ANCHOR SUPERS

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

ABC7 FOLLOWS BREAKING NEWS --

A HELICOPTER CRASHES IN AFGHANISTAN.

11 PEOPLE. KILLED.

INCLUDING AMERICAN TROOPS.

WE HAVE THE NEWEST DETAILS.

EMERGENCY LANDING --

A PLANE TAKES OFF FROM NEW YORK.

BUT THEN A CALLER PHONES IN --

CLAIMING THERE ARE SUITCASES ON BOARD.

FILLED WITH EXPLOSIVES.

ABC7 HAS THE TERRIFYING STORY.

PLUS, SNAPSHOT OF THE ECONOMY.

*JUST RELEASED* --

BRAND NEW JOBLESS CLAIMS.

HL2) AFGHAN CRASH-VO-WIPE

HL3)EMERGENCY LANDING-VOTOPS

HL1) JOBLESS CLAIMS-VO-WIPE

WX HL-WX WALL

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIPTOPS

BREAKING CLIP-CLIP

AFGHAN HELICOPTER CRASH-ANIMAP

BREAKING NEWS THIS MORNING --

THE TALIBAN CLAIMS *INSURGENTS SHOT DOWN A NATO HELICOPTER.

11 PEOPLE WERE KILLED.

IT HAPPENED IN THE KANDAHAR PROVINCE.

VICTIMS INCLUDED SEVEN INTERNATIONAL SERVICE MEMBERS.

AND AT LEAST THREE OF THOSE KILLED WERE AMERICAN TROOPS.

A MILITARY SPOKESPERSON ALSO SAYS FOUR AFGHANS DIED.

BREAKING CLIP-CLIP

EMERGENCY LANDING-VOTOPS

A MOSCOW BOUND PLANE FROM J-F-K WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN ICELAND TODAY.AFTER A BOMB THREAT.

THIS IS VIDEO THIS MORNING FROM MOSCOW. THE PLANE'S FINAL DESTINATION.

THE AIRLINE. ORDERED THE LANDING -- AFTER A CALL CLAIMING THERE WERE EXPLOSIVE DEVICES ON BOARD.

A SPOKESMAN IN ICELAND -- SAYS 253 PEOPLE WERE ON FLIGHT.

JOBLESS CLAIMS-CLIP-OC

TWO BREAKING DEVELOPMENTS THIS MORNING ABOUT OUR ECONOMY.

FIRST, THE HOUSING MARKET.

A NEW REPORT RELEASED LESS THAN AN HOUR AGO FINDS U-S BUILDERS SLOWED THEIR PACE OF HOUSING CONSTRUCTION SLIGHTLY IN JULY.

DESPITE THAT - ONE BRIGHT SPOT - APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING *PERMITS ROSE TO THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL IN 5 YEARS.

JOBFAIR TODAY-CG

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A JOB --

RASMUSSEN COLLEGE HOLDS A JOB FAIR TODAY.

IT'S FROM 10 A-M UNTIL ONE P-M,

AT THE SCHOOL'S FORT MYERS CAMPUS.

IT FOCUSES ON SECRETS TO A JOB SEARCH -- AND LINKS YOU WITH LOCAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES

THE 2012 SUMMER CAREER AND NETWORKING EXPO.

POWERBALL-VO

FLORIDIANS -- BAD NEWS THIS MORNING.

THE WINNING POWERBALL TICKET WAS BOUGHT IN MICHIGAN.

IT WAS ESTIMATED AT 337 MILLION DOLLARS--

BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS---10 PEOPLE IN FLORIDA WILL GET TEN GRAND.

AND THREE WITH THE POWERPLAY -- GET 40 THOUSAND.

PULL OUT THAT TICKET JUST IN CASE.

HERE ARE THE NUMBERS.

6,27,46,51,56 AND THE POWER BALL NUMBER IS 21.

VOTE 2012 OPEN-CLIP

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN-TC MON

THE 2012 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN HAS OFFICIALLY GONE NEGATIVE.

*REALLY* NEGATIVE.

IT'S BEEN A WAR OF WORDS BETWEEN PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND G-O-P RIVAL MITT ROMNEY.

WITH STATEMENTS LIKE "UNHINGED" AND "HATE" GOING BACK AND FORTH.

AS ABC'S CLAIRE LEKA REPORTS --

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN-PKG

BOTH CAMPAIGNS SPENT THE DAY FIRING AT EACH OVER MEDICARE.

PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS JOINED BY THE FIRST LADY ON HIS THIRD AND LAST DAY OF CAMPAIGNING IN IOWA --

HE ATTACKED GOP CLAIMS THAT HIS HEALTH CARE PLAN REFORMS CUT MEDICARE BY 700 BILLION DOLLARS.

"I've proposed reforms that will save Medicare money by getting rid of wasteful spending in the health care system. Reforms that will not touch your Medicare benefits."

PAUL RYAN AT HIS ALMA MATER MIAMI UNIVERSITY IN OHIO HIT BACK AT THE PRESIDENT INVITING A CHALLENGE ON THE ISSUE

Vice Presidential Candidate:34-:49

"The President, I'm told is talking about Medicare today. We want this debate We need this debate, and we will win this debate."

ACCORDING TO THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, OBAMA'S HEALTHCARE REFORMS AND RYAN'S MEDICARE PLAN BOTH SLOW MEDICARE GROWTH BY 700 BILLION DOLLARS. BUT NEITHER PLAN 'CUTS' PROGRAM BENEFITS.

BOTH REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN HAMMERED ON THE RYAN VERSUS ROMNEY MEDICARE PLAN THIS WEEK

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN-TC MON

TODAY, MISTER OBAMA AND VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

HAVE SEVERAL MEETINGS AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

ROMNEY HEADS TO SOUTH CAROLINA.

JULIAN ASSANGE-BREAKING OC

ECUADOR SAYS IT IS GRANTING POLITICAL ASYLUM TO WIKILEAKS FOUNDER JULIAN ASSANGE.

THIS IS TWO MONTHS AFTER HE TOOK REFUGE IN ITS LONDON EMBASSY TO AVOID EXTRADITION TO SWEDEN.

HE WAS SUPPOSED TO FACE QUESTIONING FOR ALLEGED SEXUAL MISCONDUCT.

FOREIGN MINISTER RICARDO PATINO SAYS ECUADOR FOUND THAT ASSANGE FACES A REAL THREAT OF POLITICAL PERSECUTION INCLUDING THE THREAT OF EXTRADITION TO THE UNITED STATES,

FACEBOOK STOCK-VO

WE'RE WATCHING FACEBOOK STOCK TODAY.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE COMPANY'S SO-CALLED "LOCK UP" AGREEMENT -- WITH MANY SHAREHOLDERS IS OVER.

THAT MEANS--

SHAREHOLDERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO SELL OFF ABOUT 271-MILLION SHARES FOR THE FIRST TIME.

FACEBOOK'S STOCK HAS LOST NEARLY *HALF ITS VALUE -- SINCE ITS DEBUT IN MAY.

FPL RATE HIKE REQUEST-(3)CGRV

NEW THIS MORNING --

FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT JUST SCALED BACK IT'S RATE INCREASE REQUEST.

INSTEAD OF ASKING THE STATE TO HIKE RATES BY 690 MILLION DOLLARS NEXT YEAR.

IT PLANS TO ASK FOR AN INCREASE OF 548 MILLION.

IF PASSED,

YOUR MONTHLY BILL WOULD GO *UP ABOUT ONE POINT THREE PERCENT.

BUT THE STATE'S OFFICE OF PUBLIC COUNSEL.

DOES *NOT LIKE THE NEW REQUEST.

IT WANTS THE RATES TO GO *DOWN EVEN LOWER.

THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION WILL MEET MONDAY --

FLORIDA BUDGET-OC

TAKING A LOOK AHEAD,

A PANEL OF LAWMAKERS IS CONSIDERING A PROPOSAL -- THAT WOULD RESTORE NEARLY $30 MILLION DOLLARS CUT FROM THE BUDGETS OF FLORIDA'S COURT CLERKS.

THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET COMMISSION -- WILL TAKE UP THAT RECOMMENDATION FROM GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT TODAY.

BP OIL SPILL MONEY-OC

AN IMPORTANT MEETING HAPPENS IN PANAMA CITY TODAY.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM FLORIDA'S 23 GULF COAST COUNTIES WILL GATHER.

AND THEY'LL DECIDE HOW TO SPEND THE *BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FINES --

EXPECTED TO COME FROM THE MASSIVE 2010 B-P OIL SPILL.

THEY'LL DEVELOP ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESTORATION PROJECTS --

GAS PRICES TODAY-VO-CG

GAS PRICES ARE UP AGAIN.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR A GALLON OF REGULAR -- IS $3.70.

THAT'S THE 15TH STRAIGHT INCREASE.

GAS PRICES ARE RISING BECAUSE OF RECENT REFINERY PROBLEMS AND HIGH OIL PRICES.

STATEWIDE -- $3.65

WE'RE SEEING $3.63 HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

METRO PKWY FATAL CRASH-VOWIPE

A FORT MYERS MAN KILLED IN A IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH YESTERDAY.

HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED.

21 YEAR OLD GILBERT WILLIAMS THE THIRD LOST HIS LIFE --

IN THIS CRASH ON METRO PARKWAY.

TROOPERS SAY THE TWO PEOPLE INSIDE THE CAR WERE *NOT HURT.

FRIENDS TELL ABC-7 --

WILLIAMS WAS A TATTOO ARTIST,

CHARLOTTE FATAL CRASH-VOTOPS

AND WE NOW HAVE THE NAME OF THE MAN WHO DIED IN A CRASH IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY.

56 YEAR OLD WALTER KUJAWINSKIE OF ARCADIA DIED.

THE WRECK HAPPENED ON DUNCAN ROAD IN THE CLEVELAND AREA, EAST OF PUNTA GORDA YESTERDAY.

TWO OTHER PEOPLE ARE WAKING UP IN THE HOSPITAL THIS MORNING -- WITH SERIOUS INJURIES.

FREE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM ISSUE-2 SHOT

FOOD FIGHT.

A LEHIGH ACRES FAMILY SAYS CAFETERIA STAFF *TOOK AWAY* THEIR SECOND GRADER'S LUNCH --

AND GAVE HIM A CHEESE SANDWICH AND JUICE BOX INSTEAD.

IT WAS A SIMPLE.BUT EMBARRASSING START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR MIX-UP.

FREE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM ISSUE-PKG

7-YEAR-OLD JONTE PEELER JUST STARTED SECOND GRADE --

JONTE 30:10 what do you like to study? mmm math

AND LIKE A LOT OF KIDS HE LOOKS FORWARD TO *LUNCH EVERY DAY.

JONTE 31:00 i grabbed some milk, slices of apple and pizza 04

BUT MONDAY -- THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN THE CAFETERIA AT RIVER HALL ELEMENTARY.

SALLIE 20:37 he said that his lunch was taken away 40 and they gave him a cheese bagel and a juice box 43

JONTE 31:27 she threw the tray in the garbage

HERE'S THE DEAL -- JONTE ALREADY HAD A FREE MEAL THIS YEAR --

DONZELI 8:20 the first time we will give them a full lunch basically on the house 25

BUT THE NEXT TIME --

DONZELI 9:22 we have an alternative which is a cheese sandwich and a carton of juice 27

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS IT COMES DOWN TO MONEY.

DONZELI 13:09 we were allowing people to get into negative balances and we were racking up tens of thousands of dollars that were never paid back to the district 15

SALLIE 21:49 it just upset me to my core

THE REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATION CLEARLY SAYS IT TAKES TEN DAYS TO PROCESS.

IN THE MEANTIME -- SEND YOUR CHILD WITH A PACKED LUNCH OR MONEY.

JONTE'S FAMILY HAD APPLIED FOR THE FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH PROGRAM --

BUT THE FORM WAS STILL BEING PROCESSED.

SALLIE 23:03 it seemed like some type of discrimination. i'm not talking about black white yellow or brown i'm talking about on a class level 10

DONZELI 14:19 there are probably hundreds if not thousands of families not only in this county but across the state that are in the same boat 25

NAT

JONTE JUST MOVED HERE FROM NEW YORK.

IN A NEW SCHOOL, WITH NEW RULES -- HIS GRANDMOTHER SALLIE SAYS THAT WASN'T CLEAR.

SALLIE 25:47 and i'm sure that a lot of these parents do not know that this is happening 51

NOW, SHE JUST DOESN'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE.

SALLIE 27:38 it just broke my heart

TEASE ONE-VOTOPS

SAMSUNG TAKES ANOTHER SHOT AT APPLE.

AS IT BRINGS HANDWRITING AND MULTITASKING TO TABLETS.

COMING UP.DETAILS ON ITS NEW TABLET -- RELEASED TODAY.

YOU MIGHT NOT THINK TWICE -- ABOUT USING A REGULAR HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE.

BUT SOME CAN POSE A REAL FIRE THREAT.

TZ1 A) SAMSUNG TABLET-VO

TZ1 B) DEFECTIVE APPLIANCES-VO

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

BLOOMBERG TEASE-SOT

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT-PKG TOPS

GOOD MORNING,

A SOURCE TELLS US --

APPLE'S IN TALKS WITH AT LEAST ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST *CABLE COMPANIES* --

ABOUT ALLOWING CONSUMERS TO BUY AN APPLE DEVICE FOR LIVE T-V AND OTHER CONTENT INSTEAD OF RENTING A BOX FROM CABLE COMPANIES.

IT COULD BE THE IPHONE AND IPAD MAKER'S BIGGEST MOVE YET, INTO AMERICA'S LIVING ROOMS.

*****

MEANTIME -- THE DAY THAT MUSIC DIED -- GETTING CLOSER, AT LEAST FOR THE C-D.

RESEARCH FIRM "STRATEGY ANALYTICS" SAYS *DIGITAL* MUSIC SALES WILL EXCEED REVENUE FROM C-D'S AND VINYL THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER --

THANKS TO DOWNLOADS -- AND THE GROWING POPULARITY OF STREAMING MUSIC SERVICES.

******

AND -- FACEBOOK FACES THE MUSIC TODAY --

THE STOCK'S "LOCKUP" PERIOD HAS ENDED --

MEANING EARLY INVESTORS -- WILL FINALLY BE ABLE TO SELL HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF SHARES IF THEY WANT TO, AFTER THE STOCK'S DISASTROUS PUBLIC DEBUT IN MAY.

******

AND COMING UP AFTER THIS -- WHICH DO YOU THINK IS MORE UNPOPULAR -- TELEMARKETERS, OR -- CONGRESS?

JP MORGAN CHASE -- SUBPOENAED, ALONG WITH 6 OTHER BANKS -- BY NEW YORK AND CONNECTICUT ATTORNEYS GENERAL.

A SOURCE TELLS BLOOMBERG THEY ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ALLEGED MANIPULATION OF INTERNATIONAL INTEREST RATES.

MEANTIME -- LAWMAKERS SAY WALMART MAY BE GUILTY OF TAX EVASION AND MONEY LAUNDERING IN MEXICO!

WALMART ALREADY FACING CHARGES IT BRIBED ITS WAY INTO MEXICO'S MARKET.

*****

MIXED CLOSE FOR STOCKS YESTERDAY -- AFTER THE FED REPORTED INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INCREASED, BUT MANUFACTURING IN THE NEW YORK AREA DROPPED.

*****

AND WHO DO YOU DISLIKE MORE -- CONGRESS, OR TELEMARKETERS?

A NEW GALLUP POLL GIVES H-M-O'S, STOCKBROKERS, BANKS, AND TELEMARKETERS -- HIGHER PUBLIC APPROVAL RATINGS THAN THE U-S CONGRESS.

******

******

NEW YORK SUBWAY FLOODING-VOTOPS

IN NEW YORK CITY, HEAVY RAIN STORMS DON'T ONLY GET THE OUTDOORS WET.

TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS WEDNESDAY WENT WAY DOWN -- AND FLOODED PARTS OF THE SUBWAY SYSTEM.

SO NOT ONLY WERE SOME STREETS IMPASSABLE, BUT SOME TRANSIT LINES AS WELL.

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.

A typical summertime weather pattern is shaping up across Southwest Florida for the remainder of the week. This means hot and humid conditions are here to stay along with a few downpours during the afternoon.

This morning will start off with plenty of sun, along with the possibility of a few showers across our beach and coastal locations. Most areas will stay fairly dry as temperatures will be rather warm in the upper 70s to low 80s.

Clouds will develop with the daytime heating with partly sunny conditions for the remainder of our Thursday. A few showers and storms will perk up along the sea breeze mainly east of I 75, however with weak steering winds, they will be slow to move while working their way back to the coastline during the evening hours.

Highs today will top out in the lower to middle 90s with heat index values in the low 100s.

Skies will gradually clear overnight with lows in the mid 70s.

A bit more moisture will work its way back into Southwest Florida by the second half of the weekend with a better coverage of showers and storms into early next week.

IKEA BUDGET HOTELS-OC

ALL NEW AT NINE--

THE WORLD'S LARGEST FURNITURE RETAILER -- IS NOW PLANNING TO LAUNCH A BUDGET HOTEL CHAIN IN EUROPE.

IKEA HAS MORE THAN 100 LOCATIONS IN THE WORKS, WITH THE FIRST EXPECTED TO OPEN IN 2014.

THE OFFICIAL NAME OF THE HOTEL CHAIN -- HAS NOT BEEN REVEALED.

SAMSUNG TABLET FOR SALE-VO

SAMSUNG TAKES ON APPLE.

WITH A BRAND NEW TABLET OUT TODAY.

SAMSUNG'S Wi-Fi ONLY VERSION OF THE GALAXY --

GOES ON SALE NATIONWIDE TODAY.

IT'S SAMSUNG'S FIRST ANDROID TABLET.

EQUIPPED WITH A DIGITAL PEN.

AND IT CAN RUN *TWO APPLICATIONS SIDE-BY-SIDE,

LETTING USERS TO TAKE NOTES.

WHILE WATCHING A VIDEO OR SURFING THE WEB.

THE PRICE STARTS AT ABOUT 500 BUCKS.

MORE CAR DEALERSHIPS-VO

AND YOU HAVE MORE CAR DEALERSHIPS TO CHOOSE FROM.

THE NUMBER OF U-S CAR DEALERSHIPS IS RISING AGAIN -- AFTER A BIG DECLINE DURING THE RECESSION.

ACCORDING TO URBAN SCIENCE,

THERE WERE NEARLY 18-THOUSAND DEALERSHIPS AT THE END OF 2011.

PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK-VO

THE NUMBER OF AMERICAN WORKERS LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

HAS SLIGHTLY DROPPED.

IN A NEW CAREER-BUILDER SURVEY --

40 PERCENT OF WORKERS REALLY RELIED ON THEIR NEXT PAY-DAY.

TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

THAT'S A SLIGHT DECREASE FROM 42 PERCENT IN 2011.

ALSO -- A MAJORITY OF THOSE CURRENTLY LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

WERE NOT DOING SO UNTIL 2008,

DEFECTIVE APPLIANCES-OC

WHEN THROWING CLOTHES IN THE DRYER OR TURNING ON THE STOVE -- MOST OF US DON'T THINK OF THAT APPLIANCE -- AS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.

BUT DEFECTIVE OR BROKEN ITEMS CAN PUT YOUR FAMILY AT RISK.

DEFECTIVE APPLIANCES-PKG

WHEN APPLIANCES ARE DEFECTIVE, ARE OLD OR AREN'T USED PROPERLY,

IT CAN PUT AN ENTIRE HOME AT RISK.

THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS SAFE APPLIANCES -- CONSUMER REPORTS SAYS -- IS KEEPING TABS ON PRODUCT RECALLS, BY REGISTERING NEW APPLIANCES.

That way if a defect is discovered by the manufacturer, and a recall is issued, you're guaranteed to hear about that recall promptly, and you can take all the necessary actions to protect yourself.

LOOK FOR CHANGES IN YOUR APPLIANCE -- EVEN SMALL ANNOYANCES LIKE A LIGHT THAT'S GONE OUT -- CAN BE SIGNS OF A BIGGER PROBLEM.

Any kind of unusual activity with an appliance is a sign that you need to take a closer look, perhaps even call in a repairman, and make sure there isn't a larger issue there.

OTHER WAYS TO KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE --

-- INSPECT POWER CORDS REGULARLY FOR FRAYS AND DAMAGE.

-- CHECK YOUR HOME'S WIRING. MAKE SURE OLDER HOMES CAN HANDLE THE DEMANDS OF MODERN APPLIANCES.

-- CLEAR RANGE HOODS. GREASE BUILDUP IS ANOTHER FIRE HAZARD.

-- AND KEEP DRYER VENTS CLEAR.

AND PRACTICE COMMON SENSE KITCHEN SAFETY. UNPLUG SMALL KITCHEN APPLIANCES WHEN YOU'RE LEAVING THE HOUSE, AND DON'T LEAVE ITEMS ON THE STOVETOP OR IN THE MICROWAVE UNATTENDED.

CAPE CORAL FLOODING-VO-WIPE

CITY ENGINEERS FOR CAPE CORAL SAY A NEW PLAN -- COULD KEEP ONE NEIGHBORHOOD OUT OF DEEP WATER.

THIS IS AN AREA OFF OF JACARANDA PARKWAY -- IT'S RANKED ON OF THE WORST IN CAPE CORAL, WHEN IT COMES TO FLOODING.

THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AFTER HEAVY RAINS.

STREETS BECOME FLOODED WITHIN MINUTES AND CAN TAKE DAYS TO DRY OUT.

CAPE CORAL FLOODING-SOTVO-OC

05:22:06-"this would alleviate those concerns being able to get to their residences, swales not being full with water for 3-4 days or streets being totally underwater."

CITY ENGINEERS IDENTIFIED 8 OF THE WORST AREAS IN THE NORTHWEST CAPE.

TEASE TWO-1SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

IT'S BACK AND FORTH.

ARE THEY GOOD FOR YOU. ARE THEY NOT GOOD FOR YOU.

THE LATEST RESEARCH SHOWS. SOMETHING YOU MIGHT EAT ON A DAILY BASIS.

BREAST CANCER DURING PREGNANCY-POP -VO

A MEDICAL STORY FOR NEW MOMS --

YOU CAN SAFETY TREAT YOUR BREAST CANCER DURING PREGNANCY.

*WITHOUT HARMING THE BABY.

A NEW STUDY LOOKED AT 400 PREGNANT WOMEN WITH *EARLY-STAGE BREAST CANCER.

AMONG THOSE WHO RECEIVED CHEMOTHERAPY --

RESEARCHERS FOUND *NO MAJOR RISKS TO THE FETUS.

THEIR CHILDREN *WERE MORE LIKELY TO BE BORN PREMATURE,

AND HAVE A LOWER BIRTH WEIGHT.

HOWEVER, THEY DID *NOT HAVE AN INCREASED RISK FOR BIRTH DEFECTS,

PROSTATE PILL-ON CAM

ALL NEW AS YOU WAKE UP --

A NEW DRUG TREATS PROSTATE CANCER.

HELPING MEN WITH *ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER. LIVE LONGER.

EN-ZAL-U-TA-MIDE IS A PILL --

THAT TACKLES PROSTATE TUMORS FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

STOPPING THEM FROM GROWING.

EGGS LIKE SMOKING-VO

EATING EGGS COULD BE JUST AS BAD AS SMOKING.

DEPENDING ON HOW MANY YOU EAT.

A NEW STUDY SUGGESTS JUST THREE EGG YOLKS PER WEEK -- CAN ACCELERATE HEART DISEASE.

ALMOST AS MUCH AS SMOKING.

WHILE THE GENERAL PUBLIC BELIEVES SMOKING IS FAR WORSE FOR YOUR HEALTH,

SMOKING AND EATING CHOLESTEROL -- *BOTH INCREASE CARDIOVASCULAR RISKS.

TEASE THREE-2 SHOT

WEST NILE OUTBREAK.

A *RECORD NUMBER OF CASES REPORTED THIS YEAR.

IT'S POPPED UP IN 43 STATES. IN PEOPLE, BIRDS OR MOSQUITOS.

ALMOST HALF THE CASES ARE IN TEXAS. AND MOST OTHERS IN JUST A HANDFUL OF STATES.

A LOOK AT A POTENTIALLY DEADLY VIRUS. MOST PEOPLE INFECTED. DON'T EVEN KNOW THEY HAVE IT.

WE ALL KNOW THE DANGERS OF LEAVING YOUNG CHILDREN INSIDE HOT CARS.

BUT AGAIN AND AGAIN --

WE SEE SHOCKING CASES.

AND THIS YEAR --

TZ3 A) WEST NILE OUTBREAK-VO

TZ3 B) KIDS IN HOT CARS-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.

Stocks are poised for a quiet session -- as investors await more economic data on the housing market and labor sector.

TS1) AFGHAN CRASH-VOTOPS

THE TALIBAN CLAIMS *INSURGENTS SHOT DOWN A NATO HELICOPTER.

11 PEOPLE WERE KILLED.

INCLUDING SEVEN INTERNATIONAL SERVICE MEMBERS.

AND AT LEAST THREE OF THOSE KILLED WERE AMERICAN TROOPS.

A MILITARY SPOKESPERSON ALSO SAYS FOUR AFGHANS DIED.

TS1) EMERGENCY LANDING-VOTOPS

A PLANE FLYING FROM NEW YORK TO MOSCOW --

MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN ICELAND THIS MORNING.

SOMEONE CALLED IN A BOMB THREAT.

CLAIMING EXPLOSIVES WAS ON BOARD THE PLANE.

AND WOULD DETONATE WHEN IT ARRIVED IN MOSCOW.

253 PEOPLE WERE ON THAT FLIGHT.

TS2) JOBLESS CLAIMS-ONCAM

NEW THIS MORNING --

JOBLESS CLAIMS EDGED UP SLIGHTLY LAST WEEK.

BUT WE'RE TOLD THEY REMAINED AT A LEVEL CONSISTENT WITH MODEST GAINS IN HIRING.

APPLICATIONS HAVE TRENDED LOWER IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS.

A SIGN THAT COMPANIES ARE LAYING OFF FEWER WORKERS.

TSJULIAN ASSANGE-OC

ALL NEW AT NINE-

ECUADOR IS NOW GRANTING POLITICAL ASYLUM TO WIKILEAKS FOUNDER JULIAN ASSANGE.

ASSANGE RELEASED THOUSANDS OF SECRET DIPLOMATIC CABLES FROM THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT.

TWO MONTHS AGO HE TOOK REFUGE IN ECUADOR'S LONDON EMBASSY.

HE WAS TRYING TO AVOID EXTRADITION TO SWEDEN TO FACE QUESTIONING FOR ALLEGED SEXUAL MISCONDUCT.

WEST NILE OUTBREAK-OC

MOST OF THE COUNTRY IS UNDER WATCH THIS MORNING -- FOR CASES OF THE DEADLY WEST NILE VIRUS.

SO FAR THIS YEAR, 43 STATES HAVE REPORTED -- INFECTIONS IN PEOPLE, BIRDS, OR MOSQUITOES. RECORD NUMBERS

ALMOST HALF THE CASES ARE IN TEXAS.

BUT HIGH LEVELS -- ARE POPPING UP IN SIX OTHER STATES.

WEST NILE OUTBREAK-PKG

PKG SCRIPT:

SOT Katharyn DeVille, West Nile Patient

"It's this killer, killer headache. It just makes me feel like somebody has

an axe in my head and it hurts really bad."

THAT'S HOW KATHARYN DEVILLE DESCRIBES THE PAIN OF WEST NILE VIRUS.

TWO WEEKS AGO, THE 42-YEAR-OLD WAS IN GOOD HEALTH.

THAT'S WHEN HER FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS TURNED INTO SOMETHING MUCH WORSE.

SOT Katharyn DeVille, West Nile Patient

"When I came in here Thursday for the spinal tap, I was like delirious and

couldn't function."

WEST NILE USUALLY AFFECTS THE ELDERLY OR UNHEALTHY.

IN FACT, MOST PEOPLE NEVER EVEN KNOW THEY HAVE IT.

SOME 80-PERCENT EXPERIENCE NO SYMPTOMS AT ALL.

20-PERCENT END UP WITH A MIX OF HIGH FEVER, HEADACHES, JOINT PAINS,

VOMITING AND DIARHEA.

ABOUT ONE-PERCENT OF THE TIME, THE VIRUS CAN BE DEADLY -- WHEN IT

ATTACKS THE BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD.

NATS - inspector in Texas

"I'm with the city of Ft Worth Code Compliance and we're in the neighborhood

"

NATIONWIDE, THE C-D-C REPORTS 693 CASES SO FAR THIS YEAR -- 26 OF THEM,

FATAL.

CONTROVERSIAL AERIAL SPRAYING IS SET TO BEGIN IN AND AROUND DALLAS AS EARLY

AS TONIGHT, THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE DONE THAT SINCE 1966.

SOT Mayor Mike Rawlings, Dallas, Texas

"I'm in a tight window because we have people dying. / We have to have a

sense of urgency to get this done now. That's what's the most important

thing."

TEXAS IS GROUND ZERO FOR THIS SUMMER'S OUTBREAK, THE STATE REPORTING HALF

THE NATION'S CASES.

MOS Sarah Hawes, Austin, TX Resident

"Anywhere you go pretty much. They're everywhere. Always biting."

HEALTH OFFICIALS EVERYWHERE ARE URGING PEOPLE TO USE MOSQUITO REPELLENT

WHENEVER THEY'RE OUTDOORS, BECAUSE EVEN IF THERE IS SPRAYING IN YOUR AREA,

IT CAN'T POSSIBLY KILL ALL THE MOSQUITOES.

YOUNG IMMIGRANTS-VO

LONG LINES OF YOUNG IMMIGRANTS TURNED OUT AROUND THE COUNTRY YESTERDAY -- TO AVOID DEPORTATION UNDER A NEW IMMIGRATION RULE.

THEY CAN NOW APPLY FOR THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S -- DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS PROGRAM.

WHICH WOULD ALLOW THEM TO AVOID BEING DEPORTED FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS.

US BASE IN PAKISTAN ATTACKED-VO

AN ATTACK ON AN AIR BASE IN NORTHERN PAKISTAN.

LEFT EIGHT PEOPLE DEAD.

INCLUDING TWO MEMBERS OF PAKISTAN'S MILITARY.

A SPOKESMAN SAYS MILITARY PERSONNEL WERE EATING A PRE-DAWN MEAL,

IN OBSERVANCE OF RAMADAN.

WHEN MILITANTS DRESSED AS AIRMEN KILLED TWO GUARDS,

SHOOTING THEIR WAY THROUGH A SECURITY POST.

SIX MILITANTS WERE KILLED.

FORT HOOD PLEA-VO

WE NOW KNOW THE ACCUSED FORT HOOD KILLER - -CANNOT PLEAD GUILTY.

THE MILITARY WON'T ALLOW IT.

MEANWHILE, AN ARMED FORCES COURT OF APPEALS -- ISSUED A STAY IN ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF MAJOR NADAL HASAN.

HE REFUSES TO SHAVE HIS BEARD, AND HAS BEEN CITED FOR CONTEMPT FIVE TIMES.

BEARDS ARE NOT PERMITTED UNDER ARMY POLICY.

HIS ATTORNEY SAYS THE BEARD IS AN EXPRESSION OF HASAN'S MUSLIM FAITH.

NADAL IS ACCUSED OF KILLING 13 PEOPLE -- AND WOUNDING 32 OTHERS IN 2009.

POPE BUTLER CHARGED-VO

BLAME THE BUTLER --

POPE BENEDICT THE 16TH'S BUTLER. ALLEGEDLY LEAKED HUNDREDS OF SECRET PAPERS.

THE BUTLER ALLEGEDLY TOOK PAPERS FROM THE POPE'S PERSONAL APARTMENT --

AND GAVE THEM TO AN ITALIAN JOURNALIST.

ACCORDING TO A VATICAN SPOKESPERSON --

THE JOURNALIST PUBLISHED SOME OF THE DOCUMENTS.

IN A BEST-SELLING BOOK ABOUT THE VATICAN.

THE BUTLER WAS ARRESTED IN MAY,

KIDS IN HOT CARS-VOWIPE

UNFORTUNATELY IT'S STILL HAPPENING --

CHILDREN ARE DYING ALONE IN HOT CARS.

IN THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST ALONE,

"KIDS AND CARS" REPORTED.*EIGHT KIDS DIED FROM HEATSTROKE -- AFTER BEING LEFT IN THE CAR.

KIDS IN HOT CARS-SOTVO

39:22 we have a limit - we have a limit of water in the body - and the amount of sweat we can dispose of then going to get to a point where they are clammy then completly dry:36 from 98.5 to 105 the kid can get to is life to death:37

NEW APPS AVAILABLE ON MANY SMARTPHONES -- ALERTING PARENTS TO CHECK ON THEIR CHILD,

COLLIER BEAR-VO WIPE

ONE COLLIER COUNTY NEIGHBORHOOD WOKE UP TO A FRIGHTENING SIGHT --

A BEAR, RUMMAGING THROUGH GARBAGE CANS.

NEIGHBORS TOOK PICTURES AND VIDEO OF THAT BEAR.

HE ENJOYED ABOUT A DOZEN OAT-AND-HONEY GRANOLA BARS FOR BREAKFAST.

THE PEOPLE WHO SAW HIM SAY HE RAN BACK INTO THE WOODS --

COLLIER BEAR-SOTVO

"He could care less until I got closer and then he decided it was time to leave"

FISH AND WILDLIFE REMINDS YOU --

GATOR HUNTING SEASON-VO

THE FIRST PART OF ALLIGATOR HUNTING SEASON IS UNDERWAY ACROSS THE STATE.

THE STATE SOLD ALL HUNTING PERMITS FOR THE 11 WEEK RUN.

WITH MORE THAN 5,700 PERMITS ISSUED, THE SEASON WILL BRING IN UPWARDS OF TWO MILLION DOLLARS.

NASA GALAXY CLUSTER-VOTOPS

ABC SEVEN BRINGS YOU MUST-SEE VIDEO ---

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS RECORD BREAKING GALAXY CLUSTER.

ASTRONOMERS RECENTLY FOUND IT.

ABOUT FIVE-POINT-SEVEN BILLION LIGHT YEARS FROM EARTH.

IN THE CENTER IS A GALAXY,

THAT'S PRODUCING STARS AT A RECORD PACE --

20-TIMES THE RATE TYPICALLY SEEN.

ELVIS DEATH ANNIVERSARY-NATVOTOPS

you aint nothing but a hound dog + fans screaming

FANS REMEMBER A ROCK AND ROLL ICON TODAY.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE GATHERED AT GRACELAND IN HONOR OF ELVIS PRESLEY.

IT'S THE 36TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SINGER'S DEATH.

ELVIS'S EX-WIFE PRISCILLA PRESLEY AND THEIR DAUGHTER LISA MARIE -- THANKED THE CROWD FOR THEIR DEVOTION.

THE ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT VIGIL HAS BEEN A TRADITION SINCE THE EARLY EIGHTIES.

TEASE FOUR-1SHOT

NEW DETAILS UNFOLD --

AFTER A GUNMAN OPENED FIRE IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL.

ABC NEWS INVESTIGATES THE MOTIVE.

TZ4 A) DC SHOOTER DETAILS-VO

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

DC SHOOTER DETAILS-CAM 10 BMP 2 SHOT

NOW TO NEW DETAILS ABOUT A SHOOTING IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL.

IT HAPPENED IN THE LOBBY OF A POWERFUL CONSERVATIVE GROUP.

ABC NEWS HAS CONFIRMED THE ALLEGED GUNMAN, FLOYD CORKINS -- WAS A VOLUNTEER AT A LOCAL L-G-B-T CENTER --

POLICE ARE NOW INVESTIGATING --

WHETHER THE TARGETED GROUP'S OPPOSITION TO SAME SEX MARRIAGE.

PLAYED A ROLE.

AND WHETHER THE RECENT CONTROVERSY OVER CHICK-FIL-A SET THE SHOOTER OFF.

DC SHOOTER DETAILS-PKG

CATHY LANIER/DC POLICE CHIEF

OVERNIGHT POLICE AND THE FBI SWARMED THE SUBURBAN VIRGINIA HOME OF FLOYD

CORKINS-

Authorities suspect--Corkins---28 -- SEEN HERE MOMENTS AFTER HE WAS ARRESTED

- WAS ABOUT TO UNLEASH A DEADLY barrage of gunfire. His target: the

headquarters of one of the nation's best known conversative groups on social

issues: The FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL.

10:45 Wednesday morning---- police say the suspect walked into the lobby

of the Family Research Council and was confronted by a security guard as he

yelled something suggesting he was at odds with the council's policies.

Sources tell ABC news the man pulled out a 9 mm handgun, firing a shot and

wounding the guard in the arm before being wrestled to the ground.

The security guard, seen here being taken to the hospital, was somehow able

to help subdue the suspect despite being wounded.

Chief Lanier

12-55-00 "The security guard is a hero as far as I'm concerned."

There is mounting evidence this morning that Corkins was angry at the

policies of the Family Research Council which promotes Christian,

conservative values on issues like abortion and gay rights.

ABC News has learned Corkins had recently worked as a volunteer at a

DC SHOOTER DETAILS-ONCAM

SOURCES SAY HE HAD ITEMS FROM FAST FOOD GIANT CHICK FIL A IN A BAG -

BUT IT WAS UNCLEAR WHETHER WEDNESDAY'S INCIDENT -- HAD ANY CONNECTION TO THE RECENT

CONTROVERSY OVER GAY MARRIAGE.

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.

typical summertime weather pattern is shaping up across Southwest Florida for the remainder of the week. This means hot and humid conditions are here to stay along with a few downpours during the afternoon.

This morning will start off with plenty of sun, along with the possibility of a few showers across our beach and coastal locations. Most areas will stay fairly dry as temperatures will be rather warm in the upper 70s to low 80s.

Clouds will develop with the daytime heating with partly sunny conditions for the remainder of our Thursday. A few showers and storms will perk up along the sea breeze mainly east of I 75, however with weak steering winds, they will be slow to move while working their way back to the coastline during the evening hours.

Highs today will top out in the lower to middle 90s with heat index values in the low 100s.

Skies will gradually clear overnight with lows in the mid 70s.

A bit more moisture will work its way back into Southwest Florida by the second half of the weekend with a better coverage of showers and storms into early next week.

TOSS TO SABINA-2 SHOT

WE'RE ABOUT READY FOR THE WEEKEND.

AND WE WANT TO LET YOU KNOW A FEW WAYS YOU CAN SPEND YOURS.

ONE EVENT WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING -

THE RETURN OF THE MUSIC WALK TO DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS.

SABINA BHASIN -- FROM NAPLES DAILY NEWS -- JOINS US EVERY THURSDAY.

WITH A RUNDOWN OF THINGS TO DO.

THINGS TO DO-REM-LIVE

THINGS TO DO-CG'S

1. 3-year anniversary for Fort Myers Music Walk

Music Walk Returns August 17th Downtown Fort Myers

August 2012 Music Walk features Metal at HOWL, Open Mic at SBDAC and more!

Music Walk returns Friday, August 17th, with live music at over a dozen downtown Fort Myers venues. Starts at 7pm. Experience local talent at restaraunts, bars, galleries, and more!

HOWL Gallery/Tattoo: Metal Music Walk at HOWL, featuring some of the heaviest original metal bands in South Florida. Bloodwise, The Hackish, Dreaded Aflliction, and Beacons will perform on the HOWL back patio.

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center: Featuring Open Mic hosted by Mandalin Paul. See Mandalin perform on the WINK6 morning show between 8 and 9am.

Featuring Adam outside during Music Walk and Ghost Radio in Cigar Bar Live @10.

Spirits of Bacchus: The New Vinyls perform.

Hideaway Sports Bar: Singer/songwriter Rob Matson performs.

Downtown House of Pizza: Featuring Boz & Bon outside.

Twisted Vine: Singer/Songwriter Patrick Jerome performs 6:30 til 10:30.

French Connection: Featuring local blues prodigy Mike Imbasciani

Hotel Indigo: Featuring Tribal Love and Jim Blackburn.

The Veranda - Gary Goetz performs at the worlds famous piano bar.

Morgan House - Featuring The Oyster Fantastic Band and DJ Christyle.

Indigo Room - Memphis56 rockabilly band performs.

2. The Imaginarium science center in Fort Myers is celebrating its 17th birthday on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They're offering 1/2 price admission that day. The day should be packed with live science demos and 3-D movies. Exhibits range from hosting a TV to "Be a Dinosaur." www.i-sci.org

THINGS TO DO-REM-LIVE

POPULATION PI-VO

IT'S A MILESTONE OF SORTS -- ESPECIALLY FOR MATH GEEKS AND PI FANS ALIKE.

THE U.S. POPULATION HAS REACHED 314-MILLION-159-THOUSAND-265.

THAT'S PI-TIMES-100-MILLION, ACCORDING TO THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU.

IT HAPPENED ON TUESDAY, RIGHT AFTER 2:29 P-M.

PI IS ACTUALLY A MATHEMATICAL CONSTANT AND GOES ON INTO INFINITY.

SO, THE NUMBER ISN'T EXACT.

TEBOW GQ-(2)SS

TIM TEBOW STRIKES ANOTHER POSE --

CAUSING CONTROVERSY IN THE PEWS.

TAKE A LOOK --

TEBOW POSED FOR G-Q.

HE'S ON THE SEPTEMBER COVER!

BUT IT'S THIS PICTURE --

CONJURING UP A CHRIST-LIKE IMAGE --

THAT'S GETTING ATTENTION.

THE PICTURE WAS ACTUALLY TAKEN YEARS AGO,

WHEN HE WAS Q-B AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.

SOME SAY HE'S EXPLOITING HIS RELIGION.

TEASE FIVE-1SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

COMING UP.

A MAN CELEBRATES HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY BY SKYDIVING.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE SHOCKER.

TZ5 A SKYDIVING MAN-VO

FINAL CHECK OF STOCKS-SAT 3 FULL

NATIONAL SCRABBLE COMPETITION-VOWIPE

A SCRABBLE SCANDAL. IN CENTRAL FLORIDA.

OFFICIALS AT THE SCRABBLE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP --

BUSTED A YOUNG COMPETITOR FOR CHEATING.

THE TOP PRIZE WAS 10-THOUSAND-DOLLARS.

THE WINNER CAME FROM MALAYSIA.

BUT ONE OF THE TOP YOUNG COMPETITORS.

TRIED TO IMPROVE HIS ODDS BY CHEATING.

HE WAS CAUGHT TAKING THE TWO BLANK TILES FROM THE SCRABBLE BAG,

NATIONAL SCRABBLE COMPETITION-SOTVO

I think it's a good thing that it was caught and it was dealt with, but I think there's much more to this tournament than that one incident.

THE NATIONAL SCRABBLE ASSOCIATION DID *NOT RELEASE THE NAME OR AGE OF THE APPARENT CHEAT,

MAN SKYDIVES 70 TIMES AT 70-VOWIPE

A MICHIGAN MAN MARKED HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY BY JUMPING OUT OF A PLANE.

BUT HE DIDN'T DO IT JUST ONCE.

LARRY EKSTROM MADE 70 JUMPS TO CELEBRATE HIS BIG DAY.

HE'S BEEN SKYDIVING FOR 46 YEARS.

TEN YEARS AGO HE RANG IN HIS 60TH BY SKYDIVING.YOU GUESSED IT.60 TIMES.

MAN SKYDIVES 70 TIMES AT 70-SOTVO

It's just another milestone and proves somebody can do something.See ya!

EKSTROM WASN'T JUST JUMPING FOR HIMSELF, HE ALSO DID IT FOR A GOOD CAUSE.

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TS1) AFGHAN CRASH-VOTOPS

A TALIBAN SPOKESPERSON CLAIMS INSURGENTS SHOT DOWN A NATO HELICOPTER --

KILLING 11 PEOPLE.

INCLUDING SEVEN INTERNATIONAL SERVICE MEMBERS.

AT LEAST THREE OF THE VICTIMS WERE AMERICAN TROOPS.

TS2) EMERGENCY LANDING-VOTOPS

A PLANE FLYING FROM NEW YORK TO MOSCOW --

MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN ICELAND THIS MORNING.

SOMEONE CALLED IN A BOMB THREAT.

CLAIMING EXPLOSIVES WAS ON BOARD THE PLANE.

AND WOULD DETONATE WHEN IT ARRIVED IN MOSCOW.

253 PEOPLE WERE ON THAT FLIGHT.

TS3) JOBLESS CLAIMS-ONCAM

THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS FILING NEW CLAIMS FOR JOBLESS BENEFITS EDGED HIGHER LAST WEEK.

DESPITE THAT -- APPLICATIONS HAVE TRENDED LOWER IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS.

TS4) JOB FAIR TODAY-CGTOPS

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A JOB --

RASMUSSEN COLLEGE HOLDS A JOB FAIR TODAY.

IT'S FROM 10 A-M UNTIL ONE P-M,

AT THE SCHOOL'S FORT MYERS CAMPUS.

THE 2012 SUMMER CAREER AND NETWORKING EXPO.

FINAL WEATHER-WX GFX

typical summertime weather pattern is shaping up across Southwest Florida for the remainder of the week. This means hot and humid conditions are here to stay along with a few downpours during the afternoon.

This morning will start off with plenty of sun, along with the possibility of a few showers across our beach and coastal locations. Most areas will stay fairly dry as temperatures will be rather warm in the upper 70s to low 80s.

Clouds will develop with the daytime heating with partly sunny conditions for the remainder of our Thursday. A few showers and storms will perk up along the sea breeze mainly east of I 75, however with weak steering winds, they will be slow to move while working their way back to the coastline during the evening hours.

Highs today will top out in the lower to middle 90s with heat index values in the low 100s.

Skies will gradually clear overnight with lows in the mid 70s.

A bit more moisture will work its way back into Southwest Florida by the second half of the weekend with a better coverage of showers and storms into early next week.

CLOSE-3 SHOT AWS ANI

AD LIB GOODBYE

please be sure to tease our next newscast

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