[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Melanie]

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[7:01:49]
[IN Q=]
((TRENT LOTT/SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: "WE ARE IN UNCHARTED WATERS. THERE ARE SOME PRECEDENTS-- BUT THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS WE ARE HAVING TO ADDRESS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM ANYTHING THAT'S EVER BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE IN HISTORY." ))
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=before in history.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Setting the ground rules for the Presidential impeachment trial.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And the S-O-L scores for Roanoke City and County are out.
We'll take a look at the results.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]
(ad lib)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]

News 7 at noon is next.

---

[Impeachment]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=Senate Trial]

It's a day for hammering out the ground rules for the impeachment trial of President Clinton.
In a rare close door meeting today, Republican and Democratic Senators are trying to sort out several differences, including whether witnesses will be called.
Lawmakers are holding their talks in the Old Senate chamber, a room in the Capitol that hasn't seen debate since the mid 19th century.
Lee Cowan joins us from Capitol Hill.
[Live=Lee Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting;]
[SUPER=05-Washington DC;]
( ad lib)
[****ROLLED FROM NEWSPATH****]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-Yesterday]
[SUPER=01- Sen. Tom Daschle/Senate Minority Leader; ]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=]



[Live=Lee Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=05-Washington DC;]
( ad lib)
((MUCH LIKE THE WEATHER THAT GREETED THE PRESIDENT ON HIS WAY TO DETROIT THIS MORNING , HISTORY FOR THE MOMENT, SEEMS FROZEN. AFTER ONLY A DAY, THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON IS AT A DEAD STOP. AN AGREEMENT ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD STILL BEING MOLDED IN THE BACK ROOMS OF THE CAPITOL. (( NAT ARRIVALS ))
(LOCATOR: CAPITOL HILL)
TODAY - THE ENTIRE SENATE MET FACE TO FACE IN A MORE INTIMATE ATMOSPHERE - THE OLD SENATE CHAMBER WHERE EVEN MICROPHONES AREN'T REQUIRED. WHILE BOTH SIDES - NOW SWORN AS JURORS -- HAVE PLEDGED TO AVOID LETTING PARTISANSHIP GET IN THE WAY OF JUSTICE - AN AGREEMENT ON HOW TO DO THAT REMAINS AN ELUSIVE GOAL. (( SUPER: THURSDAY )) (( NAT LOTT/DASCHLE HIGH FIVE )) ON THE SURFACE THERE IS CONGENIALITY - EVEN HIGH FIVE'S BETWEEN THE SENATE LEADERS. BUT THE REAL WORK OF HAMMERING OUT AN AGREEMENT IS BEING DONE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - WITH THE ISSUE OF WITNESSES STILL THE MAIN STICKING POINT.
(( SUPER: SEN. TOM DASCHLE//SENATE MINOITY LEADER )) (( SOT AT 17:34:22
)) "In my view, the only real difference, when do you have the vote on witnesses. Do you have it up front, or do you have it later on?" (( GRAPHICS )) THE CENTRAL PLAN UNDER DISCUSSION WOULD GIVE THE WHITE HOUSE UNTIL TUESDAY TO RESPOND TO THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT. HOUSE MANAGERS WOULD BEGIN PRESENTING THEIR CASE ON THURSDAY. WITNESSES COULD ONLY BE CALLED IF THEY ARE APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE. (( LEE COWAN//CBS NEWS )) "The White House continues to make the President's case that the trial need not include ANY witnesses, but that seems less and less likely now. At best, the President's legal team is hoping for at least a limit on how many would be called - and force a vote on every single one. Lee Cowan, CBS News Washington."))

---

[SOLs]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#98-72 TC1:36:10]
[GRAPHIC=SOLs]

The city of Roanoke is the latest locality in our area to report disappointing results on the Standards of Learning Tests.
None of the city's schools met the state's pass rate in all of the subject areas.
[Double Boxes=Melanie and JoeD/Newsroom]

Joe Dashiell is in the newsroom this afternoon with more on the story.
[Live=JoeD Full/Newsroom]
[SUPER=@Joe1;]

Melanie, school systems across the state are reporting results from the first round of Standards of Learning testing last spring.
Roanoke officials describe the results as disappointing... but they outlined the action they are taking improve scores in the future.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I must tell you]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :05]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Harris/Roanoke City School Super.; :23]
[RUNS=:41]
[OUT Q=make the necessary changes.]
(([SOT 01:53]
[IN Q=I must tell you up front]
[RUNS04]
[OUT Q=that I'm disappointed.]

The pass rates that Wayne Harris outlined this morning vary widely... from no students passing in a few cases... to more than 90 percent in others.
So while there is concern, there are some bright spots... and Harris says a plan is in place to improve scores when the next round of testing begins in the Spring.
[SOT 13:55]
[IN Q=Our effort is not to focus]
[RUNS19]
[OUT Q=make the necessary changes.]))
(-------------)
[Live=JoeD Full/Newsroom]

That plan has several different elements including programs to improve reading and middle school math skills, professional development for teachers, alignment of the curriculum to match the standards that are being tested.
[Double Boxes=Melanie and JoeD/Newsroom]

Melanie, Roanoke County also released its results this morning... and the numbers are significantly better there.
we'll have more on all of this tonight on News 7 at Five and news 7 at Six.

---

[Winter-Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=98-78 TC37:45]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

A mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow hit commuters on their way to work this morning.
And things aren't warming up as quickly as expected.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke ]

The brief storm left interstate and primary roads covered, with many icy spots.
Many secondary roads were covered with a thin layer of ice and became very slick.
School systems that had planned to open late, ended up closing for the day.
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg]

It was a similar tale in the New River Valley, where a wintry mix lay on the roads in the valley, and some snow fell in higher spots.
(------------)
(toss to Patrick in WX Center)
[WEATHER]
[SUPER=300-27/85/SE 9mph/30.30f/70/1965/0/1970;]
[SUPER=301-26/92/Calm/30.33f/74/1907/1/1878;]

---

[Malpractice]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=VA Supreme Court]

The Virginia Supreme Court has upheld the one million dollar cap on medical malpractice cases.
Today's unanimous ruling means doctors found liable for killing or injuring a patient can't be forced to pay more than a million dollars in damages-- regardless of the amount of the patient's medical bills or the severity of the injury.
Virginia's trial lawyers said the cap was unconsitutional because it prevents those injured by doctors from suing to the full extent of the law.

[tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Nationwide unemployment hits a record low.
That story is still ahead on News-7 at Noon.
(XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)
[LIVE VO]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]

And they're lined up at the Roanoke Civic Center.
More on the how to get a ticket to see Elton John is next in a live report.
(---------------)
[music up full] [comm1]

---

[Elton-John]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#98-]
[GRAPHIC=Elton John]

The Roanoke Civic Center started handing out wristbands only moments ago for Elton John concert tickets.
[Double Boxes=Melanie and Tina/Microwave]

Tina Tenret is there with the latest.
[Live=Tina Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Tina1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue:See the show)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=07-Phyllis Brennan; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :11]
[SUPER=07-Michelle Goode; ]
[RUNS=1:21]
[OUT Q=never here.]



[Live=Tina Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
( ad lib)


[Double Boxes=Melanie and Tina/Microwave]

---

[STEWART-HUNTER]

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

On the subject of rock stars, after eight years of marriage Rod Stewart and his wife Rachel Hunter are separating.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]

In a statement issued by Stewart's management, the couple said they are no immediate plans for divorce.
The 53 year old singer and 30 year old super model have a six year old daughter and four year old son.
They're asking for privacy for the sake of their children.
(----------------)

---

[PITT-INTRUDER]

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

No privacy for actor Brad Pitt.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;]
[video of house and piture of woman] [7:44:11]
A nineteen year old woman sits in a Los Angeles jail this afternoon, after breaking into his Hollywood Home.
Police say Athena Rolando slipped through an open window.
She was found in an upstairs bedroom wearing some of Pitt's clothes.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[7:44:34]
[IN Q=]
((SGT. GUERERRO: WHEN THE OFFICERS ARRIVED THEY DISCOVERED...THAT BELONGED TO MR. PITT. ))
[SUPER=01-Sgt Willie Guererro/Los Angeles Police Department;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-"Meet Joe Black"/Universal Pictures;]

But Rolando never got a chance to meet Pitt, he apparently was out of town.
(----------------)

---

[UNEMPLOYMENT]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=Unemployment]

The Labor Deparment reports the strongest job market in decades.
Close to 380-thousand jobs were added last month.
That pushed the unemployment rate down one tenth of one percent to 4 point 3 percent.
For the year, the jobless rate stands at 4 and a half percent, the lowest since 19-69 and the lowest for peacetime since 19-57.
Today's report was much stronger than economists expected.[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Still ahead on News-7 at Noon, one of the most prominent college basketball coaches in the nation calls it quits.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

And the postal service is calling it quits for the 32 cent stamp.
More on that story in just a moment.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]

---

[E-ACT-SO]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-77 34:49]
[GRAPHIC=None]

There's word Senators have reached an agreement on the format of the President's trial.
No word on the details of that format.
In other news, the Roanoke branch of the N-double-A-C-P is trying to get the word out about a new college scholarship opportunity for students.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

The group is sponsoring a local ACT-SO competition.
It stands for the Afro-Academic, Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics.
Last night the group held its first information session.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 17.54.52 - 17.55.08]
[IN Q=The ACT-SO program]
((FLOSSIE BELL-LOMAX/ACT-SO COORDINATOR:THE ACT-SO PROGRAM NATIONALLY GIVES OVER 50,000 DOLLARS WORTH OF SCHOLARSHIPS--LOCAL AND NATIONAL COMPANIES AS WELL RECOGNIZE STUDENTS BY GIVING THEM LAP TOP COMPUTERS AS WELL AS FULL SCHOLARSHIPS TO SPACE CAMP, SCIENCE CAMP, OR OTHER CAMPS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEIR PARTICULAR AREA OF INTEREST.))
[SUPER=01-Flossie Bell-Lomax/ACT-SO Coordinator;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=area of interest.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Students compete by preparing projects in various areas including science, technology and the arts.
Local winners go on to compete in a national competition which offers scholarship money to the winners.
Applications are available at guidance offices at Roanoke City Schools.
The deadline to sign-up is January 20th.

---

[S-Stamps]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=98-76 46:14]
[GRAPHIC=Postage Rates Going Up]

Start saving your pennies now.
You will need them to add to your old 32 cent stamps Monday morning when the new postage rate takes over.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg]

Take a look at the new 33 cent stamps .. they even wish you a happy new year. Plenty of people in post offices like Christianburg were were buying the new stamps today. And the postal service is ready with many other 33-cent designs for the rest of the year.
If you still have plenty of 32's, the post office has stocked up on 1-cent stamps to help out. The new, 33 cent rate stakes effect on Sunday.
(------------)

---

[Stocks]

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

On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was UP 67 points.
[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Still ahead in sports, a shocking announcement out of Georgetown University.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus, while Maryland had it's hands full with the Cavaliers on the court, former U-V-A star Curtis Staples was getting ready to leave town.
We'll tell you about his hoop dreams, when News 7 at Noon continues.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]

---

[Thompson]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=net-]
[GRAPHIC=NCAA hoops]

An era has ended at Georgetown University.
John Thompson resigned earlier this morning, after 27 years as head coach for the Hoyas.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC;]

The 57- year old built Georgetown into a national powerhouse-- winning the N-C-double-A championship in 1984.
Stating personal reasons, Thompson is leaving the team just four wins shy of 600.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Basketball is]
((BASKETBALL IS A 24 HOUR A DAY, 7 DAY A WEEK JOB. I DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY AT THIS TIME TO ADDRESS MY PERSONAL LIFE...))
[SUPER=01-John Thompson/Former Georgetown Coach;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=should be..]
(--------------)
[vo-nat]
This year's oh and 4 Big East record is the Hoya's worst ever.
Long- time assistant Craig Esherick will replace Thompson as head coach, effective immediately.
(--------------)

---

[UVa]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-27]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]

The U-V-A men overcame a 17- point first- half defecit to give the nation's fifth-ranked team a run for it's money.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/JP Sports; :00]

UVa athletic director Terry Holland seemed to be in a good mood, although it certainly wasn't due to the way the Cavs handled Maryland in the first 20 minutes.
This Willie Dersch hoop ended an 11 minute drought for UVA. They were lucky to trail 37-to-20 at halftime.
But instead of folding, the Cavs almost cracked the terps' shells-- getting the lead to within three in the final minutes.
[SUPER=33-Maryland #5/71/Virginia/66;]

But sharp Steve Francis would save the day for Maryland, and the Terps escape with the 71- 66 win.
(------------)

---

[Staples]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-33]
[GRAPHIC=CURTIS STAPLES]

Curtis Staples could have made the difference for the Cavs...
[graphic=nba lockout]

But college basketball is in the rearview mirror for Staples, now that the N-B-A lockout is ended and he's heading to the Bulls' training camp.
Roy Stanley has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="First audio]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Curtis Staples/NBA Free Agent Rookie; :16]
[SUPER=03-Greensboro, NC; :36]
[SUPER=@Roy1; 1:18]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=....news 7 sports."]
[wipe wipe wipe]
(---------------)
((While the N-B-A owners and players were in the lockout, Staples was busy working with kids at the Y-M-C-A in his Quick Release basketball program.
Now, Staples is ready to report to the Chicago bulls and begin his career in the N-B-A.)) ((CURTIS STAPLES/NBA FREE AGENT:)) ((The uncertainity of Michael Jordan playing another year in Chicago and the fact that the Bulls have only four players under contract seems to favor Staples.
Matter of fact, After watching Staples workout out in camps before the lockout, the Bulls informed the N-C-Double-A's all time three point shooter that they wanted him to be part of the Bulls regulding process.)) ((STAPLES:)) ((ROY STANDUP:))
(------------)

---

[Lynch]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-30]
[GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe]


(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vancouver, B.C.; :00]

Roanoke's George Lynch is also a free agent.
He has a couple of weeks to find a new team.
But he could end up back in Vancouver with the Grizzlies, although several other teams have expressed interest. (------------) He was close to playing in Europe before the lockout ended.