DIRECTORS PAGE

5AM HOUR-CLIPTOPS

HL1) PROCTOR TRIAL UPDATE-VO-WIPE

HAPPENING TODAY --

THE MAIN SUSPECT IN THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A CAPE TEACHER.

HEADS BACK TO COURT.

HL2) AKIN APOLOGY-NATTOPS

sot: Pres. Obama :16 -:20

the views expressed were offensive. rape is rape

A SENATE CANDIDATE, APOLOGIZES -- AFTER HE CLAIMS HE MIS-SPOKE.

HL3) NYAD CUBA TO FLORIDA-VO-WIPE

JELLY FISH. LIGHTNING. AND SHARKS.

SEE THE WOMAN WHO'S AT IT AGAIN --

ATTEMPTING TO SWIM FROM CUBA TO FLORIDA.

SHE'S NEARING THE END OF HER JOURNEY.

6AM HOUR-CLIPTOPS

HL1) WESTERN WILDFIRES-VO-WIPE

BATTLING THE BLAZE.

FIREFIGHTERS TACKLE FIRES -- UP AND DOWN THE WEST COAST.

HL2) ELDERLY COUPLE HELD HOSTAGE-SOTVO

41:01 he was ready to go and said- well, i'm going to have to tie up your wife and i said no- no way."

AN ELDERLY COUPLE ESCAPES A VIOLENT INTRUDER.

WHO TIED THEM UP,

AND HELP THEM AT KNIFE POINT.

HL3) COUNTDOWN TO RNC-VO-WIPE

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON -- AS ABC SEVEN COVERS ELECTION 2012.

THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IS JUST DAYS AWAY.

530AM~STORMWARN FORECAST OPEN-CLIP

breaking-clip

toss to allyson-2sh-push

TOPPING OUR NEWS AT 5--

TROUBLE IN THE TROPICS.

530AM~STORMWARN FORECAST-WXWALL

"Tracking higher rain chances Tuesday"

Today could be an interesting day in our world of weather as we're tracking a few items on the weather map this morning. First, we're monitoring a cluster of storms just south of Florida that's quickly spreading north, and we could very well see some of this hold together and push into southern portions of the viewing area before sunrise. The main impact from these cells will be gusty winds along with some heavy rain.

The next feature we're watching is a front that's stalling out over Central Florida, and while we don't expect the actual front to move into Southwest Florida, chances are high that some of the associated showers and storms will build southward into Southwest Florida by the afternoon. These storms, too, will have the potential to produce gusty winds along with heavy rain and frequent lightning. There's some degree of uncertainty in terms of how the storms to the north will evolve today, but it looks as though these will have at least have a good chance of impacting our northern counties.

With more moisture building in today, our sky will be cloudier than the last two days, and as a result, temperatures will be a little cooler with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s.

BREAKING-CLIP

NATO AFGHANISTAN ATTACK-ON CAM

AND WE ARE GETTING WORD THIS MORNING OF ANOTHER ATTACK IN AFGHANISTAN--

THIS TIME ON THE PLANE OF THE U-S JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF.

A MILITARY OFFICIAL SAYS MILITANTS HAVE FIRED ROCKETS INTO A U.S. BASE.

DAMAGING THE PLANE WHILE THE TOP MILITARY OFFICIAL WAS ON A VISIT.

THE MILITARY CHIEF WAS NOT NEAR THE PLANE AT THE TIME AND NO ONE WAS INJURED.

RIGHT NOW--

FM AUTOSHOP FIRE-VOTOPS-BNR

BREAKING OVERNIGHT.

ABC SEVEN IS ON SCENE OF A MULTIPLE CAR FIRE.

AT FORT MYERS REPAIR SHOP.

IT HAPPENED AT PRO-TECH AUTOMATIVE SERVICES--

IN THE 38-HUNDRED BLOCK OF EDWARDS STREET.

WHEN CREWS ARRIVED,

FOUR CARS WERE ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

THREE OF THEM ARE DESTROYED.

CREWS GOT THE FLAMES UNDER CONTROL QUICKLY.

WESTERN WILDFIRES-VO

GOOD NEWS FROM THE WEST COAST.

FIREFIGHTERS ARE MAKING PROGRESS, BATTLING BRUTAL FIRES.

FIREFIGHTERS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MADE PROGRESS MONDAY -- HELPED BY A SHIFT IN THE WIND AND MORE CREWS ARRIVING.

THE 25-SQUARE-MILE BLAZE -- STILL THREATENS THOUSANDS OF HOMES.

SEVEN HOMES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED.

PROCTOR TRIAL UPDATE-SS-VO

THE PRIME SUSPECT IN THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A CAPE CORAL TEACHER.

RETURNS TO COURT TODAY.

DANIEL PROCTOR APPEARED IN AN ALABAMA COURTROOM MONDAY --

FIGHTING THEFT AND WEAPON CHARGES.

BUT OFFICERS THINK PROCTOR KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS EX-WIFE TURNED GIRLFRIEND --

AMY PATTERSON.

SHE DISAPPEARED IN JULY 2011.

AND DETECTIVES BELIEVE SHE'S DEAD.

BUT PROCTOR HAS *NOT BEEN CHARGED IN THAT CASE.

PROCTOR IS REPRESENTING HIMSELF IN ALABAMA,

AND IS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY IN HIS OWN DEFENSE.

MURDER SEARCH-SS VO CG

THIS MORNING WE KNOW MORE ABOUT THE MAN -- LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES TRIED TO HUNT DOWN IN A LEHIGH ACRES HOME LAST WEEK.

FELIPE TORREALBA IS WANTED FOR MURDER IN BROWARD COUNTY.

HE'S ALSO WANTED FOR SHOOTING AT OFFICERS IN MIAMI-DADE.

WE NOW KNOW HE MAY BE DRIVING A RENTED, GRAY MERCEDES C-300 WITH A TEXAS TAG -- THE NUMBER IS ON YOUR SCREEN.

TORREALBA MIGHT BE TRAVELING WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND -- AND TWO YOUNG CHILDREN.

LAST WEEK, DEPUTIES SEARCHED A LEHIGH ACRES HOMES -- BUT TORREALBA WASN'T THERE.

LOCAL SOLDIER-VO

NEW FROM OVERNIGHT ---

A LOCAL SOLDIER IS AMONG THE LATEST CASUALTIES.

OF "OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM" IN AFGHANISTAN

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER BRIAN HORNSBY WENT TO RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL.

HE GRADUATED FROM U-S-F FORT MYERS,

WHICH IS NOW F-G-C-U.

HORNSBY DIED IN A HELICOPTER CRASH,

NORTHEAST OF KANDAHAR.

HE WAS ONE OF TWO PILOTS ON BOARD.

SIX OTHERS DIED.

NAPLES VACANT HOUSE FIRE-VO

NEW DETAILS IN THAT NAPLES PARK HOUSE FIRE.

ABC SEVEN CAMERAS WERE ROLLING MONDAY MORNING -- AS CREWS PUT OUT THAT FIRE.

THE HOUSE ALONG 96TH AVENUE IS A COMPLETE LOSS.

NEIGHBORS TELL US THE FAMILY WHO LIVED THERE -- WAS FORCED OUT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T PAY THE MORTGAGE.

SINCE APRIL, WE'VE REPORTED AT LEAST 5 FIRES HAVE SPARKED -- INSIDE VACANT OR FORECLOSED PROPERTIES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

BELL TOWER GUNS IN THEATERS-VO

ABC SEVEN INVESTIGATES -- MOVIE THEATER SECURITY.

OUR STORY STARTED WHEN DEPUTIES CAUGHT A MAN AT BELL TOWER SHOPS -- WITH A GUN AT THE THEATER.

HE WAS SITED.

TO BE CLEAR, HE DID HAVE A CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT.

A-B-C 7 WANTED TO KNOW IF THAT WAS THE CORRECT PUNISHMENT.

WE LEARNED THAT EVEN *WITH A PERMIT.

IF YOU GO TO A PLACE WHERE CONCEALED WEAPONS ARE BANNED.

GAS PRICES TODAY-CG

ALL NEW THIS MORNING.

THE PRICE OF GAS IS UP THIS MORNING IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AT THREE-67

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA DRIVERS ARE NOT PAYING THREE-65 ON AVERAGE. THAT'S UP ONE CENT FROM YESTERDAY.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE RESTS AT THREE-72.

FM CITY CURFEW-VO

ALSO NEW TODAY.

FORT MYERS CITY COUNCIL THROWS ITS SUPPORT -- BEHIND A NEW CURFEW FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

IN 30 DAYS --

CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 18 -- WILL NO LONGER BE ALLOWED IN PUBLIC BY THEMSELVES AFTER NINE O'CLOCK ON WEEK NIGHTS -- AND 11 O'CLOCK ON WEEKENDS.

THE CITY WILL TEST THE NEW CURFEW FOR SEVEN MONTHS, THEN MAKE ANY CHANGES NECESSARY.

5AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SH-FDOT

THIS IS ONE WAY TO MEND A RELATIONSHIP.

A MASSACHUSETTS WOMEN WALKED OUT ON HER FAMILY A DECADE AGO.

LEFT HER HUSBAND AND THEIR TWO SONS.

BUT SHE MIGHT HAVE MADE UP FOR IT.

530AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SH-FDOT

THIS MORNING - WE REMEMBER PHYLLIS DILLER.

THE "QUEEN OF COMEDY" PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 95.

OUR ABC7 FACEBOOK FANS HAVE A LOT TO SAY.

JOHN ISAIA SAYS "THANKS FOR ALL THE LAUGHS OVER THE YEARS."

J HAROLD LOWRY SAYS "A FUNNY LADY. R-I-P PHYLLIS."

6AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SH-CG

TOP PARTY SCHOOL IN THE U-S-A?

THE PRINCETON REVIEW RELEASES ITS ANNUAL LIST.

AND WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY IN MORGANTOWN WAS NUMBER ONE!

TWO FLORIDA SCHOOLS CRACKED THE TOP TEN --

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA *AND FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY.

ALLYSON RAE'S PENN STATE CAME IN AT NUMBER 11.

630AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SH-FDOT

THE NEWEST AMERICAN IDOL JUDGE.

ACCORDING TO RUMORS --

IT'S NICKI MINAJ!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

HOW WILL SHE DO WITH MARIAH CAREY?

STORMWARN GENFORECAST OPEN-CLIPTOPS

STORMWARN 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."Tracking higher rain chances Tuesday"

Today could be an interesting day in our world of weather as we're tracking a few items on the weather map this morning. First, we're monitoring a cluster of storms just south of Florida that's quickly spreading north, and we could very well see some of this hold together and push into southern portions of the viewing area before sunrise. The main impact from these cells will be gusty winds along with some heavy rain.

The next feature we're watching is a front that's stalling out over Central Florida, and while we don't expect the actual front to move into Southwest Florida, chances are high that some of the associated showers and storms will build southward into Southwest Florida by the afternoon. These storms, too, will have the potential to produce gusty winds along with heavy rain and frequent lightning. There's some degree of uncertainty in terms of how the storms to the north will evolve today, but it looks as though these will have at least have a good chance of impacting our northern counties.

With more moisture building in today, our sky will be cloudier than the last two days, and as a result, temperatures will be a little cooler with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s.

TRAFFIC SPONSORSHIP BILLBOARD-CLIPTOPS

PRECISION TRAFFIC-TC MON

LEHIGH ELDERLY COUPLE HELD HOSTAGE-SOTVO

A LEHIGH ACRES COUPLE IN THEIR 80S -- ARE BREATHING A SIGH OF RELIEF THIS MORNING.

DEPUTIES CAUGHT THE MAN THEY SAY BROKE INTO THEIR HOME AND HELD THEM A KNIFE-POINT.

33:08 "i woke up and saw this figure- i thought it was my husband by his bureau."

JOAN AND JOHN PANKAVICH ARE BOTH 83.

THEY SAY SUNDAY NIGHT A MAN BROKE IN, RANSACKED THEIR HOUSE -- AND DEMANDED CASH, JEWELRY AND ELECTRONICS.

WHEN HE WAS DONE -- HE HAD THEM, TAKE HIM TO A HOTEL.

LEHIGH ELDERLY COUPLE HELD HOSTAGE-SOTVO

41:01 he was ready to go and said- well, i'm going to have to tie up your wife and i said no- no way."

PATERNO BOOK-VO

ALL NEW THIS MORNING.

A BIOGRAPHY OF JOE PATERNO HITS BOOKSTORES TODAY.

THE AUTHOR WAS AT STATE COLLEGE LAST FALL, WORKING ON THE BOOK. SIMPLY TITLED "PATERNO"

THAT'S WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED.

AND HE HAD A FRONT-ROW SEAT.

THE NOW-DECEASED HEAD FOOTBALL COACH, WAS FIRED FROM PENN STATE.

MARS TRACKS-VO

THE MARS ROVER CURIOSITY COULD SET OUT ON THE RED PLANET TODAY.

THE ONE-TON ROBOT IS SET TO MAKE ITS FIRST TRACKS TODAY OR TOMORROW.

NASA SCIENTISTS WANT TO TEST THE ROVER'S MOVES -- GOING FORWARD, BACK, TURNING.

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIP

QH1) FM AUTOSHOP FIRE-VO-WIPE

ABC SEVEN IS WORKING TO LEARN MORE A MULTIPLE CAR FIRE.

AT A FORT MYERS REPAIR SHOP.

IT HAPPENED AT PRO-TECH AUTOMATIVE SERVICES--

IN THE 38-HUNDRED BLOCK OF EDWARDS STREET.

WHEN CREWS ARRIVED,

FOUR CARS WERE ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

QH2) PROCTOR TRIAL UPDATE-VO-WIPE

THE PRIME SUSPECT IN THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A CAPE CORAL TEACHER.

RETURNS TO COURT TODAY.

DANIEL PROCTOR FACES THEFT AND WEAPON CHARGES IN ALABAMA.

BUT OFFICERS THINK PROCTOR KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS EX-WIFE TURNED GIRLFRIEND --

AMY PATTERSON.

QH3) FM CITY CURFEW-VO-WIPE

FORT MYERS CITY COUNCIL IS SUPPORTING A NEW CURFEW FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

IN 30 DAYS --

CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 18 -- WILL NO LONGER BE ALLOWED IN PUBLIC BY THEMSELVES AFTER NINE O'CLOCK ON WEEK NIGHTS -- AND 11 O'CLOCK ON WEEKENDS.

THE CITY WILL TEST THE NEW CURFEW FOR SEVEN MONTHS, THEN MAKE ANY CHANGES NECESSARY.

QH4) GAS PRICES TODAY-CGTOPS

ALL NEW THIS MORNING.

THE PRICE OF GAS IS UP THIS MORNING IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AT THREE-67

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA DRIVERS ARE NOT PAYING THREE-65 ON AVERAGE. THAT'S UP ONE CENT FROM YESTERDAY.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE RESTS AT THREE-72.

STORMWARN ALLYSON OPEN-CLIPTOPS

STORMWARN 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."Tracking higher rain chances Tuesday"

Today could be an interesting day in our world of weather as we're tracking a few items on the weather map this morning. First, we're monitoring a cluster of storms just south of Florida that's quickly spreading north, and we could very well see some of this hold together and push into southern portions of the viewing area before sunrise. The main impact from these cells will be gusty winds along with some heavy rain.

The next feature we're watching is a front that's stalling out over Central Florida, and while we don't expect the actual front to move into Southwest Florida, chances are high that some of the associated showers and storms will build southward into Southwest Florida by the afternoon. These storms, too, will have the potential to produce gusty winds along with heavy rain and frequent lightning. There's some degree of uncertainty in terms of how the storms to the north will evolve today, but it looks as though these will have at least have a good chance of impacting our northern counties.

With more moisture building in today, our sky will be cloudier than the last two days, and as a result, temperatures will be a little cooler with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s.

BREAKING-CLIP

TOSS TO DANIELLE-SS

NEW THIS MORNING--

A MULTIPLE CAR FIRE --NOW BEING CALLED ACCIDENTAL..

IT HAPPENED AT PRO-TECH AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES IN FORT MYERS AROUND 2:45.

THATS JUST OFF OF PALM BEACH BLVD NEAR DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS.

AUTOSHOP-REM-VO

live

GOOD MORNING-

BEHIND ME IS ABOUT 70-THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGED VEHICLES FROM THE FIRE.

THIS IS THE SURVALLIENCE VIDEO WE JUST RECEIVED FROM THE AUTO SHOP OWNER CAPTURES IT ALL GO DOWN.

THE FIRE MARSHAL DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE ENGINE OF THE 2005

MERCEDES BENZ YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN. WHEN IT IGNITED, THE SPARKS JUMPED TO THE NEXT CAR AND THEN SO ON. DESTROYING 3 ADDITIONAL CARS AND DAMAGING 2.

AUTOSHOP-SOTVO

danney rush

Office manager, Pro-Tech

Automotive Services

AUTOSHOP-REM

BABY IS RIGHT HERE. DOING JUST FINE. SHE MIGHT MILK THIS EXPERIENCE AT THE DOG PARK FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

AS FOR THE MANAGEMENT TEAM, THEY'VE STARTED CLEAN UP. THE OWNER TELLS ME THEY ARE PLANNING ON OPENING THEIR DOORS FOR BUSINESS FOR THE DAY AT 8:00.

LIVE IN FM, DANIELLE KOLENIAK NBC-2.

VOTE 2012-CLIP

IMPORTANCE OF FLORIDA IN ELECTION-VO-WIPE

77 DAYS NOW UNTIL THE NOVEMBER SHOWDOWN BETWEEN MITT ROMNEY AND PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

FLORIDA IS PLAYING A KEY ROLE THIS TIME AROUND.

BEING CALLED NOT JUST *A* SWING STATE -- BUT *THE* SWING STATE.

HERE'S PROOF-- CAMPAIGNS AND SUPER PACS HAVE ALREADY SPENT MORE THAN 60-MILLION DOLLARS IN ADVERTISING IN FLORIDA.

THE STATE'S LEADING POLITICAL EXPERT -- SPOKE AT HARBORSIDE EVENT CENTER IN FORT MYERS MONDAY.

SUSAN MACMANUS FROM U-S-F --- ADMITS MEDICARE IS GETTING THE HEADLINES NOW --

IMPORTANCE OF FLORIDA IN ELECTION-SOTVO

"It's certainly always said that Republicans have to win Florida they absolutely must win Florida or they can't win the White House. But now it's become increasingly important for Democrats because the President is trailing in some states that he won in 2008."

THIS YEAR, FLORIDA HAS MORE POLITICAL POWER THAN EVER BEFORE.

DNC SPEAKERS-VO

MEANTIME,

SOME BIG NAMES WILL SPEAK AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.

THE LINE-UP OF HIGH PROFILE SPEAKERS KEEPS GROWING.

CHICAGO MAYOR, AND FORMER WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF, RAHM EMANUEL --

WILL SPEAK AT THE CONVENTION IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA.

OTHER SPEAKERS INCLUDE --

MASSACHUSETTS SENATOR JOHN KERRY.

MARYLAND GOVERNOR MARTIN O-MALLEY.

AND FORMER VIRGINIA GOVERNOR TIM KAINE.

ALSO -- SAN ANTONIO MAYOR JULIAN CASTRO.

RNC STAGE UNVEILED-VO

THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION KICKS OFF IN 6 DAYS.

ABC SEVEN GETS TO SEE THE ELABORATE STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

13 OVERLAPPING HIGH-RESOLUTION L-E-D SCREENS -- WILL SERVE AS THE BACKDROP WHERE MITT ROMNEY WILL ACCEPT HIS PARTY'S NOMINATION.

MORE THAN 50-THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED IN TAMPA NEXT WEEK-- INCLUDING ABC-7.

5 & 6 AKIN RAPE COMMENTS-ON CAM

DEADLINE DAY.

REPUBLICANS HAVE UNTIL FIVE P-M THIS AFTERNOON.

TO CONVINCE A MISSOURI CONGRESSMAN TO END HIS SENATE BID.

TODD AKIN HAS LOST SUPPORT,

AFTER HIS COMMENTS ABOUT QUOTE "LEGITIMATE RAPE."

BUT ABC'S TAHMAN BRADLEY REPORTS --

5 & 6 AKIN RAPE COMMENTS-PKG

PKG SCRIPT:

Missouri Congressman Todd Akin vows to keep his Senate campaign going, even

though this morning fellow Republicans are relentlessly pressuring him to

drop out.

Akin's under fire for an explanation he gave to why he opposes all abortions

-- even in the case of rape.

SOT AKIN

"IF IT'S A LEGITIMATE RAPE, THE FEMALE BODY HAS WAYS TO TRY TO SHUT THAT

WHOLE THING DOWN."

Those comments set off a firestorm and left Republicans scrabbling to

prevent widespread political damage.

Democrats pounced -- with President Obama weighing in.

SOT OBAMA

"THE VIEWS EXPRESSED WERE OFFENSIVE. RAPE IS RAPE."

GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney -- trailing President Obama among women

in polls -- condemned the remarks.

SOT ROMNEY

"HIS COMMENTS WERE DEEPLY OFFENSIVE. I CAN'T DEFEND WHAT HE SAID. I CAN'T

DEFEND HIM."

Akin apologized.

AUDIO SOT - Akin on radio

"I MADE THAT STATEMENT IN ERROR. LET ME BE CLEAR, RAPE IS NEVER LEGITIMATE.

/ WHAT I SAID WAS ILL-CONCEIVED AND IT WAS WRONG. AND FOR THAT I

APOLOGIZE."

But the congressman's words may be too little, too late.

Akin's facing one of the most vulnerable Democrats up for reelection --

Senator Claire McCaskill. And Republicans, who are looking to take control

of the Senate, want him out of the race.

The pressure is mounting.

The national group that supports Republican Senate candidates told Akin it

will withdraw five-million-dollars in planned advertising for the race.

Same for Karl Rove's super pac American Crossroads -- which had planned to

spend more than two-million dollars.

THE DEADLINE TO GET ANOTHER REPUBLICAN ON THE MISSOURI BALLOT IS TODAY AT 5

PM. BUT AKIN SHOWS NO SIGN OF PULLING OUT. LAST NIGHT HE LAUNCHED AN ONLINE

FUNDRAISING DRIVE PEGGED TO HIS PLEDGE TO STAY IN THE RACE.

530 & 630 AKIN RAPE COMMENTS-SOTVO

A DEADLINE FOR REPUBLICANS.

THEY HAVE UNTIL FIVE P-M TODAY.

TO CONVINCE MISSOURI CONGRESSMAN TODD AKIN TO END HIS SENATE BID.

AND LET SOMEONE ELSE RUN IN HIS PLACE.

AKIN'S UNDER FIRE FOR THIS COMMENT --

EXPLAINING WHY HE OPPOSES ALL ABORTIONS,

EVEN IN THE CASE OF RAPE.

SOT AKIN

"if it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that

whole thing down."

THOSE STATEMENTS SET OFF A FIRESTORM.

AND PUT THE G-O-P ON DAMAGE CONTROL.

DEMOCRATS POUNCED --

530 & 630 AKIN RAPE COMMENTS-(2)SOTVO

SOT OBAMA

"THE VIEWS EXPRESSED WERE OFFENSIVE. RAPE IS RAPE."

SOT ROMNEY

"HIS COMMENTS WERE DEEPLY OFFENSIVE. I CAN'T DEFEND WHAT HE SAID. I CAN'T

DEFEND HIM."

AKIN HAS APOLOGIZED.

BUT THAT MIGHT BE TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE.

A GROUP THAT ONCE SUPPORTED AKIN.

WILL NOW WITHDRAW FIVE-MILLION-DOLLARS IN ADVERTISING FOR THE RACE.

AND THE DEADLINE TO GET ANOTHER REPUBLICAN ON THE MISSOURI BALLOT --

ASHLEY TOYE APPEAL-(2)SS-VO

WE NOW KNOW A LANDMARK RULING BY THE U-S SUPREME COURT -- COULD ALTER THE OUTCOME OF ONE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S MOST NOTORIOUS DOUBLE MURDERS.

ASHLEY TOYE -- A MEMBER OF THE SO-CALLED "CASH FEENZ" GANG -- IS SERVING TWO LIFE TERMS.

.FOR HER PART IN THE BRUTAL KIDNAPPING AND MURDERS OF ALEX AND JEFFREY SOSA, BACK IN 2006.

THE TWO WERE FOUND DEAD AT A CAPE CORAL CONSTRUCTION SITE.

AFTER EVIDENCE SHOWED THEY WERE KIDNAPPED AND TORTURED -- TEN PEOPLE WERE CHARGED WITH THE CRIME.

ASHLEY TOYE APPEAL-SOTVO

"It's quite luck that she's just two weeks shy of her 18th birthday. That may upset some people but that's the law."

THE SUPREME COURT RULING AFFECTS THOSE YOUNGER THAN 18 AND THEIR SENTENCES.

CAPE COUNCIL-VO

NEW IN CAPE CORAL --

THE CITY IS EVEN CLOSER TO HAVING AN R-V RESORT.

IT COULD NOW TAKE AT LEAST A YEAR TO WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS.

BUT COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE DECIDED THEY *DO WANT TO PROCEED WITH BUILDING THAT RESORT.

THE STAFF IS NOW LOOKING AT FUTURE LAND USE AMENDMENTS,

AND ZONING CHANGES.

CAPE OPTICOM SYSTEM APPROVED-VO

ALSO NEW IN THE CAPE --

COUNCILMEMBERS ARE MAKING IT EASIER -- FOR EMERGENCY CREWS TO GET AROUND.

THE NEW SYSTEM IS CALLED OPTI-COM.

THE SYSTEM USES G-P-S DEVICES THAT COMMUNICATE WITH TRAFFIC SIGNALS --

THEY CHANGE THE LIGHTS GREEN SO EMERGENCY WORKERS -- CAN GET THROUGH LIGHTS WITHOUT WAITING.

THE CITY WILL SPEND MORE THAN 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

AUGUSTA LETS WOMEN IN-VO

FOR THE VERY *FIRST TIME --

ONE OF THE OLDEST AND MOST FAMOUS CLUBS IN AMERICA. OPENS UP TO WOMEN.

FOR 80 YEARS -- AUGUSTA NATIONAL HAS ONLY LET *MEN JOIN.

IT'S THE SITE OF THE MASTERS GOLF TOURNAMENT.

BUT MONDAY, THE CLUB ANNOUNCED IT HAD INVITED TWO WOMEN TO JOIN.

FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZA RICE AND FINANCIER DARLA MOORE.

HAVE BOTH ACCEPTED THE INVITATIONS.

5AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SHOT

5:00

NICKI MINAJ TO THE RESCUE.

THE SINGER BRINGS HER STARSHIP -- TO SAVE THE DAY AT AMERICAN IDOL.

RUMOR SAYS SHE'S THE NEW JUDGE.AFTER J-LO AND STEVEN TYLER LEFT.

MARIAH'S GETTING $15 MILLION.

530AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SHOT

5:30

FATHER KNOWS BEST?

NEW YORK MAN LEAVES MILLIONS TO HIS FAMILY.AND HIS GRANDKIDS.

BUT HIS GAY SON'S *CHILD, CAN ONLY GET HIS INHERITANCE *IF THE GAY MAN MARRIES A WOMAN.

NOW HE'S CHALLENGING IN COURT.SAYING THAT VIOLATES EQUAL PROTECTION.

6AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SHOT

6:00

NEXT YEAR.LESS LEG ROOM.

AIRLINES ARE MOVING SEATS EVEN CLOSER IN 2013.

CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE IT?

630AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SHOT

6:30

ROSIE O'DONNELL BLOG ABOUT HAVING A HEART ATTACK.

THE COMEDIAN SAYS.AT FIRST, SHE DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THE REAL THING.

SPORTS WRAP AT 5AM-PKG

TECH BYTES AT 530AM-PKG

IN TODAY'S TECH BYTES.A NEW MILESTONE FOR APPLE. ON MONDAY, THE TECH GIANT

OVERTOOK MICROSOFT TO BECOME THE MOST VALUABLE PUBLIC COMPANY OF ALL TIME.

.WITH A MARKET VALUE OF OVER SIX HUNDRED AND TWENTY THREE BILLION DOLLARS.

AND THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS FOR MICROSOFT AS WELL. THE COMPANY'S WINDOWS

PHONES ARE EXPECTED TO OUTSELL RIM'S BLACKBERRIES BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

THAT WOULD PUT WINDOWS IN THIRD PLACE.BEHIND APPLE AND ANDROID

DEVICES.

GOOD NEWS FOR THE MILLIONS OF "PLANTS VERSUS ZOMBIES" FANS AROUND THE WORLD.

A NEW VERSION OF THE VIDEO GAME IS SCHEDULED TO LAUNCH IN SPRING OF NEXT

YEAR. THE ORIGINAL LAUNCHED IN 2009.AND WAS NAMED I-PHONE'S GAME OF THE

YEAR IN 2010.

AND FINALLY.THOSE "ANGRY BIRDS" HAVE GONE ROCK AND ROLL. A NEW FACEBOOK

VERSION OF THE GAME TURNS THE CARTOON PIGS INTO MEMBERS OF THE BAND "GREEN

DAY." USERS WILL GET TEN NEW LEVELS OF PLAY.AS WELL AS AN EXCLUSIVE

SONG FROM THE GRAMMY-WINNING BAND.

MONEYSCOPE AT 6AM-PKG

GOOD MORNING. TOPPING "AMERICA'S MONEY".

THE MOST FREQUENTLY STOLEN CARS. A NEW STUDY SAYS 19-94 HONDA ACCORDS

TOPTHE STOLEN CAR LIST, FOR THE FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR. NEARLY 76-

HUNDRED WERE RIPPED OFF LAST YEAR. THE REASONS WERE THE VEHICLE'S

POPULARITY, AND ITS LACK OF SECURITY FEATURES.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES IS AMONG SEVERAL CARRIERS OFFERING LESS LEG- ROOM THESE

DAYS. PASSENGERS NOW HAVE AN INCH LESS BETWEEN SEATS, BECAUSE SOUTHWEST

HAS ADDED SIX MORE SEATS TO ITS PLANES. JET BLUE AND A CANADIAN AIRLINE

ARE ALSO LOOSING LEG-ROOM.

WAL-MART SAYS ITS LAY- AWAY PROGRAM PROVED TO BE SO POPULAR LAST HOLIDAY

SEASON, THAT IT'S BEING EXPANDED. THIS YEAR, THE INTEREST- FREE, PAY- OVER-

TIME PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE A MONTH LONGER, AND WILL INCLUDE MORE ITEMS. IT

BEGINS SEPTEMBER 16TH.

AND SOME HARLEY- DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES WILL GET A SPECIAL BLESSING, FROM POPE

BENEDICT, AT THE VATICAN, NEXT JUNE. IT'S PART OF THE COMPANY'S 110TH

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS ARE ALSO PLANNED, IN

CITIES AROUND THE WORLD.

AND THAT'S AMERICA'S MONEY.

STORMWARN GENERIC FORECAST OPEN-CLIPTOPS

STORMWARN 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 TH

E FORECAST FOR OUR AREA."Tracking higher rain chances Tuesday"

Today could be an interesting day in our world of weather as we're tracking a few items on the weather map this morning. First, we're monitoring a cluster of storms just south of Florida that's quickly spreading north, and we could very well see some of this hold together and push into southern portions of the viewing area before sunrise. The main impact from these cells will be gusty winds along with some heavy rain.

The next feature we're watching is a front that's stalling out over Central Florida, and while we don't expect the actual front to move into Southwest Florida, chances are high that some of the associated showers and storms will build southward into Southwest Florida by the afternoon. These storms, too, will have the potential to produce gusty winds along with heavy rain and frequent lightning. There's some degree of uncertainty in terms of how the storms to the north will evolve today, but it looks as though these will have at least have a good chance of impacting our northern counties.

With more moisture building in today, our sky will be cloudier than the last two days, and as a result, temperatures will be a little cooler with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s.

STORMWARN AND TRAFFIC TRANSITION-CLIPTOPS

TRAFFIC-AWS OR SS

TRAFFIC SPONSOR BILLBOARD-CLIPTOPS

LEAPIN LIZARDS VOLLEYBALL COURT-VO-WIPE

A VOLLEYBALL COURT SET TO SPIKE IN CAPE CORAL.

HAS BEEN BUMPED BY THE CITY.

THE FORT MYERS BEACH VOLLEYBALL CLUB WANTED TO OPEN A SAND VOLLEYBALL COURT.

IT LEASED AN EMPTY LOT BY LEAPIN' LIZARDS,

OFF CAPE CORAL PARKWAY.

THEY EVEN GOT 400 TONS OF SAND DELIVERED TO THE SITE.

BUT THE CITY'S BUILDING OFFICIAL GROUNDED THE PROJECT --

LEAPIN LIZARDS VOLLEYBALL COURT-SOTVO

-Mary Ann Evans/Owner, Leapin' Lizards-"it would have been easy access, play and while here buy groceries, gas, bring biz to downtown."

THE CAPE CORAL COMMUNITY RE-DEVELOPMENT AGENCY WANTS TO RELOCATE THE VOLLEYBALL COURT --

CHRIS BROWN IN COURT-SOT-SS

RAPPER CHRIS BROWN HEADS TO COURT TODAY.

THE JUDGE WILL CHECK -- IF HE HAS FINISHED THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CLASSES.

AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.

THAT WAS HIS SENTENCE -- AFTER BEATING UP FORMER GIRLFRIEND RIHANNA.

THE SINGER OPENED UP TO OPRAH -- ABOUT HOW SHE FEELS NOW.

RIHANNA OPENS UP TO OPRAH

MOST RECENTLY, BROWN BRAWLED WITH DRAKE --PICTURES HERE-- AT A NEW YORK CITY NIGHTCLUB.

NOW A MODEL INJURED IN THAT INCIDENT -- IS SUING BROWN, DRAKE AND THE CLUB.

SHARK FEEDING FRENZY-VO

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO --

SHARKS GO ON A FEEDING FRENZY,

JUST ABOUT 50-YARDS OFF THE JERSEY SHORE.

IT ONLY LASTED A FEW MINUTES.

BUT A PHOTOGRAPHER CAPTURED IT ALL ON CAMERA.

SHARKS FLYING THROUGH THE AIR,

AS THEY DEVOURED FISH.

ACCORDING TO THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION --

THE SHARKS ARE PROBABLY BLACK TIP OR SPINNER SHARKS.

DIANA NYAD CUBA TO FL UPDATE-VOTOPS

HERE'S A PERSON WHO'S *NOT AFRAID OF SHARKS.

DIANA NYAD.

THE 62-YEAR-OLD COULD ARRIVE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS EARLY *THIS MORNING.

BECOMING THE *FIRST PERSON TO SWIM FROM CUBA TO FLORIDA.

*WITHOUT A SHARK CAGE.

OVERNIGHT -- HER TEAM TWEETED THAT SHE COMPLETED NEARLY 60 MILES.

SHE ONLY HAS 40 MILES TO GO!

SHE'S BATTLED STORMY WEATHER AND JELLY FISH IN THE SHARK INFESTED WATER.

THIS IS HER THIRD ATTEMPT TO COMPLETE THE SWIM IN LESS THAN A YEAR.

BY THE WAY --

BUMP TO BREAK-2SHOT, CAM 10 BMP

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIP

TS1) FM AUTOSHOP FIRE-VO-WIPE

ABC SEVEN IS LEARNING NEW DETAILS ABOUT A MUTIPLE CAR FIRE.

THIS IS NEW VIDEO OF A BLAZE THAT LEFT 3 CARS RUINED AND ABOUT 70-THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGED.

THIS IS THE SURVALLIENCE VIDEO WE JUST RECEIVED FROM THE AUTO SHOP OWNER CAPTURES IT ALL GO DOWN.

THE FIRE MARSHAL DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE ENGINE OF THE 2005

TS 2) WESTERN WILDFIRES-VOTOPS

FIREFIGHTERS MAKE PROGRESS BATTLING BRUTAL FIRES.

IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MONDAY --

A SHIFT IN THE WIND HELPED,

AS MORE CREWS ARRIVED..

THE 25-SQUARE-MILE BLAZE STILL THREATENS THOUSANDS OF HOMES.

TS 3) PROCTOR TRIAL UPDATE-VOTOPS

THE PRIME SUSPECT IN THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A CAPE CORAL TEACHER.

RETURNS TO COURT TODAY.

DANIEL PROCTOR APPEARED IN AN ALABAMA COURTROOM MONDAY --

FIGHTING THEFT AND WEAPON CHARGES.

BUT OFFICERS THINK PROCTOR KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS EX-WIFE TURNED GIRLFRIEND --

AMY PATTERSON.

TS 4) LOCAL SOLDIER-VOTOPS

NEW FROM OVERNIGHT ---

A LOCAL SOLDIER HAS DIED IN AFGHANISTAN

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER BRIAN HORNSBY WENT TO RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL.

HE GRADUATED FROM U-S-F FORT MYERS,

WHICH IS NOW F-G-C-U.

HORNSBY DIED IN A HELICOPTER CRASH.

TS 5) FM CITY CURFEW-VOTOPS

FORT MYERS CITY COUNCIL THROWS ITS SUPPORT -- BEHIND A NEW CURFEW FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

IN 30 DAYS --

CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 18 -- WILL NO LONGER BE ALLOWED IN PUBLIC BY THEMSELVES AFTER NINE O'CLOCK ON WEEK NIGHTS -- AND 11 O'CLOCK ON WEEKENDS.

THE CITY WILL TEST THE NEW CURFEW FOR SEVEN MONTHS, THEN MAKE ANY CHANGES NECESSARY.

TS 6) GAS PRICES-CGTOPS

ALL NEW THIS MORNING.

THE PRICE OF GAS IS UP THIS MORNING IN FLORIDA --

AT THREE-67 A GALLON.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA DRIVERS NOW PAY THREE-65 ON AVERAGE.

THAT'S UP ONE CENT FROM YESTERDAY.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE RESTS AT THREE-72.

GOODBYE WEBSITE TEASE-3SH-WEB ANI

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.

END TIME