[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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


Up next on News 7--
The Montgomery county school board settles the controversy over an Indian mascot.
Blacksburg High School students will have to find a NEW identity.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And Wall Street rallies after news of another interest rate cut.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Jacey]
[SS=None]


Windy conditions continue today as the temperatures stay cool but what about the sunshine? A dry finish to the work week may be in the forecast.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]


News 7 at noon is coming up.


[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]


After years of controversy and months of debate, the battle over a high school mascot is over.
(------------)


[Vote-Mascot]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-07]
[GRAPHIC=Mascot]


Blacksburg High School is going to have to find a new mascot.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]


In a five to two decision, Montgomery County School Board members voted last night to retire the Indian logo.
The members have spent months discussing the controversial issue, listening to public comments, and considering a recommendation from a local task force, who did vote to keep it.
But for many people, having an Indian as a mascot is personal.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT-15:10:44]
[IN Q=IM NOT]

((COMMUNITY MEMBER/OPPOSES INDIAN MASCOT;IM NOT A MASCOT IM NOT A HEATHEN, I'M NOT A SAVAGE, I'M A TAXPAYING AMERICAN CITIZEN SAID A MEMBER OF THE VIRGINIA CHICAPPE NATION.))
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=NATION]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The newly adopted policy gives the high school until 2003 to comply.
(------------)



[Interest-Rates]


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


It's an April surprise for investors--
The Federal Reserve has announced a half- point interest rate cut.
It's the fourth rate cut this year-- an effort to hold off a recession.
Just minutes after the news broke today, the Dow rose by more than 400 points.
Alexis Christoforous has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/CBS Marketwatch; :00]
[RUNS=:48]
[OUT Q=back to you.]



[Hollins-President]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=00-15]
[GRAPHIC=Hollins]


The outgoing president of Hollins University says she has no regrets about her 5 years at the school.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Janet Rasmussen will resign effective at the end of the academic year. Rasmussen cites philosophical differences with the board of trustees as the reason for her departure.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Janet Rasmussen/Hollins President]

((THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE BEST FOR HOLLINS THAT'S WHAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND I HAD AGREED TO. AND IN THAT LIGHT, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO FOLLOWING IN HER FOOTSTEPS, AND I'M SURE WE'LL STAY IN TOUCH.))
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=stay in touch.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Rasmussen signed a 5 year contract extension last fall. Walter Rugaber, a recently retired publisher of the Roanoke Times will serve as interim president until a replacement can be found.
(------------)



[6Car-Tax]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-03 2:03:30]
[GRAPHIC=Car Tax]


Governor Gilmore's no car tax plan may be popular with some Virginians, but two state senators and a citizens' group don't think much of it.
They are suing the Governor.
Richmond Bureau Chief Ellen Qualls has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Republican Senator Warren Barry's not]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Warren Barry/(R) Fairfax; :13 ]
[SUPER=@Ellen1; :29]
[SUPER=@Gilmore; :46 ]
[SUPER=01-Ted Martin/Va. Govt. Employees Assoc.; 1:44 ]
[RUNS=1:56]
[OUT Q=Qualls, News7, Richmond.]

((
Republican Senator Warren Barry's not shy about controversy.
He's the one who called fellow lawmakers of both parties "pinkos" earlier this year.
And he's NO friend of Governor Jim Gilmore.
[sot TAPE TWO 15:00:02]

((SEN. WARREN BARRY/R-FAIRFAX: KNOWING THIS GOVERNOR AS I HAVE THROUGH EXPERIENCE, IT TAKES A PRETTY BIG TWO BY FOUR TO GET HIS ATTENTION.))
[runs=:09 ]


The two by four comes in the form of a lawsuit that Republican Barry, and Democratic floor leader Dick Saslaw hope will put Gilmore administration officials under oath.

[sot standup]


They allege Gilmore's December revenue report was artificially inflated-- which would violate the no car tax law passed in 1998, with a provision to freeze the tax cut if the economy slowed down, to avoid the budget cuts still being sorted out now in Richmond.
[runs=:00]



[sot TAPE TWO 14:32:41]

((GOV. JIM GILMORE: I WAS A LITTLE STARTLED BY SENATOR BARRY'S STATEMENT THAT HE SAID THAT THIS WAS A PURPOSE AS YOU SAID TO TRY TO PRESSURE ME. WHEN I WAS A PRIVATE LAWYER FOR TEN YEARS, AND WHEN I WAS ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR FOUR YEARS, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THAT AS A BAD FAITH FILING, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH. WITH CERTAIN CONSEQUENCES THAT THE COURT WOULD PUSH FORWARD. BUT I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT ANY OF THAT.))
[runs=:19 ]
[sot TAPE TWO 14:57:48]

((SEN. WARREN BARRY/R-FAIRFAX: WELL THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN TOTALLY IMMOBILE AT THIS POINT IN TIME. HE SET HIS FEET IN CONCRETE AND SAID THAT'S MY POSITION, I'M NOT MOVING. AND HE HASN'T MOVED. HE SAID I DON'T CARE IF IT BRINGS THE FINANCES DOWN AROUND OUR EARS, I'M GONNA PRACTICE VOODOO ECONOMICS AND THAT'S THE WAY IT'S GONNA BE.))
[runs=:20 ]


Gilmore says he's confident his revenue figures were legal -- and if his administration didn't give an independent council of economic advisors enough information, they could have gotten it themselves.
Meanwhile, the heat stays on the lawmakers... who got a reminder from the Virginia Governmental Employees Association of how they just can't leave Richmond without a new budget.
[sot TAPE ONE 13:49:55]

((TED MARTIN/VIRGINIA GOVT. EMPLOYEES ASSOC.: I JUST DON'T THINK THAT'S ACCEPTABLE AT ALL. I THINK THAT'S UNCONSCIONABLE THAT THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE WOULD DO THAT.))
[runs=:07 ]


But there's still NO discernable movement toward a compromise.
And now, a legal battle.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

[MN-Flooding]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]


The Mississippi River keeps rising, threatening Midwesterners and their homes.
16- counties in Minnesota have declared a state of emergency, and it doesn't look like the floodwaters are leaving

anytime soon.
Esme Murphy has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Bayport, MN;:00]
[SUPER=01-Esme Murphy/Reporting; :28]
[SUPER=01-Maggie Dickinson/Flood Victim; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=Murphy for CBS News.]



[tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


U-S negotiators say they are not encouraged following the first sessions designed to ease tensions with China. We'll have that story in a moment,
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]


also a Hollywood stunt man is severely injured during the taping of a television show.
(---------------)
[Talent=Jacey]

[Wx-Tease] [Weatherpro] [Streaming Video] [music up full] [comm1]
Yesterday we saw snow, rain and finally sunshine... in that order. Today we'll just keep the sunshine but our temperatures are still feeling a bit wintry. As a cold high pressure system slides into our area today... those winds will continue to be heavy and the temperatures look like this...
As for the specifics in today's weather story...

We'll have the details on tonight's freeze warning coming up in the newscast.[11Henry-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-06 TC1:50:42]
[GRAPHIC=FIRE]


A worker at the C-P Films plant in Henry County was severely injured yesterday. John Yellock was taken to the burn unit at Baptist Hospital in North Carolina after he suffered burns over 80 percent of his body. Teresa Hamilton has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The president]
[SUPER=03-Fieldale; :05]
[SUPER=01-Ken Vickers/Company President; :27]
[SUPER=@Teresa1; :47]
[RUNS=:56]
[OUT Q=NEWS 7, Fieldale.]

(( The president of C-P Films says his heart goes out to the family of John Yellock. Ken Vickers says Yellock and another man were operating a machine that coats rolls of film when Yellock was burned by a flash fire. At this point-- officials aren't certain what caused the blast. But say it's been years since a serious accident has happened at the plant which employs more than 500- workers.
(////sot////)
[sot 14:10:44]
[IN Q= It's only]

((KEN VICKERS/COMPANY PRESIDENT: IT'S ONLY A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT WE WERE CELEBRATING OUR FOUR MILLION MAN-HOURS WORKED WITHOUT A LOST TIME ACCIDENT AND WE'VE GONE YEARS AND YEARS WITHOUT A SERIOUS INJURY.)) [runs13]
[out q= a serious injury.]

Vickers says the other worker did suffer injuries but is going to be OK. Yellock received burns over 80- percent of his body. [take su] Work is continuing inside the Henry County plant but not in the area where the blast occurred. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Fieldale.))

[Stunt-AX]


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


The set of T-V show, "Titus" turns dangerous for one stunt driver.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA; :03]


44- year- old Brian Carson suffered head injuries and broken bones yesterday during an accident involving pyro-technics.
Carson was driving 60- miles-an-hour when an explosion occurred as he hit a ramp.
His car flipped several times.
At last report, he was listed in serious condition.
A veteran of the business, Carson's performed more than two- thousand stunts for movies and television.
(------------)


[China-Plane]


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


China says its talks with the U-S will resume tomorrow.
But today's meeting wasn't very encouraging.
There's no agreement in sight on the future of American surveillance flights OR on the return of the Navy spy plane.
Barry Petersen reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Beijing, China;]
[SUPER=01-Barry Petersen/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:05]
[OUT Q=Petersen, CBS News, Tokyo.]

((
The American side came to Beijing with clear marching orders...

(EP-3 in Sat photos)

Get the U-S EP-3 spy plane back.

(SOT: RICHARD BOUCHER/STATE DEPT. SPOKESMAN)

WE WANT OUR AIRPLANE BACK AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THAT POINT AND WE EXPECT TO GET A RESPONSE.

(jets near US planes)

The Americans also want the Chinese to back off...stop their harassing tactics that have seen Chinese jets within three to five feet of US surveillance planes.

(Wang in cockpit/gestures to piece of paper)

In this picture released by the Defense Department...pilot Wang Wei comes in so close he gestures at what may be his e-mail address. He was the pilot killed when he collided with the US spy plane on April First.
As for Chinese demands...it's what they wanted from day one...that the US take full responsibility for the incident...

(Generic of US spy planes)

AND...that the US halt its surveillance flights off China's coast...no way, say the Americans - it's over international waters, it's legal and if it annoys China, tough...the flights aren't stopping.

(PETERSEN ON CAM CLOSE)

THIS IS JUST THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF MEETINGS...PLENTY OF TOUGH TALK AHEAD, BUT AT LEAST IT'S BEING DONE IN A SPIRIT NOT OF CONFRONTATION...BUT OF COOPERATION. BP, CBS NEWS, TOKYO

))[Gotti-Cancer]


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


He was once known as the "Teflon Don".
Now convicted Mob boss John Gotti is reportedly fighting throat cancer.
Gotti is serving a life sentence for racketeering and murder.
But his health has been steadily declining.
Doctors at a federal prison hospital in Missouri removed a cancerous tumor from Gotti's neck in 19-98.
[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Coming up next on the newscast, there are big changes coming to a small airport in our area,
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

and there's bad news for local hockey fans as the Express' season comes to a sudden end.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]


[6Danville-Air]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Air Travel]


N-A-S-A wants to change the way pilots fly into Danville.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]


Danville Regional Airport has been selected to test the feasibility of NASA's new Small Aircraft Transportation System or SATS.
The program is designed to allow small aircraft to fly in and out of small airports without control towers and expensive radar.
This could conceivably allow someone to travel anywhere in the country and still it make home for dinner.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 6:10:32]
[IN Q=Danville is quite simply]

((DR. BRUCE HOLMES/NASA SPOKESPERSON: DANVILLE IS QUITE SIMPLY A QUINTESSENTIAL EXAMPLE OF WHY THIS CONCEPT MAKES SENSE. IT'S SUBURBAN RURAL AMERICA THAT DESERVE TO HAVE EQUITY IN TRANSPORTATION ACCESSIBILITY.))
[SUPER=01-Bruce Holmes/NASA Spokesperson]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=transportation accessibility]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


NASA will conduct flight demonstrations in Danville and other airports in Virginia including Blacksburg over the next five years.
NASA officials are hopeful SATS will eventually allow pilots to rent airplanes in the same fashion as they would rent a car.
(------------)


[WEATHER]
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[SUPER=#555;reset][Stocks]



[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]


On Wall Street at Noon, the federal reserve's cut of interest rates has sparked investors. The DOW was UP 420 points. NASDAQ gained 173

[super=460-x/420/x/173;]






(x=up y=down)[tease3]

[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


COming up next in Sports, the season is just two weeks old and the first major league manager has been fired. We'll tell you who it is next.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

and in Sports, Barry Bonds becomes a giant in the history of Major League Baseball.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]


[S-Express]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=Sp-90 tc 1:43:00]
[GRAPHIC=express/storm]


The Storm blew Roanoke away last night ending the Express' season.
Toledo took game five of the first round ECHL playoff series five to two.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Toledo, OH/Express vs. Storm;]


Roanoke opened up the scoring last night. Mike Peron wins the battle in front of the net and puts the Express up one-nothing in the first. But that would be Roanoke's only lead.
Toledo went to work, Jason Norrie gets by Daniel Berthiuame to tie the contest at one.
First period ends with Toledo up two to one. In the second, the Storms' Norrie gets his second goal of the night, and that would be the game winner.
[super=38-Roanoke/2/Toledo/5/Storm Wins Series 3-2;]


James Patterson makes it four to one Toledo, and the Storm beats Roanoke five to two to win the series, three games to two.
(------------)



[Bonds]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]


The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have fired the only manager they have ever had.
Larry Rothschild was let go this morning. He compiled a 205 and 294 record during his three- plus seasons. There's no word yet on a replacement.
In other major league news, San Francisco Giant's slugger Barry Bonds joined some elite company last night.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:28:18 CBS]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=number 500.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco/KTLA TV;]


Bonds hit his 500th career home- run during last night's game against the Dodgers.
He is just the 17th Major Leaguer to reach the milestone. The Giants went on to win the game 3-2.
(------------)


[S-Vick]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-92]
[GRAPHIC=Michael Vick]


Michael Vick says he owes Virginia Tech for his success.
So he's giving back to the school.
Steve Mason has more on the new merchandising agreement between Vick and Tech.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Michael Vick/Projected as Top NFL Draft Pick; :18 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Virginia Tech Football Coach; :35]
[SUPER=01-Locke White/Director of Va. Tech Licensing; 1:08]
[SUPER=04-2000 Football Season; 1:22]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:34]
[RUNS=1:47]
[OUT Q=...News 7 sports"]
(------------)



[S-Talladega]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-85 tc 1:52:35]
[GRAPHIC=NASCAR]


It's back to the races for Winston Cup this weekend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Talladega, AL/Fox Sports]


Many of the teams are cruising the 2-point-66 mile tri-oval this week in preparation for Sunday's Talladega 500.
This is the first restrictor plate race since Daytona. Some of the fastest speeds in a race car have been recorded at Talladega.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Talladega is]
[SUPER=02-Sterlin Marlin/#40 Dodge;]
[SUPER=01-Kevin Harvick/Goodwrench Chevy Driver]
[RUNS=33]
[OUT Q=use to yet]
(-----------------)



[11Bird-SUV]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A dealership in South Florida has one unique customer checking out its S-U-Vs
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Davie, FL]


This pigeon is now the proud owner of a 1993 Suzuki Sidekick.
The bird built a nest on the hood and laid eggs.
Now two chicks also call the hood home.
The S-U-V WAS for sale at the dealership but after a salesman found the nest - he refused to sell the vehicle.
Now the birds are enjoying their 25-HUNDRED dollar home.
(------------)



[Ducks]


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


Police in Sacramento, California came FLYING to the rescue of another type of feathered friend--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sacramento, CA;]


They got a call that a family of ducks was walking along a busy street, creating a traffic hazard.
When they arrived, some of the ducklings had fallen down a storm drain.
But a brave officer actually went down the storm drain and pulled them out. (------------) The family is now back together.
by SS