Detecting language using up to the first 30 seconds. Use `--language` to specify the language Detected language: English [00:00.000 --> 00:07.000] College without it, if there was one thing I could say to Hank, it'd be thank you. [00:07.000 --> 00:08.000] You're welcome. [00:08.000 --> 00:09.000] Hey Hank. [00:09.000 --> 00:12.000] Life insurance you can use while you're still living. [00:12.000 --> 00:14.000] You are one lucky lady. [00:14.000 --> 00:17.000] Learn more from your State Farm agent today. [00:22.000 --> 00:25.000] Hello everyone, I'm Frederica Whitfield. Let's get right to the news right now. [00:25.000 --> 00:31.000] In the newsroom, this new year begins with more suspicious car fires in the Los Angeles area. [00:31.000 --> 00:35.000] Officials said today the number of fires has risen to 39. [00:35.000 --> 00:42.000] Someone or a group is torching vehicles and in some cases those fires spread to buildings and homes, [00:42.000 --> 00:46.000] including one once occupied by singer Jim Morrison of The Doors. [00:49.000 --> 00:52.000] The acts we've seen over the last 72 hours here in these communities [00:52.000 --> 00:56.000] have kept these public safety professionals up at night working tirelessly. [00:56.000 --> 01:03.000] Since December 30th, the Los Angeles Fire Department alone has responded to over 3,300 calls for service in the city. [01:04.000 --> 01:11.000] Police and fire officials are asking the public for information or surveillance video that may help them catch those responsible. [01:11.000 --> 01:14.000] A $60,000 reward is being offered in the case. [01:14.000 --> 01:19.000] And four Republican presidential candidates left off the Virginia primary ballot [01:19.000 --> 01:23.000] are joining rival Rick Perry by suing the state election board. [01:23.000 --> 01:26.000] They are disputing laws they say are unconstitutional. [01:26.000 --> 01:32.000] Michelle Bachmann, Jon Huntsman, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich joined the suit yesterday. [01:32.000 --> 01:36.000] Only Mitt Romney and Ron Paul are on the Virginia ballot. [01:36.000 --> 01:43.000] And Iranian scientists have reportedly produced and tested a nuclear fuel rod containing natural uranium. [01:43.000 --> 01:48.000] That's according to an announcement posted on Iran's Atomic Energy Agency website. [01:48.000 --> 01:54.000] If true, it's the first time Iran has progressed so far in its nuclear program. [01:54.000 --> 02:01.000] The state-run news service also said today the military test-fired medium-range anti-radar missiles today. [02:01.000 --> 02:07.000] The arrival of the new year did not ease tension on the streets in Syria. [02:07.000 --> 02:14.000] An activist group says at least 10 people died today in violent clashes between riot police and anti-government protesters. [02:14.000 --> 02:18.000] That's despite the presence of an Arab League monitoring mission. [02:18.000 --> 02:27.000] People filled public spaces across Syria again today, optimistic that this year will mark the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. [02:27.000 --> 02:35.000] A huge blow for the handful of owners of the high-end hybrid vehicle known as Fisker Karma. [02:35.000 --> 02:41.000] The 239 vehicles on the road have been recalled because of a fire hazard under the hood. [02:41.000 --> 02:45.000] The maker, Fisker Automotive, wants to replace the batteries. [02:45.000 --> 02:51.000] This picture is of an older model. Sticker prices start at about $100,000. [02:51.000 --> 02:57.000] In just two days, the first real test of the Republican presidential candidates unfolds in Iowa. [02:57.000 --> 03:07.000] Ahead of Tuesday's caucuses, the Des Moines Register's poll has Rick Santorum in third place behind Mitt Romney and Ron Paul in first and second. [03:07.000 --> 03:11.000] Still, the poll shows a large number of Iowa voters undecided. [03:11.000 --> 03:16.000] CNN's Joe Johns is live in Atlantic, Iowa with the latest for us right now. [03:16.000 --> 03:23.000] So we know that Mitt Romney and Ron Paul have to feel pretty galvanized by that latest poll. [03:23.000 --> 03:28.000] I think so. I mean, it's pretty clear that Mitt Romney is feeling confident. [03:28.000 --> 03:34.000] He's not saying that he's going to win here in Iowa, but he's expecting to do pretty well. [03:34.000 --> 03:42.000] The Ron Paul campaign is certainly very confident, too, Fred, simply because they know that their supporters are very reliable. [03:42.000 --> 03:49.000] They expect them to show up. They think that their supporters are very fervent, and so that makes a difference for them as well. [03:49.000 --> 03:59.000] But Rick Santorum is probably the most interesting story happening here in Iowa right now, and that's because he's surging. [03:59.000 --> 04:08.000] If you look at that poll you referred to, he's in third place. It's all fairly tightly bunched, not within the statistical margin of error. [04:08.000 --> 04:17.000] Fairly tightly bunched, but if you look at just the last two days, he is closer to second, maybe one or two points out there. [04:17.000 --> 04:28.000] So this is a guy who's been all over this state. He's been here about 100 different days in Iowa. [04:28.000 --> 04:37.000] He's done something like 350 town halls here in Iowa, and he's been to 99, all 99 counties in the state. [04:37.000 --> 04:44.000] So people know him, and he's a pretty good fit for them as well because of his conservative views. [04:44.000 --> 04:56.000] And the way he talks to the voters is a way that they understand, if you will, a lot of social conservatives and evangelicals in this state vote in the Iowa caucuses. [04:56.000 --> 05:12.000] So there's a lot of hope there in their campaign that this surge means they're going to do very well and that they will in fact get one of the tickets out of here to move on and expect some real momentum going into, say, New Hampshire and South Carolina. [05:12.000 --> 05:29.000] Alright, and talk about hope, Joe. Michelle Bachmann is still talking that she's seeing victory because she says she won that Iowa straw poll, and despite what the polls are saying overnight, she still feels very confident that Iowa is going to vote well for her. [05:29.000 --> 05:43.000] And look, I mean, you can have surprises happen here in Iowa. This is a very authoritative poll. You know, it's very trustworthy and done by great people. [05:43.000 --> 05:52.000] That said, there are something like 41 percent of the people who are expected to go and vote say they could change their minds. [05:52.000 --> 06:08.000] So it's not written in stone that they're going to vote for the people they're supporting at this moment. And four years ago, there's some suggestion that something like 17 percent of the caucus goers actually decided who they were going to choose on the day of the caucuses. [06:08.000 --> 06:23.000] So there's room for, you know, some change here. And who knows what's going to happen at the end of the day. It depends a lot of times on the person who shows up and speaks for the individual candidate. [06:23.000 --> 06:32.000] And, you know, things can happen at these caucuses that don't necessarily happen in a primary. So never say never for Michelle Bachmann or anything else. [06:32.000 --> 06:38.000] That's exactly what she wants people to say. Right. All right. Joe Johns, thanks so much in Atlantic, Iowa. [06:38.000 --> 06:42.000] All right. So let's talk more about why Iowa is so pivotal in the Republican race. [06:42.000 --> 06:48.000] Or is it? Carol Hunter, the politics editor for the Des Moines Register, joining me right now. [06:48.000 --> 06:56.000] So, Carol, let's begin, you know, with your papers polling showing a surge for Rick Santorum and Thurman, Romney and Ron Paul leading one and two. [06:56.000 --> 07:08.000] How was that poll conducted? Well, we poll independents and Republicans and ask if they're going to go to the precincts on caucus night. [07:08.000 --> 07:15.000] So it's a poll just of likely Republican caucus goers. We polled six hundred and two individuals. [07:15.000 --> 07:25.000] So it's a big sample size. But still, our pollster and seltzer will tell you there are all sorts of factors that make a polling for the caucuses very tricky. [07:25.000 --> 07:32.000] And there are all sorts of factors that come into whether people show up for that caucus. We can see right there it's extremely windy. [07:32.000 --> 07:36.000] There have been some pretty severe winds throughout today. Now, let's look at the forecast. [07:36.000 --> 07:45.000] What does Tuesday hold and how might those big winds or cold temperatures impact who shows up for the caucuses? [07:45.000 --> 07:52.000] Well, all of a sudden it feels like January in Iowa. We had had some fairly warm weather. [07:52.000 --> 07:59.000] But now it does come down to getting those caucus goers out on Tuesday night. [07:59.000 --> 08:09.000] The general rule of thumb is thought that if it's really bad weather that that Ron Paul might benefit because he does have this very loyal group of followers. [08:09.000 --> 08:14.000] But you can bet that all of the campaigns are out making their final touches. [08:14.000 --> 08:23.000] We've like to have said that the final week here is the sprint. Well, this day and caucus day is the lunge. [08:23.000 --> 08:31.000] It's about touching caucus goers, calling them, having another Iowan call them and ask them to get there on caucus night. [08:31.000 --> 08:38.000] Well, you and I spoke earlier and you talked about how this caucus traditionally is one that kind of widdles the field. [08:38.000 --> 08:47.000] Is that still the feeling that this will go as conventional wisdom has gone for Iowa caucuses? [08:47.000 --> 08:55.000] Yes, I think it's very tough if you fall out of that top three or especially four to go forward with much confidence. [08:55.000 --> 09:00.000] The money dries up for one thing. The money starts flowing to the people who do the best. [09:00.000 --> 09:12.000] So as much as confidence as someone like a Michelle Bachmann does express and as they say, you don't rule anything out with the caucuses until caucus night. [09:12.000 --> 09:19.000] The votes are counted. It's hard to foresee her doing well if she comes in in sixth place. [09:19.000 --> 09:26.000] Wow. All right. Carol Hunter, thanks so much for braving the conditions out there from the Des Moines Register as politics editor. [09:26.000 --> 09:30.000] Appreciate that. And all the best come Tuesday for the big caucus day. [09:30.000 --> 09:36.000] All right. A dangerous start to the new year. Cars are being torched in the Los Angeles area. [09:36.000 --> 09:57.000] Who's to blame and why? We talked live to the city's supervisor next. [09:57.000 --> 10:18.000] What I want this season, you'd like to try and get something. [10:18.000 --> 10:22.000] Thinking of others this holiday season. Travelers. [10:22.000 --> 10:33.000] Splenda no calorie sweetener is sweet and more if you replace three tablespoons of sugar a day with Splenda, you'll save 100 calories a day. [10:33.000 --> 10:39.000] That could help you lose up to 10 pounds in a year and now get even more with Splenda Essentials, [10:39.000 --> 10:45.000] the only line of sweeteners with a small boost of fiber or antioxidants or B vitamins in every packet. [10:45.000 --> 10:52.000] Just another reason why you get more when you sweeten with Splenda. [10:52.000 --> 10:57.000] So you're looking for help with your mortgage, worried about foreclosure. [10:57.000 --> 11:13.000] We can help you keep your house. All we ask for in return is that you submit to our plans for galactic domination. [11:13.000 --> 11:17.000] Sign. If you're facing foreclosure, talk to the right people. [11:17.000 --> 11:21.000] Speak with HUD approved housing counselors free of charge at 888-995-HOPE. [11:21.000 --> 11:25.000] My name is Erin. I love traveling and telling stories. [11:25.000 --> 11:27.000] I'm going to be in Dubai telling that global story. [11:27.000 --> 11:31.000] We have 90 seconds. You get something that tries to get right at the truth. [11:31.000 --> 11:33.000] This is what America's future is dealing with. [11:33.000 --> 11:52.000] I'm Bernat out front Monday night at 7 Eastern on CNN. [11:52.000 --> 11:57.000] Closed captioning brought to you by find God's match for you free at Christianmingle.com. [11:57.000 --> 11:59.000] Single Christians. Good news. [11:59.000 --> 12:03.000] Almost 2 million new members have joined Christianmingle.com in the past year alone. [12:03.000 --> 12:09.000] Join for free and find God's match for you at Christianmingle.com. [12:09.000 --> 12:13.000] A dangerous arson spree is sweeping the Los Angeles area. [12:13.000 --> 12:17.000] Someone or group is setting parked cars on fire. [12:17.000 --> 12:22.000] Today, city officials said the number of fires has risen to 39 since Friday. [12:22.000 --> 12:31.000] But not just cars have burned, buildings and homes, including one once occupied by singer Jim Morrison, have the doors. [12:31.000 --> 12:40.000] In a general sense, most of these fires have started as a result of something that ignites a vehicle fire next to a structure in certain cases. [12:40.000 --> 12:47.000] So we are seeing auto fires as one of the primary incendiary items that happens first. [12:47.000 --> 12:50.000] So that's what we're looking for. But that doesn't mean that's the only thing out there. [12:50.000 --> 12:55.000] And just like we're keeping our eyes on these communities, there's other communities out there that are watching for us. [12:55.000 --> 13:02.000] So most of these have been auto fires that have led or exposed on to an apartment building, and that's where there's a lot of our biggest threat. [13:02.000 --> 13:09.000] They are working on hundreds of clues, interviewing dozens of witnesses, picking up countless pieces of evidence, [13:09.000 --> 13:16.000] and working together in a coordinated effort to try and solve this problem and to work with the arson investigators who are our lead [13:16.000 --> 13:20.000] and to solve this problem and to catch this guy and put him in custody. [13:20.000 --> 13:26.000] All right, a frightening situation. Joining me right now, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. [13:26.000 --> 13:34.000] So Zev, is there surveillance video anywhere that just might help you find a suspect or two? [13:34.000 --> 13:41.000] Well, my understanding is there is some surveillance video. I don't know to what extent it's helped. It can't hurt. [13:41.000 --> 13:48.000] There are a lot of leads being processed by the Arson Task Force, which is made up of the County Sheriff's Department and the LA Police Department [13:48.000 --> 13:53.000] and the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms folks. They're going to catch this guy or these people. [13:53.000 --> 13:58.000] There is no question in my mind about it. It's just a matter of time, and the sooner the better. [13:58.000 --> 14:05.000] This guy right now has been an arsonist, but if somebody gets hurt or killed, suddenly that becomes attempted murder or murder. [14:05.000 --> 14:12.000] So this arsonist or arsonist would be well advised to knock it off and turn himself in because he's going to do some hard time, very hard time. [14:12.000 --> 14:22.000] So besides the fact that there are cars being targeted, is there a common thread here, types of vehicles, the way in which they're parked, the types of neighborhoods? [14:22.000 --> 14:30.000] Well, I don't want to get into any detail, but I think it's common knowledge that the most common detail is that these cars are parked. [14:30.000 --> 14:37.000] Most of them are parked in ground-level parking garages with an apartment building that overhangs the garage. [14:37.000 --> 14:46.000] So they light the fire in the car, and the flames then rise to the second floor, and in several cases have engulfed the apartment buildings involved. [14:46.000 --> 14:51.000] Fortunately, no one has been hurt or killed to this point, but I think that's just a matter of luck. [14:51.000 --> 14:57.000] People are being very vigilant in the communities. The communities in question are very dense communities, apartment houses. [14:57.000 --> 15:04.000] There's not a lot of room, so the fire gets through the car and into the building, and you're in a conflagration. [15:04.000 --> 15:09.000] But people are being very, very vigilant, and we're asking people to be vigilant. [15:09.000 --> 15:15.000] If they see any suspicious activity around a car or a parking garage, to call 911 immediately. [15:15.000 --> 15:25.000] And if anyone has any information that they want to share with law enforcement, the Arson Task Force, to call 1-800-222-8477. [15:25.000 --> 15:30.000] It's 222-TIPS. They will take your information anonymously and process it. [15:30.000 --> 15:39.000] Again, I say I think they're making progress, and I have no doubt in my mind that the person or persons involved in this are going to be apprehended soon enough. [15:39.000 --> 15:44.000] Okay, so one more time, that tip line, 1-800-222-8477. [15:44.000 --> 15:54.000] Are there at least any eyewitnesses that have given you any general descriptions of who may be behind this? [15:54.000 --> 16:01.000] I'm not aware personally of that, but the Arson Task Force I'm sure is, I know is processing every lead. [16:01.000 --> 16:05.000] They have an unprecedented number of detectives and investigators working on this right now. [16:05.000 --> 16:11.000] The volume of calls in the fire department over the last 72 hours has increased 17% over the same period last year. [16:11.000 --> 16:13.000] It gives you an idea of what the workload is. [16:13.000 --> 16:20.000] So they're working 24 hours, and they're going to break this case. These are the best in the business. [16:20.000 --> 16:27.000] All right, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, thanks so much for your time and all the best and best of luck in this investigation. [16:27.000 --> 16:28.000] Happy New Year. [16:28.000 --> 16:29.000] Happy New Year to you. [16:29.000 --> 16:37.000] So from California to Hawaii, the New Year begins with new laws that could affect the way all of us vote. [16:37.000 --> 16:39.000] We'll highlight some of them next. [16:39.000 --> 17:05.000] And taking you to the biggest New Year's festivities from New York and other cities around the world, that's coming up next. [17:09.000 --> 17:12.000] A range of coverages to choose from. [17:12.000 --> 17:13.000] Who is she? [17:13.000 --> 17:17.000] That's FlowBot. She's this new robot we're trying out, mostly for like small stuff. [17:17.000 --> 17:20.000] Wow, look at her go. [17:20.000 --> 17:23.000] She's pretty good. She's pretty good. [17:23.000 --> 17:28.000] Hey FlowBot, great job. Oops. [17:28.000 --> 17:31.000] Uh oh, FlowBot is broken. [17:31.000 --> 17:34.000] The Name Your Price tool, only from Progressive. Call or click today. [17:34.000 --> 17:36.000] Hey Tylenol, you know, we're kind of like twins. [17:36.000 --> 17:37.000] We are? [17:37.000 --> 17:40.000] Yeah, we both relieve coughs, sneezing, aches, fevers. [17:40.000 --> 17:42.000] And I relieve nasal congestion. [17:42.000 --> 17:44.000] Overachiever. [17:44.000 --> 17:47.000] Tylenol cold multi-symptom nighttime relieves nasal congestion. [17:47.000 --> 17:51.000] NyQuil cold and flu doesn't. [17:51.000 --> 17:52.000] Alright, Happy New Year. [17:52.000 --> 17:57.000] 2012 entered with a big bang and cheers from New York to Rio de Janeiro. [17:57.000 --> 18:22.000] Take a look. [18:22.000 --> 18:28.000] Woo! [18:28.000 --> 18:53.000] Woo! [18:53.000 --> 19:12.000] Omega, Shaman Dragon, K. [19:12.000 --> 19:41.000] Shaman Dragon, K. [19:41.000 --> 19:42.000] Alright, Happy New Year. [19:42.000 --> 19:43.000] Hopefully it was festive. [19:43.000 --> 19:45.000] So how did you ring in the New Year? [19:45.000 --> 19:50.000] With a family tradition or perhaps keeping with a superstition or two? [19:50.000 --> 19:53.000] Some people actually eat certain foods like Black Eyed Peas for good luck. [19:53.000 --> 19:57.000] Or they make sure to have money in their pockets at midnight. [19:57.000 --> 20:03.000] So write me at Twitter or Facebook and we'll read some of your responses coming up a little bit later. [20:03.000 --> 20:08.000] Alright, the first presidential political race of the New Year kicking off Tuesday. [20:08.000 --> 20:14.000] The big push by the candidates on the airwaves. [20:38.000 --> 20:56.000] Alright, let's see. [20:56.000 --> 20:59.000] Reindeer check, toys check, Xfinity. [20:59.000 --> 21:00.000] Check. [21:00.000 --> 21:03.000] With all those HDTVs, everybody's going to want even more movies and shows. [21:03.000 --> 21:04.000] Nice. [21:04.000 --> 21:06.000] Hey, what do you got under the hood? [21:06.000 --> 21:07.000] 350 horsepower. [21:07.000 --> 21:08.000] Eight reindeer. [21:08.000 --> 21:10.000] You want to go? [21:10.000 --> 21:12.000] I'll unhook two of them. [21:12.000 --> 21:15.000] Bring joy to your toys with Xfinity from Comcast. [21:15.000 --> 21:21.000] Upgrade to digital preferred and get more kids, movie and sports channels for just $9.99 more a month for 12 months. [21:21.000 --> 21:25.000] Call 1-800-XFINITY today. [21:25.000 --> 21:33.000] The Situation with Wolf Blitzer, Monday afternoon at 4 Eastern on CNN. [21:33.000 --> 21:43.000] And this just in to CNN, we want to bring you, CNN has just confirmed that a U.S. Forest Service Ranger at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State has been shot and killed. [21:43.000 --> 21:46.000] Still unclear the circumstances of what took place. [21:46.000 --> 21:50.000] According to the park spokesperson, however, the gunman is still at large. [21:50.000 --> 21:57.000] We'll bring you up to date when we get more information about that investigation unfolding right now. [21:57.000 --> 22:06.000] Meantime, the Sunday talk shows were wall to wall with the Republican candidates giving their final pitches before Tuesday's Iowa caucuses. [22:06.000 --> 22:12.000] Take a listen and look. [22:12.000 --> 22:16.000] What do you think the appeal is there with Rick Santorum? [22:16.000 --> 22:21.000] Why has he suddenly become kind of the person to watch? [22:21.000 --> 22:25.000] Well, maybe it's the people who just got frustrated with the other ones and they're just shifting their views. [22:25.000 --> 22:28.000] That's one thing you can't say about my supporters, they don't shift their views. [22:28.000 --> 22:31.000] I'm the strongest core conservative in this race. [22:31.000 --> 22:36.000] There is no comparison with all of the other candidates in my credentials. [22:36.000 --> 22:40.000] No other candidate has current national security experience in the race. [22:40.000 --> 22:43.000] I sit on the House Intelligence Committee. [22:43.000 --> 22:46.000] I am daily involved with the issue of national security. [22:46.000 --> 22:48.000] No other candidate is. [22:48.000 --> 22:53.000] Why should those voters caucus for you Tuesday night and not for Rick Santorum? [22:53.000 --> 22:56.000] I'm not just focused on that set of voters. [22:56.000 --> 23:02.000] We're reaching out to everyone who wants to see America back working again and I've got a track record of doing it. [23:02.000 --> 23:04.000] My surge is going to come on January 3rd. [23:04.000 --> 23:10.000] After the people of Iowa do what they do, which is actually analyze the candidates, figure out where their positions are, [23:10.000 --> 23:22.000] find out who's the right leader, who's got what it takes to defeat Barack Obama and to lead this country. [23:22.000 --> 23:32.000] I'm wondering if some of these attacks on you that have been out there for the past 10 days have given you any pause about staying inside the Republican Party? [23:32.000 --> 23:37.000] I haven't even thought about it except when people like you keep asking me about it because I have a race going. [23:37.000 --> 23:44.000] I'm essentially tied for first place and why would I even consider doing anything like that? [23:44.000 --> 23:46.000] But I don't like absolutes. [23:46.000 --> 23:49.000] I don't want to say I will never do so and so. [23:49.000 --> 23:57.000] Your Iowa State Chair, Kent Sorensen, a state senator here, jumped ship, went to work last Wednesday for Ron Paul. [23:57.000 --> 24:04.000] You claim that he told you that it was about money, but then when your deputy campaign manager, a fellow named Wes Enos, said, [24:04.000 --> 24:09.000] no, that's not true, it wasn't about money, he was let go, is your campaign in disarray? [24:09.000 --> 24:11.000] Oh, absolutely not. [24:11.000 --> 24:18.000] The other part that you failed to report is that there are other people outside the campaign who said that he also told them that he had received money. [24:18.000 --> 24:20.000] So this is pretty clear. [24:20.000 --> 24:27.000] And remember, this Tuesday night, the Iowa caucuses watch it all unfold live with the best political team on television. [24:27.000 --> 24:36.000] America's Choice 2012 coverage of the Iowa caucuses beginning Tuesday night, January 3rd, 7 p.m. Eastern time right here on CNN. [24:36.000 --> 24:45.000] And as we count down to the Iowa caucuses, Anderson Cooper takes a closer look at what each of the candidates is doing to win last minute support [24:45.000 --> 24:48.000] and count down to Iowa final 48 hours. [24:48.000 --> 24:52.000] That's tonight, 8 p.m. Eastern time right here on CNN. [24:52.000 --> 25:01.000] All right, the number two New Year's resolution behind your health, usually number one, your financial health, eliminating debt. [25:01.000 --> 25:05.000] We've got help for you from our financial expert, Karen Lee, up next. [25:05.000 --> 25:09.000] Plus, the New Year is ushering in new voter laws that could affect you. [25:09.000 --> 25:23.000] We'll run through some of them. [25:23.000 --> 25:29.000] Our economy, our workforce, we've all taken some big hits. [25:29.000 --> 25:39.000] But this is America with more energy from coal, the fuel that supplies nearly half our electricity affordably. [25:39.000 --> 25:47.000] We'll keep energy costs in check, jobs in America, and together we will power the next great comeback. [25:47.000 --> 25:54.000] Clean coal. That's America's power. [25:54.000 --> 26:05.000] Sitting in the rear seat, you can chill your drinks, get a massage, put your feet up, and watch DVDs. [26:05.000 --> 26:12.000] There's really only one thing you can't do, drive. [26:12.000 --> 26:20.000] Ranked highest in vehicle appeal by J.D. Power and Associates, the Equus from Hyundai. [26:20.000 --> 26:24.000] It's the little things in life that make me smile, spending the day with my niece. [26:24.000 --> 26:28.000] I don't use Super Polygrip for hold because my dentures fit well. [26:28.000 --> 26:33.000] Before, those little pieces would get in between my dentures and my gum, and it was uncomfortable. [26:33.000 --> 26:35.000] Even well-fitting dentures let in food particles. [26:35.000 --> 26:37.000] Super Polygrip is zinc-free. [26:37.000 --> 26:43.000] With just a few dabs, it's clinically proven to seal out more food particles so you're more comfortable and confident while you eat. [26:43.000 --> 26:47.000] So it's not about keeping my dentures in, it's about keeping the food particles out. [26:47.000 --> 26:49.000] Try zinc-free Super Polygrip. [26:49.000 --> 26:52.000] Lactaid milk is easy to digest. [26:52.000 --> 26:58.000] It's real milk full of calcium and vitamin D and tastes simply delicious. [26:58.000 --> 27:04.000] For those of us with lactose intolerance, Lactaid milk, the original 100% lactose-free milk. [27:04.000 --> 27:06.000] Single Christians, good news. [27:06.000 --> 27:11.000] At ChristianMingle.com, members send more than 100,000 messages every day. [27:11.000 --> 27:15.000] Without sending one of those messages, I never would have met my beautiful wife. [27:15.000 --> 27:17.000] Joining is easy and free. [27:17.000 --> 27:20.000] Find God's match for you at ChristianMingle.com today. [27:47.000 --> 27:51.000] Inventors, do you have an idea for an invention or a new product? [27:51.000 --> 27:55.000] InventHelp can help you try to patent your idea and submit it to companies. [27:55.000 --> 27:58.000] Call today for your free information. [28:02.000 --> 28:04.000] Hello to our top stories right now. [28:04.000 --> 28:07.000] A mild earthquake shook eastern Ohio yesterday. [28:07.000 --> 28:11.000] It registered about 4.0 and struck about a week ago. [28:11.000 --> 28:13.000] It was a very strong earthquake. [28:13.000 --> 28:17.000] A small earthquake rattled the same area. [28:17.000 --> 28:20.000] Residents said they saw houses moving. [28:20.000 --> 28:27.000] State officials are exploring a theory that a large-scale well project might be contributing to seismic activity. [28:27.000 --> 28:33.000] And despite intense GOP opposition, new light bulb standards are being phased in starting today. [28:33.000 --> 28:38.000] Conservatives have blasted the rules as a classic case of unnecessary federal regulation. [28:38.000 --> 28:47.000] Congress passed the 2007 energy law requiring traditional incandescent bulbs to be 30% more efficient in 2012. [28:47.000 --> 28:58.000] Critics argue that the rules would greatly restrict consumer choices by pushing out traditional incandescent bulbs in favor of more expensive LED bulbs. [28:58.000 --> 29:02.000] And some new voter laws are hitting the books this new year. [29:02.000 --> 29:09.000] Athena Jones is live in Washington with a look at some of the new laws taking effect. Athena? [29:09.000 --> 29:14.000] Yes, hello. We thought we'd just give you a sampling of a wide range of laws that are coming onto the books today. [29:14.000 --> 29:16.000] Let's start with North Carolina. [29:16.000 --> 29:23.000] There, people who live overseas are going to have an easier time registering to vote and voting, whether they're service members or civilians. [29:23.000 --> 29:25.000] Let's move on to California. [29:25.000 --> 29:26.000] Interesting new law there. [29:26.000 --> 29:29.000] Joins the state to the National Popular Vote Compact. [29:29.000 --> 29:36.000] Now, that's the agreement among several states to give all of their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the nationwide popular vote. [29:36.000 --> 29:43.000] Now, of course, it doesn't go into effect until states that hold 270 electoral votes, that's what it takes to win the presidency, have passed the law. [29:43.000 --> 29:47.000] They're about halfway there. Several more states have to pass it before it goes into effect. [29:47.000 --> 29:55.000] Another interesting California law will allow new citizens to register to vote and to vote all the way up to and through election day. [29:55.000 --> 30:01.000] Now, one big thing that's been a trend this past year with state legislatures across the country has been voter ID laws. [30:01.000 --> 30:08.000] As of right now, some 31 states require some form of identification to vote, whether it's a photo or without a photo. [30:08.000 --> 30:15.000] And starting today, voters in Tennessee and Kansas will be required to present a photo ID in order to vote. [30:15.000 --> 30:20.000] I should mention that Texas has also passed a voter ID law, but under the Voting Rights Act, [30:20.000 --> 30:24.000] it has to be pre-cleared by the Department of Justice before it can go into effect. [30:24.000 --> 30:30.000] And I should note also that the DOJ just denied pre-clearance to South Carolina for its photo ID law. [30:30.000 --> 30:33.000] One more state I want to mention with an interesting new law is Tennessee. [30:33.000 --> 30:39.000] State officials there, state election officials, will now be required to go through the state voter rolls [30:39.000 --> 30:44.000] and compare those to a database to make sure that no non-citizens are registered to vote. [30:44.000 --> 30:50.000] And if there's any evidence that that might be the case, those folks will be contacted and asked to prove that they are citizens. [30:50.000 --> 30:56.000] So a lot of new laws coming into effect this year. Of course, with these voter identification laws, [30:56.000 --> 30:58.000] proponents say they're trying to fight fraud. [30:58.000 --> 31:05.000] Critics, on the other hand, argue that they're going to end up disenfranchising some voters, especially poor and minority voters. [31:05.000 --> 31:09.000] But one thing we can be pretty sure of this year is that as we approach November, [31:09.000 --> 31:12.000] more and more states will begin to roll out more laws affecting the election. [31:12.000 --> 31:15.000] Okay, Athena Jones, thanks so much for that update. [31:15.000 --> 31:19.000] And there are a few other unique laws that take effect today. [31:19.000 --> 31:28.000] By the way, Utah is banning happy hour, while California and Oregon are prohibiting the sale of shark fins and shark fin soup. [31:28.000 --> 31:33.000] Coming up, staying financially healthy in 2012, reduce your debt, cut spending. [31:33.000 --> 31:37.000] We've got some tips to keep your resolutions intact in the new year. [31:37.000 --> 31:47.000] And as long as we're talking about New Year's Day, it was this day in 1962 that the FAD4, the Beatles, auditioned for Decca Records. [31:47.000 --> 31:50.000] And you know what? They were rejected. [31:50.000 --> 31:54.000] Decca made one of the biggest mistakes in music history on this day. [32:01.000 --> 32:04.000] This was the Gulf's best tourism season in years. [32:04.000 --> 32:08.000] All because so many people wanted to visit us in Louisiana. [32:08.000 --> 32:10.000] They came to see us in Florida. [32:10.000 --> 32:13.000] Nice try. They came to hang out with us in Alabama. [32:13.000 --> 32:18.000] Once folks heard Mississippi had the welcome sign off, they couldn't wait to get here. [32:18.000 --> 32:21.000] This year was great, but next year's going to be even better. [32:21.000 --> 32:25.000] And anyone who knows the Gulf knows that winter is prime time fun time. [32:25.000 --> 32:27.000] The sun's out, the water's beautiful. [32:27.000 --> 32:31.000] You can go deep sea fishing for amberjack, grouper and mackerel. [32:31.000 --> 32:33.000] Our golf courses are open. [32:33.000 --> 32:35.000] Our bed and breakfast have special rates. [32:35.000 --> 32:39.000] And migrating waterfowl from all over make this a bird watcher's paradise. [32:39.000 --> 32:42.000] So if you missed it earlier this year, come on down. [32:42.000 --> 32:48.000] If you've already been here, come on back to Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama. [32:48.000 --> 32:52.000] The Gulf's America's getaway spot, no matter where you go. [32:52.000 --> 32:57.000] So come on down and help make 2012 an even better year for tourism on the Gulf. [32:57.000 --> 33:20.000] Brought to you by BP and all of us who call the Gulf home. [33:27.000 --> 33:31.000] Final 48 hours, CNN Tonight 8 Eastern. [33:57.000 --> 34:01.000] Only at Putnam Jeep in Burlingame. [34:27.000 --> 34:29.000] For $19.99 a month for 12 months. [34:29.000 --> 34:32.000] Call 1-800-XFINITY today. [34:32.000 --> 34:38.000] On the eve of Iowa, Newt Gingrich and Herman Cain talk to peers, Monday night, 9 Eastern. [34:38.000 --> 34:44.000] I want to fly like an eagle to the sea. [34:44.000 --> 34:46.000] Fly like an eagle. [34:46.000 --> 34:47.000] All right, bye-bye, 2011. [34:47.000 --> 34:49.000] Hello, 2012. [34:49.000 --> 34:55.000] But it may go down, 2011, by the way, as one of the safest years on record for flyers. [34:55.000 --> 35:03.000] According to the consulting firm Ascend, this year there has been just one fatality for every 7.1 million passengers worldwide. [35:03.000 --> 35:05.000] That's the best safety level on record. [35:05.000 --> 35:08.000] The previous best was in 2004. [35:08.000 --> 35:14.000] Travel experts say better technology and better crew training has helped make flying less hazardous. [35:14.000 --> 35:17.000] So let's hope 2012 even safer. [35:17.000 --> 35:22.000] So it's the number one issue in American homes, getting your financial house in order. [35:22.000 --> 35:27.000] Well, today in our weekly financial fix, how to keep your New Year's financial resolutions, [35:27.000 --> 35:34.000] because it is, by tradition, the number two resolution that we make, that after taking care of our health matters. [35:34.000 --> 35:36.000] So let's talk about our financial health. [35:36.000 --> 35:38.000] Let's bring in author of It's Just Money. [35:38.000 --> 35:40.000] So why does it cause so many problems? [35:40.000 --> 35:41.000] Financial consultant Karen Lee. [35:41.000 --> 35:42.000] All right, good to see you. [35:42.000 --> 35:43.000] You too. [35:43.000 --> 35:44.000] Happy New Year. [35:44.000 --> 35:45.000] Happy New Year. [35:45.000 --> 35:47.000] Okay, so folks always want to say, you know what, I'm going to get myself in shape. [35:47.000 --> 35:48.000] Right. [35:48.000 --> 35:51.000] And then I'm also going to get financially in shape as well, get rid of debt, [35:51.000 --> 35:52.000] save more money. [35:52.000 --> 35:53.000] That's right. [35:53.000 --> 35:55.000] So let's help us tackle getting rid of debt first. [35:55.000 --> 35:56.000] That's the toughest, isn't it? [35:56.000 --> 35:57.000] It is. [35:57.000 --> 35:58.000] It is tough. [35:58.000 --> 36:03.000] And so the first thing I want to talk about is you got the little bit of debt where you just spent a little too much over the holidays. [36:03.000 --> 36:04.000] Okay. [36:04.000 --> 36:07.000] Or you've got the massive debt from three really tough economic years. [36:07.000 --> 36:09.000] So let's first tackle the small amount of debt. [36:09.000 --> 36:10.000] Okay. [36:10.000 --> 36:11.000] Okay. [36:11.000 --> 36:17.000] So what we want you to do with that is first go back to the budget and figure out how much you actually can pay towards debt monthly, [36:17.000 --> 36:18.000] the minimum amount that you can pay. [36:18.000 --> 36:24.000] And then I'd like to see you set it up as an automatic payment from your online banking right to the credit. [36:24.000 --> 36:28.000] So that way no excuses, you know, overspending, can't write out the check, da, da, da. [36:28.000 --> 36:29.000] That's right. [36:29.000 --> 36:31.000] If we wait until the end of the month, there's usually nothing left. [36:31.000 --> 36:36.000] So if you can automate it and during that time, of course, freeze your credit, do the math, [36:36.000 --> 36:41.000] figure out how many months it's going to take, plan a little reward for yourself at the end and hopefully you'll clear your debt. [36:41.000 --> 36:45.000] When you say freeze your credit, you're just talking about self-discipline or you're actually, okay. [36:45.000 --> 36:49.000] Now if you don't have self-discipline, enlist a friend to take your cards away from you. [36:49.000 --> 36:51.000] But yes, don't add anything more to that. [36:51.000 --> 36:52.000] Okay. [36:52.000 --> 36:53.000] But now let's talk about. [36:53.000 --> 36:54.000] The big stuff. [36:54.000 --> 36:57.000] Probably more Americans because it has, it's been three real. [36:57.000 --> 37:02.000] Yeah, a lot of people have been out of work, so they have borrowed, borrowed, they've overspent just to survive. [37:02.000 --> 37:03.000] So they got massive debt. [37:03.000 --> 37:09.000] What I'm going to say to those people is just like if you've got massive amounts of weight to lose, let's make a realistic goal. [37:09.000 --> 37:13.000] If this happened over a period of years, don't think you're going to pay it off in six months. [37:13.000 --> 37:20.000] So the first thing we want to do is, again, go back to the math, figure out how much monthly you can free up to put towards debt [37:20.000 --> 37:25.000] and then figure out how long it's going to take and make the goal realistic and if it's going to be a couple of years. [37:25.000 --> 37:27.000] Sometimes that's the hard part, isn't it? [37:27.000 --> 37:30.000] Folks trying to figure out how do I calculate, how do I do that? [37:30.000 --> 37:31.000] So that's another point I want to say. [37:31.000 --> 37:36.000] For people that really have lots of cards, lots of high interest rates, get some help. [37:36.000 --> 37:39.000] Seek a consumer credit counsel type firm. [37:39.000 --> 37:45.000] Often they can negotiate with the credit card companies for lower interest rates for you as long as you're partnering with someone like that. [37:45.000 --> 37:47.000] Okay, and now you want to save money. [37:47.000 --> 37:48.000] Right. [37:48.000 --> 37:50.000] And you want to do this simultaneously if you can. [37:50.000 --> 37:51.000] It would be nice if you could. [37:51.000 --> 37:55.000] Okay, so say you've tackled the debt part then, maybe you're not doing it simultaneously. [37:55.000 --> 37:56.000] How do you save? [37:56.000 --> 37:59.000] Well, let's talk about first, there's two things people tend to want to save for. [37:59.000 --> 38:04.000] One, especially now, is just having that emergency money for that stuff that just comes up. [38:04.000 --> 38:07.000] So let's talk about short-term savings first. [38:07.000 --> 38:09.000] Again, automate it. [38:09.000 --> 38:14.000] If you wait until you've paid your other bills, there will not be anything left at the end of the month. [38:14.000 --> 38:23.000] So many companies will allow you to set up from your paycheck, just like for your 401K, an automatic draft into a credit union or a money market. [38:23.000 --> 38:30.000] Whether it's $5, $10, $50 each check, get it started and you can't touch it unless it's really an emergency. [38:30.000 --> 38:32.000] Do you try and come up with a percentage on that or just what you can afford? [38:32.000 --> 38:34.000] Really what you can afford initially. [38:34.000 --> 38:40.000] You could also start with the goal in mind and then work back monthly as to what you need to reach that goal. [38:40.000 --> 38:49.000] Second one is those longer-term savings and we've talked about this before, but of course the easiest way to save long-term for retirement is if your company has a 401K. [38:49.000 --> 38:54.000] Comes out pre-tax, before that check even hits your bank and that is a good thing. [38:54.000 --> 38:55.000] That's a little tax break too. [38:55.000 --> 39:00.000] If you're not investing in your company's 401K, start. [39:00.000 --> 39:06.000] If you're already investing but you're not maxing out, raise that percentage and keep raising it until you get to that maximum. [39:06.000 --> 39:14.000] Another fun idea is to buy a stock or a couple of shares of stock in a company that pays dividends and set up what's called a dividend reinvestment plan. [39:14.000 --> 39:20.000] As that dividend comes in, don't take the cash, let it buy more stock and then set it aside and forget about it. [39:20.000 --> 39:23.000] 15, 20 years later, it's just a big surprise. [39:23.000 --> 39:24.000] You're making it sound so easy. [39:24.000 --> 39:34.000] It is easy and for those who are already maxing out the 401K but they still want to save and you know I love those people, open up a Roth IRA if you're eligible. [39:34.000 --> 39:36.000] Isn't everyone eligible now? [39:36.000 --> 39:37.000] Didn't they change the rules on that? [39:37.000 --> 39:41.000] No, converting a regular to a Roth is where they changed the rules. [39:41.000 --> 39:42.000] I see. [39:42.000 --> 39:46.000] The other thing is 529s for college savings, but either way, automate it. [39:46.000 --> 39:49.000] You've got to set it up that it's an automatic draft coming out. [39:49.000 --> 39:51.000] Then you don't miss it and you don't touch it, hopefully. [39:51.000 --> 39:54.000] Then you don't think it through and go, maybe this month I should skip it. [39:54.000 --> 40:00.000] Hopefully, in 2012, things are looking up and it will be a year that people make those financial goals happen. [40:00.000 --> 40:02.000] All right, all about being financially fit too. [40:02.000 --> 40:03.000] Yes. [40:03.000 --> 40:04.000] Karen Lee, that's what you're all about. [40:04.000 --> 40:05.000] Thank you so much. [40:05.000 --> 40:06.000] Appreciate it. [40:06.000 --> 40:07.000] Happy New Year. [40:07.000 --> 40:08.000] Happy New Year to you. [40:08.000 --> 40:13.000] All right, earlier I asked you to tell me about your New Year's Day kind of tradition superstitions. [40:13.000 --> 40:16.000] Do you have any superstitions, things you have to eat or have to do? [40:16.000 --> 40:18.000] I make jambalaya every New Year's Eve. [40:18.000 --> 40:19.000] Okay, that's good. [40:19.000 --> 40:21.000] A lot of folks have responded. [40:21.000 --> 40:22.000] Sometimes people do black-eyed peas. [40:22.000 --> 40:23.000] I did that today. [40:23.000 --> 40:24.000] I brought that into work too. [40:24.000 --> 40:26.000] Angela on Facebook writing this saying, [40:26.000 --> 40:34.000] My mother's family believes that eating cabbage, turnips, collard greens and black-eyed peas on New Year's Day will bring you good luck for the rest of the year. [40:34.000 --> 40:38.000] What about your New Year's rituals and superstitions perhaps? [40:38.000 --> 40:39.000] I want to hear from you. [40:39.000 --> 40:49.000] Either send me via Twitter or on Facebook and we'll share more of your comments coming up. [41:09.000 --> 41:12.000] You don't have to know what you're looking for. [41:12.000 --> 41:14.000] You just have to start looking. [41:14.000 --> 41:17.000] Your discovery starts right now on Ancestry.com. [41:17.000 --> 41:25.000] Forty years ago he wasn't worried about retirement, and yet to hear of mutual funds, IRAs, or annuities. [41:25.000 --> 41:27.000] Back then he had something more important to do. [41:27.000 --> 41:30.000] He wasn't focused on his future. [41:30.000 --> 41:33.000] But fortunately somebody else was. [41:33.000 --> 41:38.000] At USAA we provide retirement solutions for our military veterans and their families. [41:38.000 --> 41:42.220] families. From investments to life insurance to health care options. Learn [41:42.220 --> 41:48.520] more with our free USAA retirement guide. Call 877-242-USAA. [41:48.520 --> 41:53.680] With Expedia Rewards, I now earn points however I travel. Here's your hot towel, sir. [41:53.680 --> 41:59.720] Even if I can't always fly the same airline. Careful, it's very hot. Or stay at the same hotel. [41:59.720 --> 42:05.640] Because now with Expedia Rewards, I earn points for any flight and any hotel, too. [42:05.640 --> 42:12.600] I'm known to do a little bit of skiing, so maybe... Rewards any way I travel. [42:12.600 --> 42:16.200] Except naked. What a shame. [42:16.200 --> 42:18.200] Expedia.com [42:26.200 --> 42:30.000] Cook foods to the right temperature using a food thermometer. 3,000 Americans will [42:30.000 --> 42:33.880] die from food poisoning this year. Check your stamps at FoodSafety.gov. [42:33.880 --> 42:38.080] Do you have an idea for an invention or new product? Bill Schaefer, co-inventor of [42:38.080 --> 42:41.960] the Splash Wash did. He came up with the idea while watching his children play. [42:41.960 --> 42:46.120] InventHelp submitted his idea to Whammo, maker of toys like the Frisbee and [42:46.120 --> 42:50.120] Hula Hoop. To find out how InventHelp can help you try to submit your idea to [42:50.120 --> 42:54.520] companies, call for free information. Bill Schaefer made a financial gain with his [42:54.520 --> 42:57.960] invention. Bill's experience is not typical and most inventions are not successful. [42:57.960 --> 43:04.560] For your free inventors information, call 1-800-490-4633. [43:04.560 --> 43:09.000] Alright, we're following this breaking story that's involving the shooting of a [43:09.000 --> 43:13.360] U.S. Forest Service Ranger at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington [43:13.360 --> 43:16.360] State. We want to get more information about this investigation and the [43:16.360 --> 43:21.320] circumstances leading to this shooting. Lee Taylor is a spokesperson with us now. [43:21.320 --> 43:28.200] So Lee, tell me what you can about this. Well, what I can say is that a National [43:28.200 --> 43:34.160] Park Service Ranger, Margaret Anderson, 34 years old, was shot today by a gunman [43:34.160 --> 43:40.080] in the park. It began as just a normal traffic stop. When he failed to pull over [43:40.080 --> 43:46.280] another Ranger radioed ahead and Margaret Anderson set up a blockade with [43:46.280 --> 43:52.040] her patrol vehicle to intercept him and when he arrived at that spot he got out [43:52.040 --> 43:58.520] and and shot, fatally shot her. He then fled into the woods. So the situation that [43:58.520 --> 44:04.560] we have now is a gunman who is in the park somewhere, has not yet been [44:04.560 --> 44:09.020] apprehended. And it's believed this gunman is on foot when you say fled into the [44:09.020 --> 44:14.560] woods. That's correct. He's on foot. He left his car behind and is on foot [44:14.560 --> 44:20.320] somewhere in the park. Okay and so by way of checking the registration of the car [44:20.320 --> 44:25.880] etc. does that anyway match up with the identity of who you believe the suspect [44:25.880 --> 44:31.560] is? Well we have no way of knowing that because we don't know if he is the [44:31.560 --> 44:34.560] registered owner of the vehicle. We have information about the owner of the [44:34.560 --> 44:37.840] vehicle but we're not sure if it's the same person or not. We don't have a [44:37.840 --> 44:42.880] description of the person since there was nobody else at the scene when he [44:42.880 --> 44:49.320] stopped and shot the park ranger. And is the park closed? What about other people, [44:49.320 --> 44:54.920] members of the public who may be in that park? The park is closed and we have been [44:54.920 --> 44:58.600] evacuating visitors but we do still have people in the park. There are people who [44:58.600 --> 45:03.440] are out snowshoeing or skiing who are still you know coming back in from their [45:03.440 --> 45:09.280] afternoon and we also have about 85 park visitors who are in our main park [45:09.280 --> 45:12.920] visitor center and we're holding them there until we believe that it's safe [45:12.920 --> 45:17.960] for them to drive out of the park. So typically yeah typically on a day like [45:17.960 --> 45:22.840] this you do have a lot of snowshoers and skiers there? Yeah we do it's a nice day [45:22.840 --> 45:25.920] it's a holiday weekend and we would typically have hundreds of people in the [45:25.920 --> 45:29.480] park who'd be out enjoying the beautiful scenery and the weather. And what about [45:29.480 --> 45:32.800] searchers in the air by helicopter? What are the weather conditions there for [45:32.800 --> 45:37.720] that? The weather conditions are good but it's three hours it's just a few hours [45:37.720 --> 45:43.400] now until darkness so you know the the end of daylight will be the limiting [45:43.400 --> 45:47.720] factor in terms of being able to continue searching. And what more might [45:47.720 --> 45:52.480] you be able to tell me about Margaret Anderson 34 years old who was shot and [45:52.480 --> 45:59.560] killed? She was a dedicated public servant very committed to visitors to [45:59.560 --> 46:04.880] the park and to helping to protect park resources. Her husband is also a ranger [46:04.880 --> 46:09.640] at Mount Rainier and they have two small children a four-year-old and a [46:09.640 --> 46:14.600] one-year-old so it's a horrible tragedy it's a terrible loss of life of somebody [46:14.600 --> 46:19.600] who had dedicated herself to serving the public. Terribly sad our hearts go out to [46:19.600 --> 46:24.640] her and her family and entire National Park Service family thanks so much Lee [46:24.640 --> 46:29.580] Taylor for your time. All right other stories we continue to check cross [46:29.580 --> 46:35.280] country now some Chicago area pizza shops are refusing to deliver to customers [46:35.280 --> 46:39.880] ordering by cell phone that's because of a recent rash of robberies. Police say [46:39.880 --> 46:43.920] there are robbers are using their cell phones to target pizza delivery drivers. [46:43.920 --> 46:47.960] The restaurants could see their bottom line suffer since many people don't have [46:47.960 --> 46:52.640] landline phones anymore. And a town in western Pennsylvania is cracking down on [46:52.640 --> 46:58.880] sledding in two local parks. Beaverboro officials are banning it all together in [46:58.880 --> 47:03.480] one park following an accident. In another park it is still okay to sled [47:03.480 --> 47:07.800] but it is restricted to just residents which means their family and friends [47:07.800 --> 47:12.480] cannot take part in that kind of fun if they don't live there. Children under 12 [47:12.480 --> 47:19.360] must also wear helmets. On the San Francisco now Banana Sam has been safely [47:19.360 --> 47:24.720] returned to the city zoo. Police say a passerby spotted the 17 year old squirrel [47:24.720 --> 47:30.320] monkey peeking out through some bushes at a park yesterday. One day after it was [47:30.320 --> 47:35.560] allegedly stolen the man was able to coax the primate into a backpack [47:35.560 --> 47:41.960] apparently. Zoo workers say Banana Sam is doing just fine. He looks pretty good [47:41.960 --> 47:46.320] he's he was thirsty he was hungry trembling a little bit but we did get do [47:46.320 --> 47:50.080] a quick physical exam on him and he looks pretty good. Is it easy to coax a [47:50.080 --> 47:54.960] monkey into a backpack? I would venture to say that it is not. Yeah a monkey [47:54.960 --> 48:00.000] would be placed into a backpack forcibly. Oh my goodness so zoo officials are [48:00.000 --> 48:05.480] still trying to figure out how Banana Sam was stolen and why. That's a strange [48:05.480 --> 48:08.800] mystery isn't it? All right we're glad that Banana Sam is back at home. All [48:08.800 --> 48:12.200] right the newsroom continues straight ahead Natalie Allen in for Don Lemon [48:12.200 --> 48:15.920] happy new year. Happy new year to you we're also happy about Banana Sam for sure. [48:15.920 --> 48:19.600] Okay more on the big stories coming up you've been following today the Iowa [48:19.600 --> 48:23.800] caucus has plenty of coverage including reports from the state plus our Sunday [48:23.800 --> 48:28.280] analysis with Will Kane and LZ Granderson and more fires overnight in [48:28.280 --> 48:32.640] Los Angeles to tell you about seven suspected arson fires were reported in [48:32.640 --> 48:38.960] the LA area that brings the total to 39. A task force continues to investigate so [48:38.960 --> 48:44.400] far no arrests. Also a look back at the big cases this year that changed the [48:44.400 --> 48:48.720] legal landscape. Holly Hughes will be here to talk Casey Anthony Conrad Murray [48:48.720 --> 48:53.080] and the Connecticut home invasion trial all coming up in a little bit. All right [48:53.080 --> 48:56.720] very good you had a great ringing in of the new year. Yes I know some of it was [48:56.720 --> 49:03.220] here. I'm going to ring it in tomorrow. Meantime any superstitions or [49:03.220 --> 49:07.340] traditions anything you'd like to adhere to? Oh yes I am going to lose that five [49:07.340 --> 49:11.040] pounds. Oh okay that's the number one resolution in America right? And I'll [49:11.040 --> 49:16.080] forget January 8th that was my resolution. Oh okay well hopefully you won't be [49:16.080 --> 49:21.760] among the what 51% of Americans who break their New Year's resolutions within [49:21.760 --> 49:26.640] the month of January. I will be. Okay no no we want you to keep that resolution [49:26.640 --> 49:31.080] but you don't need to lose five pounds by the way. Well thank you. Thanks so much [49:31.080 --> 49:36.800] we've got much more on people and their resolutions or their traditions as it [49:36.800 --> 49:40.320] pertains to the new year and kissing at midnight well that apparently is a very [49:40.320 --> 49:46.080] common New Year's Eve tradition. So what are some of your superstitions? Send me [49:46.080 --> 49:49.320] some via Twitter or Facebook and I'll read some of your comments straight [49:49.320 --> 49:51.560] ahead. [49:53.120 --> 49:58.200] Now that Christmas is over it's a great time to come by because it's buy one get [49:58.200 --> 50:03.320] one free on everything in the store. Jeans, dress shirts, even suits. Everything [50:03.320 --> 50:07.520] you wanted for Christmas but didn't get. You're gonna like the way you look. I [50:07.520 --> 50:12.040] guarantee it. I don't make any decisions about who to hire without going to [50:12.040 --> 50:16.140] Angie's List first. You'll find reviews on home repair to health care written by [50:16.140 --> 50:20.080] people just like you. With Angie's List I know who to call and I know the results [50:20.080 --> 50:25.040] will be fantastic. Angie's List reviews you can trust. [50:25.040 --> 50:42.240] Multi-policy discount. Paperless discount. Paid in full discount. Homeowner's discount. Safe driver discount. Chipmunk family reunion. [50:42.240 --> 50:51.920] Someone stole the nuts. Squirrel jail. Justice. Countless discounts. Now that's [50:51.920 --> 50:57.120] progressive. Call or click today. See war like never before. Get the Emmy Award [50:57.120 --> 51:01.280] winning miniseries World War II in HD along with two feature-length specials [51:01.280 --> 51:05.760] in the World War II in HD collector set. Available with Vietnam in HD at Barnes [51:05.760 --> 51:11.520] & Noble music and DVD locations and at VN.com. A two-hour CNN special event. Let [51:11.520 --> 51:16.920] the political new year begin. Countdown to Iowa. The final 48 hours. CNN [51:16.920 --> 51:26.680] Tonight 8 Eastern. Kids let's go. Hey mom. Who are you? Where is my daughter? [51:26.680 --> 51:38.960] Chill out mom. Who's that? Who's that? I can't wait till I'm 18. Hey girly. Yeah [51:38.960 --> 51:49.240] I'll turn you on me. What? Get help from the partnership at drugfree.org. Do you [51:49.240 --> 51:52.640] or a loved one need a new computer or laptop? Do you want to own a computer but [51:52.640 --> 51:56.160] your credit is less than perfect? Now you can get a fast brand new computer or [51:56.160 --> 52:00.680] laptop no matter what your credit looks like. If you can afford just $30 a week [52:00.680 --> 52:05.840] you are approved guaranteed. No credit, bad credit, bankruptcy? No problem. [52:05.840 --> 52:09.360] Imagine you'll surf the internet, burn CDs, send email to your family and [52:09.360 --> 52:12.600] friends, even start your own business at home. Call now. We'll include a free [52:12.600 --> 52:18.040] printer, free LCD TV plus a smokin mp3 player with your order. [52:19.600 --> 52:27.280] Newt Gingrich and Herman Cain talk to peers Monday night 9 Eastern. All right a [52:27.280 --> 52:32.120] new year brings new expectations in the financial market so Poppy Harlow gets [52:32.120 --> 52:37.160] us up to speed with a look ahead on Wall Street. I'm Poppy Harlow in New York. US [52:37.160 --> 52:40.920] markets will be closed Monday for the New Year's holiday but when they reopen [52:40.920 --> 52:45.920] Tuesday Wall Street kicks off 2012 with a host of economic news. Coming up key [52:45.920 --> 52:50.000] reports on construction spending, car and truck sales, we could actually see some [52:50.000 --> 52:53.680] strength there, and factory orders all leading up to the critical December [52:53.680 --> 52:58.200] jobs report that comes Friday morning. Investors of course eagerly anticipating [52:58.200 --> 53:02.680] that number and hoping for an upside surprise. We'll track it all on CNN [53:02.680 --> 53:06.720] Money. All right thanks so much Poppy. All right the ball dropping in Times Square [53:06.720 --> 53:10.640] it's America's New Year's tradition but you probably have some New Year's [53:10.640 --> 53:14.640] rituals and superstitions of your own, maybe some of which have been passed [53:14.640 --> 53:18.400] down through the family. I asked you to send them to me and you did via Twitter [53:18.400 --> 53:22.440] and Facebook. So Melissa writes it's supposed to be good luck for a man to be [53:22.440 --> 53:26.800] the first to walk through the door in your house on New Year's Day and here's [53:26.800 --> 53:30.680] another New Year's Day superstition. Black-eyed peas are supposed to be lucky [53:30.680 --> 53:34.240] if you put a few dry ones in your purse. Oh that part I didn't do today. And [53:34.240 --> 53:38.880] Melody writes it's supposed to be bad luck to wash clothes on New Year's Day. [53:38.880 --> 53:43.000] It is said to lead to a death in your family during the year. [53:43.000 --> 53:47.200] Bonnie Schneider with us now. Bonnie do you have any traditions? Those are great aren't they? [53:47.200 --> 53:50.760] I'm gonna make sure to not do laundry today it's gonna be a real burden. I know I already [53:50.760 --> 53:53.480] sent a message to my husband today when I heard about that when I was like [53:53.480 --> 53:58.720] don't do any laundry today. I can wait no rush on that. I've heard about eating black-eyed peas I didn't [53:58.720 --> 54:02.200] know about putting dry ones in your purse. That's unusual I'm gonna go grab [54:02.200 --> 54:05.920] some. Yeah me too. Well you know we are looking at unfortunately Frederica some [54:05.920 --> 54:09.160] snow that's going to be troublesome for travelers and a lot of people are [54:09.160 --> 54:13.200] getting back to it from a long week off or maybe you went somewhere for New [54:13.200 --> 54:16.960] Year's Eve and now you're heading home. Well travel conditions across parts of [54:16.960 --> 54:19.840] Michigan are gonna be downright dangerous. That's right we have blizzard [54:19.840 --> 54:23.360] warnings in effect that go straight until tomorrow night. You're looking at a [54:23.360 --> 54:27.160] radar picture of heavy snow working its way across the Great Lakes. The numbers [54:27.160 --> 54:32.720] are incredible because you can see 12 inches plus across parts of Michigan [54:32.720 --> 54:35.360] that includes the Traverse City area that's where the blizzard warning is and [54:35.360 --> 54:38.000] it's right in the northern part of Michigan that's where we're gonna see [54:38.000 --> 54:41.360] some of those lake effect snow bands really be fierce and along with the [54:41.360 --> 54:44.260] heavy snow of course comes the gusty winds when you're talking about a lake [54:44.260 --> 54:48.280] effect snow maker and what that means is you'll have blowing and drifting snow [54:48.280 --> 54:52.040] that will create snow drifts that could be even higher than the highest snowfall [54:52.040 --> 54:55.560] total accumulation. So travel in northern Michigan is just dangerous. [54:55.560 --> 54:58.600] If you can avoid it I would recommend it. Notice the lake effects know those [54:58.600 --> 55:02.180] stretching all the way into upstate New York. These advisories for winds show [55:02.180 --> 55:05.680] that we are looking at fierce winds again that will pile the snow that's [55:05.680 --> 55:07.780] falling. So even though the accumulation might be a burst of [55:07.780 --> 55:11.880] sudden snow in some areas and dry and others which is so random the way it is [55:11.880 --> 55:15.400] for the localization of lake effect snow. We are going to see those snow [55:15.400 --> 55:18.600] pile up a little bit more. This is a forecast radar picture not actual [55:18.600 --> 55:21.380] radar. I just wanted to show you over the next 48 hours the weather does [55:21.380 --> 55:24.080] improve. We get a little bit of better conditions but the immediate threat of [55:24.080 --> 55:28.280] course is for danger for Michigan and even into parts of upstate New York [55:28.280 --> 55:31.800] where we have the advisories as well. The heaviest snow on that little dot [55:31.800 --> 55:34.160] you can see that pink dot in northern Michigan that's where we are looking at [55:34.160 --> 55:38.680] a foot of snow plus again it will be even more fierce as we go through the [55:38.680 --> 55:41.720] day when we get some more wind blowing in and the reason that we're getting so [55:41.720 --> 55:45.120] much snow with this lake effect snow machine is a couple different factors. [55:45.120 --> 55:48.840] We have very cold air coming over warmer waters of the Great Lakes and [55:48.840 --> 55:51.960] the water temperatures are still pretty warm. It's in the 40s over the lakes it [55:51.960 --> 55:55.880] may not seem very warm but it's warmer than the land so the really the cold air [55:55.880 --> 55:59.680] gathers that moisture that warm moist air right above the Great Lakes and as [55:59.680 --> 56:03.520] soon as it rushes back over land the land is colder and it just dumps it [56:03.520 --> 56:07.080] heavy and hard across this region. So our map for today shows that lake effect [56:07.080 --> 56:10.120] snow machine otherwise the rest of the U.S. is looking good. It's been a soggy [56:10.120 --> 56:14.320] week and weekend for places like Portland, Oregon. Unfortunately we have [56:14.320 --> 56:17.160] more rain in your forecast for Monday and some scattered showers popping up [56:17.160 --> 56:21.640] into Florida across a good portion of that the region of the state there but [56:21.640 --> 56:24.960] notice the temperature contrast there is a cold front that's pushed through it [56:24.960 --> 56:28.120] doesn't quite make it all the way through South Florida so highs tomorrow [56:28.120 --> 56:32.080] in Miami will still be near 80 whereas Tampa you're only gonna hit 64 so it [56:32.080 --> 56:35.840] depends where you are in terms of getting that really warm weather. 22 [56:35.840 --> 56:40.240] that's it for Minneapolis and you can see 23 in Chicago Atlanta's only at 46 [56:40.240 --> 56:43.960] and I can tell you in the southeast our numbers are going down we had highs [56:43.960 --> 56:47.320] today in the 60s it was just glorious. Things are changing [56:47.320 --> 56:51.440] Frederica. Low temperatures are going to drop down tomorrow night into the teens and 20s in some [56:51.440 --> 56:55.040] parts of Georgia so it's all changing. Winter's here it's January it's [56:55.040 --> 56:59.640] 2012 and it's cold out there. Yeah 2011 was an incredible year and weather 2012 [56:59.640 --> 57:03.280] promises to be? Well you know we had definitely had an extreme weather year [57:03.280 --> 57:07.000] in 2011 it doesn't necessarily mean we're gonna see another one in 2012 but [57:07.000 --> 57:09.960] it's very important to be prepared yeah and right now our biggest threat is lake [57:09.960 --> 57:14.440] effect snow and cold cold air. All the more apropos for your upcoming book on [57:14.440 --> 57:18.120] extreme weather and how to deal with so look for Bonnie Schneider's book coming out in [57:18.120 --> 57:22.440] 2012. Less than a month away. Yes happy new year it's gonna be a great year [57:22.440 --> 57:25.520] for you and everybody else too happy new year to you at home that's gonna do it [57:25.520 --> 57:29.040] for me and Frederica Whitfield much more of the CNN newsroom coming up with [57:29.040 --> 57:33.400] Natalie Allen in for Don Lemon have a great week. [57:33.400 --> 57:40.440] This week at Office Max a case of x9 paper is only $9.99 after Max Perks [57:40.440 --> 57:48.520] bonus rewards. Regularly $41.99. It's a big deal find all the big deals at [57:48.520 --> 57:58.720] Office Max. Your favorite foods fighting you? Fight back fast with Tums. Calcium [57:58.720 --> 58:05.360] rich Tums goes to work in seconds nothing works faster. My name's Scott [58:05.360 --> 58:08.560] Krinsky and I'm interested in finding out more about my family history. The [58:08.560 --> 58:11.520] story was that my grandfather was born on the boat on the way over here. 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