DIRECTOR'S PAGE

4PM TOPICAL 2

RAIN AND WIND MOVING IN

We are tracking a line of heavy downpours and gusty winds this afternoon and evening. The lack of significant lightning with the weather coming in from the west would tend to indicate that our chance for severe weather is relatively low; however, some of the downpours will be accompanied by wind gusts over 45 mph and there is a chance for brief, but weak, tornadoes early on. The tornado watch issued for the area is mainly a precaution because a water spout did touch down in Tampa at 11:43 this morning. The event caused some damage around the Westin Hotel near downtown Tampa.

Looking ahead to the forecast tonight, we will continue to track the rain moving east at 20 - 25 mph. Inland counties can expect the rain shortly after sunset. Temperatures tonight will drop back into the 60's and it will still be windy through the night.

SHOW OPEN-CLIP

FIRST WEATHER-WX CNTR

RAIN AND WIND MOVING IN

We are tracking a line of heavy downpours and gusty winds this afternoon and evening. The lack of significant lightning with the weather coming in from the west would tend to indicate that our chance for severe weather is relatively low; however, some of the downpours will be accompanied by wind gusts over 45 mph and there is a chance for brief, but weak, tornadoes early on. The tornado watch issued for the area is mainly a precaution because a water spout did touch down in Tampa at 11:43 this morning. The event caused some damage around the Westin Hotel near downtown Tampa.

Looking ahead to the forecast tonight, we will continue to track the rain moving east at 20 - 25 mph. Inland counties can expect the rain shortly after sunset. Temperatures tonight will drop back into the 60's and it will still be windy through the night.

FL WX DAMAGE-TRXSS, VO

BREAKING RIGHT NOW - WE'RE GETTING A BETTER LOOK AT DAMAGE FROM A WATERSPOUT IN TAMPA.

YOU CAN SEE THE SPOUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BAY - NEAR HARBOR ISLAND FOR THOSE OF YOU FAMIILIAR WITH THE AREA.

LOOK AT THE HIGH RISE APARTMENT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR SCREEN.

THIS IS BRAND NEW VIDEO TAKEN RIGHT AFTER THE SPOUT DISAPPEARED.

YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF THE OUTDOOR FURNITURE TOPPLED OVER.

WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?!?!-trxOC, QBX

SEVERAL OTHER STORIES ARE BREAKING RIGHT NOW ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

IN COLLIER COUNTY, AGGRESSIVE BEARS TARGET AN EAST NAPLES RETIREMENT COMMUNITY *AGAIN.

WE'RE LIVE WITH DAMAGE AND WE ANSWER THE QUESTION - IS THE COMMUNITY IN DANGER?

** PLUS, DEAD FISH WASH ASHORE ON SANIBEL.

AND THESE AREN'T THE LITTLE ONES WE'VE BEEN SEEING.

NBC2 TRACKS RED TIDE.

** AND - SAYING GOODBYE.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS GATHER TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO A FALLEN COUNTRY STAR.

a east naples bear damage-vo

b dead fish on sanibel-vo

c mindy mccready funeral-vo

TOSS TO RICK-trxVO

FIRST AT FOUR.

BREAKING NEWS IN EAST NAPLES--

LOOK AT THIS MESS CAUSED BY A BLACK BEAR!

ANIMAP OF DAMAGE-ANIMAP-FLY

AND THIS INCIDENT --

MARKS THE SECOND TIME BEARS HAVE TRASHED THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

NBC-2'S RICK RITTER TAKES US INSIDE THE COMMUNITY FOR A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT THE DAMAGE.

EAST NAPLES BEAR DAMAGE-REM 26

EAST NAPLES BEAR DAMAGE-SOT

TAKE SOTS

DURATION = 0:14

Lois Martin/Lanai broken into by bear

"I was very upset, I'm 90 years old and I was upset when I saw it because nothing has ever happened like this to me."

John Delorenzo/Neighbor

EAST NAPLES BEAR DAMAGE-REM 26

MINDY MCCREADY SPECIAL OPEN-trxPKG

FINAL GOODBYES

FINAL GOODBYES.

FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, AND FANS OF MINDY MCCREADY COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE.

LAST WEEK, THE COUNTRY MUSIC STAR WAS FOUND DEAD ON HER ARKANSAS PORCH.

REMEMBERING MINDY

BRINGING HER LIFE TO AN END AT 37 YEARS OLD, LEAVING BEHIND TWO YOUNG SONS.

TOSS TO STEVE-DBXTOPS

NBC-2'S STEVE CAMPION JOINS US LIVE OUTSIDE THE CHURCH WHERE MINDY'S FUNERAL JUST ENDED.

MINDY MCCREADY FUNERAL-REM 7

MINDY MCCREADY'S OWN VOICE OVERPOWERED THE TEARS AND SADNESS INSIDE THIS CHURCH THIS AFTERNOON.

HER SONGS PLAYED BEFORE TODAY'S SERVICE -- AS FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FANS PAID THEIR FINAL RESPECTS.

MINDY MCCREADY FUNERAL-VO

AS MINDY MCCREADY'S SONGS FILLED CROSSROADS BAPTIST CHURCH IN FORT MYERS-- HER LOVED ONES TRIED TO COMFORT EACH OTHER.

THE NORTH FORT MYERS NATIVE'S COFFIN -- DRAPED IN FLOWERS -- REMAINED CLOSED AT THE CENTER OF THE CHURCH.

A PAINTING OF THE CHURCH SINGER SAT JUST TO ITS SIDE.

HER TWO BROTHERS REMEMERED MCCREADY WHO CALLED "SISSY" --- ONE JOKING SHE GOT US IN MORE TROUBLE THAN OUT.

THE MOST EMOTIONAL MOMENT CAME WHEN HER MOTHER GAYLE SPOKE -- SHE RECALLED A LITTLE GIRL WHO LOVED TO TOSS HER HAIR AND WHOSE FAVORITE CALL WAS GREEN.

MINDY MCCREADY FUNERAL-SOTVO

Take sot

Gayle Inge, McCready's Mother -- 54:35

MINDY MCCREADY FUNERAL-REM 7

MCCREADY'S MOM SAID THE DEATH OF HER DAUGHTER'S BOYFRIEND -- LEFT HER HOPELESS, BROKEN, AND HURT AND THAT SHE WAS IN HER DARKEST MOMENT WHEN SHE TOOK HER OWN LIFE ON FEBRUARY 17TH.

MINDY MCCREADY LEAVES BEHIND TWO YOUNG SONS ZANDER AND ZANE.

TOSS TO LAUREN-TRX

BREAKING NEWS ON SANIBEL - NBC2 CONFIRMS MORE DEAD FISH HAVE DIED FROM A RED TIDE BLOOM.

THE TOXIC ALGAE EVEN KILLED A DOLPHIN.

SANIBEL DEAD TARPON-CELL-REM

SANIBEL DEAD TARPON-SS

SANIBEL DEAD TARPON-CELL-REM

COSTELLO TRIAL BEGINS-TRXVO

AND THIS JUST INTO THE NEWSROOM.

WITHIN THE PAST 30 MINUTES, A JURY HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE MURDER TRIAL OF RYAN COSTELLO.

COSTELLO IS ACCUSED OF SHAKING HIS FOUR MONTH OLD SON TO DEATH IN 2010.

THE BABY SUFFERED MASSIVE HEAD INJURIES AND A FRACTURED SPINE.

VIDEO TAKEN INSIDE A LEE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE INTERROGATION ROOM SHOWS THE MOMENT COSTELLO AND HIS LIVE-IN GIRLFRIEND LEARNED OF THEIR SON'S DEATH.

INVESTIGATORS TELL NBC2 COSTELLO ADMITTED TO KILLING HIS SON.

DESOTO ANTIGAY BULLYING LAWSUIT-TRXREMLIVE OR VO

BREAKING NEWS - FIRST AT FOUR.

A DESOTO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IS SUING MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT - CLAIMING THEY VIOLATED HER RIGHTS.

16 YEAR OLD AMBER HATCHER IS OPENLY GAY.

SHE TRIED TO GET HER SCHOOL TO JOIN A NATIONAL DAY OF SILENCE TO RECOGNIZE ANTI-BULLYING EFFORTS.

HER PRINCIPAL AND THE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF THE DISTRICT REPORTEDLY TOLD HER NO, THEN SUSPENDED HER WHEN SHE TRIED TO ORGANIZE AN EFFORT.

HATCHER CLAIMS THE ADMINISTRATION VIOLATED HER FIRST AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

BUDGET BREAKDOWN-TRXOC

DEVELOPING IN WASHINGTON--

WE ARE CLOSELY WATCHING THE BUDGET BATTLE ON CAPITOL HILL.

THERE ARE JUST TWO DAYS BEFORE SWEEPING CUTS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN.

THE CUTS WOULD SLASH 85 BILLION DOLLARS FROM FEDERAL BUDGETS OVER THE NEXT SEVEN MONTHS.

TODAY FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN BEN BERNANKE SAID THE SEQUESTER WOULD WEAKEN ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

BIG BOARD-SAT-LIVE-TOPS

A LIVE LOOK AT THE BIG BOARD NOW.

STOCKS WERE HIGHER IN AFTERNOON TRADING ON WALL STREET, FOLLOWING YESTERDAY'S BIG SELLOFF.

A JUMP IN HOME SALES AND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE BROUGHT BUYERS BACK TO THE MARKET, ALONG WITH STRONG EARNINGS FROM HOME DEPOT AND OTHER HOME IMPROVEMENT COMPANIES.

CAR CHASE

BREAKING NEWS - SOUTH OF LOS ANGELES.

A HIGH SPEED CHASE IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

THERE IS NO WORD WHAT SPARKED THE CHASE.

AGAIN, THIS IS SOUTH OF LOS ANGELES.

A SILVER SE

TEASE ONE-2SHOT

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS - ARE IN THE COLD AND DARK - AFTER THE MIDWEST IS SLAMMED *AGAIN WITH A SERIOUS WINTER STORM.

WE'RE NOW GETTING WORD OF SEVERAL DEATHS, BECAUSE OF THE SNOWY AND ICY CONDITIONS.

A) winter storm update-vo

C) WEATHER TEASE-STC

COLLIER FEDERAL GUN IMPROVEMENTS-OC NATVO

COLLIER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVE A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT SECOND AMMENDMENT RIGHTS.

CHEERS AND A STANDING OVATION CAME FROM PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED THE MOVE TODAY.

THE RESOLUTION SAYS THE COUNTY SHOULD IGNORE ANY FEDERAL LAW THAT INFRINGES ON THEIR RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.

LAST MONTH PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA CALLED FOR CHANGES--

LIKE MORE BACKGROUND CHECKS, AND A BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS.

WINTER STORM UPDATE-VIDDBX

REMARKABLE VIDEO YOU HAVE TO SEE COMING IN TODAY FROM A MASSIVE WINTER STORM.

STRETCHING FROM COLORADO TO TEXAS TO IOWA IT'S BEING BLAMED FOR THREE DEATHS.

IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI SNOW AND ICE COVERED SEVERAL VEHICLES.

THEY WILL LIKELY STAY THAT WAY BECAUSE PLOW CANNOT CLEAR ROADS.

AND IN NORTHERN TEXAS, PASSENGERS HAD TENSE MOMENTS DURING LANDING.

IN SAN ANTONIO PLANES WOBBLED THROUGH GUSTY WINDS.

a ks snow on cars-vo

b tx planes struggle to land-vo

TEASE TWO-ONCAM

FIRST AT FOUR - NBC-2 IS TRACKING SHOWERS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

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.

RAIN AND WIND MOVING IN

We are tracking a line of heavy downpours and gusty winds this afternoon and evening. The lack of significant lightning with the weather coming in from the west would tend to indicate that our chance for severe weather is relatively low; however, some of the downpours will be accompanied by wind gusts over 45 mph and there is a chance for brief, but weak, tornadoes early on. The tornado watch issued for the area is mainly a precaution because a water spout did touch down in Tampa at 11:43 this morning. The event caused some damage around the Westin Hotel near downtown Tampa.

Looking ahead to the forecast tonight, we will continue to track the rain moving east at 20 - 25 mph. Inland counties can expect the rain shortly after sunset. Temperatures tonight will drop back into the 60's and it will still be windy through the night.

TRAFFIC-trxTFC FDOT

TRAFFIC BILLBOARD-CLIP

WELLS DISCLAIMER-SSTOPS

TOSS TO JIM-ONCAM

YOUR CREDIT SCORE AFFECTS MANY ASPECTS OF YOUR LIFE.

YET MANY AMERICANS DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE DEBT ON YOUR FAMILY BALANCE SHEET CAN AFFECT THAT SCORE.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MYTHS ABOUT DEBT THAT CAN AFFECT YOUR CREDIT SCORE?

WELLS FARGO ADVISORS-PLASMA

WELLS FARGO ADVISORS-CG

* When you marry you become responsible for your spouses debts-- FALSE!

* Credit cards from your favorite retailer are a good deal-- Not Always!

* If your parents give you money for a down payment for your house, it won't affect your credit--Potential Problems!

WELLS FARGO ADVISORS-PLASMA

WELLS FARGO TAG-SSTOPS

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE WELLS FARGO ADVISORS YOU CAN CALL THEM OR VISIT THEM.

TEASE THREE

MANY OF US HAVE BEEN STUCK IN LINES AT AIRPORT SECURITY.

A) confiscated tsa items-vo

FUNDRAISING BOY FOR FRIEND-(2) SS

HELPING A FRIEND IN NEED.

A FIRST-GRADER IN LOS ANGELES HAS RAISED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR HIS BEST FRIEND WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A RARE LIVER DISORDER.

HERE ARE DYLAN AND JONAH.

DYLAN DECIDED TO RAISE MONEY FOR RESEARCH TO HELP JONAH.

DYLAN'S PARENTS SUGGESTED HE DO A LEMONADE STAND.

BUT INSTEAD, HE WANTED TO WRITE A BOOK.

HERE IT IS.

AFTER JUST TWO MONTHS ON SHELVES, CHOCOLATE BAR, HAS RAISED 30-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

CONFISCATED TSA ITEMS-TRX

ALL NEW FIRST AT 4-

FROM GARDENING SUPPLIES TO TOOLS AND EVEN WEAPONS-

TRANSPORTATION SAFEY AGENTS AT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ARE INTERCEPTING THOUSANDS OF ITEMS EVERYDAY FROM FLYERS.

NBC2S JOELLE PARKS GOT AN UP CLOSE LOOK AT SOME OF THESES ITEMS.

CONFISCATED TSA ITEMS-LL-PKG

Take joelle @ 01-

Right now - about 19,000 people are going though southwest Florida internationals tsa checkpoints a day during tourism season.

That's up from 8,000 the rest of the year.

And if you're traveling- you know every minute counts.

Every person stopped for prohibited items slows down the security process.

Some items- like this- make it into carry on luggage by mistake.

But others- were trying to sneak in.

Sot

Robert Cohen

TSA Federal Security Director

@32-

Having done this for a few years now it continues to amaze me, I guess I'm not shocked in the sense that people bring things they shouldn't, but I think it just reiterates to me personally how important the message is.

Take live

3.4 ounces is the maximum size allowed in a carry on in one bag, But there are other rules you might not be aware of.

TEASE FOUR-2SHOT

EARLY THIS AFTERNOON - LEE AND CHARLOTTE COUNTIES WE'RE UNDER A TORNADO WATCH.

THE WARNING CAME AFTER A WATERSPOUT CAME ON SHORE ALONG TAMPA'S HARBOUR ISLAND.

FIRST AT FOUR - A LOOK AT THE DAMAGE AFTER HIGH WINDS ROARED THROUGH.

A) fl storm damage-vo

SHOW OPEN-CLIP

FIRST WEATHER-WX CNTR

RAIN AND WIND MOVING IN

We are tracking a line of heavy downpours and gusty winds this afternoon and evening. The lack of significant lightning with the weather coming in from the west would tend to indicate that our chance for severe weather is relatively low; however, some of the downpours will be accompanied by wind gusts over 45 mph and there is a chance for brief, but weak, tornadoes early on. The tornado watch issued for the area is mainly a precaution because a water spout did touch down in Tampa at 11:43 this morning. The event caused some damage around the Westin Hotel near downtown Tampa.

Looking ahead to the forecast tonight, we will continue to track the rain moving east at 20 - 25 mph. Inland counties can expect the rain shortly after sunset. Temperatures tonight will drop back into the 60's and it will still be windy through the night.

breaking traffic alert-FDOTTOPS

TOP STORIES AT NBC2-ANIBOXTOPS

THANKS, JIM.

STRONG STORMS WHIPPED THROUGH TAMPA EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON.

A WATERSPOUT FORMED NEAR HARBOR ISLAND.

MINOR DAMAGE WAS REPORTED.

ON SANIBEL, RED TIDE IS BEING BLAMED FOR KILLING ANOTHER ROUND OF SEA LIFE.

THIS IS THE FIFTH DAY IN A ROW THOUSANDS OF DEAD FISH HAVE WASHED ASHORE.

CITY OFFICIALS TELL US A DOLPHIN ALSO DIED FROM RED TIDE.

AND - FANS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY THEIR FINAL GOODBYES TO COUNTRY STAR MINDY MCCREADY.

TODAY WAS THE 37 YEAR OLDS FUNERAL.

THE SINGER COMMITTED SUICIDE LAST WEEK.

a fl storm damage-vo

b dead fish on sanibel-vo

c mccready funeral-vo

SEQUESTER BREAKDOWN-OC

WITH FRIDAY'S SQUESTER DEADLINE APPROACHING. HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER IS TURNING UP THE HEAT ON THE SENATE.

THE HOUSE HAS ALREADY PASSED TWO BILLS TO REPLACE THE 85-MILLION DOLLAR ACROSS THE BOARD BUDGET CUTS.

BUT THE SENATE HAS FAILED TO TAKE ACTION.

WINTER STORM UPDATE-VO-BNR

KANSAS, MISSOURI AND ILLINOIS - ALL IN THE CROSSHAIRS TODAY OF A BITTER WINTER BLIZZARD.

THE POWERFUL STORM RIPPED THROUGH DENVER MONDAY - DUMPING SNOW, BLOCKING ROADS, AND SNOWING-IN RESIDENTS.

SCHOOLS ARE SHUT DOWN FROM COLORADO TO IOWA.

WINTER STORM UPDATE-PKG

SNOW, STRETCHES FOR MILES ACROSS THE PLAINS RIGHT NOW.

MOUNTAINS OF THICK, WET POWDER.

BEING PUSHED.

SHOVELED.

AND SCRAPED AWAY.

"The sun is finally shining here in Wichita, after two major storms in four days. 21-inches of snow, a record for the month of February. families are finally getting the chance to start digging out."

THE LATEST STORM HAS MOVED ON.

"twice in a week, that's a lot of snow."

AND WHAT'S LEFT BEHIND IS STILL CAUSING MAJOR PROBLEMS ACROSS THE REGION.

DOZENS OF ACCIDENTS -- INCLUDING THIS OVER-TURNED 18 WHEELER.

A CITY BUS NEEDED SOME HELP TO GET THROUGH THE MESS.

WHILE DRIFTS STILL ARE PILED-UP ON CARS AND HOUSES.

REPORTER GARRETT HAAKE, FROM THE NBC AFFILIATE IN KANSAS CITY.

"I'm standing outside the eagles club in Belton, Missouri."

CAPTURED THE DESTRUCTIVE WEIGHT OF THE STACKED-UP SNOW. DURING THIS REPORT.

And one fire official oh here is comes

THE ROOF ALSO FELL-IN ON THIS ARENA IN KANSAS.

THE VIOLENT WEATHER SYSTEM DROPPING SNOW ACROSS THE MIDWEST. IS ALSO SOAKING THE SOUTH.

FLOOD WATERS ARE SWALLOWING NEIGHBORHOODS IN FLORIDA.

MAKING IT DIFFICULT. AND IN SOME PLACES IMPOSSIBLE TO GET AROUND.

WIND WHIPPED-UP THIS WATER SPOUT IN TAMPA BAY.

AND GUSTS OVER 50-MILES AN HOUR PUSHED FLAMES FROM HOUSE-TO-HOUSE IN THIS SAN ANTONIO NEIGHBORHOOD. AND ALSO MADE IT TOUGH FOR FIRE FIGHTERS TO CONTAIN A BLAZE AT THIS APARTMENT COMPLEX.

THE LATEST ROUND OF STORMS. LEAVING A MESS ACROSS MUCH OF THE COUNTRY.

FMB DEAD FISH CLEANUP-VO

FIRST AT FOUR WE TOLD YOU ABOUT THE BIG FISH KILL ON SANIBEL ISLAND THANKS TO RED TIDE.

ON FORT MYERS BEACH THIS MORNING CREWS TACKLED THE SAME KIND OF STINKY MESS.

TODAY NBC-2 CONFIRMED THE TOWN IS BRINGING IN EXTRA PEOPLE TO CLEAN UP THE MESS.

WORKERS ESTIMATE THEY'VE CLEARED ABOUT 12-THOUSAND FISH SO FAR TODAY.

FMB DEAD FISH CLEANUP-SOTVO

take sot

runs=9

super=Tim Swenson, visiting from Minnesota.

"we walk by the lani kai every morning on the beach and red tide fish are probably 1% of what they were here yesterday because of the wind and waves blowing through here now "

OFFICIALS STUDYING THE RED TIDE BLOOM OFF OF LEE COUNTY'S SHORES SAY IT'S *120 MILES* LONG.

AND THAT WE NEED AN EASTERLY WIND TO LESSEN IT'S AFFECTS ON THE BEACHES.

FGCU BEACH IMPROVEMENTS-VO

UPGRADES MIGHT BE COMING TO FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY'S BEACH.

THAT BEACH IS PART OF THE CAMPUS LAKE.

THE STUDENT SENATE WANTS TO BUY NEW LIFE JACKETS, STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS, SINGLE KAYAKS, DOUBLE KAYAKS AND SAND TO REFURBISH THE BEACH.

IT WILL COST THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT MORE THAN 15-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

THAT MONEY COMES FROM STUDENT FEES.

CHARCO TEENS CARHOPPING ARREST-SS, VO

TWO PORT CHARLOTTE TEENAGERS ARE ACCUSED OF STEALING ELECTRONICS FROM SEVERAL UNLOCKED CARS.

16-YEAR-OLD RONALD LAWRENZ AND 19-YEAR-OLD DERRICK CRISSINGER EACH FACE A LONG LIST OF THEFT AND BURGLARY CHARGES.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THE TWO TEENS BROKE INTO UNLOCKED CARS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD TWO WEEKS AGO STEALING CAMERAS, PHONES AND G-P-S DEVICES.

OUR CAMERA WAS THERE AS THE DIVE TEAM SWAM A CANAL - FINDING SOME OF THOSE STOLEN ITEMS.

CA SEARCH SUSPENDED-VO

ALL NEW - FIRST AT FOUR.

COAST GUARD OFFICIALS SUSPEND THE SEARCH FOR A CALIFORNIA FAMILY THOUGHT LOST AT SEA.

THE COAST GUARD BELIEVES IT WAS A HOAX.

CREWS HAVE BEEN SEARCHING BY AIR AND SEA SINCE SUNDAY NIGHT - WHEN THE COAST GUARD RECEIVED A SERIES OF DISTRESS CALLS FROM A HUSBAND, WIFE AND TWO YOUNG CHILDREN.

THE CALLER SAID THEIR SAILBOAT WAS TAKING ON WATER AND THEY HAD TO GET ON A LIFE RAFT.

HAGEL SENATE VOTE DECISION-VO

A SENATE VOTE TODAY HAS CLEARED THE WAY FOR CHUCK HAGEL'S NOMINATION AS SECRETARY OF DEFENSE.

THE G-O-P FILIBUSTER ENDED WITH A 71-27 VOTE.

HIS CONFIRMATION COULD HAPPEN LATER TODAY.

REPUBLICANS HAD OPPOSED THE PRESIDENT'S CHOICE AS DEFENSE SECRETARY.

CITING HAGEL'S SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL AND WILLINGNESS TO COMPROMISE WITH IRAN.

TRAYVON MARTIN ANNIVERSARY-VO

TONIGHT, MOURNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY MARK THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF TRAYVON MARTIN.

THE TEEN'S FOUNDATION WILL HOLD THE MILLION HOODIE CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AT NEW YORK'S UNION SQUARE.

MARTIN WAS SHOT AND KILLED A YEAR AGO TODAY IN SANFORD.

HIS DEATH DREW NATIONAL ATTENTION, AND THREW FLORIDA'S STAND YOU GROUND LAW INTO THE SPOTLIGHT.

TRAYVON MARTIN ANNIVERSARY-SOTVO

As far as us losing him, it feels like a long time. I guess because the pain is deep it feels like we've been going through this a long time.

17-YEAR-OLD MARTIN WAS SHOT BY NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH VOLUNTEER GEORGE ZIMMERMAN.

ZIMMERMAN MAINTAINS MARTIN ATTACKED HIM AND HE SHOT THE TEEN IN SELF DEFENSE - HIS ATTORNEYS ARE **NOT USING STAND YOUR GROUND AS A DEFENSE.

WTC 20TH ANNIVERSARY-VO

TODAY ALSO MARKS THE 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOMBING ATTACK ON THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.

ON FEBRUARY 26TH, 1993.

A TRUCK BOMB EXPLODED IN A PARKING GARAGE UNDERNEATH THE NORTH TOWER.

IT'S BELIEVED THE BLAST WAS MEANT TO COLLAPSE THE NORTH TOWER INTO THE SOUTH TOWER.

SIX PEOPLE DIED IN THE ATTACK.

EGYPT BALLOON CRASH-VO

19 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN EGYPT WHEN A HOT AIR BALLOON CARRYING TOURISTS EXPLODED IN MID-AIR.

THE BALLOON WAS LANDING WHEN A GAS CANISTER IGNITED, SHOOTING THE BALLOON HIGH INTO THE AIR.

IT EXPLODED SOME ONE-THOUSAND FEET UP IN THE AIR.

THE TOURISTS CAME FROM FROM BRITAIN, FRANCE, JAPAN AND HONG KONG.

IT'S ONE OF THE WORLD'S DEADLIEST BALLOONING ACCIDENTS.

KERRY PEOPLE RIGHT TO BE STUPID-OC, SOTVO

SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY TOLD A GROUP OF GERMAN STUDENTS TODAY THAT AMERICANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE STUPID.

In America you have the right to be stupid, if you want to be, and you have the right to be disconnected to somebody else if you want to be. And we tolerate it and somehow we make it through that.

KERRY MADE THE COMMENT WHILE DISCUSSING FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND TOLERANCE IN AMERICA.

HEALTH CLIP-CLIP

TEENS VOLUNTEER HEALTH BENEFITS-VO

TAKING TIME TO VOLUNTEER COULD BE THE KEY TO BETTER HEALTH.

A CANADIAN STUDY FOUND TEENS WHO VOLUNTEERED FOR JUST ONE HOUR A WEEK IN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HAD LOWER CHOLESTEROL AND LOWER B-M-I'S THAN TEENS WHO DIDN'T VOLUNTEER.

HEALTH MATTERS-ONCAM

INFANT CAR SEATS REDUCE THE RISK OF DEATH IN A CRASH BY MORE THAN 70-PERCENT ACCORDING TO FEDERAL STATISTICS.

THAT SHOULD BE REASON ENOUGH TO INSTALL THEM CORRECTLY.

BUT TRUTH IS, MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW.

HEALTH MATTERS-PKG

TIMES HAVE CHANGED SINCE ROBERT DOWD WAS A DAD. NOW A GREAT-GRANDFATHER, HE'S ROLLING OUT ALL THE STOPS FOR COMPANY.

ROBERT DOWD/GREAT GRANDFATHER

RUNS:

:11: Yes, for our great grand daughter to visit.

SHE'S EIGHT MONTHS OLD, SO ROBERT'S DOING SOMETHING HE'S NEVER DONE BEFORE. INSTALLING A CAR SEAT.

ROBERT DOWD/GREAT GRANDFATHER

RUNS:

:26: Well safety is so important, we use to just throw them in the back and that's no good. So we got a car seat, but I didn't know how to put it in.

IT'S INTIMIDATING FOR ANY FIRST-TIMER. RATHER THAN ASK FOR HELP, SOME PEOPLE END UP DOING IT WRONG.

LINA QUINTANA/CHILD LIFE ADVOCATE

RUNS:

1:56: I've seen car seats installed with three seat belts, so they're using the middle positioning in the back seat they're using both side seat belts. I've seen babies go forward facing. Huge no no.

LINA QUINTANA IS A CHILD LIFE ADVOCATE WITH GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. SHE MAKES IT HER JOB TO TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO PUT IN A CAR SEAT.

LINA QUINTANA/CHILD LIFE ADVOCATE

RUNS:

1:03 There are vehicles that are older then 02 and the vehicles that are newer than 02. That's where the cut off for different instillation comes into play. You either install it with a seat belt or you install it with a latch system.

AMY OSHIER/REPORTING

RUNS:

By some estimates, 4 out of 5 car seats are not installed properly. A frightening statistic considering that's a baby's primary protection in a car crash.

LINA QUINTANA/CHILD LIFE ADVOCATE

RUNS:

:21 Don't do the guesswork you might make mistakes. Come to us we'll take you step by step. Your child is very important, it's your most precious possession, you don't want to put them in any jeopardy.

FOR ROBERT, THE INVESTMENT IN TIME WAS MORE THAN PAID FOR IN PEACE OF MIND.

ROBERT DOWD/GREAT GRANDFATHER

RUNS:

:41: It was, with a little instruction it's much clearer.

TEASE FIVE-ONCAM

UP NEXT - AN NBC2 UPDATE.

A SOUTH FLORIDA TEEN CLEANS UP HER ACT AFTER making an obscene gesture in court.

THE JUDGE CHARGED HER W CONTEMPT.

FIRST AT FOUR - WHAT HAD THE COURTROOM APPLAUDING AND CONGRATULATING HER.

AND - COULD A HOLLYWOOD HIT BRING JUSTICE IN REAL-LIFE?

ACTUAL HOSTAGES HOPE THE OSCAR WILLING FILM "ARGO" WILL WORK IN THEIR FAVOR TO CAPTURE THE ATTENTION OF THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT.

A) teen flips off judge court-vo

B) argo hostages-vo

C) WEATHER TEASE-STC

ALL NEW AHEAD AT 5:00-CLIP

PAUSE FOR AHEAD AT 5:00 CLIP

A BUSY HOUR AHEAD --

ROBERT IS UPDATING YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST --

PINPOINTING THE RAIN SO YOU CAN SEE HOW IT COULD AFFECT YOUR EVENING.

PLUS --

A BEAR RIPPED THROUGH THE LANAI AT A 90 YEAR OLD WOMAN'S HOME --

NEIGHBORS SAY THE BEARS ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE BOLD.

WE TALKED TO F-W-C ABOUT HOW THEY PLAN TO RESPOND.

STANDUP TEASE:

A) MARCO SHORES DANGEROUS BEARS-NWSRM

B) JENNIFER STAND UP 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.

RAIN AND WIND MOVING IN

We are tracking a line of heavy downpours and gusty winds this afternoon and evening. The lack of significant lightning with the weather coming in from the west would tend to indicate that our chance for severe weather is relatively low; however, some of the downpours will be accompanied by wind gusts over 45 mph and there is a chance for brief, but weak, tornadoes early on. The tornado watch issued for the area is mainly a precaution because a water spout did touch down in Tampa at 11:43 this morning. The event caused some damage around the Westin Hotel near downtown Tampa.

Looking ahead to the forecast tonight, we will continue to track the rain moving east at 20 - 25 mph. Inland counties can expect the rain shortly after sunset. Temperatures tonight will drop back into the 60's and it will still be windy through the night.

TRAFFIC-trxTFC FDOT

TRAFFIC BILLBOARD-CLIP

TEEN FLIPPED OFF JUDGE BACK IN COURT-OC

A SOUTH FLORIDA TEEN WHO FLIPPED OFF A JUDGE HAS STRAIGHTENED UP HER ACT.

EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD PENELOPE SOTO MADE ANOTHER COURT APPEARANCE MONDAY.

TEEN FLIPPED OFF JUDGE BACK IN COURT-PKG

Miss Soto, congratulations.

I think lots of things have changed for you.

One you smile now, which we didn't see before.

And I wish you well in the program.congratulations. applause.

THAT'S A SWITCH.

18 YEAR OLD PENELOPE SOTO GETTING COMPLIMENTS AND EVEN A ROUND OF APPLAUSE IN A MIAMI COURTROOM.

Nat sound.

Did you say bleep to me?

Actually I did

Did you say that?

THIS WAS OUR FIRST INTRODUCTION TO THE TEENAGER EARLIER THIS MONTH.

SHE WAS FACING A JUDGE ON CHARGES OF POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WHEN SHE FLIPPED THE BIRD IN OPEN COURT.

THE JUDGE RESPONDED IN KIND CHARGING HER WITH CONTEMPT.

Oh you did say that?

I find you in direct criminal contempt.

Thirty days in the county jail.

PENELOPE DIDN'T SPEND 30 DAYS IN JAIL.

SHE STAYED FOR FIVE AFTER SHE TEARFULLY APOLOGIZED TO THE JUDGE,

My behavior was very irrational and I apologize not only to the court and you but to my family.

HE ORDERED HER TO A DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM AND RELEASED HER.

AND JUDGING FROM HER LATEST COURT APPEARANCE, IT APPEARS TO BE WORKING.

Good morning.

How are you doing Miss Soto?

I'm good, thank you.

A KINDER, GENTLER, MORE POLITE YOUNG WOMAN FACED A DIFFERENT JUDGE MONDAY MORNING.

HE SEEMED IMPRESSED AFTER LEARNING SOTO HAS PASSED ALL OF HER DRUG TESTS AND IS REGULARLY ATTENDING NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS MEETINGS.

Eight out of eight perfect.

That's very very good.

Congratulations. applause.

IF SHE CAN KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, THE DRUG CHARGE AGAINST HER WILL BE DROPPED.

PENELOPE WORKS PART TIME AND TOLD THE JUDGE SHE PLANS TO RETURN TO SCHOOL.

UPON HEARING THAT, COUPLED WITH THE OTHER GOOD NEWS, THE JUDGE FELT COMPELLED TO APPLAUD HER AGAIN.

TEEN FLIPPED OFF JUDGE BACK IN COURT-OC

LYNN MARTINEZ REPORTING.

BIEBER WEARS GAS MASK-OC

POP STAR JUSTIN BIEBER TURNS HEADS WHEN HE STEPS OUT IN PUBLIC--

AND THIS TIME WAS NO DIFFERENT.

HE WAS SPOTTED SHOPPING IN LONDON --

WEARING A GAS MASK.

BECAUSE OF LICENSING AGREEMENTS WE CANNOT SHOW THE PHOTO ON THE AIR.

THE TEEN SINGER HAS NOT SAID *WHY HE WAS WEARING IT.

OSCAR PRODUCERS KICKED OUT-SS

THE OSCAR CEREMONY WAS CUT SHORT FOR ONE PRODUCER WHEN SECURITY GUARDS CAUGHT HER THROWING PAPER AIRPLANES.

KRISTINA REED, A PRODUCER FOR WALT DISNEY, WAS WATCHING FROM A BALCONY AS HER CO-WORKER GAVE A SPEECH FOR TAKING HOME THE ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST ANIMATED SHORT TITLED: PAPERMAN.

REED DECIDED TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE WIN BY TOSSING A FEW PAPER PLANES INTO THE CROWD.

WHALE WARS DUELING SHIPS-VO

TENSE MOMENTS IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN --

ALL CAUGHT ON CAMERA.

CHECK IT OUT --

THE ANTI-WHALING GROUP SEA SHEPERD SAYS THEY WERE SANDWICHED BETWEEN A JAPANESE WHALING SHIP AND A FUEL TANKER.

AND THEY SAY THE WHALERS FIRED WATER CANNONS.

TEASE SIX-2SHOT

REAL LIFE INSPIRES HOLLYWOOD HITS.

SOT Steve Kirtley/former Marine Corps Guard

they stood me up, blindfolded me, tied my hands behind my back.

ARGO TOOK HOME THE OSCAR FOR BEST PICTURE.

TONIGHT, WE HEAR FROM SOME OF THE HOSTAGES HELD IN IRAN WITH DETAILS OF THE DEEP SCARS FROM THEIR HARROWING ORDEAL.

A) argo hostages-SOT VO

FOUR AT FOUR-CGTOPS

1. Showers move in this afternoon

2. Dead fish cleanup continues on Fort Myers Beach

3. Bear tears through Collier lanai

ARGO HOSTAGES-TFC CTR

IT'S THE OSCAR WINNING FILM, BASED ON REAL-LIFE DRAMA - WHEN 6 HOSTAGES WERE RESCUED FROM IRAN IN THE 70'S.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARGO -- THE FILM DIRECTED BY BEN AFFLECK.

NOW -- SOME OF THE HOSTAGES HELD CAPTIVE ARE HOPING THE RENEWED ATTENTION HELPS THEM GET JUSTICE FOR THEIR STRUGGLES.

ARGO HOSTAGES-PKG

The Best Picture Oscar for Argo --

NAT Ben Affleck

-- director Ben Affleck's movie celebrating the CIA's rescue of six US Embassy employees from post revolutionary Iran --

NAT plane taking off at airport

is reviving efforts for long delayed justice for the Americans who were left behind-- and held hostage for 444 days beginning in 1979.

SOT Jimmy Carter

THIS IS AN ACT OF TERRORISM, TOTALLY OUTSIDE THE BOUNDS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND DIPLOMATIC TRADITION

The hostages went through a horrifying ordeal-- brutally interrogated, kept naked in cells in subfreezing temperatures.

SOT Steve Kirtley/former Marine Corps Guard

THEY STOOD ME UP, BLINDFOLDED ME, TIED MY HANDS BEHIND MY BACK.

Steve Kirtley was one of those hostages, then a Marine Corp guard twice subjected to mock executions -- an experience briefly depicted in Argo.

SOT Kirtley/

I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE SHOT RIGHT THERE.

Kirtley and other former hostages are still angry over their treatment -- and want compensation from the Iranian government.

John Limbert/former U.S. diplomat

THIS IS A BIG FISH. AND THE BIG FISH IS ACCOUNTABILITY, THAT WHAT WAS DONE AT THIS POINT, THEY GOT AWAY WITH IT.

Until now, the hostages' efforts have been blocked by a 1981 agreement -- known as the Algiers Accords-- that led to the hostages' release. U.S. officials reluctantly agreed the hostages couldn't sue their former captors.

But thanks in part to Argo's publicity there's a new effort in Congress to bypass that agreement.

SOT/Rep. Bruce Braley, Iowa

IT'S LITERALLY LIKE HAVING A GUN TO YOUR HEAD AND GIVING UP YOUR RIGHTS. THAT'S WHY NOW IS A PERFECT TIME WHEN THIS MOVIE HAS CREATED SO MUCH ATTENTION/TO EDUCATE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AS TO WHAT THEY WENT THROUGH.

A bill to be introduced in the next few weeks by Congressman Bruce Braley -- with dozens of co-sponsors-- would create a special $400 million fund to compensate the hostages-- using the proceeds of fines paid by companies that violate U.S. sanctions against Iran.

It will be a relief none too soon for the former hostages.

SOT Kirtley

PEOPLE REMAIN UPSET AND EVERY YEAR, WE'RE UP TO 12, WE WATCH SOMEONE ELSE PASS AWAY.

SOT Limbert

ARGO HOSTAGES-TFC

SPONSORS OF THAT NEW BILL SAY THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT SHOULD IT PASS--

THERE WILL BE MORE THAN ENOUGH MONEY TO COMPENSATE THE FORMER HOSTAGES.

THAT WRAPS UP THE NEWS, FIRST AT FOUR.

GOODBYE-2 SHOT

YOU'VE FELT A CHANGE IN THE AIR TODAY -- AND TONIGHT, THE RAIN IS HERE.

IN 90 SECONDS, ROBERT IS TRACKING THE SYSTEM THAT'S DRASTICALLY DROPPING TEMPERATURES.

NBC2 IS ALSO LIVE ON SANIBEL WITH ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FISH KILLS WE'VE SEEN IN A WHILE.

PLUS --

RICK STANDUP TEASE-SOTTOPS

END TIME-CREDITS