12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

TALENT=Melanie
(----------------)
VO-NAT


A savage racial beating in Chicago may become a federal case.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie


And dozens of job losses in Roanoke as a packaging plant closes.
(/////////////)
TALENT=Patrick
SS=None


Despite a stiff breeze from the NW, we have a lovely day, and expect even better things from tomorrow. Stay tuned for that, plus more on the NIT all coming up.
(//////////////)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=None


Don't go away, News 7 at Noon is next.

E-Shorewood


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#net (edit of 97-15)
GRAPHIC=NONE


Some workers in Roanoke are upset they might not be able to meet their commitments.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Employees at the Shorewood distribution center got word yesterday that May 26th is their last day on the job.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 05:22:31
IN Q=Now how

((Now how many folks work here generally that are going to be affected by this? STANLEY SMITH/SHOREWOOD TRANSPORT EMPLOYEE: 18 TO 20 PEOPLE. OFFICE PEOPLE, MECHANICS, THAT'S JUST IN THE GARAGE. BUT THERE'S PROBABLY 70 OR MORE DRIVERS.))
SUPER=01-Stanley Smith/Shorewood Transport Employee;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=or more drivers.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The New York based company makes compact disk covers.
No one at the company was available for comment.
Shorewood Packaging also has a small light manufacturing facility in Roanoke that workers say will remain open.
(-------------)


Interest-rates


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=interest rates


Many of America's major banks are already responding to the federal reserve's hike of short-term interest rates-- by increasing "their" prime lending rates.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The fed made its decision to raise rates a quarter of a point during its regular meeting yesterday.
It is the first boost in two years ... and according to policyholders, is meant to slow down the economy -- and hold off inflation.
(----------------)



GORE-CHINA


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=gore, al


Human rights topped the agenda at a meeting today between Vice President Al Gore and China's President.
Barry Petersen reports from Beijing.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=01-Barry Petersen/Reporting; :00
SUPER=03-Beijing, China; :08
SUPER=01-Al Gore/Vice President; :20
RUNS=1:31
OUT Q=cbs News Beijing;



ira


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


The Irish Republican Army appears to be on a campaign to disrupt British rail service.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Wimslow, England;


Earlier today two explosions ripped through a train station in the northern town of Wimslow.
Hours before the blasts police received a telephone call from a man who claimed to represent the I-R-A.
Police also had to evacuate a train station in the town of Doncaster after receiving another bomb threat.
(----------------)

WIPE/WIPE/WIPE

MIDEAST


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=WIPE/WIPE/WIPE
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bethlehem;


The U-S appears to be the target of Palestinian aggression as Washington attempts to restart peace talks.
In Bethlehem today, Palestinian protesters burned U-S and Israeli flags.
U-S envoy Dennis Ross arrives in the region tomorrow on a mission to halt renewed violence.
Since the construction of a housing project in east Jerusalem there have
SUPER=03-Tel Aviv/Friday;

been daily protests in the west Bank.
And on Friday, a bomb attack in Tel Aviv killed three Israeli women.
(----------------)



Racial-Attack


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=race relations


A thirteen- year- old African American boy remains in a coma this afternoon after being severely beaten by three white teenagers.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Police say Leonard Clark was the victim of a hate crime.
On Friday his attackers repeatedly slammed his head into a building and kicked him while yelling racial slurs.
Three teens who claim they were witnesses have been charged with attempted murder.
(----------------)



RAMSEY


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=murder investigation


A nationally known child expert says the murder of JonBenet Ramsey may not have been a sex crime.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;


The "Rocky Mountain News" reports the un-named expert has read over the Ramsey autopsy and has told investigators that Ramsey's injuries may have come from physical abuse NOT sexual abuse.
The newspaper says police are considering both possibilities.
(----------------)



E-school-standards


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=afr
TAPE#97-18
GRAPHIC=Education


Earning a diploma from Virginia's public schools may soon be more difficult.
Last night, the public got its first chance to discuss a proposed revision to the state's education guidelines.
Andrew Freiden has the story.
(////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=the state
SUPER=03-Patrick Co.; :00
SUPER=01-Chris Daniel/Virginia Education Association; :16
SUPER=01-Dennis Witt/Patrick Co. Superintendent;:39
SUPER=01-Richard LaPointe/State Supt. of Public Instruction; 1:07
SUPER=01-Mary Britt/Teacher; 1:20
SUPER=@Andrew1; 1:28
RUNS=1:39
OUT Q=patrick county.

(( The state board of education is proposing standardized tests at the third, fifth, eighth, and 11th grade levels.
If students don't pass the tests, they won't be allowed to move to the next grade.
Also proposed are tougher requirements in three core areas.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:38:07
IN Q=

((ENGLISH, MATH...BEEN DEFINED))
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=


The new standards of Learning COULD go in affect for 9th graders this fall.
That's too soon for Patrick county's superintendent.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:05:41
IN Q=

((IT WOULD BE ...PREMATURE ))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=


Administrators say teachers would need more time to adjust--
Another concern is that putting more emphasis on core courses could remove funding for vocational programs, for students who will get jobs right after graduation.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:03:16
IN Q=

((WE DON'T FEEL ALL....GEOMETRY ))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=


But the Board disagrees.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:52:01
IN Q=

((WE FEEL...GEOMETRY ))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=


Several teachers spoke on behalf of the fine arts. Mary Britt says ART should be a core course, too.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:28:17
IN Q=

((HOW DO ACADEMIC....CONCENTRATION. ))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 8:08:24
IN Q=

((STANDUP ))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=patrick county

))

E-Bad-Meat


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=THa
TAPE#97-9
GRAPHIC=NONE


The owner of a Martinsville grocery store is facing charges after authorities confiscated 800-pounds of beef and poultry.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Martinsville;


The meat was removed from the "Community Market" grocery store and grill on Fayette Street.
The store's owner is accused of buying the meat from other stores and re-selling it.
Authorities say re-selling meat is a state code violation.
Martinsville police began confiscating the meat Monday after someone complained.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We will

((LT. BURT SHARP/MARTINSVILLE POLICE DEPT.:WE WILL WORK WITH STATE OFFICIALS AND THE EVIDENCE WILL BE PRESENTED TO OUR COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY AND HE WILL DECIDE AT A POINT AND TIME WHETHER THEY ARE IN FACT IN VIOLATION OF STATE LAW.))
SUPER=01-Burt Sharp/Martinsville Police Department; :00
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=state law.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The owner of "Community Market" declined to comment on camera but says the meat is stored in freezers and is NOT spoiled.
(----------------)


Swanson


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


Police finally caught up with a Martinsville city jail escapee in Roanoke County last weekend.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Authorities say Isaac Swanson was arrested in Roanoke for receiving stolen property.
Martinsville police have also issued warrants for escape and assault charges.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=MELANIE
SS=none


Officials say Swanson escaped March second when he hid in a shower, and overpowered a deputy.
Swanson had a history of assaulting police officers and was considered dangerous.

Goodlatte


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=aje
TAPE#97-
GRAPHIC=Internet


The demand for cybersecurity continues to grows as quickly as the Internet itself.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Congressman Bob Goodlatte says he has the solution in the Safe Act.
The legislation proposes to protect privacy, promote jobs and prevent crime on-line by using encryption.
That's a process which scrambles computer messages into an unreadable code so only authorized people can read them.
Goodlatte is opposed to a government plan which would allow third parties to read the messages.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It won't work

(( ))
SUPER=@Goodlatte;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q= millions of Americans
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Goodlatte says his Safe Act will also create jobs by allowing American companies to globally export encryption software.
(----------------)


E-AG-Candidates


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-17
GRAPHIC=Campaign 97


Virginia's most crowded race is already in full swing.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;


Two of the four Republicans running for Attorney General showed up at the same time to turn in petitions to get on the ballot.
Because of the tie, a coin toss will eventually decide whose name goes at the top of the ballot.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:12:39
IN Q=Make no

((SEN. KEN STOLLE/(R) CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GEN.: MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT. THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THIS RACE IS PROTECTING OUR FAMILIES AND THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.))
SOT 12:06:58

((GIL DAVIS(R) CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GEN.: I'VE PROSECUTED MORE VIOLENT CRIMINAL FELONS AND OBTAINED MORE CONVICTIONS THAN ALL OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES COMBINED. I AM THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE TO SERVE AS VIRGINIA'S NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL.))
SUPER=01-Sen. Ken Stolle/(R) Candidate for Atty. Gen.;
SUPER=01-Gil Davis/(R) Candidate for Atty. Gen.; :09
RUNS=:22
OUT Q=attorney general.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Former Virginia Beach police officer and state senator Ken Stolle (STAH-lee) proclaimed himself the front-runner.
So did Fairfax-based attorney Gil Davis-- who counts heavy northern Virginia turnout in primaries as an advantage.
SUPER=@file;


Southwest Virginian and former Allen cabinet secretary Jerry Kilgore has not yet turned in a ballot..neither has Chesapeake State Senator Mark Earley.
(------0----------)


E-Saltville-RR


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=TST
TAPE#97-10
GRAPHIC=NONE


Norfolk Southern may be expanding with its Conrail merger,
but a local railroad buff is just trying to revive a track N-S abandoned almost 15 years ago.
News 7's Ted Stone was one of the first passengers.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I've been
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :07 (Quick)
SUPER=03-Washington Co.; :10 (Quick)
SUPER=03-Saltville; :18
SUPER=01-Bill Pinkerton/Railroad Entrepreneur; :38
SUPER=03-Glade Spring; :50
SUPER=01-John E.B. Clark/Saltville Town Manager; 1:05 (QUICK)
SUPER=@ted1; 1:22
RUNS=1:32
OUT Q=News 7.

(( ((BILL PINKERTON/RAILROAD ENTREPRENEUR: I'VE BEEN A BUSINESS OWNER FOR 27 YEARS. AND THIS WOULD JUST BE ANOTHER BUSINESS.))
Bill Pinkerton likes cars. He sells plenty of them at his dealership near Salem.
So what's he doing in work clothes on an old abandoned rail line in Washington County? ((BILL PINKERTON/RAILROAD ENTREPRENEUR: I ENJOY THE CAR BUSINESS AND I ENJOY THE RAILROAD BUSINESS.))
Pinkerton is hoping to re-open the tracks that once linked Saltville with the Norfolk Southern main line.
NS abandoned the run in 1984, and gave the line to the town.
Pinkerton wants to buy the overgrown line, to operate as his own company.
Town officials think he has what it takes to run a railroad. ((BILL PINKERTON: THEY'VE ASKED SOME GOOD QUESTIONS, THEY'RE DRIVING A TOUGH BARGAIN, BUT THEY WANT TO GET THIS THING DONE. AND IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING WITH THEM.))
Pinkerton has one customer already waiting for him. The P-C-S Phosphates plant makes a poultry feed additive.
The raw materials travel by train to Glade Spring, where they're transferred to trucks for the 10 mile ride into Saltville.
With the rail line open all the way to the plant, one hopper car carrying 100 tons will do the work of four tractor- trailers.
Other companies can smell those savings. ((JOHN E.B. CLARK/SALTVILLE TOWN MANAGER: ONE IS LONG AIRDOX, A MANUFACTURER OF MINING MACHINERY. A SECOND EMPLOYER IS TITAN WHEEL. THEY MANUFACTURE CONSTRUCTION WHEELS. THEY ALSO COULD BE VERY INTERESTED.))
Pinkerton estimates that re- opening the line will cost a total of half- a- million dollars. Much of that could be reimbursed by state grants. ((TED STONE/NEWS 7: If Pinkerton is able to negotiate to buy the tracks from the town of Saltville, and if his crew doesn't run into any unexpected engineering problems, the line could be hauling freight within six months.
Ted Stone, News 7.))

Racing-Course


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=THa
TAPE#net (edit of 97-5)
GRAPHIC=NONE


A 19-55 Ford truck is helping teach Danville Community College students a new lesson.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Danville;


The owner of "Colonial Homes" in Riverdale is donating the truck, which will be sold this summer.
Students will use the money to build a car that will be raced at South Boston Speedway.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I just

((DOROTHY DAY/SOUTH BOSTON SPEEDWAY OWNER:I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR THE COLLEGE AND FOR THE STUDENTS. DR. CARLYLE RAMSEY/DCC PRESIDENT:OUR PEOPLE HAVE A VERY GOOD WORK ETHIC, A LOT OF THESE STUDENTS ARE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE OF TECHNOLOGY AND AUTOMOTIVE BEFORE THEY EVEN GET HERE. ))
SUPER=01-Dorothy Day/South Boston Speedway Owner; :00 QUICK!!!!
SUPER=01-Carlyle Ramsey/DCC President; :06
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=even get there.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The student built car eventually will also be sold.
The money will go toward scholarships.
(----------------)


P-VA-Lottery


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tal
TAPE#597-08
GRAPHIC=VA LOTTERY


If area lawmakers have anything to say about it Virginia's newest lottery game will strike out.
Proceeds from the game of chance would fund a major league baseball stadium in northern Virginia.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Lottery sales are leveling off, so Blacksburg delegate Jim Schuler says, the new game would siphon money away from education.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:55:29
IN Q=

((DEL. JIM SHULER/D-BLACKSBURG: AND OF COURSE THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF THAT STORY IS THEY'RE LOOKING TO RAID THIS FUND AGAIN TO FUND A NEW BASEBALL STADIUM IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. AND I'M AGAINST THAT BECAUSE I THINK THAT MONEY NEEDS TO STICK AND GO AND STAY INTO EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS. ))
SUPER=@Shuler;
RUNS=:16
OUT Q= educational efforts.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD


The lottery is planning to launch the game on a trial basis for nine months. WEATHER
SUPER=300-53/43/NW 25-31mph/30.00f/79/1944/17/1955;
SUPER=301-54/45/W 9-20mph/29.98s/84/1921/18/1955;

Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Clear/& Chilly/36-40/Sunny/& Warm/72-76;
SUPER=331-Clear/& Chilly/36-40/Sunny/& Warm/74-78;
SUPER=332-Clear/& Chilly/30-35/Sunny/& Mild/66-70;
SUPER=333-Clear/& Chilly/32-36/Sunny/& Mild/68-72;
SUPER=334-Clear/& Chilly/30-35/Sunny/& Mild/66-70;
SUPER=X5001;


Trade


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of s6-24)
GRAPHIC=TRADE/BRAVES-INDIANS


Dave Justice says he's in shock and Kenny Lofton says he's been betrayed!
Those reaction last night after the Braves and Indians pulled off a number of trades.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=04-MLB; :00


Justice leaves the Braves after 817 games with the team.
He is now 31- years- old and he's coming off shoulder surgery that cut short his 19-96 season.
The Braves also give up 29- year- old Marquis Grissom a four time gold glove award winner as a center fielder.
In return, the Braves pick up Kenny Lofton.
The explosive center fielder has led the league in stolen bases in recent years.
The Braves also get another left hander with pitcher Alan Embry.
(----------------)



State


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of S7-2)
GRAPHIC=ALL-STATE


Bedford County's Minutemen have again made the region proud by raking in some big awards in the Group Two-A ranks last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=04-1996-97 Season; :00


Liberty head coach Mark Hanks was named coach of the year by the Associated Press.
And junior Raymond "Peanut" Arrington heads up the first team all-state squad.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Patrick
SS=hold


William Campbell's Chauncey Walker and Patrick County's Corey Reynolds are second team members.
And Blacksburg's Phillip Klaus, Heritage's Kevin Lambert, Liberty's Robert Carson and Martinsville's Leander Preston are honorable mention all-state selections.

NIT


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of S7-5)
GRAPHIC=NIT


The Florida State Seminoles continued to carry the banner along with Carolina in the postseason.
Last night the Noles were part of the N-I-T's final four at Madison Square Garden.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-New York, NY/ESPN; :00


The game was close all night long, as Richard Hamilton spins in the lane and uses the good drop step and fade away to keep the Connecticut Huskies in front.
But the Noles got the game to overtime tied at 59 and then took over.
SUPER=33-Florida State/71/Connecticut/65;


James Collins scored a career high 29 last night as Florida State wins it 71-to-65.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Patrick
SS=nit


F-S-U plays the winner of the Michigan-Arkansas game for the title.

Tulsa


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#S7-4
GRAPHIC=NCAA HOOPS


It does not look like Steve Robinson will be leaving Tulsa any time soon.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=04-NCAA; :00


Last night Tulsa University gave its popular head basketball coach some serious job security.
The former Fleming and Radford University star signs a contract extension through the year 2004.
Robinson teams are 46-and-18 in two seasons with two N-C-A-A appearances.
(-------------)


kangaroo-audition


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


The search is on for the next Captain Kangaroo.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-New York, NY;


A casting call was held yesterday for a new captain to lead the children's show when it returns to television this fall.
Among the job requirements-- you must be able to get along with Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit.
SUPER=@File;


Bob Keeshan was the original Captain Kangaroo, amusing kids for more than 40 years.
(----------------)

wipe/wipe/wipe;

Annie


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-New York, NY;
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=(annie singing)
(----------------)
VO-NAT


And twenty years after the show first hit broadway, Annie is back, with a whole new cast.
The show opens tonight.
The new Annie is eight- year- old Brittany Kissinger.
The cast also includes Nell Carter, and actor John Schuck who plays Daddy Warbucks. (----------------) And Cindy Lou, who plays Sandy the dog.
by SS