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CNN Saturday Morning News
Giffords Moved To Texas Rehab Center; Keith Olbermann Exits MSNBC; Afghan Lawmakers Meet as Political Standoff Continues
Aired January 22, 2011 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone.
There has been a shakeup in primetime. After years of controversies and an ugly suspension, Keith Olbermann is out at MSNBC. What happened, and where is one of TV's most unpredictable personalities likely to land? We have the latest developments that broke while you were sleeping.
And the next phase of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords' recovery is under way this morning. She's now in Houston, where doctors are optimistic about her prospects in rehab. We'll look at what's still expected to be a long road back from traumatic brain injury.
It's early and we're on it.
From CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It's January 22. Good morning. I'm Randi Kaye.
That is just some of what's ahead for you this morning. We're also tracking the search for this woman, Ann Pettway - is the target of an arrest warrant and wanted for questioning of a baby back in 1987. That baby grew up, found her real family and is now leading the charge to get this crime solved.
Look out: This truck was just the start of problems on a slick highway. The pileup piled on, and by the time the commute was over, nearly 40 vehicles were involved.
Need 500 bucks? Well, just opened up your closet. Coming up, how to pare down the junk and beef up your wallet.
Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is on the next step in her road to recovery this morning. Giffords was flown to Houston, Texas, yesterday. From the airport, choppers took her, her doctors and family to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she will start rehab that could last for months.
CNN's senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen has more for us from Houston.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDIAL CORRESPONDENT: Randi, in the words of one of Gabrielle Giffords' doctors here in Houston, she's doing "spectacularly." They are thrilled to see how well she's doing less than two weeks after the bullet went through her brain.
DR. RANDALL FRIESE, ASSOC. MED. DIR., UMC TRAUMA CTR.: I am very pleased to bring the news that they transfer of Gabby from University Medical Center in Tucson here to Memorial Hermann in Houston went flawlessly. The trip was well-planned, and I asked Mark if I could share with you, when we were traveling through the streets of Tucson, there was several times we got - we could hear applause in the ambulance with Gabby, and she responded very well to that, smiling and in fact even tearing a little bit. It was very emotional and very special.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
DR. DONG KIM, DEPT. OF NEUROSURGERY, UTHEALTH: She looked spectacular in all ways. From a neurological point of view first, she came into the ICU and she was alert, awake, calm. She looked comfortable. I think we were already feeling some interaction, which is important.
She's got very good movement on the left side of her body. And it was very purposeful. And we were testing her vision, and she didn't like us shining the light in her eye, and wanted to keep them closed. And these are all very good signs.
She also had pretty good tone in her leg.
COHEN: Randi, here's what lies ahead for Giffords: Doctors hope to get her out of the intensive-care unit as soon as possible. She's still there because she has a drain that's draining fluid from around her brain, and as long as she has that drain, they say she has to be in intensive care.
After that, they'll try to get her into a rehabilitation hospital so that full-time, she's doing rehab, learning to walk, dress herself, learning how to speak again, if that's what she needs. They say she has a long road ahead. They predict it could be as long as four to six months, or possibly even longer - Randi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: Thank you, Elizabeth.
We're getting a new glimpse of the man accused in the Tucson massacre. Six people died; 13, included the congresswoman, were wounded.
This videotape was shot about seven years ago, and that is young Jared Loughner playing the saxophone. The man who shot the footage is the father of one of Loughner's former classmates.
And this is Loughner one year later, now a high-school freshman with his hair grown out and still playing the sax.
It is a far cry from the image we've all come to know, the infamous mug shot of the 22-year-old alleged gunman. Loughner is due in court again Monday for another preliminary hearing. A big shakeup in the TV news business. MSNBC has parted ways with popular host Keith Olbermann. Last night was his last broadcast for the network.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEITH OLBERMANN, FORMER HOST, MSNBC'S "COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN": This is the last edition of "Countdown." There were many occasions, particularly in the last two and a half years, where all that surrounded the show - but never the show itself - was just too much for me. But your support and loyalty and, if I may use the word, insistence, ultimately required that I keep going.
Again, all of my greatest thanks - widen the shot out just a little bit so we can do one of these last time - thank you, Brian (ph). Good night and good luck.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Olbermann had been at MSNBC for eight years, hosting their top-rated primetime show. He was suspended for a few days last year because of questions about political contributions he made to a handful of candidates, including Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.
Here's how MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow reacted to news during her appearance on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RACHEL MADDOW, MSNBC HOST: I know very little about it. All I know is that, it was between Keith and the company, and it wasn't a - didn't involve any - any - any of the rest of us, and he was really gracious and nice when he left.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: There are very few details so far about this very abrupt ending. MSNBC is basically just saying, 'Thanks for the memories.' But I'm sure we will be hearing a lot more about this very soon.
The search is on for a woman suspected in the abduction of an infant from a Harlem, New York, hospital 23 years ago. North Carolina has issued an arrest warrant for Ann Pettway on a probation violation for attempted-embezzlement charges.
Police think Pettway is the woman who took 19-day-old Carlina White back on August 4, 1987. Federal investigators have joined the effort to find Pettway.
Another abduction and a search for a missing 4-year-old boy, this one in California. Jose Esteban Rodriguez is wanted in the disappearance of Juliani Cardenas from Patterson, a town in Northern California. Police fear the kidnapper may have driven into a canal. The child's mother says her son was pulled from the arms of his grandmother.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TABITHA CARDENAS, MOTHER OF ABDUCTED BOY: And she told me all she did - could do was hang on to him. And she finally let him go.
Please, I need him home. I know Juliani - he's telling you that he misses and that he wants to come home and you need to - you need to bring him home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Mmm, heartbreaking.
Searchers are looking for the car now.
The funeral mass for Sargent Shriver is set to begin a few hours from now in Potomac, Maryland. His daughter, Maria Shriver, spoke at the wake, held just last night. Vice President Joe Biden will speak at the service today.
Shriver will be buried in Hyannis, Massachusetts, in the same cemetery as his wife, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Sargent Shriver died Tuesday at the age of 95.
The government is taking a closer look at a flu vaccine used for very young children. The FDA says they found some serious reactions, such as fever-related seizures in some kids. The vaccine being used for those kids is called Fluzone, and it is the only vaccine recommended this year for kids between six months and 23 months of age. Parents should contact their doctors, of course, if they have concerns.
Baby Doc says he's there to help. The former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier spoke for the first time since coming back to Haiti last week. Amnesty International says an investigation is getting under way into alleged crimes against humanity during his time in office.
But Duvalier says it was important for him to come back one year after the quake, regardless of the consequences.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEAN-CLAUDE DUVALIER, FMR. HAITIAN DICTATOR (through translator): From the moment I took the decision to return to Haiti to commemorate with you in our country this sad anniversary, I was waiting for all sorts of persecutions. But believe me, the desire to participate at your side in this national reconstruction effort is more important than all the problems I could face. The price to pay is not important. The essential thing for me was to be with you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: He'd been in exile for a quarter century after protests and corruption allegations forced him out of office.
The new governor of California getting a very specific death threat, and police are not only calling it very real, they're considering it a terror threat. Jerry Brown hasn't even been in office for a month, but somebody reported seeing some pretty disturbing graffiti.
Take a look. The first message reads, "We gonna kill Governor Brown on February 14th." We're told it was found on a wall in one residential neighborhood.
Somebody also found a second message in another neighborhood. This one includes a countdown. Quote: "26 more days for Brown."
Police are investigating. We're told city crews have painted over all of that graffiti.
Diners are at a Hooters restaurant in St. Louis got to see more than they expected when a car crashed through the front of the building. At fault were two teens running from the police in a stolen car. Look at those flames. Wow.
The crash started a fire that badly damaged the restaurant. Luckily, no one inside was injured.
Still ahead, reality TV or borderline porn? MTV's new teen show "Skins" has advertisers worried and parents - well, they're outraged. Would you let your kids watch this, and should you, is the question.
And up next, a highway collision caught on tape.
We are back in just one minute.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: A truck driver is blaming winter weather for an accident yesterday near Toronto.
Take a look at this. Part of the accident was caught on tape. You can see the truck highlighted here as it smashes the media guardrail, and then into oncoming traffic. The driver of this car was able to steer clear of trouble. Another accident nearby involved nearly 40 vehicles. Ontario police say a woman was struck and killed in that pileup.
Well, it is just about 12 minutes past the hour.
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAYE: Coming up, parents groups say a new MTV show is nothing more than child pornography, and they are calling on Congress to do something about it. Are there any truth to these claims?
Plus, a major retailer is cutting grocery prices. I'll tell you who, next.
But first, if you're looking for a great place to work, you might consider these companies. "Fortune" magazine just published its list of the best companies to work. Coming in at No. 5, data-storage firm NetApp, where workers actually get free espresso. Pretty nice.
Google's cafeterias are free, and so is the laundry service.
Wegmans Food Markets covers flu shots and H1N1 vaccines for its workers.
We're coming back with the two best companies to work for, and you won't believe the perks at the top.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Beautiful shot there of Washington, D.C.
Before the break, we started telling you "Fortune" magazine's list of top companies to work for.
Folks want to work for Boston Consulting Group because of the firm's generous pay and commitment to social work. That lands them at No. 2.
And the No. 1 place to work? Well, it is software firm SAS. "Fortune" calls its perks "epic," with everything from a tailor, a manicurist and a hair salon, to summer-camp programs for kids and even car detailing. What a deal.
You can check out more of this list at money.CNN.com.
It's time for the week's news in our "Business Minute."
Let's start with CNN's Alison Kosik in New York with what happened on Wall Street.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Randi.
Wall Street had its eye on Silicon Valley this past week. Apple CEO Steve Jobs unexpectedly announced he's taking a medical leave of absence. Previously, Jobs had stepped aside to battle pancreatic cancer and to get a liver transplant. The rock-star CEO didn't say when he would return.
It was a mixed week for stocks. The Dow posted its eighth- straight weekly gain, but the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq both lost ground as earnings from Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Bank of America raised concerns about the health of the banking sector.
One standout, however; General Electric said quarterly profits surged 50 percent.
And finally, a new CNN/Opinion Research poll shows Americans are growing more optimistic about the economy. Twenty-four percent of those surveyed say the economy is now in good shape, up from 18 percent in November - Stephanie. STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Alison.
We got a big "oops" from JPMorgan Chase this past week. The bank says it accidentally overcharged 4,000 military members on their mortgages. Even worse, JPMorgan accidentally foreclosed on 14 homes. The company is sending refunds to those affected. Wal-Mart is teaming up with first lady Michelle Obama in the fight against Obesity. The retailer unveiled a plan to reduce sodium, sugar and trans-fat in many of its store brands. Wal-Mart will also cut prices on fruits and vegetables. The changes will be made over the next five years.
And finally, leave your cash at home. Starbucks has a new app that allows you to pay by simply swiping your smartphone at nearly 8,000 locations.
Poppy has a look at what's coming up on Wall Street. Hi, Poppy.
POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: Thanks so much, Steph.
Well, economic growth will be a big focus this week. The government will report fourth-quarter gross domestic product on Friday, and it's expected to show that the U.S. economy grew at about a 3.8 percent annual pace during the past three month. That would be an improvement from the third-quarter pace of 2.6 percent. Still, most economists argue that growth rate is not enough to dramatically reduce the unemployment rate in this country.
Meantime this week, at Federal Reserve, their policymakers will be meeting in Washington. Their discussion will center on what can be done to boost the economy and therefore create jobs.
And it's a big week for corporate earnings. McDonald's, 3M, Boeing and United Technologies all set to report their quarterly numbers.
Randi, back to you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: Thank you.
"Friday Night Laughs" now, and our clip this morning comes from Jay Leno. He was talking about Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the U.S. As part of the Chinese leader's historic trip, he visited President Obama's hometown of Chicago.
I will let Leno take it from here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY LENO, "TONIGHT" SHOW HOST: President Hu now in Chicago. He flew to Chicago yesterday. While in Chicago, he met --
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
LENO: -- well, you know this, he met with - he met with Chicago Cubs fans today.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
LENO: Apparently he wanted to see some Americans who have suffered more human-rights violations than his own people. So, yes. So I don't know what (INAUDIBLE).
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
LENO: But listen to this. Even though President Hu was only in Chicago for two days, by the Rahm Emanuel standard, he was able to establish residency. He can now run for mayor of Chicago.
He's going to - yes, so he - he's all set. Yes.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
LENO: Yes.
And this week, congressional Republicans voted to repeal "Obamacare." That's what they call it. "Obamacare." Now, don't confuse that with the Republican health-care plan. That's, "You're sick, we really don't care."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: A potential turning point in Afghanistan's future, and it doesn't involve U.S. troops on the ground there. Instead, it's all about a power struggle at the highest level of the government.
I'll explain next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: "Globe Trekking" now.
And ethnic violence in Afghanistan may be ready to bubble over again, with new reports of serious political problems. Members of the country's new parliament are ready to get to work, but President Hamid Karzai is saying, "Not so fast."
CNN's Arwa Damon joins me now live from Kabul, where the parliament is meeting in a hotel.
Arwa, what is that - what exactly is going on there? Why is Karzai saying that he wants to delay inaugurating this new parliament?
ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Randi.
Well, it's a very complex and precarious situation here. Afghans have voted in the parliamentary elections back in September, five months ago. And this vote came amid many allegations of fraud and irregularities. The independent election commission of Afghanistan launched its own investigation, ended up throwing out more than a million votes, but eventually certified the results in November. Those results saw a significant reduction in President Hamid Karzai's Pashtun base's reputation in parliament. Many of those who lost out in this election saying that it was because people could not come out to vote in the areas where they were running. That is in the country's south, where a lot of the fighting with the Taliban is concentrated. And they are bringing forward their own allegations of fraud.
President Karzai then established his own special court to look into hundreds of allegations. We do need to note though that this special court's legitimacy is, in fact, in question. But that court has requested more time. Hence, the president's decision to delay this inauguration.
That has enraged parliamentarians, who are saying that they want to go ahead with this on Sunday regardless, with one member of parliament saying they were willing to risk everything.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ABDUL HAFIZ MANSOUR, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (through translator): Tomorrow, we will inaugurate parliament, even if it costs us our lives. Tomorrow is the day that will determine if democracy will remain in Afghanistan, or if it will change into a dictatorship.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAMON: None of this bodes well for the future of this country, Randi, with the U.N. and the U.S. both expressing their deep regret and surprise at these inaugurations might be delayed.
KAYE: And with parliament meeting now in this hotel, what is the next step? Where do things stand?
DAMON: Well, parliament's also meeting with the president as we speak. They're expected to meet with members of the United Nations mission in Afghanistan as well as with members of the European Union to try to find some sort of resolution to this impasse.
If they are unable to find resolution, one senior analyst in Afghanistan warns there could be very devastating consequences.
KAYE: And one of those consequences is the threat of violence. How real do you think that threat is for tomorrow?
DAMON: Well, what is she is basically saying is that this is an extremely critical juncture for Afghanistan. She says that because the security situation has deteriorated over the last year, the conflict between president and parliament has really been heightened to an extreme.
If there's no resolution today, she warns of the possibility of violence tomorrow. This is Candace Wando (ph). He's with the International Crisis Group.
Either way, this is a very difficult situation. If parliament is not inaugurated tomorrow, the country risks descending into chaos. If that inauguration does take place, there is the risk of alienating the Pashtun population and perhaps driving them into the hands of the Taliban, Randi.
KAYE: Very tense situation there. Arwa Damon for us, thank you very much.
They are getting ready to restock the shelves on the International Space Station. An unmanned rocker lifted off in Japan today carrying about five tons of food and other supplies for the station. It is the first delivery of spare parts that hasn't been made by the space shuttle.
A Russian rocket is supposed to take off next week with even more stuff.
Well, MTV has done it again. The new reality series that's provoking outrage, ratings and the question, 'Is it too intense for teens?' We're taking a closer look next.
Also ahead, we've got your ticket to the hottest film festival in the country. What's playing at Sundance this weekend could be at your local theater in just a matter of weeks.
Details just two minutes away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: It's 30 minutes past the hour. Welcome back. I'm Randi Kaye. Thanks for starting your day with us. Good to have you here. Top stories this hour.
Keith Olbermann's eight-year run as MSNBC's host to "Countdown" is now over. The announcement came late yesterday. In his final broadcast last night, Olbermann thanked his cast and crew. You'll recall Olbermann was suspended for two days last year for violating NBC policy of obtaining permission prior to making financial donations to political candidates. Olbermann's departure coincides with this week's FTC approval of NBC's merger with Comcast.
Doctors for U.S. Congressman Gabrielle Giffords say she is doing great after being moved to a Tucson, Arizona hospital to a rehab facility and hospital in Houston, Texas, yesterday. Two weeks ago today, Giffords suffered a brain injury in a mass shooting outside a supermarket in Tucson.
Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi promises to step down after Tunisia its first free and fair election. Dozens of people were killed in the violence surrounding the ouster of Tunisia's long-time president last week. The North African nation is in day two of a three-day mourning period for those killed. Meanwhile, the new government says it has seized jewels and huge sums of money as it interrogates dozens of people connected to the former administration.
MTV has a new hit and a new controversy. The new show "Skins" can easily be called edgy and provocative. But the Parents Education Council is calling it something else. In fact, they are calling it child porn. With some of the show's cast members as young as 15, the Council claims MTV may actually be violating federal law and is calling on Congress and the Justice Department to investigate.
Before we go any further, take a look at a clip of the show.
(BEGIN TV PROGRAM CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, Nips.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stop calling me nips, Tony.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a funny name. I see nipples, and gosh golly, and it's you're so hilarious.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My nipples aren't funny, OK?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get used to it, kid. Anyway, you promised to help out Stanley today.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: With what?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You remember. The virgin thing?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. No. You are not serious.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, he's got a (EXPLETIVE DELETED). I nominated you to, you know, help out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do I have to?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, you promised. Stay there.
(END TV PROGRAM CLIP)
KAYE: Can you see why the show is raising just a few eyebrows? Yesterday, I spoke to Melissa Henson with the Parents Television Council. She explained why her group is calling for an investigation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MELISSA HENSON, PARENTS TELEVISION COUNCIL: There were internal discussions being held at Viacom about whether they are potentially running afoul of federal child pornography laws, with upcoming episodes and suggesting that cuts had to be made.
So if they are having those conversations internally at Viacom, that tells me that they have already gone too far. That it should even be a concern, that they might be potentially be in violation of the law, means that they have done too much already.
KAYE: Let me share a brief rundown of the first six minutes or so of the first episode. Two minutes in, you see your first image of bare skin. Just over five minutes in, you get the first sex talk. Six minutes in the episode, you get your first teen sex scene. Some say this isn't any worse than what we already see on teen shows like "Gossip Girl" or there is also MTV's "Teen Moms" and "Real World." But your group has actually claiming that MTV may actually be violating child porn laws with "Skins." On what grounds?
HENSON: Again, that is based on the report in "The New York Times" yesterday that Viacom is having internal discussions about whether content had to be cut from upcoming episodes that might potentially run afoul of federal child pornography or exploitation laws.
KAYE: Your group hasn't found any specifics, yet?
HENSON: No. And it could be that it's in material that has been cut out or excised from upcoming episodes or material that might be sitting on the cutting room floor. That's what we are asking them to look at. It's based on the report in "The New York Times" that they have having these conversations internally.
But I think what makes this show so different from other shows like "Gossip Girl" or "Glee" or many of the other shows that people think of when they think about sexy high school shows. These are not adult actors pretending to be high school kids. These actors and actresses are under the age of 19 for the most part. They are between 15 and 19; many of them under the age of 18.
From what I have seen of it, nothing remotely redeeming about this show. It's a dark and disturbing view of adolescence. It may be realistic to the experience of some teenagers in America, but certainly it is not typical for most American teens.
What they are showing is reckless behavior, sometimes even illegal behavior. They are shown using illegal narcotics, under-age drinking, and engaging in other reckless and irresponsible behavior. Behavior, that if it were imitated in real life, would have real-world consequences.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: The controversy is costing MTV. Taco Bell was a sponsor but it has announced it is now pulling out. Here is what the company told us: "Upon further review we have decided the show is not a fit for our brand and have moved our advertising to other MTV programming."
What does MTV have to say about this? The network also released a statement. It reads, in part: "'Skins' is a show that addresses real-world issues confronting teens in a frank way. We review all of our shows and work with all of our producers on an ongoing basis to ensure our shows comply with laws and community standards."
Meanwhile, another MTV hit show, "Jersey Shore" is riding an all- time high. Snooki and the gang pulled in 8 million viewers Thursday night. A new record for any series on MTV. And it is the second week in a row at the top spot, second week there, amazing. More importantly, the show crushed its Thursday night competition in the advertiser preferred group of viewers between the ages of 18 and 49.
On top of that, Snooki's book, "A Shore Thing", yes, it is on "The New York Times" best-seller list at No. 24.
Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival in full swing in Park City, Utah. If you have an independent movie and a dream, well, there's no other place in the world to be right now. "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" Brooke Anderson takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BROOKE ANDERSON, HOST, HLN'S "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" (on camera): From a documentary about the black power movement of the '60s and '70s, called the "Black Power Mixed Tape" to a feature film titled "Vampire," the Sundance Film Festival lineup is extremely diverse. This even is considered the premier showcase for independent movie making and each and every year, Hollywood's biggest stars come here for this celebration of film.
Take a look.
JENNIFER ANISTON, ACTRESS: Hi, how are you.
ANDERSON (voice-over): Jennifer Aniston's done Sundance.
ANISTON: It's exciting. It's an honor.
ANDERSON: Robert Downey Jr. too.
ROBERT DOWNEY JR., ACTOR: It's super important. You know, believe me.
ANDERSON: James Franco came last year, and he's coming back again.
JAMES FRANCO, ACTOR: It's just an honor.
ANDERSON: Some major stars will be joining him in snowy Park City, Utah. Pierce Brosnan returns to the festival playing a charismatic preacher in "Salvation Boulevard."
(VIDEO CLIP, "SALVATION BOULEVARD")
ANDERSON: Ed Helms premiers his new comedy "Cedar Rapids" with John C. Reilly.
(VIDEO CLIP, "CEDAR RAPIDS")
ANDERSON: Demi Moore has got two films in the festival; so does Elizabeth Banks.
(VIDEO CLIP, "THE DETAILS")
ANDERSON: In "The Details," she stars opposite Toby McGuire and Laura Linney.
(VIDEO CLIP, "THE DETAILS")
ANDERSON: The cast hopes someone bites on their film. It's up for sale at Sundance, along with dozens of other movies.
And Oprah Winfrey could be one of the buyers. She's looking for product for her new own network.
(VIDEO CLIP, "BECOMING CHAZZ")
ANDERSON: Oprah already snapped up the documentary "Becoming Chazz" before it premiers at Sundance. The movie follows Chazz Bono, who's mom is Cher, as he transitions from female to male.
And there are hints Oprah may fly to Sundance to check out another documentary --
(VIDEO CLIP, "SING YOUR SONG")
ANDERSON: -- about singer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte.
Celebrities do flock to Sundance, but when all is said and done, the festival's really about finding and nurturing unknown films and undiscovered talent.
(VIDEO CLIP, "YOU CAN COUNT ON ME")
ANDERSON: Talent like Mark Ruffalo. He got his big break in the Sundance movie "You Can Count On Me" in 2000.
MARK RUFFALO, ACTOR: My career started at Sundance. It's just a huge support for us and we would be lost without it. It would be really sad if we didn't have Sundance.
ANDERSON: Not to worry, Mark. It looks like Sundance will be around for a while.
This year's festival gets under way Thursday night.
(on camera): More than 200 films will be screened and premiered here over the course of Robert Redford's 10 day festival. There's a lot of optimism here surrounding the films and their chances of locking in distributors so you can soon see them for yourself at your local theater or on TV. Brooke Anderson, CNN, Park City, Utah.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: Well, it is no secret Canada can be brutally cold during the winter months. Ahead, we'll show you just how cold.
Here is a chilling thought. The country's worst commutes. Are you one of the frustrated drivers that have to deal with that? Take a look at the five worst cities. No. 5, let's just say you don't want to mess with the Texas traffic in Dallas. No. 4, San Francisco, No. 3, Houston. Where are the absolute worst commutes in the country? Hang tight I have those for you right after the break. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Which U.S. cities have the worst commute? We have the rest of the list from the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M. Coming in at No. 2, many drivers in this city are apparently anything but angels. It is Los Angeles. The honor for most frustrating road rage inducing commutes in America goes to Washington, D.C. and Chicago. Yes, both cities tied for that lovely honor.
Bitter cold and record snowfall. Let's check the forecast with Meteorologist Karen Maginnis, in the CNN Severe Weather Center.
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAYE: It is January, 2011. That means it's prime time to look ahead to the 2012 presidential campaign. At least that's what the president and plenty of potential Republican contenders think.
CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser has more for us.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Good morning, Randi.
It seems 2012 is closer than you think. We got word this week that President Barack Obama's reelection office will open his doors in Chicago by late March or early April. That is around the same time we expect the president to formally file papers to run for reelection.
Mr. Obama based his 208 presidential election campaign in his hometown as well. But the White House says this doesn't mean Mr. Obama will start campaigning around the clock.
ROBERT GIBBS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Just because the president sets up the machinery of ultimately running for reelection does not mean you are going to see the president doing a ton of political reelection events. That's just the nature of the way these things work is you have to have -- you have to set up a legal mechanism by which to begin to fund something like this. You have to get people in place.
STEINHAUSER: So, do Americans think Mr. Obama is doing a good job in the White House? The best indicator is the presidential approval rating.
Our latest poll of polls, an average of the most recent national surveys indicates that 52 percent say they give a thumbs up to the job the president is doing. That is up a few points from late last year with 42 percent saying they disapprove.
But remember, the next presidential election is a long, long way away. People, of course, change their minds -- Randi.
(END VIDEOTAPE) KAYE: Thank you, Paul.
Everyone can use a little extra cash. But do you know where to find it fast? It could be as easy as going through your closets and cabinets. We'll explain in our next half hour. And when we come right back, the extreme videos of the week. Including this one, a balloon landing that ended with a water rescue. You have to see it. Stick around.
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KAYE: Let's take a look at our always entertaining "Extremes of the Week." We start with a science experiment. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What are you doing, Sam?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What I'm doing is boiled water in a kettle. So it is boiling water. I'm going to pour it in here and throw it in the air and it's going to evaporate. Ready?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, wow.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Wow is right. Pretty cool. This is what they are doing to pass the time in Canada Northwest Territory. Watching boiling water basically evaporate in midair. But then, again, what are you supposed to do in that kind of cold? How cold are we talking? Try minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
From hot water to a hot air balloon in trouble. This is in Australia. Where 10 tourists on a balloon ride didn't exactly get what they paid for. They got an adventure, but not quite what was in the brochure. They hit the water. And of course, at that point, you don't really want to be in a big basket, do you? A rescue boat eventually got all of them out safely. The pilot said it's just the second time he has to be rescued in 26 years. I don't think that was a big consolation, though, for his waterlogged passengers.
And you have probably seen this video from the Berkshire Mall in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. Now there is so much more to the story than just a random chuckle. Cathy Cruz Marrero is considering suing mall security for not coming to her aid. She at least wants an apology for releasing the tape. If you missed it there, she was walking and texting.
It makes you wonder why she's not speaking out about the embarrassment, because if she didn't come forward to say that she fell in the fountain then no one would have known it was her. Since she did, we are learning about her legal problems, like identity theft allegations. You have to wonder.
Coming up, after two decades a grief-stricken mother hasn't let go her guilt or hope that she'll find her daughter, kidnapped back in 1985.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JANICE MCKINNEY, MOTHER OF CHERRIE MAHAN: Up until that day, I was there. And if I would have been there, she wouldn't -- I wouldn't be going through this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Now, there are new tips that may help crack this very cold case.
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KAYE: It is one of the nation's most enduring cold cases. A mother's worst nightmare. Her little girl disappears at a school bus stop. This case, more than a quarter century old, changed the way we view missing children.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE (voice-over): Nearly 26 years after her daughter disappeared, Janice McKinney still remembers it like it was yesterday.
JANICE MCKINNEY, MOTHER OF CHERRIE MAHAN: At 4:00, the bus came. We heard it. She just never came up the drive way.
We first met Mrs. McKinney her back in 2005. More than two decades after her daughter mysteriously disappeared. She's still holding on to the grief and the guilt.
MCKINNEY: I should have been there when Cherrie got off the school bus, and I wasn't.
KAYE: It was one of the few days she didn't meet her daughter at the bus stop, February 22, 1985.
(on camera): What is that moment of panic like? That first moment when you realize your child has disappeared?
MCKINNEY: It's the most scariest thing. I think my guilt started at that point because up until that day, I was there. If I would have been there, she wouldn't -- I wouldn't be going through this.
KAYE: It was a day like this one. Snow on the ground, the sun shining. Cherrie got off her school bus right here. She had to go about 200 feet, around that bend to get to her driveway, then another 300 feet to her front door. Investigators never found any footprints, which means Cherrie she never got very far.
(voice-over): Kids on Cherrie's bus described a blue van, right behind the buss a snowcapped mountain and a skier painted on its side. Investigators checked out hundreds of leads. No van, no Cherrie.
MCKINNEY: I think that the last words I probably told her was, you know, have a good day and I do love you. That was probably, as I took her down to the bus stop and she got on the bus.
KAYE (on camera): Did she tell you she loved you back?
MCKINNEY: Yes. She always told me that.
KAYE: Cherrie was just eight when she disappeared. She helped put a face on missing children nationwide. The first child, ever on a have you seen me mailer, still delivered to homes across the country. Today, for the first time in decades, Janice McKinney has hope, thanks to this man, Pennsylvania State Trooper Robert McGraw.
TROOPER ROBERT MCGRAW, PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE: I believe Cherrie was abducted by somebody she knows very well. I believe that this person had the ability to basically lure Cherrie to their vehicle without her giving it a second thought prior to her disappearance.
KAYE: McGraw took the lead on the case last summer. After pouring through the 3600-page case file, he's closer than ever to cracking it.
MCGRAW: We are highly optimistic this lead has potential to bring closure to Cherrie's family.
KAYE: McGraw says he gets tips about once a week. But most don't pan out. This one, he feels especially good about. Although he will not give us specifics. We will pursue this lead until we find out if it is viable or it is a dead end. You try not to get too excited. It's difficult, but you have to stay grounded, because this lead could take us nowhere.
KAYE: Working the case of a missing child is difficult, even for the most hardened law enforcers.
MCGRAW: It is. I can't imagine, if that was my child. I can't imagine the pain that her mother and stepfather must wake up with every day. I couldn't imagine that.
MCKINNEY: That was her dog and that was her cat.
KAYE: Today, Cherrie would be 34. If she's alive, this is what investigators think she might look like.
MCKINNEY: Now, Cherrie could be married and have children and have graduated and I could be a grandmother.
After all these years, Janice McKinney still isn't ready to say good-bye to her daughter. A the cemetery, no gravestone, just an angel.
MCKINNEY: Until I see something, or hold something, or know something, I can't put it to rest, yet.
KAYE: Janice McKinney still hopes her daughter is alive. But alive or dead, she says, she just needs to know what happened. And why someone would have snatched her little eight-year-old girl.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: Trooper McGraw tells me he is hopeful he can solve this cold case. He knows three investigators before him had the same hopes. They retired before ever seeing justice served.
Students give back to the school lunch lady who had a positive word with every meal served. We'll tell you about their act of kindness that brought her to tears. We're back after a quick time out.
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KAYE: Good music. That will wake you up. Let's go across country now for stories our affiliates are covering.
We start in Denver where taxi drivers are moonlighting on behalf of public safety. The Mile-High City is one of the first in the nation to embrace the TOP program, or Taxis On Patrol. Some 1,200 cabbies will take part, serving as look outs and potential first responders for police officers should the taxi driver see suspected criminal activities around town.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, a cafeteria worker who lost part of her leg in a school bus accident gets a big helping hand from the students she served meals to. Tamika Swaranger (ph) fights back the tears after discovering they raised almost $6,000 to make her new home more handicap accessible. They did it by selling cupcakes and taking donations. Tamika moves into her new home this weekend. How nice.
And, St. Louis riverfront, fire in the hole. Yesterday, morning smoke was seeing coming from the Admiral, a former gambling boat. The blaze reached two-alarm status before firefighters got it under control. Authorities believe grease in the casino's old kitcheneria (ph) may have been ignited by demolition crews. Luckily, no one was hurt.
