DIRECTORS PAGE

HL1) STUDENT SECURITY BREACH-VOTOPS

A SECURITY BREACH HAS MANY COLLEGE STUDENT'S PERSONAL RECORDS EXPOSED.

HL2) POLITICS TODAY-VOTOPS

DECISION 2012-- NOW JUST SIXTEEN DAYS AWAY--

NEWS TODAY OPEN-CLIP

STUDENT SECURITY BREACH-VOWIPE

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!

THANKS FOR WAKING UP WITH US ON NBC2 NEWS TODAY!

I'M KELLY CRESWELL.

ABOUT 200 THOUSAND STUDENTS IN FLORIDA ARE AT RISK OF IDENTITY THEFT THIS MORNING.

SOMEONE HACKED INTO A DATA FILE AT NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE.

THE FILE INCLUDED SENSITIVE INFORMATION ON STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR THE 'BRIGHT FUTURES' SCHOLARSHIP.

THE HACK HAPPENED SOMETIME BETWEEN MAY AND SEPTEMBER.

STUDENT SECURITY BREACH-SOTVO BNR

"Certainly having a data file that is that many years old, we're looking at our own procedures to see how we can possibly eradicate this file once they no longer become necessary."

AFFECTED STUDENTS SHOULD RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE SCHOOL IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO.

METRO EXTENSION-TRX VOWIPE

NBC2 WITH A TRAFFIC REMINDER TODAY.

THE METRO PARKWAY EXTENSION IS SET TO OPEN AT 5 O'CLOCK TONIGHT.

THE ROADWAY EXTENDS METRO AT SIX MILES CYPRESS TO ALICO ROAD,

AND ALSO CONNECTS TO U-S 41.

IT'S EXPECTED TO EASE CONGESTION ALONG 41.

METRO EXTENSION-SOTVO

amanda simone, owner, clubs for par golf shop

1:03 and that's the thing that kind of worries all business owners. It's going to effect us a little bit because you won't have that drive by."

THE 30 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT TOOK THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE.

BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP BREACH-OC

HELLO EVERYONE!

I'M KELLY CRESWELL.

A SECURITY BREACH IS PUTTING STUDENTS AT RISK HERE IN FLORIDA.

SOMEONE HACKED INTO DATA ON STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR THE 'BRIGHT FUTURES' SCHOLARSHIP.

BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP BREACH-PKG

ON THE F-G-C-U CAMPUS TODAY -

BRAD BELLINGAR WORKS ON A PAPER DUE NEXT WEEK.

"doing research for that and compiling a literature review"

THE DOCTORAL PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENT ALREADY HAD ENOUGH ON HIS MIND WHEN I ASKED HIM IF HE KNEW ABOUT A WIDESPREAD SECURITY BREACH.

HE HADN'T.

"I'm going to have to check my credit history, make sure nobody's filed for any credit cards or new bank accounts. I've got a lot to do now. Thanks!"

"The security breach didn't happen here. In fact, it happened about 540 miles away from here at the campus of Northwest Florida State College. But that security breach put into jeopardy the personal information of about 200,000 students and former students all across the state of Florida."

THAT INCLUDES EVERY ELIGIBLE BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLAR FOR THE ACADEMIC YEARS FROM 2005 TO 2007 --

ALL FLORIDA INSTITUTIONS GET THE SAME INFORMATION ABOUT THE STUDENTS -- INCLUDING NAMES, BIRTH DATES, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS.

"that's like the perfect set up for identity theft"

A BREACH AT ONE SCHOOL COMPROMISES THE PERSONAL INFORMATION OF EVERYONE - REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY WENT TO SCHOOL.

"I've heard nothing of it until right now"

NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE SAYS IT'S WORKING TO IMPROVE ITS POLICIES TO PREVENT ANOTHER HACK --

BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP BREACH-OC

ELIZABETH BILLINGSLEY REPORTING.

6:02 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

6:02 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

The cold front that brought come clouds and a few stray showers on Saturday has moved through Southwest Florida. The tropical airmass we've been used to for the last several months has been replaced by a cooler and drier one, and this will bring pleasant conditions for our Sunday.

This morning looks to be the coolest morning we've seen since last April as most locations have dipped into the lower to middle 60s. The day will dawn bright and sunny with light winds across the area. Plenty of sunshine will dominate our skies through the afternoon hours as temperatures rebound into the middle 80s.

As high pressure builds to the north of us, winds will remain out of the northeast, which will pull in some dry air across the peninsula. This will keep our humidity values quite comfy during the day. Clear skies tonight will set the stage for another delightful evening as temperatures drop into the mid 60s by morning.

Our mainly dry weather pattern will persist through the first part of the week with mostly to partly sunny skies. Temperatures will gradually warm back into the upper 80s with lows in the 70s. More moisture will move back into the area by Wednesday with the chance for a few afternoon isolated showers.

DECISION 2012-CLIP

POLITICS TODAY-SS TOPS VO WIPE

TALKING POLITICS THIS MORNING.

16 DAYS UNTIL THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

NBC NATIONAL NEWS FOCUSES ON FLORIDA TODAY.

LESTER HOLT WILL BE IN TAMPA FOR THE TODAY SHOW.

TODAY HE'S TALKING ABOUT FLORIDA AS A KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE.

MEET THE PRESS PANEL-VOTOPS WIPE

JUST ONE DEBATE LEFT BEFORE THE ELECTION.

TODAY ON MEET THE PRESS,

CAN PRESIDENT OBAMA HOLD OFF ROMNEY'S RECENT SURGE IN THE POLLS?

A SPECIAL DISCUSSION LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FINAL THREE WEEKS OF THE CAMPAIGN.

MEET THE PRESS COLBERT-VOTOPS

AND HE'S SPENT THE LAST SEVEN YEARS POKING FUN AT POLITICIANS.

TALKING POLITICS, COMEDY AND HIS NEW BOOK,

ON THE TRAIL-OC

MITT ROMNEY AND PRESIDENT OBAMA ARE GETTING READY FOR THEIR LAST DEBATE - TOMORROW IN BOCA RATON.

THE SUBJECT THIS TIME - FOREIGN POLICY.

ON THE TRAIL-PKG

WITH SEVENTEEN DAYS REMAINING BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

REPUBLICAN V-P CANDIDATE PAUL RYAN WAS TRYING TO TURN THE TIDE IN THE MUST-WIN BATTLEGROUND STATE OF OHIO.

Vice Presidential Candidate:11 -:15

"You have such a huge say-so in all of this. Ohio is the battle ground of battleground states."

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS FIGHTING FOR ANOTHER KEY ELECTORAL PRIZE - FLORIDA.

"We need you. We need you. With you, we can take Florida. And when we take Florida, this election will be over."

FLORIDA IS THE SITE OF MONDAY'S FINAL PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.

BOTH OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES SPENT THEIR SATURDAY HUNKERING DOWN.

AND STUDYING UP FOR THEIR LAST BIG SHOWDOWN.

BEFORE STEPPING OFF THE STAGE. PRESIDENT OBAMA AND GOVERNOR ROMNEY TRADED A FEW FINAL JABS.

"I think it's called Romnesia. "

Presidential Candidate:53 - 1:00

"They've been reduced to petty attacks and silly word games."

GOVERNOR ROMNEY'S WIFE, ANN, SPENT HER MORNING IN ORLANDO.

JOINING THOUSANDS TAKING A STAND AGAINST BREAST CANCER.

A WALK AT A TIME WHEN THE RUN FOR THE WHITE HOUSE IS PICKING UP PACE.

ON THE TRAIL CNN-OC

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND MITT ROMNEY ARE PREPARING FOR THE FINAL DEBATE MONDAY.

THEIR VICE PRESIDENTIAL RUNNING MATES ARE HITTING THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THIS WEEKEND.

ON THE TRAIL CNN-PKG

--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS --

THE FINAL PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE AND THE NOVEMBER 6TH ELECTION ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER -- AND THE CANDIDATES ARE WASTING NO TIME. WHILE FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR ROMNEY AND PRESIDENT OBAMA PREPARE TO GO HEAD-TO-HEAD, THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TOOK TO THE TRAIL.

PAUL RYAN CAMPAIGNED IN OHIO AND PENNSYLVANIA.

We are not going to duck these tough issues we are going to run at our countries economic and fiscal problems before they get out of our control thats what leaders do.

JOE BIDEN SPOKE AT A RALLY IN FLORIDA.

The American people want to depend on a president who says what he means and means what he says

IN HIS WEEKLY ADDRESS, PRESIDENT OBAMA TALKED ABOUT HIS BUDGET PROPOSALS TO HELP ECONOMIC RECOVERY. Republicans in Congress banded together and kept this plan from even coming to a vote. They banded together and prevented millions of Americans - including many of you listening today - from saving $3,000 a year. And that's only held back the economy, when we should be doing everything we can to accelerate our economic engine.

AND THE G-O-P RESPONDED SAYING HOME VALUES HAVE DROPPED, GAS PRICES INCREASED AND THERE'S BEEN NO CHANGE IN UNEMPLOYMENT SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE.

The Obama administration added over $5 trillion to the national debt for this? President Obama undoubtedly inherited a fragile economy but he's done little to improve it.

WATCH THE DEBATE-2 SS TOPS

REMEMBER YOU CAN WATCH THE DEBATE LIVE FROM BOCA RATON RIGHT HERE ON NBC2 - AND ONLINE AT NBC DASH 2 DOT COM.

CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT CHAD OLIVER WILL BE AT THE DEBATE.

BRINGING YOU LIVE UPDATES DURING OUR EVENING NEWS.

PEDESTRIAN HIT UPDATE-VO

AN ESTERO MAN REMAINS AT LEE MEMORIAL AFTER HE WAS HIT BY A CAR IN FORT MYERS.

POLICE SAY 23-YEAR-OLD ADAM VAUGHN IS AT FAULT FOR THE CRASH.

IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY MORNING AT CLEVELAND AVENUE AND CANAL STREET.

WE'RE TOLD THE MAN WAS TRYING TO CROSS THE ROAD.

HE WAS THROWN OVER A GUARDRAIL AND INTO A CANAL.

NAKED WOMAN-VO

TWO-OFF DUTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SHOT AND KILLED A WOMAN AFTER THEY SAY SHE CONFRONTED THEM, NAKED, WITH A WEAPON.

IT HAPPENED IN TAMPA YESTERDAY.

AUTHORITIES SAY THE WOMAN CONFRONTED THEM DURING A SOCIAL GATHERING AND WAS ACTING IRRATIONAL.

THE WOMAN DIED AT THE SCENE.

GREKOS TRIAL-VO

A BONITA SPRINGS DOCTOR RETURNS TO COURT TOMORROW.

ZANNOS GREKOS IS ACCUSED OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE.

HIS HEARING WAS EXPECTED TO WRAP FRIDAY.

BUT ATTORNEYS FOR BOTH SIDES STILL HAVE WITNESSES.

MENINGITIS UPDATE-VO

THE DEATH TOLL FROM THE MENINGITIS OUTBREAK IS 23 THIS MORNING.

THE CDC SAYS TWO MORE PEOPLE DIED - ONE IN TENNESSEE, THE OTHER IN NORTH CAROLINA.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE INFECTED HAS RISEN TO 284.

GHADDAFY DEATH ONE YEAR-VO

TURNING TO LIBYA THIS MORNING,

CITIZENS THERE CELEBRATE ONE YEAR SINCE THE CAPTURE OF STRONGMAN MOAMMAR GHADAFFI.

PEOPLE WAVED FLAGS AND CHEERED LATE LAST NIGHT.

THIS COMES AT THE SAME TIME OF THE CAPTURE OF GHADAFFI'S FORMER CHIEF SPOKESMAN.

RED TIDE IN SWFL-OC SS

A REMINDER ABOUT RED TIDE OFF THE COAST THIS MORNING.

WE'RE SEEING HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF THE TOXIC BLOOM FROM CHARLOTTE COUNTY TO COLLIER.

RED TIDE IN SWFL-PKG

Vic perla was expecting a perfect day at the beach.

Sot vic

It was a beautiful day so we thought we'd come to the beach. Got to the beach and we noticed a little bit of smell and dead fish on the beach, so were probably thinking of moving to a beach that doesn't have this.'

Dead fish- littering sanibels tarpon bay and bowmans beach.

And they're prompting strong reactions.

Sot Vic

It smells fishy!'

Sot reed schueler, beachgoer

'It's disgusting'

The reason they're all washing up?

Sot Helen Johnson, beachgoer

' red tide'

The toxic algae bloom looming off our shores- is back in action.

For the past week- it's been dormant.

High winds forced the algae to retreat to the bottom of our waters to survive.

There- it can't reproduce because of a lack of light.

Meaning it also can't kill sea life.

Nat gulf

Its putting a kink in this family's day.

Sot Helen Johnson

We came to find and pick up shells/ but we didn't expect the dead fish.'

Fish- are also rolling in with the tide on Bonita beach.

Lee county parks and rec-

Sot Vicki little, lee county beach, parks and shorelines supervisor ' we'll monitor it, keep track of how long its been there, hope that Mother Nature does her job and washes the fish back out to sea.'

If she's doesn't after 24 hours-the county considers stepping in.

Money is set aside each year to so if needed.

Sot Vicki

'If its a safety hazard or there's a massive number of dead fish, we will do out part to remove the fish from our beach parks.'

Sanibel and Captiva- place their trust in Mother Nature.

Choosing not to remove Dead Sea creatures.

Sot Helen

' they should pick them up and get rid of them.'

Sot Vic

That kinda surprises me that Ina resort community they're not doing it.'

The stench- too much for this couple,

Forced to relocate to another beach.

A situation they hope- others don't also encounter

SotVic

RED TIDE IN SWFL-SS TOPS

JOELLE PARKS REPORTING.

FOR THE STATUS OF RED TIDE, OR A FISH KILL

WE'VE POSTED SOME NUMBERS ON THE SCREEN.

METEOR SHOWER-TRX VOTOPS

DID YOU GET A CHANCE TO SEE THE METEOR SHOWER?

CHECK IT OUT.

THE YEARLY 'ORIONID' METEOR SHOWER REACHED ITS PEAK THIS WEEKEND.

THIS IS A LOOK FROM HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA.

THE SHOWER IS THAT LITTLE WHITE SPOT YOU SEE MOVING ACROSS THE SKY.

FORECAST TODAY'S DAYPLANNER-WX GFX TO BREAK

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

BREAK ONE AT 6:09:30

6:12 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

6:12 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

The cold front that brought come clouds and a few stray showers on Saturday has moved through Southwest Florida. The tropical airmass we've been used to for the last several months has been replaced by a cooler and drier one, and this will bring pleasant conditions for our Sunday.

This morning looks to be the coolest morning we've seen since last April as most locations have dipped into the lower to middle 60s. The day will dawn bright and sunny with light winds across the area. Plenty of sunshine will dominate our skies through the afternoon hours as temperatures rebound into the middle 80s.

As high pressure builds to the north of us, winds will remain out of the northeast, which will pull in some dry air across the peninsula. This will keep our humidity values quite comfy during the day. Clear skies tonight will set the stage for another delightful evening as temperatures drop into the mid 60s by morning.

Our mainly dry weather pattern will persist through the first part of the week with mostly to partly sunny skies. Temperatures will gradually warm back into the upper 80s with lows in the 70s. More moisture will move back into the area by Wednesday with the chance for a few afternoon isolated showers.

SPORTS WRAP-PKG

MISSY FRANKLIN-TRX NATS VOTOPS

nats of cheers

MISSY FRANKLIN TELLS THE WORLD SHE'S GOING TO COLLEGE.

THE OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST SWIMMER HEADS TO THE UNVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELY.

SHE'LL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO GET READY.

SHE'S ENTERING HER SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL.

FARRELL TO RED SOX-VO TO BREAK

AFTER FINISHING THEIR WORST SEASON IN FOUR DECADES WITH BOBBY VALENTINE,

THE BOSTON RED SOX HAVE FOUND THEIR NEW MANAGER.

HE'S PRETTY FAMILIAR WITH THE TEAM.

ACCORDING TO ESPN-BOSTON-DOT-COM, SOURCES CONFIRM THE SOX HAVE HIRED THEIR FORMER PITCHING COACH, JOHN FARRELL.

FARRELL, WHO CURRENTLY IS THE MANAGER OF THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS, STILL HAS ONE YEAR REMAINING ON HIS CONTRACT.

BUT THE SOURCE SAYS THE SOX HAVE AGREED TO SEND THE BLUE JAYS COMPENSATION FOR LETTING HIM LEAVE.

AN ANNOUNCEMENT IS LIKELY TO BE MADE LATER TODAY.

BREAK TWO AT 6:19:30

6:22 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

6:22 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

The cold front that brought come clouds and a few stray showers on Saturday has moved through Southwest Florida. The tropical airmass we've been used to for the last several months has been replaced by a cooler and drier one, and this will bring pleasant conditions for our Sunday.

This morning looks to be the coolest morning we've seen since last April as most locations have dipped into the lower to middle 60s. The day will dawn bright and sunny with light winds across the area. Plenty of sunshine will dominate our skies through the afternoon hours as temperatures rebound into the middle 80s.

As high pressure builds to the north of us, winds will remain out of the northeast, which will pull in some dry air across the peninsula. This will keep our humidity values quite comfy during the day. Clear skies tonight will set the stage for another delightful evening as temperatures drop into the mid 60s by morning.

Our mainly dry weather pattern will persist through the first part of the week with mostly to partly sunny skies. Temperatures will gradually warm back into the upper 80s with lows in the 70s. More moisture will move back into the area by Wednesday with the chance for a few afternoon isolated showers.

SNOW IN WASHINGTON-TRX VOTOPS

THANKS JIM.

YOU WON'T SEE THIS TYPE OF WEATHER IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA!

HEAVY SNOW IN WASHINGTON STATE THIS MORNING.

JUST A FEWS DAYS INTO FALL,

THE STATE'S UNDER A WINTER ADVISORY.

NEWSWEEK PRINT ENDS-VO IN PLASMA

THANKS JIM.

THIS MORNING WE'RE TAKING A LOOK BACK AT A STORY THAT MADE NATIONAL HEADLINES THIS WEEK.

AFTER 80 YEARS,

YOU WON'T FIND NEWSWEEK ON STANDS ANYMORE.

THE PUBLICATION ENDS ITS PRINT EDITION.

NEWSWEEK PRINT ENDS-PKG

--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS --

IT'S THE END OF AN ERA.

NEWSWEEK MAGAZINE IS GOING ALL DIGITAL.

ITS LAST PRINT EDITION WILL BE PUBLISHED DECEMBER 31.

NEWSWEEK SAYS JOB CUTS ARE LIKELY, BUT IT'S NOT GIVING ANY DETAILS.

THIS IS BECOMING A TREND IN THE INDUSTRY.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE NEW ORLEANS TIMES-PICAYUNE CUT PUBLICATION DOWN TO 3 DAYS A WEEK. AND SMART MONEY MAGAZINE WENT ALL DIGITAL.

THEY'RE ALL TRYING TO COPE WITH A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT.

CONSUMERS WANT NEWS NOW, NOT ON A WEEKLY BASIS. AND SINCE TABLETS AND SMARTPHONES ARE GETTING MORE POPULAR, PEOPLE CAN GET THAT CONTENT WHENEVER AND WHEREVER THEY WANT.

IN THE CASE OF NEWSWEEK, ITS PRINT SUBSCRIBERSHIP HAS PLUNGED FROM MORE THAN 3-MILLION IN 2006. TO ABOUT 1-MILLION THIS YEAR.

ALSO, AD REVENUE FOR ITS PRINT EDITION HAS BEEN IN A DOWNWARD SPIRAL FOR YEARS.

THE SHIFT TO DIGTAL IS A MONEY-SAVER.

AFTER ALL, READERS WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR ONLINE CONTENT, BUT THE COMPANY WON'T HAVE TO BUY PAPER, HIRE A PRINTER, OR PAY FOR DELIVERY.

BUT THERE'S A CERTAIN ROMANCE AND HISTORY TO THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY.

AS TINA BROWN, NEWSWEEK'S EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PUTS IT: "Exiting print is an extremely difficult moment for all of us who love the romance of print and the unique weekly camaraderie of those hectic hours before the close on Friday night."

THE MAGAZINE IS EMBRACING THE CHANGE THOUGH.

IT WAS ANNOUNCED ON NEWSWEEK'S TWITTER ACCOUNT.

BASE JUMPING-OC

TURNING TO WEST VIRGINIA,

YESTERDAY WAS ANNUAL BRIDGE DAY.

WHAT BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE THAN TAKE A PLUNGE?

BASE JUMPING-PKG

"Get your popcorn!"

FOOD, FUN, FREE STUFF.

BRIDGE DAY HAS IT ALL.

:07-:10

"BUT BASE JUMPING IS THE MAIN EVENT. "

nat launch

PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO BE RIGHT HERE IN WEST VIRGINIA AND CELEBRATE THE BEST THE NEW RIVER GORGE HAS TO OFFER.

:23-:27

"it's one of the only places that it's legal and safe to do IT."

"this is my favorite day of the year."

JUMPERS SAY THEY DO IT BECAUSE BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS IS RELAXING FOR THEM.

"it's actually a stress reliever for me."

"you do this, whatever's bugging you, it all just goes away."

BUT ONE COUPLE TOOK A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LEAP OF FAITH.

TYING THE KNOT ON THE PLATFORM.

AFTER THEIR MARRIAGE WAS SEALED WITH A KISS, THEY BEGAN THEIR NEW LIFE TOGETHER BY FALLING EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTY SIX FEET TO THE GROUND.

"DOES MARRYING HIM MAKE YOU WANT TO JUMP OFF A BRIDGE? WHAT GIVES?"

:54-:58

"I've always wanted to base jump and we decided this is how we're going to do it. we thought it would be a lot of fun."

THE TWO WORKED WITH THE BRIDGE DAY COMMISSION TO MAKE THEIR HIGH-FLYING WEDDING A REALITY.

:

"it's just turned out way more than we imagined."

:1:06-1:09

"everybody around here has been really accommodating."

OVER FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO JUMP AT THIS YEAR'S BRIDGE DAY.

BASE JUMPING-OC TO BREAK

KRISTEN CONNER REPORTING.

IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING,

BRIDGE DAY IS A YEARLY EVENT.

THE TIME NOW __.

YOUR TOP STORIES ARE IN TWO MINUTES.

BREAK THREE AT 6:27:15

HL1) METRO PARKWAY OPENS-VOTOPS

A NEW ROUTE OPENS TODAY --

IT MIGHT RELIEVE CONGESTION FOR DRIVERS.

HL2) DEER SEASON-VOTOPS

IT'S TIME TO KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN ON THE ROAD--

NEWS TODAY OPEN-CLIP

METRO PARKWAY OPENS-OC MAP

GOOD MORNING!

THANKS FOR WAKING UP WITH US HERE ON NBC2 NEWS TODAY.

I'M KELLY CRESWELL.

TODAY DRIVERS CAN FINALLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN LEE COUNTY.

THE METRO PARKWAY EXTENSION IS SET TO OPEN AT 5 O'CLOCK TONIGHT.

NBC2'S LEIGH DANA TALKED WITH CONCERNED BUSINESS OWNERS.

METRO PARKWAY OPENS-TRX PKG

PAVING THE WAY FOR A SHORTER COMMUTE.

48:37/ margaret ross

" I think it will be wonderful. You can get to trader joe's and places like that easier."

ON SUNDAY AT 5 PM --

THE METRO PARKWAY EXTENSION IS EXPECTED TO OPEN.

TODAY- CREWS WERE OUT PUTTING ON THE FINAL TOUCHES.

THE 30 MILLION DOLLAR FEDERAL STIMULUS PROJECT WAS BUILT TO DIVERT TRAFFIC OFF US-41.

amanda simone, owner, clubs for par golf shop

1:40 I am thrilled the project is going to save people's lives because of less congestion, less accidents.

AMANDA SIMONE IS THE OWNER OF CLUBS FOR PAR GOLF SHOP ON 41 NORTH.

WHILE SHE SAYS THE NEW ROADWAY HAS ITS BENEFITS --

LESS TRAFFIC ON 41 COULD HURT HER BUSINESS.

SIMONE SAYS ALMOST A THIRD OF HER CUSTOMERS COME IN.BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST DRIVING BY.

1:03 and that's the thing that kind of worries all business owners. It's going to effect us a little bit because you won't have that drive by."

OWNERS OF *DESTINATION* AIMED BUSINESSES -- LIKE PAKRATZ FURNITURE CONSIGNMENT -- ARE STAYING OPTIMISTIC.

scott miller /owner

4:43 it might not affect me as much as it could affect other people, possibly fast food or groceries."

THE 3 YEAR PROJECT CAME WITH SOME HICCUPS.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANDSPORTATION FIRED THE ORIGINAL CONTRACTOR, POSEN CONSTRUCTION,

BECAUSE OF DELAYS.

A NEW CONTRACTOR PICKED UP THE PROJECT A YEAR AGO.

FDOT SAYS IT COMPLETED THE 6 LANE, 2.7 MILE LONG ROADWAY IN RECORD TIME.

LEIGH

6:32 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

6:32 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

The cold front that brought come clouds and a few stray showers on Saturday has moved through Southwest Florida. The tropical airmass we've been used to for the last several months has been replaced by a cooler and drier one, and this will bring pleasant conditions for our Sunday.

This morning looks to be the coolest morning we've seen since last April as most locations have dipped into the lower to middle 60s. The day will dawn bright and sunny with light winds across the area. Plenty of sunshine will dominate our skies through the afternoon hours as temperatures rebound into the middle 80s.

As high pressure builds to the north of us, winds will remain out of the northeast, which will pull in some dry air across the peninsula. This will keep our humidity values quite comfy during the day. Clear skies tonight will set the stage for another delightful evening as temperatures drop into the mid 60s by morning.

Our mainly dry weather pattern will persist through the first part of the week with mostly to partly sunny skies. Temperatures will gradually warm back into the upper 80s with lows in the 70s. More moisture will move back into the area by Wednesday with the chance for a few afternoon isolated showers.

FM BURGLARY STOPPED-SS

THANKS JIM.

IN FORT MYERS,

TWO BURGLARY SUSPECTS FACE CHARGES AFTER POLICE CATCH THEM IN THE ACT.

POLICE ARRESTED MATTHEW MANGHAM AND MONTEZ JAMES.

OFFICERS RESPONDED TO A CALL ABOUT A BURGLARY AT 'LE BARR EQUIPMENT' ON EDISON AVENUE.

THAT'S WHERE THEY CAUGHT MANGHAM AND JAMES.

EAST NAPLES DEPUTY SHOOTING UPDATE-VO

WE NOW KNOW THE NAMES OF THE DEPUTIES WHO SHOT A MAN AT A COLLIER COUNTY GAS STATION.

ACCORDING TO OUR PARTNERS AT NAPLES DAILY NEWS,

THE DEPUTIES ARE CHARLES CREAMER AND DANIEL FANO.

BOTH ARE ON PAID LEAVE DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

FRIDAY MORNING THEY SHOT A MAN WHO THEY SAY WAS THREATENING THEM - WAVING A FAKE GUN OUTSIDE A 7-ELEVEN.

LANCE ARMSTRONG-OC

LANCE ARMSTRONG IS TALKING ABOUT HIS FALL FROM GRACE AS AMERICA'S FAVORITE CYCLIST.

WE MENTIONED HIS APPEARANCE AT A 'LIVESTRONG' EVENT THIS WEEKEND.

LANCE ARMSTRONG-PKG

SCRIPT:

Nat/applause

Lance Armstrong took the stage in Austin to a standing ovation of his most

faithful supporters and donors.

SOT: Lance Armstrong:

It's been an interesting couple of weeks. It's been a difficult couple of

weeks./ I've been better and I've also been worse.

On the heels of perhaps the most epic fall from grace any sporting hero has

endured, Armstrong addressed Livestrong's 15th Anniversary Celebration

without a sorry, without an explanation, without any of the words so many

are so desperate to hear.

SOT Lance Armstrong:

This mission is bigger than me. It's bigger than any individual.

In many ways, the star studded event was almost like a goodbye party-coming

just as a pile of sponsors from Nike to Trek have dropped Armstrong-and as

he announced that he's stepping down as Chairman of his own foundation.

SOT Doug Ulman / Livestrong CEO

"He's our founder. He's been the inspiration for these people. His cancer

journey led to this place. To have him here is phenomenal."

Even among Armstrong's most ardent supporters, there was concern.

SOT Julie Armstrong / Supporter

"It's been kind of a bitter-sweet time I think but Livestrong is gonna

Livestrong."

The day began with another uncomfortable revelation.

Armstrong's ex-wife Kristin, who according to the US Anti Doping

Agency was in on the drug use and even called the blood booster EPO "butter"

because they kept it hidden in the butter-wrote a blog post, damaging by

what it didn't say.

There are many things that I am not free to discuss because I am constrained

by legal principles like.non-disclosure agreements, she wrote. His

choices were, and are, his. And mine are mine. And they haven't always been

pretty. I am sorry if this is disappointing to you.

At the Livestrong event, those hoping to hear an apology were met by the

kind of sign off that gives no indication one is even remotely in the works.

NAT: Let's have a hell of a good time tonight. thank you.

ROBOCALL CONTEST-TRX NATS VOTOPS CLIP

nats of phone ringing

CAN YOU THINK OF A WAY TO FIGHT ROBOCALLS?

IF SO THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION WANTS TO PAY YOU BIG MONEY.

IT'S SPONSORING A CONTEST FOR ANYONE WHO THINKS THEY CAN STOP THE ILLEGAL CALLS.

YOU CAN WIN UP TO 50 THOUSAND DOLLARS!

THE CONTEST RUNS OCTOBER 25TH THROUGH JANUARY 17TH.

WE'VE GOT INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE AT NBC DASH 2 DOT COM.

FARMERS MARKET OPENS-VOWIPE

NEAL KARLINSKY REPORTING.

IN CAPE CORAL.

THE DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

THE MARKET IS IN ITS 19TH YEAR.

ORGANIZERS SAY SATURDAY'S OPENING WAS THE BEST ONE YET.

FARMERS MARKET OPENS-SOTVO

"The fresh veggies, you meet a lot of friends, you know, you chit chat. The guy usually has music so you sit there and you listen to music. So I hope this keeps going on."

GET YOUR CALENDAR OUT.

THE MARKET IS OPEN SATURDAYS FROM 8 AM TO 1 PM.

IT RUNS UNTIL MAY.

STONE CRABS KEY WEST-TRX VOTOPS

AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT THOSE STONE CRABS!

THE SEASON IS UNDERWAY.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE CRAB CLAW EATING CONTEST IN THE FLORIDA KEYS.

VANESSA SEAVERNS IS THIS YEAR'S WINNER.

STONE CRABS-VO WIPE

WE HIT THE WATERS EARLIER THIS WEEK FOR STONE CRAB SEASON IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

LAST YEAR IN LEE COUNTY,

COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN CAUGHT RIGHT AROUND 189 THOUSAND POUNDS OF STONE CRAB CLAWS.

RED TIDE REMINDER-SS TOPS

RED TIDE IS A CONCERN FOR THOSE FISHERMAN.

THE TOXIC ALGAE BLOOM COULD AFFECT THIS YEAR'S CATCH.

WE'RE SEEING PATCHES ALONG THE COAST THIS MORNING.

FROM ENGLEWOOD BEACH IN CHARLOTTE DOWN TO BAREFOOT BEACH IN COLLIER.

FALL GAS PRICES-VOWIPE

NBC2 ON PUMP PATROL THIS MORNING.

A NEW REPORT SHOWS PRICES COULD DROP OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A GALLON OF GAS COULD DROP AS MUCH AS 50 CENTS.

AT THE PUMP-CG TOPS BNR

BREAKING DOWN TODAY'S NUMBERS.

DOWN TWO PENNIES FROM OVERNIGHT.

EXPECT TO PAY 3-68 FOR A GALLON OF REGULAR HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THE STATE AVERAGE IS 3-65 THIS AFTERNOON.

THE NATIONAL IS 3-69.

THINGS 2 DO-VO 2 SS

PLENTY OF FALL ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE THIS WEEKEND!

A REMINDER THAT THE FOURTH ANNUAL PUMPKIN PATCH IS BACK.

UNTIL OCTOBER 30TH,

PICK FROM 2-THOUSAND PUMPKINS AT LAKES PARK IN LEE COUNTY.

PRICES START AT JUST ONE DOLLAR!

THE HALLOWEEN HAUNTED WALK IS UNDERWAY IN FORT MYERS.

IT'S AT THE CALUSA NATURE CENTER AND PLANETARIUM.

YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT ALL MONTH LONG.

TICKETS ARE EIGHT AND TEN DOLLARS.

AND IF BEER IS YOUR THING,

CHECK OUT OKTOBERFEST IN CAPE CORAL.

IT'S AT THE GERMAN-AMERICAN SOCIAL CLUB ON PINE ISLAND ROAD.

TICKETS ARE $6 AT THE GATE.

FORECAST WHAT'S TRENDING-WX GFX TO BREAK

BREAK FOUR AT 6:39:30

6:42 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

6:42 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

The cold front that brought come clouds and a few stray showers on Saturday has moved through Southwest Florida. The tropical airmass we've been used to for the last several months has been replaced by a cooler and drier one, and this will bring pleasant conditions for our Sunday.

This morning looks to be the coolest morning we've seen since last April as most locations have dipped into the lower to middle 60s. The day will dawn bright and sunny with light winds across the area. Plenty of sunshine will dominate our skies through the afternoon hours as temperatures rebound into the middle 80s.

As high pressure builds to the north of us, winds will remain out of the northeast, which will pull in some dry air across the peninsula. This will keep our humidity values quite comfy during the day. Clear skies tonight will set the stage for another delightful evening as temperatures drop into the mid 60s by morning.

Our mainly dry weather pattern will persist through the first part of the week with mostly to partly sunny skies. Temperatures will gradually warm back into the upper 80s with lows in the 70s. More moisture will move back into the area by Wednesday with the chance for a few afternoon isolated showers.

MCGOVERN DEAD AT 90-TRX DISSOLVE VO

BREAKING NEWS THIS MORNING.

FORMER U-S SENATOR GEORGE MCGOVERN IS DEAD AT THE AGE OF 90.

MCGOVERN HAS BEEN ON LIFE SUPPORT.

HIS FAMILY MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT THIS MORNING.

MCGOVERN IS BEST KNOWN FOR RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AS A DEMOCRAT IN 1972.

PREVENTING BREAST CANCER-CLIP VO IN PLASMA

THANKS JIM.

ON THE MEDICAL FRONT THIS MORNING,

IT'S BREAST AWARENESS MONTH, AND WE SAW A LOT OF STRONG WOMEN IN COLLIER AND LEE COUNTY MAKE STRIDES AGAINST THE DISEASE THIS WEEKEND.

BUT STILL, MORE THAN 220 THOUSAND WOMEN WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER THIS YEAR.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE YOUR RISK.

PREVENTING BREAST CANCER-PKG

--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS --

ADOPTING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE TODAY MAY HELP PREVENT BREAST CANCER IN THE FUTURE.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT WOMEN WHO EXERCISE 30 MINUTES AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK ARE LESS LIKELY TO DEVELOP THE DISEASE, PARTLY BECAUSE EXERCISE HELPS BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.

STUDIES HAVE NOT SHOWN THAT A SPECIFIC DIET LOWERS RISK OF BREAST CANCER.

A healthy diet does obviously play a role in maintaining a healthy weight. And I think that's where women who eat well are at lower risk of breast cancer.

AND IF YOU'RE GOING TO CONSUME ALCOHOL, KEEP IT TO ONE DRINK OR LESS A DAY.

Women who consume two or more alcoholic beverages per day have been found to have an increase risk of breast cancer.

A RISK THAT IS 20 TO 30% HIGHER - PARTLY BECAUSE ALCOHOL USES UP FOLIC ACID, AN IMPORTANT B-VITAMIN.

SOME WOMEN, BECAUSE OF THEIR GENETICS, WILL DEVELOP BREAST CANCER, NO MATTER THEIR LIFESTYLE.

BUT EXPERTS SAY CANCER SURVIVORS MAY HELP PREVENT A RECURRENCE BY ADOPTING THESE HEALTHY HABITS.

STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER-VOWIPE

THOUSANDS TURNED OUT IN LEE AND COLLIER COUNTIES TO WALK AND MAKE STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE 5K WALK AT TANGER OUTLETS IN LEE.

THE WALK RAISES AWARENESS AND MONEY TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER.

WE TALKED WITH A SURVIVOR FROM CAPE CORAL.

STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER-SOT 2 SS

REBEKAH FANO/ SURVIVOR 8:50

"it's pretty amazing to be able to di it. I am blessed to be here To see all these beautiful women. It's pretty incredible."

THE WALK ALSO TOOK PLACE AT CAMBIER PARK IN COLLIER.

NBC2 ANCHOR STACEY DEFFENBAUGH SENT US THESE PICTURES FROM THE EVENT.

DEER COLLISIONS-OC

DID YOU KNOW FALL IS PRIME TIME FOR DEER ACTIVITY?

AN ESTIMATED ONE AND A HALF MILLION CAR ACCIDENTS INVOLVE DEER.

SO HOW DO YOU AVOID BEING A STATISTIC?

DEER COLLISIONS-PKG

IMAGINE, DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. AND OUT OF NOWHERE ONE OF THESE CREATURES DARTS RIGHT INTO YOUR PATH.

"We hear most of the time, 'I don't know where they came from. it was just in the road' and they are fast."

THEY ARE FAST. AND RIGHT NOW THEY'RE OUT IN NUMBERS.

"When I hit the deer, it actually made the airbag got out. it was a pretty good impact, it actually totaled the car out."

IT'S SHOCKING, TRAUMATIC AND IT CAN ALSO COST YOU A LOT OF MONEY.

ON AVERAGE WORKERS AT CHARLIE'S PAINT AND BODY REPAIR 40 VEHICLES DAMAGED BY DEER A YEAR.

"I'd say the average deer hit is about 1500 dollars."

BUT JUST LAST WEEK THESE VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN. THE DRIVER CAME IN CONTACT WITH NOT JUST ONE DEER BUT 3.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THEY DID THEY DAMAGE SEVERAL AREAS ON THE CAR, BUT THE DEER BROKE OUT THE WINDOW WHERE A SMALL CHILD WAS SITTING.

"That job was about a $6,000 wreck. We had to put two doors on it, repair the quarter panel and hood, two bumper covers."

AUTOMOBILE CLAIMS CAUSED BY CONTACT WITH A DEER RISE DRAMATICALLY IN THE FALL AS WELL, THAT'S WHY ITS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE.

"Comprehensive is what covers fire, theft, break in and also damage caused by animals such as deer."

TO CUT DOWN ON THE DAMAGE, DAVIS RECOMMENDS PUTTING A BRUSH GUARD ON YOUR VEHICLE.

"We've had some vehicles come in that had them on them and all you had to do was replace a brush guard

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IS PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY. THAT'S WHY YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SLOW DOWN, BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS ESPECIALLY DURING DUSK AND DAWN.

"Don't hit the brakes. because so many people jerk in reaction miss the deer and end up in the ditch or hit a tree."

DEER COLLISIONS-OC

STEPHANIE SPRINGER REPORTING.

AND BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS IN NOVEMBER.

PIGS EVERYWHERE-VO TO BREAK

STEPHANIE SPRINGER REPORTING.

PIGS EVERYWHERE IN CHINA!

SOUNDS BIZZARE RIGHT?

CHECK IT OUT.

A TRUCK CARRYING THE PIGS FLIPPED OVER AFTER ANOTHER CAR HIT IT.

PEOPLE NEARBY HELPED ROUND UP THE PIGS.

POLICE EVEN SHOWED UP TO DIRECT TRAFFIC.

EVERYONE'S OKAY TODAY.

911 DAFFODIL PROJECT-TRX VOTOPS

IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST VOLUNTEER EFFORTS IN THE HISTORY OF NEW YORK.

THOUSANDS TURN OUT FOR THE SO-CALLED 'DAFFODIL PROJECT'.

BULBS WERE PLANTED TO HONOR THE VICTIMS OF 9-11.

THE PROJECT STARTED IN 2001.

BRUNO MARS ON SNL-OC VO TO BREAK WITH NATS

YOUR TIME NOW __.

WE'RE BACK IN TWO MINUTES WITH YOUR FORECAST ON THE 2'S.

BUT FIRST, DID YOU GET A CHANCE TO WATCH SNL LAST NIGHT?

SINGER BRUNO MARS TOOK THE STAGE AS HOST AND MUSICAL GUEST.

BREAK FIVE AT 6:49:45

ZOMBICON-VO IN PLASMA

ZOMBICON IS EXPLODING THIS YEAR!

RECORD CROWDS ARE FILLING DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS FOR THE BIG 'UNDEAD' FEST.

ZOMBICON-PKG

nats --

some were here for the party-

nats

while others went all out --.

nats

"there is probably every person i know in this entire town is here right now." 25:38 jamie williams

and that could be true --

2012 zombicon organizers expected nearly 40 thousand people in downtown fort myers.

THOSE PEOPLE- FILLING THE STREETS,

AND THE BUSINESSES.

nats

jamie williams has been attending for three years and says the event gets bigger every year.

"every year there is more stages -- more people." 16:35 -:38 williams

and this year it did get bigger,

they expanded zombicon to a three day affair with a convention saturday and sunday.

AND EACH DAY- MEANS MORE MONEY FOR DOWNTOWN.

but the main attraction --

nats

is of course the street fair and zombie walk.

"it attracts a lot of people its halloween and we all love halloween." 18:14 selena risner

the 2011 event broke the unofficial world record for the largest gathering of zombies.

could this year beat it?

"this the biggest event in all of south florida probably more people than lee county fair. 16:10 -15 jamie williams - fort myers

when the event started in 2007 only 350 people came--

it nearly doubled each year after.

last year there were nearly 20 thousand.

"this is awesome look at this i mean how many dead people can eat brains at one time." selena risner, fort myers

ZOMBICON-OC

SARA MILES REPORTING.

ZOMBICON CONTINUES THIS MORNING WITH THEIR CONVENTION AT 10 O'CLOCK.

TICKETS ARE 15 DOLLARS.

6:52 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

6:52 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

The cold front that brought come clouds and a few stray showers on Saturday has moved through Southwest Florida. The tropical airmass we've been used to for the last several months has been replaced by a cooler and drier one, and this will bring pleasant conditions for our Sunday.

This morning looks to be the coolest morning we've seen since last April as most locations have dipped into the lower to middle 60s. The day will dawn bright and sunny with light winds across the area. Plenty of sunshine will dominate our skies through the afternoon hours as temperatures rebound into the middle 80s.

As high pressure builds to the north of us, winds will remain out of the northeast, which will pull in some dry air across the peninsula. This will keep our humidity values quite comfy during the day. Clear skies tonight will set the stage for another delightful evening as temperatures drop into the mid 60s by morning.

Our mainly dry weather pattern will persist through the first part of the week with mostly to partly sunny skies. Temperatures will gradually warm back into the upper 80s with lows in the 70s. More moisture will move back into the area by Wednesday with the chance for a few afternoon isolated showers.

PET INSURANCE-VO IN PLASMA

THANKS JIM.

WE'RE SPENDING BIG MONEY ON OUR PETS!

TO THE TUNE OF 53-BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

MORE THAN HALF OF THAT GOES TO THE VET.

SO IS IT WORTH IT?

PET INSURANCE-PKG

"We hadn't planned for it so it's been something that we had to dip into savings and put some of it on a credit card and you know we've been paying it off."

MELISSA VAN ORMAN IS TALKING ABOUT HER VET BILLS.

SHE HAS TWO CATS AND A DOG. ALL WHO HAVE SUFFERED FROM ILLNESS. THE CATS HAVE HAD BLADDER STONES. TEETH EXTRACTIONS. AN EYE CATARACT WHICH RESULTED IN REMOVING ONE EYE.

THE DOG HAS LYME DISEASE AND ARTHRITIS. ALL HAVE BEEN TREATED AND VAN ORMAN SAYS ARE LIVING BETTER LIVES.

"It wasn't a question to us you know when someone says it's this or their life. we didn't hesitate for a second."

VAN ORMAN AND HER HUSBAND SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON MEDICAL BILLS FOR THEIR PETS. PLUS MORE FOR MEDICATIONS.

"Our dog's medicines. he takes this medicine for his arthritis. this medicine for his mood and this he's developed allergies. The cat has several medicines that he needs to take."

THE VAN ORMANS DO NOT HAVE PET INSURANCE.

"I think looking back if we had had pet insurance. that probably would have helped us."

"I don't know that a lot of people give it that much thought."

JESSICA ANDERSON IS ASSOCIATE EDITOR AT KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE.

SHE'S A PET OWNER HERSELF WHO BOUGHT PET INSURANCE BUT SHE WARNS, DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU BUY.

"You want to read every policy that you're considering very carefully."

FIRST THING TO KNOW: PET INSURANCE WILL COST ABOUT 20-50 DOLLARS PER MONTH DEPENDING ON WHAT OPTIONS YOU CHOOSE. THE HIGHER THE MAXIMUM PAYOUTS. THE PRICIER THE PREMIUMS.

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS. YOU PAY YOUR VET BILL UP FRONT. THEN SUBMIT IT TO INSURANCE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES PAY A PERCENTAGE OF THE VET BILL. AND YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEDUCTIBLES.

"Make sure you look at how they treat deductibles. deductibles can be per visit they can be per incident which is different."

WHAT WILL PET INSURANCE COVER?

"Most of the policies are illness and accident related only."

PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS AND HEREDITARY DISORDERS ARE USUALLY NOT COVERED. PLANS THAT DO OFFER THAT COVERAGE COST MORE.

IF YOU DECIDE AGAINST COMPLETE PET INSURANCE. THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED A WELLNESS PLAN. IT COVERS ROUTINE CARE SUCH AS PHYSICAL EXAMS AND VACCINATIONS.

"What I would recommend for people is to decide what your philosophy about your pet is and how deep your pockets are kind of what you can afford to do."

FOR VAN ORMAN WHO DIDN'T HAVE PET INSURANCE. SHE SAYS THE CARE SHE SOUGHT AFTER WAS WORTH IT.

PET INSURANCE-PLASMA

LIZ CRENSHAW REPORTING.

THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO TO PREPARE -

TS 1) STUDENT SECURITY BREACH-TRX VOTOPS WIPE

RECAPPING OUR TOP STORIES THIS HOUR.

ABOUT 200 THOUSAND STUDENTS ARE AFFECTED AFTER SOMEONE HACKED INTO A DATA FILE AT NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE.

TS 2) METRO EXTENSION-MAP TOPS VOWIPE

THE METRO PARKWAY EXTENSION IS SET TO OPEN AT 5 O'CLOCK TONIGHT.

THE ROADWAY EXTENDS METRO AT SIX MILES CYPRESS TO ALICO ROAD,

AND ALSO CONNECTS TO U-S 41.

IT'S EXPECTED TO EASE CONGESTION ALONG 41.

MEET THE PRESS PANEL-VOTOPS WIPE

TODAY ON MEET THE PRESS,

16 DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION, AND JUST ONE MORE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.

A SPECIAL DISCUSSION LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FINAL THREE WEEKS OF THE CAMPAIGN.

WX AND GOODBYE-2SHOT OR WX GFX