WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 05/14/02

[News-Heads]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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[VO-NAT]

Straight ahead on News 7--
STATE charges are dropped against Virginia's former G-O-P leader.
But FEDERAL charges could be coming.
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[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]

And a national brand of cantaloupe is being removed from store shelves because of Salmonella contamination.

[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Leo]
The gusty winds will slowly diminish as we head through the day and the clouds will continue to decrease....I'll have your hometown forecast....

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[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]

News 7 at Noon starts right now...
[Noon-open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]
[SUPER=@Leo1; ]

[Eavesdropping]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-22 11:00]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at Noon]

GOP official Ed Matricardi is no longer under state indictment for wiretapping.
As expected, prosecutors today asked that the charges be dropped in order for federal authorities to take over.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

Matricardi walked into a Richmond courthouse facing four felony counts.
He walked out a man free from state prosecution.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
((NAT SOUND))
[RUNS=:03]
(------------)

Last week federal authorities joined the state investigation of eavesdropping that has also implicated the aides of Republican lawmakers.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION]
((BILL DINKIN/ASSISTANT COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION HAS EXPANDED GREATLY. IT HAS EXPANDED TO INDIVIDUALS AND PHONE CALLS THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND IT WILL BE OUTSIDE OF OUR OFFICE'S JURISDICTION AND THIS COURT'S JURISDICTION. WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE. STEVEN BENJAMIN/MATRICARDI'S ATTORNEY: WHAT THE COMMONWEALTH DONE IS TO INDICT MR MATRICARDI , ABANDON THE CASE AND LEAVE THE STENCH BEHIND.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Dinkin/Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney]
[SUPER=01-Steven Benjamin/Matricardi's Attorney]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=LEAVE THE STENCH BEHIND.]
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[VO-NAT]

The state will continue working with federal authorities.
No timeline has been set but it is expected that Matricardi will be charged with FEDERAL wiretapping.
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[Graphic=None]

Matricardi is accused of eavesdropping on a teleconference call between top state Democrats and their lawyers in which they discussed a G-O-P-authored redistricting plan.

[Salmonella]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Product Recall]

A national brand of fresh cantaloupe is being recalled because of Salmonella contamination.
Susie brand cataloupes are being pulled from the shelves after dozens of people across the country contracted Salmonella poona.
The Susie brand of cantaloupes were sold in retail stores and restaurants.
They have a shelf life of about seven to 10 days.
This form of Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain.

[11Franklin-Abuse]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-14 TC1:00:18]
[GRAPHIC=Noon]

A Franklin County couple has been charged with felony child neglect, after deputies found their daughter makeshift prison.
Marya Jones reports.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Trash bags]
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount; :00]
[SUPER=01-Heather Ferguson/Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney; :16]
[SUPER=01-Rose Yopp/Mother; :44]
[SUPER=@Marya2; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Franklin County.]
(( Trash bags are piled outside the Rocky Mount mobile home where sheriff's deputies say they found two little girls living in squalor.
They say a 3-year-old was kept caged in a makeshift cell -- a door bolted across the lower bunk of a bed she shared with her 6-year-old sister.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:59:39 - :52]
((HEATHER FERGUSON/ASST. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: THE SIX YEAR OLD INDICATED TO OFFICERS THAT SHE WAS LET OUT OCCASIONALLY. THEY KEPT HER IN THERE MOST OF THE TIME ... THAT WAS WHERE SHE ATE HER MEALS ... SHE HAD A DIAPER THAT APPEARED NOT TO HAVE BEEN CHANGED IN A LONG TIME. SO IT'S NOT CLEAR HOW LONG SHE WAS KEPT IN THERE.)) [RUNS:13]
Charles William Yopp and his wife, Rose, are charged with felony child neglect.
Their daughters are now being cared for by relatives.
Rose Yopp told News-7 she misses her children and did NOT abuse them.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:51:23 - :28]
((ROSE YOPP/MOTHER: I AIN'T GOT ANYTHING TO HIDE ... USE AGAINST ME IN COURT.)) [RUNS:05]
Authorities say they went to the house on an anonymous tip... only to find the interior covered in trash, roaches and human waste.
They say the youngest girl was malnourished, couldn't talk and had severe diaper rash.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:59:53 - :58]
((HEATHER FERGUSON/ASST. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: SHE HAD DIFFICULTY WALKING. IN FACT, WHEN THE OFFICERS TOOK HER OUT OF THE BOTTOM BUNK, SHE WAS UNABLE TO WALK ON HER OWN.)) [RUNS:05]
Prosecutors say the children are doing better now.
But they still COULD be returned to their parents custody after a trial this summer.
Felony child neglect carries a sentence of up to 5 years.
Marya Jones, News-7, Franklin County.))

[CA-Quake]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Broken plates and shattered nerves...
San Francisco Bay- area residents are cleaning up after last night's five-point-two magnitude earthquake.
Chris Lawrence has the story.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-San Jose, CA;]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA;]
[SUPER=01-Chris Lawrence/CBS News;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Lawrence, CBS News, Los Angeles.]
(
(NATZ) IT'S CLEANUP TIME FOR MERCHANTS IN GILROY, CALIFORNIA. (MORE NATZ) THE 5.2 EARTHQUAKE SHOOK THAT TOWN AND SEVERA
L OTHERS IN THE BAY AREA LAST NIGHT. SOT: MERCHANT "WE PROBABLY HAVE ABOUT 7000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGES AND LOST PRODUCT." I
T COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. PEOPLE FELT THE QUAKE 200 MILES AWAY, BUT NO TOWNS REPORTED SERIOUS INJURIES OR SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE. (NATZ OF ANNOUNCER) IN SAN JOSE...NHL HOCKEY ANNOUNCERS FELT THE JOLT...BUT PLAYERS ON THE ICE NEV
ER SLOWED DOWN. SOT: FAN "IT WAS REALLY SCARY, BUT KIND OF EXCITING." THE SAME THING HAPPENED IN SAN FRANCISCO DURING T
HE GIANTS GAME AT PAC BELL PARK. FANS FELT THE RUMBLE WHILE PLAY CONTINUED. SOT: "IT'S BEEN SO LONG, IT TOOK ME A MINUT
E TO REALIZE WHAT IT WAS." THE EXPERTS SAY THIS QUAKE WAS FELT OVER AN UNUSUALLY WIDE AREA BECAUSE IT WAS RELATIVELY SHALLOW. IT ONLY LASTED A MINUTE, BUT EVEN THAT'S A LONG TIME WHEN THE GROUND IS SHAKING BENEATH YOUR FEET. (S/U CHRIS LAWRENCE: ......EARTHQUAKES ON THE WEST COAST.....CHRIS LAWRENCE. CBS NEWS..LOS ANGELES.))

[Wildfires]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Fire officials say there's reason to suspect arson in the 11-hundred acre wildfire that threatened homes in Southern California.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rancho Santa Margarita, CA;]

The blaze is now contained, but came within yards of expensive canyon homes in Orange County-- just between Los Angeles and San Diego.
Heavy smoke forced a toll road and several county streets to be closed.
Relieved residents are now returning home after a voluntary evacuation.
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[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Coming up next, the city of Roanoke raises some fees as it tries to balance its budget.
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[VO-NAT ]

Also former President Jimmy Carter prepares to address the people of Cuba on national television.
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[music up full] [comm1]

[6City-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=02-06 TC1:55:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke City Council has approved a number of rate hikes to balance the 2002-2003 budget.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The budget does provide money to replace vacant firefighter positions.
Still, the President of Roanoke's Firefighter's Association reminded council that the city is still 30 positions below national standards.
He's encouraging council to work toward hiring that many.
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[SOT]
[tc:00:44:44]
[IN Q=Your decision in this]
((RODNEY JORDAN/FIREFIGHTER'S ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT: YOUR DECISION IN THIS ISSUE MAY SAVE A LIFE, IT COULD HAVE ALREADY SAVED A LIFE. THIS IS NOT MY OPINION, BUT THE CONCLUSION OF SEVERAL STUDIES OF THE FIRE SERVICE.))
[SUPER=01-Rodney Jordan/Firefighter's Association President]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=fire service.]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=Nont]

Mayor Ralph Smith protested a zoning fee hike, which stalled the meeting for about 15 minutes.
Councilman Nelson Harris then asked why the Mayor never brought up his concerns during the 60- day budget planning period.
Mayor Smith said he was just looking for a compromise.

[Carter-Cuba]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Former President Jimmy Carter will top off his historic trip to Cuba by addressing the Cuban people tonight in a televised speech.
Carter is the first American leader to visit the communist nation since Castro came to power.
Jim Axelrod has more.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Havana, Cuba; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jimmy Carter/Former President; :19]
[SUPER=01-Jim Axelrod/CBS News; 1:07]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=Axelrod, CBS News, Havana.]

(( V/O NARR: THE FORMER PRESIDENT HAS ALREADY PROVEN TO BE QUITE ACCOMPLISHED AT CAPTURING ATTENTION IN CUBA. NAT/from presentation NARR: AT A TOUR OF CUBA'S BIOTECH CENTER .. MR. CARTER ADDRESSED BUSH ADMINISTRATION: AT A TOUR OF CUBA'S
BIOTECH CENTER .. MR. CARTER ADDRESSED BUSH CAME UP DURING HIS PRE-TRIP BRIEFING. SOT/CARTER/ one purpose of this brie
fing was for them to share with us.. any concerns that my government had about possible terrorist activities. That were supported by Cuba. //there were absolutely no such allegations made n r questions raised. NAT/carter getting off the plane NARR: FROM THE TIME CARTER STEPPED OFF THE PLANE HERE.. THE BIO WEAPON ALLEGATIONS HAS BEEN FRONT AND CENTER. CUBA
N LEADERS DISMISSED U.S. CHARGES. they have to show.. at least one piece of evidence..SOT/ALARCON/ they have to show..
at least one piece of evidenWAS A NEW WRINKLE TO THE USUAL PATTERN OF US/CUBA DISPUTES. SOT/CARTER/ these allegations w
ere made.. maybe not coincidentally.. just before our visit to cuba. AXELROD/OC CLOSE TONIGHT.. CARTER MAY MAKE MORE HEADLINES.. ALTHO NOT THE KIND CUBAN LEADERS WILL LIKE AS MUCH AS YESTERDAYS. IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE THAT THIS INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE.. SAYING NOTHING ABOUT REPRESSION HERE.. WHEN ADRESSES THE NATION. JA, CBS NEWS, HAVANA ))

[Kids-Yoga]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Getting toddlers to settle down is often nearly impossible--
But some parents are finding that yoga not only helps THEM relax, but their little ones, as well.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]

It make look like a normal game of make- believe, but this is actually yoga for kids.
No more blankets-- these kids are using yoga mats.
They escape everyday stresses like toilet training and sibling rivalry by practicing yoga postures.
Teachers guide them through breathing and mediation, all with story- telling and games.
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[SOT 10:39:09 ]
[IN Q=They kind of]
((MELISSA BRASIER/KIDS' YOGA INSTRUCTOR: THEY KIND OF HAVE A TENDENCY TO SIT AROUND ALL DAY SO THIS KIND OF GETS THEM MOVING, GETS THEM USED TO WORKING WITH OTHER KIDS AND KIND OF, WE DO RELAXATION AT THE END AND IT CALMS THEM DOWN. ))
[SUPER=01-Melissa Brasier/Kids' Yoga Instructor;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=calms them down.]
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[VO-NAT]

After an hour of the so-called "inward journey," Brasier says most children go home happy, refreshed, and enlightened.
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[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Coming up next,
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[VO-NAT ]
we will tell you why one mountain biker ended up breaking more than a world record.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]

[Harrison-Ford]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

"Indiana Jones" wants to save the earth-- or at least the actor who played him does.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Boston, MA;]

Harrison Ford was honored with an environmental award from Harvard Medical School.
The school's Center for Health and Global Environment named Ford its Global Environmental Citizen for 2002 because of his commitment to worldwide conservation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:27:35]
[IN Q=I think we]
((HARRISON FORD/ACTOR AND ENVIRONMENTALIST: I THINK THAT WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE EARTH. WE HAVE AMORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO TRY AND PASS ON TO OUR CHILDREN AND GENERATIONS TO COME AN INTACT GLOBE. ))
[SUPER=01-Harrison Ford/Actor and Environmentalist;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=an intact globe.]
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[VO-NAT]

Ford has spent the last 10-years on the board of Conservation International, a group that works to protect endangered plant and animal species.
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[Cyclist-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A French cyclist was injured when he spun out of control while trying to break his own record.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Cerro Negro, Nicaragua;]

The accident happened at a sand- covered volcano in northern Nicaragua.
Eric Barone broke the world speed record for mountain biking last November, and he was hoping to ride even faster this time.
But seconds into his descent, Barone's bike snapped in two, hurtling the cyclist down the volcano.
Members of his team say Barone will be held for observation at a local hospital for at least five days.
No word on the extent of his injuries.
(------------)

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]

On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was UP 149. The NASDAQ was up 52.

[super=460-x/149/x/52;]

[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Coming up next, Wytheville honors one of its favorite native sons,
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[VO-NAT ]
And then a little later, we'll tell you why some Star Wars fans are contracting Skywalker Flu...its an ailment that could cost U-S business 300 MILLION dollars this week.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]

[S-Award]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-119]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 sports]
Top high school athletes gathered at the Wyndham Hotel last night for the B'nai B'rith athletic and achievement awards banquet. Steve Mason has more on the night's top honors.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Steve Wojciechowski/Duke Assistant Basketball Coach; :18]
[SUPER=01-Jared White/Artie Levin Personal Life Award Winner; :43]
[SUPER=01-Tom Hagan/B'nai B'rith Overall Male Winner; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Lauren Davis/B'nai B'rith Overall Female Winner; 1:17]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:28]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=...News 7 sports"]
(----------------)

((Salem's Nick Schmitt, Cave Spring's Tom Hagan, Lord Botetourt's Jared White and Amber Graham and Craig County's Heather St. Clair, just a few of the 30 student athletes that made up arguably the most star studded Cast of B'nai B'rith recipients. They would listen to a coach on the rise in Duke assistant Steve Wojciechowski. ((:))
To make the appearance, the guest speaker flew in on the red eye from the Nike camp in Las Vegas. If one gambled on Botetourt's star receiver winning the Artie Levin Personal Life Award for outstanding community service, jackpot. ((:))
Hagan received the overall male B'nai B'rith award. In addition to staring in baseball, football and basketball he is one of Cave Spring's 2002 Valedictorians. ((:)) Franklin County's Lauren Davis, a 4.05 GPA student who played softball and basketball, is recovering from knee surgery. Winning eased her pain.)) ((:)) ((:))

[S-King]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-120 13658TC]
[GRAPHIC=NEW 7 SPORTS]
Another big award was handed out in another part of town last night. William Byrd's Adam Phlegar received the prestigious "King Family Scholarship."
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
Phlegar picked up a 10- thousand dollar scholarship from the good folks at Blue Hills. Adam has a three-point- five- six grade point average, and he wrestles, plays football, and soccer. Plus, he spends a lot of time helping others.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=bite]
[SUPER=01-Adam Phlegar/King Family Scholarship Winner; :00]
[SUPER=01-Brenda King/King Family Scholarship Committee; :12]
[SUPER=01-Johnny King/King Fanily Scholarship Committee;:24]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=...proud of him."]

[talent=Kim]
[graphic=news 7 sports]
Phlegar's dad is a longtime member at Blue Hills, and his grandfather has been a member there for 40 years.

[S-ROY]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mbr]
[TAPE#=SP-111]
[GRAPHIC=Roy Obit]
The Wytheville Town Council paid tribute to our late friend Roy Stanley Miller last night by adopting a resolution recognizing Roy's career and contributions to Wytheville, as well as to the rest of Southwest Virginia.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Whereas...]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=...outstanding public service."]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wytheville; :00]
Roy's wife Katie, daughter Keisha, son Chris, father Roy Miller, Senior, and other family members were on hand at the meeting to receive framed copies of the resolution adopted in Roy's honor. Wytheville Town council decided to honor Roy with the resolution as a way of saying thank you for his 30 years of service to the area.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The whole community...]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Sutherland/Town Manager & Roy's Former Classmate; :00]
[SUPER=01-Trent Crewe/Wytheville Mayor; :18]
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=...throughout Roy's life."]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
If you'd like to honor Roy, his family has asked that contributions be made to the Wytheville Training School Cultural Center located on Franklin Street in Wytheville.
(XXXXX)
[TAKE FS BOARD] You can find more information by clicking on the "sports" link on our webpage, wdbj7.com.
(XXXXX)

[Skywalker-Flu]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

The next Star Wars movie opens this Thursday and there are some estimates that the opening will cost workplaces more than 300 million dollars in lost productivity.
As Tom Lawrence show us, there's about a million people waiting for the big opening.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-"Lucasfilms"]
[SUPER=01-Tom Lawrence/Reporting; :30]
[SUPER=01-Don Weinstein/Star Wars Fan; :48]
[RUNS=1:07]
[OUT Q=300 million dollars.]
((THE STAR WARS OFFICIAL WEBSITE IS WHERE MOST FANS ARE GETTING PREVIEWS AND ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION ABOUT EPISODE TWO.. ATTACK OF THE CLONES. THE INTERNET IF FULL OF WEBSITES OFFERING STAR WARS STUFF.. SOME OF IT ILLEGAL TO HAVE AND DOWNLOAD. FILE SHARING SITES OFFER DOWNLOADS OF THE ENTIRE MOVIE. IT TAKES HOURSE TO COMPLETE EVEN WITH A HIGH SPEED CONNECTION

(STANDUP - "Now I'm not downloading the movie, just a trailer which can also be found on the official website.")

LUCASFILMS MADE THE MOVIE AND WANTS AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PIRACY. DON WEINSTEIN.. A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL STAR WARS FAN GROUP IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT PREVIEW. THEY HOPE THE NEWEST LUCAS CREATION WILL DO AS WELL AS SPIDERMAN.

(SOT - WEINSTEIN "It's got a long way to go before it gets to 220 million dollars but I think we're very excited about
how episode two is going to do.")
LOCAL FANS ARE ANXIOUS TO GET THEIR SEATS AND ARE PLANNING EVENTS AROUND THE OPENING. THERE'S SOMETHING GOING AROUND CALLED SKYWALKER FLU. MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO CALL IN SICK OR PLAY HOOKY FROM THEIR JOBS THURSDAY. ONE OUTPLACEMENT FIRM SAYS THAT COULD COST COMPANIES MORE THAN 300 MILLION DOLLARS.))

[REPRS@CL] SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends [SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]