Pelley good evening. This is our western edition. We begin tonight with one of the toughest enemies facing the u. S. Military Sexual Assault within the ranks. There are developments on the front tonight. We learned today the army is investigating sexual abuses against its top prosecutor of cases. Also today, Brigadier GeneralJeffrey Sinclair pleaded guilty to having improper relationships with female officers and adultery. He still faces more serious charges of Sexual Assault. There were 5,400 reports of Sexual Assault in the military last year, a 60 increase from the year before. Today, nancy cordes tells us emotions were running high as the men and women of the senate argued over what to do about it. The people who do not trust the chain of command are the victims reporter after lobbying her Senate Colleagues for nearly a year, new york democrat Kristen Gillibrand came within five votes today of passing a major change to the militarys command structure. The ayes are 55, the nays are 45. Reporter rand paul was one of the early converts. Weve known that Sexual Assault in the military has been a problem decade after decade. I think its time that we tried something new. Reporter gillibrands amendment would have stripped commanders of authority over Sexual Assault cases, putting everything in the hand of seasoned military trial lawyers. South Carolina RepublicanLindsay Graham voted no. Youre indicting the whole chain of command here, folks. Thats why im so emotional about this. Reporter but supporters, including 17 of the senates 20 women, brought up example after example of commanders ignoring Sexual Assault complains of complaints, punishing the victims, or overturning rape verdicts. California democrat barbara boxer. What we do is we say were keeping this in the military but we are allowing the experts to make the decision. Reporter military veterans in the senate were split. Senator john walsh of montana voted yes. Senator john mccain of arizona voted no. Because if you take the responsibility from that commanding officer, then you are eroding his ability to lead. Reporter and that is the argument that won the day, though gillibrand vowed to try again. Many people said to me, kirstin, im going to watch this, if it doesnt get better in the next six months, im with you next time. Reporter this was a victory for the pentagons top brass which had argued vigorously against the measure. The senate is poised to pass a bill next week that would make some smaller changes, like giving military prosecutors more influence, scott, over military commanders when it comes to deciding which Sexual Assault cases goes forward. Pelley nancy, thank you very much. We mentioned the armys top prosecutor for Sexual Assault is himself accused of Sexual Assault tonight. The newspaper stars and stripes broke the story, and david martin has details. Stripes broke the story, and david martin has details. Reporter Lieutenant Colonel joseph morse was one of the armys top prosecutors. He led the Prosecution Team in the case of Staff Sergeant robert bails who pled guilty to the mass murder of afghan civilians. More recently he was in charge of the Armys Special victims prosecutors. The lawyers who prosecute Sexual Assault, domestic abuse, and crimes against children. But he is now suspended from his job because a female army lawyer recently alleged that in 2011, he tried to kiss and grope her in a hotel room during a legal conference on, of all things, Sexual Assault. The investigation is not yet complete and so far no charges have been brought. Morse has made no comment. The case sounds strikingly similar to that of Lieutenant Colonel jeffrey krusinski, the former head of sexual prevention in the air force. He was charged with groping a woman outside a nightclub last year. He was tried in civilian court and acquitted. He is still in the air force but officials expect he will be forced to retire. Whatever the outcome of the morse case, it will feed the perception that when it comes to Sexual Assault, the military just cant do anything right. Pelley david martin at the pentagon. David, thank you very much. We just have some breaking news coming in now on the ukraine crisis. Weve just learned that president obama spoke by phone today with russian president putin. They talked for about an hour. Just two days after the russian president said that he had no intention of annexing the crimean region, lawmakers there today said they want to rejoin russia, and they called for a referendum to let voters decide. That brought mr. Obama into the White House Briefing room. The proposed referendum on the future of crimea would violate the ukrainian constitution and violate international law. Any discussion about the future of ukraine must include the legitimate government of ukraine. In 2014, we are well beyond the days where borders can be redrawn over the heads of democratic leaders. Pelley well, there was no respect for those borders today. We have three reports on the developing crisis. First, liz palmer on the russian navy blockading a dozen ukrainian warships. Reporter one of its own decommissioned warships across the mouth of donuzlav inlet. Now, says ukrainian captain sox, our warships cant get out to help defend the country. Theyre sitting trapped at their dock, further up the channel, effectively dead in the water. Sokolov told us that the Russian Missile cruiser mosckva still looming offshore towed the wreck into position on monday. And at midnight on wednesday there was an explosion, and the guards woke up to this. The russians continue to flex their muscle on land, too. Their armed men still surround Ukrainian Military bases, while inside the ukrainian sailors wait and wonder whats next. But in the Crimean Parliament today, politicians showed their loyalty to moscow. They voted for a referendum on march 16 to ask voters whether crimea should officially join the russian federation. Ukraines leaders and president obama both said the referendum is completely illegal. And while prorussian voices in crimea have been the most strident recently, theres no guarantee it will pass. When we put the question to captain sokolov. He said, i will vote for crimea to stay in ukraine and so will all my fellow service men. Pelley elizabeth a moment ago we heard the president describe this proposed referendum as illegal. On what basis are they going ahead . Reporter a lot of whats going on here, scott, is not legal. Turning back the International Observers today, preventing them from entering crimea, wasnt legal. Making crimean tv broadcast russian tv signals will not legal. But the fact is, the prorussian groups in moscow are in charge here now. Theyre making the rules that suit them, and theres no one with the strength or the authority to make them do any different. Pelley Elizabeth Palmer covering the russian invasion in crimea. Liz, thank you very much. President obama ordered some limited sanctions from the white house today and Major Garrett was there. Reporter president obama escalated the confrontation with russia today but cautiously. Under his executive order, financial sanctions can now be levied against any individual or business the administration believes is undermining ukraines democracy, and against anyone who claims to rule a part of ukraine without being elected. As yet, no sanctions have been imposed. The administration did revoke visas of those it holds responsible for threatening ukraines independence. The names were not released. The president also described a way out of the crisis for russia. Let international monitors into all of ukraine, including crimea, to ensure the rights of all ukrainians are being respected, including ethnic russians. Russia would maintain its basing rights in crimea, provided it, abides by its agreements and respects ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and the world should support the people of ukraine as they move to elections in may. Reporter president obama outlined the specifics this potential resolution with the russian president. Putin was noncommittal, but, scott, both leaders agreed talks would continue at the highest diplomatic levels. Pelley major, thank you. Its helpful to remember ukraine is divided right down the middle. Generally speaking, most people in the west want ties with western europe. Those in the east, generally, support russia. Now, with russia in crimea, other places in Eastern Ukraine are agitating to join russia, too. Charlie dagata saw that in donetsk. Reporter for the fifth day, mobs of prorussian demonstrators broke through lines of ukrainian riot police and stormed this citys government headquarters. Control of this building has come to symbolize control of donetsk, this deeply divide city next door to crimea. And while the russian protesters declared victory from the rooftops yesterday by this after, theyd lost control again. More than 70 people were taken into custody. Ukrainian riot police were back in charge, and the countrys blue and yellow flag flew high again. Donetsk is home to one Million People in ukraines industrial heartland. Its also the hometown of ousted president viktor yanukovych. The population is almost evenly split between those who back ukraines new government and the ethnic russians who view it as an illegal one. Many here like natalya smolyakova told us they welcome russian soldiers in Eastern Ukraine. You would be happy if the russian army came to donetsk. Everybody would be. speaking russian speaking russian sure, russian. Let russian army come here. And defend us. Reporter the city really has become a flashpoint, scott. The moment we started asking questions to either side, heated arguments broke out, a lot of pushing and shoving, and a lot of people here are worried that these daily confrontations could erupt in violence across Eastern Ukraine. Pelley charlie, thanks very much. Pelley charlie, thanks very much. In south africa today, the olympic track star known as the blade runner, broke down at his murder trial. Oscar pistorius put his hand over his eyes and later covered his ears during testimony. A neighbor testified that he saw pistorius kneeling over his girlfriend, reeva steenkamp, trying to help her breathe, and that the story is said he shot her after mistaking her for a burglar. He could get life in prison in if convicted. Pelley tomorrow, well get the new jobs report. The u. S. Unemployment rate last month was 6. 6 , but its been over 8 in california. Getting that down is one of the many challenges governor jerry brown faces as he runs for reelection. We sat down with him recently. Well, when i said i was going to bring insiders knowledge with an outsiders mind, now, i did bring skill to the task, but on top of that, we cut the budget. Pelley and the people howled about it. Of course they did. All the Interest Groups get up set but they cut for a very important reason. I said no new taxes unless the people vote for them themselves in an election, and the people werent going to vote for more taxes unless we show we cut to the bone. Then after that was done, proposition 30 was put on the ballot, and it passed substantially. Pelley proposition 30 did what . Proposition 30 imposed a 1, 2 or 3 tax on those who made more than 500,000 a year. It was unprecedented in the sense that most to have the states either are not asking the people for taxes or the people are saying no. In california, they said yes. I think they said yes because they saw 30,000 teachers laid off, they saw cutbacks. They saw University Tuition double, and they said enough. Pelley we talk about the balanced budget, but the ugly fact is that you have almost a 300 billion deficit in your Public Employee and teacher pensions. Its a big number. Its a big number, and you havent added other things like the deferred maintenance, which is a big number, too. But our Pension Funds have done quite well. So when youre talking about obligations that stretch out 50 years, well chip away at it. If our pensions were not challenging and we didnt have all these other problems, i would have a hard time finding a reason to run. Pelley the governor told us one of the billing challenges is to keep the state legislature from reversing his hardwon budget cuts. Some parents are traveling thousands of miles so their kids can get a controversial treatment for seizures. And how did they get this amazing view . When the western edition of the cbs evening news continues. I dont usgrfor hold because my dentures fit well. Before those little pieces would get in between my dentures and my gum and it was uncomfortable. Even wellfitting dentures let in food particles. Super poligrip is zinc free. With just a few dabs, its clinically proven to seal out more food particles so youre more comfortable and confident while you eat. So its not about keeping my dentures in, its about keeping the food particles out. [ charlie ] try zinc free super poligrip. music defiance is in our bones. Defiance never grows old. Citracal maximum. Calcium citrate plus d. Highly soluble, easily absorbed. Pelley legislation that would legalize a controversial treatment for children with severe epilepsy is moving ahead in utah and south carolina. It uses oil derived from marijuana. For now, its only available in colorado, and Barry Petersen has more. Reporter Aaron Klepinger considers this a miracle cure, the daily dose of liquid marijuana extract, known as charlottes web, given to his eightyearold son, hunter. Hunter. Reporter the klepingers believe it controls seizures so severe, they caused brain damage. Traditional epilepsy drugs were ineffective for hunter. The cleppingers say the extract has reduced the frequency of seizures from as many as 100 a day to as few as two a week. Dawn is hunters mother. When he was on pharmaceuticals, he was screaming all the time, or sleeping all the time, or having more seizures. So hes well more alert and more happy than he used to be. Come on, lets go. Reporter the klepingers moved to colorado where recreational and medical marijuana is allowed from georgia where any use of marijuana is illegal. I feel horrible that a childs zip code is what determines their ability to get medicine they could that could potentially save their lives. Reporter and this medicine you think can. Absolutely, i think it can. Reporter legislators in 12 states are considering proposals to allow a version of charlottes web to be produced or sold legally. The extract has a very low dose of t. H. C. , the chemical in marijuana that gives people a high. Parents believe other chemicals in the extract reduce the seizures. But there is no Scientific Study to prove the effectiveness and safety of charlottes web to treat epilepsy. We have real reason to be concerned. Reporter dr. Amy brooks kayal is first Vice President of the american epilepsy society. She worries that parents are sailing into uncharted waters. We do know from basic science studies that marijuana derivatives can completely stop the cellular mechanisms of learning and memory. And right now, i dont know the benefits. I dont know the likelihood its going to help. And i know nothing about the risks. Reporter there are about 200 parents in colorado using the extract, half who moved from out of state to use it legally. Okay. Reporter dangerous or not, it is, to them, the best hope for their own miracle against epilepsy. Thats it. Reporter Barry Petersen, cbs news, colora field . Reporter Barry Petersen, cbs news, colorado springs. Pelley well be right back. In a couple of hours, right . When youre worried about things at home, its impossible to think about anything else. Adt gives you Fast Response monitoring for burglary, fire, and carbon monoxide. Honey . You okay . Plus, you can control your home from almost anywhere. [ click ] call now and get adt for just 79. So you can get back to date night. Anybody have occasional constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating . One Phillips Colon Health probiotic cap each day helps defend against these digestive issues with three types of good bacteria. 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If you have any sudden decrease or loss in hearing or vision, or if you have any allergic reactions such as rash, hives, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, stop taking cialis and get medical help right away. Ask your doctor about cialis for daily use and a 30tablet free trial. Pelley this wont be easy staples said today it plans to close as many as 225 stores. The Office Supply chain said it now makes nearly half of its sales online. Just yesterday, radio shack said it is closing as many as 1100 stores. The Retail Business is changing, and with it the landscape of america. We were treated to an amazing view today. A crew from Time Magazine recently climbed to the top of the spire at one World Trade Center in new york city and mounted a camera on a rotating arm. This is the result. Their camera produced 567 pictures that were stitched together digitally to make a single image. A 360degree view from 1776 feet above manhattan. All we can say is wow. It was a dream come true for a young soccer man after brazil beat south africa in soweto yesterday. A sevenyearold boy wandered on to the field. Security grabbed him, but then one of the brazilian stars intervened. He brought the boy to his teammates who hoisted him into the air, and now hes a star. All over the world. As bad as californias drought is, it could be a whole lot worse. Thats next. Abe get in punch it [ male announcer ] let quicken loans help you save your money with a mortgage thats engineered to amaze. Thanks, g. I have a big meeting when we land, but i am so stuffed up, i cant rest. [ male announcer ] nyquil cold and flu liquid gels dont unstuff your nose. They dont . Alka seltzer plus night fights your worst cold symptoms, plus has a decongestant. [ inhales deeply ] oh. What a relief it is. Eating healthier,tion by drinking plenty of water, but still not getting relief . Try dulcolax laxative tablets. 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How far back in history can we go . Well, weve taken this record back about 3,000 years. Reporter that record shows california is in one of its driest periods since the year 1580. We think of a three to fiveyear drought as being a long drought. Historically, is that a long drought . Historically, if we go back, you know, several thousand years, weve seen that droughts can last over a decade, and in some cases they can last over a century. Reporter the evidence of these socalled megadroughts is found in San Francisco bay. Ingram and her team at the university of california berkeley removed the sediment from the bay in nearby marshes. So when we go through periods of drought, what do you notice in the sample . What you notice is that the vegetation shifts to more salt toleranttype vegetation. Reporter thats because during drought, there is less fresh water runoff into the bay. These patterns tend to repeat themselves. We can expect this will happen again. Reporter Scientists Say their Research Shows the 20th century was actually one of the wettest centuries in the past 1,300 years. During that time, we built massive dams and rerouted rivers. We used abundant water to build major cities and create a 45 billion agriculture industry in a place that use to be a desert. Even after several inches of rain last week, the drought continued. Ingram believes state should be prepared for the 100 yearlong dry period. Ben tracy, cbs news, berkeley, california. Pelley and thats the cbs evening news for tonight. For all of us all around the world, good night. Captioning sponsored by cbs now word these rail cars a your realtime captioner is linda macdonald. Its the biggest disaster of its kind. A train carrying crude explodes. A town is leveled. Dozens are dead. Now word these railcars are even more dangerous than first thought. Good evening, im elizabeth cook. Im ken bastida. A report out today calls fracked crude oil just as volatile as gasoline. The finding is important because railcars carrying that crude could be rolling through our neighborhoods on the way to bay area refineries. Only on 5, Christin Ayers talked to a survivor of a deadly derailment who hopes her story can serve as a wakeup call. It was boom. Boom. Boom. Boom. We were in shock. Reporter she was just a few miles away when a train carrying 30,000 gallons of crude oil derailed setting off a huge explosion and fire in quebec. We knew for sure people would die. Reporter the accident took 47 lives. A once vibrant downtown was reduced to ashes. The toxic mess will take years to clean up. Its like ooalfields that is really highly contaminated. Reporter the train was carrying fracked oil from the bakken region of north dakota. Regulations are required to test crude coming from the bakken region and they banned certain older model tanker cars but still havent issued new rules for the much more common tank