WDBJ 7 morning news for 05/08/01

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

It's not double- VISION...
The treasury department accidentally mailed out DUPLICATE tax refund checks to thousands of Virginia taxpayers.
Details, coming up.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And minor league basketball could be coming to the Star City.
[ANCHOR=Leo]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Plus our Mornin' Closeup will focus on the arrival of three new snow leopard cubs at Mill Mountian Zoo. Wake up with us for News 7 Mornin.

[Tax-Refund]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Thousands of taxpayers in Virginia may have thought they were seeing double when they opened their mail.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
Last week, the department of treasury accidentally sent out duplicate tax refund checks to 14- thousand families in Virginia.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Sherry Quinley of Botetourt County got a refund check on Saturday. When she checked the mail yesterday-- she found another check for the same amount.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:09:37 TAPE LABELLED TAX....00:13:43 TAPE LABELLED MORRIS....]
[IN Q=When I ]
((SHERRY QUINLEY/TAXPAYER: WHEN I GOT MY SECOND ONE IT PUT ME IN A DILEMMA I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH EITHER ONE OF THEM. MARY MORRIS/STATE TREASURER: I THINK MOST OF THEM UNFORTUNATELY WERE CONFUSED AND WE DO REGRET THAT. WE'RE SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE TO CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH ABOUT THAT AND AGAIN WE'RE DOING ANYTHING WE CAN TO MINIMIZE THAT.))

[SUPER=01-Sherry Quinley/Taxpayer; :00 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Mary Morris/State Treasurer; :07]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=minimize that.]
(------------)
[anchor=Kim]
[ss=none]
State officials say the problem was caused by a combination of human and computer error. They say families should tear up one of the checks, because only one will eventually be honored by the state's bank.

[6-Franklin-Search]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-19 TC54:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Efforts to find a missing teenage boy from Rocky Mount will continue today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[photo of Dillon]
15-year-old Steven Dillon is a 7th grader at Benjamin Franklin Middle School.
He allegedly ran away after a dance on April 27th.
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./Sunday;]

Over the weekend, deputies searched the Pigg River for Dillon after they found personal items indicating he'd been there.
Yesterday, several classmates reported they saw him at an apartment complex near the river Saturday night.
Investigators say they've been unable to confirm the sightings so far.
They plan to search the river with an infrared camera today.
(------------)

[School-Stabbing]

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

In national news--
Police say a man was muttering about "taking people back to God" when he allegedly stabbed four boys yesterday at an elementary school in Alaska.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Anchorage, AK;]

Authorities have identified the attacker as 33- year- old Jason Pritchard.
Police say Pritchard allegedly stabbed one boy on the playground and three inside a classroom as they hid with a teacher.
All were stabbed in the neck and remain in serious condition after surgery.
Pritchard is charged with four counts of first-degree attempted murder, and is being held on two million dollars bail.
(------------)

[Cincinnati-Protest]

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

So far, it's still peaceful in Cincinnati, Ohio.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Cincinnati, OH;]

People are still taking to the streets to protest the police shooting of an un-armed black man.
Yesterday, a grand jury decided to indict the police officer on two misdemeanor charges.
The shooting led to three nights of rioting in the city last month.
Meanwhile, black leaders say they're angry, but not surprised by the decision.
Many community leaders had been hoping for murder charges.
The mother of the shooting victim call the charges a "slap on the wrist".
(------------)

[11City-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-09 TC1:28:26]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke could get its own minor league basketball team.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/October 1997]

It's not the N-B-A, even though there have been quite a few exhibition games at the Civic Center.
But it is the National Basketball Development League.
The League approached the city about a franchise.
[SUPER=04-Yesterday]

Yesterday, city council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would get things started.
Three million dollars would have to be put into the Civic Center to bring a team to Roanoke.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[tc:00:44:12]
[IN Q=This agreement has the]
((BILL WHITE: THIS AGREEMENT HAS THE POTENTIAL ALONG WITH SOME OTHER THINGS WE'RE GOING, TO REALLY ENHANCE THE FINANCIAL PICTURE OF THE CITY OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.))
[SUPER=01-Bill White/Roanoke City Council]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=period of time.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]

Council also voted to raise the city's tax on cigarettes and hotel room rentals.
Members also re-appointed two school board members, Melinda Payne and Ruth Wilson.

[11Waccamaw]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-26 TC03:25]
[GRAPHIC=Business Closing]
In business news this morning, Waccamaw's Home Place at Crossroads Mall will soon close shop since its parent company filed for bankruptcy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The store will close in eight to ten weeks.
The company plans to close dozens of stores.
Waccamaw has been in business in Roanoke for almost 12 years.
It's 33 employees were notified about the bankruptcy filing Friday.
The store's manager says he's confident they'll find other work soon.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]

In other business news, all eyes will be on Cisco Systems today.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=your local stocks]
((Information:
(ON CAM)
CISCO SYSTEMS WILL BE THE STOCK TO WATCH TODAY.. INVESTORS ARE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE NETWORKING GIANTS EARNINGS.. WHICH ARE DUE AFTER TODAY'S CLOSING BELL...ANALYTS ARE EXPECTING 2 CENTS A SHARE FROM CISCO WITH SALES OF MORE THAN 4 AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS. CISCO'S RESULTS ARE expected to include one-time charges of $3.7 billion related to inventory write-offs and layoffs.
DELL COMPUTER MADE HEADLINES AFTER THE CLOSING BELL.. DELL SAID IT WILL CUT 3-4 THOUSAND JOBS OVER THE NEXT TWO QUARTERS TO CUT COSTS.. DELL ALSO SAID FIRST QTR EARNINGS AND SALES WILL BE ON TARGET WITH WALL STREET ESTIMATES.. SHARES OF DELL RALLIED IN AFTER HOURS TRADING..

(GRAPHIC)
JP MORGAN WAS HURT AFTER A PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES ANALYST ADVISED INVESTORS TO SELL THE STOCK. HE SAYS THE SLOWING ECONOMY MAY INCREASE BAD LOANS AND CUT INTO PROFITS.

(ON CAM)
ASIDE FROM CISCO SYSTEMS EARNINGS, INVESTORS SEEM TO BE STAYING ON THE SIDELINES WAITING FOR NEXT WEEK'S FED MEETING ON INTEREST RATES:

(GRAPHIC)
THE DOW DIPPED 16 POINTS TO 10-935
(GRAPHIC)
WHILE THE NASDAQ GAVE BACK 18 POINTS TO 21-73

(GRAPHIC)
FOLLOW ALL THE PRE-MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM AT THE NASDAQ
(ON CAM)
I'M AC IN NEW YORK.))

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM]

[5-Bra]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=501-11 1:15]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Health Check]
In this morning's health check, there will soon be a new way for women to increase their breast size without surgery.

It's called the Brava system and its manufacturers say it can make the bust grow naturally.
The maker says in clinical trails most women grew approximately a cup size.
But as Health Check reporter Joy Sutton tells us, one local plastic surgeon says while it may seem like a reasonable alternative if you just want minimal results --it's hard to tell if it will be permanent.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For years, implants]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Roger Khouri/Brava System Creator; :13]
[SUPER=04-Brava System; :27]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Michael Breiner/Plastic Surgeon; :45]
[SUPER=@Joy2; 1:01]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=News 7 Mornin'.]
((
For years --implants have been the only option available to women who want to increase their breast size.
But manufactures of the Brava System say their product can do the job without surgery.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT17:53;05]
[IN Q=It's a bra]
((IT'S A BRA THAT THEY WERE COMFORTABLY AT HOME 10 HOURS A DAY. SOME WOMEN SLEEP WITH IT TO DO THE 10 HOURS. AND IF THEY DO THAT FOR 10 HOURS A DAY FOR 10 WEEKS, THEY'LL GROW A CUP SIZE OF THEIR OWN BREAST TISSUE)) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q=breast tissue]
The system consists of two plastic shell domes, a small computer and sports bra. The products applies tension to the breast tissue by a suction device which the manufacture says causes the cells to respond and develop new breast tissue.
But one local plastic surgeon says while it might work --he still has some concerns.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:06:34]
[IN Q=I'm a little bit skeptical]
((DR. MICHAEL BREINER: I'M A LITTLE BIT SKEPTICAL WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS SWELLING OF BREAST TISSUE WHICH MAKES SENSE OR IF IT REALLY IS THAT THE CELLS ARE BIGGER FROM A REPARATIVE PROCESS)) [RUNS18]
[OUT Q=repairative process]

And he says after a few months it could be an ever shrinking process --leaving women disappointed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:11:41]
[IN Q=I think if you're looking for]
((DR. MICHAEL BREIMER: I THINK IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR HONEST TO GOODNESS BREAST ENHANCEMENT SURGERY. I THINK YOU'RE MONEY IS BEST PUT TOWARDS COSMETIC SURGERY OR TOWARDS WORKING OUT IN A GYM)) [RUNS11]
[OUT Q=in a gym]
Joy Sutton, News 7 Mornin'))
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=Hold]

The Food and Drug Administration says the device doesn't not appear to present a potential risk of injury. However, the FDA did not test the product --and is not regulating it. The Brava System will be available on a limited basis later this year through some physicians. It costs between 2-thousand and 25-hundred dollars.

[11Explore-Center]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-08 TC1:51:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A unique partnership has finally delivered the new Blue Ridge Parkway visitors center.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The visitor's center is a joint venture of the National Park Service, Roanoke County, and Virginia's Explore Park.

Local, state and federal officials dedicated the building yesterday afternoon.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton said the cooperation that made this project possible is a model for others.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:15:58]
[IN Q=I think it's going to be important]
((I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT FOR ALL AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL AGENCIES, TO BE OPEN TO CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE TODAY.))
[SUPER=01-Gale Norton/Secretary of the Interior;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=and that's what we're seeing here today.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Permanent exhibits haven't arrived yet, but the center has two galleries that will feature exhibits on the history of the parkway, and the heritage of the Blue Ridge region.
(------------)

[Snow-Leopard]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=01-]
[GRAPHIC=R-2 LIVE IN MB MONITOR]

Another local attraction is also celebrating today.
Three snow leopards were born last Friday at Mill Mountain Zoo. [TAKE R-2 FULL]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]
You are looking at a live picture of the mother and her cubs. They're being watched 24-hours a day through infra- red surveillance equipment provided by WDBJ-7.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The cubs' parents, Boris, seen here, and Tasha, are breeders for the snow leopard Species Survival Program. Mill Mountain Zoo is a member of the program and is one of only 20-zoos in the country recommended to breed the animals.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE FS Mornin' Closeup Graphic] Curator Dave Wood joins us in this Mornin' Closeup to talk more about the program.

(XXXXXXXXXX)

[2-SHOT Kim and Guest][MM-Zoo]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=R2 LIVE In MB MONITOR]

[DESK 2-SHOT]
(Questions:)
[SUPER=01-Dave Wood/Mill Mountain Zoo Curator;]
(This is such an honor for Mill Mountain Zoo to be a part of this select program--- How exactly what it chosen?)

(What special living conditions are required for these animals?)
[TAKE R2-FULL]

(With all the talk about budget cuts-- will that have any effect on your ability to take part in the program?)

(Will the cubs remain here with their parents..or will they be sent to another zoo at some point?)

(Obviously, these beautiful animals are also quite rare-- approximately how many are there in existence?)

[ANCHOR=Kim]

Thanks Dave-- We'll talk more later about the technology that makes it possible for zoo officials to keep a close eye on the snow leopards by using infra- red surveillance....

(Kimberly tosses to bump)
Don't go away....News 7 Mornin' will be right back. [bump-chyron] [Streaming-Video]
[comm #3]

[2-HEADLINES] [Kim at Desk]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

The re- drawing of seven election districts in Campbell county is drawing CRITICISM from some minority residents.

They're considering legal action.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Now that the U-S has resumed surveillance flights over China, Chinese officials say the downed Navy spy plane will not be allowed to leave by its own power.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And it may seem like a financial windfall, but state officials say do NOT try to cash that second tax refund check.

The treasury department accidentally sent out duplicate checks to thousands of Virginia taxpayers.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Tuesday, May 8th .
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[11Campbell-Redistricting]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-21 TC33:32]
[GRAPHIC=Campbell Redistricting]

Minority residents in Campbell County are considering a legal challenge to the county's newly- redrawn election districts.
Steve Smallshaw tells us why.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Using the new]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Shreve/County Attorney; :09]
[SUPER=01-Willie Thornhill/Campbell Co. Resident; :37]
[SUPER=01-Andrew Prophett/Campbell Co. NAACP; 1:00]
[SUPER=@ssm1; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=Smallshaw, News7.]
(( Using the new 2000 census numbers, Campbell County has reconfigured its seven electoral districts, each containing roughly the same number of residents.
[SOT 17:59:22]
((DAVID SHREVE/COUNTY ATTORNEY: THE GOAL IS TO CREATE COMPACT AND CONTIGUOUS ELECTION DISTRICTS WITH AS NEARLY AS POSSIBLE AN EQUAL NUMBER OF VOTERS IN EACH DISTRICT AND WE THINK WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED THAT.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=accomplished that.]

It's not the numbers but the boundaries that have black residents upset.
Ten years ago, District Five around Brookneal was 33 percent African- American.. under the new plan, it's closer to 28 percent.
In a tight election, black leaders say, that could cost them a minority representative.
[SOT 18:03:52]
((WILLIE THORNHILL/CAMPBELL CO. RESIDENT: WE FEEL THE PLAN YOU'VE PRESENTED DIMINISHES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MINORITY VOTE AND IT DID NOT PRESERVE THE INTERESTS OF THESE VOTERS.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=of these voters.]

So the local N-double-A-C-P has come up with its own redistricting map, one that preserves Brookneal's status as a minority- influenced district.
Leaders say it's time their voices are heard in county government.
[SOT 18:16:13]
((ANDREW PROPHETT/CAMPBELL CO. NAACP: RIGHT NOW THERE ARE NO BASIC BOARDS IN THIS COUNTY THAT INCLUDES MINORITIES. WHEN IT COMES TO DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THE MINORITY COMMUNITY LIKE BETTER HOUSING, BETTER FACILITIES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, THAT VOICE IS NOT HEARD.))
[RUNS= 21]
[OUT Q=is not heard.]
[Standup ] ((The supervisors will vote on the redrawn districts May 21st. If they're approved as they stand now, minority leaders say their next step could be to file a challenge to the plan with the Justice Department. Steve Smallshaw, News7, Campbell County.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=Smallshaw, News7.] ))

[China-Plane]

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

Making international headlines--
Tensions are rising again between the U-S and China.
The Chinese say they will NOT allow the downed U-S Navy spy plane to leave China.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

China is protesting after the U-S resumed surveillance flights off China's coastline yesterday.
It was the FIRST such flight since the April first colision between a Navy plane and a Chinese fighter jet.
Meanwhile, a team of American experts had determined last week that the damaged spy plane could be repaired and flown off of (hy-nahn) island.
But the Chinese are indicating that won't happen.
(------------)

[Postal-Rates]

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

The U-S postal service is "addressing" some major financial problems.
The governing board will meet in Washington this morning to consider another rate increase.
It won't affect the 34- cent first- class rate that just took effect in January.
But it could raise prices for post cards, magazines, advertising, and overweight letters.
Officials say the postal service is facing a potential three- billion- dollar loss this year.

[2-Tax-Refund]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The mailman delivered a surprise to thousands of taxpayers in Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
Last week, the department of treasury accidentally sent out duplicate tax refund checks to 14- thousand families in Virginia.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Sherry Quinley of Botetourt County got a refund check on Saturday. When she checked the mail yesterday-- she found another check for the same amount.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:09:37 TAPE LABELLED TAX....00:13:43 TAPE LABELLED MORRIS....]
[IN Q=When I ]
((SHERRY QUINLEY/TAXPAYER: WHEN I GOT MY SECOND ONE IT PUT ME IN A DILEMMA I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH EITHER ONE OF THEM. MARY MORRIS/STATE TREASURER: I THINK MOST OF THEM UNFORTUNATELY WERE CONFUSED AND WE DO REGRET THAT. WE'RE SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE TO CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH ABOUT THAT AND AGAIN WE'RE DOING ANYTHING WE CAN TO MINIMIZE THAT.))

[11Byler]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-13]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A weekend sailing accident has taken the life of a state Board of Education member.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/March 22;]

Authorities believe 42 year old Jennifer Byler and her nine year old daughter died of hypothermia.
Byler has been on the state board for three and a half years, and is one of Virginia Republicans' two national committee people.
(------------)
[TALENT=Kim]
[SS=None]

Byler and her daughter, brother, and sister-in-law floated on a capsized sailboat in the Chesapeake Bay overnight Saturday.
Her body and the body of her daughter were discovered by another boater Sunday morning.

[11Ramsey]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-16]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Martinsville and Henry County are losing their Development Council Director.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/1998]

Sherry Ramsey has accepted an Executive Director Position with Brunswick County's Development Authority.
Ramsey is leaving after six years on the job.
She'll begin work in Brunswick County on June first.
(------------)

[Domain-Biomed]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Eminent Domain]

What does Little Debbie have to do with Eminent Domain? Plenty, if you're the operator of a flour mill that stands in the way of progress.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Roanoke City Mills produces 500- thousand pounds of flour every day... flour that goes into Little Debbie Snack Cakes, Krispee Kreme Donuts and other well-known products.
The plant is located on land that's slated to become the Riverside Centre for Research and Technology, but General Manager John Gibson doesn't want to move.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:21]
[IN Q=I think that we could be a compatible]
((JOHN GIBSON/MENNEL MILLING CO.: I THINK THAT WE COULD BE A COMPATIBLE NEIGHBOR TO THE BIOTECH WITHOUT MOVING. AND AGAIN I NEED TO STRESS THE FACT THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO MOVE.))
[SUPER=01-John Gibson/Mennel Milling Co.]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=we do not want to move.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

More than 30 businesses could be forced to re-locate to make way for the biomedical center and research park, but not all are fighting. Surfaces, Incorporated has reached agreement to develop its own property on Reserve Avenue.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

We'll check in with those businesses tonight on News 7 at Six, as we continue our series on Eminent Domain.[2-Snow

-Leopard]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=01-]
[GRAPHIC=R2 Live in MB Monitor]

Mill Mountain Zoo is keeping a close eye on three new snow leopard cubs.
[TAKE R-2 FULL]
[SUPER=05-Mill Mountain Zoo-Roanoke;]

They are able to do that with the help of surveillance gear provided by WDBJ-7. You are looking at a live picture of the mother and her cubs. The babies were born early last Friday and make up the first of Tasha and Boris's two litters to survive more than 48-hours.

(+++++++++++)
[TAKE FS MORNIN' CLOSEUP GRAPHIC]
In this Mornin' closeup, we're talking to Curator Dave Wood about why this technology is needed to monitor the cubs' progress.
(+++++++++++++)

[2-SHOT Kim and Guest]

[2MM-Zoo]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=R2 LIVE MB Monitor]

(Questions)

[SUPER=01-Dave Wood/Mill Mountain Zoo Curator;]

(This must be an exciting time for Mill Mountain Zoo-- finally, two successfully bred snow leopard cubs..)

[TAKE R2 FULL]
(Let's talk about the partnership between the zoo and W-D-B-J..We're actually providing you all with the infra-red equi
pment... how does that work?)

(Is this type of equipment commonly used by zoos for this purpose?)

(How long will you all monitor the cubs? Anything in particular you're looking for?)

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

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Authorities plan to search the Pigg River in Franklin County with an infrared camera today. They're looking for 15-year-old Steven Dillon.
He allegedly ran away after a dance on April 27th.
Yesterday, several classmates reported they saw him at an apartment complex near the river Saturday night.
Investigators say they've been unable to confirm the sightings so far.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Martinsville and Henry County are losing their Development Council Director.
Sherry Ramsey has accepted an Executive Director Position with Brunswick County's Development Authority.
Ramsey is leaving after six years on the job.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Leo]
(Leo mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Leo ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Now here's Keith Humphry with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Virginia's moment]
[RUNS=25]
[OUT Q=on News 7 at 6.]
(-------------)
[Desk=Kimberly/Leo and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Desk=Kimberly/Leo and Steve]