joining us from washington is energy expertç rhonda udone. rhonda, thanks for joining us. >> sure.ith you, alex. >> let's talk a little about this. the republicans made this a big issue in the payroll tax cut -- i keep calling it a debacle, debate that happened at the end of the year. the general thinking is though that the party may have in fact killed the project by putting it on such a tight time line because the obama administration was ultimately going to put the nails in the coffin. what do you make of that? >> well, alec, actually it hasn't been under the radar screen. it's been an issue for the past year seeing that the administration both the white house and the state department had to actually approve plans for the keystone pipeline. and the way that the obama administration sees it and so do republicans frankly is twofold. one, it's a matter of national security. the majority of our oil imported into the united states comes from canada and mexico. and so we need to keep that flow from canada coming certainly. it's not from the middle east. but purely from our neighbors i

rhonda russell is a key witness in the case against paul schurick. she is the voice on the election-day robocalls that prosecutors say were intended to keep voters in baltimore city and prince george's county at home. but russell denies the calls were an attempt at voter suppression. rather, she says, they were reverse psychology. >> the call was literally meant to stimulate voters that would not have been in support of o'malley or the democratic administration. this would stimulate the voters to say, "hey, my vote was going for ehrlich. he is down and out. i'm going to go out and vote for ehrlich after i heard this call." >> russell worked for political consultant julius henson, who had been hired by the ehrlich campaign. henson, she says, wrote the text of the call, but she's the one who picked the list of voters to call, and simply didn't take the time to include republicans and independents. >> i used lists from previous clients because i was being lazy. it was not out of anyone's asking or anyone being duplicitous. it was my decision to use the

they blame ehrlich's campaign manager and rhonda russell's boss. but on the stand russell told jurors the robo calls were supposed to be reverse psychology. >> hey, my vote is going for ehrlich. >> reporter: said it was her call the calls went to registered democrats and not republicans saying she used lists she already had available. >> i used lists from previous clients because i was being lazy. it wasn't out of anyone asking. it was my decision to use the list. >> reporter: the state prosecutor has now rested. the defense begins their case on thursday. they had a long list of witnesses. among those they are expecting to call to testify, former governor ehrlich. >>> campaign consultant julia is scheduled to go on trial february 6th. >>> a car goes out of control and flips into a yard. apparently the driver left the road and crashed through a fence before narrowly missing hitting that house. that driver walked away. >>> gary giordano is back in the u.s., but after 4 months in a jail, he was released for lack of evidence. >> reporter: gary giordano

we have rhonda simmons, who heads up the office of work force development. rhonda, give a wave to the people. thank you. do we have a representative from america's cup? the port authority, the port? [inaudible] maybe they will be joining us a little bit later. so, i think, if i am not mistaken, we are going into a question and answer session that is going to be moderated by mohammed nuru, who had to leave earlier. so who is going to do it? [inaudible] no problem. let's get started. i hope you brought your thinking caps because we have thought leaders up here who can answer questions. let's go ahead and begin. thank you. >> hi. i am sarah. i am the chief financial officer with the trance bay joint powers authority. i do want to apologize on behalf of maria caplan, she is our executive director, and she did want to be here, but had some other appointments come up. so i will try to replace her only momentarily. the trance bay transit center program, if you haven't been in the san francisco market area lately is under construction. we are replacing the old trans

rhonda russell is a key witness in the case.he is the voice on the robocall step prosecutors say were intended to keep voters at home. but she denies the calls were an attempt at voter suppression. she says their work reverse psychology. >> the call was literally meant to stimulate voters that would not have been in support of o'malley or the democratic administration. this would stimulate the voters to say, "hey, my vote was going for ehrlich. he is down and out. i'm going to go out and vote for ehrlich after i heard this call." >> she worked for julius henson, who had been hired by the ehrlich campaign. henson wrote the text of the call. she did not take the time to include republicans and independents. >> i was being lazy. it was not out of anyone's asking. it was my decision to use the list. >> prosecutors showed a note. it said suppress turnout in the black community, 100,000 votes. she was given immunity to testify. the defense will begin their case today. bob ehrlich could be called as a character witness for sure. kim da

we have rhonda bailey on the phone with us. she's stuck on one of those trains. rhonda, good morning. >> caller: good morning. >> tell us how long have you been on the train and where exactly are you? >> caller: we've been on the train for almost two hours. we're right beyond when the sparks went off, we were just beyond the l'enfant stop. >> could you see the smoke outside of the train? >> caller: yes. i have a passenger sitting beside me where the trains actually ignited. i'll let her speak to you. >> hello, are you there? >> caller: i'm here. >> what is your name? >> caller: my name is thai. >> tell us what you saw? >> caller: i'm sitting in a six-car train and we pull up from l'enfant plaza. something went boom and fire and cinders came from the side of the train and the bump and sound were so loud i jumped up and ran to the other side of the train and i almost jumped in a lady's lap on the other side but i caught myself. >> that must have been pretty scary. how did other passengers react? >> caller: they were looking around panicked like what -- was that. th

>> since i was 21. >> rhonda hopes the skills she has picked up in the bakery will give her a secondughter? >> yes, she's 14. she's with her father's mother in florida. >> what's her name? >> roseanne. >> she writes to you? >> yeah. >> what does she write? >> saying that she loves me, she misses me. start crying right now. it's all right. are you all right? >> yeah. okay. i miss my daughter. >> i know you do. i know you do. all right. >> my heart went out to her because whenever prisoners begin to talk about their children, it is the one very sensitive spot in their lives. and no matter what they may have done to get them to a jail, to prison, they still are very touched, and love their children. >> good thing is that you got a lot out of being here, right? >> yes. ever since i've been in here for several months, doing my eight months, i feel good now. i just thank god that i'm in here, i'm glad. because when i was in the street, i started smoking that stuff and it didn't help me. didn't get me anywhere. got me into trouble. it got me in here. but now i learned my lesson, ain't touch

what's the latest with regards to the actual lawsuit, rhonda? >> we filed our complaint. we haven't heard anything ba from them, nothing's been filed. we'll proceed on a litigation path. it never should have gotten to this point. lawsuits are difficult, painful events for all of the parties. we just wanted our student to be able to go to this prestigious school. we're as stunned as everyone else to find ourselves in this lawsuit. >> even if he wins, you know, he's probably going to have to give a deposition. this is going to be an ugly process for this poor kid to have to go through. even winning a lawsuit is a miserable experience and there's no reason this kid should have to go through it. >> we'll continue to follow it. this is an important case and says a lot about where we are as a country. ronda feingold and jeff toobin. i'll be tweeting tonight. i already tweeted about this. "raw politics" next. mitt romney versus the latest anti-romney, newt gingrich. could this be the matchup? can newt knock off mitt? what about his claim that poor kid have no work ethic? we'll h

. >> reporter: rhonda it was complicated. when she bought personal training sessions at this bally's in san leandro they were supposed to be paid at three installments automatically withdrawn from her account but when she noticed a fourth withdrawal -- >> i contacted them and the representative said, well let me research it. and i'll get back to you. >> reporter: tired of waiting she cancelled the payment. when she heard from bally's five months later wasn't the call she expected. >> i get a call from a collection agent representing bally's saying, you owe us $272. >> i have a question regard, my membership. >> reporter: audrey had similar problem at the same san leandro bally's but she was double charged for her entire membership. >> so i was out $600 for one year. it was supposed to be $299. >> reporter: show good 299. i call them 2 or 3 times a day. >> reporter: both women turned to consumerwatch and our volunteers went to work. bally's tells us says it responds within 48 hours. due to the nature of credit card refunds the

[applause] >> rhonda, you probably know the statistics when it comes to hunters view. >> let me talk about compliance in general. every time i come down here, it is about compliance. israel, it is part of the history here -- israelit is reat is part of the history here. in terms of compliance, we have a lot of compliance year. -- here. most of this is in good faith. ahead ms. jackson, a number of folks in this room, they have been in the struggle a lot longer than me. the compliance of section 3 that has been referenced by a number of you, i work with dominica and the housing authority. it is good faith, it is not a mandatory compliance. the first source is good faith. redevelopment policy is good faith. the new policy is mandatory, but a lot of these projects are not subjected to that. what good faith means is that we work hard getting folks ready, we spend a lot of money looking at -- there are a number of cbo's the receive those dollars to get the folks reheaready. we contacted out to help get the folks ready. to the degree that it is a perfect system, i get criticism on both side

[applause] >> my name is rhonda simmons from the office of work force development. i think i'm last because my office provides services to every department up here. we work with all of them on all these contracts to try to ensure folks are getting jobs. we administer four different policies, if you will, the most recent being the local mandatory hire. i see some folks that helped get that passed. probably the largest project that is going to have the largest hire is the cruise ship terminal, d.p.w. we learninged the first source policy, which is good faith, and a number of the projects that were already in the cue before march 25th, 2011, are still subjected to first source, which is good faith. we also work with a lot of the contracts to ensure residents are getting in on these projects and getting in the unions. the unions are a big partner. contractors are a partner. all of the agencies up here are a partner. i see a number of community-based organization that is we work with. w.c.b., brothers for change, hunter's point families, a number of agencies in chinatown

the investigative reporter jane miller has more on a key witness. ] >>rhonda russell is a key witness who recorded the robocall. she denies the cause is an attempt at voters as russia -- suppression. >> i would call it counter intuitive. >> or she says, reverse psychology. >> the call was meant to stimulate voters that would not have been in support of o'malley. or the democratic administration -- these would stimulate voters to say, hey, my vote was going to ehrich, i will go out and vote after i heard this call. >> henson she says rep the text of the call, but she is the one who picked the list of voters to call. she simply did not take the time to include republicans and independents. >> i used a list from previous clients because i was lazy. it was not about anyone asking or anyone being persisted. it was my decision to use the list. >> also was given immunity to testify. it read -- suppress turnout in the black community, 100,000 books. >> baltimore city had denied occupied protester request for a permit to remain in the square. parks and recreation director denied the request sa

"relax, ize rhonda everything's fine."enson...who as a consultant to former governorbob ehrlich. on election day....enson was in constant conttct...with schurick.he's charged ith aul organizing an effort to suppress black votes. (quustion) "you believe that this was not an efffrt to suppress he black vote in baltimore city and prince george's county? (russell) "i would have never walked in on &pvoter suppressson.""-&prussel was actually aimed at voters who did not support... governoo o'malley. (russell) "this would stimulate the voters to say 'hey, myy ote down and out, i'm going to go i heerd thh call." when asked why all those robo-calls were sent to democrats...russell lazy.'(russeel) "it was crrnch time, i made the decision to use lists ttat were already pre-uploadee."lists of demooraas...from two other&camp any dictate to select rrpublicaa or democrat or racial connotation whatsoever." expected to hear ffom julius henson himself, he was issued a subpoena buttcannot be ccmpelled to testify since he's scheduled to stand

rhonda winkler's family was the first to fly the flag here.... as a sendoff to her nephew...for afghanistan. 12:11:48 "and when he came home from afghanistan, he did his tour therr, and the flag was there to welcome him home." the flag flew here for thhee years.... until earlier this month.12::3:23 "three weeks &pago someone ran over ... knocked it down to the ground." a world war two veteran rebuilt the pole.. and reposteddit.but then... last week... state highway officials suddenly took it down again.standup - 13:13:05 "after the second flagpole... if the flag could stay" 12:17:544"no political, we power trip. ww just want our flag back. we miss it."now some feel the flag - and our soldiers are being disrespected. it was - after all - a salute to welcome them home.soldiers -- like daniela's son...13:38:27 "williammschnetzler.",,, who just returned from iraq... 13:35:38 "it gave me a big lump in my throat. i could barely swallow... started to cry."but folks here knnw.. there are still soldiers oversees. in a war that still wages on.13:37:55 "it's not over. it'll never be ove

rhonda winkler, her family put up a playing and basically wanted to put up a flag to honor u.s.her nephew, actually. >> and it was removed and placed in a dump truck. >> it's unbelievable. first of all, the disrespect given to the flag by throwing it in a dump truck, number one, but then removing from the traffic circle. state highway workers came through right here in this roundabout and yanked that big flag out. >> there was a car accident at the roundabout so it knocked the flag down. they picked it up and put it in the dump truck. she wants it back. >> instead of putting it back up and the community is not allowing it to be put back up. >> she said, quote, they told us it was against the law to erect a flag on the traffic circle. they told my husband that whoever put up the flag could be arrested fortress passing. we figured it is the american flag and we live in the united states of america, how can anyone have a problem with it? apparently someone did. >> they say if you do put up a flag there, a construction crew or someone with the government needs to put it in, not a ra

. >> iowa voter, rhonda, have you made up your mind? >> no, i really not. >> not completely. >> no, sir, i am undecided at this time. >> who are you going to support or are you undecided. polls show that half of you are? >> i am undecided at this point. >> i'll caucus for newt. >> i have not. >> you are undecided? >> we are undecided. >> we're not fully decided. newt gingrich or ron paul. >> nobody right now that i would support. >> who did you decide? >> president obama. >> president obama, that is an interesting point. >> i'm undecided. >> i'm still undecided. >> i'm still undecided. >> i'm still undecided. >> is there one sort of issue, fiscal issue, social conservative issue or something that would get your support? >> no the candidate has to be able to fill a lot of different rolls. that is who i'm going to go with. >> is there an issue or something a candidate could say that would influence your support? >> no -- well i don't think there is anything one thing they could say at this point. >> this is not typical. six candidates and

life. 20-year-old brian king young was convicted of second degree murder for killing 25-year-old rhonda. she was driving on the state when she was shot and killed, four passengers wounded. a second person was convicted and sentenced to 36 years to life. >>> and the department of justice released the annual homicides in california report. the data shows the rate for 100,000 people went down by almost 8% last year, compared to 2009. the total number of homicides in 2010 was 1809, down from 2009. the state solved 63.8% of the homicides last year, the highest since 2001. >>> and richmond's mayor met with members of the community tonight to remember this year's homicide victims, the city's homicide rate for the year climbed to 25 in recent weeks, up from 21 at the same time last year. but the mayor says that homicides are down by about 50% from two years ago. >> we you know come from a lot of inequity, a lot of social injustice, and low income population. but we're turning ourselves around. >>> at the meeting tonight, mclaughlin read aloud the names and ages of the victims. the first of the

life. 20-year-old brian king young was convicted of second degree murder for killing 25-year-old rhonda. she was driving on the state when she was shot and killed, four passengers wounded. a second person was convicted and sentenced to 36 years to life. >>> and the department of justice released the annual homicides in california report. the data shows the rate for 100,000 people went down by almost 8% last year, compared to 2009. the total number of homicides in 2010 was 1809, down from 2009. the state solved 63.8% of the homicides last year, the highest since 2001. >>> and richmond's mayor met with members of the community tonight to remember this year's homicide victims, the city's homicide rate for the year climbed to 25 in recent weeks, up from 21 at the same time last year. but the mayor says that homicides are down by about 50% from two years ago. >> we you know come from a lot of inequity, a lot of social injustice, and low income population. but we're turning ourselves around. >>> at the meeting tonight, mclaughlin read aloud the names and ages of the victims. the first of the

. >> rhonda is always looking for more coupons. >> in the times that we live in, we all are trying tor that we can. we make it easy for people to give back to the community without a significant impact on their wallet. >> natalie allen, cnn, atlanta. >> that is great. good for her and i hope that she inspires a lot offer folks. >>> verizon is buckling under the pressure of their customers, becoming the latest to drop some fees that had been planned. plus, we're counting down to the iowa caucuses. coming up, my two guests hash out why voters can't make up their mind. [ male announcer ] great tasting tap water can come from any faucet anywhere. the brita bottle with the filter inside. it's real milk full of calcium and vitamin d. and tastes simply delicious. for those of us with lactose intolerance... lactaid® milk. the original 100% lactose-free milk. >>> top stories right now, gop candidates are in their final acts of the race to the top of the iowa caucuses. mitt romney is leading the polls, congressman ron paul is second. rick santorum is surging to third while newt gingerich is sli

brigadier general rhonda cornum is the senior commanding officer of comprehensive soldier fitness. >> real goal of this program is to make, to give everybody in the army certainly and to include families and civilians the opportunity to become as psychologically strong as they can. >> reporter: the army approach features ten days of intensive training in philadelphia which emphasizes communication skills. >> what is the message that it sends when you are communicating aggressively, to you know, your family members, to your colleagues, to your troops? >> reporter: and they teach how to have more control. >> you can be emotional when you are talking to someone assertively. but you are composed. you are expressing your emotion, you are in control of the emotion you want to express. >> reporter: the trainers then go back and train the troops. psychologist karen reivich is the lead trainer. what is the connection between all of this and producing more resilient soldiers, soldiers that are less likely to develop p.t.s.d., are less likely to be depressed and less likely to commit suicide? >>

when people sniff at, sneer at $40 or $1,000 as rhonda was saying, that's big money in most people's don't get the optics that boehner was talking about, you don't get the fundamental drive of what delivering politics is all about. that's what politics is about. and especially in a holiday season, don't you have any compassion? >> against the backdrop of the holidays, it's certainly stark. >> what this underscores more than anything is the war within the republican party right now. the establishment cannot control the far right. i wonder how long it's going to be before the nominee is going to have to do a frontal attack on the house of republicans. >> well as st. thomas aquinas once said -- this is my theology showing. boehner has been in trouble since the day he walked in the door with this group. and it's been the case, it's been hard for him. the white house thought, it's been one of the fundamental things that's governed our politics in the white house last year. they realized that boehner throughout the year, time and time again has not been able to control his caucus. i think

segmeet...rhonda - "i am outraged that omar johnson's killer is allowed to walkkthe is that?". in chiid labor to creaae their clothing." clothing."jonathan - "schools &pphould be let out a week before christmas..christmas is supposed to be a haapy time of the year, and school ii stress."oji - "my oppeatioo! prry! prayy pray!" pray!" parver - "i love my mother." coming up in ourr8 o'clook hour.. just wouldn't be christmas without "a chriitmms carol."we get a sneak peekk.. in our pometown hotspot. watching fox 455 orning news.. all loccl.. all mmrning. ((break 7)) all loccl.. all mmrning. ((break 7)) y." are making me thirsty!" ((bump in)) hhven't started your christmas shhoping yet?yyu'll &pbe ggad you waited... because ttday is "free shipping day..." &pmore than 2- thouuand online retailers will offer no-cost shipping with delivery guaranteeedby christmas!bbt if you ait until tomorrow.. you &pmight be pushing your luck. karin caifa joins us live fromm too ettiig gifts under thh ps tree in time. time. -- suggested anchor questiins - - p.. wwat if i'm traveling out offtown and ne

rhonda "ravens all day!!" daa!!"jimmy " when is it gonna " snow?"sammy " whyyis it so dang cold?"a abdul should let america vote. because she's ticked at simon .she took it out on drew." it's your last chance o go to ! hollywood!it's our x factor song of the day contest.we're &pteaming up with southwest airlines to send you to a live x-factor show.today is your lass chance to enter to win! win!when you get the cue to call.. just be one of the first 5 callers to corrrctly identify the song of the day. pt was played last night on at 5 pm.you'll win ann factorr our grand prize drawing... and we'll draw that winner offour trip to hollywood during ood day baltimoree coming up... up...we're continuing to help makk a child's christmas a little merrier this holiday season.we're in the middle of our toys foo tots rool call... find out where you can make your donations.you're watching fox 45 morning neww.. all loccl.. all morning. ((break 7)) 3q you disgust me. prove it. enough's enough. d-con baits are specially formulated to kill in one feeding, guaranteed. d-con. get out. every child sho