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CNN Saturday Morning News
Safeway Store at Tucson Shooting Site to Reopen Today; Chaos in Tunisia; NJ School to Begin Drug Testing Sixth Graders; Australia To Get More Damaging Rains; Guns Sales Spike Up After Tucson Shooting; Gearing Up For Playoff Weekend
Aired January 15, 2011 - 08:00 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. Crime scene tape is gone. More survivors are released from the hospital, but there are new questions about the accused gunman's state of mind. We have the chilling details and the latest on Congresswoman Gifford's condition.
We're also tracking a developing story out of Tunisia. A revolution under way and there are conflicting reports about who is really in charge. President Obama keeps a close eye on this North African ally and a key partner in the fight against terrorism.
The waters receding in Australia and some nasty surprises come to light. We have an update on the dangerous recovery efforts under way. It's early and we are on it.
From CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It's January 15th. Good morning to you. I'm Martin Savidge. Thanks for joining us.
We are going to start in Tucson, Arizona, the start, the site rather of that tragic shooting one week ago. Today, it will be the backdrop for that attack as it reopens. I'm talking about the Safeway grocery store. It has been shut down since Jared Loughner opened fire out front.
Repairs have been made and in just about an hour from now, they will reopen the store. A wreath laying is planned to honor the victims. There's also going to be a moment of silence to remember those killed and wounded in the shooting.
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'Connor was among the mourners. Three of Roll's grandchildren spoke at the service.
Nine-year old Christina Green 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. But he also said that he and his wife would like to meet that little girl some day to give her a big hug. Among those wounded in the shooting were Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and two of her aides, Ron Barber and Pam Simon. Giffords remains in the hospital this morning. Her doctors say that she is progressing as well as can be hoped. Barber was released Friday and Simon on Thursday.
Here is a picture of Pam Simon with President Obama during his visit Wednesday. Our Randi Kaye sat down to talk with her about the tragedy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Do you remember when that shot was fired at the congresswoman?
PAM SIMON, SHOOTING SURVIVOR: It happened - everything happened probably in a matter of seconds. My feeling is that he was whirling. His back was to me. I saw the congresswoman go down. I saw Ron go down. Then I think I must have been one of the next people hit because from that point on, I was laying on the ground.
KAYE: Did you ever actually see the gunman's face?
SIMON: No, no I did not.
KAYE: What was that moment like for you when you knew that you had been shot?
SIMON: It took a few seconds to actually -- for the reality. I think I was on the ground before I thought this is actually happening.
KAYE: Were your scared? Did you understand what happened?
SIMON: 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.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE: Pam Simon was shot twice, once in the wrist, once in the chest. That bullet traveled through her body and is lodged in her thigh.
Turmoil in Tunisia this morning. Reuters reporting a fire at a jail in the Tunisian resort town of Monster (ph) and saying that it has killed several prisoners and other inmates have fled. There are rumors that the military in Tunisia may take control of the government after the president flew out of that country in the face of growing civil unrest.
CNN senior international correspondent Ben Wedeman is in Tunis, the capital and he joins us by telephone. Now Ben, what are you seeing on the streets? Any demonstrations today?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): No, no demonstrations today Martin. It appears that the army, at least in this part of town is firmly in control. I saw some troops driving up just a little awhile ago. They are putting up barbed wire. They are not allowing people to mill around this particular area. They are almost completely keeping free of civilians. And so, it does appear that what the army is trying to do is impose control but that's proving to be something of a difficult task.
We are getting these reports, not only one prison but several prisons around the country that have been on fire. Dozens of deaths in those fires and of inmates escaping. I'm watching Tunisian television a little while ago. They have like a call-in show. People are calling in from around the country reporting scenes of disorder, of looting, of lawlessness, of gangs roaming the streets.
And so it appears that parts of the country are descending into what approached chaos. The civilians and civilian leaders have said that they are going to form a government, that there will be elections within two months. But I think increasingly, the concern of ordinary Tunisians is that nobody is in control at the moment -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: Ben, what are you hearing about how this has spread? How has social media played a part?
WEDEMAN: Well, it's difficult to really say how much of a role it's played because you have to keep in mind that under the old regime, there were very strict controls on the Internet. For instance you could not access through the normal Internet in Tunisia, YouTube. People did figure out ways around it, but by and large, it appears that the real locomotive behind the protest, which really didn't have a clear leader, was simply growing discontent with deteriorating economic conditions, with rampant official corruption.
People I spoke to on the streets complained that they spent years going to university to get degrees but then they could never find any work. So, social media played a role, but I think the real role has to be put down to just mounting discontent with a very difficult situation -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: For those of us in the United States, we understand that Tunisia had played a role in the war on terror I guess. What is the concern of the United States at this point as they watch events there?
WEDEMAN: Well, the Tunisians certainly did assist the United States in many ways in the so-called war on terror. But I think the prime American concern at the moment is that the situation slips out of the control of the government, of the military, of the police and you could have a prolonged period of chaos here.
Obviously, this is in a country that until very recently was a beacon of pro-western authoritarian stability. The worry is that this country, which was so stable before could become a scene of chaos -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: Ben Wedeman joining us on the telephone from Tunis, the capital of Tunisia where a revolution is under way. Ben, we'll stay in touch. Thank you very much.
Here is a name to remember, Reince Priebus. He's the new chairman of the Republican National Committee. He was elected to replace Michael Steele who was as you'll know, plagued by controversy and criticism during his tenure. He also left the committee more than $21 million in debt. Priebus will be in charge of getting the coffers restocked ahead of the 2012 presidential election.
Ruffling some feathers with harsh words aimed at the NAACP. Governor Paul LaPage is angry over criticism that he is getting from the group for rejecting an invitation to a Martin Luther King, Jr. day event.
Here is the governor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. PAUL LAPAGE (R), MAINE: They invited me to go to the state prison to meet black prisoners. I told them I would go, I would be more than happy to go, but I would meet all prisoners and that wasn't acceptable to them, so tough luck.
QUESTION: What's your response in them saying it's more than just one incident, but rather a pattern?
LAPAGE: Tell them to kiss my butt.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: A massive panicked pilgrims triggered a stampede that has killed at least 100 people in southern India. They were attending an annual religious festival that attracts millions of visitors. It apparently started when a truck overturned into a group of people along a narrow stretch near the temple.
Clean up, it has started in Brisbane, Australia where flooding forced thousands of people from their homes. They were the latest city hit by massive flooding that can covered an area of northeastern Australia bigger than the state of Texas. At least 16 people have, excuse me, died in the floods. More than 50 others are still missing.
Think your kids are too young to be taking drugs? One New Jersey school district is taking no chances using a drug testing plan meant for high schoolers to start testing even sooner. We'll tell you all about it.
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: And we're also going to tell you about the possibility of some flooding in parts of the Pacific northwest and improving weather here back east. More can be expected all the way from Florida clear up to New York.
More on that coming up in just a few moments. You are watching CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: It's 11 minutes past the hour. Time for a check of the weather, Reynolds Wolf joins us.
(WEATHER REPORT)
SAVIDGE: How young is too young to test for drugs? We'll tell you about a school district that wants to start testing kids before they get to high school and what they plan to do with those who test positive.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: We have all heard about high schools moving toward random drug testing for students. But on one New Jersey district, they are planning to test kids even younger. CNN's Mary Snow has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The school board Belvedere, New Jersey voted to implement random drug testing for sixth, seventh and eighth graders. It's an extension of a program already being done in the high school. But many are questioning, are these kids too young?
A lesson in math conversions is what you might expect in sixth grade. But for these 11-year olds in Belvedere, New Jersey, learning real life lessons may come earlier than most kids in their state. School officials want to randomly test middle schoolers for drugs and alcohol, something that is usually reserved for high school students.
SANDRA SZABOCSIK, OXFORD ST. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: When parents call or even when we get anything from the police, it's very general.
SNOW: Principal Sandra Szabocsik says she gets calls about weekend parties involving marijuana and alcohol in this small rural community. She can't pinpoint a specific drug problem at her school, but says there are realities that can't be ignored. They include a 2009 drug best in a nearby town involving teachers arrested as part of a ring selling prescription drugs.
Szabocsik hopes the random tests will serve as a deterrent in keeping middle schoolers away from drugs and alcohol.
SZABOCSIK: I'm hoping that because they know they could be tested come Monday, maybe they'll just say no. I can't do that. I'm afraid and I also look at it as a way they can no to their peers.
SNOW: In order to conduct testing, both parents and kids have to agree to participate. We spoke with several parents ready to sign up.
CHRISTINA TAURIELLO, PARENT: I think it's great.
SNOW (on camera): Why?
TAURIELLO: Because the kids you don't know what they are doing, performance enhancement drugs, things like that. Even regular drugs that kids are not as open to come home and tell their parents. SNOW (voice-over): But others question the need to expose kids this young to random tests saying it can backfire.
GREG CASTERLINE, PARENT: What's the message being sent to them that there have to be random drug tested? There's a question then about the integrity of every kid.
SNOW: The ACLU has been critical of these random drug tests for kids, saying they are not a good civics lesson and they don't deter drug use. But schools involved say they do. In this particular program, if students fail the drug test, they won't be punished. School officials say they will be offered counseling.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE: Wow, 2011 has barely begun and some folks are already focusing on the 2012 presidential elections. Some interesting poll numbers out this morning about who is leading the pack in the race to become the next president of the United States.
When we come back, details on how President Obama stacks up against potential GOP candidates.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: Australia could get hit with even more damaging rains on top of an already saturated landscape. At least 16 people have died in weeks of flooding. Despite the threat of more rain, the city of Brisbane and surrounding areas are trying to clean up after the devastating disaster.
Our Phil Black has that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The operation to clean up Brisbane as the flood waters recede is proceeding at a rapid pace. Houses are already almost entirely stripped of their damaged contents. Roads that 24 hours ago were covered in thick mud have already been cleared and reopened. All of this work is taking place with the help of an army of volunteers, literally thousands of people from across areas that weren't hit by the floods have been bussed into the worst hit suburbs strategically to help with the clean-up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's really hot (INAUDIBLE) and not just the people who have come to clean the place out, but people have been coming down and bringing drinks and food for the volunteers. To see the community rally together for these people I think is fantastic.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It makes you feel like you can actually do something to contribute. And I think a lot of people, they might donate funds and what have you, but there's nothing like actually getting in and helping out real people and seeing them firsthand.
BLACK: There are so many volunteers that in some cases, it's proving hard to find enough work for them all to do. The goal is to get this city reasonably clean and functioning at some sort of basic level by the start of the working week. So that means roads cleared and reopened, electricity restored, houses stripped of their damp goods before they start to smell. But it's only the first step in what is going to be a very long-term recovery. Phil Black, CNN, Brisbane, Australia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE: CNN is your home for politics. Let's take a look at what is crossing the Ticker right now.
The head of the Wisconsin GOP is now in charge of helping Republicans capture the White House in 2012. His name is Reince Priebus. He won the election to replace Michael Steele as chairman of the Republican National Committee.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REINCE PRIEBUS, RNC CHAIRMAN: You all are the board of directors. While I may be the CEO, we must all remember that each of us, every one of us, is still an employee to Republican voters. It's our job to fulfill the mission of the RNC and we are going to start by putting a solid business plan in place to operate effectively and efficiently to begin to restore the faith of our donors.
We will work to develop a new line of communication with state parties, the new Speaker of the House, John Boehner, Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell and newly elected Republicans across the nation.
With this new focus leadership, the RNC will move forward by restructuring our financial operation, reviewing our current plans of action and hiring top-notch staff. I understand the challenges that lie ahead of us go well past raising funds. We must know how to spend these funds effectively.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: Tea Party members will have a chance to check in on their senators later this month. The Senate Tea Party caucus now scheduled for January 27th. 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.
And a new poll shows President Barack Obama running the table in 2012 against a host of Republican challengers. In a hypothetical match-up against Sarah Palin, the McClatchy newspaper (INAUDIBLE) poll has 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. If you want more politics, if you just can't get enough, you can go to our website and check it out right there as you look at it right now.
It's a pretty big weekend for football. Will the weather hold up? Reynolds Wolf will join us with those details. Plus, one week after a horrific shooting shocked the nation, the Tucson store where that tragedy unfolded prepares to reopen. We'll take a look at gun control in Arizona.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: It is 28 minutes past the hour. Good Saturday morning to you. Welcome back. I'm Martin Savidge. Thanks for starting your day with us.
Checking top stories, the change in leadership in Tunisia following violent protests over poor living conditions and accusations of government corruption. The president fled the country yesterday and the parliament speaker is in command. Reuters and al Jazeera are reporting that several prisons around the country are on fire. We are watching this one for you.
President Obama and former President Bill Clinton were joined by other political and diplomatic heavyweights in remembering diplomat Richard Holbrooke yesterday. Holbrooke died last month following surgery to repair a tear in his aorta. Holbrooke was 69.
Ron Reagan now says that his father may have been showing signs of Alzheimer's disease as early as his first term. (INAUDIBLE) in a new book saying he had quote, "the first shivers of concern three years into Ronald Reagan's presidency." President Reagan disclosed that he had Alzheimer's in 1994, that's five years after leaving office.
In about 30 minutes there's going to be a grocery store opening that will mean a lot to the people of Tucson, Arizona. It is actually a reopening.
The ceremony at the Safeway store will pay tribute to the 19 people shot out front one week ago; six of the victims died that day. A wreath is going to be laid at that site in honor of the victims. There's also going to be a moment of silence and we will take you there live when that happens.
A lot of people are talking about gun control in the aftermath of that shooting. In many places we have seen gun sales spike since last Saturday's tragic event. So what about in Arizona? How are people feeling about guns there now?
CNN's Thelma Gutierrez asked around.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At this firing range in Tucson, Arizona, nearly every lane is full. With couples and firearms enthusiasts like Jim Conoglio who says he's proud to live in a state where he can carry a concealed weapon on his person and in his vehicle with no permit at all.
JIM CONOGLIO, TUCSON RESIDENT: And we are citizens, not subjects. And that's the bottom line. GUTIERREZ: The law is called Constitutional Carry; a new law that just passed last year.
CLARENCE DUPNIK, SHERIFF, PIMA COUNTRY, TUCSON, ARIZONA: I think we are the tombstone of the United States of America.
GUTIERREZ: After the massacre in Tucson, the sheriff of Pima County says things are out of control. He signed a proposed legislation which would allow students 21 and over to carry guns on campus.
DUPNIK: I have never been a proponent of letting everybody in this state carry weapons under any circumstances that they want. And that's almost where we are.
JOE ZAMUDIO, WITNESS: I carry -- it's -- this is a Ruger P-95.
GUTIERREZ: 24-year-old Joe Zamudio says he carries a concealed weapon to feel safe.
(on camera): So, this is something that you carry with you where? The store?
ZAMUDIO: Pretty much everywhere I go.
GUTIERREZ (voice-over): Last Saturday was no different. Joe says he had his firearm in his jacket when he went to buy cigarettes.
ZAMUDIO: I heard the shots from inside the building. When I turned and squared my shoulders to breeze way, I saw another gentleman with his right hand lifting the firearm up like this, only it was locked back. And he brings it around his side. And that, to me, you know, he was standing, he was holding a gun.
GUTIERREZ: Joe saw victims in pools of blood. He had to make a split decision about his gun with no room for errors.
ZAMUDIO: He needed taking care of; that was my immediate problem is address that firearm.
GUTIERREZ: Instead of his gun, which he says he was prepared to use for a moment just like this, Joe reached for the man's wrist instead.
(on camera): Did he say anything? Did he say I'm not the shooter?
ZAMUDIO: Immediately, I mean, no, no, no. It's him. It's him.
GUTIERREZ (voice-over): Joe saw Jared Loughner on the ground. It turns out the man with the gun had disarmed Loughner.
ZAMUDIO: I'm just so lucky. I'm just so lucky. And we were all blessed that he was there that day because if he hadn't be there, I might not be here right now. I might have gotten shot. I might have come of that door and I gotten my head blown off. GUTIERREZ (on camera): Does that go through your mind?
ZAMUDIO: Yes.
GUTIERREZ: It's really affected your life?
ZAMUDIO: Yes, it's been horrible. It's just like one of the worst thing that's ever happened.
GUTIERREZ (voice-over): Joe Zamudio believes the gun training that made him an able marksman also helped him to make a sound judgment call.
ZAMUDIO: There was a bunch of people watching. And all those people watching see me pull a gun out thinks second shooter. And in Arizona, where people keep guns in their cars, somebody could have shot me.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE: That was CNN's Thelma Gutierrez reporting. Thelma will join us live at the top of the hour with more of the Safeway reopening and on a controversial gun show that is set to open today as well.
An enemy of terror and a United States ally, Tunisia in the middle of crisis. We've got more details.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: More now on our coverage of the turmoil in Tunisia. We told you the president of 27 years has fled that country and that the Parliament Speaker has assumed office.
Our reporter there says it looks like the military is in control. And we are hearing reports from Reuters and Al Jazeera that several prisons across that country are on fire.
Nadia Bilchik is joining me again on our "Morning Passport." So let's put this in perspective and talk about what's going on and why it's important for the United States.
NADIA BILCHIK, CNN EDITORIAL PRODUCER: Well, first of all, we need to understand that Ben Ali is an ally or was an ally. In 1987, when he came to power, he actually banned an actor which was an Islamic group who wanted to be part of the political process.
So although a Muslim by faith, he's been very vociferous in anti- Muslim fundamentalism. So that's why we care about him obviously.
But also, Martin, let's think about, we are seeing riots, we're seeing people throwing things. But why are they doing this? You know this is not a Muslim fundamentalist; these are people who are saying we want freedom.
Hear this from one of our reporters, hearing what somebody says.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want bread for 500. But, I want freedom, freedom, only freedom.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All the people want freedom, all the people want freedom.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Freedom, freedom -- only freedom. Like you, like you -- like USA, like Europe. You are human.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BILCHIK: Isn't that awful? You know, we're looking at these people; really what they want is what we've got. They want a democracy. They don't want a leader who's been in power since 1987. They want free and fair elections.
So although the catalyst to this came from December when a university graduate set himself on fire, mainly because his produce was confiscated because he didn't have a license, he said I can't make a living. So that was the catalyst.
But really, what people want is an un-corrupt government. The government of Ben Ali has been described -- we spoke about words, you and I, what word, a kleptocracy (ph) --
SAVIDGE: That's a good word.
BILCHIK: Isn't that a good word, kleptomania being to steal.
SAVIDGE: Yes.
BILCHIK: And a kleptocracy meaning they steal things. So corrupt, some of the stories about the Ben Ali family are quite extraordinary. One of his nephews is said to have stolen the yacht of a French millionaire in Tunisia in the area of Tunisia and they just painted it and kept it as his own; that kind of corruption.
SAVIDGE: And arrogance there too, as well.
I'm curious, though, you know, we talk about a revolutionary spirit, and people there clearly want a democracy or they want freedom as they pointedly put it. But now, it appears the military is cracking down. So we don't know really what they will get.
BILCHIK: We don't know what the result will be. And one hopes that there will be democracy they want because yesterday, we had the Prime Minister taking over. Well, that's already changed; the Speaker of the House has taken over. But as you said, what they want is democracy. Who knows if they will get what they are asking for?
SAVIDGE: Right. And that is of course a subject near and dear to many Americans hearts. But the concern is of course, that if you get a crackdown, you get -- authoritarianism and then something much worse. BILCHIK: Exactly and he was known as a so-called benevolent dictator. Tunisia was very stable, again, we don't know what's going to come out of this but it's extraordinary for us as Americans to see people fighting for the very thing we maybe often take for granted.
SAVIDGE: Well, Nadia, I enjoy the insight and the conversation. Thank you.
BILCHIK: Thank you, Martin.
SAVIDGE: We'll also remind you that our Ben Wedeman is on the ground in Tunis in the capital of Tunisia. And he will be continually giving us live updates throughout the day.
And now, moving on, as I believe we are. The queen of talk she's opening up about some of her personal struggles. But this time, it's not on her popular show.
Coming up, we will look at the new Piers Morgan show as he sits down one-on-one with none other than Oprah.
With the 68th Annual Golden Globes ceremony kicking off the award ceremony season Sunday, we are remembering the films that won the most Golden Globes. Can you? In fact, five films share the top status with each of them winning five Globes.
First came "Doctor Zhivago" in 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 actor won the most Golden Globes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: Roll out the Red Carpet, the Hollywood awards season get 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 Globe's history.
Taking home the most awards was Meryl Streep with seven Globes, followed close behind by Jack Nicholson with six awards. Then, tying each other with five Globes each was Francis Ford Coppola and Shirley MacLaine, Rosalind Russell and Oliver Stone.
(VIDEO CLIP, ETTA JAMES PERFORMING)
SAVIDGE: What a song and what a voice. Etta James, the Rhythm and Blues and singer whose signature song "At Last" is one of the most popular wedding songs ever. She's reported to be very ill. James has been diagnosed with dementia and is being treated for leukemia. The "Los Angeles Times" reports her husband and sons are seeking control of her estate.
Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor had her leg amputated yesterday after doctors were unable to treat a deep lesion on her leg. Gabor has been in and out of the hospital recently. And her doctors at UCLA Medical Center say they are guarded about her condition. Zsa Zsa Gabor is 93. And it's finally here. "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT" premiers Monday; his first ever -- his first ever guest, Oprah Winfrey. After their sit down Oprah told CNN it was one of her toughest interviews in 20 years.
In this sneak peak 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 have sold me out. And Stedman came into the room with tears in his eyes. We knew that 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. And I'm really sorry, you don't deserve this. It was that moment.
PIERS MORGAN, HOST, "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT": And you looked at him and you thought, I love this man?
WINFREY: No, no, I looked at him and I thought, here is somebody who is willing to stand in and stand up for you, and that's what love is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: After Oprah, Piers premier week guests include Howard Stern, Condoleezza Rice, Ricky Gervais -- I always had this problem -- and George Clooney. And you know it all kicks off Monday night at 9:00 Eastern on "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT."
A 39-year-old Army vet wants to become a starting center at his college. Enough said.
And are children's weight issues making them vulnerable to all kinds of a health issues? Now the government is taking action.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: More wow moments in sports to tell you about this morning with this man. That's you. HLN's sports anchor Joe Carter. Good to see you, Joe. Tell us about this 39-year-old freshman who wants to play basketball.
JOE CARTER, HLN SPORTS ANCHOR: He is playing basketball. And you don't hear that everyday right?
SAVIDGE: No.
CARTER: Thirty-nine-year-old freshman Jermaine Townes is literally suiting up with guys half his age. Some of his teammates are even young enough to be his son. After high school, Townes decided he wanted to join the Navy. He actually fought in the first Persian Gulf War. And recently, he decided, you know, I'm 39, I'm going to go back to school and earn my degree. He also wanted to get back to the basketball court so he asked the coach if he could try out. The coach said of course. He gave it a try. It turns out the guy has got a great jump shot and an even better work ethic; shows up early, stays late, great example for his teammates.
He is a bench player right now, but hopes to make the DuPage starting lineup next season. And his ultimate goal is to earn a basketball scholarship.
SAVIDGE: More power to him.
CARTER: OK, so from 39-year-old basketball player to a 15-year- old professional golfer -- quite a transition right. Thinking a lot of teenage girls are out there busy texting more than talking, this girl, teeing off every day. Lexi Thompson, 15 years old; she's a professional golfer, pretty good. Last year, she earned over $300,000 on the tour.
But because she's only 15 years old, she's only allowed to play in six events a year. The LPGA only allows -- you know, holds them off when they are under 18. Well, she's eager. She wants to play in a lot more events. So she's gone ahead and appealed that decision -- to that rule. And the decision came down yesterday and they denied her appeal. I would imagine she's going to appeal, again.
SAVIDGE: Wow. What did you say she made last year?
CARTER: Over $300,000 -- $336,000 roughly in just six events. That's how good she is. She would be like some 40-something on the money list if she was a professional.
SAVIDGE: Remarkable talent.
CARTER: And reports coming in, Super Bowl coming up here February 6, the reports coming in that Christina Aguilera, Grammy award winner, Christina Aguilera is going to be the one singing the National Anthem in Arlington or Dallas, wherever you want to say it.
SAVIDGE: Yes.
CARTER: Do you think it's a good choice?
SAVIDGE: I do. She's got a powerful voice and an extremely great -- well, talented performer.
CARTER: She's incredible. I think it's a good choice. Right time, right performer and the National Anthem sort of just kind of hits everybody, sets them in the mood for Super Bowl day, you know.
It gets everybody's attention and keeps it because you know, if you don't like the football game, you are waiting for the commercials. And then if you don't like the football game again, you're waiting for the half-time act. But I think she's a great starting point for the Super Bowl coming up on February 6. SAVIDGE: Yes. I remember when Whitney Houston did it and it became so popular they actually played it like just on the radio stations which is not something you normally get for the National Anthem.
Joe Carter thanks very much.
CARTER: Good to be here.
SAVIDGE: Thank you.
Well, there's a big game today right here in Atlanta, in case you didn't know. So what can the die-hard tailgaters expect? Reynolds Wolf, one of the most die-hard tailgaters I know, joins me with a look at the football forecast.
WOLF: It's going to be a bit on the cool side here in Atlanta. In fact, we have a live shot outside. It's going to show you the sky conditions. They're going to be picture perfect through a good part of the day.
We still, however, have a little bit of ice to deal with on some of the side streets and the back roads. If you are trying to get to the Georgia Dome, please be careful out there. For the tailgaters, highs are going up to 47 degrees so it's going to be a little bit nippy out there. But trust me there are other places around the country that might be a bit worse.
So again, remember, if you are heading out to this area, just be careful. If you're heading out for other parts around the country, you might have some delays, too. In fact, take a look at this. All your airports in New York due to the wind, a 30-minute to a full hour delay; same length of time in terms of delays possible from Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, even into Dallas; much of it due to the low clouds and rain. One difference in Dallas, it is rain but in Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago, it is all due to the snow.
A few delays you might have just driving-wise especially in parts of the Pacific Northwest; it's going to be due to the rain. You might have one to two inches of rain along parts of the I-5 corridor. There might be some snow from about 7,000 feet and up but everything below that is all going to be the rain drops and with that there's also the possibility you might have some flooding.
Already we've got some flash flood watches and warnings there in effect for parts of the Pacific Northwest. Keep that in mind. Tacoma, plenty of rain; Olympia, certainly in Seattle; Bellingham even; be prepared for that. That should last, basically the same situation through a good part of the weekend.
OK. that's a snapshot of your forecast. And of course, right at the top of the hour, we're going to be back with more.
And as always, this weekend, like every weekend it seems, we have plenty to talk about weather-wise -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: All right Reynolds. Thanks very much. I think I can smell the charcoal lighter fluid already in the air.
WOLF: There you go.
SAVIDGE: And it's a good smell.
WOLF: It is.
SAVIDGE: Well, we're getting real mixed messages on the economy. Wall Street indicates one thing, housing sales unfortunately another. We'll try to sort it all out. So stay here.
But first, a new study came out ranking the most literate cities in the U.S. in part based on library resources, bookstores and yes, newspaper circulation. Ranking at five was Pittsburgh followed by Atlanta and then Minneapolis at number three. We'll tell you the two most literate cities after the break.
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SAVIDGE: Before the break, we brought you a list of the most literate cities in the U.S. Now for the top two: the second place ranking went to Seattle and the top spot was Washington, D.C. -- is Washington, D.C.
Hot cars and a cool housing market; lots going on in the world of business. Here is our round up with Alison Kosik, Stephanie Elam and Poppy Harlow.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS NEWS CORRESPONDENT: It was another winning week on Wall Street. The Dow and S&P are now up for seven straight weeks. This all comes as the corporate earnings season kicks off. Alcoa, Intel and JPMorgan Chase all posted upbeat quarterly profits this past week.
Foreclosures hit a record high last year. Almost three million properties received a notice of default, auction or repossession. Just looking at repossessions, one million Americans completely lost the roof over their heads. Foreclosures are expected to peak this year.
And finally, the numbers are in for the holiday shopping season. An industry trade group said 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.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS NEWS 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 finally 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 spot three years ago ahead of its impending bankruptcy. Meanwhile, rival Ford's 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. 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 refunds on a prepaid debit card. The government is sending out letters 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.
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