American Morning
State senators spar over Wisconsin bill
Wisconsin governor Scott Walker is pushing a new bill which, if passed, would take away teachers' unions' collective bargaining rights and would require that teachers contribute more to their pensions. Republicans are saying tightening the state's belt is necessary in the current economic crisis but Democrats say the bill is a drastic action that would ruin unions. Meanwhile, Democratic state senators have left the state in an effort to stall the vote on the bill.
We're getting both sides of the story from Wisconsin State Senators Jon Erpenbach (D), who's in Chicago, and Glenn Grothman (R) this morning.
Teachers’ leader lauds Democrats who hid
Thousands gathered in Madison, Wisconsin Thursday to protest a bill being pushed forward by Governor Scott Walker. If passed, the bill would strip teachers' unions of their collective bargaining rights and would require that they contribute more to their benefits. In response, Democratic state senators skipped town Thursday, stalling a vote on the divisive bill.
Bryan Kennedy, the President of the American Federation of Teachers-Wisconsin represents about 17,000 workers who would be affected by the bill Governor Walker is proposing. Kennedy speaks to American Morning's T.J. Holmes about the Wisconsin protests.
"Glee" star and Special Olympics fight bullying of special needs students
According to the British Journal of Learning Support, 60% of students with special needs reported being bullied compared to 25% of the general student population.
But Lauren Potter, the actress who plays Becky Jackson on "Glee", and Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of the Special Olympics, are teaming up to try to stop bullying of kids with special needs. The Special Olympics, AbilityPath.org and Best Buddies are launching "Disable Bullying", a campaign designed to engage policymakers, parents and educators to stop such behavior. Potter and Shriver talk to CNN's T.J. Holmes about their new campaign.
High rate of harassment, sexual assault in Egypt and other Arab nations
CBS News correspondent Lara Logan is recovering in a U.S. hospital after being sexually assaulted Friday in Tahrir Square.
Unfortunately, Logan's experience isn't unique; according to a 2008 survey by the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights, 83% of Cairo women and 98% of foreign women in Cairo said they had been harassed. Mona Eltahawy is an Egyptian columnist and, since Logan's attack, has turned her Twitter account into a forum for discussion about women's rights in the Arab world and about the attack on Logan. Eltahawy speaks to American Morning's Kiran Chetry.
Sec. Arne Duncan responds to Wisconsin teacher protests
Teachers in Wisconsin called in sick today, protesting Governor Scott Walker's plan to try to take away collective bargaining rights from the teachers' union.
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan responds to the protests in Wisconsin and says teachers are "doing probably the most important work in society". Education Secretary Arne Duncan talks to American Morning's T.J. Holmes.
Victoria Beckham: From Posh Spice to posh designer
Victoria Beckham is in New York showcasing the fall 2011 collection of her eponymous fashion-line at Fashion Week.
The former singer and wife of soccer star David Beckham opens up to American Morning's Alina Cho about her career, her family and her singing past.
For more information on Victoria Beckham's fashion designs, visit VictoriaBeckham.com.
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