WDBJ 7 morning news for 12/14/01

[War-Update]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Enduring Freedom]

The first person charged with involvement in the September 11th terrorist attacks will stand trial in Virginia.
Zacarias (moo-SOW-ee) Moussaoui will be arraigned next month on six charges, four of which carry the death penalty.
On the war front, American- backed tribal fighters in Afghanistan say they've seized a cave that was apparently used recently by Osama bin Laden.
An alliance commander also says his forces have surrounded a large number of al-Qaida fighters, and that bin Laden MIGHT be among them.
Jennifer Jones joins us now from Washington with the latest.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=141-Jennifer Jones/Reporting;]
[SUPER=145-Washington, DC;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=143-Afghan-Pakistani Border;]
[SUPER=141-Donald Rumsfeld/U. S. Secretary of Defense;]
[SUPER=143-Kandahar, Afghanistan;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you.]

[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=145-Washington, DC;]
((
TIME COULD BE RUNNING OUT FOR OSAMA BIN LADEN. PENTAGON OFFICIALS BELIEVE THEY MAY HAVE BIN LADEN AND HIS AL-QAIDA FIGHTERS CORNERED IN THE SNOWY MOUNTAIN CANYONS NEAR THE AFGHAN-PAKISTANI BORDER.
TODAY, U.S. COMMANDOS AND OPPOSITION FORCES ARE ADVANCING FROM THE NORTHERN ENDS OF THE AGAM VALLEY -- AND ANOTHER CANYON -- WHILE PAKISTANI SOLDIERS PUSH FROM THE SOUTH.
AIR STRIKES HAVE ALSO INTENSIFIED AROUND THE REGION.

(SOT: DONALD RUMSFELD/DEFENSE SECRETARY)
"If they surrender they may come out alive. If they don't surrender, they may not. It's kind of their choice."
MEANWHILE, MARINES IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN HAVE TAKEN OVER A HEAVILY DAMAGED AIRPORT NEAR KANDAHAR. IT WILL SERVE AS A HUMANITARIAN AID CENTER, AND AS ANOTHER BASE FOR THE U.S. MILITARY.
AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR THE WAR SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN BOLSTERED BY THE RELEASE OF THIS VIDEOTAPE ... SHOWING A CANDID BIN LADEN TALKING ABOUT WHAT HE INTENDED TO HAPPEN TO THE WORLD TRADE CENTER TOWERS ON SEPTEMBER 11TH.

(NAT OF OSAMA BIN LADEN)
translation: ACCORDING TO TRANSLATORS, BIN LADEN SAYS "I WAS THINKING THAT THE FIRE FROM THE GAS IN THE PLANE WOULD MELT THE IRON STRUCTURE OF THE BUILDING AND COLLAPSE THE AREA WHERE THE PLANE HIT AND ALL THE FLOORS ABOVE IT ONLY. THIS IS ALL THAT WE HAD HOPED FOR."
AND BIN LADEN REVEALS JUST HOW LITTLE MANY OF THE HIJACKERS KNEW BEFORE BOARDING THE PLANES.

(NAT OF OSAMA BIN LADEN)
translation: HE SAYS THE BROTHERS WHO CONDUCTED THE OPERATION, ALL THEY KNEW WAS THAT THEY HAVE A MARTYDOM OPERATION AND WE ASKED EACH OF THEM TO GO TO AMERICA ... BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE OPERATION.
))

[11Henry-School]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-57 TC26:51]
[GRAPHIC=Henry School Consol.]

We'll know today whether the Henry County school board plans to move forward on a controversial consolidation plan.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./File Tape]

The current proposal would merge the county's four high schools into two, and close three elementary schools.
School administrators believe the move will offset a shortfall of more than a million dollars expected next year.
More than three hundred residents showed up for a public hearing on Tuesday, many spoke out against the plan.
This morning, the school board will either vote on the current proposal, make changes and then vote, or postpone a decision altogether.
The meeting is scheduled for nine at the Henry County administration building.
(------------)

[11Bus-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-59 TC17:33]
[GRAPHIC=School Bus Accident]

Another close call for area students on Route 460.
A Campbell County student had just gotten off the school bus around 4:30 yesterday afternoon when
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.]
a tractor trailer loaded with steel swerved to avoid the bus and flipped over, spilling its cargo.
The bus was not hit and the truck driver escaped injury himself.. but for the students, it was a close call.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:35:22]
[IN Q=If I wouldn't]
((ENAJITE UMUKORO/STUDENT: IF I WOULDN'T HAVE LOOKED I MIGHT HAVE GOT HIT BUT LUCKILY I LOOKED, BUT IT WAS ABOUT A SPACE LIKE THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Enajite Mukoro/Student;]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=space like that.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

One lane of eastbound Route 460 was blocked for a time.
The wreck is similar to one in Bedford County last month in which a tractor trailer hit a stopped school bus, injuring 17 people.
(------------)

[11Roanoke-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=01-52 TC1:02:32]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The head of transportation for the Roanoke City School system has been fired.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :16.5]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
David Prince has served as Director of Pupil Transportation for the past three years. James Tyree, who has been with the school system for the past 27 years will serve as acting director. Meanwhile, Roanoke City School bus drivers say there have been problems with the department.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 1:18:24/1:21:50]
[IN Q=We have a lot of issues...]
((FRANCENE JOHNSON/ROANOKE CITY SCHOOL BUS DRIVER; WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES, BUT THERE ARE THREE THINGS GOING ON, YOU HAVE ADMINISTRATION, PARENTS, AND DRIVERS. ALL THREE NEED TO GET TOGETHER BECAUSE WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR IS THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN.)) ((MARVIN CARTER/ROANOKE CITY SCHOOL BUS DRIVER; ROANOKE CITY SCHOOLS IS GOING THROUGH SOME BIG CHANGES RIGHT NOW. THAT 5.8 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET CUT IS COMING DOWN ON US, AND TRANSPORTATION RIGHT NOW, IT'S BEEN IN A BIND FOR A WHILE.))
[SUPER=01-Francene Johnson/Roanoke City School Bus Driver;]
[SUPER=01-Marvin Carter/Roanoke City School Bus Driver; :13]
[RUNS=22]
[OUT Q=it's been in a bind for a while.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :08+]
School officials say the firing had nothing to do with last week's accident, in which a 75 year old man was struck and killed by a school bus.
(------------)

[Ryder]

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

Her acting career has spanned more than a decade.
But now Winona Ryder has been cast in a new role-- alleged shoplifter.
Ryder's attorney says it's all a mistake.
Manuel Gallegus has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA/File Tape; :00]
[SUPER=01-Gary Gillmond/Beverly Hills Police Department; :13]
[SUPER=01-Mark Geragos/Ryder's Attorney; :56]
[SUPER=01-Manuel Gallegus/Reporting; 1:08]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=Gallegus, CBS News, Los Angeles.]
((

WINONA RYDER, THE OSCAR NOMINATED ACTRESS, HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR SHOPLIFTING AND DRUG POSSESSION. BEVERLY HILLS POLICE SAY SHE WAS CAUGHT WEDNESDAY NIGHT BY SECURITY AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE AS SHE WALKED OUT THE STORE.

-SOT-LT. GARY GILLMOND, BEVERLY HILLS P.D. 29;55
the types of items that were allegedly taken were women s clothing items,women s hair accessories, the value is 4760. dollars.
RYDER WAS CAUGHT, WHEN SHE WAS OBSERVED ALLEGEDLY REMOVING THE SECURITY TAGS OFF THE ITEMS. BY ALL OFFICER ACCOUNTS SHE WAS COOPERATIVE AND DIDN T SEEM UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ANY DRUGS.

-SOT-LT. Gillmond 31;09
all describe miss ryder as being very friendly, very polite, very cooperative and she comported herself to be a very nice lady.

-SOT-MARK GERAGOS, RYDER S LAWYER 44;38
I m telling you right now there was no theft!
RYDER S LAWYER SAYS IT S ALL A BIG MISUNDERSTANDING THAT RYDER HAS PRESCRIPTIONS FOR THE PAIN KILLERS SHE POSSESSED.

-SOT-GERAGOS 39;59
I anticipate that the DA will reject the case once I give them the explanation.
RYDER S LAWYER SAYS SHE HAD RECEIPTS AND HAD PAID FOR EVERYTHING. BUT HE OFFERED NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY the a-list actress WAS STILL DETAINED AND ARRESTED. RYDER IS FREE ON 20-THOUSAND DOLLARS BOND. MANUEL GALLEGUS, CBS NEWS LOS ANGELES.

))[11Stanley-Dan]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-53 TC52:46]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]

In business news this morning, downsizing and layoffs at two local companies may actually be good news for Southside and Central Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/File Tape; :]

Dan River plans to close a plant in Georgia and one in South Carolina.
More than 400 people will lose their jobs there.
Dan River plans to transfer most of the work though to its facilities in Danville and Brookneal, creating some 300 jobs in the area.
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./July 1999; :]

Stanley Furniture announced plans to close its West End facility in central North Carolina.
400 employees will be out of work.
Officials say the company wide re-alignment will not affect plants in Stanleytown or Martinsville.
(------------)

[1st-Business]

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

Aetna announces job cuts. And hard liquor ads are returing to television.
Here's Barton Eckert with a look at the morning's top business stories..
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Barton Eckert/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=in Washington.]
(( GOOD MORNING THIS FRIDAY THE 14TH OF DECEMBER.
HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS MORNING.
-----------------------

WYNDHAM INTERNATIONAL RESORTS MAY BE HEADED TOWARD BANKRUPTCY.
THE DEBT-LADEN HOTEL OWNER AND OPERATOR, HAS HIRED A RESTRUCTURING ADVISER AND A LAWYER SPECIALIZING IN BANKRUPTCY.
--------------------------

AFTER DIALING UP LOSSES ON WALL STREET ON EARNINGS WARNINGS FROM COMMUNICATIONS GEAR MAKERS WALL STREET REACTS TODAY TO THE NOVEMBER CPI.. INFLATION AT THE RETAIL LEVEL...
OVERNIGHT .. IN TOKYO.. INVESTORS WERE RATTLED BY CREDIT CONCERNS AND WALL STREET'S DIP
-------------------------

DAIMLER CHRYSLER SAYS IT WILL NOT LOSE MONEY THIS YEAR.. EVEN IF IT HAS TO SELL MORE PLANTS OR CUT MORE JOBS SOONER.
DAIMLER CHRYSLER'S C-E-O SAYS .. MORE LIKELY, THEY COULD TRY AND SELL MORE PIECES OF THE COMPANY SOONER.
-------------------------

AETNA SAYS IT WILL CUT ABOUT 6,000 JOBS, THE CUTS WILL COME PRIMARILY IN CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND PATIENT MANAGEMENT.
THE COMPANY PROJECTS A FURTHER DROP IN MEMBERSHIP AS IT INCREASES PREMIUMS AND TO WITHDRAW COMMERCIAL HMO PRODUCTS AND GOVERNMENT-REIMBURSED MEDICARE PLUS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS IN CERTAIN MARKETS.
-------------------------

ON NBC.. IT'S NOT JUST FOR BEER ANYMORE...FOR THE FIRST TIME AT LEAST IN 50 YEARS... HARD LIQUOR WILL SHOW UP IN NETWORK T-V- ADS NATIONWIDE.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTS THERE'S A DEAL WITH NBC TO PLACE ADS FOR JOHNNIE WALKER, SMIRNOFF AND TANQUERAY ON T-V.
--------------------------

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]

[6-VA-Gifts]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-44 TC1:59:26]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas]

If you're looking for a better gift idea this holiday season, we have several.
As Jennifer Miele found out, recession or no recession, locally made products are bucking the trend.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Troutville;:00]
[SUPER=01-Rachel Nicols/Apple Barn II;:16]
[SUPER=01-Michelle Scott/Lee & Edwards;:41]
[SUPER=01-Joy Sylvester-Johnson/Art on a Mission;1:05]
[SUPER=@jennifer1;1:12]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=JM News 7.]
(( There's no place like home for the holidays... unless of course you're surrounded by hometown memories.
Tucked inside the Cat's Meow in Troutville is an entire village full.
Local landmark replicas made of wood have a way of bringing Christmas home.
[SOT]
((RACHEL NICOLS: THEY ARE BUYING THEM FOR THEIR CHILDREN, THAT HAVE MOVED OUT OF TOWN, BUYING THEM FOR THEMSELVES.)) [RUNS06]
Recent reports show a 3.7 percent decline in holiday retail sales, bolstering reports of a nationwide recession.
You'd never know at Lee and Edwards, where to eat drink and be merry reminds you of home.
Virginia baskets include locally-produced cheeses, peanuts, sauces and wines.
[SOT]
((WE DO BASKETS FROM 15 DOLLARS UP TO ONES WELL OVER 200 DOLLARS IF I HAD TO AVERAGE IT WOULD BE 35 O 40 DOLLARS.)) [RUNS09]
If you are really on a mission to find the perfect hometown Christmas gift... try Art on A Mission at Tanglewood Mall.
More than a hundred local artists donate a portion of the proceeds their artwork generates here to the rescue mission free health care clinic project.
[SOT]
((WE ARE MAKING ENOUGH MONEY TO NOT ONLY MEET EXPENSES FOR THE STORE, BUT CREATE THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE NEW MEDICAL CLINIC.)) [RUNS09]
[SOT]
((JENNIFER MIELE/REPORTING: CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IS AT A SEVEN YEAR LOW RIGHT NOW. BUT, WITH AN ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH CONGRESS, AND BOTTOMED OUT INTEREST RATES, THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS PRETTY SURE THIS RECESSION IS COMING TO AN END. AND THAT'S THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT THESE STORES COULD ASK FOR. JENNIFER MIELE, NEWS 7.)) [RUNS16]))

[6-SYMPHONY]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=pev]
[TAPE#=01-60 TC59:34]
[GRAPHIC=none]

David & Leah Wiley often perform together during symphonic and choral events with the Roanoke Symphony...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

But you can also find the pair in smaller venues, as was the case yesterday.
Windsor Hills United Methodist church was the performance hall, and the intimate setting allowed the couple to showcase their talents AND promote the symphony all at the same time.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Leah and I...]
[SUPER=01-David Wiley/Roanoke Symphony Orchestra;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=we're doing at the Orchestra.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sunday marks the next big concert for the Roanoke Symphony, and Maestro Wiley anticipates a crowded stage for the annual Holiday Pops Concert.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Well, the Holiday Pops...]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=Southwest Virginia Ballet.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Holiday Pops Concert is this Sunday at 3pm at the Roanoke Civic Center.

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[VMI-Prayer]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=VMI Prayer]

Virginia Military Institute's right to have a dinnertime prayer goes to court today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 01-29 TC 05:25]
[SUPER=03-Lexington/April 3]
Two seniors with the support of the American Civil Liberties Union sued the military school in May -- claiming that the tradition of prayer before the evening dinner is a violation of their constitutional rights. The case will be heard today in U-S District Court in Lynchburg.
(------------)

[11Tech-React]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-49 TC1:30:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Governor Gilmore is supporting a 927-million dollar bond package to ensure the future of higher education in Virginia. Under the plan, Colleges and Universities will receive funds to complete or start critical projects.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :18]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
Virginia Tech could expect nearly 140-million dollars. President Charles (Stee-ger) Steger says now is the time to take advantage of low interest rates and fund construction projects that will help revive the economy. He says Tech will use the funds to help make the school a Top 30 research university.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 37:21:18]
[IN Q=we were]
((CHARLES W. STEGER/VIRGINIA TECH PRESIDENT; WE WERE VERY HAPPY TO GET THE FUNDING FOR THE BIOINFORMATICS BUILDING WHICH AS YOU KNOW WE HAVE A MAJOR INITIATIVE THERE THE NEW ENGINEERING BUILDING IS GOING TO BE KEY TO REALIZING THE CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM WERE PUTTING IN PLACE, THE NEW BIOLOGY BUILDING IS ALSO MUCH NEEDED.))
[SUPER=01-Charles W. Steger/Virginia Tech President;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=ALSO MUCH NEEDED]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[PRE PRO #1]
Taking a look at what other schools in our region will get under the plan... Radford University is allotted just under 30-million.
[PRE PRO #2]
The Virginia Community College System, which runs about 23 community colleges around the state will get 139-million.
[PRE PRO #3]
And Virginia Military Institute can expect over 31-million dollars. Voters need to approve two-thirds of the plan and the General Assembly would have to pass the budget.
(-----------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=Mark Warner]
Governor-Elect Mark Warner released a statement yesterday. He says it's critical to deal with the needs of universities but before supporting any debt package, we need to know the true fiscal problems facing the state.

[11Christmas-Store]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-61 TC23:07]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas]

The Community Christmas Store in the Roanoke Valley is now open.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Last night, volunteers gathered for a ribbon cutting at the store- in the old CVS building at Cave Spring Corners.

Each eligible family gets to select new clothing, toys, household items, food, and other gifts.
This year, the Community Christmas store expects to help nearly six hundred needy families in the Roanoke Valley.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 09:21]
[IN Q=They can expect]
((TERRI URQUHART/COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS STORE: THEY CAN EXPECT TO COME INTO A FESTIVELY DECORATED STORE. ITS JUST LIKE GOING TO A DEPARTMENT STORE AND SHOPPING. YOU GO TO DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND WE HAVE NEEDS THAT FIT EVERYBODY'S NEEDS.))
[SUPER=01-Terri Urquhart/Community Christmas Store]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=fit everybody's needs]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Families had to first apply through Social Services to become eligible.
They'll shop at the store at assigned times Friday and Saturday.
This is the ninth year for the Community Christmas store here in the Roanoke Valley.
(------------)

[Red-Cross]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=American Red Cross]

The American Red Cross is under fire for allegedly mishandling the nation's blood supply.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

The Food and Drug Administration is asking a judge to hold the agency in contempt of court for repeated violations of blood safety regulations.
The F-D-A claims the violations have spanned nearly two decades.
Meanwhile, Red Cross officials maintain the country's blood supply is safe.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

They add the agency has invested more than 280- million dollars to upgrade its blood operations to meet federal stan

dards.[11Bomb-threat]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=01-58 TC17:14]
[GRAPHIC=Bomb Threat Charge]
A Wal Mart employee has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly calling in a bomb threat to the store in Bedford where she worked.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]
It was back in October.. the day of the incident that the sheriff announced the arrest of Roslyn Boston- Khaliq. It's unclear why authorities decided to make a FEDERAL case out of it.
(-------------)

[11Tobacco-Settlement]

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

Virginia tobacco farmers will get a belated Christmas present in early January.
That's when the state will send out 24-million dollars as part of the second phase of the tobacco settlement.
The payments are from a settlement reached between the four big tobacco companies and 14 tobacco-producing states.
The states sued to recoup the cost of treating sick tobacco users.

[Med-Day]

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

In medical news, new information has been released about small pox.
Doctor Dave Hnida has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Dave Hnida/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=for CBS News]
((SOME DISTURBING NEWS ABOUT THE CONTAGIOUSNESS OF SMALLPOX
A REPORT IN THE JOURNAL NATURE SAYS IF THE SMALLPOX GERM WAS INTRODUCED
INTO AMERICA OR EUROPE- IT WOULD RAPIDLY SPREAD---- INFECTING UP TO 12
PEOPLE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL ALREADY INFECTED.HOWEVER - IF MASS VACCINATIONS TOOK PLACE- AS WELL AS QUARANTINES - THE RATE OF SPREAD OF SMALLPOX WOULD FALL AND EVENTUALLY BE CONTAINED.
THE SURGEON GENERAL SAYS THE RATE OF OBESITY IN AMERICA HAS GOTTEN SO BAD IT MAY SOON OVERTAKE SMOKING AS THE LEADING CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE DEATHS.
ITS ESTIMATED ABOUT 300 MILLION AMERICANS DIE EACH YEAR FROM DISEASES CAUSED OR LINKED TO OBESITY- INCLUDING HEART DISEASE AND CANCER
FINALLY- SOME HOPE ON THE HORIZON FOR SICKLE CELL ANEMIA- A SEVERE INHERITED BLOOD DISORDER THAT AFFECTS MORE THAN 70 THOUSAND AMERICANS.
RESEARCHERS AT HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL AND MIT WERE ABLE TO CURE LABORATORY MICE OF SICKLE CELL USING GENE THERAPY.
MODIFIED HIV VIRUSES WERE USED TO CARRY THE NEW GENES INTO THE BLOOD CELLS OF THE MICE - WHO WERE PERMANENTLY CURED OF SICKLE CELL
THATS A LOOK AT SOME OF THE DAYS TOP HEALTH STORIES. IM DR DAVE HNIDA FOR CBS NEWS.))

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

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

[11Internet-SOL]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=01-51 TC1:45:48]
[GRAPHIC=SOL's]
Virginia's Standards of Learning tests will soon go on-line.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :15]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The computerized version of the test was displayed to the public for the first time yesterday at the Educational Technology Leadership Conference at the Hotel Roanoke. Educators say computers will make the tests more efficient and beneficial to students and teachers alike.
(///// SOT at :15 /////)
[SOT 12:46:44-12:47:00]
[IN Q=From many different perspectives we believe it will...]
((CHARLES PYLE/VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: FROM MANY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES WE BELIEVE IT WILL ENHANCE THE TESTING PROCESS AND WILL ALLOW TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO MAKE VERY TIMELY DECISIONS ABOUT INSTRUCTION, ABOUT REMEDIATION, AND THAT'S REALLY GOING TO HELP STUDENTS.))
[SUPER=01-Charles Pyle/Virginia Department of Education;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=that's really going to help students.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The tests have already been demonstrated in nine Virginia schools. But Pyle says more studies need to be conducted to determine how students who take the on-line test compare to those who take the traditional pencil and paper version. He expects some schools will be using the on-line system by next spring.
(++++++++)
[TAKE WDBJ WEBPAGE FS] For more information about on-line SOL testing you can long onto our website at wdbj7.com and click on webwatch.
(------------)

[11Marriage-Carriage]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-48 TC1:51:46]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Nine months from now you could be changing diapers or splashing on suntan lotion: that's the choice family counselors in Lynchburg want the area's young people to start thinking about.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The Marriage Before the Carriage program is offering new incentives for people between the ages of 12 and 29 who promise not to father, mother or abort a baby in the next year.
Those making the pledge will have a chance at winning one of four Caribbean vacations.
Officials say it's all about creating a positive family environment.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:13:36]
[IN Q=One of the]
((ROLAND HAYES/MARRIAGE BEFORE THE CARRIAGE: ONE OF THE HARDEST SELLS IS TEACHING YOUNG MEN BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE IT MODELED IN THEIR HOME. IT'S HARD ENOUGH HAVING FATHERS THERE, BUT THE COMMITMENT OF MARRIAGE IS ANOTHER THING, WHICH IS ONE OF THE STRONG POINTS THAT WE HAVE TO REACH OUT TO YOUNG MALES IN PREVENTION.))
[SUPER=01-Roland Hayes/Marriage Before the Carriage]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=in prevention.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Non-marital births in central Virginia have decreased more than six percent since the program began. (------------)