WDBJ 7 morning news for 06/04/04

[Bush-Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Bush]
[ENG#=1]

Thousands of police are bracing for major protests on the streets of Rome today, following the arrival of President Bush.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rome, Italy;]

The President is in Rome for the first leg of a three- day European trip to try to shore up support for his policies in Iraq.
At the Vatican, the President will meet with the Pope, who's expressed strong opposition to the war.
Tomorrow Bush will meet with French President Jacques Chirac-- hoping to get France behind the U-N resolution authorizing the transfer of power in Iraq.
Bush is trying to reassure skeptical allies that Iraq will be in charge June 30th, despite the presence of U-S troops.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=That means]
((THAT MEANS OUR COALITION WILL BE THERE WITH THE CONSENT OF THE FULLY SOVEREIGN GOVERNMENT .))
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=sovereign government.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This weekend, the U-N security council will hear from the envoy who helped set up the new Iraqi government.
(------------)

[Tenet]

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

Congress says the surprise resignation of C-I-A director George Tenet offers a chance to reform the nation's intelligence community.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

Meanwhile, Washington continues to speculate about Tenet's resignation.
The key figure in the war on terror says he's leaving his post to be with his family.
Tenet has been under almost constant attack ever since the C-I-A failed to detect the 9-11 plot, and for intelligence failures leading up to the war in Iraq.
He says he's leaving for personal reasons, but many say Tenet's departure has a lot to do with election year politics.
(------------)

[11DNA-Databank]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-14 TC1:31:21]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

Virginia's D-N-A databank has now scored more than 2-thousand cold hits.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

A hit occurs when D-N-A recovered from a crime scene is matched to a person in the databank.
Virginia requires all convicted felons to provide a D-N-A sample.
Starting last year, everyone arrested for a violent felony must also give a sample.
Law enforcement officials say Virginia's aggressive use of D-N-A technology gives the state an advantage.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:53:59]
[IN Q=WE'VE BEEN AT IT FOR FIFTEEN YEARS]
((DR. PAUL FERRARA/VIRGINIA DIVISION OF FORENSIC SCIENCE: WE'VE BEEN AT IT FOR FIFTEEN YEARS AND OTHER STATES ARE JUST GETTING STARTED AS A RESULT OF THAT NOW WE HAVE ACHIEVED OVER 2000 COLD HITS AND HELPED THE POLICE INVESTIGATE AND/OR SOLVE HUNDREDS OF RAPES, MURDERS, PROPERTY CRIMES.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Paul Ferrara/Virginia Division of Forensic Science]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=HUNDREDS OF RAPES, MURDERS, PROPERTY CRIMES.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The databank now holds over 200-thousand D-N-A profiles.
(------------)

[11Danville-Reward]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]

Three months after a Danville woman was gunned down outside a liquor store, the reward for information in the case continues to grow.
34-year-old Annie Delores Howerton was shot several times as she left her work place on Union Street.
Friends, family and concerned citizens have contributed about 7- thousand dollars in reward money in hopes of finding the person or persons responsible.
That's in addition to the 1-thousand dollars Crimestoppers is offering.

[6-Vet-Robbery]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC1:20:28]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=4]
A local veteran was robbed by two people over the Memorial Day weekend. He says they took 400 dollars in donations to Disabled American Vets. The crime shocked people in Christiansburg... including the police. New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel DePompa met with the veteran and has his story.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This is the time]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Tony Conner/Veteran; :23]
[SUPER=@Rachel1; :40]
[SUPER=01-Barry O'Rourke/Christiansburg Police Department; 1:04]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=news 7, Christianburg]
((This is the time of year we honor men like Tony Conner. He's a veteran who often spends much his time raising awareness AND money for other disabled American Vets.
6:25:00 THANK YOU DEAR. GOD BLESS YOU.
Last Saturday he and his dog Dan were outside the Walmart all day collecting money when the unexpected happened. A man grabbed his 400 dollars in donations.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT: 2:34:00 ]
[IN Q=He came ]
((TONY CONNER:HE CAME UP FROM MY RIGHT SHOULDER AND REACHED OVER LIKE HE WAS GOING TO PUT A DONATION IN THE BUCKET AND JUST SWEPT AND GRABBED THE CORNER OF THE BUCKET LIKE THIS TUCKED IT IN LIKE A FOOTBALL.)) [RUNS:16]
[OUT Q=like a football.]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT: 16:18:00 ]
[IN Q=The suspect]
((RACHEL DEPOMPA: THE SUSPECT HOVERED BACK HERE BY THE PAY PHONE FOR ABOUT 4 AND A HALF HOURS BEFORE HE EVER MADE HIS MOVE FOR THE BUCKET.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=the bucket.]

Conner yelled for help as the man jumped into a getaway car. The suspects hit several other cars... including Conner's and even struck a man that tried to stop them. [TAKE MUGSHOTS ] But someone got a tag number. This week police arrested 26 year old Joshua Via and his wife, 19 year old Krishna Via. [END MUGSHOTS]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:19:53:00 ]
[IN Q=We clear]
((BARRY O'ROURKE: WE CLEAR A LOT OF CASES DAY IN DAY OUT, BUT THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR WAS SATISFYING.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=was satisfying.]

Even Conner's happy to see an arrest, though still... more gracious then one might be after an ordeal like this.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:5:24:00 ]
[IN Q=That's pretty low]
((TONY CONNER: THAT'S PRETTY LOW, BUT MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIM, CAUSE I WOULD GIVE HIM THE SHIRT OFF MY BACK. AND I WOULD BUY HIM SOMETHING IF HE'S HUNGRY, BUT DON'T STEAL FROM ME. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE MONEY'S NOT EVEN MINE.)) [RUNS:12]
[OUT Q=not even mine.]
[INSERT MUGSHOTS to the end of package] The Via's are being held at the Montgomery Regional Jail. Charged with robbery and hit and run. Rachel DePompa, News 7, Christiansburg.))

[11Drug-Cards]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=04-15 TC1:29:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

Local pharmacies say few if any seniors are taking advantage of Medicare's new drug discount card program.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]

The cards are expected to save seniors anywhere from 10 to 25 percent on their medications. But less than a fifth of those who are eligible have signed up.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:45:39]
[IN Q=We're just getting e-mails from different Medicare]
((SHANNON ABELL/LOA AREA AGENCY ON AGING; WE'RE JUST GETTING E-MAILS FROM DIFFERENT MEDICARE RIGHTS ORG. AND THEY'RE SAYING SENIORS ARE DISGRUNTLED WITH CARD BECAUSE IT'S DIFFICULT TO REACH MEDICARE AND IT'S TOO DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND AMONG 30 PLANS WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE))
[SUPER=01-Shannon Abell/LOA Area Agency on Aging]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=which one to choose]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But one local pharmacist believes seniors aren't enrolling because the prescription savings is not worth the 30 dollar enrollment fee, and sometimes the medications are cheaper without a card.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:58:07]
[IN Q=Once you read the fine print]
((GUS MOYSAKIS/PHARMACIST; ONCE YOU READ THE FINE PRINT. YOU REALIZE THAT THERE IS NO ADVANTAGE TO THE CARD OTHER THAN 600- TRANSITIONARY ADVANTAGE THAT THE GOVT. RENDERS TO THOSE PEOPLE THAT MAKE 12-THOUSAND OR BELOW OR 16-THOUSAND DOLLARS AND BELOW IF THEY ARE MARRIED ))
[SUPER=01-Gus Moysakis/Pharmacist]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=they are married]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The drug discount cards took effect on Tuesdsay. They are supposed to be a temporary fix until the government develops its drug benefit plan.
(---------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, the May Unemployment Report will be released today. Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]

((INVESTORS WERE WARY OF PLACING ANY BIG BETS ON WALL STREET AHEAD OF THE RELEASE THIS MORNING OF THE MAY UNEMPLOYMENT REPORT.

ECONOMISTS EXPECT THE ECONOMY TO HAVE ADDED 218-THOUSAND JOBS LAST MONTH .. THEY ALSO EXPECT THE JOBLESS RATE TO HAVE REMAINED STEADY AT 5.6 PERCENT. SMALLER THAN EXPECTED JOB CREATION COULD SPARK A SELLOFF ON WALL STREET AND PUT INTO QUESTION THE STRENGTH OF THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

INTEL PROMISES TO BE A BIG MOVER. AFTER YESTERDAY'S CLOSING BELL, THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMPUTER CHIP MAKER SURPRISED WALL STREET WHEN IT SAID SALES MAY MEET ITS HIGHEST ESTIMATES THIS QUARTER.. THATS THANKS TO STRONG DEMAND FOR FLASH MEMORY CHIPS USED IN MOBILE PHONES. INTEL PREDICTS SECOND QUARTER REVENUE OF BETWEEN 8 AND 8.2 BILLION DOLLARS.

ON WALL STREET... STOCKS WERE LOWER LED BY TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES

THE DOW SLID 67 POINTS

WHILE THE NASDAQ GAVE UP 28.

CRUDE OIL HAD ITS BIGGEST TWO DAY DROP IN OVER A YEAR. THAT'S AFTER OPEC PROMISED TO INCREASE GLOBAL OIL SUPPLIES IN AN EFFORT TO EASE RECORD HIGH OIL PRICES.
GASOLINE FUTURES ALSO FELL AS OPEC pledged to boost oil quotas by 2 million barrels a day with a possible increase of 500,000 barrels in August.

BUT DESPITE THE INCREASED OIL PRODUCTION, ANALYSTS SAY DON'T EXPECT GAS PRICES TO COME DOWN ANYTIME SOON.
THAT'S BECAUSE OTHER FACTORS, SUCH AS REFINERY CONSTRAINTS, TERRORISM FEARS AND INCREASED DEMAND DURING THE SUMMER WILL CONTINUE TO SQUEEZE THE MARKET.

FIND OUT MORE AT CBS.MW.COM IN NY I'M AC.))

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

[VOTianamen-Square]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']
[ENG#=1]

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the violent crackdown on protestors in Tianamen Square.
Police arrested 13 people today as they tried to keep the area free of demonstrators marking the occasion.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Beijing, China/June 4, 1989;]

Tens of thousands gathered in Beijing on June fourth, 19-89 to demand democracy in China's political system.
The military response killed hundreds or possibly thousands, and sent China into international isolation.
Some exiled dissidents say their efforts won't stop until there's human rights reform in China.
(------------)

[11Interstate-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]

Two people were injured in a single vehicle accident on Interstate 77.
(XXXXXXX)
[TAKE MAP FULL] The accident occurred yesterday evening at exit 31 as I-77 merges with I-81. Police say the driver lost control and flipped the car several times. The driver was taken to Wythe Memorial Hospital and a passenger was flown to Bristol.
(-------------)

[11Holiday-Accidents]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

There were fewer deadly accidents on Virginia roads over the Memorial Day weekend.
State police say ten people died this year. That's down from 13 the year before.
But of the nine victims required to wear safety belts, only two were buckled up at the time of the crash.
Troopers also wrote more than 75-hundred speeding tickets.

[11Food-Bank]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sra]
[TAPE#=04-24 TC 9:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
Southwest Virginia's Second Harvest Food Bank hopes more people will pitch in to fight hunger.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The food bank serves 26- counties in Virginia. Ten of those counties are considered to be the poorest in the state.
A study conducted by the food bank says about 41-percent of households with children in Southwest Virginia are experiencing hunger.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=2:04:36]
((PAMELA IRVINE/ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK: WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE TODAY IS THAT NUMBER ONE PEOPLE WILL RECOGNIZE AND KNOW THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND NUMBER TWO WILL KNOW AND COME TO A RESOLVE THAT THEY CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.))
[SUPER=01-Pamela Irvine/SW Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=something about it]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Yesterday was National Hunger Awareness Day-
(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP] [COMM]

[6-Greenbrier]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-10 TC1:51:37]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]
Some major changes are coming to a secure government bunker that's anything but a secret. Richard Lesko sheds some light on what's going on underground at the Greenbrier.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-White Sulphur Springs, WV; :00]
[SUPER=01-Fritz Bugas/Bunker Coordinator; :31]
[SUPER=@richard1; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=News 7, White Sulphur Springs.]
(( After 30 years as a Congress' relocation facility, and about 10 more as a tourist destination, the bunker under a wing of the Greenbrier resort is about to be closed up again.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:36:57]
[IN Q=We can go out and dig...]
((FRITZ BUGAS/BUNKER COORDINATOR; WE CAN GO OUT AND DIG IT NOW, WE CAN DO THINGS VISIBLY WHICH WE COULDN'T DO BEFORE))

[RUN4]
[OUT Q=which we couldn't do before.]
After all those years the cold war relic is in need of renovation. The massive generator system will be fully integrated into the resort as backup power, and leaky pipes and a tangle of duct work will be replaced.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 2:23:02]
[IN Q=Water pipes that...]
((FRITZ BUGAS/BUNKER COORDINATOR; WATER PIPES THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE HERE FOR GETTING CLOSE TO 50 YEARS, THREADS ON THEM ARE EATEN AWAY, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.)) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=things of that nature.]
So next month, the bunker will be temporarily sealed, for an expected 12 to 18 months, after which tours WILL resume.

But why can't tours continue while renovation work is going on?
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:27:16]
[IN Q=It just doesn't work...]
((FRITZ BUGAS/BUNKER COORDINATOR; IT DOESN'T WORK, YOU'RE BETTER OFF CLOSING THE FACILITY UP, GETTING INTO IT, AND DOING THE WORK FROM A TO Z.)) [RUNS8]
[OUT Q=from A to Z.]
And if conspiracy theorists claim that the renovation is part of a government plan to get the bunker back in action, Bugas (BYOO-guhs) says don't bet on it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 2:34:45]
[IN Q=Anything is possible...]
((FRITZ BUGAS/BUNKER COORDINATOR; ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, IF YOU HAVE TIME AND MONEY AND MINDPOWER YOU CAN MOVE THE WORLD. REPORTER: BUT IT'S NOT HAPPENING HERE. BUGAS: IT'S NOT HAPPENING HERE.)) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=it's not happening here (2x)]

[BUTT BUTT BUTT]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 2:53:20]
[IN Q=Renovation work will begin...]
((RICHARD LESKO/RLESKO@WDBJ7.COM; RENOVATION WORK WILL BEGIN IN EARLY AUGUST, AND THE LAST TOURS OF THE BUNKER WILL BE GIVEN JULY 28TH. RICHARD LESKO NEWS 7, WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=White Sulphur Springs.]))

[Biz-Brief]

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

In business news, Stocks closed lower yesterday. And it doesn't look like Congress will take the airlines under its wings. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]

((AT THE CLOSING BELL ON THURSDAY ..
THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE WAS DOWN 67-POINTS, TO 10-THOUSAND-196.
THE NASDAQ COMPOSITE DROPPED 29-POINTS, TO 19-60.

THE PRESIDENT OF OPEC SAYS THE CARTEL IS TRYING TO HELP STABILIZE WORLD OIL PRICES.
AT A MEETING IN BEIRUT, CARTEL MEMBERS AGREED TO BOOST OIL PRODUCTION QUOTAS BY TWO MILLION BARRELS A DAY STARTING JULY FIRST.
PRODUCTION LEVELS WILL GO UP ANOTHER 500-THOUSAND BARRELS A DAY THE NEXT MONTH.
BUT WILL THAT BE THE TRICK TO LOWER PRICES AT THE PUMP?
MANY OF THE 11 MEMBERS OF THE CARTEL ARE PRODUCING OIL AT OR ABOVE OFFICIAL QUOTA LIMITS RIGHT NOW.
AND TUESDAY, WORLD OIL PRICES CLOSED AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH OF 42 DOLLARS AND 33 CENTS A BARREL.
OPEC SUPPLIES ONE-THIRD OF THE WORLD'S OIL.

THE AIRLINES MAY WANT TO FORGET ABOUT LOOKING FOR HELP FROM CONGRESS.
A KEY HOUSE LAWMAKER SAYS U-S CARRIERS SHOULD NOT LOOK TO CAPITOL HILL FOR MAJOR NEW AID... IN SPITE OF PROJECTIONS OF BIG LOSSES IN THE INDUSTRY.
FLORIDA REPUBLICAN JOHN MICA... CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE... SAYS CONGRESS IS NOT GOING TO UNDERWRITE LOSING AIRLINE OPERATIONS.
THE INDUSTRY WAS PLANNING TO ASK FOR TAX BREAKS AND OTHER BENEFITS.
AIRLINES EXPECT TO LOSE THREE-BILLION DOLLARS THIS YEAR.

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

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

[11Flint-ruling]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=04-09 TC1:44:35]
[GRAPHIC=Richard Flint]
[ENG#=2]
Dr. Richard Flint has accepted the fine and punishment of the state veterinary board.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/February 4]
Four months ago a committee concluded Flint "practiced veterinary medicine so as to endanger the health and welfare of his patients." The Committee proposed a fine of 10-thousand dollars and a four-month suspension of Flint's license. He had two weeks to decide whether to appeal. He chose not to fight it, and last week the Board accepted that decision.
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.]
The case stemmed from the death of a dog at Noah's Ark Animal Complex while Dr. Flint was pre-occupied with a photo shoot of the clinic. That case was one of nine instances where Flint was found to have violated state laws and regulations.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]
The consent order allows Flint to keep his practice open by having another veterinarian run it while Flint's license is under suspension.

[11Lotto-Truck]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-13 TC1:11:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

April showers brought a new Ford pickup for a Lynchburg man.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Norfolk;]
Andrew Viar Senior is the fifth winner of the Virginia Lottery's "Tough Trucks, Big Bucks" game. The retired welder picked up his new custom- built Ford- pickup at the end of the company's assembly line in Norfolk yesterday.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:19:26]
[IN Q=I think it's a blessing]
((ANDREW VIAR SR./VIRGINIA LOTTERY WINNER: I THINK IT'S A BLESSING, THEY SAY IT'S A LOT OF LUCK, BUT I DON'T KNOW. I SAY IT'S MORE OF A BLESSING. FOR FIFTEEN BUCKS YOU CAN'T BEAT IT. LAUGHTER))
[SUPER=01-Andrew Viar, Sr./Virginia Lottery Winner;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=beat it. LAUGHTER]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Viar says he was mowing his lawn one day in April when rain forced him to stop. That's when he went down to "Miles Market" on Campbell Highway and bought the winning ticket. Lottery officials say there is one more winning- truck- ticket floating around. The game has the potential to generate more than 2- million dollars for Virginia schools. (toss to Steve for Weekend Preview) (------------)