[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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


Another bad message from the U-S postal service--
Nearly 400 employees will be affected when the Remote Encoding Center in Salem closes its doors next year.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And jet service between Roanoke and Cincinnati resumes next month now that the Comair pilot strike has ended.
[ANCHOR=Jacey]

Plenty of sunshine in store for today with temperatures climbing into the eighties... and a warm-up is in store for the next few days. [2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Plus, we'll hear the magic of music therapy AND find out how you trade baseball cards online. Wake up with us-- News 7 Mornin is next.

[6-Postal-Center]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=slo]
[TAPE#=01-26 TC38:21]
[GRAPHIC=none]



The Postal Service is closing Remote Encoding Centers, five at a time, nationwide.
That includes the Salem branch which is slated to close in less than a year.
Nearly 400 employees will be affected.
As Sloane Smith reports, the word was expected, but not welcome.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Sherri Mitchell/Employee; :00]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :11]
[SUPER=01-Tania Kelekian/Employee; :21]
[SUPER=01-Helen Skillman/U. S. Postal Service; :45]
[SUPER=19-Sloane Smith; 1:18]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=SS, News 7, Salem.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:24:24]
[IN Q=I knew it was possible]

((I KNEW IT WAS POSSIBLE, WE'VE KNOWN EVER SINCE WE'VE BEEN HERE, SIX YEARS...AND WE KNEW IT WAS POSSIBLE TO END. SO...IT'S OKAY, LIFE GOES ON.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q= goes on.]


For Sherri Mitchell, and the rest, no news was good news for years at the Salem center.
But now, as the Postal Service eliminates these facilities nationwide, workers are learning that their time is coming to an end.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:20:42]
[IN Q=Well let me explain]

[RUNS12]
[OUT Q=when these close.]


This part of the postal system was created to read the addresses on your letters and send them in the right direction. Now, computers do that. So the employees are no longer necessary.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:25:34]
[IN Q=For me it means]

[RUNS21]
[OUT Q=sorry for that.]


The 64 full-time employees here will be moved to other facilities by next May. Under their contract, they should not be moved more than 100 miles.
But the 328 part-timers are on their own.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:31:02]
[IN Q=They knew]

[RUNS10]
[OUT Q=new job. SS, News 7, Salem]))



[Children-Killed]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Houston, TX;]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Later today Russell Yates will deliver the eulogy at the funeral for his five children, who were allegedly drowned by their mother.
Andrea Yates remains behind bars on capital murder charges.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Houston, TX;]


Meanwhile, a private visitation and service for family members was held last night in Houston.
Police say Andrea Yates confessed to drowning all five of the children in a bathtub last week.
Her husband says Yates was suffering from postpartum depression.
The prosecutor has NOT yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.
(------------)


[11Comair]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-25 TC1:05:54]
[GRAPHIC=Comair]


Comair's jet service between Roanoke and Cincinnati resumes next month..
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

[PRE PRO]
Now that its pilot strike is over, 10 a.m. flights to and from Cincinnati will resume on July 17th.
September first, four p.m. flights.
October first, "late in" and "early out" flights.
And on November first, 8 p.m. Comair flights will begin again.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/March]
[TAPE#=01-24 TC36:59]


The Roanoke Regional Airport Commission says Comair will re-hire the six employees let go during the strike.
Comair is also attempting to buy back regional jets that were sold off during the strike.
(------------)



[11Optical-Cable]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Optical Cable]


A Roanoke-based fiber optic company says now is the time to pay back debt and then expand.
To get money to do that, Optical Cable Corporation wants to sell 90 million dollars worth of stock in what is called a public offering.
Analysts say flooding the market with extra shares will decrease the value of stock in the short run.
But, they say, for long term investors, using money to expand manufacturing capabilities could be beneficial.

The Securities and Exchange Commission must approve the sale first.[11Pulaski-Water]


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

Some say the price of water is too high in the Town of Pulaski.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :19.5]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski;]

Viola Morefield is one resident complaining to officials about growing water bills. Morefield says even though her usage has stayed the same, prices have gone up. Town officials say a 20-percent increase took effect January First after a public meeting on the issue. The say the hike was necessary for pipe maintenance and repair funds.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:34:19]
[IN Q=THEY JUST]

((VIOLA MOREFIELD/PULASKI RESIDENT; THEY JUST KEEP GOING UP MONTH TO MONTH AND I GET LIKE 627 DOLLARS A MONTH AND I GET ALL THESE BILLS TO PAY BECAUSE I 'M IN CITY LIMITS.))
[SUPER=01-Viola Morefield/Pulaski Resident;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=city limits]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Trash and sewer charges are included on water bills, but Morefield says it still doesn't explain why her bill is so high.
(------------)



[11Miss-VA]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=bmo]
[TAPE#=01-32 TC14:39]
[GRAPHIC=Miss Virginia]


Miss Virginia contestants "putted" their way towards scholarship money for the pageant.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]


The Miss Virginia Cup was held yesterday at Hunting Hills Country Club.
The money raised will go toward a scholarship for the Pageant.
But the Roanoke Valley lacks the representation it's had in past years..
Several area competitions were canceled this year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:16:21:46]
[IN Q=We've had]

((STEVE MUSSELEWHITE/MISS VIRGINIA PAGEANT CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ; WE ARE IN TRANSITION IN ROANOKE VALLEY AND BOTETOURT COUNTY. WE'VE HAD PAGEANTS IN VINTON, BOTETOURT COUNTY, AND SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, ALL AROUND THIS REGION THAT WE CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE, BUT BY NEXT YEAR WE'RE GETTING ROANOKE VALLEY AND BOTETOURT PAGEANT BACK AND THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST IN OTHER AREAS IN THIS VICINITY.))
[SUPER=01-Steve Musselewhite/Pageant Co-Executive Director;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=this vicinity.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Pageant officials are hoping to raise 15-thousand dollars from yesterday's golf tournament.
The Miss Virginia Pageant takes place Saturday night at the Roanoke Civic Center.
(------------)



[Marketwatch]


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


But first in business news, The Federal Reserve is expected to announce today its decision on interest rates.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=your local stocks.]


((Information: THE DAY BELONGS TO THE FED... BUT FRESH SIGNS OF A RECOVERING ECONOMY MAKES TODAY'S FED DECISION ON INTEREST RATES A REAL NAIL-BITER.
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE ROSE IN JUNE TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL THIS YEAR AND NEW HOME SALES WERE UP NEARLY ONE PERCENT LAST MONTH.. SIGNS THAT THE ECONOMY MAY BE BACK ON TRACK... THOSE REPORTS BACK ARGUMENTS FOR THE FED TO CUT RATES BY JUST A QUARTER POINT RATHER TODAY.. BUT OTHER MARKETWATHERS, LIKE FORMER FED GOVERNOR WAYNE ANGELL ARE STILL BETTING ON A MORE AGGRESSIVE HALF POINT CUT

ANGELL SOT:


AHEAD OF THE RATE DECISION, STOCKS WERE ALL OVER THE MAP.. BUT FINISHED MIXED:
THE DOW BATTLED BACK FROM A TRIPLE DIGIT DEFICIT TO END WITH A MODEST LOSS OF 31 POINTS
BUT THE NASDAQ HELD ON TO A GAIN OF 13 POINTS.
AND AFTER THE BELL, PALM GOT SLAPPED.. THE MAKER OF HANDHELD COMPUTERS SAID SALES TUMBLED 53 PERCENT IN THE FOURTH partly because the introduction of the new m500 device was delayed by a defect.
AND SHARES OF MERRILL LYNCH SUFFERED THEIR BIGGEST ONE SLIDE SINCE 1997 AFTER THE NO. 1 BROKER SAID second-quarter earnings will fall by almost half and will be ``weak'' for the next three months amid a drought in stock and bond trading.
TRACK ALL THE PRE-MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM - AT THE NASDAQ, I'M AC IN NEW YORK.))


(tape tosses to stocks)

[STOCKS] [COMM]

[11Redistricting]


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


Former Iran Contra figure and Senate candidate Oliver North told Republicans this week: if they build it, he will run... for office that is.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-1994;]


North means a 400-mile long re-drawn 9th Congressional District, which would run from far southwest Virginia to the Commonwealth's northern tip, allowing him to run against Abingdon Democrat Rick Boucher.
But North's request is getting NO help from fellow Republican -- Speaker of the House -- Vance Wilkins, who says the district would be too long.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I don't see hardly how]
[sot tape 12:16:16 ]

((SPEAKER VANCE WILKINS/R-AMHERST: I DON'T SEE HARDLY HOW YOU CAN GET FROM HERE TO THERE. OR FROM THERE TO THERE.))
[SUPER=@Wilkins;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=Or from there to there.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/Yesterday]


Meanwhile, Democrats have filed a lawsuit challenging the House and Senate districts Republicans drew up earlier this year.
The House plan has already met Justice Department approval.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:50:01]
[IN Q=Let's face it, the Justice]

((DEL. CREIGH DEEDS/D-BATH CO.: LET'S FACE IT, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS CONTROLLED BY THE REPUBLICANS. IT'S CONTROLLED BY A MAN THAT WAS APPOINTED BY GEORGE BUSH. JIM GILMORE IS THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE. IT DOESN'T TAKE A PENCIL TO CONNECT THOSE DOTS.))
[SUPER=@Deeds;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=a pencil to connect those dots.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Democrats alledge the new maps dilute black and female voting power and are drawn in bizarre ways to target powerful Democrats.
(------------)



[11L'burg-Mural]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-21 TC1:20:05]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Lynchburg officials agree to remove some controversial pieces of art from city court buildings.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


Minorities and others say the mural "Going Down to Lynchburg".. which shows a white man and a black man presumed to be his slave.. is racist and has no place in the juvenile court building.
They also object to stylized metal figures in the circuit court lobby.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:25:18]
[IN Q=But both of]

((ED BARKSDALE/LYNCHBURG COUNCIL MEMBER: BUT BOTH OF THEM ARE VERY OBJECTIONABLE. AND IN A CITY LIKE LYNCHBURG AND IN A CITY IN A DEMOCRACY WE DON'T NEED TO BE ADVOCATING ANYTHING THAT'S OBJECTIONABLE TO OUR CITIZENS.))
[SUPER=01-Ed Barksdale/Lynchburg Council Member]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=to our citizens.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


It will cost about 55- thousand dollars to remove the mural.. the city is still waiting on an estimate for the other figures.
Council will take up the issue again in August.
(------------)



[11County-Supervisors]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-18 TC1:30:37]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Palm Valley residents in Roanoke County are finally getting some much needed help against flooding.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./April 22, 1992]


Homes along Carvins Creek have been flooded repeatedly since 1985... leaving homeowners to deal with major damages.
With state and federal funding, Roanoke County has been able to purchase eight homes, and yesterday the supervisors accepted another grant that will allow them to buy five more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 43:14]
[IN Q=If we were to go in and buy land]

((IF WE WERE TO GO IN AND BUY LAND FOR A RETENTION POND OR DO SOME KIND OF DEEPENING OF THE CHANNEL THAT'S IN THERE, IT WOULD COST MUCH, MUCH MORE AND THE BEAUTY OF THIS TOO, IS WE CAN CONVERT THAT LAND TO A GREENWAY.))
[SUPER=01-Elmer Hodge/Roanoke Co. Administrator;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=convert that land to a greenway.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Last night, the county supervisors heard from residents of Carvins Cove Road and from mountain bikers who ride trails near the Roanoke city reservoir.
The county planning commission has approved city plans for a new parking lot in the area, and last night the board decided not to overrule that decision. The board still hopes to work with city officials to ease residents' concerns.


[11Missing-Man]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-19]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It was just last week that a resident disappeared from an assisted living facility in Montgomery County...
Now some changes are being made.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/June 18;]

83-year-old Thomas Marlow wandered away from the Warm Hearth Village and was missing for nearly two-days before rescue crews found him alive. An investigation by the facility couldn't determine for sure how he left the building undetected. Officials say all procedures were followed and that Marlow's security ankle bracelet was functioning properly. To avoid future situations, Warm Hearth says it will enhance security technology and staff training.
(------------)



[5-AIDS]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=501-03 32:58]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Health Check]


In this morning's health check, hundreds of Virginia's are infected with HIV every year.
A third of them are not even aware they have it.
That's why the Virginia Department of Health is encouraging those at risk to get tested.
As Health Check reporter Joy Sutton tells us it's an effort to reduce the number of new infections.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This is national HIV testing week]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;00]
[SUPER=01-Barbara Beale/Health Department;12]
[SUPER=@Joy1;1:50]
[RUNS=2:00]
[OUT Q=News 7 Roanoke.]



(Kimberly tosses to bump)


News 7 Mornin' will be right back after this break. [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]


Postal workers say they knew it was coming--
Yesterday, they received word that the Salem Encoding Center is closing its doors next year.
Nearly 400 employees will be affected.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Franklin county has run "afoul" with controversy.
The county says the eight- foot concrete chicken that stands at the entrance to West Lake Plaza is violating zoning laws.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And in Massachusetts, a rare breed of whale is entangled in a fishing line.
Marine scientists fear it won't be rescued in time.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And that's what's making news on this Wednesday, June 27th.
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.



[11Chicken-Zoning]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=01-]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A chicken is causing controversy in Franklin County. But this is no ordinary bird, it's an 8 foot concrete chicken that stands at the entrance to West Lake Plaza near Smith Mountain Lake. The county says it's violating zoning laws while the owners says it's just a chicken that folks like.
Kate Weidaw explains why the big bird is ruffling some feathers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Joe Altadonna/Chicken Owner;:00 QUICK!!]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;:05]
[SUPER=01-Dorothy Scalsky/Sells T-Shirts;:23]
[SUPER=01-Tim Krawczel/County Zoning Commissioner;:57]
[SUPER=@Kate2;1:30]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=kw news7 Franklin Co.]
(([SOT 21:16:23]
[INQ=]

((JOE ALTADONNA: I LIKE IT IT'S AN ORNAMENT FOR ME.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 3]


The 8 foot bird Joe Altadonna put in front of West Lake Plaza is at the center of controversy. The county wants to know is it a sign or a statue?

[SOT 21:18:44]
[INQ=]

((JOE ALTADONNA: SEE THE SIGN IT SAYS SAFARI MINIGOLF THE CHICKEN IS NOT SAFARI SO TO ME IT'S A STATUE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 6]


For others the issue over the big bird is down right silly.

[SOT 21:33:32]
[INQ=]

((DOROTHY SCALSKY: IT'S A BIG TO DO ABOUT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 3]


Dorothy Scalsky has turned the controversy into profit at her t-shirt shop. Save The Chicken shirts are flying off the shelves for about 7 bucks a pop.

[SOT 21:33:56]
[INQ=]

((DOROTHY SCALSKY: I'VE SOLD A LOT OF SHIRTS A LOT OF CHICKEN SHIRTS.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 4]


Besides the shirts Altadonna is getting support from drivers passing by, even during our interview.

[SOT 21:16:33]
[INQ=]

((JOE ALTADONNA: SAVE THE CHICKEN, SAVE THE CHICKEN.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 4]


Altadonna says the only squawking about his prominent bird is from the county.

[SOT 21:45:28]
[INQ=]

((TIM KRAWCZEL/ZONING COMMISSIONER: HE'S ATTRACTING ATTENTION AND WHAT HE'S DOING BY PUTTING IT CLOSE TO THE ROAD IS HE'S USING THE ROAD.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 6]


And the Franklin County zoning board agreed that the big chicken is attracting more then just strange looks it's attracting miniature golf business. The final decision, the chicken must fly it's coop. But the decision isn't ruffling Altadonna's feathers.

[SOT 21:19:05]
[INQ=]

((JOE ALTADONNA: I'LL NEVER TAKE IT DOWN I'LL FIGHT IT TO THE LAST MINUTE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 3]

[BUTT, BUTT,BUTT]
[SOT 21:17:45]
[INQ=]

((IF THEY DON'T LIKE THE CHICKEN I CAN PUT SOMETHING ELSE, DINOSAUR, ELEPHANT, HIPPOS.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 6]


But even foul have to pay attention to the law and may have to become part of the safari park after all. Kate Weidaw News7 Franklin County.))

[11Postal-Center]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=slo]
[TAPE#=01-26 TC39:52]
[GRAPHIC=None]

After years speculation the Salem Encoding Center will close its doors, sending hundreds of employees in search of a new job.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

As part of a nationwide plan to eliminate these centers, full time employees are being relocated while part time employees are losing their jobs altogether.
(//////////SOT/////////)
[SOT 00:24:24]
[IN Q=I knew it was possible]

((SHERRI MITCHELL/EMPLOYEE; KNEW IT WAS POSSIBLE, WE'VE KNOWN EVER SINCE WE'VE BEEN HERE, SIX YEARS...AND WE KNEW IT WAS POSSIBLE TO END. SO...IT'S OKAY, LIFE GOES ON.))
[SUPER=01-Sherri Mitchell/Employee]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=life goes on.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Under their contract, full time workers have the opportunity to move to a new postal facility within a 100 mile radius. The postal service's encoding centers are being phased out because new technology is now doing the work of humans. The doors will close next May and workers will be relocated between now and then.
(------------)



[6-Gibson]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-23 TC 49:54]
[GRAPHIC=Gibson]


A 19-year-old Franklin County man charged with killing his mother and cousin made his first court appearance, alone.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.]


James Gibson had no legal counsel or family members with him as he was arraigned yesterday on two counts of capital murder.
He allegedly killed his mother, Annette Gibson and her nephew, George Patterson, with a large, military- style knife.
A motive for the murders has not yet been determined. Gibson told authorities he "just snapped."
Judge Sarah Rice told Gibson an attorney would be appointed to represent him within the next two days.
(------------)



[11Norman]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-16 TC1:43:01]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]


The case of a Henry County woman who allegedly killed her child is moving ahead.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.]


Brenda Donnielle Norman is charged with second degree murder in the death of her son Stephen Kelly.
At a preliminary hearing yesterday, the emergency room doctor testified Norman stated "I killed my child."
The medical examiner also testified the boy died of blunt force injuries all over his body.
The case now heads to a grand jury.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 42:10; :41:13]
[IN Q=Once they meet]

((DAWN FUTRELL/ASSISTANT COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: ONCE THEY MEET IF THEY RETURN A TRUE BILL, IF THEY FIND THERE IS PROBABLY CAUSE TO GO FORWARD, THE CASE WILL BE SET AFTER THAT.)) ((JOSEPH SCHENK/ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER: I DO ANTICIPATE THAT WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO ASK FOR A JURY TRIAL IN THIS CASE AND LET A GROUP OF 12 MEMBERS OF HENRY COUNTY DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THE COMMONWEALTH HAS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO PROVE THIS CASE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.))
[SUPER=01-Dawn Futrell/Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney; :00]
[SUPER=01-Joseph Schenk/Assistant Public Defender; :08]
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=a reasonable doubt]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


If the case does head to trial and Norman is convicted, she faces five to forty years in prison.
(------------)



[2-Children-Killed]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Houston, TX;]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Meanwhile, a funeral is scheduled today for the five Houston children, allegedly killed by their mother.
Their father, Russell Yates will deliver the eulogy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Houston, TX;]


Last night, a private visitation and service for family members was held in Houston.
Police say Andrea Yates confessed to drowning all five of the children in a bathtub last week.
Yates faces capital murder charges, but the prosecutor has NOT yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.
(------------)


[Sweepstakes-Lawsuit]


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


They won't be getting a visit from the "Prize Patrol"--
But dozens of states are winners in their battle against Publisher's Clearing House.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Television Commercial;]


The sweepstakes company has agreed to pay 34- million dollars to 26 states, in order to settle allegations of deceptive marketing.
It's long been criticized for mailings that used phrases like "guaranteed winner".
It also came under fire for marketing practices many say targeted older Americans.
Publisher's Clearing House says the settlement will make it the most reliable and trustworthy in the sweepstakes industry.
(------------)


[Trading-Cards]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]


Are you a football or baseball fan looking for a real 21-st century collectible of your favorite star? Adam Balkin takes a look at how technology is even starting to creep into something as simple as trading cards.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Used to be a card]
[SUPER=03-New York; :00]
[SUPER=01-Warren Friss/Topps Company; :29]
[SUPER=01-Adam Balkin/Reporting; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Dominick Magliaro/Upper Deck; 1:22]
[SUPER=01-David Brown/Serious Globa USA; 2:12]
[RUNS=2:30]
[OUT Q=spokes of your bicycle]

(( USED TO BE A CARD OF YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER WAS SOMETHING YOU EITHER HOPED TO GET AT RANDOM FROM A PACK...WITH A PIECE OF STALE GUM... OR SOMETHING YOU BOUGHT FROM A DEALER.
THESE DAYS, YOU CAN GET CARDS THAT WORK IN YOUR COMPUTER. BUT THAT'S KIDS PLAY COMPARED TO WHAT TOPPS IS NOW OFFERING.
AFTER 50-YEARS OF SELLING TRADING CARDS IN STORES, IT'S TRYING A NEW CONCEPT ONLINE. IT'S CALLED E-TOPPS AND WORKS KINDA LIKE THE STOCK MARKET.
USERS GET THEIR OWN ONLINE PORTFOLIO, AND BUY CARDS DURING THEIR I-P-O...INITIAL PLAYER OFFERING.

((sot)) Warren Friss: you place your order for say 10 ron dayne cards,

we collect all the orders, the ipo window closes.. the window's only open for a few days... they've now been placed in your personal etopps portfolio.
YOU CAN HAVE THE CARDS SENT TO YOU OR ..

((SOT)) if we're holding onto the cards and you're leaving them in

your portfolio these cards can be traded on a special etopps trading floor on ebay... you then transfer the cards from your portfolio into the winning bidder's portfolio.
OR, HOLD ON TO THEM AND WATCH THE VALUE GO UP AND DOWN.

((standup)) upperdeck has it's version of high tech trading cards this is called the e-card, they come randomly in those packs you'd pay about $1.99 for, how it works, there's a little number down here you plug into your computer and this card can actually morph into a card worth up to $200.
FIRST THING YOU NEED TO DO IF YOU GET AN ECARD, IS START AN ONLINE PORTFOLIO WITH UPPERDECKDIGITAL.COM.


((sot)) Dominick Magliaro: once you take that card and put the number

in, you're going to click a button that says evolve that card at that time is going to evolve and if you're luck today it could turn into a signed card of that specific player or it could turn into a jersey card of that player
YOU HAVE UP TO A YEAR TO KEEP TRYING TO MORPH YOUR CARD INTO A BETTER ONE.
THEN THERE ARE THOSE CD-ROM TRADING CARDS WHICH UPPER DECK STARTED WORKING WITH A COUPLE YEARS AGO. PUT THEM IN YOUR COMPUTER AND SEE HIGHLIGHTS, STATS AND STORIES.
THEY'VE YET TO CATCH ON.
BUT A BRITISH COMPANY CALLED SERIOUS GLOBAL IS HAVING SOME SUCCESS SELLING SOCCER CD-ROM CARDS IN EUROPE, SO IT'S ALSO TRYING TO INK DEALS HERE IN THE US.
SERIOUS GLOBAL CD-ROMS OFFER HIGHLIGHTS, STATS, PLAYER INTERVIEWS, GAMES, SCREENSAVERS AND LINKS TO WEBSITES YOU CAN'T GET WITHOUT THE CARDS.

((sot)) David Brown: i think everyday paper items, cardboard items

seem to lose appropriateness for today's collector and I think people are looking for digital collectible items.
ONE RECOMMENDATION THOUGH, I WOULDN'T STICK THESE CARDS IN THE SPOKES OF YOUR BICYCLE.))

[ANCHOR=KIM]
[SS=none]

That was Adam Balkin reporting. News 7 Mornin' will be right back.
(Kim ad lib toss to bump)

[Streaming Video] [BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]

((Archive:))

[Whale-Rescue]


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


Marine scientists off the coast of Massachusetts say there's nothing else they can do to help a rare whale that's entangled in a fishing line.
They're only hope is that it can free itself.
Gretchen Carlson has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Provincetown, MA; :00]
[SUPER=01-Joanne Jarzobski/Center for Coastal Studies; :23]
[SUPER=01-David Mattilla/Marine Biologist; :39]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Charles Mayo/Marine Biologist; :51]
[SUPER=01-Gretchen Carlson/Reporting; 1:18]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=Carlson, CBS News, Cape Cod.]

((
At the tip of Cape Cod, in the tiny town of Provincetown, tourists are starting their vacations... but about 100 miles south - at sea, rescuers are working to save a 50 foot Right whale they named Churchill.
Marine Scientists believe a fishing line like this one got stuck in the whales jaw a few weeks ago. The line created a 6-8 foot gash that has become infected and if not removed will eventually kill the whale.

SOT: Joanne Jarzobski/Center for Coastal Studies

"Animals condition more severe than we thought...line in his mouth."
Getting to the 50 ton whale is only part of the difficult process. Rescuers successfully approached the giant mammal in raft like boats on Tuesday. But, they tried to sedate the animal and -- failed.

SOT: David Mattilla/Marine Biologist, Ctr. for Coastal Studies


Now the scientists say they will have to reassess their plan ...

SOT: Dr. Charles Mayo/Marine Biologist, Ctr. for Coastal Studies


Time is not on their side. The infection-- they say-- is getting progressively worse.

SOT: Joanne Jarzobski/Center for Coastal Studies

"Saving him will be a miracle."
The team is doing everything they can tosave the whale because every one of them counts..Churchill is one of only 300 Right Whales left in the world.
Gretchen Carlson, CBS News, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. ))

[11Fatals-Halifax]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-29 TC27:43]
[GRAPHIC=Accident Invest.]


The man state troopers say is responsible for Monday's fatal pedestrian accident now faces a criminal charge.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co./Monday]


State Police say 18-year old Christopher Jason Green of Clover ran off Route 607 in Halifax County.
Troopers say he hit and killed two people... 76-year old Louis Buldin and 62-year old Henry Albert Welch, both of Clover.
Christopher Green faces a charge of reckless driving.
(------------)



[11Inmate-Escape]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A prisoner who escaped from the Bath County Jail last year is back in custody.
Marvin E. Jackson was in jail awaiting sentencing when he pushed past a guard and escaped last September.
According to the Bath County Sheriff, Jackson was captured yesterday morning in Staunton.
[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Kmc/JBI]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


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


A prisoner who escaped from the Bath County Jail last year is back in custody.
Marvin E. Jackson was in jail awaiting sentencing when he pushed past a guard and escaped last September.
According to the Bath County Sheriff, Jackson was captured yesterday morning in Staunton.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


An 8 foot concrete chicken that stands at the entrance to West Lake Plaza near Smith Mountain Lake is at the center of controversy. While the owners say people like the chicken, Franklin County says it's violating zoning laws. The board decided last night that the chicken must come down.

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


The Postal Service is closing the Salem Encoding Center in less than a year. The 64 full-time postal employees who work there will be moved to other facilities by next May. But the 328 part-timers will have to find new jobs on their own. The centers are being phased out because new technology is now doing the work of humans.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Jacey]
(Jacey mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Jacey ad lib weather)
(-------------)

[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Now here's Keith Humphry with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They spent]
[RUNS=25]
[OUT Q=on News 7 at 6 tonight.]
(-------------)
[Desk=Kimberly/Jacey]
(toss)

(ad lib bye)
by SS