WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 09/29/03

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[VO-NAT]

A party featuring live music and dozens of people proved deadly for a Virginia Tech student, who fell out of a window last night.
Five others were injured.
We'll have the latest on the investigation, coming up.
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And, new legislation will have the Presidential stamp of approval-- but even THAT may not force telemarketers to hang it up.
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Leo]
[SS=None]
Cool conditions continue with a mix of sun and clouds today and the possibility for patchy frost tonight. I'll show you where in your forecast.
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[ANCHOR=KIM 2-Shot]

News 7 at Noon starts right now...
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[VO-NAT]
A private concert in a Blacksburg apartment leads to a deadly fall. We learned today the building has held such concerts for several years.
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[Blacksburg-Fall]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
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A Virginia Tech student is dead following a freak accident last night in Blacksburg. 19 year old Daniel James Martin was attending a private concert at an apartment building when he fell three stories from a window.
New River Valley Bureau Chief Myranda Stephens is on the phone just outside the building with more details.
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[Monty-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
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A Pulaski man died on Interstate 81 died this morning, after he drove under a tractor trailer.
It happened just before 7.
State Police say 28-year Bradley Johnston was driving northbound, when he rammed into the back of the truck.
Johnston managed to pull over, get out of his pickup, sit on the side of the road and speak to another motorist.
He died a short time later at the Carilion New River Valley Medical Center.

[Do-Not-Call]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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Legal wrangling has threatened to put a national "Do Not Call" list for telemarketers in jeopardy.
The President is signing the legislation today.
But as Teri Okita reports, even his signature may not keep the list out of legal limbo.
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[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/CBS News;]
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((
TRACK: BELIEVING HES DIALED IN TO THE WISHES OF 50-MILLION CONSUMERS, PRESIDENT BUSH HOPES TO SAVE AMERICANS FROM WHAT HE CALLS INTRUSIVE AND ANNOYING SALESPEOPLE. THE LEGISLATION HELL SIGN FAST-TRACKED BY CONGRESS LAST WEEK IS DESIGNED TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED NATIONAL DO NOT CALL REGISTRY AFLOAT.
TRACK: BUT HIS SIGNATURE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH. THE LIST HAS BEEN BOGGED DOWN IN THE COURTS MOST RECENTLY, IN COLORADO, WHERE A JUDGE RULED THE REGISTRY UNCONSTITUTIONAL SAYING IT VIOLATES FIRST AMENDMENT, FREE SPEECH RIGHTS. THE LIST ALLOWS CHARITIES, BUT NOT BUSINESSES, TO CONTINUE TO CALL CONSUMERS .
THE F-T-C IS APPEALING THE RULING AND URGING AMERICANS TO BE PATIENT.
TRACK: EVEN THOUGH ITS IN LEGAL LIMBO, THE NATIONS LARGEST TELEMARKETING ASSOCIATION WHICH REPRESENTS ABOUT 80-PERCENT OF THE INDUSTRY SAYS IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE PARTY LINE AND WONT USE THE REGISTRY WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO GO INTO EFFECT THIS WEEK.

(Super: Teri Okita/Reporting)
STANDUP: Other telemarketers made no such promises but said consumers would see a decrease in over-the-phone sales pitches. Until it leaves the courts, the future of the do not call list is still on hold. Teri Okita, CBS News, Washington. ))

[Recall-Poll]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
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The leaders of California's political parties have differing responses to a new poll on the recall race. The CNN-USA Today-Gallup poll shows 63 per cent of probable voters would vote "yes" to the recall, and that Republican Arnold Schwarenegger is the leading candidate. California's Democratic Party chairman says those figures don't match internal polling numbers showing much slimmer margins. But the state's Republican chairman says the poll shows voters rallying around the person they believe can best make needed changes.

[Iraq]

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U-S troops have been busy in Iraq today--
They fought with resistance fighters west of Baghdad for more than eight hours after a roadside bomb killed a soldier.
Troops also arrested 92 people in a series of raids in northern Iraq.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Tikrit, Iraq;]

This was the largest search operation yet-- and it took place in Saddam Hussein's hometown.
U-S troops and Iraqi police raided just over a dozen houses in Tikrit.
U-S officials say there were unable to arrest any members of the Fedayeen, fighters believed to be responsible for recent ambush attacks in Iraq.
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((DAVID POIRIER/U. S. MILITARY POLICE: WE HOPE TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE IRAQI POLICE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THIS AREA SAFE AND SECURE. ))
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[VO-NAT]

Today's incident raised more questions about when the Iraqi police force will be able to operate without major assistance from the U-S.
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[Laura-Bush]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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President Bush's policy on Iraq led to tensions with France.
Now, First Lady Laura Bush is making an attempt to mend fences.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Paris, France;]

Mrs. Bush arrived in Paris yesterday.
She paid a courtesy visit today to French leader Jacques Chirac, aimed at mending the rift between the U-S and France over the war in Iraq.
Later, she'lll represent the U-S in a ceremony marking its re-entry to UNESCO, the United Nations' main cultural

organisation.
Washington withdrew from it in 19-84, citing mismanagement and anti- Western bias.
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[WX-Tease] ((KIM TOSS TO LEO)) [9/29/2003]
[SS=NONE]LEO in WX-CENTER

[WXPRO/FULL] SATELLITE ADVISORIES WX STORY

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(LEO TOSS to KIM)

[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Still ahead, we'll remember Althea Gibson, a groundbreaking athlete who died over the weekend.
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[VO-NAT ]

And we'll take a look at Elia Kazan, a noted director sometime best remembered for things he did far away from Hollywood sets.
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[Kazan-Obit]

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The legendary and controversial director Elia Kazan died yesterday at his home in New York City.
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Throughout his career, Kazan brought to life many of the greatest moments ever in the history of films.
He won on Oscar for directing "On the Waterfront."
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[VO-NAT]

Kazan started directing plays in the 1930s, then went on to win a Tony Award and two Academy Awards.
But in 19-52, at the height of the McCarthy era, Kazan told a congressional committe that he'd belonged to the Communist Party and he also named several other Hollywood figures who he said were also party members.
Many never forgave him, and rose up in protest four years ago when Kazan received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Elia Kazan was 94.
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[Gibson-Obit]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
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Meanwhile, the sports world is mourning the loss of the woman who broke the color barrier in tennis for contemporary players like Venus and Serena Williams.
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[VO-NAT]
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Althea Gibson died yesterday at a hospital in New Jersey.
Officials say she had been seriously ill for several years.
The five-foot-11 Gibson was the first black to win Wimbledon and the U-S Open, and dominated women's tennis from 19-56 until 19-58.
She won eleven Grand Slam titles, including five in singles.
Althea Gibson was 76.
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[11Missing-Girl]

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Family members of a missing 16 year old girl have started an e-mail campaign in efforts to find their daughter.
But there is still no sign of 16- year- old Jenni Northrup, missing for more than a week.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Week;]
The Roanoke native was last seen heading for a 7-11 on Williamson Road a week ago yesterday, but store employees say she never got there. She did however, call her father from a pay phone at the Roanoke Weiner Stand and use a code word to indicate she was in trouble.
Anyone with information is asked to call their local police.
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[11Warner-Scams]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
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Governor Mark Warner urges you to beware of con-artists in the wake of Hurricane Isabel.
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[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co./Last Thursday;]
Last week, the Governor toured the South River area of Rockbridge County which was hit hard by flooding. He said repair scams have popped up across the Commonwealth, and to be wary of anyone who requires payment up front.
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((GOV. MARK WARNER; WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CLAMP DOWN ON ANY OF THOSE CON ARTISTS WHO MOVE IN WORKING WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TO STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING, BECAUSE THERE'S STILL A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND VIRGINIA WHO ARE ARE HURING.))
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Warner says to also be on the lookout for phony charities and to stick to established charitible organizations to make sure donations go to the victims.
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[ANCHOR=Kim]
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Government officials are also warning about con-artists posing as federal emergency representatives. FEMA says inspectors NEVER ask for money, and do NOT drive cars marked with the agency's logo. Officials say if an inspector comes to your home, you should ask to see identification before signing any papers.
[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
A viewer takes us to task for the way we reported a political event.
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[VO-NAT ]

And another, whose husband is helping restore power to Virginia, takes aim at critics in this week's Feedback, next.

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[Feedback]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
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Restoring power after Hurricane Isabel is one of the topics in our viewer mail.
Here's News-7's Feedback, with assignment editor Joe McKean.
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((Utility crews from across the country converged on eastern Virginia after the storm swept aside thousands of trees, poles and wires.
A few without electricity left many people frustrated.
The wife of a line worker from western Virginia (Rebekah Stump/Christiansburg) had a few thoughts about that:
"Imagine my shock and horror when I turned on the news and saw a city official for Virginia Beach complaining because he thought that being without power for more than 48 hours was ridiculous. I wanted to jump through the television and scream at him. The work they do is very dangerous and takes time and concentration to do it right and safely. I am worried about him day and night but still he was willing to go to help. My family and the families of the rest of the man on the crews working in the areas are making sacrifices to help others. We know that the folks there are not having an easy time but I can't help but think they should be appreciative of the men and women out there that are doing everything they can."
Our story on Fox News commentator Sean Hannity's visit to Lynchburg irritated a viewer from Goodview (Steve and Julie Jones):
"The comments made about (Hannity) and our Lynchburg Republican senator are what is so wrong and ignorant about your news department and others who only show one side of our country's real love and dedication to its survival. I quote: "...dinnergoers had to listen to several minutes of conservative rhetoric". Now if that was a Democrat, we would have heard how great the time was and all the great plans the Democrats have for saving this country and it would have been very positive...Enough said and if this kind of reporting continues, your station will give my wife and myself one of the dying freedoms we still have in this country, that is to spin the dial and no longer listen to what used to be our hometown station."
If you'd like to write us, here's our mailing address...our fax number...and our email address.
Joe McKean, News-7.))

[Weather] [NOON WEATHER] [9/29/2003] [TWO SHOT]

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[CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [WXPRO/FULL] FORECASTS EXTENDED FORECAST

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
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On Wall Street at this hour,
[super=460-x/72/x/19;]
the Dow is UP 72 points. Nasdaq UP 19 points.

[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Coming up next in Sports, Little E can't make it 5 for 5, but his teammate comes through.
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[VO-NAT ]

And a gorilla hits the road, or at least the roadside, creating a spectacle, and a problem for police.
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[S-Race]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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Dale Earnhardt, Junior was bidding for his 5th straight Talladega win yesterday.
But his teammate Michael Waltrip had a little more power at the end, and picked up his 2nd victory of the season.

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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Talladega, AL/NBC Sports; :00]

We pick it up just nine laps in, when Jeremy Mayfield cuts down a tire, triggering this melee.
That put 6 cars behind the wall and punctured the grill of Junior's car.
Then with under 10 laps to go, Elliott Sadler moves down the track and gets clipped by Kurt Busch.
Sadler then went on a wild ride, getting airborne and rolling several times.
Sadler was alert, but was airlifted to a local hospital where he was later released.
The race was red flagged for ten minutes, but on the restart, Michael Waltrip and Dale Junior were out front.
Waltrip beat "Little E" to the finish line, as Bobby Labonte and several others stacked up behind him.
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[SUPER=0106-11. Bobby Labonte//12. Robby Gordon//13. Bill Elliott//14. Ward Burton//15. John Andretti//;]
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[SUPER=0106-16. Jamie McMurray//17. Dave Blaney//18. Jeff Green//19. Dale Jarrett//20. Kenny Wallace//;]
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[SUPER=0106-21. Ken Schrader//22. Terry Labonte//23. Mark Martin//24. Greg Biffle//25. Joe Nemechek//;]
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[S-Redskins]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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The Washington Redskins nearly blew a 17 point lead yesterday against New England, but held on for their third win of the season.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Landover, MD/Patriots vs. Redskins; :00]

Neither team won any style points in the first half.
The Skins' defense picked off three Tom Brady passes and led a defensive struggle 6 to 3 at the half.
The offense found the endzone early in the third quarte,r as Ladell Betts crashes in from a couple of yards out.

His third TD of the season made it 13 to 3 Washington.
A little later, Rock Cartwright rolls into the endzone to give the Redskins more breathing room.
[SUPER=30-New England/17/Washington/20/;]
The Patriots got to within three in the fourth quarter, as Brady threw two touchdown tosses, but the Skins survived 20 to 17.
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[S-Blitz]

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[WIPE to ENG!!]
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC/Fox Sports; :00]

Elswhere, former Redskin Stephen Davis ran for 153 yards and a touchdown, helping Carolina end a 6 game losing streak to Atlanta 23 to 3. The Panthers are now three and oh.
[SUPER=03-Pittsburgh, PA/Titans vs. Steelers; :]

And in Pittsburgh, Steve McNair completed 15 of 16 passes for 161 yards and 3 TD's, as the Titans embarrassed the Steelers 30 to 13.
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[Gorilla-Zoo]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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It was touch and go for more than an hour, but police and zoo workers cornered-- and were able to subdue-- a runaway gorilla that escaped from a Boston Zoo.
After injuring two people, the 300- pound gorilla was found sitting near a bus stop.
Ron Sanders has the story.
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[SUPER=01-Robert Dunford/Boston Police Superintendent; :38]
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[SUPER=01-Ron Sanders/Reporting; 1:18]
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(( The 300 lb gorilla made it as far as the sign post on the sidewalk next to Seaver's St. near Humboldt(?) Ave.

SOT -- No Super Avail.
"We was driving down and we saw this monkey and I was like Mona Stop! Mona Stop! And I was like...is that a gorilla?
NARR Boston and State police moved in and blocked off streets and drew guns and Little Joe retreated toward the Zoo. The standoff lasting about 90 minutes before animal rescue experts and a zoo veterinarian were able to fire several tranquilizer darts.

SOT -- SUP. ROBERT DUNFORD, BOSTON POLICE
"We hit him twice after the first three times we fired at him, uh, we then hit him a fourth time, striking him. We went into the woods, we then set up a search team and we found him on the trail."
NARR Scores of bystanders watched the delicate and dangerous operation unfold.

SOT -- JOHN LINEHAN, ZOO NEW ENGLAND
"At 5:55 just as the Zoo was closing Joe was spotted leaving the tropical forest where he encountered an adult and a 2 and a half year old child who were injured."

SOT -- CAPTAIN AL GOSLIN, BOSTON POLICE
"The gorilla was able to be kept in the park area so it wasn't on the street or anything like that. The officers were doing a great job keeping the people safe and not let the bystanders wander in here and putting themselves in harms way."
TAG ZOO officials say they feel very badly about the two people injured but it looks as though they will be ok. The officials are guardedly optimistic that Little Joe will be alright but until further notice he will not be on exhibit.
Ron Sanders for CBS News Boston )) [Quickcast]

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