WDBJ 7 morning news for 08/20/03

[Israel-Bombing]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Explosion]

The road map to peace has come to a screeching halt after a suicide bomber blew up a bus in Israel.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Jerusalem, Israel;]

Authorities say the death toll has risen to 20.
More than 100 others were injured when the bomb went off on a bus that was full of families who were returning from evening prayers.
Two Palestinian militant groups have claimed responsibility for the attack.
Israel is now halting the scheduled handover of two West Bank towns to Palestinian control.
(------------)

[Iraq-Bombing]

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

U-S officials in Iraq are vowing to find those responsible for yesterday's deadly bombing of the United Nations building in Baghdad.
But U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan says despite the incident, the world body will NOT leave Iraq.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]

The blast happened during a press conference.
The weapon of choice-- a truck filled with explosives.
Among those killed was the chief U-N official in the country.
But 19 others also died, many of them aid workers helping to re- build Iraq.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The people who did]
((PAUL BREMER/U. S. CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATOR FOR IRAQ: THE PEOPLE WHO DID THIS ATTACKED INNOCENT MEN AND WOMEN WHO WERE SIMPLY TRYING TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR EVERYDAY IRAQIS. ))
[SUPER=01-Paul Bremer/U. S. Civilian Administrator for Iraq;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=for everyday Iraqis.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

No group has taken responsibility for the attack, but authorities have their suspects-- including Saddam Hussein loyalists and the terrorist group Ansar Al Islam, a leading suspect in the car bombing of the Jordanian Embassy two weeks ago.
(------------)

[11Iraq-Allen]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=03-30 TC1:28:45]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Bombing 4317]

Senator George Allen says the U-S must not let terrorism derail humanitarian efforts to rebuild Iraq.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:54:36]
[IN Q=IT SHOULD JUST ]
((SENATOR GEORGE ALLEN-IT SHOULD JUST MAKE US EVEN MORE RESOLVED THOUGH THAT THESE TYPE OF VILE, HATE-FILLED PEOPLE CANNOT PREVAIL. FREEDOM AND JUSTICE MUST ENDURE.))
[SUPER=@Allen;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=JUSTICE MUST ENDURE]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Allen also said he would like to see the United Nations and NATO have a larger role in Iraq, whether it be to distribute humanitarian aid or as part of the security force.

[6-Vinton-Betting]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=03-35 TC18:42]
[GRAPHIC=None]
It's too soon to place odds on whether an off track betting parlor will open in Vinton.
The idea is getting mixed reaction.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton]
Republican Senate candidate Brandon Bell learned about it this week and wants residents to also be aware. Colonial Downs operates off- track betting facilities in four locations around the state and wants to add southwest Virginia to the list. Supporters say the facilities are essentially sports bars where patrons can wager on live horse races simulcast from all over the country-- But opponents see trouble.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:27:34 -- 48]
[IN Q=It brings in ]
[SUPER=01-Brandon Bell/(R) State Senate Candidate; :00]
((BRANDON BELL/(R) STATE SENATE CANDIDATE; IT BRINGS IN AN ELEMENT THAT WOULD NOT BE CONDUCIVE TO GOOD COMMUNITIES THAT WE HAVE, THE WHOLE IDEA OF GAMBLING BRINGS IN A LOT OF ABUSE, A LOT OF ADDICTION... GAMBLING TYPE INTERESTS. ))
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=type interests.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
In order to locate in Vinton, the town's voters would have to approve the facility through a referendum. Right now, Colonial Downs is trying to gather the necessary signatures to put the issue on the November ballot. The company would need about 225 signatures to make that happen.
(------------)

[6-Horse-Nile]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-27 TC1:10:45]
[GRAPHIC=West Nile VIrus]
[***ANCHOR TAG***]
A Botetourt County farm lost one horse to West Nile Virus, but it's taking steps to ensure it doesn't happen again.
Marya Jones has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Sheri, pull your]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Marilyn Slocum/Slocum's Appaloosa Ranch; :16 QUICK]
[SUPER=@Marya1; :41]
[SUPER=01-Cat Bass/Trail Guide; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Botetourt Co.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:26:58]
((NATS: SHERI, PULL YOUR LEFT KNEE AND LOCK YOUR ELBOWS. ARMS STRAIGHT. GOOD JOB.))
[RUNS= :03]

Trail rides and lessons are an everyday occurrence at Slocum's Appaloosa Ranch.
But two weeks ago, the ranch became the first this year in Southwest Virginia to lose a horse to West Nile.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:37:58]
((MARILYN SLOCUM: SHE WAS OBVIOUSLY IN DISTRESS. THE HEAD WAS DOWN. SHE WAS DROOLING.))
[RUNS= :05]

A 22-year-old Appaloosa mare named Hope was put down after 72 hours.
For her owners, the loss was eye-opening.
They had 108 other horses that could still be vulnerable.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:40:35 cover with video]
((MARILYN SLOCUM: HOPE GAVE HER LIFE FOR THE REST OF THE HORSES. ))
[BUTT WITH SOT 2:40:45 on camera]
((AND IF IT WASN'T FOR HER, NOBODY WOULD HAVE KNOWN ANYTHING AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. ))
[RUNS= :06]
(///// SOT /////)
[SU 2:58:05] ((MARYA JONES/NEWS-7: THE SLOCUMS WEREN'T ABOUT TO TAKE ANY CHANCES WITH ANY OF THEIR OTHER HORSES. SO, WITHIN A WEEK OF HOPE'S DEATH, THEY STARTED VACCINATING THEM. PAYING FOR IT, HOWEVER, WAS A BIT OF A CHALLENGE.))
[RUNS= :11]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:29:37]
((NATS: PICK UP YOUR REINS.))
[RUNS= :01]

The ranch couldn't afford the 45-hundred dollar vet bill, so it looked to students, boarders and employees to help out.
So far, donations have topped 15-hundred dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:57:03]
((CAT BASS/TRAIL GUIDE: I ACTUALLY PAID FOR MY TWO FAVORITE HORSES AND A LOT OF THE OTHER TRAIL GUIDES DID THE SAME.))

[RUNS= :05]

The Slocums are now trying to follow the health department's advice -- changing water in the troughs more frequently and using larvicide in standing water.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:44:17]
((THEY ALL LIVE OUTSIDE, SO IT'S PRETTY HARD TO MINIMIZE.))
[RUNS= :02]

But Slocum says, it's well worth the expense of trying.
Marya Jones, News-7, Botetourt County.))
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

The state health department says it's no longer testing dead birds for West Nile in the Roanoke Valley because the virus has spread to horses and humans.
It's turned up in 13 horses in the Virginia this year. There are two probable human cases.

[11Radford-Streets]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-29 TC1:12:50]
[GRAPHIC=None]
College students who are returning to campuses in the New River Valley should expect some traffic tie-ups this week.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
East Main Street has been closed because of construction since May. But Radford University officials say they plan to TEMPORARILY reopen the road this Friday and Saturday, while students move in. The work is meant to improve safety- the parking lot is being rebuilt so students won't have to cross the street to get to class.
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
Near Virginia Tech, V-Dot officials say bridge work along Prices Fork in Blacksburg should be finished in time for student move-in there later today. Although they do warn drivers to expect delays.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1956]
[IN Q=if you could]
((DAVID CLARKE/VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: IF YOU COULD AVOID 81 AT LEAST SOUTHBOUND FOR A LOT OF THE TIME OR JUST LEAVE EARLY BECAUSE IT'S JUST GOING TO BE CONGESTED ON 81.))
[SUPER=01-David Clarke/Virginia Department of Transportation;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=congested on 81]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Classes at both Radford and Tech begin Monday.
(------------)

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[11Longwood]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-24 TC1:36:33]
[GRAPHIC=wipe]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Farmville]

A happy start to the school year at Longwood University, where faculty and staff dedicated the new Grainger (GRAIN-jer) Hall yesterday. It replaces the old building that burned in April of 2001.
Grainger is the first of four Longwood structures to be rebuilt. It houses classrooms and offices, all wired for high technology.
Construction on the Ruffner Halls and the Rotunda should be finished in 2005.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, International events had little impact on Wall Street yesterday.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:21]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
((Violence in the Middle East did not deter Wall Street's bulls...Instead, > investors focused on encouraging news about the economy. > > the dow continued to build on its 14 month high.. rising 16 points in very > > > the nasdaq also proved resilient rallied 21 points to its highest close in > nearly a year and a half.. > > Despite higher mortgage rates, new home construction jumped to a 17 year > high in july.. new home starts climbed 1.5 percent last month as builders > broke ground on on nearly 1.9 million new homes. > > Hewlett-Packard will take center stage on wall street today... > third-quarter earnings and sales at the computer giant have both failed > to live up to Wall Street expectations. > The disappointing news comes as hewlett packard continues to struggle > with weak demand from corporate customers and fierce competition with > rival P-C makers. > H-P earned nearly 300million dollars in the quarter, compared with > a loss of more than two (b) billion dollars in the same period last > year. > > a new stock comes to market today...the drugmaker Merck will spinoff its > Medco unit to shareholders. N.J.-based Medco is one of the nation's > largest pharmacy benefit managers. It will trade on the new york stock > exchange under the symbol "MHS". > > > TRACK ALL THE PRE MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM... I'M AC IN NY.))

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

[Detroit-Shooting]

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

Authorities in Detroit are looking for the father of several children were found shot at a house fire last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Detroit, MI;]

Firefighters made the discovery while answering the fire call.
Four children were shot, three of them died.
The fourth is now in critical condition.
The victims ranged in age from one to nine years old.
Neighbors tell police their father had been raising the children, and that he was in the middle of a divorce with their mother.
SHE hasn't been seen for about a month.
(------------)

[11Allen-Goode]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-22 TC1:45:20]
[GRAPHIC=Pillowtex]

Laid-off Pillowtex workers are getting some much needed help from Washington.
Yesterday, U.S. Senator George Allen announced millions of dollars in emergency aid.
Justin McLeod has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.; :08]
[SUPER=@Allen; :22]
[SUPER=01-Jerry Hairston/Former Pillowtex Worker; :43 ]
[SUPER=01-Georgia Hairston/Former Pillowtex Worker; :1:05]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Henry County]
((((NAT SOUND OF SENATOR TALKING))
That quickness has produced a 3.2 million dollar national emergency grant.
It will directly benefit the thousand Pillowtex workers who lost their jobs here in Virginia.
[SOT 20:50:48]
[IN Q=What this does is send]
((SENATOR GEORGE ALLEN: WHAT THIS DOES IS SEND.....BUT THEY WILL GET HELP.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=but they will get help]

That will help will include money for retraining, childcare costs, and college tuition.
Laid off Pillowtex workers can visit Virginia Employment Commission offices as early as next week to apply for the assistance.
[SOT 20:59:14]
[IN Q=I think its a big]
((JERRY HAIRSTON/FORMER PILLOWTEX WORKER: I THINK ITS A BIG STEP.....OVER THE HUMP.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=over the hump]
((NAT SOUND OF WORKER TALKING AT MEETING))
Laid off workers still have a lot of concerns despite this federal grant.
Some are having trouble paying among other things their electric and medical bills.
[SOT 21:01:01]
[IN Q=There is this one woman]
((GEORGIA HAIRSTON: THERE IS THIS ONE WOMAN......IS ABOUT TO RUN OUT.)) [Runs13]
[OUT Q=is about to run out]
[SOT ]
[IN Q=Workers also tell]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: WORKERS ALSO TELL US THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE PAYING THEIR MORTGAGES. SENATOR ALLEN SPONSORED A BILL LAST YEAR THAT WOULD PROVIDE LOW INTEREST LOANS TO LAID OFF WORKERS SO THEY CAN HELP MAKE THEIR HOUSE PAYMENT. THE BILL FAILED BUT SENATOR ALLEN SAYS HE'LL INTRODUCE AGAIN NEXT SESSION. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7, HENRY COUNTY.))))

[6-Edwards]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-21 TC1:42:54]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards says he would do a better job protecting factory workers than President Bush has.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Yesterday, Edwards campaigned in Virginia.
The North Carolina Senator says he grew up in a textile family.
And has seen first-hand the effect of plant closings on families and communities.
Edwards says U-S trade agreements need stronger labor standards to stop unfair overseas competition.
He also supports creating a national venture- capital fund to help induce companies such as Pillowtex to stay in small towns.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT :11:45]
[IN Q=WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Edwards/(D) North Carolina]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=LIVED IN ALL THEIR LIVES.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]
Edwards says Virginia is an important state to him and he plans to campaign hard here.

[Arnold-Ad]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=CA Recall Vote]

Today voters in California get to see actor Arnold Schwarzenegger in a whole new role.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I want to be ]
[SUPER=04-Television Commercial;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=all Californians.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The movie star- turned gubernatorial candidate is running his first T-V ad.
However, there's a chance the recall election of current Governor Gray Davis could be postponed.
A federal judge will decide today if the election should be delayed, so that old punch card voting machines can be updated.
(------------)

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[11Jazz-Festival]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Organizers of a popular event in Roanoke are upbeat this year despite singing the blues last year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/September]

The Taste of the Blue Ridge Blues and Jazz Festival lost several thousand dollars last year because bad weather prompted lower than expected crowds.
Yesterday, organizers said the losses were minimal and therefore believe this year's event will be the best ever.
New this year, you can buy tickets in advance and the Kick-Off Gala at the Hotel Roanoke will be open to the public.

The festival takes place Friday September 12th through Sunday the 14th.
(------------)

[Hollywood-Minute]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A long list of comedians will stir up laughs at this year's Emmy Awards. Here's Brooke Anderson will today's Hollywood Minute.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=With today's]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA/April 16; :09]
[SUPER=04-"The Daily Show With Jon Stewart"; :18]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA/July 17, 2001; :24]
[SUPER=04-"Shania Twain: Up! Live From Chicago" - NBC; :35]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; :55]
[RUNS=1:11]
[OUT Q=I'm Brooke Anderson.]

((WITH THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE, I'M BROOKE ANDERSON.
YOU CAN EXPECT BIG LAUGHS EMMY NIGHT...AS COMEDIANS BERNIE MAC AND DENNIS MILLER HAVE BEEN ADDED TO A LONG LIST OF HOSTS FOR THE AWARDS CEREMONY. THEY'LL JOIN NINE OTHER COMICS ON THE EMMY STAGE INCLUDING CONAN O'BRIEN AND JOHN STEWART...PUTTING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOSTS AT 11.

--------------------

MEANWHILE-- IN OTHER EMMY NEWS...THE ACADEMY HAS ANNOUNCED THAT ACTOR HANK AZARIA WILL BE PICKING UP AN EMMY FOR HIS VOICE-OVER WORK ON "THE SIMPSONS! THE EMMYS AIR LIVE SEPTEMBER 21ST ON FOX.

-------------------------------

SINGER SHANIA TWAIN IS READY TO HIT THE ROAD ON HER FIRST WORLDWIDE TOUR IN THREE YEARS! THE COUNTRY STAR, WHOSE LATEST DISC HAS SOLD MORE THAN 9 MILLION COPIES, KICKS OFF A THREE MONTH TOUR ON SEPTEMBER 25TH IN CANADA. TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS FRIDAY.

----------------------------------------

AND DECEASED RAP LEGEND TUPAC SHAKUR IS COMING OUT WITH ANOTHER ALBUM. "DEATH ROW PRESENTS 2PAC NEW MIX CLASSICS" IS THE TITLE OF THE DISC, WHICH HITS STORES OCTOBER 7TH.

WITH THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE, I'M BROOKE ANDERSON.))[Biz-Brief]

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

In business news, Both the Dow and Nasdaq posted gains yesterday. 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.]

((STOCKS CLOSED HIGHER TUESDAY DOW EKED OUT A POSITIVE CLOSE DESPITE HOME DEPOT AND GAINS IN CHIPS LIFTED THE NASDAQ.THE DOW ENDED ITS DAY UP 16 POINTS AND THE NASDAQ GAINED 21.NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION WAS UP IN JULY.THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SAYS CONSTRUCTION STARTS ROSE ONE-POINT-FIVE PERCENT TO A SEASONALLY ADJUSTED RATE OF ONE-POINT-87 MILLION UNITS.THAT'S THE FASTEST PACE SINCE APRIL OF 19-86. ECONOMISTS EXPECTED NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION TO SLOW DOWN.HOME DEPOT HAS REPORTED SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS OF 56-CENTS A SHARE UP FROM 50-CENTS A YEAR AGO.THE NATION'S TOP HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAILER POSTED ONE-POINT-THREE BILLION DOLLARS IN EARNINGS FOR THE PERIOD.THE COMPANY'S TOTAL SALES FELL JUST BELOW WAL-MART--THE WORLD'S LARGEST RETAILER.HOME DEPOT SAYS SALES ARE ON TRACK TO INCREASE BY AS MUCH AS 12-PERCENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.STAPLES HAS REPORTED A 47-PERCENT INCREASE IN ITS QUARTERLY INCOME.THE OFFICE SUPPLY COMPANY POSTED SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS OF 18-CENTS PER SHARE.THAT'S UP FIVE-CENTS FROM A YEAR EARLIER.STAPLES SAYS STRONG SAME STORE SALES CONTRIBUTED TO 87-POINT-EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS IN EARNINGS. THE COMPANY SAYS IT EXPECTS SHARES TO EARN A DOLLAR-NINE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.
WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF, I'M STAN CASE. ))

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

[Early-Years]

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

"Don't Tell Me What to Do, Just Send Money"...
Your college- aged child might not actually SAY those words, but according to a new book, that's probably what they're thinking.
(++++++++++)
[TAKE FS EARLY YEARS]
In this week's "Early Years" segment, we spoke with the co-author of a guide for parents whose children are leaving home for the first time.
And she knows first- hand what it's like.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I have two recent]
[SUPER=01-Helen Johnson/Author; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dr. James Farrow/Society for Adolescent Medicine; 1:27]
[RUNS=1:52]
[OUT Q=before they get to college. ( TC 8:53:56)]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[TAKE=FS Pamphlet]
Parents who want to learn more can download a copy of "The Healthy Student - A Parent's Guide to Preparing Teens for the College Years" [TAKE FS Web Address 4472essc] by visiting our webpage at WDBJ 7 dot com. The link will be available later today.
(++++++++)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
News 7 Mornin' will be right back. [Kim tosses to bump] [BUMP] [COMM]