WDBJ 7 morning news for 03/17/00

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

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

Police in Atlanta are searching for a former black militant after two sheriff's deputies were shot trying to serve him a warrant.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And a former Virginia Congressman prepares for a possible run for Governor.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Showers have ended, and we're left with patchy fog this morning and gusty winds throughout the day.
As for temperatures, we're near the daytime high right now, with the mercury dropping into the 30s and 40s by this afternoon.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[Payne-Governor]

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

Former Fifth District Congressman L-F Payne is preparing for a possible run for Governor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/February 25]

Payne, a Democrat, said that an exploratory committee will be set up within the next two months.
The 54-year-old former Wintergreen resort executive lost a bid for lieutenant governor in 1997.
He served in Congress for eight years.
(------------)

[Verna-Lewis]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Verna Lewis]

A federal judge has ordered a Roanoke woman to begin serving an 18-month tax fraud sentence.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/December 1999]

Verna Lewis was convicted last July of filing false tax returns for three years, and asking her maid and yardman to lie to I-R-S officials.
She was originally scheduled to report to prison in February, but was allowed to wait while the Supreme Court reviewed a New York case that raised an issue similar to one her attorneys raised.
She'll remain free until a new date is set for her to turn herself in.
(------------)

[brown-manhunt]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]

A manhunt is underway in Atlanta this morning for the former Black Panther once known as H. Rap Brown.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA;]
[ 3:00:48]
Brown-- now known as Jamil Al-Amin-- allegedly fired on two sheriff's deputies who were trying to serve a warrant against him for aggravated assault.
One of the officers is listed in critical condition....the other as guarded.
[SUPER=@File;]
[3:01:38]
Al-Almin was a leader in the student non-Violent coordinating Committee and a justice minister of the Black Panthers.
(---------)

[S-Weeks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=00-01 1:00:45]
[GRAPHIC=Lonnie Weeks]

Lonnie Weeks Junior apologized last night to the family of Trooper Jose Cavazos and his own family just before he was put to death by injection.
(---------)
[VO-NAT]

Weeks said in an interview earlier this week that he was ready to die.
Weeks shot the state trooper to death seven years ago .
[Super=03-Dale City/1993;]

It happened after he was pulled over on Interstate 95 in Dale City.
The Supreme Court stayed his execution last September .. but later ruled it could go forward.
(------------)

[S-Radford-Explosion]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-52 2:00:23]
[GRAPHIC=New River Castings]

The recent fatal explosion has sparked one family's crusade to make the workplace safe.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]

Edward and Glenna Anderson's daughter was one of three workers killed in the blast at New River Castings.
Now Karen Hamilton's father says he's on a mission.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 58:18 - :31]
[IN Q=I would just]
((EDWARD ANDERSON/VICTIM'S FATHER: I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT THE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE DO A MUCH BETTER JOB THAN THEY ARE DOING.))
[SUPER=01-Edward Anderson/Victim's Father;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=they are doing.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Anderson, also an Intermet employee, says agencies like OSHA could do a better job enforcing safety regulations... by not warning companies of inspections... and toughening penalties.
The family has hired an attorney, but won't say what course of action it will take.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 59:57 - 1:00:07]
[IN Q=I can not ]
((EDWARD ANDERSON/VICTIM'S FATHER: I CAN NOT PUT A VALUE ON MY DAUGHTER'S LIFE THERE'S NO AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT CAN BRING OUR DAUGHTER BACK.))
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=our daughter back.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Radford City Council says its working on "enticing" Intermet to rebuild the plant.

[1-Sports]

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

In sports, G-W Danville tries to extend its season in the state high school basketball tournament.
Mike Stevens has that and March Madness highlights.
Good Morning Mike.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:06]
[OUT Q=see you then]

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

[One-Steve]

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

[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/O' Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
[SUPER=01-Bob Hartman/Heartland Bread;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]

(toss to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM] ((Archive: st. Patricks day))

[vermont-gays]

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

Vermont is on its way to formally recognizing same-sex partnerships.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montpelier, VT;]
[3:17:10]
The Vermont House yesterday passed a bill permitting gay and lesbian couples to form ``civil unions.''
The bill entitles same-sex couples to all the benefits married couples enjoy, without calling their union a marriage.
It would also allow them to file a joint state tax return.
The Vermont Senate is expected to pass the bill later this month, and Governor Howard Dean has said he also supports it.
(------------)

[Cloned-Pigs]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=mornin]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-56 TC1:30:14]
[GRAPHIC=Cloned Pigs]

The cloned Blacksburg piglets are raising hopes of a new source of transplants for humans, but Carilion's ethics director sees some potential problems.
For one, PEOPLE might stop donating organs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Tuesday;]

The five pigs were cloned at Virginia Tech earlier this week.
Their organs will be used for human organ transplants.
But some worry about a backlash.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:21:35]
[IN Q=Are we going to]
((CHARLES HITE/BIOMEDICAL ETHICS DIR.: ARE WE GOING TO DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM DONATING THEIR ORGANS BECAUSE THEY SAY, WELL, LET THE PIGS DO IT? I HOPE THAT ISN'T THE CASE AND I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE BUT SOME PEOPLE HAVE RAISED THAT AS A CONCERN.))
[SUPER=01-Charles Hite/Biomedical Ethics Director;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=as a concern]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Hite says this medical breakthrough raises other ethical questions, too.
If the procedure is approved but insurance doesn't cover it -- poor people could wind up neglected.
(------------)

[Health-Check]

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

In other medical news, cancer tests are getting simpler.
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=1:30]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((LETS FACE IT- SOME EXAMS HURT- SOME ARE EMBARRASSING- THATS WHY MANY PEOPLE AVOID ROUTINE CANCER SCREENING BUT HOPEFULLY THAT WILL CHANGE. RESEARCHERS AT JOHNS HOPKINS HAVE DEVELOPED WHAT MAY BE A SIMPLE SERIES OF TESTS FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF CANCER. RIGHT NOW- THEY HAVE COME UP WITH SCREENING TESTS USING URINE TO DETECT BLADDER CANCER AND SALIVA TO DETECT CANCERS IN THE HEAD AND NECK. AND TESTS FOR OTHER CANCERS ARE ON THE DRAWING BOARD.
VT=VO
ALSO TODAY- DO YOU PREFER YOUR DRINKING WATER FROM THE TAP- OR FROM A BOTTLE? WELL A BOTTLE MAY BE MORE CONVENIENT- BUT WATER FROM THE TAP MAY ACTUALLY BE PURER. 20 RESEARCHERS AT CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY TESTED TAP WATER VS 57 BRANDS OF BOTTLED WATER AND FOUND IN 15 CASES, THE BOTTLED CONTAINED UP TO ONE THOUSAND TIMES MORE GERMS THAN TAP WATER.

VT=VO
FINALLY ITS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT NUMBERS WHEN YOU GET A BLOOD TEST- YOUR HDL- OR GOOD CHOLESTEROL. THATS BECAUSE THE MORE HDL YOU HAVE- THE LOWER YOUR RISK OF A HEART ATTACK. ONE WAY TO THINK OF HDL IS THAT IT ALMOST ACTS LIKE A BRUSH THAT KEEPS CHOLESTEROL PLAQUES FROM BLOCKING HEART ARTERIES. NOW HERE'S WHAT'S NEW. THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF CARDIOLOGY HAS RAISED WHAT'S CONSIDERED NORMAL HDL- FOR MEN- IT USED TO BE 35- ITS NOW 40. FOR WOMEN- IT USED TO BE 45- ITS NOW 50 OR HIGHER. 20 SOME WAYS TO INCREASE HDL INCLUDE EXERCISE, MEDICATION, AND HAVING A DRINK EVERY DAY. ON CAM THATS A LOOK AT SOME OF THE DAYS TOP HEALTH STORIES. IM DR DAVE HNIDA FOR CBS NEWS.))

(ad lib to weather)

[Two-Steve]

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

[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/O' Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
(I'll intro)

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I'm from county Claire]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Phillips/Irish Musician; :37]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=Somebody thats singing]
(dissolve out)
[Steve Live]

[Double Boxes=SPA & KMC]
(Toss to Kimberly)
((Archive: Jeff Phillips, St. Patricks Day. Hurleys))[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]

Police in Atlanta are searching for a former black militant after two sheriff's deputies were shot trying to serve him a warrant for aggravated assault.
Police say they are not certain that the man once known as H. Rap Brown fired the shots that wounded the officers last night.
Brown is now known as Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

Vermont is one step closer to sanctioning same sex unions.
Yesterday the state house gave final approval to a bill giving gays and lesbians benefits through civil unions.
The amendment includes specific language stating a marriage is the union of a man and a woman.
The bill next heads to the Vermont Senate where its also expected to get the green light.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

First the ballots were misplaced, now the Oscar statuettes have apparently been stolen.
A spokesman for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirms that the statuettes that were to be given out March 26th are missing.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Friday March 17.
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-Verna-Lewis]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Verna Lewis]

A federal judge in Roanoke has ordered a Doctor to begin serving an 18-month tax fraud sentence.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/December 1999]

Verna Lewis was convicted last July of filing false tax returns for three years and asking her maid and yardman to lie to I-R-S officials.
She was originally scheduled to report to prison in February but was allowed to wait while the Supreme Court reviewed a New York case that raised an issue similar to one her attorneys raised.
She'll remain free until a new date is set for her to turn herself in.
(------------)

[2-Payne-Governor]

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

The field of candidates for Virginia's next governor may get a little bigger.
Former Fifth District Congressman L-F Payne is preparing for a possible run.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/February 25]

Payne, a Democrat, said that an exploratory committee will be set up within the next two months.
The 54-year-old former Wintergreen resort executive lost a bid for lieutenant governor in 1997.
He served in Congress for eight years.
(------------)

[Earley-PETA]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morning]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-57 1:17:28]
[GRAPHIC=None]

An animal rights group has dropped its controversial "Got Beer"campaign.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals canned the ads -- after several groups protested.
Joy Sutton has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=PETA]
[SUPER=01-Bruce Friedrich/PETA; :22]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :32]
[SUPER=@Earley; :43]
[SUPER=@Joy1; :56]
[RUNS=1:07]
[OUT Q=JS, News 7.]
((PETA says its "Got Beer" campaign was not intended to promote alcohol use -- but simply to suggest that drinking beer is better for you than milk.
But this message upset Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other groups concerned about alcohol abuse -- who said pull the plug on this ad.
While PETA has now replaced the ad with "Dump Dairy", it still says the ads were beneficial.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:35:12]
[IN Q=I think MADD's]
((BRUCE FRIEDRICH/PETA: I THINK MADD'S PURPOSE AND OUR PURPOSE WERE PRETTY WELL SERVED BY THIS CAMPAIGN. MAD WAS ABLE TO RAISE THEIR ISSUES IN A NATIONAL FORUM. WE WERE ABLE RAISE OUR ISSUES IN A NATIONAL FORUM))
[RUNS= 8]
[OUT Q=national forum]

Attorney General Mark Earley was among those who put the pressure on the animals rights group -- saying the ads encouraged college drinking at a time when many are fighting to curb binge drinking on college campuses.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 34:04]
[IN Q=My first reaction]
((ATTORNEY GENERAL MARK EARLEY: MY FIRST REACTION WHEN I HEARD THE CAMPAIGN GOT BEER, WAS GOT SENSE, I MEAN DOES PETA REALLY HAVE SENSE THINKING THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE WAY TO GET ACROSS THEIR MESSAGE))
[RUNS= 7]
[OUT Q=their message]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:31]
[IN Q=Earley is calling]
((JOY SUTTON/REPORTING: EARLEY IS CALLING THE DECISION A VICTORY FOR PARENTS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS. WHILE PETA HAS NOT DIRECTLY APOLOGIZED FOR THE ADS, IT HAS DONATED 500 DOLLARS TO MADD AND IS OFFERING A LINK ON ITS WEB PAGE TO MADD'S WEB SITE. JOY SUTTON, NEWS 7))
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=js n7]))

[5-Dairy-Farmers]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=500-11 TC23:08]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Although PETA pulled its "Got Beer" campaign, it still claims dairy farmers abuse their cows.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chatham;]

Some farmers like Chatham's Nathan Hammock are enraged.
He has 350 cows and milks them three times a day.
He says he doesn't know how he could treat his cows better.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:41:49]
[IN Q=Do you feel ]
((DO YOU FEEL LIKE THEY ATTACKED YOUR LIVLIHOOD? NATHAN HAMMOCK/DAIRY FARMER: YES I DO. FOR US TO BE LABELED IN THE DAIRY INDUSTRY AS ABUSING OUR ANIMALS THEY ATTACKED US. I DON'T LIKE IT.))
[SUPER=01-Nathan Hammock/Dairy Farmer;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=don't like it.]
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]

Hammock says he's glad PETA at least pulled the beer advertisment.
(------------)

[2-brown-manhunt]

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

Atlanta police are searching for the former Black Power leader once known as H. Rap Brown.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA;]
[ 3:00:48]
Two officers were trying to serve a warrant against the ex-Black Panther when they were shot.
Police say they're not sure if Brown, who is now known as Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, fired the shots.
One of the officers is listed in critical condition....the other as guarded.
[SUPER=@File;]
[3:01:38]
Al-Almin was a leader in the student non-Violent coordinating Committee and a justice minister of the Black Panthers.
(---------)

[Three-Steve]

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

[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/O' Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]

(I'll intro)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The hand clapping]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Phillips/Irish Musician; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[RUNS=3:15]
[OUT Q=(I clap my hands, dissolve to me live)]

(dissolve to me..)
[Steve Live]

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

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
(ad lib toss to bump)
[BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]
((Archive: St Patricks day jeff phillips hurleys))

[5-VMI-Daniels]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=500-5 TC20:52]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]

Virginia Military Institute is recognizing former President Jimmy Carter for his public service and humanitarian efforts.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Carter is the first recipient of the Jonathan M. Daniels Humanitarian award... and he will accept the honor when he visits the Institute next March.
[SUPER=03-Lexington]

V-M-I Superintendent Josiah (joe-SI-uh) Bunting announced Carter's selection at a VMI assembly Thursday morning.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:13?]
[IN Q=Over a long lifetime]
[SUPER=01-Josiah Bunting/VMI Superintendent]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=which all of us should emulate.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The award memorializes Jonathan Daniels, a 1961 graduate who was involved in the civil rights movement.
Daniels was shot and killed in Alabama in 1965.
(-------------)

[2-Lewis-Gale]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morning]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Lewis Gale Clinic]

More possible trouble for the Lewis Gale Clinic system.
Two sources say five satellite clinics could close.
While a Lewis Gale Clinic spokesperson did say it's an option being considered -- she says NO decision has been reached on that matter.
As far as the negotiations with parent company Phycor -- the spokesperson says the clinic hopes to have a final settlement on April 1st.
A settlement that would allow the clinic to sever ties with Phycor and become an independent clinic owned by the physicians.
Lewis-Gale Clinic operates 14 satellite clinics throughout the Roanoke and New River Valleys.

[stolen-oscar]

[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Academy Awards]

The Academy Awards show later this month is turning into a comedy of errors.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]
[5:00]
First, thousands of member voting ballots were misplaced.
Now, the 54 statuettes that were to be given out March 26th are missing.
The Academy says the Oscars were stolen from a loading dock in a Los Angeles suburb.
The academy has scheduled a morning news conference in Beverly Hills where Executive Director Bruce Davis will answer questions about the theft.
(------------)

[3-Sports]

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

In sports, the Division three college hoops tournament invades the Salem Civic Center.
Mike Stevens has more.
Good Morning Mike.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:35]
[OUT Q=take care]

[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]

Five Lewis-Gale satellite clinics could be closing-- That's the word from two sources.
While a Lewis Gale Clinic spokesperson did say it's an option being considered -- she says NO decision has been reached on that matter.
As far as the negotiations with parent company Phycor -- the spokesperson says the clinic hopes to have a final settlement on April 1st.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

A federal judge in Roanoke has ordered Doctor Verna Lewis to begin serving an 18-month tax fraud sentence.
Lewis was convicted last July of filing false tax returns for three years and asking her maid and yardman to lie to I-R-S officials.
She'll remain free until a new date is set for her to turn herself in.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Former Fifth District Congressman L-F Payne is preparing for a possible run for Governor.
Payne, a Democrat, said an exploratory committee will be set up within the next two months.
The 54-year-old former Wintergreen resort executive lost a bid for lieutenant governor in 1997.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Now here's Robin Reed with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=So what's the]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=on News 7 at Six.]
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(ad lib bye)

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=nat music]
[***ENG MUSIC UP TO NETWORK]