12:00-01

US-STOCKS

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=stocks


It looked like stock prices in New York would be taking another big tumble today -- after some big losses in Asia earlier in the day.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-New York, NY;

10:00:40
But after falling more than 100 points at the opening bell, the Dow has now regained most of that loss, it's now in positive territory.
One analyst says he's telling investors not to panic -- but simply to "keep cool" -- and "let the market settle down."
(----------------)

WIPE/WIPE/WIPE

ASIAN-STOCKS


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

10:02:52
Meantime, In Hong Kong, the stock market plunged nearly 9 percent to its lowest level in three years.
Traders say panicky investors were reacting to the collapse of a prominent Hong Kong based investment bank and steep losses Friday on Wall Street.
SUPER=03-Tokyo, Japan; ;14

10:01:52
And in Tokyo, stocks closed down more than two percent.
(----------------)



Abed


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales


Nine men of middle eastern decent are on trial in Roanoke's federal trial this month.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/January 1996


Nearly all of the defendants are members of the same family.
The government says the Abeds ran an organized crime ring in the Roanoke Valley.
They are accused of controling a number of convenience stores by threats and
intimidation, --- arson, in particular.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD


Jury selection began this morning and is expected to take at least all day today.

IRAQ


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=iraq conflict


A new confrontation between Iraq and the United Nations could be brewing -- with today's announcement by Iraq that it will block any arms inspections by one of the American inspectors.
Iraq claims he's a spy.
Baghdad began criticizing U-N weapons inspectors when a new team arrived yesterday.
Randall Pinkston reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=

10:15:20
SUPER=03-Baghdad; :00
SUPER=01-Denis Halliday/UN Humanitarian Coordinator; :48
SUPER=01-Randall Pinkston/Reporting;:59
RUNS=1:13
OUT Q= CBS NEWS BAGHDAD


Algeria-MASSACRE


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


There's word of more bloodshed in Algeria.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Algiers, Algeria;


An armed gang has attacked and killed up to 120 people in a village outside Algiers in two separate attacks last night.
The incident is the latest in a string of killings connected to Algeria's Muslim militant movement.
At least one-thousand people have been killed in the past two weeks.
(----------------)




ellis-island


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=NONE


It's the beginning of the end for a 160 year battle between New York and New Jersey.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;


Arguments over ownership rights for Ellis Island are being heard by the Supreme Court today.
The U-S government has weighed in on New Jersey's side.
But some historians and preservationists say they believe the island belongs within New York's boundary.
(----------------)



122-Ax


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#97-85
GRAPHIC=accident


And in Virginia one man is listed in critical condition after being thrown from his car last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bedford Co.;


Police are still investigating the incident, but they say the driver lost control of his vehicle and crossed the southbound lane of route 1-22 near Moneta.
The car hit an embankment and flipped, ejecting the man, who was airlifted to Roanoke Memorial, where police say he's listed in critical condition.
(----------------)



ICE-RECOVERY


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=Mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=Winter weather


Quebec continues to fight back against the most devastating ice storm ever to hit Canada.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Quebec;

7:06:06
Residents WITH power are taking in some of their two million neighbors still without electricity.
SUPER=03-Scranton, PA; :06

7:08:43
In the northeastern U-S, hundreds of thousands are still without power from the same storm system.
They're getting help today from the National Guard.
SUPER=03-Tacoma, WA; :14

7:01:16
Meantime, another storm system has brought a combination of freezing rain, ice and snow to the pacific northwest..
(----------------)

WIPE/WIPE/WIPE

MIDEAST-SNOW


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=WIPE WIPE WIPE
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Amman, Jordan;

7:16:04
And a rare snowstorm has brought much of the Middle East to a standstill today.
Jordan's capital, Amman, is blanketed with snow and high regions in the mostly desert country are covered by more than a foot and a half of snow.
SUPER=03-Jerusalem;


Israel is experiencing its first big snowfall in six years.
Snow covers the biblical Mount of Olives and the Wailing wall.
(----------------)



E-Horticulture


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=djo
TAPE#=97-83
GRAPHIC=none


Our region experienced an unseasonal warm spell last week.
The warmth should NOT have caused too many problems with local plants.
David Johnson has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It may have
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.; :01
SUPER=01-Bob Lyons/Va. Tech Horticulture Professor; :08
SUPER=01-Doug Harris/Extension Agent; :19
SUPER=@David1; 1:31
RUNS=1:41
OUT Q=Montgomery County


((It may have felt like springtime last week, but the brief stint did not fool or harm plants and crops.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-12:26:39

((BOB LYONS/VA. TECH HORTICULTURE PROFESSOR; IT REALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN HORRIBLY BAD IF THE WARMER WEATHER LASTED A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. BUT THE WEEK OR SO WE HAD DIDN'T DO THAT MUCH TO THE PLANTS IN TERMS OF THROWING THEM OFF SCHEDULE.))
RUNS=:10

BUTT/BUTT/BUTT
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-14:11:46

((DOUG HARRIS/EXTENSION AGENT; OUR SMALL GRAIN CROPS LIKE WHEAT AND BARLEY, WE'D LIKE TO SEE A LITTLE GROWTH ON THEM THIS TIME OF YEAR. WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 32 DEGREES, WHEAT WILL GROW AND DEVELOP. AND THAT'S HELPFUL TO US AT THIS STAGE AND THIS GROWTH.))
RUNS=:13


Crops won't be so lucky if the warm weather returns before winter ends.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-14:11:10

((HARRIS; IF WE HAD THIS TYPE OF WEATHER IN LATE FEBRUARY OR MARCH, WE'D BE A LITTLE BIT MORE CONCERNED ABOUT SOME OF THE CROPS HAVING SOME DAMAGE.))
RUNS=:06


Across the country, some plants have been fooled into thinking it's time to bloom, like the cherry blossoms in Washington state.
There may be similar signs locally in daffodils and grape hyacinths.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-12:27:48

((IT'S NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT TO PANIC ABOUT BECAUSE THESE PLANTS HAVE VERY PRECISE TIME CLOCKS INSIDE OF THEM. THEY'RE REGULATED VERY SPECIFICALLY BY INTERNAL SUBSTANCES. JUST A WEEK HERE AND THERE OF WARM WEATHER IS PUSH A LITTLE BIT OF THE PLANT, BUT IT'S NOT GONNA THROW IT COMPLETELY OFF BALANCE. ))
RUNS=:15


Apples and peaches are very dormant, so they were unaffected by the warm weather.
Crops may get off to a better start this year, due to some additional moisture.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-14:13:27

((WE'VE CERTAINLY BEEN GLAD TO SEE THIS RAIN OVER THE LAST WEEK. LAST YEAR WAS SO DRY AND THE RAIN WE'VE HAD HAS BEEN REAL HELPFUL TO REPLENISH THE TOP SOIL MOISTURE LEVELS.))
RUNS=:11
(----------------)
VO-NAT

STAND-UP/14:26:48 ((DAVID JOHNSON/REPORTING; SO THE CONSENSUS AMONG EXPERTS IS THE BRIEF PERIOD OF WARM WEATHER DID NOT CAUSE ANY HARM AND IN SOME CASES MAY HAVE DONE SOME GOOD. DAVID JOHNSON, NEWS 7, MONTGOMERY COUNTY.))
RUNS=:11))


Car-Tax


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=personal property tax


Virginia localities assess cars differently as they go about collecting personal property taxes.
This inconsistency is slowing Governor-elect Jim Gilmore's efforts to eliminate the tax.
To draft a bill that covers all cases, more than 50 people in Gilmore's transition team and the state government are working to untangle the tax web.
Gilmore said this weekend he's still committed to the tax relief, but the legislation probably won't be ready when the legislature opens.

General-Assembly


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=Va State Seal


With or without the car tax legislation the 19-98 General assembly opens Wednesday.
One of the big issues to be decided is the state's spending plan for the next two years.
Governor Allen's proposed 39- point- nine billion dollar budget left just 12- million dollars unspent.
But various interests -- from public libraries to mental health advocates -- are asking for more than Allen offered.

Tech-Sec


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=Gilmore


Another Gilmore campaign promise, to appoint a technology secretary is getting closer to becoming a reality
There are no details yet on what the post would entail and no candidate has been chosen.
Gilmore attended a technology fair yesterday, where he endorsed job-training and other programs to expand the high-tech work force.
Recent investments by high-tech companies are helping keep the state's jobless rate low.

Soft-Spot


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sta
TAPE#Parenting
GRAPHIC=Parenting


The first few months of life can be critical when it comes to the brain development of a baby.
Many parents may think it's time to worry if their baby's soft spot closes too early.
One local doctor says maybe not.
Stacey Martin has more in this week's edition of Parenting.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=In a child
SUPER=01-Dr. Larry Kleiner/Neurosurgeon; :00
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :11
SUPER=@Stacey1; :46
RUNS=1:01
OUT Q=SM, News 7.

((
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 17.19.08 - 17.19.18
IN Q=In a child

((DR. KLEINER: IN A CHILD THE BONES ARE FREE-FLOATING AND THERE'S SOFT TISSUE BETWEEN THE BONES OF THE SKULL AND IT HAS TO BE THAT WAY BECAUSE YOU HAVE A GROWING BRAIN. AND, THE BRAIN NEEDS ITS SPACE TO EXPAND.))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=space to expand.


But, what if that space between free-floating bones-- or the soft spot, closes too early?
Dr. Kleiner says the good news is that it doesn't necessarily mean there's brain damage, but it could lead to cranio-synotosis.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 17.19.25 - 17.19.39
IN Q=If there's a

((DR. KLEINER: IF THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH A CHILD WHOSE SUTURE LINES OR SOFT SPOT FUSES TOO EARLY THE BRAIN WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN AN ABNORMAL DIRECTION BECAUSE IT STILL WANTS ITS VOLUMES THAT IT NEEDS. AND, HENCE YOU GET ABNORMALLY SHAPED SKULLS.))
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=abnormally shaped skulls.


Dr. Kleiner says parents can detect the condition simply by looking for abnormal growth of their child's head.
And, he says cranio-synotosis is easy to correct if detected before the child is about two months of age by using head bands to re-shape the head.
In older children, however, plastic surgery may be needed.
Stacey Martin News 7.))

Cathy-Rigby


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=NONE


You'd probably expect an athlete like two- time Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby to know how to stay in shape.
Today she has some advice for Kimberly McBroom and the rest of us on getting and STAYING fit.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=that's right
SUPER=@Kimberly1; :00
SUPER=01-Cathy Rigby/Olympic Gymnast; :26
RUNS=1:50
OUT Q=all the time
(----------------)

(( That's right, Melanie.
This is the time of year when many of us make those New Year's Resolutions to exercise more and eat better.
Cathy Rigby is taking a break from her current national tour of Peter Pan to offer some fitness tips.

(Thanks for joining us Cathy. You've been spreading the message the fitness is important for people of ALL ages. What kinds of good exercise habits apply to younger and older people?)

(While they're working out physically, how do you recommend that people stay motivated MENTALLY?)

(In your opinion, are Near Year's fitness resolutions a good idea? Or do they set people up for disappointment if they can't accomplish their goal as quickly as they'd like?))) WEATHER
SUPER=300-38/89/Calm/30.28f/67/1963/ 5/1981;
SUPER=301-40/57/Variable/30.29f/77/1890/ 2/1886;

Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Showers/Likely/35-38/Morning Clouds/Slow Clearing/53-56
SUPER=331-Showers/Likely/37-40/Morning Clouds/Slow Clearing/55-57;
SUPER=332-Rain/Likely/34-38/Rainy/Cloudy & Warmer/50-53;
SUPER=333-Showers/Likely/33-36/Showers Early/Gradual/Clearing/50-54;
SUPER=334-Rain/Likely/36-39/Showers/Cloudy & Warmer/46-49;
SUPER=X5001;




NS-Van-Line


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=sgo
TAPE#net h
GRAPHIC=NS


North American Van Lines is no longer a part of the Norfolk-Southern empire.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-File Tape; :00


N-S announced today it sold the moving company for 200-million dollars.
North American specializes in moving furniture and freight.
N-S bought the the van line in 19-85.
Over the years, North American has struggled to make money.
The railroad said its main focus now is completing a proposed merger with Philadelphia-based Conrail.
N-S says it does not plan to sell its one remaining subsidiary, a natural resources company.
(----------------)



Common-Sense


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=sgo
TAPE#Common Sense
GRAPHIC=Common Sense


This year there are new ways to save on your taxes.
Scott Goldberg has a few suggestions in this week's edition of Common Sense.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=@Scott1; :00
SUPER=01-Gary Duerk/Brown, Edwards & Co.; :11
RUNS=:54
OUT Q=I'm Scott Goldberg

(( If you're looking for ways to help relieve your tax burden in 19-98,
Gary Duerk of Brown, Edwards and Company says you might want to consider transferring some of your income to your children.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:16:45

"TAX" TAPE
IN Q=FOR EXAMPLE

((GARY DUERK/BROWN, EDWARDS & COMPANY: FOR EXAMPLE YOU CAN GIVE THEM SAVINGS BONDS AND THEY CAN EITHER CLAIM THE INTEREST ON THOSE EACH YEAR OR WAIT TILL THEY'RE REDEEMED. AND FOR CHILDREN UNDER AGE 14, THE FIRST 650 DOLLARS OF UNEARNED INCOME IS TAX FREE AND THE NEXT 650 DOLLARS IS TAXED AT 15 PERCENT. SO YOU CAN GIVE THEM SAFETY BONDS OR TREASURY BONDS OR AN INSURANCE POLICY, AND YOU'VE MOVED THAT OFF OF YOUR INCOME TAX RETURN.))
RUNS=:29
OUT Q=tax return


Something else to figure into your financial plans for this year:
Parents get a 500-dollar tax credit for each child in the family.
And there's a another tax break available to help pay for your children's first two years of college.
That's this week's Common Sense.
I'm Scott Goldberg.))

Packers


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#net (edit of FB97-4)
GRAPHIC=Packers/49-ers


The Green Bay Packers earned the right to defend their 19-97 Super Bowl championship.
Green Bay beat the 49-ers.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#
SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA/FOX Sports;


In the second quarter Brett Favre goes to the air and hits Antonio Freeman who makes a nice run after the catch, to make it 10 to nothing Packers.
The 49-ers appeared to score a touchdown on this play.. Steve Young hits J.J. Stokes but he can't get both feet in bounds for the score.
Green Bay put the game out of SUPER=30-Green Bay/23/San

Francisco/10/;reach in the fourth quarter when Dorsey Levins takes the handoff and scores and the Packers win it 23 to 10.
(-------------)


AFC


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#net (edit of FB97-3)
GRAPHIC=AFC Logo


The Packers will meet Denver in the Super Bowl.
John Elway made three two touchdown passes in a minute and a half span of the second quarter to lead Denver to a 24 to 21 win over Pittsburgh.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#
SUPER=03-Pittsburgh, PA/NBC Sports;


And the Broncos got on the board first. Terrell Davis, breaks through the line and scores to make it 7 to nothing Denver.
Pittsburgh came right back; Kordell Stewart races down the sideline to tie up the game at 7.
The Steelers would take the lead early in the second quarter. Jerome Bettis bulls over from the one yard line.
But before the half was over Elway would throw two T-D passes. The first went to fullback Howard Griffith who made the score.
Then SUPER=30-Denver/24/Pittsburgh/21/; Elway tosses what would be the

winning score to Ed McCaffrey and Denver holds on to win it 24 to 21.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="I think...

((JOHN ELWAY/DENVER QUARTERBACK: I THINK WE PROVED WE'RE THE BEST ONE TO GO ON AND WIN TWO ROAD GAMES IN KANSAS CITY AND PITTSBURGH - TWO TOUGH, TOUGH PLACES TO PLAY IN AGAINST GOOD FOOTBALL TEAMS AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, BY WINNING IN THOSE PLACES, WE DESERVE TO BE WHERE WE ARE. YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO WEAR THIS OUT BUT, YOU KNOW, OUR JOB'S NOT DONE. WE'VE STILL GOT ONE LEFT.))
SUPER=01-John Elway/Denver Quarterback; :
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=......ONE LEFT."
(-------------)



Golf


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#net (edit of S7-16)
GRAPHIC=PGA Logo


Phil Mickelson celebrates the opening of the P-G-A season by holding off Tiger Woods and Mark O'Meara to win the Mercedes Championship.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#
SUPER=03-Carlsbad, CA/ABC Sports;


Tiger Woods, who shot a final round 64, made this putt at the 12-th hole to take the lead at 15 under par.
But Mickelson, playing behind Woods, came right back and hit this Birdie putt at 9 to tie the score again at 15 under par.
Mickelson took the lead with a birdie at 10. He shot a final round 4 under par, 68 for a total of 17 under for a one shot win.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Patrick
SS=Hold Logo


Woods and O'Meara tied at 16 under par.

Promo


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=NONE


You can now catch all the latest local news every weekend morning on take Wknd Am Promo 9403essC
(XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)

News 7 Saturday Morning and News 7 Sunday Morning.
From 8 to 9, Denise Allen and Andrew Freiden will have the latest news, (----------------) weather and sports, plus some special features.
by SS