[11Radford-Chief]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-55 26:58]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
Details surrounding the apparent firing of Radford's Police Chief could be released today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford]
The Associated Press, citing the Roanoke Times, says city leaders fired chief Wes Terry yesterday.
The move comes after Terry was suspended with pay back in October over charges he abused his power and conducted an illegal search.
City Manager Tony Cox did not return our phones seeking comment.
But according to the A-P, Cox will release a statement later today.
(-------------)
[11Address-Promo]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=State of Commonwealth OTS]
[ENG#=None]
State legislators will get down to business today.
The General Assembly convenes at noon.
Taxes and the state budget are expected to be the dominant issues in the 2004 session.
Governor Warner will present the case for his tax proposals in the annual State of the Commonwealth Address.
(+++++++)
[Take SOC Promo FS 4530essc]
News 7 will bring you the governor's address live from Richmond. Our coverage begins tonight at 7 o-clock.
(------------)
[11L'burg-Schools]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-01 06:44]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]
Layoffs are one option...raising taxes is another.
Faced with a deficit of anywhere from three to five million dollars, Lynchburg educators say nothing is safe from their budget axe.
The school board held a public hearing on the matter last night.
Steve Smallshaw was there.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Lynchburg educators]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-James McCormick/Lynchburg School Superintendent; :16]
[SUPER=01-Bill Godsey/Lynchburg Education Association; :36]
[SUPER=01-Harry Smith/Lynchburg School Board Member; :57]
[SUPER=@ssm2;]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=Steve Smallshaw, News 7 Lynchburg.]
(( Lynchburg educators call it their worst budget crisis in more than a dozen years.
Saddled with millions in new obligations to the state retirement system, the school board is looking at a long list of cost-saving measures.. including the layoffs of dozens of school employees.
[SOT 18:54:05]
((JAMES MCCORMICK/LYNCHBURG SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: THIS IS NOT A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN GO IN AND TAKE A CHUNK OUT OF A COUPLE OF MILLION DOLLARS. THESE REDUCTIONS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO OCCUR EVEN IN THE ABSENCE OF RAISES.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=absence of raises.]
Just a handful of people spoke at this public hearing, most urging the school board to stand strong and hope for the best when they submit their budget to City Hall.
[SOT 19:27:23]
((BILL GODSEY/LYNCHBURG EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: EDUCATORS DO NOT WANT TO BREAK THE BANK, AND YOU KNOW THAT, BUT EDUCATION HAS TO BE A PRIORITY. THEREFORE PRESENT THE BUDGET NEEDED AND START THE HARD WORK OF CONVINCING THE POLITICIANS TO PUT EDUCATION FIRST.))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=to put education first.]
Board members say despite every politician's natural aversion to raising taxes, it may be the only answer.
[SOT 19:38:05]
((HARRY SMITH/LYNCHBURG SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: WE HAVE TO PAY THE BILL. IF WE HAVE THESE NEEDS IN OUR SCHOOLS OR IN OUR CITY GENERALLY, THEN WE THE PUBLIC MUST PAY FOR IT. NOBODY WANTS TO PAY TAXES, OBVIOUSLY, BUT I THINK WE HAVE THAT OBLIGATION AS A MEMBER OF SOCIETY.))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=member of society.]
Steve Smallshaw, News 7 Lynchburg. ))
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=none]
Any budget the school board approves next week will have a deficit between three and five million dollars.
Later in the spring they'll know exactly how much the city can contribute and then the tough cuts will have to be made.
[11Roanoke-Schools]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-04 01:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
The financial picture is much brighter in the city of Roanoke, where school officials are expecting a substantial increase in state and local funding.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape]
Last night, they outlined a preliminary budget that includes an increase of more than six and a half million dollars.
That's enough to pay for rising retirement costs, fund a three- percent raise for teachers and administrators, and institute a seven period day in the high schools.
The proposal won't be assured until the General Assembly approves the state budget, but officials say they have tried to build their spending plan on a worst- case scenario.
(------------)
[Iraq]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
[ENG#=4]
What authorities believe was a suicide car bombing outside a police station in northern Iraq today killed at least two people and wounded 14 others.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baquba, Iraq;]
All of the injured are police officers.
An officer at the scene said he saw a white car racing toward the police station seconds before it exploded.
[SUPER=03-Samarra, Iraq;]
Meanwhile, coalition forces hope they're closing in
on a wanted Iraqi insurgent leader.
They've arrested four nephews of the former Iraqi vice-president.
Two are thought to have been hiding their uncle, who is suspected of organizing attacks on American troops.
(------------)
[Bush-Space]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Bush]
[ENG#=1]
President Bush is heading to NASA headquarters today, to chart a new course in space travel.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
Bush wants to re- launch journeys to the moon, and beyond.
Later today, he'll outline his vision for America's space program.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The spirit is going]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=...seeking new horizons.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The President's plan calls for a permanent lunar base within 20 years, and manned missions to Mars sometime after the year two thousand-30.
Some observers see Bush's new commitment to space as a much- needed morale boost for NASA, as well as a FINANCIAL one.
His proposal includes a one- billion dollar increase in NASA's budget over the next five years.
(------------)
[11Clark-HQ]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-42 TC 1:22:01]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=2]
The Clark for President campaign is now officially in Roanoke.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Supporters for Democratic presidential candidate General Wesley Clark opened their Roanoke headquarters yesteday on Campbell Avenue.
Former State Senator Madison Marye was the guest speaker at the celebration.
Like Clark, Marye also served in the military, but Marye says he supports Clark because he will bring a "genuine prosperity" to this country.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2326]
[IN Q=i think]
((MADISON MARYE:I THINK WE HAVE A FIELD OF OUTSTANDING CANDIDATES, I'VE LISTENED TO THEM, I'VE LOOKED AT THEM, I'VE TRIED TO LEARN AS MUCH AS I COULD ABOUT THEM, BUT I THINK GENERAL CLARK STANDS OUT ABOVE THEM ALL.))
[SUPER=07-Madison Marye;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=above them all]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Roanoke office is one of five the Clark campaign is opening this week in Virginia.
(------------)
[Marketwatch]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=1]
In business news, The S-E-C is taking a closer look at the sale of mutual funds.
And Intel is set to release its earnings report today.
Alexis Christoforous has those stories and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION SAYS IT HAS FOUND WIDESPREAD ABUSES
> IN THE SALE OF MUTUAL FUNDS. THE SEC FOUND 14 BROKERAGES WERE PAID TO PUSH
> CERTAIN MUTUAL FUNDS TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. ACCORDING TO THE SEC, firms took
> cash from mutual fund investment advisers and 10 funds accepted payments
> in the form of brokerage commissions on fund trades.
>
> THE AGENCY DID NOT IDENTIFY THE FUNDS OR COMPANIES.
>
> THE SEC PLANS TO PROPOSE NEW RULES TODAY THAT WOULD REQUIRE BROKERS TO
> TELL THEIR CUSTOMERS AT THE POINT OF SALE ABOUT PAYOUTS THE BROKERS
> RECEIVE FROM MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES.
>
> INTEL WILL BE FRONT AND CENTER ON WALL STREET TODAY. THE CHIPMAKER REPORTS
> EARNINGS AFTER THE CLOSING BELL ANDANALSYTS EXPECT EARNINGS OF 30 CENTS A
> SHARE ON REVENUE OF 8.6 BLN DOLLARS. LATER THIS WEEK, WE'LL GET PROFIT
> REPORT CARDS FROM YAHOO, APPLE COMPUTER AND GENERAL ELECTRIC.
>
> ON WALL STREET... STOCKS LOST GROUND
> DOW FELL BACK 58 POINTS
>
> WHILE THE NASDAQ DIPPED 15.
>
> Avon tops an annual list of the companies that are best about moving
> women up the ladder. Avon's C-E-O is a woman, and the National
> Association for Female Executives points out that the cosmetics company
> also has impressive programs for preparing other women for top positions.
>
>
> Along with Avon, the association's Top 30 Companies for Executive Women
> includes Scholastic, Hewlett-Packard, Kraft Foods,
> I-B-M and Federated Department Stores. But the group says at most
> companies, men are still primarily the ones being groomed for the top
> jobs.
>
>
> FIND OUT MORE AND TRACK YOUR STOCKS AT CBS.MW.COM IN NY I'M ALEXIS
> CHRISTOFOROUS.))
>
(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS]
[WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC]
[COMM]
[Uzbekistan-Crash]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]
A Soviet-built airliner crashed has crashed, killing the United Nations's top official in Uzbekistan.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Tashkent, Uzbekistan;]
Authorities say the Uzbek airliner crashed in thick fog last night after attempting to land twice.
The plane hit a fence and exploded into a ball of flames, killing all 37 people on board, including U-N official Richard Conroy.
The plane was on a domestic flight from the border with Afghanistan.
Officials retrieved the plane's "black box" flight recorder, but they say they do NOT suspect terrorism.
(------------)
[Enron-Fastow]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]
Former Enron finance chief Andrew Fastow is expected to plead guilty today forhis role in the accounting scandal that led to the collapse of the energy company.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Houston, TX;]
A federal judge still has to approve the deal that would put Fastow in prison for 10 years.
Fastow's plea was contingent on a deal for his wife, Lea.
A judge rejected Lea Fastow's deal last week, but sources say it's since been worked out.
Both Andrew and Lea Fastow are expected at separate hearings in a Houston federal court.
(------------)
[11Holcomb]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-50 1:21:23]
[GRAPHIC=Holcomb]
[ENG#=3]
Charges against a Giles County Pastor accused of molesting several children are heading to court.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co./October]
52-year old Roger Holcomb of Pembroke Church of God was indicted yesterday for 7-counts of aggravated sexual battery and 4-counts of indecent liberties with a minor.
Holcomb is accused of molesting five children, ranging in age from seven to 13.
His trial is set for February.
(------------)
[11Safety-Zone]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-46 1:27:41]
[GRAPHIC=Safety Zone]
[ENG#=4]
Slow down, back off and pay attention.
Police say that's all it will take to make Virginia's "first and only" Highway Safety Corrider less dangerous.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :18]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Yesterday, State Police started heavily patrolling Interstate 81 from milemarker 127 to 142.
The stretch between Ironto and Salem is one of the most dangerous in the state.
Troopers say speeding, lane changes and tailgating are the biggest problems.
But they don't ticket everyone who breaks the law.
(///// SOT at :18 /////)
[SOT - 38:59- 39:11 - tape 2]
[IN Q=Sometimes you get a...]
[SUPER=01-Gary Chafin/VA State Police;]
((SENIOR TROOPER GARY CHAFIN/VA STATE POLICE: SOMETIMES YOU GET A TRUCK OR A CAR THAT'S GOT A ROAD RAGE THING GOING ON AND THEY'RE DOING EVERY THING THEY CAN TO GET AWAY FROM 'EM..))
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=can get away from 'em.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :10]
The "safety zone" designation comes with fines that can range from 500 to 25-hundred dollars.
Trooper Chafin was one of five officers patrolling that stretch of road yesterday.
(------------)
[VOB-VMI-Expansion]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-03 TC 2:00]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]
Virginia Military Institute is planning for its future but some fear the past will end up paying the price.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington]
V-M-I unvelied a 100-million dollar expansion plan to city leaders Tuesday afternoon.
The plan calls for new athletic fields, expanding six buildings and constructing four new ones, including a field house, an aquatic center, and a parking garage.
Some preservation groups have concerns the project will mean the demolition of several historical buildings on post.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:04; 9:54]
[IN Q=I hope there is]
[SUPER=01-Pam Simpson/Architectural Historian; :00]
[SUPER=01-Gen. Binford Peay/VMI Superintendent; :08]
((PAM SIMPSON/ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN: I HOPE THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME KINDA PROCESS OF GIVE AND TAKE AND DICUSSION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY SO THEY'LL KNOW WHAT HISTORICAL VALUES ARE FOR US TOO.))
((GEN. BINFORD PEAY/VMI SUPERINTENDENT: THEY WILL BE MODERN BUT THEY WILL RETAIN ALL THE GOTHIC ARCHITECT THAT VMI IS KNOWN FOR AND WILL BLEND IN THE CITY OF LEXINGTON IN A HISTORIC WAY.))
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=IN A HISTORIC WAY]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
V-M-I says the project will take more than twenty years and will be paid for mainly by private donations.
(------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)
[BUMP]
[COMM] [Biz-Brief]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=2]
In business news, Stocks closed lower yesterday.
Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:12]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]
((THE MAJOR AVERAGES CLOSE IN THE RED ON TUESDAY.
THE DOW LOST 58-POINTS...
AND THE NASDAQ WAS DOWN 15.
SALES AT U-S CHAIN STORES ARE OFF TO A GOOD START FOR 2004.
AT LEAST THAT'S THE INDICATION IN REPORTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SHOPPING CENTERS...I-C-S-C...AND REDBOOK.
I-C-S-C SAYS SALES FOR THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 10TH GREW BY FOUR-POINT-NINE PERCENT OVER A YEAR AGO.
THE ORGANIZATION EXPECTS STORE SALES IN JANUARY TO GROW BY THREE-AND-A-HALF PERCENT ON A YEAR-OVER-YEAR BASIS.
C-V-S POSTED A NINE PERCENT JUMP IN ITS SAME STORE SALES FOR DECEMBER.
THE DRUG STORE SAYS TOTAL SALES FOR THE SIX-WEEK PERIOD ENDING JANUARY-THIRD CAME IN AT THREE-POINT-THREE-SIX-BILLION-DOLLARS.
THE DRUG STORE SAYS LAST MONTH'S FLU OUTBREAK CONTRIBUTED TO THE OVERALL SALES NUMBERS.
A NEW YORK TIMES REPORT SAYS TOP WAL-MART EXECUTIVES KNEW THREE YEARS AGO ABOUT POTENTIAL LABOR VIOLATIONS.
THE TIMES POINTS TO AN INTERNAL AUDIT THAT INDICATES 128 STORES FAILED TO LET EMPLOYEES TAKE SCHEDULED BREAKS.
THE AUDIT ALSO CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT CHILD LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS.
A COMPANY SPOKESPERSON CLAIMS THE AUDIT SHOWS ONLY THE FAILURE OF WORKERS TO PROPERLY CLOCK IN AND OUT.
WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF, I'M STAN CASE.))
[TAPE TOSS TO STOCKS]
[STOCKS]
[WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC]
[COMM]
by SS