Good morning. Robin is off today. Natasha Curry is here on what is turning out to be a huge news day.
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We now have a sense of how the case against the man who killed Trayvon Martin will be prosecuted. And we saw the first video of George Zimmerman since the shooting. He was in court to hear the charge against him. In a nutshell, he's accused of "profiling" an unarmed teenager who was not committing a crime.

We're all over this case. You'll hear reaction from the family... and more.
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Speaking of reaction, the U.S. has something to say about North Korea's failed rocket launch yesterday.
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A tragic standoff in California. A policeman is killed, and so is a person who tried to help him.
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Casey Anthony may not be able to hide out much longer. A judge ruled the civil case against her will go forward. Her lawyers were trying to get that defamation suit thrown out on technical grounds.
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We knew Rick Santorum had money problems. But we didn't know they were this bad.
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The Democratic strategist who complained that Mitt Romney's wife "never worked a day in her life" has apologized. But the controversy grew so large, even the president weighed in. And you may have something you'd like to say about this one. We'll be taking your comments.
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Will Drew Peterson's third wife be allowed to testify against him from beyond the grave? It's a distinct possibility. And it could mean Peterson's attempts to avoid a murder trial have failed. We'll explain.
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Also... hear the findings of engineers who were brought in to investigate the Indiana State Fair stage collapse – the Red Hot Chili Peppers are heading for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – a big-city mayor ends up in the hospital after saving a woman from a burning home – good news for men who drink beer (you'll tell your wives and girlfriends about this one) – you thought weddings were expensive? Wait 'til you hear what teens are paying to go to the prom these days – and finally - no more lingerie football? Say it ain't so.

Filed under: Extras

Good morning. Robin is on assignment. Natasha Curry's got the reins.
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We're hearing this morning from Trayvon Martin's parents, after the man who killed their son was charged with second-degree murder, six weeks after the controversial shooting.

We'll also hear from George Zimmerman's brother, the special prosecutor and Zimmerman's new attorney. We're all over this case. Stay with us for updates throughout the morning and the rest of the day.
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Our Country Votes:
It didn't take long for the speculation to begin about who might land on Mitt Romney's list of potential vice-presidential candidates. Romney talks about it.
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Is North Korea on the verge of launching a rocket? It sure looks that way. We'll get you up to date.
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What just surfaced in the ongoing saga over Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino's fall from grace? Records of thousands of phone calls and text messages between Petrino and the young staffer who was riding on the back of his motorcycle the day he crashed.
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The federal government is suing Apple and several publishing companies over an alleged price-fixing scheme that investigators say forced book prices to shoot up, virtually overnight. Jennifer Westhoven will explain.
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And there's no reunion in sight for Guns N' Roses. Axl Rose is not pulling any punches when he talks about his decision to stay away from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Get another look at the frantic moments after Whitney Houston's body was found in a Beverly Hills hotel. We've got the 911 call.
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Also... a new report slams campus police at the University of California-Davis for pepper-spraying student protesters... a woman and her grandfather at home in Florida were stunned by an enormous crash, it's not every day that a school bus lands in your bedroom... the worst appears to be over in Indonesia after yesterday's powerful earthquake, and it appears lessons were learned after the catastrophe eight years ago... and finally today: Charles Manson is 77. Guess how old he'll be before he gets another shot at a parole hearing?

"Morning Express with Robin Meade" is on at 6aET/PT only on HLN!

Filed under: Extras

Breaking News overnight —
A huge earthquake off the coast of Indonesia.

Evacuation orders have been issued and a tsunami watch is in place. It's in the same region as the devastating 2004 tsunami.
We're watching.
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Also:
Where is George Zimmerman?
The men who used to represent him *don't know*.
They wonder if he's even the state of Florida anymore.
That, as we wait on a big announcement from the prosecutor.
She gave a 72-hour window, so it could come at anytime now.
She says there's new information on the controversial shooting!
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Don't miss this:
You could see the rescue of some miners live on our show today. They're in good spirits, reportedly, but anxious to get air above ground for the first time since being trapped last Thursday.
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An epidemic of stolen cell phones has the industry working on a way to disable yours if someone nabs it. Jen's all over that story for you.
She also has some advice if you're car shopping. Now could be a great time to sell your used car. Find out if yours is in high demand.
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Turns out bourbon is recession proof. Check out the bourbon boom for yourself.
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And then there were 3. Rick Santorum is suspending his presidential campaign. What it means for the White House race.
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Then it's coaches gone wild...
One is suspended for remarks about Fidel Castro. Another is fired for all of the ugly details of an affair and a motorcycle crash cover-up.
Sordid, indeed.
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I keep getting questions concerning where viewers can get the new bonus tracks on the deluxe version of my music album, "Brand New Day." Get 'em in a snap at iTunes. Or if you want the physical CD, it's now in the candle aisle of Walmart. There's an interactive music display there where you can listen and then buy.

I hope my remake of "Here Comes The Sun" is as enjoyable for you to hear as it was for me to make! Also, check out my original, "The Truth."

Posted by: Anchor Robin Meade
Filed under: Extras

Thanks to you or your fellow viewers who tweeted me when I implored, "Say something to wake me up. I'm tired on the air today!" Fun stuff. Join the conversation. As long as there isn't breaking news to attend to, I might tweet you in between commercial breaks. @RobinMeade on Twitter. Cool.

George Zimmerman is talking.
We're hearing from the man who shot Trayvon Martin via his *website*. (Wait a minute. He has a website?)
And you gotta checkout what he is asking for.
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Another ticket is claimed in that Megamillions lottery. But is another person *not* coming forward? Watch with us as we learn more details during a live announcement in the 8am eastern hour.
Awwww... I completely understand wanting to remain anonymous after you win. But for the rest of us, that's the fun... watching your reax and thinking, "What if it were me?"
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Meet the latest creative folks to hit the jackpot in their own way:
The folks at "Instagram" are darn near insta-rich.
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Could getting an x-ray at the dentist put you at risk for a type of cancer? You'll want to see this story if you remember getting x-rays for cavities as a kid.
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911 calls from Friday's Navy jet crash have been released. Incredibly scary.
Hear them here.
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The skinny on country star Sara Evans and me backstage at the ACMs, as told by radio host Blair Garner. ha ha! Watch

Posted by: Anchor Robin Meade
Filed under: Extras

Hi there. Hope you had a joyful holiday weekend with family. I was sad to see my parents and niece leave after their week with us. So that's the mark of a good visit, dontcha think?

Stealing a line from our web producer Grayson:
The only way to Friday is through Monday. So let's dynamite that bad boy. Who's with me?

On the show today…

Arrests have been made, but questions remain about the shootings of 5 people in Tulsa.
The 2 suspects are listed as white on their arrest records. The victims are African American.
So one pressing issue: was it racially motivated?

2 rescue efforts are underway-
In Peru, rescuers are trying to save 9 miners trapped underground since Thursday.
In Pakistan, more than 130 people are buried in the snow after a massive avalanche. Rescuers hope they can get to them in time for there to be survivors.

It’s a big week in the Trayvon Martin case. A grand jury will meet tomorrow and could decide to take the case if there’s probable cause to charge George Zimmerman, the man who admits shooting him. We’ve got all the details.

You don’t hear about a red flag warning and fire danger in the Northeast and the Great Lakes often. But that's what we have. Get a heads up with us if you have a flight today.

“I never got this far in my dreams.” That’s from the latest winner of the Masters. His win seemed to light up Twitter!

Can a mother’s weight during pregnancy impact whether her child will have autism? We’ve got the details of a new study out this morning.

Hey have you checked out my 2 new songs added to the deluxe version of my album "Brand New Day"? Check it out here on iTunes. Or now at Walmart in the candle aisle!

Posted by: Anchor Robin Meade
Filed under: Extras

It's Good Friday and I hope you get some time with your family this weekend. What will you be doing?
Don't let my "Eastery" outfit scare ya this morning. It's a little... peachy.
Ready to get informed for the ride to work?

Did George Zimmerman use racial slurs moments before shooting Trayvon Martin? Check out the new interpretation of the 911 call.
You listen and decide.
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Speaking of listening... there's new tape allegedly showing a former saints coordinator encouraging players to hurt the opposition. Do you get the feeling from the tape that it was overt or disguised as encouragement?
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And still more "gotcha"-type tape emerging.
This time listen to employees joke about the overspending scandal, in the federal agency in charge of *saving* money.
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Playoffs in college football? Yes please! Get in on this debate of whether the BCS should look more like March Madness.
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The Masters is under way...the azaleas are blooming. Watch for info on whether Tiger Woods is flowering into a champion.
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And then, see if there's someone like this in your family this holiday weekend:
Baby boomers are spoiling their grandkids like never before.
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Okay gang! Let me know when ya pick up the deluxe version of my debut album (she's a sanger? Yes... and I'm not sure, but I think that's better than a singer!) at iTunes right now or in the candle aisle at Walmart. Two new songs have been added! One is a Beatles cover! One is about a killer bride! Produced by the fabulous Victoria Shaw.

Posted by: Anchor Robin Meade
Filed under: Extras • Uncategorized

The recent tornadoes in the Dallas, Texas area are a reminder that we are in severe weather season. Here are more facts about tornadoes, nature's most violent storms.

Tornado Facts (noaa):

In the southern states, peak tornado occurrence is in March through May, while peak months in the northern states are during the summer. In some states, a secondary tornado maximum occurs in the fall.

Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 and 9pm but have been known to occur at all hours of the day or night.

The average tornado moves from southwest to northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction. The average forward speed is 30 mph but may vary from nearly stationary to 70 mph.

Tornadoes can last from several seconds to more than an hour. Most tornadoes last less than 10 minutes

- Meteorologist Bonnie Schneider, author of EXTREME WEATHER, BonnieWeather.com

Posted by: Meteorologist Bonnie Schneider
Filed under: Extras • Tornado • Weather

How twisted are we... (uber-producer Victoria Shaw, Matt Lopez of Due West and me) for writing a song about a killer bride? See watcha think with a free listen to the new song "The Truth" from the deluxe version of my album, now available at Walmart in the candle aisle and iTunes this very second! Right now! Git it!

On Morning Express with me Robin Meade today:

An unusual strain of salmonella has sickened nearly 100 people in 19 states.
Problem is: The CDC doesn’t know the specific food that's causing the illness.
Watch for more on how they have been able to at least narrow down the list.
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You gotta get our own Dr. Drew’s take on Whitney Houston’s final autopsy report. He gives an enthralling take on the 40+ pages that point to heart disease and drug use.
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Wanna do something fun with your dog? Go to the spa together. Doggie spa on one side... salon on the other.
(Sr. producer Susan suggested this exact thing a few weeks ago when she took in her pup for grooming: he got a pedicure. She did not.)
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Reason #855 not to send racy pictures to your boyfriend: because he might not always be your boyfriend.
A woman says her ex made a *flyer* using a provocative picture of her, and put her address and phone number on it.
Good lawdy.
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Was this what they were going for? A rewrite of Lee Greenwood’s "God bless the USA" hits a sour note when the word "God" is taken out!
We want to hear from you on this one.
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Check out the smartphone for your face. How do google goggles work?

Posted by: Anchor Robin Meade
Filed under: Extras

I have two new songs for you from the new deluxe version of my album. Keep reading...

But first... man, oh man. If you haven't seen some of the storm video from your fellow Texas viewers... HLN is the place to watch.
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A massive number of tornadoes hit the Dallas area.
And if you only see one thing today on the tube... this has to be it:
The twisters picked up tractor-trailers and twirled them in the air.
But the threat of the same type of thing moves into other well-populated areas today.

See what it was like to be surrounded by two, sometimes three tornadoes at a time. Can you imagine!
In all of this, thankfully no deaths reported.

You'll hear from survivors who made split-second decisions that saved lives.
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In other news on morning express with me, Robin Meade:
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Our Country Votes:
It's a hat trick for Mitt Romney – 3 contests... 3 wins.
So how much pressure is on Rick Santorum going into his own state of Pennsylvania?
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He showed no remorse – that's what police say about the suspect in the California shooting spree that killed 7 people.
More on what we are learning about that person and the victims.
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Does your pet sit on your lap when you drive? - more states want to make it a crime!
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And it's baseball’s opening night!
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Okay, back to what I hinted at the top: get my two new songs on the just-released deluxe version of my album. Now, it's at Walmart stores – in the candle aisle. I think you'll be surprised at my remake of the Beatles "Here Comes the Sun." Honey, we chicken-fried that classic. Also check out the "Law & Order" twist to my original "Truth." Of course if you prefer your music digitally and instantly... it's all on iTunes. Check it out here: Brand new music from Robin Meade

P.S. Many thanks to the Academy of Country Music for the great weekend of music in Vegas for the ACMs. I was happy to host their Salute to Troops concert and perform at their all-star jam at the MGM.

Posted by: Anchor Robin Meade
Filed under: Extras

Good morning. Robin is off today. Natasha Curry's in charge.
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Seven people are dead after police say a former student went on a shooting spree at a small religious college in California.
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Our Country Votes:
Is this Rick Santorum's last chance to disrupt Mitt Romney's momentum? We're covering three primaries today. Romney looks to do well in Maryland and D.C. But what about Wisconsin? Some political observers are saying the state has become a must-win for Santorum.
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One of the smallest players on the team came up big. And now the Bluegrass state is celebrating after the Kentucky Wildcats won their 8th national title. Carlos Diaz is live in the midst of the celebrations in New Orleans!
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Newly-enhanced video gives us a better look at George Zimmerman the night he shot Florida teen Trayvon Martin. But does it show a gash on the back of Zimmerman's head?
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Syria says it will start dialing back the violence in that country. But there's no celebration just yet. U.S. officials say they've seen these kinds of promises before.
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We've got a sneak peek at Whitney Houston's last film. And this really is an early glimpse. "Sparkle" isn't due in the theaters until August.
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This one should generate some strong opinions. Should ice cream trucks be banned? A bunch of parents think so. They don't want to have to deal with begging kids.
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Also this morning... A plane crashed into a grocery store in Florida, injuring customers as well as the people on board... the latest online rage – the 1940 Census - we're looking at the rush to see a slice of history... and there's a dramatic increase in skin cancer among women in their 20s and 30s – we’re hearing a controversial theory about the cause.
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Actor/Comedian Kevin Hart sits down with Natasha LIVE on our set today during the 9aET hour. He's here to talk about his role in the new relationship comedy "Think Like a Man" based on a book by Steve Harvey called, "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment." Kevin's standup already has a lot of relationship oriented material... but what did he learn about the battle of the sexes from this role? Are you in a relationship quibble? Post your problem here... and maybe Kevin will diagnose you on the air!

Filed under: Extras