ANCHOR SUPERS

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

THIS MORNING ON ABC7 NEWS AT NINE --

IT'S ALL ABOUT SAVING *YOU MONEY!

THE SALES TAX HOLIDAY KICKS OFF TODAY.

JUST IN TIME FOR BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING.

WE'LL SHOW YOU SOME OF THE *BEST DEALS OUT THERE.

CHICK-FIL-A WILL BE GROUND ZERO IN THE CULTURE WARS TODAY.

WEDNESDAY'S APPRECIATION DAY -- SENT SALES SOARING.

A LOOK AT WHY TODAY MIGHT BE A DIFFERENT STORY.

AND BRAND NEW JOB NUMBERS. *JUST* RELEASED MINUTES AGO.

IT'S BEEN THREE STRAIGHT MONTHS OF WEAK HIRING.

WILL WE SEE ANY IMPROVEMENTS?

HL1) SMART SHOPPER-VO-WIPE

HL2) CHICK FIL A (pkg)-VO-WIPE

HL3) JOBS REPORT-VOTOPS

WX HL-WX WALL

ERNESTO CLIP-CLIP

TOSS TO ALLYSON-OMNI TOPS

WE'RE WATCHING TROPICAL STORM ERNESTO THIS MORNING.

ITS MOVING QUICKLY.

AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME A HURRICANE.

WHILE IT IS NO IMMEDIATE THREAT TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

OUR STORM WARN SEVEN TEAM IS WATCHING IT CLOSELY.

FIRST WEATHER-WX WALL

JOBS REPORT-CLIP-VIDBOX

BREAKING THIS MORNING

NEW JOB NUMBERS ARE IN

U-S ECONOMY ADDED 163 THOUSAND JOBS IN JULY,

THAT'S 63-THOUSAND MORE THAN ANALYSTS EXPECTED.

THIS IS THE HIGHEST JUMP IN 5 MONTHS;

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ROSE TO 8.3% PERCENT.

SMART SHOPPER TAX FREE DAY-POP

IT'S TIME TO HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL.

AND IF YOU NEED TO PICK UP SOME MORE SUPPLIES. DO IT *NOW.

TAX FREE WEEKEND STARTED AT MIDNIGHT ---

AND IT LASTS THROUGH SUNDAY.

PARENTS GET A BREAK ON BACK-TO-SCHOOL COSTS.

AND THE ECONOMY GETS A BOOST HEADING INTO FALL.

AND WHILE YOU WILL SAVE 6 PERCENT ON MANY BACK TO SCHOOL ITEMS.

STORES ARE FIGHTING FOR YOUR DOLLAR.

SMART SHOPPER TAX FREE DAY-PKG

TAKE PKG

GETTING THE MOST.

"It seems to be getting bigger and bigger."

OF YOUR BUCK.

"The list seems to be getting bigger and bigger."

BACK TO SCHOOL TIME IS EXPENSIVE

"I've spent over three hundred dollars on supplies and clothes so far and we're not done yet."

BUT IF YOU SHOP AROUND THIS WEEKEND. YOU CAN SAVE.A LOT

WE SEARCHED OUT THE FOUR TOP BACK TO SCHOOL RETAILERS TO FIND YOU THE BEST DEALS THIS TAX FREE HOLIDAY WEEK.

FIRST UP.

TARGET.

TODAY AND TOMORROW SNATCH DENIM JEANS FOR JUST 12 BUCKS.

AND THE FAMOUS BOYS' GRAPHIC TEES- 6 BUCKS.

"The funny cartoony ones. Those are always fun."

WALMART HAS SOME GREAT BUYS ON SCHOOL SUPPLIES.,

--AN ENTIRE AREA OF ITEMS ARE 88 CENTS OR LESS.

LIKE THESE GEL PENS ,

NAT BREAK

AND THESE CRAYONS.

"Here's 24."

THEY'RE JUST 50 CENTS.

IF YOU WANT KEEP USING POCKET CHANGE- HEAD TO STAPLES TOO.

"Items like these folders and tissues are practically a steal. Now through the fourth you can get them for just a cent each."

THEY ALSO HAVE A BINDER BUY-BACK SPECIAL.

"These bad boys are expensive."

BRING IN ANY OLD BINDER, ANY CONDITION,. AND INSTANTLY GET TWO DOLLARS OFF ANY BINDER AT STAPLES.

UNTIL SATURDAY, THIS BINDER IS JUST A BUCK-- MEANING YOU CAN ACTUALLY MAKE MONEY ON THE TRADE.

"Who would pass that up?!'

SMART SHOPPER TAX FREE DAY-POP

WHAT EXACTLY *DOES COUNT AS 'TAX EXEMPT'.

CAN BE A LITTLE CONFUSING.

SO WE PUT THE ENTIRE LIST ON OUR WEBSITE --

AT A-B-C DASH SEVEN DOT COM.

CHICK FIL A SAME SEX KISS DAY-VO AT POP

CHICK FILA, BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT TODAY.

GAY RIGHTS ACTIVISTS HOLD "NATIONAL SAME-SEX KISS DAY" AT THE FAST FOOD JOINT.

THE PLAN'S TO SHOW UP AT THE RESTAURANT -- KISS SOMEONE OF THE SAME SEX, TAKE A PICTURE OF IT, AND POST IT ONLINE.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO CHICK FILA'S C-E-O, WHO DOES NOT SUPPORT GAY MARRIAGE.

CHICK FIL A SAME SEX KISS DAY-PKG

Today at Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country, gay customers plan to

fight backnot only showing up, but also kissingin protest of the fast food

chain's opposition to same sex marriage.

SOT Carly McGhee, Organizer of "National Same Sex Kiss In Day"

"IT'S A WAY TO SHOW CHIK-FIL-A AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY THAT YOU KNOW,

OUR LOVE IS JUST AS GOOD AS HETEROSEXUAL LOVE."

Chick-fil-A has been caught in the middle of the cultural clash over

marriagewith gay rights advocates calling for a boycott of the

restaurantafter the Chick Fil-A president said this about marriage:

AUDIO SOT Dan Cathy, Chick-Fil-A President & COO

"I THINK WE ARE INVITING GOD'S JUDGEMENT ON OUR NATION WHEN WE SHAKE OUR

FIST AT HIM AND SAY, 'WE KNOW BETTER THAN YOU AS TO WHAT CONSTITUES A

MARRIAGE."

Those comments ignited a firestorm, rallying support on both sides of the

debate.

SOT Sonja Holmes, Cathy Supporter

"I JUST HAPPEN TO AGREE WITH HIS BELIEFS, BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE MARRIAGE IS

BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN."

SOT Jose Chavira, North Carolina State University, Graduate Student

"THIS ISN'T AN ISSUE OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH. IT'S AN ISSUE OF EQUALITY AND

HUMAN DIGNITY."

Earlier in the week, Chick-fil-A supporters lined up in droves across the

countrymaking a statement about traditional marriage with their chicken

sandwich.

Reverend Billy Graham, Mike Huckabee and the Palins showed their support.

Nearly a hundred thousand people have been invited to today's "kiss-in".

But some people think the demonstration will have little impact on the

company's bottom line.

SOT Brittnie Card, Kennesaw State Student

"I AGREE WITH CHICK FILA'S POSITION PERSONALLY. / I BET THERE ARE PEOPLE

WHO DO BELIEVE IN GAY MARRIAGE OR EVEN ARE GAY, AND I BET YOU THEY'RE STILL

EATING AT CHICK-FIL-A."

Chick-fil-A says it's always been upfront about its core belief. The company

's founder uses biblically-based principles to manage the business. For

example, they're closed on Sundays.

THREAT TO PRESIDENT-VO

THE SECRET SERVICE IS INVESTIGATING A FLORIDA MAN -- THEY SAY MADE A THREAT AGAINST EITHER PRESIDENT OBAMA OR PRESIDENT CLINTON.

OUR A-B-C STATION IN ORLANDO -- GOT THESE PICTURES OF THE MAN -- NOW IN CUSTODY.

HIS NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.

HE LIVES ABOUT FOUR MILES FROM AN ORLANDO RESTAURANT THE PRESIDENT VISITED YESTERDAY -- RIGHT AFTER A CAMPAIGN STOP.

IT'S UNCLEAR HOW HE MADE THE THREAT.

SUNCOAST MURDER-SS VO

THERE ARE A SERIES OF A DEVELOPMENTS --

IN A NUMBER OF MURDERS ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

LET'S START IN LEE COUNTY.

YESTERDAY. DEPUTIES ARRESTED KORTNEY STURGIS FOR SECOND DEGREE MURDER.

ON JULY 10TH -

THEY SAY HE SHOT STEVEN RIGGS TO DEATH AFTER A FIGHT.

IT HAPPENED IN THE SUNCOAST ESTATES AREA OF NORTH FORT MYERS.

ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS -- STURGIS, RIGGS AND OTHERS WERE DRINKING AND DOING DRUGS INSIDE THE HOME.

A WITNESS SAID STURGIS AND THE VICTIM GOT INTO A FIGHT,

GODCHARLES MURDER-VOTOPS-WIPE

COLLIER COUNTY DEPUTIES STILL DO *NOT* HAVE A SUSPECT THIS MORNING -- IN THE MURDER OF A 48-YEAR-OLD MAN.

JOSEPH GODCHARLES'S SON -- FOUND HIS DAD, DEAD WEDNESDAY AT HIS FATHER'S CONDO.

CAPE MURDER FOLO-SSTOPS

AND LEROY TAYLOR JUNIOR REMAINS IN JAIL,

ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS 91-YEAR-OLD FATHER IN CAPE CORAL.

ACCORDING TO DETECTIVES. TAYLOR JUNIOR FLEW TO NEW YORK,

AFTER A FRIEND FOUND HIS FATHER'S BODY INSIDE THEIR HOME TWO WEEKS AGO.

WHEN NEW YORK STATE OFFICERS CAUGHT UP WITHTAYLOR JUNIOR -

EMERGENCY ROAD REPAIRS-TC MON

DRIVERS WILL BE HAPPY TO HEAR --

YOU WON'T HAVE TO DART AROUND POTHOLES AND NASTY BUMPS ON LAUREL LANE.

THE NORTH FORT MYERS ROAD. GETS A MUCH-NEEDED FIX.

AND AS A-B-C 7'S SARA MILES REPORTS --

EMERGENCY ROAD REPAIRS-PKG

FOR NEARLY 34 YEARS ---

13:38:02 been hell driving down it 2 sec

MICHAEL ANDERSON HAS HAD QUITE THE BUMPY RIDE ON LAUREL LANE IN NORTH FORT MYERS.

38:04 rough on trucks and vehicles, bad pot holes,

AND ALSO ON EMERGENCY VEHICLES-- LEAVING FIRST RESPONDERS CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING TO A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATIONS ON TIME.

BUT NOW THAT MEMORY CAN SLOWLY FADE.

38:24 this was a ditch but they put a culvert pipe in and made it a drive way to help us out a bit and they are really doing a number on it:30

FOR TWO WEEKS CLARY'S SITEWORK AND DEVELOPMENT HAS REPLACED CULVERT PIPES, REGRADED SWALES AND BROUGHT IN DIRT.

WORK THAT SHOULD BE DONE BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK.

NATS

CONTRACTED THROUGH LEE COUNTY NATURAL RESOURCES, THE PROJECT MANAGER TELLS US THEY WORK ON THE ROADS AS MONEY BECOMES AVAILABLE.

COMMISSIONERS PREVIOUSLY DECIDED NOT TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY - WHICH WOULD HAVE USED TAXPAYER MONEY.

38:51 wish they would it for all the roads, its a main road so we will take what we can get really. 39:00

contractors hope by improving the draining it will stop the road from flooding and keep it fairly smooth like it is now, but they hope to make it even smoother by bringing in 3 to 4 inches of lime stone rock.

42:10 long overdue but its coming along real good 2 sec

ROGER SMITH HELPED PUSH THE ISSUE TO THE COUNTY --

NOW HE'S HOPING THE PROJECT MAKES ITS WAY TO BARTHOLOMEW.

all they are doing is really a fix but we hadnt had that so we are appreciative of that.:51

TEASE ONE-2SHOT

ABC-7 LOOKS INTO A NEW TREND

IT'S CALLED SOCIAL SEATING.

AND IT COULD HELP YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE.

IN A CROWED ROOM FULL OF STRANGERS.

PLUS.

A LOCAL COMMUNITY IS UP IN ARMS -- ABOUT PLANS FOR NEW CONVENIENCE STORE.

TZ1 A social seating-VO

TZ1 B) cape 711-VOTOPS

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

BLOOMBERG TEASE-SOT

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT-PKG TOPS

STORMWARN GENERIC CLIP-CLIP

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.

In our local weather, it is another warm and muggy morning. The set up for today is similar to the past few days. We will have plenty of sunshine all day. There will be isolated storms forming in the late afternoon and evening. Those will be mainly in the inland areas, but the ones that do form will be strong. High temperatures are headed into the lower 90s this afternoon, but humidity will send the heat index soaring to near 100 degrees. Through the next few days, tropical moisture will be feeding into Southwest Florida giving us higher rain chances for everywhere in Southwest Florida through the weekend and into the beginning of the week. Temperatures will stay in the lower 90s for highs and mid and upper 70s for lows.

SOCIAL SEATING-OC

AN AWKWARD PART OF ATTENDING AN EVENT --

IS WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW ANYONE THERE.

WHO SHOULD YOU TALK TO?

WHERE SHOULD YOU SIT?

WELL -- NOW YOU CAN CONNECT WITH THE CROWD *BEFORE YOU ARRIVE.

YOU JUST HAVE TO GO ONLINE.

SOCIAL SEATING-PKG

FOR DAN BERGER, INSPIRATION CAME FROM ATTENDING A WEDDING.

I wanted to see where the cute girls were. I didn't know where anyone else was going to be, it was a destination wedding. So I thought to myself, "Wouldn't it be cool if I saw a published seating chart before I got to the wedding?"

THAT THOUGHT EVOLVED INTO SOCIAL TABLES, HIS WASHINGTON-BASED STARTUP WORKING ITS WAY INTO THE EVENT PLANNING BUSINESS --

Do everything from manage their guest lists, to the floor plans for events, to the seating charts. And the cool part is we let guests interact with each other before or after, based on where they're seated.

THAT LAST PART IS WHAT PUTS "SOCIAL" ON THE "TABLE."

THE PLATFORM DRAWS DATA ABOUT GUESTS FROM THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKS, SO PLANNERS CAN SEAT PEOPLE WITH COMMON INTERESTS TOGETHER, HOPEFULLY TRADING AWKWARD ICEBREAKERS FOR MORE MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS.

PLANNERS CAN PUBLISH A GUEST LIST BEFORE THE EVENT TO GIVE A HEAD START ON THE "GETTING TO KNOW YOU PROCESS."

AND FOR THOSE WHO FEEL THAT'S TOO MUCH INFORMATION TOO SOON, THERE'S THE OPTION TO PUBLISH THE LIST AFTER THE PARTY TOO, WHICH BERGER SAYS MORE PEOPLE SEEM TO BE OPTING FOR, EVEN THOUGH HE SEES ONLINE AND OFFLINE WORLDS MERGING.

Nowadays our online identity is the same as our real-life identity. And we need bridges between those two identities, because of the fact that we spend so much time online.

MEANING AS MORE PEOPLE GET MORE SOCIAL, ALL THAT TIME ONLINE COULD POTENTIALLY TURN INTO MORE FACE TIME.

NEW IPHONE-VO

IT LOOKS LIKE APPLE IS GETTING CLOSER TO UNVEILING ITS NEWEST iPHONE.

SHARP WILL START SHIPPING SCREENS FOR THE iPHONE 5 THIS MONTH.

THE NEW iPHONE IS EXPECTED TO GO ON SALE IN SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER,

RETAIL SALES-VOTOPS

RETAIL NUMBERS BEAT EXPECTATIONS LAST MONTH.

SALES AT STORES OPENED MORE THAN A YEAR -- WERE UP 4.3% IN JULY.

ANALYSTS HAD PREDICTED A 1.5 PERCENT GAIN.

MID-PRICED STORES LIKE TARGET, COSTCO, KOHL'S AND MACY'S -- ALL REPORTED HIGHER-THAN-EXPECTED SALES.

VOLKSWAGEN AND FAST FOOD-VO

EXECUTIVES AT VOLKSWAGEN SAY THEY *PREFER TO HIRE FORMER FAST FOOD WORKERS.

THEY SAY MOST WORKERS AT ITS PLANT NEAR CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

ARE FROM THE FAST FOOD INDUSTRY.

IT'S BECAUSE THEY KNOW STANDARDIZED WORK,

AS OPPOSED TO ASSEMBLY LINE WORK

THE COMPANY AVOIDS HIRING ASSEMBLY LINE WORKERS.

WHO MAY HAVE DEVELOPED BAD HABITS.

MOST WORKERS START AT 14 DOLLARS AN HOUR PLUS BENEFITS.

CAPE 711 ISSUE-SS VO WIPE

NOT SO CONVENIENT AFTER ALL!

PEOPLE LIVING IN ONE CAPE CORAL NEIGHBORHOOD -- ARE STEAMING MAD OVER PLANS TO BUILD A 7-11.

THE PROPOSED SITE -- RIGHT AT THE ENTRANCE OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, AT THE CORNER OF CAPE CORAL PARKWAY AND SKYLINE BOULEVARD.

CAPE 711 ISSUE-SOTVO

-"Whose going to want to buy a house where you open your front door and see a gas station and try and sleep at night and you got lights coming into your windows."

TEASE TWO-VO IN TC MON

MOTHERS ACROSS THE WORLD. ATTEMPT TO BREAK A RECORD TODAY.

BREASTFEEDING AT THE SAME TIME.

AND LEE COUNTY GETS IN ON THE GAME.

PLUS. A CERTAIN CANCER QUITE COMMON IN HUMANS.

IS NOW TURNING UP IN FISH!

TZ2 A) BREASTFEEDING EVENT-VO IN TC MON

TZ2 B) FISH GETTING SKIN CANCER-VO IN TC MON

CAM 10 BUMP SHOT-CAM 10

BREASTFEEDING EVENT-VO

THEY ARE CALLING IT --

"THE BIG LATCH ON!"

TODAY, MOTHERS ALL ACROSS THE WORLD.

ATTEMPT TO BREAK A WORLD RECORD FOR BREAST-FEEDING.

THOUSANDS OF WOMEN ARE SIGNED UP --

TO BREASTFEED AT THE *SAME TIME TODAY AND TOMORROW.

IT'S RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BREAST MILK FOR DEVELOPING INFANTS.

THE LEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT JOINS IN TODAY --

AT 10-30 A-M, AT SIX LOCATIONS IN LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES.

IT'S ALSO NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING MONTH.

IMPROVE MOOD DURING PREGNANCY-VO

NEW MOMS CAN IMPROVE THEIR MOOD AND THEIR HEALTH -- BY BEING MINDFUL DURING PREGNANCY.

A STUDY FINDS -- MINDFULLNESS TECHNIQUES *DO HELP WITH EMOTIONAL DISTRESS. SELF ESTEEM. AND THE BIRTH EXPERIENCE.

THE EFFECTS CAN LAST UP TO A MONTH AFTER DELIVERY.

FISH GETTING SKIN CANCER-VO

IT TURNS OUT, HUMANS ARE *NOT THE ONLY ONES GETTING SKIN CANCER.

SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED THE CANCER IN WILD FISH,

SWIMMING IN AUSTRALIA'S GREAT BARRIER REEF REGION.

THE FINDINGS SHOWED --

ABOUT 15-PERCENT OF THE CORAL TROUT HAD A FORM OF MELANOMA.

RESEARCHERS NOTICED THE DARK SPOTS ON THE NORMALLY BRIGHT COLORED FISH.

FIRST. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS INFECTION --

BUT LATER DECIDED IT WAS CANCER.

MENTAL HEALTH DEATH RISK-VO

TURNS OUT MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF DEATH -- EVEN IF THEY ARE CONSIDERED MILD

RESEARCHERS LOOKED AT NEARLY 70-THOUSAND ADULTS.

THOSE WITH HIGH LEVELS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS -- HAD HIGHER DEATH RATES.

TEASE THREE-2SHOT

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND MITT ROMNEY.

ARE NECK AND NECK IN KEY BATTLEGROUND STATES.

FLORIDA IS ONE OF THOSE STATES.

AHEAD WE'LL HAVE THE MESSAGES -- THEY'RE TRYING TO GET ACROSS TO VOTERS.

PLUS.A BIG BUST IN LEE COUNTY.

MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE UNDER ARREST.

TZ3 A)POLITICAL BATTLEGROUNDS-VOTOPS

TZ3 B) PROSTITUTION STING-VOTOPS

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 WHERE THE TRADING DAY IS JUST BEGINNING.

AND THIS MORNING --

FUTURES ARE ALREADY RISING SHARPLY.

THANKS TO A STRONGER THAN EXPECTED JULY JOBS REPORT.

THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL FUTURES ARE *UP 100 POINTS.

TS1) SMART SHOPPER-VOTOPS

THE STATE'S TAX FREE WEEKEND KICKS OFF TODAY,

SO GET YOUR SCHOOL SHOPPING DONE NOW.

BUT WHAT EXACTLY *DOES COUNT AS 'TAX EXEMPT'.

CAN BE A LITTLE CONFUSING.

SO WE PUT THE ENTIRE LIST ON OUR WEBSITE --

AT A-B-C DASH SEVEN DOT COM.

TS2) CHICK FIL A-VOTOPS

CHICK-FIL-A MIGHT BE CROWDED TODAY.

AND YOU'LL GET AN EYE-FUL WITH THAT MEAL.

ACTIVISTS AROUND THE COUNTRY PLAN TO HOLD "NATIONAL SAME SEX KISS DAY" -

WITH A KISS IN AT RESTAURANTS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

TS3) JOBS REPORT-VIDBOX

BREAKING THIS MORNING

NEW JOB NUMBERS ARE IN.

U-S ECONOMY ADDED 163 THOUSAND JOBS IN JULY,

THAT'S 63-THOUSAND MORE THAN ANALYSTS EXPECTED.

THIS IS THE HIGHEST JUMP IN 5 MONTHS;

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ROSE TO 8.3% PERCENT.

ERNESTO CLIIP-CLIP

TOSS TO ALLYSON-OMNITOPS

WE'RE WATCHING TROPICAL STORM ERNESTO THIS MORNING.

ITS MOVING QUICKLY -- AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME A HURRICANE.

IT'S NOT AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

BUT, OUR STORM WARN SEVEN TEAM IS WATCHING IT CLOSELY.

FIRST WEATHER-WX WALL

DROUGHT REPORT-VO

THE DROUGHT ACROSS THE U-S --- CONTINUES TO BAKE AREAS IN THE HOT SUMMER SUN.

EXTREME DRYNESS PLAGUES THE PLAINS AND MIDWEST.

SOME OF THE WORST CONDITIONS CAN BE FOUND IN KANSAS, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA AND OKLAHOMA.

TWO-THIRDS OF THE U-S MAINLAND ARE EFFECTED WITH DROUGHT

ONE-FIFTH EXPERIENCING *EXTREME* DROUGHT.

SOME ENCOURAGEMENT THOUGH --

VOTE CLIP-CLIP

POLITICS IN BATTLEGROUNDS-OC

TURNING TO YOUR VOICE, YOUR VOTE 2012.

POLLS SHOW MITT ROMNEY AND PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

ARE ON THE SAME LEVEL IN COLORADO AND VIRGINIA

BUT OBAMA SHOWS A SMALL LEAD HERE IN FLORIDA.

THE CANDIDATES VISTED THESE THREE BATTLEGROUND STATES YESTERDAY.

POLITICS IN BATTLEGROUNDS-PKG

PRESIDENT OBAMA IS TRYING TO CONVINCE FLORIDA VOTERS THAT EVEN WITH A HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE SUNSHINE STATE OF 8.6% HIS ECONOMIC POLICIES ARE WORKING. AND THAT HE DESERVES FOUR MORE YEARS.

"We've been able to see 4 and a half million jobs created, that's why we've been able to see the housing market just barely slowly start to tick back up and that's the reason that we've seen the auto industry come all the way back."

THE MESSAGE TEAM OBAMA WANTS VOTERS TO GET IS THIS.MITT ROMNEY'S TAX POLICIES WILL HURT NOT HELP THE MIDDLE CLASS.

"The top one-tenth of one-percent would get a tax cut under Mr. Romney's plan of almost a quarter-million dollars. 250-thousand dollars would go to folks who are making 3 million dollars a year or more."

"Now he has a plan that would give millionaires another tax break…"

IT'S A MESSAGE PLAYING OVER AND OVER IN A NEW CAMPAIGN AD THAT AIRS IN FLORIDA AND SEVEN OTHER BATTLEGROUND STATES.

"And raises taxes on middle class families by up to two thousand dollars a year."

BUT IN THIS BATTLE FOR FLORIDA THERE'S ALWAYS A COUNTERPUNCH. AS MITT ROMNEY CAMPAIGNED IN COLORADO, HIS TOP SURROGATE IN FLORIDA AND POTENTIAL RUNNINGMATE REPUBLICAN SENATOR MARCO RUBIO WAS AT AN EVENT NOT FAR FROM THE PRESIDENT'S RALLY OUTSIDE ORLANDO. HE ACCUSED THE PRESIDENT OF MAKING A BAD ECONOMY WORSE, TOLD VOTERS MR. OBAMA MIGHT RAISE TAXES TO HISTORIC LEVELS, THEN HE DELIVERED A COMPLIMENT AND A JAB IN THE SAME BREATH.

"His election was historic. but his presidency has been a historic disaster."

AND THE ROMNEY CAMPAIGN CONTINUES TO USE THE PRESIDENT'S OWN WORDS FROM A SPEECH IN VIRGINIA LAST MONTH TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT THEY SAY MAKES HIM UNFIT TO FIX THE ECONOMY.

"If you've got a business. you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONG TO OBAMA-2SHOT SOTVO

DAN LOTHIAN REPORTING.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS A SIMPLE WISH FOR HIS UPCOMING 51ST BIRTHDAY:

FLORIDA'S 29 ELECTORAL VOTES.

SUPPORTERS IN ORLANDO SANG "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" --

DURING A CAMPAIGN RALLY YESTERDAY.

AN EARLY NOD TO HIS BIRTHDAY TOMORROW.

--SOT --

Obama: Thank you, it's true that I'm going to be. What am I going to be? I'm going to be 51 on Saturday. 51. But Michelle says I look 50.

OBAMA IS EXPECTED TO KEEP A LOW PROFILE ON HIS BIRTHDAY,

OBAMA WTC BEAM-VOTOPS

A SPECIAL STEEL BEAM IS NOW IN PLACE -- AT "ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER" IN NEW YORK CITY.

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS SIGNED THE ELEVEN-THOUSAND POUND BEAM,

THEN A CRANE HOISTED IT TO THE 104TH FLOOR.

THE PRESIDENT OBAMA AND FIRST LADY -- ALSO WROTE ON THE BEAM, DURING A VISIT IN JUNE.

THE PRESIDENT WROTE, "WE REMEMBER, WE REBUILD, WE COME BACK STRONGER!"

MEGABUS CRASH-VO

ONE PERSON IS DEAD AND DOZENS MORE INJURED.

AFTER A DOUBLE-DECKER BUS CRASHED ON INTERSTATE 55.

IT WAS TAKING TOURISTS FROM ILLINOIS TO MISSOURI.

IT HAPPENED AROUND 1:30 P-M ON THURSDAY,

ABOUT FIVE MILES NORTH OF "LITCHFIELD".

A "MEGABUS" SLAMMED HEAD FIRST INTO A CONCRETE BRIDGE.

STATE POLICE BELIEVE A TIRE BLEW OUT,

SO THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL.

ONE WOMAN DIED.

SHE WAS SITTING ON THE UPPER DECK OF THE BUS,

INDIANA STATE FAIR-VO

STAYING WITH THE MIDWEST.

THE ANNUAL INDIANA STATE FAIR OPENS TODAY.

THIS IS ONE YEAR AFTER WINDS FROM AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM -- CAUSED A STAGE TO COLLAPSE.

SEVEN PEOPLE DIED AND 58 WERE INJURED IN THAT COLLAPSE.

THE FAIR IS STILL BEING RUN BY THE SAME GROUP -- AS LAST YEAR.

THE INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAYS.

LCSO PROSTITUTION STING-VO-WIPE

LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES MADE A MAJOR PROSTITUTION BUST --

ARRESTING MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, UNDERCOVER DETECTIVES STARTED THE STING.

THEY DROVE ALL OVER THE COUNTY, POSING AS JOHNS.

THEY MET WOMEN WHO THEY CLAIM OFFERED UP SEX FOR CASH.

THEN GAVE THE TAKE-DOWN SIGNAL.

AND THE LADIES WERE ARRESTED.

MEANTIME - OTHER DEPUTIES SET UP A STING ON THE INTERNET --

LCSO PROSTITUTION STING-SOTVO

33:48 "typically if you look at the numbers, we get 5 or 6 at a time, but to get 15 at a time is a larger number."

THE ACCUSED PROSTITUTES' PRICES RANGED FROM 20-BUCKS.

UP TO A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS.

CORRECTIONS OFFICER ARRESTED-VO

A CORRECTIONS OFFICER IS ON *UNPAID LEAVE THIS MORNING--

AFTER CHARLOTTE COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY HE TRIED TO SMUGGLE MARIJUANA -- INTO THE PRISON WHERE HE WORKED.

DEPUTIES ARRESTED TERRENCE RUSHING EARLIER THIS WEEK -- AT THE CHARLOTTE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION.

ACCORDING TO THE ARREST REPORT --

RUSHING WAS SELECTED FOR A RANDOM PATDOWN --

THE REPORT SHOWS -- HE ASKED TO USE THE RESTROOM

AND THAT'S WHEN THE DEPUTY DOING THE PATDOWNS SAW HIM STASH 40 GRAMS OF MARIJUANA UNDER THE SINK.

RETHERFORD MANHUNT-SS VO

THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR A MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING A THREE OAKS WOMAN.

THIS IS BILLY RETHERFORD JUNIOR.

INVESTIGATORS SAY HE AND HIS NEPHEW, DUSTIN JAYE, KILLED DEBBIE STRIANO AS THEY TRIED TO ROB HER.

JAYE'S ALREADY IN JAIL.

A-B-C 7 WAS IN SUNCOAST ESTATES --

AS LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES TRIED TO HUNT DOWN RUTHERFORD IN NORTH FORT MYERS.

ANTONIO THOMAS FIRST APPEARANCE-VO

THE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING A CAPE CORAL WOMAN -- MAKES HIS FIRST OFICIAL COURT APPEARANCE TODAY.

ANTONIO THOMAS APPEARED IN LEE COUNTY COURT YESTERDAY MORNING.

HE'S CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER -- IN THE KILLING OF 61 YEAR OLD PHYLLIS STEIN OF CAPE CORAL -

DURING A TEN DAY VIOLENT CRIME SPREE.

THOMAS' ATTORNEY ASKED TO POSTPONE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE UNTIL THIS MORNING -- WHILE HE READS AN INDICTMENT FROM A GRAND JURY.

TEASE 4-1SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

NOW THE LATEST ON THE JACKSON FAMILY DRAMA.

NOW -- KATHERINE JACKSON BELIEVES SHE WAS TRICKED INTO A VACATION.

AND THEN BLOCKED FROM COMMUNICATING WITH MJ'S CHILDREN.

TZ4 A) KATHERINE JACKSON-VO

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

KATHERINE JACKSON-CAM 10 BMP-2SHOT

A NEW BOMBSHELL IN THAT DRAMATIC JACKSON FAMILY FUED.

KATHERINE JACKSON NOW SAYS --

SHE WAS STRIPPED OF *ALL FORMS OF COMMUNIATION WITH MICHAEL'S CHILDREN.

WHILE SHE WAS STAYING AT A RESORT IN ARIZONA.

MEANTIME -- JERMAINE JACKSON CALLS FOR A FAMILY TRUCE.

KATHERINE JACKSON-PKG

IT LOOKED LIKE PEACE WAS BREAKING OUT AT CASA JACKSON: A JUDGE JUST

REINSTATED KATHERINE AS GUARDIAN OF MICHAEL'S KIDS; JERMAINE'S WAVING AN

OLIVE BRANCH, AND TMZ RETRACTED THEIR REPORT THAT JANET SLAPPED PARIS DURING

THAT BUST-UP LAST WEEK

BUT THIS MORNING, ANOTHER JACKSON BOMB SHELL

SOT: Dana Cole

It's sort of in their genetic makeup to create drama and chaos wherever they

go.

LAST WEEK, FLANKED BY HER CHILDREN, KATHERINE SCOTCHED RUMORS SHE'D BEEN

KIDNAPPED.

SOT: Katherine Jackson

That's very stupid for people to think that.

BUT IN A STATEMENT SUBMITTED THURSDAY TO A CALIFORNIA COURT, GRANDMA JACKSON

IS NOW PAINTING A SLIGHTLY SINISTER PICTURE OF THOSE 10 DAYS CONVALESCING

INCOMMUNICADO AT AN ARIZONA RESORT.

NOW SHE'S SAYING "I WAS NEVER INFORMED THAT PRINCE, PARIS, BLANKET, AND TJ

WERE TRYING TO REACH ME AT THE TIME I TRUSTED THE PEOPLE I WAS WITH TO BE

HONEST WITH ME."

LAST WEEK SHE SAID

SOT: Katherine Jackson

One reason I didn't call is I just gave up my phone and I didn't want to

have any phone calls.

NOW SHE SAYS HER PHONE WAS "TAKEN AWAY."

THE PHONE AND TV IN HER ROOM DIDN'T WORK.

"ONE MORNING I WOKE UP TO THE SOUND OF THE TELEVISION. WHILE THERE WAS NO

PICTURE, I HEARD A BROADCAST THAT STATED I WAS MISSING."

KATHERINE'S LAWYER TELLS ABC NEWS:

"MRS. JACKSON STANDS BY HER STATEMENT THAT NONE OF HER CHILDREN HAD BAD

INTENTIONS, NOTWITHSTANDING THAT CERTAIN OF THEIR ACTIONS CREATED AN

UNNECESSARILY DRAMATIC SITUATION."

STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT.

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.

In our local weather, it is another warm and muggy morning. The set up for today is similar to the past few days. We will have plenty of sunshine all day. There will be isolated storms forming in the late afternoon and evening. Those will be mainly in the inland areas, but the ones that do form will be strong. High temperatures are headed into the lower 90s this afternoon, but humidity will send the heat index soaring to near 100 degrees. Through the next few days, tropical moisture will be feeding into Southwest Florida giving us higher rain chances for everywhere in Southwest Florida through the weekend and into the beginning of the week. Temperatures will stay in the lower 90s for highs and mid and upper 70s for lows.

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. WE'RE DISCUSSING-- HOW SOME THINK A GOP WIN IN CONGRESS MIGHT BE GOOD FOR FLORIDA.

NAPLES DAILY NEWSMAKERS-REM-LIVE

Paul Ryan

US Representative, R-WI

Why Florida GOP wins are crucial for America

Ted Soliday

Naples Municipal Airport executive director

Is JetBlue ready to land?

Lois Bolin

Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive chair

NAPLES DAILY NEWSMAKERS-SOT

We have a law - the 1974 Budget Act - that requires Congress pass a budget every year. The Senate hasn't passed a budget since 2009.

NAPLES DAILY NEWSMAKERS-REM-LIVE

CARJACKING-VO

THIS IS SCARY --

A FORT MYERS WOMAN WAS CARJACKED.

WAITING IN THE DRIVE THROUGH LANE!

IT HAPPENED AT THE WENDY'S ON U-S 41,

SOUTH OF BOY SCOUT.

DEPUTIES SAY SHE WAS IN THE DRIVE THRU,

WAITING FOR HER FOOD.

WHEN TWO MEN WEARING MASKS RUSHED UP.

THEY OPENED THE CAR DOORS.

AND SHE HOPPED OUT SCREAMING,

AND THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE.

DEPUTIES FOUND THE CAR.

SNAKE CONCERNS LEHIGH-NATVO WIPE

A LEHIGH ACRES MAN SAYS HIS WIFE *WON'T COME OUT INTO THE YARD.

BECAUSE SHE'S TERRIFIED OF SNAKES NEXT DOOR.

20:50:51:00 "you get in their domain, you're going to get bit."

THEIR DOMAIN IS A LOT ON RICHMOND AVENUE.

THAT'S IN THE GREENBRIAR SECTION.

THE LEHIGH ACRES FIRE DISTRICT OWNS THE LOT,

WHERE THICK VEGETATION IS GROWING.

AND BOB LAMBERT SAYS HUNDREDS OF SNAKES LIVE THERE.

SNAKE CONCERNS LEHIGH-SOTVO

20:52:13:00 "one day someone's going to get killed with the snakes and I'd like to have it fixed. What do you want to do about it? Clear the land off."

BUT SO FAR, THE FIRE DISTRICT HAS *NOT RESPONDED TO LAMBERT'S REQUEST.

LAMBERT SAYS HE'S GOT A GUN,

TEASE FIVE-1SHOT

NEYO MUSIC

A LITTLE NEYO FOR YOU THIS MORNING.

COMING UP. WE'LL HAVE A LOOK AT WHAT'S LEFT OF GOOD MORNING AMERICA'S SUMMER CONCERT SERIES.

TZ5 A) SUMMER CONCERT SERIES-NATVO

FINAL CHECK OF STOCKS-SAT 3 FULL

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES-NATVO TOPS

NEYO MUSIC

ABC'S GOOD MORNING AMERICA.

CONTINUES THEIR 2012 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES.

TODAY'S VIEWERS WOKE UP --

TO THE UPBEAT MUSIC OF R&B ARTIST NEYO.

AND COMING UP IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS,

WE'LL SEE PERFORMANCES FROM "THE WANTED" AND "THE NEON TREES".

GORE VIDAL HONORED-VOTOPS

TONIGHT-- THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF BROADWAY'S THEATERS -- WILL DIM FOR ONE MINUTE IN MEMORY OF AUTHOR, SCREENWRITER AND PLAYWRIGHT GORE VIDAL.

ONE OF HIS PLAYS. "THE BEST MAN", WHICH FIRST RAN IN 1960. IS CURRENTLY RUNNING ON BROADWAY, WITH JAMES EARL JONES AND ANGELA LANSBURY IN THE CAST.

CURIOSITY MARS-VO

SCIENTISTS ARE GETTING READY FOR THE "MARS ROVER CURIOSITY" LANDING.

COMING UP ON AUGUST FIFTH.

THE ONE TON ROVER IS THE CENTERPIECE OF NASA'S $2.5 BILLION DOLLAR MISSION.

IF THE ROVER SURVIVES A VERY COMPLICATED PARACHUTE AND SKY CRANE LANDING.

IT WILL SEARCH FOR EVIDENCE OF NEW LIFE.

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TS1)SMART SHOPPER-VOTOPS

THE STATE'S TAX FREE WEEKEND KICKS OFF TODAY,

SO GET YOUR SCHOOL SHOPPING DONE NOW.

BUT WHAT EXACTLY *DOES COUNT AS 'TAX EXEMPT'.

CAN BE A LITTLE CONFUSING.

SO WE PUT THE ENTIRE LIST ON OUR WEBSITE --

AT A-B-C DASH SEVEN DOT COM.

TS2) chick fil a-VOTOPS

GAY RIGHTS ACTIVISTS PLAN TO HOLD "NATIONAL SAME-SEX KISS DAY" AT CHICK-FIL-A RESTAURANTS.

THE PLAN IS TO SHOW UP. KISS SOMEONE OF THE SAME SEX. TAKE A PICTURE OF IT. AND POST IT ONLINE.

CHICK FILA'S C-E-O STRONGLY OPPOSES SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

TS4) JOB REPORT-VIDBOX

BREAKING THIS MORNING

NEW JOB NUMBERS ARE IN.

U-S ECONOMY ADDED 163 THOUSAND JOBS IN JULY,

THAT'S 63-THOUSAND MORE THAN ANALYSTS EXPECTED.

THIS IS THE HIGHEST JUMP IN 5 MONTHS;

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ROSE TO 8.3% PERCENT.

TS3) BREASTFEEDING-VOTOPS

STARTING AT 10:30 THIS MORNING.

THE LEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT PLANS TO PARTICIPATE IN BREAKING A BREAST FEEDING WORLD RECORD.

WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO GO TO 6 DIFFERENT WIC OFFICES THROUGHOUT LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES.

FINAL WEATHER-WX GFX

In our local weather, it is another warm and muggy morning. The set up for today is similar to the past few days. We will have plenty of sunshine all day. There will be isolated storms forming in the late afternoon and evening. Those will be mainly in the inland areas, but the ones that do form will be strong. High temperatures are headed into the lower 90s this afternoon, but humidity will send the heat index soaring to near 100 degrees. Through the next few days, tropical moisture will be feeding into Southwest Florida giving us higher rain chances for everywhere in Southwest Florida through the weekend and into the beginning of the week. Temperatures will stay in the lower 90s for highs and mid and upper 70s for lows.

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.