CNN Student News Transcript: May 23, 2008

(CNN Student News) -- May 23, 2008

Quick Guide

Deadly Tornadoes - Survey some of the damage caused by a massive tornado in Colorado.

Secretary-General Visit - Learn about Ban Ki-moon's visit to cyclone-ravaged areas in Myanmar.

CNN Heroes - Hear about one teen's efforts to aid U.S. troops serving overseas.

Transcript

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: Welcome to CNN Student News! Hope your Friday's going well so far. From the CNN Center, I'm Carl Azuz.

First Up: Deadly Tornadoes

AZUZ: First up, parts of Colorado are cleaning up after at least one massive tornado swept across the state yesterday. The governor declared a state of emergency in Weld County. That allowed the Colorado National Guard to get involved in the disaster response. The storm that spawned this tornado moved in quickly and broke apart just as fast after the twister hit. But even in that brief amount of time, it had a major impact.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AZUZ: This is Nature at her worst: a funnel cloud reported to be a quarter-mile wide, tearing across Colorado's Front Range. In its path was Windsor, a town about 80 miles north of Denver. Officials say at least one person was killed there and buildings were reduced to mangled masses of timber. But authorities said 130 children at a Windsor day care center were safe.

PERSON ON THE STREET: She's got bruises on her knees and on her elbows. And I assume it's just because they had to get them out so quick. And I can't say enough about the Windmill staff.

AZUZ: A local sheriff's deputy said the storm came on fast: one second, there was light rain; the next, a downpour. Wind. Hail the size of golf balls. He added it was freak thing to see something like this by a mountain range. Roofs were lifted off homes and farm buildings; tractor-trailers were overturned. About 60,000 people were left without power. The Windsor Fire Department reported injuries caused by everything from fallen trees to broken glass. But for many, there was relief.

PERSON ON THE STREET: We're all crying in here. I just told them I love them. You never expect anything like this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ID Me

MARY HOPKINS, CNN STUDENT NEWS: See if you can I.D. Me! I was born in South Korea in 1944. I decided to become a diplomat after meeting U.S. President John F. Kennedy when I was teenager. My current job comes with a five-year term of office, which I started in January of last year. I'm Ban Ki-moon, and I'm the 8th secretary-general of the United Nations.

Secretary-General Visit

AZUZ: Right now, Ban Ki-moon is urging the government of Myanmar to accept aid from the international community in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis. The U.N. estimates that this storm killed more than 130,000 people and left more than 2 million people homeless. Mr. Ban traveled to Myanmar this week to make his plea in person. Sara Sidner has the details on his visit.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SARA SIDNER, CNN REPORTER: Since arriving in Myanmar, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has met with several key members of Myanmar's government. He met with the prime minister and the foreign minister and is set to meet with Senior General Than Shwe, the head of Myanmar's military junta. Ban spent part of the day today being able to see in person the devastation left by Cyclone Nargis. He was given a helicopter tour of the Irrawaddy Delta.

The stage is set and there are high hopes that the Myanmar government will finally allow in a large scale aid effort into the country, one that the world has really been pushing for for many weeks now. The secretary-general's trip has several facets, but the overriding issue is whether he can convince Myanmar's leaders to allow in many, many more aid workers as well as more aid. We understand that a UNWFP helicopter has been allowed into the area, and with more to follow. But much more is needed. There is great concern from the international community and international aid workers, saying that there is a danger of disease, exposure, dehydration and starvation if more isn't done soon.

Ban Ki-moon will have a second chance to meet with some of Myanmar's government officials on Sunday when he returns for a conference. He will also be there with several members from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. But for now, Ban Ki-moon will be leaving on Friday from Myanmar, hoping that he returns triumphant and able to convince Myanmar's government to let in the aid that is desperately needed. Sara Sidner, CNN, Bangkok.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Commuter Race

AZUZ: Back in the U.S., with gas prices at an all-time high, some commuters might be considering alternatives to driving. Three of our CNN colleagues decided to take a few of these options for a test run in a race from Bethesda, Maryland, to our bureau in D.C. Tom, Jamie, Zain; bike, car, train. Who, and what, wins out?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: I'm going to beat these two boys by taking the metro to the bureau; a little bit of a walk and one straight shot.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: I'm driving, and I fully expect to be thwarted by Washington rush hour traffic.

TOM FOREMAN, CNN REPORTER: I'm going on the bicycle.

VERJEE: Ok. We're at the Bethesda station and it's 8:46 in the morning. It's gonna cost me $2.90.

MCINTYRE: Connecticut Avenue is moving well. We got a shot at this.

FOREMAN: Right now, I'm cutting underneath some of the heaviest traffic that's above this tunnel I'm in.

VERJEE: It is 9:05; not too crowded. Wonder how Foreman is.

FOREMAN: This is where you love it. Everybody is caught in traffic and you just go smoking right past them.

MCINTYRE: We are really in the home stretch now. If this car would just go. Go, buddy! Go! We're in a race here, for crying out loud.

VERJEE: Here we are at Union Station and it's 9:15.

MCINTYRE: There's CNN. You haven't seen Tom Foreman or Zain Verjee have you?

GUARD: No.

MCINTYRE: Alright.

VERJEE: 9:21.

FOREMAN: We're just getting killed on time here.

MCINTYRE: Thank you, thank you. Once again, fossil fuels win out.

VERJEE (Joking): I won!

FOREMAN: I fear we have lost. When did you guys get here, like five minutes ago? Cause I'm thinking...

VERJEE: He beat me by 8 minutes. He won.

FOREMAN: Really? How did you beat her?

MCINTYRE: Took the back way.

FOREMAN: How much did we spend on our commute today? I'm gonna start. Let me start the bidding at zero.

VERJEE: $2.90.

MCINTYRE: Ok, it only took me 4 dollars; maybe a gallon of gas to get here. You know what the best thing is? Options.

CORRESPONDENTS: Jamie McIntyre, Zain Verjee, Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Shoutout

HOPKINS: Today's Shoutout goes out to Ms. Hooper's current events classes at Shaler Area High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! How far is it from Bethesda, Maryland, to Washington, D.C.? If you think you know it, shout it out! Is it: A) 1-5 miles, B) 6-10 miles, C) 11-15 miles or D) 16-20 miles? You've got three seconds -- GO! According to Google Maps, a trip from Bethesda to the center of the nation's capitol is about 8.2 miles. So if you guessed B, you got it! That's your answer, and that's your Shoutout!

Promo

AZUZ: Fun report there. In two weeks, we're taking off for summer break. So, what are you gonna be up to during your time off? Tell us about your plans in an iReport! And keep sending them in all summer to show us how you're spending your vacation. Two rules here: Get your parents' permission and be at least 13. Learn more at CNNStudentNews.com!

CNN Heroes

AZUZ: On Monday, most of the country's taking time off of work or school for Memorial Day. The federal holiday honors men and women who have given their lives in service to their country. Well, one young woman is showing her appreciation to troops currently serving overseas by keeping them entertained. She's not a famous actor or singer. She's a student, just like you. Her name is Kaylee Radzyminski, and we're honoring her as a CNN hero.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAYLEE RADZYMINSKI, YOUNG WONDER: Listening to music, first of all, it gets the stress out. And you relax to it. It's a big part of my life, and it's a big part of theirs. I've always had a very special place in my heart for the military. They sacrifice so much for us, why can't I do a little bit to give back to them?

My name is Kaylee Marie Radzyminski. I've been sending CDs and DVDs overseas to our troops to bring a little bit of home and a little bit of entertainment. I got to talking with some military personnel, and I asked what was the number one thing they missed. The first thing was, of course, their families. But second to that was entertainment. Well, CDs, DVDs, those are entertainment. So, I started asking my friends, and I got all mine together. And then we did a drive at school. And eventually, it spread to the community. And now it's a nationwide project.

They all get a sticker with the "Tunes 4 The Troops" e-mail address. Then, all we have to do is finish filling out custom forms and pay for shipping. Sometimes it does get very stressful. I had to miss my junior prom. But that is nothing compared to what these 18, 19 and 20-year-olds give up.

U.S. SOLDIER: Kinda takes you outta here for a little while.

U.S. SOLDIER: It gave me a chance to feel like I was back home a little bit.

U.S. SOLDIER: The project is awesome.

RADZYMINSKI: To have such a large outcome of happy soldiers is so worth it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Promo

AZUZ: To learn more about Kaylee's "Tunes 4 the Troops" project or to nominate someone you think is a hero, go to the spotlight section on CNNStudentNews.com.

Goodbye

AZUZ: And again, we'll be off on Monday for Memorial Day. So, enjoy the long weekend, and we'll see you back here on Tuesday. Have a good one. I'm Carl Azuz.