WDBJ 7 morning news for 04/16/04

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
[ENG#=1]

President Bush welcomes British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the White House today for talks on Iraq.
Their meeting comes during the deadliest month for U-S troops in since the start of the war, and less than three months before the Iraqis are supposed to govern themselves.
Teri Okita reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Fallujah, Iraq; :00]
[SUPER=01-Tony Blair/British Prime Minister; :27]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/CBS News; 1:26]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=Okita, CBS News, Washington.]
(( AMID INSURGENT UPRISINGS.. KIDNAPPINGS.. AND A RAPIDLY CLIMBING CASUALTY COUNT.. PRESIDENT BUSH AND BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR WILL SIT DOWN TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF IRAQ.
BRITIAN IS THE NUMBER ONE U-S ALLY IN THE WAR ON TERROR.. WITH THE SECOND LARGEST CONTINGENCY OF TROOPS ON THE GROUND IN IRAQ. LIKE PRESIDENT BUSH PRIME MINISTER BLAIR HAS VOWED TO SEE DEMOCRACY TAKE ROOT.

(Tony Blair, British Prime Minister)
BLAIR SOT: 20:50:30 How we get there is obviously the difficult issue,
particularly with security at the moment, but our determination to get there remains undimmed. We have to stand firm.
AS THE CLOCK TICKS TOWARD THE JUNE 30TH HANDOVER DEADLINE.. BOTH THE U-S AND BRITAIN HAVE ASKED THE UNITED NATIONS TO PLAY A LARGER ROLE IN THE TRANSITION. AFTER A MEETING LAST NIGHT WITH U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN, BLAIR CALLED FOR A NEW SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION.

BLAIR SOT 20:58:22 in the end we want the same thing, we want a broad
based iraqi government that is representative of iraqi people
WHILE THERE IS NO CONSENSUS ON WHAT FORM THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE, BLAIR AND ANNAN DISCUSSED THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE THIS WEEK BY SENIOR U-N ENVOY LAKDHAR BRAHIMI. BRAHIMI HAS WARNED THE SECURITY SITUATION MUST IMPROVE IN ORDER FOR THE POLITICAL PROCESS TO MOVE FORWARD.
TWENTY THOUSAND U-S TROOPS JUST GOT THE NEWS THEYRE STAYING ANOTHER THREE MONTHS TO HELP PROVIDE THAT SECURITY.
STAND-UP CLOSE: PRIME MINISTER BLAIR HAS PAID A HEAVY PRICE BACK HOME FOR HIS ALLIANCE WITH PRESIDENT BUSH. WHAT HAPPENS IN IRAQ IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS IS SURE TO AFFECT THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF BOTH MEN. TERI OKITA, CBS NEWS WASHINGTON ))

[VOBTask-Force]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-09 52:24]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

Roanoke's school safety task force has issued a progress report.
Members feel they can meet their deadline.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The 31 member task force has now met a total of eight times.
At last night's meeting, the group reviewed the results of a recent student survey.
It found the majority of students feel physcially safe from violence in schools.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:46:59]
[IN Q=Some good, some]
((JIM O'HARE/TASK FORCE MEMBER: SOME GOOD, SOME VERY GOOD. THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS GIVE SCHOOLS PASSING GRADES IN SCHOOL SAFETY. THERE ARE SOMETHINGS THAT DO NEED SOME WORK. THERE ARE INDICATORS SOME KIDS DON'T ALWAYS REPORT SAFETY PROBLEMS.))
[SUPER=01-Jim O'Hare/Task Force Member;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=report safety problems]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Members will spend the next two meetings coming up with specific recommendations.
They will then present their findings to the city on May 20th.
(------------)

[11Montvale-Wreck]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC28:31]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]
[ENG#=3]

A teen injured in an accident on Route 460 in Bedford County has died.
State Troopers say 17 year old Joseph Mullens of Roanoke died last night at Roanoke Memorial Hospital
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co./Yesterday;]
Officers say shortly before 11 yesterday morning, Mullens' Chevy Cavalier crossed the median and hit a Crown Victoria head on. The teenager was flown to Roanoke Memorial Hospital by helicopter. He was NOT wearing his seatbelt and was partially ejected from his car. The other driver, 37-year-old Todd Stone was also injured in the wreck. Stone is the Chief of the Bedford Fire Department, and was last listed in good condition at R-M-H.
(------------)

[11Clearbrook]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-06 TC1:18:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

A volunteer rescue squad in Roanoke County is trying to hold on to its operating license.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :20]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Week;]
Officials with the county say members of the Clearbrook squad voted last weekend to "cease" the duties of chief Lee Bibbs and president Don Kelley. It's unclear who's taken over their responsibilities. The squad is under investigation after an audit turned up what one official described as possibly "inappropriate" financial action.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The Commonwealth's attorney confirms a search warrant was issued in *Franklin* County. A motorcycle was seized as part of the investigation. The squad's Operational Medical Director recently resigned after learning of the case. Without an OMD, members are not allowed to respond to emergency calls. Clearbrook has until the end of the month to fill the position or risk losing its license.

[11DMV-Offices]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-05 TC1:36:06]
[GRAPHIC=DMV]
[ENG#=1]

The Department of Motor Vehicles put the brakes on its mobile services, causing inconveniences to some residents who relied on it.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New Castle]
The service stopped at the beginning of the month. The travel teams, as they're known, would go into small communities like Floyd, Gretna and New Castle to provide licensing services. For folks in Craig County, that means they'll have to drive more than 30-miles to the DMV office in Roanoke.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@13:51:58:16]
[INQ=I'm going to...]
((LORRAINE MUNCEY, CRAIG CO. RESIDENT: I'M GOING TO HAVE TO SIT AT LEAST AN HOUR OR TWO IN THE OFFICE TO GET WAITED ON.
IT'S A PAIN..))
[SUPER=01-Lorraine Muncey/Craig Co. Resident]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUTQ=... it's a pain.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A spokeswoman says the DMV stopped offering the service because it wasn't being used and wasn't cost effective.
(------------)

[11Monacans]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-01 1:54:44]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

When Virginia celebrates its 400th birthday in 20-07, the state's native Indian tribes hope to be there as more than just window dressing.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co./File Tape]

The Council on Indians met last weekend to discuss how much the state's eight tribes would participate in the Jamestown festivities.
Some are reluctant to commit while they wait for federal recognition.. a process that is costing the tribes about five thousand dollars a month in legal fees.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:08:26]
[IN Q=We cannot continue]
((KENNETH BRANHAM/MONACAN INDIAN CHIEF: WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO DO THOSE THINGS AND PARTICIPATE IN 2007 LIKE WE'D LIKE TO. IT'S JUST TOO MUCH OF A STRAIN, AND FEDERAL RECOGNITION IS OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL RIGHT NOW, 2007 IS A DISTANT SECOND.))

[SUPER=01-Kenneth Branham/Monacan Indian Chief]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=a distant second.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The recognition bill has been held up by lawmakers who fear it would help introduce casino gambling to Virginia.

Branham says the tribes have no interest in gaming.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news,
Stocks will be trying to rally after a mixed finish yesterday.
Alexis Christoforous has a look in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Big Blue didn't]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
(( BIG BLUE DIDN'T DISAPPOINT WALL STREET.. AFTER THE CLOSING BELL IBM ROLLED OUT FIRST QUARTER PROFITS OF 1.6 BILLION DOLLARS.. SALES TOPPED 22 BILLION.. THAT WAS BETTER THAN EXPECTED. IBM CREDITS THE GLOWING PROFIT REPORT TO COMPANIES BUYING MORE OF ITS MACHINES AND SOFTWARE.

THINGS ARE A LITTLE CLOUDY AT SUN MICROSYSTEMS.. THE NETWORK COMPUTER MAKER posted a large loss weighed down by a hefty restructuring charge Revenue at Sun fell for the 12th consecutive quarter. GOOD, BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH.. THAT'S WHAT TRADERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE PROFIT REPORTS COMING TO MARKET. INTEREST RATE AND INFLATION WORRIES CONTINUE TO COMPETE FOR INVESTORS ATTENTION. YESTERDAY, THE DOW CLIMBED 19 AND A HALF POINTS BUT THE NASDAQ WASN'T AS LUCKY, DOWN 22 As the economy looks stronger, mortgage rates are heading higher. ACCORDING TO FREDDIE MAC THE AVERAGE RATE FOR A 30 YEAR FIXED RATE LOAN IS 5.89 PERCENT UP FROM 5.79 PERENT LAST WEEK. RATES HAVE NOW JUMEPD HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT SINCE MID MARCH. THE 15 YEAR, POPULAR WITH THOSE LOOKING TO REFINANCE ALSO ROSE TO 5.23 PERCENT FORM 5.12 PERCENT. A string of positive economic reports, including a surprise jump in March employment, triggered a retreat in the bond market and in turn sent rates higher. FIND OUT MORE AT CBS.MW.COM IN NY I'M ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS))

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

[11Ukraine]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-11 TC40:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
Thousands of miles separate western Virginia from western Ukraine... but a partnership is now developing between WDBJ-7 and a television station in the city of Ivano-Frankvisk. (Ivano FRAHN- kifsk)
Joe Dashiell recently returned from Ukraine, and takes a closer look at the region.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The Soviet Legacy]
[SUPER=03-Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine; :06]
[SUPER=@Joe1; :19]
[SUPER=39-Zinoviy Shkutiyak/Ivano-Frankivsk Mayor; 1:13]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=JD News 7]

((The soviet legacy is evident in the massive architecture of the capital, Kyiv.
But in many areas there is also an old-world charm that owes more to European roots than Russian ones. [NAT SOUND OF VIOLINIST] [STAND-UP BRIDGE] Ivano-Frankivsk is located in western Ukraine, in an area that was once part of Poland. Today, it's a bustling city of 250- thousand that reflects the problems and the promise of this country. The week before Easter, the Red Cross was handing out food to elderly pensioners. In a country where the average wage is only about one hundred dollars a month, many live in poverty. Adequate, affordable housing is in short supply. And the aging soviet-era infrastructure is in obvious need of replacement and repair. But there are also unmistakable signs that conditions are improving. New construction, and renovations to the city's historic district are a point of pride for residents... [NAT SOUND FROM WOMAN ON DOWNTOWN MALL] And for the mayor, who has made civic improvements a priority of his administation.
[SOT MAYOR]
A dozen years after Independence, Ukrainian Democracy is still evolving.
And with a presidential election scheduled in October, there is a sense that Ukraine is standing at an important crossroads.
Tomorrow, we'll take a closer look at the role of the independent media, and visit the television station in western Ukraine that now has a relationship with western Virginia.
Joe Dashiell News 7))

[kim toss to bump] ((Toss to bump))

[11School-Violence]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-14 15:12]
[ENG#=1]

It's down to the wire for Roanoke's school safety task force.
The group has less than a month to come up with recommendations and issue a report.
Justin McLeod has a progress report.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jim O'Hare/Task Force Member; :49]
[SUPER=01-Paula Wilder/Task Force Facilitator; 1:10]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF MEETING))
They have now met eight times.
It is the task of 31 people to decide what works and what doesn't when it comes to safety in Roanoke schools.
[SOT 4:44:26]
[IN Q=We want to focus]
((PAULA WILDER/TASK FORCE FACILITATOR: WE WANT TO FOCUS NOT JUST THE HONEST BAD BUT ALSO THE HONEST GOOD NEWS.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=GOOD NEWS]

That news was collected through a student survey.
It was conducted back in February and more than 35 hundred students responded.
[SOT 4:47:01]
[IN Q=The majority of]
((JIM O'HARE/TASK FORCE MEMBER: THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS GIVE THE SCHOOLS PASSING GRADES IN SCHOOL SAFETY.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=IN SCHOOL SAFETY]

The survey indicated that most students in grades 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11th feel physically safe from violence in school.

When asked where students feel unsafe, the majority said the hallways and then the bathrooms.
Students were then asked what needs to be changed. At the middle and high school levels, the majority said better security is needed.
[SOT 4:48:25]
[IN Q=A lot of the]
((JIM O'HARE/TASK FORCE MEMBERS: A LOT OF THE ANSWERS WERE WRITTEN IN AND SO IT DOES THEY DID PUT SOME THOUGHT INTO THEM.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=thought into them]
((NAT SOUND OF MEETING))
The task force will now spend the next two meetings coming up with specific recommendations.
The group will then present their findings to the city on May 20th but some members still fear their work will not be taken seriously.
[SOT 4:45:59]
[IN Q=I think they are]
((PAULA WILDER/TASK FORCE FACILITATOR: I THINK THEY ARE STILL OUT THERE. THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING AND UNTIL PEOPLE SEE ACTION THEIR STILL GOING TO REASONABLY HOLD ONTO THAT. BUT WE'VE BEEN REASSURED MULTIPLE TIMES THAT IF WE DO GOOD WORK....MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.)) [Runs12]
[OUT Q=]
[SOT ]
[INQ=One of the things]
((JUSTIN MclEOD/REPORTING: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DISAPPOINTED THE TASK FORCE WAS THE LACK OF RESPONSE TO THE PARENTAL SURVEYS. OUT OF THE THOUSANDS OF PARENTS IN ROANOKE, ONLY 611 FILLED OUT THE SURVEY. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[11Child-Report]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

13 percent of Virginians under the age of six live below the federal poverty line.
That's according to a new state report recently released.
In addition, that number jumps to 41 percent in Danville.
A team of state and community leaders will meet later this year to review the data and decide on a plan of action.

[Biz-Brief]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=1]

In business news,
I-B-M reported a 16 percent increase in first quarter earnings after the closing bell yesterday. Big Blue, one of the world's largest technology conglomerates earned 94 cents per share. That's up from 79 cents per share a year ago.
The increase was in line with analysts' expectations. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=:57]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]
(( STOCKS ENDED TRADING MIXED ON THURSDAY AS THE NASDAQ TUMBLED TO A LOW CLOSE. THE DOW WAS UP 19-POINTS... AND THE NASDAQ LOST 22. UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE ON THE RISE. THE LABOR DEPARTMENTS SAYS CLAIMS GREW BY 30 THOUSAND LAST WEEK. IT'S THE BIGGEST JUMP IN MORE THAN A YEAR. CITIGROUP TOPS WALL STREET ESTIMATES BY FOUR-CENTS FOR ITS FIRST-QUARTER EARNINGS. THE WORLD'S NUMBER ONE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY EARNED 98-CENTS PER SHARE FOR THE PERIOD- THAT'S EXCLUDING A GAIN FROM THE SALE OF A PORTION OF THE COMPANY'S ELECTRONIC FUNDS SERVICES BUSINESS. SHARES OF TEXAS INSTRUMENTS REMAIN NEARLY UNCHANGED A DAY AFTER THE COMPANY REPORTS A BIG RISE IN PROFITS AND BETTER THAN EXPECTED SALES. THE LEADING SUPPLIER OF CELL-PHONE CHIPS POSTED A FIRST QUARTER NET INCOME OF 21-CENTS A SHARE -- AN INCREASE OVER SEVEN-CENTS A SHARE A YEAR AGO. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SAYS STRONG SALES OF CELL-PHONES CONTRIBUTED TO THE NUMBERS. WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF... I'M STAN CASE. ))

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

[11ACV-Anthem]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

An agreement has been reached in a dispute between an insurance company and a group of local doctors.
35 Anesthesiologists in Roanoke and the New River Valley recently pulled out of the Anthem benefit network.
The doctors argued Anthem reimbursements were unreasonably low.
Yesterday, the group announced it had reached an agreement with Anthem and therefore will once again be part of the health plan network.
Details of that agreement have not been released.

[Porn-AIDS]

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

A potential H-I-V scare is spreading through the adult entertainment industry.
Now an industry group wants all production suspended.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;]

Two actors have tested positive for H-I-V, the virus that causes AIDS.
One of them is a veteran male performer-- the other is reportedly a 19- year- old female who's new to the business.
Dozens of other actors are on voluntary quarantine, and producers are shutting down dozens of sets in Southern California. Southern California's porn industry generates sales of between four and 13- billion dollars a year.
(------------)
[kim toss to bump] ((KIM TOSS TO BUMP))

[11Roanoke-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-07 TC1:07:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

Roanoke City detectives are heading to Arlington today to bring a murder suspect back to the area.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Friday;]

A 17 year old suspected of killing a man in Roanoke this weekend is custody there.
Police say the teen shot 22-year-old Claude Harper last Friday on Rutherford Avenue. Harper died Sunday evening.

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

[Apprentice]

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

After uttering the phrase, "You're Fired" more than a dozen times over the past few months, Donald Trump has finally HIRED a new apprentice.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=You're a brilliant guy...]
[SUPER=04-Mark Burnett Productions;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=Bill, you're hired.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Bill Rancic (RAN- sik), the cigar entrepreneur from Chicago emerged as the winner on the reality T-V show, "The Apprentice" last night.
He beat out the other finalist, Kwame Jackson, in the competition to run one of Trump's companies.
Trump gave Rancic about three minutes to decide whether he wanted to oversee the development of a golf course in Los Angeles or the building of a skyscraper in Chicago.
Rancic chose the skyscraper. (------------) He also got a new convertible, and will earn 250-thousand dollars.