making news on this wednesday, september 8th. >> big boost. today, the president rolls out his new plan for the economy. but will it be enough to help his party on election day? growing outrage over a florida pastor's plan to burn the koran. is there a chance he'll back down? and reduced to rubble. a detroit firestorm, spreading from house to house to house. good morning. and thanks for being with us. the president hopes to reverse his party's popularity problem today, as he outlines a new, economic plan. >> and that, of course, is a very tall order, with just eight weeks until the midterm elections.

but the white house is betting a mix of tax incentives and new spending will do the trick. >> emily schmidt is joining us from washington with details on what the president will say today. good morning, emily. >> reporter: rob and vinita, good morning to you. the white house says the message you'll hear today is going to be the basic economic message until the election. officials are hoping that the president can convince voters the economy's on the right track. even as recent polls show voters are increasingly worried. today in cleveland, it's round two of a washington election year fight about the economy. president obama heads to the buckeye state to outline his new plans for a fix. >> this isn't about the next 60 days or the next 90 days. this is about how do we get our economy fully back on track? >> reporter: the announcement comes in the same city where two weeks ago, house republican leader, john boehner, described his plan. and called on the president to fire his entire economic team. >> we had 15 months of a

community organizer. it hasn't worked. our fresh start needs to begin now.orter: presi >> reporter: president obama's proposals will include billions of dollars of tax incentives. businesses could write off all of investments in plans and equipment. and a research tax credit would be permanently extended. that's on top of $50 billion in infrastructure spending. but the plans need support of congress and midterm election voters. >> president obama is doing a terrible job at handling the economy. >> reporter: in an abc news/"washington post" poll, 92% of americans say the economy is in bad shape. and say the president has made it worse. but just 32% believe republican proposals would make things better. >> what we're really seeing is a revolt against the status quo. and it's all about, fundamentally, the economy. >> reporter: and today, president obama is also expected to support keeping the bush tax cuts for couples making less than $250,000 a year. but allowing those tax cuts to expire for americans making more

money. rob and vinita? >> emily schmidt in washington. thanks, emily. the president has yet to join several top officials in condemning a church's plan to burn the koran this week. secretary of state hillary clinton is the latest to come out against the event, at a gainesville, florida, church. with the growing pressure, will reverend terry jones cancel the planned burning? we'll hear from him later in the half hour. an italian airlines plane landed safely in l.a. overnight after an in-flight bomb threat. a handwritten message was found in the bathroom on a mirror. after the plane landed, it was taken to a secure area, where passengers were able to get out. investigators say no bomb was found. now, they're feverhoever left that note. the cleanup is under way this morning, after a wind-driven firestorm, usually seen out west, was fought in the middle of detroit. authorities say the toppled power lines helped spread 85 house fires in the course of 4 hours last night.

many of the homes that caught fire were completely destroyed. the fires broke out in at least three, different neighbors. eyewitnesss say the fires spread quickly, from one home to the other. >> got one house, caused nine houses to burn down. that don't make no sense. >> it just smoldered, at first. and then, all of a sudden, it just went -- >> the dry winds were gusting up to 50 miles per hour at the time. no serious injuries have been reported. on top of that, a wildfire is still raging out of control in the foothills around boulder, colorado. thousands who were forced to leave their homes ahead of the flames will not be able to go back for at least two days. nearly 100 s alreve already been destroyed. diana alvear has more. >> reporter: thick smoke blankets the skies above colorado's fourmile canyon fire. it's kept air tankers and choppers from attacking the blaze from above until now. >> unfortunately, we continued

today to lose some structures. >> reporter: nine firefighters lost their homes. >> that's a testament to the commitment and the bravery and the dedication of the folks. while they're out saving someone else's home, their home is burning down. >> reporter: anna and tom leuer got out just in time. >> it was windy. it took off. it came up and over the ridge. took out the house on top of the ridge. took out the house next to us. and then, ours was third to go. >> reporter: over the last couple of days, conditions have forced residents in the fire zone to combat the flames themselves, using shovels and rakes, whatever they had on-hand, to try to save their homes. >> but it was rolling over the hill here in big plumes. >> reporter: those who evacuated the area, have no way of getting back in, to see for themselves what damage has been done. >> i'm on pins and needles. we were wondering if it's still there. >> reporter: some residents never learned there was a mandatory evacuation. the reverse 911 system, designed to warn them, went down for a couple of hours. firefighters are currently

assessing the damage within the fire zone. they're hoping to post a list of burned home online, for residents to review. diana alvear, abc news, los angeles. and those firefighters will get a little help today from lighter winds and some higher humidity. the remnants hermine dumps heavy rain from texas to kansas. showers along the pacific coast, from northern california, through oregon and washington. showers and thunderstorms from here in new york, to northern new england. scattered showers across florida. and mostly 80s from miami up to boston. 70 in detroit. 68 in chicago. and 79 in kansas city. phoenix is just shy of 100. salt lake city, 85. seattle, 64. there's more amazing video of those fierce winds in michigan. about 230 miles north of detroit, they created a sandstorm, covering pretty much everything in sight. workers at the national park in empire tried to respond quickly to any downed trees or roads covered with sand.

>> tough times in michigan. still to come this morning, a story that's making headlines around the world. >> you really think that jesus ere todaif he were here today, would say, pastor, go burn that holy book? >> absolutely. >> we hear from the pastor planning to burn copies of the koran. and a look at the progress in the effort to rebuild new york's ground zero. to keep in balance after 50, i switched to a complete multivitamin with more. only one a day women's 50+ advantage has gingko for memory and concentration

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companies. tokyo's nikkei average tumbled 2.2% today. hong kong's hang seng is lower. in london, the ftse opened lower. on wall street, the dow fell 107 points yesterday. the nasdaq shed almost 25 points. hewlett-packard is taking its former ceo to court. it's an attempt to prevent him from going to rival, oracle. h.p. argues that mark hurd will share trade secrets with its competitor. hurd was forced out last month after a company investigation uncovered inaccurate expense reports that appeared to hide a relationship with a contractor. burger king says it is getts about the most important meal of the day. the burger chain is adding nine new items to the breakfast menu, in hopes of stealing away business from mcdonald's. the new items will include blueberry biscuits and pancakes. the price of your morning pick-me-up may be going up. coffee bean prices have hit a

13-year high, rising 40% since june. the company is a sells folgers and dunkin' donuts' brand in supermarkets raised its prices an average of 10% last month. time to start hoarding the coffee beans. >> we'll still pay. you know that. coming up next on this wednesday morning, the growing pressure on a pastor who is planning to burn islam's holy book. plus, the end of an era. a political surprise in chicago. and fashion week begins in a big way in the big apple. [ female announcer ] nutri-grain -- one good decision... ♪ ...can lead to another. ♪ ♪ ...made with real fruit and now with more of the whole grains your body needs. nutri-grain can help you eat better all day.

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new aveeno positively radiant tinted moisturizers, with scientifically proven soy complex and natural minerals give you sheer coverage instantly, then go on, to even skin tone in four weeks. new aveeno tinted moisturizers. tropical storm hermine has now fizzled out. but texas is still taking quite a pounding. hermine already dumped up to a foot of rain along the texas/mexico border, toppling trees and knocking out power to tens of thou more more rain and flash floods are expected today as far north as oklahoma and kansas. that flooding will affect

i-20, from dallas to abilene, and i-35, from kansas city all the way down to the mexican border. i-95 across new england. and on a southern end of the interstate through florida. slick on i-5, in northern california, through to portland and seattle. >> if you're flying today, you can expect airport delays in seattle, kansas city, dallas, houston and boston. well, there is growing condemnation this morning over a florida pastor's plan to burn the koran. but minister terry jones says he is not backing down. >> our terry moran traveled to florida to speak to jones directly about this controversy. >> reporter: at the sunday morning service in the dove world outreach center, there were fewer than 30 worshipers. a tiny congregation among the world's 2 billion-plus christians. but pastor terry jones has led this little flock to the brink of what has become a global confrontation. >> it's time to stand up and do what we're doing. >> reporter: pastor jones says he will go forward with his plan to burn hundreds of korans, the holy book of more than 1 billion

muslims, on september 11th. pastor, don't you even have a twinge of conscience about doing something like this? >> of course. of course. we have thought very much about it. we have prayed a lot about it. yes, it's one of the things that we think about all of the time. >> reporter: jones says the fbi, the department of justice and local law enforcement authorities in gainesville have all urged him not to go forward. but he won't listen. in afghanistan, general david petraeus warned that jones' actions could endanger u.s. troops. >> it puts our soldiers in jeopardy, very likely. we've already seen a demonstration here in kabul just at the rumor that this event could take place. >> we understand that those concerns are valid. but the question that we have is, if we don't do it, when do we stop backing down?

>> reporter: but even though christian leaders from the vatican to the southern baptists to evangelical leaders have condemned jones, he believes. christians sometimes ask, what would jesus do? do you really this that jesus christ, if he were here today, would say, pastor, go burn that holy book? >> absolutely. >> reporter: jesus christ would say that? >> absolutely. >> reporter: what would change your mind? >> i guess the same thing that caused us to do it. just a deep conviction from god. something has to happen. >> reporter: so, he is praying. as are so many other people, around the world. i'm terry moran, in gainesville, florida. the imam at the helm of the controversial mosque project near ground zero says they're taking a multi-faith approach. feisal abdul rauf wrote an op-ed in today's "new york times" after a state department tour in

the middle east. he said he is awed at how inflamed the community center has become. he added the community center will have separate prayer spaces for muslims, christians and jews. and the debate will rage on later today on "good morning america." new york city mayor mike bloomberg sits down with our robin roberts to explain why he is one of the outspoken supporters of the proposed mosque. a "gma" exclusive, later this morning. at ground zero, a sign of progress, just ahead of the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. a 70-foot piece of world trade center steel has now been hoisted into place. a second column is expected to be in place later today. officials are vowing the memorial will be open next year. the columns will be at the entrance of the museum which is set to open in 2012. something of a political surprise in chicago. mayor richard dale he won't run for re-election next year. daley is in his sixth term as mayor.

he, along with his father, have run the windy city for 42 of the last 55 years. there's now intense speculation in washington that white house chief of staff rahm emanuel, who is from chicago, will run for the job. a young killer whale at san diego seaworld theme park at died. park officials say that 12-year-old sumar had only showed signs of being ill on monday. officials say sumar was acting in a lethargic way. but they are investigating the cause of his death. the killer whale show will resume today. time, now, for sports news this morning. here's adnan virk at espn news. >> good morninnnant race the pennant race is continuing around major league baseball, including st. louis cardinals trying to catch the cincinnati reds in the n.l. central. they had their work cut out for them. down 4-2, facing trevor hoffman. top of the ninth. two outs for aaron miles. and miles to go before he sleeps.stone for tr a milestone for trevor hoffman. the first player ever to record 600 career saves.

the 42-year-old doing so in his 18th manger league season. he last led the league in saves in '06 with san diego. another blow for the cards. they fall 4-2. the phillies trying to catch the atlanta braves in the n.l. east. bottom of the fifth. score 3-3. ryan howard, off of chris volstad. howard's 27th homer of the year. phillies take a 4-3 lead. bottom of the eighth, placido polanco. and shane victorino, the flying hawaiian will score. the phillies are now in first for the first time since may. and wnba action. the dream looking to defeat the liberty and advance the wnba finals. dream up 24-16. angel mccoughtry, steal in the lane. the dream up by ten. second quarter. dream up by 11. mccoughtry. drills the three. dream up by 14. third quarter, liberty by six. how about kathy pondexter? just sticks the tres. liberty down by three. they're making a run. late in the third, they're down by just one. and it's pondexter again.

a phenomenal performance. 3 of her 36. the liberty take their first lead of the game. they're up by two. fourth quarter, dream up by three. mccoughtry, tough jumper. she sets a wnba record of 42 points. the dream advance to the finals. you're up to date for now. back to you in new york. fashion week is getting under way here in new york. with the biggest runway show the city has ever seen. >> dozens of models, including gisele bundchen and naomi campbell participated in last night's show at the lincoln center. the designs were inspired by different eras of the 20th century. the show was a kickoff for friday's fashion night out, a retail stimulus program spearheaded by "vogue" editor in chief, anna wintore. i saw naomi campbell on the street. >> you guys best buds now? >> she did not see me. coming up, we'll get new answers about what caused the gulf oil spill, as bp releasits its own internal report. and an asteroids set to come

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report into the massive gulf coast oil spill. the report is expected to assign blame, not only to bp engineers, but also to other companies for the worst environmental disaster in u.s. history. a florida minister is vo to go ahwing to go ahead with his plan to burn the koran this saturday. se state clinton became the latest high-ranking u.s. official to condemn the highly-controversial plan. the federal government has now taken over firefighter efforts around boulder, colorado. the raging wildfire is still burning out of control, destroying nearly 100 structures. nasa says that two, small asteroids are expected to zoom past the earth early today. astronomers say the double fly-by should be visible through a telescope. but they will not actually hit the earth. the good news. coming up later on "good morning america," take a look at this unbelievable video. a lion attacking his trainer in full view of patrons at the mgm grand in las vegas. one expert says it wasn't an attack at all.

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oprah: about to lose their homes -- that's a great hookup. one of the biggest harpo hookups of all time. then, a cher triple whammy. >> ah! oprah: plus, justin timberlake, diane e e e e e e e e e e e e e well, it was a footloose, fun-filled night at the white house. first lady michelle obama kicked off the first-ever white house

dance series, with help of some of the most talented dancers in the nation. dozens of dance students have across the country were treated to a workshop and jaw-dropping performances from ballet to hip-hop. and a resounding welcome back to our friend and colleague, barbara walters. >> barbara kicked off season 14 of "the view" yesterday, showing the world she has a big bounceback from heart surgery in more ways than one. you know it's a stunt double there. but barbara did come back looking and feeling pretty amazing. she compared notes can david leerman. and she flashed a little more skin than usual. >> will you be wonderful and show us your scar, barbara. >> now, if you want to see my scar -- >> is that a personal thing? >> you are looking at it. >> what do you mean? >> what do you mean. >> my scar starts somewhere around here. >> i don't see it. >> i have a little bit. but you wouldn't see it. >> i'm right next to you, barbara. >> you see? >> can barely see it.

>> that was -- >> it does look like cleavage. >> you cannot see it. let me see yours. >> you've seen mine. >> does yours look like mine? >> mine looks like a drainage canal in a central american country. >> let's see it. >> no. >> funny to see them exchange notes. >> dave's surgery was ten years ago. they have to compare notes on that. they made it out okay. good to have barbara back. >> it is. of course, she's used that platform smartly to remind women that it's important for us, as well, to look at heart disease. it's not just something that affects men. the 14th season back. she looks fantastic. who else could do back flips at that age? >> she's? good shape. that's what's making news in america this morning. >> get more news from "good morning america" or anytime at abcnews.com.