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CNN Live Today

Bodies Found in Baghdad; Teacher of the Year Announced

Aired April 20, 2005 - 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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're right at the half hour. I'm Daryn Kagan. Here's a look at what's happening now with the news.
Bodies found outside of Baghdad. CNN has confirmed the bodies of 19 people were found in a soccer stadium northwest of the capital in the city of Haditha. All victims appeared to be shot. Residents say the men were soldiers heading home for a holiday and were abducted by insurgents.

And in a separate incident, the bodies of 50 people have been found in the Tigris River south of Baghdad. Iraqi leaders say those victims are believed to have been hostages. We'll take you live to Iraq for more on the story in just a moment.

Earlier today, a trio of bombs erupted in central Baghdad. Two Iraqi civilians, including a child, were killed and at least eight other people wounded. The latest blast appeared to target an Iraqi police patrol.

Zacarias Moussaoui is expected to meet today with the judge in his 9/11 case. Moussaoui wrote the judge, asking to have his plea changed to guilty. Moussaoui faces six terrorism conspiracy charges. He has previously denied planning or having advanced knowledge of the plot. A source tells CNN Moussaoui now seems willing to say he knew some details.

This afternoon, President Bush will sign into law a major bankruptcy reform bill. Many debtors well have to work out repayment plans instead of having a court wipe out their obligations. Banks and credit card companies lobbied eight years for the overhaul. The law goes into effect since months from today.

And starting this half-hour on Capitol Hill -- live pictures here -- Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff outlines his agency's budget plans for the next physical year. Chertoff is appearing before a Senate subcommittee.

Joseph Ratzinger's selection as -- of the papal name of Benedict left many Catholics wondering of its significance. So here's a some background for you. Benedict in Latin means blessing. In the sixth century, Benedict the namesake, and later a saint, fled the temptations of Rome, abandoned his inheritance and became a hermit devoted solely to God. Benedict, like Cardinal Ratzinger, was known for his strict teachings. Here are some reaction to the new papal name.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I don't know too much about the history of past pope's, past Benedicts, but I know the word Benedict and benediction means good saying and statements. So it has to do with everything that's good.

Joseph Ratzinger was long known for his conservative and uncompromising views of the church and its teachings. In fact, some referred to him as "Cardinal No" because of the many issues he adamantly opposed. Those include no to ordained women, no to allowing Catholic priests to marry and no homosexuality. He also opposed so- called wild capitalism that would replace communism, another issue that drew his strong opposition. And he stood against rock music as anti-Christian.

I want to get the latest now of the story that is breaking out of Baghdad, the discovery of 50 bodies in the Tigris River, and another discovery of 20 Iraqi soldiers shot to death in Haditha.

Our Ryan Chilcote is standing by in Baghdad now with the latest on that -- Ryan.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn.

Well, we actually have disturbing news from three different locations in Iraq, first we start just south of Baghdad. The president of Iraq saying that the bodies of more than 50 Iraqi hostages have been pulled from the Tigris River. Again, he said the bodies of more than 50 presumed to be hostages have been pulled from the Tigris River, just south of Baghdad. He added very little more information than that.

Now, moving to the northwest, to the town of Haditha, there a police official telling CNN that 20 Iraqi soldiers that were on their way home for a short vacation were abducted by insurgents, brought to a local soccer stadium, and that's where they were shot to death. Some eyewitnesses saying they saw a bloodstained wall with the bodies lined up there. Presumably according to those reports, they were executed by the insurgents inside that stadium.

And then lastly, we have some sound from the president of Iraq, form Jalal Talabani, talking about that incident just south of Baghdad. Let's listen, Daryn.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JALAL TALABANI, PRESIDENT OF IRAQ: In the coming days, there was hostages, people had been killed. We have the number of those people. We have the names of those who were killed. But we will publish it in the terrorist committed crimes there. (INAUDIBLE) there was no hostages. There was. They were, and they were killed, and they threw the body into the Tigris, and more than 50 bodies have been brought out from the Tigris, and we have the full name of those who were killed and those criminals who committed these crimes. And Mr. Prime Minister Dr. Allawi is going to deal with it.

(END VIDEO CLIP) CHILCOTE: Now, Daryn, lastly, here in Baghdad, reports today of three separate bombings in which two Iraqi civilians were killed, eight wounded, that in addition to two U.S. soldiers killed on protocol last night -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Ryan Chilcote live from Baghdad, thanks for the latest on all those developing stories.

We're going to get back to our coverage of the new pope, Pope Benedict XVI, after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: And we're just getting these pictures in from the Vatican. The new pope, Pope Benedict XVI, as he's being escorted by a number of cardinals. We're going to watch as he goes into the pontifical apartments. There is a seal that he breaks. And then we'll watch as he enters for the first time as Pope Benedict XVI. Of course, it was just about 22 hours ago that the white smoke went up at the Vatican, signifying that there was a new pope. And the former cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger came out.

There's the seal. They break the seal, they open the door, and in for the first time, walking as Pope Benedict XVI, 78-year-old, the former cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger.

Even with some clergy within the catholic church, some are voicing their concerns over the new pope, his reputation as a hardliner. Last night on CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE," we spoke to a Benedictine nun about Cardinal Ratzinger's conservative views and critical comments that he's made about feminism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SISTER JOAN CHITTISTER, OSB, COLUMNIST, BELIEFNET.COM, EXEC. DIR., BENETVISION: I was expecting a more pastoral, a more open face to the church than this history brings us.

At the same time I must admit that as a woman I was deeply concerned. His latest document on women is disheartening. It shows a very limited awareness of the development of the woman's movement. I think he's going to have an awful lot to learn in this arena. He seems to think that feminism is monolithic. He doesn't seem to understand there's been an evolution.

But, at the same time, Larry, I myself am a Benedictine. Benedict of Nursia is our patron. If this pope, if Pope Benedict XVI, is really modeling himself after Benedict of Nursia, then we probably don't have as much to be concerned about as we carry tonight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: For even more in-depth analysis on the pope, it's just a mouse click away on our continually updated Web site.

For a preview, let's go to dot-com desk and CNN's Veronica De La Cruz -- Veronica.

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Dayrn.

The world watched yesterday as white smoke came pouring out of the Vatican chimney and Germany's Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI. At cnn.com, we've launched this special report.

Joseph Ratzinger was one of the most powerful men in the Vatican, under Pope John Paul II. To learn more about his life, you can click through this interactive gallery, which profiles his early days as the son of a policeman of Germany, to being elected the 265th pontiff.

Around the world, more than one billion people are Roman Catholic. This interactive map breaks down where the bulk of Catholics live. Europe remains the historical home of the Catholic Church. Italy alone boasts 38 cardinals, while the U.S., the country with the second greatest amount, has only 13.

Pope Benedict XVI will be greeted with a host of new issues unimaginable centuries ago. We've been asking users to write in with what they believe those challenges might be.

This one, from Chris Naua (ph) in Nigeria says: "The next pope will be challenged by his capacity to be conservative and maintain the visions of the late pope. He should be challenged by the growing level of corruption in Subsaharan Africa."

You can send us your thoughts by logging onto cnn.com/pope. And that's going to do it from the dot-com desk. I'm Veronica De La Cruz -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, Veronica, thank you.

Still ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY, this isn't your average pump and run story. Like a thief in the night, how about 600 gallons of gas gone? A look at how culprits made off with the fuel.

Plus, a potential deal in the airline industry. If it goes through, could it result in lower fares? That story and a check of the financial markets coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A deal in the airline industry could mean lower fares are on the way. U.S. Airways and America West are reportedly in merger talks to create a discount carrier to rival Southwest. It could herald the start of consolidation for other struggling airlines, too. Bankrupt U.S. Airways is planning to emerge from court protection later this year, but its reorganization has been complicated by high fuel prices.

The carrier has reportedly approached several rivals about a combination, but the discussions with America West have moved along the most. Any deal would have a number of hurdles before a merger is completed. The airlines still need to secure millions of dollars in financing and get approval from creditors, unions and the bankruptcy judge.

And that's the latest from Wall Street. Daryn, now back to you.

KAGAN: Susan, wait 'til you see what these high gas prices are doing out in California. Listen to this next story.

LISOVICZ: I'm closing my eyes.

KAGAN: OK, well, but listen in. In San Leandro, California, just outside of San Francisco. As I was saying, in San Leandro, just outside San Francisco, some savvy thieves have made off with some 600,000 gallons of gasoline. How do you do it? Well, the station's owner said it must have been somebody who was knowledgeable of their automated network, because they apparently had a master key and knew how to override the system. With the staggering price of California gasoline, the theft comes to about $15,000.

Nationwide, the price of gas has actually been sliding a bit, but so has the popularity fuel-guzzling SUVs. So are people racing to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles?

With that answer, here's CNN's Kathleen Hays in our New York Bureau. Good morning, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn.

Well, I think actually a lot of economists and a lot of people in the auto industry are scratching their heads and saying, why haven't these high gas prices affected consumer behavior even more? And in fact, the gas prices are down a little bit, as you mentioned. $2.23 on average. But don't get too comfortable, because the price of crude oil well above $50 again, well above $53 a barrel again. So this is something that everyone has to think about.

So I went though a very interesting Web site called fueleconomy.gov. And you can compare the fuel efficiency of different kinds of vehicles. So I started with the good old Ford Explorer, one of the most popular SUVs in the country. It gets 16 miles a gallon, when you combine, you know, city and freeway driving. The yearly fuel cost is about $2,100.

Let's compare that to a Toyota Corolla. Popular car. It's a safe, fuel-efficient vehicle. That's why we chose this one. 33 miles a gallon, year fuel cost just over $1,000. So how much do you save if you get the fuel-efficient Corolla over the gas-guzzling SUV? About $1,100. Now, you know, if you're affluent enough to afford the SUV, then maybe you're affluent enough to keep paying that $1,100, not even $100 a week.

So I said let's also look at a hybrid, because they're super fuel-efficient. Then how much do you save? You get the Toyota Prius, averages 55 miles a gallon, and the yearly fuel cost $622. There you'd save about $1,500 a year over the SUV. But again, if you can afford the monthly payment for the SUV, can you also afford that? I think another way to look at it is, if you bought the -- say the Prius, even, to save money, it would take you about 13 years in saved money to pay for it. So another reason why a lot of people keep driving the SUVs, Daryn, and keep the demand growing and keep the economy growing, even with these sky-high gas prices.

KAGAN: Well, and as we've seen with some of those cars, like the Prius, there's such a mark-up on them, you have to drive for even longer to make up the difference.

HAYS: Exactly. That's true.

KAGAN: Well, then there's the whole ecology side of it, but we'll talk about that another day. Today's about wallet and pocketbook. Kathleen, thank you.

Well, his days spent teaching children in middle school. On the weekends, he tutors the students and he says he does it all because they inspire him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love teaching because I love my children. Everyday, they captivate me with their creativity.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: This teacher's dedication has paid off. We're going to bring you his story next on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Six years ago today, two teenage gunmen launched the most deadly school shooting rampage in U.S. history. On April 20th, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold shot and killed 12 classmates and a teacher at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. They then killed themselves. There's also word today that fundraising has stalled for a memorial at the school. Only about a third of the $2.5 million of that goal has been raised, so planners may have to scale back the design.

Just after the top of the hour, President Bush will welcome the nation's top educators to the White House and at the center will be the national teacher of the year. We get the introduction from reporter Phyllis Armstrong from CNN's Washington's affiliate, WUSA.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHYLLIS ARMSTRONG, WUSA REPORTER (voice-over): Solving math problems with this board game adds up to more than better test scores for Ayasha James (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: And it's fun to just -- to win, too, because he gives you, like, an award.

JASON KAMRAS, NATL TEACHER OF THE YEAR: I love teaching because I love my children. Everyday they captivate me with their creativity.

ARMSTRONG: That love for teaching has earned Jason Kamras the district's first National Teacher of the Year Award.

JON QUAM, NATIONAL TEACHER PROGRAM: Jason exemplifies for all of the country the brilliance and exuberance that we need in our schools of greatest need.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: He pushes the button, and boom, it's just like, it's on the overhead projector.

ARMSTONG: Bruce Phemon (ph) really appreciates the LCD projector and other high-tech approaches Kamras uses.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: He helps you learn the best way you can learn.

ARMSTRONG: Interactive and innovative techniques that help 7th graders at Sousa Middle School get better grades in math.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: I have an A in this class.

ARMSTRONG (on camera): Here's another example of what makes Kamras exceptional. Most teachers just have files on their students. He has portfolios full of personal inventories, warm-up exercises and class to home assignments.

WILLIAM LIPSCOMB, PRINCIPAL, SOUSA MIDDLE SCHOOL: He is smart, he loves children. He is compassionate, very patient.

ARMSTRONG (voice-over): Patient, but a teacher with rules and high expectations, even when his students lack resources.

KAMRAS: I would love our children in D.C. to have state-of-the- art facilities. At the same time, though, I will never let those lack of resources get in the way of my making sure that they achieve today.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: He is, like, one of the greatest teachers alive. That's my opinion.

ARMSTONG: Phyllis Armstrong, 9 News.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And, as you heard, that was reporter Phyllis Armstrong from CNN's Washington affiliate, WUSA. So here's the great thing. We're going have live coverage of the Rose Garden Ceremony. It's now scheduled for 11:10 Eastern, about 20 minutes from now. The teacher, Jason Kamras, will join me for a live interview later in the hour, so you'll get to meet him and learn more about kind of what makes him go.

It is 10:53 on the East Coast, where Zacarias Moussaoui is expected to enter a guilty plea in connection with the September 11th attacks. And it's 7:53 on the West Coast, where testimony in the Michael Jackson case is expected to continue.

Plus, Reno got a pounding of hail, pelted cars and trucks yesterday. We'll be back with a quick check of your morning forecast.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A storm that dumped nine inches of snow in the mountains brought hail to Reno, Nevada. That slowed downtown traffic a bit. A string of accidents caused, and it forced the closure of Interstate 80 near the California line yesterday. It took about seven hours to re- open the westbound lanes.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Benedict XVI laid out his goals for his papacy today, but what is the actual transitioning process that will occur over the next few days, before his inaugural mass on Sunday? CNN Vatican analyst Delia Gallagher will join us for that.

Plus, President Bush awards the national teacher of the year. We'll bring you the ceremony and then I'll talk with the winner here live. The second hour on CNN LIVE TODAY begins right now.

Let's take a look at what's happening "Now in the News." Pope Benedict XVI ready to move into the papal apartment at the Vatican. The seals that had been placed on the doors after the death of John Paul II were removed earlier today. The new pope spent last night at the Vatican guest house.

We're told that Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person in the U.S. publicly charged in the 9/11 attacks, could plead guilty. He has an appointment this morning with a federal judge in Alexandria, Virginia, not far from the Pentagon. The source says Moussaoui recently indicated he wants to take a plea, but the court must decide if that will be permitted.

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Aired April 20, 2005 - 10:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're right at the half hour. I'm Daryn Kagan. Here's a look at what's happening now with the news.
Bodies found outside of Baghdad. CNN has confirmed the bodies of 19 people were found in a soccer stadium northwest of the capital in the city of Haditha. All victims appeared to be shot. Residents say the men were soldiers heading home for a holiday and were abducted by insurgents.

And in a separate incident, the bodies of 50 people have been found in the Tigris River south of Baghdad. Iraqi leaders say those victims are believed to have been hostages. We'll take you live to Iraq for more on the story in just a moment.

Earlier today, a trio of bombs erupted in central Baghdad. Two Iraqi civilians, including a child, were killed and at least eight other people wounded. The latest blast appeared to target an Iraqi police patrol.

Zacarias Moussaoui is expected to meet today with the judge in his 9/11 case. Moussaoui wrote the judge, asking to have his plea changed to guilty. Moussaoui faces six terrorism conspiracy charges. He has previously denied planning or having advanced knowledge of the plot. A source tells CNN Moussaoui now seems willing to say he knew some details.

This afternoon, President Bush will sign into law a major bankruptcy reform bill. Many debtors well have to work out repayment plans instead of having a court wipe out their obligations. Banks and credit card companies lobbied eight years for the overhaul. The law goes into effect since months from today.

And starting this half-hour on Capitol Hill -- live pictures here -- Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff outlines his agency's budget plans for the next physical year. Chertoff is appearing before a Senate subcommittee.

Joseph Ratzinger's selection as -- of the papal name of Benedict left many Catholics wondering of its significance. So here's a some background for you. Benedict in Latin means blessing. In the sixth century, Benedict the namesake, and later a saint, fled the temptations of Rome, abandoned his inheritance and became a hermit devoted solely to God. Benedict, like Cardinal Ratzinger, was known for his strict teachings. Here are some reaction to the new papal name.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I don't know too much about the history of past pope's, past Benedicts, but I know the word Benedict and benediction means good saying and statements. So it has to do with everything that's good.

Joseph Ratzinger was long known for his conservative and uncompromising views of the church and its teachings. In fact, some referred to him as "Cardinal No" because of the many issues he adamantly opposed. Those include no to ordained women, no to allowing Catholic priests to marry and no homosexuality. He also opposed so- called wild capitalism that would replace communism, another issue that drew his strong opposition. And he stood against rock music as anti-Christian.

I want to get the latest now of the story that is breaking out of Baghdad, the discovery of 50 bodies in the Tigris River, and another discovery of 20 Iraqi soldiers shot to death in Haditha.

Our Ryan Chilcote is standing by in Baghdad now with the latest on that -- Ryan.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn.

Well, we actually have disturbing news from three different locations in Iraq, first we start just south of Baghdad. The president of Iraq saying that the bodies of more than 50 Iraqi hostages have been pulled from the Tigris River. Again, he said the bodies of more than 50 presumed to be hostages have been pulled from the Tigris River, just south of Baghdad. He added very little more information than that.

Now, moving to the northwest, to the town of Haditha, there a police official telling CNN that 20 Iraqi soldiers that were on their way home for a short vacation were abducted by insurgents, brought to a local soccer stadium, and that's where they were shot to death. Some eyewitnesses saying they saw a bloodstained wall with the bodies lined up there. Presumably according to those reports, they were executed by the insurgents inside that stadium.

And then lastly, we have some sound from the president of Iraq, form Jalal Talabani, talking about that incident just south of Baghdad. Let's listen, Daryn.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JALAL TALABANI, PRESIDENT OF IRAQ: In the coming days, there was hostages, people had been killed. We have the number of those people. We have the names of those who were killed. But we will publish it in the terrorist committed crimes there. (INAUDIBLE) there was no hostages. There was. They were, and they were killed, and they threw the body into the Tigris, and more than 50 bodies have been brought out from the Tigris, and we have the full name of those who were killed and those criminals who committed these crimes. And Mr. Prime Minister Dr. Allawi is going to deal with it.

(END VIDEO CLIP) CHILCOTE: Now, Daryn, lastly, here in Baghdad, reports today of three separate bombings in which two Iraqi civilians were killed, eight wounded, that in addition to two U.S. soldiers killed on protocol last night -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Ryan Chilcote live from Baghdad, thanks for the latest on all those developing stories.

We're going to get back to our coverage of the new pope, Pope Benedict XVI, after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: And we're just getting these pictures in from the Vatican. The new pope, Pope Benedict XVI, as he's being escorted by a number of cardinals. We're going to watch as he goes into the pontifical apartments. There is a seal that he breaks. And then we'll watch as he enters for the first time as Pope Benedict XVI. Of course, it was just about 22 hours ago that the white smoke went up at the Vatican, signifying that there was a new pope. And the former cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger came out.

There's the seal. They break the seal, they open the door, and in for the first time, walking as Pope Benedict XVI, 78-year-old, the former cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger.

Even with some clergy within the catholic church, some are voicing their concerns over the new pope, his reputation as a hardliner. Last night on CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE," we spoke to a Benedictine nun about Cardinal Ratzinger's conservative views and critical comments that he's made about feminism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SISTER JOAN CHITTISTER, OSB, COLUMNIST, BELIEFNET.COM, EXEC. DIR., BENETVISION: I was expecting a more pastoral, a more open face to the church than this history brings us.

At the same time I must admit that as a woman I was deeply concerned. His latest document on women is disheartening. It shows a very limited awareness of the development of the woman's movement. I think he's going to have an awful lot to learn in this arena. He seems to think that feminism is monolithic. He doesn't seem to understand there's been an evolution.

But, at the same time, Larry, I myself am a Benedictine. Benedict of Nursia is our patron. If this pope, if Pope Benedict XVI, is really modeling himself after Benedict of Nursia, then we probably don't have as much to be concerned about as we carry tonight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: For even more in-depth analysis on the pope, it's just a mouse click away on our continually updated Web site.

For a preview, let's go to dot-com desk and CNN's Veronica De La Cruz -- Veronica.

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Dayrn.

The world watched yesterday as white smoke came pouring out of the Vatican chimney and Germany's Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI. At cnn.com, we've launched this special report.

Joseph Ratzinger was one of the most powerful men in the Vatican, under Pope John Paul II. To learn more about his life, you can click through this interactive gallery, which profiles his early days as the son of a policeman of Germany, to being elected the 265th pontiff.

Around the world, more than one billion people are Roman Catholic. This interactive map breaks down where the bulk of Catholics live. Europe remains the historical home of the Catholic Church. Italy alone boasts 38 cardinals, while the U.S., the country with the second greatest amount, has only 13.

Pope Benedict XVI will be greeted with a host of new issues unimaginable centuries ago. We've been asking users to write in with what they believe those challenges might be.

This one, from Chris Naua (ph) in Nigeria says: "The next pope will be challenged by his capacity to be conservative and maintain the visions of the late pope. He should be challenged by the growing level of corruption in Subsaharan Africa."

You can send us your thoughts by logging onto cnn.com/pope. And that's going to do it from the dot-com desk. I'm Veronica De La Cruz -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, Veronica, thank you.

Still ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY, this isn't your average pump and run story. Like a thief in the night, how about 600 gallons of gas gone? A look at how culprits made off with the fuel.

Plus, a potential deal in the airline industry. If it goes through, could it result in lower fares? That story and a check of the financial markets coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A deal in the airline industry could mean lower fares are on the way. U.S. Airways and America West are reportedly in merger talks to create a discount carrier to rival Southwest. It could herald the start of consolidation for other struggling airlines, too. Bankrupt U.S. Airways is planning to emerge from court protection later this year, but its reorganization has been complicated by high fuel prices.

The carrier has reportedly approached several rivals about a combination, but the discussions with America West have moved along the most. Any deal would have a number of hurdles before a merger is completed. The airlines still need to secure millions of dollars in financing and get approval from creditors, unions and the bankruptcy judge.

And that's the latest from Wall Street. Daryn, now back to you.

KAGAN: Susan, wait 'til you see what these high gas prices are doing out in California. Listen to this next story.

LISOVICZ: I'm closing my eyes.

KAGAN: OK, well, but listen in. In San Leandro, California, just outside of San Francisco. As I was saying, in San Leandro, just outside San Francisco, some savvy thieves have made off with some 600,000 gallons of gasoline. How do you do it? Well, the station's owner said it must have been somebody who was knowledgeable of their automated network, because they apparently had a master key and knew how to override the system. With the staggering price of California gasoline, the theft comes to about $15,000.

Nationwide, the price of gas has actually been sliding a bit, but so has the popularity fuel-guzzling SUVs. So are people racing to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles?

With that answer, here's CNN's Kathleen Hays in our New York Bureau. Good morning, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn.

Well, I think actually a lot of economists and a lot of people in the auto industry are scratching their heads and saying, why haven't these high gas prices affected consumer behavior even more? And in fact, the gas prices are down a little bit, as you mentioned. $2.23 on average. But don't get too comfortable, because the price of crude oil well above $50 again, well above $53 a barrel again. So this is something that everyone has to think about.

So I went though a very interesting Web site called fueleconomy.gov. And you can compare the fuel efficiency of different kinds of vehicles. So I started with the good old Ford Explorer, one of the most popular SUVs in the country. It gets 16 miles a gallon, when you combine, you know, city and freeway driving. The yearly fuel cost is about $2,100.

Let's compare that to a Toyota Corolla. Popular car. It's a safe, fuel-efficient vehicle. That's why we chose this one. 33 miles a gallon, year fuel cost just over $1,000. So how much do you save if you get the fuel-efficient Corolla over the gas-guzzling SUV? About $1,100. Now, you know, if you're affluent enough to afford the SUV, then maybe you're affluent enough to keep paying that $1,100, not even $100 a week.

So I said let's also look at a hybrid, because they're super fuel-efficient. Then how much do you save? You get the Toyota Prius, averages 55 miles a gallon, and the yearly fuel cost $622. There you'd save about $1,500 a year over the SUV. But again, if you can afford the monthly payment for the SUV, can you also afford that? I think another way to look at it is, if you bought the -- say the Prius, even, to save money, it would take you about 13 years in saved money to pay for it. So another reason why a lot of people keep driving the SUVs, Daryn, and keep the demand growing and keep the economy growing, even with these sky-high gas prices.

KAGAN: Well, and as we've seen with some of those cars, like the Prius, there's such a mark-up on them, you have to drive for even longer to make up the difference.

HAYS: Exactly. That's true.

KAGAN: Well, then there's the whole ecology side of it, but we'll talk about that another day. Today's about wallet and pocketbook. Kathleen, thank you.

Well, his days spent teaching children in middle school. On the weekends, he tutors the students and he says he does it all because they inspire him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love teaching because I love my children. Everyday, they captivate me with their creativity.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: This teacher's dedication has paid off. We're going to bring you his story next on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Six years ago today, two teenage gunmen launched the most deadly school shooting rampage in U.S. history. On April 20th, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold shot and killed 12 classmates and a teacher at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. They then killed themselves. There's also word today that fundraising has stalled for a memorial at the school. Only about a third of the $2.5 million of that goal has been raised, so planners may have to scale back the design.

Just after the top of the hour, President Bush will welcome the nation's top educators to the White House and at the center will be the national teacher of the year. We get the introduction from reporter Phyllis Armstrong from CNN's Washington's affiliate, WUSA.

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PHYLLIS ARMSTRONG, WUSA REPORTER (voice-over): Solving math problems with this board game adds up to more than better test scores for Ayasha James (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: And it's fun to just -- to win, too, because he gives you, like, an award.

JASON KAMRAS, NATL TEACHER OF THE YEAR: I love teaching because I love my children. Everyday they captivate me with their creativity.

ARMSTRONG: That love for teaching has earned Jason Kamras the district's first National Teacher of the Year Award.

JON QUAM, NATIONAL TEACHER PROGRAM: Jason exemplifies for all of the country the brilliance and exuberance that we need in our schools of greatest need.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: He pushes the button, and boom, it's just like, it's on the overhead projector.

ARMSTONG: Bruce Phemon (ph) really appreciates the LCD projector and other high-tech approaches Kamras uses.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: He helps you learn the best way you can learn.

ARMSTRONG: Interactive and innovative techniques that help 7th graders at Sousa Middle School get better grades in math.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: I have an A in this class.

ARMSTRONG (on camera): Here's another example of what makes Kamras exceptional. Most teachers just have files on their students. He has portfolios full of personal inventories, warm-up exercises and class to home assignments.

WILLIAM LIPSCOMB, PRINCIPAL, SOUSA MIDDLE SCHOOL: He is smart, he loves children. He is compassionate, very patient.

ARMSTRONG (voice-over): Patient, but a teacher with rules and high expectations, even when his students lack resources.

KAMRAS: I would love our children in D.C. to have state-of-the- art facilities. At the same time, though, I will never let those lack of resources get in the way of my making sure that they achieve today.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: He is, like, one of the greatest teachers alive. That's my opinion.

ARMSTONG: Phyllis Armstrong, 9 News.

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KAGAN: And, as you heard, that was reporter Phyllis Armstrong from CNN's Washington affiliate, WUSA. So here's the great thing. We're going have live coverage of the Rose Garden Ceremony. It's now scheduled for 11:10 Eastern, about 20 minutes from now. The teacher, Jason Kamras, will join me for a live interview later in the hour, so you'll get to meet him and learn more about kind of what makes him go.

It is 10:53 on the East Coast, where Zacarias Moussaoui is expected to enter a guilty plea in connection with the September 11th attacks. And it's 7:53 on the West Coast, where testimony in the Michael Jackson case is expected to continue.

Plus, Reno got a pounding of hail, pelted cars and trucks yesterday. We'll be back with a quick check of your morning forecast.

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KAGAN: A storm that dumped nine inches of snow in the mountains brought hail to Reno, Nevada. That slowed downtown traffic a bit. A string of accidents caused, and it forced the closure of Interstate 80 near the California line yesterday. It took about seven hours to re- open the westbound lanes.

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KAGAN: Benedict XVI laid out his goals for his papacy today, but what is the actual transitioning process that will occur over the next few days, before his inaugural mass on Sunday? CNN Vatican analyst Delia Gallagher will join us for that.

Plus, President Bush awards the national teacher of the year. We'll bring you the ceremony and then I'll talk with the winner here live. The second hour on CNN LIVE TODAY begins right now.

Let's take a look at what's happening "Now in the News." Pope Benedict XVI ready to move into the papal apartment at the Vatican. The seals that had been placed on the doors after the death of John Paul II were removed earlier today. The new pope spent last night at the Vatican guest house.

We're told that Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person in the U.S. publicly charged in the 9/11 attacks, could plead guilty. He has an appointment this morning with a federal judge in Alexandria, Virginia, not far from the Pentagon. The source says Moussaoui recently indicated he wants to take a plea, but the court must decide if that will be permitted.

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