WDBJ 7 morning news for 11/26/03

[Thanksgiving-Travel]

[PAGE# 10]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Travel]
[ENG# 1]

Today is traditionally one of the busiest travel days of the year.
But this Thanksgiving holiday is expected to be one of the busiest in years.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

36- million Americans are expected to be traveling for their tukey this year.
The surge of holiday travelers is expected to be the biggest test yet of the new federal security system.
[SUPER=04-Worldwide Pants, Inc.;]

But the head of Homeland Security told David Letterman last night that there are three things fliers can do to ensure safety and speed up the process.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Anything that's metal]
((TOM RIDGE/DIRECTOR OF HOMELAND SECURITY: ANYTHING THAT'S METAL TAKE IT OUT AND PUT IT IN THAT PLASTIC DISH, IF YOU HAVE A COMPUTER TAKE IT OUT OF THE CASE, AND IF YOU'RE WEARING A COAT, TAKE THE COAT OFF. LETTERMAN: OR JUST STAY AT HOME. THAT WOULD BE NUMBER FOUR. ))
[SUPER=01-Tom Ridge/Director of Homeland Security;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=number four.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Triple- A predicts over four- and- a- half million Americans will be flying this weekend.
(------------)

[11Payne]

[PAGE# 11]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-43 TC1:05:58]
[GRAPHIC=Melinda Payne]
[ENG# 2]

The Roanoke City School Board has an empty seat to fill now that its senior member has stepped down.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]

Melinda Payne turned in her resignation to City Council, citing "philosophical differences" with other members of the board.
Payne has served since 1995 and says she's proud of the work they've done ... up until the last few years.
She says she's been troubled by the school system's failures on financial audits and other recent controversies.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:21:53]
[IN Q=I can tell you]
((MELINDA PAYNE: I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT'S BEEN AN INTERNAL ISSUE WITH ME FOR A WHILE. BEING SOMEONE THAT'S ALWAYS SEEN AS TAKING A DIFFERENT STANCE OR ASKING THE HARD QUESTIONS IS NOT ALWAYS A COMFORTABLE PLACE TO BE IN. BUT I'VE DONE THAT AND I'VE SOMETIMES BEEN OSTRACIZED. I'VE BEEN PLACED ON AN ISLAND ALL TO MYSELF BY MY COLLEAGUES BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T NECESSARILY AGREED WITH WHAT I'VE HAD TO SAY.))
[SUPER=01-Melinda Payne/Roanoke City School Board;]
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=what I've had to say.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Payne will serve through the end of December.
It's up to City Council to appoint her replacement.
She says Alice Hincker, an outspoken critic of the school administration, would make a good choice.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The resignation comes as a new school audit unveils more internal problems.
The city's municipal auditor says the school system has failed to fix several problems highlighted in last year's audit.
The school maintenance, food services and transportation departments are all being cited for failing to make the required changes.
They were intended to eliminate fraud in the way school departments made purchases.
The municipal auditor's report will go to the school board next week.
[11React-Payne]

[PAGE#=12]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC09:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

Reaction to Melinda Payne's resignation was one of disappointment, denials, and reassurances.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:22:22; 1:20:15; 1:16:36]
[IN Q=I think the board is]
((GLORIA MANNS/SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRWOMAN: I THINK THE BOARD IS BECOMING MORE UNITED. I THINK THEY ARE ASKING QUESTIONS.
WE ARE TRYING TO DOING SOME DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE HAVEN'T DONE IN THE PAST. WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.)) ((ANITA PRICE/ROANOKE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: UNFORTUNATELY, THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED REPEATEDLY AND YET THEY HAVE REFUSE TO BE RECOGNIZED AND ACKNOWLEDGED AND I FEEL THAT'S PART OF THE FRUSTRATION MS. PAYNE HAS BEEN WORKING SO ADAMANTLY TO ADDRESS.)) ((WAYNE HARRIS/SUPERINTEDENT OF SCHOOLS: DO YOU FEEL RESPONSIBLE AT ALL? I GUESS I DIDN'T SEE THAT IN THE LETTER. WELL, SHE DOES SAY PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES, DO YOU FEEL ALL OF THIS HAS CONTRIBUTED TO HER RESIGNATION. I HAVE NO WAY TO RESPOND TO THE INNUENDO IN THE LETTER. I WISH HER WELL.))
[SUPER=01-Gloria Manns/Roanoke School Board Chairwoman; :00]
[SUPER=01-Anita Price/Roanoke Education Association President; :12]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Harris/Roanoke School Superintendent; :35]
[RUNS=:50]
[OUT Q=I WISH HER WELL]
(-------------)

[VOB-Harris-Mayfield]

[PAGE#=13]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-46 TC 40:56]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=4]

The news came just has the Roanoke school system tried to put another controversy to rest.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The superinentendent held a town hall meeting yesterday afternoon for about 70 members of the faculty.
It was a chance for the administration to explain and answer questions about the Ron Mayfield investigation.
He was the Roanoke teacher who committed suicide after being accused of hitting a student.
As a result, many teachers believe the school system needs to do a better job of supporting its teachers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:59:07]
[IN Q=I think the whole]
((MARY PAGE GWALTNEY/ROANOKE TEACHER: I THINK THE WHOLE THING....FOR THESE CHILDREN.))
[SUPER=01-Mary Page Gwaltney/Roanoke Teacher;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=for these children]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Superintendent Harris says the administration hopes to have a policy in place by February that outlines consequences for making a false allegation.
(------------)

[11Warner]

[PAGE#=14]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-45 TC47:15]
[GRAPHIC=Tax Reform]
[ENG#=1]

Mark Warner crossed the Commonwealth yesterday to gather support for his tax reform plan.
The governor says he'll keep an open mind but says it's too early to talk compromise.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Warner made stops in Roanoke, Falls Church and Virginia Beach yesterday as he tried to build public support for his tax plan.
He says he expects counter proposals, but believes his package is a sensible solution that won't put an "undue burden" on the state's taxpayers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=What we needed]
((GOV. MARK WARNER: WHAT WE NEEDED WAS A PLAN AROUND WHICH PEOPLE CAN MOVE FORWARD ON AND I THINK THIS IS A GOOD PLAN. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THIS IS IN THE ABSOLUTE BEST INTEREST OF VIRGINIA.))
[SUPER=@markwarner; :05]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=best interest of Virginia.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Warner has outlined a complex proposal that would raise the state sales tax, but trim the tax on groceries.
The plan calls for a ten-fold increase in the cigarette tax, but offers most Virginians an income tax break.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

The Governor claims 65 percent of Virginia taxpayers will pay less if his plan in enacted.
[11Tax-reform]

[PAGE#=15]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-50 TC45:31]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
[ENG#=2]

State Republicans are giving the governor's tax reform plan mixed reviews.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Lawmakers on the Tax Reform Commission got a close look at the package yesterday.
Many Republicans are critical of Warner's proposals to create additional revenue for the state.
But some say the governor has no choice but to raise taxes because of ongoing budget problems.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:15:38]
[IN Q=CERTAINLY HE RECOGNIZES]
((SENATOR JOHN CHICHESTER/R- CERTAINLY HE RECOGNIZES WHAT MOST OF US DO THAT CUTTING BUDGETS IS HARDLY AN OPTION ANYMORE GIVEN THE FISCAL CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH WE FIND OURSELVES. DELEGATE LEO WARDRUP: THE EASY SOLUTION IS ALWAYS TO TAX PEOPLE MORE IN ORDER FOR GOVERNMENT TO SPEND MORE. THE HARD DECISIONS ARE NOT TO TAX PEOPLE MORE AND TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER GOVERNMENT WITH LESS.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Chichester/(R) Fredericksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Del. Leo Wardrup/(R) Virginia Beach; :14]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER GOVERNMENT WITH LESS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Warner says Virginia needs more money for education, health care and transportation.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

[PAGE#=17]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=1]

In business news, Citigroup is under investigation.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((A BANKING POWERHOUSE IS UNDER SCRUTINY BY THE U-S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. > CITIGROUP SAYS FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ARE INVESTIGATING ITS TRANFER AGENT > BUSINESS. THE BANKING COMPANY SAYS ITS COOPERATING FULLY WITH THE > INVESTIGATION AND PLANS TO PAY BACK CERTAIN MUTUAL FUNDS 16 MILLION > DOLLARS PLUS INTEREST. > > ON WALL STREET... INVESTORS EXPECT A SLOW DAY OF TRADING AHEAD OF THE > THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY. THE STOCK MARKET IS CLOSED TOMORROW AND OPEN FOR AN > ABBREVIATED SESSION ON FRIDAY.. > > YESTERDAY IT WAS A SPLIT DECISION ON WALL STREET..DESPITE NEWS THAT THE > ECONOMY GREW AT THE FASTEST PACE IN 20 YEARS IN THE THIRD QUARTER. > > THE DOW ROSE 16 > > THE NASDAQ EDGED DOWN 4. > > CONSUMER CONFIDENCE JUMPED TO ITS HIGHEST LEVEL IN A YEAR IN NOVEMBER..AND > RETAILERS HOPE THAT MEANs SHOPPERS WILL BE OPENING THEIR WALLETS WIDE > THIS HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON > > MANY RETAILERS.. PARTICULARLY TOY RETAILERS MAKE 50 PERCENT OF THEIR > ANNUAL REVENUE DURING THE CRITICAL HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON..INDUSTRY > ANALSYTS ARE FORECASTING A 3 TO 3.5 PERCENT RISE IN RETAIL SALES THIS YEAR > COMPARED TO LAST.. > > AND Early indicators show that consumers are going online to buy their > holiday gifts earlier this year than last. Analysts say expect online > retailers to offer lots of promotions including free shipping and in store > pickup to bring shoppers to their websites. > > TRACK ALL THE PREMARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM.. IN NEW YORK I'M ALEXIS > CHRISTOFOROUS.)) > >

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

[Medicare]

[PAGE#=20]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]

President Bush says a bill headed for his signature helps seniors `"with a modern Medicare system.''
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

Bush says when he signs the bill into law, it will immediately help people struggling with high medical bills.
The legislation adds prescription drug coverage in 2006 and opens Medicare to competition from private insurers.
Meanwhile, opponents of the bill call it a windfall for the drug and insurance industries.
The President plans to sign the legislation when he returns to Washington after Thanksgiving.
(------------)
[11Prescription-Help]

[PAGE#=21]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=03-44 TC53:22]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG=#2]

As seniors wait for government assistance -- a local pharmacist is helping them sign up for drug discount programs.
(----------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.]

Tim Lucas with DownHome Pharmacy not only helps seniors find out which programs they might qualify for but fills out the paper work for them to get the medication.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:03]
[IN Q=There is a big need for it as we look]
((TIM LUCAS/DOWNHOME PHARMACY; THERE IS A BIG NEED FOR IT AS WE LOOK AT THE MEDICARE BILL AND TRYING TO GET PRESCRIPTION COVERAGE FOR SENIORS. WE SEE IT'S VERY EVIDENT THAT A LOT SENIORS HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME PAYING FOR THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS)) ((OPAL HALL; IT TAKES OVER HALF OF MY CHECK EACH MONTH. SAY AROUND 2-HUNDRED AND SOME DOLLARS ))
[SUPER=01-Tim Lucas/DownHome Pharmacy; :04]
[SUPER=07-Opal Hall; :13]
[RUNS=21]
[OUT Q=and some dollars]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

There is no charge to determine whether you qualify for any of the drug discount programs.
But DownHome Pharmacy does charge five dollars for every application it fills out and sends.
(----------)

[Jackson]

[PAGE#=22]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Jackson]
[ENG#=3]

Michael Jackson's attorney has won a restraining order to keep secret videotapes of the pop star from getting out.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Mark Geragos say he and Jackson were taped by the private jet company that flew them to Southern California last week for Jackson's surrender on child molestation charges.
Geragos has issued a warning-- don't try to take advantage of the pop star.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Michael Jackson]
((MARK GERAGOS/JACKSON S DEFENSE ATTORNEY: MICHAEL JACKSON IS NOT GOING TO BE ABUSED HE S NOT GOING TO BE SLAMMED HE S NOT GOING TO BE A PINATA FOR EVERYONE WHO WANTS FINANCIAL MOTIVES.))
[SUPER=01-Mark Geragos/Jackson's Defense Attorney;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=financial motives.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Geragos also says the company Xtra- Jet tried to shop the tapes around to media outlets.
He's now filing suit against the company.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[SS=none]

Meanwhile, an F-B-I spokesman says agents are looking into whether Xtra-Jet violated federal law.
[11Xmas-Trees]

[PAGE#=23]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-40 TC1:30:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

New restrictions will cut down the use of live cut trees in certain facilities.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
Under new state fire codes, live-cut trees are now prohibited in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and jail facilities. The new code also prohibits live-cut trees in buildings without an approved fire sprinkler system, which officials say would include a lot of older apartment buildings and hotels.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:34]
[IN Q=it is a safety]
((MARLAN MORRIS/ROANOKE FIRE MARSHAL: IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF FOLKS COULD MAYBE RECONSIDER THE USE OF LIVE TREES AND CONSIDER ARTIFICIAL TREES IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, IF THEY HAVE A SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN THEIR BUILDING THEN THEY CAN USE LIVE TREES.))
[SUPER=01-Marlan Morris/Roanoke Fire Marshal;]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=use live trees.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Officials say most residential homes will NOT be affected by the new code. Anyone who's caught breaking it could face a fine of up to 25-hundred dollars.
(------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[Biz-Brief]

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

In business news, Stocks gained little ground yesterday. And Consumer Confidence is up. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]
((THE MAJOR AVERAGES CLOSED LITTLE CHANGED ON TUESDAY, DESPITE SOME UPBEAT ECONOMIC NEWS.

THE DOW PICKED UP 16 POINTS...
...AND THE NASDAQ LOST FOUR.

THE U-S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT GREW EIGHT-POINT-TWO PERCENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER...THAT'S FASTER THAN A PREVIOUSLY REPORTED SEVEN-POINT-TWO PERCENT GROWTH.
THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE G-D-P GROWTH WAS THE FASTEST SINCE THE FIRST QUARTER OF 19-84.
THE DEPARTMENT SAYS A RE-EVALUATION OF BUSINESSES INVENTORIES CONTRIBUTED TO THE JUMP.

U-S CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IS UP.
THE CONFERENCE BOARD SAYS THE CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDEX JUMPED TO 91-POINT-SEVEN IN NOVEMBER...THAT'S UP FROM A REVISED 81-POINT-SEVEN IN OCTOBER.
THE BOARD SAYS NOVEMBER'S NUMBERS ARE THE HIGHEST SINCE THE FALL OF 2002.
CONSUMER SPENDING MAKES UP TWO-THIRDS OF THE U-S ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

DEERE AND COMPANY POSTED A SLIGHT DROP IN ITS FOURTH QUARTER EARNINGS.
THE WORLD'S LARGEST FARM EQUIPMENT MAKER REPORTED A NET INCOME OF 27-CENTS PER SHARE FOR THE PERIOD...THAT'S DOWN JUST A PENNY FROM A YEAR AGO.
THE COMPANY SAYS THE WEAKER DOLLAR HELPED BOOST SALES.
DEERE EXPECTED TO BREAK EVEN FOR THE QUARTER AFTER A PLANNED DECREASE IN PRODUCTION TO ADJUST INVENTORIES.

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

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

[6-Keister-Morris]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2003]

The state Board of Elections has officially certified Benny Keister as the winner for the House of Delegates 6th District, but it was a close one. The margin is just 49 votes, so close that Republican challenger Morgan Morris is entitled under state law to seek a recount.