American Morning
World's biggest fire extinguisher deployed to L.A.
The biggest fire extinguisher in the world – a converted 747 – is now helping firefighters push back the flames north of Los Angeles.
The deadly Station fire is now burning into more remote areas of the Angeles National Forest. Firefighters say containment's at 28 percent but they're still worried the flames could spread to communities like Pasadena and Arcadia. CNN's Rob Marciano reports.
NYC bridge guards fired for napping
The whistle has been blown and the ax has fallen on two guards who were hired to protect New York's George Washington Bridge.
The bridge is considered a prime target for terrorists. The guards were caught sleeping on the job by a bicyclist. CNN's Deb Feyerick spoke to the guy who caught them napping.
Educating America: Sex ed is back
Since President Obama cut federal funding for the “abstinence-only” sex education program, many schools across the country are implementing more comprehensive sex education classes. North Carolina is one of them.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/03/nc.teen.preg.art.jpg caption="The teen pregnancy rate in North Carolina rose more than 12 percent from 2003 to 2007, according to the state's health department figures."]
Since 1996, North Carolina law required teachers to tell teenagers they were “expected” to abstain from “sexual activity outside of marriage.” However, the law did not have the lasting effect on teenagers officials had hoped.
“They've gotten pregnant more often. Imagine that,” says Gaston County Health Director Colleen Bridger. “Our STD rates are going up. Our pregnancy rates are going up.”
According to North Carolina Health Department figures, from 2003 to 2007 the teenage pregnancy rate rose more than 12 percent. North Carolina now has the ninth highest teen pregnancy rate in the country.
CNN spoke to some students who lobbied lawmakers for a change in the law to allow teachers to tell high school students about contraception – because of their experiences in "abstinence only” classes in high school.
“People were raising their hands and asking really interesting questions and she wasn't able to answer them just because the curriculum told her you know you only can talk about this and this but you know not this and this and this,” recounts Eli MacDonald, 16.
Gabriella Magallanes, 19, remembers her teacher telling the class to "wait to have sex until you get married," and that "condoms won’t work." If you have sex, "you're going to get an STD and die.” Magallanes adds: “When kids hear that, they shut their ears off, they just stop listening.”
What’s on Tap – Thursday, September 03, 2009
Here are the big stories on the agenda today.
- The White House trying to take back the health care debate. After weeks of fiery town halls and months of political deadlock on Capitol Hill, CNN has learned that President Obama will make a major speech to Congress next Wednesday, just one day after lawmakers come back from their August recess. So what can we expect to hear? Our Senior White House Correspondent, Ed Henry, took that question straight to the president's senior adviser, David Axelrod. It's an interview you'll only see on CNN.
- How do you miss a 60 billion dollar scam? Well, a new report is now blaming the Securities and Exchange Commission for not spotting Bernie Madoff's multi-billion dollar ponzi scheme. The SEC's inspector general calls investigations into Madoff “incompetent,” citing "more than ample evidence,” including six complaints, some dating to 1992 that should have set off a red flag.
- And New York’s George Washington Bridge is considered a prime terror target. So why were two security guards sleeping on the job? They've been punished. And we caught up with the guy who caught them napping.
- Congress has scrapped a lot of funding for abstinence-only sex ed. in schools. And while some are happy with the changes, critics are worried teachers are telling your kids too much about the facts of life. Some schools are offering free STD tests. Our Carol Costello joins us live from Washington with the latest in our "Educating America" series.
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
