Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Community Mourns Murdered Hunters; Brawl Could Hurt NBA Financially

Aired November 23, 2004 - 10:30   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.


BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back. It's 10:30 Eastern. I'm Betty Nguyen in for Daryn Kagan today.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Rick Sanchez. And here's what's happening right now in the news.

The upcoming Palestinian election is another topic drawing attention to the conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says there has been good cooperation so far between the Israelis and the Palestinian Authority. Both sides have seen this month's death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat as a potential turning point in the region.

There's yet another chapter added to the O.J. Simpson saga. The family of Ron Goldman goes to court today. They're seeking a $33.5 million award in the civil lawsuit. The former football star has said he will not work if the money then goes to pay for the settlement. A friend of Simpson's is to testify today about his finances.

Also we've got a live picture we can show you now. This is live, right? Yes. This is coming in from Washington. It's a report card on computer and video games that your children may be watching or seeing.

Senator Joe Lieberman put this together quite awhile ago. He's joined there by the person you're seeing, that's U.S. Representative Betty McCollum. And they're unveiling their sixth annual assessment, along with the National Institute on Media and the Family.

This is a report card that highlights the progress and room to improve for game makers and retailers. We'll follow it, and we'll let you know.

And just minutes ago, in Washington, Lynne Cheney took part in the 26th annual tree-topping ceremony. In fact, the wife of the vice president with some wonderful music in the background, placed the star atop the 40 foot tall national Christmas tree. And she used a cherry picker to do it.

NGUYEN: A sixth hunter has now died from a shooting in Wisconsin, described by that state's governor as a great family tradition turned into a great loss.

CNN's Keith Oppenheim is covering the investigation for us from Hayward, Wisconsin, and he joins us with the latest.

Hi, Keith.

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Betty.

I'm standing about a half mile away from a crime scene, where police say on Sunday a hunter trespassed and then wounded two other hunters and killed six other hunters.

That has all, as you can imagine, left a community where most of the victims lived in mourning today.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OPPENHEIM (voice-over): The residents of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, are taking in the deadly details.

LINDA KONIECZNY, RICE LAKE RESIDENT: I'm shocked. And it's scary. You know, my family goes out hunting every year.

OPPENHEIM: On Sunday, in deep woods one hour away from town, a group of area hunters came across another hunter, 36-year-old Chai Vang, who police say was trespassing, illegally using a deer stand on private land. Investigators say the hunters told Vang he had to leave.

SHERIFF JAMES MEIER, SAWYER COUNTY, WISCONSIN: The suspect got down from the deer stand, walked approximately 40 yards, fiddled with his rifle in some sort, which appeared he took the scope off the rifle. He turned and he opened fire on the group.

OPPENHEIM: Police say after the shootings Vang got lost in the woods, then got help from two other hunters who didn't realize he was a wanted man. He was later arrested by authorities without incident.

SHERIFF TOM RICHIE, SHARON COUNTY, WISCONSIN: The most frequently asked question is how could somebody do such a horrific, inhumane act?

OPPENHEIM: At this point, police have no clear answer as to what might have led Chai Vang from committing a minor infraction, trespassing, to what police believe was his role in a multiple murder.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OPPENHEIM: Betty, we've learned that Chai Vang was a truck driver from St. Paul, Minnesota, married with six children. He's in custody here in Sawyer County, and he may have a court hearing later today.

As for the dead, there was a father and son in that group, Robert and Joey Crottreau. Joey was only 20 years. Also, a woman was killed, 27-year-old Jessica Willers. Her father, Terry Willers, was among the injured.

And last night as you're indicating, there was a sixth fatality. Denny Drew, 55 years old, died in a regional hospital.

Back to you, Betty.

NGUYEN: Such a difficult time for all the families involved. Keith Oppenheim, thank you so much for that report -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Let's take a look at some of the other stories that are making news now from coast to coast.

NGUYEN: In Sedona, Arizona, this woman is not only up a tree, she is up the creek. But thankfully, her rescuers did have paddles. They were able to pluck her from her leafy perch. Check it out. She had latched onto the tree as the fast-moving waters swept her downstream.

SANCHEZ: In Bakersfield, California, it's a heart-wrenching story of a life's saving loss. This 70-year-old grandmother distrusted banks and carried with her all the money she had, $17,000, saved during four decades of far work.

Her purse disappeared during a weekend visit to a local Burger King, and police now say there's little hope that a surveillance video will lead them to the money.

NGUYEN: Kept it in her purse? Well, we do have an update on the Hollywood, Florida, woman who was selling a 10-year-old grilled cheese sandwich -- Remember this one? -- Which she said featured an image of the Virgin Mary. There it is.

Well, an online casino agrees, or at least is hungry for the publicity. It has posted a winning bid -- get this -- $28,000 for that grilled cheese sandwich on eBay.

SANCHEZ: Here's another grandmother story. Among the Americans soon headed to Iraq could be a 72-year-old grandmother. She's a grandmother from Oklahoma, as a matter of fact. Her name is Lena Haddix. She's a military wife for nearly 30 years, preparing to be deployed to Iraq as a civilian defense worker.

The grandmother of eight and great-grandma of three says she volunteered, because she wants to do something for her country.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LENA HADDIX, HEADED TO IRAQ: I feel good about going. I'm not scared. Of course I know there will be times I will be scared, but I'll be -- I'll get over it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: She'll get over it. Haddix gets a medical checkup before her six-month tour. She's going to have a week of training before flying to Germany and eventually going to Iraq.

And I guess what else can we say, but, "You go, Grandma."

NGUYEN: Grandma.

All right, talk about being down on your luck. Still to come, this man's real-life rags to riches story.

SANCHEZ: Also what the courtside chaos may do to the NBA. We're going to look at the possible financial fallout from these punches.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Welcome back. I'm Rick Sanchez here with Betty Nguyen.

NGUYEN: Yes.

SANCHEZ: We're...

NGUYEN: Talking about a little business news.

SANCHEZ: Two things in business. Not only that, but also something having to do with McDonald's. And this is one of those business/medical stories, right?

(STOCK REPORT)

SANCHEZ: Thanks a lot, Rhonda. You know, in other business news, the business of basketball. In the wake of the melee in Michigan, how might the NBA's marquee brand be hurt?

For that here's CNN's Allen Chernoff.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For the business of the National Basketball Association, this punch is a crisis, an assault on the NBA brand.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is very, very dangerous.

CHERNOFF: So Commissioner David Stern is responding with crisis management.

DAVID STERN, NBA COMMISSIONER: The NBA will strive to exemplify the best that can be offered by professional sports and not allow our sport to be debased.

CHERNOFF: By reacting aggressively, suspending the Pacers' Ron Artest for the season, Stern is trying to defend the NBA's franchise.

MARTY BLACKMAN, SPORTS MARKETING CONSULTANT: Certainly, the league's image is tarnished. But I think the important question is, is it a lasting tarnish? Can it be repaired or erased? And I think that is the real job for the NBA to do in the next ensuing months.

CHERNOFF: Even before Friday, the NBA was facing problems. Attendance is down. Broadcast television ratings fell last season. And there's threat of a lockout next season because of a dispute between owners and players, who on average earn over $4 million a year.

Many fans, who pay an average of $45 a ticket, are upset. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm questioning now, you know, whether or not you know, this is a good investment, even from an entertainment standpoint, because that's pretty much all it is.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think people are tuning out.

CHERNOFF: The Pacers' Ron Artest loses $5 million for the season. But Artest is also a businessman. He runs a music label and has recorded a rap album. Marketing experts say it's possible his notoriety will generate business.

Artest has endorsed sneakers from L.A. Gear, which says, "At this time, we are reviewing all of our plans concerning his role with our company and our brand."

NBA sponsors, who want nothing to do with Artest, are backing the league, Coca-Cola saying, "We support steps taken by Commissioner Stern." And Anheuser-Busch declaring, "We are pleased to see the NBA take action."

(on camera) The NBA's tough penalties serve as a deterrent to prevent another such incident. And sports marketing experts say that's exactly what's needed to protect the business, and repair damage to the NBA.

Allan Chernoff, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Well, Martha Stewart says she's still grateful this Thanksgiving, despite prison bars and cafeteria grub. The domestic diva is about one month into a five-month sentence at the West Virginia prison.

Her web site posted this message to her supports. She says, "As you would expect, the loss of freedom and the lack of privacy are extremely difficult. But I am safe, fit and healthy, and I am pleased to report that, contrary to rumors you might have heard, my daily interactions with the staff and fellow inmates here at Alderson are marked by fair treatment and mutual respect."

The posted message continues. "In short, I am in good spirits and making the best of this difficult situation. Visits from my friends, family and colleagues together with your goodwill and best wishes will get me through this chapter in my life. For this friendship and support, I am very grateful this Thanksgiving."

SANCHEZ: Check this one out. Three quarters and three pennies, 78 cents. That's all that Juan Rodriguez had in the bank before he won New York's $149 million Mega Millions lottery. Can you believe it?

This is according to "The New York Post." Court papers show Rodriguez had filed for bankruptcy. "The Post" also says that he was on the verge of losing his wife over his money misfortunes. That is until the 49-year-old parking attendant spent one dollar on a Lotto ticket Friday.

Officials say Rodriguez is expected to pick up his check sometime today. Run, don't walk.

NGUYEN: Does that mean his wife is sticking around now?

SANCHEZ: I would imagine. That might just be an assumption on my part.

NGUYEN: Definitely need money apparently.

Well, for many Gen-Xers, "Free to Be You and Me" is a fond childhood memory. Marlo Thomas has a new project.

SANCHEZ: A little music in the background there. She's going to join us, Marlo Thomas, right here with us on the other side of the break to talk about this and other things.

NGUYEN: And this is what we're working on for the next hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(MUSIC)

NGUYEN: Got to like Sheryl Crow there.

Well, they say the best things in life are free, like sunshine, good health, family and friendship. Now, two days before Thanksgiving, a new book and CD celebrate the acts of saying thanks and giving.

Marlo Thomas, of the long-running television series "That Girl," is the author, and she joins me live from New York with much more on this.

Hi there.

MARLO THOMAS, AUTHOR AND ACTRESS: Hi. Thanks for having me.

NGUYEN: Absolutely. We appreciate you being here. Let's talk about this. You are the author of two best-selling books. And while you did get some help on this one, tell me why you're inspired to put together this collection of stories, songs and poems, you name it.

THOMAS: Well, it's really all about an initiative that we're doing at Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital called "Thanks and Giving," which really is a time to give thanks for all the kids in our lives who are healthy and to give to those kids who are not, so that one day all children will be healthy.

And that's really what Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital is all about. We do research and treatment and which serves every community in this country. There's a lot of wonderful children's hospitals in America. We collaborate with all of them.

And so this wonderful book and CD is part of this initiative to raise funds for Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital.

NGUYEN: Now, your father, Danny Thomas, was the founder of Saint Jude's.

THOMAS: Yes, he is.

NGUYEN: Tell us a little bit about where these hospitals have come, the progress that they have made in helping children with cancer and other diseases.

THOMAS: Well, when my father opened the doors in 1962, only four percent of kids who got ALL -- the most common form of cancer is leukemia in children and ALL is the most common form. Only four percent of the children in those days survived.

Today, and actually just a month ago, our researchers, because of our work at Saint Jude, announced that we have an 86 percent cure rate.

NGUYEN: Wow.

THOMAS: So we're the epicenter for brain research. We're -- now we've gone from 25 percent to 75 percent survival rates with brain research.

So mostly what we're doing at Saint Jude's is research, the research and the treatment. And it is a place where we study disease.

My father used to always say it's not enough just to make kids better. What we want to do is find out what makes them sick.

NGUYEN: Absolutely. It takes a lot of money to have an effort like that.

THOMAS: It certainly does. It costs $1 million a day. That's why we are -- because we pay for everything. No child is ever turned away for a family's inability to pay. That was one of my father's promises.

And so this Friday, November 26, the day after Thanksgiving, is the beginning of a "Thanks and Giving" campaign. And so wherever you see our logo or the name of Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, that particular store will be giving some of its profit to Saint Jude that day for all different kinds of gifts or whatever way they choose to do it.

And you can go to our web site, ThanksAndGiving.com, and you can purchase all kinds of products.

NGUYEN: Including the book and the CD.

THOMAS: Yes. And the book and the CD are also available at bookstores.

NGUYEN: There are a lot of A-listers who contributed to this. Can you just give us a quick story, name a few names? THOMAS: Yes. Sure, that's Sheryl Crow that's singing. We also have Faith Hill, Hilary Duff, Billy Crystal, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kermit the Frog, Donald Trump, Jennifer Aniston, Robin Williams. A whole bunch of people.

NGUYEN: It's a book, a CD. There are all kinds of illustrations.

THOMAS: That's right. Oh, yes. Maurice Sendak, the great Maurice Sendak. And they all gave their royalties to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital.

NGUYEN: For a good cause.

SANCHEZ: And Marlo, Rick here. Say hello to that gray-haired husband of yours for us, will you?

THOMAS: I will. I sure will.

SANCHEZ: Tell him I say hi.

THOMAS: I will. Thanks.

NGUYEN: Thank you, Marlo. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

THOMAS: Thanks, you too.

NGUYEN: We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: We're almost there. Time to really get a sense of what's going on with the weather around the country, because soon everyone's going to be doing like this.

NGUYEN: All over the place.

SANCHEZ: Right?

(WEATHER REPORT)

SANCHEZ: Thanks a lot, Jacqui.

As aforementioned, Thanksgiving is just a few days away, as if we needed to remind you. Traveling is -- we've got some tips to make the trip a little less painful.

NGUYEN: We sure do.

SANCHEZ: And dare we say enjoyable.

NGUYEN: Enjoyable, which is key.

Also, a makeover like you have never seen. These are the before pictures of Maggie, the orangutan. You've got to stick around, though, to see the after pictures. They are amazing.

SANCHEZ: The second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY begins...

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 November 23, 2004 - 10:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back. It's 10:30 Eastern. I'm Betty Nguyen in for Daryn Kagan today.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Rick Sanchez. And here's what's happening right now in the news.

The upcoming Palestinian election is another topic drawing attention to the conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says there has been good cooperation so far between the Israelis and the Palestinian Authority. Both sides have seen this month's death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat as a potential turning point in the region.

There's yet another chapter added to the O.J. Simpson saga. The family of Ron Goldman goes to court today. They're seeking a $33.5 million award in the civil lawsuit. The former football star has said he will not work if the money then goes to pay for the settlement. A friend of Simpson's is to testify today about his finances.

Also we've got a live picture we can show you now. This is live, right? Yes. This is coming in from Washington. It's a report card on computer and video games that your children may be watching or seeing.

Senator Joe Lieberman put this together quite awhile ago. He's joined there by the person you're seeing, that's U.S. Representative Betty McCollum. And they're unveiling their sixth annual assessment, along with the National Institute on Media and the Family.

This is a report card that highlights the progress and room to improve for game makers and retailers. We'll follow it, and we'll let you know.

And just minutes ago, in Washington, Lynne Cheney took part in the 26th annual tree-topping ceremony. In fact, the wife of the vice president with some wonderful music in the background, placed the star atop the 40 foot tall national Christmas tree. And she used a cherry picker to do it.

NGUYEN: A sixth hunter has now died from a shooting in Wisconsin, described by that state's governor as a great family tradition turned into a great loss.

CNN's Keith Oppenheim is covering the investigation for us from Hayward, Wisconsin, and he joins us with the latest.

Hi, Keith.

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Betty.

I'm standing about a half mile away from a crime scene, where police say on Sunday a hunter trespassed and then wounded two other hunters and killed six other hunters.

That has all, as you can imagine, left a community where most of the victims lived in mourning today.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OPPENHEIM (voice-over): The residents of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, are taking in the deadly details.

LINDA KONIECZNY, RICE LAKE RESIDENT: I'm shocked. And it's scary. You know, my family goes out hunting every year.

OPPENHEIM: On Sunday, in deep woods one hour away from town, a group of area hunters came across another hunter, 36-year-old Chai Vang, who police say was trespassing, illegally using a deer stand on private land. Investigators say the hunters told Vang he had to leave.

SHERIFF JAMES MEIER, SAWYER COUNTY, WISCONSIN: The suspect got down from the deer stand, walked approximately 40 yards, fiddled with his rifle in some sort, which appeared he took the scope off the rifle. He turned and he opened fire on the group.

OPPENHEIM: Police say after the shootings Vang got lost in the woods, then got help from two other hunters who didn't realize he was a wanted man. He was later arrested by authorities without incident.

SHERIFF TOM RICHIE, SHARON COUNTY, WISCONSIN: The most frequently asked question is how could somebody do such a horrific, inhumane act?

OPPENHEIM: At this point, police have no clear answer as to what might have led Chai Vang from committing a minor infraction, trespassing, to what police believe was his role in a multiple murder.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OPPENHEIM: Betty, we've learned that Chai Vang was a truck driver from St. Paul, Minnesota, married with six children. He's in custody here in Sawyer County, and he may have a court hearing later today.

As for the dead, there was a father and son in that group, Robert and Joey Crottreau. Joey was only 20 years. Also, a woman was killed, 27-year-old Jessica Willers. Her father, Terry Willers, was among the injured.

And last night as you're indicating, there was a sixth fatality. Denny Drew, 55 years old, died in a regional hospital.

Back to you, Betty.

NGUYEN: Such a difficult time for all the families involved. Keith Oppenheim, thank you so much for that report -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Let's take a look at some of the other stories that are making news now from coast to coast.

NGUYEN: In Sedona, Arizona, this woman is not only up a tree, she is up the creek. But thankfully, her rescuers did have paddles. They were able to pluck her from her leafy perch. Check it out. She had latched onto the tree as the fast-moving waters swept her downstream.

SANCHEZ: In Bakersfield, California, it's a heart-wrenching story of a life's saving loss. This 70-year-old grandmother distrusted banks and carried with her all the money she had, $17,000, saved during four decades of far work.

Her purse disappeared during a weekend visit to a local Burger King, and police now say there's little hope that a surveillance video will lead them to the money.

NGUYEN: Kept it in her purse? Well, we do have an update on the Hollywood, Florida, woman who was selling a 10-year-old grilled cheese sandwich -- Remember this one? -- Which she said featured an image of the Virgin Mary. There it is.

Well, an online casino agrees, or at least is hungry for the publicity. It has posted a winning bid -- get this -- $28,000 for that grilled cheese sandwich on eBay.

SANCHEZ: Here's another grandmother story. Among the Americans soon headed to Iraq could be a 72-year-old grandmother. She's a grandmother from Oklahoma, as a matter of fact. Her name is Lena Haddix. She's a military wife for nearly 30 years, preparing to be deployed to Iraq as a civilian defense worker.

The grandmother of eight and great-grandma of three says she volunteered, because she wants to do something for her country.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LENA HADDIX, HEADED TO IRAQ: I feel good about going. I'm not scared. Of course I know there will be times I will be scared, but I'll be -- I'll get over it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: She'll get over it. Haddix gets a medical checkup before her six-month tour. She's going to have a week of training before flying to Germany and eventually going to Iraq.

And I guess what else can we say, but, "You go, Grandma."

NGUYEN: Grandma.

All right, talk about being down on your luck. Still to come, this man's real-life rags to riches story.

SANCHEZ: Also what the courtside chaos may do to the NBA. We're going to look at the possible financial fallout from these punches.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Welcome back. I'm Rick Sanchez here with Betty Nguyen.

NGUYEN: Yes.

SANCHEZ: We're...

NGUYEN: Talking about a little business news.

SANCHEZ: Two things in business. Not only that, but also something having to do with McDonald's. And this is one of those business/medical stories, right?

(STOCK REPORT)

SANCHEZ: Thanks a lot, Rhonda. You know, in other business news, the business of basketball. In the wake of the melee in Michigan, how might the NBA's marquee brand be hurt?

For that here's CNN's Allen Chernoff.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For the business of the National Basketball Association, this punch is a crisis, an assault on the NBA brand.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is very, very dangerous.

CHERNOFF: So Commissioner David Stern is responding with crisis management.

DAVID STERN, NBA COMMISSIONER: The NBA will strive to exemplify the best that can be offered by professional sports and not allow our sport to be debased.

CHERNOFF: By reacting aggressively, suspending the Pacers' Ron Artest for the season, Stern is trying to defend the NBA's franchise.

MARTY BLACKMAN, SPORTS MARKETING CONSULTANT: Certainly, the league's image is tarnished. But I think the important question is, is it a lasting tarnish? Can it be repaired or erased? And I think that is the real job for the NBA to do in the next ensuing months.

CHERNOFF: Even before Friday, the NBA was facing problems. Attendance is down. Broadcast television ratings fell last season. And there's threat of a lockout next season because of a dispute between owners and players, who on average earn over $4 million a year.

Many fans, who pay an average of $45 a ticket, are upset. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm questioning now, you know, whether or not you know, this is a good investment, even from an entertainment standpoint, because that's pretty much all it is.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think people are tuning out.

CHERNOFF: The Pacers' Ron Artest loses $5 million for the season. But Artest is also a businessman. He runs a music label and has recorded a rap album. Marketing experts say it's possible his notoriety will generate business.

Artest has endorsed sneakers from L.A. Gear, which says, "At this time, we are reviewing all of our plans concerning his role with our company and our brand."

NBA sponsors, who want nothing to do with Artest, are backing the league, Coca-Cola saying, "We support steps taken by Commissioner Stern." And Anheuser-Busch declaring, "We are pleased to see the NBA take action."

(on camera) The NBA's tough penalties serve as a deterrent to prevent another such incident. And sports marketing experts say that's exactly what's needed to protect the business, and repair damage to the NBA.

Allan Chernoff, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Well, Martha Stewart says she's still grateful this Thanksgiving, despite prison bars and cafeteria grub. The domestic diva is about one month into a five-month sentence at the West Virginia prison.

Her web site posted this message to her supports. She says, "As you would expect, the loss of freedom and the lack of privacy are extremely difficult. But I am safe, fit and healthy, and I am pleased to report that, contrary to rumors you might have heard, my daily interactions with the staff and fellow inmates here at Alderson are marked by fair treatment and mutual respect."

The posted message continues. "In short, I am in good spirits and making the best of this difficult situation. Visits from my friends, family and colleagues together with your goodwill and best wishes will get me through this chapter in my life. For this friendship and support, I am very grateful this Thanksgiving."

SANCHEZ: Check this one out. Three quarters and three pennies, 78 cents. That's all that Juan Rodriguez had in the bank before he won New York's $149 million Mega Millions lottery. Can you believe it?

This is according to "The New York Post." Court papers show Rodriguez had filed for bankruptcy. "The Post" also says that he was on the verge of losing his wife over his money misfortunes. That is until the 49-year-old parking attendant spent one dollar on a Lotto ticket Friday.

Officials say Rodriguez is expected to pick up his check sometime today. Run, don't walk.

NGUYEN: Does that mean his wife is sticking around now?

SANCHEZ: I would imagine. That might just be an assumption on my part.

NGUYEN: Definitely need money apparently.

Well, for many Gen-Xers, "Free to Be You and Me" is a fond childhood memory. Marlo Thomas has a new project.

SANCHEZ: A little music in the background there. She's going to join us, Marlo Thomas, right here with us on the other side of the break to talk about this and other things.

NGUYEN: And this is what we're working on for the next hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(MUSIC)

NGUYEN: Got to like Sheryl Crow there.

Well, they say the best things in life are free, like sunshine, good health, family and friendship. Now, two days before Thanksgiving, a new book and CD celebrate the acts of saying thanks and giving.

Marlo Thomas, of the long-running television series "That Girl," is the author, and she joins me live from New York with much more on this.

Hi there.

MARLO THOMAS, AUTHOR AND ACTRESS: Hi. Thanks for having me.

NGUYEN: Absolutely. We appreciate you being here. Let's talk about this. You are the author of two best-selling books. And while you did get some help on this one, tell me why you're inspired to put together this collection of stories, songs and poems, you name it.

THOMAS: Well, it's really all about an initiative that we're doing at Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital called "Thanks and Giving," which really is a time to give thanks for all the kids in our lives who are healthy and to give to those kids who are not, so that one day all children will be healthy.

And that's really what Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital is all about. We do research and treatment and which serves every community in this country. There's a lot of wonderful children's hospitals in America. We collaborate with all of them.

And so this wonderful book and CD is part of this initiative to raise funds for Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital.

NGUYEN: Now, your father, Danny Thomas, was the founder of Saint Jude's.

THOMAS: Yes, he is.

NGUYEN: Tell us a little bit about where these hospitals have come, the progress that they have made in helping children with cancer and other diseases.

THOMAS: Well, when my father opened the doors in 1962, only four percent of kids who got ALL -- the most common form of cancer is leukemia in children and ALL is the most common form. Only four percent of the children in those days survived.

Today, and actually just a month ago, our researchers, because of our work at Saint Jude, announced that we have an 86 percent cure rate.

NGUYEN: Wow.

THOMAS: So we're the epicenter for brain research. We're -- now we've gone from 25 percent to 75 percent survival rates with brain research.

So mostly what we're doing at Saint Jude's is research, the research and the treatment. And it is a place where we study disease.

My father used to always say it's not enough just to make kids better. What we want to do is find out what makes them sick.

NGUYEN: Absolutely. It takes a lot of money to have an effort like that.

THOMAS: It certainly does. It costs $1 million a day. That's why we are -- because we pay for everything. No child is ever turned away for a family's inability to pay. That was one of my father's promises.

And so this Friday, November 26, the day after Thanksgiving, is the beginning of a "Thanks and Giving" campaign. And so wherever you see our logo or the name of Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, that particular store will be giving some of its profit to Saint Jude that day for all different kinds of gifts or whatever way they choose to do it.

And you can go to our web site, ThanksAndGiving.com, and you can purchase all kinds of products.

NGUYEN: Including the book and the CD.

THOMAS: Yes. And the book and the CD are also available at bookstores.

NGUYEN: There are a lot of A-listers who contributed to this. Can you just give us a quick story, name a few names? THOMAS: Yes. Sure, that's Sheryl Crow that's singing. We also have Faith Hill, Hilary Duff, Billy Crystal, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kermit the Frog, Donald Trump, Jennifer Aniston, Robin Williams. A whole bunch of people.

NGUYEN: It's a book, a CD. There are all kinds of illustrations.

THOMAS: That's right. Oh, yes. Maurice Sendak, the great Maurice Sendak. And they all gave their royalties to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital.

NGUYEN: For a good cause.

SANCHEZ: And Marlo, Rick here. Say hello to that gray-haired husband of yours for us, will you?

THOMAS: I will. I sure will.

SANCHEZ: Tell him I say hi.

THOMAS: I will. Thanks.

NGUYEN: Thank you, Marlo. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

THOMAS: Thanks, you too.

NGUYEN: We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: We're almost there. Time to really get a sense of what's going on with the weather around the country, because soon everyone's going to be doing like this.

NGUYEN: All over the place.

SANCHEZ: Right?

(WEATHER REPORT)

SANCHEZ: Thanks a lot, Jacqui.

As aforementioned, Thanksgiving is just a few days away, as if we needed to remind you. Traveling is -- we've got some tips to make the trip a little less painful.

NGUYEN: We sure do.

SANCHEZ: And dare we say enjoyable.

NGUYEN: Enjoyable, which is key.

Also, a makeover like you have never seen. These are the before pictures of Maggie, the orangutan. You've got to stick around, though, to see the after pictures. They are amazing.

SANCHEZ: The second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY begins...

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