HEADLINES-ANIBOXES

RIGHT NOW ON N-B-C 2 NEWS TODAY, A PLANE CRASH ON FLORIDA'S EAST COAST KILLS ONE, WITNESSES EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED

VETERANS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NOW HAVE ACCESS TO MORE SERVICES, WE'LL SHOW YOU THE NEW FACILITY THAT'S MAKING THAT POSSIBLE

HEADLINE 1 LAKE WORTH PLANE CRASH-VIDBOX

HEADLINE 2 VA HEALTH CENTER-VIDBOX

HEADLINE 3 GIVING TREE-VIDBOX

OPEN-CLIP

HELLO-2 SHOT

GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO NBC-2 NEWS TODAY.

I'M JOE ROETZ.

AND I'M KELLY CRESWELL

TODAY IS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9.

WE'LL HAVE A LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES IN JUST A MINUTE.

WEATHER-WX CENTER

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.

We had quite the showery surprise Saturday afternoon with widespread rain developing across Southwest Florida as the sea breeze became engaged and triggered several downpours.

It looks like our Sunday afternoon will be much quieter as some slightly drier air settles in, which should work to limit shower activity today. Enough moisture will still be in place to support some isolated rain, but this shouldn't even be close to covering as much ground as Saturday's rain event.

The main concern today will be widespread dense fog that will build in through the predawn and early morning hours, leading to visibilities less than a quarter mile. Once the fog lifts away by mid morning, though, sunshine will break through, and we'll enjoy a partly cloudy sky for the remainder of the day.

Our streak of warmer weather will stay alive today as temperatures warm into the low to mid 80s this afternoon; look for lower 80s close to the coast and mid 80s as you go farther inland.

Our weather will get a bit more interesting next week as a front moves in from the north and stalls over Central and South Florida. We'll track a series of disturbances that will ride in along this front, resulting in some good opportunities for rain Tuesday and Wednesday. Prepare for these days to be fairly wet and cloudy with scattered rain and even a couple thunderstorms in the mix.

A few widely scattered showers will even build in Monday as an onshore flow develops off the Gulf, ushering in some tropical moisture. The bulk of this rain will likely get carried inland by a southwesterly wind, but we'll see a few showers around the urban corridor around midday through the mid afternoon.

The newest forecast models are actually wanting to bring this next cool front a little farther south than previously predicted, so there's a chance we'll get a modest cool down once the system exits on Thursday. Until then, temperatures will run well above average with daytime highs in the low to mid 80s and overnight lows in the upper 60s.

LAKE WORTH PLANE CRASH-VO

ONE PERSON IS DEAD THIS MORNING AFTER A SMALL PLANE CRASHED INTO A PARK IN LAKE WORTH.

A CESSNA WENT DOWN INTO JOHN PRINCE PARK SATURDAY AFTERNOON, KILLING THE PILOT.

THE PLANE BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER IT HIT THE GROUND.

OFFICIALS BELIEVE THE PLANE LOST POWER MINUTES BEFORE CRASHING.

NO ONE IN THE PARK WAS INJURED.

VA HEALTH CENTER-VO

LOCAL VETERANS GET A FIRST LOOK INSIDE A BRAND NEW 80-MILLION DOLLAR V-A HEALTHCARE CENTER.

THIS IS ON DIPLOMAT PARKWAY IN CAPE CORAL.

NEARLY TWO-THOUSAND VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES ATTENDED YESTERDAY'S OPEN HOUSE.

VA HEALTH CENTER-SOT (2) VO

This facility was really built to accommodate the growing needs of the veteran population down here. It's four times larger than our Fort Myers facility.

It's been a long time coming for a big facility like this.

VA HEALTH CENTER-CG (3) REVEAL

HERE'S WHO THE NEW CENTER WILL HELP.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN'S AFFAIRS, AS OF LAST YEAR, THERE WERE MORE THAN 67-THOUSAND VETERANS LIVING IN LEE COUNTY.

ALSO, THERE WERE MORE THAN ONE AND A HALF MILLION VETS LIVING IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

GIVING TREE-2SHOT

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO DROP YOUR GIFTS OFF FOR THE N-B-C 2 FORT MYERS KIWANIS GIVING TREE.

JUST HEAD TO ANY PERKINS RESTAURANT IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

TAKE A TAG OFF THE TREE, PURCHASE THE GIFT, WRAP AND RETURN IT WITH THE TAG TO PERKINS BY THE END OF TODAY.

WE'LL DELIVER THE GIFTS TO SENIORS.

RIGHT NOW THE CAMPAIGN IS JUST 400 PRESENTS SHORT OF ITS GOAL.

GIVING TREE-REM LIVE

GIVING TREE-VO

GIVING TREE-SOT

GIVING TREE-REM LIVE

LICENSE PLATES-VO

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES SAYS IT WON'T TRY TO PRIVATIZE ITS LICENSE TAG SERVICES.

TAX COLLECTORS, WHO DISTRIBUTE STATE TAGS, AND TWO MANUFACTURING GROUPS HAD LOBBIED ELECTION OFFICIALS AND FILED LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT TO BLOCK THE CHANGES.

THE DEPARTMENT HAD WANTED TO SAVE MONEY BY PAYING PRIVATE COMPANIES MORE THEN 31 MILLION DOLLARS OVER TWO YEARS TO MAKE TAGS AND DISTRIBUTE MAIL AND ONLINE ORDERS.

THE STATE STILL PLANS TO REDESIGN ITS LICENSE PLATES.

REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TO CRIST-VO

HOT ON THE HEELS OF CHALRIE CRIST'S ANNOUNCMENT THAT HE HAS JOINED THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, STATE G-O-P LEADERS ARE SAYING BRING IT ON.

THE REPUBLICANS WERE HOLDING A MEETING WHEN WORD GOT OUT THAT CRIST HAD BECOME A DEMOCRAT.

THE SWITCH FROM REPUBLICAN TO DEMOCRAT WAS WIDELY EXPECTED AS CRIST HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY FRIENDLY WITH DEMOCRATS, INCLUDING APPEARING WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA DURING HIS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

MOST EXPERTS ANTICIPATE CRIST WILL NOW SEEK THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION TO CHALLENGE GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT IN 2014.

DALLAS PLAYER DEATH-VO

MORE TRAGIC NEWS OUT OF THE N-F-L THIS MORNING.

DALLAS COWBOYS DEFENSIVE LINEMAN JOSH BRENT WAS CHARGED WITH INTOXICATION MANSLAUGHTER AFTER POLICE IN SUBURBAN DALLAS SAY HE FLIPPED HIS CAR IN AN EARLY MORNING ACCIDENT ON SATURDAY, KILLING HIS PASSENGER, TEAMMATE JERRY BROWN.

IRVING, TEXAS POLICE SAY BRENT WAS SPEEDING WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A CURB AND FLIPPED.

BRENT FACES TWO TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON.

BROWN WAS A PRACTICE-SQUAD PLAYER WHO ALSO WAS BRENT'S TEAMMATE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LLINOIS.

THE ACCIDENT HAPPENDED JUST ONE WEEK AFTER THE SUICIDE OF KANSAS CITY CHIEF'S LINEBACKER JOVAN BELCHER.

REDNECK REALITY-2SHOT

AS ONE CONTROVERSIAL REALITY SHOW ON MTV ENDS, ANOTHER ONE BEGINS.

CAMERA CREWS HAVE MOVED FROM THE JERSEY SHORE TO THE HILLS OF WEST VIRGINIA FOR A NEW SHOW THAT IS ALREADY STIRRING UP ANGER.

THE SHOW IS CALLED "BUCKWILD," AND ONE SENATOR IS DEMANDING THE NETWORK PULL THE PLUG.

REDNECK REALITY-PKG

SCRIPT:

NATS:

"ya'll want a swimming pool."

IT'S THE LATEST.

NATS:

"we're young."

MTV SERIES.

NATS:

"free."

CREATING WAVES.

NATS:

"and Buckwild."

THEY CALL IT BUCKWILD.

OTHERS HAVE DUBBED IT.THE RED NECK. OR APPALACHIAN.JERSEY SHORE.

.

NATS:

NOT SURPISING. SINCE THIS NEW SERIES OF WEST VIRGINIA FRIENDS.IS THE

REPLACEMENT FOR SNOOKI.AND THE REST OF THE GANG FROM JERSEY.

NATS:

Jersey shore

THEY GOT MORE THAN THEIR 15 MINUTES OF FAME.

NATS:

gma appearance

BUT THIS TIME. IT'S

NATS:

TRUCKS.

NATS:

TRYSTS.

NATS:

AND TANTRUMS.

GREAT TV?

SOT:

Levine

"This is the white trash redneck Jersey Shore."

NOT ACCORDING TO THE CRITICS.

SOT:

Levine

"What I saw in the promo reel was an orgy of young people / with utter and

complete lack of any concern for their future. / I was astonished

BUT IT'S NOT EVEN THE CRITICS SHOOTING THE STRONGEST CRITICISM.

JOE MANCHIN.THE FORMER GOVERNOR.AND JUST RE-ELECTED SENATOR OF WEST

VIRGINIA.

SOT:

Manchin

I'm understanding they took 4, 5, 6 different takes to get them to act as

outrageously as they wanted to to get it really / sensational

IS STEAMMING.

SOT:

Manchin

What I saw / is not what I see in everyday life in WV.

MANCHIN IS SO ANGRY. HE FIRED OFF A LETTER TO MTV. DEFENDING THE

DIGNITY OF HIS STATE.CALLING FOR CHANGES.

SOMETHING CHRIS CHRISTIE TRIED IN JERSEY.

SOT:

TAPPER: MTV's "Jersey Shore," positive for New Jersey or negative?

09:22:27 CHRISTIE: Negative for New Jersey,

BUT FROM MTV.NO HINT OF BACKING DOWN FROM BUCKWILD.

SOT:

Nash

"These kids have grown up in the hills and hollers of west Virginia and

they have these amazing adventurous carefree attitudes They live life /

loud and proud and we follow that adventure."

SHAME.SAYS THE SENATOR.

SOT:

Manchin

Is this what we're trying to promote? For the sake of an almighty dollar?

For the sake of tv ratings? Is this what you want to say that we should be

TRAVEL CHANNEL-VO

THE TRAVEL CHANNEL HAD A CREW IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA THIS WEEKEND, SHOWCASING THE ANNUAL CAPTIVA GOLF CART PARADE.

IT WILL BE PART OF A SHOW FEATURING UNIQUE CHRISTMAS EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

TRAVEL CHANNEL-SOT VO

RIC BASE/ PRESIDENT SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 03:00: 57

we suffered through the oil spill, and Charlie and all that. And now we seem to come on the other side and things are going very well."

TEASE ONE-2 SHOT

COMING UP ON N-B-C 2 NEWS TODAY,

GETTING THE WORD OUT.

THE LINK BETWEEN H-P-V AND HEAD AND NECK CANCERS.

THAT STORY COMING UP IN HEALTH MATTERS.

AND IN SPORTS, RISHI HAS THE HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME EXCITING GOLF ACTION FROM THE FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SHOOTOUT IN NAPLES.

TZ1 A HEALTH MATTERS-VO WIPE

TZ1 B SPORTS-VO

FORECAST OPEN-CLIP

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.

We had quite the showery surprise Saturday afternoon with widespread rain developing across Southwest Florida as the sea breeze became engaged and triggered several downpours.

It looks like our Sunday afternoon will be much quieter as some slightly drier air settles in, which should work to limit shower activity today. Enough moisture will still be in place to support some isolated rain, but this shouldn't even be close to covering as much ground as Saturday's rain event.

The main concern today will be widespread dense fog that will build in through the predawn and early morning hours, leading to visibilities less than a quarter mile. Once the fog lifts away by mid morning, though, sunshine will break through, and we'll enjoy a partly cloudy sky for the remainder of the day.

Our streak of warmer weather will stay alive today as temperatures warm into the low to mid 80s this afternoon; look for lower 80s close to the coast and mid 80s as you go farther inland.

Our weather will get a bit more interesting next week as a front moves in from the north and stalls over Central and South Florida. We'll track a series of disturbances that will ride in along this front, resulting in some good opportunities for rain Tuesday and Wednesday. Prepare for these days to be fairly wet and cloudy with scattered rain and even a couple thunderstorms in the mix.

A few widely scattered showers will even build in Monday as an onshore flow develops off the Gulf, ushering in some tropical moisture. The bulk of this rain will likely get carried inland by a southwesterly wind, but we'll see a few showers around the urban corridor around midday through the mid afternoon.

The newest forecast models are actually wanting to bring this next cool front a little farther south than previously predicted, so there's a chance we'll get a modest cool down once the system exits on Thursday. Until then, temperatures will run well above average with daytime highs in the low to mid 80s and overnight lows in the upper 60s.

HEALTHBEAT-PLASMA VO

HEALTH EXPERTS ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN HEAD AND NECK CANCERS LINKED TO H-P-V.

FOR YEARS SMOKING WAS THE TOP RISK FACTOR BUT THE VIRUS IS NOW SILENTLY TAKING THE LEAD.

HEALTHBEAT-PKG

PKG:

THERE IS NOT MUCH BEING SAID ABOUT THROAT AND NECK CANCERS.

DR. PHILLIP ANDREWS/OTOLARYNGOLOGIST

RUNS:

:41 It's not talked up very much, I guess we have never had anybody have this kind of cancer who is a real good spokesperson for it.

BUT DOCTORS ARE TRYING TO SERVE AS MOUTHPIECES, BREAKING THE SILENCE ON THE LINK BETWEEN THESE CANCERS AND HPV.

DR. PHILLIP ANDREWS/OTOLARYNGOLOGIST

RUNS:

2:55 Fifteen-eighteen years ago, probably 90-95% of my new cancer patients were smokers and their cancers were most of the time caused by the smoking. But now about 45% are non smokers and the majority of those are caused by HPV.

AMY OSHIER/REPORTING

RUNS:

The number of HPV-related head and neck cancers is on the rise. Today's patient are men and women in their 40s and 50s who've never smoked and rarely drink- but who've been infected with one of two HPV strains.

Breaking it down by the numbers: if you're a drinker AND A SMOKER You're at 53 times the risk of developing oral cancers. But if you have the HPV virus, your risk of developing cancer is 243 times the risk. THE ONLY POSITIVE, IS THAT IN MOST CASESS THE TUMORS ARE CURABLE.

DR. PHILLIP ANDREWS/OTOLARYNGOLOGIST

RUNS:

3:24 These are largely cancers of the tonsils or the base of the tongue, way back in the back of the throat. 3:51 The treatment is primarily radiation and chemotherapy. It depends on what stage we catch it. Some of the smaller cancers in the base of the tongue and tonsils we'll treat with radiation alone particularly if its HPV related.

SPORTS-PKG

TEASE TWO-2 SHOT

STILL AHEAD ON N-B-C 2 NEWS TODAY,

THE DEADLINE TO DONATE TO THE GIVING TREE IS TODAY,

WE'LL CHECK IN WITH LEIGH DANA LIVE IN FORT MYERS FOR MORE ON HOW YOU CAN TAKE PART.

TZ2 A GIVING TREE-VO

CRIME STOPPERS-PLASMA

JUST WEEKS AFTER THE HORRIFIC DISCOVERY OF A TWO-YEAR-OLD DOG HANGING FROM A TREE, INVESTIGATORS ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR THE PERSON OR PERSONS WHO COMMITTED THE FELONY CRIME.

CRIME STOPPERS-PKG

Det. John Desrosiers - "Behavior like this doesn't stop - it escalates. And unfortunately, next time it could be a person."

Nearly three weeks ago, a passer by made the gruesome discovery of a two year old terrier mix hung in the middle of a wooded area in Buckingham. Little is known about the dog, or its killer, and now detectives are reaching out to the community for answers.

Det. Desrosiers - "It sounds cruel, but people brag about this type of thing. They want friends and relatives that they think might find this amusing to know what they did."

According to detectives, the heinous act was definitely pre-planned - and not something done quickly out of anger.

Det. Desrosiers - "The height of the limb suggested that this was a pre-meditated thing. It wasn't anything spur of the moment. They had to stand on a ladder or on top of a truck to get them up to where they hung this dog from."

Trish Routte: Whomever is responsible for this twisted crime is - without a doubt - someone with serious issues. The felony crime took time, effort and a deranged mental state to do something most people would consider incomprehensible.

And as if the hanging wasn't enough, investigators believe the dog suffered greatly in its final minutes of life.

Det. Desrosiers - "The dog's hind legs were just able to touch the ground and it was determined at the scene that the ground had been kicked up and disturbed. So the dog was clearly alive when it was hung and struggling for his life."

The hanging took place in a wooded area of Buckingham - off a dirt road - in an area that most people wouldn't even know about.

Det. Desrosiers - "I would assume that the person knew the area, if not lives in the area."

It's estimated that the dog's lifeless body dangled from the three for less than 12 hours before being discovered by a passer by. There were no tags or microchips to trace the dog back to his owner. So now police are banking on the public's help with anything they may have seen or heard about the incident.

Det. Desrosiers - "Help us put a stop to this before it gets worse."

CRIME STOPPERS-OTS TAG

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THE DOG HANGING IS ASKED TO CALL CRIME STOPPERS AT 1-800-7-8-0-TIPS. ALL CALLERS WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS AND WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CASH REWARD OF UP TO ONE THOUSADN DOLLARS.

TEASE THREE-2 SHOT

COMING UP ON N-B-C 2 NEWS TODAY, ANOTHER LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES,

TZ3 A HANUKKAH-VO-WIPE

TZ3 B GIVING TREE LIVE SHOT-LIVE

HEADLINES-ANIBOXES

RIGHT NOW ON N-B-C 2 NEWS TODAY, A PLANE CRASH ON FLORIDA'S EAST COAST KILLS ONE, WITNESSES EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED

PLUS, A PLAN TO SAVE THE STATE SOME MONEY IS DERAILED, WE'LL TELL YOU WHY

HEADLINE 1 LAKE WORTH PLANE CRASH-VIDBOX

HEADLINE 2 LICENSE PLATES-VIDBOX

HEADLINE 3 GIVING TREE-VIDBOX

SHOW OPEN-CLIP

HELLO AGAIN-2 SHOT

WELCOME BACK TO THE SECOND HALF HOUR OF N-B-C 2 NEWS TODAY.

I'M KELLY CRESWELL.

AND I'M JOE ROETZ.

FORECAST-WX CENTER

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.

We had quite the showery surprise Saturday afternoon with widespread rain developing across Southwest Florida as the sea breeze became engaged and triggered several downpours.

It looks like our Sunday afternoon will be much quieter as some slightly drier air settles in, which should work to limit shower activity today. Enough moisture will still be in place to support some isolated rain, but this shouldn't even be close to covering as much ground as Saturday's rain event.

The main concern today will be widespread dense fog that will build in through the predawn and early morning hours, leading to visibilities less than a quarter mile. Once the fog lifts away by mid morning, though, sunshine will break through, and we'll enjoy a partly cloudy sky for the remainder of the day.

Our streak of warmer weather will stay alive today as temperatures warm into the low to mid 80s this afternoon; look for lower 80s close to the coast and mid 80s as you go farther inland.

Our weather will get a bit more interesting next week as a front moves in from the north and stalls over Central and South Florida. We'll track a series of disturbances that will ride in along this front, resulting in some good opportunities for rain Tuesday and Wednesday. Prepare for these days to be fairly wet and cloudy with scattered rain and even a couple thunderstorms in the mix.

A few widely scattered showers will even build in Monday as an onshore flow develops off the Gulf, ushering in some tropical moisture. The bulk of this rain will likely get carried inland by a southwesterly wind, but we'll see a few showers around the urban corridor around midday through the mid afternoon.

The newest forecast models are actually wanting to bring this next cool front a little farther south than previously predicted, so there's a chance we'll get a modest cool down once the system exits on Thursday. Until then, temperatures will run well above average with daytime highs in the low to mid 80s and overnight lows in the upper 60s.

LAKE WORTH PLANE CRASH-VO

ONE PERSON IS DEAD THIS MORNING AFTER A SMALL PLANE CRASHED INTO A PARK IN LAKE WORTH, WHICH IS SOUTH OF WEST PALM BEACH.

A CESSNA CRASHED INTO JOHN PRINCE PARK SATURDAY AFTERNOON, KILLING THE PILOT.

A WITNESS SAYS SHE SAW THE PLANE WOBBLING AS IT FLEW OVER THE LAKESHORE WHEN IT QUICKLY NOSEDIVED INTO SOME TREES AND BURST INTO FLMAES.

OFFICIALS BELIEVE THE PLANE LOST POWER MINUTES BEFORE CRASHING.

NO ONE IN THE PARK WAS INJURED.

GIVING TREE-2SHOT

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO DROP YOUR GIFTS OFF FOR THE N-B-C 2 FORT MYERS KIWANIS GIVING TREE.

JUST HEAD TO ANY PERKINS RESTAURANT IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

TAKE A TAG OFF THE TREE, PURCHASE THE GIFT, WRAP AND RETURN IT WITH THE TAG TO PERKINS BY THE END OF TODAY.

WE'LL DELIVER THE GIFTS TO SENIORS.

RIGHT NOW THE CAMPAIGN IS JUST 400 PRESENTS SHORT OF ITS GOAL.

GIVING TREE-REM LIVE

IT'S LOOKING PRETTY FULL IN HERE -

BUT FULL IT'S NOT.

WE STILL NEED 400 MORE PRESENTS BY 6:00 TONIGHT FOR A TOTAL OF 52OO TO GIVE TO SENIORS WHO MAY BE FORGOTTEN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

I WANT TO SHOW YOU HOW THEY HAND OUT THE GIFTS-

THEY ARE ALL SORTED BY SENIOR CENTER OR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY.

THERE ARE 50 OF THEM.

EACH HAS A LABEL ON IT WITH WHAT'S INSIDE.

NOW IF YOU STILL HAVE A TAG AT HOME YOU STILL HAVE UNTIL 6 TO BRING IT BACK TO PERKINS OR IF YOU WANT TO BUY SOMETHING GENERIC LIKE SOCKS OR SLIPPERS THAT COULD WORK TOO.

AND AGAIN JUST DROP IT OFF AT PERKINS.

GIVING TREE-VO

GIVING TREE-SOT

GIVING TREE-REM LIVE

VA HEALTH CENTER-VO

A NEW 80-MILLION DOLLAR V-A HEALTHCARE CENTER, WHICH WILL EXPAND SERVICES FOR LOCAL VETERANS, IS SET TO OPEN IN CAPE CORAL

VETS GOT A SNEAK PEEK YESTERDAY OF THE FOUR-STORY, 220-THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT FACILITY ON DIPLOMAT PARKWAY.

VA HEALTH CENTER-SOT (2) VO

This facility was really built to accommodate the growing needs of the veteran population down here. It's four times larger than our Fort Myers facility.

It's been a long time coming for a big facility like this.

VA HEALTH CENTER-CG (3) REVEAL

LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT WHO THIS CENTER HELPS --

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN'S AFFAIRS, AS OF LAST YEAR, THERE WERE MORE THAN 67-THOUSAND VETERANS LIVING IN LEE COUNTY.

ALSO, THERE WERE MORE THAN ONE AND A HALF MILLION VETS LIVING IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

EGYPT LATEST-VO

EGYPT'S OPPOSITION LEADERS ARE CLAIMING VICTORY THIS MORNING.

THIS AFTER PRESIDENT MOHAMMED MORSI CANCELED A CONTROVERSIAL DECREE THAT GAVE HIM SWEEPING POWERS.

THAT DECREE CAUSED SEVERAL PROTESTS OVER THE LAST WEEK.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AFTER MORSI MET WITH SOME OPPOSITION LEADERS

REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TO CRIST-VO

HOT ON THE HEELS OF CHALRIE CRIST'S ANNOUNCMENT THAT HE HAS JOINED THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, STATE G-O-P LEADERS ARE SAYING BRING IT ON.

THE REPUBLICANS WERE HOLDING A MEETING WHEN WORD GOT OUT THAT CRIST HAD BECOMNE A DEMOCRAT.

THE SWITCH FROM REPUBLICAN TO DEMOCRAT WAS WIDELY EXPECTED AS CRIST HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY FRIENDLY WITH DEMOCRATS, INCLUDING APPEARING WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA DURING HIS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

MOST EXPERTS ANTICIPATE CRIST WILL NOW SEEK THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION TO CHALLENGE GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT IN 2014.

LICENSE PLATES-VO

WHEN IT COMES TO PRIVATIZING LICENSE PLATE SERVICES IN FLORIDA --

STATE LEADERS SAY THEY'RE GIVING UP.

HIGHWAY SAFETY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JULIE JONES SAYS THE DEPARTMENT HAD WANTED TO SAVE MONEY.

THE PLAN WAS TO PAY COMPANIES MORE THAN 31-MILLION DOLARS OVER TWO YEARS TO MAKE TAGS AND DISTRIBUTE MAIL AND ONLINE ORDERS.

A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES BLOCKED THE CHANGES.

SICK KID-VO

A FAMILY IN LEHIGH ACRES IS RUNNING OUT OF TIME TO FIND HELP FOR THEIR 3-YEAR-OLD SON.

HE SUFFERS FROM A MEDICAL CONDITION THAT ALLOWS HIM ONLY TO EAT *ONE FOOD* AND NOW IT'S IN SHORT SUPPLY.

MICHAEL GONZALEZ SUFFERS FROM "FOOD PROTEIN INDUCED ENTEROCOLITIS SYNDROME" ALSO KNOWN AS F-PIES.

IT'S A CONDITION THAT LIMITS THE TYPES OF FOOD HE CAN EAT.

THE FAMILY FOUND A SOLUTION THAT WORKED CALLED "NEOCATE JUNIOR UNFLAVORED WITHOUT PREBIOTICS."

THEN THREE WEEKS AGO THE COMPANY THAT MAKES THE FOOD CHANGED SOMETHING.

SICK KID-SOTVO

53:57 "These old label cans he can have they expire October 28, 2013, when they expire so will he." Jennifer Gonzalez, Mother

SUPERSTORM WARNINGS-VO

SEVERAL PREVIOUS WARNINGS IN NEW YORK STATE MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP LESSEN THE PROBLEMS BEING SEEN IN THE AFTERMATH OF SUPERSTORM SANDY, IF THEY HAD BEEN FOLLOWED.

THREE STATE REPORTS SINCE 2005 AND A 1978 LAW REQUIRING THE CREATION OF A DISASTER PLAN HAVE SURFACED.

THEY LAYOUT A WAY TO MAINTAIN THE GASOLINE SUPPLY, PROVIDE TEMPORARY HOUSING, AND RESTORE POWER QUICKLY.

AURORA THEATER VICTIM HEALS-2SHOT

IT'S BEEN FIVE MONTHS SINCE THE AURORA, COLORADO MOVIE THEATRE SHOOTINGS, AND MANY VICTIMS ARE STILL RECOVERING FROM THAT HORRIFIC NIGHT.

ONE MAN WHO WAS WOUNDED FOUND OUT HIS WAY OF HEALING, IS HELPING OTHERS.

AURORA THEATER VICTIM HEALS-PKG

-REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS --

ON THE COURT--ON ANY GIVEN DAY.

THERE ARE CHALLENGES.

This spot this spot watch out watch out.

AND THINGS YOU JUST HAVE TO WORK THROUGH TO GET BETTER.

Go up with your left Elijah.there ya go

JUST LIKE LIFE.

If you know you can't do hoops just pass it.

BUT THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF HAVING A COACH.LIKE JARELL BROOKS.WHO HELPS YOU THROUGH IT.

Helping out these kids that want to be apart of this program but people think they can't

THESE GUYS ARE PART OF THE OVERLAND UNIFIED SPORTS BASKETBALL TEAM--IT'S A PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED.

Everybody has challenges-it's just a limitation that they have to deal with every day--

BUT COACHING--FOR COACH BROOKS--IS MORE THEN JUST HELPING THESE PLAYERS SUCCEED AT THE GAME.

COACHING IS HIS THERAPY

It's just something I try not to think about too much--hey good stuff baby good stuff

IT'S HIS ESCAPE

It gets my mind off of me trying to cope with everything that's happened.

AN ESCAPE FROM THINKING ABOUT THE AURORA THEATER SHOOTINGS.

I was shot in theater 9 and it was hard to get back.

HIS BROTHER D'YONN--

come on up there ya go

-WAS BY HIS SIDE THE ENTIRE TIME

He'd be sleep when he still had the opening in his leg and I'd be laying at the front of his bed and i wouldn't be able to sleep because I was making sure he was ok.

I couldn't even get up there were times when I fell.

BUT COACH BROOKS GOT BACK UP.

WITH THE HELP OF FAMILY

HE GOT BACK TO THE GYM--

SURE--HE STILL HAS HIS CHALLENGES--Z

BUT BECAUSE OF THESE ATHLETES-- THOSE CHALLENGES ARE LESS AND LESS--BECAUSE WHILE BROOKS IS HELPING THEM.

THEY ARE HELPING HIM.

This is kind of the emotional effect that brings out the change in me.

It inspires me to move on more and more for sure.

SARASOTA CRASH CITATIONS-VO

THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL HAS GIVEN OUT MORE THAN A DOZEN TRAFFIC CITATIONS TO DRIVERS INVOLVED IN AN OCTOBER PILE-UP ON I-75.

MORE THAT 50 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE SARASOTA CRASH.

SCHOOL LUNCHES-VO

SOME KIDS SAY THEY'RE NOT GETTING ENOUGH TO EAT AT SCHOOL.

NOW, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRUCULTURE WILL ALLOW MORE GRAINS AND MEAT IN SCHOOL LUNCHES.

THIS COMES AFTER WIDESPREAD COMPLAINTS.

PARENTS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS REJECTED FEDERAL PORTION RULES SAYING KIDS WERE STILL HUNGRY.

RED SOX TIX-VO

RED SOX SPRING TRAINING TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE.

AFTER SOME PEOPLE WAITED IN LINE FOR A WEEK THE BOX OFFICE AT JETBLUE PARK OPENED YESTERDAY AT 10:00.

BOSTON RED SOX HALL OF FAMER DWIGHT EVANS MADE A SURPRISE APPEARANCE TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS.

SINGLE GAME TICKETS FOR THE MINNESOTA TWINS GO ON SALE JANUARY 12TH.

THINGS 2 DO TODAY-2 SH CGS

IF YOUR LOOKING FOR THINGS TO DO THIS SUNDAY,

WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.

TO KICKOFF HANAUKKAH -- THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF COLLIER COUNTY IS HOLDING

THE FOURTH ANNUAL MARCO ISLAND COMMUNITY CELEBRATION.

THAT'S TODAY AT 5:45 AT THE JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND.

THE EVENT USUALLY DRAWS A CROWD OF MORE THAN 200.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE EVENT IS A CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY.

ALSO TONIGHT, YOU CAN HEAD TO HOLIDAY ON THE HARBOR.

THAT'S IN BAYSHORE LIVE OAK PARK AMPITHEATRE IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY.

THE EVENT BEGINS AT DUSK - AND WILL FEATURE A HOLIDAY FILM.

SANTA WILL BE ARRIVING ON A BIG RIG-

AND HE'LL BE THERE TO TAKE PHOTOS AND GIVE OUT CANDY.

THE EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

SO BRING A PICNIC AND A BLANKET AND CELEBRATE THE SEASON IN ONE OF CHARLOTTE COUNTY'S MOST BEAUTIFUL SETTINGS.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF THINGS TO DO GO TO OUR WEBSITE, NBC-2.COM AND CLICK ON "THINGS TO DO" ON THE SIDE MENU.

TEASE FOUR-2 SHOT

COMING UP ON N-B-C 2 NEWS TODAY,

THIS IS NOT JUST YOUR LEISURELY BIKE RIDE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WE'LL EXPLAIN WHAT THESE GUYS ARE UP TO AND WHY,

BUT FIRST. HERE ARE TODAY'S LOTTERY NUMBERS FOR CASH THREE, PLAY FOUR, FANTASY FIVE, LOTTO, AND POWERBALL.

TZ4 A FL KEYS UNICYCLES-VO WIPE

LOTTO-CG

FORECAST OPEN-CLIP

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.

We had quite the showery surprise Saturday afternoon with widespread rain developing across Southwest Florida as the sea breeze became engaged and triggered several downpours.

It looks like our Sunday afternoon will be much quieter as some slightly drier air settles in, which should work to limit shower activity today. Enough moisture will still be in place to support some isolated rain, but this shouldn't even be close to covering as much ground as Saturday's rain event.

The main concern today will be widespread dense fog that will build in through the predawn and early morning hours, leading to visibilities less than a quarter mile. Once the fog lifts away by mid morning, though, sunshine will break through, and we'll enjoy a partly cloudy sky for the remainder of the day.

Our streak of warmer weather will stay alive today as temperatures warm into the low to mid 80s this afternoon; look for lower 80s close to the coast and mid 80s as you go farther inland.

Our weather will get a bit more interesting next week as a front moves in from the north and stalls over Central and South Florida. We'll track a series of disturbances that will ride in along this front, resulting in some good opportunities for rain Tuesday and Wednesday. Prepare for these days to be fairly wet and cloudy with scattered rain and even a couple thunderstorms in the mix.

A few widely scattered showers will even build in Monday as an onshore flow develops off the Gulf, ushering in some tropical moisture. The bulk of this rain will likely get carried inland by a southwesterly wind, but we'll see a few showers around the urban corridor around midday through the mid afternoon.

The newest forecast models are actually wanting to bring this next cool front a little farther south than previously predicted, so there's a chance we'll get a modest cool down once the system exits on Thursday. Until then, temperatures will run well above average with daytime highs in the low to mid 80s and overnight lows in the upper 60s.

SUBWAY DEATH FOLO-VO-WIPE

THE MAN ACCUSED OF PUSHING ANOTHER MAN TO HIS DEATH IN FRONT OF A NEW YORK SUBWAY TRAIN SAYS HE WAS HEARING VOICES IN HIS HEAD.

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED LAST MONDAY.

POLICE ARRESTED 30-YEAR-OLD NAEEM DAVIS ON WEDNESDAY, AND HE WAS CHARGED WITH SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.

DAVIS AND THE VICTIM HAD AN ARGUMENT ON THE PLATFORM,

DAVIS SAID HE WAS HIGH ON DRUGS, AND A VOICE IN HIS HEAD TOLD HIM TO SHOVE THE VICTIM ONTO THE TRACKS.

PENN STATE PAYMENT-VO

LATER THIS MONTH, PENN STATE UNIVERSITY WILL MAKE THE FIRST OF FIVE PAYMENTS ON A 60 MILLION DOLLAR FINE RELATED TO THE SCHOOL'S CHILD SEX ABUSE SCANDAL.

LOCAL MEDIA REPORTS THE FIRST 12-MILLION DOLLAR PAYMENT IS DUE ON THE 20TH OF THIS MONTH.

THE N-C-DOUBLE-A IMPOSED THE FINE OVER PENN STATE'S HANDLING OF ALLEGATIONS AGAINST FORMER ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH JERRY SANDUSKY.

CHAVEZ CANCER-VO

VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ SAYS HIS CANCER HAS RETURNED.

HE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT MALIGNANT CELLS WERE FOUND DURING RECENT MEDICAL EXAMS.

THE TESTS WERE CONDUCTED IN CUBA WHERE HE'S GONE FOR SEVERAL ROUNDS OF TREATMENTS.

CHAVEZ SAID HE WOULD RETURN TO HAVANA TO UNDERGO ANOTHER OPERATION.

ROYAL HOAX-2SHOT

THIS MORNING THE TWO AUSTRALIAN D-J'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PRANK ON BRITAIN'S ROYAL FAMILY ARE IN HIDING, BUT THE ANGER OVER WHAT THEY DID CONTINUES TO GROW.

AND NOW, THERE ARE NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THEY MAY HAVE BROKEN THE LAW.

ROYAL HOAX-PKG

SCRIPT:

IT'S NOT JUST THE MOUNTING HEADLINES.

nats

THE TWO AUSTRALIAN DJS WHOSE RADIO PRANK TOOK A TRAGIC TURN MAY SOON HAVE

TO FACE AUSTRALIAN POLICE.

THIS MORNING, THERE ARE NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THE DJS ILLEGALLY BROKE

RECORDED A PRIVATE CONVERSATION WHEN THEY PRETENDED TO BE THE QUEEN AND GOT

THROUGH TO THE LONDON HOSPITAL ROOM WHERE KATE MIDDLETON WAS BEING TREATED

FOR SEVERE MORNING SICKNESS.

THEIR STATION BOSS SAYS NO LAWS WERE BROKEN.

SOT RYHS HOLLERAN We're very confident that we haven't done anything illegal

."

DJS MEL GREIG AND MICHAEL CHRISTIAN ARE IN A FRAGILE EMOTIONAL STATE SINCE

THE NURSE WHO ANSWERED THEIR PHONY CALL WAS FOUND DEAD

STATION EXECUTIVES SAY THE PAIR IS NOW SEEKING THE HELP OF COUNSELORS.

"These people aren't machines, they're human beings.

THE DJS ARE NOW IN HIDING. THEIR FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ACCOUNTS NOW DARK.

NATS

ONLINE THE CRITICISM GOES ON. EVEN FROM THE LIKES OF KELLY OSBOURNE

WHO TWEETED THEY "SHOULD BE PUT IN PRISON"

BUT ON THE STREETS OF SYDNEY, AUSTRALIANS WE MET SEEMED MORE FORGIVING.

MOS: some people are saying they should be held criminally

responsible fired. Guy: no/ girl: australians have a very dry sense of

humor. it was only meant as just a joke and they've just taken it to far.

MOS: "I KIND OF FEEL BAD FOR THEM THEY WERE DOING IT FOR THE

FL KEYS UNICYCLES-VO

TWO MEN ARE PEDALING UNICYCLES 106 MILES ALONG THE FLORIDA KEYS OVERSEAS HIGHWAY AS A SIX-DAY PERFORMANCE ART PROJECT.

THE UNICYCLISTS ARE FOLLOWING THE PATH OF THE OVERSEAS RAILROAD BUILT A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

THEY STARTED THE RIDE EARLIER THIS WEEK IN KEY LARGO AND ARE SCHEDULED TO FINISH THIS AFTERNOON IN KEY WEST.

THE RIDE IS PART OF "SCULPTURE KEY WEST", AN EXHIBITION OF LARGE SCALE ART.

FL KEYS UNICYCLES-SOTVO

:15 "There's no coasting. You know, we're pedaling all 106 miles, uphill, downhill. There's no moment when we're on this when we can say, I'm just gonna relax and let it take me. Where a bicycle, you can kick back a little bit more than you can on a unicycle."

THE RIDERS ARE A SCULPTOR AND CIRCUS PERFORMER FROM NEW YORK.

HANUKKAH-xvbdfg

THE FIRST NIGHT OF HANUKKAH SAW MENORAHS BEING LIT ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

HANUKKAH-SOT VO

SOT: Rabbi Jeremy Barras, 43:29 "For us it's a very happy time because it reminds us of the fight against assimilation, a reminder to stay true our commandments and our Torah and really rededicate ourselves to our connection and relationship with God."

CAPE FILL THE BOAT-VO

CAPE CORAL POLICE AND THE U-S COAST GUARD TEAM UP TO MAKE CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS' A LITTLE BRIGHTER.

THE AGENCIES ARE HOLDING THEIR ANNUAL "FILL THE BOAT" TOY DRIVE.

YOU CAN PURCHASE A NEW, UNWRAPPED TOY AND SIMPLY PUT IT IN THE BOAT.

IT'S LOCATED AT THE CAPE CORAL WALMART ON DEL PRADO BOULEVARD.

IT WAS STARTED BY A CAPE OFFICER 6 YEARS AGO.

THE TOYS ARE DONATED TO NEEDY FAMILIES IN THE CAPE.

LAST YEAR, THEY COLLECTED MORE THAN TWO-THOUSAND TOYS.

CAPE FILL THE BOAT-SOTVO

This is a great program. We've donated a lot if toys over the last 6 years. The kids seem to get the toys they want for Christmas and we're able to distribute them.

LEHIGH WINTERFEST-VO

SNOW FINALLY CAME TO LEHIGH ACRES THIS WEEKEND.

IT WAS ALL PART OF YESTERDAY'S FIRST ANNUAL "WINTERFEST" CELEBRATION AT VETERANS PARK.

LEHIGH WINTERFEST-SOT VO

SOT: Chris Mojica, Winterfest

01:32 "We wanted to give a Christmas celebration so they can come out here and kids can have a lot of fun and enjoy a Christmas celebration."

ORGANIZERS SAY THE EVENT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS.

ABOUT 2-THOUSAND PEOPLE ATTENDED.

TEASE FIVE-2 SHOT

COMING UP NEXT ON NBC-2 NEWS TODAY.

WE'LL HAVE A LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

BUT FIRST HERE'S A PREVIEW OF WHAT'S UP NEXT ON TODAY'S MEET THE PRESS.

TZ5 MEET THE PRESS-SOT

TOP STORIES 1 LAKE WORTH PLANE CRASH-TRX-VOTOPS

NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

ONE PERSON IS DEAD THIS MORNING AFTER A SMALL PLANE CRASHED IN LAKE WORTH, NEAR WEST PALM BEACH.

A WITNESS SAYS THE PLANE WAS WOBBLING BEFORE IT NOSEDIVED INTO SOME TREES AND BURST INTO FLAMES.

TOP STORIES 2 LICENSE PLATES-VOTOP-WIPE

THE PRIVATIZATION OF FLORIDA LICENSE PLATE SERVICES IS A NO GO.

THE STATE'S HIGHWAY SAFETY DIRECTOR SAID THE STATE WAS TRYING TO SAVE MONEY BY OUTSOURCING SERVICES TO A PRIVATE COMPANY.

A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES HAS CHANGED THOSE PLANS.

TOP STORIES 3 VA HEALTH CENTER-VOTOP-WIPE

CLOSE TO 2-THOUSAND PEOPLE SHOWED UP IN CAPE CORAL YESTERDAY FOR A SEBAK PEEK AT THE NEW V-A CENTER.

THE 220 THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT, 80 MILLION DOLLAR FACILITY WAS SHOWN TO AREA VETERANS AND IS SET TO OPEN ON DECEMBER 17TH.

TOP STORIES 4 REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TO CRIST-VOTOPS

REPUBLICANS ARE REACTING TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY CHARLIE CRIST THAT HE IS NOW A MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

STATE G-O-P LEADERS WERE MEETING WHEN NEWS GOT OUT THAT CRIST IS NOW A DEMOCRAT.

TOP STORIES 5 GIVING TREE-VOTOPS

AND TODAY IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO GET THOSE GIFTS FOR THE GIVING TREE.

JUST HEAD TO ANY PERKINS RESTAURANT IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

TODAY'S FORECAST-3-SHOT GRAPHIC

CLOSE-3-SHOT