[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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


In the wake of the fatal shooting at Roanoke's Back Street Cafe, community leaders gathered this morning to discuss expanding the federal hate crimes statute.
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And a federal investigation determines whether the Roanoke City School system has violated the Civil Rights Act.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Jacey]
[SS=None]

Sunny skies take over to provide us with another beautiful day but this one should be a bit warmer. Weather forecast details are coming up.

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]


News 7 at noon is coming up.

[Video-Open]


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


[ROLL COLD OUT OF OPEN]


[SOT 11:48]
[IN Q=If we don't stand up]
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT Q=they will.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Concern over hate crimes brings together community and religious leaders in Roanoke.
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[Hate-Crimes]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-39]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]


Good afternoon. I'm Kimberly McBroom.
The interfaith breakfast was scheduled long before the shooting that killed Danny Overstreet and wounded six others at the Backstreet Cafe.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/September 22;]


But organizers say the shooting highlights the "tragic timeliness" of today's gathering, and the concerns it was addressing.
Among the speakers was U.S. Attorney Bob Crouch, who says he supports expansion of the federal hate crimes statute to include crimes based on a person's sexual orientation, gender or disability.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 08:05]
[IN Q=Adding and expanding]

((ADDING AND EXPANDING HATE CRIMES LEGISLATION DOES ENHANCE THE PENALTIES AT LEAST AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL FOR CRIMES THAT ARE PROVEN TO HAVE A BIAS MOTIVE. AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US AS WELL AS A COMMUNITY, NATIONWIDE AND STATEWIDE TO SPEAK OUT AND SEND A MESSAGE ON THINGS WE JUST FIND INTOLERABLE.))
[SUPER=01-Robert Crouch/U. S. Attorney]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=just find intolerable.]
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[VO-NAT]


Organized by the National Conference for Community and Justice, and the Roanoke Valley Ministers Conference, the annual interfaith breakfast drew almost twice as many people as it did last year.
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[Roanoke-Schools]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-41 TC06:38]
[GRAPHIC=none]


The results of a federal investigation concerning Roanoke City Schools have been released.
It says the school system has NOT violated the Civil Rights Act.
But the school board has agreed to address some issues of concern.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Among the areas the school board has agreed to review are programs for English Language students, and procedures for grouping students by ability.
The school board has also confirmed its commitment to equitable discipline, funding, and access to certain programs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It doesn't rise to the level]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Harris/Roanoke School Superintendent]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=serving all of our students.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Last night's meeting also brought a decision on the Roanoke Academy for Mathematics and Science.
The superintendent recommended, and the school board agreed that a NEW school should be built, rather than renovate the current building.
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[Gas-Pipeline]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-27]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Virginia Gas's proposal to build a pipeline through Roanoke and Montgomery Counties faces another hurdle. Last night, the county's Boards of Supervisors said they plan to petition the State Corporation Commision over the proposal. Meredyth Censullo has more.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Paul Mahoney/Roanoke Co. Attorney;:00]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;:18]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;:25]
[SUPER=01-Brent Riley/Pipeline Opponent;:47]
[SUPER=@Meredyth1; 1:20]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=news7, roanoke.]
(///// SOT /////)

((
[SOT]
[IN Q=To support...]

((TO SUPPORT AND URGE THE SCC TO RECONSIDER AND REOPEN THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR THE GAS PIPE THROUGH ROANOKE AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES.)) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=county.]


With that, Roanoke and Montgomery county supervisors agreed to fight the State Corporation Commission's approval of the Virginia Gas Pipeline project - which proposes a new 50-foot wide easement be cut through the two counties in order to run a new gas pipeline. The supervisors say Virginia Gas didn't properly notify residents of it's plans, and when they DID, they misrepresented the scope of the project. They also say the S-C-C should take a harder look at the environmental impact -

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I'm maintaining...]

((I'M MAINTAINING THAT OF EVERYTHING IN THIS AREA, THAT THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE MAJOR MARKS.)) [RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=marks.]


Just hours before the decision to petition the S-C-C, Roanoke County Supervisors met with a group of citizens who say they want to preserve the beauty of Poor Mountain. Virginia Gas' proposed pipeline route cuts across the mountainside. In the past the group has suggested Virginia Gas co-locate on an existing easement owned by Duke Power. But Virginia Gas says that would affect more people... The supervisors say they'll ask the S-C-C to reconsider co-location anyway. ((MEREDYTH CENSULLO: THE PETITION BY BOTH BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS IS EXPECTED TO BE DRAWN UP AND TURNED OVER TO THE SCC WITHIN THE WEEK. MEREDYTH CENSULLO, NEWS7, ROANOKE.)) ))


[Chicago-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Kimbelry]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]


Four people were killed in an apartment fire in a western Chicago suburb.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Broadview, IL;]


Fire officials say two adults and two children died in this morning's blaze.
One man and his six- year- old son were able to jump to safety from a second- floor window.
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[SOT 10:20:30]
[IN Q=Heard my ]

((TIM PEARCE/VICTIMS' NEIGHBOR: HEARD MY NEIGHBOR SCREAMING..YELLING FOR HIS MOTHER AND FOR HELP. MYSELF AND MY OTHER NEIGHBOR BOTH CALLED 9-1-1. WE WERE TRYING TO SEE IF WE COULD HELP THEM GET SOMEBODY OUT, BUT WE COULDN'T.))
[SUPER=01-Tim Pearce/Victims' Neighbor;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=BUT WE COULDN'T.]
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[VO-NAT]


The blaze broke out around four this morning.
Officials still haven't determined the cause.
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[Debate-Preps]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]

[NOTE ANCHOR TAG]
Vice- President Al Gore and George W- Bush face each other tonight for the second in the series of presidential debates.
Bill Plante has more on how the two are preparing for tonight's political showdown in Winston- Salem.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=201-Al Gore/(D) Presidential Candidate;]
[SUPER=203-Blountville, TN;]
[SUPER=201-George W. Bush/(R) Presidential Candidate;]
[SUPER=201-Bill Plante/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=and by Washington.]
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[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]


That was Bill Plante reporting.
And be sure to join us for complete coverage of tonight's debate later today on News 7 at 5, 6 and 11.

[L'burg-Council]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-31 TC1:18:27]
[GRAPHIC=Lynchburg seal]


You'll have a hard time locating Lynchburg's newest cell phone tower once it goes up.
Steve Smallshaw explains why.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Since the advent]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jessie Wilmer/CFW nTelos; :15]
[SUPER=01-Rev. Joseph Carson/Centenary Methodist Church; :39]
[SUPER=01-Edward Hopkins/Neighbor; :55]
[SUPER=@ssm2; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:11]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]

(( Since the advent of cell phone technology, the towers that transmit those wireless conversations have been popping up all over the landscape.
The problem is many think they're unsightly.. and phone companies have had to get creative to find new locations.

[SOT 20:01:49]

((JESSIE WILMER/CFW nTELOS: AS ALWAYS, NTELOS SEEKS TO FIND OUT CO- LOCATION OPPORTUNITIES FIRST BEFORE BUILDING ANY NEW SITES.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=any new sites.]


In this case, opportunity is knocking on the door of Centenary United Methodist Church.
The church's steeple sits in a perfect spot between two existing cells towers.. so the new antenna will be placed inside the spire.. hidden from the public, but just as effective as a new tower.
[SOT 10:16:06]

((REV. JOSEPH CARSON/CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: WE'VE LOOKED INTO, OF COURSE, SOME SAFETY ISSUES.. THAT'S BEEN IMPORTANT. I THINK THE AESTHETICS OF NOT HAVING THE VISIBLE TOWERS EVERY PLACE IS A PLUS.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=is a plus.]


But one neighbor says he's worried about potentially harmful radiation.
[SOT 20:05:38]

((EDWARD HOPKINS/NEIGHBOR: NOW THIS MIGHT BE A CASE WHERE ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS WILL ONLY BE KNOWN AFTER YEARS OF EXPOSURE.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=years of exposure.]


Council was told it could not legally deny the request based on health concerns.. the measure passed 7- to- 0.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))


[Mideast-Peace]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]


New violence in the West Bank today, even as Israeli and Palestinian leaders meet with the U-N secretary general.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gaza, West Bank;]


Hundreds of Palestinian students marched in memory of those killed in the last two weeks.
Demonstrators carried flags and burned an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
In all 88 people, mostly Palestinians, have died in the clashes.
Meanwhile, the U-N's Kofi Annan is working to broker an Israeli-Palestinian truce.
(------------)


[Pitts-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=00-40 TC24:57]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]


A fire in Pittsylvania County destroyed a trailer.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.]


It started just after nine last night at the A-One Trailer Park on Iris Lane.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=When the ]

((TOMMY BARBER/MT. HERMAN ASST. CHIEF; WHEN THE FIRST UNIT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE WE HAD HEAVY FIRE FROM THE REAR OF THE STRUCTURE AND COMING OUT OF THE WHOLE PORTION OF THE TRAILER ITSELF.))
[SUPER=01-Tommy Barber/Mt. Herman Assistant Chief;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=the trailer itself.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Investigators weren't sure if anyone was home when the fire began or how the blaze started.
No one was hurt.
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[Trigon-Duke]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-32 TC1:22:26]
[GRAPHIC=None]


State employees in Southside are letting their health care provider know they're not happy with the latest plan change.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]


Trigon has cut Duke University Hospital from its "Point of Service" plan-- A plan used by more than 16-hundred state employees in Southside.
Yesterday morning, 150 state employees gathered at Danville Community College to voice their disapproval.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:58:48]
[IN Q=The health care]

((MARK GIBSON/STATE EMPLOYEE: THE HEALTHCARE IS GOING TO DECLINE BECAUSE OF THE COMFORT LEVEL WITH DUKE AND WHAT'S AT RISK IS A LOT OF DISGRUNTLED WORKERS.))
[SOT 1:24:51]

((SEN. CHARLES HAWKINS/(R)-CHATHAM: YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND FORTH WITH SOME EASE. CHARLOTTSVILLE DOS NOT PROVIDE THAT OR NO OTHER PLACE ACCEPT NORTH CAROLINA BECAUSE IT'S SO CLOSE IN PROXIMITY.))
[SUPER=01-Mark Gibson/State Employee;]
[SUPER=@Hawkins; :11]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=close in proximity.]
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[VO-NAT]


Duke University is about 60 miles from Danville.
Other hospitals included in the P-O-S plan are farther away.
The plan takes effect this Sunday.
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[Capital-One]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=00-37 TC47:44]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The biggest private employer in Virginia will soon be Capital One.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Goochland Co.]


The company broke ground on a new facility yesterday in Goochland County-- it plans to hire more than eight thousand workers for its Richmond and northern Virginia offices over the next four years.
Capital One provides financial services, including credit cards.
It will surpass Newport News Shipbuilding as the state's largest private employer.
It was founded only four years ago.
(------------)



[Auto-Safety]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]


A new bill making it easier for the government to investigate and punish auto makers for safety violations rolled through the House today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]


The House passed the bill early this morning.
The measure calls for industry officials to receive sentences up to 15 years in prison for hiding fatal safety problems from government regulators.
This comes in the wake of dozens of fatal accidents linked to faulty Firestone tires.
Now, it goes on to the Senate, where its prospects are uncertain.
Time is running out in the current session.
(------------)


[Univ-HQ]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-34 TC53:48]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]


Two former Virginia Tech students have started an on-line business that should attract plenty of Hokie fans.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Jaret Mutter and Jonathan Mitchell left their studies at Tech to start University Headquarters dot com.
Their Roanoke-based e-commerce company sells Virginia Tech merchandise on the net.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Jonathan and I]

((JONATHAN AND I ARE YOUNG, WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A LOT OF VISION. WE'RE AMBITIOUS, BUT WE NEEDED SOME EXPERIENCE ON BOARD.)) ((WE HIRED SOMEONE THAT HAS 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD, AND WE HOPE THAT WE PUT TOGETHER A TEAM THAT EQUATES SUCCESS.))
[SUPER=01-Jaret Mutter/universityheadquarters.com]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=equates success]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Customers can create a wish list to be forwarded to perspective "gift-givers."
The Website also boasts being an industry leader in credit card security.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=When a customer]

((KYLE ENSLOW/UNIVERSITY HEADQUARTERS.COM: WHEN A CUSTOMER PLACES AN ORDER WITH US, THEIR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION IS ENCRYPTED, SENT STRAIT TO OUR BANK. WE DO NOT STORE CREDIT CARD NUMBERS IN THE STORE.))
[SUPER=01-Kyle Enslow/universityheadquarters.com]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=numbers in the store.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The nine person company plans to market products from other colleges within a year. (-----------)
by SS