DIRECTOR PAGE

SHOW OPEN-CLIP

TOSS TO LAUREN-2 SHOT, TFX CTR MON

THAT IS NOT A MIS-PRINT.

THE POWERBALL JACKPOT DRAWING TONIGHT IS NOW WORTH 550-MILLION DOLLARS! HALF A BILLION.

EVERYONE BUYING A TICKET IS *FANTASIZING* ABOUT WHAT THEY'LL DO WITH ALL THAT MONEY.

NBC2's LAUREN DISPIRITO JOINS US LIVE WITH POWERBALL MANIA IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA--

POWERBALL MANIA-REM1 LIVE

POWERBALL MANIA-PKG

sot

Pete Curcio

51:09 its a big one you gotta be in it to win it

THE CHANCE-- HOWEVER SMALL - TO WIN A RECORD 550 MILLION DOLLAR POWERBALL JACKPOT-- IS DRIVING HUNDREDS TO 711 IN CAPE CORAL--

sot

4640 i figure if I'm gonna win 1 is all i need 46:43

MARK MASON SAYS HIS DAUGHTER EMILY CONVINCED HIM TO BUY HIS FIRST POWERBALL TICKET TODAY--

SOT

46:47 its so big everybody's doing it i thought I'd try 4650

THE ODDS OF WINNING ARE LOW-- ABOUT 1 IN 175 MILLION-- BUT THE THOUGHT OF ALL THAT MONEY--

sot

marvens franks, 711

49:59 i come in today and i was like whoah it went up a lot 5003

550 MILLION DOLLARS-- AND CLIMBING HAS PEOPLE HOPING AND PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE--

sot

Marvens Frank

5030 i'd do everything i've always wanted 50:35

THE WINNER CAN SPEND AWAY THEY CHOOSE-- BUT STATE LOTTERY OFFICIALS SAY POWERBALL jackpot rollovers COULD generate more than $45 million in additional revenue for education.

sot

Mark Mason Cape Coral

47:54 I've got 2 kids in school I guess the more people play the more money for schools, its a good thing 4807

ACCORDING TO FLORIDA LOTTERY, On a monthly basis the THEY transfer revenues to the Florida Educational Enhancement Trust Fund -- THEN the Department of Education makes recommendations BUT ITS UP TO STATE LAWMAKERS HOW THE MONEY GETS DIVVIED UP

take graphic one

LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS REPORT LOTTERY MONEY COLLECTED THIS YEAR IS ENOUGH TO RUN THE DISTRICT FOR A DAY AND A HALF-

sot

mark Mason

47:39 i don't expect to win but you never know, its fun anyway 47:44

POWERBALL MANIA-REM1 LIVE

FISCAL CLIFF-2 SHOT, TFX CTR MON

THE WINNER COULD DONATE ALL THEIR WINNINGS TO PAY OFF THE FEDERAL DEFICIT.

WELL, NOT REALLY.

AFTER TAXES--

THE WINNER TAKES HOME ROUGHLY 240-MILLION DOLLARS.

OUR NATIONAL DEBT IS 16-point-2 TRILLION DOLLARS!

IF YOU DO THE MATH--

SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO WIN THE 550-MILLION DOLLAR JACKPOT 67-THOUSAND 500 TIMES.

JUST TO PAY OFF THE FEDERAL DEFICIT!

THE DEFIICIT JUST ONE OF SEVERAL ASPECTS ADDING URGENCY TO FISCAL CLIFF NEGOTIATIONS.

THE PRESIDENT HELD MEETINGS TODAY TO FIND A SOLUTION.

FISCAL CLIFF-PKG

AT THE TOP OF PRESIDENT OBAMA'S WISH LIST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON - A DEAL TO

AVOID SENDING THE ECONOMY OVER THE FISCAL CLIFF.

Obama SOT after 12:01:37

my hope is to get this done before Christmas.

TODAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE, THE PRESIDENT WAS JOINED BY MIDDLE INCOME EARNERS

WHO REACHED OUT TO THE ADMINISTRATION ABOUT KEEPING TAXES LOW.

Obama SOT 12:02:17 cut to end of graf

If Congress does nothing, every family in America will see their taxes

automatically go up at the beginning of next year.

THE WHITE HOUSE IS URGING AMERICANS TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO PUSH CONGRESS TO

ACT - KEYING IN ON THE TWO THOUSAND DOLLAR TAX INCREASE THAT WOULD GO INTO

EFFECT NEXT YEAR FOR THE AVERAGE FAMILY OF FOUR.

Obama SOT 12:10:56

what was that again? My2K - Tweet using the hashtag

My2K or email, you know, post it on -- on a member of Congress' Facebook

wall. Do what it takes to communicate a sense of urgency.

THEY MAY NOT AGREE ON THE DETAILS BUT HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER AND HOUSE

MINORITY LEADER NANCY PELOSI DO AGREE ON ONE BIG THING - FAILURE IS NOT ON

THE TABLE.

Boehner SOT

Going over the fiscal cliff will hurt our economy.

Pelosi SOT

There has to be a deal.

BOEHNER SAID REPUBLICANS ARE COMMITTED TO A COMPROMISE - AND REITERATED HIS

PARTY'S WILLINGNESS TO PUT REVENUE INCREASES ON THE TABLE.

Boehner SOT

We believe that this fits the president's request for a balanced approach to

this issue

THE HARDBALL POLITICS WERE LEFT TO HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER ERIC CANTORWHO

COMPLAINED THAT THE WHITE HOUSE HASN'T COME TO THE TABLE WITH ITS OWN

CONCESSIONS.

Cantor SOT

There's been no serious discussion by the White House on entitlements, on

FISCAL CLIFF-TAG

KAREN TRAVERS REPORTING.

TOMORROW IS ROUND TWO.

RICE SENATE HEARINGS-VO WIPE

UNITED NATIONS AMBASSADOR SUSAN RICE IS MAKING THE ROUNDS.

SHE'S MEETING WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS TODAY--

TO ONCE AGAIN EXPLAIN HER CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS ON THE BENGHAZI ATTACK.

REPUBLICANS ARE CRITICAL OF HER STATEMENTS IN THE DAYS AFTER THE ATTACK.

SHE PLACED THE BLAME NOT ON *TERRORISTS*--

RICE SENATE HEARINGS-SOTVO

Lindsay Graham SOT

the concerns I have are greater today than they were before.

McCain SOT

We are significantly troubled by many of the answers that we got

RICE IS ALSO POLITICKING TO BECOME THE NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE--

AND THE PRESIDENT HASN'T NOMINATED HER YET.

BP GULF LICENSE SUSPENDED-VO

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IS TEMPORARILY *SUSPENDING* NEW CONTRACTS FOR B-P.

THE DECISION IS IN RESPONSE TO B-P'S HANDLING OF THE GULF OIL SPILL.

TWO WEEKS AGO--

BP PLEADED GUILTY TO CHARGES INVOLVING THE DEATHS OF 11 WORKERS ON THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL RIG.

IT EXPLODED AND SANK IN APRIL 2010.

TOSS TO STEVE-ON CAM

A SIMPLE TRAFFIC STOP MORE THAN 15-HUNDRED MILES AWAY--

NABBED A MAN WANTED FOR A BOLD JEWELERY HEIST IN NAPLES.

BACK IN FEBRUARY 2011 -- THE DAYTIME ROBBERY LED TO A SHOOTOUT IN FRONT OF THALHEIMERS JEWELRY.

NBC2'S STEVE CAMPION JOINS US IN THE STUDIO.

THALHEIMERS ROBBERY-PLASMA MON

NO KIDDING -- NAPLES DETECTIVES TELL US TEXAS OFFICERS STOPPED JOSE CABEZUDO-GOMEZ FOR SPEEDING IN CARSON COUNTY, TEXAS THIS PAST WEEKEND.

THALHEIMERS ROBBERY-VO

THE NAPLES POLICE TELLS US -- GOMEZ IS ONE OF TWO MASKED MEN WHO ROBBED A JEWELRY SALESMAN OUTSIDE THIS NAPLES JEWELERY STORE OFF US-41.

THE 2011 ROBBERY TOOK A TURN -- ONCE THE STORE'S OWNER SPOTTED THE HEIST.

SANDY THALHEIMER SAYS -- HE RAMMED HIS PICK UP TRUCK INTO THE ARMED ROBBERS' CAR -- AND THEN TOOK AIM AT THEM.FIRING FIVE TIMES.

THE CROOKS GOT AWAY BUT NOT BEFORE LEAVING THEIR D-N-A BEHIND IN THAT CAR.

THALHEIMERS ROBBERY-PLASMA MON

NOW -- DETECTIVES TELL US THEY'RE STILL SEARCHING FOR THE ANOTHER WANTED MAN, JOSE CASTILLO.

WE SPOKE BY PHONE THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE THALHEIMER.

HE TOLD US HE'S GRATEFUL THAT, AFTER ALL THIS TIME, AN ARREST HAS BEEN MADE.

POORE TRIAL-VO WIPE

A CHARLOTTE COUNTY MAN--

ACCUSED OF STABBING ANOTHER MAN AFTER A DRUG RELATED ARGUMENT--

IS IN COURT.

ROY LEE POORE IS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER.

THE STATE CLAIMS HE TRIED TO KILL ADOLPHUS LEON MARTIN IN OCTOBER 2011.

THE DEFENSE SAYS POORE WAS ACTING IN SELF DEFENSE.

THE GIPE FAMILY IS KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THIS TRIAL.

TONY GIPE CLAIMS POORE RAN OVER AND KILLED HIS MOTHER.

HE SAYS POORE WAS NEVER CHARGED WITH THE CRIME--

POORE TRIAL-SOTVO

but you stab a drug dealer and you're facing attempted murder. And the case on my mom, she passed away, died instantly, is over.

LONG ISLAND BUS CRASH-VO

TRAGEDY TODAY ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND.

A SIX YEAR OLD BOY IS DEAD--

AFTER A BUS CRASHED INTO HIS HOUSE.

THE BUS DRIVER WAS AVOIDING A PEDESTRIAN--

WHEN HE SWERVED AND SLAMMED INTO THE HOUSE.

THE BOY ENDED UP PINNED UNDERNEATH THE BUS.

SANDY SUBWAY DAMAGE-VO

IT'S BEEN A MONTH SINCE HURRICANE SANDY SLAMMED THE NORTHEAST--

AND SOME RAIL LINES REMAIN CLOSED!

SEVERAL NEW JERSEY "PATH" TRAIN STATIONS ARE OFF-LINE.

AND OFFICIALS SAY IT'S GOING TO BE A COUPLE MORE WEEKS--

BEFORE THE SYSTEM IS UP AND RUNNING COMPLETELY.

THE PORT AUTHORITY STILL NEEDS TO NOT ONLY REPLACE--

EDISON FORD ESTATES-VO WIPE

WE'RE JUST THREE DAYS AWAY FROM THE ANNUAL EDISON AND FORD HOLIDAY NIGHTS!

THE HISTORIC WINTER ESTATES IN DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS--

WILL LIGHT UP UNTIL THE NEW YEAR.

EDISON FORD ESTATES-SOT, SS

This year it's new with new tours, behind the scene tours and of course we finish 14 million in restoration so never been better."

ALL THE FUN STARTS DECEMBER 1ST AT 6 PM.

MEMBERS AND KIDS UNDER THREE GET IN FREE.

ADULTS - 15 DOLLARS.

AND STUDENTS - 8 DOLLARS.

TEASE ONE-2SHOT

FEW STARS SAY REALLY BAD THINGS ABOUT THEIR OWN SHOWS!

ANGUS T JONES DID ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MEN!

HE EVEN TOLD PEOPLE TO STOP WATCHING!

TODAY--

HE DID A 180~!

AND CHANCES ARE YOU SPENT MORE TIME AT YOUR POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY THAN YOU PLANNED.

SO DID WORKERS.AND THEY'RE GETTING A BONUS!

TZ1 A) TV STAR APOLOGY-VO WIPE

TZ1 B) POLL WORKER MONEY-VO TOPS

TZ1 C) WEATHER TEASE-STC

TV STAR APOLOGY-TRXSOTVO, ON CAM

if you're watching 2 and a half men, please stop watching 2 and a half men. I'm on 2 and a half men and I don't want to be on it.

"I'M SORRY."

ANGUS T. JONES--

THE TEEN STAR OF THE HIT COMEDY "TWO AND A HALF MEN"--

IS APOLOGIZING FOR THAT RANT. TRASHING HIS OWN SHOW.

THE NEW 7TH DAY ADVENTIST CONVERT--

CALLED THE COMEDY "INAPPROPRIATE"--

AND CALLED ON PEOPLE TO "PLEASE STOP WATCHING".

IS IT ENOUGH TO SAVE HIS JOB?

TV STAR APOLOGY-PKG

SOT - Angus / "I'm on Two and a Half men. I don't want to be

on it. Please stop watching."

ACTOR ANGUS T JONES IS NOW APOLOGIZING FOR HIS CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS ABOUT

"TWO AND A HALF MEN" -- THE TELEVISION SHOW HE HAS STARRED IN FOR NEARLY A

DECADE.

SOT - Angus / "Please stop filling your head with filth."

JONES RECENTLY JOINED THE 7th DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH.

HOURS AFTER HIS RELIGIOUS RANT WENT VIRAL. HE RELEASED THIS STATEMENT.

I'M SORRY IF MY REMARKS REFLECT ME SHOWING INDIFFERENCE TO AND DISRESPECT OF

MY COLLEAGUES.

I NEVER INTENDED THAT.

NEXT TO JONES IN THE VIDEO IS PASTOR CHRISTOPHER HUDSON -- A MAN DESCRIBED

AS THE ACTOR'S SPIRITUAL MENTOR. AND HOST OF THE ONLINE MINISTRY "

FORERUNNER CHRONICLES."

SOT -- Christopher Hudson, ForeRunner Chronicles Pastor / "The spirit would

not tell him to stay on that show. The show is not teaching all truth. it

's teaching lies."

A FORMER STAR OF "TWO AND A HALF MEN". IS ALSO WEIGHING IN.

NATS - "I thought you said he got dumped."

CHARLIE SHEEN -- WHO PLAYED JONES'S UNCLE ON THE COMEDY -- WAS FIRED AFTER

AN UGLY FIGHT WITH PRODUCERS.

NOW A STAR ON "ANGER MANAGEMENT". SHEEN TELLS A-B-C NEWS.

MY FORMER NEPHEW IS WELCOME AT THE GOODSON ANGER MANAGEMENT HOME ANYTIME.

ACTOR STEPHEN BALDWIN -- A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN - IS ALSO DEFENDING JONES.

BALDWIN TOLD "GOOD MORNING AMERICA" HE'S BEEN DENIED ROLES BECAUSE OF HIS

RELIGION.

SOT - Amy & Stephen Baldwin, Actor / AMY "Is it possible to be successful

in Hollywood. and be an outspoken Christian? STEPHEN "Sure doesn't seem

TV STAR APOLOGY-TAG

BRANDI HITT REPORTING.

JONES ISN'T EXPECTED BACK ON "THE TWO AND A HALF MEN" SET UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

TEASE TWO-ON CAM

WALL STREET GIVES FLORIDA A DUBIOUS DISTINCTION. ONE OF THE WORST RUN STATES IN THE NATION.

WE BREAK DOWN WY

AND A GRINCH TRYING TO RUIN THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMANS--

BY STEALING THE BABY JESUS FROM THE NATIVITY SCENE!

AND YOU ARE LOOKING AT A CONVENIENCE STORE IN CAPE CORAL--

WHERE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE BUYING LOTTERY TICKETS FOR TONIGHT'S PWOERBALL DRAWING!

THE JACKPOT IS 550-MILLION DOLLARS!

TZ2 A) STOLEN BABY JESUS-VO WIPE

ROBERT WX OPEN-CLIP

FIRST ALERT FORECAST-WXWALL

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 clouds finally broke during the early afternoon hours, and we'll continue with clouds mixing in with our sunshine for the remainder of our Wednesday. Despite the cloud cover lingering across Southwest Florida for much of the day, afternoon temperatures managed to reach the upper 70s with a breeze out of the north around 10mph.

Tonight, partly cloudy skies will remain in the forecast with mainly dry weather. Some slightly drier air will filter down the state keeping our overnight lows a tad on the cooler side as they settle into the upper 50s here in town with middle 50s across our inland and northern cool spots. By the morning hours, a few low clouds will develop, however with an elevated breeze, fog shouldn't be a big issue.

A weak cool front continues to dissipate across central Florida at this time with high pressure building in across the southeast through Thursday. This will keep a mix of sun and clouds across our skies for Thursday and Friday with highs near normal in the upper 70s to low 80s and overnight lows near 60°.

TOSS TO LINDSAY-ON CAM

EACH YEAR--

WALL STREET RANKS WHICH STATES ARE *RUN* THE BEST--

AND WHICH STATES ARE RUN THE *WORST*.

SO WHERE DO YOU THINK FLORIDA FALLS?

LINDSAY LOGUE GOT HER HANDS ON THE REPORT--

AND JOINS US IN THE STUDIO WITH A BREAKDOWN.

WORST RUN STATES-PLASMA MON

IN A NUTSHELL--

NOT WELL.

FLORIDA RANKS 45TH!

ONLY FIVE STATES DID WORSE.

LET'S BREAKDOWN THE REASONS WHY--

WORST RUN STATES-SS

THE NUMBERS TELL THE STORY.

FLORIDA'S MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF JUST OVER 44-THOUSAND DOLLARS--

IS 14TH LOWEST.

THAT MEANS 17 OF EVERY 100 FLORIDIANS LIVES IN *POVERTY*!

AND UNEMPLOYMENT--

MEASURED AT EIGHT AND A HALF PERCENT--

PUTS FLORIDA AT THE SIXTH HIGHEST.

AND THE JOBS WE'RE CREATING--

DON'T PAY AS MUCH AS THE ONES WE'RE LOSING.

FLORIDA'S OVER DEPENDENCE ON THE REAL ESTATE MARKET--

IS ALSO MARRED BY A DROP IN HOME VALUES AND HIGH FORECLOSURE RATES.

15-POINT-6 PERCENT OF FLORIDA'S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT--

COMES FROM REAL ESTATE.

THAT'S MORE THAN JUST *TWO* STATES.

AND THOUGH THE STATE IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A BUDGET SURPLUS THIS YEAR--

THOSE GAINS WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO RESTORE FUNDING TO SOME AREAS THAT EXPERIENCED MASSIVE BUDGET CUTS.

WORST RUN STATES-PLASMA MON, SS TAG

WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?

EXPERTS SAY FLORIDA DEPENDS TOO MUCH ON REAL ESTATE--

AND DESPERATELY NEEDS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION.

BY THE WAY--

THE TOP FIVE *BEST* RUN STATES ARE NORTH DAKOTA--

WYOMING-- NEBRASKA-- UTAH AND IOWA.

THE WORST FIVE ARE NEW JERSEY--

ARIZONA--

ILLINOIS--

RHODE ISLAND AND CALIFORNIA.

STOLEN BABY JESUS-ON CAM

THIS IS REALLY TEMPTING KARMA.

SOMEONE TOOK BABY JESUS FROM A CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY'S NATIVITY SCENE.

STOLEN BABY JESUS-PKG

"It struck right to the heart."

IT'S A TRADITION FOR PATTY FAIRCHILD.

EVERY YEAR SHE TAKES HER 3 GRANDSONS TO CHRISTMAS VILLAGE IN TORRINGTON.

IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE MUCH NOW BUT SOON THIS WILL BE A HOLIDAY HAVEN

"It's truly a magical place. We try to keep it so. So the fact that someone came in and took something from us.its very disturbing."

JUST AS WORKERS WERE GETTING THIS PLACE READY OVER THE WEEKEND THEY DISCOVERED BABY JESUS WAS MISSING.

"We pack everything away and board it up for the season but it looks like somebody was in there.

"We have always had a nativity scene in the 65 years that the Christmas Village has been open.its one of our important factors of Christmas village. We need to have him back."

POLICE ARE HELPING WITH THE SEARCH.

THIS BABY JESUS IS OVER 30 YEARS OLD AND COSTS A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS.

STOLEN BABY JESUS-TAG

THAT WAS DIANNA RUSSINI REPORTING.

POLICE DON'T HAVE MUCH TO GO ON--

SO THEY'RE HOPING THE PUBLIC CAN HELP.

THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT JUST ASKS THE THIEF TO RETURN BABY JESUS--

SIRI COMING TO GM CARS-VO

APPLE'S ELECTRONIC ASSISTANT "SIRI"--

IS COMING TO GM CARS!

THE COMPANY'S FOUND A WAY TO LINK SIRI --

TO TWO OF ITS SMALLEST CARS--

THE CHEVROLET SPARK AND SONIC.

SIRI WILL BE ABLE TO PERFORM THE SAME TASKS FOR DRIVERS--

AS IT DOES ON SMARTPHONES!

MARINE FEMALE FITNESS TEST-VO

THE TIMES ARE CHANGING IN THE U-S MARINES!

THE CORPS IS *CHANGING* FITNESS REQUIREMENTS FOR WOMEN.

STARTING IN 2014--

FEMALE MARINES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM PULL-UPS DURING THEIR ANNUAL PHYSICAL--

JUST LIKE THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS.

IT'S THE LATEST IN THE WAVE OF "GENDER RELATED" CHANGES SWEEPING THROUGH THE MILITARY.

OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS--

GYM FOR OBESE PEOPLE-VO WIPE

IT'S ABOUT THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN PEOPLE START THINKING ABOUT JOINING A GYM.

BUT FOR ANYONE OVERWEIGHT--

IT CAN BE A DAUNTING AND FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE.

A GYM IN DALLAS DOESN'T CATER TO THE FIT--

YOU CAN ONLY JOIN IF YOU'RE *OBESE*!

GYM FOR OBESE PEOPLE-SOTVO

I've looked at a gym before, but never actually joined, never felt comfortable working out with skinny people.

When you're on my side of the scale, it's not inspirational to look at other people in half-uniforms, showing off their bodies, showing off their abs. And I'm sure you don't want to see me in a half uniform. Showing off what abs you can find.

THE ENTIRE GYM IS DESIGNED FOR BIG PEOPLE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE.

THERE ARE NO MIRRORS--

FROSTED WINDOWS AND *NO* SCALES!

EVEN THE TRAINERS ARE FORMERLY FAT PEOPLE.

RIGHT NOW--

THERE ARE ONLY THREE SUCH GYMS IN THE COUNTRY--

BUT THE COMPANY IS EXPANDING.

AND IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING.

IF MEMBERS LOSE WEIGHT--

TEASE THREE-2SHOT

PEOPLE WHO WORK AT THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY.PUT IN SOME EXTRA HOURS THIS YEAR.

TODAY--

MANY OF THEM RECEIVED A 50-DOLLAR CHECK FOR THEIR HARD WORK!

BUT IN LIGHT OF ALL THE LINES, OUR VIEWERS WANTED TO KNOW.

TZ3 A) POLL WORKERS-VO WIPE

AHEAD AT 6-BANNER

A)

ROCK CENTER TREE-VO TOPS

IF YOU NEED A LITTLE HELP GETTING INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT--

TUNE IN TONIGHT TO NBC!

IT'S THE ANNUAL LIGHTING OF THE FAMED CHRISTMAS TREE AT ROCKERFELLER CENTER.

TENS OF THOUSANDS WILL PACK THE MIDTOWN MANHATTAN SQUARE--

TO SEE THE 80-FOOT-TALL TREE LIGHT UP WITH MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND LIGHTS!

THIS YEAR'S TREE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL TO THE TRI-STATE AREA.

IT CAME FROM NEW JERSEY AND SURVIVED HURRICANE SANDY.

GIVING TREE-SS TOPS

NBC 2 IS PROUD TO CONTINUE THE GIVING TREE TRADITION.

WE'VE JOINED FORCES WITH THE FORT MYERS EDISON KIWANIS CLUB--

TO GIVE GIFTS TO 6-THOUSAND SENIORS LIVING IN NURSING HOMES.

JUST GO TO ANY PERKINS LOCATION--

SELECT A TAG, PURCHASE THE GIFT, WRAP AND RETURN IT TO PERKINS BY DECEMBER 7TH.

POLL WORKERS MONEY-2SHOT

THE CHECKS ARE IN THE MAIL,

AND LEE COUNTY POLL WORKERS CAN EXPECT A LITTLE EXTRA THIS TIME AROUND.

EACH POLL WORKER WILL GET A 50 DOLLAR BONUS FOR WORKING LONGER THAN EXPECTED HOURS ON ELECTION DAY.

TONIGHT NBC-2'S JOELLE PARKS IS TRACKING YOUR TAXDOLLARS-

POLL WORKERS MONEY-PKG

NOVEMBER 6TH- WAS AN UNEXPECTEDLY LONG DAY VOTERS AND POLL WORKERS LIKE JERRY PHILLIPS.

22:16:07 we go there early, probably at about 6 am, and there were people waiting. 13

THE WAIT JUST GOT WORSE,

AND SO DID FRUSTRATION.

22:17: 04 we just had no answers for them no the problem was we only had the one machine, the one scanner 10 we would get them in then we'd have to stop the line bc there were too many people in the hall 15

FOR HIS WORK JERRY EXPECTED TO GET PAID 150 DOLLARS.

INSTEAD-

22:17:53 it was $50 more thank expected 55

57everybody got an extra $50 this time 59 it's not going to be done all the time but we felt that they really were on the ground floor, in the middle of everything going on and they worked very hard, many many more hours than what is normal for them 11

LEE COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS SHARON HARRINGTON TELLS US THE SHIFT IS SUPPOSED LAST ABOUT 12 HOURS,

NOT THE 18 THAT SOME POLL WORKERS EXPERIENCED.

THEIR PAY DEPENDS ON THEIR JOB,

RANGING FROM 140 TO 250 DOLLARS TOTAL- PLUS THE BONUS.

22:09:24 I don't think that's solving the problem, 27 the problem was logistics of how do you have so few voting machines 32

HARRINGTON IS ASKING FOR 275 MORE SCANNERS WITH A 1 MILLION DOLLAR PRICE TAG BEFORE THE NEXT ELECTION.

THE SUPERVISOR GAVE BACK 1.8 MILLION OF HER BUDGET THIS YEAR,

AND HAD $75,000 TO SPEND ON THAT EXTRA POLL WORKER PAY.

22:15:18 is it worth it? Absolutely our poll workers really have a rough time

BUT NOT EVERYONE THINKS THEIR TAXDOLLARS SHOULD GO IN WORKERS POCKETS.

22:09:40 I'd rather it go to voting machines, you know what, sorry that's what your jobs is- you get to sit there that day 46

SELL THE 6PM-2SHOT

AHEAD AT SIX--

THERE'S A DILEMMA WHEN IT COMES TO LEE COUNTY'S EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE ONLY MEDICAL HELICOPTER IS SET TO DISAPPEAR FOR GOOD, NEXT MONTH.

AND THE MOTHER OF A FORT MYERS MURDER VICTIM SPEAKS TO NBC2.