WDBJ 7 morning news for 01/25/05

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
[ENG#=2]

It's the last day for Iraqis living in other countries to register to vote in Sunday's election.
Observers are keeping a close eye on absentee registration, since it may reflect voter turnout rates in Iraq.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fallujah, Iraq;]

In Fallujah, U-S troops are patrolling the streets, looking for signs of militant leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
He's declared war on democracy and those who take part in elections.
With just five days to go, "get out the vote" commercials are all over the airwaves, but ongoing violence has chipped away at public morale.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I support ]
((AHMED ZADEEN ZEKKI/IRAQI STUDENT:I SUPPORT THE ELECTIONS BUT I AM NOT GONNA VOTE BECAUSE I'M AFRAID OF MYSELF. I'M AFRAID OF MY FAMILY.))
[SUPER=01-Ahmed Zadeen Zekki/Iraqi Student;]
[RUNS=:07] (estimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=afraid of my family.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, President Bush is getting ready to ask Congress for another 80- billion dollars for the wars in Iraq, as well as Afghanistan.
(------------)

[Rice]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Rice]
[ENG#=3]

Today the full Senate plans nine hours of debate on President Bush's choice for Secretary of State-- although her confirmation is almost certain.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

Last week the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted to recommend confirmation for Condoleeza Rice.
Democratic leaders wanted a floor discussion before a full senate vote, which is expected to come tomorrow.
Today's debate will likely focus on Rice and the war in Iraq.
(------------)

[National-WX]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]
[ENG#=4]

Massachusetts remains under a state of emergency today, as residents struggle to get back to work and back to normal after the weekend winter storm.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Boston, MA;]

More than three feet of snow fell in some spots.
The snow isn't going anywhere, with temperatures staying below freezing.
Tomorrow's forecast calls for more snow -- but not another blizzard.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Stay home..]
((STAY HOME. IF YOU HAVE HEAT, IF YOU HAVE ELECTRICITY, STAY HOME, GIVE US ANOTHER DAY TO WORK ON THESE ROADS.))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=on these roads.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, Boston's Logan Airport resumed operations yesterday.
Many schools are closed again today, but state workers are being ordered back.
(------------)

[PKGPublic-Safety]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-56 TC 29:58]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]

We've heard a lot lately about the need for a new jail in Roanoke County but you've heard little about the need for a new public safety building.
Last night, the county held a community meeting to change all that.
Justin McLeod has the story.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Donna Furrow/Assistant Roanoke Co. Police Chief; :31]
[SUPER=01-Dan O'Donnell/Assistant Roanoke Co. Administrator; :51 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Patti Askew/Roanoke Co. Resident; 1:08]
[SUPER=01-Georgia Frances Marshall/Roanoke Co. Resident; 1:26]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:32]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]

((((NAT SOUND OF DISPATCH CENTER))
If you were ever to visit Roanoke County's Public Safety building here on Peters Creek Road you'd see it's a very crowded place.
[SOT 10:50]
[IN Q=Too crowded]
((DONNA FURROW/ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF: TOO CROWDED FOR WHAT WE HAVE.)) [Runs02]
[OUT Q=WHAT WE HAVE]

What they have are six police officers working in an office made for one.
Down the hall in the 9-1-1 dispatch center, space is so limited it brings a whole new meaning to a corner office.
There's also very little storage space (shot of boxes on desk) and since the building is more than sixty years old, it's technology is completely outdated.
[SOT 11:23]
[IN Q=Now we have]
((DONNA FURROW/ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF: NOW WE HAVE 35 DISPATCHERS AND EVERYTHING IS COMPUTERATED. IT MEANS ROOM FOR MONITORS AND ELECTRICAL CAPABILITIES THAT THIS IS BUILDING IS MAXED OUT IN.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=IS MAXED OUT IN]

So the county plans to build a new 28 million dollar public safety facility.
It will be located on Cove Road in front of the current school board offices.
[SOT 22:00:43]
[IN Q=Our existing]
((DAN O'DONNELL/ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR: OUR EXISTING PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING IS 40-THOUSAND SQUARE FEET SO WE ARE ALMOST DOUBLING THE SIZE.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=doubling the size]

Many nearby residents want to know how that will affect their neighborhood.
So the county held a community meeting Monday night to address their concerns.
First up? Traffic.
[SOT 21:57:02]
[IN Q=Speed is definitely]
((PATTI ASKEW/ROANOKE CO. RESIDENT: SPEED IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM ON THE ROAD BUT I THINK INCREASED TRAFFIC IS JUST GOING TO CAUSE INCREASED ACCIDENTS.)) [Runs07]
[OUT Q=INCREASED ACCIDENTS]

Some also have concerns about safety but the county stresses no suspects will be held at this facility.
At least one resident believes safety in the area will improve.
[SOT 21:58:47]
[IN Q=I have a little]
((GEORGIA FRANCES MARSHALL/ROANOKE CO. RESIDENT: I HAVE A LITTLE A DOG THAT I TAKE OUT A NIGHT AND I HAVE TO GO OUT AND I THINK I AM GOING TO FEEL SAFER GOING OUT AT NIGHT.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=SAFER GOING OUT AT NIGHT]
[SOT ]
[IN Q= ]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: SHE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AWHILE FOR THAT SENSE OF SECURITY. CONSTRUCTION IS SET TO BEGIN IN JUNE AND SHOULD TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, several big name companies are expected to release their earnings today. And Krispy Kreme is reportedly considering bankruptcy.
Ed Crane has those stories and more in this morning's Market Update.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Ed Crane/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:51]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((Good morning...
Earning news is moving the markets in this final trading week of January. Among the companies expected to weigh in with their quarterly numbers today:
DUPONT, BELLSOUTH, KRAFT FOODS, DRUG MAKER MERCK, INVESTMENT GIANT MERRILL LYNCH, XEROX AND THE PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP.
The news is sinking in on Wall Street...earning reports to dat are for the most part more lukewarm than spectacular this month.
A late session sell off sent the Dow frm 35 points in the green to 24 points in the red Monday.
The NASDAQ down all day ended off 25 points.
As to the broader market...the S and P lost 4 points.
Among the Dow's solid performers, American Express which delivered a slightly better than expected earnings report for the 4th quarter...Amex earned close to a billion dollars during that period.
McDonald's traded higher after getting an upgrade from a leading analyst...while fast food rival Wend's was downgraded by the same analyst.
One stock that blocked the Dow from more upward expansion is the consumer poducts giant Proctor and Gamble...one analyst downgrading his rating from buy to neutral on Pand G.
Tech giant Hewlett Packard is gaining some ground amid reports that the company's top management will be re-organized. The idea is to lift some of the day to day duties off HP's highly regarded CEO Carly Fiorina.
Three other tech stocks making news...Google reportedly is planning to launch a free interntet telephone service...and E Loan and E Bay are joining forces top provide financing for folks who want to purchase cars..or boats from the online auction site.
Once among the sweetest issues on Wall Street, Krispy Kreme is falling on hard times....a 50 Dollar stock two years agon, the doughnet company's trading in the single digits and reportedly condisdering backruptcy. Krispy Kreme embarked on an ill advised rapid expansion even as the low carb diet craze ate into doughnut demand.
Cold, swy weather that pummeled the east coast and midwest sent crude futures heading above 49 dollars Monday...but prices retreated to 48.81...a gain of 28 cents.
Get business news 24 7 at CBS News.com...I'm Ed Crane, CBS NEWS, NY.))

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM]

[11Radford-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-52 TC49:08]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Invest.]
[ENG#=1]
Investigators have yet to release the cause of a fire that destroyed a Pulaski County landmark and popular business.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fairlawn;]
The United Muffler Auto Care Center off Pepper's Ferry Road in Fairlawn caught fire around 10:00 yesterday morning. The Automotive staff noticed smoke coming out of the attic area. After trying to put the flames out, they all got out safely. The building the Fairlawn Fire department called home for 40 years is a total loss.
(------------)

[11Paradox]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-54 TC41:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

A popular nightspot in downtown Roanoke is closing, but not for good.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The Paradox restaurant and lounge located on the market has shut down for major renovations.
The work includes expanding the dance area and adding a sports bar, and space for more outdoor dining.
The owners had hoped to stay open during the work but decided against it.
Paradox should re-open in four to seven months.
(------------)

[11RU-President;]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-46 TC1:37:03]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
Radford University is closer to having a new President.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
The first of three finalists for the job was on campus yesterday. John Fallon the third is the President of State University of New York at Potsdam. He spoke to several hundred faculty members and students yesterday afternoon. 90 people applied for the position which is being vacated by retiring President Douglas Covington. The other two finalists will be on campus next week.
(------------)

[11Henry-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=04-43 TC2:02:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

One local school district is getting high grades in high tech.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fieldale]

Henry County's Director of Technology just won a state award for the district's cutting edge technology.
Janet Copenhaver say the district was the first in the region- and one of the first in the state to go wireless in 1998,
Now all 8th through 12th graders use wireless laptops.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 03:30:36]
((CRYSTAL HANKINS/8TH GRADE STUDENT: YOU CAN GO TO THE INTERNET AND LOOK UP THE PERSON IT TELLS YOU ALL THE INFORMATION AND FACTS ABOUT THE PERSON YOU'RE LOOKING UP.)) [BUTT TO 03:32:01] ((LIKE ONE REPORT WE HAD TO ID EDGAR ALLEN POE.))
[SUPER=01-Crystal Hankins/8th Grade Student; :00]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=Edgar Allen Poe.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Henry County's effort is meant to attract high tech industry to the region and to prepare students for the future.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 03:35:38]
[IN Q=]
((JANET LEWIS/ENGLISH TEACHER: THE MEDIA IS SO PREVELANT IN EVERYTHING AND IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT A SEARCH ENGINE IS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE INTERNET IS PEOPLE WILL LOOK AT THEM AND SAY WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU WHY DON'T YOU KNOW THIS.))
[SUPER=01-Janet Lewis/English Teacher;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=don't you know this.]
(-----------)
[Vo-Nat]
Students can also take college level classes online while in school.
The district is also using cutting edge technology that does away with a keyboard. We'll tell you about that tonight on News 7.
(------------)

(Kim tosses to bump) [BUMP] [COMM]

[Biz-Brief]

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

In business news, the S-E-C has launched an inquiry into TravelZoo. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:00]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]
((TECH STOCKS SANK MONDAY.

THE DOW INDUSTRIALS FELL 24-POINTS.
AND THE NASDAQ LOST 25.
THE DOW HAS NOW GIVEN BACK ALL OF THE GAINS FROM LAST YEAR.

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS LAUNCHED AN INQUIRY INTO TRAVELZOO.
IN A REGULATORY FILING, THE INTERNET MEDIA COMPANY SAID THE SEC WILL LOOK INTO THE TRADING OF ITS SHARES BY COMPANY OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES.
SHARES PLUMMETED NEARLY 25-PERCENT.

THE PRICE AT THE PUMP WENT UP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
THE LUNDBERG SURVEY FOUND THE NATIONAL AVERAGE PRICE OF A GALLON OF REGULAR GAS ROSE JUST OVER A NICKEL IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, TO A DOLLAR, 85-CENTS.
THE PUBLISHER OF THE SURVEY SAID PRICES STEADILY FOLLOWED THE RISE OF CRUDE OIL.

MONSANTO SAID IT WILL BUY SEMINIS FOR AT LEAST ONE BILLION DOLLARS.
MONSANTO, AN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, WILL PURCHASE THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SEED COMPANY FROM A PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM, TO CAPITALIZE ON THE HEALTHY EATING TREND.

WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF... I'M STAN CASE.))
[TAPE TOSS TO STOCKS] [STOCKS] [COMM]

[6-Missing-Man]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-45 TC1:34:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

The family of a Roanoke County man who's been missing for three weeks says it's concerned about his health.
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]
69-year-old Herman-L-Jackson, also known as H-L, left his North Lake home January Second. Jackson was last seen wearing tan corduroy pants, a green windbreaker jacket, and a black Titleist ball cap. He was driving a 19- 99 maroon Subaru Outback, with Virginia tag SANDY-10.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]
Jackson's family says he did not take his medication with him, and fear he may be sleeping in his car. Anyone with information is asked to call police.

[6-MS-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=04-46 TC 1:04:41]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest]
[ENG#=2]
An airman from Forest- -stationed at an Air Force Base in Mississippi- -got into a fatal gun fight over the weekend. Thirty-year old Richard Andrew Williams was shot and killed, his wife wounded. The two were newlyweds.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gulfport, MS]
It happened Saturday night outside a home in Gulfport. An old boyfriend of Erin Tomkins' apparently got into a dispute with the couple and shots were exchanged. Williams died. Tomkins was critically injured. Co-workers of hers at a local sports bar say the couple got married just last Tuesday.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I'm just sad]
((CHRISTINA DAVIS/ERIN TOMKINS' CO-WORKER; I'M JUST SAD TO KNOW HER JUST GETTING MARRIED AND EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED. IT'S GOT TO BE REAL HARD FOR HER, BUT WE'LL DEFINITELY HELP HER THROUGH IT.))
[SUPER=01-Christina Davis/Erin Tomkins' Co-Worker]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=her through it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Justin Drew Brown came away with a bullet in his leg, charged with murder and aggravated assault.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]
Williams was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. He returned from Iraq several months ago.

[11Water-Authority]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-47 TC1:24:31]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
The Western Virginia Water Authority is trading four offices for one... a move that officials say, will improve customer service.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The water authority plans to purchase the Coulter Building at the corner of Franklin Road and Jefferson Street. The deal will centralize operations and bring 60 employees under one roof. And officials say it will help them deal with recent problems.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:23:29]
[IN Q=The phone system]
((THE PHONE SYSTEM IS PROBABLY OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE. HAVING TWO BILLING OPERATIONS AND TRYING TO SHUTTLE CALLS BETWEEN THOSE TWO LOCATIONS HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR US, AGAIN BY MOVING INTO THIS BUILDING, WE'LL HAVE ALL OF OUR BILLING STAFF IN ONE LOCATION, ON ONE PHONE SYSTEM.))
[SUPER=01-Mike McEvoy/Water Authority Co-Director;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=on one phone system.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A former bank lobby on the first floor will serve as a customer service area. The water authority is negotiating for customer parking in a nearby lot. Officials hope to make the move by mid-Spring.
(------------)

[3-Roanoke-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=05-01 TC 14:45]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Ax]

[ENG#=1]

One person is dead after an early morning accident in Roanoke.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/This Morning;]
Police say they think a car driving south on Williamson Road ran the red light at Orange Avenue and crossed the path of a tractor trailer headed east on Orange. 30 year old David Underwood of Vinton was pronounced dead at the scene. The tractor trailer driver has not been charged. Police are still talking to witnesses to try and figure out exactly what happened.
(------------)

[6-Henry-School]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=04-43 TC2:00:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

Computers in school are nothing new... but one Southside district is taking high tech to a new level.
Jean Jadhon explains.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Fieldale; 00]
[SUPER=01-Joshua Hall/8th Grader; 13]
[SUPER=01-Crystal Hankins/8th Grader;20 quick!]
[SUPER=@Jean1; 44]
[Super=01-Janet Lewis/English Teacher; 1:07]
[Super=01-Janet Copenhaver/Henry Co. Schools Dir. of Technology;1:30]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=JJ, News 7.]
(( This is probably not like the classroom you remember. This is the class of a new generation.
Eighth graders at Fieldale Collinsville Middle school are working on lap top computers- with wireless access to the internet. JOSHUA: YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK IN THE ENCYCLOPEDIA AND FIND RESOURCES OUT OF BOOKS CAN GO STRAIGHT TO THE INTERNET. CRYSTAL: IT'S KIND OF LIKE AN ENCYCLOPEDIA CAUSE IT HOLDS ALL THE INFORMATION AND FACTS.
Here's a fact for you- School officials here say Henry County was the first district in the region -one of the first in the state actually - to have wireless laptops in the classroom.
They started a laptop initiative in 1998- Now all 8th through 12th grade students use it. JEAN JADHON: WHAT MAKES THIS SYSTEM SO UNIQUE IS THAT IT IS TRULY WIRELESS FOR EXAMPLE I CAN WALK OUT OF THE CLASSROOM INTO THE HALLWAY AND I'M STILL LOGGED ON TO MRS. LEWIS'S ENGLISH EIGHT WEBPAGE.
That means students don't have to go a computer lab... the computers instead come to them... They're portable... turning any classroom into a lab. JANET LEWIS/TEACHER: THEY ARE SO POWERFUL CAUSE THE KIDS ARE EXCITED TO GET A CHILD EXCITED IN EIGHT GRADE ENGLISH IS A BIG DEAL AW WE'RE GOING TO USE THE COMPUTERS TODAY. JANET COPENHAVER: HENRY COUNTY IS VISIONARY.
The districts' director of technology has a vision that's led the district. She hopes the results help Henry County attract high tech business and prepare students for good jobs in the future. COPENHAVER: BECAUSE OF OUR ECONOMIC PROBLEMS WE'VE HAD IN HENRY COUNTY ACROSS THE BOARD I THINK WE DECIDED OUR KIDS ARE NOT GOING TO BE BEHIND. THAT WE WERE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD AND HAVE THE BEST TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION THEY COULD HAVE. Jean Jadhon, News 7.))

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]

Henry County students now take tests on computers.
Tonight on News 7 at 6, Jean explains how new technology allows students to write a paper without using a keyboard or even a pen.
(Kim tosses to bump) [BUMP]

[COMM] [11SML-Dam]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-53 TC45:32]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

What were thought to be dead issues concerning Smith Mountain Lake could resurface this week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Smith Mountain Lake;]
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will hold meetings this week in Gretna, regarding A-E-P's relicensing application. Members of the Tri-County AEP Relicensing Committee hope to resolve what they call unfinished business over A-E-P's shoreline management plan.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3341]
[IN Q=the county's]
((RUSS JOHNSON/TCRC: THE COUNTY'S POSITION IS THAT THE SHORELINE MANAGEMENT PLAN WAS ABRUBTLY STOPPED AND FILED, AND THERE WERE ISSUES, COUNTY-RELATED ISSUES THAT WEREN'T TAKEN OFF THE TABLE.))
[SUPER=01-Russ Johnson/Tri-County AEP Relicensing Committee;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=off the table]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Appalachian Power filed its shoreline management plan in 2003. The company says it addressed as many concerns as possible, but could NOT satisfy everyone.
(------------)

[2-11Virginia21]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-51 TC49:32]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

One group is trying to help Virginia college students save some money on their textbooks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]
Virginia 21, an advocacy group for young people, launched its Textbook Fairness Campaign yesterday. The group wants to require colleges to post book lists online before classes start. That way students have time to buy their books online, for cheaper prices, and aren't forced to shop their campus bookstore.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:33:59]
[IN Q=This introductory]
((SUMEET BAGAI/VIRGINIA TECH STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT: THIS INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY TEXTBOOK. 85 DOLLARS AT THE CAMPUS BOOKSTORE. $47.50 ONLINE.))
[SUPER=01-Sumeet Bagai/Virginia Tech Student Body President;]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=campus bookstore. 47.50 online]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Delegate Glenn Oder will introduce a bill later this week that would require schools to post book lists. It would also prohibit publishers from offering incentives to professors who assign more expensive books.
(XXXXXX)
[WIPE TO WEB FS] Virginia21 is collecting online signatures for Textbook Fairness. We've added a link to our homepage at WDBJ7.com. Click on websites in the news. (-------------)