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HL1) FLU EPIDEMIC-VOTOPS-TRX

COUGHING --

SNEEZING --

RUNNY NOSE --

ALL STAPLE SIGNS OF THE FLU VIRUS -- THAT'S TAKING THE NATION BY STORM, THIS MORNING.

MULTIPLE STATES CALLING THE OUTBREAK -- AND EPIDEMIC.

WE CONTINUE OUR COVERAGE -- OF THIS SEASON'S *DEADLY FLU VIRUS.

HL3) DRIVERLESS CAR-SOTVO

So we want to make sure

there are steps that people have the experience and practice of being able

to take over when they need to

THIS CAR COULD BE A BETTER DRIVER THAN YOU.

THAT'S RIGHT -- A CAR -- THAT DRIVES ITSELF.

HL2) FORECAST-TRX-WX GFX

NEWS TODAY OPEN-CLIP

GOOD MORNING-1SHOT

GOOD MORNING!

THANKS FOR JOINING US ON NBC-2 NEWS TODAY.

I'M KELLY CRESWELL.

TODAY IS SATURDAY, JANUARY 12-TH.

PYTHON SEASON-TRX-SOTVO

RIGHT NOW --

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FOR THE FIRST EVER PYTHON CHALLENGE.

IT'S ALL IN EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE EVERGLADES --

AND EXPERTS SAY -- UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES COULD MAKE THE HUNT -- A LITTLE EASIER.

that coupled with the fact we're right in the middle of breeding season you're about twice as likely to find the males moving around

NEARLY 700 PROFFESIONALS AND NOVICES ARE SET TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PYTHON CHALLENGE.

PYTHON SEASON-SOTVO

SIMON HEAVLIN, SNAKE COLLECTOR: they don't seek out any one type of prey over another its just whatever happens to cross their paths that's what they take

FWC IS OFFERING CASH REWARDS:

ONE-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE PERSON WHO CATCHES OR KILLS THE LONGEST PYTHON.

15-HUNDRED FOR WHOEVER CATCHES OR KILLS THE MOST.

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY AND NO LICENSE IS NEEDED FOR THE MONTH-LONG CHALLENGE.

PYTHON COVERAGE PROMISE-OC

COUNT ON NBC2 FOR UPDATES ON HOW THE HUNT IS GOING.

AT THE END OF THE MONTH, WE'LL FIND OUT HOW SUCCESSFUL IT WAS, IN ELIMINATING THE INVASIVE SNAKES.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED --

YOU CAN REGISTER TO COMPETE THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE COMPETITION -- EVEN ON THE LAST DAY

6:02 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

6:02 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Another very warm January weekend is in the works for Southwest Florida with near record highs possible yet again.

With strong high pressure blocking any incoming cold fronts, daytime highs will easily warm into the low to mid 80s through the next several days, which is close to record high territory. The record high is 85° today and 86° Sunday, so we'll probably come closest to potentially tying the record this afternoon.

Sunshine will dominate our weekend weather, but some low clouds and fog may develop during the early morning both today and Sunday. In the places where fog manages to develop, it will likely fade very quickly by mid morning.

Some patchy, fair-weather clouds will develop as we go through the late morning and afternoon, but rain prospects will stay quite low through the weekend. Minus a stray spotty shower, our weather will stay dry with rain chances less than 10%.

If you're heading out to the beach to enjoy the warm weather, weather conditions should be perfect. Water temperatures will range from 70-72°, and seas will be close to 2 feet. The only thing to look out for will be sea fog if you're going out in the boat during the early morning.

Our warm weather pattern will stay locked in place through most of the upcoming week until a weak front approaches by Thursday. If the front manages to push far enough south, we'll see the possibility of slightly cooler weather by the end of the week. Even then, temperatures will only cool a few degrees by Friday with highs in the upper 70s and lows in the upper 50s.

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

GGE BABY DEATH-TRX-OTS-OC

NEW THIS MORNING--

OUR PARTNERS AT THE NAPLES DAILY NEWS CONFIRMED A 14-MONTH OLD DIED THURSDAY AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL AFTER BEING FOUND UNRESPONSIVE IN A FAMILY SWIMMING POOL IN GOLDEN GATE ESTATES.

DEPUTIES SAY THE TODDLER'S MOTHER WAS AT HOME COOKING WHEN SHE SAW HER DAUGHTER'S CUP BY THE EDGE OF THE POOL AND THE GIRL IN THE WATER SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

INVESTIGATORS ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE AUTOPSY RESULTS.

COLLIER MISSING MEN TIP-TRX-VOTOPS

THERE COULD BE A BREAK THIS MORNING IN THE DISAPPERANCE OF TWO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA MEN -- NEARLY A DECADE AGO.

NBC-2 IS LEARNING OF TWO BIG TIPS IN THE CASE.

THE INFORMATION COMES JUST TWO DAYS AFTER FILMMAKER TYLER PERRY SPARKED NEW INTEREST IN THE COLD CASES.

DEPUTIES TELL US -- ONE OF THOSE TIPS WAS A POSSIBLE SIGHTING OF FELIPE SANTOS.

COLLIER MISSING MEN TIP-2SOT VO OC

Captain Chris Roberts/CCSO/10:17:37 "I provided the attorney that was with him yesterday with my contact information and asked him to reach out to us when they're ready."

Chris Roberts/10:17:23 "We'll wait and see what comes to it."

HERE'S ANOTHER LOOK AT SANTOS AND WILLIAMS.

PERRY IS OFFERING 100 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR ANY INFORMATION LEADING TO AN ARREST.

DEPUTIES TELL US THEY CAN'T RELEASE WHERE THE POSSIBLE SIGHTING WAS --

STOLEN GUNS-SSVO

THIS MORNING -- 20 STOLEN GUNS -- INCLUDING AN AK-47 -- ARE ON THE STREETS --

AFTER THEIVES ROBBED A NORTH FORT MYERS HOME.

BUT THE WHOLE ACT WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA.

LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES ARRESTED JOSEPH RIVERA AND MARQUIS KITCHEN.

A THIRD MAN.FELIX GARCIA REMAINS ON THE RUN.

A FEW DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS DEPUTIES TELL US THE MEN BROKE INTO A HOUSE ON GARDENIA CIRCLE EAST.

THE VICTIM PROVIDED THESE IMAGES TO INVESTIGATORS.

YOU CAN SEE THE THIEVES IN HIS HOUSE STEALING HIS WEAPONS.

STOLEN GUNS-SOTVO

21:44 "me- being by myself everyday- all day. it's kind of scary."

THERE IS AN ALERT OUT FOR THE GUNS.

DEPUTIES ARE HOPING SOMEONE TURNS IN 22 YEAR-OLD GARCIA.

GUN CONTROL-VOTOPS OC

MEANWHILE---TALKS CONTINUE IN WASHINGTON ABOUT GUN CONTROL.

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WRAPPED UP YESTERDAY'S MEETINGS --

BY SITTING DOWN WITH THE VIDEO GAMING INDUSTRY.

THE GAMING INDUSTRY SAYS VIOLENT GAMES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM --

BUT "COULD BE PART OF THE SOLUTION."

THERE ALSO COULD SOON BE UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, LIMITATIONS ON HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES, AND BANNING OF ASSAULT WEAPONS.

CHIEF BAKER LETTER TO LAWMAKERS-OC-SS-OC

THE FORT MYERS POLICE DEPARTMENT WANTS TO RESTRICT PUBLIC INFORMATION IN POLICE REPORTS.

CHIEF DOUG BAKER SENT A LETTER TO STATE LAWMAKERS ASKING FOR A CHANGE -- TO KEEP VICTIMS AND WITNESS NAMES OUT OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.

CHIEF BAKER THINKS MORE WITNESSES WOULD COME FORWARD WITH INFORMATION IF THEY WEREN'T AT RISK OF BEING PUBLICIZED.

FLU UPDATE-OC

NOW TURNING TO THE FLU OUTBREAK THIS MORNING GRIPPING MORE THAN HALF OF THE NATION.

47-STATES ARE NOW REPORTING WIDESPREAD INFLUENZA ACTIVITY --

THAT'S UP THREE STATES FROM EARLIER THIS WEEK.

HOSPITALS ARE PACKED AND SOME HAVING BARELY ENOUGH SUPPLIES TO HELP ALL INCOMING PATIENTS.

BUT EXPERTS SAY -- THERES A SIGN OF HOPE --

FLU UPDATE-PKG

TONIGHT, AMID ALL THE SNEEZING AND COUGHINGA GLIMMER OF HOPE.

WE TALKED TO HOSPITALS AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE SOUTH AND MANY ARE

SEEING IT.

FROM KNOXVILLE TENNESSEE:

WE ARE SEEING THAT DOWNTURN

TO NORTH CAROLINA:

BUT IT'S NOT UNIVERSAL. EVEN IN THE SAME STATES, SOME HOSPITALS ARE STILL

GETTING SLAMMED.

A DOCTOR FROM DUKE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL ALSO IN NORTH CAROLINA TELLS US.

THIS YEAR'S FLU SEASON HIT EARLY -- NOVEMBER 25 , A MONTH EARLIER THAN A

TYPICAL ONE. WE ARE NOW 6 WEEKS INTO IT AND IF THIS YEAR IS LIKE YEARS'

PAST, WE LIKELY HAVE 6 OR MORE WEEKS TO GO.

MEANING IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO GET SOME PROTECTION. AND TODAY THE CDC

PROVIDED THE FIRST INDICATION OF HOW WELL THE VACCINE IS WORKING.

TURNS OUT, IT IS 62% EFFECTIVE, MEANING IF YOU GOT THE VACCINE, YOU ARE 62 %

LESS LIKELY TO HAVE TO VISIT YOUR DOCTOR FOR THE FLU.

BUT THE CDC ACKNOWLEDGES THERE HAVE BEEN SHORTAGES OF THAT VACCINE.

SO OUR TEAM FANNED OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO SEE WHAT THEY COULD FIND OUT.

IN CHICAGO

NATS - I'M GOING TO LOG INTO FLU.GOV TO FIND THE CLOSEST PLACE TO GET THE

FLU SHOT.

AT THE PHARMACY, SUCCESS.

NATS - DO YOU HAVE ANY VACCINE LEFT?

NATS - WE CERTAINLY DO.

IN NEW YORK CITYANOTHER SUCCESS.

NATS - SO RIGHT NOW YOU'RE ADMINISTERING ABOUT 10 VACCINES AN HOUR?

NATS - YES

BUT IN NEW ORLEANSOUR FIRST CALL CAME UP EMPTY.

FLU UPDATE-OC

RICH BESSER REPORTING --

COMING UP IN OUR NEXT HALF HOUR --

NBC-2 SHOWS YOU A FEW ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES TO THE FLU --

BOCA RED TIDE-MAP VO

NBC-2 IS FOLLOWING THE LATEST WITH RED TIDE -- HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THIS MORNING -- RESEARCHERS ARE SAYING IT'S IN THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATIONS THEY'VE SEEN ALL SEASON.

THE LATEST SATELLITE IMAGE FROM FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION SHOWS ALARMING NUMBERS.

YELLOW. GREEN AND RED MARKS CONFIRMED RED TIDE.

RED IS THE HIGHEST --

AND IT'S ALL HAPPENING FIVE TO TEN MILES WEST OF BOCA GRANDE'S COAST.

DESPITE REPORTS FROM FWC OF A SIGNIFICANT FISH KILL IN THIS AREA,

WE DIDN'T SEE ANY DEAD FISH OFF SHORE.

BOCA RED TIDE-2SOTVO

It surprises me quite a bit because I'm very sensative to allergents and things and I'm not feeling anything at all."

It's horrible there's dead fish, obnoxious fumes and respiratory problems. We're lucky though there was none of that it here to day."

EVEN THOUGH MAJORITY OF THE BEACH AREAS ARE CLEAR --

INLAND- THE DEAD FISH ARE PLENTIFUL.

FORECAST TODAY'S DAYPLANNER-WX GFX

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

BREAK ONE AT 6:09:30

6:12 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

CROSS TALK-2SHOT

6:12 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Another very warm January weekend is in the works for Southwest Florida with near record highs possible yet again.

With strong high pressure blocking any incoming cold fronts, daytime highs will easily warm into the low to mid 80s through the next several days, which is close to record high territory. The record high is 85° today and 86° Sunday, so we'll probably come closest to potentially tying the record this afternoon.

Sunshine will dominate our weekend weather, but some low clouds and fog may develop during the early morning both today and Sunday. In the places where fog manages to develop, it will likely fade very quickly by mid morning.

Some patchy, fair-weather clouds will develop as we go through the late morning and afternoon, but rain prospects will stay quite low through the weekend. Minus a stray spotty shower, our weather will stay dry with rain chances less than 10%.

If you're heading out to the beach to enjoy the warm weather, weather conditions should be perfect. Water temperatures will range from 70-72°, and seas will be close to 2 feet. The only thing to look out for will be sea fog if you're going out in the boat during the early morning.

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

SPORTS WRAP-PKG

MR. GREENTHUMB-PKG

BREAK TWO AT 6:19:30

6:22 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

6:22 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Another very warm January weekend is in the works for Southwest Florida with near record highs possible yet again.

With strong high pressure blocking any incoming cold fronts, daytime highs will easily warm into the low to mid 80s through the next several days, which is close to record high territory. The record high is 85° today and 86° Sunday, so we'll probably come closest to potentially tying the record this afternoon.

Sunshine will dominate our weekend weather, but some low clouds and fog may develop during the early morning both today and Sunday. In the places where fog manages to develop, it will likely fade very quickly by mid morning.

Some patchy, fair-weather clouds will develop as we go through the late morning and afternoon, but rain prospects will stay quite low through the weekend. Minus a stray spotty shower, our weather will stay dry with rain chances less than 10%.

If you're heading out to the beach to enjoy the warm weather, weather conditions should be perfect. Water temperatures will range from 70-72°, and seas will be close to 2 feet. The only thing to look out for will be sea fog if you're going out in the boat during the early morning.

Our warm weather pattern will stay locked in place through most of the upcoming week until a weak front approaches by Thursday. If the front manages to push far enough south, we'll see the possibility of slightly cooler weather by the end of the week. Even then, temperatures will only cool a few degrees by Friday with highs in the upper 70s and lows in the upper 50s.

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

BIZ WEEK REVIEW-OC

TURNING TO THE BUSINESS WORLD --

BIZ WEEK REVIEW-PKG

IT'S THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY.COLLEGE KIDS ARE HEADING BACK TO CLASSES.HOCKEY PLAYERS ARE GEARING UP TO START AN ABBREVIATED N-H-L SEASON.CONGRESS RETURNS FROM YET *ANOTHER * RECESS.AND EARNINGS SEASON KICKS INTO HIGH GEAR ON WALL STREET.

IT'LL BE A BIG WEEK FOR *BANK* EARNINGS.FOLLOWING WELLS FARGO'S RECORD FIVE BILLION DOLLAR PROFIT REPORTED LAST FRIDAY.THANKS TO ISSUING MORE MORTGAGE LOANS. THIS WEEK.WE'LL GET MORE PROFIT REPORTS FROM THE LIKES OF J-P MORGAN CHASE.BANK OF AMERICA.GOLDMAN SACHS AND MORGAN STANLEY.

AS FOR THE REBOUNDING HOUSING MARKET. WE'LL GET UPDATES ON NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION FOR DECEMBER. WHICH ACTUALLY DIPPED A BIT LOWER THE MONTH PRIOR.AS WELL AS HOME BUILDER SENTIMENT FOR JANUARY.WHICH IS EXPECTED TO CLIMB ON INCREASING SALES.

WE ALREADY HEARD FROM A LOT OF STORES ABOUT SALES THIS PAST HOLIDAY SEASON.WITH SOME DOING BETTER THAN OTHERS. THIS WEEK.THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT RELEASES *ITS* TAKE ON RETAIL SALES FOR DECEMBER.

WE'LL SEE IF INFLATION IS IN CHECK.WITH TWO READINGS ON PRICES THIS WEEK. ONE ON THE COST OF GOODS FOR PRODUCERS.ONE ON WHAT CONSUMERS PAY AT THE CASH REGISTER.

AND FACEBOOK HAS A BIG SECRET.INVITING THE PRESS TO.QUOTE."COME SEE WHAT WE'RE BUILDING" AT ITS SILICON VALLEY HEADQUARTERS. COULD IT BE A FACEBOOK PHONE? WE'LL FIND OUT ON TUESDAY.

DRIVERLESS CAR-VO

WE ALL KNEW IT WAS EVENTUALLY COMING---THE SELF DRIVING CAR.

WHILE IT'S STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT, THE RESEARCH IS ALREADY MAKING DRIVING SAFER AND EASIER.

WE CAN ALL RELATE TO THIS SCENARIO---TRYING TO GET YOUR CAR IN AND OUT OF A TINY PARKING SPOT.

ULTRASONIC SENSORS BUILT INTO THE BUMPERS, ALONG WITH DRIVER ASSISTANCE TECHNOLOGY, CAN MOVE THE CAR OUT OF THE TIGHT SPOT.

DRIVERLESS CAR-SOTVO

Wolfgang Durheimer/Audi Research & Development Director

"We assist him and in very predictable situations we also can allow that he

is a little bit relaxed in what's happening with the car, but he will still

remain behind the steering wheel and be in charge of what's happening with

the car."

AUDI IS PART OF THE VOLKSWAGEN GROUP, WHICH RUNS THIS ELECTRONICS RESEARCH

LAB IN SILICON VALLEY.

FORD HIRING-VO

AMERICA'S AUTO INDUSTRY IS BACK.

FORD JUST ANNOUNCED IT IS HIRING 22-HUNDRED FULL TIME WORKERS.

BEFORE YOU APPLY---YOU BETTER MAKE SURE YOU'RE MEDIA SAVVY.

THE FOUR MAJOR CATEGORIES FORD WILL LOOK TO HIRE IN ARE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, ENGINEERING, MANUFACTURING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.

FORD HIRING-SOTVO

Joe Hinrichs, President, Ford of the Americas"We're looking for people with skills like hybrid technology, software development and to support the new technologies coming forward to support all that great new product coming.

HONDA IS ALSO CREATING 50 JOBS LATER THIS YEAR WHEN IT BUILDS A NEW HYBRID ACCORD SEDAN.

TOSS TO BREAK-1SHOT

YOU ARE WATCHING NBC TWO NEWS TODAY.

STRAIGHT AHEAD, YOUR TOP STORIES AND BREAKING NEWS OVERNIGHT.

BREAK THREE AT 6:27:15

HL1) EXTREME WEATHER-SOTVOTOPS

"Our patio flew off in the back, it's actually over here in the neighbor's

yard.

RECORD HEAT IN FLORIDA WHILE SNOW BLANKETS CALIFORNIA CROPS.

HL2) FORECAST-TRX-WX GFX

HL3) BUS FIRE-TRX-VOTOPS

AND --

PEOPLE SCRAMBLING FOR THEIR LIVES -- JUST SECONDS BEFORE A BUS ERUPTS IN FLAMES.

NBC-2 SHOWS YOU THE AMAZING VIDEO --

NEWS TODAY OPEN-CLIP

GOOD MORNING-OC-TRX

GOOD MORNING!

THANKS FOR JOINING US ON NBC-2 NEWS TODAY.

I'M KELLY CRESWELL.

TODAY IS SATURDAY, JANUARY 12-TH.

FLU UPDATE-SOTVO

NATS - DO YOU HAVE ANY VACCINE LEFT?

NATS - WE CERTAINLY DO.

NATS - SO RIGHT NOW YOU'RE ADMINISTERING ABOUT 10 VACCINES AN HOUR?

NATS - YES

THE SEASONAL FLU -- HAS REACHED EPIDEMIC PORPORTIONS.

NATIONWIDE -- 47 STATES ARE REPORTING CASES OF THE VIRUS --

FLORIDA BEING ONE OF THEM.

HOME TREATMENTS-OC

AND EXPERTS SAY, THERE'S A VARIETY OF THINGS YOU CAN DO AT HOME, AS ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES TO THE FLU.

40-PERCENT OF AMERICANS ARE HOPPING ON THE MODERN MEDICINE BANDWAGON --

AND USING HERBS AND REMEDIES FOUND IN HEALTH FOOD STORES --

AND EVEN STUFF FOUND IN YOUR KITCHEN CABINET.

HOME TREATMENTS-PKG

IF YOU'RE HOME SICK WITH THE FLU.BOOSTING TRADITIONAL TREATMENTS WITH

NATURAL INGREDIENTS YOU CAN FIND IN YOUR LOCAL VITAMIN STORE MAY BRING YOU

SOME REAL RELIEF.

ELDERBERRY, SPECIFICALLY THE SAMBUCOL TYPE, IS WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

THERE ARE STUDIES THAT SHOW ELDERBERRY PILLS OR EXTRACT SHORTEN THE DURATION

OF FLU SYMPTOMS IN ADULTS. THEY CAN ALSO HELP EASE SWOLLEN SINUSES.

BUT DON'T GIVE ELDERBERRY TO YOUR KIDS.

AND CERTAINLY DON'T EAT THE WILD BERRIES. THEY CAN BE TOXIC UNCOOKED.

NATS

AND LOOK WHAT YOU CAN FIND IN THE SUPERMARKET.

IN THE SPICE AISLE YOU MIGHT WANT TO GRAB A JAR OF TURMERIC. THE POPULAR

INDIAN SPICE IS BEING STUDIED BY THE NIH AND APPEARS TO HAVE ANTIVIRAL

PROPERTIES

THE POPULAR INDIAN SPICE CONTAINS A SUBSTANCE CALLED CURCUMIN, WHICH IS

BELIEVED TO HELP PREVENT VIRUSES FROM SPREADING IN YOUR BODY.

AND WHAT ABOUT THAT OLD FAVORITE?

CHICKEN SOUPYOUR MOTHER MAY HAVE BEEN ON TO SOMETHING. THERE'S ACTUALLY

SCIENCE BEHIND IT.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN *THAT* HOMEMADE REMEDY CAN HELP CLEAR UP CONGESTION.

AND ONE PROMINENT JOURNAL REPORTED THAT CHICKEN SOUP ACTUALLY AFFECTS YOUR

BODY'S WHITE BLOOD CELLS.HOLDING THEM BACK FROM CREATING CONGESTION IN YOUR

BODY-MEANING LESS COUGHING AND SNEEZING. AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING SEEN WITH

HOME TREATMENTS-OC

DOCTOR JENNIFER ASHTON REPORTING --

THERE'S ALWAYS THE OPTION OF GETTING A FLU SHOT --

6:32 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

6:32 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Another very warm January weekend is in the works for Southwest Florida with near record highs possible yet again.

With strong high pressure blocking any incoming cold fronts, daytime highs will easily warm into the low to mid 80s through the next several days, which is close to record high territory. The record high is 85° today and 86° Sunday, so we'll probably come closest to potentially tying the record this afternoon.

Sunshine will dominate our weekend weather, but some low clouds and fog may develop during the early morning both today and Sunday. In the places where fog manages to develop, it will likely fade very quickly by mid morning.

Some patchy, fair-weather clouds will develop as we go through the late morning and afternoon, but rain prospects will stay quite low through the weekend. Minus a stray spotty shower, our weather will stay dry with rain chances less than 10%.

If you're heading out to the beach to enjoy the warm weather, weather conditions should be perfect. Water temperatures will range from 70-72°, and seas will be close to 2 feet. The only thing to look out for will be sea fog if you're going out in the boat during the early morning.

Our warm weather pattern will stay locked in place through most of the upcoming week until a weak front approaches by Thursday. If the front manages to push far enough south, we'll see the possibility of slightly cooler weather by the end of the week. Even then, temperatures will only cool a few degrees by Friday with highs in the upper 70s and lows in the upper 50s.

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

EXTREME WEATHER-OC

THE WEATHER CONTINUES TO BE BEAUTIFUL IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

BUT IF YOU HAVE FAMILY OR FRIENDS IN JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER PART OF THE COUNTRY---THEY'LL TELL YOU THEY ARE BRACING FOR SOME WILD WEATHER.

WHETHER IT'S SNOW --

RAIN --

FREEZING COLD -- OR SUMMER LIKE TEMPERATURES --

RECORDS MAY BE SHATTERED IN A NUMBER OF STATES.

EXTREME WEATHER-PKG

EXTREME WEATHER-OC

MIGUEL ALMAGUER REPORTING --

COULD ALL THAT COLD WEATHER BE MOVING TOWARDS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA --

OBAMA KARZAI MEETING-SOTVO

MORE THAN A DECADE LATER --

U-S TROOPS WILL BE TURNING OVER CONTROL TO AFGHAN FORCES.

PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNALED THIS DECISION, YESTERDAY -- DURING AN ANNOUCEMENT AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

"starting this spring our troops will have a different mission: training advising and assisting aghan forces. "

13;42;51;14 "That doesn't mean that coalition forces, including U.S. forces, are no longer fighting. They will still be fighting alongside Afghan troopS."

THE PRESIDENT MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF AFHANISTAN.

THE TWO ANNOUNCED A QUOTE *SOMEWHAT ACCELERATED TIMELINE FOR U-S TROOPS TO TRANSFER CONTROL TO THE AFGHAN FORCES.

IT WAS INITIALLY SCHEDULED TO OCCUR THIS SUMMER.

OBAMA KARZAI MEETING-SOTVO

3:57:04:17 "I can't give you a precise number at this point.ill probably make a separate announcement once ive gotten recommendations from troops. "

14:01:30 Numbers are not going to make a difference to the situation in Afghanistan. It's the broader relationship that will make a difference to Afghanistan and, beyond, in the region.

CRITICS HAVE ARGUED THAT A COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL COULD LEAVE AFGHANISTAN VULNERABLE AND COULD *EVEN GIVE WAY TO CIVIL WAR.

ELECTION HEARING MONDAY-VO SS

LOOKING AHEAD, THIS SATURDAY MORNING --

STATE LEADERS ARE SCHEDULED TO MEET NEXT WEEK --

TO DISCUS THE WIDESPREAD ELECTION DAY CHAOS.

WE ALL REMEMBER PEOPLE IN LEE COUNTY WAITING IN LINES FOR HOURS TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

MONDAY, LEE COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS, SHARON HARRINGTON, WILL TESTIFY IN TALLAHASSEE ABOUT THE PROBLEM.

SHE'LL JOIN OTHER SUPERVISORS FROM ACROSS THE STATE WHO RAN INTO PROBLEMS IN THEIR COUNTIES.

TAFT SHOOTING LATEST-VO

A PRAYER VIGIL WAS HELD LAST NIGHT -- FOR THE SHOOTING AT CALIFORNIA'S TAFT HIGH SCHOOL.

CROWDS GATHERED AT A LOCAL PARK TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE SCHOOL AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

THURSDAY -- A 16-YEAR OLD STUDENT ARRIVED AT SCHOOL WITH A SHOTGUN -- TARGETING TWO STUDENTS WHO ALLEGEDLY BULLIED HIM.

HE SHOT AND INJURED ONE OF THE STUDENTS -- AND MISSED THE OTHER.

TAFT SHOOTING LATEST-SOTVO

"No, there was no pain or anything like that. He's just fine. Physically, he's absolutely super. Mentally, he's dealing with the day. He says it's the worse day of his like which you could imagine it would be."

BERBER SAYS PHYSICALLY -- HE'S DOING FINE.

THE SUSPECT WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.

OFFICIALS SAY -- THERE'S PLANS TO CHARGE HIM AS A JUVENILE WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER.

NY FERRY CRASH UPDATE-VO

THIS MORNING FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS ARE TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ENGINE OF THE FERRY THAT CRASHED INTO A NEW YORK CITY PIER WEDNESDAY MORNING.

85 OF THE 326 PASSENGERS ABOARD THE SEASTREAK FERRY WERE INJURED WHEN IT SLAMMED INTO THE PIER.

NY FERRY CRASH UPDATE-SOTVO

--SOT --

"We were informed by the engine manufacturer that the engine control unit captures data that may shed light on why the engines shut down during the accident sequence. However, we were also informed by the engine manufacturer that if we continue to run the engines, if we operated them excessively the data system -- the data may be overwritten. And for that reason, we will not run the engines until -- we will not test the engines until the engine manufacturer arrives."

COSTA CONCORDIA ANNIVERSARY-VO

ONE YEAR LATER -- AND OFFICIALS ARE *STILL TRYING TO CLEAN UP THE WRECKAGE FROM THE CRUISE SHOP THAT CRASHED OFF THE ITALIAN COAST.

THIS WEEKEND HUNDREDS OF VICTIMS AND THEIR RELATIVES REMEMBER THE COSTA CONCORDIA DISASTER.

THE WRECK ON JANUARY 13TH, 2012, KILLED AT LEAST 32 PEOPLE.

TWO ARE STILL MISSING.

THE CRUISE LINER IS STILL LYING ON ITS SIDE OFFSHORE.

TRIATHLON TRAFFIC ALERTS-TRX ANIMAP

WE HAVE AN NBC 2 TRAFFIC ALERT, THIS MORNING -- FOR COLLIER COUNTY DRIVERS.

TRIATHLETES WILL BE TAKING OVER SOME STREETS THIS WEEKEND.

THE COUNTY SAYS: EXPECT MAJOR TRAFFIC DELAYS ON VANDERBILT BEACH ROAD AND OTHER NEARBY ROADS --

IT INCLUDING COLLIER BOULEVARD AND IMMOKALEE ROAD.

THIS ALL STARTS WITHIN THE NEXT TWO HOURS -- AT 7-30.

IT GOES UNTIL ABOUT 5-30, THIS EVENING.

THEN AGAIN ON SUNDAY.

FORECAST WHAT'S TRENDING-WX GFX

BREAK FOUR AT 6:39:30

6:42 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

CROSS TALK-2SHOT

6:42 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Another very warm January weekend is in the works for Southwest Florida with near record highs possible yet again.

With strong high pressure blocking any incoming cold fronts, daytime highs will easily warm into the low to mid 80s through the next several days, which is close to record high territory. The record high is 85° today and 86° Sunday, so we'll probably come closest to potentially tying the record this afternoon.

Sunshine will dominate our weekend weather, but some low clouds and fog may develop during the early morning both today and Sunday. In the places where fog manages to develop, it will likely fade very quickly by mid morning.

Some patchy, fair-weather clouds will develop as we go through the late morning and afternoon, but rain prospects will stay quite low through the weekend. Minus a stray spotty shower, our weather will stay dry with rain chances less than 10%.

If you're heading out to the beach to enjoy the warm weather, weather conditions should be perfect. Water temperatures will range from 70-72°, and seas will be close to 2 feet. The only thing to look out for will be sea fog if you're going out in the boat during the early morning.

Our warm weather pattern will stay locked in place through most of the upcoming week until a weak front approaches by Thursday. If the front manages to push far enough south, we'll see the possibility of slightly cooler weather by the end of the week. Even then, temperatures will only cool a few degrees by Friday with highs in the upper 70s and lows in the upper 50s.

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

BOEING 787 PROBLEMS-OC

THIS MORNING -- THERE'S A GOOD AMOUNT OF QUESTIONS SURROUNDING BOEING'S NEWEST AIRLINER.

AFTER ELECTRICAL FIRES, A FUEL LEAK AND CRACKS IN WINDSHIELDS -- FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ARE LAUNCHING WHAT THEY CALL, A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE 787 DREAMLINER.

BOEING 787 PROBLEMS-PKG

A BAD WEEK FOR BOEING'S 787 DREAMLINER BEGAN MONDAY IN BOSTON WHEN A BATTERY EXPLODED CAUSING A FIRE.THAT FILLED THE CABIN WITH SMOKE.

.FOLLOWED TUESDAY BY ANOTHER.ALSO AT BOSTON'S LOGAN.FORCED BACK TO THE GATE BECAUSE OF A FUEL LEAK.

THEN, BRAKE PROBLEMS.CRACKED WINDSHIELDS. AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES ON OTHER DREAMLINERS AROUND THE WORLD.

.CULMINATED FRIDAY WITH U-S TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS MAKING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

"That we are conducting a comprehensive review of the design and production of the Boeing 787"

IT'S FAR FROM A GROUNDING. BUT STILL AN EXTRAORDINARY STEP FOR THE F-A-A. WHICH SAYS THE FOCUS WILL MAINLY BE ON THE DREAMLINER'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

"We want to determine the causes of these recent events so that they won't happen again"

BOEING'S PRESIDENT SAYS EVERY NEW AIRCRAFT HAS ISSUES. AND THE COMPANY WELCOMES THE REVIEW.

"We have complete confidence in the 787 and so do our customers as many of you have heard from them in recent days"

Sot/ Sec. Ray Lahood / US Dept of Transportation 1:00 - 1:08

"I believe this plane is safe and I would have absolutely no reservation of boarding one of these planes and taking a flight"

INDEED, THE DECISION DIDN'T AFFECT THE INAUGURAL FLIGHT FRIDAY OF A DREAMLINER FROM SAN JOSE TO TOKYO ON JAPAN'S ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS.

"If this was a serious safety concern for the FAA, they would ground this airplane / edit / that hasn't happened which is a good sign.

HOWEVER, THE REVIEW HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DEAL A SETBACK TO THE DREAMINLINER ESPECIALLY IF IT LEADS TO A COSTLY DESIGN CHANGE.

TRANSIT BUS FIRE-VOTOPS

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS INCREDIBLE VIDEO --

THIS TRANSIT TOURIST BUS BURST INTO FLAMES ON A SEATTLE HIGHWAY.

IT ALL HAPPENED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF FRIDAY MORNING'S COMMUTE.

TRANSIT BUS FIRE-SOTVO-TRX

All of a sudden we heard this loud boom happened in the back, then people were screaming 'Get off, get off.'

As soon as we got off the bus and got within a safe distance, the bus went up into flames in the rear and so we're like oh.ok.

EVERYONE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT SAFELY.

YOU CAN SEE TRAFFIC WAS BACKED UP FOR HOURS -- WHILE THE SCENE WAS CLEARED.

TX HOME EXPLOSION-VOTOPS

MEANWHILE -- TAKE A LOOK AT THIS CHILLING SCENE.

THIS USED TO BE A HOUSE --

UNTIL AN EXPLOSION FLATTENED THIS NORTH TEXAS HOME.

THREE PEOPLE WERE INJURED AFTER AN APPARENT GAS LEAK CAUSED THE EXPLOSION.

THE LEWISVILLE FIRE CHIEF SAYS THERE WAS NO INDICATION IT WAS ABOUT TO BLOW.

AURORA SHOOTING UPDATE-VOTOPS

THESE ARE NEW COURT PHOTOS OF THE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING 12 AND WOUNDING DOZENS DURING A MASS SHOOTING AT A COLORADO MOVIE THEATER.

EMOTIONAL FAMILY MEMBERS WERE IN THE COURTROOM --

AS PROSECUTORS LAID OUT WHAT THEY ALLEGED WAS COLD BLOODED, DELIBERATE ATTACK BY JAMES HOLMES.

AURORA SHOOTING UPDATE-SOTVO

I didn't think he was going to say something like that, just like, I didn't know exactly what the outburst was, I thought maybe just like a scream or maybe crying, but when I found out it was "Rot in hell, James Holmes," I was kind of surprised.

THE JUDGE RULED THAT HOLMES CAN STAND TRIAL IN THE CASE.

HE WILL BE OFFICIALLY BE ARRAIGNED IN MARCH --

GATOR AT CHARLOTTE AIRPORT-OC SS SOTVO

AN ALLIGATOR DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS POSING A THREAT --

BUT THANKFULLY FOR A PLANE FULL OF PEOPLE, THE CHARLOTTE COUNTY AGRICULTURE DEPUTY DID.

THE DEPUTY, AN F-W-C OFFICER AND A PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT SECURITY GUARD WRESTLED THE GATOR LAST MONTH.

THE ANIMAL WAS WALKING TOWARD THE RUNWAY JUST AS A COMMERICAL JET WAS COMING IN TO LAND.

HE SAYS -- STOPPING IT WASN'T EASY.

Deputy Justin Treworgy, Charlotte Co. Sheriff's Office "he's fighting for his life. i can't tell him don't resist put your hands behind your back, he thinks i'm really trying to hurt him."

AUTHORITIES EVENTUALLY CORRALED IT.

A TRAPPER RELEASED IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.

OFF DUTY DOG SHOOTING-VO

THIS MORNING - A CAPE CORAL FAMILY SAYS AN OFF-DUTY DEPUTY OVER-REACTED --

WHEN HE SHOT AND KILLED THEIR PITBULL.

WE WANT TO WARN YOU, SOME MAY FIND THE PICTURES DISTURBING.

ACCORDING TO CAPE CORAL OFFICERS, THURSDAY AFTERNOON THAT DEPUTY WAS OFF DUTY.

THE PITBULL WAS NOT ON A LEASH.

HE TOLD OFFICERS HE FELT THREATENED SO HE SHOT IT.

UNDER FLORIDA LAW CAPE OFFICERS TELL US THE OFF DUTY DEPUTY DID NOTHING WRONG.

HE WILL NOT FACE CHARGES.

TOSS TO BREAK-1SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

BREAK FIVE AT 6:49:45

6:52 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

6:52 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Another very warm January weekend is in the works for Southwest Florida with near record highs possible yet again.

With strong high pressure blocking any incoming cold fronts, daytime highs will easily warm into the low to mid 80s through the next several days, which is close to record high territory. The record high is 85° today and 86° Sunday, so we'll probably come closest to potentially tying the record this afternoon.

Sunshine will dominate our weekend weather, but some low clouds and fog may develop during the early morning both today and Sunday. In the places where fog manages to develop, it will likely fade very quickly by mid morning.

Some patchy, fair-weather clouds will develop as we go through the late morning and afternoon, but rain prospects will stay quite low through the weekend. Minus a stray spotty shower, our weather will stay dry with rain chances less than 10%.

If you're heading out to the beach to enjoy the warm weather, weather conditions should be perfect. Water temperatures will range from 70-72°, and seas will be close to 2 feet. The only thing to look out for will be sea fog if you're going out in the boat during the early morning.

Our warm weather pattern will stay locked in place through most of the upcoming week until a weak front approaches by Thursday. If the front manages to push far enough south, we'll see the possibility of slightly cooler weather by the end of the week. Even then, temperatures will only cool a few degrees by Friday with highs in the upper 70s and lows in the upper 50s.

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

THINGS TO DO TODAY-CGTOPS

HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA THIS WEEKEND.

THE RIVERDALE KIWANIS MEDIEVAL FAIRE IS FEATURING ENTERTAINMENT ALL DAY LONG.

THE ACTIVITIES JUST GOT UNDERWAY AT LAKES PARK IN SOUTH FORT MYERS.

THERE'S PLENTY TO SEE AND DO --

WITH LIVE SWORD FIGHTING, RIDES AND ARTS AND CRAFTS.

ONE OF CAPE CORAL'S OLDEST AND MOST ANTICIPATED EVENTS KICKS OFF DOWTOWN.

THE 28TH ANNUAL CAPE CORAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS IS GOING ON TODAY AND TOMORROW FROM 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. ON CAPE CORAL PARKWAY, BETWEEN DEL PRADO BOULEVARD AND VINCENNES.

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.

FGCU INNOVATION HUB-VO-WIPE

THERE COULD BE A NEW RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CENTER COMING TO FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY --

BUT THAT'S IF THE STATE HELPS WITH FUNDING.

THE INNOVATION HUB WILL FOCUS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY.

RIGHT NOW -- THE UNIVERSITY HAS FOUR AND HALF MILLION DOLLARS TO START CONSTRUCTION IN AN EMPTY LOT OFF ALICO ROAD AND AIRPORT HAUL ROAD.

SCHOOL OFFICIALS TELL US -- THEY'RE LOBBYING FOR STATE FUNDING.

FGCU INNOVATION HUB-SOTVO

This is just another way for students to get involved in the community working or internships and seeing what's being done in the real world.

LEE TOURISM TAX-CG REVEAL-OC

WE'RE SEEING A SPIKE IN TOURISIM, HERE IN LEE COUNTY.

THIS MORNING -- WE HAVE THE LATEST NUMBERS.

TAKE A LOOK --

THE COUNTY COLLECTED 1-POINT-3 MILLION DOLLARS IN BED TAXES IN NOVEMBER OF 2012.

THAT'S UP 6-POINT-2 PERCENT FROM NOVEMBER 2011.

NOVEMBER 2012 WAS ALSO A GOOD MONTH FOR AIRPORT TRAFFIC.

MORE THAN 650,000 PEOPLE TRAVELED THROUGH RSW IN NOVEMBER.

CANADIAN TOURIST INCREASE-VO-WIPE

WE'RE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THAT SPIKE IN AIR TRAVEL --

AIR TRAFFIC FROM CANADA IS UP 20-PERCENT.

NEAR FREEZING TEMPERATURES IN CANADA IS SENDING SEASONAL RESIDENTS TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

HERE'S THE OTHER FACTOR -- EASY ACCESS.

R-S-W HAS ADDED AN ADDITIONAL DAILY FLIGHT FROM TORONTO THIS YEAR.

CANADIAN TOURIST INCREASE-SOT-OC

mayo hawco/ canada

20:15 the weather is fantastic. We hear it is unseasonably warm here. For us, it's great.

DONNA STOUT/ PRES ELECT CAPE CORAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

13:58 as the exchange rate changes and the availability to get down here, it's been increasing each year.

TWINS TICKETS-SS

STARTING TODAY --

YOU CAN BUY SPRING TRAINING TICKETS FOR THE MINNESOTA TWINS.

THE TEAM WILL START SELLING THOSE TICKETS AT NINE.

YOU CAN BUY THEM AT THE HAMMOND STADIUM BOX OFFICE IN FORT MYERS.

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIP

TS1) PYTHON SEASON-VOTOPS

YOUR TIME NOW IS--

LET'S GET YOU UP TO SPEED WITH THIS MORNING'S TOP STORIES.

\

WITHIN THE NEXT TWO HOURS -- HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WILL GATHER HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FOR THE FIRST EVER PYTHON CHALLENGE.

OFFICIALS SAY, ITS ALL IN EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE EVERGLADES.

RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES COULD MAKE THE HUNT -- A LITTLE EASIER.

TS2) FLU EPIDEMIC-VOTOPS-bnr

47-STATES ARE NOW REPORTING WIDESPREAD INFLUENZA ACTIVITY --

THAT'S UP THREE STATES FROM EARLIER THIS WEEK.

SOME MEDICAL CENTERS ARE STRUGGLING TO ASSIST INCOMING PATIENTS.

BUT THIS MORNING -- EXPERTS SAY, SOME STATES MAY HAVE REACHED THEIR PEAK.

TS3) COLLIER MISSING MEN-VOTOPS

JUST TWO DAYS AFTER TYLER PERRY VISITED SOUTHWEST FLORIDA --

AND OFFERED 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR INFORMATION ON TWO MISSING MEN -- A HELPFUL HINT COULD BE A BREAK IN THE DECADE-LONG CASE.

FELIPE SANTOS AND TERRANCE WILLIAM DISAPPERARED NEALY A DECADE AGO.

TS4) RED TIDE-SS-VO

FINALLY -- SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS BEING HIT HARD BY THE SEASONAL RIDE TIDE.

THIS MORNING -- RESEARCHERS ARE SAYING IT'S IN THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATIONS THEY'VE SEEN ALL SEASON.

ALTHOUGH MAJORITY OF THE BEACH AREAS ARE CLEAR --

INLAND- THE DEAD FISH ARE PLENTIFUL.

FINAL FORECAST-WX GFX

GOODBYE-2SHOT

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