ABC AM WEEKDAYS |
ABC AM WEEKDAYS |
"Very very violent individual and he went out the way he was, very violent."
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BIG BREAKING NEWS THIS MORNING--
OVERNIGHT, A TWO WEEK MANHUNT FOR A WANTED KILLER. CAME TO A VIOLENT END.
A LEE COUNTY DEPUTY SHOT AND KILLED BILLY RETHERFORD,
INSIDE THE SUNCOAST ESTATES COMMUNITY IN NORTH FORT MYERS.
RETHERFORD WAS WANTED IN THE MURDER OF 55 YEAR OLD, DEBRA STRIANO.
INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE HE AND HIS NEPHEW, DUSTIN JAYE, WHO HAS ALREADY BEEN ARRESTED -- ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR STRIANO'S DEATH.
SHERIFF MIKE SCOTT TOLD US EARLY THIS MORNING -- THE U-S MARSHAL'S "FLORIDA REGIONAL FUGITIVE TASK FORCE" -- WENT TO SERVE A WARRANT AT A RESIDENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.
THAT'S WHEN A SHOOTOUT ERUPTED BETWEEN THE TASK FORCE AND RETHERFORD.
RETHERFORD WAS SHOT DEAD.
NO MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE WERE INJURED.
TWO WEEKS AGO, DEBRA STRIANO WAS KILLED INSIDE HER THREE OAKS HOME.
HER BOYFRIEND FOUND HER,
AND TOLD DETECTIVES --
HER THROAT HAD BEEN SLASHED.
INVESTIGATORS SAY RETHERFORD AND JAYE WANTED TO ROB THE HOME.
WE'LL HAVE LIVE COVERAGE OF THE BREAKING NEW DETAILS THROUGHOUT THE MORNING.
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The heat will be the main weather focus today as afternoon temperatures climb all the way to the middle and even upper 90s. As the heat cranks up this Wednesday, one thing we won't see much of is rain. Some drier, slightly more stable air is pushing into Southwest Florida, which will significantly reduce our afternoon rain chances. We can't rule out rain entirely, but aside from one or two downpours on the local radar, the majority of us will stay dry.
The humidity will be another important variable in our weather today. With the humidity at such high levels, the "feels like" temperatures will range from 100-110 degrees; our thermometers will be on pace to reach 95-97 degrees. Today's record is 97 at Page Field in Fort Myers, so we may come close to tying or perhaps breaking that record set back in 1993.
The air will also feel rather stuffy tonight with temperatures still holding in the 80s through midnight before dropping into the upper 70s later in the night and into Thursday morning.
By Thursday our rain chances will gradually creep up but coverage will still stay somewhat spotty. The lack of rain and slow arrival of the sea breeze will once again allow our afternoon highs to reach the mid 90s.
Afternoon showers and storms will become more numerous starting Friday as deeper moisture makes a return to Southwest Florida. This means our weekend will also feature some fairly decent rain chances, but the showers and storms will primarily hold off until the afternoon and evening.
In the tropics, Ernesto continues to weaken as it interacts with land. After finishing its journey over the Yucatan peninsula tonight, the storm will move back over water and then over land once again by Thursday night. Ernesto's final destination will be Central Mexico, where it will finally get ripped apart by the mountainous terrain.
Farther out in the tropical Atlantic, we're still monitoring what's left of Florence along with a new tropical wave farther out at sea. The National Hurricane Center gives the latter the best chance of developing over the next couple days, but even that wave is only given a 30% probability of becoming a tropical system within the next couple days.
Another cluster of storms over West Africa likely has the most potential to develop into a tropical system later this week. Computer models indicate we may see slow development off the coast of Africa by the upcoming weekend.
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A COLLIER COUNTY MAN IS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL THIS MORNING.
RECOVERING AT HOME.
JUST ONE MONTH AFTER SURVIVING A BOAT EXPLOSION.
ALEX SEMPF SAYS HE WAS CLEANING UP A GAS SPILL ON HIS BOAT WITH A SHOCK VACUUM.
BUT IT SPARKED AND EXPLODED.
THIS HAPPENED BEHIND HIS HOME ON BEMBURY DRIVE.
SEMPF HAD BURNS OVER 60 PERCENT OF HIS BODY.
HIS 11-YEAR-OLD SON KRISTOFF WAS ALSO ON BOARD,
AND WAS BURNED ON HIS LEGS AND FEET.
SEMPF SAYS THE EXPLOSION GAVE HIM A NEW OUTLOOK ON LIFE.
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I KNOW I'M A WALKING MIRACLE. AND PRAISE GOD. GOD IS ALIVE AND HE HEALS AND I AM WALKING PROOF OF THAT.
NEIGHBORS AND A LOCAL BUSINESS. ARE TRYING TO HELP THE SINGLE FATHER OF TWO.
PARK FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY IN NAPLES. IS COLLECTING DONATIONS FOR THE FAMILY.
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ALL NEW AS YOU WAKE UP--
WE'RE LEARNING NEW DETAILS ABOUT A TERRIFYING CASE OF ROAD RAGE-
FORT MYERS POLICE -- SAY A MAN POINTED A GUN AT A CAR WITH YOUNG CHILDREN INSIDE.
OFFICERS TELL ABC SEVEN IT HAPPENED MONDAY -- IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE MURPHY GAS STATION ON COLONIAL BOULEVARD.
LATIESHA DAVIS DOESN'T WANT HER FACE SHOWN, BUT TELLS US SHE HAD HER GRAND CHILDREN -- A 3, 2 AND ONE YEAR-OLD IN THE CAR -- WHEN MICHAEL HUGGINS CUT HER OFF.
THEY EXCHANGED WORDS.
THEN SHE CLAIMS HE PULLED OUT A GUN.
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39:40 "my middle granddaughter- she knew. she was like- that's a gun grandma- i was like, yeah that's a gun and he's going to jail"
LATIESHA CALLED 911 AND FOLLOWED HUGGINS -- UNTIL COPS CAUGHT UP WITH HIM AND ARRESTED HIM.
THEY FOUND A LOADED PISTOL IN HIS CAR.
HUGGINS FACES MULTIPLE COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON.
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VICTIMS OF SUNDAY'S DEADLY TEMPLE SHOOTING.
WERE REMEMBERED OVERNIGHT.
LOVED ONES HELD A VIGIL IN OAK CREEK, WISCONSIN.
THERE WAS MUSIC, CANDLES AND PRAYERS --
FOR THE SIX PEOPLE KILLED IN THE SIKH TEMPLE TRAGEDY.
POLICE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT PROMPTED ACCUSED SHOOTER WADE MICHAEL PAGE.
TO OPEN FIRE ON WORSHIPPERS.
OFFICERS RESPONDING TO THE ATTACK,
KILLED PAGE IN A SHOOT-OUT.
SO FAR, RUMORS ABOUT PAGE'S WHITE SUPREMACIST AFFILIATION.
HAVE NOT BEEN CONFIRMED.
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THE ARIZONA MAN WHO KILLED SIX PEOPLE AND WOUNDED 13 OTHERS NOW SAYS HE'S GUILTY.
JARED LEE LOUGHNER WAIVED HIS RIGHT TO PURSUE AN INSANITY DEFENSE.
HE FACES LIFE IN PRISON - AS PART OF A PLEA.FOR PROSECUTORS NOT TO SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY.
GIFFORDS AND HER HUSBAND MARK KELLY -- ARE RESPONDING TO THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS.
KELLY SAYS HE AND GABBY ARE SATISFIED WITH THE PLEA AGREEMENT -- AND AVOIDING A TRIAL FREES THEM UP.TO CONTINUE RECOVERING.
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THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE TAKES MITT ROMNEY TO IOWA AND NEW JERSEY TODAY.
PRESIDENT OBAMA HEADS TO COLORADO.
AND AS BOTH SIDES LAUNCH NEW ATTACKS,
WE HAVE A BRAND NEW SNAPSHOT OF THE RACE.
AS ABC'S TAHMAN BRADLEY REPORTS --
ROMNEY'S POPULARITY RATING IS QUITE LOW.
WHILE A NEW POLL PRESENTS CHALLENGES FOR MISTER OBAMA.
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As the White House race enters a crucial stretch, President Obama and Mitt
Romney face enormous hurdles.
According to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll, Romney's popularity
remains low.
The candidate's favorability rating has dropped to 40 percent among
Americans polled, 49 percent view him unfavorably.
As for President Obama, his numbers are up slightly, with a 53 percent
favorable view, 43 percent unfavorable view.
But his popularity is lower among registered voters.
As the candidates try to improve their standing, they're sparring over the
economy.
President Obama says Romney's tax plan takes from the poor and gives to the
rich.
SOT Obama
"IT'S LIKE ROBIN HOOD IN REVERSE. It's ROMNEY HOOD."
Romney hit back at a fundraiser last night in Illinois, saying President
Obama is out of ideas.
SOT Romney
"HE'S OUT OF EXCUSES. AND ILLINOIS NEEDS TO HELP ME MAKE SURE THAT IN
NOVEMBER WE PUT HIM OUT OF OFFICE."
Romney's also going after the President on welfare, targeting the Obama
administration plan to let states seek a waiver from the work requirements
of the Welfare Reform law.
NATS - Political TV Ad
"UNDER OBAMA'S PLAN, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO WORK AND WOULDN'T HAVE TO TRAIN
FOR A JOB. THEY JUST SEND YOU YOUR WELFARE CHECK."
The White House called the ads "blatantly dishonest," saying it will only
grant waivers to states who can do a better job of promoting work.
Former President Clinton -- who signed the 1996 law -- called the ad "
misleading" and "not true," pointing out that Romney himself requested
changes in welfare reform laws when he was Governor of Massachusetts.
With the GOP convention less than three weeks away, a V-P announcement could
be imminent. Romney launches a swing state bus tour on Saturday and that
could be a good time to introduce his running-mate.
Tahman Bradley, ABC News, Washington.
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THIS MORNING -- ABC7 HAS A BRAND NEW SNAPSHOT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.
MITT ROMNEY CAMPAIGNS IN IOWA AND NEW JERSEY TODAY.
WHILE PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HEADS TO COLORADO.
AND WE HAVE THE RESULTS OF A NEW A-B-C NEWS/WASHINGTON POST POLL.
GFXROMNEY'S POPULARITY REMAINS LOW.
THE CANDIDATE'S FAVORABILITY RATING HAS DROPPED TO 40 PERCENT AMONG AMERICANS POLLED.
49 PERCENT VIEW HIM UNFAVORABLY.
GFX AS FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA, HIS NUMBERS ARE UP SLIGHTLY.
WITH A 53 PERCENT FAVORABLE VIEW,
43 PERCENT UNFAVORABLE VIEW.
THE REPUBLICAN NAYTIONAL CONVENTION IS LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AWAY,
SO A V-P ANNOUNCEMENT COULD BE IMMINENT.
ROMNEY LAUNCHES A SWING STATE BUS TOUR ON SATURDAY.
AND THAT COULD BE A GOOD TIME TO INTRODUCE HIS RUNNING-MATE.
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LOOKING AHEAD--
A NEW QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY POLL COMES OUT LATER THIS MORNING.
IT'LL EXAMINE THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN SEVERAL SWING STATES --
COLORADO, VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN.
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SPEAKING OF POLITICS.
US SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON -- IS LETTING HER HAIR DOWN AND GETTING DOWN.
THIS NEW VIDEO SHOWS CLINTON DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY MONDAY NIGHT IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA.
CLINTON DANCED AS THE CROWD OF ATTENDEES CHEERED AT A DINNER -- HOSTED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN FOREIGN MINISTER.
CLINTON IS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN 11-DAY TOUR.
NEXT, SHE HEADS TO NIGERIA.
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WE CONTINUE FOLLOWING BREAKING NEWS--
A TWO WEEK MANHUNT IS OVER.
BILLY RETHERFORD, THE SECOND PERSON WANTED FOR KILLING A LEE COUNTY WOMAN, HAS BEEN SHOT AND KILLED -- BY A LEE COUNTY DEPUTY DURING A SHOOTOUT.
ALL THIS PLAYING OUT IN SUNCOAST ESTATES, IN NORTH FORT MYERS.
WE'RE LIVE ON SCENE GATHERING NEW INFORMATION.
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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.The heat will be the main weather focus today as afternoon temperatures climb all the way to the middle and even upper 90s. As the heat cranks up this Wednesday, one thing we won't see much of is rain. Some drier, slightly more stable air is pushing into Southwest Florida, which will significantly reduce our afternoon rain chances. We can't rule out rain entirely, but aside from one or two downpours on the local radar, the majority of us will stay dry.
The humidity will be another important variable in our weather today. With the humidity at such high levels, the "feels like" temperatures will range from 100-110 degrees; our thermometers will be on pace to reach 95-97 degrees. Today's record is 97 at Page Field in Fort Myers, so we may come close to tying or perhaps breaking that record set back in 1993.
The air will also feel rather stuffy tonight with temperatures still holding in the 80s through midnight before dropping into the upper 70s later in the night and into Thursday morning.
By Thursday our rain chances will gradually creep up but coverage will still stay somewhat spotty. The lack of rain and slow arrival of the sea breeze will once again allow our afternoon highs to reach the mid 90s.
Afternoon showers and storms will become more numerous starting Friday as deeper moisture makes a return to Southwest Florida. This means our weekend will also feature some fairly decent rain chances, but the showers and storms will primarily hold off until the afternoon and evening.
In the tropics, Ernesto continues to weaken as it interacts with land. After finishing its journey over the Yucatan peninsula tonight, the storm will move back over water and then over land once again by Thursday night. Ernesto's final destination will be Central Mexico, where it will finally get ripped apart by the mountainous terrain.
Farther out in the tropical Atlantic, we're still monitoring what's left of Florence along with a new tropical wave farther out at sea. The National Hurricane Center gives the latter the best chance of developing over the next couple days, but even that wave is only given a 30% probability of becoming a tropical system within the next couple days.
Another cluster of storms over West Africa likely has the most potential to develop into a tropical system later this week. Computer models indicate we may see slow development off the coast of Africa by the upcoming weekend.
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chad adlib current traffic
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RIGHT NOW --
THOUSANDS OF LEE COUNTY STUDENTS WAKE UP EARLY.
TO HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL.
AND THIS YEAR -- THERE ARE SOME BIG CHANGES FOR THE DISTRICT.
ABC 7'S DANIELLE KOLENIAK IS LIVE AT ISLAND COAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
SHE EXPLAINS WHAT THOSE CHANGES MEAN FOR PARENTS *AND STUDENTS.
GOOD MORNING, DANIELLE!
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YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH BREAKING NEW DETAILS ABOUT A LEE COUNTY MURDER.
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VIOLENCE IN CAPE CORAL!
TWO CENTURY LINK WORKERS -- ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AFTER SOMEONE HELD THEM AT GUNPOINT.
THE TWO DID PHONE REPAIRS OFF SOUTHEAST 22ND TERRACE.
THEY KNOCKED ON ROBERT PAGANO'S DOOR TO LET HIM KNOW --
THAT'S WHEN CAPE CORAL OFFICERS SAY -- HE POINTED A PISTOL AT THEM.
THE WORKERS CALLED POLICE.
PAGANO IS NOW IN THE LEE COUNTY JAIL.
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THREE CHILDREN ARE ACCUSED OF PARTYING LIKE ROCKSTARS IN COLLIER COUNTY.
DEPUTIES SAY THE TRIO -- TRASHED A HOUSE.
RIPPING AN ABANDONED HOME TO SHREDS IN ENGLEWOOD-- AND THEY HAVE THE PROOF.
YOU CAN SEE THE WALLS TORN APART.
WINDOWS BROKEN.
TRASH EVERYWHERE.
INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY VANDALIZED EVERY SINGLE ROOM.
DEPUTIES ARRESTED -- EIGHT-YEAR-OLD ALEXANDER SABJA -- AND THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD TWIN BROTHERS RYAN AND ANTHONY MAURER -- AFTER A NEIGHBOR CALLED IN A TIP.
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SCAM ALERT!
ABC SEVEN LEARNS --
PEOPLE ARE GETTING SCAMMED,
WHILE TRYING TO SELL THEIR TIMESHARES.
*SO MANY PEOPLE ARE LOSING MONEY THROUGH RE-SELL OR RECOVERY COMPANIES.
THAT THE FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE HAS TAKEN AN INTEREST.
IT'S PASSED LEGISLATION --
FINING THE COMPANIES FOR FRAUD.
IT'S ALSO INVESTIGATING ONLINE COMPANIES.
LAST YEAR, NEARLY NINE-THOUSAND PEOPLE IN FLORIDA LOST HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
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2:23 I called they said they were doing everything they said they'd do 2:30 1:09 3 months rolled around and they hadn't done anything 1:14
THAT RESIDENT USED *TWO DIFFERENT RE-SELL COMPANIES.
AND ENDED UP LOSING 15-HUNDRED DOLLARS.
RELATORS SAY *NEVER USE A COMPANY THAT ASKS YOU FOR MONEY *BEFORE THE SELL.
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A COLLIER COUNTY MAN IS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL THIS MORNING.
LAST MONTH, HE SURVIVED A BOAT EXPLOSION.
ALEX SEMPF SAYS HE WAS CLEANING UP A GAS SPILL ON HIS BOAT WITH A SHOP VACUUM.
BUT IT SPARKED AND EXPLODED.
HIS 11-YEAR-OLD SON WAS ALSO BURNED.
FORT MYERS POLICE -- SAY A MAN POINTED A GUN AT A CAR WITH YOUNG CHILDREN INSIDE.
OFFICERS TELL ABC SEVEN IT HAPPENED MONDAY -- IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE MURPHY GAS STATION ON COLONIAL BOULEVARD.
A WOMAN CLAIMS MICHAEL HUGGINS CUT HER OFF IN TRAFFIC.
THEY EXCHANGED WORDS.
THEN HE ALLEGEDLY FIRED INTO HER VEHICLE.
TWO CENTURY LINK WORKERS -- ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AFTER SOMEONE HELD THEM AT GUNPOINT IN CAPE CORAL.
OFFICERS SAY ROBERT PAGANO POINTED A PISTOL AT THEM.
HE'S NOW IN THE LEE COUNTY JAIL.
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A COLLIER COUNTY MAN IS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL THIS MORNING.
LAST MONTH, HE SURVIVED A BOAT EXPLOSION.
ALEX SEMPF SAYS HE WAS CLEANING UP A GAS SPILL ON HIS BOAT WITH A SHOP VACUUM.
BUT IT SPARKED AND EXPLODED.
SEMPF HAD BURNS OVER 60 PERCENT OF HIS BODY.
HIS 11-YEAR-OLD SON KRISTOFF WAS ALSO ON BOARD -- AND WAS BURNED ON HIS LEGS AND FEET.
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VICTIMS OF SUNDAY'S DEADLY TEMPLE SHOOTING.
WERE REMEMBERED OVERNIGHT.
LOVED ONES HELD A VIGIL IN OAK CREEK, WISCONSIN.
THERE WAS MUSIC, CANDLES AND PRAYERS --
FOR THE SIX PEOPLE KILLED IN THE SIKH TEMPLE TRAGEDY.
POLICE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT PROMPTED ACCUSED SHOOTER WADE MICHAEL PAGE.
TO OPEN FIRE ON WORSHIPPERS.
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JARED LEE LOUGHNER ENTERS A GUILTY PLEA.
HE'S THE ARIZONA MAN ACCUSED OF KILLED SIX PEOPLE AND WOUNDING 13 OTHERS.
JARED LEE LOUGHNER WAIVED HIS RIGHT TO PURSUE AN INSANITY DEFENSE.
HE FACES LIFE IN PRISON - AS PART OF A PLEA DEAL -- FOR PROSECUTORS *NOT TO SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY.
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JUST 89 DAYS NOW UNTIL THE NOVEMBER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
ACCORDING TO A NEW ABC NEWS/WASHINGTON POST POLL, ROMNEY'S POPULARITY REMAINS LOW.
AS FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA, HIS NUMBERS ARE UP SLIGHTLY, WITH A 53 PERCENT
FAVORABLE VIEW, 43 PERCENT UNFAVORABLE VIEW.
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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.The heat will be the main weather focus today as afternoon temperatures climb all the way to the middle and even upper 90s. As the heat cranks up this Wednesday, one thing we won't see much of is rain. Some drier, slightly more stable air is pushing into Southwest Florida, which will significantly reduce our afternoon rain chances. We can't rule out rain entirely, but aside from one or two downpours on the local radar, the majority of us will stay dry.
The humidity will be another important variable in our weather today. With the humidity at such high levels, the "feels like" temperatures will range from 100-110 degrees; our thermometers will be on pace to reach 95-97 degrees. Today's record is 97 at Page Field in Fort Myers, so we may come close to tying or perhaps breaking that record set back in 1993.
The air will also feel rather stuffy tonight with temperatures still holding in the 80s through midnight before dropping into the upper 70s later in the night and into Thursday morning.
By Thursday our rain chances will gradually creep up but coverage will still stay somewhat spotty. The lack of rain and slow arrival of the sea breeze will once again allow our afternoon highs to reach the mid 90s.
Afternoon showers and storms will become more numerous starting Friday as deeper moisture makes a return to Southwest Florida. This means our weekend will also feature some fairly decent rain chances, but the showers and storms will primarily hold off until the afternoon and evening.
In the tropics, Ernesto continues to weaken as it interacts with land. After finishing its journey over the Yucatan peninsula tonight, the storm will move back over water and then over land once again by Thursday night. Ernesto's final destination will be Central Mexico, where it will finally get ripped apart by the mountainous terrain.
Farther out in the tropical Atlantic, we're still monitoring what's left of Florence along with a new tropical wave farther out at sea. The National Hurricane Center gives the latter the best chance of developing over the next couple days, but even that wave is only given a 30% probability of becoming a tropical system within the next couple days.
Another cluster of storms over West Africa likely has the most potential to develop into a tropical system later this week. Computer models indicate we may see slow development off the coast of Africa by the upcoming weekend.
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BREAKING THIS MORNING.
WE NOW KNOW A MAN WANTED FOR THE MURDER OF A LEE COUNTY WOMAN IS DEAD.
ABC SEVEN'S KELLY CRESWELL IS STANDING ALONGSIDE DEPUTIES IN NORTH FORT MYERS.
GOOD MORNING, KELLY.
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TODAY --
IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL. FOR LEE COUNTY STUDENTS.
LEE COUNTY IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S *BIGGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT.
83-THOUSAND KIDS WILL HEAD BACK TO CLASS!
CHARLOTTE COUNTY KIDS WENT BACK YESTERDAY.
COLLIER COUNTY STUDENTS ARE STILL ON VACATION UNTIL AUGUST 20TH.
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THE FATE OF STUDENTS AT TWO LEE COUNTY CHARTER SCHOOLS HAS BEEN DECIDED.
THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED TO *TERMINATE THE CONTRACT WITH RICHARD MILBURN ACADEMY -- FOR ITS FORT MYERS LOCATION.
THE COMPANY'S OTHER SCHOOL, LEE ALTERNATIVE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL, WILL REMAIN OPEN.
BOTH CONTRACTS FACED TERMINATION -- AFTER A DISTRICT INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE SCHOOLS ALLOWED STUDENTS TO GRADUATE -- WHO DIDN'T MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.
THIS MEANS 100 STUDENTS AT RICHARD MILBURN -- WILL ATTEND OTHER SCHOOLS.
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ALL NEW THIS MORNING--
MORE ADULTS ARE BATTLING WHOOPING COUGH.
I was totally shocked and it started out so calm. I actually went away for the weekend but this first night I started getting this dry tickly cough and I thought oh, maybe its allergies.
HER DOCTER DIAGNOSED HER WITH WHOOPING COUGH,
AND BEGAN TREATING HER WITH ANTIBIOTICS.
EXPERTS SAY --
IF YOU'RE BETWEEN 30 AND 65 YEARS OLD,
YOU MAY BE AT RISK WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING WHOOPING COUGH.
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DEVELOPING THIS MORNING.
TWO NEW TESTS BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION -- SHOW ALGAE IN SUNSHINE LAKE IN PORT CHARLOTTE IS *NOT TOXIC.
LAST NIGHT, THE D-E-P JOINED THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND COUNTY OFFICIALS FOR A Q-&-A SESSION WITH THE PUBLIC.
PEOPLE LIVING ALONG THE LAKE HAVE COMPLAINED OF SKIN IRRITATION, RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS AND NAUSEA -- SINCE THE BLUE- GREEN ALGAE HAS GROWN.
OTHERS DON'T THINK THE COUNTY IS DOING ENOUGH.
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21:33 without taking air samples and my being told that non toxic algae can turn toxic overnight we don't know what we are breathing in really:43
RGHT NOW -- THE COUNTY IS GOING THROUGH THE BIDDING PROCESS TO DREDGE THE LAKE OF THE ALGAE.
THE CLEAN UP IS SET TO START LATER THIS YEAR -- AND COULD COST ONE-MILLION DOLLARS.
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DRIVING AROUND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA,
YOU SEE PLENTY OF HALF-FINISHED HOMES AND BUILDINGS.
SOME SAY IT'S A SIGN OF THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN.
LEE COUNTY LEADERS NOW TAKE STEPS --
TO TURN THESE PROPERTIES INTO *FINISHED PROJECTS.
THEY'RE CONSIDERING AN ORDINANCE TO RE-INSTATE EXPIRED PERMITS.
BUT BEFORE THEY CAN SIGN OFF,
IT HAS TO GO THROUGH A PUBLIC HEARING.
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MICHAEL REITMANN/LEE COUNTY BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION 2:54:42 it's a major economic economic impact and it's an incentive for those individuals who have started the permit process to finish it 51
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROJECTS IN UNINCORPORATED LEE COUNTY *MAY QUALIFY.
*IF THE PERMITS EXPIRED AFTER JANUARY FIRST, 2006.
THE PROJECT MUST HAVE AT LEAST POURED A FOUNDATION.
AND THE COUNTY WILL CHARGE A 200 DOLLAR FEE TO REVIEW IT.
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THINK ABOUT THIS THE NEXT TIME YOU GO OUT TO EAT.
THE LEMONS IN WATER. NEVER BEEN WASHED.
SKIM MILK. PROBABLY *NOT SKIM MILK.
AND HOMEMADE SALAD DRESSING. ALMOST *NEVER HOMEMADE.
JUST A FEW THINGS YOUR WAITER *WON'T TELL YOU.
COMING UP ON G-M-A --
WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT.
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IN TODAY'S TECH BYTES. SOME WORDS OF WARNING FROM APPLE CO-FOUNDER STEVE
WOZ-NEE-AK. THE TECH VISIONARY CALLS CLOUD DATA STORAGE "HORRENDOUS". AND
PREDICTS MANY OWNERSHIP ISSUES WILL ARISE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO EARN SOME MONEY. A COUPLE OF FREE APPS CAN CONNECT
YOU WITH SMALL JOBS. "GIG-WALK" AND "EASY-SHIFT" OFFER TASKS THAT PEOPLE
CAN DO IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS.. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL'S KATIE
BARRETTE TESTED THE APPS.
"If you want a little spare cash, these are two very smart apps. They are
very well designed so that you can understand how to use them without
testing them out very much."
BOTH "EASY SHIFT" AND "GIGWALK" CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM THE I-TUNES STORE
AND REAL-MONEY GAMBLING HAS COME TO FACEBOOK. THE SOCIAL NETWORK HAS
LAUNCHED AN ONLINE VERSION OF BINGO. AND PLANS TO FOLLOW UP WITH VIRTUAL
SLOT MACHINES. FOR NOW, THE GAMES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE TO BRITISH USERS.
THOSE ARE YOUR TECH BYTES, I'M ROB NELSON.
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GOOD MORNING. TOPPING "AMERICA'S MONEY". NEW NUMBERS SHOW LATE MORTGAGE
PAYMENTS AT A THREE-YEAR LOW. THE TRANS- UNION CREDIT AGENCY SAYS JUST
UNDER 5-AND-A-HALF PERCENT OF AMERICAN MORTGAGE HOLDERS WERE BEHIND ON THEIR
PAYMENTS BY 60 DAYS OR MORE.
A HUGE FIRE AT ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST OIL REFINERIES WILL LIKELY PUSH
GAS PRICES EVEN HIGHER. THE BLAZE AT THE CHEVRON REFINERY NEAR SAN
FRANCISCO IS NOW OUT, BUT ANALYSTS EXPECT PUMP PRICES TO TOP FOUR DOLLARS A
GALLON ON THE WEST COAST.
AMERICAN AIRLINES MAY HAVE STARTED A NEW TRAVEL TREND. IT JUST LAUNCHED A
SERVICE THAT WILL DELIVER YOUR LUGGAGE STRAIGHT FROM YOUR FLIGHT TO YOUR
HOTEL. YOUR HOME. OR WHEREVER YOU'RE GOING. STARTING AT 30 DOLLARS A
BAG. OTHER AIRLINES MAY FOLLOW SUIT.
ANDMCDONALD'S IS TESTING BREAKFAST AFTER MIDNIGHT. SERVING EGG MCMUFFINS
AND OTHER MORNING FAVORITES ALL NIGHT -- WITH BURGERS AND FRIES. THEY'RE
TRYING IT OUT FIRST AT RESTAURANTS IN OHIO.
AND THAT'S AMERICA'S MONEY.
I'M SUNNY HOSTIN
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THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.
IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS TH
E FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.The heat will be the main weather focus today as afternoon temperatures climb all the way to the middle and even upper 90s. As the heat cranks up this Wednesday, one thing we won't see much of is rain. Some drier, slightly more stable air is pushing into Southwest Florida, which will significantly reduce our afternoon rain chances. We can't rule out rain entirely, but aside from one or two downpours on the local radar, the majority of us will stay dry.
The humidity will be another important variable in our weather today. With the humidity at such high levels, the "feels like" temperatures will range from 100-110 degrees; our thermometers will be on pace to reach 95-97 degrees. Today's record is 97 at Page Field in Fort Myers, so we may come close to tying or perhaps breaking that record set back in 1993.
The air will also feel rather stuffy tonight with temperatures still holding in the 80s through midnight before dropping into the upper 70s later in the night and into Thursday morning.
By Thursday our rain chances will gradually creep up but coverage will still stay somewhat spotty. The lack of rain and slow arrival of the sea breeze will once again allow our afternoon highs to reach the mid 90s.
Afternoon showers and storms will become more numerous starting Friday as deeper moisture makes a return to Southwest Florida. This means our weekend will also feature some fairly decent rain chances, but the showers and storms will primarily hold off until the afternoon and evening.
In the tropics, Ernesto continues to weaken as it interacts with land. After finishing its journey over the Yucatan peninsula tonight, the storm will move back over water and then over land once again by Thursday night. Ernesto's final destination will be Central Mexico, where it will finally get ripped apart by the mountainous terrain.
Farther out in the tropical Atlantic, we're still monitoring what's left of Florence along with a new tropical wave farther out at sea. The National Hurricane Center gives the latter the best chance of developing over the next couple days, but even that wave is only given a 30% probability of becoming a tropical system within the next couple days.
Another cluster of storms over West Africa likely has the most potential to develop into a tropical system later this week. Computer models indicate we may see slow development off the coast of Africa by the upcoming weekend.
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LINH adlib current traffic
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SPONSORSHIP SHOULD WIPE TO MONEY SCOPE/ TECH BYTES REPORT
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TURNING NOW TO CHARLOTTE COUNTY --
A MEMORIAL TO PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS -- MOVES INTO A NEW HOME.
THE MONUMENT WAS MOVED FROM THE INTERSECTION OF COCHRAN BLVD AND U-S 41 IN PORT CHARLOTTE -- TO THE VETERANS MEMORIAL AT LAISHLEY PARK IN PUNTA GORDA.
DOZENS OF VETERANS AND PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS CAME OUT FOR THE CEREMONY -- AND TO CELEBRATE THE STATES FIRST "PURPLE HEART DAY."
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KEN KOZIO, MARINE VETERAN 22:41-47 "It touches me a lot because I've served with a lot of guys that were killed and a lot of guys that weren't, but the Purple Heart means a lot to me."
THIS WEEK MARKS THE 230TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PURPLE HEART.
THE MEDAL WAS CREATED BY GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON.
ONE-POINT-SEVEN-MILLION MEN AND WOMEN -- HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART SINCE 17-82.
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HERE'S THE ROUTINE THAT HAD EVERYONE TALKING TUESDAY.
GOLDEN GIRL GABBY DOUGLASS HAD ANOTHER *LAST PLACE INDIVIDUAL EVENT FINISH.
THIS TIME ON THE BEAM.
SHE FELL AND CLUNG TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BEAM.
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BUT THERE WAS SOME GOOD NEWS FOR THE FAB FIVE.
AMERICAN GYMNAST ALY RAISMAN.
WALKED AWAY WITH HER *FIRST INDIVIDUAL MEDAL ON BEAM.
RAISMAN APPEALED HER ORIGINAL SCORE.
SO THE JUDGES TOOK A SECOND LOOK.
AND THE NEW SCORE TIED WITH ROMANIA'S CATALINA PONOR.
BUT BECAUSE RAISMAN'S EXECUTION SCORE WAS HIGHER THEN PONOR'S,
RAISMAN WON THE BRONZE.
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TUESDAY WAS A STRUGGLE FOR TEAM U-S-A.
POPULAR TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETE LOLO JONES.
HIT HER STRIDE IN THE 100 METER HURDLES.
JONES GOT OFF TO A GREAT START.
BUT AFTER A SHORT TIME. SHE LOST STEAM.
JONES FAILED TO MEDAL.
AND CAME IN FOURTH,
BEHIND OTHER TEAM U-S-A CONTENDERS KELLIE WELLS AND DAWN HARPER.
SALLY PEARSON OF AUSTRALIA CAME IN FIRST.E
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HERE'S WHAT WE'RE WATCHING ON OLYMPICS, DAY 12--
TWO AMERICAN TEAMS FIGHT FOR THE TITLE.
IN WOMEN'S BEACH VOLLEY BALL.
MISTY MAY-TREANOR AND KERRI WALSH JENNINGS WILL GO FOR THE THREE-PEAT ---
AGAINST COMPATRIOTS JEN KESSY AND APRIL ROSS.
IT'S THE WOMEN'S TITLE MATCH.
THE ATHENS AND BEIJING CHAMPS HAVE ONLY LOST ONE SET IN THEIR OLYMPIC CAREERS TOGETHER.
BUT WILL HAVE A TOUGH TIME AGAINST THE 2009 WORLD CHAMPS WHO UPSET THE TOP SEED.
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COMEDIAN JOAN RIVERS TAKES ON COSTCO.
POLICE WERE CALLED TO A COSTCO STORE IN L-A --- AFTER RIVERS HANDCUFFED HERSELF TO A SHOPPING CART TO PROTEST THE STORE.
THE 79-YEAR-OLD "FASHION POLICE" HOST WAS BEING FILMED BY A CAMERA CREW TUESDAY AS SHE COMPLAINED THAT THE STORE REFUSED TO CARRY HER BOOK, "I HATE EVERYTHING. STARTING WITH ME."
THEY ENDED UP ESCORTING RIVERS FROM THE STORE.
SHE AND THE CREW LEFT WITHOUT INCIDENT.
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COUNTRY MUSIC POWER COUPLE-- FAITH HILL AND TIM MCGRAW-- ARE TAKING THEIR ACT TO LAS VEGAS.
THE COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTARS WILL PERFORM THEIR "SOUL-2-SOUL" SHOW AT THE VENETIAN HOTEL-CASINO.
THEIR LIMITED ENGAGEMENT RUNS FOR 10 WEEKS FROM DECEMBER 7-TH THROUGH APRIL 2013.
IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN SIX YEARS -- THE TWO HAVE PERFORMED TOGETHER IN THE UNITED STATES.
PRESALE TICKETS GO ON SALE WEDNESDAY.
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BIG BREAKING NEWS THIS MORNING--
OVERNIGHT, A TWO WEEK MANHUNT FOR A WANTED KILLER. CAME TO A VIOLENT END.
A LEE COUNTY DEPUTY SHOT AND KILLED BILLY RETHERFORD,
INSIDE THE SUNCOAST ESTATES COMMUNITY IN NORTH FORT MYERS.
RETHERFORD WAS WANTED IN THE MURDER OF 55 YEAR OLD, DEBRA STRIANO.
SHERIFF MIKE SCOTT TOLD US EARLY THIS MORNING -- THE U-S MARSHAL'S "FLORIDA REGIONAL FUGITIVE TASK FORCE" -- WENT TO SERVE A WARRANT AT A RESIDENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.
THAT'S WHEN A SHOOTOUT ERUPTED BETWEEN THE TASK FORCE AND RETHERFORD.
RETHERFORD WAS SHOT DEAD.
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A COLLIER COUNTY MAN IS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL THIS MORNING.
LAST MONTH, HE SURVIVED A BOAT EXPLOSION.
ALEX SEMPF SAYS HE WAS CLEANING UP A GAS SPILL ON HIS BOAT WITH A SHOP VACUUM.
BUT IT SPARKED AND EXPLODED.
SEMPF HAD BURNS OVER 60 PERCENT OF HIS BODY.
HIS 11-YEAR-OLD SON KRISTOFF WAS ALSO ON BOARD -- AND WAS BURNED ON HIS LEGS AND FEET.
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VICTIMS OF SUNDAY'S DEADLY TEMPLE SHOOTING.
WERE REMEMBERED OVERNIGHT.
LOVED ONES HELD A VIGIL IN OAK CREEK, WISCONSIN.
THERE WAS MUSIC, CANDLES AND PRAYERS --
FOR THE SIX PEOPLE KILLED IN THE SIKH TEMPLE TRAGEDY.
POLICE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT PROMPTED ACCUSED SHOOTER WADE MICHAEL PAGE.
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THE ARIZONA MAN WHO KILLED SIX PEOPLE AND WOUNDED 13 OTHERS NOW SAYS HE'S GUILTY.
JARED LEE LOUGHNER WAIVED HIS RIGHT TO PURSUE AN INSANITY DEFENSE.
HE FACES LIFE IN PRISON - AS PART OF A PLEA.FOR PROSECUTORS NOT TO SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY.
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JUST 89 DAYS NOW UNTIL THE NOVEMBER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
ACCORDING TO A NEW ABC NEWS/WASHINGTON POST POLL, ROMNEY'S POPULARITY REMAINS LOW.
AS FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA, HIS NUMBERS ARE UP SLIGHTLY, WITH A 53 PERCENT
FAVORABLE VIEW, 43 PERCENT UNFAVORABLE VIEW.
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IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL. FOR LEE COUNTY STUDENTS.
LEE COUNTY IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S *BIGGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT.
83-THOUSAND KIDS WILL HEAD BACK TO CLASS!
CHARLOTTE COUNTY KIDS WENT BACK YESTERDAY.
COLLIER COUNTY STUDENTS ARE STILL ON VACATION UNTIL AUGUST 20TH.
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COVERAGE PROMISE OF THE BIGGEST STORY OF THE DAY ON WEB
" WHEN EVER YOU NEED A NEWS OR WEATHER UPDATE - WE ARE LOGGED ON AND UPDATING ABC-7.COM "
-WHAT IS COMING UP ON GMA - BIG STORY COVERAGE OF THE MORNING.
-LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO - IN JUST:30 SECONDS WE HAVE A LOOK AT ALL OF THE THINGS TO DO TODAY IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.
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