WDBJ 7 morning news for 12/16/02

[NBC-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC-45:17]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Smoke damage means a day off from school today, for students at the National College of Business and Technology.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
Salem and Roanoke City firefighters responded to a trash fire shortly after 6 last night. Officials say the fire was contained five minutes after they arrived. The real damage was caused by smoke. The heating system was on when firefighters arrived and carried smoke all over the building.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:08:06]
[IN Q=We're mainly concerned]
((FRANK LONGAKER/NATIONAL BUSINESS COLLEGE PRESIDENT: WE'RE MAINLY CONCERNED WITH SMOKE DAMAGE RIGHT NOW AND IF WE CAN GET THAT CLEARED OUT PRETTY PROMPTLY THEN WE HOPE TO BE BACK IN OPERATION AS SOON AS WE CAN.))
[SUPER=01-Frank Longaker/College President;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=soon as we can]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Fire officials estimate the damage at 25- thousand dollars. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. College officials say they'll spend today cleaning the inside of the building.
(+++++++)
[SCHOOLTOUCH FULL] Again, day classes are canceled at the National College of Business and Technology, but staff are asked to report to work on time.
(------------)

[Burrow]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-41 TC-1:22:48]
[GRAPHIC=Burrow]

The federal fraud case against the former D-Day memorial president could go to the jury later today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Friday]

Closing arguments are scheduled to begin this morning in the trial of Richard Burrow. He is accused of defrauding the state and two banks of millions that the Memorial Foundation used to help build the Memorial in Bedford.
Prosecutors say Burrow misrepresented the foundation's financial health when he applied for loans.
Burrow testified Friday that he fully expected donors to make good on millions in outstanding pledges.
(------------)

[Armstrong-73]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-46 TC-43:14]
[GRAPHIC=Interstate 73]
Now that any further expansion work on Route 58 is halted, a state legislator says plans for I-73 could see a similar fate.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :26+]
[SUPER=03-Patrick Co./File Tape;]
Delegate Ward Armstrong says a 272 million dollar shortfall in funding for Route 58 projects revealed last week is likely to put the Interstate 73 project on indefinite hold. Armstrong says he's not sure if the Virginia Department of Transportation will ever commit to the needed planning and development for I-73. The proposed interstate has been on the drawing board for years, and in our area would connect Interstate 81 to the North Carolina border.
(------------)

[2Gore]

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

Al Gore is clearing a major hurdle on the road to the White House for some fellow Democrats--
Gore has taken himself out of the running in the 2004 Presidential race.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-"60 Minutes";]

The former Vice President made the announcement last night on "60 Minutes".
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I personally]
[SUPER=01-Al Gore/Former Vice President;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=for me to do.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Gore says he fears a re- match with President Bush would place too much focus on the past, and not enough on the future.
He adds that he expects his former running mate, Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman to go for the job.
(------------)

[Lott]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Trent Lott]

As the questions continue over whether Trent Lott should remain in power, the Republican Senate Leader will make his case tonight on Black Entertainment Television.
His spokesman says Lott will use the appearance ``to discuss the serious issues of diversity, opportunity and race in America.''
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

At least three Republican senators want the party to meet to decide Lott's future.
The controversy ignited over racially- charged remarks the Mississippi Senator made at retiring Senator Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday party.
Lott has repeatedly apologized for the comments.
(------------)

[2Rams-Cards]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]
In sports, a second-half Arizona rally came close, but the St. Louis Rams managed to pull out a close one last night.
After trailing 24-7 at halftime, the Cardinals rally to take a 28-27 lead, but a late field goal gives St. Louis the victory, 30 to 28. Now let's check out the scoreboards.

[NY-Transit]

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

A strike is now UN- likely for thousands of subway and bus workers in New York.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

The union representing them says it's made enough progress in contract negotiations to suspend a midnight strike deadline.
Intense talks are continuing, as workers stay on the job.
Some 34- thousand employees had been poised to strike if they didn't receive a contract with raises and new work rules.
The city was also prepared for a transit strike.
Businesses chartered buses, and residents bought bikes and organized car pools.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, there's no year-end rally in sight yet on Wall Street.
Ed Crane has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning. Investors]
[SUPER=01-Ed Crane/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=CBS Marketwatch.]

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

[Seat-Belts]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-49 TC-17:00]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Governor Warner has more than the budget on his agenda, when state legislators return to Richmond next month. Warner will propose changes in Virginia's seat belt law.
But as Justin McLeod reports, that may be easier said than done.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Phillip Copley/Motorist; :09]
[SUPER=@markwarner; :24]
[SUPER=@justin1; :46]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. C.D. Jessee/Virginia State Police; 1:21]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Roanoke County]
(( Every time he gets behind the wheel, Phillip Copley makes a point to buckle up.
[SOT 30:41]
[IN Q=It's very important]
((PHILLIP COPLEY/MOTORIST: IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO WEAR MY SAFETY BELT ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING IN THREE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS.))
[Runs= 05]
[OUT Q=automobile accidents]

But not everyone does what Phil does.
Only about 70-percent of motorists here in Virginia buckle up.
Now Governor Warner is pushing tougher traffic safety laws.
[SOT 19:30]
[IN Q=We're going to propose]
((GOV. MARK WARNER: WE'RE GOING TO PROPOSE A PRIMARY SEAT BELT LAW SO THAT FAILURE TO WEAR A SEAT BELT WILL BECOME A PENALTY JUST LIKE SPEEDING OR ANY OTHER KIND OF THE RULES OF THE ROAD INFRACTION.))
[Runs= 11]
[OUT Q=road infraction]

That penalty would be a twenty five dollar fine.
Currently, police may ticket motorists only if the officer initially pulls the driver over for another traffic violation.
[SOT 50:31]
[IN Q=17 states including]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: SEVENTEEN STATES INCLUDING NORTH CAROLINA HAVE PRIMARY SAFETY BELT LAWS. NOW THIS ISSUE HAS COME UP HERE IN THE PAST IN VIRGINIA BUT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN DEFEATED. THE LAST TIME WAS IN THE YEAR 2000 WHERE THE LEGISLATION FAILED BY A 50/50 VOTE IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.))
[Runs= 15]
[OUT Q=in the House of Delegates]

Governor Warner plans to push for the seat belt law in the upcoming legislative session which begins January 8th.
Opponents argue the law could lead to an invasion of privacy.
[SOT 31:27]
[IN Q=Eventually you will be]
((PHILLIP COPLEY/MOTORIST: EVENTUALLY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PULLED OVER FOR EVERYTHING AND THAT'S NOT RIGHT.))
[Runs= 04]
[OUT Q=not right]

But law enforcement supports the measure arguing it could save lives.
[SOT 41:35]
[IN Q=It's very important]
((SGT. C.D. JESSEE/VA STATE POLICE: IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, WE'RE LOSING PEOPLE FOR JUST A SIMPLE THING OF JUST NOT BUCKLING UP THEIR SEAT BELTS AND IF YOU CAN SAVE ONE LIFE BY DOING IT THEN IT'S WORTH THE EFFORT TO DO IT.))
[Runs= 10]
[OUT Q=effort to do it]

The General Assembly will have the final say but it's clear this is not going to be an open and shut case.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Roanoke Co. ))

[Bedford-Ride]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=02-52 TC-51:48]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A year-old transportation program in the Bedford area appears to be moving smoothly.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford;]
Last week, the Bedford County Board of Supervisors heard a presentation about how the "Bedford Ride Program" is changing lives. The idea for the program came about a few years ago when a task force determined non-emergency transportation was a major need in Bedford and surrounding areas.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:59:38]
[IN Q=As you know we]
((ROGER HENDERSON/BEDFORD COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION: AS YOU KNOW WE HAVE NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM HERE AND THERE ARE A TREMENDOUS NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE HAVING PROBLEMS ACCESSING THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM DUE TO INABILITY TO GET A RIDE TO AND FROM THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE, TO AND FROM CHEMOTHERAPY, TO AND FROM DIALYSIS, PHYSICAL THERAPY AND MANY OTHER HEALTH DESTINATIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Roger Henderson/Bedford Community Health Foundation;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=other health destinations]
[VO-NAT]
(------------)
The program got off the ground about a year ago and now serves clients in Bedford City, Bedford County and surrounding areas. Eleven vehicles and more than one- hundred drivers help transport people to medical appointments or to a pharmacy. Henderson says the program is so successful because it involves neighbors helping neighbors.
(------------)

[2NBC-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC-45:17]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

A small fire is causing some big problems at the National College of Business and Technology, at least for today. Students there have a day off from school.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
Salem and Roanoke City firefighters responded to a trash fire shortly after 6 last night. Officials say the fire was contained five minutes after they arrived. The real damage was caused by smoke. The heating system was on when firefighters arrived and carried smoke all over the building.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:08:06]
[IN Q=We're mainly concerned]
((FRANK LONGAKER/NATIONAL BUSINESS COLLEGE PRESIDENT: WE'RE MAINLY CONCERNED WITH SMOKE DAMAGE RIGHT NOW AND IF WE CAN GET THAT CLEARED OUT PRETTY PROMPTLY THEN WE HOPE TO BE BACK IN OPERATION AS SOON AS WE CAN.))
[SUPER=01-Frank Longaker/College President;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=soon as we can]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Fire officials estimate the damage at 25- thousand dollars. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. College officials say they'll spend today cleaning the inside of the building.
(+++++++)
[SCHOOLTOUCH FULL] Again, day classes are canceled at the National College of Business and Technology, but staff are asked to report to work on time.
(------------)

[2Burrow]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-41 TC-1:22:48]
[GRAPHIC=Burrow]

A federal jury in Lynchburg may begin deliberating the case the former D-Day Memorial President later today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Friday]

Closing arguments are scheduled to begin this morning in the trial of Richard Burrow. He is accused of defrauding the state and two banks of millions that the Memorial Foundation used to help build the Memorial in Bedford.
Prosecutors say Burrow misrepresented the foundation's financial health when he applied for loans.
Burrow testified Friday that he fully expected donors to make good on millions in outstanding pledges.
(------------)

[Judge-Crash]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC-15:51]
[GRAPHIC=Judge Jones]
A Chatham area judge and his mother remain hospitalized with serious injuries, following a head-on collision Friday afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 02-40 tc 1:53:39]
Judge George Jones is in guarded but stable condition-- his mother Doris is in critical condition. Jones has served as a General District Judge in Franklin and Pittsylvania counties for the past eight years.
(----------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]
The accident happened in Cumberland County... when state police say the driver of another vehicle crossed the center line.

[2Marketwatch]

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

In business news, December has been a downer for stocks .. at least for the first two weeks.
As we begin the third, Ed Crane has more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning. Investors]
[SUPER=01-Ed Crane/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=CBS Marketwatch.]

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

[Sex-Abuse]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Word is just in from Rome that the Vatican has approved a revised policy by American bishops to deal with sex abuse in the clergy. The approval had been expected. Differences between the Vatican and the bishops in the original plan were worked out by a joint panel last month. This follows an increasing number of reported sex abuse incidents involving Catholic priests in the U-S.

[2Seat-Belts]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-49 TC-17:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It's no secret that using seat belts can save lives, but many Virginians still choose not to buckle up. Governor Warner wants to toughen the state's enforcement next year, in hopes of seeing seat belt use increase.
But as Justin McLeod reports, that may be easier said than done.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Phillip Copley/Motorist; :09]
[SUPER=@markwarner; :24]
[SUPER=@justin1; :46]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. C.D. Jessee/Virginia State Police; 1:21]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Roanoke County]
(( Every time he gets behind the wheel, Phillip Copley makes a point to buckle up.
[SOT 30:41]
[IN Q=It's very important]
((PHILLIP COPLEY/MOTORIST: IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO WEAR MY SAFETY BELT ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING IN THREE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS.))
[Runs= 05]
[OUT Q=automobile accidents]

But not everyone does what Phil does.
Only about 70-percent of motorists here in Virginia buckle up.
Now Governor Warner is pushing tougher traffic safety laws.
[SOT 19:30]
[IN Q=We're going to propose]
((GOV. MARK WARNER: WE'RE GOING TO PROPOSE A PRIMARY SEAT BELT LAW SO THAT FAILURE TO WEAR A SEAT BELT WILL BECOME A PENALTY JUST LIKE SPEEDING OR ANY OTHER KIND OF THE RULES OF THE ROAD INFRACTION.))
[Runs= 11]
[OUT Q=road infraction]

That penalty would be a twenty five dollar fine.
Currently, police may ticket motorists only if the officer initially pulls the driver over for another traffic violation.
[SOT 50:31]
[IN Q=17 states including]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: SEVENTEEN STATES INCLUDING NORTH CAROLINA HAVE PRIMARY SAFETY BELT LAWS. NOW THIS ISSUE HAS COME UP HERE IN THE PAST IN VIRGINIA BUT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN DEFEATED. THE LAST TIME WAS IN THE YEAR 2000 WHERE THE LEGISLATION FAILED BY A 50/50 VOTE IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.))
[Runs= 15]
[OUT Q=in the House of Delegates]

Governor Warner plans to push for the seat belt law in the upcoming legislative session which begins January 8th.
Opponents argue the law could lead to an invasion of privacy.
[SOT 31:27]
[IN Q=Eventually you will be]
((PHILLIP COPLEY/MOTORIST: EVENTUALLY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PULLED OVER FOR EVERYTHING AND THAT'S NOT RIGHT.))
[Runs= 04]
[OUT Q=not right]

But law enforcement supports the measure arguing it could save lives.
[SOT 41:35]
[IN Q=It's very important]
((SGT. C.D. JESSEE/VA STATE POLICE: IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, WE'RE LOSING PEOPLE FOR JUST A SIMPLE THING OF JUST NOT BUCKLING UP THEIR SEAT BELTS AND IF YOU CAN SAVE ONE LIFE BY DOING IT THEN IT'S WORTH THE EFFORT TO DO IT.))
[Runs= 10]
[OUT Q=effort to do it]

The General Assembly will have the final say but it's clear this is not going to be an open and shut case.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Roanoke Co. ))

[3NBC-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC-45:17]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Students at the National College of Business and Technology have the day off, after a small but smoky fire damaged the school's interior.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
Salem and Roanoke City firefighters responded to a trash fire shortly after 6 last night. Officials say the fire was contained five minutes after they arrived. The real damage was caused by smoke. The heating system was on when firefighters arrived and carried smoke all over the building.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:08:06]
[IN Q=We're mainly concerned]
((FRANK LONGAKER/NATIONAL BUSINESS COLLEGE PRESIDENT: WE'RE MAINLY CONCERNED WITH SMOKE DAMAGE RIGHT NOW AND IF WE CAN GET THAT CLEARED OUT PRETTY PROMPTLY THEN WE HOPE TO BE BACK IN OPERATION AS SOON AS WE CAN.))
[SUPER=01-Frank Longaker/College President;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=soon as we can]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Fire officials estimate the damage at 25- thousand dollars. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. College officials say they'll spend today cleaning the inside of the building.
(+++++++)
[SCHOOLTOUCH FULL] Again, day classes are canceled at the National College of Business and Technology, but staff are asked to report to work on time.
(------------)

[3Burrow]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-41 TC-1:22:48]
[GRAPHIC=Burrow]

Closing arguments are scheduled to begin this morning in the trial of Richard Burrow.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Friday]

That means the federal fraud case against the former D-Day memorial president could go to the jury later today. Burrow is accused of defrauding the state and two banks of millions that the Memorial Foundation used to help build the Memorial in Bedford.
Prosecutors say he misrepresented the foundation's financial health when he applied for loans.
Burrow testified Friday that he fully expected donors to make good on millions in outstanding pledges.
(------------)

[2Judge-Crash]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC-15:51]
[GRAPHIC=Judge Jones]
A Chatham area judge is still hospitalized with serious injuries from a head-on collision Friday. So is his mother.

(------------)
[VO-NAT 02-40 tc 1:53:39]
Judge George Jones is in guarded but stable condition-- his mother Doris is in critical condition. Jones has served as a General District Judge in Franklin and Pittsylvania counties for the past eight years.
(----------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]
The accident happened in Cumberland County... when state police say the driver of another vehicle crossed the center line.

[2Sex-Abuse]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Word is just in from Rome that the Vatican has approved a revised policy by American Catholic bishops to deal with sex abuse in the clergy. This follows increasing revelations of such incidents involving Catholic priests in this country.
The Vatican has released a letter pledging to ``combat and to prevent such evil.'' It also says it wants to defend ``the good name of the overwhelming majority of priests and deacons.''

[Gore]

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

Possible candidates for the Democratic Presidential nomination are praising Al Gore's decision NOT to run in 2004.
That opens the field to at least a half-dozen others considering a bid for the White House.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-"60 Minutes";]

The former Vice President made the announcement last night on "60 Minutes".
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I personally]
[SUPER=01-Al Gore/Former Vice President;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=for me to do.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Gore says he fears a re- match with President Bush would place too much focus on the past, and not enough on the future.
He adds that he expects his former running mate, Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman to go for the job.
(------------)

[Garrison-Lott]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=02-51 TC-20:54]
[GRAPHIC=Trent Lott]

Meanwhile, a future in politics is still questionable for Trent Lott.
Three Republican Senators, including John Warner, are calling on their party to meet to decide Lott's fate.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Senator Majority Leader said recently the country would have been better off if the segregationist candidate had taken the White House in 1948.
Senator Lott has repeatedly apologized for his comments some have called racist.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

One person who knows Lott is former Commonwealth's Attorney Sam Garrison.
The Roanoke attorney worked with Lott during Nixon's impeachment.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:29:26]
[IN Q=Over those months]
((SAM GARRISON: OVER THOSE MONTHS I PROBABLY HAD SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK AND I HEARD HIM TALK ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS AND FRANKLY I NEVER HIM UTTER A THING THAT CAME ACROSS TO ME AS RACIST.))
[SUPER=01-Sam Garrison/Former Commonwealth's Attorney]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=me as racist]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Garrison says he can't defend what Lott said, but believes the Majority Leader did not mean any harm.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Lott, meanwhile, will make an appeal to minorities tonight when he's scheduled to appear on Black Entertainment Television to talk about the incident.

[Rams-Cards]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Sports]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]
In sports, a second-half Arizona rally came close, but the St. Louis Rams managed to pull out a close one last night.

(------------)
[VO-NAT Server: Carinals/Rams]
[SUPER=03-St. Louis/ESPN;]
Coach Mike Martz watched an early lead slip away. In the second quarter, Drew Bly takes in the punt, heads toward the left sideline, and takes off from there -- a 78 yard return. It's 10-nothing Rams. By halftime it was 24-7 St. Louis, but the Cardinals come back. Jake Plummer and Marcel Shipp hook up on a big play-- an 80 yard touchdown pass. An Arizona interception led to another score, and the Cardinals took the lead later in the game, but a late field goal gives the Rams the victory, 30 to 28. Now let's check out the scoreboards.
(------------)
[3-HEADLINES] [Kim at BAM]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Here's what's making news today.
(+++++++)
[TAKE SCHOOLTOUCH FS]
Classes are canceled today for students at the National College of Business and Technology in Salem.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

That after a trash fire broke out just after 6 last night.
Officials say firefighters contained the blaze in about five minutes, but it was smoke that caused the most damage.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Jurors may get the case today involving former D- Day Memorial President Richard Burrow.
Closing arguments are set for this morning.
Burrow is accused of defrauding the state and two banks of millions of dollars.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And there's one less Democrat making a run for the White House.
Former Vice President Al Gore announced last night on "60 Minutes" that he will NOT be a Presidential candidate in 2004..
(----------------)

[Monday-Manuscript]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Monday Manuscript 8016 OTS]

His earliest memories take place during post-World War Two Germany.
Franz Beisser was among those who had to evacuate his country as a child, and eventually learned to become a U-S citizen.
He's now a local author who's written a book about the experience.
(++++++++++)
[TAKE FS BOOK COVER]
It's called "A Time and Place: The Making of an Immigrant."
(++++++++++)
[Performance Set 2-Shot]
Good Morning, Franz. Thanks for being here.
[SUPER=01-Franz Beisser/Local Author;]

(Your book goes back to your childhood, when you first immigrated here from Germany-- Can you briefly tell us what happ
ened?)

(Was it painful for you, dredging up all those memories?)

(And you're donating a portion of the proceeds from the book to the D-Day Memorial Foundation...)

(Will these special edition copies be available before Christmas?)

[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]

Thanks so much for joining us today, Franz and good luck with the book.
(++++++++++)
[TAKE WEB PAGE FULL SCREEN]
If you'd like to order a copy the book, "A Time and Place-- The Making of an Immigrant", it's available on Franz Beisser's web site, which you'll find by linking on to our web page, W-D-B-J-7-DOT-COM.
(+++++++++++)

[Winner]

(Steve announces name)

[SUPER=45-Lois Combs/Roanoke;]