WDBJ 7 morning news for 11/04/02

[11-24th-District]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-41 TC-29:06]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2002]
Election Day is almost here. The polls will open at six tomorrow morning, and the candidates are doing plenty of last minute campaigning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co.]

In the 24th district, Republican Ben Cline is hoping to become the state Delegate to fill Vance Wilkins seat for the next year.
He favors keeping taxes low, promoting job growth, and opposes abortion.
He spent part of the day campaigning in Amherst County.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:17]
[IN Q=The race is winding]
((BEN CLINE/(R) CANDIDATE FOR HOUSE OF DELEGATES: THE RACE IS WINDING UP TO A CLIMAX AND I'M JUST EXCITING ABOUT THE RECEPTION WE'RE GETTING FROM OUR POSITIVE CAMPAIGN BASED ON THE ISSUES AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO KEEP EMPHASIZING THOSE ISSUES.))
[SUPER=01-Ben Cline/(R) Candidate for House of Delegates; ]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=those issues]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington]

Cline's opponent is Democrat Mimi Elrod.
She supports education, economic development, and abortion rights.
She spent part of her day working the phones at her campaign headquarters in Lexington.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:46]
[IN Q=I'm very hopeful]
((MIMI ELROD: I'M VERY HOPEFUL. I AM A DEMOCRAT, THIS IS A REPUBLICAN AREA SO WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE AN UPHILL BATTLE BUT I'VE HAD A LOT OF WONDERFUL HELP.))
[SUPER=01-Mimi Elrod/(D) Candidate for House of Delegates; ]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=wonderful help]
(----------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2002]

Governor Warner will lend his help later today at a campaign stop in Lexington.

[11Rockbridge-Court]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-33 TC-2:04:07]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Voters in Rockbridge County and Lexington will have to choose whether to approve a new courthouse project.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington]

The current building in downtown Lexington is more than a hundred years old.
A referendum on the ballot would allow Rockbridge County and the City of Lexington to spend up to 13-million in bonds to build a new courthouse and parking deck.
Supporters say the current facility is cramped and inadequate, and does not provide enough security for visitors and court personnel.
Opponents say the project costs too much and would destroy a part of history.
Even if the referendum doesn't pass, the circuit court judge could condemn the building, and force the localities to construct a new courthouse.
(------------)

[11Patrick-School]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-43 TC-1:00:05]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Patrick County residents will decide another local issue-- the future of their schools.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Stuart/February]

The school board wants to build a middle school, arguing the current elementary schools are overcrowded.
The project would cost nearly 14-million dollars.
But some residents are opposed to any tax increase to pay for the school.
They also fear kids would have to travel long distances to get to the middle school.
If passed, the facility would most likely open by the 2004 school year.
(------------)

[11Voting-Rights]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-34 TC-1:28:00]
[GRAPHIC=none]
In most cases, convicted felons are prohibited from voting, but a recent change in policy is reinstating voting rights to certain non-violent offenders. Justin McLeod has the story of the first convicted felon to earn this right under new rules.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Aubrey Wingfield; :11]
[SUPER=@justin1; :55]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Franklin County]
((((NAT SOUND OF PULLING MATERIALS OUT OF ENVELOPE))
In this envelope is years of hard work.
It is work that finally gives Aubrey Wingfield the right to vote.
[SOT 1:40]
[IN Q=It will be a good]
((AUBREY WINGFIELD: IT WILL BE A GOOD FEELING, SOMETHING THAT I'VE MISSED DOING A FEW YEARS.))
[Runs= 07]
[OUT Q=doing a few years]

Years that go back to the 1960's.
Aubrey was caught making his own whiskey.
He paid a fine and has had no problems since.
But because he is a convicted felon, he lost his right to vote for life.
[SOT 6:10]
[IN Q=I can't dispute that]
((AUBREY WINGFIELD: I CAN'T DISPUTE THAT. THEY HAVE THEY'RE REASONS. IT'S A DETERRENT AND IT SERVES AS A DETERRENT.))

[Runs= 07]
[OUT Q=as a detterent]

The governor however does have the power to restore someone's voting rights.
So about five years ago, Aubrey filled out the 13 page application.
Finally three weeks ago, Governor Warner restored Aubrey's voting privileges.
[SOT 18:51:19]
[IN Q=There are hundreds]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CASES LIKE THIS ONE ALL ACROSS VIRGINIA, CONVICTED FELONS WHO CANNOT VOTE. THAT'S PARTLY WHY GOVERNOR WARNER CHANGED THE POLICY IN SEPTEMBER, MAKING IT EASIER FOR SOMEONE TO GET THEIR VOTING RIGHTS BACK.))
[Runs= 13]
[OUT Q=voting rights back]
((QUICK NAT SOUND OF AUBREY TALKING))
Aubrey is so far the first and only person in the state to regain his rights under the new rules. [GRAPHIC]
The new procedures make it easier to have your civil rights restored if your felony was non-violent, was not related to distribution of drugs, or if it wasn't pertaining to election laws.
The rules are designed for people like Aubrey Wingfield.
[SOT 3:24]
[IN Q=I like to have the right]
((AUBREY WINGFIELD: I LIKE TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE A SAY IN WHAT GOES ON IN MY COMMUNITY AND BE ABLE TO VOTE.))
[Runs= 07]
[OUT Q=be able to vote]

He says he will do just that at the polls on Tuesday.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Franklin County.))

[Bush-Election]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=George W. Bush]

President Bush is wrapping up a marathon campaign swing, just one day before Election Day.
He's hoping to tip the Senate scale in the G-O-P's favor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Today Bush will attend rallies for Republican candidates in Iowa, Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas.
On Sunday, Bush spoke in Minnesota for Norm Coleman.

Tonight the Senate candidate will debate his opponent Walter Mondale for the first and and only time.
(------------)

[Iraq]

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

In other news--
It appears that Saddam Hussein will NOT accept a U-S drafted resolution on weapons inspections, even if the United Nations approves it.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]

Iraq's foreign minister calls the resolution "evil" and says it "will never be accepted by anyone."
Yesterday, Saddam met with his airforce, telling the soldiers that Iraq is ready for war with the United States.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Stocks continued their October rally into November.
Jean Lee has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jean Lee/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=I'm JL, CBS Marketwatch in NY.]
((THE MARKETS SOARED IN THE FINAL HOUR OF TRADING TO FINISH THE WEEK ON A HIGH NOTE.

(Gphx)
THE DOW JUMPING 120 POINTS WHILE THE NASDAQ PUSHED UP NEARLY 31.

(OnCam)
MICROSOFT SHOT UP IN AFTER HOURS TRADING. FEDERAL JUDGE COLLEEN KOLLAR-KOTELLY HAS CONDITIONALLY APPROVED THE COMPANY'S PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF ITS FEDERAL ANTITRUST CASE. THIS SETS ASIDE MOST CALLS BY THE NINE STATES, THAT HAS WANTED STEEPER PENALTIES FOR THE SOFTWARE GIANT'S PAST VIOLATIONS. EXCEPT FOR ONE SECTION OF THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, THE JUDGE SAYS SHE S SATISFIED THAT THE PARTIES HAVE REACHED AN UNDERSTANDING, THAT SERVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

(Gphx/INTC/MOT/IBM)
OTHER WELL KNOWN HI-TECHS THAT GAINED INCLUDE INTEL, MOTOROLA AND IBM.

(OnCam)
SHARES OF CIGNA ALSO HAD A WINNING DAY. THE HEALTH INSURER ANNOUNCED THAT THIRD-QUARTER EARNINGS WERE ABOVE WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS.

(Gphx/CI)
INVESTORS FOCUSED ON THAT NEWS, RATHER THAN ITS ANNOUNCEMENT, THAT THE SEC HAS OPENED AN INFORMAL INQUIRY INTO THE COMPANY.

(OnCam)
AND THE AVERAGE INTEREST RATE ON A 30-YEAR FIXED-RATE MORTGAGE SANK TO 6.13 PERCENT THIS WEEK FROM 6.31 PERCENT LAST WEEK. THAT S ACCORDING TO A WEEKLY NATIONWIDE SURVEY BY BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS RATE ACTUALLY ISN T THE LOWEST WE VE SEEN IN RECENTLY. DURING THE WEEK ENDED OCTOBER 11TH, RATES ON A 30-YEAR FIXED DROPPED TO 5.98 PERCENT. THAT WAS THE LOWEST LEVEL FREDDIE MAC HAS SEEN, SINCE IT BEGAN TRACKING THEM IN 1971.

(Animation)
TRACK ALL THE LATEST ACTION AT CBS.MARKETWATCH.COM.

(OnCam)
AT THE NASDAQ I M JEAN LEE, CBS MARKETWATCH IN NY.))

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

[Airport-Security]

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

Raleigh- Durham International Airport has re- opened after temporarily shutting down because of a security breach.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Raleigh, NC;]

Officials say the metal detector went off when a man went through a security checkpoint yesterday.
However, authorities say the passenger passed through to the concourse without being wanded.
The incident closed the airport for about 50 minutes.
Officials were later able to catch the passenger, who they say did NOT realize he was called back after going through the metal detectors.
(------------)

[Alaska-Quake]

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

A major earthquake rocks a sparsely- populated area of Alaska--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Near Fairbanks, AK;]

Repair crews are looking for any damage to the Alaska pipeline after yesterday's quake.
Operators had to shut down the pipeline after the seven-point-nine magnitude quake triggered its automatic detection system.
No major damage or severe injuries were reported.
But its effects were felt as far away as Louisiana.
(------------)

[11Ferrum]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-37 TC-1:12:46]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The future of a divisive battle at Ferrum College should come to light later today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.]

The college has been considering moving the Blue Ridge Institute Farm museum to make way for a grocery store.
Last May, the college's board delayed the vote to allow the new school's president to give her opinion.
Last week, Dr. Jennifer Braaten told News 7 she supports keeping the museum where it is.
The board met over the weekend in Charlottesville and is expected to vote on the proposal.
(------------)

[11Civic-Center]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-39 TC-53:07]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Drivers on Interstate 5-81 will soon be able to see Roanoke Civic Center event information.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Last week, workers installed a new electronic sign in front of the civic center.
It will broadcast information on upcoming shows and traffic patterns just like the one on Williamson Road.
V-Dot was reluctant to sign off on the project because of fears the new sign would distract drivers on 581.
The Civic Center agreed to only change the message every eight seconds.
It should be up and running sometime next week.
(------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[11Budget-Cops]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC-11:24]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Law enforcement agencies have dodged budget cuts so far, but some worry their time might come soon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/October 15]

Two weeks ago, Governor Warner announced he's slashing 858-million dollars out of state government.
The Virginia State Police and sheriff's department escaped the cuts this round.
But at least one area sheriff fears cuts will come eventually and wonders what effect that will have on fighting crime.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 39:26]
[IN Q=It's going to be disastrous]
((FRANK CASSELL/HENRY CO. SHERIFF: IT'S GOING TO BE DISASTROUS TO US BECAUSE THE COUNTY CAN'T PICK IT UP. THEY'RE MORE BROKE THAN THE STATE.))
[SUPER=01-Frank Cassell/Henry Co. Sheriff; ]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=than the state]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./April]

In Henry County, any state cuts will most likely mean lay-offs.
Sheriff Cassell says he cannot cut personnel in the jail because of overcrowding so lay-offs will most likely have to come from road deputies.
(------------)

[11Ski-Resorts]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-38 TC-1:14:59]
[GRAPHIC=none]
It will soon be time to hit the ski slopes. Recent rain and cold temperatures have led some ski resort operators in Virginia and West Virginia to plan opening the slopes in the next few weeks.
(-----------)
[vo-nat ]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
In West Virginia, Snowshoe Mountain already has three inches of natural snow on the ground and was running its snow-making machines last week. At Massanutten near Harrisonburg, the season will start over the Thanksgiving weekend. (-----------------) Wintergreen Resort in Nelson County has not yet set an opening date.