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President Bush Addresses Katrina Relief; U.S. Airways Flight Diverted; Tropical Storm Ernesto Likely to Become Hurricane; John Mark Karr's DNA Not a Match to DNA at JonBenet Ramsey Crime Scene>
Aired August 28, 2006 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: It's the top of the hour. You are watching LIVE FROM.
I want to update you now on the U.S. Airways flight that was diverted, landing in Bristol, Tennessee. This is what we can tell you at this point. It was U.S. Airways Flight 3441, either 55 or 56 passengers on board. We are still trying to confirm that number.
The crew got word of a potential bomb threat, and decided to divert that aircraft and land it in Tennessee. It was leaving Philadelphia, en route to Houston. The passengers are now off of that plane. The FBI is interviewing each individual. We will try and get to the bottom of what happened and bring you the latest, as soon as we get it.
Another developing story in California.
Tony Harris joins me now from the newsroom, working that for us.
Is it still in the Santa Clarita area, or is it stretched out, Tony?
TONY HARRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, this -- this thing started out in a small area, and has just continued to grow, Kyra.
The fire started as a small brushfire, of, a couple of hours ago now, and has, as you can see here from these pictures from our affiliate KABC in Los Angeles, just continues to grow. This is northern Los Angeles County, not far away from Los Angeles proper.
And you can see choppers flying over the area now. And firefighters, just a number of firefighters, as you can imagine, are on the scene now, trying to do the best they can to contain it.
But -- and -- and Jacqui Jeras can talk to this -- the conditions are absolutely perfect for a brushfire to continue to grow, and to grow into a wildfire. Look at the pictures here from the bird's-eye view from KABC. And that area there tells you the real story. It just continues to grow, Kyra, but the conditions are just perfect for this kind of thing to continue to grow, dry, hot, windy conditions -- Kyra...
PHILLIPS: All right. HARRIS: ... back to you.
PHILLIPS: We will keep following it. Thanks so much, Tony.
HARRIS: Sure thing, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, another story that is developing right now, this one out of New Orleans, questions swirling around about a morning news conference among the usual suspects, a person that nobody recognized, and apparently rightly so.
We are hearing that impostors showed up to represent the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Sean Callebs following this sort of bizarre story for us.
So, Sean, it was -- it was the mayor and the governor that -- that met with this individual, supposedly from HUD?
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, actually, there was a hurricane summit, you know, the day before the anniversary of Katrina. And the mayor, the governor there, and the head of HUD, Alphonso -- excuse me here -- Jackson, had been invited, but he could not attend. He had to meet with President Bush.
Well, at the 11th hour, this gentleman came up and identified himself up as Rene Oswin (ph), as an assistant deputy secretary for HUD. And he got up and -- and said that, basically, a number of public housing entities here in New Orleans which had been set to be closed or razed, would not be. It was going to be a reversal decision from HUD.
There, you see the individual identified as Rene Oswin (ph). And it's hard to understand how passionate an issue this is in the city -- you know, so much of the housing here simply devastated. Lower-income people, many believe they have nowhere to turn. They have been fighting to get back in these housing developments.
But HUD and the city have said they are simply in disrepair, and have to be either torn down, or there's no way people can move back in now. So, this was really, really bizarre. At one point, the governor and the mayor shook hands with Rene Oswin (ph), believing he was a representative from HUD. Perhaps they didn't hear exactly what he said.
But the head of what is called HANO, the Housing Authority of New Orleans, says this is simply a cruel, cruel joke, trying to give people some kind of fake hope that they were going to be able to move back into their homes.
And we also have a Web site, a fake Web site, that has been put up on HANO.us. And this is -- this is actually, I believe, the actual -- the real Web site, HANO.org, run by the city of New Orleans.
But the fake one looks remarkably real. And on it is an announcement from the HUD secretary, Alphonso Jackson, saying: "Dear friends, it is with great joy I announce you to a brand-new Department of Housing and Urban Development. Everything is going to change about the way we work"-- all of this simply a sham. People are trying to figure out exactly what happened -- clearly, embarrassing for the city, as well as HUD -- everyone trying to distance themselves from this at this hour, saying, it's just a cruel, cruel joke.
PHILLIPS: So, at this point, nobody has any idea who this individual is, where he came from, where he is now? No one has got a tracking on him, if he's still in the city?
CALLEBS: As far as we know, no one has any idea who this individual is.
There have been grassroots organizations that have been pushing to get people back in these public housing projects. Perhaps there's some speculation that he may be associated with one of those entities. But no one really knows who this is, if his name really is Rene Oswin (ph).
But HUD says he has no contact or no representation with the Housing and Urban Development Authority. Alphonso Jackson is not in town. I think that is really what set the stage for all this to unfold, is that Secretary Jackson was invited and was scheduled to be there, but got pulled away for various meetings, including one with President Bush.
But the fact that the mayor and the governor shook his hand, everyone trying to distance themselves from that at this hour -- and HANO here in the city calling it a cruel joke, HUD calling it a cruel joke. And no one has any idea who this guy is, how he got up there, and how he was able to just run with a news conference for a number of minutes that was carried live at a number of entities.
PHILLIPS: Wow. All right. We will follow it. Thanks, Sean.
Now, of the all the worries air travelers faces these days, taking off from the wrong runway hasn't been high on the list. But, from all indications, that was the cause of yesterday's deadly Comair crash in Lexington, Kentucky, giving rise to the question why.
CNN's Jason Carroll working all the latest information on this story.
Still don't know why.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Still don't know why, Kyra, but we can tell you that investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, not too long ago, did confirm that the tower cleared the aircraft to take off from runway 22. And that was the longer runway.
But, instead, as we now know, that aircraft, that Comair jet, used the shorter runway, runway 26 -- still unclear as to reason -- as to the reason why the crew made that decision. The investigators are reviewing the cockpit voice recorder. They are also looking at the tower tapes, as well, for any sort of information that they can get from those two items.
They are also reviewing the possibility that, perhaps, that, because last week, airport officials did change the taxi route that are -- that's used by the commercial jets out here, perhaps that was a contributing factor here, as well.
A short while ago, investigators told us another factor that is also under investigation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEBBIE HERSMAN, NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD: The most recent information that we have is, there were -- there are lights on 26, and they were out of service at the time of the accident yesterday. We are seeking to determine exactly what the status of those lights are, what their function was, who had access to them. And all of those questions are what our investigators are trying to find answers to today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARROLL: So, again, as you heard there, they are going to be looking at the -- at the -- at the -- at -- looking at the fact that the lights on the runway 26 that was used by the aircraft were not in operation. Perhaps that in some way contributed to some of the confusion out here, as well.
One of the things, Kyra, that investigators want to do is talk to the lone survivor of this aircraft. As you know, 50 people were on board. Forty-nine perished. The only survivor, first officer Jim Polehinke, he is still listed in critical condition at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.
So, obviously, investigators have not had the opportunity to speak with him yet. But they certainly want to, as part of their investigation -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, Jason Carroll, appreciate it.
Well, crossing Cuba, eyeballing Florida -- tropical storm, turned hurricane, turned Tropical Storm Ernesto, likely to become a hurricane again by this time tomorrow.
Jacqui Jeras tracking it from the CNN Weather Center -- Jacqui.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hey, Kyra.
Yes, it's moving across Cuba, as we speak. And the west side of the storm has been weakening, as a result of it interacting with land. But look at the east side over here, still quite a big blossom here, and quite a bit of strength still within this storm. Maximum sustained winds are at 40 miles per hour, so, that's barely at tropical-storm strength, but it's pretty impressive to look at that satellite imagery this bright and this bold, considering that it is moving over land, as we speak. It is moving up to north and to the west. And how long it lingers here on Cuba will have a big impact on how strong this will be before it arrives towards Florida. The longer it stays over land, the more disorganized it will get, the weaker it should be getting.
But, as -- as soon it gets back over that open water, we are talking about it regenerating itself, and getting stronger once again. And, yes, it may turn back into a hurricane. So, we have been going back and forth quite a bit with Ernesto. And more of that is expected.
This is the best track that we are thinking right now, coming from the National Hurricane Center. And check out -- this is the timing -- by tomorrow morning, still at tropical storm strength, but moving through those very warm waters, heading toward the Florida Straights, heading towards the Florida Peninsula, moving up the coast, and then possibly heading towards the Carolinas -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right.
On that note, Jacqui, we want to take folks straight to the president of the United States, speaking in Gulfport, Mississippi, as you know, one year later, anniversary of Katrina. He's back there.
I'm sorry. He's in Biloxi, Mississippi. Let's listen in.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Things are changing.
And I congratulate you for your courage and your perseverance.
And there's still challenges. There's still more to be done. You can see it with the temporary trailers.
I feel a -- the quiet sense of determination that's going to shape the future of Mississippi. And so I've come back on this anniversary to thank you for your courage and to let you know the federal government stands with you, still.
Laura and I really care for the people whose lives have been affected. We understand the trauma. And we thank you for your determination.
I want to thank Governor Haley Barbour and Marsha for joining us today.
(APPLAUSE)
I appreciate the federal coordinator of Gulf Coast rebuilding, Don Powell. He's my friend from Texas. I think...
(APPLAUSE)
Yes. We've got two of the military who helped after the storm. I think they made an enormous difference in people's lives, General Russ Honore and Admiral Thad Allen.
Thank you joining us.
(APPLAUSE)
We've got two fine United States senators from Mississippi -- Thad Cochran and Trent Lott.
(APPLAUSE)
And I thank Tricia for joining us as well.
I want to thank Congressman Chip Pickering, who's joined us today.
(APPLAUSE)
Congressman Pickering, like these two senators, care a lot about the people of Mississippi.
I remember walking the block here with AJ Holloway, your mayor. You know, AJ obviously was upset and concerned. But he also made it clear to me that with the proper amount of help, that Biloxi can rebuild. And Biloxi is rebuilding. You've got a fine mayor in AJ Holloway.
(APPLAUSE)
I've had the pleasures of meeting some of the local officials up and down the coast -- as a matter of fact, probably all of the local officials.
One of the people that has been treating me the most is Mayor Tommy Longo of Waveland.
Mayor, good to see you, buddy. Thanks for coming.
(APPLAUSE)
I'm always asking about you, Tommy.
(CROSSTALK)
BUSH: That's right.
(LAUGHTER)
Check's in the mail.
(LAUGHTER)
You know, one of the interesting people I met was Malcolm Jones. He is the city attorney of Pass Christian.
Malcolm, thanks for coming.
He helped design the plan that enabled us to expedite the debris removal.
(APPLAUSE)
And I appreciate your contribution.
I want to thank Chipper McDermott, who's the mayor with us. He's Pass Christian's mayor.
Rusty Quave is with us today.
Mr. Mayor, thanks for coming.
Billie Skellie is with us as well.
(APPLAUSE)
These are all mayors trying to help their communities recover, doing the hard work, to helping the people improve their lives.
(APPLAUSE)
I want to thank my friend Brent Warr. He's the mayor of Gulfport.
Brent, good to see you. Thanks for coming.
(APPLAUSE)
I want to thank the Biloxi firefighters who have joined us today.
Thank you for your work. Thank you for staying the job.
(APPLAUSE)
When Katrina made landfall on August 29th at 6:10, it was one of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit America. The devastation and debris were unimaginable. You had to see it for yourself to fully understand the nature of this storm and the damage done.
The terrible force of the storms tossed some of the giant casinos here on to the land. They twisted traffic lights, they ripped some of the beautiful trees from the ground. They stripped the cities of familiar landmarks and buildings.
In the days that followed, the people of Mississippi worked together to save lives. People reached out to those who were trapped by rising waters. Three people were pulled through a window in that house right there to save their lives. People opened their homes to help the suffering. The people of Mississippi said: We'll overcome this disaster and work together to do so.
Since the days of heroism and bravery, the Gulf Coast has begun one of the largest rebuilding efforts in our nation's history. This is my 11th visit since the storm hit.
You know, each visit, you see progress. I was struck by the beauty of the beaches. The beaches were pretty rough after the storm, as you know. Today they are pristine and they're beautiful. They reflect a hopeful future, as far as I'm concerned.
I appreciate the fact that the people down here have embraced this amazing challenge with determination and grit.
And your governor is leading the way. He says this -- he says, with all its destruction, the storm gave birth to a renaissance in Mississippi that will surely result in building our state bigger and better than ever before.
He believes that. A lot of the people in Mississippi believe that. And so do I.
(APPLAUSE)
A year ago, I committed our federal government to help you. I said: We have a duty to help the local people recover and rebuild. And I meant what I said.
Working with Thad and Trent Lott and other members of the United States Congress, we have appropriated $110 billion to help rebuild this area.
(APPLAUSE)
It is a strong federal commitment that we will keep.
(APPLAUSE)
We understand people are still anxious to get in their home. We understand people hear about help and wonder where it is. We know that.
But the first thing is, is that this federal government has made a commitment to help. And it starts with a large check.
It also means that, in order for the rebuilding to be as strong as we want, there has to be a partnership with the federal government and the state and local governments.
Here's my attitude about the partnership. You know better than the people in Washington the needs of your communities. I would rather listen to local mayors and county commissioners than folks sitting in Washington, D.C. about what this part of Mississippi wants.
(APPLAUSE)
The first test of this partnership was to clear debris. You can't rebuild a community when the community is full of debris. We've now removed about 98 percent of the dry debris.
I remember when we first came down here, the mayors weren't so happy with the debris removal. But we listened to them. We got the funding equations right and we got after it and the debris is basically gone, which is step one of making sure our partnership works and step two about making sure we can rebuild; that this area is bigger and better than before.
We're also working together to make sure we're better prepared to handle the hurricanes.
Every department of my administration participated in a comprehensive study that looked at our response to last year's hurricanes. Each department came up with practical reforms; ways to do things better.
So, we've been reviewing plans, we've been working with the state and local folks. The people in Mississippi are prepared. And I want to thank Governor Barbour and the local folks for making impressive efforts to protect the people of Mississippi.
(APPLAUSE)
(INAUDIBLE) matter is, we can work together at will, but when disaster strikes, the first people that you rely upon, the people that matter most, are your friends. It's friends helping friends that turns out to make an enormous difference in saving lives and helping to get by the trauma of the first days.
We all have roles to play. But in every state hit by last year's storms, it was the bravery of the local citizens that meant the difference between life and death. It was the bravery of the first responders on the scene.
I'm here to thank you all for showing the country how to respond to natural disaster.
(APPLAUSE)
See, there's a new Mississippi that's coming. And you're going to see it in the construction of homes and the return of local businesses. This requires a different kind of courage. But it's a courage, nevertheless, for people to take risks and to rebuild and say, "I'm not going to let the storm disrupt my life forever."
You've got people here who are leading the reconstruction. We'll help you. We've committed more than $3 billion in housing grants. And that money is beginning to flow to the homeowners.
I know there's some frustration. But I want to appreciate the state working hard to make sure that, when that money is spent, it's spent well and it goes to people who deserve it.That's what you expect. And that's what's going to happen.
The checks have begun to roll. They're beginning to move. And the governor and his staff are on top of it. It's a huge undertaking. It's going to require cooperation with government agencies, insurance companies, volunteers and community leaders.
The folks back here said: They couldn't have rebuilt this house without the church, without volunteer organizations that have stepped up to help. Governor Barbour's Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal was an important step to bringing citizens together to develop a vision of how people can work together. It's a smart thing to have done.
See, I said: "You develop the plan. We're not going to do it for you, because you know better the local needs."
And Mississippi stepped up. The commission brought together more than 500 volunteers. The commission held more than 50 public forums in 33 counties. It heard from thousands of citizens on how to rebuild.
And as a result, the recovery efforts began with concrete recommendations on how to improve the infrastructure, on how to revamp the zoning laws and building codes, and how to increase local cooperation in planning for future storms.
It was a smart thing to do, Governor. And I appreciate you doing it. You have a strategy now to build smarter homes. You've got a strategy to have neighborhoods connected by parks and playgrounds. You've got a sound strategy.
And I understand that rebuilding neighborhoods begins one house at a time. And that's what's happening here. When somebody goes back to their home, it helps renew the community.
And so part of our efforts and part of our focus is to make sure that people can get back in their homes as quickly as possible.
Sandy Patterson, she can tell you how important it is to feel reconnected. She says, "My house is my home again, and it's good to be home." And that's what we want people to help people here in this part of the world.
(APPLAUSE)
BUSH: Listen, the spirit's alive here in the small business owners who are working hard to get their businesses open.
One of the entrepreneurs is a fellow named Ernest Henley. He's here. He owns West End Cleaners. When Katrina hit, it blew out his windows, hurt his roof.
Less than two weeks later, the windows were boarded up, but West End Cleaners was back in business. He wasn't going to let the storm stop him from realizing his dream, which is running his own business.
Bobby Mahoney is with us. He showed the same spirit when he opened Mary Mahoney's. That's a restaurant he named for his mother. That's a smart thing to do if you have a restaurant.
(LAUGHTER)
Within two months of Hurricane Katrina, Mary Mahoney's was once again serving its world famous gourmet seafood gumbo. Inside the restaurant, you can see where Bobby painted the lines to mark how high the waters were for Camille and then Katrina.
He says this is the reason why Biloxi is going to get back real quick, is because of the businesses.
You can come back and build a home with a job, but you can't come back and build a home without a job. That's a smart man who understands that, as this part of their world flourishes and businesses grow, people will find work and have the wherewithal to help rebuild the communities and their lives.
I appreciate the spirit of Pass Christian. After the hurricanes leveled many of its buildings, the city responded by permitting businesses and community organizations to set up trailers in War Memorial Park.
The idea started when Hancock Bank set up a shop in an RV. Today, the park has two banks, an insurance agent, a real estate business, a convenience store, a construction company, a take-out restaurant and a town library.
Scott Novel (ph) -- he's with us today. He's the president of the chamber that says we're going to do business even if we have to learn new ways to do it. Optimism is the only option.
(APPLAUSE)
We want to help. We want to help that optimism succeed.
BUSH: And so I signed legislation that creates what's called the Gulf Opportunity Zones. That means if you invest in this part of the world, you get tax breaks. In other words, they're using the tax code to say: Come and invest your capital here.
It's very important for the Congress to extend this legislation. It's important for planners...
(APPLAUSE)
... and job creators to know that the incentive we created will still be there.
And also we've put out small-business loans.
In other words, what we're trying to do is just help you. The spirit's here. The people want to succeed. And our job at the federal level is to help you succeed. That's what I've come to tell you.
(APPLAUSE)
The remarkable things about this part of the world that was so affected by the storms was what happened to the schools. Laura has visited the Gulf Coast 13 times. She's carried the message that a lot of people in America feel, and that is: It's important to help children get back to school as quickly as possible. And you've done that.
For children who lost everything -- their homes, their belongings and their friends -- going to school can be a place where they find stability and a familiar routine. The people of Mississippi understood that well.
Teachers and community leaders worked hard to get the children back into school as quickly as possible. Catch this: As a result of these efforts, in the past school year, every district closed after Katrina was reopened. It's a remarkable accomplishment by the good folks in this part of the world.
Luzan (ph) Elementary School is a good example. In the days and weeks after Katrina, it (OFF-MIKE) the Red Cross shelter. And to get school back on its feet, the citizens from Mississippi and all across the nation help it rebuild. They donated desks and file cabinets and even clothing and book bags and pencils and paper. Vicky Williams is with us today. Here's what she said. She said, "None of the students had to purchase supplies. Through donation efforts across the country, everything got back to normal. It was a blessing from everywhere."
And, Vicky, thanks for giving other people credit, but you and you staff deserve a lot of credit.
(APPLAUSE)
Charles B. Murphy and Gulfview Elementary Schools are another inspiring story. When the schools were destroyed, the teachers had to adapt, and they began to hold their classes in trailers.
BUSH: Teachers helped with maintenance duties, and parents pitched in and volunteers came as far away as Vermont and Canada. And they assembled furniture and hauled boxes and set up computers and planted trees. There was an outdoor classroom that served as a meeting place for science and music and physical education.
Jan White's with us. She said this: "Last year was survival. This year is innovation." The school systems not only survived, but they are going to be stronger and better than they were before.
(APPLAUSE)
One of the things that the governor and the senator said to the federal government, they said: "We need help. Our tax bases have been destroyed. We need operating cash to keep our schools running."
And so, we spent almost $480 million to help the schools recover. But there's a lot more work to be done.
(APPLAUSE)
And one of the places where work can be done and is being done is in libraries. Laura Bush feels strongly about this. She set up what's called the Laura Bush Foundation and, in working with the private sectors, awarded more than a million dollars in grants to 20 schools to purchase new books.
(APPLAUSE)
We see the new Mississippi because of the faith-based and community organizations that abound here. When the hurricane struck, men and women of faith stepped forward immediately. The following Sunday, Father Harold Roberts -- he's with us today -- and the congregation of Episcopal Church of the Redeemer gathered at the site where their church once stood.
They carried lawn chairs and they brought blankets to sit. Some of them had been through this before. See, back in 1969, Hurricane Camille destroyed everything but the steeple and old church bell. This time nothing was left standing.
So the congregation had to ring the old bell from its new place in the rubble.
On that first Sunday after Katrina, Father Harold Roberts read from the Book of Romans. Here's what he said, he said, "Rejoice and hope. Be patient in suffering. Persevere in prayer."
That's precisely what the people of this part of the world have done.
(APPLAUSE)
Father Roberts is working hard. His congregation began to rebuild their school.
BUSH: And now they're building a -- they're going to build a church on higher ground.
In the meantime, they're gathering in a gymnasium.
He said: In spite of the challenges of the past year, we see the power of God working. The people have been incredibly patient. We will recover from this. And we will not rebuild until we can do it right.
Good citizens have risen up all over Mississippi to rebuild this state. Many volunteers traveled thousands of miles to be here. In other words, I hope you realize you weren't alone.
One of the amazing groups was Hands On Gulf Coast.
(APPLAUSE)
Hands On Gulf Coast is a group of volunteers -- total strangers to the people in this part of the world, in large part. They said, "What can I do to help?" They came en masse. They did all kinds of things. They cleaned up wreckage and they removed mold and they repaired roofs and they provided clothing and they tutored students.
Somebody said, "We have a need." They said, "I want to help." When the Coastal Family Health Center lost three buildings and more than 60 staff members, Hands On offered to help. They worked with nurses who came from the Gulf Coast. They got FedEx to supply funding for airfare. They provided food and housing.
And as a result, the Coastal Family Health Center was able to provide critical help for good people in this part of the world.
Susan Stahl -- Suzanne Stahl -- I happen to have met, is standing right over there -- been down here for 12 months, see?
(APPLAUSE)
Isn't that amazing? Somebody shows up and says, "I want to help" and is still here. Helping. Because she cares, as do a lot of other people.
She said: This has been incredible to see the power and will of all the volunteers who've come to do something. If only I could've bottled the energy and enthusiasm of these volunteers -- it's just about as unbelievable as the devastation.
(APPLAUSE)
So, I want to thank all those who have volunteered. I want to thank those who have given of their hard-earned money to help the good people down here recover. I want to remind those who are constantly looking for a way to serve your fellow man that there's still work to be done down here.
BUSH: But there's still hopes. There's still a need for people to come and help.
The armies of compassion that conducted the millions of acts of kindness remind us that the true strength of the United States of America lies in the hearts and souls of our citizens. And we're thankful for that.
(APPLAUSE)
And no doubt in my mind, Mississippi will have the renaissance that Governor Barbour talked about.
You can't drive through this state without seeing signs of recovery and renewal. It's just impossible to miss the signs of hope. And you've done it the old-fashioned way, with vision and hard work and resolve.
Some of the hardest work is still ahead. We'll complete the clearing of the wet debris from the Mississippi Sound. We'll assure federal money reaches the individuals who need it to build their homes. We'll make sure that schools and libraries are rebuilt better than before.
And we'll stand by you as long as it takes to get the job done.
(APPLAUSE)
And when the job gets done, your children and your grandchildren will have a brighter and more hopeful future.
And God will continue to bless the courageous people of Mississippi.
Thank you for coming.
PHILLIPS: Talk about perfect timing. We were about to lose the connection there to the microphone. But the president of the United States, one year later, in Biloxi, Mississippi, talking about just all the steps that have been made in one year to try and make life better for residents there.
It doesn't seem like long ago when he was walking through those neighborhoods and talking to the people. And now he continues to work his way all the way into New Orleans. He'll be arriving there either later in the day or tomorrow. We do have Suzanne Malveaux that's traveling along with the president. We'll get updates from her.
And as you heard him mention, the president mention, by his side, General Russell Honore and also Thad Allen, head of the Coast Guard. One year later now, the recovery then and now. We're actually going to have those very individuals joining us on LIVE FROM tomorrow, and also Branford Marsalis. So you'll get a feel for -- from the military standpoint to recovery efforts there through the Coast Guard to Branford Marsalis and what he's doing through his talents and his music to raise money and get life in New Orleans back together.
So we'll have all those three on our show. Join us tomorrow for those live interviews.
Now another developing story in California. Tony Harris joins me from the CNN news room, working, I'm assuming, those wildfires. Is that right?
HARRIS: That's right. In Santa Clarita, California, an area that you know very well, Kyra -- that's in northern Los Angeles County, very close to Los Angeles. Take a look at these pictures, live pictures now, from our affiliate out there, KCAL in Los Angeles.
This started as a little, small brushfire, but it has continued to grow. Right now the fire has spread over five acres. But I've got to tell you, Kyra, we've seen some other shots where it looks like it is burning much more than five acres. At last count, about 100 firefighters working the scene. No evacuations have been ordered. And at last report, no homes were in danger, although there was another shot that we saw that seemed to indicate that there were some homes that might be in danger shortly.
We have seen planes flying over the fire and dropping that red fire retardant. And back to live pictures now of the fire. The real concern -- OK, we're on tape now? The real concern is that fire is moving from light grasses into medium brush, and you just want to get this thing under control before the fire makes its way to the Angeles National Forest, which is close to this area.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: Just to sort of recap this story for you, this is -- this started as a small brushfire and it continues to grow. And as Jacqui just mentioned, the flames are -- they can, they can absolutely jump to other areas here. We have no word of an evacuation. But you can see that there are some buildings in that immediate area, and clearly those folks have cleared out.
At last check, about 100 firefighters were working the scene. We've seen the planes fly over. You may have seen one just a moment ago dropping that red fire retardant. And they're just trying to set up a perimeter for this fire right now. Does that make sense, Jacqui?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Absolutely. You want to set up a perimeter, you want to have a plan of attack, sometimes light what they call the backfires ,will light a fire up ahead of it so it builds back up toward the fire so it burns itself out and it doesn't have anything to ignite or to burn any longer.
HARRIS: So, Kyra, we're tag teaming this for you. Tony Harris, Jacqui Jeras, following it for you. We'll bring you the latest developments.
PHILLIPS: OK, Tony and Jacqui, thanks so much. We've got a lot of things happening, a lot of talk going on about some other stories that we are watching right now. You heard the latest there from Jacqui and Tony, following those wildfires for us in Santa Clarita, California.
Now we want to talk about Ernesto and the fact that it's carving a path across the Caribbean and Florida maybe next. We'll give you more on Tropical Storm Ernesto, possibly a hurricane again. We're live from Key West. Stay with CNN, your hurricane headquarters.
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PHILLIPS: And we are being told -- do you want me to go ahead and do the story out of Boulder? OK. Two people talking to me. Out of Boulder, correct? OK. Getting word out of Boulder, Colorado. We have seen some reports coming across the wires and also some of the local stations out of Denver, Colorado.
But we are now reporting through our sources as well, that apparently there is not a DNA match with John Mark Karr, the suspect in the JonBenet Ramsey murder investigation. According to what we are seeing here, two sources saying that there is not a DNA match. As you know, you have seen the long, drawn-out frenzy over John Mark Karr since he came forward in Thailand with that sort of surprise, impromptu news conference as authorities were arresting him and getting ready to extradite him back to the United States.
He had come forward, said that it was an accident, that he didn't mean to kill JonBenet Ramsey and, of course, that created what you have been seeing within the past couple of weeks, concerning the JonBenet Ramsey murder investigation. We never were really sure whether he was telling the truth or not. We were waiting for that DNA test and now reports are out there, that, indeed, there is not a match between John Mark Karr and the murder of JonBenet Ramsey.
We are working this, of course, and we will try to get you more information on what this means now for John Mark Karr, his past history, and the prior warrant that was out for his arrest in California regarding child pornography. And we will let you know what will be the next move in this case against John Mark Karr.
All right. Now, we want to take you live to Boulder, Colorado. Susan Candiotti, we got her there. Susan, you were just able to make contact with some of your sources as we've been getting word and reading across the wires that, indeed there's not a DNA match.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, what we have is what KUSA is reporting. That's what CNN is reporting, sourcing only KUSA at this time, and they are saying that there is no DNA match. It is unclear whether this is referring to a DNA sample that a law enforcement source has confirmed to me that was taken in Thailand.
We don't know whether a DNA sample has been taken of him since he arrived in Colorado. We do know that on Friday the public defenders representing John Karr asked the court to prevent the state from taking any DNA sample here in the state of Colorado unless there was a court order. Now, it is possible, according to criminal defense attorneys, that a sample in the meantime might have been -- something might have been worked out and something was taken, we don't know.
However, today, we also know that the public defender's office has asked for the results -- complete results of any DNA testing that is now in the hands of the state and wanted that information to be provided to them. Obviously, all along, Kyra, everyone has said that if there is no DNA match, it could pretty much determine which way this case was going. It could mean if there is no DNA match that there is no direct link and no possible way to link John Karr to this case.
It might mean that, perhaps, he only had an obsession with the JonBenet Ramsey case and nothing more. If there were to be a DNA match, that of course would change things dramatically. So we'll continue to work our sources as well throughout the afternoon. Perhaps we will learn something at his first appearance today, which was simply to be a simple procedure where he would appear in court. He could even waive the reading of the charges against him.
And remember, at this stage, it's important to recall that he has not yet been formally charged. That would come after today's court appearance. Normally about three days afterwards, although there could be a delay in the matter. So all these things are boiling up right now. We are trying to make sense of them and, of course, this could make or break the indicates for the D.A. if there is, in fact, no DNA match -- Kyra?
PHILLIPS: But Susan, there's still a possibility that he could have information about what happened to JonBenet Ramsey. He may not have been involved in that murder, but may know who did it or might have some way -- in some way been involved in another manner, considering these e-mails, these interviews that he has given with alleged information that nobody else could possibly know unless they were a part of this crime?
CANDIOTTI: Kyra, and that's what's been troubling to law enforcement authorities in this matter. They have said repeatedly and have told me that what they had been unable to square away in their own mind is how he could have known information that had not been made public. Specifically according to a U.S. law enforcement official, information about, detailed information about JonBenet Ramsey's body that had been known only to the medical examiner and to investigators in this case.
So unless he had either possibly done it himself, or someone else told him that information. So that's why this DNA testing has become so important, so critical in this investigation. And it's also important to point out, as I just did, that they went a very long way to get this man, obviously something was also contained in the e-mails that were offered by the journalism professor, e-mails that were exchanged between the professor and John Karr that eventually also led authorities to him, to John Karr in Thailand. We don't know what was in there yet.
PHILLIPS: All right, Susan Candiotti. Still a lot of questions to be answered. Appreciate it, Susan live for us out of Boulder. If you are just tuning in, word coming through KUSA, that's channel 9 out of Denver, that a DNA match was not made between John Mark Karr, the man that some were believing to possibly be involved in the murder of JonBenet Ramsey.
We will continue to work our sources and bring you more information on this, on how the case goes forward from here. The news keeps coming. We'll keep bringing it to you. More LIVE FROM right after a break.
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PHILLIPS: This just in to CNN, if you're just tuning in, KUSA, channel 9 out of Denver, Colorado reporting that a DNA match has not been made between John Mark Karr, the suspect in the JonBenet murder investigation. The reports came across the wires just a few minutes ago. Our Susan Candiotti is in Boulder, Colorado working her sources. And right now we are attributing this to KUSA. This station is reporting they have had two separate sources confirm that the DNA found on JonBenet Ramsey does not match the DNA of John Mark Karr.
You will remember John Mark Karr in Thailand coming forward, saying that he didn't mean to kill JonBenet Ramsey, that it was an accident. There was a lot of discrepancies in his testimony. The facts of the autopsy not matching up with what he had previously said. He had come forward and said that he had drugged her and had then committed the crime. It turned out that there was no blood, or no alcohol or drugs in her system.
So that got investigators, along with reporters and others, up in arms, wondering, if indeed, John Mark Karr was telling the truth when he was staking claim on the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. A lot of things swirling around his testimony. And now we are getting word through KUSA, channel 9 in Denver, Colorado, that the DNA on JonBenet Ramsey's body does not match that of John Mark Karr.
Jeffrey Toobin, our legal analyst, on the phone now. You know, Jeffrey, it started out with such a media frenzy on John Mark Karr coming forward, somewhat taking claim to this crime. But then as we saw through the days and how he kept taking and stories coming out about his life and background, a lot of people questioning whether it was true or not and now we are seeing there isn't a DNA match.
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN SR. LEGAL ANALYST: But I think we need to be cautious, Kyra, about establishing that this is some sort of smoking gun of innocence, either. There are two different kinds of absences of DNA matches. One is an identifiable DNA that is not the person. That's one possibility. The other possibility is that the DNA is simply unreadable and you can't make a match for those reasons. Those are two different scenarios, and I don't think the KUSA report establishes which one it is.
There's other evidence in this case. There are fingerprints, there are foot prints. If Karr's fingerprints are found at the scene then this is a very different story. So I think, just like the confession was not smoking gun proof of his guilt. The absence of a DNA match isn't smoking gun proof that he is innocent either.
PHILLIPS: And here's exactly what it says on the 9 News website. It says 9 News has confirmed from two sources that the DNA sample taken from John Mark Karr is not a match with the foreign DNA found on JonBenet Ramsey's body when she was murdered in 1996. You're saying, then, within an amount of time, you're saying that it's possible that it can't be read very well? Are you talking about the DNA from JonBenet Ramsey's body, considering the time that has gone on, the ten years that have passed, it sort of changes?
TOOBIN: Well, no, it's not that the DNA changes. It's that the quality of samples is not the same. All samples are not the same. Sometimes they degrade, sometimes they were never very good samples in the first place. So the fact that there is no match, you need to know a little more.
Obviously, this is very good news for those who want to see John Mark Karr exonerated. It's not clear if Karr himself wants to be exonerated, given his bizarre statements, but it's certainly going to be harder to make a case without a DNA match, but again you have to wait and see all the evidence first, before you conclusively decide that there's no case to be made against him.
PHILLIPS: Jeffrey Toobin, thanks so much.
The other developing stories that we are following is out of Santa Clarita, California. That's about 45 minutes north from Los Angeles. It's the northern part of Los Angeles County, actually. Those wildfires spreading. Tony Harris following for us via a number of affiliate, through live pictures. Is it getting bigger? HARRIS: Oh, yes, Kyra. Let me just who you these pictures. These are the most recent pictures in. Do we have the picture of the structure on fire? We will get to that in just a second, Kyra. This started out, Kyra as you mentioned, just as a small little brush fire, but the conditions are so right for this thing to continue to explode and it has done just that.
Jacqui Jeras mentioned a short time ago that the winds were such that there were times when the flames were blown almost horizontally. And that clearly is what has happened, where the flames have just sort of jumped from the brush fire itself to a building very near the perimeter of the fire. And now, we will get a shot of it in a second. This structure that I've been mentioning to you is now fully engulfed and that has happened literally in the last five minutes. So there's one structure there. But that's not the most dramatic scene that is unfolding right now in Santa Clarita.
The real concern continues to be that this fire will continue to spread. The conditions, again, all right. A hot, hot day out there, so you have got heat, you have got the fuel, obviously, and then you have got the situation with the winds. So these are pictures from a little bit earlier. We have seen planes flying over the fire, with this, dropping this fire retardant called phos-check (ph). They tried to set up some kind of a perimeter, but they are being outdone here, outgunned by the elements on the ground, the conditions on the ground, just fueling this fire right now, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, appreciate it, Tony Harris. Two developing stories, that one here, as you saw, out of Santa Clarita, California, those wildfires that are continuing to rage and also the latest out of Boulder, Colorado, KUSI reporting that there was not a DNA match between John Mark Karr and the body of JonBenet Ramsey. Well the closing bell is about to ring on Wall Street.
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