WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 01/03/04

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]

Coming up on News 7,
Investigators look into the cause of a fire last night at the Roanoke City jail.
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[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]
And it's a new rule that's supposed to help truck drivers, but many say it does more harm than good.
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[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Travis]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=Sports Head]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Tonight in sports, the Express is set to battle former division rival Trenton at the Roundhouse, and
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[ENG#=2]
[VO-NAT]

Pete Gillen's Cavs start their new year by takin on Providence at U-Hall.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Brent]
[SS=None]
Record and near record highs were felt across the region this afternoon. But, all good things must come to an end. Big changes, including a major workweek cooldown are on the way. Details straight ahead. [Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#=Video Open]

[ENG#=3]
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[SOT 03:13:42]
[IN Q=I don't like the new]
((MICHAEL SULLIVAN: I DON'T LIKE THE NEW REGULATIONS. THE OLD ONES WORKED FOR YEARS AND YEARS. WHY DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE SOMETHING THAT'S DOING PERFECTLY FINE.))
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q= doing perfectly fine]
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[VO-NAT :08]
Truck drivers prepare to follow new regulations that will change the way they do business.
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[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Myranda Stephens.

[Trucking-Regulations]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-42 TC-1:05:10]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 6]
[ENG#=4]

The Department of Transportation is making some sweeping changes in the way America's truck drivers operate. The way they did business today will be a thing of the past starting at midnight tonight. But as Jennifer Wishon reports, some drivers say why mess with a good thing?
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Long haul truck]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Brian Chaney/Truck Driver; :06 QUICK!!!]
[SUPER=01-Curtiss Elston/Truck Driver; :30]
[SUPER=01-Tony Pela/Truck Driver; :52]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.; 1:01]
[SUPER=01-Michael Sullivan/Truck Driver; 1:13]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1; 1:17]
[RUNS=2:04]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7]
((((QUICK NATS OF TRUCKS DRIVING BY)) Long haul truck drivers across America are preparing to change their lifestyles.
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[SOT 03:21:02]
[IN Q=It's definitely going to cut]
((BRIAN CHANEY: IT'S DEFINITELY GOING TO CUT INTO OUR SALARIES AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE QUITING.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q=a lot of people quiting]
Chaney's talking about the results of an eight year study conducted by the Department of Transportation. Affective midnight Saturday truckers are limited to 11 hours behind the wheel during a 14 hour work day. A rule many truckers say is problematic. That's because a large part of their 11 hour days will be spent sitting at loading docks.
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[SOT 03:23:22]
[IN Q=It's going to be very]
((CURTISS ELSTON: IT'S GOING TO BE VERY CHALLENGING IT REALLY IS, IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY CHALLENGING AND YOU JUST GOTTA RUN LEGAL. IF YOU GET CAUGHT YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN A WORLD OF TROUBLE.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=world of trouble]
Trouble that could result in a federal fine ranging from 550 to 11- thousand dollars per violation. And along with the work regulations the new rules require drivers to take ten consecutive hours off after each work day.
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[SOT 03:25:59]
[IN Q=IF you sit around ]
((TONY PELA: IF YOU SIT AROUND YOU GET LAZY AND THEN WHEN YOU START DRIVING YOU'LL GO TWO OR THREE HUNDRED MILES AND GET DEAD TIRED BECAUSE YOUR BODY'S NOT USED TO WORKING.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=used to working]
Truckers also worry about finding a place to pull off and rest. Virginia truck stops like this one in Ironto only allow truckers to stop for two hours at a time.
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[SOT 3:13:22]
[IN Q=Basically you're going to]
((MICHAEL SULLIVAN: BASICALLY YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK FOR AN EXIT RAMP OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT IF YOU CAN'T GET INTO A TRUCK STOP OR A REST AREA.))
[RUNS= 04]
[OUT Q=or a rest area]
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[SOT 3:33:25]
[IN Q=The new regulations]
((JENNIFER WISHON/JWISHON@WDBJ7.COM: THE NEW REGULATIONS WERE DESIGNED TO HELP SAVE LIVES AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY DRIVER FATIGUE. HIGHWAY OFFICIALS ESTIMATE MORE THAN A THOUSAND ACCIDENTS WILL BE AVOIDED SAVING 75 LIVES.))
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[OUT Q=saving 75 lives]
However, truckers say it's not fatigue that's the problem - rather overcrowded highways.
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[SOT 03:26:17]
[IN Q=Drivers aren't stupid]
((TONY PELA: DRIVERS AREN'T STUPID I MEAN IF YOU'RE TIRED YOU PULL OVER YOU GO TO SLEEP. NO LOAD IS WORTH KILLING YOURSELF OUT THERE. IF YOU'RE TIRED SHUT IT DOWN AUTOMATICALLY.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=it down automatically]
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[SOT 03:15:06]
[IN Q=90 percent of your]
((MICHAEL SULLIVAN: 90 PERCENT OF YOUR OLD TIMERS OUT HERE, HE KNOWS WHEN HE NEEDS TO GO TO REST AND HE DON'T NEED A LOG BOOK TO TELL HIM WHEN HE NEEDS TO GO TO SLEEP.))
[RUNS= 07]
[OUT Q=to go to sleep]
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[SOT 03:29:31]
[IN Q=They always know where]
((THEY ALWAYS KNOW WHERE WE'RE AT CAUSE IT'S GOT A LITTLE SATELLITE.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q=a little satellite]
Most companies track their loads and drivers using global positioning systems and with the threat of high fines most drivers say they'll learn to adapt. Jennifer Wishon, News 7.))

[Jail-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle/jwi]
[TAPE#=03-48 TC-59:54]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
[ENG#=1]
The Roanoke City Sheriff's Department is still looking into the cause of a fire at the city jail last night.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night;]
Preliminary reports indicate inmates in one of the cells were able to remove the face plate off an old electrical outlet. They then used the wires to heat something and that's when some nearby papers were ignited. One inmate then tried to put the fire out using a bed sheet and then realized additional help was needed. The inmates used an emergency intercom system to notify staff who extinguished the fire. All inmates in the affected pod were moved to another section and examined for smoke inhalation. Officials say smoke is problematic in a jail because they're not able to open the windows. Authorities say disciplinary action will be taken against the inmate who started the fire. He or she may also face criminal charges.
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[County-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-46 TC-1:16:21]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]
[ENG#=2]

One person was killed in a head-on car crash in Roanoke County last night.
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[VO-NAT - :27+]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Night;]
The accident happened shortly before 8 o'clock on Old Mountain Road. 34 year old Roy Lacks, Junior of Botetourt County was killed in the accident. Police say Lacks was wearing his shoulder restraint, but was not wearing his lap belt. A teenager was injured in the accident. His name is not being released because of his age. Police say speed was not a factor in the accident. The medical examiner's office will conduct tests to determine if drugs or alcohol were involved.
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[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]
Still to come on the newscast, a plane bound from London to Virginia finally takes off after days of security concerns.
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[VO-NAT]
and also, deer hunters take aim on the last day of the season.
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[1st-Wx]

[Plane-Threat]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]

The British Airways flight bound for Washington-Dulles finally took off from London's Heathrow airport this evening after heavy security precautions.
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[VO-NAT - :16]
[SUPER=03-London;]
The plane, a 747 aircraft carrying 225 passengers, left more than three hours late. Security inside and outside the terminal was high, with armed officers and bomb- sniffing dogs. Some passengers said they did not mind the delay since it gave them an extra sense of security.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
(("THEY SEARCHED IT, AND SECURITY IS SO TIGHT, IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SAFEST FLIGHT FLYING," "WHEN YOUR NUMBER IS UP IT'S UP. SO. YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH LIFE AND HOPE THAT EVERY ONE IS DOING A GOOD JOB LOOKING AFTER SECURITY." ))
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=looking after security.]
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[VO-NAT - :21+]
A British minister said specific information led to the grounding of several British Airways flights this week and warned more cancellations might be needed to prevent another September 11th-style attack. Europe's biggest airline also scrapped Saturday's flight from London to Saudi Arabia for security reasons, as well as its return on Sunday. A decision was pending on Monday's flight.
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[Hunting-Season]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-43 TC-1:53:08]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

Sundown today officially marked the end of deer hunting season for this year.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./File Tape;]
The special late season muzzleloading and archery seasons wrapped up today. Early indications are that the number of deer killed in the state will be similar to years past. The final totals of the deer kill for this year will not be available from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for several weeks. In some counties, this season saw the longest general firearms season ever at four weeks.
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[Tease#2]
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]
Up next on the newscast, how much longer will the warm weather last? Brent will be along with your full forecast.
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[VO-NAT]
and they're supposed to protect football players, but how much protection do helmets really provide? A study at Virginia Tech looks to find out.
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[1st-Wx]

[Store-Closing]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]

A Giles County store is closing its doors today. The Cato store in the Pearisburg Shopping Center opened for the last time this morning. A store official cited low sales for the closing. She says there's simply not enough customers in the small community to support the store. The Cato Store employs five people.

[Biz-Review]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=Biz Review 1:37:11]
[GRAPHIC=Business Review]
[ENG=1]
It's a new year's tradition -- area car dealers move their inventory to avoid county merchant taxes. Another group of southside workers goes on strike, and a New River Valley business has an eager pool of potential employees. Donald Graham has more in News 7's Business Review.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[SUPER=03-Fieldale/File Tape]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski;]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.; :43]
[SUPER=01-Larry Shelor/Shelor Automotive; 1:00]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co.]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.; 1:23]
[SUPER=01-Eddie Dalton/Local 400 Negotiator;]
[SUPER=01-Donald Graham/Reporting;]
[RUNS=2:06]
[OUT Q=MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
(( [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=03-46 TC1:14:07]
Pillowtex folded last summer, but they still owe money to creditors and lawyers. The law firms and financial advisers that represented the company in bankruptcy court are asking for 4 and a half million dollars for three months of work following the closing of Pillowtex. Bankruptcy laws put lawyers ahead of other creditors. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=503-01 1:45:18]
Global Contract Services is depending on an eager work force in the New River Valley. The company is opening a call center in downtown Pulaski in late January. G-C-S has already hired 40 people and interviewed more than 100. Company officials say they hope to hire 300 people over the next six month [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=03-49 TC46:24]
It's tax time again, and that means several car dealers in the region move their inventory to avoid paying county merchant taxes. Shelor automotive has moved its inventory out of Montgomery County for six years now, and company owners say a recent reduction in the tax this year doesn't change a thing.
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[SOT:23:15:00 ]
[IN Q=If every]
((LARRY SHELOR/SHELOR AUTOMOTIVE: IF EVERY CAR DEALER IN THE COUNTY PAID THEIR FAIR SHARE, WHAT WAS ACTUALLY ON THEIR LOTS AND DIDN'T MOVE ANY CARS. THEY'D WOULD BE PAYING 80-70 PERCENT OF THE TAX LIABILITY AND BASICALLY IT'S A CAR TAX))

[RUNS= :11]
[OUT Q=a car tax.]
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[VO-NAT]
[MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=03-43 TC1:51:36]
It was the same deal in Amherst County, where car dealers paid Jerry Falwell Ministries a fee to store their cars at the old Ericcson property and avoid the merchant's tax. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=03-44 TC1:31:58]
About 70 southside workers rang in the new year on the picket line. Hourly DanChem employees have been on strike since New Year's Eve when talks between the two sides broke down. Employees are hopeful negotiations with the company will resume, but in an economically depressed region, they know their jobs may be up for grabs.
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[SOT 9:04:05]
[IN Q=I'd have to be out]
((EDDIE DALTON: I'D HAVE TO BE OUT IN LEFT FIELD TO THINK THAT IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN. I KNOW IT COULD HAPPEN, BUT IT WOULDN'T BE A SMART MOVE ON THE PART OF THE COMPANY BECAUSE WE HAVE THESE PEOPLE THAT IF THEY WALKED IN THE DOOR TOMORROW WE COULD HAVE PRODUCTION UP TOMORROW.))
[RUNS =13]
[OUT Q=production up tomorrow]
DanChem makes custom chemicals used in food additives and the textile industry.
For News 7, I'm Donald Graham and that's Business Review. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]))

[Football-Study]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-49 TC-56:49]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

A new study at Virginia Tech combines two areas the university knows a lot about -- research and football.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/November 29;]
Some Virginia Tech researchers are now compiling data on blows to football players' heads. They'll use the data to study how much trauma the brain can take. The hits were recorded this season using helmets fitted with sensors. The data shows Tech players regularly endured blows similar to those experienced in car crashes.
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[Sports tease]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=]

Coming up, the Cavaliers try to maintain a perfect non conference record, Bill Bellichik grabs NFL Coach of the Year honors, and
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[VO-NAT]

Houston Nutt explains why he couldn't leave Arkansas for Nebraska.
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[S-Cavs]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-162 TC4540]
[GRAPHIC=UVA Hoops]
[ENG#=1]

Pete Gillen's Virginia Cavaliers bounced back from last week's loss at NC State to beat Iowa State on Wednesday night. Today, the Hoos welcomed Gillen's former team, Providence to U-Hall, where UVA was perfect this season.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/Comcast Sports Net; :00]

So much for that streak though. The Friars Ryan Gomes scored a game high 27 points as PC jumped out front from the outset.
Elton Brown scored 16 for Virginia including these two in transition.
Todd Billet was solid as well, knocking down the long three ball from the top. Roanoke's JR Reynolds scored 10.
But Providence pulled away down the stretch. Donnie McGrath tallied 15 points, most from behind the
[SUPER=33-Providence/84/Virginia/69/;]
arc as the Friars took out Virginia 84 to 69. UVA falls to 9 and 2 on the season with William and Mary coming to town Monday night.
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[S-Heels]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-152 TC15609]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]
[ENG#=2]

North Carolina and Kentucky have ten national titles between them, but they've only met twice in NCAA tournament play. Today the two storied programs hooked up at Rupp Arena.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington, KY/Tarheels vs. Wildcats; :00]

Melvin Scott lit things up for the Heels scoring 16 points for UNC which led by 10 at the half.
But Gerald Fitch threw down with 21. This trey with 23 seconds left clinched the win for the Cats 61-56.
[SUPER=03-Hartford, CT/Blue Devils vs. Huskies; :]

In the women's game, Duke's Jessica Foley took a feed from Alana Beard and nailed this three pointer as time expired against Connecticut. The Lady Devils ended top ranked Uconn's 69 game home winning streak 68 to 67.
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[S-Coach]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-161 TC4739]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]
[ENG#=3]

The NFL playoffs are underway at this hour. Right now, Baltimore leads Tennessee 10-7 in the third quarter of the AFC wildcard game. The Titans Eddie George has left the game with a dislocated shoulder. The Cowboys and Panthers will tangle later tonight in Charlotte.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NFL; :00]

The Patriots have a bye this week, but today Coach Bill Belichik was awarded for his efforts this season, reaping Coach of the Year honors. He led the Pats to an NFL best record of 14 and 2 this season. New England won a franchise record 12 straight games to finish the season and set the franchise record for wins in a season. Belichik's quest to secure a fourth Super Bowl ring will begin next week.
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[S-Nutt]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-157 TC13243]
[GRAPHIC=NCAA Football]
[ENG#=4]

To football where Nebraska has been turned down for the second time in a week. Arkansas Head Coach Houston Nutt rejected the Huskers 2 and a half million dollar offer to lead their team. He'll stay at Arkansas where the Razorbacks won nine games this season.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Houston Nutt/Will Stay at Arkansas; :00]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=I love it."]
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[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-158 TC14630]
[GRAPHIC=Express]
[ENG#=1]

The Roanoke Express returns to the Roundhouse ice in just about an hour coming off last night's 6-4 loss at Augusta. Tonight the Express gets its first look this season at the Trenton Titans.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Tony MacAulay/Express Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dan Carney/Express Winger; :29]
[RUNS=:37]
[OUT Q=next couple of weeks."]
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[S-Rose]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-153 TC14904]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]
[ENG#=2]

The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that Pete Rose has admitted to gambling on baseball in his upcoming autobiography.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MLB; :00]

The paper cites an unidenfified source who was briefed on the book. A spokesman for the publishing house that is putting the book out has refused to comment. The book, which goes on sale next Thursday, states that Rose admitted in a (------------) November 2002 meeting with Bud Selig that he bet on the game.