• February 17, 2006 | 4:00 p.m. ET

Justice finally coming for Natalee Holloway?  (Rita Cosby)

What a whirlwind it was in the newsroom when word came out that the parents of Natalee Holloway were taking a bold, new step.... slapping Joran van der Sloot and his father with a civil lawsuit.

How they did it is quite remarkable and involved heavy orchestration on three continents. They learned that the van der Sloots were all flying into New York City for a television interview with ABC News. The van der Sloots thought they'd be able to quietly come to town, but the Holloway legal team got tipped off of their plans, and delivered a big surprise.

I'm told that Joran's father was served as soon as he left a posh NYC hotel, that Holloway's team was watching his every move, waiting for him to leave the premises. Meantime, an equally stealth former official from Scotland Yard was covertly sitting a few rows behind Joran on his flight from Holland to JFK, and before Joran even got off the plane, he was served with his papers, not even knowing at that point what happened to his father soon before that.

It certainly made for a powerful, new development in a case that in the last few weeks has had few signs of movement. The question is: Will courts rule that the Holloway family does have jurisdiction to file this suit? And, if so, what will Joran and his father's response be, if any? It moves the case from Aruba, which so far has not produced any results, to U.S. soil, and that alone, even in making the headlines, sends a strong signal that this family is determined to get answers one way or another and get justice for Natalee.

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• February 10, 2006 | 4:51 p.m. ET

New side to happy, young family (Rita Cosby)

Today, court documents and various other reports are revealing a whole new side to what seemed like a happy, young family and a happy young man, 27-year-old Neil Entwistle. Now in Boston, covering the story, I'm learning so many new twists and turns that could have contributed to this horrible crime... the brutal murder of a 27-year-old woman and her 9-month-old baby.

On the surface, Neil Entwistle seemed like the perfect husband, a new father; he was seen hugging his beautiful daughter Lillian in photos at Christmas. But now, months later, we're hearing about some horrible, dark secrets in his life. The district attorney believes that his financial distress contributed to Entwistle's allegedly killing his wife and child. We're seeing now how bad his finances really were. He owed tens of thousands of dollars in England and more than thirty-thousand in the U.S. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. He had to pay twenty-seven hundred dollars a month for rent on his big home and four-hundred dollars a month for his BMW. All the while, he has no job.

Court documents also show he may have been dissatisfied with his sex life with his wife and that she may have recently found out about his internet scams and "discussed the matter" with him. In addition to all this, there is word he was looking on the internet recently, prior to the crime, searching for tips on how to commit suicide.

Putting all of this together paints a very different picture than the smiling Neil Entwistle family and friends thought they knew. It's understandable why today his wife's family, most important of all, feel incredibly betrayed.

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• February 9, 2006 | 5:00 p.m. ET

At the scene of an unspeakable crime (Rita Cosby)

I'm here now in Hopkinton, Massachusetts in front of the Entwistle's home. It is a very quiet Boston suburb that today is rocked by the revelation that one of their own neighbors is now accused of killing his own wife and 9-month-old daughter. One of Neil Entwistle's neighbors told us that they are "numb." But it is even more difficult now knowing Neil Entwistle is charged with this unspeakable crime, telling us "it would have been better if it was somebody else."

Even though he had only lived here ten days, the neighbors are still stunned at this crime so close to home. Ever since I arrived here midday, I have been meeting with Joe Flaherty, spokesperson for Rachel Entwistle's family, who said that they feel "so betrayed." I have also talked to a spokesperson with the District Attorney's office of Middlesex County who told me they feel they have a strong case but believe it will be a long process since he is already clearly fighting extradition from England where he was arrested earlier this morning.

The crime in and of it's self is so sad, to learn that a mother and a baby were shot execution style in their own bed. And now, what most of us suspected, that the husband is accused of pulling the trigger. We can now only hope that a sense of justice can provide comfort for Rachel Entwistle's family and friends.

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• February 2, 2006 | 12:44 p.m. ET

Massachusetts Double murder becomes international mystery
(Nina Bradley, Live & Direct Senior Producer)

Many of you have been sending in your e-mails to us comparing the Entwistle murder mystery to the Scott & Laci Peterson case.  Before anyone jumps to that conclusion, however, we must find more answers.  There are so many twists in this Massachusetts double murder, and with each passing day, we learn more details that intrigue us to find out who would kill a mother and her baby girl.

FREE VIDEO Entwistle murder mystery Feb. 1: Neil Entwistle, husband of murdered Rachel Entwistle and their baby daughter, says he can't remember how he got to England. MSNBC

Hopkinton, Massachusetts is a quiet and sleepy community about 30 miles west of Boston. I have only been to Hopkinton once to cover the Boston Marathon; Hopkinton is the town where the race starts every year.

Residents there have not seen a murder case in more than a decade, if that gives you a better sense of the quaint suburb.

It is heartbreaking to see the beautiful pictures of mother, Rachel, and her 9-month baby girl, Lillian, in happier times.  We all wonder what British husband and father, Neil Entwistle, knows about this tragic crime as he remains silent with his family in England.

In the London "Sun" newspaper, a family source is quoted as saying Neil Entwistle called Rachel's family and said, "I can't remember how I got to England.  Is it true Rachel and Lillian are dead?"  So, what's behind the husband's alleged confused state of mind? 

I spoke at length to former Middlesex County prosecutor Gerry Leone about this report, and he believes that this could be the beginning of the "dazed and confused" defense by Neil Entwistle.  Leone told me that he (Neil Entwistle) may be feeling the pressure bearing down on him from authorities in Massachusetts.  Middlesex County DA Martha Coakley is known to be a tough and thorough prosecutor, who fights for justice for the victim. 

No matter who committed this senseless crime, the media must also continue to search for answers for the sake of Rachel's family and friends. 

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• February 1, 2006 |  11:20 a.m. ET

Golfing in heaven (Rita Cosby)

I wanted to write to honor a fine man and dear friend, Tony Ancona, who suddenly passed away several days ago. In life, many of us have had mentors, people who have looked out for us along the way, and Tony was that to me, and much more.

When I was a young journalist-almost two decades ago-I interned for the "CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," and I met this wonderful, smiling cameraman who took me under his wing. He helped me get anchoring and interviewing roles on New York cable stations, and took a genuine interest in seeing that I would succeed. He believed in this young, bright-eyed journalist, who dreamed of one day hosting a T.V. show.

Tony was no ordinary cameraman; he was a walking history book of the television business itself. He was the cameraman for such legends as Edward R. Murrow, Jackie Gleason, Ed Sullivan, and was known as Arthur Godfrey's favorite photographer. Tony has experienced and led the way in every change in the T.V. business in the last 60 years, going from film, to tape, to now digital.

MSNBC TV Rita Cosby with Tony Ancona

He also became my golf instructor, and in the rare chances I got to play, even with my hectic schedule, he would meet me on the course in N.Y. or Myrtle Beach, always with a smile. He had the most infectious, easy-going personality, never saying an unkind word about anyone. He truly loved life and loved everyone. He also loved golf, and the competition, and if you watched the Masters Golf Tournament, Tony was always the guy shooting the famous 16th hole.

I saw Tony on my birthday last November, when I had a little dinner party, and he was in his usual form, toasting and laughing. I just learned through mutual friends last Saturday night that Tony was diagnosed with severe pancreatic cancer, which had spread to his liver, and that he had approximately one to two years left. I was hoping to see him in a few days. He wrote an e-mail to me two Fridays ago, talking about going golfing and having lunch, so clearly he was still in good spirits and seemed to have strength left. To my total shock and sadness, I received a call suddenly last Monday, saying Tony, age 78, had passed that same Saturday night. Needless to say, I was devastated since I did not get a chance to see him, but so thankful he died without pain, in his sleep, dreaming of golfing and seeing dear friends.

It was fitting that in Tony's casket they placed a golf ball and tee, and he was wearing his favorite golf tie. I learned so much from Tony Ancona, to enjoy every moment of life, since it is precious and we never know how much longer we have on this earth. I will miss his friendship and never-ending support, and I will continue to help young people in this business who now come to me as their mentor, because I know how much it meant to have Tony's support through the years. Helping others will be his legacy and whenever I swing a golf club, no matter how good or bad that swing is, I will remember Tony's love of the game and love of life. I will miss him dearly.

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• January 26, 2006 |  5:57 p.m. ET

Actor Stephen Baldwin Tries to Clean up the Neighborhood (Rita Cosby)

I had a great time talking to actor Stephen Baldwin, who will joined me to talk about how he plans to run out of town the sex shop

FREE VIDEO Actor Stephen Baldwin Jan 26: Actor Stephen Baldwin joined MSNBC-TV’s Rita Cosby to discuss his fight to keep a pornography store out of his neighborhood. MSNBC

that is opening near his estate. I've known Stephen for several years now and have been impressed with his drive to make a difference and fight for what he believes in.

A born-again Christian, Stephen parked himself outside the sex store a couple of weeks ago, actually photographing the construction and taking names, so that once the store opens in a few months, he is armed with material to shame them from ever coming back.

Stephen Baldwin doesn't like that the store is within a quarter-mile of the community's residential area, where many kids and mothers drive through every day. He's even enlisting local students of the nearby Nyack College to protest on opening day.

However, not everyone agrees with Stephen that the porn shop has no right to be there. The chairman of The Planning Board of Nyack released a statement in which he laid out requirements for the location of the porn shop. He said that the store cannot be any closer than 200 feet to a residential property and that residents can impose conditions through the courts, but not prohibit them entirely.

How does Stephen respond to the official word? Will he still turn out to protest when the store opens? Watch this video to see my exclusive interview and hear, first-hand, how the passionate actor plans to take matters into his own hands.

• January 24, 2006 |  12:37 p.m. ET

Dr. Henry Lee in action (Rita Cosby)

Tonight we will have noted forensic expert, Dr. Henry Lee, renowned from the OJ Simpson trial, on our show at 9pm/1am EST. I have so many questions I want to ask him after seeing him in action firsthand yesterday in Miami.

He combed the cruise ship, "The Brilliance of the Seas," like it was a piece of art, checking every nook and corner, seeing if any trace evidence still remains although it's been more than six months since honeymooner George Smith disappeared from the ship. Dr. Lee told me he's driven to help George Smith's family get some answers and I believe if anyone can do it, it is Dr. Lee.

FREE VIDEO Cruise ship mystery Noted forensic scientist Doctor Henry Lee may have discovered something significant while investigating the ship that newly wed George Smith disappeared from last July. MSNBC

As soon as he arrived to inspect the ship, he immediately went to the balcony of Smith's cabin and began snapping photos and pulling out his measuring sticks from every angle. He clearly was focused on the left side of the balcony when you face the ship, he kept touching the low-lying chairs on the balcony to see if Smith, who was over six feet tall, could've rested his feet on a chair or used it to prop himself up and accidentally fall overboard.

It was quite a surreal scene; there were several news choppers hovering above, and many cameras on the ground, watching his every move, trying to determine exactly what he was looking for. After all the months that I've been covering this story, it was powerful for me to see how far George Smith appears to have fallen... some 22 feet, three floors down, and when I saw the actual ship and where his cabin was, it saddened me to think what his final moments may have been like.

I am still puzzled as to what happened. Dr. Lee told me that he found something significant on board the ship, something relating to the canopy. He also said he tested the canopy to see if it was washed over as the cruise line has stated previously or painted over as some have wondered. Could he have found blood traces still on that canopy after all these months? MSNBC analyst and former FBI profiler Clint Van Zandt made an interesting analogy that these surfaces are not like glass, but rather more like an English muffin, with bumps, where blood and other evidence could still be found even if they weathered tough conditions in the open seas. Was blood found, and was it only George Smith's blood, or was there a fiber or hair located in a crack or indent? Could a clue have been sitting there dormant since July even after the cruise line itself surely has had countless people of their own inspect every locale?

Let's pray a miracle happens here and the Smith family gets some answers finally. Maybe Dr. Lee can deliver a forensic miracle. Be sure to tune in tonight to see where he thinks the investigation is headed now.

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• January 20, 2006 |  9:30 a.m. ET

'Dummy' to help in cruise ship mystery (Nina Bradley, Live & Direct Senior Producer)

He's one of the best forensic experts in this country, and now he's getting involved in the case of honeymooner George Smith who vanished from a cruise ship this summer.

Dr. Henry Lee is going to Miami on Monday to see for himself what clues are left on board that ship, "Brilliance of the Seas".

Dr. Lee was hired by George Smith's bride, Jennifer Hagel, and her attorney. I had the opportunity to go inside Dr. Lee's lab at the University of New Haven in Connecticut to get an exclusive preview of what he hopes to find out that could help crack this case.

He showed me all of the various equipment that he will bring with him on board.  One of the things that fascinated me the most was a dummy that he will use.

Dr. Lee will add weight to the dummy so that it matches George Smith's approximate weight.  He will use the dummy to test various scenarios: "If someone picks up the dummy and throws the dummy, what is the most likely location where the dummy is going to land?  If someone threw a person overboard, how far will they go?  If someone falls off the railing, then we want to see where he most likely landed," Dr. Lee explained.

Royal Caribbean is only allowing Dr. Lee to be on board the ship for about two hours.  Although many have questioned why the cruise line is rushing Dr. Lee and putting such a time restriction on such an important job, Dr. Lee seemed to understand their explanation that the ship will only be in the Port of Miami for a few hours on Monday before the ship goes back out to sea.

If everything works smoothly, he expects to be able to conduct some basic analysis, measurements and a reconstruction of what happened in the cabin where George and Jennifer stayed on their honeymoon cruise.

Even though the FBI has removed the carpet from the room, Dr. Lee says the room is still the same room.  He will look for any trace evidence that remains on the ceiling and the walls using various chemical tests to look for blood stains or biological material.

There is one big question regarding the canopy.  This is the canopy that is seen in a photograph taken by another passenger on the cruise showing an enormous amount of blood on it.

It has been talked about that the canopy has been painted over since George was on the boat. 

Dr. Lee says he will be able to test the canopy to see if it has in fact been painted over.  I asked him if it has been painted over, can he still test the canopy to look for blood in order to find out if that blood was George Smith's blood?

His response: "It will be extremely difficult."

Dr. Lee told me he wanted to take this case, which he now describes as a "cold case", because he was so moved by the Smith family and wanted to get them some answers.

I have had the privilege of knowing Dr. Lee for many years, and I honestly believe there is no one better to try to get those answers for George Smith's family and for his widow.  If anyone can do this, it is Dr. Henry Lee.

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• January 18, 2006 |  4:15 p.m. ET

'Dead body guy' (Rita Cosby)

I’ve interviewed some strange people in my career, but this one would have to be at the top of the list. Most of us don’t want anything to do with the idea of looking dead, but Chuck Lamb thrives on it - so much so that he enjoys playing dead for friends and family, and his greatest ambition -- his dream --is to play a dead body in a motion picture.

This fascinating father of six from Columbus, Ohio, has a popular blog site filled with dozens of photos of him lying dead in his bathtub, in his garage, even hanging from a ceiling fan. The New York Times profiled him yesterday, and he says his site has received some 300,000 hits -from as far as Uruguay, Iran and Spain - since then. One of my producers Andrew Dallos went around New York City with this living cadaver to see people’s reactions to him, and he sure looked dead to everyone. Why and how does he do it? We’ll ask him about that tonight at 9:00 p.m. on "Live and Direct. And we have a surprise for both him and our viewers. I hope you’ll tune in to see what it is.

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• January 18, 2006 |  11:30 a.m. ET

A father's double life (Rita Cosby)

Tuesday I interviewed a man with an incredible story who went from an ideal citizen and grandfather to an armed bank robber and crack cocaine addict, whose life collapsed into him robbing several banks, and having a long time mistress unbeknownst to his wife and children.

William Ginglen's has had a sad journey, which ultimately ended when his own sons spotted him on a bank surveillance tape and turned him into authorities.

FREE VIDEO Bank robber Turned in by 3 Sons Jan 17: Rita Cosby travels to Illinois for a jailhouse interview with a bankrobber who was busted when his 3 sons turned him in. MSNBC

We had his three sons on our show back in November, and you could see how anguished they were when they realized the robber's picture that was being distributed was their own father and that they made the painful decision to turn him in.  They went over to his home to confront him, after believing he may have been tied to 7 bank robberies.  They didn't find him, but they found the clothes that were worn by the bank robber and the surveillance tape and a very extensive journal, which revealed every sorted detail in their father's double life.  They said their father always taught them to obey the law and do the right thing, so they decided to call the cops.  William talked for the first time about what made him rob a string of banks in Illinois, and betray his own family.He was just sentenced a few weeks ago to 40 years in prison, and is currently being housed at the Christian County Correctional Facility in Taylorville, Illinois outside of Springfield.

At age 64, he knows the sentence will mean he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

He told me everyday he lives with the shame and regret of what he did, and the pain he caused his family.  Some of his own children still do not want to talk to him because of what he did.

It's was a stunning and emotional interview with a man who seemed to have it all who quickly hit rock bottom, and will spend the rest of his life behind bars with family members who never want to speak to him again.

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• January 13, 2006 |  12:35 p.m. ET

Fireworks Over Exclusive Cruise Ship Photos (Rita Cosby)

This past week on Live & Direct, we extensively covered the story of George Smith, the missing cruise ship honeymooner. We revealed some never before seen photos taken of Smith's actual suite by Royal Caribbean right after Smith was reported missing on July 5th and then two days later.

The release of these photos has raised a firestorm by the cruise line, who claim we are impeding the investigation, even though the FBI themselves could not give us anything specific as to why we should not run the photos. The "before" and "after" pictures show a very different view of the cabin. In the early picture, the room is fairly neat, in the l

FREE VIDEO Inside Missing Honeymooner's Suite Jan 11: Live and Direct has obtained exclusive pictures from inside the honeymoon suite of missing groom George Smith IV. What clues do they hold? MSNBC

atter ones; papers are crumbled and strewn in many parts, raising the question that many investigators are asking... Was the crime scene so contaminated no evidence could be obtained? And, how does all this square with the cruise line's own claim that they sealed off that room and secured it for six days, throughout the rest of the cruise?

Peggy and Sheldon Sandler stayed only a few doors down from the Smith's cabin and they say they witnessed some stunning actions while aboard. They say they passed by the Smith's cabin every single day, multiple times. The couple stated that they clearly saw Royal Caribbean cruise line staff sweeping, vacuuming, and scrubbing the carpet during the time the cruise ship claims that it was completely sealed off.

The cruise line says the couple is mistaken, that the cleaning crew must've been a standard cruise line crew doing regular cleaning in another cabin. But the Sandlers say they are certain it was the Smith's room, that someone wearing what amounts to a hazmat-like suit was seen checking the room one day for forensics, and another time they saw many cleaning people inside from the cruise line... and swear it was the same room a cruise official sat guard in front of, talking about "Jennifer" on his two-way. The Sandlers say the cruise line is more than mistaken.

We'll continue to follow this story and bring you new developments as they unfold. The Smith family has had to deal with a heart-breaking tragedy now for more than six months, and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with them during this difficult time. We hope they will get the answers they desperately deserve.

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• January 12, 2006 |  11:45 a.m. ET

Contract Killings On The US/Mexican Border (Rita Cosby)

This story really angers me, and, after seeing the dangerous US/Mexican border firsthand, I find this new threat extremely concerning. We reported it last night on Live & Direct.

The federal government is now warning border patrol agents that THEY could become the targets of hired assassins. There's word smugglers have proved assassins with a list of names of border agents. This is a potentially frightening and disturbing development in the battle to protect America's borders. The confidential memo from the Department of Homeland Security says "Unidentified Mexican alien smugglers... have agreed that the best way to deal with U.S. Border Patrol agents is to hire a group of contract killers." Further information shows they are talking about smugglers hiring members of a deadly gang called MS-13 to be the assassins.

At the end of October, I traveled down to the border myself on a mission to show you how drug trafficking is turning America's borders into war zones. U.S. citizens are kidnapped and murdered on the border and close to both sides. This is a growing and urgent crisis that threatens every part of our country and especially now that Mexican smugglers have decided to actually target U.S. Border Patrol.

Back on November 2 and 3rd when my shows about the border aired, we showed you how police worried more violence would spill over from Mexico into the United States. Local law enforcement whom we spoke with say they're ill-equipped to handle the growing threat of shootings and murder on the border. They told me they are far outmanned and far outgunned. Sadly, the odds are stacked against us. With local Mexican deputies earning in one week what they make in a year, if they agree to cooperate with drug lords, it's easy to see why so many on the other side of the border are being bought off and turn a blind eye.

Last night, I talked with Jim Dorcy, a former border control agent, Sam Dealy of Reader's Digest who recently wrote about the deadly gang "MS-13," Former Mexican Migration Minister Juan Hernandez, and Glen Spencer of American Border Control, who has taken border patrolling into his own hands.

After hearing from all sides, you understand how complicated the politics and dangers are. Are Mexican authorities doing enough to crack down on their side? Are gangs even overwhelming for them too? Unfortunately, the terror is spilling over, and has been for some time. It's estimated the MS-13 gang has 30,000 members in 33 U.S. states, and they are considered ruthless.

With the "Colombianization" of Mexico, drug lords ruling certain pockets of that country, this is a major problem that every American should be concerned about, bleeding into our country... and soon it may get worse, putting the lives of our border agents even more on the line.

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• January 11, 2006 |  1:40 p.m. ET

Inside George Smith's Cruise Suite (Rita Cosby)

Tuesday night,   we showed you never-before-seen photos inside George Smith's cabin suite. The photos showed a disheveled room, evidence that private investigator Vito Colucci said proves someone had been rifling through and contaminating the crime scene. The cruise line says the trash and papers in the room were there after Jennifer left the room and before Turkish authorities arrived. So, could these exclusive photos obtained by our show crack the case or show an investigation gone awry?

It's too early to make that conclusion, but these photos certainly raise some questions.

We showed a photo from what the family has been told came from the first batch of pictures taken by the cruise line in the morning after George Smith went missing. It's unclear exactly what time this photo was taken... but some things are significant. The room looks like a normal cabin, slightly lived-in, with George Smith's jacket draped over a chair, a cowboy hat draped over bottles of booze and the safe closed. There are no visible signs of blood or foul play at first review.

The second batch of photos we showed display a room that's been trashed a bit or searched through... there are papers on the floor and crumbled pages around the safe, no cowboy hat, no trace of George's jacket. The safe is wide open. We only know that these pictures were taken sometime before the cruise was over. The cruise line has said during the six day period, until the cruise was done, the room was sealed off.

Looking at these pictures raise many questions still unanswered. Did someone ransack the room looking for something? Was the room trashed and the possible crime scene contaminated so no evidence could be found? Was it just sloppy investigative skills? Did Jennifer trash the room searching for items as she had help packing up? We do not know who did what at this phase.

I hope you'll tune in tonight as we'll continue to explore and show you more of these incredible and revealing pictures that, for the first time, allow you to see inside the room where the Smith's spent the honeymoon that turned to a nightmare. I hope these photos bring everyone one step closer to solving this case and learning what really happened to George Smith.

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• January 10, 2006 |  2:50 p.m. ET

Farris Hassan's amazing journey (Rita Cosby)

Andrew Dallos Farris Hassan and Rita Cosby

I hope you will tune in tonight at 9 p.m. ET for the rest of my exclusive interview with Farris Hassan, the extraordinary Florida private school student who snuck away to Iraq, without even telling his own mother.

Tonight, you'll learn what his school did to him as a punishment ... remember he did skip out on school. Also, hear what his parents and friends said when he returned to the U.S. safe and sound to a throng of television cameras. Farris also will tell you what's ahead for his future and which prominent politician called his family recently to commend his courage.

This 16-year-old boy is so smart and so driven by wanting to make this world a better place, that his words will inspire you. It's incredible to hear how he actually got to Iraq in the first place, and how he was taken out by the U.S. military, unscathed. But, to hear why he went there and if he'd ever do it again, is quite stunning from the mouth of a young man only age 16. His perspective on the world is remarkable and refreshing. Half the time I was talking to him face-to-face, I thought I was speaking to a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, not a teen just old enough to drive!

He also realizes that he unfairly scared his parents, school and friends. He owns up to his errors and deeply apologizes to everyone he hurt or inconvenienced along the way. He now understands you cannot just take off and go to Iraq without repercussions. This is one incredible teen, one of the sharpest and most adventurous young men I've come across as a journalist.

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• January 4, 2006 |  5:32 p.m. ET

Heartbreak in West Virginia (Rita Cosby)

TALLMANSVILLE, W.Va. - This has been one of the most stunning and disheartening stories I have ever covered. Tonight, I will again be Live & Direct near the Sago Mine in West Virginia and near a vigil with outraged and overwhelmed family members. Today, my heart truly breaks for the family members who lost their loved ones. And to add to that, the double tragedy that they endured by having been misled to believe for almost three hours that their loved ones were still alive.

At 9:00 p.m. ET, last night, there was such a sense of distress when word came out that one body had been located deep within the mine. At that moment,   I was live on the air talking to John Bennett whose father Jim Bennett was inside the mine. To see the pain and grief on this wonderful man’s face is something I will never forget. At that point, it was more important for me to be a human being than to be a reporter. I could not help but be visibly moved.

After hours of anguish, a dramatic turn of events unfolded. Right before midnight, we heard from multiple officials in touch with the command center that surprisingly, the twelve remaining miners were alive. Our jaws dropped at this stunning development which was later reiterated by hospital officials, a representative with the West Virginia Coal Association, the local fire chief, as well as many family members who were even told that the miners might be coming to meet them at any moment at the local church where they had been praying for the last two-days around-the-clock.

It was devastating to learn the grim reality about three hours later that only one of the remaining twelve miners had indeed survived. Additionally, it was infuriating to learn that officials had known approximately thirty minutes after midnight that their initial information was incorrect, and waited more than two hours to tell family members the horrible truth.

These poor family members who had been through their worst nightmare were sent on an emotional rollercoaster that none of us could ever imagine. This story has really hit me personally to witness this horrible turn of events with these family members who have now lost so much, including faith in mining officials.

Please keep the families of the twelve miners in your prayers, as there are still so many unanswered questions as to what caused this deadly catastrophe and horrible breakdown in communications. What happened to these families is outrageous and shameful, and I hope never happens again.

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• January 3, 2006 |  1:03 p.m. ET

Holding out hope In West Virginia (Rita Cosby)

As I write this, my team and I are heading toward the Sago Mine in West Virginia. It is a dreary day. The skies are gray and it is drizzling, symbolic of the mood. Just a few hours ago, International Coal officials announced that they still have had no communications from the 13 miners trapped beneath the earth. Officials also say that the carbon monoxide levels in certain spots of the mine are well above normal levels, giving less hope that the miners may have survived.

Tonight, we will have a one-hour live special from the scene in West Virginia where we will talk about what rescue efforts are still being done and how family members are holding up during this difficult time. West Virginia and the country are stilling holding out hope, praying these men, who work such a difficult and dangerous job, found a small crevice of clean air to wait in, and are still alive.

Miracles do happen in mines. We cannot forget what happened in Pennsylvania four years ago, when nine miners miraculously survived after being trapped for 77 long hours. Two of those brave men were on my show last night, describing how dark, cold and wet it was in the mine and how they clung to each other and prayed as time went by and they waited for help. Let's pray we have another miracle, this time in West Virginia.

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• December 30, 2005 | 1:34 p.m. ET

Saluting the heroes of 2005 (Nina Bradley, Senior Producer)

Happy holidays to all of our loyal viewers!

Rita is on vacation this week, enjoying some much deserved time off.

In her absence, our good friend Jane Velez-Mitchell is filling in.  We hope you've been enjoying watching her shows.  Rita returns to the air on Monday, Jan. 2nd.

As we look back at the highs and lows of 2005, covering the devastation in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina will stick out as the most important story in my mind for this year. And one assignment I will never forget.

When Rita, booker/producer Tomomi Arikawa and I arrived in the badly damaged and flooded city in September, we couldn't believe our eyes.  To see it all in person is completely overwhelming and sad.

The stories of the brave rescuers, selfless volunteers and dedicated members of law enforcement who were helping others in such desperate need should give us all hope in the new year.

There are so many people to recognize and thank who went above and beyond for our team.  To Sheriff Jack Stephens and all the members of the Saint Bernard Parish Sheriff's Department, we would never have been able to do our jobs as well without your support and hospitality.

From left to right: Rita Cosby, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee and Nina Bradley, taken Sept. 12, 2005 in New Orleans.

Sheriff Harry Lee and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Department made sure we had security and protection during our live broadcasts in downtown New Orleans.

The US Marshals were amazing, and protected us without thinking twice about it.

We were provided shelter and food on board the US Navy vessel, the U.S.S. Tortuga, and for that we will be eternally grateful.

There were the members of the New Orleans Police Department who are all stars in our eyes for their service, namely former Chief Eddie Compass and Captain Marlon Defillo.

The FBI was well represented by Special Agent in charge for New Orleans Jim Bernazzani and media relations director Rich Kolko, who always made a point of checking on our well-being.

To the wonderful and caring nurses of Charity Hospital who gave our MSNBC team shots to prevent us from getting sick.

We will never forget what all of you did for us, and for all of the other people who needed help in New Orleans.

You all taught us the important lesson that giving is much more rewarding than receiving.

To all of you, as we think back on 2005 and look ahead to new beginnings in 2006, we salute you and honor you.

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• December 22, 2005 |  11:40 a.m. ET

Missing Honeymooner's family looking to wife for answers (Rita Cosby)

I hope you'll tune in tonight at 9 p.m./1 a.m. ET for much more of my exclusive interview with the family of George Smith, the missing cruise ship groom, from their Connecticut home. On Wednesday night, I took you on a tour of his room in his parents' house. Tonight, you will hear from George's mother, father and his older sister Bree in a very candid and emotional sit-down interview in which they tell me they believe George Smith was murdered 100 percent. They talk about who they believe is responsible and how they feel about their daughter-in-law now.

The Smith family told me they would like to hear more from Jennifer Hagel herself. George Smith's father said to me, "She hasn't given us totally everything that I think she possibly could." George's sister, Bree, added, "I think she has stated that the FBI has requested that she keep certain things from that evening quiet." But they all agree, as you will hear tonight in my interview, that the truth will come out eventually. This family wants answers, not just from the cruiseline, but also from the woman closest to their son, his newlywed bride.

As you may have seen last night in my interview with Maureen Smith, George's mother, the Smith family is close-knit and they live in a close-knit community. Letters of sympathy poured in from customers of Cos Cob Liquors, the store the Smiths own in the small community. Driving around Greenwich before and after my interview, I was reminded of my time growing up there. My own relatives knew George Smith and his dad from seeing them at the store or nearby, so this case has really touched a chord with me personally and with many of my friends and family members.

It was also a tough interview to do, since my heart went out to this broken family. You could clearly see how much they all loved George, and how much they want answers. George's mother, Maureen Smith, pleads for peace in the case of her missing son. She asks that anyone watching, who knows something, please contact authorities. She also tells me that they are speaking out now because they not only want to solve this case, but they want to affect the way future missing and murder cases are handled by the cruise ship industry.

The Smith family blasts Royal Caribbean International cruise line because, even after all the attention surrounding the Smith case, there are still so few changes in the cruise industry in terms of security for passengers. Tune in to hear more about how the Smith family feels about George's bride Jennifer, how they are coping with his unsolved disappearance, and what they think needs to be done once and for all.

It is a riveting and revealing interview tonight on "Live & Direct."

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• December 21, 2005 |  2:45 p.m. ET

Missing honeymooner's family speaks out (Rita Cosby)

Tonight at 9pmET, we’ll show you the first look inside the life of George Smith, the honeymooner who went missing on a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship in July 2005. This week, I spent several hours with George Smith’s family: his mother, father, and older sister Bree. They are a close-knit family that is devastated by the sudden loss of George.

When I arrived at the door of their Greenwich, Connecticut home, they were extremely gracious and I could immediately see how heart-broken this whole ordeal has been for them.

MSNBC TV Rita Cosby with George Smith's parents and sister in their home in Greenwich, CT.

They showed me George’s bedroom upstairs, which is still untouched in many ways, still full of his awards and mementos. I could see that George was still a great part of their lives, since they had just recently re-organized his closet. They still kept out his baby bracelet when he was born, and his high-school yearbooks, with a quote in it saying how much he loved his family. The room was well preserved despite the fact he hadn’t been permanently living there for a few years. He had recently moved in to an apartment right before the cruise with his bride, Jennifer Hagel.

The family not only welcomed me into their home, but also welcomed me into their emotional turmoil. They were not afraid to hold back their tears during the tour of the home and the interview. You’ll be surprised to see how they feel now about their daughter-in-law and whom they believe may be responsible for their son’s disappearance. Tune for a revealing, very personal look into the cruise ship mystery that now, almost six months later, remains unsolved.

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• December 16, 2005 |  11:21 a.m. ET

The journey of Petra Nemcova (Rita Cosby)

Friday night, for the first time, I get to interview Petra Nemcova live on our show. I hope you'll tune in, since her story is one of heroism and survival.

She's the international supermodel and activist, whom we have come to know as the woman who lost the man she loved in the disastrous tsunami one year ago. Petra clung to a palm tree for 8 hours after her boyfriend was swept away by the massive waves in Thailand. She lived, but he didn't. The tsunami waves killed people more than 750 miles away. The death and destruction were staggering -- more than 200,000 people died as a result.

Petra will talk to me about her personal tragedy and how she is on the road to healing. She will also speak about her new book, "Love Always, Petra: A Story Of Courage And The Discovery Of Life's Hidden Gifts." The publication date will coincide with the one-year anniversary of the tsunami disaster and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the "Give 2 Asia Happy Hearts Fund." This is a woman who's now driven to make a difference.

Petra is 25-years-old and grew up under communism, in what was then Czechoslovakia. Here is what happened almost one year ago today: On December 26, 2004, Petra was vacationing with her boyfriend, Simon Atlee, when a tsunami hit the Thai resort where they were staying. Her photographer boyfriend was swept away by waves that in some places were more than 30 feet high while she managed to cling to life. Her pelvis was shattered and she lost all movement in her legs. She fell in and out of consciousness until six men rescued her. 

Friday night, Petra will discuss the details of her dramatic rescue, how she felt when she first met Simon, and what it feels like now -- life without him. In May, Petra went back to Thailand for the first time since the tsunami. She will talk about that emotional journey back and how she is moving forward without Simon. Petra symbolizes the hope after the tsunami... the hope after such a tragedy... something we in America, after what happened after Hurricane Katrina, can understand.

Tune in to hear Petra's incredible story and learn what's ahead.

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• December 15, 2005 |  8:15 a.m. ET

A look back at Afghanistan (Rita Cosby)

I hope you'll tune in this Thursday night. We'll take you back into the War Zone for a behind the scenes look at the World Wrestling Superstars. We're going to have the best WWE wrestlers on the show with us -- Triple H, John Cena, JBL, and even the CEO himself, Vince McMahon, just to name a few. We'll also show you some of the best soldiers in action from our trip to Afghanistan last week. We'll talk about Bagram Air Field and what it was like for the wrestlers to perform for their real life heroes. They told us this was one of the most important shows they will put on in their entire lives.

In our one-hour special, we've got a close up look at the people who climb into the ring and "go at it," in what appears to be super human bouts of courage and strength. You'll see part of that spectacular show that they performed for thousands of soldiers in Afghanistan.

The presence of the WWE wrestlers not only impacted our soldiers overseas, but Afghan TV covered wrestling for the very first time. Following Afghan tradition, since many women there are still covered from head to toe in public, the wrestling divas were only shown in the ring from the neck up on Afghan TV. Believe it or not, wrestling has become very popular in that country, so this was big news there.

Tomorrow night, we will also talk about how these wrestlers perform in high altitude and in the surprisingly cold temperatures of Afghanistan in the winter. For me personally, this was one of the most incredible and rewarding trips I have ever been on. I hope all of you will tune in.

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• December 13, 2005 |  9:35 p.m. ET

Valley of porn (Rita Cosby)

We will take you to a part of Hollywood that few people, especially parents, even knew existed...San Fernando Valley, California, home to the 57 billion dollar porn industry.  Rita Cosby Live & Direct takes you behind the scenes for a look at the people who work day and night to make these triple XXX porn films which are now in constant demand by adults here in the America and across the world.

You’ll be surprised to learn who is involved in this business.  We're not talking back alleys but right out in the open in some of the most beautiful mansions in California, some of which might be in your own neighborhood.

It is an eye opening "Live & Direct" expose. Plus, we'll also have Steve Hirsch, the CEO of Vivid Entertainment, the biggest adult film company in the world. He'll talk about how porn is going high tech.

I'll be live Los Angeles Wednesday night. I hope you tune in for this provocative report at 9pm eastern.

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• December 12, 2005 |  8:34 a.m. ET

Our farewell to Afghanistan (Rita Cosby)

A severe dust storm and mechanical problems with our plane caused us to delay our departure from Afghanistan by a day. After being out the day before on patrols, where we couldn't see one foot in front of us in our armored Humvee, I was not surprised that a dust storm played a role again. It was also bitterly cold, which made a trip to the restroom or to take a shower a massive project, since it was located several blocks away from where our barracks were located. We lived exactly how our U.S. soldiers live everyday in these tenuous surroundings in an unpredictable land.

The wrestlers, my team and I spent our final night with many soldiers, taking pictures with them, signing autographs, and most importantly giving them hugs and words of encouragement about the great job they are doing for our country. Several of them wept as they said goodbye to me, knowing it may be a while until they see another civilian American visitor. They were so touched that the wrestlers put on an action-packed show for several thousand of them on Friday, and that we all cared enough to make the long journey there. The trip meant just as much to all of us, for not one wrestler complained about the rough conditions or miserable weather or terrain, you could tell they, like me, were genuinely honored to come and say thank you to these brave men and women.

I was a bit sad when we all had to depart in the wee hours of morning, knowing we were leaving so many young men and women behind. Every single one of these fine young soldiers was dedicated to the cause of democracy and cared about making a difference in a country riddled by Taliban four years ago. Thinking about that determination inspired me, but it was still bittersweet as I know after talking to so many of them, that the upcoming holidays will be very lonely for them, especially those who are on their second or third tours. I hope our visit gave them a smile and some memories to carry them through the tough road ahead. 

Rita Cosby poses with the pilots of the C-17 that brought her home from Afghanistan.

As we hit the road, we all loaded back on to our C-17 first en route to Ramstein Air Base in Germany and then to Andrews Air Force Base outsi