American Morning
CNN Heroes: To the rescue - finding a purpose for rejected shelter dogs
Santa Paula, California (CNN) - When disaster strikes and people are buried in rubble, there's often no better search tool than a dog's nose.
It's a valuable asset that has already been utilized several times this year. Trained search dogs, along with their human handlers, have provided help in high-profile disasters such as the Japan earthquake in March and the Joplin, Missouri, tornado in May.
"After a disaster, there is a window of opportunity for finding live people," said Wilma Melville, founder of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. "The first eight hours are critical."
There are about 250 search-and-rescue teams, each made up of a dog and a handler, that are certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But Melville says that's half as many as there should be.
U.S. Open enters third round – Can Americans compete on their home court?
So who is your pick to win the U.S. Open?
We've already seen Venus Williams drop out of the ladies draw, citing an autoimmune disease. And on the men's side, many fans complain the Americans just can't stand up to the style and skill of the international tennis stars.
This morning on American Morning, Carol, Ali and Christine speak with Jim Courier, former number one world tennis player and CBS Sports analyst. They asked him if concerns about skill limitations are valid, and which tennis stars he thinks will go all the way in this year's competition.
In addition Courier will be playing in the 2011 Champions series in Ft. Lauderdale on September 22nd. For more information visit: Championsseriestennis.com.
U.S. economy added no jobs in August, according to jobs report released this morning
The federal government reported the worst unemployment number since September 2010 this morning in its jobs report, which stated that the U.S. economy added no jobs in August. The unemployment rate stayed steady at 9.1%.
As President Obama prepares to make his jobs speech next Thursday, these are very disappointing numbers that indicate that the economy is looking bleaker.
Kenneth Rogoff, professor of economics at Harvard University, weighs in on the unemployment rate today on American Morning.
"It is discouraging but it's not that surprising," Rogoff says. "We have not left the recession. I think that is the point most Americans understand"
Rogoff also weighs in on the state of the economy and what could bring relief to the American people in Obama's speech next week.
"Confidence," he says. "People and companies need confidence that this is going to turn around."
Plant-based diet a major component of heart health
Throughout this week, we've been talking to chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta about the heart healthy tips he learned while shooting his latest documentary, "The Last Heart Attack."
Although it's not something that patients regularly hear their doctors talk about, one major component of heart health is eating a plant-based diet.
Dr. Gupta explains the benefits of this type of diet on American Morning today.
If you want to learn more about diet and heart disease and what you can do to be "heart attack proof," tune in on Saturday at 8pET for Dr. Sanjay Gupta Reports, "The Last Heart Attack."
New study: 9/11 first responders much more likely to develop cancer
According to a new study headed by the chief medical officer of the New York City Fire Department, firefighters who were exposed to toxic dust after the World Trade Center towers collapsed ten years ago are much more likely to develop cancer.
Researchers found that firefighters at Ground Zero face a nineteen percent greater risk of cancer than firefighters who weren't there.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, chief medical correspondent, joins American Morning today to explain what exactly is making the first responders sick and whether or not these people will be able to get medical coverage as a result of the new study.
Tea Party-backed group calls Romney 'poseur,' protests his appearance at Tea Party event
In his bid for the 2012 GOP presidential ticket, Mitt Romney has so far not made much effort in terms of reaching out to the Tea Party. However, this will chance on Sunday when he makes his debut at a Tea Party Express bus tour stop in New Hampshire.
One Tea Party-backed group FreedomWorks – founded by "Tea Party Godfather" Dick Armey – is protesting Romney's appearance, saying they have to defend the Tea Party against "poseurs."
Sarah Palin will also attend a Tea Party event on Saturday, following back and forth drama over whether her or Christine O'Donnell should be on the event's program. Palin will be speaking at the "Restoring America Event" in Indianola, a function that generated national buzz as she approaches a final decision about whether to run for president.
Matt Kibbe, President and CEO of FreedomWorks who has been called "one of the masterminds" of Tea Party politics by Newsweek, joins Carol Costello on American Morning today to explain why the group is against Romney's appearance and to weigh in on infighting within the Tea Party.
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