>> hi, i'm susan candiotti. ivy, you have two young daughters over here. >> yes. >> you guys are ages -- how old are you? >> 5. >> and -- >> 10. >> 10 years old. it's a little bit warm in here and here is why. ivy at least has natural gas working so the stove is working. she's got a pot of water on here giving off steam to at least warm up the room. a lot of places don't even have this much. >> ivy, when was the last time you were able to leave the building? >> about two weeks ago. >> right before the storm? >> right before the storm. >> and the reason you couldn't get out, they turned off the electricity, but why can't you get out? you're sitting in a walker? >> yes. i can't get out because i can't go downstairs and seven flights. >> you're suffering the aftermath of a stroke? >> right. >> what's it like at night? >> night's scary. then i have to go empty the garbage. my baby sister has to hold the flashlight and it's scary at sometimes like i hear noises. well, it's not like real noises. it's the wind like the

susan candiotti live for us.much. >> keep checking in with us throughout the day here on cnn and online. you can follow us @cnnweather on twitter for the latest on the storm. >>> it is five minutes past the hour. president obama fresh off re-election faces his next big challenge, avoiding the fiscal cliff. congressional leaders from both parties conceding the election was a call to compromise. what that compromise is hasn't been ironed out. we will go live to washington with more on what house speaker john boehner and speaker majority leader harry reid said. that is coming up. >>> the presidential race is over, except in florida, of course. the state's 29 electoral votes still unclaimed, but they aren't make or break this time around, obviously. president obama still holds a razor-thin lead there. >>> listen to this, seven house races still up for grabs, across the country, including the heated contest on florida's treasure coast between tea party republican allen west, democratic challenger, patrick murphy. righ

cnn's susan candiotti joining me now from new york's la guardia airport. susan, i understand you met a few passengers today, and how are they feeling about flying today? >> reporter: i tell you, it's been remarkably smooth. we've been here since this morning and throughout the day at la guardia airport. we have seen virtually no lines at the check-in counter, and as you can see behind my shoulder, the security, very little backup there. you sail up, very few people in line and you go right on through despite the fact this is billed as the biggest travel day of the year. maybe in part it's due to the very good weather we have worldwide. joining me now we've got joe and rhonda stevens and you're heading back to houston. >> no, dallas. >> sorry about that. what did you expect when you got to the airport today? >> we thought we would be delayed. we got here at 2:00. our flight is at 3:30 and we could hop on right now. >> reporter: were you surprised to see this? >> yes. >> in fact, you were telling me you left on tuesday to get -- >> to get ahead of the traffic

cnn national correspondent susan candiotti has the story. >> this is a today's only donation only. >>ation only? >> donation only. >> reporter: that's right, after sandy, it's donation only at shine's irish pub in new york. they own the bar and rode out the storm in their apartment upstairs. >> reporter: when you saw the water gushing down the street, what did you think? >> well, i thought the car was going to be gone, i thought the business was going to be gone, and then i thought the business is going to be washed away, and we'd be gone. yeah. it was very scary. >> reporter: when the storm hit, shines was getting ready to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the day dean shine bought the bar. it sat up from the ocean and survived prohibition. if the water had gone up, all of this would have been -- >> i don't even want to think about it. >> reporter: the water hole remains a fixture. >> every time the phone rang, they would say, i'm not here. >> exactly. true story. >> reporter: but big changes are coming. damaged by floodwaters, the bar needs to be gutted. and casey says financial

susan candiotti is live for us in the rockaways -- susan candiotti in the rockaways. tell me what is the mood on the ground there like? we have seen the approval ratings for the president pretty high 67%. on the other hand, lots of people still suffering. what swt reis the real mood, do think? >> reporter: certain any this area, piers there is a real mood of frustration. people here are torn, you can see why. just look all around me, i'm standing on a boardwalk here, this used to be part of a miles long boardwalk that ran along the ocean and now, sandy had broken it up and has sent it down the streets and it's lined with all kinds of debris from homes that have been flooded here. they have got no power there is no electricity here. they have got no telephone service, only spotty cell phone service and the temperatures are plunging. so, what are they thinking about? they are trying to figure out how to clean up from all of this and this is the backdrop for coming up on the eve of election day. what do they do about that? how do they get to the polls? these are some of

susan candiotti, thanks, susan, we appreciate it. we're keeping an eye on all the developments in this new storm. we'll bring you updates throughout the show. >>> let's turn to politics now. there is no rest after the big race. president barack obama is back at work, trying to steer the country away from that so-called fiscal cliff. it's set to begin taking effect in january. it includes $7 trillion in tax increases and spending cuts over ten years. congressional leaders have been hinting at a compromise. listen. >> there's an alternative to going over the fiscal cliff. by working together and creating a fairer, simpler, cleaner tax code, we can give our country a stronger, healthier economy. a stronger economy means more revenue, which is what the president seeks. >> this isn't something that i'm going to draw the lines in the sand, he's not going to draw any lines in the sand, i don't believe, and i think we need to work together. >> the president will also have to contend with a major staff shake up. secretary of state hillary cli

susan candiotti joins us now, in rockaway, in queens. susan how are people there getting along? >> reporter: oh don, you don't want to be living here when the power goes out. behind me, a 22-story high rise where seniors live. there are no working elevators. and as we found out, the only way up and down is one step at a time. all bundled up, aldina williams manages a smile before the seventy-year-old, yes, seventy, takes a grocery cart and a bucket to her apartment. is it okay if i help you? >> yes. >> reporter: you're using this for what? >> flushing the toilet. >> reporter: i can't imagine how you carry that and this. this is the third floor, right? do you need to rest? >> yes. >> reporter: now, she is catching her breath. you're going all the way to the 16th floor? >> every day. >> reporter: aldina, i'm going to try to pull this lady's bag up to there, too. plus the bucket. i don't know how you ladies do it. okay, this is floor five. >> thank you. >> reporter: up we go, up we go. okay, we made it. this is the sixth floor, all right, albrina, how is your breathing right now? >

cnn's national correspondent susan candiotti is in the rockaways neighborhood of queens with the veryatest. susan? >> reporter: don, tonight in those high rise apartment buildings behind me that house 600 families is a disabled mother of two. she has been unable to leave her apartment for the last two weeks. we went in to take a look around and saw deplorable conditions. out in broad daylight it is easy to see, but look how dark it's going to get when we walk just inside the building. bryant pearson is in charge of the tenant's association and he will give us a tour. let's take a look. let's see. by contrast, you can see it is bright sunshine outside and i just -- i don't know how you can see anything in here, bryant. holy cow. i'm holding on to the back of your jacket because i cannot see a thing. >> this step here, this is how people have to get up and down -- >> hold on. i cannot see. >> this is how we have to live here. we've been living like this since the storm hit. >> is this the seventh floor now? >> this is the seventh floor. going to talk to a couple of people. >> reporter:

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take care. >> susan candiotti is joining us live now. susan, how is miss williams doing right now? any sign of when power comes on, running water, any of those things? >> reporter: well, they have some running water, a little bit anyway. but the good news, fred, is this. >> what? >> reporter: they have electricity back again. they do have light. we are still waiting for word whether they have heat. late last night the power came back on and they are now able to run at least one of four elevators in that complex which largely houses senior citizens. so that's a big help right now and they are very grateful for that. still again waiting for word as to when they will get the heat turned back on. but it took them, fred, at least three certification levels to prove to the utility company that it was all right to switch the power back on and we have no explanation yet from the utility company about why it took so long to make all that happen. we're still waiting to find that out. >> so now what about the rest of the neighborhood? what about her neighbors? >> reporter: well, some building

national correspondent susan candiotti is very hard hit. what measures are being taken to try and make sure that people there are able to vote? >> well, the first thing i can tell you, fred is that more than 143,000 people just in this one bourough alone will not be going to the usual polling places that they are used to. here's why. just take a look around. i am right now walking on a boardwalk. a chunk of a boardwalk that is running 90 degrees perpendicular to where it used to be, behind me, running along the ocean. huge chunks of a boardwalk that has broken up and is now running down side streets of new york. homes here along the water front, due to flooding, people on their own have dragged all this out to the street. they have no power, look at these power lines down here. and they have to figure out how they are going to vote. nevertheless, people tell us, they're trying to do it. the board of elections is running generators out to a lot of the new polling places to make sure that the voting machines will work. they spent a lot of tim

susan candiotti, cnn for "outfront." >> let us know what you think of susan's excellent reporting.ay, i went out to the rockaways. one of the hardest hit areas. i'll show you what we saw there. >>> plus at the center of the david petraeus scandal. who is paula broadwell? how did the two meet and how did she get so close t.o. director of the cia? nyquil doesn't unstuff your nose. what? [ male announcer ] alka-seltzer plus liquid gels speeds relief to your worst cold symptoms plus has a decongestant for your stuffy nose. thanks. that's the cold truth! the distances aren't getting shorter. ♪ the trucks are going farther. the new 2013 ram 1500. ♪ with the best-in-class fuel economy. engineered to move heaven and earth. ♪ guts. glory. ram. ♪ music is a universal language. but when i was in an accident... i was worried the health care system spoke a language all its own with unitedhealthcare, i got help that fit my life. information on my phone. connection to doctors who get ere i'm from. and tools to estimate what my care may cost. so i never missed a beat. we're more than 78,000 people

we begin with susan candiotti in rockaway. tell me what is the mood like. the approval rating for the president is pretty high. on the other hand, lots of people still suffering, what is the real mood, do you think? >> certainly in this area, piers, there's a mood of frustration. people here are torn and you can see why just look all around me. i'm standing on part of a board walk. this used to be part of a miles long board walk that ran along the ocean. sandy has broken it up and sent it down the streets. it's lined with all kinds of debris from homes flooded here. they have no power. no telephone service. only spotty cell phone service. the temperatures are plunging. what are they thinking about? how to clean up from all of this, and this is the backdrop for coming up on the eve of election day. what do they do about that? how do they get to the polls? these are some of the issues they're frustrated about right now. >> tell me this, susan, do they care about the election? or is this the last thing on their minds? these people have lost their homes, their

susan candiotti, hempstead, new york. >> they still need so much help. if you'd like to pitch in for the storm victims in the northeast, it's he's why toy do. log on to cnn dots come/impact. you'll find all kinds of information on how to contribute to the relief effort. >>> just ahead, it is certainly not easy trying to return to a normal life after being in a war zone. but a cnn hero is helping veterans try to make that transition. >>> and you'll also meet a man who helps rescue soldiers' legacies by finding their lost combat medals. a short word that's a tall order. up your game. up the ante. and if you stumble, you get back up. up isn't easy, and we ought to know. we're in the business of up. everyday delta flies a quarter of million people while investing billions improving everything from booking to baggage claim. we're raising the bar on flying and tomorrow we will up it yet again. and the candidate's speech is in pieces all over the district. the writer's desktop and the coordinator's phone are working on a joke with local color. the secure cloud

susan candiotti is at new york's laguardia airport. almost always it's a very busy airport. how about today? >> reporter: hi, fred. it's been fraurkbly smooth throughout the day today. we have been here since the early morning and now, and things never really picked up. not bad, considering the fact that this is the busiest travel holiday weekend of the year. now, we can tell you that there are a few handful of delays nationwide. but generally due to good weather. that's probably a key reason why aren't any problems despite the higher volume. one website called flight explorer estimates there are 6,900, 7,000 planes in the air right now. normally around 5,000 on a normal weekend day. but we have seen no lines at check-in, no lines if you can see over my shoulder at this point going through security. joining me is joann leopold. you just threw in from chicago o'hare. what were you expecting? >> we were expecting delays, we got there early, there was absolutely nothing. no lines, everything could not have been easier. >> reporter: how do you figure that? >> i have no idea. i d

susan candiotti joins us from laguardia airport. how is lagaraguardia? bad even on a normal day. >> reporter: i know. it's really been slow and steady, but the two words i can tell you that we saw time and again on the flight display board were these -- on time. martin, it's been perhaps unlike a weekday event on this particular day at laguardia. we have seen virtually no lines as you check in and virtually no lines going through security as well. you can see what it looks like behind me right now. as you said before, smooth sailing. perhaps this is largely due in part to the good weather we've been having throughout the country today. a few handful of delays here and there in certain spots, but nothing of any consequence, for example at jfk airport here in new york, delays of sometimes 30 minutes on the tarmac. well, that's pretty much what it is monday through friday. so, however, the tsa is still advising people that they should always get to the airport at least an hour and a half ahead of time during the heaviest travel times of the year, this being

susan candiotti, cnn for "outfront." >> let us know what you think of susan's excellent reporting.oday, i went out to the rockaways. one of the hardest hit areas. i'll show you what we saw there. >>> plus at the center of the david petraeus scandal. who is paula broadwell? how did the two meet and how did she get so close t.o. director of the cia? when you take a closer look... ...at the best schools in the world... ...you see they all have something very interesting in common. they have teachers... ...with a deeper knowledge of their subjects. as a result, their students achieve at a higher level. let's develop more stars in education. let's invest in our teachers... ...so they can inspire our students. let's solve this. music is a universal language. but when i was in an accident... i was worried the health care system spoke a language all its own with unitedhealthcare, i got help that fit my life. information on my phone. connection to doctors who get where i'm from. and tools to estimate what my care may cost. so i never missed a beat. we're more than 78,000 people looking out

cnn's susan candiotti now in new jersey. we are hearing of fistfights, we're hearing of arrests, people waiting for hours. i understand you're at a gas station, in a car, are you in one of those lines now? >> yeah, you're watching an experiment as it plays out, don. we are inching forward in a gas line, just got in a few minutes ago, because we want to see how long it is going to take us to get to the front of the line. and what it is like to be sitting in your car for two hours, three hours, four hours, to get to the front of the line. obviously we have seen some of those minor dustups that do happen on occasion, haven't seen any of that here, but i have since yesterday when we started watching these things happen, yes, you're right, at one point in queens last night, new york, someone pulled out a gun after they cut into a line and someone confronted them about it. but police quickly made an arrest. but for the most part, people are incredibly patient. i don't know if we turn a little bit, you can't see much, because only a

susan candiotti is working that part of the story for us, what's the latest?of the afternoon trying to see what it is like, what everyone else is experiencing being in line for hours to get gasoline. second of two lines. the first time we were in line for about 20 minutes and they ran out of gas. this is the second line and it's been more than two hours now and we just got word a little while ago they just ran out of gas too. so we're going to have to do what everyone else is trying to do and that is find a gas station that still has supplies, and it obviously is an all-day project. >> susan, it's not necessarily the shortage of gas that's the problem, it's something else causing all of these delays. >> that's right, it's a big problem trying to get the gasoline transported to all of these gas stations who are just waiting for that next shipment. they open the ports, they are trying to get it moving, but it takes awhile to get to all of these places, some of the gas stations don't have power, so you have to drive around or get on the internet and find out whic

our national correspondent, susan candiotti is in hemp stead. ss are you seeing where you are? >> reporter: well, i mean it's coming in dribs and drabs. not enough progress for all the people who live in this area. here's where i am now. this operation has been going on a week now put on by the town of hempstead, new york, where they have got all kinds of volunteers. you see those people back there? these are lifeguards and some people from the sanitation department who are trying to hand out supplies to people who don't have power and don't have so much. they have got all these trucks lined up. look at the things they're handing out. pallets of water to people. down in this truck a lot of meals ready to eat down over here in this truck and then down the way they have got more supplies. swinging over here this is clothing that people have donated. back here they have got donated pet food and baby supplies and some fresh fruit, this kind of thing. around the corner there's a table set up with fema. but the main thrust of all of this is how to help

susan candiotti, cnn, new york. >> here is what's trending on the net right now. a 20-year-old has been charged with plotting to shoot up a theater, like the shooting that happened at that batman screening in colorado this summer. his mother got suspicious about him and called the cops. and a man charged with an ipad heist has been charged. >>> and music icon stevie wonder is going to lead a tribout to late television personality dick clark. >>> black friday, the biggest shopping day of the year for many retailers, now retailers are urging lawmakers to do something about the fiscal cliff before shoppers head out to the stores. trying to find a better job can be frustrating. so at university of phoenix we're working with a growing list of almost two thousand corporate partners - companies like microsoft, american red cross and adobe - to create options for you. not only that, we're using what we learn from these partners to shape our curriculum. so that when you find the job you want you'll be a perfect fit. let's get to work. >>> our top story all weekend has you

susan candiotti is in the rockaways right now. are there any signs of improvement out there? >> reporter: there are some signs of improvement out there, but not on the street where i am. you see the apartment buildings behind me? the tallest one, there are 600 families. but in that one highest of the high-rise there is, there's a mother of two who is disabled who cannot get out and has not been able to leave her apartment for the last two weeks. again, this is a mother of two children. look. it's easy to see, but look how dark it's going to get when we walk inside the building. bryant pierson is going to give us a tour. let's take a look. >> by contrast, you can see it's bright sunshine outside and i don't know how you can see anything in here. >> we don't. >> i'm holding on to the back of your jacket because i can't see a thing. >> this is how we have to live. >> is this the seventh floor now? >> this is the seventh floor. we're going to talk to a couple people. >> has there been any looting? >> that's it right there? >> be careful where you walk. >> they put tags on the doo