Friday Buzz

August 16th, 2012
08:00 PM ET



.. Deena Sami reports.

The AC360 Weekly Buzz: Romney, Ryan, Medicare, FLDS, Toth, Syria, RidicuList vote, Beyonce.

What everyone’s talking about:

Since Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced his vice presidential pick on Saturday, the country’s been learning more about Rep. Paul Ryan. He has already hit the campaign trail on his own starting in Iowa, and political pundits are debating The Ryan Factor – how he’ll transform Romney’s campaign. CNN’s Tom Foreman takes a look at Ryan’s personal life, including his exercise obsession, and that one time he drove the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. John King, Gloria Borger and Ron Brownstein discuss the changing nature of the Romney ticket and what voters in Ryan’s home state of Wisconsin may do in November.

It seems that Warren Jeffs, the imprisoned leader of the polygamist FLDS sect who was convicted for sexually assaulting underage girls, is still firmly in control of his followers. The police force in Colorado City, Arizona is no exception. The complaints against them have led federal authorities to take action to protect non-FLDS residents. CNN’s Gary Tuchman reports.

The FBI is hoping you can help them find one of their Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Eric Toth vanished four years ago, but only recently was added to the agency’s infamous wanted list – replacing Osama bin Laden, Toth, a former Washington D.C. school teacher and computer whiz, is suspected of crimes associated with child pornography. The FBI is offering $100,000 for information leading to his arrest. CNN’s Tom Foreman has the story and former FBI profiler Mary Ellen O’Toole has insight on how child predators groom parents to have access to their children.

Syrian government forces continued attacking Aleppo today. At least 200 people were reported dead across the country, according to the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria. CNN’s Ben Wedeman was in Aleppo where he and his team were dangerously close to the line of fire near a hospital earlier this week. The bloody aftermath was heartbreaking; injured children and helpless caregivers.

Beyoncé is teaming up with the United Nations to raise awareness about upcoming World Humanitarian Day and encouraging people to participate in their communities. The singer told Anderson she is trying to set an example of how small acts can make a difference. He sat down with her and U.N. under-secretary-general and emergency relief coordinator Valerie Amos.

Today’s Scoop:

We spoke to Rosemary Putnam who said she was “petrified” when a wildfire was bearing down on her property in Washington state. She escaped with her four horses before her home was lost in the blaze. At least 70 fires are raging across 13 Western states, according to the National Interagency Coordination Center. CNN’s Dan Simon has the latest for us tonight at 8 and 10 p.m. ET.

The deadly standoff between a homeless man and six Saginaw, Michigan police officers was caught on video. CNN has purchased the video of the July 1 incident and we'll make it public for the first time tonight on AC360. CNN’s Jason Carroll will report on the community’s reaction and the state police investigation into the shooting.

Just for laughs:

We’re having a RidicuList countdown all week! So far the winners include Carpool Guy, the David Hasselhoff iced coffee ad thieves, and the "Crapper Scrapper." Vote for your favorite video and look out for #1 on Friday!

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