DIRECTOR PAGE

SHOW OPEN-CLIP

2ND BANK ROBBERY-TRXSS TOP

BREAKING NEWS AT 5:30--

FOR THE SECOND TIME TODAY--

SOMEONE ROBS A BANK!

RIGHT AROUND CLOSING TIME--

SOMEONE WALKED INTO THE FIFTH THIRD BANK--

ON U-S 41 JUST SOUTH OF GLADIOLUS DRIVE.

DEPUTIES ARE SEARCHING THE AREA--

AND NBC2 HAS A CREW ON THE WAY.

ONCE WE GET MORE DETAILS--

FIRST BANK ROBBERY-SSTOP

EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON--

SOMEONE ROBBED THE WELLS FARGO ON PALM BEACH BLVD AND STATE ROAD 31 IN FORT MYERS SHORES.

TOSS TO JENNIFER-TRXSOTVO, 2SHOT

the president got his tax hikes on january first. The discussion about revenue is over.

We are not here for ourselves, we are not here for our parties, we are not here to advance our electoral prospects. We're here for American families.

*ANY* HOPE FOR A LAST MINUTE DEAL TO SETTLE THE SEQUESTER STALEMATE--

VANISHED THIS MORNING.

A CLOSED DOOR MEETING LASTED ONLY MINUTES.

AND NOW 85-BILLION DOLLARS IN AUTOMATIC SPENDING CUTS GO INTO EFFECT TODAY.

NBC2's JENNIFER TRAMMELL JOINS US LIVE IN THE STUDIO WITH A LOOK AT WHAT IT MEANS.

SEQUESTER MEETING-TFX CTR MON

AGENCIES WARN OF "DIRE CONSEQUENCES"--

LOST JOBS AND CRITICAL SERVICES *CUT*.

BUT MANY ANALYSTS SAY THE CUTS REALLY AREN'T THAT BAD--

AMERICA NEEDS TO TRIM THE FAT.

EITHER WAY--

SEQUESTER MEETING-PKG

AT THE WHITE HOUSE THIS AFTERNOON,

A FRUSTRATED PRESIDENT OBAMA ADMITTED 85 BILLION DOLLARS IN AUTOMATIC BUDGET CUTS WILL HAPPEN.

"What i can't do is force congress to do the right thing. The American people may be able to do that."

MINUTES BEFORE.

THE ONLY SERIOUS SIT DOWN BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS TO ADDRESS THE SEQUESTER ENDED IN ABOUT AN HOUR WITHOUT PROGRESS.

HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER BLAMED THE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE.

Ohio:29 -:40

"while there are better ways to cut the deficit than what we are about to embark on but the house shouldn't have to act a third time before the senate."

MEANWHILE ON CAPITOL HILL- THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE CALLED FOR ACTION.

California / Chmn. of House Armed Services Committee:45 -:55

"We are telling the President and John Boehner when you walk out of that meeting this morning do not cut defense any more. not one more cent."

MANY OF THEIR COLLEAGUES LEFT WASHINGTON YESTERDAY FOR A LONG WEEKEND.

FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHO COULD FACE FURLOUGHS EXPRESSED DISGUST.

I think it is absolutely abominable and a lack of leadership on both sides.

SEQUESTER MEETING-TFX CTR MON

THE HOLD UP IS THE SAME OLD ARGUMENT-

PRESIDENT OBAMA WANTS NEW REVENUE--

NOT JUST CUTS.

REPUBLICANS WON'T HAVE IT--

SEQUESTER AFTER EFFECTS-HALF GFX

WE DID SOME DIGGING AND FOUND THE "SEQUESTER" ISN'T THE ONLY LINE IN THE SAND.

ON MARCH 27TH--

LEGISLATION FINANCING OUR GOVERNMENT *TEMPORARILY*--

EXPIRES!

WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT TO EXTEND THAT--

THE THREAT OF A PARTIAL GOVERNMENT *SHUTDOWN* BECOMES REALITY.

THEN IN JUNE--

WE REACH THE NATION'S DEBT LIMIT AGAIN.

ECONOMIC NUMBERS-ON CAM

NEW NUMBERS ON THE ECONOMY SHOW AMERICANS ARE SPENDING *MORE,* BUT MAKING *LESS*.

SOME ECONOMISTS SAY THERE ARE TWO LOGICAL REASONS WHY, AND NOBODY SHOULD HIT THE PANIC BUTTON.

ECONOMIC NUMBERS-PKG

PERSONAL INCOME DECREASED BY 3.6 PERCENT IN JANUARY.THE LARGEST DROP IN 20 YEARS.

IT WASN'T UNEXPECTED. ESPECIALLY AFTER THE PAYROLL TAX CUT DISAPPEARED. AND AFTER A BIG INCREASE IN INCOME IN DECEMBER.

THERE WAS MORE CONSUMER SPENDING IN JANUARY.ALTHOUGH MOSTLY BECAUSE OF HIGHER HOME HEATING AND GASOLINE PRICES.

THE NATIONWIDE AVERAGE FOR A GALLON OF UNLEADED GAS HAS JUMPED 50 CENTS SINCE JANUARY FIRST.

STILL, MANY ECONOMISTS REMAIN OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE RECOVERY.

"the weight of the evidence right now seems to be that we are creating more jobs, the wages are going up for many many workers, hours has improved.

RECORD HIGHS ON THE STOCK MARKET BEARS OUT THERE'S SOME OPTIMISM ON WALL STREET, TOO.

"There is so much thought that this is just a sugar high, a liguidity drip from the Fed. I think this is very much a fundamentally driven advance in stock market. In the last year in particular. So much more of this economy is now working that wasn't working"

U-S AUTOMAKERS ARE LIKING THE NEW YEAR HAS SO FAR. SALES OF FORD, CHRYSLER AND G-M VEHICLE WERE ALL UP IN FEBRUARY.

.AND PLEASED SOME OF THE SALES WERE TO OTHER BUSINESSES.

"Small businesses that are buying anywhere from one to five trucks, full size pickups, vans that was up about 40 percent"

CONSTRUCTION SPENDING FELL IN JANUARY.BUT A BIG JUMP NEW HOME SALES MIGHT JUST CUSHION THE FALL.

"It's not just a possiblity, but a probability that the recovery in the housing, and yes there is a very strong recovery underway, will go considerable distance"

BUT POSSIBLY THE MOST INFLUENTIAL INDICATOR OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY GETS RELEASED NEXT FRIDAY. FEBRUARY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

STOCK MARKET-CGTOP

AT THE CLOSING BELL - THE DOW FINISHED UP 35-POINTS.

IT'S NOW WITHIN 75-POINTS OF ITS ALL-TIME HIGH!

BEER FRIDGE BURGLARY-VO, OC

A CAPE CORAL MAN IS IN JAIL--

ACCUSED OF BREAKING INTO A RESTAURANT'S BEER FRIDGE.

AND IT'S ALL CAUGHT ON CAMERA.

THIS IS SURVEILLANCE VIDEO FROM MICELI'S RESTAURANT ON MATLACHA.

DEPUTIES SAY 28 YEAR OLD DOUGLAS ROOT CLIMBED A FENCE --

THEN TRIED TO GET INTO THE RESTAURANT'S BEER COOLER.

DEPUTIES SAY HE WAS TRYING TO GET HIS HANDS ON ALOCHOL -

AFTER ANOTHER PLACE REFUSED TO SERVE HIM.

ROOT IS BEING HELD ON NO BOND.

TOSS TO LEIGH-ON CAM

THE FAMILY OF A 16-YEAR-OLD IMMOKALEE GIRL, GUNNED DOWN IN FORT MYERS IS HOLDING A VIEWING, CELEBRATING HER LIFE AND MOURNING THEIR LOSS.

THE FAMILY SPOKE TODAY TO NBC2.

LEIGH DANA IS LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM WITH REACTION.

KANASHA ISAAC PLANS-NEWSROOM, SS

WE SPOKE TO THE FAMILY OF

KANASHA ISAAC.

KANASHA ISAAC PLANS-VOTOP, WIPE

LAST SATURDAY -- ISAAC WENT WITH HER BOYFRIEND AND FRIENDS TO THE FORT MYERS ALE HOUSE.

AS THEY LEFT THE RESTAURANT--

OFFICERS SAY HENRY BRUNSON PULLED UP AND OPENED FIRE.

A BULLET HIT ISAAC IN THE FACE.

DOCTORS PRONOUNCED HER DEAD AT THE HOSPITAL--

FORT MYERS POLICE SAY ISAAC WAS THREE MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME.

KANASHA ISAAC PLANS-SOTVO, CG, OC

CINDY GARCIA/ COUSIN - 48:10-18 she was just that type of girl that would brighten up your day. She was sweet, loving, everything.

AS FOR THE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HER.

THEY SAY THEY'RE GLAD OFFICERS CAUGHT HIM AND THEY TOLD US THEY HOPE HE GETS WHAT HE DESERVES.

THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC VIEWING FOR KANASHA TONIGHT FROM SIX TO EIGHT AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN IMMOKALEE.

HER FUNERAL WILL BE HELD TOMRROW AT ONE IN THE AFTERNOON AT THE SAME CHURCH.

KANASHA ISAAC PLANS-NEWSROOM

LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM--

LEIGH DANA--

CRYSTAL RIVER-VO WIPE

THE CRYSTAL RIVER NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IS A FINANCIAL DISASTER FOR CUSTOMERS OF PROGRESS-DUKE ENERGY.

SO SAYS J-R KELLY.

HE REPRESENTS RATEPAYERS BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

KELLY FILED A PETITION TODAY WITH THE PSC.

HE'S CHALLENGING PROGRESS ENERGY'S SETTLEMENT WITH ITS INSURER--

BECAUSE HE THINKS IT'S TOO LOW.

THE INSURANCE COMPANY AGREED TO PAY 845-MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE BROKEN POWER PLANT.

CRYSTAL RIVER-SOTVO

"We believe the settlement amount is just only a token of what the insurance company should pay up because whatever the insurance company pays up, it's for the benefit of the ratepayers."

KELLY IS ALSO TRYING TO BLOCK PROGRESS-DUKE ENERGY.

FROM CHARGING CUSTOMERS FOR ABOUT $110 MILLION OF IMPROVEMENTS.

THE COMPANY IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING A DE-COMMISSIONING PLAN FOR THE PLANT.

SPACEX LAUNCH-VO

SPACE-X SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED ITS UNMANNED DRAGON CARGO CAPSULE--

FROM THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER FRIDAY MORNING.

BUT THE CAPSULE HAD PROBLEMS WITH ITS THRUSTER PODS.

IF THAT'S THE CASE--

THE CAPSULE MIGHT NOT DOCK WITH THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ON SATURDAY.

THIS IS THE SPACE-X'S SECOND RE-SUPPLY MISSION TO THE I-S-S.

PG SPEEDWAY RACES-VO

THE PUNTA GORDA SPEEDWAY IS *CANCELLING* RACES THIS WEEKEND.

THE SPEEDWAY'S WEBSITE EXPLAINS.

MIKE CHASE AND KEVIN WILLIAMS SAY THE CURRENT LEASE BETWEEN THE SPEEDWAY AND THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY -- EXPIRES IN MARCH.

THE CITY SAYS IT HAS TO RAISE THE RENT BY MORE THAN 3-THOUSAND DOLLARS A MONTH--

BECAUSE OF NEW RESTRICTIONS BY THE F-A-A.

THE SPEEDWAY'S OWNERS SAY THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT.

TEASE ONE-2SHOT

SOME DOCTORS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE GROWING NUMBER OF *DOUBLE* MASTECTOMIES.

IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER.

it’s a MAJOR SURGERY,

IS IT BEING DONE UNNECESSARILY?

A

NBC2 LOOKS AT THE DEBATE.

AND MOVE OVER SEASONAL RESIDENTS, THE SPRING BREAKERS ARE MOVING IN!

TZ1 A) DOUBLE MASTESTOMY-VO WIPE

TZ1 B) SPRING BREAK-VO TOPS

TZ1 C) WEATHER TEASE-STC

bank robbery

BREAKING NEWS AT 5:30-- another bank roberry. THE SECOND in lee county today.

THE FIFTH THIRD BANK-- ON U-S 41 JUST SOUTH OF GLADIOLUS DRIVE.

JOELLE PARKS IS THERE LIVE

TEASE TWO-ON CAM

NBC2 IS GOING ALONG FOR THE RIDE ON A HISTORIC FLIGHT!

IT'S PART OF "WARBIRD WEEKEND"--

THAT RAISES MONEY FOR A VARIETY OF WORTHWHILE CAUSES FOR VETERANS.

AND TOMORROW IS PET AMNESTY DAY IN LEE COUNTY.

NOT JUST ANY PET--

BUT THE *VERY* OUT OF THE ORDINARY AND UNUSUAL!

TZ2 A) BARNSTORMERS-VO WIPE

TZ2 B) EXOTIC ANIMALS-VO TOPS

ROBERT WX OPEN-CLIP

FIRST ALERT 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.

CLOUDY AND COOL WEEKEND

Southwest Florida will see quite the change when it comes to our weekend weather as it will feature more clouds, a few showers, and chilly temperatures.

Tonight, mostly cloudy skies will stay in place and with another push of cool air, overnight lows will tumble into the upper 40s by morning.

Saturday will start of quite chilly and we're not expecting much of a warm up as afternoon temperatures remain in the middle 60s. While much of day should stay dry, a couple of passing showers during the day can't be ruled out. As upper level energy rides over the peninsula, a better chance for scattered shower activity will remain in the forecast late Saturday carrying over into early Sunday morning, especially along the coast.

Clouds will stick around for the better half of our Sunday with partial clearing throughout the afternoon. After morning lows in the middle 40s, temperatures will have a hard time making it out of the lower 60s. High pressure will move in by the first of the week clearing our skies out with a slight warm up through Tuesday under mostly sunny skies.

DOUBLE MASTECTOMY DEBATE-ON CAM

THE DOUBLE MASTECTOMY DEBATE: ARE SOME WOMEN, GETTING BOTH BREASTS REMOVED UNNECESSARILY?

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS WOMEN GET A DOUBLE MASTECTOMY - CANCER, OF COURSE, OR IF A WOMAN CARRIES THE BREAST CANCER GENE.

BUT IT'S THE OTHER CASES CAUSING CONTROVERSY.

DOUBLE MASTECTOMY DEBATE-PKG

WHEN NIKKI REYES, A POPULAR MORNING DJ, HEARD HER STATION WAS RUNNING A PROMOTION FOR 75 DOLLAR MAMMOGRAMS SHE GOT ONE-EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS 32, HEALTHY, AND …

"no history, nobody in my family even dies of cancer, everyone dies of old age and you know since it didn't run in my family and I like to eat right and work-out, this could never be me in a million years."

BUT IT WAS. WHEN NIKI'S MAMMOGRAM SHOWED A CLEAR CANCER SHE IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED GEARS

"I was more into go mode of what do I need to do to fight so I can continue to live a long, healthy life."

TESTS SHOWED THAT NIKKI DID NOT HAVE THE BREAST CANCER GENE, AND HER CANCER WAS SMALL AND HAD NOT SPREAD; DESPITE THOSE FINDINGS, NIKI MADE A RADICAL DECISION

"I decided to have a double mastectomy"

SHE MADE THAT DECISION EVEN THOUGH HER DOCTOR DEANNA ATTAI THOUGHT IT MIGHT NOT BE MEDICALLY NECESSARY;

ATTAI SAYS MORE AND MORE WOMEN WHO HAVE VERY EARLY STAGE CANCER AND NO RISK FACTORS LIKE NIKKI ARE CHOOSING DOUBLE MASTECTOMIES

SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO EVER DEAL WITH THE DANGER AGAIN

"in general if you are diagnosed with breast cancer your lifetime risk to age 90 of developing in the other breast could range from 5-20%"

THE RISK IS MANY, MANY TIMES GREATER FOR WOMEN LIKE AMY AVIDENTE WHO HAD A CANCER IN ONE BREAST AND, UNLIKE NIKKI, HAD A POSITIVE FAMILY HISTORY FOR BREAST CANCER

"two of my cousins had breast cancer early in life and I had a sister who had breast cancer at 29."

WHEN TESTS SHOWED AMY DID HAVE THE BREAST CANCER GENE WHICH INCREASES THE DANGER OF RECURRENCE TO 70 PERCENT DR DENNIS HOLMES MADE A CLEAR RECOMMENDATION

"She has a very high risk of breast cancer in both breasts and in fact we recommend prophylactic surgery in most cases for those women"

WHILE THEIR SITUATIONS WERE DIFFERENT

NIKKI AND AMY ARE EACH SURE THEY MADE THE RIGHT DECISION

"I like the fact I don't have to worry anymore; it's not 100 percent its 99.9 I made the right decision"

"I never want to go through that again… it was the way to go for me… I never looked back. I'm glad I did it."

BARNSTORMERS WWII PLANE-ON CAM

TAKE A TRIP BACK IN TIME THIS WEEKEND.

ANTIQUE AIRPLANES FROM WORLD WAR TWO--

WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT.

AS OUR CHARLIE KEEGAN LEARNED--

BARNSTORMERS WWII PLANE-PKG

WHEN JOHN MAKINSON GOES FOR A FLIGHT, HE PREFERS AN OLD WAR BIRD.

"I'd rather be in one of these old airplanes than a new one bc they had pride and craftmaship nad they were built to last." John Makinson, History Flight.

EACH PLANE HAS A STORY. THIS 1941 SPEARMAN WAS USED BY THE NAVY TO TRAIN PILOTS IN PENSACOLA.

FOR 9 YEARS, MAKINSON HAS BEEN TAKING THIS AND OTHER PLANES INTO THE AIR TO RAISE MONEY FOR HISTORY FLIGHT.

nats

HE SHOWED ME A FEW BATTLE MANEURVERS IN THE OPEN COCKPIT BYPLANE.

NATS

BACK ON THE GROUND, MAKINSON EXPLAINS HISTORY FLIGHT SPANS THE GLOBE SEARCHING FOR THE REMAINS OF U-S SOLDIERS WHO WENT MISSING IN ACTION DURING WORLD WAR TWO.

"we've located close to 300 MIAs which were in the process of getting their remains brought home to the use and giving them the proper burial they deserve." John Makinson, History Flight.

THE ANNUAL WARBIRDS WEEKEND GIVES PEOPLE AN UP CLOSE LOOK AT SOME 40 ANTIQUE AIRPLANES.

"to hear these big engines roar to see them fly and crank over on a knife's edge that's what it's all about." Zack Olzacki, Warbirds Weekend

BESIDES HISTORY FLIGHT, THE EVENT RAISES MONEY FOR THE WOUNDED WARRIORS AND THE VETERANS AIRLIFT COMMAND.

BOTH ORGANIZATIONS HELP VETERANS WHEN THEIR BENEFITS AREN'T ENOUGH.

nats

SEEING THE OLD PLANES IN ACTION ALWAYS BRINGS MEMORIES BACK TO VETERANS OF THE EAR.

"the open cockpit, the wind blowing through your hair, it's back to the barnstormeing days, so it's a unique experience." John Makinson, History Flight.

MEGA MILLIONS-VO WIPE

THE FLORIDA LOTTERY IS ADDING A NEW GAME THAT OWNS THE WORLD RECORD FOR LARGEST JACKPOT.

FLORIDA BECOMES THE 43RD STATE TO JOIN THE MEGA MILLIONS GAME.

NOW THE FLORIDA LOTTERY OFFERS THE TWO BIGGEST JACKPOT GAMES IN THE COUNTRY.

MEGA MILLIONS-SOTVO

"Floridians love Lotto our flagship jackpot game and, of course, the occasional player likes those large jackpots with Powerball. Now we're offering the second most recognized mega multi-state game with Mega Millions and we're really excited about that."

A MEGA MILLIONS TICKET COSTS A DOLLAR -- WHILE POWERBALL IS 2 DOLLAR TO PLAY.

NBC2 PROGRAMMING NOTE-ON CAM

A QUICK PROGRAMMING NOTE --

N-B-C TWO WILL NOT A SUNDAY MORNING NEWSCAST.

WE ARE UPGRADING OUR SYSTEMS.

WE WILL HAVE PROGRAMMING ON THE AIR --

TEASE THREE-2SHOT

SEASONAL RESIDENTS ARE ALREADY HERE--

AND TOMORROW SPRING BREAKERS ARRIVE!

THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE COMING TO TOWN--

TZ3 A) SPRING BREAK-VO WIPE

AHEAD AT 6-BANNER

A)

THINGS TO DO-CG

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND--

COMIC DREW CAREY IS BACK ON THE ROAD - AND PERFORMING A SPECIAL 2-NIGHT STAND AT "OFF THE HOOK" COMEDY CLUB ON MARCO ISLAND.

HIS SHOWS ARE TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

ENJOY WONDERFUL ART IN ONE OF THE AREAS BEST SETTINGS.

THE NAPLES ART ASSOCIATION PRESENTS THE ANNUAL MERCATO FINE ARTS FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND.

MORE THAN 100 ARTISTS WILL HAVE WORK FOR SALE.

OR CHECK OUT THE GREEK FEST OF FORT MYERS.

IT RUNS ALL WEEKEND.

11 TO 11 SATURDAY, AND NOON TO FIVE SUNDAY.

IT'S ONLY 5-DOLLARS FOR *BOTH* DAYS!

SPRING BREAK PREPS-2SHOT

THIS WEEKEND--

THE FIRST WAVE OF SPRING BREAKERS HIT FORT MYERS BEACH.

SPRING BREAK PREPS-PKG

AT THE LANI KAI, THE SELF-DUBBED SPRING BREAK CAPITOL OF FORT MYERS BEACH, MANAGERS EXPECT STUDENTS TO ARRIVE THIS WEEKEND.

it's the first week of really intense spring break action that's what we're hoping for as long as the weather cooperates

LARRY PUCCIA SAYS DESPITE THINNER CROWDS FRIDAY, THE 126-ROOM HOTEL IS BOOKED THROUGH MARCH--CATERING MOSTLY TO THE COLLEGE CROWD.

if you treat them right they'll treat you right, that's what we do we welcome them, and haven't had much problems with the kids over the years

A COLLEGIATE PUBLICATION RECENTLY RANKED THE TOWN TENTH, AMONG A LIST OF WHAT IT CALLS THE 15 TRASHIEST SPRING BREAK DESTINATIONS.

I can believe that, that's for sure

NEMO'S ON THE BEACH BARTENDER RYAN WELSH EXPECTS SALES TO JUMP 30 PERCENT.

we ramp up our servers bartenders and bar backs

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS DURING PEAK SEASON, THE ISLAND'S POPULATION TYPICALLY SWELLS TEN FOLD, TO 65 THOUSAND.

THE TOWN BRINGS IN EXTRA WORKERS TO HANDLE TRASH PICK UP, WHILE LEADERS URGE PEOPLE TO DRIVE, AND CROSS STREETS SAFELY.

educate them that this is a pedestrian friendly island and that the car does not have the right of way

AT THE LANI KAI, PUCCIA SAYS BARTENDERS RELY ON THE "BIBLE", A BOOK OF VALID I-DS.TO SPOT, AND STOP UNDERAGE DRINKING.

we're experienced, we know what to expect and we're well prepared for it

EXOTIC ANIMAL AMNESTY DAY-2SHOT

A FIGHT TO SAVE NATIVE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA STARTS IN YOUR OWN HOME.

WILDLIFE EXPERTS WARN YOUR UNWANTED PET COULD WRECK HAVOC ON OUR FRAGILE ECOSYSTEM.

TONIGHT -- THEY WANT YOU TO THINK TWICE BEFORE LETTING THE LITTLE OR LARGE CRITTERS GO!

EXOTIC ANIMAL AMNESTY DAY-PKG

LARGE LIZARDS AND SERIOUS SNAKES --

Steve Masek, Snake Handler

2608 "one of these snakes coming of the egg is 6-8 inches, no bigger than your thumb. They're cute and cuddly."

REVEAL A DANGEROUS DILEMMA FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA -- ONLY AMPLIFIED -- IF YOU LET YOUR UNWANTED PET WALK, CRAWL, OR SLITHER FREE.

Liz Barraco, FWC Wildlife Amnesty Program

04:17 "on one hand, you're being unfair to the animal and on the other you have a lot of nature wildlife can be effected."

Steve Campion, Reporter

"this little lady is the notorious Burmese python. The biggest one caught on record in the state of Florida was found in the Everglades coming in at 17 feet long."

Erin Myers, US Fish and Wildlife Service

11:08 "if you do a little homework you'll find out which ones are better pets than others."

WILDLIFE EXPERTS WARN -- THE REPTILES YOU SEE ON DISPLAY IN PET SHOPS -- CAN GROW INTO A NIGHTMARE.

Myers

1135 "the iguanas you buy them as cute, little green iguanas. A few years later they can be extremely aggressive, scratching. They can do a lot of damage to children."

BIOLOGISTS BLAME HUMANS FOR UNLEASHING -- INVASIVE SPECIES LIKE BURMESE PYTHONS AND BLACK SPINEY TAIL IGUANAS INTO NATIVE FLORIDA.

THEY'RE ON A MISSION -- TO SLOW THEM FROM SPREADING ACROSS THE STATE.

TOMORROW AT THE CALUSA NATURE CENTER FROM TEN TO TWO IN FORT MYERS-- IS YOUR CHANCE TO TURN IN ANY EXOTIC ANIMAL YOU CAN'T CARE FOR OR SIMPLY DON'T WANT.

Liz BARRACO, FWC amnesty program

03:45 "no questions asked even if you're missing the proper permitting or if it's an animal you really shouldnt own."

SINCE THE AMNESTY PROGRAM'S START -- FWC'S TAKE IS MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND ANIMALS.

LAST YEAR ALONE -- PEOPLE TURNED OVER FOUR HUNDRED CREATURES TO THE AGENCY.

THOSE WHO HANDLE SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS ONES -- CALL THE SURRENDERS A SMART MOVE.

OUT IN THE WILD -- THIS MOUTH CAN HAVE A MIGHT CHOMP.

Masek

2708 "this guy will pound down a 4 1/2 pound rabbit."

SELL THE 6PM-ON CAM

WE ARE FOLLOWING A LOT OF BREAKING NEWS ---

TWO BANK ROBBERIES ON OPPOSITE ENDS OF FORT MYERS WITHIN HOURS OF EACH OTHER.

AND FRUSTRATED AIRLINE PASSENGERS --

WANT ANSWERS AFTER DAYS OF DELAYS AND GETTING STRANDED.