t.j. winick is live at staples center. >> reporter: good morning. few celebrities had as complicated a life as michael jackson but yesterday was about the music and the good times as remembered by his friends and family. >> ever since i was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. >> reporter: the first public words ever spoken by michael jackson's daughter, paris, provided new insight into the king of pop, who was memorialized by his music and stories of how many he inspired. >> michael jackson wanted nothing more than to give love to the world. >> reporter: the day began at the forest lawn cemetery in the hollywood hills where family and close friends gathered for a private funeral. ♪ hallelujah, hallelujah >> reporter: for an entertainer known around the world, inside the staples center there were many personal and intimate memories. >> both of us needed to be adults very early; but when we were together, we were two little kids having fun. >> reporter: motown founder berry gordy called him the greatest entertainer to ever l

t.j. winick has this from outside the jackson family home in encino. >> reporter: two days after michael jackson's big public memorial service, abc news has learned that members of the jackson family are pushing for a final resting place. three of michael jackson's brothers plan to seek permission to bury his body at neverland ranch, according to sources close to the family. but state officials say establishing a cemetery area in a residential area could take weeks. >> they have to have a cemetery manager. >> reporter: adding to delays, the desires by jackson's mother, katherine, that the family find an appropriate place for burial. there's been no determination about the cause of jackson's death, two weeks ago. but his longtime dermatologist, told "good morning america" he saw no signs of his drug dependency when he saw him three days before his death. the los angeles city attorney's offices instigating how the city plans to pay for tuesday's memorial service. t.j. winick, abc news, encin

>> t.j. winick reporting from the staples center. later this half hour, the michael jackson fans from far away who dropped everything to claim their memorial service tickets here in l.a. stay with abc news for charlie gibson's live coverage of the memorial starting at 1 p.m. eastern, 10 a.m. here on the west coast. >> in russia president obama is meeting with the country's most powerful politician. it is the first time mr. obama and former president and current prime minister vladimir putin have sat down face to face. mr. obama has already achieved a major diplomatic breakthrough on nuclear weapons. jake tapper is traveling with the president. >> reporter: they stood in the kremlin, once the symbol of what president reagan called the evil empire. >> president medvedev and i are committed to leaving behind the suspicion and rivalry of the past so we can advance the interests that we hold in common. >> reporter: those interests include a framework to reduce nuclear weapons, including war heads and launch vehicles such as missiles or su

live in los angeles, this is t.j. winick, abc 2 news reporting, now back to you. >> as t.j. said, l.a. wasn't the only place people gathered in large numbers to view the farewell service. downtown at the enoch pratt library, dozens of people showed up to view the service on a jumbo screen. many in attendance say they came out because they were inspired by the pop icon's music and life. >> some people want to be with people during something like this. and i think that's what is happening today. >> we just want to pay respects and show that the younger generation, i don't think a lot of the younger generation knows who he actually was. i just came to pay my respects, just like everyone else. >> enoch pratt officials say the last time they rolled the jumbo screen out was for president obama's inauguration. today's viewing in baltimore didn't cost the city a fortune, unlike the service in l.a. tonight that city has set up a website to allow michael jackson fans to help los angeles actually pay for the service. it was launched today and is linked to a pay pal account where fans c

t.j. winick has the latest from los angeles. >> reporter: the public mourning for michael jackson over, the investigation into why the pop singer died continues. the cause of death on jackson's death certificate deferred. but sources tell abc news, he was hooked on the powerful painkillers demerol and oxycontin and the potent sedative diprivan was found in his home. >> i never saw him take any prescription drugs myself, but i saw the effects. sort of like looked at me very quizcally, like he didn't even know me. >> reporter: while a spokesman claims the addict was easy to spot, jackson's long-time dermatologist insists there was no signs just three days before he suffered cardiac arrest. >> he was not in terrible pain when i saw him. he danced in the office. he danced for my patients. he was very muscular and very, very happy when he was dancing. >> reporter: dr. klein didn't exactly deny reports that he is the biological father of jackson's two oldest children. >> best of my knowledge, i'

t.j. winick, abc 2 news, los angeles. >>> are you ready to fight for your children? >> do not touch me! >> nobody touched you. >> you just did. don't! >> are you ready to fight for your children. >> are you ready to get your butt kicked? don't touch me! >> that was the scene in california as paparazzi grilled debbie rowe about her children. rowe's attorney says she has not decided yet whether or not she will fight for custody. be sure to stay with abc 2 news and abc2news.com for the latest updates on the investigation into michael jackson's death, his estate, and his children. and a tomorrow abc news will broadcast live coverage of the memorial service for michael jackson. the service starts at two income the afternoon our time. but starting at 1 p.m., charles gibson will ankle a core abc's special coverage which is being called remembering michael jackson. you can watch it all right here on abc 2. >>> locally now, a baltimore man arrested earlier this year when police found more than 90 pounds of cocaine in his pickup truck. plans to plead guilty tomorrow. but the l

t.j. winick is in los angeles with the latest. >> reporter: abc news has learned that both of michael jackson's arms were scared with track marks consistent with the finding of a potent sedative in his home, a drug that may have caused his sudden death. the shocking news the night before a star-studded tribute. ♪ and i'll be there >> reporter: performers include mariah carey, beyonce, smoky robinson, jennifer hudson, lionel richie, usher, and stevie wonder. from the sports world, johnson and kobe bryant. diana ross is a maybe because of security concerns. former girlfriend brooke shields is a yes. while all the jackson family is expected to attend, including his three children, michael's two ex-wives, lisa marie presley and debbie rowe will not. police have sealed off the staples center ahead of tuesday's memorial. the public isn't allowed in the two-block area of downtown los angeles, and everyone without a ticket is being warned they will not get past the barricades on car or foot. >>

t.j. winick has more from l.a. >> ever since i was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. >> reporter: the first public words ever spoken by michael jackson's daughter paris provided new insight into the king of pop, who was memorialized by his music. ♪ i'll be there >> reporter: the stories of how many he inspired. >> michael jackson wanted nothing more than to give love to the world. >> reporter: the day began at the forest lawn cemetery in the hollywood hills, where family and close friends gathered for a private funeral. ♪ hallelujah, hallelujah, we're going to see the king ♪ >> reporter: for an entertainer known around the world, inside the staples center, there were many personal and intimate memories, both of us needed to be adults very early. but when we were together, we were two little kids having fun. >> reporter: motown founder berry gordy called him the greatest entertainer to ever live, but didn't shy aquay from the questionable private life. >> ma

t.j. winick says the president's personal appeals may be paying off. >> reporter: speaking at the first of two town hall meetings today, president obama told a crowd in raleigh, north carolina that in the best case scenario, health care reform will not get voted on or signed until some time this fall. >> well, we did give them a deadline and we sort of missed that deadline. but that's okay. we're trying to get this done. but the american people can't wait any longer. they want action this year. i want action this year. >> reporter: even as president obama was setting a new timeline, house lawmakers reached an apparent breakthrough. leaders in fiscally conservative democrats hammered out a deal they hope enables private and public plans to truly compete. >> the public option is just optional. it gives consumers more choices. it's not mandated on any of them. >> reporter: and they agreed not to vote on the legislation until september. >> there will be a lot of time to review where we are, ma

t.j. winick explains. >> it could be a haircut. >> reporter: for workers like carlo simpson, today's federal minimum wage hike from $6.55 to $7.20 is a listening time coming. >> i can't pay it no more. i need the raise. >> reporter: certain lawmakers heralded the wage, the final step approved by the bush administration. >> this will put $1,100 in the pockets of working people. that means money for groceries, for rent, for school supplies. monies that will help with the economic recovery. >> reporter: but for many small business owners: >> timing is very bad. >> reporter: the pay increase is a backbreaker, happening at a time when they can least afford it. >> the rates go up. the employees who get to keep their job are happy. but overall, either people get less hours, or they lose their job. >> reporter: at small businesses like coastal cupcakes in wilmington, north carolina, the additional 70 cents per employee per hour adds up quick. a company with 10 employees will pay almost $300 more p

t.j. winick, abc news, washington. >>> now the forecast certified baltimore's most accurate. here is chief meteorologist norm lewis and maryland's most powerful doppler radar. >> well, before we get the weather, wmar's got a little celebrating to do. baltimore magazine out with its best of edition. and abc 2 is in it two times this year. the magazine said megan pringle and jamie costello are the friendliest news team in town, and we agree. they've been honored as the best morning news team. and take a look at this mommy to-be. she is now baltimore's best reporter. congratulations to delia goncalves. the magazine credits delia for her ability to break down the tough stories so everybody can understand them. >> hey, we love delia too. most definitely. >> but she is out reporting right now. >> get to work, girl! i tell you what, we got some strange weather across the region. this morning people come do you think 95 and coming down 83 just ran into a torrent of rainfall. and they got to the city and the sun came out. and this afternoon, i was coming in from the west. and the sun

t.j. winicreports. >> reporter: against their mother's wishes, some of michael jackson's brothers will ask the state of california if they can bury his body at neverland ranch but the process of establishing a cemetery in a residential area could take weeks. >> they have to register with the secretary of state for a corporation. they have to have a cemetery manager. >> reporter: the body's temporary location after being moved from forest lawn cemetery to the staples center on tuesday is a closely guarded secret. >> once the body is released, there are no other requirements as long as it's being properly stored. >> reporter: in los angeles the investigation into jackson's death continues. sources tell abc news the singer was hooked on powerful pain killers and a potent sedative was found in his home. still his dermatologist insists there were no signs of addiction just three days before his famous patient suffered cardiac arrest. >> he was not in terrible pain when i saw him. he danced in t

t.j. winick. >> reporter: according to a memo written by a senior american military adviser in baghdad, iraqi forces are now capable of protecting their own country and it is time for the thaos declare victory and go home. >> we are taking all the measures to take all the control. the united states is helping us in arming and providing us with equipment. >> reporter: the memo written by colonel timothy reese comes at a delicate time, when american forces are shifting to more of an advisory role as iraqi troops take the lead. the united states currently has about 10,000 soldiers in iraq. the plan has been for most of those troops to remain n after national iraqi elections in january. but u.s. secretary gates said a combat of troops may be brought home early. >> we have a number of important milestones to achieve, including a fair elections, succeeding of a new government and a draw down in 2010. >> reporter: the iraqi government welcomed the news saying its security forces are working towar

t.j. winick. >> reporter: sergeant crowley returned to work monday morning after a tumultuous week where he was indirectly criticized by the president for arresting dr. henry louis gates, jr. in his cambridge, massachusetts home. they made the tapes public presumably to silence critics. >> i noticed two suitcases. i'm not sure if these are two individual who actually work there -- i mean live there. >> you thinkhey might have been breaking in? >> i don't know. i have no idea. >> reporter: the caller doesn't mention the race of the individuals, only when asked by the dispatcher does she speculate one of the men inside the house might be his panic?^ >> i don't know if they just had hard time with their key. i did know they used a showeder to try to barge in. >> reporter: after officers arrive on seen, crowley is heard saying he claims to live there. >> we can ultimately come back stronger and more unified community. >> reporter: the city announced a new committee devoted to conflict resoluti

t.j. winick, abc news, washington. >>> now the forecast certified baltimore's most accurate. here is chief meteorologist norm lewis, and maryland's most powerful doppler radar. >> i never thought i would be begging for rain. >> well here is the deal. yesterday i brought my umbrella into the station. and we didn't get any rain. >> so today you didn't bring it? >> today the umbrella is home. >> we're going to get rain. >> we got scattered showers around, and a good possibility of getting it later on this evening. but the big challenge right now is the showers are on the other side of the mountains, west of frederick. you know when you go west on 70? they're on the other side. >> move fast. >> well, they can move slow as long as they get here. that's the main thing. let's take a look outside right now. the shot from harbor cam. got a little more sun, but it's looking good. temperature at bwi thurgood marshall right now 79 degrees. 62% humidity. ooh, sticky out this. wind currently from the east at 8. the pressure steady at 30.04. there are your tides tomorrow at fort mchenry. a

t.j. winick explains. >> it could be a haircut. >> reporter: for workers like carlos simpson, today's federal minimum wage hike to $7.25 is a long-time coming. >> i've got bills. my phone bill about kill me. i can't pay it no more. i need this raise. >> reporter: in washington, certain lawmakers heralded the raise, a final stage of a three- step increase in the minimum wage approved during the bush administration. >> this will put $1,100 in the pockets of working people. that means money for groceries, for rent, for school supplies, money that will help with this economic recovery. >> reporter: but for many small business owners -- >> the timing is very bad. >> reporter: the fee increase is a backbreaker, happening at a time when they can least afford it. >> the rates go up. the employees who get to keep their job are happy. but overall, either people get less hours, which impacts them, or they lose their job. >> reporter: at small businesses like coastal cupcakes in wilmington, north caro

t.j. winick has more. >> reporter: good morning. los angeles authorities are bracing for a massive influx of people, as many as three quarters of a million michael jackson fans may try and get near this building on tuesday but right now no plans for any jumbotrons outside beaming the service to folks in the streets. after all, right now police are asking people to stay at home and watch the service on television. over 17,000 michael jackson fans devastated over his sudden death ten days ago are now celebrating the fact they will get a seat at the king of pop's memorial this tuesday in los angeles. >> we never thought that we would be picked. although we kept checking all day and sane -- serendipity with with us. we got the tickets and were just really hap. >> reporter: the area around the staples center will be sealed off with the help of 2,500 police officers. fearing crowds of a half million or more, authorities a telling fans don't come out if you didn't win a ticket. >> really, it just doesn't make a lot of sense for purposes of