[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Melanie]

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


The 2000 presidential campaign officially kicks off tonight in Iowa.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


And Virgil Goode makes a big announcement-- one that may not please Republicans or Democrats.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


News 7 at noon is next.

[Goode]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#99-50 TC1:27:45]
[GRAPHIC=Virgil Goode]


After months of speculation, Congressman Virgil Goode has made it official.
Goode announced this morning he's leaving the democratic party.
[Double Boxes=Melanie and Teresa/Microwave]


Teresa Hamilton spoke with Goode less than an hour ago and joins us now with more on the Congressman's decision.
[Live=Teresa Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Teresa1;]
[SUPER=05-Rocky Mount;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue:as an independent.)
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

[***TERESA'S MIKE HOT***]
[SUPER=@file;]
(adlib for 10 seconds)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Virgil Goode/(I) 5th District;]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=party label.]
(-------------)



[Live=Teresa Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Rocky Mount;]
( ad lib)



[Double Boxes=Melanie and Teresa/Microwave]



[Iowa-caucuses]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]


Once every four years, Iowa stands alone in the political spotlight.
Tonight the state's nominating caucuses will be held.
Unless Iowans do the unexpected, Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore will have easy victories.
Lee Cowan reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[11:30]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Des Moines, IA; :00]
[SUPER=01-George W. Bush/(R) Presidential Candidate; :55]
[SUPER=01-Al Gore/(D) Presidential Candidate; 1:08]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting; ]
[RUNS=1:42]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS, DES MOINES, IOWA.]

(( Tonight in farmhouses, school gyms, basements and churches, Iowans will flick the switch to begin the 2000 campaign.
It will light up the first of a series of state-by-state contests with a lot at stake, but so far, very little suspense.
NAT/SOT


NARR:
Texas Governor George W. Bush is widely expected to beat out his five Republican rivals in tonight's caucuses.
NAT/SOT

NARR:
The same is true for Al Gore who will likely pile up HIS sizable lead over Democratic challenger, Bill Bradley - who over the weekend all but conceded Iowans didn't get his pitch.
But that doesn't mean the two leaders are resting comfortably.
Polls show the number of caucus participants is declining. Only 20 percent of the 1.8 million registered voters here are expected to turn out.
Even after getting the endorsement of the state's largest newspaper, George W. Bush continued to fret - at least publicly -- saying his biggest fear wasn't his chief rival, millionaire Steve Forbes, but voter complacency instead.
SOT/GEORGE W. BUSH, REPUBLICAN FRONTRUNNER

15:01:09 "I'm concerned about the polls, I'm concerned about the people that say that 'ol George W. has it made, and therefore I don't need to go vote." NARR:
Al Gore isn't taking any chances either.
SOT/GORE

NARR:
Although his lead continues to grow, HIS chief rival, Bill Bradley, has spent 2 million dollars here going after younger, less traditional voters in hopes he could overcome the establishment votes the Gore camp hopes it has sewn up. COWAN ON CAM: "So the question appears to be not whether Bush and Gore will win tonight, but by how much. And in the end, expectations of performance here, can turn out to be just as important as the performance itself. Lee Cowan, CBS News, Des Moines Iowa."))

[time-merger]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business Merger]


A mega merger in music.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[9:08:24-29]
[IN Q=let me...]

((MUSIC: LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU))
[SUPER=03-London, England;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=entertain you.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Fresh on the heels of its announced merger with America Online, Time Warner announced today joining forces with Britain's E-M-I.
The deal would create the world's second-largest music business.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[9:07:46-00]
[IN Q=This is a match made made..]
[SUPER=01-Richard Parsons/Time Warner President;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=for the employees.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

[9:09]
The new giant, to be called Warner E-M-I Music, will have a combined turnover of 8 billion dollars.
Only Universal Music would be bigger.
The new group is expected to concentrate on boosting music sales over the Internet, a move which would revolutionize the music industry, with consumers able to download albums from the Web.
(------------)



[81-Accident]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=99-49 TC1:01:01]
[GRAPHIC=81 Accident]


This morning's wreck on Interstate 81 in Botetourt County has been cleaned up.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.]


An accident near exit 150 shut down the southbound lanes for a few hours.
Both southbound lanes are now open and traffic is no longer being re-routed.
State police say the accident involved a tractor trailor and a car.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=a car]
[SUPER=01-1st Sgt. Joe Peters/State Police;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=in front of the truck.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]


The truck avoided that car but overturned, then another car hit it from behind.
The driver of the second car and the truck driver were taken to Roanoke Memorial Hopsital.
Their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.
(XXXXXXXX)

[WIPE TO MAP]
V-Dot says one southbound lane may be closed at times today, so repairs can be made to the overpass.
(------------)



[Roanoke-Fatal]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]


Roanoke police are still searching for suspects in a fatal hit and run accident.
It happened just after 3-30 this morning near the intersection of Oliver and Wentworth.
Police say 42 year old Lynn Newton Turnbull of Northeast Roanoke was walking when he was hit and killed.

[General-Assembly]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=State Capitol]


Today is the deadline for state legislators to file their bills for this year's General Assembly session.
And how high the number of bills goes will have a big influence on how many nights and weekends legislators will have to work during the 60-day session.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/This Month;]


Legislators have lodged more than 39-hundred bill-drafting requests -- about 500 more than last year and about 330 more than the all-time high two years ago.
Also today, the Senate is scheduled to cast a final vote on a bill that would require voters to show identification when they show up at the polls to cast a ballot.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=HOLD]


Meanwhile, the deer in Henry County can breathe a little easier.
A state Senate committee today killed legislation to increase the county's deer bag limit from four to five.

Senator Roscoe Reynolds said county officials asked for the change because deer are causing too much crop damage.


[tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Roanoke County supervisors and school board members pull together-- peacefully.
That's still ahead on News 7 at Noon.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And the deep south tries to defrost from an icy weekend.
First, let's talk to Patrick Evans about our local forecast.
(---------------)
[Talent=Patrick]

[Wx-Tease] [Weatherpro] [music up full] [comm1]


[Ice-Atlanta]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]


Thousands of Georgia residents left in the dark by a weekend ice storm may not get power back until tomorrow.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA;]


At the height of the storm, a-half million were without electricity -- most of them in the Atlanta area.
The governor has declared a state of emergency in 20 counties.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[3:15:29]
[IN Q=]

(( BECCA MCCLENDON/GEORGIA RESIDENT: WE HAVE NO TV, NO NOTHING, NO RADIO WITH BATTERIES. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO FOR THE REST OF THE DAY? PROBABLY SIT HERE. ))
[SUPER=01-Becca McClendon/Atlanta Resident;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=PROBABLY SIT HERE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Several shelters have been set up throughout the state to provide heat and warm food to those without power.
This is being described as the worst storm since Hurricane Opal four years ago.
(------------)



[reagan-latest]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


One of the daughters of former President Ronald Reagan is sharing the details of her father's deteriorating health.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]

[7:05:49]
Maureen Reagan pens an essay in this weeks Newsweek Magazine.
She writes that her father can neither speak coherently, join her in completing jigsaw puzzles, nor recognize old friends.
She writes further that his motor skills are failing.
But Maureen says her father is receiving wonderful care from Stepmother Nancy Reagan.
(------------)



[Twin-dies]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


This has not been the happiest of winters in Japan...
Last month, Japan's young princess suffered a miscarriage just weeks after announcing she was pregnant.
And yesterday, it lost a national treasure.
One of Japan's oldest and best known twins has died at the age of 107.
Barry Petersen reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[8:12;39]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Tokyo, Japan; :00]
[SUPER=01-Barry Petersen/Reporting; :51]
[RUNS=1:02]
[OUT Q=CBS News Tokyo.]

(( THEY WERE A TREASURED PAIR IN A NATION THAT CHERISHES IT'S ELDERLY...KIN AND GIN, TWINS AND FRIENDS FOR 107 YEARS.

FAME CAME TO THEM LATE IN LIFE...WITH APPEARANCES ON TV SHOWS WHERE THEIR SHARP WIT AND CHARM TURNED THEM INTO JAPANESE CELEBRITIES. (tree planting) THEIR LAST JOINT APPEARANCE WAS A TREE PLANTING CEREMONY CELEBRATING THEIR LATEST BIRTHDAY. EVEN THEIR NAMES WERE SPECIAL...KIN MEANS GOLD...GIN MEANS SILVER..AND SURVIVING SISTER GIN SAID THE DEATH WAS ALMOST TOO MUCH TO BEAR.
(SOT Gin/Barry narrates)

IT'S SUCH A SHAME, GIN SAID, I'VE NEVER BEEN THIS SAD BEFORE. KIN'S LIFE INCLUDED ELEVEN CHILDREN, ELEVEN GRANDCHILDREN, SEVEN GREAT GRANDCHILDREN AND EVEN ONE GREAT-GREAT GRANDCHILD. SHE LIVED WITH ONE OF HER SONS, AND WAS RECENTLY BEDRIDDEN WITH FLU...TELLING FAMILY MEMBERS SUNDAY MORNING SHE WANTED TO SLEEP A BIT LATER..AND, SAY DOCTORS, SIMPLY SLIPPED AWAY. BARRY PETERSEN, CBS NEWS, TOKYO.))


[E-Board-Meeting]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-46 1:44:24]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke County]


Despite their past differences some Roanoke County leaders are proving they CAN work together peacefully.
Joy Sutton tells us how.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=it's an unfamiliar]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; 00]
[SUPER=01-Jerry Canada/Roanoke Co. School Board; 14]
[SUPER=01-Joe McNamara/Roanoke Co. Board of Supervisors; 24]
[SUPER=01-Butch Church/Roanoke Co. Board of Supervisors; 55]
[SUPER=@Joy1; 1:21]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=JS, News 7.]

((It's an unfamiliar scene -- Roanoke County School Board members working side by side with the Board of Supervisors and other staff from the County.
The two boards have been at odds for months-- but this weekend they put their differences aside at a retreat.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:17:50]
[IN Q=We have really learned]

((JERRY CANADA/SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRMAN: WE HAVE REALLY LEARNED WHAT IT TAKES TO SIT DOWN TOGETHER AND NEGOTIATE OUR DIFFERENCES AND DO IT IN A FRIENDLY PROFESSIONAL MANNER))
[RUNS= 9]
[OUT Q=professional manner]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:26]
[IN Q=We're all in this ]

((JOE MC NAMARA/BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAIRMAN: WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE SOUND INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE NEED TO EDUCATE OUR CITIZENRY))
[RUNS= 8]
[OUT Q=our citizenry]


One of the sour points between the groups -- was the Glenvar Middle school project.
It seemed each side was blaming the other for delaying the process to make additions and improvements to the school.
Butch Church was recently elected to the Board of Supervisors.
He say his campaign centered on breaking down the communication barrier between the two boards -- and believes this retreat is a step in the right direction.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:25:04]
[IN Q=Gave us an]

((BUTCH CHURCH/BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: GAVE US ALL AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT EACH OTHER WAS ALL ABOUT IN A RELAXED SETTING. NO PRESSURE JUST OPEN COMMUNICATION. NO DISAGREEMENTS))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=no disagreements]


And after this weekend -- chairmen from both boards say they are more confident than ever that the Glenvar Middle School project will move forward.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:36]
[IN Q=I think you're]

((JOE MC NAMARA/BOARD OF SUPERVISOR: I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE GLENVAR MIDDLE SCHOOL MOVING FORWARD VERY QUICKLY. THAT'S CERTAINLY MY HOPE. I THINK IN THE NEXT 15 TO 20 DAY SOME RESOLUTION WILL BE MADE ON GLENVAR MIDDLE SCHOOL))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=middle school]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There were also]

((JOY SUTTON:THERE WERE ALSO SEVERAL INITIATIVES THAT CAME OUT FROM THE RETREAT FOCUSING ON WORKFORCE AND EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDS SAYS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME, IN A LONG TIME, THEY'VE SEEN THIS TYPE OF COOPERATION. ))
[OUT Q=of cooperation]))



[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Is more snow in the forecast?
The details are still ahead on News 7 at noon.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And a woman turns the tables on some Kentucky cops and takes them on a wild ride.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]


[CAUGHT-ON-TAPE]


[ANCHOR=MEL]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Some Kentucky police officers found themselves chasing one of their own vehicles.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Boone Co., KY;]

[10:28;35]
When they stopped to question a suspicious driver the women jumped into the squad car and took off.
The chase ended on a bridge over the Ohio River when police barricaded the roadway with their vehicles.
Friends of the woman says she left Cincinnati several days ago in a disturbed state.
She's now facing five charges.
(------------)



[Stocks]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]


On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was DOWN 28 points.
[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Still to come in sports, several big names advance to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, and one is knocked out.
We'll tell you who,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

and then there were two.
The St. Louis Rams and the Tennessee Titans are headed to Super Bowl 34.
Patrick has yesterday's highlights, next.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]



[Australian-Open]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Tennis]


Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras are breezing through this year's Australian Open and have advanced to the tournament's quarterfinal round.
But one big star's championship dream is over.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Melbourne, Australia/ESPN]


Earlier today, third seeded Serena Williams was knocked out of the tourney by Russia's Elena Likhovtseva (lee-HOHF'-seh-vah).
William's thirty two unforced errors led to the number 16 (lee-HOHF'-seh-vah) Likhovtseva's 6-3, 6-3 upset.
Also advancing on the women's side, Spain's Arantxa Sanchez Vicario.
She knocked off Austria's Barbara Schett 1-6, 6-love, 7-5.
(------------)



[S-Tech]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-51 (1:41:45)]
[GRAPHIC=Atlantic 10]


The Lady Hokies continue to impress. They took their red hot play on the road and beat St. Joseph's 62 to 53.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Philadelphia, PA; :]


Surprisingly, Tech scored only 17 points in the first half.
And when St. Joe's Susan Moran scored this basket inside, the Hokies trailed 36 to 29 with 12 minutes left in the game.
But the Hokies got hot, going a run with 5 minutes left.
(terry) Tere Williams scores 2 of her game high 25 giving Tech its first lead of the second half.
Then Tech takes it outside, Crystal Starling pulls up and hits this three pointer and the Hokies led by four.
[SUPER=33-Virginia Tech/62/St. Joseph's/53/;]


Tech point guard Amy Wetzel sealed the deal when she pulls up and hits the triple.
And the Hokies beat St. Joseph's 62 to 53.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="We said...]
[SUPER=01-Bonnie Henrickson/Virginia Tech Head Coach; :]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=....more aggressive."]
(--------------)



[Tech-UVA]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Tech-UVA Hoops]


On the men's side, the Virginia Tech - UVA rivalry hits the hardwood.
The Hokies and Wahoos meet tonight at the Richmond Coliseum.
Virginia is 12 and 5 after upsetting 21st ranked U-N-C last week.
Tech is 9 and 8 after losing an A-10 matchup to Temple over the weekend.
The Cavaliers lead the series and have won the last three games against Tech.

[S-AFC]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-61 (25:00)]
[GRAPHIC=AFC Logo]


For the first time in franchise history, The Tennessee Titans are headed to Superbowl.
Tennessee beats Jacksonville for the third straight time 33 to 14.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Jacksonville, FL/CBS Sports; :]


The Jaguars jumped out to the early lead when Mark Brunell goes to the air and hits Kyle Brady on the 7 yard T-D pass to make it 7 to nothing.
But the Titans answer. Steve McNair goes up top and hits Yancey Thigpen on the 9 yard T-D pass to make it 7 to 7.

Jacksonville came right back as James Stewart takes the handoff and scores on the 33 yard run to make it 14 to 7 Jaguars.
Tennessee scored 16 points in the third. It started when Steve McNair scores on the sneak to make it 17 to 14 Titans.
[SUPER=30-Tennessee/33/Jacksonville/14/;]


Tennessee put the game away on a big play. After a safety, Derrick Mason takes the free kick and he out runs the coverage on his way to an 80 yard return for a score. The Titans advance with the 33 to 14 win.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="When the...]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Fisher/Tennessee Head Coach; :]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=....and everybody."]
(--------------)



[S-NFC]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-58 (50:52)]
[GRAPHIC=NFC LOGO]


The Titans will face St. Louis in Superbowl 34.
It only took one touchdown to beat Tampa Bay in the N-F-C championship 11 to 6.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-St. Louis, MO/FOX Sports; :]


The Rams led 5 to 3 at the half.
Then Tampa Bay's placekicker Martin Gramatica hit this 23 yard field goal and the Bucs led 6 to 5.
But with over 4 minutes left in the game Rams quarterback Kurt Warner tossed a 30 yard T-D pass to
[SUPER=30-St. Louis/11/Tampa Bay/6/;]

Ricky Proehl and the Rams head to the bowl for the first time since 1980 by beating the Bucs 11 to 6.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="It's what...]
[SUPER=01-Ricky Proel/Caught Winning Touchdown; :00]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=.....deserves this."]

(-------------)
by SS