WDBJ 7 morning news for 08/20/04

[2-VOBSOLs]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-31]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']
[ENG#=1]

Is the state of Virginia dragging its feet? Some educators think so.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file]

Last year was the first time high school seniors had to pass the Standards of Learning in order to graduate.
Even though a new school year is about to begin, we still don't know how well seniors did last year.
One S-O-L critic says there's a reason why.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:49:19]
[IN Q=I think they're]
((MICKEY VANDERWERKER/SOL CRITIC: I THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE THAT BOTTOM LINE THE NUMBER OF KIDS WHO GRADUATED AND GOT DIPLOMAS. I THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE THAT LOOK AS GOOD AS THEY CAN.))
[SUPER=01-Mickey Vanderwerker/SOL Critic; :]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=AS THEY CAN]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

That's because many seniors who failed re-took the test this summer.
School systems still have several more weeks before they have to pass in final numbers to the state.
Preliminary numbers however indicate about six percent of seniors failed the S-O-L's or the required coursework to graduate.
(------------)

[11Edwards-Visit]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-17 TC2:02:48]
[GRAPHIC=John Edwards]
[ENG#=2]

Roanoke Valley Democrats are gearing up for the visit of Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards this weekend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Edwards is scheduled to speak at Lucy Addison Aerospace Magnet School tomorrow morning. The doors will open at 10 a-m, and organizers are encouraging people to come early.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Local Democrats say they are encouraged by Edwards visit, and recent polling that suggests Virginia may become a battleground state after all.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=You look at Colorado]
((ROY MITCHELL/ROANOKE CO. DEMOCRAT; YOU LOOK AT COLORADO FOR EXAMPLE, BUSH WON COLORADO BY 20 POINTS. NOW THEY'VE DECLARED THAT A BATTLEGROUND STATE, SO I THINK VIRGINIA IS QUITE TAKEABLE.))
[SUPER=01-Roy Mitchell/Roanoke Co. Democrat]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=is quite takeable.]
(XXXXXXXXX)
[FULL SCREEN GRAPHIC E558]
The Edwards speech is open to the public, but space is limited and tickets are required.
They are available at the Roanoke Valley Democratic office, on the fourth floor of the Tanglewood West Building. The office will be open today from nine until five.

(-------------------)[Iraq]

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

Hospital officials and witnesses say U-S forces have launched two airstrikes in Fallujah, where many insurgents are believed to be based.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Najaf, Iraq;]

Meanwhile, explosions and gunfire rang out in Najaf, further dimming hopes for a peaceful end to the standoff.
U- S forces pounded positions near the mosque where fighters loyal to radical shiite cleric Muqtada al- Sadr are holed-up.
Al- Sadr has ordered his militia to hand over control of the shrine to Shiite authorities-- but that hasn't stopped the fighting.
U-S forces are making some progress against al-Sadr loyalists, and ar working to maintain order.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This is to restore]
((CAPT. DENNIS PITDORN/U.S. TASK FORCE: THIS IS TO RESTORE ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF SADR CITY AND SO THAT THEY CAN RETURN TO A SENSE OF NORMALCY. ))
[SUPER=01-Capt. Dennis Pitdorn/U. S. Task Force;]
[RUNS=:08] (estimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=sense of normalcy.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, there's no word on the fate of an American journalist being held hostage.
A man claiming to speak for al-Sadr called on the kidnappers to free Micah Garen.
(------------)

[Missing-Girl]

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

Authorities say the body of a seven- year- old Arkansas girl who's been missing since Sunday has been found.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gilmore, AR;]
Searchers found the body of Patricia Ann Miles in a field, not far from where her shoes and bike were recovered.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=A first responder]
[SUPER=01-Thomas Martin/Sheriff's Department Spokesman;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=or Patricia.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A family friend was arrested on a kidnapping charge and is being held on a million dollars' bond.
Jo Ann Buchanan, who occasionally baby-sat the girl, has refused to cooperate with authorities.
Investigators have not offered a motive for the kidnapping, and Buchanan's family says she's innocent.

(------------)[6-Roanoke-Vandalism]

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

Roanoke police say they've cracked the case of vandals that struck several city neighborhoods.
Officers say two adults and three juveniles have been charged with a series of property damage incidents dating back to late July.
Their names are not being released, but city police say they're not connected to the group of suspects in similar incidents in Roanoke County.

[11VDOT-PAving]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-37 TC01:13]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

VDOT's repairs to a well-travelled road in Franklin County are driving some motorists crazy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.]

VDOT officials say they're forced to take the cheap route-- using tar and gravel, instead of asphalt-- to repair 20-miles of Route 40 in Franklin and Patrick Counties.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 44:43]
[IN Q=RIGHT NOW WE ]
((C. B. REYNOLDS/VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION; RIGHT NOW WE HOPE WE'VE GOT 225-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO SPEND ON THIS KIND OF REPAIR, WE DEFINITELY DON'T HAVE THE MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF PAVEMENT. REPORTER: SO IT IS ABOUT THE MONEY? REYNOLDS: IT'S A MONEY ISSUE, YEAH.))
[SUPER=01-C. B. Reynolds/Virginia Department of Transportation;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=MONEY ISSUE, YEAH.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

VDOT says it's getting about 30 complaints about flying stones and dust every day.
Officials say conditions should improve when the work is finished in about two weeks.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Google's stock soared in its first day of trading. And, the summer sales season wasn't so hot for Gap.
Alexis Christoforous has those stories and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:42]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((AFTER A BUMPY START, GOOGLE'S MUCH ANTICIPATED IPO MADE A SPLASH ON WALL STREET. THE POPULAR INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE SAW ITS STOCK SOAR 18 PERCENT IN ITS FIRST DAY OF TRADING ON THE NASDAQ TO CLOSE AT A HUNDRED DOLLARS A SHARE.
IN AN EFFORT TO DRUM UP MORE INVESTOR INTEREST IN ITS STOCK... GOOGLE SLASHED THE NUMBER OF SHARES IT WOULD SELL IN HALF AND REDUCED THE OFFERING PRICE TO 85 DOLLARS A SHARE.. THAT'S DOWN FROM A FORECAST OF AS MUCH AS 135 DOLLARS..
GOOGLE'S DECISION TO USE A COMPLICATED DUTCH AUCTION STYLE STOCK SALE WAS MET WITH CRITICISM FROM WALL STREET.

SOT: Peter Thiel, Co-founder, PayPal It looks like they've actually pulled off this revolutionary new process of hanvin
g an auction thats open to the whole public not to just a few well connected insititutional investors. So, it's a real watershed event today.
THE STOCK SALE VALUES GOOGLE AT 23.1 BILLION DOLLARS.. NEARLY AS MUCH AS GENERAL MOTORS IS WORTH. IT ALSO MAKES GOOGLE'S CO FOUNDERS, 30 YEAR OLD LARRY PAGE AND 31 YEAR OLD SERGEY BRIN INSTANT BILLIONARIES.. AT LEAST ON PAPER.
GOOGLE HAD TO SHARE THE SPOTLIGHT WITH Oil - WHICH STRUCK A FRESH RECORD JUST UNDER 49 DOLLARS A BARREL. INVESTORS ARE CONCERNED THAT HIGHER OIL PRICES WILL HURT CONSUMER SPENDING AND CORPORATE PROFITS. THAT SPIKE IN OIL PUT PRESSURE ON STOCKS
THE DOW SANK 42 POINTS WHILE THE NASDAQ FELL BACK MORE THAN 11.
GAP IS A STOCK TO WATCH TODAY.. THE RETAILER SAID A DISMAL SUMMER SALES SEASON PUSHED PROFIT DOWN TO 21 CENTS A SHARE.. THAT WAS STILL IN LINE WITH ESTIMATES.. LOOKING AHEAD, THE GAP WILL CLOSE 150 STORES NATIONWIDE, 15 MORE THAN IT ORIGINALLY FORECAST.
FIND OUT MORE AT CBS.MW.COM IN NY I'M AC.))
(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC] [COMM]

[Charley-Folo]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Hurricane Charley]
[ENG#=1]

A week after Hurricane Charley devastated west- central Florida, more than 335- thousand homes and businesses still don't have power.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte Co., FL;]

Officials say it'll take another 10 days for crews to fully restore electricity to residents in Charlotte County.
The death toll from the hurricane has climbed to 23, and the damage estimate is seven- point- four billion dollars.

Charley was the mostly costly storm in Florida since Hurricane Andrew.
The Red Cross says Charley destroyed more than 10- thousand homes.
(------------)

[11Tech-Cadets]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-21 TC1:42:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
The war in Iraq isn't keeping young people from getting a taste of the military at Virginia Tech.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
272 people currently make up this year's freshman class in the Corps of Cadets. The young cadets are getting their first look at military life. Earlier this week, they had their heads shaved, and learned how to march. Yesterday, they hit the obstacle course. In the last 10 years Tech's Corps has doubled in size from around 400 to 800 cadets a year. One cadet told us, the war in Iraq is proof we still need a well trained military.
(------------)

[2-11L'burg-Police]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-29 TC39:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

The Lynchburg police department is getting ready to celebrate its bicentennial.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The L-P-D was officially formed in January, 1805 when the city received its state charter.
The department wants to raise 45-thousand dollars to put up a monument in front of police headquarters.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:14:11]
[IN Q=Having a safe]
((CHARLES BENNETT/LYNCHBURG POLICE CHIEF: HAVING A SAFE AND ORDERLY COMMUNITY IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. AND I THINK FOR PROBABLY PEOPLE EVER SINCE WORLD WAR TWO THAT'S REALLY NOT BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN TOO MUCH OF A CONCERN AND NOW IT IS. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO IS TO NOT ONLY CALL ATTENTION TO WHAT'S GONE ON IN THE PAST BUT ALSO TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE AS WELL.))
[SUPER=01-Charles Bennett/Lynchburg Police Chief]
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=the future as well.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Residents can buy personalized bricks to help build the monument.
A time capsule with police memorabilia will also be buried nearby.
(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP] [COMM]

[6-Burrow]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Richard Burrow]
A pair of pending Supreme Court cases could have an impact on Richard Burrow's second trial. The former D-Day Memorial Director pled "NOT guilty" again yesterday to the fraud charges first filed against him in June, 2002. Now, there are two cases challenging federal sentencing guidelines on the docket in Washington this Fall. Burrow's lawyers point out that the U-S Supreme Court will hear oral arguments while Burrow's trial is still underway in Charlottesville. Attorney John Lichtenstein says the Supreme Court's ultimate decision could invalidate the Burrow verdict, requiring a THIRD trial.

[6-Knox]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Cecil Knox]
The case against Doctor Cecil Knox has taken a similar turn. He and his office manager are set to be tried again in November. Yesterday, a grand jury returned a seventh indictment against them. Prosecutor Pat Hogeboom says there are no new charges. The indictment added sentencing factors, he says, designed to address the issues pending before the Supreme Court.

[Biz-Brief]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=2]

In business news, Stocks fell yesterday. Oil prices are up. And, Google makes its much anticipated debut. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]

((MAJOR U-S INDEXES CUT THEIR LOSSES BUT STILL LOST GROUND IN A TOUGH SESSION.

THE DOW INDUSTRIALS LOST 42-POINTS.
WHILE THE NASDAQ DROPPED 11.

GOOGLE, THE WORLD'S MOST POPULAR SEARCH ENGINE, MADE IT'S MUCH ANTICIPATED DEBUT ON THE NASDAQ UNDER THE TICKER SYMBOL G-O-O-G.
THE COMPANY PRICED ITS INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AT 85-DOLLARS A SHARE LATE WEDNESDAY -- AT THE LOW END OF ITS REVISED RANGE.
THE STOCK SURGED, CLOSING UP 18-PERCENT AT 100-DOLLARS-AND-34 CENTS.

THE PRICE OF OIL BLAZED ABOVE 48-DOLLARS A BARREL AND SET FRESH HIGHS.
THAT'S AS VIOLENCE IN NAJAF, IRAQ, FLARED, CAUSING SUPPLY SHORTAGE WORRIES.
U-S LIGHT CRUDE FOR SEPTEMBER DELIVERY PEAKED AT A RECORD-HIGH 48-DOLLARS-AND-75 CENTS A BARREL ON THE NEW YORK MERCANTILE EXCHANGE.
PRICES HAVE HIT RECORD HIGHS IN 14 OF THE LAST 15 TRADING DAYS.

NORTEL NETWORKS SAYS IT WILL CUT 35-HUNDRED JOBS, OR ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF ITS WORK FORCE, AS IT STRUGGLES TO REBOUND FROM FINANCIAL REPORTING PROBLEMS.
THE TELECOM EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER SAID THE COSTS OF THE LAYOFFS WOULD BE 300 MILLION TO 400 MILLION DOLLARS.
BUT IT EXPECTS THE JOB CUTS TO RESULT IN ANNUALIZED COST SAVINGS OF ABOUT 450 MILLION TO 500 MILLION DOLLARS.

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

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

[3-HEADLINES] [Kim at Desk]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Here's what's making news--
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
The second and third floors of an apartment building in Radford are on fire. The building is located in the 700 block of Downey Street. The fire chief says there were reports that people were trapped inside. We do have a crew on the way and we'll pass along more information as soon as we get.

(----------------)
[ENG#=2]
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Democratic Vice Presidential hopeful John Edwards arrives in Roanoke tomorrow morning for a rally.
He'll speak at Lucy Addison Aerospace Magnet School.
Tickets are required to attend the rally.
(----------------)
[ENG#=3]
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SUPER=03-Gilmore, AR;]

Authorities in Arkansas have found the body of a seven-year-old girl in a field.
Patricia Ann Miles was missing for nearly a week.
A family friend is charged with her kidnapping.
(----------------)

[6-Sports-Complex]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-22 TC1:44:41]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Botetourt County is one-step closer to taking the field.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Daleville]
The Botetourt County Sports Complex is on its way after officials received money toward the center. Botetourt was one of five communities in the Commonwealth to receive a grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. The 200-thousand dollars will help turn these empty acres in Daleville into a four-field complex similar to Salem's Moyer Complex.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@5:58:08.08]
[IN Q=It provides an opportunity...]
((NED MCELWAINE/DEPUTY BOTETOURT CO. ADMINISTRATOR: IT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO BE OUT AND ENJOY THE FRESH AIR AND ENJOY THE SPORTS ACTIVITIES THAT'S SO MUCH AVAILABLE AND PART OF BOTETOURT COUNTY'S LIFE.))
[SUPER=01-Ned McElwaine/Deputy Botetourt Co. Administrator]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=... Botetourt County's life.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
McElwaine (Mac-El-wayne) says the initial construction will start at the end of the year and should be complete by next fall- weather permitting.
(------------)

[4-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

In sports, U-V-A football fans got to meet the team yesterday.
Travis Wells has more on media day.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=1:57]
[OUT Q=a great weekend everybody.]

(weather toss) [ANCHOR=Kimberly]