[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Melanie]

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[7:05:45]
[IN Q=]
(( SEN. TRENT LOTT/MAJORITY LEADER "WE HAVE A DUTY. WE WILL DO OUR VERY BEST TO CARRY IT OUT IN A WAY THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL FEEL IS APPROPRIATE AND DIGNIFIED AND FAIR." ))
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=dignified and fair.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

The historic Senate impeachment trial of President Clinton is under way.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And U-S jets again defend themselves against Iraqi missiles.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]
(ad lib)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]

News 7 at noon is next.

---

[Impeachment]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Senate Trial]

For the first time since 18-68 the U-S Senate has begun a presidential impeachment trial.
House Judiciary Committee Republicans who will serve as prosecutors, delivered the articles of impeachment this morning.
They were then read aloud by chairman Henry Hyde.
The 100 senate members, who will serve as jurors, will be sworn in-- in less than hour by Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist.
Lee Cowan has the story from Washington.
[Live=Lee Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting;]
[SUPER=05-Washington DC;]
( ad lib)
[***ROLLED FROM NEWSPATH****]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-James Ziglar/Sergeant at Arms;]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Bill McCollum/(R) Florida;]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Breaux/(D) Louisiana;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=]


[Live=Lee Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=05-Washington DC;]
( ad lib)
((
(( NAT GAVEL AT 10:03:40 )) "The senate will be in order!"
NOT FOR 130 YEARS HAS THE SENATE'S GAVEL FALLEN TO OPEN SUCH A WEIGHTY PROCEEDING.

(( SUPER: JAMES ZIGLAR//SARGENT AT ARMS )) (( SOT AT 10:04:50 ))
"_.impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton_"
AN AIR OF ANXIOUS EXPECTATION HUNG OVER THE CHAMBER AS THE TEAM THAT WILL ACT AS PROSECUTORS GOT EVER CLOSER - SOLEMNLY MARCHING THEIR MESSAGE FROM ONE CHAMBER TO THE OTHER.
ONCE THROUGH THE SENATE DOORS, THER WORDS SEEMED TO ECHOE WITH A DEAFENING THUD. PRESIDENT CLINTON'S IMPEACHMENT TRAIL WAS FORMALLY UNDERWWAY.

(( HYDE SOT ))

ALTHOUGH THE FIRST STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN, THE RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR WHATEVER IS TO FOLLOW WERE STILL BEING HAMMERED OUT IN LATE NIGHT AND EARLY MORNING MEETINGS.
THE LATEST SCENARIO: A TWO TO THREE WEEK TRIAL WITH AN END DATE SOMETIME IN FEBRUARY. BUT THE ISSUE OF WHETHER TO CALL WITNESSES IS STILL A POINT OF CONTENTION.
IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID THAT -- THE WHITE HOUSE IS EVEN SAYING MR. CLINTON WOULD ACCEPT THE ENTIRE RECORD OF THE HOUSE, EVEN THOUGH HE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ACCURACY OF EVERYTHING IN IT.
HOUSE MANAGERS SAY WITNESSES ARE CRUCIAL IN ORDER TO BRING KEN STARR'S REFERRAL TO LIFE.

(( SUPER: REP. BILL MCCOLLUM//R-FL )) (( SOT AT 7:13:34 ))
"I think Monica Lewinsky is --- obstruction of justice charges."

BUT FROM THOSE WHO WILL ACT AS JURORS, COMES A CALL THAT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
(( SUPER: SEN. JOHN BREAUX//D-LA ))
(( SOT AT 8:10:17 ))
"I would suggest if we start --- don't already know."

(( LEE COWAN//CBS NEWS )) "Nevertheless, the White House says it's ready to proceed any way the Senate decides. Whether it's a day, a week or a month - it will fight to the end to keep the President's December promise to serve to the last day, and the last hour of his term. Lee Cowan, CBS News, Washington."))

---

[5-Impeachment]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=598-36 00:51]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

As the Senate trial begins, a glimspe into the thoughts of Virginia's Senators, who up until now have kept their opinions on impeachment private.
News 7 asked Democrat Chuck Robb to comment on the possibility of a lengthy trial.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=That would]
[SUPER=@Robb]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=that course.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[super=03-Washington DC]

But Virginia's Republican senator, John Warner, has more to say.
(//////SOT///////)
[SOT]
[IN-Q=In my own]
[super=@Warner]
[runs=:24]
[out-q=delayed procedure.]
(------------)
[anchor=Melanie]
[graphic=Hold]

News-7's Ellen Qualls is in Washington.
She have more on the impeachment proceedings on News-7 at Six.

---

[E-Alfred-Martin]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-75 1:49:19]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

The man who fled the Martinsville prison farm 25 years ago will remain in jail until his trial next month.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Livonia, MI/Last Year;]

Alfred Martin had a hearing yesterday regarding his bond.
His lawyer dropped a motion to have his client released with an electronic monitor.
The Commonwealth's Attorney says, before bond is an issue, Martin must serve the time he was sentenced to for selling marijuana in the 1970's.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 5:43:13-:22]
[IN Q=If for some reason]
((JOAN ZIGLAR: IF FOR SOME REASON HE HAS NOT BEEN TRIED BEFORE HE SERVES HIS FULL SENTENCE ON THE ORIGINAL CHARGES THEN HE COULD ALWAYS PETITION THE COURT FOR BOND.))
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 5:35:52-:58]
((BEN GARDNER: IT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO GO TO TRIAL BUT WHAT MANNER, WHAT PLEA, WHAT RESULT WE'RE NOT READY TO SAY YET.))
[SUPER=01-Joan Ziglar/Commonwealth's Attorney; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ben Gardner/Martin's Attorney; :09]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=ready to say yet.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=Legal Scales]

The larceny charge against Martin-- involving an unpaid furniture bill-- was dismissed because he finally paid the bill.
Martin's trial on the escape charge is set for February 8th.

---

[iraq]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Attack]

More confrontation today over Iraqi skies.
The Pentagon says a U-S Air Force pilot, patrolling the no fly zone, fired a missile in self defense.
This is the fourth run-in with Iraqi forces in the last two weeks.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]

Meantime, Iraq newspapers today are carrying front page stories on American news reports that U-N weapons inspectors shared intelligence with the U.S.
The United States and U-N strongly deny the reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[4:07:40-1st bite ] [10:25:43-2nd bite]
[IN Q=]
((RICHARD BUTLER/UNSCOM CHIEF; HAVE WE FACILITATED SPYING, ARE WE SPIES? ABSOLUTELY NOT. DR. HUMMON ABDUL KHALEQ, MINISTER OF INFORMATION; "WE HAVE BEEN TELLING THE WHOLE WORLD SINCE THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT WE HAVE HERE UNDER THE HAT OF THE UNITED NATIONS SPIES AND C-I-A PEOPLE SOMEWHERE - THERE IS NOTHING NEW IN THIS REPORT." ))
[SUPER=01-Richard Butler/UNSCOM Chief;]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Hummon Khaleq/Iraqi Minister of Information; :07]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=IN THIS REPORT.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations calls the latest reports the nail in the coffin for the inspections program.
(----------------)
[tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

As traffic and problems grow on Interstate 81, more people are slowing down to travel on Route 11.
That story is still ahead on News-7 at Noon.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]

And whether it's on the Interstate or Route Eleven, car-manufacturers are trying to make your trip safer-- by designing smarter airbags.
(---------------)
[Talent=Patrick]
[Wx-Tease] [Weatherpro] [music up full] [comm1]

---

[SMART-AIRBAGS]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Airbags]

The Ford Motor Company has unveiled a new, high tech answer to the problem of killer air bags.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Detroit, MI;]
[7:13:40]
In just a few months Ford will begin installing a computer driven sensor system into many of its year 2-thousand models.
It will adjust how the airbags expand.
They will be two-stage airbags that expand at full force for high speed accidents, and slower for wrecks at lower speeds.
The sensor also determines the weight of the passengers and if they're seatbelted or not.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((PETRAUSKAS:"SO IT SENSES ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND THEN MAKES SURE TO DEPLOY THE RIGHT LEVEL OF AIRBAG AND DO THE RIGHT THING WITH THE SAFETY BELT." ))
[SUPER=01-Helen Petrauskas/Ford Vice President;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=with the safety belt.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Though airbags have saved thousands of lives, they've also been blamed for many deaths, mostly of children sitting in the front seat, because the bags deployed with too much force.
Ford hopes to have all of its vehicles fitted with the smart airbags within three years.
(----------------)

---

[Rockbridge-Wreck]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=98-65 TC1:51:45]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]

Traffic is still being detoured around an overturned tractor-trailer in Rockbridge County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.]

It happened on U-S route 501 south of Buena Vista this morning when a trucker hit a patch of ice on the side of the road.
The truck overturned, blocking both lanes.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 09 58 40]
[IN Q=With the number]
[SUPER=01-Trooper Mike Hamilton/State Police;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=we have ice.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The truck driver was not seriously hurt.
Traffic is being detoured around the scene while the wreck is cleaned up.
(------------)
[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

---

[Vinton-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=98-70 TC1:57:30]
[GRAPHIC=WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]


(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton]

A truck driver found the squeeze under a Vinton bridge a little too tight this morning.
The trucker was trying to drive under a railroad bridge at Walnut and Wise near the Roanoke city line.
No one was injured.
(------------)

---

[Route-11]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

We've all been fed up with driving on Interstate 81 from time to time--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

And more and more people are taking an exit ramp onto Route Eleven.
It's not just accidents driving people onto the older road-- it's winter weather, construction delays and more traffic than ever.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I'm not as]
((JOYCE SPANGLER/MOTORIST; I'M NOT AS COMFORTABLE AS I USED TO BE, THE TRAFFIC IS HEAVIER, MORE TRUCKS )) ((CAROLYN RETTINGER/MOTORIST; IT'S JUST A LOT OF TRAFFIC, IT'S DANGEROUS, AND IF I CAN AVOID IT I GO THE OTHER WAY.))
[SUPER=01-Joyce Spangler/Motorist; :00 ]
[SUPER=01-Carolyn Rettinger/Motorist; :06]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=the other way]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Some business owners say they're busier than ever, especially when there's a big problem on the interstate.
And heavy traffic continues to drive more and more motorists out of the fast lane, they expect to stay busy.
(------------)

[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Thinking about a new look for 1999?
Next on News-7 at Noon we'll have some style tips from model Emme.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

And later in sports, the odds were slim, but a Roanoke principal got a lucky gift for Christmas.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]

---

[Emme]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[***ROLL COLD OUT OF BREAK***]

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The new year means]
[SUPER=01-Emme/"Supermodel"; 1:06]
[RUNS=3:07]
[OUT Q=Cloudy out there.]

[***TAPE TOSSES TO Patrick***]

---

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]

On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was DOWN 50 points.
[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Still ahead in sports, one local educator gets a piece of the House that Ruth built.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus, it took them a while to "comb" through a pool of applicants, but V-M-I now has a new football coach.
We'll have the story coming up, when News 7 at Noon continues.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]

---

[NBA]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-26]
[GRAPHIC=NBA LOCKOUT]
The N-B-A is expected to ratify an agreement today that will officially end the player lockout.
Both the players and owners made concessions in the 6- year deal, but analysts are calling the owners the "clear winners", with a 14 million dollar salary cap included in the settlement.
The season is expected to start February second and each team will play about 50 games.
But is there anyone left who really cares?
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="We have...]
((KEVIN WILLIS/RAPTORS FORWARD:))
[SUPER=01-Kevin Willis/Toronto Raptors Forward; :00]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=....FROM THERE."]
(---------------)
[talent=Patrick]
[graphic=Jordan]

Still no word on whether Michael Jordan will return.

---

[VMI]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-32]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]

A new day is dawning in Lexington, as the Keydets welcome their newest head football coach.
Cal McCombs brings experience, success and enthusiasm to VMI.
And, as Steve Mason reports, school officials can only hope he'll turn around a team that's been struggling for years.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=03-Lexington; :00]
[SUPER=01-Cal McCombs/VMI Head Football Coach; :11]
[SUPER=01-Donny White/VMI Athletic Director; :32]
[SUPER=04-1997-98 Football Season; :45]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:24]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=...news 7 sports"]
(--------------)

---

[Babe]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-23]
[GRAPHIC=TRADING CARDS]

How hard is it to turn a three thousand dollar profit on a Christmas present? One high school principal is finding out.
Mike Stevens reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bill Bryant/"The Wax Box" Owner; :15]
[SUPER=01-Peter Wonson/Baseball Card Collector; :50]
[RUNS=1:46]
[OUT Q=News-7 Sports]
(----------------)
((The new 1999 Upper Deck baseball cards cost about $3.50 cents a pack. They include the regular stars of today plus, a very rare insert card. ((BILL BRYANT/THE WAX BOX OWNER:))
Peter Wonson, a principal at Patrick Henry asked his wife to get him a box of the cards for Christmas. Santa not only came to see him, but so did the other fat guy named Babe. ((PETER WONSON/BASEBALL CARD COLLECTOR:))
And now they could dance all the way to the bank. The card is valued at $3000 - but Wonson has no intentions of selling it.)) (-----------------) ((PETER WONSON:))