[News-Heads]
(---------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]
Mexico joins the list of countries that have banned the import of American beef, despite reassurances the U-S food supply is safe.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
And an accidental shooting in Rockbridge County claims the life of a 15- year- old.
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Brent]
[SS=None]
Twas the day before Christmas, most of the rain has moved out. Cold air is coming in while the shoppers are about. Everyone is merry, the forecast is looking bright. How cold will it be when Santa comes tonight?
Your full forecast is just ahead.
(------------------)
[ANCHOR=KIM 2-Shot]
Join us for News 7 at noon, straight ahead.
[Video-Open]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I would]
((I WOULD, WITHOUT HESITATION, SAY THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE AFRAID TO EAT BEEF.))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=to eat beef.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Secretary of Agriculture reacts after Mad Cow Disease is detected for the first time in the U-S.
(------------)
[Mad-Cow]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 @ Noon]
[ENG#=3]
Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
You can still eat beef for your holiday dinner-- that word from agriculture officials trying to reassure Americans and the rest of the world that the U-S food supply is safe.
But the threat of Mad Cow Disease has already caused several countries, including Mexico, to stop importing American beef.
Scott Rapoport has more from Washington.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Ann Veneman/Secretary of Agriculture; :08]
[SUPER=01-Mark Thomas/National Cattlemen's Beef Association; :48]
[SUPER=01-Francis Gregerson/Farmer; 1:15]
[SUPER=01-Scott Rapoport/CBS News; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=Rapoport, CBS News, Washington.]
((IT'S THE BIGGEST BEEF FACING THE U.S. CATTLE INDUSTRY TO DATE. FOR THE FIRST TIME...A CASE OF MAD COW DISEASE...DISCOVERED IN THE UNITED STATES.
(SOT-Ann Veneman/Secretary of Agriculture)"we're doing everything we can now to find out where that product went and re
call it from the food supply."
THE CASE CENTERS AROUND ONE COW FROM THIS WASHINGTON STATE FARM. BUT THE FALL-OUT HAS BEEN ENORMOUS.
THE COMPANY THAT SHIPPED MEAT FROM WHERE THE SICK COW WAS SLAUGHTERED AND PROCESSED HAS VOLUNTARILY RECALLED MORE THAN 10-THOUSAND POUNDS OF RAW BEEF.
AND NEARLY A DOZEN NATIONS HAVE NOW HALTED U-S BEEF IMPORTS.
MAD COW DISEASE SIMPLY PUT, EATS HOLES IN THE BRAINS OF CATTLE...AND A FORM OF IT CAN BE PASSED ON TO HUMANS. BUT EXPERTS SAY, ONLY IF INFECTED BRAIN AND SPINAL MATERIAL FROM THE ANIMAL ARE EATEN.... AND
THAT DOESN'T APPEAR POSSIBLE IN THIS CASE.
SOT: Mark Thomas / National Cattlemen's Beef Association The spinal material didn't enter the food system. The infectio
us agent has never been found in muscle food.
(SOT- Ann Veneman/Secretary of Agriculture) "the risk is extremely low of human health and I would without hesitation s
ay no one should be afraid to eat beef."
AGRICULTURE EXPERTS SAY DESPITE CONCERNS, THE BEEF INDUSTRY SHOULDN'T SUFFER, AS LONG AS THERE AREN'T MORE CASES. BUT NOT EVERYONE IS CONVINCED.
SOT: Francis Gregerson/Farmer Everybody's hurting in agriculture and dairy industry and this sure won't help.
STAND-UP: HERE IN THE CAPITOL, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE EXPECTED TO HOLD HEARINGS ON THE ISSUE WHEN THEY RETURN TO THE CAPITAL IN JANUARY. SCOTT RAPOPORT...CBS NEWS...WASHINGTON.))
[Rockbridge-Shooting]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]
A Rockbridge County teenager is dead following an apparent accidental shooting.
The shooting happened around 6-thirty last night on Catawba Street in Glasgow, and killed a 15 year old.
Charges are pending against the victim's 16 year old brother.
So far neither teens' identity has been released by authorities.
[County-Chase]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Roanoke County Police are searching for a man who escaped on foot after a car chase.
Shortly before 5 this morning, police answered a call of a woman screaming for help on Lonsdale Road.
There a woman claimed she had been abducted.
A few minutes later on Brambleton Avenue, officers tried to pull over a car, but the driver sped off.
Police say that chase was ended for safety reasons.
The chase then resumed on Bent Mountain Road and the suspect eventually crashed on Crystal Creek Road.
He then jumped out of the car and ran. Search crews were brought out, but he has not been found.
The ground search has been suspended, but police are still looking for the man and are investigating the initial abduction claim.
[Iraq]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Casualties]
[ENG#=4]
The U-S military says a roadside bombing north of Baghdad has killed three American soldiers.
The bombing occurred in an area where Iraqi insurgents have launched numerous attacks against U-S troops.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Arbil, Iraq;]
And in northern Iraq, a suicide car bombing today has claimed the lives of at least four people, and injured 20 others.
Iraqi officials say the explosion took place near a government building.
The car detonated just outside the gates of the Interior Ministry in the Kurdish city, killing the bomber, two policemen, and a passer-by.
(------------)
[Radford-Nurses]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-49 TC38:33]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
[ENG#=1]
Several Radford University Alumni are playing important roles in Iraq... by helping the injured.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford]
At least a dozen former ROTC and Nursing students are now comforting and treating injured soldiers.
Several are in Iraq and many more are on the way.
Radford's Nursing school is in contact with 8-alumni through e-mail.
The director of the program says every nurse in America is playing an important role right now because of the war.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:7:07:00 ]
[IN Q=We have to]
((MARCELLA GRIGGS: WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT A LOT OF NURSING STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT IN THE MILITARY ARE FILLING IN AT HOSPITALS THAT HAVE HAD TO DRAW ON THE MILITARY NURSES AND SEND THEM OVER SEAS.))
[SUPER=01-Marcella Griggs/School of Nursing Director]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=over seas.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
We contacted one of the nurses treating soldiers in Germany.
Radford Alumnus Parker Hahn is now on his way to Iraq. We'll bring you his story tonight at 6:00.
(------------)
[Letterman-Iraq]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
They say laughter is the best medicine--
If that's the case, then those nurses in Iraq are getting a lot of help from David Letterman.
The comedian and his sidekick Paul Shaeffer made a surprise visit to troops in Baghdad today.
Lisa Barron reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Letterman; :10]
[SUPER=01-Lisa Barron/CBS News; :21]
[SUPER=01-Jesse Hazelet/U. S. Soldier; :42]
[SUPER=01-Juan Zapata/U. S. Soldier; :47]
[RUNS=1:05]
[OUT Q=Barron, CBS News, Baghdad.]
((THE LATE NIGHT FUNNY MAN ARRIVED TO A ROARING WELCOME....BUT SAID THE SOLDIERS WERE THE REAL HEROES.
(SOT: David Letterman)
They're making the world a better place, and I just wanted to be here. and I'm so proud of these people.
(signing, posing for pix)
AT EVERY STOP, HE SPENT TIME TALKING TO THE TROOPS, SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS, AND POSING FOR PICTURES.
(standup LISA BARRON, BAGHDAD)
AND OF COURSE A VISIT BY LETTERMAN WOULD HAVE TO INCLUDE A TOP TEN LIST...THIS TIME DIRECTLY FROM THE SOLDIERS....TOP TEN REASONS YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN A COMBAT ZONE OVER CHRISTMAS.
(sot: Letterman)
anything under the tree is considered an explosive device
natsot laughter
THE TROOPS FOUND OUT ABOUT LETTERMAN'S VISIT JUST LAST NIGHT....AND MANY SAY THEY WERE STUNNED.
(SOT: JESSE HAZELET)
Ive been watching him since I wasn't allowed to watch him...this is really cool.
(SOT: Juan Zapata)
He's here away from his family, like we all are, that takes a lot.
i want a slot on the show.
LETTERMAN DIDN'T DO ANY HIRING IN BAGHDAD ...BUT MANAGED TO SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER TO AS MANY AS SEVEN THOUSAND SOLDIERS.
LB CBS NEWS BAGHDAD))
[Tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]
Still ahead on News 7, more signs that rural areas may be the next terrorist target.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]
Plus trouble at Windsor Castle when one royal dog goes after another.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #1]
[11Salvation-Army]
(MINI OPEN)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-50 TC1:07:06]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]
A familiar sound and sight of the season may not be having its usual effect.
The Salvation Army says its kettles are far from full.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The worst appears to be in the Roanoke Valley.
The Salvation Army's kettle campaign raised 150-thousand dollars last year and this year the organization set a goal of 160-thousand dollars.
But officials now say they will be lucky to reach 100-thousand.
The Salvation Army says the economy, a lack of volunteers, fewer locations, and new rules at area malls have all led to a kettle campaign that is less than perfect.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:06:06]
[IN Q=If the people from the]
((BRYAN DENT/SALVATION ARMY: IF THE PEOPLE FROM THE VALLEY WILL SEE THE NEED AND COME THROUGH FOR US THEN WE GOT A CHANCE OF PULLING IT OFF. HERE IN THE VALLEY WE HAVE OVER 100-THOUSAND PEOPLE A DOLLAR OR 50 CENTS FROM EACH ONE OF THEM WOULD HELP, JUST DROP A QUARTER IN THE KETTLE AS YOU GO BY, THAT WOULD HELP.))
[SUPER=01-Bryan Dent/Roanoke Valley Salvation Army]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=THAT WOULD HELP]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
They also need help in other locations.
The Salvation Army in Henry County says donations are down at least 20-percent despite the fact the need is up due to the recent closing of Pillowtex.
In Lynchburg, the kettle campaign is expected to bring in about 115-thousand dollars, the same amount as last year.
In the New River Valley, the Salvation Army had hope to raise 32-thousand dollars but says it will be lucky to reach the 28-thousand it raised last year.
(------------)
[Bedford-Elections]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2003]
Two judges have refused to temporarily block Bedford County's board of supervisors and school board from meeting next month because of disputed election results.
But the Judges urged the two boards yesterday to voluntarily postpone their January meetings until after a three-judge panel determines the election results.
Supervisor Tony Ware lost by twelve votes and school board candidate Carolyn Dixon lost by eight votes.. but it was discovered that 41 people voted in the wrong precinct.
[11Warner-terrorism]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-47 TC1:06:01]
[GRAPHIC=Terror Alert High]
[ENG#=2]
It's not just big cities that are on edge now that the terror alert level has been raised to high.
The government says al-Qaida could be targetting facilities in more rural areas... even Alaska.
Federal officials have warned there are reports that operatives may target oil facilities there.
A rural county in Virginia is also on alert.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Rappahannock County and its seven-thousand residents could be a terrorist target.
About the same time the administration raised the alert level this past weekend, the F-B-I sent a warning to County Administrator John McCarthy.
[SUPER=@file;]
According to McCarthy, officials intercepted a phone conversation in which the word Rappahannock popped up.
In response to the increased threat level, Governor Warner put additional state troopers on patrol.
He also says the state is in constant contact with the Department of Homeland Security.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:56:05]
[IN Q=WE'VE GOT MORE PEOPLE PATROLLING]
((GOVERNOR MARK WARNER: WE'VE GOT MORE PEOPLE PATROLLING AIRPORTS, BRIDGES, TUNNELS AS WELL AS THE APPEAL I'M MAKING TO VIRGINIANS, BE ALERT, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING UNUSUAL, REPORT IT.))
[SUPER=@MarkWarner]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=SOMETHING UNUSUAL, REPORT IT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Despite the threat, Warner says Virginians should go about their daily lives and enjoy the holidays.
(------------)
[Flu-Peak]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Flu Season]
Health officials are cautiously optimistic that Virginia's flu epidemic may have peaked.
A Virginia Department of Health spokeswoman said that the reporting period is the first in which there was no increase in flu activity.
She also says the state is in line with where it would expect to be in this point in the flu season.
Meanwhile, many Catholic church officials are asking people with cold or flu symptoms to pass up some long-standing traditions of Christmas Mass -- including communion and shaking hands as a symbol of peace.
[Queen-Dog]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
Britain's Queen Elizabeth is mourning the death of her beloved dog.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-London, England;]
A published report says one of her pet corgi's is dead.
It was attacked by her daughter Princess Anne's bull terrier at a family gathering on Monday.
The corgi, named Pharos, suffered severe leg injuries and had to be put down by the royal vets.
This wasn't the first time Princess Anne's dog, Dottie has shown violent behavior.
Anne was fined the equivalent of nearly 900- dollars last year, after Dottie bit two children at a park near London.
(------------)
[Tease2]
[SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]
Still ahead Brent has your Christmas forecast.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And Santa may be busy loading his sleigh... but he still has time to take a dive before he dives down your chimney.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]
[11Gift-Cards]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-51 TC34:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
A unpopular stipulation on gift cards has some retailers rethinking the fine print.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Monday night, we told you how some companies charge a non-use fee on their gift cards.
They deduct a set amount each month from the remaining balance of the card if you fail to use it within a certain time limit.
Although the policy's still posted on gift cards and its website, Barnes and Noble says it's no longer in effect.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]
A company spokesperson says because of complaints, Barnes and Noble is reimbursing those customers who had money deducted from their cards.
[Underwater-Santa]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
Santa's probably more used to the frozen conditions at the North Pole--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Key Largo, FL;]
But that didn't stop him from taking the plunge off Key Largo on Tuesday.
Old Saint Nick donned some scuba gear and dove in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Guests were surprised to see Santa Claus underwater.
But one diver, a 12-year-old girl, didn't waste any time making her Christmas list.
The dive took place at a popular Key Largo spot at the nine-foot-bronze sculpture named, Christ of the Deep.
The sculpture is said to be a symbol of peace.
(------------)
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The U-S case of Mad Cow disease and a drop in durable goods orders are sending stocks lower.
On Wall Street at Noon,
[super=460-y/25/y/2;]
, the Dow was down 25 points. Nasdaq was off two points.
[Tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]
Up next in sports, Virginia Tech's season may be coming to a close this year, but NEXT year's season opener is already OFFICIAL.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And Steve Mason takes a closer look at a trading game with bowl tickets in the UVA lockeroom.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]
[S-Tech]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-160 15439tc]
[GRAPHIC=TECH]
[ENG#=1]
The Virginia Tech Hokies hosted William & Mary last night - a team that had knocked Tech off in each of the last two meetings between the two schools.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Tribe vs. Hokies; :00]
Tony Shaver, the first year Tribe head coach, was in the Cassell for the first time in his career.
It would be a house of horrors, as the Hokies' Bryant Matthews put on a show again.
Matthews made 32 points and had 11 rebounds.
Tech led 46-to-21 at halftime.
Freshman Adam Trumbower had 7 points and 2 assists for William and Mary, but Tech had everything else.
Marcus Sailes will knock in a three pointer for Tech.
Jamon Gordon would tie the single- game steals record with 8
[SUPER=33-William & Mary/54/Virginia Tech/80;]
steals.
Tech rolls over William and Mary 80-to-54.
(------------)
[S-VMI]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-161 3924TC]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]
[ENG#=2]
VMI was out of its league last night as it took on the Cardinals.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Louisville, KY/Fox; :00]
The Keydets were at Freedom Hall in Louisville taking on the 20th ranked Cardinals.
Louisville's Taquan Dean and Francisco Garcia dominated the game from start to finish.
The Cardinals jumped out to a 58 to 24 halftime lead.
VMI's Matt Murrer got 11 points, but
[super=33-VMI/56/Louisville #20/107;]
Louisville was just in another world, beating VMI 107 to 56.
Keydets are now 2-and-7.
(------------)
[S-BCA]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-151]
[GRAPHIC=TECH]
[ENG#=3]
The Tech football team is getting ready for its Insight Bowl date with Cal -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Landover, MD; :00]
But last night, the team's season opener next year was made OFFICIAL.
The Hokies will open the 2004 season on Saturday night August 28th against Southern Cal at Redskins' Fed Ex Field in Landover, Maryland.
The game will kickoff at 7:45 that night and ESPN will televise it.
The Tech-USC game will be the 8th BCA football classic.
(------------)
[S-Tickets]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-158 1:31:28]
[GRAPHIC=Tire Bowl]
[ENG#=4]
The Tire Bowl has sold about 50 thousand tickets for this coming Saturday's game.
They're now available only through Ticket Master.
But if you're a UVa player - you're at the mercy of a different master.
Steve Mason explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :00]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :16]
[SUPER=01-Ottowa Anderson/UVa Receiver; :34]
[SUPER=01-Chris Canty/Parents Paid $1,000 for Tickets; :53]
[SUPER=01-Alvin Pearman/Has 20 Tickets and Getting More; 1:20]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC; 1:34]
[SUPER=01-Andrew Hoffman/Being a Scrooge with His Tickets; 1:40]
[RUNS=1:58]
[OUT Q=....News 7 sports"]
(-----------------)
((STEVE MASON:ACCORDING TO UVA EACH VIRGINIA PLAYER IS GIVEN SIX TICKETS FOR EACH GAME INCLUDING THE TIRE BOWL. BUT THOSE NEARLY 700 STUBS ALLOTTED TO THE FOOTBALL TEAM ARE THE CENTER OF A SERIOUS SUPPLY AND DEMAND, BARTER AND TRADE GAME WITHIN THE UVA LOCKER ROOM.))
((one would think that the highly valuable footballs signed by the UVa football team would go like hot cakes. But they are safe. However, the UVa ticket office where ticket books are packaged and stored should be behind an iron vault considering how much they are valued by the players.
((:))
And we think players pay a hefty price on the field during a bruising season. Just ask Charlotte native and UVa defensive end Chris Canty the hit his parents wallet took for the Tire Bowl.
((:))
And when it comes to tickets, especially in your hometown, its every Charlotte man for himself according to Charlotte Country Day graduate and UVa tailback Alvin Pearman who has kept his Tire Bowl ticket collection a secret from Canty.
((:))
Both Pearman and Canty have had to work hard for their tickets and receiving little sympathy from teammates.
((:))
For Al Groh, a win is just the ticket for the coach shooting for his second straight Tire Bowl win. Steve Mason News 7 sports.))
[TOSS TO BREAK]