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CNN Live Today

In Russia, Gunmen Free as Many as 26 Women and Children; Parts of Bahamas Feeling Strength of Hurricane Frances

Aired September 02, 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'll get started; a lot of news to cover here from CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan.
Let's take a look at what is happening now in the news.

A short time ago, as many as 26 women and children were released from the Russian school where gunmen are holding hundreds of hostages. That is according to the Russian news agency Interfax. Local officials say as many as 350 school children, teachers and parents are still being held. This is the second day of that standoff. We'll have a live report from the scene in another minute.

From Iraq comes a report that militants have executed three more hostages, and that the bodies were apparently found in Samarra. Turkey's government says it's trying to confirm the al Jazeera report that it received a videotape showing three unidentified Turkish men being shot to death.

Here in the U.S., Hurricane Frances continues on its tear to the southeastern U.S. While it's too early to predict where it will charge ashore, forecasters say the threat of destruction is undeniable. The Category 4 hurricane is up to three times the size of Hurricane Charley, which killed 25 people last month. We'll have a live report from the Bahamas in just a moment.

The stage is set, as we look at a live picture of Madison Square Garden. President Bush set to formally accept his party's nomination at the finale of tonight's Republican National Convention. Mr. Bush has a tough act to follow. Senator Zell Miller of Georgia delivered arousing condemnation of fellow Democrat John Kerry, and praised President Bush as a courageous leader needed in a time of national danger.

Live this hour, Hurricane Frances gets closer to the U.S. mainland. Florida Governor Jeb Bush will visit an emergency operation center in Brevard County.

We are going to start this hour though in Russia. More on Frances in just a moment. But first to Russia, where gunmen have reportedly freed as many as 26 women and children. Hundreds of school children, teachers and parents are still inside that school. Now meanwhile outside, their families wait in agony, not knowing exactly what is happening or what is about to.

Our Ryan Chilcote is at the school near the Chechen border and joins us via videophone with the latest on this developing story -- Ryan.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, the talks are under way. An official came out a short while ago, a few minutes ago to say that the hostage takers have 26 women and children (AUDIO GAP) A gentleman from the (AUDIO GAP) regional government, a press secretary for the regional government, his name is (AUDIO GAP) he said it's (AUDIO GAP) he called it (AUDIO GAP) the substantive results of the negotiations, which he (AUDIO GAP) are now under way that are involving a regional government -- a former government official (AUDIO GAP) Ossetia.

He said investigators are (AUDIO GAP) the women and children who are well enough to talk to get a better idea of the situation in this gymnasium. There is some explosions behind me right now, Daryn. I'll just (AUDIO GAP) know about. That does not necessarily mean that there is a storm of that school going on right now. The explosions have been happening, sporadic gunfire with a regularity about every 30 minutes. But again, we have gunfire right now.

I'll continue on the negotiations. Apparently (AUDIO GAP) there are negotiations with the hostage takers. They say 26 children have been released. The ones 26 children (AUDIO GAP) Those who are well enough to talk to the investigators are talking to them about the situation in the gymnasium, the school's gymnasium. That is where Russian authorities (AUDIO GAP) and 50 hostages are being kept. Now, (AUDIO GAP) and apparently there are some who are not well enough to talk to investigators at this point and are (AUDIO GAP) medical treatment...

KAGAN: All right. We apologize for clearly that was not the best connection using our videophone with Ryan Chilcote from that Russian school. We'll work on re-establishing contact.

But once again, the latest news from that scene, that 26 hostages have been released. But still, as many as reported, of 350 women, children, teachers still held hostage in that Russian school. We will re-establish contact with Ryan Chilcote and bring you more in just a bit.

Right now though, we're going to focus on here in the U.S. Hurricane Frances, a state of emergency is already in effect for Florida. Residents getting ready for what could be the most dangerous hurricane of the year. The coming of Hurricane Frances has Floridians either buying up supplies or finalizing plans to get out of town. Three hundred thousand people in Palm Beach County have been ordered to evacuate. Hundreds of thousands of those living low-lying areas of other coastal counties have also been told to leave.

Meanwhile, we were able to re-establish through phone, Ryan Chilcote. He is in Russia at the site of the school -- actually, no we were not. OK. We'll go back to him in just a little bit.

We're going -- staying with the hurricane story. Parts of the Bahamas now are feeling the strength of Hurricane Frances.

Karl Penhaul joins us on the videophone. He is in the city of Freeport -- Karl.

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Morning, Daryn. Yes, we're in Freeport, that's on Grand Bahamas. Now, the hurricane is due to pass over here, according to chief meteorologist sometime in the course of the day tomorrow. What they're saying is that tropical storm force winds should be being felt here by late afternoon. Now, as you mentioned though, some other areas of the Bahamas are already feeling the brunt of Hurricane Frances. And overnight, that storm did pound the Turks and Caicos, which is south of where we're standing now.

Now, obviously preparations well under way here. Much as what people are doing 90 miles away in Florida, people here on Grand Bahamas also battening down the hatches, pulling plywood boards across doors and windows to protect those. A lot of U.S. tourists have been holidaying on this island have been flown out during the course of the day yesterday. And this morning, we understand that the last plane will leave the island around 2:00 today. A couple of the cruise liners that were in port here have now reloaded their passengers and they've left the area as well. So back to Florida. They should be out of the danger area by the time the storm hits here.

And those few tourists who have opted to stay have moved a few miles inland to one of the main hotels there. And again though, very much the mood, people battening down the hatches and waiting for the hurricane to pass. According to meteorologist predictions, it should pass directly over this island -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Karl Penhaul, we'll be checking back with you from the Bahamas.

Meanwhile, forecasters are warning people not to focus on the current track of the storm, since the actual landfall could be quite different from what's being projected. Right now there's a hurricane watch for about 300 miles of Florida's Atlantic coastline. The watch area stands from Craig Key northward to Flagler Beach. A hurricane watch means that those areas could start feeling hurricane conditions within the next 36 hours.

We're not going to leave the story. You don't need to either. You can follow Hurricane Frances on our web site. Learn how storms form and how to prepare for a hurricane. It's all there for you at cnn.com/weather. Once again, we'll have the latest on Frances as is necessary.

Right now, let's turn to the GOP convention. President Bush formally accepting the party's nomination tonight, after two of his biggest supporters assailed his opponent.

Our Bob Franken joins us from Madison Square Garden.

Bob, good morning.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And let's torture the cliche that politics is a contact sport and talk about President Bush. We'll call him the quarterback of his team. And to start out, he was huddling with his new teammates, supporters among the firemen at the firehouse -- next door to a firehouse in Queens. That was getting in preparation for the game. He wants to throw a touchdown, of course, tonight with his speech. But last night, the man was leading some blocking, trying to knock off the opponent.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP))

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: A senator can be wrong for 20 years without consequence to the nation.

(CHEERING)

(APPLAUSE)

CHENEY: But a president, a president always casts the deciding vote.

(CHEERING)

(APPLAUSE)

CHENEY: And in this time of challenge, America needs and America has a president we can count on to get it right.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: And we'll switch cliches here. That wasn't the reddest meat of the evening. That in fact was provided by not a Republican, but a Democrat. Georgia Senator Zell Miller, who was brutal in his critique of the Democrats. Zell Miller charged repeatedly that the Democrats had turned against their country. He bitterly complained that the reference to the troops in Iraq as occupiers was unpatriotic. Therefore, he said he was going to support the Republican candidate George W. Bush -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And I understand there's been some reconfiguration inside of Madison Square Garden for the president's speech tonight.

FRANKEN: Big time. Overnight they ripped apart part of this faux floor, it's not even a real floor. And they replaced some of the seats with this rotating stage that the president's going to use for a more intimate speech. A theater in the round type of thing. He's going to be making that speech this evening. They've reconfigured it, moved the chairs around. And he'll be making that speech in a new and different way, the Republicans say, when he hits the floor after 10:00 tonight.

KAGAN: Bob Franken from New York City. Bob, thank you.

A little bit more for you here on Zell Miller. Democrats here in Georgia feeling betrayed by the senator's support of President Bush, held a protest during Miller's speech last night. Hundreds showed up at a bar here in Atlanta to take part in a mock divorce proceeding. The "Atlanta Journal Constitution" reports that Georgia's AFL-CIO chief said to Miller, "Why do I want to be polite. Richard Ray says he's lost his damn mind." It's a quote! Just a quote here. Just reporting.

All right. It is no longer what they're calling a criminal matter. The judge in the Kobe Bryant hearings agrees to dismiss the case. A live report from Eagle, Colorado is up next.

And later, meet the man behind the words. Our John King sat down with the president's main speechwriter. Hear what he says ahead of the president's speech tonight.

And Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" racks up strong sales. Details ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Case closed for the Kobe Bryant sexual assault trial. In a stunning series of developments, prosecutors have now dropped the criminal charges against the NBA star. And Bryant himself has apologized to his accuser.

Our Chris Lawrence has the latest from Eagle, Colorado.

Chris, good morning.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. The criminal case is finished. But we spoke with the accuser's civil attorney, and while he says there's been no direct talks with Bryant about dropping the case, a settlement seems likely. In that the accuser would have to take the stand. And so far, the young woman has refused to testify at the criminal trial.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think the...

LAWRENCE (voice-over): The criminal case against Kobe Bryant collapsed less than a week before opening arguments, when his accuser told prosecutors she would no longer cooperate.

MARK HURLBERT, DIST. ATTY., EAGLE COUNTY, CO.: For this reason, and this reason only, I am dismissing this case.

LAWRENCE: The woman's attorney said she's disturbed by courthouse mistakes, including the repeated release of her name and medical history.

HURLBERT: Today, justice is sadly interrupted. And the casualty in this interruption has been a brave young woman who was grievously hurt.

LAWRENCE: The decision came down after Bryant had already flown out. But in a written statement, he apologized to the young woman and her family and said; "I now understand how she sincerely feels that she did not consent to this encounter." The woman has also filed a civil suit against the basketball star seeking damages.

But back in Los Angeles, Bryant's teammates were supportive. LUKE WALTON, L.A. LAKER TEAMMATE: Just, you know, for something like this, you know, to finally be over with, I'm happy for him and his family.

LAWRENCE: Bryant is married and the father of a little girl. His accuser, a college student and single. Their two worlds might never have collided if not for a knee injury. Bryant developed tendinitis last year and came to Colorado for surgery, putting him at this lodge on the night his accuser was working there. Both agreed they had sex. She said it was rape, Bryant insisted it was consensual.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAWRENCE: So after 14 months and some 700 motions, the entire matter ended in 15 minutes. Prosecutors cannot re-file these criminal charges down the road, but the civil suit has not been settled -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. So still another chapter to go in that story. Chris Lawrence in Eagle, Colorado, thank you.

And we will be talking to our legal analyst, Jeffrey Toobin in the next hour about the Kobe Bryant case.

Meanwhile, a few hours from now, testimony resumes in the murder trial of Scott Peterson. Jurors will hear from a state investigator who had followed Peterson during the massive search for his missing wife Laci. Prosecution witnesses testified that Peterson frequently visited San Francisco Bay and a nearby reservoir, as crews searched for her body. Prosecutors say that it shows he was worried the body would be found where he dumped it. The defense says he was a worried husband checking on search efforts.

Coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY, you're going to hear what John Edwards says about his rival Dick Cheney and Democrat Zell Miller.

This is CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's focus once again on the Republican National Convention looking at tonight's finale, President Bush's speech, through the eyes and insights of our political analyst, Carlos Watson.

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Daryn Kagan, good morning.

KAGAN: What are you looking for as the president, I would say take to the stage, but takes to the big, round circle in the middle of Madison Square Garden?

WATSON: I think you'll hear the president trying to do three things, Daryn. Much as the other speakers, he's going to try and put the war on terror front and center and say that much more than the economy, much more than the war in Iraq, the thing that should decide your vote this fall is the war on terror. And no one can be trusted as much to protect the homeland as I can. So I think you'll hear that again and again.

You'll also probably hear him be the first and only speaker to spend any extended time on the economy. Although even President Bush, I doubt that you'll see him spend five or six minutes talking about that. More like probably two or three minutes.

And last, but not least, I think you'll hear him lay out other elements of the second term agenda. In fact, I think the onus is on him to be relatively specific and not just compelling. He's talked for the last several weeks about using this event tonight, as an opportunity to tell you where he wants to lead the country over the next four years.

KAGAN: You mentioned the word "compelling." There have been some compelling speakers over the week, whether or not you agree with their political points of view. Zell Miller, interesting to hear what he was saying last night. Arnold Schwarzenegger the night before. In terms of simply being a speaker, what are the expectations for this president?

WATSON: You know, it's interesting. A lot of Democrats criticize the president, they think -- particularly his speaking style, thinking that he's not particularly compelling. But when you actually look at the polls and you look at how people respond to him, those who are in the middle, those who are so-called moderate voters, there's actually a better reception there. So I'm looking for him to come across as confidant, but also relaxed. I think you'll see him use a good bit of humor.

I think it will be important for him not to go on too long. So you'll probably see a speech that's 50 minutes instead of, say, an hour and 10 minutes.

KAGAN: Oh, earlier bedtime for those of us on the East Coast. That's good news right now.

WATSON: Hopefully.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: Let's talk about Senator John Kerry. Yesterday you were putting the spotlight on the speech he was giving before the American Legion, the national convention of this veterans group that took place in Nashville, Tennessee. How did that speech go over? And did that live up to expectations?

WATSON: Ultimately I think it didn't do all that it could have done, Daryn. He actually offered some new and relatively significant substance in terms of national security and foreign policy. He laid out what in many ways could be called the "Kerry Doctrine," saying if the Bush doctrine on war includes preemptive war, his doctrine includes only going to war if you have a full plan, quote unquote, "to win the peace."

But while he shared things like that and also talked about what success in the war on terror would look like, I think he really didn't offer, again, a clear, simple phrase that everyday people would remember. And that the local newscasts that night could run with. And consequently, I don't think it had the impact that he probably hoped that it would have.

KAGAN: Carlos Watson in New York City. Carlos, thank you.

WATSON: Daryn Kagan, see you tomorrow hopefully.

KAGAN: All right. Yes. We'll have you back.

Get a ringside seat to all of tonight's action. Our primetime live coverage of the Republican National Convention begins at 7:00 Eastern. It takes you straight through to 1:00 a.m. Eastern.

The director of the National Hurricane Center tells people in the path of Frances, be prepared for the worst storm you may see in your lifetime. We are following the hurricane very closely.

Also, protesters are gathering again today in New York City, amid accusations that the police have been getting a bit rough. We'll have a live report in a moment.

You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's go ahead and check the stories now in the news. Interfax News Agency reports 26 hostages have been released from the school in southern Russia. Two explosions were heard nearby earlier today. It's believed armed attackers are holding hundreds of children and adults. Witnesses report sporadic gunfire from the school. Stay with CNN for the latest updates on this developing story.

Hurricane Frances is now raking the Bahamas with Category four winds. And the storm could find Florida as early as tomorrow. Because it's a huge and dangerous storm, people along Florida's east coast are being urged to evacuate now and not focus on projections about where Frances is expected to make landfall. We're going to have a live update for you just ahead.

To Iraq though, first. Iraqi officials saying 12 people were killed in U.S. air strikes in Fallujah eight others were wounded. U.S. officials say the targets were two suspected terrorist hideouts. They were allegedly used by followers of Abu al Zarqawi, who is said to have close ties to Usama bin Laden.

U.N. nuclear watchdogs believe that Iran may soon have enough enriched uranium to build several nuclear warheads. As a result, Secretary of State Colin Powell has started the groundwork for the Security Council to impose sanctions against Iran. Powell says he'll try to push for such action later this month, but concedes that might be a hard sell.

All right. We want to go back now to Hurricane Frances and where it might be hitting Florida. And the preparations that people are making. We have on the phone with us Cragin Mosteller.

And Cragin, please tell us who you're with, please.

CRAGIN MOSTELLER, FLORIDA DIV. OF EMERGENCY MGMT.: I'm with the Emergency Operation Center for the state of Florida.

KAGAN: And where -- which city are you in right now?

MOSTELLER: We're in Tallahassee, Florida.

KAGAN: In Tallahassee in the northern part of the state. Tell us what you're encouraging people all across the state to do today.

MOSTELLER: We're encouraging everyone to begin implementing their hurricane plan. To make sure that they have on hand: flashlights, batteries, waters and non-perishable foods to last up to two weeks. We're encouraging residents to pay attention to their local authorities and operate evacuation routes as necessary. And to make sure that they heed their warnings. If they're asked to evacuate, please evacuate. But if they're not asked to evacuate, we're really encouraging them to shelter in place and to prepare their homes.

Frances is so large, that we're concerned that the majority of the state will be affected by her. And so we're asking people to evacuate tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.

DARYN KAGAN, ANCHOR: And so for the majority of Floridians, you actually want them to stay in place, just have the supplies they need?

MOSTELLER: Exactly.

KAGAN: What about the lessons learned from Charley a few weeks ago?

MOSTELLER: Well, with Charley we were very prepared for that storm, as we feel we are this one. We're coordinating with all of the state agencies and the counties to make sure that we're all working together to protect our residents and to protect life safety. And we're encouraging residents to do the same.

KAGAN: All right. Well, nothing's going to help more than the cooperation of the residents and citizens of Florida.

MOSTELLER: Absolutely.

KAGAN: We wish you well with the next -- next few days.

MOSTELLER: Thank you very much.

KAGAN: Cragin Mosteller with the state of Florida, thank you.

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 September 2, 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'll get started; a lot of news to cover here from CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan.
Let's take a look at what is happening now in the news.

A short time ago, as many as 26 women and children were released from the Russian school where gunmen are holding hundreds of hostages. That is according to the Russian news agency Interfax. Local officials say as many as 350 school children, teachers and parents are still being held. This is the second day of that standoff. We'll have a live report from the scene in another minute.

From Iraq comes a report that militants have executed three more hostages, and that the bodies were apparently found in Samarra. Turkey's government says it's trying to confirm the al Jazeera report that it received a videotape showing three unidentified Turkish men being shot to death.

Here in the U.S., Hurricane Frances continues on its tear to the southeastern U.S. While it's too early to predict where it will charge ashore, forecasters say the threat of destruction is undeniable. The Category 4 hurricane is up to three times the size of Hurricane Charley, which killed 25 people last month. We'll have a live report from the Bahamas in just a moment.

The stage is set, as we look at a live picture of Madison Square Garden. President Bush set to formally accept his party's nomination at the finale of tonight's Republican National Convention. Mr. Bush has a tough act to follow. Senator Zell Miller of Georgia delivered arousing condemnation of fellow Democrat John Kerry, and praised President Bush as a courageous leader needed in a time of national danger.

Live this hour, Hurricane Frances gets closer to the U.S. mainland. Florida Governor Jeb Bush will visit an emergency operation center in Brevard County.

We are going to start this hour though in Russia. More on Frances in just a moment. But first to Russia, where gunmen have reportedly freed as many as 26 women and children. Hundreds of school children, teachers and parents are still inside that school. Now meanwhile outside, their families wait in agony, not knowing exactly what is happening or what is about to.

Our Ryan Chilcote is at the school near the Chechen border and joins us via videophone with the latest on this developing story -- Ryan.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, the talks are under way. An official came out a short while ago, a few minutes ago to say that the hostage takers have 26 women and children (AUDIO GAP) A gentleman from the (AUDIO GAP) regional government, a press secretary for the regional government, his name is (AUDIO GAP) he said it's (AUDIO GAP) he called it (AUDIO GAP) the substantive results of the negotiations, which he (AUDIO GAP) are now under way that are involving a regional government -- a former government official (AUDIO GAP) Ossetia.

He said investigators are (AUDIO GAP) the women and children who are well enough to talk to get a better idea of the situation in this gymnasium. There is some explosions behind me right now, Daryn. I'll just (AUDIO GAP) know about. That does not necessarily mean that there is a storm of that school going on right now. The explosions have been happening, sporadic gunfire with a regularity about every 30 minutes. But again, we have gunfire right now.

I'll continue on the negotiations. Apparently (AUDIO GAP) there are negotiations with the hostage takers. They say 26 children have been released. The ones 26 children (AUDIO GAP) Those who are well enough to talk to the investigators are talking to them about the situation in the gymnasium, the school's gymnasium. That is where Russian authorities (AUDIO GAP) and 50 hostages are being kept. Now, (AUDIO GAP) and apparently there are some who are not well enough to talk to investigators at this point and are (AUDIO GAP) medical treatment...

KAGAN: All right. We apologize for clearly that was not the best connection using our videophone with Ryan Chilcote from that Russian school. We'll work on re-establishing contact.

But once again, the latest news from that scene, that 26 hostages have been released. But still, as many as reported, of 350 women, children, teachers still held hostage in that Russian school. We will re-establish contact with Ryan Chilcote and bring you more in just a bit.

Right now though, we're going to focus on here in the U.S. Hurricane Frances, a state of emergency is already in effect for Florida. Residents getting ready for what could be the most dangerous hurricane of the year. The coming of Hurricane Frances has Floridians either buying up supplies or finalizing plans to get out of town. Three hundred thousand people in Palm Beach County have been ordered to evacuate. Hundreds of thousands of those living low-lying areas of other coastal counties have also been told to leave.

Meanwhile, we were able to re-establish through phone, Ryan Chilcote. He is in Russia at the site of the school -- actually, no we were not. OK. We'll go back to him in just a little bit.

We're going -- staying with the hurricane story. Parts of the Bahamas now are feeling the strength of Hurricane Frances.

Karl Penhaul joins us on the videophone. He is in the city of Freeport -- Karl.

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Morning, Daryn. Yes, we're in Freeport, that's on Grand Bahamas. Now, the hurricane is due to pass over here, according to chief meteorologist sometime in the course of the day tomorrow. What they're saying is that tropical storm force winds should be being felt here by late afternoon. Now, as you mentioned though, some other areas of the Bahamas are already feeling the brunt of Hurricane Frances. And overnight, that storm did pound the Turks and Caicos, which is south of where we're standing now.

Now, obviously preparations well under way here. Much as what people are doing 90 miles away in Florida, people here on Grand Bahamas also battening down the hatches, pulling plywood boards across doors and windows to protect those. A lot of U.S. tourists have been holidaying on this island have been flown out during the course of the day yesterday. And this morning, we understand that the last plane will leave the island around 2:00 today. A couple of the cruise liners that were in port here have now reloaded their passengers and they've left the area as well. So back to Florida. They should be out of the danger area by the time the storm hits here.

And those few tourists who have opted to stay have moved a few miles inland to one of the main hotels there. And again though, very much the mood, people battening down the hatches and waiting for the hurricane to pass. According to meteorologist predictions, it should pass directly over this island -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Karl Penhaul, we'll be checking back with you from the Bahamas.

Meanwhile, forecasters are warning people not to focus on the current track of the storm, since the actual landfall could be quite different from what's being projected. Right now there's a hurricane watch for about 300 miles of Florida's Atlantic coastline. The watch area stands from Craig Key northward to Flagler Beach. A hurricane watch means that those areas could start feeling hurricane conditions within the next 36 hours.

We're not going to leave the story. You don't need to either. You can follow Hurricane Frances on our web site. Learn how storms form and how to prepare for a hurricane. It's all there for you at cnn.com/weather. Once again, we'll have the latest on Frances as is necessary.

Right now, let's turn to the GOP convention. President Bush formally accepting the party's nomination tonight, after two of his biggest supporters assailed his opponent.

Our Bob Franken joins us from Madison Square Garden.

Bob, good morning.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And let's torture the cliche that politics is a contact sport and talk about President Bush. We'll call him the quarterback of his team. And to start out, he was huddling with his new teammates, supporters among the firemen at the firehouse -- next door to a firehouse in Queens. That was getting in preparation for the game. He wants to throw a touchdown, of course, tonight with his speech. But last night, the man was leading some blocking, trying to knock off the opponent.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP))

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: A senator can be wrong for 20 years without consequence to the nation.

(CHEERING)

(APPLAUSE)

CHENEY: But a president, a president always casts the deciding vote.

(CHEERING)

(APPLAUSE)

CHENEY: And in this time of challenge, America needs and America has a president we can count on to get it right.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: And we'll switch cliches here. That wasn't the reddest meat of the evening. That in fact was provided by not a Republican, but a Democrat. Georgia Senator Zell Miller, who was brutal in his critique of the Democrats. Zell Miller charged repeatedly that the Democrats had turned against their country. He bitterly complained that the reference to the troops in Iraq as occupiers was unpatriotic. Therefore, he said he was going to support the Republican candidate George W. Bush -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And I understand there's been some reconfiguration inside of Madison Square Garden for the president's speech tonight.

FRANKEN: Big time. Overnight they ripped apart part of this faux floor, it's not even a real floor. And they replaced some of the seats with this rotating stage that the president's going to use for a more intimate speech. A theater in the round type of thing. He's going to be making that speech this evening. They've reconfigured it, moved the chairs around. And he'll be making that speech in a new and different way, the Republicans say, when he hits the floor after 10:00 tonight.

KAGAN: Bob Franken from New York City. Bob, thank you.

A little bit more for you here on Zell Miller. Democrats here in Georgia feeling betrayed by the senator's support of President Bush, held a protest during Miller's speech last night. Hundreds showed up at a bar here in Atlanta to take part in a mock divorce proceeding. The "Atlanta Journal Constitution" reports that Georgia's AFL-CIO chief said to Miller, "Why do I want to be polite. Richard Ray says he's lost his damn mind." It's a quote! Just a quote here. Just reporting.

All right. It is no longer what they're calling a criminal matter. The judge in the Kobe Bryant hearings agrees to dismiss the case. A live report from Eagle, Colorado is up next.

And later, meet the man behind the words. Our John King sat down with the president's main speechwriter. Hear what he says ahead of the president's speech tonight.

And Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" racks up strong sales. Details ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Case closed for the Kobe Bryant sexual assault trial. In a stunning series of developments, prosecutors have now dropped the criminal charges against the NBA star. And Bryant himself has apologized to his accuser.

Our Chris Lawrence has the latest from Eagle, Colorado.

Chris, good morning.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. The criminal case is finished. But we spoke with the accuser's civil attorney, and while he says there's been no direct talks with Bryant about dropping the case, a settlement seems likely. In that the accuser would have to take the stand. And so far, the young woman has refused to testify at the criminal trial.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think the...

LAWRENCE (voice-over): The criminal case against Kobe Bryant collapsed less than a week before opening arguments, when his accuser told prosecutors she would no longer cooperate.

MARK HURLBERT, DIST. ATTY., EAGLE COUNTY, CO.: For this reason, and this reason only, I am dismissing this case.

LAWRENCE: The woman's attorney said she's disturbed by courthouse mistakes, including the repeated release of her name and medical history.

HURLBERT: Today, justice is sadly interrupted. And the casualty in this interruption has been a brave young woman who was grievously hurt.

LAWRENCE: The decision came down after Bryant had already flown out. But in a written statement, he apologized to the young woman and her family and said; "I now understand how she sincerely feels that she did not consent to this encounter." The woman has also filed a civil suit against the basketball star seeking damages.

But back in Los Angeles, Bryant's teammates were supportive. LUKE WALTON, L.A. LAKER TEAMMATE: Just, you know, for something like this, you know, to finally be over with, I'm happy for him and his family.

LAWRENCE: Bryant is married and the father of a little girl. His accuser, a college student and single. Their two worlds might never have collided if not for a knee injury. Bryant developed tendinitis last year and came to Colorado for surgery, putting him at this lodge on the night his accuser was working there. Both agreed they had sex. She said it was rape, Bryant insisted it was consensual.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAWRENCE: So after 14 months and some 700 motions, the entire matter ended in 15 minutes. Prosecutors cannot re-file these criminal charges down the road, but the civil suit has not been settled -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. So still another chapter to go in that story. Chris Lawrence in Eagle, Colorado, thank you.

And we will be talking to our legal analyst, Jeffrey Toobin in the next hour about the Kobe Bryant case.

Meanwhile, a few hours from now, testimony resumes in the murder trial of Scott Peterson. Jurors will hear from a state investigator who had followed Peterson during the massive search for his missing wife Laci. Prosecution witnesses testified that Peterson frequently visited San Francisco Bay and a nearby reservoir, as crews searched for her body. Prosecutors say that it shows he was worried the body would be found where he dumped it. The defense says he was a worried husband checking on search efforts.

Coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY, you're going to hear what John Edwards says about his rival Dick Cheney and Democrat Zell Miller.

This is CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's focus once again on the Republican National Convention looking at tonight's finale, President Bush's speech, through the eyes and insights of our political analyst, Carlos Watson.

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Daryn Kagan, good morning.

KAGAN: What are you looking for as the president, I would say take to the stage, but takes to the big, round circle in the middle of Madison Square Garden?

WATSON: I think you'll hear the president trying to do three things, Daryn. Much as the other speakers, he's going to try and put the war on terror front and center and say that much more than the economy, much more than the war in Iraq, the thing that should decide your vote this fall is the war on terror. And no one can be trusted as much to protect the homeland as I can. So I think you'll hear that again and again.

You'll also probably hear him be the first and only speaker to spend any extended time on the economy. Although even President Bush, I doubt that you'll see him spend five or six minutes talking about that. More like probably two or three minutes.

And last, but not least, I think you'll hear him lay out other elements of the second term agenda. In fact, I think the onus is on him to be relatively specific and not just compelling. He's talked for the last several weeks about using this event tonight, as an opportunity to tell you where he wants to lead the country over the next four years.

KAGAN: You mentioned the word "compelling." There have been some compelling speakers over the week, whether or not you agree with their political points of view. Zell Miller, interesting to hear what he was saying last night. Arnold Schwarzenegger the night before. In terms of simply being a speaker, what are the expectations for this president?

WATSON: You know, it's interesting. A lot of Democrats criticize the president, they think -- particularly his speaking style, thinking that he's not particularly compelling. But when you actually look at the polls and you look at how people respond to him, those who are in the middle, those who are so-called moderate voters, there's actually a better reception there. So I'm looking for him to come across as confidant, but also relaxed. I think you'll see him use a good bit of humor.

I think it will be important for him not to go on too long. So you'll probably see a speech that's 50 minutes instead of, say, an hour and 10 minutes.

KAGAN: Oh, earlier bedtime for those of us on the East Coast. That's good news right now.

WATSON: Hopefully.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: Let's talk about Senator John Kerry. Yesterday you were putting the spotlight on the speech he was giving before the American Legion, the national convention of this veterans group that took place in Nashville, Tennessee. How did that speech go over? And did that live up to expectations?

WATSON: Ultimately I think it didn't do all that it could have done, Daryn. He actually offered some new and relatively significant substance in terms of national security and foreign policy. He laid out what in many ways could be called the "Kerry Doctrine," saying if the Bush doctrine on war includes preemptive war, his doctrine includes only going to war if you have a full plan, quote unquote, "to win the peace."

But while he shared things like that and also talked about what success in the war on terror would look like, I think he really didn't offer, again, a clear, simple phrase that everyday people would remember. And that the local newscasts that night could run with. And consequently, I don't think it had the impact that he probably hoped that it would have.

KAGAN: Carlos Watson in New York City. Carlos, thank you.

WATSON: Daryn Kagan, see you tomorrow hopefully.

KAGAN: All right. Yes. We'll have you back.

Get a ringside seat to all of tonight's action. Our primetime live coverage of the Republican National Convention begins at 7:00 Eastern. It takes you straight through to 1:00 a.m. Eastern.

The director of the National Hurricane Center tells people in the path of Frances, be prepared for the worst storm you may see in your lifetime. We are following the hurricane very closely.

Also, protesters are gathering again today in New York City, amid accusations that the police have been getting a bit rough. We'll have a live report in a moment.

You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's go ahead and check the stories now in the news. Interfax News Agency reports 26 hostages have been released from the school in southern Russia. Two explosions were heard nearby earlier today. It's believed armed attackers are holding hundreds of children and adults. Witnesses report sporadic gunfire from the school. Stay with CNN for the latest updates on this developing story.

Hurricane Frances is now raking the Bahamas with Category four winds. And the storm could find Florida as early as tomorrow. Because it's a huge and dangerous storm, people along Florida's east coast are being urged to evacuate now and not focus on projections about where Frances is expected to make landfall. We're going to have a live update for you just ahead.

To Iraq though, first. Iraqi officials saying 12 people were killed in U.S. air strikes in Fallujah eight others were wounded. U.S. officials say the targets were two suspected terrorist hideouts. They were allegedly used by followers of Abu al Zarqawi, who is said to have close ties to Usama bin Laden.

U.N. nuclear watchdogs believe that Iran may soon have enough enriched uranium to build several nuclear warheads. As a result, Secretary of State Colin Powell has started the groundwork for the Security Council to impose sanctions against Iran. Powell says he'll try to push for such action later this month, but concedes that might be a hard sell.

All right. We want to go back now to Hurricane Frances and where it might be hitting Florida. And the preparations that people are making. We have on the phone with us Cragin Mosteller.

And Cragin, please tell us who you're with, please.

CRAGIN MOSTELLER, FLORIDA DIV. OF EMERGENCY MGMT.: I'm with the Emergency Operation Center for the state of Florida.

KAGAN: And where -- which city are you in right now?

MOSTELLER: We're in Tallahassee, Florida.

KAGAN: In Tallahassee in the northern part of the state. Tell us what you're encouraging people all across the state to do today.

MOSTELLER: We're encouraging everyone to begin implementing their hurricane plan. To make sure that they have on hand: flashlights, batteries, waters and non-perishable foods to last up to two weeks. We're encouraging residents to pay attention to their local authorities and operate evacuation routes as necessary. And to make sure that they heed their warnings. If they're asked to evacuate, please evacuate. But if they're not asked to evacuate, we're really encouraging them to shelter in place and to prepare their homes.

Frances is so large, that we're concerned that the majority of the state will be affected by her. And so we're asking people to evacuate tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.

DARYN KAGAN, ANCHOR: And so for the majority of Floridians, you actually want them to stay in place, just have the supplies they need?

MOSTELLER: Exactly.

KAGAN: What about the lessons learned from Charley a few weeks ago?

MOSTELLER: Well, with Charley we were very prepared for that storm, as we feel we are this one. We're coordinating with all of the state agencies and the counties to make sure that we're all working together to protect our residents and to protect life safety. And we're encouraging residents to do the same.

KAGAN: All right. Well, nothing's going to help more than the cooperation of the residents and citizens of Florida.

MOSTELLER: Absolutely.

KAGAN: We wish you well with the next -- next few days.

MOSTELLER: Thank you very much.

KAGAN: Cragin Mosteller with the state of Florida, thank you.

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