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CNN Live Today

Sen. Kerry Plans To Increase U.S. Military; Interview With "Daily Show's" Samantha Bee; Three Baby Food Bottles In Cali. Contained Small Amt. Of Ricin

Aired July 29, 2004 - 10:32   ET

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

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


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's check the headlines right now. The Democratic National Convention in Boston, a live picture of there for you from the FleetCenter. It's getting ready for the main event tonight, when John Kerry formally accepts the party's nomination. Delegates last night officially named Kerry as their presidential candidate. A closer look at some of the color and pageantry of the convention is just ahead.
Secretary of State Colin Powell is in Saudi Arabia where he began meeting with Iraqi leader Ayad Allawi. Both men welcomed the Saudi proposal to help stabilize Iraq using troops from Arab and Muslim nations that do not border Iraq. Powell also extended an invitation to Allawi from President Bush to visit Washington.

A British parliamentary report warns that Afghanistan is likely to implode unless more troops and resources are sent in. The report also raises concerns over the failure of the allies to limit opium production in Afghanistan.

And the United Nations is now seeking international aid to help Bangladesh recover from a month-long monsoon. More than 450 have died in the floods. Entire villages were washed away, along with livestock and the rice crop.

Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.

John Kerry's service in Vietnam has become a recurring theme in his campaign and his party's packaging of him. But also at issue, how we would, as commander in chief, deal with forming the U.S. military of the future. For more, let's bring our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The centerpiece of John Kerry's plans for the U.S. military calls for increasing the army by 40,000 troops, to ease the burden on a force stretched thin by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The good commander in chief ought to make certain that when we send our troops into harm's way, they have the body armor they need, they have the vehicles they need, they have the equipment they need.

And I will stop the back-door draft that makes Guards and Reservists into full-time active-duty personnel in this country.

STARR: But the army has already temporarily added 30,000 troops. A permanent increase would cost at least $3.6 billion a year, and the army says it may not be needed. Kerry would pay for those new troops by cutting missile defense.

KERRY: It's the wrong priority for a war on terror where the enemy strikes with a bomb in the back of a truck or a vial of anthrax in a suitcase.

STARR: Kerry wants to double the size of special forces to fight the war on terror. He is also calling for a Military Family Bill of Rights to protect housing, education, and healthcare benefits.

Is it all affordable?

MICHAEL O'HANLON, SR. FELLOW, BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: Now, there may not be quite enough money in the missile defense plan to pay for the full 40,000 additional troops, plus some of the other benefits that Kerry wants to give to the survivors of those who lose their lives in Iraq.

STARR: Kerry's Vietnam experience and his views on Iraq both now shaping his overriding philosophy.

KERRY: ... that the great United States of America, our beloved country, never goes to war because it wants to. We go to war because we have to. That's the standard of our country.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

STARR (on camera): And Daryn, of course, tonight Senator Kerry will be introduced on the podium by former Senator Max Cleland, another Vietnam veteran, a man who lost three limbs in that war -- Daryn?

KAGAN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon. Barbara, thank you.

And you can stay with CNN for continuing coverage of the convention's big night. We begin our prime-time lineup with our "ANDERSON COOPER 360." That's 7:00 Eastern, 4:00 Pacific. Wolf Blitzer follows. Then, at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, "LARRY KING LIVE" from Boston's FleetCenter.

We will bring you Senator Kerry's acceptance speech live. And then, Aaron Brown wraps up the night. He is followed by "LARRY KING LIVE," again from the convention floor.

CNN, of course, boasts to being the most trusted name in news -- which we are. But our rival is out there promising coverage that is fair and balanced. Well, this next cable network abandons all pretensions in the coverage of the convention.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JON STEWART, HOST, "THE DAILY SHOW": The man to be is in the media tent adjacent to the FleetCenter. Sam, how do you do what you do for us?

SAMANTHA BEE, "DAILY SHOW" CORRESPONDENT: I do it with cans, John. My great set of cans. And while they may not look like much, they really are more than just a handful.

Yes, these cranial amplification nodes allow me to hear what you're saying while blocking out all the idiots around me. The delegates come out. They've got nothing. They are so boring.

You know what...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Ah, yes, boredom -- the bane of a politician's existence; the lifeblood of the wise-cracking Comedy Central network.

My next guest is Samantha Bee, the quasi-correspondent you just saw. The -- one of the smirking newshounds on "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central.

You like that description, Samantha?

BEE: I really do. I really do. Thank you, Daryn.

KAGAN: Hopefully -- hopefully you won't be bored with this interview. Hopefully it will be scintillating -- the highlight of your convention experience.

BEE: It is the highlight, I can tell you. I do not deserve to be up here in this skybox.

KAGAN: You are not worthy.

BEE: I know.

KAGAN: But yes, you are. But I have to ask you, Samantha, what is a nice Canadian girl like you doing covering American politics?

BEE: Is it that obvious? I've been trying to conceal my Canadianness. I didn't realize it was so...

KAGAN: It's showing.

BEE: Oh, no!

KAGAN: Your Canadian is showing. No, actually, we did a little background. I double-sourced your Canadian roots.

BEE: Ooh, nice.

KAGAN: Yes. But as a Canadian, what do you think of this whole American political scene really?

BEE: Well, it's so different from our scene up in Canada. It's the pageantry. My God, the megawatt star-power here -- it's something that I never knew was possible. It's wonderful. KAGAN: The Canadian...

BEE: Very exciting for me.

KAGAN: The Canadian folks a little bit more reserved?

BEE: A little bit more reserved. Yes, not so much with the P. Diddy and the Black Eyed Peas. We're more about Celtic rock, things you never heard of -- French-Canadian rock. It's not pleasant. It's not pretty.

KAGAN: Riverdancing would be the version of the Black Eyed Peas.

BEE: Oh, my God, yes, a little bit of step dancing from Saskatchewan. Awesome.

KAGAN: Keep those arms down, Samantha.

BEE: Yes, I know.

KAGAN: So -- but do you consider yourself kind of an American- in-training?

BEE: I do consider myself an American-in-training. I hope to one day be a full-fledged American. But I'm working on it. I'm working on my "out" and "about."

KAGAN: Yes.

BEE: I'm working on my -- I say "sorry." I'm working on saying "sorry." I'm getting good at it. Sorry. Sorry.

KAGAN: Maybe we could even get like some "Valley Girl" references in there, perhaps.

BEE: Oh, maybe. That'd be nice. Spice it up.

KAGAN: But is this your first convention, though?

BEE: This is my first convention, Canadian or American. And it's incredible. It's so -- it's really surreal for me to be here. I really -- I can't believe that I'm sneaking onto the floor every day and talking to luminaries and non-luminaries alike.

KAGAN: Well, on a somewhat serious note, I mean, there is kind of a line blur. There's been a lot of publicity that the majority of young people who try to get news get their news incredibly from "The Daily Show" -- which is a comedy show.

BEE: I know, I know, I know. And you know, it's wonderful for me as a non-journalist with no credibility to know that I'm out there shaping young minds. It's very gratifying to me. Very gratifying.

KAGAN: And I'm sure the folks at home in Canada are proud of you for that...

BEE: I hope so.

KAGAN: ... for misleading and bending young minds.

Will you also...

BEE: I think they are.

KAGAN: Will you also be going to the Republican convention?

BEE: We will be going to the Republican convention. I can't wait. Well -- well, I don't know, actually. I think it's going to be a little more chaotic. But when this balloonage drops, I don't know, that's going to be pretty exciting. I'm waiting for the glorious balloon drop.

KAGAN: That's your moment. Besides this interview...

BEE: Yes.

KAGAN: ... that is your second highlight of the Democratic convention...

BEE: That's my time to shine.

KAGAN: ... the balloon drop.

BEE: Make-shift volleyball.

KAGAN: Basically what do you think -- in your own Canadian, American-in-training experience, what is the difference between Democrats and Republicans?

BEE: What is the difference between them? I'm not really sure. They're both scary to me. I don't really understand either. I don't know. Oh, Daryn. How dare you ask me. How dare you ask me that.

KAGAN: Equally funny? I mean, is this kind of like shooting fish in a barrel to show up at each convention and find funny stuff? Is it just too easy?

BEE: I think it is pretty easy, as we found kind of sneaking around. I mean, we don't have great access at this convention, but we're making our own access. And we're catching people off guard.

We're having a great time, and I think we'll do the same at the Republican convention, and hopefully trip people up. It's very exciting. I know I was on a red carpet last night trying to nab celebrities.

KAGAN: And?

BEE: Hoping to do the same today.

All I got was Bill O'Reilly. I don't know. I don't know if that counts.

KAGAN: I think you have to take two today. It does not count, I will tell you that -- at least on CNN it doesn't.

BEE: I'm going to tell him you said that.

KAGAN: OK -- probably doesn't know who I am. That's all right.

Good luck with your assignment today. Thanks for stopping by.

BEE: Thank you. Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: Stop by when you're in New York.

BEE: Absolutely, I would love to, all right.

KAGAN: The Republican Convention, as well. Samantha Bee, with "The Daily Show," on Comedy Central.

On that laugh -- got to keep laughing, right. We're going to take a joke -- take a break. We're back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at stories making news coast to coast. High anxiety along Texas beaches after a second shark attack in less than a week. Both swimmers received serious wounds, but should recover. Authorities say calm, clear waters, filled with bait fish have brought the sharks closer to shore.

In Valley Springs California, police are hoping to collar two dastardly crooks, who stole an elderly man's dog and then demanded a $10,000 ransom. Can you believe that? Frank Compton doesn't have a lot of money, but he paid the ransom without a whimper. He says the dog is his only companion.

And in Bullitt County, Kentucky, a rare snow leopard named Magic has disappeared. The owner reported the declawed two-year-old pet escaped on Monday. Wildlife officials have set traps to capture the cat alive. Residents are urged to keep their eyes peeled for the elusive silver feline, and keep their pets and livestock kept locked up at night.

In California, three jars of baby food have been found with poison after parents found horrifying notes saying the food was contaminated. Grocery workers across Southern California have pulled baby food from shelves. Police are searching for a man they say may have answers.

Our Miguel Marquez has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They came from the same Irvine, California, Ralph's Grocery Store, three bottles of baby food contaminated with mashed castor beans, the main ingredient in the deadly poison ricin.

MATT MCLAUGHLIN, FBI, LOS ANGELES: If you test mashed castor beans, you will get very small amounts of ricin, plus ricinine and ricinoleic acid. Those three components together tell you that you have mashed castor bean, not ricin.

MARQUEZ: Investigators say two families on two separate occasions over the past two months purchased Gerber's Banana Yogurt dessert, fed as much as two spoonfuls to their infants, then found notes with a reference to an Irvine police officer in the baby food.

CHIEF DAVID MAGGARD, IRVINE, CALIFORNIA POLICE: The note stated that the food had been contaminated and that the person who ingested it would die in a short time.

MARQUEZ: Investigators say Charles Dewey Cage was at the Ralph's at the same time the contaminated bottles were purchased.

TONY PACKAUCKAS, ORANGE CO. DISTRICT ATTORNEY: We have identified this person, Charles Dewey Cage, as somebody that -- who -- that we -- who we want to talk to. I wouldn't categorize him as a suspect or a person of interest.

MARQUEZ (on camera): Both infants, an 11 and nine-month-old, were taken to hospital and suffered no ill effects.

In a statement, a Gerber Company spokeswoman said all bottles of its Banana Yogurt dessert are being pulled from southern California shelves, that the contamination had been in post production and that the Gerber Company itself was not targeted.

Miguel Marquez, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We will check your forecast when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: All right. Watch this video very closely. This is actually taken from the dashboard of a police cruiser in Santa Fe, New Mexico. What you see, two officers getting hit by lightning. They were working a traffic accident scene. The officers, get this, continued their work. They waited two hours before they headed to the hospital. Despite the incredible pictures, both officers are reportedly fine.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at today's "Eye on Entertainment." Catherine Zeta-Jones said a stalker threatened to slice her up like meat on a bone and make entertainment history. Jones testified Wednesday at a preliminary hearing against accused stalker Dawnette Knight.

It appears Pierce Brosnan is turning in his license to kill. Brosnan told "Entertainment Weekly" he said that all he has to say on the world of James Bond. If so, someone else would have to fill in as 007, the 21st Bond movie, scheduled for release next year.

And here's a sneak peek at the new "Batman" movie, a new trailer focusing on Bruce Wayne before he became the Dark Knight, and we only get a glimpse of the new bat suit. British hunk Christian Bale plays the comic book hero. "Batman" hits theaters next summer.

You can keep your eye on entertainment 24/7 by pointing your Internet browser to cnn.com/entertainment. We have a lot more of our eyes on Boston. It is John Kerry's big night. We are back with a second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY, right after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's kick off the hour by taking a look at what is happening now in the news. President Bush confers with aides in a teleconference this morning to discuss recommendations from the 9/11 report. A senior administration official tells the Associated Press that aides are working on executive orders to implement some of the changes. They could be enacted early next week.

A report within the latest two hours of a new threat against hostages in Iraq. Reuters said the kidnappers holding seven truck drivers are threatening to kill those men, at least one of them tomorrow, if there's no response to their demands.

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


Aired July 29, 2004 - 10:32   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's check the headlines right now. The Democratic National Convention in Boston, a live picture of there for you from the FleetCenter. It's getting ready for the main event tonight, when John Kerry formally accepts the party's nomination. Delegates last night officially named Kerry as their presidential candidate. A closer look at some of the color and pageantry of the convention is just ahead.
Secretary of State Colin Powell is in Saudi Arabia where he began meeting with Iraqi leader Ayad Allawi. Both men welcomed the Saudi proposal to help stabilize Iraq using troops from Arab and Muslim nations that do not border Iraq. Powell also extended an invitation to Allawi from President Bush to visit Washington.

A British parliamentary report warns that Afghanistan is likely to implode unless more troops and resources are sent in. The report also raises concerns over the failure of the allies to limit opium production in Afghanistan.

And the United Nations is now seeking international aid to help Bangladesh recover from a month-long monsoon. More than 450 have died in the floods. Entire villages were washed away, along with livestock and the rice crop.

Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.

John Kerry's service in Vietnam has become a recurring theme in his campaign and his party's packaging of him. But also at issue, how we would, as commander in chief, deal with forming the U.S. military of the future. For more, let's bring our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The centerpiece of John Kerry's plans for the U.S. military calls for increasing the army by 40,000 troops, to ease the burden on a force stretched thin by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The good commander in chief ought to make certain that when we send our troops into harm's way, they have the body armor they need, they have the vehicles they need, they have the equipment they need.

And I will stop the back-door draft that makes Guards and Reservists into full-time active-duty personnel in this country.

STARR: But the army has already temporarily added 30,000 troops. A permanent increase would cost at least $3.6 billion a year, and the army says it may not be needed. Kerry would pay for those new troops by cutting missile defense.

KERRY: It's the wrong priority for a war on terror where the enemy strikes with a bomb in the back of a truck or a vial of anthrax in a suitcase.

STARR: Kerry wants to double the size of special forces to fight the war on terror. He is also calling for a Military Family Bill of Rights to protect housing, education, and healthcare benefits.

Is it all affordable?

MICHAEL O'HANLON, SR. FELLOW, BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: Now, there may not be quite enough money in the missile defense plan to pay for the full 40,000 additional troops, plus some of the other benefits that Kerry wants to give to the survivors of those who lose their lives in Iraq.

STARR: Kerry's Vietnam experience and his views on Iraq both now shaping his overriding philosophy.

KERRY: ... that the great United States of America, our beloved country, never goes to war because it wants to. We go to war because we have to. That's the standard of our country.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

STARR (on camera): And Daryn, of course, tonight Senator Kerry will be introduced on the podium by former Senator Max Cleland, another Vietnam veteran, a man who lost three limbs in that war -- Daryn?

KAGAN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon. Barbara, thank you.

And you can stay with CNN for continuing coverage of the convention's big night. We begin our prime-time lineup with our "ANDERSON COOPER 360." That's 7:00 Eastern, 4:00 Pacific. Wolf Blitzer follows. Then, at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, "LARRY KING LIVE" from Boston's FleetCenter.

We will bring you Senator Kerry's acceptance speech live. And then, Aaron Brown wraps up the night. He is followed by "LARRY KING LIVE," again from the convention floor.

CNN, of course, boasts to being the most trusted name in news -- which we are. But our rival is out there promising coverage that is fair and balanced. Well, this next cable network abandons all pretensions in the coverage of the convention.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JON STEWART, HOST, "THE DAILY SHOW": The man to be is in the media tent adjacent to the FleetCenter. Sam, how do you do what you do for us?

SAMANTHA BEE, "DAILY SHOW" CORRESPONDENT: I do it with cans, John. My great set of cans. And while they may not look like much, they really are more than just a handful.

Yes, these cranial amplification nodes allow me to hear what you're saying while blocking out all the idiots around me. The delegates come out. They've got nothing. They are so boring.

You know what...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Ah, yes, boredom -- the bane of a politician's existence; the lifeblood of the wise-cracking Comedy Central network.

My next guest is Samantha Bee, the quasi-correspondent you just saw. The -- one of the smirking newshounds on "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central.

You like that description, Samantha?

BEE: I really do. I really do. Thank you, Daryn.

KAGAN: Hopefully -- hopefully you won't be bored with this interview. Hopefully it will be scintillating -- the highlight of your convention experience.

BEE: It is the highlight, I can tell you. I do not deserve to be up here in this skybox.

KAGAN: You are not worthy.

BEE: I know.

KAGAN: But yes, you are. But I have to ask you, Samantha, what is a nice Canadian girl like you doing covering American politics?

BEE: Is it that obvious? I've been trying to conceal my Canadianness. I didn't realize it was so...

KAGAN: It's showing.

BEE: Oh, no!

KAGAN: Your Canadian is showing. No, actually, we did a little background. I double-sourced your Canadian roots.

BEE: Ooh, nice.

KAGAN: Yes. But as a Canadian, what do you think of this whole American political scene really?

BEE: Well, it's so different from our scene up in Canada. It's the pageantry. My God, the megawatt star-power here -- it's something that I never knew was possible. It's wonderful. KAGAN: The Canadian...

BEE: Very exciting for me.

KAGAN: The Canadian folks a little bit more reserved?

BEE: A little bit more reserved. Yes, not so much with the P. Diddy and the Black Eyed Peas. We're more about Celtic rock, things you never heard of -- French-Canadian rock. It's not pleasant. It's not pretty.

KAGAN: Riverdancing would be the version of the Black Eyed Peas.

BEE: Oh, my God, yes, a little bit of step dancing from Saskatchewan. Awesome.

KAGAN: Keep those arms down, Samantha.

BEE: Yes, I know.

KAGAN: So -- but do you consider yourself kind of an American- in-training?

BEE: I do consider myself an American-in-training. I hope to one day be a full-fledged American. But I'm working on it. I'm working on my "out" and "about."

KAGAN: Yes.

BEE: I'm working on my -- I say "sorry." I'm working on saying "sorry." I'm getting good at it. Sorry. Sorry.

KAGAN: Maybe we could even get like some "Valley Girl" references in there, perhaps.

BEE: Oh, maybe. That'd be nice. Spice it up.

KAGAN: But is this your first convention, though?

BEE: This is my first convention, Canadian or American. And it's incredible. It's so -- it's really surreal for me to be here. I really -- I can't believe that I'm sneaking onto the floor every day and talking to luminaries and non-luminaries alike.

KAGAN: Well, on a somewhat serious note, I mean, there is kind of a line blur. There's been a lot of publicity that the majority of young people who try to get news get their news incredibly from "The Daily Show" -- which is a comedy show.

BEE: I know, I know, I know. And you know, it's wonderful for me as a non-journalist with no credibility to know that I'm out there shaping young minds. It's very gratifying to me. Very gratifying.

KAGAN: And I'm sure the folks at home in Canada are proud of you for that...

BEE: I hope so.

KAGAN: ... for misleading and bending young minds.

Will you also...

BEE: I think they are.

KAGAN: Will you also be going to the Republican convention?

BEE: We will be going to the Republican convention. I can't wait. Well -- well, I don't know, actually. I think it's going to be a little more chaotic. But when this balloonage drops, I don't know, that's going to be pretty exciting. I'm waiting for the glorious balloon drop.

KAGAN: That's your moment. Besides this interview...

BEE: Yes.

KAGAN: ... that is your second highlight of the Democratic convention...

BEE: That's my time to shine.

KAGAN: ... the balloon drop.

BEE: Make-shift volleyball.

KAGAN: Basically what do you think -- in your own Canadian, American-in-training experience, what is the difference between Democrats and Republicans?

BEE: What is the difference between them? I'm not really sure. They're both scary to me. I don't really understand either. I don't know. Oh, Daryn. How dare you ask me. How dare you ask me that.

KAGAN: Equally funny? I mean, is this kind of like shooting fish in a barrel to show up at each convention and find funny stuff? Is it just too easy?

BEE: I think it is pretty easy, as we found kind of sneaking around. I mean, we don't have great access at this convention, but we're making our own access. And we're catching people off guard.

We're having a great time, and I think we'll do the same at the Republican convention, and hopefully trip people up. It's very exciting. I know I was on a red carpet last night trying to nab celebrities.

KAGAN: And?

BEE: Hoping to do the same today.

All I got was Bill O'Reilly. I don't know. I don't know if that counts.

KAGAN: I think you have to take two today. It does not count, I will tell you that -- at least on CNN it doesn't.

BEE: I'm going to tell him you said that.

KAGAN: OK -- probably doesn't know who I am. That's all right.

Good luck with your assignment today. Thanks for stopping by.

BEE: Thank you. Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: Stop by when you're in New York.

BEE: Absolutely, I would love to, all right.

KAGAN: The Republican Convention, as well. Samantha Bee, with "The Daily Show," on Comedy Central.

On that laugh -- got to keep laughing, right. We're going to take a joke -- take a break. We're back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at stories making news coast to coast. High anxiety along Texas beaches after a second shark attack in less than a week. Both swimmers received serious wounds, but should recover. Authorities say calm, clear waters, filled with bait fish have brought the sharks closer to shore.

In Valley Springs California, police are hoping to collar two dastardly crooks, who stole an elderly man's dog and then demanded a $10,000 ransom. Can you believe that? Frank Compton doesn't have a lot of money, but he paid the ransom without a whimper. He says the dog is his only companion.

And in Bullitt County, Kentucky, a rare snow leopard named Magic has disappeared. The owner reported the declawed two-year-old pet escaped on Monday. Wildlife officials have set traps to capture the cat alive. Residents are urged to keep their eyes peeled for the elusive silver feline, and keep their pets and livestock kept locked up at night.

In California, three jars of baby food have been found with poison after parents found horrifying notes saying the food was contaminated. Grocery workers across Southern California have pulled baby food from shelves. Police are searching for a man they say may have answers.

Our Miguel Marquez has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They came from the same Irvine, California, Ralph's Grocery Store, three bottles of baby food contaminated with mashed castor beans, the main ingredient in the deadly poison ricin.

MATT MCLAUGHLIN, FBI, LOS ANGELES: If you test mashed castor beans, you will get very small amounts of ricin, plus ricinine and ricinoleic acid. Those three components together tell you that you have mashed castor bean, not ricin.

MARQUEZ: Investigators say two families on two separate occasions over the past two months purchased Gerber's Banana Yogurt dessert, fed as much as two spoonfuls to their infants, then found notes with a reference to an Irvine police officer in the baby food.

CHIEF DAVID MAGGARD, IRVINE, CALIFORNIA POLICE: The note stated that the food had been contaminated and that the person who ingested it would die in a short time.

MARQUEZ: Investigators say Charles Dewey Cage was at the Ralph's at the same time the contaminated bottles were purchased.

TONY PACKAUCKAS, ORANGE CO. DISTRICT ATTORNEY: We have identified this person, Charles Dewey Cage, as somebody that -- who -- that we -- who we want to talk to. I wouldn't categorize him as a suspect or a person of interest.

MARQUEZ (on camera): Both infants, an 11 and nine-month-old, were taken to hospital and suffered no ill effects.

In a statement, a Gerber Company spokeswoman said all bottles of its Banana Yogurt dessert are being pulled from southern California shelves, that the contamination had been in post production and that the Gerber Company itself was not targeted.

Miguel Marquez, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We will check your forecast when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: All right. Watch this video very closely. This is actually taken from the dashboard of a police cruiser in Santa Fe, New Mexico. What you see, two officers getting hit by lightning. They were working a traffic accident scene. The officers, get this, continued their work. They waited two hours before they headed to the hospital. Despite the incredible pictures, both officers are reportedly fine.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at today's "Eye on Entertainment." Catherine Zeta-Jones said a stalker threatened to slice her up like meat on a bone and make entertainment history. Jones testified Wednesday at a preliminary hearing against accused stalker Dawnette Knight.

It appears Pierce Brosnan is turning in his license to kill. Brosnan told "Entertainment Weekly" he said that all he has to say on the world of James Bond. If so, someone else would have to fill in as 007, the 21st Bond movie, scheduled for release next year.

And here's a sneak peek at the new "Batman" movie, a new trailer focusing on Bruce Wayne before he became the Dark Knight, and we only get a glimpse of the new bat suit. British hunk Christian Bale plays the comic book hero. "Batman" hits theaters next summer.

You can keep your eye on entertainment 24/7 by pointing your Internet browser to cnn.com/entertainment. We have a lot more of our eyes on Boston. It is John Kerry's big night. We are back with a second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY, right after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's kick off the hour by taking a look at what is happening now in the news. President Bush confers with aides in a teleconference this morning to discuss recommendations from the 9/11 report. A senior administration official tells the Associated Press that aides are working on executive orders to implement some of the changes. They could be enacted early next week.

A report within the latest two hours of a new threat against hostages in Iraq. Reuters said the kidnappers holding seven truck drivers are threatening to kill those men, at least one of them tomorrow, if there's no response to their demands.

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