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NEW DAY
Town Hall Shooting Suspect Identified; A-Rod Suspended Through 2014; Seacat Gets Life for Killing Wife; Bezos Buys "Washington Post"; Real Life Wall-E; School Bus Safety Debate; Powerball Jackpot Soars; The Final Rose; Prince William Back on the Job
Aired August 6, 2013 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: The who. Welcome back, everybody. This is NEW DAY. It's Tuesday, August 6th. I'm Chris Cuomo.
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone. I'm Kate Bolduan. We are here with news anchor, Michaela Pereira.
Coming up in the show, still the videotaped attack on the school bus in Florida sparking new debate about the safety of students and the role of the school bus driver. We've definitely been talking a lot about it. Are we doing all we can to protect our students?
CUOMO: A lot of provocative questions for you to weigh in with us on that one this morning. Plus, the great Matt Damon faces what he says is the biggest challenge of his life, sitting down with the one and only Kate Bolduan.
BOLDUAN: Well, it will be fun. We will have the interview for you coming up. He's in a new movie and you'll want to hear about it.
CUOMO: It could be the lead story, but there is other news.
BOLDUAN: There is other news, unfortunately. No, not unfortunately, let's get straight to Michaela for the headlines.
MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: All right, let's do that. Good morning, everyone. Police in Eastern Pennsylvania is now identifying the suspect in a deadly shooting at a town supervisors meeting as Rockne Newell. Three people killed in Monday's shooting and several wounded. State police said Newell had an ongoing dispute with township officials over issues with the sewer and the condemnation of his property.
New York Yankee star, Alex Rodriguez is one of 13 players suspended after an investigation into the use of performance-enhancing drugs. A-Rod is appealing the 211-game suspension. He is expected to play out the season. He was booed during his first at-bat in Monday night's game against Chicago. The 12 other players, meanwhile, accepted their 50-game suspensions without pay.
Former Police Officer Brett Seacat sentenced to life in prison with a possibility of parole for killing his wife. Minutes before sentenced, Seacat addressed the court accusing the judge of hiding evidence that says proves his innocence. Back in June, Seacat was convicted of shooting his wife days after she filed for divorce and setting their house on fire to cover up evidence.
Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos knows how to deliver packages, but does he know how on to deliver the news? Bezos shelling out $250 million to purchase the "Washington Post" in the Graham family's long time ownership of that paper. In a letter to "Washington Post" employees Bezos says, the values of "The Post" do not need changing. Bezos will become the paper's sole owner when the sale goes through. That is expected to take about two months.
Fans of the movie "Wall-E," check it out. Amateur robot builder Mike McMaster has constructed a real life, full size version of Disney Pixar's computer-generated robot. No easy task as you can imagine. To make sure his Wall-E was truly built to scale he had to compare his design to real life objects that appear alongside Wall-E in the movie like a rubix cube for example. The dogs unimpressed by Wall-E, but I think it's a pretty amazing thing that he was able to do that and bring it to life.
BOLDUAN: The cutest animated movies of all time, wink, wink. It's so cute. Just like yours.
CUOMO: Thank you.
BOLDUAN: So cute.
CUOMO: I get a lot of that. Please continue.
BOLDUAN: I will. Thank you very much.
All right, one of the stories we have been talking about a lot this week. There's been a powerful reaction to the shocking school bus beating video out of Florida with many questioning why the school bus driver didn't step in and try to stop it? It turns out he is not required to and neither are many school bus drivers across the nation.
CNN's Pamela Brown is joining us now with more on this. Good morning.
PAMELA BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. Yes. This is appears to be a growing problem. You know, you look at schools and in schools, you have teachers and administrators there to help out when there is a fight, but on a school bus typically only one adult in charge when bullying occurs. The question we are trying to answer today is what should drivers do when violence breaks out and what is being done to break the cycle?
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BROWN (voice-over): This disturbing cell phone video showing three teens brutally beating a 13-year-old boy in Pinellas, Florida, in July is just the latest example of bullying on board school buses. The driver behind the wheel in this case is 64-year-old John Moody. Instead of jumping in to break up the fight, he looked on in horror and called for help. JOHN MOODY, BUS DRIVER DURING ATTACK: I did all I can. I was looking. It was like I was in shock. I was petrified.
BROWN: Pinellas County school policy gives drivers the choice of whether they should physically intervene. In fact, there is no nationwide policy on how to deal with school bus violence. Every school district has its own.
KEN TRUMP, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY SERVICES: The driver has to take the totality of the circumstances into consideration. If the driver leaves the front of the bus, does he put other children at risk?
BROWN: The U.S. Department of Education says nearly 10 percent of bullying incidents involving middle and high school students happen on the bus. It's not only students being bullied. Remember this grandmother who was mercilessly taunted by kids on the bus she was monitoring? And sometimes parents get involved.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don't touch my child!
BROWN: This mother pleaded no contest on slapping a student on her child's bus and this dad marched on board to confront his daughter's bully.
TRUMP: The school bus is an extension of the school and the same discipline applies. I think the kids believe that it's harder to get caught and when he they do, do something it's harder for one adult to intervene.
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BROWN: All right, well, now some school districts are trying to put the brakes on school bus bullying. Many states including Ohio, Oregon, Iowa and even Florida give anti-bullying training to drivers, but many think the responsibility ultimately lies with the parents here. Experts suggest parents talk with their kids about bullying and meet with their child's school bus driver and talk to them about assigned seating if there is potential for bullying between their child and another child. But clearly, this is still a big issue and there is no good solution right now.
BOLDUAN: It needs a lot of work. It is still happening and happens all the time as we talk about it yesterday.
CUOMO: Look, it's a common thing and cultural thing. The driver is a distraction. Let's be honest. The laws are so tight on them. They vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. He was in a lenient one where he is allowed under his rules to get involved if he can do it in a safe way. How do you break up a fight in a safe way with three kids jumping on one?
But it gets to your culture of accountability, the other kids on the bus, they didn't do anything. Why? Well, they are afraid, but it's also about what you're taught to do and what you accept and what you reject. Where is the school? This is bullying. This is bullying. I know it's a onetime beat-down, but it was why it was done.
They were punishing this kid for coming forward and talking about who was selling drugs to them. That was the motivation we're told. Where is the school on this? Then of course as you say, where are the parents? They are 15 years old. It at all starts at home.
We want to blame the schools and society, but what are you teaching your kids and why aren't you accountable when something like this happens? I think they're important questions. I'm surprised more people in positions of authority aren't coming forward to discuss this, culturally and accountability.
BROWN: You know, it's easy to blame the bus driver here. But as we were talking about, you know, it would be a different story if he did jump in and pull the kids and threw them on other --
CUOMO: Pamela Brown is here saying this is his case before the police who then charged him when some mom or dad came forward and said you hurt my kid.
BOLDUAN: It's difficult. You don't know necessarily the context of how many fights we have seen on the buses. I mean, there is a lot of context we don't have.
BROWN: Right. I mean, we know 10 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Education, but that is just what we know has been reported. Think how much the problem probably is.
CUOMO: It comes down to the bus driver. You're in trouble. If that is your best defense about these situations where there is so much you can do in so many other places.
BOLDUAN: Thanks, Pamela.
CUOMO: Thank you. What do you think? Get involved with the discussion, please. This is one worth talking about. Get us online. We should move this story forward. We will take a break here on NEW DAY and give you time to respond.
How did CNN -- here is a provocative question. How did we find a suspect in the Benghazi attack before the U.S. government could? Erin Burnett will be here live talking about her special investigation, the truth about Benghazi.
BOLDUAN: And the Powerball jackpot now stands at $400 million! You probably know because you probably bought a ticket. Could we one day see $1 billion lottery drawing? Say it isn't so.
CUOMO: If I win, I can come to work the next day. Can you say the same?
BOLDUAN: Absolutely.
CUOMO: Come on!
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) CUOMO: Welcome back to NEW DAY, everybody. Perfect song, feel like an extra, let's say, what, $400 million? Figure out what you can spend that on? That is the Powerball jackpot. It sounds huge, right? But guess what? That could be chump change compared to the jackpots in the future. Shocked? So was I, but that's what Alison Kosik tells me is the truth.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: God, there are a lot of dreams riding on this Powerball drawing happening Wednesday. The $400 million jackpot you're talking about, it's enticing people to line up and hope they are going to get a piece of it, which means that the jackpot will grow even bigger.
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KOSIK (voice-over): Americans have 400 million reasons to look forward to Wednesday night.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get out those tickets and let's play Powerball.
KOSIK: The $400 million Powerball jackpot that is keeping stores like this busy across the U.S.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Powerball, five tickets, $10.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They are not buying dollar tickets. They are buying 10, 20, more, 50.
KOSIK: This jackpot is already the third largest Powerball ever and the more who buy, the bigger the pot. Players may be buying for much more in years to come.
VICTOR MATHESON, ECONOMIC PROFESSOR, COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS: You could see maybe in the next several years, maybe an elusive billion dollar jackpot.
KOSIK: That's right, a billion with a "b." Since the first drawing in 1992, jackpots have gotten bigger, and bigger, and bigger. In June, Gloria McKenzie in Florida won the biggest jackpot ever, $590 million.
MATHESON: In the last time couple of years there has been a merger between the Megamillions and the Powerball, and now you can buy both in just about every state in the United States which gives you a much bigger pool of bidders, which makes those jackpot pools a lot bigger as well. Powerball, at the same time, doubled the price of their ticket from $1 to $2.
KOSIK: Powerball tickets are sold in 43 states, Washington, D.C. and the Virgin Islands, but the chance of winning is less than 1 in 175 million. That's not discouraging these buyers.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Winning ticket right here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Feeling lucky today.
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KOSIK: OK, so if you got a ticket or two, Powerball officials say don't just focus on the jackpot because there are smaller prizes that can be doled out. They have already been several people who have won $1 million and if no one wins on Wednesday night, that $400 million where it stands right now could sweeten another $10 million!
BOLDUAN: I know -- you said the chance is 1 in 175 million?
KOSIK: But if you're not buying a ticket you don't have a chance in winning.
BOLDUAN: I am one of those people I will still buy a ticket, you know? There is always a chance.
CUOMO: You're one of the rare ones.
BOLDUAN: There's always a cynic sitting at a table in a news show, why even buy them? You're never going to win.
CUOMO: I'm one at this table.
BOLDUAN: You're the business correspondent.
KOSIK: There is always a chance.
CUOMO: Think what you can do for the money. I mean, that's the dream for yourself, for so many other places and people. That is the dream.
BOLDUAN: We can dream.
CUOMO: We need to get out of here fast! Let's get to a break!
BOLDUAN: No one here after the break because we will have a winning ticket.
All right, coming up next on NEW DAY, the fall of a superstar, Alex Rodriguez was once considered the best player in baseball. Now he is just fighting to stay in the game.
CUOMO: One of a few guys who wouldn't need a ticket if he lived here, Prince William. He has gotten the biggest treasure of his life the little boy in his hands, Prince George. But guess what? He has to go back to work! Paternity leave is over. We will talk about that next.
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BOLDUAN: Welcome back to NEW DAY, everyone. It is time for the Pop Four, your favorite part of the day. That means Nischelle Turner is here.
NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: I'm only going to give it to you today if you promise when you get your Powerball, you don't forget about your girl. Let's get to the Pop Four this morning. Love, love, it's our number four story. Despite a season of heartbreak and more than its fair share of tears, bachelorette accepted contestant Chris' proposal on the finale last night. They are officially kissing and engaged. I love it. I love love.
BOLDUAN: Kissing, that's a lot of kissing.
TURNER: It is back to work for Prince William. It's our number three story. The new dad's paternity leave is officially over. He returns to his search and rescue jog with the Royal Air Force tomorrow. He's expected to leave Bucklebury this evening. I pose this question to the only person at the table that has children, Chris Cuomo. I remember when you had such angst about bringing your daughter to camp.
CUOMO: Thank you for bringing it up.
TURNER: But what's it like when you first separate? What's he going to feel?
CUOMO: He's going to feel depression. He's going to be satisfied the mom is there, he knows there's family around, but nothing matters to you like a child. But it will give him a greater sense of purpose at work, as well.
TURNER: That's right. You got to provide for that family.
CUOMO: Providing isn't so much his problem, but he's going to want to be the best him he can be.
TURNER: Good point.
CUOMO: He's got that little one looking at him.
TURNER: Could America be getting some of that power? Yes. "Variety" is reporting that music powerhouse, Will I. Am is in talks to join the judging table for "American Idol." This comes after reports that Jennifer Lopez may also return to the show. So that means it would be Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, Will I. Am.
BOLDUAN: Talk about a range.
TURNER: I know, I like. All right, the race is on to cast Batman in the sequel to "Man of Steel," so Ryan Gosling.
BOLDUAN: Yes, please.
TURNER: Joe Manganelo, Richard, all rumored to be in the running, but the front-runner, 46-year-old Josh Brolin. What do you think about that?
BOLDUAN: I think it fits.
CUOMO: Manganelo is the Wolf man from "True Blood."
TURNER: I remember him from "Magic Mike." All I remember is "Magic Mike."
CUOMO: Mrs. Cuomo threw me into a bowl of potato salad when we met him at a party. Made me go up and introduce her.
TURNER: Excuse me, hi!
BOLDUAN: We'll also throw Chris into potato salad.
CUOMO: I like potato salad.
TURNER: All right, guys.
BOLDUAN: I love it, Ryan gosling, thank you.
Coming up next on NEW DAY, also someone we love, Oscar-winner Matt Damon gets a new look for his latest movie. He's buff, he's tough, and he's sitting down with me.
CUOMO: Very nice. Horror at town hall, serious story we need to pay attention to this morning. Rural Pennsylvania rocked by a deadly shooting. The surprisingly minor reason why somebody decided to take so much life, we'll tell you about it.
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