[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

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


Vinton residents challenge town council again following a grand jury probe of the police department.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


And some possible delays to tell you about this morning on Interstate 81 in Roanoke County.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Cloudy, with some scattered showers as you head out the door this morning.
Otherwise, we're still dealing with breezy weather...but WARM breezes that send today's highs to near 60.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)

[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


[Bridge-Repair]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Road Repairs]


If you're traveling on Interstate 81 in Roanoke County today, you might run into some delays.
(XXXXXXXXX)

[TAKE MAP FULL]
One northbound lane will be closed from nine this morning until three this afternoon.
V-Dot will be fixing a damaged bridge railing just north of the I-581 interchange.
Authorities are asking drivers to slow down in the construction area.
(------------)


[Vinton-Council]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-04 TC21:31]
[GRAPHIC=Vinton Investigation]


The investigion into former Vinton Police Chief Ricky Foutz and his deparment is over-- and the special prosecutor says he won't file charges.
So why are Vinton residents still upset?
Kate Weidaw explains.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=you said if]
[SUPER=03-Vinton; :17]
[SUPER=01-Buck Heartwell/Town Attorney; :51]
[SUPER=01-Terry Obenchain/Foutz Supporter; 1:03]
[SUPER=01-William Obenchain/Town Council Member; 1:13 QUICK!!]
[SUPER=@Kate1; 1:16]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=KW, News 7]
(([SOT 26:48]
[INQ=]

((YOU SAID IF HE DIDN'T FIND RICKY GUILTY YOU SAID YOU WOULD GET HIS PAY BACK.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 12]


It was an emotional evening as residents lashed out against town council. This all came after the grand jury completed its investigation into irregularities in the handling of public funds as well as allegations about drugs and gun evidence in the Police Department. Special Prosecutor Neil Vener said there wasn't enough evidence to charge anybody with a crime. This was news residents had been waiting for -- so Foutz could receive restitution. But council said it needs to wait for the judge to decide if the report is going to be made pubic before making a decision.

[SOT 17:43]
[INQ=]

((BUCK HEARTWELL/TOWN ATTORNEY: THE SPECIAL GRAND JURY REPORT WILL DETERMINE NOT IF CRIMES WERE COMMITTED BUT HAS THE PUBLIC TRUST BEEN BETRAYED.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 12]



[SOT 9:53]
[INQ=]

((TERRY OBENCHAIN: WE ARE TIRED OF BEING TREATED LIKE THIS YOU HIDE BEHIND THESE REPORTS. YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THESE REPORTS THAT'S UP TO JUDGE STRIKCLAND.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 11]



[SOT 44:50]
[INQ=]

((WILLIAM OBENCHAIN/COUNCILMAN: I WILL PROVIDE FULL RESTITUTION IF WE FIND OUT IF WE WERE WRONG.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 4]

[STANDUP]
[INQ=]

((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: THAT IS WHAT WILLIAM OBENCHAIN HAS SAID FROM THE BEGINNING AND RESIDENTS SAY THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE HIM STICK TO HIS PROMISE. JUDGE STRICKLAND WILL BE TAKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THURSDAY AT 4PM BEFORE SHE MAKES HER DECISION WHETHER TO MAKE THE REPORT PUBLIC. KATE WEIDAW NEWS 7.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS=]))



[City-Democrats]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]


Roanoke Democrats have chosen their candidates for the City Council elections in May and some may surprise you.
Last night's mass meeting saw Angela Norman, Linda Wyatt and Bill Bestpitch prevail over Alvin Nash, Carroll Swain and Jim Trout.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Almost 500 party members took part in the mass meeting, marking paper ballots for their favorite candidates.
The big win and the upset of the night belonged to challenger Angela Norman, a Roanoke city employee who collected 262 votes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I've been helping people]
[SUPER=01-Angela Norman/(D) Council Candidate; ]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=where we're going with that.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Roanoke school teacher and council incumbent Linda Wyatt came in second with 181 votes.
And the final spot went to teacher and social services consultant Bill Bestpitch, another challenger who won the support of 152 voters.
Despite the defeat of two incumbents, Democratic officials say they expect to have a unified party for the council elections in May.
(------------)



[Online-Rape]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Internet]


A Virginia Tech exchange student is charged with raping a woman he met in an Internet chat room.
Blacksburg Police arrested the Turkish student, 28-year old (Sell-on) Celal Olgun, Saturday on charges of raping and sodomizing the 20-year old Blacksburg woman.
Police say the woman invited him to meet at her apartment Friday after several online chats.
After he arrived, they say, he raped her multiple times.
Olgun is being held without bond.

[internet-security]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]


On Capitol Hill today, Attorney General Janet Reno and F-B-I Director Louis Freeh will testify on last week's Internet hacker attacks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

[3:07:52]
Last weeks attacks on some of the nations most popular web sites were so disturbing, the White House called a meeting yesterday of computer experts to figure out what went wrong.
More than a billion dollars were lost after cyber criminal purposely overloaded sites like Yahoo, Buy-dot-com, e-bay and others.
Federal Agents want to talk to three known hackers, including one with the screen name, "coolio" and another known as "mafiaboy".
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=there are a]

((RONALD DICK, FBI; THERE ARE A LOT OF CHAT ROOMS OUT THERE, AND PEOPLE LIKE TO TALK, JUST LIKE IN ANY OTHER CRIME.))
[SUPER=01-Ronald Dick/FBI]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=any other crime.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The President already pledged some 2 Billion dollars for internet security, but said the trick was securing a flourishing industry, without killing it with regulations.
(------------)



[1-Sports]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]


In sports, Steve Mason has hoops action from high school, college, and the pros.
Good Morning Steve.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:03]
[OUT Q=great Wednesday]



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(Melanie ad lib toss to Kimberly/Wx)



[One-Steve]


[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#M00-1]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]


[On Record]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
(I'll intro)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=they can expect]
[SUPER=04-"Ragtime"; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Rice/"Ragtime"; :19]
[RUNS=2:23]
[OUT Q=after we close here tonight]


[Steve Live]

(Steve tosses to stocks)

[STOCKS] [COMM] ((Archive: ragtime play))

[E-College-Boards]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-53 TC1:08:41]
[GRAPHIC=VA Colleges]


The General Assembly might force public universities to listen more closely to students.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]


Three bills would REQUIRE colleges to put a non-voting student on their boards of visitors.
Now, schools like Radford University, William and Mary, and Old Dominion University do NOT have student board members.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:11:12]
[IN Q=There are going]

((THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME INSTANCES WHERE WE ARE GOING TO DISAGREE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY. IN THOSE INSTANCES WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR VOICES ARE HEARD.))
[SUPER=01-George Mendiola, Jr./Student Government Assoc.;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=are heard]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


At Radford, students are allowed to serve on board sub-committees.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:02:34]
[IN Q=They don't miss out]

((THEY DON'T MISS OUT ON ANYTHING AS IT IS BECAUSE THE BOARDS ARE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS. ANYONE CAN COME AND ANYONE CAN PARTICIPATE.))
[SUPER=01-Jay Poole/Radford Univ. Board of Visitors;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=anyone can participate]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


All three bills survived the first half of the General Assembly session but must still pass more committee votes.

(------------)



[Lewis-Gale]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Lewis Gale-Departing Doctors]


The Lewis-Gale Clinic says its patients are happy.
But many of the doctors apparently aren't... Another one quit yesterday.
(+++++++++++)

[TAKE FULL SCREEN PAGE]
Cardiologist William Rutherford Junior turned in his resignation.
He is the 31st doctor to quit this year, in a dispute with the clinic's parent company.
(-------------)



[E-Cancer]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=00-02 TC39:29]
[GRAPHIC=Cnacer]


A Roanoke doctor says healthier Americans may be making cancer the number one cause of death in the United States.

Specialists predict cancer will exceed heart disease as the leading killer within the next ten years.
One reason points to the fact that Americans are living longer -- and statistically cancer affects the older population.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; ]


One of the biggest problems effecting treatment is the pessimistic attitudes that there's no hope of getting better.

But Doctor Gerald Shertz (Shirts) says that is not the case anymore in the United States.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT tc 01:49:42]
[IN Q=When I was in medical school]

((DR. GERALD SCHERTZ/MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST: WHEN I WAS IN MEDICAL SCHOOL AND IN TRAINING IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON FOR A MENTALLY COMPETENT ADULT NOT TO BE TOLD HE OR SHE HAD CANCER, AND FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE SPOUSE TO BE TOLD. THAT'S UNHEARD OF, NOW HERE IN THE YEAR 2000.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Gerald Schertz/Medical Oncologist; ]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=now in the year 2000.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Doctor Schertz says another factor is heart disease treatments are becoming more effective.
(------------)



[Health-Check]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]


In other medical news, there may be a connection between thyroid and heart disease.
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=1:46]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

((IT IS THE SECOND MOST COMMON SURGERY IN THE UNITED STATES- AND A NEW STUDY SUGGESTS IT IS OFTEN BEING PERFORMED UNNECESSARILY.
VT=VO

A STUDY IN THE JOURNAL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY LOOKED AT MORE THAN 500 WOMEN WHO HAD HYSTERECTOMIES. THE STUDY FOUND IN MOST CASES- SURGEONS WERE TOO QUICK TO REACH FOR THE SCALPEL IN FACT THE RESEARCHERS FOUND IN SEVEN OUT OF TEN CASES IN THIS STUDY- THE HYSTERECTOMIES WERE UNNECESSARY.. AND THE PROBLEM MOST OF THE TIME WAS WOMEN NOT GIVEN THE CHANCE TO TRY OTHER ALTERNATIVES FIRST SUCH AS MEDICATION OR LESS INVASIVE PROCEDURES.
VT=VO

ALSO TODAY- THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF DEATH IN WOMEN- HEART DISEASE... AND A HIDDEN CAUSE FOR SOME IS AN UNDERACTIVE THYROID. A STUDY FROM THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES FINDS EVEN SLIGHTLY LOW LEVELS OF THYROID CAN MAKE YOUR HEART RISK SHOOT UP. THATS WHY THE ACADEMY RECOMMENDS ROUTINE THYROID SCREENING FOR ALL WOMEN OVER AGE 55.
VT=VO

AND FINALLY TODAY- DO YOU LIKE THOSE CHIPS MADE WITH THE FAT SUB OLESTRA? DOES YOUR STOMACH LIKE THOSE CHIPS MADE WITH THE FAT SUB OLESTRA- IT CAUSES PROBLEMS IN SOME PEOPLE. WELL THE COMBINATION OF THOSE CHIPS AND YOUR STOMACH MAY CONFUSE US DOCTORS- AND MAKE US THINK YOU'VE GOT A SERIOUS INTESTINAL DISORDER WHEN ALL YOU'VE GOT IS CHIP-OVERLOAD THATS ACCORDING A STUDY IN ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE. SO IF YOU ARE EATING OLESTRA- HAVING INTESTINAL PROBLEMS- AND YOU DONT TELL US- WE'LL DO TESTS THAT CAN SHOW A SERIOUS MALABSORPTION DISEASE. WE GET WORRIED AND PUT YOU THROUGH MORE TESTS- MEDICATIONS.. WHEN ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS JUST SAY NO TO THE OLESTRA CHIPS. ON CAM THATS A LOOK AT THE DAYS TOP HEALTH STORIES. IMDRDH FOR CBS NEWS.))

(ad lib to weather)


[Two-Steve]


[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]


[On Record]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]



[Double Boxes=KMC & SPA]
(toss to Kimberly)

[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]


Internet hacker attacks will be the focus of a Senate subcommittee hearing Wednesday.
Attorney General Janet Reno and F-B-I Director Louis Freeh (LOO'-ee free) will both testify.
The F-B-I wants to talk to several known hackers in connection with last week's attacks on major Web sites.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]


Vinton residents are calling on town council to give restitution to former police chief Ricky Foutz.
This after a grand jury completed and investigation into department irregularities without seeking charges.
Council says its waiting on a judge's decision before it makes a move.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Almost 500 Democrats took part in a mass meeting last night, marking their ballots for their favorite candidates.
Despite the defeat of two incumbents, Democratic officials say they expect to have a unified party for the council elections in May.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And that's what's making news on this Wednesday February 16.
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-Bridge-Repair]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Road Repairs]


There might be some delays on Interstate 81 in Roanoke County today.
(XXXXXXXXX)

[TAKE MAP FULL]
One northbound lane will be closed from nine this morning until three this afternoon.
V-Dot will be fixing a damaged bridge railing just north of the I-581 interchange.
Authorities are asking drivers to slow down in the construction area.
(------------)


[2-City-Democrats]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]


Some new faces will join the race for Roanoke City Council this spring.
Last night's Democratic mass meeting saw Angela Norman, Linda Wyatt and Bill Bestpitch prevail over Alvin Nash, Carroll Swain and Jim Trout.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Almost 500 party members took part in the mass meeting, marking paper ballots for their favorite candidates.
The big win and the upset of the night belonged to challenger Angela Norman, a Roanoke city employee who collected 262 votes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I've been helping people]
[SUPER=01-Angela Norman/(D) Council Candidate; ]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=where we're going with that.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Roanoke school teacher and council incumbent Linda Wyatt came in second with 181 votes.
And the final spot went to teacher and social services consultant Bill Bestpitch, another challenger who won the support of 152 voters.
Despite the defeat of two incumbents, Democratic officials say they expect to have a unified party for the council elections in May.
(------------)



[E-Garber]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-59 TC28:40]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]


Onto Lynchburg politics- where two city council members say they're bowing out of politics, but at least one other hopes to stay in.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


Ward Three representative Robert Garber yesterday announced he would seek re- election this May.
The first- term Republican says citizens need to keep a conservative voice on city council.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:50:55]
[IN Q=And if we]

((ROBERT GARBER/R- LYNCHBURG COUNCIL MEMBER: AND IF WE GET SOME MORE PEOPLE THAT TRULY WANT TO LOOK AT THE BUDGET AND LOOK AT THE WAY WE SPEND OUR MONEY, I THINK WE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN HOW WE VIEW THAT BUDGET.))
[SUPER=01-Robert Garber/(R) Lynchburg Council Member]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=view that budget.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Lynchburg's only other Republican councilman.. Jim Whitaker.. is NOT seeking re-election.
(------------)



[2-Vinton-Council]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-04 TC21:31]
[GRAPHIC=Vinton Investigation]


Another broadside in the battle between Vinton residents and town council over the treatment of two former police officers.
Kate Weidaw explains.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=you said if]
[SUPER=03-Vinton; :17]
[SUPER=01-Buck Heartwell/Town Attorney; :51]
[SUPER=01-Terry Obenchain/Foutz Supporter; 1:03]
[SUPER=01-William Obenchain/Town Council Member; 1:13 QUICK!!]
[SUPER=@Kate1; 1:16]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=KW, News 7]
(([SOT 26:48]
[INQ=]

((YOU SAID IF HE DIDN'T FIND RICKY GUILTY YOU SAID YOU WOULD GET HIS PAY BACK.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 12]


It was an emotional evening as residents lashed out against town council. This all came after the grand jury completed its investigation into irregularities in the handling of public funds as well as allegations about drugs and gun evidence in the Police Department. Special Prosecutor Neil Vener said there wasn't enough evidence to charge anybody with a crime. This was news residents had been waiting for -- so Foutz could receive restitution. But council said it needs to wait for the judge to decide if the report is going to be made pubic before making a decision.

[SOT 17:43]
[INQ=]

((BUCK HEARTWELL/TOWN ATTORNEY: THE SPECIAL GRAND JURY REPORT WILL DETERMINE NOT IF CRIMES WERE COMMITTED BUT HAS THE PUBLIC TRUST BEEN BETRAYED.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 12]



[SOT 9:53]
[INQ=]

((TERRY OBENCHAIN: WE ARE TIRED OF BEING TREATED LIKE THIS YOU HIDE BEHIND THESE REPORTS. YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THESE REPORTS THAT'S UP TO JUDGE STRIKCLAND.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 11]



[SOT 44:50]
[INQ=]

((WILLIAM OBENCHAIN/COUNCILMAN: I WILL PROVIDE FULL RESTITUTION IF WE FIND OUT IF WE WERE WRONG.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 4]

[STANDUP]
[INQ=]

((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: THAT IS WHAT WILLIAM OBENCHAIN HAS SAID FROM THE BEGINNING AND RESIDENTS SAY THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE HIM STICK TO HIS PROMISE. JUDGE STRICKLAND WILL BE TAKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THURSDAY AT 4PM BEFORE SHE MAKES HER DECISION WHETHER TO MAKE THE REPORT PUBLIC. KATE WEIDAW NEWS 7.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS=]))



[AM-Rubatex]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-09 TC00:33]
[GRAPHIC=Runatex Strike]


They walked out five months ago in search of better hours and benefits.. today, more than four hundred striking Rubatex workers are STILL walking the picket line.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]


They've maintained a constant presence outside the Bedford plant since September 12th.
Heat, cold, rain or snow hasn't kept the rubber workers from their daily vigil.
But the longer the strike drags on, the harder it is for them to visualize going back to work.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:23:15 #1]
[IN Q=We've been out]

((REVA EUBANK/STRIKING RUBATEX WORKER: WE'VE BEEN OUT SO LONG, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO BE NORMAL OR NOT, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE I THINK, I REALLY DO. IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED, BUT WHEN YOU GET BIG BUSINESS, MONEY AND GREED- THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT, THEY DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT US.))
[SUPER=01-Reva Eubank/Striking Rubatex Worker; :00]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=care about us.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Tonight on News7, we'll hear more about what a typical day is like for these strikers.. it's all part of our series "Life On The Line".. today and tomorrow on News7 at Six.
(------------)



[Three-Steve]


[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]


[On Record]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
(I'll intro)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=it is eight]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Rice/"Ragtime"; 1:38]
[RUNS=3:12]
[OUT Q=in each city]


[Steve Live]

[double Boxes=SPA & MEL]
(toss to Melanie)



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
(ad lib toss to bump)

[BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]

((Archive: ragtime play))

[2-internet-security]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=The Internet]


Attorney General Janet Reno and F-B-I director Louis Freeh are scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill today about last week's wave of cyber attacks on major internet sites.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

[3:07:52]
More than a billion dollars were lost after cyber criminal purposely overloaded sites like Yahoo, Buy.com, and ebay for no apparent reason other than to prove they could.
President Clinton promised more money to beef up internet security, during a meeting yesterday with cyber security experts.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

((CLINTON; I DONT THINK WE SHOULD LEAVE HERE WITH THIS VAST SENSE OF INSECURITY. WE OUGHT TO LEAVE HERE WITH A SENSE OF CONFIDENCE THAT THIS WAS A CHALLENGE ENTIRELY PREDICTABLE.))
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=ENTIRELY PREDICTABLE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


F-B-I agents want to talk to several known hackers in their probe of the attacks.
One of them, who uses the screen name coolio, has claimed responsibility for at least one of the attacks.
(------------)



[E-XGR]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#00-10 00:28:03]
[GRAPHIC=Crossover]


The new Speaker of the House says he may need some bunny slippers to ease his ankle pain, after a marathon lawmaking session.
But they've made it to halftime at Virginia's General Assembly.
Ellen Qualls has highlights.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Uh, let me wait]
[SUPER=@Wilkins; :00]
[SUPER=@Armstrong; :25]
[SUPER=@Gilmore; :37]
[SUPER=01-Del. Jack Rust/(R) Fairfax; :55 ]
[SUPER=@Ellen2; 1:10]
[SUPER=@Marye; 1:48]
[RUNS=2:04]
[OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.]
(([sot 01:41:12]

((DEL. VANCE WILKINS: LET ME WAIT A LITTLE WHILE AND MAKE SURE I GET THIS RIGHT.)) [RUNS:05]
It was almost the last House bill the House had to act on that stumped the new Speaker from Amherst.
But otherwise, Crossover Day was fast-paced and productive.
A bill aimed at laid off textile workers, but with wording to increase unemployment benefits in 30 localities across the state won surprise passage in the House
[sot ]

((DEL. WARD ARMSTRONG: ))
[runs=: ]



[sot ]

((GILMORE: ))
[runs=: ]


A bill died that would have lifted the 18 year old state regulation process over where hospitals and clinics can open in Virginia --despite a good fight:
[SOT house 03:10:18 ]

((DEL. JACK RUST/R-FAIRFAX: WE THOUGHT WE COULD CONTROL MEDICAL COSTS, WHILE ASSURING QUALITY OF CARE AND ACCESS BY IMPOSING THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED PROCESS ON HEALTH CARE. WE ALSO THOUGHT THAT BELL BOTTOMS WERE COOL AND DISCO WAS THE BEST MUSIC THAT EXISTED.))
Death row inmates would get more than just Virginia's tightest in the nation 21 day rule to have new evidence heard in their cases under a bill the House passed.
Felons would have an easier time getting their voting rights restored-- also under a bill the House passed.
And Virginia's antiquated sodomy law would be eased-- making oral or anal sex between consenting adults only a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
A 50 to 49 vote passed the hot button bill after some pointed out prostitution is only a misdemeanor.
In the Senate, two bills passed to close a recent federal court case loophole that's allowed wetlands to be filled IN.
[sot ]

((SEN. MADISON MARYE: ))
[runs=: ]


They start all over again with the other chamber's bills now.
[sot congratulations]


The session runs until March 11th.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

[dog-show]


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


Madison Square Garden has been filled with dogs this week for the Annual Westminster Dog Show.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]

[3:16:53]
An English Springer Spaniel named Samantha took home the top prize last night, Best In Show.
She pranced happily about as she was awarded her big prize.
The competition included some 26-hundred dogs in 156 breeds and varieties and is the nation's most prestigious dog competition.
(------------)



[3-Sports]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]


In sports, the action in Daytona heats up as the drivers prepare for qualifying rounds.
Steve Mason has more.
Good Morning Steve.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Hello again]
[RUNS=2:33]
[OUT Q=Wednesday folks]



[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:
(XXXXXXXXX)

[TAKE MAP FULL]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


If you're traveling on Interstate 81 in Roanoke County today, you might run into some delays.
One northbound lane will be closed from nine this morning until three this afternoon.
V-Dot will be fixing a damaged bridge railing just north of the I-581 interchange.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Vinton residents and town council again clashed over the retirement of two former police officers.
Residents again demanded restitution for former chief Ricky Foutz, since a special grand jury found no criminal wrongdoing on the part of Foutz or former Lieutenant Bill Brown.
But council said it needs to wait for a judge to decide if the grand jury's report will going be made pubic before it makes a decision.
That could happen tomorrow.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Roanoke Democrats have chosen their candidates for the City Council elections in May.
Last night's mass meeting saw challengers Angela Norman and Bill Bestpitch and incumbent Linda Wyatt prevail over Alvin Nash and incumbents Carroll Swain and Jim Trout.
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)

(ad lib bye) [Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
by SS