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Bush Keeps 4 Secretaries and Nominates Nicholson for Veteran Affairs; 5 Dead in Ohio Nightclub Shooting; Martha Stewart Prepares for Reality Show

Aired December 09, 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 CO-ANCHOR: We have a lot going on today. Right now, let's take a look at what's happening now in the news.
And we begin with what happened just minutes ago, President Bush announcing the latest nominee to join his cabinet. He formally nominated Jim Nicholson to lead Veteran Affairs. Also this morning, the White House announcing that the president asked four other cabinet members to remain for his second term. That includes the secretaries of Transportation, Labor, Interior and Housing Departments. They have all agreed to his request.

In Ohio, a gunman stormed onto a nightclub stage and opened fire on a heavy metal band and then the audience. A police officer, who was patrolling nearby, shot and killed the attacker, ending that rampage. One of the four killed, a player named Dime Bag Darrell Abbott, the guitarist for the band Damageplan, and a founding member of the popular group Pantera, which was formed in the 1980s.

This is a tragedy in progress. A Coast Guard helicopter crashing into the Bering Sea while trying to airlift crewmembers from this crippled freighter. Four people from the chopper were rescued yesterday. The other six are still missing. The freighter later ran aground and split in two. No word if its 440,000 gallons of fuel have spilled.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is in New Delhi today. He is meeting with India's leaders but he's also being greeted with a warning. Officials there are cautioning that Washington's proposed sale of weapons to rival neighbor Pakistan could harm U.S./India relations and jeopardize the region's peace efforts.

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has bid farewell to NATO, in an alliance that has spanned his careers as military leader and later diplomat. It's almost certain the last foreign minister's meeting for the retired secretary of state. He will be succeeded by Condoleezza Rice.

And good morning, we're ready to get going here on a Thursday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan.

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: A hectic morning you might say. I'm Rick Sanchez.

We're going to begin with news of the president's shuffling cabinet. President Bush is moving quickly to set up his cabinet for the second term. Just moments ago, he announced that there is indeed, a new member.

CNN's Elaine Quijano is at the White House following this story for us.

If my math is correct, this would be 9 of 15. Right?

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And in fact, the White House had signaled yesterday, Rick, that a nomination would come quickly to replace the outgoing Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi who, in fact, made it public, or the White House made public yesterday that he intended to leave.

Now again, just a short time ago, as you mentioned, President Bush announcing his choice, his nominee. This is Jim Nicholson. We should tell you a little bit about him. He, according to the biography we have from the State Department Web site, is the ambassador to the Vatican, a former Army Ranger, who received a number of military awards for his service in Vietnam, including the Bronze Star. President Bush also noting that military background.

But this, of course, a big job, the Veterans Affairs secretary, a department in charge of veterans' benefits and veterans' health care. The president just a short time ago, making that announcement in the Roosevelt Room.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Good morning. I'm pleased to announce my nomination of Ambassador Jim Nicholson to be the secretary of Veterans Affairs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: And as we mentioned, Norm Mineta is one of the names that has come up, as well this morning. We have learned from White House spokesman Scott McClellan that the president asked Norm Mineta, the Transportation secretary, to stay on for the second term. We understand that the president apparently spoke by phone, not only to Secretary Mineta, but also several other secretaries, including the Interior Secretary Gale Norton, asking her to stay on, as well as the Labor Secretary Elaine Chao.

Taking a look at the bigger your picture here, we should also you Alphonso Jackson, the Housing and Urban Development secretary, also asked to stay on.

So the larger picture looks like this right now. Veterans Affairs we have just learned the president's choice, Jim Nicholson. At this point though, still some question marks. You see the Energy secretary there still in question, as well as a replacement for the outgoing Health and Human Services secretary.

But at this particular point, Rick, as you mentioned, the major players, 9 out of 15 at this particular point. The White House moving very quickly, signaling that it wants to get its team in place, as President Bush heads in to his second term. We should also tell you that there have been quite pointed questions to Scott McClellan about Secretary Snow, the Treasury secretary, about whom there had been much speculation about whether or not he would stay. The White House indicating yesterday that, in fact, the president had asked -- has asked Secretary Snow to stay, and that he has accepted. Interesting to note, White House spokesman Scott McClellan saying that there had been some unfortunate speculation going on out there, saying that media members were going to sources that apparently were wrong.

But saying quite clearly today, these other secretaries staying on and heard the president a moment ago talking about the outgoing -- his nominee rather, to replace the outgoing Veterans Affairs secretary -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: By the way, we should probably add if Nicholson looks familiar to you at home when you saw his picture, it's probably because you saw him thousands and thousands of times on this network. And just about on every other network when he was the head of the RNC back in the late 1990s. In fact, during the Clinton years when he was usually very critical of it.

Elaine Quijano, we do thank you for bringing us that report from the White House and we'll be checking back with you.

Daryn, over to you.

KAGAN: And we go to Columbus, Ohio now. A fatal nightclub shooting there. At first heavy metal fans thought the gunfire they heard was just part of the show. But when the shooting stopped at least five people were dead, two others wounded.

Patrick Bell from our CNN affiliate WBNS spoke to the witnesses.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm numb, man. I don't know. I come -- I mean these guys have been my heroes. Heroes for years, you know? And so I don't know, I'm just -- I still can't believe it happened.

PATRICK BELL, WBNS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It all began just after 10:00 at the al Rosa Villa, a well-known Columbus nightclub. A man rushes the stage and begins firing a semiautomatic handgun. He shoots at least one band member, then according to witnesses, fires on the crowd.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was just shooting. Just shooting. Kind of staying behind some speakers, big stack of speakers. And he was just like bang, just shooting.

BELL (on camera): In the crowd?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, yes. Yes. He put the bullets in to the clip and then put the clip back in the gun. Yes. It was amazing. I couldn't believe it. Everybody was scared because everybody tried to help got shot.

BELL: Moments after the band's guitarist was shot several times, one fan in the front row despite the obvious danger, jumped onstage, tried his best to save a life.

WILLIAM, WITNESS: That's just the blood from the guy I was giving CPR to.

BELL: Dime Bag?

WILLIAM: Right. I tried to help save his life. Do anything anybody else would do. There was a little gurgle in his voice when we were in his box, when we were giving him CPR.

BELL: Where was he hit, William?

WILLIAM: I couldn't see. I couldn't see where he was hit.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy that I was helping, he was shot like two times here, once in the armpit. That was three that I could see because they ripped his shirt open, you know. But I know he was shot at least three times.

BELL (voice-over): Witnesses say just seconds later, a police officer arrived and with one shotgun blast put an end to the rampage.

Patrick Bell, 10 TV Eyewitness News.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: Some of you in the audience may know this. The band Damageplan was started by two members of a group called Pantera. It was at one time one of the most popular metal bands of the early 1990s. Damageplan had been on a national tour to promote its debut album "Newfound Power," released earlier this year. Brothers "Dime Bag" Darrell Abbott; that's his nickname, killed in the shooting and Vinnie Paul were founding members of Pantera.

Now, police have identified the nightclub shooter. And the information they're giving us is he is Nathan Gale, a 25-year-old man from Marysville, Ohio. Police are saying the shooting investigation is really still in its early stages.

But Sergeant Brent Mull told CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING" of at least one lead involving Gale.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SGT. BRENT MULL, COLUMBUS, OHIO POLICE: It appears that he did target the band. And that he may have had some kind of relationship with the members in the band at one time. But at this point, we're -- we're still confirming most of that ourselves.

Again, remember we had over 250 people in that facility that we had to interview, and they're also victims. So we wanted to take care of them and make sure that we've got their statements. So that took some time. So this is still early on actually, in our investigation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: This Columbus shooting might bring to mind another deadly incident at a nightclub. It was one year ago today that indictments were handed down in the Station nightclub fire. The Rhode Island's club two owners were indicted on 200 charges of involuntary manslaughter. A hundred people died in that fire. The manager of the band, Great White, which was playing at the club, was also charged. None of them has yet gone on trial.

An arson task force is looking into a Maryland subdivision fire, and he believes that one person was involved in setting that fire. Officials say 19 of the 26 homes that burned were due to arson. The other seven caught on fire from spreading flames. The residential development is 30 miles from Washington. It had been opposed by environmental activists. They claim the construction would damage wetlands.

SANCHEZ: We are waiting for President Bush to sign the intelligence reform bill passed by Congress. We say waiting, because the president has already announced his intentions.

One of the provisions for his bill allows for uniform national standards for driver's licenses. But it doesn't tackle individual state laws governing licenses, for example, for illegal immigrants.

CNN's Maria Hinojosa spoke with some people who have a vested interest in the outcome of this debate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Like a lot of mothers, Fidelena Perez (ph) drives her daughter to school to keep her safe.

FIDELENA PEREZ, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT: I bring my daughter every day, because I'm hearing the news, a lot of drugs.

HINOJOSA: But 14-year-old Nancy, who wants to be a doctor, has a new worry. Her mother is an illegal immigrant. And New York is about to take away the driver's license she got using a fake Social Security number.

NANCY PEREZ, DAUGHTER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT: It's just hard, because the thought of having to leave here, if they loose their job or anything. And I don't want to.

HINOJOSA: Nancy and her sisters were born here, U.S. citizens. They're afraid that if their mother gets stopped driving without a license, their parents will be deported to Mexico, which they left 20 years ago.

MARIA PEREZ, DAUGHTER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT: I know that if they get deported to Mexico we're never going to come back, because they don't have the paper yet. And we can come back, of course, because we were born here and were. But I don't want to leave my parents, because that's going to make me, like so sad.

HINOJOSA: Fidelena says she uses her license to chauffeur disabled people and to get to her job as a domestic; not to commit acts of terrorism like the 9/11 hijackers. They legally entered the United States and then obtained 63 driver's licenses around the country.

"We are decent people," Fidelena says, "tranquil. We would never think of wanting to hurt anyone."

But Brian Decell, who lost his son-in-law on September 11, says without immigration reform, terrorists can use a driver's license to board planes, rent cars and open bank accounts.

BRIAN DECELL, SON-IN-LAW DIED ON 9/11: Somebody who's undocumented, it's a person that you don't know who they are, gets a driver's license that gives them the keys to the city. That was the terrorist's favorite tool.

HINOJOSA: In New York State alone, an estimated half million people have legal driver's licenses, but are suspected of having entered this country illegally. This taxi driver is one of them.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm driving better stressed. I can't concentrate anymore because I'm really worried.

HINOJOSA: They drive trucks and taxis, care for children and clean homes. I asked some of them how the U.S. can protect its borders if it provides them with a valid I.D., even when they entered this country illegally.

"This country definitely has to control its borders because it's dangerous to not know who's coming in," this man told me. "But by giving us an I.D. or license, then they would have a lot more control over who we are and what we do."

Rosalyn Kennedy Lewis employs Fidelena to care for her family home. She says she can't afford a legal worker.

ROSALIND KENNEDY LEWIS, EMPLOYER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT: I understand that they're illegal. But they should take into consideration how they've lived their life, what they have accomplished with their life, and what their children are like. And it should be done on a case-by-case basis. Those people that are motivated do belong here. That's what America's about.

HINOJOSA: Losing their licenses means these workers will fade completely into the underground economy.

"We're not terrorists," this man said to me, "many people say we'll use these licenses to do harm, and we aren't going to use them to do that. We're using them to work." Then he said," in the same way a lot of people from here died in those towers on September 11, many immigrants died in those towers, as well."

Maria Hinojosa, CNN, Newburg, New York. (END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We have breaking news out of Canada. It has to do with same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court of Canada has given the approval to redefine marriage to include same sex couples. The next step now for Canada, it goes to the House of Commons where it is expected to get approval early next year. If and when that happens Canada will join Belgium and the Netherlands as the only countries that do acknowledge and allow gay marriage.

They do add though, in the Supreme Court decision out of Canada, religious officials cannot be forced to perform those types of ceremonies. So, same-sex marriage getting the thumbs up from the high court in Canada.

SANCHEZ: Maybe going to jail isn't always a bad thing. Case in point, the "domestic diva," as she's often called, making good on her talents while behind bars. We'll explain.

KAGAN: And here's a celebrity who is no stranger to the law. Coming up later, Mike Tyson in trouble again.

Plus...

SANCHEZ: Word on the scene is making "pal," "chum," "buddy" and "friend" all take a back seat to what word?

KAGAN: Dude.

SANCHEZ: Hmm. Dudette. We'll be back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Well, how about the latest on Martha Stewart? Get this; her empire is growing even while she's in prison. Stewart has a new job waiting for her when she is finished doing time, as a television show host.

Our Mary Snow has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARK BURNETT, TELEVISION PRODUCER: And I cannot wait till she comes out of jail and we can work together. And that was her yesterday, by the way, in the prison kitchen.

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Reality TV brainchild, Mark Burnett is bringing to NBC what could be the ultimate reality show, convicted felon Martha Stewart as a TV show host this fall.

JEFF ZUCKER, PRES., NBC UNIVERSAL TELEVISION: We're thrilled to have Martha back at NBC.

SNOW: Stewart will host an hour-long syndication show. She inked her TV deal before going to prison. And she can't conduct business while serving time in Alderson. She is serving five months for lying to federal investigators about a stock sale.

Her company's CEO says there was no hesitation about making the announcement while she's serving time.

SUSAN LYNE, PRES./CEO, MSLO, INC.: This is a forgiving country. People love redemption stories. And I think Martha did something very brave, by deciding she was going to serve this term before any appeal took place.

SNOW: Her experience behind bars will be part of the show. Her new producer, who's visited her in prison, says interest in her has only grown.

BURNETT: Here's the first time ever, probably, for the general public to hear from someone what it's really like to be in jail.

SNOW (on camera): Mark Burnett did visit Martha Stewart in jail. But he said they did not talk business, since that's forbidden while Stewart is serving time. Her company also said that the final arrangements of this TV deal were done without Martha Stewart.

Mary Snow, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Well, how about this? The head of NBC Universal Television predicting greatness for Martha Stewart. Jeff Zucker spoke to CNN about the domestic diva.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZUCKER: She's the quintessential American success story, who became one of the world's first female billionaires, successful CEOs. Who obviously endured a difficult time, and was at the height of her game and was taken down at that height. And I think it's going to be one of the great comeback stories of next year. The comeback of Martha.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Investors are also pumped up about the Martha Stewart deal. Announcement of that television show prompted a 4 percent jump in Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia stock.

SANCHEZ: Dick Clark is in the news. He says he hopes to bounce back from stroke in time to host his annual New Year's Eve show once again. The eternal teenager and the entertainer's publicist says Clark suffered a mild stroke this week. Earlier this year, Clark announced that he suffered from Type II Diabetes. That condition can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke. Clark, believe it or not, is 75 years old.

KAGAN: Incredible. We wish him well.

SANCHEZ: We certainly do.

KAGAN: Bell ringers are working overtime this time of year. They're offering a variety of options. Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY. So you have no cash in your pockets? Don't worry about it. Santa's helpers have gone high tech.

SANCHEZ: Also, it's a labor dispute of sorts. But will it bring the children and parents to the bargaining table? That story ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

High winds ripped across much of Nevada yesterday. Look at those firefighters actually getting blown away. Made it tough for them to respond to accidents that littered the highways. Gusts were expected to top out at 70 miles an hour.

But check out the rainbow, too. Oh, poor flag.

SANCHEZ: It looks like those hurricanes we covered in Florida just before I came up here. And I remember getting blown around like that. I could relate to that firefighter.

ORELON SIDNEY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It does look like it. As a matter of fact, three more miles an hour would have been hurricane force wind gusts, as a matter of fact.

SANCHEZ: Really?

KAGAN: Which is why we don't send Orelon to those stories.

(LAUGHTER)

SIDNEY: That's true.

KAGAN: Just look at her. We'll never from her again. Bye- bye.

SIDNEY: Whoosh. Hey, I made it through Frances. I was holding on. I did pretty good.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: This one's for you, a question for you. Do you have a hard time getting your kids to do their chores around the house?

SANCHEZ: Oh, no. My kids are perfect.

KAGAN: Really?

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: All right. Well, if you want your parents -- if you want your kids to be like the Sanchez kids, parents, don't fret. Just ahead one, Florida couple's solution to get their children to take on responsibility. SANCHEZ: And if you believe that, I've got some land in the Everglades.

Also it was an unusual way to hand down the basket-brawl charges. The outcome when we come back.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Rusty Dornin in Redwood City, California, where jurors will soon begin their final deliberations as to Scott Peterson's fate. Details coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We are getting very close to half-past the hour. Good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.

SANCHEZ: Just rolling right along on this Thursday, are we not? And I'm Rick Sanchez. And here's what's happening right now in the news.

Less than an hour ago, President Bush announced his latest choice to join his cabinet. Mr. Bush formerly nominated Jim Nicholson to lead the Veterans Affairs Office. Now, Mr. Nicholson, the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican is also a former chairman of the Republican National Committee back in the late 1990s.

If confirmed, Nicholson will replace outgoing V.A. chief Anthony Principi, who yesterday became the ninth cabinet member of 15 to leave.

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Aired December 9, 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 CO-ANCHOR: We have a lot going on today. Right now, let's take a look at what's happening now in the news.
And we begin with what happened just minutes ago, President Bush announcing the latest nominee to join his cabinet. He formally nominated Jim Nicholson to lead Veteran Affairs. Also this morning, the White House announcing that the president asked four other cabinet members to remain for his second term. That includes the secretaries of Transportation, Labor, Interior and Housing Departments. They have all agreed to his request.

In Ohio, a gunman stormed onto a nightclub stage and opened fire on a heavy metal band and then the audience. A police officer, who was patrolling nearby, shot and killed the attacker, ending that rampage. One of the four killed, a player named Dime Bag Darrell Abbott, the guitarist for the band Damageplan, and a founding member of the popular group Pantera, which was formed in the 1980s.

This is a tragedy in progress. A Coast Guard helicopter crashing into the Bering Sea while trying to airlift crewmembers from this crippled freighter. Four people from the chopper were rescued yesterday. The other six are still missing. The freighter later ran aground and split in two. No word if its 440,000 gallons of fuel have spilled.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is in New Delhi today. He is meeting with India's leaders but he's also being greeted with a warning. Officials there are cautioning that Washington's proposed sale of weapons to rival neighbor Pakistan could harm U.S./India relations and jeopardize the region's peace efforts.

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has bid farewell to NATO, in an alliance that has spanned his careers as military leader and later diplomat. It's almost certain the last foreign minister's meeting for the retired secretary of state. He will be succeeded by Condoleezza Rice.

And good morning, we're ready to get going here on a Thursday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan.

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: A hectic morning you might say. I'm Rick Sanchez.

We're going to begin with news of the president's shuffling cabinet. President Bush is moving quickly to set up his cabinet for the second term. Just moments ago, he announced that there is indeed, a new member.

CNN's Elaine Quijano is at the White House following this story for us.

If my math is correct, this would be 9 of 15. Right?

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And in fact, the White House had signaled yesterday, Rick, that a nomination would come quickly to replace the outgoing Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi who, in fact, made it public, or the White House made public yesterday that he intended to leave.

Now again, just a short time ago, as you mentioned, President Bush announcing his choice, his nominee. This is Jim Nicholson. We should tell you a little bit about him. He, according to the biography we have from the State Department Web site, is the ambassador to the Vatican, a former Army Ranger, who received a number of military awards for his service in Vietnam, including the Bronze Star. President Bush also noting that military background.

But this, of course, a big job, the Veterans Affairs secretary, a department in charge of veterans' benefits and veterans' health care. The president just a short time ago, making that announcement in the Roosevelt Room.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Good morning. I'm pleased to announce my nomination of Ambassador Jim Nicholson to be the secretary of Veterans Affairs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: And as we mentioned, Norm Mineta is one of the names that has come up, as well this morning. We have learned from White House spokesman Scott McClellan that the president asked Norm Mineta, the Transportation secretary, to stay on for the second term. We understand that the president apparently spoke by phone, not only to Secretary Mineta, but also several other secretaries, including the Interior Secretary Gale Norton, asking her to stay on, as well as the Labor Secretary Elaine Chao.

Taking a look at the bigger your picture here, we should also you Alphonso Jackson, the Housing and Urban Development secretary, also asked to stay on.

So the larger picture looks like this right now. Veterans Affairs we have just learned the president's choice, Jim Nicholson. At this point though, still some question marks. You see the Energy secretary there still in question, as well as a replacement for the outgoing Health and Human Services secretary.

But at this particular point, Rick, as you mentioned, the major players, 9 out of 15 at this particular point. The White House moving very quickly, signaling that it wants to get its team in place, as President Bush heads in to his second term. We should also tell you that there have been quite pointed questions to Scott McClellan about Secretary Snow, the Treasury secretary, about whom there had been much speculation about whether or not he would stay. The White House indicating yesterday that, in fact, the president had asked -- has asked Secretary Snow to stay, and that he has accepted. Interesting to note, White House spokesman Scott McClellan saying that there had been some unfortunate speculation going on out there, saying that media members were going to sources that apparently were wrong.

But saying quite clearly today, these other secretaries staying on and heard the president a moment ago talking about the outgoing -- his nominee rather, to replace the outgoing Veterans Affairs secretary -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: By the way, we should probably add if Nicholson looks familiar to you at home when you saw his picture, it's probably because you saw him thousands and thousands of times on this network. And just about on every other network when he was the head of the RNC back in the late 1990s. In fact, during the Clinton years when he was usually very critical of it.

Elaine Quijano, we do thank you for bringing us that report from the White House and we'll be checking back with you.

Daryn, over to you.

KAGAN: And we go to Columbus, Ohio now. A fatal nightclub shooting there. At first heavy metal fans thought the gunfire they heard was just part of the show. But when the shooting stopped at least five people were dead, two others wounded.

Patrick Bell from our CNN affiliate WBNS spoke to the witnesses.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm numb, man. I don't know. I come -- I mean these guys have been my heroes. Heroes for years, you know? And so I don't know, I'm just -- I still can't believe it happened.

PATRICK BELL, WBNS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It all began just after 10:00 at the al Rosa Villa, a well-known Columbus nightclub. A man rushes the stage and begins firing a semiautomatic handgun. He shoots at least one band member, then according to witnesses, fires on the crowd.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was just shooting. Just shooting. Kind of staying behind some speakers, big stack of speakers. And he was just like bang, just shooting.

BELL (on camera): In the crowd?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, yes. Yes. He put the bullets in to the clip and then put the clip back in the gun. Yes. It was amazing. I couldn't believe it. Everybody was scared because everybody tried to help got shot.

BELL: Moments after the band's guitarist was shot several times, one fan in the front row despite the obvious danger, jumped onstage, tried his best to save a life.

WILLIAM, WITNESS: That's just the blood from the guy I was giving CPR to.

BELL: Dime Bag?

WILLIAM: Right. I tried to help save his life. Do anything anybody else would do. There was a little gurgle in his voice when we were in his box, when we were giving him CPR.

BELL: Where was he hit, William?

WILLIAM: I couldn't see. I couldn't see where he was hit.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy that I was helping, he was shot like two times here, once in the armpit. That was three that I could see because they ripped his shirt open, you know. But I know he was shot at least three times.

BELL (voice-over): Witnesses say just seconds later, a police officer arrived and with one shotgun blast put an end to the rampage.

Patrick Bell, 10 TV Eyewitness News.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: Some of you in the audience may know this. The band Damageplan was started by two members of a group called Pantera. It was at one time one of the most popular metal bands of the early 1990s. Damageplan had been on a national tour to promote its debut album "Newfound Power," released earlier this year. Brothers "Dime Bag" Darrell Abbott; that's his nickname, killed in the shooting and Vinnie Paul were founding members of Pantera.

Now, police have identified the nightclub shooter. And the information they're giving us is he is Nathan Gale, a 25-year-old man from Marysville, Ohio. Police are saying the shooting investigation is really still in its early stages.

But Sergeant Brent Mull told CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING" of at least one lead involving Gale.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SGT. BRENT MULL, COLUMBUS, OHIO POLICE: It appears that he did target the band. And that he may have had some kind of relationship with the members in the band at one time. But at this point, we're -- we're still confirming most of that ourselves.

Again, remember we had over 250 people in that facility that we had to interview, and they're also victims. So we wanted to take care of them and make sure that we've got their statements. So that took some time. So this is still early on actually, in our investigation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: This Columbus shooting might bring to mind another deadly incident at a nightclub. It was one year ago today that indictments were handed down in the Station nightclub fire. The Rhode Island's club two owners were indicted on 200 charges of involuntary manslaughter. A hundred people died in that fire. The manager of the band, Great White, which was playing at the club, was also charged. None of them has yet gone on trial.

An arson task force is looking into a Maryland subdivision fire, and he believes that one person was involved in setting that fire. Officials say 19 of the 26 homes that burned were due to arson. The other seven caught on fire from spreading flames. The residential development is 30 miles from Washington. It had been opposed by environmental activists. They claim the construction would damage wetlands.

SANCHEZ: We are waiting for President Bush to sign the intelligence reform bill passed by Congress. We say waiting, because the president has already announced his intentions.

One of the provisions for his bill allows for uniform national standards for driver's licenses. But it doesn't tackle individual state laws governing licenses, for example, for illegal immigrants.

CNN's Maria Hinojosa spoke with some people who have a vested interest in the outcome of this debate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Like a lot of mothers, Fidelena Perez (ph) drives her daughter to school to keep her safe.

FIDELENA PEREZ, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT: I bring my daughter every day, because I'm hearing the news, a lot of drugs.

HINOJOSA: But 14-year-old Nancy, who wants to be a doctor, has a new worry. Her mother is an illegal immigrant. And New York is about to take away the driver's license she got using a fake Social Security number.

NANCY PEREZ, DAUGHTER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT: It's just hard, because the thought of having to leave here, if they loose their job or anything. And I don't want to.

HINOJOSA: Nancy and her sisters were born here, U.S. citizens. They're afraid that if their mother gets stopped driving without a license, their parents will be deported to Mexico, which they left 20 years ago.

MARIA PEREZ, DAUGHTER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT: I know that if they get deported to Mexico we're never going to come back, because they don't have the paper yet. And we can come back, of course, because we were born here and were. But I don't want to leave my parents, because that's going to make me, like so sad.

HINOJOSA: Fidelena says she uses her license to chauffeur disabled people and to get to her job as a domestic; not to commit acts of terrorism like the 9/11 hijackers. They legally entered the United States and then obtained 63 driver's licenses around the country.

"We are decent people," Fidelena says, "tranquil. We would never think of wanting to hurt anyone."

But Brian Decell, who lost his son-in-law on September 11, says without immigration reform, terrorists can use a driver's license to board planes, rent cars and open bank accounts.

BRIAN DECELL, SON-IN-LAW DIED ON 9/11: Somebody who's undocumented, it's a person that you don't know who they are, gets a driver's license that gives them the keys to the city. That was the terrorist's favorite tool.

HINOJOSA: In New York State alone, an estimated half million people have legal driver's licenses, but are suspected of having entered this country illegally. This taxi driver is one of them.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm driving better stressed. I can't concentrate anymore because I'm really worried.

HINOJOSA: They drive trucks and taxis, care for children and clean homes. I asked some of them how the U.S. can protect its borders if it provides them with a valid I.D., even when they entered this country illegally.

"This country definitely has to control its borders because it's dangerous to not know who's coming in," this man told me. "But by giving us an I.D. or license, then they would have a lot more control over who we are and what we do."

Rosalyn Kennedy Lewis employs Fidelena to care for her family home. She says she can't afford a legal worker.

ROSALIND KENNEDY LEWIS, EMPLOYER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT: I understand that they're illegal. But they should take into consideration how they've lived their life, what they have accomplished with their life, and what their children are like. And it should be done on a case-by-case basis. Those people that are motivated do belong here. That's what America's about.

HINOJOSA: Losing their licenses means these workers will fade completely into the underground economy.

"We're not terrorists," this man said to me, "many people say we'll use these licenses to do harm, and we aren't going to use them to do that. We're using them to work." Then he said," in the same way a lot of people from here died in those towers on September 11, many immigrants died in those towers, as well."

Maria Hinojosa, CNN, Newburg, New York. (END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We have breaking news out of Canada. It has to do with same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court of Canada has given the approval to redefine marriage to include same sex couples. The next step now for Canada, it goes to the House of Commons where it is expected to get approval early next year. If and when that happens Canada will join Belgium and the Netherlands as the only countries that do acknowledge and allow gay marriage.

They do add though, in the Supreme Court decision out of Canada, religious officials cannot be forced to perform those types of ceremonies. So, same-sex marriage getting the thumbs up from the high court in Canada.

SANCHEZ: Maybe going to jail isn't always a bad thing. Case in point, the "domestic diva," as she's often called, making good on her talents while behind bars. We'll explain.

KAGAN: And here's a celebrity who is no stranger to the law. Coming up later, Mike Tyson in trouble again.

Plus...

SANCHEZ: Word on the scene is making "pal," "chum," "buddy" and "friend" all take a back seat to what word?

KAGAN: Dude.

SANCHEZ: Hmm. Dudette. We'll be back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Well, how about the latest on Martha Stewart? Get this; her empire is growing even while she's in prison. Stewart has a new job waiting for her when she is finished doing time, as a television show host.

Our Mary Snow has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARK BURNETT, TELEVISION PRODUCER: And I cannot wait till she comes out of jail and we can work together. And that was her yesterday, by the way, in the prison kitchen.

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Reality TV brainchild, Mark Burnett is bringing to NBC what could be the ultimate reality show, convicted felon Martha Stewart as a TV show host this fall.

JEFF ZUCKER, PRES., NBC UNIVERSAL TELEVISION: We're thrilled to have Martha back at NBC.

SNOW: Stewart will host an hour-long syndication show. She inked her TV deal before going to prison. And she can't conduct business while serving time in Alderson. She is serving five months for lying to federal investigators about a stock sale.

Her company's CEO says there was no hesitation about making the announcement while she's serving time.

SUSAN LYNE, PRES./CEO, MSLO, INC.: This is a forgiving country. People love redemption stories. And I think Martha did something very brave, by deciding she was going to serve this term before any appeal took place.

SNOW: Her experience behind bars will be part of the show. Her new producer, who's visited her in prison, says interest in her has only grown.

BURNETT: Here's the first time ever, probably, for the general public to hear from someone what it's really like to be in jail.

SNOW (on camera): Mark Burnett did visit Martha Stewart in jail. But he said they did not talk business, since that's forbidden while Stewart is serving time. Her company also said that the final arrangements of this TV deal were done without Martha Stewart.

Mary Snow, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Well, how about this? The head of NBC Universal Television predicting greatness for Martha Stewart. Jeff Zucker spoke to CNN about the domestic diva.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZUCKER: She's the quintessential American success story, who became one of the world's first female billionaires, successful CEOs. Who obviously endured a difficult time, and was at the height of her game and was taken down at that height. And I think it's going to be one of the great comeback stories of next year. The comeback of Martha.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Investors are also pumped up about the Martha Stewart deal. Announcement of that television show prompted a 4 percent jump in Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia stock.

SANCHEZ: Dick Clark is in the news. He says he hopes to bounce back from stroke in time to host his annual New Year's Eve show once again. The eternal teenager and the entertainer's publicist says Clark suffered a mild stroke this week. Earlier this year, Clark announced that he suffered from Type II Diabetes. That condition can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke. Clark, believe it or not, is 75 years old.

KAGAN: Incredible. We wish him well.

SANCHEZ: We certainly do.

KAGAN: Bell ringers are working overtime this time of year. They're offering a variety of options. Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY. So you have no cash in your pockets? Don't worry about it. Santa's helpers have gone high tech.

SANCHEZ: Also, it's a labor dispute of sorts. But will it bring the children and parents to the bargaining table? That story ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

High winds ripped across much of Nevada yesterday. Look at those firefighters actually getting blown away. Made it tough for them to respond to accidents that littered the highways. Gusts were expected to top out at 70 miles an hour.

But check out the rainbow, too. Oh, poor flag.

SANCHEZ: It looks like those hurricanes we covered in Florida just before I came up here. And I remember getting blown around like that. I could relate to that firefighter.

ORELON SIDNEY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It does look like it. As a matter of fact, three more miles an hour would have been hurricane force wind gusts, as a matter of fact.

SANCHEZ: Really?

KAGAN: Which is why we don't send Orelon to those stories.

(LAUGHTER)

SIDNEY: That's true.

KAGAN: Just look at her. We'll never from her again. Bye- bye.

SIDNEY: Whoosh. Hey, I made it through Frances. I was holding on. I did pretty good.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: This one's for you, a question for you. Do you have a hard time getting your kids to do their chores around the house?

SANCHEZ: Oh, no. My kids are perfect.

KAGAN: Really?

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: All right. Well, if you want your parents -- if you want your kids to be like the Sanchez kids, parents, don't fret. Just ahead one, Florida couple's solution to get their children to take on responsibility. SANCHEZ: And if you believe that, I've got some land in the Everglades.

Also it was an unusual way to hand down the basket-brawl charges. The outcome when we come back.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Rusty Dornin in Redwood City, California, where jurors will soon begin their final deliberations as to Scott Peterson's fate. Details coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We are getting very close to half-past the hour. Good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.

SANCHEZ: Just rolling right along on this Thursday, are we not? And I'm Rick Sanchez. And here's what's happening right now in the news.

Less than an hour ago, President Bush announced his latest choice to join his cabinet. Mr. Bush formerly nominated Jim Nicholson to lead the Veterans Affairs Office. Now, Mr. Nicholson, the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican is also a former chairman of the Republican National Committee back in the late 1990s.

If confirmed, Nicholson will replace outgoing V.A. chief Anthony Principi, who yesterday became the ninth cabinet member of 15 to leave.

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