[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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

Al Gore and George W. Bush are gearing up for a court battle. We'll have the latest on the race for the White House.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Plus, ours isn't the only country suffering from election strife. We'll take you overseas.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]


Sunny skies and temperatures inching their way up to 60... that's what today looks like... tomorrow holds quite a different story. Stay tuned for the changing forecast.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]


News 7 at noon is next.

[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Battle lines are drawn. Troops for Al Gore and George W. Bush are ready for combat in the courts.
(------------)


[Recount]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2000]

Al Gore is continuing to hold onto his chances of winning the ever-tightening race for the White House. The Democrat is challenging election recount results in Florida that showed George W. Bush the winner on Sunday. Meantime, the Bush campaign is criticizing the Gore challenge saying the thousands of votes the Gore camp claims haven't been counted are actually ballots on which voters chose not to vote for president.
Gore's running mate, Joe Lieberman admits the election wrangling is a ``very unusual circumstance'' that is difficult for both parties. Bush's running mate, Dick Cheney says it's time for Gore to "wrap this up." Drew Levinson joins us live from Tallahassee with the latest.
[LIVE=Levinson /FULL]
[SUPER=701-Drew Levinson/Reporting]
[SUPER=705-Tallahassee]


((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=701-Irvin Terrell/Bush Attorney;]
[SUPER=701-Joseph Lieberman/(D) Vice Pres. Candidate;]
[SUPER=701-Al Gore/(D) Presidential Candidate;]
[SUPER=701-James Baker/Bush Campaign Advisor;]
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=STD]

(((NATZ)
READY FOR WAR THE BUSH CAMPAIGN LINED UP A TEAM OF HIGH POWERED ATTORNIES THIS MORNING... FIVE LAWYERS WHO WILL BATTLE THE DEMOCRATS AND THEIR LAWSUIT CONTESTING ELECTION RESULTS IN FLORDIA.
TOP OF THEIR AGENDA: A CLAIM BY THE DEMOCRATS THAT TEN THOUSAND VOTES HAVE NOT BEEN COUNTED IN MIAMI DADE-COUNTY.

SOT: IRVIN TERRELL/BUSH ATTORNEY

"THOSE ARE NON VOTES AND INDEED IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR PEOPLE NOT TO VOTE FULLY IN EVERY ELECTION ON A BALLOT."

(SOT: JOSEPH LIEBERMAN)

THEY WERE KICKED OUT OF THE MACHINE AND BY LAW THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LOOKED AT BY HAND.
AND WHILE THE LAWYERS FIGHT THEIR BATTLE... THE PUBLIC RELATIONS WAR ALSO RAGES ON.

(NATZ GORE)


LAST NIGHT, AL GORE TOOK HIS CASE TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC...

SOT: AL GORE

"A VOTE IS NOT JUST A PIECE OF PAPER, A VOTE IS A HUMAN VOICE, A STATEMENT OF HUMAN PRINCIPLE, AND WE MUST NOT LET THOSE VOICES BE SILENCED."
THE BUSH CAMPAIGN COUNTERED WITH THEIR NOW FAMILIAR RESPONSE.

SOT: JAMES BAKER/BUSH CAMPAIGBN ADVISOR

"THEIR AIM OF COURSE IS TO OVERTURN THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION AFTER 19 OR 20 DAYS OF COUNTS, AND RECOUNTS AND MORE RECOUNTS."

(LEVINSON STANDUP...FLORIDA LEGISLATORS..)))



[LIVE=Levinson /FULL]
[SUPER=705-Tallahassee;]







[Beamer]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-79 tc 40:10]
[GRAPHIC=Beamer]

Hokie fans probably got a good night's rest knowing Frank Beamer is staying at Virginia Tech. His new deal gives him a raise which puts his salary over a million dollars... his staff will share 100-thousand dollars .. with added bowl incentives. Yesterday Beamer put an end to the talk of his departure.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=when you..]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Virginia Tech Football Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:45]
[OUT Q=...in the country]
(--------------)





[Tech-Reaction]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=00-38 1:18:32]
[GRAPHIC=Frank Beamer]

Most Tech fans did not want to see Frank Beamer go to The University of North Carolina. Many say the coach has done as much for school spirit as he has for football. As Meredyth Censullo reports, fans say V-T football without Beamer would be a whole different game.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Frank Beamer]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Saturday; :00]
[SUPER=01-Nancy Brittle/Former Virginia Tech Cheerleader; :37 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Andrew Kates/Virginia Tech Junior; :49]
[SUPER=01-Pam Luttrell/Virginia Tech Fan; :57]
[SUPER=@Meredyth1;]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=Meredyth Censullo, News7, Blacksburg.]


[Truck-Accident]


[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A hazardous materials crew is helping clean up after a deadly accident in Texas.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dallas, TX;]

The early-morning wreck on Interstate 20 involved a Ford Mustang that rammed into a truck carrying more than 9-thousand pounds of explosives. The driver of the Mustang was killed. The driver of the truck was not injured. The truck was carrying ammunition, including about two tons of parachute flares, from the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant. The cargo is being cleaned up by a military crew from Fort Hood.
(------------)


[Haiti]


[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The presidential election in Haiti is being shunned by opposition parties who boycotted the vote.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Port-au-Prince, Haiti;]

Jean-Bertrand Aristide's emerged the victor in Sunday's election. Opposing parties claim Aristide has no mandate to govern because most Haitians chose not to vote. The groups are now urging all voters to ignore the results. The electoral council rejects claims of low voter turnout saying more than 60-percent of 4-million registered voters cast a ballot. The U-S and other countries that traditionally give Haiti aid have warned that a disputed presidential election could raise questions about the legitamacy of Aristide's government.
(-------------)


[Canada-Election]


[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien is holding onto his office.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Chretien's win yesterday secured his party's third straight majority government, placing Chretien among the most successful Canadian politicians of all time. In a reference to America's election struggles the Liberalist had told his voters to ``remember Florida'' -- and they listened. Throughout his campaigning Chretien repeatedly spoke of his devotion to his country.
(///// SOT AT :21/////)
[SOT AT :21]
[IN Q=ALl my life...]
[SUPER=01-Jean Chretien/Canadian Prime Minister;]

((All my life I have been fighting for this country , and My friends
I'm just getting warmed up.))
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=warmed up.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Canada's election results highlight the nation's bitter East-West divide. The Liberals were trounced by the conservative Canadian Alliance in the three western provinces, but the Alliance failed to impress the more populous East.
(------------)



[Bassett]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Bassett Layoffs]


Bassett Furniture has announced layoffs.
The company is cutting 280 jobs at its Henry County plant.
The company plans to shut down its assembling and finishing operations at the end of January.
Other operations in Bassett will remain open.
Some 40 positions will be transferred to the company's factory in Mount Airy, North Carolina.


[Danville-Fatal]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=00-35 2:01:24]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]


An accident in Danville killed one person.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]


It happened around 6-30 last night.. on U-S 58.
A pickup truck heading east overturned several times.. killing Ronald Lane Belcher of Danville.
Belcher was pronounced dead at the scene.
No word on what might have caused the accident.
(------------)








[Triathlon]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The town of Blacksburg is taking look at how to conduct future triathlons.
The move follows an accident that killed a triathlon bicyclist in June.
Gary Wayne Taylor collided with a vehicle along the triathlon route. A consultant has given the town his recommendations
The report suggests police or traffic control personnel should be stationed at ALL intersections that require cars to stop for participants.
It also recommends re-routing the bike course away from town and traffic.

[Bride]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-34 1:56:41]
[GRAPHIC=None]



More than 800 thousand dollars of Patina's merchandise was destroyed by fire yesterday.
The news is hitting close to home for one bride after she lost her wedding dress in the fire. Now she only has two and a half week's to find a new one. Jennifer Miele has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Investigators believe an]
[SUPER=07-Mandy Hasenbeck; :04]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :26]
[SUPER=01-Michelle Jackson/Store Owner; :34]
[SUPER=@Jennifer2; :43 (QUICK)]
[RUNS=1:04]
[OUT Q=JM News 7, Roanoke County.]


(( Mandy Hasenbeck's wedding dress went up in flames.
[SOT]

[tc: 00:50:25]
[IN Q=spaghetti straps with]

((MANDY HASENBECK: SPAGHETTI STRAPS WITH PEARLS ON THE SIDE AND A SQUARE NECK. IT'S A CATHEDRAL TRAIN AND SHE HAD BUSTLED IT HEMMED IT AND EVERYTHING.))
[OUT Q=it and everthing.]

[RUNS08]
Mandy plans to marry on December 16. She was supposed to pick up her dress the day before the wedding.
[SOT]

[tc:00:51:34]
[IN Q=We bought it]

((MANDY HASENBECK: WE BOUGHT IT OFF THE FLOOR SO THEY DON'T HAVE ANY MORE LIKE IT. AND IF I ORDER IT WILL TAKE THREE MONTHS.))
[OUT Q=take three months.]

[RUNS07]
Owners are asking customers whose gowns may have been inside the stores to leave contact information at neighboring Visions Tanning Salon.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[tc:01:26:11]
[IN Q=We'll get everything]

((MICHELLE JACKSON/EVERYTHINGSHABBY.COM: WE'LL GET EVERYTHING BACK UP AND RUNNING. WE LIKE TO DO THINGS QUICK AROUND HERE SO WE'LL WORK ON IT AS FAST AS WE CAN AND WE'LL GET EVERYTHING BACK UP.)) [RUNS11]
[OUT Q=everything back up.]


But quick might not be quick enough for Mandy Hasenback.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[tc: 01:26:11]
[IN Q=We have the invitations]

((MANDY HASENBECK: WE HAVE THE INVITATIONS THEY WENT OUT. THEY HAVE BEEN OUT. MY BRIDAL SHOWER IS COMING UP NEXT SUNDAY AND I DON'T KNOW RIGHT NOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO. I TALKED TO MY MOM AND I GUESS I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE OFF WORK AND GO FIND ANOTHER DRESS.)) [RUNS11]
[OUT Q=everything back up.]


Jennifer Miele, News 7, Roanoke County.))


[5Missing-Hiker]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=500-01 2:00:12]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Roanoke teenager won't forget his first trip to Dragon's Tooth anytime soon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

17- year old Adam Hubert suffered moderate hypothermia after getting lost while hiking along a private trail Saturday afternoon. Adam says he lost his way after running ahead of his sister and friend to warm up their car. At first he says, he thought he could find his way out but a few hours later phoned 9-1-1.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Sunday Morning;]

He says dispatchers told him to keep moving. When rescue crews finally found Adam-- he was soaking wet and had been missing for 12- hours.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:12:23]
[IN Q=I was practically]

((ADAM HUBERT/MISSING HIKER: I WAS PRACTICALLY READY TO FALL ASLEEP. I WAS WHERE THERE WAS BARELY A CRACK IN MY EYE, I WAS TRYING TO KEEP MYSELF AWAKE AND ALL I SAW WAS FOUR FLASH LIGHTS JUST LOOKING AROUND AND I WAS LIKE OVER HERE.))
[SUPER=01-Adam Hubert/Missing Hiker; ]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=over here.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Adam says his muscles were aching so badly he couldn't walk so rescuers had to carry him down the hill on a stretcher... That took FIVE hours. Adam and his family say more than anything they just want to say thank you to everyone involved in the rescue.
(------------)




[Underwood]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-52 40:08]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Rocky Mount has hired a man to help boost the town's economy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]

Eric Underwood is earning 41-thousand-dollars to recruit businesses to Rocky Mount, particularly downtown where several stores are empty. The area will get a new look next year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:15:09]
[IN Q=It's going to be]

((IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT MORE AESTHETICALLY PLEASING. A LOT OF THESE WIRES YOU SEE HANGING ACROSS THE STREET ARE GOING TO BE UNDERGROUND. THERE ARE GOING TO BE NEW LAMPPOSTS, NEW CURBING, GUTTERING, SIDEWALKS. IT'S GOING TO BE MORE PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY.))
[SUPER=01-Eric Underwood/Community Development Director; QUICK!!!]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=pedestrian friendly]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Underwood also plans to advertise on the Franklin County website. He previously worked as the assistant town manager in Christiansburg. (------------)
by SS