HEADLINE OPEN

BREAKING THIS MORNING --

ANOTHER CARNIVAL SHIP IS REPORTEDLY HAVING PROBLEMS.

NBC-2 HAS A PHONE CALL FROM A PASSENGER ON-BOARD THAT SHIP --

AND HOW THE COMPANY IS RESPONDING.

AND IN HIS FIRST FULL DAY AS POPE, FRANCIS HAS MANY CHALLENGES.

THIS MORNING,

HEAR WHAT'S AHEAD, AT THE VATICAN.

PLUS--GIRLS BEHAVING BADLY.

A MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT BULLIED AND, BRUTALLY ATTACKED.

ALL WHILE STUDENTS STOOD BY AND WATCHED!

HL1) CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP-VOTOPS-TRX

HL2) NEW POPE-VOTOPS-TRX

HL3) BULLYING ON TAPE-VOTOPS

NY SHOOTING LATEST-CLIP

NY SHOOTING LATEST-VO

WE BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS-

POLICE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK HAVE SHOT AND KILLED THE MAN SUSPECTED IN A DEADLY SHOOTING RAMPAGE.

AROUND EIGHT THIS MORNING, SWAT TEAMS STORMED INTO AN ABANDONED BUILDING WHERE 64-YEAR-OLD KURT MYERS HAD BEEN HOLED UP.

MYERS SHOT AND KILLED A POLICE DOG THAT HAD BEEN SENT IN FIRST. SWAT OFFICERS RETURNED FIRE, KILLING MYERS.

YESTERDAY, POLICE SAY MYERS SHOT FOUR PEOPLE AT A BARBER SHOP IN THE TOWN OF MOHAWK. TWO MEN DIED.

CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP-CLIP

CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP-TOSS TO NICK

ALSO BREAKING TODAY

MORE TROUBLE FOR CARNIVAL.

ANOTHER ONE OF ITS SHIPS IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS AT SEA.

CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP-BREAKING MON

FROM POWER OUTAGES TO BATHROOMS THAT DON'T WORK TO HUMAN WASTE ON THE FLOOR.

THESE ARE ALL PROBLEMS PASSENGERS ON BOARD THE CARNIVAL DREAM ARE REPORTING.

CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP-VO

CNN IS REPORTNG MULTIPLE PASSENGERS HAVE CONTACTED THEM.AND RECANTED SIMILAR STORIES TO WHAT HAPPENED ON BOARD THE CARNIVAL TRIUMPH LAST MONTH.

THAT'S WHEN 42-HUNDRED CREW MEMBERS AND PASSENGERS WERE STRANDED IN THE GULF OF MEXICO AFTER POWER ISSUES.

CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP-SOTVO

The bathrooms are not working, they're backing up. That's correct. The elevators have not been working. They've been turning them on and off. On and off.

WE'RE TOLD AS MANY AS 5-THOUSAND PASSENGERS AND CREW MEMBERS ARE ON BOARD THE DREAM.

CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP-PLASMA TAG

CARNIVAL RELEASED THIS STATEMENT JUST A FEW HOURS AGO ON ITS FACEBOOK.

"THE CARNIVAL DREAM HAS A TECHNICAL ISSUE WHICH OUR ENGINEERING TEAM IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON.

THE SHIP IS AT DOCK IN ST. MAARTEN.

AT NO TIME DID THE SHIP LOSE POWER BUT THERE WERE PERIODIC INTERRUPTIONS TO ELEVATORS AND TOILETS FOR A FEW HOURS LAST NIGHT.

HOWEVER AT THIS TIME ALL HOTEL SYSTEMS ARE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY AND HAVE BEEN FUNCTIONAL SINCE APPROXIMATELY 12.30AM.

THE SHIP HAS FULL POWER BUT IS STILL AT DOCK WHILE PERSONNEL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE TECHNICAL ISSUE."

MORE ON THIS CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP COMING UP ON THE NEWS AT NOON.

NEW POPE-CLIP

NEW POPE-TRAFFIC VO

IT'S HAS BEEN An HISTORIC FEW WEEKS FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

FIRST POPE BENEDICT RESIGNS.

THE FIRST POPE TO DO SO IN NEARLY 600 YEARS.

ON WEDNESDAY,THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TOOK ANOTHER HISTORIC STEP, ELECTING THE FIRST POPE

EVER FROM LATIN AMERICA.

NEW POPE-PKG

THE DAY STARTED - WITH A SPECIAL PRAYER TO THE VIRGIN MARY-

POPE FRANCIS - PRIVATELY VISITING ST. MARY MAJOR BASILICA IN ROME- THIS

MORNING -

HIS FIRST ACT - AFTER A LIFECHANGING NIGHT-

-habeus popum-

WITH THOSE WORDS-

HISTORY - WAS MADE-

--

POPE FRANCIS - THE FIRST PONTIFF EVER FROM LATIN AMERICA -

--

*ECHOING THE ROAR OF THE MORE THAN 100 THOUSAND PEOPLE IN SAINT PETER'S

SQUARE LAST NIGHT -

NAT

THE OVERWHELMING ENTHUSIASM - FROM HIS HOME IN ARGENTINA:

NIGHTLINE'S DAVID WRIGHT PKG16:52:58 OLD MAN IN BLUE SHIRT: I always said -

he will be one of the best popes we ever have. And thank God he is from

Argentina! He is from ARGENTINA!

THERE-THEY KNOW HIM AS CARDINAL JORGE BERGOGLIO-

THE HUMBLE - MODEST MAN - WITH A PASSION FOR MINISTERING - TO THE POOR.

NIGHTLINE'S MORAN PKG: Thavis He's taken the name of st francis for the

first time that is a clearly a signal that he wants to show a different face

to the church, the face of the poor."

AT 76 YEARS OLD, CONSIDERED A "DARK HORSE" CANDIDATE -

* HIS IS NOT THE -FACE - ANYONE *EXPECTED TO SEE LAST NIGHT-

YET - FOLLOWING THE WHITE SMOKE-AND ANTICIPATION-

THIS NEWLY NAMED POPE- EMERGED AND PRAYED-

--

NY STOCK EXCHANGE OPEN-LIVE

the Dow is trying to extend its recent winning streak to 10 days after data showed the labor market recovery was gaining traction.

YOU'RE LOOKING LIVE AT THE BIG BOARD ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.

75 CRASH VICTIMS TO TALK-SS VO

TODAY WE'LL HEAR FROM THE VICTIMS OF A TERRIBLE CRASH THAT INVOLVED A MEMBER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

CRYSTAL AND CHRISTOPHER MCCLURE WILL SPEAK TO THE MEDIA FOR THE FIRST TIME ABOUT THE CRASH THAT KILLED THEIR UNBORN CHILD.

IT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY ON I-75 IN LEE COUNTY.

THE CRASH CRITICALLY INJURED CRYSTAL AND BECAUSE OF HER INJURIES, THE FAMILY'S HOME REQUIRES RENOVATIONS TO ACCOMMODATE HER WHEELCHAIR.

CRASH VICTIM MEMORIAL-VO-WIPE

AND A FINAL FAREWELL FOR A COUPLE KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A LEE COUNTY CRUISER--

BUT THE FAMILY SAYS THEY STILL WANT ANSWERS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF JOHN AND MARILYN STEFFEN GATHERED LAST NIGHT TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS.

THE COUPLE DIED IN A WRECK EARLIER THIS MONTH AFTER OFFICIALS SAY THEY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF A LEE COUNTY DEPUTY ON HIS WAY TO A CALL.

CRASH VICTIM MEMORIAL-SOTVO

TERRY STEFFEN:, COUPLE'S SON: no one's really reached out to us or said much and of course like you always here is that there's an investigation going on

EVEN THOUGH F-H-P SAYS THE DEPUTY HAD HIS EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON --

IT'S STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION WHETHER HE HAD HIS SIRENS ON.

NAPLES SOLDIER KILLED-SS-VO

WE'RE LEARING THAT PLANS ARE IN THE WORKS TO HONOR A COLLIER COUNTY SOLDIER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN.

STAFF SERGEANT MARC SCIALDO DIED IN A HELICOPTER CRASH IN KANDAHAR PROVINCE THIS WEEK.

ALL FIVE AIRCREW MEMBERS ONBOARD DIED.

THIS WAS SCIALDO'S SECOND TOUR --

HE HAD ALSO BEEN DEPLOYED TO IRAQ BEFORE.

NBC2 SPOKE WITH TWO OF SCIALDO'S CLOSEST FRIENDS

WHO TOLD US HE DIED DOING WHAT HE LOVED --

NAPLES SOLDIER KILLED-SOTVO

7:00 "He even had it tattooed on him.a coward dies a thousand deaths, but a soldier dies but once." Anthony Valvano, Best Friend

AT CAMBIER PARK --

EVERY VETERAN'S DAY --

THE NAMES OF COLLIER COUNTY MEN AND WOMEN KILLED IN ACTION ARE ENGRAVED.

MISSING ENDANGERED WOMAN-TRX-SSTOPS

AN UPDATE THIS MORNING FROM THE LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE--

A MISSING WOMAN BELIEVED TO BE IN DANGER, HAS BEEN FOUND.

WE ARE TOLD 39 YEAR OLD DANA STACI BUNTIN IS SAFE.

ESTERO FIRE-OC VO

NBC-2 BRINGS YOU THE LATEST ON A BRUSH FIRE IN LEE COUNTY.

OVERNIGHT ALL LEE COUNTY EMS CREWS ON SCENE LEFT THE AREA NEAR WILDCAT RUN, THAT'S JUST SOUTH OF CORKSCREW ROAD IN EAST LEE COUNTY.

THE FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE TELLS NBC 2 THE FIRE IS APPROXIMATELY 50 ACRES IN SIZE.

THEY ALSO SAY STRONG WINDS ARE MAKING FIREFIGHTING EFFORTS CHALLENGING.

NO HOMES OR STRUCTURES ARE THREATENED.

BRUSH FIRE FROM WOMAN'S YARD-VOTOPS-BNR

AND LOOK --- A NEW ANGLE OF THE WILDCAT RUN BRUSH FIRE ---

THESE PHOTOS WERE SENT INTO US BY LINDA, WHO SAYS SHE TOOK THESE FROM HER BACKYARD IN BELLA TERRA.

THANK YOU FOR SENDING THEM IN.

IF YOU HAVE PHOTOS, WE WANT TO SEE THEM.

TAX FRAUD-TOSS TO CLIFTON

THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS TRYING TO PUT A DENT IN FRAUD AND SCAMS RIGHT HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

HAPPENING RIGHT NOW THEY'RE HOSTING A FRAUD SEMINAR IN SOUTH FORT MYERS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR.

AND WHAT SCAMS ARE MOST POPULAR.

NBC-2'S CLIFTON FRENCH JOINS US NOW LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE CROWNE PLAZA AT BELL TOWER SHOPS WHERE THAT EVENT IS BEING HELD.

TAX FRAUD-REMLIVE

TAX FRAUD-VO

TODAY THEY'RE FOCUSING ON SEVERAL FORMS OF FRAUD BUT ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR CRIMES THAT IS GROWING IN THE AREA IS CALLED TURBOTAX FRAUD.

THAT'S WHERE PEOPLE GET YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION THEN FILE A TAX RETURN UNDER YOUR NAME. AND IT'S VERY EASY TO DO.

IN FACT, FLORIDA LEADS THE COUNTRY IN THIS CRIME.

TAX FRAUD-SOT

TAX FRAUD-REMLIVE

JUST LAST YEAR IN LEE COUNTY THERE WERE MORE THAN 500 REPORTED CASES OF TURBOTAX FRAUD.

SINCE THEN A TASK FORCE HAS BEEN PUT TOGETHER TO HELP FIGHT IT.

THIS SEMINAR GOES UNTIL 3:30 HERE TODAY.

LT GOV RESIGNS AFTER GAMBLING INVESTIGATION-TRX-VO

NO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

THIS AFTER JENNIFER CARROLL RESIGNED.

SHE STEPPED DOWN YESTERDAY BECAUSE OF HER TIES TO A NON-PROFIT GROUP CALLED, "ALLIED VETERANS."

THE ORGANIZATION RAN DOZENS OF INTERNET CAFE'S --

LT GOV RESIGNS AFTER GAMBLING INVESTIGATION-SOTVO

Here's what we know today. She was involved in a company that we know has been involved in criminal activity.

GOVERNOR SCOTT SAYS HE WILL NOT NAME A REPLACEMENT FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR UNTIL AFTER THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHICH ENDS IN MAY.

TEASE ONE-2-SHOT

IF YOU'VE RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW CAR YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO STAY WITH US.

A COUPLE OF BIG NAME CAR MANUFACTURERS HAVE SOME RECALLS ON THEIR LATE MODEL VEHICLES.

AND HOW WILL HAVING NO DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BENEFIT THE STATE OF FLORIDA?

TZ1A) RECALLS-ON CAM

TZ1B) NO DAYLIGHT SAVING-VOTOPS

WEATHER-STC

FIRST ALERT FORECAST-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.

A CHILLY START TO A BEAUTIFUL DAY

boat

-

***

A 42-FOOT BOAT IS LISTING AND TAKING ON WATER IN THE CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER

NEAR JAYCEE PARK

CAPE CORAL MARINE AND THREE OTHER AGENCIES ARE RESPONDING RIGHT NOW

LAUREN/PHIL HEADING THERE WITH THE LIVE U

FL NO DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME PROPOSAL-VO-WIPE

ONE FLORIDA SENATOR WANTS TO CHANGE THE WAY WE DO DAYLIGHTS SAVING TIME.

HE WANTS OUR CLOCKS TO SPRING FORWARD BUT *NEVER FALL BACK.

THE BILL IS CALLED THE "SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT".

ITS BEING PRESENTED BY SENATOR DARREN SOTO FROM KISSIMMEE.

IT WOULD GIVE EVERY FLORIDIAN AN EXTRA HOUR OF SUNLIGHT.

FL NO DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME PROPOSAL-SOTVO

33:56 i haven't put a dollar amount to it yet but if i and the state of florida had one more per day for the entire season to make daylight money we're going to make more 34:07

NAPLES INVESTIGATION-TRX-VOTOPS

AND THIS INVESTIGATION INTO THE NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION HAS TIES TO OUR AREA.

NISSAN RECALL AIR BAG-TRX-CG

WE HAVE A CONSUMER ALERT FOR NISSAN OWNERS THIS MORNING.

THE CAR COMPANY WILL RECALL FIVE OF ITS 2013 MODELS BECAUSE OF A BUG THAT PERMANENTLY TURNS OFF THE AIR BAG FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER.

HERE'S A LIST OF THE MODELS.

ALTIMA, LEAF ELECTRIC, PATHFINDER S-U-V, SENTRA COMPACT AND INFINITI S-U-V.

NISSAN IS NOT SURE HOW MANY CARS ARE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL.

HONDA RECALL-TRXTOPS OC CG

AND ANOTHER CONSUMER ALERT THIS MORNING--

THIS TIME ITS HONDA

THE COMPANY IS RECALLING THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES WORLDWIDE FOR BRAKES THAT CAN SUDDENLY KICK IN EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER ISN'T BRAKING.

THIS RECALL INCLUDES MORE THAN 183-THOUSAND VEHICLES IN THE U-S --

INCLUDING THE 2005 ACURA R-L --

THE 2005 AND 2006 ACURA M-D-X --

AND THE 2005 PILOT MODELS.

NO CRASHES HAVE BEEN REPORTED BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT, BUT MORE THAN A DOZEN DRIVERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PROBLEM.

NEW GASOLINE-2SHOT INTRO

THERE'S A NEW KIND OF GASOLINE BEING DEVELOPED THAT MIGHT SAVE THE EARTH AND SAVE CONSUMERS MONEY AT THE PUMP.

HOWEVER THERE IS A DEBATE SURROUNDING THIS E- 15 FUEL.

NEW GASOLINE-PKG

MOST GASOLINE IN THE U-S CONTAINS 10% ETHANOL. INCREASED BIOFUEL PRODUCTION HAS PROMPTED THE CREATION OF E-15, A BLEND OF 15% ETHANOL AND 85% GASOLINE THAT WILL SOON BE MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE.

"The statistical testing that occurred… 86 cars over 186,000 miles each is the most rigorous testing of a fuel in the history of the US."

NASCAR DRIVERS LIKE KURT BUSCH HAVE PROMOTED THE EFFICIENCY OF BIOFUELS.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SAYS E-15 IS SAFE FOR CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS 2001 AND NEWER. IT IS NOT FOR MOTORCYCLES, BUSES, BOATS OR SNOWMOBILES.

THE OIL INDUSTRY AND SOME FOOD GROUPS, HOWEVER, OPPOSE THE INCREASED USE OF CORN ETHANOL FOR FUEL, AND WARN OF DAMAGE IF E-15 IS USED IMPROPERLY.

"The whole E15 debate is whether or not over time introducing the availability of that fuel widely to a widely disparate type of engine is going to have a corrosive and damaging effect on the engine itself the research has really not been completed in that regard."

"NASCAR right now has run 2 or 3 million miles under some very extreme conditions and loved the fuel …So I really think there's no basis to that argument other than they are trying to scare the consumer out of buying a better product."

GAS STATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED TO POST NOTICES WHEREVER E-15 IS SOLD -- SO CONSUMERS CAN DECIDE WHETHER IT'S THE RIGHT FUEL FOR THEM.

IT ALL ADDS UP-VOTOPSWIPE

A NEW SURVEY FROM P-B-S FINDS THAT PARENTS PLACE LESS EMPHASIS ON MATH SKILLS THAN READING AS AN INDICATOR OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

THE SURVEY ALSO FOUND THAT PARENTS NEED HELP SUPPORTING MATH SKILLS FOR THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN.

THAT'S WHY PBS HAS COME UP WITH A PLAN CALLED "IT ALL ADDS UP" WHICH WILL PROVIDE RESOURCES TO THOSE PARENTS HELPING THEIR KIDS WITH MATH HOMEWORK.

WORKING MOMS POLL-OC OTS

A NEW SURVEY OUT THIS MORNING FINDS MORE WORKING MOMS WANT A FULL TIME JOB.

THE STUDY COMES FROM THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER.

RESEARCHERS SAY THEY SAW A BIG SPIKE IN THE SHARE OF WORKING MOMS WHO SAID THEY'D PREFER TO WORK FULL TIME.

37 PERCENT -- COMPARED TO 21 PERCENT BACK IN 2007.

TEASE TWO-1SHOT

"Stop the car, stop the car right now"

TAKING A RIDE ON THE WILDSIDE.

NASCAR DRIVER JEFF GORDON MAKING HEADLINES THIS MORNING.

APPEARENTLY TAKING A CAR SALES MAN ON A DRIVE LIKE NO OTHER.

TZ2A) VIRAL AD-SOTVO

boat2

A 42-FOOT BOAT IS LISTING AND TAKING ON WATER IN THE CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER

NEAR JAYCEE PARK

CAPE CORAL MARINE AND THREE OTHER AGENCIES ARE RESPONDING RIGHT NOW

VIRAL AD GOES FULL THROTTLE-PLASMA VO

NASCAR DRIVER JEFF GORDON'S WILD PEPSI PRANK AD.

THE CHAMPION DRIVER, DONNING BEARD AND MAKEUP TO PULL A "FAST ONE" ON A SUPPOSEDLY UNSUSPECTING CAR SALESMAN.

VIRAL AD GOES FULL THROTTLE-PKG

UPSOUND: "Watch out"

NASCAR ace Jeff Gordon is behind the wheel, apparently taking an

unsuspecting car salesman on a test drive like no other

UPSOUND: "Ohhhhhhhh"

Millions of Youtube hits later A viral home run for Pepsi Max, that starts

with Jeff Gordon showing up at the dealership in disguise, with a hidden

camera in his can of Pepsi.

UPSOUND: "I saw you sort of gravitated towards the Camero"

"I don't know if I can handle it. I've never driven

anything like this before"

UPSOUND: "Your are liable for any damages to the vehicle, so please stop

the car or at least slow down"

But is any of this real?

Well a Pepsi spokesperson told us a stunt man actually did some of the

driving.

She refused to say whether Steve is really a car salesman or an actor, but

stressed his reactions are "100% genuine."

UPSOUND: "Stop the car, stop the car right now"

SOT: Travis Okulski. Jalopnik.com

"I started to suspect on the second viewing."

Travis Okulski, an auto enthusiast, noticed some flaws.among them rubber

marks on the ground.

SOT: Travis Okulski, Jalopnik.com

I make of that that there are multiple takes. / I know the salesman was an

actor from my source on the set.

SOT: Emma Bazilian, ADWEEK

No matter what, it's still exposure / Even if people are talking about it

in a negative way, they're still gonna be talking about it.

And Tweets suggest a lot of people don't care if it's fake or not.

SOT: Travis Okulski, Jalopnik.com

It's still a lot of fun to watch. It's a great ad.

UPSOUND: "Oh my God"

Is the viral prank the future of advertising? Pepsi has done it before, with

an old man called Uncle Drew - really The Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving

in disguise - upstaging some young bucks at the hoop.

SOT: Emma Bazilian, Adweek

I don't know how much longer you can keep this up without people realizing

they're being tricked, but for now it's getting a lot of hits and that's

what the brands care about.

I'm talking about right now. And, I mean, it is pretty funny

UPSOUND: "You're an idiot. I'm going to kill you"

A real car salesman might actually have a heart attack. And that would NOT

TEASE THREE-2SHOT

A BIG STORY THIS MORNING FOR EVERYONE WHO FLIES.

MORE ON THAT GROWING CONTROVERSY OVER THE TSA'S DECISION TO ALLOW POCKETKNIVES ON AIRPLANES.

AND--SHOCKING VIDEO.

A YOUNG GIRL BULLIED AT SCHOOL.

AND FOR THE THRILL OF IT HER CLASSMATES VIDEO TAPED IT ALL.

TZ3A) TSA KNIVES-VOTOPS

TZ3B) BULLYING CAUGHT ON TAPE-VOTOPS

NEWS AT 11:30am OPEN-CLIP

TS1) CARNIVAL CRUISE-VOTOPS

WE'RE LEARNING ANOTHER CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP IS REPORTING EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS.

THE SHIP --- IS CURRENTLY DOCKED IN THE CARIBBEAN.

THE CAPTAIN SAYS THERE'S POSSIBLE TROUBLE --- WITH THE PROPULSION SYSTEM.

TS2) NEW POPE-VOTOPS

CATHOLICS ACROSS THE WORLD WILL WAKE UP TO A NEW LEADER.

CARDINAL JORGE BERGOGLIO OF ARGENTINA -- WILL NOW BE KNOWN AS POPE FRANCIS.

THE ARGENTINA NATIVE IS THE FIRST POPE FROM THE AMERICAS.

TS3) NY SHOOTING-VOTOPS

POLICE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK HAVE SHOT AND KILLED THE MAN SUSPECTED IN A DEADLY SHOOTING RAMPAGE.

AROUND EIGHT THIS MORNING, SWAT TEAMS STORMED INTO AN ABANDONED BUILDING WHERE 64-YEAR-OLD KURT MYERS HAD BEEN.

MYERS SHOT AND KILLED A POLICE DOG THAT HAD BEEN SENT IN FIRST. SWAT OFFICERS RETURNED FIRE, KILLING MYERS.

YESTERDAY, POLICE SAY MYERS SHOT FOUR PEOPLE AT A BARBER SHOP IN THE TOWN OF MOHAWK. TWO MEN DIED.

propane leak-oc ots

A PROPANE TANK LEAK HAS FORCED THE EVACUATION OF THE GOODWILL STORE AT

2325 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte

FOR REFERENCE - THE CLOSEST INTERSECTION IS US 41 & MIDWAY BLVD

THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS/HAZ-MAT TEAM IS ON SCENE

NO REPORTS OF FIRE OR FLAMES

POPE REACTION-2SHOT INTRO

CHURCH BELLS RANG AROUND THE WORLD FOR POPE FRANCIS OF ARGENTINA.

CATHOLICS APPLAUDING THE FIRST PONTIFF WHO IS NOT EUROPEAN.

LATIN AMERICANS MAKE UP ABOUT 40 PERCENT OF THE WORLD'S CATHOLICS.

POPE REACTION-PKG

NATS - Rome cheers

FROM ROME.

NATS - applause in Buenos Aires, Argentina

NATS - honking car in Buenos Aires

TO BUENOS AIRES.

NATS - Chicago bells OR Joliet, IL bells

AND ACROSS THE U-S. AN ERUPTION OF EMOTION FOR THE FIRST LATIN AMERICAN

POPE.

MOS Ana Baula, Argentine visiting NYC

"When he said from Argentina and he's Bergoglio, it was like, Oh my God, it'

s incredible."

MOS Alejandra Filipuzzi-Barcelona, Philadelphia churchgoer

"So overwhelmed. This is so good not only for Latin America, but for the

whole world. It's like a new era."

THE ELECTION OF JORGE BERGOLIO AS POPE FRANCIS STUNNED HIS NATIVE ARGENTINA,

WHERE CATHOLICS WHO KNOW HIM SAY HE'S A LIVING SAINT.

NATS

"LAST YEAR HE WASHED THE FEET OF A PRISONER," THIS WOMAN SAID.

IN THE U-S, FRANCIS' REPUTATION AS A HOLY AND HUMBLE LEADER IS SEEN AS

REINVIGORATING THE CHURCH'S MISSION.

MOS Jose Gonzalez, Des Plaines, IL Parishioner

"I think it's kind of good that he's supporting not only poor people from

his nation, but poor people from around the world."

AND, HIS HERITAGE IS ALREADY BUILDING EXCITEMENT AMONG AMERICAN LATINOS.

MOS Christina Gutierrez, Stone Park, IL Resident

"When I heard he spoke Spanish, he was from Latin, I felt so great."

A NEW POPE, STIRRING A NEW HOPE FOR AN ANCIENT CHURCH FINDING IT'S WAY IN

THE MODERN AGE.

SOT Sister Patricia Brito, St. Raymond's Principal, NYC

"This is what we need is these leaders of other cultures. So I'm very

POPE REACTION-TAG

DEVIN DWYER REPORTING--

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN -- THE FIRST CATHOLIC AMERICAN VICE PRESIDENT --

OBAMA BACK TO HILL-OC VO

THE PRESIDENT IS BACK ON THE HILL TODAY TRYING TO GET CONGRESS TO WORK TOGETHER.

LATER TODAY, PRESIDENT OBAMA WILL MEET WITH G-O-P SENATORS AND THEN HOUSE DEMOCRATS.

TSA KNIVES-VO

THE T-S-A DECISION TO SOON ALLOW SMALL KNIVES BACK ON PLANES IS FACING A NEW CHALLENGE.

THE TSA CHIEF WILL TESTIFY BEFORE A HOUSE COMMITTEE EXAMINING THE RULE CHANGE--

KNIVES HAVE BEEN BANNED FROM CARRY ON BAGS EVER SINCE THE 9-11 HIJACKERS USED BOX CUTTERS TO FORCE DOWN PLANES.

BUT NOW THE T-S-A WANTS TO ALLOW CERTAIN SMALL KNIVES BACK ON BOARD.

AND IT'S CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF LAWMAKERS-

REPRESENTATIVE ED MARKEY INTRODUCED THE "NO KNIVES ACT" THIS WEEK --

FREEZING THE LIST OF PERMITTED CARRY ON ITEMS.

TSA KNIVES-SOTVO

"Every single day we experience passenger disturbances that we de-escalate or ask passengers to help us contain the problem. You introduce a deadly weapon into that scenario and it's simply not a good idea."

THE KNIVES POLICY WOULD CHANGE APRIL 25TH.

SIMPKINS TRIAL-VO

THE SHANE SIMKPINS' TRIAL CONTINUES.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME YESTERDAY, WE HEARD FROM ONE OF THE TWO MEN ACCUSED OF KILLING A WOMAN FROM ESTERO.

CHRISTOPHER NEUBERGER TOOK A PLEA DEAL IN THE DEATH OF MARY ANN ZARB.

IN EXCHANGE HE HAD TO TESTIFY AGAINST SHANE SIMPKINS.

SIMPKINS TRIAL-SOT-SS

SOT TRT:14

Christopher Neuberger

witness

*I was in the back bedroom working and he came in and told me she had died, she was dead. 20 what was your reaction? 26 I asked him how I asked him how. And what did he say? 36 it didn't really matter, we needed to get rid of the body 38

AUTHORITIES SAY THE TWO WERE DOING A KITCHEN REMODEL FOR ZARB BACK IN 2011 --

THERESA SHIRLEY SENTENCE-OC-VO-SS

A WOMAN INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT KILLED A CYCLIST ON THE SANIBEL CAUSEWAY MORE THAN A YEAR AGO- WILL SPEND THE NEXT 6 MONTHS IN JAIL.

BUT IT'S FOR A DIFFERENT REASON.

THERESA SHIRLEY PLED GUILTY YESTERDAY.

COURT DOCUMENTS SHOW SHE GOT MORE THAN 10-THOUSAND PAINKILLERS ILLEGALLY.

SHE'LL SPEND THE NEXT 180 DAYS IN JAIL AND 5 YEARS PROBATION WITH RANDOM DRUG TESTING.

THE INVESTIGATION STARTED AFTER SHIRLEY HIT AND KILLED CYCLIST TRACEY KLEINPELL.

SHIRLEY ADMITTED TO HAVING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN HER SYSTEM,

BULLYING CAUGHT ON TAPE-VO

A MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT WAS PUMMELED BY A CLASSMATE WHILE OTHER STUDENTS STOOD AROUND AND WATCHED,

AND EVEN VIDEOTAPED IT.

THE VICTIM, DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TIME TO SET HER BACKPACK DOWN WHEN THE OTHER STUDENT, KNOCKED HER TO THE FLOOR AND PUNCHED HER REPEATEDLY, VISCOUSLY HITTING HER IN THE FACE AND BODY.

HER MOTHER SAYS THE SCHOOL DID NOT CALL HER, ANOTHER PARENT DID.

BULLYING CAUGHT ON TAPE-SOTVO

"They should have had somebody watch her to make sure she didn't do anything because I asked them for help a lot of times."

THE SCHOOL AND DENVER POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE ENTIRE INCIDENT AND THE THREATS.

DC DRIVE BY ON TAPE-VOTOPS TRX

A SECURITY CAMERA ROLLS AS SHOOTERS TARGET A CROWD OF PEOPLE IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL.

THIS VIDEO PROVIDED BY THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOWS TWO CARS PULLING UP TO THE GROUP OVERNIGHT. AS THE SHOOTERS INSIDE THE VEHICLES START FIRING.

TWELVE PEOPLE WERE HURT. SOME FROM GUNSHOTS, OTHERS WERE INJURED BY FLYING GLASS.

THEY'RE ALL EXPECTED TO SURVIVE.

MISSING LA TEACHER-VO

THERE'S STILL NO SIGN OF MISSING NEW ORLEANS TEACHER.

SHE HASN'T BEEN SEEN FOR MORE THAN 10 DAYS.

TERRILYNN MONETTE WAS LAST SEEN ON MARCH SECOND OUTSIDE A LAKEVIEW BAR.

HER 2012 BLACK HONDA ACCORD IS ALSO MISSING.

SEARCH TEAMS HAVE BEEN LOOKING THROUGH A NUMBER OF BODIES OF WATER IN CITY PARK.

THEY RUN ABOUT SIX FEET DEEP, WITH A MUDDY BOTTOM THAT A CAR COULD SINK INTO.

MISSING LA TEACHER-SOTVO

"And I hope and pray that they find something, some type of lead or something, to my daughter's disappearance."

BIG RIGS AND CRASHES-INTRO

EVERY DAY AMERICAN DRIVERS SHARE THE HIGHWAYS WITH TRACTOR TRAILERS.

A NEW REPORT FINDS THAT WHILE THE ODDS OF SURVIVING A CRASH INTO THE BACK OF ONE OF THOSE TRUCKS HAVE IMPROVED, CERTAIN COLLISIONS ARE STILL MORE DEADLY THAN OTHERS.

BIG RIGS AND CRASHES-PKG

IT CAN BE A SCARY COMBINATION. A PASSENGER CAR COLLIDING WITH THE BACK OF A SEMITRAILER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

SO-CALLED "UNDERRIDE" INCIDENTS CAN LEAVE A CAR'S OCCUPANTS SUSCEPTIBLE TO SEVERE HEAD AND NECK INJURIES - EVEN DEATH - WHEN THE TOP OF THE CAR IS CRUSHED.

NEW CRASH TESTS OF EIGHT TYPES OF SEMITRAILERS BY THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY FOUND THAT MOST UNDERRIDE GUARDS - THOSE STEEL BARS THAT HANG FROM THE BACKS OF TRAILERS - DO A DECENT JOB OF PREVENTING PASSENGER CARS FROM SLIDING UNDERNEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

STILL I-I-H-S TESTING FOUND THAT A CERTAIN TYPE OF CRASH -- CRASHES THAT INVOLVED THE OUTER EDGE OF THOSE TRAILERS -- COULD PUT PASSENGERS IN GREATER DANGER.

The typical underride guard is suspended from two vertical components hanging relatively near the center of the truck. That means that the part of the guard that sticks out toward the ends of the truck, doesn't have a lot of support.

THE GOOD NEWS FOR DRIVERS: MANY TRAILER MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN INSTALLING UNDERRIDE GUARDS THAT ARE EVEN STRONGER THAN U-S GUIDELINES REQUIRE.

THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS KILLED IN ACCIDENTS WHERE THE FRONT OF A VEHICLE STRIKE THE REAR OF A TRUCK HAS DROPPED OVER THE LAST DECADE THOUGH DATA DOESN'T TRACK HOW MANY OF THESE CRASHES SPECIFICALLY INVOLVED UNDERRIDE.

TEASE FOUR-1SHOT

LET THE CAT FIGHT BEGIN.

A NEW YORK HOUSEWIFE VERSUS THE SPANKS MOGUL.

BOTH WOMEN WILL SOON BE IN AN ATLANTA COURTROOM BECAUSE ONE IS ACCUSED OF BEING A COPY CAT.

TZ4A) SPANKS MOGUL-VOWIPE

SPANKS MOGUL SUES HOUSEWIFE-PLASMA VO

FASHION WARS, EXPLODING IN THE NEWS.

JUST LAST WEEK, MARTHA STEWART AND MACY'S BATTLed IN COURT.

NOW, HEATHER THOMSON, STAR OF REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK is BEING SUED BY BILLIONAIRE FOUNDER OF "SHAPE WEAR" BRAND SPANX.

SPANKS MOGUL SUES HOUSEWIFE-PKG

THERE'S A SHAPEWEAR SHOWDOWN RAMPING UP THIS MORNING.

ON ONE SIDE, HEATHER THOMSON THE MASTERMIND BEHIND YUMMIE TUMMIE AND A STAR

OF THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK CITY - Nats New York Housewives.

SOT Heather Thomson / Founder, Yummie Tummie 19:03:12

I won't be bullied and I won't lie down I will fight it as hard as I can

with my last breathe if I have to.

ON THE OTHER SIDE -- SARAH BLAKELY -- THE BILLIONAIRE OWNER AND CREATOR OF

HUGELY POPULAR SPANX, WHOSE COMPANY THOMSON CLAIMS RIPPED OFF SEVERAL YUMMIE

TUMMIE DESIGNS-- VIOLATING ITS PATENTS.

SOT Heather Thomson / Founder, Yummie Tummie 19:03:42 - "my heart dropped -

I was like "oh my god Spanx is knocking me off."

THE DISPUTE HINGES ON THE YUMMIE TUMMIE SLIMMING TANK, ONE OF THE MOST

POPULAR ITEMS AT STORES LIKE TOWN SHOP IN NEW YORK CITY.

1:48:12 SOT Danny Koch/ Owner, Town Shop

"the thing that's so beautiful about this, is that it has cotton on top, it

has girdle material in the tummy section where you need it and it has cotton

on the bottom, so if you wear it underneath a blouse it just looks like a

regular camisole."

AND WITH THE SHAPEWEAR INDUSTRY WORTH NEARLY A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

Suze Yalof Schwartz / tallskinnyrich.com 01:46:32 - " there's no larger

growth in the lingerie industry."

A LOT IS AT STAKE. EARLIER THIS YEAR YUMMIE TUMMIE'S LAWYERS WROTE A CEASE

AND DESIST LETTER TO SPANX AND JUST OVERNIGHT -- THOMSON POSTED AN OPEN

LETTER DIRECTLY TO BLAKELY ON THE YUMMIE TUMMIE WEBSITE.

SOT Heather Thomson / Founder, Yummie Tummie 19:03:42 - "I needed to write

it down woman to woman how I feel about this"

BUT BLAKELY ISN'T GETTING HER SPANX IN A BUNCH over the claims. A COMPANY

SPOKESPERSON TELLs ABC NEWS " Spanx has not infringed on any valid patent,

and we will continue to make fabulous products for our loyal fans".

SPANX'S LAWYERS ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT-- ASKING A JUDGE TO RULE ON THE

DISAGREEMENT IN COURT.

SOT Heather Thomson / Founder, Yummie Tummie 19:08:31

"do you baby cuz I am doing me "

IF THE DUELING DIVAS DON'T SETTLE THEIR DIFFERENCES-- THE *INTIMATE* DETAILS

OF THEIR BUSINESSES COULD SOON BE *SQUEEZED* OUT FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE

WEATHER-CLIP

WEATHER-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

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

A CHILLY START TO A BEAUTIFUL DAY

SWIFT FAN MAIL-ON CAM

A FAMOUS ACTING TEAM IS BACK ON THE BIG SCREEN AFTER THEY STARRED IN "50 FIRST DATES," AND "THE WEDDING SINGER," AND YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHERE SOME OF TAYLOR SWIFT'S FAN MAIL ENDED UP.

SWIFT FAN MAIL-PKG

DREW BARRYMORE AND ADAM SANDLER ARE PAIRING UP AGAIN FOR ANOTHER ROMANTIC COMEDY. VARIETY REPORTS THEIR NEW MOVIE IS ABOUT A COUPLE ON A BLIND DATE GONE BAD. EVENTUALLY, THEY END UP ON VACATION WITH THEIR CHILDREN FROM PRIOR MARRIAGES.

PRODUCTION IS SET TO BEGIN IN MAY.

TEAM TAYLOR SWIFT IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW A

LARGE STACK OF HER FAN MAIL ENDED UP IN A DUMPSTER.

WKRN-TV IN NASHVILLE REPORTS THAT A LOCAL RESIDENT DISCOVERED HUNDREDS OF LETTERS ADDRESSED TO SWIFT IN A RECYCLING CENTER.

TAYLOR'S SPOKESWOMAN SAID SHE GETS THOUSANDS OF FAN LETTERS EVERYDAY AND THAT IT'S LIKELY A SMALL PORTION WAS ACCIDENTALLY MIXED IN WITH A BATCH THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN READ.

RIHANNA HAS HAD TO PULL OUT OF A SECOND CONCERT PERFORMANCE IN A WEEK AFTER A BOUT WITH THE FLU AND LARYNGITIS.

SHOWS SCHEDULED FOR BALTIMORE AND BOSTON AS PART OF HER "DIAMONDS WORLD TOUR" WERE BOTH CANCELLED.

SHE TWEETED: " I HATE DISAPPOINTING PEOPLE THAT NEVER EVER LET ME DOWN."

HER NEXT SHOW IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY IN PHILADELPHIA.

COMCAST BINGE-OC OTS

THE NATION'S LARGEST CABLE COMPANY IS TRYING TO BOOST BUSINESS BY OFFERING FREE T-V.

AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, COMCAST WILL OFFER ENTIRE SEASONS OF POPULAR H-B-O AND SHOWTIME SERIES FOR FREE ON DEMAND.

SERIES LIKE "HOMELAND" AND "GIRLS."

IT'S TAKING PLACE MARCH 25TH THROUGH MARCH 31ST.

TEASE FIVE-1SHOT

JUDGE JUDY WILL HAVE HER DAY IN COURT.

BUT THIS TIME SHE WON'T BE ON THE BENCH.

TZ5A) JUDGE JUDY SUED-VO

SMOKING AND WEIGHT GAIN-2SHOT TRAFFIC

CIGARETTE SMOKING IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE DEATH IN THE U.S. AND QUITTING CAN HELP SAVE YOUR LIFE.

BUT SOME PEOPLE SAY THEY DON'T WANT TO QUIT BECAUSE THEY MIGHT GAIN WEIGHT.

SMOKING AND WEIGHT GAIN-PKG

WE ALL KNOW THAT WHEN YOU QUIT SMOKING IT REDUCES THE RISK FOR HEART DISEASE. BUT MANY PEOPLE GAIN WEIGHT WHEN THEY QUIT AND THAT CAN BE BAD FOR HEART HEALTH AS WELL.

BUT NEW RESEARCH SAYS DON'T WORRY IF YOU PUT ON A FEW POUNDS WHEN YOU KICK THE HABIT,THIS DOES NOT DECREASE THE HEALTH BENEFITS THAT COME WITH QUITTING.

RESEARCHERS LOOKED AT DATA FROM MORE THAN 3200 PEOPLE OVER A PERIOD OF 27 YEARS.

THOSE IN THE STUDY WERE GROUPED ACCORDING TO WHETHER THEY WERE CURRENT SMOKERS, THOSE WHO'D RECENTLY GIVEN UP, FORMER-SMOKERS OR NON-SMOKERS. SCIENTISTS FOUND THAT PEOPLE WHO QUIT CUT THEIR RISK FOR HEART DISEASE IN HALF.

PEOPLE ON AVERAGE GAIN BETWEEN SIX AND THIRTEEN POUNDS WHEN THEY STOP SMOKING, ACCORDING TO THE STUDY. BUT EVEN SO, RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT PEOPLE WERE HALF AS LIKELY TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK, HEART FAILURE OR STROKE THAN THOSE WHO CONTINUED TO SMOKE.

FOR SOME, QUITTING MAY ADD TO THE WAISTLINE, BUT IT ALSO ADDS YEARS TO OUR LIVES. SMOKERS DIE ABOUT 13 YEARS SOONER THAN NONSMOKERS, ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION.

BLUE JAYS LOOKING AT SWFL-VOTOPS

ANOTHER TEAM COULD SOON BE HOLDING SPRING TRAINING IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

AN ARTICLE OUT OF TORONTO'S "THE GLOBE AND MAIL NEWSPAPER" SAYS THE BLUE JAYS MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN FORT MYERS OR NAPLES.

LEE COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVEN'T HAD ANY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE TEAM MOVING INTO CITY OF PALMS PARK.

COUNTY STAFF SAY THEY'LL REACH OUT TO THE TEAM.

JUDGE JUDY SUED-VOTOPSWIPE

JUDGE JUDY IS BEING SUED BY HER PRODUCER'S EX OVER SOME VERY EXPENSIVE FINE CHINA.

ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS, PATRICe JONES CLAIMS THAT HER EX-HUSBAND SOLD THE FORMER COUPLE'S CHINA AT ONE TENTH OF THE VALUE.

IT WAS RETAILED AT NEARLY 515 - THOUSAND DOLLAR.

SPRING BREAKERS JAILED-VOTOPS

32 SPRING BREAKERS GOT IN TROUBLE FOR HAVING TOO MUCH FUN.

DRINKING UNDERAGE AND DESTROYING THE HOUSE THEY WERE STAYING IN.

IT HAPPENED MONDAY NIGHT IN FORT WALTON BEACH.

DEPUTIES SAY THEY FOUND THE OPEN HOUSE PARTY AFTER NEIGHBORS COMPLAINED.

THE PLACE SMELLED OF ALCOHOL, VOMIT AND URINE.

TOSS TO NOON TEASE-2-SHOT PLASMA

NBC 2 NEWS AT NOON IS NEXT!

NEW AT NOON TEASE-ON CAM AT DESK

NEXT AT NOON - MORE BAD PRESS FOR CARNIVAL CRUISES.

JUST A MONTH AFTER ONE ITS SHIPS LOSES POWER, STRANDING THOUSANDS OF PASSENGERS - ANOTHER SHIP IS STUCK AT PORT.

NBC2 WITH NEW DETAILS.

PLUS -

Father Arthur Liebscher, S.J.: -- 20:56:35 he's a man that's quietly

charismatic / he wins affection by his gentleness and simplicity but not

by being an actor/

NEXT AT NOON - GETTING TO KNOW THE NEW POPE.

FIND OUT WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE MAN - NEWLY-ELECTED TO LEAD THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

AND -

"Two inches of a knife can literally kill someone. We know that."

KNIVES OR BOMBS?

WHICH ONE IS THE BIGGER THREAT?

NEW AT NOON - WE REVISIT THE ISSUE OF ALLOWING SMALL KNIVES, BACK ON PLANES.

INVESTOR FRAUD, TAX FRAUD, HEALTHCARE FRAUD.

NBC2 IS LIVE WITH THE LOCAL EFFORT TO KEEP ALL OF US SAFE.

COULD THE DOW BE GOING FOR TEN IN A ROW?

WE'LL CHECK IN ON WALL STREET.

AND METEOROLOGIST HALEY WEBB IS TRACKING OUR COOL THURSDAY - SHE SHOWS US WHAT'S IN STORE FOR THE WEEKEND.

NOON TZA) CARNIVAL SHIP PROBLEMS-VO

NOON TZB) POPE TODAY-SOTTOPS VO

NOON TZC) TSA KNIVES-SOTTOPS VO OC

CLOSE-2-SHOT PLASMA