WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 05/03/04

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[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]

After escaping from his Iraqi captors, former hostage Thomas Hamill arrives at a German hospital for treatment AND a reunion.
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[ANCHOR=Kim]

And, despite search efforts, there's still no sign of a man believed to have drowned in the James River over the weekend. [WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=LEO]
[SS=None]
One last push of moisture tries to head in our direction with cold and dry weather returning late tonight. I'll have your hometown forecast.
[ANCHOR=Kim 2-Shot]

Stay with us. News 7 at noon, starts right now.
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[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]
[SUPER=@Leo1; ]

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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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[SOT]
[IN Q=He was yelling]
((HE WAS YELLING 'I'M AN AMERICAN, I'M AN AMERICAN, I'M AN AMERICAN P.O.W'.))
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=American P.O.W.]
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[VO-NAT]

National Guard members recall the words of former hostage Thomas Hamill-- the American who escaped his Iraqi captors over the weekend.
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[Hamill]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=News7@Noon]
[ENG#=3]

Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
It was an escape to freedom, and now back into the arms of his family.
This, as former hostage Thomas Hamill arrives in Germany to see his wife and receive medical treatment.
Elizabeth Sanchez is in Hamill's hometown of Macon, Mississippi.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq; :00]
[SUPER=01-Col. Randy Dragon/U. S. Army; :13]
[SUPER=01-Lt. Joe Merrill/U. S. Army; :31]
[SUPER=01-Kellie Hamill/Hamill's Wife; :59]
[SUPER=01-Elizabeth Sanchez/CBS News; 1:11]
[SUPER=01-Kristie Boykin/Family Friend; 1:19]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=Sanchez, CBS News, Macon, MS.]

((Pkge: nats..army newser..'immediately recognized him as he came across the field.'
IT IS THE NEWEST NEW PHOTO OF FREEDOM FROM IRAQ.... FORMER AMERICAN HOSTAGE THOMAS HAMILL, SHAKING HANDS WITH SOLDIERS. THE MOMENT HE'D BEEN WAITING FOR.

SOT - COLONEL RANDALL DRAGON/US ARMY
"When we picked him up he was elated, happy to see an American patrol."
HAMILL WAS TAKEN CAPTIVE THREE WEEKS AGO..... AND HELD IN THIS HOUSE BEFORE ESCAPING ON SUNDAY. WHILE SITTING IN THIS ROOM, HAMILL TOLD U-S FORCES HE HEARD THEIR CONVOY, AND WAS ABLE TO PRY OPEN A DOOR AND GET OUT.
LT. JOE MERRILL/US ARMY "he heard the humvees as we swept through, he ran out to us and flagged one of my team leaders down."
APART FROM AN INFECTED GUNSHOT WOUND TO HIS ARM THE CONTRACTER APPEARED IN GOOD HEALTH.

(nats...hamill on video in captivity)
HAMILL WAS AMONG SEVEN US CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS KIDNPAPED IN THE APRIL 9TH ATTACK.
(nats...'i'm hamill, thomas..)
THOSE WERE THE LAST WORDS HAMILL'S FAMILY WOULD HEAR.... UNTIL THE PHONE RANG EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. HIS WIFE SAID IT WAS THE BEST WAKE-UP CALL EVER.

SOT - KELLIE HAMILL/HAMILL'S WIFE "He sounded wonderful, really good,
really strong, enough that I didn't worry."
HAMILL'S WIFE IS HEADED TO GERMANY TO MEET HER HUSBAND AT A US MILITARY BASE THERE. THE REST OF THE FAMILY IS WAITING ANXIOUSLY AT HOME IN MISSISSIPPI.

(STANDUP BRIDGE)
YELLOW RIBBONS ARE STILL TIED AROUND HAMILL'S HOMETOWN OF MACON. THE PEOPLE HERE ARE PLANNING A PARADE IN HIS HONOR ONCE HE RETURNS....

SOT - KRISTIE BOYKIN/FAMILY FRIEND "There were times I'd kinda get
scared, but I knew he was coming home."
IN THE COMING DAYS, HAMILL'S FAMILY HOPES TO LEARN MORE DETAILS, ABOUT HOW HE WAS TREATED, AND HOW HE MANAGED TO SURVIVE THE ORDEAL.
HAMILL SAYS HIS CAPTORS DID GIVE HIM SOME FOOD..... HE HAD JUST OPENED IT WHEN HE HEARD THE U-S CONVOY...AND DECIDED TO MAKE HIS ESCAPE. ELIZABETH SANCHEZ, CBS NEWS, MACON, MISSISSIPPI.
))

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
[ENG#=4]

In Iraq today, the alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners at a Baghdad-area prison has more U-S service members in trouble.
Six U-S soldiers were already facing criminal charges.
Now, a military source says seven more have been reprimanded.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fallujah, Iraq;]

Meanwhile, after weeks of fighting, residents returned home to Fallujah today to survey the damage and bury their dead.
The mood is different from the weekend victory celebrations, as Iraqis watched U-S Marines pull out of the city.
[SUPER=03-Najaf, Iraq;]

And in Najaf, insurgents pounded the U-S military base with mortar and sniper fire.
No Americans were killed there, but a U-S soldier was killed in an attack near Baghdad.
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[Tillman]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

Former N-F-L player- turned- Army Ranger Pat Tillman is being remembered today at a service in California.
Tillman was killed in action last month in Afghanistan.
Carmine Gallo reports.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-San Jose, CA; :00]
[SUPER=01-Charles McManus/World War II Navy Veteran; :50]
[SUPER=01-Carmine Gallo/Reporting; 1:02]
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[OUT Q=Gallo, CBS News.]

(Sorry, no closed captioning available.)
[WX-Tease] ((KIMBERLY TOSS TO LEO)) [5/3/2004]
[SS=NONE]

LEO in WX-CENTER
[SKYTRACKER/FULL] RADAR [WXPRO/FULL] STORY
[SS=NONE]

(LEO TOSS TO KIMBERLY)

[State-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]
[ENG#=none]
It's back to the bargaining table today in Richmond for state budget negotiators. While they have agreed on a tax increase, they must still work up a detailed spending plan. Areas still unresolved include how many new prisons the state should construct by 2007, and how best to divvy up 377 million dollars in tax revenue for schools. The negotiators hope to have an agreement by the end of today. The General Assembly will then review it and possibly vote on the plan by the end of the week.

[11James-Search]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-15 TC-32:48]
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[ENG#=2]
The search is underway again for the body of a man believed to have drowned in the James River.
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[TAKE FS #102]
Bedford County authorities started searching for 51-year-old Joseph Wheeler Friday night. He was camping with friends near the mouth of Matts Creek.
The friends say Wheeler went swimming and never returned.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.;]
Yesterday, more crews were brought-in to search the river banks while dive teams checked the bottom. State Police also searched with SONAR equipment. Officials say the river is up and moving rapidly, making the search a challenge.
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[SOT 15:25]
[IN Q=We're dealing with about]
((COLIN BRYNE/BEDFORD COUNTY INVESTIGATOR: WE'RE DEALING WITH ABOUT FOUR FEET OF VISIBILITY SO WHEN WE'RE ON THE BOTTOM WE CAN ONLY SEE ABOUT FOUR FEET AROUND US. SO AS YOU CAN SEE IT'S A FAIRLY WIDE RIVER AND IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO COVER ALL THE AREA ON THE BOTTOM AND NOT ONLY DEALING WITH VISIBILITY, YOU'RE DEALING WITH THE CURRENTS AND YOU'RE ALSO DEALING WITH THE WATER TEMPERATURE. IT'S FAIRLY COLD.))
[SUPER=01-Colin Byrne/Bedford County Investigator;]
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[OUT Q=it's fairly cold]
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[VO-NAT]
Crews from Big Island to Campbell County also assisted in the search.
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[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]
It's a worm called "Sasser". Still ahead, many computer users log on to a Monday surprise.
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[VO-NAT ]

And the heat is on out west, and that means burning issues in southern California.
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[COMM BREAK #1][Computer-Worm]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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(MINI-OPEN)
[MINI-OPEN]
Some computer users are logging on today to find an unwelcome surprise.
Anti-virus experts are monitoring a computer worm that began spreading on the Internet over the weekend.
The worm that's been dubbed "Sasser" doesn't appear to cause serious damage, but it does try to crash systems.
An anti-virus research center in California reports the company's already received 29-hundred complaints about the virus from around the world.

[CA-Wildfires]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

A heat wave isn't the only thing raising the temperature in California--
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Near Temecula, CA;]

Wildfire season is officially under way..
This morning, the blaze dubbed the "Eagle Fire" has burned 750 acres just southeast of Temecula.
Firefighters have been attacking the blaze from the ground, as well as from the air, as flames threatened several homes.
[SUPER=03-Camp Pendleton, CA;]

Meanwhile, the largest fire burning in the state right now is at Camp Pendleton near San Diego.
The fire has already burned more than a thousand acres.
It's not known how the fire started, but very hot weather is not helping the situation.
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[911-Exhibit]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
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[GRAPHIC=9/11]
[ENG#=2]

A new exhibit opens to the public today near Ground Zero--
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]

Last night, Saint Paul's Chapel offered a preview of the exhibit created in honor of those who sacrificed and served after 9-11.
It's called 'Unwavering Spirit: Hope and Healing at Ground Zero'.
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[IN Q=This is not]
((EDWIN SCHLOSSBERG/PRINCIPAL DESIGNER:THIS IS NOT ABOUT REMEMBERING 9/11 IN ITSELF, I THINK IT'S MORE ABOUT MEMORIALIZING THE EFFORTS OF SUCH A DISPARATE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT CAME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND ALL OVER THE WORLD. ))
[SUPER=01-Edwin Schlossberg/Principal Designer;]
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[OUT Q=all over the world.]
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[VO-NAT]

St. Paul's kept its doors open for almost a year-- offering food, beds, and a place of comfort for exhausted rescue workers and volunteers.
Among the items in the exhibit include a well- worn cot, a blanket of police badges, and a wall of flags.
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[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]
The likely rise in interest rates, and what it'll mean.
We'll look into that-- just ahead.
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[VO-NAT ]

And, it's no mean feat.
"Mean Girls" is like, totally, at the top of the weekend box office.
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[Middle-East]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
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[ENG#=1]

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says some ``tough decisions'' lie ahead.
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[VO-NAT]

He issued the warning today, one day after his party rejected his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, but hold on to large pieces of the West Bank.
Sharon says he accepts the results, but also hinted he'll push forward with the proposal.
[SUPER=03-Nablus, West Bank;]

Meanwhile, Israeli missiles killed four Palestinian militants in a car in the West Bank city of Nablus yesterday.
The strike took place hours after Palestinian militants shot and killed a Jewish settler and her four children in the Gaza Strip.
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[Interest-Rates]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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The cost of borrowing money has been at historically low levels for several years, but some economists say that's about to change. Gerri Willis explains why, and the many ways it could affect you.
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[IN Q=Jobs are growing]
[SUPER=01-Alan Greenspan/Federal Reserve Chairman; :12]
[SUPER=01-Greg McBride/Bankrate.com; 1:20]
[SUPER=01-Mark Zandi/Economy.com; 1:38]
[SUPER=01-Gerri Willis/Reporting; 1:59]
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[OUT Q=CNN Financial News, New York.]
[Weather] [NOON WEATHER] [5/3/04] [TWO SHOT]

[WEATHERNET/FULL] CURRENTS TIMELAPSE
[MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL]

[CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [WXPRO/FULL] FORECASTS EXTENDED FORECAST

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
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Stocks are off to a strong start this week.
[super=460-x/75/x/30;]
At Noon, the Dow was UP 75 points. Nasdaq was UP 30 points.

[Tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]

Just ahead in sports, Jeff Gordon gets a better reception in Victory Lane.
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[VO-NAT ]
And Roanoke's George Lynch helps keep the Hornets alive in the NBA playoffs.
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[COMM BREAK #3]

[S-Race]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-177 TC509]
[GRAPHIC=Nextel Cup]
[ENG#=1]

Jeff Gordon's win at Talladega last weekend may have stirred up quite the controversy.
But Gordon's 6th career victory in the state of California yesterday was much more popular.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fontana, CA/Fox Sports; :00]

Rusty Wallace couldn't stay out of harm's way in this one.
First, Tony Stewart runs Wallace into the fence.
Then a little later, Kurt Busch loses control and slides back across the racetrack, clipping the number 2 car of Wallace.
That effectively ended the day for Rusty, who won the California spring race three years ago.
Gordon had Bobby Labonte in his rear view as the laps wound down.
But Labonte was one of several cars to run out of gas on the final lap.
Gordon cruised to victory lane for his 3rd victory in 8 races at Fontana.
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[SUPER=01-Jeff Gordon/2nd Straight Win; :07]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=what would've happened."]
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[WIPE TO MOTION]
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[SUPER=0106-1. Jeff Gordon//2. Jimmie Johnson//3. Ryan Newman//4. Matt Kenseth//5. Bobby Labonte//;]
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[SUPER=0106-6. Brendan Gaughan//7. Terry Labonte//8. Casey Mears//9. Kevin Harvick//10. Ward Burton//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-11. Mark Martin//12. Robby Gordon//13. Kasey Kahne//14. Jeremy Mayfield//15. Jamie McMurray//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-16. Tony Stewart//17. Ricky Rudd//18. Ricky Craven//19. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.//20. Ken Schrader//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-21. Johnny Sauter//22. Elliott Sadler//23. Kurt Busch//24. Dale Jarrett//25. Scott Riggs//;]
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[OUT Q=.....last driver."]
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[S-NBA]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-171 TC5441]
[GRAPHIC=NBA]
[ENG#=2]

It's on to game 7 for Roanoke's George Lynch and his Hornets.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New Orleans, LA/ESPN; :00]

Lynch scored 16 points for New Orelans, including this three pointer from the top.
The Hornets nearly blew an 18- point fourth quarter lead, but held on to win it 89-83, forcing a game 7.
Out west, Tim Duncan scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
The Spurs took a 1-oh lead on Shaq and the Lakers, 88 to 78.
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[S-Jackson]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tsi]
[TAPE#=SP-170 TC5026]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

The spring season for high school sports is winding down, but the Covington high school softball team is still enjoying in its new facility.
Intern reporter Tonya Sizemore has the story of the Jackson River Recreation Sports Complex, a field of dreams that was a long time coming.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Covington; :00]
[SUPER=01-Alan Dressler/Covington Recreation Director; :27]
[SUPER=01-Vance Gibson/Covington Assistant Softball Coach; :46]
[SUPER=01-Sara Haynes/Covington Shortstop; 1:20 QUICK!!]
[SUPER=01-Tonya Sizemore/Intern Reporter; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=News 7 Sports."]

[Box-Office]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=4]
Finally, teen girls led "Mean Girls" to the top of the weekend box office.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Paramount;]
The Lindsay Lohan comedy was number one this weekend. It took in an estimated 25 million dollars. Lohan plays a high school student who gets swept up in the backstabbing politics of fashion, love and popularity among school cliques. Paramount says about 75 percent of the audience was female, and about half the audience was under 18.
(+++++++)
[TAKE FS CHYRON]
[SUPER=77-''Mean Girls''/25/''Man On Fire''/15.2/''13 Going On 30''/10/''Laws Of Attraction''/7/''Godsend''/6.9;]

The Denzel Washington thriller ``Man on Fire'' fell to second place.
Jennifer Garner's ``13 Going on 30'' was third.
``Laws of Attraction'' was fourth and``Godsend'' was fifth.
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