WDBJ 7 morning news for 06/29/04

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

Arab television is reporting that militants have shot and killed an American soldier being held hostage in Iraq.
The U- S military is still trying to confirm whether a video aired on Al-Jazeera was of Specialist Keith Maupin being executed.
But the military HAS confirmed the deaths of at least two U-S Marines.
Teri Okita brings us up to date from Baghdad.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq; :00]
[SUPER=01-Iyad Allawi/Interim Iraqi Prime Minister; :54]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/CBS News; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=Okita, CBS News, Baghdad.]

((THE FIRST FULL DAY OF SOVEREIGNTY BROUGHT THE FIRST COALITION CASUALTIES UNDER THE NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT. A ROADSIDE BOMB IN BAGHDAD KILLED AT LEAST TWO MARINES.
HOURS AFTER THE HANDOVER OF POWER.. WORD CAME THAT MILITANTS HAD EXECUTED AMERICAN HOSTAGE, ARMY SPECIALIST KEITH MATT MAUPIN ... CAPTURED DURING THIS CONVOY AMBUSH BACK IN APRIL. AL JAZEERA BROADCAST VIDEO OF A BLINDFOLDED HOSTAGE SITTING ON THE GROUND AND REPORTED HIS CAPTORS SHOT HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD.
THE U-S MILITARY IS ANALYZING THE TAPE ... BUT HAS NOT CONFIRMED ITS MAUPIN.
THERES BEEN NO UPDATE ON MARINE CORPORAL WASSEF ALI HASOUN. MILITANTS THREATENED TO BEHEAD HIM UNLESS THE U-S RELEASES ALL IRAQI PRISONERS. FIVE TURKISH NATIONALS AND ONE PAKISTANI ARE ALSO BEING HELD.
THE OUTBREAK OF ABDUCTIONS HIGHLIGHTS THE SECURITY PROBLEMS FACING THE INTERIM IRAQI GOVERNEMT. THE NEW PRIME MINISTER TELLS C-B-S NEW HES CONSIDERING TOUGH TACTICS TO REIGN IN THE VIOLENCE.

(Iyad Allawi, Interim Iraqi Prime Minister)
ALLAWI: it would be empowering the government to take action impose curfews whenever and wherever necessary.

(NAT-base handover)
IRAQI SOLDIERS RAISED THEIR FLAG AT A MILITARY BASE IN BAGHDAD TO SYMBOLIZE THEIR NEW SOVEREIGNTY BUT A GOOD DEAL OF THE COUNTRYS SECURITY REMAINS THE RESPONSABILTY OF MORE THAN 160-THOUSAND COALITION TROOPS.
STAND-UP CLOSE: MANY IRAQIS SAY THE "REAL" TRANSFER OF POWER WILL COME WHEN AMERICAN SOLDIERS LEAVE THEIR COUNTRY ... BUT THAT COULD BE MONTHS, IF NOT YEARS, TO COME. TERI OKITA, CBS NEWS, BAGHDAD))

[Church-Gays]

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

[after 10]

A Presbyterian church committee is scheduled to meet today to consider lifting a ban on ordaining gays and lesbians to church offices.
For years, church liberals have been pushing to have the ban lifted.
At a church meeting yesterday, gays and lesbians said the church's stance on homosexuality is driving away young people.
But conservatives contend that the scriptures denounce homosexuality.

[11 next]

[11Franklin-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-15 2:04:34]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]
[ENG#=2]

One woman died in an accident last night in Franklin County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./Last Night]

State police say it happened just after nine o-clock on Route 122 near the intersection with Lost Mountain Road.
Troopers say a Chevy Blazer crossed the center line, ran off the road and hit a tree.
The driver, 34 year old Natalie Anne Smith of Roanoke, was killed.
Her passenger, 40 year old Jeffrey Scott Andrews also of Roanoke, was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he's listed in stable condition.
Officers say neither person was wearing a seat belt.
They're still trying to figure out the cause.
(------------)

[11Shawsville]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-22 TC40:50]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]
[ENG#=3]
A Christiansburg man faces more charges in the death of a mother and daughter in Shawsville.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co./Saturday; ]
The pair was killed Saturday evening after being hit by a car as they walked down Route 460. 21 year old Christopher Hight is charge with two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of driving under the influence of drugs. Police say Hight struck 44 year old Joyce Marie Sirry (Surry) and her six year old daughter, Betty Marie Sirry as they walked home from the post office. David Sirry, a father and husband to the victims, says more needs to be done along that section of route 460.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT: 52:42:00]
[IN Q= This law]
((DEBRA HALL: THIS LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE PEOPLE SPEEDING THROUGH THIS AREA. DO SOMETHING ABOUT EVERYBODY THAT JUST DOESN'T CARE ABOUT NOBODY AT ALL. ))
[SUPER=01-David Sirry/Victims' Husband and Father;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=care about nobody at all]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Hight is being held at the Montgomery County Jail without bond. If convicted he faces up to 20 years in prison on each count of involuntary manslaughter.
(-------------)

[11Edwards-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC1:49:50]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
[ENG#=4]
The murder trial of a Roanoke man will continue this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Jury selection began yesterday in the trial of 27-year-old Carl Richardson or Kalif Freed Abdul Mateen, as he's also known. After three-hours lawyers for each side selected a jury. Two witnesses were called on this first day of the trial. Richardson faces murder, malicious wounding and a number of gun charges related to the murder of Neesha Edwards in December, 2003. Prosecutors say Richardson was an ex-boyfriend who was jealous Edwards had moved on. The trial is expected to last until Wednesday.
(------------)

[11Merchants-Tax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-17 TC48:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

The Montgomery County board of Supervisors held a public hearing last night on a plan to slash the merchants tax.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.]

It's a tax on all inventory at local businesses. Several business owners maintain it's too high.
Local auto dealers have even moved their cars out of the county to avoid paying up.
The board is considering dropping the August tax assessment and lowering the tax by a dollar-45.
A vote could now come at the board's July 12 meeting.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news,
Stocks are down despite a smooth transition of power in Iraq and Citibank is buying New York Community Bank.
Alexis Christoforous has those stories and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:08]
[OUT Q=in New York.]

((THE EARLY AND APPARENTLY SMOOTH TURNOVER OF POWER IN IRAQ AND THE BIGGEST RISE IN CONSUMER SPENDING IN NEARLY 3 YEARS WASN'T ENOUGH TO KEEP STOCKS AFLOAT... THE DOW FELL BACK NEARLY 15 POINTS THE NASDAQ SLID MORE THAN 5 AND A HALF. GENERAL MOTORS HIT A SPEEDBUMP ON WALL STREET..A TOP GM OFFICIAL SAID NEW VEHICLE SALES HAVE BEEN WEAKER THAN EXPECTED IN JUNE AND THAT THE AUTOMAKER WILL HAVE DIFFICULTY RACKING UP A SALES GAIN FOR THE MONTH. ON THE STOCKS TO WATCH LIST: CITIGROUP IS BUYING NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANK FOR ABOUT 6-BILLION DOLLARS...
THE SAVINGS AND LOAN COMPANY - WASHINGTON MUTUAL CUT ITS EARNINGS FORECAST FOR THE YEAR... CITING THE IMPACT OF HIGHER LONG TERM INTEREST RATES ON ITS MORTGAGE LENDING BUSINESS. AND WATCH TOBACCO STOCKS. A FEDERAL COURT HAS CLEARED THE WAY FOR THE CIGARETTE MAKERS TO REQUEST AN IMMEDIATE APPEAL OF A RULING IN THE GOVERNMENT'S RACKETTERING CASE ruling in the government's racketeering case. The decision allows the companies to challenge the government's right to seize 280 (b) billion dollars in profits in the suit against cigarette makers.
stay on top of your stocks and all the biz news at cbs.mw.com in ny I'm Alexis Christoforous))

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

[11Methadone]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-13 TC1:51:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

Opponents of a Roanoke methadone clinic say they will take their case to the community.
They're now planning a mass meeting to involve more people in their fight against the controversial project.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference say their research continues to raise troubling questions about methadone clinics.
Efforts to encourage a change of location have been unsuccessful, and SCLC leaders say they are now organizing a meeting to air the community's concerns.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:28:42]
[IN Q=I see now]
((PERNELLER CHUBB-WILSON/ROANOKE SCLC PRESIDENT: I SEE NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A MASS MEETING. IT MIGHT BE IN EUREKA PARK. IT MIGHT BE IN OUR SCHOOLS WHERE OUR CHILDREN GO. IT MIGHT BE A STREET MEETING, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A MEETING, A MASS MEETING.))
[SUPER=01-Perneller Chubb-Wilson/Roanoke SCLC President;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=to have a meeting, a mass meeting.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

State officials have visited the site of the proposed clinic on Hershberger Road, but they have not yet issued a state license for the facility.
(------------)

[11NRV-Drugs]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-11 TC2:02:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

More than a dozen people were indicted on charges related to a major drug operation in the New River Valley.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
A federal grand jury indicted 14-people on 47-charges, including distributing crack cocaine, illegally possessing and using a firearm, and assaulting witnesses. Authorities arrested 12 of the 14 yesterday, including the alleged ring-leader, Richard Lighty of New York. Officials believe Lighty and his group distributed between two-and-a-half and 10-million dollars worth of cocaine, since November of 1999.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:40:30]
[IN Q=these members]
((JOHN BROWNLEE/U. S. ATTORNEY:THESE MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT RISK THEIR LIFE EVERY DAY TO JUST KEEP BRINGING THEM DOWN 34 AND SO INVESTIGATIONS ARE UP AND THESE DEFENDANTS NOW KNOW IT, AND THOSE WHO ARE OUT THERE SELLING IT, YOUR TIME IS COMING.))
[SUPER=01-John Brownlee/U. S. Attorney;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=time is coming]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
Authorities say Lighty and three other key players in the ring are also members of the Bloods street gang -- and used that to intimidate their associates. Police are still looking for one of them, and a woman also charged in the ring.
(--------------)

[Med-Wrap]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Medical News]
[ENG#=3]

In medical news today, low-carb diets may make it harder to conceive, and the Supreme Court will hear arguments about the use of medical marijuana.
Melissa McDermott has more.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Low Carb is the ]
[SUPER=01-Melissa McDermott/CBS News; :00]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York]

((LOW-CARB IS THE CRAZE... BUT NEW RESEARCH FINDS THAT EATING A HIGH PROTEIN DIET MAY MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR A WOMAN TO GET PREGNANT.
(VO)
WHEN STUDYING MICE SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED DIETS CONTAINING 25 PERCENT PROTEIN DISRUPT THE DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY EMBRYOS. THE HIGH PROTEIN DIET SEEMS TO INTERFERE WITH A GENETIC PROCESS KNOWN AS IMPRINTING, WHICH CONTROLS THE ACTIVITY OF GENES INHERITED FROM THE FATHER AND THE MOTHER.
(WIPEVO)
THE SUPREME COURT HAS DECIDED TO DECIDE ON THE FUTURE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA. THE NATION'S HIGHEST COURT SAYS IT WILL HEAR ARGUEMENTS ON WHETHER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN PROSECUTE SICK PEOPLE WHO SMOKE POT ON THE ADVICE OF THEIR DOCTOR. THE CASE INVOLVES THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S APPEAL OF A SUIT IT LOST LAST YEAR INVOLVING TWO CALIFORNIA WOMEN WHO SAY MARIJUANA IS THE ONLY DRUG THAT EASES THEIR CHRONIC PAIN.
(WIPEVO)
AND NEXT TIME YOU THROW A FEW BACK YOU MIGHT WANT TO HAVE SOME CACTUS ON HAND. RESEARCHERS SAY THAT AN EXTRACT FROM THE PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS CAN ACTUALLY PREVENT A HANGOVER. STUDY PARTICIPANTS SAID TAKING THE CACTUS BEFORE DRINKING SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED NAUSEA, DRY MOUTH AND LOSS OF APPETITE THE NEXT DAY. THERE ARE NO PLANS, AS OF YET, TO GET A PRICKLY PEAR PRODUCT ON THE MARKET.
(ONCAM)
AND THOSE ARE SOME OF THE DAY'S TOP HEALTH STORIES. I'M MELISSA MCDERMOTT, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.))
[kim toss to bump]
((Toss to bump))

[Horse-Slaughter]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-20 53:52]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[eng#=1]

Many of us love horses and would never think about eating them, but that's a different story in other countries.
Now, a local group is working to keep horses off the dinner table. Justin McLeod tells us why the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee opposes their efforts.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Lexington; :00]
[SUPER=01-Anne Russek/Horse Lover; :11]
[SUPER=@goodlatte; :46]
[SUPER=01-Bill McKinnon/Nat'l Cattleman's Beef Association; :59 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:16]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]

((((NAT SOUND OF HORSES OR CHATTING OF GIRLS ON HORSES))
Here's something you don't always see everyday, horses in downtown Lexington.
They're part of a protest against the slaughter of horses.
[SOT 6:02:41]
[IN Q=The transport of]
((ANNE RUSSEK/NATURAL BRIDGE RESIDENT: THE TRANSPORT TO SLAUGHTER IS INHUMANE. THE METHOD IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD TO HORSE PEOPLE.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=TO HORSE PEOPLE]

Several hundred of those people turned out for a town hall meeting sponsored by Congressman Goodlatte.
They want to know specifically why the Congressman opposes a bill that would end horse slaughter in America for human consumption in Europe and Asia.
[SOT 6:35:53]
[IN Q=You don't need to]
((WOMAN BITE: YOU DON'T NEED TO LISTEN TO SOMEONE IN CALIFORNIA. WE'RE FROM VIRGINIA, YOU REPRESENT US. WE DON'T WANT HORSE SLAUGHTER.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=horse slaughter]

But Congressman Goodlatte points out the bill may do more harm than good.
He fears the number of unwanted horses in this country would sky rocket.
[SOT 6:58:20]
[IN Q=We're talking about]
((CONGRESSMAN BOB GOODLATTE/(R) SIXTH DISTRICT: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF HORSES BECAUSE THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF A HORSE WHEN IT IS NOT SLAUGHTERED IS MANY YEARS UNTIL THEY ACCUMULATE OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=long period of time]

Many who showed up at this meeting disagree with the Congressman but there were a few who support his position.
[SOT 7:00:36]
[IN Q=We see it]
((BILL McKINNON/NATIONAL CATTLEMAN'S BEEF ASSOCIATION: WE SEE IT FRANKLY AS GOVERNMENT INTRUSION IN PRIVATE COMMERCE.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=private commerce]
((NAT SOUND OF MEETING))
Those hoping to change the Congressman's mind went home disappointed but horse lovers say they're not giving up.
[SOT 6:04:08]
[IN Q=So I think]
((ANNE RUSSEK/NATURAL BRIDGE RESIDENT: SO I THINK AMERICANS HAVE SHOWN THAT WE LOVE OUR HORSES AND THEY MEAN SOMETHING TO US.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=SOMETHING TO US]
[SOT ]
[IN Q=THose who]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THOSE WHO SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 857 FEEL CONGRESSMAN GOODLATTE HAS WORKED TO BLOCK THE BILL FROM EVEN GETTING OUT OF COMMITTEE. THE CONGRESSMAN POINTS OUT HE IS JUST ONE PERSON ON A 51 MEMBER COMMITTEE. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.)))) [kim toss to bump] ((Toss to bump))

[Audio-Books]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]

Audio books are music to the ears of retailers across the country. Alexis Christoforous tells us about the volumes of people who are turning pages with the click of a button.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q= Listen to]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY; :00]
[SUPER=01-Alison Grambs/Audiobook Reader; :12]
[SUPER=01-Mary Beth Roche/President Audio Publisher's Association; :49]
[SUPER=01-Daryl Mattson/Border's Books Manager; 1:18]
[SUPER=01-Donald Katz/CEO Audible.com; 1:42]
[super=01-Alexis Christoforous/CBS News; 2:02]
[RUNS=2:22]
[OUT Q=standard]
(( LISTEN TO ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY? MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE .... WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ... AT THE GYM, JOGGING IN THE PARK, EVEN WALKING DOWN THE STREET...
SOT: ALISON GRAMBS, AUDIOBOOK READER

00:01:15 I tend to be listening to two at one time, so depending on your mood you can literally switch over with a touch of a button that what's nice.. you're not carrying books. ALISON GRAMBS IS A FREELANCE WRITER IN NYC. SHE'S CURRENTLY ON HER THIRD AUDIOBOOK THIS MONTH:
SOT: ALISON GRAMBS, AUDIOBOOK READER

00:02:21 I'm walking my dog, I'm doing the laundry, I'm cleaning.. now I'm not wasting time so much b/c I'm listening to something.. so a half hour here or there you're getting thru a lot more books, it just makes you well read (laughs) IN THIS AGE WHERE MULTI-TASKING HAS BECOME A NECESSITY, THE DEMAND FOR AUDIOBOOKS IS GROWING.. ((GRAPHIC))
REVENUE IN THE INDUSTRY REACHED 800 MILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR AND IS UP 12 PERCENT THIS YEAR..WITH PLENTY OF ROOM TO GROW.
SOT: MARY BETH ROCHE/ PRESIDENT, AUDIO PUBLISHER'S ASSOC.
SOMWHERE AROUND 00:01:20 one in five american households have listened to audiobooks. 00:01:47 the average american rush-hour commuter spends an extra 62 hours a year in stuck traffic, bumper to bumper traffic, so we have to assume that that is a lot of people and a lot of hours ripe for audiobooks. AT THE NATIONAL BOOKSELLER BORDERS, AUDIOBOOKS ACCOUNT FOR SIX PERCENT OF OVERALL SALES.
SOT: DARYL MATTSON, MANAGER, BORDER'S BOOKS

00:10:43 we've seen double digit growth in audiobooks over last year so its definitely a healthy, vibrant and growing market for borders. BUT BRICK AND MORTAR STORES ARE GETTING SOME COMPETITION FROM THE INTERNET. FOR 20 DOLLARS A MONTH, AUDIBLE.COM LET'S YOU DOWNLOAD BOOKS, MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPERS TO YOUR COMPUTER, IPOD OR OTHER PORTABLE DEVICE. WITH 350-THOUSAND CUSTOMERS, SALES AT AUDIBLE ARE UP 68 PERCENT OVER LAST YEAR.
SOT: DONALD KATZ, CEO/ AUDIBLE.COM
14:48:28 selfhelp books with the guru of the moment speaking into your ear .. ((JOHN SHOT A STEVEN KING DISPLAY AT BORDERS.. PLS COVER WITH THAT )) steven king - other dimension of literary exp. by having them interpret as a performer. :46
TYPICALLY, AUDIOBOOKS COST MORE THAN THE HARDCOVER, BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME, WITH THE CLINTON AUTOBIOGRAPHY, THE AUDIOBOOKS WILL CARRY THE SAME PRICE TAG AS THE HARDCOVER AND BE DISPLAYED TOGETHER. THE FORMER PRESIDENT WILL TRY TO BEAT OUT THE BOY WIZARD, "HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX" AS THE BEST SELLING AUDIOBOOK OF ALL TIME. ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS, CBS MARKETWATCH NY.))

[2-11Merchants-Tax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-17 TC48:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

A controversial tax in the New River Valley may be voted on next month.
The Montgomery County board of Supervisors held a public hearing last night on a plan to slash the merchants tax.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.]

It's a tax on all inventory at local businesses. Several business owners maintain it's too high.
Local auto dealers have even moved their cars out of the county to avoid paying up.
The board is considering dropping the August tax assessment and lowering the tax by a dollar-45.
A vote could now come at the board's July 12 meeting.
(------------)

[Winner]

[ENG#=D1]

[ROLL OUT OF STOCKS]

(///// SOT /////)

[SUPER=45-Wanda Wilburn/Roanoke;]

[break]

[Horse-Slaughter]

[Vouchers]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

Education is always a hot topic in an election year. As they were in 2000, school vouchers are being discussed again by both candidates. Byron Pitts talked to a family in Washington DC using the current voucher program to their advantage.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nats Eric counting... ]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Catherine Hill/Guardian; :32]
[SUPER=01-Byron Pitts/CBS News; :44]
[SUPER=04-February 13, 2004; 1:07]
[SUPER=01-John Kerry/(D) Presidential Candidate; 1:42]
[SUPER=01-Charles Harden/Principal; 2:12]
[RUNS=2:32]
[OUT Q=standard]

(( '8, 9, 10, 11' (Nat snd Eric counting on fingers)
At age 66... Catherine Hill of Washington, DC is both a grandmother and a guardian. She's now raising HER BROTHER'S.... seven year old twins... Eric and Erica Brooks.

Mrs. Hill believes in Education...(DISSOLVE TO TABLE FULL OF PICS AND DIPLOMAS) And for 3-generations... she BELIEVED in PUBLIC EDUCATION... raising HER children, grandchildren... and a host of relatives children in the same neighborhood school where she volunteered.

But times have changed.
SOT/CATHERINE HILL ()
"...YEARS AGO YOU ONLY HAD ABOUT 9 OR 10 CHILDREN IN A CLASS. NOW YOU GOT 29, 30, 32 KIDS.."

(BYRON PITTS STANDUP)

So Mrs. Hill... signed up for a lottery of sorts. A first in the nation... pilot program giving Some 15- hundred public school children the opportunity to Go to a private schools on a 75-hundred dollar voucher.
Byron Q: THEY CALLED YOU? THEY SAID MRS. HILL YOU ARE ONE OF THE WINNERS. And your reaction was? HALLELUJAH, THANK YOU JESUS, AMEN!

Selection Day... felt like a shopping spree.
(NATSOT MRS. JACKSON WALKING AROUND)
'I'M LOOKING FOR ST. GABRIEL? OVER THIS WAY.

And every vendor wanted her business.

(NATSOT RECRUITER)
'WE HAVE SMALL CLASS SIZES. WE HAVE SPANISH CLASSES, GYM GLASSES...

But the future of any federally funded voucher program.... will depend on WHO voters choose in November.

(SOT/PRES. BUSH 2/13/04)
'THIS INIATIVE IS ONE THAT'S THE BEGINNING OF WHAT I HOPE IS CHANGE ALL ACROSS THE COUNTY.
(GRAPHIC IN)
President Bush supports Vouchers... arguing School choice (will) give low-income families better options. Make public schools more competitive (He would) Invest 50-million dollars PILOT programs.

(KERRY 3/8/04: SOT -) "I'm not for vouchers, I think vouchers take away
from the school system (6)
Senator John Kerry believes Vouchers help TOO FEW students and TAX Payer dollars SHOULD NOT fund private schools. Instead he would: Invest 150-BILLION dollars in public education. Make smaller classes. Increase teacher pay

(GRAPHIC OUT)

(NATSOT/EXT. SCHOOL)
THIS IS ONE OF THE OLDEST SCHOOLS IN THE CITY.
Public School principals like Charles Harden of D.C.... side with Senator Kerry.

(CHARLES HARDEN, PRINCIPAL PARK VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SOT)
INVEST THE TIME, INVEST THE FUNDS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO MAKE THEM WORK.'

As for Mrs. Hill... she says... the voucher program WON'T just give her children a choice...

(CATHERINE HILL, GUARDIAN SOT)
'WHAT'S THE FUTURE FOR ERICA AND RICA NOW? THE FUTURE FOR ERIC AND ERICA NOW IS THAT THEY'RE GONNA GROW AND THEY'RE GONNA TURN OUT TO BE WELL ROUNDED, EDUCATED CHILDREN.'
... it will give them a chance. In Washington, DCTERMS... Byron Pitts, for EYE ON AMERICA.))
[toss to bump] ((Toss to bump))