WDBJ 7 morning news for 11/17/03

[Sniper-Trial]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

Today jurors in Virginia Beach could reach a verdict in the trial of Washington, D-C sniper suspect John Muhammad.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

The panel begins its first full day of deliberations after talking for just four hours on Friday.
About 15- miles away, another jury will begin hearing testimony in the trial for Muhammad's alleged partner, 18- year- old Lee Malvo.
Both defendants could face the death penalty if they're convicted.
(------------)

[11Danville-Chase]

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

A North Carolina man faces several charges following a chase that left two people dead, and sent a Danville police officer to the hospital. It began just before 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon when an officer tried to pull over a pickup truck that ran a stop sign in Danville. The driver then headed south on route -86 into North Carolina, and hit several vehicles, one of which careened into Officer Travis Giles' cruiser. Two people were killed in the accident. Authorities say, the driver, 32-year-old Doyle Kent Terry of Providence North Carolina, got out of the car and tried to run, but was arrested after a brief struggle. Terry is now in custody at the Caswell County Sheriff's office. Officer Travis Giles was flown to Duke Medical Center, and is in stable condition. North Carolina police say Terry now faces several charges, including two counts of first-degree murder.

[Iraq]

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

This morning, U-S troops continue conducting raids and strikes against Iraqi insurgents-- aiming at those responsible for deadly attacks on Americans.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Tikrit, Iraq;]

This is one of the latest offensives by U-S forces.
After insurgents tried to fire rockets at a U-S military base in Tikrit, American tanks shot back.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Basically, we're going]
((LT. COL. STEVE RUSSELL/4TH INFANTRY REGIMENT: BASICALLY WE'RE GOING IN THE AREAS WHERE THEY WERE LAUNCHED FROM. ))
[SUPER=01-Lt. Col. Steve Russell/4th Infantry Regiment;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=launched from.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Meanwhile, the voice on a new audiotape said to be that of Saddam Hussein calls on "holy warriors" to strike coalition forces.
While experts analyze the tape to see if it's real, President Bush calls it propaganda.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We're not leaving]
((WE'RE NOT LEAVING UNTIL THE JOB IS DONE, PURE AND SIMPLE.))
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=pure and simple.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Mosul, Iraq;]

But the job is a deadly one for U-S troops.
Investigators are trying to determine if Saturday's collision of two Blackhawk helicopters was caused by enemy fire.

The crash left 17 soldiers dead.
(------------)

[11Soldier-Return]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-42 TC-58:53]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Homecoming]

A soldier from Boones Mill is getting a two week break from the action in Iraq.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Channing Lynch is a member of the Rocky Mount National Guard and has been stationed in Iraq for the past eight months.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:33:10]
[IN Q=It's hot. It's kinda]
((CHANNING LYNCH: IT'S HOT. IT'S KINDA HARD TO EXPLAIN IN WORDS WHAT IT'S REALLY LIKE OVER THERE BUT I'M JUST GLAD NOBODY ELSE HAS TO DO IT. I'M JUST GLAD WE DO IT.))
[SUPER=01-Channing Lynch/U.S. Army;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=glad we do it]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The 20- year- old says he's happy to be home and is looking forward to watching football. His parents say they're proud of their son, but his deployment has been difficult.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:05:58]
[IN Q=You know, every time]
((CECIL LYNCH: YOU KNOW, EVERY TIME YOU HEAR SOMEBODY'S BEING SHOT AT OR A BOMB GOING OFF YOU WONDER IF IT'S YOUR LOVED ONE OR HOW THEY'RE FARING WITH THINGS. YOU KNOW IT'S A GUESSING GAME A WAITING GAME WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, YOU JUST HOPE FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT THEY'RE OKAY.))
[SUPER=01-Cecil Lynch/Channing's Father;]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=next, they're okay]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Channing Lynch was also reunited yesterday with his fiance, Jessica Clark. Lynch proposed to Jessica in Newport News just before he deployed. He's been told he'll get to come home for good in April.
(------------)

[Governor-Arnold]

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

Today Arnold Schwarzenegger officially makes the leap from action star to California Governor, and there will be plenty of people watching.
Nearly 650 journalists have applied for press credentials -- roughly the same number that would cover a Presidential inauguration.
John Lobertini has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Sacramento, CA; :00]
[SUPER=01-Arnold Schwarzenegger/(R) California Governor-Elect; :15]
[SUPER=01-Dave Bryan/Reporter; :39]
[SUPER=01-Sara Lee/California Chamber of Commerce; 1:04]
[SUPER=01-Mike Hagerty/Chef; 1:24]
[SUPER=01-Pete Wilson/Former Governor; 1:37]
[SUPER=01-John Lobertini/Reporting; 1:50 QUICK]
[RUNS=1:53]
[OUT Q=Lobertini for CBS News.]

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Stocks plunged in Japan today, amid an alleged terror threat. A London-based Arabic-language newspaper says it got a message from an alleged al-Qaida operative threatening to strike if Tokyo sent troops to Iraq. In other news, Walt Disney is expected to release its earnings this week.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((INVESTORS ATTENTION WILL TURN TO PROFITS IN THE COMING WEEK. AMONG THE COMPANIES DUE TO REPORT, WALT DISNEY IS EXPECTED TO DELIVER IMPROVED EARNINGS.. ALSO LOOK FOR NUMBERS FROM HOME IMPROVEMENT RIVALS HOME DEPOT AND LOWE'S.
INVESTORS WILL ALSO HAVE A MOUND OF ECONOMIC REPORTS TO SIFT THROUGH.. INCLUDING REPORTS ON CONSUMER CONFIDENCE, HOME SALES AND PERSONAL INCOME AND SPENDING.
Hard charging New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer tells CBS MarketWatch that he expects to file charges against Pilgrim Baxter, the money manager that ousted its two founders last week. Spitzer declined to say whether the allegations would be criminal, civil or both.
On Friday, discount broker Charles Schwab became the latest mutual fund company to reveal that it's been served subpoenas by Spitzer's office and the securities and exchange commission for possible improper trading.
on wall street...the stock market is coming off a losing week
Friday, the dow fell 69 points, down fractionally for the week
the nasdaq sank 37 points, down more than 2 percent for the week.
keep your eye on drug stocks.. in the last session.. Pfizer, Merck and Eli Lilly got a boost as Congress neared an agreement on Medicare prescription legislation.
TRACK THE PRE MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM IN NEW YORK I'M AC.))

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

[11Cabin-Lake]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-48 TC-19:49]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Investigation]

Investigators are still looking into a fire at a Southside apartment complex.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/Friday;]
18 units of Cabin Lake Apartments were damaged in the blaze. Fire officials searched through the rubble of the middle apartment on Friday, but say they're not sure HOW the fire started. No one was injured in the fire, but displaced families are seeking help from Danville's chapter of the Red Cross.
(------------)

[11Carilion-Move]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-44 TC-47:16]
[GRAPHIC=none]

There was heavy ambulance traffic on Jefferson Street, but they weren't responding to an emergency.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
41 patients were transported from Community Hospital to Carilion's new Mountain Pavilion at Roanoke Memorial. The new facility has larger rooms and can handle more equipment.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:53:17]
[IN Q=The most important]
((PAUL DAVENPORT: THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS MAINTAINING THE CONTINUUM OF CARE. MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT CREW AND AMBULANCE MIX FOR THE PATIENT THAT'S BEING TRANSPORTED. THERE'S LOTS OF VARIATIONS THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE A PATIENT AND YOU JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU MATCH THE RIGHT RESOURCES WE HAVE WITH THE PATIENT'S NEEDS.))
[SUPER=01-Paul Davenport/Carilion Patient Transportation; ]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=the patient's needs]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A fleet of 21 ambulances transported the patients in five hours. Davenport says yesterday's transport serves as a testament to the community that Carilion Health System would be able to care for and move a large number of patients in a disaster situation.
(------------)

[11Feedback]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=FdBack]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Many News-7 viewers fired off letters and emails concerning Roanoke's program to thin the deer herd through sharpshooters.
Assignment editor Joe McKean has some of the Feedback.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Animation Open]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape; :07]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=Animation Close]
((Expert marksmen using silenced rifles under controlled conditions are going after animals that many residents consider pests. But others say they should be left alone, before OTHER damage is done. One viewer (Susan J. Friedman/ Roanoke) said: "Putting aside for the moment the huge issue of danger to the public and our pets, the moral issue horrifies me. These are gentle, beautiful creatures who are at worst a nuisance, not a danger. Is this the best solution we can come up with?...Do we really want to show our children that the way to deal with a problem is through violence?"
Another (Joan White/Christiansburg) pointed out: "Has the city not considered how dangerous this is? I am curious as to how the city plans to insure the safety of residents within the city limits while shooting at deer. This is totally outrageous."
Another opponent (J.D. Hobbie, IV/Roanoke) commented: "I think the public deserves to know what to expect from this and to know who to complain to when bullets or buckshot come through their home or automobiles. As a former hunter, and having gone through the "Safe Hunter" program sponsored by the state years ago, I don't see how in the name of common sense anyone can confirm that the shot taken will be a safe shot within the confines of the city limits."
If you'd like to talk about deer hunting or any issue in the news, just drop us a line by mail...fax...or email.
Joe McKean, News-7.))
[Tape tosses to break]

[COMM][2-11Air-Tran]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda/myr]
[TAPE#=03-52 TC-7:36]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Roanoke is not included on Air-Tran's list, but Mayor Ralph Smith hopes a write in campaign will attract the low-fare airline to the region.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Smith and other government and business leaders have been trying to attract AirTran Airways, with pledges of more than two million dollars worth of travel business.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
But when a recent internet promotion asked customers where they would like the airline to expand, Roanoke was not among 36-cities that were listed. Smith says although it was a disappointment, he believes Roanoke still has a shot.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:16:11]
[IN Q=the majority]
((RALPH SMITH/ROANOKE CITY MAYOR: THE MAJORITY OF THOSE CITIES ARE LARGER CITIES THAN US, AND THAT HAS BEEN THEIR FOCUS BUT ALMOST MONTHLY AIRLINES ARE CHANGING THEIR FOCUS ON THE WAY THEY SEE THE MARKET AND THE WAY TO GAIN GREATER MARKET ADVANTAGE.))
[SUPER=@Smith;]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=greater market advantage]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The website airtran-DOT-com includes a form for other suggestions. Mayor Smith is encouraging residents of the area to write-in Roanoke.
(------------)

[PKG-Carilion-Move]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-35 TC-2:01:37]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Community Hospital patients took a ride to a bigger and better facility yesterday. But as Jennifer Wishon reports, transporting a large number of patients in a matter of hours is no small task.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Hi Trina, this is Laura]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Paul Davenport/Carilion Patient Transportation; :18]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1; 1:20]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:05:08]
[IN Q=Hi Trina. This is Laura]
((HI TRINA. THIS IS LAURA WITH CARILION TRANSPORT.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q=with Carilion transport]
The transportation of 41 patients had hospital dispatchers working overtime. 21 ambulances were tracked on a Global Positioning System while a support team of 60 strong orchestrated the delicate process.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:53:17]
[IN Q=The most important]
((PAUL DAVENPORT: THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS MAINTAINING THE CONTINUUM OF CARE. MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT CREW AND AMBULANCE MIX FOR THE PATIENT THAT'S BEING TRANSPORTED. THERE'S LOTS OF VARIATIONS THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE A PATIENT AND YOU JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU MATCH THE RIGHT RESOURCES WE HAVE WITH THE PATIENT'S NEEDS.))
[RUNS= 17]
[OUT Q=the patient's needs]
Fully staffed ambulances spent the day in Radford and Giles County, ready to respond if needed, while other ambulances were reserved in the Roanoke area so as not to disturb normal services. Twelve hours were scheduled for the move, but the process only took about five and hospital officials say THAT'S significant.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:54:13]
[IN Q=I think this is really]
((I THINK THIS IS REALLY A TESTAMENT TO THE COMMUNITY THAT THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM NOT ONLY HAS THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE BUILDING AND THE PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PATIENTS BUT THEY ALSO HAVE THE TRANSPORTATION AND AMBULANCES SERVICES AND RIGHT TYPES OF CREWS AND UNITS TO TAKE CARE OF THE PATIENTS FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER NO MATTER WHAT THE SITUATION MAY BE.))
[RUNS= 24]
[OUT Q=situation may be.]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
((JENNIFER WISHON/REPORTING: DAVENPORT SAYS THE MAJORITY OF HIS STAFF HAS A CLINICAL BACKGROUND, WHICH MADE THEM EVEN MORE IN TUNE WITH THE NEEDS OF PATIENTS DURING THE MOVE. NOW THE MOVE IS NOT RELATED TO CARILION'S PLANS FOR CONSOLIDATION-- THAT THAT PLAN STILL NEEDS STATE APPROVAL.))))

[Healthy-Living]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Healthy Living]

Heart Disease is the number one killer in America. Hundreds of researchers gathered in Orlando, Florida last week for the annual American Heart Association meeting to learn the latest developments for treating this disease.
(++++++++)
[TAKE FS HEALTHY LIVING] As Doctor Sanjay Gupta reports in today's Healthy Living, there is promising research that can help those who are sick or on the verge of death.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-Texas Heart Institute; :10]
[SUPER=01-Dr. James Willerson/Texas Heart Institute; :21]
[SUPER=01-Dr. William Bozeman/Wake Forest University; 1:35]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Sanjay Gupta/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:57]
[OUT Q=battle against heart disease.]
(( SEVERE HEART FAILURE BRINGS SEVERE SYMPTOMS..SHORTNESS OF BREATH, DIFFICULTY WALKING... ALL BECAUSE THE DAMAGED HEART IS TOO WEAK TO PUMP ENOUGH BLOOD TO SERVE THE BODY'S NEEDS.

A NEW STUDY ON AN EXPERIMENTAL THERAPY MAY OFFER HOPE TO THOSE FAILING HEARTS. THE THERAPY USES STEM CELLS THAT APPEAR TO CHANGE DAMAGED HEART MUSCLE INTO HEALTHY WORKING TISSUE.

"We're taking the patients own cells to put back into their own hearts, so they're not rejected."

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS: APPROXIMATELY 30 MILLION STEM CELLS TAKEN FROM THE PATIENTS OWN BONE MARROW, ARE INJECTED DIRECTLY INTO THE PART OF THE HEART THAT IS DAMAGED. DOCTOR'S ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY IT WORKS.

"My best guess is that selected stem cells differentiate into heart muscle cells and blood vessel cells directly over a period of days to weeks."

ON THE LEFT SHOWN IN RED IS AN IMAGE OF A SEVERELY IMPAIRED HEART THAT PUMPS POORLY, ON THE RIGHT IS THE SAME HEART 4 MONTHS AFTER TREATMENT. THE COLORS INDICATE THAT THE HEART IS CONTRACTING MORE FORCEFULLY.

"They could walk better, they were less short of breath, they had more energy, some of them were able to return to work."

A SECOND EXPERIMENTAL HEART TREATMENT COULD HELP THOSE IN A MOMENT OF TRUE CRISIS...SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST ... WHERE THE HEART STOPS BEATING AND PATIENTS COLLAPSE.

"The sad proof is 95% of these people die."

LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION DOCTOR'S CONDUCTED A SMALL STUDY USING A FAST ACTING CLOT BUSTING DRUG GIVEN AFTER PATIENTS HAD FAILED TO BE REVIVED WITH CPR, A DEFIBRILLATOR AND STANDARD MEDICATIONS.

"The survival from cardiac arrest is only about 5% with the standard interventions, we added another 4% on top of that."

CLOT BUSTING DRUGS WORK BY DISSOLVING A CLOT OR BLOCKAGE THAT MAY BE CAUSING THE PERSON TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE MAIN RISK? INCREASED BLEEDING WHICH CAN LEAD TO A STROKE.

THESE TREATMENTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE NOW, BUT LARGER STUDIES ARE BEING PLANNED IN THE HOPES OF ADDING MORE WEAPONS IN THE BATTLE HEART DISEASE.))
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=none]
That was Doctor Sanjay Gupta reporting. News 7 Mornin' will be right back.
[Kim tosses to break] [COMM]

[Hollywood-Minute]

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

"Elf" is a big hit at the box office. And, The 31st annual American Music Awards were handed out last night.
Katherine Dorsett has more in today's Hollywood Minute.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-dick clark productions, inc.; :06]
[SUPER=04-"In Da Club" - Shady Aftermath Records; :20]
[SUPER=04-dick clark productions, inc.; :27]
[SUPER=04-"Elf" - New Line Cinema; :38]
[SUPER=04-"Master & Commander" - 20th Century Fox; :47]
[SUPER=04-"The Matrix Revolutions" - Warner Brothers; :54]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA/March 18, 2001; :58]
[SUPER=01-Katherine Dorsett/Reporting; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=I'm Katherine Dorsett.]
((WITH THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE, I'M KATHERINE DORSETT.
THE MUSIC INDUSTRY'S BIGGEST STARS TURNED OUT SUNDAY FOR THE 31-ST ANNUAL AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS IN LOS ANGELES. RAPPER 50 CENT AND SINGER LUTHER VANDROSS... WERE THE BIG WINNERS OF THE NIGHT.. WITH TWO TROPHIES EACH. FIFTY WAS NAMED FAVORITE RAP-HIP HOP MALE ARTIST... WHILE THE AILING VANDROSS EARNED FAVORITE R-AND-B MALE ARTIST AND FAVORITE R-AND-B ALBUM...WHICH HIS MOTHER ACCEPTED IN HIS HONOR. KID ROCK ALSO EARNED A TROPHY..FOR FAVORITE POP-ROCK MALE ARTIST... AND AMERICAN IDOL DARLING CLAY AIKEN...TOOK HOME THE FANS' CHOICE AWARD.

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

HOLIDAY GLEE IS IN THE AIR AT THE BOX OFFICE! THE MOVIE "ELF" GROSSED ABOUT 27-POINT-TWO MILLION DOLLARS...BECOMING THE WEEKEND'S NUMBER ONE FLICK. MEANWHILE--RUSSELL'S CROWE'S NEW FILM "MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD."..CAME IN AT NUMBER TWO. "THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS" ROUNDS OUT THE TOP THREE.

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

....AND ACTOR ROBERT DOWNEY JUNIOR IS ENGAGED! HE REPORTEDLY PLANS TO TIE THE KNOT WITH FILM PRODUCER, SUSAN LEVIN, WHOM HE MET ON THE SET OF HIS UPCOMING MOVIE "GOTHIKA." WITH THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE, I'M KATHERINE DORSETT.))