[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


Coming up on News 7-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


A man is arrested charged with setting fires to a Roanoke bar.
Tired of airline delays? So is the President. We'll find out what he's doing.
And a man known best as Colonel Klink- dies at age 80-
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]


Plus a scooter recall.
News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]



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


Florida's Supreme Court now has the Presidential Election case- Is it possible an end to the election is near?
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:25:08]
[IN Q=]

((WE DON'T PLAN TO APPEAL THIS MATTER OF FLORIDA LAW TO THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT IT ENDS IN FLORIDA.)) [BUTT TO 20:28:17] ((I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE AN END NO MATTER WHAT THESE ARE DEFINITIVE CASES.))
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=DEFINITIVE CASES.]
(------------)



[Presidency]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2000]


Lawyers for Both Al Gore and George W. Bush seem to think an end is near- but for tonight- no ruling from Florida's Supreme Court.
The seven justices are considering Al Gore's request to reverse a lower court ruling- and start immediate recounts of disputed ballots.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean and Terisa /Newspath;]


It's just one of several cases Terisa Estacio is following- She joins us live from Tallahassee.
[LIVE=Terisa FULL/Newspath]
[SUPER=701-Terisa Estacio/Reporting]
[SUPER=705-Tallahassee, FL]
(adlib)

[***ROLLED FROM NEWSPATH***]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Lawyers for]
[SUPER=701-David Boies/Gore Attorney;]
[SUPER=701-Barry Richard/Bush Attorney]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=deadline for certification]

((Lawyers for Al Gore have made what could be their last legal stand in the Florida Supreme Court. They are hoping the seven justices will keep the Vice President's bid for the White House alive.
SOT: DAVID BOIES, GORE ATTORNEY

"This is not a situation in which somebody has simply come in and said, we've lost, we'd like to have a recount under the contest statute." The Democrats are fighting to overturn a trial judge's ruling earlier in the week that refused to order selective manual recounts in key Florida counties. Nat Pop: Seminole Court Judge Ends Arguments Meanwhile, A pair of trials wound down in state courts where Republican lawyers argued against tossing out thousands of absentee votes in Seminole and Martin counties. The Democrats claim the ballots were tainted by Republican election workers.
SOT: BARRY RICHARD/BUSH CAMPAIGN ATTORNEY 'No evidence of voting machine malfunction or any votes not recorded

Finally, Florida's state legislature is convening a special session on Friday to protect their state's role in the electoral college. They are preparing to select their own 25 electors should Al Gore's legal challenges continue past the December 12th deadline for certification.))
(-------------)
[LIVE=Terisa FULL/Newspath]
[SUPER=705-Tallahassee, FL;]
(adlib)



[Sabato]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-44 TC35:06]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]


What will the outcome of this presidential race mean?
Tonight nationally known political analyst Larry Sabato gives us his take on it.
Kate Weidaw caught up wtih him during his stop at the Hotel Roanoke.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Larry Sabato/UVA Political Analyst; :26 ]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; 1:06]
[SUPER=01-John Edwards/(D) Attorney General Cand.; 1:22]
[SUPER=@Kate2; 1:50]
[RUNS=1:56]
[OUT Q=kw news 7 Roanoke.]

((We know the candidates positions and we know the court cases are raging on in Florida. But what many want to know is, when is the election process going to end?

[SOT 2:31:29]
[INQ=]

((LARRY SABATO: WE'RE HEADED INTO QUINTUPLE OVERTIME UNLESS THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT SHUTS IT DOWN.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 4]


Larry Sabato says it's possible but not likely.

[SOT 2:31:44]
[INQ=]

((LARRY SABATO: BY SHUTTING IT DOWN THEY WOULD HAVE TO SAY NO TO AL GORE ON VIRTUALLY EVERY COUNT MAKE IT CLEAR AN APPEAL WOULD BE POINTLESS AND UP HOLD THE BASIC CONCLUSIONS REACHED BY JUDGE SAULS.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]


But whom ever the winner turns out to be, will this ongoing election process make the American people look at the President elect differently? Sabato says it depends on whether he wins fair or ugly. George Bush seems to be the topic in Washington.

[SOT 2:35:18]
[INQ=]

((LARRY SABATO: THE JOKE AROUND CAPITAL HILL IS IS THAT HIS HONEYMOON WILL LAST BETWEEN THE SWEARING IN AND THE INAUGURAL LUNCH. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT, I THINK THE PEOPLE EXPECT MORE AND EXPECT BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS TO WORK WITH THE PRESIDENT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 15]


Closer to home the talk about upcoming elections centers on Roanoke Senator John Edward's bid for Attorney General.

[SOT 2:38:34]
[INQ=]

((LARRY SABATO: HE NEEDS TO CRACK TIDEWATER AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA, IF HE CAN CRACK ONE OF THOSE TWO AREAS THEN HE CAN BEAT MCEACHIN AND GET THE NOMINATION.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 8]


Edwards says no problem.

[SOT 2:44:45]
[INQ=]

((JOHN EDWARDS: I HAVE STRONG SUPPORT IN THE SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, NORTHERN VIRGINIA, AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA SO I FEEL REAL GOOD.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 6]


Sabato says Edwards may have to ride on the coat tails of Mark Warner to win. While Warner seems to be the uncontested Democratic nominee, there could be a fight among Republicans.

[SOT 2:41:57]
[INQ=]

((LARRY SABATO: IF THIS WAS A PRIMARY IT WOULD BE AN EVEN RACE BUT THIS IS A CONVENTION AND THE CONVENTION PROBABLY FAVORS MARK EARLY.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 7]


While it's to early to predict these races, Sabato says it will be fun to watch. Kate Weidaw News 7 Roanoke.))

[Scooters]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Recall]


Scooters are one of the hottest toys this season, but now some are being recalled.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Nearly 100 thousand scooters are being recalled because of handlebar problems that can cause riders to lose control.
(XXXXXXXXX)

[TAKE KENT PINNACLE PAGE]
The recall includes 90-thousand Kent Kickin' Mini Scooters. The handles come out of the sterring column.
Customers should call Kent International at 800-451-5368 to receive a free replacement handlebar. [TAKE RACER X-2-O PAGE]
Seventy-five hundred Racer X-2-Oh scooters from Kash 'N Gold have also been pulled off the shelves. A handlebar joint on those scooters can break. Customers should take the Racer X-2-Oh back to the store for a refund.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=JEAN]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The Consumer Product Safety Commission has also released updated overall injury figures that say 30-thousand people have been hurt riding scooters.

[Goodlatte-Faxes]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Bob Goodlatte]


The Federal Communications Commission may crack down on fax advertisers, thanks in part to Bob Goodlatte.
The Sixth District Congressman complained to the F-C-C after getting unsolicited ads faxed to his office and home.
The F-C-C wants to fine 21-st Century Advertising a million dollars.

[Gilmore]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=500-16 1:26:40]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]


Virginia schools may see more money- 17 million in new initiatives- in the Governor's budget.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]


Among them, an immediate second chance for students who fail an S-O-L test.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:18:04]
[IN Q=My budget]

((GOV. JIM GILMORE: MY BUDGET WILL INCLUDE 1-POINT-5 MILLION DOLLARS...AFTER TAKING A REMEDIAL CLASS.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=remedial class.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The Governor's also adding money for 100 new teachers... which he says meets his goal of funding four thousand new teachers.
Some Demcorats say he left the teacher money as a local option... and some school systems used it for other purposes.
(------------)
[TALENT=Jean]
[SS=None]


There is NO new money from the Governor for teacher raises.
The Virginia Education Association has already found lawmakers of both parties to sponsor a bill in January- for a six percent teacher pay raise.


[School-Economy]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-55 TC15:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]


How many ten-year-old bankers do you know?
Huff Lane Elementary has an entire school full.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Huff Lane has partnered with First Union to provide children with savings accounts.
Once a week, students drop off real money to a student teller.
Huff Lane calls itself a "Micro Village." Every student has a job, and each is paid "micro dollars."
(///// SOT /////)

[tc:10:09:21]
[SOT]
[IN Q=I count their money]

((NIKKI FUHREY/NICROVILLAGE STUDENT: I COUNT THEIR MONEY, AND I PUT IN THERE. AND I HAVE TO WRITE IN ON THIS SHEET OF PAPER WHICH TELLS THEM THEIR NAME, THEIR ACCOUNT NUMBER, AND HOW MUCH THEY ARE DEPOSITING. PATTY MARTIN/HUFF LANE TEACHER: HOPEFULLY IT WILL DEFINITELY IMPACT THEIR SCORES ON THEIR SOL'S, SO THEY ARE PRACTICING THEIR ADDITION, SUBTRACTION, THESE COMPUTATION SKILLS.))
[SUPER=01-Nikki Fuhrey/MicroVillage Student; :00]
[SUPER=01-Patty Martin/Huff Lane Teacher; :11]
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=computation skills.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Students can use their micro dollars to buy items in the school store.
The REAL money they bring to school goes directly to the bank.
(------------)


[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[writer=chr]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]


A surprise inspection surprises some truckers on Route 29.
See what state troopers found when News 7 returns.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


And delays, cancellations, computer problems-- President Clinton says something must be done about America's air travel industry.
(-------------)



[Sports-Preview]


[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=Sports-Preview]
[GRAPHIC=None]



(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Hey sports....]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=....in sports."]

((Hey sports fans check this out, The Lady Eagles of Danville soared over Patrick Henry tonight, Wake Forest upsets third ranked Kansas in Winston-Salem, Tommy Bowden and Frank Beamer talk Gator Bowl in Jacksonville this afternoon and Mario Lemieux is planning to return to the ice.
All that and more coming up in sports.))
(--------------)



[Clinton-Flying]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Air Travel]


Millions of Americans fly- and the air traffic control system just isn't keeping up- So says the President.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC]


He called this year's flight delays and cancellations horrendous and said something must be done.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:29:38]
[IN Q=]

((I THINK WE COULD RATHER QUICKLY LEVEL OUT AND MAXIMIZE THE USE OF OUR FACILITIES AND OUR PLANES IN WAYS THAT WOULD DRAMATICALLY REDUCE DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS.))
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The President is creating a new oversight panel within the Federal Aviation Administration- it stops short of privatizing air traffic control-
But it will give system performance based incentives and tools.
(------------)



[Truck-Checks]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=00-42 TC1:41:35]
[GRAPHIC=Truck Safety]


At least one truck driver learned the hard way today .. the state can and will set up safety checks anywhere in Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;]


State police and the D-M-V had two of them going today .. one in Richmond, the other on US-29 in Pittsylvania County.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 05:42:14]
[IN Q=Because we want]

((RICK HOLCOMB/DMV COMMISSIONER: BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FIRST OF ALL THAT TRUCKS ARE NOT ILLEGALLY OPERATING IN VIRGINIA, THAT THEY'RE NOT OVERWEIGHT, THAT THEY'RE NOT RUNNING ON UNTAXED FUEL, THAT THEY'VE PAID THE TAXES AND THE FEES THAT ARE OWED.))
[SUPER=01-Rick Holcomb/DMV Commissioner]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=fees that are owed.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The agencies operate portable safety checks along Virginia highways where permanent weigh stations do not exist.

State police expected to cite one driver for using untaxed fuel .. and not having the required commercial drivers license.
(------------)



[Rubatex]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-38 TC1:30:22]
[GRAPHIC=Rubatex]


The nine month strike at Rubatex helped push the parent company into bankrupty- that's according to Rubatex officials.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford/File Tape]


Roanoke- based R-B-X Corporation filed for Chapter 11 protection yesterday as it struggles to contain its long-term debt.
R-B-X officials say the company continues to perform "reasonably well", with the exception of its Bedford facility.
Workers there staged a nine-month strike before returning to the job last June.
They still are working without a contract.
Rubatex says it can continue paying salaries and benefits while it's financial problems are worked out.
Company officials expect the bankruptcy filing to have little or no impact on current operations.
(------------)



[Coffee-Pot]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-37 TC1:53:57]
[GRAPHIC=Arson Arrest]

A Roanoke man has been arrested in conection with last week's fires at the Coffee Pot.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


42 year old Gary Ruddick of Buckner Road is charged with two counts of arson.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/November 30]


The fires occurred on November 29-th and 30-th and caused only minor damage to the landmark night-spot.
Police would not comment on Ruddick's motive but said he was a frequent visitor to the Coffee Pot.
He's in the Roanoke City Jail without bond.
His hearing is set for January 11-th.
(------------)


[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[writer=chr]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]


The Washington Zoo'a new Pandas are settling into their new home.
We'll check in on them later on News 7.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


And he was best known as Colonel Klink-- but that's not what he wanted to be remebered for.
We'll look back on the career of Werner Klemperer next.
(----------------)



[Klink]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


He's probably best known as Colonel Klink on TV's Hogans Heros-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]


Werner Klemperer played the inept commander of a German prison Camp- The actor died today at his New York City home.
Klemperer actually fled Germany in the 30's with his father Otto- a famous Orchestra conductor-
Klemperer won two emmys for his portrayal of Klink- but he liked being known instead for his work in music.
He made appearances with nearly every major symphony in the United States.
Werner Klemperer suffered from cancer. He was 80.
(------------------)



[Wisconsin]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-48 TC31:43]
[GRAPHIC=None]


From teh war on T-V to the war on the sea--
In its day, the USS Wisconsin was one of the most powerful weapons in the world.
With more than 50 years, and three wars in its wake, the battleship took a final voyage today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Norfolk]


The Iowa Class battleship was towed to its new berth beside Nauticus, the maritime center on the Norfolk waterfront.
Sailors and Wisconsin veterans lined the rails for the short trip down the Elizabeth River.
And Senator John Warner recalled flying over the ship during the Korean War.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:25:24]
[IN Q=To this day]

((SEN. JOHN WARNER: TO THIS DAY I CAN CLOSE MY EYES AND SEE THE FLASH OF THOSE TURRETS. WE COULDN'T HEAR THE THUNDER OF THE SHELLS, BUT WE COULD SEE THE PUFFS OF SMOKE.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Warner/(R) Virginia]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=puffs of smoke.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Governor Jim Gilmore welcomed the Wisconsin to Norfolk with a promise of funding for the floating museum.
The deck will be open for tours this weekend, and the ship will re-open to the public next spring.
(------------)



[Troop-Cards]


[ANCHOR=JEan]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=00-47 TC24:11]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The men and women who serve in the military will receive greetings from home.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


People are dropping off their cards and letters at Advance Auto stores- They'll go out to American troops who won't be able to come home for the holidays.
Hundreds of cards that have been dropped off so far at Advance stores arrived in Roanoke today.
Company employees and volunteers from an Army support group are sorting, addressing and packaging them for delivery to military chaplains.
More than 120-thousand cards have been sent out since the program started six years ago.
(------------)



[S-Extra]


[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=Extra Point]
[GRAPHIC=Sports Logo]


Tech coach Frank Beamer and Tommy Bowden of Clemson were in Jacksonville today talking about the Gator Bowl and Mario Lemieux is talking about returning to the ice.
But first out Extra Point.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=75-Buenos Aires/USA; :]


In golf, Tiger Woods and David Duval shot an 11 under par 61 in the World Golf Championships. That's the good news, but the Bad news is they are 4 shots off the pace.
New Zealand and Argentina tied at 57, 15 under par after today's first round. And here are tonight's scores.
(------------)

[WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5027;]
[SUPER=0098-/Kansas#3/53/j/Wake Forest#11/84///j/Tennessee#6/85//SMU/76///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0098-/Ferrum/72/j/Southern Va./83///j/Liberty/53//Navy/52///;]
[SUPER=X5028;]
[SUPER=0096-j/Denver/103//Orlando/93///j/Phoenix/104//Milwaukee/96///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0096-j/New York/86//San Antonio/83////Washington/88/j/Minnesota/105///;]
[SUPER=X5031;]
[SUPER=0103-/New Jersey/2/j/Buffalo/5////Minnesota/1//Chicago/3/3//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0103-/Nashville/2//Calgary/0/3//;]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=...last score."]
(-----------)











[S-Girls]


[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-87 (12:29)]
[GRAPHIC=Girls Hoops]


Over at Patrick Henry last night, The Lady Eagles of G.W. Danville routed Patrick Henry 89 to 40.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Danville vs Patrick Henry; :]


The Patriots being introduced before the tipoff.
And the Lady Eagles opened their wings early and often moving the ball around the court to Raven Yancey for three.


But the Patriots answered with a three pointer of their own Daenai Brown ripping the cords behind the line.
[SUPER=33-G. W. Danville/89/Patrick Henry/40/;]


Danville's Raynisha Johnson makes the steal gets it down court to Yancey for 2 of her game high 22 and the Eagles win it 89 to 40.
(------------)



[S-Wake]


[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-77 (2:02:46)]
[GRAPHIC=College Hoops]


Wake Forest pulled off a big upset last night beating third ranked Kansas 84 to 53.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Winston-Salem, NC/ESPN; :]


Lets go to the action, Wake's Josh Howard steps behind the line and hits three of his game high 21 points Wake led by four.
But Kansas comes right back Luke Axtell hitting the jumper cutting the lead to two.
[SUPER=33-Wake Forest#11/84/Kansas#3/53/;]


Wake's Robert O'Kelly scores this basket for two of his 11 points and the Demon Decons pull off the upset 84 to 53.
(------------)



[S-Gator]


[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-81 (23:21)]
[GRAPHIC=Gator Bowl]


Tech coach Frank Beamer and Clemson's Tommy Bowden were in Jacksonville yesterday talking Gator Bowl.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Jacksonville, FL; :]


The two coaches will go head to head in the Gator Bowl on January First. Tech beat Clemson in Blacksburg last year but coach Frank Beamer says the two are similar in many ways.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I think...]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Virginia Tech Head Coach; :]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=......both guys."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


It's only Tommy's second Bowl game but he has plenty of notes from his Father Bobby at Florida State.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="He's got...]
[SUPER=01-Tommy Bowden/Clemson Head Coach; :]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=....in the game."]
(-----------)



[S-College]


[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-79 (47:35)]
[GRAPHIC=College Football]


Oklahoma will play Florida State in the Orange Bowl January third and yesterday their quarterback received a major award.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NCAA; :]


Josh Heupel is the winner of the Associated Press College Player of the year. The Oklahoma quarterback earned 30 of the 82 votes in the balloting.
Heupel guided the Sooners to a perfect 12 and 0 record and the shot at the National Championship.. He completed 280 of 433 passes for 33-hundred yards and 20 touchdowns.
Florida State's Chris Weinke was second with 17 votes.
(------------)



[S-House]


[ANCHOR=roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-86 12:24]
[GRAPHIC=Express]


The Express is preparing for three games in three nights that begins tomorrow night at Greensboro.
[GRAPHI=FULL SCREEN ROUND HOUSE WRAP UP!!!!!!!!!-----18050]


Steve Mason brings us up to date with Round House Wrap up from the Ice Station.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dave Gagnon/5-6 Record for Express; :26]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :41]
[SUPER=01-Perry Florio/Express Head Coach; :58]
[SUPER=01-Ben Schust/20 Points This Season; 1:15]
[SUPER=01-Calvin Elfring/5 Goals, 9 Assists This Season; 1:35]
[RUNS=1:51]
[OUT Q=...round house wrap up"]
(-------------)

((STEVE MASON:)) ((BEN SCHUST/EXPRESS RIGHT WING:))
((The schedule is not the only thing the Express is unhappy about. In 14 home games this season the Express has been drawing 3 thousand 43 fans, down 13 hundred from last year and when asked what he wanted to find under the tree this Christmas, Perry Florio quickly responded. ((PERRY FLORIO/EXPRESS HEAD COACH:)) Express right wing Ben Schust tied for the team lead in goals last season with 27. This year, he's tied for the team lead in assists with 14. ((:)) Calvin Elfring joins two other players for the ECHL lead in power plays goals from a defenseman with five, in fact all of his goals this season have come on man up situations. ((:))
During the month of December, all tickets for Express fans 17 and under are just 5 bucks. Steve Mason Round House Wrap up.))


[S-NHL]


[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-75 (2:05:38)]
[GRAPHIC=NHL Logo]


Apparently, owning the Pittsburgh Penguins is not enough for Mario Lemieux.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NHL; :]


Lemieux wants back on the ice and is planning a comeback later this month or next according to a source close to the Hall of Famer.
The 35 year old Lemieux retired after the 1996-97 season and became the team's owner 2 years later.
Lemieux began skating about 2 weeks ago. The six time N-H-L scoring champ will reportedly resign his position as the teams governor, meaning he will not be able to vote on league issues.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I think....]
[SUPER=01-Darius Kaspariatis/Penguin Defenseman; :00]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=....best again."]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Roy]


Frank Beamer and Tommy Bowden talk Gator Bowl. More later on Mornin.

[S-Gwynn]


[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-86 (12:24)]
[GRAPHIC=MLB Logo]


On the final day for Major League Baseball's free agency, Tony Gwynn has decided to stay in California.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MLB; :]


Gwynn will be back for a 20-th season with the San Diego Padres.
The 40 year old outfielder has agreed to a one year contract that could pay him up to 5 point 7 million dollars. Part of the payoff is based on the number of plate appearances.
Gwynn applied for free agency and today was the deadline for reaching an agreement with the Padres.
Gwynn, a 338 career hitter has had some knee problems that's limited his play.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I've been...]
[SUPER=01-Tony Gwynn/Padre Outfielder; :]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=...good year."]
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[ANCHOR=Roy]


That's it for sports, have a great day everybody.

[Video]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
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The newest residents of the Washington Zoo are settling in.
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[VO-NAT]
[Super=X5052 (loads FX)]
[Super=X5045 (starts FX)]
[SUPER=75-Washington, DC]


Two-year-old Mei Xiang (may shong) and three-year-old Tian Tian (tee-YEN' tee-YEN'), arrived yesterday from China.
And zoo officials say the animals are spending the day playing together and eating.
The pair had high-fiber biscuits for breakfast.
And they've finished every scrap of bamboo left in their living area.
The pandas remain in quarantine and won't be on public display until sometime next month.
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[Super=X5043 (clears FX)]
by SS