later. >>. ♪ sweet caroline ♪ good times never seemed so good ♪ >> we have neil diamond, i'll ask him about his tour, recent wedding and the thing that keeps him touring at the tender age of 71. good morning, everyone i'm randi kaye. it's 8:00, thanks for waking up with us. it's 7:00, let me check my clock. get you caught up on the news. as 35 million americans get prepared to travel this weekend we want to get you caught up on weather. wild fires raging in six states, including michigan. officials are blaming a lightning strike for that blaze. in kansas, a line of severe storms spawned several tornadoes

in the north and central part of the state. officials say there are no reports of serious injuries or fatalities. back here on the east coast, the national hurricane center says a new sub-tropical system is forming in the atlantic. we'll check in with meterologist bonnie schneider, a lot of wild weather out there. how is all this going to impact memorial day travel, do you think? >> definitely going to be impactful, we're expecting airport delays across the country from minneapolis to denver, salt lake city, some due to thunderstorms, other to winds, but look for afternoon thunderstorms, once again in miami, that is something to keep in mind as we go through the day today, we'll watch for that through a good portion of the day, randi. it's interesting we also have activity in the tropics. >> going back to those wild fires, though, bonnie in, michigan, how does the weather look, will we see improvements? >> i think we will see better weather for the michigan fires.

less windy weather, better conditions there. that is good news. we also run the risk of scattered showers and thunderstorms in the forecast. any kind of rain coming in is beneficial, hopefully we won't get a strong gust of wind, that is some good news there. one place we're looking at heavy rain today as you can see over the next few days is northern florida, south of jacksonville, that has to do with the sub-tropical system that we're monitoring across the coast. that will impact us as we go through the next day or so. >> bonnie, thanks for the update. appreciate it. dragon's hatch is open, the astronauts on the international space station are in the process of unloading 1000 pounds worth of supplies. it is the latest step in the historic journey of spacex's dragon spacecraft. we may be closer to closing the case of etan patz, the 6-year-old who went missing in new york city in 1979.

now there is a confession and a murder charge. susan candiotti has the story. >> reporter: randi, 33 years to the day that etan patz disappeared, the man who has allegedly confessed to killing the youngster made his first court appearance. not in person, but from a hospital in new york where he is being held under a suicide watch. according to a source, after he made statements including "i want to die." at his first court appearance he heard the charge against him, second degree murder, and his defense attorney revealed stunning information, that pedro hernandez has a history of bipolar disorders, schizophrenia and hallucinations. investigators snapping pictures in soho, and in the basement, where etan patz was allegedly strangle the.

the location blocks from his apartment where his parents still live. 33 years ago the shop was what new yorkers called a bodega or convenience store. it looked out on patz's bus stop. at the time, 19-year-old pedro hernandez was a stock boy. seen here in a photo obtained by "inside edition." >> he described how he lured young etan from the bus stop with the promise of of a soda. he led him in the basement of the bodega, choked him there, and disposed of the body by putting it in a plastic bag and placing it in the trash. >> reporter: lisa cohen wrote abook about the case. she had not heard of hernandez until two days ago. he was never a suspect of the part of his story might figt wih

what patz's parents said. >> he had a dollar when he left for school that day or that is story i've heard from his parents and he talked about buying a soda at the bodega before getting on the bus. >> hernandez came to the attention of police last month after authorities dug up a basement in a different soho building. that didn't turn up much but the publicity prompted a tip about hernandez. >> in the years following etan's disappearance, hernandez told a family members and others, he had "done a bad thing and killed a child in new york." >> reporter: hernandez has no criminal record and his arrest is raising plenty of questions. neighbors in new jersey say he kept to himself. >> he seemed like an already guy, he had a wife and there was a young daughter. and they say hello and

everything, they were always smiling. if this guy like they say confessed to it 33 years, he has been living in his own personal hell. >> reporter: also a difficult 33 years for patz's parents, flowers and a notes, saying god bless you you'll always be remembered. the family close not go to court on friday to get the first look at the man who now stands charged with killing their son, randi? susan candiotti, thank you very much. you heard from lisa cohen, she will join me in our 10:00 hour. in other news, in illinois a hostage stand off with police ended with the gunman's death, all the hostages are safe. one woman was injured, officials say the man entered on office building looking for someone who owed him money. he took hostages after police arrived. police say he shot himself.

police in portland found a woman who allegedly abandoned three children in a shed. the kids were found thursday after someone heard their voices in a vacant building believed to be used by homeless people, range from 8 months old to 3 years. the jurors in the john edward trial are off for the long weekend, they will resume tuesday, edwards accused of misusing campaign contributions to cover up an affair. he denies he did anything wrong. here is a run down on stories we're working for you. america singing along with knne diamond, now he has a new tour and new bride and his secret to success. the deadly allure of mount evideneres everest, why kent ton cool is braving the mountain again.

>> this little guy had an adventure trekking all over tokyo, the great penguin escape and capture. jon huntsman may not have captured the presidential nomination but has won another vote right along with george clooney. do you think i am, quicken loans?

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with quicken loans, you'll find that our rates and fees are extremely competitive. because the last thing you want is to spend too much on your mortgage. one more way quicken loans is engineered to amaze. ♪ welcome back. glad you're with us. we turn to your money and where you put it when it seems the stock market is shakey and interest rates are too low to make a savings account worth it. i'm joined by senior markets editor, russell pearlman, good morning to you. we've always been told that the 10 year treasury bond is the safest investment, is that true? >> the government will always pay its debts. right now it's not the most safest of havens. it's only pay 1.75% interest a

year for those 10 years. if you put $1000 in you'll get that are 17.50 a year in interest. that is not a lot of money and inflation is 2%, higher than what the treasury bond will pay you. even though you don't lose money you're losing buying power because inflation is eating away all of the sw you're earning and then some. >> what is the answer? is the stock market safer then? >> as risky as everyone thinks the stock market is and everyone is anchored on the fact that four years ago we had a financial crisis, the market lost money, the stock market is reasonably cheap and certainly very cheap compared to what you would get on treasury bonds. and actually more than half of the s&p 500 stocks are paying dividends that have rates higher than that 10 year treasury. so yes, you're taking a little bit of risk if you're buying in

the stock market that we have some sort of terrible event or the market goes down but probably over the next ten years, a lot less risk yfrp than putting money in a 10 year treasury. let's talk about some of the stocks outperforming the treasury bond. we have a short list. first one is mcdonalds. >> these are not fly by night companies. mcdonalds, which will pay you more than 3% a year. microsoft almost 3%. verizon pays you almost 5%. ge and intel made you more than 3%. they will send you a check and over the course of the year will end up being more than 3% in all these cases. >> if you're saving money for retirement or kids college, what would you say is the best direction to go here? >> you probably want to put a preponderance of money in the stock market versus treasury bonds because again you look at

the cost of college education, that is rising at almost 7.5% a year over the past 20 years. if you put your money in a treasury will pay you 1.7% you'll never catch up to what the broader cost of college will be. >> what about the 529, the college savings plan? >> that is one of the best ways, a vehicle to use to save for college because all those earnings that you have will grow tax-free and you get to choose who your beneficiary is and they can withdraw the money also tax free, at least on the federal basis, sometimes they are immune from state taxes as well. russell pearlman, thank you so much. >> thank you. when you see this next clip you'll understand one of the mani many reasons i love my job. ♪ caroline, good times never

seemed so good ♪ >> how many people can say they got serenaded by neil diamond? still ahead my conversation with the singer and song writing legend. the first technology of its kind... mom and dad, i have great news. is now providing answers families need. siemens. answers. those surprising little still make you take notice. there are a million reasons why. but your erectile dysfunction that could be a question of blood flow. cialis for daily use helps you be ready anytime the moment's right. you can be more confident in your ability to be ready. and the same cialis is the only daily ed tablet approved to treat ed and symptoms of bph, like needing to go frequently or urgently.

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cherry ♪ ♪ sweet caroline, good time never seemed so good ♪ >> i'm sure you recognize him and his voice, neil diamond has sold 125 million records world-wide. at the age of 71 he's just as popular and has no plans of slowing down. neil diamond joining me now from los angeles. neil, welcome to the program you have a lot of fans at cnn we're thrilled to have you on. >> thank you, randi, thanks for having me. >> you have been touring now for the better part of five decades and about to begin a new tour. what can we expect to see on this one? >> the same as always, beautiful noises, lots of fun. >> i saw you perform in little rock, arkansas 20 years ago, i had a great time. but one thing that amazed me was

your energy on stage. i have to ask what your secret is. >> it's the audience. when they come ready and willing and able for a good show, it's reflected back to them, and a party can break out at any moment, hopefully right from the get-go. >> you also told larry king in an interview on cnn a while back you wanted to go in medicine but then you got this offer to write songs for i think you said $50 a week, is that right? >> i took it. i quit school and i took it. it was my first passion, it was my first love, and somebody was going to pay me and that made me a professional. so i went with it. >> last month you married your music manager, katie mcneil, congratulations. i thought it was interesting you sent out a photo of the two of you on twitter because you're a pretty private person or at least you have been and now you're a tweeting machine,

posting pictures from your wedding. what has made you decide to be a little more public? >> well, i'm not sure it's a little more public but it's an easy way to get the word out to the fans and the public. the thought comes to you, hey i should let folks know that i'm getting married, or here's a picture of my dog. and it's easy and fun and it's instant feedback. i like it. >> i love you announced the adoption of your new puppy on twitter, picture and all. very cute. let's talk about your recent album, compilation of your popular songs throughout the years. a lot of folks have their favorite, do you have a favorite? >> "sweet caroline" is at the

top. i have a dozen or two dozen favorites. >> any chance we can get you to sing a line or two of "sweet caroline"? >> uh, yeah. let me think what are the words, oh, yeah. ♪ sweet caroline, good times never seemed so good ♪ >> you made my day. that is wonderful! i'm also curious what artist you're listening to, there are so many new artists, new types of music coming out all the time, what is on your ipod, if you have one? >> well, interestingly enough, i just put all of my catalog, all of my recorded music on my ipod, and some of these things i haven't heard for years and years, so it's a kick to be able to pull them up and listen to

them and it takes me back instantly, so right now i'm listening to neil diamond and getting in neil diamond's music because starting next week, that is what we will be presenting. ♪ sweet caroline >> let's talk about "american idol," you were just on the star-studded finale, how was it to be on the show on "american idol"? >> it's a real happening. it's one of the few television shows that i do and that i've done over the years that leaves an impression, very high energy, an amazing production. i've never seen anything like it, the only thing that comes close to it is the thanksgiving day parade as far as production, and they do that once a year. the "american idol" thing is a

couple times a week. i don't know how they do it. it's amazing. >> i'm sure upcoming tour will be quite a production. we look forward to it. thank you so much, it has been a pleasure speaking with you. >> thank you, randi. dozens of inmates are set free near las vegas after too many jail employees call out sick. did this really happen? and why? right after this.

welcome back here is a check of what is making news across the country if you think caps and gowns would keep grads covered up, think again. take a close look at this graduation photo it looks like one student in the front row is,

well, flashing the camera. but school officials in north carolina investigate and they say it's an optical illusion. heading to nevada now to north las vegas, 70 inmates picked up a get out of jail free card. the non-violent moore isdemeano offenders were released early after 70 workers called in sick. the union says the sick calls are unrelated. to hawaii, a fresh coat of paint on a world war ii memorial made names difficult to read. another packed weekend on the trek to the top of the world even though four climbers died on mount everest last weekend, we talk to a climber at base camp how difficult the traffic jams can be. but first, afordable, efficient, revolutionary, the

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it is just about 29 minutes past the hour. welcome back, everyone. happy saturday i'm randi kaye, thanks for starting your day with us. grab a cup of coffee, it's time to get you caught up on headlines. a day 33 years in the making now a suspect has been charged with second degree murder in the disappearance of etan patz. his name is pedro hernandeherna admitted to killing patz with the lure of a promise of a soda. he was 6 years old when he vanished in 1979. whether on the road or in the skies, expect to get