[11Affirmative-Action]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-20 TC35:33]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]
New accusations show the controversy over Virginia Tech's affirmative action and race-based programs is not over.
One opponent says he hasn't seen a school with more discriminatory programs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/File Tape]
Two groups that oppose affirmative action say they have found more than 70 programs at Tech that illegally favor racial and ethnic minorities.
The programs include internships, scholarships, and mentoring opportunities.
The American Civil Rights Institute bases some of its information from the school's website.
A spokesperson from Virginia Tech says the groups are relying on old information.
Larry Hincker also points out information from web sites is sometimes wrong.
Back in March the school's board of visitors voted to eliminate affirmative action and other race-based programs.
That created a storm of protest on campus and a month later, the board reversed the decision.
(------------)
[Iraq]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=After Saddam]
Trying to put an end to the almost daily attacks on American troops in Iraq, the U-S military has launched a massive operation to crush pro- Saddam Hussein resistance.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
Central Command says around 400 suspected Saddam supporters are in custody as part of "Operation Peninsula Strike."
Their weapons have also been seized.
Since major combat operations ended in Iraq, dozens of soldiers have been killed or wounded in skirmishes and ambush attacks.
Meanwhile, a Senate committee will review the intelligence that led up to the war.
Instead of a public investigation, they'll be working behind closed doors.
(------------)
[Tax-Bill]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The House will consider an 82- billion- dollar tax cut package that would help parents in ALL income brackets, as well as military personnel.
In doing so, G-O-P leaders are rejecting the Bush administration's call to approve only a three- and- a- half billion dollar package of child tax credits for low- income families, which was approved in the Senate last week.
The House plan includes THAT aid, plus tax breaks for middle and upper- income families.
Lawmakers say it'll be up to the President to break the stalemate.
[6-Tax-reform]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-12 TC1:35:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Tax reform is set to be a major issue in the 2004 General Assembly session.
But it's a topic that's already being discussed by Republicans and Governor Mark Warner.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]
One of Warner's campaign promises was to restructure Virginia's tax code.
The governor says he's working on a tax reform plan but won't release the details until after the November elections.
Republicans say that's too late.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:17:31]
[IN Q=IT'S A SITUATION WHERE THE]
((BILL HOWELL/HOUSE SPEAKER: IT'S A SITUATION WHERE THE GOVERNOR HAS TO LEAD AND A GOVERNOR HAS TO EXPEND HIS POLITICAL CAPITAL TO MAKE IT WORK AND I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE TIME TO DO THAT BETWEEN DECEMBER AND JANUARY.))
((GOVERNOR MARK WARNER: ANY PLAN THAT WE LAY OUT WILL HAVE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT TIME TO BE FULLY DISCUSSED BEFORE FINAL VOTES TAKE PLACE IN MARCH.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Howell/House Speaker; :00]
[SUPER=@MarkWarner; :12]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=TAKE PLACE IN MARCH.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Some Republicans say they are concerned that the governor is delaying the release of his tax plan because it includes tax increases.
(------------)
[11Animal-House]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-18 TC1:22:58]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Neighbors say a Southeast Roanoke woman's love of dogs is a public nuisance.
Caroline Laprad has 57 of them.
But Roanoke City law limits her to four.
Marya Jones looks into a city law that neighbors complain is all bark and no bite.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They are my babies]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :08]
[SUPER=01-Caroline Laprad/Pet Owner; :17 QUICK!!!]
[SUPER=01-Faye Rothrock/Neighbor; :29]
[SUPER=01-Mike Quesenberry/Animal Control Supervisor; :56]
[SUPER=@Marya1; 1:02]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Roanoke.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:15]
((CAROLINE LAPRADE/PET OWNER: THEY ARE MY BABIES AND I JUST WON'T DO WITHOUT THEM.))
[RUNS:07]
There's no question that 75-year-old Caroline Laprad loves animals.
She has 57 dogs that she keeps inside at all hours to keep them from bothering neighbors.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:02]
((CAROLINE LAPRAD: IT'S EITHER THAT OR LET THEM BE SLAUGHTERED.))
[RUNS:02]
But, despite her best efforts, Laprad's dogs are causing ruckus.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
((NATS: DOGS BARKING.))
[RUNS:02]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:39]
((FAYE ROTHROCK/NEIGHBOR: IT'S BEEN NOISY. BUT THE WORST PROBLEM IS THE ODOR. YOU CAN IMAGINE SPENDING THE SUMMER LIVING NEXT DOOR TO A HOUSE WITH 50 PLUS DOGS AND 20 OR 30 CATS PROBABLY. ))
[RUNS:09]
Neighbors like Faye Rothrock say they've taken Laprad to court four times in 11 years.
She's been fined 250 dollars ... but the dogs never go away... even though city law limits dogs to four per household.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT24:49]
((FAYE ROTHROCK: WHY ARE THESE LAWS ON THE BOOKS AND THEY TELL US THEY CAN'T ENFORCE THEM?))
[RUNS:03]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:42]
((MIKE QUESENBERRY/ANIMAL CONTROL SUPERVISOR: SHE TAKES VERY GOOD CARE OF HER ANIMALS. THE DOGS AND THE CATS ARE VACCINATED. ))
[RUNS:06]
(///// SOT /////)
[SU 31:09]
((marya jones: ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REMOVE THE ANIMALS UNLESS THEY SHOW SIGNS OF ABUSE OR MISTREATMENT. SO ALL THEY CAN DO IS WORK WITH HER TO TRY TO CONVINCE HER TO GIVE SOME OF THEM UP.))
[RUNS:10]
But Laprad says she won't live without them.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:12]
((LAPRAD: I'LL JUST GIVE UP MY HOME AND TAKE THEM SOMEWHERE WHERE WE'LL HAVE PEACE OF MIND AND THEY CAN RUN AND PLAY. ))
[RUNS:10]
[SOT]
((NATS: DOGS BARKING))
[RUNS:01]
Her neighbors say if that's what it takes to get peace and quiet, they're all for it.
Marya Jones, News-7, Roanoke.))
[11Central-Elementary]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-15 TC 3:30:05]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Renovation work on Rockbridge County's Central Elementary School is almost complete, and teachers and students give the project an A-plus.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :10]
[SUPER=03-Lexington;]
Administrators hail a design that has done away with modular trailers, and overhauled a large part of the existing 43 year old building all while school was in session.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 24:44]
[IN Q=Essentially, it's a big new...]
((HARRY STONE/CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL; ESSENTIALLY IT'S A BIG NEW SCHOOL WHERE EVEN THE OLD PART OF THE SCHOOL IS NEW, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE 20 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN AN ADMINISTRATOR IN ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY SCHOOLS, ALL THE PEOPLE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR, LITTLE PEOPLE AND BIG PEOPLE ARE UNDER THE SAME ROOF, AND THAT'S KINDA NEAT.))
[SUPER=01-Harry Stone/Central Elementary Principal;]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=that's kinda neat.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :12+]
The school was scheduled to be completed by now, but rain hampered exterior construction.
When classes start next fall, the school is expected to be able to hold up to 100 additional students.
(------------)
[11-1218]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tst]
[TAPE#=03-14 TC3:42:20]
[SS=None]
An old friend has returned to the Virginia Museum of Transportation.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Yesterday, the diesel engine eased steam locomotive number 12-18 moved into its new home in downtown Roanoke.
[SUPER=04-May 10, 1985;]
The locomotive was a key exhibit at the museum back when it was located in Wasena Park, but the engine was towed out in 1985 and restored for passenger excursion service.
It had been taken apart for an overhaul when Norfolk Southern ended the steam excursion program in 1994.
Museum workers recently put the engine back together and gave it a new paint job.
It's now back on display, with a new roof to keep it out of the rain.
We'll have more on the 1218 and its new home tomorrow on News 7 Mornin'
(------------)
[Marketwatch]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
In business news, The economy appears to be holding its own.
And, the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates later this month.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
((At least things aren't getting worse, and maybe they'll soon be getting
> better. That's one take from the Federal Reserve's Beige Book
> survey.Perhaps the brightest news in another gloomy report from the Fed
> was the fact that none of the 12 Fed districts said conditions were
> getting worse.
>
> Four of the 12 banks said conditions were improving while six said they
> saw no improvement. Two said the economy was mixed. Still, the Fed
> cautions against reading too much into the scattered signs of a rebound,
> calling overall activity in many districts "sluggish and subpar." The Fed
> is scheduled to meet for two days beginning June 24th. Investors are
> betting the fed will cut rates to prop up the economy.
>
> ON WALL STREET... THE PROSPECT OF A RATE CUT GAVE THE MARKET SOME LATE DAY
> FUEL...
>
> THE DOW RACED AHEAD 128 POINTS
>
> THE NASDAQ ADDED 18
>
> THE MORTGAGE BUYER FREDDIE MAC IS NOW THE SUBJECT OF CRIMINAL AND
> SECURITIES INVESTIGATIONS FOR ITS ACCOUNTING PRACTICES. JUST TWO DAYS AGO,
> FREDDIE MAC OUSTED ITS TOP THREE EXECUTIVES AMID A RESTATMENT OF ITS
> EARNINGS FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS.
>
> AND OPEC has decided to keep crude oil production targets where they are.
> The oil cartel will meet again at the end of July to gauge the situation.
> Among the key issues: the expected return of Iraq to the oil market. Iraq
> hopes to export a million barrels a day by the end of June but analysts
> say that'sunrealistic given war damage and post war looting.
>
>
> TRACK ALL THE PREMARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM I'M AC IN NEW YORK.))
(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS]
[COMM]
[Middle-East]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
It seems peace will NOT get a chance in the Middle East after another day of bloodshed.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hebron, West Bank;]
Yesterday, a Palestinian suicide bomber killed 16 people aboard a bus in Jerusalem.
The attacker was a member of this family, who's now packing up and leaving for fear of retaliation.
The clean- cut 18- year- old had disguised himself as an ultra- Orthodox Jew, got on the bus, and blew himself up.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Their object was]
((GIL KELIMAN/ISRAELI POLICE SPOKESMAN:THEIR OBJECT WAS TO KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE AND THEY DO THAT BY LOOKING AT INNOCENT, AS REGULAR AS POSSIBLE. ))
[SUPER=01-Gil Keliman/Israeli Police Spokesman;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=regular as possible]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Israel did retaliate with a missile attack, killing a Hamas leader and his deputy.
But the strike also killed several other Palestinians.
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat condemned the bus bombing and made a rare call on Palestinian militants to resist any further violence.
But militant leaders make it clear they don't plan to stop.
(------------)
[11Dan-River]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-25 TC38:22]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
Dan River Incorporated is closing two plants.
It's shutting down facilities in Greenville, South Carolina and Fort Valley, Georgia, but Danville could benefit from their loss.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/File Tape]
Dan River blames the weak economy for the move.
630 people will lose their jobs but the company plans to transfer some production to Danville once demand increases.
The closures will save the textile company nearly nine million dollars a year.
(------------)
[11College-Grads]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=03-17 TC 54:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Recent college graduates are finding their hardest assignment may be finding work.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :18]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
Ashley Mitchell and Christina Key are two local examples of a tough job market.
Their both still looking for a position after graduating from Roanoke College.
Career service officials say one of the biggest challenges for graduates is competing with other applicants with education and experience.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:01:14 // 12:07:31]
[IN Q=you dedicate]
((CHRISTINA KEY/ROANOKE COLLEGE GRADUATE; YOU HAVE DEVOTED SO MUCH OF YOUR LIFE AND TIME TO EDUCATION, AND THEN WHEN YOU GET OUT THERE IS NOT A WHOLE OT THERE, ESPECIALLY IN THIS AREA.))
((ASHLEY MITCHELL/ROANOKE COLLEGE GRADUATE; IT IS HARD TO FIND A JOB LOCALLY AND BUT I'M OPEN TO FINDING A JOB ANYWHERE JUST BECAUSE IT IS SO COMPETITIVE IN THE JOB MARKET.))
[SUPER=01-Christina Key/Roanoke College Graduate; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ashley Mitchell/Roanoke College Graduate; :12]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=IN THE JOB MARKET.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Christina is pursuing human resources while Ashley wants to work in graphic design.
The career office says out of 350-Roanoke College graduates, about half have found work but that many of those positions are out of our area.
(------------)
[11Galax-Radio]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-28 TC00:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Fans of one Southwest Virginia radio station are singing a happier tune.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Galax/May]
That's because W-B-R-F in Galax is back on the air at full power.
Last month, lightning struck the classic-country station's antenna and did some major damage.
The station stayed on the air, but only at a fraction of its full power, meaning many listeners couldn't pick up the signal.
(------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)
[bump-chyron]
[comm #3]
[6-Shell]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A Radford man has been charged in connection with the death of a North Carolina woman.
Radford police say they responded to a call of a possible overdose last Tuesday in the 200-block of West Main Street.
Officers say when they got there they found 19-year-old Marion Franklin of Boone unconscious.
She was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
While the cause of Franklin's death is still undetermined, police have now charged 56-year-old Robert Edward Lee Shell with sodomy and object sexual penetration in connection with her death.
Police say Shell could face more charges.
[11Colbert]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-23 TC23:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]
They may have gotten the wrong guy when they arrested Vater Colbert (VAY-ter COHL-bert) for bank robbery .
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/April 28]
He says enough people called the police department after seeing this picture taken from the bank's surveillance camera, that investigators zeroed in on him.
Reverend Colbert remained in jail until authorities developed a lead on a suspect in some similar robberies.
They're interviewing him in Ohio.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]
Though the charges were dropped Monday morning, Colbert got out of jail only Tuesday, just in time for him to get to his daughter's High School graduation.
[Biz-Brief]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
In business news, The dow posted a triple digit gain yesterday.
And, Union workers have rejected a G-E health care proposal.
Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]
((--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS--
THE MAJOR INDEXES CLOSED HIGHER ON WEDNESDAY AFTER A CHOPPY TRADING SESSION.
THE DOW ENDED THE DAY ABOVE 9-THOUSAND, UP 128 POINTS.
THE NASDAQ WAS ALSO UP 18.
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS BEGUN ITS INVESTIGATION INTO FREDDIE
MAC.
THE FOCUS OF THE S-E-C'S PROBE IS UNKNOWN.
HOWEVER, THE NATION'S SECOND LARGEST MORTGAGE LENDER HAD A MANAGEMENT SHAKE UP
EARLIER THIS WEEK.
THE COMPANY SAYS TOP EXECUTIVES DIDN'T FULLY COOPERATE WITH A REVIEW OF RECENT
EARNINGS STATEMENTS.
FREDDIE MAC MANAGES A ONE-POINT-29-TRILLION DOLLAR HOME LOAN PORTFOLIO.
GENERAL ELECTRIC'S LARGEST UNION HAS REJECTED A G-E HEALTH CARE PROPOSAL...A
STICKING POINT THAT COULD SET OFF A NATIONAL STRIKE.
THE COMPANY'S PROPOSAL, OFFERED DURING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, FOCUSED ON
SHARING INCREASES IN HEALTH-CARE COSTS.
THE CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRES AT MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY.
WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT SAYS IT WILL BUY BACK VIACOM'S THREE PERCENT
STAKE IN W-W-E, ABOUT TWO MILLION SHARES.
A VIACOM SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE COMPANY DECIDED THE STOCK WAS NO LONGER A
STRATEGIC HOLDING.
W-W-E SMACKDOWN WILL STILL APPEAR ON VIACOM'S
U-P-N NETWORK.
WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF, I'M STAN CASE. ))
[TAPE TOSS TO STOCKS]
[STOCKS]
[COMM]
[11Wood-Carver]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=bwa]
[TAPE#=03-24 TC14:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A local man has turned his hobby into an occupation that is carving a niche into the art world.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Boones Mill]
Greg Desaulnier (Day-Saw-neeYay) started whittling miniatures as a child, but his latest project is an American Icon.
This 10-foot Statue of Liberty is one of two that he has carved out of pine logs.
He estimates it will take him 150 hours to finish the statue which will eventually end up in a Roanoke couple's backyard.
(///// SOT ///15:23:02 - 15:23:18//)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The chainsaw is...]
[SUPER=01-Greg Desaulnier/Wood Sculpter;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=......hand tools to it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Lady Liberty carries a price tag of around 3-thousand dollars.
You can see his work in progress at the Yankee Whittler workshop in Boones Mill.
(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP]
[COMM]
[L'Burg-Shooting]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting 4029]
A Lynchburg woman is recovering from a gun shot wound this morning.
Police say someone fired a shot outside her home on 10th Street last night.
The bullet entered the home and struck the woman who was standing in her bedroom.
Her four year old daughter was in the same room watching T-V on the bed, but she was not injured.
The victim was taken to the hospital for observation.
She's expected to be released later today.
Authorities say there were two additional reports of shots being fired within a 5 to 10 block radius of the victim's home, but no one else was injured.
(+++++++++++)
[TAKE FS Crimestoppers 4366]
(+++++++++++) If have any information, you're encouraged to call Central Virginia Crimestoppers at 1-888-798-5900.