>> todd, did bristol call you? >> we're going to lay that out for dinner. you don't have to put things away. >> i always dealt with pressure a couple of ways. one, physically is i have always been real active in sports, even as an old pregnant lady today, like yesterday i had to get to the gym, i had to sweat, i had to work out some of the protesters he sure and the -- some of the pressure and stress that comes with the job naturally. so physically that is what i do. i work out. i either jog or lift weights. >> when i ran for office and asked people to give me the job as governor to elect me, i said oh, by the way, i've got a family. oh, he's going to love this, piper, what is that? >> what is it again? disney channel. >> soo you can watch t.v. see, though are inundated. hollywood, disney. that is what they think the world is. >> she has. >> she has. >> she has. >> she has a girlfriend. >> who is -- he has a girlfriend. >> who is the girlfriend. >> it gives a certain bit of credibility for any woman in the workforce at any job but it also tells little girls

>> they didn't just pick bristol by accident. let's talk more about the significance. >> this is the birth place of country music in bristol, virginia. they count that. it is also the place where there was a little bit of rebirth of the obama campaign. when he finally finish off those long democratic primaries with hillary clinton, he launched his general election campaign right here in bristol, virginia. of course, democrats carried the commonwealth for the first time in 44 years. maybe he is thinking about a rebirth in this health reform fight as well. maybe el get a victory there again. >> i was trying to track down your favorite country song before we revved up the live shot. otis, did you come to it? we will work on that for the end of the hour. maybe you can two-step for us, ed? >> i don't know if i can do that. the tennessee state line is right there. half of the supermarket, including the pharmacy, is in tennessee. the rest of it is in virginia, including the cashiers. i'm told that's because tennessee was trying to get t

. >>> guy named pete simpson in bristol, england and wanted to propose to his girlfriend and wanted to do it differently. he told her he was taking her to

bristol reports earnings tomorrow morning. >> thank you very much. drug stocks have been pretty hot except for mr. obama's news conference tonight which may have scared a few people. we are talking with john stossel, debating the issue of obama-care and what to do about it. robert reich, i cwant to do thi. consider the following, we had massive break through in technology, whether drug technology, hostile procedure technology, operations, things that are just fabulous we never dreamed of, yet in the short run, it costs more money, in the long run, just like the cell phone and computer many years ago, those costs will come down. why is that such a bad thing? why do we condemn the american health system for some of the greatest technology breakthroughs on the planet earth? >> technology is great, larry. i don't know anybody. i have not met a doctor or many people i talked to in the insurance industry with regard to health care who think the system is good. most people think it is broken. only you and john stossel think it is a great system. most americ

bristol-myers is going to buy a company for cash. huckman is going to come up and give you more particulars on that. stock is up 2% because they beat their rate to forecast. ups is down 3 % if the premarket. eps in line. air volume strength was due to the dhl exit. their guidance was a little bit below exit. kimberly clark raised prices and that offset weakness in volumes. brian, it's a huge day for tech, too, coming off good earnings overnight. >> absolutely. whole slew of news to get to. microsoft coming after the bell, we'll get to that. we're flat here leading into the opening. you talked about that, investors believe it, up 90%. we'll see if that does continue. amazon.com, microsoft, they're after the bell in terms of earnings. i wanted to bring them up because amazon.com, the shoe retailer for 800 million or so in stock. microsoft says windows 7 is on schedule. earnings, ebay off the highs a little bit. up 10%. beat the street by a penny but guidance is key. qualcomm beat by three cents. guidance was fuzzy. when the ceo comes o

bristol-myers taking it up by 16 bucks a share. chips definitely weak today. qualcomm, sandisk all getting hit pretty hard. especially relative to everybody else. it's a guidance issue. when it comes to the earnings report. going to talk to their ceo in just a little bit. to the up side. they made money. united airlines will be cutting 9,000 staff for the rest of 2009, but jet blu a strong one on the day. >> it's interesting how much oil traders are talk baernings these days as well. they're watching the earnings because they're following the stock market and the fact that we have the rally today in stocks, part of the reason why, we're looking at oil prices that closed today above $67 a barrel. it is the highest price we've seen since the beginning of july. coming back to those early july figures and up about $12 just since last monday. we're also looking at gasoline as a very important factor leading oil higher today. the gasoline rally really has a lot to do with the fact the refinery runs have come down sharply over the last few weeks. down 2% in the past

bristol and medarex both rose in after hours and in frankfurt at this hour, we've got bristol trading%. although you can see, no real vof volume on that trade. medarex, meantime, is up just about 90%. >>> french advertise iing giant publicis expects to grow next year. they go the third quarter of profits should also deteriorate, but cost cutting will help offset the margins. the ceo of the company says he's confident of a recovery next year. >> we see a slow recovery and the first positive numbers will be probably posted in the middle of next year, sometime the summer of 2010. >> and you can hear more of that interview coming up on "worldwide exchange" in around 30 minutes. we're going to also take a look at what's going on as far as the dollar is concerned. that's a little weaker than against the pound and the euro today. >>> on the currency market today, the yen has struggled down against everything. the dollar is weaker against through. we're above 1.42 at the moment. sterling has rallied back to over 1.6520 against the dollar. helped, as well, by strongly expected retail sales 20

later he visits the grocery store in bristol, virginia. senior white house correspondent ed henry tells us what he is likely to hear from workers. >> they're rolling out the red carpet in rural virginia, but the president could get a chilly reception in the frozen food aisle where we found a mccain voter who found health care reform is being rushed just like the stimulus. >> like the last package he pushed through, i think it was too hurried and a lot of mistakes and a lot of things that shouldn't be. >> reporter: but cathy montgomery assistant produce manager voted for the president and is pumped up he is getting tough with congress. >> i like the fact that he stepped up and being aggressive. i really do. i am all for that. >> reporter: thousands in this region showed up at a health expo offering free medical care this past weekend. exposing a problem all too familiar to doctors here. >> clearly, we all recognize any physician in the hospital would recognize that it's a system in crisis. >> reporter: but like most employees back at the kr

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bristols palin -- bristols palin -- bristol balin's ewx. -- ex.tatement while hosting a party for dark rum. greta: we are closing down shop, greta: we are closing down shop, and go figure why anybody would

we're going to continue to monitor what he's saying in bristol, virginia. we'll go back there as necessary. he certainly is telling americans they have reason to be optimistic right now. he's giving a take on how the economy is doing as well as tells americans how the recovery plan will help them through some tough times. >>> the unlikeliest of love stories. a prisoner behind bars far crime he didn't commit now commits to the woman who stood beside him. e middle of traffic and just starting and stopping. having to go in the middle of a ballgame and then not being able to go once i got there. and going at night. i thought i had a going problem. my doctor said i had a growing problem. it wasn't my bladder. my prostate was growing. i had an enlarging prostate that was causing my urinary symptoms. my doctor prescribed 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 r

he's's slili bristol myers, cio, isisy, microsoft, pfpfiz, time-warner and verizon. alallstocks considers defefense e beuse t ty'y'reot sensitive to interesest tes. and usinggthe c ch h toulk up on the banks, home builders, and insurersrs f h h market movers pofolio. let's s keke a look athese. first, b becsesehis is"the sese block"k"ndnd ion't want you to be oblivivio t tsuch a bullish cacall firsrst haha to say, i digrgr. we alwayays vovor diversified portfolio. that's why every w wen w wplay "am m diversififi?"?" i wouldever advocate getting g rid of all all mydefensives. hohow ououthe individual stock he's kicking outut? i would not sell t t o onewith theacacdentally high ieield atat means you u shldld kpp verizon? spice of thisantiti-binins, antitrust tata from the obama juice department. and i keep bristol myers w wchc my chariritaee trustst already poensitith 3.6% yield. an jusust ugug more of it because ofoftsts ai-cancer portrtfoo.o. those are toto attttraivive sell. onhe other hand, i undereranand his desire too sell microsoft bebecae the newfound compmpeti

then at a meeting with supermarket employees at a kroger in bristol, virginia.nt ed henry is live in bristol from the produce section. ed, what kind of welcome can the president expect at this kroger? >> reporter: well, carol, few people probably know i started my first job in a grocery store. this is a homecoming for me. what the president's going to find, a pretty warm welcome from employees here. they've been working all night to get this place ready. what's significant is these kroger employees have health insurance. the president's been trying to tailor his sales pitch to people who have insurance. the assumption back in washington among the president's critics has been people with insurance don't want to pay higher taxes to cover the uninsured. we found that assumption may just be not true. they're rolling out the red carpet in rural virginia. but the president could get a chilly reception in the frozen food aisle where we found a mccain voter, a clerk, who fears health reform is being rushed just like the stimulus. >> like the last package that he pushed

first off this morning, ed henry is in bristol, virginia. that's where president obama is today trying to generate more support for his health care reform plan. >>> and dr. sanjay gupta's going to be separating the facts from the fears. the question this morning, is health care rationing a real possibility? >>> finally, jim acosta is going to be looking at the democrats who have actually blocked the reform plans on capitol hill. these blue dogs are having their day. we will get to it all. >>> first on capitol hill, as you know, negotiations are still playing out. at the white house the focus goes beyond the beltway. today the president takes part in two town hall meetings, including one at a kroger supermarket. cnn's ed henry has the dust-up on aisle one. >> reporter: they're rolling out the red carpet in rural virginia. but the president could get a chilly reception in the frozen food aisle where we found this clerk, a mccain voter who fears health care reform's being rushed just like the stimulus. >> like the last package they pushed throu

bristol-myers buying med vex today. we have to have extreme value.how do you play this if you know that a ceo like the bmy ceo is talking about acquisitions already? >> the clear point here is the fact that they missed out on imclo imclone, outbid by lilly. they needed to build out that whole pipeline. this is what they're doing. all the different big pharma names are trying to build on the pipeline and find ways. they can't always do it organically. they've all got cash. i think you can continue to look at those names and as they build in the biotech space, i think that does give you the explosiveness you mike looking for for more upside, whether it's merck or pfizer or bristol-myers or lilly or any of those names. >> pete, see you tonight. >>> time now for fast and furious heading into the close today. american express reporting after the bell. do you buy, joe? >> long, i'm staying long. love american express. >> ford is higher. 10% today, better than expected earnings. what's the play? >> i think that ford is the long-term winner out of the americ

among them, a woman from bristol, virginia. >> it is incredible. >> for many more fans, this is as close as they will get, signing a memorial wall. >> thank you very, very much. >> also web sites like epa and craigslist are removing posts from people who are attempting to sell their tickets. you can watch the news coverage of the service live. charlie gibson anchors the cover each -- the coverage beginning at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow. >>> police say the gun that was found inside steve minner's condominium -- steve mick near's condominium was bought by his girlfriend. >> classification of her death will not be made until ballistics testing is done and resus are back. >> a public viewing and service will be held for mcnair on thursday. coaches and teammates are talking about his murder. >>> we turn to the weather, where conditions remain calm and mild. doug, can you imagine a july at the state that you can sleep at night with the windows open? ie sunshine, bright, blue ood,ndonightetr pty gr o. take a 76 degree in sterling. fea fel couds out west. it is cooler in warren 10. take ellicott -- take

the president will be and bristol, va., next week, and he will be in mclean for a rally in fundraiser for creigh deeds. don't look for governor wilder. it had a good weekend. -- have a good weekend. >>> farmers are faces -- facing serious losses in minnesota after a hailstorm. the wind ripped down cornstalks and trampled plants. one man says it is the worst damage he has seen in 30 years and most of his crops cannot be saved. >>> and our area, storms sparked several fires, nobody hurt. we are very happy about that. >> what about tonight? >> we have some storms, mainly in north of town. liveuper doppler 7, a seev er detoniun warrmng issued w for delecoedntx hagerstown, northwest of frederick. they pale in comparison to the single cluster over here. live super doppler ven, if you live inley ears bill, you already know what i coming your way. -- if you live in myersville. we could have some small hail, but as the storm moves to the east, it is quite capable of producing wind gusts up to 60 m.p.h., concentrated in this one area, headed to the east through frederick county, maryland. a cou

bristol-myers squib is buying medicinerx. the rodeo show attendance is up 12%. people thinking this is an alternative to get out. shows are typically $10, including a concert to end off the evening. louisa bojesen, cnbc, london. >>> the sox slide continues. the pirates walk off winners, and the latest from the tour de france. >>> plus, drama in manny's mix in tinseltown. your early morning sports headlines are straight ahead. and so is bill with your regional weather. you're watching "early today." >>> good morning. if you're just waking up, this is "early today." in sports, after losing their grip on first place last night the boston red sox resorted to an age-old cure, shaking up their lineup. here's nbc's fred roggin with an early look at all your sports headlines. >> reporter: good morning. after falling out of first place in the a.l. east, the red sox added much needed depth to their lineup. boston acquired adam laroche. could have used him last night against the rangers. kinsler stepped in and he stepped out. tied the game with a solo home run to left. the

levi johnston, theather of bristol palin's baby, s his own theory about w governor sarah palin will stepo in 16 ys, and in an interview with thassociated press, levi said that governor pali quohad talked about how ne it would be to take some of this mone people h been offering us and, you know, st run with it. y forget everything else i think the big deal was the book. that w millions of dollars. a palin fami spokesman shot do" a palin mily spokesman shot back, "it is interesngo learn levis working on a piece of ftion while honing his acting skills." lynn eet, this soap opera continues. what do you make of vi's latest entry it's as good an exanation as anyone come up with, isn't it? >> well, it is good. money is a motivat. i'm in the camp right w where i don't know she had that much to gain bytaying in alaska to fini out her term. even though, you know, conventional wisdom wod say that's what she should do. it might not hurt her for whatever her future hos for her. >> perry bacon, are you persuaded by levi's hearsay? >> i don't knohow much levi talks to theovernor but i think, tt said, i

obama is holding a town hall meeting this morning at a north carolina high school then later onto bristola virginia. the president is still pushing for this. >> we spend about $6,000 per person more than any other industrialized nation on earth: $6,000 more than the people in denmark or france or germany. every one of these other countries spend at least 50% less than we do and they're jus as hell think. >> proposals have raised concerns over the cost to taxpayers and reach of the government. today peter is with us. and jim is also with us here. nice to see you both. so health care still dominating the headlines right now. where doing we are as far as getting a reform bill passed through or not? >> the talk is the senate is moving and making headway. i think nothing is going to get passed before they go out for the august recess. but there's also no question when they get back they're going to tackle it. i think the question is what kind of bill comes up? i don't thinks the going to be everything the president wants. he's not going to get the whole enchilada here: i think it will be a fir

and i keep bristol m myers whi mymy charible trust already owns with a 3.6% yield.nd i just bought more o of it because of i its anti-ncer portrtfolio. those are too atattracti to toss away.y. on the other hand, i i understd his sire to sell microsoftft because the e newfou competition from google withth its on source operating sysystem, th will hurt fty's gross margins dodown the road. i i believe izer is a sell. i n't care much for the wywyeth acquisisition. frankly, the comompany is st not thatat well ru but i really disagagree wi him on selng cisco, which i'm looking to buy m more fomy charitable t trust apart of a play o on incread technology spenng in the second half f of the year. in fact, i i thinkon's wrong to even lump thisis stock aa defensive,e, as cio will be one of the f first cpanies to experice a recovery since itit books s and sell85% of the busine in the quarter. when busininesses art spending again, cisco will bebe one othe first t to go hier. i also like disneyey. i rerd it as a play on cheapaper gagasoline, pecially now we understand j just how

he was in bristol, virginia for a town hall meeting. he tried to ease fears over socialized medicine. >> i try to say this over and over again. if you are happy with your health care, if you are happy with your doctor, we're not going to force you to change it. krogers is providing health care to its employees and we're not going to change that system. >> reporter: the meeting was held at a kroger grocery store. they highlight their health insurance program. >>> a story we brought you on bruce johnson's blog on wusa9.com. >>> the district's plan to make ends meet, it is going to cost you. under a tentative agreement the city would hike its sales tax, gasoline tax and tobacco tax. the it would not include a hike to personal income tax or property tax. a public meeting will be held tomorrow. >>> the university of maryland is making budget cuts and students will notice school president says there will be a hiring freeze in college park and maybe layoffs. for students, that means larger classes, fewer courses and a cut in student services.

today it was back to bristol, va., for barack obama, a town where voters surprised expectations by backing his presidential campaign. now he wants voters to back his health-care overhaul, insisting changes are necessary. >> i think the american people even though they are suspicious of what goes on in washington recognize that when we meet a challenge, we did not shy away. >> even voters who support the overall say slow down. am i think it will happen. but i think we should slow down. >> i would like them to slow down. i would like them to take time and understand the pluses and minuses because it is a lot of money. >> earlier, the president was in raleigh, north carolina. >> i cannot help but remember those same critics contributed to wait 1.3 trillion dollar deficit that i inherited when i took office. >> the president says his plan would cover new sts. >> i am now president and i responsible for solving it, but i do think we have a selective memory in terms of spending habits. >> today, house democrats announced the deal with conservatives in their own party, they have cut $100 billion

bristol and i have a good relationship with each other. i haven't seen sarah in a couple months. and i have spoke a few times. it's working itself out. >> you're just 19 years old. to be in this kind of public feud still, this war of words, whatever you want to call it, with the governor of alaska, someone as famous as she is, are you at all intimidated by that? >> no. i'm going to go out and speak the truth the whole time and i don't let anybody intimidate me. >> what do you want? we saw you posed for "gq" magazine and modeling and acting and that stuff. is that your future? are you trying to capitalize on your 15 minutes of fame? >> well, you know, i've had plenty of offers coming in to do movies and reality shows, you name it, i mean, that's definitely an option. >> you're looking at everything. levi johnston, thank you for talking to us and giving us insight and we wish you and your son every happiness. thank you so much for joining us. >>> now we'll get a look at the day's forecast with al. >> pretty quiet. i forecast of 86 degrees in baltimore. humidity is lower than normal

bristol myers, i own that one, too, because of the yield, just like him and i shouldn't have kicked out because i had too much biotech and too much drug. it's a great great biotech company. we were worried about european reimbursement. we have tech, banks oil. then we have -- do we regard biotech as drugs? they are not trading together, i will bless that. >>> now, to pete in maryland. pete. >> caller: hi. >> hey. >> caller: don't expect a girly boo-yah, i will give you a baltimore boo-yah and baltimore truah, because i expect so much your honesty. my quick stocks are nokia, nok, uncle janik, ogxi, fixed comfort systems, wells fargo, you know that one and del monte. dlm. what do you think, jim? aim diversified? >> i got to tell you, i am an absolute lunatic and get turned on by portfolios. i am turned on with what pete has put together. this is a portfolio that doesn't come to mind. i kind of like it. you have an interesting biotech game. del monte. my friend writes the stocks newsletter thinks del monte is good. i won't go against him. nokia, i happen to think will have a very strong se

hearing from our folks on the ground that her children have just walked in and taken a seat, willow and bristol palin. your comments are already coming in. someone said sarah palin is testing the waters. she has a big ego, big enough to run for the presidency and big enough to lose it. that's from "the issue" on twitter. we shall see what she's going to say in about 33 minutes. >>> scary moments this morning for passengers and crew on a southwest airlines flight. possibly smoke in the cabin of night 693 forced the jetliner to make an emergency landing in long island. a flight attendant reporting having trouble breathing but is said to be fine. no other injuries to report. 131 passengers and five crew members were on their way from connecticut to orlando. >>> a parking lot just outside the philadelphia, philly stadium is now a crime scene. a man was beaten to death when a bar fight exploded. >> no! no! >> boy, oh, boy. i hate showing that. i had no idea that was there. shock and disbelieving people fill the streets last night after the 22-year-old victim was reportedly beaten up in the closing i

the president is going to meet with customers at a kroeger in bristol.on the 44th anniversary of medicare, he went to the powerful aarp that has now joined him in lobbying for universal coverage. president obamaens answered callers' questions in washington, d.c. the members could e-mail or call in questions and the white house is expecting as many as 100,000 people on the call. >> if you have insurance policy that you like, then you can keep the interest. if you have a doctor that you like, you'll be able to keep your doctor. nobody is trying to change what works in the system. we are trying to change what doesn't work in the system. >> the aarp friendly territory on this issue, the republicans in congress not as friendly. talk on the hill is of compromise. residents are reportedly close to eliminating two parts of reform the president demanded killing the public option, government insurance policy, savoring private insurance and scrapping the ployer mandate forcing 40% of companies who don't do it now to open sure their employees. >> provide for health

. >>> president obama held a town hall meeting at a kroger grocery store in bristol, va., outlining hishealth-care plan. it this comes as the white house and house leaders have worked out a compromise deal that would exempt small businesses from having the offer coverage and would also reduce subsidies to help people purchase their own health insurance and would make any government sponsored insurance plan negotiate payment rates with medical providers. >>> a setback in its plant in to protect our food. the house bill giving the fda more authority failed. the legislation would have required additional government inspection after the salmonella outbreak in peanuts. a m to the government crackdown on text messaging while behind the wheel has reached the capital. of 14 states have some type of ban on texting. the district, maryland, and virginia all have laws in place. john gonzalez has that story. >> this is the question, is texting while driving more dangerous than drinking and driving? today, several senators said they believe it is and they want a federal nationwide ban to go into effe

conoco phillips i know you're bearish on and call qualm and bristol myers squibb. >> he doesn't really much dividend here. jpmorgan reports tomorrow. i think the world of jamie diamond, i don't know what he thinks of me nor do i care, i think he is great and his bank is great. i own it for my travel trust. i'm on the side of him versus the government. he worked really hard and being lumped in with a lot of bad banks. conoco phillips, i would lighten up on this for natural gas exposure. and why does my travel trust like qualcomm? it's the oldest mobile internet play. bristol myers, i own that one, too, because of the yield, just like him and i shouldn't have kicked out celgene because i had too much biotech and too much drug. it's a great great biotech company. we were worried about european reimbursement. we have tech, banks, oil. then we have -- do we regard biotech as drugs? they are not trading together, i will bless that. >>> now, to pete in maryland. pete. >> caller: hi. >> hey. >> caller: don't expect a girly boo-yah, i will give you a baltimore boo-yah and baltimore truah, becau

he then heads to bristol, va., to speak with supermarket employees. the two of the biggest names on the weather during forces, what this means for consumers, and new research has official issuing a warning about tanning beds. plus the alternatives. >> the doppler, a string of worcester heading to our direction. slight risk for severe storms. the distance from the field to your table just got shorter. because at safeway, there's always... freshly picked produce at great prices. it's 100% guaranteed to be fresh and ripe, every time. so hurry in for delicious goodness, all right down the street. that's ingredients for life. that's safeway. right now, get sweet blueberries -- just 99¢ a pint with your club card. safeway just lowered the price of summer. >> in this afternoon's consumer alert, two internet jains joined forces to beef up internet searches. microsoft is the world's largest software maker and yobbo is all that isn't the second largest search engine and the two formed a 10-year partnership to close the gap with google and raise revenue. you may

child -- rather, the child she was born with with down's syndrome was actually bristol palin's. it was a horrible, ugly thing. i think that's wounded her. >> who was reporting that in the media? "the new york times," "the washington post," the networks? i never heard anybody report that. >> mike barnicle quite frankly was one of the fellows telling me about it when we were out there in denver. but, chris, she can answer that thing. let me tell you, you and me and all of news the media, this obsession with sarah palin is what is boosting her. it's raising money for her. it's why people love her. they love her for the enemy she has made and this obsession -- >> no, no. i only say positive things about her. i find her the only interesting republican right now, pat. i find her more interesting than your mitt romney, to be honest about it. i find him talking about, i don't know, aluminum siding would be more interesting. >> you say she's tearing down, all she's doing is running negative. i think she's going to run a campaign on conservative principles and ideas and go after those who

from amazon anzappos-- to bristol-mys squibb and medare- mergers and acquitions seem to be breaking out all over wall stre. omas burnett of wall street access says that's a sn of a change in outlook >> corporate boardooms are beginning to seehat we're through the worst ofhe overall economic recsion and that going forwarit looks like we can envisionrowth. it may not be this quart, next quarter or ear in 2010, but going foard we're through the worst and thgs are going to start to get better. >> reporte but if confidence is returning, it's cautionarat best. the value of the deals yeato date is only 35% of enof july last year. rich peterson of s&pays if you are looking for return to a trillion-bucks-a-year a pace, don't ho your breath. >> that'not to say there's a buyer's strike there's deals th are going on. t in terms of the large mega deals that we saw back in 20, 2007, in the hey-dayf private equity, ose are not on the hozon any time near. >> reporter: one reason cuent dealare relatively small is that pvate equity money, which used to fu about half the m&a activity, has almo completely

bristol-myers squib is buying medicinerx. the rodeo show attendance is up 12%. people thinking this is an alternative to get out. shows are typically $10, including a concert to end off the evening. louisa bojesen, cnbc, london. >>> the sox slide continues. the pirates walk off winners, and the latest from the tour de france. >>> plus, drama in manny's mix in tinseltown. your early morning sports headlines are straight ahead. and so is bill with your regional weather. you're watching "early today." re >>> good morning. i'm joe krebs. >>> straight ahead on new 4/today, a xwra zen attack along a trail in a popular park. what police are warning joggers to be on alert. >>> plus the cash for clungers is revving up, why some think the program is headed down the wrong road. >>> and then the growing controversy over speed cameras. how your cl phone can be used to help you avoid a ticket. all those stories coming up at 4:55s en >>> good morning. if you're just waking up, this is "early today." in sports, after losing their grip on first place last night the boston red so

president obama just now getting to a kroger supermarket in bristol, virginia. that's where he's about to hold a second town hall meeting today all about health care. this event comes as we're getting word of a major agreement that would clear the way for a house vote on its version of the health care reform bill. we again wanted to show you him just now getting there. back this washington, the final holdo holdout. they said it cost too much. earlier in raleigh, the president was reassuring his audiences that in spite of what critics say, people shouldn't be afraid of reform. >> i have been as clear as i can. under the reform i proposed, if you like your doctor, you keep your doctor. if you like your health care plan, you keep your health care plan. these folks need to stop scaring everybody. >> even with the agreement today, the house measure may not head to the floor for a vote until after the august recess. >>> lawyers are hoping a jailhouse interview with bernard madoff will mean more money can be returned to his victims. attorneys representing some of the v

. >> alaska governor sarah palin took a handful of reporters on a fishing boat in the bristol bay werr her husband and daughter piper were were netting sockeye salmon. palin told fox news she could not rule out angling for the white house. >> i do not know what the future holds. i want to work right now for people who are going to work in office or out of office for the right things, those principles that built up america, those who are inspired by the values of america and will not deride or apologize the values that we hold as americans. i'm going to work for those people. >> the former republican vice ve presidential nominee was eager to talk about her stunning decision to step down as governor but said she doesn't consider herself a quitter. >> i am willing to step aside and not allow distraction anymore to this administration's good positive agenda. i will step aside. i'm willing to do that because i love alaska. >> she complained of a media double standard that made a target of her children. she blasted bloggers and political partisans in alaska who filed 18 ethics complaints, al

hall meeting in raleigh, north carolina, earlier today and right now he is at a similar meeting in bristol, west virginia. >>> update in the investigation into last month's fatal metro train crash. there were changes to the signal system just days before the crash june 22nd. the equipment was replacedded five days before that crash. that equipment communicates speed and distance between the tracks, train and operations control center and investigators are looking into weather replacing the impetus bond may have affected the system's performance. >>> the man accused of the deadly holocaust museum shooting was indicted today charged with first-degree murder. he has been in the hospital ever since the incident. he has a court hearing tomorrow. we don't know whether he will be there. we posted the entire indictment against van braun on our website at wusa9.com. >>> fears calming a bit in the korean community after a brutal murder five days ago but the police work has been difficult because of language barriers. detectives are hoping a community meeting will help bring in more information. >> i

on in the back rooms president obama was standing in the produce section of a kroger supermark in bristol, virginia. >> no longer will insurance companies be allowed to drop somebody from coverage if they become seriously ill. >> aides say it will help to cover costs to head off serious injury in the furniture. >>> a miniature health care crisis. four patients are showing symptoms of the h1n1. they have been quarantined. two became ill just yesterday. the other two showed symptoms a few days ago. they are said to be improving and should be back at work this week. >> parts of our area are having to clean up from some strong storm activity tonight. folks went running for cover when the heavy rain started following in waldorf. rains started moving across chesapeake bay. tony pan is actually in front of the weather map with the forecast. >> thank you, derek. haven't seen confirmation of actual tornadoes on the ground but we had several tornado warninerins arli tevening and inin gs e arete prty quiet now. let's takea prlook at live dopple9000 ta alekettli for you. got some activity in the nort

. >> reporter: sarah palin re-emerged on the shores of bristol bay, alaska. >> will you ride with us? at the peak of the salmon run in the village where her husband's family has been commercial fishing for generations. on this day a giant photo opportunity to rebutt internet speculation about why she quit. >> how does it make you feel being back out on the bay? >> it is awesome. it is beautiful. >> is that a typical size? >> yeah, yeah. you will see out here, some that are huge. >> she says resigning was not a snap decision. >> i knew i wasn't going to run for re-election. i knew everything changed august 29th in politics in alaska the day i was tapped to run for vice president of the united states. >> you haven't finished the job some would say? >> you are not listening to me as to why i wouldn't be able to finish the final year in office without it costing the state millions of dollars and countless hours of wasted time, wasted -- we have true worthy public causes. >> reporter: some people have said that you saw the bright lights from the national campaign and came back and it was v

right now he's meeting with people at bristol, virginia, inside a kroger supermarket. earlier today he addressed about 2,000 people in raleigh, north carolina, and he took on critics who say he wants to socialize medical care. >> nobody is talking about some government takeover of health care. i'm tired of hearing that. [ applause ] i have been as clear as i can be. under the reform i've proposed, if you like your doctor, you keep your doctor. if you like your health care plan, you keep your health care plan. >> the president has also tweaked his message a bit. he's putting more emphasis on protecting our access to good health care by uncluttering the insurance process. >>> five republican senators have said they will vote to confirm judge sonia sotomayor to the u.s. supreme court. the senate judiciary committee voted yesterday to approve sotomayor and just one republican joined democrats to support her. the full senate vote comes next week and sotomayor is expected to easily win confirmation and become the first hispanic on the high court. >>> the cuz mother accused o

>> reporter: wolf, just to refresh people's memory, levi johnston is the former fiance of bristol palinmoney played a big part in the governor's decision. 19-year-old levi johnston isn't holding back with his views on why governor sarah palin, his son's grandmother, is resigning. >> i think it's because she had a few offers and she decided to take the money and she was a little stressed out at the same time. >> reporter: johnston just emerged from an interview with new york in which he talked about the time he lived with the palins before he and bristol palin broke off their engagement. he told nbc's "today show" there were tons of offers coming in after she lost her gop vice presidential bid. >> nice to just take the money and run. >> that's what she said. >> and do a reality show maybe or just something easier. >> johnston claims the kids weren't interested in doing a show. palin has said one of the reasons she's stepping down is because of what she called frivolous ethics complaints by political operatives descending on alaska. >> todd and i were looking at more than half a million d

then he'll host another town hall that afternoon at a supermarket in bristol, virginia. >>> to fox 5 following a developing story for you. an american idol contestant found dead on the jersey shore. coming up,what police say happened to alexis cowan, the girl known as glitter girl. >>> the sudden frequency of public transit accidents beginning to unnerve a lot of you all across the country. what's being done to make sure you stay safe. >>> the economic downturn has some brides parting with their wedding dresses. you know it's bad when with that happens. why they're trading in sentimental value for cash.  >>> better' back with a developing -- we're back with a developing story. a former american idol contestant found dead. authorities say the body of alexis cowan was found on a new jersey street saturday morning. police believe she was the victim of a hit and run. the 25-year-old first appeared on american idol season seven. she was noun as glitter girl after using colorful language to describe the judges. she auditioned for the show twice. she was also an aspiring comedian and ac

at back to back townhalls in raleigh, north carolina and grocery store in bristol, where the president stopped to buy a piece of fruit. >> the first time i have been in a grocery store in a while. >> reporter: the president -- >> whether or not you have health insurance right now, the reforms we seek will bring stability and security that you don't have today. >> reporter: with support for reform dwindling among many americans. >> is this a plan that you would be willing to put your family on? >> yes. >> reporter: the president is tailoring his pitch to emphasize benefits to those who already have insurance. such as stopping insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions or dropping coverage for the seriously ill. and banning lifetime caps on coverage. out of washington, the president find himself on a mission of reassurance. >> older american citizens would just be put out to pasture. please tell me that isn't so. >> it isn't so. >> reporter: but on capitol hill, at long last, progress. >> i'm pleased to report that we have reached an agreement. >> re

the bristol afraid for their lives. the crimes began at 4:00 a.m.. this still terrified victim said three men kicked in their door. they had guns and plastic handcuffs. for more than 10 minutes, they were held hostage. that left without taking anything. >> that is not nice, not good. >> at 5:00, they appeared here and yelled police again. again they had plastic handcuffs and held residents against their will ans they ransacked the house. >> they forcibly bound you. it is a terrifying experience. >> at 6:00, the burst into a home in suitland. the residents were too frightened to speak, but the intruders threaten to kill them. >> detectives are working to establish links in the case. >> tonight police are saying they believe these crimes are linked. they say there are indications that the victims were not randomly chosen, but specifically targeted. they cannot say why. the sheik is saying that word gets out to the community -- the chief of police is saying that word will get out to the community. >>> barack obama met with dimitry medvedev to discuss ar

at a commercial fishing site in western alaska, on bristol pay. she wrote, "grateful todd left fishing grounds to join me this weekend, but now he's back slaying salmon and working the kids at the site. anxious to join him." as she has in the past, palin was picking fish. but the political word is still picking over that resignation speech. >> it would be apathetic to just kind of hunker down and go with the flow. we're fishermen. we know that only dead fish go with the flow. >> watching sarah palin is sort of like watching a moose on roller skates. it's never particularly graceful but it's always riveting. certainly, we can put into that category. >> reporter: today her advisers rallied. a friend of 40 years, from grade school, crystal cole, now overseeing palin's defense fund. >> i think she feels at peace about it. she feels good. she feels it was the right decision for the right reason 346 palin's lawyer, who denies any scandal yet to come and got the fbi to say she is not under federal investigation, as some blogs have claimed. >> there are n