WDBJ 7 morning news for 12/08/03

[Medicare]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Bush]
[ENG#=1]

Today President Bush signs the landmark Medicare bill into law.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

It represents the most far- reaching changes in Medicare since the program began nearly 40 years ago.
The 400- billion dollar plan will help most seniors pay for prescription drugs.
It'll also allow private insurers to compete with Medicare.
Passage of the bill is considered a major political victory for President Bush, since health care has been a longtime issue for the Democrats.
(------------)

[National-WX]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]
[ENG#=2]

While things are getting back to normal around here, the early blast of winter weather has left 11 people dead across the Northeast.
The latest victim is a New Jersey man who died after shoveling snow.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Boston, MA;]

Meanwhile, parts of New England are waking up to even more snow this morning.
In Massachusetts, it's a day to dig out, where the storm dumped up to three feet in places.
Boston schools are closed today, and area airports say it'll take at least a day to get operations back to normal.
(------------)

[11Giles-Flooding]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC-15:22]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=]
A Giles County family is counting its blessings after last month's flooding. There won't be many presents under the Christmas tree this year, but they have the greatest gift..each other.
Jennifer Wishon has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The remnants of last weeks]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.; :00]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co./November 20, 2003; :08 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Lisa Griggs/Flood Victim; :12]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1; :28]
[SUPER=01-Steve Griggs/Flood Victim; :56 ]
[RUNS=1:52]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7 Giles County]
(( The remnants of last weeks winter storm are melting, but a Giles County family is still feeling the effects of last months rains that caused widespread flooding in the New River Valley.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:53:33]
[IN Q=We both started crying]
((LISA GRIGGS: WE BOTH STARTED CRYING BECAUSE HE TOLD ME THAT IT HAD JUST COMPLETELY WIPED OUT OUR BRIDGE.))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=wiped out our bridge]
Flood waters never touched the Griggs's home which sits atop a hill overlooking Wolf Creek. Instead, the bridge that provides the only access to their home fell victim to the swollen creek.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:22:15]
[IN Q=This is where the]
((JENNIFER WISHON/REPORTING: THIS IS WHERE THE GRIGGS FAMILY BRIDGE USED TO STAND. ON THE NIGHT OF THE FLOOD STEVE GRIGGS SAW THE BRIDGE START TO TREMBLE AND RAN INSIDE TO TELL LISA NOT TO TRY TO CROSS. BY THE TIME HE RETURNED THE 270- FOOT STRUCTURE WAS GONE.))
[RUNS= 16]
[OUT Q=structure was gone]
Steve was trapped in the family's home for four days without water. When he finally got across the creek FEMA put the couple up in a hotel, while their four children stayed with friends, but no additional aid is available.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:55:40]
[IN Q=We had talked to]
((STEVE GRIGGS: WE HAD TALKED TO THEM AND THEY HAD SAID THAT UNLESS THERE'S THREE OR MORE HOMES ACROSS THE CREEK THEN THERE WAS NO HOPE FOR US.))
[RUNS =08]
[OUT Q=no hope for us]
The owner of the adjoining property allowed the Griggs's five days to use THEIR road to get as many of their belongings out as possible. The family was forced to find another place to live and now rents this home off Route 460 with the option to buy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:01:42:]
[IN Q=We need to concentrate]
((LISA GRIGGS: WE NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON MAKING THIS HOME AND WE'LL BE FINE WITH IT AND YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT TIME TO BUILD THE MEMORIES HERE.))
[RUNS =14]
[OUT Q=build the memories]
They're still paying the mortgage on THEIR house, and have been forced to buy furniture to replace what they weren't able to move. Their Christmas fund is shot, but despite everything, the Griggs say they feel blessed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:03:09]
[IN Q=Presents are nice]
((STEVE GRIGGS: PRESENTS ARE NICE, BUT JUST KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE YOUR KIDS AND FAMILY TOGETHER. THAT'S ALL A PERSON NEEDS RIGHT THERE.))
[RUNS =09]
[OUT Q=needs right there]
Jennifer Wishon, News 7, Giles County.))

[11Shawsville-Soldier]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-40 TC-1:45:47]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Homecoming]
[ENG#=4]
A Shawsville soldier is home for the holidays.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Specialist Dan Sweeney arrived home yesterday on a 14- day leave from Iraq. The 24- year- old is an Army Reservist out of Galax. He's been on active duty for the past eleven-months and says he was thrilled to land in Virginia and see snow.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:51:45]
[IN Q=At some points in time]
((DAN SWEENEY/ARMY RESERVES: AT SOME POINTS IN TIME OVER THERE THE TEMPERATURE WAS UP IN THE 140'S WITH LIKE 50 AND 60 PERCENT HUMIDITY. I MEAN IT WAS JUST UNBEARABLE OVER THERE, BUT ACTUALLY I THINK I'M GOING TO GO HOME AND ROLL AROUND IN THE SNOW A LITTLE TO BEGIN WITH. IT'S JUST GREAT TO BE HOME.))
[SUPER=01-Dan Sweeney/Army Reserves;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=great to be home]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Sweeney's four- year- old daughter, Destiny, was one of his many greeters at the airport. In the Army, Sweeney works on a fuel hauling truck, and services tanks. He says his heart goes out to the families who've lost loved ones in the war and hopes they can find comfort in the knowledge that all fallen soldiers were doing the "right thing."
(------------)

[Box-Office]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]
"The Last Samurai" came in first at the box office this weekend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-"The Last Samurai" - Warner Brothers;]
The Tom Cruise war epic took in more than 24 million dollars. One industry expert says ``The Last Samurai's'' performance is impressive, considering the film is rated ``R' and is nearly two-and-a-half hours long.
(------------)
[Anchor=Marya]
[TAKE FS CHYRON]
[SUPER=77-''The Last Samurai''/24.4/''Honey''/14/''The Haunted Mansion''/9.5/''Elf''/8.1/''Cat in the Hat''/7.3;]
"Honey" debuted in second place. "The Haunted Mansion" is was third. "Elf" was fourth. And, last week's number one film, ``Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat'' toppled to fifth place.

[Super=#555;reset]
(------------)

[Biz-Review]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=Biz Review 11/02 1:27:25]
[GRAPHIC=Business Review]
[ENG#=1]

The sale of part of Atlantic Mutual could affect staffing in Roanoke County, and two 19th Century warehouses could soon be home to some 21st century businesses. Donald Graham has more in News 7's Business Review.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :05]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :24]
[SUPER=01-Edward G. Murphy/Carilion President & CEO; :43]
[SUPER=01-Donald Graham/Reporting; :55]
[RUNS=1:04]
[OUT Q=MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
(([MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=03-47 TC40:06]

Atlantic Mutual is selling it's commercial insurance business. It's unclear how that will affect staffing in Roanoke County. The technology and service center on Electric Road employs 600 people-- nearly half of Atlantic Mutuals employees. An official with the company says the office will NOT close. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=03-49 TC00:17:50]
Roanoke City, Carilion and the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Corporation celebrated the grand opening of the new Warehouse Row Business Center on Norfolk Avenue. The center was developed out of two old warehouses, built in the 1890s. Officials say they hope the new renovated look will attract young businesses looking for a place to grow.
(///// SOT /////)
[IN Q=especially if you're]
((EDWARD G. MURPHY/CARILION PRESIDENT AND CEO: ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE TYPE OF BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ATTRACT HERE, COOL IS GOOD. AND SO IF WE'VE ACHIEVED THAT, WE'RE ONE STEP AHEAD ALREADY.))
[SUPER=01-Edward G. Murphy/Carilion President & CEO;]
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=step ahead already.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The center has so far attracted three technology-based companies.
For News 7, I'm Donald Graham and that's Business Review. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
))

[Marketwatch]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=2]

In business news, On-line retailers hope the recent winter weather will increase sales.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
(( > AN EARLY PRE-WINTER SNOWSTORM IN PARTS OF THE EASTCOAST HAS WARMED THE > HEARTS OF ONLINE RETAILERS....THE HOPE IS THAT PEOPLE ANXIOUS TO DO THEIR > HOLIDAY SHOPPING BUT NOT WILLING TO BRAVE THE WEATHER WILL DO THEIR > SHOPPING ONLINE - FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR HOME. > > WE GET AN EARLY INDICATION OF HOW THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON IS SHAPING > UP ON THURSDAY WITH THE NOVEMBER RETAIL SALES REPORT. > > BUT THE MAIN EVENT OF THE WEEK WILL BE TUESDAY'S FEDERAL RESERVE MEETING - > WHERE FED MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS INTEREST RATES. WITH MORE SIGNS OF AN > EXPANDING ECONOMY.. THE FED IS EXPECTED TO LEAVE RATES UNCHANGED. MANY > ECONOMISTS BELIEVE THE FED WILL BE INCLINED TO RAISE INTEREST RATES > SOMETIME NEXT YEAR. > ON WALL STREET... A REPORT SHOWING SURPRISINGLY SOFT U-S JOB GROWTH AND A > DISAPPOINTING OUTLOOK FROM INTEL DENTED HOPES FOR A STRONG ECONOMIC > RECOVERY. > > THE DOW SLID 68 POINTS, FOR THE WEEK IT ROSE NEARLY ONE PERCENT. > > THE NASDAQ FELL 30 POINTS AND LOST MORE THAN 1 PERCENT FOR THE WEEK. > > Anyone trying to buy toys this holiday season has already found sales > aplenty as retailers go penny-to-penny to offer the lowest prices. > In fact, it is a matter of pennies -- even just a penny -- separating > prices at the nation's largest toy retailers. Not surprisingly, Wal-Mart > and Target are the biggest players. The two are taking on Toys "R" Us' > with steep price cuts on toys and video games. CBS MarketWatch priced a > basket of toys at the three retailers to find out which offers the best > prices. > > you can find the results of that poll at our website cbs.mw.com. > > in ny i'm ac)) >

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

[Luna]

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

The F-B-I say it'll leave no stone unturned in the investigation of a murdered federal prosecutor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Authorities are trying to determine why Jonathan Luna recently traveled to the Pennsylvania area where his body was found last week in a creek.
He'd been stabbed 36 times.
A federal law enforcement official says Luna had gone to that area in recent months, but didn't seem to have any work-related business there.
Authorities are also looking into a credit card his wife was not aware of.
(------------)

[Parade-Fall]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=tco]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=none]

A six year old Rocky Mount girl suffered minor injuries after falling off a float in the Retail Merchants Christmas Parade yesterday. Police say Mykala Coles and about six other children were riding on the float when Coles fell off and one of the wheels ran over her legs. Coles was taken to the hospital. She only sustained scrapes and bruises.

[11Cycle-Run]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC-7:01]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

The Marine Corps teamed up with area bikers to make sure some kids are not forgotten this holiday season.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The Roanoke Valley Harley Owners Group helped the Marines load up hundreds of cases of toys for the Annual Toys for Tots drive. The Tetra company donated 315 cases of toys, and a Hog member brought the toys from Blacksburg to Roanoke in the official Harley Davidson truck.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:30:11]
[IN Q=WELL THERE ARE ]
((WELL THERE ARE SO MANY KIDS THAT WILL WAKE UP CHRISTMAS DAY AND WILL NOT HAVE A CHRISTMAS. SO WE JUST MAKE SURE THAT THEY WILL WAKE UP AND HAVE SOME PRESENTS UNDER THAT TREE.))
[SUPER=01-James Whitehead/Roanoke Valley HOGS;]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=UNDER THAT TREE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
After helping load up toys and donating more than 8-hundred dollars to Toys for Tots, the Hogs drove through Roanoke City, the county, through Vinton and on to the Salem Civic Center.
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(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[Biz-Brief]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=2]

In business news, Stocks fell on Friday. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]

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