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CNN Live Today

Senate to Launch Overnight Debate on Judge; Trump Starts Online University; Author Michael Connelly Discusses New Book

Aired May 23, 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, HOST: We are just a minute past the half hour. Good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan. Here's a look at what's happening now in the news.
Right now President Bush is meeting with Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai. The White House gathering will focus on several issues straining their close ties in the war on terror. President Karzai is demanding answers to recent reports of U.S. soldiers abusing Afghan prisoners. CNN will have live coverage of next hour's meeting between the presidents at 11 Eastern, 8 a.m. Pacific.

And right now in western Baghdad, U.S. and Iraqi forces are carrying out their biggest ever joint mission. The offensive is dubbed Operation Squeeze Play. It's aimed at crushing insurgent activity. The U.S. military statement says troops have detained a substantial number of suspected terrorists.

A car bomb exploded this morning outside a popular Baghdad restaurant in a Shiite neighborhood. That lunchtime blast killed at least 10 civilians and wounded more than 110 others. Officials suspect it's another case of surging sectarian violence.

Fire crews are on the scene of this partial building collapse in Chicago. They're searching for any more victims. At least seven people have already been taken to hospitals. Witnesses say there was some kind of an explosion before part of the three-story apartment building collapsed.

Right now on Capitol Hill, 11th hour meetings, trying to avoid triggering that nuclear option. Today the protracted battle over Senate filibusters. We'll see a fluster of last minute maneuvers, possibly some action.

For details on today's debate and possible vote, let's turn to our congressional correspondent, Ed Henry, live on Capitol Hill.

Hi, Ed.

ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Such an exciting but also anxious time in the Senate right now for leaders in both parties. Normally, a lot of these votes are so scripted that leaders on both sides know exactly how it's going to turn out, but this is a case where neither side knows who's going to win this vote, who's going to win this nuclear showdown. They also have no idea what the long-term consequences of this move will be. In fact, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is saying he has the votes to change the Senate rules in order to end filibusters on judicial nominees.

But Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid insists he is feeling very confident that he has the votes to stop it.

As you mentioned, this flurry activity. It will really get going tonight about 5 p.m., when Bill Frist calls that first vote. This is essentially a fed check vote, an attendance to vote to make sure everyone is back for this big debate over Priscilla Owen. We're expecting on the Senate floor, the debate over Owen's nomination to literally go all through the night.

Meanwhile, off the Senate floor this is so-called gang of 12, 12 moderates in both parties trying desperately to work out a deal to avert a nuclear showdown. They, off the Senate floor, will also be working probably through the night, as well, trying to hammer out the details of this proposed deal.

But I can tell you it's looking less and less likely. People on both sides being somewhat pessimistic of being able to work out a deal. Here's Ben Nelson, one of the leaders of the gang of 12.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BEN NELSON (D), NEBRASKA: Well I don't know if we're going to be able to get it done or not. But I certainly hope so. We've all put a lot of effort into this.

And it's so critical that we find a solution that will keep us from going to the detonation of that nuclear option, and at the same time, get up or down votes for as many of the judges as we can, recognizing that -- that up or down votes really are, in my opinion, that's where we ought to be. But not everybody agrees with that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: Now if the Senate does go nuclear, there likely will be short term consequences for President Bush's legislative agenda here on the Hill. The feeling on both sides is that the atmosphere will be so poisonous it will be even harder for the president to get to Social Security reform, energy reform, other nominations like John Bolton to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

But there also could be long-term consequences, specifically in the 2008 presidential campaign. The "Des Moines Register" reported over the weekend that a group of influential conservative activists is circulating a letter in Iowa, warning some of the Republican senators involved in this debate that they will be watching this showdown very closely.

The letter apparently says, and it thanks people like Bill Frist, Sam Brownback, other Republicans who are supporting the nuclear option, but it's issuing a warning to John McCain, Chuck Hagel and other Republicans who are on the fence or pushing for a compromise, saying they're watching this very closely. That's obviously a critical presidential state -- Daryn.

KAGAN: No one's watching more closer than you, Ed Henry from Capitol Hill. Ed, thank you.

Let's take a look at other stories making news coast to coast.

Beginning today, the Coast Guard will not allow ships arriving from seven countries to enter the U.S. Those countries in question include Albania, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar. Officials say the countries don't take adequate anti- terrorism measures in their home ports.

And this surveillance video is raising more than a few eyebrows. You're going to see why. Oh! Two Florida teenagers expected in court to answer felony assault charges in connection with the fight on the school bus. The tape is showing the bus driver grabbing one of the boys. The boy appears to hit the driver.

The driver has been charged with a misdemeanor, but officials say they're considering even more serious charges.

Next. Miami, Florida, just a few hours ago, a school bus, speaking of school buses. The driver suffered minor injuries when a stolen car ran a red light and collided with the bus. Approximately 10 special needs children were also on board. They weren't hurt. The bus then barreled into several parked cars and crashed into a house.

And let's look at what's happening in Greensboro, North Carolina, today, some implosion taking place. As I said, it's Greensboro, North Carolina, the old Burlington Industries headquarters. They're shutting down several streets around the area, bringing it down, bringing down the building to put up something new.

Some kind of cool pictures. Appears to have gone well, earlier this morning in North Carolina.

A crowded field, an unexpected collision.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Kentucky Derby 17 years ago when Bet Twice (ph) veered out in front and in dramatic style Afleet Alex!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Afleet Alex, what a horse. Threw off a horse -- was not thrown off. Had no time for horseplay Saturday. There was a scary potential race ending collision with another horse, but Afleet Alex went on to win the Preakness in Baltimore.

Besides the scrape on the ankle, the horse is fine and expected to compete in New York's Belmont stakes June 11. Also running in honor of Alex Scott.

And talking about beating the odds: try being a golf rookie playing a round, often in a steady ring (ph). Paula Creamer did it Sunday. She won the Sybase Classic in New York. She's only 18. She's the youngest player to win an LPGA event in more than 50 years and she wins over $187,000.

Pretty nice gift in time for her high school graduation, which by the way, will be this Thursday in Florida. Congratulations on the win and the graduation.

Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, you can't get your business plan off the ground you? You might want to turn to the Donald for a few lessons. We'll tell you how he plans to play his Trump card in the field of education.

And later, best selling author Michael Connelly joins me to discuss his latest book. It's called "The Closers." Harry Bosch, the detective, is back in action. I'll talk to him coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Wall Street just getting things warmed up for the week. Let's bring in Susan Lisovicz at the New York Stock Exchange.

Hi, Susan.

(STOCK REPORT)

KAGAN: Some business tips ahead. The art of saying, "You're fired." It might be a course called "Firing an Employee 101." It will be -- or could it be one of the classes offered at Donald Trump University?

Just about an hour ago the billionaire businessman announced plans for a new school. Our Allan Chernoff is there in New York with more.

Allan, are you signing up?

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, talking about that, Daryn, I can't say I'm going to be one of these students.

But from the man who has splashed his name on everything from buildings to bottled water, it certainly should come as no surprise that Donald Trump is naming a university after himself.

However, he's not going to be competing with his alma mater, University of Pennsylvania. There will be no bachelor degrees, no MBAs coming out of Trump University. Rather, this will be an online school to supplement education for working professionals.

There will be courses in real estate, marketing, entrepreneurship, all of the specialties that Donald Trump has had, and Mr. Trump says that he wants to share his experience.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, REAL ESTATE MOGUL: It's going to be a tremendous venture. It's going to really help a lot of people, which is what we want to do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHERNOFF: Trump himself has certainly had his ups and downs in his business career. In fact, only last week, his hotel and casino company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. But of course, he has had many successes in real estate and other ventures.

Now, Mr. Trump says there will be no grades. He says he is a very easy teacher. He has also hired faculty, people with experience teaching at some of the top universities. But there will be no tenure for those professors, Daryn. They do face the possibility that they could be fired -- Daryn.

KAGAN: There's always that when you work for Donald Trump. Allan, thank you.

Well, someone who's not going to lose his very job soon, an excellent writer of murder mystery comes from the past. And he comes alive again. It's Michael Connelly's latest book. The award-winning author joins me live to discuss "The Closers," coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Well forget the dog paddle. This bear can swim any stroke he wants. The 200-pound pool crasher took an uninvited deep. This is near Porter Ranch, California. The home owners called the state wildlife personnel. They tranquilized the black bear, and is he back in the wild. He looks pretty darned happy in that back pool.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Having a good time. Not hurting anybody. Maybe a little fur perhaps in the pool filter, you know?

KAGAN: A little bear fur, perhaps.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: All right. Jacqui, thank you.

JERAS: Yes.

KAGAN: Here's the story line. A 16-year-old girl is found dead in Los Angeles -- this is back in 1988. First looks like a suicide, then it's called a murder. With no clues, the case goes cold until a DNA match heats things up again. So what happens next?

You're going to have to read the book. It's called "The Closers." It's the latest from author Michael Connelly. And he's joining me here in person to talk about his latest book.

Good morning.

MICHAEL CONNELLY, AUTHOR, "THE CLOSERS": Good morning. Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: Great to have you here.

CONNELLY: Glad to be here.

KAGAN: Well, we're here because you've taken poor Harry Bosch, one of your ongoing characters, and you've brought him out of retirement.

CONNELLY: I don't know why everyone says poor Harry Bosch. I mean, I think he's an interesting guy, and this is a great new change, I think, for his life.

KAGAN: There's kind of a sense of redemption, I think, with this story. It's a chance to come back, clean up not just some cold cases from the LAPD, but also for him to kind of do things in a new way.

CONNELLY: Yes. I mean, he's the guy who feels like there's unfinished business. And he also feels that he has a mission in life, and that's to speak for the dead, in a way. And I think this book is about him coming home, finding his right spot in the world.

KAGAN: And so he comes back to the Los Angeles Police Department. He's kind of welcomed; he's kind of not.

CONNELLY: Well, there's some people who call these guys who come back from retirement "retreads," and so there's a whole segment of the department who's not interested in bringing back guys who thought it wasn't right for them in the first place and had retired.

KAGAN: When you're reading the book, it sounds like you've taken us literally inside of the buildings of the LAPD. How much time did you spend in there?

CONNELLY: Well, for this book I spent a lot of time. I got an entree into the cold case squad, and I think I'm a journalist at heart. So when a door like that opens up, you go through it. And so I spent as much time as I could with these detectives and, hopefully, that comes through in the book.

KAGAN: For those that don't know your background, it is being a journalist and working at the "L.A. Times" as a crime reporter in the '80s and early '90s. But that was a very different time, not just for you, but from where the LAPD is now.

CONNELLY: Yes. I mean, that's one reason why I set this case in 1988. I was a reporter then. I remember a lot of the stories I worked on. And it was right on the edge of some major changes in the city, major social upheaval.

And I think that's what's cool about the cold case investigations. You can kind of go back and do a little bit of social history.

KAGAN: Another thing you talk about in the book is that the warnings that these cops get not to romanticize what they're doing. But a lot of the people who were impacted by these crimes from a long time ago, they don't necessarily want the cops to come knocking on their door. They don't want to open that again in their lives.

CONNELLY: Yes. I mean, a lot of people learn how to deal with the pain, or the wounds. And when the police coming, showing up after, you know, 16, 18 years, it opens everything up again. And for some people, that's not good. It's taken them a long time just to be able to survive.

KAGAN: One of the interesting things you do in the book, the police chief appears as a character, but he doesn't get a name.

CONNELLY: Right.

KAGAN: What's the purpose of doing that?

CONNELLY: Well, it's actually a continuation. I've written about Harry Bosch 11 times, and I've never named the chief. And so also, I you know, I try to ground my fiction in reality, and so this fictional chief has a Boston accent, just like Bill Bratton does.

KAGAN: Right. I was going to say, there's no name but there is a relatively new chief in L.A. and it sounds like him.

CONNELLY: I just didn't -- I just didn't want him to sue me, so I didn't put his name in there.

KAGAN: OK. Or come after you with some of his powerful friends, perhaps.

CONNELLY: Yes.

KAGAN: Well, it has been such an interesting ride for you in Los Angeles. You know, as I was saying, in the '80s, you're a beat reporter for the "L.A. Times." Now you're selling multimillion-dollar screenplays and books.

CONNELLY: Well, I'm trying to. You know, it's all telling stories, and some of them were true when I was a journalist and I kind of built off of that. It has been a wonderful ride. I'm just -- I couldn't -- if I went back to 1988, I would not be able to predict I'd be sitting here with you or having the type of things happen to me that have happened to me.

KAGAN: Well, continued success.

CONNELLY: Thanks a lot.

KAGAN: I know there's a lot of fans out there and well-deserved.

CONNELLY: Thank you.

KAGAN: Michael Connelly. The book, the latest book, is "The Closers." Certainly not the last we'll be seeing from you.

Let's take a look at the time right now, 10:55 on the East Coast, 7:55 in Santa Maria, California. That's where the defense in the final days of testimony in Michael Jackson's trial -- it's a good little crime story there. Stay with us. We'll be back after a quick check of your morning forecast.

Also, they might not agree on everything, but they'll coming together in just a few minutes. We're standing by for a joint news briefing with President Bush and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. We will go live to the White House when that happens as the second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY begins after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's look at what's happening now in the news.

President Bush and Afghan President Hamid Karzai will be speaking with reporters at the White House shortly. They met last hour against a backdrop of deadly protests, alleged detainee abuse and concerns over opium production in Afghanistan. We'll have live coverage of their news conference just ahead.

First lady Laura Bush is in Egypt, the latest stop on her Middle East tour. She is downplaying the demonstrations that erupted during her visit to Jerusalem. Protesters surrounded the first lady at the Dome of the Rock, one of Islam's holiest sites. Earlier, about 40 Jews demonstrated as she visited the Western Wall.

More insurgent attacks in Iraq.

Actually, the U.S. Supreme Court is stepping back into the abortion debate. Within the last hour, the high court agreed to hear a state appeal from New Hampshire. It's an attempt to reinstate a parental notification law for a minor to have an abortion.

Now, on to Iraq. More insurgent attacks in Iraq today. An adviser to the Iraqi prime minister's office was gunned down this morning in Baghdad. Police say he was killed by a drive-by shooting. Also in Baghdad, a deadly car bomb outside a restaurant in a Shiite neighborhood. The explosion killed at least 10 Iraqis and wounded more than 100.

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 May 23, 2005 - 10:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, HOST: We are just a minute past the half hour. Good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan. Here's a look at what's happening now in the news.
Right now President Bush is meeting with Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai. The White House gathering will focus on several issues straining their close ties in the war on terror. President Karzai is demanding answers to recent reports of U.S. soldiers abusing Afghan prisoners. CNN will have live coverage of next hour's meeting between the presidents at 11 Eastern, 8 a.m. Pacific.

And right now in western Baghdad, U.S. and Iraqi forces are carrying out their biggest ever joint mission. The offensive is dubbed Operation Squeeze Play. It's aimed at crushing insurgent activity. The U.S. military statement says troops have detained a substantial number of suspected terrorists.

A car bomb exploded this morning outside a popular Baghdad restaurant in a Shiite neighborhood. That lunchtime blast killed at least 10 civilians and wounded more than 110 others. Officials suspect it's another case of surging sectarian violence.

Fire crews are on the scene of this partial building collapse in Chicago. They're searching for any more victims. At least seven people have already been taken to hospitals. Witnesses say there was some kind of an explosion before part of the three-story apartment building collapsed.

Right now on Capitol Hill, 11th hour meetings, trying to avoid triggering that nuclear option. Today the protracted battle over Senate filibusters. We'll see a fluster of last minute maneuvers, possibly some action.

For details on today's debate and possible vote, let's turn to our congressional correspondent, Ed Henry, live on Capitol Hill.

Hi, Ed.

ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Such an exciting but also anxious time in the Senate right now for leaders in both parties. Normally, a lot of these votes are so scripted that leaders on both sides know exactly how it's going to turn out, but this is a case where neither side knows who's going to win this vote, who's going to win this nuclear showdown. They also have no idea what the long-term consequences of this move will be. In fact, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is saying he has the votes to change the Senate rules in order to end filibusters on judicial nominees.

But Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid insists he is feeling very confident that he has the votes to stop it.

As you mentioned, this flurry activity. It will really get going tonight about 5 p.m., when Bill Frist calls that first vote. This is essentially a fed check vote, an attendance to vote to make sure everyone is back for this big debate over Priscilla Owen. We're expecting on the Senate floor, the debate over Owen's nomination to literally go all through the night.

Meanwhile, off the Senate floor this is so-called gang of 12, 12 moderates in both parties trying desperately to work out a deal to avert a nuclear showdown. They, off the Senate floor, will also be working probably through the night, as well, trying to hammer out the details of this proposed deal.

But I can tell you it's looking less and less likely. People on both sides being somewhat pessimistic of being able to work out a deal. Here's Ben Nelson, one of the leaders of the gang of 12.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BEN NELSON (D), NEBRASKA: Well I don't know if we're going to be able to get it done or not. But I certainly hope so. We've all put a lot of effort into this.

And it's so critical that we find a solution that will keep us from going to the detonation of that nuclear option, and at the same time, get up or down votes for as many of the judges as we can, recognizing that -- that up or down votes really are, in my opinion, that's where we ought to be. But not everybody agrees with that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: Now if the Senate does go nuclear, there likely will be short term consequences for President Bush's legislative agenda here on the Hill. The feeling on both sides is that the atmosphere will be so poisonous it will be even harder for the president to get to Social Security reform, energy reform, other nominations like John Bolton to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

But there also could be long-term consequences, specifically in the 2008 presidential campaign. The "Des Moines Register" reported over the weekend that a group of influential conservative activists is circulating a letter in Iowa, warning some of the Republican senators involved in this debate that they will be watching this showdown very closely.

The letter apparently says, and it thanks people like Bill Frist, Sam Brownback, other Republicans who are supporting the nuclear option, but it's issuing a warning to John McCain, Chuck Hagel and other Republicans who are on the fence or pushing for a compromise, saying they're watching this very closely. That's obviously a critical presidential state -- Daryn.

KAGAN: No one's watching more closer than you, Ed Henry from Capitol Hill. Ed, thank you.

Let's take a look at other stories making news coast to coast.

Beginning today, the Coast Guard will not allow ships arriving from seven countries to enter the U.S. Those countries in question include Albania, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar. Officials say the countries don't take adequate anti- terrorism measures in their home ports.

And this surveillance video is raising more than a few eyebrows. You're going to see why. Oh! Two Florida teenagers expected in court to answer felony assault charges in connection with the fight on the school bus. The tape is showing the bus driver grabbing one of the boys. The boy appears to hit the driver.

The driver has been charged with a misdemeanor, but officials say they're considering even more serious charges.

Next. Miami, Florida, just a few hours ago, a school bus, speaking of school buses. The driver suffered minor injuries when a stolen car ran a red light and collided with the bus. Approximately 10 special needs children were also on board. They weren't hurt. The bus then barreled into several parked cars and crashed into a house.

And let's look at what's happening in Greensboro, North Carolina, today, some implosion taking place. As I said, it's Greensboro, North Carolina, the old Burlington Industries headquarters. They're shutting down several streets around the area, bringing it down, bringing down the building to put up something new.

Some kind of cool pictures. Appears to have gone well, earlier this morning in North Carolina.

A crowded field, an unexpected collision.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Kentucky Derby 17 years ago when Bet Twice (ph) veered out in front and in dramatic style Afleet Alex!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Afleet Alex, what a horse. Threw off a horse -- was not thrown off. Had no time for horseplay Saturday. There was a scary potential race ending collision with another horse, but Afleet Alex went on to win the Preakness in Baltimore.

Besides the scrape on the ankle, the horse is fine and expected to compete in New York's Belmont stakes June 11. Also running in honor of Alex Scott.

And talking about beating the odds: try being a golf rookie playing a round, often in a steady ring (ph). Paula Creamer did it Sunday. She won the Sybase Classic in New York. She's only 18. She's the youngest player to win an LPGA event in more than 50 years and she wins over $187,000.

Pretty nice gift in time for her high school graduation, which by the way, will be this Thursday in Florida. Congratulations on the win and the graduation.

Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, you can't get your business plan off the ground you? You might want to turn to the Donald for a few lessons. We'll tell you how he plans to play his Trump card in the field of education.

And later, best selling author Michael Connelly joins me to discuss his latest book. It's called "The Closers." Harry Bosch, the detective, is back in action. I'll talk to him coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Wall Street just getting things warmed up for the week. Let's bring in Susan Lisovicz at the New York Stock Exchange.

Hi, Susan.

(STOCK REPORT)

KAGAN: Some business tips ahead. The art of saying, "You're fired." It might be a course called "Firing an Employee 101." It will be -- or could it be one of the classes offered at Donald Trump University?

Just about an hour ago the billionaire businessman announced plans for a new school. Our Allan Chernoff is there in New York with more.

Allan, are you signing up?

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, talking about that, Daryn, I can't say I'm going to be one of these students.

But from the man who has splashed his name on everything from buildings to bottled water, it certainly should come as no surprise that Donald Trump is naming a university after himself.

However, he's not going to be competing with his alma mater, University of Pennsylvania. There will be no bachelor degrees, no MBAs coming out of Trump University. Rather, this will be an online school to supplement education for working professionals.

There will be courses in real estate, marketing, entrepreneurship, all of the specialties that Donald Trump has had, and Mr. Trump says that he wants to share his experience.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, REAL ESTATE MOGUL: It's going to be a tremendous venture. It's going to really help a lot of people, which is what we want to do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHERNOFF: Trump himself has certainly had his ups and downs in his business career. In fact, only last week, his hotel and casino company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. But of course, he has had many successes in real estate and other ventures.

Now, Mr. Trump says there will be no grades. He says he is a very easy teacher. He has also hired faculty, people with experience teaching at some of the top universities. But there will be no tenure for those professors, Daryn. They do face the possibility that they could be fired -- Daryn.

KAGAN: There's always that when you work for Donald Trump. Allan, thank you.

Well, someone who's not going to lose his very job soon, an excellent writer of murder mystery comes from the past. And he comes alive again. It's Michael Connelly's latest book. The award-winning author joins me live to discuss "The Closers," coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Well forget the dog paddle. This bear can swim any stroke he wants. The 200-pound pool crasher took an uninvited deep. This is near Porter Ranch, California. The home owners called the state wildlife personnel. They tranquilized the black bear, and is he back in the wild. He looks pretty darned happy in that back pool.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Having a good time. Not hurting anybody. Maybe a little fur perhaps in the pool filter, you know?

KAGAN: A little bear fur, perhaps.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: All right. Jacqui, thank you.

JERAS: Yes.

KAGAN: Here's the story line. A 16-year-old girl is found dead in Los Angeles -- this is back in 1988. First looks like a suicide, then it's called a murder. With no clues, the case goes cold until a DNA match heats things up again. So what happens next?

You're going to have to read the book. It's called "The Closers." It's the latest from author Michael Connelly. And he's joining me here in person to talk about his latest book.

Good morning.

MICHAEL CONNELLY, AUTHOR, "THE CLOSERS": Good morning. Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: Great to have you here.

CONNELLY: Glad to be here.

KAGAN: Well, we're here because you've taken poor Harry Bosch, one of your ongoing characters, and you've brought him out of retirement.

CONNELLY: I don't know why everyone says poor Harry Bosch. I mean, I think he's an interesting guy, and this is a great new change, I think, for his life.

KAGAN: There's kind of a sense of redemption, I think, with this story. It's a chance to come back, clean up not just some cold cases from the LAPD, but also for him to kind of do things in a new way.

CONNELLY: Yes. I mean, he's the guy who feels like there's unfinished business. And he also feels that he has a mission in life, and that's to speak for the dead, in a way. And I think this book is about him coming home, finding his right spot in the world.

KAGAN: And so he comes back to the Los Angeles Police Department. He's kind of welcomed; he's kind of not.

CONNELLY: Well, there's some people who call these guys who come back from retirement "retreads," and so there's a whole segment of the department who's not interested in bringing back guys who thought it wasn't right for them in the first place and had retired.

KAGAN: When you're reading the book, it sounds like you've taken us literally inside of the buildings of the LAPD. How much time did you spend in there?

CONNELLY: Well, for this book I spent a lot of time. I got an entree into the cold case squad, and I think I'm a journalist at heart. So when a door like that opens up, you go through it. And so I spent as much time as I could with these detectives and, hopefully, that comes through in the book.

KAGAN: For those that don't know your background, it is being a journalist and working at the "L.A. Times" as a crime reporter in the '80s and early '90s. But that was a very different time, not just for you, but from where the LAPD is now.

CONNELLY: Yes. I mean, that's one reason why I set this case in 1988. I was a reporter then. I remember a lot of the stories I worked on. And it was right on the edge of some major changes in the city, major social upheaval.

And I think that's what's cool about the cold case investigations. You can kind of go back and do a little bit of social history.

KAGAN: Another thing you talk about in the book is that the warnings that these cops get not to romanticize what they're doing. But a lot of the people who were impacted by these crimes from a long time ago, they don't necessarily want the cops to come knocking on their door. They don't want to open that again in their lives.

CONNELLY: Yes. I mean, a lot of people learn how to deal with the pain, or the wounds. And when the police coming, showing up after, you know, 16, 18 years, it opens everything up again. And for some people, that's not good. It's taken them a long time just to be able to survive.

KAGAN: One of the interesting things you do in the book, the police chief appears as a character, but he doesn't get a name.

CONNELLY: Right.

KAGAN: What's the purpose of doing that?

CONNELLY: Well, it's actually a continuation. I've written about Harry Bosch 11 times, and I've never named the chief. And so also, I you know, I try to ground my fiction in reality, and so this fictional chief has a Boston accent, just like Bill Bratton does.

KAGAN: Right. I was going to say, there's no name but there is a relatively new chief in L.A. and it sounds like him.

CONNELLY: I just didn't -- I just didn't want him to sue me, so I didn't put his name in there.

KAGAN: OK. Or come after you with some of his powerful friends, perhaps.

CONNELLY: Yes.

KAGAN: Well, it has been such an interesting ride for you in Los Angeles. You know, as I was saying, in the '80s, you're a beat reporter for the "L.A. Times." Now you're selling multimillion-dollar screenplays and books.

CONNELLY: Well, I'm trying to. You know, it's all telling stories, and some of them were true when I was a journalist and I kind of built off of that. It has been a wonderful ride. I'm just -- I couldn't -- if I went back to 1988, I would not be able to predict I'd be sitting here with you or having the type of things happen to me that have happened to me.

KAGAN: Well, continued success.

CONNELLY: Thanks a lot.

KAGAN: I know there's a lot of fans out there and well-deserved.

CONNELLY: Thank you.

KAGAN: Michael Connelly. The book, the latest book, is "The Closers." Certainly not the last we'll be seeing from you.

Let's take a look at the time right now, 10:55 on the East Coast, 7:55 in Santa Maria, California. That's where the defense in the final days of testimony in Michael Jackson's trial -- it's a good little crime story there. Stay with us. We'll be back after a quick check of your morning forecast.

Also, they might not agree on everything, but they'll coming together in just a few minutes. We're standing by for a joint news briefing with President Bush and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. We will go live to the White House when that happens as the second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY begins after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's look at what's happening now in the news.

President Bush and Afghan President Hamid Karzai will be speaking with reporters at the White House shortly. They met last hour against a backdrop of deadly protests, alleged detainee abuse and concerns over opium production in Afghanistan. We'll have live coverage of their news conference just ahead.

First lady Laura Bush is in Egypt, the latest stop on her Middle East tour. She is downplaying the demonstrations that erupted during her visit to Jerusalem. Protesters surrounded the first lady at the Dome of the Rock, one of Islam's holiest sites. Earlier, about 40 Jews demonstrated as she visited the Western Wall.

More insurgent attacks in Iraq.

Actually, the U.S. Supreme Court is stepping back into the abortion debate. Within the last hour, the high court agreed to hear a state appeal from New Hampshire. It's an attempt to reinstate a parental notification law for a minor to have an abortion.

Now, on to Iraq. More insurgent attacks in Iraq today. An adviser to the Iraqi prime minister's office was gunned down this morning in Baghdad. Police say he was killed by a drive-by shooting. Also in Baghdad, a deadly car bomb outside a restaurant in a Shiite neighborhood. The explosion killed at least 10 Iraqis and wounded more than 100.

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