American Morning

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January 21st, 2011
08:12 AM ET

Eliot Spitzer: 'This is your grandfather's mob'

New York (CNN) - In one of the largest single-day operations against the Mafia in FBI history, federal agents working with local law enforcement fanned out across Italy, New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island to arrest 127 people allegedly involved in organized crime, officials said.

Alleged members from the five prominent New York families - the Gambino, Colombo, Bonanno, Genovese and Lucchese families - were arrested Thursday, based on 16 indictments in four different jurisdictions, Attorney General Eric Holder said during a news conference in New York.

"Today's arrests and charges mark an important step forward in disrupting La Cosa Nostra's illegal activities," he said, referring to the criminal organization by its Italian name.

Ninety-one members and their associates, including one in Italy, were charged with federal crimes that include conspiracy, arson, extortion, narcotics trafficking, illegal gambling, labor racketeering and murders that date back as far as 1981, according to a U.S. Justice Department statement.

Eliot Spitzer is a former prosecutor and the co-host of CNN's "Parker Spitzer." He talks about the arrests with Kiran Chetry and T.J. Holmes on American Morning.


Filed under: Crime
January 20th, 2011
12:31 PM ET

NFL Star Terrell Owens tackles Alzheimer's awareness

Editor's Note: Find out more about the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org

He might be remembered as being one of the best wide receivers of the 2000's or as the star of Vh1's "The TO Show" but what NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens wants to be remembered as, is an advocate for Alzheimer's awareness.

Owens's grandmother, Alice, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1996 and since then Owens has been a vocal supporter of awareness. One in eight people aged 65 and older (13%) have Alzheimer's and that number is expected to rise in the future. Terrell Owens talks about his cause with T.J. Holmes and Kiran Chetry.


Filed under: Health • Sports
January 20th, 2011
11:54 AM ET

Perry's Principles: does ticketing kids for misbehavior work?

Today on American Morning, Steve Perry tells T.J. Holmes about a new method being used in Texas to punish children as young as 6. Instead of sending students to detention or the principal's office, some schools are handing out tickets.

Hear what Steve Perry, CNN Education Contributor and Founder of Capital Preparatory Magnet School, has to say in today's Perry's Principles segment.


Filed under: American Morning • Education • Perry's Principles
January 20th, 2011
10:21 AM ET

TIME magazine tackles 'Tiger Mother' parenting philosophy

Author and Professor Amy Chua garnered a lot of attention following the release of her book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother and Wall Street Journal article "Why Chinese Mothers are Superior". The article in particular struck a chord with the American public–it has been read over a million times– as Chua seemed to take a jab at American parenting.

As she told Kiran Chetry last week on American Morning, Chua claims traditional Chinese parenting, which stresses discipline, hard work and perseverance, leads to successful and competitive children. TIME magazine's latest issue out today puts the effectiveness of Chua's strict parenting methods to the test. However, though the merit of such methods is still up for debate as many take issue with Chua's somewhat harsh approach.

Kiran Chetry sits down with Annie Murphy Paul, Contributor for TIME Magazine and author of "Origins", to discuss TIME's take on topic of parenting.


Filed under: American Morning
January 20th, 2011
09:51 AM ET

Surgeon General launches breastfeeding 'call to action'

The U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin wants breastfeeding to be easier for mothers. Dr. Benjamin is launching a "Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding" because of the low numbers of mothers who breastfeed in the United States. Dr. Benjamin says there are various health benefits that come with breastfeeding, but it's difficult for many women to reap those benefits as they continue to try to breastfeed while working.

American Morning's Kiran Chetry talks with Dr. Benjamin about her new initiative.


Filed under: Health
January 20th, 2011
08:59 AM ET

Rep. Judy Chu: State dinner for President Jintao showed 'respect'

"The food was divine, the setting was beautiful, the entertainment was magical. It was incredible."

The guest list was enviable, the menu was mouth-watering and according to Representative Judy Chu, D, California, last night's state dinner in Washington D.C. was "spectacular." The state dinner marked the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Washington D.C. The guest list ranged from former presidents in Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter to Hollywood celebrities such as Jackie Chan and Barbra Streisand.

Chu tells American Morning's T.J. Holmes that Chinese president Hu Jintao was looking for respect in visiting the United States this week and was shown a "great deal of respect" in last night's dinner.


Filed under: China • President Barack Obama
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