Transcripts For KPIX CBS Evening News With Norah ODonnell 20200827

News tonight, the arrest of a 17yearold from illinois after two protesters were shot dead in kenosha, wisconsin. The teen was caught on camera earlier in the night saying he was trying to protect a gas station. Convention fallout. Reaction tonight after unprecedented use of the white house for a political event. And, with that powerful trricane barreling its way to the gulf coast, will the storm upend the president s huge finale plan for the south lawn . Stunning reversal. In a dramatic aboutface, the c. D. C. Suddenly changes its guidelines for who should get tested for the coronavirus. Was there pressure from the president . Superstar in space a big day for Jeanette Epps. Why this astronaut is making history tonight. This is the cbs evening news with norah odonnell, reporting from the nations capital. Odonnell good evening to our viewers in the west. And thank you for joining us. Were going to begin with breaking news tonight, and a dire warning to americans in the path of hurricane laura. As we come on the air, the monster category 4 storm is on a collision course with the texas and louisiana coastlines, and it is growing stronger by the minute. Tonight, laura is on her way to becoming a catastrophic category 5 hurricane when she barrels into land just a few hours from now, nearly 15 years to the day of hurricane katrina. The unprecedented storm is now expected to leave parts of the region under the gulf of mexico for days, unleashing a two storytall storm surge on the coast that forecasters say will be unsurvivable. A wall of water so high, it could submerge half of the city of lake charles, louisiana. The damage from the 140mile perhour winds and torrential rains will also be devastating. Tonight, 1. 5 Million People have been evacuated, and 30 million more people are in the path of the storm. Those who havent left are being told to get out now or risk their lives. As the gulf coast braces for hurricane laura, some 1,100 miles north, the city of kenosha, wisconsin is bracing for more violent clashes in its streets. Tonight, a 17yearold from illinois is in custody there, accused of killing two protesters with an Assault Rifle overnight, all part of an escalation of anger and violence in the wake of the shooting of a black man by police on sunday. Theres a lot of new reporting as we come on the air tonight, and our team of correspondents is standing by to cover it all. Cbs Omar Villafranca is going to lead off our coverage tonight from lake charles, louisiana, which could soon be under water. Good evening, omar. N reporter thats right, norah, when this storm makes landfall, the surge is expected to be well above my head. The Louisiana National guard has been activated. Theres a curfew in place that starts at 7 00 p. M. , and thats because meteorologists say more than half of lake charles could be under water. More than 30 Million People are in the path of the giant storm. Along the texas and louisiana gulf coast, many are still preparing for lauras punch, while others opt to get out of the way. Lake charles mayor nic hunter says people who refuse to evacuate are in great danger. But i can guarantee you, theres going to be a large portion of the city thats going to see some pretty significant storm surge, so if you are here, youre going to have to hunker down. Reporter the storm surge is expected to be as high as 20 feet, with flooding as far as feet w 40 miles inland. Fema administrator pete gaynor told cbs news the surge will be unsurvivable in cameron parish, just south of lake charles. Laura is expected to make landfall overnight, but already, floodwaters are making roads and parking lots impassable in Lafourche Parish to the east. The category 4 storm is following the track of hurricane rita, which barreled into the gulf coast 15 years ago, causing 12 billion in damage. Omr villafranca, cbs news, lake charles, louisiana. Reporter im Mireya Villarreal near beaumont, texas, where families are rushing to get out of town before hurricane laura makes landfall. Lloynisha daniels, with her husband and four kids, will board a bus to evacuate but have no idea where theyll end up. The way its looking, it dont look like theres something we can survive. And i read that, you know, be safe than sorry. Reporter some evacuees are being housed in hotels because of coronavirus concerns. Shelters in texas and louisiana hotelsling up fast and doing everything they can to keep people safe from the storm and the virus. Everybody comes in, were spraying hands, were taking temperatures, and were keeping people social distancing, and were doing every precaution that we can do because of the pandemic. Reporter back in port arthur, crews are securing the levee system to help hold back the storm surge that officials warn could be unsurvivable. We urge everybody who may be in harms way to take these few last hours to get out of harms way. Reporter some of the evacuees that we spoke with are going to cities as far away as san antonio. Thats 300 miles from here. There is a mandatory curfew in place. It starts at 10 00 tonight, so right now, people have until then to get out, and if they dont, they will be forced to shelter in place throughout this eyorm. Do norah. Odonnell all right, Mireya Villarreal, thank you. Cbs lonnie quinn is tracking lauras path, and, lonnie, is this storm still getting stronger . Yeah, norah, it still is, and i think its still going to continue to get stronger as it makes landfall. But as of right now, its right around the coastline, still offshore officially, by 135 miles, from lake charles, louisiana. Its a cat 4, 145 Miles Per Hour. So, pretty good strong cat 4. It may become a cat 5 as it makes landfall, but we do think it will probably be a cat 4 still. But its 150 Miles Per Hour. If it gets to 157, which is a possibility, then it would be a cat 5. But for people who are in this toea and are staying put because rita in 2005 took almost the exact same path. If you survived that and are thinking, okay, ill sit tight on this one as well, rita was a cat 3. This is bigger and its badder. What are we talking about . Were talking winds 120 to 150 Miles Per Hour around the lake charles area. Were talking that wind threat to extend inland as well, but its really toughest around the coastline. In terms of the flooding concern that even goes deeper inland. But were talking a foot of rain in 12 hours time. But the granddaddy of them all is going to be the storm surge this is forecast at 15 to 20 foot storm surge around lake charles. I saw a projection saying 15. 5. The record is 13, and 13 put half the city under water. I think this could be worse, norah. Odonnell the most frightening projection i have ever heard. Lonnie quinn, thank you. Another major story were following, n. B. A. Players are sitting out tonights playoff games an extraordinary move, sitting out tonights three playoff games in an extraordinary move to protest the Police Shooting of jacob blake in kenosha, wisconsin. Three people were shot, two fatally, during overnight protests, and tonight a 17year old from out of town is being held on suspicion of first degree intentional homicide. Cbs mola lenghi reports tonight from kenosha. Reporter the shootings erupted just before midnight. The shooter, alleged to be 17yearold kyle rittenhouse. It allegedly began when he shot one person in the head at this boardedup business, then fired on protesters in the middle of the street as they tried to subdue him. He just shot them reporter the gunman is then seen walking past multiple Law Enforcement vehicles with his hands raised, Assault Rifle in tow, leaving the scene without being stopped. Today, rittenhouse was taken into custody in his hometown of antioch, illinois, just 15 miles from kenosha, and is being held on firstdegree intentional homicide charges. Two people. Are dead. This is not a police action. This is not the action i believe this is not a police action. This is not the action i believe of those who set out to do protests. Reporter earlier in the day, the suspected shooter says he was there to guard the community. So you guys are full on ready to defend the property . Yes, we are. Reporter wednesday evening, Wisconsin Attorney general josh kaul released the first details into his departments investigation into the jacob blake shooting. Kaul said three officers were involved in the incident, but only one, rusten sheskey, fired all seven shots. Kaul added that blake admitted to officers that he had a knife, and that one was ultimately recovered on the floor board of the s. U. V. Near where blake was shot. The players say they are going to boycott. Reporter tonight, all three n. B. A. Playoff games are on hold after the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted their game just before tipoff. This after Los Angeles Clippers head coach doc rivers was noticeably frustrated last night. Weve been hung. Weve been shot. And. All you do is keep hearing about fear. Its. Its amazing to me. Why we keep loving this country, and this country does not love us back. Country does not love us back. Reporter well, now theres well, hat baseballs Milwaukee Brewers are canceling their game tonight. Meanwhile, the Kenosha County sheriff said today that he welcomes peaceful protesters, but warned that Law Enforcement will be more assertive with anyone breaking the law tonight, including staying out past curfew, which has been bumped up an hour to 7 00 p. M. The mayor of kenosha also said today that armed militias are aid welcome, norah. Toda odonnell all right, mola lenghi, thank you. We turn now to night three of the Republican National convention. Vice president pence takes the stage tonight at fort mchenry in baltimore. President trump and the white house is preparing for his thursday address, as that monster storm barrels toward the gulf coast. D res cbs paula reid. Some people may get insulted, but thats the way it is. Reporter with the president focused mainly on the Republican National convention this week, he has shown a noticeable lack of Public Interest in the preparations for the hurricane barreling toward the gulf coast. Femas Storm Operations Center in washington is up and running, ington is up aiefed the president only once, yesterday, and besides this tweet urging president only once, yesterday, residents to listen to local officials, mr. Trump has not spoken publicly about the storm stnce sunday. Unfortunately, we have some very, very powerful natural disasters. Reporter its a stark contrast to previous hurricanes where the president made a point of being briefed multiple times where the president made a point of being briefed on camera, supported by charts showing the storms path, including one he famously cldified with a sharpie. You follow the rules, you obey the laws. Reporter President Trump stoked new controversy last night, hosting this naturalization ceremony inside the white house as part of the convention, a political display that clashed with his record of antiimmigration rhetoric and policies. All the rules, norms, values that have made this country great, donald trump will destroy them. Reporter the ceremony, orchestrated by acting d. H. S. Secretary chad wolf, was widely condemned as a possible violation of the hatch act, prohibiting federal employees from engaging in political activity. White house chief of staff mark meadows dismissed the criticism. Nobody outside of the beltway really cares. Reporter Melania Trump also broke with tradition, giving her speech last night in the white house rose garden, where she addressed the deaths from covid19, a topic largely ignored during the convention. My deepest sympathy goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one. Reporter following Vice President pences headline turn tonight, tomorrow President Trump will give his acceptance speech here at the white house in front of a group of over 1,000 people, and his address will be followed by a fireworks display over the national mall. Norah. Odonnell it will be a packed crowd. Paula reid, thank you. And this programming note well have live coverage of the Republican National convention, thats beginning tonight at 7 00 pacific. We hope youll join us again. Tonight, theres new concern among experts, including dr. Anthony fauci, that testing for the coronavirus may fall off after the c. D. C. Suddenly changed its guidelines. Now, this comes as cases are rising among children and college students. Total cases in the u. S. Now top 5. 8 million. The virus has killed more than 179,000. Heres cbs manuel bojorquez. Reporter the new c. D. C. Guidance suggests some who have had exposure to the virus but have no symptoms do not necessarily need a test, a stark departure from its previous stance that testing is recommended for all close contacts. Thats alarmed some scientists. Were you taken aback by that change . Yeah, i was certainly surprised to read it. There was no explanation of it. I am concerned, and id like to know why the change was made. Reporter a health and Human Services official today denied pressure from the white house forced the change, but cbs news has learned, the White House Coronavirus task force was behind it. Late today, californias governor gavin newsom said the state will simply ignore it. I dont agree with the new c. D. C. Guidance, period, full stop. Reporter more than 26,000 cases have been confirmed at colleges and universities nationwide, and as some k12 schools reopen, the American Academy of pediatrics reported a rise in childhood cases of 21 in a recent twoweek period. Nationwide, cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are down, but theres a long way to go. Were still generating 30,000, 40,000 new cases per day, hundreds of people are still dying every day. Thats a very high level. Its much worse than when we opened up at the end of may. Reporter still, some restaurants here in Miamidade County may soon be able to bring their dining back indoors with some restrictions. The mayor said it could happen as early as monday. Norah. Odonnell manuel bojorquez, thank you. Theres also encouraging news tonight in the race for a coronavirus vaccine. Moderna said today that its potential vaccine triggered a promising immune response in older patients. All of the volunteers produced antibodies that build immunity to covid, and the older patients produced them at levels comparable to those who have recovered from covid. We want to turn now to a special tribute for a generation of pioneers. 100 years ago today, the 19th amendment cleared its final hurdle and became the law of the land, giving women the right to vote. To celebrate, a group of prominent women are honoring the heroes who inspired them. They blazed a trail through the streets that led women to the polls. It gives us the power to determine the course of our lives and the direction of our country. Odonnell a century later, these former first ladies. The first woman in my family to vote. My mother, jenna welch. Odonnell . Are joining a chorus of females celebrating the hardwon right to vote by saluting the first women who exercised it. I was really taken by her suffrage activism. Odonnell anne gass is the greatgranddaughter of florence whitehouse, a suffragist who lived at this home in maine. She spoke out, she spoke her mind, at a time when women were kind of expected to accept the crumbs from lifes table. Odonnell by the start of the 20th century, the battle for suffrage was one of the largest mass movements in u. S. History. Women marched by the thousands, turning up the heat on congress and the president , until on august 26, 1920, when the 19th amendment became the law of the land. I want to salute my grandma grffett, who lived in montana. My grandmother, maddie lorraine. Odonnell but for African American women, the battle went on 45 more years, until the Voting Rights act guaranteed their right to vote. Roslyn brock once chaired the n. A. A. C. P. Her great grandmother, cousie pittman, a farmer in the jim crow south, couldnt vote until she was 59. She was ready to cast that firstofalifetime opportunity, not only on behalf of her, but the generations who have come after her. Odonnell today, women vote in greater numbers than men. I was inspired to vote by my vote by m my grandmom jacobs. My grandmother lulu johnson. Odonnell and this will be the 26th president ial election since women t the vote. A right we should never take for granted. And there is still much more news ahead on tonights cbs evening news. He resigned in a cloud of scandal, but Jerry Falwell jr. Still gets a golden parachute worth millions. And later, the woman who will soon be blazing new trails in space. Blazing new trails in space. Okay. Okay guys guys check it out. Safe drivers save 40 safe drivers save 40 safe drivers save 40 thats safe drivers save 40 . It is, thats safe drivers save 40 . Hes right there. Its him hes here. Hes right here. Hi hi. Hey thats totally him. Its him thats totally the guy. Safe drivers do save 40 . Click or call for a quote today. 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And coming up soon, our coverage of night three of the Republican National convention. Thats at 7 00 pacific. Well see you then. Captioning sponsored by cbs captioned by Media Access Group at wg when i was diagnosed with dupuytrens contracture, i waited to get treated. Thought surgery was my only option. But then i found out about nonsurgical treatments. It was a total game changer. Learn more about the condition at factsonhand. Com itcan it help with snoring . Le of the year on the sleep number 360 smart bed. It was a total game changer. Ive never heard snoring. Exactly. No problem. And done and now, all beds are on sale. Save 50 on the sleep number 360 limited Edition Smart bed. Only for a limited time. Captioning funded by cbs s lets reelect President Trump and Vice President pence for four more years. Keeping America Great is up to us, and losing is not an option. Be a radical for freedom. Be a radical for liberty. And be a radical for our republic for which i stand. The common american. This is who President Trump is fighting for. To every proud american who bleeds red, white, and blue, my father will continue to fight for you