[Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Investigators may now have all they need to figure out why Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crashed.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
And federal labor officials dismiss most charges against Rubatex.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Snow showers continue over the Greenbrier Valley, which will be under a Winter Weather advisory this afternoon and tonight.
Elsewhere, just light snow showers and flurries today....with a DRY weekend ahead.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[alaska-airlines]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Plane Crash]
It's being called a major find in the crash probe of Alaska Air Flight 2-61.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Off Point Mugu, CA;]
[4:39:12]
The Navy has located the tail section of the jetliner, it includes the horizontal stabilizer, the part investigators believe may have caused the crash.
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
Yesterday crews recovered the plane's second black box.
The flight data recorder is now in Washington where investigators will begin examining it this morning.
Also yesterday, the National Transportation Safety Board began reviewing the cockpit voice recorder.
The pilots are heard struggling with the horizontal stabilizer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((JIM HALL/NTSB CHAIRMAN; THE CREW HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE PLANE'S TENDENCY TO PITCH NOSE DOWN. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Hall/NTSB Chairman]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=the airplane descended.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Officials also say there is no truth behind reports the plane had similar problems on earlier flights.
(------------)
[E-Rubatex]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-47 1:51:37]
[GRAPHIC=Rubatex Strike]
Federal labor officials have dismissed charges that the Rubatex Corporation has bargained unfairly with striking rubber workers in Bedford.
But the company still must explain why it put up surveillance cameras near the picket lines on its property.
Steve Smallshaw has the latest.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The surveillance]
[SUPER=03-Bedford; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jim Laurin/Rubatex Chief Negotiator; :14]
[SUPER=01-Richard Walker/Union President; :33]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :46]
[RUNS=:59]
[OUT Q=News7, Bedford.]
(( The surveillance cameras... eight of them mounted to utility poles around the company's property.. had actually been in the planning for more than five years.
Company officials say they were installed to monitor traffic coming in and out of the property.
[SOT Jim Laurin]
But the union says the cameras are being used to spy on striking workers walking the picket lines.
[SOT Richard Walker]
[Standup]
(( The union also plans to appeal a ruling by the labor board on another charge.. that Rubatex unfairly withheld information they needed for fair bargaining. The strike is about five months old now, and neither side sees an end in sight. Steve Smallshaw, News7, Bedford.)) ))
[E-Trash-Ruling]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-54 59:40]
[GRAPHIC=Va. Trash Imports]
A federal judge has trashed a Virginia garbage law.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Dept. of Environmental Quality]
Judge James Spencer says the state's ban on out of state trash is an UNconstitutional "knee-jerk" response.
So he struck it down, saying it violated the interstate commerce clause of the Constitution.
The new laws would have capped landfill growth, banned garbage barges, and more tightly regulated trash trucks.
(-----------)
[anchor=Melanie]
[graphic=none]
The Governor has asked Attorney General Mark Earley to appeal.
[E-County-Schools]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-52 1:05:08]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Co. Schools]
The architects designing the new South County High School in Roanoke County are going back to work on the project after a brief delay.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
The School Board put the project on hold for nine days, while another firm reviewed the plan for possible savings.
Last night, the Board approved changes that could save up to 500- thousand dollars... though the architects believe the figure will be much lower.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]
The school is scheduled to open in 2002, and site excavation could begin sometime this summer.
[Waters-Tech]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morning]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=netC]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A High profile Congresswoman traveled to Blacksburg-- to celebrate black history month with Virginia Tech students.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]
Congresswoman Maxine Waters spoke to hundreds of students of last night.
Her message -- stand-up against injustice.
[SOT 3:39:28]
[IN Q=No we have not]
((MAXINE WATERS: NO WE HAVE NOT REACHED A POINT IN TIME IN OUR HISTORY WHEN WE CAN REST. YES A LOT OF PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE BUT THERE IS STILL INEQUALITY))
[SUPER=01-Rep. Maxine Waters/(D) California]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=still inequality]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Some students say Waters' message was empowering.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT3:56:51]
[IN Q=We always feel]
((WE ALWAYS FEEL THAT THERE IS MORE THAT WE CAN DO. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER SPARK BEHIND US))
[SUPER=01-Janelle Harden/Tech Student]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=behind us]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Waters told the students they should never underestimate the power they have to make a difference.
(----------)
[1-Sports]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]
In sports, a report from U-V-A football.
Mike Stevens has details.
Good Morning Mike.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:08]
[OUT Q=the hardwood]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(Melanie ad lib toss to Kimberly/Wx)
[One-Steve]
[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Wise/"Winky";]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
(toss to stocks)
[STOCKS]
[COMM]
((Archive: shrine))
[Bauer]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]
And then there were four.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]
[3:15 or 3:43]
Later today, Gary Bauer is expected to drop out of the race for the White House.
That leaves just George Bush, John McCain, Steve Forbes, and Alan Keyes vying for the G-O-P nomination.
Bauer got just one percent of the vote in this week's New Hampshire Primary.
He is the sixth Republican to call it quits.
Others include former Vice President Dan Quayle and Elizabeth Dole.
There's no word yet on who Bauer will throw his support behind.
(------------)
[E-Bunting]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-50 1:40:57]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]
V-M-I may have to cut back - because of its own success.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington/1997]
The level of applicants and enrollment has reached its highest level since 1986. There's not enough room in Barracks.
So the Superintendent is proposing that Virginia Military Institute reduce the incoming class to 400- -down from 440.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:50:15]
[IN Q=What we're trying]
((WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO BY LIMITING THE CLASS TO 400 IS BE CONFIDENT THAT BY THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER WE'LL HAVE ABOUT 375 RATS WHICH IS THE NUMBER OF SPACES ON THE FOURTH STOOP.))
[SUPER=01-Maj. Gen. Josiah Bunting/VMI Superintendent]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=the fourth stoop.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Fourth-year cadets, freshmen or rats are housed on the fourth floor in barracks.
Bunting jokingly says the Barracks should have been built as an inverted pyramid- -with the fourth floor the largest- -descending in size to the ground floor.
(------------)
[E-Financial-Aid]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-57 42:31]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Paying for college could cost more than you think- if you're taken in by scam artists.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The Better Business Bureau says companies are sending out mailers that offer to get financial aid for high school seniors -- for a price.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:49:00]
[IN Q=Whatever they promise]
((WHATEVER THEY PROMISE THEY'RE NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH ON IT... THAT THEY'RE PAYING.))
[SUPER=01-Julie Wheeler/Better Business Bureau;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=that they're paying.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
School guidance counselors and libraries carry brochures on dozens of scholarships and financial aid packages -- and this information is free.
(------------)
[Health-Check]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]
In medical news, there could be a connection between food poisoning and arthritis.
Doctor Dave Hnida has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Dave Hnida/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((If you're looking for a quick and easy way to lower your cholesterol ten points or so- think metamucil. A new study in the American Journal of Nutrition finds daily helpings of Metamucil for two months can knock
down your total cholesterol as well as your LDL or bad cholesterol. Its thought the psyllium fiber in metamucil helps your digestive tract get ride of extra blood fats.
VTVO
Also today- Carpal tunnel syndrome- that painful wrist disorder which is especially common among people who do a lot of typing and keyboard work. Some say the answer to carpal tunnel is special ergonomically friendly chairs, that cost about twelve hundred bucks apiece. Well researchers at Cornell say save your money- these special high priced seats dont do anything special when it comes to reducing stress on the wrists.
VTVO
And finally today, food poisoning- it may not just give you stomach trouble, but arthritis as well. A report from Johns Hopkins shows food poisoning germs can mess up the body's immune system- causing it to
attack the joins. The bug notorious for this is salmonella, which is most commonly found in eggs, but can be found in other foods. Other germs can cause arthritis as well besides salmonella can cause this problem as well. A couple of weeks after the food poisoning, your joints begin to hurt. If you're likely, you'll get better over a few more weeks, in a small number though the arthritis is lifelong. Be careful what you eat. Remember spoiled food doesn't necessarily look, taste, or smell that bad.
ONCAM
That's a look at the days top health stories. I'm Dr Dave Hnida for CBS News.))
(ad lib to weather)
[Two-Steve]
[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
[SUPER=01-Don Peters/Kazim Shrine;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
[Double Boxes=KMC & SPA]
(toss to Kimberly)
((Archive: shrine))
[2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=Mel/Kmc]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Investigators may now have all they need to figure out why Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crashed.
The second of the two ``black box'' flight recorders has been recovered off California.
And the plane's tail section with the horizontal stabilizer has been spotted on the ocean floor.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
A federal judge in Richmond has struck down several laws to reduce the amount of out-of-state garbage coming into Virginia.
U-S District Judge James Spencer ruled yesterday that the laws are an unconstitutional restriction on interstate commerce.
Attorney General Mark Earley will appeal the ruling.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
And After attracting just one percent of the vote in the New Hampshire Republican primary, Gary Bauer has apparently decided to pull his hat out of the ring.
Sources say Bauer has scheduled a news conference today to announce he's quitting.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
And that's what's making news on this Friday February 4th.
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.
[2-alaska-air]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Plane Crash]
An underwater Navy robot has located the tail section from Alaska Air Flight 2-61 in the Pacific.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Off Point Magu, CA;]
[4:39:12]
It includes the horizontal stabilizer.
On the cockpit voice recorder recovered yesterday the pilots are heard struggling with
the horizontal stabilizer minutes before the jetliner plunged into the ocean
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
The flight data recorder has also been recovered and is in Washington where investigators will begin examining it this morning.
Officials also say there is no truth behind reports the plane had similar problems on earlier flights.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((JOHN HAMMERSCHMIDT/ NTSB SPOKESPERSON; FOR THE TWO PREVIOUS FLIGHT LEGS OF THIS AIRCRAFT FLIGHT, EVERYTHING WAS REPORTED FINE.))
[SUPER=01-John Hammerschmidt/NTSB]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=WAS REPORTED FINE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Meanwhile, more tributes to the crash victims.
Family and friends waded on the shore as a Coast Guard Helicopter threw flowers in the water and at Seattle's airport, a moment of silence at what was to be the final destination of flight 261.
(------------)
[E-Telemarketers]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-51 1:01:46]
[GRAPHIC=Capitol Telemarketers]
The telemarketers won.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]
The General Assembly has killed a bill that would have allowed Virginians to put their names on a statewide "do not call" list.
Telemarketers would have had to buy that list every 90 days.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:14:43]
[IN Q=We think]
((JEAN ANN FOX/VA. CITIZENS CONSUMER COUNCIL: WE THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT MORE TELEMARKETING, SELLING FINANCIAL SERVICES TO CONSUMERS, AND THAT FOLKS THAT PAY THE MONTHLY PHONE BILLS SHOULD BE ABLE TO SAY NO I DON'T WANT TO GET THOSE CALLS.))
[SUPER=01-Jean Ann Fox/Va. Citizens Consumer Council; ]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=those calls.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
But lawmakers worried about their authority in stopping out of state calls.
And, they thought about the thousands of jobs the telemarketing industry provides in Virginia.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:31:02]
[IN Q=Most people]
((JAN SCHWEITZER/TELEMARKETER: MOST PEOPLE ARE VERY RECEPTIVE, AND...DIFFERENT PEOPLE, DIFFERENT ATTITUDES.))
[SUPER=01-Jan Schweitzer/Telemarketer; ]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=different attitudes.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Federal law currently allows you to tell each individual telemarketing company to put you on their "do not call" list-- and requires THAT specific company NOT to call again.
(------------)
[S-Safety-Bills]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=599-18 1:37:18]
[GRAPHIC=Safety Belts]
It's the law that you must wear a seat belt in the front seat in Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/File Tape;]
But police officers can't stop you for that alone.
That may change. Yesterday, a House and a Senate committee both passed a bill that would allow police to pull you over for not wearing one.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:09:58]
[IN Q=It's stupid]
((SEN. KEN STOLLE/R-VIRGINIA BEACH: IT'S STUPID AND IT'S CRAZY FOR US TO PASS BILLS THAT MAKE SOMETHING ILLEGAL AND THEN TELL OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS "BUT YOU CAN'T ENFORCE IT."))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Ken Stolle/(R) Virginia Beach;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=enforce it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Opponents -- including Botetourt Senator Bo Trumbo -- say they just don't like more government intrusion.
One Senator says he was first on the scene when two teenagers were killed six weeks ago.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:55:10]
[IN Q=They died]
((SEN. JOHN WATKINS/R-CHESTERFIELD CO: THEY DIED BECAUSE... THIS ACTION WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IOTA OF DIFFERENCE.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Watkins/(R) Chesterfield Co.;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=of difference.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The bill's supporters estimate it will save 80 lives next year if it becomes law -- just because more people will buckle up if they know police are watching.
(------------)
[2-E-County-Schools]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-52 1:05:08]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Co. Schools]
The architects designing the new South County High School in Roanoke County are going back to work on the project after a brief delay.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
The School Board put the project on hold for nine days, while another firm reviewed the plan for possible savings.
Last night, the Board approved changes that could save up to 500- thousand dollars... though the architects believe the figure will be much lower.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]
The school is scheduled to open in 2002, and site excavation could begin sometime this summer.
[E-Maxine-Waters]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-52 1:05:08]
[GRAPHIC=None]
One of the most outspoken members of Congress was in Southwest Virginia last night.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters came to Blacksburg to speak to Virginia Tech students as part of Black History month observances.
Joy Sutton has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01- Rep. Maxine Waters/(D) California; :00]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :18]
[SUPER=01-Ashley Marshall/Tech Student; :27]
[SUPER=01-Janelle Harden/Tech Student; :42]
[SUPER=@Joy2; 1:28]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=N7 Blacksburg.]
(///// SOT /////)
(([SOT 3:39:28]
[IN Q=No we have not]
((MAXINE WATERS: NO WE HAVE NOT REACHED A POINT IN TIME IN OUR HISTORY WHEN WE CAN REST. YES A LOT OF PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE BUT THERE IS STILL INEQUALITY))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=still inequality]
Congresswoman Maxine Waters says she came to Virginia Tech -- to send a message to students -- that they have the power to make a difference -- and that they should stand-up against inequality...
A message some students say they heard loud and clear.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT3:56:00]
[IN Q=I think a lot of the students]
((ASHLEY MARSHALL: I THINK A LOT OF THE STUDENTS DON'T REALIZE THAT WE HAVE POWER TO MAKE CHANGE. AND MAKING A CHANGE IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS ESPECIALLY ATTENDING A UNIVERSITY ON THIS LEVEL))
[RUNS= 8]
[OUT Q=on the level]
And some students say they are already working at the University to make changes they feel are necessary.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT3:51:23]
[IN Q=We have a committe that's]
((JANELLE HARDEN:WE HAVE A COMMITTEE THAT'S HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY THAT'S WORKING ON CHANGING SOME OF THE CORE CLASSES TO INCLUDE VARIOUS DIVERSE AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS. TO GET EVERYONE INCORPORATED AND MAKE IT MANDATORY TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER CULTURES))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=other cultures]
And Congresswoman Waters says standing up for what she believes in is what prompted her to meet with Elian Gonzalez' father in Cuba.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT3:44:00]
[IN Q=Does not have anything]
((MAXINE WATERS: DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH WHETHER OR NOT YOU LIKE FIDEL CASTRO. LET ME TELL YOU WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT... PARENTAL RIGHTS))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=parental rights]
Waters told the students that Elian's father is grieving and desperately wants to get his son back -- and she says that is exactly what should happen..
In the meantime - Waters hopes she inspires students to never underestimate their power to make a difference - no matter what the cause.
Joy Sutton, News 7, Blacksburg. ))
[Three-Steve]
[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
[SUPER=01-Billy Martin/Ringmaster]
[SUPER=07-Didier Giraldo]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
[double Boxes=SPA & MEL]
(toss to Melanie)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
(ad lib toss to bump)
[BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]
((Archive: shrine))
[S-Council-Candidates]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-48 1:36:31]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]
All four incumbent Roanoke City Council members whose terms are expiring, have launched their campaigns.
Joe Dashiell has more on the coming elections, and the expanding field.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Linda Wyatt]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Linda Wyatt/Roanoke City Council; :11]
[SUPER=04-Friday; :21]
[SUPER=01-Jim Trout/Roanoke City Council; :28]
[SUPER=@Joe1; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Roanoke]
((Linda Wyatt welcomed friends and supporters to the Breckenridge Middle School Fitness Center. The facility, she said, exemplifies her commitment to strong neighborhoods.
[SOT 02:58:35]
[IN Q=And that's what I'm talking about]
((AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, RECONNECTING WITH COMMUNITIES, USING OUR SCHOOLS AS COMMUNITY CENTERS AND MAKING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE PLACES AND HAPPY PLACES.))
[RUNS= :11]
[OUT Q=safe places and happy places.]
Last Friday, it was Jim Trout's turn, touting 20 years of experience on city council and promising fresh ideas.
[SOT 17:26]
[IN Q=During the upcoming campaign]
((DURING THE UPCOMING CAMPAIGN, I WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH A NEW FRESH VISION TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF A VIBRANT CITY.))
[RUNS= :10]
[OUT Q=of a vibrant city.]
With Mayor Bowers' announcement last Tuesday, and Carroll Swain's the week before that... all four incumbents whose terms are expiring, are now firing up their re-election campaigns.
Though Bowers doesn't have any announced opposition within the Democratic Party... Bill Bestpitch, Alvin Nash, and Angela Norman are seeking the party's nomination for council.
Republicans are promising a full slate... so far only Ralph Smith, and Don Hogan have publicly confirmed their plans to run. Bill Carder is expected to announce his interest in council next week.
Among the independents, Duane Howard and Mac McCadden are likely candidates for mayor... with Dan Wooldridge considering a bid for council.
(STAND-UP CLOSE)
The field will be narrowed by the end of the month... Democrats will meet February 15th to choose their nominees, and the Republican mass meeting is scheduled for February 24th.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke))
[2-Bauer]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]
Another Republican reportedly is dropping out of the presidential race.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]
[3:15 or 3:43]
Later today, Gary Bauer is expected to hold a news conference to make that announcement.
That leaves just George Bush, John McCain, Steve Forbes, and Alan Keyes vying for the G-O-P nomination.
Bauer has done well in debates and also had success raising money.
But he couldn't climb above one percent of the vote in the critical New Hampshire primary Tuesday.
Bauer is the sixth Republican to call it quits.
(------------)
[3-Sports]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]
In sports, highlights from area college basketball, including Virginia Tech's victory over Saint Josephs.
Mike Stevens has more.
Good Morning Mike.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:36]
[OUT Q=safe weekend]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(weather toss)
[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Mel/Kmc]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Federal labor officials have dismissed charges that the Rubatex Corporation has bargained unfairly with striking rubber workers in Bedford.
But the company still must explain why it put up surveillance cameras near the picket lines on its property.
The union also plans to appeal a ruling by the labor board on another charge.. that Rubatex unfairly withheld information they needed for fair bargaining.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
A federal judge overturned Virginia's law against out-of-state trash.
He said it violated the interstate commerce clause of the Constitution.
The new laws would have capped landfill growth, banned garbage barges, and more tightly regulated trash trucks.
The Governor has asked Attorney General Mark Earley to appeal.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
The General Assembly has killed a bill that would have allowed Virginians to put their names on a statewide "do not call" list.
Telemarketers would have had to buy that list every 90 days.
But lawmakers worried about their authority in stopping out of state calls.
And, they thought about the thousands of jobs the telemarketing industry provides in Virginia.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[Kimberly Reads Time Off Promo]
[Promo]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Time Off]
[GRAPHIC=Time Off]
It stirs the curiosity of history buffs and the taste buds of gourmet connoisseurs...
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;]
Eldon, the Inn at Chatham is a 13- room southern mansion that was also the summer home of former Governor Claude Swanson.
The bed and breakfast is now best known for its cuisine, compliments of house chef Joel Wesley.
Wesley and his wife have helped run the inn for the last 10 years.
Find out if this is a place where you'd like to spend a night or two in this week's
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[TAKE FULL SCREEN GRAPHIC]
"Time Off", tomorrow at 8 on News 7 Saturday Morning.
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[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(ad lib bye)
by SS