WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 01/07/04

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

The Washington Redskins are reportedly getting a new head coach this afternoon, and the choice may surprise you.

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[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]

And, the former leader of the National D-Day Memorial foundation faces a new trial and 12 new criminal charges.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Leo]
[SS=None]
The arctic front has arrived with blustery conditions, will it continue. I'll have the details in your forecast.
(------------------)
[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]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Washington Redskins look to one of the biggest names from its past to be its future head coach.
(------------)

[Gibbs]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Gibbs]

[ENG#=3]

Dan Snyder is expected to shock the sports world this afternoon when he names Joe Gibbs the new head coach.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

The Associated Press, CBS and the Washington Post are all reporting today that the Hall of Fame Coach is set to return to the N-F-L.
Gibbs has been in secret negotiations with the club to return to the team he led to three Super Bowls.
He coached the Redskins from 1981 through 1992 before resigning to pursue a career with his own NASCAR team.
Gibbs owns minority shares of the Atlanta Falcons and his racing teams have been among the most successful in NASCAR, with two Winston Cup championships in the last four seasons.
But Gibbs apparently felt the time was right to return to the NFL.
Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is expected to offer Gibbs more than the five million dollars a year he paid Steve Spurrier last season.
The official announcement is expected later today.
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[Burrow]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-53 ]
[GRAPHIC=Burrow]

[ENG#=4]

The man who oversaw the development and dedication of the National D-Day Memorial has been indicted a second time. Richard Burrow faces 12 new criminal charges.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/December 2002]
The 56-year old former Foundation President went to trial more than a year ago. The Jury in Lynchburg couldn't reach a unanimous verdict, leaving the government the option of trying him again.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:33:30]
[IN Q=The government does]
((THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ALLEGE, HAS NEVER ALLEGED, DOES NOT ALLEGE NOW THAT MR. BURROW HAS GAINED IN ANY WRONGFUL WAY, THAT HE TOOK ANY FUNDS THAT HE SOMEHOW BENEFITED WRONGFULLY HIMSELF IN ANY WAY.))
[SUPER=01-John Lichtenstein/Burrow's Attorney]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=in any way.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The 28-page indictment handed up yesterday in Charlottesville is similar to the first one- -only with more detail. It specifies numerous allegations in support of 10 counts of fraud. In addition, Burrow is charged with perjury this time, based on his trial testimony in 2002.
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[Lottery-Dispute]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Mega Millions]

[ENG#=1]

Two women in Ohio are still fighting over a lottery jackpot worth 162- million dollars.
Each claims that she bought the winning ticket.
Now it may be up to a court to decide who the real winner is.
Cynthia Bowers reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Cleveland, OH;]
[SUPER=01-Dennis Kennedy/Ohio Lottery Director;]
[SUPER=01-Rebecca Jemison/Mega Millions Winner;]
[SUPER=01-Elecia Battle/Claims She Bought Winning Ticket;]
[SUPER=01-Sheldon Starke/Elecia Battle's Lawyer;]
[SUPER=01-Cynthia Bowers/CBS News;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Bowers, CBS News, Cleveland.]
((SCRIPT

(NATSOT)
I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT YOU WITH THIS CHECK.

(VO)
It's an increasingly common sight: Lottery winners being presented checks for increasingly outlandish amounts of money.

(SOT: Dennis Kennedy / Ohio Lottery Director)
THE WINNING JACKPOT WAS ACTUALLY 162 MILLION DOLLARS.

(VO)
After taxes, hospital worker Rebecca Jemison will walk away with approximately 94 million.

(SOT: Rebecca Jemison / Mega Millions Winner)
THIS IS TRULY A BLESSING -- TRULY A BLESSING.

(VO)
But not if Elecia Battle has her way -- She claims she's the real winner.

(Sot: Elecia Battle / Claims She Bought Winning Ticket)
I KNOW WHAT I PICKED, I KNOW WHEN I PICKED THEM, AND I KNOW WHY I PICKED THEM.

(VO)
Then sometime before the drawing, she says, she lost her ticket. She even filed a police report, spurring a greedy search for the mega million dollar grail in the convenience store parking lot.

(GFX)
Tuesday, she and her attorney sued to prevent any payout to the winner until the courts can look into the matter.

(Q&A SOT: Sheldon Starke / Elecia Battle's Lawyer)
(Cynthia:) HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE OTHER WOMAN HAVING THE TICKET?
(Starke:) I DON'T EXPLAIN IT. // IT'S SO RIDICULOUS TO BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE THERE'S A SYSTEM, SOMEBODY DIDN'T SCREW UP.

(NATSOT)
applause

(VO)
But Mega Millions officials say Rebecca Jemison has convinced them she is the real deal. And she says she won't waste much time worrying about a legal challenge.

(SOT: Rebecca Jemison / Mega Millions Winner)
THAT I'M NOT CONCERNED WITH. I'LL LET THE AUTHORITIES HANDLE HER.

(STANDUP: Cynthia Bowers / CBS News)
As for Elecia Battle, the odds seem to be stacked against her -- Reports have surfaced about legal problems in her past and police, if they can prove it, may charge her with filing a false report... which means she could well wind up in court, just not the way she'd planned. Cynthia Bowers, CBS News, Cleveland. ))

[Immigration]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
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[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=2]

There are believed to be eight million illegal immigrants in the U-S-- most of them from Mexico.
And if Congress approves a new plan by President Bush, many of them could soon be working here legally.
Elizabeth Sanchez has more from Washington.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
[SUPER=01-Scott McClellan/White House Spokesman;]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Tom Tancredo/(R) Colorado;]
[SUPER=01-Frank Sharry/National Immigration Forum;]
[SUPER=01-Elizabeth Sanchez/CBS News;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Sanchez, CBS News, Washington.]
((

Pkge: Track: Millions of migrants who now work illegally in the United States could soon become legal under a plan proposed by President Bush. The President will ask Congress to change immigration policy and create a new temporary worker program.

SOT: White House Spokesman Scott McClellan.
There is an economic need here in this country and this is about matching willing workers with willing employers, that s what this is about.
Track: Under the plan, foreign workers could apply for " guest worker" status for three years as long as they had a job.
Their employer would have to demonstate that no U.S. citizens wanted that job.
The workers could get Social Security cards and in some states a Drivers license. But critics say the President is rewarding illegal immigrants who broke the law when they entered the country.

(SOT TOM TANCREDO, R-COLORADO )No matter how you want to dress it up, no matter what euphemism you want
to use to describe it.. legalization, regularization.. it's amnesty. you are rewarding people for breaking the law. its a bad idea. (10)
Track: Immigration advocates say Bush s plan will make America a safer place.

SOT: Frank Sharry/NATIONAL IMMIGRATION FORUM
"we know who's here, which will be good for immigrants, good for our nation's security and good for our local communities.
Stand Up: Both Democrats and Republicans see the Latino vote as crucial to the November election and critics say the President proposal is just a push to get that Latino vote. Elizabeth Sanchez, CBS News, Washington.
))
[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]

Coming up next on the newscast, some cable television customers in our region could lose all their local channels.

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[VO-NAT ]

Also Senator Hillary Clinton says she's sorry she told a racially insensitive joke in a speech this week.
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[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #1]

[WTC-Memorial]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=1]

It took eight months and more than five thousand entries--
But a design has been chosen for the World Trade Center memorial.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

"Reflecting Absence" features two reflecting pools that will stand in the place of the twin towers.
A 13- member jury of artists, architects, and civic and cultural leaders selected the plan-- which has also drawn controversy.
Some victims' advocates say the design is minimalist, and needs more to represent the feeling of the victims' families.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I really appreciate]
((PATRICIA REILLY/VICTIMS' ADVOCATE: I APPRECIATE SOME OF THE SENTIMENT OF REFLECTING ABSENCE, BUT I BELIEVE IT'S ABSENT, SO MANY ELEMENTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO FAMILY MEMBERS. ))
[SUPER=01-Patricia Reilly/Victims' Advocate;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=family members.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, the agency overseeing the rebuilding of the site, announced that a new version of "Reflecting Absence" will be unveiled next week.
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[Clinton-Ghandi]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=2]

An apology from Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton after what she calls "a lame attempt at humor."
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-St. Louis, MO;]

She made the joke during a fundraising speech for Senate Candidate Nancy Farmer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=And as I introduce her]
((SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON/D- NEW YORK: AND AS I INTRODUCE HER I WANT TO END WITH HER FAVORITE QUOTE BECAUSE I LOVE THIS QUOTE: IT'S FROM MAHATMA GANDHI. HE RAN A GAS STATION DOWN IN ST. LOUIS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. ))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton/(D) New York;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=for a couple of years.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Many in the crowd of 200 laughed.
Clinton went on to say that Gandhi was a great leader.
The remark was called stereotypical and racially insensitive by the director of an organization devoted to the teachings of Gandhi.
Yesterday, Clinton issued an apology.
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[11Vinton-Mayor]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=03-48 TC1:01:12]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=3]
A Vinton councilman wants to be the town's next mayor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton]
Though the election isn't until May, yesterday Brad Grose told his supporters that he intends to run. Grose has served as Planning Commission Chairman and President of the local Chamber of Commerce. He says he'd like to bring his positive leadership to the town's top-spot.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=13:02:09:17: There's a lot in Vinton...]
((BRAD GROSE/I- CANDIDATE FOR VINTON MAYOR; THERE'S A LOT IN VINTON I WOULD LIKE TO SEE DONE. WE HAVE SOME PRESSING ITEMS COMING UP- WE HAVE TO FINISH OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. WE HAVE TO DISCUSS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW FIRST AID BUILDING AND OF COURSE, THERE'S SOME DISCUSSION OF REMODELING THE WAR MEMORIAL.))
[SUPER=01-Brad Grose/(I) Candidate for Vinton Mayor]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q= .. the war memorial.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Grose is running as an independent and has to get at least 125-signatures to appear on the May 4th ballot. Vinton Mayor Don Davis says he will make a decision about his re-election in the next few weeks.
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[11Danville-Cable]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-55 TC18:05]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=4]

Despite concerns, the city of Danville is sticking with Adelphia Cable.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/May]

City council voted seven to two last night to renew Adelphia's franchise agreement with the city for another ten years.
This comes just months after Adelphia raised rates for the fourth time in three years.
Some council members want the city to look into starting its own cable company in the future.
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[11Bath-Cable]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=03-49 TC1:00:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=1]

Meanwhile, Adelphia Cable in Hot Springs says effective February 1st, it will replace local ABC, CBS and NBC stations with out-of-state network affiliates. And its nearly 500 customers might not receive any Fox or PBS programs at all.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
In a letter, Adelphia tells subscribers "If there are additional changes, including new sources of programming, we will notify you as soon as possible."
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A company official tells us the cost of renewing a lease on property where it receives local signals is responsible for the decision.
He says Adelphia is still looking for ways to keep showing local stations in Bath County.
[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]
Coming up next on the newscast, it could cost local gas customers more money to heat their homes this winter.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
Also NASA scientists say they are getting a clearer picture about what makes up the planet MARS.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]

[Mars-Pictures]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
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[TAPE#=Net]
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[ENG#=1]

NASA officials say the "Spirit" spacecraft may start roaming the surface of Mars as early as Monday.
Scientists can't wait to see what it finds, especially in light of the spectacular pictures it's already sent back to Earth.
Jerry Bowen has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jim Bell/Imaging Scientist; :12 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Steve Squyres/Principle Investigator; :34 QUICK]
[SUPER=04-NASA Animation; 1:20]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Trosper/Mission Manager; 1:27 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Jerry Bowen/Reporting; 1:30]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=Bowen, CBS News, Pasadena.]
((

SCRIPT
SPIRIT'S FIRST COLOR POSTCARD FROM MARS REVEALS VIVID DETAILS OF A SMALL PART OF ITS LANDING SITE...WITH THE BEST FULL PANORAMIC VIEWS STILL TO COME:

(SOT: N O S U P E R OFF-CAM) "THIS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICE BERG IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE."

IMAGES SO STUNNING THE ASSEMBLED SCIENCE REPORTERS DID SOMETHING REPORTERS RARELY DO:

NAT SOT: "APPLAUSE..."

A FIELD OF ROCKS...FEW BOULDERS HERE....WITH SMOOTH SURFACES THAT MAY BE THE RESULT OF SANDBLASTING OVER TIME BY MARTIAN WINDS. PICTURE CLARITY THAT IMPRESSED EVEN THE SCIENTIST IN CHARGE OF THE ROVER CAMERAS:

(SOT: JIM BELL/imaging scientist) (T O P COVERED A BIT) "I THINK MY REACTION HAS BEEN ONE OF SHOCK AND AWE. HAHA."

AND IN ONE CORNER OF THE PICTURE...A TANTALIZING MYSTERY:

(VO: STEVE SQUYRES/PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR) "WE'RE DYING TO GET A CLOSEUP LOOK AT THIS STUFF." :03

IN THE UPPER RIGHT, A DARK WRINKLED, FOLDED MYSTERY SUBSTANCE IS SEEN....APPARENTLY EXPOSED WHEN THE LANDER'S PROTECTIVE AIR BAGS DEFLATED AND WERE RETRACTED ACROSS THE SOIL:

(VO/ SQUYRES -- COVERED) (SOT) THIS STUFF IS VERY COHESIVE. IT BREAKS AWAY IN PIECES. AND ITS NOT LIKE ANYTHING THAT I
HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE. IT'S VERY WEIRD LOOKING STUFF."
THERE'S SPECULATION THAT ANCIENT WATER EVAPORATED IN THE SOIL LEAVING A CEMENT LIKE SALT RESIDUE BEHIND:

(SOT:/) "IT LOOKS LIKE MUD. BUT IT CAN'T BE MUD.//4359//IT SORT OF LOOKS LIKE WHEN YOU SCRUNCH IT, IT FOLDS UP AND THAT
'S NOT LIKE MOST MATERIALS THAT I CAN IMAGINE BEING ON MARS."

(super: NASA ANIMATION)
TODAY SPIRIT WILL GET THE COMMAND TO STAND UP ON ALL SIX WHEELS FOR ITS ROLL-OUT EARLY NEXT WEEK:

(SOT: JENNIFER TROSPER/MISSION MANAGER) ( T O P C O V E R E D ) "WE'LL BE ABLE TO DRIVE A LOT FURTHER THAN WE ANTICIPAT
ED BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE TERRAIN LOOK LIKE."
BUT IT LOOKS LIKE NOTHING BUT SMOOTH DRIVING AHEAD. JERRY BOWEN CBS NEWS, PASADENA ))

[VOB-Roanoke-Gas]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC 31:25]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[ENG#=2]

This week's cold weather is making it more expensive to stay warm this winter.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Roanoke Gas says customers are paying 25-percent more than they did last year at this time.
For the average customer, that is an increase of 35 to 40 dollars a month.
Roanoke Gas says there are several reasons for it including the fact demand is up.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:47:16]
[IN Q=I think until exploration]
((JOHN WILLIAMSON/ROANOKE GAS: I THINK UNTIL WE SEE INCREASED EXPLORATION AND INCREASED SUPPLY COME ON THAT WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE GAS PRICES STAY AT THIS ABOUT LEVEL TO STAY AT THIS LEVEL, PROBABLY FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.))
[SUPER=01-John Williamson/Roanoke Gas Company]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=couple of years]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Last winter, more than 12-hundred Roanoke Gas customers had trouble paying their bills.
The company has a flat rate program where customers can pay a certain rate each month for twelve months.
That eliminates large bills during the winter.
(------------)

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was DOWN 33 points. The NASDAQ has gained 5.

[super=460-y/33/x/5;]

[Tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]
Coming up today in Sports, the action heats up on the high school courts as teams go to work in district games.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

And after that, actor Tom Cruise proves he is a man of his word to his British fans.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]

[S-Fleming]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-158 14844TC]
[GRAPHIC=high school]

[ENG#=1]

The Fleming Colonels welcomed the red hot Pulaski County Cougars to town last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Cougars vs. Colonels;]
The Cougars would make themselves at home as Brandon Anderson gets two points for Pulaski and an early lead.
But Fleming answers back, as Darryl Gresham goes in for two of his own.
However, Pulaski would maintain the lead most of the way as Ernie Hodge manages to score, despite having a defender right in his face.
[super=33-Pulaski Co./46/William Fleming/45;]
The Cougars beat Fleming 46 to 45.
(------------)

[S-PH]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-159 15257TC]
[GRAPHIC=HIGH SCHOOL]

[ENG#=2]

The other Star City high school played host to Franklin County in a Western Valley district contest.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Eagles vs. Colonels;]
The Eagles - fresh off their championship in the Viking Invitational-- looked to take care of the Patriots. P-H would get two points from Seth Chapman in the first quarter.
But again - a slow start would doom thePatriots. The Eagles go on the offensive as Mario Mattox finds Eric Hughes.
He lines up at the three- point- line, and makes it.
[super=33-Franklin Co./62/Patrick Henry/49;]
Then Patrick Paxton will pass to Stephen Hopkins, who gets two points. Franklin County goes on to win it 62-to-49.
(------------)

[S-Anderson]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-157 13329tc]
[GRAPHIC=TECH HOOPS]

[ENG#=3]

The Virginia Tech women's basketball team, which is 15th in the new coaches' poll, faced a tough road test at Rutgers.
[GRAPHIC=ANDERSON]
The Hokies could use another solid contribution from freshman Britney Anderson against the Scarlet Knights. She had a season high 8 points and 4 rebounds against Providence. They're modest numbers, but for a freshman trying to fit in - they are huge.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITES]
[SUPER=01-Britney Anderson/Averaging 2 Points & 2 Rebounds a Game; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bonnie Henrickson/147 and 54 Career Record; :26]
[RUNS=:44]
[OUT Q=...GET BETTER TOO."]
(------------)
[VO NAT CON'T]
[SUPER=03-Salem/2002 State Title Game;]
Anderson led Blacksburg to the state title her senior year, but she grew up in Richmond and attended Meadowbrook high school until she was a junior.
(----------)

[S-Duke]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-150 20114TC]
[GRAPHIC=acc]

[ENG#=4]

Duke travels to UVa for a big ACC game on Sunday, but first, the team made a stop at Fairfield.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Durham, NC/Raycom;]
The Blue Devils were impressive for the night, but it was just a matter of time before this one was out of control. Leou Deng didn't start the game, but he was in double figures by halftime and ended up scoring 17 for the game. Shavlik Randolph also played well for the Blue Devils.
He ended up with 18 points. And J.J. Redick scored 10.
He tied the ACC record for
[super=33-Fairfield/58/Duke/99;]
consecutive free throws made, with 48 in a row. Duke wins it 99 to 58.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]
Duke has the 2nd longest home- winning streak in the nation at 34 games.

[Cruise-Samurai]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

And finally this afternoon--
Actor Tom Cruise has proven that the pen is mightier than the sword.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-London, England;]

Cruise made a promise and he delivered-- signing an autograph for every fan who wanted one at the London premiere of his new film, "The Last Samurai."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For me, it's not an effort]
((TOM CRUISE/ACTOR: FOR ME IT'S NOT AN EFFORT, PEOPLE COME OUT TO SAY HELLO TO ME AND NOT ONLY IS IT BAD MANNERS NOT TO SAY HELLO - BUT IT'S SOMETHING I ENJOY.))
[SUPER=01-Tom Cruise/Actor;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=something I enjoy.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Cruise-- with girlfriend Penelope Cruz nearby-- signed autographs for two and a half hours last night.
And while the gesture may win him a popular vote-- there's also talk that his role in "The Last Samurai" could garner him an Academy Award nomination.
(------------)

[Quickcast]
[WXPRO/FULL] Quickcast
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