i think you see a new day at gsa. >> reporter: gsa headquarters tells cnn in a statement, these eventsjudgment which spans several years and administrations. the agency spokesperson went on to say that under the new gsa leadership, these events would not have been approved. and only light refreshments like water and pretzels would be allowed inside a federal facility at future team-building exercises. >> i think we see a new day at gsa. i think you see a culture shift. and you do see a new day. i'm very optimistic about that. >> drew, how can there be any changes if the people in charge like this regional administrator don't have the power to stop the waste? >> that was one of our first questions, and the answer is he does have the power, and errson. he just didn't know it at time or misspoke. and that is a problem for the newly appointed acting administrator of the gsa. dan tangerlini, who finally agreed to talk to me, just this afternoon. were you surprised to learn that your regional administrator in kansas city didn't think he had the power to stop this kind of spending? >> yeah i'

i think it was the old culture at gsa. you saw it in the news at the gsa conference.s the culture. >> why weren't you able to put a stop to it? >> i think we've seen new leadership and that will help my ability to stop these kinds of things. you're right, it's unacceptable. >> as an administrator, can you stop that stuff? >> as we see new policies in place, there's going to be more authority given to regional administrators to stop things like that. >> do you have the power now? >> don't have it now and haven't had it, yeah. >> there's one more thing that jason klumb apparently didn't have the power to stop. >> this is the ghost of gsa present. let's take a look at you in action. >> last year's holiday video contest. >> i am the ghost of gsa past. >> it's another team building exercise. the team that came up with the most creative video about, get this, efficiencies in the gsa, would win an ice cream social. all of what you are seeing was written, produced, acted, taped and edited on federal government time. >> were these videos that would make people better employees

i think you see a new day at gsa. >> reporter: gsa headquarters tells cnn in a statement that these eventsons. under the new gsa leadership these events would not have been approved. and only light refreshments like water and pretzels will be loud in the future. >> we see a need at gsa, you see a culture shift and a new day. i'm very optimistic about that. >> if you're leaving the house right now just a reminder, continue watching cnn from your mobile phone. watch cnn live from your desk top. go to cnn.com/tv. >>> florida watchman on trial for killing trayvon martin says he's not a racist. george zimmerman went on fox news last night to tell his story and what happened in february when he shot and killed martin who was walking to his father's house. so is this another strategic move in a high-profile case? we've seen zimmerman's look change several times. he's gone from heavy set with hair to a clean shaven baby face to his look just last night on fox news. join me now. beth caras are the changes and tv appearances part of the strategy. >> yes, i do think it's part of the strategy. a lot o

across gsa.e want to find out how deep it goes into other area of the bureaucracy and put a stop to it. >> greta: how do you spend $21,000 on drum sticks how many did they buy? >> 4,000 sets of drum sticks jet what was the purpose? >> the audience was playing along with the drummers that you saw. >> greta: that is almost impossible. unthinkable. i realize that is a small amount of the entire cost. so unbelievably insane to take taxpayer money and do something like that. >> it is a blatant abuse. >> greta: you you say blatant abuse. i say stealing. i think it is just worse than a flagrant abuse. >> and they came back to me and said do you want us to not have conferences all together? >> absolutely. but if you have a legitimate reason to have a conference you have 14,000 vacant buildings under gsa they could be holding a conference in. hold it in one of the national parks. but to have the different types of vacations all around the nation is unacceptable. >> greta: what were the awards for? >> we a

gsa has not answered. identified those 10,000 and up bonuses, but government records released don't record them at all. so this hasn't shown up anywhere else if it wasn't for that request from 9 wants to know, it's unlikely anyone would know about those 67 bonuses. >> now 85% of these officials will have their bonuses cut. >> they are going away. it's likely those that get bonuses, there will be oversight. >> a lack of good judgment in those videos is astounding. thank you. >> a special session to discuss expanded gambling in maryland. governor martin o'malley met with michael busch and senate president, mike miller this morning. and after that meeting, miller says the support seems to be there, but legislators need a little elbow grease to make it happen. >> it's only a few words in the institution and it is a done deal. thousands and thousands of jobs. increased revenue. >> the issue is adding a location for gambling at national hoer boar, which would encollude table games. >> not expected to begin servi

[take graphic gsa follies]in a written statemement, the gsa says tangherlini has cut executive bonusescancelled 36 future conferences.david williams, with the taxpayers protection alliance, says its not time to give up the gsa -- it's too important of an agency.[sot david]sot in 22:32:36 "but that doesn't mean they get a free pass and a blank check." trt=:03 join... our waste watch. if... you see government waste.. call... our hotline.. 410-662-1456. or... go to fox- baltimore dot com. new developments tonight in the ongoing controversy over the city's phone system.the city's inspector general says his probe into the purchase of video phones and switches by the mayor's office has now moved beyond the preliminary phase. the ig's office is now conducting a full investigation of the $659,000 acquisition.the purchase came at the same time the city was approving competitive bids for similar equipment. city comptroller joan pratt has accused the mayor of bypassing the city's procurement process. the mayor says the purchases of pricey video phones were made as part of a pilot program. if you

off for gsa employees.ed by fox news, 7 a pages in all show that more than 3700 employees at that conference received cash awards averaging about $1,000 per emilyee. it cost taxpayers $3.6 million. gsa kept a running tab of the cost which it go d. not always do for some of its out-of-town conferences. several of the 77 fsa conferences that the house committee on transportation and infrastructure wants to examine have no record of spending, no receipts, no way to account for the cost of traveling and lodging. >> agencies can't keep track of any kind of spending let alone conferences which certainly does not seem to be a big priority. spending the money is easy. keeping track is the problem. throughout the government. it's not just conferences. it's every level of spending. in a written statement gsa responded as of april 2012 all spending for events including training conferences, team building exercises, award ceremonies were suspended. the 2010 award ceremony was an annual event and has been in existence g

we'll be back. >>> in the wake of a 9 wants you to know investigation, the gsa is cutting bonuses to 85% of its high ranking officials. we've learned that organizers of the now infamous las vegas conference were among gsa employees who received thousands of dollars in bonuses. 9news reporters say former executive jeffrey neilly was paid nearly $10,000 in bonuses after officials learned of the $823,000 trip. but it doesn't stop there. we also found out that 67 high ranking gsa officials split more than half a million dollars in bonuses. >>> coming up next, anny with the hot forecast. >> it's hot and pretty miserable out here. lots of sunshine and, boy, it is humid. i've got your forecast. i'm going to talk about some showers and storms coming this way. could be some pretty big storms. stick around. 9news continues. we have the forecast after the break. ?gw?qyjw >>> it is not american idol or star search, but dozens of musicians auditioned in washington yesterday. they're hoping to make the cut and get to perform for metro riders. matt jablow explains. >> reporter: the d.c. musician

with details of 2200 square foot hotel rooms for gsa executives and an $823,000 las vegas conference run by a man now infamous for his champagne bathtub shots. he was awarded $9400 in bonus money after officials learned about the convention, but our freedom of information act shows he wasn't alone and it went on for years. received 33,880 in a bonus in 2009. 15,500 in 2010. and another $22,000 in 2009 followed by $10,000 in 2010. of the most recent bonuses, documents show 67 high ranking officials splitting more than a half million dollars in bonus money. almost all between $8,000 and $10,000 a piece. today's announcement would eliminate 85% of that. acting administration said quote, i believe that these immediate changes will help the agency achieve better clarity about our compensation and hiring process as we continue to bring the maximum level of efficiency and effectiveness to the work we do every day. >> there are still a lot of bonus questions the gsa will not answer. our freedom of information act request identified those bonuses of $10,000 and up. the government payroll reco

today's announcement from the gsa will eliminate 85% of that.y said i believe these immediate changes will help the agency achieve better clarity about our compensation and hiring process as we continue to bring the maximum level of efficiency and effectiveness to the work we do every day. there are still a lot of bonus questions the gsa will not answer. our freedom of information act requests identified those bonuses of $10,000 and up. but government play role records don't record those bonuses at all. if not for that 9 wants to know freedom of information act request, those numbers may have never come out. i'm investigator reporter russ ptacek, 9news now. >>> now to utah a bizarre suicide case in which the killer try to steal an airplane. he killed his ex-girlfriend in colorado and today he tried to make a get away. he climbed a fence in utah, boarded a 50 passenger jet and started the engine. the plane crashed into parked cars. when police got there, they found him dead of a gunshot wound. >>> we move on to campaign 2012 tonight where mitt ro

a: bad n ns keeps oncoming for the gsa.eport saying investigators are looking into dozens more examples of wh lots of spending on the taxpayers' dime. apparently what happens in vegas doesn't always stay there, especially when there is a hot tub involved. it's all on "happening now." today, tuesday, seems like a normal day. exactly 12 weeks let before americans choose their next president with the campaigns heating up. that is something we are continuing to watch on "happening now." we are glad you're with us, everybody. i'm jenna lee. rick: i'm rick folbaum. thanks so much for joining us on a busy day. mitt romney on his way back to the u.s. after wrapping up a week-long trip overseas, earlier today in warsaw, poland, the candidate delivering a speech on foreign policy, aeu phrauding thapplauding the polish spirit and taking a shot at president obama's stance on the economy, and praising free enterprise. >> instead of heading a promise of a government dominated economy, poland expanded trade, encouraged investment and live

the new head of the gsa also condemned the spending and says he is cutting executive bonuses. his spokesperson says this ceremony has been going on for eight years and that all such events will be terminated. lisa myers, nbc news, washington. >>> on the campaign trail today president obama and the critical state of florida where he told that state's large elderly population mitt romney supports a plan that would move medicare toward a voucher system and that would hurt them according to the president. he also said romney's promise to roll back health care reform would end up costing them more at the prescription drug counter. for the first time in this campaign, we are getting an up close look at the romney boys, all five of the romney sons. they spoke exclusively to nbc's peter alexander for tonight's broadcast of "rock center" and peter asked them whether they wanted their father to try a second run for the presidency after losing the nomination to john mccain in '08 and notably four of the five sons initially said no. >> i didn't want him to run again. i really didn't. i th

finally, another gsa scandal breaks. the gsa spent a quarter million on a one night only event. $28,000 for drumsticks. really? $29,000 for picture frames. really? we'll have the details, really. up next, presidential approval in a slump. obama gets a 39 to 55% shortfall on his handling of the economy. he's down 16 points since the last poll pack in april. here's one more number for you. a 36% down from 42 in april on overall favorability. these numbers just out from a brand new cbs new york times poll. they say it all loud and clear. the economy is hurting obama badly. no amount of mud-slinging over bain capital, over unreleased tax returns is going to fix that. mr. romney criticized the president for putting fund-raising ahead of fixing the nation's economic slump. taken a listen. >> for the last six months he's done 106 fundraisers. so i think you learn something about the president's priorities. the job he's interested in protecting is his own. the job that should be protected is the job of men and women in this coun

lot of gsa awards banquets for that program.ous leader survives a car bombing while someone shoots his deputy dead. that tops our news around the world in 80 seconds. russia. amateur video shows that a car engulf in flames in a western province, three explosions only injured the region's senior muslimer leader. his deputy was killed in a shooting outside his home. no claim of responsibility. russian anti-terror officials say the injured leader has been a voice of moderation and that the attack may be the work of islamic extremists. >>> honduras. cops arrested the suspected colombian drug lord in the northern city after a joint intelligence operation with colombian authorities. local media report the suspect flew into honduras on a stolen plane earlier this year. he's been extradited back to colombia where he faces murder and drug trafficking charges. >>> greenland. iceberg twice the size of manhattan tore off one of the country's largest glaciers. it's the second massive chunk to break free in more than two years. some scientist

this photo coming to light at the first set of lavish setting by the gsa surfaced weeks ago. we are hearing about dozens and dozens more. a questionable cases. we will break it down in just a bit. >> it is your last chance to answer our question of the day. if you could choose to watch tv or spend time with your family or exercise which would you choose? e-mail coming up next. >> it is 18 minutes before the top of the hour. a woman is praised for saving her husband and her child. watch her jump into action and push both out of the way seconds before a truck falls over. one of the world's most widespread power failures. half of the population is left in the dark. >> now in japan. four new tiger cubs are the main attraction at the safari park there. they get to play with the cubs under supervision. tickets selling out in just about 3 minutes. ainsley over to you. >> thanks heather. two new jersey men facing charges today that they created a fake 9-11 charity. then pocketed tens of thousands of dollars in donations. >>> good morning. the two guys are scam artists. they drove aro

jenna: we have new details on the spending scandal at the gsa.geles conference may just be the tip of the iceberg. one congressman behind the investigation joins us live on that. >>> olympic records smash in seconds. 16-year-old chinese swimmer turning heads and raising questions. we'll tell you why. >>> beachgoers right here at home look on in horror. a big fin in the water, a swimmer in the hospital, the latest on a frightening shark attack off the coast of the united states. it is all new, it's all live. it's "happening now." jenna: but first our top story. some new findings in the "fast and furious" investigation. we're glad you're with us on this tuesday. i'm jenna lee. rick: i'm rick folbaum in for jon scott. singling out five members of the bureau of alcohol, tobacco and firearms to blame for the botched gun-walking operation. as fox news uncovers explosive information that the atf initially tried to hide crucial information from the mexican government, specifically about two fast and furious firearms found where the brother of a mexican s

the white house is distancing itself from the on going gsa scandal.thanks for your time today. five minutes past a bit more with heather on that. >> gas stands for the general services administration. basically a federal agency that oversees government spending, but now the inspector general of the agency currently investigating that one day award ceremony in the d.c. area held back in 2010. it is the one, actually with the aforementioned drum sticks, bill talked about that, that cost $20,000. total cost for the one-day event almost $270,000. that event coming just four weeks after an $823,000 gsa spending spree at a las vegas hotel. bill: breaking news on the economy now, this number is just out now consumer confidence after four months of a decline the number is up, almost 66. the number is up, it is still well below 90. 90 is the number which indicates a healthy economy. you think, five, ten years ago that number was well over 100. 120 at times. 65.9 is your marker at the moment. martha: and more on this story, another massive black out in india, m

we also found out that 67 high ranking gsa officials are splitting more than half a million dollars in bonuses. >>> the food and drug administration has just approved a new antiobesity drug. qsymia for overweight people who have diabetes or high cholesterol. >>> the potomac nationals are teaming up with prince william county to build a new ballpark and stay right here in our region. the team made the announcement yesterday. it will build a stadium just east of i-95 near opitz boulevard in richmond next to the wegmans. it will seat as many as 7,000 people, including 12 sky boxes that could be used in the wintertime for other events. prince william board of supervisors chairman cory stewart says this area known as stone bridge will be an economic engine for the county. >> this is already becoming an entertainment hub on i-95 attracting residents not just from east of prince william county and the other parts of prince william but from northern stafford and especially from southern fairfax and even up into arlington and alexandria. >> the stadium is going to include a new park and ride lo

another gsa scandal. this time, almost $300,000 tax dollars spent on an awards ceremony.to the congressman leading the charge for the truth , john mica. new polls show voters are feeling conflicted about the economy and the presidential election. the majority of voters are not satisfied with the state of the country, but more voters say they would vote for president obama over mitt romney if the election were held today. ed rollins is live to take a look at the numbers. ed, good to have you with us today. >> good morning, how are you? >> shannon: very good. i want to started with the numbers, the fox news polling this week. better off now than you were four years ago? let's look at the numbers. 37% say, yes, they are, 47% say, no, they are not. 13% say they are about the same. but when you look at the bottom line whoof they would vote for, the majority still go with president obama, 45-41%. do the numbers make sense to you? >> well, listen, it's a very close election. obviously, if 3 or 4 points, that's the margin of error. i think that romney is lucky to be where he is a

not even following the presidents executive order, they are not even following their own gsa recommeons"the... g-s-a... has... employed... new policies... on... spending.../ to... put an end... to... this... misuse... of taxpayer dollars...///. join... our waste watch. if... you see government waste.. like... this egregious act...// call... our hotline.. 410-662-1456. or... go to fox- baltimore dot com. passengers help themselves off a plane that made an emergency landing near chicago thursday morning......after the plane started filling up with smoke while they were still in the ai. air....this is how we just got off the frickin' plane. this is cell phone video... of the passengers... helping themselves off the wing of the plane.here's what happened before the evacuation...the plane was approaching the runway......when the crew radioed the tower.......saying there was smoke in the cabin. the plane landed safely passengers scrambled to exit... ...some using stairs... but several others had to jump out the guy took the door off. there was a little bit of confusion as to what to do wit

governme >> we believe the government, his is a failure within gsa. n this instance, rather than mind reads and clown, they have for shellingd violinists. >> they shelled out $800,000 for a las vegas conference. > our tax dollars hard at work. >>? other ne clinton's new this is morning, michele bachmann is under fire. >> karen travers has the details. and four edin forter: last week, she and four other people charged a person close to secretary of stant presenceclinton for furthering the muslim .rotherhood. mer s the wife of former congressman anthony weiner. ecuritygned in disgrace last year. rote thattter to top intelligence officials, she wrote that abedeen has three family members connected to muslim brotherhood operatives her position aff and/or organizations. egypt's newly elected president is from the muslim brotherhood. bachmann says her letter was like out of context. >> i think accusations like this aing thrown around are pretty dangerous. cain. orter: john mccain took to the senate floor to give a rousing defense of abedeen. orter: the cont

certainly this is a closer within gsa. in this instance, they got guitars and violins. >> the g stshgs a was already under fire for shelling 18,000 for a las vegas hearing. >> our tax dollars hard at work. >>> minnesota congresswoman michele bachmann is known for her controversial comments, now she's under fire from both sides of the aisle for what she said about hillary clinton's top aide. abc's karen travers has the details. >> reporter: last week, bachmann and four fellow republicans charged huma abedin for using her position to promote the cause of the muslim brotherhood. she's a constant presence at the secretary's side. she's also the wife of former congressman anthony weiner. in her letter to top intelligence and security officials, bachmann wrote that abedin has three family members connected to muslim brotherhood operatives and or organization. her position affords her routine access to the secretary and to policymaking. secretary clinton met with him last week in cairo. bachmann said that her letter has been take

th >> the gsa says its implementing a bonus and hiring freeze. >>> virginia senate race is hitting up with george allen anl tim kaine unveiling newed as.nv >> a file your that could force $5 million in defensive cuts. devastating job losses. over 200,000 good-paying0 virginia jobs goat stake, and 10 reduction in our armed forces,re but just one candidate forid senate will fight for virginia jobs. >> tim kaine cut nearlyt $6 billion in state spending, and balanced the budget. but allen voted for $121 billion in earmarks. >> they are both awful, right? according to the campaigns. either way, polls are showing cane and allen running neck and neck.ck >>> new financial aid forms to ease concerns about college costs.s. department of education and obama administration unveil ais college cost shopping sheet.. estimated tuition costs, grantsa scholarships -- the one pagene 1407ing sheet designed to help students and parents better understand the cost of college, it's predicted more students are he graduating with large debt. >>> a judge has issued a gag order for the lawyers, policeaw officers

one shot what makes me angry is what gsa did. the trips. the flagrant abuse of tax dollars.any would you say it ticks you off. what are you going to do about it? >> among other things, we have cut the budget for this kind of travel, not only we cut it but the president by his own order has cut it. we are making quantum changes in how much to be spent on that. on top of that data act is going to make it transparent to the public about where this money is being spent. we think that is most important. >> host: do you agree with it? do you want to continue? >> do you make them pay the money back? >> sadly you can't but one person at the center of it all is charged with spending some money illegally. >> do you all agree? thanks. [ applause ] >> and when we come back, we'll take your questions and congressman rob andrews about budget and healthcare. stay tuned. n. but they haven't experienced extra strength bayer advanced aspirin. in fact, in a recent survey, 95% of people who tried it agreed that it relieved their headache fast. visit fastreliefchallenge.com today for a special t

] ♪ put your hands up in the air ♪ >> remember those videos about the bonuses and easy money at the gsaative reporter russ has found out those bonuses there are three times bigger than anybody knew. 9 wants to know obtained the information even congress couldn't get. >> now we can see why they didn't want to give us the details. you've helped uncover incredible abuse of a bonus system. >> watch our investigation expose $30 million in unreported gsa bonuses right here tomorrow night. >>> so in light of all that, how does $5.25 an hour sound to attend summer school? that's right. paying kids to go to class right here in d.c. according to the washington examiner, the program pays rising 9th graders who are considered less likely than their peers to graduate on time. the examiner goes on to say only 53% of public school students in d.c. do graduate in four years. >>> in tonight's health alert, the symptoms of juvenile arthritis and why kids need to be diagnosed as soon as possible. juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects $300,000 kids. joint pain and swelling is the main ha

. >>> the trouble for the gsa continues, first lavish spending in vegas, tonight new spending causing more embarrassment for the general services administration. laura evans with the information. >> this second incident was an award ceremony at the crystal gateway marriott in november of 2010. the gsa reportedly spent $269,000 on this one day event which featured a drum band exercise, a special vip reception with pastries, music by a violinist and guitarist. gift were given out reportedly include -- gifts were given out reportedly including 4,000 drumsticks at a cost of 21 grand, 4,000 picture frames costing $28,000.68 shadowbox frames that came to -- costing $28,000 and pick 8 shadowbox frames that came to $8,000. congressman jeff dunham says he is outraged by all the wasteful spending. >> to see they were willing to have this type of event, lavish spending, this type of abuse of taxpayer dollars is appalling and people across the nation should be appalled when we're seeing record unemployment going for 42 weeks now. people are out of work and they see this type of waste in governmen

there is more news on what the gsa spent your taxpayer money on. we'll share it with you straight ahead. down here, folks measure commitment by what's getting done. the twenty billion dollars bp committed has heed fund economic and environmental recovery. long-term, bp's made a five hundred million dollar commitment to support scientists studying the environment. and the gulf is open for business - the beaches are beautiful, the seafoois delicious. last year, many areas even reported record tourism seasons. the progress continues... but that doesn't mean our job is done. we're still committed to seeing this through. legalzoom has an easy and affordable option. you get quality services on your terms, with total customer support, backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. so go to legalzoom.com today and see for yourself. to provide a better benefits package... oahhh! [ male announcer ] it made a big splash with the employees. [ duck yelling ] [ male announcer ] find out more at... [ duck ] aflac! [ male announcer ] ...forbusiness.com. ♪ ha ha! >>> mil

they think it's okay gsa to have a lavish convention off the taxpayers' expense.out this is mike gallagher and alan colmes. thanks for joining us. alan, let's start with you. how is this different from the gsa scandal? >> for one thing, this was done with private money. entertainment to catering and booze was done with private money. it wasn't done with taxpayer money. gsa scandal in 2010 in las vegas was more expensive, that was $822,000. this is $600,000. the las vegas was taxpayer money, this is not. >> patti ann: let's be clear about that. the commerce department says according to their spokesperson, no federal funds were spent on catering, entertainment or alcohol but the tab for the taxpayer still came to $670,000 and change figure. mike, we're going to show you some statistics on how much this conference has cost through the years. back in 2006 the tab was $486,500. in 2012 up to $670,000. they say they need to do this to provide workshops and training and education and networking for the manufacturers and industry experts but that cost has gone way up more