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EARLY START

Anti-establishment Candidates Surge in Iowa; Suspected Texas Cop Killer Charged with Capital Murder; ISIS Blows Up Ancient Palmyra Temple; Turner Field Tragedy; Migrant Crisis Rocks Europe; Cubs Pitcher Jake Arrieta Throws a No-Hitter; Maria Sharapova Withdraws from U.S. Open; Japan Rallies to Win Little League World Series; Deflategate Hearing Continues. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired August 31, 2015 - 05:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


[05:00:01] ALISON KOSIK, CNN ANCHOR: So that's good news if you're taking a road trip this holiday weekend. GasBuddy says the drop should continue into the fall, although no states are posting averages below $2 a gallon just yet. We still got a little time, John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Maybe a week or two.

All right. EARLY START continues right now.

KOSIK: Stunning new developments in the race for president. Anti- establishment candidates soaring to new heights in Iowa. Bernie Sanders in striking distance of Hillary Clinton. Donald Trump surging further in front of his Republican rivals. We're breaking down the new numbers.

President Obama up and changes the name of the United States' highest peak. That and climate change on the agenda as he goes to Alaska. He brings with him new warnings about global warming.

KOSIK: And tensions rising in Houston. Thousands marching after the execution-style murder of the sheriff's deputy. The suspect in court this morning. Details ahead.

Good morning. And welcome to EARLY START. I'm Alison Kosik.

BERMAN: I'm John Berman. It is Monday, August 31st. Happy birthday, Mom. 5:00 a.m. in the East.

Up first, really fascinating rise of the anti-establishment candidates. Bernie Sanders making a big move in Iowa. Now within striking distance of Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton. On the Republican side, Donald Trump, he is out in front. Dr. Ben Carson, though, surging into second place.

Let's get more now on these new poll numbers, what they all mean. CNN national correspondent Polo Sandoval -- Polo.

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: John, Alison, good morning. The new survey of voters in the key state of Iowa is now revealing both Democratic and Republican voters are turning away from the establishment. The "Des Moines Register" and Bloomberg Politics poll showing Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton lost a third of her support since May. She still leads, though, 37 percent of likely Democratic caucus goers support her. And you have Senator Bernie Sanders who's receiving 30 percent and Vice President Joe Biden who is still weighing whether to get in the race or not, he's getting 14 percent.

Appearing on CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION" Sunday Sanders credited his pushing for the wealthy to pay more and also college affordability for the rise in his support. He's highlighting some of his policy differences with Clinton.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I believe we should expand Social Security by lifting the cap on taxable income. That's not Hillary Clinton's position. I believe that we've got to raise the minimum wage over a period of several years to 15 bucks an hour. Not Hillary Clinton's position. I voted against the war in Iraq. Hillary Clinton voted for it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: Clinton who last week ramped up her attacks on the GOP still does have a commanding lead nationally.

On to the Republicans now. Donald Trump is a frontrunner in Iowa as well as nationally. 23 percent of likely Republican caucus goers supporting him. But neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson is also on the rise, he's in second place with 18 percent with no other candidate getting double-digits.

The poll shows Trump has been able to dramatically reverse impressions of him. 61 percent of those questioned now have a positive view of him. In May, he only had 27 percent who rated him that way.

One key factor impacting the Republican contest in Iowa what the "Des Moines Register" calls the mad-as-hell contingent. It's a large group of likely GOP voters mad or frustrated with everyone from President Obama and Hillary Clinton to Republicans in Congress -- John, Alison.

KOSIK: All right. Polo, thanks for that.

Now the latest on the execution-style killing of Texas Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth. The officer was ambushed Friday night and right now it's not clear why. The suspect, 30-year-old Shannon Miles, will be arraigned later this morning on capital murder charges. His mother now coming forward, claiming he could not have done it because he was shopping with her at the time.

We get more from CNN's Ed Lavandera in Houston.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Alison, the suspect in the murder of Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth is expected to make a court appearance here in the Houston area Monday morning. Shannon Miles was arrested and charged with capital murder Saturday night after the attack here that investigators described as cowardly and cold-blooded. They say it was an execution-style murder after Darren Goforth had

come out of this convenience store and his patrol car was there at pump eight. Investigators say he was shot several times starting in the back and had no way to defend himself. They say he was simply shot because he was wearing a police uniform.

So what you've seen here over the course of the weekend is an emotional outpouring of support for Goforth and his family. People have been coming, leaving balloons, flowers and messages. They've also been taking up a collection. Over the weekend nearly $50,000 in donations collected for Goforth's wife and two children. There is also a go-fund-me page on the Internet. And as you talk to people around here, people really struggling to figure out what to do given the tragic nature and the horrific nature of this shooting of this Harris County Sheriff's deputy.

[05:05:10] They say this is really the best and only way that many people can kind of figure out how to show their signs of support. Not only for this family, but for the law enforcement community here in the Houston, Texas, area -- John and Alison.

BERMAN: All right, Ed. Thanks so much.

ISIS militants inflicting new devastation on the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. A huge explosion Sunday destroying the 2,000-year-old Bel Temple. That's considered one of the greatest sites in the ancient world. Just days earlier, ISIS extremists blew up the 2,000-year-old Baal Shamin Temple in Palmyra. The U.N.'s Cultural Agency calling this war crimes.

KOSIK: A warning to Pakistan from National Security adviser Susan Rice. Rice says militants based in Pakistan are behind the series of recent attacks in Afghanistan. Attacks that are destabilizing the region. The White House is concerned Pakistani leaders are not doing enough to combat the extremists. Pakistan's prime minister has been invited to the White House to visit it in October.

BERMAN: The White House is putting together an unprecedented package of economic sanctions against Chinese companies and individuals who profited from their government's hacking of U.S. trade secrets. It is not clear whether those sanctions will actually be imposed or when. But a decision is expected within the next two weeks, that according to "The Washington Post."

President Obama heads to Anchorage in Alaska today for a three-day visit highlighting climate change. He is scheduled to meet with Native Americans tonight before announcing the renaming of Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America. It will now be called Mount Denali, which I think it's what it was called before it was named Mount McKinley more than 100 years ago. This is a symbolic gesture to Alaska natives. Also Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, big supporter of changing the name to Mount Denali.

The president will be meeting with local leaders to develop management strategies in the region for fish and wildlife. KOSIK: Time for an EARLY START on your money. Look at stock futures

lower this morning. Markets in Asia taking another hit while stocks in Europe are mixed. Investors are going to get a fresh start this morning, but the market is coming off a wild week. The Dow dropped 1,000 points in early trading last Monday before recovering slightly. The selloff continued Tuesday, then a major rebound. Marking the biggest two-day point gain ever. And Friday, stocks finished flat.

Now this week, the roller coaster ride is going to keep on going. A big focus will be Friday's monthly jobs report. That's actually one of the last major economic readings the Federal Reserve will have before deciding whether or not to raise interest rates in September. Still a big question mark.

BERMAN: All right. His films are the stuff of nightmares. Legendary filmmaker Wes Craven -- Wes Craven has died after a battle with brain cancer. He introduced us to Freddy Krueger in "Nightmare on Elm Street" franchise. He developed the "Scream" series. Bloody, gore, mixed with humor, all over so many of films. Wes Craven died Sunday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 76.

KOSIK: And you had a great opportunity to get to know Wes Craven.

BERMAN: I did. I was -- I went to the set of "Scream 4" in Ann Arbor, Michigan. These beautiful suburbs in Ann Arbor, and I was watching it be filmed and there were literally gallons of blood. You would see the show --

KOSIK: It wasn't catsup?

BERMAN: No. It was like this fake blood. These gallons of fake blood. And I asked him, you know, what's the attrition rate in your films? How many people die in these films you make? He claimed "Scream 4" was the deadliest by far. But he was actually a really, really nice guy. For someone who makes such creepy films, I was struck by how genuinely kind and gentle he was.

KOSIK: It's interesting that he was able to separate the two.

BERMAN: Yes. He'll be missed.

KOSIK: All right. The parents of a journalist murdered on live television speaking to CNN about their loss and their new fight to end gun violence next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

b to CNN ive television speak ms you make? ter of changing the name to Mount me, John. n the region for ey.

iker who 50 [05:11:54] KOSIK: It's a battle they never planned to fight, but the

parents of Alison Parker, the young reporter who was shot and killed on live television in Roanoke, say they won't rest until their message about gun control is heard. Andy and Barbara Parker speaking out to CNN's Poppy Harlow about their pain and their new life mission. POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Alison and John. She came

into the world with light. That is how the parents of Alison Parker described their beloved daughter to me in our interview. We sat down to talk about the remarkable woman she was, the remarkable daughter, friend and remarkable journalist. They told me so much about her life and what gave her such drive and such passion. They also spoke to me about the mission that they are now on for gun control and to change some of the laws in this country. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDY PARKER, FATHER OF ALISON PARKER: It's the only thing that's giving me strength right now to go -- to take on this cause because, you know, I know that somewhere she'd be looking down and saying, you go, dad. This is what she would want me to do.

BARBARA PARKER, MOTHER OF ALISON PARKER: I can just -- I can see --

A. PARKER: This is her fight.

B. PARKER: It is her fight. And I can see Alison sitting there going.

A. PARKER: Yes.

B. PARKER: Because that's what she'd do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: Their loss is unfathomable to most of us. But it has also ignited a fire in their bellies. And they have launched a fight and a fight, clearly as you can hear there, that they are so dedicated to. This is for their daughter in her name.

You can see much more of our interview and their wonderful memories of their little girl. We will have that for you ahead here on "NEW DAY" -- Alison, John.

BERMAN: All right. Thanks, Poppy.

Newark Airport resuming normal operations this morning following a security scare. A main airport terminal evacuated Sunday night after a man used a secure hallway exit door as an entrance which is not allowed. The airport was locked down for about two hours while officials did a security sweep, delaying flights, frustrating passengers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They said nobody is going through. And we waited there about 15 minutes and they said, OK, everybody leave. Everybody has got to go outside.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As he was being marched out of the terminal, he had a big silly grin. He was kind of laughing to himself as the officers walked him out. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We didn't really know where we're supposed to be

headed, where -- what gates were open, what terminals were open. So we've just kind of been waiting around. A lot people are flustered and irritated obviously but it's been exhausting.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Amazing she can still have a smile on her face after that. Authorities say the unidentified man was stopped by Customs and Border Agents. Turned over the Port Authority police.

KOSIK: Five more inmates at San Quentin Prison in California have been diagnosed with Legionnaires disease. Corrections officials say the inmates are being treated at outside hospitals. The source of the outbreak is still not known. Last week almost two dozen prisoners displayed symptoms of the severe respiratory illness. Officials say some 50 others are now under observation.

[05:15:02] BERMAN: Thousands of people turning out to honor three firefighters killed battling wildfires in Washington state. More than 80 vehicles took part in a procession leading to the memorial service Sunday. Many held American flags and signs saying, "You are heroes."

Cooler, wet weather helped keep these wildfires from growing over the weekend. These fires not even close to contained at this point. The fire you're looking at right here is the largest in Washington state history. It's burned more than 300,000 acres.

KOSIK: And from Washington state to South Florida, South Florida actually under a flood watch this morning drenched by the remnants of Tropical Storm Erika.

Let's get the latest from meteorologist Pedram Javaheri.

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, John. Good morning, Alison. Let's show you what's happened across Florida with what is left of Erika now. Of course never made it here as a tropical storm, that was the good news, but plenty of rainfall to go around over the past 24 or so hours over this region. And in fact, you take a look. Showers and thunderstorms scattered about, the vast majority of them staying offshore right now but we do believe you get in some afternoon heating with this, you're going to get additional rainfall to come down.

In fact parts of central Florida already on about two to four inches of rainfall. And across the south, tremendously beneficial rainfall, granted not as heavy as you would hope for, but still about a one to two-inch region there across southern Florida where we did pick up some rainfall to help with the drought issue.

But 17 million people dealing with flood watches that are issued this morning in the forecast over the next few hours. Shows the moisture kind of streaming on end to the north and to the east, we get some enhancement in the tropical moisture there around portions of the Carolinas. So possibility of six plus inches of rainfall, maybe 10 inches south of Myrtle Beach. Possible. So you look at this and you know, a flooding threat definitely exists for parts of the Carolinas. But besides that just a gorgeous setup with high pressure beginning to develop as we take in the temperatures. To the northeast, it is going to heat up, guys. Back up into the 90s, little September push for summer-like temps, this week.

KOSIK: OK, Pedram, thanks for that.

The American flag flying at half staff Sunday at Turner Field in Atlanta one day after a Braves fan died following a fall from the upper deck during a game between the Braves and New York Yankees. The victim, 60-year-old Greg Murrey, was a long-time Braves season ticket holder.

CNN's Boris Sanchez has more on the investigation into how the tragedy unfolded.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Investigators conducting an autopsy Sunday afternoon on Greg Murrey to figure out exactly what caused him to fall from the upper deck of Turner Field during a game between the Yankees and Braves. They're especially looking at the toxicology report to see if alcohol may have played a role in the incident. So far they say they do not suspect foul play.

Witnesses tell us that during the 7th inning and Alex Rodriguez is approaching the home plate to go to bat, Gregory Murrey ran to a rail and to boo Alex Rodriguez. And that's when he tumbled over the railing falling between 50 and 80 feet, landing head first into a concrete walkway between two rows of seats. Paramedics rushed over to him, administering CPR and they got fans out of the way. They rushed him to a hospital, but Greg Murrey did not make it.

It's important to point out this is the second time in two years that a fan has fallen to his death from the upper deck at Turner Field. In 2013, a fan reportedly committed suicide there by jumping from the upper deck. So far, we have no indication that that was Gregory Murrey's intention. We obviously need more information to find out specifically what happened.

In the meantime, his son Jason putting out a statement telling CNN, quote, "Gregory 'Ace' Murrey was a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend to many. He dearly loved his family, Atlanta, and the Atlanta Braves. Greg was a season ticket holder with the same seats for 23 years. The night Greg passed away he was doing one of his favorite things -- watching the Braves."

Difficult to imagine what that family is going through right now. The Atlanta Braves also put out a statement offering them their condolences.

BERMAN: That is awful, awful story. Our thanks to Boris Sanchez for that.

Switching gears here. So apparently there is no bad blood between Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift. So you can rest easy. The duo performed together Sunday at the MTV Music Awards. Apparently they had some feud on Twitter. KOSIK: I didn't know they had a feud.

BERMAN: I cannot imagine the awful things that were said between them. But they did sing together and then maybe hugged it out in the end there so everything is peaceful again in cyberspace. Swift took home the top prize Best Video for her song "Bad Blood."

KOSIK: Good video, by the way.

BERMAN: A good video I am told by you. Miley Cyrus was the host last night. Calm and demure the entire time, as you can see here. The outfits very, very reserved.

KOSIK: I like that eye just over that one spot.

BERMAN: I have no idea what you're talking about. I was looking in her face the whole time. Apparently she was backstage and the curtain did some kind of slip by accident, quote-unquote. "By accident." And the audience maybe saw more than they intended them to do or maybe exactly what was intended.

Kanye West accepted an award, the Vanguard Award, and told people he will run for president in 2020. So you have that to look forward to.

[05:20:08] KOSIK: Can't wait.

BERMAN: Justin Bieber, he sang and danced last night. And he got really emotional at the end. This is I guess his first live performance in a long, long time. It meant a lot to him. And you see it right there. The kid could move. He cried at the end. Emotional for him. So congratulations to Justin Bieber for that.

KOSIK: No, I really feel bad for him for that moment.

BERMAN: Well, no. I mean, I think it was emotional. I don't feel bad.

KOSIK: Yes. I think it was real.

BERMAN: I think he's happy that it came off as it did.

KOSIK: I think unlike Miley Cyrus' little slip there, I think this is probably more real.

BERMAN: So the Bieber had that moment, and Miley Cyrus at the end, a big finale, it was Miley Cyrus singing and dancing with RuPaul's "Drag Race Queens" troop right there. So there it is. The MTV Music Awards in about 45 seconds.

KOSIK: Now you don't have to watch it because I know you missed it.

BERMAN: I did -- I did miss it. I'll never be the same again.

KOSIK: You got a nice rundown there.

BERMAN: All right. He is hardly mentioned in the Cy Young debate. He should be. Cubs ace Jake Arrieta, he is in the conversation now after throwing a no hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers, to stop being able to hit at all apparently.

Andy Scholes has the "Bleacher Report" next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: All right. A no hitter from Cubs ace Jake Arrieta. He -- Dodgers, they can't hit it all. Period.

KOSIK: Andy Scholes has more with this morning's "Bleacher Report."

Good morning.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS: Good morning, guys. Yes, the Dodgers are struggling. And this is the sixth no hitter in the Major this season. We only had four all of last season.

[05:25:05] This time around, Jake Arrieta getting it done, going the distance for his first career no hitter. He was just lights out on the mound striking out a season high 12 in the 2-0 win. This is the first Cubs no hitter since Carlos Zambrano did it seven years ago and unfortunately for the Dodgers, it's the second time in the last 10 days that they've been on the wrong end of a no-no.

The U.S. Open tennis tournament gets underway in New York today without one of the biggest names in the women's game. Third seed Maria Sharapova withdrew yesterday with a right leg injury. She hasn't played a match since losing in the semifinals at Wimbledon in July. And no Sharapova means the road to a calendar grand slam will be a little easier for top rank Serena Williams.

Japan staged a comeback for the ages to win the Little League World Series. The team from Pennsylvania jumped up to a 10-2 lead in the first inning, but Japan would outscore them 15-1 the rest of the game, to win it 18-11. This is the tenth title for Japan.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suited up for the team in Friday night's preseason game. Didn't look great throwing two picks and a touchdown. Today, he'll put on the suit and tie for another deflategate hearing. Lawyers for both sides will make their final arguments to Judge Richard Berman. The federal judge said he hopes to have a ruling on the four-game suspension by Friday. That's six days before the Patriots host the Steelers in their season opener.

And guys, at this point, there are three outcomes. One, Brady wins then his four-game suspension is thrown out. Two, the NFL wins and the suspension stays. And three, Judge Berman sends this case back to arbitration with the stipulation that a neutral arbitrator rule not Roger Goodell. We definitely don't want that because that's basically hitting the reset button in this whole appeal process and it would last definitely into the season.

KOSIK: It feels like it's never ending.

SCHOLES: Yes, it does. (LAUGHTER)

BERMAN: I've got to tell you, first of all, Richard Berman, no relation. I wish he were because I'd like to be able to influence his decision just a little bit but --

SCHOLES: Yes, you're the second most important Berman in New York. Sorry about that.

BERMAN: All right, Andy Scholes.

KOSIK: Nicely done.

BERMAN: On that note, thanks so much, Andy.

SCHOLES: All right.

KOSIK: New developments in the race for president. Sanders and Trump surging in Iowa. Clinton and Bush sagging. We're breaking down the numbers next.

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