[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


Coming up on News 7-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


A brush fire burns into the night in Roanoke County.
Israeli tanks move out of the West Bank tonight-
While in this region tonight people on both sides of that war rally.
And the shuttle lifts off. We'll take a look.
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]


And highlights from Monday racing from Sports.
News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]



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

Terrain proves difficult for firefighters working to gain the upper hand on a Roanoke County brush fire.
(------------)
[anchor =Jean]
[SS=News 7 @ 11]



[Brush-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-17 TC13:52]
[GRAPHIC=Brush Fire]

Firefighters worked throughout the night on Fort Lewis Mountain.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

The blaze burned at least 30 acres of trees and brush- starting this morning and going all day into the night. The fire was located along Route 3-11 near the Dark Hollow Girl Scout Camp. Three structures at the camp were threatened by the flames, but they are not occupied. The Scout Camp is used during only the summer. Firefighters say reaching the fire was difficult-- because of the terrain, but say the blaze is out tonight except for a few minor "hot-spots".
(------------)



[Tire-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-02 TC1:40:48]
[GRAPHIC=Tire Fire]

[***ANCHOR TAG***]
The Environmental Protection Agency says its making progress on Roanoke County's smoldering tire dump.
Senator John Warner and Congressman Bob Goodlatte flew in to take a look today.
They came offering praise and support.
But, as Marya Jones reports, the E-P-A says it's all under control.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Any further backup]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=@johnwarner; :32]
[SUPER=@goodlatte; 1:10]
[SUPER=@Marya1; 1:20]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Roanoke Co.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]


Warner and Goodlatte also visited poultry farms in the Shenandoah Valley hit by an avian flu outbreak.
Some 540-thousand birds exposed to the illness have been or will be destroyed.

[TX-Storms]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Severe Weather]


Heavy rains left a big mess in Houston, Texas flooding several areas.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Houston, TX]


Three to four inches fell in Harris County- leaving many cars underwater.
Firefighters rescued some people trapped in their vehicles.
Forty to fifty mile an hour gusts whipped through the area- breaking tree limbs and damaging cars.
[Super=03-Divine, TX;]


In Divine Texas, large hail and record rainfall severely damaged several homes and businesses.
A series of tornados also hit the area overnight- destroying a few businesses- tearing roofs off of homes and uprooting trees.
(------------)



[Mideast]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]


After a week of violence in the West Bank- Israel says it is moving its tanks out-
Tonight tanks are rumbling out of the West Bank- troops are leaving schools and other buildings.
Teri Okita has the latest from Washington.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-King Abdullah/Jordan; 1:13]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/Reporting; 1:27]
[RUNS=1:44]
[OUT Q=PEACE PROCESS IN MOTION]

((IT TOOK SOME U.S. NUDGING, BUT IT APPEARS ISRAEL IS FINALLY GETTING THE MESSAGE. ISRAELI FORCES ANNOUNCED MONDAY ... THAT THEY WERE PULLING BACK FROM THE WEST BANK TOWNS OF QALQILLYA AND TULKAREM. BUT A TOTAL WITHDRAWAL STILL REMAINS IN DOUBT.
(NAT)

ISRAELI FORCES ROUNDED-UP DOZENS OF PALESTINIANS AFTER DAYS OF FIGHTING IN NABLUS. PARTS OF THAT WEST BANK CITY ARE NOW IN RUINS ... AS SCORES OF ITS CITIZENS LAY DYING IN MAKESHIFT HOSPITALS. MEANWHILE, THE BATTLE INTENSIFIED AT REFUGEE CAMP IN JENIN. ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER, ARIEL SHARON, TOLD HIS GOVERNMENT THE MILITARY ACTION WOULD END WHEN QUOTE "THE TERRORIST INFRASTRUCTURE" IS DISMANTLED. PRESIDENT BUSH SAYS THAT'S NOT FAST ENOUGH.
(SOT: PRESIDENT BUSH)

"I meant what I said to the prime minister of Israel, I expect there to be withdrawal without the delay."
(NAT)

ECHOING THAT DEMAND, SECRETARY OF STATE, COLIN POWELL, ARRIVED IN MOROCCO FOR THE FIRST LEG OF HIS PEACEKEEPING MISSION. BUT HE RECEIVED A CHILLY RECEPTION FROM KING MOHAMMED WHO BLUNTLY ASKED --
(SOT WITH TEXT/do not super)

"Don't you think it would be more important to start in Jerusalem?" ARAB LEADERS ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT PALESTINIAN LEADER, YASSER ARAFAT, IS BEING IGNORED IN THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS.
(SOT: KING ABDULLAH/JORDAN)

"If we go with the line of the Israelis that Arafat is not the man, that Arafat is irrelevant ... do we continue changing the Palestinian leadership until we find someone that is amiable to them."
(STANDUP)

ON TUESDAY, SECRETARY POWELL MEETS WITH EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK. MUBARAK IS URGING THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION TO USE MAXIMUM DIPLOMATIC POWER ... SAYING THE U.S. BEARS SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THE PEACE PROCESS IN MOTION.))

[Blacksburg-Protest]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=02-03 TC1:11:50]
[GRAPHIC=]


[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]


The Israeli and Palestinian flags both waived just off Main Street in Blacksburg this evening.
About 40 people rallied... some in support of Israel and what it has called a campaign against terrorism.
Others showed support for the Palestinians and called for an end to the Israeli occupation
(------------)



[modi]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]


A guilty plea today from a husband and wife medical team accused of stealing one-million dollars through phony claims to Medicare and the Department of Labor's Black Lung Program.
Prosecutors accused the couple of defrauding the government from 1987 to 2000 at the Miners Medical Clinic in Buchanan County.
According to court documents, Doctor Vinod Modi and his wife Doctor Kailas Modi submitted excessive claims to the Black Lung Program, which reimburses some medical expenses for coal miners suffering from the disease.
They'll be sentenced in August.

[Warner-Bills]


[ANCHOR=jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-13 TC14:00]
[GRAPHIC=Mark Warner]


Governor Mark Warner is proposing more than 80 amendments to the state budget that lawmakers approved last month.
The changes would restore about 30- million dollars for a variety of programs including local drug courts.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I think they made a very good]

((GOV. MARK WARNER; I THINK THEY MADE A VERY GOOD CASE THAT THESE WERE DOLLARS WELL SPENT AND THE ABILITY TO KEEP THESE FOLKS IN AN ALTERNATIVE TO FULL INCARCERATION MAKES GOOD COMMON SENSE AND GOOD FISCAL SENSE.))
[SUPER=@markwarner;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=and good fiscal sense.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]


Warner's amendment will not restore all of the funding for local drug courts, but he did find enough money to keep the program alive while localities look for other sources of support.
Circuit Judge Diane Strickland said she's encouraged by the Governor's decision.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I had the good fortune]

((DIANE STRICKLAND/CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE; I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO MEET WITH HIM LAST MONDAY, A WEEK AGO TODAY AND HE TOLD ME DURING THAT MEETING THAT HE RECOGNIZED IT WAS A VERY VALUABLE PROGRAM FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY STANDPOINT AND THAT ECONOMICALLY IT MADE A LOT OF SENSE BECAUSE IT WAS SAVING MONEY.))
[SUPER=01-Diane Strickland/Circuit Court Judge; ]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=saving money.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Warner says other amendments would restore critical funding for education, technology and criminal justice programs.
Lawmakers will consider the amendments when they return to Richmond for the veto session next week.
(------------)



[Teacher-Pay]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Education]


Good and bad news for teachers in Virginia.
Teachers' pay ranks near the middle compared with their colleagues in other states
But over the past decade, Salaries have actually declined after taking inflation into account.
That mixed report came from the National Education Association today.
In its report, the N-E-A said the average teacher in Virginia was paid 40-thousand-197 dollars for the 2000-01 school year.
That figure compares with a national average of 43-thousand-335 dollars.

[Tease1]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


Planning a summer road-trip?
We'll tell you what you can expect to pay for gas next on News 7.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 07.5]


And more fallout from the Enron scandal- big layoffs announced at Arthur Anderson.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:20:28]
[IN Q=]

((YEAH IT'S A TOUGH DAY. BUT I KIND OF EXPECTED IT SOMEBODY HAD TO GO.))
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=somebody had to go.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT 04 plus pad]


Deails on just how many will go when we come back.
(------------)



[Sports-Preview]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=Sports Head]
[GRAPHIC=None]



(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="hey sports...]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=.....big 7.]

((Hey folks this is Mike Stevens back in the News 7 sports office as Roger Mason Junior bolts for the NBA. We'll hear from the Masters man named Bubba. Radford University stays in-house and hooks Byron Samuels. Matt Kenseth gets a pair of boots and a win in Texas. And the Hornets may not be Bourbon Street bound afterall - tonight on the Big 7.))

[Gas-Prices]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=kgu]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Gas Prices Up]


As the temperatures rise-- so do the gas prices...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chicago, IL]

The Energy Department says that motorists will pay an average of a dollar- 46 a gallon at the pump this summer. That's down 8- cents from last year. Officials say it's normal for gas prices to rise with vacation travel in the summer- but the expected jump still has them concerned.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=because they strain]

((SPENCER ABRAHAM/SECRETARY OF ENERGY: BECAUSE THEY STRAIN THE BUDGET'S OF AMERICA'S WORKING FAMILIES, THEY RAISE THE COSTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES AND THEY ULTIMATELY CREATE A DRAG ON THE ECONOMY.))
[SUPER=01-Spencer Abraham/Secretary of Energy;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=drag on the economy]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Many consumers are concerned that the violence in the Middle East is hiking up the gas prices. And some experts agree-- saying the tension could lead to unexpected price volatility.
(XXXXXXXXX)

[WIPE TO FULL SCREEN PINNACLE] As a precaution- the Energy Department set up a hotline for motorists to report price gouging. That number is 1-800-244-3301.
(------------)



[Andersen]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A big hit for a big accounting firm.
Arthur Andersen is laying off seven thousand employees.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 17]
[SUPER=03-Chicago, IL]


It's a result of the Enron debacle- Andersen is charged with obstructing justice in that case by destroying documents.
The company has lost more than 130 customers since then.
It's believed the bulk of the cuts will come from Arthur Andersen's Chicago headquarters.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19;20:49]
[IN Q=]

((LYNN PAPPAS/ARTHUR ANDERSON EMPLOYEE: IT'S A GOOD COMPANY AND I THINK PEOPLE REALIZE THAT IT WASN'T THE FAULT OF 99 POINT NINE PERCENT OF THE WORKERS AT ANDERSON.))
[SUPER=01-Lynn Pappas/Arthur Andersen Employee;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=WORKERS AT ANDERSEN.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Most of the layoffs are people who did not even work on the enron account.
Some are mad at the justice department for going after the company instead of the employees who worked on the Enron account.
(------------)



[KMart-Closings]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Kmart Store Closings]


Kmart is denying a report that it plans to close more stores than previously announced.
The troubled retailer is closing 283 of its more than two-thousand stores nationwide as part of its bankruptcy re-organization.
But Penske Corporation - which used to run K-marts automotive centers- says K-mart officials told its representative that the chain planned to close as many as 700 stores.
That from a K-mart bankruptcy court filing.
Meanwhile, Penske shut down about 550 auto repair centers at Kmart stores over the weekend.
Kmart got a temporary restraining order to stop the closings.
But attorneys for both Kmart and Penske say that it came too late to stop the centers from shutting down and that there's no way to reopen them.

[NRV-Park]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-09 TC1:00:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Pulaski County officials are taking another step towards attracting high tech companies to the New River Valley....
(------------)
[VO-NAT :16]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co.;]

Today was the official groundbreaking for Phase One of the region's Commerce Park. Construction on an access road and grading of the property is underway. Congressman Rick Boucher says the property is ideal for technology based 21st century jobs...
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 42:53:07]
[IN Q=GIVEN THE]

((US REP. RICK BOUCHER/9TH DISTRICT; GIVEN THE PRESENCE HERE OF THE FOREIGN TRADE ZONE AND UNITED STATES CUSTOMS HOUSE GIVEN PROXIMITY OF RADFORD UNIVERSITY AND VIRGINIA TECH AND NEW RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND ALL OF THE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE THAT RESIDES THERE I THINK THIS COMMERCE PARK WILL BE IDEAL FOR TECHNOLOGY BASED INDUSTRY.))
[SUPER=@Boucher;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=BASED INDUSTRY.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

When completed, the park is expected to be about 1-thousand acres. Officials say construction on actual buildings will depend on when they can attract companies to the site.
(------------)



[Biomedical-Center]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-07 TC1:00:53]
[GRAPHIC=Carilion Biomed]

Plans are moving right along on Roanoke's biomedical institute.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

The first contract has been awarded to make way for the Riverside Centre for Research and Technology. Later this month--crews will begin tearing down two buildings on South Jefferson Street. This will make way for a 500- space parking garage. The garage will be used by the park's first two tenants which are the Carilion Biomedical Institute and Carilion Health System. Supporters of the park say it could create up to 25- hundred jobs.
(------------)


[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[SS=None]


Some thought it was a joke, but it's no laughing matter... Richard M. Nixon is running for office.
We'll explain when News 7 returns.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


And the Big Game's getting ready for a big jackpot.
Find out how big next.
(----------------)


[Commercial]

[Big-Game]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Big Game]


The jackpot for tomorrow night's Big Game drawing continues to grow, even as players are still lined up to buy tickets.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]


After 17 straight drawings with no winner, the top prize in the multi-state lottery is up to 153-million dollars -- the third largest jackpot in Big Game history.
Currently, Virginia and six other states are members of the Big Game. New York and Ohio are set to join next month.
(-------------)



[Nixon]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Richard M. Nixon is running for office in Alabama.
No, not that Nixon.
This is Richard Milton Nixon -- no relation to the late President Richard Milhous Nixon.
As you can imagine the name is getting a lot of attention.
Birmingham Republican leaders thought it was a joke when Nixon said he wanted to run for state agriculture commissioner.
Nixon says he's ticked off that no one would take him seriously. But he says he's ``been getting this'' all his life.
He is on the ballot for the June primary.
Locals in Nixon's hometown call him by the nickname "Doughnut.''

[S-Extra]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=EXTRA]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Roger dodges for the NBA. We'll meet the Bubba of Augusta. Plus, Kenseth wins at Texas and Samuels is the big winner at RU.
But first tonight's Extra Point.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fort Mill, SC;:00]

The Charlotte Hornets aren't heading to New Orleans without a fight or a flight! Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory flew to the Big Apple today and met with the NBA's relocation committee in a last ditch effort to keep the team from moving. The committee will make its recommendation by May 17th. Now the scores.
(------------)

[go to scores] [WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5010;]
[SUPER=0091-j/New York/16//Toronto/3///j/Cleveland/9//Minnesota/5///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0092-j/Atlanta/2//Philadelphia/1///j/Pittsburgh/1//Cincinnati/0///]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0092-j/Houston/8//Colorado/4///j/San Diego/8//Arizona/0///;]
[SUPER=x5028;]
[SUPER=0096-j/Detroit/105//Atlanta/99///j/Orlando/83//Houston/74///;]
[SUPER=x5031;]
[SUPER=0103-j/Carolina/2//N. Y. Islanders/1///j/N.Y. Rangers/3//Pittsburgh/2///;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=...last score."]
(-------------)

[GO TO BREAK]

[S-Mason]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-118 5155tc]
[GRAPHIC=UVA]


The University of Virginia men's basketball team received some news last night that it hoping not to get. Leading scorer Roger Mason, Junior - a three year letterman has submitted his name for this year's NBA draft.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-This Past Season; :00]

The six-foot five inch guard from Silver Spring, Maryland averaged 19 points and four assists a game this past season.
He was a second team all-ACC selection and was a top 30 finalists for the prestigious Wooden Award. Mason says he's confident he will make it in the NBA - but he finds out otherwise before the deadline, he could return to UVa for his senior season. Pete Gillen says he wishes Mason well, and knows he will keep his options open and do what his best for his future and his family.
(------------)



[S-Radford]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-114 1:35:25]
[GRAPHIC=Radford]


Radford University stayed in-house yesterday picking Byron Samuels to be the school's fifth head basketball coach.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford; :00]


Samuels served as an assistant coach under his predecessor Ron Bradley this past season and also during the 1991-92 season. He spent three seasons on Jerry Green's staff at Tennessee, and he's a former head coach at Hampton University. Samuels says he's excited about the chance to coach the Highlanders as the head man.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Byron Samuels/New Radford Men's Basketball Coach; :]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q="out of ourselves"]
(--------------)
[VO-NAT(con't)]


Samuels goal is to build a team with top notch recruits and an incredible work ethic that will generate excitement around campus, in the Radford community and around the state.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=..grow your basketball program"]
(----------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=RU]

Samuels also has been an assistant coach at UNC Wilmington and Washington State. He and his wife Beverlyn have two children.

[S-Masters]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-117 11206TC]
[GRAPHIC=MASTERS]


Much has been made in the past few weeks about the course changes for this week's Masters. Augusta National has been stretched more than 300 yards and should look a lot different to the veterans on tour.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Augusta, GA; :00]

But for rookie Bubba Dickerson - it's no big deal. The reigning US Amateur champ is just happy to be playing. He already has a huge fan base and it's not just because of his "game" but also his "name."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I COULD...]
[SUPER=01-Bubba Dickerson/U. S. Amateur Champion; :00]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=...SET FOR MYSELF."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT CON'T]

WDBJ-7 is the place to be for late night Masters' highlights on Thursday and Friday of this week. Join us both nights at 11:35, plus complete coverage Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
(------------)



[S-Race]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-111 11810tc]
[GRAPHIC=TEXAS]

Matt Kenseth won yesterday's rain delayed Samsung-Radio Shack 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke, TX/Fox 21-27; :00]

The wicked one and a half mile tri-oval was high and dry for today's rescheduled event, and one of the guys who has been struggling all season long came out smoking in this event. Dale Jarrett led early and often and was the man to beat for the first one third of the race. But he ran out of gas late and finished 24th. Bill Elliott, started on the pole and led for the first time this season. Elliott finished a strong ninth. Wrecks wiped out several of the contenders including Ward Burton, who had this to show for his efforts. He was dead last. Dale Earnhardt, Junior who hit the outside wall, tried to come back from this crash but finished 42nd. The final caution of the day was brought out when Kurt Busch had a tire go down and he was involved in a single car spin. 25 laps remained after the final pit stops in which some teams took on just two tires. Matt Kenseth was one of those as he held off Jeff Gordon to win his second race of the season. Kenseth started the race dead last and won from the 43rd position for his second victory of the year.
(------------)
[Anchor=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=TEXAS]

Jeff Burton was 39th, Stacy Compton was 19th, and Rick Mast 29th.
[GRAPHIC=MARTINSVILLE]

The circuit pulls into Martinsville later this week for the Virginia 500 and Advance Auto Parts 250 weekend. Qualifying is on Friday, the truck race on Saturday and the Cup event on Sunday. Tickets are still available for all events.

[S-Ice]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-119 45:12]
[GRAPHIC=Express]


The Roanoke Express is through for another season - left to contemplate how a team that started so hot could again exit in the first round of the playoffs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night; :00]


Last night the Trenton Titans beat Roanoke 5-2 and won the ECHL opening round playoff series 3 games to 1. The Express battled for first place in the Northeast but struggled late in the season to reach the playoffs. However, the franchise has reached the post season in each year of its existence.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mike Peron/Express Center; :00]
[SUPER=01-Joe Dusbabek/Express Left Wing; :19]
[SUPER=01-Perry Florio/Express Head Coach; :33]
[RUNS=:49]
[OUT Q=......be with the team"]
(----------------)



[S-MLB]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-106]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]

Just one week into the big league season, the Tigers fired manager Phil Garner today. They also canned their general manager.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Denver, CO/MLB; :00]

On the positive side, the Astros Craig Biggio hit for the cycle today as Houston beat the Rockies 8-to-4. Biggio singled, then tripled in the third, hit a 2-run homer in the fourth and doubled in the 8th. The four hits are as many as he had all season.
(------------)


[Shuttle]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Atlantis Launch]


The Space Shuttle Atlantis is high above the earth tonight-
It lifted off late this afternoon on a mission to the international space station.
We leave you now with a look at today's launch. Good night.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT16:44:08]
[IN Q=]

((THREE, TWO ONE.... BOOSTER.. ))
[SUPER=03-Cape Canaveral, FL]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=nat sound.]
(------------)

by SS