The AC360 Weekly Buzz: Blizzard, dangerous fugitive, hostage crisis, guns, Christie's weight, SOTU

What everyone’s talking about:

Two bombs were discovered Thursday inside the bunker of Jimmy Lee Dykes, the man who kidnapped a 5-year-old boy in Alabama last week. CNN’s Martin Savidge has the story on how the FBI rescued Ethan, and how they killed the hostage taker. Fortunately, the child was released from the hospital just in time for his sixth birthday this week, according to state police. Katie Beers, a former child hostage, spoke to Anderson about her captivity underground at the age of 10 and the recovery process Ethan and his family will most likely go through. And amidst reports that the kidnapper was a survivalist, CNN’s Gary Tuchman goes inside the prepper movement by looking at one Utah man’s $65,000 bunker stocked for the breakdown of civilization.

California’s system for seizing illegally owned guns from those who were ordered to relinquish them to the police is “smart and effective,” according to the state’s Attorney General Kamal Harris. Anderson spoke to Harris about the program and why it’s currently underfunded. CNN’s Randi Kaye rode along with California special agents as they searched for and confiscated illegally owned weapons.

Former White House physician, Dr. Connie Mariano, is worried about the health of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. She commented on how his weight could be problematic if he runs for and is elected president. “It’s almost like a time bomb waiting to happen,” she told CNN. The governor doubled down about his weight and told reporters he is conscious of the imminent health risks, but that he’s “remarkably healthy.” He told Mariano to “shut up” unless she wanted to examine him and review his medical history. Dr. Mariano spoke to Anderson on Wednesday, insisting that her concern is not about politics and that he does have a problem with weight.

Jeffry Life is a 74-year-old with a rock hard body due to his use of performance enhancing drugs similar to the ones Lance Armstrong used. He says the drugs help keep his mind sharp and he feels like a man half his age. CNN’s Kyung Lah has the story. However, Dr. Ian Smith says there may be risks for using human growth hormone for anti-aging purposes. “They have not done long-term studies in people,” he told Anderson.

Today’s Scoop: 

California law enforcement continues to search for Christopher Jordan Dorner. The ex-cop is accused of killing three people, including one police officer, and injuring two other officers. CNN’s Randi Kaye traced Dorner’s steps since the first shooting. And Anderson spoke to Bill Bratton, the former LAPD Chief who was in charge when Dorner served on the force, about the “very disturbing” package Anderson received that included a DVD, letter, and bullet-riddled coin. Randi Kaye is in Big Bear, California tonight for the latest developments in the manhunt, on AC360 at 8 p.m. ET.

A potentially record-breaking winter storm is hitting the Northeast, drawing comparisons to the Great Blizzard of 1978. The latest forecast predicts that the worst weather could hit mid-afternoon Friday until Saturday morning. Governors in the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhose Island have declared a state of emergency. CNN reporters are scattered all across the region to monitor the latest on the storm developments for AC360 at 8 p.m. ET! If you’re affected by the storm, upload your photos and videos to CNN iReport now.

Looking ahead: 

President Barack Obama will deliver the annual State of the Union address on Tuesday. Democratic sources say the president will use the speech to outline a “blueprint for an economy that’s built to last.” Watch CNN’s coverage with Anderson, Wolf Blitzer, Jake Tapper, and the entire political team.

Just for laughs:

A hot dog chain tried to cover a picture of a nude woman in a calendar it was giving away to kids, but one little boy got to the bottom of it - landing the calendar controversy on our RidicuList!

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