[11Tech-ACC]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-23 TC28:14]
[GRAPHIC=Big-East ACC]
In the news this morning, the presidents of the A-C-C schools will invite Virginia Tech to join the conference.
That's according to the Associated Press.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]
The decision to include Virginia Tech was made during a three-hour conference call yesterday.
One source says they made the decision after it appeared the original expansion plan involving Miami, Boston College and
Syracuse would not get the required votes.
The Washington Post says the conference is desperately seeking a way to get the seven necessary votes to move its expansion plans forward.
A move to add Virginia Tech to the expansion could remove the political pressure on U-V-A and allow it to vote yes.
Tech President Charles Steger will meet with the Board of Visitors later today, to ask its opinion on what to do next.
(------------)
[AM-D-Day-Memorial]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=03-29 TC 5:40]
[GRAPHIC=D-Day memorial]
The National D-Day Memorial should take a big step today in efforts to pay off its creditors.
(------------)
[VO-NAT from 02-09 TC2:02:53]
[SUPER=03-Bedford/June 2002;]
A bankruptcy court hearing may clear the way for the memorial's repayment plan, one that would fully repay all creditors within five years.
The memorial owes about four million dollars, almost half of it due to the builder, Coleman-Adams Construction.
All parties must give the final approval to the repayment plan, and that is expected later today.
(------------)
[11Craig-Flooding]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-28 TC05:54]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]
Flash flooding forced some campers in Craig County to change their plans.
As much as two inches of rain fell in the area last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Craig Co.]
The flooding prompted authorities to evacuate Camp Easter Seal near New Castle.
35 campers and several counselors were taken by bus to the Craig County Elementary School.
The camp is located in a valley and witnesses say the rain was coming down in buckets.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:27]
[IN Q=It was just coming off]
((MEHAL SHAH/ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: IT WAS JUST COMING OFF THE MOUNTAIN REAL FAST, IT WAS JUST COMING OFF REAL FAST AND THE CREEK IS ACTUALLY REALLY GOOD, IT HASN'T COME UP AS MUCH AS WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO COMING UP A FEW DAYS AGO BUT IT WAS JUST COMING OFF THE MOUNTAIN REALLY FAST.))
[SUPER=01-Mehal Shah/Assistant Director;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=off the mountain really fast]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The campers spent the night in the gym at the school.
Ironically, today is the last day of the camp.
Parents are asked to pick up their kids at the elementary school.
(------------)
[WV-Flooding]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]
Flooding rains have left a costly mark on parts of West Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charleston, WV;]
Residents are doing all they can to clear mud and debris left by periods of flash flooding.
West Virginia's governor is expected to request federal disaster relief funds later today.
Over the past week, at least six deaths have been blamed on the flood, while damage to West Virginia's highways alone is expected to top over three- million dollars.
(------------)
[Michigan-Riots]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
All's quiet this morning in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Benton Harbor, MI;]
Heavy rain, overwhelming police presence, and a curfew for minors are all being credited with keeping the peace after two consecutive nights of rioting.
More than 150 officers were on patrol.
Riots erupted Monday after a black motorcyclist crashed and died as he was being chased by white police officers.
Police now believe the worst is over.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=My greatest hope]
((SAMUEL HARRIS/BENTON HARBOR POLICE CHIEF: MY GREATEST HOPE IS THAT THIS IS THE LAST TIME WE HAVE TO MEET LIKE THIS AND DISCUSS LAWLESSNESS IN THE CITY OF BENTON HARBOR. WE ARE TOO GOOD A CITY FOR THIS KIND OF NONSENSE. ))
[SUPER=01-Samuel Harris/Benton Harbor Police Chief;]
[RUNS=:10] (estimated runs time)
[OUT Q=this kind of nonsense.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Meanwhile, residents of Benton Harbor want high speed chases banned, and want the officer involved in the crash to be held accountable.
Town officials have promised to re- examine their policy on high speed chases.
(------------)
[11Roanoke-Chase]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-27 TC09:35]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Roanoke police are looking for a suspect who got away from them yesterday afternoon.
Officers attempted to pull a car over near Highland Park for a drug violation.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
One of the people fled the scene and eventually jumped into the Roanoke River near the 5-81 bridge in Smyth Park.
Officers pursued the suspect but could not catch him.
It is believed he got out of the river near the Pizza Hut behind Towers Mall.
Police are not releasing any other details.
They say the suspect is still on the loose.
(------------)
[11GE-Contract]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-19 TC44:49]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
In business news, nearly 400 union workers at General Electric in Salem will vote on a tentative contract proposal next Tuesday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/January 14;]
The agreement affects about 5 percent of the total G-E workforce.
G-E workers went on strike in January to put pressure on the company leading up to contract negotiations.
I-U-E/C-W-A Union officials say that strike won the contract battle, and now is recommending union workers approve the contract.
They add the new contract essentially freezes health care costs that workers pay, and raises pension benefits for retirees.
The tentative agreement was reached just hours before the old contract was set to expire this past Sunday.
If approved, the new contract would run through 2007.
(------------)
[Marketwatch]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
In other business news, Martha Stewart is expected appear in court today.
And, Stocks ended mixed yesterday.
Alexis Christoforous has those stories and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
((THE TECH BULLS KEPT THE NASDAQ ALIVE BUT THE DOW WAS HELD BACK BY AN UGLY
> PROFIT WARNING FROM EASTMAN KODAK
>
>
> DOW SANK 29 POINTS
>
> BUT NASDAQ MOVED UP 8 TO A FRESH 13 MONTH HIGH.
>
> KEEP YOUR EYE ON ORACLE AS ITS BATTLE TO BUY PEOPLESOFT HEATS UP.. BOTH
> STOCKS RALLIED IN THE PREVIOUS SESSION AFTER ORACLE SWEETENED ITS
> UNSOLICITED TAKEOVER BID BY 3 AND A HALF DOLLARS TO 19-50 A SHARE..
> MEANTIME Connecticut officials plans to file an antitrust lawsuit to block
> the hostile acquisition attempt. CT officials cite anticompetitive and
> budget concerns.
>
> ALSO ON THE STOCKS TO WATCH LIST: Bed Bath & Beyond GLIDED PAST WALL
> STREET'S PROFIT ESTIMATES... PROFITS CAME IN AT 19 CENTS A SHARE, A PENNY
> BETTER THAN EXPECTED. Sales rose 15 percent to nearly 900 million dollars.
>
>
> THE NEW YORK TIMES ALSO LOST GROUND THE NEWSPAPER SOUNDED A PROFIT
> WARNING.. THE TIMES CITES THE IRAQI WAR, THE SARS EPIDEMIC AND A TOUGH JOB
> MARKET AS FACTORS THAT HAVE HELD BACK ITS ADVERTISING REVENUE.
>
> MARTHA STEWART IS EXPECTED TO APPEAR IN MANHATTAN FEDERAL COURT TODAY .
> FOR WHAT'S CALLED A SCHEDULING CONFERENCE THAT'S WHEN BOTH SIDES COME
> TOGETHER TO DISCUSS A TIMETABLE FOR CERTAIN ISSUES INCLUDING THE FILING OF
> MOTIONS - THEY MAY ALSO DISCUSS A TRIAL DATE.
>
> Record low mortgage rates have banks busy with refinancing applications.
> the mortgage bankers association says applications for refinancings rose
> 1.3 percent last week.
> Applications for new purchases were essentially flat. The average rate on
> the benchmark 30 year mortgage fell below the 5 percent mark last week and
> now sits at 4.99 percent.
>
>
>
> 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]
There's been another suicide attack in Israel.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sdeh Trumot, Israel;]
Police say the bomber entered a grocery store and set off his explosives early today, killing himself and wounding the store's owner.
Israeli radio says the store owner died of his injuries at a hospital.
The latest incident came as Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas was holding a series of meetings, asking militant groups to end their attacks against Israelis.
So far, no agreements have been reached, and there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing.
(------------)
[Bishop-Resignation]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The new archbishop of Phoenix, Arizona has arrived to replace embattled Bishop Thomas O'Brien.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Phoenix, AZ;]
O'Brien resigned Tuesday, and is charged with a felony for leaving the scene of a fatal hit and run accident.
His temporary replacement is Archbishop Michael Sheehan from Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Sheehan has been granted full authority in Phoenix until the Vatican appoints a new bishop.
He says he hopes to bring hope and healing to the Diocese.
(------------)
[11Murder-Suicide]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-18 TC 1:30:56]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Suicide]
A Botetourt man's troubles with the law apparently led him to kill his wife and himself.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]
A passing motorist found 53-year-old Chester Spangler Junior and his 53-year-old wife, Carolyn, dead inside their car in a church parking lot Tuesday night.
The sheriff says Chester Spangler apparently shot his wife and then himself and left behind a note.
There were no signs of struggle.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Spangler was charged earlier this month with stealing 200-thousand dollars' worth of heavy equipment.
Friday, he was released from jail on bond.
The sheriff says the couple apparently did NOT attend Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church, where their bodies were found.
[11Animal-House]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-24 TC22:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A Roanoke woman with 57 dogs is getting an ultimatum from the city.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Week;]
Caroline Laprad got a letter from the city attorney's office yesterday telling her she has 30 days to "remedy the problem."
Laprad's neighbors have complained for years about the smells and noise.
City laws limit homeowners to four dogs.
Laprad says she plans to take her dogs and move, but she hasn't been able to find a new place that will accept them.
The city says if Laprad doesn't comply with the law OR move in 30 days, it will take "whatever action" is necessary.
(------------)
[11Civil-War]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-14 TC 3:50:30]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A Civil War event at Virginia Tech is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
"Campaigning with Lee" is the oldest summer Civil War event in the U-S.
More than 130 Civil War buffs from all over the country participate in the week long event, attending seminars and visiting historical sites across the area.
Director for the Virginia Center of Civil War Studies Bud Robertson, says each year just gets better.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5929]
[IN Q=they come from]
((BUD ROBERTSON/HEAD ORGANIZER: THEY COME FROM 30-STATES. THEY FACETIOUSLY CALL THEMSELVES BUD'S BRIGADE BUT IT'S JUST A BIG HAPPY FAMILY. JUST THE FINEST GROUP OF CIVIL WAR BUFFS I'VE EVER KNOWN 38))
[SUPER=01-James "Bud" Robertson, Jr./Head Organizer;]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=ever known]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
In addition to the summer event, the group also holds a Civil War weekend in March.
Campaigning with Lee wraps up tomorrow.
(------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)
[bump-chyron]
[comm #3]
[Biz-Brief]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
Oracle isn't giving up on Peoplesoft.
And, Best Buy posts a profit.
Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:11]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case]
((STOCKS ENDED THE DAY MIXED ON WEDNESDAY.
THE DOW CLOSED DOWN 29 POINTS...AND THE NASDAQ WAS UP EIGHT.
THE SOFTWARE BATTLE CONTINUES.
ORACLE HAS UPPED ITS BID FOR PEOPLESOFT.
ORACLE SAYS IT WOULD PAY $19.50 A SHARE FOR PEOPLESOFT...14-PERCENT HIGHER THAN PEOPLESOFT'S CLOSING PRICE ON TUESDAY.
ORACLE ORIGINALLY OFFERED TO BUY ITS COMPETITOR EARLIER THIS MONTH.
PEOPLESOFT SAID "NO" TO THE ATTEMPTED TAKE OVER.
BEST BUY POSTED FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS OF 21-CENTS PER-SHARE....DOWN FROM 24-CENTS A SHARE A YEAR AGO.
THE COMPANY SAYS PROMOTIONS AND OTHER EXPENSES EFFECTED THE 69-MILLION-DOLLAR REVENUE.
BEST BUY IS THE COUNTRY'S TOP CONSUMER ELECTRONICS RETAILER.
MORGAN STANLEY POSTED A 25-PERCENT EARNINGS DROP FOR ITS SECOND QUARTER.
THE INVESTMENT BANK LOST 55-CENTS PER-SHARE.
THE COMPANY SAYS THEIR NET INCOME FELL 599-MILLION DOLLARS.
THEY SAY A PRE-TAX CHARGE CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS.
ANALYSTS EXPECTED MORGAN STANLEY TO EARN 68-CENTS A SHARE FOR THE LAST QUARTER.
ANOTHER INVESTMENT BANK POSTED POSITIVE EARNINGS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER.
BEAR STEARNS EARNED TWO-DOLLARS-AND-FIVE CENTS PER-SHARE FOR THE QUARTER ENDING MAY 31ST...UP 50-CENTS FROM A YEAR AGO.
WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF, I'M STAN CASE.))
[TAPE TOSS TO STOCKS]
[STOCKS]
[COMM]
[Hollywood-Minute]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Singer Luther Vandross's new album is number one this week.
And, Don't say good-bye to "The Sopranos" just yet...
Brooke Anderson has more in today's Hollywood Minute
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-"The Power Of Love" - Epic Records; :07]
[SUPER=04-"The Sopranos" - HBO; :30]
[SUPER=04-"American Idol" - FOX; :54]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=I'm Brooke Anderson]
((WITH THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE...I'M BROOKE ANDERSON.
AILING SINGER LUTHER VANDROSS MAY STILL BE ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY, BUT HE HAS ALREADY ARRIVED AT THE TOP OF THE BILLBOARD CHARTS! HIS NEW ALBUM "DANCE WITH MY FATHER," DEBUTED AT NUMBER ONE THIS WEEK! THIS IS THE FIRST NUMBER ONE RECORD DEBUT FOR THE GRAMMY WINNER. AND ON ANOTHER POSTIVE NOTE...TWO MONTHS AFTER SUFFERING A STROKE, THE SINGER WAS MOVED OUT OF INTENSIVE CARE LAST WEEK AND REPORTEDLY BEGAN REHAB WEDNESDAY.
------------------------------------------
MORE GOOD NEWS NOW FOR ALL YOU SOPRANOS FANS...
HBO HAS CONFIRMED THAT ITS TOP RATED SHOW WILL CONTINUE FOR AN ADDITIONAL SIXTH SEASON!
AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE CAST IS ALREADY ON BOARD TO DO THE 10 EXTRA EPISODES THAT WILL MAKE UP THAT FINAL SEASON. THIS WILL BRING THE SERIES TO A TOTAL OF 75 EPISODES, ENOUGH FOR A VERY LUCRATIVE SYNDICATION DEAL ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORK TIMES.
------------------------------------------
AND ON THE SINGLES CHART, IT WAS A REMATCH BETWEEN AMERICAN IDOL FINALISTS CLAY AIKEN AND RUBEN STODDARD, AND THIS TIME, CLAY CAME OUT ON TOP!
RUNNER UP CLAY'S VERSION OF "BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER" AND "THIS IS THE NIGHT" DEBUTED AT NUMBER ONE, SELLING ALMOST 400-THOUSAND COPIES.
RUBEN IS ABOUT RUNNING 100-THOUSAND COPIES BEHIND WITH HIS SINGLE "FLYING WITHOUT WINGS" AND "SUPERSTAR".
HOWEVER--BOTH MEN SING ON THE NUMBER THREE SINGLE...A VERSION OF "GOD BLESS THE U-S-A" PERFORMED BY THE AMERICAN IDOL FINALISTS.
WITH THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE...I'M BROOKE ANDERSON.))
[TAPE TOSSES TO BUMP]
[COMM][BUMP]