it's friday, august 28th. this morning, held captive. an amazing story. after nearly two decades of captivity in a backyard shed, a california girl, now a woman, is found. saying good-bye. an outpouring of emotion in boston, as thousands pass by ted kennedy's casket. and kennedy's compassion. the senator's special relationship with families who lost loved ones on september relationship with families who lost loved ones on september 11th. captions paid for by abc, inc. good morning. thanks for being with us on this friday. it is a bittersweet homecoming for jaycee lee dugard.

she was only 11 years old when she was snatched off a california street in 1991, in front of her horrified stepfather. >> he was unabled to stop the kidnappers and has been tortured by the image since. but as mike von fremd reports, she has turned up alive, after surviving a shocking 18-year ordeal. >> i'm very happy to be in front of you. geecy dugard was found alive. >> reporter: it is a reunion 18 years in the making. police say they believe at long last, little jaycee lee dugard has come home. >> reporter: to call this an improbable story is an understatement. it was spring 1991. 11-year-old jaycee was waiting for the school bus, her step-father close by. he says a car with two passengers pulled up and grabbed jaycee, and that he chased them, before calling 911. >> this is 911. >> my daughter was just kidnapped. top of the hill with a grey ford. man and a woman in the car. >> reporter: what ensued was one of the largest searches for an abducted child in california

history. there were posters, ribbons and candlelight vigils. but the trail was cold. stepfather and mother, terri, were devastated. >> on her birthday, and on the day she was kidnapped, my wife would take her vacation and just be a zombie for a week. >> reporter: then, the phone rang. e woman on the line claimed to be that long lost girl. >> really shocked me. you know, it's the best news you can possibly hear. and we started crying. >> reporter: investigators believe this man and his wife abducted jaycee and held her captive for the last 18 years in deplorable conditions. >> a search of the residence revealed a hidden backyard within a backyard. the tents and out buildings in the backyard were placed in strategic arrangement to prohibit outside viewing. >> reporter: jaci, who is now 29 years old, had two daughters with her captor. one 11, one 15. the suspects are being held, pending charges. >> i'm thrilled they're going to pay for this. i want everybody punished to the max for this. >> reporter: jaycee's mother has

been reunited with the 29-year-old daughter, who she had not seen since she was heading off to the fifth grade. i'm mike von fremd, in plasterville, california. jaci's journey to freedom started tuesday. that's when phillip garrido was spotted. police say he was acting suspiciously toward the children. they questioned him. and found out he was on parole. garrido was ordered to meet his parole officer. in an interview with kcra, garrido spoke about his relationship with jaycee. >> this is going to be a powerful, heart warming story. one that you are going to be really impressed. it's going to make world news. >> garrido also told kcra, the two young girls, quote, slept in my arms every single day since they were born. and he insists he never touched them. what does the family do now to make up for 18 years?

we'll talk with jaci dugard's stepfather later on "good morning america." there's been an overwhelming turnout to say good-bye to senator edward kennedy. an honor guard stood by his casket, at the kennedy presidential library. >> thousands more are expected to line up through the day. t.j. winick reports from the jfk library in boston. >> reporter: good morning, jeremy and vinita. it was an incredible and one of those uniquely american days here in boston. thousands lined up outside the jfk presidential library thursday night. all waiting to pay their respects at the casket of senator ted kennedy. >> he did a lot for social justice. and for the health care bill. and for the poor lp. >> reporter: at one point, the senator's family came out and greeted those who waited hours to say good-bye. it was an emotional journey earlier in the day, as well, as the hearse departed the family

compound in hyannisport. ted kennedy leaving his beloved cape cod for the final time. >> this was his home. he was a friend to people who lived here. >> reporter: his former constituents line the highways and then streets. as the motorcade made the 70-mile journey from the cape up to boston. their, there, a symbolic farewell to kennedy's hometown. the bell at historic nathaniel hall rang 47 times. >> senator kennedy was one of the special elected officials. it was always about people and how he could help people. >> reporter: and then, the arrival at the jfk library. the motorcade carrying 85 members of the kennedy family was greeted by a u.s. honor guard. as his relatives and admirers looked on, the flag-draped casket was brought inside, where it will remain until saturday morning's funeral. the private memorial early saturday morning will feature a

bugler playing "taps" and a rifle squad firing a salute. senator kennedy will be buried near his brothers john and robert. and democrats are hoping senator kennedy's death will inspire a new-found unity to pass the health care reform bills. but if these angry protests are any indication, democrats may be dreaming. still, they are renewing their pitch. >> if people are truly interested in honoring his legacy, the best possible legacy is to pass health reform this year. >> frankly, i'm getting a little bit upset at some of these people, trying to take advantage of this. and saying we now have to pass health care reform because of ted. well, ted wouldn't want it passed if it wasn't good. >> the debate continues in town hall meetings across the country. and resumes officially on capitol hill after labor day. we'll have more live updates from the jfk library coming up on "good morning america." and tomorrow, abc news will broadcast the senator's funeral.

charles gibson's live coverage begins at 10:30 a.m. eastern time. turning, now, to tropical storm danny. it is no longer expected to make landfall or turn into a hurricane, as it inches close to the east coast. danny's winds dropped to 45 miles per hour. but a tropical storm watch is in effect for the outer banks of north carolina. forecasters say danny could still brush the eastern seaboard tomorrow, bringing heavy rain and dangerous surf, all the way to maine. they're not taking any chances here in new york. crews on long island have already put up protective bunkers and moved lifeguard stands. it will bebe a very smoky d across los angeles, now surrounded by several wildfires that roared overnight. to the city's north, this blaze in the angeles national forest is moving towards neighborhoods. hundreds of residents were told to get their cars packed and ready to go. and 50 miles south along the coast, forced evacuations are under way, as flames bear down on million-dollar homes.

so far, at least two homes have been destroyed by the blaze, which knocked out power to donald trump's nearby government club. and now, for this morning's weather from around the nation. showers and thunderstorms from louisiana to florida. and up to the northeast. thunderstorms and heavy rain in the upper midwest, with flash flood warnings in chicago. a frost advisory in northern maine, where morning temperatures could dip to the 30s. and mostly hot and dry out west. >> phoenix climbs to a blistering 113. it's 99 in boise. and 96 in salt lake city. just 69 in fargo. 77 in st. louis. and 83 in minneapolis. the 70s from boston to baltimore. and 90 in new orleans. when we come back on "america this morning," taking ted's place. a former presidential candidate by may be poised to fill the senator's seat. and california is having a huge garage sale, starting today. ( conversation )

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financial stocks are soararing. but the banks are still in deep trouble. the fdic reports that 47 banks are on the brink of failure. the fdic fund lost 20% of its value during the last quarter. officials say there are no immediate plans to borrow money from the government. the auto industry is sending a mixed message on jobs this morning. ford is adding shifts at two factories. one in michigan, the other in missouri. to meet demand for its f-150 trucks and escape crossover vehicles. but ford says it is pulling out of california factories it has shared with gm for 46 years. the nation's top money man, fed chairman, ben bernanke, is the victim of identity theft. bernanke's purse was stolen last august. among the items lost, was a joint checkbook the couple used. some responsible have already pleaded guilty in the case. and what would you do if you had a $26 billion budget

deficit? well, california's solution to that gigantic fiscal problem is a garage sale. today and tomorrow, it is selling laptops, office chairs, highway patrol cars. even an antique piano. the sale is expected to clear about $1 million. but the government's closets will be less cluttered. >> and a lot more bicycles. of course, you can read more about these stories online at abcnews.com. up next on this friday, filling a void on capitol hill. another kennedy may make a run for senator kennedy's seat. and family stories. ted kennedy's unique bond with those who suffered huge losses on september 11th. more cash over here!

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garrido, admits he kidnapped 11-year-old jaycee lee dugard and held her captive and fathered two children with her. despite the ordeal, the 29-year-old dugard and her daughters appear to be in good health. near los angeles, forced evacuations aare under way as fires threaten mill-dollar homes. and senator edward kennedy lies in repose in boston. his funeral and burial are set for tomorrow. shortly before he died, kennedy wrote to massachusetts lawmakers, asking them to change the succession law, and allow the immediate deployment of a replacement. it was democrats who pushed for that law back in 2004. they wanted to block then-governor mitt romney from picking a fellow republican, if senator john kerry had won that presidential race. chief washington correspondent, george stephanopoulos, says the idea to change back is gaining groundnd.

>> it's now got the support of the governor, duval patrick. and state legislative leaders are warming up to it. and senator kennedy's widow, vicki. there's a chance this could pass by late september. and one of the names being mentioned is this possible temporary senator is the former governor and presidential candidate, michael dukakis. >> george adds that kennedy's nephew, joe, is being considered for a replacement for kennedy. he has plenty of money left over from his last campaign. among those with fond memories of teddy kennedy, are massachusetts families devastated by the 9/11 attacks. here's abc's sharyn alfonsi. >> reporter: a day after the 9/11 attacks, cindy mcginty thought she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. her husband, mike, had been killed inside the trade center. she was home in massachusetts, with the couple's boys, ages 7 and 8.

>> my phone rang. and there was this big, booming voice on it. >> reporter: it was senator kennedy, calling to express his condolences. >> given his own history, he had lost his own brothers to very tragic events. he lost many members of his own family. i just thought, it must have brought back memories for him. >> reporter: it was a difficult call kennedy would make 176 more times. calling to offer his help to each of the massachusetts families. >> and i needed his help immediately. >> reporter: cindy's husband, mike, served 12 years in the navy. but the navy wouldn't send an honor guard to his funeral because she couldn't find his discharge papers. >> i couldn't handle this. and so, i thought, senator kennedy said to call if i had any problems. i have a problem. i'm going to take him up on his offer. >> reporter: 24 hours later, mike had his honor guard. kennedy sent her and every one of the massachusetts families a personal, hand-signed letter every year.

he even invited the mcgintys to join him sailing. there were no photo ops, no press. a watercolor kennedy painted a lasting image of that day. and what did he write? >> to cindy mcginty, who doesn't know the word defeat. if he thinks that about me, then i certainly can put one foot in front of the other and keep going every day. it really does inspire me. >> reporter: a lasting mark of the legendary senator, hundreds of families came to know as simply ted k. sharyn alfonsi, abc news, bloomfield, connecticut. and one final note. it wasn't only voters that got the senator's attention. he was often a reading buddy to an 8-year-old washington, d.c. girl. while renee says the senator gave her an autographed book for her birthday. and she sent him get well cards when he got sick. her teacher said kennedy was like a gentle giant. coming up next, flu fears. some schools aren't waiting until fall for a spike in swine flu. and football fans finally see what michael vick can do

after two years away from the see what michael vick can do after two years away from the field. i'm from ille, north carolina, ...and i smoked for 29 years. the one thing about smoking - is it dominates your life, and it dominated mine. and the sad thing about it is that you can always use an excuse if cigarettes don't kill me, oh well - something else will. but, you can't use that as an excuse. i honestly loved smoking, and i honestly didn't think i would ever quit. it was very interesting that you could smoke on the first week. chantix gave me that extra help that i needed to get through a tough time. (announcer) chantix is a non-nicotine pill. in studies, 44% of chantix users were quit during weeks 9 to 12 of treatment, compared to 18% on sugar pill. it is proven to reduce the urge to smoke. i did have an unopen pack of cigarettes in my purse and then i think i opened my purse and realized it was still there. and i said, "what the heck, i don't need these..."

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spike in suspected swine flu cases. one school had ten confirmed cases on the first day of class. colleges have stocked up on sanitizing jell, tamiflu and masks. some have designated empty dorms in case they need to isolate sick students. in your sports news, the philadelphia eagles' controversial call to sign mike vick paid off last night. here's mike yam at espn news. >> good morning. the big story in sports on thursday, michael vick, playing in his first preseason game, rocking the eagles' uniform. vick spent the morning in bankruptcy court. first nfl action for him since 2006. december 31st to be exact. that game also in philly. he, of course, was playing as a member of the falcons. second and ten, vick's first play. a little shovel mras to le shawn mccoy for ten years. second play, donovan mcnabb

there. play-action, rushes for a yard. vick would play in six plays, all in the first half. still the same drive. check out the laser. hank baskett for 13 yards. take a closer look. some strong coverage here. doesn't matter for vick. four or four passing. good for 19 yards. the eagles would go on to win. little league world series. chula vista, california. little dancing before the game. ready to take on warner robbins, team from georgia. bottom one. luke ramirez, a towering shot. the three-run home run for him. chula vista up 4-1. top four here. it's a 5-4 game. blake jackson singles to left field. two runs would come in. jackson, safe at second. warner robins stakes a 6-5 lead. bottom five here. chula vista, the line drive shot to center.

bottom six here. the bases loaded. chula vista, counters this pitch. gets away from the catcher. nick connolly comes in to score from third. that's a heck of a ball game. chula vista goes on to win, 11-10. that will do it. jeremy and vinita, back to you. well, there is a little monkey love coming soon to the london zoo. >> zoo keepers prepared three female gorillas for arrival of a new mate, by waying to whet their appetite with a life-sized photo. it looks like it worked. they ran off ander to the pictures into a snack. >> hopefully, the new sitter won't meet the same fate as his >> hopefully, the new sitter won't meet the same fate as his photo. more th from what i hear, ms. haskins is a toughy. oh, we had a good breakfast so we're ready. gonna be another great year, huh guys?! you bet your 8 layers! yeah! long-distance high 5! oh, careful! hey, watch it. start the school year with an excellent source of fiber. a clinical study showed kids who had a filling breakfast... of kellogg's® frosted mini-wheats® cereal... had 11% better attentiveness...

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captions by: caption colorado, llc (800) 775-7838 comments@captioncolorado.com now he's on the roof of his vehicle and it's up to his feet at this time. >> strong storms, serious flooding, trees toppled, power outages, oh, boy. >> yeah, good morning. this is what we're dealing with this morning. this is what we're waking up to, heavy rain. i'm megan pringle. >> i'm jamie costello. if you ever wanted to have a boat, you will have one today, your car. we have the pictures to prove it. this church was offered to a family in their loss, and wait until you see what happens. the nation continues to mourn senator kennedy.

good morning, thanks for joining us. friday morning is finally here. >> what time did it hit your house? >> i don't know, but it was a disco show outside my window with light after light. >> about 1:07 and it was crazy. now this is not dan, right? >> right. i'll explain the details come up. this is the first time in my career i ever heard a thunder storm known as a disco show. >> not the thunder, the lightning. >> i bet there is a ball hanging from the ceiling in the pringle-carlin house. moving back toward westminster and frederick. we'll take a closer look at maryland's most powerful doppler radar. we're highlighting heavy rain in all of the corners of