WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 07/22/98

[THIRTY-WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]

[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

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MAPS [cutopen]

[7E-Gilmore-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-41]
[GRAPHIC=Education]

Now that the State Department of Education has approved the new Standard of Learning tests, Governor Gilmore is focusing on Virginia's rural schools.
Gilmore wants to make sure all public schools in the state make the grade, though passing scores haven't been determined yet.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

The Governor told school board members from around the state yesterday he'd be setting up three "best practice" resource centers to help train teachers.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 01:58:29]
[IN Q=As we know]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: AS WE KNOW, OUR SCHOOLS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR STUDENTS' PERFORMANCE IN THE YEAR 2006. AT THAT POINT IN TIME, ALL SCHOOLS IN VIRGINIA WILL BE EXPECTED TO HAVE AT LEAST 70 PERCENT OF THEIR STUDENTS PASSING THE SOL TESTS. THAT'S WHY WE'RE EXTENDING A HELPING HAND TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES NOW.))
[SOT 02:13:55]
((SEN. EMILY COURIC/D-CHARLOTTESVILLE: I'M DELIGHTED THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DECIDED TO FOLLOW THE LEAD OF THE COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION WITH REGARD TO LENDING A HAND FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Emily Couric/(D) Charlottesville; :26]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=of Education.]
[TALENT=Kimberly]
[SS=HOLD]

The first "best practice" centers will be in Marion, Farmville, and Harrisonburg.

[72-E-Big-Brothers]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-49]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Some members of the Lynchburg Big Brothers - Big Sisters say they will quit the program now that gays and lesbians are allowed to participate as mentors.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The policy was put into effect in April.
Director Mike Daly says they simply wanted to let people know that ANYONE- gay or straight- can apply to be a mentor.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 3:32:46//7:57:29]
[IN Q=We would just]
((MIKE DALY/BIG BROTHERS DIRECTOR: WE WOULD JUST EMPHASIZE THAT THIS IS A NON- DISCRIMINATION POLICY, THIS DOES IN NO WAY SHOW ENDORSEMENT OR APPROVAL OF THE HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE.)) ((REV. JERRY FALWELL/LIBERTY U. CHANCELLOR: UNFORTUNATELY IT LOOKS AS THOUGH BIG BROTHERS- BIG SISTERS IS NOT GOING TO REVERSE A BAD DECISION, AND WE THEREFORE CAN NO LONGER BE A PART OF IT.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Daly/Big Brothers Director; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rev. Jerry Falwell/Liberty University Chancellor; :08]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=be a part of it.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Falwell says the 24 Liberty University students who volunteer with Big Brothers will be asked to drop out of the program.
Liberty also plans to start its own Christian version of the Big Brothers program.
(----------------)

[75-Lesbian-Mother]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#598-27]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

Five years after lesbian Sharon Bottoms lost her child in a court custody battle, a Henrico County gay mother was awarded custody of her son- in the SAME court.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/May 1997;]

Bottoms brought a national spotlight to Virginia when custody of her son was awarded to her mother in 1993.
The mother who won custody this month wants to remain anonymous-- after an appeals court chastised Bottoms for seeking publicity.
[SUPER=04-Yesterday;]

The attorney for "Karen C.," as she's identified, says it all came down to a different judge.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 03:25:20]
[IN Q=The challenge]
((SUSANNE SHILLING/ATTORNEY FOR "KAREN C." ATTORNEY: THE CHALLENGE WAS TO HELP THE COURT SORT OF ISOLATE THE UNDERLYING ISSUE WHICH HAD TO DO WITH HER SEXUALITY, AND TO RECOGNIZE THAT BUT FOR THAT ONE ISSUE, SHE WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL MOTHER, AND THAT THE OTHER FACTORS FAR OUTWEIGHED THAT ONE ISSUE. IT STARTED OUT WITH THE JUDGE, SAYING YOU ONLY HAVE ONE ISSUE THAT KEEPS YOU FROM RULING IN HER FAVOR. AND A LOT WILL DEPEND ON HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT ONE ISSUE.))
[SUPER=01-Susanne Shilling/Attorney for "Karen C.";]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=one issue.]
[TALENT=Kimberly]
[SS=Hold]

So far, the father has NOT appealed the July 8th custody decision in "Karen C.'s" case.

[7WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Taking a look at your mid-week forecast..
Partly sunny today, as the hot, humid weather continues. Highs this afternoon are expected to reach the upper-90's, but could feel even warmer.
Clear skies overnight, and not cooling off too much. Lows in the low- to mid-70's.
The extended forecast...
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MAPS

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[7BIRTHDAYS!] 7/23/98
Thursday:

[SUPER=130-13/Johnnie Galyean/Rocky Mount]

[SUPER=130-6/Andrea Eggleston/Moneta]

[SUPER=130-40/Fred Lark/Blacksburg]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-/Stephanie Brill/Roanoke]

[SUPER=131-/Laurie Young/Figsboro]

[SUPER=131-/James Newby/Danville]

[SUPER=131-24/Chris Simpkins/Christiansburg]

[SUPER=131-18/Christopher Holland/Chesapeake]
[cutopen]

[SUPER=19-Kimberly/McBroom;][45E-Monty-Rape]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Montgomery County burglar who was released from prison a week ago is back behind bars this morning.
Authorities say 33-year old Mark Todd Showalter broke into a woman's house Saturday morning in Plum Creek and tried to rape her.
Investigators say the incident is similar to a second attack several hours later in which a woman was forcibly raped.
However, no charges have been filed in connection with the second incident.

[45Settlement]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-40 TC 1:53:01]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]

Two former Norfolk Southern employees won a settlement from the railroad, three and a half years after two trains collided in Radford.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT UB 16:08:22]
[IN Q=I think it's very fortunate]
((RICHARD SLUSHER/FORMER NS ENGINEER: I THINK IT'S VERY FORTUNATE THAT SOMEBODY DID NOT LOSE THEIR LIFE IN THAT ACCIDENT.))
[SUPER=01-Richard Slusher/Former NS Engineer;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=in that accident.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford/January 30, 1995]

Richard Slusher was the lead engineer on the westbound train.
The railroad blamed him and other crew members, saying they failed to comply with a signal to stop.
They insisted they did nothing wrong, and argued it was the signal system that failed.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT UB 16:00:35]
[IN Q=We've stated all along]
((RICHARD SLUSHER/FORMER NS ENGINEER: WE'VE STATED ALL ALONG THAT THOSE WERE THE SIGNALS THAT WE SAW, A SIGNAL TO PROCEED AND WE'VE MAINTAINED THAT THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE THING AND WE STILL MAINTAIN THAT'S THE CASE.))
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=that's the case.]
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]

The four crew members who were fired, eventually won their jobs back, but Slusher was injured in the accident and remains on disability.
Under terms of the settlement, Norfolk Southern agreed to pay Slusher approximately 425- thousand dollars, in addition to some of his medical expenses. A second plaintiff, Robert Johnson, received just over 100- thousand dollars.

(---------------)
[ANCHOR=Kmc]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

An attorney for Norfolk Southern says the settlement was a practical matter, that does not reflect any concessions on the part of the railroad.
But Slusher says he views the agreement as a victory.

[45Magician-Suit]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]

A Lynchburg Court will be the setting for the latest lawsuit filed by a magician against Fox T-V.
A magic group director says Fox should pay up to the tune of ten (M) million dollars for giving away the tricks of the trade.
Fox broadcasts shows in which magicians reveal the secrets to their illusions.

[45E-I-81]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#98-61]
[GRAPHIC=Interstate 81]

Travelers on Interstate 81 will soon enjoy a wider road from Wythe County to Natural Bridge.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]

V-DOT held its second meeting this week to give residents an opportunity to view the plans and voice their opinion.

The idea is to make the road safer and less congested for traffic through the year two- thousand twenty.
V-DOT's resident engineer says depending on the area some places need one additional lane while others are in need of more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It varies]
((DAN BRUGH/VDOT RESIDENT ENGINEER:IT VARIES ACCORDING TO THE TRAFFIC IN AN AREA, THROUGHOUT PULASKI COUNTY AND HALF OF MONTGOMERY, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ADDING ONE ADDITIONAL LANE IN EACH DIRECTION FROM CHRISTIANSBURG BACK INTO ROANOKE AND INTO BOTETOURT THE NEED IS THERE FOR MORE THAN ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION. ))
[SUPER=01-Dan Brugh/VDOT Resident Engineer; :00]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=each direction.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Another meeting is scheduled today in Roanoke from four until 7-pm.
A comment session is also scheduled for Thursday in Natural Bridge.
(----------------)

[45WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Turning your attention now to weather--
Partly sunny and you guessed it, HOT.
Expect highs in the mid and upper 90s, with heat indices from 100 to 105.
There's also a slight chance of an afternoon thunderstorm.
Tonight looks mostly clear and muggy, with lows in the low to mid 70s.
Looking ahead to the next four days...
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[cutopen]

[SUPER=19-Kimberly/McBroom;][8E-Gilmore-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-41]
[GRAPHIC=Education]

Some of Virginia's rural schools will get extra attention from Governor Gilmore.
He wants to make sure all public schools are able to pass the new Standards of Learning Tests-- even though it's not yet know what a passing score IS.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

The Governor told school board members from around the state yesterday he'd be setting up three "best practice" resource centers to help train teachers.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 01:58:29]
[IN Q=As we know]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: AS WE KNOW, OUR SCHOOLS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR STUDENTS' PERFORMANCE IN THE YEAR 2006. AT THAT POINT IN TIME, ALL SCHOOLS IN VIRGINIA WILL BE EXPECTED TO HAVE AT LEAST 70 PERCENT OF THEIR STUDENTS PASSING THE SOL TESTS. THAT'S WHY WE'RE EXTENDING A HELPING HAND TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES NOW.))
[SOT 02:13:55]
((SEN. EMILY COURIC/D-CHARLOTTESVILLE: I'M DELIGHTED THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DECIDED TO FOLLOW THE LEAD OF THE COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION WITH REGARD TO LENDING A HAND FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Emily Couric/(D) Charlottesville; :26]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=of Education.]
(-------------)

[8E-Big-Brothers]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-49]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Lynchburg's chapter of Big Brothers- Big Sisters now allows homosexuals to volunteer.
And that's NOT welcome news to one religious leader.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The policy was put into effect in April.
Director Mike Daly says they simply wanted to let people know that ANYONE- gay or straight- can apply to be a mentor.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 3:32:46//7:57:29]
[IN Q=We would just]
((MIKE DALY/BIG BROTHERS DIRECTOR: WE WOULD JUST EMPHASIZE THAT THIS IS A NON- DISCRIMINATION POLICY, THIS DOES IN NO WAY SHOW ENDORSEMENT OR APPROVAL OF THE HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE.)) ((REV. JERRY FALWELL/LIBERTY U. CHANCELLOR: UNFORTUNATELY IT LOOKS AS THOUGH BIG BROTHERS- BIG SISTERS IS NOT GOING TO REVERSE A BAD DECISION, AND WE THEREFORE CAN NO LONGER BE A PART OF IT.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Daly/Big Brothers Director; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rev. Jerry Falwell/Liberty University Chancellor; :08]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=be a part of it.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Falwell says the 24 Liberty University volunteers will be asked to drop out of the program.
Liberty has plans to start its own Christian version of the Big Brothers program.
(----------------)
[8Saving-Private-Ryan]
[Anchor=Kimberly]
[newscast=am cutins]
[writer=khu]
[tape=98-48 TC:]
[graphic=None]

The 29th Infantry landing at Omaha Beach on D-Day is now immortalized in Steven Spielberg's new film, "Saving Private Ryan".
Keith Humphrey spoke with the producer-director at last night's premiere.
(///////SOT//////)
[In-Q=It was a major production]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA/Last Night; :00]
[Super=04-Paramount Pictures; :14]
[super=01-Lynn Lomell/D-Day Veteran; :22]
[super=01-Steven Spielberg/Producer-Director; :36]
[super=@Keith2; 1:05]
[Runs=1:15]

[Out-Q=N7, LA][8WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Before we finish the updates this morning, let's take another look at the forecast.
Partly sunny, hot and humid today with a slight chance of an afternoon thunderstorm.
Highs in the mid to upper 90s.
Expect clear skies overnight, with lows in the low to mid 70s.
And the four day outlook stays hot until the weekend, when temperatures will moderate a little.
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