[HEADLINES]
[TALENT=Kimberly]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Closing arguments are under way in the weapons and bribery trial of singer Sean Puffy Combs.
The latest, coming up.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
And all eyes are on Wall Street today as the NASDAQ plunges to a two- year low.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Jacey]
[SS=None]
It's sunny right now but rain follows close behind the current nice weather. In just a few minutes we'll find out when the rain is forecasted to start and end.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]
News 7 at noon is straight ahead.
[Noon-open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]
[SUPER=@Jacey1; ]
[Video-Open]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A guilty verdict could silence rapper Puff Daddy's music career for a long time.
(------------)
[Puffy-Trial]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Sean Combs]
Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
Closing arguments are underway in the weapons and bribery trial of singer Sean Puffy Combs.
The charges are related to a 19-99 shooting at a Manhattan nightclub.
Terisa Estacio is covering the trial and has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=With his mother]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY; :00]
[SUPER=01-Terisa Estacio/Reporting; 1:30]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=Estacio, CBS News, New York.]
((
With his mother by his side - a neatly dresed Sean Puffy Combs arrived
at the New York courthouse. The multimillionare music mogul may soon
learn whether he might have go to prison. Combs is on trial on gun and
bribery charges in connection with a 1999 shooting at a Manhattan night
club. Closing arguments are underway.
The Combs defense team pledges he is innocent and says the prosecution
is star struck and just out to get the rapper.
Combs took the stand on his behalf last week, denying having a gun or
trying to bribe anyone.
But, several witnesses disputed his testimony including Combsdriver
that night, Wardell Fenderson.
Fenderson told the jury of 5 whites and 7 blacks that Combs tried to
bribe him into telling police the gun was his..
Others called to the stand also testified they saw Combs carrying a
weapon.
It all began after an argument in the nightclub between Combs and
ex-convict Matthew Scar Allen. Shots rang out and three bystanders
were injured.
Combs, his then girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez and Fenderson fled the scene
leading police on a high speed pursuit.
When police finally caught up with them, they discovered a 9mm pistol
laying on the floor of Combs SUV. Another gun was recovered, later.
Police say someone threw it out of the SUV that night.
Also standing trial along with Combs are his bodyguard and Rapper Jaamal
Shyne Barrow. Barrow reportedly fired the gun inside the club and faces
attempted murder charges.
(Standup: Terisa Estacio)
NY Citys gun laws are some of the toughest in country. If convicted,
Sean Puffy Combs could face up to 15 years behind bars.
TE, CBS News, NY
))
[Stock-Market]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Stock Market]
Today promises to be a bumpy ride on Wall Street.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]
The tech- heavy NASDAQ fell under the two- thousand mark for the first time in more than two years.
Blue chips are also taking a hit--
The Down Jones Industrial Average is down more than 200 points.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=None]
We'll have an updated stock report coming up later in the newscast. [Police-Shoot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Amherst Co. Police Shooting]
Charges are pending against a man shot by a state trooper after a high speed chase last night. The trooper is on administrative leave while the case is investigated.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co.;]
Authorities say troopers were trying to pull 24-year old Edgar Jermaine Harvey over for suspicion of drunk driving .. when he took off near the intersection of Route 29 and 130.
The suspect then ditched his car and tried to run but was ordered by troopers to stop.
Police say Harvey refused, and made a threatening gesture which prompted Trooper James Scott to fire.
Harvey is in serious condition at Lynchburg General Hospital following surgery on his shoulder.
He faces charges of being a habitual offender and eluding police.
(------------)
[Four-Wheeler]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=00-54 1:32:55]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Two people are starting their week recovering from injuries .. after the A-T-V they were riding flipped over last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.]
It happened on private property in Pittsylvania County.
Rescue crews responded to the call around 7 - after someone discovered the man and woman in the woods near Hunter's Lane.
Authorities say it appears the driver lost control of the all terrain vehicle and flipped... possibly landing on one of the patients.
(------------)
[Rke-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Investigation]
Roanoke fire officials are investigating a fire they suspect was intentionally set.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Fire fighters were called to this home on Dale Avenue around ten last night.
Fire officials say the occupants were recently evicted, so the home was empty.
They'll work with police to collect evidence in efforts to help determine the cause.
(------------)
[tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Budgets and tax cuts. Still ahead, President Bush and Governor Gilmore hit the road to gain support.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And oh, those heavy backpacks. But are they really too heavy, or is it the way they're worn?
But first, let's see if the rain is drawing near, with Jacey Birch in our Weather Center.
(---------------)
[Talent=Jacey]
[Wx-Tease]
[Weatherpro]
[Streaming Video]
[music up full]
[comm1]
[Tax-Cut]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=George W. Bush]
[**NOTE ANCHOR TAG!!]
George W- Bush is making his first trip to Florida as President.
Bush hopes to build more support for his tax cut and budget plans during the visit.
But Democrats are reminding Florida residents about November's Presidential ballot controversy.
They're airing a new T-V ad criticizing Bush and his brother Jeb, the Governor.
Bill Plante reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-TV Commercial; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Kerry/(D) Massachusetts; :37]
[SUPER=01-Bill Plante/Reporting; :50]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Olympia Snowe/(R) Maine; :57]
[RUNS=1:03]
[OUT Q=additional changes]
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=None]
That was Bill Plante reporting.
[Gilmore-Budget]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Gilmore]
Governor Gilmore says he's found enough money to balance the budget and fund his car tax cut.
In appearances around the state, including Roanoke this afternoon, the governor says he'll be able to cover a 421 million dollar shortfall, without layoffs.
Gilmore's proposal still cuts 275 million dollars in construction projects, and reduces state agency spending by 146 million dollars.
[Northwest-Airlines]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Northwest Airlines]
The contract battle between Northwest Airlines and its mechanics has moved to the White House.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
Dozens of Northwest workers are demonstrating, because they're angry that President Bush has intervened in the dispute.
Bush created a Presidential emergency board to deal with the contract stalemate.
Now, airline employees can't strike for at least two months.
A union official says the President stepped in just as progress was being made-- he says now that progress is stalled.
As we told you earlier, Bush is in Florida today, and won't hear what the protestors are saying.
(------------)
[Backpacks]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A new study is checking whether hauling a heavy backpack to school necessarily causes back pain.
(------------)
[VO-NAT from 00-24 1:10:28]
There has been a lot of attention paid to the subject recently ... in Virginia and across the country.
Now, about one-thousand students ages 12 to 17 from Pennsylvania and Delaware schools are half-way through the study.
A children's orthopedic surgeon conducting the study .. wants to know if the WAY a backpack is worn is as crucial as how much it
WEIGHS.
(------------)
[Tease2]
[SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
"The Mexican" tops the box office once again. Still ahead, find out what other films were big hits this weekend.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And the weather is no hit for these Australians. Heavy rains lead to dangerous floods, and rescues from the air.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]
[Horse-Adoption]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=01-06 1:06:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Some wild horses have new owners today .. and their work is just getting under way.
Dozens were auctioned off at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington this weekend.
As Kate Weidaw tells us - there's a lot that goes into training a wild horse.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Lexington;:00]
[SUPER=01-Karen Malloy/Bureau of Land Management; :33]
[SUPER=01-Dave Seay/Horse Gentler; :57]
[SUPER=@Kate2; 1:21]
[RUNS=2:04]
[OUT Q=kw news 7 Lexington.]
((The mustangs may stand still in the pens - but when you try to get them out and loaded onto a trailer - it's another story.
[NAT SOUND HORSE BUCKING]
[RUNS= 3]
These wild horses are captured from 10 western states, where over population is a problem. They're brought to the east coast each year to be adopted and trained. The starting price for the horses at auction is a-hundred and 25 dollars. But buyers have to meet other requirements before they can take a wild horse home.
[SOT 1:55:05]
[INQ=]
((KAREN MALLOY/BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT: YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A SMALL PEN WITH A SHELTER YOU CAN NOT PUT THESE HORSES DIRECTLY ON PASTURE UNTIL THEY ARE HALTER BROKEN AND CATCHABLE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 6]
Because the mustangs come directly from the wild - they are not trained.
[SOT 1:55:35]
[INQ=]
((KAREN MALLOY: THEY DON'T LEAD, YOU CAN'T TOUCH THEM AND YOU CAN'T PICK UP THEIR FEET AND YOU HAVE TO TRAIN THEM EVERYTHING A HORSE NEEDS TO KNOW TO SURVIVE IN HUMAN CULTURE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 7]
Trainer David Seay has 20-years of experience - learning from wild horses.
[SOT 2:04:57]
[INQ=]
((DAVE SEAY/HORSE GENTLER: BASICALLY I TRIED TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY RESPOND TO THINGS AND IT CAME DOWN TO LEARNING HOW THEY CONTROL EACH OTHERS FEET.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 6]
Seay says it takes time... and patience... to teach a horse to overcome its fears.
[NAT SOUND 2:07:52]
[RUNS= 8]
But the best advice Seay has for handlers is to give the horse choices, for example - when you're trying to put a saddle on it.
[SOT 2:07:02]
[INQ=]
((DAVE SEAY: IF YOU PUT IT ON ITS EARS, HE'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO LIKE IT, IF YOU PUT IT ON ITS BUTT IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO LIKE IT EITHER BUT IF YOU GIVE HIM THESE TWO CHOICES AND THEN PUT IT ON HIS BACK HE'LL SAY I LIKE IT A LOT BETTER.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]
Getting the horse to lay down is the most challenging because that's when it feels most vulnerable. But with a little practice Seay says any horse can do it.
[SOT 2:06:29]
[INQ=]
((DAVE SEAY: I USED TO MAKE HORSES DO THINGS THE OLD WAY AND I'VE LEARNED TO ASK THEM TO DO THINGS.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 8]
And once these animals are trained, experts say they are some of the best mustangs for herding cattle and walking trails. Kate Weidaw News 7 Lexington.))
[Australia-Flooding]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]
Too much rain is flooding the land down under--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Smithtown, Australia;]
Hundreds of people were evacuated by helicopters and boats.
Heavy flooding destroyed the drainage systems in two eastern Australian towns, sending raw sewage flowing into the streets.
The worst flooding in decades is affecting the region's main highway.
Nearly three- thousand people were forced from their homes over the weekend.
(------------)
[WEATHER]
[SUPER=300-52/50/SE-10/30.12f/86/1990/15/1998;]
[SUPER=301-53/38/Variable 6/30.15f/86/1990/13/1934;]
[SUPER=#555; RESET][Forecasts]
[SUPER=#577; Viewernet Site]
[SUPER=X5000]
[SUPER=330-Occasional Rain/until 12 AM/46-48/Cloudy & Breezy/Chance of Showers/59-61]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=331-Rain Showers/until Midnight/44-46/50% Chance/for Showers/60-62]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=332-Rain Early/then Cloudy/42-44/AM Showers/then Partly Sunny/55-57]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=333-Rain/Likely Early/41-43/Mostly Cloudy/Morning Showers/54-56]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=334-Expect Early/Rain Showers/40-42/Cloudy Skies/Early Showers/53-55]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=#555;reset][Nikkei]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
In business news this afternoon--
Wall Street is apparently having a bad influence on stocks in Tokyo.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Tokyo, Japan;]
Tokyo's main stock index, the Nikkei, closed today at a 16- year low.
Analysts say the recent U-S economic slowdown has crimped the earnings of Japanese exporters.
The selling of Japanese technology issues and communications stocks led the morning decline.
(--------------)
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]
On Wall Street at Noon,
[super=460-y/229/y/99;]
the Dow was DOWN 229 points. NASDAQ was down 99 points.
(x=up y=down)[tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Coming up, the Virginia Tech women get invited to the big dance, but will run into a tough Denver team...
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
and a milestone day for Duke. They get a big win over U-N-C and give Coach K number 600. Stay tuned, sports is next.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]
[S-Duke]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-80 (1:47:50)]
[GRAPHIC=ACC Logo]
Duke won its third straight A-C-C tournament championship, and coach Mike Krzyzewski got his 6-hundredth win downing U-N-C 79-to-53.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/RAYCOM; :]
It was the 10-th time the two teams have met in the title game.
Carolina's Joseph Forte opens it up for Carolina with the three and the Heels trailed by 3.
But Duke answered when Shane Battier steps out behind the line and hit the three pointer. Battier scored 20 points.
The Blue Devils opened it up--
Jason Williams with the steal and jam, and Duke led 50 to 30 at the half.
Carolina would try and get back in the game.
Jeff Capel gets it to Ronald Curry for the layup, but the Heels trailed 55 to 34.
[SUPER=33-Duke#3/79/UNC#6/53/;]
Duke's Mike Dunleavy would throw down a career high 24 points, as the Blue Devils claim the tournament title with the 79 to 53 win.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="We ended...]
[SUPER=01-Mike Dunleavy/Scored 24 Points; :00]
[SUPER=01-Shane Battier/20 Points 13 Rebounds; :17]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=.....way to win."]
(---------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=NCAA]
With the win, Duke takes the top seed in the men's tournament East regional. Stanford tops the West, Michigan State earns the South, and Illinois nets the Midwest.
[S-Tech]
[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-89 tc 57:07]
[GRAPHIC=Tech]
The Virginia Tech Women earned a seventh seed in the Mideast region of the Women's NC-Double-A Tournament.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]
Fans packed the Gobblertown Tavern in Christiansburg yesterday afternoon, to find out where Tech would go.
The Hokies will be traveling to Lubbock, Texas, for a first round game against a 24 and six Denver team.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Denver is]
[SUPER=01-Bonnie Henrickson/Virginia Tech Head Coach; :00]
[Super=01-Sarah Hicks/Virginia Tech Junior; :18]
[RUNS=33]
[OUT Q=excited about it]
(-----------------)
[S-Race]
[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-79 (1:46:45)]
[GRAPHIC=Atlanta Logo]
Kevin Harvick wins for the first time driving Dale Earnhardt's car to Victory Lane in the Cracker Barrel 500.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hampton, GA/FOX Sports; :]
Jeff Gordon had the strong car after the start of the race, and he was leading the race with 271 laps to go.
Dale Jarrett, who started on the pole, was running a strong second, right behind Gordon.
Dave Blaney in car number 93 would have a strong run.
He passes Gordon, putting him a lap down and taking the lead with 157 to go.
Kevin Harvick was the top rookie in the field.
He was running seventh, with 147 laps to go.
Then the fourth caution came out on lap 206.
But with just over 50 laps to go, Matt Kenseth hits the turn 4 wall.
The car catches fire and drifts to the grass, bringing out the fifth caution of the day.
But Harvick would run up front with the big boys.
He takes the checkered flag by a nose ahead of Gordon, the same finish from last year when Dale Earnhardt slid by Bobby Labonte.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I don't....]
[SUPER=01-Kevin Harvick/Cracker Barrel 500 Winner; :]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=....for Dale."]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]
But in the points race, Jeff Gordon was the big winner yesterday. With the second place finish, Gordon now holds a 37-point lead over Dale Jarrett after his third straight top-three finish.
[Summit-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
A fire has broken out at the Summit Apartments in Roanoke.
Crews arriving at the complex off Franklin Road saw smoke and flames coming out of one of the buildings.
The fire was reported about 15 minutes ago.
So far, no reports on injuries or damage.
We'll have more tonight on News-7 at 5 and 6.
[Habitat-House]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-04 41:43]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Spring Break is just beginning for many college students, but it's over for others.
And some Virginia Tech students are returning from their break .. with memories to "build" on.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Clemson University;]
Last week -- they joined students from several universities around the country, building homes for Habitat for Humanity on the outskirts of Clemson, South Carolina.
For the students-- spending their spring break helping others is rewarding.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:30:22 00:26:11]
[IN Q=Last year we ]
((NIKAI FRYE/VIRGINIA TECH SENIOR: LAST YEAR WE WENT TO NORTH CAROLINA TO HELP WITH FLOOD RELIEF AND HAD A GREAT TIME MY FIRST SPRING BREAK TRIP AND HAD A WONDERFUL TIME AND FELT LIKE I HAD A GREAT SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND SO I WANTED TO DO IT AGAIN.
MICHAEL SHORE/VIRGINIA TECH SENIOR: I THINK WE PROVIDE A GOOD SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND I THINK IN THE END WE GET TA SENSE OF SATISFACTION AND NO HANGOVER.))
[SUPER=01-Nikai Frye/Virginia Tech Senior; :00]
[SUPER=01-Michael Shore/Virginia Tech Senior; :11]
[RUNS=24]
[OUT Q=and no hangover.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The project is being spearheaded by students at Clemson University and will continue over the next several weeks as other students from around the country continue to pitch in.
(------------)
[Box-Office]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
``The Mexican'' is holding onto the top spot at the box office.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 03:41:37]
[IN Q=I need]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=the next town-o.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Dreamworks;]
Studio estimates show the Julia Roberts-Brad Pitt mob comedy raking in more than 12 million dollars this weekend.
It's the movie's second weekend at the top spot, although sales dropped 40 per cent from the first weekend.
(+++++++)
[TAKE FS SUPER]
[SUPER=77-The Mexican/15 Minutes/See Spot Run/Hannibal/Down to Earth;]
Not far behind was the crime thriller "15 Minutes." "See Spot Run" held onto third place, followed by "Hannibal" and "Down to Earth".
(------------)
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[REPRS&CL]
[SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]
SUPER=#4071; Q99 Banner Tuesday and Thursday ONLY
SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends
[Mornin' Promo]
[ANCHOR-Kim]
[Animation]
(///////SOT///////)
((Tommorow on News 7 Mornin.))
[RUNS=03]
(-------------)
[Kimberly on camera]
[Music under]
These race cars literally have small blocks ... they're made from blocks of wood.
Cub Scouts soup up their Pinewood Derby cars.
Steve Pardon revs up a preview
(------------)
tomorrow on News 7 Mornin'. [Animation full]
by SS