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Florida Braces For Tropical Storm Alberto; Palestinian Authority and Hamas Forces Clash; Byrd Breaks Senate Record for Longevity.

Aired June 12, 2006 - 13:00   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Developing -- a lot of stories developing stories happening right now.
But let's get to Jacqui Jeras first. She's tracking Alberto.

A tornado warning now coming across.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, two different cells, actually, that we are watching, Kyra, in central parts of Florida.

It's for DeSoto and for Hardee counties, Doppler radar indicating this tornadoes on this cell and this cell right down here. These are both moving up to the north around 30 miles per hour. So, a tornado could touch down out of these storms at any time. There is a tornado watch in effect across much of Florida.

When we get these outer feeder bands moving on in, Kyra, there's a lot of rotation with them. You get a little friction going on as it interacts with the land. And we get these little spinners. They're usually weak tornadoes, F-0, maybe F-1, but they can down touch, and they can cause some significant damage.

So, this is another threat that we do have to take very, very seriously. Other warnings to talk about, the hurricane warning which remains in effect from Ochlocknee River, extending down towards Longboat Key. That means those hurricane conditions are possible and very likely in 24 hours or less.

We think that we are going to continue to see those winds start to pick up a little bit over the next couple of hours. By this evening, we think we could see some of the tropical-storm-force winds beginning to arrive. And if this continue to strengthen a little bit, those hurricane-force winds could arrive some time tomorrow morning.

Here, you can see it on the satellite picture, still very heavy on the eastern side of the storm. That's why we are seeing so much rain across Florida for today. We are talking five to 10 inches by tomorrow night, within the path.

The storm has also picked a little bit of forward speed. It's moving a little bit faster. So, that means the timing of this may have to get bumped up. We are going to get an update in from the National Hurricane Center. At 5:00, they bring out a brand new package. So, we will watch it very closely and see whether or not there are any changes to this track.

But, right now, the official forecast, bumping it up to hurricane strength before tomorrow. So, that could happen later on tonight, possibly even as early as the 5:00 advisory. The hurricane hunters, of course, have been making regular flights within this system and taking all of their measurements, finding out what the wind speeds are out there.

We have also been tracking some our buoys, some of them just offshore over here, reporting winds around 38 miles per hour, so, not quite reaching sustained tropical-storm-force winds. But some of them do extend out more than 200 miles from the center of the storm. Being that the center of the storm is less than 200 miles now from the coastline, we could start to see some of those gusts really at any given time.

But we think it will be most significant, Kyra, really feeling a bit of a difference, we think, by this evening.

PHILLIPS: All right.

JERAS: Back to you.

PHILLIPS: Jacqui, thanks so much.

And we are expecting Florida Governor Jeb Bush to hold another live news conference at the top of the hour, any minute now, actually. And, as soon as he steps up to the podium, we will take it live.

Meanwhile, warnings from the National Hurricane Center and Jeb Bush. Tropical Storm Alberto is right offshore. Our news crews are on the move.

CNN's Susan Candiotti already in Clearwater Beach, where rain is making it pretty miserable for this Monday.

Hey, Susan.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Except for at this moment.

For the last hour or so, Kyra, we are getting a little bit of rain relief, the clouds breaking up overhead. I almost thought, for a moment, we might see some sun. But this is surely not going to last. These squalls that have been coming in and out have been very, very heavy at times.

The pier that you see over my shoulder was originally built in the 1920s, but this is a rebuilt version that was put up back in 1994. And this is kind of interesting, also, also about the city of Clearwater, population here about 110,000 or so. They have recently completed building a series of retention ponds, so that they have directed, when they get a lot of rain here -- they have directed the water through a new drainage system into these retention ponds that are constructed, more or less, as parks around the city. So, they hope that will help fend off some of the inland flooding that is expected, by up to 10 inches of rain. And, as we get ready to hear from the governor, he did make one point earlier this morning about people not being too locked into that storm track that we see running across that line across the state. And here's what he said about that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. JEB BUSH (R), FLORIDA: The skinny black line has got to be just put away, out of people's thought patterns completely.

And Dennis is a great example of -- of that, in the sense that the storm surge that occurred just south of here was horrific. And it lasted 24 hours after the storm had passed the state. So, some of these things are -- are unexpected Because of just, you know, the -- the nature. We're talking about powerful forces of -- of -- of nature.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: So, again, this is a reminder, this tropical storm and possible hurricane, that people need to be ready for hurricane season. They should already have purchased their supplies, including batteries, food, water, and have all that at the ready.

But, in the meantime, FEMA, for example, is working hard with the state to be even better prepared than they were last year. And they are already prepared to mobilize trucks in this region and along the Gulf Coast states, in case they need to bring in some food, water, and ice -- back to you, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Susan, thank you so much.

We want to get straight now to the state meteorologist there in Florida that is speaking, in addition to Governor Jeb Bush, you can see right behind him.

Let's go ahead and listen in as he gets ready to introduce the governor.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... tornado watch for must -- much of Central Florida through the afternoon hours this afternoon.

Flood watches are also in effect. Although this will provide -- Alberto is going to provide quite a bit of beneficial rainfall, we could have some urban flooding issues and localized flooding, where the rain bands set up and train over the same areas repeatedly.

But, again, this is -- this is a definite problem, as far as storm surge and winds go. The potential is there for Alberto to strengthen just four more miles per hour and reach Category 1 strength before landfall, some time tomorrow, along the Big Bend Coast.

And, with that, we will turn the press conference over to our state coordinating officer, Craig Fugate.

CRAIG FUGATE, FLORIDA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR: Thank you, Ben (ph).

With the announcement that the National Hurricane Center was going to issue hurricane warnings, we have been in conference calls with the counties. And the governor is going to go over this in more detail, but we have been talking about people get a plan. Today, we are asking people to implement their plans.

Evacuation orders have been posted for counties along Florida's West Coast. People need to heed those evacuation orders. The state team here is prepared to support and are working closely with those impacted counties. Again, this is a very large area of storm. Some of these impacts are occurring on both coasts, with severe thunderstorms and tornado watches.

So, again, this is not just going to be a coastal storm, although the evacuation orders right now for the coastal areas should bring immediate response from that -- that area of the coast.

Also, FEMA has been here with us most of the day. They have had their folks in for the last couple days monitoring the storm.

And I just want to ask Scott Morris (ph) briefly if he has -- has anything to add before Governor Bush.

Scott?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (OFF-MIKE)

FUGATE: But, again, we're working, as we do, to support our counties.

And, at this time, Governor Bush.

BUSH: Thank you, Craig.

We know from experience that every storm is different. But we know that all of them have the potential to make life miserable for people that are impacted by these storms. And, so, we want everybody to take this storm, Tropical Storm Alberto, very seriously.

Hurricanes Frances and Wilma taught us that even a Category 1 or 2 storm can be deadly and cause significant damage. And it is important that you take the appropriate steps to protect your home and your family. And there is still time to do that.

If you have a plan -- and we hope you do -- now is the time to -- to use it. And, if you don't have a plan, it really is still -- it's still possible for you develop one for this storm.

And all that means is that you gather up your supplies that you will need for the 72 hours after the storm hits our shore. Have cash available, gas in your car, medicine. If you are taking medicine, make sure that you have ample supplies of your prescription drugs. Water, and we suggest a gallon for every person for every day -- ice, if you can get it, non-perishable food, flashlight, batteries radio. It is important to protect your important papers and documents, including your insurance policy. It might be a good thing today to read your insurance policy.

A lot of people think they're all the same. They really aren't. It would helpful in order to get -- if you -- if you are in the path of the storm and there's going to be damage , it would be helpful to know what kind of insurance you do have.

And make sure you have your driver's license with you and telephone number for your insurance agent. All this is commonsensical. But, as you are planning for a storm of this magnitude to come, sometimes, people forget. And we urge you to take this afternoon to -- to get prepared for the storm.

It's also time to get your home prepared, take in plants, lawn furniture, anything that can move that could become a dangerous projectile. And if you are securing your home, especially if you're boarding up your windows, I recommend you take a minute to get some helpful tips at FLASH, which is the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes. And you can go to www.FLASH.org, and they can give you some simple and helpful hints on how to not hurt yourself as you're hardening up your house, and also some simple things that you can do that will pay dividends over the long haul.

Please listen -- listen for evacuation orders from local officials. Craig mentioned that mandatory evacuation orders have already begun in the counties from -- from Wakulla County south to, I believe, Levy County. And there are other -- other plans for the possibility of mandatory evacuation orders later this afternoon.

Citrus County, west of US-19 and 1.5 miles east of US-19 has a mandatory evacuation, Dixie in the low-lying areas. Levy -- Levy County, as I mentioned, Taylor, Wakulla, Franklin, all parts of those counties have mandatory evacuation orders.

There is voluntary evacuation orders in Hernando, Pasco, and Hillsborough in the zones that are low-lying or people living in mobile homes. And Jefferson County is -- also will have a -- a -- a voluntary evacuation order.

If you ordered to evacuate, you really should do it. Don't think that you can ride out a storm. It's not worth losing one's life. Property can be rebuilt, but people's livelihoods, their families, matter a lot. And there are places where they can go.

There are 17 shelters that are being planned to be opened in 11 counties. More will probably be opened as -- as the storm approaches. There's one special-needs shelter in Bronson for Levy County residents and others that is -- will provide special attention to very vulnerable citizens.

This morning, as was mentioned at our previous press conference, I signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Florida. The declaration allows that the state can deploy people, equipment, and relief supplies to respond quickly after Hurricane Alberto makes landfall.

I have spoken to all of the county commissioners in the areas from Pasco County, north to Wakulla. They're all working very hard. I'm proud of the local emergency operation team -- teams that exist all across the -- the state. But they are -- one of the county chairman told me that he was actually going door to door in an area that is very vulnerable for flooding, to make sure that the residents know what is going on, to get them to evacuate.

That is the kind of activity that is taking place this afternoon -- afternoon. And it's the exact right thing that should be done.

We are activated to level one here, which is the 24-hour activation. Our team is working with local officials and -- and doing everything that we have learned how to do over dealing with all of these hurricanes.

The National Guard has been put on alert today. Seven-five hundred Florida National Guardsmen are on standby, ready to assist in the relief and recovery efforts. General Burnett is a great commander that -- leading a great team. And they will be responding as quickly as possible.

So will the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, assisting local governments and local communities with search and rescue operations, should they be necessary.

And our federal partners are standing by. And we are grateful for that continued support.

With that, we would be happy to answer any questions.

QUESTION: What's the gas situation?

Bush The gas situation is good right now. We started the -- the survey work that we do during these storms. And there are no shortages that we're aware of. The ports are open, although the Port of Tampa is evaluating its -- when they will close down, I think, as -- as this press conference is taking place.

QUESTION: Can you talk about the one potential good thing, the -- the wildfire situation and the drought situation?

BUSH: Well, the -- the rainfall will help the drought conditions, both for fires, as well as the -- just the strained natural resources that take place when you have severe drought. So, that will be -- that will be helpful.

We would prefer it to be delivered more gently than this.

QUESTION: Any thoughts it's -- it's June, and we have got a hurricane, a possible Cat 1? It's very early.

BUSH: I think, Craig, that this exact same week was...

FUGATE: Arlene.

BUSH: Arlene. The A-storm was this exact same week. So, we shouldn't be surprised, although, as was mentioned this morning, we were doing our planning exercise today for this hurricane season. And, in the middle of it, the tropical storm warnings were changed to hurricane warnings. So, maybe next year, we will plan these things in May.

QUESTION: Ben, what's the earliest (OFF-MIKE) on record? And what's the earlier time that a tropical storm or hurricane has (OFF- MIKE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I can tell you, Hurricane -- Hurricane Alma, back in 1966, was, I believe, June 3, some time the first three or four days of June.

BUSH: Good answer.

(LAUGHTER)

BUSH: You thought you had him.

(LAUGHTER)

QUESTION: You all mentioned the 1993 storm that hit sort of the same area...

BUSH: Exactly.

QUESTION: ... and caused, I think, upwards of 40 deaths. Could you talk a little bit about this part of the state and -- and...

BUSH: Well, I -- I -- I will just tell you, talking to the county commissioners in the Pasco north and the -- in the Nature Coast area, they are all fully sensitized to the fact that their counties have a lot of low-lying areas.

And the '93 storm caught people off guard, no question about it. And it created severe flooding that -- where there was lots of loss of life. And -- and, in fact, the chairman of the county commission in Pasco County brought it up herself. And -- and I think it does help shape, correctly so, the local government's response to these storms...

PHILLIPS: Governor Jeb Bush just briefing reporters, briefing all of us on preparations that are under way for Tropical Storm Alberto. We will continue to follow what he has to say.

You can also go to CNN.com/Pipeline.

Meanwhile, we have got a couple other developing stories to tell you about right now, first more from Reno, Nevada. We told you about this judge that was shot at a courthouse. This is what we can tell you, that police closed off several surrounding blocks, as the SWAT team was called in.

There's no immediate word on the identity or condition of that judge. The Reno police spokesperson did confirm that the judge was shot on the third floor of a building housing the Washoe County Family Court section. That's in the south end of Reno's downtown casino district.

The spokesperson does say that he believes the judge is alive. But we will continue to follow that story as we get more information.

The other story that we are following right now, that's a suspicious package in downtown Miami. It's forcing the evacuation of the Wolfson campus of Miami-Dade College, as well as a U.S. Customs building. And the federal courthouse has been evacuated.

This is the package right here, as the bomb squad has moved in -- hundreds of students and workers out on the street, while the Miami police bomb squad just checks -- checks this out and tries to figure out what is happening.

This is the general area of Miami Avenue, just northeast -- to the northeast of First Avenue, between Third and Fifth Street, if you know exactly where this campus is.

Another story: a suspicious package right here -- you're looking at it -- downtown Miami, forcing the evacuation of the Wolfson campus of Miami-Dade College, as well as a U.S. Customs building and the federal courthouse.

We will keep you updated. We are following both those stories out of Reno and Miami. And, of course, we are staying on Alberto's track -- more LIVE FROM next.

You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Preacher's widow indicted -- last hour, a jury in Selmer, Tennessee, returned a first-degree murder indictment against Mary Winkler in the killing of her pastor husband.

The charge gives no indication of a motive. The body of Matthew Winkler, a Church of Christ minister, was found by parishioners March 22, after he failed to show up for a service. Mary Winkler was found in Alabama the next day with the couple's three daughters.

"I couldn't do a thing, except run for my life" -- those words from Cynthia Tate, who managed to get out of her Tampa, Florida, home in one piece, after a small plane slammed right into it. Rescuers say the pilot was trying to land at a nearby airport. That pilot died.

The co-pilot is seriously hurt -- no word on who they are, where they were coming from, or if weather had anything to do with that crash.

A mystery at sea -- where is Philip Merrill? Well, the prominent publisher and former diplomat vanished Saturday while sailing alone on Chesapeake Bay. His 41-foot boat has been found empty. Searchers are now presuming the worst. Police say the 72-year-old Merrill often sailed alone near his home without wearing a life jacket. They're not sure whether that was the case this time. But with water temperatures around 62 degrees, if he did fall overboard, he couldn't have survived very long.

Death row inmates now have a new way to challenge their fates. The Supreme Court today ruled that they can make last-minute claims that the chemicals used in lethal injections are too painful. Lethal injection is the method of choice for the federal government in most states that have capital punishment. But opponents say it amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. Today's ruling does not say whether lethal injection is or isn't constitutional.

Another developing story right now -- it's in the Middle East -- violence in the streets of Ramallah.

Let's get straight to Fionnuala Sweeney, live from our Jerusalem bureau with more.

What do you know, Fionnuala?

FIONNUALA SWEENEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, there has been an ongoing struggle between the government, which is led by Hamas, and the Fatah Party, which used to be in power under Yasser Arafat.

Now, the head of that party is Mahmoud Abbas. And he happens, also, to be the Palestinian Authority president. And he has been locked in a power struggle with Hamas over the future direction of the Palestinian national cause.

You may know, Kyra, that, since Hamas was elected, the international community, at least in the West, has turned its back on Hamas. And 165,000 civil service workers have gone unpaid, because there is no more funding available, as long as Hamas is in power and refuses to recognize Israel.

Now, these tensions have spilled out on to the streets sporadically over the last few weeks. But, tonight, they have taken quite a serious turn. Two people have been killed in clashes between both sides, 15 people wounded. That is down in Gaza. It seems now that Fatah, the (AUDIO GAP) battle to the streets in the West Bank, setting fire to the parliament building, and also to the cabinet office of the prime minister, who is from Hamas.

He is unable to travel to the West Bank from Gaza, where he lives by Israel, though this is an extremely symbolic movement, the fact that Fatah seemed to have moved the battleground from the streets of Gaza up to their power center in the West Bank.

President Abbas at the moment trying to negotiate with (AUDIO GAP) That is Ismail Haniya down in Gaza. It's difficult, though, now to see where -- which -- in which direction this can go right now -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Fionnuala Sweeney, we will stay on top of that story. Thank you so much.

Meanwhile, three suicides at Gitmo -- coming up, we are going to talk with a British man who spent two years behind bars there without ever being charged. Shafiq Rasul is now free and the subject of a new film, "The Road to Guantanamo." You won't want to miss his story -- straight ahead on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Fendi handbags, they are a status symbol, only available at high-end stores like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Wal-Mart?

Susan Lisovicz, live from the New York Stock Exchange, with the details on that.

All right, Susan, what's the deal?

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The deal is, there is a big lawsuit, Kyra. It took a lot of us by surprise.

The world's biggest retailer is being sued by Fendi, a unit of the French luxury goods makers LVMH, whose brands also include Louis Vuitton. Fendi is accusing Wal-Mart of selling counterfeit Fendi products at its Sam's Club warehouse stores.

The suit claims knockoff handbags, wallets and key chains were being sold as genuine merchandise at stores in California, New York, Florida and other states. In one example, a black handbag bearing Fendi's trademark logo was offered for sale in a Sam's Club store in Miami for just over $500, 45 percent off the retail list price of $930 for a genuine Fendi bag.

You know, Sam's Clubs, Kyra, have been trying to offer more luxury goods as a way to better compete with Costco. And, so, we are not sure now whether these are the real deal or not -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Well, how is Wal-Mart responding to the charges?

LISOVICZ: Well, Wal-Mart has been the target of lots of lawsuits. This one prompted a response today.

Wal-Mart said, it doesn't believe the lawsuit has merit. It says the company policy is not to sell knockoffs. And it believes it can demonstrate that the products sold in its stores are authentic. Fendi says Wal-Mart has purchased its products and never asked Fendi if any of the items bearing its trademark were genuine.

Fendi products, obviously, are usually sold at either high-end department stores or at Fendi retail outlets. It's asking for Wal- Mart to stop selling the goods and to pay the damages -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, what's happening on Wall Street, Susan?

LISOVICZ: Speaking of damages, stocks right now, now at session lows. And we are getting a very broad sell-off, extending last week's big losses.

We mentioned earlier, they had worst of the year -- worst week of the year, despite lower oil prices down. Crude fell $1.27, at $70 -- settling at $70 and change, traders keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Alberto, the first named Atlantic storm of the year. So far, though, it looks like Alberto will key oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.

However, it's expected to be an unusually active hurricane season. So, the price of oil could be very volatile over the next few months.

(BUSINESS HEADLINES)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

PHILLIPS: CNN is your hurricane headquarters. Check out our online guide to hurricanes, including how they form and which storms make the list of the top ten worst hurricanes ever. Just go to CNN.com/hurricanes.

Well, you would have to go back to 1958 to find a time when Robert Byrd didn't represent West Virginia in the U.S. Senate. It's not just that Byrd has been on Capitol Hill a long time; as of today, he's been a senator longer than anyone else in U.S. history.

CNN's Dana Bash sat down with America's senior senator about his proudest moments. I believe his only interview. It doesn't surprise me that he gave it to you, Dana, but man, what a career.

DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: What a career indeed, Kyra. You know, today is Senator Byrd's 17,327th day in the U.S. Senate. And that means he has now surpassed Republican -- the late Republican Senator Strom Thurmond's record that he had previously set.

And I'll do the math for you. That essentially means he's been in the U.S. Senate for just short of 48 years. And, you know, the 88- year-old senator talks about the fact that he considers himself still a hillbilly from West Virginia. But earlier on the floor of the U.S. Senate, we had leaders from the Republican side of the aisle, as well as the Democratic side, talking about the fact that they see him as their teacher, in some ways, as somebody who is really the heart and soul and conscience of the U.S. Senate, somebody who has really been able to figure out the arcane rules of the Senate and use them to his advantage.

Now, he has cast, Kyra, over 17,000 votes. So really over the past half century or so, he's cast votes on all the issues that have come before the U.S. government. But of all them, he says he is most proud of something that he just cast just about four years ago, in 2002. And that is the vote against the Iraq war. He told us that he thinks that was the blunder of the ages.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. ROBERT BYRD (D), WEST VIRGINIA: History will prove that it was wrong to invade another country without provocation. That is wrong. That was wrong then, and it will be wrong 50 years from today. To attack a country without provocation. Preemptive strikes -- that doctrine is unconstitutional.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now, I followed by -- Kyra, by asking about the president's stance, which, as he believes, that in 25 to 30 years, history will show that Mr. Bush was right in invading Iraq. And Senator Byrd simply said that it is unconstitutional and it is actually very much in keeping with his whole persona and what he essentially lives for here in the Senate, which is what he calls -- it's really the Constitution, Kyra. He keeps it in his breast pocket, he takes it out, and he will tell anybody who listens that it's actually the legislative branch that is named first in the Constitution, not the executive branch, where, of course, the president sits.

PHILLIPS: Well, he talks about what he's most proud of. And I kind of got a sneak peek at the piece that you did. But he's actually pretty ashamed, or I guess has said his greatest mistake would have been his association with the KKK.

BASH: In terms of his personal life, yes. In the U.S. Senate is something I guess related to that, and that is the fact that in 1964, he waged a filibuster, 14 hours and 13 minutes, against the civil rights act of 1964. He told us that that is something he understands now was wrong. He said it was guided by what he calls his Southern upbringing, the fact that that was part of prejudices that he certainly now is ashamed of. But you're right, in terms of his personal life, it is something related and that is the fact that he was briefly a member of KKK.

PHILLIPS: All right, and finally, we just had to get in. He was married for 69 years. My goodness. He's got to be proud of that. That must have been an amazing feat for him.

BASH: Absolutely. It is a bittersweet day today for Senator Byrd, because his late wife, Erma, today would have been her birthday, June 12th. This is something that he talks about all the time. When I sat down with him, he pointed to one of several pictures or a portrait of her, in his office.

She died just a little bit over two months ago, and the way he talks about her and their relationship, Kyra, it really is quite a love story, I have to say. They were married for just short of 69 years and he says she was my sweetheart, the woman of my dreams, and he says he's met queens, the wives of shahs, but she was the greatest woman he ever met.

PHILLIPS: That's what it's all about. Dana Bash, thanks so much. We're getting new details about a shooting in Reno that injured a judge. I'm going to get those to you right after the break when LIVE FROM continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: More now on that judge that was shot at a courthouse in Reno, Nevada. On the phone, Fred Riglesberger with the Reno Police. Fred, update us on what you know to this point. I will ask you specifics, depending on what you say. What do we know about this judge?

FRED RIGLESBERGER, RENO POLICE DEPT.: We know that at 11:06 this morning, we have one shot confirmed fired and one confirmed victim wounded, that was Judge Chuck Weller (ph), one of the family court judges at The Judge Mills Lane Justice Center, downtown Reno.

PHILLIPS: And I know the SWAT team responded to the scene. Are they still looking for a suspect or more than one suspect?

RIGLESBERGER: That's correct. We have three areas of interest that units are now checking. Don't know if it's one or multiple suspects. We do know that the judge was on the third floor of the court at the time of the shooting. We don't know if the shot came from within or from without the building.

PHILLIPS: The judge is OK, right, just wounded?

RIGLESBERGER: The judge is wounded. He's now in an area hospital with his family.

PHILLIPS: Do you know what this was centered around? He's a family court judge. Is this suspect someone upset about a custody battle?

RIGLESBERGER: That, I don't know. I have no information on that whatsoever.

PHILLIPS: No details about the shooter at all.

RIGLESBERGER: None.

PHILLIPS: Did the judge know who the shooter was?

RIGLESBERGER: I wouldn't know. Sorry, don't have that information.

PHILLIPS: So what is the SWAT team doing right now, is this entire courthouse on lockdown? Do they believe the suspect is in that area or do they think the suspect fled.

RIGLESBERGER: The court house is actually manned by Washoe County sheriff's deputies. They take care of security at the court house itself. Reno police units along with Sparks police are Washoe County are doing the search from without the building. The SWAT team is there, our SWAT team is comprised of detectives and officers that are just working the street and then they came together because they thought they may be needed for a tactical situation.

PHILLIPS: Appreciate it, Fred.

Trial by fire for a teenaged soldier. Private Nick Pelosi (ph), U.S. Army, isn't even drinking age, but at 18 he was the sole survive of a helicopter crash in Afghanistan that killed ten members of his platoon. Pilozzi came home Friday for his first leave. Scott Brown reports for CNN affiliate, WGRZ in Buffalo.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBBIE PILOZZI, MOTHER: I can't wait to get him.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am excited. I am excited. And relieved to see him.

SCOTT BROWN, WGRZ CORRESPONDENT: How long have you been think about this?

D. PILOZZI: Oh, God, since February 11.

BROWN (voice-over): It was February 11th when Nick Pilozzi left for Afghanistan. Today he came home.

D. PILOZZI: Oh, Nick, oh.

PVT. NICK PELOSI, U.S. ARMY: Hi Mom.

D. PILOZZI: Oh. I am so glad you are home.

N. PELOSI: Dad.

D. PILOZZI: We brought everybody.

BROWN: Four months ago Nick Pilozzi left Fort Drumm as an 18 year old boy. Today he returns home a man, a man who saw ten members of his platoon die.

N. PILOZZI: I feel a lot older than 18, I matured a lot overseas.

BROWN (on camera): Why do you think you were the only one to be spared, Nick?

N. PILOZZI: I don't know, people say I guess I got something to live for, I guess, I don't know.

BROWN: Why do think he's here with you, still?

D. PILOZZI: His guardian angle, yep, helped him get through it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am a firm believer things happen for reasons, I think somebody up there likes him.

N. PILOZZI: It's tough. It haunts you, it will probably always haunt me for the rest of my life. I have to think about good times I had with them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He has been through an awful lot for an, he used to be an 18 year old boy, but he's a boy no more.

BROWN: Did the crash make you rethink your commitment to the military or what you were doing at all?

N. PILOZZI: Yes, it made it stronger. I want to be in more now.

BROWN: Any trepidation about him going back?

D. PILOZZI: Oh, I don't want him to go back, but that's his job, so he has to.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Now the stories of some of those men that lost their lives in that Chinook crash in Afghanistan May 5th, they are our fallen heroes. Fellow soldier says he was in awe of Army Lt. Col. Joseph Fenty. Friends say that Fenty was an elite athlete, ran marathons, ultra-marathons and cross-country skiing. He got to speak on the phone with his wife Kristin the day their daughter was born in April, but he was in Afghanistan never got to meet little Lauren (ph).

Army Specialist David Timmons, Jr. was also serving in Afghanistan. His father says his son is "an American hero. And put that with an exclamation point." His father says that in his last letter home, Timmons wrote that he didn't understand why U.S. soldiers were in Afghanistan because he believed the Afghans could take care of themselves.

Army Specialist Justin O'Donohoe was an Army Scout who preferred to be in the front. His father says O'Donohoe loved what he was doing. He says his son was also known for the legendary strategies as a Boy Scout playing capture the flag. His dad said he would have been a Hell of a platoon leader.

So far 295 men and women have died in Operation Enduring Freedom, 2,495 have sacrificed their lives in Iraq.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: A boot camp full of brides, all trying to slim down for their big days. And while they may want to lose weight, they no longer have to fit into their dream dresses. Here's CNN's senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNIE POSNER, SHOP OWNER: This is one of our best dresses that you have on right now. We stock it in a size 6, a size 14, and a 20.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The obesity epidemic radically changed the way New Natalie's Bridal Shop does business. Five to 10 years ago, owner Jeannie Posner sold mostly size 6 and 8s. Now, it's more like 8-to-14. POSNER: We're also seeing an increase in brides that are looking up dresses that are over size 18 to 24.

GUPTA: Posner says designers have been slow to adjust. Many bigger dresses are special order at other shops, but she's careful to stock hundreds of dresses size 16 and up.

POSNER: One of the things we hear all the time is it's so nice to try on a dress that's zipping.

GUPTA: Because no matter what your size, survey show a bride's No. 1 concern is how will I look in the pictures?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Two!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Three

STACEY C., BRIDE-TO-BE: I don't want to look back at my wedding pictures 20 years from now and go, "I didn't look as good as I could.

GUPTA: So Stacey C. went on a diet and put herself in a kind of bridal boot camp.

STACEY C.: Five, six, seven, eight, nine, hu-ah.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've got to tell you guys a secret. You just did 110 push-ups in one sitting.

HEIDI ZIEGELE, INSTRUCTOR: Lots of people panic before weddings.

GUPTA: Boot camp instructor Heidi Ziegele says they designed this intense 30-day workout to jumpstart a fitness plan or get you in shape for a big event.

ZIEGELE: Because you know, the type of workouts we do is an all over condition. So they lose a lot of fat. And you know, looks great for a wedding day.

STACEY C.: Ten, this sucks!

GUPTA: Stacy hates exercise, but she's thrilled with the results.

STACEY C. I dropped almost 32 pounds in between when I first bought my dress and now.

GUPTA: That's four dress sizes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We took in the sides, both sides. And we're taking the front off.

GUPTA: The seamstress took this in three times.

STACEY C.: See, this one makes me feel skinnier, like in.

GUPTA: Most women aren't as successful at battling their bulge, but no matter if you're a 2 or a 20...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm going to walk out feeling beautiful. Yay!

GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well if you're worried about your health or your children's, be sure to watch "Fit Nation" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Sunday 7:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN. Time now to check in with Wolf Blitzer, who's standing by in "THE SIT ROOM" to tell us what's coming up at the top of the hour. Hey, Wolf.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hi Kyra, thanks very much. Hurricane warning in effect, Alberto barreling toward the Florida coast. Find out how the powerful storm will -- how powerful it will be when it finally hits land. Max Mayfield from the National Hurricane Center will join us live.

Also war counsel. President Bush meets with his top advisers on Iraq. Do the latest successes on the ground mean the troops will come home anytime soon? Plus campaigner-in-chief Bill Clinton brings in big bucks for Democrats.

And grab your remote, Congress may soon take action so you don't have to pay for the cable stations you don't necessarily want to watch. Find out why some Christian groups are fighting both for and against this new potential law. All that Kyra, coming up in "THE SITUATION ROOM."

PHILLIPS: Thanks, Wolf. More LIVE FROM in a moment. You are watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Closing bell about to ring on Wall Street. Susan Lisovicz live at the New York Stock Exchange with the roundup in 40 seconds of the trading day. Susan, I'll see you tomorrow.

(MARKET REPORT)

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