[HEADLINES]
[TALENT=Kimberly]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
UP next on News 7--
The balance of power in the U-S Senate has changed-- all because of one man's decision.
Vermont Senator Jim Jeffords has announced he's becoming an Independent.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
And SunTrust is using LEGAL maneuvers to fight for a piece of Wachovia.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Leo]
[SS=None]
Sunshine this morning will be leading to some scattered showers late today into tomorrow...I'll have your forecast...
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]
Stay tuned-- News 7 at noon is coming up.
[Noon-open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]
[SUPER=@Leo1; ]
[Video-Open]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
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[VO-NAT]
Vermont Senator Jim Jeffords defects from the Republican party... giving the Democrats control of the Senate.
(------------)
[Jeffords]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at Noon]
Good afternoon, I'm Kimberley McBroom.
It's a defection with ripple effects that even reach to Virginia.
Vermont Senator Jim Jeffords announced today that he's switching parties from Republican to Independent...
It's a switch that will turn the balance of power in the Senate to the Democrats for the first time since 1994.
It also could cost Virginia Senator John Warner his seat as Chair of the powerful Armed Services Committee.
Republicans, including Warner, failed in their last-ditch efforts to keep Jeffords in the party.
There will now be 50 Democrats, 49 Republicans and one Independent in the Senate.
That means it will be more difficult for President Bush to move his agenda through Congress.
Jeffords, a life-long Republican, says it was a difficult choice, but that he had been in disagreements with the Republican party for a long time.
The move will take effect after the signing of the tax bill passed by the Senate yesterday.
Correspondent Aleen Sirgany joins us now from Vermont with more.
[LIVE= NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=01-Aleen Sirgany/Reporting;]
[SUPER=05-Burlington, VT]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I will"]
[SUPER=03-Burlington, VT;]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Jim Jeffords/(R) Vermont;]
[SUPER=05-Burlington, VT]
[RUNS=1:48]
[OUT Q=now back to you.]
(([quick SOT]
"I will leave the Republican Party and become an Independent."
Hundreds of miles away from Washington, in tiny Burlington, Vermont...
Senator Jim Jeffords single-handedly changed this nation's political
landscape.
Sot: Sen. Jim Jeffords/I-VT
"I have been struggling with a very difficult decision, difficult on a
personal level, but even more difficult because of the larger impact in
the Senate, also the nation."
In a stunning reversal of power, the Republicans have now lost their
critical tie-breaking vote. The Senate had been split evenly 50
democrats and 50 republicans, now with Jeffords going from Republican to
Independent, the spilt will be 50 democrats, 49 republicans and
Jeffords, now an Independent but for procedural purposes, aligned with
the Democrats.
sot: jeffords
"looking ahead I can see various instances where I will disagree with
the President on very fundamental issues."
South Dakota Senator Tom Daschele now becomes the new Majority leader.
In addition, fellow democrats will assume the powerful committee
chairmanships. Democratic proposals on healthcare and education will
now likely be pushed to the forefront, while G-O-P projects like oil
drilling in Alaska could be in jeopardy.
sot: react? super to come.
While many view Jefford's switch as a major blow to the emerging Bush
agenda....White house officials insist the President will continue to
govern in a bipartisan way.))
[SunTrust-Lawsuit]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Wachovia]
Wachovia and First Union may not become one bank after all...
SunTrust is fighting for its piece of Wachovia...
It attempted a hostile takeover last week -- now it has filed two lawsuits to stop the merger.
SunTrust says it was forced to take legal action after its own offer to buy Wachovia was rejected.
Both Wachovia and First Union say the lawsuits have no merit.
[Arts-Funding]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-15 59:32]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Cultural organizations in western Virginia are joining hands with local governments, and economic development agencies and other community leaders to plan for the future.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Representatives from more than two- dozen organizations gathered this morning outside the Virginia Museum of Transportation.
The groups are now working to develop a master plan that will help them set goals for the future, and ultimately find the funding to make them happen.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:42:51]
[IN Q=I hope that what comes out of this]
((I HOPE THAT WHAT COMES OUT OF THIS IS THE COMMUNITY BETTER KNOWS WHAT WE'RE DOING AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO ECONMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION. AND I'M HOPING THAT ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE CITIZENS WILL COME OUT OF THIS WHEN THEY DO SEE WE HAVE A PLAN AND WE'RE FOLLOWING THAT PLAN.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Sears/Center in the Square;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=we're following that plan.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The organizations are inviting the public to participate. A series of workshops will begin in mid-July.
(------------)
[NS-Shops]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-26 TC16:14]
[GRAPHIC=Norfolk Southern]
The federal government may block Norfolk Southern's plans to close one of its car shops.
That could be bad news for Roanoke workers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :23]
[SUPER=03-Holidaysburg, PA/April 12]
The Holidaysburg Pennsylvania Carshops are supposed to close on September 1st.
But the Surface Transportation Board is asking N-S for reasons why the shops should close -- mainly because the railroad claimed the shops would stay open after it merged with Conrail.
At a meeting in Norfolk two weeks ago, N-S President David Goode said there is no way the Pennsylvania shops will stay open.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The line through P-A]
((DAVID GOODE/NORFOLK SOUTHERN PRESIDENT: THE LINE THROUGH PA IS IMPORTANT, IN MANY WAY IT IS THE HEART OF THE SYSTEM. BUT AS I'VE SAID, THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ARE WHERE THEY ARE TODAY, WE SIMPLY DON'T NEED THOSE SHOPS.))
[SUPER=10-David Goode/Norfolk Southern President/May 10]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=need those shops.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The carshops in Roanoke and Hollidaysburg are the only remaining carshops in Norfolk Southern's system.
If the government DOES force N-S to keep the Pennsylvania shops open, some stockholders fear it may force the company to make additional cutbacks in Roanoke.
(------------)
[11Racial-Profiling]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-18 TC51:44]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Some Virginians want to know if minorities are being unduly targeted by police simply because of their race. But the General Assembly says it would prove too costly to study the controversial subject of racial profiling.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
But now, State Police will study it themselves.
State police will be documenting data troopers already collect on drivers in the course of any traffic stop or incident report.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:44:43]
[IN Q=I'm confident that racial profiling]
((COL. GERALD MASSENGILL/VIRGINIA STATE POLICE: I'M CONFIDENT THAT RACIAL PROFILING WITHIN THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE AND WITHIN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY IN VIRGINIA IS NOT AN INSTITUTIONALIZED PROBLEM. CERTAINLY I, NOR NO OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER KNOWS WHAT'S IN THE HEARTS OF EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL POLICE OFFICER, BUT CERTAINLY WE PUT TOGETHER A STRONG POLICY, STRONG DISCIPLINE THAT WILL ALLOW US TO ADDRESS ANY SITUATION THAT DOES COME UP.))
[SUPER=01-Gerald Massengill/Virginia State Police Superintendent;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=situation that does come up.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Massengill says the new database will give his agency "integrity" when it speaks to what is a very serious issue nationally.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]
Attorney General Mark Earley announced a training effort for next month.
Officers from across Virginia will undergo a one day training session at State Police headquarters to prevent racial profiling.
[tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
A national fast food company is apologizing to its customers. We'll tell you why after this break,
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]
also we'll see why another burger chain is the target of protests overseas.
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[Talent=Leo]
[Wx-Tease]
[Weatherpro]
[Streaming Video]
[music up full]
[comm1]
[D-Day-Memorial]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=01-28 TC22:12]
[GRAPHIC=D-Day Memorial]
The work is continuing as the nation prepares for the dedication of the D-Day Memorial in two weeks.
(------------)
[Super=03-Bedford;]
Last night workers kept busy at the Bedford site- as they erected a key piece of the memorial.
It is a statue depicting soldiers scaling a 150 foot cliff at Normandy-
Last night, the artist saw his work in the vertical position for the first time-
He says it tells a story that so many vets tell about that day.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=22:25]
((JIM BROTHERS/SCULPTOR: WE HAVE TO.... BUT ALSO PROTECT YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR BUDDIES.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Brothers/Sculptor;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=and your buddies.]
(----------)
[VO-NAT]
Brothers says it was emotional- as the statue went up- The statue is made of 175 pieces.
Among the unique elements of the memorial: ...under-water jets that create the illusion of German sniper fire.
(-------------)
[China-Plane]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
There are apparently TWO versions of the latest chapter in the U-S China standoff over a grounded Navy spy plane.
China says the U-S will get the plane back, in pieces.
Meanwhile, the U-S embassy is NOT confirming a deal is in the works with China.
Barry Petersen has more from Beijing.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; :25]
[SUPER=01-Barry Petersen/Reporting; :39]
[RUNS=:55]
[OUT Q=Petersen, CBS News, Beijing.]
((
(FILE/Spy plane on ground)
In a major step easing tensions, the Chinese say the Americans can take
their spy plane home.
(Sot: APTN/chinese spokesman)
But the Foreign Ministry spokesman said today the plane must be
disassembled...then loaded onto a transport plane or ship. The Chinese
earlier denied a US request to fix and fly the plane.
(FILE/Spy plane)
The spy plane collided with a Chinese jet on April first. The Chinese
pilot was killed. The US plane made an emergency landing on a Chinese
military base on Hainan Island.
(Crew)
The 24-crew members were held for 10 days...then released to a hero's
welcome in the United States.
(Taiwan pres/Dalai lama)
What's surprising is the timing of the announcement...when the president
of Taiwan and the Dalai Lama are visiting the US...visits that usually
bring condemnation, not a gesture of conciliation.
(Spy plane)
China's move may be a signal that the leadership here wants to put these
rocky past few weeks behind them...and for the moment..not start any
new battles. Bp, cbs news,
))[Israel-Plane]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The Israeli air force shot down a Lebanese civilian plane this morning near the Mediterranean Coast.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Mikhmoret, Israel;]
The Cessna had taken off from Beirut and crossed into Israeli air space north of Tel Aviv.
Officials say the Israeli pilots tried to contact the Cessna pilot, but say he did NOT respond or identify himself.
The pilot was killed in the crash.
He was the only person on board.
Israel is on alert today for attacks from the Lebanese guerilla group, Hezbollah.
It's the first anniversary of Israel's military withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
(------------)
[Burger-King]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A group of Italian animal rights activists has stormed a Burger King restauraunt in central Rome.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :09]
[SUPER=03-Rome, Italy]
About 20 people, dressed as animals and butchers, chained themselves to railings inside the restaurant, denouncing Burger King and shedding fake blood.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 10:07:19]
[IN Q=We can in the...]
[SUPER=01-Walter Caporale/PETA Spokesman;]
((WALTER CAPORALE/PETA SPOKESMAN; WE CAN IN THE BURGER KING FARMS, THE FARMS HOW THE ANIMALS LIVE, THEY SUFFER EVERY DAY, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE SUFFERING OF ANIMALS.))
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=suffering of the animals.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Norfolk-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals was behind the protest.
PETA has targeted Burger King because the group says the restaraunt chain continues to buy meat from slaughterhouses which have not adopted humane standards.
(------------)
[McDonalds]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=McDonalds]
Meanwhile McDonalds is apologizing for using beef in its French Fries.
The fast food chain has posted its apology on its website.
It acknowledged it adds a small amount of beef flavoring as the potatoes are processed.
The announcement surprised some vegetarians since McDonalds announced its restaurants would no longer use beef fat to cook its fries in 1990.
The restaurant chain still faces a suit by Hindus and vegetarians in Seattle.
But McDonalds says it never claimed its french fries were vegetarian.
[Tease2]
[SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Still to come on the newscast, we'll have news of a place that has struggled with utility prices even higher than those in California,
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And we'll tell you why visitors at one musem were seeing more than double yesterday.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]
[Hawaii-Power]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Power Struggle]
As Californians struggle with power problems, two time zones away in Hawaii, power customers have dealt with high utility prices for years.
But as Chris Lawrence tells us, their perspective is a little different.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Honolulu, HI;]
[SUPER=01-Chris Lawrence/Reporting; :28 Quick]
[SUPER=01-Chuck Friedman/Hawaiian Electric Company; :34]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS Honolulu]
(((LOCATOR: HONOLULU, HI)
YOU LOOK ONE WAY... THE SUNTANNED BODIES AND BEAUTIFUL BEACH.
(NATSOT, WAVES)
LOOK ANOTHER... MAJESTIC MOUNTAINS AND THE CLEANEST AIR IN AMERICA. BUT
PARADISE COMES WITH A PRICE.
(SOT, NO SUPER)
KEN SCHOOLLAND STAYED AND WATCHED ROLLING BLACKOUTS SWEEP CALIFORNIA AND
ENERGY PRICES SKYROCKET.
(LAWRENCE STANDUP BRIDGE: ONE REASON? EACH ISLAND HAS TO BE
SELF-SUFFICIENT.)
(SOT, CHUCK FRIEDMAN, HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANY)
THE HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANY HAS BEEN EXPERIMENTING WITH GEO-THERMAL
POWER AND WINDMILLS, BUT CAN'T ACCESS THE MOST POPULAR SOURCE OF POWER.
(SOT, FRIEDMAN, PARAPHRASED, can't get natural gas to the island)
BACK HOME WITH HIS OWN BILLS, KEN PUTS THE ENERGY CRISIS IN PERSPECTIVE.
(SOT, SCHOOLLAND, paraphrased, says the Hawaiian economy has been so bad
for so long, Californians should consider themselves lucky it hasn't
been worse.)
WHICH MAY BE THE LAST THING CALIFORNIANS THOUGHT ANYONE WOULD SAY. CHRIS
LAWRENCE, CBS NEWS, HONOLULU.
))
[Monroe]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Although she's been gone for nearly four decades, Marilyn Monroe is still turning heads...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;]
A group of "Marilyn" look-alikes turned out yesterday for a new exhibit at Ripley's Museum in Hollywood.
They portrayed the late actress at different stages of her life-- from her days as a young brunette to her better- known years as a platinum movie star.
The exhibit features Monroe's personal belongings, including a makeup kit and clothing.
It's in honor of what WOULD have been the film legend's 75th birthday...
(------------)
[Weather]
[NOON WEATHER]
[05/24/2001]
[TWO SHOT]
[WXPRO/FULL] ROANOKE STATS
LYNCHBURG STATS
[MUSIC UNDER]
[COMMERCIAL]
[CK/VIEWERNET=]SCHOOL STATS
[SUPER=#578;Burnt Chim]
[CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS
FORECASTS
EXTENDED FORECAST
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]
On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW is DOWN 29 point.
[super=460-y/29/x/5;]
NASDAQ was UP 5.
(x=up y=down)[tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Still to come on the newscast, High School baseball goes to the mound after this weeks rain left several games high and dry.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
and we'll see how some students are working to change the meaning of fast food.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]
[S-GW]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-88 (2:01:02)]
[GRAPHIC=Baseball Logo]
Danville took on Lynchburg in the Western District baseball playoffs yesterday at Dan Daniels American Legion Park -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/Eagles vs. Hilltoppers; :]
In the first, John Fulton puts G.W. on the board with a base hit to left field, bringing in Joey Thompson to make it 1 to nothing Eagles.
Then G.W.'s Brett Thomas hits this double to centerfield.
That brings in Fulton from second to make it 2 to nothing Eagles.
In the fourth, the Hilltoppers get on the board after this pitch in the dirt leads to a bad throw at third.
That allows Chris Jamerson to score to make it 5 to 1 G.W.
[SUPER=34-G. W. Danville/6/Lynchburg/3/;]
The Hilltoppers would score again.
Mitch Saum grounds out to second, but a run comes in to make it 5 to 2.
Danville goes on to win it 6 to 3.
(------------)
[S-Salem]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-82 (2:05:21)]
[GRAPHIC=High School Baseball]
Salem swept Lord Botetourt yesterday - advancing to the second round of the Blue Ridge baseball tournament.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Spartans vs. Cavaliers]
Let's go to the action... Salem's Jacob Davis hits a grounder for a double to left centerfield, scoring a run and the Spartans took the lead.
At Salem's next trip to the plate, the Lord Botetourt pitcher throws this wild pitch to Chris Vandergriff.
It flies over the catcher's head, but Kyle Gilman is thrown out at the plate.
[SUPER=34-Salem/10/Lord Botetourt/0/;]
Then finally, Salem's Gillman hits the grounder ... and a runner crosses the plate.
The Spartans get the 10 to nothing win.
(------------)
[S-PH]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-87 tc 1:49:02 ]
[GRAPHIC=softball]
Round one of the Roanoke Valley District Softball tournament is over -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Patrick Henry vs. William Fleming;]
This game was postponed because of the rain Tuesday - but yesterday folks were using umbrellas for a DIFFERENT reason.
In the top of the fourth, Jenna Shaver hits up the middle.
It's enough to bring home Rebecca Karns for the one-nothing Patrick Henry lead.
[super=34-Patrick Henry/2/William Fleming/3/;]
William Fleming comes right back in the bottom of the fourth. A bad P-H throw to first brings home Dona Kratt, and this one ends with Fleming beating P-H, 3 to 2.
(------------)
[anchor-Kimberly]
[ss=hold]
Fleming will play Cave Spring today at 1 Oclock at the Moyer Sports Complex.
[S-Northside]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-96 tc 29:54 ]
[GRAPHIC=softball]
Roanoke and Northside hooked up for a make up game yesterday -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Blacksburg vs. Northside;]
What a difference 24 hours can make, as this one was supposed to be played Tuesday as well.
The Vikings remained undefeated.
Brandy Bailey pitched a scoreless game. Opponents have yet to score an earned run on the Northside pitcher.
[super=33-Blacksburg/0/Northside/2;]
Northside beat Blacksburg two to nothing, in a Blue Ridge District battle.
(------------)
[Edible-race]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Today on News 7 at 5, Mike Stevens will join us live from the Charlotte Speedway for qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600.
And while the cars in this weekend's race are tough. They can't take the licking the vehicles in this next story can.
Anne Marshall explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Ashland, OR; :00]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=that they get.]
[Quickcast]
[WXPRO/FULL]Quickcast[REPRS@CL]
SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends
[SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]
by SS