her mark. I'm Betsy Markey and I approve this message. Now in high definition, this is CBS
four news. Get the whole story. We are now just one week away from election day, but
thousands of Denver voters still have not yet received their mail in ballots because
of a printing mistake. That's the way tops our news today at noon. Hello, I'm Tom Mustin
and I'm Brooke Wagner. You're watching CBS four news at noon. This is not the first time
the Denver elections commission has had issues with the company. CBS four's Michelle Griego
is live outside of the commission and Michelle, where did things go wrong this time? Well,
Brooke, basically more than 18,000 ballots were never printed when the problem was discovered
over the weekend. Sequoia voting systems did reprint those and send them back. I talked
to some election officials here and they say that they oversaw that shipment and double
confirmed the count. Those ballots should be in the bail boxes no later than tomorrow
night. Now people who have had their mail in ballots have been busy dropping them off
today. So far more than 195,000 mail in ballots have been requested. Many wanting them to
avoid those long lines during election day. Officials say that mail in ballots, early
voting and voting by precinct will help cut down on some of those problems. They say hiccups
like this are a distraction to their overall mission. Our mission critical is making sure
we have this presidential election nailed down and locked down the way it's supposed
to be. This was a hiccup. The vendor admitted full responsibility for it. The solution is
that the ballots are in the hands of the voters either today or tomorrow. And right now we're
concentrating on the election and then we'll discuss all the vendor issues once the election
is over. Now they have had a relationship with Sequoia voting systems for 50 years.
Again, they will re examine that relationship when the election is over, but they say they
do that after every election. Now Alton Dillard, who you just saw there, wants to remind voters
that because it is a paper ballot system this year, that votes are going to be counted well
into Wednesday morning after election day. There are also a few deadlines that I should
tell you about. Today is the last day for requesting a mail in ballot by mail and Friday
the 31st is the last day to get a mail in ballot in person and also the last day to
vote early. Now, if you did request a mail in ballot and you haven't received it by tomorrow
night you're urged to call 311 to get a replacement ballot. Brooke? Okay, thanks for watching
it for us Michelle. And with just one week to go until the presidential election there's
now a lawsuit over who will actually be allowed to vote on election day. One of those who
have been purged from the polls is first time voter Alexandria Vital. Election watchdogs
will go before a federal judge tomorrow. They believe the state violated federal law by
purging up to 30,000 votes within 90 days of an election and then refusing to register
new voters whose notice was returned as undeliverable. Luckily, Vital found out her registration
was cancelled in time to get reinstated. Yes, I called up the county clerk's office and
I asked them to check, to double check to make sure that this wasn't true and they told
me that it in fact was and I said to them, you know, I'm not dead and I haven't moved
so why did this happen? And they said they didn't know. To check your status to vote
just head to the politics page of CBS4Denver.com, scroll down to the helpful links section and
then click on the link to the secretary of state's office. The road to the White House
is going through Pennsylvania today. John McCain and Barack Obama both held rallies
in the critical battleground state this morning. CBS4's Kim McIntyre has their campaign message
with one week to go. With exactly one week to go both candidates are on their final push
to election day. Barack Obama may be ahead in the polls but he is still fighting hard.
He hopes what his campaign calls his closing argument will convince undecided voters he's
the right choice for president. Pennsylvania, we have tried it John McCain's way. We've
tried it George Bush's way. It hasn't worked. Like Obama, John McCain kicked off the day
in Pennsylvania. The Republican nominee is no stranger to voters in that crucial state.
Since the conventions, McCain has spent 25 days in Pennsylvania compared with seven for
Obama. But polls show Obama with the lead in Pennsylvania, a state McCain's campaign
sees as a key to victory. The Democratic nominee is on the verge of winning a handful of states
President Bush won in 2004. McCain is fighting hard to distance himself from President Bush
and make the connection between his opponent and higher taxes. He favors higher taxes on
investment for quote fairness. There's nothing fair about driving our economy into the ground.
McCain will have to keep pushing that message over the next week if he hopes to pull off
a come from behind victory. Kim McIntyre for CBS News Washington. Later today John McCain
will be in North Carolina while his running mate Sarah Palin will stay in Pennsylvania.
As for the Democrats, Barack Obama heads to North Carolina. His running mate Joe Biden
is holding rallies in Florida. This afternoon Michelle Obama will be back here in Colorado
stumping for her husband. The last time she was in Colorado was October 1st when she stopped
by Farron Field at CU Boulder for a voter registration rally. This afternoon Mrs. Obama
will host an early vote rally at the Colorado Springs City Auditorium. Doors open up at
430 this afternoon. Tickets are not required. Today actor Kevin Costner is also hosting
early voting events on behalf of Senator Obama. Yesterday he was in Colorado Springs. Costner
hosted an event at CU Boulder this morning. He's now heading to CSU in Fort Collins. He'll
also visit UNC in Greeley and DU in Denver later today. Police in Colorado Springs are
looking for the person who threw the head of a deer into the parking lot of a Barack
Obama campaign office. The head was found late Saturday night. The Humane Society says
the bucks antlers had been cut off to make the head resemble a donkey, the symbol of
the Democratic Party. Right now police have no suspects. John McCain's campaign has condemned
that act. We've been enjoying great fall weather so far this week. We have. The question is
how long will it last? Meteorologist Stacey Donaldson standing by in the Colorado Weather
Center. Stacey, a lot of sun out there at least for today. Yeah, definitely and temperatures
are reflecting that we have temperatures right now, mostly in the upper sixties across our
area. We have 68 degrees out at the airport right now, 66 in Fort Collins and you see
68 in Colorado Springs temperatures in the forties and fifties up in the higher elevation.
So we'll have 72 for our high today, 76 downtown with lots of sun and then clear skies into
tonight with those overnight lows in the thirties and forties and that southwest early wind
tomorrow, even just a little bit warmer, still sunny and still warm. And it looks like we're
in a holding pattern here as we continue through our work week and even for Halloween looking
fantastic and I'll have that forecast coming up. That's the kind of holding pattern we'd
like. Yeah, exactly. Thanks. Quite a mess for people heading to work in East Denver
this morning. Copter 4 flew over a water main break on East Sixth Avenue in Ivy Lane around
6 a.m. Denver Water says a 12 inch main broke overnight forcing police to close eastbound
lanes between Ivy and Jersey. Crews are now working to fix the main. Denver police are
asking for help finding a man accused in an attempted carjacking in northeast Denver.
The victim got away but worries the next person won't be so lucky. He's going to strike again.
I mean he had no second thoughts. He knew what he was doing. He wanted it done. The
victim whose name we have agreed not to use was shot in the arm while waiting at a red
light Sunday night at Central Park and Martin Luther King Boulevard. She drove to a nearby
Walmart for help. The victim describes the suspect's SUV as an older gold or champagne
colored Explorer. She says she never got a good look at the man. Anyone with information
is asked to call Denver police. This afternoon Chicago police are looking at two crime scenes
as they investigate the murders of Jennifer Hudson's mother brother and nephew. The actress's
mother and brother were found shot to death over the weekend. Monday police found her
nephew's body in an SUV about 10 miles from his home. CBS 4's Susan Roberts has the latest
on the investigation. An autopsy will be performed today on the body of seven year old Julian
King. The nephew of Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson was found yesterday in a stolen SUV
in Chicago. Police say the boy was shot. They hope the autopsy will reveal when he died.
The discovery ended a frantic search for the boy who was missing since Friday and now leaves
Chicago police with the triple homicide to solve. The singer's mother and brother were
found shot to death in their family home last week sending shockwaves across the South Side
neighborhood where the Hudson family has lived for decades. Police are hoping that surveillance
cameras scattered throughout the city may have captured images that will help with the
investigation. Police believe the murders are family related. The boy's estranged stepfather
is being held for questioning but he has not been charged with any crime. He's a person
of interest but that's not to say that there's not other individuals that may turn up. Outside
Jennifer Hudson's childhood home hundreds of well wishers have been gathering to pray
and to show their support. I just feel so sorry for her and her family to lose three
of her family members. I'll tell her just pray, hold on, God is with her. Hudson is
coming to grips with losing three family members in such a brutal way. She had the support
of relatives and friends when she identified her mother and brother over the weekend and
her nephew Julian yesterday. Susan Roberts, CBS News, Chicago. Hudson is also reportedly
heard from many of her former co-stars. Beyonce, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dakota Fanning and Queen
Latifah have all been in touch with the Oscar winner. Residents along the Texas Gulf Coast
are still dealing with the aftermath of hurricane season but one couple's worries are put to
rest. While they were away for a week more than a hundred volunteers with a group called
Operation Blessing worked to remodel their home complete with new furniture, floors and
appliances. The Antwans say the gift is heaven sent. They are both disabled and did not have
any flood insurance. What a great story there. It's a nice thing to do. Yes. A five year
study on preventing prostate cancer is being canceled. Coming up, why participants are
being told to drop out and why doctors are so disappointed. Also, their mother survived
a devastating earthquake while she was pregnant. Meet two giant panda cubs who are making history.
And there's a whole lot more news on our website, CBS4Denver.com. We examine what an Obama or
McCain White House could mean for the future of renewable energy. Plus how our Fit for
Colorado Fitness Challenge has helped one nurse get healthy. It's all at CBS4Denver.com.
We'll be right back. Enjoy an evening out while supporting Outward Bound. For more information
call 720-497-2386. Commissioners in one Colorado county gave millions of dollars in no bid
contracts to a contractor, then received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from
that contractor. Yes on 54 will end the backroom deals for political insiders. And I authorize
this message. We've attached this lie detector to Betsy Markey. Did you violate Senate ethics
rules to make millions of government contracts for your family business? No. Were you told
by Senate ethics committee to completely separate yourself from business if you were going to
seek government contracts? No. Did you falsify information on over 60 government contracts
worth $2.7 million? No. Have you told me the truth? Yes. Billionaire Markey, she can't
be trusted. Looking for natural hardwood flooring? Carpet Exchange is a natural choice. Right
now get a whole room of Mohawk hardwood for just $6.99. Installed hardwood flooring. On
sale now at Carpet Exchange, your hardwood store. Always 10% lower than the competition.
We know these difficult times have an impact on home values. Now more than ever, protecting
your home is important. It's still your single largest investment. Eliminate the dangers
of cleaning your gutters. Leaf Guard built to stay clog free, guaranteed. Let me keep
your gutters clean forever. Call Leaf Guard now. Save up to 50% on labor. You don't make
a payment until September. And if you call Leaf Guard within the next 10 minutes, you'll
get a bonus. $100 gas card with purchase. Call Leaf Guard for a free estimate now. The
insurance company told me this was my fault. The insurance company said they wouldn't pay
anything. I couldn't even get them on the phone. Car wreck and getting nothing but excuses
from the insurance company. Call me. The insurance company offered me $500. They said I wasn't
even hurt. I'm attorney Frank Azar of the Strong Arm. I'll go to work for you now to
help you get everything you deserve. I'll help take care of the doctor bills and car
repairs. Car wreck, put the power of the Strong Arm on your side. Yes on 54 stops government
contractors from making political contributions to politicians who hand them no bid contracts.
Yes on 54 will slam the door shut on backroom deals for political insiders. Here's tonight's
lineup on CBS 4, sponsored by King's Supers. Two giant panda cubs whose mother survived
a devastating Chinese earthquake earlier this year are growing and healthy. The twin cubs
were named Ping Ping and Anon, which mean safe and prosperous in Mandarin. Their mother,
Bo-Go, who had to be evacuated during the earthquake, is also doing well. They were
the only panda twins born in the world this year. They are so precious. They're doing
well. The World Series won't resume until tomorrow night at the earliest. Rain postponed
the game last night in Philly. Today it's snow. Game five was suspended yesterday after
a 30 minute rain delay. Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays were tied at two each after
five and a half innings. East Coast getting socked by rain right now. They could use our
weather. No doubt about it. I think everyone could use a little dose of this. It's so beautiful.
Temperatures in the 60s right now. We're headed to 70s for afternoon highs so it's really
going to be pretty across the area as we go into the afternoon and for the next few days.
As we take a look outside right now you see blue skies overhead, nice snow capped mountains
in the distance and our temperature is 68 degrees right now at the airport. It's 66
at our studios right now. We have 63 in Boulder and 61 in Greeley. Warmer to the south where
we have 68 in Colorado Springs and 70 already in Lyman. So some nice warm temperatures already
developing across the area. 50s up through the high country, a little cooler in Eagle
at 48 and then 60s out to the west from Durango to Grand Junction. So calm winds right now
are humidity, 17 percent. Sunrise was at 724, sunset at 603 tonight and we'll have 66 in
Denver, 68 at the airport right now. And one of the most dramatic things is our 24 hour
temperature change. Yesterday at this time we were 20 degrees cooler so we've had quite
a warm up across the front range and the eastern plains as that sun has come out and that air
kind of mixing through and giving us those warmer temperatures. So we'll be somewhere
right between the average and the record high for today which is 80 set back in 1994, 60
the average at DIA 31, the average overnight low. Clear skies anywhere you look across
the state and this is how it's going to be for a while but that really cold air diving
down into the northeast, that's where that rain and snow has been affecting them and
you see here it's rain changing over to snow back through parts of Pennsylvania and New
York and then heavy rain off through the New England states. High pressure and control
of Colorado weather though and most of the western U.S. so that means sunshine for us
and hardly a cloud in sight over the next few days. So afternoon highs today mostly
in the upper 70s, low 70s, upper 60s for the eastern plains, we'll have 50s and 60s for
the mountains and 70s out to the west. Lots of sunshine today, 76 downtown with a southwest
wind 5 to 10, really comfortable for the next few days. Tonight overnight lows in the 40s,
20s in the high country, we'll get to 76 for Wednesday, 73 for Thursday and low 70s from
Halloween into the beginning of the weekend with lots of sun. So the ghouls and goblins
safe from the cold air and then on Saturday we have the falling back, the time change
so we get an extra hour's sleep, yay. Yes, we'll make it. I can hardly stand it. I can
hardly say yay to that. Nice and warm for your witch's costume you're going to be
wearing. Right, definitely. Perfect, thank you. Your punch. Flu season has arrived in
Colorado. Coming up, why doctors say it's not too late to protect yourself. Also disappointing
news in a five year study on prostate cancer prevention, why participants are being told
to drop out. I'm Mark Udall and I approve this message. Right after 9-11, what kind
of congressman votes against tougher airline security? In a dangerous world, what kind
of congressman votes against funding for veterans healthcare eight times? In this economy, what
kind of congressman wanted to eliminate the Department of Education and voted against
lower interest rates on student loans? Especially in times like these, what kind of senator
would Bob Schaefer really be? Just ask yourself. The highest unemployment in seven years. A
record one million homes in foreclosure. Financial markets in turmoil. Wages declining. Food
and gas prices soaring. For too many, the American dream is fading. The middle class
is struggling. We simply can't afford more of the same. We need a new direction, now.
And that's why I'm running for president. I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message.
Vote yes on amendment 50. More money to community colleges without hiking taxes. A smart way.
Fund community colleges. Vote yes on amendment 50. A vote that helps us all. A God sent
to local colleges. The funding of education without new taxes. Opportunity without raising
taxes. Colorado newspapers endorse amendment 50. So can you. Vote yes on amendment 50.
For our community colleges. Mom. Mom. What? You can't find Ikebuk. What? You don't have
to be perfect to be a perfect parent. There are thousands of teens in foster care who
would love to put up with you. The flu didn't waste any time reaching Colorado. We're one
of 11 states with confirmed cases. The Centers for Disease Control considers it a low level
of flu activity. But CBS4 medical editor Dr. Dave Nida says take it as a warning. Flu is
a really, really harsh disease that knocks you into bed for at least a week. And one
of the biggest risks of getting the flu is getting something like pneumonia on top of
it or even worse, suffering a heart attack or stroke. You can prevent the flu by getting
vaccinated. It's not too late. For more information, check out Dr. Dave's blog on CBS4Denver.com.
You'll also find his flu myth busters. It's a major disappointment in the field of cancer
research. The largest trial of its kind had hoped to prove that vitamin E and selenium
would prevent prostate cancer. The patients are now being told to stop taking the pills
because they don't seem to work. The study of more than 35,000 men in their 50s and older
started back in 2001. I'm disappointed with the study. I'm very concerned about the results
of the trial. I would have hoped that this would have been the way to prevent cancer
in this country. Previous studies had suggested that higher doses of vitamin E and selenium
might actually help prevent prostate cancer. The future of cancer prevention could come
in the form of tomatoes. But not just any tomato. As CBS4's Mark Phillips shows us,
purple tomatoes are proving to pack a punch against cancer. We've always been told that
fruit is good for you, but never this good. A new study has shown that with a little help
from science, some fruit may even cure cancer. The trick for genetic scientists was to take
the natural cancer-fighting dark pigment that exists in blueberries and cranberries, for
example, and produce it in more commonly available fruit, like the garden variety tomato. Genetic
modification is a technology. We can do some very good things which offer real advantages
to consumers. It turned out that when genes from the snapdragon flower are inserted into
tomatoes, which have a small amount of the anti-cancer agent, they produce more of it.
And when those tomatoes are fed to a cancer-prone breed of laboratory mice, they live longer.
A cancer-curing tomato is good news if you're a mouse, but it's a long way from curing
lab rats to curing people, especially when the process involves turning the bright red
tomato a deep, dark purple. Don't expect the purple tomato to show up in supermarkets
any time soon. They also have to see whether this tomato can now be grown at a commercial
scale and whether they can ensure the regulatory safety, do the tests that are necessary to
show that it's safe to eat and safer the environment. Here's another thing. The anti-cancer properties
of tomatoes improve with cooking, posing another question. Is the world ready for purple pizza?
Mark Phillips, CBS News, London. In the meantime, you can help prevent cancer by eating other
vegetables. Cabbage, carrots, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower have all been proven
to help prevent cancer. They also help prevent heart disease. General Motors and Cerberus
Capital Management are asking the U.S. government for $10 billion. They're hoping to use that
money to fund a merger between two of the big three automakers. The unprecedented rescue
package would include $3 billion to support GM's acquisition of Chrysler. The U.S. Treasury
Department is now considering that request. One of the conditions is that GM Chrysler
would spare as many jobs as possible. Here's a look at where the markets are heading today.
Just a few minutes ago, the DAW was up 232, the NASDAQ was up 30.
One of you here killed Cara Palmer and abducted Nicole Gilbert. I want that person to lower
their right hand now. Okay. Usually gets a hit. Something happened. Something too horrible
for her mind to handle. How can you tell? It's in her eyes. Oh, why didn't you say
so? New Mentalist, after a new NCIS. CBS Tuesday. What would you say if you knew Betsy
Markey had grown a small business into one of America's fastest growing companies? Traveled
all over Northern Colorado for Senator Ken Salazar, helping small businesses cut through
red tape and worked with seniors and veterans to get the benefits they deserve. What would
you say if you knew that now Betsy Markey is running for Congress with a plan to cut
spending and restore fiscal discipline? You might say we could use that kind of energy
in Washington. Helping Colorado is how Betsy Markey is making her mark. I'm Betsy Markey
and I approve this message. Realize, economy in crisis is now a good time to put Colorado's
economy at risk. Should we let the special interests do to Colorado what they've done
to Wall Street? No. No to 47 that threatens jobs. No to 49 that threatens our paychecks.
And no to 54 that silences workers' voices. 47, 49, 54. They're risky. They're reckless.
They're wrong. Vote no. Ten Colorado daily newspapers agree on one thing. No on amendment
58, a poor way to hike taxes. Say no to tax increase. Vote no on amendment 58. We urge
a no vote. 58 is the wrong way. A horrible new tax proposal. No upside for consumers.
No to the governor's tax. It's not a freebie. Vote no on amendment 58. An unfair tax on
us. Express flooring can install new flooring in your home in time for the holidays. Save
now with low warehouse pricing plus no interest till 2010. Now with any new flooring installation,
Express will give you $500 in gas. Express flooring is the best. Call 800 Express. I'm
Bob Schaefer and I approve this message. Mark Udall, ten years in Congress doing the wrong
thing. Udall votes for insurance and finance companies and they give him $1.2 million in
campaign cash. Udall votes three times against stopping reckless mortgage speculators and
he takes their cash too. Udall's the only Colorado congressman who votes to raise taxes
over $700 billion. Boulder congressman Mark Udall, bought by Washington Special Interest.
He's part of the problem. We told you earlier about the creation of the purple tomato, but
there are plenty of purple foods in the produce aisle. Dr. Dave Nida explains just how filling
up on purple foods offers lots of health benefits on CBS 4 News at Five. You can also head outside
and soak up a little vitamin E, go to see the sunshine out there. That's right. Lots
of sunshine expected for the rest of the day today and even in through the end of the week
as this five day just looks spectacular. 76 for tomorrow, 73 for Thursday and for Halloween,
71 degrees. Some beautiful weather to trick or treat and then 72 on Saturday and of course
we have the time change so we fall back, we gain an hour of sleep, looking good all the
week. Great candy eating weather too for Halloween. Love that. Every day has great candy eating
weather. That's true. Thanks for watching CBS 4 News at Noon. Have a great afternoon.
We'll see you right back here tomorrow.
CBS 4 Closed captioning is brought to you by Goodfeet. Your purchase at any Goodfeet
store makes you eligible for a free gift certificate up to $50. Ask for details. It's the perfect
gift. New Dr. Phil. Schoolyard bullying gone high tech. Your child may be the victim of
cyber bullying and you may not even know it. There are kids just like you, the signs to
look for. Then on Oprah. All new. Miracle Children with Celine Dion. The ones conjoined twins
and the mermaid baby, a miraculous update. Then the baby who touched the hearts of almost
a million people. Next Oprah. Dr. Philip 3, Oprah at 4 followed by CBS 4 News at 5.