flattening homes, flooding out the roads, the grim flyover coming up next. >> a republican language barrier. rick santorum and mitt romney sparring over english in puerto rico. >> just needs to be a bilingual country and not just spanish-speaking and right now it's overwhelmingly spanish speaking and needs to fully integrate. >> fallout. will rick santorum's stand cost him delegates and latino votes. ipad fever is gripping the planet. the tablets are flying off the store shelves sending apple's stock price soaring to unprecedented heights. >> it is one minute now past 5:00. new details about the soldier accused of killing 16 afghan civilians in cold blood. "the new york times" is quoting a senior u.s. official saying that that soldier, quote, just snapped suggesting it might have been as a result of a combination of stress and alcohol. >> the shooting suspect now has a lawyer, john henry brown. brown says the suspect is a highly decorated soldier. he was injured twice during three tours of duty in iraq and was not happy about being deployed for a fourth time to afghanistan. brown also says another soldier on the base was gravely injured right before the killings. he was asked what he wants the public to know about his new client. >> it's a tragedy all the way around. there's no question about that. i think it's of interest that we have a soldier who has an exemplary record, decorated soldier who was injured in iraq to his brain and to his body and then despite that setback, i think that's an issue, i think it's a concern. i think the message for the public in general is that he's one of our boys, we need to treat him fairly. >> inning afghanistan there is fallout from the massacre and threatening ining to hurt our relationship. hamid karzai wants us out of villages. joining us from washington. james "spider" marks and former commander officer. spider marks, right off the bat, the commands that we seem to be getting from hamid karzai, the afghan president who move out of the villages and go back, "a," do we take our cues from karzai and, "b," what's the point of being there if we're not in the villages. >> clearly this is circumstantial. to answer your first question, we don't take our cues or follow orders from president karzai. but he's our host. we're there at his behest. we have an agreement with president karzai and in this particular instance it makes sense both to the united states and to afghanistan that we lower the international heat, we lower the u.s. profile, get out of the villages, get back on to the forward operating bases and protected area where the u.s. soldiers and marines on the ground routinely operate and emanate their operations from so makes perfect sense in the near term and i also need to tell you that although we'll be out of the villages, it won't be forever, it'll be for a short amount of time until the heat is lowered a little bit but still we haven't giving up our ability to collect intelligence and not lose the pulse of what's going on so we're not entirely blind based on this request. it is unprecedented but this is an unprecedented series of events, the koran burning and now this killing of afghan civilians, so this is a little bit of a different circumstance and you have to modify and adjust accordingly. >> general marks, what's your mission there? i was always under the impression off the bat after 9/11 off we went in november of '01 to find osama bin laden. he's been found. we didn't like the host. we got rid of the taliban so now what are we trying to do? >> we have an agreement with the afghan government to ensure that they are in a position to resist the incursion and return of any other kinds of terrorist organizations that will threaten the viability of that government. has our mission increased? absolutely. has it crept along, absolutely. we modify it and it's been adjusted over the course of the decade. for mission number one get osama bin laden and that infrastructure that existed around him. we fought that infrastructure for years and last year we got him. great accomplishment. our mission has altered over the course of time and now to ensure stability and to give the afghan government an opportunity to grow. >> now, are we not seeing though -- exactly my point. are we not seeing now with what's just transpired over the last two weeks, for ran burning and now this, and their reaction of our very being there to help security, it ain't working. it's a country that's been broke for a whole long i'm and the british couldn't do it and the russians couldn't do it and what makes us think that we can do it? >> well, again, let's look at what we've accomplished over the last ten years and the fact that it has modified is not a bad thing. that, in fact, tells you, you know, we have an agreement and worked through different challenges. we are now in a situation where we have a shared vision of what the u.s. presence in afghanistan is supposed to look like. we're not walking into -- we didn't walk into afghanistan with the sense of hubris, we went in there because we had a problem because the united states was attacked and it emanated from afghanistan and we got those guys and we needed to rip those guys apart and we did. we have to ensure they don't come back and the afghanistan government has said please help us do that and so we're there doing that. is there a problem right now, absolutely. but let's not lose sight of the fact that 99.9% of every mission and every soldier and marine that's been on the ground executed their missions with extreme honor to make all of us very proud. let's focus in on that. we've got a problem right now, we need to get over the hump and make sure it's getting done well. >> let me ask you about this incident and this soldier. if he is charged and i'm assuming it will happen soon, is there a chance they might take him back to afghanistan just to appease the people that say try him there? he's not going to be in their justice system but at least the military justice system on their soil. >> not in our lifetime. we have a status of forces agreement. they would not bring that in. that would be a play that would be played out. it would be nothing but bad news, no, i don't think that's going to happen at all, ashleigh. >> interesting. we got a lot more to talk to you about. >> interesting he said they would only temporarily be out of the villages then they would go back. i thought that was interesting. seven minutes past the hour. homes torn apart and more than 200 people forced to get out as a rare tornado touches down in michigan. >> oh, my god. oh, my god. oh. >> this is amateur video of the funnel cloud. it's right outside ann arbor, michigan, the tornado ripped through the community and demolished a lot of home, downed tree, pourer lines, it sparked some fires, as well. let's head over to rob marciano. wow. rob, totally unexpected this time of year. >> it's rare for this time of year, that's for sure. they have had tornadoes in michigan, march we had a couple of just a few days ago or last week. but judging from the damage that we're seeing on video of this thing it looks like it was at least an ef-2. if it becomes an ef-3 and they'll survey the damage. remarkable no one was injured or killed in this destruction. if they determine to be an ef-3, it's the first time the entire state of michigans that that strong a tornado in march. unprecedented stuff the past few weeks with the tornadoes occurring and we had not one but three tornado reports across the state of michigan all with thunderstorm complex that continues to push off towards the east. actually a very weak cool front but the air is so warm out ahead of it, especially for this time of year, cold air aloft because, you know, technically still in winter and that creates some turbulence. all right. this front is pushing off to the east. we do expect to see thunderstorms today some of which could become severe in pockets. main threat will be hail because of that colder air that's aloft. certainly warm air at the surface, 82 degrees, my goodness, everything is blooming. nashville, 82. these aren't the only spots, d.c., talking about this, cherry blossoming coming out way too early. won't be the earliest peak on record but will be close blooming out ahead of the festival. will not last for the entire festival. that is for sure and this trend is expected to continue. the climate prediction center has forecast not just the next six to ten days but 90 days of above average temperatures for a good chunk of the u.s. the way the climate pattern is shaping up. so there you go. 76 degrees in chicago today for the high temperature. st. patrick's day tomorrow could be the warmest on record there with a high temperature of 78 degrees. zoraida, they put a little green juice in the river there to celebrate. >> you know what the funny thing, rob, it kind of looks green all the time. it's just greener. it's a greener shade of green. >> it's pretty. >> i want to go back to the tornado pictures. when you see the blackness in the funnel cloud, is that the same blackness from what's coming from the skies or black from what's being churned up on the ground. >> it depends, that looks to be condensation mixing in. typically it's debris and dust churned up from the ground. >> nonetheless it is scary. glad the people there are safe. 11 minutes past 5:00. for the seventh day in a row gas prices, rose $3.83 now a gallon of unleaded. that's a jump of one full cent from yesterday. prices are up nearly 17% so far this year. and also in business the stock futures were flat after hitting a bit of a milestone yesterday. ready for the ding. there it is. s&p 500 index topping 1500 for the first time in nearly four years. >> christine romans joins us minding your business this morning and we're talking ipad, aren't we. >> look, apple shares topped $600, four weeks ago, apple shares topped $500. >> no. >> are you kidding? >> unbelievable. yeah, and i mean i can remember 60, i don't know, ipad is a sensation, everything this company does changes the industry it's in. there's a lot of competition. people are nipping at its heels but investors really like apple. didn't close above 600 yesterday so a lot will be watching today but the ipad 3, the hoopla over that, that's one of the things driving the s&p 500 and also yesterday apple share, gas prices as you hear, 3.83 -- a number most of you care about. hey, your 401(k) is doing well this year. i don't care about that. i can't afford to put gas in my suv. yesterday there was a report from reuters that said that the u.s. and the uk are talking about maybe setting into stone some kinds of agreements about what they would do if they were going to tap the strategic petroleum reserve to try to lower gas prices. administration officials telling us on background an agreement in place is inaccurate but at least everybody is talking about this reuters report about whether the u.s. and the uk have some kind of election year plan to lower gas prices. yesterday i talked to richard florida, author of "the great reset." presidents can't do much about it. it's going to be more about everyone changing their life and i'm going to tell you something else, the needle on gas consumption in the world is not us, i mean our gas consumption is down, our imports are down. it's about the rest of the world and this is what richard florida had to say about what that's going to mean for us. >> increasing numbers are walking and biking to work are do you knowsizing that house. if we want to make the american economy thrive we have to make the american economy less oil dependent and the most important the president can do and we can do is change the way we live. >> yeah. change the way we live. aha. i know i was just asking a little while ago, what is that magic number when people actually start changing the way they live and budgeting different. >> i told people about this. they said 535. that's the price where people make significant changes to their life like moving, like getting a new car, like all those thing that is richard was talking about. talk about all these things on your bottom line tomorrow morning. you'll be up and watch the show. >> i'll come in and watch it live. that's how much i care about you. >> the truth about gas prices. don't believe all this stuff about, you know, do this, don't do that. look, the consumption in this country used to drive gas prices. now a lot of this is happening around the rest of the world. >> interesting that dollar amount. we talk about it, think about it. what am i going to change but actually taking action. i haven't traded in my suv yet but i talk about it all the time. >> gas is significant to americans but the oil consumption is a bigger story altogether. how about all the homes that use oil to heat? a big conversion -- >> all the different things that industry, ship something around the world. we buy so much from china. think of how much energy is consumed getting your sneakers from the factory to your local walmart store. you are know, there's a lot of different ways to think about the energy story. as long as prices remain high at what point do companies, business, people start to change their behavior because of it? >> the ceos aren't paying appoint $35 a gallon. >> they're hedging the futures markets but look at the markets that are higher too and pulling their hair out too. >> christine, thanks. business to sports. my strong suit. >> yes. >> march madness, right? >> this is what i'm told. march madness is kicking into high gear. i see it on the news. what they call -- >> you filled out a bracket. >> i did, i used a dartboard. i'm bad about this. i really did. it's one and done for the defending uconn huskies taking on the iowa -- in louisville. cyclones opening at -- >> i need -- >> they opened up 22-point first half lead, never looking back knocking out connecticut where is that that i'm supposed to be cheering? virginia commonwealth, 12th seeded rams knocking off fifth seeded wichita state, 62-59 take on indiana tomorrow. okay, i got through it. ouch. >> well done, well done. all right, last night's matchup between kansas state and southern mississippi, listen and listen very closely. >> yeah, as you see mills trying to draw the charge. rodriguez left the ball go in. he's a freshman but he's about as cool as they come. no facial expression whatsoever. >> they were chanting it in the background. members of the band caught on camera yelling where is your green card? a kansas state point guard angel rodriguez as he was shooting free throws. his head stayed in the game. rodriguez never changed his expression and he helped kansas state win by scoring 13 points. afterwards southern mississippi president martha saunders apologized to him and promised quick disciplinary action against all of the students involved. >> do you think he heard it? he looked so focused. >> you'd be amazed at what they can hear. they try to block it out. that was incredible that he was able to do that and it didn't get to him. >> i was a green card holder for 12 years. i never heard that. never heard that. >> unbelievable. >> 17 minutes past the hour. here coming up disgraced former illinois governor, he reports to federal prison. what awaits him inside? "chicago tribune" tracks down former inmates. we'll share what they have to say in today's early reads. >> take a look at this. meghan mccain, "playboy" magazine. yes, that megan mccain, the daughter of the senator and the former presidential candidate john mccain. pretty pictures, yes, interview, yes. the april issue, yes, but what's really inside that front cover? sneak peek. >> g-rated coming up next. phone] [ female announcer ] with secret outlast, conquer your busy day. ♪ burn! let's do it! hello, jenny! ♪ thank you. [ cellphone rings ] working on it. ♪ hi. hi. how are you? [ female announcer ] outlast your day, any day, with secret's 48-hour odor protection technology. new secret outlast. i love chevy truck month. does feel good selling the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size pickups on the road. yeah, sure, what you said, tim. man: [ thinking ] just look at the chrome on that custom sport. makes you feel all good inside, doesn't it? mm. 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[ male announcer ] want great taste and whole grain oats that can help lower cholesterol? honey nut cheerios. will be giving away passafree copiesl? of the alcoholism & addiction cure. to get yours, go to ssagesmalibubook.com. good morning, atlanta. it is 63 or 60 degrees right now. later guess what you're in store for? thunderstorms, but it is a high of 79 degrees. >> i'm not sure if that is a trade-off. >> nice to sleep in. >> we can't go out. sleep in in your air-conditioning. 21 minutes past 5:00. time to check top stories with christine romans. >> good morning, again, you guys. new attorney for a u.s. soldier accused of killing afghan civilians expects him to be moved to a u.s. military base soon. right now he is being held in kuwait and that has angered afghan officials who want him to face justice in their country. mitt romney and rick santorum sparring over what language should be spoken in puerto rico. santorum sticking to his remarks that english should be a requirement for statehood. romney insisting he would require no such rule. 20 delegates are up for grabs there on sunday. at 6:30 eastern we'll be joined by hogan gidley. rare tornado caught on tape forcing 200 from their homes. part of a wall of severe weather from michigan down through the south. storms damaging several homes outside ann arbor. reports at least three funnel clouds touched down in that area. the ex-mistress of john edwards expected to testify in his federal trial next month. edwards could face 30 years in prison if convicted of giving campaign nun to rielle hunter. meghan mccain appearing in "playboy." she's fully clothed. "playboy" interviewed senator john mccain's daughter for its 20 questions and tells "playboy" she loves sex and men. she also talks politics saying if her dad won in 2008 the recession would not have been so bad. ashleigh? zoraida? >> always interesting to say when you're lying in that position. thank you for that. 23 minutes past 5:00. early read on your news making headlines. papers from chicago and also from howes. >> "chicago tribune." rob blagojevich enters the slammer and serves his 15-year sentence at a low security prison in colorado. what's next for him? well, was yesterday the intake, strip and search. he is undergoing a mental evaluation. he's all alone. he'll have to do some coming down. looking inward. a top aid for governor ryan who himself served more than four years there said it gives you time to think. we did find out that they a