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EARLY START

America Hostage Killed by ISIS; Immigration Reform: Obama Vs. GOP; Deadly Snow Storms; Patriots Too Much for Colts

Aired November 17, 2014 - 05:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: An American hostage murdered by ISIS. The terrorist releasing new video showing the beheading of American aid worker Peter Kassig. We are live breaking down the new clues we are learning this morning.

President Obama back at home, ready to make big reforms to the immigration system. Reforms that could allow millions of people here illegally to stay. Republicans aren't backing down. How they plan to stop the president, ahead.

Deadly storms barreling across the country bringing snow, ice and record-breaking cold temperatures. And guess what? It's not over yet. The Northeast now bracing for impact. Indra Petersons is tracking what you need to know for today.

Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

It is Monday, November 17th. It's 5:00 a.m. in the east.

This morning, the family of an American aid worker Peter Kassig coping with his death at the hands of ISIS terrorists. The Islamic militant group released a horrific video showing Kassig's body after a beheading. Hours later, President Obama denounced the killing as, quote, "an act of pure evil."

Kassig's parents released a statement saying they are heartbroken. They are scheduled to speak to reporters this afternoon.

Joining us now from London with more is CNN's Atika Shubert.

Atika, the spokesman for ISIS on this beheading video speaks with a familiar English accent. So, there are some similarities to other beheadings on tape, but some differences as well.

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. The masked militant with a British accent known here in the British press as Jihadi John is the apparent killer of Peter Kassig. We never actually see the murder in this video, and that's very different from previous videos.

In previous videos, we have seen the hostages dressed in orange jumpsuit. They speak to the camera and they are killed. In this one, it is 50 minutes long and most of it is propaganda from ISIS until the end when you see Peter Kassig's body. He never speaks to camera and we never see him alive. Jihadi John delivers the speech to camera. There's a lot of questions as to why this may be. One of the key

factors may be that Peter Kassig, also known as Abdul-Rahman Kassig, converted to Islam while he was actually being held -- while he was being held hostage.

And there has been some talk about the fact that they never acknowledged the fact that he converted and they don't talk about the fact he was an aid worker. There has been widespread condemnation from the Muslim community. This may be ISIS responding to that criticism by simply not acknowledging that he was Muslim.

ROMANS: Really a tragic situation. This is somebody doing humanitarian work in Syria and his family, again, we're expecting to speak with reporters later today.

Thank you for that, Atika Shubert, in London for this morning.

Two minutes past the hour.

Aid agencies say ISIS has been stealing food and other foreign aid so it can distribute it to the hungry Syrian families and then take credit. Aid groups also are telling "The Wall Street Journal" that ISIS has diverted some its aid to its own fighters and their families.

America's top uniformed officer says momentum, meanwhile, in the war against ISIS is starting to turn. Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey making a surprise visit to Baghdad over the weekend, also telling Marines defending the U.S. embassy that victory over the Islamic terror group might take several years.

President Obama at the G-20 Summit responding to General Dempsey's earlier suggestion that he might someday have to recommend the president sending ground troops to fight ISIS.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There are always circumstances in which the United States might need to deploy U.S. ground troops. If we discover that ISIL had gotten possession of a nuclear weapon and we had to run an operation to get it out of their hands, then yes, you can anticipate that not only would Chairman Dempsey recommend me sending U.S. troops to get that weapon out of their hands, but I would order it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: American negotiators head back to Vienna this week, trying to hammer out a treaty to limit Iran's nuclear capacity. They are up against a November 24th deadline, one week from today. That's when the current deal with Tehran expires. The president's top national advisors are putting the chance of reaching an agreement with Tehran this week at just 40 percent to 50 percent.

The State Department rushing this morning to upgrade security on its email system after detecting signs of possible hacking. Department officials say only unclassified systems were affected. Officials are not saying if the apparent intrusion over the weekend was the work of a foreign government, but a senior official tells CNN it is related to an earlier hack of White House computers and Russian hackers were reportedly suspected in that hack. Near the top of the president's inbox as he returns from the G-20

Summit this morning, immigration. President Obama pushing back hard against Republican claims that he lacks the authority to take executive action on immigration if Congress doesn't do something.

CNN's Erin McPike is at the White House with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIN MCPIKE, CNN WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Christine, President Obama has long said that once he returned from this swing through Asia, he would say the kind of executive action that he will take on immigration. Now that he's back, we should see something from him. We are now hearing that we could hear something by the end of the week.

And over the weekend, both sides of the political aisle drew lines in the sand on what kind of thing they want to see on immigration reform.

Listen here to Oklahoma Senator-elect James Lankford on "FOX News Sunday".

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JAMES LANKFORD (R), OKLAHOMA SENATOR-ELECT: The American people really do believe in the rule of law. They don't have a problem with immigration. They have a problem with illegal immigration. And for the president to step up and say I'm just going to remove the word "illegal" and to be able to transition this and ignore the law, a lot of people have a problem with that, Republicans and Democrats alike.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCPIKE: And while overseas, President Obama also said what he would like to see in a bill from Congress that could then nullify the actions that he will take on immigration reform with those executive actions. Listen here to those comments.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: If Congress passes a law that solves our border problems, improves our immigration system and provides a pathway for the 11 million people who are here working in our kitchens, working in farms, making beds in hotels, everybody knows they're there, we're not going to deport all of them. We'd like to see them being able -- out in the open pay their taxes, pay a penalty, get right with the law.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCPIKE: And over the weekend, a number of mainstream Republicans said on a number of public affairs programs that they do not think that Republicans should try to shut down the government to force President Obama's hand on immigration reform, but we should see something this week from them on what kind of bill they can end up passing -- Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Erin McPike, thanks for that.

Veterans Affairs patients still waiting for improvements to the V.A. health system. New data obtained by "USA Today" shows more than 10 percent of V.A. patients wait more than a month for appointments. Sixty-four facilities have averaged wait times longer than two months. But the V.A. has made some improvements. Now, the number of patients waiting the longest, waiting more than four months, that dropped sharply from 120,000 in May, to 23,000 in October.

So far so good for Obamacare 2.0. The White House says some 100,000 people signed up for health insurance on the first day of open enrollment -- compare that to just six on day one last year.

The president defending his signature achievement from conservatives brandishing a quote from White House health care adviser Jonathan Gruber. Gruber said the White House got Obamacare passed because of voters', quote, "stupidity" and a lack of transparency by those advocating for it. The president responding that he completely disagrees with Gruber and that the bill was extensively debated with no lack of transparency.

This morning, the U.S. Senate is bracing for the debate over the Keystone XL oil pipeline. After bottling up legislation for six years, the Senate leaders will allow a vote on the pipeline Tuesday. Keystone, a major issue in the Louisiana Senate runoff set for December 6th. Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu wants a chance to vote for the pipeline to show her clout in the Senate.

Time for an EARLY START of your money.

U.S. stocks future pointing lower right now following record highs last week. On Friday, the S&P 500 edged up slightly to close at a high for the year, for all time. It was the S&P 500's 41st record high close this year. Also the fourth week in a row of gains for stocks.

Energy stocks finally got some relief at the end of the week when oil prices ticked up slightly. Oil prices have been tumbling down more than 30 percent since the summer peak. Prices are falling as the U.S. increases production and global demand lessens a bit. That's bad news for energy companies, but great news for consumers. Experts say the dip in fuel prices could put an extra $400 in your pocket next year.

Happening now: deadly storms barreling across the country this weekend. But now comes round two. Snow, ice, arctic temperatures heading toward the Northeast. Indra Petersons is tracking the very latest for us this morning.

Plus, the NFL smacked by surprise drug infections. The DEA raiding team medical staff after Sunday games. Which teams were targeted, ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: Deadly blast of winter-like weather paralyzing communities in many parts of the country. Six more people were killed in weather- related accidents as ice and snow froze roadways. Snow is hitting as far south as Texas where four people died in Lubbock. Police there reported dozens of accidents on icy roads. At least 17 states from Arkansas to New England remain under winter weather advisories.

In Oklahoma, snow packed and icy roads are hampering the commute for residents there. Slick roadways have caused a number of accidents. Oklahoma crews have warned of black ice conditions on highways and interstates. They are urging drivers to use extreme caution out there.

In New Mexico, temperatures plummeted to single digits following a massive snow storms. Snowfall causing really difficult driving conditions throughout most of New Mexico state. As much as 13 inches of snow fell near a ski resort in Angel Fire.

And look at this --this is Colorado. They are digging out from the second snowstorm of the week. Another round of ice, snow, and cold hit Colorado Springs, and the surrounding areas. Several inches of snow-covered streets and roadways again disrupting commutes for everyone.

So, how long will drivers have to contend with this big mess?

Indra Petersons has an early look at your forecast this morning.

Good morning, Indra.

INDRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I still can't figure out what happened. It was fall and it was overnight. We keep talking about snow and a lot of it, I mean, really over the next several days. More snow is expected to fall, especially around the Great Lakes. We're not even measuring in inches anymore. We're going to be talking about feet of snow because as the system clears by, the cold air rushes behind it and that's going to enhance the lake-effect snow that will be coming our way.

Let's have a perspective: 30 million people today have the threat for winter weather. We're talking from new England, pretty much back down to the Mississippi Valley. But notice down to the south, we're talking about rain showers. It is not stopping there.

We have the threat for severe weather. This huge contrast temperature-wise. So, we actually even have tornado watches out in through thing South right now through these morning hours. In fact, another 20 million of us will have the threat of severe weather, including, of course, that threat for tornadoes, for strong thunderstorms, very strong winds will be out there as well.

So, a lot going on across the country. Easy to see where you are getting the snow, where you're getting and warmer weather. Look at the temperature divide, Miami, 84 today. Meanwhile, highs today out towards (INAUDIBLE) about 24, Minneapolis just hanging out in through the teens.

This is kind of the starting point. You can actually see into the Northeast, you actually rebound -- we are above normal for a day. Look at this carefully, though. That quickly changes as early as tomorrow. Look at that drop. New York City, your high in the 30s.

So, below freezing in one day which is a significant 25-degree temperature drop by tomorrow. Just keep in mind also, temperature- wise, look at these morning lows. We're talking about three single digits are going to be out there. So, yes, all that cold air will only enhance that lake-effect snow. What a change very quickly.

ROMANS: What a change very quickly. At least we are prepared with the information. Thanks, Indra.

The surgeon diagnosed with Ebola in Sierra Leone is in extremely critical condition this morning and he may be the sickest person yet to be treated in the U.S. Initially, Dr. Martin Salia's Ebola test came back negative, and friends and his colleagues celebrated with him. Now, that a later test confirmed Ebola, they are all under quarantine.

His wife and son are holding out hope he will recover.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't want him to be laid over there. I'm worried for him.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We should keep calm. Everything will be OK. So far, he is very responding well to treatment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: The medical director of the hospital's bio containment unit says Dr. Salia's status is, quote, "an hour by hour situation."

Tension rising in Ferguson as we wait to hear if a grand jury will indict Officer Darren Wilson. Several protests and marches over the weekend. Some Michael Brown supporters marking the 100th day since the shooting by staging a die-in, laying down and blocking major intersections and the entrance to a theater. Those protesters calling for Officer Wilson's arrest. Other protesters supported Officer Wilson who they believe was forced to shoot.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We want to again declare that we steadfastly believe that Officer Darren Wilson's actions on August 9th were warranted and justified.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not here to try to validate the justice system because there's a lot of changes that need to occur. But the indictment of Darren Wilson is the first step of many that needs to take place.

(END VIDEO CLIPS)

ROMANS: The organizer of Sunday's protests and support of Brown said he couldn't rule out violence if the grand jury finds Wilson without fault.

The Drug Enforcement Administration taking a very close look at the NFL. Several teams were subjected to surprise inspections following their games on Sunday. Agents questioning trainers, questioning doctors about allegations of illegal prescription drug use. The San Francisco 49ers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training staffs were among those targeted. A lawsuit filed in May by more than 1,000 retired NFL players alleges rampant distribution of illegal painkillers by medical personnel.

A French tourist hauled off in handcuffs after police say he scaled the Brooklyn Bridge to take photos. Police say he climbed over a fence on the pedestrian walkway to reach a cable beam connected to the tower on the Manhattan bound side. The 23-year-old had been staying with friends for a couple of days, and was slated to leave Sunday.

A cruise ship docked in California Sunday after at least 170 people became sick with norovirus. Some of the folks aboard the Crown Princess began to show signs of gastrointestinal illness, just a few days into the month-long voyage from Los Angeles to Hawaii, to Tahiti. The victims were treated on the ship. A CDC official is expected to board the ship to probe the outbreak. Meantime, we're told the cruise liner will undergo a deep cleaning.

In Hawaii, officials say that while several lava flow breakouts remain active, they are sluggish and not advancing. That includes one breakout which has stopped burning through asphalt roads. Officials say they are continuing to monitor three other hot spots in the area. People are still being evacuated as a precaution. The lava from this volcano has been spewing -- volcano has been active now for more than 30 years.

This just in: the Vatican announcing Pope Francis will visit the U.S. for the first time as pontiff in September of next year. He is coming for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. The pope has recently spoken of his desire to travel to New York and Washington, but further stops for the trip have not yet been announced.

A classic match up in the NFL. First ballot Hall of Famer Tom Brady head-to-head against the young superstar Andrew Luck. Who would come out on top and why isn't John Berman here to talk about it? Our Laura Rutledge has the details in the "Bleacher Report", next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: All right. I'm sure John Berman would love to be here this morning to brag about his Patriots absolutely dominating the Colts last night. But I'll have to do it for him, I guess.

Laura Rutledge has the details in this morning's "Bleacher Report".

Hey, Laura. LAURA RUTLEDGE, BLEACHER REPORT: Hey, Christine.

And that's right, I'm sure John is pretty bummed he is missing out on this conversation. The Patriots absolutely dominant. Tom Brady, of course, leading the Patriots to quite a win.

And, Tom Brady, he was just OK yesterday. He wasn't the Tom Brady we're used to seeing. But it didn't matter, because Jonas Gray, the star running back, had a career game. He hadn't scored a touchdown all season long, ran for a Patriots record four touchdowns. Not bad for a third stringer who was on the Patriots practice squad a month ago. Patriots won this one comfortably, 42-20. They are on a six- game win streak.

Now, the Green Bay Packers may be the only team as hot as the Patriots right now. Aaron Rodgers making his case for MVP against the Eagles, just another walk in the park, three passing touchdown day. Green Bay scored early and often. Up 30-6 before halftime, Packers smoke the Eagles at Lambeau Field, 53-20. They won six of their last seven games.

The best defensive player in the NFL, Texans J.J. Watt does it all, even on offense. Check out the over the shoulder catch by Watt for the touchdown against the Browns. That's Watt's second offensive touchdown this year and fourth overall. He played tight end in high school and his freshman year in college, which explains his fast catching expertise. Texans would go on to win and the J.J. Watt legend grows.

And your outrage video of the morning from the Saints and Bengals game yesterday. After a Bengals touchdown, a ball meant for the woman in the Bengals jersey in the front row gets intercepted by a Saints fan, elbows in the face and then he wants no part of her begging. All did end well as she did get a replacement souvenir ball.

But, Christine, the Saints fans were on her side. They were chanting, "Give her the ball." The guy who intercepted the ball said he kept it because he caught it. So, what can you do?

ROMANS: It was meant for her, right? It was.

RUTLEDGE: It was meant for her. Definitely for her.

ROMANS: The cameras are rolling everywhere all the time. But I guess he really wanted the ball.

All right. Thanks, Laura. Nice to see you this morning.

Grief and anger this morning over the murder of an American hostage killed by ISIS. We are live with the very latest on that story after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)