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

LIFE IN PRISON. OR THE DEATH PENALTY?

A CONVICTED MURDERER IN LEE COUNTY.

WILL SOON LEARN HIS FATE.

ABC7 IS IN THE COURTROOM,

WITH FULL COVERAGE OF THE HIGH PROFILE CASE.

ALSO THIS --

He's got a black pistol to his head, I've got at least four guys standing there trying to negotiate with him"

INTENSE MOMENTS --

*JUST BEFORE AN N-F-L PLAYER KILLED HIMSELF.

IN *FRONT OF HIS COACH.

ABC7 LEARNS NEW DETAILS ABOUT THE TRAGEDY.

AND WE HAVE THE MUST-SEE VIDEO OF THE MORNING.

A DOLPHIN AT SEA WORLD.

SUDDENLY ATTACKS A LITTLE GIRL.

HL1) DUNN SENTENCING-VO-WIPE

CONVICTED MURDERER ROBERT DUNN --

FOUND *GUILTY IN THE 2008 MURDER OF HIS ESTRANGED WIFE.

HE'S IN COURT *RIGHT NOW FOR THE FIRST SENTENCE HEARING.

HL2) KC MURDER SUICIDE-VO-WIP

PLUS -- A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER AND HIS GIRLFRIEND -- DEAD , AFTER AN APPARENT MURDER SUICIDE.

HL3) DOLPHIN BITE-VO-WIPE

AND -- YOU'D NEVER THINK THESE GENTLE GIANTS WOULD HARM *ANYONE.

BUT THE FAMILY OF ONE LITTLE GIRL HAS IT ALL ON TAPE.

WX HL-WX WALL

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIPTOPS

DUNN SENTENCING-BNR-2-SHOT-VO-OC

NEW THIS MORNING --

WITHIN THE PAST 30-MINUTES

CONVICTED KILLER ROBERT DUNN ARRIVED AT A LEE COUNTY COURTROOM.

THIS WILL BE THE FIRST COURT HEARING -- ABOUT HIS SENTENCING.

TODAY STARTS THE PENALTY PHASE -

WHICH WILL PROBABLY TAKE THREE TO FOUR DAYS.

DUNN WAS FOUND GUILTY LAST WEEK. IN THE 2008 MURDER OF HIS ESTRANGED WIFE, CHRISTINE DUNN.

HE SHOWED UP TO HER JOB AT A CAPE CORAL DAYCARE --

AND GUNNED HER DOWN.

RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS 2-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AND OTHER SMALL CHILDREN.

THE JURY WILL RECOMMEND EITHER LIFE IN PRISON OR DEATH ROW.

WE HAVE A CREW IN THAT COURTROOM --

FISCAL CLIFF LATEST-2-SHOT

NOW TO THAT HIGH STAKES STALEMATE IN WASHINGTON OVER THAT FISCAL CLIFF.

EVERYONE'S TAXES GO UP -- MASSIVE SPENDING CUTS TAKE HOLD IN JUST 29 DAYS --

IF THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS CAN'T REACH A DEAL.

AND THEY ARE BARELY TALKING RIGHT NOW.

FISCAL CLIFF LATEST-PKG

THIS VIDEO - EMAILED TO SUPPORTERS OVERNIGHT -- IS A HIGHLIGHT REEL OF THE

PRESIDENT'S RE-ELECTION STUMP SPEECHES

A NOT-SO-SUBTLE SUGGESTION TO HOUSE REPUBLICANS THAT VOTERS SUPPORTED HIS

PLAN TO AVOID THE FISCAL CLIFF.

NATS

STILL THIS MORNING ABOUT THE ONLY THING EITHER SIDE AGREES ON IS THAT --

GOING OVER THE SO-CALLED FISCAL CLIFF WOULD BE A BIG BLOW TO THE ECONOMY

GEITHNER SOT: IT WOULD BE VERY DAMAGING TO AVERAGE AMERICANS. THERE'S NO

DOUBT ABOUT IT.

BOEHNER SOT: IF WE GO OVER THE CLIFF, WE'LL HURT OUR ECONOMY. WE'LL HURT JOB

CREATION IN OUR COUNTRY. IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

WITHOUT A DEAL TO CUT THE DEFICIT, ALMOST EVERYBODY'S INCOME TAXES GO UP ON

JANUARY 1ST -- AND IT'S MORE THAN THAT - THERE WILL ALSO AUTOMATIC CUTS TO

DEFENSE, TO MEDICARE DOCTORS, TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

ALL THAT COULD MEAN ANOTHER RECESSION, BUT --

BOEHNER SOT: WELL, RIGHT NOW, I WOULD SAY -- WE'RE NOWHERE, PERIOD. WE'RE

NOWHERE.

ON TAXES -- REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING NO WAY TO INCREASING TAX RATES -- THE

WHITE HOUSE IS STANDING FIRM:

GEITHNER MONTAGE: RATES HAVE TO GO UP FOR THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS./ACCEPT

THAT RATES ARE GOING TO UP / HAVE TO GO UP ON THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS./

WHOSE TAXES ARE YOU GOING TO RAISE

IN ADDITION TO 1.6 TRILLION IN TAX HIKES, THE LATEST WHITE HOUSE OFFER

PRESENTED BY TREASURY SECRETARY GEITHNER INCLUDED --

400 BILLION IN UNSPECIFIED MEDICARE CUTS

AND NO MORE LIMIT ON HOW MUCH THE GOVERNMENT CAN BORROW

THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE:

BOEHNER SOT: I WAS FLABBERGASTED. I LOOKED HIM AND SAID, "YOU CAN'T BE

FISCAL CLIFF LATEST-ONCAM

IN ADDITION TO 1.6 TRILLION IN TAX HIKES,

THE LATEST WHITE HOUSE OFFER PRESENTED BY TREASURY SECRETARY GEITHNER INCLUDED --

400 BILLION IN UNSPECIFIED MEDICARE CUTS

WILD WEATHER-SOTVO

AFTER A WEEK OF DEVASTATING WINDS AND RAIN --

THE WEST COAST FINALLY GETS A BREAK FROM DANGEROUS WEATHER THIS MORNING.

HOWEVER, FORECASTERS SAY MORE COULD BE ON THE WAY.

"Everybody behind us has lost almost everything. Everybody's been evacuated. It's horrible. I've never seen anything like this in real life -- never."

TREES AND POWER LINES ARE DOWN,

AND BODIES OF WATER ARE PUSHED PAST THEIR BANKS.

WILD WEATHER-SOT(2)VO

"The amount of water that has come out of the sky, is just amazing. It's amazing."

"It is a helpless feeling. There is nothing else you can do nothing."

AHEAD AT 9-30 --

WE'LL SHOW YOU WHAT PREPARATIONS PEOPLE ARE TAKING *TODAY.

DANIELS PARKWAY-FDOT

DANIELS PARKWAY IS BACK OPEN THIS MORNING -- WITH A FRESH LAYER OF PAVEMENT FOR YOUR MORNING COMMUTE.

CREWS WORKED OVERNIGHT TO RESURFACE EASTBOUND LANES OF DANIELS -- AND SOUTHBOUND I-75.

IT'S ALL PART OF THE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT -- AFTER A TRUCK SLAMMED INTO THE OVERPASS LAST MONTH.

A TEMPORARY EMRGENCY LANE -- INSTALLED AFTER THE CRASH -- IS BEING REMOVED.

PORT CHARLOTTE BOIL WATER LIFTED-CLIP- VO

THIS MORNING, GOOD NEWS FOR RESIDENT IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY.

NEW BATERIA TESTS SHOW --

THE COUTY'S WATER IS NOW *SAFE.

A BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS ISSUED LATE LAST WEEK,

BUT IT'S NOW LIFTED.

30-THOUSAND CUSTOMERS WERE TOLD TO BOIL THEIR WATER,

COLLIER HIT AND RUN-BNR-OTS-OC

ALL NEW, THIS MORNING --

FOUR ADULTS AND A 5-YEAR-OLD -- ARE RECOVERING FROM A ROLLOVER CRASH.

THANFULLY -- THERE WERE NO MAJOR INJURIES.

BUT COLLIER COUNTY AUTHORITIES SAY -- THE SEARCH IS ON FOR THE DRIVER WHO CAUSED THE CRASH -- THEN TOOK OFF.

IT ALL HAPPENED JUST BEFORE 8 O'CLOCK LAST NIGHT -- AT COUNTY ROAD 951 AND 7TH AVENUE SOUTHWEST.

ALVA FATAL CRASH-OTS-OC

ALSO NEW THIS MORNING --

ABC-7 HAS LEARNED THE NAME OF THE MAN.

KILLED IN A CRASH, IN ALVA.

IT HAPPENED SATURDAY --

AT THE INTERSECTION OF PALM BEACH BOULEVARD AND HICKEY CREEK ROAD.

DEPUTIES SAY 27-YEAR-OLD PEDRO RAMIREZ OF LABELLE WAS SPEEDING,

AND DID NOT HAVE HIS HEADLIGHTS ON.

HE HIT A TRUCK WITH THREE PEOPLE INSIDE.

PIG CAUSES CRASH COLLIER CO-VO

A PIG IS TO BLAME -- FOR A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT, OVER THE WEEKEND IN COLLIER COUNTY.

SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE HURT -- WHEN A DRIVER HIT A PIG RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF STATE ROAD 29.

THEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC -- COLLIDED WITH THAT CAR.

THIS MORNING -- THREE PEOPLE ARE IN SERIOUS CONDITION -- INCLUDING AN INFANT.

WE'RE TOLD THAT CHILD WAS *NOT PROPERLY RETRAINED.

RED SOX CAMPERS-BNR-VO

THIS IS NEW VIDEO INTO OUR NEWSROOM FROM OVERNIGHT --

FANS ARE *ALREADY IN LINE --

TO GET THEIR HANDS ON RED SOX SPRING TRAINING TICKETS.

LOOK AT THESE TWO TENTS OUTSIDE JETBLUE PARK.

TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS SATURDAY.

KC MURDER SUICIDE-2-SHOT-VO

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE APPARENT MURDER SUICIDE,

INVOLVING A KANSAS CITY CHIEFS FOOTBALL PLAYER.

AUTHORITIES SAY, IT ALL STARTED WITH A FRANTIC CALL -- ABOUT JOVAN BELCHER'S GIRLFRIEND.

BUT IT ENDED WITH TWO PEOPLE DEAD -

AND MANY OTHERS GREIVING OVER THE SUDDEN, TRAGIC INCIDENT.

KC MURDER SUICIDE-PKG

"Shooting 54-01 Crysler 22-year-old female."

30 SECONDS LATER THE POLICE DISPATCHER PUT OUT ANOTHER CALL A FEW MILES AWAY.

"Disturbance with party with unknown weapon, code one disturbance. Code one number one Arrowhead Drive Chiefs football facility has an unknown party at practice field."

OFFICERS FROM THE HOUSE ON CRYSLER QUICKLY CONFIRMED THE TWO CALLS ARE RELATED.

"That is going to be a good call, I believe our suspect is a chiefs player, so whoever goes over there, proceed with caution."

TWO AND A HALF MINUTES LATER, ANOTHER OFFICER COULD SEE JOVAN BELCHER OUTSIDE THE TRAINING FACILITY.

"Okay I've got two coaches, one other employee here who's trying to beg with this guy. He's got a black pistol to his head, I've got at least four guys standing there trying to negotiate with him, I haven't made contact."

WITHIN A MINUTE, BELCHER WAS DEAD.

KC MURDER SUICIDE-ONCAM

ERIN BURKE REPORTING.

OFFICIALS HAVE NOT RELEASED A POSSIBLE MOTIVE BEHIND THE SHOOTINGS.

CLEVELAND BROWNS SUICIDE-WIPE-VOTOPS

MEANWHILE -- MORE DISTRUBING NEWS FRON THE N-F-L.

CLEVELAND POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A DEATH -- AT THE BROWNS TRAINING FACILITY.

THEY BELIEVE IT'S A SUICIDE.

THEY SAY, A GROUNDSKEEPER -- KILLED HIMSELF AT THEIR PRACTICE FACILITY.

HIS BODY WAS FOUND SATURDAY MORNING.

MATLANCHA CHAMBER-VO

MATLACHA NOW HAS ITS OWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

KICKING OFF A NEW BUSINESS NETWORK OVER THE WEEKEND.

SO FAR, 14 OUT OF MORE THAN 100 BUSINESSES HAVE SIGNED UP TO BE A PART OF THE CHAMBER.

IT'S FREE TO JOIN.

BUT SOME OWNERS SAY -- THERE'S NO NEED.

MATLANCHA CHAMBER-SOTVO

10:21 steve timcak, president-elect, greater pine island chamber

all the publicity is good, but I feel as a community, our chamber of commerce is enough. And we'd be better served if we all join together towards the same goal

leoma lovegrove/ matlacha chamber president

25:45 I think what Matlacha has that the other chamber doesn't have is we are totally focusing on Matlacha

CHAMBER PRESIDENT LEOMA LOVEGROVE HOPES TO PUT MATLACHA ON THE MAP *AND ACROSS INTERNET SEARCH ENGINES --

FM DOWNTOWN PARKING-WIPE-VO

LOOKING AHEAD,

FORT MYERS CITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE TODAY -- ON INCREASING PARKING RATES, DOWNTOWN.

RATES HAVEN'T CHANGED IN FIVE YEARS.

BUT, SPECIAL EVENT PARKING -- COULD SOON COST A DOLLAR MORE.

MONTHLY RATES COULD ALSO INCREASE BY FIVE DOLLARS.

RAISING RATES WOULD GENERATE 75-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

IT WOULD MAINTAIN CURRENT LOTS -- AND HELP BUILD A NEW GARAGE.

EVANS AVENUE NAME CHANGE-VOTOPS

ALSO AT TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING --

MEMBERS COULD VOTE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON CHANGING THE NAME OF A CITY STREET.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE STRETCH OF EVANS AVENUE --

FROM M-L-K SOUTH TO EDISON AVENUE.

THERE'S A PUSH TO RENAME IT "CURTIS SMITH AVENUE"--

SMITH WAS A FORT MYERS GROUNDSKEEPER WHO DIED IN 19-98.

HE WAS TRYING TO SAVE TWO PEOPLE FROM DROWNING IN LAKE OKEECHOBEE.

TEASE ONE-2SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

IF A NEW CELL PHONE IS ON YOUR HOLIDAY WISH LIST -- AND YOU DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH DROPPED CALLS, LISTEN UP.

NEXT AT NINE, A NEW REPORT BREAKS DOWN THE BEST CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDERS.

PLUS--

DEMOLISHED.

A 100 FOOT TREE CRUSHES A CAR -- WITH A COUPLE INSIDE.

TZ1 TREE LANDS ON CAR-VOTOPS

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

BLOOMBERG TEASE-SOT

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT-PKG TOPS

STORMWARN GENERIC CLIP-CLIP

CROSSTALK INTO WX-CAM 9 WX EST

FORECAST-WXWALL

With no cold fronts headed toward Southwest Florida this week, the warmer than normal weather will be here to stay for a while.

Daytime highs today will be a few notches above average with most places warming up into the low to mid 80s this afternoon.

Moisture will be very limited, so rain chances will be slim at best. Our sky will stay mostly sunny through the day with some clouds mixing in with the sunshine during the afternoon.

Like the last few days, winds will be pretty swift out of the east from 5-15 mph with the occasional gust up to 20 mph. Winds should begin to relax a little by Tuesday, so conditions won't be quite as breezy starting tomorrow.

As we head through this evening and tonight, look for a mostly clear sky conditions with the exception of some light patchy fog early Tuesday morning.

The forecast through the remainder of the week will essentially be on cruise control. Daytime highs will be close to 80°, and overnight temps will cool to near 60°. Skies will stay mostly sunny to partly cloudy as our rain chance remains quite low.

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

TREE LANDS ON CAR-VOTOPS-BNR

AN INCREDIBLE SIGHT OUT OF OREGON THIS MORNING--

A COUPLE SURVIVES,

AFTER A TREE CAME CRASHING DOWN ON THEIR CAR.

AUTHORITIES SAY THE COUPLE HAD JUST PULLED UP TO THEIR HOME,

WHEN THE 100-FOOT FIR SNAPPED OFF AT ITS BASE.

THE COUPLE MANAGED TO CRAWL OUT A SMALL OPENING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW.

TREE LANDS ON CAR-SOTTOPS

"They must have had a bright light shining on them. If you look at the passenger's compartment, especially the driver's compartment, there's about a space the size of two loaves of bread in there, how the husband survived is just remarkable."

INVESTIGATORS ARE UNSURE WHY THE TREE FELL.

NASA ANNOUNCEMENT-OTS-OC

WE'RE JUST HOURS AWAY -- FROM NASA'S LATEST ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT CURIOSITY ROVER.

AT NOON -- THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MARS ROVER'S NEWEST FINDINGS.

BUT SPACE GEEKS -- DON'T GET TOO EXCITED.

BEST SMARTPHONE SERVICE-2-SHOT

SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS --

ARE ON ALMOST *EVERYONE'S HOLIDAY WISH LIST.

CONSUMERS WILL BE SHOPPING FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS AND DATA PLANS -- FOR THAT BRAND NEW DEVICE.

KARIN CAIFA GIVES YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED --

BEST SMARTPHONE SERVICE-PKG

RETAILERS ESTIMATE ABOUT ONE-IN-THREE HOLIDAY SHOPPERS WILL BUY ELECTRONICS THIS YEAR. AND WHILE IT'S NOT AS EXCITING AS TEARING THE WRAPPING PAPER OFF A NEW GADGET, CONSUMERS NEED TO RESEARCH SERVICE PROVIDERS AND DATA PLANS FOR THOSE DEVICES TOO.

CONSUMER REPORTS RECENTLY SURVEYED MORE THAN 63,000 SMARTPHONE USERS ABOUT THEIR SERVICE PROVIDERS.

THE TOP OVERALL PICK FOR SMARTPHONES AMONG THE MAJOR CARRIERS: VERIZON, FOLLOWED BY SPRINT AND T-MOBILE.

FOR DEVICES WITH 4-G CAPABILITY, HOWEVER, USERS SEEMED TO FARE BEST WITH A-T-AND-T.

IF THE WHOLE FAMILY IS GETTING A SMARTPHONE OR TABLET THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, CONSIDER A SHARED PLAN. IN THE CONSUMER REPORTS SURVEY, U-S CELLULAR IS ON TOP IN THIS CATEGORY.

ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY, THE AVERAGE AMERICAN HOUSEHOLD SPENT MORE THAN 1500 HUNDRED DOLLARS ON THEIR SMARTPHONES AND SMARTPHONE SERVICE IN 20-12. SOME USERS, TWICE AS MUCH.

WITH UNLMITED DATA PLANS A THING OF THE PAST FOR MOST CARRIERS, SMARTPHONE USERS CAN GET IN THE HABIT OF TRIMMING DATA USAGE AND THEIR BILLS BY USING WI-FI FOR.

-- VIDEO STREAMS

-- VIDEO CALLS

-- VIDEO UPLOADS

FREQUENT FLIER MILES COULD DISAPPEAR-VO

FOR ALL OF YOU TRAVELERS --

IF YOU HAVEN'T FLOWN MUCH LATELY --

AND STILL HAVE FREQUENT FLIER MILES

THEY COULD SOON VANISH, RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES.

AIRLINES ARE PLACING TIGHTER LIMITS ON THE LIFESPAN OF YOUR TRAVEL MILES.

IF YOUR BALANCE IS SUDDENLY SHOWING ZERO -- DON'T BE ALARMED.

MANY AIRLINES OFFER THE ABILITY TO REINSTATE EXPIRED MILES

BUT, THAT COMES WITH A FEE.

TEASE TWO-ONCAM

STILL AHEAD --

*ANOTHER USE FOR BOTOX.

IT COULD HELP WOMEN WITH A COMMON HEALTH PROBLEM.

PLUS, WE KNOW SIBLING RIVALRY CAN GET INTENSE.

BUT NEW RESEARCH REVEALS --

TZ2 SIBLING RIVALRY-VO

SIBLING RIVALRY IN THE WOMB-2-SHOT-VO

FOR THOSE OF US WITH SIBLINGS --

THE RIVALRY CAN BE INTENSE.

AND SOME RESEARCHERS FOUND OUT -- IT MAY START *EARLIER THAN YOU THINK.

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.

ITS IMAGES OF SIBILINGS IN UTERO -- KICKING EACH OTHER IN MOM'S BELLY.

THE STUDY LOOKED AT -- TWIN-TO-TWIN TRANSFUSION SYNDROME.

FOOD ALLERGIES FROM PESTICIDES-VO

A NEW STUDY OUT THIS MORNING --

LINKS PESTICIDES TO FOOD ALLERGIES.

ALLERGISTS REPORT --

HIGH LEVELS OF A CHEMICAL USED IN PESTICIDES AND TO CHLORINATE WATER.

ARE ASSOCIATED WITH FOOD ALLERGIES.

SCIENTISTS ANALYZED URINE SAMPLE DATA,

AND BELIEVE HIGH LEVELS OF DICHLOROPHENOLS MAY WEAKEN FOOD TOLERANCE IN SOME PEOPLE.

INCONTINENCE BOTOX-VOWIPE

BOTOX -- A COMMON TREATMENT FOR WRINKES.

BUT WHAT ABOUT URINARY INCONTINENCE?

IT SOUNDS UNUSUAL -- BUT DOCTORS SAY IT ACTUALLY COULD HELP.

URINARY INCONTINENCE IS A CONDITION THAT AFFECTS MILLIONS -- MANY OF THEM WOMEN.

FOR SOME, PHYSICAL THERAPY AND MEDICATION CAN HELP.

INCONTINENCE BOTOX-SOTVO

"And the botox can help to paralyze the muscle and prevent the contractions when the bladder's not supposed to be contracting."

DIABETES MEDICATION COULD HELP CANCER-VOTOPS

A DRUG TO TREAT DIABETES.

MAY HELP PATIENTS WITH OVARIAN CANCER.

RESEARCHERS LOOKED AT THE SURVIVAL RATES OF OVARIAN CANCER PATIENTS -- SOME OF WHOM WERE TAKING THE DIABETES DRUG METFORMIN.

67-PERCENT OF THOSE ON THE DIABETES DRUG WERE ALIVE FIVE YEARS LATER.

TEENS AND SMOKING-VOTOPS

JUST AS SOME TEENS TRY TO HIDE THEIR SMOKING HABITS FROM ADULTS --

A NEW STUDY SUGGESTS HIDING CIGARETTES FROM TEENAGERS --- MAY DETER THEM FROM SMOKING IN THE FIRST PLACE!

IN AN INTERACTIVE "VIDEO GAME" -- MORE THAN 12-HUNDRED TEENS WERE ASKED TO "SHOP" IN A VIRTUAL STORE.

TEENS WERE LESS LIKELY TO BUY TOBACCO -- WHEN CIGARETTES WERE KEPT OUT OF VIEW.

TEASE THREE-2SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

STRAIGHT AHEAD, WALL STREET RETURNS TO WORK AFTER GAINS LAST WEEK.

PLUS, A SOGGY MESS.

TZ3 GMA CALIF RAIN-VOTOPS

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIP

NY STOCK EXCHANGE OPEN-SAT 3 TOPS

NOW TO BUSINESS NEWS.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE --

WHERE THE TRADING DAY IS JUST BEGINNING.

AND STOCK FUTURES ARE *SLIGHTLY HIGHER THIS MORNING.

BUT INVESTORS ARE STILL FOCUSED ON THE FISCAL CLIFF NEGOTIATIONS IN WASHINGTON.

TS1) DANIELS PARKWAY-VOTOPS

UPDATING OUR TOP STORIES THIS MORNING--

ALL LANES ARE BACK OPEN THIS MORNING AT I-75 AND DANIELS PARKWAY.

OVERNIGHT, CREWS WORKED TO REPAVE THE ROAD.

THIS IS ALL PART OF REPAIR WORK AFTER A SEMI CARRYING CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT -- SLAMMED INTO THE OVERPASS LAST MONTH.

TS2) DUNN SENTENCING-VOTOPS

CONVICTED KILLER ROBERT DUNN RETURNS TO A LEE COUNTY COURTROOM THIS MORNING.

LAST WEEK, HE WAS FOUND GUILTY --

IN THE 2008 MURDER OF HIS ESTRANGED WIFE.

TODAY BEGINS THE PENALTY PHASE.

AND HE WILL SOON LEARN WHETHER HE'LL GET LIFE IN PRISON. OR THE DEATH PENALTY.

TS3) BOIL WATER NOTICE-ONCAM

RESIDENTS IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY -- ARE WAKING UP TO SOME GOOD NEWS THIS MORNING.

THE WATER IS NOW *SAFE TO DRINK.

THE BOIL WATER NOTICE -- SINCE LAST WEEK -- HAS BEEN LIFTED.

GMA CALIF RAIN-2SHOT

DEVELOPING RIGHT NOW --

THE THIRD STORM IN LESS THAN A WEEK.

SLAMS THE WEST COAST WITH HEAVY RAIN.

WITH THE STORM NOW ON ITS WAY OUT -- THE CLEAN UP IS NOW GETTING UNDERWAY.

GMA CALIF RAIN-PKG

SCRIPT:

FROM FALLING TREES

CRUSHING THIS CAR IN OREGON.

ROCK SLIDES OUTSIDE SACRAMENTO

TO RIVERS RAGING IN RENO.

AND FLOODED STREETS ALONG THE COAST

UP TO A FOOT OF RAIN HEAVY WIND AND FLOODING CAUSED BY THREE STORMS IN LESS

THAN A WEEK. HAVE LEFT THE WEST COAST A SOGGY MESS.

IN THE USUALLY SCENIC NAPA VALLEY. THE TRIPLE WHAMMY LEFT VINEYARDS

UNDERWATER.

AND GIANT TREES CAME DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO PANCAKING EVEN MORE CARS. RIGHT

BEFORE OUR EYES.

CV: we were literally just driving down the road when this giant tree came

toppling onto this road. this gentleman was just driving the tree came

right in front of his car. ours too we slammed on the brakes and came right

over here.

How close did this come to you? Within feet of my truck.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, THAT POUNDING RAIN MADE FOR A BEAUTIFUL WINTER, WHITE

BACKDROP.

BUT IN OTHER PARTS. LIKE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD EAST OF SAN FRANCISCO. THE

OBAMA KENNEDY HONORS-VO

CECELIA VEGA REPORTING.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HOSTED A WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION LAST NIGHT.

AND GREETED THIS YEAR'S RECIPIENTS OF THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS.

DAVID LETTERMAN AND DUSTIN HOFFMAN.

WERE TWO OF THE PEOPLE WHO GOT THE NATION'S HIGHEST CULTURAL AWARD.

THE PRESIDENT PRAISED THEM FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO ARTS AND CULTURE.

OBAMA KENNEDY HONORS-SOTVO

"Tonight's honorees didn't just take up their crafts to make a living. They did it because they couldn't imagine living any other way."

THE HONORS GALA WILL BE BROADCAST IN A TWO-HOUR PRIME TIME SPECIAL,

FISCAL CLIFF LATEST-VO

MEANWHILE -- THE POLITICAL STANDOFF ON CAPITOL HILL CONTINUES, TODAY --

AS PRESIDENT OBAMA WAITS FOR REPUBLICANS TO MAKE A MOVE.

CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE HAVE 29-DAYS TO MAKE A DEAL --

OR TAXES WILL GO UP.

THE PRESIDENT MADE THE FIRST OFFER --

PROMISING TO SLASH THE DEFICIT BY MORE THAN ONE-TRILLION.

THAT INCLUDES THE EXPIRATION OF BUSH-ERA TAX CUTS.

FISCAL CLIFF LATEST-SOTVO

"We're nowhere, period. We're nowhere. We've put a serious offer on the table by putting revenues up there to try to get this question resolved."

:"The only thing standing in the way of that would be a refusal by Republicans to accept that rates are going to have to go up on the wealthiest Americans. And I don't really see them doing that."

REPUBLICANS SAY THEY WANT SOMETHING IN RETURN:

SPENDING CUTS ON SOCIAL PROGRAMS.

ALAN CROSS SUPPORTERS-VO

SUPPORTERS OF AN AMERICAN JAILED IN CUBA.

GATHERED IN WASHINGTON D-C FOR THE RELEASE OFF ALAN GROSS.

IT ALL HAPPENED ON THE EVE OF TODAY'S THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ARREST.

THEY HELD A VIGIL --

WHERE HIS WIFE CALLED ON PRESIDENT OBAMA.

TO MAKE HIS RELEASE A *TOP PRIORITY.

GROSS WAS CONVICTED OF SPYING

BUT GROSS SAYS --

COAST GUARD MEMBER KILLED-BNR-OC

NEW THIS MORNING --

A MEMBER OF THE U-S COAST GUARD IS DEAD -- AFTER DRUG SMUGGLERS RAMMED HIS BOAT.

THE COAST GUARD SAYS, 34-YEAR-OLD TERRELL HORNE AND THREE OTHERS -- WERE ON AN INFLATABLE BOAT, CHASING SUSPECTED DRUG SMUGGLERS.

THE SMUGGLERS SUDDENLY TURNED AND RAMMED THE COAST GUARD BOAT -- AT HIGH SPEED.

TWO PEOPLE WERE THROWN INTO THE WATER.

COAST GUARD MEMBER KILLED-SOTVO

"Very sad. Especially such a young person. Baby coming and holidays. You don't want to hear things like this happen."

THE TWO SUSPECTS -- BOTH MEXICAN NATIONALS -- WERE CAUGHT.

AUTHORITIES SAY THEY FOUND A LARGE AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA ON THEIR BOAT.

BUSH HOSPITAL UPDATE-ONCAM

THIS MORNING FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH-- REMAINS AT HOUSTON AREA HOSPITAL.

HE'S SPENT THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS THERE -- FOR BRONCHITIS.

THE 88-YEAR-OLD WAS SUPPOSED TO BE RELEASED OVER THE WEEKEND.

NO WORD ON WHY HE'S BEING KEPT LONGER.

PARENTS ABUSE CASE EXTRADITION-VO

A COUPLE ACCUSED OF BRUTALLY BEATING AND BURNING A THREE-YEAR-OLD BOY.

IS BACK IN NEW HAMPSHIRE,

AFTER BEING EXTRADITED FROM FLORIDA.

FEDERAL MARSHALS TOOK BOTH INTO CUSTODY LAST WEEK --

AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, IN ORLANDO.

OFFICIALS WERE SEARCHING FOR THE COUPLE FOR TWO WEEKS.

THE BOY'S MOTHER AND HER BOYFRIEND FACE MULTIPLE CHARGES,

INCLUDING CHILD ENDANGERMENT.

POLK CO PROSTITUTION STING-ON CAM

TEN MEN ARE IN JAIL THIS MORNING -- AFTER AUTHORITIES FOILED A POSTITUTION RING, IN LAKELAND.

THE POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE -- CONDUCTED THE STING -- AFTER COMPLAINTS FROM NEIGHBORS.

ALL OF THE MEN -- ARE CHARGED WITH SOLICITING PROSTITUTION.

PFC BRADLEY MANNING-VO

WE HAVE NEW COURT DRAWINGS --

OF BRADLEY MANNING.

HE'S AN ARMY PRIVATE --

ACCUSED OF GIVING CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS TO THE "WIKI-LEAKS" WEBSITE.

MANNING WAS IN A MARYLAND COURTROOM YESTERDAY,

FOR A PRE-TRIAL HEARING.

THE TESTIMONY FOCUSED ON A 2011 INCIDENT --

WHEN HE BROKE DOWN AND CRIED IN A MILITARY BRIG.

MANNING'S LEGAL TEAM SAYS --

HE WAS MISTREATED AT A MARINE CORPS BASE

BARISTA SUSPECT-VO

NEW THIS MORNING --

THE MAN ACCUSED OF KIDNAPPING AND KILLING A BARISTA IN ALASKA.

HAS APPARENTLY TAKEN HIS OWN LIFE.

THE BODY OF ISRAEL KEYES WAS FOUND IN JAIL, SUNDAY MORNING.

KEYES WAS AWAITING TRIAL --

FOR THE KILLING OF 18 YEAR OLD SAMANTHA KOENIG.

AUTHORITIES SAY HE ABDUCTED THE TEENAGER FROM A COFFEE KIOSK LAST FEBRUARY.

THE F-B-I SAYS KEYES WAS A SERIAL KILLER --

AFGHANISTAN BLAST-VO

THE TALIBAN IS CLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN ATTACK ON A COALITION BASE -- IN EASTERN AFGHANISTAN, YESTERDAY.

SUICIDE BOMBERS ATTACKED THE BASE -- AND STARTED A GUNBATTLE THAT LASTED AT LEAST TWO HOURS.

JAPAN TUNNEL COLLAPSE-VOTOPS

A NUMBER OF DEATHS HAVE BEEN REPORTED,

AFTER A TUNNEL COLLAPSE WEST OF TOKYO/

FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SAID A MORE THAN 300-FOOT SECTION OF CONCRETE CEILING PANELS.

COLLAPSED ON CARS DRIVING THROUGH.

RESCUE WORK IS ONGOING,

AND THERE'S STILL PEOPLE UNACCOUNTED FOR.

NJ TRAIN DERAILMENT UPDATE-VO

THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD IS INVESTIGATING WHAT CAUSED A FREIGHT TRAIN TO DERAIL ON A RAILROAD BRIDGE IN NEW JERSEY.

IT HAPPENED FRIDAY.

SEVEN TRAIN CARS DERAILED. FOUR WENT INTO A CREEK.

MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE COULD STILL NOT RETURN TO THEIR HOMES THIS WEEKEND AS CREWS TRIED TO REMOVE A HAZARDOUS GAS THAT SPEWED FROM ONE OF THE CARS.

BP SETTLEMENT-VOWIPE

TWO YEARS AFTER THE WORST ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER IN U.S. HISTORY -- B-P BEGINS DISTRUBUTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO AFFECTED AREAS.

THE NON-PROFIT FOR 'DING DARLING WILDLIFE REFUGE' IN SANIBEL -- IS GETTING 60-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

THE REFUGE DID NOT HAVE DAMAGE FROM THE OIL ITSELF.

TEASE FOUR-2SHOT

A FUN TRIP TO SEA WORLD TURNS SCARY FOR ONE LITTLE GIRL,

AFTER A DOLPHIN LATCHES ON TO HER HAND.

AND IT IS ALL CAUGHT ON CAMERA.

TZ4 DOLPHIN BITE-VO

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

DOLPHIN BITE-2-SHOT

NOW TO A FRIGHTENING SIGHT.

CAPTURED ON CAMERA.

A LITTLE GIRL, WHO LOVES DOLPHINS --- BIT ON THE HAND WHILE FEEDING ONE AT SEAWORLD.

DOLPHIN BITE-PKG

TRACK 1: 5 SECONDS

8-YEAR OLD JILLIAN THOMAS SAYS IT IS HER DREAM TO ONE DAY BECOME A DOLPHIN

TRAINER

TRACK 2: 4 SECONDS

BUT A RECENT VISIT TO SEAWORLD'S DOLPHIN COVE EXHIBIT MAY CHANGE HER MIND

TRACK 3: 11 SECONDS

WATCH AGAIN AS AN EXCITED JILLIAN HOLDS UP THE PAPER TRAY AND MOVES IT AWAY

FROM THE POOL - SOMETHING SEAWORLD WARNS GUESTS NOT TO DO - THE ANIMAL

LUNGES FOR HER HAND LEAVING BEHIND THESE PUNCTURE WOUNDS

TRACK 4: 6.5 SECONDS

JILLIAN'S PARENTS SAY WHILE THEY ARE NOT PLANNING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE

PARK, THEY FEEL SEAWORLD DOWNPLAYED THE INCIDENT

TRACK 5: 19 SECONDS

IN A STATEMENT TO ABC NEWS, SEAWORLD SAYS."Educators and animal care

staff are always on-site at this area 1/8they 3/8 were at the attraction when

this happened and immediately connected with the family.Our guests are

given clear instructions on how to feed the dolphins in an appropriate and

STORM WARN GENERIC CLIP-CLIP

CROSSTALK-CAM 9 WX EST

FORECAST-WX WALL

With no cold fronts headed toward Southwest Florida this week, the warmer than normal weather will be here to stay for a while.

Daytime highs today will be a few notches above average with most places warming up into the low to mid 80s this afternoon.

Moisture will be very limited, so rain chances will be slim at best. Our sky will stay mostly sunny through the day with some clouds mixing in with the sunshine during the afternoon.

Like the last few days, winds will be pretty swift out of the east from 5-15 mph with the occasional gust up to 20 mph. Winds should begin to relax a little by Tuesday, so conditions won't be quite as breezy starting tomorrow.

As we head through this evening and tonight, look for a mostly clear sky conditions with the exception of some light patchy fog early Tuesday morning.

The forecast through the remainder of the week will essentially be on cruise control. Daytime highs will be close to 80°, and overnight temps will cool to near 60°. Skies will stay mostly sunny to partly cloudy as our rain chance remains quite low.

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

FLASH MOB HEART-VO

AN AMAZING SHOW OF SUPPORT --

FOR A MASSACHUSETTS WOMAN FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE.

EILEEN MCGUIRK IS BATTLING CANCER.

AND WAS NOT FEELING WELL ENOUGH TO HANDLE CALLS OR VISITS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

SO HER HUSBAND CONTACTED MORE THAN 200 FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS

THEY GATHERED ON THIS FIELD AND HELD SIGNS. DID THE WAVE. AND PERFORMED CHOREOGRAPHED DANCES

THE BIG FINALE---

FLASH MOB HEART-SOTVO

"It was a special day out there, it was really something to see, to see all those folks turn out for Eileen."

IT WAS ALL A SIGN OF THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT

YAHOO TOP SEARCHES-2-SHOT- CG(2)

NEW THIS MORNING, YAHOO RELEASES -- THE ANNUAL LIST OF. TOP INTERNET SEARCHES.

THE REVIEW REFLECTS DAILY SEARCH HABITS OF USERS

AND A GLIMPSE INTO SOCIAL TRENDS AND TOP STORIES OF 2012.

HERE'S THE TOP-10

AT NUMBER 1 -- THIS YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

NUMBER 2 -- APPLE'S LATEST VERSION OF THE I-PHONE, THE I-PHONE 5,

NUMBER 3 IS REALITY T-V STAR KIM KARDASHIAN

FOLLOWED BY SUPERMODEL KATE UPTON AND BRITISH ROYAL KATE MIDDLETON.

THE NEXT IS THE LATE SINGER -- WHITNEY HOUSTON,

TEXT MESSAGING ANNIVERSARY-VOTOPS

TODAY MARKS A SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY FOR TEXT MESSAGES.

20 YEARS AGO --

THE FIRST TEXT MESSAGE WAS SENT TO A CELL PHONE.

BRITISH ENGINEER NEIL PAPWORTH SENT THE FIRST MESSAGE,

WHEN HE WAS 22 YEARS OLD.

HE SENT THE MESSAGE "MERRY CHRISTMAS" --

SANDY TOYS FOR TOTS-VOTOPS

AND A SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR THE CHILDREN OF NEW JERSEY -- WHO LOST EVERYTHING TO HURRICANE SANDY.

A C-130 AIRCRAFT WILL BE LOADED WITH TOYS AT REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT TODAY -- AND HEAD FOR NEW JERSEY.

TOYS R US MARATHON OPEN-VO TOPS

FROM NOW UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE --

THE WORLD'S LARGEST TOY STORE WILL BE OPEN FOR YOUR SHOPPING PPLEASURE.

THE "TOYS R US" IN NEW YORK'S TIMES SQUARE OPENED AT 7-A-M YESTERDAY,

AND WON'T CLOSE UNTIL THE NIGHT OF CHRISTMAS EVE.

THAT'S 543 CONSECUTIVE HOURS

LOCAL SALVATION ARMY-VO

A FORT MYERS IS SPREADING WARMTH -- TO THE HOMELESS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

14-YEAR-OLD PATRICK CAVANAUGH -- COLLECTED BLANKETS AND JACKETS TO GIVE TO THE HOMELESS AT THE SALVATION ARMY OFF EDISON AVENUE.

HE WANTED TO HELP AFTER SEEING A HOMELESS PERSON UNDER AN OVERPASS.

LOCAL SALVATION ARMY-SOT VO

It's a lot of fun trying to grab as many as we can. Just feels really good to see all the happy faces when they get some jackets and that theyre able to stay a little warner over the winter.

TEASE FIVE-ONCAM

COMING UP -

A LOOK AT YOUR TOP STORIES.

AND A FINAL CHECK OF WEATHER.

PLUS -- THE WEEKEND BOX-OFFICE.

DOES A "COPY AND PASTE."

TZ5 TOP MOVIE PICKS-VO

FINAL CHECK OF STOCKS-SAT 3 FULL

TOP MOVIE FLICKS-NATVO

TWO HUGE HOLDOVERS. TOP THE BOX OFFICE AGAIN.

"THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN - PART 2" EARNED 17 MILLION --

TO SQUEEZE INTO THE NUMBER ONE SPOT.

BUT THE JAMES BOND FLICK "SKYFALL" WAS CLOSE BEHIND AT NUMBER TWO.

HUGH HEFFNER TO GET MARRIED-VO

THE ULTIMATE "PLAYBOY" IS REPORTEDLY READY TO SAY "I DO" AGAIN.

T-M-Z-DOT-COM REPORTS --- HUGH HEFNER IS ENGAGED TO CRYSTAL HARRIS

AND THEY WILL GET MARRIED AT THE PLAYBOY MANSION ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.

BACHELORETTE WEDDING-VOTOPS

A VERY FAMOUS BACHELORETTE. GOT MARRIED OVER THE WEEKEND.

ASHLEY HEBERT STARRED IN THE SEVENTH SEASON OF ABC'S "THE BACHELORETTE."

IN THE SEASON FINALE, SHE GOT ENGAGED TO J-P ROSENBAUM.

PEOPLE REPORTS -- THE COUPLE WED IN PASADENA, CALIFORNIA SATURDAY.

POPE TWITTER ACCOUNT-ONCAM

TODAY -- POPE BENEDICT XVI WILL OFFICIALLY JOIN MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE GLOBE -- BY LAUNCHING HIS OWN TWITTER ACCOUNT.

THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT IS SET FOR TODAY

A VATICAN OFFICIAL SAYS, THE POPE WILL BE COMPOSING THE TWEETS -- HIMSELF.

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TS1) FISCAL CLIFF LATEST-ONCAM

A FINAL CHECK OF YOUR TOP STORIES.

TIME TO RESOLVE THE BUDGET BATTLE ON CAPITOL HILL IS RUNNING OUT.

JUST FOUR WEEKS UNTIL THE NEW YEAR.

AND RIGHT NOW ITS NOT LOOKING GOOD.

LAWMAKERS SAY THEY'RE AT A STAND-STILL OVER AVOIDING THE BUDGET CUTS AND TAX INCREASES KNOWN AS THE FISCAL CLIFF.

DEMOCRATS ARE STARTING THIS WEEK WAITING FOR REPUBLICANS TO MAKE A COUNTER OFFER.

TS2) DANIELS PARKWAY-VOTOPS

UPDATING OUR TOP STORIES THIS MORNING--

ALL LANES ARE BACK OPEN THIS MORNING AT I-75 AND DANIELS PARKWAY.

OVERNIGHT, CREWS WORKED TO REPAVE THE ROAD.

THIS IS ALL PART OF REPAIR WORK AFTER A SEMI CARRYING CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT -- SLAMMED INTO THE OVERPASS LAST MONTH.

TS3) DUNN SENTENCING-VOTOPS

CONVICTED KILLER ROBERT DUNN IS SCHEDULED TO BE IN COURT TODAY FOR THE PENALTY PHASE OF HIS TRIAL.

DUNN WAS FOUND GUILTY LAST WEEK OF WALKING INTO A CAPE CORAL DAYCARE BACK IN 2008 AND KILLING HIS ESTRANGED WIFE CHRISTINE IN FRONT OF HIS 2-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AND OTHERS.

TODAY EACH SIDE WILL PRESENT TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE TO THE SAME JURY THAT CONVICTED HIM.

THEY WILL RECOMMEND EITHER LIFE IN PRISON OR DEATH ROW.

TS4) BOIL WATER NOTICE-VOTOPS

RESIDENTS IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY -- ARE WAKING UP TO SOME GOOD NEWS THIS MORNING.

THE WATER IS NOW *SAFE TO DRINK.

THE BOIL WATER NOTICE -- SINCE LAST WEEK -- HAS BEEN LIFTED.

CLOSE-2SH-AWS ANI

AD LIB GOODBYE

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