Transcripts For CNNW CNN 20240704 : comparemela.com

Right now, new terrifying images from hawaii. Entire neighbors on fire, people fleeing to safety in a State Reckoning with a terrible tragedy. Were going to speak with a maui counsel member and the Lieutenant Governor as President Biden promises help from the federal government for this disaster. Also ahead, new details about the deadly encounter in utah. Fbi Agents Shooting and killing a man they were trying to arrest after his alarming and threatening post about President Joe Biden and other public figures. A sign of hope for Five Americans wrongfully detained in iran. A deal could bring them home soon. Were following these major developing stories and more coming in right here to Cnn News Central. Right now it is all Hands On Deck as firefighters are battling flames that are still sweeping across maui and as Rescue Workers intensify their search for survivors. Right now at least 36 people are confirmed dead in Hawaii On Maui and there are Major Concerns that that death toll is going to rise even more. We did obtain new video. It is showing the Hawaii Army National guard helping here to fight the wildfires. Theyre using helicopters, dipping large buckets into the ocean, dropping that water on top of the flames. And here in the last hour, President Biden spoke about this ongoing situation, and he declared a major disaster in hawaii. Our prayers are with the people of hawaii, not just our prayers, every asset we have will be available to them and weve seen theyve seen their homes and businesses destroyed and some have lost loved ones. Its not over yet. Want to talk about this more with Kayani Rollins Fernandez who sits on the maui council. Thank you so much for joining us today. We know everything that youre dealing with both in terms of supporting your community and you personally, emotionally. You must be going through so much. How are you doing . How are those around you doing . We are safe, so we here are okay and for covering this and for having having a way to collect funds to support our community. Our community is in, you know, support mode right now to help those most affected, so those that are that have a stable home and are okay, are contributing however they can to help those that have been affect and have lost everything. We know that some of the worst winds have died down a little bit, but that there are still some winds there. Can you tell us what the status of the fires are and to what extent you know about firefighters making headway . Theyre doing their best to control flareups. The winds have been gusty, and it causes flareups after its been controlled, so its been really unpredictable. The winds have died down. The day that the entire town burned, we were unable to fly helicopters to help control the fire because of the 80mileperhour winds, and since then, we have been able to use helicopters to control the fire and that has helped tremendously. We do know that the president has declared a Disaster Declaration for your state. Do you think does your community have enough support right now from the state, but also from the federal government . What more do you need . We have a lot of Community Members whose houses did not burn down north of canna paley. Weve been collaborating and coordinating as much as possible. They dont have pour. They have running water. They were able to get diesel so they continue to have running water. They need ice because they dont have power. Theyll need food. Were trying to get them generators so they can have some power. They need a plan for those choosing to stay in the area because of the looting thats starting to happen and those Community Members, my colleague, Council Member Tamara Pullton is on the ground and trying to support her community there as much as possible with all of these supplies. Im sure so many people are turning to you right now. In terms of recognition from the rest of the country would you like to see a visit to maui from President Biden or perhaps from former president barack obama, who, of course, grew up in hawaii . I think both of those would be incredible help to get the attention from the world. Our community has been devastating. Lahaina was our kingdoms capital. We have lost so much. Its in ashes. Over 271 houses have been lost, businesses. The death count is continuing to rise. And, you know, i think whatever individuals that care about hawaii can do, were asking them to do everything in their power. These images from lahaina that you were just mentioning are so incredibly sad and disturbing. Anybody interested should read about the cultural history. Its an extraordinary place and we are wishing you all the very best. Thank you so much for joining us today. We know it is an incredibly difficult time. Our thoughts go out to you and everybody on the council and everyone in your community. Youre very much in our thoughts. Thank you so much. Councilwoman Keani Rawlins frnz. What councilwoman was mentioning, for more information about how you can help hawaii go to cnn. Com impact or text hawaii to 707070 to donate. S. The fire in hawaii has been fueled in part by these violent winds from a Hurricane Churning more than 800 miles offshore, and just hours ago, noaa upgraded its Forecast Warning warm oceans, setting records, will spur even more storms this season than usual. Meteorologist chad myers is in the cnn Weather Center for us. Tell us about these predictions, chad . Yeah. The atlantic Hurricane Season is now predicted to be above normal, where we have this tug of war between very warm water that should make bigger and more storms and then the el nino that should stir them up and break them apart. It will be all season long, just a tug of war. Whats going to be more important, the very warm water or that sheer that could tear those storms apart . An el nino year has more sheer. A hurricane likes to be by itself like my old cat. Doesnt want to be bothered. Leave me alone and dont knock me over with any of your winds. Ill do my best with this warm water. And the warm water now 2 to 4 degrees above normal in some spots and even warmer than that in some of the really develop mental zones for hurricanes. Weve had four names but the number will go up. Its been hot, Hurricane Season must be over. Nope, we are right there. We are just te beginning of the ramp to get up to the top when there are more storms in the water on these days than really almost all the days here and all the days there. So a long season to go, and the Hurricane Center says please get ready, be prepared, we are not even started yet. Its a sobering assessment as you put it there. Chad myers, thank you. Long season to go. Hours before President Joe Biden arrived in utah yesterday, fbi agents tried to arrest a man in provo accused of making o. J. Threats to kill the president as well as other democrats. That suspect was then shot and killed. A Law Enforcement source telling us that craig d. Robertson pointed a gun at agents as they tried to take him into custody. At this hour that fatal incident is under review by an fbi shooting Response Team that launched from the bureaus headquarters here in washington. Lets bring in cnn security correspondent josh campbell. Josh, this was not the first time that the fbi encountered this suspect . Thats right. This investigation began back in march. It was a social Media Company that observed some concerning material on their platform. They called the fbis National Threat Information Operation center and said look, this is troubling. The fbi then looked into that account. They eventually identified this suspect as the owner and put him under surveillance. They saw him wearing a donald trump hat, ar15 lapel pin, went up and made contact and confronted him about some of these posts. He originally told them look, this is part of some dream i had, these threatening posts online, and then got very belligerent with the agents told them to go away, dont come back unless you have a warrant. After that he began it posting, taunting the fbi. One of these posts which some might see as a threat, the fbi tried to interfere with my free speech right in my driveway. My. 45 acp, reference to ammunition, was ready to smoke them, posting at the fbi, if youre still watching, watching my account, i need to make sure i have a loaded handgun in case you swing by. That very concerning. What concerned the Secret Service and fbi was ahead of President Joe Bidens visit to utah yesterday where the suspect posted, read part of that, he allegedly wrote, i hear biden is coming to utah. Digging out my old suit, a reference to attire or camouflage worn by snipers and cleaning the dust off the m24 sniper rifle. The fbi sought an arrest warrant, attempted to take him into custody. A Law Enforcement source says he pointed a gun and one of the agents they werent just directed at the fbi and President Joe Biden but at prominent democrats across the country. What do we know . Absolutely. I mentioned before he was seen wearing a trump hat. The reason thats important, you Connect The Dots here, the through lines in his alleged targets were prominent democratic officials, including those that have been targeted verbally by President Donald Trump that includes, obviously, President Biden, Vice President harris, attorney general merrick garland, who, of course, is overseeing an investigation into donald trump. There were state officials including california governor gavin newsom, Letitia James and alvin bragg, Overseeing A Criminal Investigation into donald trump. The reason thats important is because as weve continued to report on intelligence and Law Enforcement officials remain concerned that this vitriol were hearing in the overheated Political Climate could lead to violence. People getting whipped up, thats what theyre concerned about moving forward. Like this person who might have stood ready to fire upon those agents had they not shot him first. Words have consequences. So often forgotten. Josh campbell thanks very much. Ahead this hour, on Cnn News Central our Breaking News, Five Americans detained in iran now released on house arrest in a 6 billion deal with the u. S. Were going to speak to former iranian former prison to iran Jason Ra Zion who is one of the few who knows what these americans may be experienced. Brand new reporting providing the most detailed look at the luxurious life of Supreme Court Justice Clarence thomas bank rolled by wealthy friends. His gifts more extensive than previously known. It could affect your doctors ability to care for you. A study finds a near recordbreaking drug shortage. One pharmacist its having a critical impact on care. ronald and Reclining Back lyn we work fulltime and parent fulltime. lyns husband we will be reclined until further r notice. andi its our right to let the dishes soak overninight. rob and to mow the lawn. 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Report fever, stiff muscles or confusion which may mean a lifethreatening reaction, or uncontrollable Muscle Movements which may be permanent. High blood sugar, which can lead to coma or death, weight gain and high cholesterol may occur. Movement dysfunction and restlessness are common side effects. Sleepiness and stomach issues are also common. Side effects may not appear for several weeks. Ask about vraylar and learn how abbvie could help you save. Despite new reporting about Justice Clarence thomas sources in congress say there is virtually no chance that a new bill on Supreme Court Ethics Reform will pass. The reporting that propublica released found Justice Thomas received more gifts from more benefactors than previously known. Four moguls treated thomas to 38 destination vacations, including a yacht voyage in the bahamas, plus another two stays at luxury resorts. 26 private jet flights and that does not include another batch of trips by helicopter. A dozen vip passes to college and pro sporting events. Thomas reportedly also had a standing invitation to an exclusive golf club. Joining us Supreme Court analyst joan vescuepick. We have propublica reporting on harlan crowes gifts in the spring, that was a drop in the bucket and the kind of expenditures were talking about on the Security Justice is the kind of things on spent on a member of congress or Executive Branch would have to be declared or they couldnt be accepted. Thats right. Harlan crow was the first One Propublica revealed three other billionaires who have strong conservative interests including david sokul, executive at Berkshire Hathaway and three others too. The important thing here the disclosure. Exactly what you said. Clarence thomas did not comment to propublica for this report and not to us. Weve asked for any kind of response. Heres what he sai april when the first story came out about harlan crow. Early in my tenure at the court i sought guidance from my colleagues andthers in the judiciary and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from Close Friends who did not have business before the court was not reportable. But thats not really the case because you just mentioned the private jet trips, those have always been required to be reported on Financial Disclosure forms, put out annually. There is a little bit of fuzziness in other personal hospitality, but those that kind of transportation has never been deemed personal hospitality that could have variation. The other thing thats happened, even though the justices are covered by certain postwatergate and disclosure and Conflict Of Interest rules they do not have a formal code of ethics. This is one part of the drumbeat putting pressure on the court, mostly from the outside, but some inside, too, to adopt a formal code of conduct. Yeah. More pressure on chief Justice John Roberts to do something and cheap up a little inside the house there. Thank you so much for that. Alex . In days we could see charges in the sprawling investigation into donald trump and alleged Election Interference in the state o