heidi collins, cnn, atlanta. >>> looks like changes are on the way. the postal service may switch up how you send and get your mail. it may even mean fewer deliveries and fewer trips to the post office. >>> the suspect accused of creating a bomb scare at laguardia is behind bars. the fbi is stepping in to investigate. >>> and with that a warship gets christened. find out what it means to a mother and those whose lives he saved. and this -- >>> that will wake you up. plug your ears. both are probably nursing scratchy throats after being in a competition for the loudest scream. you're watching hln sunday august 2nd. so glad you're with us. i'm susan hendricks. we start this morning with three americans who are being detained in iran. iran state-run media reports the americans crossed the border from iraq illegally. they were part of a group of hikers, apparently. a fourth hiker stayed in iraq because he felt sick. that is what the reports are. senior state department officials say they believe it. they believe the report. one of the americans detained i

cnn's heidi collins reports. >> reporter: an historic change in the gi bill now gives new incentives for troops serving on the frontlines in iraq and afghanistan. after they are done serving our country, their opportunities for education will be completely different. millions of veterans have used the gi bill to help pay for college since it was first introduced back in world war ii. but a lot has changed since then, so the gi bill is adapting for today's military. >> you could have two individuals, for example, patrolling the streets of baghdad, one individual being on active duty and another individual being a guard reserve member that was called up. when they return, they would have received very different benefits. now, under this program, because it's based on active service, those individuals can end up receiving the same benefits. >> reporter: the new bill will allow veterans who serve at least ten years to pass unused benefits onto their families. >> my daughter now who is 16 will get her first two years of college paid by this gi program. my daughter who is 10, veronica, she

i'm heidi collins. it is wednesday, august 12th. and you are in the "cnn newsroom." >>> this morning, as you know, it is make-or-break month for health care reform. we have our reporters all across the country to listen to what you have to say. in fact, our candy crowley is covering senator charles grass ryly's town hall massing. she's in iowa this morning. we'll take you there in just a moment. cnn's jim acosta is looking at the president's fight now to get his health care message out and whether or not that message has changed at all. he'll answer his critics as well. then our dr. sanjay gupta is actually taking some of your questions. health care reform and your college students. what you need to know. we'll get to all of that. >>> first we begin in iowa where a leading republican faces the prospect of a long day and short tempers. senator chuck grassley is holding four town hall meetings on health care reform. senior political correspondent candy crowley is in winter set. candy, once again this could get pretty heated. >> it cou

here now, our heidi collins. >> reporter: an historic change in the gi bill now gives new incentives for troops serving on the front lines in iraq and afghanistan. after they're done serving our country, their opportunities for education will be completely different. millions of vet rabs have used the gi bill to help pay for college since it was first introduced back in world war ii. but a lot has changed since then for the gi bill, adapting for today's military. >> you could have two individuals, for example, patrol willing the streets of baghdad, one individual being on active duty and another individual being a guard reserve member tall called up. when they return, they would have received very different benefits. now under this program because it's based on active service, those individuals can receive the same benefit. >> reporter: the new bill allows veterans to serve at least ten years to pass unused benefits on to their families. >> my daughter now who is 16 will get her first two years of college paid by this gi program. my daughter who's 10 will receive the second two years

. >>> right now the news continues with "cnn newsroom" and heidi collins. >>> three amigos meet south of the border. the summit on swine flu, trade, and the boarer. >>> a u.s. helicopter gun ship in action in afghanistan. watch what happens next. >>> and a restaurant worker, your health care, our focus in this make or break month. good morning, everybody, i'm heidi collins, it's monday, august 10th, and you are in the "cnn newsroom." >>> well, this morning, the battle of health care reform. congress is in recess, lawmakers are back at home, but voters are angry and they are on the offense. we'll talk more about that. >>> also, people still getting in each other's faces as you see here is this hot issue going to cool down any time soon? or more of these town hall meetings erupt into shouting matches? and our suzanne malveaux is traveling with the president. his health care is the top priority, top domestic priority, that is. but this morning, he's south of the border and focusing on another major health concern. and that is where we get started this hour with worries about swine flu, d

right now here's "cnn newsroom" with heidi collins. >>> good morning, everybody, i'm heidi collins, we have a busy day right here in the "cnn newsroom," so we want to get started right away on this monday, august 3rd. right off the bat, ed henry is going to be talking about promises made and possibly broken now. middle class americans may actually be facing higher taxes after all. and then on to afghanistan, our ivan watson's going to be focusing on the growing death toll of u.s. troops and their allies, as well. pointing to signs that the worst could be far from over. >>> and also today, the michael jackson case ends up going on to court. at stake, his children and almost everything he owns. >>> but first, let me get to this story for you. scary moments for passengers on a continental airlines flight. severe turbulence forced it to land at miami's intercontinental airport. the airline says 28 passengers were treated at the scene and seven were taken to hospitals. continental says there were 168 passengers and 11 crew members on board, the plane was on its way to houston from rio to br

here's "cnn newsroom" with heidi collins. >>> inside the mind of a killer. before he opened fire inside a pennsylvania gym, he shared his rage in an online diary. his chilling thoughts in his own words. >>> and freedom on fallout, two journalists are back home and likely to face the lingering trauma of their ordeal in north korea. hear how other former captives struggled to resume their lives. >>> and peddling himself, a presidential candidate says he is the vehicle of change. good morning, everybody, i'm heidi collins, today is thursday, august 6th, and you are in the "cnn newsroom." >>> this morning, we begin with the obama presidency. it's 199 days now and counting. as we get closer to tomorrow's milestone, a lot of people are really wanting to take stock, how is the administration doing with its top priorities? and how is it doing in the public eye, as well? also, white house correspondent dan lothian who you see there is going to be talk about the health care battle. it affects all of us, but it could define president obama. and finally, cnn's christine

. >>> here's "cnn newsroom" with heidi collins, have a great day. >>> surprise, former president bill clinton is in north korea and he's on a mission too. he's trying to free two american journalists. and he's getting a pretty warm welcome, our foreign affairs correspondent jill dougherty will be taking a closer look at that. also, keeping a very close eye on iran today because there are new accusations and new questions about the three americans that we told you about that are under arrest there. we'll be getting to that story shortly. >>> and in pakistan, young boys stolen from their homes, brainwashed and then trained to kill. good morning, everybody, i'm heidi collins, today is tuesday, august 4th, and you are in the "cnn newsroom." >>> a rare mission inside north korea for a former american president, bill clinton arrived there early this morning. he's there trying to gain the release of two jailed journalists. they were sentenced to 12 years in a very secretive trial. cnn's foreign affairs correspondent jill dougherty live from washington with the latest on this. jill, good morn

good morning, everybody, i'm rick sanchez, i'm going to be sitting in for heidi collins, thursday, august 13th, and you are in the "cnn newsroom." >>> all right, we call it make or break month for health care. more lawmakers are meeting with voters during this hour, and will this resistance continue? look at this map we've put together for you. candy crowley, she's in iowa, key republican negotiators getting an earful there from hundreds of constituents. dr. sanjay gupta's going to be looking at the lightning rods of reform. how in the world have we gotten to the point where there's even talk of quote death panels? death panels, think about that. and then ali velshi taking it to the people who are angry and why are they angry? this is the news unfiltered, folks. we're going to be taking your comments here on twitter.com/ricksanchez. can't wait to hear what you have to say about rick pitino. >>> we're going to start with breaking news. just after 6:00 in california and already a fast-moving wildfire threatening some -- we're told hundreds of homes in the area. look at these pictures a they

here's "cnn newsroom" with heidi collins. >>> paying their respects. the thousands of people pass the casket of senator edward kennedy. this hour, a look at kennedy's complicated relationship with his religion. >>> banned by the taliban from going to school, these girls now have a second chance thanks to volunteers not much older than them. >>> and arresting art, a model faces charges after a nude shoot in a new york museum. we hear from her, the photographer, and the museum. good morning, everybody, i'm heidi collins, it is friday, august 28th, and you are in the "cnn newsroom." in fact, we have a whole lot going on today. let's quickly walk you through it now. >>> thousands of acres on fire right now in southern and central california. we're going to have the very latest on evacuations going on there, and also our bonnie schneider with a look at what firefighters are going to be facing today. it's going to be tough out there. also tracking tropical storm danny, as well. >>> and finally, this incredible story. missing girl found woman nearly two decad

right now our special coverage continues with heidi collins and wolf blitzer. >> the lion of the senate, the heart of his family, senator ted kennedy is dead at the age of 77. this hour his fight for the rights of others and his personal battles. reaction from those who shared his political vision and those who did not. what voters back home are saying. plus, a look at the cancer that took his life. special coverage all morning long. it is wednesday, august 26th. i'm at the cnn center in atlanta. >> washington and you are in the cnn newsroom. >>> senator ted kennedy, his death marks the end of the era both politically and emotionally. for more than 40 years he served as the torch bearer of the camelot legacy and the last surviving brother of the kennedy political dynasty. in 1962 he was elected to the senate seat vacated by his brother the president and quickly became a powerful voice for social causes. dubbed the liberal lion he was among the last of the power brokers who sought compromise over partisan stalemate yet he remained a face of his beloved democratic party. last year he deli

. >> right now the news continues with heidi collins in the "cnn newsroom." >>> hitting the road for health care reform, president obama takes his message to the people at a new hampshire town hall. packing other health care sessions. lots of people want to sound off to members of congress. we all have a stake in this debate. >>> and a hidden cost in your hospital bill. our dr. sanjay gupta breaks it all down for you. >>> good morning, everybody, i'm heidi collins, it's tuesday, august 11th, and you are in the "cnn newsroom." >>> make or break month in health care reform. as you know, congress is in recession, and the lawmakers have gone back home, they're getting a real earful from angry constituents. in fact, we've got our crews all over the country to bring you the forum and faceoffs that are happening this morning. jessica yellin is, in fact, in pennsylvania where one senator has already faced crowds, we'll tell you all about that, arlen specter there, of course, and ali velshi aboard the cnn express. his first stop is chattanooga, tennessee. americans are telling their own stori

. >> here's "cnn newsroom" with heidi collins. >>> good morning, everybody, i'm heidi collins, it isy.

. >> i'm heidi collins. cnn "newsroom" continues now with t.j. hol mess. >>> good morning. it's monday morning. president obama at this hour promotes a new gi bill with benefits for iraq and afghanistan veterans. diplomats work to free three hikers after being arrested in iran. >>> also, katherine jackson is in court at this hour. she's fighting for her son's estate, an estate that could be worth billions. hello to you all. i'm t.j. holmes. and on the new gi bill, you're seeing a live picture of the ceremony happening right now. this is in fairbanks, virginia. the president is expected to make remarks within minutes. nobody is on the podium just yet. nobody is expecting be the president to speak at any moment about the expanded gi bill. when the president steps up, we will go back to his remarks. so let's get a preview of what the president is going to be talking about. dan lothian, good morning to you. >> good morning. as you know, the gi bill, the original one was very important for these vets returning from serving their countries overseas. more than half of the 15 milli

i'm heidi collins. "cnn newsroom" continues with tony harris. >> it is friday, the 28th of august and here are the faces of the stories driving the headlines. in the cnn newsroom this morning, two kidnapping suspects expected in court today. the 11-year-old girl, they're accused of snatching is now 29 and back with her family today. hurricane katrina four years later, cnn investigates vigil ante justice in the days after the storm. >>> he is the most powerful banker in the world, ben bernanke, federal reserve chairman and identity theft victim. >>> good morning, everyone. i'm tony harris and you're in the "cnn newsroom." >>> waking up free for the first time 18 years after being abducted. jaycee dugard was just a child when she was snatched and now she is a woman with two children of her own said to be fathered by a man who kidnapped her, raped her and held her captive. our dan simon is outside the place where this horror happened in antioch, california. dan, good to see you this morning. first of all,

good morning, everybody, i'm in for heidi collins on this monday, august 17th, and you are in the "cnn newsroom." >>> all right. let's get right to it. we have three storms to talk about. we've got claudette first on deck, a strong tropical storm, and then we have bill. bill's a bit of a stronger storm, could, in fact, become a hurricane later this week. and reynolds wolf right here watching both of them for you. including a third storm, that one named ana, that is a tropical depression. so, reynolds, you've got your eye on this activity. a lot of firsts weather wise. what are you looking out for today? >> kind of a historic thing here. this is the first time since 1984 we've had the a, b, and c storm at the same time. we see many of these forms in pretty quick duration. the one closest to us and that would be claudette made its way to the north, coming onshore in the parts of the panhandle and back into alabama, and i can tell you there are places in alabama and mississippi that could be dealing with flooding, possibly rainfall totals anywhere from maybe 3 to 6 inches. if you want an

send us your feedback on heidi collins page let us know how much you spent this year. make some comparisons, if we could. maybe you tightened your belt. once again, cnn.com/heidi. we'd love to hear from you about going back to school. >>> meanwhile, an awful lot going on in the "newsroom" and want to begin in hyannis port with deborah feyerick. >> that mass coming up, more on that coming up at the top of the hour. >>> i'm christine romans in new york. how many banks are on the fdic troubled bank list. 81 banks have failed so far this year. just how healthsy the nation's banking system? >> i'm rob marciano. threeites of concern. wildfires in california, two they'll launch the shuttle and problems there and tropical storm danny could become a hurricane later today. the latest forecast track at the top of the hour. >> thanks, guys. >>> in our snapshot across america. three physicians take on health care reform. is it too much, too little, too late? a debate you don't want to miss right here. achoo! (announcer) what are you going to miss when you have an allergy attack? ach

good morning to you, everybody, i'm heidi collins, thanks for being with us in the "cnn newsroom." >>> a lot to talk about this morning. certainly this nomination to begin with. let's go ahead and take a moment now to bring in our money team's christine romans to talk more about this. christine, not a surprise, certainly that this nomination has occurred today. but i would imagine one of the reasons that the president decided to do this is a matter of consistency. when we're talking about the major economic crisis that the country is going through, probably wants to stick with the same guy. >> that's absolutely right. consistency and a president who is mentioning bold persistent experimentation. you heard that in his remarks. it's interesting, bold experimentation is what fdr promised in 1932 when he told the nation he was going to try something and if it failed he'd abandon it and try something else. so the president using fdr's language there, indeed interesting because this is -- would be the second term for ben bernanke, and actually, heidi, in the beginning of this whole process

good morning, everybody, i'm heidi collins, it is friday, august 7th, and you are in the "cnn newsroom." >>> this morning, we are also keeping an eye on your wallet. cnn personal finance ed or the gerri willis is actually with us about new unemployment numbers that we've just learned. he'll talk to us a little bit about what this tells us on the recession. also the economy in focus at the white house this morning, that's where we find our dan lothian, a little bit about what the president will be talking about later on today. and also this, how about that cash for clunkers program? the senate signs off and americans cash in. >>> wall street was sure this morning's unemployment numbers would be ugly. well, those fears were wrong, despite all of the predictions, national unemployment has fallen 1/10 of a percentage point. that puts the new rate at 9.4%. it's the smallest monthly loss of jobs we've seen in a year. eqed a sign that the recession may be winding down. cnn personal finance ed or the gerri willis joining us now to explain. this is not as bad as some people were expecting, so t

. >>> i'm heidi collins, thanks for watching, everybody. "cnn newsroom" continues now with tony harris. >> and you want to be led out of here, you're welcome to go. now, wait a minute, wait a minute. now, wait a minute. wait a minute! wait a minute. >> to stuff in your pocket so that you can cheat the citizens of this country. >>> my goodness. health care it is the hot issue of the summer and august is a make or break month in the debate. good morning, everyone, i'm tony harris and you're in the "cnn newsroom." a lot going on in the next couple hours on health care reform and you'll see the latest developments right here in "newsroom." we will take you to that town hall meeting. we will preview president obama's town hall in portmouth, new hampshire. aides say he is prepared for a vigorous debate. ali velshi takes in from tennessee and ted rowlands reports from a clinic in pennsylvania providing free health care for the uninsured. first to lebanon, pennsylvania, where we have been watching a tense town hall meeting. it has been tense inside

good morning, everybody, i'm in for heidi collins, it is friday, you are in the "cnn newsroom." >>> we've got lots to talk about with the health care debate, here's a look at the map right now, lots of meetings, not much agreement, will we see more faceoffs at today's town hall meetings? we'll be checking for that. and ed henry with the president in montana today as the president continues to push his health care plan. we'll be checking in with him and we're going to take you to arkansas with brianna keilar as she talks to a blue dog democrat who is seeing pushback from both sides of the divide. but first, this developing story for you. the nation's financial crisis. 72 banks have failed this year, and a federal judge warns that the biggest collapse of the year may still be looming. christine romans is part of the cnn money team and joins us from new york. what is the latest with colonial bank? >> it's a company for whom trouble has been brewing for sometime here. and indeed yesterday a federal judge issued a ruling essentially a restraining order borrowing any asset transfers in response

. >>> i'm heidi collins, "cnn newsroom" continues now with tony harris. >>> good morning, everyone. it is tuesday morning, 25th day of august. washington spends more. takes in one deficit projection goes down a couple trillion and another goes down. a prosecutor will examine cia tactics did interrogators commit crimes to keep teamericans safe from terrorists. >>> will michael jackson's doctor face criminal charges? >>> good morning, i'm tony harris and you are in the "cnn newsroom." >>> the "cnn newsroom" is all about the benjamins this morning. not enough of them means washington is drowning in historic amounts of red ink. we will look at the new federal deficit projections for the next ten years and the money man, president obama wants ben bernanke to stay on a second term as fed chairman. we are covering issue number one with dan lothian and christine romans at the business desk in new york and let's start over at the new york stock exchange with stephanie elam and, stef, look, however you slice the numbers here, we are talking about an enormous amount of debt in the cbo's ten-ye

good morning, everybody on this friday, august 21st, i'm in for heidi collins today and you are in the "cnn newsroom." >>> let's get started with this, jeanne meserve has the dish on a bomb shell. >>> then we're going to take you to baghdad where we're we'll be talking about the latest and deadly attacks there. >>> and christine romans joins us with the cash and clunkers program both time and money running out. but let's start with this. a stunning new charge from inside the bush white house. former homeland security chief tom ridge says bush administration members pressured him to raise the nation's terror alert level. and in a new memoir he says the pressure just before the 2004 presidential election. now, ridge says he objected to the arguments and the alert was not raised. ridge says that helped him to resign from his post and the bush administration deny the allegations. so why these allegations? and why now nearly five years later? well, as cnn homeland security correspondent jeanne meserve tells us, a former adviser denies the claim. >> reporter: fran townsend says it never came

i'm rick sanchez, sitting in for heidi collins, tuesday, august 18th, and you are now officially in the "cnn newsroom." >>> all right, here's what we're going to be focusing on. two major stories this hour, health care and hurricane season. our suzanne malveaux, at the white house where officials are clarifying comments, keyword here is clarifying comments on the public option. our elizabeth cohen is going to break down the health care debate and try and get to what's critical for you. we're going to be talking about co-ops today, by the way and also watching what's going on in the atlantic, the hurricane season is well into it. could bill make a beeline for the atlantic coast? bill or anna, which is it? >>> it's make or break month for health care reform and a lot of supporters of the public option are wondering if that element of health care reform is even going to happen now. given what the president's been saying for the last couple of days. there's been hint the administration over the weekend could totally drop the option just to get something passed. but now there's a different s

. >>> i'm heidi collins. have a great weekend, everybody. we'll see you back here on monday. >> it is friday, august 7th. here are the top stories right here in the "cnn newsroom." >> you need to open it up to the free markets and you need to get the government out of our wayp. >>> anger boils over at health care town hall meetings. shoving, shouting, replace thoughtful discussion. >>> the nation's jobless picture takes an unexpected turn, this time for the better. i'll show you, also, life on less than a dollar a day. my trip from vietnam. good morning, everybody, i'm betty nguyen in today for tony harris and you are in the "cnn newsroom." >>> all right, let's start with this. an economic shocker. the nation's unemployment rate dropped in july to 9.4%. now, analysts thought the jobless numbers would keep trending up and they were wrong. personal finance editor gerri willis is in new york to break down the numbers and some numbers we can smile about, at least. >> a real relief. some people were afraid we might get 10% unemployment, but the r

i'm don lemon today in for heidi collins. following breaking news. of the men believed to be responsible for that pan am 1303 bombing was released just moments ago and he is close to the airport to the plane on which he is going to go home to tripoli. the announcement came early this morning. >> i, too, understand the grief that has been felt. that has been running with us since 12th september 1988 and on the basis of how we would deal and on the beliefs we have as a people. i know that some will disagree and others will accept it and that is my decision. >> again, that was the announcement this morning by the scottish government, scottish justice secretary kenny mccaskill making that announcement saying they not only have to take the law and justice into account when they are ruling on someone's guilt or innocence or what is going to happen to them, but they also have to take in compassion, as well. certainly the way their system has been set up. we were talking to susan cohen here whose daughter was killed aboard that plane and also on the ground i

. >>> i'm heidi collins, thanks for watching everybody. "cnn newsroom" continues now with don lemon. >> it is wednesday, august 5th. here are some of the top stories right here in the "cnn newsroom." >>> cheers and tears. two american journalists return home after a 4 1/2 months as prisoners in north korea. plus, this -- >> your drinking ability a bust. the economy b minus, foreign policy b minus, health care b. >>> he's grading the president. the obama's presidency approaches the 200-day milestone. cnn i-reporters help grade the president. a remarkable feat in the operation room. doctors pull off a 14-way domino kidney transplant. good morning, everyone. i'm don lemon, tony harris is off today and you are in the "cnn newsroom." >>> and we start out this hour with a joyous homecoming and if you haven't seen these pictures, sit down and take a look at them because laura ling and euna lee overcome with emotion when they arrived in the los angeles area two hours ago. they returned home for a tearful family reunion. we have extensive coverage

i'm heidi collins. as we watch this very dramatic and extremely emotional picture inside the airplane hangar there in burbank, california, where we have just watched the reunion of laura ling and euna lee with their families. and there's just no doubt that the gal who stole the show, if you will, was the 4-year-old daughter of laura ling, hannah there. we saw her just dive into her mom's arms and really not be able to say much at all. she certainly didn't want to let go. as you can imagine. after 140 days. there you see her there hanging on to her mom for dear life. lots and lots of tears. really a lump in a lot of people's throat actually. we did hear from laura ling, her quote was the last 140 days have been the most difficult and heart wrenching of our lives. she started her whole address to the media by saying 30 hours ago we were in a north korean prison and we feared we would be sent to a hard labor camp. then as they learned they were going to a meeting, and things developed from there. the next

. >>> thank you for joining us, i'm heidi collins. tony harris joins us now. >> here are the top stories for you in the "cnn newsroom." fewer americans are standing in unemployment lines but times are still so tough in california the governor is holding a garage sale this weekend. august on track should be the deadliest month yet for troops in afghanistan. four years after hurricane katrina, new orleans is swamped again by a growing mental health crisis. >>> good morning, everyone. i'm tony harris and you are in the "cnn newsroom." >>> all right, let's talk for a moment about the so-called green shoots that have sprouted this week adding to signs that the economy may perk up during the second half of 2009. cnn's christine romans is in new york. that's a little happy talk music from nancy wilson there for you, christine. look, we don't want to get beyond ourselves here. these are positive numbers, but, do the numbers indicate to you, clearly, that the recovery is taking root? >> the numbers suggest that the economy is on the mend. a lo

. >> "cnn newsroom" with heidi collins begins right after a break.

i'm heidi collins. it is monday, august 31st, and you are in the cnn newsroom. >>rs

heidi klum they all love him. >> reporter: sally >>> good evening everybody. i'm sally thorner in for adam may tonight. here's what people are talking about. fredrick and carol counties leafing damage behind. susan collins is live with the devastation and cleanen efforts left behind. >> reporter: hi. the broken trees and damaged roofs was decided that yes this was caused by tornadoes. tornadotornadoes ripped up barns and wreaked havoc in this county. >> the serious damage on the house was where the pine tree apparently tore touch back foundation. >> reporter: bob had to respond to the devastation at his sister's home. she was shocked to find her home was struck by flying trees while they were on vacation in carolina. >> they turned on the tv and saw their house had damage. >> reporter: the national weather service examed the house today and determines determines the line of destruction determines a tornado passed through. it's clear they were rip add part or pulled from the ground with great force by the roots. >> you can see the lower they break off. >> reporter: a howard county family had two cars wrecked. one car had a windshield smashed by a tree. another car was crushed in the driveway with one dau