from northern Arizona's home. This is two news at six. She's been labeled a bully and
a dictator. Others say she's exactly what the state needed. Here, what one leader has
to say about Governor Napolitano. Also tonight, the first of 60 shipments of radioactive waste
will roll right through flight staff and counting down the hours, employees of the Arizona Snowball
Scramble to get ready for opening day. Good evening and thanks for joining us everyone.
I'm Heidi Goitea. We begin tonight with some hot cargo making its way right through northern
Arizona. Radioactive material shipped from Nevada will travel through New Mexico on its
way to New Mexico will travel through the Northland sometime tonight. Jennifer Burgess
is live tonight with the very latest on this. Jennifer. Heidi, we're live right next to
I-40 in Flagstaff where this waste is expected to pass through sometime tonight. Now officials
tell us this won't be the last shipment. Instead, we'll see many more. They'll be coming through
the Flagstaff area by truck over the next year, about 60 shipments. Experts say these
shipments were supposed to start in the late 90s. However, because of public outcry, they
were delayed. When 9-11 occurred, everything was put on hold. Until now. We are in the
middle of an orange terror alert. Yes. Any cause for concern with that? I think they
wouldn't be beginning these shipments if there was a concern. The thought of radioactive
waste making its way down this portion of I-40 isn't sitting too well with residents
of one subdivision located just yards off the interstate. Taking it this time of year,
there's a lot of accidents on I-40 with the ice and snow. Steve Smithson is concerned
about his family's safety and says he was unaware of the dangerous cargo. I don't know
if there's anything we can do about it. The containers are then dropped from a height
of 40 inches. Officials say the waste poses a relatively low risk and doesn't offer much
value as a terrorist target. The Department of Energy has gone to great lengths to ensure
that we have the greatest level of safety. Now, officials say the waste will mainly be
clothing or tools that were used around radioactive material. And on a side note, officials tell
us that already one in ten trucks that travel this highway already carry some form of hazardous
material. We're live in Flagstaff. Jennifer Burgess, 2 News. Alright, thank you very much,
Jennifer. And experts say we can expect more than 100 shipments of radioactive material
over the next few years. A Donnie Park family is temporarily homeless after their house
caught fire this afternoon. The family was evacuated from the home after a fire started
on the back deck. No one was injured. The fire started, though, after someone left a
box full of ashes from the fireplace unattended. Firefighters say this serves as a reminder
to be careful when disposing of ashes. They do hold heat for a very long time, a period
of days, and so you need to properly dispose of them in a sealed metal container and make
sure that they are out and, of course, don't want to place them on your porch. Firefighters
say the fire damage is to the back of the home and smoke damage is inside. The family
will be able to move back in the home in just a few days. Flagstaff police are crediting
a group of neighbors for cracking down on drugs in their area. Three people were arrested
today, including Lindsay Irvin, who you see here, Daniel Crossett, and Selena Ledesma.
This afternoon, police obtained a search warrant for this home on West Lockett. Officers spent
time watching the area after neighbors complained about suspicious activity. It's the third
warrant served to the residents within the past three years. A half ounce of meth, along
with an undisclosed amount of marijuana, cocaine, and firearms were all found. This is an excellent
partnership between neighbors who are intolerant of illegal activity or drug trafficking in
their neighborhood, and they're not going to rest until it stops. Metro is working excellent
with the neighbors. If we have to come back a fourth time and do another warrant, we will
do so. Officers say the search was considered high risk because one of the suspects was
in possession of firearms. Arizona's prescription drug discount program has been revamped. Governor
Napolitano says the hope is to make the program available to more of Arizona's Medicare eligible
residents. The enrollment fee has been eliminated, as well as a requirement to sign up for the
program. The state instead will send out drug discount cards automatically to those who
are eligible. The copper card is simple. There is no formulary. It applies to all prescription
drugs, brand name and generic, with savings ranging from 15 to 55 percent. More than a
million people will be getting the cards. They'll have them by March 1st and can begin
using them immediately. Well, it wasn't much, but every bit helps. Today, just a few flurries
came down in Flagstaff. That mixed with a little bit of rain made for a wet and dreary
day. No accumulation here in the city and not much more up at Snow Bowl. They recorded
just about an inch of new snow, but that adds to the base they've already got, which they
say is enough to open. And in just two days, they'll be doing just that. Last weekend,
the ski resort received up to 11 inches of snow in some areas, and since then, the snow
has been accumulating. The decision to open on Friday was made yesterday after Snow Bowl
managers were able to evaluate skiing conditions. Mitzi Lewis has the latest on all the preparations.
Mitzi? Heidi, Snow Bowl employees are hoping for a big weekend. Right now, 50 percent of
the slopes will definitely be open on Friday, but that could all change because the snow
keeps coming down and the hills are being monitored every single day. It's time to get
things rolling. We've got enough snow on the ground. Let's enjoy it and keep on praying
for more snow. Soon, these lifts will be full of skiers, and Snow Bowl employees have been
working hard all week to finish final preparations. We've had all our season maintenance done,
so we're pretty much ready for it. The patrol's been pretty antsy trying to get the mountain
set up. And so is everyone else. We've got the lift department out setting up ramps and
making sure the lifts are ready to go. We've got snow cats on the slopes grooming the snow.
Food and beverages is getting stocked up. All the Snow Bowl employees got an earlier
start last year with opening up. They're staying optimistic that this month is going to be
a good one. Last year, Snow Bowl opened two days after Christmas. Although that's not
the case this year, employees can't wait for this weekend. We're very excited. The snow
is here. It's still snowing and we're looking forward to a really good season. Employees
are planning on a busy weekend. They also have Martin Luther King weekend to look forward
to as well. And just so you know, there's a settled snow base of 12 inches at the Agassiz
Lodge and 29 inches at Mid Mountain, which is approximately 10,800 feet. Also keep in
mind the Nordic Center is opening tomorrow and Snow Bowl employees have no idea how many
people they can expect this weekend. But I can tell you they are anticipating a lot.
Heidi?
I bet they're right. All right. Thank you very much, Misty. Well, NASA's Mars Rover
has sent back some amazing pictures of the red planet in the U.S. Geological Survey here
and Flagstaff is using those pictures to assist other scientists. Brandon Klein tells us about
Flagstaff's role in the Mars mission. Brandon?
Heidi, the scientists want to know if there's life on Mars or if there was at one time.
They hope to learn from the planet to protect the future of Earth. It's the question that
has plagued stargazers for centuries. Is there life on other planets? NASA is hoping its
newest rover will provide an answer.
Is Earth the only planet with life on it? And by finding out the history of water and
climate on Mars, we lead the way towards answering whether there was or even still is life there.
At the U.S. Geological Survey and Flagstaff, physicist Randy Kirk is receiving data from
the rover and will eventually help analyze rocks found on Mars.
When the rover gets down off of the lander and can go up and touch a rock, it has a microscopic
camera and it will be the first look at the inside of Mars rocks ever.
Right now, NASA isn't exactly sure where the rover is. Kirk and his colleagues are using
pictures to map out the area and determine its location.
Trying to find out from making detailed maps and comparing them to the images brought back
exactly where the rover is because if you don't know where you are, you don't really
know where to go.
Scientists also want to know how Mars changed from a habitable planet and hope to learn
how to prevent Earth from following the same path.
If you've got a habitable planet, how can you screw it up or better, how can you avoid
screwing it up, how can we learn from Mars and not turn Earth into a frozen desert?
Kirk says the Mars rover is designed to last three months but could continue to operate
for as long as six months.
Heidi, back to you.
Alright, thanks Brandon.
Well, as the holiday decorations come down, the city of Flagstaff has created three ways
for you to dispose of your Christmas tree.
One, the residents that have 90 gallon service can put their tree out next to the container
on their day of their trash pickup without any light stands on it or anything and the
crews will pick it up and chip it.
They can also bring it to our drop off center at 419 North Mugion or they can take it out
to the landfill free of charge.
The trees are turned into mulch at the recycling site behind Flagstaff High School.
That mulch will be available to the public without charge.
Well, flu cases may have dropped off in recent weeks but experts say nationwide the flu season
has yet to reach its peak.
The CDC says at least five states no longer have widespread outbreaks but 42 others still
do including Arizona.
The flu season in the United States got off to an unusually early and harsh start raising
fears of one of the deadliest seasons in years.
Officials say they won't know the details on the deaths until tomorrow.
Coming up on 2 News.
I'm Tracy Potts in Washington where the president has laid out a plan for illegal immigrants
to work legally in the U.S.
More on that story coming up.
Plus, it's a disease many don't even know they have and tonight's Health Watch will
have tips on how to prevent it.
Those stories and more news coming up on 2 News.
Good evening everyone, I'm meteorologist Lee Borne.
As expected just a little bit of snow came down today but over the last week we've had
enough to get Snowball open so we're out there skiing so it's time to say farewell to the
beard and it doesn't look like any snows in the near future and I'll show you why coming
up in weather.
President Bush is gaining critics from both sides today as he announces a major change
in immigration law that would allow workers who came here illegally to stay.
Tracy Potts reports.
President Bush wants to allow 8 million or more illegal immigrants now working in the
U.S. to get 3 year temporary work permits.
Those who haven't crossed the border yet but have bonafide job offers could also obtain
temporary legal status.
If an American employer is offering a job that American citizens are not willing to
take we ought to welcome into our country a person who will fill that job.
Anti-immigration groups say not only will the president's plan keep jobs away from
unemployed Americans it will open the floodgates to more foreign workers when the nation can't
support those who are already here.
To let people in who cheated the system, gimmicked the laws, ripped off the taxpayer and taken
advantage of our generosity, jumped in front of the line of people who waited in line patiently
played by the rules and basically saying to the American worker need not apply.
Even these day laborers who could benefit aren't crazy about the president's plan and
they're skeptical about the timing.
I have to relate it with something about the campaign.
Now it's going to help but it's not the solution that we want.
But even immigration advocates question whether this proposal goes far enough.
What we would like to see is a comprehensive plan that allows people to earn their permanent
legal status in this country and allow people who come in to be able to earn citizenship.
The White House says it's about economic and security documenting the millions of workers
who slipped into this country illegally who may now have a chance to stay.
The president emphasized this is not an amnesty program for those who have entered the U.S.
illegally.
Instead he says for those who want permanent status or citizenship they'll have to go through
the normal channels.
In Washington I'm Tracy Potts, 2 News.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary is bullish on jobs and the U.S. economy in 2004.
Secretary Jon Snow says the fundamentals are present for continued economic recovery this
year but he has the recovery could be derailed if President Bush's tax cuts are not made
permanent.
Democrats claim the cuts have contributed to the exploding federal deficit but Snow says
the $500 billion shortfall is entirely manageable and not historically out of range.
The failure to make them permanent, the failure to make them permanent would be a huge mistake.
And if the markets ever perceive that they're not going to be made permanent it could jeopardize
this strong recovery we're in now.
Snow did agree that federal deficits are a matter of concern but says the Bush administration
plans to work with Congress to control spending which by the way is up nearly 24% from President
Clinton's last year in office.
Snow says he expects the rebounding economy will help slash the deficit in half by 2005.
Health Watch is brought to you by Flagstaff Medical Center, your non-profit community hospital.
Millions of Americans suffer from diabetes and many don't even know they have it but
there are many things you can do to decrease your chances of getting it.
In this week's Health Watch, Brandon Klein shows us some warning signs of that disease.
The number of Americans with diabetes rises each year and doesn't appear to be slowing
down anytime soon.
In fact the prevalence is projected to go up to about 9% in 2025 up from 7.4% in 1995.
21 million Americans have diabetes and as many as 6 million don't even know they have
it.
Experts say millions more are in the beginning stages of the disease.
Anywhere between 15 to 16 million who probably have what we call pre-diabetes.
The symptoms can be easy to recognize and experts say patients need to be aware of what
they are.
Increased or frequent urination, hunger, blurred vision can be a sign of a symptom.
Frequent infections can also be a sign of a symptom.
One of the biggest health problems that can lead to diabetes is obesity.
If a person's body mass index is greater than about 25 then they certainly could be at risk
for the development of cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes.
People with diabetes should check their blood pressure, take insulin shots as ordered by
a physician and check their blood sugar which today is much easier than it used to be.
Some of the tools that we use today are very quick, easy to carry around, maybe not too
obvious in terms of testing in a restaurant let's say.
Experts say diabetes is very manageable and those with the disease can live normal lives
by taking care of themselves.
Brain and Klein, 2 News.
No health experts say although anyone can be at risk for diabetes, Native Americans,
African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to develop it.
Coming up on 2 News.
It's about as close to winter weather as we're going to get this week.
Enjoy it, Lee's got your forecast next.
And the Cardinals have their new head coach, Cory will let you know who it is later in
sports.
Don't go away.
Tonight's Health Watch is brought to you by Flagstaff Medical Center.
Homes, babies and families are the focus at Flagstaff Medical Center's new Women and Infant
Center.
Our staff blends the best in technology with care and compassion.
The center offers a home-like atmosphere with spacious private rooms, whirlpool tubs to
help ease labor discomfort, family education services, the breastfeeding center and an
expanded special care nursery.
FMC is Northern Arizona's regional referral center and we're growing for you.
Location, location, location.
In life as in real estate, location is everything.
That's why having the right guide by your side is important.
From matching the best places to play with that ideal home, Less Butters takes great
pride in being your guide to the quality lifestyle you've been searching for.
When you're ready to buy or sell your next home in Flagstaff, make sure you have the
right guide by your side.
Fielter, Less Butters, your guide to Flagstaff Real Estate.
Hello, my name is Alan McCracken.
My wife and I are the owners of Inspector's Auto Appearance.
If you have a cracked or broken windshield on your vehicle and you have comprehensive
insurance, we have a special offer for you.
If you choose Inspector's Auto to replace that broken windshield, we'll buy you six
free meals at Don Diego's New Mexican Restaurant.
This is a $60 value just for letting Inspector's Auto replace that broken windshield.
Don't miss your six free meals at Don Diego's.
Call 774-1125 for Inspector's Auto Appearance.
Not all animals are lucky enough to have someone to care for them.
Many are being euthanized simply because there are not enough homes.
Plateau Land Mobile Veterinary Clinic provides low-cost stay and neutering services and free
educational workshops in Northern Arizona.
Having your pet spayed or neutered is one of the best things you can do to ensure a
long, healthy life for them.
Do your pet a favor.
Call Plateau Land for more information.
Now Northern Arizona weather with meteorologist Lee Borne.
All right, as we anticipated today's storm, very weak out there.
There was high pressure in place before it came in and then just a band of moisture and
it pretty much just fell apart as it moved through Arizona, although we did get a trace
of precipitation here in Flagstaff, a trace in Sedona, a trace in Prescott.
Here's a look at it on satellite and sorry how it's just going back and forth like that.
There's only a few frames of the satellite picture, but it's all beginning to move off
to the east in the meantime for us here in Flagstaff.
43 degrees was our high and that was actually around the four o'clock hour when the clouds
broke and the sun came out all day long.
It hung right around 36, 37 degrees.
Big reason why a lot of it wasn't sticking out there.
Normals for this time of year, 42, 16 and trace of precipitation keeps us at 6.39 inches
since September one and normal 8.16 inches sunrise 7.36 currently outside.
We're mostly cloudy with just some high clouds out there and the temperatures at 37 degrees
and the barometer rising overnight low will remain partly cloudy with an early morning
temperature of 19 degrees.
Here's a look at it on the Pacific satellite, the storm system moving off to the east and
behind it, high pressure is going to build in this storm system back in the Pacific.
It's going to ride over the top of it and all we're going to see around here the next
four or five days is just periods of high clouds moving through this high pressure,
slightly breaking it down and the temperatures are going to rise here for us to above normal
and it looks like to stay this way at least into mid next week as high pressure is in
place over the southwest and main pulses of moisture well into the Pacific Northwest.
So for tomorrow, 47 degrees, sunny and a warmer day out there for us and statewide that'll
be the case for everybody at 55 for you in Prescott, Kingman at 59, Phoenix all the way
up to 73 degrees where they'll stay in the 70s going right into the weekend, Cottonwood
63, Williams 48, Payson 57, Winslow 46.
So it's high and dry right through the forecast temperatures in the mid upper 40s for us here
in Flagstaff for you down in Sedona 60 tomorrow and hanging right around that mark right through
the five day forecast mid 50s for you in Prescott going right through the five day forecast.
So not a whole lot shaken in the world of weather.
Alright, sounds pretty good.
There is a lot shaken on the world of sports, especially for the Cardinals.
That's right.
The Cardinals have always been talking about their head coach position and having some
technical difficulties here.
But yeah, they did find a new head coach.
We'll let you know who it is coming up next in sports.
DTCI, air quality control, mites in your home, pollen in your home, mites in your home,
pet nander in your home, mites in your home, mold in your home, mites in your home, fungus
in your home, mites in your home, bacteria in your home.
Are you repeatedly sick?
Breathing this can't be healthy.
Remove dirty duck work from your home.
Call company president Dennis Turner today for your professional inspection.
DTCI because quality air matters.
Call 699-4253.
Hey everybody, Kenny wants to know, have you checked out our new look and unbeatable services?
Competition Auto Supercenter, previously known as Competition Collision Center, has taken
the concept of full service auto care to the highest level.
Whatever your vehicle needs, Kenny says he's got it.
Auto glass, Rhino linings, Fort Valley towing, and high quality collision and auto repair.
Come see for yourself.
Our customer service is the best in the region.
Call us today at 526-1788.
Whatever your vehicle needs, it's Competition Auto Supercenter.
Today it's just grandpa.
Her new Invocare front wheel drive power chair and her grandkids.
The Invocare front wheel drive power chair performs better over obstacles and on uneven
surfaces thanks to its breakthrough front wheel drive technology.
Call now and you'll receive an Invocare power chair assessment absolutely free.
Then you can go places and do things with more confidence and a lot more comfort.
Northland Home Care, Fort Valley Shopping Center, Flagstaff.
And now, sports with Corey Williams.
Last week the Cardinals interviewed four candidates for their head coaching position.
This week they were scheduling second interviews and today it appears one of those second interviews
went very, very well.
The Cardinals have made an offer to former Vikings head coach Dennis Green and as of
an hour ago, Green accepted that offer.
Dennis Green is the Arizona Cardinals new head coach, sending a four year deal with
close to $11 million.
The deal ends Green's two year absence from the NFL and with the four year contract will
make Denny the Cardinals head coach when the team enters their new stadium in 2006.
We'll have more on Dennis Green's hiring tonight at 10 o'clock.
Another big hire in the NFL, Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder has lured Joe Gibbs.
Yes, Joe Gibbs returning to Washington.
They lured him from the pit and he's back on the sideline.
Snyder has hired Gibbs, who first coached the team between 1981 and 1992 to serve as
head coach and president of the NFL franchise.
After leading the Redskins to three Super Bowl championships, Gibbs retired at the end
of the 92 season and for a career in NASCAR as an owner.
He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
His website says that Gibbs agreed to a five year contract.
After the first three head coaching choices said no to Nebraska, Bill Callahan is the
latest candidate in the Cornhuskers football coaching search.
Callahan was fired by the Oakland Raiders eight days ago.
Last January, Callahan led the Raiders to the Super Bowl, but the team fell to four
and 12 this season.
Nebraska has been turned down three times.
They're hoping Callahan will not be the fourth.
Finally, hockey news.
Pittsburgh Penguin Center and owner Mario Lemieux won't be back on the ice this season.
The six time NHL scoring leader will undergo hip surgery next week, but says he does not
plan to retire.
Lemieux didn't play after injuring his left hip in a game against Boston November 1st
and he will not play again this year.
All right, interesting stuff.
Thanks, Corey.
Well, don't try this at home.
Not that you'd ever want to.
We'll tell you why these folks are doing that.
Not that.
We'll show you what they're doing and why they're doing it coming up next.
Tonight on two news at 10.
Some say she's a bully.
Others say she's exactly what Arizona needed tonight at 10.
Here who's weighing in on the governor.
And high pressure will build in, keeping moisture in a far off land.
Temperatures in the mid upper forties for us and Flagstaff right through the weekend,
right around 60 for you in Sedona the next five days and mid upper fifties for you in
Prescott.
All right.
Thank you, Lee.
Well, Russia's ice swimmers decided to take to the water despite the temperature.
Take a look.
Those who jumped in definitely weren't alone.
No, they had solid chunks of ice in their ride along with them.
The swimmers called themselves Walruses.
Now get this.
I believe that freezing dips help activate and strengthen the body's immune system.
I don't think there's any proof on whether it's true.
The swimmers, though, they train regularly by pouring cold water over themselves in the
shower for weeks ahead of time.
Has it been a year already since we ran that last time?
You know, at New Year's, a lot of people did it.
So it's only been about a week.
So that's going to do it for us tonight.
Thanks for being here.
We hope to see you back at 10 o'clock.
Have a good night.