making news in america this morning. >> across the island of american samoa. now, a frantic search for the missing. turning point. the president's decision on afghanistan. send more troops or bring them home? and urgent matter. toyota's biggest recall ever, involving its most popular model. >> it's wednesday september model. >> it's wednesday september 30th, 2009. captions paid for by abc, inc.

good morning. thanks for being with us. u.s. aid is being rushed to the island of samoa this morning. >> we're looking at some of the damage from the remote disaster zone. america samoa is in the middle of the pacific ocean, about 2,600 miles from honolulu. john hendren has more. >> reporter: first, came the thundering earthquake, for three, terrifying minutes. >> all of the houses are really shaken. we hear a warning coming in now. so, we need to go. >> reporter: then, came house-sized waves. >> the tsunami or tidal wave in about 15 feet in height. >> reporter: the wave struck around dawn, 15 miles beneath

the ocean floor. sending 4 tsunami waves, 15 to 20 feet high. burying coastal villages. >> the center and our offices are completely destroyed. >> reporter: it measured a rare 8.3 on the richter scale. and rose alarms on deadly waves as far away on new zealand. >> there's a risk that we have strong currents in coastal areas. >> reporter: there were tsunami watches in hawaii, to be ignored. on the mainland, homeowners scrambled to board windows in california and oregon, as residents feared the worst. >> our house is right next to the water. when it hit, we had to pull the kids in because they can't find them right now. >> reporter: for many, it's been a sleeplessness and a fearful morning. here in washington, president obama has declared a state of emergency, for american samoa. paving way for federal aid to come in. let's get more, now, from

abc's margaret connolly in tokyo. what else do we know about the recovery effort? >> reporter: president obama has declared this a federal disaster. the hawaiian air national guard is also on the way. >> margaret, we remember the deadly tsunami in 2004. are nations in the pacific more prepared for tsunamis after the 2004 tsunami? >> reporter: jeremy, countries are more aware of the possibility of tsunamises of earthquakes. the one in 2004, affected 11 countries. our tsunami advisory was canceled two hours ago. while countries have more alert systems in place, people have to make split-second decisions in a crisis. >> margaret connelly joining us live from tokyo this morning.

and abc news has a team headed to the region. we'll have more comeling up on "good morning america." in other news this morning, the white house begins a high-level review of its afghanistan strategy today. the top u.s. commander there says the situation is getting worse. and without more troops, the mission will fail. the president has to decide whether to send more troops or change the mission. here's martha raddatz. >> reporter: for the next three weeshgs the white house national security team, commanders from afghanistan, general david petraeus, will hold a series of meets. >> we're going to have to have additional resources to turn the momentum around. >> reporter: some of them will involve president obama. president obama has many questions about the strategy in afghanistan. >> the president himself has said, we're there to prevent al qaeda from re-establishing bases. we probably can do that from offshore. drones, air strikes, special forces, cruise missiles. >> he will not be given the

troop numbers that general stanley mcchrystal wants in afghanistan. that will come after these series of meets. martha raddatz, abc news, washington. whatever the president decides about afghanistan, there will soon be fewer troops in iraq. the top u.s. commander there, general ray odierno, plans to say that 40,000 troops will come home by november. now, to health care. the influencial senate finance committee could finish its health care reform bill this week. but it will not include a public insurance option. the committ has voted against it. supporters, including president obama, says public competition is the best way to keep prices in checks. but all of the committee's republicans voted no. and democrats were divided. >> your plan is nothing more than a trojan horse, for a single-payer system. >> i can count. and no one has been able to show me how we can count up to 60

votes for the public option in the belt. and thus, i would be strained to vote against it. >> the public option might not be dead after all. a version could be introduced in the full senate, where it might find more support. and every house version does include a public option. congressman patrick kennedy has taken the floor of the house of representatives, to honor his dad, senator ted kennedy. >> that's what my father would want most of all. to respect one another. and respect this country, which was founded on can appreciation. >> kennedy said the best present for his dad is to make health care reform delivered for this session. now, for this morning's

weather from around the nation. it will be a wintry day for the central rockies. 20 inches of mountain snow. red flag fire warnings and wind advisories in parts of the southwest for today. and widely-scattered showers today in the northeast and south florida. >> it will be 90 in miami. 75 in atlanta. and highs in the 60s, from baltimore to boston. it's 69 in detroit. an unusually cold day. 47 in salt lake city. hotter to the south, with 96 in phoenix. and 85 in albuquerque. >> winter rearing its head in parts of the country. when we come back, on "america this morning," america's best-selling cars and other models on the biggest recall ever. what drivers need to know now, before taking their cars in for service. and the terror threat against new york. police say there's nothing to fear. why did officials follow one possible suspect to an interview with abc news?

welcome to progressive. how may i help you? i'm looking for a deal on car insurance. i think i might have a coupon in here. there's an easier way. we've got the "name your price" option. you do? follow me. you tell us how much you want to pay, and we'll build you a policy that fits your budget. and i still get great coverage? uh-huh. go ahead. you're the boss. i'm the boss of savings. more like the c.e.o. oh, oh. no glass ceiling. the freedom to name your price. now, that's progressive. call or click today. [ announcer ] soy has been in ancient china, soy was such an important food... that the emperor declared it sacred. in japan, buddhist monks believed eating soy... was healthier for the body and spirit. for thousands of years, cultures around the world... have eaten soy for its health benefits. which is why today, we take whole soybeans, in their natural state,

and bake them with fruit into soyjoy. ♪ [ female announcer ] arthritis targets your body where it's weak. where it's vulnerable. ♪ tylenol arthritis works with your body to block the pain, without interfering with certain high blood pressure medicines like aleve sometimes can. ♪ so you don't just feel better, you feel better knowing doctors recommend tylenol more than any other brand of pain reliever. ♪

look welcome back to "america this morning." toyota launched the biggest recall in its history. 3.8 million toyota and lux sus vehicles are being recalled because of floor mats that can cause the gas pedal to get stuck. you can logon to our logon to

our website on what models are being recalled. general motors is selling new koorns ebay. the program, which was only available in california ends today. many dealers say it didn't help them sell more vehicles. and some buyers tried to offer low-ball prices. gm says it's going to focus on national marketing programs, including its money-back guarantee. overseas stock markets are mixed on the final day of the third quarter. tokyo's nikkei average climbed 0.3% today. hong kong's hang seng is lower. in london, the ftse opened higher. wall street starts the day with the dow at 9742, after sliding 47 points 47 points yesterday. the the nasdaq closed down 7 points, to close to close at 2124. the fed has the fed has proposed changes that would block rate ar,t would block rate heights during the first year, after an account is opened. the rules would also ban increases on existing increases on existing card balances in most balances in most cases. the changes the changes are subject to

public review. and would and would take effect next february. february. the freefall in the housing market appears to be over. home price home prices rose for the third-straight month esird-straight month in july. low mortgage rates and bargains on foreclosed homes are s say another wrs. some experts say another wave of foreclosures w foreclosures will push prices even lower. the idea of spending money this halloween is still a this halloween is still a little too frightening for many spendans. shoppers plan to spend an average of about $56 for the ast day this year. that is down $10 from last year. some are buying less candy, refusing old refusing old decorations or making their own costumes. some say they won't even celebrate this year. >> disappointment for kids. they're going to get cheaper candy this year. of course, you on disappointment for me. of course, you can read more about these stories online at jewel.s.com. the diamon up next on this wednesday morning, giant jewel. the diamond the size of an egg. plus, the new york terror

plot. constant surveillance by the we talk to one of the men under constant surveillance by the fbi. and for the first time, the nfl's link between head injuries and dementia later in life. rr for all the moments that make every day special. fancy feast introduces an entirely new way to celebrate any moment. fancy feast appetizzrs. simple high qualiiy ingredients like wild alaskan salmon, white meat chicken, or seabass and shrimp in a delicate broth, prepared without by-products or fillers. new fancy feast appetizers celebrate the moment.

having to go in the midle of traffic and just starting and stopping. having to go in the iddle of a ballgame and then not being able o go once i got there. and going .at night. i thought i had a goin problem. my doctor said i had a growing problem. it wasn't " my bladder. my prostate as growing. i had an enlarging prostate that was causing my .urinary symptoms. my doctor prscribed avodart. (announcer) .over time, avodart actually shrinks the prostate and improves urinary symptoms so i can go more easily when i need to go and go less #often. (announcer) ! avodart is for men only. women should not take ! or handle avodart due to risk of a specific birth defect. do not donate blood until 6 months after stopping avodart. tell your doctor if you have liver disease. rarely sexual .side effects, swelling or tenderness of th breasts can occur.

only your health care .provider can tell if symptoms are from an enlarged prostate and not a more serious condition like prostate cancer. so have regular exams. call your .doctor today. avodart. help take care of .your growing problem., we continue, now, to look at the road conditions you can expect for your morning commute. dry and clear for most of the country. but snow and rain in the rockies will cause problems along interstate 70 and 15. >> if you are flying today, the bad weather in the rockies will trigger airport delays in salt lake city and denver. the suspect behind an alleged terror plot aimed at new york city has pled not guilty to investigators. >> prosecutors say the threat posed by najibullah zazi, was the most serious threat since 9/11. now, they have to prove that in court.

>> reporter: so far, only 24-year-old najibullah zazi is in court. after entering the plea of not guilty in court today, zazi's lawyer challenged the government's case. >> i'd like to stop this rush to judgment because what i've seen so far does not amount to a conspiracy. >> reporter: but the fbi is continuing a very obvious round-the-clock watch outside the homes of at least a dozen possible suspects. one of them is naiz khan, who allowed zazi to stay in his apartment on september 10th, and was in pakistan at the same time as zazi last year. police raided khan's apartment, and found backpacks in this closet that agents thought might be used to carry bombs. you're not a terrorist? >> no, i'm not. >> reporter: in an interview with abc news, khan says the backpacks belong to his uncle, and that he only let zazi spend the night after he met him at the mosque. >> it was just by chance that he came to our house. >> reporter: and you're still under surveillance that?

>> i probably am. >> reporter: indeed, at least four teams of undercover agents followed khan to abc news studios and sat outside until he left. and then, followed him home. >> there is still a great deal of concern. there are people at large, who were willing to participate in a bombing campaign. and we haven't yet found the bombs. >> reporter: because zazi bought large amounts of hair treatment products, which contain chemicals that could be used in the bombs, the fbi has warned hair salons in the new york area to be on the lookout for anything strange. in fact, when an abc news employee bought some of those same products, to show them on the air here, the store reported here to the fbi and agents were soon at her doorstep. brian ross, abc news, new york. the fbi is joined in the search for a 4-day-old baby, taken after an attack on his mother in nashville. police say the mother was stabbed several times by a woman who claimed to be an immigration agent. a citizen's tip helped police identify lisa sampson, as a person of interest in the case.

they say after stabbing the mother, she grabbed the baby and drove away. director roman polanski is not expected to get out of jail anytime soon. officials in zurich say it could be weeks before they make a decision. polanski was arrested saturday for the 1977 rape of a 13-year-old girl. swiss officials have not ruled out bail or house arrest for polanski. professional football players are taking a big hit when it comes to brain injuries. and for the first time, the nfl is affirming that those injuries may be linked to mental deklain later in life. in a new study, researchers say nfl players are 19-times more likely to be diagnosed with alzheimer's and other memory-related diseases, than other men between the ages of 30 and 49. the study was commissioned by the nfl, after years of denying a link between jurns the field own cognitive decline. time, now, for sports.

>> good morning. we start with a race in baseball. the a.l. central. it's the tigers and twins. a doubleheader. tigers with a one-game cushion that means in the division. bottom five here. bases loaded. brandon inge comes up big. that could score two. and the tigers find themselves up 5-0. moving to the eighth. twins down 5-3. j.c. kubel, gap shot left center field. orlando cabrera dmoms to score. twins down just 5-4. jim leyland comes out to the mound. leaves justin verlander. kudier, ground ball to third. tigers get out of the frame. move to the ninth. it's nick punto, to center field. curtis granderson makes the ill-advised play. keep in mind, a guy had a home run in the eighth. he gives one back there. the next batter is denard span. he'll fly out to end. tigers go on to win, 6-5, your

final score. in the national league, brewers and rockies. top of the ninth. milwaukee down 5-2. jason kendall, of all people, coming up big. his eighth home run in five years. we're all-tied at 5-5. move to the 11th. ianneta. and the rockies win in dramatic fashion. 7-5, the final score. and that will do it for sports. back to you in new york. >> late night in denver. a jaw-dropping diamond has been unearthed at a south african mine. >> the exceptional gem can exceptional color may be manage the highest quality diamonds. at 507 carats, he is about the size of a chicken egg. >> the mine where the stone was found, has produced the world's largest indictment, which was

3,000 carats. coming up, a look ahead at the stories we'll be following later on abc news, including the aftermath of the deadly tsunami in american samoa. and charm offensive. u.s. athletes in europe this morning, trying to bring the u.s. athletes in europe this morning, trying to bring the olympics back to the u.s. introducing listerine® total care. everything you need to strengthen teeth, help prevent cavities, and kill germs. introducing 6 in 1 listerine® total care. the most complete mouthwash. now complete your oral care routine with the superior plaque removal of the new reach® total care toothbrush and new reach® total care floss. get the complete routine with reach® and listerine® total care.

now, a look ahead at the stories we'll be watching on this wednesday. federal aid is on its way to american samoa, after a presidential disaster declaration. the death toll is expected to rise, after the island was hit by powerful earthquake and tsunami. the hawaiian national guard is being called in to help with the recovery effort. president obama launches a full-scale review of his afghanistan strategy. at least five meets are scheduled over the next three days.

fbi director robert muller will be on capitol hill today, to testify before a senate committee. he'll address the threat of terrorism inside the u.s., eight years of 9/11. the transportation department kicks off a two-day meeting on ways to crack down on drivers who use cell phones or send text messages behind the wheel. michelle obama joins u.s. athletes in copenhagen, to make the final appeal for chicago to host the summer games in 2016. those athletes are fanning out across copenhagen to drum up goodwill. last year's host city, beijing, is virtually shut down today, as china prepares to host 60 years of communist rule tomorrow. coming up later on "good morning america," former model kathy ireland, becomes the latest contestant to be bumped off "dancing with the stars." tom delay is hanging in there. >> kathy ireland will be joining

us live. and who does she think will run away with the mirrorball trophy? we'll get her take on it, as she departs the show. >> the tango was the end of it for her. >> shouldn't have danced the tango. she didn't have a choice, i guess. for some of you, your local news is next. >> for everyone else, "america this morning" continues after this. when it comes to things you care about, leave nothing to chance travelers. insurance for auto, home and business. town house toppers-- the only cracker with raised edges... to keep dip in its place. town house toppers-- part .of the town house family., when it comes to toppings, we've got the edge.

town house toppers-- the only cracker with raised edges... to keep dip in its place. town house toppers-- part of the town house family. when it comes to toppings, we've got the edge. but those days came and went, and the cigarettes remained. but today's a new day. and a few simple steps can make a real difference in your next quit... things like starting with a plan to quit smoking... getting support... and talking to your doctor about how prescription treatments can help you.

talk to your doctor about prescription treatment options. and make this time, your time.

911 emergency. what are you reporting? >> the accelerator is stuck. there's no brake. >> a massive recall to tell you about on a story that could save your life. exclusive video, a van t-bones a car, slams into a security guard's booth at hopkins. and most buildings are made of gray concrete, steel and mortar but not baltimore city hall. why these halls will be doled up in pink. good morning. happy birthday -- in case you missed it, jamie had a big

birthday. >> thank you for making it so. here we go, wednesday weather, here's justin berk. cooling down? >> good morning. the cloud cover that moved in kept us from falling into the 40s, but we have a mostly cloudy sky, a breeze and temperature in the mid-50s. on our storm center weathernet, it's 54 joppa. and monkton. 56 arnold. we talked about the clouds that rolled in, showers back towards the mountains up to our north. you see pink in there? is there a hint of snowflakes back there? the radar is indicating that. i don't think it's reaching the ground but we have cloudy skies this morning. mid-50s. we'll get to 67, mostly cloudy and breezy this afternoon. let's check the roads with kim brown. >> thank you. if you look at the northeast corner of the beltway at harford road you see traffic is pretty much very light and running smoothly. we have some overnight