WDBJ 7 morning news for 12/26/01

[War-Update]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

Afghanistan's interim cabinet is scheduled to hold its second meeting today.
And U-S troops in Afghanistan are getting back to work after celebrating the holiday yesterday with Christmas carols and games of touch football.
Troops at Bagram air base also got a Christmas card from local Afghans.
In new developments, a London newspaper is reporting a possible connection between alleged shoe- bomber Richard Reid and Osama bin Laden.
Jim Acosta is in Washington this morning with the latest.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=01-Jim Acosta/Reporting;]
[SUPER=05-Washington, DC;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
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[OUT Q=back to you.]

[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=05-Washington, DC;]

((THE TIMES OF LONDON REPORTS A POSSIBLE LINK TO ALLEGED SHOE-BOMBER, RICHARD REID, AND OSAMA BIN LADEN'S TERRORIST NETWORK.
ACCORDING TO THE PAPER, REID WORSHIPPED AT A LONDON MOSQUE ALSO ATTENDED BY ZACARIAS MOUSSAOUI -- THE FIRST PERSON INDICTED IN THE U.S. ... IN CONNECTION WITH THE SEPTEMBER 11TH ATTACKS.
THE LEADER OF THE MOSQUE BELIEVES REID WAS INCAPABLE OF ACTING ALONE ... WHEN HE TRIED TO DETONATE EXPLOSIVES IN HIS SNEAKERS ... WHILE ABOARD A TRANS-ATLANTIC FLIGHT.

(NAT)

THIS, AS THE U.S. SEEKS TO JOIN THE HUNT FOR AL-QAIDA MEMBERS IN YEMEN. SOURCES SAY U.S. OFFICIALS ARE ASKING THE YEMEN GOVERNMENT FOR PERMISSION TO SEND MARINES INTO THE COUNTRY.

(NAT)

IN AFGHANISTAN, IT'S BACK TO WORK FOR U.S. TROOPS ... AFTER A SHORT BREAK FOR CHRISTMAS CAROLS ... CHRISTMAS DINNER ... AND HOLIDAY WELL-WISHES.

(Sot/Second Lt. John Adams) MY NAME'S SECOND LT. JOHN ADAMS, MY WIFE,
THIS IS DEIRDRE ADAMS. IF I HAD A MESSAGE TO SEND RIGHT NOW, IT WOULD BE I LOVE YOU. BE SAFE AND I'LL BE HOME SOON. (OPT.) HONEY I LOVE YOU.

(Sot/Sgt. Harris) MY NAME IS SGT. HARRIS AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO
ALIYA MY WONDERFUL DAUGHTER, THAT I LOVE YOU AND I MISS YOU.
U.S. FORCES IN NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN WILL NOW TAKE ON A MORE HUMANITARIAN ROLE ... BY HELPING RELIEF AGENCIES THAT FACE THE MONUMENTAL TASK OF FEEDING AND CLOTHING SO MANY AFGHANS THIS WINTER. ))

[Post-Holiday]

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

After their most disappointing shopping season in at least a decade, retailers are hoping the final week of the year will make up for lost holiday sales.
The head of America's Research Group says consumers can look forward to even deeper discounts, as stores try to clear out merchandise before their spring shipments.
Some experts believe consumer spending will improve, especially in the second half of 2002.

[11581-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kgu]
[TAPE#=01-54 TC-49:42]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]
A three-car accident backed up traffic on Interstate 5-81 last night...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Authorities say the driver of a Monte Carlo merged across two lanes onto southbound 581 at the Orange Avenue Exit, causing two other cars to collide. Two of the southbound lanes were temporarily closed. One woman was taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for minor cuts. Police say, charges are pending against the driver.
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[2-11Party-Holiday]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-53 TC-1:05:13]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Dazzle]

Hundreds of people celebrated part of Christmas Day with the Roanoke Dazzle. The team played for a crowd at the Roanoke Civic Center...it's the region's first professional sporting event on Christmas in decades. As News 7's Rachel Cannon explains, the game wasn't the only holiday treat for fans.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Nats]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Brooke Hubert/Dazzle Fan; :17 Quick]
[SUPER=01-Donna Daniels/Dazzle Team President; :20]
[SUPER=01-Derrick Hines/Dazzle Point Guard; :38]
[RUNS=1:06]
[OUT Q=RC, News 7 Roanoke.]
((NATS TC Dazzle fans are getting something a little different for Christmas this year. A holiday party AND the big game. Autographs, dance lessons and shooting practice are all on the wish lists of these boys and girls.
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[SOT 1:47:28]
[IN Q=i just ]
((BROOKE HUBERT/DAZZLE FAN; I JUST LIKE SPENDING TIME WITH MY FAMILY HERE. IT'S FUN.))
[OUT Q=IT'S FUN]
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[SOT 1:43:13]
[IN Q=THE WHOLE]
((DONNA DANIELS/DAZZLE TEAM PRESIDENT; THE WHOLE DAY IS OUR HOLIDAY PRESENT TO THE VALLEY OUR HOLIDAY PARTY OUR GAME AND OUR POST GAME CONCERT WITH TRUE VIBE.))
[OUT Q=TRUE VIBE.]
NATS TC Players are giving a holiday treat by meeting and greeting their fans. Organizers hope time they spend off the court will translate into ticket sales.
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[SOT 1:40:00]
[IN Q=IT'S A GREAT]
((DERRICK HINES/DAZZLE POINT GUARD; IT'S A GREAT TIME OF THE YEAR FOR A LOT OF PARENTS AND THE KIDS AND THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ROANOKE TO GET A LOT OF EXPOSURE.))
[OUT Q=LOT OF EXPOSURE.]
ESPN 2 carried the game live. Making today a big day for the Roanoke Valley and the Dazzle.
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[SOT 1:43:44]
[I0N Q=THE GAMES]
((THE GAMES HAVE BEEN REALLY GOOD AND EXCITING THE FANS HAVE BEEN WALKING AWAY HAVING A GOOD TIME. ))
[OUT Q=GOOD TIME.]
And a good Christmas. Rachel Cannon, News 7, Roanoke.))
[Anchor=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]

The Dazzle went on to win yesterday's game against the Greenville Groove 94 to 86.

[S-Blue]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-112 20:25]
[GRAPHIC=College football]

In other sports news, Christmas day meant the annual Blue-Gray college all star game, which kicked off in Montgomery Alabama.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery, AL/ABC; :00]

No this was not the Rose Bowl, but the fans are ready for this one.
Virginia senior fullback Tyree Foreman playing for the Gray team is gonna score from a yard out in the second quarter. But the Blue squad is still up 14-7.
Football can be hazardous to your health, especially if you are a cameraman.
This guy gets laid out, but gives the thumbs- up that he is OK.
[SUPER=34-Blue/28/Gray/10;]

Virginia kept Penn State out of a bowl game and ironically, it's a couple of Nittany Lions on the Blue that deny UVa's Foreman and tight end Chris Luzar of the white team a win in this classic.
Penn State's Eddie Drummond scores here, and Blue snaps Gray's four- game winning streak 28-10.
(++++++++++++)
[WIPE TO FULL SCREEN PINNACLE]
[@PAGE---------6741]

And be sure to tune to your Hometown Station's Virginia Tech Gator Bowl Special "Tech 2001 Back to the Beach".
The show hits the WDBJ airways New Years eve at seven PM.
Join Mike Stevens for all your pregame news.
(++++++++++++)

[NO SCOREBOARDS]

(Kim toss to weather)[Rankin-Report]

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

As the year 2001 comes to a close, so do some of the big concert tours.
V-H-1's Rebecca Rankin takes a look back at the major acts that hit the road this year.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Rebecca Rankin/Reporting;]
[SUPER=01-Alan Light/Spin Magazine;]
[SUPER=01-Bono/U2;]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=I'm Rebecca Rankin]
(( REBECCA TOSS 2001 WAS A BIG YEAR FOR CONCERTS... EVERYONE FROM HEAVY HITTERS, POP DIVA'S, FIRST TIME HEADLINERS, AND VETERAN ROCKERS ALL HIT THE ROAD. IF YOU WANTED TO SEE A SHOW THIS WAS DEFINITELY THE YEAR TO DO IT.
S/U Janet

(10.2)
JANET WOWED US WITH HER MOVES...DESTINY'S CHILD MADE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION...AEROSMITH ROCKED.....DAVE MATHEWS CONTINUED TO PACK STADIUMS....AND BON JOVI CELEBRATED A HOMECOMING.
S/U "Giant's Stadium New Jersey"
((change music to Madonna))

(3.25)
THE HARDEST TICKET TO SCORE THIS YEAR WAS FOR MADONNA'S DROWNED WORLD TOUR....
S/U "Cosmic systems intertwined astro bodies drink like wine"

(8.5)
BACK ON THE ROAD AFTER AN EIGHT YEAR ABSENCE....FANS WERE TREATED TO MADONNA PLAYING GUITAR, TAMING A MECHANICAL BULL....AND BATTLING A SAMURAI WARRIOR.
S/U Elevation
Alan Light - Spin Magazine Those were incredible rock and roll shows and I don't think there is anything else that had that sort of power that sort of force this year

(11)
U2'S ELEVATION TOUR GAVE FANS A STRIPPED DOWN CLUB LIKE EXPERIENCE. THE EXTENDED STAGE AND GENERAL ADMISSION SEATING CREATED ONE OF THE MOST INTIMATE CONCERT EXPERIENCES OF 2001.
Bono "we had some extraordinary nights. We had some nights that we will never ever forget"
REBECCA TAG THE FINAL NUMBERS AREN'T IN YET...BUT IT LOOKS LIKE U2 WILL HAVE THE HIGHEST GROSSING TOUR OF 2001. THEIR 113 SHOWS GROSSED OVER 143 MILLION DOLLARS...BLOWING AWAY LAST YEARS BIGGEST TOUR..TINA TURNER. FOR MORE U2...CATCH THEIR LIVE PERFORMANCE DURING THE HALFTIME SHOW AT SUPERBOWL THIRTY-SIX IN NEW ORLEANS ON FEBRUARY 3RD. I'M REBECCA RANKIN. ))

[11Holiday-Home]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=01-59 TC-25:49]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas]
[!!!ANCHOR TAG!!!]
Drive around a while, and you'll be sure to find thousands of Christmas displays...
However, one display caught our eye.
Brent Watts gives us a look inside.
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[SUPER=03-Vinton; :00]
[SUPER=07-Nancy Cochrane; :20]
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[OUT Q=Brent Watts, News 7, Vinton.]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The decorations will be on display through News Year's Eve. You can check out the display at 410 Pine Street in Vinton.

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[Missing-Boy]

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

The search resumes this morning for a Texas boy missing from a state park since Saturday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Caddo, TX;]

Rescue crews and hundreds of volunteers are out searching--
They found one of six-year-old Ira Clutter's tennis shoes in a lake yesterday.
Officials say the shoe was found in a crevice in some rocks near the shoreline.
But family members say the boy does NOT know how to swim.
Clutter hasn't been seen since he wandered off while hiking with his family, and hope is fading that he'll be found alive.
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[11Woods]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-51 TC-2:00:13]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Governor-elect Mark Warner's appointment of Jane Woods' as health and human resources secretary is facing some ethical scrutiny.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/December 18]

Woods has been a registered representative for three pharmaceutical companies, a major hospital system and associations of doctors, physical therapists and veterinarians.
State Senator Leslie Byrne (BURN), who unseated Woods two years ago, calls the appointment "a real Christmas present for lobbyists.''
Woods says she's giving up her lobbying job, and says any conflicts between her former clients and her public duties will be settled by statutes against ethical violations.
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[11Rescue-Mission]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsc]
[TAPE#=01-52 TC-1:17:26]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Some local people are getting a phone call for Christmas this year.
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[SOT ]
[IN Q=It's me]
((IT'S ME...MERRY CHRISTMAS.))
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=merry Christmas.]
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[VO-NAT :17]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

At the Roanoke Rescue Mission yesterday, U-S Cellular provided free phone service for people to call loved ones anywhere in the United States. Many of the recipients are unable to afford long distance calls.
Aimee VanderHoof used the opportunity to call her fianc� in California.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Because I don't]
((AIMEE VANDERHOOF/HOLIDAY CALLER: BECAUSE I DON'T REALLY HAVE THE MONEY RIGHT NOW TO CALL OR TO GET A CARD TO CALL HIM. SO, I THINK IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DO THIS TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO ALL THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, WHEREVER THEY ARE.))
[SUPER=01-Aimee VanderHoof/Holiday Caller;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=they are.]
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[VO-NAT]

This is this fifth year for the program...U-S Cellular gives the same gift for Thanksgiving. The rules are simple...call anyone in the U-S and take all the time you need.
Some people waited two hours for their chance to say "Merry Christmas".
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[11Sabato]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsc]
[TAPE#=01-49 tc-1:42:57]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Republican Vance Wilkins didn't run in the gubernatorial race this November--
But as Speaker of the House, he may wield almost as much power as Mark Warner this winter.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

The GOP won its largest majority ever in the house, grabbing 64 seats.
With the voting majority, political experts say Wilkins can override Warner's vetos, forcing the Democratic governor-elect to work with the Republican-dominated house.
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[TC 02:12:05]
[SOT]
[IN Q=I call]
((LARRY SABATO/UVA POLITICAL ANALYST: I CALL VANCE WILKINS CO-GOVERNOR BECAUSE HE HAS EQUAL POWER WITH WARNER TO STOP THINGS.))
[SUPER=01-Larry Sabato/UVA Political Analyst]
[RUNS=8]
[OUT Q=to stop things]
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[VO-NAT]

Sabato went on to say Wilkins may be the most powerful Speaker of the House since Blacky Moore in the late 1960s, when Democrats held 85 of the 100 house seats. (------------)