[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

Up next on News 7-

Three people are under arrest for allegedly drugging and assaulting two 14- year- old girls in Pearisburg.
(---------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]


And, federal officials arrest two men in upstate New York.
They're accused of providing assistance to terrorists.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=LEO]
[SS=None]

A cold front is now working through the area triggering scattered showers. How long will the showers last. I'll let you know in your forecast.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Stay with us. News 7 at noon, starts right now.
[Noon-open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]
[SUPER=@Leo1; ]


[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Two men are arrested in upstate New York-- they're suspected of providing material support for terrorists.
(------------)



[Terror]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at Noon]



[ENG#=3]



Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
The men are believed to be linked to a radical Islamic extremist group.
Teri Okita has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Albany, NY;]
[SUPER=01-Faisal Ahmad/Worshipper at Mosque;]
[SUPER=01-Yousuf Ali/Worshipper at Mosque;]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/CBS News;]
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=Okita, CBS News, Washington.]


((

PKG.

(LOCATOR: Albany, New York)


TRACK: IN AN OVERNIGHT STING OPERATION, FEDERAL AGENTS AND CITY POLICE RAIDED AN ISLAMIC MOSQUE IN ALBANY, NEW YORK. THEY ARRESTED TWO MEN ALLEGEDLY CAUGHT TRYING TO BUY SHOULDER-FIRED MISSILES FROM AN UNDERCOVER AGENT. THE MEN ARE SUSPECTED OF SUPPORTING TERRORIST OPERATIONS IN THE U-S.

(Super: Faisal Ahmad/Worships at Mosque)
SOT: What happened, investigation of mosque. Reflection, stereotyping

in muslim community.
TRACK: POLICE CORDONED OFF THE DOWNTOWN ALBANY AREA FOR SEVERAL HOURS THIS MORNING SURPRISING MANY OF THE MOSQUES WORSHIPPERS.

(Super: Yousuf Ali/Worships at Mosque)
SOT: stopped from going in for morning prayer. Closed.


TRACK: AUTHORITIES SAY THE GROUP ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOSQUE ANSAR AL-ISLAM IS A RADICAL EXTREMIST GROUP OF IRAQI KURDS AND ARABS FORMED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2001. ITS MEMBERS HAVE TRAINED IN AFGHANISTAN AND ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE PROVIDED SAFE HAVEN TO AL-QAEDA MEMBERS WHO FLED AFTER THE U-S INVASION. ANSAR AL-ISLAM VOWS TO SET UP A CONSERVATIVE ISLAMIC STATE IN NORTHERN IRAQ.

(Super: Teri Okita/Reporting)

STANDUP: The investigation has been going on for a year. and authorities say the case is not related to the recent terror alert in New York, NJ and Washington, DCTERMS. Teri Okita, CBS News, Washington. ))

[Iraq]


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



[ENG#=4]



The U-S military says the crews was evacuated after rebels shot down a Marine helicopter during fighting today in Najaf.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Najaf, Iraq;]


Authorities say it's the fiercest fighting in weeks, and is threatening a fragile cease-fire.
An Iraqi official is warning of `` bad consequences'' if the militia members don't disarm and leave the city.
[SUPER=03-Near Baghdad, Iraq;]


Also today, a suicide car bombing killed at least five people and wounded 27 others at a police station south of Baghdad.
Officials say three masked gunmen opened fire on the police station and fled.
A bomb in a minibus then exploded outside the building.
(------------)



[Giles-Assault]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=]

Three-people are behind bars after police say they drugged and assaulted two 14-year-old girls in Pearisburg. 20-year-old Ryan Jackson Craft, 22-year-old Ryan Clay Gilmer and 24-year-old Melissa Lynn Blakenship face multiple charges including abduction, carnal knowledge of a juvenile and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Investigators say during the early morning hours of August 1st, Blakenship brought the teens to her apartment in the 14-hundred block of Wenonah Avenue. Police say once they were there the girls were drugged and sexually assaulted. Authorities continue to investigate the case. Meanwhile, the three are held at the New River Valley Jail without bond. They have a preliminary hearing Monday morning.

[Alex-Cleanup]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
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[ENG#=]


Vacationers are ending their trip early, and boarding ferries out of North Carolina's Ocracoke Island.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ocracoke Island, NC;]


Emergency officials ordered thousands of tourists to leave the island until damage from Hurricane Alex is repaired.
Tourists started leaving late yesterday-- after Alex brought heavy rain and rattled nerves.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Just kept getting worse]

((JIM FLOWER/OCRACOKE VISITOR: JUST KEPT GETTING WORSE AND WORSE AND UH THE WATER STARTED COMING UP ON THE FRONT PORCH, BROKE OUT A WINDOW UPSTAIRS AND WATER STARTED COMING THROUGH THE CEILING. WE STARTED TO HEAR STUFF BUMPING AROUND UNDER THE HOUSE AND THEN WE GOT NERVOUS AND ALL RAN BACK INTO THE BATHROOM. ))
[SUPER=01-Jim Flower/Ocracoke Visitor;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=back into the bathroom.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Ocracoke took the brunt of the hurricane, which brushed the Outer Banks Tuesday afternoon.
There were no reports of any injuries.
(------------)


[Bedford-Fatal]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]
[ENG#=None]

State police say a driver who ran a stop sign caused a fatal traffic accident in eastern Bedford County yesterday.
It took to the life of 54 year old Donald Driskill of Lynchburg. Police say Driskill was driving on Route 221 when his car was struck at Bryant Road, pushing it into an oncoming pickup truck.
Investigators say Ronald Tubbs of Lynchburg drove the vehicle that ran the stop sign, and charges are pending.

[Bassett]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=None]


About 180 Bassett Furniture employees in Macon, Georgia will lose their jobs when the company closes its facility there. The company says it will move some of the production to other facilities in the U.S., while other production will be imported. Bassett does not indicate whether the move will have any effect on employment levels at its Henry County facility.
[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]


Up next on the newscast, we'll tell you why some happy horticulturalists are raising a stink at Virginia Tech.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]

Also doctors in Salem are looking for people to help them test new arthritis medications.
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[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #1]



[Kobe-Bryant]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Bryant Scales]


[MINI-OPEN]

[ENG#=1]


Some doubt today that the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case will ever go to trial.
There are signs the alleged victim may NOT be willing to go ahead, after sensitive information about her sex life was mistakenly released.
Bill Whitaker reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Larry Pozner/Defense Attorney; :53]
[SUPER=01-Laurie Levenson/Legal Analyst; 1:12]
[SUPER=01-Bill Whitaker/CBS News; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=Whitaker, CBS News, LA.]


((

NARR: Three weeks before the start of the Kobe Bryant rape trial, growing signs the case may not get to the starting blocks. Attorneys for Bryants accuser say the young woman's not getting a fair shake and she and prosecutors will have to decide whether to proceed with the high-profile criminal case.

(PKG)



SOT: Lin Wood/(YOU MUST COURTESY MSNBC-NO EXCERPTING FROM THIS PKG)


" I THINK THERE LEGITIMATELY SHOULD BE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THE CRIMINAL CASE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD IN LIGHT OF THE PREJUDICE TO THIS YOUNG GIRL'S RIGHTS RESULTING FROM THE RELEASE OF THIS ONE SIDED TRANSCRIPT OF A PAID DEFENSE EXPERT."
NARR: ... the transcript mistakenly released by the court concerning sensative DNA evidence the defense says proves the young woman had sex with someone else shortly after her encounter with Bryant. The young woman denies the charge and her attorneys question whether she can get a fair trial. Others say that's just a face saving exit line.

SOT: Larry Pozner, defense atty/(4029) WHAT I HEAR HER LAWYERS SAYING

IS, 'WE'RE FLYING THE WHITE FLAG OF SURRENDER. WE WANT OUT. WE WANT THIS CASE OVER.
NARR: Her attorneys say it's possible their client now will turn to civil court and seek monetary damages from the millionaire basketball star. Court observers say that's not a sure bet either.

SOT: Laurie Levenson/(011809) EVEN WITH A CIVIL CASE, IF THEY ACTUALLY

GO FORWARD TO TRIAL, THEN EVERYTHING ABOUT HER BACKGROUND IS LIKELY TO COME OUT ONCE AGAIN, SO THERE'S A GOOD LIKELIHOOD THEY'D END UP SETTLING THAT CIVIL CASE.
NARR: The young woman's attorneys say she'll decide what to do in the next few days. BW, CBSN, LA. ))



[5-Arthritis]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Healthcheck]



[ENG=2]



Millions of Americans suffer with the pain of Arthritis.
While progress has been made, new drugs are always under study.
Salem's Lewis-Gale Clinic is involved in two clinical trials and researchers are looking for patients to participate.
Health Check Reporter Joy Sutton has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Doctor Gary Bayliss treat patients everyday who suffer]
[SUPER=03-Salem;00]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Garry Bayliss/Lewis-Gale Clinic Rheumatologist;17]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=Joy Sutton News 7]

(( Doctor Garry Bayliss treats patients everyday who suffer with various types of arthritis. He sees the pain and inflammation it can cause --and wants them to have access to the best treatments available. That's why he says clinical trials are so important.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT5:33:04]
[IN Q=Clinical trials afford the patient]

((CLINICAL TRIALS AFFORD THE PATIENT TO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH A MEDICATION BEFORE IT'S AVAILABLE WHICH CAN LEAD TO IMPORTANT OPTIONS THAT THEY OTHERSISE CAN'T FIND. IT ALSO HELPS OUR UNDERSTANDING AND ADVANCES OUR KNOWLEDGE OF NEW TREATMENTS))
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=of new treatments]


There are two trials they need patients to take part in. One involves a type of narcotic pain reliever for osteoarthritis.
The other trial is for a drug used treat both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, that's similiar to drugs like celebrex and viox.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT5:34:35]
[IN Q=These new treatments are often in the category]

((THESE NEW TREATMENTS ARE OFTEN IN THE CATEGORY OF WHAT WE CALL BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT. THESE ARE SPECIAL AGENT THAT'S DEVELOPED IN LAB TO MIMIC A FUNCTION IN THE BODY THAT ALLOWS US TO SHUT DOWN OR SLOW DOWN IMMUNE SYSTEM IN A WAY THAT ALLOWS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TO COME UNDER BETTER CONTROL ))
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=come under better control]


While treatments have come a long way in treating rheumatoid arthritis -- progression has been slow for osteoarthritis.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT5:33:57]
[IN Q=We're still exploring the treatments]

((WE'RE STILL EXPLORING THE TREATMENTS THAT MIGHT BE SAFER OR MORE EFFECTIVE FOR THE PAIN OF OSTEOARTHRITIS AND HOPE TO HAVE OPTIONS IN THE NEAR FUTURE WHICH MAY SLOW THE CONDITION DOWN))
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=slow the condition down]))




(+++++++++++++)

[TAKE FULL PAGE]
[SUPER=16-(540) 772-3676/Lewis-Gale Clinic;]

If you are interested in participating in one of the clinical trials, you can call 540-772-3676.
For those who are involved, there is no-out-of pocket expense to participate in the study and the medications are free.
(----------------------)


[PKGTech-Plant]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=04-19 TC 1:51:06]
[GRAPHIC=none]



[ENG#=3]



They've waited for it for a long time, now a huge flower is blooming at Virginia Tech.
But everything is not coming up roses...
In fact, it smells like something quite the opposite.
Justin McLeod has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Scott Rapier/Virginia Tech Department of Horticulture; :27]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]


((((NAT SOUND OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THE PLANT BUT COVER WITH VIDEO OUTSIDE OF THE GREENHOUSE))
Here in this greenhouse you will find the most god awful smell.
[SOT 16:42]
[IN Q=I smelled it as]

((ANDY McINTOSH: I SMELLED IT AS SOON WE WALKED IN THE DOOR.)) [Runs02]
[OUT Q=in the door]


But when you ask people to describe the smell you get all kinds of responses.
[SOT 5:52; 10:45; 12:27; 13:56; 15:18]
[IN Q=It smelled like]

((NAOMI ORNDORFF: IT SMELLED LIKE DEAD ANIMAL.)) ((CAMEN SKELTON: I THINK IT SMELLS LIKE DEAD FISH.)) ((VICKI ARBUCKLE: IT SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT ROTTEN.)) ((CINDY SHOCKLEY: DEAD POTATOES.)) ((SWAMY SIDDARAMAPPA: THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=GOOD QUESTION]


But there's no question what's causing it.
[SOT 7:02]
[IN Q=This is a]

((SCOTT RAPIER/VIRGINIA TECH DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE: THIS IS AN AMORPHOPHALLUS TITANUM. IT'S COMMONLY KNOWN AS EITHER A-TITANUM OR CORPSE PLANT.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=OR CORPSE PLANT]


By now you know what it's called but you probably not why.
[SOT 7:16]
[IN Q=It omits]

((SCOTT RAPIER: IT OMITS AN INCREDIBLY STRONG CARION LIKE ODOR TO ATTRACT THE POLLINATORS WHICH ARE SWEAT BEES, CARION BEETLES, AND FLESH FLIES.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=and flesh flies]


Ok, the so explanation may not be impressive but here is something that is.
The plant is so rare fewer than 30 have bloomed in this country in the last 30 years and if you want to see it you must go quickly.
[SOT 7:23]
[IN Q=The bloom itself]

((SCOTT RAPIER: THE BLOOM ITSELF DOES NOT LAST VERY LONG. IT IS ONLY GOING TO BE OPEN FOR A MAXIUM OF THREE DAYS AND PROBABLY NOT THAT LONG AT ALL.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=LONG AT ALL]


Some who have already seen the plant say it is well worth it despite the stench.
[SOT 13:33; ]
[IN Q=I thought we would]

((CINDY SCHOKLEY: I THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE DEAD BODIES AROUND HERE BUT IT'S NOT SO BAD.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=not so bad]


Others would rather turn their nose up at it.
[SOT 16:26; 6:14; 15:13]
[IN Q=I wanted to]

((ANDY McINTOSH: IT'S A WILD BEAST.)) ((NAOMI ORNDORFF: I WANTED TO WALK AWAY AND STAND BACK JUST SO I WOULDN'T SMELL IT ANYMORE.)) ((SWAMY SIDDARAMAPPA: IT'S TALK OF TECH AT LEAST IF NOT TALK OF TOWN.)) [RUns06]
[OUT Q=TALK OF TOWN]

((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: IT WILL BE THE TALK OF THE TOWN AT LEAST THE NEXT TWENTY FOUR HOURS AND YOU CAN SEE IT FOR YOUSELF BY VISITING THE VIRGINIA TECH CAMPUS. THE GREENHOUSE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TODAY FROM EIGHT UNTIL FOUR. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))
[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]


Coming up next on the newscast,
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[VO-NAT ]

things are looking up in Baton Rouge. We'll tell why dozens of balloons are taking to the skies over Louisiana.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]



[Balloon-Competition]


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



[ENG#=1]



Baton Rouge is full of hot air this week--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baton Rouge, LA;]


It's the site of this year's National Hot Air Balloon Championship.
The race, featuring 80 balloons, draws some of the best balloonists in the country.
In balloon racing, the goal isn't about speed, it's about accuracy.
Balloonists are required to drop a beanbag on chosen targets.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=In balloon racing]

((RYAN RICHARD/BALLOON PILOT: IN BALLOON RACING IT'S NOT HOW QUICK YOU GET TO THE TARGET, IT'S HOW ACCURATE YOU ARE DROPPING YOUR BEANBAG AT THE TARGET.))
[SUPER=01-Ryan Richard/Balloon Pilot; quick!]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=beanbag at the target/]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Yesterday marked the first day of the national competition-- it'll run through the weekend.
(------------)



[Stocks]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=None]


On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was DOWN 58 points. The NASDAQ has lost 14.

[super=460-y/58/y/14;]


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


Coming up after the break, NASCAR heads south of the border.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And Virginia Tech starts training camp, with only nine starters returning from last year.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]


[S-Hokies]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-180 4633TC]
[GRAPHIC=Tech]



[ENG#=1]



With Marcus Vick nowhere in sight - the Virginia Tech Hokies opened football practice for the 2004 season yesterday. Mike Stevens has more on the opening day in Blacksburg for the 105 players in attendance.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bryan Randall/Virginia Tech Starting Quarterback; :14]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/18th Season at Virginia Tech; :43]
[SUPER=01-Cory Holt/Virginia Tech Freshman Quarterback; 1:28]
[SUPER=@mike1; 1:53]
[RUNS=2:02]
[OUT Q=News 7 Sports."]
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[S-Vikings]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-181 3530TC]
[GRAPHIC=FFE]



[ENG#=2]



The start of high school practice can mean only one thing at Northside--that Jim Hickam is back on the sidelines.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]


Hickam is in his 30th season with the Vikings. Two years ago, his team was unbeaten in the regular season, but last year they finished with a record of just 1 and 9.
Hickam says this year's squad has no plans of duplicating that penthouse to the outhouse performance.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Jim Hickam/30th Season as Northside Head Coach; :09]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=...way you do it."]
(-----------)

[vo nat con't] Hickam has written the book on longevity for coaches in the Roanoke Valley. This is his 40th year of coaching.
At the age of 63 - he says at this time he has no intention of hanging up the whistle, although Joel Hicks and Willis White recently did.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=YOU KNOW...]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=...I wanna keep doing it."]
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[S-Nascar]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Busch Series]



NASCAR will hold a Busch Series race in Mexico City next season, marking the first time a points race has been held outside the U.S.
The race will be held next spring on a road course that now hosts Champ Car events.
The series will also return to the road course in Watkins Glen after a three-year absence.
The entire schedule for the Busch series is expected to be released today.
[Quickcast]
[WXPRO/FULL] QUICKCAST
[REPRS@CL] SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends [SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]
by SS