[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Melanie]

(////////SOT//////)
[IN=]

[10:06:31] ((ARTHUR BUSCH/GENESEE COUNTY PROSECUTOR: IT WOULD APPEAR THAT HE GOT THE WEAPON FROM HIS HOME. . ))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT=from his home]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


Michigan police take one man into custody and look for another in connection yesterday's school shooting.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


The Republican tide appears to be turning toward George W. Bush.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


News 7 at noon is next.

[School-Shooting]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=School Shooting]


Michigan authorities say they have no plans to prosecute the 6 year old boy who shot and killed a 6 year old classmate yesterday inside their school.
Instead their going after the adults who made it possible for a little boy to have access to a handgun.
Drew Levinson joins us with the latest.
[Live=Levinson Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/Reporting;]
[SUPER=05-Mount Morris, MI;]
( ad lib)

[****ROLLED FROM NEWSPATH****]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Brenda Ide/Parent;]
[SUPER=01-Arthur Busch/Genesse Co. Prosecutor;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=]

((THERE ARE NO CLASSES AT BUELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TODAY. PARENTS AND STUDENTS ARE COMING here FOR ANOTHER REASON.... TO PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF SIX YEAR OLD KAYLA ROLLAND, HER STUNNED CLASSMATES AND THE YOUNG BOY WHO FIRED THE FATAL SHOT.
SOT: BRENDA IDE, PARENT

POLICE SAY THE BOY BROUGHT THE STOLEN GUN FROM HOME AND APPARENTLY SHOT HIS CLASSMATE IN RESPONSE TO A PLAYGROUND ARGUMENT. THE SHOOTING CAUSED PANIC IN THE SCHOOL.
SOT: STUDENT

"SOME OF KIDS WERE CRYING, ALL OF US WERE WORRIED, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOMEONE IN OUR FAMILY." AUTHORITIES SAY THERE ARE NO PLANS TO PROSECUTE THE BOY. THEIR FOCUS NOW IS LOCATING AN UNIDENTIFIED PERSON WHO MAY HAVE BEEN THE LAST ONE TO HAVE THE GUN BEFORE THE BOY.
(SOT, ARTHUR BUSCH, GENESEE CO. PROSECUTOR)))



[Live=Levinson Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=05-Mount Morris, MI;]
( ad lib)



[GOP-Primary]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=99-53 TC1:26:58]
[GRAPHIC=VA Primary]


George W. Bush says there's a spring in his step today-- thanks to primary wins in Virginia and Washington.
Bush says his nine point win over John McCain in Virginia is evidence that candidates who use name-calling and accusations will get hurt in the polls.
Ellen Qualls has reaction.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[SUPER=203-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=207-Gov. Jim Gilmore; 04]
[SUPER=203-Bakersfield, CA; :11]
[SUPER=201-John McCain/(R) Presidential Candidate; :17]
[SUPER=201-Marvin Bush/Bush's Brother; 1:15]
[SUPER=201-Dennis Peterson/McCain Virginia Spokesman; 1:25]
[SUPER=219-Ellen/Qualls; 1:36]
[RUNS=1:52]
[OUT Q=news 7, richmond]



[democrats]


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


On the Democratic side, Al Gore savors his victory in Washington state, while the Bill Bradley camp says it's not giving up.
Bradley's loss is considered a big blow because he campaigned heavily in Washington, hoping to jump-start his campaign.
Meantime, Gore says he's looking forward to more wins next week.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[5:28:14]
[IN Q=I'm excited about going on...]
[SUPER=201-Al Gore/(D) Presidential Candidate;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=to the big votes March 7th here in California, New York.]
(-------------)
[anchor=Melanie]
[Graphic=HOLD]


Bradley is preparing a five-minute commercial to be broadcast coast-to-coast tomorrow on C-B-S.
And tonight Bradley and Gore debate in Los Angeles.

[RR-Crossings]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Supreme Court]


Families who have lost loved ones at railroad crossings are watching the U-S Supreme court today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-May 1999]


The court will hear arguments about whether railroads can be held responsible for safety equipment at rail crossings.
The case was started by the widow of a man killed at a crossing in Tennessee.
The woman sued Norfolk Southern, arguing that the railroad failed to install adequate warning devices.
But N-S said a reflector sign at the crossing was sufficient under federal regulations.
(------------)


[Promise-Keepers]


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


Liberty University will be the site of this year's Promise-Keeper's kick-off rallies.
The male-oriented religious group will begin its 2000 conference schedule with gatherings on June second and third.
Officials with the group say each conference requires about one-thousand volunteers.
This will be the first time the Promise Keepers have held a rally in Lynchburg.
[tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


The Navy is putting explosives in the Appomattox River.
Find out why News 7 at Noon returns.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And more rain and flooding is expected in the devastated African nation of Mozambique.
Now let's talk to Patrick about our forecast.
(---------------)
[Talent=Patrick]

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

[Africa-flooding]


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


Thousands of people in Mozambique remain stranded this afternoon by widespread flooding.
Officials estimate 350 have been killed and more than a million left without nothing.
It's a major blow for a country on the verge of economic rebirth.
Allen Pizzey has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[10 newspath]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Maputo, Mozambique; :08]
[SUPER=01-Michele Quintaglie/World Food Program; :21]
[SUPER=01-Ian McCleod/UNICEF; :47]
[SUPER=01-Allen Pizzey/Reporting; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS MOZAMBIQUE.]

((The relief effort is gaining both speed and efficiency but aid workers warn the situation is still far from being under control.
(Rescue shots)

Thousands of people are still trapped on rooftops and in trees some of them are going into their fourth day in the open, clinging desperately to life and in dire need of food and clean water.
SOT - MICHELE QUINTAGLIE, WORLD FOOD PROGRAM

'You have a crisis right now where people have fear, they are afraid so they're going to be clinging on to whatever they can to get out. These crews are doing an amazing job.'
(US Aid Arrival)

US C-17 transport planes arrived this morning with enough plastic sheeting for ten-thousand people, six thousand water jugs, blankets, and most important for those trapped - high protein biscuits. Its part of an American relief package of more than ten-million dollars- all of it and more urgently needed.
SOT IAN MC CLEOD, UNICEF

'We hope we won't see a lot of deaths but we need to ensure that we get enough medical assistance, enough water supplies in here in the next couple of days or people who are already very weak are going to get a lot weaker and unfortunately likely to perish.'
(Chopper landing on strip)

This road has been cut by flood waters a few miles from here so S. African charter planes and military helicopters are using it as a landing strip to pick up and ferry aid to distribution points in outlying areas. But the food still can't reach everyone. PIZZEY O/C CLOSE Florida's Dade County is sending four rubber rescue boats with crews and with more flood waters on the way, they'll have a job to do. AP, CBS News Maputo, Mozambique.))

[Noon-Textile]


[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-54]
[GRAPHIC=Life After Layoffs]


When parents are out of work... it's not only tough on them but also their children.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.;]


Brenda Thornhill and her father were both laid off at Tultex.
And while Brenda's father has found a job in North Carolina.
The mother of two is still looking for work.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=At Christmas]

((BRENDA THORNHILL/FORMER TULTEX WORKER: AT CHRISTMAS TIME THEY PROBABLY DIDN'T HURT AS MUCH AS SOME OTHER KIDS DID BECAUSE MY HUSBAND HAS A GOOD JOB BUT THEY COULDN'T GET WHAT THEY NORMALLY WOULD.))
[SUPER=01-Brenda Thornhill/Former Tultex Worker;]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=normally would.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Brenda worked at Tultex for more than eight years and says the toughest part has been leaving her friends... who were like family.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=tonight at Six]


You can hear more from Brenda and her father in part two of our series "Life After Layoffs."
That's tonight on NEWS 7 at six.

[Log-Jams]


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


Navy demolition experts are setting off explosives in the Appomattox River near Farmville.
They're hoping to blast away huge tangles of logs and debris blocking the flow of the river.
One of the biggest log-jams is about the size of 12 Volkswagen vans.
The team plans to be finished by Friday.

[E-Conference-Center]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-01 TC52:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A judge says the Roanoke Conference Center can move forward with preliminary repairs, but pending lawsuits could have an impact on major renovations planned there early next year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


The conference center at the Hotel Roanoke is now the subject of several lawsuits, filed because of alleged deficiencies in the building.
Yesterday in court, an expert said shifting concrete panels have allowed water to enter the structure, causing steel studs to rust.
Judge Richard Pattisal says he will allow the conference center to re- caulk the joints between those concrete pan
els,--- but lawyers representing some of the defendants said they will object to "the big fix" early next year, if th

e lawsuits haven't been settled by then.
They argue that construction could destroy important evidence.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


The court also set aside five weeks for the trial, now set to begin in mid- September of 2001.
[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Next on News 7 at Noon, British author Helen Fielding talks about her latest installment of the Bridget Jones series.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And later, we'll check in on the San Diego zoo's newest night-owl panda.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]


[Fielding-Interview]


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


[ROLL COLD OUT OF BREAK]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=@Melanie1; :00]
[SUPER=01-Helen Fielding/Author; :35]
[RUNS=2:37]
[OUT Q=Spring Fever.]


[***Tape Tosses to Patrick***]

[Stocks]


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


On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was DOWN 24 and a half points.
[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Still to come in sports, the high school regional basketball tournaments heat up for some local teams,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

and the Roanoke Express sets a franchise record in the Roundhouse.
Patrick returns with the highlights.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]



[S-Express]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-61 5331TC]
[GRAPHIC=EXPRESS/CHECKERS]


The Roanoke Express hosted Northeast rival Charlotte last night as the team looked to set a new franchise record with 11 straight home wins.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Checkers vs. Express; :00]


The Roundhouse was rocking as the Express look to crown the Checkers.
And the excitement continued as the Checkers clear attempt is slapped back into the zone by Steve Sabo.
The Checkers can't run it down and Dion Del Monte makes them pay. It's 1 to nothing.
But the Express Defense got a little soft. Mark Trooper's point blank shot it turned away by Dave
[SUPER=38-Charlotte/3/Roanoke/4;]

Gagnon, but they can't clear the puck and the Checkers tie it at 1-all.
But Roanoke rolls to the 4-to-3 win.
(------------)



[S-Cave]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-62 439TC]
[GRAPHIC=NORTHWEST TOURNEY]


The Northwest Regional tournament opened last night as the Cave Spring Knights hosted the Albemarle Patriots of Charlottesville.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Albemarle vs. Cave Spring; :00]


The R-V-D regular season and tournament champs were hoping to turn out the lights early on the Pats.
And district player of the year, J-J Redick, would do just that as he slices inside and hits the left handed shot off the glass and draws the foul.
The Patriots would counter with some more traditional scoring chances.
Marcus Wilson cans the three pointer from beyond the arc, but Albemarle was still playing catchup.
Tyler Lumsden would make a statement with a bomb of his own as he benefits from some good ball
[SUPER=33-Albemarle/66/Cave Spring/74;]

movement to can the open look.
Cave Spring moves on to the semi-finals tomorrow at Lynchburg College with the 74-to-66 win.
(------------)



[S-Danville]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-54 13651TC]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]


The other northwest quarterfinal boy's game last night had G.W. Danville playing host to William Fleming.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/Fleming vs. G. W. Danville; :00]


This may not be one of G-W's best squads but when it comes tournament time the Eagles usually know how to turn it on.
But Fleming's Daray Waller grabs the loose ball inside off the tip and converts the clean up basket as the Colonels draw first blood.
The Eagles' Lawrence Williams would counter that with a feed to Antonio Fitzgerald, who bottoms out the three pointer for G-W to get the Eagle faithful rocking.
The Colonels' would keep playing aggressively as Michael Byrd gets the offensive board and score.
[SUPER=33-William Fleming/39/G. W. Danville/46 ;]


But here comes Fitzgerald with the steal and score. G-W wins and advances 46 to 39.
(------------)



[S-GW]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-56 13448tc]
[GRAPHIC=NORTHWEST REGION]


George Washington's girls team also got a win last night.
They ended Cave Spring's season with a four point win in Southside.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/Cave Spring vs. G. W. Danville; :00]


GW's Tokisha Burton passes underneath to Raven Yancey. She puts it in from the paint and the Eagles take the lead.
The Eagles do it again as Raynisha Johnson gets into the act with the pass to Burton. She scores inside.
Cave Spring's Renee Gagnier tries to get her team back with the pass to Jamie Funk. It's two and the Knights are still in it.
But GW took the air out of the ball, controlling the game's tempo.
[SUPER=33-Cave Spring/23/G. W. Danville/27;]


The Eagles win it 27-to-23 and advance to Thursday night's semi-finals.
(------------)


[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[S-Pulaski]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-55 tc 1:25:36]
[GRAPHIC=Northwest]


[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co./E. C. Glass vs. Pulaski Co.;]


Pulaski County hosted rival E-C Glass in the other Northwest matchup last night.
Pulaski on the run gets the ball underneath to Jody Lawson for the bucket.
On the other end, Melinda Carpenter takes the baseline jumper. She gets the roll and the score for Glass.
[super=33-E. C. Glass/46/Pulaski Co./69;]


Pulaski continues to hammer away inside. Yashika Brooks is open underneath to get the points for the Cougars and Pulaski County takes the 69-46 victory.
(------------)



[Scores]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Region Three]


In Region Three action Nelson County got the 59-58 win over Heritage.
And the Salem Spartans downed Liberty 51 to 46.
[SS=Region C]


Also, Radford beat Parry McCluer 62-56 in Region C action.

[baby-panda]


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


Animal lovers waited for months for a chance to see the San Diego zoo's new baby panda.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Diego, CA;]

[3:42:42]
But they've learned she doesn't exactly keep zoo hours.
She doesn't wake up until the visitors go home.
She's not being rude, mother nature just set her clock back a few hours.
The crowds go home, the sun goes down and that's when her alarm goes off. (------------)
by SS