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WDBJ 7 morning news for 08/07/00
[Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Union workers in Roanoke are entering day two of their strike on Verizon.
They say they're fighting for job security, a better pension plan and work environment.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Denise]
And Al Gore says he'll announce his running mate tomorrow. The list of candidates is now down to four.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
Hundreds of Verizon workers in our area are walking the picket lines this morning.
They are part of a 13 state strike by union workers of the communications company.
Contract talks resume this morning.
Jacqueline Adams has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mitchell Moss/New York University; :45]
[SUPER=01-Scott Cleland/Industry Analyst; :58]
[SUPER=01-Jacqueline Adams/Reporting; 1:33]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=CBS News New York.]
((
On the surface, the Verizon Communications strike looks like a
doozie....87-thousand unionized telephone operators and line technicians
pitted against the largest local and wireless telephone company in this
country. 27 million customers AFFECTED....in 13 states.
sot Anita Latan They forced our hand.
sot Ty Lawal It has to do with, basically, benefits and job security
and better opportunities for workers.
v/o: BUT THE BIGGEST FIGHT IS OVER Verizon's 32-thousand NON UNION
workers in the fast growing wireless division. The union wants a crack
at them. Labor analysts caution the unions not to hold their breath.
(--sot Mitchell Moss/ New York University) The unions are going to find
out that their ability to get into the growing sectors will be limited.
They will not be able to do it overnight.
v/o: And industry anaylyst say in today's economy workers don't need
labor protection.
(--sot Scott Cleland/ industry analyst) With unemployment at historic
lows and companies growing extremely rapidly, they need to treat their
workers well in order to retain them.
v/o: Verizon's old unionized business..its fixed wire business...is
growing only 3% a year, but the highly competitive mobile sector -- with
wireless, cable and internet communications -- is growing 25% a year.
(---sot Moss) We don't need a unionized work force to put that wire in
your pocket. You just put the antenna in your pocket and so the union,
by definition, has lost the growing share of the wireless service.
ON CAM: Despite the high stakes, experts say the two sides aren't
bitter...and aren't that far apart. Still, it could take a week or more
to iron out the differences.
))
Al Gore says he'll announce his democratic running mate tomorrow.
The list has been whittled to four names as political pontifs speculate who it will be.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Nashville, TN;]
Gore, who arrived home in Tennessee to meet with advisors yesterday, says he hasn't decided who will make up the other half of the ticket.
Senators, John Edwards of North Carolina, John Kerry of Massachusetts, Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, and Evan Bayh round out the list.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=people]
((BOB SHRUM/ GORE CAMPAIGN ADVISOR: PEOPLE WHO KNOW SOMETHING AREN'T TALKING ABOUT IT. PEOPLE WHO ARE
TALKING ABOUT IT, I THINK DON'T kNOW ANYTHING.))
[SUPER=201-Bob Shrum/Gore Campaign Advisor;]
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=anything]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
John Edwards, a newcomer with just 2 years in the Senate, is said to be tops on the list.
(------------)
Presidential hopeful George W. Bush says if elected, he'd drop a Justice Department lawsuit against the tobacco industry.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Joliet, IL;]
Bush says he wants to focus on preventing children from smoking while still enforcing the settlement between the states and the industry.
And, he says, the states have already received a lot of money from their settlements with tobacco companies.
The Clinton administration sued the tobacco industry last year, seeking 500-Billion in payments to recover Medicare spending to treat smoking-related illnesses.
(------------)
The federal reserve releases a survey of economic activity and Verizon releases its quarterly earnings report. Stacey Tisdale looks at what you can expect this week in today's Marketwatch report.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 03:26:54]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stacey Tisdale/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=CBS News New York]
((Information:
ONCAM=Stacey Tisdale
IT COULD BE A QUIET WEEK ON WALL STREET. MANY MARKET PLAYERS HAVE
TAKEN OFF FOR SUMMER VACATIONS.
BUT THERE ARE SOME MAJOR EARNINGS AND ECONOMIC REPORTS DUE FOR RELEASE.
ON THE EARNINGS FRONT: SOME OF THE GIANTS IN THE TECHNOLOGY WORLD:
ESS=graphic "Earnings Watch"
CISCO SYSTEMS COMES OUT TUESDAY,
ESS=add
SEMI-CONDUCTOR GIANT APPLIED MATERIALS IS WEDNESDAY,
ESS=add
AND THURSDAY, IT'S DELL COMPUTER.
ONCAM=Stacey Tisdale
TECHNOLOGY STOCKS HAVE BEEN ON A ROLLERCOASTER LATELY BECAUSE
INVESTORS ARE WORRIED ABOUT EARNINGS IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR. SO
THESE RESULTS COULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON TRADING.
ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT:
ESS=graphic "Economy Watch"
WEDNESDAY, THE FEDERAL RESERVE RELEASES A SURVEY ON ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
CALLED THE BEIGE BOOK.
ONCAM=Stacey Tisdale
POLICYMAKERS WILL USE THE INFORMATION TO DECIDE THE NEXT DIRECTION FOR
INTEREST RATES AT A MEETING ON AUGUST 22ND.
ESS=graphic "Economy Watch"
THEN FRIDAY, THE PRODUCER PRICE INDEX IS DUE OUT...IT'S A MEASURE OF
WHOLESALE PRICE INFLATION.
ESS=graphic
ALSO FRIDAY WE'LL SEE THE GOVERNMENT'S LATEST DATA ON RETAIL SALES.
ONCAM=Stacey Tisdale
RETAIL STOCKS COULD GET SOME ATTENTION OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. IN
ADDITION TO THE REPORT, MANY COMPANIES RELEASE QUARTERLY EARNINGS.
ESS=graphic "Retail Earnings"
WEDNESDAY, IT'S WAL-MART,
ESS=add
AND THURSDAY: THE GAP, AND K-MART.
ONCAM=Stacey Tisdale
VERIZON WIRELESS COULD ALSO BE A STOCK TO WATCH: TUESDAY, VERIZON
MEETS WITH WALL STREET ANALYSTS TO DISCUSS ITS GROWTH PROSPECTS, ALSO
TUESDAY, THE COMPANY RELEASES QUARTERLY EARNINGS. VERIZON HAS BEEN IN
THE HEADLINES RECENTLY BECAUSE OF WORKER UNREST.
ESS=MarketWatch Graphic
FOR MORE ON THE WEEK ON WALL STREET, CLICK ON C-B-S DOT MARKETWATCH
DOT COM,
ONCAM=Stacey Tisdale
64 wildfires have destroyed more than 941-thousand acres in 11 western states.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sula, MT;]
In Montana's Bitterroot Valley, hundreds of residents driven from their homes by smoke and flames were allowed to return for a few hours Sunday.
But later wind-driven blazes erupted and forced additional emergency evacuations.
The forecasts offer little hope of relief from the hot, dry weather that has helped create what officials have called the worst fire season in the West in 50 years.
(------------)
West Virginia State Police are still investigating the case of a missing Virginia Tech student.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fayette Co., WV/September 1998]
It's been nearly two years since Rob Kovack was last seen in Blacksburg.
His abandoned car was discovered in Fayette County... near the New River Gorge Bridge.
West Virginia state police say the case has always been active but were recently given permission to devote even more time to it.
They've since met twice with Virginia State police to go over their files.
They say they have NO new leads or information.
One local school system is trying to fill vacant teaching positions before the new school year begins. School administrators across the country say the hiring process is becoming more and more competitive.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Last Week;]
Even local school systems are feeling the impact of changing times... as the teaching population ages and fewer young people enter the profession.
Last week-- Montgomery County still had ten teaching vacancies to fill.
Superintendent Fred Morton says it's often hard to compete with larger school systems in terms of salary.
But Morton says the New River Valley has a lot to offer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:09;31]
[IN Q=I think ]
((FRED MORTON/MONTGOMERY CO. SUPERINTENDENT THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO WHEN WE'RE RECRUITING IS TO TALK ABOUT A LOT OF THE BENEFITS HERE. WE'RE MADE A REAL COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING TEACHERS IN TERMS OF CLASS SIZE AND SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS WE DO. WE MAY NOT BE THE BEST IN THE STATE, BUT WE'RE VERY COMPETITIVE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE'RE DOING THERE AND SO IT'S NOT JUST QUALITY OF LIVING LIFE, IT'S QUALITY OF TEACHING LIFE. ))
[SUPER=01-Fred Morton/Montgomery Co. Superintendent;]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=teaching life.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Morton says school officials made approximately 40- recruiting visits to colleges and universities last year.
They also took along members of the community to talk about the positive things the New River Valley has to offer.
(------------)
[Health-Check]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]
In medical news, Doctor Dave Hnida explains how to take prescription drugs correctly in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Dave Hnida/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:21]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((Information:
VT=VO
IF YOURE LIKE MOST AMERICANS,YOU TAKE A PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE SEVERAL
TIMES OR YEAR- OR MAYBE EVEN HAVE TO TAKE SOMETHING EVERY DAY OF THE
YEAR. SO HERE'S THE QUESTION- WHEN YOU TAKE A PILL- ARE YOU TAKING IT THE
RIGHT WAY? HERE ARE SOME TIPS FROM THE MAYO CLINIC:- AND ALL OF THESE
SHOULD BE FOLLOWED UNLESS YOU'VE BEEN TOLD ITS OK TO DO OTHERWISE.
GRFX
DONT BREAK APART PILLS OR CAPSULES. MANY ARE SLOW RELEASE- BREAK THEM
APART AND YOU CAN HAVE A BAD REACTION.
GRFX
DONT MIX WITH FOOD- ACIDS OR MINERALS IN FOOD MAY PREVENT A MEDICINE
FROM BEING ABSORBED THE SAME GOES FOR TAKING YOUR VITAMINS AND MINERALS-
DONT TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS AT THE SAME TIME.
GRFX
DONT TAKE PILLS WITH OR PUT PILLS IN HOT BEVERAGES.- THE HEAT CAN
DESTROY THE MEDICINE.
GRFX
NEXT- STAY AWAY FROM ALCOHOL WHILE ON MEDICINE. CERTAIN DRUGS-
ESPECIALLY ANTIBIOTICS- PLUS ALCOHOL CAN MAKE YOU TERRIFICALLY SICK.
GRFX
AND FINALLY IF A DRUG SAYS TAKE WITH FOOD- YOU DONT NEED A FULL MEAL- A
SMALL SNACK- JUST SOMETHING ON YOUR STOMACH IS ENOUGH TO HELP THE
MEDICINE BE ABORBED, COMPLETELY.
VT=VO
AND AS ALWAYS- ANY QUESTIONS- ASK YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST. IM DR DAVE
HNIDA FOR CBS NEWS.))
(ad lib to weather)
[2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=dal/spa]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
Verizon workers from Main to Virginia are starting the work week walking the picket lines.
Hundreds of wokers in Southwest Virginia are among those fighting for job security, a better pension plan and work environment.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
64 wildfires are burning in 11 western states. Fire officials say this is the worst fire season in 50 years. More than 941-thousand acres have been scorched.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
The speculation will be over tomorrow. That's when Al Gore says he'll announce who will be his running mate for the 2000 elections. John Edwards, John Kerry, Joseph Lieberman and Evan Bayh are the top candidates.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
And that's what's making news on this Monday August 7-th.
[ANCHOR=Denise]
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.
[11Verizon-Strike]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-19; TC 1:28:23]
[GRAPHIC=Verizon]
Contract negotiations between Verizon and union negotiators will resume this morning.
Both sides worked late into the night. They report progress but say a number of serious issues remain unresolved.
In Roanoke, workers are entering their second day on the picket lines.
The strike began at six yesterday morning.
Kate Weidew reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;00]
[SUPER=01-David Layman/Local 2204 President;:39]
[SUPER=@Kate1;1:30]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=kw news7 roanoke co.]
(([NAT SOUND]
[RUNS= 5]
Dozens of Verizon telephone operators and line technicians woke up early to hit the picket lines. From the Bell Atlantic headquarters on Airport Road to the downtown office in Roanoke, to Hershberger Road strikers were holding signs and getting support from drivers passing by.
[NAT SOUND HORN]
[RUNS= 3]
The strikes comes after the union's three year contract expired at midnight on Saturday while negotiations were still taking place.
Although talks are continuing workers want the company to know they mean business.
[SOT 39:28]
[INQ=]
((WORKER: NO CONTRACT NO PEACE!))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 4]
[SOT 22:26]
[INQ=]
((DAVID LAYMAN/LOCAL 2204 CWA PRESIDENT: WE'VE GIVEN COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSALS SINCE JUNE 26-TH AND THE COMPANY HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS THOSE PROPOSALS.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 8]
The local union president says the employees want a better pension plan and working environment.
[SOT 24:13]
[INQ=]
((DAVID LAYMAN: PEOPLE ARE CONSTANTLY MONITORED IN SOME OF OUR JOBS THE RULES TODAY MAY NOT BE THE RULES OF TOMORROW, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE SO MANY SALES AND ABRIDGE TO MAKE SALES.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 13]
While workers are off the job more than 33- thousand Verizon managers across the country will step in to take over their responsibilities.
Officials expect few if any interruptions in basic telephone service.
[SOT 26:33]
[INQ=]
((DAVID LAYMAN: WE HOPE THERE IS VERY LITTLE SERVICE DISRUPTION.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 4]
[BUTT, BUTT, BUTT]
[SOT 27:29]
[INQ=]
((DAVID LAYMAN: THE COMPANY SAYS THINGS ARE AUTOMATED, BUT AUTOMATION DOESN'T TAKE THE PLACE OF 82-HUNDRED PEOPLE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 8]
[STANDUP]
[INQ=]
((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: BUT VERIZON OFFICIALS SAY THERE COULD BE DISTRUPTIONS IF A CUSTOMER WANTS TO SPEAK WITH AN OPERATOR OR HAVE SERVICE INSTALLED. BOTH THE COMPANY AND IT'S WORKERS HOPE AN AGREEMENT IS REACH TO END THE STRIKE. KATE WEIDAW NEWS 7 ROANOKE COUNTY.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS=]))
The list is apparently down to four.
Democratic presidential candidate, Al Gore says he'll chose his running mate from a list that includes Senators Joseph Lieberman, John Kerry, John Edwards and Evan Bayh.
Lee Cowan has more on tomorrow's announcement.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=203-Nashville, TN; :00]
[super=204-Face The Nation; :09QUICK!!]
[SUPER=201-Bob Shrum/Gore Campaign Adviser; :12QUICK]
[SUPER=201-Chris Lehane/Gore Spokesperson; :42]
[super=204-Face The Nation; 1:17QUICK]
[SUPER=201-Karen Hughes/Bush Spokesperson; 1:20QUICK]
[super=201-William Daley/Gore Campaign Chairperson; 1:25]
[super=201-Lee Cowan/Reporting; 1:31]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=CBS NEws Washington]
((Amid heightening speculation over who he will pick as a running mate, Al
Gore arrived home in Tennessee for one last meeting with his advisors.
(SOT: BOB SHRUM/ GORE CAMPAIGN ADVISOR)
PEOPLE WHO KNOW SOMETHING AREN'T TALKING ABOUT IT. PEOPLE WHO ARE
TALKING ABOUT IT, I THINK DON'T KNOW ANYTHING."
The buzz is the loudest about Senator John Edwards of North Carolina.
But John Kerry of Massachusetts, and Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut
are still very much in play.
But Lieberman...says democratic national chairman Ed Rendell.... may
concern voters because of his Orthodox Jewish background.
Rendell ...who Jewish himself ...told reporters.. "If Joe Lieberman were
Episcopalian it would be a slam dunk."
Gore's spokesman said religion has never been part of the vice
president's equation.
(SOT/CHRIS LEHANE, GORE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR)
"He said absolutely that's not something he's taking into consideration."
The focus is still intense on John Kerry.
(NAT/SOT KERRY)
'I don't have a comment on the proceeds. I really don't."
Kerry is a decorated Vietnam veteran, and three term Senator who stumped
with Gore successfully throughout the primaries.
But he's also considered a liberal -- whose Senate seat would likely be
replaced by a Republican - which could keep Kerry right where he is.
NAT/SOT EDWARDS "hello"
That leaves John Edwards..a newcomer with just 2 years in the
Senate...he has been extremely visible -- a telegenic family man, who
was once a successful trial lawyer.
SOT: KAREN HUGHES (bush spokesperson) "Senator Edwards clearly does not
have anywhere near the experience or the stature that a Dick Cheney
does..."
Democrats scoffed at the comparison.
(SOT/BILL DALEY, GORE CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN)
'This isn't going to be a retro-ticket about looking back 12 years ago,
or 15 years ago. This is about the future."
(COWAN ON CAM:)
"All this speculation at least is giving Gore some much needed
publicity. He is behind in the polls, and knows full well that
historically no one trailing on Labor Day -- has ever made it to the
White House.
))
[11Allen-Robb]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-31; TC 6:14]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]
U-S Senate Candidates Chuck Robb and George Allen held their first debate over the weekend.
Among the topics - each candidates' records.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Bath Co./Saturday]
One of the questions centered on the gas tax.
George Allen says Robb tried to have a bill passed in 19-93 that would have raised the gas tax by 50 cents a gallon.
(///// SOT /////)
[IN Q=We would]
((GEORGE ALLEN: WE WOULD HAVE BEEN PAYING 2 DOLLARS A GALLON AND YOU TALK ABOUT CONSERVATION THEN WHY DO YOU ALWAYS VOTE AGAINST ANY DOMESTIC PRODUCTION UNDER THE NORTH SCOPE OF ALASKA.))
((CHUCK ROBB: I DIDN'T NOT REINTRODUCE THAT LEGISLATION IN 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 AND I WILL NOT REINTRODUCE IT THIS YEAR. I KNOW IT'S AN ISSUE YOU ENJOYED RUNNING ON.))
[SUPER=201-George Allen/(R) Senatorial Candidate]
[SUPER=201-Sen. Chuck Robb/(D) Senatorial Candidate]
[OUTQ=running on.]
[RUNS=33]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Robb says he made the proposal during the Persian Gulf War.
(------------)
Obi-Wan Kenobi has died. Actor Sir Alec Guiness passed away Saturday.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:08:42]
[IN Q=]
((HELLO THERE. COME HERE MY LITTLE FRIEND.))
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=LITTLE FRIEND]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-20th Century Fox-Lucas Films;]
Guiness is probably best known for bringing the Star Wars character to life.
The legendary actor also played Shakespeare's Hamlet.
He died after becoming ill at his home near Petersfield, in southern England.
The cause of his death has not been released.
Guiness won an Oscar for his role as the unflappable Col. Nicholson in the 1957 movie, "The Bridge on the River Kwai."
He was 86 years old.
(------------)
A Chatham teenager is dead following a single-car accident in Pittsylvania county.
State Police say 19-year-old Alex Wayne Blair was driving on U-S 29 when his 19-94 Pathfinder swerved off the side of the road.
Blair apparently overcorrected his vehicle and it rolled over several times, throwing him from the car.
Blair was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hiring teachers is becoming more and more competitive according to school administrators across the country.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Last Week;]
Even local school systems are feeling the impact of changing times... as the teaching population ages and fewer young people enter the profession.
Last week-- Montgomery County still had ten teaching vacancies to fill.
Superintendent Fred Morton says it's often hard to compete with larger school systems in terms of salary.
But Morton says the New River Valley has a lot to offer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:09;31]
[IN Q=I think ]
((FRED MORTON/MONTGOMERY CO. SUPERINTENDENT:I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO WHEN WE'RE RECRUITING IS TO TALK ABOUT A LOT OF THE BENEFITS HERE. WE'RE MADE A REAL COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING TEACHERS IN TERMS OF CLASS SIZE AND SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS WE DO. WE MAY NOT BE THE BEST IN THE STATE, BUT WE'RE VERY COMPETITIVE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE'RE DOING THERE AND SO IT'S NOT JUST QUALITY OF LIVING LIFE, IT'S QUALITY OF TEACHING LIFE. ))
[SUPER=01-Fred Morton/Montgomery Co. Superintendent;]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=teaching life.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Morton says school officials made approximately 40- recruiting visits to colleges and universities last year.
They also took along members of the community to talk about the positive things the New River Valley has to offer.
(------------)
[11Tech-Picnic]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-28]
[GRAPHIC=None]
It resembled an old-fashioned pep rally - but this was the welcome-back picnic of the millennium!
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]
More than 12-hundred Virginia Tech alumni and fans turned out for the 3rd annual "Outback Steakhouse Welcome Back Picnic" yesterday.
There, they had the chance to meet the 2000 Hokie's football team, and even rub shoulders with Head Coach Frank Beamer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@21:19 - 21:35]
[IN Q=If you're talking..]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Virginia Tech Football Coach]
((FRANK BEAMER/HEAD FOOTBALL COACH: IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL, IT'S NOT LONG BEFORE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR GREAT FAN SUPPORT AND THE FACT THAT GAME DAY'S COMING BACK FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THE LAST 8 BALLGAMES, COMING BACK TO BLACKSBURG, THAT GOES BACK TO OUR GREAT FAN SUPPORT, ENTHUSIASM AND EXCITEMENT THEY PROVIDE.))
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=they provide.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The menu at the picnic was donated by Outback Steakhouse ..
All proceeds benefit athletic scholarships to the school.
The Blacksburg Hokie club says as a result of Outback's support, the Coaching club has been able to donate more than 50-thousand dollars to the Athletic Fund.
(------------)
Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
[ANCHOR=Denise]
A single car accident in Pittsylvania County claimed the life of a Chatham teenager.
State Police say 19-year-old Alex Wayne Blair lost control of his vehicle when it swerved off the side of the road.
Blair apparently overcorrected and the vehicle rolled over several times, throwing him from the car.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
Contract talks between Verizon and union negotiators will resume this morning.
The local union president in Roanoke says the employees want a better pension plan and working environment.
While workers are off the job more than 33- thousand Verizon managers across the country will step in to take over their responsibilities.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
West Virginia State Police plan on spending more time investigating the case of missing Virginia Tech student Rob Kovack.
They say the case has always been active but were recently given permission to devote even more time to it.
It's been nearly two years since Kovack was last seen in Blacksburg.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(Steve mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Steve ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
Now here's Mike Stevens with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=News 7 at 6.]
(-------------)
[Desk 2-shot=Denise and Steve]
(toss)
(ad lib bye)
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)