad, prosecutors said read an expert report authenticating Hussein's signature on the paperwork. The defense took issue and demanded a second opinion.

Hussein and his co-defendants, including his half-brother, are on trial for the deaths of 148 Shiites and the jailing and torture of others.

A shake-up in the White House. Does in with the new also mean out with the old? The news keeps coming. We'll keep bringing it to you. More LIVE FROM right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: So summer's coming up, and that means higher demand for gasoline. We all understand that. So surging oil prices would be very bad news, and that's exactly what we're seeing on Wall Street.

Susan Lisovicz is live from the New York Stock Exchange with the story.

Hi, Susan.

(STOCK REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: A hero on the ice and off. Olympic champion Joey Cheek travels to Africa to share the power of play. We will meet him in New York when LIVE FROM -- oh, it is good to be Joey Cheek these days. We'll be right back.

ANNOUNCER: You're watching LIVE FROM on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: This just in to CNN. A Chicago jury decides former Illinois Governor George Ryan is guilty of all counts in his racketeering and fraud trial. It was the biggest political corruption trial in the state in years.

The investigation covered the time when Ryan was Illinois secretary of state and then governor. He was accused of steering big state money state contracts to a group of businessmen. Ryan had gained international attention while governor for his opposition to the death penalty.

After skating to glory in February's winter games in Torino, Joey Cheek donated all of his bonus money and challenged others to donate to an organization founded by another speed skating icon. Its goal: to let kids be kids, no matter what their circumstance.

Cheek has just returned from his first humanitarian commission with that group and is back with LIVE FROM to tell us all about it.

Joey, good to see you.

JOEY CHEEK, OLYMPIC CHAMPION: Thank you for having me again.

HARRIS: Well, well, well, how was this trip? You know what? Let's roll some tape of the trip.

CHEEK: Sure.

HARRIS: And talk to us. When did you leave and what was it like for you? CHEEK: Well, I left a week ago Sunday, and it was -- it was remarkable. You know, when you travel to Africa, you see -- or when you would see African on TV, you see all these pictures of these pathetic, sad kids with flies on them.

HARRIS: Yes.

CHEEK: And whereas hunger is an enormous problem in Africa, what I was struck by most was how normal and happy a lot of these children are. But you know, there's an enormous health crisis in Africa. There's an enormous war crisis that's going on in Africa. And it's a place that we can do a lot of good with not a huge investment.

HARRIS: We mentioned that you donated your bonus money for winning the gold, and then you challenged individuals and corporations. Well, are folks stepping up to match your contributions?

CHEEK: So far it's been incredible. We actually raised, before the Olympics was over, from the day I announced until the closing ceremonies, more than half a million dollars from primarily Olympic sponsors.

HARRIS: A half million dollars?

CHEEK: Half million dollars. And since then my hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina, in one day raised $300,000 for Right to Play and for some other local charities.

So really, every person I've talked to who has heard the story is very inspired and people still, even a month and a half after the Olympics are still sending checks in, they're still interested in helping.

HARRIS: Are you surprised? I mean, look, you expect that people will respond. You know you could use a whole lot more money, but are you surprised at the generosity you've seen so far?

CHEEK: I should say I'm reassured. It's reaffirmed my faith. You know, I've always thought that, one, Americans are very -- we're interested in that rest of the world. We don't get that many opportunities, necessarily, to know intimately what sort of things are going on. But we're not this, you know, giant, inward-looking country. We're a very generous people. We're a very passionate people.

And everyone who hears about, you know, Right to Play, about the situation in Darfur, which I've been, you know, lobbying hard to try and remedy...

HARRIS: Yes.

CHEEK: Everyone who hears about that has been very vocal in their support and wanted to know how they could help. So I've come across very few naysayers.

HARRIS: Right to Play. What is it ultimately that you want to do? You want to give these kids what?

CHEEK: Well, the common misconception, people think that our organization is we're trying to create athletes, we're trying to create Olympians. That's not really what we do.

And these areas, these are places where kids -- we use sport and play just to teach. We teach kids about HIV/AIDS prevention. We teach about gender equality. We teach about disease prevention. We teach about conflict resolution. So in a lot of ways, we're just using sport and play, which is naturally the way kids learn, to try and teach them values that we take for granted in the U.S.

HARRIS: What's the best thing about winning a gold medal?

CHEEK: The best thing about winning a gold medal, the fact that for the rest of my life, no matter what I do, no matter how bad I screw up, it's gold medalist Joey Cheek screwed up.

HAMMER: Who screwed up. OK. All right. So I have to ask you. It's pretty good being you right now. How old are you, 26 years old?

CHEEK: Twenty-six, yes.

HAMMER: You're about to go to college. You're getting acceptance letters from all over the place. Folks want you to go to their college, correct?

CHEEK: Yes. That's right. I tell kids whenever I speak with them now, I say, well, you know, if you're applying for colleges, if you can have a gold medal, it sure helps the application process.

HARRIS: And is this true? You have a reality show that is either shooting or is about to start shooting with you as the star?

CHEEK: Yes, yes, yes. Yes, yes, yes. It's not like -- it's not super -- all right.

HAMMER: OK. All right.

CHEEK: I'd never do a reality show. What it, though, is it's following me around. It's going to follow me around to colleges. And the premise is that, you know, I think that people are going to be able to do a lot more good things and people want to do good things if they have the opportunity.

So we're going to see, sort of follow some of my life going around and going to colleges, but also it's have a social spin and social context, instead of just some of the garbage you see on TV.

HARRIS: Gotcha.

CHEEK: We want a little bit of the garbage.

But here's thing, 26 years old. You're helping kids in Africa. You've got a reality show. You're about to go to college. You're a decent-looking guy. HARRIS: It's makeup.

CHEEK: Right, right?

HARRIS: You have got a girlfriend. What's happening in your personal life?

CHEEK: Yes, I've got a beautiful girlfriend, three and a half years. She goes to George Washington University. Her name is Eleanor.

Hi, honey. She's watching now.

So yes, she's amazing, and she keeps me out of trouble more than any other single cause.

HARRIS: All right, so life's good for you, right?

CHEEK: Yes, we're bored. Life's good with you.

HARRIS: Hey, do you have another Olympics in you?

CHEEK: I think I'm going to be done. Yes, you know, I'm going to back to school. I'm going to be doing a lot of stuff for the charity I work with, a lot of -- hopefully some TV stuff to help raise awareness and shed some light in some bad areas. And for me, I won three Olympic medals, and I was world champion, and I'm ready to move on and do the next thing.

HARRIS: Yes, growing up in Greensboro, did you see all of this happening for you?

CHEEK: You know, I hoped something would happen. I didn't -- I never would have seen this path. I didn't think it would go this way, but I'm thrilled. This is, like, the most amazing life anyone could ask for.

HARRIS: It's good to be you. It's good to be Joey Cheek right now.

CHEEK: Living it up.

HARRIS: Joey, good to talk to you.

Yes, yes, yes. Enjoy. We thank you for your time.

CHEEK: Thank you.

HARRIS: Still to come, who'd have thought we'd see an outbreak of a disease that's been out of circulation for decades. How it may have been spread is also surprising. Details next on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Well, doctors are stumped about the return of an old foe, the mumps. A vaccine has kept the virus in check for decades. But now hundreds of people across the Midwest have it.

CNN's Mary Snow looks at how it may have spread, and the story first aired on THE SITUATION ROOM.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Health officials discovered the first U.S. cases on an Iowa college campus in December. Now cases of the mumps in Iowa have skyrocketed to more than 600. And nearby Midwest states report dozens more, puzzling doctors.

DR. WILLIAM SCAFFNER, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER: Where did it lurk? How is it that we didn't see further cases?

SNOW: Mumps cause the glands under the jaw to swell, and people usually have a fever and headache. Severe complications like deafness and meningitis are rare. Mumps spread when infected people cough and sneeze.

What about when they travel?

DR. JANE SEWARD, CDC EPIDEMIOLOGIST: A disease like mumps spreading on a plane, it's very uncommon. But we wanted to be cautious and just inform passengers.

SNOW: The Centers for Disease Control is now investigating whether this mumps outbreak put air travelers at risk. The government is reaching out to passengers on flights taken by two infected people. Those infected people had many layovers.

According to the CDC, the first infected person traveled from Waterloo, Iowa, in late March to Minneapolis, Minnesota, then to Detroit, Michigan, then to Washington, D.C. , and back. The other went from Tucson, Arizona, to Dallas, Texas, to Lafayette, Arkansas, to St. Louis, Missouri, to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on April 2nd.

SCAFFNER: We can take this mumps epidemic as kind of a fire drill for what might happen if bird flu suddenly became transmissible to humans and was introduced into the United States.

SNOW: It's also testing the public health system response that was put into place after 9/11 to deal more effectively with biological emergencies.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So it is not only being useful for dealing with mumps, but it's actually testing our ability to deal with biological emergencies and showing us where we can do better.

Mary Snow, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Join Wolf Blitzer in "THE SITUATION ROOM" later this afternoon at 4:00 Eastern. A live primetime edition airs at 7:00 Eastern here on CNN. It had been relatively calm, relatively quiet, in Israel lately, until today when a suicide bomber hit a restaurant in Tel Aviv at lunchtime.

CNN producer Yoav Appel joins me from the scene.

Yoav, what can you tell us?

YOAV APPEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, police and rescuers service finished the grisly job of cleaning away the remains of the bombing that took place here this afternoon.

Now I spoke with one of five two brothers who owned this fast food restaurant, where the bombing took place. He describes how the place was hit in exactly the same way three months ago, then he said two of his brothers were hurt in the blast. They were hurt again today. He described how he watched a young suicide bomber, a young Palestinian, grapple with the security guide at the entrance to the restaurant. In his words, he said, they committed suicide together.

Another shopkeeper, a neighboring shopkeeper covered in debris, described how he was standing outside his shop when the blast occurred. He and a customer were thrown into the blast -- into the shop, sorry. He described how that might have saved his life, simply enough. They picked themselves up and started treating the wounded, he said.

Now rescue services have finished clearing away the debris now. A few hours ago, this place was strewn with litter and body parts. Religious volunteers have now cleaned that away. As has become customary here, police have cleared the site and traffic is flowing through these narrow streets.

HARRIS: OK, CNN's Yoav Appel, one of our producers on the scene there of that suicide bombing attack in Tel Aviv. Yoav, we appreciate it. Thank you.

Have you heard this? Iran may be going underground literally with its nuclear ambitions. A U.S.-based watchdog group says satellite photos show the country's expanding its nuclear fuel plants. One is even allegedly buried under slabs of concrete and layers of earth. The Institute for Science and International Security says new tunnel entrances give it away. Last week, Iran announced it had produced enriched uranium for use in power stations in defiance of the U.N. Security Council. The U.N., the U.S. and Israel fear Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon. Tehran insists it only wants to generate energy. Iranian militants say they've attracted 200 new volunteers for so-called martyrdom missions against the U.S. and British targets, if their country is attacked.

And the former U.S. embassy in Tehran is at the center of the recruitment drive. It's now home to a Palestinian exhibition, where visitors have been signing up to, quote, "defend the Islamic republic's interest." The building is decorated with pictures of suicide bombers. What's going on at the White House? A changing of the guard? Ed Henry joins us live. The news keeps coming. We'll keep bringing it to you. More LIVE FROM next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: How about this? If you plan to leave, do it now. That's the advice to the White House staff from their new chief on his first full day on the job.

Let's get the details from White House correspondent Ed Henry.

Now, I know Josh Bolten didn't say this, but it sounds like, hello, I'm the new guy, pack your bags.

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. There's a new sheriff in town. Josh Bolten made that declaration at his very first senior staff meeting this morning, where he immediately wanted to set the tone, told his colleagues, look, there are going to be more staff changes in coming weeks, get ready for them. Those will be changes that Bolten will make at the president's direction, with the authority of the president.

But also, what you're referring to, Tony, of course, is the fact that Josh Bolten basically said, look, if you're thinking about leaving on your own in the next few months, tell me now, I want to know. Because basically, this White House wants to move forward as quickly as possible. With all this speculation, they want to make all the changes in one fell swoop, not have it go in dribs and drabs.

And amid that speculation about a possible shakeup, White House spokesman Scott McClellan would not address really how extensive these changes will be, but he basically said with the new chief of staff on board, he's going to put his stamp on this White House staff.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Any time you have a new chief of staff coming in, you can expect that there will be some changes in some of the structure and personnel and other issues. Now, what he said at the end of his remarks at senior staff was simply talking about, you know, look, we're in a transitional period, and I want to make sure I have a team in place that is with us for a minimum the remainder of this year, and to some extent, beyond that.

And, as you know, any White House goes through change. People decide to leave after they've served here for a while. It's hard work serving here at the White House. And so what he said to the senior staff -- and I think this would be passed on to others, as well -- is that if you're thinking about leaving some time in the near future, now would be a good time to do it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: Now, asked if he himself plans to stay on the job here as press secretary, Scott McClellan said with a smile he never comments on personnel matters. But as you know, the president sort of broke that unwritten rule here at the White House on Friday, interrupting his Easter vacation at Camp David to comment on an personnel matter, rushed to the defense of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

So Scott McClellan, sidestepping a question about whether he'll leave. But for now, Don Rumsfeld not one person on the list who will be leaving. In fact, somebody that will be sticking around, at least according to the president, Tony.

HARRIS: OK, White House correspondent Ed Henry. Ed, thank you.

HENRY: Thank you.

HARRIS: West coast weather and produce prices in the East, a connection that keeps our eyes on the sky. More on that and today's forecast when LIVE FROM continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Cleaning up before they get hit again. Parts of Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa are picking up after violent thunderstorms once spawned this tornado in Wheeler, Illinois, that obliterated a house. Incredibly, no one was hurt. Forecasters are predicting another severe weather day tomorrow.

Record highs in Europe, and I don't mean temperature. Rivers are filled to the brims after heavy rains and melting snow over the weekend. The Danube hit its highest level in 111 years, and it is still rising. Hundreds of Romanians have had to clear out. Thousands more in Bulgaria are braced to leave what they have to. The major worry now, dykes that may or may not stand up to the pressure.

In Beijing, a bit of rain would be welcome. But this isn't smog you're looking at, it's sand. It blew in overnight, covering absolutely everything. People, especially those with breathing problems, are being warned to wear masks or some other type of covering over their faces outdoors. It's the eighth sandstorm to blow across Beijing this year.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: All of the recent rain in Central and Northern California may produce problems for produce lovers across the country. Kyung Lah explains in this report from CNN's AMERICAN MORNING.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This silence is deafening for almond farmer Vito Chiesa. Normally his fields are alive with activity.

VITO CHIESA, ALMOND FARMER: Everyday that it continues is more money that's going out of our pocket. He's talking about record rains in Northern California, knocking almond blooms to the ground.

LAH (on camera): These are all of the blooms that fell off. CHIESA: Yes, these are little almonds right here. Take a look, and you peel this back, and these are the ones that fell off.

There was probably 10 or 15 blooms, and we ended up with one almond.

LAH (voice-over): Some of the blooms that survived the wind and rain are diseased.

CHIESA: These twigs, that's brown rot, right there.

LAH: Across the valley, strawberry farmers have their own problems. Half the fields are underwater.

PAO YANG, STRAWBERRY FARMER: Right now we are looking at 50 percent or more damage for the total year harvest.

LAH (on camera): So all of this is rotten because of the rain.

YANG: All these are rotten one. The white one, the green one, the flowers, it's a let of damage.

LAH: Strawberries are particularly hard hit, because harvest time for them is right now. But this is a story that's being repeated across northern California crops.

DAVE KRANZ, CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU: Initially people will see the impact on things like strawberries and asparagus, and some of the other crops that are being harvested right now. They may not be as plentiful in their stores as they would normally be.

LAH (voice-over): A lower supply often means higher prices in grocery stores.

KRANZ: We'll be seeing the impacts of this in California throughout the remainder of the summer and fall, and that will affect what people see on their grocery store shelves as well.

LAH: And while consumers face higher prices, farmers don't expect to join in the economic harvest. The record rains have left them knee-deep in debt.

Kyung Lah, CNN, California's Central Valley

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Start your mornings off on the good foot, join Soledad O'Brien and Miles O'Brien on "AMERICAN MORNING" at 6:00 a.m. eastern.

Still to come on LIVE FROM, a heinous crime in a small town. The suspect is being arraigned in the next hour. We will peek inside the mind of an accused killer with a criminal profiler. I promise we won't stay there long. The news keeps coming and we'll keep bringing it to you. More LIVE FROM next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HARRIS: You might call it automotive Darwinism. Gas prices rise, cars get smaller. Guess what, it's happening again, and with gas creeping up on $3 a gallon, the cars are getting down right minuscule. CNN's Christopher King has more from New York.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why not?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would love it, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Great for going back and forth to work. Easy to park. It looks great. This is a fun car.

CHRISTOPHER KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Manufacturers at the New York auto show are rolling out pint-size rides to attract drivers who want to trade in the high-profile bulk of the SUV for the fuel efficiency and ease of the subcompact.

REBEKAH DECKER, NISSAN PRODUCT SPECIALIST: This year the biggest question has been what's the fuel economy. How much miles to the gallon am I going to get on this vehicle?

KING: Automakers are hoping small is big in America with the prices of most of the vehicles ranging from 10 to $15,000, the appeal is simple.

MICHAEL GIANNONE, CONSUMER: Comfortable, easy to park, better gas economy, probably low maintenance on the car.

KING: The smart car from Zap gets about 40 miles to the gallon, the highest, the company claims, for conventional combustion engine.

STEVEN KIM, ZAP: There is still a niche market that wants to drive socially responsible, cute, fun cars around to be noticed, to help out the economy.

KING: The makers of these extra small cars are banking on the idea that rising fuel costs and concern for the environment will drive consumers to downsize and buy micro-sized vehicles like this Smartcar. The question is, can they stand up to the demands of American roads. The Smartcar rated three out of five stars in European crash tests.

KIM: You'll see with your own eyes that this really is, in an impact collision, one of the safer cars.

KING: But how safe are smaller cars over all. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says smaller vehicles lack the crush space in front to absorb the impact of a crash. According to the group, mini cars accounted for 117 fatalities per million drivers in 2004, more than almost any other vehicle category.

RUSS RADER, INS. INST. FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY: If you are putting your family in a small car to save money at the gas pump, that's a risky proposition because small cars are less safe than bigger vehicles. KING: Some consumers aren't buying that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That is myth. People think if they have a lot of metal around them, it's better. It's compact crumple zones, air bags, the way the cars are configured. They may collapse around you, but you won't get killed.

KING: So get used to seeing more mini-cars on a highway near you. Christopher King, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com