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CNN This Morning
Hurricane Melissa Intensifies, Now Major Category 4 Storm; Trump Arrives In Malaysia For Multi-Stop Asia Trip; Trump Slaps Canada With Additional 10 Percent Tariff Over "Fake" Ad; 1 Dead, 6 Injured In Shooting At Lincoln University In Pennsylvania; Deadly Russian Strikes Tear Into Ukraine; Second Attack In 24 Hours; June Lockhart, Beloved Mother Figure From "Lassie" Dies At 100; Bessent Suggests 100 Percent Tariff On China Is "Off The Table"; Kamala Harris Not Done with Politics; WH's East Wing Demolished to Make Way for Ballroom; SNAP Benefits Will End November 1; Dodgers Take Down the Blue Jays to Tie the Series 1-1. Aired 7-8a ET
Aired October 26, 2025 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:00:41]
VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: All right, Sunday, October 26th. Welcome to a brand new week, and I appreciate you starting it with me. Welcome to CNN This Morning. I'm Victor Blackwell.
Here's what's happening today. Hurricane Melissa closing in on Jamaica. The island is on alert, and the dangerous Category 4 storm is set to hit in just hours. We'll tell you how people there are preparing, and the expected impacts are coming up. We'll tell you those.
We're also following breaking news out of Pennsylvania.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I started to run, too, because, you know, I don't want to get hit by any gunshots or anything.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: Police say seven people were shot during homecoming events at Lincoln University. The new details we're hearing from police this morning.
And President Trump is in Asia for a busy week of meetings with world leaders. He oversaw the signing of a peace agreement this morning, but the big moment will be a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Also, 2007 is back with a collab that you did not know you needed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We finally made Crocs boots with the fur.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: I guarantee if you wear those, the whole club will be looking at you. T-Pain and Crocs have finally brought us the boots with the fur, that's coming up in the morning roundup.
But this morning, we're starting with Hurricane Melissa, now a major Category 4 storm. Forecasters warn that it could intensify into a rare Category 5 by tonight. It's slow moving, could dump up to 40 inches of rain on parts of Haiti and Jamaica, which looks to be the epicenter for the worst of Melissa's rainfall, the strong winds, the storm surges.
A hurricane warning is in effect for all parts of Jamaica and parts of Haiti, where preparations are happening now for what could be the strongest hurricane to ever make landfall in Jamaica. Officials are warning people to stay inside and seek shelter starting now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DARYL VAZ, JAMAICAN MINISTER OF TELECOMMUNICATION & TRANSPORTATION: Safety is priority and being smart helps a lot. Don't make foolish decisions. Don't make stupid decisions like coming out in the middle of the storm to see what's happening.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: The storm is only moving at 5 miles per hour, which could lead to torrential rains and storm surges that could cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides. Last hour, I spoke with the general manager of a local plaza there in Jamaica. Here's how he described the locals' reactions to the news of the hurricane over the past couple of days.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREW REID, GENERAL MANAGER, ISLAND VILLAGE: So this one is terrible because the warnings have been prolonged, and there's a lot of activity more yesterday than even during the coming week, with supermarkets being crowded, the gas stations being crowded.
People are now seem to be taking it serious as there's more news. All the ministries have now been online, on TV, on radio, giving warning and giving hints and explaining where shelters are. So I think the people now are taking it serious and have taken it serious, especially in areas where we are affected already.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: CNN Meteorologist Chris Warren is tracking the storm for us. Words like devastating --
CHRIS WARREN, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes.
BLACKWELL: -- catastrophic, the people there are expecting.
WARREN: That's exactly right. We talk about Category 1, Category 2, those are dangerous storms. But when we say Category 3, 4, 5 are major hurricanes, that's when the language changes. And now instead of just, you know, being dangerous, we're talking about actual structural, serious structural damage, where it's how long is it going to be before we can move back in kind of a thing, right?
So we look at this storm right now, and one of the main characters of this is the slow moving. As Victor mentioned, it is moving very slow to the west at 5 miles an hour, 140 mile per hour. Category 4 hurricane right now. It is expected to stay a major hurricane, a damaging, devastating, catastrophic hurricane in that 5 and 4 range as it moves across Jamaica between Monday and Tuesday and really not even getting away from Jamaica until later in the day on Tuesday. And then eastern Cuba is going to be in it for a major hurricane as well.
[07:05:01]
Another way to look at this with the tropical storm force winds, you can think when these winds are arriving, this is also when we're going to have some rain. So while we're not seeing some of the worst of the worst of the winds here, even as early as tomorrow, the rain itself, the flooding is going to be catastrophic. Very serious, life- threatening situation.
And then this here is the nightmare scenario. If you are in the red, not only are you worried about flooding happening, this is when structures that are not reinforced concrete are going to be coming apart. Trees are going to be coming down, Victor, and then eventually moving off. Multiple things to watch with this.
Very dangerous, very sad. We hope people are prepared.
BLACKWELL: I know you'll be watching them. Chris Warren, thank you.
Right now, President Trump is in Asia meeting with foreign leaders for trade deals and peace agreements. He arrived in Malaysia overnight, greeted by officials. You see him here dancing along with some onlookers as he walked down the red carpet.
The President is sounding optimistic about striking a trade deal with China during his five-day visit to Asia. He'll be meeting with President Xi Jinping this week. The U.S. and China have slapped each other with sweeping trade measures in recent weeks, and that is straining relations.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I have a good relationship with, as you know, President Xi, very good. We're going to be meeting, we'll have a good meeting. I'm pretty sure we're going to have a great meeting, maybe a great meeting.
(END VIDEO CLIP) BLACKWELL: Let's go live now to Kuala Lumpur and bring in CNN Senior White House Reporter Betsy Klein. Again, some optimism from the President, but there's a lot on the table to talk about with President Xi.
BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Certainly, and sweeping economic implications, Victor. Top negotiators for President Trump and China met here in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday and Sunday. And when they emerged from those talks, the top U.S. negotiator, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, was bullish on the prospects of a deal between the U.S. and China.
And I asked him why this time was different. These talks in the past have been tense at times, and he said, essentially, the stakes are very high. Both sides came to these discussions knowing that they had this very critical meeting between President Trump and President Xi of China in the coming days, and they had to give their bosses a framework for success, he said.
But listen to how U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer characterized these talks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMIESON GREER, U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE: President Xi and President Trump will be meeting later this week. We've had quite constructive discussions with our Chinese counterparts, and we think we're getting to a point where we have something we can present to the leaders for their consideration.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KLEIN: Now, there have been plenty of twists and turns in the lead-up to this Trump-Xi meeting, including Trump at one point openly questioning whether it would take place and ratcheting up the trade tensions between these two countries in recent weeks. The President threatening 130 percent tariffs on China as well as export controls on critical software. Beijing, in return, had threatened to respond in kind.
But here in Malaysia, Bessent striking a much more optimistic tone as he departed those two days of trade talks. He suggested that the President's escalating tariff threat for now is, quote, "effectively off the table," and that is very significant heading into this meeting.
President Trump and President Xi have met in person six times, and the President has described Xi as a friend. He has also described him as someone who is extremely hard to negotiate with, Victor.
BLACKWELL: Betsy Klein for us there in Kuala Lumpur. Important few days ahead. Thanks so much.
President Trump is also upping his trade spat with Canada. He's announced he's raising those tariffs by 10 percent over what he calls a fake ad. Now, the ad was purchased by the government of Ontario, broadcast on major U.S. networks. It features clips from President Reagan railing against tariffs. President Trump calls the ad hostile, claims it is a serious misrepresentation of the facts.
He then announced an additional 10 percent tariff on Canada and terminated trade talks. Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the U.S. ad campaign will be paused on Monday so that trade talks can resume.
One of the first events for President Trump was signing off on what he is calling a peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand. A border conflict broke out between the two countries back in July.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: They really like each other. I'm not used to that when I do these deals. Usually there's a lot of hatred. They liked each other, so it made it a little bit easier. But millions of people are alive today because of this peace treaty.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: He also hashed out a trade deal with Thailand. He's looking ahead for more.
CNN's Ivan Watson joins me now. Thai and Cambodian diplomats are not describing this the same way as the President is. What do we need to know about it?
[07:10:00]
IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's following up on a ceasefire agreement that the Thai and Cambodian prime ministers agreed upon here in Kuala Lumpur, back at the end of July. That was at the end of five days of deadly fighting. President Trump got involved in that. He actually threatened higher tariffs on both warring parties if they didn't come to a deal then. And they have had a ceasefire agreement.
And what you basically had here were the two prime ministers, again, getting together, signing what's described as a joint declaration. And what it calls for is to create a team of observers coming from Southeast Asian nations to make sure that both sides agree to do things like remove landmines along this very long and contested border where the fighting was focused back in July. That they're going to pull their heavy weapons away from the border.
And if that goes through, then one Thai official has said, well, then we'll talk about starting the process of releasing 17 Cambodian soldiers who are prisoners of war right now. So the Thai government has been very careful while on the one hand praising President Trump for his mediation efforts.
They have at the same time avoided calling this a peace treaty since you would actually need their cabinet ministers to sign on to it. It would -- it's illegal right now for them effectively to call it a peace treaty. And to say, well, we're just continuing with the framework of a ceasefire that we agreed upon a few months ago, and we're going to try to go on with it.
There's still a lot of bad blood between these two neighbors. You had at least 35 people killed back in July. You had the Thai F-16 fighter jets carrying out airstrikes into Cambodian territory. Hundreds of thousands of people displaced. So there's real fear that something could spark up again if there isn't a way to effectively monitor and confirm that these de-escalation measures will, in effect, go into place. So it's something to watch very closely.
And a final note, the Thai prime minister had to rush back and ask for this signing ceremony to be conducted earlier because Thailand's queen mother passed away Friday night. And there is a funeral underway that he had to rush back to attend.
Back to you, Victor.
BLACKWELL: All right, Ivan Watson for us, thank you.
Headlines now, a deadly end to the homecoming festivities at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. One person killed, six others injured when someone started shooting. Investigators have detained one person in connection with the shooting but say there could have been multiple shooters.
There's been a second deadly attack in Ukraine in just 24 hours. Three people were killed and dozens more injured, including seven children. Russia launched more than 100 drones toward Kyiv, hitting high-rise buildings while people slept. Rescue crews worked overnight clearing debris and assessing the damage.
Air raid alerts were lifted shortly after midnight. President Zelenskyy called for more Patriot missile systems as Ukraine faces more Russian aerial attacks.
And legendary actress June Lockhart has died at 100 years old. Her family says that she died in Santa Monica, California, on Thursday from natural causes surrounded by family. Lockhart's career spanned decades, and you probably remember her for at least one of these two iconic roles. She played the mom in the classic TV series "Lassie" and, of course, her role in the TV hit show "Lost in Space."
Still ahead, American and Chinese negotiators have kicked off high- stakes trade talks ahead of a meeting between Presidents Trump and Xi. The White House's East Wing is now officially gone. We take a look at the history that's been lost.
And the Dodgers get revenge. Winning Game 2 of the World Series, we have the highlights in sports.
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[07:18:46]
BLACKWELL: U.S. and Chinese officials are laying the groundwork for a critical meeting on trade later this week between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. This just in, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is suggesting that those 100 percent tariffs on China that the President announced that were supposed to go into effect on November 1st are effectively off the table.
Let me bring in Heather Boushey, she is a former member of the White House Council of Economic Advisers. So, first, your reaction to that characterization from Secretary Bessent that those 100 percent tariffs off the table?
HEATHER BOUSHEY, FORMER MEMBER, WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS: Well, certainly that is good news for the American people. It's good news that this negotiation is moving forward. Of course, we'll have to see where that ends up.
You know, President Trump has been very chaotic in his tariff policy. On again, off again, a lot of threats. And so, you know, I think we all need to reserve our judgment until we know where this ends up. And that may not be totally sorted out this week, of course, because deals have been made and deals have been undone.
I think really the important thing for the American people is what does this mean for American industries? What does it mean for good American jobs all across the country? And this is where I think the failure of this administration's focus has been so important to put into this larger context of what these trade negotiations mean.
[07:20:09]
You know, the President has been paring back all of this domestic investment that would actually make it easier for those good jobs to be created all across the country. So whatever happens this week, we need to keep our eye on the whole set of policies that the administration is doing and what that means for the competitiveness of the key sectors that will be so important for American jobs moving forward.
BLACKWELL: Let's focus on what's coming and we'll get to that, of course, a little later. But what do you think is within reach? You said what happens next and will tariffs be back on the table. Do you think a trade deal is within reach, just de-escalation in reach?
BOUSHEY: Well, hopefully. You know, here's the thing. The President made a bunch of threats against China and then the Chinese said, well, we've got you a little bit over a barrel here with rare earths. Now, this is something that I think most of us didn't know a lot about many years ago. But, you know, these kinds of minerals are in almost everything that we make with electronics, especially.
So from semiconductors to any kind of new technology, you need these rare earths. But the United States hasn't been investing in them. We did a lot of these investments during the Biden years. And, you know, the Chinese said, well, we're not going to allow you to have these rare earths. We're going to mess up your supply chains because of the threats that Trump was giving.
So I think that's one of the most important things on the table. Can we, you know, in the meantime, while the United States builds up its capacity, can we access these really important parts of our supply chain from China?
BLACKWELL: Yes. The mineral deals, part of the conversations with Ukraine, with China, of course, even today with Thailand as well. Let's look at this from the perspective of China. Do you think they have the leverage here to walk away from a deal that falls short of what they want?
BOUSHEY: Well, certainly the Chinese have spent decades building up that kind of leverage. They have been very focused on making sure that they are leading in advanced technologies and in clean energy in particular. They see -- you know, they have been focused on where they see their competitiveness down the road. So they have a lot of leverage.
And I think that making sure that we are thinking about what kinds of investments we need to make here domestically in order to build up those important industries should be our priority. And, again, we need to be focused on making sure that we're creating those good jobs here in the United States.
You know, so the Chinese at this point do have a lot of leverage. But I think that they also understand that they want to be able to trade with the United States. That seems to be one of their goals.
BLACKWELL: Yes. Let's turn to Canada. The President announced an additional 10 percent tariff. This is in reaction to that ad that used an interview with the late President Ronald Reagan. What's your reaction to that decision and the relationship between the U.S. and Canada that had been at a bit of a truce for a moment but now seems to be heating up?
BOUSHEY: Yes. Well, first, let's talk about that ad for a moment. I think it was really quite striking that the Canadians used a former Republican president that was beloved for many, who had used tariffs very strategically but not in the kind of haphazard way that President Trump has been doing. That seemed very targeted at getting under Trump's skin, which, of course, it did.
You know, it does seem like that is, you know, yet another piece of evidence that Trump is approaching trade from the perspective of chaos and not really thinking about what is best for domestic industries, what is best for American competitiveness and for good jobs here. So hopefully, they will figure out a way to come back to the table.
You know, so many goods is that we all buy are being traded regularly across that northern border with Canada. They're so important for our supply chain. And it seems like Trump has allowed the comparison to a prior beloved president who delivered a very, you know, an economy that many thought was strong. And he's allowed that to get under his skin and distract him from what should be his goal, which is the U.S. economy right now.
BLACKWELL: Heather Boushey, thank you for your time this morning.
Coming up, former Vice President Kamala Harris makes her strongest statement yet that she's not done with politics. And Halloween less than a week away, apparently not just for kids. A growing number of adults say that grownups should have their own Halloween. Those stories and more in the roundup.
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[07:29:37]
BLACKWELL: In an interview that will air in its entirety tonight, former Vice President Kamala Harris is giving a hint about her future. Let's get into it.
Joining me today for the morning roundup, Dalila Paul, national editor for Capital B, Julie Grant with Court TV, and Comedian Rachel LaForce. Welcome to you all.
Dalila, let me start with you on this. She says she's not done with politics. Let's watch part of that interview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When are they going to see a woman in charge in the White House?
KAMALA HARRIS, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In their lifetime, for sure.
[07:30:00]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Could it be you?
HARRIS: Possibly.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Have you made a decision yet?
HARRIS: No, I have not.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But you say in your book, I'm not done.
HARRIS: That is correct. I am not done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: You know, this far ahead of a presidential election, everybody typically is getting as far away from even that commitment or being part of the conversation. What's the mood in the party now as it relates to former Vice President Harris?
DALILA-JOHARI PAUL, NATIONAL EDITOR, CAPITAL B: I mean, I think she has a relatability problem, honestly. And, you know, I think part of it is looking back to last year, there was some obvious, I think, fractures. And so, oftentimes, I mean, we've seen this before, where they will pick women, people of color, this glass cliff of when there's this fracture, and they're supposed to come in and fix something. And she had 107 days to campaign for this.
So, I think it's going to be interesting to kind of see what happens. But also, amongst black voters, there is also a disconnect as well. So, yes.
BLACKWELL: Yes. I mean, even in 2020 in the election, as it related to black voters, former Vice President Biden was doing far better with Black voters than she was. She didn't make it to Iowa. We saw what happened in 2024. There isn't really a whole lot of success when it comes to third runs for president. I mean, Vice President Biden did it in 2020. But for most, that third run doesn't prove to be the charm.
JULIE GRANT, ANCHOR, COURT TV AND ATTORNEY: I think Dalila hit the nail on the head with relatability being the problem. As soon as I heard this, I thought, is the party going to want her? That's my biggest question, right? Were you thinking the same thing?
RACHEL LAFORCE, COMEDIAN, THOUGHT LEADER AND MEDIA ENTREPRENEUR: Yes. I don't know. I also think it's just a way to stay in the conversation. I mean, I know we are really far out, but I'm like, well, at least someone's talking about it. Because we're not hearing a lot from the Democratic Party right now. So, I think it's interesting to see.
But I don't know, maybe she'll make a go for it or maybe it's a, hey, do you guys still want me? You know, maybe it's --
BLACKWELL: And it is a book tour.
LAFORCE: Yes, exactly. It's a PR stunt, you know.
BLACKWELL: Right.
PAUL: That's what I wanted to mention, too. I mean, the fact is, you know, she was asked this question. So, I don't know. I'm not totally convinced. I'm curious to kind of see what happens the next couple of years. I think we're looking ahead toward, I think, the midterms first.
BLACKWELL: Yes, yes. Well, speaking of what's happening now, this week, over the last week, actually, I should say, we saw the demolition of the East Wing of the White House to prepare for the president's ballroom. Rachel, 90,000-square feet coming, and the price seems to keep ticking up now, 300 million plus.
LAFORCE: You know what? I'll tell you what. I learned that Trump and I have something in common. Apparently, we both love a DIY, because this man, you know, he's doing it for himself. I don't know. I don't know what all they're going to do with this space. I mean, this is a very on-brand move, I think. You know, it's bigger, it's better. What are we going to do in there? I don't know. I don't know if he's going to, you know, redo "Dancing with the Stars," if that's the move. We're going to make a White House edition.
So, it's going to be interesting to see what all we do with that space. There's a lot of opinions from Americans about this as well. So, it's generating a lot of interesting conversations.
PAUL: Yes. Sorry -- but I also wonder, I mean, it's an old building, and so they haven't gone through all, like, the processes. And so, can it actually fit that? You know, like --
LAFORCE: "Dancing with the Stars."
PAUL: Like, it's wild to me.
BLACKWELL: Well, they've created this space by getting rid of the East Wing. So, they've showed the renderings. Also, what we've learned this week is about some of the donors of the $300 million to build this. Tech, crypto, construction as well. Maybe the list that if you were putting together a list of who would be offering money, you'd see some of those companies. But that is something that we've seen.
There's been kind of this strong and growing reaction to the demolition of the White House. Places we lost. We lost the theater at the White House, that Eastern Colonnade where you typically see the Christmas decorations. The First Lady's office also gone there. That's your big story of the week.
Also, the loss of SNAP benefits across the country. 42 million people in less than a week will be losing that assistance, Dalila, if the government shutdown does not end November 1st.
PAUL: Wow. I mean, we're -- I think we're in interesting times. I think already, I don't think that food banks have the capacity to kind of meet these needs. I think people also forget who benefits from SNAP. It's families. It's older people. It's veterans. And I think across the country there is, I think, confusion about what happens next We've spoken to people in Mississippi and South Carolina, and I think they're just bracing for the worst. No one ever wants to be an alarmist, but this is serious business.
BRUNHUBER: Yes.
[07:35:00]
PAUL: But also, the domino effect. Because if we can't pay for food, then it impacts medication, it impacts rent for folks. And so, yes, it's just -- I hope they get it together in D.C.
BLACKWELL: Yes. Let's play what the president says when he's asked about, will there be the money for those 42 million in SNAP benefits?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you going to direct the Department of Agriculture to fund food stamps next month --
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Everybody's going to be in good shape. Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: That's it. That was the whole answer. No details. Fewer than 10 words. Fewer than 10 seconds. That's difficult.
I think that's really difficult for a lot of people, especially for Americans, like you said, that are, we've got veterans. We have people that served this country. We have families. You know, there's a lot of movement of family first, and we're not supporting these families. And I think that's something to take a look at.
BLACKWELL: You know, I also had someone involved in the nonprofit sector on the show yesterday who said that because of the shutdown, many of the nonprofits cannot get their funding to get the money from the grants to get questions answered. So, that where people would typically turn when they couldn't get food stamps, those organizations are struggling as well.
Julie, let me come to you with your story of this week. This is Tyler Robinson. He's the man charged with killing Charlie Kirk. His attorneys have a request.
GRANT: They sure do, Victor. The latest one is to keep cameras out of the courtroom. They don't want the cameras filming the proceedings, or of course, what would be the trial after everything in this process. And they are saying that they don't want this to happen because they're afraid that this will create unfair publicity and too much focus on his appearance, what he's looking like, his mannerisms, what he's doing in the courtroom.
But it's important to remember, juries aren't watching from the cameras. They're in the courtroom. They're not allowed to watch anything that is broadcast. And we've seen people get a fair trial time and time again, going back to O.J. Simpson, Casey Anthony. I mean, cameras in does not affect the fairness of the system.
As a matter of fact, when we film trials at Court TV, we're so discreet. People will say all the time, we didn't even see the cameras. They're so tiny and they're robotic. And so, I think this argument is going to fail, Victor, because in Utah, there's a presumption that cameras are allowed. And we have cases broadcast there all the time. And with this one, there's so much interest in the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the process. I think we need this transparency now in this case, really more than ever.
BLACKWELL: Certainly, need the transparency. And the case is going to get the attention, whether there are cameras in the courtroom or not. Ladies, stay with me. A lot to talk about. Quick break. Roundup continues in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:40:00]
BLACKWELL: Welcome back to the Morning Roundup. We're getting good in the fall and that means it's homecoming season. Dalila, this is your big story of the week.
PAUL: I'm telling you, it's been an amazing month. I mean, from the Aggies and, you know, at -- I'm sorry, at North Carolina -- you know, AT, wait, AT -- wait, A&T.
BLACKWELL: Yes. PAUL: Like, I often say AT&T by accident.
BLACKWELL: No, no, no. North Carolina A&T, yes.
PAUL: I mean, this weekend was Howard, it was Lincoln, Hampton. I mean, it's just an amazing thing to watch. And I think the fellowship, the history, the culture, the step shows, I mean, right now, we need that kind of energy. But also, you know, we interviewed a family from North Carolina where it's like the whole family, they're all Aggies. From mom, dad, brother, sister, and it's just a cultural moment.
BLACKWELL: Well, you know, I went to Howard University and we, if you Google it, have the best homecoming in the country consistently.
PAUL: Not Aggies. Aggies will tell you that's not true.
BLACKWELL: Fam will tell you that's true. But it's Howard. Punctuation. But do you ladies go back to homecoming? Is this something you do?
LAFORCE: Sometimes.
GRANT: Yes.
LAFORCE: Yes.
BLACKWELL: Yes.
GRANT: Yes, if I can. And I'm definitely familiar with the Aggies homecoming because I lived and worked in Greensboro for a while and they call it G-HO, the greatest homecoming on earth. And it's like a week. It's not a day. Like my homecoming at my school is a day. It's a nice day, but --
BLACKWELL: And also, these homecomings, you can go and enjoy homecoming and not go to the game.
LAFORCE: Right. Yes.
BLACKWELL: You don't have to go to the football.
LAFORCE: That's an afterthought. Exactly right. Yes, yes, yes.
GRANT: Oh, that's so funny.
BLACKWELL: All right. So, let's talk now about the "Boots with the Fur. Let's play a little bit of this. T-Pain and Crocs. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: Listen, if you don't know that song, that's low from Flo Rida and T-Pain. T-Pain has teamed up with Crocs to actually bring you the boots with the fur. Anybody interested in wearing or buying?
PAUL: Absolutely not. Like Crocs alone. I'm not into the style, but the fur, I can't do.
BLACKWELL: No?
PAUL: I respect his hustle, though.
LAFORCE: I don't know. Well, you know, I'll buy your pair that. I may take two. I'll tell you what, as a millennial, I feel like it just brought me back to life, you know, like I was like, how funny. And also, just the perfect time, I think, for something so fun and silly, especially for my generation that came up like every big celebration you're listening to that song.
[07:45:00]
BLACKWELL: $159.99 a pair.
LAFORCE: OK. Maybe one pair. Maybe I won't buy your pair, but yes.
BLACKWELL: And sizes 8 through 11 are already sold out. So, apparently, they're a hit. And they probably come out right before Halloween and what's called Croctober at Crocs.
PAUL: Wow.
BLACKWELL: But you don't have to get the knee length you can get the low, low, low.
PAUL: That was a faux fur? Is it faux fur or --
BLACKWELL: Oh, it's faux fur. Yes it's faux fur. What do you think?
GRANT: It's awesome. You know T-Pain's a hit maker. I mean, he's amazing. Everything the guy touches turns to gold. And, you know, Crocs are comfortable. I come from a family of podiatrists who used to sell them at one time and honestly patients are so happy with Crocs. They're airy. They feel nice.
BLACKWELL: I wear mine. Yes, yes, yes.
PAUL: Out of all of us, I'm the only one who doesn't like Crocs?
BLACKWELL: You might be. I certainly wear Crocs. I have a bright yellow pair. If you see some bright yellow pair and a six foot two 250 black man, it's me.
PAUL: I can't.
LAFORCE: I love it. I love it.
BLACKWELL: So, Halloween I said coming up at the end of the week. And there's this survey that shows that more adults want their own Halloween. This is from the candy makers at Ferrero where they say 71 percent of parents say that Halloween belongs to grown-ups too, and 54 percent believe that adults have -- they should have their own Halloween night without child care responsibilities. You all into it?
PAUL: I get it.
LAFORCE: Yes.
PAUL: I think we all want to escape.
BLACKWELL: Yes.
PAUL: And for years I have wanted to be Storm, but now, I want to be a figure from Tron.
BLACKWELL: OK. Yes.
PAUL: So, I get it.
BLACKWELL: Yes.
GRANT: Yes.
PAUL: The candy part, not so much but the costume part, absolutely.
BLACKWELL: And, Rachel, are you into Halloween?
LAFORCE: I love Halloween. I have two young kids. And so, we've been doing spooky season, I mean, since it started. But for me as a parent if I'm getting a night off I'm taking a nap. I don't know if you're parents, they're like, I'm going to put on a costume. I'm going to go talk to people. Not me. Not me.
BLACKWELL: What I want to know is what do you hand out at trick-or- treat to adult Halloween? It ain't Reese's Cups.
LAFORCE: I know just a little like the airplane bottles of Smirnoff.
BLACKWELL: Yes, just give me a little Bombay Sapphire in my bag. All right.
LAFORCE: Some Tums.
BLACKWELL: There's some Tums for the next play. Dalila, Julie, Rachel, thank you all. Thank you.
LAFORCE: Thank you.
GRANT: Thank you.
PAUL: A pleasure.
BLACKWELL: All right. All tied up. The Dodgers rebound after a lopsided loss in the game one of the World Series. Have game two highlights in sports.
And tonight, discover the breads that bond Sao Paulo. A new episode of "Tony Shalhoub Breaking Bread" premieres tonight at 9:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on CNN. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:50:00]
BLACKWELL: The World Artistic Gymnastics Championships has wrapped up in Jakarta, Indonesia. In the men's vault, Olympic champion from the Philippines added another gold to his collection on Saturday. Much better than his third place finish the day before in the floor exercise. China took gold in the women's balance beam. Algeria came in second place. On Friday, Algeria won the final of the uneven bars, making it Africa's first gymnastics world champion.
And the Dodgers put on a show against the Blue Jays evening in the world -- last evening in the World Series. One game apiece now. CNN's Carolyn Manno joins me now. After the spanking they took in game one. Dodgers had to do something.
CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Things are evened up. As you said, Victor, I mean, after getting blown out, now they leaned on one of their Japanese aces and he delivered in the most special way. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, one of three exceptional Japanese pitchers on the Dodgers roster. And last night, he really showed why by going the distance. Another remarkable performance.
It felt like something of a throwback to Yamamoto throwing a complete World Series game, only allowing four hits in one run and retiring the final 20 batters that he faced. This was actually his second consecutive complete game this postseason. He also threw one in game two of the National League Championship Series. And it's the first time that we've seen a pitcher throw back-to-back complete games in the postseason since Curt Schilling all the way back in 2001. The last time a Dodger recorded the feat, Orel Hershiser back in 1988. So, this is pretty special.
And then, L.A.'s offense was sparked by late home runs from Will Smith and Max Muncy as the Dodgers win game two with a final score of 5 to 1 to even the best of seven series at one game apiece.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVE ROBERTS, DODGERS MANAGER: I love feeling that the starter is the best option to go six, seven, eight and what Yamamoto is doing nine innings. And he works really hard in his, you know, prep and his delivery and the mindset. So, for me, it's a lot of fun to root for a guy and you feel good about leaving a guy like that in.
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO, L.A. DODGERS PITCHER (through translator): To be honest, I'm not sure about the history, but I'm very happy about what I did today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MANNO: So, short and sweet. But in his second big league season, Victor, part of this 12-year deal that he signed with L.A. And after last night, he's now 5 and 1 overall in eight postseason appearances. He's got a 2.47 ERA, which is incredible. And now, he has put the Dodgers in a much more favorable spot. It felt like a must-win game in Toronto last night to the fans that were watching, wearing their Dodgers jerseys. And as this World Series now shifts to L.A., the majority of teams that have taken a 2-1 lead at home in game three of this format have gone on to win it all.
So, they needed him to come through big, especially with the bullpen looking a little bit shaky and Yamamoto delivering to the delight of L.A. fans everywhere. Back to you.
BLACKWELL: Delivered indeed. Carolyn Manno, thanks so much.
[07:55:00]
The shocking jewelry heist at Paris' Louvre Museum in broad daylight. How did it happen? Our investigators any closer to finding the rest of the suspects now that they've arrested two. Watch "The Heist: The Louvre's Stolen Crown Jewels," tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, right here on CNN.
And thank you so much for joining us for CNN This Morning Weekend. Inside Politics Sunday with Manu Raju is up after a break.
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[08:00:00]
