Tonight, late-breaking news in that California kidnapping case. Just minutes ago police announced they found a bone fragment near the suspect's home. We'll have the very latest on that.

We're also keeping a close eye on that huge wildfire near Los Angeles. Authorities there are just about to give us an update. We'll bring you all the new information.

Plus, an incredible story of survival. Three fishermen lost at sea for eight days. One of them joins me with the story of their rescue.

What are your thoughts on the topics? We want to know and will start posting your comments at 8pm ET.

Here are a few guidelines:

1) Keep your comment short.
2) Use your real name (first name only is fine)
3) No links

Here’s some really great advice every parent needs to know. It comes from one of the people we talked to about the Jaycee Dugard story – the 11-year-old girl who was kidnapped and held for 18 years before she turned up alive last week.

Patty Wetterling’s son, Jacob, was kidnapped and remains missing after nearly 20 years. Her passion now is educating parents about ways to keep kids safe.

Do your kids know the names of 5 adults they can trust who are outside your immediate family?

Do you know what should be in a “personal ID kit” which you should set up for each of your children?

Have you made a list of online safety rules that everyone in your family agrees to follow?

Do you know when, where and how to connect with your kids for a conversation about safety?

Check out these links for some simple tips from the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center. Have you done these things? It could make a life or death difference.

Family Safety Night

What Do I Say to the Children?

Join us tonight at 8p ET for more information.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs today hit back hard at former Vice President Dick Cheney who calls the Obama administration's probe of CIA interrogation tactics an "outrageous political act." Gibbs said, "This is the same song and dance we've heard since literally the first day of our administration."

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick sets January 19th for the special election to fill the late Edward Kennedy’s senate seat, but, he stated, "I will continue to work with the legislature on legislation authorizing an interim appointment to the United States Senate."

In Missouri, another angry town hall crowd confronts Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill who came to talk health care reform.

Sixteen-term Wisconsin Republican Congressman James Sensenbrenner’s starting treatment for early stage Prostate cancer. He says it was "caught in time."

Ex-governor Sarah Palin is planning her first trip to Asia next month including a speech to investment managers in Hong Kong.

By Vanessa Juarez 
CNN

After the dotcom boom went bust in 2001, Steve Schweiger moved back to New York from San Francisco to do what he loves most: be a handyman. “I enjoy building. I enjoy plumbing. I enjoy carpentry.”

Eventually he founded Shurbuilt, a small residential contracting business. While Schweiger loves the work, he hates the business, and these tough economic times aren’t making things easier. In February, Schweiger needed some financial help and applied for a $35,000 ARC (America’s Recovery Capital) loan.

The interest-free loan program is run by the Small Business Administration, and was created by the Obama administration to help small businesses get back on their feet. There seems to be little risk for lenders, which are paid back 100% of the loan – even if a borrower goes into default.

But CNNMoney.com reports that banks see little incentive in doing all of the paperwork for loans which earn no interest. And that’s a problem for Schweiger, who applied for ARC loans twice and was denied. The program has created so much frustration the 47-year-old has started a one-man campaign to get the word out about what he describes as a “broken recovery plan”.

CNN recently spoke with him about it.

How big is your business?
It’s just me. I generally pick up people as I go and I subcontract out various projects. I’m a slave to the market place.
Read the rest of this entry »

A private memorial for Senator Ted Kennedy is taking place tonight in Boston. Vice President Joe Biden and Senators John Kerry, John McCain, Orrin Hatch and Chris Dodd are among the speakers. Meanwhile, thousands of ordinary citizens paid their respects today.

President Obama delivers a eulogy at the Senator's funeral tomorrow morning. The burial will take place Saturday evening at Arlington National Cemetery, near the graves of Senator Kennedy’s murdered brothers. The special election to fill Kennedy’s vacant senate seat is likely in late January.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist has tapped his closest political adviser, George LeMieux, to take over the seat of Senator Mel Martinez. Crist said, "I’m not only happy for my friend, I’m happy for my state."

A New Jersey mayor is going to court, trying to keep Moammar Gadhafi from staying in his state during next month’s visit to the U.N.

Have you heard the one about the comedian whose act is built around mother-in-law wisecracks? Well, now she is being sued by, you guessed it, her mother-in-law. It sounds like a joke but it isn't, especially since more than a dollop of racial and religious tension is involved here.

SUNDA CROONQUIST, COMEDIAN: A black woman with a Jewish mother- in-law. Yes, you know the only thing we have in common is that we don't want to get our hair wet. Hey. Now I realize there's a difference in the background with the African-American, colored, black, whatever you people call yourselves these days. Seriously, I just don't want to be named. It's difficult to pronounce like Shaniqua. Because in my mind, I'm thinking of a name short but delicious like Haddasa or Goldie. Now I met Ruthie for the first time. And I walked in. I'm trying to be real polite. I said Ruthie, thank you so much for having me. She said, oh, the pleasure is all mine, have a seat. Elliott, put my pocketbook away.

CAMPBELL BROWN: And joining me right now is Sunda Croonquist. Sunda, welcome to you. It's good to have you here.

CROONQUIST: Thank you.

BROWN: So you are half black, half Swedish, Catholic. You converted to Judaism. You keep a kosher home, right?

CROONQUIST: Right.

BROWN: And all of that has provided fodder for a lot of the jokes, as we just saw. But did you ever think that your family would really take offense to this degree?

Read the rest of this entry »

An unbelievable story: A girl kidnapped nearly two decades ago has just turned up alive. What happened to her and where was she during all that time? We’ll have all the latest details plus reaction from her parents.

We’ll also hear from Elizabeth Smart, who was also kidnapped then found alive, and her father on what it’s like to reunite with a child who’s been missing.

What are your thoughts on the topics? We want to know and will start posting your comments at 8pm ET.

Here are a few guidelines:

1) Keep your comment short.
2) Use your real name (first name only is fine)
3) No links