blown away. a violent storm wreaks havoc as it sweeps through new york city. use hoax, a washington state woman admits wounds in an acid attack were self-inflicted. palin power. the former alaska governor heads to iowa today in what may be the first step towards a run for the white house. this is the "cbs morning news" for friday, september 17th, 2010. good morning on this friday. good to see you. i'm terrell brown in for betty nguyen. in new york, folks are preparing for a rough commute. a violent and fast-moving storm

tore through the city. at least one person was killed, commuter trains were knocked out, and roads were blocked by downed trees. hurricane-force winds were recorded, and today the national weather service will determine if a tornado touched down. packing winds near 100 miles per hour, the storm sliced through the city in just minutes. tearing trees from the ground, ripping bricks from buildings, and knocking out power to tens of thousands. >> my used-to-be car is now a convertible. i've seen bad winds. this, they said there was a tornado warning. i think it hit. >> i've been here like over 20 years and i have never seen anything like this. >> a woman died outside manhattan after a tree fell on the car she was sitting in. numerous other injuries were reported. >> we'll get power back. the trees will regrow, but to lose a life, you never get that back. >> the storm hit at rush hour. rail service between manhattan and long island was suspended. leaving countless commuters in

the lurch. >> you just swallow and deal with it, i guess. that's all you can do. you just have to deal with it. >> can't get subway. car services aren't available until after 10:00. so, kind of stranded for a while. >> while it's common for new york city to get a couple tornado warnings a year, only eight have actually hit the city since 1950. there were, also, powerful and damaging storms in central ohio. the strong winds and heavy rain hit thursday night. there are unconfirmed reports of several tornadoes, dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed. roads were blocked by downed trees and at least ten people suffered minor injuries. a washington state woman may face criminal charges. she admitted she lied about being attacked with acid. she made headlines with her story a random assailant threw acid on her face last month. police found discrepancies in her story. her home was searched thursday. during an interview, she admitted it was all a hoax. the injuries were self-inflicted.

>> she is extremely upset. she's very remorseful. in many ways, this is something that just got bigger than what she expected. and so, she has shown this has affected her a great deal. >> doctors say she was burned by a powerful acid. arrangements are being made to try and return any money donated to her. politics now the big winners in this week's primaries upstart republicans backed by the tea party and endorse by sarah palin. today, she heads to iowa, expected to be the big draw at a republican fund-raiser tonight. it may be the first step towards a run for the white house. tara mergener is in washington with more. tara, good morning to you. >> good morning, terrell. there's certainly been lots of speculation about palin's political aspirations. iowa holds the first presidential caucuses. now, meantime, with control of congress at stake, no one is wasting any time or sparing any expense.

primary season may be over, but the gop is still feeling the tea party's heat. >> we can take it back. we can take back our country. and we're going to turn things around. >> reporter: in kentucky thursday the former alaska governor sarah palin urged republicans to set aside their differences and take advantage of recent wins by tea party-backed candidates. >> for the hierarchy, i think buck up or stay in the truck. >> reporter: palin's political clout will be on display again today in iowa, while one of the candidates she helped lead to victory heads to washington. >> i believe the establishment in both parties have lost their way. >> reporter: one day after appearing in her first debate, the delaware senate hopeful christine o'donnell will try to shore up republican support at a family values conference in d.c. democrats are also hitting the campaign trail hard. last night, president obama stepped in to connecticut's contentious senate race. >> i understand she has promised a smackdown. >> reporter: at a fund-raiser for democrat and attorney

general richard blumenthal, he warned voters on taking a chance on the republican candidate, the former professional wrestling executive who pumped millions into her campaign. >> i'm happy i can fund the race myself. it's money i've earned. >> no question we'll be out-spent but not out-worked. >> reporter: in a year where polls show many americans leaning toward political outsiders, blumenthal hopes his insider experience will be enough. and mcmahon's wealth was a very hot topic at yesterday's fund-raiser for about $12,000, you could have your picture taken with president obama. terrell, back to you. >> a hot ticket there. tara mergener in washington for us this morning. thank you so much. the blown-out well in the gulf of mexico is one step closer to being permanently plugged this morning. the government said a relief well was connected to the blown-out bp well late thursday. the next step is pumping cement and mud through the relief well to seal the damaged well from the bottom. the final seal should take place sunday. also in the gulf, hurricane

karl gaining strength and baring down on the mexican coast, now a category 2 storm with sustained winds of 105 miles per hour expected to make landfall sometime late today as a stronger storm, some oil production in the gulf has been suspended. meanwhile hurricane igor has weakened, with sustained winds of 125 miles per hour. igor is expected to hit bermuda monday. pope benedict meets with the leader of the anglican church in london today. the first official state visit by a pope to the uk. he arrived thursday and admitted the catholic church did not act quickly enough in the sex abuse scandal. the pope isn't popular in highly secular britain. many oppose his stand on abortion and hard line against homosexuality. amazing video you have to watch this. a baby crawls into a busy highway and survives. take a look. this happened in turkey on monday, caught by a security camera. the baby crawls from the bushes. he had been sleeping by his mother.

several cars and trucks pass by him without stopping. a truck driver here alerts another truck driver. the boy's mother rushes to grab him. he wasn't hurt. the mother is still being questioned. amazing. on the "cbs moneywatch," stocks in asia rallied. ashley morrison in new york with more on that. good morning to you. good morning to you, terrell. asian markets were higher helped by a weaker yen, the nikkei closed at a six-week high and the hang seng was also mostly higher. today wall street gets the latest on consumer prices thursday stocks finished higher after a see-saw session. the dow gained 22 points, the nasdaq edged up two. it could soon get tougher for financial firms to hide their debt. the sec is proposing new rules that would allow banks -- prevent banks from temporarily trimming their debt at the end of a quarter to make their finances appear stronger than they really are. the practice is legal but regulators say it is misleading to investors.

the gold rush on wall street showing little sign of slowing. the price of an ounce jumped thursday to more than $1, 270 an ounce a record high, the second set this week. investors often turn to the precious metal as a safe haven when they fear stocks could be in trouble. some analysts believe the price could top $1300 soon for an ounce. a mega merger in the skies ready for takeoff. the result of shareholder voting will be announced today in the proposed merger of united and continental airlines. if shareholders approve the deal tom create the world's biggest airline is expected to close in just the next two weeks. the new carrier would keep the united name and be based in chicago. some analysts think it could lead to higher ticket fares, terrell that, is something none of us want to hear. i'll be riding down in cargo with my luggage.

>> as long as my frequent flyer miles transfer over, do what you want. >> you're lucky. can i have some? >> ashley morrison in new york. appreciate it thank you. have a good weekend. >> you too. >> just ahead a cartoonist goes underground after receiving death threats plus hospital horror. a shooting leaves two dead at johns hopkins. this is the "cbs morning news." expresso tampers, filters. it can get really complicated. not nearly as complicated as shipping it, though. i mean shipping is a hassle. not with priority mail flat rate boxes from the postal service. if it fits it ships anywhere in the country for a low flat rate. that is easy. best news i've heard all day! i'm soooo amped! i mean not amped. excited. well, sort of amped. really kind of in between. have you ever thought about decaf? do you think that would help? yeah. priority mail flat rate box shipping starts at $4.95, only from the postal service. a simpler way to ship.

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with real meat, wholesome grains and antioxidants, for strong muscles, vital energy, a healthy immune system, and a real difference in your dog. purina one improved with smartblend. discover what one can do. not quite a good night for a michigan deputy. he tried to stop a suspected car thief wednesday. the driver backed the car into the police cruiser, not once but twice then sped off. the deputy finally caught up as they passed over the indiana line. the suspect surrendered there and was arrested on stolen vehicle and assault charges. in baltimore, a deadly shooting at johns hopkins hospital. police say a man was distraught over the care of his mother. he pulled out a gun and shot the surgeon and shot and killed his mother and himself. neighbors were surprised. >> he wasn't a mean person at

all, not from what i seen from him, at least. he was a gentle soul. >> she had a great son. you don't find many sons like that. this is hard to believe. >> after a about two two-hour standoff police found the bodies of the man and his 84-year-old mother in her hospital room. the wounded surgeon is expected to cover. a seattle cartoonist in hiding after warnings from the fbi receiving death threats publishing a cartoon in this seattle weekly. it was in the spring. by summer, the cartoon went viral on the web and angered muslim fundamentalists in pakist pakistan. norris went underground and changed her name at the fbi's urging. the man who killed john lennon had other targets. mark david chapman told a parole board earlier this month, he also considered killing johnny carson and elizabeth taylor. he said the ex-'beatle was more accessible. he was denied parole. notes on his hearing were released thursday. the former president jimmy carter has harsh words for ted kennedy in an upcoming

cbs 60 minutes interview. he said the former senator killed his own efforts at health care some 30 years ago. >> the fact is that we would have had sxrensive health care now had it not been for ted kennedy's deliberately blocking the legislation i proposed in 1978 or '79. >> you blame teddy for the failure. >> exactly. >> health care, his issue. >> exactly. it was his fault. ted kennedy killed the bill. >> carter said kennedy killed the bill out of spite because he didn't want carter to have a major policy success. he called the senator who died last summer irresponsible and abusive all part of his new book. you can see the full interview with the former president this sunday night on "60 minutes" at 7:00, 6:00 central. straight ahead, your friday morning weather forecast. and in sports, up and in. ooh, to the face. a frightening moment in chicago. we'll talk about it coming up.

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not far away is a large area of clouds building in the midwest. later today, extreme weather has moved on from the northeast giving way to sunny skies then west could get severe weather of its own capable of producing hail and gusty winds. the south is staying hot and humid and portions of the north are cool and breezy. in sports this morning, we begin with a scary moment in chicago. get a look at this. the white sox's paul konerko hit in the face by a pitch from carl pavano. he ended up staying in the game and next at bat, oh, boy, homers! take a look at that. delwyn young hit his 18th homerun. the twins beat the sox, 8-5. san francisco, bus ter posy with an rbi double and solo home run. the giants beat the dodgers 10-2. sanchez struck out 12. there he goes. the wins gives the giants a half game win in the n.l. west over san diego. padres shut out by the cards 4-0.

jake westbrook pitched eight effective innings. albert pujols with an rbi double during a four-run sixth inning. st. louis trails cincinnati by seven games in the n.l. central. and the perfect storm, seattle grabbed the wnba title, the storm completed its undefeated post-season run. the team swept the atlanta dream in the final. the final there 87-84. it's the storm's second wnba championship. when we return this morning, another look at this morning's top stories and a new turn on the catwalk as plus-sized fashions make their debut. t. most people like to hear they've done a great job caring for their teeth. that's why there's a rinse like crest pro health complete.

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mmmmmm. ( shattering, thud ) mmmmmm. ( crash, shattering ) it's good! ( shattering ) when you add velveeta and rotel tomatoes... and green chilis to chicken and pasta, it's so good... - mmmmmm. - it'll blow 'em away. ( crashing ) man, that's good. man, that's good. velveeta and rotel. man, that's good. on the "cbs morning news" a look at today's weather extreme weather rocked portions of the northeast yesterday. in its wake windy conditions and sunny skies. severe storms hit forces in the midwest and scattered showers

draped the canadian border. our top story another look for you a violent and fast-moving storm tore through new york city last night. at least one person was killed. the hurricane-force winds knocked down trees and power lines and shut down commuter rails. now that a relief well has been attached to the broken bp well in the gulf, officials hope to permanently plug the well with cement and mud sunday. fashion week just wrapped up here in new york and there was something else that was new besides the clothing. some of the women that modeled them. a growing trend considered a plus by many consumers. michelle miller reports this morning. >> reporter: fashion week is all about setting trends. and this may be the newest. for the first time ever, women with curves have a catwalk to call their own. >> it's about time to see a runway show that reflects the diversity of size that is

america. >> reporter: the super-plus-size model lizzie miller is making her new york city runway debut. >> i've never been a stick-thin girl and never going to be that. finally a couple years ago i was okay with that. >> reporter: and everyday men and women seem to agree. >> i love my curves. i have them and keeping them, not going anywhere. >> something to hold onto, you know what i mean? >> reporter: turns out most people do. 67%, 75 million american women are so-called plus size, a size 14 or larger. and only 17% of women's apparel is made for them. but, that's changing. plus size clothing sales are expected to increase by more than 13% through 2014. that's $4 billion up for grabs. >> we have sort of reality meeting necessity. fashion industry struggling. needing new business. and recognizing that there is a plus-size woman out there who's

in some ways, getting plusser. >> fuller figures are starring in hit tv series and movies. >> girls like myself, we have a hard time finding trendy clothes to wear. >> reporter: department stores are trying to deliver them, though this store manager won't given specifics but says plus-size sales are exceeding expectations. >> finally giving them that fashion item they've been looking for and asking for. >> reporter: some high-end designers are catching on. full-figured women demanded attention. now, they're getting it. michelle miller, cbs news, new york. >> ain't nothin' wrong with that. the world stops turning today on daytime tv. the long-running cbs soap opera "as the world turns" airs for the last time. it debuted 54 years ago for proctor & gamble, which made soap. viewers were instantly hooked to the dam ma involving the residents of oakdale, illinois. the show is the second longest running soap opera on tv after "guiding light" cast members say the final episode will not let fans down. this morning on "the early sh "

show," dave price with the latest on last night's wild weather here in new york. i'm terrell brown. this is the "cbs morning news." words alone aren't enough. my job is to listen to the needs and frustrations of the shrimpers and fishermen, hotel or restaurant workers who lost their jobs to the spill. i'm iris cross. bp has taken full responsibility for the clean up in the gulf and that includes keeping you informed. our job is to listen and find ways to help. that means working with communities. restoring the jobs, tourist beaches, and businesses impacted by the spill. we've paid over $400 million in claims and set up a $20 billion independently-run claims fund to cover lost income until people impacted can get back to work. and our efforts aren't coming at tax-payer expense. i know people are wondering--

now that the well is capped, is bp gonna meet its commitments? i was born in new orleans. my family still lives here. i'm gonna be here until we make this right.

well, it's the morning after we got rain. bernadette woods is in for marty bass. yes, we needed the rain and we got some. we want to show you the forecast today. we'll have clouds out there this morning, we'll have a mix of sunshine and the wind is picking up and we'll dry out. and it's a decent weekend and we'll have the forecast coming up. the murder/suicide at johns hopkins. a man kills his mother and himself after shooting a doctor. held captive in baltimore

county. two are arrested for holding a woman against her will for a year. and watch out, this is the amazing race. she gets smacked in the face with a watermelon. we'll have more in a few minutes. ♪

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it's friday. >> it's the morning after we