[News-Heads]
(---------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]
A tanker truck crashes and catches fire in Connecticut, causing traffic delays for major cities in the Northeast.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
And closer to home, a brush fire scorches a dozen acres in Franklin County.
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Steve]
[SS=None]
A great day to have a convertable, and a day off from work, as temperatures soar into the 70's again this afternoon.
The full forecast, which includes some weekend showers is coming up.
[ANCHOR=KIM 2-Shot]
Stay with us News 7 at noon, starts right now.
[Noon-open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]
[SUPER=@brent1;]
[Video-Open]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A fiery tanker truck accident leaves behind a mess for motorists on one of the most traveled roads in the the U-S.
(------------)
[Tanker-Blast]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=]
Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
It's a traffic nightmare that'll likely last two weeks for drivers on Interstate 95 in Connecticut.
Drew Levinson has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Bridgeport, CT;]
[SUPER=01-Gov. John G. Rowland/Connecticut;]
[SUPER=04-Last Night;]
[SUPER=01-John Fibrizi/Bridgeport Mayor;]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/CBS News;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Levinson, CBS News.]
((
With part of an overpass sagging as much as four feet--Connecticut's
governor says it looks like an earthquake hit the area.
Interstate 95--a vital artery that carries 120-thousand cars a day from
New York to New England is shut down for at least two weeks.
(SOT GOV. JOHN G. ROWLAND)
"IT'S GOING TO BE A PAIN IN THE NECK, IT'S GONG TO BE AN INCONVENIENCE.
(LAST NIGHT)
Last night--a tanker truck carrying 12-thousand gallons of fuel oil
collided with a car, sparking a huge fire that damaged both sides of the
Highway.
Fortunately no one was killed, but traffic was backed up for miles.
(SOT MAYOR JOHN FIBRIZI/BRIDGEPORT )
"THIS IS A TOTAL DISASTER AS FAR AS TRAFFIC IS CONCERNED"
The fire burned for nearly three hours before being contained. The heat
was so intense, it literally melted the bridge.
(SOT GOV ROWLAND)
"AT THE HEIGHT OF THE HEAT, THE ACTUAL BRIDGE ALMOST TOUCHED THE GROUND,
WENT SO FAR AND WHEN THE FIREFIGHTERS POURED WATER AND FOAM, IT
CONTRACTED AND LEFT THAT BUCKLING EFFECT."
Now cars and trucks are being diverted to nearby roads and parkways.
For many motorists this means an already long commute is now longer.
(SOT MOTORIST NO SUPER)
"TRYING TO GET TO NEW YORK IS SO CRAZY...IT'S WORSE THAN RUSH HOUR"
Parts of the bridge will be taken down (are being taken down) and a
temporary road is in the works until engineers figure out exactly how to
replace the span. It will cost nearly four million dollars to replace.
Drew Levinson, CBS News.
))
[Ferrum-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-09 TC 32:49]
[GRAPHIC=Brush Fire 4138]
[ENG#=4]
A brush fire in Franklin County gave firefighters a difficult time yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ferrum]
It broke out around three o'clock yesterday afternoon on this hill behind Ferrum College.
Firefighters had trouble getting to the flames, and had to use four wheelers.
It would take crews from five departments nearly three and half hours to contain the fire.
It ended up burning more than 12 acres.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]
A strike team from the Department of Forestry remained throughout the night to keep an eye on the fire.
[Turkey-Quake]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
A deadly earthquake hit eastern Turkey last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Near Erzurum, Turkey;]
The quake measured five- point- one on the Richter Scale.
Nine people died, including 4 childeren.
Dozens more were injured.
Houses in villages across three provinces suffered serious damage.
Those who who lost their homes were put up in military tents for shelter.
(------------)
[Serial-Killer]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation]
[ENG#=2]
Authorities in Wichita, Kansas fear a notorious serial killer from the '70s could be re-surfacing.
The "B-T-K Strangler" is blamed for seven murders and is now being linked to a previously unsolved killing.
Bob McNamara reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Wichita, KS; :00]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; :04]
[SUPER=01-Hurst Laviana/Newspaper Reporter; :15 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Ken Landwehr/Wichita, KS Police Department; :53]
[SUPER=01-Gregg McCrary/Former FBI Profiler; 1:07]
[SUPER=01-Robert Beattie/Author; 1:23]
[SUPER=01-Bob McNamara/CBS News; 1:31]
[RUNS=1:46]
[OUT Q=McNamara, CBS News, Wichita.]
((
SCRIPT
TRACK: He terrorized Wichita.. three decades ago.
A serial killer of three women in their 20's and a
family of four.. The killer flaunting himself.. as the "B-T-K
Strangler". B-T-K.. for Bind.. Torture.. and Kill.
SOT/HURST LAVIANA "..HIS MOTIVE IS SEXUAL. HE IS A SEXUAL SERIAL
KILLER.."
TRACK: For 25 years the crimes have gone unsolved and almost
forgotten.. until a letter to the Wichita Eagle newspaper.. contained
photos of the driver's license of 1986 murder victim Vicki Wegerle.. and
pictures of her body before police found it.
SOT/LT. KEN LANDWEHR/WICHITA POLICE "..THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE MOST
UNUSUAL CASE WE'VE EVER HAD IN WICHITA.."
TRACK/GFX INSERT: 28 year old Vicki Wegerle was assaulted and
strangled to death.. nearly a decade AFTER the unsolved 1970's serial
killings.
But police are certain.. she was another victim of the
BTK strangler.. still in their midst..
SOT/COP "..WE DO BELIEVE THAT BTK IS IN WICHITA AND THE LETTER DID
ORIGINATE FROM WICHITA.."
TRACK: That letter's ficticious return address listed the sender as
Bill Thomas Killman - the initials - BTK..
SOT/GREGG McCRARY/FORMER FBI PROFILER "..HE WANTS TO BE THE CENTER OF
ATTENTION AND THIS IS WHAT'S GONNA ALLOW HIM TO DO THIS..TO COME FORWARD
NOW, TAUNT, PRESENT A NEW CASE, BRING HIM TO THE HEADLINES.."
TRACK: Wichita attorney Robert Beattie has studied the BTK Strangler
case for years..
SOT/ROBERT BEATTIE "I SLEPT ABOUT FOUR HOURS LAST NIGHT BECAUSE MY WIFE
WANTED ME TO GET UP AT EVERY NOISE.. I IMAGINE THAT'LL BE GOING ON ALL
OVER TOWN FOR AWHILE.."
STANDUP "..WICHITA POLICE SAY THE BTK STRANGLERS LETTER CONTAINED NO
SUGGESTION THAT HE WOULD STRIKE AGAIN.. BUT SUDDENLY A HOMICIDE CASE
THAT HAD BEEN SO COLD.. HAS BEEN GIVEN THE HIGHEST PRIORITY AGAIN. BOB
MCNAMARA CBS NEWS WICHITA.
))
[XGR]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-04 TC1:01:11]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]
[ENG#3]
Governor Mark Warner suggested yesterday that he's willing to be flexible on his tax reform proposals.
He hinted that legislators could agree to an increase in EITHER the sales tax or the income tax, instead of both.
The conferees were able to make some progress on the state's budget yesterday, but they still have a long way to go.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]
House and Senate conferees met for about ten minutes.
The legislators have reached agreement on funding for health and human resources but say much remains undecided.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:08:24]
[IN Q=I DON'T THINK I'M THAT MUCH OF A]
((SEN. JOHN CHICHESTER/R-FREDERICKSBURG: I DON'T THINK I'M THAT MUCH OF A CLAIRVOYANT ABOUT WHEN WE COULD PREDICT A BUDGET TO BE COMPLETED. WE'RE CERTAINLY NOT THERE YET AND WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT WAYS TO GO.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Chichester/(R) Fredericksburg; :00]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT WAYS TO GO.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Conferees met for only three minutes Wednesday.
Legislators deny that their meetings have been too brief.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:06:54]
[IN Q=YOU CAN ONLY TALK SO MUCH FOR SO LONG]
((DEL. VINCE CALLAHAN/R-MCLEAN: YOU CAN ONLY TALK SO MUCH FOR SO LONG. WE HAVE BEEN MEETING OFF AND ON FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE COULD DO IF WE MET SIX HOURS A DAY, OR EIGHT HOURS A DAY OR A HALF AN HOUR A DAY, WE WOULDN'T ACCOMPLISH ANY MORE.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Vince Callahan/(R) Mclean; :]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=WE WOULDN'T ACCOMPLISH ANY MORE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Both chambers will hold floor sessions tomorrow.
(------------)
[6Methadone-clinics]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-07 TC46:42]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]
The A-C-L-U wants the Governor to veto a bill that would keep methadone clinics and schools far apart.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]
The American Civil Liberties Union is threatening to take the state to court if the bill becomes law.
[SUPER=@file;]
The legislation prohibits methadone clinics from operating within a half-mile of a school or day-care center.
The A-C-L-U of Virginia says that restriction violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:00:13]
[IN Q=METHADONE CLINICS OFFER A LEGITIMATE]
((KENT WILLIS/ACLU OF VIRGINIA: METHADONE CLINICS OFFER A LEGITIMATE SERVICE TO DISABLED INDIVIDUALS AND THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO LOCATE THOSE SERVICES WHERE THOSE DISABLED PEOPLE ARE.))
[SUPER=01-Kent Willis/ACLU of Virginia]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=WHERE THOSE DISABLED PEOPLE ARE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Opponents of the bill also say its a myth that methadone clinics increase criminal activity.
The legislation passed the General Assembly with a veto-proof margin.
The governor's office say Warner will carefully review the bill.
He has until mid-April to act on it.
(------------)
[Tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]
President Bush and John Kerrey compete on the dinner circuit for campaign donations. We'll have the details next.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]
Also store shelves are becoming packed with low-carb products, but some say dieters need to know what low carb really means.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #1]
[AMPulaski-School]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC 2:00:22]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[MINIOPEN]
[ENG#=1]
A fast spreading virus hit Claremont Elementary school in Pulaski County this week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski]
On Wednesday more than 160 children and 13 teachers were out sick.
And yesterday, 5 teachers and 125 children missed school.
Health officials believe this is a type of stomach flu called the Noro virus.
It only lasts for a day or 2.
Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:13:11:00 ]
[IN Q=They're doing the]
[SUPER=01-Lynne Clark/Teacher;]
((LYNNE CLARK: THEY'RE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN TO KEEP IT CLEAN AND WE'VE ALWAYS DONE THE BEST WE COULD TO KEEP EVERYTHING CLEAN. WHEN YOU HAVE CHILDREN USING WATER FOUNTAINS AND NOT ALWAYS BEING REAL CAREFUL ABOUT WASHING THEIR HANDS. IT'S JUST HARD, THINGS SPREAD.))
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=things spread.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Washing your hands constantly is the best prevention.
Health officials say the virus spreads quickl,y and there have been dozens of cases across the New River Valley this month.
(------------)
[Campaign-2004]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=2]
Fresh from a Democratic fund-raising dinner that brought together former Presidents and former rivals, John Kerry is outlining plans that he says would create ten million jobs and keep them in America.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Andrews A. F. B., MD;]
While Kerry's speaking today in Detroit, President Bush left this morning for a trip to New Mexico and Arizona.
He's touting a strong housing market while defending his administration's economic record.
Yesterday, Bush addressed a GOP fundraiser in Kerry's hometown of Boston, raising another one-point- two million dollars for his campaign coffers.
(------------)
[Carbs]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Healthcheck]
[ENG#=3]
With millions of people now on the low-carb diet, food manufacturers are
flooding grocery store shelves with low-carb alternatives-- everything from bread to cookies.
However, there may be more in those foods than you expect.
Doctor Mallika Marshall explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Boston, MA; :00]
[SUPER=01-Samantha Heller/Nutritionist; :13 Quick]
[SUPER=01-Bonnie Liebman/Nutritionist; :55]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Mallika Marshall/CBS News; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS]
((((IT USED TO BE LOW CARB EATERS HAD TO AVOID BREAD, PASTA AND SWEETS LIKE
THE PLAGUE.
BUT NOW GROCERY STORE SHELVES ARE PACKED WITH PRODUCTS MAKING ALL KINDS
OF LOW CARB CLAIMS.
HOWEVER, LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING.
(SOT-Samantha Heller/Nutritionist, NYU Medical Center)
"when a product says low carb you don't really know what that means
right now."
THAT'S BECAUSE GOVERNMENT REGULATORS HAVE YET TO ESTABLISH EXACTLY HOW
MANY CARBOHYDRATES CONSTITUTE LOW-CARB STATUS.... SO INSTEAD OF THE
WORDS "LOW-CARB"... PRODUCTS USE TERMS LIKE CARB FIT OR CARB COUNTING.
(SOT-Bonnie Liebman/Nutritionist, CSPI)
"to the consumers all those words mean low carb"
AND THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE
(Heller again)
"they have a candy bar that has 38 grams of carbohydrates and their low
carb one has 34."
AND THE WORDS "NET CARBS" CAN BE FOUND EVERYWHERE..... A PRODUCT MAY
ACTUALLY CONTAIN 15 GRAMS OF CARBOHYDRATES.... BUT MANUFACTURERS
SUBTRACT CERTAIN CARBS THAT, THEY SAY, DON'T IMPACT BLOOD SUGAR
LEVELS.... COMING UP WITH THE NET CARB FIGURE.
(SOT-Bonnie Liebman/Nutritionist, CSPI)
"the problem is that minimal impact on blood sugar doesn't necessarily
mean minimal impact on your hips. Some of those carbohydrates still
have calories so you can still gain weight on those foods."
STANDUP:(Dr. Mallika Marshall/CBS NEWS/Boston, MA)
THE F-D-A SAYS IT IS NOW STEPPING IN.
BY THIS SUMMER THE AGENCY COULD DECIDE JUST WHAT AMOUNT DEFINES, LOW
CARB OR REDUCED CARB.
UNTIL THEN, HOWEVER, FOOD MAKERS ARE FREE TO CASH IN ON THE CARB CRAZE.
(SOT - Liebman again)
"you have to check the calories you can't assume because the food is low
in carbs you won't gain weight."
SO IF YOU'RE TRYING TO FOLLOW A LOW CARB DIET EXPERTS SAY STICK WITH
BASICS: WHOLE GRAINS, VEGETABLES AND LOW-FAT PROTEIN.
THOSE COOKIES MIGHT BE HARD TO GIVE UP.... BUT IT'S CALLED A DIET FOR A
REASON.
DOCTOR MALLIKA MARSHALL, CBS NEWS.))
))
[L'burg-Book]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04 05 TC1:09:53]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=4]
A Lynchburg couple is commiting that city's history to the pages of a new book.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
Clif and Dorothy Potter recently finished writing "Lynchburg: A City Set on Seven Hills".
The Potters say both Lynchburg natives and first-time visitors should enjoy reading about people like Carter Glass and Anne Spencer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:13:56]
[IN Q=Someone who]
((DOROTHY POTTER: SOMEONE WHO KNOWS LYNCHBURG WOULD RECOGNIZE THOSE NAMES, OTHERS WOULD SAY WELL WHAT IS FAMOUS ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY, WHY DOES IT HAVE THIS NAME? AND THOSE ARE POINTS THAT ARE MADE IN THE BOOK.))
[SUPER=01-Dorothy Potter/Lynchburg Author]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=made in the book.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The book is part of a project by South Carolina-based Arcadia Publishing.
Arcadia is putting together the "Making of America" series, which highlights the histories of small towns like Lynchburg.
The book hit local stores this month.
(------------)
[Tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]
Up next on the newscast,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
dozens of people are speaking up to give a rare cat a new home.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]
[German-Cat]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]
You expect a cat to have nine lives and four paws-- but what about four EARS?
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Murnau, Germany;]
An animal shelter in the foothills of the Alps received dozens of calls after the local media published pictures of a four- eared cat named Lilly.
Feline fans around the world are eager to adopt the six-month-old kitten.
The shelter's director says Lilly will first be neutered and held at the shelter for another two weeks.
Vets have attributed the phenomenon to a gene malfunction.
But shelter officials say Lilly is a normal cat, who's well- adjusted despite her extra set of smaller, non- hearing ears.
(------------)
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=None]
On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was UP 29 points. The NASDAQ has gained four.
[super=460-x/29/x/4;]
[Tease2]
[SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]
Coming up next on the newscast, Tech gets ready for the start of its spring training as questions are being asked both on and off the field.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
Plus another high profile Hollywood couple is calling it quits
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]
[S-Spring]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-171 2414TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH FOOTBALL]
[ENG#=1]
The Virginia Tech football team opens spring practice on Saturday with a number of questions on and off the field.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
The Hokies are not only trying to solve many of the performance problems that contributed to their season slide -
but they are opening practice with three players on the roster facing criminal misdemeanor charges, and May court dates.
All will practice this spring.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=WELL WE HAVE...]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Beginning 18th Season at Virginia Tech;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=...A RUSH THING."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT con't]
At least for now - there is NO controversy at the quarterback spot.
Beamer says his senior Bryan Randall is the starter.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=...into spring practice."]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIM]
[GRAPHIC=TECH]
The annual Maroon and White game is set for Saturday - April 24th at two o'clock.
[S-Gretna]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=MST]
[TAPE#=SP-170 2510TC]
[GRAPHIC=ffe]
[ENG#=2]
Last December the Gretna football team won the division three state title.
Yesterday Friday Football Extra's team of the year picked up the gold -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gretna;]
Students, faculty and fans turned out for a special ceremony at the school to honor their title team.
Players and coaches received a personalized rings marking the team's Division Three title.
And the Hawks say they may be back again next season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:06:35]
[IN Q=It's a great]
[SUPER=01-Robert Senseney/Gretna Head Football Coach;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=make the run.]
(------------)
[Cruise-Cruz]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
The celebrity couple of Cruise and Cruz has called it quits--
Actors Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz have ended their three-year relationship.
Charlie D'Agata (DAG- uh- ta) has the scoop from London, where the twosome made one of their last appearances together.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
[SUPER=01-Charlie D'Agata/Reporting;]
[SUPER=01-Tom Cruise/Actor;]
[RUNS=1:51]
[OUT Q=D'agata, CBS News, London.]
((Pkge:
It's official: after three years of smooth sailing, the Cruise - Cruz
cruise ship has hit the rocks.
Cruise's spokesperson -- that's Tom's -- said the couple split at the
end of January.
CRUZ's spokesperson -- that's Penelope's -- said the pair remain "good
friends."
UPSOT: Clip
Destiny -- and Tom's agent -- brought them together on the set of the
Vanilla Sky...sparks flew.
Tom's marraige fizzled. Nothing to do with Penelope they said !....but a
short time later...cruise and Cruz were hand in hand. .
The pair were inseparable -- in fact, at times they appeared conjoined.
Folks said it would never last, and they were right.
But it did last 3 years, which is 21 in dog years, the Hollywood
equivalent.
ON CAMERA:
THE LAST TIME WE SAW THE COUPLE HERE IN LONDON'S LEICESTER SQUARE, AT
THE PREMIERE OF THE LAST SAMURAI, THEY WERE ALL SMILES -- THE ULTIMATE
HOLLYWOOD POWER COUPLE IN ACTION...SHE WORKED THE RED CARPET, WHILE HE
WORKED THE CROWDS.
The couple spent long periods apart while filming, but Tom denied back
then that the heavy workload was jeopardizing the relationship.
SOUNDBITE TOM CRUISE:
WE ARE NOT AWAY FROM EACH OTHER THAT MUCH. THERE ARE MOMENTS A COUPLE
WEEKS HERE AND THERE. I HAVE KIDS AND FAMILY AND THERE IS A FAX AND IT
IS REALLY WONDERFUL ACTUALLY.
But alas, not wonderful actually anymore.
There's the Scientology thing. Penelope Cruz's spokesman said the star
had NOT become a Scientologist like the other Cruise, he insisted that
religion was NOT involved in the split.
But the biggest question of all? Will Tom and Nicole get back together?
))
[Quickcast]
[WXPRO/FULL]
Quickcast
[REPRS@CL]
SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends
[SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]
by SS