pointed requests of our community to come forward. >> reporter: the shootings terrorized the pro pre doment inially black neighborhoods of north tulsa. the five shootings all occurred in less than an hour within three miles of each other. all the victims were black, shot apparently at random. a survivor said the man who shot them was white. >> being an naacp president for seven years, i think that somebody that committed these crimes were very upset with black people. >> reporter: police suspected the shootings were racially charged but had no evidence. now they say they may have a link. jake england posted a note on his facebook page thursday that said, today is two years that my dad has been gone, shot by an expletive "n" word. diedre bryant, abc news. we turn to politics now. an important political boost for mitt romney and it comes from a pretty unlikely source. newt gingrich told fox news that romney is, quote, far and away the most likely gop presidential nominee. gingrich says if romney secures the nomination he would campaign for him but romney's mormon faith may be a negative for millions of republican christians. pastor rick warren was asked about just that. >> key sticking point for evangelicals and actually for many is the issue of the trinity. that's the historic doctrine of the church that god is three in one. not three gods, one god in father, son and holy spirit. mormonism denies that. that's a sticking point for a lot of catholic collisions, evangel ka christians, pen costal christians because they don't believe that. now they'll use the same terminology but they don't believe in the historic doctrine of the trinity. and people have tried to make it other issues but that's one of the fundamental differences. >> an influential roman catholic leader in new york, cardinal timothy dolan says catholics may have reasons not to vote for romney but his religion cannot be one of them. >> rick klein looks at the sensitive subject of politics and religion. good morning, rick. >> rob and tannia, we're detecting a big snift how mitt romney is confronting questions about his mormon faith. the responses this time around much more implicit than explicit. take a look at this image. this is mitt romney enjoying easter with his grandchildren. mitt romney has all-american family man. then this photo snapped over the weekend not authorized by his campaign. it's mitt romney and one of his sons about to enjoy san diego's surf. the campaign hopes that pictures like these drown out all the noise about his mormon faith. meanwhile, rick santorum has pulled himself off the trail for a few days as his 3-year-old daughter bella is hospitalized. he should be able to rejoin the campaign trail by tuesday. the question is whether he'll want to. he has more at stake these next few weeks than even romney. romney's campaign is set to launch some $2 million in ads in pennsylvania. if santorum were to lose his home state in two weeks, it would sting. >> rick klein, thank you. now to a big medical headline. it hits home for expectant mothers. scientists discovered obese women were 67% more likely to deliver autistic children. compared to normal weight women. the study in today's "pediatr "pediatrics" journal shows obese mothers have a chance of having children with development delays. it's the first time they've linked a mother's weight to autism. >> a lot of news about autism lately. including older fathers are more like three have an autistic children. here's a look now at your weather on this monday morning. it will be another mild day along the east coast. but winds could gust up to 30 miles an hour. new england will see some snow showers. it will be sunny and warm, though in southern california. isn't it always? dallas and oklahoma city could see another round of severe weather, though. >> cooler weather moves into the midwest with temperatures dropping by at least ten degrees. chicago will be 63. seattle and portland in the mid-60s. fargo is chilly at 47. it is not often that a baby rejected by his mom will do as well as the guy you're about to meet. >> we know you love this story, rob. yon-yon is a polar bear who is 100 days old. he's china's first artificially bred polar bear and apparently his mom didn't want to raise him. >> zookeepers say he's healthy, he's putting on weight and should be ready to meet zoo visitors this summer. 20 excited guests were invited to a special party for yon-yon over the weekend. he's going to be a sensation when he meets his public. >> i mean, is there anything more adorable than a polar bear cub? >> it's cute. and one that's overcome family strife, rejected by his mom. >> i could not be rooting for yon-yon. >> can't wait to see his life story on lifetime some time soon. it's going to be wonderful and touching. >> we love you. we'll be right back with more "world news now" after this. ♪ >> announcer: "world news now" weather brought to you by consumer cellular. ♪ well, tim tebow is no stranger to having all eyes on him on a sunday. but on easter, this was a little different. >> the man they call god's quarterback took the pulpit in a jam-packed mega church. abc's steve osunsami has tebow's message. >> reporter: he's arguably the most well known evangel ka christian in america today. jets quarterback tim tebow. and at easter service outside austin, texas, nearly 15,000 worshipers suffered through the heat to hear him bear witness. >> win or lose, i think it's still most important that regardless of what happens that i still honor my lord and savior jesus christ. >> it was a massive event. the church called it their super bowl. they rented more than 100 buses and the families arrived at the crack of dawn. >> i think it was absolutely amazing. i got a lot out of it today. i'm glad i got to see him. >> reporter: the heisman trophy winner talked about bringing his faith to the football field and explained that signature move. >> they started calling it tebow'ing. i don't think i was the first athlete to get on a knee and pray but i think it's pretty cool because at least prayer is being talked about. and that it's okay to be outspoke bn about your faith. >> reporter: tebow's talk drew both the faithful and faithful sports fans. we asked this young man about tebow's message. >> honestly, i do not remember. >> reporter: then we asked him about that trade to the jets. >> i wasn't a big fan of the broncos, but i am a big fan of tim tebow. when he signed with the jets, i was really, really happy about that because i'm a huge fan of the jets. >> reporter: no matter where they came, they went home renewed. steve osunsami. >> they say 15,000 people showed up for that. so he can pack the house on football sundays and on easter sunday. >> he has certainly tapped into something. that's for sure. >> absolutely. >> there you go! >> somebody got into my facebook page. that was one of my favorite places in new orleans. >> after a couple of drinks. tebow'ing for some more. >> i'm not even looking down. i'm still looking at the camera. media people. >> you know, they're watching you. everywhere you go. >> coming up -- >> sneaky guys around here. they got on my facebook page. i'm changing my password right now. >> who is outraged over the cost of whitney houston's funeral? we'll tell you. also, heidi klum's broken heart and now her legal action coming up next in "the skinny." >> announcer: abc' it is so wonderful to be here tonight hosting -- [ speaking spanish ] i always heard that immigrants had a really hard life when they came to america. but when i showed up here, everyone was so nice. the men bought me drinks and offered me a place to sleep. this country welcomed me with open arms and pull-down pants. ♪ skinny so skinny ♪ >> welcome sophia. >> you love sophia vergara. >> she's doing really well. >> she's been famous in latin america for years and years and years, all over latin america. >> she's blowing up here. love it. >> absolutely. now it is time for "the skinny." we have some sad news. heidi klum filed for divorce from seal. after seven years of marriage. and lots of pda. the two of them were very, very demonstrative. let's put it that way. they've also reached a postnuptial agreement regarding the division of property. but she has cited irreconcilable differences and she's seeking physical custody of their four kids. >> the divorce has been in the news for some time but this is -- there's hope for reconciliation. now she actually filed for the divorce. it's official. it's over. >> yes, apparently they've even taken off the wedding rings. >> for a while -- seven years. that's like 50 years in hollywood. so they made it longer than most. >> heidi is back on the market, guys. >> not bad again. more fall out from the death of whitney houston. there's some folks in newark who all remember that funeral. star-studded event in her hometown of newark. the whole thing cost about $187,000. that's because they used about 200 cops to keep guard outside of the funeral and then the services afterwards and the cemetery. so there's some folks saying why should we foot the bill considering the cause of death. more debate in the city over the death of one of their native daughters. chris daughtry of "american idol" fame is being sbid former bandmates. they claim his mega hit "home" was a song they all worked on together before he went on "american idol." they are suing but he fired back saying i'm very hurt by these false accusations. the songs listed in this lawsuit were written solely by me and no one else. he has no further comment. looks like this is going to get ugly. ♪ i'm going to court yes, indeed. monique back in the news. having this nasty dispute with her landlords here. it's gotten really weird. remember her from a sitcom she was in plus "precious." oscar-winning actress for that portray ol. she and her husband walked out of a rental contract because the place smells like dog poop and urine. they released some e-mails from mo'nique's husband accusing them of being illegal immigrants and smoking weed in the house. a really messy situation. mo'nique wants to -- an aarp... medicare supplement nsurance card, too. medicare is one of the great things about turning 65, but it doesn't cover everything. in fact, it only pays up to " 80% of your part b expenses. if you're already on or eligible for medicare, call now to find out how an aarp... insured by unitedhealthcare insurance company, not paid by medicare part b. that can save you from paying .up to thousands of dollars... out of your own pocket. these are the only medicare supplement insurance plans... exclusively endorsed by aarp. when you call now, you'll get this free information kit... with all you need to enroll. put their trust in aarp p medicare supplement insuranc. plus you'll get this free guide to understanding medicare. the prices are competitive. i can keep my own doctor. and i don't need a referral o see a specialist. call now to get a free information kit. plus you'll get this free guide to understanding medicare. and the advantages don't end there. choose from a range of medicare r supplement plans... that are all competitively priced. we have a plan for almost everyone, so you can find one that fits r your needs and budget. with all medicare supplement plans, there are virtually p no claim forms to fill out. plus you can keep that accepts medicare. p your own doctor and hospital and best of all, these plans are... when they told me these plans were endorsed by aarp... i had only one thing to say... sign me up. and find out about an aarp medicare supplement insurance plan. you'll get this free information kit... as with all medicare supplement plans, you can keep your own doctor and hospital that accepts # medicare, call this toll-free number now. ♪ ♪ tequila i'll just keep dancing. you're going to love this. this is our favorite story of the day. we've heard of many people putting off retirement and having to work well into their 70s or 80s. >> well, now we have a remarkable story from connecticut where a bartender just turned 97 years old. and still going strong. jeff valen of wtnh reports. >> what's your favorite drink? >> bailey's. >> reporter: 97. proof. >> you going to be having any today for your birthday? >> i just had one before. >> that a girl. so you've already started. >> reporter: not the bailey's. aged to perfection, angie maclean who friday celebrated her 97th birthday is a bartender and the star attraction at panama joe's in bridgeport. >> everybody comes here. they love her. no one's got nothing bad to say about her. a lot of people come in just to see her. >> she's been tending bar since her 60s. >> she's worked for you for how many years? >> 18. in september, 18. >> oh, yeah. i'm like a daughter to them. >> daughter? eh? well played, angie. the girl who mixes drinks and business with pleasure but can be tough. >> she knows this place better than anybody. she's not afraid to throw anybody out. >> reporter: when a customer comes in and they've had too much to drink already, how do you handle them? >> you shut them off. >> reporter: a place where everybody knows her name and her rank. >> she plays pool. she does cooking. she does the decorations on all the holidays. >> she doesn't let no one boss her around. that's for sure. she's the boss. >> she's the boss. she comes here and changes the chairs i fix. >> reporter: in all her years of providing distilled spirits, she's procured some distilled wisdom, too. >> the pains and aches, and if you sit down, forget it. >> i love this. >> i like her. >> if you can live like that, if you can have that quality of life, then -- you know. >> very cool. oh, that's me. you know what? some days, semi more normal hours. >> what are we having here? >> cheers to her. >> angie, you go. >> a little bailey's myself. >> announcer: this is abc's "world news now." informing insomniacs for two decades. this morning on "world news now" -- california bombshell. the former modesto teacher who gave up his job and his family to move in with a former teenaged student is now in some major legal trouble. >> that's right. and that teenager has moved out of the apartment she shared with her former teacher following some alarming new allegations. it is monday, april 9th. >> announcer: from abc news, this is "world news now." >> good monday morning. i'm rob nelson. >> i'm tanya rivero in for paula faris. that former teacher, 41-year-old james hooker is now accused of sexually abusing another teenager. that was enough to end the relationship and for 18-year-old tammy powers, 18-year-old jordan powers, rather, to move out and away from the public eye. >> this actually was -- you did "weekend good morning america." you talked to her on the phone. >> i spoke to her on the phone the same day that james had been arrested and taken out of t apartment and she decided to end it. >> i'm stunned. i saw such a bright future with that relationship. i'm stunned it didn't work out the teacher and the student. >> we all thought it would last. >> yes, indeed. what a strange story, too. now he's cuffed. >> more power to her. she made a decisive move, and she's a strong young lady. i think she's going to be fine. >> lesson learned perhaps. >> absolutely. the unfort gettable mike wallace. the tv journalist and interviewer who put "60 minutes" on the air and turned it into a huge success. we'll bring you a tribute coming up later in this half hour. and later this half hour, the vivid colored easter candy that's probably in your kids' easter baskets right now. if there are any left, why marshmallow peeps are such a sensation. >> i always wonder what's in those. now we get a look inside the factory. >> people are either obsessed with them or can't stand them. >> which camp are you in? >> i don't want to say. i don't want to say because i don't want to ruin it for anyone. that's a clue, right? >> well played, tanya. well played. before we get to all of that, the relationship outraged many around the country. a teacher involved with his student. >> but now it is over. after an arrest late last week, we learned the details over the weekend. jordan powers waste node time breaking up with her boyfriend and former teacher james hooker the day police came to their shared apartment to arrest him. >> he was just like i love you, i'm sorry. i still want to be with you, but i'm not even believing a word he says now. i said, no, don't even bother. >> therapist bethany marshall who interviewed the couple during happier times -- >> love will overcome everything. >> reporter: says this decisive action bodes well for the teenager. >> now she's going to grow up and she's going to put this period behind her. i don't think she's the kind of girl that is going to stay in a brain-washed or vulnerable state. i experienced her as reflective, and as having the mental capacity to move on from this. >> reporter: as for hooker, if the allegations against him are true, marshall feels it's part of a pattern. >> i would not recommend james hooker come anywhere near a school. he gravitates towards young people. he uses the age differential and the power he has over them to gain validation and reassurance. and in the process, the relationship becomes sexualized. >> reporter: hooker who plead not guilty to a felony sex charge against a minor posted his $50,000 bond saturday and was later seen riding his bike. he's expected to court tuesday for a pretrial hearing. jordan tells abc news she plans to stay with a family friend out of state for a while. as her mother, who waged a very public war against hooker, breathes a sigh of relief. >> a lot of sleepless nights. i've been worried about her safety, first and foremost. hopefully we can move forward from here. >> reporter: for jordan, moving on means not looking back. >> i thought that he was just this guy that followed his heart, and now i know that he has problems. >> and the mother took this all the way to the state capitol. she wants better regulations for these student/teacher relationships. >> she's fighting for a new bill that would make it illegal in california for a teacher to have a sexual relationship with a student, no matter what the age. >> i think most people would back that. what was your impression? >> i think she's a strong young lady. she's heartbroken. she honestly really cared for this man and she's heartbroken but she's determined to move on. >> she pretty much said he admitted to this other relationship. >> he did. he described it in a very different way so that when police came and accused him of what they are -- what they arrested him for and he did not deny it, she was heartbroken. >> let's hope she moves on. she's young. chapter over. >> she will. strong lady. >> yes. shifting gears to other news this morning. the star power of singer/actress jennifer hudson at a murder trial in chicago could complicate the proceedings when they start later today. william balfour is accused of killing hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew. prosecutors say he was upset his estranged wife who was hudson's sister had started dating another man. hudson does plan to be in court every day and may even be called as a witness herself. the court has prepared for extra media coverage and potential distractions for the jury. two men are facing possible hate crime charges for a shooting spree in tulsa that left three people dead and two others injured. roommates jake england and alvin watts are accused of gunning down the five victims likely chosen at random. investigators say england may have been trying to avenge his father's shooting death two years ago by a black man. >> it sickens me. it angers me. this is not what tulsa, oklahoma, is about. >> i've been the naacp president for seven years. i understand and i know hate crime when i see one. >> both englan