WDBJ 7 morning news for 11/17/98

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

It's back to work for Weapons inspectors in Baghdad.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And Governor Gilmore today will announce a plan to cut the state's tax on food.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Patchy dense fog is blanketing parts of the region this morning, but should burn off by later this morning.
Mild temperatures in the 60s continue for one more day...then it's back to more seasonable readings tomorrow.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[E-Food-Tax]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-61 1:48:37]
[GRAPHIC=Food Tax]

Last year, the Democrats supported it as an alternative to the car tax cut.
This year, Jim Gilmore's offering it in addition to the car tax cut.
Sources tell NEWS 7 he will announce a plan later today to cut the sales tax on groceries by two cents on the dollar, phased in over four years.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

So when we asked the Governor about his impending budget announcement...
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Will there]
((Will there be any surprises? UH... MAYBE, YES. laughs ))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=laughs.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sources at the Capitol say it is his own version of the food tax cut-- modelled closely on a bi-partisan committee's bill advanced last month.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It doesn't]
((DEL. BUTCH DAVIES/D-CULPEPER: IT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME THAT THE GOVERNOR WOULD REACH OUT AND EMBRACE IT. BECAUSE UNLIKE THE CAR TAX WHICH BASICALLY FAVORS THOSE WHO ARE MORE AFFLUENT... THE FOOD TAX PROVIDES AN ACROSS THE BOARD BENEFIT.))
[sot ]
((GAIL NARDI/HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS: I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS GETTING READY TO HURL HIMSELF ONTO OUR BANDWAGON, AND I THINK HE'LL BE VERY WELCOME.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Butch Davies/(D) Culpeper; :00]
[SUPER=01-Gail Nardi/House Democratic Caucus; :13]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=very welcome.]
(-------------)

[E-Tax-Impact]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE=98-76 7:44]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

So what do local shoppers think of the idea?
A couple of cents on the dollar can add up for families... up to a total of 245 million dollars annually.
Eric Earnhart has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Charles and Valerie]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :01]
[SUPER=01-Charles Jones/Shopper; :11]
[SUPER=01-Julia Gale/Shopper; :22]
[SUPER=@File; :31]
[SUPER=@Eric1; :44]
[SUPER=01-Catherine Carter/Shopper; :59]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=EE, News-7]

((Charles and Valerie Jones are the typical shopping family...
With two children, they spend about 100 dollars a week on groceries.
A two percent tax cut would save them 104 dollars a year.
[SOT 00:26:36]
[IN Q=cutting the food tax]
((CHARLES JONES/SHOPPER; CUTTING THE FOOD TAX WOULD HELP A LOT, AND I HOPE IT'S SOMETHING THEY CAN DO(:04) DO YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE MORE THAN 2 PERCENT? WELL YOU KNOW, I REALIZE THAT WE ALL HAVE TO PAY OUR SHARE OF TAXES TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.)) [RUNS11]
[OUT Q=the community]
[SOT 99:29:18]
[IN Q=yes I think it.s]
((JULIA GALE/SHOPPER; YES I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA, PARTICULARY FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T MAKE MUCH MONEY AND LOW INCOME, VERY GOOD FOR THEM)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=good for them]

Delegate Chip Woodrum supports the cut, in fact he says the leglislature should cut the entire tax.
Dick Cranwell agrees, saying is food tax cut is a better deal for Southwest Virginia than the car tax cut.
[standup] While experts say the Commonwealth can support both tax cuts with the current growing economy, some people wonder what happens when the economy stops growing...
Shopper Catherine Carter says if she had to chose, she'd take the FOOD tax cut over the car tax.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 00:30:58]
[IN Q=overall I'd say]
((CATHERINE CARTER/SHOPPER; OVERALL I'D SAY MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE AFFECTED MORE BY CUTTING THE FOOD TAX, DEFINITELY, THAN THE CAR TAX, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON FOOD, YEA, DEFINITELY.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=yea, definitely]))
[take Eric Full]
It's interesting to note that just about every time we've heard a democrat say something positive about cutting the food tax, it comes with something negative about the car tax...
It will be interesting to see if democrats use a food tax cut to take another shot at the car tax cut.

[Democrat-Cut]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Taxes]

NOT to be outdone in the latest tax cutting frenzy, Patrick County Democrat Barnie Day announced one of his own last night.
Day's proposing a "back to school tax cut" that would cut the sales tax on clothes, books, and school supplies for one week in early September.
It's all up to the 1999 General Assembly.

[IRAQ]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Conflict]

U-N weapons inspectors are back in Iraq and they're ready to get to work.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]
[5:24:48!!!!]
About 86 staffers arrived today in Baghdad where they will test Saddam Hussein's promise to let the inspectors do their jobs without restriction.
A spokeswoman for the inspectors says the next few days will be very important to see if the Iraq leader lives up to his pledge of cooperation.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[5:07:47-57]
[IN Q=]
((WE RECOGNIZE...AS SOON AS WE CAN. ))
[SUPER=01-Caroline Cross/UNSCOM Spokesperson;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=AS SOON AS WE CAN.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Cross says inspections could begin later today or tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the U-N's special envoy to Baghdad says the Security Council is also keeping a close eye on Iraq.
He says Iraq's cooperation could lead to the Security Council lifting sanctions.
(----------------)

[1-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In sports, the Hokies exit the Fiesta Bowl Championship poll.
Mike Stevens has details
Good Morning Mike.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=1:50]
[OUT Q=you then everybody.]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(Melanie ad lib toss to Kimberly/Wx)

[One-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#M98-8]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]

(I'll call for video with sound)

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=music comes up]
[SUPER=03-Leahy/"Call to Dance"; :04]
[RUNS= :16]
[OUT Q=music fades]

[Steve Live]

[SUPER=01-Erin Leahy/"Leahy";]
[SUPER=01-Siobhann Leahy/"Leahy";]
[SUPER=01-Angus Leahy/"Leahy";]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]

(toss to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM] ((Archive:Leahy))

[E-Jefferson-Center]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-64 1:04:05]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke City (4003)]

Roanoke is strenthening its commitment to rebuilding the Jefferson Center performance hall-- by putting up 800-thousand dollars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

A 1997 bond referendum included two million dollars for the project, but the total cost has risen.
Private contributions will provide more than four million dollars, and the fundraising continues...
But supporters say the additional commitment from the city brings the goal within reach.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 19:02:02]
[IN Q=Even with the unexpected]
((WARNER DALHOUSE/JEFFERSON CENTER FOUNDATION: EVEN WITH THE UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN THE COMPLEXITY AND COST OF THE PROJECT, THIS VIRTUALLY ASSURES THAT THE PROJECT WILL BE STARTED AND COMPLETED ON TIME, AND DONE IN A FIRST CLASS, HIGH QUALITY MANNER.))
[SUPER=01-Warner Dalhouse/Jefferson Center Foundation]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=high quality manner.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=None]

If all goes according to plan, Audiences will be enjoying performances on the Jefferson Center stage by the end of the year 2000.

[E-Church-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=vga]
[TAPE#=98-58 2:02:47]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Aftermath]

The ruins of a burned-out church in Collinsville still smoldered yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.]
The First Presbyterian Church caught fire Sunday night before leaving a smoldering aftermath of hot spots and smoke. No one was inside the church at the time of the blaze. Fire officials say it will take a couple of days to determine whether the blaze that tore down the 27-year old structure is suspicious. Members of the church plan to gather at each other's homes until they are able to re-build.
(------------)

[E-Lenscrafters]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=98-57 2:01:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Things are looking up - or at least a little more clear - for some Roanoke City School students.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; ]

These children with vision problems are getting free glasses.
The 40-foot long LenCrafters Vision Van is a complete eyecare facility.
It travels around the country making stops in different localities to deliver optical care to needy children.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ub 11 25 57]
[IN Q=We partnered]
((CAROL BENSON/LENSCRAFTERS: WE PARTNERED WITH ROANOKE CITY SCHOOLS AND THEY WERE PRESCREENED AT SCHOOL AND FOUND TO HAVE A VISION HANDICAPP AND THAT'S HOW THEY WERE DETERMINED.))
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=were determined]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The volunteer optometrists also check the children's eyes for diseases like glaucoma that could be treated early and prevent serious problems in the future.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]

A total of 230 students from kindergarten through high school will be getting their new specs today, tomorrow and Wednesday.

[Health-Check]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]

In medical news, a book that says diet can reduce a woman's chance of breast cancer is drawing criticism.
Sisssy Biggers has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Sissy Biggers/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
(( GOOD MORNING.
A BEST-SELLING DIET BOOK IS GETTING BAD REVIEWS FROM A HEALTH WATCHDOG GROUP.
IT'S CALLING "THE BREAST CANCER PREVENTION DIET", BY MEDICAL REPORTER
DR. BOB ARNOT.. #INACCURATE# AND MISLEADING.
VT=VO
((vo))
AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE BOOK RECOMMENDS THAT WOMEN EAT SOY, FISH OIL AND FLAX SEED TO PREVENT CANCER.
IT ALSO URGES THEM TO LIMIT THEIR INTAKE OF POTATOES, WHITE BREAD, AND INSTANT RICE.
BUT THE AMERICAN COUNCIL ON SCIENCE AND HEALTH SAYS THESE CLAIMS ARE UNFOUNDED...
AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ALSO EXPRESSED SIMILAR CONCERNS.
HOWEVER, DR. ARNOT IS STANDING BY THE BOOK.
HE SAYS HE FIRMLY BELIEVES WOMEN CAN REDUCE THEIR RISK OF BREAST CANCER BY CHANGING WHAT THEY EAT.//
VT=VO
((vo))
THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION ORDERS MAJOR CHANGES IN HOW A NEW DRUG FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE IS PRESCRIBED.
THE AGENCY HAS SENT LETTERS WARNING DOCTORS OF THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DRUG, TASMAR.. AND HAS ADVISIED THEM TO CLOSELY MONITOR PATIENTS WHO TAKE IT.
THREE DEATHS FROM LIVER DISEASE HAVE BEEN LINKED TO THE MEDICATION.//
VT=VO
((vo))
AND AN F-D-A ADVISORY PANEL IS RECOMMENDING THE APPROVAL OF A NEW TOPICAL DRUG FOR AIDS PATIENTS WITH DISFIGURING SKIN LESIONS.
HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY A GEL MADE FROM VITAMIN A CAN GET RID OF THE UNSIGHTLY MARKS-- WHICH ARE CAUSED BY THE CANCER, KAPOSI SARCOMA.
BUT SOME ARE QUESTIONING WHETHER THE COSMETIC BENEFITS ARE WORTH THE RISK OF SIDE EFFECTS... INCLUDING RASHES AND PAIN.//
AND THAT IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S MEDICAL NEWS. I'M SISSY BIGGERS, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.))

(ad lib to weather)

[Two-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
[SUPER=01-Erin Leahy/"Leahy";]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]

[Double Boxes=KMC & SPA]
(toss to Kimberly)
((Archive:Leahy)) [2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=Mel/Kmc]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Governor Gilmore is about to make a lot of Virginians very happy at the check out stand.
Sources tell NEWS 7 today he'll annouce a plan to cut the sales tax on groceries by two cents on the dollar, a plan that will take four years to phase in.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

Today's the day america gets to hear what Monica Lewinsky's voice sounds like... and what she had to say to linda tripp.
The house judiciary committee will release edited versions of those now-infamous telephone conversations.
The tapes set off Kenneth Starr's investigations into the Lewinsky affair.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[ss=none]

And U-N weapons inspectors have returned to Iraq.
They will provide a crucial test of Saddam Hussein's pledge not to interfere with their work.
Inspectors say they want to be up and running as soon as possible and could be back on the job within hours.
(----------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Tuesday November 17th.
[anchor=Melanie]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-E-Food-Tax]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-61 1:48:37]
[GRAPHIC=Food Tax]

Last year, Shawsville State Senator Madison Marye suggested a cut in the sales tax on food.
This year, Jim Gilmore's take up the proposal.
Sources tell NEWS 7 he will announce a plan later today to cut the sales tax on groceries by two cents on the dollar, phased in over four years.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

So when we asked the Governor about his impending budget announcement...
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Will there]
((Will there be any surprises? UH... MAYBE, YES. laughs ))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=laughs.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sources at the Capitol say it is his own version of the food tax cut-- modelled closely on a bi-partisan committee's bill advanced last month.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It doesn't]
((DEL. BUTCH DAVIES/D-CULPEPER: IT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME THAT THE GOVERNOR WOULD REACH OUT AND EMBRACE IT. BECAUSE UNLIKE THE CAR TAX WHICH BASICALLY FAVORS THOSE WHO ARE MORE AFFLUENT... THE FOOD TAX PROVIDES AN ACROSS THE BOARD BENEFIT.))
[sot ]
((GAIL NARDI/HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS: I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS GETTING READY TO HURL HIMSELF ONTO OUR BANDWAGON, AND I THINK HE'LL BE VERY WELCOME.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Butch Davies/(D) Culpeper; :00]
[SUPER=01-Gail Nardi/House Democratic Caucus; :13]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=very welcome.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]

NOT to be outdone in the latest tax cutting frenzy, Patrick County Democrat Barnie Day announced one of his own last night.
Day's proposing a "back to school tax cut" that would cut the sales tax on clothes, books, and school supplies for one week in early September.
It's all up to the 1999 General Assembly.

[E-Branham]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-63 1:40:54]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A murder suspect in Amherst County will have to wait for his day in court.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co./File Tape]

Trial for 29-year old Kenneth Eugene Branham was supposed to start yesterday.
He charged with murdering one man and wounding another during an argument over horsehshoes last Spring.
But the judge declared a mistrial when there weren't enough prospective jurors.
25 people were summoned to court today, but two called in sick, three were disqualified and four others just didn't show up.
Prosecutors say it's possible those no- shows were in the woods hunting instead of in court.
Branham's new trial is set for December.
(----------------)

[Kenneth-Wilson]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Va. Death Penalty]
Another prisoner on death row is scheduled for execution tonight. It will be Virginia's 12th execution this year, adding to the state's modern-era record. The U-S Supreme Court rejected an emergency request today to the stay the execution of Kenneth Wilson. He's scheduled to die for killing a neighbor in Newport News almost six years ago.

[restroom-slaying]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A transient who's charged with killing a young boy in a public restroom will be arraigned today in California.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Oceanside, CA;]
[picture 4;14:26]
Nine year old Matthew Cecchi (CHEK'-ee) was camping with relatives when he was killed Saturday night.
His aunt took him to the bathroom.
She became alarmed when she saw a man run from the bathroom.
When she went inside she found her nephew with his throat slit.
20 year old Brandon Wilson was arrested yesterday after he allegedly stabbing a woman in Los Angeles.
Police say while being questioned he gave information about the boy's murder.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[4:14:53-05]
[IN Q=]
((LOUIS CECCHI/FATHER:I'LL TELL YOU WHAT WE...THAT BE SERVED. ))
[SUPER=01-Louis Cecchi/Father;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=that be served.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Police describe Wilson as a 20- year old transient from Wisconsin.
(----------------)

[school-plot]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It all reportedly began as a joke but now some Wisconsin teenagers make be facing adult charges of conspiracy to kill.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Burlington, WI;]
[4:10]
Burlington police say five 15-and-16 year-old-boys had a plan to shoot their principal, some other faculty and up to 20 students at school yesterday.
But an informant tipped off police before anything could happen.
One of the suspects says they were all just kidding around.
But students and parents took the allegations very seriously and packed the school gymnasuim last night for a town meeting.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[4:10:58-4:11:10]
[IN Q=i would rather]
((STUDENT:I WOULD RATHER WALK THROUGH A LINE OF METAL DETECTORS THAN WALK THROUGH MY PEERS FUNERAL. STUDENT:I DON'T WANT TO GO TO A SCHOOL WHERE I DON'T FEEL SAFE. ))
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=don't feel safe.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Three of the suspects are still in custody.
They'll be back in court tomorrow.
(----------------)

[lewinsky-tapes]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Monica Lewinsky]

Today, many Americans will hear something they haven't heard before -- Monica Lewinsky's voice.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]
[4:06:38]
The House Judiciary Committee will release edited versions of the audio recordings that Linda Tripp made while talking with Lewinsky on the telephone.
The transcripts of those conversations were released this past summer.
It was the Tripp tapes that launched Kenneth Starr's investigation into President Clinton's relationship with Lewinsky back in January.
(----------------)

[2-IRAQ]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Conflict]

U-N Weapons inspectors are getting ready to go back to work in search of the truth about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.
Eighty-six members of the monitoring team boarded a jet this morning in Bahrain for the flight back to baghdad.
Pulling no punches, the chief U-N inspector said yesterday Iraq must turn over all relevant information - or, he warned, the consequences will be severe.
Kimberly Dozier reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[4:02:25]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq; :00]
[SUPER=03-Amman, Jordan; :09 ]
[SUPER=01-Eric Falt/U. N. Spokesman; :26]
[SUPER=03-Bahrain; :40]
[SUPER=04-Iraqi TV; :51]
[SUPER=01-Caroline Cross/UNSCOM Spokesman; 1:03]
[SUPER=01-Kimberly Dozier/Reporting; 1:32]
[RUNS=1:52]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS, BAGHDAD.]

[Three-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
[SUPER=01-Siobheann Leahy/"Leahy";]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]

[double Boxes=SPA & MEL]
(toss to Melanie)

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
(ad lib toss to bump)
[BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]
((Archive:Leahy))

[E-Bedford-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-65 31:41]
[GRAPHIC=Education]

Bedford CITY school are overcrowded, but educators there say it's the county's fault.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

The Bedford City school board met last night to discuss how to deal with overcrowding in its elementary and middle schools.
Each has more than ONE hundred extra students.. and officials say most of them are children who actually live in the county.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 8:41:30]
[IN Q=The city feels]
((DR. JAMES BLEVINS/SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: THE CITY FEELS LIKE THEY ARE PROVIDING ENOUGH SPACE FOR THEIR CURRENT STUDENTS AND THE COUNTY FEELS LIKE THAT THEY HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR THE COUNTY STUDENTS. SO I THINK WHEN THE TWO COMMITTEES GET TOGETHER, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. James Blevins/School Superintendent; :00]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=be worked out.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Blevins says mobile classrooms or rezoning may be short-term solutions to the overcrowding.
But the two school boards still have to decide who's going to pay for that.
(----------------)

[SERIES-PROMO1]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-70 TC1:00:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The push for higher standards in Virginia classrooms has brought a new round of testing.
And with it, a new round of questions about the Standards of Learning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

With the first tests behind them, individual students and schools are now waiting for the results.
And others are wondering just how difficult the tests will be.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TAPE #2 11:46:19]
[IN Q=I thought it was tough]
((LYNN DAVIS: I THOUGHT IT WAS TOUGH. I'VE GOT AN MBA AND I WOULD HAVE TROUBLE WITH IT. OF COURSE, THAT'S MANY MANY YEARS AGO.))
[SUPER=01-Lynn Davis/Radford Resident;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=many, many years ago.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]

We asked Lynn Davis to review some sample questions provided by the Virginia Department of Education.
Tonight on News 7 at Eleven, Joe Dashiell will test others in the first part of Grade Expectations, our series on the Standards of Learning.

[S-Tobacco-Deal]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-60 1:38:28]
[GRAPHIC=Tobacco Under Fire]

The tobacco companies have agreed to the new 206-BILLION dollar settlement with eight states.
Every other state in the nation has been invited to share in the settlement.
But Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley is still checking the fine print tonight.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file]

Right now, the settlement has NO specific assurances for tobacco farmers.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 02:54:53]
[IN Q=It will depend]
((ATTORNEY GENERAL MARK EARLEY: IT WILL DEPEND ON SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THE INDUSTRY IS TALKING ABOUT DOING WITH THE FARMERS. WE TALKED TO THEM ON FRIDAY. I WAS BASICALLY ENCOURAGED BY WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.))
[SUPER=@Earley;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=to say.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Melanie]
[SS=Hold]

The proposed deal will ban tobacco advertising on billboards, buses, t-shirts and hats.
But it still falls short of the stricter national proposal that Congress killed last summer.

[HUNTING-DEATH]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[TAPE=none]
[GRAPHIC=Hunting Accident]

The opening day of hunting season proved deadly for one teen-age hunter in Franklin County-- who was accidently killed by his brother.
The 17-year old was reportedly mistaken for a deer when his 20-year-old brother shot him.
It happened at around 5:30 yesterday evening near Boones Mill, off Route 793.
Police say the teenager was carried to a nearby home, where he was pronounced dead.
The victim's identity has not yet been released so the family can be notified.

[3-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In sports, the Denver Broncos score a perfect ten.
Mike Stevens has more.
Good Morning Mike.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NFL football]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=care everybody.]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(weather toss)
[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Mel/Kmc]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Governor Jim Gilmore's expected to officially announce his plan to cut the tax on food later today.
The plan would cut the sales tax on groceries by two cents and would be phased in over four years.
For a family that spends a hundred dollars a week on groceries, that would mean a savings of more than a hunred dollars a year.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

The cost of restoring the Jefferson Center Performance Hall has risen since a bond referendum passed in 19-97.
But the city of Roanoke is still committed to the project and has pledged 800-thousand dollars.
Organizers say that money, along with private donations, puts the goal in reach-- hosting performances by the end of the year 2000.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Bedford City schools are trying to deal with overcrowding.
Each of the elementary and middle schools have more than a hundred extra students.
Officials say many of the students actually live in the county-- that's the sticking point.
Bedford City administrators say a short-term solution is to add mobile classrooms, but the question is who will pay for them.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
[2 shot=Mel/Kmc]
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]