WDBJ 7 morning news for 11/27/03

[Floyd-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]
A Floyd County woman was killed last night when she was struck by a car on Route 221.
State troopers say it started with a phone call to the county sheriffs office about 8:45.
(+++++++)
[Take Graphic Map]
29 year old Kelli Simpkins Hill of Willis called to say she thought she hit a deer near the intersection of Routes 221 and 807 southwest of Floyd. She stopped to look, but couldn't find any animal.
A deputy sent to investigate found an unoccupied vehicle with its door open and heard someone calling for help.

(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

79 year old Esma Duncan Akers of Floyd had apparently been hit by a vehicle. She was flown to Roanoke Memorial Hopsital where she died about 11 o-clock.
The case will be reviewed by the Floyd County Commonwealth's Attorney.

[AM-Tessa-Update]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-52 12:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

Being thankful takes on a whole new meaning for a local girl who wasn't expected to live.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

You may remember 10 year old Tessa Milliner.
She is the Roanoke girl who slid off an embankment along the Roanoke River last May.
Doctors gave her very little chance of surviving but Tessa ended up beating the odds.
She was making remarkable progress, but recently suffered a setback.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:56:51]
[IN Q=She's not doing good]
((SHANNON MABRY/TESSA'S MOTHER: SHE IS NOT DOING GOOD IN THE SURGERY AREA. SHE WAS JUST SUPPOSE TO HAVE THE ONE SURGERY AND THAT WAS ON HALLOWEEN AND THEY ENDED UP HAVING TO DO ANOTHER ON THE SEVENTH TO REMOVE WHAT THEY HAD RECONSTRUCTED DUE TO INFECTION.))
[SUPER=01-Shannon Mabry/Tessa's Mother]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=due to infection]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Tessa is now on anti-botics and was released from the hospital just in time for Thanksgiving.
Her long term prognosis, however, is uncertain.
She will have at least one more surgery and continues to have developmental problems.
(------------)

[11LU-Ericsson]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-38 TC1:54:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

It has taken a year of negotiations and debate, and now, the Reverend Jerry Falwell has moved a step closer to taking over the former Ericsson building in Lynchburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Falwell wants to relocate Thomas Road Baptist Church and Lynchburg Christian Academy to the site and use the property to expand Liberty University.
City planners had concerns over traffic and how Falwell was going to use the excess space in the building.
But after going back and forth on the conditions, the planning commission last night approved the rezoning of the property and the site plan for another 85 acres of land on Candlers Mountain.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:24:33//18:23:31]
[IN Q=Citizens are going]
((WAYNE DAHLGREN/PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIRMAN: CITIZENS ARE GOING TO BE EXTREMELY WELL-SERVED BY WHAT WE DID TONIGHT. WE WERE ABLE TO CONTROL WHAT WENT ON THAT PROPERTY, AND WHAT IS GOING TO GO ON THAT PROPERTY I THINK IS GOING TO BE A BIG ADDITION TO THE CITY OF LYNCHBURG.)) ((JERRY FALWELL JR./LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ATTORNEY: EVERYBODY ON BOTH SIDES WERE VERY ABOVE BOARD AND WE SPENT ALMOST THE WHOLE YEAR WORKING ON IT TO MAKE SURE THERE WERE NO MISUNDERSTANDINGS OR MISTAKES AND SO I THINK WE'VE ENDED UP WITH SOMETHING HERE THAT BOTH SIDES CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUT.))
[SUPER=01-Wayne Dahlgren/Planning Commission Chairman; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jerry Falwell, Jr./Liberty University Attorney; :12]
[RUNS=24]
[OUT Q=can feel good about.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The plan must still be approved by Lynchburg City Council.
(------------)

[11Smith]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-48 TC27:14]
[GRAPHIC=Ralph Smith]
[ENG#=3]

Roanoke Mayor Ralph Smith says he's proud of his tenure on city council, but he announced yesterday he will NOT run for re-election next spring.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Smith says he has accomplished many of the goals he set for himself when he first ran for public office, and he believes he could win re-election.
While he acknowledged frustrations during his time on council, he said no single issue or controversy prompted his decision.
Smith told reporters he is looking for other ways to serve the city.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=To be mayor of this city]
((RALPH SMITH/ROANOKE MAYOR; TO BE MAYOR OF THIS CITY AND DO WHAT I THINK IS A PROPER JOB. IT'S A FULL-TIME JOB. AND I'VE GIVEN IT 40 TO 50 HOURS A WEEK FOR THE LAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS. I PLAN TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT FOR THE NEXT SEVEN MONTHS, BUT I HAVE TO LOOK AT THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. WILL I BE MOST EFFECTIVE IN SERVING MANKIND BEING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ROANOKE FOR FOUR MORE YEARS OR IS THERE A WAY I CAN DO BETTER?))
[SUPER=@Smith]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=a way I can do better.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

By making an early announcement, Smith says he hopes to encourage potential candidates to come forward.
(------------)

[11Giles-Flooding]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-41 TC1:07:47]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]
[ENG#=1]

Last week's flash flood victims in the New River Valley may be getting federal help.
Virginia's Governor is urging the President to declare a federal disaster for seven communities in Southwest Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.]

The request includes Buchanan, Tazewell, Bland, Giles Pulaski and Smyth counties and the city of Galax. The damage is already estimated at 2 and a half million dollars. Many are still cleaning their homes and say this Thanksgiving won't be easy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:10:22:00]
[IN Q=We'll go to his]
((TERRY DICKERSON: WE'LL GO TO HIS, MY HUSBAND'S MOTHER'S FOR THANKSGIVING, BUT IT'S NOTHING LIKE NORMAL YOU KNOW, NOTHING))
[SUPER=01-Terri Dickerson/Flood Victim]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=you know? Nothing.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Federal Emergency Management Officials are not expected to make a recommendation to the President for at least a month. That means flood victims may not see federal money for sometime.
(------------)

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
[ENG#=2]

Thousands of troops in Iraq are spending their second straight Thanksgiving away from home.
Despite the holiday, operations continue taking aim against Iraqi guerillas.
Aleen Sirgany has more from Washington.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Tikrit, Iraq; :00]
[SUPER=01-Byron Foster/U. S. Army Specialist; ;13]
[SUPER=01-Leo Cordington/U. S. Army Captain; :52]
[SUPER=01-Aleen Sirgany/CBS News; 1:10]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=Sirgany, CBS News, Washington.]
((

PKG

(Tikrit, Iraq)
FOR THE MOST PART THANKSGIVING IN IRAQ IS JUST ANOTHER DAY. EARLY THIS MORNING TROOPS IN TIKRIT CONTINUED THEIR REGULAR PATROLS..... SEARCHING CARS FOR WEAPONS AND CONSTANTLY STAYING ON GUARD FROM POSSIBLE ATTACKS.

(SOT-soldier)
"I would much rather be home, but it's not bad". :02
(SOT-Specialist Byron Foster/US Army)
"I feel sorry for my wife and for my three kids not being able to see me for the holidays." :05
SOME OF THESE SOLIDERS WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN HOME NEXT YEAR WHEN THE MARINES ARE SHIPPED IN DURING THE FIRST MONTHS OF 2004. THE PENTAGON NOW SAYS THAT WILL INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 3-THOUSAND MARINES... JOINING THE 14-THOUSAND ALREADY SCHEDULED TO LEAVE.

(nats)
AND HERE'S WHAT THEY CAN LOOK FORWARD TO.... CONTINUOUS RAIDS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE INSURGENTS.... AND THE CONSTANT SEARCH FOR WEAPONS. ON THIS DAY MUCH OF WHAT IS FOUND IS OLD... BUT STILL COULD HAVE BEEN USED TO CONSTRUCT HOMEMADE BOMBS.

(SOT-Captain Leo Cordington/US Army)
"thousands of rounds of artillery and hundreds of anti-tank mines and thousands of rockets." :07
ALSO MAKING THIS OPERATION A SUCCESS.... THE MEN IN SPOTTED CAMOFLAUGE. THEY'RE NEWLY TRAINED IRAQI SOLDIERS.... A SCENE THAT WAS ALMOST UNTHINKABLE NINE MONTHS AGO.
STANDUP: (Aleen Sirgany/CBS NEWS/Washington, DC) BUT THE TRANSFER OF POWER IS BEING COMPLICATED BY A PIVOTAL SHIITE LEADER WHO SAYS WASHINGTON'S PLAN DOES NOT GIVE IRAQIS ENOUGH OF A ROLE. THAT COULD POSE PROBLEMS SINCE SHIITES MAKE UP THE MAJORITY IN IRAQ. ALEEN SIRGANY, CBS NEWS, WASHINGTON.

))[11Travel]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-40 TC1:32:41]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Travel]
[ENG#=1]

So far, so good on area Interstates for this long holiday weekend, but don't be sure it will stay that way through Sunday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

Interstate 81 was congested yesterday, but state police say the REAL problems will be on Sunday, when everyone drives home at once.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:25:28]
[IN Q=The absolute busiest]
((SGT. TOM FOSTER/VIRGINIA STATE POLICE; THE ABSOLUTE BUSIEST DAY FOR US IS THE SUNDAY FOLLOWING THANKSGIVING. CHRISTMAS TENDS TO BE BUSY BUT A LOT STAY AT HOME DURING THE CHRISTMASTIME. IT'S THANKSGIVING THIS WEEKEND WE'RE GOING INTO RIGHT NOW IS OUR BUSIEST TIME PERIOD OF THE YEAR. ))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Tom Foster/Virginia State Police;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=of the year.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sunday is expected to be the Roanoke Regional Airport's busiest day of the year, too.
About 3-thousand people are expected to fly in and out.
Airport officials say this has been their best holiday weekend since 9-11.
(------------)

[Holiday-Travel]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Travel]
[ENG#=2]
A lot of people will be taking early flights today, to reach loved ones in time for Thanksgiving dinner. So this will be no day off for many air security workers on the ground and in the air, but even on this holiday, there could be longer lines at big airports. Bill Prasad (prah-SAHD) has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Almost five million]
[SUPER=01-Asa Hutchison/Department of Homeland Security; ]
[SUPER=01-Charita Wade-Tucker/TSA Screener; ]
[SUPER=01-Bill Prasad/Reporting;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=In Washington, I'm Bill Prasad.]
((ALMOST FIVE MILLION PEOPLE NATIONWIDE WILL FLY THIS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, UP FROM LAST YEAR. BUT CONGRESSIONAL CUTBACKS WILL MEAN ABOUT SEVEN THOUSAND FEWER FEDERAL SCREENERS ON THE JOB -- ABOUT A THIRTEEN PERCENT REDUCTION. FEDERAL OFFICIALS TELL TRAVELERS TO EXPECT LONGER LINES.

--SOT--

obviously, it's gonna be a strain on the workforce as well as potential for additional delays with the public if we do not work together to move people through
--TRACK--
TO MEET THE NEED, FIFTY-ONE THOUSAND FULL AND PART TIME T-S-A WORKERS WON'T GET TURKEY DAY OFF. AS USUAL, FEDERAL MARSHALS WILL BE ON-BOARD MANY PLANES. SINCE NINE ELEVEN THEY'VE IDENTIFIED MORE THAN EIGHT HUNDRED SUSPICIOUS PASSENGERS AND ARRESTED TWENTY-FIVE PEOPLE, NONE WERE RELATED TO TERRORISM.

(NATS)

--TRACK--
AS YOU MANEUVER THE AIRPORT SECURITY GAUNTLET, SCREENERS SAY YOU CAN DRESS FOR SUCCESS.
--SST--
sweat suits are the best travel gear to come through the checkpoint, that way you won't have to take off anything.
--TRACK--
FOR DOMESTIC FLIGHTS OFFICIALS RECOMMEND THAT YOU ARRIVE TWO HOURS EARLY, FOR INTERNATIONAL THREE HOURS EARLY. AND REMEMBER, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO BRING TO AN AIRPORT IS YOUR PATIENCE. ))

[Oscar-Buzz]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

You will see a lot of big movies coming out for the holiday season, but the studios are already looking beyond the next six weeks' box office. They are already campaigning heavily to promote their films in hopes that they will bring home Oscar gold. Bill Hemmer takes a look at some of the Oscar hopefuls -- and the cost and maneuvers of Oscar campaigning.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Don't stop, boy]
[SUPER=03-"Seabiscuit"/Universal Pictures; :00]
[SUPER=01-Cindy Grisolia/Entertainment Weekly; :15 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=04-"Lord of the Rings: Return of the King"; :28 Hot Change to]
[super=04-New Line Cinema;]
[SUPER=03-"The Far Side of the World"/20th Century Fox; :38]
[SUPER=03-"The Last Samurai"; :44 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=03-"Lost in Translation"/Focus Features; :50]
[SUPER=03-"Cold Mountain"/Miramax-Dimension Films; 1:09]
[SUPER=03-"Something's Gotta Give"/Columbia Pictures; 1:13]
[SUPER=03-"Sylvia"/Focus Features; 1:17 (VERY QUICK)]
[SUPER=03-"House of Fog and Sand"/Dreamworks Pictures; 1:20]
[SUPER=01-Tom Ortenberg/Lions Gate Entertainment; 1:47]
[SUPER=01-Peter Bart/Variety Editor; 2:16]
[SUPER=01-Bill Hemmer/Reporting;]
[RUNS=2:40]
[OUT Q=Bill Hemmer, CNN, New York.]
(("Don't stop boy- don't ever stop!"
AND THEY'RE OFF. IT MAY ONLY BE NOVEMBER, BUT THE RACE FOR OSCAR GOLD IS ALREADY IN FULL STRIDE. ... MOST HAVE BEEN RELEASED...OTHERS WILL BE BY YEAR'S END.
"It's a very strong year and I think its going to be a very powerful year and promises to be a very sort of tough and exciting Oscar race."
EARLY FAVORITES FOR BEST PICTURE INCLUDE, "SEABISCUIT"... AND SEVERAL FILMS ON AN EPIC SCALE. "THE LAST SAMURAI"... "MASTER AND COMMANDER"... "COLD MOUNTAIN. AND THE FINAL CHAPTER IN THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY, "THE RETURN OF THE KING."
"The board is set- the pieces are moving."
"It's the film to beat on paper."
IN THE ACTING CATEGORIES, THE EARLY FRONTRUNNERS INCLUDE... RUSSELL CROWE FROM "MASTER AND COMMANDER"... "THE LAST SAMURAI" STAR, TOM CRUISE... AND TOMMY LEE JONES FROM "THE MISSING". FUNNY MAN BILL MURRAY MAY GET A NOD FOR HIS DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE IN, "LOST IN TRANSLATION." AND, THERE'S THE "MYSTIC RIVER" GANG.
"There's quite a bit of buzz about Sean Penn's performance in this film as well as Tim Robbins, and I think there's no doubt that they will end up definitely strong Oscar contenders this year."
ON THE ACTRESS SIDE, THERE'S "COLD MOUNTAIN" STAR, NICOLE KIDMAN... DIANE KEATON IS GETTING SOME OSCAR BUZZ FOR HER WORK IN "SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE" ... GWYNETH PALTROW OF "SYLVIA"... AND "HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG" LEADING LADY, JENNIFER CONNELLY.

(nat break)

THE STUDIOS ARE WASTING NO TIME CALLING ATTENTION TO THEIR WARES. IN AN INDUSTRY WHERE MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR AD CAMPAIGNS ARE THE NORM, THIS TIME AROUND THE OSCAR PUSH IS REACHING A FEVERED PITCH, BECAUSE THE AWARDS ARE COMING EARLY.
"Every year it seems like the advertising and marketing spends for the awards season does increase by a little bit, this year I think it seems even more amplified than before because of the shortened awards season given the academy awards moving up by a month."
ANOTHER ELEMENT CERTAIN TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN WHO DOES AND doesn't EARN AN ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATION - SCREENERS.
THE MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA HAS RULED THAT TO HELP CURB FILM PIRACY, ACCESS TO SCREENER COPIES OF MOVIES WOULD BE DRASTICALLY REDUCED. CRITICS FEAR THAT SEVERAL SMALLER, INDEPENDENT FILMS WILL SIMPLY BE LOST IN THE SHUFFLE AMONG THE HIGHER PROFILE PICTURES.
"One issue certainly is piracy, but the other issue is the integrity of the Academy Awards. And (0218) if you bias the results of the, of the awards, uh toward big pictures and against the independent pictures, uh I think you're really significantly harming the awards."
WE'LL KNOW BETTER WHETHER that HAPPENS, WHEN THE OSCAR NOMINATIONS ARE ANNOUNCED ON JANUARY 27. BH, CNN, NY.))(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP]
[COMMERCIAL]

[2Floyd-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]
The Floyd County Commonwealth's Attorney will review the death of a woman struck and killed last night along route 221.
State troopers say the county sheriff's office was first alerted with a phone call around 8-45.
(+++++++)
[Take Graphic Map]
29 year old Kelli Simpkins Hill of Willis called to say she thought she hit a deer southwest of Floyd near the intersection of Routes 221 and 807. She stopped to look, but couldn't find any animal.
A deputy sent to investigate found an unoccupied vehicle with its door open and heard someone calling for help.

[AM-LU-Ericsson]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

It has taken a year of negotiations and debate, and now, the Reverend Jerry Falwell has moved a step closer to taking over the former Ericsson building in Lynchburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Falwell wants to relocate Thomas Road Baptist Church and Lynchburg Christian Academy to the site and use the property to expand Liberty University.
City planners had concerns over traffic and how Falwell was going to use the excess space in the building.
But after going back and forth on the conditions, the planning commission last night approved the rezoning of the property and the site plan for another 85 acres of land on Candlers Mountain.
The plan must still be approved by Lynchburg City Council.
(------------)

[11Police-Pay]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=503-00 1:16:29]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Lynchburg's police force will be getting a significant increase in pay, after months of some very public complaining.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

City council has approved a plan that would spend close to a half million dollars bringing Lynchburg's police salaries more in line with the market average.
The city has seen dozens of officers leave in the last two years, lured by more money in the private sector.
Chief Charles Bennett says the new pay plan will actually save the city money in the long run.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:25:30]
[IN Q=It costs about]
((COL. CHARLES BENNETT/LYNCHBURG POLICE CHIEF: IT COSTS ABOUT 80-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO TRAIN A POLICE OFFICER AND WHEN THAT OFFICER DOESN'T STAY, MOVES ON TO SOME OTHER DEPARTMENT OR AREA, THEN WE LOSE THAT INVESTMENT AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO MULTIPLY 80-THOUSAND MANY TIMES TO GET TO THE INVESTMENT NOW THAT HAS BEEN COMMITTED FOR THE PAY.))
[SUPER=01-Col. Charles Bennett/Lynchburg Police Chief]
[RUNS=21]
[OUT Q=committed for the pay.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The average yearly increase for the department will be more than 46-hundred dollars.
The new salary plan will be based more on performance than length of service.
(------------)

[2-11Smith]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-48 TC27:14]
[GRAPHIC=Ralph Smith]
[ENG#=3]

Roanoke Mayor Ralph Smith says he is NOT leaving politics, he will NOT run for re-election next spring.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Smith says he has accomplished many of the goals he set for himself when he first ran for public office, and he believes he could win re-election.
While he acknowledged frustrations during his time on council, he said no single issue or controversy prompted his decision.
Smith told reporters he is looking for other ways to serve the city.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=To be mayor of this city]
((RALPH SMITH/ROANOKE MAYOR; TO BE MAYOR OF THIS CITY AND DO WHAT I THINK IS A PROPER JOB. IT'S A FULL-TIME JOB. AND I'VE GIVEN IT 40 TO 50 HOURS A WEEK FOR THE LAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS. I PLAN TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT FOR THE NEXT SEVEN MONTHS, BUT I HAVE TO LOOK AT THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. WILL I BE MOST EFFECTIVE IN SERVING MANKIND BEING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ROANOKE FOR FOUR MORE YEARS OR IS THERE A WAY I CAN DO BETTER?))
[SUPER=@Smith]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=a way I can do better.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

By making an early announcement, Smith says he hopes to encourage potential candidates to come forward.
(------------)

[11Tessa-Milliner]

[ANCHOR=Justin]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

They call her the "miracle girl."
You may remember Tessa Milliner, she is the Roanoke girl who slid down an embankement along the Roanoke River last May.
Doctors gave her very little chance of surviving but she did.
Justin McLeod now has an update on her condition.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=04-May 12; :18]
[SUPER=01-Shannon Mabry/Tessa's Mother; :30]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:32]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF TESSA SAYING "I DON'T KNOW I'VE NEVER SOLVED THIS ONE AT 10:50:30))
The fact that Tessa Milliner can play video games these days is pretty amazing when you consider her life lately has been anything but fun and games.
[SOT 11:05:17]
[IN Q=Everybody wants to know]
((TESSA MILLINER: EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW HOW ARE YOU DOING? FINE.)) [Runs03]
[OUT Q=you doing? fine]

It hasn't always been this way.
Last May, Tessa was hiking with her mother along the Roanoke River when she leaned over to look at something and the ground gave way.
She fell 30-feet and suffered severe head injuries.
[SOT 11:04:34]
[IN Q=We weren't given]
((SHANNON MABRY/TESSA'S MOTHER: WE WEREN'T GIVEN MUCH HOPE AT ALL THAT EVEN SHE DID WAKE UP SHE WOULD EVER FUNCTION.))
[Runs05]
[OUT Q=she would ever function]

Tessa beat the odds.
After spending several days in a coma, and undergoing two surgeries Tessa began showing progress.
She left the hospital a month later and was even well enough to return to school this fall.
Then in October, doctors inserted a plate in her head to repair bone damage.
[SOT 10:56:52]
[IN Q=She was just suppose]
((SHANNON MABRY/TESSA'S MOTHER: SHE WAS JUST SUPPOSE TO HAVE THE ONE SURGERY AND THAT WAS ON HALLOWEEN AND THEY ENDED UP HAVING TO DO ANOTHER ON THE SEVENTH TO REMOVE WHAT THEY HAD RECONSTRUCTED DUE TO INFECTION.)) [Runs12]
[OUT Q=due to infection]

Tessa just got out of the hospital this week and is on antibiotics.
Her long term prognosis is uncertain.
She'll have at least one more surgery, possibly two, and she continues to have developmental problems.
[SOT 10:59:13]
[IN Q=There could be a wall]
((SHANNON MABRY/TESSA'S MOTHER: THERE COULD BE A WALL THAT SHE HITS AND THAT BE AS FAR AS SHE IS CAPABLE OF LEARNING TO SO IT'S SCARED OF WHAT IS GOING TO BE A FEW YEARS DOWN THE ROAD BUT HAPPY THE WAY THINGS ARE RIGHT NOW.)) [Runs13]
[OUT Q=ARE RIGHT NOW]
[SOT ]
[IN Q= ]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: YOU MAY REMEMBER SHORTLY BEFORE HER FALL HER FATHER LOST HIS JOB AND AS A RESULT NO LONGER HAD HEALTH INSURANCE. THE FAMILY IS HAPPY TO REPORT TESSA IS NOW ON MEDICAID WHICH IS TAKING CARE OF HER MEDICAL BILLS. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[6Giles-Flooding]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=MOrn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-41 TC1:06:03]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]
[ENG#=1]

Governor Mark Warner is waiting to hear from the federal government, after urging President Bush to declare seven area counties a federal disaster area. This follows last week's destructive flooding, and such a declaration would open the gates of federal relief money for hundreds of people.
New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel DePompa shows us how residents are faring one week later.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.;00]
[SUPER=01-Terri Dickerson/Flood Victim;:11]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;:23]
[SUPER=01-Buddy Kast/Narrows Town Manager;:46]
[SUPER=01-Maj. John Blevins/Salvation Army;1:02]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=Rachel DePompa News 7]
((NATS RUBBER GLOVES- 14:00:00 Terri Dickerson's getting used to her rubber gloves. It's a week later and she's still cleaning her house from the flood waters.
QUICK -MOP NATS- 17:58:00
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:09:20:00 ]
[IN Q=I've still got]
((TERRI DICKERSON: I'VE STILL GOT MUD UNDER CABINETS I CAN'T EVEN GET TO GET IT OUT. I'VE GOT A NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET AND THEIR HOME'S DEMOLISHED. THERE'S NOTHING LEFT. THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING )) [RUNS:11]
[OUT Q=have anything.]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:21:03:00]
[IN Q=This torn down]
((RACHEL DEPOMPA: THIS TORN DOWN FENCE AND MAT OF LEAVES SHOW YOU JUST HOW HIGH THE WATER GOT. WHEN THE DICKERSON'S LEFT IT WAS WAIST HIGH, THEY HAD TO USE FLASH LIGHTS IN THE NIGHT AND CLIMB A HILL TO GET TO SAFETY. 20:40:00)) [RUNS:12]
[OUT Q=get to safety]

Nats- BOX- GOOD THROW- 2:02:00 Nats- sit down
It's stories like Terri's that have THIS chain going. Narrows town workers unloaded two trucks full of help.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:3:04:00 ]
[IN Q=There's storage]
((BUDDY KAST:THERE'S STORAGE BOXES FOR CLOTHING, IF THEY WANT TO PUT THEM IN THERE, BOTTLED WATER, JUICES. WE ALSO HAVE SOME MOPS AND BROOMS.)) [RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=and brooms]

even boxes of diapers and baby food.
QUICK NATS-BOXES
They're hoping to deliver it all by Thanksgiving to make the day just a little easier.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:5:40:00 ]
[IN Q=I think it]
((MAJOR JOHN BLEVINS: I THINK IT MAY GIVE SOME CONSOLATION TO THEM THAT THERE IS SOME RESOURCES OUT THERE TO GET.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=there to get.]

But even this help might not be enough to get people like Terri Dickerson through the worst.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:12:26:00]
[IN Q=I'm gonna sell.]
((TERRY DICKERSON: I'M GONNA SELL. WE'RE NOT GONNA DO IT AGAIN. YOU'RE DONE? YEAH, WE'RE DEFINITELY GONNA SELL.)) [RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=definitely gonna sell.]

Damage is estimated at 1.7 million dollars in Giles County alone. Rachel DePompa News 7.))

[VOB-Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
[ENG#=2]

Soldiers in Iraq are spending their holiday a world away from family and friends.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Tikrit, Iraq;]

Thanksgiving in Iraq is pretty much just another day.
Early this morning, troops in Tikrit continued their regular patrols, searching cars for weapons and staying on guard against possible attacks.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I would much ]
((I WOULD MUCH RATHER BE HOME, BUT IT'S NOT BAD.)) ((BYRON FOSTER/U. S. ARMY SPECIALIST:I FEEL SORRY FOR MY WIFE AND FOR MY THREE KIDS NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE ME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. ))
[SUPER=01-Byron Foster/U. S. Army Specialist; :02]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=me for the holidays.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, thousands of forces here at home are finding out they'll be headed to the war- torn country early next year.
The Pentagon says three thousand additional Marines will be shipped out.
They'll be joined by the already planned 14- thousand troops as part of a troop rotation.
(------------)

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[BUMP]
[TRIGGER]
[BREAK]

[Trigger]
[ENG=R4]

[2-11Travel]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-40 TC1:32:41]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Travel]
[ENG#=1]

The holiday hustle did not prove to be much of a hassle for area motorists ... but the worst may be yet to come.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

Interstate 81 was congested yesterday, but state police say the REAL problems will be on Sunday, when everyone drives home at once.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:25:28]
[IN Q=The absolute busiest]
((SGT. TOM FOSTER/VIRGINIA STATE POLICE; THE ABSOLUTE BUSIEST DAY FOR US IS THE SUNDAY FOLLOWING THANKSGIVING. CHRISTMAS TENDS TO BE BUSY BUT A LOT STAY AT HOME DURING THE CHRISTMASTIME. IT'S THANKSGIVING THIS WEEKEND WE'RE GOING INTO RIGHT NOW IS OUR BUSIEST TIME PERIOD OF THE YEAR. ))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Tom Foster/Virginia State Police;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=of the year.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sunday is expected to be the Roanoke Regional Airport's busiest day of the year, too.
About 3-thousand people are expected to fly in and out.
Airport officials say this has been their best holiday weekend since 9-11.
(------------)

[VOB/Holiday-Travel]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Travel]
[ENG#=2]

Savvy travelers and calm weather are getting the holiday weekend off to a good start at the major airports.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;]

The airlines are reporting more passengers than last year, but so far, passengers are reporting shorter waits.
One thing that CAN cause delays is baggage screening, but there are things passengers can do to save themselves some time.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=In, out, off, take all your]
((NICO MELENDEZ/AIRPORT OFFICIAL: IN, OUT, OFF, TAKE ALL YOUR METAL OBJECTS, AND PUT THEM IN YOUR CARRY ON. TAKE YOUR LAPTOP OUT OF THE BAG, AND TAKE YOUR JACKET AND SHOES OFF. THOSE 3 SIMPLE THINGS WILL SAVE PASSENGERS, 3 MINUTES IN LINE, AND WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A FAMILY OF FIVE, THAT IS 15 MINUTES.))
[SUPER=01-Nico Melendez/Airport Official;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=that is 15 minutes.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Airline officials still recommend arriving at the airport early, about two hours before your scheduled flight.
(------------)

[11Plumbers]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
Many amateur chefs will try to test their skills this Thanksgiving holiday, but somtimes the experience ends in a call for help.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Many area plumbers say they usually get a lot of calls around the holidays, when people make the mistake of trying to put anything and everything down the drain.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:18:19]
[IN Q=lot of things]
((WILEY MCGUIRE/MCGUIRE'S PLUMBING AND HEATING: LOT OF THINGS LIKE CORN HUSKS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THEY PUT DOWN THERE, THAT SURELY WILL STOP THEM UP. ONE OF THE WORST THINGS IS GREASE.))
[SUPER=01-Wiley McGuire/McGuire's Plumbing & Heating;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=stops the drain up]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Wiley McGuire has been operating his plumbing and heating business for almost 50-years. He says over the years, he's found just about everything you can think of to clog a drain or garbage disposal ... from turkey bones to paper towels.
(------------)

(Kim tosses to Bump)

[BUMP]
[WINNER]
[BREAK]

[Winner]
[ENG#=R4]

[SUPER=45-Chasity Dickson/Vinton;]

[3Floyd-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]
A Floyd County woman was struck and killed last last night along route 221.
State troopers say the county sheriff's office was first alerted with a phone call around 8-45.
(+++++++)
[Take Graphic Map]
29 year old Kelli Simpkins Hill of Willis called to say she thought she hit a deer near the intersection of Routes 221 and 807, southwest of Floyd. She stopped to look, but couldn't find any animal.
A deputy sent to investigate found an unoccupied vehicle with its door open and heard someone calling for help.

[2-11LU-Ericsson]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-38 TC1:54:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
The Reverend Jerry Falwell is a big step closer to taking over the former Ericsson building in Lynchburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Falwell wants to relocate Thomas Road Baptist Church and Lynchburg Christian Academy to the site and use the property to expand Liberty University.
City planners had concerns over traffic and how Falwell was going to use the excess space in the building.
But after going back and forth on the conditions, the planning commission last night approved the rezoning of the property and the site plan for another 85 acres of land on Candlers Mountain.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:24:33//18:23:31]
[IN Q=Citizens are going]
((WAYNE DAHLGREN/PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIRMAN: CITIZENS ARE GOING TO BE EXTREMELY WELL-SERVED BY WHAT WE DID TONIGHT. WE WERE ABLE TO CONTROL WHAT WENT ON THAT PROPERTY, AND WHAT IS GOING TO GO ON THAT PROPERTY I THINK IS GOING TO BE A BIG ADDITION TO THE CITY OF LYNCHBURG.)) ((JERRY FALWELL JR./LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ATTORNEY: EVERYBODY ON BOTH SIDES WERE VERY ABOVE BOARD AND WE SPENT ALMOST THE WHOLE YEAR WORKING ON IT TO MAKE SURE THERE WERE NO MISUNDERSTANDINGS OR MISTAKES AND SO I THINK WE'VE ENDED UP WITH SOMETHING HERE THAT BOTH SIDES CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUT.))
[SUPER=01-Wayne Dahlgren/Planning Commission Chairman; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jerry Falwell, Jr./Liberty University Attorney; :12]
[RUNS=24]
[OUT Q=can feel good about.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The plan must still be approved by Lynchburg City Council.
(------------)

[2AM-Tessa-Update]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-52 12:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Being thankful takes on a whole new meaning for a local girl who wasn't expected to live.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

You may remember 10 year old Tessa Milliner.
She is the Roanoke girl who slide off an embankement along the Roanoke River last May.
Doctors gave her very little chance of surviving but Tessa ended up beating the odds.
She was making remarkable progress but recently suffered a setback.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:56:51]
[IN Q=She's not doing good]
((SHANNON MABRY/TESSA'S MOTHER: SHE IS NOT DOING GOOD IN THE SURGERY AREA. SHE WAS JUST SUPPOSE TO HAVE THE ONE SURGERY AND THAT WAS ON HALLOWEEN AND THEY ENDED UP HAVING TO DO ANOTHER ON THE SEVENTH TO REMOVE WHAT THEY HAD RECONSTRUCTED DUE TO INFECTION.))
[SUPER=01-Shannon Mabry/Tessa's Mother]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=due to infection]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Tessa is now on anti-botics and was released from the hospital just in time for Thanksgiving.
Her long term prognosis however is uncertain.
She will have at least one more surgery and continues to have development problems.
(------------)

[2Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
[ENG#=3]

It's not much of a holiday for thousands of U-S troops, as they spend another Thanksgiving in enemy territory fighting against Iraqi guerillas.
Aleen Sirgany reports from Washington.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Tikrit, Iraq; :00]
[SUPER=01-Byron Foster/U. S. Army Specialist; ;13]
[SUPER=01-Leo Cordington/U. S. Army Captain; :52]
[SUPER=01-Aleen Sirgany/CBS News; 1:10]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=Sirgany, CBS News, Washington.]
((

PKG

(Tikrit, Iraq)
FOR THE MOST PART THANKSGIVING IN IRAQ IS JUST ANOTHER DAY. EARLY THIS MORNING TROOPS IN TIKRIT CONTINUED THEIR REGULAR PATROLS..... SEARCHING CARS FOR WEAPONS AND CONSTANTLY STAYING ON GUARD FROM POSSIBLE ATTACKS.

(SOT-soldier)
"I would much rather be home, but it's not bad". :02
(SOT-Specialist Byron Foster/US Army)
"I feel sorry for my wife and for my three kids not being able to see me for the holidays." :05
SOME OF THESE SOLIDERS WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN HOME NEXT YEAR WHEN THE MARINES ARE SHIPPED IN DURING THE FIRST MONTHS OF 2004. THE PENTAGON NOW SAYS THAT WILL INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 3-THOUSAND MARINES... JOINING THE 14-THOUSAND ALREADY SCHEDULED TO LEAVE.

(nats)
AND HERE'S WHAT THEY CAN LOOK FORWARD TO.... CONTINUOUS RAIDS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE INSURGENTS.... AND THE CONSTANT SEARCH FOR WEAPONS. ON THIS DAY MUCH OF WHAT IS FOUND IS OLD... BUT STILL COULD HAVE BEEN USED TO CONSTRUCT HOMEMADE BOMBS.

(SOT-Captain Leo Cordington/US Army)
"thousands of rounds of artillery and hundreds of anti-tank mines and thousands of rockets." :07
ALSO MAKING THIS OPERATION A SUCCESS.... THE MEN IN SPOTTED CAMOFLAUGE. THEY'RE NEWLY TRAINED IRAQI SOLDIERS.... A SCENE THAT WAS ALMOST UNTHINKABLE NINE MONTHS AGO.
STANDUP: (Aleen Sirgany/CBS NEWS/Washington, DC) BUT THE TRANSFER OF POWER IS BEING COMPLICATED BY A PIVOTAL SHIITE LEADER WHO SAYS WASHINGTON'S PLAN DOES NOT GIVE IRAQIS ENOUGH OF A ROLE. THAT COULD POSE PROBLEMS SINCE SHIITES MAKE UP THE MAJORITY IN IRAQ. ALEEN SIRGANY, CBS NEWS, WASHINGTON.
))

[Economy]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

It's beginning to look a lot like a PROFITABLE Christmas.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

The Federal Reserve says the rebound that began in the summer is picking up steam.
Analysts predict a five- percent increase in sales this season over last year, and that has retailers optimistic about the holidays.
In other areas, residential housing continues to boom and Americans saw their incomes rise last month.
(------------)

[2Oscar-Buzz]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

The holidays mean big movies are on the way. The studios are hoping for a big box office, but they are also looking ahead to next year. The campaign is on to heavily promote their films in hopes that they will bring home Oscar gold. Bill Hemmer takes a look at some of the Oscar hopefuls -- and the cost and maneuvers of Oscar campaigning.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Don't stop, boy]
[SUPER=03-"Seabiscuit"/Universal Pictures; :00]
[SUPER=01-Cindy Grisolia/Entertainment Weekly; :15 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=04-"Lord of the Rings: Return of the King"; :28 Hot Change to]
[super=04-New Line Cinema;]
[SUPER=03-"The Far Side of the World"/20th Century Fox; :38]
[SUPER=03-"The Last Samurai"; :44 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=03-"Lost in Translation"/Focus Features; :50]
[SUPER=03-"Cold Mountain"/Miramax-Dimension Films; 1:09]
[SUPER=03-"Something's Gotta Give"/Columbia Pictures; 1:13]
[SUPER=03-"Sylvia"/Focus Features; 1:17 (VERY QUICK)]
[SUPER=03-"House of Fog and Sand"/Dreamworks Pictures; 1:20]
[SUPER=01-Tom Ortenberg/Lions Gate Entertainment; 1:47]
[SUPER=01-Peter Bart/Variety Editor; 2:16]
[SUPER=01-Bill Hemmer/Reporting;]
[RUNS=2:40]
[OUT Q=Bill Hemmer, CNN, New York.]
(("Don't stop boy- don't ever stop!"
AND THEY'RE OFF. IT MAY ONLY BE NOVEMBER, BUT THE RACE FOR OSCAR GOLD IS ALREADY IN FULL STRIDE. ... MOST HAVE BEEN RELEASED...OTHERS WILL BE BY YEAR'S END.
"It's a very strong year and I think its going to be a very powerful year and promises to be a very sort of tough and exciting Oscar race."
EARLY FAVORITES FOR BEST PICTURE INCLUDE, "SEABISCUIT"... AND SEVERAL FILMS ON AN EPIC SCALE. "THE LAST SAMURAI"... "MASTER AND COMMANDER"... "COLD MOUNTAIN. AND THE FINAL CHAPTER IN THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY, "THE RETURN OF THE KING."
"The board is set- the pieces are moving."
"It's the film to beat on paper."
IN THE ACTING CATEGORIES, THE EARLY FRONTRUNNERS INCLUDE... RUSSELL CROWE FROM "MASTER AND COMMANDER"... "THE LAST SAMURAI" STAR, TOM CRUISE... AND TOMMY LEE JONES FROM "THE MISSING". FUNNY MAN BILL MURRAY MAY GET A NOD FOR HIS DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE IN, "LOST IN TRANSLATION." AND, THERE'S THE "MYSTIC RIVER" GANG.
"There's quite a bit of buzz about Sean Penn's performance in this film as well as Tim Robbins, and I think there's no doubt that they will end up definitely strong Oscar contenders this year."
ON THE ACTRESS SIDE, THERE'S "COLD MOUNTAIN" STAR, NICOLE KIDMAN... DIANE KEATON IS GETTING SOME OSCAR BUZZ FOR HER WORK IN "SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE" ... GWYNETH PALTROW OF "SYLVIA"... AND "HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG" LEADING LADY, JENNIFER CONNELLY.

(nat break)

THE STUDIOS ARE WASTING NO TIME CALLING ATTENTION TO THEIR WARES. IN AN INDUSTRY WHERE MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR AD CAMPAIGNS ARE THE NORM, THIS TIME AROUND THE OSCAR PUSH IS REACHING A FEVERED PITCH, BECAUSE THE AWARDS ARE COMING EARLY.
"Every year it seems like the advertising and marketing spends for the awards season does increase by a little bit, this year I think it seems even more amplified than before because of the shortened awards season given the academy awards moving up by a month."
ANOTHER ELEMENT CERTAIN TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN WHO DOES AND doesn't EARN AN ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATION - SCREENERS.
THE MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA HAS RULED THAT TO HELP CURB FILM PIRACY, ACCESS TO SCREENER COPIES OF MOVIES WOULD BE DRASTICALLY REDUCED. CRITICS FEAR THAT SEVERAL SMALLER, INDEPENDENT FILMS WILL SIMPLY BE LOST IN THE SHUFFLE AMONG THE HIGHER PROFILE PICTURES.
"One issue certainly is piracy, but the other issue is the integrity of the Academy Awards. And (0218) if you bias the results of the, of the awards, uh toward big pictures and against the independent pictures, uh I think you're really significantly harming the awards."
WE'LL KNOW BETTER WHETHER that HAPPENS, WHEN THE OSCAR NOMINATIONS ARE ANNOUNCED ON JANUARY 27. BH, CNN, NY.))

(Kim tosses to Bump)

[BUMP]
[BREAK]

[3-HEADLINES] [Kim at Desk]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Here's what's making news.
(+++++++)
[GFX MAP]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

The Floyd County Commonwealth's Attorney is looking into a fatal accident last night along Route 221 near Floyd.
The driver says she THOUGHT she'd struck a deer, instead authorities say they found a 79- year- old woman, who later died at the hospital.
(----------------)
[ENG#=2]
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

One term is enough for Roanoke Mayor Ralph Smith.
Smith says he will NOT run for re- election next spring, and says he's accomplished many of the goals he'd set for himself..
He adds he's looking for other ways to serve the city.
(----------------)
[ENG#=3]
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

The family of Tessa Milliner is counting its blessings this Thanksgiving.
The 10- year- old girl who slid off an embankment along the Roanoke River last spring is still struggling, but she's done far better than doctors had predicted.
(----------------)

[2-11Giles-Flooding]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-41 TC1:07:47]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]
[ENG#=4]

Last week's flash flood victims in the New River Valley may be getting federal help.
Virginia's Governor is urging the President to declare a federal disaster for seven communities in Southwest Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.]

The request includes Buchanan, Tazewell, Bland, Giles Pulaski and Smyth counties and the city of Galax. The damage is already estimated at 2 and a half million dollars. Many are still cleaning their homes and say this Thanksgiving won't be easy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:10:22:00]
[IN Q=We'll go to his]
((TERRY DICKERSON: WE'LL GO TO HIS, MY HUSBAND'S MOTHER'S FOR THANKSGIVING, BUT IT'S NOTHING LIKE NORMAL YOU KNOW, NOTHING))
[SUPER=01-Terri Dickerson/Flood Victim]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=you know? Nothing.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Federal Emergency Management Officials are not expected to make a recommendation to the President for at least a month. That means flood victims may not see federal money for sometime.
(------------)

[3-11Travel]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-40 TC1:32:41]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Travel]
[ENG#=1]

The pre-Thanksgiving traffic rush didn't produce any major backups around here ... but the worst may be yet to come.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

Interstate 81 was congested yesterday, but state police say the REAL problems will be on Sunday, when everyone drives home at once.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:25:28]
[IN Q=The absolute busiest]
((SGT. TOM FOSTER/VIRGINIA STATE POLICE; THE ABSOLUTE BUSIEST DAY FOR US IS THE SUNDAY FOLLOWING THANKSGIVING. CHRISTMAS TENDS TO BE BUSY BUT A LOT STAY AT HOME DURING THE CHRISTMASTIME. IT'S THANKSGIVING THIS WEEKEND WE'RE GOING INTO RIGHT NOW IS OUR BUSIEST TIME PERIOD OF THE YEAR. ))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Tom Foster/Virginia State Police;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=of the year.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sunday is expected to be the Roanoke Regional Airport's busiest day of the year, too.
About 3-thousand people are expected to fly in and out.
Airport officials say this has been their best holiday weekend since 9-11.
(------------)