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HL1) WX HEADLINE-TRX-OMNI

HL2) MORE WINTER STORMS-TRX-VOTOPS

PLUS, ANOTHER MESS IN THE MIDWEST, AS A NEW BLIZZARD BLOWS THROUGH, DUMPING MORE THAN A FOOT OF SNOW IN SOME AREAS.

HL3) MINDY FUNERAL-TRX-VOTOPS

AND TODAY FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY GOODBYE TO COUNTRY SINGER, AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NATIVE, MINDY MCCREADY.

NEWS TODAY OPEN-CLIP

GOOD MORNING-2SHOT-ANIBOXES

GOOD MORNING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA --

THANKS FOR WATCHING NBC-2 NEWS TODAY -

I'M KRISTA FOGELSONG.

AND I'M CLAY MILLER --

IT'S TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH --

SOME BIG CHANGES IN THE FORECAST ARE HEADED OUR WAY THIS WEEK --

5:02 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Today's Weather Story

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.

Our stretch of dry weather will come to an end today as a band of rain moves into Southwest Florida this afternoon, signaling the arrival of a cool front that will take a couple days to push all the through.

We'll start the morning with a little patchy fog, but visibility should be much improved compared to the last several mornings. We'll notice some low clouds around early today along with some periods of sunshine, but clouds will be on the increase this afternoon as the cool front comes marching our way.

A broken band of showers will start moving in from the Gulf of Mexico by the mid afternoon, and there might also be a few embedded thunderstorms as well. The good news is this rain will be weakening as it moves in, so we don't anticipate the severe weather threat that areas to our north are experiencing today. As far as rain totals are concerned, most spots should pick up a quarter inch or less.

As we go through the night, some lingering showers will be possible, particularly over southern portions of the viewing area around Collier County. Because the front will take some time before making it all the way through Southwest Florida, clouds and even a few showers will hang around through our Wednesday, keeping daytime highs in the mid to upper 70s.

By Thursday we should notice at least some partial clearing as the cool air starts filtering in. Highs Thursday should only reach the mid 70s after starting with lows in the mid 50s. Friday will be a few points cooler with highs only climbing into the low 70s.

By the weekend, our weather really starts to get chilly. Highs Saturday and Sunday will likely only reach the 60s, and overnight temperatures will fall into the 40s. What's more, clouds and a few showers might even keep our weather a bit cooler Saturday through early Sunday before we see more sunshine by Sunday afternoon. Models are even hinting at temperatures as low as the low 40s and 30s by Monday morning!

MORE WINTER STORMS-TRX-VO

THEY WERE JUST STARTING TO THAW A LITTLE, AND NOW STATES LIKE KANSAS AND TEXAS HAVE TO DEAL WITH MORE SNOW AND HARSH WINTER CONDITIONS.

JUST LAST WEEK A STORM DUMPED 22 INCHES OF SNOW ON PARTS OF KANSAS.

NOW THEY'RE DEALING WITH ANOTHER ONE.

IN KANSAS CITY. PEOPLE ARE STILL TRYING TO DIG THEMSELVES OUT OF THE SNOW DUMPED ON THEM LAST WEEK.

MORE WINTER STORMS-SOTVO

"We declared a state of emergency for Kansas City, Missouri./ We tried our very best to give as much notice of the potentiality."

THOSE WHO VENTURE OUT WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH STRONG WINDS AND POOR VISIBILITY.

AND WHILE MILLIONS ARE SEEING SNOW --

EGYPT HOT AIR BALLOON CRASH-TRX-VOTOPS

BREAKING NEWS OVERNIGHT --

19 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN AN AIR BALLOON CRASH IN EGYPT.

NBC-2 HAS LEARNED ALL OF THE PASSENGERS WERE FOREIGN TOURISTS.

THE BALLOON CRASHED NEAR THE ANCIENT CITY OF LUXOR.

OFFICIALS SAY THERE WAS A FIRE AND AN EXPLOSION --

MINDY MCCREADY FUNERAL-2 SHOT VO

TODAY WILL BE A DAY OF MUSIC AND MOURNING FOR THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FANS OF MINDY MCCREADY.

A PUBLIC MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE COUNTRY SINGER AND FORT MYERS NATIVE IS HAPPENING AT CROSSROADS BAPTIST CHURCH.

MCCREADY WAS FOUND DEAD ON HER FRONT PORCH LAST SUNDAY - AN APPARENT SUICIDE.

MINDY'S FAMILY SAID BECAUSE HER LIFE WAS PUBLIC THEY INVITE ANYONE TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE BEGINNING AT 2 THIS AFTERNOON.

TOSS TO STACEY-2 SHOT

IT HAS BEEN ONE YEAR SINCE TRAYVON MARTIN --

AN UNARMED TEENAGER -- WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY GEORGE ZIMMERMAN IN SANFORD, FLORIDA.

ZIMMERMAN SAYS HE WAS ACTING IN SELF DEFENSE WHILE PROTECTING HIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

NOW, AS BOTH SIDES PREPARE TO HEAD TO TRIAL --

TRAYVON ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY-PLASMA

TRAYVON MARTIN'S FAMILY MAINTAINS THEIR SON WAS WALKING HOME FROM THE STORE WHEN HE WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY GEORGE ZIMMERMAN --

TRAYVON ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY-VOTOPS

ZIMMERMAN ARGUES MARTIN ATTACKED HIM AND HE SHOT THE TEEN IN SELF DEFENSE.

AT FIRST -- SANFORD POLICE DECIDED NOT TO CHARGE ZIMMERMAN.

AT THE CORE IS FLORIDA'S STAND YOUR GROUND LAW.

TRAYVON ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY-SOTVO

Mark O'Mara / George Zimmerman's Attorney -:53 - 1:01

"I think there is a lot of emotion wrapped around the case and we 're worried that some of those emotions are still negative that that may play out against George"

POLICE CHARGED GEORGE ZIMMERMAN WITH SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.

EARLIER THIS MONTH THE MARTIN FAMILY MARKED WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAYVON'S 18TH BIRTHDAY WITH A CEREMONY OUTSIDE OF THE COURTHOUSE.

TRAYVON ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY-PLASMA

MEANWHILE, THE CRIMINAL TRIAL AGAINST GEORGE ZIMMERMAN IS SET TO START IN JUNE.

THERE IS A HEARING ON THE STAND YOUR GROUND PORTION OF THE CASE IN APRIL.

SEQUESTER COUNTDOWN-OC

PRESIDENT OBAMA HEADS TO VIRGINIA TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE POSSIBLE IMPACT OF FRIDAY'S LOOMING MASSIVE BUDGET CUTS TO THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY.

LAWMAKERS ON CAPITOL HILL ARE BACK TO WORK, AND WITH JUST DAYS TO GO BEFORE THE CUTS KICK IN.

SEQUESTER COUNTDOWN-TRX-PKG

SMALL AIRPORTS COULD LOSE THEIR OVERNIGHT AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS:

"That's a gigantic safety issue for us. If we have somebody that's not paying attention to somebody coming in to land, they cross a runway in front of landing aircraft, you can just imagine what would happen."

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE MAY CUT MAINTENANCE AND PILOT TRAINING. ON TOP OF 20 PERCENT PAY CUTS.

"It's difficult to explain to your teenager you can't have that dress for that dance."

"Companies are preparing layoff notices. Families are preparing to cut back on expenses."

AMONG THE FIRST TO DISAPPEAR: HEATING ASSISTANCE. FOOD FOR NEW MOTHERS. AND MONEY FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION.

UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS COULD TAKE A 10 PERCENT HIT.

AND RIGHT NOW - POLITICIANS ARE POINTING FINGERS. NOT NEGOTIATING:

Virginia

"The President's really gotta stop campaigning and come back to the table and work with us."

TODAY, PRESIDENT OBAMA VISITS A VIRGINIA SHIPBUILDER WORRIED ABOUT JOBS. NEARBY LAST NIGHT, SOME RESIDENTS WERE MORE WORRIED ABOUT SPENDING:

"We're at 7 trillion that this man has spent. When is the Republican party going to stand up to this man and stop him?"

OFFICIALS EVEN FEAR THE CUTS COULD MAKE THE U-S MORE VULNERABLE TO TERROR ATTACKS:

"We're going to do everything we can to minimize that risk, but the sequester makes it awfully, awfully tough."

FCAT TESTS TODAY-OC-BNR

RIGHT NOW 4TH, 8TH AND 10TH GRADERS MAY BE TRYING TO CATCH A LITTLE BIT MORE SLEEP BEFORE TODAY'S "FCAT WRITING TEST."

THIS YEAR -- THERE ARE INCREASED SCORING EXPECTATIONS AND BECAUSE OF THAT -

STUDENTS WILL GET MORE TIME - 60 MINUTES, INSTEAD OF 45.

CAPE CHARTER SCHOOL-VO

NEW THIS MORNING -- CAPE CORAL LEADERS VOTED TO GET BEHIND A PUSH TO HELP THE CITY'S CHARTER SCHOOLS.

CAPE CHARTER SCHOOLS ADMINSTRATOR, LEE BUSH, SAYS THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SHOULD GIVE THREE MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF PROPERTY TAXES TO THE SMALL SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THEY SAY THEY'VE LOST STATE FUNDING AND NEED TO PAY DOWN THE DEBT ON SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

FIFTH THIRD BANK ROBBERY-TRX VO

NOW TO A CRIME ALERT IN FORT MYERS.

POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR A BANK ROBBER.

OFFICERS SENT US SURVIELLANCE PICTURES, FROM THE FIFTH THIRD ON BOY SCOUT AND SUMMERLIN.

THEY TELL US THIS MAN WALKED IN YESTERDAY AFTERNOON DEMANDING MONEY USING A NOTE.

HE IMPLIED HE WAS ARMED.

HE GOT SOME CASH AND RAN AWAY.

NO ONE WAS HURT.

VEGAS SHOOTING SUSPECT-SS-VO

THE SEARCH FOR A LAS VEGAS GUNMAN IS EXPANDING THIS MORNING

TO INCLUDE THE SOUTHEAST AND FLORIDA.

AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR AMMAR HARRIS --

THEY SAY HE HAS TIES TO SOUTH CAROLINA --

GEORGIA AND MIAMI.

QUARTER HOUR PUSH-2SH-VO

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--DON'T FORGET WE'RE GIVING AWAY TIM TEBOW TICKETS.THIS MORNING.

TODAY IS NOT ONLY TUESDAY, IT'S A SPECIAL DAY HERE ON NBC TWO NEWS TODAY.

AND YOU'LL FIND OUT WHY, STRAIGHT AHEAD.

UH OH.

ALSO THIS MORNING, A MYSTERY IN CAPE CORAL.

A WOMAN IN SHOCK AFTER FINDING BULLET HOLES IN THE WALLS OF HER HOUSE!

FORECAST TEASE-OMNI

BREAK FOUR 5:09:43

HIT TIME 5:09:43

kansas

take a live look outside kansas city missouri --

people are digging out there --

5:12 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

5:12 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Full Forecast

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.

Our stretch of dry weather will come to an end today as a band of rain moves into Southwest Florida this afternoon, signaling the arrival of a cool front that will take a couple days to push all the through.

We'll start the morning with a little patchy fog, but visibility should be much improved compared to the last several mornings. We'll notice some low clouds around early today along with some periods of sunshine, but clouds will be on the increase this afternoon as the cool front comes marching our way.

A broken band of showers will start moving in from the Gulf of Mexico by the mid afternoon, and there might also be a few embedded thunderstorms as well. The good news is this rain will be weakening as it moves in, so we don't anticipate the severe weather threat that areas to our north are experiencing today. As far as rain totals are concerned, most spots should pick up a quarter inch or less.

As we go through the night, some lingering showers will be possible, particularly over southern portions of the viewing area around Collier County. Because the front will take some time before making it all the way through Southwest Florida, clouds and even a few showers will hang around through our Wednesday, keeping daytime highs in the mid to upper 70s.

By Thursday we should notice at least some partial clearing as the cool air starts filtering in. Highs Thursday should only reach the mid 70s after starting with lows in the mid 50s. Friday will be a few points cooler with highs only climbing into the low 70s.

By the weekend, our weather really starts to get chilly. Highs Saturday and Sunday will likely only reach the 60s, and overnight temperatures will fall into the 40s. What's more, clouds and a few showers might even keep our weather a bit cooler Saturday through early Sunday before we see more sunshine by Sunday afternoon. Models are even hinting at temperatures as low as the low 40s and 30s by Monday morning!

BULLET HOLES IN CAPE HOUSE-PLASMA VO

A CAPE CORAL WOMAN SAYS HER KIDS AND GRANDKIDS WERE SOUND ASLEEP WHEN SOMEONE STARTED SHOOTING INTO HER HOME.

NBC-2'S GEORGE SOLIS SHOWS SPOKE WITH HER --

BULLET HOLES IN CAPE HOUSE-PKG

HERE'S A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT CAPE POLICE SAY IS A BULLET HOLE THAT WAS MADE BY A SHOT FIRED IN THE HOUSES DIRECTION.

IT'S THE LEFT THE HOMEOWNER ASKING SEVERAL QUESTIONS, MAINLY WHO AND WHY?

AT FIRST GLANCE YOU'D NEVER SUSPECT A THING.

A CLOSER LOOK REVEALED A STARTLING SIGHT FOR ONE CAPE CORAL HOMEOWNER

Sot: 00:31 "Cleaning out my refrigerator I was sitting on a little chair and there was a bullet hole."

NOEL CALL WAS ASLEEP AT THE TIME ALONG WITH HER KIDS AND TWO GRANDCHILDREN.

SHE TELLS NBC2 SHE WOKE UP ONCE FROM A LOUD NOISE.SHE THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD FALLEN OFF THE BED…ONLY TO LATER REALIZE SOMEONE HAD SHOT AT HER HOUSE.

00:44 "I'm still in disbelief it's like twilight zone"

"According to the report witnesses say they heard 7 shots coming from the direction of the house.

Police later found what they say appeared to be a bullet hole made from the outside

Which as you can see ended up as another hole underneath kitchen cabinet underneath the kitchen sink"

CAPE CORAL POLICE INVESTIGATORS TOOK THE BULLET FRAGMENTS.

THEIR ONLY LEAD IS FROM WITNESSES WHO SAY A MAN ON A BIKE PULLED UP BY HER HOUSE AROUND THE TIME THE SHOTS WERE HEARD.

03:54 "the world has gone a little mad today and people in it."

CALL SAYS SHE HAS NO IDEA WHY SOMEONE WOULD DO THIS.

00:51 " I really don't understand this I could see if may be myself of anyone was involved in some shady lifestyle but that's not the case"

SHE SAYS AS DISTURBING AS IT IS SHE HAS NO FEAR.

"03:10 "are you scared now? Absolutely not. Nope."

OUT: NEIGHBORS I TALKED TO OFF CAMERA SAY THEY HEARD SHOTS TOO BUT BELIEVED IT WAS NOTHING MORE THAN FIRE CRACKERS BEING SET OFF.

THEY ALONG WITH THE HOMEOWNER HOPE WHO'S EVER RESPONSIBLE IS CAUGHT SOON

INTERNET PIRACY NOTICES-OC

THIS WEEK INTERNET USERS ILLEGALLY SHARING MUSIC, MOVIES OR T-V SHOWS WILL RECEIVE WARNING NOTICES FROM THE NATION'S FIVE MAJOR INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS.

THE RECORDING AND FILM INDUSTRY ORGANIZED THE COPYRIGHT ALERT SYSTEM TO GO AFTER PEOPLE WHO MAY BE ENGAGING IN PIRACY USING PEER-TO-PEER SOFTWARE.

CHUCK HAGEL CONFIRMATION HEARING-VO

THE SENATE IS EXPECTED TO VOTE TODAY ON WHETHER TO MOVE FORWARD ON CHUCK HAGEL'S NOMINATION AS SECRETARY OF DEFENSE.

REPUBLICANS BLOCKED A VOTE ON HAGEL BEFORE THE PRESIDENT'S DAY RECESS, BUT SOME OF HAGEL'S BIGGEST CRITICS NOW SAY THEY'LL SUPPORT MOVING THE NOMINATION TO A FINAL VOTE.

SCOTUS CASE TODAY-OC

TODAY THE U-S SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR A MAJOR CASE SURROUNDING DNA AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE ISSUE IS WITH A MARYLAND LAW THAT ALLOWS OFFICIALS TO TAKE DNA OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ARRESTED BUT NOT CONVICTED OF A CRIME.

WHILE THEY HEAR THIS CASE --

JESSE JACKSON SEAT ELECTION-VO

TODAY - THOUSANDS OF VOTERS FROM CHICAGO'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ARE EXPECTED TO TURN OUT FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION.

THEY'LL BE VOTING TO REPLACE THE DISGRACED FORMER U-S REPRESENTATIVE JESSE JACKSON JR.

HE AND HIS WIFE PLEAD GUILTY TO CHARGES OF MISUING CAMPAIGN FUNDS FOR PERSONAL EXPENSES.

CARS TO BECOME WIFI HOTSPOTS-VO

THIS MORNING -- WE HAVE A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE.

STARTING NEXT YEAR, *CARS WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET.

GENERAL MOTORS IS TEAMING UP WITH AT&T TO ADD 4-G WIRELESS SERVICE TO SEVERAL VEHICLES.

THE SYSTEM WILL BE AVAILABLE ON 2015 CHEVROLET, BUICK, GMC AND CADILLAC CARS AND TRUCKS.

PRIUS INVESTIGATION-TRX-VO

AN AUTO LAB IS URGING FEDERAL SAFETY REGULATORS TO INVESTIGATE THE TOYOTA PRIUS --

THERE'S BEEN A COMPLAINT THAT THE STEERING CAN FAIL

A CAR OWNER COMPLAINED HE HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE AND THE STEERING FAILED ON HIS 2005 PRIUS.

NO CRASHES OR INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

AN INVESTIGATION COULD AFFECT ABOUT 561-THOUSAND OF THE GAS-ELECTRIC HYBRIDS FROM THE 2004 THROUGH 2009 MODEL YEARS.

JENNIFER LAWRENCE'S GRANDPARENTS-VO-WIPE

TWO PEOPLE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ARE ON CLOUD NINE AFTER THEIR GRANDDAUGHTER SNAGGED THE ACADEMY AWARD FOR "BEST LEAD ACTRESS."

THIS IS CAROLYN AND CHARLIE KOCH

THEY ARE JENNIFER LAWRENCE'S MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS -- AND THEY SPEND THEIR WINTERS IN SOUTH FORT MYERS!

THEY WATCHED LIVE SUNDAY NIGHT AS THEIR 22-YEAR-OLD GRANDAUGHTER TOOK HOME OSCAR GOLD -- FOR THE FIRST TIME.

HER GRANDPARENTS AREN'T SURPRISED.

YEARS OF HARD WORK AND DEDICATION HAVE LED TO THIS BIG WIN.

JENNIFER LAWRENCE'S GRANDPARENTS-2 SOTVO

I knew it was going to happen. With the dress, it's almost like a big wedding cake it's so full!

she's not going to wait for anybody to pick her up. She may get knocked down, but Jennifer will pick herself up

ONE YEAR OLD SNOWBOARDING-VO-WIPE

SHE'S BEEN ON A SNOWBOARD BEFORE SHE COULD EVEN WALK.

THIS 1-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN OREGON IS SHOWING OFF HER IMPRESSIVE SKILLS.

EDEN TURNS TWO NEXT MONTH.

ONE YEAR OLD SNOWBOARDING-SOTVO

"With snowboarding we always want to get on the first run, so we wake up at 5:30 and we get her out of bed. And as soon as we mention snow she's all excited about it.and knows that she's going to the mountains."

EDEN HAS A FIVE-WEEK-OLD SISTER.

4SHOT CROSSTALK-4SH-CG, SS

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

WE WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FIRST WINNER OF THE TIM TEBOW TICKET GIVEAWAY.

CONGRATS, ROSE TRANTINA!

YOU HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN THIS MORNING ON NBC TWO NEWS TODAY, SOMETIME BETWEEN NOW AND 7 THIS MORNING.

SPEAKING OF CONGRATULATIONS, WE WANT TO WISH A SPECIAL HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CLAY THIS MORNING, TURNING THE BIG 4-0!

BREAK FIVE 5:19:15

HIT TIME 5:19:15 AM

5:22 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

5:22 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Day Planner

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.

Our stretch of dry weather will come to an end today as a band of rain moves into Southwest Florida this afternoon, signaling the arrival of a cool front that will take a couple days to push all the through.

We'll start the morning with a little patchy fog, but visibility should be much improved compared to the last several mornings. We'll notice some low clouds around early today along with some periods of sunshine, but clouds will be on the increase this afternoon as the cool front comes marching our way.

A broken band of showers will start moving in from the Gulf of Mexico by the mid afternoon, and there might also be a few embedded thunderstorms as well. The good news is this rain will be weakening as it moves in, so we don't anticipate the severe weather threat that areas to our north are experiencing today. As far as rain totals are concerned, most spots should pick up a quarter inch or less.

As we go through the night, some lingering showers will be possible, particularly over southern portions of the viewing area around Collier County. Because the front will take some time before making it all the way through Southwest Florida, clouds and even a few showers will hang around through our Wednesday, keeping daytime highs in the mid to upper 70s.

By Thursday we should notice at least some partial clearing as the cool air starts filtering in. Highs Thursday should only reach the mid 70s after starting with lows in the mid 50s. Friday will be a few points cooler with highs only climbing into the low 70s.

By the weekend, our weather really starts to get chilly. Highs Saturday and Sunday will likely only reach the 60s, and overnight temperatures will fall into the 40s. What's more, clouds and a few showers might even keep our weather a bit cooler Saturday through early Sunday before we see more sunshine by Sunday afternoon. Models are even hinting at temperatures as low as the low 40s and 30s by Monday morning!

TRAFFIC-LIVE CAM, NAVI

ALL CLEAR, CHAR CO ENFORCEMENT

CHECKING THE ROADS RIGHT NOW--

EYE 75 AND U-S 41 ALL CLEAR.

TRAFFIC BILLBOARD-CLIPTOPS

TOSS TO BUSINESS PACKAGE-ONCAM

THIS MORNING MIXED NEWS FOR FANS OF SOME CASUAL DINING CHAINS.

BLOOMBERG'S JANE KING IS AT THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE WITH THAT AND WHERE TO LOOK FOR SALES IF YOU'RE FIXING UP YOUR HOME, IN THIS MORNING'S BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT.

BLOOMBERG-PKG TO BREAK

GOOD MORNING,

IF YOU'RE MISSED OUT ON THE RECENT BARGAIN PRICES AT LOWES -- YOU STILL HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE.

THE HOME IMPROVEMENT CHAIN IS STILL TRYING TO GET RID OF EXCESS INVENTORY AT CUT-RATE PRICES --

AS IT MOVES TO SPECIALIZING IN FASTER-MOVING ITEMS LIKE CLEANING SUPPLIES INSTEAD.

LOWE'S SAYING YESTERDAY -- ALL THE MARKDOWNS ARE HURTING ITS PROFIT FORECAST.

*****

DARDEN RESTAURANTS -- CUTTING NEW OPENINGS OF ITS FLAGSHIP OLIVE GARDENS BY MORE THAN HALF, TO ABOUT 15 A YEAR.

THE RESTAURANT OPERATOR ALSO SAYS IT WILL SLOW PRICE HIKES OLIVE GARDENS, RED LOBSTERS AND LONGHORN STEAK HOUSES.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAYS THE CASUAL DINING BUSINESS IS STRUGGLING AS PEOPLE LINE UP AT CHEAPER CHAINS LIKE CHIPOTLE INSTEAD.

*****

AND FORECASTS WARNING OF EXTREME WEATHER LIKE SUPER STORM SANDY -- COULD BE DESTROYED BY AUTOMATIC BUDGET CUTS SET TO KICK IN FRIDAY.

LOCKHEED MARTIN, WHICH LAUNCHES SATELLITES FOR THE U-S GOVERNMENT, SAYS THIS COULD LEAVE WEATHER FORECASTERS WITH A BLIND SPOT BY 2016.

*****

AND -- COMING UP AFTER THIS --

FOOD STAMPS, FOR STRUGGLING PET OWNERS!

OC:

INVESTORS TODAY -- LOOKING AT FED CHAIRMAN BEN BERNANKE'S SENATE TESTIMONY.

PLUS REPORTS ON THE HOUSING MARKET AND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE.

STOCKS YESTERDAY -- PLUNGING THE MOST SINCE *NOVEMBER* ON CONCERN ABOUT POLITICAL INSTABILITY IN ITALY.

*****

AND -- A NEW PROGRAM TO HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES GET ENOUGH FOOD, FOR THEIR PETS.

PET FOOD STAMPS DOT ORG OFFERS FREE MONTHLY DELIVERY OF PET FOOD FOR PEOPLE ON FOOD STAMPS AND OTHER STRUGGLING FAMILIES.

THE PROGRAM HELPS PEOPLE AVOID HAVING TO DECIDE BETWEEN PUTTING FOOD IN THEIR PET'S DISH OR PUTTING IT IN THEIR OWN.

******

******

BREAK SIX 5:27:01 AM

HIT TIME 5:27:01 AM

H1) WX HEADLINES-TRX-OMNI

HL2) MINDY MCCREADY FUNERAL-TRX-VOTOPS

PLUS, SAYING GOODBYE.

THIS MORNING NBC2 NEWS TODAY LEARNS NEW DETAILS ABOUT THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR COUNTRY SINGER MINDY MCCREADY--

SET FOR TODAY IN FORT MYERS.

HL3) WINTER STORMS-TRX-VOTOPS

AND BLIZZARD BLAST.

NEWS TODAY OPEN-CLIPTOPS

GOOD MORNING-2SHOT-ANIBOXES

GOOD MORNING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON NBC TWO NEWS TODAY.

TODAY IS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH.

I'M KRISTA FOGELSONG.

AND I'M CLAY MILLER.

FIRST THIS MORNING, WE WANT TO GET YOU UP TO SPEED ON THE FIRST ALERT FORECAST.

NBC-2 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST HALEY WEBB IS TRACKING MAJOR CHANGES HEADED OUR WAY.

5:32 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

5:32 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Today's Weather Story

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.

Our stretch of dry weather will come to an end today as a band of rain moves into Southwest Florida this afternoon, signaling the arrival of a cool front that will take a couple days to push all the through.

We'll start the morning with a little patchy fog, but visibility should be much improved compared to the last several mornings. We'll notice some low clouds around early today along with some periods of sunshine, but clouds will be on the increase this afternoon as the cool front comes marching our way.

A broken band of showers will start moving in from the Gulf of Mexico by the mid afternoon, and there might also be a few embedded thunderstorms as well. The good news is this rain will be weakening as it moves in, so we don't anticipate the severe weather threat that areas to our north are experiencing today. As far as rain totals are concerned, most spots should pick up a quarter inch or less.

As we go through the night, some lingering showers will be possible, particularly over southern portions of the viewing area around Collier County. Because the front will take some time before making it all the way through Southwest Florida, clouds and even a few showers will hang around through our Wednesday, keeping daytime highs in the mid to upper 70s.

By Thursday we should notice at least some partial clearing as the cool air starts filtering in. Highs Thursday should only reach the mid 70s after starting with lows in the mid 50s. Friday will be a few points cooler with highs only climbing into the low 70s.

By the weekend, our weather really starts to get chilly. Highs Saturday and Sunday will likely only reach the 60s, and overnight temperatures will fall into the 40s. What's more, clouds and a few showers might even keep our weather a bit cooler Saturday through early Sunday before we see more sunshine by Sunday afternoon. Models are even hinting at temperatures as low as the low 40s and 30s by Monday morning!

TRAFFIC-LIVE CAM, NAVI

ALL CLEAR, LEE CO ENFORCEMENT

CHECKING THE ROADS RIGHT NOW--

EYE 75 AND U-S 41 ALL CLEAR.

TOSS TO DANIELLE-2 SHOT-ANIMAP-FLY

TODAY WILL BE A DAY OF MUSIC AND MOURNING FOR THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FANS OF MINDY MCCREADY.

HER PUBLIC FUNERAL IS TODAY IN FORT MYERS AT CROSSROADS BAPTIST CHURCH.

MINDY MCCREADY FUNERAL-REM-LIVE

TODAY'S FUNERAL SERVICE IS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

MINDY MCCREADY FUNERAL-VOTOPS --SS

CLOSE TO ONE THOUSAND FRIENDS, FANS AND LOVED ONES ARE EXPECTED TO COME OUT THIS AFTERNOON FOR COUNTRY STAR MINDY MCCREADY.

INVESTIGATORS DIED OF SUICIDE ON THE FRONT PORCH OF HER HOME IN ARKANSAS.

THE SAME PLACE HER BOYFRIEND SHOT HIMSELF TO DEATH A MONTH BEFORE.

SHE WAS A MOTHER OF TWO BOYS, 6 YEAR OLD ZANDER AND 10 MONTH OLD ZANYNE.

TODAY, FRIENDS AND FANS CAN COME OUT TO PAY RESPECTS BEGINNING AT TWO P-M AT THE CROSSROADS BAPTIST CHURCH IN EAST FORT MYERS.

MINDY MCCREADY FUNERAL-REM-LIVE

THE FAMILY IS NOT RELEASING WHERE OR WHEN THE BURIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD

TOSS TO STACEY-2 SHOT

THIS MORNING -- A DEADLY WINTER STORM IS MOVING FROM TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA THROUGH THE MIDWEST AND UP TO NEW ENGLAND.

THE NATIONAL GUARD HAS BEEN CALLED OUT.

AND MANY KANSAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS CANCELED CLASSES TODAY BECAUSE THE STORM COULD BRING ANOTHER 8 TO 24 INCHES OF SNOW OVERNIGHT.

WINTER STORMS-PLASMA VO

FIRES IN HOUSTON ARE SPREADING BECAUSE OF VICIOUS -- GUSTING WINDS.

WINTER STORMS-TRX-PKG

PKG SCRIPT:

A ferocious blizzard buried the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles under more

than a foot of snow.

In Amarillo, Texas, 19 inches of snow fell, blown by gusts of up to 77 mph.

MOS - Amarillo, TX

"SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE SO FAR. HERE WE GO."

It's a traffic nightmare on roads and highways.

So many drivers were stranded the National Guard had to be called in.

In Oklahoma, whiteout conditions closed all highways in the Panhandle.

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, I-40 was shutdown, forcing truck drivers to wait

out the conditions.

MOS Daniel Barefoot, Driver in New Mexico

"IT COSTS MONEY TO SIT STILL AND IT COSTS MONEY TO RUN THAT THING EMPTY, YOU

KNOW AS FAR AS FUEL. SO HOPEFULLY THEY GET IT CLEARED UP."

The monster storm even brought hurricane force winds.

NATS - wall falls off side of bldg in Austin, TX

Look at this building in North Texas. The winds there so ferocious it peeled

bricks from the side of a building.

MOS Rosemary Frazier in Austin, TX

"IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMEONE HAD RUN INTO THE BUILDING AND IT WAS FALLING APART.

"

Today the storm is headed further northeast although the heaviest snow

is forecast for the Midwest.

From Texas to Michigan, 19 states are under storm watches and warnings

.

Kansas -- which barely recovered from last week's monster storm -- is

bracing for even more punishment.

MOS Elton Horne, City Maintenance Coordinator, Williamsburg, KS

"WE'VE HAD A NICE WINTER SO FAR AND NOW THE LAST TWO WEEKS HERE, IT'S LIKE

GEE."

New Hampshire, which already has a foot on the ground, is gearing up.

MOS Ashley Mayo, Deerfield, NH

WINTER STORMS-PLASMA VO

TODAY, THERE'S WORRY ABOUT MORE THAN SNOW.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY RAINFALL ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS PARTS OF THE SOUTH AND MID-ATLANTIC.

I'M LIVE IN THE STUDIO THIS MORNING --

US MISSING COUPLE-VO

AUTHORITIES IN PERU HAVE LAUNCHED A SEARCH FOR A CALIFORNIA COUPLE REPORTED MISSING WHILE ON A BIKING TRIP THROUGH THE COUNTRY.

THE FAMILIES OF GARRETT HAND AND JAMIE NEAL SAID THEY LAST HEARD FROM THE PAIR ON JANUARY 25TH,

THAT WAS THE DAY BEFORE THEY WERE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN LIMA AFTER TRAVELING SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES FROM CUZCO.

TRAYVON MARTIN KILLED ANNIVERSARY-VO

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, TRAYVON MARTIN WAS SHOT AND KILLED.

IN THE DAY AHEAD - THE TRAYVON MARTIN FOUNDATION HOLDS THE MILLION HOODIE CANDLELIGHT VIGIL.

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

ZIMMERMAN CLAIMS MARTIN ATTACKED HIM AND HE SHOT THE TEEN IN SELF DEFENSE.

FL EXECUTION TUESDAY-VO WIPE

FLORIDA PLANS TO EXECUTE 42-YEAR-OLD PAUL HOWELL TODAY.

HOWELL WAS CONVICTED OF CONSTRUCTING A PIPE BOMB--

THAT KILLED TROOPER JIMMY FULFORD IN 1992.

HIS ATTORNEYS SAY HOWELL WOULD BE THE FIRST PERSON EXECUTED IN FLORIDA--

WITHOUT GETTING A CHANCE TO HAVE HIS CASE REVIEWED IN FEDERAL COURT.

FL EXECUTION TUESDAY-SOTVO

"We believe every life has dignity and executions are just another form of violence. We certainly feel great concern and compassion for Trooper Fulford and his family, his friends, his colleagues. This is a tragedy and we hope they will have some peace in their life."

HOPKINS SAYS MORE STATES ARE ABOLISHING THE DEATH PENALTY--

OR RECONSIDERING IT.

HOMELAND SECURITY ADDRESS-VO

JANET NAPOLITANO WILL DELIVER THE STATE OF HOMELAND SECURITY ADDRESS TODAY.

NAPOLITANO IS EXPECTED TO DISCUSS HOW THE DEPARTMENT HAS RESPONDED TO EVOLVING THREATS.

SHE WILL ALSO TALK ABOUT EMERGENCY RESPONSE EFFORTS SINCE HURRICANE KATRINA,

WTC BOMBING ANNIVERSARY-VO

TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY --

SIX PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND MORE THAN A THOUSAND INJURED WHEN A BOMB EXPLODED IN THE PARKING GARAGE OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER IN NEW YORK CITY.

THE BLAST LEFT A CRATER SIXTY FEET WIDE AND CAUSED SEVERAL STEEL REINIFORCED CONCRETE FLOORS TO COLLAPSE.

QUARTER HOUR PUSH-2SH-RADAR

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW --

IF YOU ARE JUST WAKING UP WITH US, OUR TOP STORY THIS MORNING, BIG CHANGES ON THE WAY WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST.

THAT'S RIGHT--

RAIN WILL BE MOVING IN AND THE NBC TWO FIRST ALERT DOPPLER RADAR WILL BE LIGHTING UP.

BREAK SEVEN 5:39:23 AM

HIT TIME 5:39:23 AM

5:42 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

5:42 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Weather Trends

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.

Our stretch of dry weather will come to an end today as a band of rain moves into Southwest Florida this afternoon, signaling the arrival of a cool front that will take a couple days to push all the through.

We'll start the morning with a little patchy fog, but visibility should be much improved compared to the last several mornings. We'll notice some low clouds around early today along with some periods of sunshine, but clouds will be on the increase this afternoon as the cool front comes marching our way.

A broken band of showers will start moving in from the Gulf of Mexico by the mid afternoon, and there might also be a few embedded thunderstorms as well. The good news is this rain will be weakening as it moves in, so we don't anticipate the severe weather threat that areas to our north are experiencing today. As far as rain totals are concerned, most spots should pick up a quarter inch or less.

As we go through the night, some lingering showers will be possible, particularly over southern portions of the viewing area around Collier County. Because the front will take some time before making it all the way through Southwest Florida, clouds and even a few showers will hang around through our Wednesday, keeping daytime highs in the mid to upper 70s.

By Thursday we should notice at least some partial clearing as the cool air starts filtering in. Highs Thursday should only reach the mid 70s after starting with lows in the mid 50s. Friday will be a few points cooler with highs only climbing into the low 70s.

By the weekend, our weather really starts to get chilly. Highs Saturday and Sunday will likely only reach the 60s, and overnight temperatures will fall into the 40s. What's more, clouds and a few showers might even keep our weather a bit cooler Saturday through early Sunday before we see more sunshine by Sunday afternoon. Models are even hinting at temperatures as low as the low 40s and 30s by Monday morning!

TRAFFIC ALERT-TRX

TRAFFIC ALERT-NAVI

ALL CLEAR, CONSTRUCTION PROJECT?

CHECKING THE ROADS RIGHT NOW--

EYE 75 AND U-S 41 ALL CLEAR.

TOSS TO CLIFTON-OC-BXS

HUNDREDS OF FLIGHTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED BECAUSE OF A STORM SWEEPING THE MIDWEST.

RIGHT NOW, CHICAGO IS THE MAIN CULPRIT AS THIS FRONT THREATENS TO DROP INCHES OF SNOW THERE.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU IF YOU'RE FLYING OUT OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA?

NBC2'S CLIFTON FRENCH IS LIVE AT RSW.

FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS-REM-LIVE

AS OF RIGHT NOW, MOST EVERYTHING IS CLEAR.

I'VE BEEN TALKING TO SEVERAL AIRLINES THIS MORNING, ALL ARE TELLING ME THERE ISN'T AN ISSUE YET, BUT IT'S JUST TOO EARLY TO TELL.

BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THERE ARE MORE THAN 350 FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS.

IN CHICAGO, MORE THAN 100 INCOMING AND 100 OUTGOING FLIGHTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED TODAY.

KANSAS CITY ALSO HAS DOZENS OF CANCELLATIONS.

SO AIRLINES SAY YOU SHOULD KEEP CHECKING YOUR FLIGHT TO MAKE SURE THE STATUS DOESN'T CHANGE.

TX APT FIRE-TRX-VOTOPS

NEW THIS MORNING: THE RED CROSS IS HELPING PEOPLE LEFT HOMELESS AFTER A MASSIVE FIRE AT A TEXAS APARTMENT COMPLEX.

THE FIRE SPREAD FROM UNIT TO UNIT -- FUELED BY STRONG WIND GUSTS.

IT TOOK MORE THAN AN HOUR FOR FIREFIGHTERS TO GET THE FLAMES UNDER CONTROL.

SYRIA VIOLENCE-VO

MORE VIOLENCE ERUPTS NEAR ALEPPO, SYRIA.

AMATEUR VIDEO SHOWS A HELICOPTER SPIRALING TO THE GROUND BEFORE EXPLODING IN FLAMES.

A SYRIAN REBEL FIGHTER CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTACK.

IN ANOTHER CLIP -- RUBBLE FROM DESTROYED BUILDINGS LITTERED THE STREETS.

FORMER DOCTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD PORN-VO WIPE

A RETIRED ANESTHESIOLOGIST PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES --

NOW HE COULD SPEND UP TO A DECADE IN PRISON.

DOCTOR PAUL DAVID DELEEUW DOWNLOADED MORE THAN 150 SEXUALLY EXPLICIT VIDEOS AND PICTURES OF CHILDREN.

COURT DOCUMENTS SHOW INVESTIGATORS FOUND HARD DRIVES AT HIS FORT MYERS HOME WITH THE CHILD PORN ON THEM.

FORMER DOCTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD PORN-SOTVO

NBC-2 IS WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM DELEEUW'S ATTORNEY.

ALLEGED TANNING PEEPER-VO

A MASSACHUSETTS MAN IS ACCUSED OF SECRETLY VIDEOTAPING GIRLS AT THE TANNING SALON HE WORKED AT.

INVESTIGATORS SAY A CUSTOMER TIPPED THEM OFF AFTER SHE SPOTTED A LENS WHILE SHE WAS TANNING.

OFFICERS SAY THEY SET UP SURVEILLANCE AT THE SALON AND CAUGHT LUIS MACEDO IN THE ACT.

11 YEAR OLD ARSON-SS-VO-WIPE

A NORTH FORT MYERS 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL IS BACK HOME--

AFTER FACING ACCUSATIONS SHE SET HER NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE ON FIRE.

DEPUTIES SAY 11-YEAR-OLD AALIYAH FOSTER COFESSED TO STARTING THE FIRE.

A JUDGE ORDERED HER TO SERVE 21 DAYS OF HOME DETENTION.

DEPUTIES SAY FOSTER LIT A PIECE OF PAPER ON FIRE ON A NEIGHBOR'S DOOR STEP.

UNDERNEATH IT WAS A BOX OF MATCHES.

11 YEAR OLD ARSON-SOTVO

DEPUTIES SAY IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE TARGETED THAT HOUSE.

FMB RED TIDE FISH INJURIES-VO WIPE

CLEAN UP CREWS WILL BE OUT EARLY TODAY PICKING UP DEAD FISH ON OUR BEACHES.

FORT MYERS BEACH FIRE SAYS THEY RESPONDED TO DOUBLE THE CALLS OVER THE WEEKEND -- ABOUT A DOZEN -- OF PEOPLE PRICKED BY FISH BONES, POKING OUT OF THE SAND.

THEY'RE WARNING THAT IF YOU STEP ON ONE, SEE A DOCTOR.

FMB RED TIDE FISH INJURIES-SOTVO

16:21 i would think the state and tourism would be kind of embarrased to have all these fish laying on the beach dead 16:30

YOU'RE STILL O-K TO GO IN THE WATER,

ANTI GRAVITY TREADMILL-OC

THERE'S A NEW KIND OF TREADMILL GETTING TRACTION WITH PEOPLE REHABBING FROM INJURIES OR EVEN JUST RUNNERS LOOKING TO GET AN EDGE.

ANTI GRAVITY TREADMILL-PKG

MICHELLE MICKALONIS IS TRAINING FOR A TRIATHLON IN MAY. BUT AN INJURY TO HER ACHILLES ALMOST SIDELINED HER RUNNING.

AS A CLIENT OF PHYSICAL THERAPIST, HECTOR JASEN, SHE'S NOT LOSING A STEP THANKS TO TRAINING ON THE ALTER G- THE SO CALLED ANTI GRAVITY TREADMILL.

"I thought, oh my God. I have to have this machine. I felt so great. I never ran so fast. I felt like I was running on the moon."

THIS IS HOW IT WORKS. YOU PUT ON SPECIAL SHORTS THAT HAVE A TUTU LIKE ATTACHMENT. THEN YOU'RE ZIPPED INTO THE MACHINE. YOUR WEIGHT IS RECORDED AND THEN YOU AND THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST DECIDE HOW MUCH WEIGHT, IN ESSENCE, TO TAKE OFF. AIR IS PUMPED IN AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE BEING LIFTED OFF YOUR FEET.

"Now, because of the anti gravity we can now put a patient there and be able to start, any type of whether it's endurance training, gait training balance training ah at a much faster rate."

BECAUSE YOUR BODY IS NOT TAKING THE KIND OF POUNDING IT WOULD AT FULL GRAVITY.

THANKS TO AN ARRAY OF CAMERAS, PATIENTS CAN WATCH THEIR GAIT - VERY HELPFUL FOR BOB SILVERMAN AS HE WORKS TO REGAIN HIS NATURAL STRIDE - A BACK INJURY LEFT HIM WITH FOOT DROP AND A TENDENCY TO STUMBLE.

"And in addition with the video feedback I can actually watch myself. And one of the goals Hector's trying to work on with me is to improve my muscle memory, my walking, my feet so I can actually watch myself, time my stepping properly."

THIS IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR OTHER, TRADITIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY TREATMENTS- JUST ANOTHER TOOL.

IT'S ALSO USEFUL FOR RUNNERS WHO WANT TO ADD MILES WITHOUT THE POUNDING AND PEOPLE WHO ARE OVERWEIGHT -STARTING AN EXERCISE PROGRAM. RIGHT NOW THE FDA APPROVED PIECE OF EQUIPMENT ONLY COMES IN A PROFESSIONAL MODEL.

definitely."

WAVV 101.1 TEASE-SSTOPS

IF YOU NEED TO WALK OUT THE DOOR - WE CAN STILL MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN THE KNOW TODAY -

FORECAST TEASE-OMNI

BREAK EIGHT 5:49:40 AM

HIT TIME 5:49:40 AM

5:52 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

5:52 FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

Full Forecast

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.

Our stretch of dry weather will come to an end today as a band of rain moves into Southwest Florida this afternoon, signaling the arrival of a cool front that will take a couple days to push all the through.

We'll start the morning with a little patchy fog, but visibility should be much improved compared to the last several mornings. We'll notice some low clouds around early today along with some periods of sunshine, but clouds will be on the increase this afternoon as the cool front comes marching our way.

A broken band of showers will start moving in from the Gulf of Mexico by the mid afternoon, and there might also be a few embedded thunderstorms as well. The good news is this rain will be weakening as it moves in, so we don't anticipate the severe weather threat that areas to our north are experiencing today. As far as rain totals are concerned, most spots should pick up a quarter inch or less.

As we go through the night, some lingering showers will be possible, particularly over southern portions of the viewing area around Collier County. Because the front will take some time before making it all the way through Southwest Florida, clouds and even a few showers will hang around through our Wednesday, keeping daytime highs in the mid to upper 70s.

By Thursday we should notice at least some partial clearing as the cool air starts filtering in. Highs Thursday should only reach the mid 70s after starting with lows in the mid 50s. Friday will be a few points cooler with highs only climbing into the low 70s.

By the weekend, our weather really starts to get chilly. Highs Saturday and Sunday will likely only reach the 60s, and overnight temperatures will fall into the 40s. What's more, clouds and a few showers might even keep our weather a bit cooler Saturday through early Sunday before we see more sunshine by Sunday afternoon. Models are even hinting at temperatures as low as the low 40s and 30s by Monday morning!

TRAFFIC BILLBOARD-CLIP

TRAFFIC ALERT-NAVI

CHECKING THE ROADS RIGHT NOW--

ALL CLEAR, COLLIER CO ENFORCEMENT

WHAT'S COMING UP AT 6-CLIPTOPS

1) FIRST LADY PHOTOSHOPPED-SSTOPS

SOMETHING'S DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT WITH THIS PHOTO.

2) PET FOOD STAMPS-ONCAM

PLUS, FOOD STAMPS. FOR PETS.

3) TIM TEBOW GIVEAWAY-ONCAM

AND THE NBC-2 TIM TEBOW GIVEAWAY.

WE'RE GOING TO TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE FORMER FLORIDA GATOR FOR PRIZES.

BONITA ELEMENTRY SIDEWALK-VOWIPE

THE BATTLE TO GET SIDEWALKS NEAR BONITA SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS GROWING.

ADMINISTRATORS FROM THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CITY LEADERS IN BONITA SPRINGS ARE DISCUSSING GETTING GRANT MONEY FOR THE PROJECT RIGHT NOW.

THE SIDEWALKS WOULD BE ON THREE STREETS NORTH OF THE SCHOOL, ABERNATHY, HAMPTON, AND CROCKETT.

IT WOULD COST ABOUT 110-THOUSAND DOLLARS

BONITA ELEMENTRY SIDEWALK-SOTVO

Dave Diederich, Teacher

We have a lot of kids that ride bikes. A lot of parents that pick up kids and walk

JUDD SENATE MCCONNELL-SS

IT'S LOOKING MORE LIKE A HOLLYWOOD STAR WILL TRY TO DEFEAT A POWERFUL REPUBLICAN LEADER.

KENTUCKY NATIVE, ASHLEY JUDD IS TAKING STEPS TO DEFEAT SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL.

SHE HASN'T MADE AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.

BUT HER BIGGEST SUPPORTER, A DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE FROM KENTUCKY, SAYS HE WOULD BE SURPRISED IF SHE DID NOT RUN.

MEDITERRANEAN DIET-VO

IF YOU LIKE MEDITERRANEAN FOOD--

GREAT NEWS.

A MEDITERRANEAN DIET CAN HELP PREVENT HEART DISEASE.

RESEARCHERS TRACKED OVER 7-THOUSAND ADULTS--

WHO WERE AT RISK FOR HEART ATTACKS.

THE STUDY FOUND THAT PEOPLE ON A MEDITTEREAN DIET.FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES--

OLIVE OIL AND MIXED NUTS.

DIABETES DRUG RISK-VO

NEW RESEARCH REVEALS PATIENTS TAKING A NEW CLASS OF DIABETES DRUGS HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION.

A STUDY FOUND MEDICATIONS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES JANUVIA AND BYETTA CAN CAUSE LESIONS TO FORM ON THE PANCREAS.

DATA FROM THOUSANDS OF DIABETES PATIENTS CONFIRMED THE NEW DRUGS DOUBLED HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR ACUTE PANCREATITIS.

CPR EDUCATION-VO

TARGETING C-P-R EDUCATION IN HIGH RISK NEIGHBORHOODS COULD SAVE MORE LIVES.

DATA SHOW SURVIVAL RATES FOR HEART ATTACKS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE OF A HOSPITAL VARY WIDELY ACROSS THE COUNTRY --

AND THAT'S MOSTLY DUE TO WHETHER OR NOT BYSTANDERS PERFORM C-P-R.

EXPERTS SAY THAT'S WHY EDUCATION EFFORTS SHOULD BE CONCENTRATED IN AREAS WITH LOWER RATES OF C-P-R TRAINED RESIDENTS--

HEROIN IN RUSSIAN RADISHES-VO

DRUG AGENTS IN RUSSIA FOUND A WHOLE LOT OF HEROIN --

STASHED IN A SHIPMENT OF VEGETABLES.

187 KILOGRAMS OF AFGHAN HEROIN WAS PACKED IN GREEN BAGS--

AND MIXED IN WITH A LOAD OF RADDISHES.

FISH TANK SMASHER ON TAPE-VO

CHECK OUT THIS CRAZY VIDEO.

YOU'RE WATCHING A MAN IN A PET SHOP --

SMASH A 180 GALLON FISH TANK.

APPARENTLY -- ON PURPOSE!!!

END OF SHOW-RADAR TOPS

A LIVE LOOK RIGHT AT NBC TWO DOPPLER RADAR, SHOWING --

END OF SHOW CLIP-CLIP