. >>> a legally blind woman competes for the miss florida usa crown and tries to make history. ♪ ♪ ♪cer ] we believe you're at your best when you can relax and be yourself. and at thousands of newly refreshed holiday inn hotels, you always can. holiday inn. stay you. and now stay rewarded with vacation pay. stay two weekend nights and get a $75 prepaid card. >>> no crown for the first legally blind woman to compete for miss florida usa -- but connor finished in the top five in last night's pageant. the 18-year-old college freshman has a genetic eye disease that makes it difficult for her to focus on objects right in front of her. she was chosen miss photogenic and she says she feels like a winner even without the overall title. >> i've come to learn that it is not even about winning the pageants. it's about -- i'm so glad that my story could be shared and that at least i can inspire one person and if i can inspire one person, i feel like i've won. >> the winner of the pageant will compete in next year's miss usa contest. i'll be back in one hour with a story about a campaign to end a

connor boss is miss florida usa's first ever blind contestant.hat she would ever let you know it. >> i really don't consider myself any different. it's just something that i have got to face. i never just say, hey, i'm legally blind. you really have to pry it out of me. >> reporter: what she lacks in eyesight she compensates for in grace. you see, getting around isn't easy. and what most women, and especially beauty contestants take for granted -- you have to have an enormous amount of faith in people. >> i do. >> reporter: -- can be damagesing for this 18-year-old. >> sometimes i come downstairs, my mom will say i have mascara on my forehead or something crazy. i just have to be sure, you have to have good friends when you are legally blind. >> reporter: that's the painless part. >> there are so many challenges that await our delegates. >> the stairs. >> reporter: last year at miss teen florida usa she stumbled on the fairs in front of a full house. >> they are very nice. they give me a little extra reversal time. so i count my steps. and i just

she is the first legally blind woman to sign up to compete in the miss florida usa pageant.to the nationals. her journey here began just a couple of years ago, when connor was 16. on a whim, she entered a local teen pageant and won. so which one was the first one you won? >> that bad boy. >> reporter: what's that bad boy? >> that is the harvest queen. >> reporter: connor says each new success, each crown helps build in her a confidence and self-esteem that was lacking. and each new success led her here. >> what makes her special is her drive. she's admirable. she doesn't give up. >> reporter: pageant officials say other than helping connor to get to marks on the stage, she's treated like all the other young women and she never plays to her disability. >> she's the last one who will tell you. she would prefer you not know. and more importantly, it's not what i can't do, it's what i can do. >> i've come to learn it's not even about winning the pageants, it's about -- i'm so glad that my story could be shared and that at least i can inspire one person and if i can inspire one p

connor boss is miss florida usa's first legally blind contestant. any different. it's something i have to face. i never said, hey, i'm legally blind. you really have to pry it out of me. but i just try to play it off and play it cool. >> i'd like to become your new miss florida usa. >> reporter: what she lacks in eyesight, she makes up for in grace. getting around isn't easy. and what most women and beauty contestants take for granted -- >> this is faith in people. >> i do. >> reporter: can be monumentally challenging for this 18-year-old. >> sometimes i come downstairs and my mom will say i have mascara on my forehead or something crazy. yeah. you have to have good friends when you're legally blind. >> reporter: and that's the painless part. >> there's so many candidates. >> the stairs. >> reporter: last year, at miss teen florida usa, she stumbled on the stairs. in front of the full house. >> they are very nice. and give you a little extra rehearsal time. so, i count my steps. i pray to god that i hit my mark and look like everyone else. >> report

. >> there is a world exhibition by >>> beauty pageant pioneer will compete in the miss florida usa competition. she is the pageant's first legally blind contestant. age 8 diagnosed with a genetic disorder that causes progressive vision loss. now 18 she still has peripheral vision. >> i don't consider myself any different. it's just something that i've got to face. i never just say hey, i'm legally blind. have you to pry it out of me. but... i just try and play it skpof play it school cool. >> her mother hopes as the story reaches others the disability will encourage them to confront their challenge autos this could teach you not to throw way old video games today classic games sold on ebay for $1.2 million. that is the set seen here that included 7,000 games including everyone made for each sega console among others. the seller was a 32-year-old from france. and says maybe it's time to move on. he will be moving on as a millionaire. millionaire. >> and we i'll have the $4 everyday value slam with... bacon. wait... yeah...well, yeah, . and my eggs sunny side-up. no, umm, over-easy. the $4 every

conner boss became the first legally blind miss florida usa contestant, placing fourth out of 75. courage distinguishing this 18-year-old from the rest of the field of beauties. because what most women and especially beauty contestants take for granted, like walking and makeup -- >> you have to have an enormous amount of faith in people. >> i do. >> reporter: are monumentally challenging for boss. >> sometimes i'll come downstairs, my mom will say i have mascara on my forehead, something crazy. you have to have good friends when you're legally blind. >> reporter: last year at the miss teen florida usa contest, she stumbled. >> i pray to god that i hit my marks and look like everyone else. >> reporter: she has to memorize every single step. she was born and grew up a healthy suburban kid but was diagnosed with stargart's disease. >> i remember being able to see the board from my seat. and now that's way out of the -- way out of the picture. >> reporter: today her eyesight is 2400/2600. she can only rees 36-point font. still, she began the pageant circuit at 16. not necessarily to w

dozens of accomplished and beautiful women were all hoping to be crowned miss florida usa, but one of them made history just by taking the stage. abc's matt gutman is in florida. >> reporter: imagine navigating the stairs, the lights, these intricate steps in five-inch heels. now imagine it blindfolded. last night, connor boss became the first legally blind miss usa florida contestant, placing 4th out of 75. courage, distinguishing the 18-year-old from the rest of the beauties. because what most women and especially beauty contestants take for granted, like walking and makeup. you have to have an enormous amount of faith in people. >> i do. >> reporter: are monumentally challenging for boss. >> sometimes i'll come downstairs and my mom will say i have mascara on my forehead or something crazy. so, yeah, you have to have good friends when you're legally blind. >> reporter: last year, at the miss teen florida contest she stumbled. >> i just pray to god that i hit my marks and look like everyone else. >> reporter: she has to memorize every single step. she was born and grew up a healthy

well, right now contestants are gearing up to compete in miss florida usa's pageant. contestant breaking perfect but because of her imperfect position. we introduce you to florida's first blind contestant. >> to sign in she must hold her face inches from the sign-in sheet. conner is legally blind. >> we're four feet apart apart. you can't see me. >> no. it affects my retina, and my central vision, so my peripheral vision is in tact. >> at six months old con nor developed over her left eye a mangioma, i build up of red blood vessels. surgery took care of it but within a few years she was diagnosed with a rare disease and one had nothing to do with the other. just plain bad luck. >> i fell going down the steps of the lincoln memorial believe it or not, but i managed. >> it is a worsening of sight until blindness and is inkushl. con or also has an inkushl tlirs to overcome her disability. she was? gymnastics. >> she ran into the vault one time. >> while she can barely see her vision of the future is clear. she is the first legally blind woman to sign up to compete in the

first to tell you about. 18-year-old connor boss is the first legally blind contestant in the miss florida usaant. boss suffers from hereditary eye disease that causes her vision to get progressively worse. her chances are as good as anyone else's but she says she is competing to inspire people, not necessarily to win. >> now to arizona where federal drug agents were shocked to find one of the most sophisticated drug smuggling tunnels yet. it is

the first legally blind contestant at the miss florida usa pageant and finished in fifth place and chosen as miss photogenic. she has a hereditary disease that caused her vision to get worse. >> jo paterno and the new deal gave the late coach's package over $5 million. a devastating report released has damaged paterno's legacy, but the school is said to be leaning towards keeping the statue of paterno outside of state's stadium. >>> as many as 180,000 capped crusaders, darth vaders, wall crawlers and everything in between. it is that time. comic conin san diego where heroes and villains share the escalator and the gathering brings sci-fi and comic book fans to see the latest and greatest in fantasy, film, and fiction. 100,000 people attending. now what we are working on tonight. going broke. from wall street to main street. now entire cities. the paychecks for firefighters and police in one town now minimum wage. >> $7.25 an hour. >> sorry your town next? the black vote helped him win the white house. is the president's lock on those votes? >> you vote for people you can relate to. >> sli

first to tell you about. 18-year-old connor boss is the first legally blind contestant in the miss florida usaant. boss suffers from hereditary eye disease that causes her vision to get progressively worse. her chances are as good as anyone else's but she says she is competing to inspire people, not necessarily to win. >> now to arizona where federal drug agents were shocked to find one of the most sophisticated drug smuggling tunnels yet. it is longer than two football fields connecting mexico to arizona. cnn's casey wayian and his cameraman went inside to give you an up-close look. >> this is the way angents first discovered this tunnel a few days ago, under this giant container of water. over here, you can still see 55 gallon drums that contain the dirt that was dug out of this tunnel stretching 240 yards across the u.s./mexico border. >> this is the most vice cane one i've ever seen in arizona. >> why is that? >> most tunnels we have under arizona, those are just digging through dirt to get into the sewer system. using the sewer system and punching out again. this one, when you look down t

she's the first blind woman to sign up for miss florida, usa. winner goes to the nationals.rney began a couple years ago when she was 16. on a whim, she entered a local pageant and won. >> what is that? >> that's harvest queen. >> reporter: she says each new success, each crown, helps build in her a confidence and self esteem that was lacking. each new success led her here. >> what makes her special is her drive. she's admirable, doesn't give up. >> reporter: she's treated like all the other young women, and she never plays to her disability. >> she's the last one tell you, she prefer you not know, and more importantly it is not what i can't do, it is what i can do. >> i have come to learn it is not about winning the pageant. i am so glad my story could be shared. at least i can inspire one person. if i can inspire one person, i feel like i've won. >> reporter: perhaps what's most refreshing, connor doesn't take herself too seriously. >> what's on your mind now? >> dinner. >> reporter: tomorrow is the final on hollywood beach. connor says no matter what happens, she's going

she has brains and beauty, but one miss florida usa contestant doesn't have one thing that the other like one of jack's cereals. fiber one. uh, forgot jack's cereal. [ jack ] what's for breakfast? um... try the number one! [ jack ] yeah, this is pretty good. [ male announcer ] half a day's worth of fiber. fiber one. >> well, the city of san bernardino, the third california city to declare bankruptcy, here is how broke her, they're all the same person, mayor, city council-- >> and he always makes for good fun. >> alisyn: big time. >> dave: welcome back. >> clayton: yeah, welcome back to "fox & friends" on a saturday morning and thanks for waking up to us, ali has headlines for us. >> alisyn: sort of. i have something like that, information, now the supreme court ruled in favor of president obama's health care laws, governors from several states are focusing on medicaid expansion and may do more harm than good. peter doocy has more from the meeting in virginia. >> reporter: a virginia town that shows what life was like in colonial times before medicaid. before it was dominating discuss

call 855-878-4biz. [ chirp ] >>> no crown for the first legally blond woman to compete for miss florida usaonner boss finished number five. she has a genetic eye disease. boss was chosen miss photogenic and says she feels like a winner even without the overall title. >> i have come to learn it is not even about winning the pageants. i'm so glad that my story can be shared and at least i can inspire one person. if i can inspire one person i feel like i have won. >> pageant winner michelle lugeary will compete next year. >>> two men decided they want to fly from oregon to montana in a lawn chair. they strapped themselves into lawn chairs and then attached 350 balloons to kind of seal the deal. so what could possibly go wrong you ask? everything. hail, snow and thunderstorms knocked out 35 of their balloons forcing them to cut their trip short. it was a rough landing but thankfully they are okay. >>> a pretty remarkable achievement. 8-year-old tyler armstrong climbed mount killmimanjaro. >> i want to climb because i hike for muscular distrophy. every month i climb a mountain for elevation. it'

the first legally blind contestant at the miss florida usa pageant and finished in fifth place and chosen she has a hereditary disease that caused her vision to get worse. >> jo paterno and the new deal gave the late coach's package

the first legally blind contestant at the miss florida usa pageant and finished in fifth place and chosenc. she has a rered tehereditary di that caused her vision

. >>> no crown for the first legally blind woman to compete for miss florida usa, but conner boss finishedthe top five. the 18-year-old college freshman has a genetic eye disease that makes it very difficult for her to focus objects right in front of her. she was chosen miss photo genic and she feels like a winner even without the overall title. >> i've come to learn that it's not about winning the panellingens. i am so glad that my story can be shared and that at least i can inspire one person and if i can inspire one pern i feel like i've won. >> good for her. we were all rooting for her last night watching the pageant in the newsroom. >>> trivia question for you, what is the fastest growing immigrant population in the united states today? here's a hint. it is not hispanics. see how well you did after the break, but first -- >> the best time to start planning for a child's education is as soon as you decide to have a child because it's never too early to start thinking about what you're going to need to do in order for the child to go on to college, not just from a financial perspective,

if she brings home the miss florida crown tomorrow, she will represent florida in the miss usa nationalsjor blow to the bank's reputation, in an hour, we should learn the true extent of the impact on the company's bottom line and that's the man at the center of it all. how bad did it get at jp morgan chase? well, they are hoping that gray stars are going to clear up. according to ford, the works fuel saver package could terally pay for itself. jim twitchel is this true? yes it's true. how is this possible? proper tire inflation, by using proper grades of oil, your car runs more efficiently, saves gas. you could be doing this right now? yes i could, mike. i'm slowing you down? yes you are. my bad. the works fuel saver package. just $29.95 or less after rebate. only at your ford dealer. so, to sum up, you take care of that, you take care of these, you save a bunch of this. that works. this is new york state. we built the first railway, the first trade route to the west, the greatest empires. then, some said, we lost our edge. well today, there's a new new york state. one that's working to

. >>> and quite a scare at the miss florida usa pageant.passed out during a photo shoot. were they by the pool? it was the hot temperatures. they were too much to take. they were treated by paramedics. they will be fine for tomorrow's pageant. >>> now, diane sawyer with a preview of tonight's "world news." diane? >> and, amy, a good friday morning to you. it is the song of the summer. i'll bet you've been singing it in the shower. i'll bet you have. celebrities are singing it. even little furry creatures are singing it. what's the real story behind the hit? well, she's our "person of the week." and she'll tell you tonight. >> diane, thanks so much. was i shifting around during my news? i keep falling off this. >> you're all right. i think the hay is throwing it all off. >>> lara is so cool. ready to go with top news. like this. >> am i not the picture of grace and elegance? >> you are. that's one way i'd go, yeah. not a day goes by. >> let's talk about "pop news," shall we? the "forbes" annual list of the highest-paid celebrities under 30.

she's the first legally blind woman to sign up to compete in miss florida usa pageant. to nationals. her journey began just a couple years ago when she was 16, on a whim, she entered a local teen pageant and won. >> which is the first one you won. >> that bad boy. >> what is that? >> harvest queen. >> reporter: each crown helps build in confidence and self esteem that was lacking. each new success led her here. >> what makes her special is her drive. she's admirable. she doesn't give up. >> reporter: pageant officials say other than helping her get marks on the stage, she's treated like all the other young women and she never plays to her disability. >> she's the last one who will tell you this, she prefer you not know. more importantly, it is not what i can't do, it is what i can do. >> i have come to learn it is not about winning the pageant, it is about i am so glad my story could be shared, and at least i can inspire one person. and if i can inspire one person, i feel like i've won. >> reporter: perhaps what's most refreshing, she doesn't take herself too seriously.

she made the top five in miss florida usa pageant and she shared her inspiring story. >> i really justercome it and luckily, i've just kept positive and i'm doing what i'm hoping to do. hoping to accomplish. >> alisyn: boss competed against nearly 75 contestants last night. the crown ended up going to michelle aguerri. >> and couldn't get your headlines without-- with the romney and obama camp. >> alisyn: i'm keeping it real. she came in five. >> dave: reiick reichmuth outside, and hopefully near the ice cream truck. >> rick: a lot of people having to feed the sugar fix. happy birthday maggie, it's your 10th birthday. >> yes. >> rick: all you wanted to do is come to the big apple. >> yes. >> rick: let's take a look at the weather're waking up, today into the central plains, check it out. 106 in pierre, south carolina, 102 in bismark and if you go further south from there it's warm, but not so bad. very warm across areas of kansas and oklahoma and not that bad in arkansas, some shower activity. headed to the ohio valley not as bad either. however, all of that heat in the northern plains

. >>> no crown for the first legally blind woman to compete for miss usa in florida, but she has a geneticease that makes it difficult for her to focus on objects right in front of her. well, she was chosen miss photogenic. she says she feels like a winner even without the overall title. >> i've come to learn it's not about winning the pageants. i'm so glad that my story could be shared and that at least i can inspire one person and if i can inspire one person i feel like i have won. >> the pageant winner earns the right to compete in the miss usa contest. >>> a texas man is reunited with his beloved car 42 years after it was stolen. robert russell never gave up searching for the 1967 austin healy after it was taken from his home back in 1970. and his tenacity sure did pay off. he recently saw the car for sale on ebay. then russell contacted police and they recovered the car at a los angeles dealership. it is now back with russell in his home state of texas. >>> all right. much more of the cnn "newsroom" straight ahead. poppy harlow, in for don lemon. >> i love that story. good to see you.

the 36-year-old florida florioredespecially -- thompson, especially right there. there are 20 days left before olympics. on the usaball team. griffin earned a spot today. injuries knocked out several players. they still have a good lineup, as you can tell from this photo op. they will play an exhibition game against the dominican republic. tony stewart won in daytona today. tony stewart won in daytona today. still thinking of replacing the truck? i just don't know where to start. glad you made it. start by choosing from over 30,000 used cars and trucks. carmax. start here. >> summer is the perfect time and enjoy the playground. this is what these panda's did in china. own also have their climbing designed frames there. the planet's most endangered species. the planet's most endangered species. sfx: sounds of marching band and crowd cheering sfx: sounds of marching band and crowd cheering so, i'm walking down the street, x: sounds of marching band and crowd cheering just you know walking, sfx: sounds of marching bandnd and crowd cheering and i found myself in the middle of this paradeeet, x: sounds of marching band

florida beauty pageant. connor voss was among the women competing for the miss usa crown. >> but the 18-year-old was the onlyt was legally blind. she had to memorize every single step on stage and walk down them in 5-inch heels. connor came in fourth. >>> and meet bart larang. >> he might be the best boss. because he gives every employee $7500 to go on vacation, anywhere. the catch, they must disconnect from work. no call, no e-mail, no tweets, nothing. >> that's not a catch. the employees say they come back refreshed and invigorated. >> they'll hire 12 people in the next 12 months. 7500 for vacation. >> sign me up. >>> for some of you, local news is next. >> and we'll be back with two people, two lawn chairs and a dream. and win fifty thousand dollars. congratulations you are our one millionth customer. people don't like to miss out on money that should have been theirs. that's why at ally we have the raise your rate 2-year cd. you can get a one-time rate increase if our two-year rate goes up. if your bank makes you miss out, you need an ally. ally bank. no nonsense. just people sense. over the age of three

usa wins 100-78. they'll be ready at the olympic games this weekend. >>> the 10-year-old golfer of florida is in the amateur event here. go local when you can. and there it is . the guys doing the moto cross. and they're getting ready for a race, and then the young golfer qualified for the u.s. amateur at ten years of age. [upbeat waltz music] ♪ hey, what's wrong with you? what? your face-- it's like you're happy or something. i am happy, frank. 'cause of that dude you're donking. floyd? yes. he just gets me. i think you've got a little something-- right here? other side. here? up a little. in that area? you got it. ugh, that movie was a complete waste of time. i thought it was moving... my bowels. heh heh. mmm... oh... reverse, reverse, skip, skip, draw four!

florida by 3%. >> tori, thank you for that live report from washington. oscar winner morgan freeman donated $1 million last month to priorities usa action.er pac is raising money to support the president's re-election campaign. in a statement, several celebrities also donated to the group. >>> i'm jamie costello. coming up at 6:00 -- police seize heroin, guns, thousands of dollars in cash. the suburb where it happened and why it's not that uncommon anymore. and scientists have been saying for years that stem cells could be the key to treating diseases but a new breakthrough is really expanding that idea tonight. here's a preview of what is ahead of "world news" at 6:30. diane sawyer. >> coming up -- that video we showed you of the 10-year-old girl escaping a kidnapper. while an arrest has been made. we'll tell you how you, our viewers helped to crack the days. [ barks ] [ cat meows ] [ woman ] ♪ i just want to be okay ♪ be okay, be okay ♪ i just want to be okay today - ♪ i just want to know today - [ whistles ] ♪ know today, know today - [ cat meows ] - ♪ know that maybe i will be okay ♪ [ chimes ] travelers can help you protect the thin

florida. i'll explain. gonzo, fantastic again, but why is he walking away unsatisfied? nats' miami vice drama in baltimore. and one of the most unheralded birds coming through and usa basketball in town preparing for a gold . >>> gonzalez is a happy dude. in fact, his bright smile has become quite a story line around the clubhouse. safe to say mama is happy, too. according to masn, she bought 600 tickets before tonight's game for family and friends. gio is from south florida, so you know folks were happy. it's a lovefest. no hugs from miami. just heat from gonzo. strikes out the side in the 3rd. 5th inning, john buck with the broken bat single to right. 2-1, gonzalez touched up with 2 homeruns. that's all he need the. washington loses a tough one, 2-1. >> well, it was a shame. gio pitched a heck of a ball game. you know, we had many opportunities out there. we just couldn't get it. >>> orioles-tigers, let's get to the extra innings. bottom of 13, tigers up 6-5. j.j. hardy, dynamite! ties the game at 6-6. that homerun broke an 0-for-28 slump. dramatics here. couple of batters later, taylor teagarden, activated from the d.l. right before the game, he says exit stage

usa play a game that mapes something. they're also taking on france. the guys looking good. all those highlights. >> disappointing in the pool. your guy from university of florida i know, after winning the 400, i don't know what happened. >> a recap? >> clear and comfortable tonight. down into the 60s and 70s by the early morning hours, but not bad tomorrow. >> thanks for watching. get updates any time on-line at wusa9.com. next 9news now tomorrow morning 4:25. stay tuned for sports plus. have a great week, everybody. bye. [ male announcer ] where did all the obama stimulus money go? friends, donors, campaign supporters, special interest groups where did the obama stimulus money go? solyndra: 500 million taxpayer dollars. bankrupt. so where did the obama stimulus money go? windmills from china. electric cars from finland 79% of the 2.1 billion in stimulus grants awarded through it went to overseas companies. [ romney ] i'm mitt romney and i approve this message. even easier to switch to -- and even harder to resist. because now you can move up to fios with no annual contract required. for just $99.99 a month for a year, you'll get a fios triple play and our who

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