[Lemon:] HIV and AIDS, a punishment from God? That's what Patricia Sawo of Kenya used to believe. But an unexpected revelation about her own health status not only forced her to reevaluate her beliefs, but to launch a crusade to end the stigma of HIV. It's quite a story, and it's why she's this week's CNN's Hero.
[Patricia Sawo, Cnn Hero:] Back in the 1990s, I believed that AIDS was a punishment from God. When I personally tested HIV positive, it was oh, my God, how could this happen to me? I fasted and prayed for years, hoping that I would be healed. When I went public, I lost my job. My husband lost his job. The landlord wanted us out of his house. The stigma was terrible. I realized that I had been wrong. My name is Patricia Sawo. My mission is to change people's attitudes about HIV. All that you need is accurate, correct information. As charity leaders, we need to shepherd the people. HIV is not a moral issue. It is a virus. I do a lot of counseling. When I'm helping somebody else who is HIV positive, I want them to know that you can rise above this. The 48 children at this center, most of them saw their parents dying of AIDS. My HIV status brings some kind of bond. I provide that motherly love and all their basic needs. HIV, it's making me a better person. We want to be there for people. So if we have it, we share it out. It's what I want to do because it's what I'm meant to do. God has his own ways of healing. So for me, I'm healed.
[Lemon:] And remember, every one of this year's CNN Heroes are chosen from people you tell us about. To nominate someone you know who's making a big difference in your community, go to CNNHeroes.com. All right. Time now to check in on some top stories here on CNN. Hundreds of Americans who have been stuck in Libya are headed out by sea right now. This evacuation ferry chartered by the U.S. State Department left Tripoli this morning with about 300 on board. Their destination is the nearby island nation of Malta. They're expected to arrive there very shortly. And I want to tell you, moments ago, this just into CNN. A State Department spokesman tweeted that a U.S. charter aircraft just departed Libya, bound for Istanbul, with additional Americans on board. Meantime, a defiant Moammar Gadhafi has addressed a crowd of people in Tripoli's Green Square. He told them he would defend Libya at all costs. The images were broadcast on state TV today. Earlier, witnesses told CNN that security forces aimed artillery rounds and sniper fire at protesters on the streets there. Back here at home, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker says layoffs may start next week if a budget isn't approved. He had set today as a deadline, but the controversial legislation remains in limbo as Senate Democrats continue their standoff over plans to strip state workers of their collective bargaining rights. The bill did pass overnight in the State Assembly. A new dinosaur species is found in Utah, and scientists give it a name Thunder Thighs. We have some incredible pictures of what the dinosaur may have looked like. Thunder Thighs.