[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Melanie]

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


Former President George Bush is out of the hospital.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


And a settlement between Christy Brzonkala and Virginia Tech.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


News 7 at noon is next.

[Brzonkala]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=netD]
[GRAPHIC=Christy Brzonkala]


Virginia Tech has reached a settlement with a former student who said she was raped by two football players.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file]


Tech has agreed to pay Christy Brzonkala 75-thousand dollars. In return, she will drop her lawsuits against the university asking for 4-point-3 million dollars in damages.
In a statement, former president Paul Torgersen said Virginia Tech had been "exonerated at every court level", and settled the case to save legal fees.
Brzonkala had charged Tech discriminated against her in the way it handled her complaints against former players Antonio Morrison and James Crawford.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=HOLD]


So far, no reaction from her or her attorney.
These lawsuits are separate from the one that's still pending before the U.S. Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the Violence Against Women Act.

[President-Bush]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Naples, FL;]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at Noon]


Former President Bush was released this moring from a south Florida hospital this morning after being treated for irregular heartbeat.
He was hospitalized last night after he began feeling lightheaded while attended a business reception.
Bobbi Harley reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[11:30-UPDATE WINDOW]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Naples, FL; :00]
[SUPER=01-George Bush/Former President;]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Frank Boucek/Cardiologist;]
[SUPER=01-Bobbi Harley/Reporting;]
[RUNS=:55]
[OUT Q=cbs News, New York.]

(((LOCATOR: NAPLES, FL) LOOKING FIT, FORMER PRESIDENT WALKED OUT OF A NAPLES, FLORIDA, HOSPITAL AFTER BEING ADMIMTTED OVERNIGHT FOR AN IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT.
(SOT, GEORGE BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT, I FEEL GOOD, ETC.)

BUSH HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN 19-91 WHEN HIS THYROID GLAND WAS HYPERACTIVE, BUT DOCTORS SAY THIS EPISODE IS DIFFERENT.


SOT: DR. FRANK BOUCEK/CARDIOLOGIST

"IT'S UNLIKELY THIS IS RELATED TO HIS THYROID GLAND, IT'S MORE A PROBLEM OF AN AGING HEART, QUITE COMMON IN HIS AGE GROUP." WHILE THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S HEARTBEAT IS STILL ABNORMAL, DOCTORS SAY HE IS TOLERATING IT VERY WELL AND HIS HEART RYTHEM IS UNDER CONTROL.
SOT: BUSH SR. AGAIN, I'M 75 BUT I FEEL 35.

WITH HIS SON, GEORGE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, MISTER BUSH HAS RECENTLY BEEN SEEN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. BUT AT THIS POINT, IT'S UNCLEAR JUST HOW SOON HE'LL BE ABLE TO RESUME HIS BUSY SCHEDULE. BOBBI HARLEY, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK))


[E-Mason-Dixon]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=chr/ejo]
[TAPE#=00-01 49:59]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]


George W. Bush says his father's illness won't change his campaign plans.
He's still scheduled to make appearances in Richmond and Newport News today.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]


A Mason-Dixon poll of 621 likely Virginia voters shows - statewide - 48 per cent favor Bush, 37 per cent are for John McCain.
Bush gets the most support in western and southwest Virginia .. 57 per cent, almost double McCain's 29.
In Southside and Central Virginia - the race is slightly closer-- though Bush still leads.
Among those saying they're Independents or Democrats, McCain takes the lead 54 percent to Bush's 25.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]


Virginia's Republican Primary is Tuesday, February 29-th.

[E-Joe-McCain]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-52 1:34:07]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]


John McCain's campaign says he may be in Virginia Beach on Monday-- pumping up his supporters in the military.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Richmond;]


Yesterday, his younger brother was in Richmond with P-O-Ws who support McCain.
JOE McCain lives in Fairfax.
[SUPER=203-Phoenix, AZ/Tuesday;]


He says his brother is NOT exactly asking Democrats and Independents to vote in Tuesday's Virginia primary.
But he clearly wouldn't mind if they did.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Not so much]
[sot tape THREE 11:44:58]

((JOE MCCAIN/SEN. MCCAIN'S BROTHER: NOT SO MUCH DEMOCRATS OR INDEPENDENTS. JOHN HAS NEVER MADE A MESSAGE DIRECTLY TO DEMOCRATS OR INDEPENDENTS. BUT THE FACT IS WE THINK THE REASON THERE ARE SO MANY INDEPENDENTS IS BECAUSE THEY'D BE REPUBLICANS UNDER JOHN'S LEADERSHIP. IT'S THE PARTY LEADERSHIP NOW THAT HAS 25 OR 30 PERCENT INDEPENDENTS NOW IN PRACTICALLY EVERY STATE WE'RE WORKING IN.))
[SUPER=201-Joe McCain/John McCain's Brother;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=working in.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Melanie]
[SS=Hold]


Virginia's primary is like Michigan's-- open to all voters.
But voters must sign a pledge that they will NOT participate in the nominating process of any other party.

[civic-Center]


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


The Roanoke Civic Center is dropping its two dollar parking fee.
Instead, one dollar will be added to the ticket prices of seated events and fifty cents to trade and consumer shows.
Civic Center officials say the new fee plan will ease traffic problems and make for less reliance on taxpayers.

[L'burg-Firefighters]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-10 TC03:58]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Today marks the 25th anniversary of a fire that killed two Lynchburg firefighters.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


This morning, wreaths were laid at the site of the blaze in the 700 block of Main Street.
That's where a row of small stores had caught fire on February 25th, 1975.
Ronald H. Stevens and Everett D. Stewart were killed when the building they were trying to save collapsed on them.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:27:52]
[IN Q=I think it's]

((DEP. CHIEF BRAD FERGUSON/LYNCHBURG FIRE DEPT.: I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THE TRADITION THAT THE FIRE SERVICE HAS OF HONORING THEIR PEOPLE THAT HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN THE CALL OF DUTY, SO WE TRY TO DO THAT ON A REGULAR BASIS. WE HAVE A MEMORIAL SERVICE EACH FALL AT THE END OF FIRE PREVENTION WEEK.))
[SUPER=01-Brad Ferguson/Lynchburg Fire Dept.]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=fire prevention week.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Stevens and Stewart were the last two Lynchburg firefighters to die in the line of duty.
(------------)



[Textile-Relief]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Textile Relief]


Provisions to help jobless textile workers pay for health insurance are making their way through the General Assembly.
A 6-point-4 million dollar item passed the House on an 82 to 15.
It's a key portion of what was originally called the Textile Workers Relief Act.
The Senate also approved a similar 12-million dollar measure yesterday.
Differences between the two versions will be worked out in committee.

[priceline-fuel]


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


Tired of the high prices at the pump?
Well, cheaper gasoline may be just a mouse click away.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]


Priceline- dot- com says it will allow consumers to name their own price, within reason, for purchase of up to 50 gallons of gasoline a month.
You just go to the website, request a priceline gas card.
Once you get it you go back to the website and name your gas price.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[10:17:16-26]
[IN Q=Give us three gas sations....]
[SUPER=01-Jay Walker/Priceline CEO; :05]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=Ignore the price at the pump.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Priceline says it expects users will be able to save up to 20 cents a gallon.
(------------)


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


A tense standoff near Richmond sends an alleged bomber to the hospital.
Details are still ahead on News 7 at Noon.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And Pope John Paul the Second celebrates Egypt's first-ever Catholic Mass.
First, let's talk to Patrick about our warm forecast.
(---------------)
[Talent=Patrick]

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

[pope-egypt]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Pope John Paul II]


Pope John Paul has become the first pope in history to celebrate Mass in Egypt.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[10:14:47]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Cairo, Egypt;]
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT Q=nats of mass]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


His words were slurred but passionate as he called for an end to discrimination against Egypt's Christian minority.
Tomorrow, the pope is scheduled to visit a remote monastery near Mount Sinai, where God presented Moses with the Ten Commandments.
(------------)



[Student-Death ]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Sch]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Counselors are on hand today at Bassett High School to help students mourning a classmate.
Henry County Authorities say 14- year- old Tiffany Craighead was taking a test in class when she suffered a heart attack yesterday.
The ninth grader had a history of heart trouble and was recently treated by a pediatric cardiologist.
The school superintendent says this is a tremendous loss for the school.
Tiffany was just two weeks shy of her 15th birthday.

[E-Bomb-Threat]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-02 54:32]
[GRAPHIC=Bomb Threat Charges]


Two girls have been charged with phoning in bomb threats to Lynchburg's Heritage High School this week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/This Week]


The threats delayed the start of classes yesterday and Monday.
"No" explosives were ever found.
Police say the phone company helped them determine where the calls came from.
They arrested a 17- year- old and 12- year- old yesterday.
Each faces two counts of threatening to bomb a building.
(------------)



[E-Luis-Cristobal]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=00-05 4:52]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The man accused in a string of bombings in Chesterfield County is in stable condition this afternoon after being shot by police yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

[from 99-51 1:12:44 internet]
State police say they found Luis Cristobal beneath a DINWIDDIE County church yesterday- with an explosive device and an assault rifle.
He reportedly drew a semi-automatic pistol on the officer who found him and refused to drop it, so the officer shot him.
Cristobal was flown to a Richmond hospital. [500-7 10:58:22 - scene]
He's suspected of planting two car bombs in Chesterfield County, and a third bomb at an ironworks plant in Petersburg two and a half weeks ago.
One person was injured.
(------------)



[GOP-Candidates]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morning]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]


Republicans have tapped their candidates for Roanoke City Council.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Party members voted on candidates at a mass meeting last night.
Ralph Smith was chosen to run for Mayor, and Don Hogan and Bill Carder for council.
The candidates say it is time for a change in leadership -- and the democratic candidates who think they have this election in the bag -- are strongly mistaken.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT6:17:14]
[IN Q=The Democratic party]

((BILL CARDER/CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE: THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HELD THEIR MASS MEETING AND BY SOME PUBLISHED ACCOUNTS THIS WAS THE ELECTION. I MEAN IT WAS LIKE A PARTY THEY WERE STANDING UP THERE SAYING NOW WE'RE ELECTED))
[SUPER=01-Bill Carder/(R) City Council Candidate]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=were elected]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


There are actually four seats up for grabs on City Council.
The executive committee of the Roanoke City Republican Committee will choose one more candidate.
(------------)



[E-Gov-Candidates]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-03 39:05]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Virginians don't pick their next governor for another 20 months.
But last night, all four potential candidates were in the same place for the first time ever.
Ellen Qualls has their story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Republicans Mark]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mark Warner/(D) Former Senate Candidate; :08]
[SUPER=01-L. F. Payne/(D) Former Congressman; :26 ]
[SUPER=@Hager; :43]
[SUPER=@Earley; 1:08]
[SUPER=@Ellen2; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.]

(( Republicans Mark Earley and John Hager are already publicly calling themselves candidates for 2001.
But on the Democratic side...
[sot ]

((MARK WARNER/D-FORMER SENATE CANDIDATE: ))
[runs=: ]


And don't forget L-F Payne: he lost to Hager in the Lieutenant Governor's race in 1997 -- and he gave up his Southside and central Virginia congressional seat after the Republican takeover of Capitol Hill.
[sot ]

((L.F. PAYNE/D-FORMER CONGRESSMAN; ))
[runs=: ]


From Payne, a challenge to whoever's running.
[sot ]

((L.F. PAYNE: ))
[runs=: ]



[sot ]

((LT. GOV. JOHN HAGER: ))
[runs=: ]


Hager's opposition for the GOP nomination was sporting a new look-- contact lenses instead of glasses -- and also made a little news, as the last prominent Virginia Republican to climb on board the George W- Bush campaign.
[sot ]

((ATTORNEY GENERAL MARK EARLEY: ))
[runs=: ]


So who had the best line of the night?
The guy who had the job they all want.
Jim Gilmore dubbed them "governor wannabes."
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

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


Still ahead on News 7 at Noon, Patrick will be here with the warm weekend forecast.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And get a behind the scenes look at The Young and the Restless.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]


[Young-restless]


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


Each day after the noon news, many of you stay tuned for the Young and the Restless.
And your not alone, because it's the nation's most popular daytime drama.
Dick Sheeran takes us behind the scenes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-"The Young And The Restless"; :00]
[SUPER=01-Victoria Rowell/Actress; :26]
[SUPER=01-Dick Sheeran/Reporting; :50]
[SUPER=01-Shemar Moore/Actor; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS.]



[Stocks]


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


On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was DOWN 96 points.
[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Still to come in sports, the Virginia Tech women wrap up play at the Cassell, the Roanoke College women advance in the O-DAC tournament,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

and Dennis Rodman is up to his old tricks picking up his second ejection since re-entering the league.
Patrick returns with details.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]



[Rodman]


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


Dallas Mavericks forward and self professed bad boy Dennis Rodman was up to his usual antics last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dallas, TX/FOX;]


The flamboyant star was ejected again last night during the Mavericks 92 to 85 loss to Utah.
Rodman was ejected after getting tangled with Jazz star Karl Malone for a second time.
Rowdy fans fought for the worm's jersey as he left the game.
Rodman may be suspended again for taking too long to leave the court.
(------------)



[S-Tech]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-54]
[GRAPHIC=Atlantic 10]


The Virginia Tech women played host to the La Salle Lady Explorers last night in an important Atlantic Ten matchup.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Explorers vs. Hokies; :00]


It was senior night at the Cassell. Kim Seaver and Missy Lemons were both honored for their contributions to the Tech program over the last four years.
In the first half, Bonnie ball was rolling with quick passing. Crystal Starling gets the assist with the dish to Nicole Jones. She hits and picks up the foul.
That put Tech out in front.
The Lady Hokies then work the fast break. Amy Wetzel finds Sarah Hicks down court.
She steps up and drains the long 2, 15-8 Tech.
[SUPER=33-Virginia Tech/64/La Salle/57;]


La Salle goes inside as Beth Hudak goes to Shannon McDade who scores with the kiss off the glass.
The Lady Hokies Kim Seaver capitalizes with two of her 12 points. Tech wins 64-57.
(------------)



[S-RC]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-57 (1:45:46)]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC Logo]


The Roanoke College women have advanced to the semi finals of the O-DAC tournament.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Roanoke vs W & L; :]


Susan Dunagan and the Maroons matched up with the Generals of Washington and Lee.
Roanoke's Jill Quesenberry steps up and nails this three pointer from downtown as the Maroons take the early lead.

But the Lady Generals come right back going to Jessica Mentz for two of her game high 14 points.
[SUPER=33-Roanoke/72/Washington & Lee/58/;]


Crystal Barrett led the Maroons with her 10-th double-double. She scored 13 and pulled down 15 rebounds in the 72 to 58 win over the Generals.
(------------)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[GRAHIC=HOLD]


The Lady Maroons will face Guilford. They beat Virginia Wesleyan 77 to 71.

[RU]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Big South hoops]


Radford University's men's basketball team clinched at least a tie for the Big South regular season championship by beating High Point 74-65 last night.
Mike Hornbuckle lead five Highlanders in double figure scoring with 16 points. Radford is now 17 and 9 and 11 and 2 in the conference.
by SS