WDBJ 7 morning news for 10/24/01

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[Attacks-Update]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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[GRAPHIC=Anthrax]

President Bush says he's fine and the White House is safe.
That comes after a small amount of Anthrax was found at a processing center that sorts mail for the White house.
Washington D-C officials say the deaths of two postal workers are due to inhalation anthrax.
Two others diagnosed with anthrax remain hospitalized.
Meanwhile, the President has authorized the immediate spending of 175- million dollars to improve safety at postal facilities throughout the country.
Jennifer Jones joins us now from Washington with an update.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=141-Jennifer Jones/Reporting;]
[SUPER=145-Washington, DC;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=143-Washington, DC;]
[SUPER=141-Tommy Thompson/Health and Human Services Secretary;]
[SUPER=141-John Ashcroft/U. S. Attorney General;]
[SUPER=141-Geoff Hoon/British Defense Minister;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you.]

[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=145-Washington, DC;]
(( The threat of Anthrax has reached new heightsthis time its the White House. Traces were found on a machine that opens mail addressed to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, bringing the menace to our nations highest office.

SOT: George W. Bush
Evil doers are continuing to try to harm America and Americans.
Now the FBI has released the text of the Anthrax laced letters. They are similar in content and appear to be written by the same hand. Three people have already died from inhaled anthrax and nine others are infected.

SOT: Tommy Thompson/HHS Secretary
When a case for anthax does emerge... we will immediately move in at any and all postal facilities that might have handled that piece of mail.
While America battles Anthrax, the investigation abroad is heating up. German intelligence officers have uncovered evidence that the September 11th attacks were planned by a terrorist cell that includes three dead hijackers and three more men still at large.

SOT/Attorney General John Ashcroft

"It is clear that Hamburg served as a central base of operations for these six individuals and their part in the planning of the September 11 attacks."
In Afghanistan, more military success. Consistent bombing by U.S. coalition forces has had measurable results. Nine Al Qaeda training camps have been hit.

SOT: /British Defense Minister
I can now tell you that we have now successfully put all these camps out of action.
))

[VO-Roanoke-Scare]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#01-48 TC1:01:22]
[GRAPHIC=Bomb Threat]
Police say all is clear in downtown Roanoke this morning. State police have determined a package sent to an office in the SunTrust bank building did not contain explosives or Anthrax.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

For nearly six hours, a two-block radius was cordoned off .. after an employee in the Catawba Capital Management office reported receiving a threatening phone call. Police say the caller talked about a bomb and anthrax.
Police will now be trying to find the person who made the threatening call.
(-----------)

[Post-Office]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=01-56 TC04:39]
[GRAPHIC=Anthrax Scare]

Negative news is welcome news at Roanoke's main post office. Tests for Anthrax at the building are negative.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

A postal official says the workers were evacuated yesterday morning .. after a white powder was found on a mail processing machine.
A hazardous materials unit responded, and took samples of the substance for analysis.
All tests came back negative.
(------------)

[1-Scores]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=Green Bay]

In sports, Brett Favre (fahrv) says there's nothing wrong with his throwing elbow.
The Green Bay Packers quarterback was thrown to the turf in the waning moments of Sunday's 35-to-13 loss to Minnesot
a.
Favre is annoyed at criticism directed toward Packers coach Mike Sherman, who left the former M-V-P in the game with the Vikings leading 35-to-7.
Sherman says he kept his starting quarterback in the game because he didn't want to admit defeat.
For yesterday's scores, let's check the scoreboards.

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Leo ----WEATHER PRO---Lynchburg Numbers

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[NS-Earnings]

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Norfolk Southern's third quarter earnings are due out later today, but analysts say they're already watching to see how the company fares between now and the end of the year.
Business Reporter Jennifer Miele tells us what to look for today.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Well, it's been a]
[SUPER=@jennifer1; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape; :14]
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[OUT Q=JM News 7.]
(( Well, it's been a relatively quiet quarter for Norfolk Southern... in Southwest Virginia Terms, that means relatively few layoffs.
The railroad's massive restructuring plan is almost complete, but the results have yet to be realized.
And speaking of results, analysts reduced earnings estimates at the beginning of the month.
But, they say, no company's third quarter postings will be true to form.
The September 11th attacks took a toll on the entire economy, including Norfolk Southern as railway traffic lost steam.
What they'll all be watching for is how much ground N-S can recover in the fourth quarter.
Jennifer Miele, News 7.))

[11Wachovia]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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[TAPE#=01-36 TC1:59:23]
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The Wachovia-First Union merger is quickly producing some unwelcome numbers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC/File Tape]

The bank reports a third quarter loss of 334 million dollars, and is blaming that number in part on the merger.
Wachovia's president says he's not satisfied with the bottom line, but is taking the right steps to strengthen the bank's balance sheet.
(------------)

[AEP-Earnings]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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The earnings news at A-E-P was on the positive side.
Third quarter earnings were up 12-percent, despite the slowing economy.
The nation's largest power generator says it made nearly 460-million dollars in the quarter that ended September 30th.

[1st-Business]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ckor]
[TAPE#=NET]
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In business news this morning, Disney workers face an unhappy decision.
Here's Barton Eckert with a look at the morning's top business stories..
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT CONUS 4:11:49]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[SUPER=01-Barton Eckert/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=in Washington.]
(( GOOD MORNING THIS WEDNESDAY THE 23RD OF OCTOBER.
HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS MORNING.
(TAKE VO)

THE WEDDING BETWEEN THE PILLSBURY DOUGH BOY AND BETTY CROCKER HAS HESITANT APPROVAL FROM THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION . THE F-T-C SPLIT 2-2 ON WHETHER TO ALLOW GENERAL MILLS' $6 BILLION BUYOUT OF PILLSBURY.
-----------------------

WHILE THE F-T-C- SAID YES TO GENERAL MILLS AND PILLSBURY... THEY ARE READY TO START THE RUM WARS ALL OVER AGAIN..
THE REGULATORS WILL SUE TO BLOCK DIAGEO AND PERNOD RICARD'S JOINT BID TO BUY SEAGRAM'S LIQUOR BRANDS FROM VIVENDI UNIVERSAL.
REGULATORS ARE CONCERNED THE MERGER COULD CUT OFF RUM COMPETITON IN THE U-S- LIKE A LATE NIGHT BARTENDER AT FINAL CALL.
-------------------------

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS GONE TO COURT TO STOP GENERAL DYNAMICS FROM BUYING NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING, SAYING THE MERGER WOULD RESULT IN ONLY ONE COMPANY MAKING NUCLEAR SUBMARINES.
THE PENTAGON ANNOUNCED SUPPORT FOR A RIVAL BID FROM NORTHROP GRUMMAN.
-------------------------

QUIETLY, WITHOUT ANY ADVERTISING- ETOYS HAS LAUNCHED ITSELF AGAIN.KB TOYS BOUGHT THE ETOYS NAME AND LOGO OUT OF BANKRUPTCY IN JANUARY .
-------------------------

DISNEY WANTS WORKERS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD TO MAKE A LESS THAN MAGICAL CHOICE. SALARIED WORKERS CAN EITHER TAKE A 20 PERCENT PAY CUT.. OR CUT THEIR WORK WEEK BACK TO 32 HOURS WITHOUT LOSS OF BENEFITS.
AS BUSINESS SINCE SEPTEMBER 11TH HAS PLUMMETED.
-------------------------

WALL STREET ENDED LOOKING TO GET OUT OF THE RED AS ANTHRAX FEARS SPREAD.
ON ASIAN MARKETS OVERNIGHT .. IN TOKYO...STOCKS OFF.
--------------------------
(ON CAM)

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

(tape tosses to stocks)
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(Kim and Leo Hello)

Leo ----WEATHER PRO

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[11L'burg-Airport]

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[TAPE#=01-44 TC1:08:24]
[GRAPHIC=Lynchburg Airport]

United Express says it's too busy to meet with Lynchburg city leaders .. and the airline is moving ahead with plans to end service at the Lynchburg airport.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

United says it will reduce its daily flights to Washington Dulles from four to two by November, and discontinue them entirely by January.
If that happens, airport manager Mark Courtney hopes the two remaining carriers will fill the void.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:50:51]
[IN Q=My sense is]
((MARK COURTNEY/LYNCHBURG AIRPORT MANAGER: MY SENSE IS THAT AFTER THEY CUT MORE, MAKE DEEPER CUTS THAN ARE REALLY NECESSARY, THEN PARTICULARLY BUSINESS TRAVEL STARTS COMING BACK AND THE ECONOMY STARTS IMPROVING EARLY NEXT YEAR THAT THERE'LL BE AIRLINES LIKE DELTA AND EVEN A USAIRWAYS ONCE THINGS STABILIZE WITH THEIR FLEET, THEY THEY'LL BE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES.))
[SUPER=01-Mark Courtney/Lynchburg Airport Manager]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=looking for opportunities.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Courtney is still trying to set up a meeting with congressional leaders, city council, and United to talk about it.
(------------)

[Campaign-Arrest]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-47 TC1:57:42]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Virginia Parole Board member is apologizing for what he calls a "lapse in judgment" .. one that resulted in his "drunk in public" arrest last weekend in Richmond.
Kent Smith's position on the Parole Board is a full time, 90-thousand dollar a year job... deciding which inmates should be released from prison.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :19]
[SUPER=403-Richmond;]

The incident was the subject of a Democratic Party news conference.
Party officials played an amateur video of a man they allege is Kent Smith.
They said he was being arrested in the video for tearing down Mark Warner posters.
In fact, Smith was only charged with being "drunk in public."
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TAPE TWO 12:44:14]
[IN Q=No, this is what it is]
((ALAN MOORE/DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF VIRGINIA: NO THIS IS WHAT IT IS. THIS IS JUST A VERY QUICK, GRAB THE CAMERA, SOMETHING'S GOING ON. ))
[SUPER=401-Alan Moore/Democratic Party of Virginia;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=camera, something's going on.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :08]

The party never supplied any evidence that Mr. Smith was engaging in any activity related to the campaign.
(------------)

[Health-Check]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]

In medical news .. pushy parents, and coaches, may be responsible for a growing number of athletic injuries.
Dr. Dave Hnida has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 03:38:24]
[IN Q=If you have]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Dave Hnida/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=I'm Dr. Dave Hnida for CBS News.]
((IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF ULCERS OR STOMACH PROBLEMS, ASPIRIN AND IBUPROFEN TYPE PAIN RELIEVERS MAY NOT BE FOR YOU
A REPORT IN THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SAYS THESE DRUGS CAN TRIGGER INFLAMMATION AND BLEEDING OF THE STOMACH LINING
ALTHOUGH THESE RISKS ARE WELL KNOWN TO DOCTORS- THE STUDY FINDS WE DO NOT DO A VERY GOOD JOB WARNING OUR PATIENTS ABOUT THESE SIDE EFFECTS OF ASPIRIN AND IBUPROFEN .
HERES ANOTHER CAUSE FOR STOMACH PROBLEMS- ALTHOUGH ON A LESS SERIOUS SCALE- FRUCTOSE INTOLERANCE.- SORT OF LIKE LACTOSE INTOLERANCE.
A STUDY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA SAYS THE SUGAR FOUND IN MANY SODAS AND FRUIT JUICES ARE TO BLAME CASES OF BLOATING AND GASSINESS IN SOME PEOPLE.
IT SEEMS THEY CANNOT DIGEST FRUCTOSE- WHICH IS THE FRUIT SUGAR FOUND IN MANY BEVERAGES,-- AND CUTTING BACK ON PRODUCTS WITH FRUCTOSE MAY HELP THEM FEEL BETTER.
MORE AND MORE YOUNG ATHLETES ARE SUFFERING OVERUSE INJURIES SUCH AS TENDONITIS AND STRESS FRACTURES BECAUSE THEY ARE PLAYING SPORTS- AND IN MANY CASES- ONE SPORT YEAR ROUND,.
THAT MUCH ACTIVITY DOES NOT GIVE THE BODY A CHANCE TO HEAL ITSELF ESPECIALLY IN A GROWING CHILD.
THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS REPORTS PUSHY PARENTS AND PUSHY COACHES ARE OFTEN TO BLAME FOR OVERUSE INJURIES IN KIDS.
THATS A LOOK AT SOME OF THE DAYS TOP HEALTH STORIES- IM DR DAVE HNIDA FOR CBS NEWS.))
(Kimberly tosses to bump)

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WEATHER PRO

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((Archive: Forklift Rodeo))
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[2Headlines]
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

It should be back to business as usual this morning in Downtown Roanoke.
But for nearly six hours yesterday, state and federal authorities investigated a bomb and anthrax threat.
(----------------)
[Anchor=Kimberly]
[SS=none]

And a trace of anthrax is found at a White House mail-sorting center, but President Bush says he is NOT infected.
[ANCHOR=Leo]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Join us-- all that's coming up on News 7 Mornin.

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[Conditions]
[Area Forecast]

(TWO SHOT)

[2Attacks-Update]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Enduring Freedom]

The Pentagon says Taliban forces in Afghanistan are trying to escape U-S warplanes by hiding in residential areas.
Meanwhile, the terrorism investigation is heating up in Germany, where evidence shows the September 11th attacks were planned there.
[GRAPHIC=Anthrax]

Here at home, President Bush is working to ease concerns after a trace of Anthrax was found at a processing center that sorts mail for the White House.
Bush says he does NOT have the deadly bacteria.
Jennifer Jones is in Washington this morning with the latest.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=141-Jennifer Jones/Reporting;]
[SUPER=145-Washington, DC;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=143-Washington, DC;]
[SUPER=141-Tommy Thompson/Health and Human Services Secretary;]
[SUPER=141-John Ashcroft/U. S. Attorney General;]
[SUPER=141-Geoff Hoon/British Defense Minister;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you.]

[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=145-Washington, DC;]
(( The threat of Anthrax has reached new heightsthis time its the White House. Traces were found on a machine that opens mail addressed to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, bringing the menace to our nations highest office.

SOT: George W. Bush
Evil doers are continuing to try to harm America and Americans.
Now the FBI has released the text of the Anthrax laced letters. They are similar in content and appear to be written by the same hand. Three people have already died from inhaled anthrax and nine others are infected.

SOT: Tommy Thompson/HHS Secretary
When a case for anthax does emerge... we will immediately move in at any and all postal facilities that might have handled that piece of mail.
While America battles Anthrax, the investigation abroad is heating up. German intelligence officers have uncovered evidence that the September 11th attacks were planned by a terrorist cell that includes three dead hijackers and three more men still at large.

SOT/Attorney General John Ashcroft

"It is clear that Hamburg served as a central base of operations for these six individuals and their part in the planning of the September 11 attacks."
In Afghanistan, more military success. Consistent bombing by U.S. coalition forces has had measurable results. Nine Al Qaeda training camps have been hit.

SOT: /British Defense Minister
I can now tell you that we have now successfully put all these camps out of action.
))

[11Roanoke-Scare]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#01-48 TC1:01:22]
[GRAPHIC=Bomb Threat]
It was a long and tense evening in Downtown Roanoke last night but police say all is now clear. State police have determined a package sent to an office in the SunTrust bank building did not contain explosives or Anthrax.
Teresa Hamilton was there last night and has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For nearly ]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Shelly Alley/Roanoke Police Spokesperson; :23]
[SUPER=@Teresa2; ]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS 7, Roanoke.]
((For nearly six hours this was the scene outside the Sun Trust bank building in downtown Roanoke. A two block radius cordoned off after an employee in the Catawba Capital Management office on the sixth floor said they received a threatening phone call. Police say the caller talked about a bomb and anthrax. ((At that time.....orderly evacuation)) Initially Roanoke police said the caller also referred to a package delivered in the mail.... but authorities now say they misspoke that the caller only talked about the bomb and anthrax. Police will now be working to find the person who made the threatening call. They're also be working to get to the bottom of something else.
While searching the Catawba Capital Management office--- three police dogs found a package delivered to the office to b
e suspicious. ((The package was a federal express... nothing suspicious about it.)) [take su] Police say the box was apparently mailed from Memphis, Tennessee. Authorities will be investigating that angel... as well as working to determine who made that original call. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Roanoke.

))[2Post-Office]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=01-56 TC04:39]
[GRAPHIC=Anthrax Scare]

Anthrax worries made their way to Roanoke's main post office yesterday, but all tests came up negative.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

A postal official says the workers were evacuated yesterday morning .. after a white powder was found on a mail processing machine.
A hazardous materials unit responded, and took samples of the substance for analysis.
All tests came back negative.
(------------)

[2-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Rick Mast gets a ride for the weekend, and from all indications, for next season.
Steve Mason has that story and more in our morning sports report.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good Morning]
[RUNS=2:40]
[OUT Q=Folks, have a good Wednesday.]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly ad lib toss to Leo/Wx)

[4-WEATHER]

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WEATHER PRO

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[ANCHOR=Steve]

(steve adlib to Marketwatch Tease)

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 03:43:20]
[IN Q=I'm Alexis]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=CBS Marketwatch]

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[SUPER=05-Salem;]
[SUPER=01-Tim Fitzgerald/The Safety Council;]
[SUPER=05-Salem;]

(Steve tosses to Kimberly for Marketwatch)

((Archive: Forklift Rodeo))

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, here come the War Bonds.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 03:41:34]
[IN Q=The market's]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=your local stocks]

((THE MARKET'S RECENT WINNING STRIKE GROUND TO A HALT AS FEARS OF BIOTERRORISM AND DISAPPOINTING PROFITS WEIGHED ON STOCKS.

(graphic)
AFTER AN EARLY GAIN, THE DOW DIPPED ABOUT 37 POINTS

(graphic)
NASDAQ GAVE BACK NEARLY 4 POINTS.

(on cam)
HERE'S A WAY YOU CAN HELP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM. THE U-S TREASURY PLANS TO SELL WAR BONDS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE WWII. NO WORD ON EXACTLY WHEN THE BONDS WILL GO ON SALE OR WHAT THEY WILL YIELD. PROCEEDS FROM THE WAR BONDS GO INTO A GENRAL POT OF MONEYT HAT CAN BE USED FOR GOVT SPENDING. BUT SUPPORTERS SAY BONDS SOLD IN THE NAME OF THE ANTI-TERROR EFFORT WOULD BE A PATRIOTIC INVESTMENT AND A MORALE BOOSTER.
LOTS OF AFTER THE BELL ACTION

(graphic)
AT&T SAID PROFIT MATCHED ESTIMATES THANKS TO GAINS IN ITS WIRELESS BUSIINESS. ALTHOUGH EARNINGS OF 4 CENTS A SHARE WERE STILL WELL BELOW LAST YEAR'S LEVEL.

(on cam)
AMAZON.COM WAS ALSO ON TARGET WITH A LOSS OF 16 CENTS A SHARE.. THE E-TAILER IS FORECASTING A GOOD HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON AND STILL EXPECTS TO BE BE CASH FLOW POSITIVE BY THE FOURTH QTR.

(graphic)
COMPAQ COMPUTER SAID IT LOST 7 CENTS A SHARE IN THE THIRD QTR AS P-C SALES CRUMBLED. COMPAQ, WHICH IS IN THE PROCESS OF MERGING WITH HEWLETT PACKARD, COMPAQ EXPECTS THE FOURTH QTR TO BE WEAK AS WELL.

(graphic)
APPLE COMPUTER TOOK THE WRAPS OFF ITS NEW POCKET-SIZED DIGITAL MUSIC PLAYER. THE I-POD, WHICH WILL RETAIL FOR 400 HUNDRED DOLLARS CAN STORE AS MANY AS A THOUSAND SONGS AND TRANSFER A C-D'S WORTH OF MUSIC IN 10 SECONDS.

(graphic)
TRACK ALL THE PRE-MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM .. AT THE NASDAQ

(on cam)
I'M AC IN NY.))
(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS]
[COMM#7]

[2-Stocks]
[SUPER=x5000]

[SUPER=441-y/36.95/9340.08/y/3.65/1704.43/y/59.41/10802.15;]

[SUPER=271-i/0.65/43.14/i/0.60/17.70/h/0.50/58.91/h/0.22/11.67/i/0.32/6.05;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.50/60.62/h/0.34/44.64/i/0.34/37.27/i/0.57/18.93/i/1.48/41.10;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.09/25.01/h/0.95/16.59/i/0.13/1.15/i/0.56/50.22/i/0.02/12.00;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.24/59.72/h/0.45/64.31/i/1.30/49.86/i/0.07/28.98/i/0.43/52.61;]

[SUPER=#555;RESET]

[5-WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Leo]
[NEWSCAST=MORNIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[Desk 2-shot]

(Kim and Leo Hello)

Leo ----WEATHER PRO

[Desk 2-Shot]

[11County-Supervisors]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-33 TC1:47:45]
[GRAPHIC=I 73]

Roanoke County Supervisors have changed directions on Interstate 73.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

At issue- Alternate 6-A, the current plan to take the new highway from interstate 581 through the Mount Pleasant community.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Two weeks ago, the board voted to oppose that route. But after Butch Church said he made a mistake, the supervisors reconsidered and yesterday reversed their decision.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I think it's unfortunate]
((BOB JOHNSON/HOLLINS SUPERVISOR: I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE. IT'S UNCALLED FOR. I THINK IT'S HEIGHTENED REGIONALISM THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DEVELOPING. AND I THINK IT'S THE WRONG MESSAGE TO SEND OUR CITIZENS.)) ((JOE MCNAMARA/WINDSOR HILLS SUPERVISOR: TO TRY TO STRUCTURE THIS AS AN EAST COUNTY VERSUS WEST COUNTY VERSUS MIDDLE COUNTY IS I THINK NOT ACCURATE AT ALL.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Johnson/Hollins Supervisor; :00]
[SUPER=01-Joe McNamara/Windsor Hills Supervisor; :11]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=not accurate at all.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Supervisors gave unanimous support to plans for a new luxury car dealership in the Clearbrook area. They agreed to commit 300- thousand dollars in future tax revenue to pay for new water and sewer lines to the site.

[5Housing-Network]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-53 6:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Housing in the Roanoke Valley must change in order to meet the needs of a changing population.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

That was the message yesterday .. as the Roanoke Regional Housing Network, brought together bankers, builders, local government leaders and other interested citizens to discuss housing trends.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 06:21:15]
[IN Q=What's quite apparent]
((WHAT'S QUITE APPARENT TO MOST FOLKS IS THAT WE'RE GETTING AN INCREASINGLY ELDERLY POPULATION SO WE NEED FOR EXAMPLE, PROBABLY MORE SINGLE LEVEL HOUSING AVAILABLE, BECAUSE AS WE GET OLDER IT'S NOT AS EASY TO GET UP AND DOWN STAIRS.))
[SUPER=01-David Beidler/Housing Network President]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=to get up and down stairs.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Other changes may include the need for more upscale, high-tech housing as the biomedical institute and related developments move forward in downtown Roanoke.
(------------)

[11Tech-Flag]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-37 TC1:24:40]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]
Virginia Tech's mascot is gearing up for a "far out" trip .. deep into space.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :15]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
A Tech engineering alumnus working for NASA has arranged for a Hokie bird to travel with a shuttle crew. Tech's mascot is scheduled to visit the Hubble telescope next February. Officials are hopeful the hokie will be seen on downlinks from space.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:02:01]
[IN Q=for someone to ]
((JERRY DIFFELL/TECH BOOKSTORE MANAGER; FOR SOMEONE TO THINK BACK AND SAY WELL I CAN REMEMBER GOING TO VIRGINIA TECH AND THAT WOULD BE FUN FOR THE HOKIE BIRD TO GO INTO SPACE SHUTTLE I THINK THAT'S GREAT.))
[SUPER=01-Jerry Diffell/Virginia Tech Bookstore Manager]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=THINK THAT'S GREAT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Another emblem is marking its return to campus. A Virginia Tech flag flown aboard the submarine U-S-S Scranton in June, as it emerged at the North Pole, was returned to the school. Tech and the Scranton have a working relationship to guide the naval ROTC unit at the University.
(-----------)

[Med-Day]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]

In medical news, get ready to fight the flu season.
(------------)
[VO-NAT CONUS ]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are encouraging flu shots whenever possible.
That's because in an average year, nearly 20-thousand people die from flu-related complications.
Health officials say those most at risk are anyone over 65 .. and people with chronic medical conditions.
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ANCHOR=Hold]

Health officials at the C-D-C urge anyone in these categories to get their flu shots early.
The flu virus is highly contagious .. and the C-D-C is also urging health workers to be vaccinated.

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

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

[6-Weather]

[LEO IN WEATHER CENTER]

[WX-PRO]

[DOUBLE BOXES=Leo and Kim]

[toss to Kim at desk for headlines]

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

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

The morning commute through downtown Roanoke should be back to normal today--
But this was the scene last night, as investigators checked out a suspicious package sent to an office in the SunTrust bank building.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT jennifer jones tease 4:44:00 ]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=coming up.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And a Virginia Parole Board member apologizes after being arrested over the weekend for being drunk in public.
But Democratic party officials say Kent Smith was arrested for tearing down Mark Warner posters, just weeks before Election Day.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Wednesday, October 24th.
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[3WX-Hello]

[ANCHOR=Leo]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[SUPER=@spa1;]
[SUPER=05-Salem]

[Double Boxes=KMC/LHI/SPA]

(3-shot)
(Steve Hello)

(toss to Leo)

(WX-PRO)

[Currents]
[Area Forecast]

(TWO SHOT---Kimberly and Leo)

[3Attacks-Update]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Anthrax]

A trace of anthrax is discovered at a White House mail- sorting facility.
But President Bush is assuring the public that the White House is safe, and he does NOT have Anthrax.
Meanwhile, officials say about half of the 30 swabs taken at a Washington post office have tested positive for anthrax.
That's the same post office where two anthrax victims worked.
It's also the same office that processed the Anthrax-tainted mail sent to Senator Tom Daschle's office.
Jennifer Jones is in Washington this morning with the latest on the anthrax investigation.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=141-Jennifer Jones/Reporting;]
[SUPER=145-Washington, DC;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=143-Washington, DC;]
[SUPER=141-Tommy Thompson/Health and Human Services Secretary;]
[SUPER=141-John Ashcroft/U. S. Attorney General;]
[SUPER=141-Geoff Hoon/British Defense Minister;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you.]

[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=145-Washington, DC;]
(( The threat of Anthrax has reached new heightsthis time its the White House. Traces were found on a machine that opens mail addressed to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, bringing the menace to our nations highest office.

SOT: George W. Bush
Evil doers are continuing to try to harm America and Americans.
Now the FBI has released the text of the Anthrax laced letters. They are similar in content and appear to be written by the same hand. Three people have already died from inhaled anthrax and nine others are infected.

SOT: Tommy Thompson/HHS Secretary
When a case for anthax does emerge... we will immediately move in at any and all postal facilities that might have handled that piece of mail.
While America battles Anthrax, the investigation abroad is heating up. German intelligence officers have uncovered evidence that the September 11th attacks were planned by a terrorist cell that includes three dead hijackers and three more men still at large.

SOT/Attorney General John Ashcroft

"It is clear that Hamburg served as a central base of operations for these six individuals and their part in the planning of the September 11 attacks."
In Afghanistan, more military success. Consistent bombing by U.S. coalition forces has had measurable results. Nine Al Qaeda training camps have been hit.

SOT: /British Defense Minister
I can now tell you that we have now successfully put all these camps out of action.
))

[2VO-Roanoke-Scare]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#01-48 TC1:01:22]
[GRAPHIC=Bomb Threat]
Downtown Roanoke appears back to normal as a new workday gets going. State police have determined a package sent to an office in the SunTrust bank building did not contain explosives or Anthrax.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

For nearly six hours, a two-block radius was cordoned off .. after an employee in the Catawba Capital Management office reported receiving a threatening phone call. Police say the caller talked about a bomb and anthrax.
Police will now be trying to find the person who made the threatening call.
(-----------)

[2Campaign-Arrest]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-47 TC1:57:42]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Virginia Parole Board member calls it a "lapse in judgment". Police in Richmond call it public drunkeness. Kent Smith is apologizing, and says the weekend incident will not be repeated.
Smith's position on the Parole Board is a full time, 90-thousand dollar a year job... deciding which inmates should be released from prison.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :19]
[SUPER=403-Richmond;]

The incident was the subject of a Democratic Party news conference.
Party officials played an amateur video of a man they allege is Kent Smith.
They said he was being arrested in the video for tearing down Mark Warner posters.
In fact, Smith was only charged with being "drunk in public."
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TAPE TWO 12:44:14]
[IN Q=No, this is what it is]
((ALAN MOORE/DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF VIRGINIA: NO THIS IS WHAT IT IS. THIS IS JUST A VERY QUICK, GRAB THE CAMERA, SOMETHING'S GOING ON. ))
[SUPER=401-Alan Moore/Democratic Party of Virginia;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=camera, something's going on.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :08]

The party never supplied any evidence that Mr. Smith was engaging in any activity related to the campaign.
(------------)

[3-Scores]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=Oakland As]

In sports, the Oakland Athletics are a step closer to keeping their top player beyond this season.
The A's will grant Jason (jee-AHM-beez) Giambi's request for a no-trade clause in his next contract, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Athletics have been trying to re-sign last year's American League M-V-P, who becomes a free agent after the World Series.
The A's and (jee-AHM-bee) Giambi reportedly had agreed to a six-year package worth 91 (m) million dollars, but the deal fell apart because of (jee-AHM-beez) Giambi's insistence of a no-trade clause.

For yesterday's scores, let's check the scoreboards.

[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=x5031;]
[SUPER=0103-j/New Jersey/2//Ottawa/1///j/Los Angeles/7//Columbus/1///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0103-/Boston/0/j/Toronto/2///j/Pittsburgh/4//Atlanta/2///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0103-/Washington/1//Tampa Bay/1//Final in Overtime//San Jose/1/j/Buffalo/4///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0103-j/Chicago/6//Calgary/2////Carolina/1/j/Colorado/5///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0103-/Nashville/2/j/Vancouver/4///////////;]
[SUPER=x5027;]
[SUPER=0099-j/Auburn/44//Radford/40////Blacksburg/34/j/Northside/49///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0099-/Tunstall/32/j/Patrick Co./62////Laurel Park/61/j/Martinsville/74///;]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=...last score."]

[SUPER=#555; reset]

(weather toss)

[7-Weather]

[ANCHOR=Leo]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=Lhi]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[sponsor board]

Weatherpro

[sponsor board] [desk 2-Shot]
[double boxes=KMC/LHI and SPA]
(toss to Steve)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(tease and toss)
[Lottery-chryon --NOT on MONDAYS] [Bump-Chyron]
[Comm #10]
[2-Lottery]

[SUPER=136-9 5 0/2 3 7 2/1 9 13 14 17/24 32 34 38 46/2;]

[SUPER=#555; RESET]
[Birthdays]
[SS=none]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=Welcome back]
[RUNS=1:08]
[OQ=back to you]

[Three-Steve]

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

[Microwave]
[SUPER=@spa1;]
[SUPER=05-Salem;]
[SUPER=01-Dan Strelka/Carter Machinery;;]
[SUPER=05-Salem;]

(Steve ad lib toss to Kim)

((Archive: Forklift Rodeo))

[Early-Years]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=501-10 58:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It seems children are learning more at an earlier age than ever before.
But before they log onto the Internet, or even take their first steps into a classroom, there's a lot parents can do to give them a good head start.
Earlier this week, we spoke with child development specialist Cynthia Ann Frosch and Julie Aigner-Clark, founder of "The Baby Einstein Company."
Parent-child interaction-- that's the topic of this week's "Early Years."
I asked Cynthia about her own research that says some parents actually use developmental toys and books incorrectly....
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Actually, the research]
[SUPER=01-Cynthia Ann Frosch/Child Development Specialist; :00]
[SUPER=01-Julie Aigner-Clark/Baby Einstein Company Founder; 1:59]
[RUNS=2:58]
[OUT Q=very, very young.]

[8-WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Leo]
[NEWSCAST=MORNIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[Desk 2-shot]

(Kim and Leo Hello)

Leo ----WEATHER PRO

[Desk 2-Shot]

[2NS-Earnings]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morning]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-54]
[GRAPHIC=Norfolk-Southern]

Norfolk Southern's third quarter earnings are due out today.
As business reporter Jennifer Miele tells us, N-S will feel the impact of the September 11th attacks.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Well, it's been a]
[SUPER=@jennifer1;:00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;:14]
[RUNS=37]
[OUT Q=JM News 7.]
(( Well, it's been a relatively quiet quarter for Norfolk Southern... in Southwest Virginia Terms, that means relatively few layoffs.
The railroad's massive restructuring plan is almost complete, but the results have yet to be realized.
And speaking of results, analysts reduced earnings estimates at the beginning of the month.
But, they say, no company's third quarter postings will be true to form.
The September 11th attacks took a toll on the entire economy, including Norfolk Southern as railway traffic lost steam.
What they'll all be watching for is how much ground N-S can recover in the fourth quarter.
Jennifer Miele, News 7.))

[2-11Wachovia]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-36 TC1:59:23]
[GRAPHIC=Wachovia]

The Wachovia-First Union merger is creating plenty of red ink for the new company.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC/File Tape]

The bank reports a third quarter loss of 334 million dollars, and is blaming that number in part on the merger.
Wachovia's president says he's not satisfied with the bottom line, but is taking the right steps to strengthen the bank's balance sheet.
(------------)

[4-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Hokie linebacker makes a quick recovery .. but he's had plenty of practice.
Steve Mason has that story and more in our morning sports report.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Hello again,]
[RUNS=2:15]
[OUT Q=Folks, we'll see you then.]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(weather toss)

[9-Weather]

[ANCHOR=Leo]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=LHI]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[sponsor board ]
Viewernet

[SUPER=#570;]
WEATHERPRO

[Sponsor board ]

[GO STRAIGHT TO COMMERCIAL]

[COMM #12][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]

State police have determined a package sent to an office in the SunTrust bank building did not contain explosives or Anthrax.
For nearly six hours, a two-block radius in downtown Roanoke was cordoned off .. after an employee in the Catawba Capital Management office reported receiving a threatening phone call.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Wachovia-First Union merger is a financial downer so far.
The bank reports a third quarter loss of 334 million dollars, and is blaming that number in part on the merger.
Wachovia's president says the bank is taking the right steps to strengthen its balance sheet.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And we'll see how well Norfolk Southern is doing later today, when the railroad releases its third quarter earnings.
Analysts say the railroad is not immune from the effects of September 11th, but it may be too soon to see the full extent.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Leo]
(Leo mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Leo ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Now here's Shannon Young with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Members of the]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=tonight on News 7 at 6.]
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Kimberly/Leo and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
[Double Boxes=Kimberly/Leo and Steve]
(ad lib bye)
[Close ]
[SUPER=X4028; Mornin' e-Mail/Copyright Banner]
SUPER=X4029; Mornin' Fax/Copyright Banner