HL) WX HEADLINE-OMNITOPS

HL2) DECISION 2012-TRX-VOTOPS

AND 13-DAYS TO GO.

HL3) SALV ARMY HOLIDAYS-TRX-VOTOPS

PLUS, A VERY IMPORTANT TIME OF YEAR.

STARTING THIS MORNING -- A HUGE EFFORT TO MAKE SURE FAMILIES HAVE FOOD AND GIFTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

NEWS TODAY OPEN-CLIP

GOOD MORNING-2SHOT PUSH

GOOD MORNING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AND THANKS FOR WAKING UP WITH NBC-2 NEWS TODAY,

I'M CLAY MILLER.

AND I'M KRISTA FOGELSONG.

TOPPING THE NEWS RIGHT NOW ----

SANDY PREPS-TRXTOPS-VO-ANIBOX

IT COULD THREATEN THE U-S EAST COAST BY THIS WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW PEOPLE LIVING IN JAMAICA ARE STOCKING UP ON SUPPLIES.

TROPICAL STORM SANDY IS EXPECTED TO HIT THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND OF POSH RESORTS AND SPRAWLING SHANTYTOWNS AS A HURRICANE, WITH LASHING RAIN AND WIND.

5:02 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX CENTER

Today's Weather Story

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

ELECTION COUNTDOWN-TRXTOPS-SS-WIPE

TURNING NOW TO DECISION 2012 AND JUST 13 DAYS UNTIL THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

ROMNEY TODAY-VOTOPS-WIPE

MITT ROMNEY HOLDS A CAMPAIGN RALLY IN RENO, NEVADA TODAY AND LATER HE HEADS TO CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

OBAMA TODAY-VOTOPS

ELSEWHERE -- PRESIDENT OBAMA KICKS OFF HIS TWO-DAY, EIGHT STATE CAMPAIGN BLITZ IN IOWA TODAY.

THEN HE HEADS DENVER.

THEN LOS ANGELES, WHERE HE'll TAPE AN APPEARANCE ON JAY LENO.

LAST DEBATE VIEWERS-OC-CG

AND ALL NEW THIS MORNING --

THE THIRD AND FINAL PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE DREW MORE VIEWERS THAN FOOTBALL OR BASEBALL.

HERE'S THE BREAKDOWN.

ROUND 3 OF THE OBAMA-ROMNEY DEBATES DREW 59 POINT 2 MILLION TV VIEWERS ON MONDAY, ACCORDING TO NIELSEN.

BY COMPARISON, 10 POINT 7 MILLION PEOPLE TUNED IN TO ESPN AS THE CHICAGO BEARS DEFEATED THE DETROIT LIONS ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL.

DOW HITS 7 WEEK LOW-OC-CG

TAKING A LOOK AHEAD --- WE'LL BE WATCHING THE MARKETS CLOSELY TODAY AFTER THE DOW HIT A 7 WEEK LOW.

IT WAS A DISASTROUS DAY FOR YOUR INVESTMENTS ON WALL STREET.

THE DOW HAD ITS SINGLE WORST DAY SINCE JUNE.TUMBLING MORE THAN 240 POINTS.

LOWER THAN EXPECTED CORPORATE EARNINGS IGNITED THE SELL-OFF.

NEW HOME SALES-ONCAM

ON TODAY'S ECONOMIC CALENDAR,

THE FEDERAL RESERVE WRAPS UP ITS TWO-DAY POLICY-SETTING SESSION.

THE CENTRAL BANK IS NOT EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE A CHANGE IN POLICY.

KAREN HAWES OUT-OC-SS-OC

LOOKING AHEAD --

LEE COUNTY WILL NOW SEARCH FOR A NEW COUNTY MANAGER.

YESTERDAY COMMISSIONERS ASKED KAREN HAWES TO RESIGN -- AND SHE ACCEPTED.

HAWES CAME UNDER FIRE FOR HER ROLE IN THE COUNTY GROUNDING ITS MEDICAL HELICOPTER PROGRAM "MEDSTAR."

AS PART OF HER RESIGNATION AGREEMENT --

SHE STILL GETS A YEAR'S SALARY -- 1 hundred 70 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

PLUS VACATION, SICK TIME AND HEALTH BENEFITS.

ESTERO FIRE-OC-VO

A HIGH RANKING ESTERO FIREFIGHTER IS *OFFICIALLY OUT OF A JOB THIS MORNING.

BATALLION CHIEF JEANNINE HORTON WAS FIRED AFTER AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED SHE BROKE PROTOCOL AND PUT LIVES IN DANGER.

ACCORDING TO THE REPORT SHE ADMITTED TO FORGETTING ABOUT A SAN CARLOS PARK FIRE CREW FIGHTING A BRUSHFIRE IN JULY.

BUT NOW- HORTON'S LAWYER IS SPEAKING OUT EXCLUSIVELY TO NBC2.

ESTERO FIRE-2SOT-OC

" this has been an ongoing pattern of conduct at estero fire rescue and unfortunately, as is often the case with public entities, it's the taxpayers who're going to be left holding the bag."

**PHONER**

Estero fire rescue is a very responsible organization, they're concerns about safety and they'll take action when safety is at issue and that's what happened here."

COLLIER WOMAN GANG RAPE-ONCAM

DEVELOPING NOW ---

COLLIER COUNTY DEPUTIES ARE LOOKING FOR THREE MEN. THEY SAY. GANG RAPED A WOMAN IN EAST NAPLES.

THE WOMAN TOLD DEPUTIES SHE MET THE THREE MEN AT A POOL.

THEY GAVE HER A DRINK AND THEN SHE BLACKED OUT.

ACCORDING TO THE REPORT --

WHEN SHE WOKE UP, ONE MAN WAS COVERING HER MOUTH, ANOTHER WAS RAPING HER.

SHE WAS TAKEN TO PHYSICIANS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT.

KENNEDY COUSIN-OC-VO

KENNEDY COUSIN MICHAEL SKAKEL IS DUE IN COURT IN THE DAY AHEAD.

IT'S A PAROLE HEARING TO DISCUSS HIS POSSIBLE RELEASE FROM PRISON.

VR LABS DEFAULT-OC-VO

THE CLOCK IS TICKING THIS MORNING.

V-R LABS IN LEE COUNTY HAS 30 DAYS TO PROVIDE PROPER DOCUMENTATION.

THE COMPANY,

WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BRING 2 hundred JOBS TO LEE COUNTY WITH THE HELP OF 5 MILLION DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER MONEY,

IS IN DANGER OF DEFAULT.

AFTER COUNTY ATTORNEY MICHAEL HUNT TRIED TWICE TO GET V-R LABS TO PROVE THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES ITS HIRED -

AS WELL AS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE COMPANY PUT TOWARD BUILDING A BRAND NEW FACILITY OFF OF ALICO ROAD.

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAYS HE NEVER GOT SUFFICIENT INFORMATION.

LATEST GAS PRICES-OC-VIDBOX-BNR

NEW RIGHT NOW ---

NBC-2 TRACKING THE LATEST GAS PRICES FOR YOU THIS MORNING, AND THEY KEEP SLIDING.

ACCORDING TO TRIPLE -A. THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS NOW $3.65, DOWN A PENNY FROM YESTERDAY.

AND IT'S THE SAME FOR FORT MYERS AND CAPE CORAL.

THE AVERAGE FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS $3.62.

ALLIGATOR ALLEY CRASH-OC-SS-VO

AN UPDATE TO A MAJOR CRASH THAT SHUTDOWN THE WESTBOUND LANES OF ALLIGATOR ALLEY FOR HOURS.

FLORIDA STATE POLICE OFFICERS SAY A BROWARD COUNTY WOMAN IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION THIS MORNING AFTER THE CRASH YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

TROOPERS TELL US SHE WAS DRIVING WEST WHEN SHE DRIFTED INTO THE GRASS MEDIAN.OVER CORRECTED AND FLIPPED.

NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED.

UNITED NATIONS DAY-OC-MITTO

TODAY IS NOT JUST ANY WEDNESDAY.

IT IS ALSO UNITED NATION'S DAY.

AND THE U-N SECRETARY GENERAL HAS A MESSAGE FOR EVERYONE THIS MORNING.

"LET US UNITE, SEVEN BILLION STRONG, IN THE NAME OF THE GLOBAL COMMON GOOD."

DID YOU KNOW, ON OCTOBER 31ST 2011, THE WORLD'S POPULATION REACHED 7 BILLION.

AND THIS CLOCK IS COUNTING THE GROWING POPULATION BY THE SECOND.

HURRICANE WILMA ANNIVERSARY-OC-VO

ALSO ON THIS DAY, SEVEN YEARS AGO, A POWERFUL HURRICANE TORE UP COLLIER COUNTY.

IN 2005 HURRICANE WILMA REACHED CATERGORY FIVE STATUS.

IN NAPLES,

IT RIPPED APART BUSINESSES ON 5TH AVENUE, TOOK DOWN TREES,

SOAKED BUILDING INTERIORS, AND CAUSED MOLD PROBLEMS.

SOME BUSINESSES WERE EVEN FORCED OUT FOR GOOD.

WILMA IS THE MOST INTENSE HURRICANE ON RECORD IN THE ATLANTIC.

QUARTER HOUR PUSH-2SHOT

STILL AHEAD ON NBC-2 NEWS TODAY.

IT'S EXPECTED TO BE ONE OF THE HOTTEST ITEMS ON HOLIDAY WISH LISTS THIS YEAR.

YOU MAY WANT ONE!

FORECAST TEASE-OMNI

BREAK FOUR 5:09:43

HIT TIME 5:09:43

5:12 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

5:12 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Full Forecast

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.

Winds will be a factor in our forecast for the next several days, especially as Tropical Storm Sandy continues to organize and eventually skirts by Southeast Florida later this week.

Another influence we'll notice from Sandy is a little more moisture spreading our way from the east, and we'll start to notice this trend today. Even though we'll be on the much drier side of Sandy, enough moisture will get carried over from the Atlantic to spark some fast-moving spotty showers today through Friday. We're not expecting a wash out by any means, but just be prepared for a few splash and dash showers at any time during the day.

At this point, it still looks as though Southwest Florida will be just out of reach from the bulk Sandy's heavy rain, so for now, the forecast only calls for isolated rain until Sandy gets to our north and pulls down some drier air just in time for the weekend.

Through our Wednesday, look for a mixture of sun and clouds will the occasional spotty showers. Winds will come in swiftly from the east again at 10-20 mph with some higher gusts. Temperatures should stay a few degrees below 90 through the afternoon.

Winds will be a little stronger Thursday as the wind direction begins to veer from east to northeast, and we may see some gusts up to 30 mph.

The strongest wind gusts for us will likely come Friday as Sandy makes its closest approach to Southwest Florida, which should be somewhere between 300-400 miles to our east. Even at such a distance, winds will get rather blustery Friday as Sandy's wind field expands in size. Sustained winds should be close to 20-25, and wind gusts could get up to 35-40 mph at times.

As we head into the upcoming weekend, the breeze will still be rather stiff as the wind flow comes in from the north. This northerly component to the wind will help guide dry, cool, stable air into Southwest Florida, making the weekend very pleasant in both the temperature and humidity departments. High temperatures through the weekend should only warm to the middle 80s, and low temperatures by Sunday morning will cool to the mid 60s.

IPAD MINI UNVEILED-2SH-VO

A NEW GADGET WILL BE ON A LOT OF WISH LISTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

IF YOU WANT THE NEW IPAD MINI, YOU CAN PLACE ORDERS STARTING FRIDAY.

APPLE UNVEILED THE IPAD MINI YESTERDAY IN CALIFORNIA.

THE SCREEN IS LESS THAN 8 INCHES WIDE, AND IT'S AS THIN AS A PENCIL.

PRICES START AT 329 DOLLARS.

SOME ANALYSTS THINK THAT'S A MISTAKE, BECAUSE APPLE COULD'VE CHARGED AROUND 200, AND COMPETED WITH POPULAR ANDROID TABLETS.

SAMSUNG NEW PC-OC-VO

IT ALREADY HAPPENED TODAY OVERSEAS.

SAMSUNG RELEASED A NEW RANGE OF "SMART" P-Cs THAT CAN BE CHANGED FROM A LAPTOP INTO A TABLET.

THE RELEASE HAPPENED IN SOEUL, SOUTH KOREA.

WITH THE PUSH OF A BUTTON THE KEYBOARD DETACHES AND THE MONITOR HAS A TOUCH SCREEN.

FAKE MONEY-OC-VO

DEVELOPING RIGHT NOW ---

THE SECRET SERVICE TELLS US THEY ARE ACTIVELY WORKING MORE THAN 20 CASES IN LEE COUNTY REGARDING COUNTERFEIT MONEY.

LAW ENFORCEMENT TELL US BOTH BONEFISH GRILL AND BERT'S BAR AND GRILL ON PINE ISLAND ROAD ARE VICTIMS OF THE CRIME.

BOTH DESCRIBE THE SCAM AS TWO PEOPLE PAYING FOR DRINKS TO-GO WITH A TWENTY DOLLAR BILL.

They leave. BEFORE STAFF FIGURE OUT THE bills are fake.

FAKE MONEY-SOTVO

45:08 the bill looks so real and the only way you can tell is by looking up for the strip and it isnt there and its one of the older designs 45:19

THE SECRET SERVICE SAYS TO LOOK FOR THE SECURITY STRIP OR WATERMARK ON YOUR 20 DOLLAR BILLS.

SHARK KILLS CA SURFER-OC-VO

A FUNERAL IS BEING PLANNED THIS MORNING AFTER A CALIFORNIA SURFER DIED FROM A SHARK ATTACK.

SANTA BARBARA SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES SAY 39-YEAR-OLD FRANCISCO JAVIER SOLORIO WAS BITTEN BY A SHARK AT SURF BEACH TUESDAY MORNING.

HIS FRIEND SAW THE ATTACK. SWAM OVER TO HIM AND GAVE HIM FIRST AID. BUT HE DIED AT THE SCENE,.

THE VICTIM WAS BITTEN IN HIS STOMACH. BUT THE TYPE OF SHARK IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

SHARK KILLS CA SURFER-SOTVO

"I think it's pretty well known locally, like you said, that there are sharks and we've had shark sightings up and down the santa barbara coastline pretty frequently recently."

THE BEACH WHERE THE SHARK ATTACK HAPPENED IS PART OF VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, BUT THE AIR FORCE SAYS THE VICTIM IS "NOT" AFFILIATED WITH THE BASE.

CA FAMILY SLAIN-OC-VO

DEVELOPING RIGHT NOW ---

POLICE IN CALIFORNIA ARE INVESTIGATING THE BRUTAL MURDER OF A YOUNG MOTHER AND HER TWO KIDS.

THE WOMAN, WHO WAS IN HER 20'S ALONG WITH HER 2 AND 3 YEAR-OLD CHILDREN WERE FOUND IN THEIR SACREMENTO HOME TUESDAY AFTERNOON BY THE WOMAN'S HUSBAND.

POLICE WON'T SAY EXACTLY HOW THE THREE DIED, ONLY THAT THEY SUFFERED A LOT OF TRAUMA.

THE FATHER, ALONG WITH A NEIGHBOR WERE QUESTIONED BY INVESTIGATORS ALTHOUGH NEITHER HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS SUSPECTS

A 6 MONTH-OLD INFANT WAS FOUND CRYING INSIDE A CRIB IN THE BACK OF THE HOUSE.

SALON SHOOTING VIGIL TONIGHT-OC-VO

TAKING A LOOK AHEAD ---

A CANDLE-LIGHT VIGIL WILL BE HELD TONIGHT TO REMEMBER VICTIMS OF THE WISCONSIN SALON TRAGEDY.

IT'S SET FOR 7:30 TONIGHT AT CARROLL UNIVERSITY.

A MAN OPENED FIRE ON HIS ESTRANGED WIFE AND HER CO-WORKERS BEFORE SHOOTING AND KILLING HIMSELF.

THREE WOMEN DIED, FOUR OTHERS WERE WOUNDED IN THE ATTACK SUNDAY.

AMER MUSIC AWARDS-ONCAM

JUST ANNOUNCED THIS MORNING--

PERFORMERS FOR NEXT MONTH'S AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS.

TAYLOR SWIFT, NICKI MINAJ AND LINKIN PARK WILL PERFORM AT THE CEREMONY NOVEMBER 18TH.

ALL OF THEM ARE ALSO UP FOR AWARDS.

WITH NICKI MINAJ PULLING IN THE MOST NOMINATIONS.

TAYLOR SWIFT IS NOMINATED FOR FAVORITE FEMALE COUNTRY SINGER AND LINKIN PARK IS UP FOR BEST ALTERNATIVE ARTIST.

YOU CAN PICK THE WINNERS BY VOTING ONLINE.

WE'VE PUT A LINK ON OUR WEBSITE - NBC-DASH-TWO DOT COM.

TEXAS SPEED LIMIT-OC-VO

A NEED FOR SPEED.

THE FASTEST HIGHWAY IN THE COUNTRY WILL OPEN TO TRAFFIC TODAY.

A 40 MILE STRETCH OF STATE HIGHWAY 130 IN TEXAS. A TOLL ROAD BETWEEN AUSTIN AND SAN ANTONIO. WILL HAVE A POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 85 MILES PER HOUR.

35 STATES HAVE RAISED SPEED LIMITS ABOVE 65 MILES PER HOUR SINCE CONGRESS LIFTED THE FEDERAL LAW SETTING THE SPEED LIMIT.

NEW BOND MOVIE-OC-VO

THE NEW BOND MOVIE IS FINALLY HERE.

THE LONDON PREMIERE OF 'SKYFALL' GETTING THE ROYAL TREATMENT FOR DOUBLE-0 SEVEN'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY LAST NIGHT.

CHECK OUT THE RED CARPET WITH ALL THE STARS, INCLUDING PRINCE CHARLES AND HIS WIFE, CAMILLA AND DOUBLE O-7 HIMSELF, DANIEL CRAIG.

"SKYFALL" IS THE LATEST INSTALLMENT IN THE JAMES BOND SERIES.

AND IT IS THE 23RD BOND MOVIE.

ROD STEWART BOOK-trxtops-SOTVO-WIPE

rod stewart singing young hearts be free tonight

ROD STEWART TELLS ALL IN A JUST RELEASED BOOK CALLED "ROD: THE AUTOBIGRAPHY."

WX TEASE-OMNITOPS

BREAK FIVE 5:19:15

HIT TIME 5:19:15 AM

5:22 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

5:22 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Day Planner

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.

Winds will be a factor in our forecast for the next several days, especially as Tropical Storm Sandy continues to organize and eventually skirts by Southeast Florida later this week.

Another influence we'll notice from Sandy is a little more moisture spreading our way from the east, and we'll start to notice this trend today. Even though we'll be on the much drier side of Sandy, enough moisture will get carried over from the Atlantic to spark some fast-moving spotty showers today through Friday. We're not expecting a wash out by any means, but just be prepared for a few splash and dash showers at any time during the day.

At this point, it still looks as though Southwest Florida will be just out of reach from the bulk Sandy's heavy rain, so for now, the forecast only calls for isolated rain until Sandy gets to our north and pulls down some drier air just in time for the weekend.

Through our Wednesday, look for a mixture of sun and clouds will the occasional spotty showers. Winds will come in swiftly from the east again at 10-20 mph with some higher gusts. Temperatures should stay a few degrees below 90 through the afternoon.

Winds will be a little stronger Thursday as the wind direction begins to veer from east to northeast, and we may see some gusts up to 30 mph.

The strongest wind gusts for us will likely come Friday as Sandy makes its closest approach to Southwest Florida, which should be somewhere between 300-400 miles to our east. Even at such a distance, winds will get rather blustery Friday as Sandy's wind field expands in size. Sustained winds should be close to 20-25, and wind gusts could get up to 35-40 mph at times.

As we head into the upcoming weekend, the breeze will still be rather stiff as the wind flow comes in from the north. This northerly component to the wind will help guide dry, cool, stable air into Southwest Florida, making the weekend very pleasant in both the temperature and humidity departments. High temperatures through the weekend should only warm to the middle 80s, and low temperatures by Sunday morning will cool to the mid 60s.

TRAFFIC-LIVE CAM, NAVI

ALL CLEAR, CHAR CO ENFORCEMENT

CHECKING THE ROADS RIGHT NOW--

EYE 75 AND U-S 41 ALL CLEAR.

TRAFFIC BILLBOARD-CLIPTOPS

OBAMA ON MTV-ONCAM

TAKING A LOOK AHEAD ---

PRESIDENT OBAMA WILL TRY TO HIT YOUNG VOTERS WHERE THEY LIVE -- ON MTV.

THE PRESIDENT WILL HEADLINE ASK OBAMA LIVE: AN MTV INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT AT 5 P.M. FRIDAY.

MTV HAS ALSO INVITED MITT ROMNEY TO PARTICIPATE IN A SIMILAR LIVE SPECIAL.

TOSS TO BUSINESS PACKAGE-ONCAM

COULD YOUR SMARTPHONE BE MAKING YOU sick?

BLOOMBERG'S JANE KING, AT THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE WITH THAT AND A WARNING IF YOU BOUGHT SOMETHING RECENTLY FROM BARNES & NOBLE, IN THIS MORNING'S BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT.

BLOOMBERG-PKG TO BREAK

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT

OCTOBER 24, 2012

*****

GOOD MORNING,

IF YOU SHOPPED AT BARNES AND NOBLE LATELY, CHECK YOUR CREDIT CARD STATEMENT!

HACKERS HAVE BEEN STEALING INFORMATION FROM CUSTOMERS WHO SWIPE CARDS AT CHECKOUT.

THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THE BOOKSELLER'S KNOWN FOR A WHILE, BUT KEPT IT QUIET SO THE F-B-I COULD INVESTIGATE.

*****

THE PRICE OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION, GOING UP.

THE COLLEGE BOARD SAYS TUITION AND FEES AT PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES JUMPED 4-POINT-8-PERCENT THIS YEAR.

AT PRIVATE COLLEGES, IT WENT UP 4-POINT-2 PERCENT.

*****

AND -- EXPECT TO PAY MOTE, IF YOU'RE TRAVELING SOMEWHERE BY AIR OVER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS

CITING TRAVELOCITY, USA TODAY SAYS THE AVERAGE FLIGHT BETWEEN NOVEMBER 17 AND NOVEMBER 27, WILL COST NEARLY 9-PERCENT MORE THAN LAST YEAR.

******

AND -- COMING UP AFTER THIS -- HOW YOUR SMARTPHONE MAY BE MAKING YOU SICK.

OC:

DOW CHEMICAL -- CUTTING 24-HUNDRED JOBS --

AND CLOSING 20 MANUFACTURING PLANTS WORLDWIDE.

AND -- FARMVILLE MAKER ZYNGA --

CUTTING 5-PERCENT OF ITS WORKFORCE AND CUTTING A DOZEN TITLES

*****

INVESTORS TODAY --

WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE FED -- AS IT WRAPS UP A 2 DAY POLICY MEETING.

YESTERDAY -- BIGGEST DROP FOR STOCKS SINCE *JUNE,*

AFTER WEAKER-THAN-EXPECTED QUARTERLY RESULTS.

*****

APPLE UNVEILING WHAT IT HOPES WILL BE A BIG HIT FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

THE IPAD MINI.

APPLE STARTS TAKING ORDERS FOR THE 3-HUNDRED 29-DOLLAR WI-FI VERSION OF THE NEW SMALLER IPAD, OCTOBER 26.

*****

AND -- YOUR NICE WARM SMARTPHONE MAY BE GOOD FOR SHARING MORE THAN PHOTOS AND MUSIC!

ACCORDING TO MEDICAL EXPERTS IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL,

PUTTING THAT PHONE UP TO YOUR FACE, MAY GIVE YOU THE FLU, PINK EYE OR A STOMACH BUG.

******

******

BREAK SIX 5:27:01 AM

HIT TIME 5:27:01 AM

HL1) WX HEADLINE-OMNITOPS

HL2) DECISION 2012-TRX-VO

AND DECISION 2012.

WITH LESS THAN TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE ELECTION,

HL3) METRO CRASH FOLO-TRX-VO

PLUS, TRAGEDY ON THE ROADWAY.

ALL NEW DETAILS ABOUT A CRASH VICTIM. A FATHER OF NINE CHILDREN,

AND A CHURCH PASTOR,

NEWS TODAY OPEN-CLIPTOPS

GOOD MORNING-2SHOT PUSH-CLIP

GOOD MORNING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AND THANKS FOR WAKING UP WITH NBC-2 NEWS TODAY,

I'M KRISTA FOGELSONG.

AND I'M CLAY MILLER.

THE BIG STORY THIS MORNING -- TRACKING THE TROPICS.

HURRICANE SEASON IS NOT OVER YET!

5:32 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Today's Weather Story

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.

Winds will be a factor in our forecast for the next several days, especially as Tropical Storm Sandy continues to organize and eventually skirts by Southeast Florida later this week.

Another influence we'll notice from Sandy is a little more moisture spreading our way from the east, and we'll start to notice this trend today. Even though we'll be on the much drier side of Sandy, enough moisture will get carried over from the Atlantic to spark some fast-moving spotty showers today through Friday. We're not expecting a wash out by any means, but just be prepared for a few splash and dash showers at any time during the day.

At this point, it still looks as though Southwest Florida will be just out of reach from the bulk Sandy's heavy rain, so for now, the forecast only calls for isolated rain until Sandy gets to our north and pulls down some drier air just in time for the weekend.

Through our Wednesday, look for a mixture of sun and clouds will the occasional spotty showers. Winds will come in swiftly from the east again at 10-20 mph with some higher gusts. Temperatures should stay a few degrees below 90 through the afternoon.

Winds will be a little stronger Thursday as the wind direction begins to veer from east to northeast, and we may see some gusts up to 30 mph.

The strongest wind gusts for us will likely come Friday as Sandy makes its closest approach to Southwest Florida, which should be somewhere between 300-400 miles to our east. Even at such a distance, winds will get rather blustery Friday as Sandy's wind field expands in size. Sustained winds should be close to 20-25, and wind gusts could get up to 35-40 mph at times.

As we head into the upcoming weekend, the breeze will still be rather stiff as the wind flow comes in from the north. This northerly component to the wind will help guide dry, cool, stable air into Southwest Florida, making the weekend very pleasant in both the temperature and humidity departments. High temperatures through the weekend should only warm to the middle 80s, and low temperatures by Sunday morning will cool to the mid 60s.

TRAFFIC-LIVE CAM, NAVI

ALL CLEAR, LEE CO ENFORCEMENT

CHECKING THE ROADS RIGHT NOW--

EYE 75 AND U-S 41 ALL CLEAR.

ELECTION COUNTDOWN-TRXTOPS-SS-WIPE

CAMPAIGNS FOR BOTH PRESIDENT OBAMA AND RIVAL MITT ROMNEY ARE IN THE HOME STRETCH.

WITH JUST 13 DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION, THE RACE IS IN A DEAD HEAT.

ROMNEY TODAY-VOTOPS-WIPE

MITT ROMNEY HOLDS A CAMPAIGN RALLY IN RENO, NEVADA TODAY AND LATER HE HEADS TO CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

OBAMA TODAY-VOTOPS

ELSEWHERE -- PRESIDENT OBAMA KICKS OFF HIS TWO-DAY, EIGHT STATE CAMPAIGN BLITZ IN IOWA TODAY.

THEN HE HEADS TO DENVER.

THEN LOS ANGELES, WHERE HE TAPES AN APPEARANCE ON JAY LENO.

DONALD TRUMP ANNOUNCEMENT-2SHOT-VO

AND THIS MORNING. THERE ARE CLAIMS THAT TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS HAPPENING TODAY -- COULD COMPLETELY CHANGE THE RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE.

DONALD TRUMP HAS ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL REVEAL WHAT HE CALLS "VERY BIG" NEWS ABOUT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TODAY.

RUMORS ARE THAT TRUMP FOUND SOME LONG LOST DIVORCE PAPERS DRAWN UP BY MICHELLE OBAMA.

IF IT DOES TURN OUT TO BE THIS STORY, IT ISN'T REALLY A BOMBSHELL AT ALL.

THE NEAR-DIVORCE HAD BEEN RUMORED SINCE BACK IN EARLY MAY.

ROMNEY DIVORCE ANNOUNCEMENT-2SHOT-VO-OC

THE OTHER BIG ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED TODAY WILL COME FROM WELL-KNOWN CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY GLORIA ALLRED.

TODAY SHE'LL TRY TO UNSEAL SWORN TESTIMONY GIVEN BY REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL MITT ROMNEY.

ACCORDING TO RADAR ONLINE, ALLRED IS HEADED TO A BOSTON COURT FOR AN EMERGENCY HEARING.

THAT'S HER IN THE RED.

SHE'S LOOKING TO GET THE GAG ORDER LIFTED SO THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN THAT PAST CASE CAN SPEAK ABOUT ROMNEY.

RADAR ONLINE REPORTS THERE ARE APPARENTLY JUICY DETAILS ABOUT ROMNEY IN THE TESTIMONY.

METRO CRASH FOLO-OC-VO

A MAN IS IN A MEDICALLY INDUCED COMA THIS MORNING,

FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE.

THE DRIVER, WHO DEPUTIES SAY CAUSED THE WRECK, IS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND.

THIS IS VIDEO OF THE VICTIM-- 56-YEAR-OLD DAVID VANAMAN.

HE WORKS AS A PASTOR AT CROSS WAY BAPTIST CHURCH IN LEE COUNTY.

THE FATHER OF NINE ALSO DRIVES A SCHOOL BUS.

IT WAS MONDAY WHEN HE WAS RIDING HIS SCOOTER ON THE *JUST* OPENED METRO PARKWAY EXTENSION AT THE BRIARCLIFF INTERSECTION -- WHEN AN S-U-V CUT HIM OFF.

METRO CRASH FOLO-2 SOTVO-WIPE

3:30:27:00 "BEN VANAMAN, VICTIM'S SON: first thing the doctor said as we were going over it, and he said Metro Parkway opened 24 hours and already had its first trauma."

3:27:44:00 BEN VANAMAN, VICTIM'S SON: "we're doing everything we can right now and praying god will bring him through this."

AS THEY DO THAT --

DEPUTIES SEARCH FOR THE FEMALE DRIVER WHO CUT VANAMAN OFF AND THEN DROVE OFF, NOT STOPPING.

IN HIS FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE THE CRASH,

VANAMAN'S SON, BEN, SAYS HIS FAMILY'S NOT ANGRY AT THE WOMAN.

METRO PARKWAY SPEEDERS-VOTOPS

AND SPEED IS ALSO A PROBLEM ON THAT SAME ROAD.

NBC-2 CAMERAS WERE ROLLING AS DEPUTIES KEPT A CLOSE EYE ON THE INTERSECTION NEIGHBORS CALL A "DEATH TRAP."

THE NEW STRETCH OF ROAD HAS A 45 MILE AN HOUR SPEED LIMIT --

BUT, IN LESS THAN AN HOUR, WE CAUGHT THREE PEOPLE SPEEDING -- ONE GOING 68!

NEW JERSEY GIRL DETAILS-OC-VO-BNR

THIS MORNING NEW DISTURBING DETAILS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO A YOUNG NEW JERSEY GIRL WHO VANISHED.

TWO TEENAGE BROTHERS ARE NOW CHARGED WITH KILLING 12-YEAR-OLD AUTUMN PASQUALE.

INVESTIGATORS SAY THE 15- AND 17-YEAR-OLD BOYS STRANGLED THE GIRL,

AFTER LURING HER TO THEIR HOUSE WITH AN OFFER OF PARTS FOR HER BICYCLE.

HER BODY WAS FOUND STUFFED IN A RECYCLING CONTAINER AFTER A TWO-DAY SEARCH.

JESSICA RIDGEWAY MURDER LINK-OC-VO-BNR

AND NOW TO ANOTHER MURDER INVESTIGATION.

INVESTIGATORS IN COLORADO HAVE TURNED TO DNA IN THEIR SEARCH FOR THE KILLER OF 10-YEAR-OLD JESSICA RIDGEWAY.

AUTHORITIES HAVE COLLECTED SAMPLES FROM ABOUT 500 PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS POSSIBLE SUSPECTS.

THE SAMPLES WERE GIVEN VOLUNTARILY USING AN ORAL SWAB.

SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT REVEALED ANY CLUES IN THE CASE.

JESSICA RIDGEWAY VANISHED OCTOBER 5TH WHEN SHE LEFT FOR SCHOOL IN COLORADO.

GOV SCOTT EDU AGENDA TOMORROW-OC-VO-OC

LOOKING AHEAD, TOMORROW GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT WILL BE IN FORT MYERS TO LAY OUT HIS VISION FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

IT WILL BE AT HARBORSIDE EVENT CENTER.

IN TALLAHASSEE YESTERDAY, THE GOVERNOR GAVE US A PREVIEW.

HE WANTS TO ISSUE DEBIT CARDS FOR TEACHERS WHO BUY SUPPLIES.

HE ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE STATE'S TRANSITION AWAY FROM THE F-CAT AND TOWARD COMMON CORE TESTING.

AND IS PROMISING TO KEEP SPENDING AT OR ABOVE THE CURRENT LEVELS.

GOVERNOR SCOTT ALSO WANTS TO EXPAND OPTIONS FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS.

AN IDEA *NOT SUPPORTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF LEE COUNTY'S TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.

HE BRINGS UP RICHARD MILBURN ACADEMY IN BONITA SPRINGS.

HURRICANE WILMA ANNIVERSARY-OC-VO

SEVEN YEARS AGO, A POWERFUL HURRICANE TORE UP COLLIER COUNTY.

IN 2005 HURRICANE WILMA REACHED CATERGORY FIVE STATUS.

IN NAPLES,

IT RIPPED APART BUSINESSES ON 5TH AVENUE, TOOK DOWN TREES,

SOAKED BUILDING INTERIORS, AND CAUSED MOLD PROBLEMS.

SOME BUSINESSES WERE EVEN FORCED OUT FOR GOOD.

WILMA IS THE MOST INTENSE HURRICANE ON RECORD IN THE ATLANTIC.

LEE CO SALVATION ARMY HOLIDAYS-2SH-TRX

IT'S NOT EVEN HALLOWEEN ---

AND ALREADY THE SALVATION ARMY IS SEEING HIGH DEMAND FOR THE WINTER HOLIDAYS.

THIS MORNING SIGN-UPS START IN LEE COUNTY.

LEE CO SALVATION ARMY HOLIDAYS-REMLIVE

GOOD MORNING.

THE SALVATION ARMY HERE IN LEE COUNTY PLANS ON SERVING FOUR TO FIVE THOUSAND FAMILIES FOR CHRISTMAS.

LEE CO SALVATION ARMY HOLIDAYS-SS

IF YOU'RE IN LEE COUNTY, YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR ASSISTANCE STARTING AT NINE A-M UNTIL NOON.

YOU SHOULD BRING A PHOTO I-D, PROOF THAT YOU LIVE IN LEE COUNTY--- A LEASE AGREEMENT OR UTILITY BILL WILL WORK.

PROOF OF INCOME AND BENEFITS.

YOU'LL ALSO NEED TO BRING PROOF OF YOUR CHILDS DATE OF BIRTH, OR A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR TAX NUMBER.

REGISTRATION WILL GO THROUGH FRIDAY.

THERE WILL BE MORE REGISTRATION DATES NEXT MONTH.

LEE CO SALVATION ARMY HOLIDAYS-REMLIVE

IN NAPLES, THERE'S ALSO HIGH DEMAND.

TODAY IS THE *LAST DAY TO SIGN UP FOR ASSISTANCE THERE.

QUARTER HOUR PUSH-2SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW --

NEXT ON NBC TWO NEWS TODAY --

WHAT YOU MAY NEED, IS A GOOD SLAP IN THE FACE!

a) art of face slapping-votops

BREAK SEVEN 5:39:23 AM

HIT TIME 5:39:23 AM

5:42 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

5:42 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Weather Trends

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.

Winds will be a factor in our forecast for the next several days, especially as Tropical Storm Sandy continues to organize and eventually skirts by Southeast Florida later this week.

Another influence we'll notice from Sandy is a little more moisture spreading our way from the east, and we'll start to notice this trend today. Even though we'll be on the much drier side of Sandy, enough moisture will get carried over from the Atlantic to spark some fast-moving spotty showers today through Friday. We're not expecting a wash out by any means, but just be prepared for a few splash and dash showers at any time during the day.

At this point, it still looks as though Southwest Florida will be just out of reach from the bulk Sandy's heavy rain, so for now, the forecast only calls for isolated rain until Sandy gets to our north and pulls down some drier air just in time for the weekend.

Through our Wednesday, look for a mixture of sun and clouds will the occasional spotty showers. Winds will come in swiftly from the east again at 10-20 mph with some higher gusts. Temperatures should stay a few degrees below 90 through the afternoon.

Winds will be a little stronger Thursday as the wind direction begins to veer from east to northeast, and we may see some gusts up to 30 mph.

The strongest wind gusts for us will likely come Friday as Sandy makes its closest approach to Southwest Florida, which should be somewhere between 300-400 miles to our east. Even at such a distance, winds will get rather blustery Friday as Sandy's wind field expands in size. Sustained winds should be close to 20-25, and wind gusts could get up to 35-40 mph at times.

As we head into the upcoming weekend, the breeze will still be rather stiff as the wind flow comes in from the north. This northerly component to the wind will help guide dry, cool, stable air into Southwest Florida, making the weekend very pleasant in both the temperature and humidity departments. High temperatures through the weekend should only warm to the middle 80s, and low temperatures by Sunday morning will cool to the mid 60s.

TRAFFIC ALERT-TRX

TRAFFIC ALERT-NAVI

ALL CLEAR, CONSTRUCTION PROJECT?

CHECKING THE ROADS RIGHT NOW--

EYE 75 AND U-S 41 ALL CLEAR.

FORT MYERS JOB FAIR TODAY-OC-CG

TIME TO UPDATE YOUR RESUMES-

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WORKS IS HOSTING A JOB FAIR IN FORT MYERS TODAY.

IT'S FROM 9 TO 1 AT 41-50 FORD STREET.

THIS IS A RETAIL JOB FAIR --

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS MUST HAVE A BACKGROUND IN RETAIL.

MORE THAN A DOZEN COMPANIES WILL BE LOOKING TO HIRE.

BARNES AND NOBLE CREDIT CARDS-OC-VO

IF YOU'VE MADE A RECENT PURCHASE WITH A CREDIT CARD AT BARNES AND NOBLE--

YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK CLOSE AT YOUR BANK STATEMENT.

THE BOOKSTORE SAYS HACKERS BROKE INTO THE KEYPADS WHERE CUSTOMERS SWIPE THEIR CARDS.

THE SECURITY BREACH HAPPENED MID SEPTEMBER -- THE F-B-I HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING WHO IS BEHIND IT.

THANKSGIVING FLIGHTS-2SHOT-VO

ARE YOU PLANNING TO FLY THIS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY?

PREPARE TO PAY MORE THAN YOU DID LAST YEAR.

TRAVEL BOOKING SITE TRAVELOCITY HAS REVIEWED FARES FOR FLIGHTS BETWEEN NOV. 17 AND 27 AND FOUND THAT THE AVERAGE DOMESTIC ROUND TRIP WILL COST $386, INCLUDING TAXES.

THAT'S NEARLY 9% MORE THAN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.

MENINGITIS LATEST-OC-VO

THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS IS WORKING TO REVOKE THE LICENSE OF THE NEW ENGLAND COMPOUNDING CENTER.

300 PEOPLE ARE SICK -- AND 23 ARE DEAD IN THE GROWING MENINGITIS OUTBREAK --

MASSACHUSETTS STATE OFFICIALS SAY THEY FOUND BLACK SPECKS OF FUNGUS IN STEROIDS MADE BY THE PHARMACY AT THE CENTER OF THE OUTBREAK.

OFFICIALS FOUND THE TAINTED DRUGS IN WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A CLEAN ROOM.

LEE CO SCHOOLS LIGHTNING DETECTORS-OC-VO

LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS -- ALL THIRTEEN OF THEM -- WILL GET NEW LIGHTNING DETECTION TECHNOLOGY.

IT'S CALLED "WEATHERBUG". THE SAME SOFTWARE WE USE IN OUR WEATHER CENTER HERE AT NBC-2.

IT INCLUDES A LIGHTNING SENSOR, AND ALERT SYSTEMS FOR EACH SCHOOL.

LEE CO SCHOOLS LIGHTNING DETECTORS-SOTVO

it brings safety to the district, the new lightning detectors are going to provide real time lightning detection that will save lives.

THE SOFTWARE WILL NOT ONLY ALERT TEAMS ON THE FIELD, BUT ALSO NEARBY NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT WILL DETECT BOTH IN-CLOUD AND CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING.

HIDDEN GERMS-2SHOT-TRX

THIS MORNING WE ARE TALKING DIRTY.

THAT'S RIGHT -- WE'VE UNCOVERED A NEW REPORT ON HIDDEN GERMS.

HIDDEN GERMS-TRAFFIC CENTER

GOOD MORNING.

HIDDEN GERMS-SS (3)

AFTER JUST ONE NIGHT'S REST, YOUR SHEETS CAN CONTAIN POINT 1 GRAM OF FECES, SALMONELLA AND E-COLI.

AND YOUR PILLOW, IS A BREEDING GROUND FOR AN ARRAY OF PESTS AND DISEASES.

TOSS YOUR SHEETS INTO THE WASH WITH HOT WATER ONCE A WEEK.

FOR YOUR PILLOW, EXPERTS SAY INVEST IN A WASHABLE ALLERGY CASE.

MOVING ON TO THE SHOWER -- YOUR LOOFAH LOVES TO COLLECT BACTERIA.

YOUR BEST BET -- THROW IT IN THE WASH EVERY WEEK OR TWO.

ALSO BUY A NEW ONE EVERY SEASON.

FINALLY, IN YOUR KITCHEN ONE OF THE BIGGEST OFFENDERS IS YOUR KITCHEN SPONGE.

HIDDEN GERMS-TRAFFIC CENTER

EXPERTS SUGGEST TOSSING IT IN THE DISHWASHER, LAUNDRY OR MICROWAVE -- FOR 30 SECONDS ONCE A WEEK.

ART OF FACE SLAPPING-2SHOT-VO

IT'S A NEW TREND THIS MORNING THAT PEOPLE ARE TRYING, IN ORDER TO LOOK YOUNGER.

THE IDEA IS TO FIRM UP FLABBY FACES *WITHOUT PLASTIC SURGERY OR INJECTIONS.

FOR $350 DOLLARS, YOU CAN GET YOUR FACE SLAPPED.

IT'S BEING OFFERED AT A BRAND-NEW MASSAGE PARLOR THAT SPECIALIZES IN A BEAUTY TREATMENT.

THEY CALL IT THE "ANCIENT THAI ART OF FACE SLAPPING."

THIS IS A DEMONSTRATION VIDEO FROM THE MASSAGE PARLOR IN SAN FRANCISCO.

SKINNY MINNIE-OC-VO

A SKINNY MINNIE MOUSE AD HAS AN UPSCALE RETAILER CATCHING A LOT OF GREIF THIS MORNING.

BARNEYS NEW YORK IS TAKING THE HEAT FOR AN AD FEATURING A DREAMING MINNIE.

MINNIE HAS A FIGURE -- NO ONE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE.

A PETITION ON CHANGE-DOT-ORG IS TITLED: BARNEY'S, LEAVE MINNIE ALONE.

DISNEY AND BARNEYS SAY THE CONTROVERSY IS BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION.

BRANGELINA KIDS GO HOLLYWOOD-VOTOPS-SS

ANGELINA JOLIE AND BRAD PITT'S CHILDREN ARE FOLLOWING IN THEIR FAMOUS FOOTSTEPS AND HEAD TO THE BIG SCREEN!.

TWO MONTHS AFTER A REP FOR WALT DISNEY STUDIOS CONFIRMED 4-YEAR-OLD VIVIENNE JOLIE-PITT WILL PLAY THE CHILD VERSION OF ELLE FANNING'S PRINCESS AURORA IN THE MOVIE MALEFICENT.

WAVV 101.1 TEASE-SSTOPS

IF YOU NEED TO WALK OUT THE DOOR - WE CAN STILL MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN THE KNOW TODAY -

FORECAST TEASE-OMNI

BREAK EIGHT 5:49:40 AM

HIT TIME 5:49:40 AM

5:52 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

5:52 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Full Forecast

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.

Winds will be a factor in our forecast for the next several days, especially as Tropical Storm Sandy continues to organize and eventually skirts by Southeast Florida later this week.

Another influence we'll notice from Sandy is a little more moisture spreading our way from the east, and we'll start to notice this trend today. Even though we'll be on the much drier side of Sandy, enough moisture will get carried over from the Atlantic to spark some fast-moving spotty showers today through Friday. We're not expecting a wash out by any means, but just be prepared for a few splash and dash showers at any time during the day.

At this point, it still looks as though Southwest Florida will be just out of reach from the bulk Sandy's heavy rain, so for now, the forecast only calls for isolated rain until Sandy gets to our north and pulls down some drier air just in time for the weekend.

Through our Wednesday, look for a mixture of sun and clouds will the occasional spotty showers. Winds will come in swiftly from the east again at 10-20 mph with some higher gusts. Temperatures should stay a few degrees below 90 through the afternoon.

Winds will be a little stronger Thursday as the wind direction begins to veer from east to northeast, and we may see some gusts up to 30 mph.

The strongest wind gusts for us will likely come Friday as Sandy makes its closest approach to Southwest Florida, which should be somewhere between 300-400 miles to our east. Even at such a distance, winds will get rather blustery Friday as Sandy's wind field expands in size. Sustained winds should be close to 20-25, and wind gusts could get up to 35-40 mph at times.

As we head into the upcoming weekend, the breeze will still be rather stiff as the wind flow comes in from the north. This northerly component to the wind will help guide dry, cool, stable air into Southwest Florida, making the weekend very pleasant in both the temperature and humidity departments. High temperatures through the weekend should only warm to the middle 80s, and low temperatures by Sunday morning will cool to the mid 60s.

TRAFFIC ALERT-TRX

TRAFFIC ALERT-NAVI

CHECKING THE ROADS RIGHT NOW--

ALL CLEAR, COLLIER CO ENFORCEMENT

TRAFFIC BILLBOARD-CLIP

LITTLE PINK POST OFFICE-OC-VO

PINK FROM THE ROOF TO THE FLOOR.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE NATIONS SMALLEST POST OFFICE.

ALL PINK.

THE OCHOPEE POST OFFICE IS ONLY 7 BY 8 FEET BUT THE SMALL BUSINESS IS MAKING A BIG STATEMENT.

ALL IN THE NAME OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS.

LITTLE PINK POST OFFICE-SOTVO

FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS OF THE MONEY RAISED --WILL GO DIRECTLY TO BREAST CANCER RESEARCH.

MOBILE MAMOGRAMS-OC-BNR

TODAY THE U.S. POST OFFICE IN NAPLES IS OFFERING WOMEN MAMMOGRAMS.

WE HAVE THE DETAILS ON THE PROGRAM AS WELL AS OTHER LOCATIONS ON OUR WEBSITE --

WHAT'S COMING UP AT 6-CLIPTOPS

1) barnes and noble hacked-VOTOPS

ALL NEW AT SIX--

BOOK LOVERS MAY WANT TO CHECK THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS--

BARNES AND NOBLE HAS BEEN HACKED--

2) bassinet recall-VOTOPS

AND BABIES CAN STOP BREATHING--

3) schools that rule tease-VOTOPS

AND IT'S WEDNESDAY--

AND THAT MEAN IT'S TIME TO HIGHLIGHT A SPECIAL SCHOOL PROGRAM IN OUR SCHOOL'S THAT RULE SEGMENT--

GOOD MORNING CHARLOTTE COUNTY-

END OF SHOW-LIVE ELEMENT AVAILABLE?

END OF SHOW CLIP-CLIP