We had some very special guests on the set Wednesday. Real American Heroes: firefighters in town for the Fire-Rescue International Conference at the Georgia World Congress Center, plus local Atlanta firefighters from Engine and Truck Company One. Robin was truly touched to be named an Honorary Fire Chief during their visit, but it was a bigger honor to be visited by these dedicated pros who have saved so many lives.

Keep reading to learn more about them, the Fire-Rescue Inernational Conference, and some of the ways they are honoring lost colleagues as we approach the 10th aniversary of the September 11th terror attacks in NY, DC & PA. Plus, see Robin's honorary fire chief helmet up close.

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Filed under: Extras • Robin Meade

A woman was caught on tape going OFF on state troopers in Missouri. That video is getting a lot of hits on YouTube (Warning! Explicit content).

Sue Teeter and her husband had just been in a crash when emotions got the better of her over the weekend. She says she was so enraged that she doesn't really remember saying much of what you see on the video. Now she's seen it from this perspective and is owning up to her behavior. Teeter says she's sorry and hopes to apologize face to face with the officers.

A statement from the Missouri Highway Patrol says: "We strive to be ladies and gentlemen who enforce the law and these officers exemplified this ideal."

Filed under: Bob Van Dillen • Extras • Jennifer Westhoven • Robin Meade

When it comes to reading aloud in class some kids are easily intimidated or already self-conscious about their ability to get the words out clearly. HLN's Ryan Smith discovered a program that is taking the pressure off by putting on the dog. In this case, Ernie, a specially trained therapy dog that kids can read to without feeling like they're being judged.

Find similar programs around the country by visiting the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program page at therapyanimals.org... or just try it yourself at home with your own family dog!

*Follow "Morning Express with Robin Meade" correspondent Ryan Smith on Twitter: @RyanSmithTV

Filed under: Power of Words • Robin Meade • Ryan Smith

Live Better Now.

Filed under: Deepak Chopra • Live Better Now • Robin Meade

Is a toy doll that mimics breast-feeding a good way to teach "nurturing" to little girls? We've heard from a lot of you during "Morning Express with Robin Meade" today about "The Breast Milk Baby":

Christine in Savannah, GA emailed us:
It is ok for little boys to "kill" each other with their toys, why is it not ok for a little girl to "nurse" a doll? Maybe it will help Americans be more comfortable with breastfeeding. As a new mom I'm surprised at how uncomfortable many people still are with something so natural and healthy.

Vinnie tweeted Robin (@RobinMeade):
My 15 yr old daughter just watched that segment with me & she was aghast about the #breastfeedingdoll. Not good.

Cheri wrote on our facebook page:
When I had my kids many yrs ago I.nursed them all and they all three would nurse their baby dolls. This doll is no.big deal God gave us breast to feed our baby's so what if kids pretend to breast feed.

Patty on facebook says:
I have 5 kids. 4 of them girls.. and I would not get this doll..our kids learn things too early..let them be kids..they wont be breast-feeding until they are adults.

What do you think?

Filed under: Extras • Jennifer Westhoven • Robin Meade

Left to right: Robin Meade, meteorologist Bob Van Dillen, personal finance expert Jennifer Westhoven, sports anchor Carlos Diaz & correspondent Ryan Smith at "the biscuit."

Great to have the whole team back on set! Between Carlos Diaz's fairly recent addition to the show, Ryan Smith's extended stay in Orlando covering the Casey Anthony murder trial and Jennifer Westhoven's maternity leave, it's been a while since the full 5 have been all together in the studio. In fact, today is the first day that Carlos and Jennifer have even worked together. This definitely called for a photo... which was easier said than done.

You might not realize that even during the show the "on-air" group is RARELY (if ever) all in the studio at the same time. Only Jennifer and Robin spend most of the morning in the studio. Ryan's office is upstairs in the "In Session" newsroom, Carlos spends most of his day at his desk in the "CNN Sports" newsroom and Bob's weather computer is out the sound-proof door and down the hall. They come in-and-out of the studio all morning which you'd think would be quite distracting for Robin, but watching the show, you'd never know.

For more behind the scenes pics, LIKE "Morning Express with Robin Meade" on Facebook or on Twitter follow @RobinMeade, @BobVanDillen, @CarlosHLN and @RyanSmithTV (Jennifer Westhoven coming to Twitter soon).

Posted by: HLN TV/Web producer Grayson
Filed under: Behind the Scenes • Bob Van Dillen • Carlos Diaz • Jennifer Westhoven • Robin Meade • Ryan Smith

Morning Express with Robin Meade correspondent Ryan Smith is scheduled to be live from outside the Pinellas County Jail (above) this morning as we wait to learn if its most talked about prisoner will go free. Ryan tweeted this photo (and another) of the jail yesterday while planning for today's liveshot and HLN's coverage of what could be the end of the Casey Anthony murder trial.

Casey Anthony was acquitted Tuesday of killing her daughter Caylee Marie. She was, however, found guilty of lying to police... and faces 4 counts on that charge. Each count could earn her a year in prison, however Casey has been in jail for nearly 3 years already. It's entirely possible that the judge's sentence could recognize that 'time served' making today (Thursday 7/7/2011) her last day behind bars and barbed wire.

Watch the sentencing LIVE with Robin Meade and Ryan Smith today at 9am ET (6a PT) on HLN.

Vote in our facebook poll: Casey Anthony found not guilty of murder... do you agree with the jury? VOTE HERE

Posted by: HLN TV/Web producer Grayson
Filed under: HLN • Robin Meade • Ryan Smith

Available on CD exclusively at Target stores. The album is near the greeting cards in an interactive end-aisle display. You can push my face and sample the music before you buy.

Or download the digital copy right now from iTunes.

Heard it? Let Robin know what you think! Tweet me @RobinMeade with your review of #BrandNewDay.

Filed under: Brand New Day • Extras • Robin Meade

Yes, yes... the cat is behind a see-through wall... but it's still a little unsettling to see it "play" with the little boy on the other side.

Click HERE to see the full clip on YouTube.

Robin says the lioness is just trying to "mother" the little guy, but Bob says that cat is looking for lunch... what do you say?

Filed under: Bob Van Dillen • Carlos Diaz • Robin Meade • Viral Video of the Day • YouTube

Left to right: Victoria Shaw, Robin Meade & Neal McCoy – Thu 6/9/2011

Where's Robin? She is in Nashville for the 2011 CMA Music Festival and Fan Fair meeting "Morning Express with Robin Meade" viewers and promoting her upcoming album of country music "Brand New Day" (available on iTunes and at Target stores June 21).

She would love it if you could stop by and say hi at any of the following events... and if you get your picture taken be sure to tweet it (add @RobinMeade so we'll see it)! Oh and tell her that all of us down here in Atlanta can't wait till she's back in the studio with us next week!

*all times central

Thursday June 9:
11:00am-1:00pm – Booth Signing – Convention Center, Booth 405
2:30pm-4:30pm – Booth Signing – Convention Center, Booth 405

Friday, June 10:
11:00am-1:00pm – Booth Signing – Convention Center, Booth 405
2:00pm-4:00pm – Booth Signing – Convention Center, Booth 405
4:45pm – Sirius XM interview with Storme Warren

Saturday, June 11:
City of Hope Softball Game:
7:00am – Doors open
9:00am – National Anthem
9:05am-11:30am PLAY BALL!
2:00pm-4:30pm – Booth Signing – Convention Center, Booth 405

Sunday, June 12:
11:45am – Performance on Lay's Stage on Bridgestone Arena Plaza
3:00pm Golden Fan Event at Whiskey Bent

Filed under: Robin Meade