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CNN Live Today
Briefing In Punta Gorda, FL; Hurricane Charley's Aftermath; U.S. Military To Be Restationed In U.S.; Jackson Back In Court; Disaster Claims
Aired August 16, 2004 - 10:00 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: We will get started from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the headlines now in the news.
President Bush plans a major realignment of U.S. forces around the world. Pentagon officials say the military will move from a Cold War posture to one designed to fight terror. That announcement is expected in an hour. We'll have a live report from the White House in one minute.
In seven minutes, we head to Charlotte County, Florida, where repair crews are working feverishly to get the power restored in the storm-ravaged areas. Officials say though, it could be weeks before everyone is back online. Other help is on the way. Tractor-trailer trucks loaded with food, toilets, blankets, and cots are headed to areas of Florida that have been slammed by Hurricane Charley.
No fewer than three full Senate committees are holding hearings today on the 9/11 Commission report. Right now, chairman -- commission Chairman Thomas Kean and Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton are in front of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Our Ed Henry has a update. He'll be with us in about a half hour.
And in Venezuela, the presidential recall fails. According to election officials, President Hugo Chavez will serve out the remaining two years of his term. Yesterday's referendum drew a record turnout at the polls. A preliminary count suggests 58 percent voted against removing Chavez from office.
Keeping you informed, CNN is the most trusted name in news.
Let's begin our hour heading straight for Florida. The search for victims goes on this morning, as does the cleanup after Hurricane Charley roared through Florida.
Our Ed Lavandera has been looking over the hardest hit area, and he joins us from Port Charlotte with an update.
Ed, good morning.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, Port Charlotte is just across the water from where Punta Gorda is. And that's the town that's been taking the majority of the tension over the last couple of days. But this area hit just as hard -- very short distance away. And this is where recovery crews and cleanup crews continue to do the long work, the hard work on the long road ahead for recovery here in this area. Emergency crews still going door-by-door, neighborhood- by-neighborhood, making sure that nobody still might be trapped in a home somewhere in the path of her -- that was in the path of Hurricane Charley.
People who have been up in the air described what was left behind as about a 10-mile-wide swath that was cut across this portion of the state of Florida by Hurricane Charley. And most people here are beginning that cleanup process, going back to their homes, cleaning up what they can. It's a hard process. And many people are feeling the effects of three days without electricity; scavenging anywhere they can for water and food.
We understand there have been more than two million gallons of water brought in. More than seven million pounds...
KAGAN: All right. Ed, we're going to -- I'm sorry to interrupt you. We're going to get back to you in just a moment. Right now there's a briefing-taking place in Punta Gorda. Let's go ahead and listen in to that. We'll be back to Ed in a moment.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Humanitarian services, that's your guardsmen, everybody. We're thinking in the vicinity of 5,000 new residents of Charlotte County. So and we're very gratified by all the support we're getting from them.
Now, that doesn't take care of mom and pop out there on Edgewater Drive in Port Charlotte. We've got to continue to push, push, push the help. We've got to push the food, the water, the ice. I'm hearing more and more stories about places opening. I understand the Home Depot is open up in Murdock. Long lines, yes. But they're open.
I heard tell that there was activity at the Sam's Club in Murdock. There will be huge lines, but OK. We're seeing the Salvation Army, the Red Cross and other humanitarian efforts out on the streets. They're here. They're working. They're doing the best they can.
We're doing the best we can through what we have available to get the word out to them. All these cameras are swell. And I appreciate that. But these people aren't sitting home in the recliner watching cable news or whatever. They don't have TVs. People in the fringes of Charlotte County are getting it. They see the message. They understand. And they understand the need for help in the path of this storm.
We have a radio station, I'm going to mention them again, it's a Clear Channel operation. They have four stations. Four stations broadcasting simultaneously around the clock on simulcast, right, Bob (ph)?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Emergency information, as fast as we can push it out to them, they're putting it on the air. I understand people may not have had battery-operated radios. And it's a hope that we can get batteries and make that available. But we need to focus on that as our main means of communication to the people.
We're looking into some other possibilities, aircraft with a banner. You know, we're even looking at the possibilities of something like what they did after Andrew, in terms of some aerial display. We're looking at it. We're trying to ascertain what might be available to maybe make that happen.
We're seeing tremendous incidents of neighbor helping neighbor everywhere. I saw it this morning when I was downtown. And that's good. And that's got to continue because we're in this for the long haul.
Charlotte County government -- Charlotte County government opened for business today, that's amazing. Thanks to Florida Power and Light, they restored electricity to our county administration center in Murdock. And a significant number of our employees showed up today to find out what their job assignments are.
And before I go any further -- thank you, and talk about some of the other issues we want to get out, I'd like to introduce once again the county administrator, Mr. Bruce Loucks. Those of you that weren't with us yesterday, that's L-O-U-C-K-S, Bruce Loucks, Charlotte County administrator -- Bruce. Is Bruce here. I looked back that way.
BRUCE LOUCKS, ADMINISTRATOR, CHARLOTTE COUNTY: That's all right.
Good morning. Again, we're glad to be here. We're glad you're here. Getting information to our public is incredibly important. And as Wayne said, not a lot of folks have TVs right now. So any way we have possible to get information out, we need to rely and get help with that effort.
County employees did report to work today. This is more for them than anybody else. But there has been some questions about getting paychecks and such as that.
KAGAN: We've been listening in to a briefing. These are officials in Punta Gorda, Florida, one of the hardest hit communities in Florida from Hurricane Charley. Talking about the huge job that still awaits them in trying to clean up and helping folks get back into homes that are safe to live in.
Our Ed Lavandera is in that same county, Port Charlotte, and talking more about what these officials and the residents there face.
Ed, good morning, once again.
LAVANDERA: Good morning again, Daryn. You know, basically what they're worried most about is just providing the basics, you know? And it might seem a little trivial to people who aren't around here, but really what they're most concerned about is just making sure that people have enough food, water, ice, shelter where they can get some rest to kind of continue the work that they need to be doing. And it's really -- it's truly as basic and simple as that for a lot of people.
There's no electricity for the vast majority of the people in this immediate area. Although we understand there are about two million people without electricity. That's down to about a million now. But here at the ground zero, if you will, of this storm, these people won't have power.
And we believe that the power won't be back on in this area for a couple of weeks. In fact, school was supposed to start today. So, a lot of kids -- that has also been postponed, as well.
And you heard mention in the briefing that the county offices were opening today for business. But a lot of those people are going -- showing up to work in buildings that are completely destroyed. In fact, three of the hospitals in Punta Gorda took tremendous hits by Hurricane Charley.
In fact, one of the hospitals is operating its emergency room out of the parking lot across the street from it. And that's been set up by the federal government, and money that has been brought up to set up the tents in the parking lot.
So here, people just trying to keep up with what they can. And it's tedious. Fortunately, no rain, not a cloud in the sky today but it is hot and muggy. And that is testing the tempers of many people here -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Especially when you don't have access to air conditioning. Ed Lavandera, thank you; back with you later in the morning.
This also from Hurricane Charley: Florida citrus growers have a sour taste in their mouths after the storm. The hurricane uprooted whole groves of trees. A citrus industry group says that Charley also left much of this fall's unripened orange and grapefruit crop on the ground. Charley did damage in seven counties that makes up more than one-third of the state's citrus groves.
Other news today, at nine past the hour, more military personnel are expected to be stationed inside the U.S. under a global realignment. President Bush is expected to announce the plan next hour.
Our Elaine Quijano is at the White House with more on these plans.
Good morning, Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. President Bush is set to make that announcement when he speaks to the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. That speech set to take place less than an hour from now. But the president's campaign is calling this an official campaign stop.
At the same time, though, they are saying this will be a major foreign policy announcement, involving 70,000 U.S. troops. And they say it will be the biggest troop realignment since the end of the Cold War.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
QUIJANO (voice-over): President Bush is set to announce what Pentagon officials say has been in the works for some time. A change in where and how the United States positions its military forces around the world. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld discussed it earlier this month.
DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: We decided that it's time to shift our posture in Europe and Asia, and around the world. And move from static defense, which does not make much sense today, to a more deployable and usable set of capabilities.
QUIJANO: Pentagon and senior administration officials say the president's announcement will describe a major reduction and repositioning of U.S. forces overseas. While they won't talk total troop numbers, they say most reductions will come from Europe, the rest from Asia. One official says the plan would bring some 100,000 family members and military support staff back to the United States.
The move, say officials, is designed to reflect a ready posture for the war on terror; rather than the Cold War stance adopted years ago when officials believed the Soviet Union posed the biggest threat to America. U.S. officials emphasize they've consulted with American allies and members of Congress along the way.
SEN. RICHARD LUGAR (R-IN), CHMN., FOREIGN RELATIONS: So this is a fundamental change. And it's a change probably in the tactics of our military so that our people will be more mobile, more available at other places all over the earth.
SEN. CARL LEVIN (D), MICHIGAN: This has been in the works for a long time. And there are some things that we should do to re-deploy troops, so that they are in the best position possible for what the new threats are.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
QUIJANO (on camera): Now, an administration official says under the current plan, troop reductions would not be taking place in Iraq or Afghanistan. Yesterday, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who was wrapping up a trip to Europe and Asia, said the proposed troop realignment would take several years and would likely mean more U.S. troops stationed inside the United States -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Elaine Quijano at the White House. Elaine, thank you.
We're going to have live coverage of the president's speech on the troop redeployment plan one hour from right now.
Also, reaction to this proposed plan following the president's address; Richard Holbrook the former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. current adviser to John Kerry will join me as well.
Speaking of the senator, John Kerry taking a little break from campaigning for a few days. Kerry will relax at his vacation home in Ketchum, Idaho after his first post-convention coast-to-coast trip. Kerry and running mate John Edwards will take up the baton today.
He'll visit a farm in Willard, Missouri, and headline a rally and fund-raiser here in Atlanta. This week, Edwards will focus on a key campaign theme accusing President Bush of putting corporate interests ahead of workers.
The man who's trying to put Michael Jackson behind bars for allegedly molesting a boy may have a close encounter with the pop star today. Tom Sneddon answers questions about actions taken before charges were filed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM REED, STORM CHASER Aw, man! We've got trees coming down around here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: And eye-to-eye with Charley as it brought destruction to Florida, the view from the eye of the storm.
Also, what is wrong with the U.S. men's basketball dream team? Are they sleeping on the job? A live report from Athens is straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Entertainer Michael Jackson in Sunday school? That's what was happening in Los Angeles. Later today, Jackson is expected back in the courtroom for another pretrial hearing in the child molestation case.
Our Thelma Gutierrez is in Santa Maria, California where that hearing will take place.
Thelma, good morning.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. You're right. Well, that pretrial hearing is still about three hours away. And already I can tell you there are about two-dozen very vocal Jackson supporters out here in front of the courthouse.
Of course, everyone awaiting the arrival of Michael Jackson, who's expected to be here and to take a front row seat in the courtroom, along with his parents, and his brothers and sisters at his side.
Now, yesterday the pop star made an unexpected visit to the first AME Church in south Los Angeles with his attorney Tom Mesereau and his brother Randy, and comedian Steve Hardy. Now, after the morning service, he toured an education center. And he met with about 35 Sunday school kids. Jackson and his attorney did not however, comment on the case. Now, when the hearing begins later this morning, Mesereau will be able to question district attorney Tom Sneddon. Sneddon was subpoenaed to testify on what he did or did not know about the relationship between Jackson's former lawyer Mark Geragos, and the private investigator Bradley Miller, and about surveillance that Sneddon personally conducted at Miller's office.
Now, Jackson's defense claims that the search was illegal. And that it infringed on the client attorney privilege. And of course, that any evidence that was seized there should not be admissible.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARTHUR BARENS, JACKSON'S DEFENSE ATTORNEY: If you eliminate the evidence, you eliminate the case. And we get back to a situation where they can't go forward if major parts of their evidence are stricken or inadmissible by a ruling of the judge, there is no prosecution case.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUTIERREZ: Now, the Santa Barbara County sheriff's officials have testified that they used a sledgehammer to break into the private investigator's office, and that they did seize videotapes and files on the case. However, they claim that they did not know that Miller worked for Geragos at the time. They believed that he worked directly for Jackson.
Daryn, back to you.
KAGAN: Thelma, it seems like there's been so many of these pretrial hearings, more than we can count. But Michael Jackson hasn't been at most of them. Why is he coming to today's hearing?
GUTIERREZ: Well, yes, you're right. In fact, he has not been required to attend any of the pretrial hearings. He attended one back in April. He is here today, Daryn, just to be able to face off with Tom Sneddon.
That's why his family, his parents and his supporters want to be here as well, to be able to sit, take that front-row seat and watch the man, the district attorney, who has been after him since 1993.
KAGAN: All right. Thelma Gutierrez in Santa Maria, thank you.
Let's go ahead and take a look at other stories making news "Coast to Coast."
A graveside vigil caps off a week at Graceland. Elvis Presley fans have been gathering in Memphis, Tennessee, marking the 27- anniversary of the rock and roll king's death. One devoted fan from Upstate New York says she could feel Elvis' spirit when she entered the driveway of the estate.
Nicky, an heir to the Hilton Hotel fortune, is a married woman. That's Nicky on the left. The 20-year-old tied the knot with a money manager from New York in a pre-dawn ceremony on Sunday in Las Vegas. Her big sister Paris watched from the sidelines.
Recovering after a devastating hurricane. Residents have to salvage what they can, and ask their insurance to pay for the rest. Our Gerri Willis is here to help you sort out what you need to do to file a claim.
Ger, hello.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, good morning, Daryn. Yes, it's a daunting process. We'll be here to talk you through it when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Thousands of insurance adjusters are ready to help Floridians who have suffered damages from Hurricane Charley. Those people, and all homeowners need to know some key points before you file claims.
And our Gerri Willis is here with tips on those.
Gerri, good morning.
WILLIS: Hey, Daryn. Well, tip No. 1, make contact. You've got to contact that agent of yours and let them know that you've had major, major problems. Now, the good news here is that in some communities, there are mobile units moving around that are out there to help people in this situation. But keep in mind, you've got to make sure that you make that contact.
The best thing, get a hold of that insurance policy. Have a look at it. There is a time limit for filing claims. But the good news here, we're told by insurance representatives, that in fact, they will stretch it. It's pretty long. It's about a year. So you should have plenty of time to make that claim.
KAGAN: At some point, the adjuster is going to come out to see your property.
WILLIS: That's right. That's a very important moment. You've got to make sure you have all your information together, your ducks in a row. If you've had damage to things you own: sofas, refrigerators, anything inside the house, make a list of it.
If you have a receipt, you're in much better shape. Even if you just have the date of purchase, that helps. As much detail as you can provide. Because look, Daryn, these guys are really, really busy right now.
KAGAN: Yes, they have a few things to do. Which is why you should make a list.
WILLIS: That's right. Make a list. Assess the damage, particularly to your home itself, the structure itself. If there are cracks in the walls, whatever it is, you need to build a list so that you remember to show the adjuster absolutely everything wrong with that house. And even to outbuildings, if you have a swimming pool, maybe a little shed, any damage to those as well. Just make sure you have a list of everything to show the adjuster.
KAGAN: Yes. And that includes receipts and records.
WILLIS: Right. That's right. Keep your records and receipts. And here we're even talking about if you have to leave your house. Let's say your house is uninhabitable at this point. Well, if you're going to stay in a hotel and eat in restaurants, you need to keep copies of all those receipts. Otherwise it's going to be almost impossible to get reimbursed.
Remember that most insurance coverage will give you 20 percent of the insurance on your home for exactly that purpose. Although different companies measure it in different ways, so you'll want to check with your agent. But this also includes the cost of telephone and utilities. So it's pretty comprehensive.
KAGAN: Gerri, what happens if the adjuster comes out to your home and gives you a number that he or she thinks that your damages are worth and you don't agree with that number?
WILLIS: Well, you can get a second opinion. Hire an adjuster on your own. A public adjuster is somebody who's actually trained to do this kind of work. They'll take a look and they'll come up with their own estimate.
It could be different. This is not an expensive. It can cost you as much as 15 percent of the total value of your settlement, according to the people in the insurance industry.
And one final tip here, Daryn. I meant to mention, don't make permanent repairs to your house before the adjuster gets there. You need to wait. However, if your roof is off, you want to cover that up, because you don't want rain to damage the interior further.
KAGAN: A lot of folks in Florida with a long haul ahead of them.
WILLIS: That's right.
KAGAN: Gerri, thank you.
WILLIS: Thank you.
KAGAN: Well, he announced his resignation after admitting to an affair with another man. What is the latest on the story of Governor Jim McGreevey?
KAGAN: And Kobe Bryant will face a civil suit for alleged rape. But what about his criminal trial. A look at celebrity justice when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: I'm Daryn Kagan at CNN center in Atlanta. Let's check the headlines now in the news. Aid is pouring into parts of Florida devastated by Hurricane Charley. Damages are expected to be in the billions of dollars. It could take up to two weeks to restore power to the hardest hit areas. State officials are promising to prosecute price gougers. The hurricane is blamed for at least 17 deaths.
A wildfire has destroyed more than 20 homes in the old mining town of French Gulch, California. Three hundred residents were evacuated before the fire swept through town. The fire is moving toward an area with few homes, and is not expected to be fully contained until Friday. Six other wildfires are burning throughout California.
A lawyer for New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey's accuser says his client has witnesses to support his assault allegations. Golan Cipel's attorney says that Cipel has evidence of highly improper and intimidating sexual advances from McGreevey. Last week, McGreevey admitted to an affair with another man and said he would resign in November. Attorney Alan Lowry says that Cipel hasn't decided whether to sue McGreevey.
Last week's record high oil prices have not reached your gas stations just yet.
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Aired August 16, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We will get started from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the headlines now in the news.
President Bush plans a major realignment of U.S. forces around the world. Pentagon officials say the military will move from a Cold War posture to one designed to fight terror. That announcement is expected in an hour. We'll have a live report from the White House in one minute.
In seven minutes, we head to Charlotte County, Florida, where repair crews are working feverishly to get the power restored in the storm-ravaged areas. Officials say though, it could be weeks before everyone is back online. Other help is on the way. Tractor-trailer trucks loaded with food, toilets, blankets, and cots are headed to areas of Florida that have been slammed by Hurricane Charley.
No fewer than three full Senate committees are holding hearings today on the 9/11 Commission report. Right now, chairman -- commission Chairman Thomas Kean and Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton are in front of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Our Ed Henry has a update. He'll be with us in about a half hour.
And in Venezuela, the presidential recall fails. According to election officials, President Hugo Chavez will serve out the remaining two years of his term. Yesterday's referendum drew a record turnout at the polls. A preliminary count suggests 58 percent voted against removing Chavez from office.
Keeping you informed, CNN is the most trusted name in news.
Let's begin our hour heading straight for Florida. The search for victims goes on this morning, as does the cleanup after Hurricane Charley roared through Florida.
Our Ed Lavandera has been looking over the hardest hit area, and he joins us from Port Charlotte with an update.
Ed, good morning.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, Port Charlotte is just across the water from where Punta Gorda is. And that's the town that's been taking the majority of the tension over the last couple of days. But this area hit just as hard -- very short distance away. And this is where recovery crews and cleanup crews continue to do the long work, the hard work on the long road ahead for recovery here in this area. Emergency crews still going door-by-door, neighborhood- by-neighborhood, making sure that nobody still might be trapped in a home somewhere in the path of her -- that was in the path of Hurricane Charley.
People who have been up in the air described what was left behind as about a 10-mile-wide swath that was cut across this portion of the state of Florida by Hurricane Charley. And most people here are beginning that cleanup process, going back to their homes, cleaning up what they can. It's a hard process. And many people are feeling the effects of three days without electricity; scavenging anywhere they can for water and food.
We understand there have been more than two million gallons of water brought in. More than seven million pounds...
KAGAN: All right. Ed, we're going to -- I'm sorry to interrupt you. We're going to get back to you in just a moment. Right now there's a briefing-taking place in Punta Gorda. Let's go ahead and listen in to that. We'll be back to Ed in a moment.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Humanitarian services, that's your guardsmen, everybody. We're thinking in the vicinity of 5,000 new residents of Charlotte County. So and we're very gratified by all the support we're getting from them.
Now, that doesn't take care of mom and pop out there on Edgewater Drive in Port Charlotte. We've got to continue to push, push, push the help. We've got to push the food, the water, the ice. I'm hearing more and more stories about places opening. I understand the Home Depot is open up in Murdock. Long lines, yes. But they're open.
I heard tell that there was activity at the Sam's Club in Murdock. There will be huge lines, but OK. We're seeing the Salvation Army, the Red Cross and other humanitarian efforts out on the streets. They're here. They're working. They're doing the best they can.
We're doing the best we can through what we have available to get the word out to them. All these cameras are swell. And I appreciate that. But these people aren't sitting home in the recliner watching cable news or whatever. They don't have TVs. People in the fringes of Charlotte County are getting it. They see the message. They understand. And they understand the need for help in the path of this storm.
We have a radio station, I'm going to mention them again, it's a Clear Channel operation. They have four stations. Four stations broadcasting simultaneously around the clock on simulcast, right, Bob (ph)?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Emergency information, as fast as we can push it out to them, they're putting it on the air. I understand people may not have had battery-operated radios. And it's a hope that we can get batteries and make that available. But we need to focus on that as our main means of communication to the people.
We're looking into some other possibilities, aircraft with a banner. You know, we're even looking at the possibilities of something like what they did after Andrew, in terms of some aerial display. We're looking at it. We're trying to ascertain what might be available to maybe make that happen.
We're seeing tremendous incidents of neighbor helping neighbor everywhere. I saw it this morning when I was downtown. And that's good. And that's got to continue because we're in this for the long haul.
Charlotte County government -- Charlotte County government opened for business today, that's amazing. Thanks to Florida Power and Light, they restored electricity to our county administration center in Murdock. And a significant number of our employees showed up today to find out what their job assignments are.
And before I go any further -- thank you, and talk about some of the other issues we want to get out, I'd like to introduce once again the county administrator, Mr. Bruce Loucks. Those of you that weren't with us yesterday, that's L-O-U-C-K-S, Bruce Loucks, Charlotte County administrator -- Bruce. Is Bruce here. I looked back that way.
BRUCE LOUCKS, ADMINISTRATOR, CHARLOTTE COUNTY: That's all right.
Good morning. Again, we're glad to be here. We're glad you're here. Getting information to our public is incredibly important. And as Wayne said, not a lot of folks have TVs right now. So any way we have possible to get information out, we need to rely and get help with that effort.
County employees did report to work today. This is more for them than anybody else. But there has been some questions about getting paychecks and such as that.
KAGAN: We've been listening in to a briefing. These are officials in Punta Gorda, Florida, one of the hardest hit communities in Florida from Hurricane Charley. Talking about the huge job that still awaits them in trying to clean up and helping folks get back into homes that are safe to live in.
Our Ed Lavandera is in that same county, Port Charlotte, and talking more about what these officials and the residents there face.
Ed, good morning, once again.
LAVANDERA: Good morning again, Daryn. You know, basically what they're worried most about is just providing the basics, you know? And it might seem a little trivial to people who aren't around here, but really what they're most concerned about is just making sure that people have enough food, water, ice, shelter where they can get some rest to kind of continue the work that they need to be doing. And it's really -- it's truly as basic and simple as that for a lot of people.
There's no electricity for the vast majority of the people in this immediate area. Although we understand there are about two million people without electricity. That's down to about a million now. But here at the ground zero, if you will, of this storm, these people won't have power.
And we believe that the power won't be back on in this area for a couple of weeks. In fact, school was supposed to start today. So, a lot of kids -- that has also been postponed, as well.
And you heard mention in the briefing that the county offices were opening today for business. But a lot of those people are going -- showing up to work in buildings that are completely destroyed. In fact, three of the hospitals in Punta Gorda took tremendous hits by Hurricane Charley.
In fact, one of the hospitals is operating its emergency room out of the parking lot across the street from it. And that's been set up by the federal government, and money that has been brought up to set up the tents in the parking lot.
So here, people just trying to keep up with what they can. And it's tedious. Fortunately, no rain, not a cloud in the sky today but it is hot and muggy. And that is testing the tempers of many people here -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Especially when you don't have access to air conditioning. Ed Lavandera, thank you; back with you later in the morning.
This also from Hurricane Charley: Florida citrus growers have a sour taste in their mouths after the storm. The hurricane uprooted whole groves of trees. A citrus industry group says that Charley also left much of this fall's unripened orange and grapefruit crop on the ground. Charley did damage in seven counties that makes up more than one-third of the state's citrus groves.
Other news today, at nine past the hour, more military personnel are expected to be stationed inside the U.S. under a global realignment. President Bush is expected to announce the plan next hour.
Our Elaine Quijano is at the White House with more on these plans.
Good morning, Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. President Bush is set to make that announcement when he speaks to the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. That speech set to take place less than an hour from now. But the president's campaign is calling this an official campaign stop.
At the same time, though, they are saying this will be a major foreign policy announcement, involving 70,000 U.S. troops. And they say it will be the biggest troop realignment since the end of the Cold War.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
QUIJANO (voice-over): President Bush is set to announce what Pentagon officials say has been in the works for some time. A change in where and how the United States positions its military forces around the world. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld discussed it earlier this month.
DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: We decided that it's time to shift our posture in Europe and Asia, and around the world. And move from static defense, which does not make much sense today, to a more deployable and usable set of capabilities.
QUIJANO: Pentagon and senior administration officials say the president's announcement will describe a major reduction and repositioning of U.S. forces overseas. While they won't talk total troop numbers, they say most reductions will come from Europe, the rest from Asia. One official says the plan would bring some 100,000 family members and military support staff back to the United States.
The move, say officials, is designed to reflect a ready posture for the war on terror; rather than the Cold War stance adopted years ago when officials believed the Soviet Union posed the biggest threat to America. U.S. officials emphasize they've consulted with American allies and members of Congress along the way.
SEN. RICHARD LUGAR (R-IN), CHMN., FOREIGN RELATIONS: So this is a fundamental change. And it's a change probably in the tactics of our military so that our people will be more mobile, more available at other places all over the earth.
SEN. CARL LEVIN (D), MICHIGAN: This has been in the works for a long time. And there are some things that we should do to re-deploy troops, so that they are in the best position possible for what the new threats are.
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QUIJANO (on camera): Now, an administration official says under the current plan, troop reductions would not be taking place in Iraq or Afghanistan. Yesterday, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who was wrapping up a trip to Europe and Asia, said the proposed troop realignment would take several years and would likely mean more U.S. troops stationed inside the United States -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Elaine Quijano at the White House. Elaine, thank you.
We're going to have live coverage of the president's speech on the troop redeployment plan one hour from right now.
Also, reaction to this proposed plan following the president's address; Richard Holbrook the former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. current adviser to John Kerry will join me as well.
Speaking of the senator, John Kerry taking a little break from campaigning for a few days. Kerry will relax at his vacation home in Ketchum, Idaho after his first post-convention coast-to-coast trip. Kerry and running mate John Edwards will take up the baton today.
He'll visit a farm in Willard, Missouri, and headline a rally and fund-raiser here in Atlanta. This week, Edwards will focus on a key campaign theme accusing President Bush of putting corporate interests ahead of workers.
The man who's trying to put Michael Jackson behind bars for allegedly molesting a boy may have a close encounter with the pop star today. Tom Sneddon answers questions about actions taken before charges were filed.
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JIM REED, STORM CHASER Aw, man! We've got trees coming down around here.
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KAGAN: And eye-to-eye with Charley as it brought destruction to Florida, the view from the eye of the storm.
Also, what is wrong with the U.S. men's basketball dream team? Are they sleeping on the job? A live report from Athens is straight ahead.
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KAGAN: Entertainer Michael Jackson in Sunday school? That's what was happening in Los Angeles. Later today, Jackson is expected back in the courtroom for another pretrial hearing in the child molestation case.
Our Thelma Gutierrez is in Santa Maria, California where that hearing will take place.
Thelma, good morning.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. You're right. Well, that pretrial hearing is still about three hours away. And already I can tell you there are about two-dozen very vocal Jackson supporters out here in front of the courthouse.
Of course, everyone awaiting the arrival of Michael Jackson, who's expected to be here and to take a front row seat in the courtroom, along with his parents, and his brothers and sisters at his side.
Now, yesterday the pop star made an unexpected visit to the first AME Church in south Los Angeles with his attorney Tom Mesereau and his brother Randy, and comedian Steve Hardy. Now, after the morning service, he toured an education center. And he met with about 35 Sunday school kids. Jackson and his attorney did not however, comment on the case. Now, when the hearing begins later this morning, Mesereau will be able to question district attorney Tom Sneddon. Sneddon was subpoenaed to testify on what he did or did not know about the relationship between Jackson's former lawyer Mark Geragos, and the private investigator Bradley Miller, and about surveillance that Sneddon personally conducted at Miller's office.
Now, Jackson's defense claims that the search was illegal. And that it infringed on the client attorney privilege. And of course, that any evidence that was seized there should not be admissible.
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ARTHUR BARENS, JACKSON'S DEFENSE ATTORNEY: If you eliminate the evidence, you eliminate the case. And we get back to a situation where they can't go forward if major parts of their evidence are stricken or inadmissible by a ruling of the judge, there is no prosecution case.
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GUTIERREZ: Now, the Santa Barbara County sheriff's officials have testified that they used a sledgehammer to break into the private investigator's office, and that they did seize videotapes and files on the case. However, they claim that they did not know that Miller worked for Geragos at the time. They believed that he worked directly for Jackson.
Daryn, back to you.
KAGAN: Thelma, it seems like there's been so many of these pretrial hearings, more than we can count. But Michael Jackson hasn't been at most of them. Why is he coming to today's hearing?
GUTIERREZ: Well, yes, you're right. In fact, he has not been required to attend any of the pretrial hearings. He attended one back in April. He is here today, Daryn, just to be able to face off with Tom Sneddon.
That's why his family, his parents and his supporters want to be here as well, to be able to sit, take that front-row seat and watch the man, the district attorney, who has been after him since 1993.
KAGAN: All right. Thelma Gutierrez in Santa Maria, thank you.
Let's go ahead and take a look at other stories making news "Coast to Coast."
A graveside vigil caps off a week at Graceland. Elvis Presley fans have been gathering in Memphis, Tennessee, marking the 27- anniversary of the rock and roll king's death. One devoted fan from Upstate New York says she could feel Elvis' spirit when she entered the driveway of the estate.
Nicky, an heir to the Hilton Hotel fortune, is a married woman. That's Nicky on the left. The 20-year-old tied the knot with a money manager from New York in a pre-dawn ceremony on Sunday in Las Vegas. Her big sister Paris watched from the sidelines.
Recovering after a devastating hurricane. Residents have to salvage what they can, and ask their insurance to pay for the rest. Our Gerri Willis is here to help you sort out what you need to do to file a claim.
Ger, hello.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, good morning, Daryn. Yes, it's a daunting process. We'll be here to talk you through it when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.
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KAGAN: Thousands of insurance adjusters are ready to help Floridians who have suffered damages from Hurricane Charley. Those people, and all homeowners need to know some key points before you file claims.
And our Gerri Willis is here with tips on those.
Gerri, good morning.
WILLIS: Hey, Daryn. Well, tip No. 1, make contact. You've got to contact that agent of yours and let them know that you've had major, major problems. Now, the good news here is that in some communities, there are mobile units moving around that are out there to help people in this situation. But keep in mind, you've got to make sure that you make that contact.
The best thing, get a hold of that insurance policy. Have a look at it. There is a time limit for filing claims. But the good news here, we're told by insurance representatives, that in fact, they will stretch it. It's pretty long. It's about a year. So you should have plenty of time to make that claim.
KAGAN: At some point, the adjuster is going to come out to see your property.
WILLIS: That's right. That's a very important moment. You've got to make sure you have all your information together, your ducks in a row. If you've had damage to things you own: sofas, refrigerators, anything inside the house, make a list of it.
If you have a receipt, you're in much better shape. Even if you just have the date of purchase, that helps. As much detail as you can provide. Because look, Daryn, these guys are really, really busy right now.
KAGAN: Yes, they have a few things to do. Which is why you should make a list.
WILLIS: That's right. Make a list. Assess the damage, particularly to your home itself, the structure itself. If there are cracks in the walls, whatever it is, you need to build a list so that you remember to show the adjuster absolutely everything wrong with that house. And even to outbuildings, if you have a swimming pool, maybe a little shed, any damage to those as well. Just make sure you have a list of everything to show the adjuster.
KAGAN: Yes. And that includes receipts and records.
WILLIS: Right. That's right. Keep your records and receipts. And here we're even talking about if you have to leave your house. Let's say your house is uninhabitable at this point. Well, if you're going to stay in a hotel and eat in restaurants, you need to keep copies of all those receipts. Otherwise it's going to be almost impossible to get reimbursed.
Remember that most insurance coverage will give you 20 percent of the insurance on your home for exactly that purpose. Although different companies measure it in different ways, so you'll want to check with your agent. But this also includes the cost of telephone and utilities. So it's pretty comprehensive.
KAGAN: Gerri, what happens if the adjuster comes out to your home and gives you a number that he or she thinks that your damages are worth and you don't agree with that number?
WILLIS: Well, you can get a second opinion. Hire an adjuster on your own. A public adjuster is somebody who's actually trained to do this kind of work. They'll take a look and they'll come up with their own estimate.
It could be different. This is not an expensive. It can cost you as much as 15 percent of the total value of your settlement, according to the people in the insurance industry.
And one final tip here, Daryn. I meant to mention, don't make permanent repairs to your house before the adjuster gets there. You need to wait. However, if your roof is off, you want to cover that up, because you don't want rain to damage the interior further.
KAGAN: A lot of folks in Florida with a long haul ahead of them.
WILLIS: That's right.
KAGAN: Gerri, thank you.
WILLIS: Thank you.
KAGAN: Well, he announced his resignation after admitting to an affair with another man. What is the latest on the story of Governor Jim McGreevey?
KAGAN: And Kobe Bryant will face a civil suit for alleged rape. But what about his criminal trial. A look at celebrity justice when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.
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KAGAN: I'm Daryn Kagan at CNN center in Atlanta. Let's check the headlines now in the news. Aid is pouring into parts of Florida devastated by Hurricane Charley. Damages are expected to be in the billions of dollars. It could take up to two weeks to restore power to the hardest hit areas. State officials are promising to prosecute price gougers. The hurricane is blamed for at least 17 deaths.
A wildfire has destroyed more than 20 homes in the old mining town of French Gulch, California. Three hundred residents were evacuated before the fire swept through town. The fire is moving toward an area with few homes, and is not expected to be fully contained until Friday. Six other wildfires are burning throughout California.
A lawyer for New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey's accuser says his client has witnesses to support his assault allegations. Golan Cipel's attorney says that Cipel has evidence of highly improper and intimidating sexual advances from McGreevey. Last week, McGreevey admitted to an affair with another man and said he would resign in November. Attorney Alan Lowry says that Cipel hasn't decided whether to sue McGreevey.
Last week's record high oil prices have not reached your gas stations just yet.
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