WDBJ 7 morning news for 10/16/01

[Afghanistan-Attack]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']

Good Morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom. [SS-Enduring Freedom]
Fresh air strikes are targeting the Taliban today.
Warplanes are raiding the Afghan capital of Kabul, while slow- moving U-S gunships pounded targets in the Taliban's stronghold of Kandahar.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kabul, Afghanistan;]

Video from last night shows U-S jets pounding targets in Kabul and other cities, as the air campaign to force the handover of Osama bin Laden entered a second week.
Explosions can be seen in the distance, with some tracer fire.
(------------)

[Attacks-Update]

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

As for the recent Anthrax outbreak, President Bush says there is NO evidence linking Osama bin laden to it.
But Bush tells reporters that he "wouldn't put it past him."
The White House is taking extra precautions with its mail, after Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle received a letter that tested positive for anthrax.
But none of Daschle's staff members has tested positive.
The latest case of anthax was found in the son of an A-B-C employee.
Officials say the baby is responding well to antibiotics and is expected to recover.
Jennifer Miller joins us now from Washington D-C with an update on that.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=141-Jennifer Miller/Reporting;]
[SUPER=145-Washington, DC;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=143-New York, NY;]
[SUPER=141-Rudolph Giuliani/New York City Mayor;]
[SUPER=141-Sen. Tom Daschle/(D) Majority Leader;]
[SUPER=141-Donald Rumsfeld/Secretary of Defense;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=free their nation.]
((Anthrax scares across the nation are mounting to a fever pitch... A second television network claims the latest victim ... the infant son of an ABC employee has tested positive for the skin version of the disease.

SOT: Rudolph Giuliani/New York City Mayor)
"There is no one else with symptoms. The baby has responded to treatment, and we are very hopeful the baby will make a full and complete recovery."
The news prompted city officials to send investigators to CBS and the other networks who have yet to be hit. Mailrooms have been shut down...and security beefed up everywhere... especially on Capitol Hill...which is clearly not immune to an anthrax attack. The Senate Majority leader's office received an anthrax-tainted letter and was closed off by the hazardous materials team on Monday.

SOT: Sen. Tom Daschle: "Just as soon as it became clear that there was
a suspicious substance in the envelope, we contacted the capitol police and the capitol physician.
Meanwhile, the skies over Afghanistan still buzz with U.S. coalition bombers. The air strikes have moved into their ninth day and though Osama Bin Laden remains in hiding, Taliban strongholds are taking a severe beating.

(Nats)

The Coalitions efforts at diplomacy have also taken another step forward. Along with tons of food and supplies, thousands of leaflets are being showered on the Afgahni countryside.
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: Were working to make clear to the Afghan people that we support them and we want to help free their nation. )
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=145-Washington, DC;]

[VOB-Friendship-Manor]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Anthrax Scare]
There were some tense moments yesterday at a Roanoke County retirement community.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 18 BEFORE BITE]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Officials, including a Haz mat team, were called to Friendship Manor after a suspicious powder was found on some mail. The powdery substance was detected when a U-S postal worker went to hand over mail to an employee in the administrative offices building. Crews treated both people at the scene as a precaution.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 08:47:12]
[IN Q=We washed them]
[SUPER=01-Rick Burch/Roanoke Co. Fire & Rescue Chief;]
((RICK BURCH/ROANOKE CO. FIRE AND RESCUE CHIEF: WE WASHED THEM DOWN WITH A MILD SOAP AND BLEACH SOLUTION AND THAT NEUTRALIZES IF THERE WAS ANYTHING, ANY TYPE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE OR POWDER.))
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=substance or powder.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT 9 PLUS PAD]
[Super=03-Roanoke;]
Carilion Roanoke Memorial put out a haz mat alert shortly after the incident also as a precaution... as both people were taken to the emergency room for further treatment.
(------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
[SS=HOLD]
At this time-- It's uncertain when test results on the suspicious material will be complete.

[5-Local-Anthrax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=501-01 1:03:49]
[GRAPHIC=Anthrax]

Local Health officials have received calls from several people concerned about mysterious substances they've come across.
Several samples have been sent to the state lab to test for anthrax.
So far, nothing has turned-up positive. As Health Check Reporter Joy Sutton tells us, officials say the likelihood of being exposed to anthrax in Virginia is very low.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=White powder in and of itself]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Molly O'Dell/Health Department Director; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :09]
[SUPER=@Joy2; :32]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=for News 7 Mornin'.]
((
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT12:29:08]
[IN Q=White powder in and of itself is not suspicious]
((WHITE POWDER IN AND OF ITSELF IS NOT SUSPICIOUS ...AS MOST HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE CONCERNED)) [RUNS05]
[OUT Q=are concerned]

In fact, Doctor Molly O'Dell says only if they powder is found under suspicious circumstance should there be reason for concern.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT12:30]
[IN Q=If the white powder is associated]
((IF THE WHITE POWDER IS ASSOCIATED WITH STRANGE ODOR, IF IT'S CONNECTED TO A BOX, TICKING SOUND --OR STRANGE COLOR ))

[RUNS16]
[OUT Q=or strange color]

And she says only those who experience symptoms for anthrax should be tested for the disease. Symptoms usually occur within 7 days of exposure.
If it contracted through a cut or abrasion in the skin. The initial symptom would be an itchy bump that turns into an open sore.
If it is contracted through inhalation --initial symptoms resemble a common cold but progress to severe breathing problems and shock.
And if it contracted through consumption initial symptoms include nausea, fever or vomiting --followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood and severe diarrhea.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT12:32:51]
[IN Q=If anthrax is suspected]
((IF ANTHRAX IS SUSPECTED AND THEIR ARE CLINICAL SYMPTOMS --IT'S A VERY TREATABLE DISEASE AS WELL. I HOPE PEOPLE CAN BE REASSURED BY THAT )) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=reasurred by that]))
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]

As we told you earlier --so far none of the samples sent to the state lab have tested positive for anthrax.

[S-Yankees]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Yankees/A's]

In sports, The New York Yankees beat the Oakland A's last night to clinch the best-of-five series.
Now the Yanks head to Seattle to face the Mariners for the first two games of the American League Championship Series.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York]
Derek Jeter had two hits, lifted a sacrifice fly and made an acrobatic catch to help the Yanks eliminate Oakland 5-to-3. Jeter made it 4-to-2 with a sac-fly in the fourth inning. But the A's come back .. leading 2-to-0 until Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run single in the second inning. Then the Yankees turned a trio of third-inning errors into a 3-to-2 lead when Eric Chavez booted a Scott Brosius grounder. David Justice homers for the Yankees to seal the 5-to-3 victory and New York win the series 3-to-2.
(------------)

[11Army-Radios]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-38 TC1:34:44]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In business news this morning, a Lynchburg- based communications firm will share in a major federal contract to build radios for the U-S Army.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

(May-com) MA-COM management confirmed it yesterday. The open-ended contract is worth about one BILLION dollars over the next ten years.
The company could not estimate how much of that work will be done in Lynchburg where about 600 people work for the company.
(May-com) MA-COM and Motorola are the two main contractors that'll build a base radio system for use by the Department of Defense.
Officials say it's too early to tell whether it will generate any new local jobs.
The contract was negotiated prior to last month's terrorist attacks.
(------------)

[1st-Business]

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

In other business news, holiday shoppers may choose the internet over the mall.
Barton Eckert explains why. Here's a look at the morning's top business stories.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 4:07:34 CONUS]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Barton Eckert/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=in Washington]
(( GOOD MORNING THIS TUESDAY THE 16TH OF OCTOBER
HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS MORNING

ANTHRAX AND TERRORIST THREATS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE SHOPPERS CHOOSING THEIR MOUSE OVER THE MALL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. ALTHOUGH ONLINE SPENDING DIPPED AFTER THE SEPTEMBER 11th ATTACKS, IT MADE A STRONG RECOVERY, WITH SALES NOW UP 17 PERCENT FROM A MONTH AGO.
----------------------

DEMAND FOR GASOLINE HAS PLUMMETED .
SEVERAL STATIONS IN THE SOUTHEAST, CHARGING UNDER A DOLLAR FOR A GALLON OF REGULAR. PRICES ARE DOWN AN AVERAGE OF 22 CENTS A GALLON SINCE SEPTEMBER 11
------------------------

AUTOMAKERS ARE LOOKING FOR AN EXIT STRATEGY ..TO END THE BIG INCENTIVES THAT HAVE DRIVEN SALES
THE LATEST INCENTIVES AND NO INTEREST DEALS WILL PROBABLY VANISH AROUND HALOWEEN..
-------------------------

WALL STREET SHOULD REACT TODAY TO LAST MONTH'S INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION DATA.. ON ASIAN MARKETS OVERNIGHT ..IN TOKYO.. STOCKS UP
-----------------------

FORGET THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG ... WHICH CAME FIRST: THE MAXFLI A-10 OR THE RULE 35?
DUNLOP IS COUNTERSUING CALLAWAY OVER WHO CAME UP WITH THE INSIDES FOR THE BETTER GOLF BALL.
DUNLOP SAYS THEY'VE BEEN IN THE GOLF BALL BUSINESS FOR 110 YEARS AND THE CALLAWAY STARTUP IS JUST A RIP OFF OF THEIR SECRET RECIPE...
CALLAWAY COUNTERS THAT IT DEVELOPED THE RULE 35 AFTER SPENDING $170 MILLION TO START A BALL BUSINESS FROM SCRATCH.
AMERICAN'S SPEND $650 MILLION A YEAR ON GOLF BALLS.
------------------------

AND THAT'S YOUR FIRST BUSINESS CHECK ON THE MORNING'S TOP BUSINESS HAPPENINGS..
I'M BARTON ECKERT IN WASHINGTON.))

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

[11State-Revenue]

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

A drop in state tax collections last month has put the car-tax phaseout in jeopardy.
This past fiscal quarter is down 2-point-4 percent -- the first negative revenue number in a decade in Virginia.
State Finance Secretary John Forbes delivered the bad news yesterday and said the picture is likely to get even worse.
Republican lawmakers who control the car tax's final phase-out say it's already a "dead issue" for the next General Assembly.

[11SML-Chicken]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-36 TC1:52:01]
[GRAPHIC=none]

When is a chicken a sign?
That was the legal question that a Franklin County judge had to grapple with yesterday.
Marya Jones tells us why he's letting Smith Mountain Lake's most controversial rooster keep its perch.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=After five months]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;/File Tape; :00]
[SUPER=01-Judge William Alexander/Franklin Co. Circuit Court; :12 QUICK!!!]
[SUPER=01-Joe Altadonna/Chicken Owner; :20]
[SUPER=01-Jim Jefferson/County Attorney; :42 QUICK!!!!]
[SUPER=01-Frank Perkinson/Altadonna's Attorney; :49]
[SUPER=@Marya1; 1:04]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=MJ, News 7, Rocky Mount.]
(( After five months of playing chicken with the county, this big bird finally rules the roost.
Judge William Alexander said Freedom the Chicken had a legal right to his roadside perch.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:50:40 - :44]
((JUDGE WILLIAM ALEXANDER: I THINK THE ONLY THING THAT I CAN FIND IS THAT THE CHICKEN IS NOT A SIGN. )) [RUNS:04]
The ruling had the chicken's owner, Joe Altadonna, crowing.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:52:06 - :12]
((JOE ALTADONNA/CHICKEN OWNER: THE JUDGE HE DID A WONDERFUL DECIDE BECAUSE HE KNOWS THE SAME THING OTHER PEOPLE KNOW... IT'S NOT A SIGN. )) [RUNS:06]
Altadonna put the 8-foot fiberglass bird outside the shopping center ... where he runs Westlake Mini Golf.
But it quickly ran afoul of the planning commission.
The county said the bird had to go because it violated a sign ordinance ... and was too close to the road and other signs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:37:06 - :09]
((JIM JEFFERSON/COUNTY ATTORNEY: I THINK IT'S CLEARLY A SIGN BECAUSE IT ATTRACTS YOUR ATTENTION TO IT.)) [RUNS:03]
Altadonna's attorney argued ... and the judge agreed ... that the bird was just an ornament.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:25:17 - :23]
((FRANK PERKINSON/ALTADONNA'S ATTORNEY: HOW COULD IT BE A SIGN. IF IT'S A SIGN TO ANYTHING, IT'S A SIGN SAYING "I AM A CHICKEN." AND THAT'S IT.)) [RUNS:06]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:51:58 - :2:59:04]
((JOE ALTADONNA: FROM NOW ON EVERY YEAR, THE DAY I PUT UP THE CHICKEN, WE GONNA DO A CHICKEN FESTIVAL, BECAUSE WE GONNA CELEBRATE THE CHICKEN.)) [RUNS:06]
(///// SOT /////)
[SU 2:58:53 - 2:59:08] ((MARYA JONES/NEWS-7: THE CHICKEN STORY DOESN'T HAVE TO END HERE. THE FRANKLIN CO. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS CAN STILL APPEAL THE JUDGE'S DECISION TO THE STATE SUPREME COURT. OR THEY CAN TAKE THE JUDGE'S SUGGESTION AND TIGHTEN UP THEIR SIGN ORDINANCE. )) [RUNS:15]))

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[11Friendship-Manor]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-44]
[GRAPHIC=Anthrax Scare]
[***ANCHOR TAG***] The anthrax scare hit home in Roanoke County. Yesterday afternoon-- a suspicious powder was found at Friendship Manor retirement community. Teresa Hamilton has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This was the scene]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rick Burch/Roanoke Co. Fire & Rescue Chief; :15 ]
[SUPER=@Teresa1; :47]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS 7.]
(( This was the scene outside Friendship Manor Retirement community-- shortly after a U-S postal worker and employee in the administrative office discovered the white powdery substance on some mail.
(////sot/////)
[sot 08:46:57]
[in q=WE HAD ]
((RICK BURCH/ROANOKE CO. FIRE AND RESCUE CHIEF: WE HAD OUR INITIAL RESPONSE THEN WE ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE CITY FOR THEIR HAZ MAT TEAM TO DECON THESE TWO PEOPLE AS A PRECAUTION, STRICTLY AS A PRECAUTION.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q= AS A PRECAUTION, STRICTLY AS A PRECAUTION.]
In other words-- the postal worker and Friendship Manor employee were washed down in case the material turns out to be serious.
(///sot////)
[sot 08:47:12]
[in q=We was them]
((WE WASH THEM DOWN WITH A MILD SOAP AND BLEACH SOLUTION AND THAT NEUTRALIZES IF THERE WAS ANYTHING, ANY TYPE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE OR POWDER.)) [runs12]
[OUT Q= or powder.]
The postal worker's truck was also treated-- as well as the accounting department where the suspicious mail was detected. [take stand up] ((FRIENDSHIP MANOR OFFICIALS RELEASED A STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA EARLY ON IN HOPES OF EASING ANY ANXIETY...FOR THE NEARLY 11- HUNDRED RESIDENTS AND 600 EMPLOYEES.)) [RUNS15]
[OUT Q= 600 employees.]
The statement said that residents and workers NOT believed to be at any risk... Meanwhile-- Carilion Roanoke Memorial put out a haz mat alert... as employees there prepared for the postal worker and employee from Friendship Manor who were brought in to the emergency room for further examination. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7.))
(-------------)
[anchor=Kim]
[ss=HOLD]
At this time-- It's uncertain when test results on the suspicious material found at Friendship Manor will be complete.

[11Pulaski-Scare]

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

Pulaski County officials say a suspicious powder found on Main Street is being tested for anthrax. A maintenance worker discovered the substance on a newspaper at 9 yesterday morning near the war memorial at the courthouse. Test results are expected this afternoon. The Sheriff says it's probably a prank but they are taking it seriously.

[11Local-Anthrax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=01-39 TC1:11:14]
[GRAPHIC=Anthrax]

Health officials say the likelihood of exposure to anthrax in Virginia is very low.
Local health departments have been flooded with calls from residents reporting white powdery substances.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Health officials say they've sent several samples to the state lab. But so far --nothing has turned-up positive.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT12:32:51]
[IN Q=If anthrax is suspected and their are]
((DR. MOLLY O'DELL/HEALTH DEPT. DIRECTOR; IF ANTHRAX IS SUSPECTED AND THEIR ARE CLINICAL SYMPTOMS IT'S A VERY TREATABLE DISEASE AS WELL. I HOPE PEOPLE CAN BE REASSURED BY THAT))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Molly O'Dell/Health Department Director]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=can be reassured by that]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Officials say simply finding a white powdery substance is not a reason for concern --unless the circumstances are unusual --like if it's inside a suspicious envelope.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT12:30:07]
[IN Q=If the white power is associated]
((IF THE WHITE POWDER IS ASSOCIATED WITH A STRANGE ODOR, IF IT IS CONNECTED TO A BOX, TICKING SOUND, OR STRANGE COLOR))

[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=or strange color]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]

Health officials say if there is an outbreak the federal government can have antibiotics to the community within two hours.

[11mail-room]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-46 TC46:04]
[GRAPHIC=Anthrax]

Many businesses are re-examining their mail-room operations because of the Anthrax scare.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

At Wachovias's headquarters, a suspicious envelope was turned over to the FBI because it had a Pakistani return address and wasn't directed to a particular employee.
Wachovia says it is now voluntarily adhering to federal mail room safety guidelines in all of its offices, including those in Roanoke.
One Virginia Tech professor says banks and their mailrooms are likely terrorism targets, so precautionary measures are imperative.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The mail is a ]
((DOUGLAS BORER: THE MAIL IS A GREAT TARGET. IF YOU CAN SLOWDOWN BUSINESS AND MAKE THINGS EFFICIENT.. I THINK THIS WILL BE A PROBLEM IF THERE IS PUBLIC PERCEPTION THAT THE MAIL IS NOT SAFE.))
[SUPER=01-Douglas Borer/Virginia Tech Professor of Political Science]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=mail is not safe.]
(------------)
[VO- PRE PRO ON TAPE]
The U-S Postal Service says to watch out for mail with no return address or a foreign return address, or misspelled words on the envelope.
Also, be suspicious of mail bound with excessive tape, mail that smells strange- or pieces that are rigid or bulky.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, More earnings reports are due out later today. Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:44]
[OUT Q=your local stocks]
((THE FLOODGATES OPEN ON WALL STREET TODAY AS EARNINGS SEASON STEPS INTO HIGH GEAR.

(graphic)
LATER TODAY WE'LL GET PROFIT REPORTS FROM TECH GIANTS IBM AND INTEL AS WELL AS OTHER DOW COMPONENTS JOHNSON AND JOHNSON AND UNITED TECHNOLOGIES

(on cam)
AFTER THE BELL, NOVELLUS SYSTEMS SAID IT LOST 10 CENTS A SHARE IN THE THIRD QTR, WHEN WALL STREET WAS EXPECTING NOVELLUS TO TURN A RPOFIT.
ON TODAY'S ECONOMIC CALENDAR A BIG MEASURE FROM THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.. ITS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR SEPTEMBER.
ON WALL STREET... THE MARKET SHRUGGED OFF A LOT OF POTENTIALLY FRIGHTENING NEWS..INCLUDING THE HEAVIEST AIR STRIKES YET OVER AFGHANISTAN AND A RISE IN ANTHRAX CASES.

(graphic)
THE DOW TURNED AROUND, TO FINISH ABOUT 3 POINTS HIGHER

(graphic)
THE NASDAQ WAS LOWER, BUT NOT BY MUCH, DOWN 7 POINTS.

(on cam)
HANDSPRING - DEBUTED ITS NEW TREO HANDHELD COMMUNICATOR. IT ACTS AS A WIRELESS PHONE, PERSONAL ORGANIZER AND TWO-WAY PAGER. THE TREO WILL HIT STORE SHELVES NEXT YEAR AND RETAIL FOR ABOUT 400 DOLLARS.

(graphic)
THE TWO BIGGEST AUTOMAKERS HIT A POTHOLE. GENERAL MOTORS AND FORD HAD THEIR CREDIT DOWNGRADED AT STANDARD AND POORS AS FOREIGN AUTOMAKERS LIKE TOYOTA STEAL MARKET SHARE.

(on cam)
BUT GOOD NEWS AT THE PUMP.. GAS PRICES CONTINUE TO COME DOWN.. THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR A GALLON OF GAS NATIONWIDE IS 1.36....IN SOME SOUTHEASTERN STATES, GAS HAS DIPPED BELOW A DOLLAR A BARREL. THE SLOWING ECONOMY AND REDUCED AIR TRAVEL AS DEMAND LOW AND SUPPLIES HIGH. IN FACT OIL DEMAND THIS YEAR WILL POST ITS SMALLEST GAIN IN SEVEN YEARS.

(Graphic)
TRACK ALL OF THE MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM.

(on cam)
AT THE NASDAQ I'M AC IN NEW YORK.))

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS]
[COMM#7]

[11220-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=mor]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=01-45 TC1:22:12]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]
A young girl was seriously injured after being crushed between two cars in a convenience store parking lot. The girl was hit by a car that came off of Route 220 yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 9]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.]

Police say 29 year old Brenda Foley was driving her Ford Thunderbird northbound on Route 2-20 at about 3-30 when she came upon backed-up traffic.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 17:56]
[IN Q=Ms. Foley saw she wasn't...]
((TROOPER MIKE BOWEN/VIRGINIA STATE POLICE; MS. FOLEY SAW SHE WASN'T GOING TO STOP IN TIME, SHE INDICATED SHE WAS HAVING SOME BRAKE PROBLEMS. SHE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE, AND SKIDDED THROUGH THE PARKING LOT. THERE WAS A JUVENILE STANDING NEXT TO A PARKED VEHICLE AND MS FOLEY STRUCK THE JUVENILE AS WELL AS THE PARKED VEHICLE.))
[SUPER=01-Trooper Mike Bowen/State Police]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=as well as the parked vehicle.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT 8+]
Foley has been charged with reckless driving. The girl, who is believed to be about 7 years old, was flown by helicopter to a Roanoke hospital.
(------------)

[11Foodway-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-37 TC1:16:30]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]

A Roanoke teenager suspected of murder has turned himself into police.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/October 2]

The 17-year old is accused of killing Maurice Grogan, the young man who was shot outside the Foodway Market on Liberty Road October 2nd.
The suspect and the victim apparently knew each other. Investigators believe their confrontation involved a female acquaintance.
The suspect is being held at at the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center at Coyner Springs.
(------------)

[11Domestic-Violence]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-20 TC1:18:48]
[GRAPHIC=Domestic Violence]

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month-
In Lynchburg, officials are using the occasion to highlight a week-long campaign aimed at reducing violence in the home.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The Y-W-C-A kicked off its "Week without Violence" program with a neighborhood walk yesterday.
Other events will include a teen dating seminar and high school mentoring programs.
Authorities say with all the other violence in the world, people need to remember domestic violence remains a major problem.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:09:47]
[IN Q=We need to]
((COL. CHARLES BENNETT/LYNCHBURG POLICE CHIEF: WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND THAT AS WELL AS THAT VIOLENCE WHICH HAS BEEN SO PUBLIC, THERE'S A MUCH MORE PRIVATE VIOLENCE WHICH OCCURS IN EVERY CITY AND IN EVERY STATE IN OUR COUNTRY AND IT OCCURS, SADLY, EVERY DAY.))
[SUPER=01-Col. Charles Bennett/Lynchburg Police Chief]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=sadly, every day.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Bennett says all of Lynchburg's five homicides this year were related to domestic violence.
(------------)

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron] [comm #8] [Streaming-Video]