American Morning
Is spanking counterproductive?
(CNN) – Spanking is most certainly a hot-button issue. Many parents still believe in it, but the American Academy of Pediatrics does not.
A new study shows spanking your kids may not only be ineffective, but it can backfire. Researchers at Tulane University found children who were spanked frequently at 3-years-old were 50 percent more likely to become aggressive by the age of five.
Catherine Taylor co-authored the study published in the Journal of Pediatrics and she joined us on Tuesday's American Morning to discuss its findings.
Divided over Confederate history
(CNN) – It started when Virginia's Governor, Bob McDonnell, reinstated April as Confederate History Month in his state. But during his announcement, the governor failed to make any mention of the word "slavery."
He has apologized, calling slavery "evil and inhumane," but that hasn't stopped the controversy. Matthew Whitworth, a student at Virginia Commonwealth University, supports observing Confederate History Month. He joined us on Friday's American Morning, along with Iman Shabazz, vice chairman for the Richmond Peace Education Center, who's against it.
Read more: Gov. McDonnell apologizes for omitting slavery in Confederacy proclamation
Mixed messages from climate review panel
(CNN) – They were the e-mails read around the globe, leaked communications from a scientist. Skeptics called them proof of a conspiracy to mislead the public into believing in global warming.
Now, the first formal investigation into Climate-gate is over. To break down these developments we were joined on Friday's American Morning by Michael MacCracken, chief scientist for climate change programs at the Climate Institute, and Stephen Mcintyre, editor of climateaudit.org.
Perkins: RNC 'tone deaf' to supporters
(CNN) – The Republican National Committee has come under fire in the past for its lavish spending on limousines and private jets, and more recently for picking up a nearly $2,000 tab for an outing at a strip club near Los Angeles.
Tony Perkins, a prominent conservative and president of the Family Research Council, is now urging people not to donate to the RNC. He writes, in part:
"...the RNC is completely tone-deaf to the values and concerns of a large number of people from whom they seek financial support. ... If you want to put money into the political process ... give directly to candidates who you know reflect your values."
Perkins joined us on Thursday's American Morning to explain more about why he is urging people to stop giving money to the RNC.
Read more: Conservative leader tells donors to stop giving to RNC
Do 'mean girls' make 'mean women'?
(CNN) – The movie "Mean Girls" explored the cliques and conflicts that come with high school, but as we've seen in too many real-life cases – most recently in western Massachusetts – teen bullying can have tragic results. And it often involves girls hurting other girls.
Erika Holiday and Joan Rosenberg wrote the book "Mean Girls, Meaner Women." They joined us on Thursday's American Morning.
Father says daughter bullied at South Hadley H.S.
(CNN) – More students have been kicked out of South Hadley High School in Massachusetts after prosecutors say their bullying led to the suicide of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince.
Nine students have been charged and the allegation that the bullying went this far has some parents calling for the South Hadley superintendent and high school principal to resign. Some say the school waited to address the bullying until it was too late.
Mitch Bouillard says his daughter was bullied for over three years by one of the students accused in the Phoebe Prince case. He's part of an anti-bullying task force and joined us on Wednesday's American Morning from South Hadley, Massachusetts.
Read more: Expulsions in bullying suicide case
Is your child being bullied? How to know, cope and make it stop
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
On Twitter
