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New Day

Palin Loses Comeback Bid; Times Square Becomes Gun-Free Zone; Body Camera Video of Columbus Shooting Released; New Study on Adult Physical Activity; Pilot Threatens to End Flight over Nude Photos. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired September 01, 2022 - 08:30   ET

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

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[08:32:20]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, this came as a surprise to a lot of people who were not watching closely. Sarah Palin lost the special election to fill Alaska's sole seat in the U.S. House. Mary Peltola will be the first congressional Democrat to represent the state in nearly half a century, succeeding the late Congressman Don Young.

CNN political director David Chalian joins us now.

And give us the results here, and also the explanation required.

DAVID CHALIAN, CNN POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Yes, well, that's a good point, John. Here's the overall results. Peltola, 51.5 percent. Palin at 48.5 percent. As you noted, Peltola will go on to serve out the remainder of Don Young's term. That's the late Republican congressman that held that seat for nearly 50 years.

But I want to show you how we got here because it was through this quirky system of ranked choice voting. So, this was the initial preference over here, when people first cast their ballots, Peltola was out in front with 39.7 percent. Sarah Palin, 30.9 percent. And Nick Begich, another Republican candidate, though, comes from a famous Democratic family in Alaska, at 27.8 percent. Nobody got 50 percent, so they enter ranked choice voting.

That means taking Nick Begich's voters and finding out, who was their second choice and redistributing them, OK? Begich gets eliminated. With that redistribution, that's how Peltola wins. She, the Democrat, won enough of Nick Begich's second choices. Of the voters who picked Begich, enough of them picked Peltola as their second choice over Sarah Palin.

Now, why? What else is playing into this? Obviously, the Palin factor. What was a component in this campaign that her opponents were using against her was that Sarah Palin left the governor's office back in 2009, you'll remember. So, she kind of walked out on Alaska, is sort of the frame that was put around her. And that's part of the baggage she carries. Along with just sort of the overall national baggage of the Palin persona that still lingers for her. And it is Peltola who makes history now. Not only as the first

Democrat in all these years that you mentioned, first native Alaskan, first woman to go and serve in this congressional seat for Alaska, all of those history-making moments there will occur now for this short period of time, from now through January.

BERMAN: And it is worth noting, again, when you dig into those numbers, about half the people who voted for Republican Nick Begich either listed the Democrat as their second choice or no second choice at all. About half did. That is interesting and a problem for Sarah Palin as they look to November, when this all happens again.

[08:35:06]

CHALIAN: That's right. So, this was the special. But we've got the regularly scheduled November election. And this same system is going to be in place.

And, John, I think you raised a good point of why Sarah Palin is probably not just sitting back this morning thinking, well, in November, it's a regularly scheduled election. The electorate that will show up in Alaska will be more favorable to me. That could happen. But we're going to see a very similar process play out. If nobody here gets that 50 percent and initial preference, we're going into the ranked choice voting and therefore second choices will be reallocated.

And you see here, there's this additional Republican in the field. So, most likely, two of these Republicans get eliminated in that ranked choice voting and their votes get reallocated. If a lot of folks don't love Sarah Palin, even on the Republican side, and choose not to put in a second choice, that, again, can help Peltola, who will be an incumbent congress person come November's election, to perhaps get a full term in this seat.

BERMAN: Yes. Barely an incumbent, but an incumbent nonetheless.

CHALIAN: Yes.

BERMAN: David Chalian, great to see you this morning. Thank you so much.

CHALIAN: You too, John. Thanks.

BERMAN: So, this morning, New York City's most popular tourist spot is becoming a gun-free zone. We are live in Times Square as this new policy goes into action.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: And the U.N. is accusing China of committing crimes against humanity regarding its abuses of the Uyghur population. How China is firing back this morning.

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[08:40:26] KEILAR: This morning near Times Square, the crossroads of the world, is a gun-free zone. This is part of new gun restrictions now in effect across the state. It's in response to the Supreme Court's decision to relax conceal and carry laws.

Let's bring in CNN's Polo Sandoval, who is live for us in Times Square on this new day.

Polo.

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Brianna, good morning to you.

You know, it wasn't long after the Supreme Court struck down New York state's concealed carry laws that this crossroads of the world very quickly became the center of the debate about how New York City and New York state officials would count this decision by the Supreme Court, basically as you point out, relaxing the laws that were already in place. So, their answer was establishing this list of so-called sensitive locations, including subways, restaurants, parks, libraries and perhaps the most talked about, Times Square.

We heard yesterday from Mayor Eric Adams, who's basically laying out that perimeter that's been established, not just where we're standing, but many of the roads surrounding the streets leading into and out of Times Square. And that is where some of those key entry points, they have set up signs informing people that, starting today, this is officially considered a gun-free zone, regardless of whether or not you do have a permit.

We'll get to some of those exceptions in just a second. But first, here's some of the criticism that we've heard from the New York City mayor.

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MAYOR ERIC ADAMS (D), NEW YORK CITY: The Supreme Court has taken dead aim at the safety -- at the safety of New Yorkers. They have placed us in the line of fire. And we must respond accordingly. The radical decision that they made endangers us all.

But here in New York, a place known for freedom, openness, and diversity, we will defend ourselves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: There are exceptions to this gun-free zone. For those who live, work and transit through Times Square, Brianna, that's important to find - that's important to keep in mind. But as far as enforcement, city officials saying at this point you won't actively see people, or at least officers, searching individuals. That's why those signs are up, informing people that if they do break the law, then they could potentially face felony charges.

Brianna.

KEILAR: All right, Polo, thank you for the latest there from Times Square. Polo Sandoval.

BERMAN: This morning, police in Ohio have released new body camera video of Columbus Police fatally shooting an unarmed black man. In the video, an officer is seen opening a door and then firing at 20-year- old Donovan Lewis in his bed.

CNN's Jean Casarez has been looking at the video, joins us now.

Jean.

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, here is what we know.

This all happened very early in the morning on Tuesday. And Columbus Police officers went to that apartment to serve felony warrants for domestic violence, assault and improper use of a firearm. Now, the body cam video actually shows that when they get to the apartment, they knock for about eight minutes announcing who they are, they say the name "Donovan" several times.

Finally, after those eight minutes, someone comes to the door. That person is taken into custody. A second person that is visible there is taken into custody. They then announce, is there anyone else in this apartment. No one says anything. And then they say we're going to call the K9 unit.

The K9 unit comes. And this is where we want to start to show you this video, and it could be alarming. It is disturbing. They walk in with the K9. The K9 runs around. He alerts at a bedroom door. He starts barking incessantly. That door is opened. And one shot, by the K9 Columbus Police Officer Ricky Anderson is fired. Police chief says that they believed something was in the hand of Donovan Lewis. That one shot took place. The officers then arrest him. They - they put handcuffs on him. They try to resuscitate him. I want you to listen to the police chief of Columbus, Ohio, Elaine Bryant.

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CHIEF ELAINE BRYANT, COLUMBUS POLICE: Everyday officers are put in compromising, potentially life-threatening situations in which we are required to make split second decisions. As the chief, it is my job to hold my officers accountable. But it is also my job to offer them support and make sure that I give that to them through the process. If they do the right things for the right reasons, we will support them. If they do something wrong, they will be held accountable.

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CASAREZ: Now, we do have a statement from the attorney for Donovan Lewis, and it was given to WSYX.

[08:45:01]

And it says, the body cam footage released yesterday afternoon says it all. In literally the blink of an eye, a Columbus Police officer shot and killed Donovan Lewis, an unarmed, young black man who was alone in his bed in the middle of the night. As a result of this entirely reckless behavior by a Columbus Police officer, a family is left to grieve the loss of such a young soul.

And, once again, the officer has been put on leave. And we do know that in the last three weeks, John, this is the third officer-involved shooting.

BERMAN: All right, Jean. And we did just see the video at the end there. Thank you so much for explaining the status of this situation.

Just hours from now, a critical hearing on the Trump team's demand for a special master to oversee the review of documents seized by the FBI at Mar-a-Lago. What we can expect to hear.

KEILAR: Plus, a new CDC study says only a quarter of American adults are getting enough exercise. We have Sanjay Gupta here to weigh in.

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[08:50:21]

BERMAN: Time now for "5 Things to Know for Your New Day."

A federal judge in West Palm Beach, Florida, will hear arguments today before deciding whether to approve Donald Trump's request for a special master to oversee the evidence that was seized from Mar-a- Lago. The Justice Department is fighting the request.

KEILAR: The number five reactor at the Russian held Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine is shut down because of shelling. Right now just one of the plant's six reactors is functioning. A team of international nuclear inspectors has arrived at the plant.

BERMAN: In a new report, the U.N. is accusing China of committing serious human rights violations against Uyghur Muslims. It says there is credible evidence of torture, possibly accounting to crimes against humanity. China has fiercely denied the claim.

KEILAR: And a new report finds a symbol of hate being displayed at West Point. A bronze plaque with a hooded figure and the words Ku Klux Klan written below it is mounted at the entrance to the science center building there on the military academy's campus.

BERMAN: And Serena Williams has advanced to round three of the U.S. Open in a rousing three set victory over the world's number two player. Serena will now play a doubles match tonight with her sister Venus before her next singles match, which is tomorrow.

KEILAR: And those are the "5 Things to Know for Your New Day." More on these stories all day on CNN and cnn.com. And don't forget to download the "5 Things" podcast every morning.

BERMAN: So, a new survey from the CDC shows that less than a quarter of U.S. adults meet federally recommended physical activity guidelines.

Here with us, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who just did 30 sit-ups in the green room.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: And a run, yes.

You know, this won't surprise you, but it should shock you, where we are overall with our health. About 45 percent of people between the ages of 40 and 59 now considered obese. We didn't know people who were obese probably when you were a kid, when I was a kid. About 40 million people also have diabetes. A lot more at risk of diabetes.

So much of what we talk about with healthcare is the fact that we spend $4 trillion on it and about 70 percent of chronic disease, John, in this country, preventable. It's just kind of remarkable.

So, what this survey was about was basically looking at how well are we doing in terms of activity overall. This is what you should be doing, 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity per week, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity. Again, most people probably know this. Should also get some weight training in every week. They say the major muscle groups, think of it as upper body, lower body.

BERMAN: Don't skip leg day.

GUPTA: Yes, don't skip leg day. As tough as that can be sometimes. But this is what we should be doing.

Here is what we are doing overall. When it comes to strength training, about 6 percent of people are actually getting regular strength training. Aerobic, better, 23 percent, but nowhere near where we should be. And 46 percent, nearly half the country, really doing neither. Doing nothing. Which is, again, it just boggles my mind, all the things that we talk about with health. $4 trillion, 70 percent preventable. This would go a long way.

BERMAN: You wrote a book on being healthy, Sanjay. Very quickly, how can you motivate people to do this?

GUPTA: Well, you know, it's challenging. Different for different people. I mean, I would say, as a starting point, every time you're about to sit, think whether you can be standing instead.

BERMAN: Yes, just like -

GUPTA: Right. Exactly. Do I really need to sit? I mean they say sitting is the new smoking. There were studies now. It's not just a cute phrase. Studies now that show that if you sit eight hours a day, that's basically equivalent to being a smoker in terms of your risk of dying. Hold yourself accountable. That's another big motivator. And if you don't hold yourself accountable, have someone hold you accountable. Sign up for a race you're not ready for. You're not ready for it. That's the point. It's going to motivate you. And make it non- negotiable, your activity time. Like almost as important as a meeting with Chris Licht, our new CEO.

BERMAN: It's very important.

GUPTA: Put it on the calendar. BERMAN: And you can run to that meeting.

GUPTA: You can run to that meeting.

BERMAN: And when you get there, don't sit.

GUPTA: Don't sit. Exactly.

BERMAN: Because it's like the new smoking.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thank you very much for that.

So, don't make me turn this plane around. The drama on a flight to Mexico over some air dropped photos.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Quit sending naked pictures and let's get yourself to Cabo.

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[08:53:01]

BERMAN: Fasten your seat belts and stop sending nudes. That message from a Southwest pilot who threatened to turn his plane around when a passenger on the flight from Houston to Cabo San Lucas started air dropping nude photos to the other travelers.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If this continues while we're on the ground, I'm going to have to pull back to the gate, everybody's going to have to get off, we're going to have to get security involved and it's - vacation is going to be ruined. So you folks, whatever that AirDrop thing is, quit sending naked pictures and let's get yourself to Cabo.

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BERMAN: So, I am so glad that Erica Hill is with me now, because we've been teasing this story all morning.

ERICA HILL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes.

BERMAN: And for the life of me I can't figure out what was happening. They were air dropping naked photos around the plane?

HILL: I still can't figure out why anybody would do this and think that, a, it's a good idea or, b, anybody wants to see them, but it happened. Aren't phones a beautiful thing?

So, this was a flight last week, Houston to Cabo San Lucas. A Southwest Airlines flight. So, a passenger who shot that video tells CNN, she gets on the plane with her girlfriends and all of a sudden somebody's trying to air drop a picture. She declines that picture, but two people in front of her accepted it. Turns out, it was a nude picture. She didn't want it. Gee, I wonder why.

So, another passenger then alerts this to a flight attendant. Says, hey, this is what's happening. There's somebody on the plane who's air dropping this picture, trying to send it to us. The flight attendant tells the pilot. The pilot makes his -- don't make me turn this plane around - announcement. I do say, I love the part too where he's like, whatever this AirDrop thing is.

BERMAN: Yes.

HILL: Like, hey, dad, we have this thing - this new thing on our phones.

And so they ended up, right, everybody learned how to behave, they stopped sending pictures, they didn't have to turn the plane around. They took off. But, apparently, this is, you know, like yet another new, I don't know, tech thing.

BERMAN: This is like a cautionary tale that if you've got a message on your phone that says someone wants to air drop you -

HILL: Yes.

BERMAN: Maybe you say --

HILL: No thanks?

Real quickly, we should say, Southwest Airlines tells CNN, safety, security and well-being of customers and employees is the highest priority at all times.

[09:00:05]

And noted that when made aware of a potential problem, our employees address issues to support the comfort of those traveling with us.

Also, I would say, maybe set your AirDrop to contacts only. Perfect.

KEILAR: Yes, hello!

BERMAN: Because then you know the people who are sending you naked photos.

HILL: Lovely.

BERMAN: Erica Hill, thank you. Thank you very much.

HILL: Erica Hill not sending naked photos ever. Ever.

BERMAN: CNN's coverage continues right now.

[09:00:00]