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April 29th, 2008
05:32 PM ET

Erica’s News Note: For better or for worse

Most newlyweds don’t have to worry about the “worse” part of their wedding vows for a long time – hopefully never. But one couple couldn’t even get to the honeymoon before testing that line.

A dentist and his bride were reportedly started fighting after their reception, when he knocked her down with a karate kick. Nice. Two guests of another wedding in the same hotel tried to help the Mrs., which is when police say she attacked them.

You can’t make this stuff up…too bad it has to be a reality. Very classy.

____

From worse… to so much better.

Six major hospitals shut down after Hurricane Katrina, leaving other medical centers to handle the overflow. But many of those institutions had lost a fair amount of staff, so who cares for the people of New Orleans? Sometimes, their neighbors from Mississippi.

Nurse Nonna Bullock has a 280 mile commute – by choice. She lives in Mississippi, works in New Orleans and is happy to do it. "The people of New Orleans needed me," she says. She’s brought her sister and best friend, both nurses, with her on the overnight shift… and they rarely get a break. All the more reason Bullock feels the pull to help her neighbors.

____

This is not the news I’m looking for: home prices are off by double-digits in some of the country’s largest metro areas, and there’s not a lot of hope in sight. Great. Did I mention I still have a fantastic loft for sale in Atlanta?

____

And finally today, an update on the Army barracks at Ft Bragg: the father who brought those deplorable conditions to light says things are getting better.

 


Filed under: Erica Hill
soundoff (27 Responses)
  1. Sue

    Dear Erica,
    What a very "heart-warming" story about the nurse, Nonna Bullock who drives all that way to help the people in New Orleans! If I were in that area, myself, and if I were NOT disabled, with my back, I would be MORE than thrilled to be able to help all of the people out that I could. I feel SO very badly for them, as they not only had to go through that horrific hurricane, but then, the aftermath.

    Even worse, Erica, to me.....is when our own Government went, knowingly, and gave those poisonous "trailers" to so many of the victims to live in, afterwards. What a HORRIBLE nightmare of a scenario when your own government KNOWS that the trailers are so "poisonous" with the formaldahyde and God only knows what else, and SO many of those poor, innocent people became VERY ill, in very serious ways, with cancer, etc., and even some of their poor, darling children!! How does this Government even LIVE with itself for doing something as HORRIFIC as that to it's own people....or, for that matter....ANY people?? Unfortunately, that is only ONE example of the way our Government has been run, by Bush and the REST of his cronies for eight years now!! How awful! I just admire, people like Nonna, who are so sweet and thoughtful and compassionate. God Bless You, Nonna.....and, God Bless "ALL" the people in New Orleans and beyond who went through such awful times, and still are.

    We LOVE all of you, New Orleans! We also PRAY for all of you, often!!

    Thankyou, Erica, for giving us the "gift" of such a wonderful story!! Also....you are the "BEST," Erica! You are so down-to-earth and fun and I love the way that you and Anderson play off of eachother! You are great together! Take care.

    SUE/Arlington, Mass.

    April 30, 2008 at 3:12 am |
  2. Mike from Syracuse NY

    OK, so if 50% of marriages end in divorce, what's the handicap on those bozos? I agree with the sentiment that I hope they don't breed.

    April 29, 2008 at 11:08 pm |
  3. Mark

    I believe Obama means what he says! Finally he has shown some emotion. Rev. Wright and the right winged media are out to destroy Obama changes for the presidency. Let him move on so that we can discuss the real issues.

    April 29, 2008 at 10:16 pm |
  4. Annie Kate

    Hi Erica,

    I hope they took a lot of pictures at that wedding – it will make quite a wedding album. If they acted this bad at the wedding just think of how they will act once they get to divorce court. I would have taken the restraining order offered – hope she doesn't regret passing it up.

    Glad the father is getting results on the condition of the barracks at Fort Bragg – exposure to the public generally gets the wheel greased a bit to get some progress. I'm glad it did this time – our military doesn't need to live in conditions like that..

    Great stories – see you tonight!
    Annie Kate
    Birmingham AL

    April 29, 2008 at 9:41 pm |
  5. As a marriage and family therapist

    there are legitimate expectations of marriage including respecting another's body. Marriage is a commitment to love and only for those who intent to treat another as they want to be treated. Behavior will follow those intentions as long as both are committed to the love they profess. Marriage is serious business, full of expectations, duh!

    April 29, 2008 at 9:33 pm |
  6. jes from Canada

    Good evening Erica. Lets have a good night!

    April 29, 2008 at 9:22 pm |
  7. Genevieve M, TX

    Dueling newlyweds?? Crazy!!

    My twin and I talked about this couple earlier this afternoon. He says he is "shocked that a man who is medical professional would go and hurt someone..much less his own wife"!

    I agree with you Erica, "very classy".

    April 29, 2008 at 9:05 pm |
  8. Sharon from Indy

    Erica:
    I believe Nonna Bullock is a modern day hero especially with gas prices to travel to and from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It takes around 1 and half hours on I-59 one way.

    As a volunteer which has worked in inner city/Uptown area of New Orleans, I see hospital staffs and city emergency medical personnel in New Orleans still stretched very thin.

    The biggest area for more assistance is in the area of mental health. After Katrina many productive patients became dysfunctional again because of lack of access to medications and physicians. Many have become homeless and continue to live under the I-10 bridge, the streeets or homeless shelters.

    New Orleans has recovered in so many ways, but on the other hand, it is still behind in medical services available for the homeless and lower income families.

    If I hear one more person say the people of New Orleans "need to pick themselves up by the boot straps", I think I will scream! Whether the health care crisis occurred before or after Katrina, it is a issue that needs to be addressed in every large city or small town in America.

    New Orleans is just one example of neglect by the American people and of course the government. Every human being has a right to quality health care.

    CNN, thank you for continuing to cover the recovery of New Orleans.

    April 29, 2008 at 8:17 pm |
  9. Judi Smith

    Hi Erica! I think the two people who fought at there wedding only got married for the health insurance plan belonging to one of them so that they could go through counciling which of course they both really need. Sincerely, Judi- from Warren, Michigan

    April 29, 2008 at 8:08 pm |
  10. renee

    Erica:

    Where do you get your news from? Wow!

    Can we have a link to your home listing? Just kidding. Well it might be a good idea for PR. Times are tough. Home sales are down again. Your best bet right now is to pitch your loft to a producer on HGTV's "Sleep on It." Maybe you can find a nice buyer that is interested. The whole "Sleep on It" concept is a little strange to me. Maybe it is generational!

    April 29, 2008 at 8:06 pm |
  11. Diane

    Please tell me they are both sterile! They can beat the hell out of each other all they want for recreation and entertainment, but I pray they don't bring innocent babies into this disfunctional madness!

    April 29, 2008 at 8:00 pm |
  12. Heather

    My husband sent me the story about the lovely honeymooners. I was reading it and visualizing how it must have looked and it reminded me of a number of cheesy action movies with the fight and struggle sequences that go on forever and you cant believe that people actually are doing this. Kind of like a train wreck and wheres the popcorn.So classy not. I wonder if the mug shots count as wedding pictures.

    April 29, 2008 at 7:51 pm |
  13. Barbara - Las Vegas, NV

    Should I start checking youtube for the video of the bride & groom? When will it be "The Shot"?

    April 29, 2008 at 7:27 pm |
  14. Missy

    The bride and groom deserve eternal misery with each other for such poor behavior.

    April 29, 2008 at 7:19 pm |
  15. Ruth

    What a creep! At least she'll have all the free dentistry done?

    April 29, 2008 at 7:17 pm |
  16. Thomas

    Well now, its very interesting that the only candidate that sees the big picture on dropping the gas tax issue is Obama. Wasn't he the one that everyone says is so inexperienced. Lets see now, he is the only candidate that opposed the war in Iraq, recognized the failing economy, and said the gas tax was a bad idea. Lets see, by suspending the gas tax we would drain the highway fund by 3 billion dollars/ month or give it a 12 billion dollar shortfall and put at risk nearly 311,000 highway construction jobs. Oh, but he is the inexperienced one.

    Thomas-Chattanooga,Tn

    April 29, 2008 at 7:11 pm |
  17. Jennifer - Michigan

    What a crazy story the Dentist and his bride! Luckily they can separate before they get kids involved in all the mess. Usually, husbands are on "their best behavior" for the first couple years (you'd think anyway). Luckily, my husband's perfect (yeah right). Oh well, and so it goes. Look forward to a good show tonight. See you later.

    April 29, 2008 at 7:02 pm |
  18. Tammy, Berwick, LA

    This bride should run in the other direction and not look back.

    So glad to hear people are coming to help out New Orleans. Maybe our own state residents outside of the city could follow their lead and work to help New Orleans recover instead of complaining about it. I go when I get the chance and time. This weekend I'm celebrating the end of my 40th birthday month in the Quarter. There is no better place on the planet for something so huge.

    And I surely do wish these cheaper housing prices would come my way. I was just offered a custom built house in a prime spot (half a block from work) for far more that what the house is worth. The note might be cheaper than gas in the long-run, though, at the rate fuel prices are going. Seriously, something to consider.

    April 29, 2008 at 6:49 pm |
  19. Ruby Coria, LA., CA.

    Hello Erica, I think wedding vows should just say "for worst", that way it's a plus if you have better., better yet don't do it. Your loft sound cool but who can afford it? How far to the nearest gas station?.,cool stories see you tonight.

    April 29, 2008 at 6:49 pm |
  20. Lilibeth

    The fighting couple...sounds like they never got along...why did they get married to begin with?

    Nurse Bullock’s 280-mile commute...I admire her dedication. I used to commute 2 hours to work everyday, and I thought that was bad. I guess if you love what you do, things such as commute don't matter.

    Our area hasn't been hit too badly by the slumping home prices. It really doesn't affect you unless you plan on selling your home. I like where I live and don't plan on moving anytime soon. I just wish the decline would stop, though.

    See you tonight, Erica!

    Lilibeth
    Edmonds, Washington

    April 29, 2008 at 6:47 pm |
  21. Teresa, Kent, Ohio

    The truth of the matter is: these days, there are very FEW people who should ever get married. Most people dont have the time for each other. But somehow they made the time BEFORE wedding. I dont get that. Also, why go to all the trouble and wasted money for the wedding when most are gonna be divorced WITH kids within 5-7 yrs?

    Marriage license: license to use and abuse.

    April 29, 2008 at 6:27 pm |
  22. Lorie Ann, Buellton, California

    Hi Erica,
    Something tells me the bride and groom are perfect candidates for a new reality show. Going Dental...I hope he didn't kick out her pearly whites.
    We need some good news on New Orleans. It's people like Nonna Bullock, that make a bad situation become bearable for so many. In the end, we humans are the only ones going to make things right in this world. Take Care

    Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif.

    April 29, 2008 at 6:09 pm |
  23. Valerie

    This is a clear sign of whats to come. She had better get out now. The honey moon is over, over, over. It take only one hit.

    The bride was wrong for getting upset with the people who was there to help her. Just think about the times no- one will be there to help her if she don't get out now. OH maybe she has been getting this treatment all alone. Which explains the attack on the people who come to help her. She (the bride) knows that later her husband will attack her again only on the ground someone come to help her. She has better get out now.

    Val
    Ohio

    April 29, 2008 at 6:09 pm |
  24. Fay, CA

    Although it is sad to hear that NOLA is still struggling with many problems that may or may not be resolved, it is good to know that there are people like Nonna Bullock who are going out of their way to help in whatever way they can.

    I certainly hope that Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Dick Cody comes through on his promise to straighten out the mess at Fort Bragg.

    Erica, the story about the battling newlyweds was hilarious–it almost made me wish I could've been there to witness it myself. I think it's safe to say that this couple should take reexamine their entire relationship.

    April 29, 2008 at 6:06 pm |
  25. Taj

    I think both were a little tipsy, had a couple of drinks & enjoying themselves.

    April 29, 2008 at 5:58 pm |
  26. Eugenia

    Be sure to tell Nurse Nonna to save her newspaper, never know when a piece for the levee will need to be repaired.

    very irritated in
    San Francisco, Ca

    We need more like her!

    April 29, 2008 at 5:57 pm |
  27. Megan O. Toronto, ON, Canada

    Erica you always have interesting stories in your news note.

    The story of Nonna Bullock is so heartwarming. Sounds like a CNN hero to me. I want to go help in NOLA so badly. Eventually I will make my way down there, even if my only help is to spend my money there.

    I have said it before and I will say it again.....ball park asking price for this fantastic loft???? This is a great time for this Canadian to buy property in the US and Atlanta actually holds a very special place in my heart

    April 29, 2008 at 5:44 pm |