WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 06/26/96

12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

TALENT=Melanie
SS=None
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VO-NAT

The door opens wide for women at the 157 year old, all-male Virginia Military Institute.
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Talent=Melanie
SS=None

And investigators and rescue teams search for possible clues in last night's truck bombing in Saudi Arabia.
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TALENT=Beth
SS=None

Sunny and dry today with highs in the 80s... I'll have the forecast in just a few minutes.

VMI

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-51
GRAPHIC=VMI

The U-S Supreme Court says Virginia Military Institute must admit women.
The long-awaited decision was announced this morning, with the justices indicating the military program established for women, V-WIL, is not an acceptable alternative.
Double Boxes=Melanie and Scott/Starlink

Scott Prince is in Lexington at VMI with more on the story.
Live=Scott Full/Starlink
SUPER=@Scott1;
SUPER=06-Lexington;
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(Rollcue:"...from the corps of cadets" )
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(( ))
SUPER=01-John Charbonet/VMI Cadet; :01
SUPER=01-Trey Porter/VMI Cadet; :12
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OUT Q=honor system here.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=@File

(Scott adlibs)
VO OUT=for women to adapt.
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Live=Scott Full/starlink
SUPER=06-Lexington;
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Double Boxes=Melanie and Scott/Starlink

Ruling-Reax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=khu
TAPE#96-46
GRAPHIC=Supreme Court

Keith Humphry has been following this case through the courts for more than six years. 2 shot Melanie and Keith/On Set
It's interesting that not all the justices concurred in today's decision.
Talent=Keith
SUPER=@Keith1;

It IS interesting. But there was only ONE dissenter: Antonin Scalia would have left V-M-I all male. Justice Clarence Thomas did not participate because his son currently attends V-M-I.
But the majority opinion written by Ruth Bader Ginsburg presents a strongly worded rebuke to V-M-I and the educational hierarchy in Virginia.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lexington/1995;

The Institute has consistently argued that men and women are different- -that they have different talents and capacities for physical performance.
State educators held up V-M-I as a unique element- -just part of a diverse spectrum of educational opportunities available to the men and women of the Commonwealth.
"However well this plan serves Virginia's sons," wrote Justice Ginsburg, "it makes no provision whatever for her daughters."
The separate program at Mary Baldwin College does not cure the problem, either, the court concluded.
The Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership is a "pale shadow of V-M-I," say the justices.
The opinion released this morning ticks off numerous missing elements: military training, pressure, hazards, psychological bonding and the "adversative training" V-M-I is famous for.
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ANCHOR=Keith

V-M-I has maintained all along that the 153-year old Institute would be forever altered with the admission of women to its ranks.
Certainly there will be changes- -in the barracks especially. 2 shot Melanie and Keith/On Set
The court is unconvinced they'll be for the worse, "downgrading V-M-I's stature." In words from today's decision, it's a "judgment hardly proved, a prediction hardly different from other 'self-fulfilling prophecies.'"

SAUDI-BOMBING

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#Net
GRAPHIC=Bombing

There is still no claim of responsiblity for last night's deadly truck bombing at a U-S Air Force base in Saudi Arabia.
However, Muslim militants who object to the presence of U-S troops are suspected.
The death count now stands at 19 dead and 80 hospitalized.
President Clinton today ordered American flags lowered at all federal facilities and said he is considering making a visit to the bombing site.
Regina Blakely has more.
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SUPER=03-Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; :37
SUPER=01-Regina Blakely/Reporting; :45
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OUT Q=there is no tag!!

Allman

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#96-41
GRAPHIC=allman, Scott

The man accused of causing a fatal traffic accident while fleeing from Roanoke County police pleaded guilty this morning.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

21-year-old Scott Allman appeared in court and pled guilty to three counts of involuntary manslaughter, and two misdemeanor traffic charges.
The circuit court judge accepted his guilty plea to all the charges.
Allman is accused of causing the deaths of a Vinton couple and their infant daughter in April when he struck their car while fleeing from police.
He will be sentenced in September and faces up to 32 years in prison.
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Barnett

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=tbr
TAPE#96-50
GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation

The man accused of stalking and killing a Roanoke woman is in police custody.
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VO-NAT

Aquilia Barnett was arrested yesterday at his mother's home in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Barnett is accused in the shooting death of his former girlfriend- 23-year old Robin A. Williams early Saturday morning.
Police believe Barnette had apparently stalked Williams for weeks before shooting her.
SUPER=04-April 30;

Barnett was described by police as highly jealous.
He was suspected of setting an April fire at the home Williams shared with her boyfriend.
The couple had to jump from a second story window to escape the flames.
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ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=Murder Investigation

A family member called Charlotte police and notified them of Barnett's location.
He was arrested without incident.

OKLAHOMA-SUSPECTS

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#Net
GRAPHIC=None

Government evidence against the suspects in the Oklahoma City bombing is being debated in court today in Denver.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Prosecutors are trying to get evidence admitted, including bomb making ingredients.
The hearing is in response to motions by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols to supress evidence and statements in their upcoming trial.
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ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Still to come on News 7,
The F-B-I files scandal has claimed its first victim, as a White House aide resigns.
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VO-NAT
and an early morning accident in Christiansburg slows commuters on Interstate 81.
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C'Burg-Ax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=sly
TAPE#96-53
GRAPHIC=None

An overnight accident on Interstate 81 near Christiansburg made for slow going during the morning commute.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg;

A tractor trailer overturned shortly after three a-m, blocking both northbound lanes of the highway near mile marker 121.
It was carrying produce and careened over a guard rail for at least 100 yards before it turned over.
Authorities were able to open one lane of traffic for the morning commute but it was still a traffic nightmare.
The driver of the big rig was not injured, but police say charges may be pending.
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FAA-Valujet

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#Net
GRAPHIC=None

A White House aide who improperly sought hundreds of F-B-I files has resigned.
Craig Livingstone announced his resignation at a House hearing today.
Livingstone, who has been on paid leave since the controversy broke, also apologized.
SS=Airplane Safety

The Federal Aviation was in the hot seat yesterday on Capitol Hill.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Capitol Hill;

In tesimony before Congress one inspector said the F-A-A is referred to as the "Tombstone Agency" because it waits for loss of life before taking action.
The F-A-A is undergoing a shake-up in the light of last month's Valujet crash in the Florida Everglades, which killed 110.
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((REP. BUD SHUSTER/ PENNSYLVANIA IF VALUJET JET WASN T SAFE, WHY WASN T IT GROUNDED SIX MONTHS AGO?
MARY SCHIAVO/INSPECTOR GENERAL:WHY SHOULDN T THE PUBLIC HAVE KNOWN ABOUT VALUJET S RECORD....I LL BET A FEW PEOPLE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON THAT PLANE. ))
SUPER=01-Rep. Bud Shuster/Pennsylvania;
SUPER=01-Mary Shiavo/Inspector General;
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OUT Q=would not have been on that plane.
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VO-NA
In the meantime Valujet employees continue the fight to get their airline off the ground.
Outside the Capitol yesterday they held a pep rally and they have even taken out a full page ad in the Washington Post to ease public fears.
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LASER-STRIKE

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

For years the U-S. military has been fighting the war on drugs in the jungles of South America, but now it's getting-- and giving help.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Howard AFB, Panama;

Columbia, Peru and other countries are taking advantage of American technical expertise to weed out drug activity, in what's being called Operation Laser Strike.
U-S forces will provide air and ground surveillance-- And they're training Peruvian national police and customs officials in stopping drug-smuggling along river ways.
U-S troops are using Panama as a staging area.
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ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

When News 7 returns,
Contestants of the Miss Virginia Pageant are in town, and after last year's problems, officials are keeping a close watch on each young woman.
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VO-NAT

We'll talk to the reigning Miss Virginia, Amber Medlin, about the changes the pageant has taken on this year.
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Miss-Virginia

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-52
GRAPHIC=NONE

It's not just the evening gown and swimsuit competitions they have to worry about--
Miss Virginia contestants are now under closer scrutiny for their PAPERWORK.
Kimberly McBroom has the story.
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IN Q=Pageant officials
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00
SUPER=04-July 1, 1995; :08
SUPER=01-Traci Basham/Miss Appomattox Co.; :19
SUPER=01-Kelley Orr/Miss Botetourt Co.; :31
SUPER=01-Bud Oakey/Pageant Board Member; :35
SUPER=@Kimberly2; :43
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OUT Q=McBroom, News 7

(( Pageant officials appear confident these contestants are as attractive on paper, as they are in person.
The Miss Virginia pageant suffered a setback last year-- when Andrea Ballengee lost her crown when discrepancies were found on her application.
But the incident proved to be a valuable lesson.
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((TRACI BASHAM/MISS APPOMATTOX CO.: ANYTHING THAT CAUSES YOU TO REVIEW YOUR POLICY IS ALWAYS GOOD. AND I THINK THE CONTESTANTS HAVE A CLEARER VIEW THIS YEAR OF THE NECESSARY APPLICATION PROCESS, AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE TRUTHFUL. ))
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((KELLEY ORR/MISS BOTETOURT CO.: AND THEY WERE ALL SURE THAT WHAT THEY PUT DOWN ON THEIR APPLICATION WAS TRUE. ))
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((BUD OAKEY/PAGEANT BOARD MEMBER: THE REVIEW HAS BEEN GOOD. IT'S BEEN A HEALTHY PROCESS. IT'S MADE US A BETTER PAGEANT FOR IT, AND IT'S MADE THE LOCALS A LOT BETTER FOR IT. ))
RUNS=:07

Oakey says the local pageants are stricter now--
Supporting documentation of claims made on contestant's fact sheets are now required.
Their G-P-A's however, are not.
And as always, the pageant board will re- examine the winner's application after she's crowned Saturday night.
Kimberly McBroom, News 7.))

Pageant-Interview

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=None

Talent=Melanie--On Record Set

Our reigning Miss Virginia Amber Medlin, is in our studio this afternoon to talk more about the change in the pageant, and also to talk about her year.
Talent=Melanie and guest 2 shot

You talked to us shortly after taking the crown from Ballangee. How were you able to emerge from the controversy clouding over the pageant?
SUPER=01-Amber Medlin/Miss Virginia;

Questions:The story made national news, did it making rough for you at the Miss America pageant?

A lot of people don't know this but the Miss America program is the largest scholarship program for women in the world? Tell us how you answer critics that say it's just a beauty pageant?

Tell us about the social program that you have promoted this year with your Miss Virginia title?

What's next for you?

WEATHER
SUPER=300-72/61/NE-7/30.22/S/99/1952/46/1979;
SUPER=301-72/49/NE-14/30.22/R/98/1952/48/1979;

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SPORTS MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie

Stick around - sports is next, including a new court for Radford's former assistant basketball coach,
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VO-NAT
and drivers went round and round for onlookers at the New River Valley Speedway.
We'll tell you why.
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NBA-Draft

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=sly
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=NBA

The N-B-A's annual draft of amateur talent takes place tonight.
The Philadelphia 76ers have the number-one pick.
Marcus Camby of Massachusetts, Allen Iverson of Georgetown and Stephon Marbury of Georgia Tech are highly-regarded prospects.

Dickerson

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=DICKERSON

Former Radford University assistant men's basketball coach Dave Dickerson is on the move again.
A little over a month after taking job at Marshall, Dickerson has been hired as one of Gary Williams assistants at his alma mater the University of Maryland.

River

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=R-33
GRAPHIC=New River Valley Speedway

The New River Valley Speedway gave some aspiring drivers and curious onlookers a taste of racing yesterday.
And Steve Mason says the first time outing was good for both the hosts and the visitors.
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IN Q=first audio
SUPER=03-Radford; :00
SUPER=01-Sheila Roop/Leisure Directions Counselor; :20
SUPER=01-Eddie Clark/Track Promotions Director; :31
SUPER=07-Buddy Bishop; :49(QUICK!!!!)
SUPER=07-Joey Hartman; :53(QUICK!!!!!)
SUPER=01-Jeff Agnew/NRV Points Leader; 1:07
SUPER=01-Ronnie Byrd/Limited Sportsman Driver; 1:18
SUPER=01-Jerry Godbey/Late Model Driver; 1:26(QUICK!!!)
SUPER=@Steve1; 1:30
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