WDBJ 7 morning news for 07/02/03

[PKG-ACC]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#SP-143 TC1:48:41]
[GRAPHIC=Tech/Miami/ACC]

An end and a beginning for the Virginia Tech Hokies.
Last night, marked the end of a long and some might say painful exit from the Big East.
It's also the beginning of a new life in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Mike Stevens has more from Greensboro, North Carolina where the Hokies were welcomed into the ACC last night.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Greensboro, NC; :00]
[SUPER=01-G. Wayne Clough/Georgia Tech President; :24]
[SUPER=01-John Rocovich/Virginia Tech Board of Visitors; :40]
[SUPER=01-Jim Weaver/Virginia Tech Athletic Director; :56]
[SUPER=01-Bill Brill/Former Roanoke Times Columnist; 1:21]
[SUPER=@mike1; 1:33]
[RUNS=1:49]
[OUT Q=News 7 Sports.]
(-------------)

[11Tech-Reaction]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-27 TC19:06]
[GRAPHIC=Tech/ACC]

From North Carolina to the New River Valley... Many Hokie fans are celebrating Virginia Tech's alliance with the A-C-C. Myranda Stephens has reaction from last night's big announcement.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=07-Billy Martin; :12 QUICK!!]
[SUPER=07-Cameron Corbin; :24]
[SUPER=07-Renata Christian; :32]
[SUPER=07-Jay Whitlow; :45]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg; :56]
[SUPER=01-Wayland Overstreet/Coach Beamer's Friend; 1:09]
[SUPER=@Myranda1; 1:19]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=News 7, Christiansburg]
((It's usually the 30-cent wings that gets all the attention on a Tuesday night at BW3's. But, the flock shared the spotlight with another bird--the Hokie.
[SOT 57:29]
[RUNS05] ((BILLY MARTIN: I'M GLAD IT'S OVER. EVERYBODY'S DECIDED WHO'S GOING WHERE AND EVERYTHING SO.)) Hokie fans kept their eyes on the screens as the FORMAL announcement was made that Virginia Tech would join Miami in the ACC.
[SOT 5929]
[RUNS08] ((CAMERON CORBIN: I THINK IT'S GREAT. IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR VIRGINIA TECH, IT'S GOING TO BRING IN A LOT MORE STUDENTS I THINK AND I THINK IT'S WONDERFUL 5937))
[SOT 40]
[RUNS08] ((RENATA CHRISTIAN: IT'S A LOT MORE COMPETITION IN THE ACC AND IF WE CAN PERFORM WELL IN THAT CONFERENCE IT WILL PROVE THAT VT IS A SOLID TEAM 48)) And for many fans, the excitement over Tech joining the ACC isn't just for what the move will do for football.
[SOT 5837]
[RUNS10] ((JAY WHITLOW: I'M EXCITED ABOUT BASKETBALL IN GENERAL. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE'VE HAD SOME PROBLEMS IN BASKETBALL THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND I THINK THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION))
[SOT 3:30][NATS OF "GO HOKIES"]
[RUNS02] While the man himself wasn't there, some of head football coach Frank Beamer's closest friends filled his restaurant's V-I-P room to watch the historic moment.
[SOT 2:51]
[RUNS=10]
((WAYLAND OVERSTREET/FRIEND OF COACH BEAMER: IT WAS AN EXCITING TIME FOR EVERYBODY. ALL THE OFFICIALS AND OUR TECH REPRESENTATIVES ARE THERE DID A GREAT JOB FOR VIRGINIA TECH. IT'S A GOOD DAY IT'S A GOOD DAY WE'RE MOVING FORWARD 301)) ((Reporter: And it appears folks our moving forward. Despite the criticism Virginia Tech received earlier about leaving the Big East, most Tech fans say the university would have made a grave mistake to go any other way. Myranda Stephens, News 7, Christiansburg))))

[AM-City-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-22 TC 54:13]
[GRAPHIC=Butch Lewis]

Supporters of a Roanoke police officer who was recently reassigned are demanding he get his old job back.
Officer Butch Lewis was put on patrol duty after he spoke to a newspaper reporter about concerns over school safety at Patrick Henry High School.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Several supporters spoke at last night's school board meeting arguing Officer Lewis is being punished and persecuted.
Officer Lewis even took the podium and defended his actions saying it was his duty to report honest and accurate information to the community.
Many agree with him including many teachers, students, parents, elected officials and even the former principal of Patrick Henry High School.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:02:06; TAPE 1; 6:47:29 TAPE 3]
[IN Q=The most important]
((ELIZABETH LEE/PATRICK HENRY SCHOOL FORMER PRINCIPAL: THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE THAT THIS BOARD IS CHARGED WITH TAKING CARE OF IS THE STUDENTS SO TO REMOVE A VERY VALUABLE RESOURCE THAT WANTS TO RETURN TO THE SCHOOL SEEMS LIKE A DISSERVICE TO THE STUDENTS.)) ((BUTCH LEWIS/ROANOKE CITY POLICE OFFICER: IT'S JUST AN AMAZING JOB IT'S SOMETHING THAT I WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO, I DON'T HAVE ANY HARD FEELINGS TOWARDS ANYONE I JUST WANT MY JOB BACK AT PATRICK HENRY.))
[SUPER=01-Elizabeth Lee/Patrick Henry School Former Principal ; :00]
[SUPER=01-Butch Lewis/Roanoke City Police Officer; :14]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=at Patrick Henry]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Supporters are asking the school board to endorse having officer Lewis reinstated.
Chairwoman Gloria Manns pointed out the school board has no say because officer Lewis falls under the city police department therefore it is Chief Joe Gaskins decision.
She also believes it would be a bad precedent for the school board to get involved in other department's business.

(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]

However, board member Melinda Payne says she will introduce a resolution at the next meeting asking the police chief to reverse his decision.

[11Wonson]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-15 TC3:56:59]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Patrick Henry has been a focus of parental concern since questions about school violence were first raised earlier this year.
Despite the controversy, principal Peter Wonson says nothing has shaken his confidence that the school remains safe.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/June 5;]

Wonson says he did feel a sense of relief with graduation in early June.
But he says that was no different than any other school year.
In fact, he says there were many indicators including community service projects, success in athletics, and rising SOL test scores that reflect a healthy school environment.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:18]
[IN Q=The climate]
((PETER WONSON/PATRICK HENRY HIGH THE CLIMATE HAS TO BE SECURE AND ORDERLY AND SAFE IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS. I THINK THE TWO GO HAND IN GLOVE, AND I THINK THE RESULTS INDICATE WE DO HAVE A CAMPUS IN WHICH KIDS CAN COME AND PERFORM WELL AND BE SAFE AND SECURE, AND BE SUCCESSFUL.))
[SUPER=01-Peter Wonson/Patrick Henry High School Principal;]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=and be successful.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Wonson says he believes the school has filed accurate reports on school discipline, and says he welcomes a state audit.
But he also promises to take constructive criticism and work with parents and teachers to enhance school safety.

(------------)[Workplace-Shooting]

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

Three Missouri plant workers are dead, and so is the co- worker who shot them last night.
Authorities in Jefferson City believe the gunman killed himself after being confronted by a police officer several miles away from the plant. Police say the gunman was in his 20s.
Four other people at the factory were wounded.
There's no word yet on a motive for the shootings, but a news conference is scheduled for later today.

[Iraq]

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

Another U-S casualty in Iraq--
The soldier died from injuries he received during one of two ambush attacks yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]

Five other soldiers were injured.
The ongoing violence has the Bush administration coming under fire over its handling of post- war Iraq.
But President Bush says the attacks against U-S forces won't shake America's resolve.
He says the military is staying in Iraq to keep its people from falling into the hands of those loyal to Saddam Hussein.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=These groups believe]
((THESE GROUPS BELIEVE THEY HAVE FOUND AN OPPORTUNITY TO HARM AMERICA, TO SHAKE OUR RESOLVE IN THE WAR ON TERROR AND TO CAUSE US TO LEAVE IRAQ BEFORE FREEDOM IS FULLY ESTABLISHED. THEY ARE WRONG AND THEY WILL NOT SUCCEED.))
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=and they will not succeed.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

In the past two months, more than 20 Americans have been killed in combat in Iraq.
(------------)

[11AEP-Bills]

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

American Electric Power wants to pass on some savings to its customers.
The utility says the cost of fuel for power plants is going down.
So A-E-P wants to reduce that part of your bill.
A typical user would save about a dollar-63 per month.
If the State Corporation Commission approves it, the reduction will take effect next month.

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Stocks bounced back yesterday.
Alexis Christoforous has that story 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 SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR GOT OFF TO A PROMISING START ON WALL STREET... > > AFTER AN EARLY SELLOFF, STOCKS STAGED A LATE DAY COMEBACK >
(gr)
> THE DOW ERASED A 114 POINT DROP TO RISE 55. >
(gr)
> THE NASDAQ ALSO WIPED OUT AN EARLY LOSS TO RISE 17 POINTS >
(oc)
> THE NEXT BIG CATALYST FOR THE MARKESTS.. EARNINGS SEASON WHICH KICKS OFF > TWO WEEKS FROM NOW.. > > WITH MANY TRADERS ALREADY OFF FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY, THE MARKET > ACTION IS EXPECTED TO BE MUTED. THE MARKETS CLOSE EARLY AT 1PM EASTERN > TIME THURSDAY AND ARE CLOSED ON FRIDAY. > >
(gr)
> AMERICAN AIRLINES SIGNALED IT MAY MAKE SCALE BACK ITS FLIGHT SCHEDULE - > SAYING IT CAN'T CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE SAME SERVICES IN AN UNPROFITABLE > MARKET. On the drawing board for potential cut-backs are flights and > routes and the use of space in major airports. AMERICAN AIRLINES SAYS > decisions will be coming soon but stopped short of outlining specifics > including whether additional job cuts will follow. AMERICAN NARROWLY > AVOIDED BANKRUPTCY THREE TIMES THIS SPRING. >
(gr)
> American's statement was a big contrast AirTran Airways announcement > that it is ordering up to 110 jets from boeing.. a deal worth nearly 6 bln > dollars. >
(gr)
> KEEP YOUR EYE ON MEDIA STOCKS.. Vivendi Universal's board has dropped one > bidder from the running in the contest for its U.S. entertainment assets, > and it has decided to keep control of its music labels.Los Angeles oil > tycoon Marvin Davis has been eliminated from the bidding, leaving five > parties still in the running, INCLUDING MGM. > @1/8gr) > TRACK ALL THE PREMARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM .

(oc)
> I'M AC IN NEW YORK.)

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

[11Swisher]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Death Sentence]

Just three and a half hours before he was to die, Bobby Wayne Swisher's execution was put on hold by the governor last night.
Swisher was set to be executed for a 1998 rape and murder in Augusta County.
Governor Mark Warner halted the execution to give Swisher's attorneys time to file a petition with the Virginia Supreme Court for a new sentencing hearing.
Lawyers for Swisher say he is entitled to a new sentencing because the jury that recommended a death sentence was not made aware that a life sentence meant Swisher would NEVER be eligible for parole.

[Porch-Collapse]

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

Chicago officials say they're going to sue the owners of the apartment building where 13 people died in a porch collapse Sunday morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chicago, IL;]

The city alleges there was no permit to build the porch, and that the three- story building was illegally converted from five apartments to three.
Today, city officials will seek a court order, demanding the porch be replaced and up to code.
If not, daily fines will be imposed.
(------------)

[Hepburn]

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

Last night, the show DIDN'T go on on Broadway--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]

The lights were dimmed at New York City theatres to honor the legendary actress, Katherine Hepburn.
Hepburn died over the weekend at age 96.
She was best known for her Oscar- winning movie career, but she also appeared regularly on stage.
(------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[6-PH-Trails]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-18 TC1:52:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Meanwhile, efforts to enhance security at Patrick Henry High School have received a helping hand from an unusual source... inmates at the Roanoke City Jail.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

In recent weeks, the inmates have been working on supervised details when school was NOT in session.
They were clearing a new trail through woods behind Patrick Henry, to give resource officers and security personnel better access to the area.
Yesterday, school officials thanked the inmates with a pizza lunch.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's a real quick access]
((GARY LEAH/HALL PRINCIPAL: IT'S A REAL QUICK ACCESS. WE CAN USE OUR FOUR WHEELERS OR OUR GOLF CARTS AND JUST BE ABLE TO PATROL THE MAIN CAMPUS ITSELF, BUT AGAIN ALL THE SURROUNDING AREAS THAT WE HAVE.)) ((AARON RUSSELL/CITY JAIL INMATE: I FELT GOOD ABOUT IT GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. YOU DO STUFF WRONG SOMETIMES, YOU MESS UP, DO STUPID STUFF. IT DOES FEEL GOOD TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=01-Gary Leah/Hall Principal; :00]
[SUPER=01-Aaron Russell/Roanoke City Jail Inmate; :13]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=feel good to give back to the community.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The inmates have cleared a path five feet wide that will accomodate the school's four-wheeler.
Officials say the changes will help them patrol the area, and respond quickly to any incidents that might occur.

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

[Biz-Brief]

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

In business news, Stocks rallied late yesterday. And United Airlines has posted a profit for the first time since 2000. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]

((STOCKS CLOSED HIGHER TUESDAY, PROPELLED BY A LATE DAY SURGE WHICH ALLOWED INVESTORS TO SET ASIDE THE MORNING'S WEAK ECONOMIC NEWS.
THE DOW CLOSED UP 55 POINTS. THE NASDAQ ALSO ENDED THE DAY UP 17.
U-S MANUFACTURING FELL FOR THE FOURTH STRAIGHT MONTH IN JUNE. THE INSTITUTE FOR SUPPLY MANAGEMENT INDEX ROSE TO JUST 49-POINT-EIGHT IN JUNE FROM 49-POINT-FOUR IN MAY. ECONOMISTS HAD EXPECTED THE INDEX TO RISE ABOVE 50. ANY INDEX READING BELOW 50 INDICATES A DECREASE IN THE SECTOR.
JOB LAYOFFS DROPPED TO A 31 MONTH LOW IN JUNE. A REPORT FROM A JOB PLACEMENT FIRM SAYS PLANNED LAYOFFS FELL 13-PERCENT TO BELOW 60-THOUSAND IN JUNE, DOWN FROM MORE THAN 68-THOUSAND IN MAY. HOWEVER, EXPERTS SAY THE NUMBERS DON'T MEAN COMPANIES ARE READY TO INCREASE THEIR STAFFS. THE GOVERNMENT'S JOB NUMBERS FOR JUNE ARE SET TO BE RELEASED LATER THIS WEEK.
UNITED AIRLINES IS BACK IN THE PLUS COLUMN. IN DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, THE BANKRUPT AIR CARRIER REPORTED EARNING 64-POINT-THREE MILLION IN MAY ON REVENUE OF $1.1 BILLION. A RECENTLY NEGOTIATED LABOR AGREEMENT HELPED MOVE THE COMPANY'S EARNINGS BACK INTO THE BLACK. THE AIRLINE HASN'T TURNED A PROFIT SINCE THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2000.
WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF, I'M STAN CASE. ))

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

[11Partial-Birth]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-23 TC40:19]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It's only been on the books for one day, but a federal judge has already blocked enforcement of Virginia's ban on an abortion procedure.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

Legislation banning so-called partial-birth abortions went into effect yesterday morning.
But a Richmond clinic filed a suit challenging the constitutionality of the law.
The attorney general disagreed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:03:58]
[IN Q=the baby]
((JERRY KILGORE/VA ATTORNEY GENERAL; THE BABY IS WITHIN AN INCH OF TAKING ITS FIRST BREATH AND WE BELIEVE THE STATE OUGHT TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO PROTECT THAT LIFE AT THAT POINT THERE'S NO PROCEDURE THAT THE OTHER SIDE CAN COME UP WITH THE CLAIM THAT IT IS NECESARRY TO PREFROM THIS GRUESOME PROCEDURE ON THIS CHILD.))
[SUPER=@kilgore]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=ON THIS CHILD.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]

A federal judge in Richmond granted a preliminary injunction and set a November 4th trial date.

[Kid-Chef]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Early Years]

Research shows many children aren't getting the nutrition they need.
The U-S-D-A says fewer than 15 percent of kids eat enough fruit and vegetables and 75 percent are eating more fat than they should.
But a 13 year boy hopes to change that by setting a healthy example. Dole Food Company sponsored our interview with Justin Miller. He holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for the world's youngest chef.
(+++++++++++)
[TAKE FS EARLY YEARS] In this week's Early Years segment, Marya Jones asked Justin what the trick is for getting kids to eat healthy.
(///// SOT /////)
[In Q=Well you try..]
[SUPER=01-Justin Miller/World's Youngest Chef; :00]
[SUPER=@Marya1 :]
[RUNS=2:12]
[OUT Q=Thank you.]
(+++++++++)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[TAKE FS WDBJ WEB ADDRESS 4472ESSC] Children between the ages of 5 and 12 who would like to submit a recipe to the 5 A Day Snack Recipe contest, can do so by visiting our website at WDBJ 7 dot com. Just click on websites in the news.
(++++++++++)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=none]
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[Kim tosses to Break] [COMM]

[2-11Elsakaan]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-20 TC48:51]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Two suspected terrorists busted this Spring at the bus terminal in Roanoke have pled guilty... NOT to any terrorist activity, but to identification fraud.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The F-B-I apprehended the Elsakaan (El-sa-kahn) brothers at the Greyhound station March 3rd on their way to New York City. They'd come from Tennessee where one of the men was spotted taking pictures at a Hydroelectric Dam near Knoxville. It turned out the two were among 40 individuals who used the same Henrico County address to obtain phony I-D cards from Virginia's D-M-V.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=none]
Once the photos were developed, authorities found only a picture of a woman holding a candy bar. The dam wasn't even visible in the shot. The government now says "there was no evidence" linking Mustafa and Hatin Elsakaan to terrorism. They'll be sentenced on the fraud charges later this month.