[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]

Unemployed workers in Southside have their fingers crossed for a Christmas gift from Congress.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :08]

And, friends of a man accused of illegally sending money to Iraq say he's may be punished for doing a good deed.
(------------)



[Sports-head]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

In sports, The V-Foundation, Lewis Gale, Dominos and Roanoke College are teaming up to fight cancer again this year in their basketball tournament, West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriquez talks about UVa's defense
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and Deion Sanders trading in the red and gold for silver and black? Maybe.
(------------)


[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Leo]
[SS=None]


Another chance for a white Christmas comes as mainly rain but it will be on the colder side I'll have your forecast.

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]


News 7 at Six is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]




(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 22:02:37]
[IN Q=THAT LETS]

((THAT LETS YOU KNOW WE'RE NOT PULLING UP AS FAST AS WE WOULD HOPE.))
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=HOPE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The number of unemployed workers remains high in Southside Virginia. Their wish this Christmas? A much needed extension.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]


Good evening, I'm Shannon Young. Keith Humphry is off tonight.

[Unemployment]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-44 TC1:33:36]
[GRAPHIC=NEws 7 @ 6]

Regular unemployment benefits are set to run out on December 28th. For people without work, it means the prospect of new year with no money to live on or pay bills. A payment extension can only be put in place by Congress.
Rachel Cannon reports Southside may be hit hardest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Michael Gee/Unemployment Applicant; :10]
[SUPER=01-Barbara Redd/VA Employment Commission; :26]
[SUPER=@Rachel2; :52]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=RC, News 7, Martinsville.]

(([Walking in] Michael Gee is like so many others in Southside. He was laid off from a textile plant and is collecting unemployment. In his case since April.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:12:56]
[IN Q=i juts]

((MICHAEL GEE/UNEMPLOYMENT APPLICANT; I JUST GOT A LETTER IN THE MAIL SAYING MY REGULAR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WERE EXHAUSTED SO I CAME UP TO FILE FOR TEMPORARY.))
[OUT Q=TEMPORARY.]

The Martinsville Virginia Employment Commission office say thousands are in the same spot. While receiving monthly assistance, they haven't been able to find steady jobs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:56:13]
[IN Q=with the]

((BARBARA REDD/VA EMPLOYMENT COMMISSION; WITH THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS BEING AS THEY ARE IT'S BEEN RELATIVELY DIFFICULT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE TO COME UP WITH EMPLOYMENT SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT IN 26 WEEKS TIME.))
[OUT Q=TIME]

Redd says V-E-C offices are still taking applications for the temporary extension but that they don't know what will happen. Congress would have to put the continued payments in place.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:59:19]
[IN Q=we try]

((WE TRY TO BE UPBEAT POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING TO OUR CUSTOMERS BUT WE HAVE TO GIVE THEM THE FACTS.))
[OUT Q=the facts]

If the extension happens, local officials are hoping they will be retroactive and begin immediately. For Michael Gee, it's more than just help paying the bills.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:13:13]
[IN Q=I HOPE THEY ]

((I HOPE THEY DO IF I DON'T GET THEM I WONT BE ABLE TO FINISH THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF OF SCHOOL.))
[OUT Q=SCHOOL]

An education that he hopes will get him off unemployment benefits for good. Rachel Cannon, News 7, Martinsville.))

[Pitts-Murder]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]


Authorities in Pittsylvania County have a suspect in yesterday's fatal shooting.
They've issued an arrest warrant for a 23-year-old man, believed to be in the Danville area.
(XXXXXXXXXX)

[TAKE PINNACLE]
Samuel Jones, also known as "June Bug" is six feet tall, weighs 160 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes.
He may be driving a burgundy 1993 Toyota sedan.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=Shooting]


Authorities found the car this afternoon; still no sign of Jones.
Jones is wanted for the murder of 30-year-old Jonathan Edward Neal of Hurt.
Neal was found shot to death near an old quarry.
The sheriff's department isn't saying what might have led to the shooting.

[Poindexter]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=502-01 TC3:04:17]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation]


The suspect in a deadly Roanoke fire has been on the run since May.
Now he's one of the most wanted fugitives in the U-S.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Jermaine Donnell Poindexter is now on the U-S Marshals Service Top 15 Fugitive List.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/May 5]


The May fire at Hurt Park claimed the lives of Alice Jackson and her two small boys.
Poindexter- -also known as Askia Shabazz- - fled the area shortly afterwards, but Marshal Wayne Pike says he's confident he'll be found.
(------------)



[Iraq-Money]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-41 TC1:42:00]
[GRAPHIC=Mailk Almaliki]


Friends of an Iraqi man being held by federal authorities say he's paying a high price for helping them.
The government says Malik Al Maliki conspired to launder money and send it to Iraq... but his friends say he was helping them get money to their families.
He had a detention hearing before a federal magistrate in Roanoke today. [***Almaliki in Monitor***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Marya /Pulpit;]


Marya Jones was there and joins us now with more.
Shannon, the U-S magistrate said Al Maliki would have to stay in jail for the time being.
[LIVE= Marya /FULL Pulpit]
[SUPER=@Marya1;]


He'll consider releasing him on bond again after two main defendants in the case have their detention hearings in Seattle, Washington, tomorrow.
Dozens of Al Maliki's friends from Roanoke's Iraqi community are lobbying for his release ... saying his only crime was helping them send money to the families they left behind.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Khalil Al Shaimri/Friend; :19]
[SUPER=01-Hussein Al Saady/Friend; :55]
[RUNS=1:04]
[OUT Q=to travel with him.]

(( About 30 people showed up to defend their friend Malik Al Maliki.
Most, like Khalil Al Shaimri (Al- Sha-marry), see him as a hero.
He says Almaliki helped him wire hundreds of dollars to support his wife and children, whom he's trying to bring to the U-S.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:02:42]

((KHALIL AL SHAIMRI/FRIEND: WE RUN AWAY FROM SADDAM HUSSEIN LOOKING FOR THE FREEDOM, LOOKING FOR THE FREE. AND WE NEVER FORGET OUR FAMILY, WE NEVER FORGET OUR KIDS. SO THIS WHAT HE DID ... HE JUST SENT OUR MONEY TO OUR FAMILY. THAT'S IT. SO I DON'T THINK THIS IS A CRIME.)) [RUNS:13]
The federal government says it IS a crime.
Al Maliki is charged with violating an executive order that forbids anyone in the U-S from sending money to anyone in Iraq.
He'll eventually be sent to Seattle, Washington, to face the charges along with 11 other men accused of the same thing.
His friends say they're part of the reason he's in trouble and they'll support him to the end.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:19:02]

((HUSSEIN AL SAADY/FRIEND: IF THE JUDGE DECIDES HE'S GOING TO HAVE MALIK ON BOND, WE'RE GOING TO PAY THE LAST PENNY AND IF THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE MALIK TO SEATTLE, WE'RE GOING TO TRAVEL WITH HIM.)) [RUNS:09]))
(-------------)
[LIVE=Marya/FULL Pulpit]


His friends did come prepared to put up money -- and even their houses -- to pay Al Maliki's bond.
The federal magistrate said even though there was NO reason to believe the money funded terrorists OR Saddam Hussein, Al Maliki would have to stay in jail.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & MArya /Pulpit;]


He'll have another chance to ask for bond later this week, after defendants in Seattle have THEIR detention hearings.
Shannon?

[Train-Fatal]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Roanoke police have identified the man struck and killed by a train over the weekend.
Police say 50-year-old James L. Lee had been staying at the City Rescue Mission, and had family in the area.
Lee had also been living in Chicago, and once lived in Wytheville.
Police say Lee was sitting on the tracks behind a business on Kimball Avenue Saturday afternoon when a passing Norfolk Southern train hit him.
His companion was also hit, but refused medical treatment.

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=NONE]


Virginia's Junior Senator says Republicans have learned from the Trent Lott controversy.
We'll hear from George Allen next on News 7 at Six.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]


Plus the Commonwealth's budget crisis may claim another casualty-- the V-Wil program at Mary Baldwin.
(----------------)



[Allen]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=02-48 TC33:08]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Virginia's U.S. Senators joined fellow Republicans in picking a doctor to heal the wounds left by Trent Lott.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC]


Tennessee heart surgeon Bill Frist is the new Senate majority leader.
John Warner, George Allen and other GOP senators took part in a telephone conference call this afternoon to name Frist as Lott's replacement.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We all have learned]

((SEN. GEORGE ALLEN/(R) VIRGINIA: WE ALL HAVE LEARNED FROM THIS, WE'RE ALL MORE UNDERSTANDING I THINK THAN SOME MIGHT HAVE BEEN OTHERWISE. MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD.))
[SUPER=@Allen;]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=we're looking forward.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Allen says the Republican agenda includes the war on terrorism, and tax cuts.
The vote naming Frist came just a few days after Lott resigned the leadership job over remarks he made praising South Carolina's Strom Thurmond.
(------------)



[VWIL]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC54:22]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Virginia is home to the nation's only all-female cadet corp.
But now, the state's budget crunch is throwing into question the future of Mary Baldwin's Virginia Women's Institute of Leadership.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Meghan/Newsroom Pod]


Meghan Muldoon joins us with the details.
Governor Mark Warner dealt a huge blow to V-WIL on Friday by zeroing out the state's funding for the program.
[LIVE=Meghan Full/Newsroom Pod]
[SUPER=@Meghan1;]


But Mary Baldwin officials and graduates of the program say its worth the money and they plan on fighting to get it back.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=UNDER GOVERNOR WARNER'S]
[SUPER=03-Staunton; :00]
[SUPER=01-Crista Cabe/Mary Baldwin Spokesperson; ::!5]
[SUPER=01-Trimble Bailey Spitzer/VWIL Graduate; :47]
[RUNS=1:43]
[OUT Q=GET A CHANCE.]

((Under Governor Mark Warner's proposed budget, students returning to V-WIL next fall will need to pay an extra 74-hundred dollars in tuition -- money that was previously provided by the state.
Officials at Mary Baldwin say the tuition hike may force some students out of the program. [TC 00:02:45]
[IN Q=THAT'S A HUGE CHUNK]

[RUNS:12]
[OUT Q=THEY NEED THE SUPPORT.]


The Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership was created by the state as an alternative for women at a time when the Virginia Military Institute was all-male.
Now that V-M-I is co-ed, V-WIL officials admit some lawmakers may feel that their program is no longer necessary.
But supporters say the program is unique and deserving of the state's limited resources. [TC 00:15:37]
[IN Q=you have completely different]

[RUNS:20]
[OUT Q=here in Virginia.]

[TC 00:05:47]
[IN Q=THE STUDENTS CAME HERE]

[RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=REALLY BETRAYED.]


V-WIL supporters say it would be a shame if Virginia loses the program and that they will work with their representatives in the General Assembly to try to restore the funding. [TC 00:04:39]
[IN Q=IT'S A GOOD DEAL]

[RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=IN THE STATE.]


[TC 00:16:31]
[IN Q=I THINK THERE]

[RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=GET A CHANGE.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE=MEghan Full/Newsroom Pod]


Mary Baldwin officials say the college is committed to the program and determined to keep it going.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Meghan/Newsroom Pod]


They intend to invite the Governor to visit the school to see for himself what a worthwhile investment it is for the state.

[Pet-Travel]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=02-40 TC2:04:09]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Travel]


Vacationing with your pet over the holidays can be a real treat if you remember a few tips.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Veterinarians say it's important to keep your pet's routine as normal as possible when traveling. Remember to pack their food, but don't feed them too much before you depart.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:46:27]
[IN Q=You definitely want to]

((DR. KAREN BOWMAN/HANGING ROCK ANIMAL HOSPITAL: YOU DEFINITELY WANT TO AVOID A HEAVY MEAL BECAUSE ONE, IF THEY GET NERVOUS EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT USED TO GETTING CAR SICK OR SOMETHING ALONG THAT LINE, SOMETIMES THEY MAY HAVE TO STOP MORE FREQUENTLY AND YOU CERTAINLY DON'T WANT THEM NAUSEATED THE WHOLE TIME IN CASE THEY DO DECIDE TO GET CAR SICK AND IF THEY'RE EMPTY THEY'RE LESS LIKELY TO DEVELOP THE MOTION SICKNESS.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Karen Bowman/Hanging Rock Animal Hospital;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=the motion sickness]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Drugs like Dramamine help with motion sickness, but can have side effects so Bowman suggests pet- owners use them sparingly. If traveling by plane or train she says it's important to find out what your pet will need and if your carrying crate is acceptable to the company.
(------------)



[Stocks]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Stocks ended a lightly traded pre-holiday session with mixed results. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/18.03/8493.29/x/18.63/1381.68;]


The DOW dropped 18 points.
NASDAQ gained 19.
(-------------)

[VO]
[SUPER=271-i/0.25/49.05/i/0.54/27.24/h/1.27/63.22/i/0.19/70.11/i/0.01/11.68;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.27/6.55/i/0.89/54.41/i/0.12/36.98/i/0.22/25.73/i/0.16/6.64;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.85/43.30/h/0.32/15.22/i/0.16/19.63/i/0.13/2.27/h/0.28/41.40;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.49/10.83/i/0.92/57.35/i/0.10/39.90/i/0.23/37.20/i/1.20/49.59;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]


[Pulaski-Fund]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-47 TC16:35]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[****ANCHOR TAG****]
His life was cut short a week ago following a car accident.
Now, the family of a Pulaski County High School student is hoping to keep his memory alive through others.
New River Valley Bureau Chief Myranda Stephens has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=he was a quiet]
[SUPER=03-Dublin; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Levy/Track Coach; :20]
[SUPER=@Myranda2; 1:09]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=News 7, Dublin]
(([SOT 15:25]

[RUNS :05] ((HE WAS A QUIET GUY, HAD A REAL DRY SENSE OF HUMOR. HE WAS FUNNY 15:30)) Michael Casseri was a junior at Pulaski County High School, who excelled both IN and OUT of the classroom. He ranked eighteenth in his class and last year, won first place in a district championship meet for track and field.
[SOT 10:31]

[RUNS :07] ((HIS FATHER HAD GOTTEN HIM A NEW DISCUS WHICH WAS AN 80-PERCENT RIM DISCUS. HE WAS REALLY THROWING IT WELL AND WE HAD A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS YEAR I BELIEVE 10:38)) But, those aspirations came to an end on the night of December 13th. While driving to visit his girlfriend, Michael ran off the road and struck a tree. The news of his death took a toll on both his classmates and the entire community.
[SOT 11:48]

[RUNS :10] (( HIS MOM WAS A TEACHER HERE, HIS DAD WAS A TEACHER AND A COACH HERE SO IT REALLY IMPACTED THIS COMMUNITY VERY TRAUMATICALLY 11:58)) But, Michael's memory will now live on through a scholarship fund set up by his parents. Already it's gotten overwhelming support.
[SOT 12:31]

[RUNS :11] ((WITHIN THE FIRST THREE OR FOUR DAYS OF DECIDING THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN THEY HAD ALREADY COLLECTED ALMOST TWO-THOUSAND DOLLARS AND RIGHT NOW THE FUNDS STANDS AT JUST ABOUT THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS 12:42)) Micheal's parents plan to hand out the scholarship in 2004, the year Michael would have been a senior. A way of remembering his spirit, while helping out those just like him. Myranda Stephens, News 7, Dublin.))
(XXXXXXXX)

[WIPE TO FULL SCREEN BOARD]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]


The Michael (KUH-sehr-ee) Casseri Scholarship will be awarded to a track and field athlete, who demonstrates leadership and is at the top ten-percent of his or her class.
Donations to the fund can be made care of Coach Levy at Pulaski County High School.
5414 Cougar Trail Road in Dublin. The zip code is 24084.
(-------------)



[Sports tease]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


Words from both the West Virginia and Virginia camps on each others football teams, is Deion coming out of retirement?
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and we will visit with Roanoke College head basketball coach Page Moir who is teaming up with coaches all across the country to fight cancer.
(------------)



[S-VT]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-133 2:00:23]
[GRAPHIC=Tire Bowl]


The forecast for the December 28th 11 am Continental Tire Bowl between Virginia and West Virginia is calling for temperatures as high as 45 to 50 degrees.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00]


Like the weather, the outcome of the game cannot be accurately predicted. But West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriquez does know the UVa defense quite well, thanks to his experience as the offensive coordinator at Clemson.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="]
[SUPER=01-Rich Rodriquez/West Virginia Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:29]
[OUT Q=.....good careers"]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Morgantown, WV;]


That UVa defense will be put to the test against a running attack ranked second in the nation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Kwakou Robinson/UVa Defensive End; :07]
[SUPER=01-Shernard Newby/UVa Senior Safety; :18]
[RUNS=:42]
[OUT Q=.......up for the challenge"]
(-------------)



[S-ACC]


[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-127 20014TC]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]


The postseason parade of college football bowl games began at 5:30 today with the Clemson Tigers tangling with the Red Raiders of Texas Tech in the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando. This bowl game is a desirable one, because not only do the players get to spend a week in Orlando, but they also get home for the Holidays.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=THEY GET REWARDED....]
[SUPER=01-Tommy Bowden/Clemson Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=22]
[OUT Q=...OF THEBOWL GAME."]
(----------)



[S-Deion]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-135 26:17]
[GRAPHIC=Redskins]


Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is clearing a path for former Redskin Deion Sanders to play for the Oakland Raiders if the former cornerback decides to come out of retirement.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ashburn; :00]


Reports surfaced today that Sanders, now a football analyst for CBS who retired after the 2000 season, has talked to the Raiders about playing for them. Oakland confirmed yesterday that the club had contacted the 35 year Sanders who played 11 years in the NFL. Snyder is a fan of Al Davis and, thought the Redskins still have the seven time pro bowlers rights, would let him play for the Raiders.
(------------)



[S-Dazzle]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Dazzle]


The Roanoke Dazzle is in action tonight at the Roanoke Civic Center. The Dazzle takes on a 6 and 7 Mobile team at seven o'clock. Roanoke comes into the game at 4 and 9 on the season.

[S-Cancer]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-139 7:04]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke basketball]


The 10th annual Lewis Gale-Dominos Pizza Jimmy V Foundation Roanoke College charity basketball tournament is next week. December 30 and 31st. As always, coaches from the bigtime on down have chipped in for a great cause.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]


Roanoke College head coach page Moir sends out a letter every year to college coaches as well as NBA players asking them to donate items for the auction and raffle at the tournament. The response is always incredible. The event has raised over 60 thousand dollars and the goal this year is 10 grad. It is always an encouragement when the heavy hitters give.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Page Moir/Roanoke Men's Basketball Coach; :08]
[RUNS=:46]
[OUT Q=items from them"]
(------------)

[anchor-steve]
[graphic=roanoke hoops]

The four team tournament includes Roanoke, Mount Union, Merryville and Transylvania.
by SS