Morning Buzz: High cost of higher education

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Eliza Browning
AC360° Associate Producer

Tonight we’re looking at the cost of higher education. Online colleges are making millions of dollars targeting the Military, but the degrees they’re giving are below average and – in some cases – totally without value. These online colleges are cashing in the government-subsidized educations available for service men and women. They don’t require federal contracts and aren’t subject to the same scrutiny. Randi Kaye is keeping them honest, reporting on how these online schools are preying on the men and women who serve in the Military.

Everyone is hoping for a “miracle” in the search for the four missing miners in the West Virginia coal mine explosion. The West Virginia Governor said, “there’s a sliver of hope, but we know the odds are not in our favor.” Crews are drilling to ventilate toxic gas from the mine in order to make it safe to resume searching. The drilling could take up to two days. Gary Tuchman and Dr. Sanjay Gupta are on the scene and will have the latest details for us tonight.

The day after the Obama Administration announced its new nuclear strategy, the President travels to Prague to attend a bilateral meeting with President Medvedev. They will sign a new arms pact with Russia. Forty-six nations will join the United States at next week’s nuclear security summit. What was your reaction to the announcement of a new nuclear policy?

We are also learning that the Massachusetts teens charged with bullying 15-year-old Phoebe Prince pleaded not guilty in the case. Prince committed suicide in January after allegedly being bullied for months at her school.

Is the White House rescinding an invitation? Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said yesterday that an upcoming visit by Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai could be called off if Karzai continues to make troubling political statements. Gibbs said Karzai’s recent comments have raised questions about the value of a May 12 meeting with President Obama.

A former UN envoy to Afghanistan described Karzai as “off-balance” and “emotional.” Earlier this week Karzai said plans to drive the Taliban from Kandahar will start only when the plans have the support of the population. He told tribal leaders he’d try to hold back a NATO push until he got the leaders’ permission. So can he please both NATO and U.S. officials as well as Afhgani tribal leaders?

What else are you following? Let us know and see you at 10 p.m. ET.