sylvester coles asked you to hold his gun?>> yeah. >> reporter: sylvester coals, the man who admitted harassing the homeless person, who admitting to fingering troy davis. >> he opened the screen door. >> reporter: this screen door here? >> this screen door which this was not here. it was a wooden screen door. this was tore out. he opened the door, set the gun here and shut the door back. >> reporter: and you -- did you think he did the shooting? >> yes, sir. >> reporter: did you ask him? >> no. the way he was acting -- >> reporter: how come? >> i was scared. >> reporter: you were scared to ask him? >> yes. i was scared of him. i'm still scared of him. >> reporter: today you're scared of him? is he still in town? >> yes, sir. >> reporter: a free man? >> yes, sir. >> reporter: you are scared of him. >> yes, sir. >> reporter: how come you are talking to me, i admire you are. >> i don't want to see this innocent man get killed for something he didn't do. >> reporter: during the trial davis' attorneys try to convince jurors cole w

>> thanks very much, lisa sylvester. as lisa just mentioned, the national unemployment rate in this country, 9.4%. but in some areas of the country, though, the rate is much higher. las vegas hit a new record high. the unemployment rate in las vegas hit 13.1% in july. that's according to the state of nevada. and the unemployment rate in vegas last july was just under 7%. >>> 14 states and the district of columbia had jobless rates over 10% in july. michigan had the highest. 15% unemployment. >>> coming up, we continue our series of reports on health care around the world, and tonight, we're doing ireland. also, the white house says there are 47 million uninsured. but are there really that many? well, that's the topic of tonight's faceoff debate. >>> and new warnings of an explosion in the number of swine flu cases. tonight we have a special report on the rush to produce a vaccine. (announcer) illness doesn't care where you live... ...or if you're already sick... ...or if you lose your job. your health insurance shouldn't

we tried to find sylvester "red" coles. talked to family members but couldn't track him down. >> i don't believe red coles killed mark at all. >> reporter: the officer's wife looks at sylvester coles in a very different light. >> sylvester came forward. he didn't have to. troy ran and he didn't have to. if he were innocent he should have come forward. >> reporter: what does she think about people like tanya johnson, with her new information? >> five minutes of fame. >> reporter: pope benedict has asked for davis' sentence to be commuted. jimmy carter and death penalty supporter bob barr have asked for the case to be reopened. troy davis has been hours a way from execution three times only to have the case reviewed. i spoke to troy davis and asked him if he thought he would be executed he said no. he told me he has faith in the justice system, a view that is ironically shared by the wife of the murdered police officer. >> we have to believe in this justice system. >> reporter: she is waiting for a much different outcome. gar

lisa sylvester. major american company recently emerging from bankruptcy is adding jobs. general motors calling back nearly 1300 of laid-off workers, gm needs them to build additional 60,000 cars. 10,000 gm workers on the job will see increase in overtime. cash for lunchers program being credited with increasing demand according to gm. one executive said he expects additional increases until next year. car dealers across the country still waiting to be paid by the federal government for their participation in the cash for clunkers program. some dealers find themselves on the cash crunch while waiting for reimbursement from the federal government. in new york, hundreds of car dealers dropped out of the program because of delays. transportation secretary ray lahood day said he understands their frustration and said, quote, they are going to get their money. he did not say when. the cash for clunkers program offers rebates up to $4500 to trade in for newer, more fuhr-efficient ones. i'll have a few thou

lisa sylvester with an update on the other stories we're following tonight. lisa? >> reporter: hurricane bill has weakened to a category 3 storm as it approaches bermuda but forecasters believe bill could become a category 4 by tomorrow. the center of the storm is now expected to pass between bermuda and the east coast of the united states. officials are warning that extremely dangerous waves and rip tides could hit the east coast this weekend. >>> at the university of alabama tonight, officials say 54 students were diagnosed with the flu on the first day of school. officials believe most of the cases are swine flu. school officials say they're prepared for flu outbreaks and will prescribe students and roommates with anti-flu drugs. schools across the country are preparing for possible swine flu outbreaks this fall. >>> the obama administration will end the cash for clunkers program on monday. according to officials, applications for rebates will not be accepted after 8:00 monday night. the cash for clunkers program offered rebates for car buyers who traded in cars

lisa sylvester from washington. much more on the show down over health care. we'll have a special report and that the president plan as he a asserts. and do americans have a moral right to health care and does the federal government have a moral responsibility to provide it? >>> also, a report on the health care system of japan. stay with us. to stay on top of my game after 50, i switched to a complete multivitamin with more. only one a day men's 50+ advantage... has gingko for memory and concentration. plus support for heart health. that's a great call. one a day men's. as we try to bring you a national debate on health care a. debate that we haven't had until very recently. we are also examining how satisfied people of various nations are with their public health care systems and we are also showing you their lack of expectant sees. 83% of americans are qualified with the health care system. life expectant see is just over 78 years, below the average of 79 in other developed countries. in denmark, if i may point out where we've been 90% are satisfied with th

lisa sylvester has our report. >> reporter: remember this? the ceos of the big three automakers exchanged jets for cars after they were attacked for using company planes to get to congressional hearings in washington. lawmakers said it didn't look good that they were flying in style, asking for bailout money. >> couldn't y'all have downgraded to first class or jetpooled or something to get here? it would have at least sent a message that you do get it. >> good question. a question congress might ask itself as it faces a rising budget deficit. >> lawmakers on the house appropriations committee signed off to spend nearly $200 million to buy three new gulfstream jets as part of the defense appropriations bill. those private planes are to be assigned to the air force units that about 20% of the time shuttle congressional members around the country and the world. taxpayer watchdog pete sept thinks it's ridiculous. >> apparently, congress has created its own cash for clunkers program. turn in your old jets and taxpayers will buy you new ones. >> re

lisa sylvester has our report. >> reporter: anger and other raw emotions from protesters. >> get off of me! >> everybody back off! >> get away. >> reporter: congressional members are finding their town hall meetings are veering off course. democratic representative kathy castor left the public session in tampa early under police escort. and in st. louis, six protesters were reportedly arrested at democratic representative ross carneyhan's health care meeting. vidio from youtube appears to show a scuffle outside following the meeting. one man told "the st. louis post-dispatch" he was a conservative activist who was attacked. white house spokesman robert gibbs has labeled it fake astroturf. others have said they are hijacking the public debate. >> some groups are giving advice on how to suppress town halls and there are websites dedicated to it. the republican party seem to be fanning the flames. >> reporter: but is this just a fringe group of ultraconservatives willing to shut down debate, or does it tap into a very real public opposition to washington's health care proposals? a recen

lisa sylvester has our report. >> reporter: president obama made a pledge, 3 to 4 million jobs created or saved by the end of next year. that goal seemingly a stretch when you consider that the economy is still hemorrhaging jobs. 2.2 million jobs have been lost, since congress approved the $787 billion stimulus plan earlier this year. to find out why, you have to look at what's going on with small businesses. small businesses account for two-thirds of all new jobs created in the country, and those who advocate on behalf of small businesses say times are tough. >> i think it's two real problems. one is lost profits, which means business is just still slow, they don't have customers coming in the door, they have people buying less supplies, they have less contracts to sell and the other problem is uncertainty. >> reporter: a common complaint? small businesses feel they were left out of the stimulus package, less than $1 billion out of the $787 billion stimulus package was specifically earmarked for the small business administration, and adding to the economic uncertainty, health care ref

lisa sylvester. >>> up next, a majority of americans say the president's stimulus bill didn't work andt will work. and growing concerns about the president's health care ideas. how will they impact some of those who need health care the most? we'll be trying to assess what the impact will be on seniors on all of the choices before our elected officials. we'll debate the question here next. >>> our "face-off" debate continues. this focusing on the obama health care plan. is it bad for our senior citizens? joining me jerry barton of the american seniors association. good to have you with us. and barbara canelly, president and ceo of the national committee to preserve social security and medicare. good to have you with us, barbara. let's begin, barbara you say seniors would have no insurance without medicare. jerry, you say it's a disaster. and one of the charges is the legislation in the house would cut half a trillion dollars in services. is that true, barbara? >> can i tell you, the best thing that ever happened in the health care was in 1965 when president johnson -- >> i'm going to i

lisa sylvester has our report. >> reporter: medicare's trust fund will run out of money in 2017, just eight years from now, that according to a recent report from the trustees of the social security and medicare fund. the social security fund will be insolvent by 2037. jamie foster of the conservative heritage foundation says liberals, mod rates and conservatives all agree something has to be done. >> we may disagree on the solutions, and we frequently do. but the problem has to be addressed. that is medicare and social security are promising benefits we can't afford. >> reporter: medicare, the program that covers those 65 and older and the disabled and medicaid that serves the poor have been gradually expanding benefits since their creation in 1965. the social security system has been strained with people living longer. add to that the upcoming baby boomer retirement wave, and the system is nearing its breaking point. president obama has said that health care reform is a necessary part of reigning in entitlement spending. without it he says -- >> your premiums will continue to skyroc

cnn's lisa sylvester has more. >> reporter: remember this? the ceo os of the big three automakers exchanged jets for cars after they were attacked for using company planes to get to congressional hearings in washington. lawmakers said it didn't look good that they were flying in style asking for bailout money. >> couldn't you all have downgraded to first class or jetpooled or something to get here. it would have sent a message that you do get it. >> reporter: good question. a question congress might ask itself as it faces a rising budget deficit. they sign off to spend nearly $200 million to buy three new gulf stream jets as part of the defense bill. those private planes will be assigned to the air force units that about 20% of the time shuttle congressional members around the country and the world. taxpayer watchdog thinks it's ridiculous. >> apparently congress has created its own cash for clunkers program. turn it in your old jets and taxpayers will buy you new ones. >> reporter: a congressional staffer familiar with the situation defended

. >> to sylvester koontz, i understand he has agreed to a polygraph? >> that's correct, nancy. in fact, that went down yesterday, according to the reports we're hearing. now, the foster mother in the case did not want to take a polygraph. she is six months pregnant and was concerned there might have been a health risk involved there, but in fact the foster father did take a polygraph test yesterday. with me right now, special guest, that foster father to hasani, lewis ross. mr. ross, thank you for being with us. >> you're welcome. >> mr. ross, i understand you volunteered to take a polygraph. >> yes, i did. we have nothing to hide. and basically, it was just -- this has been a traumatic experience. we understand the police have a job to do, and part of their job is ruling out everything. so polygraph was basically a normal process. >> mr. ross, i really admire that. mr. ross, explain to me in the moments that we have left, everyone wants to know, you left the boy in the car. but now that i understand what you're telling us, it's much more innocent than it sounds. >> yes. that's

the stories from cnn's lisa sylvester. >> reporter: the lines are long. the rooms are packed. voice, hear our voice! >> reporter: democrat ben cardin has been in congress for two decades. first as a house member and now a senator. his staff tells us past town hall meetings would draw 100 to 200 people. this one had 1,000 people lining up. >> how are you going to look at my children in their eyes and tell them they're going to have a better future? >> reporter: across the country, another town hall, another lawmaker. but the story is similar. >> congressman, we need you to be a statesman and not a puppet in your party. >> reporter: it's as if a lid has been popped. the object of frustration for many is the health care debate. but that's not the only issue that has brought people out to town hall meetings in large numbers. rising debt, big bailouts, and lost jobs are also on their mind. jean wiler is from a suburb of des moines who attended the town hall meeting of republican senator charles grassley. >> they're losing our trust. i think this is a good movement people are making

lisa sylvester with our report. >> reporter: $787 billion in stimulus money at stake, states, private companies and industries, lots of groups want a piece of it. the obama administration has limited lobbyists to making appeals in writing to government i officials instead of having face-to-face meetings over how the money should be spent. but a memo just released by the obama administration lifts that communications ban. a variety of groups, including the aclu and the american league of lobbyists, have threatened to sue the government. >> any time you decide to limit or discriminate against a class of people, whether it be lobbyists, policemen, firefighters, whoever, and restrict them from petitioning the government is not right, and is unconstitutional. >> reporter: with the rule change, lobbyists, lawyers and others advocating for special interests will still be banned from talking to government officials about the substance of the application as they await a decision on a stimulus grant. john wonderlick with the sunlight foundation sways so much taxpayer money on the line it is imp

lisa sylvester is in for lou. >> thanks, suzanne. >>> tonight, four more years. president obama nominates ben bernanke to a second term as the nation's top banker. the news comes as the white house said the national debt will skyrocket to unprecedented levels, doubling to more than $20 trillion over the next ten years. also, a new jersey town says "no way" to a planned visit by libyan leader moammar gadhafi. leaders are stunned that gadhafi wants to pitch a tent near the homes of some of the victim faf the lockerbie victims. >>> and what role should religion play in the health care debate? that's our face-off tonight. >>> and plus the latest on the reported homicide investigation in michael jackson's death and the sentence for pop singer chris brown. >>> but we begin tonight with a stunning admission by the white house. unemployment and the deficit will surge higher than previous obama administration forecasts according to latest numbers. unemployment will top 10% and the deficit will search to $1.6 trillion this year alone. the latest numbers are putting renewed

who created that suggestion, sylvester? mccaughey, sarah palin, and now rudolph guiliani death eater. but our winner, michelle bachman after "the minneapolis star tribune" reported her son harrison had joined americorps which she had described as taxpayer funded, liberal reeducation camps bachman sent out a fund raising appeal to her looney tunes constituents alleging the paper gave a full column to a hit piece on one of my kids. yes. how true. what parent would not recoil in horror at seeing the following written about their son? for the first time we have to rely on the charity of good kids like harrison bachman to step up and help out at our schools. harrison must be a smart kid, a caring kid. must have been raised well. thank you, harrison, for your service. here's hoping you inspire kids to dream and get inspired in the process. oh, the pain. the shame. gee whiz, congresswoman, i'd get the boy to sue for libel. raised well, caring kid, thank you for your service. no, that damned liberal media always wrong. i think we d

. >> reporter: a day that sylvester frank ow franklin hasd 59 times.ticular reason to leave. >> reporter: now 84 years old mr. franklin started teaching shortly after fighting in the battle of okinawa during world war ii. he spent 15 years at has kel's all black school year before desegregation. since 1957, he has taught students from the ins and outs of science. >> i teach them the respect and i try to teach them a christian way of life. >> reporter: it's hard not to find someone's who's life was not touched by mr. franklin. >> he was very -- he likes to teach, you know. he does his thing. he is a good leader. >> reporter: love for mr. franklin is nearly everywhere here. just look at the franklin event center. no doubt who it would be named after when it was built in 2002. >> i can't explain how much that means to me. >> reporter: these days mr. franklin only teaches a few hours a day but it's time he loves and time he hopes never has to give up. >> as long as i feel good and i have nothing else that i would like to do, except to be with young people

i think sylvester street going out east will bases -- similar.ost: indianapolis has a population about 800,000. if you have to tell viewers what you're single biggest challenge is, what is it? guest: i think over the long term, i always say public safety is job one. i think we do a good job. but infrastructure is really an issue that i think applies to indianapolis, but other cities across the nature. going to the conference of mayors and infrastructure is always an issue. to include everything i said about streets and sewers and everything like that. because a lot of those are not built into the budget necessarily. you have to find red ways to do that. so wars are really problem throughout the nation. sometimes of an anagram for 50 or 100 years without major repair. that is not -- sometimes in the ground for 50 or 100 years without major repair. that is not going to work force. with projects for the next few years, up to 2025. i think over the long haul infrastructure will be a huge issue, not only for indianapolis, but other cities. host: rober