Quick Guide & Transcript: Upstate N.Y. braces for more snow, Rome subway dig reveals relics

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(CNN Student News) -- February 14, 2007

Quick Guide

Snow Stacking Up - Find out what parts of the U.S. are besieged with heavy winter storms.

Ancient City, Modern Problems - Watch ancient and modern times collide in an underground discovery in Rome.

Healthy Valentine's Day - Learn what type of chocolate could improve your health this Valentine's Day.

Transcript

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

MONICA LLOYD, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: Hi, I'm Monica Lloyd. Welcome to CNN Student News! Buried under several yards of snow, upstate New Yorkers dream of Spring, but see no sign of it. Buried under an ancient city, are ancient artifacts. And a new Roman subway could turn everyday travelers into time travelers. And buried in your Valentine's Day chocolate, could be something that's actually good for you!

First Up: Snow Stacking Up

LLOYD: When you think snow, you may think snow angels or sledding or snowball fights. Some students even get out of school for it! On the other hand, many folks up north would probably be glad not to see it again until next winter! But they won't get their wish: New storms are coating the country from Iowa to New England. Three-foot drifts are reported in Indiana... But that's nothing compared to what Reggie Aqui found in upstate New York.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REGGIE AQUI, CNN REPORTER: Upstate New York is no stranger to snow...and lots of it. But this time around it just won't quit. Among the hardest hit: a small New York town called Mexico.

MAYOR TERRY GRIMSHAW, MEXICO, NEW YORK: We has a storm in 1966, but that was a three day storm. This has gone on for weeks.

AQUI: But when it comes to quantity:

CAROL YERDEN, REDFIELD RESIDENT: This would be my mailbox under here.

AQUI: Redfield, New York takes the cake. 141 inches of snow has fallen since February third, covering roads and practically burying homes.

YERDEN: This is our only entrance at the moment.

AQUI: A brief break from the snow Monday didn't last long. Another lake-effect storm popped up the next morning. Now forecasters says Redfield could get hammered again mid-week with up to 12 more inches.

YERDEN: Usually we don't go too far from home. I can say that because once you do get cleared out, if there is another bout coming, you're not likely to get back in.

AQUI: Still, residents are trying to go about their business as best they can. No doubt everyone here is hoping there will soon be signs of spring.

YERDEN: But it might be until May that we see green grass.

AQUI: For CNN Student News, Reggie Aqui, Syracuse New York.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NOLA Tornado

LLOYD: More weather woes for a city that's no stranger to nature's deadly force - severe thunderstorms lashed the New Orleans area Tuesday morning. They spun a tornado that caused the damage you see here, and killed one elderly woman. She was living in one of the FEMA trailers provided to Hurricane Katrina victims. Many of those trailers were damaged. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin calls this yet another setback for a city still reeling from the 2005 hurricane.

Spoken Word

REP. DUNCAN HUNTER, (R) CALIFORNIA: This resolution, by the Democratic leadership, sends a message to three parties -- America's enemies, America's friends and America's troops. And I think it's going to be received by friend and foe alike as the first sound of retreat in the world battle against extremists and terrorists.

REP. MIKE THOMPSON, (D) CALIFORNIA: This resolution is a critical step in getting our men and women out of this ugly mess, a full-blown civil war in Iraq. I support today's resolution which joins with the American people in sending the president a loud and clear message that escalation is not the answer.

House Iraq Debate

LLOYD: Both sides there from Tuesday's house debate over a controversial resolution. If it passes, it would express support for U.S. troops serving in Iraq. But it would also oppose the president's plan to send 21,000 more troops to stop the violence there. Representatives are expected to vote on it Friday. The proposal doesn't offer an alternative plan or require presidential action. And President Bush has said if it passes, it won't affect his decision to send more troops.

Shoutout

CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Time for the Shoutout! Where would you see these sights? the pantheon...the coliseum...and trevi fountain If you think you know it, shout it out! Is it: A) London, B) Rome, C) Athens or D) Beijing? You've got three seconds--GO! If you were visiting the Pantheon, the Coliseum and Trevi Fountain, you would be in Rome, Italy! That's your answer and that's your Shoutout!

Ancient City, Modern Problems

LLOYD: Rome is as ancient as it is scenic. The "city on seven hills" was populated as early as 1500 B.C. And by the first and second centuries A.D., Rome had become a political, cultural, and artistic powerhouse dominating Europe. Today, the needs of its two-point-six million people, are similar to those of any major city. But Alessio Vinci shows us how modern expansion needs to proceed carefully, in an arena of artifacts.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF: It's a struggle between preserving ancient treasures...and developing a modern transportation system Rome desperately needs. No one is more aware of that than archaeologists like Rossella Rea, who spend hours investigating the bowels of the eternal city.

ROSSELLA REA, ARCHAEOLOGIST: 'We have asked to move the construction dig further away from here', she tells me pointing to a portion of a buried ancient wall dating back to the second century A.D.

VINCI: As we continue underground, she says we might have uncovered an ancient villa or a tomb. But this well preserved piece of a statue she says may be an indication that this was a place owned by someone wealthy.

REA: 'It's a warning sign,' she says...Not enough to prevent construction of a subway station...'but we have to be careful here, we might find more.'

VINCI: This head is about a thousand eight hundred years old. It is extremely heavy. It is pure marble. Experts here say that the nominal value of this is estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. They say that if this could be sold, they won't sell it, but if this could be sold, it would pay for all the excavation costs here. Peanuts compared to the 4 billion dollars needed to build a third subway line for Rome.

Archaeological probes like this one are underway all along the projected route...to avoid finding something that would force the work to be stopped or even cancelled. It's a constant struggle between conservationists and urban developers.

Fedora Filippi oversees one dig in the heart of Rome where planers hope to build a station. In January, she uncovered this massive foundation of what she believes was a temple honouring the Goddess of Fortune... dating to Rome's emperors.

FEDORA FILIPPI, ROME PRESERVATION OFFICE: 'Rome is just like that,' she says...You lift a cobblestone and you will always find something.

VINCI: Developers promise they can preserve the wall and build the station around it. And they say the subway trains will run 30 meters or 100 feet underground..deep enough to avoid damaging historical treasures. The first station is set to open in 2011...the whole line finished in 2015. When commuters won't just travel through town...but through time as well. Alessio Vinci, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Promo

LLOYD: Students... Want to study up for our weekly Newsquiz, or get an edge on our Shoutout? Try watching us on the bus! It's possible with our new podcast, which you can find and download right now on i-Tunes or our newly redesigned podcasting site: CNN.com/podcast!

Word to the Wise

AZUZ: Word to the Wise... flavonoid (noun) a water-soluble plant pigment that is good for your health

Source: www.dictionary.com

Healthy Valentine's Day

LLOYD: It's every choco-holic's dream: To hear that a favorite food is actually good for you. Well, wake up and smell the chocolate-- the dark chocolate, that is, because it is *believed* to have flavonoids. And that could make folks' Valentine's Day, even sweeter. Judy Fortin explains how the candy aisle, may actually contain something that can benefit your health.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUDY FORTIN, CNN REPORTER: A way to your Valentine's heart may be to give a gift that is good for the heart....some experts suggest dark chocolate fits the bill. Chocolates with higher cocoa content have anti-oxidant compounds called flavonoids.

MARISA MOORE, AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION: Flavonoids are so good for us because they've been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease, they help to decrease clot formation in the body.

FORTIN: Other studies suggest a small serving of dark chocolate might lower blood pressure and reduce insulin resistance. But experts warn chocolate is no miracle drug, and should never take the place of medicine.

MOORE: We have to remember that it's not a health food, we have to make sure that we enjoy it in moderation, it does contribute calories and fat.

FORTIN: Large amounts of chocolate, especially those with added nuts and fillings, can increase the risk for obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. Moore points out that flavonoids are also found in apples, grapes, red wine and green tea. But if you can't resist the taste, a little bit of dark chocolate might be just what your doctor orders. For today's Health Minute, I'm Judy Fortin.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Goodbye

LLOYD: Whether or not you have a valentine, we hope you have a sweet day. And we'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow, online or on Headline News.

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