WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 03/12/96

12:00-01

noon-headlines

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The polls are open in seven states on what's known as Super Tuesday.
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ANCHOR=Melanie

And some major job cuts in Pulaski.
ANCHOR=Patrick

Sunny skies and warmer temperatures are keeping the forecast pleasant, and not just for today, but the rest of the week! I'll have the details...
ANCHOR=Melanie 2 shot

Don't go away, the news is next.

Diversified

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tal
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=Layoffs

About 300 people will be out of work in Pulaski when Diversified Apparel Resources closes its doors.
Diversified is a subsidiary of Sparkle Sportswear Incorporated, which was just bought out by Her Majesty Industries of South Carolina.
Workers at Diversified in Pulaski were given 60 days notice yesterday that the plant will shut down.
Diversified also employs about 130 people at its Council plant in Buchanan County.
No word yet on the fate of that facility.

GENERAL-MOTORS

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=general motors

The impact of the strike against two General Motors brake factories in Ohio is widening today.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Dayton, OH;

G-M has already been forced to close more than half its 29 North American assembly plants, and company sources say by day's end all but two could be closed.
Unlike Ford and Chrysler, which get most of their parts from outside, lower-cost suppliers, G-M still manufactures 90 percent of its brakes and brake parts.
But some G-M workers worry their days and their jobs may be numbered.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
(( NANCY HOLCOMB/STRIKING WORKER: WE HAVE TO WALK OUT TEMPORARILY SO WE DONT LOSE THEM PERMANENTLY. ITS SOMETHING WE HAD TO DO. ))
SUPER=01-Nancy Holcomb/Striking Worker;
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=we had to do.
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VO-NAT

But company executives say they have no choice, they have to be competitive.
And the strike so far isn't hurting G-M.
The company had an 82-day supply of cars at the end of February.
A 60-day supply is considered ideal.
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Super-Tuesday

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=Campaign '96

Bob Dole's remaining rivals for the G-O-P nomination insist they'll go the distance -- but it may not be easy after today's Super Tuesday primaries.
More than 360 delegates are up for grabs as voters go to the polls in seven states.
Sandra Hughes reports from Miami.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Confident in predictions,
SUPER=03-Washington, DC/Last Night; :00
SUPER=03-San Antonio, TX; :12
SUPER=01-Senator Bob Dole/(R) Presidential Candidate; :21
SUPER=01-Pat Buchanan/(R) Presidential Candidate; :45
SUPER=03-Tampa, FL; :53
SUPER=01-Steve Forbes/(R) Presidential Candidate; 1:07
SUPER=01-Sandra Hughes/Reporting; 1:20
RUNS=1:35
OUT Q=CBS News Miami.
((
Confident in predictions that he will crush his competition in today's super tuesday contests.. frontrunner Senator Bob Dole wrapped up his southern campaign sweep and headed home.
Earlier, appearing at a final campaign stop in San Antonio, Dole basked in the warm reception and said it augured well.
BOB DOLE: TOMORROW THE SUN WILL BE OUT IN EACH ONE OF THE STATES WHERE WE HAVE PRIMARIES, AND IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN WE'RE OING TO WIN ALL 7, 7 OUT OF 7
Senator Dole says his immediate job is unification of the party.. (blue line: tulsa, ok) although commentator Pat Buchanan shows no signs of falling in line, vowing that his battle for the direction of the party that will culminate at the republican convention in August.
PAT BUCHANAN: WE'RE RIGHTING FOR THE FUTURE, FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS PARTY. THIS IS GONNA BE OUR PARTY ITS GONNA BE OUR PARTY.
STEVE FORBES IS STANDING FIRM DESPITE A TELEPHONE PLEA FROM OLD FRIEND NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR CHRISTINE WHITMAN TO DROP OUT...AND THE PUBLIC SUGGESTION BY HIS FLAT TAX FRIEND JACK KEMP THAT A DEAL COULD BE BROKERED TO END FORBES' CAMPAIGN.
STEVE FORBES: IF HE HAD MADE COMMENTS THAT SOUNDED LIKE I WAS GETTING OUT, THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY UNAUTHORIZED AND THAT'S ALL THAT'S ABOUT. I'M IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE DURATION.
NONE OF THE CANDIDATES WILL BE WATCHING THE RETURNS HERE IN FLORIDA.
BOTH FORBES AND BUCHANAN ARE LAUNCHING INTO THE MIDWEST WHERE CONTESTS WILL BE HELD NEXT WEEK, BUT IF TODAY'S RESULTS ARE AS ANTICIPATED THOSE PRIMARIES COULD BE LITTLE MORE THAN A FORMALITY FOR DOLE ON THE ROAD TO THE NOMINATION.
Sandra Hughes, CBS News, Miami.))

CUBA-CLINTON

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=clinton

A standing ovation for President Clinton today as he signed into law a series of tough news sanctions against Cuba.
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SOT
IN Q=nat sot
SUPER=03-Washington DC/This Morning;
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=(nats of people giving him standing ovations.)
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The president told the gathering he was signing the measure in memory of the four Cuban-Americans who were killed last month when Cuba shot down two American civilian planes.
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SOT
IN Q=Today as I sign
10:41;16 ((TODAY AS I SIGN WITH THE CERTAINITY THAT I WILL SEND A POWERFUL MESSAGE FROM U.S. TO HAVANA THAT THE YEARNING OF CUBAN PEOPLE FOR FREEDOM WILL NOT BE DENIED. ))
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=will not be denied.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none

The measure is aimed at discouraging foreign investments in Cuba.
It gives Americans the right to sue over property confiscated during the Fidel Castro regime.

Taiwan

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=NONE

As promised China began eight days of war games this morning.
It's all part of a war of nerves aimed at keeping Taiwan from thinking too hard about declaring independence.
The U.S. is sending a powerful navy force to monitor the tense situation, and Taiwan's military is on heightened alert.
Barry Petersen reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Taiwan's military remains
SUPER=03-Taipei, Taiwan; :00
SUPER=01-Andrew Yan/Taiwanese Defense Expert; :11
SUPER=01-Jason Hu/Government Spokesman; :53
SUPER=01-Barry Petersen/Reporting; 1:00
RUNS=1:16
OUT Q=Barry Petersen, Taiwan.
(( Taiwan's military remains on high alert...but officials are careful to downplay the tension - trying to keep everyone's nerves calm.
And well they should...a mistep would be fatal.
ANDREW YANG/TAIWANESE DEFENSE EXPERT: THERE IS HIGHLY POSSIBLE THAT BOTH SIDES WILL EXERCISE IRRATIONALITY AND THEN WHAT AND THEN - THAT MEANS WAR.
On the tiny island nearest the Communist Chinese exercises, there are few obvious preparations...and people insist they are not worried about the exercises turning into a 7/8 invasion.
The communists are furious over Taiwan's first democratic presidential election later this month...expecially since some candidates are calling for independence.
China considers Taiwan a renegade province.
Taiwanese officials stress that independence is not what the government here wants.
JASON HU/GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN) WE HAVE SAID TIME AND AGAIN WE ARE NOT PURSUING A POLICY OF WHAT THEY CALL INDEPENDENCE.
There are few expectations that the exercise will turn into anything more serious...but if Taiwan makes any dramatic moves toward independence, communist china it will use every means, including military action...to stop it. Barry Petersen, CBS News, Taiwan.))

tease#1
HARD MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Up next,
Two days late and not a dollar short, the General Assembly wraps up a historic session,
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VO-NAT
and a Carroll County woman who did not check on her infant son until he had been dead for several hours is found guilty of child neglect.
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wx-tease music up full
comm1

Blevins

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-16
GRAPHIC=Blevins

In Carroll County, a mother who failed to check on her two-and-a-half- year-old son for 24 hours has been convicted of child neglect.
By the time LaDonna Blevins DID look in on the boy, he had been dead for hours.
Tracy Altizer reports.
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SOT
IN Q=LaDonna Blevins left
SUPER=03-Hillsville/Yesterday; :00
SUPER=01-Greg Goad/Carroll Co. Prosecutor; :30
SUPER=01-Dwight Compton/Blevins' Lawyer; :39
SUPER=@Tracy1; 1:19
RUNS=1:27
OUT Q=News 7 Hillsville

(( LaDonna Blevins left for work at five p-m last August 26th, and went out partying when her shift ended at midnight.
It was dawn the next morning by the time she went to bed.
Blevins says she and her live-in boyfriend Steven "Bones" Cole slept most of the day, getting up twice to care for her infant daughter.
But it was after four p-m when she checked on two year-old Joshua, who was lying dead in his bed with a fractured skull.
The medical examiner says Josh could've survived the injury if he'd gotten medical treatment within a few hours.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 20:27:23
((GREG GOAD/CARROLL CO. PROSECUTOR: THE EVIDENCE WAS THAT SHE HAD NOT CHECKED ON THE CHILD FOR 24 HOURS AND HAD MULTIPLE CHANCES TO DO SO BUT FAILED TO DO SO, AND THAT CONSTITUTES THE OFFENSE. ))
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 20:31:38
((DWIGHT COMPTON/BLEVINS' LAWYER: IN THE PAST THE CHILD WOULD GET HIMSELF UP OUT OF BED AND MAKE NOISES OR COME IN AND WAKE HER, AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT SHE WAS ACCUSTOMED TO DOING. ))
RUNS=:18

Blevins testified she twice considered checking on Josh. But she says Cole, who had babysat the children the night before, told her to let him sleep.
Cole told police he was high on drugs and shoved Josh while Blevins was at work. He said Josh hit his head and he couldn't revive him, so he just put him in bed.
But on the witness stand, he testified it happened AFTER Blevins got home, that he told her what happened and it was SHE who put Josh to bed.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 20:31:53
((I THINK MR. COLE WILL SAY ANYTHING HE THINKS WILL SAVE HIS HIDE. ))
RUNS=:04
SUBlevins faces one to five years in prison when she's sentenced in April. Cole is expected to be tried for murder sometime this summer. Tracy Altizer, NEws 7 Hillsville.))

Sowers

ANCHOR=mel
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=spr
TAPE# edit
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales

A Floyd County man will spend more than forty years in jail for murdering his girlfriend.
42- year- old Wesley Ray Sowers pleaded no contest to the charges last month.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Floyd Co./April 31, 1995;

In April the body of Alreda (all-REED-ah) Goad was found shot to death on a neighbor's porch.
Authorities say the killing stemmed from a verbal argument.
This morning Sowers was sentenced to nearly sixty years in prison... but his sentence was suspended after forty- three years.
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XGR

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-15
GRAPHIC=Session 96

The longest Virginia General Assembly session in history is over.
Two days past their deadline, lawmakers adjourned last night after approving a 35 billion-dollar state budget.
Ellen Qualls reports.
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SOT
IN Q=It was the
SUPER=03-Richmond/Yesterday; :00
SUPER=@Putney; :13
SUPER=@Allen; :24
SUPER=@Cranwell; :38
SUPER=01-Sen. Dick Saslaw/(D) Springfield; :54
SUPER=@Beyer; 1:10
SUPER=@Ellen1; 1:24
RUNS=1:33
OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.

(( It was the education session.
It was the time to crack down on juvenile crime.
But most of all, it was the year the Governor put down the gloves to work with the legislature, and Republicans finally had a seat at the table.
sot 13:48:16 BUDGET INTERVIEWS ONE
((DEL. LACEY PUTNEY: HAVING BEEN HERE 35 YEARS COUNTING THIS YEAR YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT A TREMENDOUS DEPARTURE IT IS FOR ME TO EXPERIENCE.))
runs=:10

SOT 18:06:59
((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: I THINK WHETHER IT'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRUE EDUCATION REFORM, OR PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUVENILE JUSTICE, IT'S BEEN AN OUTSTANDING YEAR, A VERY PRODUCTIVE SESSION. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF GOOD BI-PARTISAN COOPERATION WITH IT. A GOOD CONSENSUS ON MANY ISSUES.))
RUNS=:15

sot 18:23:22
((DEL. DICK CRANWELL: I AM PLEASED THAT THERE WAS A SMILE ON THE FACE THIS YEAR RATHER THAN A FIST IN THE FACE THIS YEAR.))
runs=:08

SOT 18:08:19
((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: IN EDUCATION, THE DEMOCRATS AND MYSELF AND THE REPUBLICANS AGREED THERE NEEDED TO BE MORE OF AN INVESTMENT.))
RUNS=:07

sot 18:20:56
((SEN. DICK SASLAW/SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER: YOU ASK HIGHER EDUCATION WHICH PARTY LOOKS OUT FOR THEM AND THEY'LL TELL YOU IT'S BEEN OUR PARTY.))
runs=:05

Well they mostly shared the credit.
The Democrats put the emphasis on preventing teen crime in the Governor's juvenile justice package.
The Governor put the accountability of testing behind the new dollars for education.
sot 18:29:28
((LT. GOV. DON BEYER: IT IS WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER THAT WE'RE ABLE TO MOVE THE WHOLE COMMONWEALTH. WHEN WE GO OFF IN SOME SPLINTER DIRECTION WITH A FRINGE IDEA WE'RE UNSUCCESSFUL HERE.))
runs=:09

sot 01:01:34
((HOUSE SPEAKER TOM MOSS: AS MANY AS FAVOR THE MOTION WILL SAY AYE, OPPOSED NO. THE AYES HAVE IT. THE HOUSE ADJOURNS SINE DIE.))
runs=:05

That means they'll be back for one day in April to see what the Governor's done to their bills -- and if the warm fuzzies still prevail.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

Warner

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#96-7
GRAPHIC=warner

Democratic Senate Candidate Mark Warner brought his day-old campaign for the U.S. Senate to the Roanoke Valley today.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

On the morning after his campaign announcement, he toured the Huff Lane Micro- Village: the Roanoke school where students are learning about business by building their own economy.
He said that's the type of public- private partnership he hopes to foster as a U.S. Senator.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:18:25
IN Q=You've got the
((MARK WARNER/D- U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE: YOU'VE GOT THE SCHOOL WORKING TOGETHER. YOU'VE GOT VOLUNTEERS COMING IN TO HELP TUTOR THEM. YOU'VE GOT BUSINESS COMING IN. A LOT OF PROBLEMS WON'T BE SOLVED OUT OF WASHINGTON OR EVEN OUT OF RICHMOND, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE COMMUNITY COLLABORATION.))
SUPER=01-Mark Warner/(D) U.S. Senate Candidate;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=community collaboration.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Yesterday;

Warner is challenging former Congresswoman Leslie Byrne for the democratic senate nomination.
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Tease#2
SOFT MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Still to come,
The city of Roanoke goes out of town for some advice on further developing downtown,
(----------------)
VO-NAT
and the sky fell overnight.
We'll show you where, next, when News 7 at Noon continues.
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music up full comm2

satellite

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=mornin
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=none

A Chinese satellite launched in 19-93 is back on earth today.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The Air Force says the two-ton capsule re-entered the Earth's atmosphere last night, impacting somewhere in the southern Atlantic Ocean.
(----------------)

Downtown-Roanoke

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#96-8
GRAPHIC=roanoke seal

Efforts to further develop downtown Roanoke have moved into the fast lane.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Urban Design Associates of Pittsburgh has been chosen as the consultant for Outlook.
Outlook is the name of a process which will develop a new master plan to take downtown Roanoke into the next century.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 9:54:03
IN Q=We have
((BEV FITZPATRICK/OUTLOOK CHAIRMAN: WE HAVE INQUIRIES FROM DEVELOPERS ALREADY ASKING US ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. WE'VE GOT PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BEING INVESTORS IN THIS PROCESS ONCE WE PUT THE ROADMAP IN PLACE AND THEY UNDERSTAND THE NEXT STEPS.))
SUPER=01-Bev Fitzpatrick/Outlook Chairman;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=next steps.
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VO-NAT

The downtown study by Urban Design Associates will cost 150-thousand-dollars.
The city, the Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and the downtown business community will foot the bill.
Like past downtown studies, this one will include citizen input.
The city expects to adopt the plan by the end of the year.
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Stocks

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=stocks

Stocks are sharply lower today, following yesterday's recovery.
Traders blame brisk car sales for the first ten days of March.
On Wall Street at Noon the Dow was DOWN 51 points.

tease#3
SPORTS MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie

Patrick has sports next,
Including how one Roanoke Express player is on ice,
(----------------)
VO-NAT
and in high school hoops --
The Liberty Minutemen beat the clock AND Gate City. We'll have the highlights.
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MUSIC UP FULL comm4

Liberty

ANCHOR=patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=BB96-1
GRAPHIC=Group 2A

It's never too late for high school hoops!
In a snow makeup game --
The Liberty Minutemen beat Gate City 65-61 in overtime last night in the group 2-A state quarterfinals.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Rustburg/Blue Devils vs. Minutemen; :00

We pick up the action in the second half with the contest getting tight.
Gate City's Josh Shoemaker with the assist to Chris Peters for the lay in.
After three periods the Blue Devils are up 42-40.
Liberty always fighting back.
Greg Reynolds knocks the ball loose and he's gone...all the way for the easy bucket.
The Minutemen could have ended the
SUPER=33-Liberty/=65/Gate City/=61/in OT;
game on this play, but neither Robert Carson or Neil Roop could finish.
58-58 all...we head into overtime.
Liberty takes over and goes on to advance to the state semi-finals with the 65-61 victory.
(-------------)

Hokies

ANCHOR=patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#BB96-4
GRAPHIC=TECH HOOPS

Up until Sunday night, the Virginia Tech Hokies waited 10 years since their last N-C-Double-A bid.
But a first round date with Wisconsin Green Bay makes their first invite since 1986 bitter-sweet.
Mike Stevens has more from Blacksburg.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=first audio
SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :14
SUPER=01-Shawn Smith/Va. Tech Forward; :31
SUPER=01-Bill Foster/Va. Tech Head Coach; :39
SUPER=@Mike2; :52
SUPER=01-David Jackson/Tech Junior from Janesville, WI; 1:05
RUNS=2:00
OUT Q=...news 7 sports"
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(( The Last time Tech played in the NCAA tournament the 3 point line didn;t even exist.
That year even a dash of Curry couldn't prevent a first round exit in the 1986 southeast regionals.
The program weathered those 10 dry years and managed to spend this entire season in the top 25.
So you can imagine their dismay when the NCAA selection committee gave them a low number number 9 seed and paired them against dangerous Wisconsin-Green Bay in Thursday's opening game. ((SHAWN SMITH/VA. TECH FORWARD:)) ((BILL FOSTER/VA. TECH HEAD COACH:))
Wisconsin-green Bay will test Tech's patience and toughness with its motion offense and textbook half court defense - two things the Hokies' Wisconsin native Jackson twins know all about. ((DAVID JACKSON/TECH JUNIOR FROM JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN:))
The Hokies biggest first round concern right now is the condition of Damon Watlington's damaged ankle and Shawn Smith's dislocated shoulder. ((BILL FOSTER/VA. TECH HEAD COACH:)) ((SHAWN SMITH/VA. TECH FORWARD:))

Clarke

ANCHOR=patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=S6-4
GRAPHIC=Express

If the E-C-H-L's ruling stands, the Roanoke Express will have to play
SS=Jason Clarke
tonight's crucial game against the Johnstown Chiefs WITHOUT Jason Clarke.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00

Clarke received a game misconduct during Sunday night's Express- Hampton Roads game in Norfolk.
That violation put the right winger over the E-C-H-L limit for game misconducts in a season and the league has suspended him for tonight's game.
Express coach Frank Anzalone will appeal the ruling.
(-------------)

WRAP

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=AMO
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=NONE
(****toss to mel****)
(mel and patrick ad lib)
ANCHOR=Melanie

Spring is on the way-- so it's not too early to talk about the dangers of sun damage to your skin.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-San Diego, CA; :

Coming up today on Health Check--
More than ten-thousand people will die this year of skin cancer.
But not all cases are caused by exposure to sun.
Ten-percent of the estimated 34-thousand people diagnosed yearly will have inherited it.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 04:25:34
IN Q=About ten-percent
((ABOUT TEN PERCENT WHO GET MELANOMA BASICALLY GET IT BECAUSE IT'S A GENE THAT'S RUNNING IN THEIR FAMILIES. ))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=their families.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Researchers have identified two genes believed to be responsible for inherited melanoma.
It's hoped the discovery will lead to a better understanding of the disease, and eventually a treatment.
(---------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none

We'll have the story, later today on News 7 at FIVE-- along with all the latest news, sports and weather.
That's it for News 7 at NOON. Have a good day.