WDBJ 7 morning news for 05/09/03

[Tornadoes]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Tornado]

Mother Nature keeps taking swings at the Midwest.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Near Oklahoma City, OK;]

The latest tornado struck an Oklahoma City suburb during afternoon rush hour yesterday, putting drivers right in the middle of the storm.
No one was killed, but more than 100 people were injured.
Hundreds of homes in and around Oklahoma City were destroyed.
The Governor plans to seek a federal disaster declaration.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We'll rebuild]
((BRAD HENRY/D- OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR: WE'LL REBUILD OKLAHOMA CITY AND MOORE AND MIDWEST CITY AND THE OTHER CITIES IN OKLAHOMA THAT WE'RE DAMAGED TONIGHT AND WE'LL BE STRONGER IN THE END.))
[SUPER=01-Brad Henry/Oklahoma Governor;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=stronger in the end.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lawrence, KS;]

Kansas, still recovering from Sunday's storms, saw another round of twisters last night.
They tore through the eastern part of the state, ripping the roofs off homes and flipping over cars.
(------------)

[11Radford-Arsenal]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-15 TC2:56:30]
[GRAPHIC=Explosion]
An explosion shook the Radford Arsenal.
But officials say it should not interrupt production at the plant.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]
It happened around 4:40 yesterday afternoon at the plant's nitro-cellulose processing operation, an area where they purify the substance. Officials say the explosion caused some damage to the outside wall of the building, but there were no serious injuries. However, four people were being evaluated at the facility's hospital for hearing-related problems. Investigators are looking into the cause of the explosion.

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

[11Fleming-Lockdown]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-17 TC13:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Two Roanoke schools were locked down for an hour and a half, as police chased reports of a gunman in the area.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Students at William Fleming High School and Ruffner Middle School were released at about 5:30 yesterday afternoon.

School officials decided to lock down both schools at about 3:45, after police told them a man with a gun was seen driving on Ferncliff Avenue near the schools.
Though the man didn't go on school property, officials decided to play it safe.
(///// SOT /////)
[BUMP SOTS]
[IN Q=I feel like]
[sot 9:11:28]
((RAVEN STEWART: I FEEL LIKE THEY TOOK OUR SAFETY AS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO PROTECT AND I THINK THEY DID A GOOD JOB OF IT.))
[sot 9:10:10]
((BLAKE TAYLOR: I'M PROUD OF MY SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY TOOK MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS AND HANDLED IT WELL. ))
[SUPER=01-Raven Stewart/William Fleming Senior; :00]
[SUPER=01-Blake Taylor/William Fleming Junior; :07 QUICK!]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=handled it well.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

It was a real-life drill for the students, who had been told to expect a practice lockdown any time soon.
Police are still looking for the alleged gunman.
(------------)

[AM-Henry-Athletics]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-20 TC 12:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Henry County school system is facing a budget shortfall of nearly 1.5 million dollars next year.
As a result, the school board has voted to eliminate several programs including middle school sports.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bassett]

The superintendent says cutting funding for middle school atheltics would save the county nearly a hundred thousand dollars a year.
The money pays for coaches, transportation, insurance, and equipment.
But some parents believe the school system is on the wrong track since more than four hundred kids take part in middle school atheltics.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 27:49; 34:54; 12:34]
[IN Q=When he's playing sports]
((TRACEY WITCHER/PARENT: WHEN HE'S PLAYING SPORTS HIS GRADES ARE REALLY UP THERE AND HE KNOWS IF DOESN'T KEEP HIS GRADES UP I WILL MAKE HIM COME OFF THE TEAM.)) ((CHARELLE FULLER/ATHLETE: I THINK YOU WON'T HAVE NOTHING TO DO AFTER SCHOOL YOU'LL EITHER GO HOME, WATCH TV, YOU CAN'T GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY SPORTS OR NOTHING.)) ((DR. SHARON DODSON/SUPERINTEDENT OF SCHOOLS: WE HAVE 16 OUT OF OUR 20 SCHOOLS FULLY ACCREDITED AND WE EXPECT ALL 20 OF OUR SCHOOLS TO BE FULLY ACCREDITED AND OUR RESOURCES HAVE TO BE DIRECTED TOWARDS THOSE EFFORTS.))
[SUPER=01-Tracey Witcher/Parent; :00]
[SUPER=01-ChaRelle Fuller/Athlete; :09]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Sharon Dodson/Henry Co. School Superintendent; :17]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=towards those efforts]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The superintedent does point out students have several alternatives.
Eighth graders will be allowed to try out for junior varsity teams at the high school level.
Athletes can also turn to the county's parks and recreation department which offers every sport that the middle school now offers.
(------------)

[11City-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-10 TC1:17:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke City Council sent budget planners back to work after members objected to changes in Fire-EMS funding.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape]

Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham had recommended the department not fund six vacant positions.
Fire officials said the decision would not jeopardize fire protection or employee morale.
But some council members were not convinced.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:08:07]
[IN Q=I don't know where]
((LINDA WYATT/ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL: I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOUR HEAD IS, WHERE YOUR CONCERN IS FOR THE KIND OF STRESS YOU'RE PUTTING THESE EMPLOYEES UNDER.))
[SUPER=@Wyatt;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=putting these employees under.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The prospect of fewer school resource officers at two Roanoke high schools also raised concerns.
Council member Bill Bestpitch encouraged the school board to put off consideration of any cuts until new high school buildings are constructed.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke's school superintendent and the chief of police are now discussing school security and the future of the resource officers.

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Northwest Airlines wants to fly non-stop to Bagdhad.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
((A MAJOR AIRLINES WANTS TO FLY FROM THE U-S TO IRAQ.

(GR)
NORTHWEST AIRLINES IS ASKING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR PERMISSION TO BEGIN FLYING FROM DETROIT TO BAGHDAD... DETROIT HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST ARAB POPULATIONS IN NORTH AMERICAN. NORTHWEST IS BETTING THAT AS THE REBUILDING PROGRESSES, DEMAND TO IRAQ WILL INCREASE.

(OC)
THE NEWS KEEPS GETTING BETTER FOR HOMEBUYERS...Mortgage rates fell again week, leaving the

(GR)

benchmark 30-year loan just one tick shy of a record low. the average rate on a 30 year is 5.62 percent.. while the average for a 15 year loan - popular with refinancers is 4.97 percent.

(OC)
ON WALL STREET...MORE SIGNS OF WEAK LABOR MARKET AND DISAPPOINTING RETAIL SALES FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL KEPT STOCKS UNDER WATER... SOME ANALYSTS ARE SAYING STOCKS MAY HAVE RUN UP TOO FAR TOO FAST IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE WAR WITH IRAQ...

(GR)
THE DOW FELL BACK 69 POINTS

(GR)
NASDAQ GAVE UP 17

(OC)
THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS APPARENTLY WAITING IN THE WINGS WITH AN INTEREST RATE CUT.. IF NEEDED... ACCORDING TO THE MINUTES OF THE FED'S MARCH MEETING, POLICYMAKERS ARE IN FAVOR OF CUTTING RATES AGAIN TO SHORE UP THE ECONOMY. THE FED MEETS AGAIN IN JUNE.

(GR)
TRACK ALL THE PREMARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM

(OC)
AT THE NASDAQ I'M AC IN NEW YORK.))

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

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Rebuilding]

The U-S and Britain are seeking approval from the United Nations to run Iraq for at least a year.
A draft resolution is headed to the U-N Security Council today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-New York, NY;]

The U-S will also ask the council to lift economic sanctions against Iraq. The proposed resolution would phase out the oil- for- food program and give United Nations officials a role in Iraq's re- construction.
The measure is opposed by France and Russia, which had lucrative oil- for- food contracts.
(------------)

[Double-Agent]

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

A federal grand jury has indicted alleged Chinese double agent Katrina Leung (lee- YUNG).
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Leung (lee- YUNG) isn't charged with espionage, but could face up to 50 years in prison for other charges.
She's accused of taking secret documents from her lover, F-B-I agent James Smith, and handing them over to the Chinese government.
Smith, meanwhile, was indicted on Wednesday for filing false reports about Leung (lee- YUNG).
(------------)

[VA-Voting]

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

In an effort to keep elections free of hanging "chads," Virginia's voting machines are getting a facelift.
50- to 60- million dollars is headed to the state to replace all existing punch- card and mechanical- lever voting machines and upgrade other voting procedures.
In reaction to the presidential election fiasco in Florida in 2000, Congress appropriated nearly four billion dollars to help states replace those outdated machines.
Virginia will also receive 13- million dollars to replace its statewide voter-registration computer system.

[11Mock-Con]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-09 TC1:27:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]
In January, students at Washington and Lee University will try to predict who will represent the democratic party in the 2004 presidential race. Yesterday, they kicked off the celebration, and got a visit from one of the candidates. Richard Lesko has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Lexington; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rev. Al Sharpton/(D) Candidate for President; :12]
[SUPER=01-Michael Denbow/Mock Convention Political Chairman; 1:18]
[SUPER=@richard1; 1:27]
[RUNS=1:43]
[OUT Q=NEWS 7, LEXINGTON]
(( Among other things, the Reverend Al Sharpton has been called one of the most racially divisive men in America, and the name of Tawana Brawnley still follows him.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[INQ=I have to be the only man...]
((I HAVE TO BE THE ONLY MAN IN AMERICA THAT HAS TO ANSWER TO WHY I STOOD UP FOR A WOMAN INSTEAD OF LAYING ONE DOWN.)) [RUNS10]
[OUTQ=laying one down.]
Even at this early stage in the campaign, it will be an uphill battle for Sharpton. A poll in New Hampshire released on Wednesday showed Sharpton's rating was last in the field at zero percent. But he is no stranger to running from behind in primaries. He faced similar challenges running twice for a New York Senate seat, and for mayor of New York City.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[INQ=]
((MANY OF THEM ARE NOT FIGHTING ME BECAUSE OF SO-CALLED BAGGAGE, MOST OF THEM HAVE MORE BAGGAGE THAN I COULD CARRY WITH A HELM OF BELLMEN. THEY ARE FIGHTING ME BECAUSE I WOULD IN EFFECT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT COME TO THE BARGAINING TABLE AND VIEW US AS CHIPS, FOR THEIR OWN RELEVANCE AND THEIR OWN NECESSITY.)) [RUNS20]
[OUTQ=their own necessity.]
The entire mock convention festivities are set up and run by Washington and Lee students. Most of the democratic hopefuls were invited to attend, but only Sharpton accepted.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 9:27]
[INQ=We've had a lot...]
((MICHAEL DENBOW/MOCK CONVENTION POLITICAL CHAIR; WE'VE HAD A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN HIS OFFICE AND OUR OFFICE AND IT WORKED OUT. HE NEEDED SOME EXPOSURE IN VIRGINIA, WE THOUGHT HE'D BRING A LOT OF MEDIA AND EXPOSURE FOR US, WE LIKE THAT, IT'S A GOOD FIT. )) [RUNS9]
[OUTQ=it was a good fit.]
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 48:07]
[INQ=]
((RICHARD LESKO/RLESKO@WDBJ7.COM; NOW STUDENTS WON'T PICK WHO THEY THINK THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE WILL BE UNTIL LATE JANUARY, AND IF HISTORY SERVES AS ANY LESSON THEY WILL PROBABLY GET IT RIGHT. IN FACT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN WRONG SINCE 1972, WHEN THEY PICKED KENNEDY OVER MCGOVERN. RICHARD LESKO, NEWS 7, LEXINGTON.)) [RUNS16]
[OUTQ=RL, N7, LEXINGTON.]))

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[6-School-Resource]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-12 TC46:32]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The prospect of fewer resource officers at each of Roanoke city's high schools brought criticism from city council.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The subject came up yesterday as council members met for budget talks with the school board.
Council member Bill Bestpitch said it might be best to delay any action on the issue until high school construction projects are completed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:52:41]
[IN Q=If we're talking about doing that]
[SUPER=@Bestpitch;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=safety of the students.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

School Superintendent Wayne Harris and Police Chief Joe Gaskins are now discussing security issues and the proper role for resource officers in the city schools.

[Biz-Brief]

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

In business news, Stocks fell for the second straight day. John Lisk has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-John Lisk/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=I'm John Lisk]

((AFTER PUSHING MARKETS HIGHER EARLY IN THE WEEK, INVESTORS TOOK PROFITS THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

THE DOW LOST 69 POINTS ON THE DAY.
AND THE NASDAQ GAVE UP 17.

THE WEEK ENDING MAY NINTH MARKED THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE FALL IN INTEREST RATES ON HOME LOANS.
FREDDIE MAC SAID A 30-YEAR MORTGAGE AVERAGED FIVE-POINT-SIX-TWO PERCENT WITH AN AVERAGE OF SEVEN-TENTHS OF A POINT PAYABLE TO THE LENDER UP FRONT .
A YEAR AGO THE AVERAGE RATE WAS SIX-POINT-SEVEN-NINE PERCENT .

THE VALUE OF THE EURO SURGED ON THURSDAY, BREAKING ABOVE THE ONE-DOLLAR-FIFTEEN-CENTS LEVEL AND REACHING A FOUR-YEAR HIGH.
TRADERS SAID THE UP-TICK WAS DRIVEN BY BROADER STRENGTH AGAINST THE YEN.
THE DOLLAR ALSO GAINED BACK A SMALL PART OF ITS LOST VALUE AGAINST THE YEN.

RETAILERS REPORTED THURSDAY THAT APRIL SALES WERE, ON BALANCE, FAIRLY WEAK.
SHOPPERS ONLY TENTATIVELY RETURNED TO STORES AND MALLS IN THE WAKE OF THE IRAQ WAR.
SEARS SAID APRIL SAME-STORE SALES TUMBLED EIGHT-AND-A-HALF PERCENT.
THE COMPANY REPORTED PARTICULAR WEAKNESS IN ITS HARDLINE PRODUCTS.
TARGET, ON THE OTHER HAND, SAID APRIL SAME-STORE SALES ROSE NEARLY FOUR PERCENT.
GAP ONCE AGAIN BUCKED THE TREND, SAYING APRIL COMPS SHOT UP 20 PERCENT.

WITH THE BIZ BRIEF, I'M JOHN LISK.))

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

[11Bond-Cote]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-08 TC1:37:12]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Federal agents searched the offices of a New River Valley company, amid allegations it violated the terms of a military contract.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dublin;]
Bond Cote manufactures coated fabrics, or canvas. About 70-percent of its business is with the military. Yesterday, Environmental and Defense Investigators searched the company's corporate offices in Pulaski and another facility in Dublin.
[SUPER=03-Pulaski;]
A company official says the search followed a complaint that the firm was using a toxic chemical that is banned for military use. He says the chemical is a coloring agent, and though it is legal, it's not supposed to be used in military fabrics.
Officials say investigators will continue their work today. It's unclear when Bond Cote workers will be allowed to return to their jobs.
(-------------)

[11Hale]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke police have identified a man found dead in the Roanoke River.
29-year-old Brian Eugene Hale of Southeast Roanoke was pulled from the river Wednesday morning.
His body was discovered near 13th Street, behind the Roanoke Sewage Treatment Plant.
Police are still investigating his death.

[11New-Jobs]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=03-]
[GRAPHIC=NEw Jobs]
Franklin County's largest employer is expanding.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :18]
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount;]
M-W Manufacturers is setting up shop at a former Lane facility. The window maker will hire 60-new people and transfer 70- jobs from a Roanoke location they're closing. Officials say they just outgrew the Roanoke space and it made sense to expand near the company's Rocky Mount headquarters.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:11:52]
[IN Q=anytime]
((LYNN MORSTAD/MW MANUFACTURERS; ANYTIME YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING SOME GOOD NEWS TO A COMMUNITY THAT HAS SUFFERED FOR THE OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS IT'S CERTAINLY A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR US WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Lynn Morstad/MW Manufacturers;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=PROUD OF THAT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The one-hundred thousand square foot building should be up and running in June. Jobs include assembly, supervisory and maintenance positions. Local and state incentives for the project added up to three-hundred thousand dollars.
(------------)

[Hollywood-Minute]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Actor Roger Moore collapses on stage. And Rap Star Nelly hopes to find a bone marrow donor for his sister. Brooke Anderson has those stories in our Hollywood Minute.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=With the Hollywood minute]
[SUPER=04-"Papa Don't Preach" - Epic Records; :34]
[SUPER=04-"Ride Wit Me" - Universal Records; :52]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=I'm Brooke Anderson.]

((WITH THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE...I'M BROOKE ANDERSON.
THE MAN KNOWN TO MANY AS JAMES BOND IS BEING TREATED IN A NEW YORK CITY HOSPITAL AFTER COLLAPSING ON STAGE WEDNESDAY. ACTOR ROGER MOORE FELL OUT DURING A PERFORMANCE OF THE BROADWAY COMEDY CALLED "THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE." THE 75 YEAR OLD WAS REPORTEDLY SUFFERING FROM DEHYDRATION AND STRESS WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE PRODUCTION WAS STOPPED FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES, BUT THE SHOW DID GO ON WITH MOORE ABLE TO FINISH HIS PERFORMANCE. MOORE'S PUBLICIST SAYS THE DOCTORS HAVE GIVEN THE ACTOR A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH, AND HE IS EXPECTED TO BE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL FRIDAY.

------------------------------------------

WELL, HER ALBUM WAS CALLED SHUT UP! AND APPARENTLY, THAT'S WHAT KELLY OSBOURNE'S RECORD LABEL WANTS HER TO DO.
JUST MONTHS AFTER RELEASING HER DEBUT C-D... "EPIC" RECORDS HAS DUMPED OZZY AND SHARON'S DAUGHTER. US MAGAZINE REPORTS KELLY WAS RELEASED FROM HER CONTRACT AFTER HER ALBUM, "SHUT UP!" SOLD ONLY 150 THOUSAND COPIES.

------------------------------------------

MORE MUSIC NEWS NOW...RAP STAR NELLY IS ON A MISSION...TO HELP HIS AILING SISTER, JACKIE, FIND A
BONE MARROW DONOR. NELLY AND HIS 29 YEAR OLD SIBLING HAVE TEAMED UP TO HEAD A NATIONWIDE RECRUITMENT EFFORT TO FIND DONORS. NELLY HOPES TO NOT ONLY INCREASE DONOR NUMBERS ON THE NATIONAL REGISTRY, BUT TO SPECIFICALLY FIND A DONOR FOR HIS SISTER. WITH THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE, I'M BROOKE ANDERSON.))