[Medicare]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']
It looks to be all but a done deal.
Today the U- S Senate is poised to approve a Medicare overhaul bill that, if it's passed, will eventually end up on the President's desk.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
But after listening to lawmakers for days, millions of senior citizens may will be wondering if it's good or bad for them.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's a sad day]
((SEN. TOM DASCHLE/D- MINORITY LEADER: ITS A SAD DAY FOR MEDICARE, MILLIONS OF SENIOR CITIZENS WILL NOW PAY MORE FOR THEIR DRUGS.))
((SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL/R- KENTUCKY:THIS BILL PROVIDES A MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT TO 40 MILLION SENIORS. ))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Tom Daschle/(D) Minority Leader;]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Mitch McConnell/(R) Kentucky; :25]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=to 40 million seniors.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The legislation would help most seniors pay for prescription drugs.
Some Democrats say it'll destroy Medicare by opening it up to
competition from private insurance companies.
But they concede they don't have enough votes to stop it.
President Bush, meanwhile, says he's eager to sign the bill into law.
(------------)
[5-Tax-reform]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=503-05 1:40:31]
[GRAPHIC=Tax Reform]
Governor Mark Warner will be in Roanoke this morning as part of his statewide tour to drum up support for his tax reform plan.
He unveiled the details yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]
Under the plan Virginia's sales tax would increase by a penny.
Smokers would pay 22 cents more for a pack of cigarettes.
And wealthy Virginians would see a higher tax bill.
Warner says his reform package will raise over 500 million dollars a year in additional revenue.
The plan also includes tax cuts.
The governor wants to trim the tax on groceries and complete the phase out of the car tax.
The plan must first be approved by the General Assembly.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:13:36]
[IN Q=I THINK THIS PLAN IS FAIR TO THE PEOPLE ]
((GOVERNOR MARK WARNER: I THINK THIS PLAN IS FAIR TO THE PEOPLE WHO PAY THE BILL. SIXTY-FIVE PERCENT OF VIRGINIANS WILL GET TAX RELIEF IN THIS BUDGET AND THAT'S FAIR.))
[SUPER=@MarkWarner; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Watkins/(R) Midlothian; :11]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=AND THAT'S MY BIGGEST CONCERN.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Warner says his plan is necessary to preserve Virginia's fiscal integrity.
(------------)
[11Local-Reaction]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-36 TC1:50:26]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
If Governor Warner is going to win over skeptical lawmakers, he must first sell his tax reform plan to the public.
But it won't be easy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
Customers of the Tobacco Company were grumbling about cigarette taxes long before the Governor announced his plans to seek a ten-fold increase in the state's tobacco tax.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I understand we have to ]
((BOB BERNAZOLLI: I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE TO INCREASE REVENUES, BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO PUT A SIN TAX, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THIS IS, A SIN TAX, DO IT ON EVERYTHING ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, NOT JUST TOBACCO.))
((AMY LONG: I DON'T THINK IT'S REALLY FAIR TO RAISE THE TAX ON SMOKERS JUST BECAUSE WE SMOKE. THAT'S JUST NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Bernazolli; :03]
[SUPER=01-Amy Long; :11]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=not the right thing to do.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The proposed increase in the state sales tax may also be a hard sell- but people were more supportive in the check-out line at the Tanglewood Kroger, where most shoppers said they support the governor's plan to reduce the sales tax on food.
(------------)
[AMBeyer-Dean]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-49 TC 13:13]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
Virginia will play a big role in presidential politics this year and the democratic candidates are getting ready.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
About 25 Howard Dean supporters gathered last night in Roanoke for an organizational meeting.
Leading the discussion was former Lieutenant Governor Don Beyer who is currently Dean's national campaign treasurer.
Beyer says the state will be instrumental in deciding who will be the democratic nominee.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:12]
[IN Q=It's very important]
((DON BEYER/HOWARD DEAN'S CAMPAIGN TREASURER: IT'S VERY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW. TWO WEEKS TO THE DAY AFTER THE FIRST BIG PRIMARY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, AFTER NEW HAMPSHIRE THEY GO TO SOUTH CAROLINA AND OKLAHOMA AND ARIZONA BUT THEY COME BACK TO VIRGINIA SO IF PEOPLE CAN DO VERY WELL IN IOWA AND NEW HAMPSHIRE BUT THOSE ARE NORTHERN ALL WHITE FAIRLY LIBERAL STATES, THEY COME WIN VIRGINIA THAT REALLY MARKS THEM AS A NATIONAL CANDIDATE.))
[SUPER=01-Don Beyer/Howard Dean's Campaign Treasurer; :]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=as a national candidate]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The state's Democratic presidential primary is Tuesday, February 10th.
Dean plans to campaign throughout the commonwealth and there's already talk about making a trip to Roanoke or Blacksburg.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]
John Kerry has already visited Roanoke and so has Bob Graham who has since dropped out of the race.
[11Gretna-Murder]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-41 TC1:01:52]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]
Gretna High School is beefing up security after a shooting outside last week's playoff game.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gretna;]
The school moved this week's regional championship game against Rustburg from Friday night to Saturday at 1:30.
It's also hired extra deputies to patrol AND block off parts of Coffey Street, outside the stadium.
That's where 29-year-old Lynndell Powell was fatally shot Friday night after an argument.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:02]
[IN Q=At this point,]
((DEBORAH POWELL/PRINCIPAL: AT THIS POINT WE FEEL SAFE, WE FEEL SECURE, WE'RE PREPARED TO PLAY SATURDAY AND WE'RE READY TO MOVE ON TO STATE SEMIFINALS AND STATE FINALS. ))
[SUPER=01-Deborah Powell/Principal;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=state finals.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
23-year-old Edwin Rontae Hodnett of Chatham and 19-year-old Jonathan Lynn Carter of Danville face first degree murder charges.
School officials emphasize that neither suspect attended the game and that no Gretna students were involved.
(------------)
[WIPE WIPE WIPE][11Amherst-Shooting]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-45 TC46:20]
[GRAPHIC=]
[/////WIPE/////WIPE/////WIPE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co.]
Police hope to make an arrest in a shooting yesterday morning that critically injured a Lynchburg man.
Amherst County authorities say 32-year-old Richard Lee Law was shot at least once during an altercation outside the Quik-E convenience store near South Coolwell Road.
Law then reportedly drove his car across Route 29, jumped a curb and smashed through the wall of a vacant restaurant near the Knight's Inn.
He's in critical condition.
(------------)
[11Tech-Marketing]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-39 TC1:50:33]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia TEch]
Hokie fans can get an extra dose of Tech on the internet.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]
Virginia Tech is the first University in the nation to partner with America On-line for a new type of internet homepage.
Subscribers are now able to search the web and read e-mail with a new Hokie-themed background.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:16:32:00]
[IN Q=It'll be important]
((LOCKE WHITE: IT'LL BE IMPORTANT TO THE UNIVERSITY. WE'LL BE ONLY ONE CLICK AWAY FROM ALL THOSE PEOPLE SO THEY CAN COME AND CHECK UP ON VA TECH AND SEE WHAT THE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN UP TO. ))
[SUPER=01-Locke White/Va. Tech Licensing and Trademark]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=been up to]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The University didn't make any money on the deal.
It's hoping the exposure alone will make it all worthwhile.
(------------)
[Marketwatch]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
In business news, A report on Consumer Confidence is due out today.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((INVESTORS HAVE GREAT EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS WEEK'S ECONOMIC REPORTS... TODAY WE TAKE THE PULSE OF THE HOSUING MARKET WITH HOME RESALES FOR OCTOBER... AND WITH THE HOLIDAYS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER WE GET A READ ON CONSUMER CONFIDENCE.
ANALYSTS EXPECT THIS WEEK'S REPORTS TO SHOW THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY IS STILL ON TRACK.
THE DISCOUNT RETAILER TARGET IS GIVING WALMART A RUN FOR ITS MONEY... DESPITE ALL THE ATTENTION ON WALMART'S AGGRESSIVE TOY DISCOUNTS, TARGET IS QUIETLY TURNING UP THE HEAT, OFFERING MARKDOWNS THAT UNDERCUT EVEN WALMART'S PRICES ON SOME TOYS AND ELECTRONICS EVEN IF IT MEANS A LOSS FOR THEM. THE STEEP DISCOUNTING COMES JUST DAYS BEFORE THANKSGIVING, THE TRADITIONAL START OF THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON. TOY RETAILERS GENERATE AS MUCH AS 40 PER CENT OF THEIR ANNUAL REVENUE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
ON WALL STREET... A REBOUND IN THE DOLLAR PUT INVESTORS IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT...
THE DOW SPRINTED 119 POINTS.
THE NASDAQ RACED AHEAD 53.
ON THE STOCKS TO WATCH LIST: TENET HEALTHCARE... THE COMPANY SAYS ONE OF THE HOSPITAL AND CLINIC OPERATOR'S UNITS RECEIVED ADDITONAL SUBPOENAS RELATED TO POSSIBLY ILLEGAL BILLING,
TRACK ALL THE PREMARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM... IN NEW YORK I'M ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS.))
(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS]
[COMM]
[Muhammad]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Muhammad]
Witnesses for the defense will be back on the stand today in Chesapeake at the trial of teen sniper suspect Lee Malvo.
The defense is hoping to portray Malvo as someone easily brainwashed by John Muhammad, who's already convicted in the shootings.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Yesterday, a jury in Virginia Beach decided that Muhammad should face execution.
The final decision will be made by the judge in February, but most believe he'll go along with the jury's recommendation.
Only Texas has executed more people than Virginia since the death
penalty was reinstated in 19-76.
(------------)
[Grocery-Strike]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Strike]
A union official says picket lines at Southern California grocery stores are spreading to northern California and even to Washington D-C and Maryland.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
The Teamsters union is stopping deliveries to Vons, Ralphs and
Albertsons, where about 70-thousand clerks have been on strike or locked out for more than a month.
Health care coverage is said to be the main issue in the conflict.
Kroger owns Ralphs and Safeway owns Vons.
The grocery chains say they're stocked and will make it through the crucial Thanksgiving shopping rush.
(------------)
[11Kroger-Recall]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Recall]
Kroger is recalling some macaroni salad.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture said yesterday it found Listeria in a sample of macaroni salad from a Kroger supermarket.
The agency's food lab detected the bacteria in a sample taken from a ten-pound tub of Deli Chef Sour Cream and Cheese Macaroni Salad, labeled 'Best If Used By 11 27 03'.
The product was repackaged in smaller serving containers. Anyone who bought the salad should check with the store.
[11Alleghany-Water]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-43 TC 1:03-:41]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The owner of a water company in Alleghany County says he's doing all he can to correct the area's water problems.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Alleghany Co./File Tape;]
Valley Ridge Water Company was issued a notice in September, that it had until the beginning of December to come up with a plan to correct its health violation.
The state health department said the spring system the company was using posed a health risk to customers, and that the company had 18-months to find an alternative.
But, Valley Ridge owner Doodlebug Dressler says two months to develop a plan just isn't enough time.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 200]
[IN Q=they said that]
((THEY SAID THAT WE HAD TO HAVE ENGINEERING STUDIES DONE IN LESS THAN 60-DAYS, AND ANYONE KNOWS YOU CAN'T DO ENGINEERING STUDIES IN 60-DAYS))
[SUPER=01-Ed Stein/Dressler's Attorney;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=in 60-days]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Yesterday, a judge granted Dressler a two-month extension.
Right now, residents in the Valley Ridge area are using water from the county's well system.
[11Downtown-Pulaski]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-38 TC 1:49:26]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A local University may help Pulaski County bring in some new jobs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski]
Two Radford University graduate students are trying to help the town find a new way to market old textile buildings. Pulaski currently has four such empty buildings which translate into thousands of square feet of work space.
Officials say the ceilings are too low. The students are trying to find out what type of companies don't need high ceilings.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:4:54:00]
[IN Q=I hope that]
((DAVID TICKNER: I HOPE THAT THEY CAN USE SOME RESOURCES AND SOME TIME THAT MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE SO MAYBE THEY CAN GET SOME RESEARCH DONE. A UNIVERSITIES A TREMENDOUS ASSET IN TERMS OF RESEARCH SO HOPEFULLY THEY CAN COME UP WITH SOME IDEAS AND CONCEPTS THAT WE CAN USE HERE.))
[SUPER=01-David Tickner/Pulaski Community Dev. Director]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=can use here.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Pulaski has lost hundreds of textile jobs in the last 3-years. Officials say the New River Valley needs to find a new niche market to bring to the region.
(------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)
[bump-chyron]
[comm #3]
[Biz-Brief]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
In business news, The Dow posted a triple digit gain yesterday.
Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:18]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]
((STOCKS SURGED ON MONDAY.
THE DOW PICKED UP 119 POINTS...
...AND THE NASDAQ GAINED 53.
CAMPBELL SOUP POSTED A 12-CENT JUMP IN ITS FIRST QUARTER NUMBERS.
THE COMPANY REPORTED EARNINGS OF 51-CENTS PER SHARE FOR THE PERIOD...THAT'S UP FROM 39-CENTS PER SHARE A YEAR EARLIER.
ANALYSTS EXPECTED THE COMPANY TO REPORT EARNINGS OF 49-CENTS PER SHARE FOR THE QUARTER.
CAMPBELL SAYS INCREASED PRODUCT SALES CONTRIBUTED TO THE NUMBERS.
SPRINT IS CUTTING ITS WORKFORCE BY TWO-THOUSAND JOBS.
THE PHONE COMPANY SAYS THE RESTRUCTURING MOVE WILL HELP CUT COSTS.
THE LAYOFFS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY FIRST.
SPRINT ANNOUNCED PLANS IN SEPTEMBER TO REDUCE ITS OVERALL OPERATING EXPENSES BY UP TO SEVEN-PERCENT IN THE NEXT THREE-YEARS.
SPRINT IS THE NATION'S FOURTH LARGEST LONG DISTANCE COMPANY.
TIME WARNER IS SELLING WARNER MUSIC.
A PRIVATE INVESTOR GROUP HAS AGREED TO BUY THE MUSIC BUSINESS FOR TWO-POINT-SIX BILLION-DOLLARS IN CASH.
THE DEAL DOES ALLOW FOR TIME WARNER TO REPURCHASE A MINORITY STAKE IN THE COMPANY.
THE BUSINESS WILL RETAIN THE NAME OF WARNER MUSIC.
EDGAR BRONFMAN-JUNIOR IS AT THE HELM OF THE INVESTOR GROUP. HE WILL ALSO LEAD THE COMPANY.
TIME WARNER IS THE PARENT COMPANY OF C-N-N WHICH PREPARES THIS REPORT.
WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF, I'M STAN CASE.))
[TAPE TOSS TO STOCKS]
[STOCKS]
[COMM]
[Paws-Claws]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Paws and Claws]
[GRAPHIC=Paws-Claws]
Moving day isn't for another month and a half, but the Roanoke Valley S-P-C-A offered News 7 a sneak peek at its brand new facility.
(++++++++++)
[Take FS Paws and Claws]
In this week's "Paws and Claws" segment, Executive Director Don Thorne talks about how the new digs will offer a new leash on life for animals in need.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We have two facilities..]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Don Thorne/Executive Director; :07]
[RUNS=1:42]
[OUT Q=and cared for.]
((
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:01:02]
[IN Q=We have two facilities..]
[OUT Q=for some reason.]
The five million dollar project represents regional cooperation among the S-P-C-A, Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Vinton, and Botetourt County.
But this is only the first phase... money still needs to be raised for phase two, which will offer more areas for animal training and education.
Standing just up the hill behind the current S-P-C-A, the facility will have a lot more breathing room for animals.
The nearly 27-thousand square foot center will also offer behavior modification-- a service that'll provide a second chance for animals still considered to be adoptable.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Which gives us a chance]
[OUT Q=behavior problems.]
And before any dog or cat leaves to go home, it'll be spayed or neutered, to help curb the problem of pet overpopulation in the first place.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:08:50]
[IN Q=We get over six thousand dogs and cats]
[OUT Q=and cared for.]
))
(----------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[SS=none]
The new Roanoke Valley S-P-C-A Adoption and Education Center and Municipal Regional Pound Facility will open sometime in January.
Stay with us, News 7 Mornin will be right back.
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP]
[Trigger]
[Concorde]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The Concorde recently took it last flight, but today, one of the British Airways planes is heading to its final destination by barge.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=05-New York, NY;]
You are looking at a live picture of the plane which is making its historic trip up the Hudson River in New York.
It will travel past the Statue of Liberty to be delivered to the Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum.
(------------)
by SS