WDBJ 7 morning news for 12/08/00

[Recount]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=ELECTION 2000]

Good Morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
Today promises to be a pivotal one in the month- long Presidential Election--
Four court rulings could come today in Florida.
They include Al Gore's appeal to the state supreme court for hand recounts, AND two circuit court rulings on thousands of absentee ballot applications.
Florida legislators will also meet today in a special session to begin the process of choosing their own 25 Presidential electors.
A formal vote is expected next week.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Jones has more on what's happening today.
[LIVE=Jennifer Jones/FULL]
[SUPER=701-Jennifer Jones/Reporting;]
[SUPER=705-Tallahassee;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=703-Tallahassee, FL; :00]
[SUPER=701-David Boies/Gore Attorney; :42]
[SUPER=701-Barry Richard/Bush Attorney; 1:09]
[SUPER=703-Washington, DC; 1:16]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=]
(( Locator: Tallahassee, FL Florida's Republican controlled State Legislature convenes a special session today. Lawmakers are preparing to select their own slate of electors should Al Gore's legal challenges go past the December 12th deadline for certification. Such a move virtually guarantees that Texas Governor George W. Bush will be packing his bags for the White House.
Meanwhile a ruling could come at any time from Florida's Supreme Court. On Thursday, the seven justices heard an appeal from the Gore Campaign. At issue: whether to uphold or overturn a lower court's ruling denying the Vice President's request for selected manual recounts.

SOT: David Boies/Gore Campaign Attorney
"This is a situation in which we have identified specific votes, many of which were agreed by the district court were votes in which you could clearly discern the voters intent."
Decisions are also expected today in a pair of cases brought by Democrats in Seminole and Martin Counties. They claim Republicans illegally tampered with absentee ballot applications and want those votes tossed out.

SOT: Barry Richard/Bush Campaign Atty.
"There is no evidence in this case that the ballots were ever compromised and if the ballots weren't compromised the election wasn't compromised."
Washington, DC As the real life drama of Campaign Two Thousand plays it self out in Florida..the Vice President took in some make believe drama last night. He along with running mate Sen. Joseph Lieberman and their wives saw the new movie, "You Can Count On Me." ))
[LIVE=Jennifer Jones/FULL]
[SUPER=705-Tallahassee;]

[Pope]

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

A decision this morning in the case of an American businessman convicted of spying in Russia.
Russia's presidential pardons commission is recommending that U-S prisoner Edmond Pope be freed.
Pope suffers from bone cancer. Pope was convicted in Moscow of spying earlier in the week and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Russian President Vladimir Putin usually follows the committee's recommendations, and is expected to act quickly.

[11Gilmore]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[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=Kimberly]
[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.

[11Goodlatte-Faxes]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[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.

[11Rubatex]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-38 TC1:30:22]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

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

Roanoke- based R-B-X Corporation filed for Chapter 11 protection Wednesday 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.
(------------)

[11Truck-Checks]

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

Some truck drivers encountered unexpected safety checks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;]

State police and the D-M-V had two of them going yesterday .. 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.
(------------)

[11Wisconsin]

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

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 yesterday.
(------------)
[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.
(------------)

[11Scooters]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[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=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]

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

[CA-Power]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Californians could soon be in the dark--
State officials have declared an unprecedented electricity alert.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Folsom, CA;]

That after the state's overloaded power grid struggled to meet last night's demands.
Managers of the power grid say they hope to avoid the feared blackouts.
They're asking the public to conserve electricity, by delaying turning on Christmas lights.
But this isn't the first time Californians have been warned of a power shortage.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Each of these has been an actual emergency...]
((JIM MACINTOSH/CALIFORNIA ISO: EACH OF THESE HAS BEEN AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY....NEED TO DO THAT. ))
[SUPER=01-Jim MacIntosh/California ISO;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=NEED TO DO THAT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But a bigger electricity threat looms.
A blast of arctic air is expected to hit the state on Monday, and that could send energy demands soaring.
(------------)

[11Teacher-Aide]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=lEGAL sCALES]

A former Montgomery County teacher's aide will serve a four year sentence for her sexual relationship with a 14-year old student.
46-year-old Wanda Fraser of Christiansburg lost her job at Auburn Middle School in February.
She was convicted of felonies in Montgomery County and Radford for her relationship with the boy.

[Garza]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

President Clinton has postponed what would've been the first execution of a federal inmate in nearly 40 years.
Convicted killer and drug trafficker Juan Raul Garza was scheduled to die next week.
Mr. Clinton ordered a postponement until next June.
The President says he wanted to give the Justice Department more time to gather and study information about racial and geographic disparities within the federal death penalty system.

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, the wait is over for those who put off getting the flu shot because of the shortage.
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=1:16]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((Information: ON CAM SOME GOOD NEWS ON THE FLU SHOT FRONT- ITS TIME TO GET IN LINE AND ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVE.

VT=VO
THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL REPORTS SHORTAGES OF FLU VACCINE ARE EASING- MEANING YOUNGER AND HEALTHIER PEOPLE CAN NOW GET THEIR VACCINATIONS. WE'VE LUCKED OUT THIS YEAR- THE FLU SEASONS BEEN MILD-SO FAR- BUT WITH THE HOLIDAYS COMING UP- THE FLU IS EXPECTED TO BE PAYING A VISIT TO MANY A HOUSEHOLD. REMEMBER THE FLU SHOT TAKES ABOUT 2 WEEKS TO PROTECT YOU- SO DON'T DELAY.

VT=VO
ALSO TODAY- GETTING YOUR TUBES TIED- DOES IT WORSEN YOUR PERIODS?. WE'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT YES- BUT THE ANSWER IS NO- ACCORDING TO THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL WHICH REPORTS WOMEN WHO HAVE ROUTINE TUBAL LIGATIONS ARE NO MORE LIKELY TO HAVE HEAVIER OR MORE PAINFUL PERIODS THAN WOMEN WHO NOT GET TUBALS.IN FACT- THE STUDY FOUND -- WOMEN WITH TIED TUBES ACTUALLY TEND TO HAVE LIGHTER AND LESS PAINFUL PERIODS.

VT=VO
FINALLY TODAY- A WORD OF CAUTION IF YOU USE AN IUD FOR BIRTH CONTROL. A STUDY IN THE CURRENT ISSUE OF STERILITY AND FERTILITY REPORTS WOMEN WHO HAVE IUDS ARE AT A HIGHER RISK FOR TUBAL PREGNANCIES THAN OTHER WOMEN. ITS A SIDE EFFECT YOUR DOCTOR SHOULD EXPLAIN TO YOU BEFORE CHOOSING THIS FORM OF BIRTH CONTROL.
ON CAM THATS A LOOK AT SOME OF THE DAYS TOP HEALTH STORIES. IM DR DAVE HNIDA FOR CBS NEWS.))

(ad lib to weather)
[2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=KMC/SYO]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Three court rulings are expected today in the Presidential battle in Florida.
State lawmakers are also holding a special session today to start the process of choosing Florida's 25 electors.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]

Authorities have made an arrest in connection with last week's fires at the Coffee Pot.
The fires occurred at the end of November, and caused only minor damage to the landmark night-spot.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And students at Huff Lane Elementary School are already learning the value of a dollar.
Huff Lane has partnered with First Union to provide children with savings accounts.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Friday, December 8th .
[ANCHOR=Shannon]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-Recount]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2000]

Good Morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
Today could be D- Day in Florida--
As in DECISION day in the Presidential election.
Four court decisions could come today that'll have a big impact on whether Al Gore or George W- Bush will be the next President.
The rulings include Gore's plea to the Florida Supreme Court for hand recounts and two lower court rulings on thousands of absentee ballot applications.
And Florida lawmakers will hold a special session today to start selecting their own slate of 25 Presidential electors.
A formal vote on those electors is expected next week.
Jennifer Jones in Tallahassee this morning with an update.
[LIVE=Jennifer Jones/FULL]
[SUPER=701-Jennifer Jones/Reporting;]
[SUPER=705-Tallahassee;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=703-Tallahassee, FL; :00]
[SUPER=701-David Boies/Gore Attorney; :42]
[SUPER=701-Barry Richard/Bush Attorney; 1:09]
[SUPER=703-Washington, DC; 1:16]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=]
(( Locator: Tallahassee, FL Florida's Republican controlled State Legislature convenes a special session today. Lawmakers are preparing to select their own slate of electors should Al Gore's legal challenges go past the December 12th deadline for certification. Such a move virtually guarantees that Texas Governor George W. Bush will be packing his bags for the White House.
Meanwhile a ruling could come at any time from Florida's Supreme Court. On Thursday, the seven justices heard an appeal from the Gore Campaign. At issue: whether to uphold or overturn a lower court's ruling denying the Vice President's request for selected manual recounts.

SOT: David Boies/Gore Campaign Attorney
"This is a situation in which we have identified specific votes, many of which were agreed by the district court were votes in which you could clearly discern the voters intent."
Decisions are also expected today in a pair of cases brought by Democrats in Seminole and Martin Counties. They claim Republicans illegally tampered with absentee ballot applications and want those votes tossed out.

SOT: Barry Richard/Bush Campaign Atty.
"There is no evidence in this case that the ballots were ever compromised and if the ballots weren't compromised the election wasn't compromised."
Washington, DC As the real life drama of Campaign Two Thousand plays it self out in Florida..the Vice President took in some make believe drama last night. He along with running mate Sen. Joseph Lieberman and their wives saw the new movie, "You Can Count On Me." ))

[LIVE=Jennifer Jones/FULL]
[SUPER=705-Tallahassee;]

[11Sabato]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-44]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2000]
When a President is finally chosen what will the outcome mean for that man? Last night, nationally know political analyst Larry Sabato made a stop at the Hotel Roanoke to give his perspective on the election. Kate Weidaw reports.
(///// 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.))

[11Trigon]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Trigon]

In the spirit of the holidays, Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield is hoping to relieve the burdens of the uninsured.
The managed health care company is giving half- a- million dollars to Virginia's free clinics.
Thirty one clinics throughout the state will each get 10-thousand dollars.
Some clinics will also receive additional money to be used for things like dental care and prescription drug assistance.
Several clinics in our area will benefit -- including the Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke, the Free Clinic of Danville, and the Bedford Christian Clinic.
Trigon has donated more than 5 million dollars to the state's free clinics since 1992.

[11School-Economy]

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

Banking is a part of everyday life at Huff Lane Elementary School.
(------------)
[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.
(------------)

[11Coffee-Pot]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-37 TC1:53:57]
[GRAPHIC=Arson Arrest]
Authorities have made an arrest in connection 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.
(------------)

[11Painter]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-40]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A well known Blacksburg attorney is on trial- accused of setting fires. Yesterday, his attorney tried to remove the prosecutor in the case.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/May;]

52-year old Joseph Painter is charged with setting a series of fires to stop construction on a subdivision behind his home.
He was indicted on charges of arson and manufacturing explosives in April.
The judge denied the defense motion that asked for the disqualification of special prosecutor Keith Blankenship.
Painter's attorney argued that Blankenship, a fellow Republican, might come down hard on Painter to avoid the appearance of favoritism.
Painter's trial is set to begin February 22nd.
(------------)

[11Troop-Cards]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[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 yesterday.
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.
(------------)

[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Kmc/Syo]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]

Rubatex officials say the nine month strike at Rubatex helped push the parent company into bankrupty.
Roanoke- based R-B-X Corporation filed for Chapter 11 protection Wednesday as it struggles to contain its long-term debt.
Company officials expect the bankruptcy filing to have little or no impact on current operations.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
A Roanoke man has been arrested in connection with last week's fires at the Coffee Pot.
42 year old Gary Ruddick of Buckner Road is charged with two counts of arson.
The fires occurred on November 29-th and 30-th and caused only minor damage to the landmark night-spot.

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
(Shannon mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Shannon ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Now here's Keith Humphry with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Primary]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=on News 7 at 6.]
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Kimberly/Shannon and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Double Boxes=Kimberly/Shannon and Steve]