[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=]1


Winter weather tonight. The latest on what's going on now and what to expect in the morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


A big blow to Central Virginia. One company announces it's closing.
Janet Jackson admits the breast baring stunt WAS planned.
And light up and you could pay more in Virginia.. the latest on that.
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]


News 7 at Eleven is next.

[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=VidOpen]



[ENG#=2]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]


Those hoping to fill up on storm supplies find plenty of empty shelves, especially if they're looking for ice melt.

(------------)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:09:36]
[IN Q=If it's not gone]

((RYAN BECKERDITE/LOWE'S MANAGER: IF IT'S NOT GONE TONIGHT IT WILL BE GONE BY EIGHT OR NINE O'CLOCK TOMORROW MORNING.))
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=TOMORROW MORNING]
(------------)
[ANCHOR =Jean]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]



[VDOT-Preps]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC52:57]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Storm Warning]


By tomorrow morning, our area could look more like a skating rink.
Freezing rain is already falling and we're expecting anywhere from a quarter of inch to a half an inch of ice.


[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin/PorchCam ;]


Justin McLeod is live tonight with more on storm preparations and current conditions. Justin, what's it like out there?
Jean, right now there's a mixture of snow and sleet in the New River Valley.
[LIVE= Justin /FULL Porchcam]
[SUPER=@justin1]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]


Here in the Roanoke area, we have only a light mist.
Of course more is expected and that has many hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
[ENG#=3]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :]
[SUPER=01-Ryan Beckerdite/Lowe's Manager; :]
[SUPER=01-Shawn Mason/Salem Resident; :]
[SUPER=01-Cathy Harman/Roanoke Resident; :]
[SUPER=01-Jason Treadway/Dublin Resident; :]
[SUPER=01-Laura Bullock/VDOT Spokesperson; :]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=UPPERMOST IN OUR MINDS]

((((NAT SOUND OF PICKING UP BAGS OF ICE AT 9:08:09))
Those of you hoping to buy rock salt can forget it.
The Home Depot and Lowe's in Roanoke are completely sold out.
[SOT 9:09:18]
[IN Q=Lowe's is trying]

((RYAN BECKERDITE/LOWE'S MANAGER: LOWE'S IS TRYING TO BUY AS MUCH AS THEY CAN BUT RIGHT NOW WITH THE WAY WEATHER HAS BEEN THERE IS A NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE WITH ROCK SALT AND ICE MELT.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=AND ICE MELT]

((NAT SOUND OF MACHINE PUTTING DOWN NEW SHIPMENT OF ICE MELT))
The Lowe's on Route 220 in Roanoke County did receive a shipment of ice melt around 6:30 Monday evening.
Since it's expected to sell quickly, Lowe's put a limit to ten bags per customer.
Those who had trouble finding rock salt turned to alternatives like fertilizer and sand.
[SOT 9:04:48]
[IN Q=We live in the woods]

((SHAWN MASON/SALEM RESIDENT: WE LIVE IN THE WOODS SO MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN CHIPPING ICE AND THROWING DOWN ABOUT 80 POUNDS OF ROCK SALT TRYING TO GET OUT OF THERE.)) [Runs07]
[OUT Q=GET OUT OF THERE]

((QUICK NAT SOUND OF SCANNING AT GROCERY STORE))
Rock salt isn't the only thing flying off the shelves.
Many headed to the grocery store to stock up, in case they're homebound for several days.
[SOT 9:15:49]
[IN Q=And that's a scary thought]

((CATHY HARMAN/ROANOKE RESIDENT: AND THAT'S A SCARY THOUGHT WITH FOUR AGES THREE TO NINE BUT YEAH AT LEAST WE'LL BE WELL STOCKED WITH GROCERY'S [LAUGHS].)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=WELL STOCKED WITH GROCERY'S]


With the groceries in tow, many then headed to the gas station to fill up on gas.
Some even went a step further and purchased snow tires.
[SOT 9:17:27]
[IN Q=Just like to get]

((JASON TREADWAY/DUBLIN RESIDENT: JUST LIKE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND GET HOME SAFE. DON'T WANT TO COME OUT IN IT. JUST GOT SOME NEW TIRES FOR MY TRUCK IN CASE I DO NEED TO GET OUT IN IT.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=GET OUT IN IT]


If you do have to get out in it, V-Dot hopes to lessen the danger. ((QUICK NAT SOUND OF PLOW DRIVING OFF AT 9:04:29 ON CLAY'S TAPE))
More than 300 crews will work throughout the night to clear the roads of snow and ice.
It won't be easy. That is why each plow is equipped with chains and will be putting down a salt/sand mixture on the roadways.
[SOT 15:16:38 TAPE 1]
[IN Q=It's a whole lot easier]

((LAURA BULLOCK/V-DOT SPOKESPERSON: IT'S A WHOLE LOT EASIER TO HAVE TEN INCHES OF ICE THEN A HALF INCH OF ICE AND CERTAINLY SAFETY IS THE UPPERMOST IN OUR MINDS.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=UPPERMOST IN OUR MINDS]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Justin /FULL PorchCam]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]


That is why V-Dot says it will take it's drivers off the roads if things become too dangerous.
Right now, they have been only a few problems on the roads mainly in the New River Valley.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Robin & Justin /PorchCam;]


Of course it is expected to get worse and that's why we go to Robin Reed in the weather center for an update on the forecast. Robin?


[AEP-Preps]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-52 TC1:14:23]
[GRAPHIC=Hold Winter Storm Warning]
[ENG#=4]

The threat of power outages from the storm has A-E-P crews on-alert.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Officials say technician crews are closely monitoring the storm, and workers are on stand-by. They say ice alone won't necessarily cause power outages, but rather other conditions that may come with it, like high winds, that could tear down trees and power lines.
(------------)



[Schools]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=School Info]


Several schools are changing their schedules for tomorrow.
(XXXXXXX)

[TAKE SCHOOLTOUCH FS]
(Jean adlibs boards)
(-------------)



[RBX]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-05 TC18:50]
[GRAPHIC=none]


It is the end of an era in the city of Bedford where the Rubatex company has announced it will close its doors after nearly 70 years in business there.
The announcement is not exactly a surprise to those who have been following the company's troubles over the years, but it's still not good news for the city.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Steve/L'Burg Bureau;]


Steve Smallshaw is in our Lynchburg newsroom tonight.. Steve, how are city officials reacting?
[LIVE=Steve/FULL L'Burg Bureau]
[SUPER=@ssm1]
[SUPER=05-Lynchburg]


Jean, like you said, this is not entirely unexpected.. but city leaders say it's always tough to lose a long-time corporate citizen like Rubatex.
[ENG#=1]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Ten years ago]
[SUPER=03-Bedford/File Tape; :00]
[SUPER=01-Craig Meadows/Bedford City Manager; :16]
[RUNS=52]
[OUT Q=as soon as we can.]

(( Ten years ago, it was Bedford's biggest employer, with more than 900 people turning out rubber products from its maze of factories near downtown.
Then the market changed, a bitter labor strike hurt production and parent company R-B-X eventually declared bankruptcy.
[SOT 20:42:53]

((CRAIG MEADOWS/BEDFORD CITY MANAGER: TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS HAS CERTAINLY BEEN SAD, AND WE CERTAINLY WISH THE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN DISPLACED ALL THE BEST. THE CITY WILL ALONG WITH THE STATE AGENCIES WILL DO WHAT WE CAN TO HELP THAT, BUT WE CERTAINLY HATE TO SEE THEM LEAVE.))
[RUNS= 16]
[OUT Q=see them leave.]


Meadows says the city actually stopped figuring Rubatex's taxes into its budget a few years ago, so the financial impact won't be high.
[SOT 20:43:25]

((MEADOWS: WE MADE A CONTACT THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE STATE TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THIS SITUATION AND WE'LL WORK AS AGGRESSIVELY AS WE CAN TO MARKET THOSE FACILITIES AND GET SOME JOBS BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AS SOON AS WE CAN.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=as soon as we can.] ))
(-------------)
[LIVE=Steve/FULL L'Burg Bureau]
[SUPER=05-Lynchburg;]


The Bedford plant is one of three nationwide R-B-X is shutting down leaving a total of 64 people out of work.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Steve/L'Burg Bureau;]


The doors will close for good sometime in early April. Jean?

[Partial-Birth]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A major blow for pro-life advocates.
A federal judge struck down Virginia's ban on a type of late-term abortion today, saying the law violated privacy rights and failed to make an exception for the health of the woman.
The judge also challenged the use of the term ``partial birth infanticide'' by the law's backers, saying it was an attempt to alarm the public.
Attorney General Jerry Kilgore says the decision was not unexpected. He plans to appeal the decision

[Arrington]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-04 TC11:10]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=2]


He won the election, then lost it in court.. and then lost a chance to serve on an interim basis on Bedford County's board of supervisors.
Now District Five candidate Steve Arrington says he'll be back.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]


Arrington actually beat incumbent Tony Ware last November, but a court overturned the election because 56 people voted in the wrong precinct.
The board appointed Ware to keep his seat until a special election in November.. a race Arrington intends on running.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:23:32]
[IN Q=I really don't]

((STEVE ARRINGTON/BEDFORD CO. SUPERVISOR CANDIDATE: I REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW TO SPEAK TO THAT, ALL I DO KNOW IS THAT I'VE HAD SO MANY CALLS, SO VERY MANY CALLS, THAT I JUST HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THEM ALL, AND THEY'VE BEEN COUNTYWIDE.))

[SUPER=01-Steve Arrington/Bedford Co. Supervisor Candidate]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=they've been countywide.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Arrington's announcement was met with applause from a crowd of supporters at tonight's board of supervisors meeting.
(------------)



[Tobacco-tax]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-02 TC31:28]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]


Will Virginia's smokers soon be paying more to light up?
Many lawmakers believe this is the year that the state's lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax gets a hike.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file]


The governor's tax plan includes a tobacco tax increase.
So do a dozen other bills that raise the cigarette tax by as little as 22 cents and as much as a dollar a pack.
A new Mason-Dixon poll finds that a majority of Virginia voters support increasing the tobacco tax.
But some lawmakers say a hike may hurt Virginia's tobacco industry.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:29:28]
[IN Q=WE HAVE THE LARGEST CIGARETTE FACTORY]

((DEL. MORGAN GRIFFITH/R-SALEM: WE HAVE THE LARGEST CIGARETTE FACTORY IN THE WORLD LOCATED RIGHT HERE IN VIRGINIA SO YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO KILL THE GOOSE THAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGG AND CHASE AWAY THOUSANDS OF JOBS FROM VIRGINIA. DELEGATE GARY REESE/R-OAK HILL: THIS IS NOT GOING TO PUT TOBACCO OUT OF BUSINESS, ADDICTED SMOKERS WILL GET IN LINE NO MATTER WHAT.))
[SUPER=@Griffith; :00]
[SUPER=01-Del. Gary Reese/(R) Fairfax Co.; :16]
[RUNS=:28]
[OUT Q=GET IN LINE NO MATTER WHAT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


It's estimated that the tobacco industry employs six thousand Virginians.
(------------)


[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]
[ENG#=V10]


Still ahead, the Democratic Presidential candidates gear up for Super Tuesday... and Virginia's primary next week.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


And Janet Jackson confirms what many thought all along.
Last night's stunt was no accident.
(-------------)


[Sports-preview]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=MST]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]



[ENG#=4]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=THE BIG 7."]

(( Hey folks - Mike Stevens back in the News 7 Sports Office as former Hokie boss Don Devoe announces his retirement from coaching. UConn puts the squeeze on the Orangemen. The ACC announces the football schedules for this coming fall. The Panthers return home, and Pudge joins the Tigers tonight on the Big 7.))
[Campaign]

(MINI OPEN)



[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=cdo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=1]

Tomorrow's a big day for the Democratic Presidential candidates-- Seven states hold primaries and caucuses. But none may be as important as the South Carolina Primary, at least for native southerner John Edwards.
Drew Levinson reports from Columbia, South Carolina.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For John Edwards winning South Carolina;]
[SUPER=03-Columbia, SC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Edwards/(D) Presidential Candidate; :09]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/CBS News; :15]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Kerry/(D) Presidential Candidate; :53]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=Drew Levinson CBS News, Columbia, South Carolina;]

(( For John Edwards winning South Carolina is critical. The man who wants to be the voice for the people has just about
lost his own. (SOT JOHN EDWARDS/(D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE) I'VE BEEN GIVING TOO MANY SPEECHES. THE VOICE IS STARTIN

G TO FADE ON ME, BUT I LL BE OK. I LL GET THROUGH. OF THE SEVEN STATES UP FOR GRABS TUESDAY, EDWARDS BEST SHOT IS HERE
. BORN HERE AND A U-S SENATOR IN NEXT DOOR NORTH CAROLINA, EDWARDS IS EMPHASIZING HIS LOCAL TIES. (SOT EDWARDS) THE S

OUTH IS NOT GEORGE BUSH S BACKYARD, IT IS MY BACKYARD AND I WILL BEAT GEORGE BUSH IN MY BACKYARD. He s also taking some not so subtle jabs at front-runner John Kerry-the man closest to him in the polls here. Edwards criticized him for accepting lobbyist contributions and supporting trade agreements he claims have cost American jobs. Kerry-stumping in Ne
w Mexico shot back. (SOT: JOHN KERRY/(D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE) MY RECORD OF 35-YEARS OF FIGHTING AGAINST THOSE SPCI

AL INTERESTS STANDS IN STARK CONTRAST TO, I THINK ALL OF THE OTHER CANIDATES IN THIS FIELD AND I M VERY PROUD OF IT. As for Howard Dean and Wesley Clark-they have little chance here-so instead of South Carolina they re focusing their efforts elsewhere. But come Tuesday-South Carolina will be the main battleground-Edwards versus Kerry--and for Edwards it s a must win. Drew Levinson, CBS News, Columbia, South Carolina.))

[Va-Primary]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD Campaign 2004]


With Virginia's Democratic primary just over a week away, more candidates are planning to campaign in Southwest and Central Virginia.
[SS=Lieberman]


Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman has scheduled a "Town Meeting" at Roanoke College Wednesday afternoon at 4-30.
[SS=Clark]


Retired general Wesley Clark plans a two day blitz through the Commonwealth.
He'll be in Roanoke and Lynchburg on Friday.
[SS=Edwards]


North Carolina Senator John Edwards plans town-hall type appearances beginning Wednesday.
His plans include stops in Wytheville and Blacksburg.

[Jackson-Superbowl]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=cdo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Super Bowl]
[ENG#=3]


It was no accident. Janet Jackson admitted today that her revealing Super Bowl halftime stunt was, in fact, planned.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Houston,TX/Last Night;]

In a statement released today, Jackson said that she made the decision to expose herself after final rehearsals. MTV, CBS and the NFL were unaware of the plan that has now sparked a federal ivestigation by the F-C-C.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=when the law says I have a duty;]

((MICHAEL POWELL/FCC CHAIRMAN WHEN THE LAW SAYS I HAVE A DUTY TO PROSECUTE THE THEME, I WILL PROSECUTE THEM. I THINK WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THIS IS JUST THE SHEER MAGNITUDE OF THE EVENT AS A TELEVISION EVENT.))
[SUPER=01-Michael Powell/FCC Chairman;]
[RUNS=:10;]
[OUT Q=the event as a television event;]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Both Jackson and singer Justin Timberlake, who tore off part of her bustier, have appologized. Timberlake called the action "regrettable". Jackson said she never intended the stunt go as far as it did.
(------------)



[O-Brien-NFL]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-03 TC12:24]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
[ENG#=4]


One Virginia lawmaker is giving the N-F-L an earful about the eyeful his family got yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]


Fairfax Senator Jay O'Brien was watching the Super Bowl with his five young children.
He says he and his wife were dismayed by the half-time performance that exposed Janet Jackson's right breast.
Calling it like a burlesque show, the Republican says the entertainment was not fit for family viewing.
The Republican says he wrote Commissioner Paul Tagliabue about his concerns.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 03:16:33]
[IN Q=EVEN BEFORE THE OPEN-BLOUSE]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Jay O'Brien/(R) Clifton]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=AND YOU KNEW THAT BEFORE THE GAME BEGAN.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


C-B-S says it ''deeply regrets the incident.''
(------------)


[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[SS=None]
[ENG#=V10]


Local leaders still hope to land a low-cost airline in Roanoke.
More on that story when News 7 returns. [***USE NAT SOUND UNDER***]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


And Punxatawney Phill and his weather forcast get a rude welcome.
(----------------)


[Commercial]

[Air-Service]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC54:31]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]


Roanoke officials say they haven't given up on landing a low-cost airline.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Local businesses pledged to spend more than two million dollars with Airtran if the carrier would come to the Roanoke Regional Airport.
So far that campaign has been unsuccessful.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Now city officials say they're hoping to interest Atlantic Coast Airlines, which currently operates as United Express but is planning an independent low-fare airline.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:27:36]
[IN Q=We've not given up]

((RALPH SMITH/ROANOKE MAYOR; WE'VE NOT GIVEN UP ON AIRTRAN BUT THIS IS ANOTHER AIRLINE COMPANY THAT IS A POSSIBLE FIT FOR US. I SEE A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY, AND WE WANT TO JUMP THROUGH THAT WINDOW IF WE POSSIBLY CAN.))
[SUPER=@Smith]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=if we possibly can.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Today, Roanoke Council members asked the city manager to look for ways to interest Atlantic Coast Airlines, or other low-cost carriers.

[S-Extra]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=EXTRA POINT]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]


Tonight's Big East - is a Big Least - former Hokie Don Devoe is retiring. There's a new sheriff in town for the high school refs. And the ACC football schedules for UVa and Tech are out - But first tonight's Extra Point -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Detroit, MI; :00]

The Detroit Tigers signed last year's World Series hero Ivan Rodriguez to a four year contract today. Now you may be wondering why would a man who just won a World Series title want to leave sunny Miami to play baseball in Detroit for a team that hasn't had a winning record since 1993? It's pretty simple - the Tigers' owners are giving him $40 million over those four years.
(------------)

[go to scores]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5027;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Connecticut #5/84//Syracuse #18/56///j/St. Joseph's/74//Villanova/67///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Kansas #20/65//Missouri/56///j/Akron/85//Marshall/69///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Duke #2/78//Clemson/60//Women/j/Longwood/91//Apprentice School/40//Women/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/North Cross/65//Timberlake Christian/53//Boys/j/James River/43//North Cross/26//Girls/;]
[SUPER=x5028;]
[SUPER=0096-j/Indiana/85//L.A. Lakers/72///j/Detroit/102//Miami/100///;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUTCUE=last score."]
(--------------)


[S-Cuse]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-157 14829TC]
[GRAPHIC=big east]
[ENG#=1]


The Virginia Tech men's team felt like it was worthless after getting hammered by U-Conn last week. Well, tonight the 5th ranked Huskies delivered a beat down on the 18th ranked Syracuse Orangemen.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Storrs, CT/ESPN; :00]

The defending national champs were right in the game for the first six minutes, but after that it was all U-Conn. Emeka Okafor finished the night with 25 points and 11 rebounds. And he got plenty of support from the masked man - Ben Gordon - the junior guard also hit in double figures.
[super=33-Syracuse #18/56/Connecticut #5/84;]

The Cuse suffers its worst loss ever to a Connecticut team losing tonight 84-to-56. U-Conn hosts West Virginia on Saturday.
(------------)



[S-Devoe]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-162 10348TC]
[GRAPHIC=vt hoops]
[ENG#=2]


The Virginia Tech men return to the hardwood at Cassell Coliseum on Wednesday night against a very good Providence team. Tip-off for that one is set for 7pm.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Annapolis, MD; :00]

Meanwhile, former Hokie head coach Don DeVoe announced today that he stepping down at the Naval Academy at the end of this season. The Midshipmen are 3-and-17 and in the midst of an eight-game losing streak. De Voe is in his 12th season at Navy where he has won 182 games and three Patriot League tournament titles.
He is one of only 29 active coaches to lead three different teams to the NCAA Tournament, and he says he's not just resigning, but retiring.
He has also coached at Tech, Tennessee, Wyoming and Florida. In his career he has 510 wins - including that 1973 NIT title with the Hokies.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=TECH HOOPS]

On the women's hardwood, the Tech women return to the Cassell tomorrow night to host Seton Hall. The Hokies are up number 20 in the new Associated Press top 25 poll that was released earlier today.

[S-Ref]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-161 1:51:13]
[GRAPHIC=HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS]
[ENG#=3]


Virtually all of tonight's high school basketball games were postponed by later afternoon today. What's New? Well, actually something is new -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00]


The Western Virginia basketball officials association has affirmed that Roger Ayers will be the next commissioner of officials beginning with the 2004-2005 season Ayers has been a high school and college referee since 1992. He has been officiating ACC and SEC games for about three years.
Former commissioner Ernie Bradd is coming out of retirement to assist Ayers.
Current Commissioner Steve Fleshman will finish out this season after four years on the job.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Steve Fleshman/Current Commissioner of Officials; :00]
[RUNS=:33]
[OUT Q=.......an opportunity to be a part of it"]
(-----------------)



[S-ACC]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]

The much anticipated football schedule for the new ACC is out tonight. The season will cover 15 weeks and include 78 games, including 44 conference matchups.
(XXXXXXXXX)

[GO TO PINNACLE VT SCHEDULE] The season will begin on Saturday, August 28th at Fed Ex Field in Landover, Maryland as the Hokies take on Southern Cal in the BCA Classic. The Hokies have 7 home games - and besides the trip to Fed Ex Field, will only make four road trips this coming season, but it is another drawn out season.
(XXXXXXXXXXX)

[GO TO SECOND VT SCHEDULE] It begins in August and won't end until December with a tough closer at Miami. Tech has two Thursday night dates - one at Georgia Tech and another at home on November 18th against Maryland. The Hokies also will again play UVa the Saturday after Thanksgiving in Blacksburg.
(-------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=virginia logo]

Speaking of Al Groh's Cavs - UVa will only play 11 games this season and the Cavs' schedule for 2004 includes two Big East foes.
(XXXXXXXXXX)

[GO TO UVA PINNACLE] UVa will open its season on the road at Temple on September the 4th, and later in the opening month of the season - he Cavs will welcome the Syracuse Orangemen to Charlottesville. The Cavs also have a Thursday night date with at home for the first time 1997 against Clemson.
(XXXXXXXXXXX)

[GO TO UVa PINNACLE] Virginia has five games on the road including a tough finishing stretch, as well. The Cavs close out the year with Maryland, Miami, Georgia Tech and the Hokies. That Miami game on November 13th is in Charlottesville.
(-------------)



[S-Sign]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=NATIONAL SIGNING DAY]
[ENG#=]


Wednesday is national signing day for high school football players, and several players announced their decisions yesterday. Olu Hall is going to UVa. The Robinson high school linebacker picked the Cavs over Tech, Ohio State and N.C. State. Another of the top prospects, Jerod Mayo from Kecoghtan has picked Tennessee over Tech. The Hokies did get linebacker Maurice Reevy from Richmond's Highland Springs. He picked the Hokies over Clemson.

[S-Super]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-154 14536TC]
[GRAPHIC=SUPER BOWL]
[ENG#=4]


The line between winning and losing this year's Super Bowl is a fine one. So while MVP Tom Brady was pick in up his new Cadillac -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC;:00]

the Panthers were returning home to find more than 500 fans waiting for them outside of the newly named Bank of America Stadium in downtown Charlotte. Jake Delhomme and many of his teammates came out to greet the crowd and thank the fans for all of their support this season.
(------------)


[TOSS TO BREAK]

[Groundhog-Day]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]


Not than you need a groundhog to tell you.. you could probably just look outside and figure out that winter's not over...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Punxsatawney, PA]


But this morning the legend lived on. Townsmen pulled the groundhog from his home and put him on a tree stump to see what he forecasts.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:31]
[IN Q=]

((WHEN I COME OUT I DON'T WANT TO GO BUT JUST TO MY JOB AND PROGNOSTICATE I SEE MY SHADOW SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER.. AWHH..))
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=WEEKS OF WINTER.. AWHHH. ]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Yes, the crowd booed the groundhog today- (------------)
by SS