WDBJ 7 morning news for 03/24/03

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq (ground)]
[SUPER=219-Kimberly McBroom/kmcbroom*wdbj7.com;]

Saddam Hussein appeared today in full military uniform on Iraqi T-V, promising his people that victory will soon be theirs.
He says allied forces "will not be able to escape lightly from their predicament."
That, as the death toll from the war continues rising.
As allied troops continue to head north toward Baghdad, American and British forces in Southern Iraq are finding heavy resistance.
Drew Levinson is in Kuwait City this morning, and joins us now with an update on the war.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=201-Drew Levinson/CBS News;]
[SUPER=205-Kuwait City, Kuwait;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=201-Drew Levinson/CBS News;]
[SUPER=201-Brian Krause/Boots and Coots Int'l Well Control;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you.]

[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=205-Kuwait City, Kuwait;]
((
THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND INTO THE DAY COALITION FORCES CONTINUE TO BE MET WITH ENEMY FIRE.... AND ALLIED TROOPS ARE SUFFERING THE WORST CASUALITIES OF THIS WAR. THE FIERCEST FIGHTING HAS COME IN SOUTHERN IRAQ WHERE SADDAM HUSSEIN'S FORCES PRETEND TO SURRENDER ONLY TO OPEN FIRE ON AMERICANS.
THIS MORNING, IRAQI TV RELEASED THESE PICTURES OF A U.S. APACHE HELICOPTER DOWN ABOUT 50 OUTSIDE OF BAGHDAD. IT APPEARS TO BE INTACT BUT THERE'S NO INDICATION OF WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CREW.
ELSEWHERE A WRONG TURN BY A U-S CONVOY APPARENTLY SENT THESE AMERICAN SOLDIERS INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. ARAB TELEVISION IS SHOWING VIDEO OF THE PRISONERS OF WAR.. AND THE DEAD... WHO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN EXECUTED.

(NATS)
SADDAM DID NOT REFERENCE THE P-O-W'S DURING A SPEECH EARLY THIS MORNING. BUT HE DID MENTION CURRENT BATTLES.... AND TRIED TO RALLY HIS COUNTRY SAYING "VICTORY WILL BE OURS SOON". SADDAM HAD NO VISIBLE INJURIES, BUT IT IS UNKNOWN WHETHER THE SPEECH WAS LIVE OR TAPED.

(STANDUP: Drew Levinson/CBS NEWS/Southern Iraq)
HERE IN IRAQ MUCH OF THE SKY IS BLACK, THESE ARE THE RUMAYLA OIL FIELDS, WHEN THE MARINES STORMED THIS AREA, IT FORCED THE IRAQIS TO RETREAT BUT NOT BEFORE THEY TORCHED SOME OF THE OIL WELLS.

(natsound)
IT WAS SOMETHING SADDAM SAID HE WOULD NEVER DO TO HIS OWN PEOPLE.... BUT USING DYNAMITE HIS SOLDIERS SABATOGED THE WELLS.

(SOT-Brian Krause/Boots and Coots Intl Well Control)

"This is just absolutely rediculous waste, and they did this to themselves, this is their oil, the iraqi people's oil"

))[11Rke-Sheriff]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-11 TC-15:56]
[GRAPHIC=Homefront]

As our troops serve our country, it is proving more of a challenge to protect and serve here at home.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Roanoke]

The Roanoke City Sheriff's Department is made up of 247 personnel.
The department has already lost five to the military and the sheriff says he could lose another seven before it's all said and done.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:35:48]
[IN Q=If I lose those]
((GEORGE McMILLAN/ROANOKE SHERIFF: IF I LOSE THOSE SEVEN GUYS BEFORE I GET MY BASIC SCHOOL GRADUATED THEN I AM AT A CRITICALLY LEVEL. RIGHT NOW, WE'RE AT BARE MINIMUM BUT BEFORE IF I LOSE THOSE SEVEN MORE THEN I WILL BE AT A CRITICAL STAGE AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS.))
[SUPER=201-George McMillan/Roanoke Sheriff]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=some tough decisions]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

McMillan says one option he may consider is to hire temporary employees.
(------------)

[Warner-Bills]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mark Warner]

Governor Mark Warner faces a midnight deadline to act on bills passed by the General Assembly earlier this year. Over the weekend, Warner said he would sign a bill requiring proof of citizenship or residency to obtain state driver's licenses.
He also proposed an exception to a bill denying illegal aliens in-state tuition at Virginia public colleges. The governor has yet to act on several controversial bills that were passed this year.
One would eliminate Virginia's tax on estates, while two others would increase restrictions on women seeking abortions.

[11Plane-Landing]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=03-14 TC-2:32]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A fairway at Ashleigh Plantation golf course became a runway after a pilot was forced to make an emergency landing.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; ]
William Fitzgerald says he was headed back to Fincastle yesterday evening after a day of flying when his single engine plane started having engine problems.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT-15:58:00]
[IN Q=THE ENGINE STARTED OVERHEATING]
((THE ENGINE STARTED OVERHEATING AND THE NEXT THING WE KNOW THE ENGINE QUIT AND THIS WAS THE CLOSEST FLAT SPOT WITHOUT WIRES IN IT))
[SUPER=01-William Fitzgerald/Pilot]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=WITHOUT WIRES IN IT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Fitzgerald says nothing was damaged on the plane and that he and his dog made a safe landing.
State police say they do not know how they will get the plane off the golf course, since it is too wide to take on the road and it is too long to fit on a truck.
(-------------)

[Oscars]

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

The 75th Annual Academy Awards provided some escape from the all the war coverage.
But it was clearly on the minds of those who were there.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;]

From the beginning of the show, host Steve Martin tried to break the ice about Iraq.
The show was mostly unpolitical.
But when Michael Moore won for Best Documentary, he blasted the President.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We have]
[SUPER=01-Michael Moore/Best Documentary Winner;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=fictitious reasons.]
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]

Best Actress winner Nicole Kidman also felt compelled to speak out.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There is a sense]
[SUPER=01-Nicole Kidman/Best Actress;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=happening.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The musical "Chicago" captured six Oscars, including a first- time trophy for Catherine Zeta-Jones, who won Best Supporting Actress.
And newcomer Adrian Brody won Best Actor for his role in "The Pianist."
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Wall Street reopens for trading today following a big rally on Friday.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
((WE'LL SEE IF INVESTORS STILL HAVE ENTHUSIASM FOR STOCKS AS THE WAR WITH IRAQ ENTERS A NEW WEEK. INVESTORS RACED IN TO BUY UP STOCKS FRIDAY AS THE U-S LAUNCHED ITS SHOCK AND AWE AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST IRAQ.
THE DOW HAD IT'S BIGGEST WEEKLY GAIN IN 20 YEARS, UP 8.4 PERCENT.
WALL STREET STILL BELIEVES THIS WILL BE A BRIEF AND VICTORIOUS WAR AND SPARK A RECOVERY IN THE ECONOMY.

(GR)
THE DOW SHOT UP 235 FRIDAY AND IS NOW IN THE BLACK FOR THE YEAR..

(GR)
THE NASDAQ CLIMBED 18 POINTS AND GAINED 6 PERCENT ON THE WEEK.

(OC)
INDICATIONS THAT THE WAR IS NOT DISRUPTING OIL SUPPLIES COMING OUT OF THE MIDEAST SEND CRUDE OIL DOWN ANOTHER 4 PERCENT TO BELOW 27 DOLLARS A BARREL -- OIL TRADERS WERE ENCOURAGED AFTER REPORTS THAT COALITION TROOPS SEIZED CONTROL OF OIL FIELDS IN SOUTHERN IRAQ.
AIRLINE STOCKS TOOK FLIGHT ON OPTIMISM THE WAR WILL BE SHORT AND ON A DECLINE IN THE PRICE OF JET FUEL - A MAJOR EXPENSE FOR AIRLINES.
MANY MAJOR CARRIERS ARE ALSO REDUCING THEIR STAFF AND FLIGHT SCHEDULES AS A RESULT OF THE WAR RELATED TRAVEL SLUMP.

(GR)
NORTHWEST AIRLINES WILL SLASH 49-HUNDRED JOBS AND REDUCT ITS FLIGHT SCHEDULE BY 12 PERCENT.
BANKRUPT UNITED AIRLINES SAID IT WILL CUT ITS WORLDWIDE FLIGHT SCHEDULE BY 8 PERCENT.. AND PUT SOME WORKERS ON TEMPORARY UNPAID LEAVE.
AND AMERICAN AIRLINES PLANS TO CUT ITS INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS BY 6 PERCENT NEXT MONTH.
(GR)
IN THE COMING DAYS EXPECT REPORTS ON CONSUMER CONFIDENCE, NEW AND EXISTING HOME SALES AND PERSONAL INCOMES AND SPENDING.

(gr)
TRACK ALL THE PRE MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM .. AT THE NASDAQ

(oc)
I'M AC IN NEW YORK.))

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

[11Church-Families]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-13 TC-02:24]
[GRAPHIC=Homefront]
[SUPER=219-Kimberly McBroom/kmcbroom*wdbj7.com;]
Many Americans spent their Sunday in church to pray for peace. For some, those prayers are deeply personal. Justin McLeod has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=203-Bassett; :00]
[SUPER=201-Cindy Adams/Parishioner; :10]
[SUPER=201-Michael Turner/Parishioner; :31]
[SUPER=219-Justin McLeod/jmcleod*wdbj7.com; :51]
[SUPER=201-Margie Fretwell/Parishioner; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Bassett]
((((NAT SOUND OF SINGING HYMN))
On this Sunday, many crowd into church pews to try to make sense of what's going on in our world today.
[SOT 6:59]
[IN Q=I'm really concerned]
((CINDY ADAMS/PARISHIONER: I'M REALLY CONCERNED. I DO A LOT PRAYING AT NIGHT. I DO A LOT OF PRAYING ALL THE TIME.))

[Runs= 06]
[OUT Q=all the time]
((QUICK NAT SOUND OF A PRAYER))
It is a prayer shared by many here at Orchard Drive Baptist Church in Bassett.
Many in the congregation have loved ones serving in the military, including four who are currently in the Persian Gulf.
[SOT 10:11]
[IN Q=We're anxiously]
((MICHAEL TURNER/PARISHIONER: WE'RE ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR A LETTER OR E-MAIL TO HEAR THAT SHE IS ALRIGHT.))
[Runs= 06]
[OUT Q=she is alright]
((NAT SOUND OF PRAYER FOR FAMILIES))
Uncertainty overseas prompted the minister to do something special for those family members.
During the service, the congregation gathered around them to pray for their son or daughter.
[SOT 46:11]
[IN Q=Those families who]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THOSE FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOVED ONES STATIONED OVERSEAS AND GO TO THIS CHURCH ARE COMFORTED BY THE FACT THAT THE WAR SEEMS TO BE GOING WELL SO FAR. BUT THEY REALIZE AND FEAR THE ROAD TO BAGHDAD COULD BE A LONG ONE.))
[Runs= 12]
[OUT Q=be a long one]
((QUICK NAT SOUND OF MARGIE BEING HUGGED AT 12:25))
Margie Fretwell is one such person. ((QUICK NAT SOUND OF EARLY SHOW))
Her son Sid is just 18 and the last time she saw him was his brief appearance on the CBS Early Show earlier this week.
[SOT 14:53]
[IN Q=I gotta feeling]
((MARGIE FRETWELL/PARISHIONER: I GOTTA FEELING WAR IS WAR AND WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE BIGGEST OF IT, I JUST KNOW GOD IS CONTROL.))
[Runs= 05]
[OUT Q=God is control]

That belief is partly why you don't hear on this Sunday whether the war is right or wrong.
At this church, the point is to support the troops and pray for their safe return.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Bassett.))

[11Jesus-Project]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC-1:23:17]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A group of Christians from the region say their prayers have been answered.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Month]

Nearly 100- churches have gotten together to bring the Jesus Video Project to the Roanoke Valley.
The goal is to mail this video to every home in Vinton, Roanoke City, and Roanoke County.
After more than a year of fundraising the group finally raised the 300- thousand dollars needed to purchase 100-thousand videos.
It should arrive in mailboxes in the next month or so.
The video tells the life of Jesus according to the gospel of Luke.
(------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[11#1-Charter-Buses]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-55 TC-1:45:21]
[GRAPHIC=Homefront]

Canceled school field trips don't mean the end of the road for a local bus company.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :18]
[SUPER=203-Roanoke;]
Abbott Trailways says it's lost a few student trips to distant locations because of concerns over the war. The owner says they're still busy taking athletic teams to games and various other tour groups around the country. Abbott runs 71-buses in different parts of our region and West Virginia.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT00:17:00]
[IN Q=Right now ]
((FRED ABBOTT/ABBOTT TRAILWAYS PRESIDENT; RIGHT NOW WE HAVE BUSES IN NEW YORK WE HAVE ONE IN SEATTLE WE HAVE THEM IN NEW ORLEANS HAVE THEM IN FLORIDA SO PEOPLE ARE GOING EVERYWHERE.))
[SUPER=201-Fred Abbott/Abbott Trailways President; ]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=GOING EVERYWHERE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Like other bus charter companies, Abbott says it's refunding money if a trip is canceled because of the war with Iraq.
Abbott says one major concern among bus companies is the price of gas.
(------------)

[11Goodlatte-Reform]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-09 TC-19:53]
[GRAPHIC=Goodlatte]

The House of Representatives has passed legislation that would put a ceiling on the financial awards made in medical malpractice cases.
In recent months, some doctors have argued that skyrocketing insurance premiums are driving them out of business.

Sixth District congressman Bob Goodlatte says there needs to be a cap so that health care remains affordable and available.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:21:20]
[IN Q=There needs to]
((REP. BOB GOODLATTE/R-6TH DISTRICT: THERE NEEDS TO BE A REASONABLE LIMITATION SO THAT THE PEOPLE WHO TRULY ARE INJURED AND HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS GET THE HELP THEY NEED, BUT THAT THE COST OF PRACTICING MEDICINE DOESN'T GO SO HIGH THAT IT EITHER PRICES PEOPLE FROM BEING ABLE TO AFFORD A DOCTOR OR THAT THE DOCTOR SIMPLY ISN'T THERE.))
[SUPER=01-Rep. Bob Goodlatte/(R) 6th District]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=simply isn't there.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

The measure now heads to the Senate, where Goodlatte hopes President Bush will make a strong push for its passage.

[11Fatal-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

Another teen has died from a head on collision that happened in Rockbridge County Friday night. 17 year old Michael Ray Entsminger of Glasgow died Saturday at U-V-A Medical Center. He was a passenger in a car driven by 16 year old Ashley Elizabeth Hennings of Natural Bridge Station... who also died in the crash. State Police say the accident happened when 25 year old Thomas Edward Turner the Fourth tried to pass a vehicle in a no-passing zone on Route 130. He is currently in critical condition at Roanoke Memorial. No charges have been filed at this time.

[11Military-Babies]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-01 TC-1:12:39]
[GRAPHIC=Homefront]
[SUPER=219-Kimberly McBroom/kmcbroom*wdbj7.com;]
Some expectant mothers were treated to high- tech pictures of their babies at Carilion New River Valley Medical Center. As Jennifer Wishon explains, it was all in an effort to send a piece of home to some troops overseas.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound]
[SUPER=203-Radford; :00]
[SUPER=201-Dr. James Weston/Obstetrician-Gynecologist; :19]
[SUPER=201-Ashley Morgan/Expectant Mother; :47]
[SUPER=201-Joyce Bowman/4-D Ultrasound Technician; 1:08]
[SUPER=220-Jennifer Wishon/; 1:20 ]
[RUNS=1:52]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7 Radford]

((((NATS, AWW -- 20:31:22)) Ashley Morgan is pregnant with her first child and on Sunday she took advantage of a free, high- tech ultrasound, but the offer wasn't open to just anyone. Ashley's husband, Lance Corporal Adam Morgan, is off serving his country in Kuwait.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:50:27]
[IN Q=It actually came about]
((DR. JAMES WESTON/OB-GYN: IT ACTUALLY CAME ABOUT WHEN WE HAD A PATIENT WHO'S HUSBAND HAD BEEN IN THE RESERVES. HE WAS THEN DEPLOYED. SHE WAS IN THE AREA WITHOUT A LOT OF FAMILY SUPPORT AND FELT, OBVIOUSLY, VERY CONCERNED AND DEPRESSED OVER THE IDEA THAT SHE WOULDN'T BE SHARING HER PREGNANCY WITH HER HUSBAND.))
[RUNS= 19]
[OUT Q=with her husband]
[CUT AWAY OF DOCTOR AND JENNIFER 13:06:17] To remedy the problem, Doctor Weston invited pregnant women whose husbands are deployed overseas to have a four- dimensional ultrasound. Ashley Morgan calls it a blessing.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 24:06:21]
[IN Q=Oh my gosh, it mean a lot]
((ASHLEY MORGAN/EXPECTANT MOTHER: OH MY GOSH, IT MEANS A LOT. IT REALLY DOES, I MEAN TO BE ABLE TO SEE HIS FACE AND STUFF. IT JUST, IT'S AMAZING.))
[RUNS= 07]
[OUT Q=it just, it's amazing]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:07:17]
((NATS: GOING ALL THE WAY UP TO THE NECK THIS IS AN AORTA))
[RUNS= 03]
Joyce Bowman is one of the few technicians in Virginia who know how to operate the specialized ultrasound machine. She says donating her time is her way of giving back.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 30:03:17]
[IN Q=I think protecting our freedom]
((JOYCE BOWMAN/4-D ULTRASOUND TECHNICIAN: I THINK PROTECTING OUR FREEDOM IS IMPORTANT. MY HUSBAND SERVED TWENTY YEARS IN THE AIR FORCE AND.))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=the air force and]
[BUTT BUTT BUTT]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 30:18:03]
[IN Q=If just giving them]
((IF JUST GIVING THEM PICTURES FROM HOME WILL TAKE THEIR MINDS OFF WHAT'S HAPPENING, IT'S A GOOD THING.))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=it's a good thing]
Along with still pictures, mothers got to take home a video tape of their babies moving. Many plan to send them to their husbands overseas. But Ashley has already sent her husband reminders of their baby.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 24:40:12]
[IN Q=Everytime I send him]
((ASHLEY MORGAN/EXPECTANT MOTHER: EVERY TIME I SEND HIM A CARE PACKAGE OVER I ALWAYS SEND HIM SOMETHING ABOUT, LIKE A BIB THAT SAYS I LOVE MY DADDY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=something like that]
And it's those somethings Dr. Weston hopes will make Lance Corporal Morgan feel a little closer to his baby boy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 03:52:11]
[IN Q=Aww, he's saluting]
((AWW, HE'S SALUTING, YEAH HE IS, HE'S SALUTING.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q=he's saluting]
Jennifer Wishon, News 7 Radford.))
[Tape tosses to Bump] [COMM][BUMP]