[News-Heads]

[TAKE LIVE PIC VIA STARLINK]

[LIVE PIC TECH CAMPUS]


[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]


This is the scene on the Virginia Tech campus today--
Students are dressed in black to protest changes in the university's affirmative action policy.
We'll have a live report.
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[TAKE VO]
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]


And Utah teen Elizabeth Smart is back home, but many questions linger about what happened to her during the nine months she was gone.
(-------------)

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

The temperature is soaring across the region right now, but some big changes are heading our way for the weekend. I'll have your forecast.
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY 2-Shot]


News 7 at Noon starts right now...


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

The temperature is soaring across the region right now, but some big changes are heading our way for the weekend. I'll have your forecast.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY 2-Shot]


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


[Video-Open]


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




(------------)


[Tech-Protest]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-54 TC 1:51:25.]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at Noon]


Hundreds of Virginia Tech students are protesting at this hour in response to the university's decision to cut affirmative action from its policies.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda & Kimberly/Starlink;]

New River Valley Bureau Chief Myranda Stephens joins us now from the Virginia Tech campus... Kimberly, this is not a big surprise to a lot of folks.
[LIVE=Myranda/FULL]
[SUPER=@Myranda1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]

Virginia Tech students are known for making their voices heard. We saw it last year over the state budget cuts on higher education and we're seeing it now... ((ROLLCUE:...)) [**TAPE ROLLED FROM TRUCK**]
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
[SUPER=01-Uche Okloi/Student]
[SUPER=01-Erik Rodgers/Student]

Today's protest, of course, is in response to the board of visitor's decision Monday, to eliminate race, religion or gender as a factor for admissions, hiring and financial aid. University officials say they changed their non-discrimination policy to comply with state and federal laws, which bans preference toward minority groups. But, what has also sparked controversy, is the fact that the board removed sexual orientation from the new policy, which they say legally, they have that right. But overall the new policy is sparking debate from both sides.
[In Q = I believe that ]
[Out =More diverse]
[runs= 21]



[LIVE=Myranda/FULL]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]

Now, there was another issue brought to the table Monday, that we haven't talked about... And that is a proposal to block controversial groups from speaking on campus.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda & Kimberly/Starlink; ]

Again the board has not voted on it yet, so we'll have to see how far it goes. In the meantime, more protests have already been scheduled over the next couple of weeks on the new discrimination policy, alone.


[11Wilder]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC1:05:10]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Former Governor Doug Wilder says he is not happy with Virginia Tech's decision to change its affirmative action policy.
But that is not the only thing that's bothering him.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]


Wilder says he has grave problems with the Board of Visitor's move to eliminate race as a factor when considering new students.
He says he is equally concerned that veterans will no longer receive special consideration.
But his harshest criticism was of Governor Mark Warner for remaining silent on the issue.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:55:13]
[IN Q=WHAT'S THE POSITION]

((DOUG WILDER/FORMER GOVERNOR: WHAT'S THE POSITION OF THE GOVERNOR ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE? IS THERE SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT IT? I'M QUITE CERTAIN IT WILL BE BUT WHEN?))
[SUPER=01-Doug Wilder/Former Governor]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=IT WILL BE BUT WHEN.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Yesterday, a Warner spokesman said that the governor is out of state on vacation and has not been briefed on Monday's action by the Board.
(------------)



[Truck-Ax]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]


An overturned tractor-trailer is blocking one lane of Peter's Creek Road.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]


Officials say the truck tipped over after coming off an exit ramp from Interstate 581.
The driver and two passengers were inside the tractor-trailer at the time.
Authorities say no one was seriously hurt.
It could take a couple of hours to move the truck and clear the road.
(------------)


[Smart]


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


It was a new day in her old home--
Elizabeth Smart has finally returned to her family, but also to a lot of questions concerning her months with a couple now facing abduction charges.
Elizabeth Sanchez has more from Salt Lake City, Utah.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Salt Lake City, UT; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ed Smart/Elizabeth's Father; :12]
[SUPER=01-Charles Smart/Elizabeth's Grandfather; 1:04]
[SUPER=01-Dorotha Smart/Elizabeth's Grandmother; 1:13]
[SUPER=01-Elizabeth Sanchez/CBS News; 1:20]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=Sanchez, CBS News, Salt Lake City.]

((
UTAH TEEN ELIZABETH SMART WOKE UP AT HOME THIS MORNING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 9 MONTHS. JOYFULLY RE-UNITED WITH HER FAMILY....AFTER TRAVELING AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH HER ABDUCTORS.
SOT: ED SMART/ELIZABETH'S FATHER

"PHYSICALLY SHE'S OKAY, I KNOW SHE'S BEEN THROUGH BRAINWASHING. FOR HER TO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PAST NINE MONTHS HAS JUST BEEN HORRIBLE, ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE."
POLICE HAVE ARRESTED TWO DRIFTERS...BRIAN MITCHELL AND HIS WIFE WANDA BARZEE. THE SUSPECTS AND ELIZABETH WERE FOUND WEARING VEILS LIKE THESE. IRONICALLY THESE PHOTOS. THAT ARE BELIEVED TO INCLUDE ELIZABETH... WERE TAKEN AT A PARTY LAST SEPTEMBER, NOT FAR FROM THE SMART'S HOME.
SO FAR ELIZABETH HAS NOT TALKED WITH HER FAMILY ABOUT HER ORDEAL.

SOT: ED SMART AGAIN

"I JUST DID NOT HAVE THE HEART TO TRY AND HAVE HER RECALL WHAT SHE'S BEEN THROUGH AND I KNOW THINGS WILL COME OUT."
FOR NOW...THE SMART FAMILY IS REJOICING.....BUT ALSO DEFENDING THE NOTION THAT ELIZABETH DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE HER CAPTORS.

SOT: CHARLES SMART/ELIZABETH'S GRANDFATHER (09:09:24)

"WHY DIDN'T SHE DO SOMETHING? WELL FOR NINE MONTHS SHE WAS CONTINUALLY UNDER THE OBSERVATION AND CLOSE ATTACHMENT TO THOSE 2 PEOPLE FOR THE WHOLE TIME."

SOT: DOROTHA SMART/ELIZABETH'S GRANDMOTHER

"WHATEVER CONTROL THIS MAN HAD ON HER WE DO NOT KNOW."

(STANDUP)

ELIZABETH'S FATHER DESCRIBED A SCENE OF SHEER JOY IN THEIR HOME LAST NIGHT. HIS DAUGHTER PLAYED THE HARP AND WATCHED HER FAVORITE VIDEO. ELIZABETH SANCHEZ, CBS NEWS, SALT LAKE CITY

))[Peterson]


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


In another high-profile disappearance,
search teams are in the San Francisco Bay area, looking for evidence in the Laci Peterson case.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond, CA;]


Three boats loaded with divers, sonar equipment, a cadaver dog and an underwater robot have been searching the area for two days.
They've made several trips over the last two weeks.
The spot is just a few miles up the coast from where Laci's husband, Scott Peterson said he was fishing on Christmas Eve, the day the woman disappeared.
Authorities recently labeled Laci's case as a homicide.
(------------)


[Abortion-Ban]


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


Former President Clinton vetoed it twice--
But today, the Senate voted 65 to 32 to ban the procedure critics call partial- birth abortion.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]


It prohibits doctors from committing an ``overt act'' designed to kill a partially delivered fetus.
But the measure includes an exemption in cases in which the procedure is necessary to save the life of the mother.
Abortion rights supporters say the bill is unconstitutional.
The legislation now moves on to the Republican-controlled House, where it's expected to pass sometime this spring.
(-------------)


[Reeve-Operation]


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


Actor Christopher Reeve is breathing a sigh of relief-- possibly a deeper one-- following a recent operation.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]


Late last month, Reeve underwent an operation that could make it easier for him to breathe.
Surgeons have implanted electrodes in Reeve's diaphragm, in hopes of enabling him to breathe on his own for longer periods of time.
The actor's been on a respirator since he broke his neck in a horse-riding accident eight years ago.
Doctors say as Reeve's disaphragm muscles get stronger, he'll be able to do away with the respirator all together.
(------------)


[WX-Tease] ((KIM TOSS TO LEO)) [3/13/2003]
[SS=NONE]LEO in WX-CENTER



[WXPRO/FULL] RADAR STORY


[SS=NONE]




(LEO TOSS to KIM)






[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]



(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]



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[music up full] [comm1]

[Iraq]


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


Iraq makes another move.
Now it's offering to tell the U-N Security Council more about chemical weapons.
And the Bush administration is looking at waiting even longer on a U-N vote.
Stacy Case reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]
[SUPER=01-Kofi Annan/U. N. Secretary General;]
[SUPER=01-Jack Straw/British Foreign Secretary;]
[SUPER=01-Stacy Case/CBS News;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Case, CBS News, New York.]

(( PKG: LOCATOR: NEW YORK, NY

TRACK: THE U-S APPEARS TO BE FEELING THE PRESSURE FOR DIPLOMACY ---

AND IRAQ IS FEELING THE PRESSURE TO DISARM.
THURSDAY MORNING, AS THE U-S CONCEDED A U.N. VOTE MAY BE DELAYED
ANOTHER WEEK ----

AN IRAQI DIPLOMAT CONFIRMED HIS COUNTRY IS SENDING A NEW REPORT TO THE
SECURITY COUNCIL--- EXPLAINING EXACTLY HOW AND WHEN IT DESTROYED ITS VX

NERVE AGENT. THE SECURITY COUNCIL GETS THE DETAILS FRIDAY.

SOT: Kofi Annan/UN SECRETARY GENERAL
(got to work together)



TRACK: AS THE BACK ROOM HAGGLING CONTINUES AT THE UNITED NATIONS---
BRITIAN MAY BE WILLING TO DROP ITS MOST HUMILIATING DEMAND FOR SADDAM---

THE TV APPEARANCE DENOUNCING BANNED WEAPONS.
SUPER: JACK STRAW/BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY. ``If the only issue beween us, our partners on the Security Council and Saddam Hussein is whether or not he makes a TV broadcast, then we'd happily drop that,''
TRACK: TAKING A BREAK FROM PHONE CALLS LOBBYING FOR SUPPORT ON IRAQ..THE PRESIDENT MADE HIS FIRST IN HIS FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE THIS WEEK, THANKING IRELAND FOR ITS STEADFAST SUPPORT.

SOT: BUSH--

everyday of the year, america is proud to call ireland a friend.
STAND UP: ( TO COME) FONT:STACY CASE/REPORTING
(but with friends on the U.S. stance over Iraq few and far between).


))[Building-Collapse]


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


Three people died while waiting at a traffic light, when part of a building being demolished literally fell on their cars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fuji City, Japan;]


10- others were injured in the collapse, which occurred in the central Japanese city of Fuji, about 100 miles west of Tokyo.
An old department store was being torn down.
Authorities say demolition crews had intended for the wall to fall inwards into the building.
Instead, the structure fell onto several cars nearby.
Rescue crews had to use heavy equipment to pry passengers out of their crushed vehicles.
(------------)

[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]



(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]



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[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]


[11Bland-Cattle]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Bland County farmer is under investigation after 60 cattle were found dead on his farm.
Sheriff Melvin Cox says it appears the animals died of starvation, but he said one of the carcasses has been sent to a department of health lab for testing.
Cox said there are between 50 and 60 cattle still alive on the farm, but they look like they're starving. He says their ribs are visible and they are unsteady on their feet.
He says it's likely the owner will face criminal charges.
The owner told investigators that the cattle died from eating laurel.

[11Dashboard]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-03 TC1:09:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Have a word or two to share with Virginia's Department of Transportation?
Or do you want to check the status of road construction in your area?
Now you can do both with just a click of your mouse.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]


Virginians can now find up-to-date information on all of the state's highway projects on V-DOT's website.
It's called the Dashboard.
By using it, the public can find out what projects are on-schedule and on budget and which ones aren't.
It also allows citizens to send email messages directly to V-DOT officials.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:31:36]
[IN Q=I EXPECT US TO GET A LOT]

((PHILIP SHUCET/VDOT COMMISSIONER: I EXPECT US TO GET A LOT OF FEEDBACK. I THINK CITIZENS HAVE PROBABLY BEEN WAITING FOR YEARS TO BE ABLE TO GET FEEDBACK DIRECTLY TO ANY PUBLIC AGENCY.))
[SUPER=01-Philip Shucet/Virginia Department of Transportation;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=TO ANY PUBLIC AGENCY.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Officials say Dashboard will help the agency become more accountable.
(------------)



[Sopranos]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Filming for "The Sopranos" has been stopped dead in its tracks - indefinitely.

(----------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

This time its because of a contract dispute with the show's star James Gandolfini. Gandolfini currently earns 400-thousand dollars an episode - but he is reportedly seeking close to a million per show.
H-B-O offered the star 800-thousand.
(------------)
[ANCOR=KIM]
[SS=NONE]

An H-B-O lawyer says Gandolfini has been offered a "huge raise" - even though the network isn't required to. But a spokesperson for the actor says he is just asking for what he deserves - and that the show has made H-B-O an inordinate amount of money.
[Weather] [NOON WEATHER] [3/13/2003] [TWO SHOT]

[WXPRO/FULL]

[MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL]

[SUPER=#565;]

[CK/VIEWERNET;]
[CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [WXPRO/FULL] FORECASTS EXTENDED FORECAST

[Retail-Sales]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]

Weakness in customer spending is causing more concern about the economy.
(XXXXXXXXX)

[take 102essC fs]
The Commerce Department says retail sales dropped one-point-six percent last month, the worst showing in more than a year. It is a far weaker report than analysts were expecting. [take 103essC fs] Losses were seen for automobile dealers, electronics and appliance stores, clothing shops and other merchants.
(XXXXXXXXXX)

January's showing, earlier reported at a drop of nine-tenths, was revised to a three-tenths of one percent increase in retail sales.


[Stocks]


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


On Wall Street at Noon,

[super=460-y/12/y/2;]


, the Dow was points. Nasdaq points.


(x=up y=down)[tease3]

[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]



(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]



(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]


[Davis]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Sports]


Former Washington Redskins running back Stephen Davis (DAY-VIS) has signed a fat cat contract with the Carolina Panthers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Landover, MD/1999 Season;]


His agent says Davis's deal is expected to be worth 15 and a half MILLION dollars over five seasons.
That includes a two and a half MILLION dollar signing bonus....and if that is not enough... incentives could make the contract 35 MILLION dollars.
Davis is Washington's third all-time rusher with 57-hundred-90 yards. He is the only player in franchise history to run for a thousand yards in three consecutive seasons
(------------)



[S-Hoops]


[ANCHOR=kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-144 3116TC ]
[GRAPHIC=group a hoops]


That Radford-George Wythe semi-final is going to be special in more ways than one. And if you're lucky enough to see the game in person today check out Radford junior guard Neal Manor. Steve Mason tells us how he has overcome and inspired in this edition of Hometown Hoops Weekly.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :00]
[SUPER=03-Daleville/Region C Tournament; :27]
[SUPER=01-Rick Cormany/Radford Boys' Basketball Coach; :40]
[SUPER=01-Neal Manor/Radford Junior Guard; :48]
[SUPER=03-Radford; :57]
[SUPER=01-Trey Mitchell/Radford Shooting Guard; 1:40]
[RUNS=1:57]
[OUT Q=.....hometown hoops weekly"]
(---------------)

((STEVE MASON:))
((Perhaps no other player on the Radford roster has more determination and work ethic than Neal Manor. And while Manor is not a key starter, his 12 minutes and four points a game have been crucial in the Bobcats success. ((:)) With an underdeveloped left arm that does not allow him to go to is left, he has to out hustle his opponent. Manor has adapted so well, his handicap often goes unnoticed. ((:)) ((:))
The straight A student not only accepts his disability but embraces the opportunity to encourage other handicap kids who doubt themselves.)) ((:)) ((:)) ((:))
BOARDS

[S-Gillen]


[ANCHOR=kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-137 TC5930]
[GRAPHIC=ACC #6163]


The ACC Basketball Tournament opens tonight at the Greensboro Coliseum with Clemson and Florida State hooking up in the play-in game Virginia avoided that fate, but must open against Duke Friday night at 9:30.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="The league is...]
[SUPER=01-Pete Gillen/Virginia Head Coach;]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=chance to win."]
(---------)
[VO-NAT con't]


With ongoing scandals dominating the college basketball scene, Gillen hopes that his players have learned from several off the mistakes this season. [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