[HEADLINES]
[TALENT=Melanie]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Crowds gather again in Seattle as President Clinton prepares to address the World Trade Organization.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
And both sides in the ongoing Rubatex strike prepare to sit down at the bargaining table.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
News 7 at noon is next.
[Rubatex]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=Rubatex Strike]
For the first time in nearly three months, there's a sign of progress at Rubatex.
Later today, representatives from Bedford's biggest employer and from its striking union will talk face to face about their disputed contract.
[Double Boxes=Melanie and Scott/Starlink]
Union members are held a rally this morning outside the Bedford plant.
That's where Scott Goldberg is with more on today's developments.
[Live=Scott Full/Starlink]
[SUPER=@Scott1;]
[SUPER=06-Bedford;]
( ad lib)
[Double Boxes=Melanie and Scott/Starlink]
[Seattle-Protest]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
The National Guard has been called in and portions of downtown Seattle have been closed off as police brace for another day of Protests against the World Trade Organization.
President Clinton arrived in the city overnight and later today will address trade ministers.
Organizers of the conference say their goal is to wipe out barriers to global trade.
Drew Levinson reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Seattle, WA; :00]
[SUPER=01-Paul Schell/Seattle Mayor;]
[SUPER=01-Ed Joiner/Assistant Police Chief;]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/Reporting;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=]
((Protests began early this morning, and so did the arrests, as the mayor announced that peace would be maintained. (SO
T, Paul Schell, Seattle Mayor, it s unfortunate///but no more) Natsot of breaking glass. A curfew was imposed overnight
and the national guard was called up to help keep the peace. But that did not stop these protesters from storming a co
ffee shop, breaking windows and setting fire outside. Natsot Yesterday, chemical gas was set off in Seattle s streets t
o break up unruly crowds. Today, police promise a new strategy to control any violence, cutting off a core area of downtown to protesters. (Sot, Asst. Chief Ed Joiner, Seattle Police) The demonstrations are calling attention to an organization very few people probably knew existed. The World Trade Organization sets trade policy, and boasts member nations worldwide. President Clinton who is in favor of free trade arrived in Seattle overnight. He is scheduled to speak to the delegates later today. (levinson standup close) ))
[Truck-Ax]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=99-53 TC16:35]
[GRAPHIC=81 Accident]
A tractor trailer loaded with live turkeys overturned on Interstate 81 early this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]
It happened at the first Buchanan exit .
When crews turned the truck right- side- up, many turkeys fell off and onto the road.
Northbound traffic was re- routed temporarily, but is now back to normal.
The tractor trailer driver was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Meanwhile, the turkeys that survived the crash were transported onto another truck.
(------------)
[Reyes]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-52 TC08:08]
[GRAPHIC=None]
After serving half his six- month sentence for trespassing, anti-abortion activist John Reyes (RAY-iss) is out of jail.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
Reyes walked out of the Lynchburg city jail around 5 this morning.. he was met by a small group of supporters including Reverend Flip Benham and Reverend Richard Knodel (kuh-NO-del).
The former Liberty University student had been convicted for his role in staging an anti- abortion rally at E. C. Glass High School in 1997.
Operation Rescue Director Flip Benham also served a six- month jail term.
Benham and Reyes will hold a news conference this afternoon to discuss their cases.
(------------)
[Brzonkala]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Christy Brzonkala]
There's been a meeting to discuss a possible settlement of Christy Brzonkala's sexual discrimination lawsuit against Virginia Tech.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file]
Brzonkala says she was raped in her dorm by two Hokie football players.
She filed the lawsuit in 19-95, claiming Tech created a hostile environment when she accused the players.
A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in 19-96, but an appeals court recently told him to review the case.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
A federal magistrate issued a gag order yesterday barring those who attended the meeting from discussing the talks.
A Tech spokesman says the meeting was sought by Brzonkala's attorney.
[tobacco]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=supreme court]
[***ANCHOR TAG***]
A battle over tobacco is underway at this hour before the U-S Supreme court.
The question is whether the Food and Drug Administration can regulate tobacco as a drug.
Jim Stewart details what's at stake.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[10:08:41]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Banzhaf/Action on Smoking & Health Atty.; :26]
[SUPER=01-Mark Berlind/Philip Morris Attorney; :41]
[SUPER=01-Jim Stewart/Reporting; 1:07]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS WASHINGTON.]
(( On the face of it, the question would appear simple. If nicotine is a drug...and cigarettes deliver nicotine to the human body....then aren't cigarettes a drug delivery device? And shouldn't they, therefore, be subject to regulation by the government? The Food and Drug Administration will argue today that it not only has the right to oversee cigarettes but the obligation, given that 45 million Americans remain addicted to them....and every health group in the country agrees.
SOT/John Banzhaf (11:31:05)
"The question is do cigarettes remain the only consumer product which is totally and completely unregulated by any agency at all." (11)
NARR:
But this isn't a debate over whether cigarettes are bad for you, or not....argues the tobacco industry.
SOT/ Mark Berlind, Philip Morris (15:51:34)
"There is no safe cigarette. We would never pass a safe and effective test. We don't pretend to pass. That's why we don't think it makes any sense to try to regulate cigarettes as a medical device." (10)
NARR:
Besides, say manufacturers...for 30 years the Food and Drug Administration never chose to regulate tobacco. Why now? And who said the FDA even has the right? It was Congress. after all, that passed regulations calling for warning labels on cigarettes...not the FDA. In the end, argues Big Tobacco....this is a court case about power...and who should have it over tobacco...Congress , or the FDA. The Supreme
Court promises and answer by June. Jim Stewart CBS News Washington.))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=HOLD]
News-Seven's Ellen Qualls is in Washington and will have more on this story later today on News-7 at Five and Six.
[tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
The search is on for a Virginia Tech student missing in Florida.
The details are still ahead on News-7 at Noon.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And the F-B-I and Mexican authorities continue to search the ranch where a hundred murder victims are believed to be buried.
First let's talk to Patrick.
(---------------)
[Talent=Patrick]
[Wx-Tease]
[Weatherpro]
[music up full]
[comm1]
[mexico-bodies]
[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Two bodies have been unearthed so far from a Mexican ranch where authorities believe dozens of victims of a powerful drug cartel are buried.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Near Juarez, Mexico;]
[3:08:43]
F-B-I forensic experts have been working side-by-side with Mexican soldiers and police at two ranches across the border from El Paso.
They've uncovered bones, clothing and shoes at one of the ranches.
Authorities expect as many as a dozen Americans may be among the dead.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
(( PRESIDENT CLINTON; IT'S A HORRIBLE EXAMPLE, APPARENTLY, OF EXCESSES OF THE DRUG DEALING CARTELS IN MEXICO, AND I THINK IT REINFORCES THE IMPERATIVE OF OUR NOT ONLY TRYING TO PROTECT OUR BORDER BUT TO WORK WITH THE MEXICAN AUTHORITIES TO COMBAT THIS.))
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=AUTHORITIES TO COMBAT THIS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The remains recovered are being taken to El Paso for identification.
At this time officials do not believe that the victims include agents of the U-S Drug Enforcement Administration or F-B-I.
(------------)
[SOL-Hearing]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-46 22:57]
[GRAPHIC=SOLs]
The state board of Education wanted to talk about raising the Standards of Accreditation at last night's hearing in Danville.
Instead, criticism of the S-O-L's took center stage.
Marya Jones has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The Board of Education]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]
[SUPER=01-Nora Wilkins/Retired Teacher; :17]
[SUPER=01-Amanda Craft/Blairs Middle School 7th Grader; :29]
[SUPER=01-Becky Crane/Blairs Middle School 7th Grader;:37]
[SUPER=01-Dennis Witt/Halifax Co. Superintendent;1:04]
[SUPER=@marya1; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=News 7 Danville.]
((The Board of Education came to Trent Bonner Middle School seeking feedback on a set of changes that would heighten rewards and penalties for schools based on student S-O-L scores.
But what it got was about 300 educators, parents and students ... all sounding off against a test they say that too much is riding on.
[SOT 1:11:19 - :25]
((NORA WILKINS/RETIRED TEACHER: FROM THE BEGINNING, THE SOLS HAVE BEEN CHILD ABUSE, THE WAY I SEE IT. (LAUGHTER).))
[RUNS:06]
Teachers say they can't teach the materials fast enough.
Students say it's too much material too quickly.
[SOT 55:16 - :23]
((AMANDA CRAFT: THE TEACHERS FEEL PRESSURED TRYING TO HURRY UP AN MAKE US LEARN IT AND I DON'T LIKE IT. ))
[RUNS :07]
[SOT 56:13 - :17]
((BECKY CRANE/BLAIRS MIDDLE SCHOOL 7TH GRADER: IT'S JUST TOO MUCH WORK, TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON THE TEACHERS AND THE STUDENTS.))
[RUNS:04]
The Board of Education says it wants to relieve some of that pressure by targeting schools with low scores for extra help.
It's also recommending a program that sets benchmarks by rewarding schools and students that perform well on the S-O-Ls.
But none of the Board's proposals back down from the S-O-L as a measure of students' and schools' success.
That's something that even some school superintendents say they want to see changed.
[SOT 1:03:06 - :17]
((DENNIS WITT/HALIFAX CO. SUPERINTENDENT: WE NEED TO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT LET'S MAKE SURE WE'VE GIVEN EVERYONE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED BEFORE WE PLACE AN IRREVOCABLE, DAMAGING LABEL ON STUDENTS, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. ))
[RUNS :11]))[Missing-Student]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Florida police are looking for a Virginia Tech student who disappeared while on a cruise stop with her family in Key West.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Key West, FL]
20 year old Rebecca Myers of Manassas got off the ship-- and apparently never got back on.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 26:38]
[IN Q=We were to meet]
[SUPER=01-Elaine Myers/Rebecca's Mother]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=the ship's security.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The family has been passing around fliers since Thanksgiving.
Police don't necessarily suspect foul play.
They say she may have left Key West with one of the "Rainbow People."
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
We'll have more on this story later today on News-7 at Six.[Roanoke-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=99-49 TC21:27]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
A Roanoke home caught fire early this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Firefighters responded to the call on Patterson Avenue to find flames shooting out of a window.
Everyone got out safely.
Fire investigators are not sure how the blaze started.
(------------)
[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]
[Trailer-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=99-48 TC24:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.]
About an hour earlier, a mobile home in Botetourt County went up in flames.
No one was injured in the fire at the Hollins Mobile Home Park.
Firefighters had the flames out in minutes.
(------------)
[Tease2]
[SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
On this World AIDS Day, there's good news to report in the battle against the disease.
That's next on News-7 at Noon.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And Star Wars: Episode One is returning to theaters to benefit a good cause.
Find out more when we return.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]
[World-aids-day]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=AIDS]
Today is World AIDS Day.
Health officials say while there has been some progress in the fight against the deadly disease, the epidemic is spinning out of control in developing countries.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kampala, Uganda;]
[10:27:52]
Eastern and southern Africa are home to four point eight percent of the world's population.
Yet the regions have over 50 percent of the world's HIV-positive people and account for 60 percent of all lives claimed by AIDS.
[SUPER=03-Berlin, Germany;]
[10:24:54]
In Berlin, the focus is on teens and young adults.
The government today launched t-v ad campaign to raise awareness.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-Public Service Announcement]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=music fades out]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Beijing, China;]
[10:25:53]
And for the first time in China, T-V audiences have seen condom commercials.
With an estimated 400-thousand people infected with the AIDS-causing H-I-V virus in China, educating the public has become an important concern of health officials.
(-----------)
[Star-Wars]
[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
If you missed Star Wars: Episode One The Phantom Menace, when it was first released, you have
another chance.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-The Phantom Menace/Twentieth Century Fox;]
[10:43:34]
For one week only, beginning this Friday, it returns to theaters across the U-S and Canada.
All proceeds will be contributed to local charities selected by theater owners.
When Episode I first premiered in May It did not have celebrity premieres.
The film instead premiered as a benefit in 11 cities raising 5.3 million for local children's charities.
(------------)
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]
On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was UP 81 points.
[tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Still to come in sports, national recognition keeps pouring in for Tech football as they make the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated and sweep the Big East Awards,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
and Tech's women's basketball heats up the Cassell with an impressive win over Appalachian State.
Patrick has highlights, next.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]
[S-Cover]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-50 ]
[GRAPHIC=TECH/BIG EAST]
Virginia Tech football is making Big East conference history.
For the first time ever, the same team has won all five individual honors.
Michael Vick won offensive player and rookie of the year, Corey Moore was named defensive player of the year, Shayne Graham won the special teams player honors and Frank Beamer was named Big East Coach of the Year.
It is also the first time the team has landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
The magazine hits the streets tomorrow, but here's a sneak peak at the cover that features wide receiver Andre Davis with caption "They Belong!"
The Anderson News Agency, which distributes the magazine, says it will place 15 thousand copies of Sports Illustrated in stores throughout the area.
The normal distribution number is just 300.
(------------)
[S-UVa]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-55]
[GRAPHIC=VIRGINIA LOGO]
Showdowns between college hoops teams in the A-C-C and Big Ten are big battles between powerful conferences.
Last night the Virginia Cavaliers took on Minnesota, but couldn't come out on top.
The Gophers picked up the 74 to 62 win.
In other Big Ten-ACC battles -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baltimore, MD/ESPN; :00]
The Maryland fans were stoked for this matchup with the Hawkeyes.
And the Terps came to play and shot like it in the first half, taking a 10-to-nothing lead. Maryland led by 11 at the halftime break.
And the Terps beat Iowa 83-to-65 thanks to a 20 point effort from all-everything performer Terrence Morris.
(------------)
[S-Hokies]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-52]
[GRAPHIC=TECH HOOPS]
The Christmas spirit was in the air at Cassell last night. The Virginia Tech women's team returned to their home court looking to get back on the winning track as they took on Appalachian State.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Appalachian St. vs. Va. Tech;]
Tons of toys were donated last night for the Montgomery County Christmas Store as fans came to see the Hokies play.
Sarah Hicks was able to feed through the Mountaineer defense to Nicole Jones and she kisses it off the glass for an early 11-8 Tech lead.
The Hokies offense was again fast and furious as Emily Lipton gets the long range assist. The former Botetourt star, Hicks, knocks down the long two pointer extending Tech's lead.
Appy State would get some long range shots as well. As Tiffany Cole gets the assist to Noel Dolan who drains the three pointer to cut the spread to four.
Later in the half the Hokies continued their domination as Crystal Starling puts up
[SUPER=33-Appalachian State/55/Virginia Tech #25/75;]
the shot. It rims out, but Hicks is there for the clean up and she draws the foul.
Tech wins by 20 to improve to 3-and-2.
(------------)
[RIR]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Richmond Int. Raceway]
In racing news, officials from the Richmond International Raceway are expected to announce the sale of the track today.
Officials are not discussing the details of an announcement scheduled for this afternoon, but reports indicate that International Speedway Corporation has bought the track.
The purchase of R-I-R brings the number of tracks owned by I-S-C to ten.
Paul Sawyer and his family have owned the facility since 1955.
by SS