12:00-01

E-XGR

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-93
GRAPHIC=Session 98


Virginia Republicans are celebrating today.
Independent Lacey Putney has joined the Republican caucus in an attempt to pave the way for a power-sharing agreement in the House of Delegates.
Putney says he's still an independent -- but he will sit with the G-O-P caucus for the rest of this legislative session.
His decision in effect creates a 50-50 partisan split.
Controversy surrounded yesterday's opening of the General Assembly's 19-98 Session.
Ellen Qualls has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Richmond; ::00
SUPER=@Bryant; :45
SUPER=01-Del. Jay DeBoer/(D) Petersburg; :51
SUPER=@Shuler; :56
SUPER=@Allen; 1:12
SUPER=@ellen1; 1:26
RUNS=1:34
OUT Q=EQ, Richmond.

((
nat sot house
runs=:20


A GOP-led filibuster to stall until all 49 Republicans could be sworn in to the House of Delegates had the rug pulled out from under it by a parliamentary ruling strongly influenced by Democrats.
nat sot
runs=:03


When the Republican display waned -- Norfolk Democrat Tom Moss was re-elected as the immensely powerful Speaker of the House -- a House that will at week's end have NO clear majority.
sot 08/07/12 REACT ONE

((DEL. PRESTON BRYANT/R-LYNCHBURG: THOSE WHO'VE BEEN DRUNK WITH POWER FOR OVER 100 YEARS STILL HAVEN'T SOBERED UP. THAT DAY IS COMING.))
runs=:05



sot REACT ONE 08:15:00

((DEL. JAY DEBOER/D-PETERSBURG: IT'S THE LOW POINT OF WHAT I'VE SEEN ..IN THE HOUSE IN 16 YEARS. AND I'VE SEEN SOME STINKERS.))
runs=:06



sot 08:21:51 REAX 2

((DEL. JIM SHULER/D-BLACKSBURG: I REALLY THINK IT'S A PRETTY SAD DAY...EMBARRASSMENT TO BE QUITE HONEST WITH YOU.))
runs=:16



sot

((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: HISTORY WILL JUDGE THE EVENTS OF THIS DAY. BUT I MUST TELL YOU THIS: HERE IN VIRGINIA ....IT IS NEVER RIGHT TO SILENCE THE VOICES AND THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.))
runs=:12))

Ellen SU?
The House must still adopt rules -- when they reconvene we'll hear a proposal by Salem Republican Morgan Griffith to at least have proportional representation on committees for the first time.))

E-Morris


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=tbr
TAPE#97-95
GRAPHIC=Session 98


Political analyst Tom Morris says yesterday's partisan bickering is nothing new for the opening of the General Assembly.
Morris told Keith Humphry things should quiet down soon.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The Democrats

(( ))
SUPER=01-Tom Morris/Emory & Henry President;
RUNS=:55
OUT Q=become more bipartisan


Car-Tax


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=
TAPE#598-03
GRAPHIC=General Assembly 98


A chaotic opening day may set the tone for the entire General Assembly session, but there are other issues waiting in the wings.
Foremost among them is the elimination of the car tax.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I think when

(( ))
SUPER=@Baker;
SUPER=@Armstrong; :12
RUNS=:26
OUT Q=our part of the state.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=Gilmore


Lawmakers are waiting for more details from Governor elect Jim Gilmore. His inauguration is set for Saturday.
For the latest on Gilmore's inauguration don't forget to tune to New 7 Saturday Morning this weekend. take Wknd Am Promo 9403essC
(XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)


News 7 Saturday Morning and News 7 Sunday Morning are the newest editions to the news 7 family.
Denise Allen and Andrew Freiden will have the latest news, weather and sports.
(----------------)



iraq


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=iraq conflict


The stakes are getting higher in the latest confrontation with Iraq.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-New York, NY;


The United Nations Security Council is condemning Iraq for blocking U-N arms inspectors.
And the American ambassador to the U-N is suggesting that it may soon take more than diplomacy to solve the problem.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=

((BILL RICHARDSON/AMERICAN AMBASSADOR TO THE U-N: MY OPTIMISM IS WANING CONSIDERABLY...AFTER BEING ON THE FRONT LINES OF THIS ISSUE...AND I THINK THE WORLD COMMUNITY'S OPTIMISM IS WANING TOO. ))
SUPER=01-Bill Richardson/American Ambassador to the U.N.;
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=IS WANING TOO.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;


Meantime, Iraq's deputy Prime Minister is denying reports that Baghdad tested chemical and biological agents on prisoners.
Iraq says the claim is a ploy to gain access to sensitive Iraqi sites.
(----------------)



CARNEAL-ARRAIGN


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=legal scales


The Kentucky teen-ager accused of opening fire and killing three of his high school classmates made his first public appearance this morning.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Paducah, KY


Fourteen-year old Michael Carneal entered a routine plea of innocent during his arraignment hearing.
He's being tried as an adult.
Carneal has been held at an undisclosed juvenile detention facility elsewhere in the state since his arrest after the December 1st shooting.
(----------------)



Ice-Storm


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=sgo
TAPE#97-96
GRAPHIC=winter weather


The forecast called for lots of ice...
What we got was a lot of rain.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Some of that rain has started to freeze on trees and powerlines.
But the roads are still O-K.
State police say there have not been any weather-related accidents.
American Electric Power also said everything is running smooth.
There are no ice-related power failures so far.
But, just in case the weather gets worse .. A-E-P has extra crews on alert.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:32:10
IN Q=we're

((TOM AYERS/AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER: WE'RE FULLY STAFFED. AS A MATTER OF FACE WE HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL CONTRACTORS, BOTH RIGHT-OF-WAY AND LINE CONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE STANDING BY.))
SUPER=01-Tom Ayers/American Electric Power;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=standing by
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Freezing rain is slowing things up at Roanoke Regional Airport.
Travelers should call ahead to check on their flight.
(----------------)



CA-HOSTAGES


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


A late night hostage drama in California ended early this morning with two arrests and no injuries.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Anaheim, CA;

7:00:48
At about 11 p-m two gunman took 20 people hostage at an Anaheim grocery store during a holdup.
One gunman surrendered after releasing the hostages unharmed.
The other gunman remained holed up inside until a police SWAT team moved in and found him hiding in the attic.
(----------------)

WIPE/WIPE/WIPE

boat-ax


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=Wipe/wipe/wipe
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Intracoastal City, LA;

7:10:23
Five people are dead, and one is still missing, after an aluminum boat and a 110-foot oil rig crew vessel collided yesterday in a Louisiana bayou.
The smaller boat carried seven duck hunters.
One of the dead is identified as the president of sports marketing enterprises for the R.J. Reynolds tobacco company.
(----------------)



E-Rutherford


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-90
GRAPHIC=Clinton


What was supposed to be a court battle in the Paula Jones versus President Clinton case never materialized yesterday in Charlottesville.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Charlottesville;


The politically conservative Rutherford Institute is representing Jones in her sexual harassment claim against Clinton.
Clinton's lawyers had tried to subpoena the Institute's financial records, claiming Jones was profiting from her lawsuit against the President.
But Jones' attorneys claimed victory after lawyers for the other side withdrew that request.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:49:25
IN Q=To disprove this

((TOM NEUBERGER/RUTHERFORD INSTITUTE ATTORNEY: TO DISPROVE THIS CONTENTION THAT PAULA JONES IS INTO THIS FOR THE MONEY, THE RUTHERFORD INSTITUTE HAS AGREED TO IDENTIFY THE DISBURSEMENTS IT HAS MADE. I'VE SEEN THE DOCUMENTS, I'VE SEEN THE LIST, THERE ARE NO CHECKS TO PAULA JONES, THERE'S NO MONEY BEING PASSED TO PAULA JONES, EVERY DIME THAT THE RUTHERFORD INSTITUTE SPENDS IS DEVOTED TO COSTS DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE COURT CASE.))
SUPER=01-Tom Neuberger/Rutherford Institute Attorney; :00
RUNS=:25
OUT Q=the court case.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Neuberger called the subpoena a "fishing expedition", aimed at harassing the Rutherford Institute's members and donors.
(----------------)



Bassett


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=sgo
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=Business closing


Another round of layoffs socks the garment industry.
Bassett-Walker is closing its plant in Chatham, cutting nearly 350-jobs.
It's one of three Bassett-Walker facilities shutting down.
It's also the latest casualty in a series of textile plant closing.
Across the industry, plant managers say there is a shrinking demand for knit products.
The Chatham plant will close March 14th.

E-Tultex


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sgo
TAPE#97-94
GRAPHIC=Tultex


Yesterday workers at Tultex plant got word of layoffs.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Martinsville/File Tape;


The Martinsville plant will not say how many workers have been fired.
But the activewear maker will say the number is "not significant."
The plant employs 25-hundred people.
(----------------)



E-Rockbridge-Attendance


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=sta
TAPE#=97-86
GRAPHIC=Education


Some students at Rockbridge County High School continue to miss class on a regular basis - and nothing, not even a tougher attendance policy seems to be helping.
Stacey Martin has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I found out
SUPER=01-Joe Hatcher/Rockbridge Co. High School; :00
SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.; :13
SUPER=01-John Morris/Rockbridge Co. High School Principal; :52
RUNS=1:17
OUT Q=SM, News 7, Rockbridge Co.
(((/////SOT/////)
SOT 12.52.27 - 12.52.35
IN Q=I found out

((JOE HATCHER/ROCKBRIDGE CO. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: I FOUND OUT THAT IF I DIDN'T START BUSTING MY BUTT TO COME BACK TO SCHOOL THAT I WAS GOING TO LOSE MY CHANCE OF PASSING THE NINTH GRADE TO GET ON TO THE TENTH GRADE.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=the tenth grade.


Joe Hatcher has missed 23 days of school so far and he says Rockbridge County High School's attendance policy is one of the reasons he wants to come back.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12.54.06 - 12.54.09
IN Q=When I sit

((JOE HATCHER/ROCKBRIDGE CO. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: WHEN I SIT HOME IT'S LIKE TOTALLY BORING BUT HERE AT SCHOOL AT LEAST I GET TO SEE A FEW OF MY FRIENDS.))
RUNS=:03
OUT Q=of my friends.


The new policy is trying to correct a three-year problem of students skipping school.
This year after 20 absences from a course, students don't get graded and can't pass.
Overall attendance since August is 94 point one percent -- similar to that in high schools in other localities.
But, for students missing 5, 15, 20 days or more, the figures have gone way up--in some instances almost 60 percent compared with this time last year.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12.46.22 - 12.46.34
IN Q=I think it's

((JOHN MORRIS/ROCKBRIDGE CO. HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL:I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE TRY OUR BEST TO HELP THESE STUDENTS BACK INTO THE FACILITY BECAUSE EDUCATION PRIMARILY TAKES PLACE HERE AND THAT'S OUR PURPOSE.))
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=that's our purpose.


Some people criticized school administrators for not enforcing the new, tougher policies.
Morris said it may be more effective to have tougher attendance policies for middle school and elementary students to avoid problems later.
Stacey Martin, News 7, Rockbridge County.))

Edelman


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


If you're just starting to invest in the market, or perhaps getting ready to buy a new home, you'll want to listen closely to this interview.
Kimberly McBroom is speaking with financial consultant and entrepreneur Ric Edelman.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=the washington
SUPER=@Kimberly1; :00
SUPER=01-Ric Edelman/Financial Consultant; :22
RUNS=1:50
OUT Q=thanks a lot..Melanie

(( The Washington Post says Ric Edelman is unconventional, but when it comes to investing, people listen.
Mr. Edelman joins us now to offer some advice featured in his new book, "The New Rules of Money."
(And just from the title, it sounds like you have some unique ideas about the best ways to save money...)

( One of the rules in your book says for people NOT to pay attention to the

Dow...can you explain that?)

(And quickly, what is the best method for investors to educate themselves?)


Thanks for joining us today, Melanie? ))

Gore-Weather


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=Gore, Al


Vice President Gore is in Maine today to tour by helicopter the areas devastated by last week's ice storm.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Maine;


The state also will be getting more help.
Some 46 trucks and more than 50 utility crews are being airlifted from North Carolina.
The federal government is also releasing millions of dollars to help affected families.
Thousands are still without electricity.
(----------------)


WEATHER
SUPER=300-32/100/Calm/30.02f/73/1952/ 2/1994;
SUPER=301-32/96/Variable 3mph/30.01f/75/1932/ 3/1886;

Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Periods/of Rain/34-36/Morning Drizzle/Partial Clearing/44-47;
SUPER=331-Periods/of Rain/34-36/Morning Drizzle/Partial Clearing/44-47;
SUPER=332-Rain/Early/33-35/Snow Showers/Partly Cloudy/38-42;
SUPER=333-Periods/of Rain/34-36/Morning Drizzle/Partial Clearing/44-47;
SUPER=334-Rain/Early/33-35/Snow Showers/Likely/35-38;
SUPER=X5001;


UNC


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=UNC 6514


Maryland handed Number one North Carolina its first loss of the season.
Coach Bill Guthridge is no longer undefeated.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-College Park, MD/ESPN;


Antawn (AN-twahn) Jamison led the Heels with 27 points. But he managed just one point over the last 18 minutes and missed four free throws in O-T.
Laron Profit scored six of his 19 points in the extra session as Maryland dropped North Carolina's record to 18-and-1.
The Maryland Terrapins go on to beat the top-ranked Tar Heels 89-to-83 in overtime at Cole Field House.
(----------------)

WIPE WIPE WIPE

Duke


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=BB98-1
GRAPHIC=WIPE WIPE WIPE
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Winston-Salem, NC/ESPN; :00


Second ranked Duke blew out Wake Forest. The demon deacons Tony Rutland tried to close an early Duke lead with this drive and jumper. He had 15.
But The Blue Devils Craig Wojohowski extended his team's
SUPER=34-Duke/88/Wake Forest/52;

advantage with the trey from the right side.
Trajan Langdon then hits 2 of his 13 as Duke dominates Wake 88-52.
(----------------)



Suggs


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=S7-17
GRAPHIC=wake forest


Wake Forest seems to be the front runner to aquire the services of William Fleming tailback Lee Suggs next year.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Norfolk/Division 5 State Championship; :00


Suggs begins a two week recruiting schedule at both Virginia and Virginia Tech this weekend in Charlottesville.
After spending Friday and Saturday with UVa; Suggs heads to Blacksburg to
visit Virginia Tech for the weekend. (-------------)


VMI


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=net (edit of BB98-2)
GRAPHIC=VMI hoops


The V-M-I Keydets won their second straight last night; downing Shenandoah 97-64 at Cameron.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Lexington/Keydets vs. Hornets; :00


V-M-I's Nick Richardson goes inside to Aaron Trombley, who hits the turn around.
The Hornets come back. Derek Helman drives and then dishes to Josh Benton who tickles the twine from three point land.
SUPER=34-VMI/97/Shenandoah/64;

The top scorer for V-M-I was junior Jason Bell with 16.
Brian Taueg increases V-M-I's lead right before the half and the Keydets get the 97-64 win.
(-------------)



Maroons


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=net (edit of BB98-3)
GRAPHIC=Roanoke


The Roanoke Lady maroons watched their ODAC rival Guilford go down last night 62-49.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Salem/Quakers vs. Maroons;


Holly Weber dishes to Suzanne Webb; who gets the score.
The Quakers Laura Haynes steps in front of the pass; makes the steal and
SUPER=34-Roanoke/62/Guilford/49;

goes coast to coast for the lay up.
The Lady Maroons; despite a guard shortage, still had fire power. Megan Harington converts the inbounds; two of her 12. R-C wins by 13.
(-------------)


wolf-walk


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


An American astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut are resting today after a successful walk in space.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


For David Wolf it was his first spacewalk ever.
The two examined Mir's outer hull for possible leaks.
Wolf will be leaving MIR on the U-S space shuttle January 22nd, to be replaced by another Astronaut, Andrew Thomas, who'll be the last U-S visitor aboard MIR. (----------------)
by SS