WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 11/10/99

[Wilkins]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=netU]
[GRAPHIC=State Capitol]

Vance Wilkins' path to the House of Delegates Speaker's chair is a lot clearer today.
This morning Fairfax Delegate Jack Rust dropped out of the race for the speakership.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/File Tape]

That means the Amherst delegate is almost certain to become the first-ever Republican speaker when the General Assembly convenes in January.
Rust said he withdrew because he knew he did not have the votes to win.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=HOLD]

Republican legislators meet Sunday to select their leader in the House, where the G-O-P gained control for the first time in history in last week's election.

[KINKEL-SENTENC]

[ANCHOR=MEL]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

The Oregon teenager accused of opening fire on his classmates last year is set to be sentenced today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]

Kip Kinkel has pleaded guilty to four counts of murder for killing his parents and two students,-- and numerous counts of attempted murder for shooting 25 students.
In a plea bargain, Kinkel agreed to serve 25 years in prison for the murders.
The judge today could ADD up to 195 years for the attempted murders, for a total of 220 years.
(------------)

[expelled-students]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

High schools opened today in Decatur, Illinois, but there's still no resolution to the expulsions of 7 students.
Reverend Jesse Jackson showed up again this morning, but despite a heavy police presence, there was calm.
Drew Levinson reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[11:30-UPDATE WINDOW]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Decatur, IL;]
[SUPER=01-Jesse Jackson/Rainbow Coalition;]
[SUPER=04-Home Video-September 17;]
[SUPER=01-Kenneth Arndt/Superintendent;]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS, Decatur, IL.]
(((LOCATOR: DECATUR, IL) FOR A THIRD DAY IN A ROW JESSE JACKSON CAME TO A DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL-BUT INSTEAD OF A CONFRONTATION AT THE SCHOOL-HE GOT RECONCILIATION ACROSS THE STREET. JACKSON MET WITH SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT KENNETH ARNDT INSIDE A SMALL HOUSE.
THE TALKS CHANGED LITTLE----THE STUDENTS ARE STILL EXPELLED. BUT JACKSON IS MORE CONCERNED WITH THE CRIMINAL CHARGES
NOW FILED AGAINST TEENS.
(SOT, REV. JESSE JACKSON, RAINBOW/PUSH COALITION)
To go from a fist fight to a charge of mob action is really retaliatory and that is not a good thing. That does not frighten us, what it does is incite people to say something is unfair here because it is unfair.
(SUPER: AMATEUR VIDEO, SEPT. 17)
(nat sound from tape)
THE CRIMINAL CHARGES RESULTING FROM THIS FIGHT AT A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME CAME DOWN YESTERDAY-TWO MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT. THE SCHOOL BOARD HAD ALREADY EXPELLED THE SEVEN STUDENTS FOR TWO YEARS-BUT AFTER PRESSURE FROM JACKSON-IT CUT THAT IN HALF. THIS MORNING-AMID INTENSE POLICE SECURITY-STUDENTS RETURNED TO CLASS-BUT THEY COULDN'T GET IN WITHOUT AN ID.
(NATSOUND CHECKING IDS)
(SOT, KENNETH ARNDT/SUPERINTENDENT)
I was never concerned about public safety because of operation PUSH, but it is because of white supremacists that are unfortunately in our nation today, and we do not want them in Decatur. (STANDUP) Reverend Jackson says though he's leaving, dialogue will continue. Another big rally is still set for Sunday. As for the schools, they are officially back open however the next two they closed for teacher workdays. Drew Levinson, CBS News, Decatur, IL.))

[College-Risk]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=99-34 TC1:57:12]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Ferrum, Hollins, and Liberty are ranked among the safest college communities in Virginia.
All other area colleges and universities are ranked in the "moderate risk" category.
(----------)
[VO-NAT]

It's the result of a national analysis available on the internet .. that looks at crime statistics for areas immediately surrounding college campuses.
While area campuses are generally considered safe, some in eastern Virginia are ranked in the high-risk category, including VCU, Norfolk State, and Old Dominion.
(+++++++)
[Take Web Watch FS]
For a direct link to the rankings, log onto our home page at WDBJ7-dot-com, and click "Webwatch".
(----------)

[Clinton-Greece]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Battling the Bug]

President Clinton say the nation is on its way to being Y-2-K ready.
After receiving a number of reports The President says he's confident that government programs ranging from air traffic control to Social Security will continue to work ''exactly as they should.''
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[10:08:25-45]
[IN Q=OVER THE NEXT 52 DAYS WE MUST...]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=NOT THE FIRST CRISIS OF THE 21ST CENTURY.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Athens, Greece;]

Meantime, Mr. Clinton has delayed a visit to Greece amid fears of anti-US violence.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[10:10:47]
[IN Q=THE COMMUNIST, ANARCHIST AND PERHAPS...]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=My policy in Kosovo.]
(------------)
[6:25:33]
Four bombs exploded outside an a car dealership today.
An anonymous caller says the blast is in protest against President Clinton's planned visit.
Rather than beginning his European trip in Greece Saturday, the president will now sandwich a a one day trip to Athens in between a five-day visit to Turkey and a political conference in Italy.
(------------)

[Mexico-crash]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Plane Crash]

Investigators have recovered the black box from the D-C 9 that crashed in Central Mexico last night, killing 18.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Uruapan, Mexico;]

The flight had taken off from Tijuana with 91 passengers aboard.
After making two stops, it had only 13 passengers and five crew members aboard as it headed to Mexico City.
Some witnesses say the plane exploded while in flight, others report an explosion as the jet struck the ground.
(------------)

[Royal]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Va Death Penalty]

Virginia has executed its 13th inmate this year.
(+++++++)
[TAKE FULL PAGE]
Thomas Lee Royal Junior died of lethal injection shortly after 9 o'clock.
He confessed to shooting a Hampton police officer in 19-94.
(-------------)

[E-Sullivan]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-51 2:26]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A guilty plea from a woman who tried to kill her boyfriend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski/March 8; ]

Peggy Jo Sullivan pleaded guilty yesterday in Pulaski County court yesterday to trying to hire an undercover police officer back in January.
She was sentenced to nine years behind bars.
Last month she was sentenced in FEDERAL court to five years for possession of a bomb.
Both sentences will be served at the same time.
(------------)

[S-Arsenal-suit]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-49 07:31]
[GRAPHIC=Radford Ammunition Plant]

Nearly 350 current and former employees of the Radford Arsenal are suing Alliant Tech Systems.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford]

They allege noise levels at the Arsenal caused hearing losses that include total deafness in some cases.
The complaint mirrors a case heard two years ago in Minnesota, where Alliant is headquartered.

The judge there sided with the COMPANY.
The cause of action filed in federal court yesterday claims a company physician concealed the severity of the hearing loss that workers sustained and concealed the relationship between conditions at the plant and workers' injuries.

(------------)

[E-Rubatex]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-44 46:36]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The tension is growing at Rubatex.
(------------)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:36:33]
[IN Q=natsound]
((NATS: SCAAAAAAAAAAB!!))
[SUPER=03-Bedford]
[RUNS=03]
[OUT Q=nats screaming]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Picketers shouted at temporary workers ... workers who began applying for permanent jobs.
The company was making good on its threat to replace members of the United Steelworkers Local 240 ... who've been on strike for more than two months.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:46:24]
[IN Q=it's going]
((RICHARD WALKER/UNION PRESIDENT: IT'S GOING TO TAKE THEM A LONG TIME TO LEARN TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT WE WERE DOING. I'M NOT SAYING PEOPLE CAN'T DO THEM ... THEY CAN. BUT IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME TO LEARN THESE JOBS. AND RUBATEX IS LOSING A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE..))
[SUPER=01-Richard Walker/USWA Local 240 President]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=GOOD PEOPLE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The union says it would like to get back to bargaining ...
But it's waiting to hear from the company.
Rubatex says it has made its final offer.
This strike has now stretched into the longest job action in company history.
(------------)

[Missing-Money]

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

A new website is helping Virginians cash in on 25 million dollars a year in unclaimed money.
MissingMoney-dot-com allows access to the Virginia database of unclaimed property.
Entries in the database range from unclaimed inheritance--- to forgotten utility deposits.
(+++++++++++)
[TAKE MISSING MONEY FS]
If you want to find out if you're among 180-thousand people who have money coming to them from Virginia - you can check out the website at MissingMoney-dot-com.
(-------------)

[Dragging-Death]

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

The judge in the third Texas dragging-death trial rejects a motion for a change of venue.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Jasper, TX;]
[11;30-UPDATE WINDOW]
The judge today also acused attorneys of filing the motion to delay the trial.
Opening statements were supposed to begin yesterday.
Sean Berry is the third white man to go on trial for the dragging death last year of a black man.
(//////SOT/////)
[IN=IT IS VERY PAINFUL...]
[SUPER=01-Stella Brumley/Victim's Sister;]
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT=It's just hard.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The two other men were convicted and sentenced to death.
(------------)

[Dragging-Death]

[E-Goode]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-37 1:39:05]
[GRAPHIC=Goode]

Republicans have have been courting Democratic Congressman Virgil Goode for years.
Last week's election results could significantly diminish his options though.
Some Republicans say it's now or never for Goode.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:03:35]
[IN Q=They're now]
((LARRY SABATO/UVA POLITICAL ANALYST: THEY'RE NOW TIRED OF WORKING ON THE TRANSFER. THEY HOLD MOST OF THE CARDS. AND IT IS NOW OR NEVER AS FAR AS THEY'RE CONCERNED.))
[SOT 22:21:32 ]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: OH I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT IT. A LOT OF TALKING ABOUT IT. BUT THAT'S BEEN TRUE FOR YEARS. I SPOKE TO VIRGIL ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO MYSELF . I STILL REMEMBER DOING IT AS A MATTER OF FACT.))
[SUPER=01-Larry Sabato/UVa Political Analyst; :00]
[SUPER=@Gilmore; :09]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=matter of fact.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

If Goode doesn't switch parties, Republicans could easily carve out his home in Franklin County in the 2001 redistricting.
That would put Goode into fellow Democrat Rick Boucher's Ninth District-- setting up a fight on Boucher's home turf that could unseat Goode.
(------------)

[E-McCain]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-36 1:52:09]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2000]

The Army is unhappy with Republican presidential candidate John McCain because he shot a campaign ad at Arlington National Cemetery.
Partisan activity is banned at all Army installations.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hampden-Sydney]

McCain brought his campaign to Virginia yesterday, including a stop at Hampden- Sydney College near Farmville.
The Arizona senator took questions on the economy, foreign policy and America's military preparedness.
As for the polls, McCain says he'll continue to make gains as people learn more about him.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:03:37]
[IN Q=I think people]
((SEN. JOHN MCCAIN/R- PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I THINK PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO EXAMINE THE CANDIDATES AND THEY HAVEN'T YET, AND THEY'VE GOT A LONG TIME BEFORE THEY WILL BUT THEY'RE BEGINNING TO EXAMINE THE CANDIDATES AND OUR QUALIFICATIONS, AND I THINK WE'RE VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE PROGRESS THAT I'VE MADE, RECOGNIZING THAT WE'VE GOT A LONG, LONG, LONG WAY TO GO.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John McCain/(R) Presidential Candidate]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=long way to go.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Hampden- Sydney officials say McCain is a direct descendant of one of the college's founders, Dr. Samuel Leake.
(------------)

[E-Radford-Donation]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-40 1:30:34]
[GRAPHIC=Radford University]

A 1936 graduate of Radford University will have her name on a building.
Sally Cook McGlothlin graduated from Radford with a degree in teaching.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]

Yesterday-- the university named its new International Education building in her honor.
It's no wonder the building is named after a McGlothlin- The family foundation is donating one and a half million dollars dollars to the school.
School officials say the money will be used to boost the school's international education programs.
(---------------)

[Youngest-defendant]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

Closing arguments are underway in the trial of one of the youngest people to be tried for murder as an adult in the nation's history.
Nathaniel Abraham was only eleven years old when he fatally shot an eighteen year old in 19-97.
Lauren Bishop has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[11:30-update window]
[SUPER=03-Pontiac, MI;]
[SUPER=01-]
[SUPER=01-]
[SUPER=01-Lauren Bishop/Reporting;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=CBS News, Pontiac, MI.]