WDBJ 7 morning news for 04/11/03

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

With more Iraqi soldiers surrendering and more cities falling to U-S control, the military is now going after Saddam Hussein and his inner circle.
But along the way, U-S forces have also been ordered to put a stop to looters who've been running wild in the streets of Baghdad following Saddam's fall from power.
Marines plan to enforce a dusk- to- dawn curfew, beginning tonight in the eastern part of the Iraqi capital.
Drew Levinson is in Kuwait City again this morning, and joins us now with an update.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=201-Drew Levinson/CBS News;]
[SUPER=205-Kuwait City, Kuwait;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=203-Baghdad, Iraq;]
[SUPER=203-Mosul, Iraq;]
[SUPER=201-Adel Aras/Student;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you.]

(( PKG

(Baghdad, Iraq)
A FIREFIGHT BROKE OUT AT THIS BAGHDAD MOSQUE AFTER MARINES GOT A TIP.

(SOT-?)
"we got word last night that Saddam and his son were here so we came down here to find out." :06
AFTER HOURS OF FIGHTING AN AIRSTRIKE WAS CALLED IN.
(nats)
MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THEY CAPTURED 18 IRAQIS.... BUT NO SIGN OF SADDAM. WARPLANES ALSO BOMBED A SITE NEAR BAGHDAD TRYING TO KILL SADDAM'S HALF BROTHER. HE USED TO BE THE HEAD OF IRAQ'S SECRET POLICE. MARINES NOW OCCUPY THE HEADQUARTERS OF THAT ORGANIZATION. AND POLICING MIGHT BECOME A NEW ROLE FOR TROOPS. WITH NO GOVERNMENT IN PLACE IT'S CLOSE TO ANARCHY ON THE STREETS. SOLDIERS ARE NOW BEING TOLD TO PROTECT SOME GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND HOSPITALS.

(nats)(Mosul, Iraq)
THERE ARE CELEBRATIONS AND LOOTING TODAY IN MOSUL. WITHOUT A FIGHT U-S AND KURDISH FORCES TOOK CONTROL OF THE CITY. THE STREET PARTY CONTINUES TODAY IN KIRKUK AS WELL AS KURDS CELEBRATE THEIR LONG AWAITIED LIBERATION.

(SOT-Adel Aras/Student)
"We are free today. I want to speak. Thanks Mister Bush" :04
WITH KIRKUK AND MOSUL UNDER CONTROL THE LAST MAJOR BATTLE WILL LIKELY BE IN SADDAM'S HOMETOWN OF TIKRIT. CONTAINING PALACES, BARRACKS AND COMMAND CENTERS.... IT HAS ALREADY BEEN HEAVILY BOMBED. BUT U-S INTELLIGENCE BELIEVES AS MANY AS 10-THOUSAND IRAQI TROOPS COULD BE HOLED UP THERE. AND THE POPULATION IS STILL LOYAL TO SADDAM. ))

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

[11Parks-Damage]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]
[ANCHOR TAG]
The danger from flash flooding appears to be over, but forecasters are still concerned about minor river flooding over the next few days.
That's good news for many of those still trying to recover from February's flood.
That flood caused extensive damage in Roanoke.
Two city parks remain closed and it could be several more months before they re-open.
Justin McLeod tells us why.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Steve Buschor/Parks & Recreation Department; :31]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:08]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF WATER ON TAPE 2 AT 1:28))
The Roanoke River is on the rise again.
And that's raising concerns among city leaders.
[SOT :35]
[IN Q=Anytime it rains]
((STEVE BUSCHOR/PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR: ANYTIME IT RAINS, I GET NERVOUS.)) [Runs02]
[OUT Q=I get nervous]

And for good reason.
February's floods caused nearly 80-thousand dollars in damage along the Roanoke River.
Two months later, Smith and Wasena Parks remain closed and the city is still trying to figure out how to pay for the cleanup.
[SOT 1:25]
[IN Q=We've done some claims]
((STEVE BUSCHOR: WE'VE DONE SOME CLAIMS AND ALSO DONE SOME THINGS WITH FEDERAL FEMA AND ASKED FOR MONEY TO HELP ASSIST US IN THAT PROCESS AND WE'RE LOOKING TO HEAR FROM THEM.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=hear from them]

They've already heard for them once before.
FEMA turned down a earlier request for federal funds but the city is now appealing that decision.
The city has also applied for a seperate grant to cleanup all the debris left in the trees along the river.
If the latest requests are denied, city leaders plan to ask for the public's help.
[SOT 1:56]
[IN Q=We will do everything]
((STEVE BUSCHOR: WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS. THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN HELPING US, SOME VARIOUS THINGS WE CAN DO THROUGH OUR OWN DEPARTMENT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, WE'RE IDENTIFYING FUNDS THROUGH OUR OWN DEPARTMENT TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.)) [Runs10]
[OUT Q=make that happen]
[SOT ]
[IN Q=The city hopes to hear from FEMA]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THE CITY HOPES TO HEAR FROM FEMA WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. IF THE REQUEST IS GRANTED, THE WORK WOULD BEGIN IMMEDIATELY BUT IT COULD BE UNTIL LATE SPRING BEFORE THE PARKS ARE READY TO BE RE-OPENED. JUSTIN MCLEOD, NEWS 7.))))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[SS=HOLD]

The river is expected to crest this morning at 9.7 feet - just below the flood stage of 10 feet along the Roanoke River.

[11Southside-Flooding]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=03-04 TC1:15:56]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]
The waters are rising again in Southside - although not as much as during the last round of flooding.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/Yesterday]

The Dan River basin is expecting minor to moderate flooding, mainly around South Boston.
Some secondary roads in the Mount Airy and Kentuck areas of Pittsylvania County have been closed.
But officials say the flooding is confined to the usual low-lying areas and is not a widespread problem at this point.
(------------)

[11Radford-Flooding]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-01 TC1:52:48]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

After years of complaining, some folks in Radford may soon say goodbye to their soggy yards.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
Residents in the Sunset Village and Forest Park areas have dealt with flooding in and around their homes for years now. But, city officials say they hope to fix the problem by building a new drainage system. During a public hearing last night, council proposed setting aside two million dollars for the project, money that was originally slated to build a new road.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 52:05]
[IN Q=AS A RESULT]
((5205 AS A RESULT OF THEIR REQUEST AND THE COMMENTS THEY MADE, COUNCIL DID CHANGE SOME PRIORITIES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY IN THE BUDGET TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS 5216))
[SUPER=01-Tom Starnes/Radford Mayor;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=OF THOSE CONCERNS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Starnes says the council will vote on the proposal next Monday. If the money is approved, he says work on the new system could begin as early as July.
(------------)

[11Golf-Course]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-11 TC28:55]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Buena Vista is hoping a new project will help the city's economy, and provide some relaxation at the same time.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :12.5]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista;]
Buena Vista has finalized all the financial arrangements and contracts to build an 18 hole, Par 72 golf course on city land. City officials hope the course can be a major influence on Buena Vista's economy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 53:15 on GOLF 2 tape]
[IN Q=]
((SCOTT DADSON/BUENA VISTA CITY MANAGER; SOME OF THOSE EXPECTATIONS ARE LODGING AND MORE FOOD SERVICES, PLUS SOME HIGHER END HOUSING. I DON'T KNOW IF WE'LL BE HOT SPRINGS TO THE SOUTH BUT I THINK THIS WILL BE AN EXPERIENCE THAT NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE OF BUENA VISTA WILL LIKE, BUT THE PEOPLE UP AND DOWN THE VALLEY WILL ENJOY AS WELL.))
[SUPER=01-Scott Dadson/Buena Vista City Manager;]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=will enjoy as well.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :06+]
Construction is scheduled to start next week, and the first golfers could be teeing off in July of 20-04.
(------------)

[11Goodyear]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=03-13 TC15:26]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Goodyear officials say their Danville plant will land on its feet after losing a prestigious airline client.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
Goodyear makes nose tires for Air Frances's seven Concorde jetliners. Yesterday that airline and British Airways announced they will stop flying the supersonic aircraft because sluggish passenger demand is not covering rising costs. Goodyear officials say the Danville plant made 50 to one-hundred tires for Air France each year. They say while they will miss being a supplier but it will have a minimal affect on operations. The facility continues to make tires for airlines and trucks.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news,
Wall Street has put an end to its two-day losing streak.
Stocks edged higher yesterday as investors turned their attention from the war in Iraq to corporate profits.
The gains were hard-fought, and analysts say that's a sign that investors are nervous about first-quarter results and the outlook for the current quarter.
Alexis Christoforous has more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=With the war's end]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
(((OC) WITH THE WAR'S END IN SIGHT, INVESTORS HAVE FOUND NEW REASONS TO SIT ON THEIR HANDS - THE ECONOMY AND EARNINGS SEASON. (gr) SOME LATE DAY BUYING PUSHED THE DOW UP 23 POINTS (gr) THE NASDAQ ADDED MORE THAN 8. (oc) CEO'S AT 120 OF AMERICA'S TOP COMPANIES BELIEVE THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY HAS STALLED. ACCORDING TO A CEO SURVEY BY THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE NEARLY HALF OF THE EXECUTIVES EXPECT THEIR COMPANIES TO CUT JOBS IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.. ONLY 9 PERCENT EXPECT TO CREATE JOBS.

(gr)
MORTGAGE RATES EDGED HIGHER THIS WEEK. THE AVERAGE RATE FOR A 30 YEAR LOAN IS 5.85 PERCENT.. UP FROM 5.79 PERCENT LAST WEEK.. (oc) THAT'S STILL A LOT BETTER THAN THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WHEN THE RATE FOR A 30 YR LOAN WAS 6.99 PERCENT.
MARCH WAS A TOUGH MONTH TO BE A RETAILER. A WEAK ECONOMY, BAD WEATHER, THE OUTBREAK OF WAR AND A LATER EASTER HOLIDAY KEPT PEOPLE OUT OF THE STORES.
THE DISAPPOINTING SALES FIGURES FORCED TARGET, BARNES AND NOBLE AND JC PENNEY TO WARN THAT PROFITS WILL BE LESS THAN EXPECTED. (oc) SOME ALL STREET ANALYSTS ESTIMATE THE AIRLIE INDUSTRY LOST 3 AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS IN THE FIRST THRE MONTHS OF THE YEAR.. THAT'S JUST JSY OF THE RECORD 3.8 BLN THE AIRLINES LOST IN THE FINAL QUARTER OF 2001, AFTER THE SEPTEMBER 11TH ATTACKS. the outlook for the rest of tje uear remains bleak with the war in Iraq and the SARS virus posng major roadblocks to recovery. (gr) AND THE BANKRUPT TELECOM CARRIER WORLDCOM SAYS IT PLANS TO CHANGE ITS NAME TO M-C-I. (gr) TRACK ALL THE PREMARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM AT THE NASDAQ I'M AC IN NEW YORK. ))

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

[11Smith]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-09 TC44:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The Superintendent of the Pulaski Correctional Center has lost his job at Camp One in Dublin. The Department of Corrections confirms David L. Smith "ended service" with the department.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./August 17, 1994]
In 1994, his wife disappeared and local law enforcement officials dug up his back yard, searching for her.
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co./August 21, 1997]
Three years later state police searched the grounds of the prison Camp. Carol Smith never turned up. David Smith filed for divorce and sought custody of the children almost immediately after she first disappeared.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]
He'd worked in the prison system 25 years. D-O-C won't give a reason for Smith's sudden departure, saying it's a "personnel matter." Smith did not return a phone call to his home in Radford.

[11Picard]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-10 TC44:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]

He says he stumbled onto a crime scene... but prosecutors say his footprints implicate him in a murder.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount; QUICK!!!]

Christopher Picard is charged with the capital murder of 38-year-old Lori Metts Hodges Boyd, a school bus driver and teacher's aide.
She was found strangled in the back of her burned- out car last September.
Five days later, deputies arrested Picard, a 22-year-old saw mill worker.
There were scratches on Picard's chest... and a forensic expert says his fingerprint and footprint were on items linked to Boyd.
Picard's attorney says his client came across the items while walking near his house.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:29:25]
[IN Q=He had absolutely]
((WILLIAM STANLEY/PICARD'S ATTORNEY: HE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO KNOWLEDGE OF MS. BOYD, HAS NEVER MET MS. BOYD AND CERTAINLY HE HAD NO RELATIONSHIP TO MS. BOYD. AND CERTAINLY I CAN TELL YOU THAT HE SENDS OUT ALL HIS SYMPATHY TO THE BOYD FAMILY. ))
[SUPER=01-William Stanley/Picard's Attorney;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=to the Boyd family.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The case was certified to a grand jury for next month.
[TOSS TO BUMP]

[11-221-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-12 TC17:55]
[GRAPHIC=ACCIDENT]
An accident in Roanoke County sent two people to the hospital last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Night]

The wreck happened around 9 in front of the Ye Olde English Inn on Route 221.
One of the victims was trapped for a time.
No word on their conditions or idenities.
(------------)

[11Tree-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-07 TC1:20:39]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

As high winds blew through southwest and southside Virginia yesterday, a number of trees lost their grip on the soggy soil.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co./Yesterday]

A driver in Bedford County found out the hard way.
He was travelling on route 626 near Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
The driver was distracted by another car pulling out of a driveway, and he ran into a large tree that had fallen across the road.
He suffered minor injuries. A V-DOT crew with chainsaws took care of the tree.
(------------)

[TOSS TO BUMP]

[2-Iraq]

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

Wounded U-S troops are getting a visit from President Bush and the First Lady.
The couple plans to visit two Washington- area hospitals today before heading up to Camp David.
In the latest from the front lines--
Witnesses say there's word that Iraqi forces appear to have abandoned the northern city of Mosul (MOE-sool).
Now looting is reported in Iraq's third- largest city.
Looting's already been a problem in Baghdad.
U-S Marines are planning to enforce a curfew in the eastern part of the city, beginning tonight.
We now go to Drew Levinson for an update.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=201-Drew Levinson/CBS News;]
[SUPER=205-Kuwait City, Kuwait;]

((ROLLCUED FROM NEWSPATH))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=203-Baghdad, Iraq;]
[SUPER=203-Mosul, Iraq;]
[SUPER=201-Adel Aras/Student;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you.]

(( PKG

(Baghdad, Iraq)
A FIREFIGHT BROKE OUT AT THIS BAGHDAD MOSQUE AFTER MARINES GOT A TIP.

(SOT-?)
"we got word last night that Saddam and his son were here so we came down here to find out." :06
AFTER HOURS OF FIGHTING AN AIRSTRIKE WAS CALLED IN.
(nats)
MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THEY CAPTURED 18 IRAQIS.... BUT NO SIGN OF SADDAM. WARPLANES ALSO BOMBED A SITE NEAR BAGHDAD TRYING TO KILL SADDAM'S HALF BROTHER. HE USED TO BE THE HEAD OF IRAQ'S SECRET POLICE. MARINES NOW OCCUPY THE HEADQUARTERS OF THAT ORGANIZATION. AND POLICING MIGHT BECOME A NEW ROLE FOR TROOPS. WITH NO GOVERNMENT IN PLACE IT'S CLOSE TO ANARCHY ON THE STREETS. SOLDIERS ARE NOW BEING TOLD TO PROTECT SOME GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND HOSPITALS.

(nats)(Mosul, Iraq)
THERE ARE CELEBRATIONS AND LOOTING TODAY IN MOSUL. WITHOUT A FIGHT U-S AND KURDISH FORCES TOOK CONTROL OF THE CITY. THE STREET PARTY CONTINUES TODAY IN KIRKUK AS WELL AS KURDS CELEBRATE THEIR LONG AWAITIED LIBERATION.

(SOT-Adel Aras/Student)
"We are free today. I want to speak. Thanks Mister Bush" :04
WITH KIRKUK AND MOSUL UNDER CONTROL THE LAST MAJOR BATTLE WILL LIKELY BE IN SADDAM'S HOMETOWN OF TIKRIT. CONTAINING PALACES, BARRACKS AND COMMAND CENTERS.... IT HAS ALREADY BEEN HEAVILY BOMBED. BUT U-S INTELLIGENCE BELIEVES AS MANY AS 10-THOUSAND IRAQI TROOPS COULD BE HOLED UP THERE. AND THE POPULATION IS STILL LOYAL TO SADDAM. ))

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

[11Troops-Packages]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=cpa]
[TAPE#=03-14 TC2:42:35]
[GRAPHIC=Homefront]
Volunteers are helping send troops overseas a taste of home.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Roanoke]

80 U-Haul boxes weighing 50 pounds each were packed yesterday and are ready to be shipped to service men and women.

The boxes contain donated items like shaving cream, hard candy, playing cards, and snack food.
Other donated items will help troops cope with hot temperatures in the Middle East. Sunscreen, sunglasses and sweet drink mixes are heading out.
The Red Cross says the 4-thousand pounds of items will be shipped over as soon as possible.
(------------)

[2-11Picard]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-10 TC44:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Forensic evidence is key in case against a man accused of murder in Franklin County
That's because he says he stumbled onto a crime scene... but prosecutors say his footprints implicate him in a murder.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount; QUICK!!!]

Christopher Picard is charged with the capital murder of 38-year-old Lori Metts Hodges Boyd, a school bus driver and teacher's aide.
She was found strangled in the back of her burned- out car last September.
Five days later, deputies arrested Picard, a 22-year-old saw mill worker.
There were scratches on Picard's chest... and a forensic expert says his fingerprint and footprint were on items linked to Boyd.
Picard's attorney says his client came across the items while walking near his house.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:29:25]
[IN Q=He had absolutely]
((WILLIAM STANLEY/PICARD'S ATTORNEY: HE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO KNOWLEDGE OF MS. BOYD, HAS NEVER MET MS. BOYD AND CERTAINLY HE HAD NO RELATIONSHIP TO MS. BOYD. AND CERTAINLY I CAN TELL YOU THAT HE SENDS OUT ALL HIS SYMPATHY TO THE BOYD FAMILY. ))
[SUPER=01-William Stanley/Picard's Attorney;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=to the Boyd family.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The case was certified to a grand jury for next month.

[11Teen-Death]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Henry County officials hope an autopsy will answer some questions about a young girl's death. The Sheriff's Department says a 13-year-old girl was found dead on the bedroom floor of her Ridgeway home Wednesday night. A Lieutenant involved with the case says they're concerned because of the victim's age. A family member found the body and called 9-1-1. A rescue squad transported her to Memorial Hospital. Officials will not say if they consider the death suspicious but that an autopsy has been requested.

[2-11Smith]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-09 TC44:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Pulaski Correctional Center's Superintendent has been let go from his position at Camp One in Dublin. The Department of Corrections confirms David L. Smith "ended service" with the department.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./August 17, 1994]
In 1994, his wife disappeared and local law enforcement officials dug up his back yard, searching for her.
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co./August 21, 1997]
Three years later state police searched the grounds of the prison Camp. Carol Smith never turned up. David Smith filed for divorce and sought custody of the children almost immediately after she first disappeared.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]
He'd worked in the prison system 25 years. D-O-C won't give a reason for Smith's sudden departure, saying it's a "personnel matter." Smith did not return a phone call to his home in Radford.

[Home-Loans]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
Many Americans took out home equity loans during this past decade's house boom. But some are learning that what they thought was a smart move is turning out to be a big mistake. Fred Katayama explains why.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Home values were]
[SUPER=01-Anna Pacheko/Home Equity Borrower; :28]
[SUPER=01-Brad Scriber/Consumer Federation of America; 1:08]
[SUPER=01-Fred Katayama/Reporting; 1:22]
[SUPER=01-Doug Duncan/Mortgage Bankers Association; 1:30]
[RUNS=1:52]
[OUT Q=most prized asset.]
((HOME VALUES WERE SKYROCKETING, AND AMERICANS RUSHED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM. GOADED BY A CONTRACTOR, ANNA PACHEKO AND HER HUSBAND TOOK OUT A 270-THOUSAND DOLLAR HOME EQUITY LOAN TO REPAIR THEIR HOUSE AND PAY OFF THEIR SON'S CREDIT CARD DEBTS. BUT NOW, THEY COULD LOSE THEIR HOME. LIKE AN INCREASING NUMBER OF AMERICANS, THEY FELL BEHIND ON THEIR PAYMENTS. ANNA LOST HER JOB AS A SECURITY OFFICER AFTER 9/11 AND GEORGE LOST MANY CLIENTS WHO RODE HIS LIMO.
"I'm Constantly Solicited By All These Lenders Offering Me Eight Percent Interest Rate Loans, Lower My Monthly Payments. But I Would Never Do It Again."
HOME EQUITY LOANS ALLOW PEOPLE TO BORROW AGAINST THE VALUE OF THEIR HOUSE TO COVER EXPENSES.
"if you need cash to consolidate bills."
TEMPTED BY ADS LIKE THESE, HOMEOWNERS RAISED NEARLY 130-BILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR WITH HOME EQUITY FINANCING. THAT'S NEARLY DOUBLE THAT OF THE YEAR BEFORE. LURING THEM ARE VERY LOW INTEREST RATES. AND INTEREST IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE. HOME EQUITY IS GREAT WHEN USED FOR INVESTMENTS LIKE HOME REMODELLING AND COLLEGE TUITION BUT NOT FOR SHORT-TERM USES.
"vacations, paying off credit card debt, paying for current consumption, these are not good reasons to borrow against home equity. if you can't meet the payments, you could lose your home."
WITH A SLOW ECONOMY AND MOUNTING JOB LOSSES, DELINQUENCY RATES HAVE SOARED TO LEVELS NOT SEEN SINCE THE LAST RECESSION IN 1991. BUT ECONOMISTS SAY THEY'RE NOT WORRIED JUST YET.
"we saw delinquencies peak at lower levels than in 1990-1991. So in general we believe the core of the mortgage market is actually in better shape than it was a decade ago."
BUT DUNCAN CONCEDES IF THE ECONOMY DOESN'T STOP HEMMORAGING JOBS, MORE BORROWERS WILL FALL BEHIND ... AND RISK LOSING THEIR MOST PRIZED ASSET. ))

[Biz-Brief]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

In business news, Stocks ended the day higher on Wall Street, and oil prices plunged nearly a-dollar- forty-cents a barrel. That is the biggest one-day decline since the beginning of the war against Iraq. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case]
(( STOCKS EKED OUT MODEST GAINS THURSDAY AS WORRIES ABOUT THE WAR SHIFTED TO CONCERNS ABOUT THE ECONOMY. NOT MUCH BENEFIT FOLLOWED AN IMPROVED EMPLOYMENT REPORT. THE DOW ADDED 23 POINTS. THE NASDAQ WAS UP ALMOST NINE. NEW JOBLESS CLAIMS IN THE UNITED STATES PLUNGED LAST WEEK. BUT THE FIGURE STAYED ABOVE THE BENCHMARK READING OF 400-THOUSAND WHICH POINTS TO A WEAK LABOR MARKET. THE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAID THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS FILING NEW BENEFITS CLAIMS FELL TO 405-THOUSAND IN THE WEEK ENDED APRIL 5. THAT'S DOWN FROM A REVISED 443-THOUSAND THE PRIOR WEEK. ECONOMISTS HAD EXPECTED 428-THOUSAND NEW CLAIMS. --WIPE TO VO-- YAHOO GAVE TECH STOCKS A MID-WEEK BOOST. ITS SHARES CLIMBED SIX PERCENT AFTER POSTING BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED FIRST-QUARTER RESULTS LATE WEDNESDAY. THE INTERNET BELLWETHER PREDICTS A REBOUND IN ADVERTISTING AND GROWTH IN BROADBAND SERVICES WILL ALSO BUMP UP FULL-YEAR REVENUES. --WIPE TO VO-- BRITISH AIRWAYS AND AIR FRANCE SAY THEY'LL RETIRE THEIR CONCORDE FLEETS IN OCTOBER. THE SUPERSONIC AIRLINER HAS BEEN STRUGGLING TO ATTRACT PASSENGERS SINCE A DEADLY CRASH IN PARIS THREE YEARS AGO. THE DECISION CAME AFTER THE PLANE'S MANUFACTURER ANNOUNCED THE CONCORDES WOULD NEED AN "ENHANCED MAINTENANCE PROGRAM IN COMING YEARS." THE CONCORDE FIRST ENTERED SERVICE IN 19-76. WITH THE BIZ BRIEF, I'M STAN CASE. ))

[TAPE TOSS TO STOCKS] [STOCKS] [COMM]

[11White-Tigers]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-06 TC1:10:46]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Mill Mountain Zoo is roaring about the arrival of two Bengal tigers, including one with a rare white coat.
The one year old females were expected to arrive from Atlanta around 6:00.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :08]
[SUPER=04-November 1990;]
It's the first time since brothers Kubla and Khan visited in 1990 that one of the stunning animals has gone on display at the zoo.
(///// SOT at :08 /////)
[SOT 3:00-3:13]
[IN Q=Very, very pretty animal.]
((BETH POFF/MILL MOUNTAIN ZOO: VERY, VERY PRETTY ANIMAL. VERY EYE CATCHING, VERY COLORFUL. JUST TO SEE SOMETHING THAT RARE IS GONNA BE A FUN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE IN THIS AREA.))
[SUPER=01-Beth Poff/Mill Mountain Zoo;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=for people in this area.]
(------------)
[VO NAT :15]
Poff hopes Sareeka (shar-EE-kah) and My-Lee (my-LEE) will help focus attention on the zoo's tiger conservation program. She says, of the five sub-species of tigers left, two are in danger of going extinct. The zoo hopes to begin breeding the big cats over the next few years.
(------------)

[Patriotic-Peeps]

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

A popular Easter candy is getting an all-American make-over.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

"Patriotic Peeps" are coming to a grocery store near you.
The traditional marshamallow chicks are being white-washed, then splashed with red, white, and blue sprinkles.
Even more patriotic marshmallow stars are also making their debut.
But you won't find the new patriotic peeps in your Easter basket this year.
The new candy isn't available until June.
(------------)

[Delta-Carrier]

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

You can now fly Delta for a "song."
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA;]

Delta Airlines has rolled out its new low cost carrier. Song is Delta's latest effort to stop the red ink.
Last year, the airline lost more than a billion dollars, mostly because of competition from JetBlue, AirTran, and others battling in the Florida tourist market.
Song officials say it can fly the same routes 22- percent cheaper than Delta, and help the airline's profit margins.

The carrier will focus on the New York to Florida market, running up to 144 daily flights to 11 cities by the end o(------------) f the year.