[News-Heads]

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

[VO-NAT]

There are more signs of freedom today in Iraq-- from the flow of oil to a massive pilgrimage.
And here at home, a former P-O-W tastes freedom as he returns home to Georgia.
(---------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]


Plus, Roanoke police are hoping the public can help solve the city's newest murder case.
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Steve]
[SS=None]


Sunny skies make up your Mid-Week forecast. Temperatures will be comfortable with highs in the 60's. Your complete forecast, including an April Frost, is straight ahead.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY 2-Shot]


News 7 at Noon starts right now...
[Noon-open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]
[SUPER=@Brent1; ]


[Korea-Talks]


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


Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
Officials from the U-S and North Korea have begun talks in China.
They're hoping to keep a diplomatic squabble from becoming far worse.
Barry Petersen reports from Beijing.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Beijing, China; :00]
[SUPER=01-Barry Petersen/CBS News; :56]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=Peterson, CBS News, Beijing.]


[Iraq]


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


Oil is again flowing in Iraq.
It's a sign that the nation is starting to get back on its feet.
However, the situation in the country remains on shaky ground.
Stacy Case explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=201-Jay Garner/Iraq's Reconstruction Leader; :48]
[SUPER=201-Stacy Case/CBS News; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=CASE, CBS News, Washington.]

((
NAT: pilgrimage
TRACK: FREEDOM COMES IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES THESE DAYS IN IRAQ--- FROM
A MASSIVE PILGRIMAGE, LONG BANNED BY SADDAM HUSSEIN---

TO A NEW DAILY NEWSPAPER, UNCENSORED BY THE GOVERNMENT. AND FREE FLOWING OIL-- NO LONGER CONTROLLED BY A DICTATOR.
NAT: pilgrimage TRACK: FOR THOUSANDS OF SHIITE MUSLIMS THEIR TREK TO THE SOUTHERN HOLY CITY OF KARBALA IS WHAT FREEDOM IS ALL ABOUT.
SADDAM HUSSEIN, A SUNNI MUSLIM, DID NOT ALLOW THE SHIITES TO WORSHIP IN THIS WAY. BUT MANY ALSO USED THE OCCASSION TO VOICE ANTI AMERICAN
SENTIMENT--- THEY WANT COALITION FORCES OUT AND NOW.



(SOT-mos)

"to the American and English army, when they leave they will make all of us very happy"
SUPER: RET GENERAL JAY GARNER/RECONSTRUCTION LEADER A month ago they wouldn't have been able to demonstrate. Demonstrations are one of the properties of freedom so they're free to demonstrate and we don't discourage that.
NAT: welcoming garner cheers

IN NORTHERN IRAQ AT LEAST--- IRAQI KURDS GREETED JAY GARNER...A

RETIRED US GENERAL WITH OPEN ARMS. HE'S LEADING THE RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT....AND HOPING TO ESTABLISH ETHNIC HARMONY IN THIS AREA. KURDISH
LEADERS GAVE THEIR WORD--- THEY WON'T GET EVEN WITH IRAQI ARABS WHO

PERSECUTED THEM UNDER SADDAM HUSSEIN.
NAT: (cheers)
STAND UP: STACY CASE/ REPORTING

))[SARS]


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


There's a new travel warning from the World Health Organization in light of the growing SARS epidemic.
Health officials say travelers should avoid Toronto, Beijing and a Chinese province because of the danger of SARS.

The three locations are joining Hong Kong as banned areas for visitors.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Beijing, China;]


In Beijing, officials announced they're closing most schools there for two weeks to prevent the spread of the illness.
Classrooms were already deserted today.
More than a million primary and secondary students will have to stay home, with mid- term examinations and school trips now cancelled.
(------------)


[WX-Tease] ((KIM TOSS TO LEO)) [4/23/2003]
[SS=NONE]LEO in WX-CENTER



[WXPRO/FULL] RADAR STORY


[SS=NONE]




(LEO TOSS to KIM)






[Peterson]


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


Laci Peterson's family has begun making plans for her funeral, but it may be a while before they can bury her and her unborn son.
Forensic experts are still trying to determine how they died.
As John Blackstone reports, Laci may be gone, but she hasn't been forgotten.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Modesto, CA; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Blackstone/CBS News; :27]
[SUPER=01-Bob Starling/Laci's Science Teacher; 1:23 -QUICK ]
[SUPER=01-Leo Aguilar/High School Teacher; 1:36 quick!!!]
[RUNS=1:57]
[OUT Q=Blackstone, CBS News, Modesto.]

((
Modesto is a city of 200,000 that somehow hangs on to the feeling that its still a small farm town.

(A&W ON SKATES, THE ARCH)

Some things here may seem quaint and old fashioned... like the boastful arch over main street.

(ARCH ZOOM TO "CONTENTMENT")

But lately Modesto has been anything but contented.

(MEMORIAL AT HOME)

When Laci Peterson disappeared on Christmas Eve... it quickly became a hometown tragedy... for a hometown girl.
STANDUP BUT AT FEW PLACES IN MODESTO IS LACI'S DEATH FELT MORE DEEPLY THAN HERE IN THE HALLS OF DOWNEY HIGH. THIS IS WHERE LACI STUDIED AND LAUGHED FOR FOUR YEARS. A CHEERLEADER... A STUDENT LEADER... WHO ALWAYS HAD A SMILE.
VICKY: In all the pictures there is that smile. It wasn't just for a picture.
TRACK: Vicky Lewis and Tammy Streeter coached the Cheerleading squad at Downey during Laci's years here.
TAMMY: It was an outlet for her energy.
VICKY: Senior year, little dimple, big smile.
TRACK: Even in a crowd of smiling faces, Laci stood out.
VICKY & TAMMY: Her energy, enthusiasm, dependable for just being there.
TRACK: The yearbooks filled with photographs and memories have taken on a new dimension now. The past is more poignant.)) [CUT HERE PLEASE]
((


WALKING SHOT TRACK: Downey High is not a place that forgets its alumni. There's a picture of every graduating class since the 1950's.
BOB: Thousands of kids. '93 is right here, Laci is right here in the front row.
TRACK: And now the school is making plans to remember Laci with a scholorship in her name. That way, says teacher Leo Aguilar, Laci will touch the lives of students here for years to come.
LEO: This is how we want to remember Laci. // We want to make sure this legacy remains for Laci.
TRACK: The teachers at Downey knew Laci on the threshold of life... when her future was as big as her smile. That's the way they want to remember her, always. John Blackstone, CBS News, Modesto.

))[AM-Roanoke-Shooting]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=03-12 TC 28:46]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]

Roanoke Police are hoping the public can help them find out what led to a Montgomery County man's death.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :21]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]


Fifty one year old Richard Anthony Palmer of Riner was found dead of a gunshot wound in a green pick-up truck at Norfolk Avenue and 12th Street Southwest yesterday evening. At the scene, in order to preserve evidence from rain showers, police covered the area with a tarp, processed the actual crime scene and then transported the vehicle with Palmer's body still in it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:08:03]
[IN Q=we'll move]

((SHELLY ALLEY/ROANOKE POLICE SPOKESPERSON; WE'LL MOVE THE TRUCK TO A LOCATION A COVERED LOCATION SECURE LOCATION IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO PROCESS THE EVIDENCE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE TRUCK))
[SUPER=01-Shelly Alley/Roanoke City Police Spokesperson;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=OUTSIDE OF THE TRUCK.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This case marks the 12th murder in the City of Roanoke this year. Anyone with information should call Roanoke police.


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


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


Coming up on News 7 at Noon - It's no bull - PETA is picking yet another battle -
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]

This time the animal rights group wants to change the name of a Buffalo suburb.
(---------------)

[music up full] [comm1]


[Dog-Shooting]


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


It's often said that every dog has his day--
But in Clearlake, California, one not-so-lucky pooch certainly had one to remember.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Clearlake, CA;]


Last Tuesday, Dosha was hit by a car.
A police officer says he then shot the dog to save her from the pain of her injuries.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I saw the policeman]

((LOUETTA MALLARD/DOSHA'S OWNER:I SAW THE POLICEMAN STANDING THERE I SAW THE DOG LYING ON THE GROUND SHOT AND I SAW THE PUBLIC WORKS PICK HER UP AND JUST THROW HER IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. ))
[SUPER=01-Louetta Mallard/Dosha's Owner;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=back of the truck.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Dosha, presumed dead, was taken to Animal Control, where she was put in a freezer for two hours.
Amazingly, Dosha survived, and is now receiving treatment for the gunshot wound and hypothermia.
Meanwhile, the police chief is defending the officer who shot Dosha.
Police say the dog's OWNER may be cited for letting her pet run free.
The case remains under investigation by police and Animal Control.
(------------)



[PETA-Town]


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


The animal rights group - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - or PETA - has a new cause to fight for. It is offering a Buffalo surburb some cold hard cash to change its name. Barbara Pinson has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Hamburg, NY; :00]
[SUPER=01-Patrick Hoak/Hamburg Supervisor; 1:24]
[SUPER=01-Barbara Pinson/Reporting; 1:37]
[RUNS=1:47]
[OUT Q=we're not going to pursue it]



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

An area medical center is cutting back. Find out why when we return.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


and VDOT workers are having to renew their lisences.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]


[11Medical-Center]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=03-18 TC04:48]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]

Danville Regional Health Systems is cutting 70 jobs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/File Tape;]

The move is part of an overall reduction in expenses that will save the facility about three-million dollars. Hospital officials blame the cuts on Medicaid changes passed by the General Assembly this year. Danville Regional is reducing the number of Medicaid beds at its nursing facility, and it's eliminating the outpatient pediatric rehab program.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]

Of the 70-jobs cut, 26 were already vacant.
Officials say the nurse- to- patient ratio is NOT being affected.

[11County-Budget]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=03-15 TC2:33:49]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke County administrators are sending a balanced budget to the Board of Supervisors.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :20.5]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

Officials say the 127-million dollar budget for the general fund accomplishes many things in the County without raising taxes. The plan adds fire and rescue personnel, four sheriff's deputies and includes a regional storm water program. One of the biggest budget challenges this year was the loss of 570-thousand dollars in state funding.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 08:24:24]
[IN Q=it really was]

((ELMER HODGE/ROANOKE CO. ADMINISTRATOR; IT REALLY WAS A DIFFICULT BUDGET YEAR FOR EVERYONE BUT WE CAME OUT BETTER THAN WE THOUGHT WE WERE WHEN WE STARTED THE PROCESS. HIGHLIGHTS, WE WERE ABLE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, NO TAX INCREASES WE DID INCREASE THREE FEES.))
[SUPER=01-Elmer Hodge/Roanoke Co. Administrator;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=THREE FEES.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Those are ambulance and sheriff's fees. With a public hearing on the budget held last night, the Board is expected to adopt it at its first meeting in May.
(------------)






[11Jobs-VDOT]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Some V-DOT engineers will be heading back to school.
That's because many of them need to pass the professional engineering exam or risk losing their job.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :16]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]


Almost two-thirds of the V-DOT workers who are required to have a professional engineer's license, do not hold one.

But state officials say that is going to change.
V-DOT has sent letters to 252 of its engineers, informing them they need to get licensed in order to keep their jobs.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 04:12:34]
[IN Q=IT'S A REQUIREMENT IN THERE]

((MALCOLM KERLEY/VDOT CHIEF ENGINEER FOR PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: IT'S A REQUIREMENT IN THERE THAT SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS WHAT WE'RE BUILDING OUT THERE IS ACCORDING TO APPROPRIATE CODES AND REGULATIONS AND SAFE FOR THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC.))
[SUPER=01-Malcolm Kerley/Virginia Department of Transportation;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=SAFE FOR THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The affected workers have until 2010 to meet the licensing requirement.
V-DOT officials say hiring only licensed engineers will likely cost the state more money.
(------------)



[11VDOT-Comments]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-08 TC1:15:50]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Work to add turn lanes to an intersection near Smith Mountain Lake is on hold after Bedford County Supervisors found dozens of public comments about the project were forged.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :20]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.;]

In 1998, Bedford County Supervisors added the turn-lane project for the White House area of Routes 608 and 626 to their 6-year plan.
Before the vote was reaffirmed late last year, Supervisors took into consideration dozens of public comment cards, many of which turned out to be fake. The county is requesting a police investigation.
(///// SOT at :20 /////)
[SOT 4:40-5:00]
[IN Q=...]

((BILL ROLFE/BEDFORD COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR: WE DON'T FEEL THAT THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR IS PROPER AND WE'RE GONNA BE LOOKING AT WHAT KIND OF PROCEDURE WE CAN DEVELOP TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN PEOPLE MAKE WRITTEN COMMENTS THAT WE'RE GETTING COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY EXIST.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Rolfe/Bedford Co. Administrator;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=from people that actually exist.]
(-------------)

[VO NAT :05] A spokesperson for VDOT says she doesn't think a crime has been committed.
((///// SOT at :05 /////))
[SOT 2:25-2:35]
[IN Q=The comment sheets are looked at closely...]

((LAURA BULLOCK/VDOT SPOKESPERSON: THE COMMENT SHEETS ARE LOOKED AT CLOSELY BUT WHAT WE LOOK FOR IS CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM THAT WOULD HELP US MAKE THE PROJECT BETTER.))
[SUPER=01-Laura Bullock/Virginia Department of Transportation;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=help us make the project better.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]


The Bedford County Commonwealth's Attorney did not return our call for comment.
[N-W TOSS NEXT]

[Weather] [NOON WEATHER] [4/23/2003] [TWO SHOT]

[WXPRO/FULL]

[MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL]
[CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [WXPRO/FULL] FORECASTS EXTENDED FORECAST

[Stocks]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Quiet trading is greeting investors at the start of today's session. On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was up 12 points, the Nasdaq gained 9.

[super=460-x/12/x/9;]


[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

coming up in sports... Radford University signs two new basketball players...
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

and the ACC baseball tournament is making a swing in Virginia.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]



[S-ACC]


[ANCHOR=kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-139 1:22:22]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]


The City of Champions is preparing for what officials hope is another diamond gem.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]


Salem welcomed ACC assistant commissioner Dolores "Dee" Todd to town yesterday to help kick off the conference baseball tournament that will invade Salem Memorial Stadium May 20th through the 25th.
The ACC baseball tournament is making its first appearance in Virginia.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Delores "Dee" Todd/Assistant ACC Commissioner; :00]
[SUPER=01-Stan Macko/Salem Avalanche General Manager; :21]
[SUPER=01-Carey Harveycutter/Salem Civic Center Manager; :35]
[RUNS=:46]
[OUT Q=....people in the stands"]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The Virginia Cavaliers should help put people in the stands.
The Wahoos have already beaten ranked teams N.C. State, Clemson and Miami this season. Serving as the host school is great motivation for UVa.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dennis Womack/UVa Baseball Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=....pride for us"]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=kim]
[graphic=acc]

There are all kinds of ticket packages available at the Salem Civic Center box office. They range in price from $65 for a reserved seat behind home plate that gets you in for every tournament game over the span of the six day event, to a one game student/senior citizen ticket that costs just $3.50.

[S-Radford]


[ANCHOR=kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=RADFORD HOOPS]


The Radford men's basketball program signed two players yesterday. Dan Ross and Chris Oliver inked scholarship papers to play for Byron Samuels. Ross is a six-six shooting guard from Baltimore. Oliver is a six- seven player from Kernersville, North Carolina. He is considered one of the top 30 players in the Tarheel state.

[Pandas]


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


And finally today--
The Memphis Zoo has received a very special delivery from Fed Ex.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Memphis, TN;]


Two weeks ago, giant pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le (Luh-luh) arrived from China to their new home in Tennessee.
They'll live there for the next 10 years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They're really fascinating]

((MATT THOMPSON/ASST. CURATOR OF MAMMALS: THEY'RE REALLY FASCINATING ANIMALS, THEY ARE TWO OF THE MOST LAID BACK ANIMALS I'VE EVER WORKED WITH. YAYA IS TWO AND A HALF, SHE WAS HAND RAISED, AND SHE'S FROM THE BEIJING ZOO. LELE IS A LITTLE OLDER, HE'S FOUR AND A HALF AND HE'S FROM THE SHANGHAI ZOO, ))
[SUPER=01-Matt Thompson/Assistant Curator of Mammals;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=Shanghai Zoo.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Under an agreement with the Chinese goverment, the Memphis Zoo will pay China 1-point-two million dollars a year for them.
The money goes toward panda conservation in China.
That includes the re-forestation of bamboo, the only food source for Pandas. Only about a thousand giant pandas still exist in the world.
(------------)


[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