HEADLINES-ANIBOXES

RIGHT NOW ON N-B-C 2 NEWS TODAY, AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN INDIANA FOR A SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BOUND AIRLINER, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST IN A LIVE REPORT FROM THE PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT

PLUS, A LEHIGH ACRES FAMILY IS HOMELESS THIS MORNING AS A FIRE TEARS THROUGH THEIR HOUSE LEAVING NOTHING.

HEADLINE 1 EMERGENCY LANDING-LIVE SHOT

HEADLINE 2 LEHIGH FIRE-VIDBOX

HEADLINE 3 FISCAL CLIFF-VIDBOX

WX HEADLINE-WX CENTER

GOOD MORNING-2 SHOT

GOOD MORNING AND THANKS FOR WAKING UP WITH US.

I'M KELLY CRESWELL.

AND I'M JOE ROETZ.

OPEN-CLIP

GOOD MORNING-2 SHOT

GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO N-B-C 2 NEWS TODAY.

I'M JOE ROETZ.

AND I'M KELLY CRESWELL.

TODAY IS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29.

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

BUT FIRST METEOROLOGIST HALEY WEBB JOINS US WITH YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST.

TODAY'S 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.

"You'll need the umbrellas today, sweaters tomorrow"

If you like the colder weather, hopefully you soaked up every last minute of it yesterday morning as lows dropped into the 40s. Our warming trend that began yesterday, continues today ahead of a cold front that will bring us another cool down by Sunday.

Thermometer readings this morning are running near 20° warmer with many locations in the upper 60s to low 70s. We may even see some low clouds and patchy fog, especially in the areas that received rain late yesterday evening. Skies through the day will stay mostly cloudy, however we may be able to see a few holes in the clouds revealing a few rays of sunshine through the mid day hours. A south and southwesterly wind flow this afternoon will fuel in some warmer air as highs quickly rise into the upper 70s to 80° with a boost in our humidity levels as well.

Another potent two sided storm system will continue to develop across our northern Gulf coast states with moderate to heavy rain through the Florida Panhandle to wintry weather including more snow moving up across the mid - Atlantic and northeast states today.

EMERGENCY LANDING-2SHOT

PASSENGERS ABOARD A PUNTA GORDA BOUND PLANE THAT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING YESTERDAY HAVE FINALLY MADE IT BACK TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SAFELY.

THEY ARRIVED AT THE PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT AROUND 4 THIS MORNING

AND THAT'S WHERE N-B-C 2'S LEIGH DANA IS WITH MORE.

EMERGENCY LANDING-REM LIVE

EMERGENCY LANDING-PKG

EMERGENCY LANDING-REM LIVE

LEHIGH FIRE-VO

DEVELOPING THIS MORNING, A LEHIGH ACRES FAMILY IS HOMELESS AFTER A FIRE SWEPT THROUGH THEIR HOME.

IT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT ON CAPRI STREET, BETWEEN JAGUAR AND COLUMBUS BOULEVARDS.

LEHIGH FIRE-SOTVO

SOT: Robert Dilallo, Batallion Chief:0"When we arrived there was too much fire to make an offensive attack so we made a defensive attack from the outside. We didn't put any firefighters in danger, just a lot of week."

THE FAMILY WAS TOO DISTRAUGHT TO SPEAK.

CAR THEFT-OC SS (2)

SOME OLD-FASHIONED, POUNDING THE PAVEMENT INVESTIGATIVE WORK IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY LANDS TWO FORT MYERS THEIVES IN JAIL.

ONE IS A MINOR---WITH FIVE FELONY CHARGES.

A CHARLOTTE COUNTY SHERIFF'S K-9 DEPUTY WAS PATROLLING JUST OUTSIDE THE DOWNTOWN PUNTA GORDA AREA WHEN HE HEARD CAR ALARMS GOING OFF.

HE DISCOVERED TWO VEHICLES AT THE "BUY HERE PAY HERE" LOT HAD BEEN BROKEN INTO AND A THIRD WITH A DAMAGED LOCK.

WITH THE HELP OF PUNTA GORDA POLICE, THE DEPUTY USED HIS K-9 TO TRACK DOWN THE THIEVES.

23 YEAR OLD JOHNNY TILLMAN WAS ARRESTED ALONG WITH THE MINOR IN A STOLEN CAR FROM "BUY HERE PAY HERE".

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS STILL SEARCHING FOR THREE SUSPECTS WHO DROVE OFF IN A STOLEN WHITE CHEVY CAPRICE CLASSIC ALSO FROM "BUY HERE PAY HERE".

FISCAL CLIFF-VO

A SENSE OF URGENCY THIS MORNING IN WASHINGTON.

TALKS BETWEEN PRESIDENT OBAMA AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS FRIDAY MAY HAVE SEEN SOME PROGRESS TOWARD AVOIDING THE IMPENDING FISCAL CLIFF.

A LENGTHY STALEMATE PROMPTED FRIDAY'S LAST DITCH EFFORT TO RESOLVE THE ONSET OF TAX HIKES AND SPENDING CUTS SET TO TAKE EFFECT ON JANUARY 1ST.

FISCAL CLIFF-SOT VO

S/ President Barack Obama:28 "I just want to repeat, we had a constructive meeting today, Senators Reid and McConnell are discussing a potential agreement, where we can get a bi-partisan bill out of the Senate over to the House and done in a timely fashion, so that we met the December 31st deadline but given how things have been working in this town we always have to wait and see until it actually happens."

SENATE LEADERS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE WORKING THROUGH THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND TO SEE IF THEY CAN COME UP WITH A DEAL.

LOCAL PROGRAMS AFFECTED-OC-SOTVO

IF A DEAL ISN'T REACHED BY MONDAY, THOUSANDS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SENIORS COULD GO HUNGRY.

FOOD PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD BE CUT, INCLUDING ONE PROVIDED BY SENIOR FRIENDSHIP CENTERS OF LEE COUNTY.

NANCY green-Irwin/ exec dir. Senior friendship centers of lee county

18:02 185 seniors are on a waiting list right now for home delivery meals and that's going to grow if there's a problem with cuts

IF CUTS HAPPEN THAT WOULD MEAN 28-THOUSAND MEALS HANDED OUT TO THE ELDERY ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WOULD BE ELIMINATED.

MEET THE PRESS-OC SS

AND JUST APROGRAMMING NOTE,

COMING UP SUNDAY ON MEET THE PRESS--

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA.

MODERATOR DAVID GREGORY CANCELLED HIS SCHEDULED VACATION AND WILL GO ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE PRESIDENT IN THE FINAL HOURS BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

COLLIER MOM ARRESTED-2SHOT

A COLLIER MOM IS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY THREATENING HER SON WITH A GUN.

COLLIER MOM ARRESTED-PKG

TWENTY-THREE YEAR-OLD CLARK SHOTWELL IS FEELING SORRY AFTER LOUD MUSIC AND FLARING TEMPERS LANDED HIS MOM IN JAIL.

"I feel horrible, I feel like I can never forgive myself for this."

CLARK SAYS HE WAS PLAYING LITTLE WAYNE RAP MUSIC IN HIS MOTHERS BEDROOM AT 8 THURSDAY MORNING--

WHEN SHE TOLD HIM TO TURN IT DOWN.

"It was too loud and she doesn't like loud noise. I talked back and then she made a comment that I don't care about anybody except myself and that made me upset."

THE TWO STARTED ARGUING--

ACCORDING TO A COLLIER COUNTY ARREST REPORT, CLARK TOLD DEPUTIES HIS MOM TRIED TO PUSH HIM OUT OF THE BEDROOM--

HE RESISTED.

THAT'S WHEN HIS MOM ALLEGEDLY GRABBED A HANDGUN--

POINTED IT AT THE CEILING, AND YELLED AT CLARK TO GET OUT.

"They put her in handcuffs, she's in tears and they take her to jail."

CLARK CALLED DEPUTIES WHO ARRESTED HIS MOM-- 51-YEAR-OLD KAREN SHOTWELL-- FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON.

NOW HE SAYS THEY GOT IT ALL WRONG-- AND HIS MOM NEVER ACTUALLY THREATENED HIM WITH THE GUN.

"She had a.38, she has one in her drawer, when she pushed me out of her room I saw her open her drawer so I walked away. that's the reason I called the cops."

HE SAYS HE IMMEDIATELY REGRETTED THE DECISION TO CALL 911 AND TOLD THE DISPATCHER HE DIDNT NEED HELP.

BUT DEPUTIES STILL SHOWED UP.

NOW HE WISHES HE COULD TAKE IT ALL BACK.

"This shouldn't have happened the way it did. She shouldn't be in jail."

FMPD 23RD MURDER-SS-VO

IT HAS BEEN AN ESPECIALLY VIOLENT YEAR IN THE CITY OF FORT MYERS.

POLICE ARE NOW INVESTIGATING THE 23RD MURDER OF 2012.

THAT'S THE MOST EVER SINCE OFFICIALS STARTED KEEPING TRACK.

DETECTIVES TELL US A GUNMAN SHOT AND KILLED 35-YEAR OLD ROBERT RAYBON JUNIOR ON FRIDAY.

FAMILY MEMBERS TELL US HE WAS SHOT IN HIS DRIVEWAY AND COLLAPSED WHILE TRYING TO GET BACK IN HIS HOUSE.

FMPD 23RD MURDER-SOTVO

1747 "it's hard if no one don't talk. If they beat the bushes, if the beat the bushes hard enough they'll come up with something. There is something that can be said If you beat the bushes hard enough, somebody will talk."

GOLDEN FATE FIRE CHIEF RESIGNS-OTS VO

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN GOLDEN GATE WILL NEED A NEW CHIEF COME FEBRUARY.

CHIEF ROBERT METZGER ANNOUNCED HIS SUDDEN RESIGNATION YESTERDAY.

HE SAID HIS LAST DAY WITH THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE FEBRUARY 10TH.

METZGER HAS BEEN ON THE JOB FOR FIVE YEARS.

NY FIREFIGHTER LATEST-VO

THERE ARE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CHRISTMAS EVE AMBUSH AND KILLING OF TWO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS WHO WERE RESPONDING TO A HOUSE FIRE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK.

24-YEAR-OLD DAWN NGUYEN WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH PURCHASING TWO OF THE THREE GUNS USED BY WILLIAM SPENGLER IN THE DEADLY AMBUSH.

NGUYEN, A FORMER NEIGHBOR OF THE CONVICTED FELON, FACES BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL CHARGES STEMMING FROM THE PURCHASE OF A SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE AND A 12-GAUGE SHOTGUN.

2WEEK VIGIL-VO

THE HEALING PROCESS CONTINUES IN THE CLOSE KNIT COMMUNITY OF NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT.

IT WAS JUST OVER TWO WEEKS YESTERDAY THAT A GUNMAN OPENED FIRE AT SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, KILLING 20 CHILDREN AND 6 STAFF MEMBERS IN ONE OF THE DEADLIEST ATTACKS IN HISTORY.

NEWTOWN SURVIVOR LAW SUIT-VO

A SIX- YEAR OLD WHO SURVIVED THAT SHOOTING NOW WANTS TO SUE THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, FOR 100 MILLION DOLLARS.

HER ATTORNEY SAYS EVEN THOUGH SHE MADE IT OUT SAFELY, SHE'S TRAUMATIZED AFTER LOSING FRIENDS AND HEARING THE SCREAMING AND GUNSHOTS.

ATTORNEY IRV PINSKY SAYS HIS CLIENT HEARD THE TRAGIC EVENTS OVER THE SCHOOL'S LOUDSPEAKER AND HE HAS FILED A CLAIM WITH THE STATE'S CLAIM COMMISSIONER.

NEWTOWN SURVIVOR LAW SUIT-SOTVO

S/ Irv Pinsky/ Attorney:56 - 1:01"The state could have, there's a whole lot of architectural designs they can use in schools to make it much harder to happen."

PINSKY IS NOT RELEASING THE NAME OF HIS CLIENT.

GGE HOME INVASION 911 CALL-VO

WE'RE LEARNING MORE DETAILS ABOUT A BOLD ROBBERY WHERE THE VICTIMS WERE BOUND WHILE THE SUSPECTS RANSACKED THE HOME.

WE RECEIVED THE 9-1-1 CALL FROM THE WOMAN WHO SAYS FOUR MEN DRAGGED HER AND HER ROOMMATES ACROSS THE LAWN OF THEIR HOME.

IT HAPPENED IN GOLDEN GATE ESTATES LAST WEEK.

GGE HOME INVASION 911 CALL-SOT OC

911 sot:

"1:00 they robbed my house they tied us up and told us to just keep quiet and not move. Dragged me across the lawn."

THE MEN RANSACKED THE HOUSE STEALING MONEY AND JEWELRY.

AUTHORITIES STILL HAVEN'T MADE ANY ARRESTS.

AERO MED STAYING IN LEE FOR NOW-VO

AEROMED IS STAYING IN LEE COUNTY, FOR NOW.

LEE COUNTY OFFICIALS TELL N-B-C 2 THEIR EMERGENCY HELICOPTER WILL REMAIN AT PAGE FIELD.

THAT'S JUST UNTIL A CONTRACT WITH A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT FOR MEDSTAR CAN BE REACHED.

COMMISSIONERS ARE LOOKING OVER FOUR APPLICANTS NOW.

A RECOMMENDATION IS EXPECTED NEXT MONTH.

RED TIDE STUMP PASS-VO

RED TIDE IS BACK!

AFTER NEARLY TWO-MONTH WITHOUT IT, RED TIDE IS ONCE AGAIN BEING SEEN ON THE BEACHES OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

HUNDREDS OF DEAD FISH STARTED WASHING ON SHORE IN SRASOTA AND CHARLOTTE COUNTIES ON WEDNESDAY.

RED TIDE STUMP PASS-(2)SOTVO

I was really surprised I was shocked they were here and no body was cleaning them up and that there were so many

I knew the red tide was here so u knew there'd be some dead fish. It was more than I expected

ON ENGLEWOOD PUBLIC BEACH, CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES CLEANS UP ALL THE DEAD FISH.

ON THE REST OF THE PRIVATE BEACHES, THE OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANING UP THE FISH OR LETTING NATURE RUN ITS COURSE.

THINGS TO DO TODAY-2 SH CGS

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOME THINGS-2-DO THIS WEEKEND -- WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.

YOU CAN HEAD TO ESTERO FOR THE 2-ND ANNUAL COCONUT POINT NEW YEARS WEEKEND ART FESTIVAL.

YOU CAN ENJOY FINE ART, MUSIC, PHOTOGRAPHY AND EVEN ONE-OF-A-KIND JEWELS.

IT'S ALL STARTING THIS MORNING -- AT 10 AT THE COCONUT POINT MALL.

THE EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO ALL AGES --

AND WILL LAST UNTIL AROUND 5, THIS EVENING.

TONIGHT -- YOU CAN SWING BY THE EDISON HOME, IN FORT MYERS.

FOR THE EDISON AND FORD HOLIDAY NIGHTS.

IT'S ALL APART OF NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT BY SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.

THE ESTATES MUSEUM AND EDISON BOTANIC RESEARCH LAB WILL ALSO BE OPEN, DURING THE EVENT.

THERE'S THE OPTION OF A SELF GUIDED OR TOUR GUIDED TOUR WITH AN ESTATES SITE HISTORIAN.

IT ALL STARTS AT 5:30.

TICKET PRICES VARY.

TEASE ONE-2 SHOT

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

GETTING A DAMAGED ROTATOR CUFF REPAIRED CAN BE A LIFE ALTERING EXPERIENCE FOR MANY PEOPLE.

AND NOW A LESS INVASIVE TECHNIQUE IS ON THE RISE.

AMY OSHIER HAS DETAILS IN TODAYS HEALTH MATTERS.

TZ1 A HEALTH MATTERS-VOWP

TZ1 B SPORTS-VOTOPS

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.

"You'll need the umbrellas today, sweaters tomorrow"

If you like the colder weather, hopefully you soaked up every last minute of it yesterday morning as lows dropped into the 40s. Our warming trend that began yesterday, continues today ahead of a cold front that will bring us another cool down by Sunday.

Thermometer readings this morning are running near 20° warmer with many locations in the upper 60s to low 70s. We may even see some low clouds and patchy fog, especially in the areas that received rain late yesterday evening. Skies through the day will stay mostly cloudy, however we may be able to see a few holes in the clouds revealing a few rays of sunshine through the mid day hours. A south and southwesterly wind flow this afternoon will fuel in some warmer air as highs quickly rise into the upper 70s to 80° with a boost in our humidity levels as well.

Another potent two sided storm system will continue to develop across our northern Gulf coast states with moderate to heavy rain through the Florida Panhandle to wintry weather including more snow moving up across the mid - Atlantic and northeast states today.

HEALTH BEAT PKG-PLASMA

WHEN RAISING YOUR ARM BECOMES A PAINFUL MOTION, IT MAY BE TIME TO LOOK AT YOUR ROTATOR CUFF AS THE CULPRIT.

MORE OF US ARE FEELING THE WEAR AND TEAR OF TIME.

HEALTH BEAT PKG-PKG

PKG:

ROTATOR CUFF REPAIR IS ON THE RISE, THE INCREASE BEING FELT NATIONALLY AND IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

DR. JOHN MEHALIK/ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

RUNS:

:41 One of the most commonly performed arthroscopic should surgeries nowadays, in deference to even 10 or 20 years ago, is arthroscopic rotator cuff reconstruction. In the last 10-year period we've done approximately 3,000 of them here in our office.

ACCORDING TO A STUDY RELEASED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, IN THE DECADE FROM 1996-2006 TOTAL ROTATOR REPAIRS INCREASED 141%- THE ARTHROSCOPIC SEGMENT GREW 600% FAR OUTPACING OPEN SURGERY.

DR. JOHN MEHALIK/ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

RUNS:

:41 This is different than arthroscopic surgery in general which can be used just simply for viewing or diagnostic purposes; this is really using it at an entirely different level to be able to reconstruct the body in ways that we used to have to use large open incisions to do.

AMY OSHIER/REPORTING

RUNS:

The increase in surgery is due in large part to expectations of our graying population.

DR. JOHN MEHALIK/ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

RUNS:

:41 It's a very commonly performed procedure, particularly in active and aging adults, people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, that like to remain active in golf, playing tennis or other things.

THE INJURY USUALLY DEVELOPS OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

DR. JOHN MEHALIK/ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

RUNS:

:41 It typically presents with activity-related discomfort, things with overhead activity, overhead lifting, repetitive functions, those sort of things. But the most common presenting symptom is night pain.

THE ARTHROSCOPIC REPAIR TRIMS THE DAMAGE TENDON, THEN REATTACHES IT TO THE BONE WITH A SUTURE ANCHORS. IT'S PERFORMED WITH SLENDER TOOLS, THROUGH A SERIES OF POKE HOLES.

DR. JOHN MEHALIK/ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

RUNS:

5:59 Your body needs to grow it there. The science shows that it takes somewhere between 21 and 28 days for your body to take that tendon and superficially mend it to bone.

SPORTS PKG-PKG

TEASE TWO-2 SHOT

IT WAS ANOTHER RECORD SETTING HOLIDAY FOR MAKERS OF MOBILE DEVICES,

COMING UP WE'LL SHOW YOU WHICH COMPANIES MADE OUT THE BEST

TZ2 A APPLE'S RECORD SALE-VO

TZ2 B ICY LAKE RESCUE-VOTOPS

ICY LAKE RESCUE-2SHOT VO

WELCOME BACK.

THE TIME NOW IS _____

VIDEO YOU HAVE TO SEE TO BELIEVE.

A FUN CHRISTMAS DAY ON WHAT MANY THOUGHT WAS A FROZEN LAKE--WENT TERRIBLY WRONG.

TAKE A LOOK.

THIS HAPPENED IN CALIFORNIA.

SEVERAL PEOPLE FELL INTO THE FREEZING WATER WHILE TRYING TO SAVE JUST ONE PERSON FROM DROWNING.

THIS VIDEO WAS POSTED ON YOU-TUBE BY A MAN THAT WITNESSED THE ENTIRE INCIDENT UNFOLD.

LUCKILY EVERYONE WHO FELL IN THE LAKE WAS RESCUED BY BYSTANDERS, OR WAS

ABLE TO GET OUT ON THEIR OWN.

SUPERSTORM SANDY MONEY APPROVED-VO

THE U-S SENATE HAS PASSED A BILL FOR 60-BILLION DOLLARS IN DISASTER AID FOR VICTIMS OF SUPERSTORM SANDY.

THE FUNDING REQUEST WAS MADE EARLIER BY THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO HELP CLEAN UP AND REBUILD PARTS OF THE NORTHEAST.

SINGAPORE SECURITY-VO

POLICE IN INDIA ARE ANTICIPATING TROUBLE AFTER THE DEATH OF A YOUNG WOMAN WHO WAS BRUTALLY GANG RAPED IN NEW DELHI.

THE 23-YEAR-OLD VICTIM WAS GANG RAPED, SEVERELY BEATEN AND THROWN OFF A MOVING BUS IN EARLIER THIS MONTH.

SHE WAS FLOWN TO SINGAPORE IN THE HOPE THAT DOCTORS THERE COULD SAVE HER LIFE, BUT SHE DIED EARLY THIS MORNING.

AFTER NEWS OF HER DEATH REACHED INDIA, A HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE COULD BE SEEN ON THE STREETS OF NEW DELHI.

TRAIN SHOOTING ON TAPE-VO

AUTHORITIES IN PHILADELPHIA HAVE ARRESTED AN 18-YEAR OLD MAN IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING OF TWO MEN ABOARD THE CITY'S ELEVATED TRAIN.

POLICE SAY THE 18-YEAR-OLD AND HIS 17-YEAR-OLD BROTHER GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH ANOTHER PASSENGER OVER A BASKETBALL GAME BACK ON DECEMBER 12-TH.

AS THEY GOT OFF THE TRAIN, THE OLDER BROTHER ALLEGEDLY FIRED ONE SHOT AT THE MAN HITTING HIM AND AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER.

IT WAS ALL CAUGHT ON SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.

QUEEN MARY 2 ILLNESS-VO

MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN SICK ON THE QUEEN MARY TWO CRUISE SHIP THIS WEEK.

THE Q-M-TWO SAILED FROM BROOKLYN LAST SATURDAY AND IS CURRENTLY DOCKED IN SAINT LUCIA.

HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY 194 PASSENGERS AND A DOZEN CREWMEMBERS GOT SICK WITH SYMPTOMS CONSISTENT WITH NOROVIRUS.

DISINFECTING PROCEDURES WERE STEPPED UP ON THE SHIP AND A COMPANY SPOKESWOMAN SAYS ALMOST EVERYONE HAS RECOVERED.

APPLE'S RECORD SALES-VO

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WAS A RECORD-SETTER FOR THE MAKERS OF MOBILE DEVICES.

NEARLY 17-AND-A-HALF *MILLION ANDROID AND APPLE SMARTPHONES, PLUS TABLETS, WERE ACTIVATED ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

THAT'S THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF ACTIVATIONS IN ONE DAY, *EVER.

BEYONCE SUPER BOWL CONTEST-VO-BNR

100 LUCKY FANS WILL GET TO JOIN BEYONCE *ONSTAGE* AT THE UPCOMING SUPER BOWL.

PEPSI AND BEYONCE HAVE TEAMED UP TO OFFER FANS THE CHANCE TO JOIN THE GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING SINGER DURING HER HALF-TIME PERFORMANCE.

A CONTEST KICKS OFF TOMORROW THAT ALLOWS FANS TO SUBMIT PHOTOS OF THEMSELVES IN VARIOUS DANCING POSES.

OUT OF THOSE PICTURES, 50 PEOPLE, ALONG WITH A FRIEND, WILL BE SELECTED TO JOIN BEYONCE ONSTAGE.

TEASE THREE-2 SHOT

THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES AS WE INCH CLOSER TO THE FISCAL CLIFF,

UP NEXT WE'LL LET YOU KNOW ABOUT SOME POSSIBLE PROGRESS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT,

TZ3 A FISCAL CLIFF-VO

TZ3 B EMERGENCY LANDING-VOTOPS

HEADLINES-ANIBOXES

RIGHT NOW ON N-B-C 2 NEWS TODAY, AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN INDIANA FOR A SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BOUND AIRLINER, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST ON WHAT WAS A LONG DAY AND NIGHT FOR MANY PEOPLE

PLUS, WE'RE EVEN CLOSER TO THE FISCAL CLIFF WITH LESS THEN 3 DAYS TO GO, WORD OUT OF WASHINGTON IS POSSIBLE PROGRESS BEING MADE, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST,

HEADLINE 1 EMERGENCY LANDING-VIDBOX

HEADLINE 2 FISCAL CLIFF-VIDBOX

HEADLINE 3 LEHIGH FIRE-VIDBOX

MAIN OPEN-CLIP

GOOD MORNING 2-2 SHOT

GOOD MORNING, THANKS FOR JOINING US HERE ON NBC-2 NEWS TODAY.

I'M KELLY CRESWELL.

AND I'M JOE ROETZ

WE'LL GET A LOOK AT OUR TOP STORIES IN JUST A MINUTE.

BUT FIRST HALEY WEBB JOINS US WITH YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST.

FIRST 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.

"You'll need the umbrellas today, sweaters tomorrow"

If you like the colder weather, hopefully you soaked up every last minute of it yesterday morning as lows dropped into the 40s. Our warming trend that began yesterday, continues today ahead of a cold front that will bring us another cool down by Sunday.

Thermometer readings this morning are running near 20° warmer with many locations in the upper 60s to low 70s. We may even see some low clouds and patchy fog, especially in the areas that received rain late yesterday evening. Skies through the day will stay mostly cloudy, however we may be able to see a few holes in the clouds revealing a few rays of sunshine through the mid day hours. A south and southwesterly wind flow this afternoon will fuel in some warmer air as highs quickly rise into the upper 70s to 80° with a boost in our humidity levels as well.

Another potent two sided storm system will continue to develop across our northern Gulf coast states with moderate to heavy rain through the Florida Panhandle to wintry weather including more snow moving up across the mid - Atlantic and northeast states today.

EMERGENCY LANDING-VO

PASSENGERS ABOARD A PUNTA GORDA BOUND PLANE THAT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING YESTERDAY HAVE FINALLY MADE IT BACK TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SAFELY.

THEY ARRIVED AT THE PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT AROUND 4 THIS MORNING.

ALLEGIANT AIR FLIGHT 959 TOOK OFF FROM SOUTH BEND INDIANA YESTERDAY.

THE PLANE WAS ONLY IN THE AIR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE OFFICIALS SAY THE CARGO FIRE LIGHT CAME ON.

THAT PROMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN FORT WAYNE.

EMERGENCY LANDING-SOTVO

mary ellen mount/ passenger 35:08 - 35:25 the rest of the day we waited to get on a plane but we were stuck because of the snow stoem. So after all this time we finally arrived and we're thankful to be alive and made it through

FIRE FIGHTERS SAY THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL FIRE ONBOARD.

THEY ARE STILL INVESTIGATING WHAT MADE THE LIGHT COME ON.

LEHIGH FIRE-TRX VO

DEVELOPING THIS MORNING A LEHIGH ACRES FAMILY IS HOMELESS AFTER A FIRE DESTROYED THEIR HOUSE.

IT ALL HAPPENED LAST NIGHT ON CAPRI STREET BETWEEN JAGUAR AND COLUMBUS BOULEVARDS.

INVESTIGATORS SAY THE FAMILY AND MOST OF THEIR PETS, 3 DOGS, 2 BIRDS AND A CAT MADE IT OUT SAFELY.

LEHIGH FIRE-SOTVO

SOT: Robert Dilallo, Batallion Chief:0"When we arrived there was too much fire to make an offensive attack so we made a defensive attack from the outside. We didn't put any firefighters in danger, just a lot of week."

FISCAL CLIFF-2SHOT

NOW TO THE LAST DITCH EFFORTS TO TRY TO KEEP THE COUNTRY FROM FALLING

OFF THE FISCAL CLIFF, SENDING EVERYONE'S TAXES UP AND POSSIBLY SENDING THE

COUNTRY INTO ANOTHER RECESSION.

WITH LESS THAN THREE DAYS AND TIME TICKING AWAY---THERE'S STILL WORK TO BE DONE TO REACH A COMPROMISE.

FISCAL CLIFF-PKG

SCRIPT:

There's nothing like a deadline to force action. The President met with

Congressional leaders Friday, fir the first time in six weeks, then

proclaimed himself modestly optimistic - but warned.

17:53:51

Obama: The American people are watching what we do here, obviously the

patience is already then.

With the clock running out, here's the game plan. The Democratic and

Republican leaders in the Senate will spend today trying to hash out a bi-

partisan agreement.

Senator Mitch McConnell/-KY: I'm hopeful and optimistic

But if there is NO deal, the president wants an up or down vote on

measures he thinks can pass - extending tax cuts for those making $250-

thousand dollars or less, and continuing unemployment benefits for millions

who will lose them when the new year strikes.

17:56:08

obama: That is the bare minimum we should be able to get done

It's clear whatever happens, there's no time now for a grand bargain on

the even tougher issues -cutting spending and raising the debt ceiling..

12;16:22

Senator Bob Corker/R-Tenn: We're going to end up with a small kick-the can-

down the road bill that creates another fiscal cliff to deal with this

fiscal cliff. How irresponsible, how irresponsible is that?

And as Washington fiddles, the stock market burns. dropping for the fifth

straight day under all this uncertainty. Americans are burning up too.

MOS bites.

Senate leaders say they hope to have a plan to bring to the senate

tomorrow afternoon. Then by tomorrow night the House will be back in session

and could vote on any deal that passes the Senate. No one's holding their

LOCAL PROGRAMS AFFECTED-OC-SOTVO

IF A DEAL ISN'T REACHED BY MONDAY, THOUSANDS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SENIORS COULD GO HUNGRY.

FOOD PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD BE CUT, INCLUDING ONE PROVIDED BY SENIOR FRIENDSHIP CENTERS OF LEE COUNTY.

NANCY green-Irwin/ exec dir. Senior friendship centers of lee county

18:02 185 seniors are on a waiting list right now for home delivery meals and that's going to grow if there's a problem with cuts

IF CUTS HAPPEN THAT WOULD MEAN 28-THOUSAND MEALS HANDED OUT TO THE ELDERY ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WOULD BE ELIMINATED.

MEET THE PRESS-OC SS

AND A PROGRAMMING NOTE,

COMING UP SUNDAY ON MEET THE PRESS--

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA.

MODERATOR DAVID GREGORY CANCELLED HIS SCHEDULED VACATION AND WILL GO ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE PRESIDENT IN THE FINAL HOURS BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

FMPD 23RD MURDER-SS-VO

IT HAS BEEN AN ESPECIALLY VIOLENT YEAR IN THE CITY OF FORT MYERS.

POLICE ARE NOW INVESTIGATING THE 23RD MURDER OF THE YEAR.

THAT'S THE MOST EVER SINCE THEY STARTED KEEPING TRACK.

DETECTIVES TELL US A GUNMAN SHOT AND KILLED 35-YEAR OLD ROBERT RAYBON JUNIOR FRIDAY MORNING.

FAMILY MEMBERS TELL US HE WAS SHOT IN HIS DRIVEWAY AND COLLAPSED WHILE TRYING TO GET BACK IN HIS HOUSE.

FMPD 23RD MURDER-SOTVO

1747 "it's hard if no one don't talk. If they beat the bushes, if the beat the bushes hard enough they'll come up with something. There is something that can be said If you beat the bushes hard enough, somebody will talk."

CAR INTO HOUSE ARREST-SSTOPS-VO

IN CAPE CORAL POLICE SAY THIS WOMAN PLOWED INTO A HOUSE ALONG EL DORADO PARKWAY THURSDAY NIGHT.

POLICE SAY THE DRIVER WAS DRUNK.

THE HOME OWNERS SAY WHILE THE DAMAGE IS BAD -

CAR INTO HOUSE ARREST-SOT-SS

TAKE SOT

NAME: Pete Walsh, Homeowner

1036 "it was a loud crash. I heard a loud crash. I didn't know what it was. The lights went out and I was in a little bit of shock."

FMPD COKE RIDE ALONG-VO

FORT MYERS POLICE MADE MORE THAN A DOZEN ARRESTS DURING A SWEEP TO GET DRUGS AND GUNS OFF THE STREETS.

N-B-C 2 WAS THE FIRST TO SEE IT HAPPEN, WHEN IT TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY.

THEY ARRESTED FOUR PEOPLE.

THE ONLY CHARGE SO FAR, RESISTING AN OFFICER WITHOUT VIOLENCE.

BUT, A K-9 FOUND WEAPONS NEARBY.

THAT INCLUDED A PAINTBALL GUN, A RIFLE, A HANDGUN AND AN A-K-47.

FMPD COKE RIDE ALONG-SOTVO

22:01:49 12 year olds have guns now, I don't know why, 52 I can't speak to why they have guns but they're carrying guns 55 it's kinda scary 56

POLICE SAY A THREE-MONTH, UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION FOUND 22 PEOPLE IN THE CENTRAL AND DUNBAR AREAS OF FORT MYERS SELLING DRUGS NEAR SCHOOLS, DAY CARES AND CHURCHES.

ON THURSDAY, 10 OF THEM WERE ARRESTED.

THESE ARE EIGHT OF THEM.

SCHOOL SECURITY-VO

WITH LEE COUNTY STUDENTS SOON TO RETURN FROM THE HOLIDAY BREAK IN A FEW DAYS SOME SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE THINKING ABOUT TIGHTER SECURITY.

AFTER THE TRAGIC SHOOTING AT SANDY HOOK TWO WEEKS AGO SOME BOARD MEMBERS TELL US THEY WANT TO LOOK AT A FEW ISSUES.

SCHOOL SECURITY-SOTVO

We're going to have to have some very very strong conversations about are we doing every thing we possibly can to secure our schools.

SANIBEL TOPS BEACH LIST-VO

JUST HOW DESIREABLE ARE OUR BEACHES HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA?

U-S-A TODAY JUST NAMED SANIBEL ISLAND ONE OF THE TOP TEN DESTINATIONS IN FLORIDA, FOR PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY LOOKING TO ESCAPE THE COLD WINTER WEATHER.

STEPHEN LEATHERMAN IS KNOWN AS "DOCTOR BEACH."

HE'S A PROFESSOR AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AND CONSIDERED A "COASTAL EXPERT".

THINGS TO DO TODAY-2 SH CGS

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOME THINGS-2-DO THIS WEEKEND -- WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.

YOU CAN HEAD DOWN TO NAPLES FOR THE 2-ND ANNUAL COCONUT POINT NEW YEARS WEEKEND ART FESTIVAL.

YOU CAN ENJOY FINE ART, MUSIC, PHOTOGRAPHY AND EVEN ONE-OF-A-KIND JEWELS.

IT'S ALL STARTING THIS MORNING -- AT 10 AT THE COCONUT POINT MALL.

THE EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO ALL AGES --

AND WILL LAST UNTIL AROUND 5, THIS EVENING.

TONIGHT -- YOU CAN SWING BY THE EDISON HOME, IN FORT MYERS.

FOR THE EDISON AND FORD HOLIDAY NIGHTS.

IT'S ALL APART OF NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT BY SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.

THE ESTATES MUSEUM AND EDISON BOTANIC RESEARCH LAB WILL ALSO BE OPEN, DURING THE EVENT.

THERE'S THE OPTION OF A SELF GUIDED OR TOUR GUIDED TOUR WITH AN ESTATES SITE HISTORIAN.

IT ALL STARTS AT 5:30.

TICKET PRICES VARY.

TEASE FOUR-2 SHOT

THE DEBATE OVER GUN CONTROL CONTINUES IN THE WAKE OF THE NEWTOWN SHOOTING,

STILL AHEAD WE'LL SHOW YOU ONE STATE THAT IS NOW STARTING TO TRAIN ITS TEACHERS ON HOW TO USE GUNS.

TZ4 A UTAH TEACHERS-VO WIPE

TZ4 B RUSSIA ADOPTION-VOTOPS

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.

"You'll need the umbrellas today, sweaters tomorrow"

If you like the colder weather, hopefully you soaked up every last minute of it yesterday morning as lows dropped into the 40s. Our warming trend that began yesterday, continues today ahead of a cold front that will bring us another cool down by Sunday.

Thermometer readings this morning are running near 20° warmer with many locations in the upper 60s to low 70s. We may even see some low clouds and patchy fog, especially in the areas that received rain late yesterday evening. Skies through the day will stay mostly cloudy, however we may be able to see a few holes in the clouds revealing a few rays of sunshine through the mid day hours. A south and southwesterly wind flow this afternoon will fuel in some warmer air as highs quickly rise into the upper 70s to 80° with a boost in our humidity levels as well.

Another potent two sided storm system will continue to develop across our northern Gulf coast states with moderate to heavy rain through the Florida Panhandle to wintry weather including more snow moving up across the mid - Atlantic and northeast states today.

FORECLOSURE REVIEW-VO

MONDAY IS THE DEADLINE TO ASK FOR A "FREE" REVIEW IF YOUR HOME WAS IN FORECLOSURE IN 2009 OR 2010.

"MILLIONS" OF HOMEOWNERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE REVIEW, WHICH STEMS FROM A SETTLEMENT BETWEEN FEDERAL BANK REGULATORS AND MORTGAGE SERVICERS BUT FEWER THAN 400-THOUSAND HAVE REQUESTED ONE.

UTAH TEACHERS GUNS-2SHOT

AS YOU KNOW, THE GUN CONTROL DEBATE HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS MORE THAN EVER SINCE THE SHOOTINGS IN NEWTOWN.

IT'S CAUSED CONTROVERSY ABOUT WHETHER TEACHERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CARRY GUNS IN SCHOOLS.

WELL THE STATE OF UTAH HAS TAKEN A STEP IN THAT DIRECTION, OFFERING GUN TRAINING TO TEACHERS.

UTAH TEACHERS GUNS-PKG

SCRIPT:

TAPE

THERE IS JUST ONE THING ON THE LESSON PLAN FOR THESE UTAH TEACHERS: HOW TO

PACK HEAT. ON THE JOB.

SOT

to have them, handle them and know how to use them and to be able to use

them appropriately is really, quite, high-priority for me.

WHILE THIS GUN MAY BE FAKE MANY FEAR THE THREATS FACING SCHOOL

CLASSROOMS ARE VERY REAL.

AND SO 200 TEACHERS MET OVER THE HOLIDAY BREAK TO BECOME STUDENTS THEMSELVES

. LEARNING HOW TO PROTECT THEIR CLASSROOMS FROM AN ARMED INTRUDER.

SOT -- 16;33;39;02

we'll never know how many lives could've been saved at Sandy Hook Elementary

if someone had a firearm.

SINCE THAT SHOOTING AT SANDY HOOK, MORE AND MORE STATES ARE LOOKING TO ADD

THEIR NAMES TO THE FEW THAT ALREADY ALLOW GUNS IN SOME FORM IN PUBLIC

SCHOOLS.

APPLICATIONS AT ONE OHIO SHOOTING CLASS ARE UP 20 PERCENT. AND IT'S

EVERYONE FROM TEACHERS TO BUS DRIVERS TO JANITORS WANTING TO LEARN HOW TO

ARM THEMSELVES ON CAMPUS.

SOT

The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun

SOT

The NRA's blanket call to arm our schools is really nothing more than a

distraction.

AS THE DEBATE IN WASHINGTON RAGES ON.SO DO THE CLASSES ON HOW TO ARM

TEACHERS IN UTAH.

SOT

we just want to make sure people have the tools at their disposal to

mitigate risk and save lives at the end of the day

THIS TRAINING WAS SO POPULAR. THERE'S ALREADY ANOTHER ONE PLANNED FOR THE

NEXT SCHOOL BREAK.

NATS -- TRAINING

SUPERS:

BROOK HATCH/TEACHER

CLARK APOSHIAN/CHAIRMAN, UTAH SHOOTING SPORTS COUNCIL

WAYNE LAPIERRE/VICE PRESIDENT, NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION

SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN/ CALIFORNIA

RIO HEAT-VO WIPE

RIO DE JANEIRO RECORDED ITS HOTTEST DAY SINCE 1915 THIS WEEK WHEN TEMPERATURES ALMOST HIT 110 DEGREES.

RIO'S IPANEMA BEACH WAS PACKED YESTERDAY WITH TOURISTS AND LOCALS TRYING TO BEAT THE HEAT.

IT WAS SO HOT THAT A BRITISH TOURIST FAINTED AND A RESCUE CREW HAD TO COME IN.

MEANWHILE, IN ARGENTINA'S CAPITAL OF BUENOS AIRES, A HEAVY HEAT WAVE SENT TEMPERATURES TO ALMOST 108 DEGREES.

CHINA ICE FESTIVAL-VOTOPS

AND NOW TO THE OTHER EXTREME.

PREPARATIONS ARE ALMOST COMPLETE FOR ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR WINTER FESTIVALS IN THE WORLD.

THE HARBIN ICE FESTIVAL IN CHINA OPENS ON JANUARY FIFTH.

MORE THAN TWO-THOUSAND PIECES OF ICE ART WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN AN AREA COVERING 185 ACRES.

THERE'S ALSO SCULPTING COMPETITIONS, MUSIC AND SHOWS FOR GUESTS TO TAKE IN.

PROTECTING GIFT CARDS-VO

DID SANTA LEAVE A GIFT CARD UNDER YOUR TREE?

WELL, A CONNECTICUT SENATOR WANTS TO MAKE SURE IT NEVER EXPIRES.

DEMOCRAT RICHARD BLUMENTHAL'S PROPOSED "GIFT CARD CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT" WOULD BAN INACTIVITY AND SERVICE FEES, AND PROHIBIT EXPIRATION DATES ON ALL GIFT CARDS AND GIFT CERTIFICATES.

RUSSIAN ADOPTIONS BANNED-2SHOT

THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS BRINGING HEARTBREAK TO SOME POTENTIAL PARENTS HERE IN THE U-S, WHO ARE IN THE PROCESS OF ADOPTING CHILDREN FROM RUSSIA.

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS SIGNED A NEW LAW BANNING THOSE ADOPTIONS, LEAVING SHOCKED ADULTS AND CHILDREN WONDERING WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT.

RUSSIAN ADOPTIONS BANNED-PKG

couple holding pink doll and blanket

CINDY AND DENNIS BOYER WERE JUST WEEKS AWAY FROM ADOPTING BABY ADALYN.

nat snd-home video. stills

THEY MET THE ALMOST 2-YEAR OLD RECENTLY. AS THEY VISITED HER RUSSIAN ORPHANAGE.

BUT NOW. RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS SIGNED A LAW THAT DESPITE MOUNDS OF PAPER WORK.

nat snd-piles of paperwork close up, nat sound of mom reading details

employment records. verifications. tax returns."

AND THOUSAND OF DOLLARS ALREADY SPENT.

ALL OF THE MORE THAN 1,500 ADOPTIONS TO AMERICAN FAMILIES CURRENTLY UNDERWAY. AND ANY FUTURE ADOPTIONS. ARE PERMANENTLY CANCELED.

"she's ready for a home. she's ready for a family. she's ready to be loved."

WHY THE NEW ADOPTION LAW SIGNED SO PUBLICLY?

RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES SAY SOME OF THE ADOPTED HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR DIED, ONE UNRULY BOY WAS EVEN SENT BACK ON A PLANE ALONE TO RUSSIA.

STANDUPER

Also at play here say experts."Retaliation" to a visa ban on Russian officials accused of human rights violations.

SOT-Georgetown University Professor and Council on Foreign Relations Russian expert Charles Kupchan

They're retaliating by holding hostage orphans that otherwise would have homes in the united states.

TEASE FIVE-OC

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

GOT MILK?

PEOPLE COULD BE ASKING THAT A LOT MORE IF THE GOVERNEMENT DOESN'T REACH A DEAL ON THE FISCAL CLIFF CRISIS.

TZ5 A MILK PRICES-VO

TZ5 B EMERGENCY LANDING LIVE-LIVE SHOT

HEADLINES-ANIBOXES

RIGHT NOW ON N-B-C 2 NEWS TODAY, AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN INDIANA FOR A SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BOUND AIRLINER, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST IN A LIVE REPORT FROM THE PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT

PLUS, A LEHIGH ACRES FAMILY IS WITHOUT A HOME THIS MORNING AS A FIRE SWEEPS THROUGH THEIR HOUSE LEAVING NOTHING.

HEADLINE 1 EMERGENCY LANDING-LIVE SHOT

HEADLINE 2 LEHIGH FIRE-VIDBOX

HEADLINE 3 FISCAL CLIFF-VIDBOX

NEWS OPEN-CLIP

GOOD MORNING-2 SHOT

GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO N-B-C 2 NEWS TODAY.

I'M JOE ROETZ.

AND I'M KELLY CRESWELL.

TODAY IS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29.

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

BUT FIRST METEOROLOGIST HALEY WEBB JOINS US WITH YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST.

TODAY'S 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.

"You'll need the umbrellas today, sweaters tomorrow"

If you like the colder weather, hopefully you soaked up every last minute of it yesterday morning as lows dropped into the 40s. Our warming trend that began yesterday, continues today ahead of a cold front that will bring us another cool down by Sunday.

Thermometer readings this morning are running near 20° warmer with many locations in the upper 60s to low 70s. We may even see some low clouds and patchy fog, especially in the areas that received rain late yesterday evening. Skies through the day will stay mostly cloudy, however we may be able to see a few holes in the clouds revealing a few rays of sunshine through the mid day hours. A south and southwesterly wind flow this afternoon will fuel in some warmer air as highs quickly rise into the upper 70s to 80° with a boost in our humidity levels as well.

Another potent two sided storm system will continue to develop across our northern Gulf coast states with moderate to heavy rain through the Florida Panhandle to wintry weather including more snow moving up across the mid - Atlantic and northeast states today.

EMERGENCY LANDING-2SHOT

PASSENGERS ABOARD A PUNTA GORDA BOUND PLANE THAT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING YESTERDAY HAVE FINALLY MADE IT BACK TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SAFELY.

THEY ARRIVED AT THE PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT AROUND 4 THIS MORNING

AND THAT'S WHERE N-B-C 2'S LEIGH DANA IS WITH MORE.

EMERGENCY LANDING-REM LIVE

EMERGENCY LANDING-PKG

EMERGENCY LANDING-REM LIVE

LEHIGH FIRE-VO

DEVELOPING THIS MORNING, A LEHIGH ACRES FAMILY IS HOMELESS AFTER A FIRE SWEPT THROUGH THEIR HOME.

IT ALL HAPPENED LAST NIGHT ON CAPRI STREET, BETWEEN JAGUAR AND COLUMBUS BOULEVARDS.

INVESTIGATORS SAY THE FAMILY AND MOST OF THEIR PETS, 3 DOGS, 2 BIRDS AND A CAT, MADE IT OUT SAFELY.

LEHIGH FIRE-SOTVO

SOT: Robert Dilallo, Batallion Chief:0"When we arrived there was too much fire to make an offensive attack so we made a defensive attack from the outside. We didn't put any firefighters in danger, just a lot of week."

CAR THEFT-OC SS

SOME OLD-FASHIONED, POUNDING THE PAVEMENT INVESTIGATIVE WORK IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY LANDS TWO FORT MYERS THIEVES IN JAIL.

ONE IS A MINOR---WITH FIVE FELONY CHARGES.

A CHARLOTTE COUNTY SHERIFF'S K-9 DEPUTY WAS PATROLLING JUST OUTSIDE THE DOWNTOWN PUNTA GORDA AREA WHEN HE HEARD CAR ALARMS GOING OFF.

HE DISCOVERED TWO VEHICLES AT THE "BUY HERE PAY HERE" LOT HAD BEEN BROKEN INTO AND A THIRD WITH A DAMAGED LOCK.

WITH THE HELP OF PUNTA GORDA POLICE, THE DEPUTY USED HIS K-9 TO TRACK DOWN THE THIEVES.

23 YEAR OLD JOHNNY TILLMAN WAS ARRESTED ALONG WITH THE MINOR IN A STOLEN CAR FROM "BUY HERE PAY HERE".

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS STILL SEARCHING FOR THREE SUSPECTS WHO DROVE OFF IN A STOLEN WHITE CHEVY CAPRICE CLASSIC ALSO FROM "BUY HERE PAY HERE".

FISCAL CLIFF-VO

A SENSE OF URGENCY THIS MORNING IN WASHINGTON.

TALKS BETWEEN PRESIDENT OBAMA AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS YESTERDAY MAY HAVE SEEN SOME PROGRESS TOWARD AVOIDING THE IMPENDING FISCAL CLIFF.

A LENGTHY STALEMATE PROMPTED FRIDAY'S LAST DITCH EFFORT TO RESOLVE THE ONSET OF TAX HIKES AND SPENDING CUTS SET TO TAKE EFFECT ON JANUARY 1ST.

FISCAL CLIFF-SOT VO

S/ President Barack Obama:28 "I just want to repeat, we had a constructive meeting today, Senators Reid and McConnell are discussing a potential agreement, where we can get a bi-partisan bill out of the Senate over to the House and done in a timely fashion, so that we met the December 31st deadline but given how things have been working in this town we always have to wait and see until it actually happens."

SENATE LEADERS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE WORKING THROUGH THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND TO SEE IF THEY CAN COME UP WITH A DEAL.

LOCAL PROGRAMS AFFECTED-OC-SOTVO

IF A DEAL ISN'T REACHED BY MONDAY, THOUSANDS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SENIORS COULD GO HUNGRY.

FOOD PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD BE CUT, INCLUDING ONE PROVIDED BY SENIOR FRIENDSHIP CENTERS OF LEE COUNTY.

NANCY green-Irwin/ exec dir. Senior friendship centers of lee county

18:02 185 seniors are on a waiting list right now for home delivery meals and that's going to grow if there's a problem with cuts

IF CUTS HAPPEN THAT WOULD MEAN 28-THOUSAND MEALS HANDED OUT TO THE ELDERY ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WOULD BE ELIMINATED.

MEET THE PRESS-OC SS

AND JUST APROGRAMMING NOTE,

COMING UP SUNDAY ON MEET THE PRESS--

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA.

MODERATOR DAVID GREGORY CANCELLED HIS SCHEDULED VACATION AND WILL GO ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE PRESIDENT IN THE FINAL HOURS BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

COLLIER MOM ARRESTED-2SHOT

A COLLIER MOM IS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY THREATENING HER SON WITH A GUN.

COLLIER MOM ARRESTED-PKG

TWENTY-THREE YEAR-OLD CLARK SHOTWELL IS FEELING SORRY AFTER LOUD MUSIC AND FLARING TEMPERS LANDED HIS MOM IN JAIL.

"I feel horrible, I feel like I can never forgive myself for this."

CLARK SAYS HE WAS PLAYING LITTLE WAYNE RAP MUSIC IN HIS MOTHERS BEDROOM AT 8 THURSDAY MORNING--

WHEN SHE TOLD HIM TO TURN IT DOWN.

"It was too loud and she doesn't like loud noise. I talked back and then she made a comment that I don't care about anybody except myself and that made me upset."

THE TWO STARTED ARGUING--

ACCORDING TO A COLLIER COUNTY ARREST REPORT, CLARK TOLD DEPUTIES HIS MOM TRIED TO PUSH HIM OUT OF THE BEDROOM--

HE RESISTED.

THAT'S WHEN HIS MOM ALLEGEDLY GRABBED A HANDGUN--

POINTED IT AT THE CEILING, AND YELLED AT CLARK TO GET OUT.

"They put her in handcuffs, she's in tears and they take her to jail."

CLARK CALLED DEPUTIES WHO ARRESTED HIS MOM-- 51-YEAR-OLD KAREN SHOTWELL-- FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON.

NOW HE SAYS THEY GOT IT ALL WRONG-- AND HIS MOM NEVER ACTUALLY THREATENED HIM WITH THE GUN.

"She had a.38, she has one in her drawer, when she pushed me out of her room I saw her open her drawer so I walked away. that's the reason I called the cops."

HE SAYS HE IMMEDIATELY REGRETTED THE DECISION TO CALL 911 AND TOLD THE DISPATCHER HE DIDNT NEED HELP.

BUT DEPUTIES STILL SHOWED UP.

NOW HE WISHES HE COULD TAKE IT ALL BACK.

"This shouldn't have happened the way it did. She shouldn't be in jail."

FMPD 23RD MURDER-SS-VO

IT HAS BEEN AN ESPECIALLY VIOLENT YEAR IN THE CITY OF FORT MYERS.

POLICE ARE NOW INVESTIGATING THE 23RD HOMICIDE OF THE YEAR.

THAT'S THE MOST EVER SINCE THEY STARTED KEEPING TRACK.

DETECTIVES TELL US A GUNMAN SHOT AND KILLED 35-YEAR OLD ROBERT RAYBON JUNIOR ON FRIDAY.

FAMILY MEMBERS TELL US HE WAS SHOT IN HIS DRIVEWAY AND COLLAPSED WHILE TRYING TO GET BACK IN HIS HOUSE.

FMPD 23RD MURDER-SOTVO

1747 "it's hard if no one don't talk. If they beat the bushes, if the beat the bushes hard enough they'll come up with something. There is something that can be said If you beat the bushes hard enough, somebody will talk."

GOLDEN FATE FIRE CHIEF RESIGNS-OTS VO

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN GOLDEN GATE WILL HAVE TO FIND A NEW CHIEF COME FEBRUARY.

CHIEF ROBERT METZGER ANNOUNCED HIS SUDDEN RESIGNATION YESTERDAY.

HE SAID HIS LAST DAY WITH THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE FEBRUARY 10TH.

METZGER HAS BEEN ON THE JOB FOR FIVE YEARS.

NY FIREFIGHTER LATEST-VO

THERE ARE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CHRISTMAS EVE AMBUSH AND KILLING OF TWO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS WHO WERE RESPONDING TO A HOUSE FIRE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK.

24-YEAR-OLD DAWN NGUYEN WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH PURCHASING TWO OF THE THREE GUNS USED BY WILLIAM SPENGLER IN THE DEADLY AMBUSH.

NGUYEN, A FORMER NEIGHBOR OF THE CONVICTED FELON, IS FACING BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL CHARGES STEMMING FROM THE PURCHASE OF A SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE AND A 12-GAUGE SHOTGUN.

2WEEK VIGIL-VO

THE HEALING PROCESS CONTINUES IN THE CLOSE KNIT COMMUNITY OF NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT.

IT WAS JUST OVER TWO WEEKS YESTERDAY THAT A GUNMAN OPENED FIRE AT SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, KILLING 20 CHILDREN AND 6 STAFF MEMBERS IN ONE OF THE DEADLIEST ATTACKS IN HISTORY.

RUSSIA PLANE CRASH

BREAKING NEWS OUT OF RUSSIA THIS MORNING.

A PASSENGER PLANE SLID OFF THE RUNWAY AT RUSSIA'S THIRD-BUSIEST AIRPORT TODAY, BROKE INTO PIECES AND CAUGHT FIRE, KILLING TWO PEOPLE.

THERE ARE CONFLICTING REPORTS AS TO HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE ABOARD THE PLANE.

EMERGENCY OFFICIALS SAID SEVERAL WERE IN CRITICAL OR SERIOUS CONDITION.

THE CRASH OCCURRED AMID LIGHT SNOW, BUT OTHER DETAILS WERE NOT IMMEDIATELY KNOWN.

INITIAL REPORTS SAID THE PLANE CRASHED WHILE LANDING, BUT LATER REPORTS INDICATED IT WAS TRYING TO TAKE OFF.

NEWTOWN SURVIVOR LAW SUIT-VO

A SIX- YEAR OLD WHO SURVIVED THAT SHOOTING NOW WANTS TO SUE THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, FOR 100 MILLION DOLLARS.

HER ATTORNEY SAYS EVEN THOUGH SHE MADE IT OUT SAFELY, SHE'S TRAUMATIZED AFTER LOSING FRIENDS AND HEARING THE SCREAMING AND GUNSHOTS.

ATTORNEY IRV PINSKY SAYS HIS CLIENT HEARD THE TRAGIC EVENTS OVER THE SCHOOL'S LOUDSPEAKER AND HE HAS FILED A CLAIM WITH THE STATE'S CLAIM COMMISSIONER.

NEWTOWN SURVIVOR LAW SUIT-SOTVO

S/ Irv Pinsky/ Attorney:56 - 1:01"The state could have, there's a whole lot of architectural designs they can use in schools to make it much harder to happen."

PINSKY IS NOT RELEASING THE NAME OF HIS CLIENT.

GGE HOME INVASION 911 CALL-VO

MORE DETAILS ARE OUT ABOUT A ROBBERY IN COLLIER COUNTY.

WE RECEIVED THE 9-1-1 CALL FROM THE WOMAN WHO SAYS FOUR MEN DRAGGED HER AND HER ROOMMATES ACROSS THE LAWN OF THEIR HOME.

IT HAPPENED IN GOLDEN GATE ESTATES LAST WEEK.

GGE HOME INVASION 911 CALL-SOT OC

911 sot:

"1:00 they robbed my house they tied us up and told us to just keep quiet and not move. Dragged me across the lawn."

THE MEN RANSACKED THE HOUSE STEALING MONEY AND JEWELRY.

AUTHORITIES STILL HAVEN'T MADE ANY ARRESTS.

AERO MED STAYING IN LEE FOR NOW-VO

AEROMED IS STAYING IN LEE COUNTY, FOR NOW.

LEE COUNTY COMMISSIONER FRANK MANN TELLS N-B-C 2 THEIR EMERGENCY HELICOPTER WILL REMAIN AT PAGE FIELD.

THAT'S JUST UNTIL A CONTRACT WITH A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT FOR MEDSTAR CAN BE REACHED.

COMMISSIONERS ARE LOOKING OVER FOUR APPLICANTS NOW.

A RECOMMENDATION IS EXPECTED NEXT MONTH.

RED TIDE STUMP PASS-VO

RED TIDE IS BACK!

AFTER NEARLY TWO-MONTH WITHOUT IT, RED TIDE IS ONCE AGAIN BEING SEEN ON THE BEACHES OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

HUNDREDS OF DEAD FISH STARTED WASHING ON SHORE IN SRASOTA AND CHARLOTTE COUNTIES ON WEDNESDAY.

RED TIDE STUMP PASS-(2)SOTVO

I was really surprised I was shocked they were here and no body was cleaning them up and that there were so many

I knew the red tide was here so u knew there'd be some dead fish. It was more than I expected

ON ENGLEWOOD PUBLIC BEACH, CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES CLEANS UP ALL THE DEAD FISH.

ON THE REST OF THE PRIVATE BEACHES, THE OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANING UP THE FISH OR LETTING NATURE RUN ITS COURSE.

TEASE SIX-2 SHOT

IMAGINE ASKING FOR AN I-PAD FOR CHRISTMAS THEN OPENING THE BOX ONLY TO FIND SOMETHING ELSE INSIDE

COMING UP WE'LL SHOW YOU WHAT ONE WOMAN GOT AND WHAT SHE DID ABOUT IT.

AND IT'S A HOT TREND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE PUTTING ON---SKINNY JEANS.

TZ6 A IPAD NOTEPADS-VOWP

TZ6 B SKINNY JEANS-VOTOPS

MR. GREENTHUMB-PKG

FORECAST OPEN-CLIPTOPS

FORECAST-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

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

"You'll need the umbrellas today, sweaters tomorrow"

If you like the colder weather, hopefully you soaked up every last minute of it yesterday morning as lows dropped into the 40s. Our warming trend that began yesterday, continues today ahead of a cold front that will bring us another cool down by Sunday.

Thermometer readings this morning are running near 20° warmer with many locations in the upper 60s to low 70s. We may even see some low clouds and patchy fog, especially in the areas that received rain late yesterday evening. Skies through the day will stay mostly cloudy, however we may be able to see a few holes in the clouds revealing a few rays of sunshine through the mid day hours. A south and southwesterly wind flow this afternoon will fuel in some warmer air as highs quickly rise into the upper 70s to 80° with a boost in our humidity levels as well.

Another potent two sided storm system will continue to develop across our northern Gulf coast states with moderate to heavy rain through the Florida Panhandle to wintry weather including more snow moving up across the mid - Atlantic and northeast states today.

SKINNY JEANS-2SHOT

IT'S BEEN A TOP FASHION FAD FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.

BUT COULD WEARING THOSE TRENDY SKINNY JEANS LAND YOU IN YOUR DOCTOR'S OFFICE?

SKINNY JEANS-PKG

SCRIPT:

Nats "I've got my tight pants onnnn."

WILL FERREL MAY HAVE MOCKED THEM ON JIMMY FALLON

"tiighht pants."

BUT EVERYONE'S STILL SHIMMING INTO THEM.

THE FIRST FAMILY, TAYLOR SWIFT, EVEN HER NEW BEAU HARRY STYLES ALL "STYLIN'"

IN THEIR SKINNIES.

BUT DOCTORS WARN THAT THIS FASHION *DO* MAY POSE SOME TROUBLING HEALTH *DON'

TS.*

ACCORDING TO THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY THOSE "TIGHT PANTS" CAN SQUEEZE *

MORE THAN YOUR SILHOUETTE, TEMPORARILY PINCHING THE NERVES IN YOUR HIPS,

CAUSING SOMETHING CALLED Meralgia paresthetica.

Dr. Karen Boyle / Urologist

The disorder occurs when one of the nerves on the outer part of the thigh

compresses and pressure on in causes symptoms of tingling and numbness and

pain.

OTHER POSSIBLE HEALTH HAZARDS? ABDOMINAL PAIN, HEARTBURN, EVEN BLOOD

CLOTS!

BUT MOST FASHIONISTAS OUTSIDE OUR NEW YORK STUDIOS *WERE WILLING TO TAKE THE

RISK.

MOS

Will circulation problems, potential health risks, make you stop wearing

this trend?

No it just. It looks too good

IF YOU'RE GONNA SPORT THE SKINNY, DOCTORS SAY BEST BET GO STRETCHY AND

GIVE YOU'RE BODY A LITTLE ROOM TO BREATH.

ANOTHER TIP? DITCH THE HEELS- THEY ONLY INCREASE CIRCULATION PROBLEMS.

Dr. Karen Boyle / Urologist

Because the pelvis tilts some, it can further accentuate the pressure that's

caused.

AS THE TIGHT TREND CONTINUES TO SQUEEZE SOCIETY ONE LEG AT A TIME

Nats, tight pants song

IPAD NOTEPADS-2SHOT VO

A WOMAN IN VIRGINIA SAYS HER CHRISTMAS PRESENT WAS AN UNWELCOME SURPRISE.

SHE SAYS WHEN SHE OPENED HER I-PAD BOX, IT DIDN'T HAVE A SHINY NEW TABLET, BUT A BUNCH OF PAPER NOTEPADS.

MARY BERGSTEIN SAID SHE AND HER HUSBAND FILED A POLICE REPORT, THEN TOOK THE BOX AND NOTEPADS BACK TO WALMART.

SHE SAYS THE STORE MANAGER GAVE THEM THE RUN AROUND UNTIL THEY CONTACTED THE MEDIA.

MOON PIE-2SHOT VO

WELL EVERYONE KNOWS THAT IN NEW YORK CITY THEY DROP A HUGE BALL OF CRYSTAL ON NEW YEAR'S.

BUT IN THE CITY OF MOBILE, ALABAMA THEY DROP A HUGE MOON PIE.

ON FRIDAY, THE CITY UNVEILED A SMALLER, BUT EDIBLE MOON PIE AS PART OF A PREVIEW FOR NEW YEAR'S.

THE PLASTIC MOON PIE THAT DROPS AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT WEIGHS 350 POUNDS AND IS 12-FEET TALL.

IT'S THE FIFTH YEAR FOR THE DROP AND FOR THE EDIBLE 80-POUND MOON PIE, BOTH IDEAS FROM A MOBILE CITY COUNCILMAN.

THINGS TO DO TODAY-2 SH CGS

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOME THINGS-2-DO THIS WEEKEND -- WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.

YOU CAN HEAD DOWN TO ESTERO FOR THE 2-ND ANNUAL COCONUT POINT NEW YEARS WEEKEND ART FESTIVAL.

YOU CAN ENJOY FINE ART, MUSIC, PHOTOGRAPHY AND EVEN ONE-OF-A-KIND JEWELS.

IT ALL STARTED JUST A SHORT TIME AGO AT 10 AT THE COCONUT POINT MALL.

THE EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO ALL AGES --

AND WILL LAST UNTIL AROUND 5, THIS EVENING.

TONIGHT -- YOU CAN SWING BY THE EDISON HOME, IN FORT MYERS.

FOR THE EDISON AND FORD HOLIDAY NIGHTS.

IT'S ALL APART OF NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT BY SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.

THE ESTATES MUSEUM AND EDISON BOTANIC RESEARCH LAB WILL ALSO BE OPEN, DURING THE EVENT.

THERE'S THE OPTION OF A SELF GUIDED OR TOUR GUIDED TOUR WITH AN ESTATES SITE HISTORIAN.

IT ALL STARTS AT 5:30.

TICKET PRICES VARY.

TEASE SEVEN-2 SHOT

COMING UP - WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THIS MORNING'S TOP STORIES.

TRASH OR TREASURE-SOTTOPS

TRASH OR TREASURE-PKG

TOP STORIES 1 EMEREGENCY LANDING-TRX-VOTOPS-WIPE

NOW LET'S TAKE ONE MORE LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

PASSENGERS ABOARD A PUNTA GORDA BOUND PLANE THAT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING YESTERDAY HAVE FINALLY MADE IT BACK TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SAFELY.

THEY ARRIVED AT THE PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT AROUND 4 THIS MORNING FROM INDIANA.

ALLEGIANT AIR FLIGHT 959 WAS ONLY IN THE AIR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE OFFICIALS SAY THE CARGO FIRE LIGHT CAME ON.

TOP STORIES 2 LEHIGH FIRE-VOTOPWP

A LEHIGH ACRES FAMILY IS HOMELESS THIS MORNING AFTER A FIRE DESTROYED THEIR HOME.

IT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT ON CAPRI STREET, BETWEEN JAGUAR AND COLUMBUS BOULEVARDS.

INVESTIGATORS SAY THE FAMILY AND MOST OF THEIR PETS, 3 DOGS, 2 BIRDS AND A CAT, MADE IT OUT SAFELY.

TOP STORIES 3 FISCAL CLIFF-VOTOPS

TALKS BETWEEN PRESIDENT OBAMA AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS YESTERDAY MAY HAVE SEEN SOME PROGRESS TOWARD AVOIDING THE IMPENDING FISCAL CLIFF.

A LENGTHY STALEMATE PROMPTED FRIDAY'S LAST DITCH EFFORT TO RESOLVE THE ONSET OF TAX HIKES AND SPENDING CUTS SET TO TAKE EFFECT ON JANUARY 1ST.

FINAL WEATHER-3-SHOT

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.

"You'll need the umbrellas today, sweaters tomorrow"

If you like the colder weather, hopefully you soaked up every last minute of it yesterday morning as lows dropped into the 40s. Our warming trend that began yesterday, continues today ahead of a cold front that will bring us another cool down by Sunday.

Thermometer readings this morning are running near 20° warmer with many locations in the upper 60s to low 70s. We may even see some low clouds and patchy fog, especially in the areas that received rain late yesterday evening. Skies through the day will stay mostly cloudy, however we may be able to see a few holes in the clouds revealing a few rays of sunshine through the mid day hours. A south and southwesterly wind flow this afternoon will fuel in some warmer air as highs quickly rise into the upper 70s to 80° with a boost in our humidity levels as well.

Another potent two sided storm system will continue to develop across our northern Gulf coast states with moderate to heavy rain through the Florida Panhandle to wintry weather including more snow moving up across the mid - Atlantic and northeast states today.

CLOSE-3-SHOT

CREDITS-REM LIVE