WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 09/19/96

12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

TALENT=Melanie
SS=None
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Ahead on News 7 at Noon, a nasty tumble for Bob Dole in California.
(----------------)

And Shannon Lucid is just days away from going home after today's Mir- Atlantis link up.
(/////////////)
ANCHOR=Patrick

(ad lib)

(/////////////)
TALENT=Melanie
SS=None

Don't go away, the news is next.

SHUTTLE

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=shuttle

Astronaut Shannon Lucid is a big step closer to getting her feet back on the ground after a record six months in orbit.
The shuttle Atlantis arrived this morning at the Russian space station MIR to pick her up.
Scott Pelley reports from the Johnson Space Center.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=And we see
SUPER=01-Scott Pelley/Reporting; 1:05
RUNS=1:16
OUT Q=at the Johnson Space Center.

KOREA

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=none

South Korean officials say 18 North Korean infiltrators are dead, and the search is on for more.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-South Korea;

The North Koreans were shot to death after coming ashore from a damaged submarine that ran aground on South Korean shores yesterday.
Of the 18 dead, eleven reportedly died in a suicide pact.
Thousands of South Korean soldiers and police continue to look for remaining infiltrators.
The only North Korean captured says there were 27 men aboard the vessel.
(----------------)

DEPLOYMENT

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

More U-S ground troops are arriving in Kuwait as the U-S continues to beef up its presence in the Persian Gulf.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Fort Hood, TX;
10:09:02
Two-hundred soldiers arrived today -- some of the first batch of 35-hundred being airlifted from Fort Hood, Texas.
They are joining 12-hundred others who have been conducting war games near the Iraqi border and will guard against further military action by Saddam Hussein.
(----------------)

Wreck

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=jmc
TAPE#96-67
GRAPHIC=accident

An accident near Boones Mill this morning left Route 220 blocked during rush hour.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;

A moving van collided with a car in the southbound lanes just after 8 this morning.
At least one person was taken to the hospital; no word on his condition.
The accident backed up traffic for a couple of miles. The road is now clear.
(----------------)

Fatal-Ax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tbr
TAPE#net ? or 96-80
GRAPHIC=Fatal Ax

An elderly man from Vermont was killed and four others injured last night in an accident on Interstate 81 in Montgomery County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;

78-year old Marshall G. Hutchins died when the car he was riding in attempted to pull back onto the interstate from the side of the road.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It appears..
(( ))
SUPER=01-C. L. Bailey/Va. State Police; quick
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=other vehicle.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Four others were injured in the crash, at least three of them seriously.
The accident is still under investigation.
(----------------)

Mason-Dixon

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-68
GRAPHIC=JOHN Warner

Senator John Warner won't be leaving Washington DC anytime soon if the newest survey of voters rings true.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-File Tape;

His Democratic challenger, Mark Warner, closed the gap a little bit. But with the election less than 2 months away, it seems the incumbent has a commanding lead.
According to the latest News- 7 Poll, JOHN Warner would harness 54- percent of the vote, while MARK Warner would net 34- percent.
Twelve percent of voters have yet to make up their minds.
In July, the senior Senator had a 25- point advantage.
The poll shows Mark Warner did not steal away any votes from the incumbent.
But he did make in- roads with undecided voters.
(----------------)

Catawba

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#net (edit of 96-77)
GRAPHIC=campaign 96

Yesterday's News 7 Mason-Dixon poll had President Clinton and Bob Dole running neck and neck in Virginia, which traditionally favors Republican presidential candidates.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Abingdon;

Speaking to a group in Abingdon yesterday, U-V-A political scientist Larry Sabato had some theories about the results.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 09:47:52
IN Q=It's luck!
((LARRY SABATO/UVA POLITICAL ANALYST: IT'S LUCK! AND GOD DOES CLINTON HAVE THE LUCK! I MEAN IT. BECAUSE IT'S REACHING ITS ABSOLUTE ZENITH AT THE VERY MOMENT THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO THE POLLS.))
SUPER=01-Larry Sabato/UVa Political Analyst;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=to the polls.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Sabato also had an explanation for Dole's lack of popularity.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 09:35:25
IN Q=He's completely
((LARRY SABATO/UVA POLITICAL ANALYST: HE'S COMPLETELY OUT OF HIS ELEMENT. MAYBE IF HE HAD RAN WHEN HE HAD FIRST BEEN NOMINATED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ALRIGHT, BACK IN 80.))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=back in 80.
(-------------)

DOLE

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=dole, bob

Meantime, Dole is back on the campaign trail after taking a big plunge yesterday... not in the polls but from a three foot stage.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
7:16:44
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Chico, CA;
RUNS=:05
OUT Q= (dole falling)
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The 73 year old G-O-P presidential candidate suffered only a scratched eye.
But he called his nasty fall his third purple heart.
SUPER=03-Las Vegas;

Today Dole attends a rally in Las Vegas and then travels on to Denver.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=CLINTON

President Clinton takes his 21st Century bus tour through Washington State and Oregon.
tease#1
HARD MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Still to come in the newscast,
An abortion pill may become available as early as next year.
The F-D-A is near approval of R-U 4-86.
(--------------)
VO-NAT

And as we wait for V-M-I's board of visitors to make a decision on co- education, Governor Allen gives his opinion.
But first, let's check in with Patrick in the weather center.
(---------------)
Talent=Patrick
Wx-Tease music up full comm1

NASCAR

ANCHOR=Mel
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=TST
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=Richard Petty

NASCAR legend Richard Petty reportedly tried some racing tactics on Interstate 85 in North Carolina last week -- and he's been charged with hit and run and reckless driving as a result.
Police say Petty tried to pass a car that was in the left lane.
When the other driver slowed down, police say, Petty bumped the car from behind, then drove away.
Damage to the other car was apparently minor.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;

Petty is the Republican candidate for Secretary of State in North Carolina.
Reporters say he hasn't been seen in public since being charged.
(-------------)

Allen-VMI

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-65
GRAPHIC=VMI

To admit women or not to admit women.
That's the question Virginia Military Institute's board of visitors says it will answer by this Saturday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;

But now Governor George Allen -- who fielded a student question on VMI on a school tour yesterday -- is casting doubt on the deadline.
Allen spoke of a "dual track" the board might pursue for a while.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 03:07:14
IN Q=And there's
((AND THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE STILL NOT CLEAR AS FAR AS THE PRIVATIZATION OPTION. SUFFICE IT TO SAY THAT WE SHOULD COMPLY WITH THE ORDER OR THE DECISION OF THE SUPREME COURT.))
SUPER=@Allen;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=Supreme Court.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

That means admit women or stop accepting public funds.
So which is the Governor's preference?
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I'm hopeful
((I'M HOPEFUL THEY'LL MAKE THE CORRECT DECISION. Which is? ONE THAT WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO VMI.))
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=to VMI
(----------------)
VO-NAT

But in his comments to students, Allen said he'd like to see women admitted, without changing the school much.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 01:57:43
IN Q=Personally
((PERSONALLY, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A FEMALE WOULD WANT TO GO TO VMI. I HARDLY UNDERSTAND WHY A MALE WOULD WANT TO VOLUNTARILY GO DO THAT. I WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA AND THOUGHT YOU OUGHT TO HAVE SOME FUN WHILE IN COLLEGE.))
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=in college.
TALENT=Melanie
SS=HOLD

Meanwhile, the state Attorney General has filed a response to the Justice Department motion that accused V-M-I of dragging its feet.
The motion says V-M-I's "careful and thoughtful approach" is best for any female applicants it might consider admitting.

RU-486

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=none

The House this afternoon is debating President Clinton's veto of a controversial abortion bill.
The measure would ban so-called "partial birth" abortions.
Meantime, the controversial French abortion pill RU- 4-86 could be available in the U-S as early as next year.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The Food and Drug Administration says the pill is safe and effective when used under a doctor's close supervision.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It's more a choice.
SUPER=01-Dr. Allan Rosenfield/Columbia-Presbyterian University;
RUNS=:18
OUT Q=if that's a woman's decision.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The F-D-A is withholding final approval until it determines how the drug will be manufactured and labeled.
Anti-abortion groups call the pill chemical assassination.
(----------------)

Contraception

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-71
GRAPHIC=None

In other action on Capitol Hil today, Congressional negotiators have agreed on making insurance firms pay for longer hospital stays for new mothers.
The legislation would require payment for at least 48 hours in the hospital.
Meantime, here in Virginia the push is on to get insurance companies to foot the bill for birth control.
Ellen Qualls explains.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=No matter
SUPER=03-Richmond; :00
SUPER=01-Darrel Tillar Mason/Women's Health Activist; :11
SUPER=@Allen; :39
SUPER=01-Brooke Taylor/Trigon; :57
SUPER=@Ellen2; 1:04
RUNS=1:18
OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.

(( No matter which birth control they use, even low income women who qualify for a subsidized prescription from Planned Parenthood, must spend more than 100 dollars a year.
sot TAPE TWO 06:54:56
((DARREL TILLAR MASON/WOMEN'S HEALTH ACTIVIST: I HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN PREVENTING UNINTENDED PREGNANCIES. BUT WITH NO HELP FROM INSURANCE COMPANY. I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD THE BIRTH CONTROL THAT MY DOCTOR HAS PRESCRIBED AS MOST EFFECTIVE FOR ME.))
runs=:17

Not everyone can.
At least that's the point of a group of women's health activists who expect a commission appointed by Governor George Allen to reject their bill.
It would force insurance coverage of contraception.
sot 03;16;19
((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO GET THAT SORT OF COVERAGE ON THEIR INSURANCE POLICIES, THEY CAN PAY FOR IT AND BUY IT THEMSELVES RATHER THAN HAVE THE GOVERNOR FORCE EVERYONE TO HAVE THAT SORT OF COVERAGE SPREAD OUT AMONGST EVERYONE ELSE.))
runs=:12

Trigon says it's already covering birth control for individuals and HMOs -- at a higher premium of course.
sot 04:48:35
((BROOKE TAYLOR/TRIGON: WE THINK THAT EVERYBODY WHO WANTS IT HAS IT NOW. AND THAT THE DECISION IS APPROPRIATELY THEIRS AND NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S.))
runs=:08

The bill's supporters say they'd hoped to win conservatives over with the argument that better birth control availability would prevent abortions.
sot 03;16:35
((GOV. ALLEN: I GUESS THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE HOPING.))
runs=:02

The contraception question will end up with the General Assembly early next year.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

Smart-road

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#96-78
GRAPHIC=Smart Road

The federal courts have given the "smart highway" a green light.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg/May 17;

Shireen Parsons filed suit in U-S District Court in May in an effort to prevent what she called "the threatened environmental degradation of Ellett Valley."
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Keith
SS=Smart Road

But Roanoke's chief federal judge dismissed the claim, because Parsons failed to identify any specific injury SHE suffered personally.
Judge Jackson Kiser says "an allegation of injury to the general public does not suffice."
Tease#2
SOFT MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Still to come IN the newscast
The United Way of the Roanoke Valley is kicking off this year's fundraising drive.
(-----------------)
VO-NAT

And a robber in Texas failed in his own fundraising efforts, when no one in the convenience store he was trying to rob took him seriously.
(-----------------)

Pitts-Fair

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-72
GRAPHIC=none

The annual Danville/Pittsylvania County Fair got off to a great start.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;

This is the sixth year for the event, which organizers say is drawing a record crowd.
The fair includes 32- rides for adults and kids as well as an assortment of games and food.
There are also some unusual attractions.
(/////SOT/////)
14:09:51
SOT
IN Q=We've got
((LARRY BURNETT/FAIRGROUNDS OWNER:WE'VE GOT A REAL NICE, IT'S CALLED, PORK CHOP REVIEW. AND, IT A GUY THAT HE'S GOT A BUNCH OF TRAINED HOGS AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THESE THINGS ARE, THEY DO ACTS LIKE WHAT YOU USUALLY SEE ELEPHANTS OR DOGS DO, OR SOMETHING OR OTHER, IT'S A REALLY NICE SHOW. ))
SUPER=01-Larry Burnett/Fairgrounds Owner; :00
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=nice show.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The country group, Confederate Railroad, entertained the crowd last night.
The fair continues through Saturday.
(----------------)

United-Way

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-75
GRAPHIC=United Way

The precedent has been set... now the work begins.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

The United Way of the Roanoke Valley got its 1996 campaign underway at Victory Stadium earlier today.
Last year, the organization raised a record amount of money.
Officials hope this year is no different.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:02:52
IN Q=We are
((HEIDI KRISCH/CAMPAIGN CHAIRPERSON: WE ARE HOPING FOR A GOAL OF 5- POINT- 5 MILLION DOLLARS. WE DID 5- POINT- 2 LAST YEAR WHICH EXCEEDED OUR GOAL OF 5 MILLION AND WE ARE HOPING FOR 5- POINT- 5 MILLION.))
SUPER=01-Heidi Krisch/Campaign Chairperson;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=million
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Even though the campaign didn't officially get underway until today... a handful of corporations have already made donations.
(----------------)

FUNNY-ROBBER

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=none

Police in San Antonio are calling him the "unknown robber," a man who holds up convenience stores wearing a bag over his head.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-San Antonio, TX;
7:27:42
Here you see the suspect, with the striped shirt, come into a store.
He puts on his disguise off-camera and then approaches the clerk.
But the clerk doesn't take the unknown robber seriously, and even laughs when the robber says he has a gun.
The clerk is busy running a lotto machine, while a little boy standing next to the masked man waits patiently for his change.
By the time the clerk gives the boy his money, the would-be robber gives up and walks out of the store.
(----------------)

WEATHER
SUPER=300-69/53/N 8mph/30.06S/95/1978/38/1984;
SUPER=301-70/55/NW 8mph/30.02R/99/1895/39/1984;
Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Clear/Quite Cool/42-46/Sunny/& Pleasant/76-80;
SUPER=331-Clear/and Cool/44-48/Sunny/& Gorgeous/78-82;
SUPER=332-Clear & Chilly/Some Fog/40-44/Mostly/Sunny/74-78;
SUPER=333-Clear/& Chilly/40-44/Sunny/& Pleasant/72-76;
SUPER=334-Clear/& Chilly/40-44/Mostly/ Sunny/70-75;
SUPER=X5001;

Stocks

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

Analysts say investors are concerned about the possibility of higher interest rates.
The government today reported a stronger-than-expected increase in August housing starts.
On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was DOWN 24 points.
tease#3
SPORTS MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie

Still to come,
Roger Clemens proves he's one of the best Strikeout pitchers EVER.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

And,
The owner of the Psychic Friends network shells out a record sum for a Baseball momento.
Patrick has all the highlights coming up in sports.
(---------------)
MUSIC UP FULL comm4

Clemens

ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=mlb

Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox is the only pitcher in major league history to strike out 20 batters in a game.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-Red Sox-NESN;

At the age of 34, he did it again.
He threw a 4-hitter last night against the Detroit Tigers, winning 4 to 0. His 20 k's moved him ahead of former New York Met pitcher Jerry Koosman to 17th on the career strikeout list with 2,572.
He threw 151 pitches in the game, 101 for strikes.
(-------------)

Murray

ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=afr
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=mlb

Baltimore Oriole Eddie Murray made history last Friday with his 500th home run.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-September 6;

Danny Jones was in the Camden Yards bleachers that night and caught the home run ball.
Jones has agreed to sell the ball for 500- thousand dollars to a Baltimore businessman.
The buyer is Michael Lasky, the owner of the Psychic Friends network.
Lasky plans to put the ball in a hotel he owns in Baltimore.
The 500 thousand dollar price tag is the largest sum ever paid for a sports momento.
(----------------)

Yankees

ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#S6-16
GRAPHIC=MLB Logo

In The "Big Apple" last night the Yankees and Orioles squared off in a crucial three game series that could decide the American League East Champion.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#
SUPER=03-New York, NY/Yankees vs Orioles; :

The game was a pitchers duel as each pitcher recorded several strikeouts throughout the middle Innings.
Then Eddie Murray hits a grounder that gets through the infield scoring a run and the Orioles took the 2 to 1 lead through the 9-th.
But New York rallied in the Ninth. Bernie Williams hits a grounder up the
middle scoring a run and the Yankees SUPER=35-New York/3/Baltimore/2/;tied
the game at 2 all. The game went to extra innings and Ruben Rivera drove in the winning run in the 10-th. New York 3 Baltimore 2.
(-------------)

Custis

ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#S6-18
GRAPHIC=Tech Logo

Virginia Tech Basketball Star Ace Custis suffered a sprained left knee in prepractice condition Tuesday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#
SUPER=03-New Orleans, LA; :

Tech Trainer Jimmy Lawrence says Custis did not suffer any serious damage to the knee but he'll be sidelined for several weeks.
But Custis is expected to be ready when practice starts in October.
Custis led the hokies to a 23 and 6 record and an N-C-A-A tournament berth (-------------) last season when he averaged over 13 points and 9 rebounds a game.