WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 08/23/96

08:25-01

7Bottoms-Wade

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-59
GRAPHIC=Bottoms
SUPER=19-Melanie Moon;

Sharon Bottoms and her lesbian lover spoke to the press yesterday about the failed custody battle for Bottoms' son.
And Ellen Qualls reports the fight may not be over.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It's cruel
SUPER=03-Richmond; :06
SUPER=03-Henrico Co.; :16 QUICK
SUPER=07-Sharon Bottoms; :20
SUPER=01-Kent Willis/Va. ACLU; :47
SUPER=07-April Wade; 1:24
SUPER=@Ellen2; 1:29
RUNS=1:38
OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.

(( NAT SOT 11:09:48 TAPE ONE
((IT'S CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT. YOU KNOW, IT'S WRONG.))
runs=:05

Sharon Bottoms gave up her custody battle last week in hopes of visitation with her son Tyler -- in her own home for the first time in three years, with Wade as part of the family.
Henrico Circuit Judge Buford Parsons said home was okay, Wade was NOT.
sot TAPE TWO 11:32:11
((SHARON BOTTOMS: HE ASKED ME ONE DAY ABOUT ME AND APRIL AND I SAID WE WERE MARRIED...IT'S OKAY TO LOVE SOMEBODY SOMEBODY ELSE DOESN'T LOVE.))
runs=:20

The American Civil Liberties Union says the case did slightly advance civil rights for gay and lesbian parents in Virginia.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:49:03 TAPE TWO
IN Q=The Bottoms
((KENT WILLIS/VA. ACLU: THE BOTTOMS CASE FORCED THE VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT INTO A DIFFICULT CORNER. THEY EITHER HAD TO ADHERE TO AN OLD DECISION THAT ALL GAY AND LESBIAN PARENTS ARE AUTOMATICALLY UNFIT. IN WHICH CASE, DEFINITELY THAT CASE COULD HAVE GONE TO THE SUPREME COURT AND THEY COULD HAVE LOST IT. OR THEY HAD TO SAY "NO WE NEVER MEANT TO SAY THAT ALL GAY AND LESBIAN PARENTS ARE UNFIT. AND BY TAKING THE LATTER DECISION, WHAT THEY DID WAS LEAVE IT SO THAT JUDGES IN VIRGINIA ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO FIND GAY AND LESBIAN PARENTS UNFIT.))
RUNS=:33
OUT Q=parents unfit.

Look for more of Sharon's side of the story in a made-for-TV movie due out soon.
SOT TAPE TWO 11:19:42
((APRIL WADE: WHAT THIS MOVIE IS GOING TO DO IS SHOW PEOPLE THAT WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS.))
RUNS=:05

Sharon's mother Kay has the child and may get the last laugh.
Her attorney says she's considering suing Sharon for child support.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

7Farmers

ANCHOR=melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-68
GRAPHIC=Tobacco Under Fire

President Clinton today is set to declare nicotine an addictive drug, bringing possible heavy regulation of tobacco.
But Virginia tobacco farmers are NOT embracing the proposed F-D-A regulations.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;

There are about five-thousand tobacco farmers in Southside Virginia.
Many view the proposed regulations as a way to put local farmers out of business.
Tobacco accounts for about 21-percent of Virginia's crop income and eight-percent of the state's total agricultural income.
Clarence Bryant is Chairman of the group "Concerned Friends for Tobacco".
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We are
((CLARENCE BRYANT/"CONCERNED FRIENDS FOR TOBACCO": WE ARE GROWING A PRODUCT THAT IS A LEGAL PRODUCT, IT'S BEEN SO EVER SINCE THIS COUNTRY WAS DEVELOPED, AND SUDDENLY, YOU HAVE AN ADMINISTRATION THAT WANTS TO REGULATE IT AND DEEM US AS SOMEONE WHO IS EVIL IN OUR INDUSTRY, AND OUR INDUSTRY IS EVIL, IT SHOULD COME TO BACK TO, IT'S A PERSONAL CHOICE. A PERSON CAN USE IT AND NOT USE IT. ))
SUPER=01-Clarence Bryant/"Concerned Friends for Tobacco"; :00
RUNS=:23
OUT Q=not use it.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Bryant believes the proposed regulations are politically motivated and nothing more than a move toward the prohibition of tobacco.
(------0----------)
WIPE/WIPE/WIPE

7Tobacco-React

ANCHOR=melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#Net (edit of 96-62)
GRAPHIC=WIPE/WIPE/WIPE
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Meanwhile, on the other side of the tobacco controversy, the proposal brings relief.
Anti-smoking advocates say the FDA regulations are long overdue.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:40:10
IN Q=There's been
((DR. BILL MOSKOWITZ/VCU PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGIST: THERE'S BEEN A 30- PERCENT INCREASE IN TEEN SMOKING IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THAT'S DESPITE ALL THE INFORMATION THAT'S OUT THERE. BECAUSE OF THAT, AND KNOWING THAT THREE- THOUSAND KIDS, TEENAGERS, BECOME ADDICTED EACH DAY, THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC. THIS IS A MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEM. AND THAT'S WHAT THIS LAW IS ALL ABOUT.))
SUPER=01-Dr. Bill Moskowitz/VCU Pediatric Cardiologist;
RUNS=:18
OUT Q=all about.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Health advocates admit the regulations would have a dollar impact on tobacco-related jobs.
The farmer gets only three cents of every dollar spent on tobacco products.
(-------0---------)

7Weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=none
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=NONE
SUPER=X5000;SET DISSOLVE
(CHYRON TODAY/TONIGHT AREA FORECAST PAGE)
SUPER=314-Partly Sunny/Hot/90-94/Partly Cloudy/Patchy Fog/65-69;
SUPER=#555;RESET

Turning now to the forecast -
Partly sunny today, with hot and humid conditions.
Highs will be in the lower 90s.
7BIRTHDAYS! 8/25/96

SUPER=130-18/Amanda Roop/Christiansburg;

SUPER=130-6/Amber Caldwell/Christiansburg;

(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-17th/Tom & Sandy McKay/Salem;

SUPER=130-9/Jeane Carter/Pulaski;

Monday:

SUPER=130-3/Taylor Crockett/Riner;

SUPER=130-9/Nathaniel Call/Rural Retreat;

SUPER=130-/Livonia Caldwell/Clifton Forge;

SUPER=130-4/Zach Jenkins/Buena Vista;

SUPER=130-100/Byron Pultz/Roanoke;

SUPER=130-6/Fene' Turner/Roanoke;

SUPER=130-10/Danielle Vest/Lexington;

No Pictures:

SUPER=130-30/Diana Estep/Roanoke;

SUPER=130-53/Gloria Ghoston/Phenix;

55Rudd

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#96-63
GRAPHIC=NONE
SUPER=19-Melanie Moon;

Attorney Jeff Rudd surrendered his law license this week.
The State Bar Disciplinary Board had been investigating charges against Rudd.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg/April 1993;

Rudd has been in private practice in the Roanoke area since 1991.
He's known for a flamboyant trial style and a reputation as a hard- driving advocate.
Rudd also served as the regional drug PROSECUTOR for three years.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

Among the pending charges against Rudd: ...that he failed to tell clients about settlement offers and cancelled court appearances.
None of that will be pursued now that the Board has revoked Rudd's license. Rudd says he decided to quit after becoming disenchanted with the practice of law.

55Boucher

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#Net (edit of 96-55)-new bite
GRAPHIC=business news

Pulaski County has been on a roll with positive economic news.
Wednesday Jefferson Mills announced an expansion.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pulaski Co.;

Last week the future site of the New River Industrial Park received a half- million- dollar grant to install water and sewer lines.
Yesterday Congressman Rick Boucher announced that after two years of work, he has helped that same industrial park win a TWO- MILLION- dollar grant to build a small business incubator.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:21:00
IN Q=The creation
((REP. RICK BOUCHER/D-9TH DISTRICT: THE CREATION OF THIS INCUBATOR WILL BE A GENUINE IMPETUS TO THE FORMATION OF NEW BUSINESSES IN THE NEW RIVER VALLEY.))
SUPER=@Boucher;
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=New River Valley.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Incubators provide space and shared services with flexible leases below market rates.
This one will be called the New River Valley Competitiveness Center.
Construction begins next spring.
(-------------)

55Yokohama

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=jmo
TAPE#96-70
GRAPHIC=Yokohama

Meanwhile, some not so good news for another big employer in the area.
Soft market conditions and high industry inventory are causing Salem's largest employer to extend its holiday shutdown.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem/File Tape;

That means this Labor Day, Yokohama employees will get an extra six days off without pay.
Company officials say employees will be entitled to unemployment benefits during the work stoppage.
Just last month, Yokohama announced it was cutting back its work force and scaling down production, meaning layoffs for about 50 workers.
(----------------)

55Weather

8Farmers

ANCHOR=melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-68
GRAPHIC=Tobacco Under Fire
SUPER=19-Melanie Moon;

The tobacco industry says it's considering seeking an immediate injunction if President Clinton announces his new tobacco policy today. The move to declare nicotine an addictive drug would give regulators power to crack down on teen-age tobacco use.
Virginia tobacco farmers are among those not embracing the proposed F-D-A regulations.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;

There are about five-thousand tobacco farmers in Southside Virginia.
Many view the proposed regulations as a way to put local farmers out of business.
Tobacco accounts for about 21-percent of Virginia's crop income and eight-percent of the state's total agricultural income.
Clarence Bryant is Chairman of the group "Concerned Friends for Tobacco".
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We are
((CLARENCE BRYANT/"CONCERNED FRIENDS FOR TOBACCO": WE ARE GROWING A PRODUCT THAT IS A LEGAL PRODUCT, IT'S BEEN SO EVER SINCE THIS COUNTRY WAS DEVELOPED, AND SUDDENLY, YOU HAVE AN ADMINISTRATION THAT WANTS TO REGULATE IT AND DEEM US AS SOMEONE WHO IS EVIL IN OUR INDUSTRY, AND OUR INDUSTRY IS EVIL, IT SHOULD COME TO BACK TO, IT'S A PERSONAL CHOICE. A PERSON CAN USE IT AND NOT USE IT. ))
SUPER=01-Clarence Bryant/"Concerned Friends for Tobacco"; :00
RUNS=:23
OUT Q=not use it.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Bryant believes the proposed regulations are politically motivated and nothing more than a move toward the prohibition of tobacco.
(------0----------)

8cops-shot

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=mel
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=Shooting

In Prince George County three police officers have been shot in standoff that continues at this hour.
State Police are now trying to negotiate with the suspect, who is holding his children hostage.
Four officers went to the home of Tyrone Young-El early this morning to serve a summons for his incarceration.
Young-El allowed the officers onto his porch but then opened fire with a shotgun.
Two officers received superficial wounds but a third had to be hospitilized with more severe wounds to his arm and shoulder.
Several families have been evacuated from the subdivision where the suspect lives.

8Habitat

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-56
GRAPHIC=Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is celebrating its 20 year anniversary.
Volunteers are marking the event by cycling for donations.
Money raised will be used to build the next home for the Roanoke Valley chapter.
Scott Prince explains.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It may
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00
SUPER=01-Barbara Duerk/Roanoke Valley Habitat For Humanity; :12
SUPER=04-File Tape; :33
SUPER=01-Macon Sammons/Franklin Co. Administrator; :49
SUPER=@Scott2; :55
RUNS=1:08
OUT Q=Scott Prince, News- 7

(( It may be an uphill climb.... but it's one Barbara Duerk is willing to make.
She'll be cycling from Lynchburg to Atlanta... and at the same time, peddling support for Habitat for Humanity.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:08:21
IN Q=A lot
((BARBARA DUERK/ROANOKE VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SPONSORING ME PER MILE. I'VE GOT SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE DONATING 2- DOLLARS A MILE. SOME PEOPLE ARE DONATING A PENNY A MILE AND EVERY PENNY COUNTS. ))
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=penny counts

Duerk is collecting funds specifically for the Roanoke Valley Chapter of Habitat.
The money she raises will help the Ramshel family move into a new home.
(/////SOT/////)
NATSOT 13:20:27
IN Q=Oh yes
((OH YES. WE APPRECIATE THEM HELPING US A GREAT DEAL. ))
RUNS=:03
OUT Q=great deal

The event is part of Habitat's 20th anniversary celebration.
Since 1976, volunteers have helped build affordable housing for low income families.
It's a charity that Franklin County Administrator Macon Sammons supports.
That's why a new chapter was formed in his area... and that's also why he's making the trip.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 1:33:09
IN Q=This is
((MACON SAMMONS/FRANKLIN COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR: THIS IS A CHANCE TO PROMOTE A PROGRAM I BELIEVE IN AND AT THE SAME TIME DO SOMETHING I LIKE. ))
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=I like

The trek to Atlanta will take eight days and span more than 500 miles.
Officials believe the money received from the trip will not only be used to assist families now... but will also help ones down the road.
Scott Prince, News- 7.))