American Morning
US Postmaster General: Postal service needs 'radical change'
The U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe testified at a Senate hearing yesterday, telling Congress that the Postal Service is likely to default on its financial obligations and could face insolvency by this time next year unless lawmakers grant dramatic financial reforms.
Donahoe asked lawmakers to allow him to make "radical" changes to the Post Office operations in an attempt to balance its books, floating ideas such as eliminating Saturday delivery, closing 3,700 Post office locations, and laying off 120,000 workers.
The Obama administration responded to Donahoe's testimony by saying that it will try to prevent the Postal Service from defaulting by proposing to give it an extra three months to make its $5.5 billion payment for retirees' future health coverage.
Postmaster General Donahoe talks with Ali Velshi today on American Morning to explain the problems that the Post Office is facing and to discuss potential solutions.
Amazing surgery saves grandmother's hand
Last week, Patricia Marvin, a 63-year-old grandmother from Ohio, accidentally severed her hand while using a power saw to build part of a deck. Although it was a horrifying experience, Marvin went into surgery to reattach her hand and her story actually has a very happy ending.
This morning, Dr. Sanjay Gupta shares Marvin's remarkable story on American Morning and gives the latest updates on Marvin's condition.
Starbucks CEO Schultz: 'Enough is enough' in Washington
Howard Schultz may know how to brew a great cup of coffee, but lately the Starbucks Coffee CEO is more concerned about waking up our elected officials in Washington.
And he's calling on fellow leaders of industry to hit those politicians where it hurts - in the wallet.
Schultz talks live with Ali Velshi on American Morning this morning to explain why he thinks asking Americans to tell their lawmakers to work together is the key to getting the U.S. out of this economic slump.
Will a $300 billion jobs plan turn the economy around?
We're learning more about the President's jobs plan this morning, including it's potential price tag.
Democratic sources tell our chief White House correspondent Jessica Yellin that the President will call for an extension of payroll tax cuts and unemployment benefits.
Also believed to be included in President Obama's plan:
* Spending on infrastructure, including renovating dilapidated schools.
* Funds for first responders.
The plan would cost $300 billion, but would be offset by the same amount in spending cuts.
This morning on American Morning, The Washington Post's Perry Bacon and economist Steve Bell on if President Obama's rumored $300 billion jobs bill is enough to improve the economy and lower the unemployment rate.
'Star Trek's' Lt. Uhura explains NASA's new missle launch
Though NASA's shuttle program ended this summer, the space agency's quest to explore the universe isn't over.
On Thursday, NASA is scheduled to launch a Delta 2 rocket carrying twin GRAIL spacecraft – GRAIL short for "Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory." It is the space agency's first step towards landing the next generation of astronauts on the moon.
Many people have been involved in this effort, although one woman's involvement may come as a surprise to some. Nichelle Nicols, better known as Lt. Uhura from the classic sci-fi show "Star Trek," helped to recruit NASA astronauts. "Star Trek" will celebrate its 45th anniversary of the first airing of the series this week on the same day that the rocket is set to launch.
Nicols joins American Morning live from Captain James Kirk's actual seat from the show at the Kennedy Space Center this morning to discuss NASA's missile launch and her experience in "Star Trek."
Political panel: How bold does Obama need to be with his jobs speech?
Saying that the country's infrastructure needs work and the time for action is now, President Obama offered a hint of the ideas he'll be putting forth this Thursday to create jobs. Obama is expected to argue that the government must do more to spur job growth, investment and economic expansion.
However, even with the economy slowing, many are unsure if lawmakers are going to be able to agree on any of the proposals Obama may detail this week. Many of the people around Obama have adopted a "give 'em hell" style speech to pressure lawmakers into cooperating, but it's unclear as to whether the president will embrace this type of style.
Today on American Morning, Hilary Rosen, CNN political contributor and Ron Brownstein, CNN senior political analyst, discuss if Obama needs to take a hard stance in his jobs speech.
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