Wed 6 P.M. News Script

Wed 27-AUG-2008 6 P.M. News Script

1} CIRC_GREEN

Good evening, I'm Marselis Parsons. And I'm Kristin Carlson in for Kristin Kelly. There's a late-breaking development on the long-delayed Circ Highway. State officials say they have cleared a major legal hurdle -- and are again moving forward with construction of the ring-road. Andy Potter has the latest... Andy... Marselis... It's been almost five years since the Conservatioin Law Foundation and Friends of the Earth went to federal court, claiming that the state needed a brand new environmental impact statement before it could resume construction on the second phase of the Circ in Williston. Judge William Sessions agreed and ordered a halt to any further work on the Circ -- until the new document was completed. Now that's been done -- and the state -- along with federal highway officials -- have agreed on how to complete the next phase.

2} CIRC_PKG

State officials say they will have spent over seven and a half million dollars on Circ studies since opponents won the court ruling. Now that the extensive document known as the environmental impact study has been completed, VTrans and the federal Highway administration have chosen their preferred alternative -- the so-called A-B alignment. that's the original highway as planned for decades --with several changes. Not chosen were several alternatives that called for upgrading Route Two-A with roundabouts and widening projects. Transportation Secretary David Dill summarized the reasons. ((David Dill/Vermont Transportation Secretary: "One, it vest meets purpose and needs, meaning it reduces congestion, it reduces the traffic delays not only on two-A but also on fifteen and Vermont 17, where the 2-A alternatives do not do that. In fact, the 2-A alternatives introduce additional problems in terms of the transportation network there. Secondly, from the environmental perspective, clearly folks will have some issues with wetlands, in the AB alternative, But we can minimize that and we can also mitigate that. Two-A has significant historic issues which we cannot mitigate. And third, from a practical perspective, the Two-A alternative just is not practical for a number of perspectives here."))

3} CIRC_TAG

The largest practical problem is that Essex Junction is dead set against the Route two-A alternatives, which would run straight through the five corners. Essex Junction holds the power of land condemnation and would never allow it -- unless the legislature over-rode the local village -- which is not considered very likely to put it mildly. Andy, what's next? And when would the next segment of the Circ undergo construction? First, the Army Corps of Engineers needs to sign off on it -- and state officials fully expect the CLF and other Circ opponents will take it back to court. This time they won't have the argument they used last time, since a brand new impact study has been done. If the state prevails, officials say money for construction would appear in the 2010 fiscal budget, which begins next year.

4} ABUSE_LVSD

A former altar boy's sex abuse lawsuit seeking millions in damages from the Vermont Roman Catholic Diocese ended today with a hung jury and a mistrial. Brian Joyce is in the newsroom with more on this and reaction - Brian? Kristin - members of the jury say they all agreed agreed that the Diocese should pay damages to the former altar boy who was molested by a Vermont priest 30 years ago. But the jurors could not agree on the amount.

5} ABUSE_PKG

The jury returned to the courtroom Wednesday afternoon after announcing they were irrevocably stalemated and unable to reach a verdict after 16 hours of deliberation over three days. ((tape 498 tc Judge Matthew Katz/Vt. Superior Court: "I understand and I appreciate that the fact that there is a mistrial reflects clearly that you've all been so conscientious about it.)) The jurors were unable to agree how much the Vermont Catholic Diocese should pay in damages for failing to protect the 40-year old former altar boy from pedophile priest Edward Paquette thirty years ago. ((tape 498 tc 26.25 Ladislav Cutura/Juror: "highest half million)) that was the highest that juror Ladislav Cutura was willing to award. He says five jurors wanted a low range award ranging from 250-thousand to one million dollars. He says the other seven jurors wanted higher: 2 to 5-million. But in the end, there was no agreement on a single amount. he thought the altar boy waited far too long and asked far too much. ((tape 498 tc 25:37 Ladislav Cutura/Juror:" he claimed too late.. too late almost 30 years ago.. in my opinion has to be 20 years ago .. )) At least 17 other former altar boys allegedly abused by Father Paquette have sued the Diocese and await their day in court. That could take many years. And now those suits will have to wait for the retrial of this case. Bishop Salvatore Matano and the Diocese lawyers hope the stalemate in this case will trigger reasonable out-of-court settlements in all of the cases. ((tape 498 tc Bishop Salvatore Matano/Vermont Diocese: 817 I do hope this provides the impetus for us to go forward to seek just and charitable resolutions.)) But the victims Lawyer Jerry O'Neill says the settlement offers from the Diocese have been way too low given the damage the Diocese caused -- so he is prepared to go to trial in every case. ((tape 498 tc Jerry O'Neill/Plaintiff's Lawyer:" 2029 we would love to get these cases behind our clients. its not to their advantage to continue but if that's what it takes because this diocese wants to pay them five cents on the dollar compared to what a jury would do, that's what we will do. ))

6} ABUSE_TAG

Both sides say they will prepare for another trial involving this same plaintiff but with a different jury. For now it's unclear when that re-trial will take place.

7} TEXTBOOKS_SAT

College is never cheap -- but many students this year are being blind-sided by some unexpected sticker shock. The costs of textbooks are up as much as 30 percent from one year ago. Keagan Harsha joins us from the University of Vermont tonight with more on how students are coping. Well.... Marselis and Kristin... This is the most expensive textbook being sold at UVM this fall -- an eleven pound chemistry book that's worth -- get this -- 2-hundred and 21 dollars. Believe it or not prices like this are not unusual for textbooks. The average student will spend about 5-hundred bucks on books this semester alone.

8} TEXTBOOKS_PKG

Students are pouring into the book store at UVM ((nats??)) -- a reality check for freshman who are here for the very first time. ((39:19-25 Nicole Lafgo/Freshman: "I was really surprised at how expensive books were. It's a lot different than high school.")) ((28:05-09 Callie Willette/Junior: "it's overwhelming. It's a big break in the bank.")) The average college student will spend almost a thousand bucks on textbooks this school year. That's nearly triple the amount spent by students just ten years ago. ((19:07-12 Stephen McMahon/St. Michael's College Bookstore Manager: "never saw a textbook at the one hundred dollar mark 20 years ago, even 10 years ago.")) ((nats of beeping at register)) Congress and nearly three dozen states have attempted to pass legislation to curtail textbook prices -- hoping to give students like Nicole Lafgo a break. But Vermont is not among those states. ((39:40-50 Lafgo: "I had to buy a 170 dollar biology book and my psych book was a hundred something. I've spent almost 6-hundred dollars for the first semester.")) ((Keagan Harsha/Burlington: "And not only are the costs of textbooks going up -- they're also being sold with more and more components, such as cd's, dvd's, and web access cards, making them nearly impossible for book stores to buy back.")) ((2:23-32 Jay Menninger/University of Vermont Bookstore Manager: "we've got a book on the shelf now that has 8 parts to it. That book we can not buy back because not all eight parts are reusable.")) Publishers blame the used book market. Sales of used textbooks grew 15 percent last year -- while sales of new textbooks only saw a 4 to five percent rise. Publishers are using several tactics to slow used book sales -- selling books with more web components and releasing new editions every couple of years. ((20:32-45 McMahon: "way back when editions would come out every three or four years. Lately, we see editions every 18 months, sometimes within the same year.")) ((1:09-14 Menninger: "what that does is take the used books out of the market.")) That's forcing students to spend more .... ((32:50-53 "yeah, it definitely takes a lot of budgeting.")) Students already strapped for cash -- with the cost of college approaching 30-thousand dollars a year.

9} TEXTBOOKS_TAG

Now --- there are alternatives to doling out 2-hundred and twenty bucks for a textbook like this one. I was able to find this book online for as cheap as a hundred and forty bucks for a new text -- a hundred and and twenty five used. Some companies also guarantee they will buy those books back at the end of the semester -- a guarantee you won't receive from all bookstores. Keagan --- have you encountered many students who actually purchase their books online?

10} 1STWX_ENG

Let's go out to the Champlain Valley Fair, ...Where Sharon Meyer is standing by. Sharon .....We've been pretty lucky with our weather for the fair this week! We really have! So far so good, and we have more great weather ahead as well. Today...there was more sunshine. ...People getting sunburned out here at the fair. But once again, ..Once the sun sets, it tends to get a little chilly, although it won't be as chilly tonight as it was last night. Tomorrow....it will be another gorgeous day! More sunshine, .... Temperatures will be a little bit warmer, reaching the upper 70s and low 80s. Kids may be back at school. ... But it will feel like summer again for sure. And we are expecting another great day again on Friday. Now there is a cold front that will be approaching the area and there is the chance of a few showers Friday night, and into the first part of Saturday. But by afternoon we'll see partly sunny skies again on Saturday and the rest of the holiday weekend is looking just fabulous! A forecast that can't be beat for fair week, that is for sure! Dan Dowling is back in the studio ... He'll have the full weather report, ...And the 5 day forecast. And he'll have the latest on Gustav, .... Gustav is expected to strengthen quite a bit as it heads into the gulf.

11} COLLEGESAVINGS_LVSD

Before you even get to college -- you've got to figure out a way to pay for it. And today -- state officials were pushing an investment plan -- they say can help. For more on that -- let's turn to Darren Perron in the newsroom. Darren? Kristin -- it's called the Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan. And it's designed to get families to begin saving NOW -- even if college is decades away.

12} COLLEGESAVINGS_PKG

((NICK: 9:22 You have to be smart and I've been thinking about going into it.)) Nick Belcher says his career planning began -- long before he entered the sixth grade. ((NICK BELCHER/Barre City 6th Grader: I always collected rocks.)) The Barre City student wants to be a geologist when he grows up. And that means college is in his future. The state wants to make sure he and other future college kids can pay for their education. ((1:40 DON VICKERS/VSAC: It's about saving now so you'll have the resources to do what you want to do later on in life.)) VSAC, state lawmakers, and Governor Douglas discussed the Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan with elementary students in Barre City. ((3:54 Gov: You have to have a good education.)) Urging them to start saving now. Or to get their family and friends to start -- to help pay for school 10, 15 -- even 20 years from now. ((GOV. JIM DOUGLAS/R-Vermont: 14:20 It's really important for families not to assume there will be enough money for financial aid when the time comes. Most aid is loans and that is paid back with interest, so the more a family can save the better off it's going to be. 15:47 I know it's a tight squeeze for many families, but even a little will help.)) FX The Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan offers tax advantages and CREDITS to investors. Money in the account grows tax-free. And won't be taxed if the money is used for qualified higher education expenses once it's withdrawn. Also, people can get a state income tax credit. 10-percent of 25-hundred dollars invested each year. Or 250-bucks. And there are no income restrictions -- or contribution limits. ((signing proclamation)) The Governor also used his school visit to sign a proclamation -- declaring September "College Savings Month." Hoping that too will inspire families with college-bound kids -- to invest in their educations now. ((6:33 GOV: And who knows you one of you may be Governor someday. KID: Sweet!)) That's not Nick's career plan. But he walked away with a plan to start saving -- even if he's only in sixth grade. ((NICK: 11:02 If you start when your 16, you wont have as much money to get so you can go to college.))

13} COLLEGESAVINGS_TAG

So far -- about 85-hundred accounts have been set up. And more than 90-million dollars invested. And last year -- Vermonters saved more than 800-thousand dollars in tax credits thru the plan. A contribution of 25-dollars can get you started. Kristin? Thanks, Darren. VSAC will be holding informational meetings around the state. For a list of locations -- go to our website. WCAX-dot-COM.

14} DATA_1_STANDUP

(21:51-22:01 kate promo)((more than a hundred employees were let go when two businesses closed their doors. tonight, we'll show you how a job fair is trying to help them get new jobs.))

15} ROLLCALL_VO

Barack Obama will officially be nominated as the Democratic candidate for president this evening. The roll call vote just began 20 minutes ago with delegates casting their votes for either Obama or Hillary Clinton -- but at some point in the process Clinton is expected to direct her delegates to vote for Obama. Fifteen of Vermont's 23 delegates are officially pledged or committed to Obama -- six are pledged to Clinton -- including former Governor Madeleine Kunin. She says she's 100-percent behind Obama, but wants to make sure Clinton is not forgotten.

16} KUNIN_SOT

((43:13-:28 Madeleine Kunin: "I would like, for history's sake, to see this woman recorded as the first woman to get whatever number of delegate votes she got and this will pave the way for the next woman I believe.")) Kunin talked to us in Denver... Kunin helped pave the way for women in Vermont politics. She was the first woman elected governor of Vermont.

17} BUDGETCUTS_WHITE

Today Vermont lawmakers cut 22 million dollars from the state budget to make up for revenue shortfalls. It impacts almost every state agency - including having to close courthouses for half a day a week. Lawmakers rejected two proposals for cuts by the Douglas administration -- about 4-hundred thousand dollars in childcare subsidies and 430-thousand dollars in medicaid services. Instead lawmakers transferred that money from a tobacco settlement fund. Lawmakers will meet again in November to see if further cuts are needed.

18} ROADMONEY_VO

Meanwhile -- there's less money coming into the state's transportation fund - and that might force towns to cut back on road projects .... People are driving less and driving more fuel efficient cars -- so less tax money is being collected for the transportation budget. Officials need to cut 2 million dollars from the 25 million dollar state aid for town highways. The cuts mean towns would have to scale back road projects or raise local taxes to pay for them.

19} INCOME_FONT

Vermont's median household income is down -- and state officials are not sure why. New Census Bureau figures indicate Vermont's median household fell nearly 5-percent -- from almost 53-thousand dollars in 2004-2005 -- to just over 50-thousand dollars in 2006 and 2007. Governor Douglas is directing the Tax Department and state economist to investigate. He says it's puzzling because withholding taxes remain strong, per capita family income is up in Vermont -- and the poverty rate is stable.

20} DOUGLAS_SOT

((GOV. DOUGLAS: 16:35 This really goes against the grain of the other economic indicators that we've seen. I need to get to the bottom of it. 16:54 Many seniors are leaving the workforce so their incomes are not as great as they used to be and we have people retiring to Vermont. They may have assets but not a lot of income so that may well be an explanation because we are the second oldest state now.)) That 4-point-7 percent decline in household income was the second-steepest drop in the country, topped only by North Carolina.

21} JOBFAIR_INTRO

Brandon suffered a one-two punch this summer, with TWO major employers closing their doors. Kate Duffy has more on how former employees of Vermont Tubbs and Neo-EMS are coping with a job search in a weak environment.

22} JOBFAIR_PKG

(nats car) Catrina Brutkoski says it's hard driving past Neo-EMS -- but she lives up the street and does it everyday. (16:14-22 Catrina Brutkoski)((my husband and i both worked here. he was here for 8 years and i was here for 10 and we both lost our jobs.)) They were both back inside the building Wednesday for a job fair. It was specially geared for the 120 employees let go from electronics manufacturer Neo-EMS and furniture maker Vermont Tubbs. Both businesses closed their Brandon plants this summer. (16:32-44 Catrina Brutkoski)((we just decided to say goodbye to our friends and go home and make out our resumes and go look for jobs and try to get out there and go find something but with the economy the way it is now, it's hard.)) About 20 employers were here, collecting resumes and talking about opportunities. Half a dozen manufacturers were on hand, but the Vermont Department of Labor encouraged job-seekers to explore other fields, too. (1:39-54 donna nobrega/vt dept of labor)((manufacturing is kind of a tough industry right now. we've had quite a few layoffs throughout the state and i want people to know there are other industries to get into, medical field, human resources, and there's training for those things.)) The Vermont Country Store is looking to fill 250 seasonal jobs at its facility in nearby North Clarendon. (12:12-26 daire gibney/vt country store)((a lot of the skills are transferrable from a manufacturing environment. we're mainly distribution, working in a physical plant like this where items are assembled, packaged, shipped, processed. it's very similar in that respect.)) Catrina Brutkoski would like another manufacturing job, but said she's open to anything. (18:16 -31 catrina)((you think to yourself, i've been here 10 years, what can i possibly do after 10 years, but looking around at the job fair you can see there's a lot more out there than you thought and a lot more you can do.)) She filled out some applications and hopes she'll be at a new job soon. (19:15-20 catrina)((very encouraged. we'll have to wait and see what happens, hopefully i'll get lots of phone calls.)) Kate Duffy, Channel 3 News, Brandon.

23} DATA_2_ENG

24} YANKEE_VO

Human error is being blamed for elevated radiation levels at Vermont Yankee. Plant officials say yesterday a worker did an incomplete job cleaning during routine maintenance. No radioactive material was released into the environment and the plant's operations were not affected - but several workers within the plant were temporarily relocated. The radiation level in the main reactor building stayed high for about two hours.

25} FLIGHT_VO

Operations are running smoothly again at airports around the nation -- including Burlington International Airport. Yesterday more than 600 flights were delayed across the country due to a flight plan computer glitch at an FAA facility in Georgia. Safety was never a concern. Officials at the Burlington Airport say while airports in the Northeast experienced a majority of the delays - there were few problems here.

26} 2NDWX_INTRO

A cool start, but another sunny day today..

27} 2NDWX_FORECAST

Tonight: Clear skies. Low 42/50. Wind light. Thursday: Continued sunny and warm. High 76/82. Wind light. Thursday Night: Becoming partly sunny. Low 46/54. Wind light. Friday: Partly sunny. High 74/80. Wind S 5-10 mph. Saturday: A mix of sun and clouds. Chance of afternoon showers. High 74/80. Sunday: Mostly sunny. High 76/82. Monday: Sunny skies. High 76/82.

28} 2NDWX_OUT

29} SXTEASE_INTRO

Mike is in with our sports preview...help for the banged up Red Sox... the team placed J-D Drew on the disabled list yesterday with a sore back... today, Boston picking up a veteran bat to help take his place...

30} SXTEASE_PKG

((RED SOX)) The Sox have picked up outfielder Mark Kotsay from Atlanta. The 32-year old Kotsay is hitting .289 with six home runs and 37 RBI this season for the Braves. --- ((RED SOX)) Last night, Boston touched up Andy Pettitte for six runs in four and two thirds innings as the Sox opened their final series at Yankee Stadium with a 7-3 win. Game two tonight. The Sox Paul Byrd facing New York's Sidney Ponson... --- ((U-S OPEN)) Day three at the U-S Open, the men continuing first round play while the women moving into the second round.

31} SXTEASE_OUT

32} BABY_ENG

The Champlain Valley Fair is halfway through it's ten day run. Wednesday typically gets off to a quiet start because of back to school, but things are picking up now. Our Jack Thurston iS live at the FaIrgrounds in Essex Junciton. Jack, what did you see today? Marselis, agriculture sometimes takes a back seat at this event with concerts and rides -- but it's still a big part of the fair. or in this case - a little part, becuase we saw some really little animals today. From newborn chicks to miniature horses - old MacDonald's Farm is full of cute critters but the goal is education

33} ANIMALS_SOTVO

((Nancy Knapp/Farm Superintendent: A lot of kids don't have exposure to farm amimals. We like them to have that up close experience they can learn a little bit about them. And have an experience hat one day they might want to have some animals of their own.)) The people in charge of agricultural exhibits want to remind fair goers to always wash their hands or to use a hand sanitizer gel after touching the animals - especially if you're going to eat food. Marselis I'll be back later to introduce to one couple who works really hard to make sure that the concerts here go as smoothly as possible.

34} HEADLINES_FONT

Still ahead in our second half hour... We'll tell you what's kept a Williston couple coming back to the fair decade after decade. Forecasters keep an eye on Hurricane Gustav. And next in our HealthWatch - a surgical solution for a sweaty problem. Here's Kristin with the details.

35} PALMS_INTRO

Many people get sweaty palms once in awhile - but for some people it's a chronic condition where their hands are constantly wet. Now there's a new surgery to help - but there are risks involved. Kathryn Brown reports.

36} PALMS_PKG

Amanda Fields sweaty hands are gone. (SOT-Amanda Fields/Hyperhidrosis Patient) "IT'S WEIRD TO LOOK DOWN AND HEY THEY'RE NOT SWEATING." The 21-year-old used to suffer from hyperhidrosis - a condition that made her hands constantly drip with sweat. (SOT-Amanda Fields/Hyperhidrosis Patient) "WHEN I WAS YOUNGER GROWING UP I HAD SOCIAL ANXIETY, DIDN'T LIKE NEW SITUATIONS, MEETING NEW PEOPLE." When prescription antipersperants didn't work she found a surgical option. (ANIMATION-cbs) Hyperhidrosis is caused by a disfunction in the nerve chain near the spine. By cutting part of the nerve surgeons can instantly stop the sweating. (STANDUP:Kathryn Brown ) In the past people have shied away from the surgery because it meant a major operation. To reach the nerve doctors had to make a large incision and open up the chest cavity. : (VO) Today smaller instruments allow surgeons like Beth Israel's David Sekons (sey-kons) to do the procedure safer and faster. (ANIMATION-cbs) After making a small incision Doctor Sekons goes in through the arm pit. (VO) A tiny camera on the end of the device guides the way. (ANIMATION-cbs) Once he reaches the nerve a small blade cuts it... stopping the sweat. : (SOT-Dr. David Sekons/Beth Israel Med. Ctr.) "MOST PATIENTS GO BACK TO WORK AFTER TWO OR THREE DAYS." : Still there are risks. It's common for patients to start sweating on the back and legs In some it's gets so bad, they regret having the surgery. (NATS OF SOMETHING) Amanda has not had any side effects... : (SOT-Amanda Fields/Hyperhidrosis Patient) "NOW MY CONFIDENCE HAS GROWN SO MUCH, I CAN GO AND MEET NEW PEOPLE, I'M A HAPPIER PERSON For her the rewards of the operation were worth the risks. Kathryn Brown , CBS NEWS, New York .

37} POND_VO

Health officials now say they don't know why people got sick after swimming in Strafford Pond. Vermont health officials closed the town pond two weeks ago after several people reported symptoms consistent with leptospirosis. But the C-D-C says blood samples from patients tested negative for the bacterial illness. The health department admits there is no explanation for the outbreak -- but says several viruses can cause symptoms similar to those reported by the people who were sick. That's HealthWatch, Marselis.

38} TOPSTORIES_VO

Recapping tonight's Top Stories ... the Circumferential Highway may soon be back on track. State transportation officials announced today that they have completed a new planning process -- and are ready to move forward with construction of the Williston section of the ring road. The project has been on hold since 2003 after a federal judge ordered a new Environmental Impact Study. A priest sex abuse trial in Burlington ended today with a hung jury. The 12 jurors deliberated over parts of three days -- but could not agree on how much the Catholic Diocese should pay a former altar boy for sexual abuse he suffered during the 1970s. Lawyers for the plaintiff say they will re-try the case.

39} JUSTIFIED_VO

New Hampshire's attorney general says a preliminary review shows police were justified in shooting a New Hampshire man last month. 53-year-old Anthony Jarvis was killed by police at his trailer in Charlestown. Trooper Philip Gaiser and another officer shot Jarvis after Jarvis first shot and wounded Gaiser. Attorney General Kelly Ayotte said the shooting was justified because the officers feared for Gaiser's life. But the report questions the police decision to enter Jarvis's trailer and their tactics. They had gone there to arrest Jarvis' son and a woman on outstanding warrants. Ayotte said the decisions and tactics will be reviewed by the Police Standards and Training Council.

40} FITZGERALD_VO

A former corrections department employee will spend seven months in jail for selling drugs. Police say 44-year-old Sheri Fitzgerald sold cocaine to a police informant at a library. Investigators claim other prisoners said she would smuggle drugs to them in prison. Fitzgerald worked with the department for 18 years as a guard and a community corrections officer.

41} TEN_FONT

Coming up tonight on the Channel 3 News at 10:00. We'll take you to a traveling exhibit from the U-S Holocaust museum in Burlington. Join us on our new digital channel WCAX-tra for the Channel 3 News at 10:00.

42} ATR

43} WRONGWAY

Paving near the wrong way bridge in Cambridge begins tomorrow. Work will last until Friday. Transportation officials say drivers should expect delays.

44} BRIDGES_VO

Work continues in East Middlebury to clean up from summer floods. Town officials say it will be at least a year before the bridge on Lower Plains Road is replaced. It was damaged earlier this month during a rainstorm.

45} SALISBURY_WHITE

And in Salisbury - the Sucker Brook Bridge on Route 53 won't be replaced until this winter. Salisbury and East Middlebury both say they don't have the resources for the projects at this time ... and want to see if federal funds will be available to pay for them.

46} ELECTRIC_VO

New York Senator Charles Schumer is demanding federal regulators look into what he claims is an energy scam in the Empire State. A number of communities in the North Country have been asked to split nearly 300 million dollars in so-called lost energy charges. That's the difference between power generated for a particular area and what is recorded by customer meters. Independent Systems Operators - which manages wholesale electricity in New York - says the money was needed to cover transmission problems on Lake Erie. That's News Around the Region, Kristin.

47} GUSTAV_INTRO

The remnants of Fay are still around ...but already there is another storm to be concerned about. Gustav was a hurricane yesterday and will likely be a hurricane again tomorrow. Gustav, ...a hurricane when it tore across Haiti and the Dominican Republic.. it's torrential rains have left at least 22 people dead on that island. As Karen Brown reports from New York, Gustav may strengthen to a Category 3 hurricane, as it heads for the US gulf coast.

48} GUSTAV_PKG

(( GUSTAV DELIVERED A DEADLY WALLOP IN THE CARRIBBEAN...AND NOW IT'S TAKING AIM AT THE GULF COAST. AND JUST DAYS BEFORE THE THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE KATRINA...RESIDENTS OF NEW ORLEANS ARE BEING URGED TO GET PREPARED AND BE READY TO LEAVE. "Preparedness for the City of New Orleans. If you wait and then the storm's on top of you, that's when panic sets in. You don't think wisely and you're going to make some errors." GUSTAV'S FURY IS FAR TOO REAL FOR THIS GRIEVING FATHER... HIS WHOLE FAMILY DIED IN THIS RAIN SOAKED MUDSLIDE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. "I don't have anybody anymore. I lost my entire family. I have seven dead there." GUSTAV WAS AT FULL HURRICANE FORCE AS IT TORE ACROSS THAT ISLAND , ALSO HITTING HAITI WITH DEVASTATING FLOODING THAT'S LEFT MORE THAN 10 DEAD. IT'S POUNDING CUBA WITH HEAVY RAIN ... AND IS EXPECTED TO DELIVER A DIRECT HIT TO THE CAYMAN ISLANDS. FORECASTERS PREDICT GUSTAV WILL REGAIN STRENGTH..AND BUILD INTO A MAJOR HURRICANE ONCE IT HEADS INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO THIS WEEKEND . AND RESIDENTS AREN'T THE ONLY ONES WITH HURRICANE JITTERS... THE GULF COAST IS HOME TO NEARLY FOUR THOUSAND OIL RIGS..AND ALREADY OIL PRICES ARE ON THE RISE... JUST IN TIME FOR LABOR DAY TRAVEL. KAREN BROWN, CBS NEWS.))

49} TRADE_VO

Yesterday, the Red Sox placed J-D Drew on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain. Today, Boston acquired a temporary replacement, completing a trade with the Atlanta Braves for outfielder Mark Kotsay. The 32-year-old Kotsay hit .289 with six home runs and 37 runs batted in 88 games with the Braves. In return, Atlanta receives minor league outfielder Luis Sumoza. That name may be familiar to Vermont Lake Monster fans, the 20-year-old Sumoza hit .301 in 51 games for Boston's New York-Penn League affiliate, the Lowell Spinners.

50} RED_SOX_VO

Another waiver wire trade pick up for the Sox, Paul Byrd, takes the mound tonight in the Bronx as the Sox continue their three game series with the Yankees. Sidney Ponson gets the start for New York as the Bombers look to bounce back after coming up short in last night's opener. bottom of the first... Johnny Damon facing his old teammate Tim Wakefield...and Damon takes that knuckle ball and curls it round the pole in right for a home run ...first of his two in the game...1-0 New York... --- Sox answer in the second...Jacoby Ellsbury drops a single into short right...Jeff Bailey scores to tie it at one... --- to the third...it's now a 2-2 game...Jason Bay...sneaks one back up the middle... bringing home Kevin Youkilis...3-2 Boston ... --- same score in the fifth...Coco Crisp singles to right...Bay hits the gas pedal and beats the throw home ...4-2 Sox... --- Bailey up next...hard shot down the line... nice grab by A-Rod... but Bailey beats the throw...Jed Lowrie score...Crisp doesn't stop running and he scores from second... Boston wins 7-3. They now lead New York by six in the wild card and move just three and a half games behind Tampa in the division. The Rays losing at home to Toronto.

51} MLB_SCORES_CG

afternoon baseball, Minnesota, just two games behind the Sox in the wild card race, out in Seattle. Right now it's -- in the --. Two day games on the senior circuit...the -- beat the -- ... --- and out west, the -- lead the -- late in San Diego.

52} MONSTERS_CG

Drama last night at Centennial. Jake Dugger hits a game winning, two run home run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Vermont Lake Monsters a 7-5 win over Hudson Valley. That completed a three game sweep of the Renegades. The Monsters opening an eight game road trip tonight in Aberdeen, then close out the season with four straight at home starting a week from tonight.

53} GIANTS_WHITE

Michael Strahan has said thanks, but no thanks to the New York Giants. The seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end has told FoxSports.com he will stay retired. The Giants had contacted the 36-year-old about returning to the NFL just two days after losing defensive end Osi Umenyiora to a season ending knee injury in a preseason game Saturday night.

54} CHARGERS_TAKE_VO

Apparently, two torn knee ligaments will not be enough to keep Chargers linebacker Shawn Merriman on the sidelines. Merriman has decided to play this season rather than have surgery on his left knee. The All-Pro outside linebacker returned to San Diego yesterday after seeing a doctor in Miami to get a fourth opinion on his knee. He said last week he has two torn ligaments in his left knee and has been told by doctors that he could suffer a possible career-ending injury if he attempts to play without having surgery.

55} NASCAR_VO

NASCAR has placed the top two drivers in it's Sprint Cup series points standings, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards, on six months probation following a postrace incident after this weekend's race at Bristol. The incident began on the cool down lap after Edwards, who used a little contact to pass Busch on the final laps, picked up the win. Busch drove alongside Edwards and gave him a couple of love taps. Edwards responded by spinning Busch out. The probations for Busch, who leads the Sprint Cup points race, and Edwards, who is second, begin with this Sunday's race at California Speedway.

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The big concerts at the Champlain Valley Fair are designed to get people through the gates. They break even more often than they make money. But they still require a lot of work to put on. Jack Thurston live at the fair. Jack... A couple form Williston has spent 12 years making sure thousands of concert goers have a good time at the fair.

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Jacqueline Bissonette: we've been here forever Well not quite forever but Jacqueline and Dwight Bissonette have each been coming to the CV Fair for about 60-years. Sicne he was a little boy in Hinesburg and she was a little girl in Shelburne. JB: Sometimes then i thought i would like to be on stage with the Rockettes, but not as a ticket taker. That's what she's done for 12 years now. She's the head ticket taker for the big shows at the fair. Her IBM retiree husband, Dwight, manages the staff of several dozen ushers and gate workers. It's not easy. Dwight: for Toby Keith and the Jonas Brothers, we'll set up 5500 seats. But they do the grunt work together and that makes it easier. A lesson the Bisonnette have applied to their 44 years of marriage. ((toby keith concert)) picking yp for or tearing down from the big concert means the couple often doesn't get home to their home in Williston until midnight or later, but they see from concertgoers has kept them coming back. Screaming fans with painted faces are themselves a show and they sometimes come with bogus stories of lost tickets to try to sneak in. That's what Dwight Bissonette thought one guy was up to when he claimed he had to be let in without a ticket to bring his mom her dentures. DB: in order to not insult him i said, 'come with me, i'll take you to her' so i took him to where he said his mother was and his mother was there in her seat with food and he pulled the false teeth out of her pocket and gave them to her. See? You really do see everything at the fair, and this husband and wife team plan to keep seeing it. DB: at the end of the ten days we'll be tired and if you ask if we'll come back next year it's hmmmmm ... But a week later, we'll say sure.

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The job is just too fun to give up but the Bissonette's are usually too busy to actually enjoy any of the concerts they're working for.

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