[News-Heads]
(------------------)
[VO-NAT]
A landmark ruling from the U-S Supreme Court.
In a split decision, the high court decides if Virginia's ban on cross- burning is protected under free speech.
(---------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
And, in the latest on the war.
U-S troops are now in control of one of Saddam Hussein's palaces in the heart of Baghdad.
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=LEO]
[SS=None]
Patchy light rain and drizzle will continue on this cold cloudy day. How long will it last. I'll let you know in your forecast.
(-------------)
[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]
He's considered one of Saddam Hussein's most brutal military commanders.
British officials say the man known as ''Chemical Ali'' was killed in a weekend airstrike.
But U-S officials say they don't know that for certain.
(------------)
[Iraq]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=News 7]
[SUPER=219-Kimberly McBroom/kmcbroom*wdbj7.com;]
Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
[GRAPHIC=War with Iraq]
It's been a day of major progress for coalition forces, who stormed into the heart of Baghdad today.
But the U-S Central Command says the Iraqi regime still has some capabilities.
U-S troops have gained control of one of Saddam Hussein's palaces.
They've been drawing some resistance from Iraqi snipers in a nearby government- owned hotel.
And on the southern edge of the Iraqi capital city, Marines and Army troops are involved in fierce fighting.
Teri Okita joins us now with the latest.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=201-Teri Okita/CBS News;]
[SUPER=205-Kuwait City, Kuwait;]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=203-Baghdad, Iraq;]
[SUPER=201-Brig. Gen. John Kelly/U. S. Army;]
[SUPER=201-Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf/Iraqi Information Minister;]
[SUPER=201-Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks/U. S. Central Command;]
[SUPER=201-Geoff Hoon/British Defense Minister;]
[SUPER=205-Kuwait City, Kuwait;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you.]
((
---
(LOCATOR: BAGHDAD)
(NATZ)
IN A DRAMATIC SHOW OF FORCE, U.S. TANKS RUMBLED INTO BAGHDAD MONDAY.
TROOPS ENTERED ONE OF SADDAM HUSSIEN'S PRESIDENTIAL PALACES ON THE BANKS
OF THE TIGRIS RIVER ... WHILE, EAST OF THE CITY, MARINES BATTLED THEIR
WAY ACROSS ANOTHER STRATEGIC RIVER ... TOWARDS THE CAPITAL CITY.
SOT: BRIG. GEN. JOHN KELLY, U.S. ARMY
"WE'VE GOT TANKS AND INFANTRY FLOWING INTO BAGHDAD, THE CORDON IS SET,
IT WON'T BE MUCH, LONGER IN MY ESTIMATION."
DESPITE SEEMINGLY INDISPUTABLE IMAGES OF COALITION ADVANCES, IRAQ'S
INFORMATION MINISTER STILL REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HIS COUNTRY COULD
BE LOSING THE WAR.
SOT: MOHAMMED SAEED AL-SAHAF, IRAQI INFORMATION MINISTER
"AS USUAL WE WILL SLAUGHTER THEM ALL."
ALLIED ADVANCES HAVE INCLUDED AMERICAN CASUALTIES. TWO MARINES WERE
KILLED AND SEVERAL OTHERS INJURED MONDAY WHEN THEIR ARMORED TROOP
CARRIER WAS HIT. AND SIX SOLDIERS FROM THE 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION WERE
REPORTEDLY KILLED ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF BAGHDAD BY AN IRAQI MISSILE.
sot: BRIG. GEN. VINCENT BROOKS, U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND
"THE REGIME STILL HAS SOME COMMAND AND CONTROL."
(NATZ)
IN THE SOUTH, COALITION TROOPS ARE STARTING TO GAIN BETTER CONTROL OF
BASRA. A PRESIDENTIAL PALACE WAS SEIZED, AND BRITISH TROOPS BELIEVE
THEY'VE KILLED THE IRAQI GENERAL KNOWN AS "CHEMICAL ALI".
SOT: GEOFF HOON, BRITISH DEFENSE MINISTER
"As far as Ali Hassan al-Majid is concerned, we have some strong
indications that he was killed in the raid conducted on Friday night.
))
[Bush-Ireland]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Hours before President Bush is expected to arrive in Northern Ireland, bomb threats have forced the closure of an airport and major highway in Belfast.
Authorities detonated a suspicous package.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Washington, DC;]
Bush left for Ireland this morning.
He's meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss Iraq.
The two are expected to go over the progress of the war, as well as iron out differences on how Iraq will be re-built and managed, once the fighting stops.
(------------)
[Cross-Burning]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A divided U-S Supreme Court has upheld the state's ban on cross burning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 02-49 TC-10:30]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
The court ruled 5-to-4 today that the history of racial intimidation outweighs the free speech protection.
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor wrote for the majority that a burning cross is an instrument of terror, and the government should have the power to punish its use.
O'Connor said that the protections afforded by the First Amendment are not absolute.
Virginia argued on behalf of two cases.
One involved the burning of a cross on a multi-racial couple's lawn in Virginia Beach in 19-98 .
In the other case, Barry Black was convicted by the state Supreme Court because he set fire to a cross at a Ku Klux Klan rally in Carroll County in 19-99.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[Graphic=None]
Among the dissenting justices was the court's only black member, Clarence Thomas.
But he said it had nothing to do with free speech.
Thomas said the court didn't even have to consider the First Amendment, because cross-burning is clearly intimidation.
[11Tech-BOV]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-03 TC-1:48:03]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]
The Supreme Court is expected to weigh in on the subject of affirmative action this summer.
But Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors is not waiting to hear what the court says.
In an eight to five vote yesterday, members reinstated the college's controversial policy.
Justin McLeod has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sterling Daniel/Virginia Tech Student; :13]
[SUPER=01-Charles Steger/Virginia Tech President; :38]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:04]
[SUPER=01-Bruce Smith/Board of Visitors Member; 1:26]
[SUPER=01-John Rocovich/University Rector; 1:43]
[RUNS=2:00]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Blacksburg]
((((NAT SOUND OF VOTE AND THEN CLAPPING ON TAPE 3))
It was a meeting that saw plenty of debate, questions, protests, and passionate speeches.
[SOT 53:07; TAPE 1]
[IN Q=Our university]
((STERLING DANIEL/VT STUDENT: OUR UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN CAST INTO THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT AS ONE THAT DOES NOT WELCOME FREE SPEECH NOR DOES IT WELCOME MINORITIES, GAYS, OR LESBIANS.))
[Runs= 08]
[OUT Q=gays, or lesbians]
It is that perception that prompted the university's rector to call this special meeting.
It came nearly a month after the Board of Visitor's unanimously voted to end affirmative action.
At this meeting, the university's president put forth a resolution urging the board to reverse its decision.
[SOT 1:17:09 TAPE 3]
[IN Q=The issue had]
((CHARLES STEGER: THE ISSUE HAD BECOME QUITE CONTROVERSIAL IN THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY AND WE NEEDED TO STEP BACK.))
[Runs= 06]
[OUT Q=to step back]
Not everyone agreed.
The Deputy Attorney General for Virginia told the board that policies based on race violate federal law.
But representatives from the faculty and student body warned dismantling affirmative action would do more harm than good.
After nearly four hours of debate, the board was ready to vote.
[SOT 1:17:04; TAPE 4]
[IN Q=The vote was]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THE VOTE WAS ORIGINALLY 7 TO 5 TO RESCIND POLICY WITH ONE MEMBER RODMAN LAYMAN ABSTAINING FROM VOTING. HE THEN CHANGED HIS MIND AND VOTED YES MAKING THE FINAL VOTE 8 TO 5.))
[Runs= 11]
[OUT Q=vote 8 to 5]
((QUICK NAT SOUND OF CLAPPING AFTER VOTE))
The vote to reinstate affirmative action produced a standing ovation from the crowd.
Some board members say it's now time to move on.
[SOT 1:15:33 TAPE 3]
[IN Q=We have to get out]
((BRUCE SMITH/VT BOARD OF VISITOR: WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF THIS NEGATIVE PUBLICITY FOR THIS UNIVERSITY BECAUSE THIS UNIVERSITY BEFORE ALL THESE DECISIONS CAME ABOUT YOU ONLY GREAT THINGS ABOUT IT AROUND THE COUNTRY.))
[Runs= 11]
[OUT Q=around the country]
But some still believe the March 10th vote to end affirmative action was the right one.
[SOT 1:22:43]
[IN Q=Yes I believe]
((JOHN ROCOVICH/UNIVERSITY RECTOR: YES I BELIEVE WE MADE THE CORRECT DECISION TO PROTECT THE OFFICIALS, THE BOARD, AND THE UNIVERSITY.))
[Runs= 05]
[OUT Q=and the university]
It is clear at this university that even though affirmative action is back the debate over whether it's right or wrong is far from over.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Blacksburg. ))
[Tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Coming up next on the newscast, an anonymous caller is playing a cruel hoax on people with soldiers overseas.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]
Also the family of a former P-O-W is treated to a joyful reunion in Germany.
(---------------)
[music up full]
[comm1]
[Lynch]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Nearly a week after she was rescued, former American P-O-W Jessica Lynch is said to be in good spirits.
Yesterday, she reunited with her family at a military hospital in Germany.
Bill Whitaker reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=201-Bill Whitaker/CBS News; :00]
[SUPER=203-Landstuhl, Germany; :33]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=hands of her Iraqi captors.]
(---------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=None]
That was Bill Whitaker reporting.
[11Red-Cross]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-01 TC-1:39:32]
[GRAPHIC=Homefront]
Someone is calling families of military men and women with cruel and false news.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Roanoke]
The Red Cross says a caller pretending to be with the Red Cross has notified families that their loved ones in the service have been killed, injured, or taken prisoner.
There have been 10 victims so far including a Hopewell, Virginia woman who was told her son is now a prisoner of war.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 35:11]
[IN Q=We want to stress to folks]
((AMY WHITTAKER/AMERICAN RED CROSS: WE WANT TO STRESS TO FOLKS THAT WHEN THERE IS A NOTIFICATION LIKE THIS IT IS THE U.S. MILITARY WHO NOTIFIES THE FAMILY, NOT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS. SO ANYBODY SAYING THEY ARE AN AMERICAN RED CROSS REPRESENTATIVE AND OFFERING A NOTICE OF THIS SORT IT IS OBVIOUS A HOAX.))
[SUPER=201-Amy Whittaker/American Red Cross]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=obviously a hoax.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Red Cross is investigating the matter and will turn over any information to the Defense Department.
(------------)
[11FEMA]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-14 TC 2:38:46]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]
In February, flood waters heavily damaged parts of the News 7 viewing area.
But the incident is still fresh in the minds of those who lived through the ordeal.
Jennifer Wishon has the story of a Salem family trying to restore their home and their lives.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nats of water]
[SUPER=04-February; :00]
[SUPER=01-Charles Moore/Flood Victim; :17]
[SUPER=01-Joli Moore/Flood Victim; :38]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :44]
[SUPER=01-Justo Hernandez/FEMA; :52]
[SUPER=@Jennifer2; 1:33]
[RUNS=1:42]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7, Salem.]
((((Nats of Water))
It's been more than a month since flood waters invaded the Willow River Apartment Complex.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:53:29]
[IN Q=And this is actually]
((AND THIS IS ACTUALLY PART OF THE WALL, I MEAN IT JUST FELL DOWN.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q=just fell down]
Charles and Joli Moore lived in a first floor apartment like this one and lost everything.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:57:29]
[IN Q=Everything was thrown]
((CHARLES MOORE/FLOOD VICTIM: EVERYTHING WAS THROWN AROUND THE CEILING IN THE BEDROOM WAS LAYING IN THE FLOOR. IT WAS LIKE SOMEONE CAME IN AND JUST TOSSED STUFF ALL OVER THE PLACE.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=over the place]
The Moore's say they were lucky because they had a lot of friends who pulled together to help them.
They also got a lot of immediate help from the Red Cross, but now they're looking to FEMA for financial assistance.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:26:13]
[IN Q=We had money in savings]
((JOLI MOORE/FLOOD VICTIM: WE HAD MONEY IN SAVINGS, LUCKILY, SO IT WILL PUT THAT MONEY BACK.))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=that money back]
FEMA has set up a Disaster Recovery Center at the Department of Forestry building in Salem.
There, federal money is available for both renters and homeowners.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:35:55]
[IN Q=Anyone that suffer]
((JUSTO HERNANDEZ/FEMA: ANYONE THAT SUFFER ANY KIND OF LOSSES. ANYONE THAT WAS DISPLACED BY THE FLOODING, ANYONE THAT COULDN'T GET HOME, THAT HAD TO STAY IN A HOTEL. ANYONE THAT HAD A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=in the family]
Hernandez says it only takes about 15- minutes to register and there's up to 25- thousand dollars in assistance money available.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:40:07]
[IN Q=You can still]
((YOU CAN STILL SMELL IT, THAT'S A SMELL YOU DON'T EVER WANT TO SMELL.))
[RUNS= 04]
[OUT Q=want to smell]
Back at the Moore home memories of the flood are still all too clear.
They say federal help is coming just as the shock of losing everything sets in.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:00:21]
[IN Q=My kids lost everything]
((JOLI MOORE/FLOOD VICTIM: MY KIDS LOST EVERYTHING AND SO REPLACING THAT RIGHT NOW IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME RIGHT NOW THAN REPLACING, YOU KNOW, A FEW MORE MATERIAL THINGS FOR US.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=THINGS FOR US]
And while no amount of money will ever replace the memories damaged by the water, it will help some families get back on their feet.
Jennifer Wishon, News 7, Salem.))
(+++++++)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[TAKE FEMA FS #]
If you qualify for federal disaster money or would like more information on the funds available you can call 1-800-621-FEMA.
(+++++++)
[Tease2]
[SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Coming up next on the newscast, some midwest snow is sending the cubs back into a temporary hibernation.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
Plus it's not a film, but a movie Gladiator now has Proof of Wife.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]
[Russell-Crowe]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Movie bad boy Russell Crowe has put his bachelor days behind him.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New South Wales, Australia;]
The hard- living Oscar winner married his long-time girlfriend, actress and singer Danielle Spencer today on his ranch in Australia.
It's a DOUBLE special occasion for Crowe, who also turned 39 years old today.
He and 32- year- old Spencer exchanged vows in a specially- built chapel.
There WAS a touch of Crowe's trademark rebelliousness--
A trio of Harley Davidson bikes took part in the wedding procession.
(------------)
[Pandas]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
If you're planning a trip to Graceland, you can also see some special visitors from China.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Beijing, China;]
Giant pandas Ya Ya and Le Le (lur lur) left Beijing today.
They're on the way to their new home at the Memphis Zoo.
At today's departure ceremony, they were honored as true ambassadors.
The fluffy creatures are on loan from China for 10 years.
It's all part of China's panda diplomacy, which started more than 30 years ago, when China gave its first set of pandas to the Washington Zoo.
(------------)
[Spring-Snow]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
It's getting a little late for an April Fool's joke--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Omaha, NE;]
But Mother Nature is pulling a fast one on residents in the Midwest.
Parts of Nebraska received up to a foot of heavy, wet snow.
[SUPER=03-Chicago, IL;]
In Chicago, the windy city was the SNOWY city today.
Shovels and snow blowers got an unusual spring workout, as people tried to clear a path to get to work.
But for baseball players, there will be NO work today.
The snow threw a curve ball at the Chicago Cubs.
Wrigley Field is covered with about three inches of snow, so the Cubs had to cancel their home opener.
The game against Montreal has been re- scheduled for tomorrow, weather permitting.
(------------)
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=None]
On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was UP 155 points. The NASDAQ has gained 32.
[super=460-x/155/x/32;]
[tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Coming up next on the newscast, Dale Earnhardt Junior is not feeling too restricted these days...
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
and the Roanoke college and Randolf Macon Softball teams do what they can, to help out the Easter Seals.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]
[S-Race]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-149 TC3153]
[GRAPHIC=Nascar 2003]
Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated continued its dominance of the super speedways yesterday.
D- E- I has now won 8 of the last 10 restrictor plate races, thanks to Dale Junior's 4th straight win at Talladega yesterday in the Aaron's 499.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Talladega, AL/Fox Sports; :00]
Jeremy Mayfield started on the pole, but just four laps in, things got ugly.
Ryan Newman had a tire go flat, and triggered a 27 car pileup.
Over half the field was taken out, but fortunately, there were no serious injuries.
With just two laps to go, Earnhardt led the pack when Jimmie Johnson got turned around by Kenny Wallace.
But the caution never came out.
Dale, Jr. then held off Kevin Harvick to complete the weekend sweep.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dale Earnhardt, Jr./4th Straight Talladega Win; :]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=it was crazy."]
[S-Softball]
[ANCHOR=kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-148]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]
Roanoke College and Randolph Macon met in a softball doubleheader yesterday, but the two also pitched in to help the Easter Seals. Steve Mason checks in now from Salem with more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=01-Wendy Trail/Roanoke Catholic Softball Coach; :13]
[SUPER=01-Sid Witt/Challenger Baseball League; :40]
[SUPER=01-Alan Bayse/Roanoke College Softball Coach; :44(QUICK!!)]
[SUPER=01-Michele Seher/Randolph Macon Pitcher; :58]
[SUPER=01-Robin O'Connor/Roanoke College Second Base; 1:07]
[SUPER=@Steve2; 1:19]
[SUPER=01-Amy Layman/Roanoke College Softball Assistant Coach; 1:26]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=....news 7 sports"]
(------------)
((The Moyer Sports Complex welcomed competitors, encouragers, fund raisers and all willing to help Easter Seals. Roanoke Catholic's softball team worked the gate for coach Wendy Trail, mother to a three year old with autism.
((:))
Only the auction was silent for Easter seals that also included a 50/50 raffle. On the field bonds were being made as players extended a hand in a one inning game. Many of these kids play in the Challenger league.
((:))
((:))
Roanoke beat the Yellow jackets in game one, but the game of life and overcoming the adversities that come with it put perspective on wins and losses.
((:))
((:))
Thanks to sponsors Advance Auto and Southern Health, the benefit game raised over seven thousand dollars.
((:))
The money raised will go towards sending 10 of these kids to t he Easter Seals camp this summer. In Salem, Steve Mason news 7 sports.))
[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