08:25-01

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SUPER=@Melanie1

7P-Redistricting


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#597-23
GRAPHIC=Supreme Court


A Supreme Court decision again shows the high court's disapproval of attempts by state legislators to draw districts to preserve or enhance minority candidates' chances of winning.
Yesterday justices upheld a congressional redistricting plan in Georgia that features only one majority-black district.
The ruling is being carefully studied here in Virginia, where the battle is over the state's Third District.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;


Virginia's only black congressman, Bobby Scott, represents the Commonwealth's only black majority district.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the state are now asking the Supreme Court to uphold it.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 05:14:29
IN Q=What the

((KENT WILLIS/VA. ACLU: WHAT THE SUPREME COURT DID SEVERAL YEARS AGO WAS TO SAY THAT WHEN RACE WAS THE PREDOMINANT FACTOR IN DRAWING THE DISTRICT, SUCH THAT ALL THE OTHER TRADITIONAL FACTORS ARE SECONDARY, THEN THAT VIOLATES THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION. BECAUSE IT'S A RACE CONSCIOUS DISTRICT. THE ARGUMENT WE'VE MADE HERE IN VIRGINIA AND HAS BEEN MADE IN OTHER PLACES IS THAT IN MOST CASES ACTUALLY, WHILE RACE IS ONE OF THE ISSUES IT IS NOT THE PREDOMINANT ISSUE.))
SUPER=01-Kent Willis/Virginia ACLU;
RUNS=:29
OUT Q=predominant issue.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The court will decide later this year if it will even hear Virginia's case.
If NOT, lawmakers will go back to the drawing board to try again.
(---------0-------)


7E-O'Dell


ANCHOR=
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=Supreme Court


The U-S Supreme Court upheld the death sentence against convicted murderer Joseph O'Dell.
His attorneys tried to argue that that a 19-94 precedent should apply retroactively to O'Dell.
The precedent says juries should be told that life without parole is an option- but the court said no.
O'Dell faces execution for a 19-85 murder of a woman outside a Virginia Beach night club.
O'Dell's effort to avoid the death penalty has received the support of the Italian government and Pope John Paul.

7P-M'ville-School


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=jsu
TAPE#97-28
GRAPHIC=Education


The decision to name a new assistant principal at Martinsville High School is not winning high marks from students.
High School assistant principal Zeb Talley (Tahl-ley) has been transferred to a new job.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Martinsville


Yesterday afternoon, several parents, students and teachers spoke out against moving Talley from Martinsville High School to Martinsville Middle School.
They say it's not in the best interest of the students.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Do you choose

((DO YOU CHOOSE NOT TO LISTEN? HAVE YOU EVER ASKED MR. TALLEY HIMSELF IF HE THINKS THIS MOVE IS DEROGATORY TO HIS CAREER. I WONDER, BECAUSE I HAVE. HE DOESN'T WANT TO GO; WE DON'T WANT HIM TO GO. PARENTS DON'T WANT TO GO.))
SUPER=01-Lavelle Payne/Martinsville H.S. Junior;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=want him to go.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Rising senior Kathryn Whitlow gave a heartfelt testimony about how Talley helped her overcome her learning disabilities.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Mr. Talley

((KATHRYN WHITLOW: MR. TALLEY HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING ME GET WHERE I AM NOW. I AM PROUD OF WHO I AM.))
SUPER=01-Kathryn Whitlow/Martinsville H.S. Senior
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=who I am.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


But as of July first Talley will be transferred.
The assistant principal at Albert Harris Intermediate will take his place.
(----------------)




7E-WDBJ-License


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=sta
TAPE#=97-33
GRAPHIC=NONE


After questioning WDBJ's hiring practices, the Rainbow Coalition protested the renewal of the station's broadcast license last year.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


The Coalition took its complaints to the Federal Communications Commission asking it to investigate.
But, yesterday the agency found that W-D-B-J was in compliance with F-C-C guidelines for employment of women and minorities.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16.23.53 - 16.24.08
IN Q=We're obviously glad

((JIM SHAVER/WDBJ-7 VP NEWS AND PROGRAMMING: WE'RE OBVIOUSLY GLAD THAT WE CAN PUT IT BEHIND US AND GET ON TO SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE AHEAD OF US AND GRATIFIED THAT THE COMMISSION WAS AS CLEAR IN SUPPORTING OUR E-E-O RECRUITMENT PLAN AS IT WAS.))
SUPER=01-Jim Shaver/WDBJ7 Vice President;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=plan as it was.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


The F-C-C has now renewed W-D-B-J's license for eight years.

7weather


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=


Time now to check the forecast as we head into the weekend--
Mostly sunny and very warm today.
We do have a slight chance of scattered afternoon thunderstorms.
Highs nearing 90.
Mostly clear skies tonight, with lows in the mid to upper 60s.
Sunny skies ahead tomorrow, with highs again near 90.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Wind S Light/86-90/Clear/and Mild/65-69;
SUPER=#555; reset

7BIRTHDAYS! 9/22/97
Sunday:

SUPER=130-38/Eddie Caldwell/Radford;



SUPER=130-/Delores McBride/Gretna;



SUPER=130-/Slyvia Moore/Martinsville;


Monday:

SUPER=130-26/Sharron Terry/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-39/Lawrence Palmer/Danville;



SUPER=130-47/Theresa Carey/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-47/Neita Martin/Fancy Gap;



SUPER=130-/Peggy Farmer/Gretna;



SUPER=130-3/Drew Oliver/Salem;



SUPER=130-40/Glenda Morgan/Huddleston;


No Pictures:

SUPER=130-36/Julie Owen/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-55/Reggie Tyler/Goodview;


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55P-O'Dell


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=Supreme Court


The U-S Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of Joe O'Dell.
O'Dell's pending execution has drawn protests from the pope, and the Italian government.
The high court ruled 5-to-4 yesterday that O'Dell won't get a new sentencing hearing.
He faces death for the 19-85 rape and murder in Virginia Beach of secretary Helen Schartner.
O'Dell claims he is innocent.
He was scheduled to die last December but got a stay.
A new execution date will be set soon.

55E-Crenshaws


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#97-38
GRAPHIC=Crenshaws


Roanoke customers may be able to do some shopping today at Crenshaws Electronics and Appliance store today. For the past couple of days Crenshaws' Roanoke and Lynchburg have been closed, while a major lender has repossessed a large chunk of its inventory.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


But Crenshaws says today it will REOPEN its Roanoke location.
Crews took the last of the repossessed merchandise out of Crenshaws Roanoke store yesterday afternoon.
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Last Night;


The repossession efforts moved to Lynchburg last night.
Deutsche (DOYT-sha) Financial Services says this will help settle an overdue debt of nearly 337-thousand dollars.
It was not known yet if the Lynchburg store will also reopen today.
(----------------)



55E-Smart-Road


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=THa
TAPE#97-27
GRAPHIC=Smart Road


Opponents of the "Smart Road" have detailed the results of their private study on the project and say they have the proof the highway is a waste of money and harmful to the environment.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg;


A coalition of taxpayers, environmental and community activists, did the study.
Project opponents outlined the results yesterday.
The 46-page paper also criticizes 36-other highway projects around the country.
A ground breaking for the "Smart Road" is scheduled next month but those fighting the nearly six-mile highway are NOT giving in.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=There is

((MICHAEL ABRAHAM/SMART ROAD OPPONENT:THERES IS A LOT OF RESIGNATION, IN OUR AREA, THAT THIS IS A GOING TO BE DONE TO US NO MATTER WHAT AND WE NEED A VICTORY, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SAY TO THE PEOPLE OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY THAT WE HAVE A CHANCE TO DEFEAT THIS, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. ))
SUPER=01-Michael Abraham/Smart Road Opponent; :00
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=very important.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-File Tape;


Supporters say the project will alleviate future traffic congestion.
But Abraham claims his research indicates the level of traffic projected by the state won't actually occur for decades.
(----------------)


55weather


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=


Let's now take a look at the summerlike Friday forecast--
Mostly sunny today, with a slight chance of scattered thunderstorms.
Highs around 90.
Mostly clear overnight, with lows falling into the upper 60s.
More sunshine ahead for Saturday, with highs nearing 90.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Wind S Light/86-90/Clear/and Mild/65-69;
SUPER=#555; reset

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SUPER=@Melanie1


8E-Redistricting


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-35
GRAPHIC=Supreme Court


The U-S Supreme Court will take up Virginia's case of the only black majority congressional district.
But another state has already seen ITS outcome.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The high court struck down three black majority districts in Georgia in a five to four ruling.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 05:14:02
IN Q=Most people

((KENT WILLIS/VA. ACLU: MOST PEOPLE WHO TALK ABOUT VOTING RIGHTS ISSUES THESE DAYS TALK ABOUT WHO IS THE ONE JUDGE THAT WILL MOVE FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER TO UPHOLD OR STRIKE DOWN THE NEXT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.))
SUPER=01-Kent Willis/Virginia ACLU;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=congressional district.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;


Virginia's third district is represented by Bobby Scott, the state's only black congressman.
The state and the American Civil Liberties Union say it's DIFFERENT from other districts the court has NOT liked in that political considerations mattered more in its creation than racial ones.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD


If the court decides NOT to hear the case, Virginia lawmakers will go back to the drawing board.

8E-M'Ville-School


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=jsu
TAPE#97-42
GRAPHIC=Education


Some Martinsville High School students are upset they're losing a popular assistant principal to another school.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Martinsville;


Yesterday several students, teachers and parents tried to persuade the school board to change its mind.
They say transferring Zeb (Tahl-ey) Talley from Martinsville High School to Martinsville Middle School is NOT in the best interest of the students.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:19:50
IN Q=Do you choose

((LAVELLE PAYNE/MARTINSVILLE JUNIOR: DO YOU CHOOSE NOT TO LISTEN..HAVE YOU EVEN ASKED MR.TALLEY HIMSELF IF HE THINKS THIS MOVE IS DEROGATORY TO HIS CAREER. I WONDER BECAUSE I HAVE. HE DOESN'T WANT TO GO. WE DON'T WANT HIM TO GO. PARENTS DON'T WANT HIM TO GO.))
SUPER=01-Lavelle Payne/Martinsville H.S. Junior;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=him to go
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Rising junior Kathryn Whitlow says Talley helped her overcome a learning disability.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:10:36
IN Q=Mr.Talley has

((KATHRYN WHITLOW/MARTINSVILLE SENIOR: MR.TALLEY HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING ME TO GET WHERE I AM NOW.. I AM PROUD OF WHO I AM ))
SUPER=01-Kathryn Whitlow/Martinsville H.S. Senior
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=of who I am
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The school board says the transfer will still stand.
The assistant principal at Albert Harris Intermediate will replace Talley.
(----------------)


8E-Liberty


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-31
GRAPHIC=Liberty Seal


Doctor Pierre Guillermin helped start Liberty University--
Now, he's stepping down as the school's president.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg


Guillermin helped the Reverend Jerry Falwell create the original Liberty Baptist College in 19-71.
He plans to remain active in school affairs, including serving as university chaplain.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:17:43
IN Q=I enjoy personal

((DR. PIERRE GUILLERMIN/RETIRING L.U. PRESIDENT: I ENJOY PERSONAL INTERACTION WITH FACULTY AND STUDENTS MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING MORE AVAILABLE TO THOSE IN OUR ACADEMIC COMMUNITY WHO MAY BE SEEKING SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE OR COUNSEL.))
SUPER=01-Pierre Guillermin/Retiring Liberty Univ. Pres.; :00
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=guidance or counsel.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Liberty is still trying to eliminate more than 25 million dollars in debt, but Reverend Falwell says that should not scare off potential applicants.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:37:21
IN Q=I think anyone

((REV. JERRY FALWELL/L.U. CHANCELLOR: I THINK ANYONE WHO LOOKS AT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CLOSELY WILL SEE THAT IT IS A STRONG, HEALTHY, ONGOING INSTITUTION AND IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE SELECTING THE RIGHT ONE, NOT FINDING ONE.))
SUPER=01-Rev. Jerry Falwell/Liberty Univ. Chancellor; :00
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=not finding one.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Dr. John Borek will serve as interim president while a nationwide search is conducted.
(----------------)



8E-Crenshaws


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#97-38
GRAPHIC=Crenshaws


It has NOT been business as usual this week for Crenshaws Electronics and Appliances.
The company has kept its Roanoke and Lynchburg stores closed all week, while a major lendor repossessed much of its inventory.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Today though, Crenshaws will REOPEN its Roanoke location.
Crews took the last of the repossessed merchandise out of Crenshaws Roanoke store yesterday afternoon.
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Last Night;


The repossession efforts moved to Lynchburg last night.
Deutsche (DOYT-sha) Financial Services says this will help settle an overdue debt of nearly 337-thousand dollars.
It was not known if the Lynchburg location would reopen today.
(-------------)


8weather


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=


Turning now to today's weather--
Mostly sunny and hot, with a small threat of scattered afternoon thunderstorms.
Highs in the upper 80s to near 90.
Clear tonight, with lows in the upper 60s.
Sunny tomorrow, with temperatures again climbing to near 90.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve

SUPER=#555; reset SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Wind S Light/86-90/Clear/and Mild/65-69;
by SS