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New Day

Ohio Governor Launches $1 Million Lottery For Vaccinated Ohioans; Sirens Going Off in Israel As Violence Escalates; Pipeline Restarts Operations As Gas Stations Run Out Of Fuel. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired May 13, 2021 - 07:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[07:30:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: I want to ask you about something that I think surprised a lot of people. I know when I heard it last night I went really?

So in Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine is launching this lottery. They're doing it for four or five weeks where four or five Ohioans who get vaccinated can enter this lottery and you can win a million bucks just for getting a vaccine.

Do you think -- what do you think of an incentive like that?

DR. JESSICA SHEPHERD, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, VERYWELL HEALTH (via Skype): Yes. You know, we have seen incentives in other instances in other states, not quite this hefty and rewarding. However, we are seeing some of these effects when we have states that really want to implement vaccination status and distribution as well.

You know, the issue really is, is this going to actually substantiate the numbers that are going to be vaccinated. We know from polls and surveys that there are a pool of people that are outright against the vaccine, so incentives like this most likely will not change their mind. However, it's good to see that this definitely will increase the amount of people who will be getting a vaccine.

This is something that, again, is one of the biggest undertakings that we've done as far as vaccination distribution in the country, so we'll have to see those numbers after. This is quite substantial from anything that we've seen from incentivization points. This is different.

BERMAN: Yes, a beer in New Jersey, a million bucks in Ohio, a little different.

Dr. Shepherd, it's great to see you on the show. Thanks so much for joining us.

SHEPHERD: Thank you.

BERMAN: All right, we have breaking news. Sirens going off right now in Israel as the fighting escalates there, inching toward all-out war. Our CNN reporter is on the ground, so stand by for that. BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Plus, new this morning, Marjorie Taylor Greene verbally accosting Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the hallways of Capitol -- of the Capitol. We're going to speak with a reporter who saw this go down, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:35:51]

BERMAN: This morning, the U.N. is warning that the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas could lead to an all-out war. The fighting appears to be getting worse in some cases, putting President Biden to the test. He and his administration have been in contact with both sides in an effort to cool things down.

Moments ago, our reporter Hadas Gold and her team in Tel Aviv -- they were getting ready to do a live shot and then this happened. Let's watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(Sirens)

HADAS GOLD, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: OK, guys, we have sirens. We have sirens.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's go. Run, run, run. Follow me. Follow me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Yes, that was moments ago in Tel Aviv, just one of the cities that have come under attack for days by rockets fired from Gaza.

I think we have Hadas back up with us live. There she is. Hadas Gold joins us now live from Tel Aviv. Glad to see you, Hadas. Tell us what's going on.

GOLD: Well, John, as you saw there we were minutes away from going live with you. We're actually at the site of a rocket that impacted overnight, one of the more than 1,600 that Israel says have been launched from Gaza towards Israel.

You can see the impact site here. The buildings around us have some of their windows and balconies blown out. And we ran into this garage earlier to protect ourselves during that last siren. You can see the damage to some of the cars in here from the sound blast from this rocket impact overnight.

Just a few minutes ago when we ran into this parking garage to take shelter during that latest siren. We heard at least three explosions. It's possible that those were Iron Dome interceptions. The Iron Dome, according to the Israeli military, is -- has been (audio gap) percent of the rocket incoming. But obviously, some of them still did make it through.

And Tel Aviv has been experiencing air raid sirens now for several days. The Israeli military says that it is responding -- continues to respond with airstrikes in Gaza. They say they have targeted more than 600 targets, including things like rocket launchers, anti-tank launchers.

And they say that they have killed more than 30 militants, they say, including at least a dozen senior operatives. But the death toll is rising, including four civilian casualties in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. They say 83 people have been killed, 17 of them children.

Israeli says they're investigating any civilian casualties. In Israel, seven Israelis have been killed, including a 6-year-old and a soldier.

We know that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been thanking President Biden for what he says is backing Israel's right to self-defense, but he is vowing further strikes on Hamas. And the military says that they are preparing for all options on the table.

The Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he received a phone call from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and we know that Antony Blinken wants to dispatch one of his top lieutenants to the region.

And even though all of these diplomatic conversations are going on it doesn't seem as though tensions are calming because tensions are spilling out beyond the rockets and the military airstrikes into some of these mixed communities. That is the new worrying development.

These mixed Jewish and Arab communities are seeing some really horrifying moments of violence, both Jewish on Arab, Arab of Jewish. In one of the cities, even the government had to declare a state of emergency and impose a curfew. That is one of the most worrying developments right now happening, of course, even beyond what's been happening with the rockets and the military airstrikes, John.

BERMAN: Hadas Gold, thank you to you and your team -- you know, minutes ago, having to run for shelter because of these air raid sirens going off, hearing impacts, and getting back on the air. We appreciate you showing and telling us what's going on in Israel. Please stay safe and keep us posted.

KEILAR: The White House, today, advancing its strategy to pass President Biden's infrastructure package. The president and the vice president met today with -- meeting today, I should say, with six top Republican senators that the administration really sees as key here if they want to move forward with this proposal.

In the meantime, businesses are reopening and that translates to jobs. Today, the largest retail and entertainment complex in the country is holding a jobs fair to fill 150 openings -- everything from retail worker positions to lifeguard spots.

[07:40:10]

CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich is there. OK, Vanessa, tell us what the scene is like and what the energy is like ahead of this job fair. VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN BUSINESS AND POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: Well, we are expecting 180 applicants for 150 open positions here at American Dream. These are going to be roles in the entertainment complex. So we're waiting for people to arrive.

But here's where they're going to be working. They're going to be working in this complex. The roles will be anywhere from ride operator, to lifeguards at their waterpark, to retail associates. These are jobs that were lost during the pandemic. But now, the live entertainment industry and retail industry are aggressively hiring.

But the way people work has changed. American Dream knows that and they've changed their strategy in order to bring people into these roles.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICOLE MOZELIAK, COO, AMERICAN DREAM: We actually -- that's -- we pivoted our strategy post-pandemic -- or post-reopening after the pandemic in October to more part-time employees for that very reason.

So many people are juggling children at home, competing priorities for Zoom time and workspaces that anybody who is going to be working outside the home needed the flexibility. And we work with everybody that comes on board to try and make sure that their schedule fits their home life, first and foremost, because that's what their main priority is.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

YURKEVICH: Now, we've heard from other industries that they've been experiencing labor shortages to fill roles. American Dream says they haven't seen that problem yet. They've already hired 80 people.

But they're really excited for this May 19th date. That's critical because that means that all capacity restrictions in New Jersey lift. They believe that will be a big step in getting the economy going, bringing more people into jobs, and reopening these two industries, live entertainment and retail, once again -- Brianna.

KEILAR: Yes, I bet there are a lot of kids looking at that scene behind you, missing that over the past year or so. Vanessa Yurkevich in New Jersey. Thank you.

BERMAN: All right. The calendar says May but it feels more like maybe mid-April, late-March -- perhaps even sometimes in mid-February. Uncommon cold in much of the country.

Let's get to meteorologist Chad Myers -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, as compared to the common cold, John. I can't believe I have to have a wind chill map on my screen here May 13th. But, yes, it does feel cold out there.

This weather is brought to you by Carvana, the new way to buy a car. Now, it will be sunny today. It won't feel warm but the sun's rays are going to be strong. The U.V. index will be a 10 across a lot of the eastern U.S. A few showers across northern Florida but that's just about it.

Temperatures very close to five or 10 degrees below normal. That's all going to move away by the weekend. And by Saturday, the sunshine will be back with us again at or above normal all across the east coast. New York, you'll be 75 by Saturday afternoon. Down a little farther to the south -- Mobile, you'll be 79.

Enjoy the sunshine and the dry weather because the hot and stickies are still to come, John.

BERMAN: Chad Myers, thank you very much. Looking forward to that -- kind of.

Next, the energy secretary joins us to discuss the gas shortages we're seeing up and down the east coast. She spoke to the company at the center of this ransom plot by hackers.

KEILAR: Plus, moments ago, Liz Cheney spoke out about being ousted by her fellow Republicans. Hear her words.

And the Houston Zoo is going to join us live to discuss this missing tiger, and you certainly do not want to miss that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:48:39]

KEILAR: So this is the good news. Fuel is flowing again this morning on the Colonial Pipeline after hackers forced the pipeline to go offline, demanding a $5 million ransom. But still -- and this is the bad news -- supply is lagging.

President Biden has signed an executive order meant to better protect the nation from cyberattacks. But it wouldn't have actually stopped this particular one and the White House is acknowledging that more needs to be done.

Energy Sec. Jennifer Granholm is joining us now to talk about what is really such an important issue. Secretary, thanks for being with us this morning.

JENNIFER GRANHOLM, SECRETARY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY: You bet.

KEILAR: OK, so, you know, it's flowing. That's the good news. But when will the supply be back to normal at east coast gas stations?

GRANHOLM: Yes, good question, Brianna. And for your viewers, obviously, this largely affects the southeast. This is the largest pipeline in the country -- 5,500 miles.

It's not like flipping a switch. Even though they resumed operations at 5:00 last evening -- and we just got off the phone with the CEO who said that things look like they went well over the evening -- it still takes a while to get the gasoline through the pipeline to the terminals, and then for the truckers to offtake from the terminals and then drive them to gas stations.

[07:50:00]

So people will start to see normalcy in the next couple of days. Hopefully, by the end of the weekend, the consumer won't even know that the shortage exists anymore.

KEILAR: Colonial did not pay the ransom here. Did the administration specifically advise them not to pay the ransom?

GRANHOLM: This was their call. Of course, they had already made a determination before -- you know, right away. We learned about this on Friday night. We encourage all private sector players -- all -- nobody should pay a ransom.

But it goes to this issue, Brianna, of why we -- why the president issued the executive order yesterday on cybersecurity. This is not the end of these ransomware attacks. You will know we -- these organizations are out there. They are abundant. They are active.

Nobody is immune from it. My 86-year-old mother got cyberattacked two weeks ago. It is happening to everybody, whether it is government, whether it's infrastructure, whether it's the private sector.

We want everybody to be on high alert about their -- what they call cyber hygiene. That they don't open e-mails and attachments from people they don't know, et cetera. That they -- that they install software that is good.

The president's executive order went to -- covers all entities that contract with the federal government. I know many in Congress are also contemplating what further steps can be had. But really, the private sector needs to be on high alert and many are, but we need to up our game.

KEILAR: So, yes, that E.O. is really in response to the SolarWinds attack, which affected the government and government contractors. Now you do have this private entity.

Why does it feel like the federal government is one step behind what is happening here?

GRANHOLM: Oh, I don't know that they're one step behind. I think this is happening everywhere. I mean, the -- you know, this was happening from somebody who was not a state actor. As far as we know, we don't believe that there was a direct connection to Russia, et cetera, other than the fact that it looks like this group comes from Eastern Europe or Russia.

But, this is happening whether it is international actor, whether it is domestic actor. These acts are happening all the time. And this is why we have to -- it's super important to get the knowledge out that people have to be on alert. Their organizations have to be on alert, whether it's a mom-and-pop shop or the federal government or anywhere in between -- a school -- you name it.

So we want to make sure that people understand because the federal government doesn't regulate all of these private actors, obviously, with respect to cyber. So we want to make sure that people understand how to protect themselves. This will be an ongoing conversation and a priority of this administration.

KEILAR: When you look at the panic buying that is happening -- look, I'll just tell you I tried to not participate in this, and then I'll be the one who doesn't have gas. I think a lot of Americans look at that and they worry that that's going to be them.

So what do you say -- what do you say to people about how they should be behaving right now?

GRANHOLM: Listen, I totally understand the fear that people have of not being able to go somewhere, especially in an emergency. But this is why people need to know that gas is flowing. This will be resolved within days if not -- if you're in a big population center, perhaps even today or tomorrow.

Please do not hoard gasoline because there are people who need it to be able to -- if they may be essential workers, they may need to go to a hospital. Your neighbor may need to be able to access gasoline.

So -- and when hoarding happens it compounds the problems. It exacerbates the lack of supply and it may also contribute to gas price increases.

So we want to make sure that everybody knows that this is going to be back -- the situation is going to be back to normal. No need to do that.

And gasoline stations should not be taking advantage of this either and gas gouging. And anyone who sees that happening with a gas station should report that to the state attorney general.

KEILAR: All right, certainly good to know here.

Energy Sec. Jennifer Granholm, thank you for being with us.

GRANHOLM: You bet.

KEILAR: There is graphic new body camera video that takes us inside the January sixth attack on the Capitol. We will show you the exclusive video some Republican lawmakers try to argue that the insurrection that you are watching happening before your eyes didn't happen.

BERMAN: And where in the world is India, the Bengal tiger? Police in Texas still on the lookout for this cat that's very much at large.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:57:28]

BERMAN: This morning, the whereabouts of the Bengal tiger named India, last spotted in a Houston suburb, remain unknown.

Joining me now is Kevin Hodge. He's the general curator at the Houston Zoo and a big cat expert. Thanks so much for being with us, Kevin.

Look, we don't know where this tiger is. We don't know if it's on the loose still. We don't if it's being kept indoors somewhere.

So let me just ask a general question for people of Houston and beyond. If they see this tiger what should they do?

KEVIN HODGE, GENERAL CURATOR, HOUSTON ZOO (via Cisco Webex): The first thing they should do is just not approach the animal and call local law enforcement. You get police out there and then we can take it and handle it from there. We have participated in confiscations where we've gone out and got animals with both the Houston SPCA and Human Society.

And it's unfortunate that there's big cats like this that are in private hands in people's homes. It's very dangerous.

BERMAN: Beyond calling authorities, if you do see it somehow roaming in your neighborhood like we see it here, how much of a threat is it to you?

HODGE: It could be a big threat. I'd say if you see one you definitely want to get inside your house and make sure that your kids and pets are inside also.

The video of the tiger that we saw is a young one. It looks like maybe it's between six and 10 months old -- somewhere in there. But even at that age it could still definitely be dangerous.

BERMAN: How detrimental is it to a tiger if it is being kept indoors somehow? I mean, how bad is that for the cat? And how hard is it to care for a tiger like this?

HODGE: It's incredibly hard. And you think about the spaces that these big cats need and as they -- you know, people get them when they're cubs and they're cute and they play with them. And as they grow they become more and more dangerous, and that's when they end up in smaller and smaller cages, unfortunately.

And so, you have things like muscle development -- it's not like it should -- bone development. Arthritis is a problem, skin problems. And a host of other medical issues occur whenever people are not properly caring for tigers.

BERMAN: Well, Kevin Hodge, thank you for the work that you do. Appreciate you joining us this morning.

HODGE: Thank you very much.

BERMAN: NEW DAY continues right now.

I'm John Berman alongside Brianna Keilar. On this new day, a Capitol police officer pleads for his life as

rioters celebrate his capture. Harrowing new video of the attack that some Republicans are blatantly lying about.

Plus, panic at the pump. Drivers hoarding gas and making the fuel shortage even worse.