WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 03/30/03

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up on News 7-
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
We'll hear from a Florida woman whose husband was shot and young daughter abducted outside a Roanoke hotel. Thousands are still without power following this morning's winter storm that downed trees and power lines.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
Plus, a live report from Kuwait and the latest school delays. News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Central Command is calling it a historic strike-- as the U-S military and coalition forces pound the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, attacking key locations including leadership, command and control centers.
(------------)
Good evening, I'm Teresa Hamilton.

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
[SUPER=219-Teresa Hamilton/thamilton*wdbj7.com]
Bombs have also hit a Presidential palace used by one of Saddam Hussein's sons. It's all part of the air assault intended to soften up the capital city before the real battle for Baghdad starts.
Also today, information on a Marine from Richmond now listed as missing in Iraq. Authorities say 31- year old Staff Sergeant Donald C- May Junior disappeared on Tuesday after his tank went off a bridge into the Euphrates River.
[KUWAIT DOUBLE BOXES=Teresa / Teri NEWSPATH;]
[LIVE=OKITA /FULL]
[SUPER=201-Teri Okita/CBS News; ]
[SUPER=205-Kuwait City, Kuwait; ]
Teri Okita is live in Kuwait City and joins us now with the latest on today's developments in the Middle East.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Raging fires]
[SUPER=201-Gen. Richard Myers/Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff; :21]
[SUPER=201-Captain Alex Cosby/Irish Guard; 1:08]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=STD]
((RAGING FIRES BURN IN BAGHDAD AFTER ANOTHER POUNDING FROM COALITION BOMBS. A MAJORITY OF THE MISSIONS ARE AIMED AT THE REPUBLICAN GUARD. IN THE LAST 24-HOURS, WARPLANES DROPPED 12-HUNDRED PRECISION-GUIDED WEAPONS ON THOSE UNITS ... LEAVING THEM - OFFICIALS, SAY ... IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

(SOT: Gen. Richard Myers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff)
The ones that are immediately facing the United States units I would say, clearly they are below 50 percent capability right now.
ON THE GROUND...THE ROAD NORTH TO BAGHDAD IS NOW CALLED "AMBUSH ALLEY. THOUSANDS OF MARINES ARE USING SEEK-AND-DESTROY MISSIONS ... TRYING TO PROVOKE ATTACKS TO ROOT OUT IRAQI TROOPS.
AND THE U-S MILITARY IS TAKING A TOUGHER LOOK AT IRAQIS APPEARING TO SURRENDER ... AFTER A SUICIDE BOMBER KILLED 4 SOLDIERS. ITS NOW SHOOT ON SIGHT FOR ANY DRIVER APPROACHING A MILITARY CHECKPOINT WHO FAILS TO STOP OR TURN AROUND AFTER BEING WARNED. SO FAR, 5 DRIVERS HAVE BEEN SHOT AND KILLED.

(nat upnightscope fighting video)
FIREFIGHTS REMAIN INTENSE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF BASRA. COALITION TROOPS BELIEVE MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN GUARD ARE HOLDING THE SOUTHERN CITY HOSTAGE.

(SOT: Captain Alex Cosby/Irish Guard)
They are very much coercing the regular armies to fight against their will, we believe.
JUST OUTSIDE BASRA, TROOPS SAY THEYVE FOUND A TRAINING CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WARFARE. INSIDE ... INCLUDING CRATES OF PROTECTIVE SUITS AND NEEDLES WITH ANTIDOTES. TROOPS SAY THEY FOUND A SIMILAR STASH IN NASIRIYAH.
STANDUP: TO COME: U-S WAR PLANNERS SAY ALLIED TROOPS ARE READY TO LAUNCH A MAJOR ASSAULT AGAINST THE REPUBLICAN GUARD PROTECTING BAGHDAD ... THE QUESTION IS: WHEN? THE PLANNERS SAY GENERAL TOMMY FRANKS MAY WAIT FOR MORE PRESSURE TO BUILD ON SADDAM BEFORE STRIKING. ))

[LIVE=OKITA/FULL]
[SUPER=205-Kuwait City, Kuwait;]

[Winter-Storm]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC-1:36:40]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]
Old Man Winter returned today with a vengeance. An unexpected storm dumped several inches of snow causing widespread problems throughout the region. Justin McLeod has more on the damage and what could be several days of cleanup.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Amy Waldron/Roanoke Resident; :12]
[SUPER=01-Brad Knopf/Roanoke Resident; :27]
[SUPER=@justin2; :39]
[SUPER=01-Janet Knop/Roanoke Resident; 1:32]
[RUNS=1:50]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF SHOVELING ON BLACKSBURG TAPE AT 40:02))
Many of us thought our shoveling days were over. ((NAT SOUND OF WEATHER))
But a Sunday surprise proved us all wrong.
[SOT 2:46:14; TAPE 1]
[IN Q=I came out]
((AMY WALDRON/ROANOKE RESIDENT: I CAME OUT AND I WAS READY TO LEAVE AND I HAD ON A SKIRT AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF SO I WAS KINDA SURPRISED, LITTLE SURPRISED, WASN'T READY FOR THIS.))
[Runs= 08]
[OUT Q=ready for this]

She was not alone.
Many of us woke up Sunday morning to find several inches of snow, the wet and heavy kind.
[SOT 2:44:07; TAPE 1]
[IN Q=Yesterday I'm playing]
((BRAD KNOPF: YESTERDAY I'M PLAYING GOLF TODAY I'M BEATING THE SNOW OFF MY SHRUBS AND TRYING TO SAVE THE SHRUBBY, AND WE HAVE POWER LINES DOWN, IT'S JUST A MESS.))
[Runs= 08]
[OUT Q=just a mess]

A mess is what you could say happened to Grandin Road in Roanoke.
Downed trees could be seen all over the roadway, prompting the city to close it for several hours.
[SOT 2:52:31]
[IN Q=They just popped]
((JAMES TARPLEY/ROANOKE RESIDENT: THEY JUST BREAKED LIKE POPCORN. IT WAS WET SNOW AND WHEN IT GOT HEAVY THEY JUST SNAPPED.))
[Runs= 06]
[OUT Q=just snapped]

They snapped especially on the roadways.
Parts of Melrose and Orange Avenues were blocked for most of the day.
This downed tree on Franklin Road forced motorists to make a tricky U-turn.
Some trees even fell on cars like this one in Blacksburg and this truck in Roanoke.
And if it wasn't trees, it was phone and power lines.
Just ask Erika Thomas.
[SOT 2:48:19]
[IN Q=It's a brand new]
((ERIKA THOMAS/ROANOKE RESIDENT: IT'S A BRAND NEW CAR. I WAS PRETTY MAD, PRETTY MAD.))
[Runs= 04]
[OUT Q=pretty mad]

Madness may be the word to describe what happened at Forest Park School in Roanoke.
Downed trees completely covered the entire school yard. ((QUICK NAT SOUND OF WEATHER))
It has left many hoping spring will finally arrive for good.
[SOT 2:42:18]
[IN Q=We thought spring]
((JANET KNOPF/ROANOKE RESIDENT: WE THOUGHT SPRING WAS COMING. YESTERDAY WE WERE OUT BUYING BATHING SUITS. WE PUT AWAY OUR WINTER COATS BUT NOW WE HAVE TO GET THEM BACK OUT.))
[Runs= 10]
[OUT Q=back out]

It goes to show you that even when the calendar says spring, mother nature often has a split personality.
Justin McLeod, News 7.))

[AEP]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-05 TC-1:03:45]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]
[***ANCHOR TAG***]
As the trees fell under the weight of the snow, many took power lines with them, leaving more than 54-thousand customers in our region in the dark tonight. Jennifer Wishon has more on that part of the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=As the snow fell]
[SUPER=01-Todd Burns/American Electric Power; :06]
[SUPER=01-Ronnie Muse/Lost Power; :24]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1; :50]
[SUPER=01-Maurice Bingham/Lost Power; 1:07]
[RUNS=1:47]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7]
((As the snow fell, the lights went out for many residents in Central and Southwest Virginia.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 57:42:10]
[IN Q=By about mid day]
((TODD BURNS/AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER: BY ABOUT MID DAY TODAY WE HAD ABOUT 63,000 CUSTOMERS OUT IN VIRGINIA, ABOUT 10,000 OF THOSE WERE HERE IN THE ROANOKE AREA.))
[RUNS= 07]
[OUT Q=in the Roanoke area]
Ronnie Muse lost power around noon. And while his granddaughters switched to batteries and kept on playing, Muse dealt with the normal inconveniences of losing electricity.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 56:24:03]
[IN Q=Well, uh I can't even shave]
((RONNIE MUSE/LOST POWER: WELL, I CAN'T EVEN SHAVE, I DIDN'T HAVE ANY WATER FOR SHAVING CAUSE WE'RE TOTAL ELECTRIC. THEN YOU KNOW THE BATHROOM THE WATER FOR THAT. IT MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT HARD.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=little bit hard]
AEP crews moved from line to damaged line throughout the day, but officials estimate it could be Thursday before power is restored to all customers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 58:11:01]
[IN Q=This is probably]
((RONNIE MUSE/LOST POWER: THIS IS PROBABLY THE LONGEST IT'S BEEN OFF THROUGH THE WHOLE WINTER.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q=the whole winter]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:08:51]
[IN Q=Heavy wet snows]
((JENNIFER WISHON/REPORTING: HEAVY WET SNOWS OFTEN CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR THE POWER COMPANY, BUT THIS TIME THE SEASON PLAYED A ROLE. MANY TREES HAVE STARTED TO BLOOM MAKING THEIR LIMBS EVEN HEAVIER UNDERNEATH THE SNOW.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=underneath the snow]
But no mater what the season, one Roanoke County resident thinks tree related power outages could be avoided all together.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:04:06]
[IN Q=If they'd cut back]
((MAURICE BINGHAM/LOST POWER: IF THEY'D CUT BACK MORE TREES THERE'D BE LESS LIGHTS GOING OUT. I THINK THEY SHOULD SPEND MORE TIME MAKING THE PATHS WIDER THAT TREES CAN'T FALL ON THE LINE AND THAT WAY THEY'LL SPEND LESS MONEY TRYING TO REPAIR THESE LINES.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=repair these lines]
Whether the outage could have been avoided or not, AEP officials hope customers will help them get the lights back on by turning some things off.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 59:04:13]
[IN Q=If you don't have]
((TODD BURNS/AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER: IF YOU DON'T HAVE POWER YOU CAN HELP GET YOUR POWER BACK ON QUICKER BY TURNING OFF THE MAJOR APPLIANCES IN YOUR HOME AND TURNING ON THINGS LIKE LIGHTS OR A LIGHT BULB TO LET YOU KNOW.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=let you know]
And it's those bulbs many households will be watching until they light up. Jennifer Wishon, News 7.))
(++++++)
[TAKE AEP WEBSITE FS] To find out when power should be restored in your area you can log on to AEP's website at A-E-P-customer-dot-com.
(++++++)

[Rke-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-53 TC-2:01:52]
[GRAPHIC=none]
It's been several days now since a Florida man on vacation was shot outside a Roanoke hotel in front of his family. Earlier today-- the man's wife talked with reporters about that terrible night. An event that's traumatized the openly religious family, who came to Roanoke to visit relatives and to perhaps see some snow.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I've received calls ]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :06]
[SUPER=01-Leelin Taboada/Victim's Wife; :25]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=wasn't there. (2x)]

(((///sot///)
[sot 00:09:03]
[in q=I've received ]
((I'VE RECEIVED CALLS FROM PEOPLE HERE, THEY'VE BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE AND PRAYING FOR US.))
[runs= :07]
[OUT Q= praying for us. ]
It wasn't easy, but Leelin Taboada and her in-laws felt compelled to tell their story to thank everyone who's reached out to them since early Thursday morning. Taboada says her family had just checked into the Holiday Inn Express and were unloading the family S-U-V when a man approached and started firing at her husband.
(////sot////)
[sot 00:05:44]
[in q= And, Ryan]
((AND RYAN TRIED TO STOP HIM AND I WAS SCREAMING AND TELLING HIM TO PLEASE STOP AND HAVE MERCY ON US BECAUSE THE KIDS WERE ALSO THERE WITH US. ))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q= THERE WITH US.]
Taboada says her seven year old son and three year old daughter, who was strapped in her car seat, both saw what was happening.
(///sot///)
[sot 00:06:17]
[IN Q= WHEN I GOT ]
((WHEN I GOT A CHANCE TO RUN FOR HELP, I DID AND I EVEN TOLD MYSELF, IF HE SHOOTS ME, HE SHOOTS ME, BUT I HAVE TO RUN FOR HELP CAUSE THERE WAS NOBODY THERE, IT WAS JUST THE FOUR OF US.))
[RUNS= 16]
[OUT Q= JUST THE FOUR OF US. ]
Taboada made it inside the hotel for help. While she was gone, she says the alleged gunman Derrik Smith even ripped a plastic watch from her son's wrist.
(///sot///)
[sot 00:08:07]
[IN Q= HE TOOK ]
((HE TOOK IT AND THAT'S WHY MY SON WAS ABLE TO SEE HIM FACE TO FACE. ))
[RUNS= 06]
[OUT Q= FACE TO FACE.]
Taboada says somehow her son also managed to make it inside to safety, and once police arrived she ran to her husband.

(///sot///)
[sot 00:07:01]
[IN Q= THE POLICE]
((THE POLICE STOPPED ME FROM HOLDING HIM AND THAT'S WHEN I KNEW MY DAUGHTER WASN'T THERE, BECAUSE THE TRUCK WASN'T THERE. ))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q= WASN'T THERE.]))
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=TERESA]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Police eventually caught up with Smith-- and the little girl who was still in her safety seat was NOT hurt. Ryan (Tuh-bwa-duh) Taboada, meanwhile, remains in critical but stable condition at Roanoke Memorial and is showing signs of improvement.
[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[WRITER=rle]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]
Still ahead on the newscast, the final tickets to the Final Four were punched tonight. We'll have those highlights in sports.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

and also, it's a lottery ticket worth nearly 12 MILLION dollars, and the clock is ticking for the owner to come forward.
(-------------)

[Lotto-Ticket]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=03-]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Someone is about to miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime... eleven point six MILLION dollars is the Lotto South Jackpot about to return to the state because the prize has NOT been claimed.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-]

Not many people would skip the chance to become a millionaire, but that may be the case come five o'clock tomorrow.... that's when the deadline to claim the jackpot expires.
In Virginia, players have 180 days to claim their prize.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT-1:11:02]
[IN Q=IT COULD BE IN SOMEONES BILLFOLD]
((IT COULD BE IN SOMEONES BILLFOLD, SOMEONES DRESSER DRAWER, OR SOMEONES CHECKBOOK))
[RUNS=5]
[OUT Q=OR SOMEONES CHECKBOOK]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The big winner spent one dollar at the lottery booth during last year's state fair in October... but may have THROWN AWAY almost twelve million.
Even if one person loses out, some schools may win... unclaimed prizes go to the Literary Fund.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT-1:09:30]
[IN Q=THE LITERARY FUND IS USED TO HELP]
((PENELOPE W. KYLE/EXEC. DIR. VA LOTTERY--THE LITERARY FUND IS USED TO HELP OBTAIN LOANS FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS TO HELP OUT IN SOME LOCALITIES WITH TEACHER RETIREMENT ISSUES. BUT IT'S SPENT ON PUBLIC EDUCATION))
[SUPER=01-Penelope Kyle/Virginia Lottery Executive Director;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=SPENT ON PUBLIC EDUCATION]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

All profits and unclaimed prizes go to public education in the state.
(------------)

[Patriot-Extension]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-04 TC-55:24]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Construction is underway on a controversial natural gas pipeline.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Duke Energy is building a 95-mile natural gas pipeline called the Patriot Extension.
It will begin in Wythe County and end in Rockingham County North Carolina.
[SUPER=@file]

Workers have begun installing the pipeline under the New River just east of the I-77 bridge in Wythe County.
Duke hopes to have entire project completed by late summer.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[GRAPHIC=none]

67 landowners still refuse to sign their land over to Duke.
They'll be back in federal court for an eminent domain hearing on April 10th. [Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[WRITER=rle]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[SS=None]

Still to come on the newscast, we'll introduce you to one Lynchburg woman who is proud of working the graveyard shift.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
and it's a festival that celebrates the world's most maligned meat. We'll take you to the SPAMalympics in just a few.

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

[Commercial]

[VA-Profile]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=PROFILE]
[GRAPHIC=VAProfile]
Lynchburg resident Laura Munson's mission is not your ordinary crusade. She has spent the past five years working to restore a cemetery that houses some of the city's most prominent black residents. Steve Smallshaw has more in this week's "Virginia Profile".
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=Laura Munson]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Laura Munson/White Rock Cemetery; :08]
[SUPER=@ssm1; 1:27]
[SUPER=04-February 24; 1:53]
[RUNS=2:08]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]

(( Laura Munson first discovered White Rock cemetery five years ago.. about twenty-five years after most others had forgotten it.
[SOT 21:08:10]
((LAURA MUNSON/WHITE ROCK CEMETERY: AND I THOUGHT THIS IS JUST THE MOST WONDERFUL COLLECTION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S ALMOST NO WRITTEN HISTORY AND IT WOULD BE LOST AND I SAID 'YUP, I CAN DO THIS'.))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=can do this.]

That simple declaration turned into thousands of hours of work.
[natsot raking 21:06:15]
[RUNS= 02]

On any given day, Munson can be found here raking, weeding, hauling and restoring.
Her efforts have transformed acres of thick brush into a lush, rolling landscape.. dotted with the graves of a forgotten black population.
[SOT 21:12:05]
((MUNSON: IT IS THE MOST SPIRITUAL THING I'VE EVER DONE. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A RELIGIOUS PERSON, NEVER SPIRITUAL REALLY, BUT IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL, SPIRITUAL THING REALLY. THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED, THE FAMILIES, THE THINGS THAT I'VE UNCOVERED, THE HEADSTONES I UNCOVER.. AND I KNOW THAT IT HAS TO BE DONE FOR THE DIGNITY OF THE FAMILIES HERE.))
[RUNS= 30]
[OUT Q=the families here.]

Each day brings a new discovery..
[natsot 21:17:57]
((THAT'S A CEMENT.. THAT'S A POURED CEMENT STONE.. I'VE FOUND THREE OF THEM OUT HERE..))
[RUNS= 05]

..and a new challenge.
[SOT 21:08:30]
((MUNSON: THERE ARE DAYS WHEN I'VE SAID 'I CAN'T DO THIS, BUT THEN SOMEONE WONDERFUL COMES ALONG AND HELPS AND WE'RE ALMOST FINISHED.))
[RUNS= 06]
[OUT Q=almost finished.]
[Standup 21:32:37] ((Even after almost five years of constant work there's more to be done. Munson figures they have another acre left of this heavy overgrowth that needs to be cleared out, so that headstones like this which toppled over years ago, can be restored.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=can be restored.]
[SOT 21:13:50]
((MUNSON: IT WILL GIVE THE FAMILIES, WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO COME FROM NEW YORK, CONNECTICUT, BALTIMORE, ALL OVER TO LOOK UP THEIR FAMILIES AND IT JUST GIVES EVERYBODY A SENSE OF BELONGING.))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=sense of belonging.]
[natsot State/City 7:41:27 clapping]
[RUNS= 02]

Last month, Munson was recognized for her work with a well-deserved Mayor's Achievement Award.
But she prefers the silent thanks the inhabitants of White Rock give her.. on a quiet, sunny hillside in early Spring.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg. ))

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Coming up, the Orangemen and the Longhorns are the latest to join next week's Final Four party in New Orleans, the Dazzle's season has come to an end, and Ryan Newman goes to victory lane in the Lonestar State, but first in tonight's extra point,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Anaheim, CA/ESPN; :00]

the Anaheim Angels and the Texas Rangers kicked off the baseball season tonight in Anaheim. And Alex Rodriguez greeted the defending World Champs with this dinger to deep left center field in the 5th inning off John Lackey. The Rangers went on to beat the Angels 6 to 3.
(------------)
[go to scores] [go to break]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5027;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Syracuse/63//Oklahoma/47//NCAA East Regional Final//Michigan State/76/j/Texas/85//NCAA South Regional Fin
al/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-/Louisiana Tech/63/j/Louisiana State/69//Women's West Regional Semifinal//Minnesota/60/j/Texas/73//Women's
West Regional Semifinal/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-/Boston College/49/j/Connecticut/70//Women's East Regional Semifinal//Notre Dame/47/j/Purdue/66//Women's Ea
st Regional Semifinal/;]
[SUPER=x5028;]
[SUPER=0096-j/Seattle/119//L.A. Lakers/98///j/Dallas/119//Minnesota/95///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0096-/Sacramento/88/j/Detroit/99///j/San Antonio/92//New Orleans/90///;]
[SUPER=x5029;]
[SUPER=0104-j/Roanoke/4//Richmond/3///;]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUTCUE=last score."]

(---------------)[S-Orangemen]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-144 TC4330]
[GRAPHIC=NCAA Men's Final Four]

Two number one seeds went down on Saturday. This afternoon, Big 12 members Oklahoma and Texas carried the banner trying to join their conference brethren Kansas in the Final Four.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Albany, NY/Orangemen vs. Sooners; :00]

A pro-Orange crowd was on hand in Albany and that didn't help Oklahoma's cause.
Syracuse led from the outset thanks to freshman sensation Carmelo Anthony. The former Oak Hill star scored 20 points and had ten rebounds for the Cuse.
The Sooners tried to cut into a 17 point deficit, as Hollis Price finally breaks up the zone by rolling home a three ball.
[SUPER=33-Syracuse/63/Oklahoma/47/;]
But Anthony finished things off with a flush, and Syracuse dances on 63 to 47. It's the school's 4th trip to the Final Four and first since 1996.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jim Boeheim/Syracuse Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=the whole game."]
(-----------------)

[S-Longhorns]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-139 TC10909]
[GRAPHIC=NCAA Men's Final Four]

In the South Region, Texas played a virtual home game as well taking on Michigan State in San Antonio, just 80 miles from the Longhorns Austin campus.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Antonio, TX/Spartans vs. Longhorns; :00]

The Spartans were ready for a physical battle down low.
Adam Ballenger got Michigan State started with the tough drive and bucket good enough for a one point lead.
But Rick Barnes and company shot lights out from behind the arc. Sydmill Harris buries 3 of his 12 points this afternoon and Texas led 43-38 at halftime.
[SUPER=33-Michigan State/76/Texas/85/;]
All American T-J Ford paced 5 Longhorns in double figures as Texas beats Michigan State 85 to 76, clinching a berth in the Final Four for the first time in 56 years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Tom Izzo/Michigan State Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-T.J. Ford/Scored 19 Points for Texas; :16]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=go to New Orleans."]
(---------------)

[S-Dazzle]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-143 TC5005]
[GRAPHIC=Dazzle]

The Roanoke Dazzle tried to extend its season in the NBDL playoffs this afternoon, facing an elimination contest at the Civic Center against regular season champ Fayetteville.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Patriots vs. Dazzle; :00]

Kent Davison was looking for a little defense after his team was blown out in game one of the series.
We pick it up in the third quarter, when Jamal Robinson came up with some offense. He muscles in two and the Dazzle led 56-51.
A little later, Cory Alexander makes the sweet dish to Robinson for another deuce, but Fayetteville hung tough.
Check out Terrell McIntyre who hits Matt Barnes on the inbounds play for the jami-jam. The Patriots led 71-69 at that point.
[SUPER=33-Fayetteville/78/Roanoke/77/;]
Barnes then drops a jumper from just inside the arc. Fayetteville went on to win it 78 to 77, ending the Dazzle's season.
(------------)

[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Express]

The Roanoke Express knocked off the Richmond Renegades this afternoon in the state capital. The Express and the Renegades were tied at three after regulation, but Roanoke won the shootout 2-1 to win the game 4-3. The Express opens the playoffs this week at Greensboro as the 3 seed. The first home game for Roanoke in the post season series will be Saturday.

[S-Texas]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-147 TC5615]
[GRAPHIC=Nascar]

To the track, where Ryan Newman captured today's Samsung/Radio Shack 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway becoming the 7th different winner in the track's short history.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fort Worth, TX/Fox Sports; :00]

It was a short day for Awesome Bill Elliott who blew an engine just a few laps in and finished dead last.
Emporia's Elliott Sadler was up front most of the day, and led 48 laps on the day, but a leaky tire caused Sadler to wreck ending his day with a 41st place run.
The caution came out ten times in the race, including right here as Steve Park got turned around collecting Mike Skinner and several others.
Newman got by Dale Earnhardt, Junior with eleven laps to go and held on for his second career Winston Cup win. Junior then edged Jeff Gordon for second.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Ryan Newman/First Win of the Season; :00]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=our biggest points win."]
(------------------)
[go to boards]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=X5013;]
[SUPER=0106-1. Ryan Newman//2. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.//3. Jeff Gordon//4. Jerry Nadeau//5. Mark Martin//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-6. Matt Kenseth//7. Jeff Green//8. Jimmie Johnson//9. Kurt Busch//10. Jamie McMurray//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-11. Todd Bodine//12. Ward Burton//13. Dale Jarrett//14. Rusty Wallace//15. Kevin Harvick//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-16. Terry Labonte//17. Michael Waltrip//18. Robby Gordon//19. John Andretti//20. Jeff Burton//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-21. Ricky Craven//22. Jack Sprague//23. Kenny Wallace//24. Ken Schrader//25. Jeremy Mayfield//;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=.....last driver."]
(-----------)

[S-Golf]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-142 TC10145]
[GRAPHIC=PGA Tour]

With the Masters less than two weeks away, Davis Love the Third showed that he definitely is Majors material, winning the Players Championship by five shots.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ponte Vedra Beach, FL/NBC Sports; :00]

Love made five straight birdies as he made the turn in today's final round. He then eagled the 16th hole on his way to an 8-under par round of 64, the lowest ever by the winner of the Players. Love finished the tournament at 17-under, beating Padraig Harrington and Jay Haas, the third round co-leaders who both finished at 11-under par.
(------------)

[Spam]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

This weekend marked the twenty fifth anniversary of a festival honoring the "mystery meat" that all Americans know about.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Austin, TX]

The annual "Spamarama" festival was held in Austin Texas today.
Hormel Spiced Ham hit the market in 19-37, but was later given the moniker "Spam".
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT-:54]
[IN Q=YEAH, I THINK IT'S AN AMERICAN ICON]
((DAVID ARNSBERGER/SPAMARAMA PARTICIPANT; YEAH, I THINK IT'S AN AMERICAN ICON. IT'S LIKE THE COLLECTIVE SUBCONSCIOUS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT SPAM IS))
[SUPER=01-David Arnsberger/Spamarama Participant]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=KNOWS WHAT SPAM IS]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Organizers served up a dish full of activities for the silver anniversary... including the Spamalympics.
The games included a spam toss, spam cram and spam call.
And the tastiest was the "spam cookoff" featuring celebrity judges, prized, trophies and sampling for the public. (------------)