
In the wake of the deadly Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooting, Anderson Cooper talks to Brett Sokolow, Executive Director of The National Behavioral Intervention Team Association, threat assessment expert Barry Spodak, and Peter Read, whose daughter Mary Karen Read was killed in the Virginia Tech shooting. They offer insight on how to prevent future attacks by recognizing warning signs.
Earlier this week, CNN affiliate KMGH reported that the suspected gunman’s psychiatrist, Dr. Lynne Fenton, alerted University of Colorado’s threat assessment team with concerns that he could potentially be a danger to others. Sources told KMGH that no one contacted police about Fenton’s notification, and that the university threat team did not act because the suspect had already taken steps to withdraw from school and they had “no control over him.”
Citing the 2008 shooting at Northern Illinois University in which a student returned to campus a year-and-a-half after leaving and killed five people, Spodak suggests that threat assessment teams “think through the broader implications” of not sharing concerns about a student. “Wouldn’t you like to have every bit of information you can gather, within the campus setting, to understand their state of mind at the time that they leave?” he said.
Sen. John McCain says he knew Kofi Annan's cease-fire negotiations would fail. He thinks the conflict in Syria requires a safe area where the opposition can train and equip, the wounded can be treated and refugees can be helped.
The RidicuList answers a burning question about the infamous “tanning mom."
Sen. Harry Reid says a former investor at Bain Capital and others told him that Mitt Romney skipped paying taxes for ten years. However, he hasn't provided evidence or named his sources. Anderson Cooper is Keeping Them Honest.
House Republicans have been forced to close a potential loophole on their much-touted insider trading law – a loophole CNN uncovered and reported about last month.
Because of CNN's report, the Senate and House passed new legislation Thursday to close the loophole that could have allowed family members of some lawmakers to profit from inside information.
Senators who were critical of the loophole after it was unearthed applauded the fix.
The STOCK Act, one of the rare bipartisan bills passed this year, was signed by President Barack Obama in April.
Lawmakers proclaimed that the bill, officially called the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, would restore trust in government. It also applied new rules to some employees of the executive branch.
Sen. Harry Reid alleges Mitt Romney didn't pay taxes for a decade. On AC360, Paul Begala defends Reid and says there's evidence of Romney's "tax avoidance." Mary Matalin tells Anderson Cooper she thinks this is just a distraction and it's sad that the Democratic Senate Majority Leader is making the questionable claims.
What everyone’s talking about:
A new scathing report on the failed Fast and Furious gun program points the blame at five ATF officials Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, a member of the House Oversight Committee spoke with Anderson about his criticism of the ATF and the Justice Department for their flawed decisions and lack of communication.
Newt Gingrich voiced his support for five members of Congress, including Michele Bachmann, who claim the Muslim Brotherhood is infiltrating the U.S. Government. The Republican lawmakers have specifically named Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff Human Abedein as someone with ties to radical Islam. We’re Keeping Them Honest. CNN’s Dana Bash and Salon.com’s Alex Seitz-Wald also discussed how Bachmann was using the campaign as a fundraising tactic.
Doctors are amazed by Petra Anderson’s recovery. The 22-year-old musician was shot four times in the Aurora, Colorado theater attack last month; one bullet entered her brain. Yet she’s already walking and talking. CNN’s David Mattingly has the story. Anderson also spoke with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta about how music is helping her heal.
Sen. John McCain says Sen. Harry Reid might have gone "over the line" by alleging Mitt Romney didn't pay taxes for 10 years. McCain also discusses Kofi Annan’s resignation as the special envoy to Syria and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country. Watch a preview of Anderson Cooper’s interview with the Senator and see the rest of their conversation tonight at 8 and 10 p.m. ET.
Rep. Michele Bachmann’s campaign is touting the fact they raised more then $1 million in just 25 days. CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash reports that coverage of Bachmann’s controversial accusation of Muslim Brotherhood infiltration in the U.S. government no doubt fueled the fervor donors displayed last month.
Despite criticism from congressional members on both sides of the aisle, Bachmann relentlessly defended these claims all while collecting campaign donations. “Even if she loses on the policy,” says Salon.com reporter Alex Seitz-Wald, “she can still win on the politics.” The Minnesota Republican stands to benefit in terms of fundraising for the upcoming election, as well as within the ranks of her party.
Seitz-Wald reports that Bachmann doled out over $60,000 to Republican candidates in the 2010 election cycle. Her campaign contributions no doubt curried favor within her party. Coupled with her leadership of the Tea Party caucus, Bachman landed herself a seat on the House Intelligence Committee—despite her lack of experience in that department.

