WDBJ 7 morning news for 03/22/04

[AM-Harris]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Wayne Harris]
[ENG#=1]
The future of Roanoke School Superintendent Wayne Harris appears to be on the line later this morning, when the City School Board holds a special meeting. Sources told us late last week the meeting will deal with the renegotiation of the superintendent's contract, and the likelihood that Harris will step down at the end of the current school year.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT from 04-03 TC48:41]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Friday]
There was no mention of their Monday plans when board members gathered with Harris for a work session Friday morning.

Members of the board contacted later by phone would not reveal any additional details.
Harris also declined to comment.
(-------------------)

[11State-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-02 TC-1:33:03]
[Graphic=Mark Warner]
[ENG#=2]
Governor Mark Warner will make a stop in downtown Roanoke later this morning. He'll be at Mill Mountain Coffee at 10 -clock to discuss the potential consequences if the General Assembly cannot pass a budget.

[SS=VA Budget]

Meanwhie, Representatives from both chambers headed back to Richmond yesterday to try to reach a compromise.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Local law- makers had a few hours this weekend to return home and meet with constituents. Senator John Edwards says HIS constituents are outraged at the General Assembly's inability to do its job.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:53:24]
[IN Q=The big difference]
((SEN. JOHN EDWARDS/(D) ROANOKE: THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE RIGHT NOW SEEMS TO BE THAT THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION AS IT SHOULD BE FUNDED BY THE COMMONWEALTH, OR SHIFT THAT EVEN MORE BACK TO THE LOCALITIES WHICH WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO RAISE REAL ESTATE TAX RATES IN ORDER TO FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION.)) ((DEL. WILLIAM FRALIN/(R) ROANOKE: I BELIEVE THE HOUSE PLAN WHICH MATCHES THE GOVERNOR'S SPENDING LEVELS IN K-12 EDUCATION, REPLENISHING THE RAINY DAY FUND, HIGHER EDUCATION IS ACTUALLY A REALLY SIGNIFICANT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.))

[SUPER=@Edwards; :00]
[SUPER=@Fralin; :17]
[RUNS=33]
[OUT Q=the right direction]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/Last Week;]
Fralin and Edwards both say they're disappointed the legislature couldn't reach a budget agreement during its regular session. This is the fifth day of a SPECIAL session dedicated to the budget, but the two chambers remain deadlocked over tax increases.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]
Further budget negotiations have been put on hold until Wednesday, that's the earliest the House budget *conferees* are willing to meet.

[Middle-East]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

The militant group Hamas says America ``must take responsibility'' for the killing of its founder.
Hamas says Israel couldn't have done it without the consent of the U-S.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gaza City, Gaza Strip;]

Israeli helicopters fired three missiles at a car carrying Sheik Ahmed (Akh- med) Yassin (Yah- seen) and his bodyguards in the Gaza Strip.
Thre three were leaving a mosque and all were killed instantly.
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Yassin, who was confined to a wheelchair founded Hamas in 19-87.
He's the most senior Palestinian militant killed in more than three years of fighting in the Middle East.
The militant group has vowed revenge.
(------------)

[OK-Bombing]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=4]

With a jury seated, the state trial for Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols gets under way today.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Nichols has already been convicted on federal charges and is serving a life sentence for his role in the April, 19- 95 bombing.
Defense attorneys claim others were involved and that Nichols was set up.
In the Oklahoma trial, Nichols faces murder charges for the 160 victims of the attack who were NOT federal employees, and faces the death penalty.
Opening statements are set to begin this morning.
(------------)

[11L'burg-Stabbing]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Lynchburg Police are looking for a suspect in a stabbing .
(++++++)
[TAKE FS BOARD] Police say 44-year-old Albert Kelly stabbed a woman several times including a severe neck wound. The victim was taken to Lynchburg General Hosptial yesterday for surgery, and is expected to recover from her injuries. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the stabbing or Kelly's whereabouts to call the Lynchburg City Police.
(++++++)

[11Explore-Park]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC-1:49:39]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]

For a decade now, Virginia's Explore Park has been a place to learn about history and wildlife, and yesterday, the park teamed up with the National Wild Turkey Federation to expand that role.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
The groups announced a new wildlife area near the Roanoke River that will serve as an outdoor classroom for the Valley's students, and provide observation opportunities for individuals who want to see wild turkey in their natural habitat.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:05:59]
[IN Q=THE WILDLIFE AREA]
((DEBORAH H. PITTS/EXEC. DIR. EXPLORE PARK--THE WILDLIFE AREA CONSISTS OF A FEED PLOT WITH A WONDERFUL OBSERVATION DECK SET BACK FROM THE FEED PLOT. SO THAT FOLKS CAN COME UP AND OBSERVE WILDLIFE IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT.))
[SUPER=01-Deborah H. Pitts/Exec. Dir. Explore Park;]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=THEIR NATURAL HABITAT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The National Wild Turkey Federation is a group supporting scientific wildlife management, and advocates for wild turkey hunters in North America.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:08:06]
[IN Q=WE HAVE TAKEN THE WILDLIFE'S ]
((LEWIS HUFF/ROANOKE CHAP. NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION--WE HAVE TAKEN THE WILDLIFE'S HABITAT OR THEIR HOME TO BUILD HOME FOR US, SHOPPING CENTERS AND HIGHWAYS. SO WHAT WE'VE DECIDED TO DO WE HAVE THE MEANS AND THE RESOURCES, WE'LL COME BACK AND IMPROVE THE EXISTING WILDLIFE HABITAT. WE CALL IT WILDLIFE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT.))
[SUPER=01-Lewis Huff/National Wild Turkey Federation;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=WILDLIFE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Huff says the new wildlife area at Explore Park has been enhanced so that one acre of land will contain the same amount of food and shelter as hundreds of acres for wild turkey.
(------------)

[Box-Office]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]
The "Dawn of the Dead" has taken over the top spot at the box office.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-'' Dawn of the Dead" - Universal;]
The fright flick debuted in first place at with an estimated 27-point-three million dollars. The movie is a remake of the 1979 horror tale about survivors holed up in a shopping mall from a plague of flesh-eating zombies.
(------------)
[Anchor=Kim]
[TAKE FS CHYRON]
[SUPER=77-''Dawn of the Dead''/27.3/''The Passion of the Christ''/19.2/''Taking Lives''/11.4/''Starsky & Hutch''/10.7/'
'Secret Window''/9.6;] Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ'' slipped to second place.
The serial-killer thriller ``Taking Lives'' debuted in third place. ``Starsky and Hutch,'' was fourth followed by ``Secret Window.''

[Super=#555;reset]
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=1]

In business news, Microsoft faces a hefty fine. And, Stocks closed lower on Friday.
Alexis Christoforous has those stories and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((> THIS IS A BIG WEEK FOR MICROSOFT. EUROPEAN REGULATORS ARE EXPECTED TO > PROPOSE A PUNISHMENT FOR THE SOFTWARE GIANT. > Microsoft failed to reach AGREEMENT LAST WEEK with EU regulators over > allegations that it abused the position of its Windows operating system. > The company could face a heavy fine plus conditions that might affect the > way it sells Windows operating system. > > IN OTHER MICROSOFT NEWS.. THE COMPANY PLANS TO CUT THE price of its Xbox > videogame console in coming weeks. It's an effort to boost demand for > videogames ahead of the traditionally slow summer season. > > ON WALL STREET...STOCKS SANK FRIDAY as investors waited to see how the > fight to capture an al Qaeda leader would play out. > > THE DOW SLID 109 POINTS, FOR THE WEEK IT WAS DOWN HALF A PERCENT. > THE NASDAQ SHED 21 POINTS AND GAVE UP MORE THAN 2 PERCENT FOR THE WEEK > > IT'S A PACKED ECONOMIC CALENDAR THIS WEEK WITH REPORTS ON DURABLE GOODS > ORDERS, NEW AND EXISTING HOME SALES, CONSUMER SENTIMENT AND PERSONAL > INCOME AND SPENDING. > > TRACK ALL THE PREMARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM IN NY I'M ALEXIS > CHRISTOFOROUS.))>

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC] [COMM]

[Al-Qaida]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]

Fighting has broken out again between Pakistani forces and suspected al-Qaida militants near the Afghan border.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wana, Pakistan;]

That comes as tribal leaders attempt to open talks with the militants.
Earlier, the militants broke a cease-fire put in place to allow the tribal leaders to meet with them.
The battle on the Pakistan-Afghan border began last week.
The foreign fighters are believed to be protective al-Qaida fugitives, possibly including Osama bin Laden's top deputy.
(------------)

[911-Probe]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

Meanwhile, President Bush's former top terrorism advisor is accusing Bush of ignoring al-Qaida prior to the 9-11 attacks, and trying to blame Iraq for the attacks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-CBS News- "60 Minutes";]

In a book released today and in a "60 Minutes" interview, former counterterrorism official Richard Clarke said after Bush's inauguration, he requested a high-level meeting with the President about the al-Qaida threat.
However, he didn't get that meeting until one week before September 11th.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=He never thought]
((RICHARD CLARKE/FORMER COUNTERTERRORISM OFFICIAL: HE NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO HOLD A MEETING ON THE SUBJECT, OR FOR HIM TO ORDER HIS NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER TO HOLD A CABINET LEVEL MEETING THE SUBJECT. ))
[SUPER=01-Richard Clarke/Former Counterterrorism Official;]
[RUNS=:09] (estimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=meeting on the subject.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, the White House has released a statement refuting what it called the myths of Clarke's book.
Officials say Bush met daily with the C-I-A director during the summer before 9-11.
(------------)

[11Gas-Prices]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-55 TC-1:41:54]
[GRAPHIC=Gas Prices]
[ENG#=4]

How HIGH can they go? That's what consumers are asking about area gas prices, but as Jennifer Wishon (WI-shon)reports, they could be much worse.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co./1999; :11]
[SUPER=01-Ann Robeson/Gasoline Consumer; :40]
[SUPER=01-Wendy Jones/Gasoline Consumer; :52]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:50]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7, Roanoke]
((((NATS OF CARS DRIVING BY)) The first day of Spring enticed many people to take a ride with the windows down, and it's costing them more to get from place to place. ((QUICK NATS OF CARS))
[SHEETZ FILE VIDEO TAPE#=99-3 TC49:34]
Five years ago area residents could find gasoline for just 69- cents a gallon. Earlier this month, the price per gallon for regular gas in Virginia hit 1.62- surpassing last year's record set prior to the war.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:28:40]
((NATS OF ANN PUTTING THE NOZZLE UP.))
[RUNS= 03]
Ann Robeson enjoys traveling and is paying attention to the money she's forking out for fuel.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:29:23]
[IN Q=One, two, three]
((ONE, TWO, THREE AND 28. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q=Thank you, Thank you ((DOUBLE OUT!!))]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:28:00]
[IN Q=I've started paying]
((ANN ROBESON: I'VE STARTED PAYING CASH INSTEAD OF USING CREDIT CARDS AND I TAKE OUT A CERTAIN AMOUNT EACH WEEK AND NOW I'M GOING TO BE TAKING OUT A LITTLE MORE.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=a little more]
High gas prices are forcing Wendy Jones to budget her money more carefully and change her pumping habits.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:31:37]
[IN Q=I normally give]
((WENDY JONES: I NORMALLY GIVE MYSELF A FULL TANK, BUT WITH THE INCREASE IN THE PRICES I THINK I WILL ONLY DO HALF WAY FULL.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=half way full]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:35:55]
[IN Q=Gasoline prices are]
((JENNIFER WISHON/JWISHON@WDBJ7.COM: GASOLINE PRICES ARE EXPECTED TO GO UP EVEN MORE BEFORE THEY GO DOWN, BUT COMPARED TO HISTORICAL SPIKES- THESE PRICES ARE JUST A DROP IN THE CAN.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=drop in the can]
[Insert Pre-Pro Here] According to the Department of Energy a gallon of unleaded regular gas hit $1.37 in 1981. Factoring in inflation - in today's dollars that equals $2.81 - $1.19 more than gas today. Ten years ago gasoline cost $1.11 per gallon. Today that would equal $1.39. Just 23- cents less than today's prices. [Back to video] Still the recent hike has some motorists in a bind and officials say not to expect relief any time soon... prices are expected to peak over the summer. Jennifer Wishon, News 7, Roanoke.))
[Tape tosses to bump] [BUMP] [COMM]

[Biz-Brief]

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

In business news, Stocks fell on Friday. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]
((STOCKS CLOSED IN THE RED ON FRIDAY, FOR A SECOND WEEK IN A ROW.

THE DOW CLOSED 109-POINTS LOWER...
AND THE NASDAQ WAS DOWN 21.

SHARES OF ADOBE SYSTEMS JUMPED ALMOST 10-PERCENT AFTER THURSDAY'S REPORT OF FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS.
THE COMPANY POSTED NET INCOME OF 50-CENTS A SHARE...UP FROM 23-CENTS A YEAR AGO.
ADOBE SAYS INCREASED DEMAND FOR SUCH PRODUCTS AS ITS INTEGRATED TOOL SOFTWARE PACKAGE ADDED TO THE EARNINGS.

SHARES OF NIKE WERE LITTLE CHANGED A DAY AFTER IT REPORTED A 60-PERCENT JUMP IN ITS FISCAL THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS.
THE WORLD'S LARGEST MAKER OF ATHLETIC SHOES REPORTED NET PROFITS OF 74-CENTS A SHARE.
THAT'S UP FROM 47-CENTS A YEAR EARLIER.
NIKE CITED INCREASED DEMAND IN EUROPE AND THE U-S, PLUS FAVORABLE EXCHANGE RATES.

AMERICA ONLINE, THE COUNTRY'S MOST POPULAR INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER MIGHT BE THINKING ABOUT SELLING OUT TO THE NUMBER TWO I-S-P, MICROSOFT'S M-S-N.
THE NEW YORK POST SAYS PEOPLE CLOSE TO THE SITUATION REPORT TIME WARNER, THE OWNER OF A-O-L, HAS HELD TALKS WITH MICROSOFT ABOUT SUCH A DEAL.
THE SALE REPORTEDLY WOULD INVOLVE CASH FROM MICROSOFT AND THE ASSUMPTION OF DEBT.
IN ADDITION TO A-O-L, TIME WARNER OWNS CNN, THE PRODUCERS OF THIS REPORT.

WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF... I'M STAN CASE.))

[TAPE TOSS TO STOCKS] [STOCKS] [WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC] [COMM]

[2-1181-Widening]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-03 TC-49:27]
[GRAPHIC=I 81]
[ENG#=3]

The future of Interstate 81 was the topic of discussion at a local church yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Speakers at the "Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke" discussed ways to improve the Interstate. The congregation was encouraged to get involved in decision making and support solutions that would use existing infrastructures like railroads.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We tend to hand]
((LIZA FIELD/CONSERVATIONIST: WE TEND TO HAND OUR LANDSCAPES OVER TO TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS- THEY DESIGN OUR CITIES, THEY DESIGN OUR INTERSTATES SO WE NEED MORE OF A SENSE OF THE VERTICAL SENSE OF A PLACE, THE HISTORY, THE WILDLIFE, THE WATER, THE SKY.))
[SUPER=01-Liza Field/Conservationist;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=the water, the sky]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The commissioner of V-Dot entered negotiations with Star- Solutions earlier this month. The group of contractors plan to widen Interstate 81 and charge tolls to pay for the improvements. However, an 18- month environmental study must be conducted before any improvements are made.
(------------)

[Healthy-Living]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Healthy Living]
[ENG#=4]

The exercise known as pilates has been around since the 1920's and 80 years later it seems to be all the rage at health clubs across the country. However, like anything else it needs to be done correctly to gain the benefits and avoid injuries.
(++++++++++)
[Take FS Healthy Living] Doctor Sean Kenniff has more in today's Healthy Living.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Ft. Lauderdale, FL; :00]
[SUPER=01-Christi Allen/Pilates Student; :04]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Sean Kenniff/Reporting; :30]
[SUPER=01-Susan Penrod/Pilates Instructor; :42]
[SUPER=01-Tonka Cascais/Pilates Instructor; :49]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=Dr. Sean Kenniff, CBS News]
(((Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 28 YEAR-OLD CHRISTI ALLEN'S FIRST TRY AT PILATES DIDN'T GO SO WELL.

(SOT- Christi Allen/28 years old)
"The next day my lower back was very sore, and my legs were really sore, and my neck was stiff."
LIKE MANY SHE JOINED THE CROWDED PILATES CLASS AT THE GYM HOPING IT COULD HELP HER ACHING BACK AND NECK, NOT MAKE IT WORSE.

(SOT-Christi again)
"I thought that's what it's supposed to be like because you know I was sore, my body hurt, I thought that's what working out was supposed to do to you."

(STANDUP: Dr. Sean Kenniff/CBS NEWS/Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
AND CHRISTI'S NOT ALONE, WITH THE EXPLOSION OF PILATES STUDIOS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THERE'S ALSO BEEN AN EXPLOSION OF PILATES INJURIES.
SUSAN PENROD AND TONKA CASCAIS (CASH-GUY-ISH) TEACH PILATES AT PRO-PILATES IN FORT LAUDERDALE.

(SOT-Susan Penrod/Pro Pilates)
"A lot of injuries we have people coming in with bad backs, pulling backs out, neck, neck strain."

(SOT- Tonka Cascais/Pro Pilates)
"If this is not done properly, people have no support in their lower back. And they start using muscles that are not supposed to be used while perfomring the exercises."
THE MOST COMMON INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH PILATES ARE MUSCLE SPRAINS AND STRAINS. BUT IF NOT DONE PROPERLY PILATES CAN WORSEN ARTHRITIS AND PRE-EXISTING BACK AND NECK PROBLEMS. SOME PILATES POSITIONS CAN EVEN AFFECT PREGNANCY. EXPERTS SAY IT'S IMPORTANT TO GO TO AN INSTRUCTOR, WITH HUNDREDS OF TRAINING HOURS UNDER THEIR BELT, AND THE CLASSES SHOULD BE ONE-ON-ONE OR SEMI-PERSONAL WITH NO MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE PER CLASS. DOCTOR SEAN KENNIFF, CBS NEWS.))
[Tape tosses to Break] [COMM]