[AMPower-Outtages]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-25 TC 5:18]
[GRAPHIC=Severe Weather]
[ENG#1]

Thousand are still without power this morning in the New River Valley.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.; :00]

Last night's storms brought heavy rain, high winds, thunder and lightning. The roadways were pretty treacherous, but there were no major accidents reported or damage from the storm. The biggest complaint?? The power outtages.
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co.; :15]

Pulaski was hit the hardest. At last report, 46-hundred people were without power in the Dublin area. AEP officials say an sub-transmission line is out. Crews say it could have been lightning or the wind. In Christiansburg, the Cambria area had the most outtages with 19-hundred.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=Severe Weather]

American Electric Power officials say crews are working around the clock and the power should be turned back on by this evening.
Dominion Power reports about 19-hundred customers in Southside were in the dark last night.

[11Tornado]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-26 TC03:41]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD OTS]
[ENG#=2]

There are unconfirmed reports a tornado may have touched down on the Virginia-Tennessee border. Police agencies are reporting heavy damage in Scott and Lee counties and the city of Bristol.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Johnson Co., TN;]

This is what the damage looks like on the Tennessee side. Severe storms knocked down trees, damaged homes and took out power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses. Two schools in Kingsport, Tennessee were also damaged. A-E-P officials say it could be several days before the power is restored in that area.
(------------)



[AMBlacksburg-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-21 TC 11:42]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
[ENG#=3]

There was a small explosion last night at Blacksburg's Industrial Park.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

A drum of chemicals in a drying machine caught fire at Wolverine Gasket Company around 10:00 o-clock. The building was evacuated. Fire officials say no one was in the room at the time of the flash fire and there were no injuries.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The damage]
[SUPER=01-Keith Bolte/Blacksburg Fire Chief;]

((KEITH BOLTE: THE DAMAGE IS CONTAINED TO INSIDE THE DRYING BOOTH. WE WON'T KNOW TILL TOMORROW WHAT THE DAMAGE LOOKS LIKE OR WHAT THE CAUSE IS. THE SPRINKLERS CAME ON RIGHT AWAY AND PUT THE FIRE OUT.))
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=THE FIRE OUT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Employees were allowed back in the building by midnight. Fire officials say there was never any danger to ANY of the nearby neighborhoods.
(------------)



[Terror]


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


The manhunt is on for seven suspected al-Qaida operatives who officials believe might be in the U-S.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Justice department officials believe finding the group could be the key to stopping a major terrorist strike this summer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This disturbing]

((JOHN ASHCROFT/U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL:THIS DISTURBING INTELLIGENCE INDICATES AL QAEDAS SPECIFIC INTENTION TO HIT THE UNITES STATES HARD. ))
[SUPER=01-John Ashcroft/U. S. Attorney General;]
[RUNS=:07] (estimated runs time)
[OUT Q=United States hard.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The new intelligence doesn't say where or when an attack might occur, but authorities say high-profile summer events, like the upcoming political conventions in Boston and New York make inviting terrorist targets.
[SUPER=03-Orange Co., CA/EcoNews;]


Meanwhile, the newest face on the wanted list belongs to Adam Gadahn, a California native who converted to Islam as a teenager.
The F-B-I says he attended al-Qaida training camps in Afghanistan and his family says they haven't heard from him in years.
(------------)




[5-Homeland-security]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=504-03 TC46:52]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]


In light of the new threats, Governor Warner says state officials will pay extra attention to security at large public events.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY/File Tape]


Warner says the state is following the federal government's lead and is NOT upgrading its threat level.
He says Virginia's director of homeland security was briefed yesterday afternoon by the Justice Department.
Warner is telling Virginians NOT to cancel their vacation plans and to continue going about their daily lives.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT :21:04]
[IN Q=WE ARE URGING VIRGINIANS]

((GOV. MARK WARNER: WE ARE URGING VIRGINIANS TO BE VIGILANT PARTICULARLY AT MASS PUBLIC EVENTS BUT THE KIND OF ADDITIONAL SECURITY PRECAUTIONS WE ARE TAKING ARE MORE BEHIND THE SCENES.))
[SUPER=@MarkWarner]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=TAKING ARE MORE BEHIND THE SCENES.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Warner says Virginia is as well prepared as any state in the country.
(------------)



[11Bus-Accident]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-23 TC05:56]
[GRAPHIC=School Bus Accident]
[ENG#2]


No students were injured in a Floyd County school bus accident.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Floyd Co.]


It happened just after three o'clock yesterday on Route 221 in front of Check Elementary School.
State Police say a dodge neon hit a patch of oil causing his vehicle to slide and hit the bus head on.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:08:28]
[IN Q=There was a lot of]

((DRAKE SLUSHER/CHECK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT: THERE WAS A LOT OF LITTLE KIDS AND KINDERGARTENS AND FIRST GRADER THAT WERE SCREAMING AND CRYING CAUSE THEY WERE SCARED. I THINK THEY WERE ALRIGHT.))
[SUPER=01-Drake Slusher/Check Elementary School; :]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=THEY WERE ALRIGHT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


In fact, everyone on the bus was ok.
The driver of the other vehicle was airlifted to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
23 year Clifton Baxter is listed in fair condition.
(------------)



[VOB-CMA]


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


The Vegas Strip couldn't outshine country music's brightest stars lat night--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-CBS-dick clark productions, inc.; (lower case is correct)]


Sin City played host to the 39th annual Country Music Awards.
The night's top prize-- Entertainer of the Year-- went to singer Toby Keith, marking his second win for the trophy in as many years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Let's all go out]

((TOBY KEITH/ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR WINNER: "LETS ALL GO OUT AND PARTY TONIGHT ANR ROCK IT ALL NIGHT IN VEGAS.))
[SUPER=01-Toby Keith/Entertainer of the Year Winner;]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=all in Vegas]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Alan Jackson tookhome the award for Top Male Vocalist and Vocal Event of the Year.
Martina McBride won for top Female Vocalist.
Meanwhile, in its nearly 40 year history, the academy has only handed out four special achievement awards.
Last night, one of them went to legend Willie Nelson.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Just being here]
[SUPER=01-Willie Nelson/Special Achievement Award Winner;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=a challenge]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


And after the show, the performers go to relax a little with their annual all- star jam.
(------------)



[Marketwatch]


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


In business news, Renewed fears of terrorism led to a mixed day on Wall Street.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]

((IT WAS A CHOPPY DAY ON WALL STREET AS TALK OF ANOTHER POSSIBLE TERRORIST ATTACK THIS SUMMER ON U-S SOIL KEPT INVESTORS ON THE SIDELINES
THE DOW SLIPPED 7 POINTS, WHILE THE NASDAQ MOVED UP 11 AND A HALF.
Shares of several firms whose detection products are designed to guard against terrorism rose sharply yesterday after U.S. officials warned of the possibility of a major attack this summer.
among the winners: IPIX which makes video imaging systems and magal security systems which makes video monitoring and other surveillance equipment.
IT'S A GOOD DAY TO BE A SHAREHOLDER OF HOME DEPOT. THE NUMBER ONE HOME IMPROVEMENT CHAIN IS HIKING THE QUARTERLY DIVIDEND IT PAYS TO SHAREHOLDERS BY 25 PERCENT AND BUYING BACK A BILLION DOLLARS IN STOCK.
KRISPY KREME ISJUMPING ON THE LOW-CARB BANDWAGON. THE DOUGHNUT CHAIN WILL START SELLING A LOW-SUGAR DOUGHNUT THIS SUMMER. OTHER NEW PRODUCTS INCLUDE FROZEN DRINKS AND KRISPY KREME COFFEE TO BREW WHICH WILL BE SOLD AT VAIROUS GROCERY STORES KRISPY KREME REPORTED ITS FIRST QUARTERLY LOSS EVER THIS WEEK - IT BLAMES THE RED INK ON THE LOW CARB DIET PHENOMENON.
FIND OUT MORE AT CBS.MW.COM IN NY I'M AC.))



(tape tosses to stocks)

[STOCKS] [WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC] [COMM]


[OK-Bombing]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
[ENG#=2]


Jurors must now decide if Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols should get the death penalty or spend life behind bars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-McAlester, OK;]


After just five hours of deliberation, the panel found Nichols guilty of 161 murder charges for his role in 19-95 blast at the Alfred P. Murrah federal building.
Prosecutors argued Nichols was the key in the bomb plot, while the defense tried to show he was set up to take the blame.
He already faces a life sentence for a federal conviction in the case, but this jury could recommend lethal injection.
(------------)


[Iraq]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
[ENG#=3]


The U-S military is hoping that weeks of fighting in Najaf are coming to an end.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Najaf, Iraq;]


Radical shiite cleric Muqtada Al- Sadr is pulling back his milita, following the arrest of his key lieutenant.
Al- Sadr said his fighters would leave the holy city of Najaf.
Meanwhile, the special U-N envoy in Iraq is close to announcing leaders of a new interim government, although his candidate for prime minister said he didn't want the job.
At the United Nations, the security council is still debating a U-S- backed resolution authorizing the handover of power.
(------------)


[11Hillsville-Rescue]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-22 TC10:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

There's no sign of the Hillsville Rescue squad opening anytime soon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Carroll Co.;]

The rescue squad was temporarily shutdown earlier this month by the Board of Supervisors. Board members say they made the decision because of citizen complaints, missed calls, personnel problems and unauthorized use of a county vehicle. The county is now advertising for an Emergency Services Coordinator. Assistant County Administrator Ronald Newman says the Coordinator's first job will be to assess the Rescue Squad situation and make a recommendation to the board.
(------------)



(Kim tosses to bump)

[BUMP]

[COMM][Biz-Brief]


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


In business news, Wall Street ended the day mixed, as worries about the economy and the possibility of terror attacks contributed to uncertainty. The Dow industrials fell seven and a-half points. The Nasdaq composite ended eleven and a-half points higher. Now let's take a look at your local stocks.


[11Nobel-Winner]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-16 TC 54:10]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]


She made history by fighting for the rights of women and children in her native Iran.. and last year it earned her the Nobel Peace Prize.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chatham]


Yesterday, Shirin Ebadi (sheer-IN ee-BAH-dee) is touring the world, talking about the struggle for human rights in the Moslem world.
Her latest stop was in Southside, speaking to high school students at Chatham Hall.
Ebadi says her daughters are the reason why she decided to start speaking out.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:11:33-:39//15:11:47-:54]
[IN Q=You begin to]

((SHIRIN EBADI/NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER: YOU BEGIN TO THINK YOU SHOULD DO SOMETHING SO THAT YOU SHOULD NOT BE SCOLDED BY YOUR DAUGHTERS IN THE FUTURE. AND WHEN IN THE FUTURE THEY WOULD TURN BACK AND SAY WHAT DID YOU DO FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS, YOU SHOULD HAVE AN ANSWER THAT WOULD BE CONVINCING.))
[SUPER=39-Shirin Ebadi/2003 Nobel Peace Prize Winner]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=would be convincing.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Ebadi (ee-BAH-dee) told the students that the U-S made a mistake going to war in Iraq and it should withdraw its troops immediately.
She also joked that she didn't expect to win the Nobel Peace Prize so early in her career.
(------------)



[11Lifeguards]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC1:08:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

In order to float full-time hours at city pools this summer, Roanoke needs more lifeguards.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :21]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Parks and Recreation says it has filled just 20 of 26 positions necessary to operate Fallon Park and Washington Pools this summer. Director Steve Buschor (Boo-shore) says he thinks fewer people are applying because the job is less glamorous than it appears to be. He also says the cost of getting certified and the availability of comparable paying jobs may be other factors.
(++++++++)

[TAKE WDBJ WEBPAGE FS] For more information check out the job page of Roanoke's website. You'll find a link on our website at wdbj7 dot com. Both pools are scheduled to open June 11th.
(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)

[COMM] [BUMP]
by SS