Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio: Tom Brokaw) Report introduced.

(Washington: Pete Williams) The discovery of the deadly poison ricin at the office of Senate majority leader Bill Frist featured; scenes shown from the Washington, DC, Senate offices; details given about the investigation into the origin of the mail containing the white powder and how ricin is made. [FRIST – says nobody has been injured.] [Biological toxin expert Jonathan TUCKER†- says ricin preparation does not require elaborate laboratory equipment.] A ricin incident in Connecticut noted.

(Studio: Tom Brokaw) Report introduced.

(Washington: Chip Reid) Potential gaps in protecting the public from biological or chemical attacks featured; details given about security procedures in Washington, DC; scenes shown of teams wearing biohazard suits investigating the ricin incident. [Senator Charles SCHUMER††- says the capital is always a target.] [Senator Tom DASCHLE – comments on advances in security since the anthrax scare 2 years ago.] [Representative Jim TURNER†- says our nation is unprepared to deal with the threat of bioterrorism.] [Secretary of Health & Human Services Tommy THOMPSON†- says we’re not as vulnerable as people think.] [Public health expert Dr. Shelley HEARNE†- comments on a report that only 2 states are ready for statewide emergency vaccinations.]