WDBJ 7 morning news for 05/13/02

[11Airport]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-12 TC-1:15:24]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Over the next couple of weeks, National Guard troops will be exiting Virginia's airports. They've already left Lynchburg and today is their last day in Roanoke. The Virginia National Guard is completely moving out of state Airports by the end of the month, causing some concern among passengers. However, airport officials tell Justin McLeod that does NOT mean security will be forgotten.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Amanda DeHaven/Roanoke Regional Airport Spokesperson; :37]
[SUPER=@justin1; :51]
[SUPER=04-October 2001; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Roanoke]
((((NAT SOUND OF SUITCASE BEING WHEELED IN))
The next time you wheel into the Roanoke Regional Airport, you'll notice a change.
As of Monday, the National Guard will be gone.
[SOT 13:39:22; 13:44:14]
[IN Q=I feel better]
((DOUG McALLISTER/AIR-TRAVELER: I FEEL BETTER SEEING THEM HERE. A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.)) ((KATHERINE STECKMAN/AIR-TRAVELER: I THINK THAT IF THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE LEAVING US IN CAPABLE HANDS THEN I THINK ITS OK.))
[Runs= 08]
[OUT Q=think its ok]

The Virginia Army National Guard has helped with airport security since October, a result of the September 11th attacks.
President Bush requested the troops be posted in commercial service airports to provide increased security for the traveling public.
That job will now be taken over by the Transportation Security Agency.
[SOT 13:25:56]
[IN Q=Our own security officers]
((AMANDA DEHAVEN/ROANOKE AIRPORT SPOKESPERSON: OUR OWN SECURITY OFFICERS WILL BE TRANSISTIONING IN PLACE OF THE NATIONAL GUARD SO THERE WILL BE THE SAME LEVEL OF SECURITY AS THERE WAS BEFORE.))
[Runs= 08]
[OUT Q=there was before]

A level that will still include armed officers.
The only difference? They won't be in fatigues.
[SOT 13:52:13]
[IN Q=Another change here at]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: ANOTHER CHANGE HERE AT THE ROANOKE REGIONAL AIRPORT HAS TO DO WITH THE SHORT TERM PARKING. BEFORE YOU HAD TO PARK YOUR CAR, GET OUT AND HAVE YOUR CAR INSPECTED BY A GUARD. THAT PRACTICE ENDED A WEEK AGO.))
[Runs= 13]
[OUT Q=a week ago]
((NAT SOUND OF THE INSPECTION, FILE TAPE))
It was a practice that angered many.
All vehicles parked within 300 feet of a terminal had to be first inspected.
[SOT 13:44:48]
[IN Q=I'm very glad]
((VICKI STEVENS/MOTORIST: I'M VERY GLAD THAT THEY DON'T DO THAT ANYMORE CAUSE ITS REALLY INCONVENIENT FOR PEOPLE.))
[Runs= 04]
[OUT Q=for people]

But some fear making security more convenient will make it harder to provide safe and secure travel for passengers
Airport officials say security may not be as obvious, but that commitment will never go away. Justin McLeod, News 7, Roanoke.))

[Middle-East]

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

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says he won't stop working for his country's security and "real peace."
But he says he'll honor the vote of Israel's ruling political party, which rejected the idea of a Palestinian state.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bethlehem, West Bank;]

Prayers for peace continued throughout Bethlehem, as worshippers ended the first Sunday mass since the standoff ended at the Church of the Nativity.
Israel, meanwhile, has called off its incursion in the West Bank, at least for now.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:09:23]
[IN Q=We are not]
((WE ARE NOT SEEKING WAR, BUT RATHER A WAY TO DISMANTLE THE TERRORIST INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH IS THE FIRST PREREQUISITE,
IF WE ARE TO MOVE ON THE ROAD TO RENEWING THE POLITICAL PROCESS.")) [SUPER=01-Raanan Gissin/Israeli Adviser;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=political process.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Meanwhile, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has visited the Church of the Nativity.
It's part of Arafat's first trip outside his home base of Ramallah in six months.
(------------)

[Carter]

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

Former President Jimmy Carter has become the highest- profile American to visit Cuba since Fidel Castro came to power in 19-59.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Havana, Cuba;]

A Cuban band played the U-S national anthem to welcome Carter.
During his welcoming speech, Castro said Carter was free to meet with whoever he wanted, as well as tour bio-tech research facilities that the Bush administration has accused of developing biological weapons.
Carter says he and his wife traveled to Cuba as friends of the Cuban people.
He emphasizes that it's a private visit, and he won't be negotiating with the government.
(------------)

[11Power-Plant]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-19 TC-16:38]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Although there is still no developer, plans to build a power plant in Danville are still alive.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/April, 2001]

The (Mirr-ent) Mirant Corporation in February canceled plans to build a 400-million dollar natural gas power plant in the Airside Industrial Park.
One week later, the State Corporation Commission issued a permit for the plant.
City Leaders in Danville hope that approval will help attract a new buyer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:23:17]
[IN Q=I understand if someone]
((JOHN HAMLIN/DANVILLE MAYOR: I UNDERSTAND IF SOMEONE WERE TO COME IN THAT LICENSING PROCESS WHICH THE NEW COMPANY COULD POSSIBLY TAKE OVER WOULD NOT BE ANYWHERE NEAR AS LENGTHY AS WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE SO THEY CAN STEP IN AND NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT LONG PROCEDURE.))
[SUPER=01-John Hamlin/Danville Mayor]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=that long procedure]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But Mayor Hamlin says it could take up to two years to find a new developer for the plant.
Mirant pulled out of the project citing the global recession and falling energy prices.
(------------)

[6-Fire-Open-House]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
Roanoke County is opening its door to the public. This weekend, the county will host an open house at many of its fire and rescue stations. Tours will be available at all of the county's rescue facilities except Bent Mountain and Clearbrook.
(XXXXX)
[TAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE FS] Tours are scheduled for Saturday, May 18th from eleven A-M to three P-M. There will be free blood pressure checks for adults, and a chance for kids see the fire trucks and ambulances. Plus, folks will be on hand for those who want to learn more about becoming a volunteer.
(XXXXX)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Some major retailers are set to release their earnings reports this week. And I-B-M plans to layoff thousand of employees.
Alexis Christoforous has those stories and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=your local stocks]
(( RETAILERS ARE LINING UP TO REPORT THEIR EARNINGS, AMONG THE HEAVYHITTERS THIS WEEK, JC PENNEY, MAY DEPT STORES, WALMART AND TIFFANY. THE IPO MARKET IS ALSO HEATING UP. THE CLOTHING RETAILER AEROPOSTALE IS GEARING UP FOR ITS MARKET DEBUT AS ITS VERINT SYSTEMS, AN ANALYTICS SOFTWARE COMPANY. AMONG THE STOCKS TO WATCH: RELIANT RESOURCES .. THE COMPANY CANCELED A 500-MLN DOLLAR BOND OFFERING BECAUSE IT FAILED TO DISCLOSE ELECTRICITY TRADES THAT MAY HAVE INFLATED SALES. FED CHIEF ALAN GREENSPAN SAYS THERE'S NO BUBBLE IN THE HOUSING MARKET.. GREENSPAN SAID he views demand for homes as still strong, thanks in large part to a growing immigrant population tapping the real estate market. GREENSPAN ADDED THAT THE long-term prospects for the U.S. economy are "increasingly" good. ON WALL STREET.. LAST WEDNESDAY'S RALLY IS BUT A FADED MEMORY. STOCKS WENT BACK TO THEIR LOSING WAYS LATE LAST WEEK. THE DOW SANK 97 POINTS, LED LOWER BY INTEL AND MICROSOFT THE NASDAQ TUMBLED 49 POINTS OR 3 PERCENT. IBM WAS ONE OF THE PROMINENT LOSERS IN THE LAST SESSION. BIG BLUE PLANS TO LAYOFF ABOUT 9-THOUSAND WORKERS AS ITS COMBATS A SLOWDOWN IN I-T SPENDING.. IT'S BIGGEST ROUND OF JOBCUTS IN MORE THAN A DECADE. THIS WEDNESDAY IBM WILL ALSO HOLD ITS BI-ANNUAL ANALYST MEETING. TRACK ALL THE PRE-MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM ... AT THE NASDAQ I'M AC IN NY. ))

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

[Warwick-Arrest]

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

Grammy-winner Dionne Warwick was arrested at Miami International Airport after baggage screeners found marijuana in her lipstick container.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Miami, FL;]

The singer is charged with possession of marijuana.
She was released after promising to appear in court.
Warwick was in town to attend the American Red Ribbon Awards ceremony for her work in the fight against H-I-V and AIDS.
Warwick's sister says she thinks someone PLANTED the drugs. Deedee Warwick, told a Florida newspaper that she's sure her sister does NOT use drugs.
(------------)

[Med-Day]

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

In medical news,
Taking over the counter drugs for headaches can actually stimulate more headaches. And second-hand smoke can effect your child's learning abilities. Plus- the latest ultrasound technology for expectant parents.
Melissa McDermott has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Melissa McDermott/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:00]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

((IF YOU'RE TAKING OVER THE COUNTER MEDICINE TO GET RID OF A MIGRAINE, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE YOU'RE SETTING YOURSELF UP FOR MORE HEADACHES DOWN THE LINE. NEW RESEARCH SHOWS THAT OVER THE COUNTER PAIN RELIEVERS CAN CAUSE FREQUENT AND CHRONIC 'REBOUND' HEADACHES. THE KEY TO TREATING REBOUND HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES IS TO SLOWLY WEAN YOURSELF OFF ANY DRUG YOU'RE NOW TAKING ON A REGULAR BASIS. SECOND HAND SMOKE NOT ONLY HURTS YOUR CHILD'S LUNGS.... IT MAY ALSO HURT THEIR LEARNING SKILLS. A NEW STUDY SHOWS THAT CHILDREN EXPOSED TO SECOND HAND SMOKE SCORED SLIGHTLY LOW R ON STANDARDIZED TESTS OF READING, MATH AND REASONING SKILLS. THE RESULTS WERE PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PEDIATRIC ACADEMIC SOCIETIES. NEW ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY IS OPENING THE 4TH DIMENSION TO DOCTORS AND EXPECTANT PARENTS. THE SYSTEM TAKE 3-D IMAGES AND RUNS THEM IN REAL TIME. THE 4-D MODE OFFERS SOME INCREDIBLE PICTURES OF THE BABY IN ACTION. AND THOSE ARE SOME OF TODAY'S TOP HEALTH STORIES. I'M MELISSA MCDERMOTT, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK. ))

[11Glenvar-Science]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-21 TC-11:00]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Students at one local high school are "imagining" great things for the future.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

A Glenvar High School Destination Imagination team recently won first place at the state level.
They will now go on to compete in the global finals in Knoxville, Tennessee later this month.
That's where teams from all over the world will gather to display their creative-problem solving abilities.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:15]
[IN Q=We had to build]
((BILLY THOMSEN/GLENVAR HIGH SCHOOL: WE HAD TO BUILD A CAR CALLED THE GAME PIECE THAT WOULD TRAVEL TO FOUR DIFFERENT SPOTS ON THE GAMEBOARD AND WHEN IT GOT TO THOSE SPOTS IT WOULD HAVE TO USE A ODT TO SOMEHOW LAUNCH VARIOUS OBJECTS INTO THE RECEIVER.))
[SUPER=01-Billy Thomsen/Glenvar High School Student; ]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=into the receiver]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Although the team has won several regional and state awards, this is the first time they've competed at a national level.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:37]
[IN Q=I'm pretty excited]
((TRISTAN LECKIE/GLENVAR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: I'M PRETTY EXCITED BECAUSE I'VE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE 3RD GRADE AND WE'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET TO GLOBAL. SO IT TOOK US AWHILE TO GET TO REGION THEN WE FINALLY STARTED GOING TO STATE SO THE LEAST YEAR WE'RE DOING THIS WE'RE GOING TO GET TO GO GLOBAL SO THATS PRETTY COOL ABOUT THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Tristan Leckie/Glenvar High School Student]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=cool about that]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The trip will cost nearly three thousand dollars.
To help pay for it, the team is holding a garage sale next Saturday in the Woodbridge Neighborhood in South Salem.
(------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[11Roanoke-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-14 TC-1:04:27]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]

Two people were sent to the hospital after an accident in Roanoke County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

It happened just before noon yesterday on Kessler Mill Road just off Route 311.
Police say the driver of a green Toyota was heading towards Salem when she crossed the center line hitting a gold Chevrolet.
Both drivers were taken to Roanoke Memorial with minor injuries.
Police have charged Kira Mason with failure to maintain control of vehicle.
She is recovering from a fractured leg.
(------------)

[1st-Business]

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

In business news this morning, finding a job may be easier between July and September... And the Gap may close an estimated one hundred stores.
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=1:28]
[OUT Q=in Washington.]

((GOOD MORNING THIS MONDAY THE 13TH OF MAY. HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS MORNING.
-------------------------
THE EMPLOYMENT PICTURE MAY BE LOOKING UP. THE LATEST SURVEY, FROM MANPOWER INCORPORATED.. FINDS MORE COMPANIES WILL BE HIRING IN THE THIRD QUARTER. OF THE 16-THOUSAND FIRMS INTERVIEWED - 27 PERCENT SAID THEY PLAN TO ADD WORKERS JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER. BUT BY CONTRAST, EIGHT PERCENT SAID THEY HAVE PLANS TO DO SOME TRIMMING.
-------------------------
ON WALL STREET, HOPES ARE THAT STOCKS COULD GAIN TRACTION THIS WEEK ON ANTICIPATED "UPBEAT" TECH EARNINGS. THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT. THAT WAS THE CASE OVERNIGHT IN TOKYO WHERE STOCKS HAD THEIR BIGGEST TWO DAY DROP IN SEVEN WEEKS.
-------------------------
GAP STORES IS TRYING TO CLOSE THE GAP... BOTH ON SOME STREET CORNERS AND IN IT'S FINANCES. AFTER $7.8 MILLION IN LOSSES LAST YEAR, THE COMPANY'S C-F-O ESTIMATES 100 STORES WILL CLOSE THIS COMING YEAR.
-------------------------
MICROSOFT HAS TOLD MAJOR U.S. RETAILERS IT PLANS TO ANNOUNCE A PRICE CUT FOR ITS XBOX VIDEO GAME CONSOLE WITHIN DAYS..

TO JUMP START SALES AHEAD OF THE TRADITIONALLY SLOW SUMMER MONTHS. MICROSOFT RELEASED THE $299 XBOX LAST NOVEMBER, AND INDUSTRY ANALYSTS AND EXECUTIVES HAVE ESTIMATED IT HAD SOLD ABOUT TWO MILLION UNITS IN THE U.S. THROUGH MARCH 31. THE CONSOLE HAS NOT FARED WELL IN JAPAN AND EUROPE. MICROSOFT ALSO STILL TRAILS SONY BY 10-TO-1 IN TERMS OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ITS GAME CONSOLES IN THE MARKET.
-------------------------
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]

[11Truck-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-08 - TC-1:48:21]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
Some tense moments for the owner of a tractor trailer that caught fire in Botetourt County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :22+]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]
The cab of a tractor trailer caught fire shortly after 6 o'clock last night at a truck stop off of Interstate 81. Fire officials say leaking diesel fuel caught fire just as the rig driver was about to go to sleep. Another truck driver alerted him that his cab was on fire. The blaze was quickly extinguished, and did not spread to any other truck. Nobody was injured, the truck is a total loss. (------------)