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American Morning

Laguna Beach Landslide Destroys Homes; Bangor Airport Plays Pivotal Role in Airspace Security

Aired June 02, 2005 - 08:30   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.


SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everybody. It is exactly half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING. We're going to take you back to Laguna Beach in California. That is where that landslide on Wednesday destroyed 18 incredibly expensive homes, damaged more than 20 of them.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: A lot of people saying they are not out of danger just yet. We'll talk to the mayor of Laguna Beach in a moment, standing by now with us about the danger to the possibility of other homes in that area, maybe in some other communities north or south of Laguna. So we'll get to that in a moment.

O'BRIEN: It's one of our top stories this morning. There are other headlines, as well. Carol Costello has a look at those. Good morning.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: I do, indeed. Thanks. Good morning everyone.

"Now in the News," a developing story out of Indiana. Now word that hostage stand-off we've been telling you about -- it is over and it's ended deadly. Police -- you're going to them shortly, you see them here entering then store where a gunman was holding one woman hostage. According to the Shelby County prosecutor, the suspect in the case, the man holding this woman hostage, has been shot dead. The stand-off started when police chased two burglary suspects into a store parking lot. One of the men was caught. We have no word on the hostage's condition. We'll get that to you as soon as we get it into CNN.

To Iraq now. At least 16 people have been killed in a new string of car bombings this morning. One of the attacks apparently targeted an American diplomat passing through the city of Kirkuk. All three bombs went off in less than 45 minutes. More than 50 people are injured.

In New York, a 9-year-old girl is set to be family court today facing a manslaughter. The girl allegedly stabbed her 11-year-old playmate, Queen Washington, during an argument over a toy. If convicted, this 9-year-old could spend 18 months in detention.

Kirk Reynolds, the P.R. director for the San Francisco 49ers, is saying he is so very sorry. Reynolds is responsible for a 15-minute video that features racist jokes and topless women. He says the film was meant to help players deal with media questions, but it has caused outrage in the Bay area. Andrew Ross from the "San Francisco Chronicle" broke the story. He joined us a few moments ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDREW ROSS, "SAN FRANCICSO CHRONICLE": It was intended to give the players an idea what they should not be doing to land in hot water with the media. And as we all know, as a result of this tape, the P.R. director has landed himself in big hot water and has just been booted.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: A spokesperson says Reynolds is looking for new employment right now.

Singer Rod Stewart, known for his song, "Forever Young," among many others, is going to be a daddy again. The 60-year-old British rocker and his 34-year-old fiance, model/photographer Penny Lancaster, are expecting. Baby Stewart is due in December. Stewart says he is overjoyed and extremely proud. The couple expects to be married next spring. What a beautiful story.

HEMMER: So that makes him 81 when he picks up his kid from college graduation, is that right?

COSTELLO: Pretty much.

HEMMER: Good for Rod. Go! Thanks, Carol.

I want to get back to California right now. Folks in Southern California now watching out for more landslides. 18 multi-million dollar homes destroyed in Laguna Beach on Wednesday. Experts are now saying the especially rainy weather and the rainy winter caused the ground to suddenly give way yesterday.

The mayor is with me now. Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider is live in Laguna Beach. It is 5:33 in the morning. And Madam Mayor, bring us up to date. What are you hearing about the extent of what's happened so far?

ELIZABETH PEARSON-SCHNEIDER, MAYOR, LAGUNA BEACH: Well, we hired a professional geologist yesterday, one of the best, to consult with us on this project. And so far, we don't have a full report yet, but we expect to have some answers -- some preliminary answers -- this afternoon.

HEMMER: There are some devices, apparently, been placed in the area. Will they give you answers, Madam Mayor?

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: Well, what he did was to -- he flew over the entire area and then he came out and measured all of the points of -- well, points where we had problems. And he and his team are doing some evaluations as it relates to how deep the break went and how far laterally it went. And so we know so far, it's about 100 feet wide, probably almost that deep. HEMMER: How strong is the possibility at this point that more slides could be on the way today?

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: I beg your pardon? I couldn't hear you.

HEMMER: How strong is the possibility that more slides could happen today?

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: We haven't had any slides that we're aware of since about 5:05 yesterday afternoon. So we are not going to let anyone go in until we know that it's stabilized. And so far, overnight, it's been OK.

HEMMER: Well, I hope the best for you in that area. That's about 12 hours. And certainly, we hope the best that that news continues to be the same that you report now. Other communities north or south of Laguna, are they watching their hillsides also for the possibility, or is it thought right now that this was exclusive to Laguna Beach?

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: From what we can tell, it's just been in this one particular area. We haven't had any problems in this area before. This is kind of new thing for this particular part of town. There are homes that have been there 50 years and the first time we've had any problem in this area. And no other reports in any other areas.

HEMMER: What are you telling residents at this point that come to you with questions? What do they want to know, and what can you say?

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: Right now we have 345 households evacuated, 750 to 1,000 people. Unfortunately we've had friends and neighbors take in everyone. No one was without a home or shelter last night. And we are asking them to come to a press conference that we're holding at 2:00 this afternoon, to get a report on what areas we might open up to allow some of the people to go back home and to live in their homes, although they won't -- some of them will not have power or water, and most of them will not have gas service for several more days. We'll also hope to have a preliminary geology report this afternoon, as well.

HEMMER: One more thing...

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: The other thing that we're telling...

HEMMER: Go ahead. I'm sorry.

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: I'm sorry. The other thing that we're telling them is that we have proclaimed Laguna Beach a local disaster area. I signed a proclamation that went to the state and to the federal government yesterday to begin the process of accessing funds for these people.

HEMMER: At this point -- there's a history in this area. 1970, a rather substantial landslide destroyed or damaged 60 homes then. Is there any way to compare these two at this point? PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: No, not -- the only way we can compare them is to say that the people who are affected are equally as devastated.

HEMMER: That is so well put, too. Madam Mayor, thank you. Good luck to you when the sun comes out there shortly in Laguna Beach. And you folks are going to need a lot of luck out there. Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider is the mayor. And thanks for your time.

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: Thank you.

HEMMER: All right, here's Soledad.

O'BRIEN: In our CNN security watch today, Canadian officials say they are worried about a U.S. proposal to require passenger lists from Canadian flights that travel over U.S. airspace. About 3,000 Canadian flights per week fly through U.S. airspace but don't land in the U.S. Some 90 percent, about 2.700 per week, are domestic flights between cities like Montreal and Halifax, that fly over New England. The remaining 300 flights cross over U.S. territory en route to international locations like Mexico.

The U.S. government wants to cross-check those passenger lists against the U.S. no-fly list, but Canadian officials say it could interfere with their sovereignty. The U.S. officials acts against potential violations of the no-fly list quickly, diverting trans- Atlantic flights to the airport in Bangor, Maine. The airport's come to play a pretty critical role for security of U.S. airspace. It's a place where officials can intercept possible threats.

CNN's Dan Lothian explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Bangor International Airport Operation Center.

REBECCA HUPP, BANGOR AIRPORT DIRECTOR: Where we coordinate with all of the federal agencies via radio.

LOTHIAN: Airport director Rebecca Hupp has been on the front lines of a government effort to keep potential terrorists out of the country. Some flights from Europe, with passengers suspected of being on a federal no-fly list, are diverted here.

HUPP: Ideally, it's because of our geographic location as the first point of entry into the United States.

LOTHIAN: And the runway, at more than 11,000 feet, one of the longest on the East Coast. It can handle any size aircraft.

HUPP: I think we're proud and happy to do our part.

LOTHIAN: Since 9/11, four flights have been diverted here when some passengers appear to be on the no-fly list. Two last month, one a false alarm, the other a match. However, the passenger who was deported was of no interest to the FBI. And there's the highly publicized case of the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens. He was diverted, then deported, last year. Homeland security officials say Bangor is a critical lay-over.

ELAINE DEZENSKI, DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY: We can take a determination as to whether we need to interdict a person and take the necessary action to reduce or mitigate that potential threat.

LOTHIAN (on camera): Even before 9/11, this airport has been assisting inbound international flights in emergencies. For example, when there's an unruly passenger on board, or engine trouble, or a medical problem.

(voice-over): And as a re-fueling stop for planes bringing troops back from overseas.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Welcome back to the states.

LOTHIAN: Volunteers have greeted more than 180,000 soldiers here since the first Gulf War. But the no-fly diversions have attracted more attention, drawing some criticisms for the inconvenience to passengers, and prompting calls for name checks before planes lift off. Homeland security officials say, that's the ultimate goal.

DEZENSKI: We just need to figure out how to set up our systems to be able to get that information and, again, perform the necessary screening functions before that flight takes off.

LOTHIAN: One airport's role, for now, helping to secure America's borders.

Dan Lothian, CNN, Bangor, Maine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: You want to stay with CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, a nationwide excuse to leave work early today. Andy explains while he minds your business, just ahead.

HEMMER: Also, is there a link between breast cancer and some of the most common painkillers now on the market? Sanjay checks in on that. We'll check in with Dr. Gupta in a moment, next here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: In medical news this morning, a new research showing that an experimental vaccine may help prevent shingles. That painful skin rash afflicts a millions Americans every year and can cause long- term excruciating nerve pain for some. It can also attack anyone who's had chicken pox, in part, because shingles is caused by reactivation of the chicken pox virus. Researchers found the new vaccine cut down the occurrence of shingles by more than 50 percent. You can find that study in today's "New England Journal of Medicine."

More medical news, today, and a question, too, can certain painkillers actually help prevent breast cancer? Maybe some answers now from the good doctor.

Here's Sanjay Gupta with details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, it's been known for some time that painkillers like Aspirin and Ibuprofen not only reduce pain and prevent heart disease, but may also prevent cancer. For example, listen to this, studies have already shown that Aspirin produces certain polyps, which could be pre-cancers for colon cancer.

The question was this, could these same pain relievers also reduce the risk of breast cancer. Well, researchers at the University of Southern California decided to put that to the test; 114,000 women between the ages of 22 and 35 are part of what was called the California Teacher's Study.

At the beginning of the study, they were all breast-cancer free. Six years later, nearly 2,400 of these woman had breast cancer. When they asked these women about their use of pain relievers, what they found was kind of surprising, women taking Ibuprofen every day for more than five years had a 50 percent higher risk for breast cancer, and woman taking Aspirin daily for more than five years daily had an 80 percent increased risk for a certain type of breast cancer as well.

Now researchers are being very careful here not to say that these painkillers cause breast cancer. They also want to make it clear that this particular really can't be explained. In fact, the American Cancer Society points out there have been at least 20 previous studies, and none of them have ever reported such an increased risk. So the question really for you at home is this, what are you going to do? Well, if you're taking Ibuprofen or Aspirin for pain relief or to prevent heart disease, you should continue to do so.

But if you're taking these drugs as a prevent breast cancer, doctors say the verdict is still out on that one. So, as always, if you have any concerns, ask your doctor.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, another ad for fast food touches a nerve. Some say it's too hard to watch, in business news when Andy minds your business, just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back. JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: A television ad that has all of Britain up in arms and your colleagues may be leaving the office early today. With an explanation of that and a look at the market, here's Andy Serwer, who's in "Minding Your Business."

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE": Thank you, Jack. We've got a lot to cover.

Let's do the markets very quickly, first of all. Stocks up yesterday. The thinking is, interest rate hikes may be winding down. To that, I say, maybe. Futures are flat this morning.

Britain -- they're all up in arms over a new KFC TV commercial. They're in a tizzy over this. Let's check it out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: These tortilla chips are delicious (INAUDIBLE).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SERWER: The problem is, these are some telephone operators who can't talk because they're eating some KFC food product. And parents are up in arms because they're saying it's promoting rudeness. It's apparently all the rage with kids to imitate that commercial. You can imagine what's going on in classrooms in the UK with that. It's pretty funny, I think.

CAFFERTY: People who aren't eating imitate it here in the United States.

SERWER: Sometimes on air. I've been known to do that.

CAFFERTY: OK, today is national leave the office earlier day. Not early, earlier. This is by -- productivity expert Laura Stack's come up with this idea. She says people are working -- she looks like Flava Flav with that clock. She says that people are working more than eight hours. She doesn't really look Flava Flav, but she does have a clock. They're working more than eight hours, so they should try get out of the office early.

Here are tips from her. We want to run through these and I want you look at how many of these remind you the way Jack Cafferty behaves at the office, anyway. Stop participating in cultural rules. Check. Start meetings before 4 p.m. Check. Be assertive. Check. OK, let's move on to the next one here. Schedule fixed office hours. Check. Prepare to leave Check. Challenge your assumptions...

CAFFERTY: Not very often.

SERWER: Start small, no. No. Nothing about Jack is small. But, a lot of these other things. I mean, you like to get going, right, get out of the office. No reason to stay any later than you...

CAFFERTY: When it's over, it's over. Or as somebody said, when they stop paying, I stop playing.

SERWER: Ooh, I like that. Today's June 2nd, and that's -- it's her birthday and that's why she picked today.

CAFFERTY: What's with her hair?

SERWER: She looks like Flava Flav.

CAFFERTY: She should leave the office early and go do something about her hair.

SERWER: Go to the beauty parlor? All right. I didn't say that.

CAFFERTY: Time for "The File." "Things People Say." We usually do it Wednesday, but I wasn't here on Wednesday, so I'm going to do it now. If you don't like that, turn on Fox and "Friends."

"He was taken aback. But I said to him, 'I'm from Brooklyn and we talk plainly.'" That would be Al Sharpton on the reaction from Mexican president Vicente Fox after Sharpton told the president, "Don't pee on my leg and then tell me it's raining." Mr. Fox had just told Sharpton there would be no apology for all those stupid remarks Fox made about illegal immigrants.

"I think it's time we recognized the dark ages are over. The world is, in fact, round." Representative Christopher Shays, a Connecticut Republican breaking ranks with President Bush on the issue of federal funding for stem sell research.

"You have given the minimum required attention and education that is needed to master any station at any McDonald's anywhere." That's Eagleville, Tennessee, high school valedictorian Abraham Stoklasa, speaking at his graduation. After he made that speech, the school officials wouldn't give him his diploma...

SERWER: Huh. Fancy that.

CAFFERTY: ... because they were highly insulted.

SERWER: That's the way people like that react, right?

And finally this. "I'll be adopting because I haven't met anyone I want to be reminded of." That's actress Vivica Fox, explaining her plans on having children and why she's single.

Oh, one more. "Do you do realize when you go to court in front of a jury that you're putting your fate in the hands in the fate of 12 people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty." That's Norm Crosby, talking up the street here at Friar's Court in New York.

SERWER: That's...

O'BRIEN: Pretty good.

HEMMER: You know, you missed the big anniversary yesterday.

CAFFERTY: Damn!

HEMMER: June 1st, 1980, 25 years on the air.

SERWER: He celebrated it at home.

CAFFERTY: I was very busy yesterday.

HEMMER: I bet you were. We're looking back again on 25 years on the air. Back in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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 June 2, 2005 - 08:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everybody. It is exactly half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING. We're going to take you back to Laguna Beach in California. That is where that landslide on Wednesday destroyed 18 incredibly expensive homes, damaged more than 20 of them.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: A lot of people saying they are not out of danger just yet. We'll talk to the mayor of Laguna Beach in a moment, standing by now with us about the danger to the possibility of other homes in that area, maybe in some other communities north or south of Laguna. So we'll get to that in a moment.

O'BRIEN: It's one of our top stories this morning. There are other headlines, as well. Carol Costello has a look at those. Good morning.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: I do, indeed. Thanks. Good morning everyone.

"Now in the News," a developing story out of Indiana. Now word that hostage stand-off we've been telling you about -- it is over and it's ended deadly. Police -- you're going to them shortly, you see them here entering then store where a gunman was holding one woman hostage. According to the Shelby County prosecutor, the suspect in the case, the man holding this woman hostage, has been shot dead. The stand-off started when police chased two burglary suspects into a store parking lot. One of the men was caught. We have no word on the hostage's condition. We'll get that to you as soon as we get it into CNN.

To Iraq now. At least 16 people have been killed in a new string of car bombings this morning. One of the attacks apparently targeted an American diplomat passing through the city of Kirkuk. All three bombs went off in less than 45 minutes. More than 50 people are injured.

In New York, a 9-year-old girl is set to be family court today facing a manslaughter. The girl allegedly stabbed her 11-year-old playmate, Queen Washington, during an argument over a toy. If convicted, this 9-year-old could spend 18 months in detention.

Kirk Reynolds, the P.R. director for the San Francisco 49ers, is saying he is so very sorry. Reynolds is responsible for a 15-minute video that features racist jokes and topless women. He says the film was meant to help players deal with media questions, but it has caused outrage in the Bay area. Andrew Ross from the "San Francisco Chronicle" broke the story. He joined us a few moments ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDREW ROSS, "SAN FRANCICSO CHRONICLE": It was intended to give the players an idea what they should not be doing to land in hot water with the media. And as we all know, as a result of this tape, the P.R. director has landed himself in big hot water and has just been booted.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: A spokesperson says Reynolds is looking for new employment right now.

Singer Rod Stewart, known for his song, "Forever Young," among many others, is going to be a daddy again. The 60-year-old British rocker and his 34-year-old fiance, model/photographer Penny Lancaster, are expecting. Baby Stewart is due in December. Stewart says he is overjoyed and extremely proud. The couple expects to be married next spring. What a beautiful story.

HEMMER: So that makes him 81 when he picks up his kid from college graduation, is that right?

COSTELLO: Pretty much.

HEMMER: Good for Rod. Go! Thanks, Carol.

I want to get back to California right now. Folks in Southern California now watching out for more landslides. 18 multi-million dollar homes destroyed in Laguna Beach on Wednesday. Experts are now saying the especially rainy weather and the rainy winter caused the ground to suddenly give way yesterday.

The mayor is with me now. Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider is live in Laguna Beach. It is 5:33 in the morning. And Madam Mayor, bring us up to date. What are you hearing about the extent of what's happened so far?

ELIZABETH PEARSON-SCHNEIDER, MAYOR, LAGUNA BEACH: Well, we hired a professional geologist yesterday, one of the best, to consult with us on this project. And so far, we don't have a full report yet, but we expect to have some answers -- some preliminary answers -- this afternoon.

HEMMER: There are some devices, apparently, been placed in the area. Will they give you answers, Madam Mayor?

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: Well, what he did was to -- he flew over the entire area and then he came out and measured all of the points of -- well, points where we had problems. And he and his team are doing some evaluations as it relates to how deep the break went and how far laterally it went. And so we know so far, it's about 100 feet wide, probably almost that deep. HEMMER: How strong is the possibility at this point that more slides could be on the way today?

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: I beg your pardon? I couldn't hear you.

HEMMER: How strong is the possibility that more slides could happen today?

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: We haven't had any slides that we're aware of since about 5:05 yesterday afternoon. So we are not going to let anyone go in until we know that it's stabilized. And so far, overnight, it's been OK.

HEMMER: Well, I hope the best for you in that area. That's about 12 hours. And certainly, we hope the best that that news continues to be the same that you report now. Other communities north or south of Laguna, are they watching their hillsides also for the possibility, or is it thought right now that this was exclusive to Laguna Beach?

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: From what we can tell, it's just been in this one particular area. We haven't had any problems in this area before. This is kind of new thing for this particular part of town. There are homes that have been there 50 years and the first time we've had any problem in this area. And no other reports in any other areas.

HEMMER: What are you telling residents at this point that come to you with questions? What do they want to know, and what can you say?

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: Right now we have 345 households evacuated, 750 to 1,000 people. Unfortunately we've had friends and neighbors take in everyone. No one was without a home or shelter last night. And we are asking them to come to a press conference that we're holding at 2:00 this afternoon, to get a report on what areas we might open up to allow some of the people to go back home and to live in their homes, although they won't -- some of them will not have power or water, and most of them will not have gas service for several more days. We'll also hope to have a preliminary geology report this afternoon, as well.

HEMMER: One more thing...

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: The other thing that we're telling...

HEMMER: Go ahead. I'm sorry.

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: I'm sorry. The other thing that we're telling them is that we have proclaimed Laguna Beach a local disaster area. I signed a proclamation that went to the state and to the federal government yesterday to begin the process of accessing funds for these people.

HEMMER: At this point -- there's a history in this area. 1970, a rather substantial landslide destroyed or damaged 60 homes then. Is there any way to compare these two at this point? PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: No, not -- the only way we can compare them is to say that the people who are affected are equally as devastated.

HEMMER: That is so well put, too. Madam Mayor, thank you. Good luck to you when the sun comes out there shortly in Laguna Beach. And you folks are going to need a lot of luck out there. Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider is the mayor. And thanks for your time.

PEARSON-SCHNEIDER: Thank you.

HEMMER: All right, here's Soledad.

O'BRIEN: In our CNN security watch today, Canadian officials say they are worried about a U.S. proposal to require passenger lists from Canadian flights that travel over U.S. airspace. About 3,000 Canadian flights per week fly through U.S. airspace but don't land in the U.S. Some 90 percent, about 2.700 per week, are domestic flights between cities like Montreal and Halifax, that fly over New England. The remaining 300 flights cross over U.S. territory en route to international locations like Mexico.

The U.S. government wants to cross-check those passenger lists against the U.S. no-fly list, but Canadian officials say it could interfere with their sovereignty. The U.S. officials acts against potential violations of the no-fly list quickly, diverting trans- Atlantic flights to the airport in Bangor, Maine. The airport's come to play a pretty critical role for security of U.S. airspace. It's a place where officials can intercept possible threats.

CNN's Dan Lothian explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Bangor International Airport Operation Center.

REBECCA HUPP, BANGOR AIRPORT DIRECTOR: Where we coordinate with all of the federal agencies via radio.

LOTHIAN: Airport director Rebecca Hupp has been on the front lines of a government effort to keep potential terrorists out of the country. Some flights from Europe, with passengers suspected of being on a federal no-fly list, are diverted here.

HUPP: Ideally, it's because of our geographic location as the first point of entry into the United States.

LOTHIAN: And the runway, at more than 11,000 feet, one of the longest on the East Coast. It can handle any size aircraft.

HUPP: I think we're proud and happy to do our part.

LOTHIAN: Since 9/11, four flights have been diverted here when some passengers appear to be on the no-fly list. Two last month, one a false alarm, the other a match. However, the passenger who was deported was of no interest to the FBI. And there's the highly publicized case of the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens. He was diverted, then deported, last year. Homeland security officials say Bangor is a critical lay-over.

ELAINE DEZENSKI, DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY: We can take a determination as to whether we need to interdict a person and take the necessary action to reduce or mitigate that potential threat.

LOTHIAN (on camera): Even before 9/11, this airport has been assisting inbound international flights in emergencies. For example, when there's an unruly passenger on board, or engine trouble, or a medical problem.

(voice-over): And as a re-fueling stop for planes bringing troops back from overseas.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Welcome back to the states.

LOTHIAN: Volunteers have greeted more than 180,000 soldiers here since the first Gulf War. But the no-fly diversions have attracted more attention, drawing some criticisms for the inconvenience to passengers, and prompting calls for name checks before planes lift off. Homeland security officials say, that's the ultimate goal.

DEZENSKI: We just need to figure out how to set up our systems to be able to get that information and, again, perform the necessary screening functions before that flight takes off.

LOTHIAN: One airport's role, for now, helping to secure America's borders.

Dan Lothian, CNN, Bangor, Maine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: You want to stay with CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, a nationwide excuse to leave work early today. Andy explains while he minds your business, just ahead.

HEMMER: Also, is there a link between breast cancer and some of the most common painkillers now on the market? Sanjay checks in on that. We'll check in with Dr. Gupta in a moment, next here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: In medical news this morning, a new research showing that an experimental vaccine may help prevent shingles. That painful skin rash afflicts a millions Americans every year and can cause long- term excruciating nerve pain for some. It can also attack anyone who's had chicken pox, in part, because shingles is caused by reactivation of the chicken pox virus. Researchers found the new vaccine cut down the occurrence of shingles by more than 50 percent. You can find that study in today's "New England Journal of Medicine."

More medical news, today, and a question, too, can certain painkillers actually help prevent breast cancer? Maybe some answers now from the good doctor.

Here's Sanjay Gupta with details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, it's been known for some time that painkillers like Aspirin and Ibuprofen not only reduce pain and prevent heart disease, but may also prevent cancer. For example, listen to this, studies have already shown that Aspirin produces certain polyps, which could be pre-cancers for colon cancer.

The question was this, could these same pain relievers also reduce the risk of breast cancer. Well, researchers at the University of Southern California decided to put that to the test; 114,000 women between the ages of 22 and 35 are part of what was called the California Teacher's Study.

At the beginning of the study, they were all breast-cancer free. Six years later, nearly 2,400 of these woman had breast cancer. When they asked these women about their use of pain relievers, what they found was kind of surprising, women taking Ibuprofen every day for more than five years had a 50 percent higher risk for breast cancer, and woman taking Aspirin daily for more than five years daily had an 80 percent increased risk for a certain type of breast cancer as well.

Now researchers are being very careful here not to say that these painkillers cause breast cancer. They also want to make it clear that this particular really can't be explained. In fact, the American Cancer Society points out there have been at least 20 previous studies, and none of them have ever reported such an increased risk. So the question really for you at home is this, what are you going to do? Well, if you're taking Ibuprofen or Aspirin for pain relief or to prevent heart disease, you should continue to do so.

But if you're taking these drugs as a prevent breast cancer, doctors say the verdict is still out on that one. So, as always, if you have any concerns, ask your doctor.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, another ad for fast food touches a nerve. Some say it's too hard to watch, in business news when Andy minds your business, just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back. JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: A television ad that has all of Britain up in arms and your colleagues may be leaving the office early today. With an explanation of that and a look at the market, here's Andy Serwer, who's in "Minding Your Business."

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE": Thank you, Jack. We've got a lot to cover.

Let's do the markets very quickly, first of all. Stocks up yesterday. The thinking is, interest rate hikes may be winding down. To that, I say, maybe. Futures are flat this morning.

Britain -- they're all up in arms over a new KFC TV commercial. They're in a tizzy over this. Let's check it out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: These tortilla chips are delicious (INAUDIBLE).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SERWER: The problem is, these are some telephone operators who can't talk because they're eating some KFC food product. And parents are up in arms because they're saying it's promoting rudeness. It's apparently all the rage with kids to imitate that commercial. You can imagine what's going on in classrooms in the UK with that. It's pretty funny, I think.

CAFFERTY: People who aren't eating imitate it here in the United States.

SERWER: Sometimes on air. I've been known to do that.

CAFFERTY: OK, today is national leave the office earlier day. Not early, earlier. This is by -- productivity expert Laura Stack's come up with this idea. She says people are working -- she looks like Flava Flav with that clock. She says that people are working more than eight hours. She doesn't really look Flava Flav, but she does have a clock. They're working more than eight hours, so they should try get out of the office early.

Here are tips from her. We want to run through these and I want you look at how many of these remind you the way Jack Cafferty behaves at the office, anyway. Stop participating in cultural rules. Check. Start meetings before 4 p.m. Check. Be assertive. Check. OK, let's move on to the next one here. Schedule fixed office hours. Check. Prepare to leave Check. Challenge your assumptions...

CAFFERTY: Not very often.

SERWER: Start small, no. No. Nothing about Jack is small. But, a lot of these other things. I mean, you like to get going, right, get out of the office. No reason to stay any later than you...

CAFFERTY: When it's over, it's over. Or as somebody said, when they stop paying, I stop playing.

SERWER: Ooh, I like that. Today's June 2nd, and that's -- it's her birthday and that's why she picked today.

CAFFERTY: What's with her hair?

SERWER: She looks like Flava Flav.

CAFFERTY: She should leave the office early and go do something about her hair.

SERWER: Go to the beauty parlor? All right. I didn't say that.

CAFFERTY: Time for "The File." "Things People Say." We usually do it Wednesday, but I wasn't here on Wednesday, so I'm going to do it now. If you don't like that, turn on Fox and "Friends."

"He was taken aback. But I said to him, 'I'm from Brooklyn and we talk plainly.'" That would be Al Sharpton on the reaction from Mexican president Vicente Fox after Sharpton told the president, "Don't pee on my leg and then tell me it's raining." Mr. Fox had just told Sharpton there would be no apology for all those stupid remarks Fox made about illegal immigrants.

"I think it's time we recognized the dark ages are over. The world is, in fact, round." Representative Christopher Shays, a Connecticut Republican breaking ranks with President Bush on the issue of federal funding for stem sell research.

"You have given the minimum required attention and education that is needed to master any station at any McDonald's anywhere." That's Eagleville, Tennessee, high school valedictorian Abraham Stoklasa, speaking at his graduation. After he made that speech, the school officials wouldn't give him his diploma...

SERWER: Huh. Fancy that.

CAFFERTY: ... because they were highly insulted.

SERWER: That's the way people like that react, right?

And finally this. "I'll be adopting because I haven't met anyone I want to be reminded of." That's actress Vivica Fox, explaining her plans on having children and why she's single.

Oh, one more. "Do you do realize when you go to court in front of a jury that you're putting your fate in the hands in the fate of 12 people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty." That's Norm Crosby, talking up the street here at Friar's Court in New York.

SERWER: That's...

O'BRIEN: Pretty good.

HEMMER: You know, you missed the big anniversary yesterday.

CAFFERTY: Damn!

HEMMER: June 1st, 1980, 25 years on the air.

SERWER: He celebrated it at home.

CAFFERTY: I was very busy yesterday.

HEMMER: I bet you were. We're looking back again on 25 years on the air. Back in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING.

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