08:25-01

Thirty-Weather

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7Schools


ANCHOR=Melanie
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Some icy spots still on the roads are affecting a few schools.
The Pittsylvania County teacher work day scheduled for today has been cancelled and it will now be a regular school day.
Let's take a look at the other changes...
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take SWATCH
(ad lib)


7XGR


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
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TAPE#net (edit of 97-93)
GRAPHIC=Session 98


It's one for the history books in the first few days of the General Assembly's 19-98 Session.
Last night, a bipartisan deal was approved by the House of Delegates.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;


The deal was hammered out late last night -- a day after Democrat Tom Moss was re-elected House speaker over angry G-O-P objections.
The power-sharing deal calls for Republicans to get an equal share of seats and co-chairmanships on all but one of the House's 21 committees.
Democrats will still have a majority on the Rules Committee.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT -fed raw last night
IN Q=You know

((DEL. TOM JACKSON/D-HILLSVILLE: YOU KNOW, WHENEVER YOU GIVE UP SOMETHING, ESPECIALLY COMMITTEE CHAIRS, WHEN THEY GIVE UP BEING COMMITTEE CHAIRS OR SHARING THAT POWER, I THINK THERE'S-- HUMAN NATURE TELLS YOU THAT'S HARD. BUT OVERALL, OUR CAUCUS HAS BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE AND VERY COURAGEOUS IN HAVING PEOPLE STEP UP AND SAY "NO, WE'RE WILLING TO DO THIS AND IT'S THE BEST THING TO DO." SO I THINK THEY DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT FOR THAT.))
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OUT Q=credit for that.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


As of today, the House will effectively be split evenly between the parties.
Yesterday, the lone independent, Lacey Putney, joined the G-O-P caucus.
(----------------)



75-Ericsson


ANCHOR=Melanie
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TAPE#597-53
GRAPHIC=ericsson


Good economic news for Lynchburg-- one of its biggest employers just got a little bigger.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg


Telecommunications giant Ericsson Incorporated announced it's expanding its cell phone manufacturing facility in the Hill City.
The move is a 30 million dollar investment and will create 150 new jobs.
Governor George Allen helped announce the deal yesterday afternoon.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:10:57
IN Q=And I always

((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: AND I ALWAYS SAID.. ERICSSON IS MAKING.))
SUPER=@Allen;
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OUT=Ericsson is making.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Allen presented the Hill City with a check for 800-thousand dollars to prep the land for Ericsson's new facility.
The company will lease the building from the city once it's completed in May.
(----------------)



7E-Bassett-Walker


ANCHOR=Melanie
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TAPE#97-89
GRAPHIC=Layoffs


Some bad news for Bassett-Walker in Chatham.
The textile plant announced yesterday that it will be closing, leaving 350-people without work.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Chatham;


It's one of three Bassett facilities closing.
And it's the latest in a series of layoffs plaguing textile plants.
Companies say there is a shrinking demand for knit products.
And plant managers say they're having a hard time paying American workers when there's cheap labor available in other countries.
Bassett's plant in Chatham will stay open until March 14th.
(----------------)



75-farmer


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TAPE#597-52
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Several Americans were awarded the highest honor a civilian can recieve yesterday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Washington, DC;


President Clinton awarded Spotsylvania County resident and civil rights activist James Farmer the awarded the Medal of Freedom.
Farmer founded the Congress of Racial Equality and led sit-ins and the Freedom Rides against segregation.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom was established by President Kennedy in 19-63.
(----------------)




7weather


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Taking a minute away from the news to check Friday's forecast--
Cloudy skies today with periods of light rain.
Highs in the lower 40s.
Scattered drizzle will continue tonight before changing over to snow flurries.
Lows cooling to near 30.
Mostly cloudy tomorrow, with temperatures in the 40s.
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7BIRTHDAYS!1/17/98
Saturday:

SUPER=130-8/Steven Bousman/Glade Hill;



(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-64th/Curtis & Annie George/Gretna;



SUPER=130-2/Daniel Doss/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-11/Jennifer Bradley/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-/Jerry Farris/Rocky Mount;



SUPER=130-16/Lowell Bonds/Hot Springs;



SUPER=130-/Lowell T. Bonds/Hot Springs; (The father of previous announcement)



SUPER=130-1/Rebecca Alley/New Castle;



SUPER=130-16/Joshua Campbell/Redwood;



SUPER=130-/Patsy Smith/Union Hall;


No Pictures:

SUPER=130-/Grace Wilson/Copper Hill;



(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-17th/Jim & Mellinda Gibson/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-/Bonnie Washburn/Snow Creek;



SUPER=130-/Nancy Martin/Snow Creek;



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45Schools


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=School Info


Due to yesterday's weather conditions, a few schools have somewhat altered their schedules today.
The Pittsylvania County teacher work day scheduled for today has been cancelled and it will now be a regular school day.
Let's take a look at the other changes...
(XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)

take SWATCH
(ad lib)


45E-XGR


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-93
GRAPHIC=Session 97


The House of Delegates has approved a power- sharing deal between Democrats and Republicans.
The deal was finalized last night, one day after Democrat Tom Moss was re-elected House speaker setting off a Republican protest.
Ellen Qualls has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
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SUPER=03-Richmond; :00
SUPER=@Jackson; :07
SUPER=@Ellen2; :21
SUPER=@Griffith; :29
SUPER=@Baker; :39
SUPER=@Gilmore; :58
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OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.


(( They probably could have gotten away with it for two more years.
But the Democratic leadership saw the writing on the wall.
sot 09:40:16

((DEL. TOM JACKSON/D-HILLSVILLE: I THINK IT'S THE BEGINNING OF A REBIRTH OF OUR PARTY. I THINK WE NEEDED TO RE-EVALUATE WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE ARE AND THIS ISSUE OF FAIRNESS IS SOMETHING A LOT OF US FELT STRONGLY ABOUT. SO YES, I THINK IT'S A NEW BEGINNING FOR US AND I HOPE WE'RE GONNA BUILD ON IT.))
runs=:15


Tom Moss is still the Speaker-- Dick Cranwell now "floor leader" NOT majority leader.
But the big change is to the powerful committee system.
sot 09:32:25

((DEL. MORGAN GRIFFITH/R-SALEM: WE'LL HAVE PROPORTIONAL SEATING ON THE COMMITTEES. WE'LL HAVE CO-CHAIRMANS.))
runs=:05


Pulaski's Tommy Baker's spent ten years in the minority, but knew the day would come.
sot 09:30:24

((DEL. THOMAS BAKER: SURE I DID. ULTIMATELY IT HAS BEEN ON IT'S WAY FOR A LONG TIME AND IT'S FINALLY HERE. AND I THINK THE DEAL THAT HAS BEEN STRUCK APPARENTLY BETWEEN THE TWO CAUCUSES WILL BE GOOD FOR THIS TERM AND THEN AFTER THAT THINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE EITHER WAY.))
runs=:15


It's just more icing on the cake for the folks who celebrated just across town.
sot 08:55:48

((GOV.-ELECT JIM GILMORE: THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS THAT THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA AS WAS DEMONSTRATED THIS WEEK ARE OVERWHELMINGLY VOTING REPUBLICAN BECAUSE THEY'RE INTERESTED IN ELIMINATION OF THE CAR TAX. I'M HAPPY ABOUT THE CHANGES. IT'S OPENING UP THE GOVERNMENT OF VIRGINIA AND GIVING THE PEOPLE GOOD REPRESENTATION.))
runs=:14


There were plenty of reasons for cigar lighters at the party for the party with the power -- finally.
sot 08:48:37

((YOU TOOK THE CAR TAX FROM ME!))
runs=:06


Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

45E-Monty-Tucker


ANCHOR=Melanie
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Roanoke's former federal prosecutor has accepted another high profile position in Richmond.
Monty Tucker has been named Virginia's Deputy Attorney General in charge of the criminal division, under Attorney General- elect Mark Earley.
Tucker left Roanoke two years ago to serve as Governor George Allen's parole board chairman.
Since then, he's also filled in as acting director of the state Department of Criminal Justice Services.
He was appointed two weeks ago to the Cabinet-level post of Secretary of Public Safety.

45Christian-Coalition


ANCHOR=Melanie
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The Christian Coalition is blaming a direct-mail order company for a drop in donations.
The Chesapeake-based group founded by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson has sued Hart Conover, saying the company fraudulently obtained the coalition's donor list and used it to raise money for rival organizations.
The coalition took in about 17 million dollars last year --down 36 percent from 19-96.
Hart Conover denies the allegations.

45weather


ANCHOR=Melanie
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Time again to check out today's cloudy forecast--
Expect periods of light rain today, with seasonable temperatures in the lower 40s.
Scattered drizzle overnight changing to flurries as temperatures dip into the upper 20s.
The four day forecast calls for ligering clouds tomorrow...
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8Schools


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=School Info


Yesterday's freezing rain is still causing some changes in area school schedules.
The Pittsylvania County teacher work day scheduled for today has been cancelled and it will now be a regular school day.
Let's take a look at the other changes...
(XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)

take SWATCH
(ad lib)


8XGR


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=lba
TAPE#net (edit of 97-93)
GRAPHIC=Session 98


Share and share alike--
That appears to be the basis of what is already a historic session of the General Assembly.
The House of Delegates last night approved a bipartisan deal to share POWER.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;


The deal was hammered out late last night -- a day after Democrat Tom Moss was re-elected House speaker over angry G-O-P objections.
The power-sharing deal calls for Republicans to get an equal share of seats and co-chairmanships on all but one of the House's 21 committees.
Democrats will still have a majority on the Rules Committee.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT -fed raw last night
IN Q=You know

((DEL. TOM JACKSON/D-HILLSVILLE: YOU KNOW, WHENEVER YOU GIVE UP SOMETHING, ESPECIALLY COMMITTEE CHAIRS, WHEN THEY GIVE UP BEING COMMITTEE CHAIRS OR SHARING THAT POWER, I THINK THERE'S-- HUMAN NATURE TELLS YOU THAT'S HARD. BUT OVERALL, OUR CAUCUS HAS BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE AND VERY COURAGEOUS IN HAVING PEOPLE STEP UP AND SAY "NO, WE'RE WILLING TO DO THIS AND IT'S THE BEST THING TO DO." SO I THINK THEY DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT FOR THAT.))
SUPER=@Jackson;
RUNS=:22
OUT Q=credit for that.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


As of today, the House will effectively be split evenly between the parties.
Yesterday, the lone independent, Lacey Putney, joined the G-O-P caucus.
(----------------)



8E-Ericsson


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-86
GRAPHIC=Ericsson


In his last few days leading the Commonwealth, George Allen is re- enforcing his image as an ECONOMIC- minded Governor.
Allen was in Lynchburg to help Ericsson Corporation announce another expansion.
Steve Smallshaw was also there.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=As usual
SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00
SUPER=@Allen; :20
SUPER=01-Rolf Stahre/Ericsson V.P. Manufacturing; 40
SUPER=01-Charles Church/Lynchburg City Manager; :55
SUPER=@ssm2; 1:10
RUNS=1:16
OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.


(( As usual, the Governor didn't come empty- handed.
Allen presented Lynchburg with a check for 800- thousand dollars to help build a massive new warehouse facility for Ericsson's mobile phone division.
By his own count, Allen has created more than 300- thousand new jobs over the last four years.. on this day he added another 150.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:12:19
IN Q=Ericsson's decision

((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: ERICSSON'S DECISION MEANS MORE JOBS FROM THESE INDUSTRIES AND IT DOES HELP US FINISH OFF WITH A STRONG KICK.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=a strong kick.


The warehouse will be built in the Lynchpin Industrial Park, right next door to the company that makes the plastic casings for Ericsson's phones.
With the cell phone market booming, Ericsson said it had to expand to keep up.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:24:54
IN Q=In the next

((ROLF STAHRE/ERICSSON V.P. MANUFACTURING: IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, THE MOBILE PHONE MARKET IS EXPECTED TO TRIPLE IN SIZE. THE LYNCHBURG MANUFACTURING FACILITY IS CRITICAL TO OUR ABILITY TO CAPITALIZE ON THE GROWTH AS WE INCREASE OUR SHARE OF THE MARKET.))
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=share of the market.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:44:29
IN Q=It's a good

((CHARLES CHURCH/LYNCHBURG CITY MANAGER: IT'S A GOOD LOCATION AND IT HAS OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE EXPANSION SHOULD THE NEED ARISE AS WELL, SO WE'RE VERY PLEASED AND EXCITED FOR WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO FOR THE LYNCHBURG AREA.))
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=the Lynchburg area.


The city's investment tops a million dollars, but Church says that's the price of keeping a good neighbor happy.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))

8S-Farmer


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=sly
TAPE#97-90
GRAPHIC=None


A college professor from Virginia was one of a select few honored by President Clinton yesterday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Washington, DC


Civil rights pioneer James Farmer has been given the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Farmer organized the civil rights movement's Freedom Rides in the 19-60s. He also founded the Congress of Racial Equality.
SUPER=03-Spotsylvania Co./Last Week


The 78- year- old Farmer is now a professor at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg.
(----------------)



8weather


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


As we prepare for the weekend, let's check out the Friday forecast.
Cloudy, with periods of light rain.
Highs today in the lower 40s.
Scattered drizzle turning to flurries tonight, with lows cooling to around 30.
The extended outlook is calling for...
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Flurries/28-32 ;Area forecast SUPER=#555;RESET
by SS