[News-Heads]

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[VO-NAT]

President Bush continues dialing for diplomacy, in efforts to gain support for a U-N resolution giving Iraq a new ultimatum.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]


And Virginia's Lieutenant Governor is heading back to school.
We'll explain why, coming up.
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=LEO]
[SS=None]

A cloudy start with scattered snow showers will lead to some sunshine as we head through the afternoon. I'll have your forecast.
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[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY 2-Shot]


News 7 at Noon starts right now...

[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


As the standoff with Saddam Hussein drags on, the world waits for the next vote from the United Nations.
(------------)



[Iraq]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]


Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
In other developments, there's word that Iraq has forced U-S surveillance flights to be grounded..by threatening planes already in the air.
These are flights approved by the U-N.
Aleen Sirgany is in Washington with the latest on the diplomatic stand-off over Iraq.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Tony Blair/British Prime Minister;]
[SUPER=03-Cairo, Egypt;]
[SUPER=03-Kuwait;]
[SUPER=01-Paul Lyall/British Wing Commander;]
[SUPER=01-Aleen Sirgany/CBS News;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Sirgany, CBS News, Washington, DCTERMS.]

(( A VOTE WONT HAPPEN TODAY, BUT THE WHITE HOUSE MAINTAINS IT WILL HAPPEN THIS WEEK. FACING VETO THREATS FROM RUSSIA AND FRANCE, THE U.S AND BRITAIN HAVE DELAYED A VOTE UNTIL AT LEAST THURSDAY ON A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ IF IT DOES NOT DISARM BY MARCH 17H. AND NOW THERES TALK IRAQ MIGHT BE GIVEN AN EXTENDED DEADLINE, THOUGH THE WHITE HOUSE REJECTED A PROPOSAL TO PUSH IT BACK BY A FULL MONTH. BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR IS CHALLENGING SKEPTICAL LEADERS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

(SOT)TONY BLAIR/BRITISH PRIME MINISTER

"If countries talk about using a veto in all sets of circumstances, the message that sends to Saddam is: 'you're off the hook'."

(SUPER: CAIRO, EGYPT)

THE ARMY GENERAL WHO WOULD LEAD AN IRAQI INVASION IS TOURING ARAB STATES IN A PUSH FOR SUPPORT. IN CAIRO TODAY, GENERAL TOMMY FRANKS MET WITH EGYPTIAN LEADER HOSNI MUBARAK, WHO IS CALLING FOR DIPLOMACY, NOT WAR.
HOPING TO AVOID WAR, IRAQ DESTROYED MORE AL-SAMOUD MISSILES TODAY.
BUT WAR PREPS CONTINUE. IN KUWAIT, U.S AND BRITISH HELICOPTER UNITS PRACTICE SEARCH AND DESTROY MISSIONS, AND REHEARSE HANDING OUT HUMANITARIAN AID. MANY SOLDIERS SAY THEY'RE GETTING TIRED OF WAITING.
(SOT) PAUL LYALL/BRITISH WING COMMANDER: "I think the delay is

frustrating for my troops yes, we have been here for a month, we are trained and prepared."

(STANDUP)

TURKEY DECIDING))

[Moran]


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


The potential war with Iraq is prompting some Jewish leaders to call on Virginia Congressman James Moran to resign.
The Democrat is apologizing for what he calls "insensitive remarks" he made during a forum last week at a church.
At the forum, Moran said if it weren't for -- quote -- ``the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq, we would not be doing this.''
The leader of a Washington- based Jewish group says Moran has made disparaging comments about Israel in the past.


[Kaine]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-02 1:00:25]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Virginia's Lieutenant Governor is getting a look at Roanoke Valley schools first hand.
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[VO-NAT L17]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

The democrat today visited William Fleming High School, meeting with students and touring the Roanoke campus. Earlier in the day he stopped by Salem High School. Kaine says he pledged to visit one school in every district in the Commonwealth to see for himself how budget issues were affecting education.
(///// SOT at :17 /////)
[SOT 24:03-24:25]
[IN Q=The funding need is intense...]
[SUPER=@Kaine;]

((TIM KAINE/LT. GOVERNOR: THE FUNDING NEED IS INTENSE, EVEN THE LEGISLATURE ACKNOWLEDGED THE STATE WAS UNDERFUNDING ITS PORTION BY ABOUT 600-MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. AND I SEE THAT PLAYED OUT IN COMMUNITY AFTER COMMUNITY ... BUILDINGS AREN'T RENOVATED, TEACHERS WHOSE SALARIES AREN'T WHAT THEY SHOULD BE 'CAUSE THE STATE'S NOT HELPING OUT.))
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q='cause the state's not helping out.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :12]

On the plus side, Kaine says he's seeing teachers and parents being innovative in the way they teach the SOL curriculum. He says he's pushing the state to be a "partner" in the process.
(------------)



[OPEC]


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


With the backdrop of world uncertainty, OPEC delegates have arrived in Vienna.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vienna, Austria;]


They're meeting to prepare contingency supply plans, in the event of war in Iraq.
Several OPEC members say they want to avoid a sharp rise in oil prices, saying that could damage the global economy, leading to lower demand and, in time, much lower prices.
OPEC supplies more than a third of the world's crude oil.
(------------)



[Gas-Prices]


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


For many Americans, driving has become almost a luxury because of rising fuel costs.
The average price per gallon reached a dollar- 75 last week, just below the all-time record.
While oil companies are blaming the uncertainty over Iraq, many drivers are blaming the oil companies.
John Blackstone reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dennis DeCota/Gas Station Owner; :17]
[SUPER=01-Bill Lockyer/California Attorney General; :30 VERY QUICK]
[SUPER=01-John Blackstone/CBS News; :33]
[SUPER=01-Tim Cohelan/Attorney; :53]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=Blackstone, CBS News, San Francisco.]

((Drivers everywhere are feeling the pinch at the pump, in California its painful.
DENNIS DeCOTA/Gas Station Owner JB: "TWO TWENTY FIVE FOR A GALLON OF REGULAR." DeCOTA: "HIGHEST PRICE I'VE EVER CHARGED."
Dennis DeCota has been running his station near San Francisco for 25 years.
JB: "PEOPLE LOOK AT THESE PRICES AND THINK YOU'RE CLEANING UP." DENNIS: THEY DO. INCLUDING MY OWN FAMILY! IT'S EMBARRASSING!!
But it's the big oil companies that set the prices. California's Attorney General has been investigating charges of gouging.
BILL LOCKYER, CA ATTY GENERAL "NO SMOKING GUN-BUT WE ALL THINK WE HEARD A SHOT."
STANDUP THE OIL COMPANIES BLAME FEARS OF WAR, AND HERE IN CALIFORNIA NEW POLLUTION RULES, BUT OTHERS SAY COMPETITION IS DISAPPEARING.
GRAPHIC: A wave of mergers has brought together the biggest oil companies. In California the mergers have left just a handful of giants dominating the business from refineries to the corner gas station.
TIM COHELAN, ATTORNEY "THE PRICES ARE OVER $2 A GALLON. BUT THAT'S JUST AN ARBITRARY NUMBER AND WE'RE NOT DONE YET. THE WAY WE'RE GOING THERE'S NO REASON WHY IT COULDN'T BE $3 A GALLON."
Tim Cohelan has filed a lawsuit accusing oil companies of price fixing in California. And he says the same practices that have made prices so high here are now spreading across the country. Jb cbs news sf ))
[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


A study says that 15 to 20 percent of the people in our region lack health insurance. We'll have the details after the break.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]

Plus, we well see how new technology is helping some heart patients avoid surgery.
(---------------)

[music up full] [comm1]

[Amplatzer]


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


A new remedy can help the thousands of people born with holes in their hearts avoid open heart surgery.
Dr. Sean Kenniff tells us about this new technology.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Miami, FL; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bibi Khan/Heart Patient; :10]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Joi Chandar/Cardiologist; :28]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Sean Kenniff/CBS News; 1:14]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=CBS News]

((BIBI KHAN WOKE UP ONE DAY WITH HEART PALPITATIONS. HER DOCTOR DISCOVERED THAT SHE HAD A HOLE IN HER HEART...AND IT'S BEEN THERE HER ENTIRE LIFE.

SOT: BIBI KHAN/HEART PATIENT

"I couldn't believe that i had this all my life, because i had two kids already and i thought the problem would surely arise by that time."
USUALLY DIAGNOSED IN CHILDHOOD...THESE HOLES CALLED A-S-Ds CAN BE DANGEROUS...AND OFTEN REQUIRE OPEN HEART SURGERY TO CORRECT. DR. JOI CHANDAR IS THE CARDIOLOGIST WHO TOOK CARE OF MRS. KAHN.

SOT: DR. JOI CHANDAR/MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS

"This was traditionally, over 30 or 40 years, was always closed with open heart surgery."
BUT NOW ALL THAT'S CHANGED WITH THIS...A NEW NON-SURGICAL SOLUTION...CALLED AMPLATZER. INSERTED THROUGH A VEIN IN THE GROIN...THE AMPLATZER USES TWO SMALL DISCS CONNECTED BY WIRE MESH TO CLOSE THE HEART DEFECT. ITS A SIMPLE PROCEDURE AND MOST PATIENTS CAN LEAVE THE HOSPITAL WITHIN 24 HOURS.

SOT: CHANDAR

"...You can get the procedure done as an outpatient procedure. There's no scar on the chest. No pain goes with the procedure, which is a major advantage psychologically is that it's not as scary as an open heart proceedure."
BIBI'S PROCEDURE WAS A COMPLETE SUCCESS, RESCUED BY AMPLATZER AND RELIEVED SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO SUFFER THROUGH THE SURGERY.

SOT: BIBI

"I was very happy to have it done without open heart surgery. It lasted only two hours, I didn't feel a thing and there was no complication afterwards."
THE AMPLATZER PROCEDURE IS ALSO FELT TO BE AS EFFECTIVE AS OPEN HEART SURGERY AND IT HAS LESS SIDE EFFECTS. DR. SEAN KENNIFF, CBS NEWS.))

[AM-Health-Insurance]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=03-08 TC 23:32]
[GRAPHIC=Health Insurance]

While the advancements in medical technology are encouraging, many Virginians can't even afford basic care, because they lack health insurance.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Last night, the Roanoke Valley Academy of Medicine held a town hall meeting to raise awareness and discuss possible solutions. According to the Virginia Health Care Foundation, approximately 15- percent of Virginians are UN-insured, even though the majority work full or part time jobs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's a a terrible problem]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Edward Murphy/Carilion Health Systems President & CEO; ]

((DR. EDWARD MURPHY/CARILION CEO: IT'S A TERRIBLE PROBLEM THAT AFFLICTS ALL PARTS OF SOCIETY. THE WORKING, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED, AND AS THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE GROWS THAT DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, IT'S PUTTING A LARGER AND LARGER BURDEN ON ALL OF THE REST OF US TO PAY THE BILLS. ))
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=pay the bills.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

In the Roanoke Valley, nearly 14 percent of residents are uninsured. In Danville and Pittsylvania County, officials say more than 21 thousand residents do not have health insurance.
(------------)



[6City-Cemetery]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-54 TC1:48:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Lynchburg's busiest tourist spot has a new reason to celebrate.
It took some effort, but the community has given new life to an old landmark.
Steve Smallshaw has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For 175 years]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jane White/Old City Cemetery; :14]
[SUPER=01-Randy Parr/Lynchburg Restoration Inc.; :41]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :57]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]

(( For 175 years, it has stood guard over Lynchburg's oldest burial ground.
But the years had taken their toll on the brick wall that used to surround Old City Cemetery, so a couple of years ago, an effort began to save what was left.
[SOT 2:06:15]

((JANE WHITE/OLD CITY CEMETERY: BECAUSE WE'RE SO HILLY, DRAINAGE WAS AN ISSUE, AND THE WALL WAS LEANING IN PLACES, IT ALREADY HAD SOME BAD CRACKS IN ADDITION TO JUST PLAIN BEING, TO THE OBVIOUS PROBLEMS THAT YOU COULD JUST PULL IT APART))

[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=pull it apart.]


Randy Parr's restoration company won the bid to restore the wall, donating a good portion of the work to the cause.
Expert masons repointed crumbling mortar, shored up sagging sections and replaced others with handmade brick.
[SOT 2:02:03]

((RANDY PARR/LYNCHBURG RESTORATION INC.: IT'S NICE TO BE A PART OF THIS CEMETERY BECAUSE I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE KIND OF UNDERESTIMATED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CEMETERY AND WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO FOR LYNCHBURG IT'S LIKE A MAGNET PULLING PEOPLE TO IT.))
[RUNS= 16]
[OUT Q=people to it.]

[Standup 3:06:42] ((Restoration of the wall took about a year and a half and 130-thousand dollars to complete. The money came from both large and small private donations, from a 40-thousand dollar grant to 77 dollars in lunch money from a group of local school children.))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=local school children.]
[SOT 2:05:46]

((JANE WHITE: IT MAKES YOU VERY PROUD THAT EVEN THOUGH IT USED TO BE A MILE LONG, THIS IS ONLY 800 FEET, AT LEAST YOU SAVED THAT LITTLE PIECE AND YOU CAN TELL THAT STORY.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=tell that story.]
[natsot windchimes 2:49:37]
[RUNS= 02]


It's a story with something for everyone.. from history to horticulture.. and one that's enjoyed by 15-thousand visitors every year.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg. ))
[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Next on the newscast, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame welcomes its new class.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

Plus the lights will be shining bright on Broadway again as striking musicians reach a new deal with theater owners.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]



[Broadway-Strike]


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


The neon lights will be shining once again on Broadway.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]


After four days of picketing and an overnight negotiating marathon, Broadway's musicians and producers have reached a tentative agreement.
The strike began on Friday afternoon, shutting down nearly all musical performances.
At issue, the number of musicians who'd be hired to play at each of the musicals.
But tonight, the shows will go on.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's regular curtain]

((IT'S REGULAR CURTAIN TIMES TONIGHT. WE EXPECTEVERY MARQUIS TO BE LIT. AND WE COULDN'T BE HAPPIER AND PROUDER THAT OUR FAMILY, OUR MUSCIANS FAMILY ARE BACK TOGETHER WITH US. THANK YOU.))
[SUPER=01-Jed Bernstein/League of American Theaters;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=thank you.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The strike cost New York City businesses more than seven million dollars, and weekend box office losses at the theatres were estimated at nearly five million dollars.
(------------)



[Hall-Fame]


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


But Broadway's not the ONLY source of great music in the Big Apple--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]


The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame held its 18th Annual Induction Ceremony last night at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
This year's inductees included a wide variety of artists-- Elvis Costello, The Clash, AC- DC, The Righteous Brothers, and The Police, who reunited for their first performance together in 18 years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Every breath you take]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=move you make...]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Musicians are eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record.
All honorees are represented at a permanent exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland.
(------------)



[Stocks]


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


On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was UP 22 points. The NASDAQ has gained three.
[super=460-x/22/x/3;]

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

Coming up next in sports..
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

the Virginia Tech Hokies will have to find a new basketball coach after Rickey Stokes is released from his contract.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]


[S-Stokes]


[ANCHOR=kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-138 56:32]
[GRAPHIC=STOKES]


Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver and Tech president Dr. Charles Steger fired basketball coach Ricky Stokes after four years, 45 wins, and 70 losses. After three straight losing seasons, Steve Mason says the Hokies decided it was time for a change.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[super=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jim Weaver/Virginia Tech Athletic Director; :13]
[SUPER=04-This Season; :23]
[SUPER=01-Carlos Dixon/Virginia Tech Junior Guard; :39]
[SUPER=01-Terry Taylor/Virginia Tech Senior Center; :47]
[SUPER=01-Markus Sailes/Virginia Tech Freshman Guard; :57]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:40]
[RUNS=2:01]
[OUT Q=...News 7 sports"]
(------------)



[S-Express]


[ANCHOR=kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-141 1:01:51]
[GRAPHIC=express]


The Roanoke Express is in action tonight at the Round House against the Charlotte Checkers in a 7:05 face- off.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]


The game marks the beginning of a four game homestand.
The Express takes on Wheeling this Friday, and then Reading on Saturday.
Roanoke plays five more home games in March, and the players feel this gives them a huge advantage.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Rick Kowalsky/Express Right Wing; :00]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=month of March"]
(----------------)


[Quickcast]

[WXPRO/FULL] FINAL LOOK AT THE WEATHER
[REPRS@CL] SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends [SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]
by SS