WDBJ 7 morning news for 10/16/03

[AM-81-Improvements]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-44 TC11:21]
[GRAPHIC=81 Improvements]

Plans to widen Interstate 81 are still moving foward. While supporters agree something needs to be done, there is still a debate over which route to take.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dublin; ]

Last night, the public got its chance to sound off during a forum sponsored by the New River Valley Coalition of Chambers of Commerce.
They heard formal presentations from two builders' consortiums.
Star Solutions wants to have separate lanes for cars and trucks and charge truckers a toll.
Fluor Virginia recommends adding car lanes and charging both cars and trucks.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:19:21; 21:16:17; 21:16:41]
[IN Q=You have to address]
((HAL McGRATH/FLOYD RESIDENT: YOU HAVE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM EVENTUALLY AND THE BEST SOLUTION IS GO AHEAD AND BITE THE BULLET AND ADDRESS AND GET IT PAID FOR BUT NO TOLLS.)) ((J.B. STANLEY/DUBLIN RESIDENT: SOMEBODY HAS TO PAY FOR IT, SO I DON'T KNOW. THEY SAY V-DOT THEY AIN'T GOT IT SO TOLLS ARE ABOUT THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT.)) ((PHYLLIS STANLEY/DUBLIN RESIDENT: I LOVE THE IDEA OF THE TRUCKERS HAVING THEIR OWN ROAD BECAUSE WHEN I TRAVEL THE INTERSTATE THEY MAKE ME NERVOUS, I LOVE THAT IDEA.))
[SUPER=01-Hal McGrath/Floyd Resident; :00]
[SUPER=01-J. B. Stanley/Dublin Resident; :09]
[SUPER=01-Phyllis Stanley/Dublin Resident; :16]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=I LOVE THAT IDEA]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

V-Dot is currently asking local governments along the I-81 corridor to consider if one or both proposals merit further consideration.
An I-81 Advisory Panel will then decide which plan to move forward with by December.
It could choose one plan, parts of both, or neither.
(------------)

[5Knox]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=503-02 53:36]
[GRAPHIC=Knox]
Doctor Cecil Knox admitted on the stand yesterday that he smoked marijuana with one of his employees and a patient, but he insisted it was only after work.
And he vehemently denied ever trading prescriptions for marijuana. As for OxyContin, Knox said it was a "real God send" when it first became available.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The pain specialist is now on trial in federal court for prescribing it illegally. Testifying in his own defense, he said when OxyCodone was introduced around 1996, it was the exciting new medication in the war against pain. It was four or five years, Knox said, before the drug manufacturer started publishing precautions... that it could be abused and that it was highly addictive when broken down.
(------------)

[Accident]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]

A Henry County Sheriff's Deputy is on the mend, after he was struck while directing school traffic. State Police say deputy Craig Oder (o-Dare), Junior was directing traffic outside Carver Middle School when he was hit yesterday afternoon.
75 year old Lorene Merriman Cruise of Collinsville said she was blinded by the sun and didn't see the deputy.
Oder (o-Dare) was treated at Martinsville Memorial Hospital and released.

[Gaza-Arrests]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Making international headlines today--
Five Palestinians have been arrested in the Gaza Strip.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gaza Strip;]

Authorities say they're connected to yesterday's deadly attack on a U-S diplomatic convoy that left three Americans dead.
The suspects were arrested at a refugee camp not far from the scene of the attack.
The five are members of a militant group that has denied any involvement in the bombing.
Meanwhile, the U-S embassy is advising all Americans to leave the Gaza Strip.
(------------)

[Iraq]

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

U-S leaders are predicting a "successful vote" when United Nations members cast their ballots on a new Iraq resolution.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]

Picking up support from China and Pakistan last night, all indications are that the resolution will pass.
The vote was supposed to have taken place last night, but leaders from France, Russia, and Germany wanted more time to think it over.
The Bush administration hopes it'll generate more troops and money for Iraq, and lead to elections in the country.

Passing the resolution would be a major win for President Bush, who's spent the past week defending his decision to go to war.
(------------)

[Consumer-Corner]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Pizza Hut delivers some good news to its health conscious customers, and Hollywood is big for Halloween this year. Paul Reece has those stories and more in today's consumer watch.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Pizza Hut is joining]
[SUPER=01-Paul Reece/Reporting; :38]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=I'm Paul Reece.]
((PIZZA HUT IS JOINING IN THE HEALTH MAKEOVER OF THE FAST FOOD INDUSTRY.
AT THE END OF THE MONTH, PIZZA HUT WILL ADD "FIT N' DELICIOUS" PIZZA TO ITS MENU -- A PIE WITH ABOUT 25-PERCENT LESS FAT THAN ITS THIN N' CRISPY ANCESTOR. THE KEY DIFFERENCES: LESS CHEESE, MORE SAUCE AND FEWER FATTY TOPPINGS. ALSO IN THE WORKS: PLANS TO TEST HOME DELIVERY OF BAGGED SALADS.
PIZZA HUT'S MOVES COME AS THE FAST FOOD INDUSTRY AIMS TO MAKE MENUS MORE APPEALING TO HEALTH CONSCIOUS CONSUMERS.

----------

HALLOWEEN IS GOING HOLLYWOOD THIS YEAR. THE HOTTEST COSTUMES ARE INSPIRED BY BLOCKBUSTERS SUCH AS "MATRIX RELOADED", "CHICAGO", AND "PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN" CHARACTERS FROM HARRY POTTER AND LORD OF THE RINGS ARE POPULAR WITH BOYS... AND GIRLS ARE GOING FOR DISNEY PRICESSES, AS WELL AS BARBIE 'RAPUNZEL' AND 'SWAN LAKE' COSTUMES.

----------

A GOVERNMENT STUDY SAYS VEHICLE WEIGHT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY.
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY EXAMINED REPORTS ON FATAL CRASHES BETWEEN 19-95 AND 2000.
IT FOUND AN INCREASED RISK OF DEATH AS VEHICLE WEIGHT DECREASED IN SMALLER CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS.
BUT, THE STUDY ALSO FOUND THAT MID-SIZE S-U-V'S ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO KILL OCCUPANTS OF *OTHER* VEHICLES IN CRASHES. WITH CONSUMER WATCH, I'M PAUL REECE.))

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, computer stocks are likely to be active at today's opening bell.
Jean Lee has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The markets closed]
[SUPER=01-Jean Lee/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
((The markets closed with a small loss Wednesday. Investors chose to cash > in on recent gains, despite positive economic data and strong earnings > reports. > > > The dow closed down about 10 points at 98-03, while the Nasdaq fell just 4 > points to 19-39. > > Lots of earnings news after the close. Keep an eye on shares of IBM. > The Tech giant hit its 3rd quarter earnings targets, though revenue > numbers fell just shy of expectations. Big Blue ALSO said, it will need > 10-thousand new workers in 2004. > > And investors could a bite of Apple computer stock. The P-C maker came > out a penny on top of analysts' targets. > > Online financial services firm E-Trade brought in its highest quarterly > earnings ever, beating analyst estimates by a penny. The company says > that growing confidence in a U-S economic recovery, has kept investors > engaged, during what is usually a slow quarter. > > Kraft Foods says its third-quarter profit fell, as it lowered some prices > to match competition. Still, results at North America's biggest food > company, surpassed analysts' targets. > > Just one day after announcing a quarterly profit, Merrill Lynch has lifted > a two-year salary freeze. Pay raises at the world's biggest brokerage, > will be targeted at employees earning LESS, than $100-thousand dollars. > > > And a new survey finds that SPAM makes up more than HALF of all personal > e-mails. The poll of 15-hundred people, finds that the amount of spam in > Americans' personal inboxes, has grown 76-percent in the last 12 months. > > Track all your stocks at cbs.mw.com > I'm jl cbs mw in ny. ))

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

[11Tunnel]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-45 TC10:42]
[GRAPHIC=Isabel]

Hurricane Isabel is long gone, but eastern Virginia is still in the process of recovering.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Norfolk]

The Hampton Roads area took another step forward yesterday, when the tunnel that links Norfolk and Portsmouth reopened.
[SUPER=04-Last Month;]

It's been closed since September 18th, when nearly 50 million gallons of water poured into it.
V-DOT workers nearly drowned as they struggled to close the flood gate.
The tunnel shuttles at least 35 thousand vehicles every day.
(------------)

[Ferry-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Staten Island ferry service resumes this morning after a deadly accident yesterday afternoon shut it down.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Staten Island, NY;]

One of the New York ferries slammed into a pier, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens of others.
15- hundred passengers were aboard the ferry.
Authorities are looking into whether high winds played a role in the crash, or if the pilot fell asleep at the wheel.

They say the man tried to kill himself after fleeing the scene fo the accident by cutting his wrists and shooting himself with a pellet gun.
(------------)

[Pope-Anniversary]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Pope John Paul]

Today Pope John Paul, the second celebrates his 25th anniversary.
Cardinals from around the world will join thousands of pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square for a mass in honor of the pontiff.
Manuel Gallegus reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=(Pope speaks)]
[SUPER=03-Rome, Italy; :00]
[SUPER=01-Cathy Coyne/Visitor from Washington, DC; :29]
[SUPER=01-Roger Mahony/Los Angeles Cardinal; :56]
[SUPER=01-Manuel Gallegus/CBS News; 1:05]
[SUPER=01-Ann Lee/Visitor from New Jersey; 1:20 QUICK]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=Gallegus, CBS News, Rome.]
((
PKG-

-SOT-POPE SPEAKS

83 YEARS OLDWEAKENED BY PARKINSONS DISEASEBUT WITH A DETERMINED WILL, JOHN PAUL THE SECOND IS EMBARKING ON ONE OF THE MOST DEMANDING SCHEDULES OF HIS ENTIRE PAPACY.
MARKING HIS 25TH YEAR AS POPE, HE BEGINS 10 DAYS OF EVENTSADDRESSING THOUSANDS, BEATIFYING MOTHER TERESA AS A SAINTAND ELEVATING 31 NEW CARDINALS.
DESPITE HIS FRAILTYAMERICANS WHO TRAVELED TO SEE HIM ARE THRILLED EVEN FOR A GLIMPSE.
CATHY COYNE, Washington DC you want to take pictures, but you want to see, you want to clap but you can't do everything at once and you can't it is truly unbelievable.
BORN IN POLAND, HE IS THE FIRST NON-ITALIAN POPE IN 455 YEARS, THE MOST TRAVELED IN HISTORY. ONCE CALLED GODS ATHLETE HIS SPEECH IS NOW SLURREDHE TAKES MULTIPLE MEDICATIONS AND AT TIMES SEEMS CONFUSED.
YET CARDINAL ROGER MAHONY FROM LOS ANGELES SAYS JOHN PAUL THE SECOND KNOWS EXACTLY HOW HE IS PERCEIVED.

-SOT-ROGER MAHONY, CARDINAL LOS ANGELES from here up Im in great
shape, from here down not so good, so he admits it very freely, and actually jokes about it.
STAND-UP-BRIDGE THE POPE IS SAID TO VIEW HIMSELF AS A MODEL FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED AND IN KEEPING WITH TRADITION HE WOULD NEVER OFFER HIS POSITION TO A SUCCESSOR.
AND DESPITE CHURCH SCANDAL, AND RULES SEEMINGLY OUT OF STEP WITH MODERN LIFE, THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED ONE BILLION CATHOLICS WORLDWIDE.
ANN LEE, NEW JERSEY
Im just overwhelmed I love the pope hes so inspiring.
THE POPE HIMSELF IS SAID TO BE INVIGORATED BY BEING CENTER STAGE. MANUEL GALLEGUS, CBS NEWS ROME. ))

[2AM-81-Improvements]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-44 TC11:21]
[GRAPHIC=81 Improvements]

Plans to widen Interstate 81 are picking up speed, although any construction is still at least five years away. And still undecided is which plan to select.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dublin; ]

Last night, the public got its chance to sound off during a forum sponsored by the New River Valley Coalition of Chambers of Commerce.
They heard formal presentations from two builders' consortiums.
Star Solutions wants to have separate lanes for cars and trucks and charge truckers a toll.
Fluor Virginia recommends adding car lanes and charge both cars and trucks.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:19:21; 21:16:17; 21:16:41]
[IN Q=You have to address]
((HAL McGRATH/FLOYD RESIDENT: YOU HAVE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM EVENTUALLY AND THE BEST SOLUTION IS GO AHEAD AND BITE THE BULLET AND ADDRESS AND GET IT PAID FOR BUT NO TOLLS.)) ((J.B. STANLEY/DUBLIN RESIDENT: SOMEBODY HAS TO PAY FOR IT, SO I DON'T KNOW. THEY SAY V-DOT THEY AIN'T GOT IT SO TOLLS ARE ABOUT THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT.)) ((PHYLLIS STANLEY/DUBLIN RESIDENT: I LOVE THE IDEA OF THE TRUCKERS HAVING THEIR OWN ROAD BECAUSE WHEN I TRAVEL THE INTERSTATE THEY MAKE ME NERVOUS, I LOVE THAT IDEA.))
[SUPER=01-Hal McGrath/Floyd Resident; :00]
[SUPER=01-J. B. Stanley/Dublin Resident; :09]
[SUPER=01-Phyllis Stanley/Dublin Resident; :16]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=I LOVE THAT IDEA]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

V-DOT is currently asking local governments along the I-81 corridor to consider if one or both proposals merit further consideration.
An I-81 Advisory Panel will then decide which plan to move forward with by December.
It could choose one plan, parts of both, or neither.
(------------)

[11Dan-River]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-43 TC19:39]
[GRAPHIC=Dan River]

Danville's largest employer is warning things could get worse before they get better.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/File Tape]

Dan River's third quarter sales fell to 104 million dollars, down 30-percent from this time last year.
As a result, the company breached its contract with its lenders and had to renegotiate to avoid a penalty.
A local analyst blames the economy and uncertainty in the textile industry for the slump in sales.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:44:41]
[IN Q=It could be a bump]
((PAUL HIGGINS/LEGG MASON ANAYLST: IT COULD BE A BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT COULD BE A PART OF A LONGER TERM TREND. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IS THAT IT IS IN A LONGER TERM DOWNARD SPIRAL SO WHETHER OR NOT A COMPANY LIKE DAN RIVER CAN BUCK THAT TYPE OF TREND WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.))
[SUPER=01-Paul Higgins/Legg Mason Anaylst]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=we'll have to see]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]

Dan River hinted meeting fourth quarter expectations would also be difficult.
The company stock lost almost of third of its value in yesterday's trading.

[11Tax-amnesty]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-41 29:32]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]

State revenues are up for the first time in three years.
And that is not the only way Virginia is filling up its coffers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :24]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

State revenues for July, August and September grew by eight-point-four percent over the same period last year.
That's almost double what state officials had projected.
Adding to the promising budget outlook, Virginia's tax amnesty program is on pace to meet its target goal of 48 million dollars.
The state has already collected 10 million dollars and they expect that amount to more than triple as the deadline approaches.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 42:03]
[IN Q=AT THE MOMENT]
((KEN THORSON/VA TAX COMMISSIONER: AT THE MOMENT ALL WE'RE EXPECTING IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO MEET 48 AND A HALF MILLION. WE FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT MEETING THE GOAL AND WE'LL FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT. ))
[SUPER=01-Ken Thorson/Virginia Tax Commissioner]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The amnesty program will end on November third.
(------------)

[2Gaza-Arrests]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In world news, police in the Gaza Strip have five Palestinian suspects in custody.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gaza Strip;]

Authorities say they're connected to yesterday's deadly attack on a U-S diplomatic convoy that left three Americans dead.
The suspects were arrested at a refugee camp not far from the scene of the attack.
The five are members of a militant group that has denied any involvement in the bombing.
Meanwhile, the U-S embassy is advising all Americans to leave the Gaza Strip.
(------------)

[2Iraq]

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

It's voting day at the United Nations, as members decide whether to support the new resolution on Iraq.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]

Picking up support from China and Pakistan last night, all indications are that the resolution will pass.
The vote was supposed to have taken place last night, but leaders from France, Russia, and Germany wanted more time to think it over.
The Bush administration hopes it'll generate more troops and money for Iraq, and lead to elections in the country.

Passing the resolution would be a major win for President Bush, who's spent the past week defending his decision to go to war.
(------------)

[Biz-Brief]

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

Apple Computer posted its fourth quarter earnings after the closing bell on Wednesday. The company reported earning 12 cents per share -- up from a loss of 13-cents per share a year ago. Now here's Stan Case with a look at some other business stories making headlines.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Stocks edged]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :15]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]

((STOCKS EDGED LOWER WEDNESDAY DESPITE STRONG EARNINGS REPORTS FROM INTEL AND OTHER COMPANIES.

THE DOW WAS DOWN NINE POINTS AND...
...THE NASDAQ LOST FOUR.

U-S RETAIL SALES WERE DOWN BY TWO-TENTHS OF A PERCENT IN SEPTEMBER....THAT FOLLOWS AN INCREASE OF ONE-POINT-TWO PERCENT IN THE REVISED NUMBERS FOR AUGUST.

SHARES OF INTEL WERE UP MORE THAN TWO-PERCENT A DAY AFTER REPORTING A 142-PERCENT JUMP IN QUARTERLY EARNINGS.
THE SEMI-CONDUCTOR MANUFACTURER REPORTED THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS OF 25-CENTS PER SHARE AFTER THE CLOSING BELL ON TUESDAY...UP FROM 10-CENTS PER SHARE A YEAR AGO.

GENERAL MOTORS HAS REPORTED THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS OF 79-CENTS A SHARE...DOWN FROM A DOLLAR-20 A SHARE ONE YEAR EARLIER.
G-M'S GLOBAL MARKET SHARE *DID* INCREASE SLIGHTLY DURING THE QUARTER, BUT ITS ON-GOING SALE OF HUGHES ELECTRONICS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DROP IN EARNINGS.
THE THIRD QUARTER NUMBERS ACTUALLY BEAT ANALYSTS EXPECTATIONS BY 13-CENTS.

COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES ALSO BEAT THE ANALYSTS' OUTLOOK.
THE SOFT DRINK GIANT POSTED EARNINGS OF 56-CENTS A SHARE FOR THE QUARTER...THAT'S UP FROM 42-CENTS A YEAR AGO AND BY 11-CENTS BETTER THAN ESTIMATES..
COKE SAYS THE HEAT WAVE IN EUROPE ALONG WITH FAVORABLE FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES ADDED TO THE PERIOD.

WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF, I'M STAN CASE.))

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

[VOB-Pope]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Pope John Paul]

Pope John Paul, the second marks his 25th year at the Vatican today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rome, Italy;]

Catholics from all over the world are descending upon Rome to celebrate.
The 83- year- old pontiff's ailing health is clearly visible, but he's sticking to a demanding schedule.
He begins 10 days of events-- addressing thousands, beatifying Mother Theresa as a saint, and elevating 31 new cardinals.
Despite his frailty, Americans who came to see him are grateful just for a glimpse.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=You want to take]
((CATHY COYNE/VISITOR FROM WASHINGTON, DC:YOU WANT TO TAKE PICTURES, BUT YOU WANT TO SEE, YOU WANT TO CLAP BUT YOU CAN'T DO EVERYTHING AT ONCE AND YOU CAN'T IT IS TRULY UNBELIEVABLE. ))
[SUPER=01-Cathy Coyne/Visitor from Washington, DC;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=truly unbelievable.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

While he's weakened by Parkinson's Disease, the Pope says he will NOT resign.
And Vatican officials say despite his physical limitations, the Pope is firmly in control.
(------------)

[2Ferry-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A federal panel has launched an investigation into New York city's worst mass- transit accident in nearly a century.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Staten Island, NY;]

A Staten Island ferry slammed into a pier, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens of others.
15- hundred passengers were aboard the ferry.
Authorities are looking into whether high winds played a role in the crash, or if the pilot fell asleep at the wheel.

They say the man tried to kill himself after fleeing the scene fo the accident by cutting his wrists and shooting himself with a pellet gun.
(------------)

[11Train-Ride]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=03-38 TC50:07]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Riding the rails is a rare treat for most people in the Roanoke Valley.
But some local officials got the chance yesterday to climb aboard a passenger train.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

Roanoke's mayor led a group of elected and appointed leaders on a Norfolk Southern excursion from Bedford to Christiansburg.
The mayor says it was a good way to get a different perspective on the challenges they're facing.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Simply making]
((RALPH SMITH/ROANOKE MAYOR: SIMPLY MAKING A CANOE TRIP DOWN THE ROANOKE RIVER FROM SALEM TO BEDFORD COUNTY TOLD ME A LOT ABOUT NEW IDEAS DOING THIS WITH OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS CAN TELL US NEW THINGS ABOUT OUR AREA.))
[SUPER=01-Ralph Smith/Roanoke Mayor]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=about our area.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Alleghany, Botetourt, Franklin and Roanoke counties sent representatives, as did Salem, Vinton and Clifton Forge.

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

[11Visitor-Center]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-39 TC58:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Tourism officials in Bedford County hope a new visitors center will help tourism in the future.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

The 10 thousand square foot facility is being built on the site of the current center near the entrance to the National D-Day Memorial.
It will house an information center, gift shop, meeting room and museum gallery.
Officials say the bigger facility will help them accommodate the growing group tour market.
It should be finished next summer.
(------------)

(Kim Tosses to bump)

[BREAK]

[3Gaza-Arrests]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Five Palestinians have been arrested in the Gaza Strip for the deaths of three Americans.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gaza Strip;]

Authorities say they're connected to yesterday's deadly attack on a U-S diplomatic convoy that killed the Americans.

The suspects were arrested at a refugee camp not far from the scene of the attack.
The five are members of a militant group that has denied any involvement in the bombing.
Meanwhile, the U-S embassy is advising all Americans to leave the Gaza Strip.
(------------)

[3AM-81-Improvements]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-44 TC11:21]
[GRAPHIC=81 Improvements]

Here in Virginia, plans to widen Interstate 81 are still moving foward. While supporters agree something needs to be done, there is still a debate over which route to take.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dublin; ]

Last night, the public got its chance to sound off during a forum sponsored by the New River Valley Coalition of Chambers of Commerce.
They heard formal presentations from two builders' consortiums.
Star Solutions wants to have separate lanes for cars and trucks and charge truckers a toll.
Fluor Virginia recommends adding car lanes and charge both cars and trucks.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:19:21; 21:16:17; 21:16:41]
[IN Q=You have to address]
((HAL McGRATH/FLOYD RESIDENT: YOU HAVE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM EVENTUALLY AND THE BEST SOLUTION IS GO AHEAD AND BITE THE BULLET AND ADDRESS AND GET IT PAID FOR BUT NO TOLLS.)) ((J.B. STANLEY/DUBLIN RESIDENT: SOMEBODY HAS TO PAY FOR IT, SO I DON'T KNOW. THEY SAY V-DOT THEY AIN'T GOT IT SO TOLLS ARE ABOUT THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT.)) ((PHYLLIS STANLEY/DUBLIN RESIDENT: I LOVE THE IDEA OF THE TRUCKERS HAVING THEIR OWN ROAD BECAUSE WHEN I TRAVEL THE INTERSTATE THEY MAKE ME NERVOUS, I LOVE THAT IDEA.))
[SUPER=01-Hal McGrath/Floyd Resident; :00]
[SUPER=01-J. B. Stanley/Dublin Resident; :09]
[SUPER=01-Phyllis Stanley/Dublin Resident; :16]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=I LOVE THAT IDEA]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

V-Dot is currently asking local governments along the I-81 corridor to consider if one or both proposals merit further consideration.
An I-81 Advisory Panel will then decide which plan to move forward with by December.
It could choose one plan, parts of both, or neither.
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]
Current plans call for the construction work to begin no sooner than the year 2008.

[2-5Knox]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=503-02 53:36]
[GRAPHIC=Knox]
Doctor Cecil Knox returns to the stand today in his own defense. Yesterday, he admitted smoking marijuana with one of his employees and a patient, but he insisted it was only after work. And he vehemently denied ever trading prescriptions for marijuana. As for OxyContin, Knox said it was a "real God send" when it first became available.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The pain specialist is now on trial in federal court for prescribing it illegally. Testifying yesterday, he said when OxyCodone was introduced around 1996, it was the exciting new medication in the war against pain. It was four or five years, Knox said, before the drug manufacturer started publishing precautions... that it could be abused and that it was highly addictive when broken down.
(------------)

[2Accident]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]

A Henry County Sheriff's Deputy who was injured directing school traffic appears to be OK. State Police say deputy Craig Oder (o-Dare), Junior was directing traffic outside Carver Middle School when he was hit yesterday afternoon.
75 year old Lorene Merriman Cruise of Collinsville said she was blinded by the sun and didn't see the deputy.
Oder (o-Dare) was treated at Martinsville Memorial Hospital and released.

[2-11Tax-amnesty]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-41 29:32]
[GRAPHIC=None]

For the first time in three years, state revenues are heading up. That's helping Virginia's budget picture, along with the tax amnesty program now in effect.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :24]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

State revenues for July, August and September grew by eight-point-four percent over the same period last year.
That's almost double what state officials had projected.
Adding to the promising budget outlook, Virginia's tax amnesty program is on pace to meet its target goal of 48 million dollars.
The state has already collected 10 million dollars and they expect that amount to more than triple as the deadline approaches.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 42:03]
[IN Q=AT THE MOMENT]
((KEN THORSON/VA TAX COMMISSIONER: AT THE MOMENT ALL WE'RE EXPECTING IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO MEET 48 AND A HALF MILLION. WE FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT MEETING THE GOAL AND WE'LL FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT. ))
[SUPER=01-Ken Thorson/Virginia Tax Commissioner]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The amnesty program will end on November third.
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[2-11Dan-River]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-43 TC19:39]
[GRAPHIC=Dan River]

The value of Dan River stock fell by almost one-third yesterday, after Danville's largest employer warned things could get worse before they get better.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/File Tape]

Dan River's third quarter sales fell to 104 million dollars, down 30-percent from this time last year.
As a result, the company breached its contract with its lenders and had to renegotiate to avoid a penalty.
A local analyst blames the economy and uncertainty in the textile industry for the slump in sales.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:44:41]
[IN Q=It could be a bump]
((PAUL HIGGINS/LEGG MASON ANAYLST: IT COULD BE A BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT COULD BE A PART OF A LONGER TERM TREND. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IS THAT IT IS IN A LONGER TERM DOWNARD SPIRAL SO WHETHER OR NOT A COMPANY LIKE DAN RIVER CAN BUCK THAT TYPE OF TREND WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.))
[SUPER=01-Paul Higgins/Legg Mason Anaylst]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=we'll have to see]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]

Dan River hinted meeting fourth quarter expectations would also be difficult.

[2Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Big Blue says it's ready to hire.
Jean Lee has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The markets closed]
[SUPER=01-Jean Lee/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
((The markets closed with a small loss Wednesday. Investors chose to cash > in on recent gains, despite positive economic data and strong earnings > reports. > > > The dow closed down about 10 points at 98-03, while the Nasdaq fell just 4 > points to 19-39. > > Lots of earnings news after the close. Keep an eye on shares of IBM. > The Tech giant hit its 3rd quarter earnings targets, though revenue > numbers fell just shy of expectations. Big Blue ALSO said, it will need > 10-thousand new workers in 2004. > > And investors could a bite of Apple computer stock. The P-C maker came > out a penny on top of analysts' targets. > > Online financial services firm E-Trade brought in its highest quarterly > earnings ever, beating analyst estimates by a penny. The company says > that growing confidence in a U-S economic recovery, has kept investors > engaged, during what is usually a slow quarter. > > Kraft Foods says its third-quarter profit fell, as it lowered some prices > to match competition. Still, results at North America's biggest food > company, surpassed analysts' targets. > > Just one day after announcing a quarterly profit, Merrill Lynch has lifted > a two-year salary freeze. Pay raises at the world's biggest brokerage, > will be targeted at employees earning LESS, than $100-thousand dollars. > > > And a new survey finds that SPAM makes up more than HALF of all personal > e-mails. The poll of 15-hundred people, finds that the amount of spam in > Americans' personal inboxes, has grown 76-percent in the last 12 months. > > Track all your stocks at cbs.mw.com > I'm jl cbs mw in ny. ))

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

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