WDBJ 7 morning news for 07/30/03

[Terror-Warning]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

Federal officials are warning that al-Qaida might be planning another September 11th- type attack.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

A recently captured al-Qaida operative told interrogators that the organization wants to use five- man teams to hijack planes and fly them into buildings.
The Department of Homeland Security has warned the nation's airlines that an attack could be executed by the end of the summer.
However, the Bush administration does NOT plan to raise the nation's terror alert level.
(------------)

[11Roanoke-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-33 TC07:01]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Authorities are investigating a kitchen fire that sent a Roanoke firefighter to the hospital.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The fire on Norway Avenue broke out around 8:15 last night.
Officials say the house quickly filled with smoke, but damage was confined to the kitchen.
One firefighter was sent to Roanoke Memorial Hospital after falling embers burned the back of his neck. A cat died in the blaze.
The fire caused about 20-thousand dollars in damage.

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

[11Giles-Rescue]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=03-32 TC12:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]
It would take volunteers using four-wheelers several hours to rescue a man who was injured while swimming at the Cascades in Giles County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.;]
Doug Bliss of Michigan was swimming with his fianc� and her children yesterday afternoon when he slipped and hit the back of his head on a rock. Two other hikers in the area had a cell phone and called for help. Several volunteers with the Giles Rescue squad used their own four-wheelers to travel some two miles up the trail to reach the victim.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:00:04 ]
[IN Q=Once you arrive]
((BILL DAVIS/GILES CO. RESCUE SQUAD; ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT THE TOP YOU HAVE TO GO ABOUT THERE'S ABOUT A 100 YARD EMBANKMENT YOU HAVE TO GO DOWN WE FOUND HIM LAYING DOWN AT THE BOTTOM, ONCE WE GET DOWN IN THERE, WE HAD TO STABILIZE HIM, PACKAGE HIM, AND AT THAT TIME IT TOOK ABOUT EIGHT PEOPLE TO CARRY HIM UP THE HILL. ))
[SUPER=01-Bill Davis/Giles Co. Rescue Squad;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=up the hill.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The victim was then loaded onto a homemade carrier attached to a four wheeler and driven down the hill. In all, it would take almost three hours to rescue the man. His condition has not been released.
(------------)

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[11Loan]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-28 TC35:59]
[GRAPHIC=Loan]

A Covington soldier who was injured in the attack on Saddam's sons is back in the U-S.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

21 year old Adam Loan was transported Sunday night from Germany to a military hospital in San Antonio Texas.
He was injured last week as he secured fencing around the perimeter of the house occupied by Saddam Hussein's sons Uday and Qusay.
Loan suffered electrical burns to his hands, arms, and backside.
[SUPER=03-Covington]

His mother says he is still in a lot of pain but there's no indication how long he'll be hospitalized. The family hopes to fly to Texas sometime next week.
(------------)

[11ITT]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=503-00 TC22:05]
[GRAPHIC=ITT Strike]
Contract negotiations between I-T-T Night Vision and its union will resume tomorrow.
(------------)
[VO-NAT ]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./This Month;]
[File Tape @ 03-30 TC-1:04:22] Nearly 400 employees have been on strike since June 21st. They've been holding mass informational pickets like this one in front of the plant on Plantation Road nearly every week. Union leaders say they will bring a new contract offer for the membership to vote on this Saturday. Employees say they're tired of working mandatory overtime and want better pensions and caps on their insurance premiums. The company won't comment on current negotiations.
(------------)

[11Furniture]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-17 TC2:04:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Three area furniture companies are joining forces to stop what they say is illegal trading.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Galax;]
Hundreds of workers at Vaughan, Webb and Vaughan-Bassett furniture companies signed an anti-dumping petition yesterday in hopes of protecting their jobs. The petition was brought on by the Committee for Legal Trade, a national coalition that accuses China of exporting wood bedroom furniture at prices far below the market value. They say the practice has left thousands of American workers unemployed.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 5915]
[IN Q=you've read]
((JOHN BASSETT/PRESIDENT OF VAUGHAN-BASSETT FURNITURE: IF YOU LOOK OVER THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY LIKE A BATTLEFIELD IT IS LITTERED WITH BODIES OUT THERE.))
[SUPER=01-John Bassett/Vaughan-Bassett Furniture President;]
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=bodies out there]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Committee plans to file its petition with the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission in October. If it's approved, China could then be subject to anti-dumping duties.
(-----------)

[Kobe-Bryant]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Kobe Bryant]

Attorneys for L-A Laker Kobe Bryant only want their client seen on the basketball court.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Bryant's attorneys are asking a Colorado judge to reconsider his ruling that allowed cameras in the courtroom.
The N-B-A All- Star is expected to appear next week for a hearing.
He's accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room near Vail, Colorado.
Bryant, however, says it was consensual.
He is free on bail pending the hearing.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, M-G-M withdrew its bid to buy Vivendi's entertainment assets.
And, V-F Jeanswear has announced its closing plants in two states.
Alexis Christoforous has those stories and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((THE POOL OF SUITORS FOR VIVENDI'S ENTERTAINMENT ASSETS JUST GOT SMALLER.. > MGM SAID ITS WITHDRAWING ITS 11.5 BILLION DOLLAR OFFER FOR THE ASSETS > WHICH INCLUDE > THE UNIVERSAL FILM STUDIOS AND THEME PARKS AND THE USA AND SCI-FI CABLE > NETWORKS. > > EARLIER THIS MONTH, VIVENDI REJECTED MGM'S BID AS TOO LOW. > That leaves Edgar Bronfman Jr., General Electric'S NBC, Liberty Media and > Viacom - PARENT COMPANY OF CBS - as the parties interested in buying some > or all of the assets. > > AN UNEXPECTED PLUNGE IN CONSUMER CONFIDENCE THIS MONTH KEPT STOCKS STUCK > IN THE RED.... > > AFTER ANOTHER CHOPPY DAY OF TRADING > > THE DOW lost 62 > > THE NASDAQ down nearly 4 > > The maker of Wrangler and Lee jeans is shrinking its work force. > V-F Jeanswear plans to lay off more than 18-hundred employees -- > - as it closes plants in North Carolina > and Oklahoma. > > McDonald's shares rallied 4 percent after earnings at the fast food giant > hit wall street's target. Sales rose to a record level in the quarter, > thanks to sales of its new products. McDonald's has been revamping its > menu, to add healthier items like entree-sized salads, and fruit in kids' > Happy Meals. > > The Hulk is bringing in the green for Marvel Enterprises.. The company > expects second-quarter earnings and revenue to beat estimates thanks to > strength in its licensing business especially the sale of products related > to the hulk movie. > > live at the cbsmw newsdesk I'm AC.))

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

[Wildfires]

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

Strong winds are fanning the flames across the west.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kalispell, MT;]

There are now seven major fires burning in the state of Montana.
Some of the largest blazes are burning in or near Glacier National Park, where the governor got a first- hand look yesterday.
So far, the wildfire has burned more than 12- thousand acres and forced hundreds from their homes.
[SUPER=03-Near Spokane, WA;]

Meanwhile, firefighters outside Spokane, Washington also have their hands full with a 12- thousand acre fire there.
Authorities say the blaze apparently started over the weekend from a car's exhaust system.
(------------)

[LAPD-Assault]

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

Prosecutors in Los Angeles have to decide if they're going to try an Ingelwood police officer again.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Officer Jeremy Morse was charged with assault for an incident caught on videotape, showing him punching and slamming Donovan Jackson onto a squad car.
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;]

Yesterday, a judge declared a hung jury after more than three days of deliberations.
There were concerns that violence might break out after the decision- just as it did after the Rodney King trial- but so far the streets have been quiet.
(------------)

[11Van-Crash]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tco]
[TAPE#=03-27 TC42:39]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

There has been another deadly crash involving a 15-seat passenger van.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chesterfield Co.]
State police say the wreck happened at one o-clock yesterday afternoon in Chesterfield County when the right rear tire on the van fell apart. The Y-M-C-A van was carrying seven teenagers when the driver lost control, and swerved into a median. The van rolled over at least one time. A teenage passenger from Chesterfield County was ejected and died at the scene. The other six passengers and the driver were taken to the hospital. Police say the teens were training to be camp counselors and were taking part in the Meals on Wheels organization when the accident happened.
(------------)

[11City-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-23 TC1:08:51]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke City School Board members have responded to Mayor Ralph Smith's recent criticism of the school system.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Week;]

In his state of the city speech last Wednesday, Smith expressed concern about recent school controversies.
He said the time has come for a new day of accountability within the city schools.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:28:54]
[IN Q=It's obvious there needs to be]
((RALPH SMITH/ROANOKE MAYOR/LAST WEEK: IT'S OBVIOUS THERE NEEDS TO BE A CHANGE IN HOW THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OPERATES, FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD TO THE ADMINISTRATION.))
[SUPER=10-Ralph Smith/Roanoke Mayor/Last Week;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=from the school board to the administration.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

In a statement released yesterday afternoon, school board members said they take their responsibilities seriously and are striving to provide a safe and secure environment.
They said they regret the mayor failed to acknowledge the positive accomplishments of the school division.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

School board members say they are investigating recent allegations about school violence and promise appropriate action once a state review is completed.
And members say they look forward to the Mayor's continued support.

[11Blacksburg-Sewer]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-21 TC1:13:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Some residents in Blacksburg say the town's new sewage system is a recipe for disaster.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
In a 4-to-3 vote, the town's council approved a new centralized sewage system to replace its current one, now at capacity. The 16-million dollar project will add service to the Tom's Creek area. But many residents say the town could have chosen a more environmental-friendly plan, that would have cost a lot less.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2204]
[IN Q=the central sewer]
((DAVID SCHEIM: THE CENTRAL SEWER WOULD COST ABOUT 21/2 TIMES THE BYPASS PLUS STEP OPTION WHICH USES PROVEN MODERN TECHNOLOGY. TO PUT IN A CENTRAL SEWER MAKES AS MUCH SENSE AS PUTTING IN A 1968 MAINFRAME COMPUTER INSTEAD OF TODAY'S PERSONAL COMPUTERS.))
[SUPER=01-David Scheim/Opposes Sewer Plan;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=personal computers]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Although upgrading the town's current system was estimated at SIX million dollars, officials say it would have only been a quick fix and would have resulted in more problems down the line.
(------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[Biz-Brief]

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

In business news, Stocks fell yesterday. John Lisk has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-John Lisk/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=I'm John Lisk]
(( JITTERY INVESTORS WENT ON A SELLING SPREE TUESDAY AFTER A SHARP DROP IN CONSUMER CONFIDENCE AMPLIFIED FEARS ABOUT ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

THE DOW LOST 62 POINTS ON THE DAY.
THE NASDAQ WAS DOWN ALMOST FOUR POINTS.

CONFIDENCE IN THE NATION'S ECONOMY TUMBLED IN JULY.
THE CONFERENCE BOARD, REPORTS THAT ITS CLOSELY WATCHED INDEX OF CONSUMER CONFIDENCE SANK TO 76-POINT-SIX.
THAT'S DOWN FROM AN ALREADY CAUTIOUS 83-POINT-FIVE IN JUNE.
ECONOMISTS HAD EXPECTED CONFIDENCE TO RISE TO 85.
THE CONFERENCE BOARD'S INDEX THATMEASURES HOW CONSUMERS FEEL ABOUT THE FUTURE, ALSO FELL... BY A REMARKABLE TEN POINTS.

MCDONALD'S REPORTS QUARTERLY PROFITS FELL BY FIVE PERCENT.
AN OVERHAUL OF THE MENU AND MOVES TO IMPROVE SERVICE APPEAR TO BE PAYING OFF, THE COMPANY SAID, BUT HIGHER COSTS OVERCAME IMPROVED SALES.
NET INCOME FELL TO 37 CENTS A SHARE, FROM 39 CENTS A YEAR AGO.
STILL, MCDONALD'S SHARES GAINED FOUR PERCENT ON THE DAY.

DUPONT POSTED EARNINGS OF 67 CENTS A SHARE, UP FROM 54 CENTS IN THE YEAR-AGO QUARTER.
THE COMPANY CITED COST CONTROLS AND A STRONG PERFORMANCE FROM ITS AGRICULTURE-AND-NUTRITION UNIT.

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

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

[Early-Years]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Early Years]

Much has been written and said about closing the communication gap between parents and teenagers.
While no one claims to have ALL the answers, there's a new book that offers suggestions you may not have heard of before.
(++++++++)
[TAKE FS Book Cover]
In this week's "Early Years" segment, we spoke with author and psychologist Mike Riera about his book, "Staying Connected to Your Teenager".
Coca Cola is sponsoring the book tour.
(++++++++++)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]

In the book, Riera attempts to solve the age- old question, why is it so hard for parents to deal with their teenagers?
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mike Riera/Psychologist and Author;]
[RUNS=2:10]
[OUT Q=different conversation.]
(+++++++++++)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[TAKE FS BOOK COVER] Again, the name of Mike Riera's book is "Staying Connected to Your Teenager". News 7 Mornin' will be right back.
(+++++++++++)
[BUMP] [COMM]

[11Big-Daddy's]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=502-09 1:44:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The owner of a downtown Roanoke nightspot says the city put him out of business.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Hugh Mayo ran Big Daddy's, a hip hop club on the corner of First Street and Luck Avenue.
In May, Roanoke Police visited the club and found marijuana.
An officer then sent a letter to the owners of the building saying they could be charged since it is their property.

The owners later terminated Mayo's lease.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:38]
[IN Q=I've had a few minor]
((HUGH MAYO/CLUB OWNER: I'VE HAD A FEW MINOR PROBLEMS, NOTHING MAJOR, NOTHING BIG. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS LIKE ANY OTHER RESTAURANT NIGHTCLUB IN THE ROANOKE AREA HAS HAD.))
[SUPER=01-Hugh Mayo/Club Owner]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=area has had]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Mayo claims the police targeted his establishment because he's black and the club caters to a younger crowd.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=none]

Roanoke Police deny that accusation saying complaints from citizens prompted their investigation.
The property owner said late yesterday afternoon that Mayo's lease was terminated not over accusations of drugs b ut because he was failing to pay his rent.