WDBJ 7 morning news for 09/13/04

[81-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-39]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']
[ENG#1]
Both southbound lanes of Interstate 81 in Wythe County remain closed this morning following a head on collision between two tractor trailers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wythe Co.]
The accident happened near mile marker 85 around 8:20 last night. State Police say a northbound tractor trailer crossed the median and struck a southbound tractor trailer head on near Interstate-77. One person was killed and two others were injured. The accident is still under investigation. There's no word on when the southbound lanes will re-open to traffic.
(------------)

[Hurricane-Ivan]

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

The dangerous Hurricane Ivan is on a course for Cuba.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Havana, Cuba;]

Forecasters expect Ivan to hit the country's western edge, which includes the densely- populated Havana area.
[SUPER=03-Tampa, FL;]

Florida residents are preparing for whatever Ivan may bring them, as it makes its way closer.
It looks like the hurricane will miss the Keys, but Florida residents aren't out of the woods yet.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Terrible..Every storm]
((NICK PADALIA/TAMPA RESIDENT: TERRIBLE. EVERY STORM THAT COMES YOU KEEP GETTING PREPARED AND YOU THINK YOU'RE PREPARED AND HERE COMES ANOTHER AND YOU THINK IT'S GONE AND THERE'S ANOTHER ONE. )) ((TERRY GRIFFITH/TREASURE ISLAND RESIDENT:YOU DONT WANT TO BE STUPID, ITS MOTHER NATURE YOU KNOW. ))
[SUPER=01-Nick Padalia/Tampa Resident;]
[SUPER=01-Terry Griffith/Treasure Island Resident; :08]
[RUNS=:12] (estimated runs time)
[OUT Q=there's another one.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, Governor Jeb Bush dispelled a rumor about gas being rationed out.
Many residents were concerned about the gas supply being cut off or rationed, and were making a run on the pumps.

(------------)

[Assault-Weapons]

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

A 10- year- old ban on more than two dozen military- style assault weapons expires today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
The ban signed into law by former President Clinton had a clause, allowing it to lapse, unless Congress specifically renewed it.
Gun manufacturers are anticipating a boom in business.
Meanwhile, police chiefs around the country warn of an upsurge in crime.
Studies by pro and anti- gun groups show conflicting results on whether the ban helped reduce crime.
(------------)

[11Franklin-Homicide]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-26 TC-1:59:43]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation]
[ENG#=4]

Franklin County authorities are investigating a homicide.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]
Investigators say 32-year-old Ronald Christopher Bonds was found dead inside his mobile home on English Road around 2:30 Saturday afternoon. A friend told police he went to the home to check on Bond after no one heard from him. Investigators say the body was sent to the medical examiner's office to determine exactly HOW he died. So far, officials have NOT named any suspects.
(------------)

[11USAir-Bankruptcy]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-24 TC-1:19:55]
[GRAPHIC=US Airways]
[ENG#=1]

U-S Airways has filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in two years.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file; ]
Yesterday the president of the nation's seventh largest airline vowed to continue restructuring the airline into a low-cost carrier. The Chapter Eleven filing in U-S Bankruptcy Court came after the airline was unable to obtain 8-hundred million dollars in annual cost cuts from its workers' unions. The airline had warned during talks the concessions were needed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Our employees...]
((BRUCE LAKEFIELD/US AIRWAYS PRESIDENT; OUR EMPLOYEES AT US AIRWAYS ARE SOME OF THE MOST DEDICATED AND HARDWORKING PROFESSIONALS IN THE MARKETPLACE. OUR JOB IN MANAGEMENT IS TO PRESERVE AS MANY JOBS AS POSSIBLE AS WE GO THROUGH THE TRANSFORMATION PLAN TO BECOME A COMPETATIVE CARRIER IN THE INDUSTRY.))
[SUPER=01-Bruce Lakefield/US Airways President; ]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=a competative carrier in the industry.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
U-S Airways says customers will not notice the bankruptcy -- and it will seek permission to continue its frequent flyer rewards program.
(------------)

[11US-Airways]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-27 TC-1:39:36]
[GRAPHIC=US Air]
[ENG#=2]

The long term effects on the local air industry are still being debated, but it appears the immediate impact should be minimal.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Some travellers say they are worried about the future of the airline, while others say it's just the nature of the business since the September 11th attacks.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT@20:05:50.01]
[INQ=It would affect me...]
((STEPHANIE NICHOLS/ROANOKE RESIDENT: IT WOULD AFFECT ME A LOT. IT'S ALREADY KIND OF WEK HERE AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE ANYMORE CHANGES WHERE WE DON'T HAVE FLIGHTS THAT TAKE OFF WHEN WE NEED TO...)) ((ARTHUR KOHTZ/LEXINGTON RESIDENT: THESE AIRLINES HAVE HAD THESE FINANCIALLY ISSUES FOR YEARS- THEY ALWAYS SEEM TO FIND FORMAT TO RESTRUCTURE DEBT AND IF THEY GO OUT SOMEONE WILL BUY THEM OR CONSOLIDATE OR ANOTHER AIRLINE WILL TAKE THEIR PLACE.))
[SUPER=01-Stephanie Nichols/Roanoke Resident; ]
[SUPER=01-Arthur Kohtz/Lexington Resident; :11]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUTQ=... take their place.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Officials at the Roanoke Regional Airport say it is business as usual. While they are supportive of US Air, they're looking to other options such as "Independence Air," which could soon be a new addition.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT@20:16:17.18]
[INQ=Roanoke did not make...]
((J. GRANGER MACFARLANE: ROANOKE DID NOT MAKE THE FIRST CUT, BUT WE ARE VERY MUCH IN LINE TO MAKE THE SECOND CUT, FOR WHICH I THINK WILL COME LATE THIS YEAR, EARLY NEXT YEAR.))
[SUPER=01-J. Granger Macfarlane/Roanoke Regional Airport Commission; ]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUTQ=... early next year.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Again, US Airways officials say customers should feel NO impacts of the bankruptcy filing, and all flight schedules and customer services will NOT be interrupted.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Shares of Oracle rose on Friday.
Marcella Palmer has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Marcella Palmer/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:06]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm MP.]
((KEEP AN EYE ON ORACLE... SHARES OF THE SOFTWARE GIANT ROSE AFTER THE BELL FRIDAY. INVESTOR INTEREST CONTINUED AFTER THE COMPANY WON A LEGAL BATTLE TO PERSUE ITS HOSTILE BID FOR SMALLER RIVAL PEOPLESOFT. ORACLE HELPED THE NASDAQ CLIMB TO SESSION HIGHS FRIDAY.
THE DOW ENDED THE DAY UP JUST UNDER 24 THE NASDAQ ENDED UP 24 OTHER ACTIVE EVENING TECH STOCKS. CISCO SYSTEMS, INTEL, MICROSOFT, AND SUN MICROSYSTEMS.
FRIDAY CRUDE SLIPED UNDER $43 DOLLARS A BARELL ON THE THREAT OF HURRICANE IVAN, TIGHTENING U-S CRUDE INVENTORIES AND THE POTENTIAL FOR AN OPEC HIKE.
POSITIVE ECONOMIC NEWS HELPED THE BROADER MARKET. A SURPRISE DROP IN PRODUCER PRICES, AND THE SHARPEST DECLINE IN THE TRADE DEFICIT IN ALMOST 3-YEARS.
ALCOA PUT PRESSURE ON THE DOW. SHARES OF THE ALUMINUM GIANT DROPPED AFTER WARNING THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS WOULD FALL SHORT OF WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS.
FOR MORE ON THE MARKET LOG ON TO OUR SITE. CBS DOT MARKETWATCH DOT COM.))

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

[Iraq]

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

U- S forces are launching attacks in Fallujah, in an effort to destroy Iraqi insurgents.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fallujah, Iraq;]

Today's assaults extend ferocious weekend fighting that killed nearly 60 people across the country.
Military officials say jets have carried out a precision strike on a suspected insurgent meeting in Fallujah.
Hospital officials and witnesses say at least nine people were killed and 12 others wounded -- including women and children -- in the American attack.
(------------)

[Bush-Kerry]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=2]

Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry is holding an anti- crime campaign event today in Washington.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This weekend, Vice- Presidential candidate John Edwards went on the attack, accusing President Bush and Vice President Cheney of mis-leading the nation-- by implying a link between Saddam Hussein and 9-11.
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

Bush spent his weekend in Washington, making a trip to the Russian embassy to pay respects to the victims of the school massacre that killed at least 330 people.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The United States stands]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=a more peaceful place]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Today Bush will discuss health care during a campaign stop in Michigan.
(------------)

[11Dems-Primary]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]

The Virginia Democratic Party has decided to nominate the party's statewide candidates next year in a primary. Lieutenant Governor Timothy Kaine is expected to be unopposed for the nomination for governor, but there are four candidates for lieutenant governor and two for attorney general. From our area, State Senators Creigh Deeds of Bath County and John Edwards of Roanoke are expected to run for Attorney General. The primary will be June 14th, the same day as the Republican primary.

[11Fake-Charities]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

The Better Business Bureau advises people to use caution when donating money to unfamiliar charities.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Officials say several people in our area have reported calls from charities claiming to collect money for the hurricane victims in Florida, on behalf of the Red Cross.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
But, the Red Cross says it does NOT solicit donations over the phone. The B-B-B urges people to be aware of calls like these, and to make sure any charity they donate to is legitimate. Officials add that donors should also find out HOW the money they donate will be used.
(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP]

[COMM][11D'ville-Arrest]

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

A North Carolina man is in custody after allegedly trying to escape police custody. Danville police say 38 year old Michael Wyatt was wanted for *vehicular larceny* charges in North Carolina. After they arrested him, police say Wyatt kicked out the window of a police cruiser. He was quickly taken into custody. Wyatt faces charges of assault and battery on a police officer, escape, and malicous damage to a police car. He's being held at the Danville City Jail without bond.

[11Read-Mountain]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-36 TC-16:26]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

Dozens of people in Roanoke County took a hike to help save the land they treaded on.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
More than 100-hikers participated in the third annual Take-a-hike-a-Thon for Read Mountain. The goal is to raise money for the Read Mountain Alliance, which works to preserve the mountain, and hopes to buy some of the land to build a public park.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:59]
[IN Q=it's very few]
((MIKE LAFFOAN/READ MT. ALLIANCE: IT'S VERY FEW PLACES IN ROANOKE THAT YOU CAN FIND THE PRESTINE. THERE'S NO TOWERS ON THE MOUNTAIN, VERY FEW POWER LINES ON THE MOUNTAIN, AND THE UPPER SLIPS OF THE MOUNTAIN IS JUST THEOSE BEAUTIFUL WILDERNESS CONDITION AND WE WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Laffoan/Read Mountain Alliance;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=keep it that way]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Yesterday's event raised more than eleven-thousand dollars. Organizers say they need about 500-thousand to meet their goal -- which they hope to do in the next two or three years.
(------------)

[3-81-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-39]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']
[ENG#1]
Both southbound lanes of Interstate 81 in Wythe County remain closed this morning following a head on collision between two tractor trailers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wythe Co.]
The accident happened near mile marker 85 around 8:20 last night. State Police say a northbound tractor trailer crossed the median and struck a southbound tractor trailer head on near Interstate-77. One person was killed and two others were injured. The accident is still under investigation. There's no (------------) word on when the southbound lanes will re-open to traffic.