WDBJ 7 morning news for 03/30/04

[PKG-VA-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-07 49:44]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Budget]
[ENG#=1]

The budget crisis at the state capitol is beginning to trickle down to city halls and county buildings across Virginia.
Last night, lawmakers, educators, business leaders and ordinary citizens voiced their frustration at a town hall meeting.
Justin McLeod has the story from the New River Valley.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg; :00]
[SUPER=@Shuler; :11]
[SUPER=01-Robert McCracken/Giles Co. School Superintendent; :28]
[SUPER=01-Douglas Covington/Radford University's President; :56]
[SUPER=01-Alan Soltis/Lanford Brothers Co.; 1:13]
[SUPER=@Edwards; 1:20]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF MEETING))
More than a hundred people came out Monday night to the Montgomery Government Center to tell local legislators it's time to get the job done.
[SOT 31:50]
[IN Q=It's an insult]
((DELEGATE JIM SHULER: IT'S AN INSULT TO THE TAXPAYERS OF VIRGINIA RIGHT NOW FOR THIS PROCESS TO CONTINUE LIKE THIS.))
[Runs06]
[OUT Q=CONTINUE LIKE THIS]

A process that is already beginning to affect public education.
Local school systems cannot offer contracts to teachers until the budget impasse is over.
[SOT 1:01:31]
[IN Q=Teachers are worrying]
((ROBERT McCRACKEN/GILES COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: TEACHERS ARE WORRYING ABOUT THEIR JOBS AND THEIR PAYCHECKS. THIS AFFECTS THEIR ABILITY TO CONCENTRATE ON THE INSTRUCTION AND VIRGINIA'S SOL ASSESSMENTS.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=SOL ASSESSMENTS]

It's also taking its toll on higher education.
Radford University had to raise tuition 14 percent this year and another increase for next year is in the works.
Radford's president says until a state budget is passed with adequate funding for colleges and universities students will end up paying the price.
[SOT 53:49]
[IN Q=Unless the state]
((DOUGLAS COVINGTON/RADFORD UNIVERSITY'S PRESIDENT: UNLESS THE STATE ADOPTS A BUDGET WITH HIGHER EDUCATION AS A TOP PRIORITY QUALITY WILL BE JEOPARDIZED.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=WILL BE JEOPARDIZED]

Also being jeopardized some say is Virginia's crowded roadways.
The recent Senate budget calls for no additional funding for transportation.
[SOT 1:11:50]
[IN Q=Every 100 million]
((ALAN SOLTIS/LANFORD BROTHERS CO.: EVERY 100 MILLION DOLLARS INVESTED IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CREATES FOUR THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED 50 JOBS.)) [Runs07]
[OUT Q=four thousand seven hundred 50 jobs]
[SOT 45:10]
[IN Q=There's no money]
((SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS: THERE'S NO MONEY FOR 1-81 OR THESE OTHER PROJECTS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. IT'S A PIPE DREAM UNLESS WE CAN FIND THE MONEY SOMEWHERE.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=THE MONEY SOMEWHERE]
[SOT]
[IN Q=So when will]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: SO WHEN WILL LAWMAKERS FINALLY PASS A BUDGET? DELEGATE SHULER SAYS HE HOPES TO SEE ONE WITHIN TWO OR THREE WEEKS. BUT SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS SAYS HE SEES NO LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[11Tech-Visit]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-01 1:27:58]
[GRAPHIC=Va Tech Tuition Hike]
[ENG#=2]

Students will have to pay more to attend Virginia Tech next year, but at this point, no one knows how much.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

The state budget impasse has Tech's budget process at a virtual standstill.
As they wait for lawmakers to make up their minds, the Board of Visitors voted yesterday for a maximum tuition hike of 9-point-6%.
Under that proposal, it would cost an in-state undergraduate an extra 883-dollars to attend Tech.
Even with the full hike, Tech would remain the most affordable university in the state.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:55:41:00 ]
[IN Q=I just really]

((ALLAN BRADLEY: I JUST REALLY HOPE IN THE FUTURE ITS NOT GOING TO DISUADE PEOPLE FROM APPLYING. AND WE'RE GONNA GET TO A POINT WHERE, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE THE STILL THE CHEAPEST IN THE STATE WE'RE SIMPLY GOING TO GET UNAFFORDABLE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND I'M WORRIED ABOUT SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA))
[SUPER=01-Allan Bradley/Tech Senior;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=southside virginia.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The increase will be used to help pay for faculty raises.
The school will also add more money to financial aid.
(------------)

[Gas-Prices]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Gas Prices Up]
[ENG#=3]

Sticker shock at the gas pump is becoming more common across the country.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

High crude oil costs and strong demand have pushed the national average for a gallon of gas to a dollar- 80.
Observers expect that number to climb as high as three dollars in the upcoming months.
[SUPER=03-San Diego, CA;]

In San Diego, residents are shelling out two- dollars- and- 12- cents for a gallon of regular gas.
The skyrocketing fuel costs have also sparked a crime wave.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=One of the things]
((JEFF LENARD/NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONVENIENCE STORES: ONE OF THE THINGS WE ALWAYS SEE WHEN THERE'S AN INCREASE IN PRICES THERE'S AN INCREASE IN GAS THEFT AND WE'RE SEEING IT ONCE AGAIN THIS YEAR. ))
[SUPER=01-Jeff Lenard/National Association of Convenience Stores;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=this year.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Some gas stations have had to install new gas pumps that force customers to pay before they fill up.
Meanwhile, OPEC is meeting tomorrow to decide whether to go ahead with a cut in production that could send prices higher.
But experts say even if the energy cartel cancels its plan, gas prices won't fall by much.
(------------)

[Kerry]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=4]

Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry is fueling the fight against high gas prices.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Kerry will propose a new plan to reduce gas prices today-- a plan that would temporarily suspend filling the U-S strategic petroleum reserve and raise gas mileage standards in new cars.
Meanwhile, the Republicans, led by Vice President Dick Cheney have been taking shots at the Massachusetts Senator's record on taxes.
Yesterday, Cheney and Kerry traded barbs over jobs and the economy.
(------------)

[Cooke]

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

Legendary British broadcaster Alistair Cooke has died.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Masterpiece Theater;]

He was best known for introducing Masterpiece Theatre on P-B-S, and for his weekly "Letter from America" reports that aired in England beginning in 19-46.
The B-B-C says Cooke died at his home in New York City, just a month after his retirement due to heart disease.
Prime Minister Tony Blair called Cooke "one of the greatest broadcasters of all time.''
Alistair Cooke was 95.
(------------)

[11Church-Group]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-03 55:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

A new group plans to tackle what it believes is a morality problem in the Roanoke Valley.
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

They call themselves Concerned Christians of the Roanoke Valley and they met for the first time last night at Hollins Road Baptist Church.
It's a group made up of area churches that plan to address moral and family value issues.
They formed after Vinton voters approved off track betting and Roanoke expanded alcohol sales at the Civic Center.
The group is moving forward with plans to appeal the A-B-C board's decision to grant that new alcohol license.
(------------)

[6-Franklin-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-11 25:47]
[GRAPHIC=School Information]
[ENG#=3]

Students in Franklin County WILL get a Spring Break after all.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./February 16;]
School officials announced yesterday they will NOT use part of the Spring break schedule next month to make up for snow days. Students have missed 13-days of class this year because of snow. But officials say the kids will still have to spend Memorial Day in school to help accomodate for the lost days.
(------------)

[6-Smith-Dam]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=cja]
[TAPE#=04-08 59:35]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

Naturally-generated electricity has been restored in Martinsville.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.]

Yesterday, the city re-started the hydroelectric dam that had been out of service for more than four months.
A faulty hydraulic line caused the dam to shut down its power generation last November. The city says the much-needed repairs came just in time.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:49:04]
[IN Q= Its always]

((WADE BARTLETT/INTERIM CITY MANAGER: IT'S ALWAYS A CRITICAL TIME TO SAVE MONEY FOR THE CITY BUT OUR PEAK LOADS DO OCCUR IN THE SUMMER SO THAT IS AN ISSUE AND WE WANTED TO GET THIS UP AND RUNNING BEFORE THE SUMMER HEAT.))
[SUPER=01-Wade Bartlett/Interim City Manager]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q= summer heat.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The dam meets only two percent of the city's electrical need. But officials say generating during peak times saves the city a significant amount of money.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, The Dow gained more than 100 points yesterday.
Jean Lee has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jean Lee/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
((Stocks rallied on Monday on news of mergers, stock upgrades and word that OPEC could delay cuts on oil production.
The Dow zoomed higher by 116 points. The Nasdaq gained 32.
Jurors in the trial of former Tyco chief Dennis Kozlowski were back at work, after the judge refused to grant a defense motion for a mistrial. Kozlowski is accused of looting the company of 100's of millions of dollars, to fund an extravagant lifestyle. Defense attorneys had asked for a mistrial, after several news reports over the weekend NAMED, juror No. 4! There were reports that the juror was apparently holding out for an acquittal.
The ramp up in Mergers activity continues. After the closing bell, food giant Kraft announced it has purchased beverage company Very Fine, for an undisclosed sum. Very Fine makes and markets fruit juices and flavored waters, and had sales of $150 million last year.
Earlier on Monday, biotech giant Amgen (AMGN) announced it is paying $1.3 billion for its smaller competitor Tularik (TLRK) (too-LARE-rick).
And two chemical companies, Lyondell (LYO) and Millennium, (MCH) have agreed to a $2.3 billion marriage.
Finally, as Wall Street looks ahead to Wednesday's OPEC meeting, speculation is mounting that the group may DELAY some expected cuts on oil production quotas. or even INCREASE production, as prices have been flirting with 13-year highs.

You can track all your stocks at cbs.mw.com. I'm jl, cbs mw in ny.))

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

[Gay-Marriage]

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

With just seven weeks to go before same sex marriages are legal in Massachusetts, opponents in the state legislature have taken a major step toward banning them.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Boston, MA;]

A constitutional amendment has been approved-- one that bans same-sex marriages while legalizing civil unions. Following the vote, the governor said he'll ask the courts to put same-sex marriages on hold until a vote on the amendment, which will likely be in the fall of 2006.
A Supreme Judicial Court ruling allowing same sex marriage prompted the legislative battle.
(------------)

[11Richmond-fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-55 1:59:02]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Aftermath]
[ENG#=2]

Richmond residents are still cleaning up after the area's worst fire in decades.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]

City officials say 14 buildings have been condemned and nine families displaced due to the blaze.
[SUPER=03-Richmond/Friday; :06]

The flames destroyed a five-story apartment building under construction and several homes a few blocks away.
Property damage from the fire is estimated at 20 million dollars.
That figure is expected to rise as residents continue to assess the wreckage.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT :58:27]
[IN Q=ALL OF OUR ELECTRONICAL STUFF]
((MARK ROBBINS/APARTMENT DESTROYED IN FIRE: ALL OF OUR ELECTRONICAL STUFF ALL OF OUR CLOTHES TWO OF MY ROOMMATES LITERALLY LOST EVERYTHING THEY OWN.))
[SUPER=01-Mark Robbins/Apartment Destroyed in Fire]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=LITERALLY LOST EVERYTHING THEY OWN.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The fire has been linked to one death... that of a woman who lost her oxygen supply when power to her home was cut off.
(------------)

[11Police-Dogs]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-02 1:49:08]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

Their job is to serve and protect, but one Roanoke woman says a trained police dog attacked her, leaving her scarred and shaken.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
It happened earlier this month as police chased a suspect to here on Kellogg Avenue. Police say once the suspect got out of the car, they released the dog. Meanwhile, Betty Ramey says she heard a noise outside and opened her door- when a Roanoke Police Department dog bit her arm and wouldn't let go.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@15:48:34:00]
[IN Q=THIS IS A POLICE...]
((BETTY RAMEY, VICTIM: THIS IS A POLICE DOG AND HE'S BEEN TRAINED AND SHOULD KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FEMALE, OR MAN AND A CHILD. THE DOGS ARE TRAINED TO ATTACK EVERYBODY. IF IT COULD HAPPEN TO ME, IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU NEXT.))
[SOT@16:07:13:13]
((SGT. MAC BABB, ROANOKE POLICE DEPARTMENT: EVEN HANDLERS WILL TELL POLICE OFFICERS, IF WE DEPLOY THE DOGS, DON'T GO IN BETWEEN THE DOGS OR THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENTIAL BITE THERE.))
[SUPER=01-Betty Ramey/Victim; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Mac Babb/Roanoke Police Dept.; :13]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=... ACCIDENTIAL BITE THERE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Police arrested Ramey's two sons in the home that night- they face numerous charges. Meanwhile, Ramey has filed a complaint against the police department citing bruality and forced entry into her home.

(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP] [COMM]

[VOB-Town-Meeting]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-14 TC 4:06]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Budget]
[ENG#=1]

It's time for lawmakers in Richmond to get their act together.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg]

That was the message area legislators heard last night at a town hall meeting held at the Montgomery County Government Center.
More than a hundred people showed up to voice their frustration about the state budget impasse.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 31:41]
[IN Q=i THINK IT'S]
((DELEGATE JIM SHULER: I THINK IT'S RATHER RIDICULOUS. WE'RE BEING PAID 115 DOLLARS A DAY FOR THREE MINUTE MEETINGS. IT'S AN INSULT TO THE TAXPAYERS OF VIRGINIA RIGHT NOW FOR THIS PROCESS TO CONTINUE LIKE THIS.))
[SUPER=@shuler]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=continue like this]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Many had different opinions what on should be cut and what should see a tax hike.
But a majority of the crowd opposed the idea that tax increases should be put on a referendum to let voters decide.

(------------)

[Biz-Brief]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=3]

In business news, Stocks soared yesterday. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:12]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]

((STOCKS RALLIED TO CLOSE IN THE PLUS COLUMN ON MONDAY.

THE DOW WAS UP 116-POINTS...
AND THE NASDAQ GAINED 32.

SHARES OF TYSON FOODS FELL ALMOST
THREE-PERCENT AFTER IT ANNOUNCED IT'S UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
THE S-E-C IS LOOKING INTO THE COMPANY'S DISCLOSURES OF PAYMENTS TO CERTAIN DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS, INCLUDING TYSON'S CHAIRMAN.
THE COMPANY SAYS IT'S COOPERATING WITH THE INVESTIGATION BUT SAYS ITS OWN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE ISSUE FINDS NO VIOLATIONS.

A CALIFORNIA COURT HAS DISMISSED--WITH PREJUDICE--A LAWSUIT AGAINST WALT DISNEY COMPANY, AND AFTER 13 YEARS THE WINNIE THE POOH CASE IS OVER.
AT ISSUE WAS A CHARGE BY THE FAMILY FIRM WITH U-S MERCHANDISING RIGHTS TO THE FICTITIOUS BEAR.
THEY SAID DISNEY FAILED TO PAY ROYALTIES ON VIDEO CASSETTES AND SHORT-CHANGED THEM ON OTHER ITEMS.
DISNEY DENIED THE CHARGES.

M-C-I IS CUTTING ITS WORKFORCE BY MORE THAN SEVEN-PERCENT.
THE BANKRUPT TELECOM COMPANY ANNOUNCED THE PLANS TO LAY-OFF FOUR-THOUSAND WORKERS.
THE LAYOFFS AT THREE CALL CENTERS WILL TAKE PLACE IN MAY AND JUNE.
M-C-I HOPES TO EMERGE FROM BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION BY THE END OF APRIL.

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

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

[11Student-Fall]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-06 51:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Make it 12 Virginia Tech students to have a major fall on or near the Tech campus in the last six months.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

The latest episode came Saturday night at the Foxridge Apartments. Blacksburg police say 24 year old Brian Allen fell out of third story window. He was treated for minor injuries and released from Montgomery Regional Hospital. Police say alcohol was a factor.
(------------)

[6-Jail-Death]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=None]

An inmate at the Roanoke City Jail was found dead yesterday morning in his cell. Deputies say 37-year-old Darryl Anthony Moyer of Roanoke apparently hanged himself with pieces of his bed sheet. Rescue crews tried to revive Moyer, but he was later pronounced dead at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Moyer was recently convicted on federal drug and weapons charges, and faced up to 10-years in prison. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.