DIRECTORS PAGE

5AM HOUR-CLIPTOPS

5 & 6 AM HEADLINE 1 LIGHTNING STRIKE-VO-WIPE

LIGHTNING STRIKE --

A MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER REMAINS IN THE HOSPITAL THIS MORNING.

5 & 6 AM HEADLINE 2 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE-VO-WIPE

BOTH PRESIDENT OBAMA. AND MITT ROMNEY TAKING JABS -- DURING THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.

WE'LL GET YOU CAUGHT UP TO SPEED -- WITH HIGHLIGHTS.

5 & 6 AM HEADLINE 3 JETBLUE ELECTION OFFER-VO-WIPE

ATTENTIONS, TRAVELERS.

WANT A FREE FLIGHT?

ONE AIRLINE WANTS TO REWARD YOU.

BUT THERE'S A TWIST.

IT HAS TO DO WITH THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

6AM HOUR-CLIPTOPS

530 & 630AM HEADLINE 1 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE-VO-WIPE

BOTH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ARE BACK ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THIS MORNING.

AFTER AN INTENSE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE!

530 & 630AM HEADLINE 2 LIGHTNING HITS BOY-VO-WIPE

A YOUNG BOY -- STRUCK BY LIGHTNING -- ON A FORT MYERS FOOTBALL FIELD.

530 & 630 AM HEADLINE 3 MURDERER CAUGHT-VO-WIPE

A MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING A NORTH CAROLINA POLICE OFFICER.

IS CAUGHT RIGHT HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

530AM~STORMWARN FORECAST OPEN-CLIP

530AM~STORMWARN FORECAST-WXWALL

"A bit more sun, with afternoon downpours"

The plume of deep tropical moisture that sat across Southwest Florida over the last couple of days, continues to push away from the peninsula giving a slight improvement to our weather.

The airmass across the area remains warm and humid, therefore it will be a muggy to start to our Thursday morning. Our skies will be a bit sunnier along with mainly dry conditions and that will keep temperatures on warming trend into the upper 80s to low 90s during the afternoon.

Expect a mix of sun and clouds today, along with a scattering of downpours during the late afternoon and lingering into the evening hours. With our steering winds taking more of an easterly turn, the seabreeze will stay pinned closer to home with showers and storms more than likely favoring the urban corridor. The rain activity will not be as widespread as the last few days, in fact rain prospects will be down to about 50%.

A few showers will linger across Southwest Florida through the evening, before skies partially clear and lows settle back into the middle and upper 70s.

High pressure will dominate our weather pattern Friday and into the weekend, bringing more sunshine with our typical pattern of hit or miss afternoon thunderstorms. An uptick in the moisture Sunday will allow for more clouds and scattered rain ahead of an approaching cool front. This may bring the first hint of fall like weather by mid week with lower humidity in the forecast along with cooler nights.

DEVELOPING CLIP-CLIP

LIGHTNING STRIKE-VO

WE'RE FOLLOWING A DEVELOPING STORY OUT OF FORT MYERS THIS MORNING:

A YOUNG BOY IS IN THE HOSPITAL --

AFTER BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING, AT SCHOOL.

AT LAST CHECK, JESSE WATLINGTON IS ON LIFE SUPPORT, AT HEALTHPARK.

HE IS A MIDDLE SCHOOLER, AT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY.

THE SCHOOL'S PASTOR SAYS AFTER SCHOOL -- WATLINGTON AND OTHER FOOTBALL PLAYERS WERE ON THE FIELD.

SKIES WERE BLUE.

BUT A STORM ROLLED IN AROUND 4 O'CLOCK -- AND THE BOLT CAME DOWN.

COACHES GOT PLAYERS OFF THE FIELD, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE.

LIGHTNING STRIKE-SOTVO

"he's not really doing anything and they've kind of helped that because they want him to rest they don't want him to fight the breathing they don't want his system that's been shocked to feel that shock."

VOTE 2012-CLIP

5 & 6 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WRAP-2 SHOT

THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE IS NOW IN THE BOOKS -

MITT ROMNEY RETURNS TO THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THIS MORNING WITH NEW MOMENTUM

AFTER A STRONG PERFORMANCE.

THE DEBATE RANGED FROM THE EXTREMLY SERIOUS. TO VERY SILLY.

THEY EVEN TOUCHED ON WHETHER BIG BIRD SHOULD BE FIRED.

ABC'S BRANDI HITT IS IN DENVER,

5 & 6 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WRAP-PKG

SCRIPT:

NATS

THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE STARTED WITH A HAND SHAKE AND A SMILE BETWEEN

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER MITT ROMNEY

THEN IT QUICKLY FOCUSED ON THE ECONOMY

SOT OBAMA "5 million jobs have been created the auto industry is roaring

back, and housing has started to rise"

SOT ROMNEY "I know what it takes to get small business to grow to hire

people"

ROMNEY WAS AGGRESSIVE MOST OF THE NIGHT BUT HIS PAST COMMENTS ABOUT THE 47

PERCENT HAVE TAKEN A TOLL ON HIS CAMPAIGN.

THE PRESIDENT NEVER BROUGHT UP THOSE COMMENTS

AND ROMNEY TRIED TO MOVE PAST THEM

ROMNEY: under the president's policy middle income Americans have been

buried, they're just being crushed. / I will not under any circumstances

raise taxes on middle income families

THE PRESIDENT CHALLENGED HIS RIVAL, SAYING THAT ROMNEY CANNOT KEEP HIS GOAL

OF CUTTING TAXES AND *NOT* ADD TO THE DEFICIT WITHOUT HURTING THE MIDDLE

CLASS.

OBAMA: now 5 weeks before the election he's saying his bold idea is never

mind.

OTHER BIG TOPICS INCLUDED MEDICARE REFORM AND THE PRESIDENT'S HEALTH CARE

REFORM LAW.

AND WHILE THERE WASN'T A KNOCK OUT PUNCH FROM EITHER SIDE SOME FEEL THE

PRESIDENT MAY HAVE BEEN TOO RELAXED

BRAZILE "This time He seemed a little detached at times, didn't want to be

there"

MOST AGREE ROMNEY LEAD THE DEBATE AND AFTER LAGGING IN MANY POLLS THIS FIRST

MATCH-UP COULD GIVE HIM THE BOOST HE NEEDED.

SOT "Knowing he's behind and he needs to win and he fought that

fight. So, statistically, he put the President on the defensive a number of

times. "

THE CANDIDATES AREN'T WASTING ANY TIME - THEY'RE BACK OUT ON THE CAMPAIGN

TRAIL TODAY.

AND THE NEXT DEBATE - IS NEXT WEEK WHEN THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES GO

ONE-ON-ONE.

5 & 6 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WRAP-ON CAM

BRANDI HITT REPORTING.

PRESIDENT OBAMA STAYS IN DENVER TODAY FOR A CAMPAIGN EVENT.

AND LATER, HE TAKES AIR FORCE ONE UP TO MADISON.

FOR A RALLY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN.

530 630 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WRAP-2 SHOT

PRESIDENT OBAMA IS STAYING IN DENVER THIS MORNING. AND MITT ROMNEY'S OFF TO VIRGINIA.

BOTH, BACK ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL -- AFTER WRAPPING UP THEIR FIRST OF THREE DEBATES.

TRACIE POTTS IS IN DENVER THIS MORNING --

530 630 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WRAP-PKG

THE POINT OF THIS DEBATE WAS TO MAKE DIFFERENCES CLEAR/i/b: ON LOWERING THE DEBT:

Presidential Nominee

"You said you'd cut the deficit in half. It's now four years later. We still have trillion-dollar deficits."

"The way we do it is $2.50 for every cut, we ask for $1 of additional revenue, paid for, as I indicated earlier, by asking those of us who have done very well in this country to contribute a little bit more to reduce the deficit."

THE PRESIDENT INSISTED ROMNEY WOULD SPEND FIVE TRILLION ON TAX BREAKS FAVORING THE WEALTHY:

"Math, common sense, and our history shows us that's not a recipe for job growth."

Presidential Nominee

"Everything he just said about my tax plan is inaccurate."

THEY CLASHED ON WALL STREET - WHETHER BANKS SHOULD BE TOO BIG TO FAIL - AND MEDICARE:

Presidential Nominee

"Cutting $716 billion from Medicare to be able to balance the additional cost of Obamacare is, in my opinion, a mistake."

"If you repeal Obamacare, and I have become fond of this term, "Obamacare," if you repeal it, what happens is those seniors right away are going to be paying $600 more in prescription care."

THE FIERCEST EXCHANGE - OVER HEALTH CARE, AND JOBS:

Presidential Nominee

"I just don't know how the President could have come into office, facing 23 million people out of work, rising unemployment, an economic crisis at the -- at the kitchen table, and spend his energy and passion for two years fighting for Obamacare instead of fighting for jobs for the American people."

"We did work on this, alongside working on jobs, because this is part of making sure that middle-class families are secure in this country."

PRESIDENT OBAMA, ON DEFENSE - ROMNEY. CHALLENGING HIS RECORD.

AS BOTH NOW WAIT TO SEE IF THIS EXCHANGE HAD ANY IMPACT ON VOTERS.

530 630 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WRAP-ON CAM

TRACIE POTTS REPORTING.

PRESIDENT OBAMA HOLDS RALLIES IN DENVER -- AND MADISON WISCONSIN TODAY.

NEW THIS MORNING: BOIL WATER-SS

SOME PEOPLE ON FORT MYERS BEACH ARE WAKING TO A BOIL WATER NOTICE.

OVERNIGHT CREWS COMPLETED SCHEDULED WORK ON A VALVE REPLACEMENT.

RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES AFFECTED ARE FROM 5901 ESTERO BOULEVARD TO ISLAND PINES WAY --

JUST ON THE BAY SIDE OF THE STREET.

BREAKING lcso search-ON CAM

BREAKING NEWS IN THE SUNCOAST ESTATES AREA OF LEE COUNTY --

A SEARCH IS UNDERWAY IN THE AREA OF LAUREL LANE AND MCDANIEL DRIVE.

DEPUTIES SAY A WOMAN WITH WHAT LOOKED LIKE A WOUND ON HER LEG.

CAME INTO A CIRCLE K STORE SAYING HER CAR WAS STOLEN.

YOU MAY NOTICE A HELICOPTER SEARCHING FROM THE AIR.

AND DEPUTIES ON THE GROUND LOOKING FOR THE SUSPECT.

WE ARE ALSO TOLD THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.

5:30 MURDERER CAUGHT-SS (2)

THE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING A POLICE OFFICER -- HIDING IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA -- IS IN JAIL THIS MORNING.

WE FIRST BROUGHT YOU THIS STORY LAST NIGHT -- AS IT WAS BREAKING.

HIS NAME IS SCOTT SICA.

A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS -- INCLUDING THE F-B-I -- HAVE BEEN HUNTING HIM DOWN.

THE LEE COUNTY MAJOR CRIMES UNIT -- FOUND HIM LAST NIGHT AT A HOUSE IN CAPE CORAL.

5:00 & 6:00 MACHETE MAN-VO

A BRAZEN MOVE. CAUGHT ON CAMERA.

A MAN WALKED INTO THE LOBBY OF THE FORT MYERS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

ARMED WITH A MACHETE!

DEJUAN ALEXANDER WAS TALKING WITH ONE OFFICER,

WITH ANOTHER NOTICED HE WAS ARMED.

BUT WHEN THEY TOLD HIM TO DROP IT.

HE STARTED WAVING IT AROUND!

OFFICERS SURROUNDED HIM.

ONE FIRED A TASER AT ALEXANDER --

BUT HE CUT THROUGH THE WIRES.

IT TOOK EIGHT OFFICERS TO BRING HIM DOWN.

530 & 6:30 WIFI SEX-SSTOPS

A LEHIGH ACRES MAN WILL SPEND SEVEN YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON -- FOR POSSESSING AND SHARING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.

EUGENE OTTING ADMITTING TO USING UNSECURED WI-FI CONNECTIONS --- TO FIND, DOWNLOAD, AND SHARE GRAPHIC PICTURES AND VIDEO OF YOUNG CHILDREN.

INVESTIGATORS FOUND MORE THAN 600 IMAGES ON HIS LAPTOP AND CELL PHONE.

THEY TRACKED HIM FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS -- BEFORE ARRESTING HIM.

5:30 PINK PUMPKINS-2 SHOT

SWTICHING GEARS:

THIS MONTH. PINK IS THE NEW ORANGE!

WHEN IT COMES TO PUMPKINS ANYWAY.

TAKE A LOOK, SWEETBAY MARKET IS SELLING PINK PUMPKINS LIKE THESE. TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR BREAST CANCER.

FROM NOW UNTIL HALLOWEEN -- SWEETBAY SUPERMARKETS WILL BE SELLING THEM.

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

AND A PORTION OF THESE SALES GO TO BREAST CANCER RESEARCH.

THIS YEAR IS THE *FIRST FALL HARVEST OF THESE PINK PUMPKINS.

THE VARIETY IS KNOWN AS PORCELAIN DOLL F-ONE.

THE GROWER SPENT SEVERAL YEARS PERFECTING THIS HYBRID PUMPKIN.

5AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SH-FDOT

LARK VOORHIES WAS A HUGE STAR IN THE 90S.

PLAYING LISA TURTLE ON 'SAVED BY THE BELL.'

SHE'S MAKING STRANGE HEADLINES NOW.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE MAGAZINE -- LARK SAT FOR LONG PERIODS OF SILENCE.

HAD AN ONGOING DIALOGUE WITH INVISIBLE PEOPLE.

AND EXPLAINED, "I HAVE A STRONG SPIRITUAL SENSE, YOU CAUGHT ME IN A MOMENT OF PRAY."

THIS MORNING, HER MOM -- SAYS LARK WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BIPOLAR, AND LIVES WITH HER NOW.

530AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SH-FDOT

THE BIG DEAL THIS MORNING -- IS THE DEBATE.

AND THREE NAMES STICK OUT. ROMNEY, OBAMA AND BIG BIRD.

AFTER ROMNEY PROMISED TO CUT SUBSIDIES TO PBS.NAMING BIG BIRD AS A VICTIM.THE INTERNET LIT UP.

BIG BIRD GOT 17-THOUSAND TWEETS A MINUTE.AND A NEW ACCOUNT POPPED UP, @BIGBIRDROMNEY.

HERE ARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS:

"I WONDER IF ALL BIRDS GO TO HEAVEN."

6AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SH-VO

BACK TO THE DEBATE.

THE BIG HEADLINE THIS MORNING: ROMNEY WINS.BIG.

SO WHAT WAS MISSING?

POLITICO POINTS OUT THE PRESIDENT SKIPPED SOME BIG TALKING POINTS -- THAT HAVE KNOCKED ROMNEY OFF HIS GAME THIS YEAR:

-- 47%.NEVER UTTERED THE POPULAR CAMPAIGN REFRAIN.

-- BAIN CAPITAL. ROMNEY'S BUSINESS THAT LAID OFF MANY WORKERS.

-- TAX RETURNS. MOST OF WHICH WE HAVEN'T SEEN.AND SHOW DETAILS OF ROMNEY'S OFFSHORE ACCOUNTS.

-- ABORTION RIGHTS.

AS TO WHY, WE DON'T KNOW.

630AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SH-FDOT

*GMA*

A CHEERLEADING TEAM AT A TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOL -- IS HEADED TO COURT.

THEY'RE NICKNAMED 'THE GOD SQUAD.'

KNOWN FOR HIGH-KICKS.AND HALLELUJAS. THE TEAM HANDS OUT RELIGIOUS MESSAGES AT SPORTING EVENTS.

AFTER A COMPLAINT -- THE DISTRICT BANNED THE FLIERS.

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.

"A bit more sun, with afternoon downpours"

The plume of deep tropical moisture that sat across Southwest Florida over the last couple of days, continues to push away from the peninsula giving a slight improvement to our weather.

The airmass across the area remains warm and humid, therefore it will be a muggy to start to our Thursday morning. Our skies will be a bit sunnier along with mainly dry conditions and that will keep temperatures on warming trend into the upper 80s to low 90s during the afternoon.

Expect a mix of sun and clouds today, along with a scattering of downpours during the late afternoon and lingering into the evening hours. With our steering winds taking more of an easterly turn, the seabreeze will stay pinned closer to home with showers and storms more than likely favoring the urban corridor. The rain activity will not be as widespread as the last few days, in fact rain prospects will be down to about 50%.

A few showers will linger across Southwest Florida through the evening, before skies partially clear and lows settle back into the middle and upper 70s.

High pressure will dominate our weather pattern Friday and into the weekend, bringing more sunshine with our typical pattern of hit or miss afternoon thunderstorms. An uptick in the moisture Sunday will allow for more clouds and scattered rain ahead of an approaching cool front. This may bring the first hint of fall like weather by mid week with lower humidity in the forecast along with cooler nights.

TRAFFIC SPONSORSHIP BILLBOARD-CLIPTOPS

PRECISION TRAFFIC-TC MON

BUS DRIVER TICKET-2 SHOT VOWIPE

ABC-SEVEN HAS LEARNED TROOPERS ARE DROPPING THE TICKET -- FOR A COLLIER COUNTY SCHOOL BUS DRIVER WHO SUFFERED FROM A MEDICAL CONDITION WHILE ON THE JOB,

YOU MAY REMEMBER THIS MAN --

65-YEAR-OLD ROBERT KELLY.

TWO WEEKS AGO, KELLY BLACKED OUT.

WHILE DRIVING HIS LAST STUDENT HOME FOR THE DAY.

BUT 11-YEAR-OLD JACKSON BONAR STOPPED THE BUS,

BY STEERING IT INTO A FENCE.

KELLY WAS TICKETED FOR CARELESS DRIVING.

WITH A 163 DOLLAR FINE.

HE SAYS HE HAD A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH BEFORE THE CRASH -

BUS DRIVER TICKET-SOTVO

5:07 "How that is reckless, what I could have done to been any safer, I don't know but it seems silly to waste the taxpayers money, my money, the courts money."

530 & 630 GATORS SWIMMING IN POOL-2SHOT VO

THEY'RE THE HIT OF A POPULAR TAMPA POOL PARTY.

AND THEY'RE NO LONGER INVITED!

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE OFFICERS LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION.

AFTER THIS VIDEO WENT VIRAL.

LIVE GATORS. SWIMMING FREELY IN A BACKYARD POOL!

THE OWNER OF THE ALLIGATOR ATTRACTION HOLDS POOL PARTIES AT HIS HOME IN MADEIRA BEACH.

AND YOU CAN SWIM WITH GATORS!

BUT ONCE F-W-C SAW THIS VIDEO, OFFICERS STEPPED IN.

NOW F-W-C HAS ASKED THE OWNER TO RESTRAIN THE GATORS.

HE SAYS HE WILL PUT THE POOL PARTIES ON HOLD FOR NOW.

breaking-on cam

WE HAVE AN UPDATE RIGHT NOW TO BREAKING NEWS IN THE SUNCOAST ESTATES AREA OF LEE COUNTY --

DEPUTIES ARE SEARCHING BY HELICOPTER AND ON THE GROUND FOR A SUSPECT INVOLVED IN A DOMESTIC DISPUTE.

THIS IS IN THE AREA OF LAUREL LANE AND MCDANIEL DRIVE.

WITNESSES TELL US A WOMAN CAME INTO A NEARBY CIRCLE-K WITH WOUNDS TO HER LEG.

WE ARE ALSO TOLD THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIP

QUARTER TOP STORY REVEAL @ 45-HLF REVEAL

HERE'S A LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHER TOP STORIES WE'RE FOLLOWING THIS MORNING:

A YOUNG BOY IS IN THE HOSPITAL THIS MORNING,

AFTER HE WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING AT SCHOOL.

AT LAST CHECK, JESSE WATLINGTON IS ON LIFE SUPPORT AT HEALTHPARK.

HE'S A MIDDLE SCHOOLER AT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY.

NOW THAT THE FIRST OF THREE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES IS IN THE HISTORY BOOKS.

PRESIDENT OBAMA IS HOLDING TWO RALLIES. ONE IN DENVER, THE OTHER IN MADISON.

REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER MITT ROMNEY AND RUNNING MATE PAUL RYAN WILL HEAD TO CENTRAL VIRGINIA HOLDING A RALLY WITH COUNTRY MUSIC STAR TRACE ADKINS.

FORT MYERS POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING AFTER A MAN WALKED INTO THE POLICE DEPARMENT WITH A MACHETE.

A MAN NAMED DEJUAN ALEXANDER STARTED WAVING THE WEAPON AROUND.

IT TOOK EIGHT OFFICERS TO BRING HIM DOWN.

QUARTER HOUR TOP STORY LIGHNING HITS BOY-VO-WIPE

A YOUNG BOY FIGHTS FOR HIS LIFE --

AFTER HE WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING AT SCHOOL.

AT LAST CHECK, JESSE WATLINGTON IS ON LIFE SUPPORT AT HEALTHPARK.

HE'S A MIDDLE SCHOOLER AT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY.

WE'RE TOLD HE WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING,

QUARTER HOUR TOP STORY PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES-VO-WIP

NOW THAT THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE -- IS IN THE HISTORY BOOKS.

PRESIDENT OBAMA IS HOLDING TWO RALLIES. ONE IN DENVER, THE OTHER IN MADISON.

QUARTER HOUR TOP STORY 3 MAN BRINGS MACHETE INTO P

A BRAZEN MOVE. CAUGHT ON CAMERA.

A MAN WALKED INTO THE LOBBY OF THE FORT MYERS POLICE DEPARTMENT --

WITH A MACHETE!

THEN DEJUAN ALEXANDER STARTED WAVING IT AROUND.

ONE OFFICER FIRED A TASER AT ALEXANDER --

BUT HE CUT THROUGH THE WIRES.

IT TOOK EIGHT OFFICERS TO BRING HIM DOWN.

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.

"A bit more sun, with afternoon downpours"

The plume of deep tropical moisture that sat across Southwest Florida over the last couple of days, continues to push away from the peninsula giving a slight improvement to our weather.

The airmass across the area remains warm and humid, therefore it will be a muggy to start to our Thursday morning. Our skies will be a bit sunnier along with mainly dry conditions and that will keep temperatures on warming trend into the upper 80s to low 90s during the afternoon.

Expect a mix of sun and clouds today, along with a scattering of downpours during the late afternoon and lingering into the evening hours. With our steering winds taking more of an easterly turn, the seabreeze will stay pinned closer to home with showers and storms more than likely favoring the urban corridor. The rain activity will not be as widespread as the last few days, in fact rain prospects will be down to about 50%.

A few showers will linger across Southwest Florida through the evening, before skies partially clear and lows settle back into the middle and upper 70s.

High pressure will dominate our weather pattern Friday and into the weekend, bringing more sunshine with our typical pattern of hit or miss afternoon thunderstorms. An uptick in the moisture Sunday will allow for more clouds and scattered rain ahead of an approaching cool front. This may bring the first hint of fall like weather by mid week with lower humidity in the forecast along with cooler nights.

DEVELOPING CLIP-CLIP

MENINGITIS OUTBREAK-VO

AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY THIS MORNING -- AFTER A MENINGITIS OUTBREAK.

HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE INVESTIGATING 26 CASES OF SEVERE MENINGITIS IN FIVE STATES.

FOUR PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

OFFICIALS SAY A SPECIALTY PHARMACY IN MASSACHUSETTS -- IS SUSPECTED TO BE THE SOURCE OF A STEROID, LINKED TO A DEADLY FORM OF THE DISEASE.

THEY'RE TRYING TO TRACK DOWN HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE IN 23 STATES -- WHO GOT THE INJECTIONS AND MIGHT BE AT RISK.

MEDSTAR EMS CAPTS SUING COUNTY-VO

NOW TO THE LATEST IN THE MEDSTAR FALLOUT.

THREE E-M-S CAPTAINS ARE SUING LEE COUNTY.

CLAIMING THEY'RE OWED *THOUSANDS IN OVERTIME PAY.

ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS --

IN 2008, THE COUNTY SUDDENLY DECIDED THE CAPTAINS WERE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME.

EVERY OTHER WEEK. THE CAPTAINS WORKED *48 HOURS.

BUT WERE ONLY PAID FOR 40.

THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING COMP TIME,

*NOT TIME AND A HALF ADDED TO THEIR PAYCHECKS.

THE CAPTAINS HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT,

METH IN LEE COUNTY-SSTOPS

A SAINT PETERSBURG MAN, IS ACCUSED OF BRINGING CRYSTAL METH INTO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

LEE COUNTY DETECTIVES STOPPED A CAR ON I-75, NEAR BAYSHORE ROAD.

AND FOUND 12 GRAMS OF HIGH QUALITY CRYSTAL METH,

WORTH ABOUT 33 HUNDRED DOLLARS.

SENIOR SCAMS-VO

THERE'S A NEW RESOURCE TO HELP YOU AVOID GETTING SCAMMED IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THE PROGRAM IS GEARED TOWARD THE ELDERLY.

IT'S CALLED "SENIORS VERSUS CRIME".

IT'S A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT -- AND THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE

IT LOOKS AT ISSUES INCLUDING CONTRACTOR FRAUD, HEALTH CARE SCAMS AND COUNTERFIT DRUGS.

TANGLEWOOD CHASE FOLO-VO

NEW DETAILS ON A CAR CHASE.

THROUGH A SOUTH FORT MYERS NEIGHBORHOOD.

DEPUTIES STILL SEARCH FOR THE THREE PEOPLE *INSIDE THE STOLEN CAR.

THE LEE COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE WAS CONDUCTING AN OPERATION,

NEAR PATH-FINDER LOOP MONDAY NIGHT.

THAT'S AT THE TERRACE OF RIVERSIDE COMPLEX,

IN THE WHISKEY CREEK AREA.

SUDDENLY, THEY SPOTTED A STOLEN BLUE HYUNDAI ELANTRA DRIVE BY.

WHEN THEY TRIED TO STOP IT, THE DRIVER KEPT GOING.

THEY EVENTUALLY FOUND THE CAR WITH KEYS STILL IN THE IGNITION --

BONITA SLOT MACHINES VOTE-VO

LEE COUNTY VOTERS WILL NOW DECIDE -- WHETHER THE "NAPLES FORT MYERS DOG TRACK" WILL GET SLOT MACHINES.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY YESTERDAY -- TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE TRACK.

SO IT'S OFFICIALLY UP TO LEE COUNTY VOTERS, WHETHER THEY WANT SLOT MACHINES THERE.

KEY WEST EXPRESS-VOWIPE

STARTING BACK UP AGAIN TODAY,

YOU CAN CATCH A RIDE FROM FORT MYERS BEACH TO KEY WEST.

THE KEY WEST EXPRESS HALTED SERVICE LAST MONTH.

THE COMPANY SAYS THE BOATS WERE SHUT DOWN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.

BUT AS OF TODAY, THOSE BOATS WILL BE BACK UP AND RUNNING AGAIN.

THE FIRST BOAT HEADED TO THE KEYS.

530 death investigation-vo

RIGHT NOW--

WE ARE WORKING TO LEARN THE IDENTITY OF A MAN.

FOUND DEAD IN A POND IN SOUTH FORT MYERS.

A SECURITY GUARD IN THE RENAISSANCE COMMUNITY OFF PALOMINO LANE --

SPOTTED THE BODY FLOATING IN THIS RETENTION POND YESTERDAY MORNING.

AND REPORTED IT TO A DEPUTY NEARBY.

FLOAT 530 CAPE REDEVELOPMENT-VOWIPE

A RESTART IN CAPE CORAL FOR A LARGE DEVELOPMENT -- IN THE NORTH PART OF THE CITY.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEMBERS -- GAVE THE GREEN-LIGHT FOR A LARGE RACETRAC TO BE BUILT JUST OFF PINE ISLAND ROAD.

THE GAS STATION WILL BE THE FIRST DEVELOPMENT -- OF THE 200 ACRE "JUDD CREEK PRESERVE."

THE GREAT RECESSION STALLED THE MIXED-USE PROJECT.

FLOAT 530 CAPE REDEVELOPMENT-SOTVO

2926 "what I like about this development is that it is mixed use. It's going to create a lot of jobs and spur development throughout the city."

DEVELOPERS EXPLAIN THE GAS STATION -- COULD BE IN PLACE IN AS SOON AS 12 MONTHS.

FLOAT 530 SERVICE DOG DEBATE-VO-WIPE

A MARCO ISLAND MAN WITH DISABILITIES.

IS IN A BATTLE OVER HIS SERVICE DOG.

THE HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION WHERE HE LIVES.

DOES *NOT ALLOW PETS.

BUT LARRY MCKAY SAYS HIS 80 POUND BOXER SHOULD BE AN EXCEPTION,

BECAUSE OF HIS HEALTH.

IN 2008, HE GOT MRSA.

THE LIFE-THREATENING INFECTION SPREAD UP HIS LEG. INTO HIS SPINAL CORD,

AND HE LOSE MOST OF HIS MOBILITY.

NOW HE'S ASKING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR SOUTH SEAS --

TO LET HIM KEEP HIS SERVICE DOG.

ALGENOL JOBS-VOTOPS

BIOFUEL COULD BRING THOUSANDS OF JOBS TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

ALGENOL IS A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY IN LEE COUNTY -- THAT PRODUCES ETHANOL FROM ALGAE.

IN 2010 - LEE COUNTY GAVE ALGENOL TEN MILLION DOLLARS TO EXPAND. BRINGING IN 120 JOBS AND BUILDING A NEW PLANT.

NOW ALGENOL WANTS TO BEGIN *COMMERICAL PRODUCTION* EARLY NEXT YEAR.

MOBILE MAMMOGRAM-VO, CG

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

AND TODAY, THERE'S A CONVENIENT WAY TO GET CHECKED!

POST OFFICES IN LEE AND COLLIER COUNTIES WILL OFFER MAMMOGRAMS THIS MONTH.

THE RADIOLOGY REGIONAL MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY BUS.

WILL MAKE SEVERAL STOPS IN THE COMING WEEKS.

TODAY, IT WILL BE PARKED AT COCO RIVER POST OFFICE IN NORTH NAPLES.

FROM EIGHT UNTIL NOON.

ALSO -- THE POST OFFICE IN BONITA SPRINGS.

FROM TWO TO SIX.

ALL THE INFORMATION - INCLUDING FUTURE LOCATIONS -- IS POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE ABC-DASH-SEVEN DOT COM.

TACO THE EMU ON HIGHWAY-VOTOPS

A TRAFFIC ALERT TURNED A LOT OF HEADS ON THE SPACE COAST.

COME OVER TO YOUR T-V AND WATCH THIS.

TAKE A LOOK -- N EMU ON A CAPE CANAVERAL ROAD.

THIS VIDEO WAS SHOT YESTERDAY.

THE EMU'S NAME IS "TACO."

IT WAS RUNNING DOWN THE MIDDLE OF A-1-A.

A BREVARD COUNTY DEPUTY'S DASHBOARD CAM -- RECORDED THIS SCENE.

5AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SH-SOTVO

BACK TO OUR TOP STORY --

THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.

WHO LOST?

POSSIBLY VETERAN JOURNALIST JIM LEHRER.

TBD

THE MODERATOR GOT SOME BAD REVIEWS.

TWO CANDIDATES WENT OVER THEIR TIME LIMITS THROUGHOUT THE DEBATE.

AND HE STRUGGLED TO KEEP THEM ON TIME.

OFTEN, THEY JUST TALKED OVER HIM.

OTHER JOURNALISTS CHIMED IN --

ABC'S DAN ABRAMS TWEETED -- "NEW DRINKING GAME. EVERY TIME JIM LEHRER IS IGNORED. DRINK."

ALSO A NEW TWITTER HANDLE -- "SILENT-JIM-LEHRER."

530AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SH-FDOT

BE HONEST, FACEBOOK IS THE PLACE TO BRAG --

PICTURES OF YOUR GREAT VACATION, FUN FRIENDS OR BEAUTIFUL BABY.

BUT NOW THERE'S A WAY TO *MAKE SURE.

THAT *EVERYONE SEES YOUR POST.

DON'T LET YOUR UPDATES GET LOST IN A FRIEND'S FEED ANYMORE!

BUT THE CATCH?

YOU HAVE TO PAY.

6AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SH-FDOT

THIS MORNING -- A SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH.

PALEANTOLOGISTS HAVE IDENTIFIED A NEW RARE, MINIATURE DINOSAUR SPECIES.

IT'S CALLED THE "PEGOMASTAX."

THE FOSSILS WERE DISCOVERED 30 YEARS AGO,

BUT SCIENTISTS HAVE FINALLY FIGURED OUT WHAT IT IS.

AN HERBIVORE.

THE SIZE OF A CAT.

BUT LOOKS LIKE A PARROT WITH FANGS.

TWO LEGS.

LIVED IN THE JURASSIC ERA.

ONE SCIENTIST CALLS IT A "CUTIE."

630AM COVERAGE PROMISE TO BREAK-2SH-SOT-FDOT

BACK TO OUR TOP STORY --

THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.

AND THE *REAL* WINNER.

BIG BIRD!

I'm sorry Jim, I'm gonna stop the subsidy to P-B-S. I'm gonna stop other things. I like P-B-S, I love Big Bird.I actually like you too, but I'm not gonna keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for us."

AFTER ROMNEY SAID THAT. BIG BIRD WENT VIRAL.

THIS PICTURE SHOWED UP ON TWITTER.

SEVERAL HILARIOUS TWITTER HANDLES CLAIMING TO BE THE SESAME STREET CHARACTER.

17 THOUSAND TWEETS PER MINUTE ABOUT BIG BIRD.

THE FOURTH HIGHEST SEARCH TERM ON GOOGLE.

A HASHTAG -- SAVE-BIG-BIRD -- TRENDED WORLDWIDE.

SPORTS WRAP AT 5AM-PKG

TECH BYTES AT 530AM-PKG

MONEYSCOPE AT 6AM-PKG

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.

"A bit more sun, with afternoon downpours"

The plume of deep tropical moisture that sat across Southwest Florida over the last couple of days, continues to push away from the peninsula giving a slight improvement to our weather.

The airmass across the area remains warm and humid, therefore it will be a muggy to start to our Thursday morning. Our skies will be a bit sunnier along with mainly dry conditions and that will keep temperatures on warming trend into the upper 80s to low 90s during the afternoon.

Expect a mix of sun and clouds today, along with a scattering of downpours during the late afternoon and lingering into the evening hours. With our steering winds taking more of an easterly turn, the seabreeze will stay pinned closer to home with showers and storms more than likely favoring the urban corridor. The rain activity will not be as widespread as the last few days, in fact rain prospects will be down to about 50%.

A few showers will linger across Southwest Florida through the evening, before skies partially clear and lows settle back into the middle and upper 70s.

High pressure will dominate our weather pattern Friday and into the weekend, bringing more sunshine with our typical pattern of hit or miss afternoon thunderstorms. An uptick in the moisture Sunday will allow for more clouds and scattered rain ahead of an approaching cool front. This may bring the first hint of fall like weather by mid week with lower humidity in the forecast along with cooler nights.

STORMWARN AND TRAFFIC TRANSITION-CLIPTOPS

TRAFFIC-AWS OR SS

TRAFFIC SPONSOR BILLBOARD-CLIPTOPS

5:00 FACEBOOK PROMOTE BUTTON-VOTOPS

IF YOU DON'T WANT YOUR FACEBOOK FRIENDS TO MISS ONE OF YOUR UPDATES,

YOU CAN PAY AN EXTRA FEE -- TO MAKE SURE THEY SEE IT!

IT'S PART OF FACEBOOK'S NEW PROMOTE FEATURE.

FACEBOOK IS ALLOWING SOME USERS TO PAY A SMALL FEE TO MAKE SURE THEIR FRIENDS SEE THEIR "CAN'T MISS" UPDATES.

IT'LL COST AROUND SEVEN DOLLARS -- TO BUMP YOUR POSTS TO THE TOP OF YOUR FRIENDS' NEWSFEEDS.

RIGHT NOW, ONLY 166 MILLION FACEBOOK USERS CAN USE THE TRIAL RUN.

5:30 CURIOSITY FOUR SQUARE-VO

GOING WHERE NO MOBILE APP HAS GONE BEFORE.

THE MARS CURIOSITY ROVER -- "CHECKED IN" WITH EARTHLINGS LINKED TO FOURSQUARE.

IT'S AN INTERPLANETARY FIRST FOR NASA.

THE ROBOT'S CHECK IN READS--"ONE CHECK-IN CLOSER TO BEING MAYOR OF MARS!"

CURIOSITY WILL KEEP CHECKING IN DURING THE NEXT 23 MONTHS OF ITS EXPLORATION.

6:00 PIGGY BANK REWRAD-2 SHOT VO

A BIG REWARD FOR A LITTLE DOG.

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS LITTLE GUY?

THANKS TO THE HELP OF SAN JOSE CALIFORNIA FIRE AND POLICE OFFICERS -- THERE IS A MORE THAN SIX-THOUSAND DOLLAR REWARD TO FIND HIM!

THE SIX-MONTH-OLD YORKIE-SHIH TZU MIX, NAMED MEEKER -- WAS TAKEN DURING A BREAK IN EARLIER THIS WEEK.

HIS OWNER. A TEN YEAR OLD GIRL.

SHE OFFERED ALL THE MONEY IN HER PIGGY BANK AS A REWARD.

WHEN POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS HEARD ABOUT HER OFFER -- THEY RAISED SIX-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR HER.

6:30 LINH DANCING VIDEO-3 SHOT, VO

ADLIB ABOUT DANCING WITH THE STARS

BUMP TO BREAK-3SHOT, CAM 10 BMP

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIP

TS 1) BOY HIT BY LIGHTNING-VO-WIPE

A YOUNG BOY FIGHTS FOR HIS LIFE --

AFTER HE WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING AT SCHOOL.

AS OF LAST NIGHT, HE WAS STILL ON LIFE SUPPORT AT HEALTH PARK CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

TODAY, THE FAMILY HAS ASKED THE HOSPITAL TO KEEP HIS STATUS PRIVATE.

HE'S A MIDDLE SCHOOLER AT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY.

WE'RE TOLD HE WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING,

TS 2) PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE-VOTOPS

NOW THAT THE FIRST OF THREE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES IS IN THE HISTORY BOOKS.

PRESIDENT OBAMA IS HOLDING TWO RALLIES. ONE IN DENVER, THE OTHER IN MADISON.

TS 3) MENINGITIS OUTBREAK-VOTOPS

AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY THIS MORNING AFTER A MENINGITIS OUTBREAK.

HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE INVESTIGATING 26 CASES OF SEVERE MENINGITIS IN FIVE STATES.

FOUR PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

OFFICIALS SAY A SPECIALTY PHARMACY IN MASSACHUSETTS -- IS SUSPECTED TO BE THE SOURCE OF A STEROID LINKED TO A DEADLY FORM OF THE DISEASE.

TS 4) MACHETE MAN-VOTOPS

A BRAZEN MOVE. CAUGHT ON CAMERA.

A MAN WALKED INTO THE LOBBY OF THE FORT MYERS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

ARMED WITH A MACHETE!

DEJUAN ALEXANDER WAS TALKING WITH ONE OFFICER,

WITH ANOTHER NOTICED HE WAS ARMED.

BUT WHEN THEY TOLD HIM TO DROP IT.

HE STARTED WAVING IT AROUND!

OFFICERS SURROUNDED HIM.

ONE FIRED A TASER AT ALEXANDER --

BUT HE CUT THROUGH THE WIRES.

IT TOOK EIGHT OFFICERS TO BRING HIM DOWN.

TS 5) MEDSTAR EMS CAPTAIN SUING COUNTY-VOTOPS

NOW TO THE LATEST IN THE MEDSTAR FALLOUT.

THREE E-M-S CAPTAINS ARE SUING LEE COUNTY.

CLAIMING THEY'RE OWED *THOUSANDS IN OVERTIME PAY.

ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS --

IN 2008, THE COUNTY SUDDENLY DECIDED THE CAPTAINS -- WERE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME.

EVERY OTHER WEEK. THE CAPTAINS WORKED *48 HOURS.

BUT WERE ONLY PAID FOR 40.

THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING COMP TIME,

*NOT TIME AND A HALF -- ADDED TO THEIR PAYCHECKS.

THE CAPTAINS HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT,

TS 6) KEY WEST EXPRESS SAILS TODAY-VOTOPS

STARTING BACK UP AGAIN TODAY,

YOU CAN CATCH A RIDE FROM FORT MYERS BEACH TO KEY WEST.

THE KEY WEST EXPRESS HALTED SERVICE LAST MONTH.

THE COMPANY SAYS THE BOATS WERE SHUT DOWN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.

BUT AS OF TODAY, THOSE BOATS WILL BE BACK UP AND RUNNING AGAIN.

THE FIRST BOAT HEADED TO THE KEYS.

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.

-LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO - IN JUST:30 SECONDS WE HAVE A LOOK AT ALL OF THE THINGS TO DO TODAY IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

"A bit more sun, with afternoon downpours"

The plume of deep tropical moisture that sat across Southwest Florida over the last couple of days, continues to push away from the peninsula giving a slight improvement to our weather.

The airmass across the area remains warm and humid, therefore it will be a muggy to start to our Thursday morning. Our skies will be a bit sunnier along with mainly dry conditions and that will keep temperatures on warming trend into the upper 80s to low 90s during the afternoon.

Expect a mix of sun and clouds today, along with a scattering of downpours during the late afternoon and lingering into the evening hours. With our steering winds taking more of an easterly turn, the seabreeze will stay pinned closer to home with showers and storms more than likely favoring the urban corridor. The rain activity will not be as widespread as the last few days, in fact rain prospects will be down to about 50%.

A few showers will linger across Southwest Florida through the evening, before skies partially clear and lows settle back into the middle and upper 70s.

High pressure will dominate our weather pattern Friday and into the weekend, bringing more sunshine with our typical pattern of hit or miss afternoon thunderstorms. An uptick in the moisture Sunday will allow for more clouds and scattered rain ahead of an approaching cool front. This may bring the first hint of fall like weather by mid week with lower humidity in the forecast along with cooler nights.

END TIME