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 planning to bomb their school and get away. and sajak's stunner. drunk at the wheel. admitting he and vanna white got drunk before taping their show. good friday morning, everybody. i'm rob nelson. >> and i'm paula faris. the republicans battled it out in a final debate before tuesday's primary in florida. >> newt gingrich shines at these

showdowns. this time, mitt romney came out to beat him at his own game. karen travers has more. >> wouldn't it be nice if people didn't make accusations somewhere else that they won't make 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 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.

>> 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. >> leave that alone and focus on the issues. >> that subject doesn't interest 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 inix kusable. my father was born in mexico. my wife's father was born in wales. >> reporter: they want to focus

on the campaign trail to lock down as 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 like like the campaign trail. diane sawyer caught up with him. >> reporter: beginning with the obvious, 9 month tos, 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? >> i second guess myself constantly. i make a mistake every hour, every day. there's 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 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 air waves. >> i have discovered 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. when asked about it, she laughed. that will 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 event this week. it would ban profits from insider trading. 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 cocaine delivers to the united nations head quarters. it was no small delivery. 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 changed to all snow in northern new england. 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 t a lan that. miami, always the nice spot, warms up to 82. well, coming up from burritos to breakfast, taco bell announces a plan to open early. plus, to buy or not to buy. tv deals before the big game might be less than super this year. and bueller's back.

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. the dow was down 22 points. the nasdaq down 13 points. today, the debt ceiling will once again be raised. senate republicans were not able to muster enough votes to vote

down the president's request. starbucks is soaring. the biggest gain last quarter since the recession began. the success is attributed 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 is breakfast plan to open around 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. 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. shoppers in the market for a new hdtv for the super bowl game may have missed the ball. retailers have less inventory

this year. fewer savings for consumers. next on this friday, students accused of a plot to bomb their school. one bragging he was smaert than the columbine kirls. 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 struggled 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 avalanches to alleviate the danger. wet from boston down to miami. rain also stokes i-80 from cleveland to chicago. snow in the 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. two students 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 seriously. >> this was not idle chatter. there was significant thought and purpose. >> i'm tear fid 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 visited that school.

searches have shown no explosives so far. police received a call from a hostage situation in a suburban mcdonalds in cleveland. the operator knew it was sers when she asked the manager there. >> can you see a gun on her, mickey? >> it's right there. >> 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 ster who felt threatened. it was an emotional final fare well. some 12,000 people attended a public memorial service yesterday. nike chairman phil knight said if there is a villain in this whole thing, it's not joe pateterno.

well, final preparations are being made in hawaii for sunday's pro bowl. seven san francisco 49ers will take part. as for hoops, we get highlights from espn news. i'm chris cotter with this update. a big comeback in the nba. dwight howard and his magic welcoming in the celtics. the magic up 20. second quarter, magic up 24 points at this point. redick finds nelson. 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, cutting the lead to 15. we go in the fourth. celtics down just nine. paul pierce, he's going to find himself open beyond the three-point arc. he'll bury the jumper. 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 hfr 76. the celtics are not going to come back from 27 points down, are they? brandon bass says, we are. 91-83, celtics win. to the college game. women's college hoops that is. top-ranked baylor traveling to oklahoma. this is a block party for britney greiner. that's number one on the game. 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. block number 500. third all-time with 501 career blocks. you're up to day. 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. 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. up next, "the pulse." matthew broderick reviving ferris bueller. >> bueller. bueller? 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. lyrica may cause serious allergic reactions or suicidal thoughts or actions. tell your doctor right away if you have these, new or worsening depression, or unusual changes in mood or behavior, or any swelling or affected breathing or skin, or changes in eyesight, including blurry vision or muscle pain with fever or tired feeling. common side effects are dizziness, sleepiness, weight gain, and swelling of hands, legs and feet. don't drink alcohol while taking lyrica. don't drive or use machinery until you know how lyrica affects you. with less pain, i'm feeling better now that i've found lyrica. ask your doctor if lyrica is right for your fibromyalgia pain. has focused on making the best-tasting... sour cream for over four generations. it's made with farm-fresh cream that's 100% natural. no preservatives. and no added hormones. ♪ do-do a dollop of daisy but do you really? [ female announcer ] neutrogena® makeup remover

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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.

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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 close race 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. it is to laugh.

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 on his 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