WDBJ 7 morning news for 07/07/03

[Iraq-Casualties]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Casualties]

Two more American deaths are being reported in Iraq.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]

A U-S soldier died when a pair of gunmen opened fire on his convoy.
The other was killed when a homemade bomb was thrown near his vehicle.
The incidents follow the death of a soldier yesterday, who was shot and killed at Baghdad University, while waiting in line to buy a soda.
(------------)

[11Warner]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=03-20 1:00:52]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Was the U-S justified in the war with Iraq? That's what the Senate Intelligence Committee wants to know.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

While some senators question whether intelligence information was distorted, Virginia Senator John Warner says he doesn't see any evidence that the Bush Administration manipulated information for political reasons.
Meanwhile, Warner says pressure should soon be taken off of U-S troops as Iraqi's take control of their country.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:04]
[IN Q=Before this month is out, within weeks]
((BEFORE THIS MONTH IS OUT, WITHIN WEEKS, THE IRAQIS WILL BEGIN TO TAKE OVER THE RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE INTERIM AUTHORITY OF THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT, AND THAT MESSAGE WILL SPREAD THROUGHOUT IRAQ. WE WILL INDICATE TO THEM, "AS SOON AS YOU CAN TAKE YOUR OWN COUNTRY, AND AS SOON AS YOU'RE SATISFIED WITH THE LEVEL OF SECURITY THAT YOU, THE IRAQIS, CAN ESTABLISH, WE'RE OUT OF THERE))
[SUPER=@JohnWarner]
[RUNS=21]
[OUT Q=out of there]
(------------)

On "Meet the Press" yesterday, Warner also discussed the U-S involvement in the turmoil in Liberia.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:27]
[IN Q=We've got to think through very, very carefully]
((WE'VE GOT TO THINK THROUGH VERY, VERY CAREFULLY THE INSERTION OF U.S. FORCES IN THERE. IT'S A PRESIDENTIAL DECISION. BUT I WOULD SAY TO THE SENATE LEADERSHIP AND MOST RESPECTFULLY TO THE PRESIDENT, I WOULD WANT A VOTE IN THE CONGRESS BEFORE WE BEGIN TO COMMIT SUBSTANTIAL FORCES INTO THAT REGION))
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=into that region]

(-------------)[Teens-Arrest]

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

In New Jersey, police say they may have prevented a killing spree planned by three teenagers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Oaklyn, NJ;]

Authorities say the teens were arrested Sunday in a Philadelphia suburb after an attempted carjacking.
Police say the three-- armed with guns, knives, and swords-- were planning to target people they consider to be enemies, then carry out random attacks.
The prosecutor says the plan had been in the making over the last several months.
All three teens are now in police custody.
(------------)

[11State-Funding]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-29 15:41]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Cultural organizations in our area will have to work harder to stay out of the red now that state money has been cut off.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Week;]
Starting July first places like Explore Park and the Science Museum of Western Virginia stopped receiving state financing.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:43:58:24]
[IN Q=It's going to be very]
((ROGER ELLMORE/EXPLORE PARK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS THE WAY THE STATE BUDGET LOOKS TO GET FUNDING FROM THE STATE FOR THE NON- STATE AGENCIES, EVEN THOUGH EXPLORE PARK IS A LITTLE BIT OF AN ANOMALY BECAUSE WE'RE ACTUALLY A STATE AUTHORITY. WE'RE A SUBDIVISION OF GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA AND YET ARE GETTING NO FINANCIAL SUPPORT.))
[SUPER=01-Roger Ellmore/Explore Park Executive Director;]
[RUNS=21]
[OUT Q=no financial support]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Ellmore says the park is fortunate because Roanoke County stepped in to make up some of the difference when state funding was cut back.
He says he hopes money will start flowing through the park again once the economy improves and the state learns how to deal with the needs of the government.
(------------)

[11Covington-Parks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-25]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Covington city leaders are hoping a new athletic facility will score one with their community.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :18.5]
[SUPER=03-Covington;]
Construction on the Jackson River Recreation Sports Complex is almost complete. Four of the new regulation softball fields are done, and the tennis courts should be up and running soon. City officials hope the complex will attract additional tourists to the Alleghany Highlands, and bring more money to the area's economy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 20:35:36]
[IN Q=We've opened up...]
((ALLEN DRESSLER/COVINGTON PARKS AND REC DIRECTOR; WE OPENED UP OUR FIRST EVENT THERE IN THE END OF MAY WITH THE REGION C SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT, AND FROM THERE WE'VE HAD SOME OTHER ADULT TOURNAMENTS SCHEDULED. WE'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN BRINGING 6 TO 700 PEOPLE TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR THOSE TYPES OF EVENTS.))
[SUPER=01-Allen Dressler/Covington Parks and Recreation Director;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=for those types of events.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :10+]
The project will cost a little more than one million dollars, and although some games have already been played the official ribbon cutting of the facility will be in the next few weeks.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
In business News -
You can now use your phone to ward off pesky telemarketers.
Starting today, those of us east of the Mississippi can put phone numbers on the national do-not-call registry by dialing a toll-free number.
The registry has been available to residents west of the River since June 27th.
(XXXXXXXX)
[take FS 4430ess]
The registry number is 1-888-382-1222. Again that number is 1-888-382-1222. And you can still sign up online at www.do-not-call.gov.
If you do want to sign up by phone - remember you must use the phone you want registered to make the call.
(XXXXXXXXXX)

On Wall Street, The bulls are pulling ahead this year - but can they stay there?
Alexis Christoforous has more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=after suffering through]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
(( AFTER SUFFERING THROUGH THREE AND A HALF YEARS OF A BEAR MARKET, INVESTORS > FINALLY HAVE RISEN TO CHEER...SO FAR, 2003 HAS BEENSPECTACULAR FOR > STOCKS.. > > THE DOW IS UP NEARLY 8 PERCENT > > THE SP 500 HAS RALLIED ABOUT 11 PERCENT > > AND THE NASDAQ IS UP A WHOPPING 21 PERCENT YEAR TO DATE.. > > ANALSYTS SAY A QUICK END TO THE WAR IN IRAQ, MORTGAGE RATES AT HISTORIC > LOWS, THE BUSH TAX CUT PLAN AND SIGNS OF AN ECONOMY ON THE MEND GAVE > INVESTORS A REASON TO JUMP BACK INTO THE MARKET... > > BUT WE'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE AND THE QUESTION EVERYONE'S ASKING.. CAN THE > BULL KEEP THE RALLY PARTY GOING... > > Dave Callaway/ Executive Editor, CBS Marketwatch > 11:42:43 - :52 > i think the market rally can stay alive i think the market will end higher > for the year, i think we'll see some softness in the summer, but we're not > going to revist the lows we did last october. > > THE NEXT MAIN EVENT FOR WALL STREET.. EARNINGS SEASON...WHICH COULD BE A > ROUGH PATCH FOR INVESTORS. > > 11:42:26 - :37i think earnings season is going to be worse than expected > for most people the market is really hoping for huge earnings season... > weaker than expected. > > WHILE CALLAWAY IS CAUTIOUS HE EXPECTS THE MARKET RALLY TO RESUME BY EARLY > FALL AS WALL STREET LOOKS TO RING THE CLOSING BELL ON WHAT COULD BE THE > FIRST UP YEAR FOR STOCKS SINCE 1999. > > ON CAMERA TAG: CALLAWAY SAYS SMALL INVESTORS SHOULD SHOULD LOOK AT > RETAIL, FINANCIAL AND TECH STOCKS AS THE ECONOMY RECOVERS. > HE PREDICTS WE COULD SEE DOW 9500 HUNDRED BY THE END OF THE YEAR. AT THE > CBS MW NEWSDESK, I'M AC IN NEW YORK. > ))
[COMM]

[11COEBA-Preview]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-15 4:04]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Evangalizing Black America - that's the goal of a national group of Christians meeting in Roanoke this week.
The organization -called COEBA (co-bah) - says they want to take their message to the world.
Jennifer Wishon has more
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=To be a Christian]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Kenny Simmons/Victory Independent Baptist Pastor; :12]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1; :35]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Lockett/COEBA; 1:09]
[SUPER=01-Craig Bennett/COEBA; 1:25]
[RUNS=2:06]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7, Roanoke]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=To be a Christian]
((TO BE A CHRISTIAN TO BE SAVED TODAY AS WELL.)) [RUNS04]
[OUT Q=today as well]
New Testament Churches have one main goal... Save people.. Everywhere.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:40:12]
[IN Q=Our desire is to]
((KENNY SIMMONS: OUR DESIRE IS TO START LOCAL NEW TESTAMENT BAPTIST CHURCHES THROUGHOUT BLACK AMERICA AND OF COURSE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AS WELL.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=world as well]
Specifically, the group hopes to Evangelize Black America and this week, they're bringing a massive international conference to Roanoke called COEBA for short.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 42:44:28]
[IN Q=Victory Independent Baptist]
((JENNIFER WISHON/REPORTING: VICTORY INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH HERE ON HERSHBERGER ROAD IS A PRODUCT OF THE COEBA MINISTRIES. IT'S ONE OF 17 CHURCHES THAT ALL GREW FROM THE ORIGINAL IN BAILEYS CROSSROADS, VIRGINIA.)) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=Crossroads, Virginia]
That's where Victory's pastor got started.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:13:03]
[IN Q=A couple of soul]
((KENNY SIMMONS: A COUPLE OF SOUL WINNERS CAME BY MY HOUSE, KNOCKED ON MY DOOR. ASKED ME IF I WAS GOING TO HEAVEN WHEN I LEFT THIS WORLD. I TOLD THEM I WASN'T SURE.)) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q=I wasn't sure]
Simmons went to church the following Sunday, and eventually felt led to preach. Like others who've started New Testament Churches, Simmons returned to his hometown of Roanoke. ((Nats of singing)) Pastor Jeff Lockett is returning to his hometown in Texas to start the youngest church in the network.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:41:13]
[IN Q=I have all those]
((JEFF LOCKETT: I HAVE ALL THOSE OTHER CHURCHES AS EXAMPLES TO LOOK AT SO THEY'RE SORT OF LIKE BIG BROTHERS TO LOOK AT AND GET ADVICE FROM SO IT'S EXCITING.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=so it's exciting]
Pastor Craig Bennett is attending this week's conference from Mons, Belgium. He'll go on to start a church in Atlanta after being inspired by some church- goers overseas.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:20:28]
[IN Q=As we see the]
((CRAIG BENNETT: AS WE SEE THE AMERICAN MILITARY, THE SOLDIERS THAT COME OVER THERE, THEY GET SAVED AND THEN THEIR FAMILIES AND THEN THEY COME BACK AND THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A CHURCH TO ATTEND BUT THOSE CHURCHES MANY TIMES THEY CAN'T FIND OVER HERE.)) [RUNS9] [OUT Qcan't find over here] But before he heads to Atlanta he'll attend the conference for an organization he says has the power to make a difference.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:41:03]
[IN Q=There are a lot]
((CRAIG BENNETT: THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS OUT THERE, BUT THE DIFFERENCE I THINK IN THIS ONE HERE IS THE CONCENTRATED EFFORT THAT'S BEING APPLIED TO NOT JUST REACH BLACK AMERICA, BUT TO TRAIN UP YOUNG MEN TO BE PART OF THE MINISTRY.)) [RUNS14]
[OUT Q=part of the ministry]
And you don't have to be Black to be a part of the conference. Organizers say they hope their efforts will help save all the people of the world. Jennifer Wishon, News 7, Roanoke.))

[11Church-Mission]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-28 17:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A local group of Christians are on a crusade of their own.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
44- members of Cave Spring United Methodist Church left yesterday on their way to Summers County, West Virginia. The group will be doing home repairs for those in need.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:26:06]
[IN Q=We always get a]
((BRUCE PRILLAMAN/APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT ORGANIZER: WE ALWAYS GET A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN WE GIVE. ANYTIME YOU CAN SHARE WITH PEOPLE AND BE WITH THE PEOPLE. MAYBE GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT OF HOPE AND WE GET A WHOLE LOT OF INSPIRATION AS WE HAMMER AND NAIL AND CUT AND SAW.))
[SUPER=01-Bruce Prillaman/Appalachia Service Project Organizer;]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=and cut and saw]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Bruce Prillaman has been going on the trip since 1989, but he says each year there's a new experience and challenge. The church raised 11- thousand dollars for the week- long trip. Participants also took part in service projects to help prepare them for the challenge.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:19:23]
[IN Q=We have a program]
((MARY ELLEN GROSS/APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT: WE HAVE A PROGRAM CALLED MULCH MINISTRY AND WE WILL DO SMALL BUILDING PROJECTS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR HOMES. WE DO A LOT OF GARDENING AND WE'LL SPREAD THE MULCH, THEY PURCHASE THE MULCH AND WE WILL COME OUT AND SPREAD THE MULCH AND DO THE GROOMING OF THEIR YARDS FOR THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Mary Ellen Gross/Appalachia Service Project Organizer;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=yards for them]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
An organization called Appalachia Service Projects provides supplies for the repairs. The Cave Spring group will be joined by a church from South Carolina.
(------------)

[bump]
[comm]

[Bush-Africa]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=President Bush]

Tonight President Bush embarks on a five- nation trip to Africa.
During much of the tour, the President will discuss economic funding for AIDS and hunger.
However, he'll also be deciding whether to send U-S forces into one African nation.
Aleen Sirgany reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-June 26, 2003; :27 (Bush bite)]
[SUPER=01-Sarah Laughton/World Food Program; :48]
[SUPER=01-Aleen Sirgany/CBS News; 1:20]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=Sirgany, CBS News, Washington.]
(( PRESIDENT BUSH WILL SOON BECOME ONLY THE THIRD PRESIDENT TO VISIT SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. THE 12-THOUSAND MILE JOURNEY TAKES HIM TO SENEGAL, SOUTH AFRICA, BOTSWANA, UGANDA AND NIGERIA. AND TO EACH OF THESE NATIONS HE BRINGS A GIFT: THE PROMISE OF MONEY.

(SOT-President Bush)(Font: June 26th)
"On the path to freedom, and with the friendship of the United States and other nations, Africa will rise, and Africa will prosper. "
THE PRESIDENT IS PROMISING 800 MILLION DOLLARS FOR FOOD EMERGENCIES AND 200 MILLION FOR EDUCATION. BUT THOSE NUMBERS PALE IN COMPARISON TO THE 15 BILLION DOLLARS BEING GIVEN TO FIGHT AIDS AND H-I-V.

(SOT-Sarah Laughton/World Food Program)
"we have an incredibly serious problem in this country with HIV and AIDS with the second highest rate of infection in the world and this has absolutely devestated people's ability to be food secure."
THE ONE COUNTRY THAT WILL POSSIBLY BE TALKED ABOUT MOST DURING THIS TRIP IS NOT ON THE PRESIDENT'S AGENDA. LIBERIA HAS BEEN DEVESTATED BY 14 YEARS OF CIVIL WAR. THE PRESIDENT NOW HAS TO DECIDE WHETHER TO SEND IN U-S TROOPS AS PEACEKEEPERS . A TEAM OF MILITARY EXPERTS LEFT SUNDAY TO VISIT LIBERIA AND STUDY THAT POSSIBILITY.
STANDUP: (Aleen Sirgany/CBS NEWS/Washington, DC) BEFORE GETTING INVOLVED IN LIBERIA THE U-S WANTS THE CURRENT LEADER TO STEP DOWN. ON SUNDAY PRESIDENT CHARLES TAYLOR SAID HE IS PREPARED TO RESIGN FROM OFFICE AND URGED THE U-S TO SEND TROOPS. ALEEN SIRGANY, CBS NEWS, WASHINGTON. ))