HEADLINES-------------

THE COUNTDOWN ENDS.

WE'RE DOWN TO JUST HOURS AWAY FROM THE OPENING CEREMONIES -- FOR THE 2012 OLYMPICS.

A LOOK INSIDE THE PREPARATIONS -- AND SUPRISES OF DAY ONE.

PATHS OF DESTRUCTION.

THE MIDWEST AND NORTHEAST SHAKEN BY STORMS LAST NIGHT

AS A TORNADO LEAVES BUILDINGS DAMAGED AND THOUSANDS WITHOUT POWER.

ABC-7 TRACKS THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.

AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT-

IT'S ALMOST BACK TO SCHOOL TIME.

BUT GEARING UP CAN GET EXPENSIVE-

HL2) OLYMPIC OPENING CEREMONIES-VO-WIPE

HL1) EXTREME WEATHER-VO-WIPE

HL3) BIG BACK PACK EVENT-VOTOPS

WX HL-WX WALL

BREAK ONE

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIPTOPS

OLYMPIC TORCH-VOTOPS

BRAND NEW VIDEO RIGHT NOW AT NINE--

THE OLYMPIC TORCH MAKES ITS WAY THROUGH LONDON AT THIS HOUR ON THE ROYAL BARGE "GLORIANA" ON THE RIVER THAMES.

THE TORCH HAS PASSED SEVERAL LONDON LANDMARKS IN THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

OLYMPIC OPENING CEREMONIES-JP CS AT POP-VO

ALL EYES WILL BE ON LONDON TONIGHT --- WHEN THE TORCH LIGHTS THE OLYMPIC CAULDRON AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

THE LIGHTING SYMBOLIZES THE OFFICIAL START OF THE SUMMER GAMES.

AND THE QUESTION EVERYONE IS ASKING THIS MORNING - IS LONDON READY?

OLYMPIC OPENING CEREMONIES-PKG

SCRIPT:

They're rehearsing in London.the 42 million dollar opening ceremony

extravaganza is just hours away

NATS

But the city is on edge.about the Olympic games.

And this didn't help.

YOU KNOW IT'S HARD TO KNOW HOW WELL IT WILL TURN OUT.

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's comments to NBC

set off a firestorm in London. His remarks led the news. The city's mayor

reacted.in front of 60,000.

Boring Johnson, Mayor of London-SOT-

THERE'S A GUY CALLED MITT ROMNEY WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER WE'RE READY. /

CUT/ARE WE READY?

Romney later clarified his comment.even admitted that he made mistakes when

he headed the 2002 Salt Lake City games.

/ALL THE MISTAKES THE ORGANIZING COMMITEE - AND I MADE A FEW - ALL OF THOSE

ARE OVERWHELMED BY THE MANY THINGS THAT THE ATHLETES CARRY OUT.

So is London ready?

OUR ABOLUTE TOP PRIORITY MUST BE TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

British Prime Minister David Cameron says security plans include extra

police on the ground.in the sky and on the water. The British military is

also helping.

There were jitters earlier in the week. A fighter jet scrambled to meet a

plane that lost communication and the evacuation of mall near the Olympic

park after a fire alarm went off.

Whether London's ready or notthey Olympic athletes say THEY'RE READYto go

OLYMPIC OPENING CEREMONIES-OC

16-THOUSAND ATHLETES FROM MORE THAN 200 COUNTRIES ARE TAKING PART IN THIS YEAR'S GAMES.

EXTREME WEATHER-CS AT POP

CLOSER TO HOME.

THIS MORNING -- THOUSANDS ACROSS THE NORTHEAST ARE WITHOUT POWER AFTER POWERFUL STORMS ROLL THROUGH.

AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED.

AND THE THREAT ISN'T OVER YET.

EXTREME WEATHER-PKG

Nats crack of thunder and lightning

6:02:24 SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS SERVED UP LIGHT SHOWS IN THE SKY.

Man - It was intense as far as the thunder and lightning.

6:02:29 6:03:01 THE EXTREME WEATHER POUNDED THE MIDWEST AND NORTHEAST. YOU

COULD SEE THE FRONT OF THE STORM APPROACHING OMNIOUSLY. 6:03:28 AT 4PM

EASTERN TIME, SOME 63 MILLION AMERICANS WERE UNDER SOME FORM OF SEVERE

THUNDERSTORM OR TORNADO WATCH.

6:02:44 FROM POUNDING HAIL IN CINCINATTI.TO THIS POWERFUL LIGHTNING OVER

THE SKIES OF NEW YORK CITY.

Nats Elmira

6:03:49 A PROBABLE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN ELMIRA, NEW YORK, RIPPING ROOFS

FROM BUILDINGS.LEAVING STREET AFTER STREET IMPASSIBLE.AN OBSTACLE COURSE

OF WRECKED TREES.

"I'm just thankful nobody was inside the car when the tree came down on it."

6:04:00 OVER 400 SEVERE STORMS REPORTSOHIO, KENTUCKY AND PENNSYLVANIA

REACHING 75 MILE PER HOUR WINDS.POWER LINES DANGLING IN WISCONSIN.

6:04:12 AND LOOK AT THIS! VIOLENT WINDS LEFT THIS POWER LINE NOT JUST DOWN,

BUT ON FIRE IN BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

6:04:21 LIGHTNING IS BELIEVED TO BE THE CAUSE FOR THIS 7 ALARM FIRE THAT

EXTREME WEATHER-OC AT DESK

AS WE MENTIONED, THE STORMS ARE BLAMED FOR AT LEAST TWO DEATHS.

A PENNSYLVANNIA WOMAN DIED AFTER A FALLING TREE CRUSHED HER CAR.

AND IN NEW YORK, A MAN DIED AFTER LIGHTNING STRUCK A CHURCH, SENDING A SCAFFOLD CRASHING DOWN ON HIM.

AND THE THREAT CONTINUES TODAY WITH MORE STORMS IN THE NORTHEAST.

CAPE MURDER UPDATE-SS (2) OC

NEW DETAILS THIS MORNING ON A MURDER INVESTIGATION IN CAPE CORAL.

THIS IS NICHOLAS RAINEY, THE VICTIM.

HE WAS A DOOR-TO-DOOR SALESMAN, GUNNED DOWN ON THE JOB--

SHOT IN THE SHOULDER, AND IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WEDNESDAY.

HE DIED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF A CORAL HOME.

AND POLICE SAY 52-YEAR-OLD KEN ROOP PULLED THE TRIGGER.

ABOUT NICK RAINEY-SS-SOTVO

FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF NICK RAINEY -- CALL HIM ONE OF THE NICEST GUYS AROUND AND A SUCCESSFUL SALESMAN.

HIS MEAT SUPPLIER -- TELLS ABC-7 RAINEY BOUGHT STEAKS AND SEAFOOD FROM HIM -- FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS.

HE NEVER THOUGHT A SALES PITCH -- WOULD TURN DEADLY ON A CAPE CORAL DRIVEWAY

0522 "he's a friend, a close friend. He didn't do anything wrong. This can happen to any ones of you at any time. You could knock on your neighbors' door, tell them their dogs are barking or a jehovah's witness"

CAPE MURDER DEPUTY-VOTOPS

WE'RE ALSO LEARNING AN OFF-DUTY COLLIER COUNTY DEPUTY JUMPED INTO ACTION AFTER THE SHOOTING.

DEPUTY KRISTIN SHINER LIVES IN THAT NEIGHBORHOD.

SHE SAYS SHE ORDERED ROOP TO DROP HIS GUN THREE TIMES.

THE THIRD TIME, SHE SAYS HE DID.

THEN HE PUT HIS HANDS UP.

SAN CARLOS PARK MURDER UPDATE-OC-SOTVO

THE SEARCH CONTINUES THIS MORNING FOR THE PERSON WHO KILLED A "SAN CARLOS PARK" WOMAN.

ABC-7 SPOKE WITH THE WOMAN'S LONGTIME BOYFRIEND -- WHO TOLD DEPUTIES, HE FOUND HER BODY ON THE KITCHEN FLOOR.

russell myers, victim's boyfriend

"had no enemies. she loved everybody and everybody loved her."

THAT'S RUSSELL MYERS.

HE DATED 55 YEAR OLD DEBBIE STRIANO -- FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS.

MYERS TELLS US -- HE HAS NO IDEA WHO WOULD KILL THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE.

MYERS TOLD INVESTIGATORS HE WENT TO GET DOG FOOD, TUESDAY NIGHT.

WHEN HE RETURNED, HE FOUND HIS GIRLFRIEND DEAD -- AND HIS DOG WITH A SIX INCH CUT TO THE NECK.

MYERS HAS BEEN INTERVIEWED BY DETECTIVES.

NAPLES BANK ROBBERY-SS(2)TOPS VO

ALL NEW THIS MORNING-

WAKIM STEWART IS IN JAIL,

AFTER POLICE SAY HE ROBBED BANK OF AMERICA IN EAST NAPLES THIS WEEK.

A SURVEILLANCE CAMERA SNAPPED A PICTURE OF HIM WEARING A SUIT AT THE BANK.

AND WHEN SOMEONE SAW THAT EXACT SAME SUIT, THEY CALLED 9-1-1.

AND THAT LED TO THIS -- A DRAMATIC TAKEDOWN AT THE LANI KAI HOTEL ON FORT MYERS BEACH

THIS VIDEO- FROM A WITNESSES CELL PHONE.

DETECTIVES SAY THEY FOUND A GUN, AMMUNITION, AND BOX CUTTERS IN STEWART'S BACKPACK.

HE'S A CONVICTED FELON FROM NEW YORK.

SYNTH DRUG BUST-VO

A BATTLE IN THE WAR ON DRUGS IS WAGED IN OUR OWN BACK YARD.

NATIONWIDE, D-E-A AGENTS ARRESTED 91 PEOPLE -- IN THE FIRST EVER CRACKDOWN AGAINST SYNTHETIC DRUGS,

COMMONLY KNOWN AS BATH SALTS OR INCENSE.

AGENTS AND DEPUTIES UNLOADED WHAT THEY SAY IS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS.

THIS WAS JUST ONE PART OF WHAT'S CALLED "OPERATION LOG JAM".

IN ALL -

SYNTHETIC DRUG PROTEST-VO

KEEPING WITH THE WAR ON SYNTHETIC DRUGS.

STUDENTS IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY PROTEST A CONVENIENCE STORE,

THEY SAY IS BAD FOR KIDS.

YOU CAN SEE IN THIS VIDEO A VIEWER SHOT,

WHEN HE WALKED THROUGH THE STORE -- THE VARIOUS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IN PLAIN VIEW.

DRUG FREE CHARLOTTE COUNTY'S DIRECTOR AMITY CHANDLER SAYS RJR CONVENIENCE STORE CONTINUES TO SELL SYNTHETIC DRUGS -

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT ALSO TO MINORS.

SYNTHETIC DRUG PROTEST-SOTVO

18:30:05 and its readily accessible bc its not regulated and a bad store owner can make any profit he wants by selling to any customer he wants including minors:30:14

PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNED A BILL INTO LAW EARLIER THIS MONTH BANNING THE MOST COMMON SYNTHETIC DRUGS.

BUT CHANDLER SAYS STILL ANYONE CAN PURCHASE THEM LEGALLY --

EVEN YOUR KIDS.

CITZENS RATE HIKE-OC

HAPPENING RIGHT NOW AT NINE--

THE GOVERNING BOARD OF FLORIDA'S INSURER OF LAST RESORT IS PREPARING TO VOTE ON A PROPOSED INCREASE OF AT LEAST 7-POINT-5 PERCENT FOR MOST POLICYHOLDERS.

STATE-BACKED CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE IS FLORIDA'S LARGEST PROPERTY INSURER WITH 1-POINT-4 MILLION CUSTOMERS.

THE INSURER WANTS A RATE INCREASE TO HELP REDUCE ITS RISK.

ECONOMY GROWTH-OC

BRAND NEW NUMBERS -- JUST COMING OUT.

THE U.S. ECONOMY GREW AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF 1.5% -- APRIL TO JUNE.

AMERICANS ARE CUTTING BACK SHARPLY ON SPENDING.

ECONOMISTS SAY THIS ADDS TO WORRIES -- THAT AMERICA'S ECONOMIC RECOVERY COULD BE STALLING THREE YEARS AFTER THE RECESSION ENDED.

PANTHER SENTENCING-VOWIPE

THE FIRST PERSON *EVER CONVICTED OF KILLING A FLORIDA PANTHER. WAS SENTENCED YESTERDAY.

TODD BENFIELD ADMITS HE SHOT THE ENDANGERED ANIMAL WITH A BOW AND ARROW BACK IN 2009.

A FEDERAL JUDGE SENTENCED HIM TO 60 DAYS OF HOME DETENTION.

PLUS, HE'LL SPEND 15 STRAIGHT WEEKENDS IN JAIL.

HE'LL PAY 10-THOUSAND DOLLARS AS A FINE.

TEASE ONE-2SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

AUGUST IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER

WHICH MEANS IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL TIME

AND BUYING ALL THE SUPPLIES - CAN TAKE A BIG CHUNK OUT OF PARENTS' PAYCHECKS

WE'LL TAKE YOU TO IT'S A BIG EVENT, THAT AIMS HELP

TZ1) BIG BACKPACK-VOTOPS

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

BLOOMBERG TEASE-SOT

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT-PKG TOPS

GOOD MORNING,

THE U-S DROUGHT PROBLEM, RAPIDLY INTENSIFYING!

MORE THAN 20-PERCENT OF THE NATION, NOW IN THE WORST 2 STAGES OF DROUGHT --

UP ALMOST 50-PERCENT FROM LAST WEEK.

THE "U-S DROUGHT MONITOR" SAYS 90-PERCENT OF TOPSOIL IN 6 MIDWEST STATES, IS NOW SHORT ON MOISTURE --

HURTING CROPS AND SPARKING GROWING CONCERN ABOUT FOOD PRICES.

*****

MEANTIME -- WARNER BROTHERS -- DELAYING THE RELEASE OF THE FILM "GANGSTER SQUAD" -- BY FOUR MONTHS -- BEYOND THE SCHEDULED SEPTEMBER DATE.

AFTER THAT TRAGIC MASS SHOOTING AT THE BATMAN MOVIE IN COLORADO.

"GANGSTER SQUAD" CONTAINS A SCENE WITH BAD GUYS SHOOTING UP A THEATER.

******

AND -- TOUGH SCENE TODAY, FOR FACEBOOK.

MORE ON THAT, AFTER THIS:

OC:

FACEBOOK SHARES -- UNDER PRESSURE, AFTER IT'S FIRST EARNINGS REPORT AS A PUBLICLY-TRADED COMPANY DISAPPOINTS INVESTORS.

FACEBOOK -- REVEALING SLOWING SALES GAINS AND SHRINKING PROFIT MARGINS.

MEANTIME *STARBUCKS* OUT WITH A DISAPPOINTING PROFIT FORECAST AND BLAMING A CONSUMER PULLBACK, ESPECIALLY IN EUROPE.

AND -- AMAZON REPORTING THE BIGGEST PROFIT DROP IN A DECADE -- AFTER BOOSTING SPENDING ON WAREHOUSE EXPANSION.

SUPER MARIO TO THE RESCUE YESTERDAY --

EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK PRESIDENT MARIO DRAGHI -- PLEDGING TO PRESERVE THE EURO.

HELPING DRIVE U-S STOCKS HIGHER YESTERDAY.

******

AND --- FORD IS WORKING ON A PICKUP TRUCK WITH A MOSTLY ALUMINUM BODY TO BOOST FUEL ECONOMY.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, WHICH CALLS THE MOVE ONE OF THE BIGGEST GAMBLES IN THE AUTOMAKER'S 108 YEAR OLD HISTORY.

INCLUDING MANUFACTURING OBSTACLES AND CONVINCING PICKUP BUYERS THAT ALUMINUM IS AS TOUGH AS STEEL.

FORD MEANTIME, TELLS THE DETROIT NEWS THAT DISCUSSION OF HAVING IT READY BY 2014 IS "PREMATURE."

******

******

NYC LIGHTNING-VOTOPS

MOTHER NATURE PUT ON A LIGHT SHOW -- OVER THE NEW YORK CITY SKYLINE THURSDAY NIGHT.

TAKE A LOOK AT THESE FLASHES OF LIGHTNING.

STORMWARN GENERIC CLIP-CLIP

CROSSTALK INTO WX-CAM 9 WX EST

FORECAST-WXWALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

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

Hot and humid conditions will be the main weather story across Southwest Florida with little to no relief.

It will be a warm start to our Friday with ample sunshine and even a bit of haze across our skies. Temperatures will warm from the upper 70s into the lower 90s by the lunchtime hour with a few fair weather cumulus clouds developing through the day.

A strong ridge of high pressure continues to flex its muscle across the Florida peninsula, thus bringing a drier and more stable airmass to the area. This means mostly sunny skies will prevail with rain prospects running below 20%, however an isolated storm or two can't be ruled out as the sea breeze makes it's way inland.

The mid 90s will return for most locations this afternoon, except for our beach and coastal locations where temperatures will top out near 90°. Once you factor in the humidity, heat index values will be well over the 100° mark.

Not much relief will take place through the evening as temperatures will be slow to cool. Tonight, expect mostly clear conditions with lows in the upper 70s to near 80° along the coast with mid 70s across our inland communities.

The hotter and drier than normal weather pattern will stay in place through the weekend, with our rain chances getting a bit of a boost by the middle of next week.

RENTAL SCAM-SS

TWO CHARLOTTE COUNTY RENTAL PROPERTY MANAGERS ARE ACCUSED OF KEEPING RENT MONEY. FOR THEMSELVES.

DEPUTIES ARRESTED ROB ZOBEL AND CRYSTAL STOTT THIS WEEK.

THEY'RE ACCUSED OF GRAND THEFT AND OPERATING WITHOUT A LICENSE.

THE STORY BEHIND THE CHARGES IS THE DUO RAN R-ZOBEL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.

FM SCHOOL REVITALIZATION-VO

A LEE COUNTY SCHOOL IS LAUNCHING A BRAND NEW -- "COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PROGRAM" THIS YEAR.

FORT MYERS MIDDLE ACADEMY ON CENTRAL AVENUE -- RECEIVED A $1.8 MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TRAIN TEACHERS FOR THE PROGRAM.

FM SCHOOL REVITALIZATION-SOT VO

We're building hope for our kids. We have a lot of students who are brilliant and capable and they want to achieve in life,

ALL THE STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOL CAN PARTICIPATE.

BAY SCALLOP COUNTING-VO

LEE COUNTY IS BATTLING A DWINDLING SCALLOP POPULATION -

AND SCIENTISTS ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

LEE COUNTY EXTENSION IS GETTING READY TO SCOUR THE FLOOR OF PINE ISLAND SOUND-

SEARCHING FOR BAY SCALLOPS.

BUT THEY NEED 150 SNORKELERS AND 40 PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER THEIR BOATS.

BAY SCALLOP COUNTING-SOT VO

if you ever go to eat a scallop at a restaurant- you have the big scallop and small ones. These are the small ones, like pencil eraser size.

ORGANIZERS SAY AT THIS POINT - THEY NEED MORE BOATS THAN SNORKELERS.

BIG BACKPACK EVENT-OC

ABC-7 IS GEARING UP FOR BACK TO SCHOOL TIME.

AND THIS WEEKEND - A SPECIAL EVENT IS TAKING PLACE TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS ARE READY.

BIG BACKPACK EVENT-PKG

TEASE TWO-1SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

RESEARCHERS MAKE A BIG STRIDE IN HIV/ AIDS RESEARCH

THE VIRUS DISAPPEARS IN TWO HIV POSTIVE PATIENTS -- AFTER A PROCEDURE.

TZ2 A) HIV ELIMINATED-VO

HIV ELIMINATED-VO-WIPE

GOOD NEWS ON THE HEALTH BEAT-

TWO MEN NO LONGER HAVE ANY DETECTABLE TRACES OF H-I-V IN THEIR CELLS AFTER BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS.

THE TWO H-I-V POSITIVE PATIENTS WERE TREATED AT BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL IN BOSTON.

BOTH HAD DEVELOPED LYMPHOMA, AND HAD TO UNDERGO BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS.

EIGHT MONTHS AFTER THEIR TRANSPLANTS -- DOCTORS COULDN'T FIND ANY H-I-V IN EITHER MAN'S BLOOD CELLS.

HIV ELIMINATED-SOTVO

Typically what happens when people get a bone marrow transplant is that they're so sick they have to stop their HIV medicines, and so the donor cells that they get immediately become infected with the patient's virus.

IN THIS CASE, THOUGH,

THE DONOR CELLS WERE ACTUALLY PROTECTED AGAINST BECOMING HIV INFECTED BECAUSE THE PATIENTS WERE ABLE TO STAY ON THEIR THERAPY.

DOCTORS AREN'T SAYING THIS IS A CURE.

YOGA AFTER STROKE-VO

YOGA COULD BE AN ANSWER TO HELP STROKE VICITMS AFTER REHABILITATION.

A STUDY FINDS GROUP YOGA SESSIONS CAN HELP WITH MOBILITY, BALANCE -- AND WERE LESS AFRAID OF FALLING -- COMPARED TO OTHER STROKE SURVIVORS.

WORKING OVERNIGHTS-VO

WORKING THE OVERNIGHT SHIFT OR OTHER ODD BUSINESS HOURS MAY IMPACT YOUR HEART HEALTH.

RESEARCHERS LOOKED AT THE EFFECTS OF SHIFT WORK INVOLVING MORE THAN 2-MILLION PEOPLE.

OVERALL -- THOSE WHO WORK IN SHIFTS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH A NEARLY 24-PERCENT INCREASED RISK FOR HEART ATTACKS.

LEE CO CONSERVATION 2020-VO

LEE COUNTY HAS ADDED ANOTHER 46 ACRES OF LAND TO ITS LIST OF PROTECTED PROPERTIES.

COUNTY LEADERS SIGNED A 134 THOUSAND DOLLAR DEAL YESTERDAY TO PURCHASE THE PLOT OF LAND BORDERING THE NORTH BANK OF YUCCA PEN CREEK AND CHARLOTTE HARBOR PRESERVE.

THE PURCHASE IS PART OF THE COUNTY'S CONSERVATION 20-20 PROGRAM -

WHICH AIMS TO PROTECT LAND AND RESTORE THEM TO THEIR NATURAL STATE.

TEASE THREE-2SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

ROMNEY FACES BACKLASH IN LONDON FOR A FEW COMMENTS HE MADE

NOW HE MAY BE OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT WITH THE PRIME MINISTER

TZ3 A) ROMNEY IN LONDON-VO

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIP

NY STOCK EXCHANGE OPEN-SAT 3 TOPS

ABC SEVEN IS ALWAYS ON TOP OF THE LATEST BUSINESS NEWS.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.

Stocks are headed for a higher open -- ahead of the first reading on U.S. second-quarter GDP -- and amid continued hope of help for Europe's troubled nations.

DEVELOPING CLIP-CLIP

FACEBOOK EARNINGS-VO

DEVELOPING NEWS THIS MORNING.

WE EXPECT FACEBOOK TO PLUMMET ON THE STOCK MARKET.

THE SOCIAL MEDIA SITE RELEASED THEIR EARNINGS REPORT LAST NIGHT AFTER THE CLOSING BELL.

WHILE REVENUE'S WERE A BIT BETTER THAN EXPECTED.

ANALYSTS STILL BELIEVE THE ONE POINT TWO BILLION DOLLARS EARNED AREN'T ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY SUCH A HIGH STOCK PRICE.

AFTER HOURS TRADING SHOW THE STOCK WILL DROP ABOUT TEN PERCENT TO 24 DOLLARS A SHARE.

TS1)OLYMPICS

A LOOK AT TOP STORIES THIS MORNING.

TONIGHT MARKS THE OFFICIAL BEGINNING OF THE 30TH OLYMPIAD.

THE 42 MILLION DOLLAR OPENING CEREMONY EXTRAVAGANZA -- IS JUST HOURS AWAY

THE SECURITY PLANS INCLUDE EXTRA POLICE ON THE GROUND.

TS2) SYNTHETIC DRUG BUST

AUTHORITIES CRACKDOWN ON SYNTHETIC DRUGS ACROSS 30 STATES

TENS OF MILLIONS OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS ARE OFF THE STREETS ALONG WITH 36 MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH.

TS3) HIV ELIMINATED

BREAKTHROUGHS IN THE SEARCH FOR A CURE FOR HIV / AIDS -- CONTINUE TO SURFACE

TWO MEN NO LONGER HAVE ANY DETECTABLE TRACES OF H-I-V IN THEIR CELLS -- AFTER BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS.

EIGHT MONTHS AFTER THEIR TRANSPLANTS -- DOCTORS COULDN'T FIND *ANY H-I-V IN EITHER MAN'S BLOOD CELLS.

YOUR VOICE YOUR VOTE-CLIP

ROMNEY IN LONDON-OC

THE RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE NOW -- YOUR VOICE, YOUR VOTE -- AND

THAT STUMBLE OUT OF THE GATE FOR MITT ROMNEY ON HIS FIRST TRIP

OVERSEAS AS THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE.

HIS STOP IN LONDON FOR THE OLYMPICS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ALL SMILES AND CELEBRATION --

ROMNEY IN LONDON-PKG

HUGH ROBERTSON/BRITAIN'S MINISTER OF OLYMPICS

BORIS JOHNSON/MAYOR OF LONDON

DAVID CAMERON/PRIME MINISTER OF BRITAIN

MITT ROMNEY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

He came here to look presidential

To remind voters of his own Olympics resume--

Instead delivering what some call an Olympic size gaffe.

The British papers "Mitt Romney's disastrous day" One writer arguing - his

charm offensive - instead mildly offensive.

And it all began - with this question.

Do you think the London games are ready?

SOT ROMNEY ON NBC: "You know it's hard to know how well it will turn out."/

"There are a few things that were disconcerting.

The criticism heard loud and clear. Fueling far more than the Olympic flame

. a firestorm.

The lead story on the news.

:"Mark, if he's here to make friends, he's got a funny way of

showing it. REPORTER: Exactly."

Overnight, when Britain's Minister for the Olympics was asked whether Romney

would help carry the torch at tonight's opening ceremonies?

ROBERTSON SOT:"Certainly not after today-chuckling."

A day in which the Mayor of London-

Took on Romney-- in front of 60 thousand people in Hyde Park:

JOHNSON SOT: "There's a guy called Mitt Romney who want to know whether we'

ROMNEY IN LONDON-OC

AIDS CONFERENCE ENDS-VO

THE 2012 INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON D-C, IS COMING TO A CLOSE.

IN THE CLOSING SESSION, HOUSE MINORITY LEADER NANCY PELOSI, AND FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON ARE SCHEDULED TO SPEAK.

LT GOV SOUND-OC

"usually black women that look like me don't engage in relationships like that"

FLORIDA'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JENNIFER CARROL -- SAYS SHE'S SORRY FOR HER COMMENTS ABOUT LESBIANS.

SPECIFICALLY, BLACK LESBIANS.

IN RESPONSE TO A REPORTER'S QUESTION ABOUT ACCUSATIONS THAT SHE WAS CAUGHT IN A SEXUAL POSITION WITH ANOTHER WOMAN -- SHE SAID WOMEN WHO LOOK LIKE HER IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY -- AREN'T IN LESBIAN RELATIONSHIPS.

IN A NEW APOLOGY TO "EQUALITY FLORIDA", CARROLL SAYS IT WAS WRONG TO MAKE A HURTFUL STATEMENT.ESPECIALLY SINCE SHE'S A CHRISTIAN.

SEVERE WEATHER-VOTOPS

SEVERE WEATHER RATTLED PARTS OF NEW YORK LAST NIGHT.

THERE WERE REPORTS OF A TORNADO IN THE TOWN OF ELMIRA.

POWER LINES AND TREES.TOPPLED.

THOUSANDS NOW WITHOUT POWER.

NO INJURIES REPORTED -- BUT LOTS OF DAMAGE.

CO FUNERAL-VO

ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE COLORADO THEATER MASSACRE WILL BE LAID TO REST TODAY.

JOHN LARIMER WAS ONE OF THE 12 KILLED IN LAST WEEK'S SHOOTING RAMPAGE, DURING A SCREENING OF THE BATMAN MOVIE, "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES."

LARIMER WAS A NAVY INTELLIGENCE OFFICER FROM CRYSTAL LAKE, ILLINOIS.

CAPE MURDER CCSO DEPUTY HERO-OC

ABC-7 CONTINUES TO LEARN NEW DETAILS ABOUT THE CONFRONTATIONS -- LEADING UP TO A FATAL SHOOTING IN CAPE CORAL, WEDNESDAY

WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT THE WOMAN -- INVESTIGATORS SAY STOPPED THE GUNMAN.

AN OFF-DUTY COLLIER COUNTY DEPUTY, WHO LIVES NEARBY.

CAPE MURDER CCSO DEPUTY HERO-PKG

Kristin Shiner is used to fighting crime as a deputy behind the walls of the collier county jail.but Wednesday crime met her in her Cape Coral neighborhood.

16:48

I heard two gun shots. I saw a gentleman running down the street saying all 911.

Shiner says she instantly jumped into action.

17:26

Just an instinct. I just automatically jumped to my feet and ran to my gun. I knew someone was injured.

Her instincts were right.

Nicholas Rainey-a door to door meat salesman- was on the ground bleeding after being shot multiple times-taking some of his last breaths.

17:59

I tried to get him to talk to me and at that point I head the charging of a weapon. I heard the slide sliding.

She says she saw Kenneth Roop armed with a gun-and she says he didn't give up easy.

21:23

I identified myself as a collier county sheriff deputy. I ordered him to put down his gun three times. The third time he put down his gun and put his hands up.

Shiner says she's no hero. But her daughter who came to the scene with her to try and save the victim-and several of her neighbors say she definitely is.

22:23

I'm excited to see my oldest daughter to say in her hero now and she may follow me in law enforcement.

TOXIC BUTTOCK INJECTIONS-SS 2

A WOMAN WHO DEPUTIES SAY INJECTED PEOPLE WITH CEMENT AND FIX A FLAT TO ENHANCE THEIR BUTTOCKS -- NOW FACES MANSLAUGHTER FOR THE MARCH DEATH OF A TALLAHASSEE WOMAN.

THE MEDICAL EXAMINER RULED SHE DIED FROM MASSIVE SYSTEMIC SILICONE MIGRATION.

DEPUTIES SAY THAT'S THE RESULT OF INJECTIONS FROM O'NEAL MORRIS.

OTHERS ALSO CLAIM MORRIS INJECTED THEM IN HER BLACK-MARKET BUTTOCK-ENHANCING BUSINESS.

ARIZONA PLANE CRASH-VO

OFFICIALS ARE INVESTIGATING AN ARIZONA PLANE CRASH THAT CLAIMED THE LIVES OF THREE PEOPLE -- TWO OF THEM CHILDREN.

OFFICIALS SAY THE "BEECH 60 AIRCRAFT" CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF YESTERDAY

THE PLANE SLAMMED INTO A TREE COVERED SLOPE IN SEDONA, ARIZONA

MARIJUANA BUST-VOTOPS

TROUBLE ON THE "HIGH" SEAS.

THE U-S COAST GUARD SAYS ONE OF ITS CUTTERS SEIZED MORE THAN 340 BALES OF MARIJUANA OFF A BOAT, WITH AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF SEVEN-POINT-SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS.

TWO MEN WERE ARRESTED.

PREHISTORIC DISCOVERY-VO

OFFICIALS IN TEXAS CLAIM TO HAVE MADE A PREHISTORIC DISCOVERY.

AN ARCHEOLOGIST DISCOVERED HUMAN REMAINS AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN HOUSTON.

THE REMAINS ARE THOUGHT TO BE EARLY NATIVE AMERICAN - AND BETWEEN THREE AND FIVE THOUSAND YEARS OLD.

THREE LEG BONES, A JAW AND TEETH WERE DISCOVERED.

GOOGLE INTERNET-VO

70 DOLLARS A MONTH.

THAT'S THE COST FOR GOOGLE'S NEW ULTRA FAST INTERNET SERVICE.

IT'S ONLY AVAILABLE IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, FOR NOW.

GOOGLE WORKERS HAVE SPENT MONTHS LAYING OPTICAL FIBER THROUGH THE REGION FOR THE GIGABIT SERVICE,

WHICH IS ABOUT A HUNDRED TIMES FASTER THAN A BASIC CABLE MODEM.

TEASE FOUR-1SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

THEY ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST RIVALRIES FOR THE SUMMERS GAMES.

MICHAEL PHELPS AND RYAN LOCK-TEE.

THE SWIMMERS WILL BE IN THE POOL THIS WEEKEND BATTLING IT OUT.

TZ4 A) SWIMMERS-VO

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

SWIMMERS OLYMPICS-CAM 10 BMP-OC

YOU CAN SEE THE CROWDS GETTING EXCITED IN LONDON -- JUST HOURS AWAY FROM THE OPENING OLYMPIC CEREMONIES.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST RIVALRIES -- IS BETWEEN AMERICANS, MICHAEL PHELPS AND RYAN LOCKTEE.

THE TWO SWIMMERS ARE GOING HEAD-TO-HEAD THIS WEEKEND.

SWIMMERS OLYMPICS-PKG

SCRIPT:

With THE LONDON GAMES kicking off today the first - must-see event

features U.S. superstar OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST MICHAEL PHELPS capturing the

world's attention 4 years ago AFTER COMPLETELY DOMINATING IN BEIJING

SOT MICHAEL PHELPS : 00;00;10 I think going into Beijing uh we were trying

to conquer everything and everything.

NAT ANNOUCER: THIS IS THE SCENE YOURE GONNA SEE IN LONDON

TRK 2: 07

BUT THIS TIME AROUND HIS TOUGHST COMPETITOR MAY BE STANDING RIGHT BESIDE

HIM ON TEAM USA

Sot Ryan lochte: "I've been getting second behind him so many times but I

always knew that I was capable of beating him it was just a matter of when "

TRK 3: 12

27 YR OLD AND REIGNING WORLD CHAMPION SWIMMER RYAN LOCHTE BEAT THE SWIMMING

LEGEND 3 WEEKS AGO AT THE US TRIALS AND SAYS HE'S PLANNING TO DO THE SAME IN

LONDON

Sot Ryan lochte: Once it happened once I just knew that it would happen

again and again but usually when I beat someone is rare that they beat me

again I just feel it in my body that this is my time

SOT SUMMER SANDERS/ YAHOO SPORTS/ RETIRED OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST: 17:35:10

he's always been in the shadows of Michael Phelps and in London he is going

to come out of those shadows

TRK 4: 12

BUT PHELPS IS AIMING TO BECOME THE FIRST TO WIN THE GOLD IN THE SAME

INDIVIDUAL EVENT IN 3 SUCCESSIVE OLYMPIC GAMES AND AFTER THAT HE SAYS

HE'LL BE READY TO HANG UP HIS GOGGLES

SOT MICHAEL PHELPS : 00;00;58;25 You know I'm here to swim as fast as I can

. And if I do that that's all that matters. /02;17;23 it's really /

how much, how many toppings do I want on my Sundae.

TRK 5: 18

GFX- Tomorrow is sure to be a clash of the swimming titans COMPARITIVLEY

PHELPS HAS AN EDGE AT 6FT 4 INCHES TO RYAN'S 6'1". HE HOLDS 16 OLYMPIC

MEDALS 10 MORE THAN RYAN 14 GOLD MEDALS. TO RYAN'S 3

SOT SUMMER SANDERS/ YAHOO SPORTS/ RETIRED OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST:

17:35:02 Ryan Lochte has been an amazing swimmer that just happened to be in

the same era as the greatest swimmer of all times

SOT - RYAN LOCHTE/PRESSER: 00;00;28;26 : Me and him we've created a great

rivalry but at the same time we've created a great friendship

SWIMMERS OLYMPICS-ONCAM

JULIE FOUDY REPORTING

PENNSYLVANIA CLEAN UP-VO

PEOPLE IN PARTS OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA ARE BEGINNING THE CLEAN UP

SEVERE STORMS ROLLED THROUGHOUT THE AREA LEAVING MANY HOMEOWNERS WITH NO POWER.

STORMS ALSO WREAKED HAVOC IN THE PITTSBURGH AREA.

STORM WARN GENERIC CLIP-CLIP

CROSSTALK-CAM 9 WX EST

FORECAST-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

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

Hot and humid conditions will be the main weather story across Southwest Florida with little to no relief.

It will be a warm start to our Friday with ample sunshine and even a bit of haze across our skies. Temperatures will warm from the upper 70s into the lower 90s by the lunchtime hour with a few fair weather cumulus clouds developing through the day.

A strong ridge of high pressure continues to flex its muscle across the Florida peninsula, thus bringing a drier and more stable airmass to the area. This means mostly sunny skies will prevail with rain prospects running below 20%, however an isolated storm or two can't be ruled out as the sea breeze makes it's way inland.

The mid 90s will return for most locations this afternoon, except for our beach and coastal locations where temperatures will top out near 90°. Once you factor in the humidity, heat index values will be well over the 100° mark.

Not much relief will take place through the evening as temperatures will be slow to cool. Tonight, expect mostly clear conditions with lows in the upper 70s to near 80° along the coast with mid 70s across our inland communities.

The hotter and drier than normal weather pattern will stay in place through the weekend, with our rain chances getting a bit of a boost by the middle of next week.

TOSS TO JEFF-2-1 BOXES

EVERY SUNDAY MORNING -

YOU CAN CATCH "NAPLES DAILY NEWSMAKERS WITH JEFF LYTLE''.

RIGHT HERE ON ABC 7.

THIS WEEK, HE TALKS ABOUT -- A FEW COMMUNITIES READY FOR SOME CHANGES.

NAPLES DAILY NEWSMAKERS-REM-LIVE

Don Paight

Downtown Fort Myers redevelopment chief

Jennifer Edwards

Collier Supervisor of Elections

Mike Belmont and Bill Bullock

Minto Communities

Talking points:

Don Paight:

Restaurants and a hotel are lining up

Jennifer Edwards:

We're stuck with political robocalls

Mike Belmont and Bill Bullock:

Big plans for Sabal Bay, TwinEagles, Bonita Isles communities

One video clip, titled: "NewsMakersClip-Paight " sent via FTP to the Naples Daily News folder.

Clip verbatim:

Paight:

NAPLES DAILY NEWSMAKERS-SOT

NAPLES DAILY NEWSMAKERS-REM-LIVE

FL COP PICKS UP PROSTITUTE-VOTOPS

AND TAKE A LOOK AT THIS,

THIS IS A DASH-CAM VIDEO OF A SQUAD CAR IN MELBOURNE FLORIDA.

YOU CAN SEE A WOMAN,

IDENTIFIED BY POLICE AS A PROSTITUTE,

WALK IN FRONT OF THE CAR AND INVESTIGATORS SAY SHE GETS IN -- NOT AS A PRISONER.

THE OFFICER DRIVING THE CAR WAS FIRED.

TEASE FIVE-1SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

MADONNA PERFORMS IN PARIS,

BUT SHE MADE HER SHOW ABOUT MORE THAN JUST ENTERTAINMENT.

TZ 5) MADONNA IN PARIS-VO

FINAL CHECK OF STOCKS-SAT 3 FULL

MADONNA IN PARIS-VO-WIPE

MADONNA TOOK THE STAGE AT PARIS' OLYMPIA THEATER YESTERDAY.

THE SHOW WAS A LAST MINUTE ADDITION TO HER TOUR.

TICKETS SOLD OUT WITHIN MINUTES OF GOING ON SALE.

THE CONCERT WAS EXPECTED TO HAVE A POLITICAL TONE,

MADONNA IN PARIS-SOTVO

We are entering so very scary times in our world. Economic markets are collapsing, people have nothing to eat in Greece, people all over the world are suffering and people are afraid. And what happens when people are afraid? What happens people are afraid? They become intolerant

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TS1)OLYMPICS-VOTOPS

A LAST LOOK AT TOP STORIES THIS MORNING.

TONIGHT MARKS THE OFFICIAL BEGINNING OF THE 30TH OLYMPIAD.

THE 42 MILLION DOLLAR OPENING CEREMONY EXTRAVAGANZA -- IS JUST HOURS AWAY

THE SECURITY PLANS INCLUDE EXTRA POLICE ON THE GROUND.

TS2) CO FUNERAL-VOTOPS

ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE COLORADO THEATER MASSACRE WILL BE LAID TO REST TODAY.

JOHN LARIMER WAS ONE OF THE 12 KILLED IN LAST FRIDAY'S SHOOTING RAMPAGE -- DURING A SCREENING OF, "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES."

TS3) SYNTHETIC DRUG BUST-VOTOPS

AUTHORITIES CRACKDOWN ON SYNTHETIC DRUGS ACROSS 30 STATES

TENS OF MILLIONS OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS ARE OFF THE STREETS ALONG WITH 36 MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH.

TS4) SEVERE WEATHER-VOTOPS

SEVERE WEATHER RATTLED PARTS OF NEW YORK LAST NIGHT.

THERE WERE REPORTS OF A TORNADO IN THE TOWN OF ELMIRA.

POWER LINES AND TREES TOPPLED.

THOUSANDS ARE NOW WITHOUT POWER

NO INJURIES REPORTED -- BUT LOTS OF DAMAGE.

FINAL WEATHER-WX GFX

Hot and humid conditions will be the main weather story across Southwest Florida with little to no relief.

It will be a warm start to our Friday with ample sunshine and even a bit of haze across our skies. Temperatures will warm from the upper 70s into the lower 90s by the lunchtime hour with a few fair weather cumulus clouds developing through the day.

A strong ridge of high pressure continues to flex its muscle across the Florida peninsula, thus bringing a drier and more stable airmass to the area. This means mostly sunny skies will prevail with rain prospects running below 20%, however an isolated storm or two can't be ruled out as the sea breeze makes it's way inland.

The mid 90s will return for most locations this afternoon, except for our beach and coastal locations where temperatures will top out near 90°. Once you factor in the humidity, heat index values will be well over the 100° mark.

Not much relief will take place through the evening as temperatures will be slow to cool. Tonight, expect mostly clear conditions with lows in the upper 70s to near 80° along the coast with mid 70s across our inland communities.

The hotter and drier than normal weather pattern will stay in place through the weekend, with our rain chances getting a bit of a boost by the middle of next week.

CLOSE-2SH-AWS ANI

AD LIB GOODBYE

please be sure to tease our next newscast

JOIN US FOR ABC 7 NEWS AT 5, RIGHT AFTER ELLEN.