to help female ex-cons get back on their feet. >> hi, i'm ricky lake.r to help recognize people changing the world. as a supporter of 2008 top ten cnn heroes, i'm committed to building schools and preventing aids in malawi and i'm thrilled to help cnn introduce one of this year's top ten honorees. now more than ever the world needs heroes. >> we all leave prison saying i'm going to get my life on track. and you end up getting off a bus, downtown los angeles, skid row. many times you don't even make it out of the skid row area because you're caught up into that cycle again. my name is susan burton. after my son died, i used drugs. i went to prison six times. finally i found rehab, and i thought i can help women come home from prison. i pick them up, bring them back to the house. >> she offers you a warm bed, food. like a real family. she made me want to change my life. >> you've came a long way. >> this is nice. that's what it's all about. >> and look at that, there she is. susan burton joins us now live in los angeles. first of all, congratulations to y

ex-cons get back on their feet. >> i'm ricky lake. of helping to recognize the great works of everyday people changing the world at "cnn heroes," and all-star tribute. as a supporter of 2008 top cnn hero maria silva, i am committed to building schools and preventing aids in malawi. now, more than ever, the world needs heroes. >> we all leave prison saying, i'm going to get my life on track. and you end up getting off a bus, downtown los angeles, skid row. many times you don't even make it out of the skid row area before you're caught up into that cycle again. my name is susan burton. after my son died, i used drugs. i went to prison six times. finally, i found rehab. and i thought i can help women come home from prison. i picked them up, bring them back to the house. >> she offers you a warm bed. like a real family. she made me want to change my life. >> sure. >> you came a long, long way. >> this is a good life. >> that's what it's all about. [ male announcer ] set down your pencils. step away from the internet. schedule no meetings.

ricky lake and two sons escape tragedy this weekend when her malibu home caught fire. completely destroyed in the fire. lake tweeted my sons, beloved dog and i are safe and very grateful. steve fox submitted this next video. d. c. celebs walked the cat walk. the signature chef's auction is october 26th on m street in d. c. next erica moody has a reality based on a sweet couple that makes cup cakes. michelle snow and her husband todd celebrated the launch of their true life love story at frosting. they're new book frosting, the icing on the cake chronicles the couple's journal from meeting online to owning a successful business. we wrap with some soul and song that filled the carlisle club. congratulations to patrice campbell. you can send events, pictures and video for me to share right here on the air by going to my blog. feel free to shoot me a story idea on facebook or twitter as well. back to you. >>> new hybrid water heaters cost more than conventional ones but some new tests show they save so much money and as leslie foster tells us in this consumer alert you cou

we'll be right back. nwa >>> disaster strikes a malibu home of actress and tv personality ricki lake.d she was trying to rephysical a portable heater when the couch caught fire and flames engulled her home. >>> turning now it paris hilton's latest legal troubles, she is expected in court in las vegas today. hilton has agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanors in connection with her arrest in sin city last month. she struck a plea deal allowing her to avoid serving jail time and avoid a felony conviction. instead, she will be put on probation for a year. she was originally charged with cocaine possession and obstructing an officer. >>> shirley sherrod breaks her sile innocence a church yesterday in the district. she spoke if he metropolitan african methodist episcopal church on m street northwest. she was forced to step down from her job at the agriculture department. a conservative blogger posted a video online claiming she was racist but sherrod says she was misrepresent gad i said those words but i said those words trying to tell about my personal transformation, about how i got to

. >>> ahead here tonight actress rickie lake introduces us to one of the top ten cnn heroes of 2010.ue omega-3 ala, and a delicious honey almond crunch. new total plus omega-3. step away from the internet. schedule no meetings. hold all your phone calls. for the next hour, there will be no agenda. marie callender's invites you back to lunch, with a new line of fresh recipes. like chicken teriyaki with crisp water chestnuts. it steams to perfection in minutes, giving the fresh flavors and textures of a homemade meal. marie's new steamed meals. it's time to savor. with the best decongestant. my choice is clear. claritin-d. nothing works stronger, faster or longer for allergy congestion relief without drowsiness. get claritin-d at the pharmacy counter. live claritin clear. >>> this week cnn announced our top ten cnn heroes of 2010 one of whom will become the cnn hero of the year. actress rikki lake introduces to one of those nominees, susan burton, who overcame a troubled past to help more than 400 female ex-cons get back on their feet. >> i am rikki lake. the last two years i have had

actress ricki lake locks at the top ten cnn heroes, one in particular, susan burton. >> hi, i'm rickill-star tribute. as a supporter of 2008, top ten cnn hero and, i'm committing to building schools, providing education and preventing aids in malawi and thrilled to help cnn introduce one of this year's top ten honorees. now more than ever, the world needs heroes. >> we all leave prison saying i'm going to get my life on track. and you end up getting off of a bus downtown los angeles, skid row. many times you don't even make it out of the skid row area before you're caught up into that cycle again. my name is susan burton. after my son died, i used drugs. i went to prison six times. finally, i found rehab. and i thought i can help women come home from prison. i pick them up, bring them back to the house. >> some jeans. >> she offer you a warm bed, food. like a real family. she made me want to change my life. >> probably whispering, sure. you came a long way. >> this is the life. that's what it's all about. >> just one of the many touching stories out there and the top ten finalists, as

. >> i'm, i'm ricki lake.t two years, i have had the honor of helping to recognize the great works of everyday people changing the world at cnn heroes, an all-star tribute. as a support arer of 2008 hero, marie disilva and jack randa foundation, i am thrilled to help cnn introduce one of this year's top ten honorees. now more than ever, the world needs heroes. >> we all leave prison saying i'm going to get my life on track, and you end up getting off a bus downtown los angeles skid row. many times you don't even make it out of the skid row area before you're caught up into that cycle again. my name is susan burton. after my son died, i used drugs. i went to prison six times. finally, i found rehab, and i thought, i can help women come home from prison. i pick them up, bring them back to the house. here are some jeans. >> she offered you a warm bed, food, like a real family. she made me want to change my life. >> you came a long way. >> this is life. that's what it's all about. >> so, we want you to vote. go to

ricki lake could be to blame for the fire that burned down remember meanted malibu beach home.ts to put it out. she was refueling a portable heater and outside next to her son, pets and boxes of clothes and claim she was pregnant nent trying to refill the outdoor heater indoors. spelling tests are a thing of the past in some missouri school districts, and some parents are angry about this. parkwood in st. louis county cut spelling tests out the curriculum. officials say too many kids were learning the words for the tests and immediately forgetting them, but some parents disagree, they stay that spelling tests help students learn and are extra important in english, as about 25% of our words have irregular spelling like the name i tried to read earlier. that was an irregular spelling, i assure you. >> and they are going to take spelling tests out. >> and they're going to put out-- >> that bolling, he is a genius. >> here is one thing kids can agree on, it's not easy to get your children to try new foods. it's a battle in my house and i know in a lot of yours, here to help this mo