Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Saturday Morning News
An Arrest Has Been Made in the Death of Sandra Cantu; The Latest Developments on an American Captain Taken Hostage by Somali Pirates; Tornadoes Cause Damage and Death in Alabama and Tennessee; Four Days Left to File Your Taxes
Aired April 11, 2009 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. 8:00 here in the east where we sit; it's 5:00 a.m. out west.
Hello to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen. It is Saturday, April 11th. Thanks so much for starting your day with us.
We do have some breaking news out of California this morning. An arrest has been made in the death of eight-year-old Sandra Cantu and the suspect, a Sunday schoolteacher. We have those details straight ahead.
HOLMES: Also, it is not over yet out there off the coast of Somalia, pirates on one side, the U.S. Navy on the other, both trying to reach a life boat that contains four pirates and an American hostage. Meanwhile, the American ship that was hijacked will be reaching its final destination of Kenya this morning, actually expected there in the next couple of hours. We'll be breaking down the latest developments.
NGUYEN: And check your calendar, folks, because this is the last weekend to file your taxes. Many of you probably have questions, not really sure what to do at this point. Well, we have a tax expert on hand so e-mail us your tax questions at weekends@cnn.com or go to our Facebook and Twitter pages. We will get those questions straight to the expert.
Let's start with this, drama on the high seas. Pirates are holding American cargo ship Captain Richard Phillips in a life boat. Pentagon officials tell us it looks like the pirates tied him up after he tried to escape. Now other pirates are trying to find the life boat to help out those four hijackers and a German cargo ship captured by pirates on April 4th was one of the ships being used by pirates but they headed back to the Somali coast because of the increased military presence.
Now, a second U.S. Navy warship has arrived on the scene. The ships are keeping an eye on that life boat and watching for more pirates. They also have helicopters patrolling the area. And as we mentioned, Captain Richard Phillips tried to escape by jumping ship. He jumped into the water, tried to swim away, but the pirates quickly recaptured him. This hostage standoff pits the U.S. Navy and the brazen pirates operating around Somalia and in the center is the cargo ship captain.
CNN's Stephanie Elam joins us now live from the captain's hometown of Underhill, Vermont. Stephanie, this obviously has to be a very difficult time for the captain's family.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS NEWS CORRESPONDENT: No doubt about that, Betty. When you take a look at where we are right now, it is a rural community. It's the kind of town where everyone knows who lives where and they may bump into each other at the general store and at this point they just want to see their native son come home and get back on land here.
We were able to speak with a neighbor, a friend who has actually had time to stop by and see the wife of Captain Phillips, Andrea Phillips, yesterday to get -- we got a sense from him on how she's doing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM WALSH, NEIGHBOR: Just whatever they need, if they need us to help them with anything, that's kind of the way it is in these communities. Just showing that we're concerned and that we want to do whatever she needs to help her whether it's providing food or support in any way. She has a lot of her family there, which is certainly doing all of that for her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ELAM: So as you can see, people really coming behind the Phillips family, putting out anything they need for them. You can also see that the town is rallying around, supporting the Phillips family by the yellow ribbons that are all throughout the town. They're on trees. They're on mailboxes and all along the white picket fence in front of the Phillips home.
She has pretty much said that she doesn't want to come out before cameras, the wife of Captain Phillips, until there's some positive news out there. She did release a statement yesterday saying that her husband is strong and she appreciates all the outpouring of support from the community around the world for the safe return of Captain Phillips at this point, Betty.
NGUYEN: All right, Stephanie Elam joining us live, we do appreciate that. Thank you, Stephanie.
HOLMES: Alec Fraser joins us now live, a retired Navy guy here. Also the head of one of the Turner properties, a subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting system. We're glad we have you on this at least. We know there is a couple of Navy ships, a couple on the way, one on the way at least, a couple already there. But this one in particular we're talking about, "USS Boxer" it is on the way to the scene. There are several reasons it's important to have this one there on the scene. Why is it? ALEC FRASER, RETIRED U.S. NAVY CAPTAIN: "The Boxer" brings a capability that is critical. It gives you a helicopter capacity to be able to make sure that no one else gets in the nearby area and it also has a number of small boats that go in and out of the stern of the ship which can be ballasted down and so nobody is going to get close to the life boat and it gives a capability that should Captain Phillips be able to maybe escape again, there are better boats in the area that might be able to intercept and make the attempt to escape successful.
HOLMES: The other that's there, the "USS Bainbridge" that we know of, those can't stick around. That's a smaller destroyer that can't stick around that long. The "Boxer" I think can give supplies to help these others stay out there.
FRASER: Right. It brings fuel and it brings a medical facility and it brings food so you can't stay very long which is sort of a reason why it's so difficult to maintain ships in this area because they're all spread out. They all need fuel. They all need food and so somebody has to supply these. That's why there are only say 15 or so coalition ships in the area. The logistic challenge is huge.
HOLMES: What about the sophistication of this surveillance capability of something like the "Boxer"?
FRASER: Well, the "Boxer" will allow the helicopters and these style aircraft, the vertical launch propeller planes to take a wider range and be able to look for any other boats that may be coming out from Somalia to help and they're not going to get very close. They're not going to get there.
HOLMES: All right. And how intimidating is that to be sitting in a life boat and surrounded if you look up and you see "the Bainbridge," over here. The see the "Haliburton" over here and you see the "Boxer" coming over here?
FRASER: Well, I think you know you're not going to get away and so the negotiations are I need to get away. How am I going to get back and Captain Phillips is the way to do that. But the whole thing on negotiation is the pirates really don't want to lose Captain Phillips. He is their bargaining tool, so they are going to keep him onboard and for a long time here, perhaps, his life won't be in danger.
HOLMES: Alec Fraser, glad we have you here. Again the "Boxer" on the way. You hear about the capabilities there and why is there. We appreciate you coming in and spending time with us this morning. Thank you so much.
Tonight at 8:00, CNN "SPECIAL INVESTIGATION" talking about these Somali pirates. Can they really be stopped? Who are these guys, also, and how is it they are now holding an American? CNN taking a look inside a story that has captured the world's attention, "Somali Pirates" tonight at 8:00 Eastern.
NGUYEN: Also, want to get you some breaking news out of California this morning. Police say they have arrested a 28-year-old Sunday schoolteacher in the kidnapping and murder of an eight-year-old girl. That announcement coming just a short time ago. Melissa Huckaby is the suspect's name. You see her picture right there. The body of Sandra Cantu was found earlier this week. She had been stuffed inside a suitcase and dumped in an irrigation pond just a couple of miles from her home.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SGT. TONY SHENEMAN, TRACY CALIFORNIA POLICE: We had considered -- we had talked to a lot of people and we had looked at a lot of people. We had information that it was narrowing the focus as I had mentioned before but I couldn't release that information and I can't give you why we are headed in that direction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Now, we had a chance to talk to the sergeant after that news conference and he told us police are confident that the suitcase the body was found in belonged to Huckaby. He also told us Sandra Cantu was friends with the suspect's daughter.
All right. We do have some severe weather to tell you about today. It just keeps going. I want to give you a look at the aftermath of a deadly tornado that hit Murfreesboro, Tennessee. A woman and her infant daughter were killed when their home Was destroyed, the husband badly injured. He is one of 36 people injured by that tornado. Hundreds of homes were damaged as you see right there or destroyed altogether.
HOLMES: A similar story of destruction at least in parts of Alabama. Roofs ripped off several homes. However there are no reports of anyone being critically injured or killed in this area. That is the good news at least, but a mess left there as well.
NGUYEN: And you know what, that same storm system brought damaging hail to North Carolina. Listen to that. Just imagine that raining down on your house and your cars outside. I-reporter Phillip Coombs sent us this video that he shot in Charlotte. The quarter size hail came in with heavy thunderstorms.
HOLMES: And even here in Atlanta last night until the late afternoon, early evening Reynolds, it was a bit of a mess and a little touch and go and a little scary around here as well.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Just four days left, that's it, to file those taxes. If you've been putting it off, well, don't worry because we have an expert to give you that little extra push.
HOLMES: Also, foreclosures aren't just affecting homeowners. Talking to mayors in some cities where famous landmarks are now on the auction block. Some others are struggling a bit.
NGUYEN: All right. Some stars actually get upset if you bother them for an autograph, so why is one rapper giving out his personal cell phone number to anyone who asks? We're going to find out by calling him.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: OK. With so many people just struggling to squeak by, more people than ever are doing their own taxes.
HOLMES: Yeah, you got four days left to file. Everybody has got questions especially since there are more than 500 changes to the tax code this year. I think I might have missed something.
NGUYEN: I did, too.
HOLMES: Amy McAnarny is the executive director of the tax institute at H&R Block, We got some e-mails here, some questions and we will just go ahead and give them directly to you that our viewers have.
NGUYEN: Let's go to question number one. So if Social Security is your only source of income and you do not owe any taxes do you have to file a return to get that $250 rebate? This coming from C.J.
AMY MCANARNEY, THE TAX INSTITUTE AT H&R BLOCK: So, CJ, most people do not have to file a tax return to receive that $250 and, in fact, you'll probably receive that $250 starting in May. It's a one- time payment. You'll get that through the normal way that you get your Social Security today.
Now two important details here, the first you had to have been on that Social Security list either on November, December or January, this past November, December, January. Secondly, if you're a government retiree, this is one group that will have to file a tax return to get this $250.
HOLMES: All right. Let's move on to -- we'll keep going here to question two. Someone saying they're using turbo tax. They say if using that, how do we claim disaster relief costs? Can Texans claim sales taxes this year? That comes to us from Velma.
MCANARNEY: So, two questions here, Velma. Texas is a state that doesn't have any state income tax so if you live in one of those, you are able to take a deduction for sales tax that you pay and you need to itemize to do that. Secondly, your question around disaster relief. This is the second highest Federally declared disasters. There was a law change this year that you can take a disaster relief loss even if you don't itemize. That's new this year, so just make sure you look at that when you fill out your taxes.
NGUYEN: This is an interesting one. This coming from a person who originally is from Chile, lived here as a U.S. citizen for 30 years and says last year I bought an apartment in Chile where I stay two to three times a year. My monthly payments are $400. So how can I get a tax deduction on that? My husband and I are still paying for our home here. This coming from Elizabeth Wallace. MCANARNEY: OK, so, Elizabeth you have a second home. Just like any first home, you can deduct the mortgage interest that you pay on it as well as the real estate taxes. Now any home above two homes, that's where it gets a little bit more complex. So if you rented out -- there's a lot of different laws around that. That's where you might want to seek some help. You should be good with your second home.
NGUYEN: So it doesn't matter where that second home is in the world, you can still deduct it?
MCANARNEY: That's correct.
HOLMES: Question four, here this is about another home but this one I think was bought here in the U.S. Bought a house in January of '09, didn't put it on my taxes. I will put them on next year so will I get that $8,000 credit help for the first-time home buyers. I already did my taxes in February. This is Albert essentially saying I need some advice. What should Albert do here?
MCANARNEY: So Albert, you did it correctly. However, if you want to get that cash now, say you want to buy some furniture, do some remodeling, you can actually amend your 2008 tax return and file it with the first time home buyer credit on it and that's good news for anyone that wants to purchase their first time home before December 1st, 2009. You can either amend your 2008 or file it on your 2009 tax return.
NGUYEN: All right. That's some good information, free advice right here on CNN. Thank you so much for your time this morning. A lot of people really need this because they don't have much time left to file taxes.
HOLMES: They got four days. Good luck.
NGUYEN: File an extension if you can can't get it done in time.
All right, so are you looking for something fun to do this weekend? It is a holiday weekend.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, yes, yes.
NGUYEN: And there are options, right?
WOLF: There are options. There are all kinds of options. Some are a little bit more expensive than others. Some are very economical. An idea that we have for you today is a farmers market. Not a bad idea and certainly a great way to get out and enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy the nice, clean air and get some produce.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF (voice-over): At home or on a weekend getaway, you can go green at the local farmer's market.
STIRLING KELSO, TRAVEL + LEISURE: When you go there you're really supporting the locals so local farmers and the local businesses and they bring foods in from really close by so you're cutting down your carbon footprint.
WOLF: And it's a chance to discover the true flavors of the city.
KELSO: Farmers markets are great for a special weekend destination because they give you a taste literally of the local culture and they're also a great, inexpensive way to explore a city.
WOLF: The markets can also be a great place to find a souvenir.
KELSO: You're sure to find something that's made there or made in the surrounding area.
WOLF: Or an inexpensive meal.
KELSO: Another great aspect of farmers markets is you can pick up an affordable lunch there. Everything is grown locally and you can just pack something to go and find a lawn and have a great family picnic.
WOLF: Most communities have these. You can find these from San Luis Obispo, California. You can find them here in Atlanta. You can find them anywhere.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They asked me to get this information that was for you. This is for you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: All right. A developing story out of New Orleans. We are getting information right now on that and as soon as we are able to decipher all of this we'll bring it to you immediately and as for the farmers market we will check those out. In the meantime we have some news to get to. Thanks so much, Reynolds.
HOLMES: Quick break, we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right. So do you have a dream that you just have given up on? You know, we've all wanted to do something, right, when we were little, become president, be a famous basketball star. I don't know. I want to do many things. Well, imagine one day that you suddenly get a chance to have that dream fulfilled.
HOLMES: You wanted to be a basketball star?
NGUYEN: I did. No, a tennis star.
HOLMES: OK. A little more practical. The dream has happened for about 100 people all over the world thanks to YouTube. Josh Levs, explain this one for us.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey Betty, did you really want to be a tennis star?
NGUYEN: I did. Andre Agassi was my hero for the longest time, but I didn't have the swing.
LEVS: Not all of us get this lucky but it's pretty incredible what's happened to some people thanks to this great thing now called the YouTube symphony.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello, I am (INAUDIBLE) and I play the classical instrument.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I started playing the violin when I was five-years-old.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello. I am (INAUDIBLE) from Romania and I play violin.
LEVS: They're coming from all over to world to live out a dream.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I come to Carnegie Hall all the way from Bermuda.
LEVS: Three thousand people submitted audition videos on YouTube. Music professionals chose 200 finalists and then YouTube users voted. Ninety six people from 30 countries will get to fill these seats.
JENNIFER LINDSAY, YOUTUBE SYMPHONY: I'm 28-years-old. I work as a systems engineer for a government contractor out in Los Angeles. There's no other way that someone like me who is not even a professional musician would have ever made it to Carnegie Hall.
LEVS: Bass player Kurt Hinterbichler is working on a Ph.D. in physics. He pulled his bass out of the closet.
KURT HINTERBICHLER, YOUTUBE SYMPHONY: There is a lot of rust there but I had practiced many years in college and high school before that. Carnegie hall is still sort of the unofficial pinnacle of achievement for the classical music world. Once you've made it to Carnegie Hall, you've really made it.
LEVS: It's YouTube's idea, mixing classical music with the power of the Internet and a little bit of "American Idol."
ED SANDERS, PRODUCT MARKETING MGR., YOUTUBE: The classical music world was always something that, you know, strives for perfection and it was probably saying it was something that was traditional and even outdated and somewhat elitist. I think this project is going to show that that's not actually the case. We hope this is game changing in the sense that it redefines the audition space. It brings people closer together and lets them collaborate. They're transcending geographical and linguistic boundaries.
LEVS: Google, which owns YouTube, is covering the cost of travel for the winning musicians to come to New York. Now is their moment to shine. They know they'd better be ready.
LINDSAY: Yes, yeah. For the past few weeks my schedule has been work, eat, practice and sleep pretty much around the clock.
LEVS: People applied from all over the world only have a couple days to become a fantastic orchestra together. Do you think that will get done?
LIINDSAY: Oh, absolutely. Do not underestimate the motivational power of playing at Carnegie Hall.
LEVS: They also have another incentive, the chance to be led by one of the world's most respected conductors, Michael Tilson Thomas who had final say on whether they made the cut.
MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS, CONDUCTOR, YOUTUBE SYMPHONY: Get those notes under your fingers, get those rhythms inside of your body and any minute we'll be together. I know it's going to be a really good time.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEVS: And for anybody who might be in New York Wednesday, you want to check it out. Apparently there are some tickets available carnegiehall.org. You pretty much can (INAUDIBLE) hook you up with the tickets right there and any more information including maybe if this takes place again, guys, or they do something similar in the future, YouTube.com/symphony. People out there maybe who didn't get a shot this time could have that dream come another year.
NGUYEN: How many people voted in this?
LEVS: They said this page got 14 million views and they won't say who voted for how many but they know they got millions and millions of people turning out for the YouTube.com symphony right there.
NGUYEN: Hey, making dreams come true. Thanks Josh.
HOLMES: Should one loss cost a college athlete $64,000? One game, one loss, we'll find out why a March Madness player is facing that predicament.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right. Hello, everybody. Welcome back. We do have some breaking news to tell you about.
HOLMES: This is coming to us out of our affiliates in New Orleans. Two affiliates there in particular that are reporting that there has been a deadly shooting and several children have been killed. They say this happened in about 4:00 in the morning this morning. Police say a gunman there burst into a home and opened fire. The victims were all found in bed.
Now again, like we said, the victims again, according to our affiliates, are all children. And the reported ages 23-months-old, six-year-old, 11-year-old, and a 19-year-old. We understand, however, that possibly the 11-year-old is in critical condition right now. But at least three dead.
I guess this is according to our affiliates, three of the four have been killed. 23-month-old, six-year-old, and a 19-year-old. 11- year-old right now clinging to life according to our affiliates. No word on the motive behind this if the children were actually the target. Anybody else in that house, but...
NGUYEN: But they killed, the ones that did die in this shooting killed in their beds.
HOLMES: Yeah.
NGUYEN: Perhaps the 11-year-old who is in critical condition hopefully survives and provides some kind of information as to what exactly happened.
HOLMES: A breaking news story we're just getting. We'll continue to get updates and pass those along to you.
Meanwhile, another big story for the past several days. Really those pirates holding American Richard Phillips hostage. Now a life boat appeared to have called for back-up. Several pirate ships reportedly sailing towards the life boat right now. And it's off the horn of Africa. U.S. Navy already on the scene.
Also, reports this morning that the pirates have demanded a ransom be paid for the release of Captain Phillips.
NGUYEN: Well, the Los Angeles Angels, they paid tribute to teammate Nick Adenhart last night. The 22-year old pitcher was killed in an accident late Wednesday night. The Angels won the game over the Red Sox. Adenhart and two others were killed when their car that they were in was hit by a mini van. The man driving that mini van now being charged with three counts of murder.
HOLMES: And a tornado hit central Tennessee, killing a mother and her baby daughter. Dozens more people were hurt. A band of severe thunderstorms swept through that area yesterday. Officials say the storm destroyed or damaged at least 250 homes. Crews searched into evening to make sure no one else was hurt or trapped.
NGUYEN: President Obama calling for a global effort to combat the recession, terrorism, and other problems facing many nations. And in his weekly Internet and radio address, Mr. Obama says these are challenges no single nation can confront alone.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ...chance to solve these unprecedented problems comes from acting in concert with other nations. And that's why I met with leaders of the G-20 nations, to ensure that the world's largest economies take strong and unified action in the face of the global economic crisis. Together, we've taken steps to stimulate growth, restore the flow of credit, open up markets, and dramatically reform our financial regulatory system to prevent such crisis from occurring again, steps that will lead to job creation at home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Now in the Republican weekly web and radio address, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty applauded the president's proposals to eliminate the capital gains tax on small businesses and his pledge to lower taxes from middle class Americans. But he says the budget Congress is considering does not provide tax relief.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. TIM PAWLENTY (R), MINNESOTA: According to the non partisan Tax Foundation, the average American has to work from January 1st until this Monday, April 13th, just to earn enough money to pay all their taxes for the year. That's just two days before the taxes are actually due on April 15th.
And then consider this. If the Democrat majority in Washington gets its way, most families' tax burdens will be even higher. Here's a novel idea for the federal government. Instead of collecting more taxes and then redistributing them through more federal programs, why don't you just let us keep more of our money in the first place?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Now Pawlenty say the government should keep a lid taxes -- lid on taxes and borrow less.
HOLMES: Well, towering landmarks hitting rock bottom prices. They're on the auctioning block these days. Happening all across the country, skyscrapers in foreclosure, malls experiencing record vacancies.
What's really happening out there? Well, we're going to bring in a couple of gentlemen who know what's really happening. Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino. He's here to talk about the Hancock Tower there. You -- a lot of people familiar with it, know that landmark. Also, the Bloomington, Minnesota Mayor Gene Winstead. He's here to weigh in on the Mall of America that's happening. Things happening in that area as well.
Gentlemen, thank you for being here. Mayor Menino, I'll start with you. The Hancock Tower, it was sold at auction for half the price. It was just sold for a few years back. First, does it just not sit right with you and folks there in your town? It's just sad to have to see this tower going through something like this.
THOMAS MENINO, MAYOR, BOSTON: That's right. It's a problem that the Hancock Tower, the company overextended themselves, could not make payments on the tower. And you know, we had a buyer for it. This happened on our economy in so many different ways because the banks aren't lending any more. We have to get the banks into the business of helping other businesses grow and redevelop their properties in our city.
And I just it's not just Boston. It's every city in America. We have to have the banks back in the business of lending resources to these developments.
HOLMES: And every city out there, including yours, Mr. Mayor, Gene Winstead again of Bloomington, Minnesota, sort of the Mall of America there. A lot of malls, we understand, from many surveys are experiencing record vacancies right about now. How is the Mall of America doing? This is a big tourist spot, a big mall. Everybody knows about it. So how is it doing?
GENE WINSTEAD, MAYOR, BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA: Well, the Mall of America really is a unique facility. And it is probably faring better than what you're hearing about the other malls and what you're speaking of. Traditionally, industry vacancy rates are probably between 5 percent and 7 percent on the run. And the mall has always been really to the strong side of that. And they're not seeing that much vacancy now.
Actually coming out of 2008, the mall saw a little bit of an uptick in sales and things. And the traffic has been solid. And monitoring it through this vacation period, this spring break time, it's been really a fairly strong attendance out at the mall.
HOLMES: What do you attribute that to? What do you attribute that to? Is the Mall of America just unique and it keeps attracting that attention because it's a little different? So why are things still doing OK there?
WINSTEAD: Well, I think you're touching on it. There are so many different things happening there, more than 500 stores, about 520 stores, 50 different restaurants. A lot of pretty exciting and fun entertainment venues there with the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park.
HOLMES: Yeah.
WINSTEAD: So people are coming, maybe it's where they're spending their time and money. Maybe that's their buying choice.
HOLMES: Well, yeah, I want to bring you back in, Mayor Menino. Boston, a lot of cities, major cities, we're waiting. We've had mayors on several weekends since that stimulus package passed. And we're wondering when the money was going to get to them, how it was going to get to them, how quickly. So tell me, Mr. Mayor, have you seen stimulus money yet?
MENINO: I have seen stimulus money come to us, the direct funding from the federal government. Some from the governor just last week gave me $21 million in Title I money for my schools, but also I got money from the federal government direct from my public housing development. And I got about $33 million. We're already demolishing buildings and properties.
HOLMES: So it's working for you? MENINO: But -- it's working. And you know, the only issue I have is I'd like to have direct funding so the city doesn't have to pass through the state. Direct funding, we can put the money to work much quicker.
HOLMES: So is that the same case for you, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Winstead? Is your town also -- were you expecting to see any stimulus money in the first place? But has it gotten to you and you'd be able to get the projects going and save some jobs, create some jobs?
WINSTEAD: Well, maybe the stimulus money coming through Minnesota and through our city specifically is probably going to be more regional in nature. I know we're looking at some major league transportation projects that we can fund in a multi city basis.
We have seen some money come through our community development block grant funds, which we're putting into a housing fund for rehabbing some homes and getting some of that working again. We've seen a couple other grant moneys come through. But all in all, it's going to be more regional and probably state focused.
HOLMES: Region and state focused. Well, it sounds like both of you gentlemen things been kind tough for a lot of places, a lot of cities and states, but it sounds like everybody's trying to at least make it through. I hate to see that about the tower there, but it maybe -- and one more thing, Mr. Mayor, is that observation deck going to be reopened there at that tower in Boston?
MENINO: It sure will. It'd be -- I believe it will. That's -- they've leased that property to some tenants but that's a decision the new owners will have to make about that tower.
HOLMES: And again, being closed there I believe since the 9/11 attacks, but a lot of people...
MENINO: That's correct.
HOLMES: ...would like to be back up there.
Mayors, Mr. Mayors, gentlemen, I appreciate you both being here. Good luck to your cities. We'll likely have you back down the road.
WINSTEAD: Well, thank you. Good morning.
MENINO: Thank you.
NGUYEN: It has been a rough couple of days. In fact, the weather outside has been so treacherous it's killed several people. Reynolds Wolf has been watching it all for us. In fact, it's been so bad, Reynolds, they even created a new little tool for you to use to tell this story.
WOLF: Absolutely. We're talking about the magic wall. And by using the magic wall coming up, we're going to talk about that one storm system that's leaving the country and another one brewing up in parts of west Texas. We'll show you how that may affect your holiday weekend.
Coming up right here on CNN SATURDAY. See you in a few.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: All right, I want to get you to the breaking news that we've been following this morning. Three of four people have been shot dead in New Orleans. And they are children, in fact. Take that back, one of them is a 19-year-old, one a 6-year-old and another a 23- month-old. Let's get the latest now from John Fortunato with the Jefferson Parish police department.
John, what can you tell us about exactly how this went down and what happened?
JOHN FORTUNATO, JEFFERSON PARISH POLICE DEPT.: Well, just around 3:43 a.m. this morning at an address in Tarrytown, Louisiana here in Jefferson Parish, our officers responded to reports of multiple victims were shot at 945 East Monterey Court.
But the first responding officers arrived on the scene. They located a 19-year-old black female lying on the floor in the living room suffering from a gunshot wound to the back. She was pronounced dead on the scene. A second victim, a black female 11 years of age, was found in one of the bedrooms, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was transported to University Hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
Victim three is a black male 23-months-old, along with victim four, which is a black male 6-years-old. Both brothers were lying in a rear bedroom, both suffering from gunshot wounds to the head. The 23-month-old was pronounced dead on the scene. The 6-year-old was transported to University Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
NGUYEN: John, being that the children -- any idea...
FORTUNATO: The only information.
NGUYEN: ...yeah, any idea what happened, why? I don't know -- a suspect? A motive?
FORTUNATO: No, we absolutely remain in the fact-finding stages of this investigation at this point. We haven't been able to establish a motive. And the only suspect information we have is two unidentified black males, both wearing dark clothing, one with a red bandanna on his face, a black hoodie, and black baseball cap. Both were armed with handguns. And we have not been able to establish a motive at this time.
Again, we're in the process of conducting interviews, talking to witnesses, canvassing the area in hopes of locating someone who can provide us some details. But we're asking anyone with information to call our homicide division at 504-364-5300 or the local number for Crimestoppers here in the metropolitan New Orleans area.
NGUYEN: All right. And at this point, you really don't have much of a description of who might possibly be the person who did this, person or persons, but any indication was there a robbery involved? I mean, was there anything else that provides some kind of a clue?
FORTUNATO: No, nothing at this point. Again, we're still trying to establish a motive at this time, but it's really -- we're still yeah in the initial stages of this investigation. It's too soon to speculate what the motive was.
NGUYEN: All right, and no weapons left at the scene?
FORTUNATO: It's definitely a tragedy, definitely a tragedy.
NGUYEN: Yeah, that without a doubt. And quickly, no weapons left at the scene?
FORTUNATO: No weapons left at the scene, however, we did recover a number of spent shell casings believed fired by both suspects.
NGUYEN: What about the parents of these children? Any idea where they are?
FORTUNATO: Yes, the mother came home later on during the course of the morning this morning and was very distraught, obviously, because of what had transpired. And the remaining victims we'll identify later on during the course of the day.
NGUYEN: And are they all in the same family?
FORTUNATO: Yes. It's -- most of them are, yes.
NGUYEN: OK.
FORTUNATO: There's one of them that's not.
NGUYEN: John Fortunato joining us live by phone with the latest on this deadly shooting in New Orleans. Again, three of four people have died. Those being a 19-year-old, and a 6-year-old, and a 23- month-old all killed in the shooting. An 11-year-old female did receive multiple gunshot wounds, but that person is in critical condition at this hour.
They don't have any indication as to who's responsible. Don't even have a motive at this point. It's really a crime that leads to a whole lot of questions and we'll be watching it very closely for you.
We'll be right back with more CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Well, golf premier event underway right now. That means all eyes on Tiger. Also a tradition, a lot of television coverage as well. Let's bring in Rick Horrow, our sports business analyst and our buddy here with us here in studio. We're glad to have you here. I know you had some issues with your flight that got you here, but still, we're glad to have you here.
Is this tournament -- there are so many things you talked to us about during the year, during the economic downturn are hurting as well.
RICK HORROW, SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: Yeah.
HOLMES: Is the Masters going to be one of them?
HORROW: Yeah, well, the Masters is incredibly unique, my friend because year to year television contract, they can terminate a television contract at any time. They don't. OK? You only have three corporate sponsors. Most of these tournaments have 15 or 20. They can basically call their shots.
$100 million economic impact for the Augusta region and the area even if storms are rolling through. And so these golf balls, for example, the souvenirs here, are incredibly important, worth a lot. And because I need to cheer you up, there are two of them.
HOLMES: We appreciate that.
HORROW: You can give one to Betty if you want. It's up to you. You find that out.
HOLMES: All right, but yeah, we talked about the impact on golf when Tiger was not playing. Would the Masters still be doing OK if he wasn't? The television coverage, would they still be OK?
HORROW: The Masters would be fine. It's that kind of above everything.
HOLMES: OK.
HORROW: But you know, Tiger, 15 percent reduction, British open ratings, 60 percent.
HOLMES: Yeah.
HORROW: PGA, he lost about $9 million in money he would have won had he stayed last year. He got healthy. Watch out rest of the field. OK? He makes $115 million off the course anyway. He's seven shots behind right now. He's going to do OK.
HOLMES: Yeah.
HORROW: The golf business is getting better even though, you know, Tiger's a major role in it.
HOLMES: And people are interested at least right now. But you don't think if he wasn't playing, if he still had that injury right now, the Masters would still have this pageantry and still have that buzz around it that it has?
HORROW: Well, let me explain. You know, the Masters is one of those appointment viewing kind of things. You know, I know where I would be if I wasn't, you know, stranded and you know, with you today. We'd be watching the Masters at home and Easter Sunday, a big deal as well, like Super bowl, like Final Four.
By the way, these two weeks here, it's about $1 billion of economic impact, 30 baseball openings, the Final Four, women's final four, Masters. This is a stimulus package just when we need one.
HOLMES: All right, one thing, I can't let you get out of here, this is a fascinating -- I just love this story. You hear about guarantees in sports all the time. But this was one that came -- I mean, she was putting her money quite literally to where her mouth is. A young lady plays for the University of Oklahoma, an all-American. She guaranteed her team would win the championship or she would give her scholarship money back. She would actually pay it back, $64,000.
Well, they got to the final four, but they did not get to the championship game so they lost. So listen to her right after the game, immediately after what she said in the postgame interview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I hate to ask you, but do you make good on the guarantee?
COURTNEY PARIS, OKLAHOMA SOONERS PLAYER: I do make good. Not today, though. Obviously I don't have $64,000 waiting, but I do make good on it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: In tears, Courtney Paris says she will pay that back. This story, I don't know. You hear so much in athletics and pro league, they make guarantees and all this stuff. She put her money where her mouth is. They're not going to make her pay it back. But still kind of a feel good story. I respected her for this.
HORROW: Yeah, it's feel good, but it's typical reporter to, you know, jam her right after the loss. Are you going to given the money back? OK?
HOLMES: You have to ask the question.
HORROW: Yeah, now I understand. The bottom line is about $100 million from football, basketball, University of Oklahoma sports gives to the rest of the school. She is very important. Look, she has caused so many more dollars to come into the school.
HOLMES: Yeah.
HORROW: So you know, God bless her. Keep her dollars is my point.
HOLMES: She's actually going to set up a fund, I believe. Of course, they're not going to hold her to it, but set up a fund and maybe get that money back to help in some other way. Rick really, sorry you had to miss your flight, but good to have you here with us as always.
HORROW: I'm at CNN.com every Thursday morning.
HOLMES: That's right.
HORROW: Now in addition to you on the weekends. I'm really excited about spending all the time with you guys...
NGUYEN: I know you are.
HORROW: ...and being on the Internet with you as well. So thanks.
NGUYEN: Nice plug.
HORROW: Yeah.
NGUYEN: Thanks, Rick.
All right. Listen to this story, folks. In the name of voter identification, a Texas congresswoman suggests that Asians change their name so that they are easier to pronounce. We have the story and your comments after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right. So here is the story that we've been talking about all morning long.
HOLMES: Yes.
NGUYEN: Let me set it up for you. A Texas lawmaker is suggesting that Asian Americans consider a name change to avoid confusion.
HOLMES: Yes. Some lawmaker says there's been a misunderstanding, however, but some are still demanding an apology. We get more now from Jenny Hoff from our affiliate KXAN in Austin.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JENNY HOFF, KXAN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Just when you thought you had heard it all during the debate over voter ID, Representative Betty Brown offers an attention getting suggestion as to how to solve the problem of Asian Americans getting turned away at the polls.
RAMEY KO, ORGANIZATION OF CHINESE AMERICANS: Chinese, Japanese and Korean names are not written with the English alphabet and have multiple parts. When Asian Americans transliterate these names for documentation and IDs, there are frequently inconsistencies.
HOFF: Ramey Ko said poor translation often leads to names being spelled differently on photo IDs and voter rolls.
REP. BETTY BROWN (R), TEXAS: Well, rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese, I understand it's a rather difficult language.
KO: Right.
BROWN: Do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here such as you're talking about -- I'm not talking about changing your name. I'm talking about the transliteration or whatever you refer to.
KO: Well...
BROWN: You could use with us.
RICK GUERRERO, TEXAS DEMOCRATIC PARTY: I was certainly shocked and appalled that one of our lawmakers would certainly make a comment like this. And I think that my feelings were shared by everyone else in the audience as well.
HOFF: The Texas Democratic party is now asking for a formal apology from Brown, calling her remarks culturally insensitive.
BROWN: I didn't mean to infer that at all. And I think I've made that plain.
HOFF: Brown says she just misunderstood the issue and has since reached out to Ko.
BROWN: We're ready to work with any of these people that are having problems and educate us on anything that might be going on that we were unaware of.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: All right. So you heard it straight from her.
HOLMES: Yeah, comments.
NGUYEN: We're looking at all of our Facebook and Twitter responses. You should see them. I mean, they're a mile long. People definitely have a reaction to this. Should people change their names, whatever your ethnic identity is, whatever your family heritage is, whatever that name may be, should you change it so that it's easier for people to remember and pronounce?
HOLMES: Well, right. So we want to get some responses in. Do we have time for that now or are we going to go ahead and take a break?
NGUYEN: We're going to do that after the break.
HOLMES: We're going to do that after the break. Stay here. NGUYEN: Send them in.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All right. We are looking at these computers because reaction is coming in fast and furious to the story about a Texas lawmaker wanting to get people to -- Asians to change their names because they would be easier to pronounce for some.
NGUYEN: Yes, as part of voter identification so that the name on the I.D. matches the identification on your voter registration card. All right. But, should people really have to change their names? You are sounding off this morning.
Let's first go to my Twitter page and let's see, gosh, there's a whole lot to read through. This one says, "it's hard to imagine there's a person out there who would suggest others actually change their names. Disgraceful."
I know you have a lot as well, T.J.
HOLMES: Move to the right, right there, and that's my Facebook page is up. And Winfred Warrick makes a point here and says "it just shows that some Americans' mindsets are still archaic. Since this country was formed, its landscape has been multi-racial. Why can't the Texas State Representative enrich her knowledge of Asian culture instead of making ignorant statements?
NGUYEN: Yes, but on the flip side, let's go to my Facebook real quick and Darrell suggests that I find the outrage misplaced. It's been a long tradition that Asian people to, "westernize their names. I personally think that practice is an insult to their culture. It's funny how a person can be demonized for saying something that's already happening."
HOLMES: That point has been made several times because it is. Some people often do. But I don't think anybody would want to be forced to do so.
NGUYEN: Yes.
HOLMES: You do it if you want to do it.
NGUYEN: All right. Keep sounding off. We're taking your comments and we'll be reading them on the air.
But in the meantime, we got a lot to tell you about from the CNN Center this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING, 9:00 a.m. Eastern, 6:00 a.m. for those of you waking up out there in the West Coast. Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: And hello to you all, I'm T.J. Holmes. Glad you could start your day here with us.
Unfortunately, we got some sad, breaking news to bring you this morning. First here, we're going to start in California. An arrest has been made now in the death of eight-year-old Sandra Cantu. The suspect, a Sunday schoolteacher. Yes, a Sunday schoolteacher under arrest for this murder. That story, the details, just ahead.
And in Jefferson Parish, outside New Orleans, a deadly shooting leaves three young people dead ages 19, six, and just 23 months. An 11-year-old is in critical condition at this hour. And police say a gunman broke into their home in the early morning hours. The victims were found in their beds. We'll have more on this story.
Let's start with this. Military force is growing around that high seas hostage standoff near Somalia. A second U.S. navy warship has arrived and helicopters are also keeping an eye on the life boat where American cargo ship Captain Richard Phillips is being held by pirates. There are coordinated efforts under way by other pirates to reach that life boat, but one captured ship that was being used in the search, well, it's turned back because of the increased military presence.
Now the "Associated Press" is reporting that French naval forces ended another standoff near Somalia. Four hostages, including a child, were freed. They were being held on a sailboat. Now one other hostage and two pirates were killed in that.
OK. We're also hearing that Captain Richard Phillips may have been tied up now by the pirates. That after he jumped ship, got in the water, tried to escape but then was recaptured. CNN's Stephanie Elam joins us now outside of Underhill, Vermont, where the captain's family lives, his hometown.
Stephanie, you've been talking with neighbors and friends. What are they saying right now as they anxiously watch for word?
ELAM: No doubt about it, Betty, that people here are on pins and needles hoping for the safe return of their native son, but at this point they're saying the way he's behaved on the sea is not very different than the way he is when he's here with his family. He always takes care of his family, puts them first, and that's what they would expect of his crew as well.
We actually spoke to one neighbor who's been a neighbor of the Phillips family for about 15 years. He told us and he gave us an idea of just what kind of a person Captain Phillips is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALSH: He is a great guy, warm and friendly fellow. He is gregarious. He has got a joke or a story for all occasions. And he's a person that everybody loves. You know and he's got more stories than you can imagine. So it's fun to go out, you know, and go to parties or go golfing with him. He's just a great guy. A great family man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ELAM: And this really is a small town. It's the kind of place where everyone knows everyone here. They bump into each other at the general store, perhaps they see them when they're out for their evening walk. So everyone here just rallying around, putting yellow ribbons up throughout the town, just in hope and praying that Captain Phillips will come home safely -- Betty.
NGUYEN: All right. Stephanie, we do appreciate it. Thank you.
HOLMES: We turn now to other breaking story we have out of California today. A 23-year-old Sunday schoolteacher under arrest and charged in the kidnapping and murder of an eight-year-old girl. The announcement came to us just a short time ago. Melissa Huckaby, there she is. That is the suspect's name.
The body of Sandra Cantu was found earlier this week. There she is, the little girl who had been missing since March 27th. She had been stuffed in a suitcase and dumped in an irrigation pond just a couple of miles from her home.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHENEMAN: We had considered -- we had talked to a lot of people and we had looked at a lot of people. We had information that it was narrowing the focus as I had mentioned before but I couldn't release that information and I can't give you why we were heading in that direction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: We did talk to that sergeant this morning live here on the air after he gave that news conference. He told us that police confident that the suitcase that the little girl's body was found in did belong to the suspect Huckaby. He also told us Sandra Cantu was friends with the suspect's daughter.
NGUYEN: Let's get you the latest on weather outside because it has really been dangerous for a lot of folks. Severe storms. Reynolds Wolf has been watching all of it. In fact, these storms have been deadly in many parts.
WOLF: They really have especially in places like Arkansas. There's no question they were in Tennessee and even here in Atlanta we had some real window rattling storms that came through last night. Certainly no fatalities but a lot of damage also reported in places like Alabama. And the cleanup is going to begin today.
Right now, though, in Atlanta and many other parts of the southeast, conditions are fine. The storm system that created all the rough weather is now moving out to sea. But some wraparound moisture we're going through this morning in Philadelphia, back to New York and even into Washington, D.C.. So any plans you have this morning, maybe going out to take a walk, walk the dog, that kind of thing, you're going to need to bring the umbrella with you.
But into the afternoon, better conditions. Certainly a fairly nice day for you in the southeast. High pressure is going to be forming over the great lakes. Low pressure forming along the eastern seaboard bringing more of a northerly breeze. But I want you to focus on what's going to happen in parts of west Texas.
We're going to see another storm system gear up, ramp up out of the four corners and with some moisture coming in from the Gulf of Mexico, it is going to spin a lot of that moisture back into parts of the Rockies. You could see some heavy snow. In fact, we got winter storm warnings in effect for parts of the central Rockies but into west Texas right near the Davidson Mountains and into Midland, Odessa, could have a rough round of weather.
Could see some strong thunderstorms, intense lightning, large hail, maybe even some heavy rainfall before the day is out. But this storm system will also be making its way across the central plains and into tomorrow could be moving in spots like Mena, Arkansas, where they're going to be cleaning up today after all the tornado damage.
High temperatures across the nation. Well, your high for the day in Kansas City 63. Chicago 51. 65 in Nashville. 67 in Atlanta, warming up into the mid 80s in Tampa and Miami, New York, Boston, mainly some 40s and 50s. Salt Lake City 54 degrees. San Francisco with 59. And L.A. out by the Staples Arena, 65. That's a look at your forecast. Guys, let's send it back to you.
NGUYEN: On top of it for us. Thank you, Reynolds.
WOLF: Anytime.
NGUYEN: All right. Let's listen to this, President Obama is going to be delivering the commencement address to graduates at Arizona State University. That's happening in May. But there's been a whole lot of talk about it because ASU at this point may not be giving him an honorary doctorate degree.
HOLMES: This is standard stuff at these commencements. We see a leader, I mean no matter who you are -- I mean comedians, I mean, all across the country when they do commencement speeches they are often given these honorary degrees. Well, ASU says it's not going to give the president one. Why, Betty? Because they say he's not quite accomplished enough.
NGUYEN: He hasn't been in that position long enough.
HOLMES: Yes. But they say they go with the person's body of work and they say he doesn't have one yet. Never mind he was head of the Harvard Law Review. He's a senator from, you know, the state of Illinois. That stuff, they're waiting apparently to judge him by what he does as president. Well, after this whole controversy they're kind of backing off a bit.
NGUYEN: Changed a little bit.
HOLMES: A little bit. So they're considering now possibly giving him that honorary degree saying they don't want to slight the president at all but Arizona, as we know is the home state of someone who didn't get along too well with the president during the campaign.
NGUYEN: Who is that? John McCain? HOLMES: Yes.
NGUYEN: I don't think that has anything to do with it.
HOLMES: We're not suggesting.
NGUYEN: Not at all but you know, it's an interesting thing to talk about it and it's not only Arizona State University, also Notre Dame is an area we want to talk about, too. Because you know the president has been invited to give a commencement address at Notre Dame, also in May. Well, devout Catholics are angry that the president is pro-choice on abortion and many of them really don't want him to give this address.
HOLMES: The head of the diocese there where Notre Dame is he says he will not go to the address, he will not attend. He says he doesn't want them to do it. A lot of controversy sparked up over this. We talked about this last week or actually a couple of weeks ago in our "Faces of Faith" segment. There are petitions online trying to get the university to back off. But one thing that we do know Notre Dame will do, they will give him an honorary degree.
NGUYEN: Honorary degree. An honorary doctor of law degree.
HOLMES: Yes.
NGUYEN: So interesting twist there ...
HOLMES: Go figure.
NGUYEN: But it doesn't end. We have more news. Water cooler talk for you this morning. Listen to this story, calling all rap fans because one of the hottest stars around really, really wants to talk with you. We're not joking.
HOLMES: Yes, his name is Flo Rider. He's hot. If you don't know him, he is pretty popular right now but he has given out his private cell phone number to the public. We'll give you the 411 on this surprising decision.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: OK. April 15th, tax day right around the corner. In fact, it's on Wednesday. Gerri Willis is here with a procrastinator's guide, easy for me to say, that might be hard for some folks who might not make that deadline in time.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hi there, Betty. Yes, this is hard for folks. Look even if you don't have the cash to pay the IRS, get your return in. If you don't, you could face stiff penalties and interest charges, late filing or not filing at all could increase your tax bill by 25 percent or more if you add in all the penalties and fees.
Now, given these deadlines coming up very soon you'll want to consider e-filing because it will help you avoid math errors. Get your refund back in about 10 days if you have your refund direct deposited. Look, if you can't pay, you'll want to call the IRS, here's the phone number 1-800-tax-1040. That's so easy, right? 800- tax-1040.
The IRS becoming more flexible this year with taxpayers because of the economy. So you may be able to postpone, yes, postpone a payment or get on a payment plan with the IRS -- Betty?
NGUYEN: All right. So for those really under the gun, might not make it on time, what's your best piece of advice for them?
WILLIS: OK. All right. Let's avoid the silly, stupid common errors everybody makes ...
NGUYEN: Oh, yes.
WILLIS: Math errors, you get your social security number wrong, you got to make sure this is accurate. Because it can be a real problem, your tax refund can be delayed or reduced. If you're filing via computer you want to hit send well in advance of the stroke of midnight. What if your computer fails? That would be terrible.
And once you do hit that button, you should receive a confirmation e-mail from the IRS that it has been received. Make sure you never open any e-mail that claims to be from the IRS. The IRS doesn't solicit info that way. For more last-minute tax tips stay tuned for "YOUR BOTTOM LINE." That's coming up on CNN.
NGUYEN: Looking forward to that. But quick question, have you filed yours yet, Gerri?
WILLIS: You're catching me out here. We're filing an extension this year. But you know what if you file an extension, you still have to pay ...
NGUYEN: That's true.
WILLIS: You still have to turn in the paperwork. It's not a panacea. But it can give you a little breathing room.
NGUYEN: So, Gerri Willis a procrastinator, you have been called out. All right, Gerri.
WILLIS: Betty, now everybody knows.
NGUYEN: That's OK. Hey, you know what, for you to be able to give us information on how to do it, you've got to do it yourself, right? So there you are. You are an expert.
WILLIS: Well, exactly.
NGUYEN: Right, procrastinating with expert Gerri Willis. Thank you for that. Looking forward to your show.
WILLIS: Thank you, Betty.
NGUYEN: And Gerri will be back in less than 20 minutes. You don't want to miss it, "YOUR BOTTOM LINE" coming up at 9:30.
HOLMES: Well, the economy has been in a free fall, so shooting sprees have been on the rise. Is there a direct connection? We'll look at the recession and links to depression ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right. Breaking news this morning. Deadly shootings in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans. Here is what we know at this hour. Three young people are dead, ages 19, six, and just 23 months old. An 11-year-old is in critical condition at this hour.
Now a gunman, what we're being told, broke into their home in the early morning hours. The victims were actually found in their beds. That is all that we know at this hour. A search is under way for the suspect or suspects. We'll stay on top of this story.
In the meantime, though, crime is up across the country and many say it's because of the recession. Just within the last 10 days a murder-suicide at a Michigan Community College, you see the school here on Lockdown, also a tangled divorce in Alabama ends with five dead.
And in Binghamton, New York, a man loses his job, shoots 17 people to death and we've also been trying to figure out what the connection is. We've asked clinical psychologist Jeff Gardere to join us this morning. It just gets so depressing to recite these stories one after another, but really factually is there a connection between the recession and violence?
JEFF GARDERE, "AMERICA'S PSYCHOLOGIST": Well right now Betty, scientists have not found -- social scientists have not found that connection is yet but what we do know is the because of the recession, because of the stress of that, it has a trickle down effect.
And so, it affects us in so many different ways not just our marriages but our families, not just our employment but the way that we live. And, therefore, we could say, yes, perhaps there is some sort of a connection with the mood of the country, with the mood of workers and so on and work place violence, school place violence that we do see.
NGUYEN: All right, Jeff. You just said right there is frightening for a lot of folks to hear especially when we continue to hear week after week of more and more layoffs. So when people are hearing this, especially at their own place of employment, when they hear about another round of layoffs, should they be worried?
GARDERE: Well, when you look at the statistics, what are we averaging around 700,000 people are laid off per month and we're looking at these number of incidents but they don't really match up statistically.
So, there really is nothing to fear, however, people are fearful and it's understandable for the simple fact that we do have some workers who become very, very angry or who are not part of the mainstream and so because of many of these stories that we've heard, we become fearful of these individuals and, you know what, that is appropriate to have that kind of fear.
NGUYEN: All right. So with that fear let's look at the possible signs so maybe this can be stopped before it even begins. What are the signs of people possibly on the brink?
GARDERE: Well, certainly we see that people become very depressed and they feel helpless. That's one particular sign. The other is that people become silent, isolated, and withdrawn. Another sign is people start giving away their very valuable possessions. Why? Because they may be thinking about suicide and homicide.
And of course, what we've seen with a lot of these shooters is that they exhibit paranoid behavior. They complain. They become agitated and resentful and they feel that everyone is coming up against them. Their interpretive powers as to how people behave are towards them and becomes very, very skewed where they see everyone as the enemy or they feel that they've been picked upon.
NGUYEN: Where is the employer's responsibility? Is there any responsibility on the part of the employer who hands out these pink slips or once those are handed out and layoffs have been made they're out of the picture?
GARDERE: Betty, absolutely. With what we've seen with a lot of this work place violence, we know as employers that we should have employee assistance programs. We should have exit interviews for people who are laid off so that there's a catharsis.
They can talk about what their anger may be or what their depression may be and they should have after care where we provide job training and check up on all of these individuals no matter whether they're at risk or not behaviorally or emotionally to see what is going on with them and what we can help them with.
NGUYEN: All right. That's good information. Very quickly, stress relievers out there for people, you say find a hobby ...
GARDERE: Yes.
NGUYEN: Faith and religion is also a stress reliever, exercise ...
GARDERE: That's right.
NGUYEN: Meditation, those kinds of things that can help you push through these tough times. Jack Gardere, very good information for us today. We really appreciate it. Thank you.
GARDERE: It's a pleasure, Betty. I hope to see you soon again.
NGUYEN: All right. Take care.
HOLMES: We're going to be talking about how one of the most dangerous places on earth got to be that way.
NGUYEN: Yes. We are. Josh Levs tracks the bold increase in piracy off of Africa's coast.
LEVS: That's right, guys. As we follow the details of what's been unfolding there and this hostage drama there's also a big picture. I'm going to show it to you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We continue to follow that drama off the coast of Somali coast where pirates are still holding a U.S. ship captain hostage.
NGUYEN: It is the latest in a long string of incidents this year alone. Our Josh Levs is here with an interactive map that shows exactly what the pirates have been up to and it's really kind of shocking when you see all those little dots on that map.
LEVS: It is, yeah. Check this out. I mean, all these red dots are just this year alone. This year as in not 12 months, this year, as in 2009. I'm going to get out of the way. I want to show you some interesting things about this. This is part of our spread at CNN.com.
You can click on any of them and learn a little bit about what happened on any given date, what kind of ship was involved. You got this area through here, in the Gulf of Aden, where so much of this has happened. And the way that this map is designed, you can actually close in. You see the plus sign. You can get way in here, see where these incidents have been and also get a sense of the geography in up here into Yemen and Saudi Arabia and down here over the east of Somalia.
So it's really interesting to find what's been going on at all of these different incidents throughout the year. Also we have some video. Let's go to that video quickly. I just pulled up one example from last year, we've been getting a lot of video here. It just keeps happening.
This one from October 2008 when some soldiers from the semi- autonomous Somali region freed a Panama flight cargo ship from pirates. There have been one crew members held there. We keep getting this video, guys. It keeps happening so the folks at cnn.com have gone through a lot of these, traced through them to get the map from this year and then you have others that we tell you about in the same section right there.
HOLMES: All right, Josh. A lot of people want to reach out to this family and support them the best they can. Certainly the people in the community are doing so there, but also people can post messages as well. When is that happening?
LEVS: Yes, posting messages. I'm seeing more and more of this. You know I looked on Facebook yesterday to see what was going on. Earlier, I saw a one page for it and now I'm seeing four or five. Let's zoom in if we can on this screen. A lot of group things set up on Facebook to send prayers, messages, for the family of Captain Richard Phillips and for the captain himself. You can see several here.
This one that's declared to be the official one, more than 400 members. They keep growing. Also I encourage people to send i- reports here at ireport.com. a lot of people writing us about him saying that thoughts on this, what should be done, what the right answer is in this situation. So it's an iReport and Facebook. You got a lot of options there to send some messages for the captain and for his family, guys.
HOLMES: All right. Josh, we appreciate you bringing that to us. Thanks so much.
LEVS: Thanks.
NGUYEN: And we have more on that deadly shooting in New Orleans that killed three young people. Stay right here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Breaking news this morning, a deadly shooting, in fact several of them in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans. Three young people dead, ages 19, six, and 23 months. An 11-year-old is in critical condition. We understand a gunman broke into their home early this morning. The victims were found shot in their beds. We'll continue to follow this story.
HOLMES: Horrible details there. That the youngest six and a 23- month-old shot in the head in their beds. The 19-year-old shot in the back in the living room just in front of the door. Just a horrible story.
NGUYEN: No motive at this point.
HOLMES: At all. But we will continue to follow that breaking story, continue to collect information. Betty and I, of course, will be back at the top of the hour to bring you more headlines, more news.
Now, let's hand it over to "YOUR BOTTOM LINE" with Gerri Willis.
