For what’s in the program, check out tonight’s Evening Buzz.
Be sure to check out Anderson on our live web camera from the 360° studio. We’ll turn the camera on at 945p ET and turn it off at 11p ET. LINK TO THE BLOG CAMERA
We’ll start posting comments to this blog at 10p ET and stop at 11p ET.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/06/20/art.sandbags.jpg caption="Residents, volunteers and National Guard troops work to build a sand bag levee around the town of in Hamburg, Ill. Friday, June 20."]
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
Tonight on 360, a mix of misery and hope. In some parts of the midwest it's getting worse. In other places, it's getting better. At this hour, there are still concerns more levees along the Mississippi River could break north of St. Louis, Missouri. We'll take you back to the town of Winfield, Missouri. 360's Gary Tuchman is with one family whose home is now literally an island. It's surrounded by water. And, CNN meteorologist tells us what to expect in the days ahead.
Also tonight, levee outrage. Drew Griffin of CNN's Special Investigations Unit has another remarkable report for us. The question: Are the levees built to control the Mississippi actually causing worse flooding? You may be shocked by what he discovered in his keeping them honest report.
On the trail, Sen. Barack Obama said this at a Florida fundraiser: "They're going to try to make you afraid. They're going to try to make you afraid of me. 'He's young and inexperienced and he's got a funny name. And, did I mention he's black?' " Is Obama playing the race card before the GOP possibly deals it out? We'll let you be the judge.
Also tonight, 360's Randi Kaye has her report on the alleged high school pregnancy pact. And, we have new details in the manhunt for fugitive hedge fund manager Samuel Israel in our Crime & Punishment report.
It's a busy Friday night. We hope you join us at 10pm ET. See you then!
David M. Reisner
AC360° Digital Producer
Hey everyone, I have some great news.
Starting Monday, when you win ‘Beat 360°’ not only do you get on-air prime-time name recognition (complete with bragging rights over all your friends, family, and jealous competitors), but you get a “I Won the Beat 360° Challenge” T-shirt!
First we re-do the website, now this?!?!?! (You can pick your jaw up off the floor now).
So how did this all come about you ask?
Here’s a look at ours:
So get your best captions ready for Monday – head to the gym, train all weekend… this isn’t a game! (oh wait, I guess it is)
For those of you who don’t know (or suddenly care because you can win something)– let me re-cap what we do:
Every day AC360˚ posts a picture on the blog and asks you to provide the caption. The staff gets in on the action too... Which viewer will write the best caption and ‘Beat 360˚?’
So we’ll see you Monday – give it your best caption– and we hope to send you a t-shirt really soon!
Kay Jones
AC360° Staff
Island living sounds appealing to most folks. But most folks picture pristine water around them, not the muddy waters of the Mississippi.
Henry Dieterich is experiencing this right now – credit a breached levee a few miles away. Gary Tuchman, our crew and I took a flat bottomed boat across what normally is the road to get to his island.
It's actually quite peaceful out there, if you didn't know the reason you were there. And Dieterich, his son, grandson and a neighbor are making the most of it. They will likely be in this situation for a while, since the river hasn't crested yet.
You'll meet them in Gary's report tonight on AC360 at 10p ET. See you then!
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/06/20/art.clarksvilleflood.jpg caption="Volunteers work to protect a home from the rising flood waters of the Mississippi River Thursday, June 19 in Clarksville, Mo."]
Karin Matz
CNN Producer
In Clarksville, Missouri, this morning, I watched the water slowly creep up on the edge of town. Then it withdraw a little.
People here aren't out of danger though, and they know it. The sandbagging didn't stop. The river may crest soon.
One man told us, he can sigh with relief... for now.
Some may say it's the risk you take living by the river. It's beautiful and fertile. But every so often, the river explodes, and there are consequences. Maybe she wants to test humanity.
What we've seen here is that despite the river's fury, humanity can win.
Not physically. I'm not sure levees will ever be perfect. I'm not sure man can really beat nature. But in a spiritual sense, humanity can triumph.
What's most amazing is the resiliance and determination of people here. I saw friends and strangers helping one another, giving up their time to save communities. The sense of pride and the spirit of humanity just as big as the flood itself.
I'm on my way home now, miles away from the flood zone. What I've seen here is that nature can always dominate a while, but people win, with compassion and humility.
And I am humbled.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/06/20/art.gloucesterhigh.jpg]
Randi Kaye BIO
AC360° Correspondent
I don’t know about you, but I remember high school was pretty tough. Remember the awkward years and all the peer pressure to be cool?
Well at Gloucester High School in Gloucester, Massachusetts, apparently a group of girls thought it would be “cool” to get pregnant. This school year, 17 girls – some as young as 15 – got pregnant. Most of the girls are sophomores.
School officials say there may have been some type of pact do this. One girl apparently went so far as to get pregnant by a homeless guy just to be a part of it.
Can you imagine?
FULL POST
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/CRIME/06/04/texas.polygamist/art.jeffs.file.pool.jpg caption="Warren Jeffs, FLDS leader whose daughtar has accused an FLDS spokesman of harassment."]
Terri Langford
The Houston Chronicle
A lawyer for the 16-year-old daughter of polygamist group leader Warren Jeffs is requesting a restraining order to prevent a spokesman for the group from intimidating and harassing the girl.
The request for a restraining order against Willie Jessop was filed in San Angelo today by Natalie Malonis.
The teenager was one of the hundreds of children taken from the Yearning For Zion Ranch by Texas Child Protective Services in April because investigators believed they were exposed to abuse by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Her name is not being disclosed because Malonis has said that she is a victim of sexual abuse.
David M. Reisner
360° Digital Producer
It’s time for ‘Beat 360°!’
Everyday we post a picture – and you provide the caption. Our staff will get in on the action too.
Tune in every night at 10p ET to see if you are our favorite! Can you Beat 360°?
Here is the ‘Beat 360°’ pic of the day: Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan listens to his lawyer Michael Tigar during a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill June 20, 2008 in Washington, DC. McClellan, a former White House press secretary for U.S. President George W. Bush, appeared before the committee to testify about the leak of CIA agent Valerie Plame's identity.
Have fun with it.
Make sure to include your name, city, state (or country) so we can post your comment.
And starting Monday, you can win a “I Won the Beat 360° Challenge” T-shirt!
UPDATE: Check out our Beat 360° winners.