WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 09/06/99

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Eric]

[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=NewsHd]
[GRAPHIC=]
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[VO-NAT]

Next on News Seven at Six... the President declares Virginia a disaster area...
But the heavy rains will ease the water crisis in parts of Southwest Virginia.
(------------)

Plus we'll have a live holiday traffic update.

[Sports-head]

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

In sports, Sammy Sosa hits yet another homerun, the latest from the U.S. Open and and update on Tech QB Michael Vick's condition,
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-]

and another former Tech QB makes the grade for now on the west coast.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]

The heaviest of the rain has moved on but it was nice while it lasted. Forecast details for the week ahead coming up. [open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 at Six Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Eric1;]
[SUPER=@Steve1;]
[SUPER=@Robin1;]
[RUNS=:20]

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
(------------)
[LIVE PICTURE OF HIGHWAY]
This is what it's like on the highway on this gloomy Labor Day- a live picture as holiday travellers head home.
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[Holiday-Traffic]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=99-38 4:00]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 6]

Good Evening-
Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year-
People made one last attempt to enjoy the summer- despite the rain- and now it's time to make their way back home.

[Double Boxes=Eric/Jean Microwave]

Jean Jadhon is checking out the traffic to see what it's like this Labor Day-
[Live=Jean Full]
[SUPER=@Jean1;]
[SUPER=05-Salem;]
[Anchor=Jean]

Jean adlibs [Shooter pans over vo over live]

(rollcue... that's one thing that's made the roads safer. )
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Tom Foster/Va. State Police;]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=called to investigate]
(-------------------)
[VO-NAT]

:20 seconds of vo
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[Live= Jean Full]
[SUPER=05-Salem]
(ad lib)

[Double Boxes=Eric/Jean]

(toss back to anchor)

[Clinton]

[ANCHOR=Eric]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=99-43 3:24]
[GRAPHIC=Clinton]

President Clinton declared Virginia a disaster zone today.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Norfolk;]

The President was in Norfolk speaking at an elementary school.
The declaration is makes the state eligible for federal aid and is aimed at the Hampton area, where a tornado caused more than seven million dollars in damage Saturday.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:37:34]
[IN Q=150 homes were]
((PRESIDENT CLINTON; 150 HOMES WERE DESTROYED AND SIX PEOPLE WERE INJURED. AS WE PRAY FOR THEIR SWIFT RECOVERY, WE ARE ALSO ALREADY WORKING ON THOSE WHO LOST THEIR HOMES, AND TO HELP THEM GET THEIR HOMES AND PROPERTY BACK. ))
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=property back]
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[VO-NAT]

Earlier today the President helped fix a computer desk at another elementary school, as he attacked the Republican tax cut plan, saying it would take money away from school renovation projects.
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[Carvins-Cove]

[ANCHOR=Eric]
[NEWSCAST=6p]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-41 1:20]
[GRAPHIC=Water Supply]

The rain has pushed the water level in Carvins Cove up two and a half feet since Friday.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Carvins Cove/Yesterday]

Roanoke's main water supply is now 26-point-6 feet below the spillway.
It's been over a month since the level was that high.
City council tomorrow will consider changing its water conservation program.
Council may drop the requirement that customers cut water use by 25 percent, if the cove's water level reaches 30 feet below the spillway.
(------------)

[BV-Water]

[ANCHOR=Eric]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-40 24:15]
[GRAPHIC=Hold Water Supply]

Heavy rains pounded the area, providing much-needed drought relief for residents.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista;]

But in Buena Vista, where too much water is usually a concern, three days of downpour were NOT enough to lift water restrictions.
The community has had voluntary water rationing in place for several weeks.
It's had six inches of rain since Friday...
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:03:47 - 21:40:01]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Harold Kidd/Buena Vista Mayor;]
((HAROLD KIDD/BUENA VISTA MAYOR: IT HAS STABILIZED. IT HASN'T GOTTEN ANY WORSE, BUT IT HASN'T GOTTEN ANY BETTER. WE SEE THE RAIN AS EVIDENCED BY THE CREEKS. IT'S NOT COMING DOWN THE CREEKS, IT'S GOING IN THE GROUND. SO, I GUESS IT'S A GODSEND, THE WATER AND THE RAIN THAT WE'VE GOTTEN.))
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=RAIN THAT WE'VE GOTTEN.]
[ANCHOR=ERIC]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

But the water DID make a difference in Bedford County....the County's Drought Task Force says the rains have eased drought conditions there so much, its drought relief program for farmers and residents will be suspended.
[*******TOSS TO ROBIN*****] [WX-1] [TOSS TO ROBIN IN WX CENTER]
[MCU]ROBIN TALKS ABOUT GOOD RAIN
[WXPRO/FULL]RADAR IMAGE
[ROLL]
[TOSS BACK TO ANCHOR][Roll]
[TALENT=Robin]
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[SUPER=82-3.28''/plus 2.68''/26.32''/minus 1.90'']
[SUPER=83-Down 2.51 feet/Down 1.20 feet]
[SUPER=84-Down 26.6 feet/Mandatory Restrictions][Tease#1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Eric]
[SS=NONE]

Local politicians refused to let it rain on their parade in Buean Vista where Labor Day is the traditional kick off to the campaign season. We'll see who is pressing the flesh after this break.
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[VO-NAT]
and then we'll see what one local school is doing to make students and teachers feel more like family.
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[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM#1]

[Wetlands]

[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-30 1:15:55]
[GRAPHIC=Gilmore]

When Governor Jim Gilmore promised to protect wetlands on his watch, he didn't realize the political swamp into which he was wading.
Ellen Qualls reports on what may be a very sticky issue in the coming months in Richmond.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=He's trying]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/February 11; :00]
[SUPER=01-Wilmer Stoneman/Virginia Farm Bureau; :23]
[SUPER=01-John Paul Woodley/Secretary of Nat. Resources; :50]
[SUPER=@Ellen2; 1:07]
[RUNS=1:43]
[OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.]

(( He's trying so hard to counteract the image that Virginia Republicans don't care about the environment.
So how was Jim Gilmore to know that just five months after he took office, a federal court decision would lift U-S Army Corps of Engineers oversight of wetlands?
It's called the Tulloch decision-- and it's meant eight thousand acres of wetlands have been planned for draining in Virginia in just over a year.
[SOT 11:35:47 ]
((WILMER STONEMAN/VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU: AND HIS DIFFICULTY IS THAT HE'S MADE THE COMMITMENT. AND NOW WE'VE GOT A FEDERAL LOOPHOLE THAT IS ON ONE HAND TAKING AWAY SOME OF THOSE WETLANDS. SO HE'S, IN MY OPINION, BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE.))
[RUNS=:17]

[SOT 10:35:44]
((JOHN PAUL WOODLEY/VIRGINIA SECRETARY OF NAT. RESOURCES: WELL I WOULD SAY THAT WILMER'S PROBABLY RIGHT ABOUT THAT.))

[RUNS=:03 ]

Gilmore's own natural resources secretary says it may be his biggest headache right now.
[SOT 10:38:19]
((WOODLEY: IT'S DEFINITELY AN ISSUE THAT WE DID NOT ANTICIPATE THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH. AND WE ARE IN FACT HAVING TO ADDRESS IT AND ADDRESS IT IN A WAY THAT'S TRYING TO BE RESPONSIVE TO CONCERNS BY BOTH SIDES.))
[RUNS=:19]

If scientists now agree that wetlands filter water, harbor animal life, and control floods... who's against them?
[SOT 11:34:29]
((STONEMAN: THE FARMERS IN THE COMMONWEALTH ARE NOT ASHAMED TO, NOR DO THEY OBJECT TO PROTECTING WETLANDS IF THERE'S WATER IN IT.))
[RUNS=:12]

The problem for farmers and homebuilders is they feel the definitions are too broad... leaving just plain flat spots with NO water protected from farming and ditch-digging.
One lobbyist says expect wetlands to be an obsession of the 2000 General Assembly.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

[Campaign-99]

[ANCHOR=Eric]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99--39 6;33]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 99]

Labor Day in Buena Vista is the kick-off of the campaign season for the General Assembly.
And, as Marya Jones reports, Hurricane Dennis dampened voter attendance, but not the battle for votes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NATSOUND MARCHING BAND]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista;]
[IN Q=No one works a Labor Day]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista;]
[SUPER=01-Harold Kidd/Buena Vista Mayor;]
[SUPER=@Marya1;]
[SUPER=@Earley;]
[SUPER=@Putney;]
[SUPER=01-L.F. Payne/(D) Former Congressman;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Buena Vista.]

[natsound: marching band] ((NATSOUND: MARCHING BAND))
[RUNS=:02]

No one works a Labor Day parade crowd like a pack of politicians. [NATSOUND: LT. GOV. JOHN HAGER] ((NATSOUND: HEY, HOW Y'ALL DOIN'? HAPPY LABOR DAY.))
[RUNS=:03]

But even though strong rains all morning dispersed the crowds for a disappointing turnout... it didn't rain on the candidates' parade.
(///// SOT /////)
[sot 20:32:34 - :35]
((LF PAYNE: GREAT DAY FOR THIS.))
[runs=:01]
(///// SOT /////)
[sot 20:37:16 - 20]
((REP. BOB GOODLATTE: IT'S A NICE RAINY DAY FOR A PARADE, ISN'T IT? WE NEED THE RAIN.))
[runs=:04]

The parades have customarily attracted as many as 10,000 onlookers and political fanatics to Buena Vista. Not so this Labor Day.
[sot 21:03:06 - :12]
((MAYOR HAROLD KIDD: CERTAINLY, THE RAIN HAS HAD A LOT TO DO WITH THE CURTAILMENT OF ACTIVITIES TODAY.))
[runs=:06]
(///// SOT /////)
[SU 20:56:52] ((MARYA JONES/NEWS 7: IF THE WEATHER CREATED SOME APATHY, THE STAKES OF THE ELECTION DIDN'T... ALL 140 GENERAL ASSEMBLY SEATS ARE UP FOR GRABS THIS YEAR. AND BOTH PARTIES ARE VYING HARD TO HAVE THE HONOR OF REDISTRICTING.))
[runs=:12]
[sot 21:00:03 - :06]
((MARK EARLEY/(R) ATTORNEY GENERAL: WHEN IT COMES TO REDISTRICTING, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE LINES ARE DRAWN FAIRLY.))

[runs=:03]
[SOT 20:53:20 - :35]
((LACEY PUTNEY/DELEGATE: I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU A PROMISE. IF I GO BACK, I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT BUENA VISTA...INSTEAD OF BEING DIVIDED INTO THREE.))
[RUNS=:15]

And while the General Assembly elections were the focus of the day, Buena Vista was crawling with future gubernatorial candidates.
Former Congressman LF Payne was the lone Democratic contender for that role on a stage full of Republicans.
(///// SOT /////)
[sot 20:40:53 - 20:41:05]
((LF PAYNE: WHILE THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM IS THAT... THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO DO JUST FINE. ))
[runs=:08]

And Attorney General Mark Earley and Lt. Governor John Hager made their appearances.
When General Assembly elections roll around in less than two months, these candidates hope voters have heard their message loud and clear.
Marya Jones, News 7, Buena Vista.

[Tease#2]

[ANCHOR=Eric]
[NEWSCAST=6p]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

There's more News 7 to come. Stay with us.[School-Families]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-45]
[GRAPHIC=Education]

In this age of concerns over school violence -- some local elementary schools are trying something new.
Your child may have the same classmates, even the same teacher, next year.
That way, parents, teachers and children know each other better.
Tina Tenret explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Eight year old Megan Eller]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.; :08]
[SUPER=07-Megan Eller; :14]
[SUPER=07-Zach Boitnott; :36]
[SUPER=01-Beth Hudson/Teacher; :54]
[SUPER=@Tina1; 1:01]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; 1:13]
[SUPER=01-Lynn Graves/Teacher; 1:30]
[RUNS=1:51]
[OUT Q=Tina Tenret News7 *****Tight Out**]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:26:00]
((nat sot: If you run out of room you should go on the back))
[RUNS=:02]

Eight-year-old Megan Eller just graduated from second to third grade.
But the faces around her did NOT change.
The same children are in her class as last year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:35:28]
[IN Q=I like them being]
((MEGAN ELLER: I LIKE THEM BEING IN MY CLASS BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS PLAY WITH ME AND THEY KNOW ME AND I CAN BE THEIR FRIENDS.))
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=I can be their friends]

Boones Mill Elementary School is trying this for the first time: keeping children together in so-called families as they jump to the next grade.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:05:01]
[IN Q=I like it]
((ZACH BOITNOTT: I LIKE IT BECAUSE A LOT OF MY FRIENDS I'VE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME ARE IN MY CLASS AND I CAN DO A LOT MORE STUFF WITHOUT BEING EMBARRASSED.))
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=embarrassed]

They only stay together for two years -- then, the groups are reshuffled.
In the meantime, though, they do meet people outside their class.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:45:47]
[IN Q=They're not cliquey]
((BETH HUDSON: THEY'RE NOT CLIQUE-Y AT ALL. WHEN WE'RE ON THE PLAYGROUND THEY PLAY WITH EVERY CHILD.))
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=with every child]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:36:09]
[IN Q=THIS WHOLE IDEA]
((TINA TENRET/NEWS7: THIS WHOLE IDEA IS BASED ON A POPULAR BOOK CALLED THE BASIC SCHOOL WHICH TALKS ABOUT TURNING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS INTO COMMUNITIES AND TEACHING CORE VALUES LIKE HONESTY AND DISCIPLINE.))
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=HONESTY AND DISCIPLINE]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:01:43]
((zero plus seven what does that equal? seven!))
[RUNS=:03]

Kipps Elementary School in Blacksburg is a three-year veteran of this system, taking it even one step further.
Teachers stay with the kids too.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:30:06]
[IN Q=I FELT IT]
((LYNN GRAVES/TEACHER: I FELT IT MADE US BETTER TEACHERS BECAUSE WE WERE ABLE TO DO BOTH GRADES. IN FIRST GRADE WE KNEW WHERE TO TAKE THE CHILDREN AND WHAT WAS EXPECTED IN SECOND GRADE.))
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=SECOND GRADE]

Parents who don't LIKE their child's teacher or classmates CAN opt out.
But those who stick with it say they've built confidence and close bonds.
Family style.
Tina Tenret News7 Franklin County

[Sports tease]

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

An update on Tech's Michael Vick and his condition, another former Tech QB makes the cut in the NFL
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-]

and Mike Stevens has the story of the hardest working Redskin on Labor Day.
(------------)

[S-Vick]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-34]
[GRAPHIC=Tech football]

The Virginia Tech ticket office announced today that there are no more tickets remaining for sale for the 11th ranked Hokies football 1pm game against UAB Saturday at lane Stadium. There IS still a question mark around Michael Vick.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Saturday; :00]
Vick, who injured his left leg during yesterday's rout of JMU, went through treatment today. Tech officials said that at 2pm the range of motion in his left leg was evaluated among other tests. The analysis is still a mild to moderate ankle sprain. He injured his leg while scoring his third touchdown and is still questionable for this weekend's game.
(------------)

[S-Druck]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-42]
[GRAPHIC=49ers]

As NFL teams whittle their rosters down to the NFL 53 man limit, the San Francisco 49ers decided to keep Jim Druckenmiller for now.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC; :00]

Druckenmiller joins three other Niner QB's that will watch Steve Young from the sideline. Head coach Steve Mariucci said " we felt all four quarterbacks were included in the top 53 players on board ". But Druckenmiller is clearly the fourth string signal caller. He completed just six of 20 passes this preseason.
(------------)

[S-Cats]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-51]
[GRAPHIC=none]
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[VO-NAT wipe to #eng!!!!!!]
[SUPER=03-Spartanburg, SC; :00]

in other Monday morning quarterback news, the Carolina panthers have announced that Steve Beuerlein will be the starting quarterback Sunday when the Cats open the season in New Orleans. Head coach George Seifert made the call but has yet to decide on his back up. That battle is between Jeff Lewis and Steve Bono.
(------------------)

[S-Mitchell]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-50]
[GRAPHIC=REDSKINS]

The Redskins 3-and-1 preseason has provided their long suffering fans with a ray of optimism for the team's season opener this coming Sunday against the Cowboys.
Mike Stevens has more a key member of the 99 squad.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Frostburg, MD; :00]
[SUPER=01-Brian Mitchell/10 Year Veteran Redskin; :26]
[SUPER=@mike2; :37]
[RUNS=1:49]
[OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
((For 10 years Brian Mitchell has been the heart and soul of the Washington Redskins, only he and Darrell Green remain from the Joe Gibbs' days. Mitchell and hall of famer Jim Brown are the only players in NFL history to lead the league in total yards four different times. Yet Mitchell makes less than a million a season and is often overlooked. ((BRIAN MITCHELL:))
Mitchell holds 14 different Redskins' records and he's played for three different coaches. He's only 5-10 yet he has never backed down from anyone on the field. ((BRIAN MITCHELL:)) He's also gotten used to fighting for playing time. This season Larry Centers and Champ Bailey are the one trying to get some of his plays on offense and special teams. ((BRIAN MITCHELL:))
Mitchell was on the field for nearly 700 plays last season.
Mike Stevens News 7 sports.))

[S-Sosa]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-47]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]
In Major League Baseball today, Minnesota topped Tampa Bay 13-2. In the National League, Sammy Sosa hit his leag
ue leading 58th in the Cubs 6-3 loss to Cincinnati, Colorado over Montreal 5-3, San Diego was 1 better that Pittsburgh, and the Mets blanked the Giants 3-nothing.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baltimore, MD; :00]

And in Baltimore, the O's played hosts to the Cleveland Indians. Albert Belle with those piercing eyes. He would give the Birds a three-nothing lead with his first homer of the series but the Indians escape with a 7-6 win.
(------------)

[S-tennis]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-44]
[GRAPHIC=us open]

A couple of notes from the court in U.S. Open action. Pete Sampras is out and Andre Agassi keeps rolling. Today he advanced with an easy three set victory.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Flushing Meadows, NY; :00]

On the women's side, it was an easy day for fourth seeded Monica Seles as well. She topped Jennifer Capriati in straight sets 6-4 and 6-3.
(------------)
[Wx-Tape]
[SUPER=305-73/67/99/1954/46/1984]
[SUPER=306-73/70/90/Calm/29.82s/6:55am/7:40pm]

[WEATHER] [6PM WEATHER] [09/06/1999] [SS NONE] [ENG/FULL]LOCAL WEATHER VIDEO [ADD CHYRON/ENG/FULL]HIGHS & LOWS CURRENT STATS [MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL] [CK/CHYRON/VIEWERNET] [CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [CK/CHYRON/5 PAGES] FORECASTS [ESS/FULL] EXTENDED FORECAST[Forecasts]
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[SUPER=X5000]
[SUPER=330-Light Showers/Patchy Fog/64-66/Partly Sunny/Afternoon Shower/83-85]
[SUPER=331-Showers And/Patchy Fog/66-68/Partly Sunny/Afternoon Shower/84-88]
[SUPER=332-Cloudy With/Fog/62-65/Turning/Partly Cloudy/82-84]
[SUPER=333-Showers Ending/Mostly Cloudy/60-64/Partly Cloudy/Showers Late/80-82]
[SUPER=334-Cloudy With/Fog/60-63/Afternoon/Showers/78-80]

[SUPER=X5001][Close]

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(Weekday 6 only)
[SUPER=x4032; e-mail/Most Watched/Copyright/WEEKDAYS]
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(Weekend 6 only)
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