[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

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


George W. Bush and John McCain are campaigning hard in Michigan, which holds its all-important Republican primary tomorrow.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


And what do voter registration and tatoos have in common? The answer coming up.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Clear skies with fairly light winds this morning. You might also see some scattered light frost.
The work week ahead features pretty quiet weather and mild temperatures in the 50s and 60s.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)

[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


[Michigan-primary]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]


John McCain and George W. Bush are back on the campaign trail.
The next important G-O-P contests are tomorrow, in Michigan and in McCain's home state of Arizona.
The stakes are high for McCain.
He lost this weekend's primary in South Carolina.
Drew Levinson has the latest from the campaign trail.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[3:00:36]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Livonia, MI;]
[SUPER=01-John McCain/(R) Presidential Candidate;]
[SUPER=01-George W. Bush/(R) Presidential Candidate;]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=Southfield, Michigan]

((FOR ARIZONA SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN IT WAS A WARM RECEPTION ON A CHILLY MICHIGAN DAY.
(SOT JOHN MCCAIN/GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE)

"It's wonderful to be back in Michigan on this Arizona Day." AFTER WINNING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY MCCAIN HAD HIGH HOPES FOR SOUTH CAROLINA BUT HE LOST BADLY SATURDAY TO GEORGE W. BUSH. THE DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTS ALLOWED TO VOTE IN THAT PRIMARY DID NOT PUT HIM OVER THE TOP.
(SOT JOHN MCCAIN/GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE)

"We won round one, Governor Bush won round two, now we are in round three and its going to be here in the state of Michigan, we'll win Arizona fine." LIKE MCCAIN-BUSH HIT THE GROUND RUNNING SUNDAY, GOING FROM RALLY TO RALLY. SOMETIMES BUSH ACTED AS IF HE ALREADY HAD THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION IN THE BAG AND WAS SETTING HIS SIGHTS ON THE DEMOCRATS.
(SOT GEORGE W. BUSH/GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE)

"There are 260 days more for no more Clinton/Bush" BUSH CONTINUES TO PAINT HIMSELF AS A WASHINGTON OUTSIDER.
(SOT BUSH)

"If you are sick and tired of the politics of division and citizenry and polls and focus groups in Washington DC, if you are sick of that kind of politics, you come and join this campaign."
(STANDUP DREW LEVINSON/CBS NEWS)

"For both candidates Monday is expected to be another long day as they crisscross this heavily populated industrial state looking for votes. Right now they are in a dead heat. Drew Levinson, CBS News, Southfield, MI."))

[S-Tattoo-Parlor]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-56 1:04:01]
[GRAPHIC=Voting]


The old line that politics makes strange bed-fellows rings true at one Roanoke business.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Joe Hagerty not only offers tattoos at his shop-- but also voter registration forms.
Hagerty owns Alex's New Tattoo in Roanoke and says since so many young adults come to get tattoos -- why not make it easier for them to register to vote.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT5:33]
[IN Q=Well orginally]

((JOE HAGERTY/OWNER: WELL ORIGINALLY I HAD CALLED THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE AND THEY SAID THAT YOU CAN REGISTER TO VOTE AT THE DMV OR A THE LIBRARY OR SOMETHING AND I THOUGHT YOUNG PEOPLE AREN'T REALLY HANGING OUT AT THE DMV LIKE THEY SHOULD. WHY NOT HAVE THEM REGISTER AT THE TATTOO STORE))
[SUPER=01-Joe Hagerty/Owner]
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=tatoo store]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


While Hagerty says he doesn't push his political thoughts onto anybody-- he believes young adults could really make a difference in this country if they just participated in the electoral process.
(------------)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT8:13]
[IN Q=If all the kids]

((JOE HAGERTY: OWNER: IF ALL THE KIDS THAT I'VE TATTOOED GOT UP AND VOTED THIS YEAR. IT WILL MAKE A MAJOR CHANGE AS FAR AS THE OUTCOME OF THE NEXT ELECTION))
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=next election]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]


Hagerty says he just started offering the forms a few weeks ago-- and says a few clients have already registered.
(-------------)



[First-Union]


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


A partial victory for First Union in the legal battle of a Virginia bank's 401-k plan.
A federal judge ruled yesterday that First Union had the proper approval to merge the 401-k plans from Signet into a similar First Union plan.
The judge still must rule on the lawsuit's claim that First Union breached its duties by investing the Signet 401-k holdings in mutual funds owned and operated by First Union.
The lawsuit was filed last year on behalf of nine former Signet employees.

[Flooding]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]


An assessment team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrives in Charleston West Virginia today.
They'll determine if the state qualifies for federal flood assistance.
A body pulled from the Ohio River yesterday afternoon may be that of a third flooding victim from West Virginia.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sissonville, WV/Saturday;]


The woman's identity has NOT been confirmed.
But officials say it may be that of Betty Huffman.
The 56- year old was swept away during a failed rescue attempt Friday, near Charleston.
Two others also died during the rescue attempt.
(------------)



[1-Sports]


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


In sports, Roanoke college advances to the O-DAC championship and U-V-A upsets U-N-C in Chapel Hill.
Roy Stanley has highlights.
Good Morning Roy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:07]
[OUT Q=on mornin]



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



[One-Steve]


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


[On Record]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=01-Maureen Castern/Project Impact;]



(toss to stocks)

[STOCKS] [COMM] ((Archive: disaster))

[Shuttle-Mission]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Shuttle Endeavour]


By the time the shuttle Endeavour and its crew members pull in their nearly 200-foot-long radar mast later today, they'll have mapped three-quarters of the world's terrain.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The six Endeavour astronauts have been taking radar readings of the planet's surface since shortly after liftoff more than a week ago.
The double imaging is needed to create ultra-precise 3-D maps of the planet's peaks and valleys, as far north as Alaska and as far south as the tip of South America.
Endeavour is scheduled to land at the Kennedy Space Center tomorrow.
(------------)


[S-Robot-Competition]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-52 1:24:26]
[GRAPHIC=none]


A national robotics competition has local high school and college students working together.
And as Joy Sutton reports, time is running out for the group to construct its very own robot.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Everyday for the]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Douglas Atwater/High School Student; :13]
[SUPER=01-Jonathan Durr/High School Student; :16]
[SUPER=01-Alisha Wallenstein/Virginia Tech Student; :29]
[SUPER=@Joy1; 1:46]
[RUNS=2:03]
[OUT Q=js news 7]

(( Everyday for the past 6 weeks these Blacksburg High School students have been designing and constructing a robot -- to compete in a national robotics competition.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:50:38]
[IN Q=I've been here]

((DOUGLAS ATWATER/BLACKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 28 HOURS STRAIGHT TRYING TO FINISH THIS))
[RUNS= 7]
[OUT Q=This]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:47:37]
[IN Q=We were' stuck for 3 hours]

((JONATHAN DURR/BLACKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: WE WERE STUCK FOR 3 HOURS JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THE ROBOT PULL ITSELF UP ON THE BAR))
[RUNS= 8]
[OUT Q=the bar]


But these students are not facing their troubles alone.
Virginia Tech students are helping them out.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:40:35]
[IN Q=It's been a huge learning experiencing]

((ALISHA WALLENTSTEIN/TECH STUDENT: IT'S BEEN A HUGE LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR THE COLLEGE STUDENTS LIKE HOW YOU LEAD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, HOW YOU LEAD THEM IN THEIR THOUGHTS AND DESIGN PROCESS AND TO GET THEM TO WORK AS A TEAM))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=a team]


Altogether there are 15 college and high school students involved in the project... Their team is called -- Virginia Tech Power Surge.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:41:45]
[IN Q=Spent about a week]

((ALISHA WALLENSTEIN: SPENT ABOUT A WEEK DESIGNING IT , PUTTING IT ON PAPER, MAKING A PROTOTYPE TO SEE IF IT WILL ACTUALLY WORK AND THEN ENDING UP PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER))
[RUNS= 6]
[OUT Q=]


The robot has to be able to perform certain tasks to compete against other robots in a points game.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:42:00]
[IN Q=It need s to be]

((ALISHA WALLENSTEN: IT NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO SOME HOW COLLECT THE BALLS, CARRY THE BALLS AND BE ABLE TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLAYING FIELD))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=playing field]


But there are guidelines to follow -- the robot can't weigh more than 130 pounds -- and each team competing is given a starting set of supplies to work with.
The students say this is an opportunity to use the knowledge they've learned in the classroom and put it to good work.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:47:14]
[IN Q=It's different]

((JONATHAN DURR: IT'S DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER THING THEY OFFER IN BLACKSBURG REALLY THEY DON'T HAVE MUCH STUFF LIKE THIS WHERE YOU CAN WORK WITH MECHANICAL PARTS AND ELECTRONICS, AND ENGINEERING))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=and engineering]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:49:15]
[IN Q=Using physics]

((DOUGLAS ATWATER: USING PHYSICS, IF WE COULD GET ENOUGH FORCE OUT OF THIS ONE MOTOR TO DO THIS OPERATION.))
[RUNS= 5]
[OUT Q=this operation]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:53:26]
[IN Q=The students have until]

((JOY SUTTON/REPORTING: THE STUDENTS HAVE UNTIL 4 O'CLOCK MONDAY AFTERNOON TO TURN IN THEIR ROBOT TO SEE IF IT HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO COMPETE AGAINST MORE THAN 250 ROBOTS AT A NATIONAL COMPETITION IN APRIL IN FLORIDA. JOY SUTTON,NEWS 7 BLACKSBURG))
[RUNS= 16]
[OUT Q=n7 blacksburg]))



[Health-Check]


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


In medical news, kids with colds may be taking too much medication.
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=1:22]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

((ON AVERAGE- KIDS GET ABOUT 6-8 COLDS A YEAR- AND WHEN ONE OF THESE COLDS SHOW UP- MANY PARENTS WILL TURN TO SOME POPULAR COLD AND FLU PRODUCT PRODUCTS WE CERTAINLY ARE NOT SHY ABOUT USING. IN ONE SURVEY, RESEARCHERS TALKED TO THE PARENTS OF MORE THAN 8 THOUSAND THREE YEAR OLDS. AND FOUND IN THE 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE SURVEY- MORE THAN HALF OF THE KIDS HAD BEEN GIVEN AN OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION. SO WHY ARE WE PARENTS SO QUICK TO REACH FOR MEDICATION AT THE FIRST SIGN OF THE SNIFFLES. ONE OBVIOUS ANSWER IS WE DONT LIKE TO SEE OUR KIDS NOT FEEL GOOD. AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE FEEL LIKE WE JUST NEED TO DO SOMETHING. BUT THATS NOT A GOOD REASON TO BE GIVING YOUR KIDS DRUGS. FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE ANTIHISTAMINES HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO DRY UP A RUNNY NOSE FROM ALLERGY, THEY HAVEN'T BEEN PROVEN TO DRY UP THE RUNNY NOSE OF A COLD. ALSO- THESE MEDICATIONS WILL NOT HELP YOUR CHILD GET BETTER QUICKER. THEY DONT SPEED UP THE HEALING PROCESS. IN FACT IN KIDS A LOT OF THE MEDICATIONS MAKE KIDS FEEL LESS COMFORTABLE DURING THE HEALING PROCESS- BECAUSE THE MEDICATIONS JACK THEM UP OR MAKE THEM FALL ASLEEP. AND THE YOUNGER YOUR KIDS ARE THE HIGHER THE RISK OF SIDE EFFECTS FROM THESE MEDICATIONS- ON CAM EVEN AT RECOMMENDED DOSAGES. THE BEST ADVICE FOR PARENTS OF YOUNG PATIENTS IS TO HAVE PATIENCE, AVOID MEDICATIONS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. IM DR DH 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;]



[SUPER=04-Wednesday, 8 AM to 5 PM]
[SUPER=16-(540) 345-6579/Project Impact]



[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]


John McCain and George W. Bush are fighting the clock.
The next G-O-P Primaries are tomorrow in Michigan and in McCain's home state of Arizona.
Both the McCain and Bush camps acknowledge that Michigan's primary, is much more important.
Fifty-eight delegates are at stake as well as the important edge in momentum.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]


While Elian Gonzalez played at a Miami zoo yesterday as the controversy over his custody status continued.
The Miami Herald is reporting that sister Jeanne O'Laughlin (oh-LAWK-lin) , the nun who offered her Miami Beach home for a reunion between Elian Gonzalez and his Cuban grandmothers, began advocating for the boy's stay in the United States after learning that one of the grandmothers wanted to defect.
A Miami judge will hear arguments tomorrow to decide whether the court has jurisdiction in the case.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


He's back.
Late night T-V host David Letterman returns to network T-V tonight.
Friday he taped the ``Late Show'' that will be broadcast tonight.
His guests include Regis Philbin and Robin Williams.
Letterman underwent an emergency quintuple bypass operation on January 14th.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And that's what's making news on this Monday, February 21.
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[Republicans]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]


Two Republicans who want to be our next president will spend most of Presidents Day on the campaign trail in Michigan.
That state and Arizona hold G-O-P primaries tomorrow.
The stakes are high for McCain.
He lost this weekend's primary in South Carolina.
Drew Levinson has the latest from the campaign trail.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[3:00:36]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Livonia, MI; :00]
[SUPER=01-John McCain/(R) Presidential Candidate; :07]
[SUPER=01-George W. Bush/(R) Presidential Candidate; 1:01]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/Reporting; 1:12]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=Southfield, Michigan]

((FOR ARIZONA SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN IT WAS A WARM RECEPTION ON A CHILLY MICHIGAN DAY.
(SOT JOHN MCCAIN/GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE)

"It's wonderful to be back in Michigan on this Arizona Day." AFTER WINNING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY MCCAIN HAD HIGH HOPES FOR SOUTH CAROLINA BUT HE LOST BADLY SATURDAY TO GEORGE W. BUSH. THE DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTS ALLOWED TO VOTE IN THAT PRIMARY DID NOT PUT HIM OVER THE TOP.
(SOT JOHN MCCAIN/GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE)

"We won round one, Governor Bush won round two, now we are in round three and its going to be here in the state of Michigan, we'll win Arizona fine." LIKE MCCAIN-BUSH HIT THE GROUND RUNNING SUNDAY, GOING FROM RALLY TO RALLY. SOMETIMES BUSH ACTED AS IF HE ALREADY HAD THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION IN THE BAG AND WAS SETTING HIS SIGHTS ON THE DEMOCRATS.
(SOT GEORGE W. BUSH/GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE)

"There are 260 days more for no more Clinton/Bush" BUSH CONTINUES TO PAINT HIMSELF AS A WASHINGTON OUTSIDER.
(SOT BUSH)

"If you are sick and tired of the politics of division and citizenry and polls and focus groups in Washington DC, if you are sick of that kind of politics, you come and join this campaign."
(STANDUP DREW LEVINSON/CBS NEWS)

"For both candidates Monday is expected to be another long day as they crisscross this heavily populated industrial state looking for votes. Right now they are in a dead heat. Drew Levinson, CBS News, Southfield, MI."))

[Bush]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]


John McCain may not pay much attention to Virginia before its February 29th primary.
Polls show Texas Governor George W. Bush comfortably ahead in Virginia, where he has overwhelming support from the state's G-O-P leaders.
Former President George Bush is expected to make a campaign appearance in our area on behalf of his son.
Bush is expected to speak at the Salem Civic Center on Wednesday.
Campaign officials are hoping the presidential candidate's father can rally Republican support in a traditionally conservative Southwest Virginia.

[2-Flooding]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]


19 West Virginia counties are under a state of emergency this morning.
That's after heavy rains flooded homes and businesses across the state this weekend.
A body pulled from the Ohio River yesterday afternoon may be that of a third flooding victim from West Virginia.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sissonville, WV/Saturday;]


The woman's identity has NOT been confirmed.
But officials say it may be that of Betty Huffman.
The 56- year old was swept away during a failed rescue attempt Friday near Charleston.
Two others also died during the rescue attempt.
(------------)



[2-First-Union]


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


A federal judge has handed First Union a partial victory in a lawsuit that claimed the company mishandled the retirement plans of employees who worked for a Virginia bank.
The judge ruled yesterday that First Union had the proper approval to merge the 401-k plans from Signet Bank into a similar First Union plan.
The judge still must rule on the lawsuit's claim that First Union breached its duties by investing the Signet 401-k holdings in mutual funds owned and operated by First Union.
The lawsuit was filed last year on behalf of nine former Signet employees.

[S-Abortion-Bill]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]


The General Assembly will tackle a number of bills this week-- including one dealing with abortion.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 99-58 53:33]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/This Month]


A Senate committee is expected to take up legislation that would require women to wait 24 hours before getting an abortion.
The House of Delegates has already passed the bill by a two to one margin.
Governor Gilmore also supports the bill.
(------------)



[cuban-boy]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Elian Gonzalez]


A Florida newspaper is reporting that one of the grandmothers of Elian Gonzalez wanted to defect.
The Miami Herald quotes the nun who hosted the boy's visit with his Cuban grandmothers last month.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Miami, FL/Yesterday;]

[3:10:28]
Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin (oh-LAWK'-lin) says that's one of the things that made her decide the boy shouldn't be returned to Cuba.
Elian spent part of yesterday playing at a Miami Zoo.
Tomorrow a Miami judge will hear arguments to decide whether the court has jurisdiction in the case.
(------------)



[Three-Steve]


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


[On Record]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=01-Tim Fitzgerald/Safety & Compliance;]



(I'll call for boards)



[essC#8700]

[WIPE TO ENG]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
(Computers)
[RUNS=:20]
(---------------)


[Back to Interview]

[essC#8701]

[WIPE TO ENG]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
(Floods)
[RUNS=:20]
(---------------)


[Back to Interview]

[essC#8702]

[WIPE TO ENG]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
(Car Wreck)
[RUNS=:20]
(---------------)


[Back to Interview]

[essC#8703]

[WIPE TO ENG]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
(Older Workers)
[RUNS=:20]
(---------------)


[Back to Interview]

[SUPER=04-Wednesday, 8 AM to 5 PM]
[SUPER=16-(540) 345-6579/Project Impact]



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



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

[BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]

((Archive: disaster))


[Letterman]


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


David Letterman returns to C-B-S tonight after a five week absence.
And his fans appear happy to have him back.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[3:04:38]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-Worldwide Pants, Inc.;]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=NAT STANDING OVATION]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Letterman received this standing ovation when he taped tonight's show Friday.
He's been recovering from emergency quintuple by pass surgery.
Letterman's guest tonight include Regis Philbin, Robin Williams and the team of Doctors and nurses who performed his operation.
Tomorrow night Bill Cosby will stand in for Dave, becoming the show's first ever guest host.
(------------)



[Rest-Stops]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Governor Gilmore wants to spruce up Virginia's highway rest stops.
The Governor has proposed spending eight million dollars to renovate four of the state's ten welcome centers.
Officials fear conditions at some of the state's rest stops may be turning away tourists.
The governor would also like to set aside funds to create the state's first high- tech regional tourism center.
Improvements would include adding computers and providing facilities for visitors to set up hotel reservations and tee times.

[2-S-Robot-Competition]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-52 1:24:26]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Time is running out for local high school and college students to work together.
A national robotics competition is challenging them to build their own robot..
Joy Sutton reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Everyday for the]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Douglas Atwater/High School Student; :13]
[SUPER=01-Jonathan Durr/High School Student; :16]
[SUPER=01-Alisha Wallenstein/Virginia Tech Student; :29]
[SUPER=@Joy1; 1:46]
[RUNS=2:03]
[OUT Q=js news 7]

(( Everyday for the past 6 weeks these Blacksburg High School students have been designing and constructing a robot -- to compete in a national robotics competition.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:50:38]
[IN Q=I've been here]

((DOUGLAS ATWATER/BLACKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 28 HOURS STRAIGHT TRYING TO FINISH THIS))
[RUNS= 7]
[OUT Q=This]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:47:37]
[IN Q=We were' stuck for 3 hours]

((JONATHAN DURR/BLACKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: WE WERE STUCK FOR 3 HOURS JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THE ROBOT PULL ITSELF UP ON THE BAR))
[RUNS= 8]
[OUT Q=the bar]


But these students are not facing their troubles alone.
Virginia Tech students are helping them out.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:40:35]
[IN Q=It's been a huge learning experiencing]

((ALISHA WALLENTSTEIN/TECH STUDENT: IT'S BEEN A HUGE LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR THE COLLEGE STUDENTS LIKE HOW YOU LEAD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, HOW YOU LEAD THEM IN THEIR THOUGHTS AND DESIGN PROCESS AND TO GET THEM TO WORK AS A TEAM))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=a team]


Altogether there are 15 college and high school students involved in the project... Their team is called -- Virginia Tech Power Surge.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:41:45]
[IN Q=Spent about a week]

((ALISHA WALLENSTEIN: SPENT ABOUT A WEEK DESIGNING IT , PUTTING IT ON PAPER, MAKING A PROTOTYPE TO SEE IF IT WILL ACTUALLY WORK AND THEN ENDING UP PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER))
[RUNS= 6]
[OUT Q=]


The robot has to be able to perform certain tasks to compete against other robots in a points game.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:42:00]
[IN Q=It need s to be]

((ALISHA WALLENSTEN: IT NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO SOME HOW COLLECT THE BALLS, CARRY THE BALLS AND BE ABLE TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLAYING FIELD))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=playing field]


But there are guidelines to follow -- the robot can't weigh more than 130 pounds -- and each team competing is given a starting set of supplies to work with.
The students say this is an opportunity to use the knowledge they've learned in the classroom and put it to good work.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:47:14]
[IN Q=It's different]

((JONATHAN DURR: IT'S DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER THING THEY OFFER IN BLACKSBURG REALLY THEY DON'T HAVE MUCH STUFF LIKE THIS WHERE YOU CAN WORK WITH MECHANICAL PARTS AND ELECTRONICS, AND ENGINEERING))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=and engineering]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:49:15]
[IN Q=Using physics]

((DOUGLAS ATWATER: USING PHYSICS, IF WE COULD GET ENOUGH FORCE OUT OF THIS ONE MOTOR TO DO THIS OPERATION.))
[RUNS= 5]
[OUT Q=this operation]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:53:26]
[IN Q=The students have until]

((JOY SUTTON/REPORTING: THE STUDENTS HAVE UNTIL 4 O'CLOCK MONDAY AFTERNOON TO TURN IN THEIR ROBOT TO SEE IF IT HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO COMPETE AGAINST MORE THAN 250 ROBOTS AT A NATIONAL COMPETITION IN APRIL IN FLORIDA. JOY SUTTON,NEWS 7 BLACKSBURG))
[RUNS= 16]
[OUT Q=n7 blacksburg]))



[3-Sports]


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


In sports, Dale Jarret wins the Daytona 500.
Roy Stanley has more.
Good Morning Roy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:14]
[OUT Q=day everybody]



[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:
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


A partial victory for First Union in the legal battle of a Virginia bank's 401-k plan.
A federal judge ruled yesterday that First Union had the proper approval to merge the 401-k plans from Signet into a similar First Union plan.
The judge still must rule on the lawsuit's claim that First Union breached its duties by investing the Signet 401-k holdings in mutual funds owned and operated by First Union.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


The state senate is expected to take up legislation this week that would require women to wait 24 hours before getting an abortion.
The House of Delegates has already passed the bill by a two to one margin.
Governor Gilmore also supports the bill.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Low voter turn-out among young adults has created an unusual combination at a Roanoke business.
Joe Hagerty not only offers tattoos at his shop -- but also voter registration forms.
Hagerty owns Alex's New Tattoo in Roanoke and says since so many young adults come to get tattoos -- why not make it easier for them to register to vote.
(-------------)
[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