making news this morning -- romney roars. >> what some are calling his best debate yet. seeming to rattle newt gingrich. a make or break showing. before the critical florida primary. a chilling plot. two students accused of planning to bomb their school and get away by planes. all of this drawing comparisons to columbine. and sajak's stunner. drunk at the wheel. admitting he and vanna white got bombed before taping their hit show. good friday morning, everybody. i'm rob nelson. >> and i'm paula faris. the republicans battled it out in one final debate before tuesday's high-stakes primary in florida. >> newt gingrich shines at these showdowns. this time, mitt romney came out determined to beat him at his

own game. it's "your voice, your vote." and abc's karen travers has more. >> reporter: under pressure from a soaring newt gingrich, mitt romney came out with his guns blazing. >> wouldn't it be nice if people didn't make accusations somewhere else that they won't defend here? >> reporter: romney was more aggressive, more confident, more prepared than he has been in recent debates. romney repeatedly slammed gingrich for his work as a consultant for failed mortgage giant freddie mac. he made it a local issue. >> he should have been anxiously telling the american people that these entities were causing a housing bubble that would cause a collapse. >> reporter: gingrich fired right back. >> governor romney owns shares of fannie mae and freddie mac. tell us how much money he's made off of how many households that have been foreclosed by his investments. >> i don't known stock in

either. i know that sounds like an enormous revelation. but have you checked your own investments? you have investments in mutual funds that also invest in fannie mae and freddie mac. >> reporter: ron paul and rick santorum are trailing in the polls. they just wanted to get back to policy. >> leave that alone and focus on the issues.interestsubject doest me a whole lot. >> reporter: latinos make up 13.1% of florida's 11 million registered voters. the contenders jockeys for their support. >> is he still the most anti-immigrant candidate? >> i think of the four of us, yes. >> that's inexcusable. i'm not anti-immigrant. my father was born in mexico. my wife's father was born in wales. they came to this country. the idea that i'm anti-immigrant is repulsive. >> reporter: there are no more debates between now and tuesday. they want to focus on the down

many votes as they can. >> thanks, karen. president obama was likely not watching that debate. he has a message for his republican rivals. game on. his three-day swing across the country looks a lot like the campaign trail. diane sawyer caught up with him. at one of his stops. >> reporter: beginning with the obvious, 9 months, 11 days until election day. are you going to win? >> yes. >> reporter: how much do you want it? >> badly. i think the country needs it. we started this journey in 2008 understanding that for a decade or more, middle class families in this country had been struggling. we're now in a position where we're starting to come back. >> reporter: you don't second guess yourself? >> oh, i second-guess myself constantly. look, i make a mistake -- every hour, every day. there are always things you're learning on the job. i have no doubt that i'm a better president now than the day i took office because you get more experience. >> reporter: watching the

debates? >> i don't watch the debates. i gotta say. i read the r i read the report. what i get a sense of is that, whoever wins the republican primary is going to be a standard bearer for a vision of the country that i don't think reflects who we are. >> reporter: there's a picture out there of you with governor jan brewer. what was -- what was going on there? she said you were tense, thin-skinned. she's all over the airwaves. >> yeah, yeah, well, you know, what i have discovered is, i think it's always good publicity for a republican if they're in an argument with me. this was not a big deal. >> reporter: were you tense? >> i'm usually accused of being not tense enough, right? too relaxed. >> that full interview is on our website. there's been speculation that president obama might switch vice presidents in the re-election bid.

to hillary clinton. but when the secretary of state was asked about it, she laughed. that would be a no. >> after 20 years, and it will be 20 years of being on the high wire of american politics and all of the challenges that come with that, it would be a -- probably a good idea to find out just how tired i am. >> secretary clinton plans to step down in the president's second term as soon as he can replace her. congress may give the president one of the laws he asked for in the state of the union address this week. the senate is taking up legislation banning lawmakers from profiting on insider trading. the house is expected to do so next month. both sides have bipartisan support. and the administration's plan to shrink the defense budget will be a tougher fight.

defense secretary leon panetta outlined plans to cut forces, close bases and other cuts. he vowed the u.s. military will remain the strongest in the world. new york police and federal drug authorities are investigating a shipment of at cocaine that was delivered to united nations headquarters. it was no small delivery. 30 pounds seized earlier this month. it was sent from mexico and traveled through cincinnati. so far, no arrests have been made. back on the campaign trail. a lighter moment for romney supporter senator john mccain. >> frankly, it's not supported by the evidence. now -- in massachusetts -- oops. too bad for channel 9. channel 9's a bunch of liberals any way. >> the senator showing off his sharp sense of humor there. he's got more stops for romney set for florida later today. >> i hate it when i drop that mike. time for the weather. a wet day from miami to boston with severe storms and hail in the carolinas and virginia.

an icy mix changes to all snow in northern new england. up to 3 inches of snow in the upper peninsula, the u.p. raining in milwaukee, chicago, cincinnati, and louisville. >> 41 in colorado springs. 38 in salt lake city. 37 in minneapolis. near 50 in kansas city. 71 in dallas. mostly 50s from boston to atlanta. miami, always the nice spot, warms up to 82. well, coming up from burritos to breakfast, taco bell announces a plan to open early. >> we like that around here. plus, to buy or not to buy. tv deals before the big game might be less than super this year. and bueller's back. matthew broderick in a revival of sorts. a sneak peekh@ cing up.am hey, your high speed internet here, at home... ...and on the go... ...with some really big news. it's b-i-g -- big. high speed internet from at&t at home... ...includes wi-fi access on the go. woo-hoo!

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welcome back, everyone. overseas markets are mixed to start the final trading day of the week. tokyo's nikkei average was down just eight points today. hong kong's hang seng was up 23 points. in london, the ftse opened slightly lower but continues to fluctuate. on wall street, the dow was slightly down, giving up 22 points yesterday. the nasdaq down 13 points. today, the debt ceiling will once again be raised. this time by $1.2 trillion. senate republicans were not able to muster enough votes to vote down the president's request. this will increase the u.s. credit line to just over $17

starbucks is soaring. the biggest gain last quarter up 16% since the recession began. executives attribute the success to store openings and rolling out single-serve coffee. for those looking for a breakfast burrito, now you can go to taco bell. they're planning to offer the menu in all stores by 2014. restaurants serving breakfast plan to open around 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. switching to the regular menu at 11:00. we need them to open about six hours earlier for us to have any. >> you like the breakfast burrito? >> i do. i'm a fan. i love taco bell. it's a great day. >> well, glad you're happy. shoppers in the market for a new hdtv for the super bowl game may have missed the ball. traditionally, the post-holiday period is a good time for savings on tvs. retailers have less inventory this year. that means fewer savings for

consumers. next on this friday, students accused of a plot to bomb their school. one bragging he was smarter than the columbine killers. and one western town's battle. what to do with all of that snow? those stories and more when we come right back. is this your normal? jamie lee curtis?? oh, hi, yes...wow, you really went all out on the decorations, huh?! yeah, but i'm so slow taking them down after all the fatty holiday food. but that's normal. what do you mean that's normal? it doesn't have to be. to me, normal, means feeling good inside. not slow. try some activia. activia helps with occasional irregularity, when eaten 3 times a day. keep a video diary and let me know about your new normal. love your new normal or it's free.

the snow has finally stopped falling in the cascades. crews are still struggling to open up roads blocked by more than six feet of snow that's fallen in the last two weeks. some passes were closed while authorities triggered controlled avalanches to alleviate the danger. wet from boston down to miami. rain also stokes i-80 from cleveland to chicago. snow on i-94 from detroit to chicago and also in the colorado rockies. if you're flying, airport delays possible in boston, new york, philly, d.c., minneapolis,

and atlanta. we now turn to the stunning details of an alleged columbine-style bomb plot at a high school north of salt lake city. teenagers dallen morgan and joshua hoggan are no in custody. they planned to bomb an assembly at their school. >> they prepared an escape plan that included stealing a plane from a local airport. they learned how to fly that plane using flight simulator software. police and students taking it very seriously. >> this was not idle chatter. that was early on recognized that there was significant thought, there was significant purpose. >> i'm terrified to be here at school right now. i have a lot to live for. i don't want to die at school. >> one of the boys told investigators he's so fascinated by the columbine attack, he even visited that school. searches have turned up no explosives so far.

police have released a 911 call from a hostage situation at a suburban mcdonald's in cleveland. the operator knew it was serious when she asked the manager there. >> can you see a gun on her, mickey? >> um -- it's in my back. >> it's on your back? >> yes. >> the manager was not hurt. the woman who says she was mentally ill is now in stable condition after being shot by an officer who felt threatened. blis did not say if they found a gun. on penn state's campus, it was an emotional final farewell for joe paterno. some 12,000 people attended a public memorial service yesterday. nike chairman phil knight said if there i whole thing, this whole thing, it's not joe paterno. also, paterno's son jay said his dad died with a clear conscience. well, final preparations are being made in hawaii for sunday's pro bowl. seven san francisco 49ers will take part.

the most of any nfl team this year. as for hoops, we get highlights from espn news. i'm chris cotter with this espn update. we start with a big comeback in the nba. dwight howard and his magic welcoming in the celtics. this is a floater. dwight howard is there for the putback. the magic up 20.up 24 nd quarte points at this point. redick finds nelson. he's going to hit the three-pointer. a 27-point lead for the magic. teammates on the bench celebrating. but, it was not over. the celtics would make a comeback. paul pierce, after the magic turnover in transition, cuttthe. we go to the fourth quarter. celtics down just nine. paul pierce, he's going to find himself open beyond the three-point arc. he'll bury the jumper. with hand in his face. celtics down just six. kevin garnett getting into the act. will hit the mid range jumper.

the lost art in the nba these days. we're tied at 76-76. the celtics are not going to come back from 27 points down, are they? brandon bass says, we are. getting the shooter's bounce. 91-83, celtics win. to the college game. women's college hoops that is. top-ranked and undefeated baylor traveling to oklahoma. this is a block party for britney greiner. that's number one on the game. later in the first. struggling offensively, greiner with the air ball. she headed to the bench, frustrated a little bit. this was all about her defense here. blocking the shot. that's block number 498 on her career. 499 there. watch how easy she makes this look. doesn't even jump. block number 500. making it look easy. 501 career blocks all-time. you're up to date. tune in to espn news for more. sticking with the sports theme.

you have to see this. it all happened down under in the men's semifinal between roger federer and rafa nadal. >> watch the ball boy on the left. check it out again. right there by the net. a great one-handed grab by that youngster. the crowd let him know it with a big cheer. bravo to that kid. nice grab. >> i think he's got a future in baseball. >> baseball, right, exactly. up next, "the pulse." matthew broderick reviving ferris bueller. >> bueller? bueller? >> bueller? ferris? and the revela did pat sajak really host "wheel of fortune" while drunk? did pat sajak really host wheel of fortune while drunk? thought to be the result of overactive nerves that cause chronic widespread pain. lyrica is believed to calm these nerves. i learned lyrica can provide significant relief from fibromyalgia pain. and for some people, it can work in as early as the first week of treatment. so now i can plan my days and accomplish more. lyrica is not for everyone.

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well, i hope you're ready. it's time to check "the pulse." lots of news from hollywood. starting with the latest tribute to the king of pop. >> michael jackson's hand and footprints have been immortalized with the help of his three kids. prince, paris, and blanket were on hand. they put their prints next to his. >> jackson's mom and some siblings attended, along with quincy jones, smokey robin son, and the bieber. here's an example of being drunk at the wheel. this story doesn't involve a

car. >> it does krofl the wheel of fortune, right? sajak tells our colleagues thats in the show's early days, he and white used to slip out between tapings for a couple of cocktails. it's cute. >> at nbc, we had a place called los arcos. it's spanish. we go -- they serve great margaritas. we would go across and have two or three or six and then come and do the last shows and have trouble recognizing the alphabet. >> sounds like more than one. >> that's it. pat sajak has confirmed they did the wheel of fortune drunk. he says it doesn't happen these days. they're simply too old. so pat, i would like to buy a d, r, u, n, and a k. well, the most famous hooky

player of all time may be poised to make a comeback. >> it's been more than 25 years since "fers bueller's day off" first hit theaters. look like matthew broderick is reprising his role. a clip 'pyred on youtube. broderick himself played on the movie's famous line. >> how can i handle work on a day like today? ♪ >> and that original line, of course, how can i expect to handle school on a day like today? i guess we're going to have to wait for super bowl sunday to find out what it's about. >> even loves that movie. >> it's just a super bowl ad. but it's something. for some of you, your local news is up next. for everyone else, your friday funnies. yeah, i know what you mean.

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how a jogger became a hero. meteorologist mike nicco has a foggy forecast. good morning. i'll show you where the lowest visibilities are and some of the warmest whether this weekend. >> sigh will updating today's top stories. mitt romney got the better of newt gingrich in the final

debate before tuesday's primary in florida. polls show a between the two. secretary of state hillary clinton laughed at the suggestion that she might replace joe biden as vice president. the american aid worker has reportedly been reunited with her hubt. jessica buchanan and her danish colleague are at an air base in italy. and looking at today's weather map. rain in milwaukee, chicago, louisville. snow in northern new england. se vaer storms in the carolinas. with this busy week in politics, there was plenty to poke fun at for the late night comics. >> everything was fair game. >> president owe what gave his state of the union address tonight. he focused or four areas he believes are the key to secures

our future. they included tv shows about cup cakes. >> with a role like that, it was worth crying over spilt milk. >> as a american who does comedy for a living. been there. the worst part is not the crowd's reaction. it's the wife's. you know, that face says -- that face says, [ bleep ], told you that wasn't funny. >> oh, hardy har har. while the jay leno in chief was cracking wise, the crime rate in the country is soaring. just yesterday, two peanuts were walking down the street and one was assaulted. >> to the obama is traveling the country.

he spent last night in las vegas. [ cheers and applause ] >> yeah. this morning, he woke up hotel room floor trying to figure out what to do about a tiger, a baby, and 9:% unemployment. >> it's hard to tell if you're watching a debate or jersey shore. >> i told this chick, i would like to get in my birthday suit with you. she's down. >> everybody's getting in on the birthday. >> would you want to go out to a club? >> i'll try and get laid tonight. >> that's a lot. >> creative editing. that answer making news in america this friday mrning. news in america this friday mrning. closed captioning by closed captioning services,inc >> reporter: good