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money lead
Family of victims protest outside GM meeting
Detroit, Michigan (CNNMoney) – There were about 10 people protesting outside GM's annual meeting about the company's inaction that led to the botched recall. Included in the group were some parents whose children were killed in accidents involving the recalled vehicles. They said it was important for them to be at the meeting to show that this is about human lives.
"This is their home court, where we need to be," said Ken Rimer, whose step-daughter Natasha Weigel was killed in the backseat of a Chevy Cobalt that crashed in 2006. A friend of hers, Amy Rademaker, died in the front seat in the same accident.
money lead
GM CEO: 15 fired after recall report
Warren, Mich. (CNNMoney) – The delayed recall by General Motors that led to the deaths of at least 13 people was caused by the misconduct of about 20 employees and "a pattern of incompetence and neglect" throughout the company, according to an internal probe released Thursday.
GM Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra announced that 15 employees have been dismissed and five more have been disciplined in the wake of the three-month probe by former federal prosecutor Anton Valukas.
money lead
GM pushes back on report that 74 deaths may be tied to defect
(CNN) – As many as 74 people might have died because of problems potentially linked to defective ignition switches in older GM cars, according to a Reuters report.
It's one more stomach-turning headline for General Motors.
GM swatted down that report in a statement, sticking to their original death toll of 13, as if that's a more palatable number of lives to be lost to a problem this company now admits they knew about for years without going public.
Of course, this is about more than just numbers. This is about people like Amy Rademake, 15,
killed with her friend, 18-year-old Natasha Weigel when the Chevy Cobalt they were in hit a tree in 2006.
"It's like finding out she was murdered all these years later, because her death was totally preventable," Rademake tells CNN.
But despite the deaths, and the recalls, and the weeks of negative press, somehow it all barely made a dent in GM's latest sales numbers.
CNN'sPpoppy Harlow reports.
politics lead
Bloomberg signs e-cigarette ban
(CNN) - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg been called everything from big brother and nanny-in-chief, to health crusader and pioneer. And that doesn't include some of the more colorful descriptors scrawled on the walls of New York City subways.
There is no denying Bloomberg's impact on the day-to-day life of New Yorkers over the past 12 years, taking on everything from birth control to Big Gulps.
So it seems almost fitting that in his final act as mayor, Bloomberg signed into law a controversial initiative that extends the city's smoking ban to include e-cigarettes. The law would make it illegal to use the battery operated cigarettes in offices, restaurants, bars, and parks.
But some critics, including anti-smoking advocates, say the ban may end up doing more harm than good. CNN's Poppy Harlow reports.
national lead
Brother of Ohio victim: You're finally home
For the families of three women, yesterday marked the end of a decade of uncertainty. Amanda Berry, Michele Knight, and Georgina DeJesus were separately abducted more than nine years ago, when they were in their teens and early 20s.
"If you don’t believe in miracles I suggest you think again, cause it does happen," said Sandra Ruiz, aunt of Georgina DeJesus.
The three women, long feared dead, were found alive Monday evening, escaping the Cleveland home where they had been held captive for years.
"For Amanda's family, for Gina's family, for Michele's family, prayers have finally been answered. The nightmare is over,” said FBI agent Steve Anthony.
Ricardo DeJesus described the sister who was abducted years ago as a girl who, "liked to dance a lot, crack jokes, be around with the family." That girl, known as “Gina” to friends and family, is a 23-year-old woman today.
Ricardo saw the news of Gina's escape on television with their father.
"We were in disbelief, we cried. We were shaking, we were just happy," he said. "It's like a dream, but I'm joyful, I'm glad it's over."
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