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CNN Saturday Morning News

Tucson Safeway to Reopen; Tunisian President Ousted; Nations Work to Make Ships Pirate-Proof; War Widows Being Asked to Repay Insurance Monies to Government; Timeline of Tucson Shooting

Aired January 15, 2011 - 06:00   ET

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

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.

The Safeway store forever linked to one of the country's worst shootings reopens today in Tucson. The crime-scene tape is gone, more survivors released from the hospital. But there are new questions about the accused gunman's state of mind. We'll have the chilling details and the latest on Congresswoman Giffords' condition.

Revolution in Tunisia, where violent protests forced the president to flee. This North African country is a major ally in the fight against global terror. What will a power shift mean for American interests? A live report from the heart of the chaos coming up.

It's early and we're on it. From the CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It's January 15. Good morning to you. I'm Martin Savidge. Thanks for joining us.

That's just some of what is ahead. We're also monitoring catastrophic floods and mud sweeping through a town near Rio de Janeiro. The images tell only part of the story. We'll have the latest on the ground as rescuers try to save victims of a disaster that has already killed more than 500 people.

How has a band of Somali pirates forced major companies and countries to fork over millions in ransom? And how are those countries fighting back? We'll have a rare glimpse into high crimes on the high seas coming up.

There's a faster way to get your refund. That's if you're willing to leave hundreds, even thousands of dollars on the table. What? Yes, we'll break it down for you with a tax expert.

But we start in Tucson, where the Safeway grocery store where 19 people were shot is reopening in around three hours. A wreath is being placed in front of the store in honor of the victims. Six people died there one week ago. Thirteen others were wounded, including Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. We'll take you there live for the reopening.

Federal Judge John Roll was killed in those shootings. He was laid to rest yesterday. Mourners packed to the Tucson church to say their final goodbyes. Roll grew up in Tucson. Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was among the mourners. Three of Roll's grandchildren spoke at his service. Nine-year-old Christina Green (sic) was laid to rest Thursday. Our Susan Candiotti spoke with Christina's father yesterday, and he told Susan that some of Christina's organs were donated to a little girl in Boston. He also said that he and his wife would like to meet that girl someday and give her a big hug.

Congresswoman Gabby Giffords remains in hospital this morning. Her doctors say that she is progressing as well as can be hoped. One of her aides, Ron Barber, was released Friday, one day after fellow Giffords aide Pam Simon left the hospital.

Here's a picture of Simon with President Obama during his visit on Wednesday.

Our Randi Kaye sat down with Simon to talk about the tragedy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Were you scared? I mean, did you understand what had happened?

PAM SIMON, SHOOTING VICTIM: I don't remember the emotion of fear at all. I just remembered kind of - survival instincts kicking in. I laid very still and played dead. I didn't know if he was still around. And I checked to make sure my fingers and toes were working so I knew that I wasn't paralyzed. And I didn't know how badly I had been shot or how many times.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Pam Simon was actually twice: Once in the wrist and once in the chest. That bullet traveled through her body and lodged in her thigh. You can get more of that interview in our next hour.

Now to some other developing stories we're following today. Michael Steele is out as chairman of the Republican National Committee. He was plagued by controversy and criticism even though he presided over the retaking of the House. Some critics thought that they should have been even more successful in the midterms.

Wisconsin GOP Chairman Reince Priebus was elected as new chairman.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REINCE PRIEBUS, RNC CHAIRMAN: With the election over, now is the time for the committee to unite. We must come together for our common interest, for the betterment of our party and our country.

With that in mind, I want you to know that I am here to earn the trust and support of each and every one of you. I told you I would serve in humility and work hard, and I'm going to start working right now as your chairman.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Priebus was actually behind the campaign to get Steele elected as RNC chair in the first place.

First on his agenda will be to raise money for the 2012 presidential campaign and to fix the $21 million deficit Steele left behind.

That so-called virtual fence along the U.S.-Mexico border is being scrapped. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano cited technical problems and delays as reasons for ending that project. It has cost a billion dollars to cover just 53 miles of the 2,000-mile border. The network of cameras and sensors already in place will be part of a new plan that will take advantage of advanced technology like unmanned drones and thermal-imaging devices.

There's been a change in leadership in Tunisia following violent protests over poor living conditions and accusations of government corruption at the highest levels. Just minutes ago, our Ben Wedeman reported the country's parliament speaker has announced that he has assumed the powers of the presidency as acting interim leader. The speaker says presidential elections will be held in 60 days.

Tunisia's president fled the country yesterday. Demonstrations fueled by social media began weeks ago, after a vegetable street vendor set himself on fire to protest his arrest for selling items without a license. Events in Tunisia are being closely watched by other African nations. We'll live to the Tunisian capital in about 30 minutes from now.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says it is time for China to step up. She says Beijing must assume the responsibilities of being a 21st century world power rather than basing policies on its own self- interest. A senior administration official tells CNN that a delegation sent to China to negotiate economic deals returned yesterday - quoting here - "highly disappointed" - with the lack of progress.

China's president is set to meet with President Obama in Washington next week.

Thirty years after faking a heart attack and escaping custody, fugitive "Big Mac" - Ian Jackson MacDonald is behind bars this morning. That's MacDonald on the right 30 years ago, and how he looks today on the left. Federal marshals arrested him in central Florida this week. The drug-trafficking suspect from Canada was arrest in 1980 but escaped after four months in custody.

Rhythm-and-blues singer Etta James, whose signature song "At Last" is one of the most popular wedding songs ever, is reported to be very ill. James has been diagnosed with dementia and is being treated for leukemia. The "Press Enterprise" of Riverside County, California, reports her husband is seeking control of her estate.

It is chaos in Brazil this morning. The death toll still rising as thousands try to recover from the massive flooding.

Let's get a look now at what can be expected.

And Mr. Reynolds, take it away. REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, unfortunately, Martin, it looks like we're going to see more of the same in parts of Brazil. Also, widespread flooding in Australia. And now in the Pacific Northwest, we've got the threat of flooding in both Washington state and in Oregon.

We're going to talk more about that coming up in just a few moments.

You're watching CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: Torrential rains in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro have killed at least 540 people. The rains have been compared to a tsunami, only from the sky. Floodwaters washed giant boulders from hillsides, crushing houses and cars. Conditions are so dangerous that rescuers can't get to some areas. Other rescue attempts have been called off because of the dangers to crews trying to save people.

(WEATHER REPORT)

SAVIDGE: Hey, a look at some of the stories that are making news in sports this morning.

After leading their college to a perfect season and the first national championship since 1957, two Auburn players are taking their talents to the NFL.

Star quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton - Newton will skip his senior year and declare for the NFL draft. He spent just one season at Auburn.

And another Auburn standout, Nick Fairley, also going pro. Fairley announced that he would also skip his senior year. He did that yesterday.

Fairley and Newton led Auburn to a 14-0 season.

You were at the game, Reynolds?

WOLF: I was at the game. I'm also an Auburn fan, I'll be honest with you. It's heartbreaking to see these guys go. But Martin, these are guys who have - they - they've accomplished everything that there is to accomplish. They've had, you know, just an amazing winning season. They have the national championship. You've got a Heisman Trophy award winner, a Lombardi Award winner. So they've really reached the zenith of their careers in college. There really is nothing else for them to accomplish except, obviously...

(CROSSTALK)

SAVIDGE: Maybe get a degree.

WOLF: Maybe so. Maybe so. You'd think that might be something on the template, but who knows. SAVIDGE: All right. Thanks for the input.

Hey, some grudges are really hard to bury, especially when it comes to football. A middle school in Tacoma, Washington, sent a student home for wearing a Steelers jersey. It was supposed to be a Seahawks appreciation day. Students at the school normally weigh uniforms but were allowed to wear colors blue and green yesterday.

The school administrators say he violated the dress code by wearing the jersey, especially with the Steelers logo all over it. If you remember, the Steelers defeated the Seahawks in Super Bowl - what was that? - XX? XV - after the 2005 season. Well, whichever one. They didn't like it.

Some electrifying headlines in financial news this morning. The electric car, that is. The story is next.

Ah, but first though, the 68th annual Golden Globes ceremony kicking off the awards ceremony this Sunday. We're remembering the films that won the most Golden Globes. In fact, five films share this top status, with each of them winning five Globes.

First, one of my favorites, "Dr. Zhivago," 1966. Then, "Love Story"; "The Godfather"; "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"; and "A Star is Born."

When we return, we'll tell you which actors won the most Golden Globes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: The Hollywood awards season gets started this Sunday with the 68th annual Golden Globes ceremony. So we're shining lights on the individuals who have won the most awards in Globes history.

Taking home the most awards was Meryl Streep, with seven Globes, followed close behind by Jack Nicholson with six awards. And tying each other with five Globes each was Francis Ford Coppola, Shirley MacLaine, Rosalind Russell, that is, and Oliver Stone.

Hot cars and a cool housing market. Lots going on in the world of business. Here's our roundup with CNN's Stephanie Elam, Poppy Harlow and Alison Kosik.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: It was another winning week on Wall Street. The Dow and S&P 500 are now up for seven straight weeks. This all comes as the corporate-earnings season kicked off. Alcoa, Intel and J.P. Morgan Chase all posted upbeat quarterly profits this past week.

Foreclosures hit a record high last year. Almost 3 million properties received a notice of default, auction or repossession. Just looking at repossessions, 1 million American completely lost the roof over the heads. Foreclosures are expected to peak this year.

And finally, the numbers are in for the holiday-shopping season. An industry trade group says sales jumped almost 6 percent in November and December, the biggest increase in six years. Clothes, sporting goods and books and music were popular. It's a good sign for the economy, as consumer spending drives growth.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Alison.

Also making headlines this past week, we all heard the rumors for months and months. Now, it's a done deal: Verizon Wireless will start selling the iPhone next month. Since Apple unveiled the device four years ago, AT&T has been the only U.S. carrier.

New signs that the American auto industry is coming back. The Chevy Volt, General Motors' highly publicized plug-in vehicle, was named "car of the year" at the Detroit Auto Show. GM also announced that it will advertise in this year's Super Bowl. The automaker pulled its Super Bowl spots three years ago ahead of its impending bankruptcy.

Meanwhile, rival Ford new Explorer snagged "truck of the year." Ford also plans to hire 7,000 workers over the next two years.

Poppy has a look ahead at the upcoming week - Poppy.

POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: Thanks so much, Steph.

Well, the housing market will be front and center this week. We'll get reports on December home sales and also construction. But some analysts say housing lately has taken a few steps forward and then a step back. And since we saw sales rise in November, this December report could be a step back. Let's hope that's not the case.

And we'll also get earnings from a number of companies this week, including Apple, Google, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup.

And finally, this year, some Americans will be able to get their 2010 tax returns on a prepaid debit card. The government is sending out a letter this week to 600,000 low-income Americans giving them the option to sign up for the card. Lower-income families are less likely to have a bank account, so this could help them. And it's also expected to save the government millions of dollars.

Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: Some creative methods used now to battle ocean pirates. Take a look at this. A funny-looking mannequin is no laughing matter.

Also this morning, perhaps one of the more outrage stories of the day: A war widow told to return her late husband's insurance money to the U.S. government. The reason why could surprise you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: A pirate attack this week on a Danish ship once again highlights the need for security upgrades off the coast of Somalia.

As CNN's Zain Verjee reports, security experts are getting creative in an effort to prevent further pirate aggression.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The hope is this can ward off pirates. It may seem laughable, but mannequins posing as guards in the dead of night could fool pirates and force them to flee.

There are other tactics, as one NATO commander tells me.

LARRY TRIM, NATO COMMANDER: Barbed wire perhaps around their - their ship. They have extra lookouts posted to -- to look for Somali pirates. They have a -- a routine where they can find fire flares, water hoses, et cetera.

VERJEE: Warships try to stop pirates before they hit major shipping lanes like the Gulf of Aden.

(on camera): The captain would have seen a skip out there and then ordered out the Marines to go and deal with the pirates.

TRIM: We take away their equipment. We take away their mother ships, which is damaging to them, and then send them back to shore.

VERJEE (voice-over): In Mombasa, Kenya, the Greek commander of this warship supports operations around Somalia for the European Naval Force, EU NAVFOR.

He tells me what's tough.

CAPTAIN VASILEIOS EFSTATHIOU, EU NAVAL FORCE SOMALIA: The area is really huge. The area of operation is equal about the size of the United States.

VERJEE (on camera): Just compare the size here. A powerful warship like this one, completely outfitted with weapons and technology, is chasing around boats smaller than the size of this one out on the Indian Ocean.

(voice-over): Deep in a building in central London, one private maritime-security firm has got a bird's-eye view. They're watching feeds, tracking vessels and weather passings.

RAURI DOWDS, MARITIME UNDERWATER SECURITY CONSULTANCY: We analyze them. We try and create a picture of what's real and what's not.

VERJEE: They help stir ships in real time, sometimes to rougher waters where small pirates skiffs can't operate.

DOWDS: We always consider factors such as rainfall and most importantly wind. VERJEE (on camera): While I work on this story, pirates attacks are up.

I get this e-mail from a maritime-security consultant, Tim Hart, who says, "The guys works are pretty swamp. Huge number of attacks over the past few days."

(voice-over): A team at a Malaysian radar center's monitoring the Straits of Malacca. Pirates attacks there are now almost zero.

(on camera): If you take a look at this piece of video, there's a patrol boat that's been sent to investigate what they thought could have been a suspicious boat.

CAPTAIN WAN AFFANDI BIN WAN AHMAD, MALAYSIAN MARITIME ENFORCEMENT AGENCY: You check on its papers and what it's - what it's doing on the sea.

VERJEE (voice-over): Everyone I speak to tells me there's only one real solution for Somalia that's not on the sea, but on the shore where only a government that works can control its people.

For now, as Somali pirates plan attacks, real men - and, oh, let's call them reinforcements patrol the high seas hoping ships pass safely.

Zain Verjee, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: In Tunisia this week, a street vendor's death sparks nationwide turmoil. We'll go live to the chaotic region next.

Plus, tracking the trail of a shooting suspect. A chilling timeline of the events that led to the deadly attack.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: It is 28 minutes past the hour. Welcome back. I'm Martin Savidge. Thanks for starting your day with us.

President Obama has announced that he is loosening restrictions on travel to Cuba. The new policy will allow Americans to take religious or educational trips to Cuba without Washington's approval. The changes in restrictions take effect within two weeks. The new policy will allow Americans up to $500 each quarter to Cubans who are not part of the communist regime.

President Obama and former President Bill Clinton were joined by other political and diplomatic heavyweights in remembering diplomat Richard Holbrooke. Holbrooke died last month following surgery to repair a tear in his aorta. Holbrooke was 69.

Thirty years after faking a heart attack and escaping custody, fugitive Ian Jackson MacDonald is behind bars again this morning. That's MacDonald on the right 30 years ago, and how he looks today at age 71. Federal marshals arrested him in central Florida this week. He was arrested in 1980 on drug charges in Canada but escaped after months in custody.

It may be just a symbolic step in the healing process, today in Tucson, Arizona, the Safeway grocery store where 19 people were shot is reopening. A wreath is being placed in front of the store in honor of the victims; six people died there one week ago. And 13 others were wounded including Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. We'll take you there live for the reopening in about two and a half hours.

Federal Judge John Roll was killed in the shooting. He was laid to rest yesterday. Mourners packed a Tucson church to say their final good-byes. Roll grew up in Tucson. Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Conner was among the mourners. Three of Roll's grandchildren spoke at that service.

So many questions remain about what drove Jared Loughner to gun down a congresswoman and 18 other people. But there is no disputing what he did leading up that attack.

CNN's Randi Kaye has compiled a timeline.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The night before the shooting, 11:35 p.m. Friday, investigators tracking Jared Loughner's last steps say he drops off a roll of 35 millimeter film to be developed at Walgreen's.

(on camera): Less than an hour later, 12:29 a.m. Saturday, Loughner checks into Motel 6. Je shows an I.D. and pays by credit card. Activity on his electronic room key shows he went in and out of the room several times during the night.

(voice over): At 2:19 a.m., Loughner returns to Walgreen's to pick up his developed photos. At 2:34 a.m., Loughner makes a purchase at this Chevron stations' convenience store. He buys a doughnut, a soft drink and some energy bars. The security camera captures Loughner on video. Before he leaves, he uses the pay phone. Less than two hours later, 4:12 a.m., he posts a message on MySpace page. It reads, "Good-bye friends" and contains a photo developed earlier at Walgreen's.

At 6:12 a.m., Loughner makes a purchase at Wal-Mart. Nine minutes later, 6:21 a.m. he's at Circle K to buy something else. It's now just about three hours before the shooting.

At 7:04 a.m., Loughner makes his first attempt to buy ammunition at Wal-Mart. The store clerk keeps him waiting because he's behaving strangely.

So at 7:27 a.m. Loughner goes to another Wal-Mart where he buys ammunition and a diaper bag, which is similar to a backpack.

(on camera): At 7:34 a.m. Saturday, now just about two and a half hours from the time of the shooting, Jared Loughner is stopped for running a red light just a few miles from the Safeway supermarket.

An officer with the Arizona Game and Fish Department checks his license and registration. He sees there are no outstanding warrants and lets Loughner go with a warning.

(Voice over): Around 8:00 a.m., back at Loughner's parents house, his father confronts him about a black bag he's carrying. Investigators say Randi Loughner asked his son what is inside the bag, and where he's taking it. They say Loughner mumbles something and take off into the desert. His father chases him in his truck, but doesn't catch him.

(On camera): More than an hour later, 9:18 a.m., he calls a taxi to pick him up here at this Circle K convenience store.

Authorities say the taxi arrives at 9:41 and takes him to the Safeway supermarket. It's now just minutes before the shooting.

(voice over): At 9:54 a.m., the taxi arrives at the Safeway. The driver and Jared Loughner go inside the supermarket to get change for the fare.

One minute later, 10:00 a.m., Congresswoman Gabriella Giffords arrives for her "Congress On The Corner" event here.

A few minutes later, Loughner asks a member of the congresswoman's staff to speak with her. He's told to wait in a line of about 20 people. He does so, but then exits the line and walks quickly toward the congresswoman.

At 10:10 a.m., investigators say Jared Loughner opens fire.

Randi Kaye, CNN, Tucson, Arizona.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: Coming up in the 7:00 a.m. Eastern hour, Randi Kaye talks with one of the victims who was shot twice in that rampage, Congresswoman's aid and friend, Pam Simon.

The North African nation of Tunisia in turmoil after its president left the country over growing anger over government leadership. CNN Senior International Correspondent Ben Wedeman is in Tunis, that is the capital, and he joins us live on the phone. And Ben, an authoritarian leader ousted now by violence, but by waves of public protest. How unusual is that?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Certainly for the Arab world, Martin, it is extremely unusual. There are often protests it the Arab world, but they are quickly put down by the military, by the police, by the security services.

In this case, it started with a very small protest in the Southern Tunisian town after a man committed suicide because he couldn't make ends meet. That spread throughout the country and reached the crescendo yesterday when tens of thousands of Tunisians in the capital protested.

They tried to take over the ministry of the interior. That came just before the president, Ben Ali, decided they were too late. He left the country, went to Saudi Arabia.

What's not clear, however, is if the popular movement that led to the ouster is going to go much further. Walking around the capital, Tunis, this morning it is clear the army is firmly in control. I watched overnight from my hotel window as a young protester were rounded up by the army and plainclothes policemen. They were beaten and kicked and hauled away to who knows where.

So, it may have started off as a popular movement. It looks like it may be ending in a military cope d'etat -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: As you reported, the speaker of parliament announced that he has assumed the powers of the presidency. So what happens next, an election?

WEDEMAN: Well, according to Article 57 of the Tunisian constitution there should be presidential elections within the next two months. Obviously, the situation is in such flux, it's difficult to say whether those are going to happen. There are rumors the military will assume full control of the country and that this point, it's not clear if the civilians are in control at all -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: Ben Wedeman reporting from to us from Tunis, the capital of Tunisia where there has been a public uprising.

Thanks very much, Ben. We'll be in touch.

Some interesting poll numbers out this morning about the next presidential election. When we come back how President Obama stacks up against potential GOP candidates.

Plus, Reynolds Wolf.

WOLF: Well, it is a very interesting weather pattern shaping up in parts of the West Coast where you have a spring-like storm system that could bring some flooding to parts of Washington State and Oregon. Meanwhile, we are also looking forward to a warm up for the Eastern Seaboard. It's about time.

More coming up on CNN SATURDAY MORNING. See you in a bit.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: My friends in Australia would say, there are lots of parts of this country that received the rough end of the pineapple when it comes to the weather. Reynolds Wolf is here to tell us what to expect.

(WEATHER REPORT)

SAVIDGE: CNN is your home for politics. So let's take a look at what is crossing the ticker right now. Tea Party members have a chance to check in on senators later this month. The Senate Tea Party Caucus is now scheduled for January 27. South Carolina's Jim DeMint, Utah's Mike Lee, and, Rand Paul of Kentucky, have said that they will be there. They were all elected with the backing of Tea Party supporters.

There's a push for bipartisanship in Congress, at least, as far as the seating at the State of the Union is concerned. House Republican Whip Kevin McCarthy says that it's a nice idea to have Republicans and Democrats sit side-by-side during the president's speech instead of, well usually in their own groups. But he also says members will have to do it on their own because there's not going to be any directive telling people where to sit.

A new poll shows that President Barack Obama is, well, running the table in 2010 against a host of Republican challengers. In a hypothetical match up against Sarah Palin, the McClatchy newspaper's Marist poll has the president winning by 26 points, 56 percent to 30 percent. He also beats Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney. In December the poll had Romney winning by 2 percent. But now President Obama beats Romney by 13.

It's been called Australia's tsunami. Up next, incredible pictures from Down Under.

First, for those of you looking for a place to live with the best bargains, we bring you the recent Forbes.com list of most affordable cities. Based on a combination of home prices, living costs, and college graduates salaries, Cincinnati, the Queen City, came in at number five; followed by Indianapolis, then Detroit at number three.

After the break, we'll tell you the top two cities looking out for your wallets.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: Before the break, we brought you a list of the topmost affordable cities ranked by Forbes.com. Coming in second place, Buffalo, New York. The top spot went to Omaha, Nebraska. It is, co- incidentally home to billionaire William Buffett.

Devastating floods, they have devastated Northeast Australia for more than a week now. Take a look at these very compelling pictures.

Here is a yacht. Normally, it would seem to be a pretty good place to be during flooding. That was not the case in Brisbane. The boat broke away from its moorings and slammed against underwater debris. Quickly went down, taking a small rescue boat with it. Luckily, nobody was injured. Always amazing to watch the power of water, Wolf.

WOLF: Just unreal. You know, Martin, the amazing thing is it only takes about 18 inches of water to pick up even some of the heaviest vehicles. When you have this, again, you have the translation several meters deep in terms of floodwaters. Obviously it will destroy anything in its path. SAVIDGE: That's a couple stuck on top of their small car in the middle of the flooding this week.

WOLF: Unbelievable.

SAVIDGE: A lot of cars swept away by the raging floodwaters. Unfortunately, 16 people have been killed. Although some have said the death toll could have been far more. More than 50 others are still missing. The floodwaters have started to recede in some areas, leaving behind a whole different set of problems. Of course, we saw this after Katrina, muddy sludge coating streets and homes. And there are reports of looters taking advantage of the disaster. More than 20,000 homes were flooded in Brisbane alone.

I was just curious, Reynolds, if we talk about the flooding in Australia and then flooding in Brazil, does it have to do with-they seem to be at a similar latitude?

WOLF: It's separate storms systems, but when you look at the big picture, shoot, everything is connected. Everything on this planet is connected. I mean, when you look at the Pineapple Express and the heavy rains we have in places like Hawaii can be connected. Some of the heavy rainfall you will see in the Pacific Northwest. So, there will be a connection, I guess, in the big picture.

But just horrible. The misery, there's a connection there. What's incredible with these systems is when they come through, especially when it comes to flooding, is how random they can be, and the things are how things are just so out of place. You will find cars and trucks in some places they are not supposed to be. Animals, too, especially in Australia. There have been reports of saltwater crocodiles being in highly populated areas with people. Bull sharks, which are highly, highly aggressive, also have been seen in Brisbane in the downtown area, going up Main Street.

FOSTER: It wasn't that long ago, it seems we reported from Australia on drought.

WOLF: Absolutely. It's horrible, amazing turn of events and it is certainly dreadful.

SAVIDGE: Thanks.

Just ahead, a story of a military widow being told to repay her benefits, all $41,000 of the money she received. We'll tell you why the Air Force wants that money back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: A widow of an Air Force veteran in Florida is being told to repay the government $41,000. Her situation is raising concerns among several veteran's organizations. She's not the only service member widow being asked to repay the government.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRIEDA GREEN, WIDOW OF VETERAN: Until 2010.

SAVIDGE (voice over): In 2003, Frieda Green got a $41,000 check in the mail from the military. She couldn't believe it.

(On camera): You thought what a mistake?

GREEN: Yes, and then I called Air Force finance and they said, no, that's your money.

SAVIDGE (voice over): The military assured Frieda, the money was owed her after the death of her 81-year-old husband. The Pentagon said that Gerald Shrople (ph) died of a medical condition linked to his 34 years in the Air Force. The money was Gerald's way of looking out for his wife after he was gone. Then, last November, Green got another letter from the military she couldn't believe. They wanted their money back.

(on camera): Do you have $41,000 --

GREEN: Shoot. Are you going to loan it to me. No, I don't have that money.

MARTIN: What happened? Green got married. The process is really complicated. But the bottom line is Green's husband paid into an insurance policy over his military career. When he died, the government refunded those payments to Freda. Now, it wants the refund back because she started getting a second benefit after she remarried at the age of 74.

(on camera): What do you think of all this?

GREEN: You want me to be nice?

SAVIDGE: Language acceptable on television.

(LAUGHTER)

GREEN: I'm not very happy.

SAVIDGE: Green is not alone. Estimates are some 57, 000 widows are now being told to repay the government, much to the anger of veteran's organizations.

REAR ADM. NORB RYAN (RET.), MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOC. OF AMERICA: Here we are taxing the group that's done the most for this country. If I were in the Pentagon, I would be awful embarrassed about this situation.

SAVIDGE: Fixing the problem is estimated to cost $600 million a year. Something Florida Senator Bill Nelson says the government should pay, just as it does for planes, guns and war in general.

SEN. BILL NELSON, (D) FLORIDA: The cost of war is taking care of the families, the widows and orphans.

(END VIDEOTAPE) SAVIDGE: The fix according to some in Congress is that there needs to be more money funded toward the program. The problem is, Congress right now is not exactly in a generous state of mind. They are being very frugal. It's still up in the air as to what happens next.

Well, he was down on his luck. A cowboy who didn't have the money to get his horse back from the vet. How three strangers came to his rescue and got him riding tall, again.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: Heading across country, our first stop, Sanford, Maine. Governor Paul LaPage has insulted leaders of the states NAACP by deciding not to attend Martin Luther King events. When they criticized him about it he told a state television station, quote, "Tell them to kiss my butt." He says if they want to play the race card, they should come to dinner and meet his adopted son, who is black.

In Mumford, Tennessee, neighbors want to know why about 50 border collies were left out in the cold on private property. The sheriff's department found them in a thicket. The owner is a dog breeder. Deputies say the dogs fortunately appear in good health, but they will monitor the situation.

Last up, Austin, Texas. Who knows if the horse named Texas and the mule named Mullah, will ever leave a veterinary clinic where they have been impounded. You see their owners were arrested accused of riding while intoxicated. And so far they cannot pay the charges to reclaim their animals.

"PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT" premiers Monday. Piers' first ever guest, Oprah Winfrey. After their sit down, Oprah told CNN it was one of the toughest interviews in 20 years that she's had. Here's a sneak preview. Oprah talks about her love for her long-time partner, Stedman Graham.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OPRAH WINFREY, OWN NETWORK: I had been betrayed by somebody in my family, who had gone to the tabloids and for, you know, $20,000, had sold me out. And Stedman came into the room with tears in his eyes. We knew it was coming out. Stedman came into the room with tears in his eyes, and he said, the story is out. I have a copy of it if you want to see it. I'm really sorry. You don't deserve this.

It was that moment.

PIERS MORGAN, CNN HOST: You looked at him and you thought, I love this man?

WINFREY: No, I looked at him and I thought, here is somebody who is willing to stand in and stand-up for you. That's what love is.

(END VIDEO CLIP) SAVIDGE: After Oprah appears, premier week's guests include Howard Stern, Condoleezza Rice, Ricky Gervais and George Clooney. It all kicks off Monday night, 9:00 Eastern, on "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT"