WDBJ 7 news at 5 for 09/23/99

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Today on News 7, North Carolina's Governor goes to Washington for money as his state tries to recover from some of its worst flooding ever.
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and NASA says human error may have caused the destruction of a 125 million dollar mission to Mars today.
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[Weather-Head]
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Temperatures back down into the 40s again tonight. Look for a quick warm up tomorrow.

[Medical-Head]

[ANCHOR=Tonya]
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On health check -- Virginia lawmakers are upset about Uncle Sam's tobacco lawsuit.
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[VO-NAT]
And doctors say many healthy eaters are getting too much of a good thing -- we'll tell you what element to cut back.
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[ANCHOR=Jean]
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[VO-NAT]

Days come and go but the flood water stays in North Carolina. Now the Governor is asking for more federal help.
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[5-NC-Flooding]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=flood aftermath]

North Carolina's Governor made the rounds in Washington today- pleading for more federal money.
As Jennifer Jones reports, many farmers lost everything.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Greenville, NC; :01 ]
[SUPER=01-Buddy Allen/Farmer; :20]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC;]
[SUPER=01-Gov. Jim Hunt/North Carolina; :38]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=Raleigh.]
((THIS LOOKS LIKE A LAKE RIGHT NOW... BUT BEFORE FLOYD, IT WAS A 350 ACRE COW PASTURE.
AND... IT IS THE LAST PLACE BUDDY AND KAY ALLEN SAW THEIR 300 HEAD OF CATTLE.
ALL BUT TWO OR THREE OF THE ANIMALS ARE GONE AND SINCE THE ALLEN'S HAD NO FLOOD INSURANCE THEY FACE AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL. BUDDY ALLEN, FARMER
WHILE THE ALLEN'S AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS STRUGGLE WITH DEVASTATING FLOOD WATERS... WASHINGTON, DC: THE STATE'S GOVERNOR WAS ON CAPITOL HILL LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL DISASTER RELIEF MONEY. GOVERNOR JIM HUNT/NORTH CAROLINA, some poor people have lost everything, cars,homes, farms...
MORE THAN THREE DOZEN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED SO FAR AND OFFICIALS FEAR OTHERS WILL BE FOUND WHEN ALL THE FLOOD WATERS FINALLY RECEDE. PROPERTY DAMAGE IS EXPECTED TO EXCEED THE SIX BILLION DOLLAR TAB LEFT BY HURRICANE FRAN IN 19-96. FARMS HAVE BEEN HIT ESPECIALLY HARD.. MILLIONS OF PIGS, CATTLE, CHICKENS AND TURKEYS ARE DEAD. AND EARLY ESTIMATES OF CROP AND STRUCTURE DAMAGE HAVE BEEN PLACED OVER 300 MILLION DOLLARS.
IT ALL ADDS UP TO THE WORST DISASTER IN NORTH CAROLINA HISTORY. JENNIFER JONES, CBS NEWS, RALEIGH.))

[5-Red-Cross]

[ANCHOR=Tonya]
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[TAPE#=599-18 11:14]
[GRAPHIC=Hold flood]

The American Red Cross is asking for financial aid to help victims recover from Hurricane Floyd.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; ]
The Roanoke Valley Chapter is trying to raise 58-thousand dollars to meet the 25-million dollar national goal. Volunteers are not just raising money, they're also helping relatives locate family members in Franklin, Virginia who haven't been heard from since the hurricane.
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[IN Q=We have a]
((JENNIE SUE MURDOCK/DISATER SERVICES VOLUNTEER: WE HAVE A CENTRAL CONTACT WHERE WE SEND THESE DISASTER WELFARE INQUIRIES, AND THEN HOPEFULLY BEFORE TOO LONG WE GET A RESPONSE BACK.))
[SUPER=01-Jennie Sue Murdock/Disaster Services Volunteer; ]
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[OUT Q=a response back.]
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[VO NAT] A third service center is now opened in Tarboro, North Carolina. The other centers are in Greenville and Rocky Mount. To make a contribution call the Roanoke Valley Chapter at (540) 985-3559 or 1800-HELP-NOW or send a donation to 352 Church Avenue, Southwest, Roanoke Virginia 24016.
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[5-Brewer]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
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A jury in Texas has sentenced Lawrence Brewer to death for dragging a black man to death last year.
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[SUPER=03-Bryan, TX]

The jury took about 14 hours to decide the 32-year old white supremacist should be executed by lethal injection.
He is the second man to be sentenced to death for brutally killing James Byrd Junior by dragging him behind a truck.
A third man goes on trial next month.
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[5-Tech-Traffic]

[ANCHOR=jean]
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[TAPE#599-16 8:55]
[GRAPHIC=tech Traffic]

Football fans are descending on Blacksburg by the thousands-- for tonight's sold out game between the Hokies and Clemson tigers.
And-- Route 460 between Blacksburg and Christiansburg is one stretch of road- filled with traffic- as many fans head to the game.
[Double Boxes=Jean/teresa Microwave]

That's where we find Teresa Hamilton-- who's been watching the traffic build throughout the day.
How's it looking, right now?
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[SUPER=@Teresa1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]

Jean-- traffic, as you might expect, is heavy and not at all UNexpected given the fact thousands are currently descending on Blacksburg here at what is normally rush-hour.
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((
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((DAN BRUGHT/VDOT RESIDENT ENGINEER: CERTAINLY, IT'S NOT A GOOD SITUATION TO BE IN HAVING A SOLD OUT FOOTBALL GAME, 50- THOUSAND PLUS PEOPLE TRYING TO GET TO THE STADIUM INTERMINGLES WITH THE NORMAL AFTERNOON RUSH-HOUR.))
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Although the traffic situation may sound bleak-- VDOT officials are optimistic that everything will work out in the end.
That's because they've taken steps-- hoping to alleviate congestion between Interstate 81 and Blacksburg.
For instance, they're monitoring the flow of traffic, in a plane, along with state police in search of any problems.
To further help out: Most traffic lights along Route 460 are flashing and construction crews were advised to shut down operations along 460 at least through midnight.
The only area where there's real concern is along the Route 460- bypass, where traffic is down to one lane for a few miles. ))
[Live=Teresa Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]

Virginia Tech officials also anticipated problems here at rush-hour-- To help out-- most offices on campus shut down today at four PM.
[Double Boxes=Jean/Teresa Microwave]

Jean-- the traffic may be a headache but it translates to big dollars for some area businesses.
Coming up six-- we'll take you to a local company that's cashing in on Beamerball merchandise.
[(toss to R)]
(toss to Robin)
[Robin-Tease] [09/23/1999]
[SS=NONE]ROBIN IN WX-CENTER
[WXPRO/FULL] WEATHER MAP TOMORROW FORECAST FIVE DAY FORECAST

[SS=NONE]ROBIN TOSS BACK[Tease#1 ]

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Coming up next on news 7, President Clinton delivers on a promise to veto the Republican tax plan, but he says there could be room for compromise,
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and from Hollywood, one of the nation's best known actors has passed away in his California home.
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[5-Tax-Veto]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
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It's a tax bill that would have provided tax cuts for married couples- and lowered the capital gains tax-
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[SUPER=03-Washington DC;]

President Clinton today vetoed the Republicans 800 billion dollar tax cut bill- calling it too big and too bloated.
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[SOT 14:46:12]
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((WE CAN LIFT THE BURDEN OF DEBT FROM THE SHOULDER OF THE NEXT GENERATION. WE CAN SECURE FUTURE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE.))
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[OUT Q=and Medicare.]
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But GOP leaders say Americans know they are overtaxed.
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((SEN. TRENT LOTT/R- MAJORITY LEADER: THIS WAS A BROAD TAX RELIEF PACKAGE THAT WOULD PROVIDE RELIEF TO MARRIED FAMILIES, TO WOMEN WHO GO BACK INTO THE WORK PLACE, FOR EDUCATION IN AMERICA FOR LOW INCOME AMERICASNS IT'S A GOOD BILL.))
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[OUT Q=IT'S A GOOD BILL.]
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[VO-NAT]

The President urged republicans to come up with an alternative plan by the end of the year.
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[5-Scott]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
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[WRITER=tbr]
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Academy Award winner George C. Scott died yesterday in California.
An autopsy shows the 71-year old actor died of a ruptured abdominal aneurysm.
Born October 18, 1927 in Wise, Virginia, Scott was best known for his role in the 1970 film "Patton."
Bobbi Harley has more.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-"Patton"/20th Century Fox; :00]
[SUPER=10-George C. Scott/Actor/1982; :30]
[SUPER=03-"Dr. Strangelove"/Columbia Pictures; :42]
[SUPER=03-"Inherit The Wind"/Royale Theatre; 1:02]
[SUPER=03-"Gloria"/Columbia Pictures; 1:20]
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[OUT Q=CBS News, NY.]
(((NATZ OF SCOTT AS PATTON)
(SUPER: PATTON/TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX)
GEORGE C. SCOTT WAS A STAR BEFORE THE FILM "PATTON" CAME ALONG IN 19-70. BUT IT WAS HIS INSPIRED PERFORMANCE IN THE TITLE ROLE THAT CATAPULTED HIM TO HOLLYWOOD'S UPPER ECHELON.
(SHORT NATZ OF PATTON)

SCOTT WILL BE REMEMBERED...NOT JUST FOR HIS OSCAR WINNING PERFORMANCE, BUT ALSO FOR HIS EQUALLY STARTLING REFUSAL TO ACCEPT THE TROPHY.
SOT: GEORGE C. SCOTT, 1982
"I NEVER WANTED TO INDULGE IN THAT SWEATY COMPETITIVE, BY-PLAY THAT ONE SEES, THAT'S WHY I WITHDREW."
(NATZ OF DR. STRANGELOVE)
(SUPER: DR. STRANGELOVE/COLUMBIA PICTURES)
BESIDES PATTON, SCOTT ONCE LISTED THE 19-64 CLASSIC, DR. STRANGELOVE AS ONE OF HIS FAVORITE ROLES.
(MORE NATZ)
(SUPER: INHERIT THE WIND/ROYALE THEATRE)
WHILE SCOTT APPEARED IN DOZENS OF FILMS, THEATER WAS HIS FIRST LOVE. AMONG HIS MANY ROLES, HE STARRED WITH CHARLES DURNING IN THE 19-96 BROADWAY REVIVAL OF "INHERIT THE WIND."
(NATZ)
(SUPER:GLORIA/COLUMBIA PICTURES)
HIS FINAL ROLE WAS THIS PAST SUMMER...SCOTT COSTARRED WITH SHARON STONE IN THE MOVIE, GLORIA. GEORGE C. SCOTT, TALENTED AND CONTROVERSIAL ACTOR... DEAD AT THE AGE OF 71. BOBBI HARLEY, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.))

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[ANCHOR=Jean]
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Coming up next on the newscast, Patrick Evans will check in with the national media's evaluation of the Virginia Tech Hokies.
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[5-TIRICO]

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Tech faces a major grudge match tonight in a nationally televised game with Clemson, and the national media have descended upon Blacksburg.
[Double Boxes=Jean/Patrick Microwave]

Patrick Evans has an exclusive interview with ESPN's Mike Tirico (ter-REE-ko) to talk about the Hokies success so far this season, and what the ESPN sports analysts think of tonight's game.
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[SUPER=01-Mike Tirico/ESPN;]

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[health music under]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
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Today in Sports, we're just a couple of hours from the kickoff of the Hokies' nationally televised game against the Clemson Tigers. We'll have a live report.
[ANCHOR=Tonya]

And on Health Check, a new study has some interesting revelations about a common dietary supplement.
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[VO-NAT]
We'll tell you why doctors are starting to change the way they think about Iron.
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[SOT 2:31:44 CBS 4am feed]
[IN Q=People who]
((PEOPLE WHO HAVE TOO MUCH IRON MAY BE AT INCREASED RISK OF HEART DISEASE AND OR STROKE. ))
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[OUT Q=OR STROKE.]
[health bump]
[Comm Break#3]

[5-Tobacco-React]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=equ]
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The Clinton Administration says smoking has cost the federal government 60-BILLION dollars.
But Virginia politicians of all political stripes are NOT happy about a federal tobacco lawsuit.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

At the head of the list, Governor Jim Gilmore worries it will take away from Virginia's four billion dollar share of the states' settlement.
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[SOT 11:09:24]
[IN Q=Well it will.]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: WELL IT WILL. THE RULES OF THE MASTER SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ARE THAT IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL MONIES THAT COME OUT BECAUSE OF A FEDERAL LAWSUIT, IT WILL COME RIGHT OUT OF THE STATE'S SHARE. AND THAT'S TROUBLING.))
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[OUT Q=that's troubling.]
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[VO-NAT]

Democratic Congressman Rick Boucher predicts the tobacco companies will win-- and the federal government will have only wasted money pursuing the suit.
Southside lawmakers are even more annoyed.
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[SOT 15:18:02]
[IN Q=Why on top]
((SEN. CHARLES HAWKINS: WHY ON TOP OF EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE FACED IN THIS AREA, NAFTA, FLOODS...JUMPING ON AND SUING.))
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[OUT Q=that's troubling.]
[TALENT=Jean]
[SS=Hold]

48 Virginia companies have either laid off workers or closed in Virginia since NAFTA was enacted in 1994.
President Clinton pushed NAFTA through Congress then.

[5-Iron]

[ANCHOR=Tonya]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=599-14 28:34]
[GRAPHIC=Heart Disease]

A new study shows Americans may need to rethink the way they feel about the iron in their diet.
It could raise the risk of heart disease.
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[VO-NAT]

For years, many people have been afraid they were not getting enough iron in their diets.
As a result, cereals, breads and other products were iron fortified.
But now more and more experts say the problem is not too little iron, but too much and that can lead to an increased risk of heart disease or stroke.
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[SOT 2:32:16 CBS 4am feed]
[IN Q=I'd be very]
((-DR. WARREN FUREY I'D BE VERY CAUTIOUS OF HAVING THINGS WITH IRON IF YOU'RE PAST THE MENSTRUAL CHILDBEARING AGE GROUPS AND FOR MEN I DON'T KNOW OF ANY REAL BENEFIT FOR IRON UNLESS SOMEONE HAS TOLD YOU YOU'RE IRON DEFICIENT.))
[SUPER=07-Dr. Warren Furey;]
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[OUT Q=iron deficient.]
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[VO-NAT]

In a new study, people with elevated iron levels had twice the normal risk of heart attack.
The iron apparently speeds the growth of blood clots.
The evidence is so compelling some doctors are making recommendations on avoiding iron overload.
If you take a multivitamin, take one that is iron free.
Another way to lower iron is to give blood.
Studies show regular donors reduce their risk of heart attack by up to 88 percent.
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[5-Antibiotic]

[ANCHOR=Tonya]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Antibiotics]

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a powerful new antibiotic.
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[VO-NAT]

Synercid could prevent hospital acquired bacterial infections.
Last year 88-thousand people died from infections that were resistant to antibiotics.
The drug is approved for use against certain infections because it works well against some germs, but not others.
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[S5-Big Game]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
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[GRAPHIC=VA Tech Football]

The Two minute Boucher is on the road in Blacksburg tonight where the Hokies hope to cage the Clemson Tigers.

[Double Boxes=Jean/Mike Microwave]

Mike Stevens is on Worsham Field getting set for what could be a zoo like atmosphere.
[Live=Mike Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@mike1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg]

Mike adlibs
(rollcue...want to put on a show tonight.)
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[IN Q=We're really ]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
[SUPER=01-Jamel Smith/Va. Tech Linebacker; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ike Charleton/Va. Tech Cornerback; :20]
[SUPER=01-Andre Kendrick/Va. Tech Tailback; :38]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Va. Tech Head Coach; :50]
[RUNS=1:08]
[OUT Q=alot of screens.]
(())

[Live= Mike Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]

Mike adlibs to the break.

[5-Mars]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#Net=]
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Scientists at NASA may have made a costly mistake.
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[VO-NAT]

Officials at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory say a major navigation error sent the Mars weather probe too deep in the planet's atmosphere.
It most likely broke into pieces or burned up. Officials will keep trying to re-establish contact for the time being as they recheck their calculations.
The 125 MILLION dollar spacecraft was supposed to study the Martian weather and search for water.
An investigation is underway to determine how the spacecraft got so far off course. Officials believe it was most likely caused by human or computer error.
NASA says given the number of missions launched every year, it is still very successful.
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[IN Q=When you have]
(())
[SUPER=01-Dr. Carl Pilcher/NASA;]
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[OUT Q=pushing the envelope.]
[TAlent=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

The orbiter was one of two probes that was supposed to study Mars this year. [Close-ID] [5pm] SUPER=x4035; fax/copyright [SUPER=x4034;email/copyright]