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CNN Saturday Morning News

Firefighters Continue to Battle Worsening Arizona Fire; House Launches Ethics Investigation Into Weiner Scandal; Syrians Fleeing to Turkey to Escape Violence; Talking Money With Your Spouse Can Help Save Your Marriage

Aired June 11, 2011 - 07:00   ET

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

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Well, time for us to go cross country now, for stories some of our affiliates are covering.

The swollen Missouri River is forcing people and entire towns to higher ground. The river is expected to crest five to seven feet above flood stage in Iowa and Nebraska and that is causing some to literally uproot their homes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JARED KENNEDY, SEARS HOMES: We didn't think we were going to be able to move it. But, you know, we got to move it, otherwise we'll lose it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, meanwhile, is releasing water from at least six reservoirs.

For one North Carolina kindergartener, pretty nice surprise.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: I knew it! I knew it!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Yes, she knew it. That's 5-year-old Madison. Opened a massive birthday president and there's daddy. Daniel, her dad, has been working as a contractor in Afghanistan since October. He said he wants his daughter to remember the milestones and not the miles.

(MUSIC)

HOLMES: Good morning to you all, as we cross the top of the hour here.

Congressman Anthony Weiner, his sexting investigation has dominated headlines this week. Now, we're learning that a teenage girl got messages from him too and police are looking into that.

Also, boxes upon boxes of Sarah Palin's e-mails. What's in this stuff? It may not be what you think.

Plus, it is June, a lot of people getting married right about now, and they're making a huge mistake -- not in getting married -- but a huge mistake in their finances by not asking certain questions before they get married. I'll clear that up a little bit here in a minute.

But from the CNN Center, this is your CNN SATURDAY MORNING for this June the 11th. I'm T.J. Holmes.

We will start in the southwest right now, southwest part of this country -- growing concerns over conditions that could spread one of the largest wildfires in Arizona's history. Firefighting crews face higher winds, along with low humidity today in the rugged region. Those conditions could spread that fire that already has burned nearly 410,000 acres. That is an area roughly the size or larger rather than the size of all of Los Angeles.

This fire, which is hardly contained, has destroyed 29 homes, 5,200 more threatened. Also being threatened electric transmission lines supplying hundreds of thousands of homes. Something happened to those lines could lead to rolling power blackouts in southeast New Mexico, as well as in El Paso, Texas.

Reynolds Wolf is here keeping an eye on this stuff and they said they had a window of opportunity when these winds died down to do what they could.

That window, you said, is closing as we speak.

REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It's about to slam shut.

HOLMES: Well, OK.

WOLF: It really is, quickly. We're seeing a lot of things change in terms of battling the blaze out over the four corners.

I have to tell you that when it comes to weather stories, this is one of my favorite things to cover, fires, obviously, a terrible thing and yes, it's a tragedy. But the men and women that battle these blazes do so with incredible dedication and professionalism. And, today, unfortunately, they're going to have the deck stacked against them greatly.

Winds expected to accelerate this morning, somewhat calm. But by this afternoon they will increase around 30 or 35 miles an hour. And near those high mountain passes, they may accelerate to around 40.

Now, a drop of rain anywhere in the fire area. We're seeing some radars picking up some precipitation farther to the north and central Rockies. But, unfortunately, far away from where they really could use the help from Mother Nature.

We're seeing scattered showers also this morning across parts of northern Michigan into the Ohio Valley and now surging into parts of the Northeast, and each one making the drive this morning along parts of 87. You're going to be seeing the scattered showers.

Also, just the west of New York, you've got the rainfall. And into the afternoon, you're going to see that begin to increase.

Now, there will be a chance of strong storms across parts of the Northeast as temperatures warm up to 72 in New York, but it may cool down a bit as that rain cooled air drifts into the region -- for Boston, 62 degrees your expected high. Memphis, 95, maybe a stray shower might cool you down. Into the afternoon, there is a chance of a pop-up storm in Atlanta with 93; 93 also for New Orleans, 94 in Houston. Back into Albuquerque, 91 and in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains; 99 in El Paso, 64 in Los Angeles, 62 in San Francisco, and mid-60s for Seattle.

That is a snapshot of your forecast. T.J., let's pitch it back to you.

HOLMES: All right. Reynolds, don't go too far. I'm about to get on the line with Suzanne Flory. She's with the U.S. Forest Service out there. And they are certainly working hard right now.

Ms. Flory, we appreciate with the work you're doing out there, you taking time out with us and give us that update. Our meteorologist here just explaining that window of opportunity with the weather giving you a window is about to slam shut. Are you all seeing that as the case out there for you as well?

SUZANNE FLORY, U.S. FOREST SERVICE (via telephone): Yes. Good morning. Yes, unfortunately, that's very accurate.

But the positive part of that is we did have two windows with a really good opportunity to get some operations done. Basically today, we're going to be tested to see how well we did building some lines.

HOLMES: Well, Ms. Flory, you said how well you were in building some of those lines. So, were you all in a mad scramble, if you will, knowing you had that window of opportunity? Was it just a flurry of activity for you all trying to get as much done as you could?

FLORY: That's a good description. Yes, there was a really strong sense of urgency yesterday, because not only are the winds supposed to be bad today, looking like we're going to have some more of the same tomorrow.

So, we knew that was coming. Our weather folks on the fire are great, giving us the head's up. So, yesterday, we wanted to get as much done as we could.

HOLMES: Ma'am, what's the update now on evacuations in the area, the possibility of anybody being able to go back into their homes as well. Just give us the update there.

FLORY: All the evacuations that happened are still in place and it's going to be a while for some of the smaller communities to get back in. There's still a lot of active fire in those communities.

Larger communities -- well, we're going to know more today after we see how we do with the winds.

HOLMES: What is your biggest fear right now? I guess there are so many, quite frankly, but as far as this fire getting closer to more populated areas, threatening more structures, I guess you've got so much out there to worry about?

But I guess, what, is there a main concern?

FLORY: One of the main concerns that we've been dealing with on this fire and one of the reasons that this fire is so large is because the winds, they're basically causing us to have these spot fires. These are the fires that are coming and happening across the line and when we have the winds, that's what we're chasing. So, we're concerned about those spot fires again.

HOLMES: And last thing here, there's been any word -- I believe there has been -- but as far as you know of any injuries to residents out there? And also, what's the update on your firefighters?

FLORY: This has been really fantastic and I'm glad to report we haven't had any injuries. We've had some folks with heat exhaustion and we heard yesterday the smoke levels are extremely dangerous. So, smoke has been kind of settling down and everybody found it a little rough and lots of coughing in the morning. But other than that, we're doing well.

HOLMES: Well, ma'am, that's great news to be able to report. Again, ma'am, we appreciate you taking the time to give us and our viewers an update. A lot of people are concerned out there.

But, good luck to you today. We'll continue to check in.

FLORY: Great. Thank you.

HOLMES: All right. Well, we are at seven minutes past the hour on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

Turn to the Anthony Weiner investigation or scandal as you could call it. A teenage girl received messages from the congressman and multiple reports say that girl was 17 years old. Anthony Weiner has admitted sending lewd photos to women he met online, but his representative said the girl in particular we're talking about now, this teenage girl, did not get any of those lewd messages.

Here is a statement from a spokesperson from Anthony Weiner saying, "According to the congressman, his communications with this person were neither explicit nor indecent." But Delaware police say detectives interviewed the girl, but she did not say anything about inappropriate contact by the congressman.

Weiner says he would welcome a House ethics investigation into the scandal. He may get one. Minority leader Nancy Pelosi has asked for one.

Weiner has apologized for this scandal but says he will not resign. The investigation would presumably look into whether he used government property, computers and phones to send those messages and he is getting one strong defender, that is Democratic Congressman Charlie Rangel. He, of course, was censured himself after a House investigation last year.

Listen to his defense of Weiner.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. CHARLES RANGEL (D), NEW YORK: I know one thing -- he wasn't going with prostitutes. He wasn't going out with little boys. He wasn't going into men's room with broad stances.

I mean, all of those things I understand, I'm 80 years old. But high-tech stuff like this, I can't respond. But, certainly, I know immoral sex when I hear it from other members, and no one has screamed for their resignation. So, I don't know why they are selecting Anthony.

REPORTER: You think he can be an effective congressman?

RANGEL: What?

REPORTER: Do you think he can be an effective congressman?

RANGEL: Only if the press gets off his back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Now again, Nancy Pelosi has asked for an ethics investigation. She asked for it this week. The ethics committee has yet to make a decision on that.

Well, in what may become the largest mass firing in the agency's history, the TSA is working to remove as many as 36 people at Honolulu's international airport -- including screeners and asked for an ethics investigation. This move comes after the TSA's investigation into claims that screeners routinely let unchecked bags on to planes during a four-month period late last year. At least 12 other TSA workers are facing suspension.

Well, lunch is getting expensive. How about more than $2.5 million for lunch? Not necessarily for the food, but for the company. That is how much one person is paying to eat a meal with billionaire Warren Buffett. Parts of Buffet's annual charity auction to benefit San Francisco's Glide Charity.

The anonymous winning bid was $2,626,411. That broke the old record by 100 bucks. Buffet has been doing this since 2000. The winning bid back then, just $25,000.

Now, 10 minutes past the hour now.

They are literally running for their lives. Anti-government protesters in Syria facing bullets from troops. Now, they are streaming across the border into Turkey. Their story is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: At quarter past the hour on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

Syrian protesters want a new government. They've taken to the streets for peaceful protests, but those protests have been met with gunfire from their government. Now, many are fleeing for their lives.

Our Arwa Damon is across the border in Turkey where many of the people are ending up and she joins me now.

Arwa, just how many people are we talking about? Are they coming in large numbers?

ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Well, most certainly would appear to be the case, T.J. Thousands have fled across the border following the Syrian government's most recent military crackdown in the northwestern part of the country.

Just to update you on casualty tolls from yesterday's demonstrations, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 25 people were killed during demonstrations. And yesterday, eyewitnesses and activists were telling us that, once again, Syrian security forces indiscriminately opened fire on unarmed civilians.

The military crackdown does appear to be focused in the northwestern part of the country, centering around the town of Jisr al-Shughour. Residents have been describing it to something of a ghost town. Most of the families fled, some have been crossing --

HOLMES: It looks like we did -- we did lose our Arwa Damon, who is keeping an eye on things for us. You're seeing some of the latest videos we're getting. But these protesters have been at it for some three months on the streets, peaceful protests that have been met by gunfire.

U.N. is reporting that maybe 1,000 people have been killed in the past three months while much of this has been going on.

And as our Arwa Damon was reporting, many people are running for their lives now, just leaving, fleeing, getting out of Syria, going across the border in Turkey. And as Arwa saying there, many of them, they are starting to show up in large numbers there.

But a continuing situation there in Syria. We continue to follow it. We'll try to get our Arwa Damon back up a little later.

I want to turn to Pakistan where the CIA director has shown up. We're talking about Leon Panetta. He says the U.S. commitment to Pakistan is strong. He is there this morning.

He is -- as you know as well -- said to become the secretary of defense next month. But on this trip, he's hoping to mend political forces strained by the U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden and continuing air strikes targeting militants along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Well, stick around for this next one. It ought to be interesting. Money, one of the top five reasons that people get divorced. Half of couples don't even talk about finances before they get married, and that is a problem.

Coming up, we will have a discussion on a taboo topic. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Clyde and I nervous about this topic this morning.

All right. It's June, big month for weddings. Congratulations.

Some folks out are getting married today. Congratulations.

Did you talk about money?

We have a survey, a new one out from Country Financial that says half of couples don't even talk about money before taking their vows.

Financial analyst Clyde Anderson here -- how big of a mistake is that not even talk about it?

CLYDE ANDERSON, FINANCIAL ANALYST: It's a huge mistake. It's a huge mistake. And that's why we're seeing big problems in marriages -- I mean, because money is a big issue.

HOLMES: OK. Why don't we talk about it?

ANDERSON: You know, it's not sexy. It's not something that we want to talk about.

HOLMES: Not sexy?

ANDERSON: It's not sexy to talk about money. It's crazy that we would rather talk about sex than we talk about money.

Money is a taboo topic that a lot don't feel comfortable. It's emotional. You know, it's not that emotional tie and we just don't feel comfortable about talking about it. And sometimes we're embarrassed.

HOLMES: OK. Why do we have to do it anyway?

ANDERSON: Well, I think it's crucial for several different reasons. I mean, right now, in the economy that we're in right now, in the recession, you want to know what you're getting into. What are we buying into? You know, do you have outstanding debt, you know, student loans?

And also, you need to treat yourself like a business. You know, I am the CEO of my corporation. That's I am Anderson incorporated and my family are the shareholders.

HOLMES: OK. Well, our conversation before I got married, a little over a year ago was: I'm broke, you're broke, let's do this.

(LAUGHTER)

HOLMES: But how are you supposed to break that ice? How do you even start in on that conversation? Because it can be offensive to some points.

ANDERSON: Yes, it can be. But, again, if you've gotten to this point, you've probably shared intimate moments. And there's been sometimes --

HOLMES: I like how you put that.

ANDERSON: Right. So, this is time to really kind of have this conversation. Let's talk about not pulling each other's credit. Let's have a time, date.

HOLMES: Wow. Really?

ANDERSON: Let's pull the credit. Let's know what's on the credit. Where are you? Where am I? You know, where --

HOLMES: I said how do you break the ice? You can't say let me see your credit score.

ANDERSON: At this point in the relationship, you should be able to.

HOLMES: All right. Let's go through this. The four questions you have to ask each other.

ANDERSON: Yes, the four questions.

First thing you've got to figure out -- what assets do you have right now? What do you have right now? What are you worth? You know, do you have money in retirement accounts? Do you have money stashed in a checking or savings account? Any sort of IRA?

What do you have? What are you worth right now?

HOLMES: All right.

ANDERSON: And the next thing I think we really need to look at is how do you earn money? What do you do? What streams of income that you have outside of your regular 9:00 to 5:00 job? Maybe there's part-time income, and there's dividend income. All the types of income that you have.

And also we want to know is where you keep your money. Checking, savings. Do you have any other accounts? Different investment funds? You know, where is the money?

And also, how do you spend money.

HOLMES: Now, what does that mean? ANDERSON: How do you spend money? Really, what are your liabilities? You know, what are you spending your money on? What do you have outstanding? Those types of things.

HOLMES: OK. Not necessarily, hey, do you -- do you go buy TV or that kind of thing? Much bigger --

ANDERSON: It's much bigger. Kind of where is it going, you know? I got to get an idea of how you behave.

HOLMES: OK. Let's show this here, a new survey from Country Financial, why -- why might some people choose these options. How couples manage their bank accounts.

Now, what are they supposed -- completely joint. Now, 71 percent do that. Partially joint, 21 percent. Completely separate, 8 percent.

Now, I would think that number would be higher. I talked to a lot of people who keep their money completely separate.

ANDERSON: A lot of people may say that.

HOLMES: OK. They lie.

ANDERSON: It sounds good when you say that. But, again, this is one of the things that has caused tension in a lot of relationships. You know, where is the money kept? Do we have one joint account or it's a separate account?

So, you can see -- 71 percent. It's a huge, huge percentage.

So, I recently polled people on Facebook to see what it was, and it was crazy. It was really interesting to have this conversation.

HOLMES: OK.

ANDERSON: And I've got mixed results. But we got some of the comments. And one of the comments said, no, you should act on one account, on one accord. This is separatism in a marriage.

So, they're looking at it as, if we keep different accounts, we're separating ourselves. We're one. This is a union that we have.

HOLMES: That makes sense.

ANDERSON: Treat ourselves as one.

HOLMES: That makes sense.

ANDERSON: Now, some people believe, the next comment said, "My husband and I have separate accounts and joint account." And so, what they're saying basically is that they take the money from those individual accounts and they pick a percentage and put it into their joint accounts. And so, you're seeing a lot of different things but I think it's based on your personality. So, everybody is going to have different cases based on who you are and how your emotions relate to money.

HOLMES: Man.

ANDERSON: Yes.

HOLMES: I hate when you have a topic, I got to go home and fight about afterwards.

(LAUGHTER)

ANDERSON: But you have to talk about it.

HOLMES: Clyde, good to see you as always, buddy. That will help some folks out.

If you're getting married today, just save this conversation for another time. Just enjoy your wedding day. Don't bring this up today. But few other folks -- maybe next week, you got a little time to talk about it.

Clyde, appreciate you as always.

All right. It's 25 minutes past the hour now.

We've been keeping an eye on what's happening in Arizona. Firefighters out there are making a bit of progress out there, fighting what could become the largest wildfire in that state's history, but the weather conditions are changing today and that is going to be a setback.

Stay here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Well, some of the stories making headlines this morning:

Strong winds and lower humidity could spell some trouble for firefighters in Arizona today. The state's second largest wildfire in history has burned nearly 410,000 acres, destroyed 29 homes, threatening some 5,200 more. Also, transmission lines that supply power to hundreds of thousands may also be threatened.

Also this morning, thousands of e-mails Sarah Palin sent and received while she was governor of Alaska have been released, some 24,000 pages. You see that there? The media has been asking for the records for years. There are still close to 2,300 pages that have not been disclosed.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Health officials in Missouri say eight people who are injured in last month's tornado in Joplin have contracted a rare type of fungus. Three have died. One of those deaths directly linked to the infection, which can occur when dirt becomes lodged under the skin. Doctors say people with weakened immune systems maybe more susceptible and anyone hurt while in the tornado zone should get prompt medical attention.

I'll be back with you at the top of the hour with more live news.

Right now, it's time for the good doctor.