Im really feeling for them. Raw and emotional. Two radio hosts talk about the family of the nurse who took her own life after getting duped by their prank call. Good morning, to you. Welcome to early start. Welcome back, mr. Berman. It is great to be here. I was on vacation for a week. Now im back. Im john berman. It is 5 00 a. M. In the east. I am feeling that. But this, they are talking for the first time in over three weeks. President obama and House Speaker john boehner looked each other in the eye and actually had a conversation. Now thats a really big deal when it comes to the fiscal cliff crisis. Because in just 22 days americans face severe tax hikes and spending cuts unless these two leaders can find a way to compromise. Now neither side would discuss specifics about their conversation. But after yesterdays white house meeting, a spokesman for the president said the lines of communication remain open. Now that may be music to the ears of former white house chief of staff erskine bowles, one half of the bowlessimpson reduction duo. They started a tango now. You know, any time you got two guys in there tangoing, you have a chance to get it done. Brianna keilar is live now from washington. We dont have a lot of details about what went on in that meeting. Maybe if theyre both not talking, that may be a good thing. Thats right. In fact, we have almost absolutely no details. The things that really interesting, though, to observers here is the statement that came out from the white house and from the Speakers Office. Theyre the same statement verbatim. Theyre not leaking details. And thats something that you may see as possibly a good thing. Its certainly not a bad thing. It means theyre coordinating and trying to negotiate or speak with good faith here. So this is, as you mentioned, the first time that the two have met in the last 23 days. This is the first time that john boehner and president obama have met oneonone since election day just to give you a sense. Again, to stress no word on progress that theyre really get being anywhe getting anywhere here. House republicans dont want to cave on the white houses demand, the tax income race, the income tax rates for the wealthiest americans increase. There does appear to be some Movement Among some republicans on talking about just maybe caving on that demand. But not increasing the rates as much as the white house wants. Listen to republican senator bob corker. There is a growing group of folks that are looking at this and realizing we dont have a lot of cards as it relates to the tax issue before year end. A lot of people are putting forth a theory and i actually think it has merit where you go in and give the president the 2 increase that hes talking about, the rate increase on the top 2 and all of a sudden the shift goes back to entitlements. So senator corker, john, is part of a growing number of republicans who are saying that. Lets cave on income tax rates. Maybe not go all the way up to where the white house and Senate Democrats want. But lets give some on this so we can talk about entitlement reform, reforming medicare, reforming social security. This came on the heels of some developments on friday. Remember House Speaker john boehner came out and said i have no progress. This isnt a progress report. I have no progress to report. But then you also saw maybe the white house signalling that theyre negotiable on just how much the rates go up because senator joe biden indicated that as well. And maybe with that meeting between the speaker and president , maybe with that statement from senator corker, maybe some movement this weekend which would be a good sign with just over three weeks left to go. Brianna keilar in wash, what, thanks very much. It is four minutes past the hour. Authorities in mexico found the wreckage of a small plane they believe was warying jenny rivera and six others. Riveras brother says the brother was told there were no survivors. The plane took off early sunday morning with rivera and six others onboard. They were heading to an airport near mexico city. The wreckage was spotted in the mountainous northern state. We have more on the life of the singer jenni rivera. What can you tell us . Good morning. She sold 50 million records, won two Billboard Music awards and was a star of her reality show and served as a judge on a popular talent show in mexico. Hardworking until the end. She performed the last concert saturday night in monterey, mexico, hours before dying in a plane crash on her way to yet another commitment. [ speaking spanish ] they call her diva. And for anyone who ever saw her on stage, it was easy to see why. She sang heartwrenching song thats spoke to the common woman, especially mexicanamericans. Translator every song, every lyric im thinking of them and how i can relate to them. Reporter jenni rivera was born in long beach, california to mexican parents, their story of humble origins. With an interview in cnn, she spoke about how she sold records at A Los Angeles flea market and how the family expected cans for the meager income they could bring in selling the metal. Translator it is very flattering when they tell me im a great artist, a great entertainer. But when im on stage, i can entertain the audience. I can get in the Recording Studio and come up with a great production. Before all that, i was a businesswoman. Im business minded. Reporter in recent years, jenni rivera started several of her own Companies IncludingJenni Rivera Enterprises which produced and marketed her music, a fragrance brand, a Jeans Factory and a tv production company. She was famous for her electrifying performances on stage but her image was also battered by scandal. A mother of five, she married three times but their relationships were rocky and caused her much anguish and embarrassment. Translator staying defeated, crying and suffering was not an option. I had to get back on my feet, dust myself off and press on. Thats what i want to teach my daughters. Reporter during her last interview saturday night, jenni rivera told mexican media she needed time to get emotionally well. Asked about her christmas plans, she said i want to be with my family but only god knows whats going to happen. A big loss, indeed. Do we know anything about why that plane went down . Was it a helicopter she was on . It was a learjet. We dont know exactly why. But what i can tell you is at the time of the crash, it was cloudy in the area. It was in the mountains, remote area in the area of mexico. We dont know that there was some sort of malfunction with the aircraft or if it was humaner jurhuman error. Thank you for bringing us that story. Sad, sad story. The radio show that pulled a prank on the hospital where catherine the duchess of cambridge was a patient has been shut down after a nurse committed suicide. The deejays are also talking saying they came up with the idea as a team and expected to be hung up on. Theyre also saying that they are stunned by the nurses death. Unfortunately, i remember that moment very well because i havent stopped thinking about it since it happened. When you found out she was of two children ver sorry and saddened for the family. I cant imagine what theyre going through. And what about you, michael . Gutted. You know, shattered. Heart broken. The nurse who transferred their call to the ward tuesday was found dead on friday. Duke and duchess of cambridge are deeply saddened about her death. Some right to work opponents are expected to converge on michigans capitol today. The protest is expected to swell to thousands tomorrow when the state house and senate will try to hammer out a final version which will make michigan the 24th right to work state. Supporters say the legislation will spark Economic Growth and encourage fairness. Opponents say it will lower wages and benefits and hurt the middle class and that strong unions built michigans middle class. So fedex is bracing for the busiest day ever. Ever. The company is expecting to handle 19 million packages today. Thats 200 packs per second. The Internet Sales are booming and that is increasing volume by 10 over last year. I just ordered a ton last night. Youre singlehandedly responsible ill be part of that. Get it on time. Thats all i say. The Daring Rescue of an american held in afghanistan comes at a very steep price. Were going to go live to the pentagon for more on the top secret mission. Thats coming up. [ male announcer ] everyone deserves the gift of all day pain relief. This season, discover aleve. All day pain relief with just two pills. How theyll live tomorrow. For more than 116 years, Ameriprise Financial has worked for their clients futures. Helping millions of americans retire on their terms. When they want. Where they want. Doing what they want. Ameriprise. The strength of a leader in retirement planning. The heart of 10,000 advisors working with you onetoone. Together for your future. Together for your future. Try running four. Ning a restaurant is hard, fortunately weve got ink. It gives us 5x the rewards on our internet, phone charges and cable, plus at Office Supply stores. Rewards we put right back into our business. This is the only thing weve ever wanted to do and ink helps us do it. Make your mark with ink from chase. Wanted to provide better Employee Benefits while balancing the companys bottom line, their very first word was. [ to the tune of lullaby and good night ] aflac aflac [ male announcer ] find out more at. [ duck ] aflac [ male announcer ]. Forbusiness. Com. [ yawning sound ] progresso. In what world do potatoes, bacon and cheese add up to 100 calories . Your world. [ whispers ] real bacon. Creamy cheese. 100 calories. [ chef ] maam [ male announcer ] progresso. You gotta taste this soup. A team of special forces goes on a Daring Rescue mission to free an american doctor abducted in manufacturing. During t in afghanistan. What is the latest, barbara . John, good morning. We expect perhaps as soon as later today to learn the name of the navy seal who died in this hostage rescue attempt. Dr. Joseph of the nonprofit medical agency that was working in afghanistan kidnapped by the taliban, he was rescued. But, of course, this navy seal died in that attempt. What we now know is that this man was a member of seal team six. Actually known inside the military as the special Warfare Development group. The same elite team that went on the Osama Bin Laden raid. We dont know yet if this fallen seal was part of the bin laden mission. The president even putting out a statement about this late yesterday saying, he gave his life for his fellow americans, and he and his teammates remind us once more of the Selfless Service that allows our nation to stay strong, safe, and free. And, of course, its a good moment to pause, isnt it, and remember all of those who serve and the fallen. The u. S. Military this year so far, john, has lost 305 in afghanistan. So important to remember, barbara. As you said, the doctor and the mission was successful. The doctor was rescued . Yes, he was. Taken to a u. S. Military hospital where hes recovering. I think we can expect him to be on his way home to see his family very shortly. You know, i just wand to add, the u. S. Military has specially trained hostage rescue teams that are special forces. Its some of the most dangerous business that the u. S. Military can do. But by all accounts the navy seal was killed by small arms fire which suggests, and we dont know the details yet, that certainly suggest thats there was quite a fire fight during this mission, john. Barbara star from the pentagon, thank you. Lets get you up to date. Here is Christine Romans with this mornings top stories. President obama and House Speaker john boehner finally meeting facetoface over the fiscal cliff. They sat down at the white house yesterday. Neither side is discussing details. Both agree the lines of communication remain open. Massive tax hikes and spending cuts take hold in 22 days if the two leaders cant work out a deal. A busy day sunday at seattle city hall. 133 samesex couples tied the knot. Sarah and emily cover were among the first couples to get married. The samesex couples married sunday in seattle were among the first to pick up their marriage licenses last thursday. The state required a threeday waiting period before ceremonies. European Union Leaders are in oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Hundreds of protesters have been braving oslos snow. The prize was meant to honor contributions to disarmament and eu Member States account for a third of global arms exports. Thanks, christine. It is now 15 minutes after the hour. Time for early read, your local newsmaking national headlines. A big medical story in the philadelphia enquirer. Its in a lot of papers this morning. Very promising progress in the fight against leukemia. This is happening in the university of pennsylvania where doctors are using gene therapy to irrad indicate certain cancer cells. The first cases, seven of them are now free of the disease. The findings are already being presented by penns research team. They use disabled hiv virus to help deliver these cells into the system. Its Amazing Technology showing incredible promise. That will be quite a breakthrough. 16 minutes past the hour. The state of florida is considering a way to change plans the Way College Students are charged tuition. Governor rick scott wants to charge each student according to their major. Christine romans is going to love this. Engineers, scientists and Technology Experts are in demand, students with those majors would pay less than students majoring in disciplines like history, philosophy, or even english. I dont know how i feel about that. The idea is to steer kids towards fields where there is the most need. Theyll take up the idea during the next legislation. Its innovative, but for humanities majors like me, is it fair to pay more to study that stuff . But, you know, you have to im sure theyll debate this. Head to our blog, c cnn. Com earlystart. So if the faas ban on smart phones in the air have you frustrated, you have an ally in washington. Surprising frank comments from the head of the fcc just back from vacation, comments from the fcc coming up. And you cant go back. Theres big news. Presenting androgel 1. 62 . Both are used to treat men with low testosterone. Androgel 1. 62 is from the makers of the number one prescribed testosterone replacement therapy. It raises your testosterone levels, and. Is concentrated, so you could use less gel. And with androgel 1. 62 , you can save on your monthly prescription. [ male announcer ] dosing and application sites between these products differ. Women and children should avoid contact with application sites. Discontinue androgel and call your doctor if you see unexpected signs of early puberty in a child, or, signs in a woman which may include changes in body hair or a large increase in acne, possibly due to accidental exposure. Men with Breast Cancer or who have or might have prostate cancer, and women who are, or may become pregnant or are Breast Feeding should not use androgel. Serious side effects include worsening of an enlarged prostate, possible increased risk of prostate cancer, lower sperm count, swelling of ankles, feet, or body, enlarged or painful breasts, problems breathing during sleep, and blood clots in the legs. Tell your doctor about your medical conditions and medications, especially insulin, corticosteroids, or medicines to decrease blood clotting. Talk to your doctor today about androgel 1. 62 so you can use less gel. Log on now to androgeloffer. Com and you could pay as little as ten dollars a month for androgel 1. 62 . What are you waiting for . This is big news. A regular guy with an irregular heartbeat. The usual, bob . Not today. [ male announcer ] bob has afib Atrial Fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem, a condition that puts him at greater risk for a stroke. [ gps ] turn left. I dont think so. [ male announcer ] for years, bob took warfarin, and made a monthly trip to the clinic to get his blood tested. But not anymore. Bobs doctor recommended a different option onceaday xarelto®. Xarelto® is the first and only onceaday prescription blood thinner for patients with afib not caused by a heart valve problem, that doesnt require routine blood monitoring. Like warfarin, xarelto® is proven effective to reduce the risk of an afibrelated stroke. There is limited data on how these drugs compare when warfarin is well managed. No routine blood monitoring means bob can spend his extra time however he likes. New zealand xarelto® is just one pill a day, taken with the evening meal. And with no dietary restrictions, bob can eat the Healthy Foods he likes. Do not stop taking xarelto® rivaroxaban without talking to the doctor who prescribes it for you. Stopping may increase your risk of having a stroke. Get medical help right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of bleeding, like unusual bruising or tingling. You may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take xarelto® with aspirin products, nsaids or blood thinners. Talk to your doctor before taking xarelto® if you currently have abnormal bleeding. Xarelto® can cause bleeding, which can be serious, and rarely may lead to death. You are likely to bruise more easily on xarelto®, and it may take longer for bleeding to stop. Tell your doctors you are taking xarelto® before any planned medical or dental procedures. Before starting xarelto®, tell your doctor about any conditions, such as kidney, liver or bleeding problems. Ready to change your routine . Ask your doctor about onceaday xarelto®. For more information including cost support options, call 1888xarelto or visit goxarelto. Com. U. S. Stock futures are down after closing mixed on friday. Christine romans is here. Its not just about concerns about the fiscal cliff here in the United States. We still ha