[HEADLINES]
[TALENT=Kimberly]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
The DonnKenny Fabric Cutters plant in Floyd is shutting down this spring, cutting at least 125 jobs.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
And dozens were injured when an Amtrak passenger train derailed near Topeka, Kansas this morning.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]
News 7 at noon is next.
[Donnkenny]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=netK]
[GRAPHIC=Plant Closing]
At least 125 people are losing their jobs in Floyd.
The DonnKenny Fabric Cutters plant will close in May.
Employees say the Grayson County plant is shutting down too.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/1998;]
[TAPE#=98-61; 23:20]
Two years ago DonnKenny closed its New River Finishing plant in Christiansburg and another factory in Lee County.
Employees say today's news is the result of work going overseas.
DonnKenny has another operation in Wytheville.
(----------------)
[Train-Derailment]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Train Derailment]
More than 30 people were injured when an Amtrak passenger train derailed near Topeka, Kansas early this morning.
None of the injuries appears to be life- threatening, but it was a scary plunge into darkness for those aboard.
Melissa Brunner has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Carbondale, KS; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jerilyn Kemmerer/Passenger; :13]
[SUPER=01-Miguel Cuevas/Passenger; :26]
[SUPER=01-Melissa Brunner/Reporting; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:18]
[OUT Q=Brunner, CBS News, Carbondale, Kansas.]
((SIXTEEN CARS FROM THE COMBINATION PASSENGER-FREIGHT TRAIN DERAILED IN A
FIELD NOT FAR FROM CARBONDALE, KANSAS SHORTLY AFTER 2 A.M. WITH MOST OF
THE PASSENGERS SLEEPING...SEVERAL CARS... INCLUDING TWO SLEEPER CARS...
FLIPPED OVER.
(SOT, JERILYN KEMMERER, PASSENGER)
DOZENS OF PEOPLE. WERE HURT, BUT IT APPEARS NONE OF THE INJURIES IS LIFE THREATENING.
(SOT: MIGUEL CUEVAS, PASSENGER)
ABOUT 160 PASSENGERS AND CREW WERE ON THE TRAIN THAT LEFT CHICAGO YESTERDAY AFTERNOON HEADED FOR LOS ANGELES. AMTRAK OFFICIALS SAY THE TRAIN KNOWN AS THE "SOUTHWEST CHIEF" WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR AND WAS WELL WITHIN THE SPEED LIMIT WHEN IT DERAILED ON WHAT A SPOKESMAN CALLED A GENTLE CURVE.
N-T-S-B INVESTIGATORS ON THE SCENE, ABOUT 15 MILES SOUTH OF TOPEKA IN EASTERN, KANSAS. THEY'RE SEARCHING FOR CLUES AND INTERVIEWING CREW MEMBERS HOPING TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT.))
[Bus-Crash]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Bus Crash]
A bus carrying Americans crashed in central France today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Near Verdun, France;]
Dozens were injured when the driver reportedly lost control of the bus.
The German bus on its way to Paris was loaded with 64 passengers, including American students and military staff.
Early results from the accident investigation suggest the driver was asleep at the wheel when the bus overturned.
(------------)
[Colombia-Missile]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Two people were killed during a missile attack aimed at an army base in western Colombia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Medellin, Colombia;]
The attack happened yesterday in the country's second- largest city, killing two civilians and wounding at least 14 others.
The army base itself escaped damage, but about a dozen cars were destroyed.
Although no one has claimed responsibility, many believe it's the work of left-wing rebels.
(------------)
[Pig-Ethics]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Cloned Pigs]
By now, the five cloned pigs born in Blacksburg are the most famous swine in the world.
But while the genetic breakthrough could lead to countless scientific advances, it also raises some ethical questions.
Richard Roth reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ron James/PPL Therapeutics; :18]
[SUPER=01-Vivien Nathanson/British Medical Association; 1:07]
[SUPER=01-Richard Roth/Reporting; 1:26]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=Richard Roth, CBS News, London.]
((NARR: FIVE LITTLE PIGLETS, BORN IN VIRGINIA: CARBON COPIES OF EACH OTHER - AS WELL AS THE ADULT PIG THAT PROVIDED THE CELLS FROM WHICH THEY GREW. IT'S AN ASSEMBLY LINE OF CLONES, THAT SCIENTISTS SAY COULD LEAD TO A FACTORY OF SPARE PARTS FOR PEOPLE.
SOT RON JAMES/PPL THERAPEUTICS: the fact that we can now clone piglets give us the opportunity to turn off genes in the
pigs which is the secret to making these organs transplantable into humans. (10)
NARR: IT'S A DRAMATIC STEP FROM THE SAME RESEARCH GROUP THAT PRODUCED DOLLY, THE CELEBRATED SHEEP CLONE. SHE WAS THE LITTLE LAMB THAT FOUR YEARS AGO STIRRED CONTROVERSY OVER CLONING'S ETHICS AND ITS RISKS.
NARR: THE FIRST CLONED SHEEP MAY HAVE BEEN AN ODDITY. BUT CLONED PIGS ARE ALREADY BEING TALKED ABOUT AS A COMMODITY. BECAUSE OF SIZE AND AVAILABILITY, PIG ORGANS ARE CONSIDERED POTENTIALLY IDEAL FOR TRANSPLANT INTO HUMANS. NOW THERE'S THE POSSIBILITY OF REMOVING THE BIOLOGICAL SIGNALS THAT CAUSE HUMANS TO REJECT TRANSPLANTED ORGANS...FROM AN ENDLESS SUPPLY OF DONOR PIGS. THAT COULD BE JUST FOUR YEARS AWAY, AND IT COULD CARRY RISK.
SOT VIVIEN NATHANSON/BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: the problem is this issue of safety, particularly around infection. w
e have to be concerned about retro-viruses or other agents which we are not necessarily good at detecting.
(lab stuff)
NARR: THERE'S CONTROVERSY TOO BECAUSE THE ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY SUGGESTS
HUMAN CLONING IS MOVING WELL WITHIN THE REALM OF SCIENTIFIC POSSIBILITY.
ROTH ON CAMERA (APPROX): BUT EVEN THIS MORNING THERE ARE SOME NEW ETHICAL QUESTIONS BEING RAISED HERE. IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRODUCING LIVESTOCK FOR FOOD AND CLOTHING - AND RAISING IT SO THAT LIVING ORGANS CAN BE HARVESTED FOR HUMAN USE? RR, CBSN, LONDON. ))
[tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Roanoke County ambulance crews won't be charging for their services, at least for now.
That's one story still ahead on News 7 at Noon.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And you'll soon be able to stretch out a little more thanks to some major airlines.
First, let's talk to Patric Evans.
(---------------)
[Talent=Patrick]
[Wx-Tease]
[Weatherpro]
[music up full]
[comm1]
[Airlines-Space]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Air Travel]
If you're a frequent business flyer, you may soon notice something new... more space.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]
Aware that business travelers are often packed like sardines, the airlines are pushing for roomier seating.
Some critics are calling it a gimmick--
But American Airlines, British Air, Virgin Air and starting today, nearly all of United Airlines' flights are offering up to five- inches of extra leg room.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:06:02 ]
[IN Q=This is the]
((TOM MCCABE/UNITED AIRLINES: THIS IS THE LONG TERM INVESTMENT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR CUSTOMERS WHO WE ARE-- THE STRATEGY IS TO BUILD LOYALTY AMONG THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Tom McCabe/United Airlines;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=loyalty among them.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Despite the extra room to stretch out, some flyers still aren't happy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:06:15]
[IN Q=I want them to]
((BILL STUEBING/TRAVELER: I WANT THEM TO ENLARGE THE ARM RESTS SO YOU'RE NOT OVERLAPPING WITH HE PERSON NEXT TO YOU. ))
[SUPER=01-Bill Stuebing/Traveler;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=next to you]
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]
As fuel prices are skyrocketing, these airlines are looking at the bottom line.
Business travelers account for 50- percent of airlines' profits.
(------------)
[Execution-Key]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
An execution in Huntsville, Texas has prompted an investigation after the condemned inmate spit out a handcuff key MOMENTS before dying.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The key fell from the mouth of 28- year- old Ponchai Wilkerson , just as his lethal injection was taking effect.
Wilkerson had a history of breaking out of death row, and needed extra restraints in the death chamber.
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
It's not known how he got hold of the key.
But Texas authorities DON'T think that Wilkerson was planning another escape.
Wilkerson was on death row for the 19-90 shooting death and robbery of a Houston jeweler.
(------------)
[E-81-Crackdown]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-56 1:29:07]
[GRAPHIC=I-81 More Patrols]
State police say a year of stepped up enforcement is saving lives on Interstate 81.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
They say they're continuing to deploy 40 to 60 troopers, twice a week, along the length of the road.
Interstate 81 has seen about 40 traffic fatalities a year in recent years.
But police say the crackdown's made a dent.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:15:20]
[IN Q=Looking at]
((LT. COL. GERALD MASSENGILL/VIRGINIA STATE POLICE: LOOKING AT THE SATURATED PATROL EFFORTS FROM FEBRUARY THROUGH OCTOBER OF '99, WE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FATALITY ON I-81 WHILE ONE OF THESE PATROL EFFORTS WAS BEING RUN.))
[SUPER=01-Gerald Massengill/Virginia State Police; ]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=being run.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Police say motorists slow down when they see the patrols-- but speed back up when they don't.
Troopers have written almost 33-thousand tickets on I-81 since last February.
The profits go into the state Literary Fund.
(------------)
[Rescue-Fees]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke County]
Roanoke County supervisors gave a plan to charge residents for ambulance service a chilly reception.
Twenty Virginia localities, including the city of Roanoke, now impose fees for ambulance transports, but a majority of the board members said they would not support the proposal until county volunteers endorse the idea.
Officials have proposed the fees to raise more money for staffing and equipment...
But volunteer squads oppose the plan.
Their objections include the fear that fees will make it more difficult to raise money in the community.
[E-Lemon-Car]
[Anchor=Kimberly]
[Newscast=Noon]
[Tape#=00-01 TC1:03:15]
[Graphic=None]
Most everyone's car has trouble now and then.
But a Roanoke woman wants everyone to know about the chronic trouble her car has been having-- by turning it into a real lemon.
Kate Weidaw has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=If you pass]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=07-Karen Robertson; :13]
[SUPER=@Kate2; 1:35]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=kw news 7 roanoke - QUICK OUT!]
((If you pass Karen Robertson on the road you may think she has a liking for lemons -but look closer -- the signs in the windows say it all.
[SOT 56:37]
[INQ=]
((KAREN ROBERTSON: MY CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 1997 AND I'VE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 6]
[SOT 56:55]
[INQ=]
((KAREN ROBERTSON: I'VE HAD THE BEARINGS GO OUT ON THE FRONT AXLE, THE HORN HAD TO BE REPLACED, AIRBAGS HAD TO BE REPLACED I'VE HAD HOT WATER DUMPED ON THE FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 15]
And add to that list her brakes going out, not once but 5 times. So you might think-- why not ask the manufacturer to declare her Kia Sephia a lemon under the lemon law?
[SOT 57:25]
[INQ=]
((KAREN ROBERTSON: THEY SAY IT'S NOT A LEMON AND THEY'LL KEEP REPAIRING ANY PROBLEMS THAT HAPPEN.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 4]
The sales manager at the Kia dealership in Salem where Robertson bought the car didn't want to go on camera, but says he stands behind the cars and assures his customers they're safe.
But Robertson says she has 59 pages of reported defects from other unhappy customers that proves the dealership wrong.
[SOT 1:02:16]
[INQ=]
((BRAKES AND ROTORS, BRAKES, AND ROTORS.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 4]
But don't think Robertson's lemon of a car is getting her down -- in fact it's gotten her a lot of attention.
[SOT 59:15]
[INQ=]
((KAREN ROBERTSON: I HAVE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE WAVE AT ME GIVE ME THUMBS UP AND TALKING TO ME IN PARKING LOTS.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 7]
So if your car has left you with a sour taste in your mouth, Robertson says don't let it get you down - join her crusade of showing others you don't have to be ashamed to drive a lemon.
Kate Weidaw News 7 Roanoke.))
[E-L'burg-Council]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-06 21:06]
[GRAPHIC=Lynchburg]
Lynchburg College wants to expand into the surrounding neighborhood and the plan has some big supporters.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
College officials asked city council last night for permission to build 32 new townhomes on campus and convert several outside residences into student housing.
Lynchburg police support the move, because it will mean fewer students renting houses from absentee landlords.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:48:34//00:45:05]
[IN Q=Where the properties]
((MAJOR JACK LEWIS/LYNCHBURG POLICE: WHERE THE PROPERTIES SOMETIMES ARE NOT KEPT UP AS GOOD AND THERE'S LITTLE SUPERVISION TO THAT, ABSENTEE LANDLORDS TYPICALLY AND IT'S A FORMULA THAT ENABLES PROBLEMS TO OCCUR.))
((JOHN LEWIS/LYNCHBURG COLLEGE: IF WE CAN OWN MORE OF THE PROPERTIES WHERE OUR STUDENTS LIVE, WE FEEL WE CAN MAINTAIN THEM PROPERLY, PROVIDE THE RIGHT SUPERVISION FOR OUT STUDENTS AND THEREFORE ELIMINATE ANY PROBLEMS.))
[SUPER=01-Jack Lewis/Lynchburg Police Department; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Lewis/Lynchburg College; :13]
[RUNS=24]
[OUT Q=eliminate any problems.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Last fall, police raided several student parties on Vernon Street where alcohol was being sold to minors.
Officials say the college has worked hard to eliminate those problems.
(------------)
[E-Ferrum]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-53 1:54:31]
[GRAPHIC=Ferrum College]
Student anger at Ferrum College has reached such a critical point that even the school's president admits there may be a problem.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./March 1;]
Students protested two weeks ago when college officials cut the riding and field hockey teams without asking them first.
They say their president never listens to their opinions.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:33:44]
[IN Q=One student]
((ONE STUDENT ... MAN ON THE MOON.))
[SUPER=01-Addison Dalton/Student;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=man on the moon]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
President Jerry Boone says students serve on decision-making committees, but that there may be a communication problem.
He says he's boosting the business, environmental science and social services departments.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:03:24]
[IN Q=Because of that]
((BECAUSE OF THAT, THERE'LL BE OTHER CHANGES, PROBABLY SOME UNPOPULAR ONES THAT NEED TO BE MADE.))
[SUPER=01-Jerry Boone/Ferrum President;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=NEED TO BE MADE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Ferrum Board of Trustees meets this weekend.
(------------)
[Tease2]
[SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
The N-I-T is underway and some Virginia teams are set to take the court.
Highlights later in sports.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And a big capstone-- and a milestone-- for the Bedford D-Day Memorial.
It's all still ahead on News 7 at Noon.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]
[S-Radford-Explosion]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-60 1:28:07]
[GRAPHIC=NR Castings]
The steelworkers union and Intermet are orchestrating a collection for the victims of the New River Castings explosion.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford/Last Week]
Yesterday the company donated 50-thousand dollars to the relief fund.
The money will go to the families of the three workers who were killed, and to those who were hurt in the accident.
Contributions should be sent to the Blue Ridge Bank in Radford.
(------------)
[E-D-Day-Memorial]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-54 1:53:38]
[GRAPHIC=D-Day Memorial]
The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford has passed another another milestone.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]
Yesterday, construction crews hoisted an 18- ton slab of granite to the top of the arch that makes up the centerpiece of the memorial.
The scaffolding will come down and the arch should be finished next week.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:28:28]
[IN Q=The granite]
((RICHARD BURROW/D-DAY FOUNDATION DIRECTOR: THE GRANITE THAT WE SENT OUT FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO, TOOK ABOUT A YEAR AN
D A HALF TO QUARRY OUT OF COLD SPRINGS, MINNESOTA AND THEN BE DELIVERED HERE TO THE SITE AND SEE THE TOP CENTERPIECE TH
AT WEIGHTS ABOUT 37- THOUSAND POUNDS TO BE SET ON TOP OF THE ARCH, IT'S REALLY FULFILLING TO SEE IT COME TO LIFE IN JUST THAT WAY.))
[SUPER=01-Richard Burrow/D-Day Foundation Director]
[RUNS=21]
[OUT Q=just that way.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The memorial is scheduled to open on June 6th, 2001.
(------------)
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]
On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was UP 151 points.
[tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Still to come in sports, the Virginia men and Virginia Tech women prepare for the first round of the National Invitational Tournament,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
and after nine days in the Alaska wilderness, one man and 11 dogs emerge victorious in the world's premiere dog sled race.
Patrick returns with details.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]
[S-NIT]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-60 5130TC]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]
The three ACC teams that missed the NCAA tourney did earn spots in the N-I-T.
Last night Wake Forest beat Vanderbilt, while N-C State topped Tulane.
Tonight, U-V-A hopes to regroup and take care of Georgetown.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=WE'VE GOT A CHANCE...]
[SUPER=01-Pete Gillen/UVa Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=...NOT OVER."]
(--------------)
[S-Tech]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-49 tc 1:54:18]
[GRAPHIC=VT Hoops]
The women's N-I-T comes to Blacksburg tomorrow night as Virginia Tech takes on Georgia State.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/January 2;]
Virginia Tech is 19 and 10 on the season. And the Hokies have their eyes set on the trophy.
Georgia State is coming into the contest with a Trans America Athletic Conference regular season title and a 24 and six record.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=TREMENDOUSLY ]
((BONNIE HENRICKSON/VA TECH HEAD COACH: TREMENDOUSLY ATHLETIC THEY HAVE THE PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN THE CONFERENCE WHO AVERAGES NEARLY 20 POINTS A GAME, A JUNIOR ATHLETIC GUARD THAT'S SIX FOOT AND POSTS UP AND SCORES A LOT IN THE PAINT AND GETS A LOT OF ATTEMPTS ON THE FREE THROW LINE. THEIR VERY ATHLETIC THEY RUN AND DEFEND WELL. WE'LL HAVE OUR HANDS FULL.
AMY WETZEL/VA TECH JUNIOR: LIKE WE SAID IN THE REGULAR SEASON WE HAVE TO TAKE IT GAME BY GAME AND WE HAVE GEORGIA STAT ON THURSDAY AND WE HAVE TO COME READY TO PLAY AND THEN WE TAKE IT FROM THERE.))
[SUPER=01-Bonnie Henrickson/Virginia Tech Coach; :02]
[super=01-Amy Wetzel/Virginia Tech Junior; :19]
[RUNS=26]
[OUT Q=take it from there]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[ss=hold]
Tip off is at seven tomorrow night.
If Tech wins and has better fan support than at Maryland's first round game, the Hokies will host the second round contest on Saturday.
[S-Club]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-57]
[GRAPHIC=SPORTS CLUB]
This month's meeting of the Roanoke Valley sports club is set for tonight at the Salem Civic Center, and with the division three final 4 in town this weekend, the guest couldn't be more appropriate.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-This Season; ]
Hampden-Sydney head coach Tony Shaver will be in the house.
Shaver played under Dean Smith at Carolina.
He'll talk about what it was like to win 26 straight games this year, and what it was like to play for the title last season.
(------------)
[S-Elliott]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-53]
[GRAPHIC=NBA]
It's an inspiring story that has touched the N-B-A community this season.
Last night in San Antonio, the Spurs welcomed back Sean Elliott who became the
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Antonio, TX/Fox; :00]
first professional athlete in any sport to return to action after undergoing a kidney transplant.
Besides all the fans who wanted to witness his comeback - 46 family members and friends were in attendance including Elliott's brother Noel, who donated the kidney last August.
He started the game and played five minutes, five hard minutes before sitting out the rest of the first half.
[SUPER=32-Atlanta/79/San Antonio/94/Elliott - Two Points;]
He came back in the third quarter and brought the crowd to its feet with a thunderous flying slam.
The Spurs go on to win Elliott's come back game 94-to-79.
(------------)
[Iditarod]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Sports]
There's no checkered flag in this race, but it's just as steeped in tradition as NASCAR.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Nome, AK;]
Yesterday, a crowd of supporters gathered to celebrate Doug Swingley's win in Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
The Montana native and his 11 dogs finished the 11-hundred mile race in nine days and 58 minutes breaking his previous record by more than an hour.
Swingley's victory moves him into an elite group of racers who are three time winners.
(------------)
by SS