DIRECTOR'S PAGE

HEADLINES

"The fire dept woman was out there she said get out and get out now."

AN EARLY MORNING FIRE, LEAVES AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE HOMELESS ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

NBC-2 IS LIVE AS INVESTIGATORS SEARCH FOR A CAUSE.

PLUS - BRAND NEW DETAILS ABOUT AN AMBUSH THAT KILLED TWO NEW YORK FIREFIGHTERS AND INJURED TWO MORE.

WE'RE LEARNING NEW INFORMATION ABOUT THE GUNMAN'S VIOLENT PAST.

AND - CHILLY WEATHER MOVES OUT AND SUNSHINE IS ON THE WAY.

1 fmb condo fire-trxSOTVO

2 ny firefighters shot-trxVO

3 wx look ahead-trxomni

SHOW OPEN-CLIP

FIRST WEATHER-WXCNTR

GORGEOUS WEATHER FOR CHRISTMAS

Clouds covered our sky on Christmas Eve, but thankfully we have no rain to show for it. I expect that to spill over into Christmas Day, too.

Temperatures will hold in the 50s as Santa arrives. He'll pass through a few clouds, but he won't encounter any rain. So all systems go for Santa's flight across Southwest Florida!

As the kids wake up and open their presents - the weather looks good. That will last through the entire day which is great news since they'll want to get out and play with their new toys! Not only that, but if you have a Christmas breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner planned. Looks awesome for that, too.

We expect the clouds to erode away slightly during the afternoon on Christmas. Thus we'll see a little more sun than Christmas Eve, and it will continue to stay dry. It won't feel like Christmas though because daytime highs will be around 80 degrees!

Heading toward midnight temperatures will be slow to cool again due to clouds advancing into the area. This is streaming off a robust system forecasted to impact the Deep South. If you have family living in the Lower Mississippi River Valley or the Tennessee Valley - call them and give them a heads up. A significant severe weather event is setting up for them. Behind the same system wintry weather is expecting from Arkansas and areas north.

That system will send a cold front in our direction which will spark a few showers late Wednesday.

After Wednesday the sunshine is back for a few days along with the cooler weather.

TOSS TO LAUREN-trx, 2 shot, SOTANIMAP, OBX

IN LEE COUNTY, AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE ARE HOMELESS ON THIS CHRISTMAS EVE AFTER A FIRE DAMAGED THEIR CONDOS.

01:10 they told me to get out, there's a fire next door 01:15

IT HAPPENED AROUND 7-30 THIS MORNING AT SPORTSMAN'S COVE YACHT AND RAQUET CLUB ON SAN CARLOS ISLAND.

FMB CONDO FIRE-REM-LIVE

just got new info-- accidental fire that started in the second floor bathroom exhaust fan - electrical fire--

FMB CONDO FIRE-VO

THE FIRE STARTED AROUND 730 THIS MORNING.

AT THE SPORTSMAN COVE YACHT AND RAQUET CLUB- ITS A CONDO COMMUNITY JUST BEFORE YOU GET TO FORT MYERS BEACH.

FIRE DAMAGED THE ROOF OF THIS BUILDING AND 5 UNITS -- ALL BUT ONE ARE UNSAFE, CAN'T RETURN TONIGHT-- AND MAYBE FOR THE NEXT 6 WEEKS.

FMB CONDO FIRE-SOT

take sot

cindy apple, neighbor

FMB CONDO FIRE-REM-LIVE

new info - damage to just2 of these units estimated to run 220,000 dollars.

TOSS TO CHAD-OC, SS, DBX

BRAND NEW - FIRST AT FOUR.

A LEE COUNTY FAMILY WAS REUNITED THIS EVENING AFTER GETTING STRANDED AT SEA.

WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A QUICK FISHING TRIP TURNED INTO A CHRISTMAS EVE RESCUE TWO MEN WILL NEVER FORGET.

NBC-2'S CHAD OLIVER JOINS US LIVE FROM PINE ISLAND WHERE THE THEIR BOAT JUST MADE IT BACK TO SHORE.

PINE ISLAND OVERDUE BOATER-REM-LIVE

THESE GUYS WERE 45-MILES OFF-SHORE WHEN THEIR BATTERY DIED.

THEY PUT IN FROM THIS BOAT RAMP YESTERDAY AROUND NOON.

PINE ISLAND OVERDUE BOATER-VO

AROUND THREE O'CLOCK THIS AFTERNOON ELIO LORENZO AND HIS COUNSIN MADE IT BACK TO THE PINELAND MARINA.

THE SEARCH INVOLVED TEAMS FROM THE COAST GUARD. LEE AND COLLIER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AND THE FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION.

BUT IT WAS A COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN WHO SPOTTED THEIR BOAT AND SEA-TOW CAME OUT AND RESTORED THEIR POWER.

PINE ISLAND OVERDUE BOATER-SOTVO

:10:36:24

I thought it was the end of the life. you know, whew. That was really tough. That was tough." 32

THIS WAS THE FISHING TRIP FOR LORENZO'S COUSIN.

HE'S ABLE TO LAUGH NOW - BUT THE GUYS SAY IT WAS SO COLD LAST NIGHT.

PINE ISLAND OVERDUE BOATER-REM-LIVE

* ADLIB

NY FIREFIGHTER AMBUSH-TRX, OC, VO

BRAND NEW DETAILS THIS AFTERNOON, ABOUT AN AMBUSH THAT KILLED TWO NEW YORK FIREFIGHTERS.

POLICE SAY THE GUNMAN IS 62 YEAR OLD WILLIAM SPENGLER.

OFFICERS SAY HE SET A CAR ON FIRE LURE FIRE CREWS TO HIS HOUSE -THEN HE SHOT THEM.

TWO FIREFIGHTERS DIED AND TWO OTHER WERE INJURED.

POLICE ALSO SAY HE SERVED 17 YEARS FOR MANSLAUGHTER FOR HIS GRANDMOTHERS DEATH.

SPENGLER WAS FOUND DEAD INSIDE HIS HOME.

OFFICER TELL US HE SHOT HIMSELF.

FISCAL CLIFF 8 DAYS-OC

THE PEOPLE WE'RE COUNTING ON TO MAKE SURE AMERICA AVOIDS THE FISCAL CLIFF ARE OUT OF WASHINGTON.

PRESIDENT OBAMA IS IN HAWAII AND LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO ON HOLIDAY VACATION.

FISCAL CLIFF 8 DAYS-PKG

A PEACEFUL CAPITOL HILL.FOR ANOTHER FEW DAYS ANYWAY.

CONGRESS IS EXPECTED TO COME BACK LATER THIS WEEK AS AMERICA GETS CLOSER TO THE FISCAL CLIFF.

SOME LAWMAKERS ARE NOW CALLING FOR A SMALL-SCALE DEAL AS A TEMPORARY FIX.

SOT: :17-:27

su/rep.john yarmuth, d-ky

"i think it's impossible right now to get any kind of grand bargain.a comprehensive package.what we're dealing with right now is whether we can put off the increase in tax rates.that's all we can deal with right now."

CONGRESS RECESSED AFTER REPUBLICANS REJECTED HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER'S COMPROMISE. HE PROPOSED LETTING TAX CUTS EXPIRE FOR THOSE MAKING OVER A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. OTHER REPUBLICANS SAY IT'S TIME FOR A DEAL.

SOT: :45-:53

su/sen. kay bailey hutchison, r-texas

"i agree with them.i don't think we should increase taxes on anyone.but we're now at a point where we we're not going to get what we think is right for our country."

WITH CONGRESS COMING BACK.THE PRESIDENT WILL ALSO REPORTEDLY CUT SHORT HIS HOLIDAY VACATION IN HAWAII. DEMOCRATS HOPE MR. OBAMA WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR A COMPLETE AGREEMENT, NOT JUST A TEMPORARY PATCH.

SOT: 1:08-1:15

su/Rep. Karen Bass, D-California

"i definitely hope that he can and will push for as big as deal as possible.but we're just a few days away."

IF NO DEAL IS REACHED. OVER 2-MILLION AMERICANS WILL LOSE THEIR JOBLESS BENEFITS. AND WORKERS WILL SEE A 2-PERCENT CUT IN THEIR TAKE-HOME PAY AS SOCIAL SECURITY PAYROLL TAXES GO UP JANUARY 1ST.

BUT WITH CONGRESS COMING BACK.AND THE CHANCE OF A COMPROMISE.THE IRS HAS DELAYED RELEASING INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING TABLES FOR 2013.

BIG BOARD-SAT-LIVE-TOPS

stabbing in alva

BREAKING NEWS FIRST AT FOUR.

LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES ARE RESPONDING TO A STABBING IN CHARLESTON PARK WHICH IS ALVA.

DEPUTIES ARE SEARCHING FOR A SUSPECT RIGHT NOW.

A WOMAN WAS STABBED AND TAKEN TO LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

WE HAVE A CREW HEADED TO THE SCENE.

TOSS TO LEIGH-OC, VIDBOX, DBX

THE CLOCK IS TICKING TO GET THOSE GIFTS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE.

ABOUT 17 MILLION SHOPPERS ARE EXPECTED TO PICK UP PRESENTS FOR LOVED ONES - *TODAY.

AND SOME STORES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ARE STAYING OPEN LATE TONIGHT FOR THOSE LAST MINUTE SHOPPERS.

NBC-2'S LEIGH DANA IS LIVE OUTSIDE TOYS R US ON US 41 IN FORT MYERS

LAST MINUTE SHOPPING-CELL REM

SOME PEOPLE ARE TELLING ME THEY FOUND SOME GOOD DEALS-

BUT THEY WERE HARD TO COME BY.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO SEARCH.

LAST MINUTE SHOPPING-PKG

HERE AT PAGE FIELD COMMONS ON U.S. 41 IN FORT MYERS

SHOPPERS SAY THEY WERE SURPRISED IT WASN'T TOO BUSY TODAY.

AN ESTIMATED 17 MILLION PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO HIT THE STORES ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

ACCORDING TO CONSUMER REPORTS.

WHILE SOME FOLKS TELL US THEY HAD NO CHOICE TO WAIT UNTIL TONIGHT TO GET GIFTS

OTHERS SAY IT WAS A MISTAKE.

ed giordiano

13:58 there's still plenty of inventory in there. It wasn't too bad. It wasn't bad at all in there

gary cullip/ cape coral

25:24 is it worth it to shop today? No. It's like 6 months before is way better

LAST MINUTE SHOPPERS IN NO POSITION TO BE PICKY

ARE MOST LIKELY TO GRAB GIFT CARDS, FOLLOWED BY CASH AND WINE/LIQUOR BOTTLES

LAST MINUTE SHOPPING-SSTOPS, CELL-REM

IF YOU STILL NEED TO HEAD OUT --

HERE'S A LIST OF STORES ARE STAYING OPEN LATE TONIGHT JUST FOR YOU.

WE'LL ASLO HAVE THEM LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE. NBC-2 DOTCOM.

TEASE ONE-2SHOT

WHEEL OF FORTUNE FANS ARE OUTRAGED AFTER A PLAYER LOST FOR THE WAY SHE PRONOUNCED A WORD.

"i'd like to solve. 'seven swans a-swim-in'"

A) wheel of misfortune-sotvo

HOLIDAY TRAVEL INCREASE EXPECTED-VIDBOX RVL

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HOTELS ARE BURSTING WITH TOURISTS.

IT LOOKS LIKE THIS SEASON WILL BE BETTER THAN LAST YEAR ACROSS THE STATE.

ACCORDING TO OUR NEWS PARTNERS AT NAPLES DAILY NEWS. IN FLORIDA, 4 POINT 8 MILLION PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO TRAVEL DURING THE FINAL WEEKS OF THE YEAR.

4 POINT 3 OF THEM WILL DRIVE.

FIRST ALERT FORECAST-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.

GORGEOUS WEATHER FOR CHRISTMAS

Clouds covered our sky on Christmas Eve, but thankfully we have no rain to show for it. I expect that to spill over into Christmas Day, too.

Temperatures will hold in the 50s as Santa arrives. He'll pass through a few clouds, but he won't encounter any rain. So all systems go for Santa's flight across Southwest Florida!

As the kids wake up and open their presents - the weather looks good. That will last through the entire day which is great news since they'll want to get out and play with their new toys! Not only that, but if you have a Christmas breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner planned. Looks awesome for that, too.

We expect the clouds to erode away slightly during the afternoon on Christmas. Thus we'll see a little more sun than Christmas Eve, and it will continue to stay dry. It won't feel like Christmas though because daytime highs will be around 80 degrees!

Heading toward midnight temperatures will be slow to cool again due to clouds advancing into the area. This is streaming off a robust system forecasted to impact the Deep South. If you have family living in the Lower Mississippi River Valley or the Tennessee Valley - call them and give them a heads up. A significant severe weather event is setting up for them. Behind the same system wintry weather is expecting from Arkansas and areas north.

That system will send a cold front in our direction which will spark a few showers late Wednesday.

After Wednesday the sunshine is back for a few days along with the cooler weather.

TRAFFIC-trxTFC FDOT

TRAFFIC BILLBOARD-CLIP

TEASE TWO-ONCAM

AN N-F-L PLAYER MADE A YOUNG FAN'S DAY DURING WARM-UPS YESTERDAY.

WE'LL SHOW YOU WHAT HAD THIS KID RUSHING UP THE BLEACHERS TO SHOW HIS MOM.

A) sam acho xmas-vo

SAM ACHO XMAS GIFT-VO

OK, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING RIGHT NOW AT HOME.

BUT IF YOU WANT TO SMILE, YOU NEED TO STOP AND WATCH THIS STORY.

CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY FOR AN ARIZONA CARDINALS FAN YESTERDAY.

CHECK IT OUT.

DURING WARM UPS, LINEBACKER SAM ACHO SURPRISED THIS YOUNG BOY WITH ONE OF HIS GLOVES.

THE BOY IS OBVIOUSLY THRILLED.

THE LOOK ON HIS FACE SAYS IT ALL AND YOU CAN'T HELP BUT SMILE.

THE BEARS BEAT THE CARDINALS 28 TO 13.

WHEEL OF MISFORTUNE-OC

THE HIT GAME SHOW "WHEEL OF FORTUNE" FACES CRITICSM TODAY.

VIEWERS ARE UPSET AFTER A CONTESTANT LOST FOR THE WAY SHE PRONOUNCED A WORD.

WHEEL OF MISFORTUNE-PKG

NAT "S"

Sajak "yes 4 of them" clapping

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT ON YOU TUBE OR READ THE UP ROAR ON LINE. HERE IT IS

ONE MORE TIME

NAT "N" --- THERE ARE THREE OF THEM

RENEE IS ON A ROLL. UP BY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND READY

TO NAIL THIS PUZZLE'S CHRISTMAS THEME "SEVEN SWANS A SWIMMING".

LISTEN CAREFULLY TO HER ANSWER.

RENEE "i'd like to solve. 'seven swans a-swim-in'

SAJAKyea that's ah I can't accept that.

LET'S GO TO THE INSTANT REPLAY ONE MORE TIME

Nat rewind noise

RENEE 'seven swans a-swim-in'

SAJAKyea that's ah I can't accept that.

THE JUDGES SAID NO BECAUSE SHE DROPPED HER "G" PRONOUNCING

SWIMMING AS SWIM-IN.

Renee sot 18:52:30

" I think regionally everyone has a little bit of their own, you know

someone from

New England is definitely going to have a different type of speech than I do

being in the south."

RENEE'S BEEN CLASSY TO THE END BUT VIEWERS WENT BALLISTIC ON TWITTER.

James Mowdy @JamesJetsOften

.@WheelofFortune broke #brand promise by destroying a contestant's

sense of trust. This 1 has legs

Michael G. Ellis @mikeycpa

Shame on you #wheeloffortune to rob that lovely military woman on that technicality.

Bob Young @therealbobyoung

Sorry, America. 'Friggin' and 'frigging' are two different words with two

distinct pronunciations.

GAME SHOW MISTAKES HAPPENED THIS COUPLE ON FOX'S MILLION DOLLAR MONEY DROP

GUESSED 'POST ITS' CAME BEFORE THE WALKMAN AND LOST $800,000. FOX ADMITTED

A RESEARCH ERROR AND OFFERED THEM ANOTHER SHOT.

ON ABC'S WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE, THIS GUY LOST WHEN HE GUESSED LAKE

HURON IS THE SECOND BIGGEST GREAT LAKE. TURNED OUT HE WAS RIGHT. HE CAME

BACK FOR A DO OVER AND WENT HOME WITH 125 GRAND.

IN THE 1950S - SHOWS LIKE TWENTY-ONE WERE FIXED TO KEEP TV FRIENDLY

CONTESTANTS IN THE MIX - CONGRESS THEN MADE IT ILLEGAL TO RIG A GAME SHOW.

IN THE WHEEL CASE THE WORD SWIM-iN without a "g" WAS JUDGED TO BE

VERNACULAR WHICH *IS* TECHNICALLY AGAINST THE RULES.

RENEE REFUSES TO BE ANGRY EVEN *DEFENDING* HOST PAT SAJACK

SOT RENEE 18:50:00

"you could tell in his face it wasn't his decision, it was the judge's and

that's fine."

RENEE'S WINNING SPIRIT ALSO EARNING TWEETS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Gina Navarra @fastlifeofgina "I'm glad

though that the lady is in good spirits and had a wonderful experience: "

Sot Renee 18:54:20 "I just tell people to enjoy it have some fun, share

WHEEL OF MISFORTUNE-OC

JOHN MULLER REPORTING.

TEASE THREE

WHAT'S THE HARM IN A LITTLE WHITE LIE?

BRAND NEW INFORMATION SHOWS IT COULD BE CRITICAL TO YOUR HEALTH WHEN YOU KEEP SECRETS FROM YOUR DOCTOR.

A) patients lie to doctors-vo

PATIENTS LIE TO DOCTORS-OC

YOU WANT YOUR DOCTOR TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.SHOULDN'T YOU EXPECT THE SAME FROM YOURSELF?

IT TURNS OUT MORE THAN HALF OF AMERICANS AREN'T BEING TRUTHFUL IN THE EXAM ROOM.

PATIENTS LIE TO DOCTORS-PKG

DEPENDING ON THE QUESTION -- THE ANSWER MAY BE A LIE.

"Over 50% of Americans actually are not entirely truthful with their doctors."

THAT'S THE MAIN FINDING OF A SURVEY OF A THOUSAND ADULTS FROM PEARL.COM -- AN ONLINE SOURCE FOR ADVICE FROM DOCTORS, LAWYERS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS.

WHEN PUT ON THE SPOT -- PATIENTS TEND TO FUDGE THE FOOD THEY EAT, HOW MUCH THEY EAT AND WHETHER THEY EXERCISE.

"There are intensely personal items and issues that people may not feel comfortable sharing."

THEY ALSO TEND TO FIB ABOUT THEIR SMOKING AND DRINKING HABITS -- BOTH CAN RAISE THE RISK FOR HEART DISEASE AND SOME CANCERS.

DOCTORS SAY IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE AS MUCH HEALTH-RELATED INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE.

"The more we know about patients' information, in particular their medications, the better job we can do in making certain that the medications don't interact with one another."

THE SURVEY ALSO REVEALED PATIENTS ARE FOREGOING UNCOMFORTABLE FACE-TO-FACE CONVERSATIONS IN FAVOR OF SEEKING ONLINE INFORMATION -- MAINLY ABOUT SEX AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES.

"41% of people feel more comfortable asking questions about sex-related issues online rather than asking in person."

DOCTORS ARE HUMAN TOO -- THEY UNDERSTAND PATIENTS CAN BE MORE COMFORTABLE RESEARCHING SENSITIVE INFORMATION IN THE PRIVACY OF THEIR HOMES.

AND THEY OFFER A GENTLE REMINDER -- THERE IS NO MENTION OF "JUDGMENT" IN THE HYPOCRATIC OATH.

TEASE FOUR-2SHOT

TOURISTS TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ARE IN FOR A TREAT AT MANATEE PARK.

THIS WEEKEND'S CHILLY TEMPERATURES BROUGHT DOZENS OF MANATEES TO LEE COUNTY.

FIRST AT FOUR - WHY THE ROLLER COAST OF TEMPERATURES IS PUTTING STRESS ON THE ANIMALS.

AND - 8 DAYS LEFT - NO FISCAL DEAL IN SIGHT - AND THE KEY PLAYERS ARE ON VACATION FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

A) manatees are back-vo

B) fiscal cliff-vo

SHOW OPEN-CLIP

ALVA STABBING

BREAKING NEWS - FIRST AT FOUR.

A WOMAN IS INJURED AFTER BEING STABBED IN CHARLESTON PARK.

THAT'S IN ALVA IN THE EAST PART OF LEE COUNTY.

DEPUTIES TELL US THEY ARE SEARCHING FOR THE SUSPECT RIGHT NOW.

THE WOMAN WAS TAKEN TO LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR HER INJURIES.

WE HAVE A CREW HEADED TO ALVA.

TOP STORIES RECAP-2 SHOT, TURN-ANIBOX

LET'S GET CAUGHT UP ON THE DAY'S OTHER TOP STORIES.

IN NEW YORK, TWO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS ARE DEAD AFTER BEING SHOT.

THE MEN WERE AMBUSHED WHEN THEY RESPONDED TO A FIRE NORTHEAST OF ROCHESTER.

TWO OTHER VOLUNTEERS FIREFIGHTERS WERE INJURED.

THEY'RE EXPECTED TO RECOVER.

ON SAN CARLOS ISLAND, AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE ARE HOMELESS AFTER A FIRE DESTROYED THEIR APARTMENT.

INVESTIGATORS ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT STARTED THE FIRE AT SPORTSMAN'S COVE YACHT AND RAQUET CLUB.

NO ONE WAS INJURED.

TWO BOATERS ARE SAFE AFTER A MORNING RESCUE OFF PINE ISLAND SOUND.

THE MEN WERE SPOTTED AFTER THEIR BOAT ENGINE DIED.

a ny firefighter shooting-vo

b fmb condo fire-vo

c boaters found-vo

TOSS TO KELLY-TRX, OC, VO, DBX

MANATEES ARE ON THE MOVE.LOOKING FOR WARMER WATERS IN LEE COUNTY.

MANATEE PARK OFF PALM BEACH BOULEVARD IS FULL OF TOURISTS TRYING TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE SEA COWS.

NBC-2'S KELLY CRESWELL JOINS US LIVE IN OUR LEE COUNTY MOBILE NEWSROOM.

MANATEES ARE BACK-REM-LIVE

MANATEES ARE BACK-PKG

Tis the season--to watch manatees. With the recent dip in temperatures the gulf waters got too cold for these creatures--so they migrated to the 77 degree waters at manatee park. While everyone enjoyed snapping photos of the gentle giants--the cold weather can put a lot of stress on them. A recent study by the university of florida found THAT BECAUSE OF THE mammal's LACK OF GENETIC DIVERSITY, THEY HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME ADJUSTING TO CHANGING ENVIRONMENTS.

And when the cold weather forces the manatees to move to this canal, there is no food for them. An average adult manatee eats 10% of ITS body weight a day--which is about 100 pounds. So if they want food--they have to swim a long way back out to the gulf.

Laura Carr, Senior Program Specialist

"The traveling takes a toll on their bodies. The need for food takes a toll. And then deciding if you want to be warm or cold, do you want to eat, what do you want to do, it can be very tough.

So you do find some that are affected by cold stress so it's not just humans that impact them its the weather as well."

ACCORDING TO FWC 3 MANATEES DIED IN LEE COUNTY THIS YEAR FROM COLD STRESS.

18 died from boat related COLLISIONIS. That's the most IN ANY county in Florida.

MANATEES ARE BACK-REM-LIVE

FMB BOIL WATER-OC, SS

HOLIDAY PLANS COULD BE INTERRUPTED ON THE SOUTH END OF FORT MYERS BEACH.

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN A WEEK - THERE'S A BOIL WATER NOTICE.

THE WATER STATION IN THIS AREA HAS A PRESSURE ISSUE.

RED LIGHT CRASHES DOWN COLLIER-VO

RED-LIGHT CAMERAS IN COLLIER COUNTY ARE COMING DOWN.

BUT A NEW STUDY SHOWS CRASHES CAUSED BY RED-LIGHT RUNNERS HAVE DROPPED SINCE THOSE CAMERAS WERE INSTALLED.

ACCORDING TO OUR NEWS PARTNERS AT NAPLES DAILY NEWS, THERE HAVE BEEN 25 PERCENT FEWER RED-LIGHT CRASHES FOLLOWING THE CAMERA INSTALLATION.

THE COLLIER COUNTY SHERIFF ALSO SAYS THE CAMERAS HELPED CUT DOWN THE NUMBER OF CRASHES.

BUT COMMISSIONER TIM NANCE SAYS RED-LIGHT CRASHES WERE DROPPING BEFORE THE CAMERAS WERE PUT UP.

DUNKIN DIAMONDS ARREST-SS, VO

LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY THEY TRACKED DOWN A MAN WHO STOLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF JEWELRY.

DETECTIVES SAY RICHARD SPRAGUE STOLE A 28 INCH GOLD CHAIN FROM DUNKIN'S DIAMONDS LAST TUESDAY.

DETECTIVES USED ANONYMOUS TIPS TO LINK SPRAGUE TO THE ARREST.

THESE SURVEILLANCE PICTURES SHOW A MAN ASKING TO SEE THE CHAIN - BEFORE HE TOOK OFF RUNNING.

FISCAL CLIFF 8 DAYS-OC

8 DAYS.

THAT'S HOW LONG DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO AVOID THE FISCAL CLIFF.

BUT RIGHT NOW, LAWMAKERS ARE ON HOLIDAY BREAK AND NEGOTIATIONS WERE TENSE BEFORE THEY LEFT WASHINGTON.

FINANCIAL EXPERTS SAY EVEN IF THE SET TAX RATE INCREASES AND SPENDING CUTS GO INTO EFFECT - IT WILL TAKE TIME BEFORE IT SHOWS IN PAYCHECKS.

THE I-R-S HAS NOT RELEASED TAX WITHHOLDING TABLES FOR NEXT YEAR.

INDY HOUSE EXPLOSION-VO

THREE PEOPLE CHARGED WITH MURDER AND ARSON IN LAST MONTH'S EXPLOSION IN AN INDIANAPOLIS NEIGHBORHOOD, PLEADED NOT GUILTY TODAY.

POLICE ARRESTED MONSERRATE SHIRLEY, HER BOYFRIEND MARK LEONARD AND HIS BROTHER BOB LEONARD ON FRIDAY.

INVESTIGATORS SAY THE THREE PLANNED THE EXPLOSION FOR AN INSURANCE PAYOUT.

THE BLAST KILLED TWO NEIGHBORS AND DAMAGED DOZENS OF HOMES.

NEWTOWN CHRISTMAS-VO

IN THE WAKE OF THE TRAGEDY IN NEWTOWN CONNECTICUT.

THERE HAS BEEN AN OUTPOURING OF LOVE AND SUPPORT FROM AROUD THE WORLD.

THE NEWTOWN POST OFFICE HAS BEEN FLOODED WITH GIFTS, LETTERS AND PRAYERS

AT THE LOCAL TOWN HALL THERE ARE MOUNTAINS OF DONATED TOYS AND EVEN HURRICANE

NEWTOWN CHRISTMAS-SOTVO

Basically we had so much help we wanted to pay it forward and try to help somebody else

HEALTH CLIP-CLIP

ALCOHOL LIMITS-VO

FOR MANY, HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS INVOLVE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

BUT HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU'VE HAD TOO MUCH?

DOCTORS SAY THERE ARE MANY FACTORS THAT IMPACT THE WAY YOUR BODY PROCESSES ALCOHOL.

INCLUDING YOUR SIZE. GENDER. AND WHAT YOU'VE HAD TO EAT THAT DAY.

ALCOHOL LIMITS-SOTVO

Everybody is a little bit different but even with that first drink, impairment is. there is already some degree of impairment.

FAKE BOTOX WARNING-TRX, OC

THE F-D-A IS WARNING MORE THAN 350 MEDICAL PRACTICES ABOUT COUNTERFEIT BOTOX FROM CANADA.

THEY SAY THE UNAPPROVED WRINKLE TREATMENT COMES FROM A PHARMACY CALLED "CANADA DRUG".

REGULATORS WARN THE BOGUS BOTOX MAY NOT BE EFFECTIVE OR SAFE.

HEALTH MATTERS-ONCAM

MOST OF US HAVE BEEN ABSORBED IN THE GIVING SPIRIT THESE PAST FEW WEEKS, BUT HEALTH EXPERTS SAY WE WOULD ALL BENEFIT FROM BEING A LITTLE SELFISH.

THE ONE THING NO ONE CAN GIVE YOU IS GOOD HEALTH.

HEALTH MATTERS-PKG

IN THIS SEASON OF GIVING, IT'S EASY TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THE MATERIAL THINGS. BUT SOME OF THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE CAN'T BE BOUGHT. INCLUDING GOOD HEALTH.

DR. SAL LACAGNINA/VP HEALTH & WELLNESS

RUNS:

3:47 We all want a pill to make us better 3:51

DR. SAL LACAGNINA PRACTICED INTERNAL MEDICINE FOR ALMOST TWENTY YEARS BEFORE TURNING TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

DR. SAL LACAGNINA/VP HEALTH & WELLNESS

RUNS:

:09 The people that I would see that are older, that consistently ate in a healthy way and exercised every day, were not on medication. Didn't have chronic disease, had weights that were closer to their ideal body weight and they were able to do more of things that they wanted to do.

AMY OSHIER/REPORTING

RUNS:

It may be the holy grail of health- the fountain of youth. Keeping fit and feeling young could be within our grasp. If people invested in their health.

DR. SAL LACAGNINA/VP HEALTH & WELLNESS

RUNS:

1:29 I tell people, learn how to eat healthy and make sure that you take at least 30 minutes a day to exercise.:29 For me those two things are the foundation of healthy living.

AMY SWEAT BATTLED THE BULGE FOR YEARS. SHE ONCE TIPPED THE SCALES AT 240 POUNDS.

AMY SWEAT/LOST 60 POUNDS

RUNS:

4:00 When you weigh over 200 pounds, looking in the mirror is not very fun

AMY VOWED TO GET HEALTHY. SHE DROPPED THE POUNDS AND STARTED RUNNING 5Ks.

AMY SWEAT/LOST 60 POUNDS

RUNS:

6:43 This is total lifestyle change and now that I'm there, it's hard to even imagine going back to, to what I did before, there's no way.

JULIE STACEY/REGISTERED DIETITIAN

RUNS:

10:26 What we promote is a permanent lifestyle change so anything that you do today or any change that you make today you have to be able to do that forever.

REGISTERED DIETICIAN JULIE STACEY HELPED IN THE TRANSFORMATION.

JULIE STACEY/REGISTERED DIETITIAN

RUNS:

20:46 She's really doing more fruits more vegetables. She plans out her meals. I truly believe that's helped her be extremely successful.

OPENING BELL DANCERS-VO

AN ALL-MALE DANCE GROUP.AND NO, NOT ONE DIRECTION.HAD THE HONOR OF RINGING THE OPENING BELL TODAY ON WALL STREET.

THE BALLET TROUPE KNOWN AS TROCKS IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.TOURING IN MORE THAN 30 COUNTRIES.

NY FIREFIGHTERS SHOT-trx, OC, VO

TWO NEW YORK FIREFIGHTERS ARE DEAD AND TWO MORE ARE HURT AFTER BEING GUNNED DOWN AT A MORNING FIRE.

OFFICIALS SAY A MAN BEGAN SHOOTING AT THEM WHEN THEY RESPONDED TO A HOUSE FIRE.

NOW, INVESTIGATORS SAY THE GUNMAN HAD A VIOLENT PAST - SERVING TIME FOR HIS GRANDMOTHER'S DEATH.

NY FIREFIGHTERS SHOT-PKG

A SLEEPY VACATION COMMUNITY NORTHEAST OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK IS IN SHOCK AFTER A GUNMAN LURED FIREFIGHTERS TO A NEIGHBORHOOD AND SHOT THEM.

AS THEY BRIEFED THE PUBLIC, TOWN OFFICIALS WERE STILL TRYING TO GRASP WHAT HAPPENED.

Sound Chief Gerald Pickering - Webster, NY :11-:15

"It's a very difficult situation ….".

INVESTIGATORS IN WEST WEBSTER, NEW YORK SAY FOUR FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED TO REPORTS OF A HOUSE AND CAR ON FIRE AROUND FIVE THIRTY MONDAY MORNING-- TWO IN A FIRE TRUCK, TWO OTHERS IN THEIR OWN CARS.

ONE OF THE MEN WAS ABLE TO RETREAT TO SAFETY AFTER BEING SHOT.

A SWAT TEAM IN AN ARMORED VEHICLE RETRIEVED THE OTHER THREE… BUT BY THEN, FIREFIGHTER TOMAZ KUHCHOOFKA AND VOLUNTEER MIKE CHIPORINI-- ALSO A WEBSTER POLICE LIEUTENANT-- WERE DEAD.

POLICE EVACUATED AT LEAST 30 PEOPLE FROM THE AREA… AND SEVEN HOMES WERE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED.

THE SHOOTER WAS FOUND SHOT DEAD NEAR THE SCENE. POLICE SAY HE KILLED HIMSELF. HE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS WILLIAM SPENGLER A MAN WITH A LENGTHY CRIMINAL HISTORY. HE SERVED TIME FOR KILLING HIS GRANDMOTHER.

Sound Chief Gerald Pickering - Webster, NY:56-1:06

"I'm sure certain mental health issues were involved and we are still trying to drill down at this time and find out what set him off at this juncture."

THROUGHOUT THE DAY, TOWNS PEOPLE REMEMBERED THE FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS, AS THEY TRIED TO MAKE SENSE OF THE SENSELESS.

Sound Joe Ditomaso - Volunteer Firefighter from Florida 1:12-1:15

"It's devastating. I don't know what to say. god rest their soul. their families, their friends. everybody."

FIREFIGHTERS' FAMILIES KNOW THEIR LOVED ONES PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY… BUT THEY COULD NEVER IMAGINE SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN.

Chief Gerald Pickering - Webster, NY 1:24-1:27

"You know these people get up in the middle of the night to go out and fight fires and and they don't expect to be shot and killed."

NOW, AS INVESTIGATORS TRY TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS "WHO" AND "WHY", A TIME WHICH SHOULD BE FILLED WITH JOY… HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH SORROW.

TEASE FIVE-ONCAM

THIS STORY MAKES US THINK OF THAT SONG "TOO SEXY".

BUT INSTEAD OF BEING TOO SEXY FOR HER SHIRT - AN IOWA DENTIST WAS FIRED FOR BEING TOO SEXY FOR HER JOB.

AND A PANEL OF JUDGE'S SIDED WITH THE BOSS - WE'LL TELL YOU WHY.

PLUS - CANCER TOOK AWAY THIS BELOVED JANITOR'S SMILE.

A) woman fired too attractive-vo

B) new smile for janitor-vo

C) WEATHER TEASE-STC

ALL NEW AHEAD AT 5:00-CLIP

PAUSE FOR AHEAD AT 5:00 CLIP

- I feel like I did what I would expect to do for my loved ones, my wife, my daughter, anybody.

A POLICE OFFICER IS TAKING ALL THE CREDIT FOR A HEROIC RESCUE.

NEW AT FIVE -

THE AMAZING VIDEO THAT CAPTURED IT ALL.

--PLUS--

A) COP RESCUES DROWNING WOMAN-SOTTOPS-VO

B) CHAD STANDUP TEASE-SOTTOPS

FIRST ALERT FORECAST-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.

GORGEOUS WEATHER FOR CHRISTMAS

Clouds covered our sky on Christmas Eve, but thankfully we have no rain to show for it. I expect that to spill over into Christmas Day, too.

Temperatures will hold in the 50s as Santa arrives. He'll pass through a few clouds, but he won't encounter any rain. So all systems go for Santa's flight across Southwest Florida!

As the kids wake up and open their presents - the weather looks good. That will last through the entire day which is great news since they'll want to get out and play with their new toys! Not only that, but if you have a Christmas breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner planned. Looks awesome for that, too.

We expect the clouds to erode away slightly during the afternoon on Christmas. Thus we'll see a little more sun than Christmas Eve, and it will continue to stay dry. It won't feel like Christmas though because daytime highs will be around 80 degrees!

Heading toward midnight temperatures will be slow to cool again due to clouds advancing into the area. This is streaming off a robust system forecasted to impact the Deep South. If you have family living in the Lower Mississippi River Valley or the Tennessee Valley - call them and give them a heads up. A significant severe weather event is setting up for them. Behind the same system wintry weather is expecting from Arkansas and areas north.

That system will send a cold front in our direction which will spark a few showers late Wednesday.

After Wednesday the sunshine is back for a few days along with the cooler weather.

TRAFFIC-trxTFC FDOT

TRAFFIC BILLBOARD-CLIP

NEW SMILE FOR JANITOR-OC

A SMILE IS ONE OF THE MOST INFECTIOUS GIFTS IN THE WORLD.

SO WHEN KIDS OF ONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOUND OUT CANCER HAD TAKEN AWAY THE SMILE OF A BELOVED CUSTODIAN, THEY WENT TO WORK TO GET IT BACK - JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

NEW SMILE FOR JANITOR-PKG

YOU CAN SEE IT ON THEIR FACES.

IT'S DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND THESE KIDS HAVE ONE GUY IN MIND.

"Oh we love Mr. Mike! Mr. Mike's your dad? Really? Yes.

"When you say Mr. Mike, it's almost a legend."

"Who's Mr. Mike?"

"That's me."

FOR SEVEN YEARS, MIKE NITSCH HAS KEPT SHOAL CREEK ELEMENTARY IN ORDER AS CUSTODIAN.

HE DOESN'T MIND THE WORK AND HE LOVES THE KIDS.

"I've seen one group go from kindergarten all the way through."

"Mr. Mike is one of the hardest custodians I've ever seen work.

HE'S A FRIENDLY FORCE, WHETHER A HELPING HAND AT LUNCH OR THE SMILE THAT GREETS KIDS EVERYDAY.

"I try to know as many of them as I can."

BUT THE LAST THREE YEARS HAVE BEEN TOUGH ON MR. MIKE.

"I try not to think about it, just getting the initial diagnosis of cancer."

TONSIL CANCER DIDN'T TAKE HIS LIFE, BUT IT DID TAKE HIS TEETH.

MIKE THOUGHT HE MIGHT NEVER GET TEETH AT ALL, FACING A MORE THAN FOUR THOUSAND DOLLAR BILL FOR A COMPLETE MOUTH MAKEOVER.

MR. MIKE'S SMILE STARTED FADING.

A PRAYER GROUP OF SCHOOL MOMS WOULDN'T HAVE IT.

"We wanted to bring that smile back and for him to be able to eat again."

SO WHAT STARTED AS A LIST OF FRIENDS.

"160 families give 25 dollars, we can do this!"

TURNED INTO A FACEBOOK MOVEMENT - SMILES FOR MIKE.

"The next morning it was traffic jam outside. I couldn't get out of my pajamas because people were coming to the door to give checks."

THE KIDS WANTED TO HELP TOO SO THEY SOLD CANDY GRAMS, MANY OF THEM SENT TO MR. MIKE HIMSELF OR EVEN NOTES WRITTEN FROM TINY HANDS.

"One of the little girls here said 'We thank you for working your soul out for us.' and that just just, that gets to ya."

"Come on down Mr. Mike!"

AND SO DOES THIS. THE KIDS RAISED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS SELLING CANDY GRAMS, THE DENTIST HEARD AND CUT HIS BILL IN HALF. ADD THAT TO THE DONATIONS THAT POURED IN FROM AS FAR AS COLORADO.

"The total we raised was $6,750!"

FOUR DAYS AGO, HE GOT HIS NEW SMILE.

"I think its really happy that he gets to smile again."

"Your smile is the gateway to who you are. It's beautiful."

"I'm practicing my smile, yep, trying to get it back."

"What's it look like now?"

NEW SMILE FOR JANITOR-OC

LINDSAY SHIVELY REPORTING.

KERRI WALSH PREGNANT-OC, SOTVO

SAND VOLLEYBALL CHAMP KERRI WALSH UNWRAPPED AN UNUSUAL GIFT ON THE TODAY SHOW THIS MORNING.

THE EXPECTANT MOM AND HER FAMIILY FOUND OUT IF THEY'RE HAVING A LITTLE GIRL OR A LITTLE BOY.

"Oh its, stuck.It's a girl! No way!"

A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE SUMMER GAMES, KERRI AND HER HUSBAND CASEY DISCOVERED THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE A BABY.

SHE ACTUALLY PLAYED IN THE OLYMPICS WHILE SHE WAS PREGNANT.

HER DOCTOR WROTE THE BABY'S GENDER ON A CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT.

EXTREME CHRISTMAS LIGHTS-VO

A CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY IS SICK OF THEIR NEIGHBOR'S CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.

WHILE MOST PEOPLE MARVEL AT OVER-THE-TOP CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS, THIS FOUNTAIN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD IS FED-UP.

THEY SAY THIS DISPLAY OF MORE THAN 65-THOUSAND LIGHTS IS TOO BRIGHT.

THE LIGHTS ARE SYNCHED UP TO MUSIC SO IT'S ALSO LOUD.

THE HOMEOWNER HAS BEEN TICKETED FOR NOISE AND TRIES TO KEEP THE MUSIC DOWN AT NIGHT.

HOLIDAY TIPPING-VIDBOX

IT'S THE GIVING SEASON - BUT DID YOU REMEMBER EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST?

HERE ARE SOME GUIDELINES WHEN IT COMES TO TIPPING SERVICE EMPLOYEES.

WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR MAILMAN, YOU CAN TIP 20 DOLLARS OR LESS - BUT NOT CASH.

GIFT CARDS ARE A GOOD IDEA.

ALSO KEEP, FIREMEN, POLICEMEN AND MEDICS IN MIND.

FOR YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE CASH.

TEASE SIX-2SHOT

AN IOWA DENTIST HANDED FIRED HIS ASSISTANT BECAUSE SHE WAS TOO ATTRACTIVE.

".after working so many years side by side I didn't have any idea that

that would have crossed his mind."

FIRST AT FOUR - THE JUDGES WHO SUPPORT HER BOSS.

A) woman fire too attractive-SOTVO

FOUR AT FOUR-CGTOPS

1. Missing boaters found near Mohawk reef

2. Chilly weekend forces manatees inland

3. Condo fire near FMB under investigation

WOMAN FIRED TOO ATTRACTIVE-OC

AN IOWA DENTIST FIRED HIS LONG-TIME ASSISTANT.

SHE DIDN'T LOSE HER JOB FOR BEING LATE OR MESSING UP SOMEONE'S TEETH.

SHE WAS FIRED FOR BEING TOO ATTRACTIVE.

AND THE STATE'S SUPREME COURT SIDED WITH HER BOSS.

WOMAN FIRED TOO ATTRACTIVE-PKG

Imagine being fired because you're just too sexy. That's what 32-year-old

Melissa Nelson says happened to her. After working as a dental hygienist for

ten years for dentist James Knight, he fired her because he said she was a

threat to his marriage.

SOT, Melissa Nelson

"I'm devastated. I really am."

Nelson says she was shocked when she learned her 53-year-old boss said he

was afraid he would try to start an affair with her. But what some find even

more shocking.on friday, the all-male iowa supreme court unanimously

agreed with the dentist, ruling 7-0 that employers can give an employee

their walking papers if they believe there is an "irresistible attraction."

SOT, Melissa Nelson

".after working so many years side by side I didn't have any idea that

that would have crossed his mind."

Both Knight and Nelson are married with children. She says she looked at her

employer as a father figure until the last few months of her employment

when he started complaining her clothes were too tight.once telling her.

"if his pants were bulging, that was a sign her clothes were too revealing"

And he also reportedly commented on her infrequent sex life, saying "that's

like having a lamborghini in the garage and never driving it."

The hygienist sued for gender discrimination, arguing if she were male, she'd still have her job.

SOT, Glen Savits/Lawyer

"I think the women in iowa should start going to work in burkas for fear

that their boss might find them sexually attractive and terminate them."

Knight's lawyer gave this statement to abc news.

" was not terminated because of her gender but to preserve the best

interest of his marriage."

This isn't the first time someone's been fired for being too hot. Debrahlee

Lorenzana, a former citibank employee, claims she lost her job back in 2009

because her bosses found her looks too distracting.

SOT, Debrahlee Lorenzana

"the worst feeling was knowing that HOUR was not there to help me but to

help citibank"

Citibank insists Lorenzana was terminated for poor job performance.

BUT in Nelson's case, she says the real reason she got the axe is because

knight's wife, who also worked in the office, discovered texts between

nelson and Knight. Nelson says those texts were innocent, but the dentist's

wife demanded she be fired.

SOT, Melissa Nelson

"I think it's sending a message that men can do whatever they want in the

WOMAN FIRED TOO ATTRACTIVE-OC

LINSEY DAVIS REPORTING.

ABOUT THOSE TEXT MESSAGES EXCHANGED BETWEEN NELSON AND HER BOSS.

GOODBYE-2 SHOT

NBC-2 FOLLOWING BREAKING NEWS IN LEE COUNTY.

A STABBING SENDS A WOMAN TO THE HOSPITAL.

NBC-2 FOLLOWING THE DETAILS WHERE DEPUTIES ARE SEARCHING FOR THE SUSPECT.

AND NEW AT FIVE--

A SHOOTOUT ON A FLORIDA INTERSTATE LEAVES INVESTIGATORS STUMMPED.

END TIME-CREDITS