WDBJ 7 morning news for 01/18/99

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

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

Tornadoes rip through Tennessee, leaving at least nine people dead.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And Martin Luther King Junior day interrupts the impeachment trial.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

A few breaks in the rain right now, but more showers and even a few thunderstorms are likely through this afternoon.
Expect a warm, southerly flow pushing temperatures to near 60 today.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[SOUTH-WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Severe Weather]

At least nine people are dead after tornadoes ripped through parts of Tennesse last night.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Clarksville, TN; ]

More than 70 more were injured-- eleven are hospitalizd in critical condition.
Officials in one county say between 40 and 50 homes were demolished.
It was early in the evening when the twisters touched down in the western and central portions of Tennessee with fierce winds, rain and hail.
This morning..officials are assessing property damage and working to restore power to thousands in the dark.
(----------------)

[E-Monty-Standoff]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#=98-78; 41:51]
[GRAPHIC=Standoff]

A man who barricaded himself inside an apartment in Christiansburg is now in police custody.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]

Police went to the apartment along Newcomb Street after receiving a call that shots had been fired.
Police say when they arrived, Steven Shelor refused to let them inside.
Authorities eventually fired tear gas into the house in order to force their way in.
They say Shelor was still combative but Christiansburg and Montgomery County investigators were able to take him into custody.
Authorities say Shelor had shot HIMSELF in the arm prior to police entering the house but that the injury is NOT life threatening.
No one else was injured.
(----------------)

[E-RoanokeCo-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=99-1; 14:73]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

A Roanoke county couple is without a home following a late night fire.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The blaze started just after nine along Bradshaw Road.
The couple was home at the time and escaped unharmed.
But, their home was heavily damaged.
Authorities are still investigating the cause.
(------------)
[wipe,wipe,wipe]

[E-BedfordCo-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-77; 46:05]
[GRAPHIC=WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.;]

A fire destroyed a mobile home in Bedford County yesterday.
It happened around noon.
Officials say by the time they arrived the home was engulfed in flames.
No one was apparently in the home at the time and no injuries were reported.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
(------------)

[1-Sports]

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

In sports, the Cavs finally work some magic in Charlottesville.
Roy Stanley has details.
Good Morning Roy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Happy days]
[RUNS=1:44]
[OUT Q=later on mornin'.]

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

[One-Steve]

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

[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
[SUPER=01-Aletha Bolden/Harrison Museum;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]

(toss to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM] ((Archive:Martin Luther King))

[TRAIN-AX]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Train Accident]

In Ohio, Federal officials today will resume their investigation into an accident involving three freight trains.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bryan, OH;]
[4:14:02]
The trains crashed into each other yesterday morning killing two crew members and derailing cars over a quarter mile of tracks.
One engine burned for hours and forced the evacuations of a several homes.
Investigators say fog limited visibility at the time of the crash.
However, they say it's too early to determine a cause.
(----------------)

[bus-ax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Bus Crash]

A bus accident yesterday in Illinois injured three dozen passengers.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Princeton, IL;]
[4:16:51]
The charter bus, carrying 47, skidded off an ice- coated stretch of Interstate 80.
Police say the bus was traveling from Chicago to a riverboat casino.
Authorities say many of the passengers were related and may have been going to a family party.
Thirty six passengers were treated at area hospitals for broken bones, cuts and bruises.
(----------------)

[IMPEACHMENT]

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

President Clinton's impeachment trial pauses today in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
The President's lawyers are gearing up to pick apart the allegations levied by Republicans when the trial resumes tomorrow.
Meanwhile, both parties are debating their differences over calling witnesses.
Lee Cowan reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Pete Domenici/(R) New Mexico; :07]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Mitch McConnell/(R) Kentucky; :41]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Lindsay Graham/(R) South Carolina; :53]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Bill McCollum/(R) Florida; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Patrick Leahy/(D) Vermont; 1:09 ]
[SUPER=01-Robert Toricelli/(D) New Jersey; 1:37]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting; 1:47]
[RUNS=2:06]
[OUT Q=cbs news washington.]
((FOR THE PRESIDENT - THIS IS ANYTHING BUT A QUIET HOLIDAY
WEEKEND---IT IS TIME TO HUNKER DOWN.
SEN. PETE DOMENICI/R-NM:
"Frankly, I think --- obstruction of justice."
ALTHOUGH THE HUM IN WASHINGTON HAS BEEN MUFFELED BY A BRIEF BREAK IN THE ACTION, COME TUESDAY THAT HUM COULD BE ALMOST DEAFENING. (( NAT )) IT IS D-DAY FOR BOTH - WHEN WHITE HOUSE LAWYERS WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE SENATE TO ARGUE WHY THE PRESIDENT SHOULD REMAIN IN OFFICE - JUST HOURS BEFORE THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF DELIVERS HIS STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH BEFORE CONGRESS OUTLINING HIS AGENDA IF HE IS ALLOWED TO STAY. SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL/R-KY : "Obviously we haven't heard from - best case they can." A CASE THE WHITE HOUSE HOPES IS STRONG ENOUGH TO DEFUSE A REPUBLICAN PUSH FOR WITNESSES. REP. LINDSAY GRAHAM//R-SC: "It's one thing to have lawyers - what happened." INCLUDING HEARING FROM THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF. REP. BILL MCCOLLUM//R-FL : "I think the President should be asked if other witnesses are asked. I think the American public probably expects the president and would expect the president to come and rebut these charges." SEN. PATRICK LEAHY//D-VT: "Somehow people think this is Perry Mason - doesn't work that way!" BUT IF REPUBLICANS CONTINUE TO PUSH THE ISSUE - DEMOCRATS THREATEN TO PUSH BACK - WITH A KEY WITNESS OF THEIR OWN.
(( SUPER: SEN. ROBERT TORRICELLI//D-NJ )) (( SOT AT 10:43:45 ))
"I can assure you - system of justice." (( LEE COWAN//CBS NEWS )) "One suggestion floated by House Manager Lindsay Graham would offer the Senate the option of convicting the President of perjury and obstruction of justice, but allowing him to remain in office. Such a split verdict is not something that could happen in a regular court - but this is anything but that. Lee Cowan, CBS News, Washington."))

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, some changes could be on the way for medicare.
Mika Brzezinski has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mika Brzezinski/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:09]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
(( WHAT IF MEDICARE HELPED ELDERLY PATIENTS FIND OTHER INSURERS TO PAY FOR THEIR MEDICAL EXPENSES... INSTEAD OF HAVING THE GOVERNMENT FOOT THE BILL.
VT=VO
((vo))
THAT'S ONE PROPOSAL A SPECIAL REFORM COMMISSION IS CONSIDERING.
SUPPORTERS OF THE MEASURE SAY IT WOULD INCREASE COMPETITION AMONG PRIVATE HEALTH PLANS WANTING TO ATTRACT SENIORS.
BUT TAXPAYERS AND RETIREES COULD END UP PAYING MORE IF HEALTH CARE COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE.
LAWMAKERS FEAR THAT MEDICARE WILL RUN OUT OF MONEY UNLESS CHANGES ARE MADE SOON.
VT=VO
((vo))
A RELATIVELY NEW PRODCEDURE FOR SHRINKING TUMORS IS HELPING PEOPLE WITH CERTAIN TYPES OF CANCER.
IT'S CALLED PHOTO-DYNAMIC THERAPY OR P-D-T.
THE TECHNIQUE INVOLVES INJECTING A SPECIAL DRUG INTO A PATIENT THAT ALLOWS DOCTORS TO TARGET AND DESTROY CANCER CELLS.. WITHOUT DAMAGING SURROUNDING TISSUE.//
VT=VO
((vo))
AND A NEW STUDY FINDS THAT THE PART OF THE BRAIN WHICH NORMALLY HANDLES SOUND -IS- ALSO ACTIVE IN PEOPLE WHO CAN'T HEAR.
JAPANESE RESEARCHERS STUDIED THE BRAIN ACTIVITY OF A DEAF MAN... AND FOUND THAT THE PART OF THE BRAIN RESERVED FOR HEARING.. WAS NOW BEING USED TO PROCESS SIGN LANGUAGE.
SCIENTISTS SAY THIS SHOWS THE BRAIN IS ABLE TO RE-WIRE ITSELF WHEN CERTAIN SENSORY FUNCTIONS ARE LOST.
AND THAT'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S MEDICAL NEWS. I'M MIKA BRZEZINSKI, 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=16-(540) 345-4818/Harrison Museum;]
[Double Boxes=KMC & SPA]
(toss to Kimberly)
((Archive:)) [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]

Killer twisters rip through Tennessee, leaving at least nine people dead and 70 hurt.
A state emergency management agency spokesman says tornadoes were spotted or touched down in at least 12 counties.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

Martin Luther King Junior day has put the President's impeachment trial on hold until tomorrow.
When the trial resumes it will be the president's lawyers turn as they present his defense.
Later in the evening Mr. Clinton will deliver his state of the Union address.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Will he or won't he run for public office?
Movie star Alec Baldwin, a strong supporter of President Clinton, ends speculation about his political future.
Rumors have been circulating that he might be running for Senate next year.
(----------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Monday January 18.
[anchor=Melanie]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-South-weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Severe Weather]

Severe storms and tornadoes swept through Tennessee and Mississippi last night killing at least nine people and injuring dozens.
This morning officials are assessing property damage and working to restore power to thousands in the dark.
Mika Brzezinski reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[4:01:24]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Clarksville, TN; :00]
[SUPER=03-Hall, TN; :14]
[SUPER=03-Marshall, MS; :55]
[SUPER=01-Mika Brzezinski/Reporting; 1:16 ]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=cbs news, ny.]
((IN CLARKSVILLE, THERE WAS LITTLE TIME TO WASTE.
soton wtvf pkg tape
2:47my wife told me the tornadoes coming...get out2:49
---please butt with---
2:56 i took offf....scared the daylights out of me3:01 IN JUST 15 SECONDS, JUST AS MANY TENNESSEE COUNTIES TURNED AND TWISTED AND TORE APART. IN HALL, "THIS" WAS THE PIG-N-OUT BARBECUE.. THIS "WAS" A BUSY..BUSTLING TOWN CENTER. THE TWISTER RIPPED BUSSINESSES 'UP' FROM THEIR ROOTS.. THROWING THEM 'DOWN' AGAIN WITH A VENGEANCE.
sot:
from big tape 22:53:27 my whole shop..there's nothing left..just a car and a slap of concrete RESIDENTS IN THE EYE OF THE STORM SAY FIRST THE WINDOWS BLEW
sot from big tape
22:53:17 my windows.. 22:53:26 last 14 seconds THEN, IN A FLASH, ROOVES PEELED BACK (wtvf pkg 3:27) TRAILERS TOOK TO THE SKIES (There is a tape that says "trailer on car) AND "EVERYTHING" INSIDE "ANYTHING" TURNED MOMENTARITLY WEIGHTLESS (big tape use wide shot of spile of debris anywhere on tape) THE SAME WRATH RAINED DOWN ON MARSHALL COUNTY MISSIPPI WHERE RESIDENTS COULD ONLY SCRAPE TOGETHER WHAT LITTLE THEY COULD FIND IN A MOUNTAIN OF LOSS (mississippi 23 33:40)
(natsot mississippi tape 33 34:15 chainsaw)
AND BEGIN WHAT WILL SURELY BE A LIFETIME OF REBUILDING
sot big tape
22:53:46 I feel blessed 22:53:49..to have my life
(this video is all over pkg tape)..perhap end with hymnall
IF THERE IS A BLESSING AMID ALL THIS DESTRUCTION AND LOSS IT IS BACK IN HALL TENNESSEE... AT THE FIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.. WHERE SUNDAY EVENING SERVICES WERE CANCELLED.. THEN THE WALLS AND WINDOWS CAME CRASHING DOWN. MIKA BRZEZINSKI CBS NEWS NEW YORK.))

[New-Deal]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=99-1 TC13:25]
[GRAPHIC=Volvo]
SALARIED employees of the Pulaski Volvo truck plant have accepted the first contract offered to its union members.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co.;]
119 UAW members voted to approve the terms of the deal. Only 31-voted to reject it. Most believed the contract worked hand in hand with Governor Jim Gilmore's plans to expand the plant.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=03:56:59]
[IN Q=I REALLY FEEL]
((DEBBIE KEENER/SALARIED EMPLOYEE; I REALLY FEEL LIKE, BASED ON HIS INFORMATION THAT VOLVO NEEDS TO WORK WITH THE SALARIED AND HOURLY EMPLOYEES TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CONTRACTS GOES THROUGH TO HELP THE EXPANSION GO THROUGH AND TO OFFER MORE JOBS IN THE NEW RIVER VALLEY.))
[SUPER=01-Debbie Keener/Salaried Employee;]
[RUNS=23]
[OUT Q=NEW RIVER VALLEY.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Meanwhile, the company's 21-hundred HOURLY employees, all but 68-of which are union members, voted to reject their deal. The work schedule-- a 50-hour work week including three Saturdays in each month-- was cited as the main reason for not ratifying the contract. There is no threat of a strike since the current contract does not expire until the spring of 2000.
(------------)

[2-E-Monty-Standoff]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#=98-78; 41:51]
[GRAPHIC=Standoff]

Police used teargas to end a standoff at a Christiansburg apartment last night.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]

Police went to the apartment along Newcomb Street after receiving a call that shots had been fired.
Police say when they arrived, Steven Shelor refused to let them inside.
Authorities eventually fired tear gas into the house in order to force their way in.
They say Shelor was still combative but Christiansburg and Montgomery County investigators were able to take him into custody.
Authorities say Shelor had shot HIMSELF in the arm prior to police entering the house but that the injury is NOT life threatening.
No one else was injured.
(----------------)

[E-OSW-Porch]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-73; 1:19:49]
[GRAPHIC=none]

People who live in historic areas often pay a price for their beautiful surroundings.
That's what one Roanoke homeowner recently found out when he decided to make a few changes.
David Johnson explains.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Aubrey Hicks recently]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Aubrey Hicks/Old Southwest Homeowner; :16]
[SUPER=01-Don Harwood/Architectural Review Board; :37]
[SUPER=@David2; 1:10]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=DJO, News 7.]
((Aubrey Hicks recently renovated his porch from rotted wood to what you now see. When he filed for a certificate of appropriateness with the architectural review board, he discovered he was out of spec with the rest of the Historic neighborhood. But Hicks feels the board should make an exception.
[SOT=02:12:11]
[IN Q=NOT JUST MYSELF]
((AUBREY HICKS/ ; NOT JUST MYSELF. THERE'S OTHERS WHO ARE ASKING FOR REASONABLE VARIANCES AND THEY ARE JUST BEING ARBITRARILY TOLD YOU CAN'T DO THIS.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=CAN'T DO THIS.]
But the board says Hicks' porch design challenges the integrity of the Old Southwest neighborhood. Officials say a peak in the H2 district guideline manual could have made the difference.
[SOT=02:23:11]
[IN Q=ALTHOUGH MR. HICKS]
((DON HARWOOD/ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD; ALTHOUGH MR. HICKS' WAS A CREATIVE ONE, IT FLAT OUT DID NOT MEET THE GUIDELINES THAT ARE STIPULATED IN THE BOOKLET.)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=THE BOOKLET.]
[SOT=02:10:23]
[IN Q=I HAVE TO]
((HICKS; I HAVE TO AGREE WHAT I HAVE DONE IS NOT APPROPRIATE COMPARED TO SOME OF THE OTHER HOUSES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, IT'S A LOT BETTER. IF THEY WANT TO MAKE OTHER PROPERTY OWNERS BRING THEIR PROPERTY UP TO AN H2 HISTORICAL LEVEL, I'LL CHANGE MY WORK. BUT FOR RIGHT NOW, I PLAN ON LETTING IT STAND.)) [RUNS21]
[OUT Q=LETTING IT STAND.]
[SOT=02:24:09]
[IN Q=IF WE START]
((HARWOOD; IF WE START ALLOWING DIFFERENT APPLICANTS TO DEVIATE FROM THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THEN THE GUIDELINES AREN'T DOING ANY GOOD AND THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD WILL SLOWLY DETERIORATE.)) [RUNS14]
[OUT Q=DETERIORATE.]
Hicks will appeal the board's decision to city council on Tuesday. David Johnson, News 7.))

[Three-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#VA-News Reel]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
[SUPER=01-Aletha Bolden/Harrison Museum;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]

(After we get the super up for her name go ahead and roll tape from where it is cued.- its just up for cover, no specif
ics)

(------------)
[VO NAT]
[RUNS=1:33]
(------------)

[SUPER=16-(540) 345-4818/Harrison Museum;]

[Steve Live]

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

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

[2-IMPEACHMENT]

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

The Presidential impeachment trial is on hold today in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
President Clinton will mark the day by visiting senior citizens at a Washington retirement home.
He'll also be going over tomorrow's state of the Union address.
It falls on the same day his lawyers begin his impeachment trial defense.
Lee Cowan reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Pete Domenici/(R) New Mexico; :07]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Mitch McConnell/(R) Kentucky; :41]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Lindsay Graham/(R) South Carolina; :53]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Bill McCollum/(R) Florida; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Patrick Leahy/(D) Vermont; 1:09]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Robert Torricelli/(D) New Jersey; 1:37]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting; 1:47]
[RUNS=2:06]
[OUT Q=cbs news washington.]
((FOR THE PRESIDENT - THIS IS ANYTHING BUT A QUIET HOLIDAY
WEEKEND---IT IS TIME TO HUNKER DOWN.
SEN. PETE DOMENICI/R-NM:
"Frankly, I think --- obstruction of justice."
ALTHOUGH THE HUM IN WASHINGTON HAS BEEN MUFFELED BY A BRIEF BREAK IN THE ACTION, COME TUESDAY THAT HUM COULD BE ALMOST DEAFENING. (( NAT )) IT IS D-DAY FOR BOTH - WHEN WHITE HOUSE LAWYERS WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE SENATE TO ARGUE WHY THE PRESIDENT SHOULD REMAIN IN OFFICE - JUST HOURS BEFORE THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF DELIVERS HIS STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH BEFORE CONGRESS OUTLINING HIS AGENDA IF HE IS ALLOWED TO STAY. SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL/R-KY : "Obviously we haven't heard from - best case they can." A CASE THE WHITE HOUSE HOPES IS STRONG ENOUGH TO DEFUSE A REPUBLICAN PUSH FOR WITNESSES. REP. LINDSAY GRAHAM//R-SC: "It's one thing to have lawyers - what happened." INCLUDING HEARING FROM THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF. REP. BILL MCCOLLUM//R-FL : "I think the President should be asked if other witnesses are asked. I think the American public probably expects the president and would expect the president to come and rebut these charges." SEN. PATRICK LEAHY//D-VT: "Somehow people think this is Perry Mason - doesn't work that way!" BUT IF REPUBLICANS CONTINUE TO PUSH THE ISSUE - DEMOCRATS THREATEN TO PUSH BACK - WITH A KEY WITNESS OF THEIR OWN.
(( SUPER: SEN. ROBERT TORRICELLI//D-NJ )) (( SOT AT 10:43:45 ))
"I can assure you - system of justice." (( LEE COWAN//CBS NEWS )) "One suggestion floated by House Manager Lindsay Graham would offer the Senate the option of convicting the President of perjury and obstruction of justice, but allowing him to remain in office. Such a split verdict is not something that could happen in a regular court - but this is anything but that. Lee Cowan, CBS News, Washington."))

[BALDWIN]

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

One of President Clinton's Hollywood supporters has ended speculation about a possible career change into politics.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]
[4:30:49]
Despite high visibility with political activism and fundraising for the Democrats, Actor Alec Baldwin announced yesterday' he won't be running for public office.
Baldwin has consistently shown his support for the President, and has been a harsh critic of New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
Rumors were circulating that Baldwin was planning to run against Giuliani for New York's Senate seat in 2000.
(----------------)

[E-MLK-Celebration]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-82 TC24:52]
[GRAPHIC=MLK Day]

As you heard earlier, people across the country are remembering Martin Luther King, Junior today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

Yesterday evening Hollins University held its annual service honoring the civil rights leader.
Students read speeches and sang songs of freedom in King's honor.
The theme for last night's event was "the pursuit of community."
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]

In Virginia, the day is also set aside to remember Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.

[WebWatch]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=Web Watch]
[GRAPHIC=Web Watch]

Catch up on the parts of the Senate impeachment trial you've missed so far...
And, we found an online clock that will stop you dead in your tracks...
Eric Earnhart has it all in this week's WebWatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=If you didn't here]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC/Saturday; :00]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=EE, News-7 ]
(([intro] [RUNS05]
If you didn't hear the prosecution's opening statements in the Senate Trial of the President, you can still catch up before the defense begins its statements on Tuesday.
The House prosecutors' statements are posted on the Judiciary Committee website, including a letter from a 3rd grader saying the president should write a 100 word essay.
The presidents side of the story is on the White House website, where statements by his lawyers are posted.
Here's a site that makes you stop and think... go to Deathclock-dot-com... enter your date of birth... and the Deathclock tells you how much longer you have left.... based on average life spans....
There's even a screen-saver if you want a constant reminder of your mortality.
This clock is a little more benign... at the CLOX website, you can download free software that tells you the time anywhere in the world... you can also check the official Greenwich Mean Time... generated by several atomic clocks.
You have to try Andy's Amazing Card Trick... try it now... pick a card... memorize it... and then we'll click on Sparky the amazing goldfish... who makes the card you picked disappear....
If you want to try it again, the link is on the WDBJ website.... browse to WDBJ7-dot-com and click on WebWatch.))

[3-Sports]

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

In sports, the Falcons earn their first- ever ticket to the Superbowl.
Roy Stanley has details.
Good Morning Roy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:19]
[OUT Q=day 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]

Christiansburg police ended a two hour standoff with tear gas.
They say Steven Shelor would not let them into an apartment on Newcomb Street while responding to a shots-fired call.
Around 11-30 last night, police forced their way in and found Shelor with an apparently self-inflicted gun-shot wound to his arm.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

More than two thousand hourly workers at Volvo's Pulaski truck plant said no to a new contract offer.
Many employees cited a new work-week schedule and changes to health care plans as reasons for not accepting the deal.
Salaried workers accepted their new contract yesterday.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

A Roanoke County home was badly damaged by fire last night.
The owners of the home on Bradshaw Road were not home at the time.
No one was injured and authorities are still investigating the cause of the blaze.
(-------------)
[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]