[Roberts:] It's Monday night. Do you know where your governor is? That is what the citizens of South Carolina are wondering. "Where in the world is our governor?" Governor Mark Sanford vanished last Thursday. Reportedly even his wife didn't know where he went, and he wasn't even around for Father's Day. But just moments ago we got word of where he's been. Let's go back to David Mattingly. He's in Atlanta with the details. And David, what is the latest on the location, the whereabouts of Governor Mark Sanford?
[Mattingly:] Well, John, Governor Sanford hasn't been seen at the South Carolina state capitol since last week. Sanford told his staff Thursday afternoon he was going away for a few days and would be hard to reach. Tonight we find out this e-mail coming through just a few minutes ago the governor is actually hiking the Appalachian Trail. That trail runs from Georgia all the way up to Maine. It is not exactly narrowing down his location. But at least we know what he's doing. When he left, he told his staff he would be hard to reach. And tonight South Carolina's lieutenant governor had this to say.
[Lt. Governor Andre Bauer, South Carolina:] After September 11, we know people that are in high-profile positions are more vulnerable than ever before. So when the leader of over 4 million people can't be contacted can't be reached for over four days over a long weekend, I think all of us are concerned. We are worried about where he might be.
[Mattingly:] Sanford reportedly took off in a black state SUV without his security and apparently didn't tell anyone where he was going at the time, including his wife. She told The Associated Press the governor needed some time away from their children to write something and that they were not worried about him. We had some questions of our own about this. When we called we were told that Mrs. Sanford was not available. The timing of this however is just so strange. This well-known father of four young boys wasn't home for Father's Day and he was not at work on Monday morning, John.
[Roberts:] The governor has been taking a big political beating lately, most notably the state Supreme Court ruled against his controversial rejection of federal stimulus money. Did all of that have something to do with his disappearance his current absence?
[Mattingly:] That is possible. His communications director tells me he's done this before. He said that the governor put in a lot of time during this last legislative session. And after the session winds down it is not uncommon for him to go out of pocket for a few days at a time to clear his head. This has been a very rough year for him beyond the state Supreme Court ruling. The South Carolina legislature voted to override ten of his vetoes. So he might be out in the woods right now really trying to clear his head and figure out what he's going to do next.
[Roberts:] If he's not at his desk and he's hard to reach, who's running South Carolina at present?
[Mattingly:] Well, some of his political opponents are already asking that question. One even describes his behavior as erratic. His staff, however, tells me he's still in charge and will probably be back sometime later this week. But he will have some explaining to do. This is a politician, John, whose name was being mentioned as a possible GOP candidate for president.
[Roberts:] We'll see how long he's gone. As you pointed out, David, that Appalachian Trail stretches an awful long way. David Mattingly for us in Atlanta tonight. David thanks so much. Tomorrow, we have a "Keeping Them Honest" report that you have to see to believe. It's about taxpayer dollars; millions in fact being used to build a tunnel for turtles. Here's a preview.
[Abbie Boudreau, Cnn Correspondent:] Here in Tallahassee, Florida, the debate of stimulus spending has come down to a turtle tunnel and taxpayer dollars. The problem? Turtles cross the highway to get from one pond to the other and get hit. On this one-mile stretch alone, biologist Matt Aresco says he counted nearly 9,000 dead turtles over three years which brings us to the item number 414746 on Florida's list of shovel ready job-creating stimulus projects. $3.4 million for an eco passage, translation? It's a turtle crossing for creatures like this.
[Roberts:] More on the turtles and the tunnel and the tomorrow on 360. Next, Chris Brown back in court today. He pleaded guilty of assaulting pop star girlfriend Rihanna as part of a plea deal. We'll tell you his punishment ahead. And a quote, "Life changing announcement" from reality stars Jon and Kate tonight. We've go the big news for you.