WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 07/29/98

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Keith]

G-M is back in the business of making cars.

The strike is over, putting NON-striking workers back to work, too.
(----------------)
[v/o-NAT SOT]

Also coming up on NEWS 7 at SIX:
Teresa Hamilton joins those lured over the state line to WEST Virginia to check out the POWERBALL drawing.
(-----------------)

[Sports-head]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]

In sports, Roy Stanley says the Skins are talking playoffs, Peyton manning becomes the richest rookie ever,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and Mike Tyson goes before the new jersey boxing regulators in a hearing that goes bad for iron mike
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]

A very warm day in Roanoke, but at least humidity levels were down. Showers in the forecast and a quick check on a Tropical Storm next... [open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 at Six Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Keith1;]
[SUPER=@steve1;]
[SUPER=@Robin1;]
[RUNS=:20]

[Strike-React]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=98-43 1:33:44]
[GRAPHIC=Gm Logo]

Now that General Motors and the United Auto Workers union have agreed to start making cars again,
Companies in our area that make G-M parts can start calling people back to work.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wytheville;]

The first wave of employees is back at Wytheville's Kingston-Warren plant.
The company is gearing up for tomorrow, when production levels will go back to where they were BEFORE the G-M strike.

Kingston-Warren makes rubber seals for windows and doors on G-M cars.
For the last two months, the plant was at a virtual standstill, leaving 200 people out of work.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:12 tc]
[IN Q=i like to]
((LILLIANE HALL/KINGSTON-WARREN WORKER: I LIKE TO MAINTAIN MY LIFESTYLE. AND I CAN'T DO THAT WITH UNEMPLOYMENT OR NO INCOME AT ALL. AND I LIKE TO WORK EVERYDAY.))
[SUPER=01-Lilliane Hall/Kingston-Warren Worker;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=work everyday]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The plant manager said his company has been at the mercy of General Motors.
G-M is the only company that buys from Kingston-Warren.
But the auto maker quit buying parts when its plants quit making cars.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 9:12]
[IN Q=nobody buys parts]
((GARY COLE/PLANT MANAGER/NOBODY BUYS PARTS -- WHEN NOBODY MAKES CARS, NOBODY BUYS PARTS. SO WE WERE JUST HELPLESS.))

[SUPER=01-Gary Cole/Plant Manager;]
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=were just helpless]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The plant manager said he wants to find other companies to buy Kingtston-Warren parts.
That would prevent a future G-M strike from shutting down the entire operation.
(------------)

[Powerball]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#98-42 1:27:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Tonight's record powerball drawing is luring thousands to West Virginia.
Folks from Virginia and North Carolina are crossing the border in hopes of winning the 250- million dollar jackpot.

[Double Boxes=Keith and Teresa/Microwave]

Teresa Hamilton was in West Virginia earlier today and joins us from our Blacksburg newsroom.
Teresa-- I understand the lines weren't too bad in Princeton and Bluefield?
[Live=Teresa Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@teresa1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]

Keith, they WERE out the door--
But weren't nearly as long as in some states.
But, of course, that was this morning and anything could change with only a few hours left to buy the winning ticket.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=That's my]
[SUPER=03-Princeton, WV; :05]
[SUPER=01-Larry Johnson/North Carolina Resident; :16]
[SUPER=01-Sonjia Sutphin/Chevron Owner; :29]
[SUPER=03-Bluefield, WV; :34]
[SUPER=01-William Hall/Marion Resident; :42]
[SUPER=01-Eric Smith/VT Professor of Statistics; :58]
[RUNS=1:09]
[OUT Q=win the lottery]
(((/////SOT/////)
[2:07:46]
[SOT]
[IN Q=That's my]
((THAT'S MY LUCKY CHARM, I FOUND IT THE OTHER DAY AND RUBBED IT ALL OVER MY LOTTERY TICKET. )) [RUNS:05]
[OUT Q=lottery ticket.]

Larry Johnson is convinced he's going to win the 250- million dollar jackpot--
Certain enough-- that he was willing to travel from Hickory, North Carolina to Princeton, West Virginia.
(/////SOT/////)
[2:09:07]
[SOT]
[IN Q=If you want]
((LARRY JOHNSON/NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENT: I WISH I HAD MY CHECKBOOK WITH ME, I'VE ALREADY MADE OUT MY DEPOSIT SLIP. SONNY BUTLER/NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENT: AND--I'M GOING TO BE ONE OF HIS BEST FRIENDS. )) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=best friends.]

Johnson bought his tickets at the Chevron Food Mart.
(/////SOT/////)
[2:24:30]
[SOT]
[IN Q=We have]
((SONJIA SUTPHIN/CHEVRON OWNER: WE HAVE THEM COMING FROM EVERYWHERE AND I THOUGHT AT ONE POINT WE SHOULD HAVE KEPT TRACK, HAD A LITTLE GUEST BOOK. )) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=guest book.]

William Hall decided to try his luck in nearby Bluefield--
He drove from Marion-- to spend five dollars using his own numbers.
(/////SOT/////)
[2:55:00]
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's a special]
((IT'S A SPECIAL NUMBER I'VE BEEN USING FOR YEARS, SO IT SHOULD HIT. )) [RUNS:04]
[OUT Q=should hit.]

The odds are actually eighty million to one of picking the right combination.
Eric Smith is a statistics professor at Virginia Tech-- who's been known to indulge in a few tickets just for FUN.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The odds]
((THE ODDS OF BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTING ARE ONE IN 30- THOUSAND, SO YOU'RE ABOUT 25-HUNDRED TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTING, THAN YOU ARE TO ACTUALLY WIN THE LOTTERY. )) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=win the lottery.]))
[Live=Teresa Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]

Here's another unique bit of trivia...
[Double Boxes=Keith and Teresa/Microwave]

Smith says you're actually about 80- times more likely to die from flesh eating bacteria--
Smith recommends sticking to the Virginia lottery--

[Hollins-Wreck]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-50 46:50]
[GRAPHIC=accident]

A motorcyclist was killed when he hit an overturned cement mixer on Hollins Road this afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The truck driver says he lost control after the truck's rear wheels slipped off the pavement.
Police say the motorcycle hit the back of the mixer as it was sliding down the road on its side.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It just was]
((THOMAS DAVIS/TRUCK DRIVER; IT JUST WAS SO FAST, IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS IN SLOW MOTION BEFORE I STOPPED, I WAS IN MY SEATBELT THANK GOODNESS, IF I HAND'T BEEN I'D BE UNDERNEATH THAT THING I GUESS.))
[SUPER=01-Thomas Davis/Truck Driver]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=that thing I guess]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Davis says he never saw the motorcycle. Police have NOT released the driver's identity.
(------------)

[Bank-Robbery]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-51 53:12]
[GRAPHIC=Bank Robbery]

A bank in Roanoke County is the latest victim of robbery.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The Valley Bank on Starkey Road was hit about 2:30 this afternoon.
Police are looking for a white male about 25- years- old.
The robber did not show a weapon, but the note he handed the teller implied that he had one.
No one was hurt. The man left the bank on foot, with an undisclosed amount of cash.
(-------------)

[Buena-Vista]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6p]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-44 1:10:59]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The four year real estate reassessments are complete in Buena Vista and many residents there are outraged.
Stacey Martin explains.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Buena Vista's 39]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista;:00]
[SUPER=07-Albert Plogger;:17]
[SUPER=07-Katherine King;:47]
[SUPER=01-Dan Collins/Buena Vista City Manager;1:00]
[SUPER=@Stacey1;1:10]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=SM, News 7, Buena Vista.]
((Buena Vista's 39 million dollar flood protection wall may help residents in the future--but many people are having to pay for it now--in terms of real estate reassessments that have recently jumped an average 30 point 9 percent.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10.30.30 - 10.30.39]
[IN Q=I've lived here]
((ALBERT PLOGGER: I'VE LIVED HERE FOR 20 YEARS AND MINE HAS NEVER GONE UP 30 PERCENT IN THE 20 YEARS I'VE LIVED HERE. SO, IT'S NOT ROUTINE.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=it's not routine.]

Plogger's reassessment nearly doubled the average increase--by going up 71 percent.
And, travelling along the streets of Buena Vista...
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11.31.16 - 11.31.19]
[IN Q=]
((nat sound)) [RUNS03]
[OUT Q=]

the story is the same.
Long time resident Katherine King says she's on a fixed income and her reassessment is forcing her to consider other alternatives.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11.22.52 - 11.23.01]
[IN Q=If I didn't]
((KATHERINE KING: IF I DIDN'T HAVE TO LIVE HERE I WOULDN'T. I REALLY WOULDN'T. BUT, I'M TOO OLD TO MOVE AND RELOCATE AND I DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH INCOME.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=that much income.]

The city's manager downplayed the increase, pointing out the long, lapse of time between assessments.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10.15.49 - 10.15.58]
[IN Q=The main problem]
((DAN COLLINS/BUENA VISTA CITY MANAGER: THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH OUR METHOD OR REASSESSMENT NOT ONLY IN BUENA VISTA, BUT IN VIRGINIA IS THAT WE DO IT EVERY FOUR YEARS AND THERE'S A LOT OF GROWTH THAT HAPPENS IN FOUR YEARS.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=in four years.]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11.57.55 - 11.58.05]
[IN Q=Inspite of the]
((STACEY MARTIN/REPORTING: IN SPITE OF THE HIGH REASSESSMENTS, COLLINS SAYS THE CITY'S BUDGET WILL ONLY INCREASE THREE TO FOUR PERCENT--ABOUT THE SAME AS THE RATE OF INFLATION. STACEY MARTIN, NEWS 7, BUENA VISTA.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=SM, News 7, Buena Vista.]
))
[Tease#1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]

Still to come,
A new chapter in Virgnia's legal books as a lesbian mother wins custody of her two children.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

And it's off to military school for one Pittsylvania County teenager going to the Citadel.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[wx ad lib] [Roll] [Lake Level] [MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM#1]
[Roll]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=NONE]
[SUPER=80-94/64/0.00''/89/61/0.00''/85/58/0.00''/86/59/0.00'';]
[SUPER=81-93/70/0.00''/92/64/0.00''/82/59/0.00'';]
[SUPER=82-0.83''/minus 2.66''/33.08''/plus 10.03'';]

[SUPER=83-Down 0.94 foot/Down 0.46 foot;Lake levels][Lesbian-Mom]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-49 1:02:18]
[GRAPHIC=NOne]

We're calling her "Karen C." to protect her children's anonymity.
But her fight for custody -- as a homosexual woman living with her lover -- has changed the legal landscape in Virginia.
In an exclusive interview, "Karen C." speaks out.
Ellen Qualls reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=My partner]
[SUPER=03-Henrico Co.; :05]
[SUPER=04-September 1993; :10]
[SUPER=01-Karen C./Lesbian Mother; :23]
[SUPER=@Ellen2; :31]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=Qualls, News 7.]
((
[sot TAPE ONE 14:25:00]
((KAREN C./LESBIAN MOTHER: MY PARTNER REFERRED TO THE LAST YEAR AS LIVING UNDER THE HUBBELL TELESCOPE.)) [runs:04]
Karen's home life is well documented by the courts.
This month, she won primary custody of her kids.
It was in the same Henrico County courthouse where another judge stunned gays and lesbians across the nation by taking away Sharon Bottoms' son-- ostensibly because of her sexuality.
Karen's ex-husband was keenly aware of that.
[sot TAPE ONE 14:16:49]
((KAREN C./LESBIAN MOTHER: THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT HE SAID TO ME A NUMBER OF TIMES: "SHARON BOTTOMS LOST HER CHILD AND I CAN TAKE THEM AWAY FROM YOU ANYTIME.")) [runs:07]
Karen and her lover Cindy thought about disguising their relationship -- until they thought how the children might perceive the lie.
[sot TAPE ONE 14:20:30]
((KAREN C./LESBIAN MOTHER: WE FELT LIKE WE HAD A VERY GOOD CASE JUST BECAUSE WE ARE -- IN TERMS OF YOU KNOW CARETAKING OF THE CHILDREN, AND WHERE THEY SPEND MOST OF THEIR TIME, AND THINGS THAT WE DO WITH THEM, WE FELT LIKE THAT IF THE JUDGE JUST LOOKED AT WHAT WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN, THAT THERE WOULD BE NO QUESTION.)) [runs:24]
Karen has a message for other gay parents.
[sot TAPE TWO 14:32:41]
((KAREN C./LESBIAN MOTHER: THAT THERE IS HOPE. THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A GIVEN THAT IF YOU HAVE TO GO TO COURT, YOU WILL LOSE. WHICH IS HOW WE HAVE ALL FELT -- UNTIL NOW.)) [runs:14]
The deadline has now passed for Karen's ex-husband to appeal.
Ellen Qualls, News 7.))

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

The stock market declined today.
[TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE ]
[RUNS=:25]
[SUPER=x5102;]
[SUPER=430-y/19.82/8914.96/y/15.04/1881.49;]

The Dow dropped 20 points to close at 89 hundred 15.
NASDAQ lost 15 points.

[SUPER=431-ib/43d/ib/58r/h1b/45r/h1a/30!/if/66g;]
[ AE /ATT /Bell/Columbia/Crestar;]

[SUPER=432-u/51g/u/11f/u/40!/hr/61*/hc/53c;]

[Dana/Dimon/Dominion Resources/First Union/First VA]

[SUPER=433-i#/89f/ir/47#/if/79b/h#/29a/ha/9b;]

[General Electric/Kroger/Nationsbank/Norfolk Southern/Optical Cable]

[SUPER=434-h1@/44/he/17/h$/31#/h1&/83*/i2%/60d;]

[phillip morris/roanoke electric steel/trigon/wachovia/walmart]

[Citadel-Cadet]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-41 1:47:37]
[GRAPHIC=Citadel]

A new class of cadets is getting ready to enter the Citadel-- the well-known military college in South Carolina.
Of this year's 534-incoming freshmen, 30 are women-- and one of them hails from Pittsylvania County.
Christy Hubley introduces us to Amy Walsh.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Charleston, SC/File Tape; :00]
[SUPER=01-Amy Walsh/Incoming Citadel Cadet; :13]
[SUPER=03-Blairs; :31 QUICK]
[SUPER=00-Betty Walsh/Amy's Mother; :36]
[SUPER=@Christy2; :45]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=CH, N7, Pittsylvania County]
(( The strict physical and academic regimen at the Citadel will be nothing new for Amy Walsh.
She graduated from Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham and says she's used to being outnumbered by men.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 19:11:27-:36]
[IN Q=At Hargrave, 500 guys, 21 girls]
((AMY WALSH/INCOMING CITADEL CADET: AT HARGRAVE, 500 GUYS, 21 GIRLS. I'M KIND OF USED TO IT. I THINK I FIT IN BETTER THAT WAY ACTUALLY AND I THINK IT'LL BE OKAY.)) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=it'll be okay.]

This is only the third year the Citadel has enrolled female cadets.
Critics say women don't belong at the traditionally all-male school.
Amy's parents say their daughter can handle the controversy and the discipline.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 19:17:12-:23]
[IN Q=She's always wanted a]
((DICK AND BETTY WALSH/AMY'S PARENTS: SHE'S ALWAYS WANTED A CHALLENGE. SHE WANTS TO DO MORE THAN A REGULAR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE AND I THINK SHE'LL SUCCEED. I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT IT A BIT.)) [RUNS:11]
[OUT Q=about it a bit.]

Amy's college packing list is short.
She can bring her own socks and shoes-- but the Citadel supplies the rest.
When she gets to South Carolina, Amy's short hair will get shorter, and she won't be able to wear makeup or jewelry.

She says that's okay.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 19:12:57-:14]
[IN Q=I'm not actually going]
((AMY WALSH/INCOMING CITADEL CADET: I'M NOT GOING TO THE CITADEL TO PROVE A POINT. I'M NOT GOING TO SAY "HEY, I'M A WOMAN. LOOK AT ME." I'M GOING BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO AND IF I HAPPEN TO PROVE A POINT WHILE I'M THERE THEN SO BE IT. BUT THAT'S NOT WHY I'M GOING. I'M NOT GOING FOR EVERYBODY ELSE. I'M GOING FOR ME AND FOR MY FUTURE.)) [RUNS:17]
[OUT Q=and for my future.]

Amy reports to the Citadel next week.
Christy Hubley, News 7, Pittsylvania County.))
(----------------)

[Sports tease]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Mike Tyson cannot control his rage at his boxing reinstatementt hearing, Peyton manning arrives at Colts camp a lot richer,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-]

and the skins don't want money, they want a post season berth.
(------------)

[S-Tyson]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-18 36:39]
[GRAPHIC=tyson]

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson went before New Jersey Athletic Control Panel today in his reinstatement hearing, hoping to box again in the state.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Trenton, NJ; :00]

Tyson was calm and regretful for snapping against Evander Holyfield, which casued himto bite his ear.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I'm]
(())
[SUPER=01-Mike Tyson/Former Heavyweight Champion; :00]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=...very seriously"]
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT]
His attorney presented Mike as a changed man, sorry for biting Evander Holyfield. But Tyson became angry and blerted an expletive.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="how many times ]
[SUPER=01-Anthony Fusco/Tyson's Lawyer; :00]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=..your relax" (DOUBLE OUT!!!!)]
(--------------------)

[S-Peyton]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=sp-19 42:30]
[GRAPHIC=Peyton Manning]

Quarterback Peyton Manning has a new 6 year-48 million dollar contract
[GRAPHIC=colts]

with the Indianapolis Colts. The richest NFL rookie contract ever.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Indianapolis. IN/Mini Camp; :00]

The former Tennessee Volunteer also banks on an 11.6 million dollar signing bonus. He's already been named the starter and can show his worth right away.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="people]
[SUPER=01-Peyton Manning/Colts Quarterback; :00]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=...in the NFL"]
(--------------)

[S-Skins]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-20]
[GRAPHIC=Redskins Training Camp]

After two days at the Washington Redskin training camp one gets the feel that the 1998 season is a make or break year.
Roy Stanley and Photographer Scott Ayres have more on the Skins goal of reaching the playoffs.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Frostburg, MD; :00]
[SUPER=01-Charley Casserly/Redskins General Manager; :20]
[SUPER=01-Gus Frerotte/Redskin Quarterback; :54]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Hostettler/Redskins Quarterback; 1:13]
[SUPER=@Roy1; 1:32]
[RUNS=1:42]
[OUT Q=.....news 7 sports."]
(--------------------)
((Even before the first snap of training camp, Several sporting publications tapped the Redskins as a team that would make it to the N-F-L playoffs this season.
And if that happens it will be the first post season play for the Redskins since 1992.)) ((CHARLEY CASSERLY/REDSKINS GENERAL MANAGER:)) ((But even Casserly admitts that on playoff the Redskins would appear to be a playoff contender.
The signing of free agent defensive tackles Dana Stubberfield and Big Daddy Dan Wilkinson gives the Skins two big bodys up front.
There are 19 rookies in camp and they all have performed above expectations.
And quarterback Gus Frerotte is healthy. Frerotte missed the final three games of the regular season last year with a broken hip.)) ((GUS FREROTTE/REDSKIN QUARTERBACK:)) ((JEFF HOSTETTLER/REDSKIN QUARTERBACK:)) ((ROY STANDUP:))
(--------------)

[S-Brickyard]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-17]
[GRAPHIC=indy speedway]

Winston Cup drivers will run at Indianapolis this weeknd in the Brickyard 400.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Myrtle Beach, SC; :00]
But before Indy, some big names helped open the first NASCAR speed park in Myrtle Beach. The 26 acre park has seven go cart tracks.
Even in go carts, dale Jarret is tough, giving Jeff Gordon a nudge from behind.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="The fans]
[SUPER=01-Dale Jarrett/#88 Quality Care Ford Driver; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Gordon/Cup Points Leader; :06]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=...doing it"]
(-------------------)

[CRS]

[ANCHOR=Robin]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=afr]
[TAPE#=98-48]
[GRAPHIC=None]

There are more than 450 National Weather Service radio stations across the country-- broadcasting forecasts, climate data and severe weather warnings.
If you listen to N-O-A-A radio-- you'll soon be listening to an unfamiliar voice.
Andrew Freiden explains.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=this is how the]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00 QUICK!]
[SUPER=01-Roger Galloway/National Weather Service; :05]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :29 QUICK!]
[SUPER=01-Wanda Reed/Roanoke Emergency Services; :35]
[SUPER=01-Dave Keller/National Weather Service; :57]
[SUPER=@Andrew1; 1:33]
[RUNS=1:49]
[OUT Q=office in Blacksburg]
(( This is how the the radio station works now--
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:33:12]
((ROGER GALLOWAY/NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE: THE FORECAST FOR THE ROANOKE VALLEY, INCLUDING ROANOKE AND SALEM, AND THE SOUTHERN SHENANDOAH VALLEY INCLUDING BUENA VISTA...)) [RUNS:08]
You might not hear Roger Galloway's friendly voice on the airwaves next year.
Here's what his replacement sounds like.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:52:35]
((CRS IS A COMPUTER BASED BROADCAST MODULE THAT AUTOMATICALLY TRANSLATES WRITTEN NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTS AND WARNINGS INTO SYNTHESIZED VOICES FOR BROADCAST.)) [RUNS:10]
Wanda Reed depends on NOAA radio-- she runs Roanoke City's Emergency Services.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:02:09]
((WANDA REED/ROANOKE EMERGENCY SERVICES COORDINATOR: THE VOICE SOUNDS LIKE A COMPUTER, ACTUALLY, AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO GET USED TO, BUT HAVING THE INFORMATION MORE QUICKLY IS GOING TO BE VERY BENEFICIAL))
Listeners across the country share her sentiment.
They say it's just too hard to understand.
[SOT 11:45:00]
((DAVE KELLER/NWS: THERE'S BEEN SOME CONCERN VOICED OVER THE VOICE ITSELF, THAT WILL IMPROVE WITH TIME. BUT WHAT IT WILL DO IS INSTANTANEOUSLY, FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSE, WITHIN 15 SECONDS. WHEN SOMETHING IS PUT OUT, IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO OUT ON THE RADIO.)) [RUNS:20]
Dave Keller is in charge of implementing the CRS at the Blacksburg National Weather Service Office.
He says you have to take the good with the bad. Faster warnings-- but a voice that's not so easy on the ears.
But he's says technological advances will soon make it sound more human.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:40:30 "WX STANDUP" TAPE]
((ANDREW FREIDEN/REPORTER: AND, YOU NEVER KNOW, IF THE TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO IMPROVE, MAYBE YOUR FAVORITE WEATHERMAN OR REPORTER WILL ONE DAY BE REPLACED BY A COMPUTER.)) [RUNS:08]
(BUTT/BUTT/BUTT)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:58:51--NWS TAPE]
((CRS SYNTHETIC VOICE: THIS IS ANDREW FREIDEN, NEWS 7, FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN BLACKSBURG.)) [RUNS:07]))

[Wx-Tape]
[SUPER=305-94/65/102/1952/54/1946;]
[SUPER=306-93/60/33/W-8mph/29.93f/6:22am/8:30pm;]

[Forecasts]
[SUPER=X5000;]
[SUPER=330-Mostly Clear/Light Winds/64-66/Partly Sunny/And Warm/88-90;]
[SUPER=331-Clear With/Light Winds/65-69/Partly Sunny/And Warm/90-93;]
[SUPER=332-Partly Cloudy/Fog Late/63-65/Partly Sunny/Shower Late/82-84;]
[SUPER=333-Patchy Fog/Late/60-65/Partly Sunny/Light Winds/84-88;]
[SUPER=334-Partly Cloudy/Patchy Fog/60-65/Showers/Late/80-82;]

[SUPER=X5001;][Close]

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(Weekday 6 only)
[SUPER=x4032; e-mail/Most Watched/Copyright/WEEKDAYS]
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SUPER=x4031; Fax/Copyright/WEEKENDS SUPER=x4030; e-mail/Copyright/WEEKENDS