WDBJ 7 morning news for 01/22/04

[Knox]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-55 TC33:34]
[GRAPHIC=Cecil Knox]
[ENG#=1]
Dr. Cecil Knox and his office manager face another trial. They have been re-indicted for the fourth time. You may remember a trial last Fall ended in acquittals on some counts, a hung jury on the rest. Keith Humphry takes a look at the new indictment.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=When Dr. Knox]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/October 31; :00]
[SUPER=10-Rusty Fitzgerald/Prosecutor/October 31; :20]
[SUPER=10-Tony Anderson/Dr. Knox's Attorney/October 31; 1:02]
[SUPER=@keith1;1:09]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=KH News 7.]

(( When Dr. Knox emerged from court Halloween night, he knew it wasn't over, despite a verdict of NOT guilty on 45 counts. Neither he nor his attorneys expected he'd face a whole new indictment, though. The prosecutor said at the time that the next trial would focus solely on the charges the last jury failed to resolve. [1:42:40] ((BUT ULTIMATELY THOSE HAVE TO BE TRIED, THOSE HAVE TO BE RESOLVED SOMEHOW. So you're saying they will be re-indicted? NOT RE-INDICTED. THE PRESENT INDICTMENT WILL GO BACK TO TRIAL, DIFFERENT JURY. THE REMAINING CHARGES HAVE TO BE TRIED.)) [RUNS:10] Apparently the government strategy changed in the intervening two and a half months. The new indictment does not name the Dr.'s medical practice, just Knox himself, Office Manager Bev Boone and Licensed Professional Counselor Bill James. It cites three patients whose use of OxyContin, Methadone or Morphine caused serious injury or death. Dr. Knox is also charged with perjury for his trial testimony, when he said patient Chris Ann Brown told him she would abort her baby, if she couldn't get pain relief. [1:53:30] ((WE WILL BE PREPARED TO DEFEND ANY ALLEGATIONS THEY BRING AGAINST DR. KNOX AGAIN.)) [RUNS:06] This new indictment comes on the very day that a status conference in the case had been set and then postponed until next week. The Judge was still considering a motion for acquittal on the old charges. If Judge Sam Wilson had dismissed any of them, the government wouldn't have been allowed to bring them up again. A new trial is set to begin April 13th. Keith Humphry NEWS 7.))

[VOBSalem-College]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-03 07:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Efforts to improve relations between town and gown in Salem appear to be paying off.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

If you drive along Craig Avenue near Roanoke College you will find clean streets and plenty of peace and quiet.
That wasn't the case this time last year.
Many nearby residents were fed up with all the noise and trash, off campus students left behind.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:26]
[IN Q=Things on this street]
((FRED LEE/CRAIG AVENUE RESIDENT: THINGS ON THIS STREET WERE ALMOST DOWN TO A SLUM AREA FROM THE COLLEGE KIDS.))
[SUPER=01-Fred Lee/Craig Avenue Resident;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=THE COLLEGE KIDS]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

In response, the city of Salem formed a task force made up of administrators, police, students, and nearby residents.
Roanoke College did its part by implementing several changes including penalizing students who live off campus and are repeat offenders.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:42]
[IN Q=Previous year we had]
((THOMAS TURNER/ROANOKE COLLEGE'S DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY: PREVIOUS YEAR WE HAD NINE STUDENTS THAT HAD RECEIVED MORE THAN ONE SUMMONS OFF CAMPUS FOR A NUISANCE VIOLATION AND THIS PAST FALL, FALL OF 2003 WE HAD ONLY THREE STUDENTS.))
[SUPER=01-Thomas Turner/Roanoke College Director of Public Safety;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=only three students]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Salem Police Department also reports calls to Craig Avenue are down nearly fifty percent over last year.
(------------)

[Bank-Robbery]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-50 TC1:26:35]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

Roanoke police are on the lookout for a bank robber.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Police say he walked into the Wachovia branch on Grandin Road about 4 p.m. yesterday, demanded money and took off with an undisclosed amount.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

No one was injured and no one saw a weapon.
Anyone with information is asked to call Roanoke Police.
(------------)

[Roe-Wade]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

Today marks the 31st anniversary of the Roe versus Wade decision that legalized abortion.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

President Bush is expected to make a phone call, expressing his support, to anti- abortion activists who will be marching to the U-S Supreme Court.
The National Organization of Women also plans to be outside the court later in the day, holding a candlelight vigil in support of the landmark decision.
(------------)

[Bush-Tour]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=George W. Bush]
[ENG#=1]

It's a busy day for President Bush, as he prepares for the last stop in a three city tour-- taking his State of the Union message to the voters.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Nachos and chips with a group of baseball executives capped off the first day of the President's road trip.
The Mexican dinner came after visits to community colleges in Phoenix and Toledo, where Bush promoted his economic message.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There will be]
((THERE WILL BE HONEST DISAGREEMENT ABOUT WHAT I'M ABOUT TO TELL YOU, BUT I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE TAX RELIEF WE PASSED IS HELPING THIS ECONOMY GROW))
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=this economy grow.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Toledo, OH;]

The disagreement was vocal in Ohio-- a state reeling from the loss of more than 160- thousand manufacturing jobs.
But Bush said his new job training program will help put people back to work.
The President hopes for a warmer greeting today when he heads to Roswell, New Mexico, to talk about the war on terror.
(------------)

[11J-Crew]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC46:55]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]
[ENG#=1]

J-Crew blames corporate restructuring and a slowdown in catalog sales of layoffs in Lynchburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The affected workers arrived at the customer relations and distribution center in Lynchburg.. only to find they are out of a job.
A company spokesman would not specify how many people are being let go; the facility normally employs about one thousand people year-round.
The spokesman says J. Crew's mail order business has gone down in recent years, leaving the Lynchburg center overstaffed.
Those being laid off are being offered severance packages.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In other business news, a popular DVD rental company is showing good numbers.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Investors]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=I'm Alexis Christoforous.]
(( Information: > INVESTORS WILL BE GREETED THIS MORNING WITH A FULL PLATE OF FRESH PROFIT > REPORTS... > > FIRST, EBAY - THE ONLINE AUCTION SITE - posted a stronger-than-expected > profit in the last quarter of the year. holiday-season sales jumped 57 > percent and revenue nearly doubled. > > STARBUCKS SAYS PROFIT SOARED 41 PERCENT TO GLIDE PAST EXPECTATIONS. SALES > TOPPED ONE AND A QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS... > BUT THE COFFEE CHAIN DID NARROW ITS PROFIT FORECAST JUST A BIT FOR THE > YEAR. > > NETFLIX - THE ONLINE DVD RENTAL COMPANY SAID IT SWUNG TO A FOURTH QUARTER > PROFIT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER COMPARED TO A LOSS DURING THE SAME TIME LAST > YEAR. NETFLIX WILL ALSO SPLIT ITS STOCK TWO FOR ONE. NETFLIX CURRENTLY HAS > OVER 1.4 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS. > > AND THE Wireless chips and technology company Qualcomm posted a better > than expected rpfoit thanks to demand for its cellular products, but > qualcomm said it expected a sharp decline in revenue in the current > quarter. > > on wall street.. the blue chips took off on optimism over earnings > the dow rose 94 points > > but the nasdaq slipped 5 and a half.. > > later today eastman kodak, att and microsoft are among the companies to > report profits. > > FIND OUT MORE OR 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]

[Doherty]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC41:31]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
Judge Robert Doherty has suffered a stroke, but we have no word on his condition.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-December 3]
The Circuit Court judge had been working at the Roanoke County Courthouse, when it happened. He was taken by ambulance to Lewis Gale Medical Center. Doherty was first appointed to the Circuit Bench serving the Roanoke area in 1995.
(------------)

[Warner-Primary]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-04 TC02:56]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=2]

The results of the Iowa caucuses now means primary races in the South may help determine the Democratic presidential contender.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Governor Mark Warner congratulated Massachusetts Senator John Kerry on his win yesterday.
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Warner says a closer race means the Virginia primary takes on added significance in choosing the eventual winner.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I think it's probably]
((GOV. MARK WARNER; I THINK IT'S PROBABLY GONNA MEAN THAT THE VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY IS EVEN GONNA BE EVEN MORE IMPORTANT IN THIS NOMINATING PROCESS. I THINK THAT'S GOOD FOR PARTY BUILDING IN VIRGINIA. ))
[SUPER=@markwarner;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=building in Virginia.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=HOLD]

Virginia's primary has been moved up to February tenth, eight days after the primaries in seven other states.

[6Radford-Parking ]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-42 TC1:32:12]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

Parking spaces, or the lack of them, is usually an issue in bigger cities. But Radford may soon lose another 50 spots and it's causing quite a stir in the business community.
New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel DePompa explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's not always]
[SUPER=03-Radford;:00]
[SUPER=01-Chris Bell/Restaurant Manager;:22]
[SUPER=01-Thomas Starnes/Radford Mayor;:47]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;1:00]
[SUPER=01-Kenneth Bowling/Restaurant Customer;1:20]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=News 7, Radford.]

((It's not always easy to find one of these on Tyler Avenue in Radford.
NATS- CAR GOING BY...
Between the businesses lining the street and the university, parking spaces are few and far between.
QUICK NATS 08:03:42:00 GETTING ICE. That's why Restaurant Manager Chris Bell wants to keep all the parking he has. He's concerned about a possible city council plan to make more empty spaces like this.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:8:01:53:00 ]
[IN Q=The properties]
((CHRIS BELL:THE PROPERTIES AROUND THIS BLOCK OF TYLER AREN'T DEEP ENOUGH TO DEVELOP ANY FURTHER BACK. THERE'S AN ALLEY THAT RUNS BEHIND. IT PRECLUDES ANY FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ON THIS SITE. BECAUSE THERE WILL BE NO WHERE TO ACCOMMODATE CUSTOMERS.)) [RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=accomodate customers.]

The council's looking at cutting down trees, fixing the crosswalks and adding a bike path. To do it, the city may need to get rid of Tyler Avenue parking for good.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:1:53:42:00]
[IN Q=Visibility is an issue ]
((THOMAS STARNES:VISIBILITY IS AN ISSUE AND THAT IS ONE OF THE MORE VIABLE OF THE CITY AND I THINK CITY COUNCIL IS TAKING A REAL HARD LOOK WE DO NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING THAT IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY )) [RUNS:15]
[OUT Q=business community.]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:08:14:47:00 ]
[IN Q=You can see]
((RACHEL DEPOMPA:YOU CAN SEE THE DRIED UP GRASS AND MUD WHERE PEOPLE ALREADY MAKE THEIR OWN SPACES TO WALK. THE CITY SAYS THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT PEDESTRIANS AND JUST WANT TO MAKE IT SAFER.)) [RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=to make it safer.]

But so far, downtown business owners along Tyler don't seem to like what they're hearing. [NO PARKING SIGN TO TRAFFIC 8:11:09:00]. The say eliminating the parking (NATS) will effectively eliminate business. NATS- RECEIPT PRINTING.... 08:08:39:00

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:08:04:34:00]
[IN Q=Parkings a premium]
((KENNETH BOWLING: PARKINGS A PREMIUM HERE ALREADY . SO IF THEY LOSE ANYMORE PARKING ITS NOT GONNA HELP THINGS..)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=along the street]

Council members say nothing's been set in stone. A decision on pulling cars out of Tyler for good... 08:20:07:00 NATS CAR PULLING OUT
could come in the next month. Rachel DePompa, News 7, Radford.))

[VO-Knox]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Cecil Knox]
[ENG#=1]
Federal prosecutors will try again to convict Dr. Cecil Knox and his office manager. They have been re-indicted for the fourth time.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/October]
The new indictment does not name the Dr.'s medical practice, just Knox himself, Office Manager Bev Boone and Licensed Professional Counselor Bill James. It cites three patients whose use of OxyContin, Methadone or Morphine caused serious injury or death. Dr. Knox is also charged with perjury for his trial testimony, when he said patient Chris Ann Brown told him she would abort her baby, if she couldn't get pain relief. A new trial is set to begin April 13th.
(------------)

[Salem-College]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-02 TC14:32]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time, residents in one Salem neighborhood were fed up. They wanted some college students to clean up their act and they asked the city and Roanoke College for help. Justin McLeod tells us what has happened since.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=01-Fred Lee/Salem Resident; :15]
[SUPER=01-McMillan Johnson/Roanoke College Dean of Students; :31]
[SUPER=04-Last January; :40]
[SUPER=01-Lt. David Rorer/Salem Police Department; :52 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:23]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]

((((NAT SOUND OF FRED SAYING "THINGS ARE QUIET, WELL YOU CAN HEAR IT RIGHT NOW." AT 33:28))
It hasn't always been this way for Fred Lee who has lived here along Craig Avenue for more than 35 years.
The last few years he says have been more like party central.
[SOT 22:44]
[IN Q=They threw trash]
((FRED LEE/SALEM RESIDENT: THEY THREW TRASH IN THE STREETS, PARTYING AND THE NOISE, IT WAS JUST OUTRAGEOUS.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=it was outrageous]

And he has the pictures to prove it.
They show trash in front yards, on sidewalks, even on the roof.
Who caused all this? Off campus students from nearby Roanoke College.
[SOT 3:09]
[IN Q=We see this from]
((McMILLAN JOHNSON/ROANOKE COLLEGE'S DEAN OF STUDENTS: WE SEE THIS FROM BOTH SIDES. WE'RE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY ALSO AND WE WANT THIS TO BE A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE AND WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO BE GOOD CITIZEN'S AS WELL.)) [Runs07]
[OUT Q=citizen's as well]

So Roanoke College agreed to form a task force made up of administrators, police, students, and nearby residents.
They met for five months and came up with several solutions. The results?
[SOT 18:37]
[IN Q=The call reduction]
((LT. DAVID RORER/SALEM POLICE DEPT.: THE CALL REDUCTION IS OVER 50-PERCENT AND THAT IS TRULY PHENOMINAL.))
[OUT Q=truly phenominal]
[Runs04]
That is made possible thanks to changes Roanoke College implemented last fall.
It is now more difficult for students to live off-campus.
The college also penalizes students who live off campus and are repeat offenders.
Finally, the school is adding several new dorms to allow more students to live on campus.
Residents along Craig Avenue say the problems have all but disappeared.
[SOT 24:12]
[IN Q=I think it's probably]
((FRED LEE/SALEM RESIDENT: I THINK IT'S PROBABLY STILL SOME GOING ON BUT YOU KNOW I HAVEN'T HAD TO CALL THE LAW ONCE THIS YEAR.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=ONCE THIS YEAR]
[SOT ]
[IN Q=There's concern]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THERE'S CONCERN THESE PROBLEMS COULD RETURN BECAUSE YOU HAVE A NEW BATCH OF STUDENTS EACH YEAR. THAT IS WHY ROANOKE COLLEGE NOW SENDS HOME LETTERS TO ALL STUDENTS OUTLINING POLICIES FOR OFF CAMPUS HOUSING. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[2Roe-Wade]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

People from all over the country are descending on Washington today for what's become an annual march in protest of the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.
Today marks the 31st anniversary of the ruling.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

President Bush is expected to make a phone call, expressing his support, to anti- abortion activists who will be marching to the Supreme Court.
The National Organization of Women also plans to be outside the court later in the day, holding a candlelight vigil in support of the landmark decision.
(------------)

[Janklow]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

Former Congressman Bill Janklow faces sentencing today for an accident that killed a motorcyclist.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

A jury found him guilty of reckless driving and second degree manslaughter in the fatal collision.
Janklow is a former four term Republican Governor of South Dakota.
He resigned from the House of Representatives after he was convicted, ending a 30- year political career.
Janklow faces up to 11 years in prison, and is also being sued by the victim's family.
(------------)

[2-11J-Crew]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC46:55]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]
[ENG#=1]

J-Crew is laying off workers in Lynchburg. The company blames corporate restructuring and a slowdown in catalog sales for the move.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The affected workers arrived at the customer relations and distribution center in Lynchburg.. only to find they are out of a job.
A company spokesman would not specify how many people are being let go; the facility normally employs about one thousand people year-round.
The spokesman says J. Crew's mail order business has gone down in recent years, leaving the Lynchburg center overstaffed.
Those being laid off are being offered severance packages.
(------------)

[Biz-Brief]

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

In other business news, home construction starts are building, and a major airline isn't flying quite so low. Stan Case has those stories and more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=(Music)]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :15]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]

((STOCKS ENDED MIXED ON WEDNESDAY AS INVESTORS CASHED OUT OF TECH STOCKS.
THE DOW GAINED 94-POINTS...
AND THE NASDAQ WAS DOWN FIVE.
NEW CONSTRUCTION STARTS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER GAVE A SURPRISE TO ECONOMISTS.
THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SAYS HOUSING STARTS *INCREASED* ONE-POINT-SEVEN PERCENT TO A SEASONALLY ADJUSTED ANNUAL RATE OF MORE THAN TWO MILLION UNITS FOR THE MONTH.
ECONOMISTS HAD EXPECTED NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION TO DECLINE IN DECEMBER.
THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT ALSO SAYS THE DEMAND FOR BUILDING PERMITS WAS UP MORE THAN THREE-PERCENT FOR THE MONTH.
SHARES OF MOTOROLA SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE A DAY AFTER REPORTING IMPROVED FOURTH QUARTER NUMBERS.
THE COMPANY POSTED EARNINGS OF 20-CENTS PER SHARE...THAT'S UP FROM EIGHT-CENTS A YEAR EARLIER.
ANALYSTS EXPECTED EARNINGS OF 13-CENTS PER SHARE.
MOTOROLA IS THE WORLD'S SECOND LARGEST CELL PHONE MAKER.
AMERICAN AIRLINES' PARENT COMPANY POSTED A DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT IN ITS FOURTH QUARTER.
A-M-R CORPORATION REPORTED A LOSS OF 70-CENTS PER SHARE FOR THE PERIOD... BUT THAT'S SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER THAN THE LOSS OF THREE-DOLLARS-AND-39 CENTS A YEAR AGO.
THE COMPANY SAYS A NEW COST CUTTING PROGRAM CONTRIBUTED TO THE NUMBERS.
AMERICAN AIRLINES IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST AIR-CARRIER.
WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF, I'M STAN CASE.))
[TAPE TOSS TO STOCKS] [STOCKS] [WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC] [COMM]

[Black-Caucus]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-48 TC1:20:44]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Virginia's Legislative Black Caucus hopes to address economic empowerment for minorities this session.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

For the first time in its history, the group has a representative from the western part of the state.
Roanoke Delegate Onzlee Ware says he and the 15 other caucus members will be working to correct Virginia's economic disparity.
He points to a recent study showing that less than two percent of state contracts go to minority owned business.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:43:22]
[IN Q=STATE AGENCIES OVER THE YEARS HAVE]
((DELEGATE ONZLEE WARE/D-ROANOKE: STATE AGENCIES OVER THE YEARS HAVE NOT BEEN KIND TO MINORITY BUSINESSES AND WE USE IT NOT TO NECESSARILY CRITICIZE BUT AS A STARTING POINT TO GO IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WHICH SHOULD CERTAINLY BE A BENEFIT.))
[SUPER=@Ware]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=WHICH SHOULD CERTAINLY BE A BENEFIT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The caucus is also supporting an increase in the minimum wage and a moratorium on the death penalty.
(------------)

[Robo-Repo]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
The "Repo Man" may soon be right under you hood, day and night.
A new device is growing in popularity among auto dealers who sell to customers with poor credit histories.
Julie Vallese shows you how it works -- and how well it's working.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=When Tameshia Warning]
[SUPER=03-Baltimore, MD; :00]
[SUPER=01-Tameshia Warning/"On Time" User; :12]
[SUPER=01-Ashley Herndon/"On Time" Vice-President; :25]
[SUPER=01-Julie Vallese/Reporting; 1:01]
[SUPER=01-Richard Shofer/Auto Dealer; 1:12]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=Maryland, I'm Julie Vallese.]
((WHEN TAMESHIA WARING WANTED TO BUY A CAR, SHE WASN'T SURE IF THERE WAS A DEALER WILLING TO LEND HER THE MONEY. BUT WHEN SHE AGREED TO HAVE A DEVICE CALLED "ON TIME" CONNECTED TO THE CAR, IT SEALED THE DEAL.
With me being a young person trying to start out, it's a good way of reminding me to pay my bills.
CONSUMERS WITH LITTLE OR NO CREDIT, LIKE TAMESHIA, ARE BENEFITING FROM THIS SMALL COMPUTERIZED DEVICE.
It helps people get vehicles, helps people maintain vehicles. It helps the dealers and finance companies maintain consistent payments so they can stay in business.
THE "ON TIME" DEVICE USES BLINKING LIGHTS AND SOUNDS TO REMIND CUSTOMERS WHEN THEIR CAR PAYMENT IS DUE. MAKE A PAYMENT, INPUT A CODE THAT CHANGES EVERY PAY CYCLE AND CUSTOMERS ARE GOOD TO GO. THE CLOSER IT GETS TO A PAYMENT DATE, LIGHTS FLASH AND "ON TIME" BEEPS.
MISS A PAYMENT AND THE CAR WON'T START. "ON TIME" WON'T TURN A CAR OFF. INSTEAD, IT KEEPS IT FROM STARTING.
--standup--
Approximately 100,000 vehicles are fitted with the "On Time" device and the dealerships using it report repossessions have gone down from about 40 percent to less than five.
We know in 24 hours or 48 hours that their transportation isn't working.
"ON TIME" WAS DESIGNED TO HELP CONSUMERS KEEP PAYMENT SCHEDULES. IF THEY DON'T, IT WON'T REPLACE THE REPO MAN -- JUST MAKE IT HARDER TO RUN FROM HIM.
IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, I'M JULIE VALLESE ))

(KIM TOSSES TO BUMP)

[BUMP] [COMMERCIAL]

[Cox-HD]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Customers of Cox Cable will be able to watch the Superbowl on high-definition TV. Cox and Your Hometown Station yesterday announced an agreement that will allow subscribers access to Channel 7's HDTV programming starting this Thursday. The service will be free to customers with a high-def television and COX high-def set-top box.

[3-11J-Crew]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC46:55]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]
[ENG#=2]

J-Crew blames corporate restructuring and a slowdown in catalog sales of layoffs in Lynchburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The affected workers arrived at the customer relations and distribution center in Lynchburg.. only to find they are out of a job.
A company spokesman would not specify how many people are being let go; the facility normally employs about one thousand people year-round.
The spokesman says J. Crew's mail order business has gone down in recent years, leaving the Lynchburg center overstaffed.
Those being laid off are being offered severance packages.
(------------)

[2Marketwatch]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=3]

In other business news, Starbucks serves up some strong earnings.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Investors will be]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=I'm Alexis Christoforous]

(tape tosses to bump)
[BUMP] [COMM]

[3-HEADLINES] [Kim at Desk]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Here's what's making news.
(----------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/October]

Yet another indictment for Roanoke pain specialist Doctor Cecil Knox-- as federal prosecutors AGAIN try to convict the doctor and his office manager Bev Boone.
The new indictment cites three patients, whose use of OxyContin, Methadone or Morphine caused serious injury or death.
(----------------)
[ENG#=2]
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NO SUPER] Roanoke police are looking for a bank robber. Authorities say the suspect walked into the Wachovia branch on Grandin Road yesterday, demanded money, and took off with an undisclosed amount.
(----------------)
[ENG#=3]
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

President Bush takes time out from his State of the Union promotional tour to telephone anti- abortion activists, as they prepare for their annual protest march in Washington.
Today marks the 31st anniversary of the Roe versus Wade decision legalizing abortion.
(----------------)

[Hollywood-Minute]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]
If you didn't get enough of "Meet the Parents", just wait till next Christmas. Kim Hutcherson tells us what's happening in Hollywood.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=(Music)]
[SUPER=04-"Meet the Parents" - Universal; :07]
[SUPER=@File; :27]
[SUPER=04-"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers"; :35]
[HOT SWITCH TO]
[SUPER=04-Universal;]
[SUPER=01-Kim Hutcherson/Reporting; :49]
[RUNS=:58]
[OUT Q=I'm Kim Hutcherson]

((==TAKE VO/HOLLYWOOD MINUTE ANIMATION==

WITH THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE, I'M KIM HUTCHERSON.

==TAKE NATS FULL/"MEET THE PARENTS"==

[NAT FULL - TRT: 10]
[OC: COULD YOU MILK ME?]

==EFFECT TO VO/"MEET THE PARENTS"==

THE 2000 HIT COMEDY "MEET THE PARENTS" ..IS GEARING-UP FOR A SEQUEL, AND THIS ONE IS BEING CALLED MEET THE FOCKERS!
AND YES..'FOCKERS' IS SPELLED WITH AN "O."

==WIPE TO VO/HOFFMAN==

OSCAR WINNING ACTOR DUSTIN HOFFMAN IS JOINING THE FAMILY.. AS STILLER'S CHARACTER'S FATHER.
THE FILM IS SLATED FOR RELEASE THIS DECEMBER.

==TAKE NATS FULL/"THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS"==

[NAT FULL - TRT :07]
[OC: FAIRDEN KING.]

==VO CONTINUES/"THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS"==

"THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS" IS NAMED BEST THEATRICAL D-V-D TITLE OF 2003 AT THE INAUGURAL CREATIVE EXCELLENCE AWARDS EARLIER THIS MONTH.
THE EVENT WAS ORGANIZED BY THE DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, WHICH IS A D-V-D LOBBYING ORGANIZATION.

==TAKE VO/HOLLYWOOD MINUTE ANIMATION==

AND THAT'S THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE, I'M KIM HUTCHERSON.))