Good morning from the studio 57 newsroom at cbs news headquarters here in new york. Good to be with you. Im annemarie green. Well, President Trump leaves on his first foreign trip as president today, but he leaves behind a political train wreck thats rattled even some of his staunchest allies. Yesterday he was defiant and emphatic, saying he never urged former fbi director james comey to drop the investigation of Michael Flynn, and he never colluded with the russians. But weve learned the trump russia probe may turn into a criminal investigation. Weijia jiang is in washington. Weijia, good morning. Reporter good morning, annemarie. From the moment he took office, President Trump has stressed his America First message, which has sparked skepticism from much of the world, so this trip is an opportunity for him to calm worried allies. But youre right, he may be weighed down with baggage from controversies here at home. There was no collusion. Reporter the fbis ongoing russia investigation dominating a joint press conference with colombian president juan manuel santos. President trump responding to the Justice Department naming special Counsel Robert Mueller to lead the way. Well, i respect the move, but the entire thing has been a witch hunt. Reporter Senate Lawmakers emerged from a private meeting with Deputy Attorney general rof them alluding the investigation has taken a new turn. Its now considered a criminal investigation. Reporter democrats in attendance also contradicted the president s latest narrative for firing james comey as fbi director. I also got a very, very strong recommendation, as you know, from the Deputy Attorney general. Reporter after pressing rosenstein himself on the issue. He knew that comey was going to be removed prior to him writing his memo. Reporter amid all the turmoil, President Trump leaves washington today for a multicity overseas trip meant to bolster relations with muslim and nato allies. Im going to saudi arabia, going to israel, im going to rome, and we have the g7. Reporter back at home, the president also faced questions about his former National Security adviser, Michael Flynn. Did you at any time urge former fbi director james comey in any way, shape or form to close or to back down the investigation into Michael Flynn . And also, as you look back no. No. Next question. Reporter while abroad, President Trump will visit five countries in a little over a week. President trump has said he could name a new fbi director before taking off for this foreign trip, and on thursday, he said he was very close to making a decision. And, annemarie, he added former senator from connecticut Joe Lieberman is among his top choices. Weijia jiang in washington. Thank you so much, weijia. Well, we are learning more about possible links between the Trump Campaign and russian officials. Jeff pegues has the latest. Reporter sources say individuals connected to the Trump Campaign may have been coordinating with the russians as far back as april 2016, seven months before the president ial election. A former u. S. Government official tells cbs news, you could see the hallmarks throughout, including conversations picked up by electronic intercepts. Some of the contacts appear to be businessrelated or innocuous, but sources tell cbs news investigators also discovered multiple contacts that were cause for concern. The fbi is scrutinizing former Trump Campaign chairman paul manafort, Foreign Policy adviser carter page, and the former National Security adviser, Michael Flynn, but it is unclear if there are other Trump Associates under investigation. Flynn joined the Trump Campaign in february of 2016. A threestar general, he had previously headed the Defense Intelligence agency but was fired by president obama. Flynn was selected as mr. Trumps National Security adviser shortly after the election. The u. S. Intelligence community became especially concerned during the transition that Sensitive Information being provided to the trump team could be passed on to the russians. Flynn was also fired by President Trump just 24 days into his term for lying to Vice President pence about his contacts with Russian Ambassador sergey kislyak. Former director of National IntelligenceJames Clapper said flynn changed after leaving the military. What do you think changed him . Was it that he was fired . I dont know. That could be. Im speculating. I really dont know. He just became angry about it. I dont know. But there was something changed . Well, it appeared to me, yes. Reporter russia was looking for relief from sanctions imposed by the Obama Administration and investigators want to know if any Trump Associates made any promises. But more than 100 days into his term, President Trump has not removed any sanctions. Jeff pegues, cbs news, washington. Ahead on cbs this morning, we will talk to cbs news chief washington correspondent John Dickerson about the russia investigation and the president s overseas trip. Here in new york, the man accused of driving his car on to the sidewalk in times square and mowing down pedestrians for three blocks is a navy veteran who had been courtmartialed. At least one person was killed and more than 20 others injured. Richard rojas told police he was hearing voices. Hes expected to be charged with one count of murder and 20 counts of attempted murder. Cameras were rolling on thursday when a car plowed into a crowd of pedestrians in times square just before noon. I looked down at my phone for a minute or two, and next thing you know, boom it was like a big old, like a boom or something, an explosion. Reporter it happened during the busy lunchtime hour. Police quickly closed off times square. Photos taken right after the crash show the driver, 26yearold richard rojas, in a highly animated state. He was tackled by a traffic agent at the scene and held for police. Investigators say he has two prior arrests for drinking and driving. There is no indication that this was an act of terror. Reporter paramedics tended to the injured. Several of the victims are in serious condition. I decided to cross the street, and if i hadnt, id probably be dead. Reporter the woman who was killed was identified as alyssa elsman, an 18yearold tourist visiting from michigan. She and her 13yearold sister were run down as they stood on a sidewalk. The police chief credited the citys First Responders for their Quick Response helping victims. Well, rojas ran through the streets after getting out of his car but was tackled by a group, including a ticket seller and a door supervisor at a nearby restaurant. And at least three people, including a child, fell from a malfunctioning ferris wheel northwest of seattle. Witnesses say the ferris wheel stopped suddenly yesterday and one of the carts turned over. The passengers tried to hold on, but they fell about 30 feet to the ground. One woman is in critical condition. More Severe Weather is forecast for the Southern Plains today. Tornado watches are posted for parts of missouri, arkansas, and oklahoma. Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding are also possible. At least four tornadoes touched down in rural western oklahoma yesterday. Some farms were damaged, but there were no reports of injuries. Well, today the city of new orleans will take down a statue of confederate general robert e. Lee. It is the last of four confederate monuments the city has removed. Overnight, a man was arrested at the statues base with about 200 protesters gathered below. The lee statute is the most prominent, and it will be taken down midday, unlike the other three, which were carried away in the earlymorning hours. And today, iran is holding its first president ial election since it agreed to a nuclear deal, which went into effect last year. 56 million iranians are eligible to vote. The election is seen as a referendum on president hassan rowhanis more moderate policies, including the nuclear accord. There are growing calls on capitol hill for the Trump Administration to respond to actions by turkish president ial guards who attacked demonstrators at the ambassadors residence. The trouble began tuesday when president erdogan arrived. Men in dark suits are seen attacking the demonstrators. Video showed erdogan watching the violence unfold. The state department called the incident deeply disturbing. Well, coming up on the morning news now, Chelsea Mannings big reveal. The transgender soldier tweets the first photo of herself since being released from prison. And a wildfire in Northern California explodes, forcing evacuations. Ern california explodes, forcing evacuations. announcer vo when you have type 2 diabetes, theres a moment of truth. And now with victoza® a better moment of proof. Victoza® lowers my a1c and blood sugar better than the leading branded pill, which didnt get me to my goal. Lowers my a1c better than the leading branded injectable. The one i used to take. And better than that diabetes pill i used to take. jeff victoza® works with your body to lower blood sugar in three ways in the stomach, the liver, and the pancreas. And while it isnt for weight loss, victoza® may help you lose some weight. Noninsulin victoza® comes in a pen and is taken once a day. announcer vo victoza® is not recommended as the first medication to treat diabetes, and is not for people with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Do not take victoza® if you have a personal or Family History of medullary thyroid cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or if you are allergic to victoza® or any of its ingredients. Stop taking victoza® and call your doctor right away if you get a lump or swelling in your neck or if you develop any allergic symptoms including itching, rash, or difficulty breathing. Serious side effects may happen, including pancreatitis. So, stop taking victoza® and call your doctor right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area. Tell your doctor your medical history. Taking victoza® with a sulfonylurea or insulin may cause low blood sugar. The most common side effects are headache, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Side effects can lead to dehydration, which may cause kidney problems. Nows the time for a better moment of proof. Ask your doctor about victoza®. A Northern California highway was closed while crews battled a fastmoving wildfire southwest of fresno. The elm fire started yesterday and scorched more than 5,500 acres. Nearby residents were ordered to evacuate. The fire is 20 contained. Firefighters are dealing with steep and rugged terrain. Chelsea manning reveals her look as a woman, and a magazine illustrates the latest white house scandal. Those are some of the headlines on the morning newsstand. Time uses architecture to describe the crisis growing in the Trump Administration. The animated cover graphs russian touches on to the white house. Its the first time in a decade that the magazine has had no text on its cover. The Washington Post reports the Environmental Protection agency budgeted 12 million for buyouts and retirements. The white house has proposed cutting the agencys funds by nearly onethird and eliminating more than 3,000 jobs. The epa is under a hiring freeze. The Kansas City Star has the first photo Chelsea Manning released of herself since she was freed from prison. It was taken by a filmmaker who is making a documentary about her. Manning was freed wednesday after serving seven years for leaking government secrets. The Philadelphia Inquirer covers the arraignment of former amtrak engineer brandon bastian. Hes accused of Involuntary Manslaughter and other counts in the 2015 crash that killed eight people. Bastian was freed and will not have to pay bail as long as he appears for all court dates. And the oregonian says the states governor forgave a fourth grader who swiped a pen and hazelnut while touring the capitol. Kate brown replied to the boy after he confessed in a letter to her. He sent back the pen and enclosed a dollar to pay for the hazelnut. Still ahead, bidding war. A graffiti painting of a skull breaks an auction record at sothebys. Breaks an auction record at sothebys. Dont put up with almost clean. Finish quantum, proven to clean better than cascade complete gel. Switch to finish quantum and get really clean dishes first time, every time. Befi was active. Gia, i was energetic. Then the chronic, widespread pain drained my energy. My doctor said moving more helps ease fibromyalgia pain. He also prescribed lyrica. Fibromyalgia is thought to be the result of overactive nerves. Lyrica is believed to calm these nerves. For some, lyrica can significantly relieve fibromyalgia pain and improve function, so i feel better. Lyrica may cause serious allergic reactions. Or suicidal thoughts or actions. Tell your doctor right away if you have these, new or worsening depression, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. Or swelling, trouble breathing, rash, hives, blisters, muscle pain with fever, tired feeling, or blurry vision. Common side effects are dizziness, sleepiness, weight gain and swelling of hands, legs and feet. Dont drink alcohol while taking lyrica. Dont drive or use machinery until you know how lyrica affects you. Those who have had a drug or alcohol problem may be more likely to misuse lyrica. With less pain, i can be more active. Ask your doctor about lyrica. Heres a look at todays forecast in some cities around the country. An artwork by Jeanmichel Basquiat was auctioned yesterday for 110. 5 million. A japanese entrepreneur bought the untitled 1982 work after a tenminute bidding war. Sothebys in new york said the price is an auction record for an american artist. On the cbs money watch now. Rolling back net neutrality, and uber takes on trucking. Jill wagners at the New York Stock Exchange with that and more. Good morning, jill. Good morning, annemarie. Stocks on wall street staged a comeback after their worst day of the year, and despite growing fears that political turmoil in the Nations Capital will push President Trumps plan to cut taxes to the back burner. Before the opening bell yesterday, some positive news on jobs. Applications for Unemployment Benefits fell by 232,000, a threemonth low. The dow yesterday gained 56 points, the s p rose 8, the nasdaq finished 43 points higher. The fcc took the first step to repeal socalled net neutrality. By a vote of 21, the three commissioners voted to begin the process. Net neutrality blocks Internet Service providers from giving priority for certain content that moves through their system. Tech giants like apple, alphabet and Facebook Support it and it will be months before final rules are up for a vote. Airbag maker takata agreed to a 553 million settlement with four automakers. The deal covers toyota, subaru, mazda and bmw. It would compensate the owners of nearly 16 million cars and trucks following the recall of defective airbags. Those defective takata airbags are blamed for at least 16 deaths and 180 injuries. A federal court still has to approve the deal. Ibms reportedly reversing course on having its employees work from home. Ibm was a pioneer in remote work, but it plans to tell thousands of workers to return to the office or leave the company, according to the wall street journal. Ibm says working in the office will improve collaboration and pick up the pace of work. And ubers getting into the trucking business. The ridehailing company is launching uber freight. The app connects professional Truck Drivers with shippers looking to transport big loads. Uber says for the drivers, it takes the stress out of finding and booking freights. Annemarie. All right, jill wagner at the New York Stock Exchange. Thanks a lot, jill. Still to come, the skinny on whole milk. Why nutrition experts say drinking whole milk instead of skim could be better for you in the long run. Of skim could be better for you in the long run. Lindt excellence created by our master chocolatiers. Pure, rich, elegantly thin. Experience excellence with all your senses. From the lindt master chocolatiers. The toothpaste that helps new parodontax. Prevent bleeding gums. If you spit blood when you brush or floss you may have gum problems and could be on the journey to much worse. Help stop the journey of gum disease. Try new parodontax toothpaste. Doctors recommend taking claritin every day distracting you . Of your allergy season for continuous relief. Claritin provides powerful, nondrowsy, 24hour relief. For fewer interruptions from the Amazing Things you do every day. Live claritin clear. Every day. Ykeep you sidelined. Ng thats why you drink ensure. With 9 grams of protein and 26 vitamins and minerals. For the strength and energy to get back to doing. What you love. Ensure. Always be you. Controversy here at home. Googles Developers Conference resumes after a staff member suffered life threatening injuries yesterday. And a stunning family secret revealed. Well hear from a bay area woman who just found out the woman she thought was her housekeeper as a child actually had no choice. Join us for kpix 5 news this morning. Beginning at 4 30. Good morning. Heres a look at todays forecast in some cities around the country. Well, if you love baseball, you can now like it on facebook. Facebook will live stream a Big League Game without local blackouts every friday night. Tonights colorado cincinnati game will be the first of 20 games shown under the deal with major league baseball. And more and more people are ditching lowfat Dairy Products and choosing whole milk instead. Danielle nottingham has more on why fullfat dairy could be the better choice for some people. Reporter sarah stubbs spent most of her life drinking skim or 2 milk but switched to fullfat milk after her son was born. Wholefat latte. Ill do whole milk with yogurt. Reporter sarah says she always thought lowfat milk was better for her health, but nutrition experts say there can be big Health Benefits to working fullfat milk, yogurt, and cheese into your diet. Even though theres more calories, that fat is very satiating, so it keeps people full for longer and they tend to not eat as much otherwise during the day. Reporter studies also show the fat can slow down the bodys absorption of sugar, helping to lower the risk of diabetes. Fullfat yogurts are also popping up on store shelves. They can be a healthier option, since many lowfat yogurts have more added sugar for taste. Registered dietician Alyssa Rumsey says its important to look at your whole diet before making the switch. For someone whos already consuming a lot of saturated fat, maybe a lot of red meat products, a lot of animal fats, and not so much of the good stuff, i probably wouldnt want to add in more saturated fat. Reporter stubbs says shes enjoying the taste of whole milk. I like it. Im going to probably stick with it. Reporter and hasnt noticed any weight gain. Danielle nottingham, cbs news, los angeles. Coming up after your local news on cbs this morning, the series real food looks at the growing trend of kelp and how the seaweed is is not just for salad anymore. Im annemarie green. This is the cbs morning news. Im annemarie green. This is the cbs morning news. Is that ice cream . No, its, uh, breyers gelato indulgences. You really wouldnt like it. Its got caramel and crunchy stuff. I like caramel and crunchy stuff. Breyers gelato indulgences. Its way beyond ice cream. Finish quantum, proven dont to clean better thanlean. Cascade complete gel. Switch to finish quantum and get really clean dishes first time, every time. Give extra. Get extra. Our top story this morning, the man accused of driving his car into a sidewalk in new yorks times square told police he was hearing voices and expected to die. Richard rojas is a navy veteran. He mowed down 23 people and at least one died, an 18yearold tourist from michigan. Officials say this was not an act of terrorism. And today, President Trump leaves on his first overseas trip as commander in chief. Yesterday he denied he had collaborated with russia. He also denied reports that he asked former fbi director james comey to end the investigation. Mr. Trump said the investigation is a witch hunt that hurts the country. The president said hell name a nominee to succeed comey soon. Well, the white house described President Trumps overseas trip as an attempt to unite major religions against radical islam. Mark phillips looks at mr. Trumps image overseas. I think that theres a sense of horrified fascination here in europe. Reporter fascination and fear, according to jonathan powell, who ran the british Prime Ministers Office during the tony blair years and who knows about dealing with u. S. President s. When theyre preoccupied with political intrigue at home, he says, foreign leaders cant rely on them. If this is going to be the next two to three years totally consumed with these issues in washington, unable to focus on international relations, that leaves a very serious vacuum. Reporter a vacuum theyre trying to avoid at nato, which President Trump will visit next week. Officials there are reportedly planning to put strict time limits on discussions about military spending and fighting terrorism so the president doesnt tune out. But if theres a sense of anxiety, theres a sense of humor regarding the president , too. Donald trump has long been the butt of jokes. Now satire shows find the material irresistible. What was the official reason for the sharp dismissal of james comey . Because he is bad at his job. He is so bad at his job that i am still the president. Reporter tv satire is one thing, but when Vladimir Putin starts dropping oneliners about you did you hear the one about how the president gave Russian Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov classified intelligence . Ill have to reprimand lavrov, putin joked this week, for not sharing those secrets with russian intelligence. Lavrov seemed to find it hilarious. What european leaders have historically wanted from u. S. President s is consistency and engagement. The fear being privately expressed by some officials here is that this president is embarking on his first foreign trip with his mind elsewhere. Mark phillips, cbs news, london. Well, coming up after your local news on cbs this morning, the Newest Technology to come out of googles annual Developers Conference. Cnets dan ackerman joins us on how google is planning to turn your Smartphone Camera into the ultimate search engine. Plus, the series real food looks at the growing trend of kelp and how the seaweed is not just for salad anymore. And actress Gina Rodriguez from the hit show jane the virgin stops by studio 57. Thats the cbs morning news for this friday. Thanks for watching. Im annemarie green. Have a great day. M annemarie green. Have a great day. Im kenny choi. Hey, its friday as we take a live look at the bay bridge. We are excited its friday. Most of us love this day except for jaclyn. She likes tuesday for some reason. I like fridays good morning, its friday, may 19. Im kenny choi. Im michelle griego. You love fridays more than tuesdays . I i love friday. Yes. [ laughter ] equal opportunity. Whatever. Every day is a good day. [ laughter ] were glad. I know. I feel like as long as im not six feet under, im okay [ laughter ] im okay. [ laughter ] as long as im not looking at the daisies, im good every day of the week hi, everybody. Lets head outside clear skies, the coast is clear with an offshore flow and mild temperatures. 50 in santa rosa. San jose at 59 degrees. We do have right now an offshore flow. Thats why youre looking at all those clouds off the coast. Sunny skies in the beaches through the bay to our inland areas from the mid60s at Rockaway Beach to 90 in concord, clayton and walnut creek. Full forecast featuring a hotter weekend but first, heres jaclyn. Good morning, a