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

RIGHT NOW -- WE'RE FOLLOWING TWO BREAKING STORIES OUT OF LEHIGH ACRES.

FIRST -- A CAR STUCK AND KILLED A MAN.

PLUS -- A FIRE BREAKS OUT AT A MARIJUANA GROW HOUSE IN LEHIGH ACRES.

WE'RE LIVE AT BOTH SCENES.

AND -- THE NEWS IS GOING VIRAL.

PRINCE WILLIAM AND DUCHESS KATE WILL SOON HAVE THEIR FIRST CHILD.

ABC-7 SHOWS YOU NEW PHOTOS OF THE COUPLE AT A LONDON HOSPITAL,

HL1) LEHIGH VEHICLE VS PED-VO-WIPE

HL2) LEHIGH FIRE GROW HOUSE-VO-WIPE

HL3) KATE MIDDLETON-VOTOPS

WX HL-WX WALL

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TOSS TO DANIELLE-2SH VO

RIGHT NOW AT NINE A-M.

ABC7 FOLLOWS *TWO* BREAKING STORIES IN LEHIGH ACRES.

A DEADLY ACCIDENT,

AND A GROWHOUSE FIRE.

WE BEGIN WITH THAT DEADLY CRASH.

SUNSHINE BOULEVARD IS *STILL SHUT DOWN.

AS TROOPERS INVESTIGATE.

LET'S GO LIVE TO ABC 7'S DANIELLE KOLENIAK.

LEHIGH VEH VS PED-REMLIVE

LEHIGH VEH VS PED-VO

THAT LEXUS SUV WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND STRUCK AND KILLED THE MAN.

FHP TELLS US THE VICTIM IS AN ADULT HISPANIC WHITE MALE.

LEHIGH VEH VS PED-SOTVO

Take sot

Yessenia Valle

Trooper, FHP

:04

LEHIGH VEH VS PED-REMLIVE

UPDATE ON CURRENT TRAFFIC CONDITION.

TOSS TO KELLY-2SH-VO

AND NOW TO THE OTHER BREAKING STORY.

THAT WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING ALL MORNING.

A HOUSE FIRE IN LEHIGH ACRES.

BUT NOT JUST ANY HOUSE.

WE'VE LEARNED THIS IS A *GROW HOUSE.

ABC7'S KELLY CRESWELL HAS BEEN COVERING THIS INVESTIGATION ON 13TH STREET SOUTHWEST.

SHE JOINS US NOW LIVE.

LEHIGH GROW HOUSE-REMLIVE

THE FIRE MARSHAL FROM THE LEHIGH FIRE DEPARTMENT IS ON SCENE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE RIGHT NOW.

LEHIGH GROW HOUSE-VO

LEHIGH GROW HOUSE-REMLIVE

KATE MIDDLETON PREGNANT-BNR-2-SHOT-VO

ALL NEW THIS MORNING --

WE HAVE PICTURES OF PRINCE WILLIAM.

JUST HOURS AFTER WE FIRST LEARNED ABOUT HER PREGNACY.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE PRINCE -- SPOTTED LEAVING A LONDON HOSPITAL LAST NIGHT.

KATE IS BEING TREATED FOR SEVERE MORNING SICKNESS.

AHEAD AT 9-30 -- ABC-7 GIVES YOU AND UPDATE ON HER CONDITION --

ROBERT DUNN-OC-BNR-VO

TODAY -- THE DRAMA CONTINUES.

AS THE MAN CONVICTED OF KILLING HIS WIFE -- FIGHTS FOR HIS LIFE.

THIS MONRING, WE HAVE PICTURES OF ROBERT DUNN'S ESTRANGED WIFE, CHRISTINE.

YESTERDAY -- THE JURY HEARD FROM BOTH FAMILIES.

THE BIG QUESTION.WILL THEY CHOOSE LIFE IN PRISON -- OR THE DEATH PENTALTY.

LAST WEEK -- THE SAME JURY FOUND DUNN GUILTY OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER.

ROBERT DUNN-SOTVO

"she wasn't prom queen or on the honor roll, but we couldn't have had a more perfect daughter"

"he was very quiet, he was lost. he was - he didn't really have friends that I remember."

THE STATE WANTS DUNN TO DIE FOR HIS CRIME.

BUT THE DEFENSE SAYS DUNN IS BIPOLAR AND HAS A FAMILY HISTORY OF MENTAL ILLNESS.

IRAN US DRONE-2-SHOT

CONFLICTING NEWS FROM OVERSEAS.

IRAN SAYS IT HAS SEIZED A U-S DRONE ---

BUT A U-S NAVY SPOKESPERSON SAYS THAT'S *NOT TRUE.

IRANIAN REPORTS SAID THE DRONE WAS GATHERING INFORMATION OVER THE PERSIAN GULF,

WHEN IT WAS CAPTURED.

FISCAL CLIFF LATEST-2-SHOT

WHETHER IT'S POLITICAL NEGOTIATING. OR POLITICAL POSTURING TO BLAME.

TAX HIKES ARE ON THE LINE FOR ALL AMERICANS,

*IF WASHINGTON CAN'T COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THE "FISCAL CLIFF."

THERE'S LESS THAN A MONTH TO GO. AND COMPETING, TRILLION-DOLLAR PROPOSALS ON BOTH SIDES.

FISCAL CLIFF LATEST-PKG

FISCAL CLIFF LATEST-ONCAM

PRESIDENT SYRIA WARNING-BNR-VO

THIS MORNING,

PRESIDENT OBAMA STANDS BEHIND HIS STATEMENT TO SYRIA'S PRESIDENT --

WARNING THE COUNTRY AGAINST THE USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS.

THE PRESIDENT SPOKE AT THE NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY AT FORT MCNAIR YESTERDAY.

AND SPOKE DIRECTLY TO SYRIA'S PRESIDENT --

OVER HIS THREAT OF USING CHEMICAL WEAPONS AGAINST REBELS.

ACCORDING TO INTELLIGENCE OBTAINED OVER THE WEEKEND--

PRESIDENT SYRIA WARNING-SOTVO

"And today I want to make it absolutely clear to Assad and those under his command the world is watching, the use of chemical weapons is and would be totally unacceptable. And if you make the tragic mistake of using these weapons there will be consequences and you will be held accountable.

THE COOPERATIVE THREAT REDUCTION PROGRAM HAS HELPED DE-ACTIVATE MORE THAN 76-HUNDRED NUCLEAR WARHEADS.

IT'S SET TO END IN THE SPRING.

CAIRO NIGHT PROTESTS-BNR-VO

MEANWHILE -- MORE UNREST, IN THE STREETS OF EGYPT.

THIS MORNING -- PROTESTERS ARE FLOODING CAIRO'S TAHRIR SQUARE, AHEAD OF A NATIONWIDE MARCH, AND PROTEST.

TODAY'S THE TENTH CONSECUTIVE DAY OF PROTESTS.

AGAINST A NEW CONSTITUTION, RAMMED THROUGH BY LAWMAKERS -- AND DECREES BY PRESIDENT MORSI -- GIVING HIM NEARLY UNRESTRICTED POWER.

FATAL CRASH CHARLOTTE COUNTY-OTS-OC

NEW THIS MORNING -

A CRASH IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY KILED AN 88-YEAR-OLD ENGLEWOOD MAN.

F-H-P SAYS THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT,

AT THE INTERSECTION OF STATE ROAD 7-76 AND BIGGS STREET.

A CAR SWERVED RIGHT INTO A VEHICLE WITH TWO PEOPLE INSIDE.

THE DRIVER, DORIS PLANTE IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

LOUIS PLANTE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

DOWNTOWN PARKING-VO

YOU'LL SOON BE PAYING A LITTLE MORE -- TO PARK IN DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS.

LAST NIGHT -- CITY COUNCIL APPROVED HIKES TO MONTHLY GARAGE PARKING --- GOING FROM 50 TO 55 DOLLARS.

THAT ALSO APPLIES TO SPECIAL EVENT PARKING -- GOING FROM FOUR DOLLARS TO FIVE.

HMA REPORT-OC-VO

A NAPLES BASED HOSPITAL CHAIN FIRES BACK THIS MORNING --

AFTER AN IMAGE-BLASTING, SCATHING REPORT ON *NATIONAL T-V.

HEALTH MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES HAS FIVE HOSPITALS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

60-MINTUES EXPOSED THE CHAIN DURING A RECENT INVESTIGATIVE STORY--

CLAIMING H-M-A PRESSURES DOCTORS INTO ADMITTING PATIENTS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM,

REGARDLESS OF MEDICAL NEED --

SIMPLY, TO MAKE MONEY.

THE REPORT FOCUSED ON ALLEGATIONS FROM 100 CURRENT AND FORMER EMPLOYEES.

HMA REPORT-SOTVO

"We don't and have not directed, pushed, coerced any inappropriate activity in our hospitals."

H-M-A ALSO RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING --

"60 MINUTES RELIED ENTIRELY ON DISGRUNTLED FORMER EMPLOYEES."

THEY SAY, THE REPORT "FAILED TO IDENTIFY A SINGLE PATIENT WHO HAD BEEN INAPPROPRIATELY ADMITTED"

AND THAT "ADMISSIONS RATES. WERE IN-LINE WITH NATIONAL NORMS."

LEE CO HESS ROBBERY-trx(2)SS

NOW TO A CRIME ALERT -- IN LEE COUNTY.

THIS MORNING -- DEPUTIES ARE SEARCHING FOR A MAN WHO ROBBED A HESS GAS STATION -- ON PALM BEACH BOULEVARD.

ABC-7 GOT THESE SURVIELLANCE PHOTOS--

AND ONE SHOWS THE GETAWAY CAR --

A METALLIC SILVER OR GOLD, FOUR DOOR SEDAN.

PRIVITIZING EMERGENCY GROUND-VO

LEE COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE STILL DECIDING THE FATE OF IT'S AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE.

AND ONE COMMISSIONER THINKS PRIVATIZING GROUND E-M-S SERVICES, WILL DO THE TRICK.

BUT THE PUBLIC'S RESPONSE HAS BEEN UNFAVORABLE.

COMMISSIONER FRANK MANN SAYS --

THE COUNTY COULD SAVE MILLIONS.

BY PRIVATIZING GROUND E-M-S SERVICE.

AN ONLINE PETITION HAS BEEN STARTED --

TO STOP THE PRIVATIZATION.

TEASE ONE-ONCAM

COMING UP --

CHANGES COMING TO YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

AND YOU MIGHT NOT "LIKE IT."

PLUS -- A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF WEDDING.

YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CEREMONY.

TZ1A) DENNY'S WEDDING CHAPEL-VO

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

BLOOMBERG TEASE-SOT

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT-PKG TOPS

CROSSTALK INTO WX-CAM 9 WX EST

STORMWARN GENERIC CLIP-CLIP

FORECAST-WXWALL

We're on track to see another mostly sunny, warm day across Southwest Florida with pretty slim rain chances once again.

We'll start the day with a few patchy clouds, but sunshine will prevail as we go through the morning and afternoon. Our temperatures will still run a few degrees above average with highs aimed at the low 80s inland and upper 70s along the coast.

A warm breeze out of the east will keep winds up to 5-15 mph during the day, but winds won't be quite as gust as in previous days.

There's very limited moisture around Southwest Florida today, but we may see just enough to support a one or two stray showers. Aside from a couple lonely sprinkles, though, we'll stay mostly dry today.

Our rain chances are now looking slightly more promising by midweek as a result of a disturbance that's appearing a little bit stronger. This system should swing across Southwest Florida late Wednesday into Thursday morning, and as it does so, we may see some widely scattered showers Wednesday evening through Thursday morning. Don't get too excited about our rain prospects, however, as these showers should stay pretty isolated and "hit or miss."

The main side effect we'll notice from this system will be an increase in cloud cover from Wednesday afternoon through the first part of Thursday.

Once the disturbance exits Thursday afternoon, we'll get back to seeing mostly sunny and dry weather with daytime highs close to 80 and overnight temperatures dipping down to 60.

The upcoming weekend is looking very nice with partly cloudy skies and warmer than normal temperatures. We've seen some indications Saturday and Sunday might offer up a few more showers, so we'll continue monitoring this possibility over the next couple days.

In the meantime, there's no indication we'll be getting a cold front in the near future, so enjoy the warmer weather while it's here!

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

FACEBOOK PRIVACY-2-SHOT

HERE'S SOME NEWS FACEBOOK USERS MAY "LIKE."

USERS HAVE JUST UNDER A WEEK -- TO VOTE ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO FACEBOOK'S POLICY.

LAST MONTH, THE SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO ITS DATA USE POLICY.

AND STATEMENT OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

THE PROPOSAL SPARKED OUTRAGE FROM PRIVACY GROUPS --

WHO SENT AN OPEN LETTER TO FACEBOOK C-E-O MARK ZUCKERBERG.

OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL.

FACEBOOK IS USING A CUSTOMIZED VOTING APP -- TO COLLECT THE VOTES AND A THIRD PARTY WILL TALLY THE RESULTS.

CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTORING-VO

GOOD NEWS ON THE CONSTRUCTION FRONT --

U-S BUILDERS INCREASED SPENDING ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN OCTOBER.

BY THE LARGEST AMOUNT IN FIVE MONTHS.

SPENDING ROSE BY ONE-POINT-FOUR PERCENT.

THE LARGEST GAIN SINCE MAY.

HOWEVER, MANUFACTURING SHRANK IN NOVEMBER.

TO ITS LOWEST LEVEL SINCE JULY 2009.

CONCERNS OVER NEXT YEAR'S TAX INCREASES HAVE CUT DEMAND --

AUTO SALES INCREASE-2-SHOT

THE NUMBERS ARE IN --

AND MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A NEW CAR.

IN FACT -- U-S CAR SALES IN NOVEMBER WERE *SO HIGH -- IT WAS THE INDUSTRY'S BEST MONTH --

SINCE EARLY 2008.

AUTO SALES INCREASE-PKG

GWEN TIMMERMAN IS THRILLED TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF HER NEW CHEVY TRAVERSE.

I work for Tyson here in town, and I do the events, and I have growing boys. So I just needed a little bit more room.

LOW INTEREST RATES MADE NOW THE PERFECT TIME FOR TIMMERMAN TO UPGRADE TO THIS S-U-V. DEALERSHIPS SAY LOW RATES COMBINED WITH YEAR-END INCENTIVES ARE BRINGING IN LOTS OF EAGER CAR BUYERS.

You know manufacturers always try to push their product right at the end of the year. Incentives are in the upwards of $6500, even $7500 on some vehicles.

IN FACT, HERE AT WITHAM AND DEALERSHIPS AROUND THE COUNTRY, THAT'S ALLOWING 20-12 TO BE A BANNER YEAR FOR AUTO SALES. IT'S WELCOME NEWS, AFTER THE INDUSTRY SUFFERED SLOW SALES DURING THE RECESSION. WHETHER IT'S A CAR, TRUCK, OR S-U-V, FUEL EFFICIENCY CONTINUES TO BE A KEY FACTOR DRIVING PEOPLE TO MAKE A PURCHASE.

Fuel efficient vehicles have been a big focal point, and it's been a big focal point for all the manufacturers. Even like the new F-Series pick-ups, the eco-boost is getting upwards of 21 miles per gallon. For a large pick-up, that's pretty uncommon.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED-VO

YOU DON'T JUST NEED A SNACK TO WATCH T-V ANYMORE.

TURNS OUT -- YOU NEED A SECOND SCREEN!

A TABLET OR SMARTPHONE.

ACCORDING TO THE NIELSEN COMPANY --

ONE IN THREE PEOPLE USING TWITTER IN JUNE.

SENT MESSAGES ABOUT THE CONTENT OF TELEVISION SHOWS.

THAT'S AN INCREASE OF 27 PERCENT FROM ONLY FIVE MONTHS EARLIER.

THE STUDY ALSO FOUND --

NEARLY A THIRD OF PEOPLE AGES 18 TO 24.

HOLIDAY REGIFTING-VOTOPS

JUST LIKE EGGNOG AND MISTLETOE -- RE-GIFTING ISN'T GOING AWAY.

THAT'S WHEN YOU GET A PRESENT --- THEN GIVE IT AWAY, AS A GIFT.

ACCORDING TO COUPON-CABIN-DOT-COM.

NEARLY FOUR IN TEN AMERICANS -- HAVE REGIFTED.

DENNY'S WEDDING CHAPEL-VOTOPS

DENNY'S OPENS ONE OF THE LARGEST RESTAURANTS IN THE WORLD.

AND THE DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS LOCATION OFFERS DINERS THE CHANCE FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE

DIFFERENT.

A WEDDING CHAPEL!

IT ALSO SERVES UP SEVERAL UNIQUE MENU ITEMS --

LIKE A BACON-FLAVORED MARTINI CALLED "THE BAKONTINI"

PLUS, AN ELVIS INSPIRED "KING STACK" --

TEASE TWO-ONCAM

WE'VE GOT A LIST OF THE MOST HEALTH CONSCIOUS PLACES IN AMERICA.

AND A SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CITY MADE THE CUT!

FIND OUT WHICH ONE.

PLUS -- NEW INFORMATION ON THE UPCOMING FLU SEASON.

WE'LL TELL YOU HOW BAD IT'S GOING TO BE.

TZ2 A) BAD FLU SEASON-VO

BAD FLU SEASON-VO

FLU SEASON IS HERE.

AND HEALTH EXPERTS SAY THIS YEAR COULD BE PRETTY BAD.

WE CHECKED IN WITH THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION.

THE PROMINENT STRAIN SO FAR IS H-3-N-2 --

A STRAIN USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH A SEVERE FLU SEASON.

THE C-D-C'S DIRECTOR SAYS THIS YEAR'S FLU SHOT IS AN EXCELLENT MATCH WITH THE INFLUENZA GOING AROUND.

BAD FLU SEASON-SOTVO

SOT Dr. Joseph Gigante, Vanderbilt University "I think very important to let viewers know it's never too late to get the flu vaccine so if you haven't been vaccinated for the flu go ahead and get vaccinated as soon as possible."

DOCTORS SAY THE STATES WITH THE *MOST FLU ACTIVITY SO FAR --

SOCIAL MEDIA OBESITY-VO

THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION -- SUGGESTS DOCTORS USE THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA -- TO HELP OBESE CHILDREN LOSE WEIGHT.

ONLINE WEIGHT LOSS TOOLS -- HELP OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN AND TEENS LOSE WEIGHT.

EXPERTS SAY VIRTUAL SUPPORT NETWORKS --- CAN WORK AS WELL AS THOSE IN THE REAL WORLD.

TEEN SMOKING OSTEOPOROSIS -VOTOPS

TEEN GIRLS WHO SMOKE.

COULD FACE AN INCREASED RISK FOR OSTEOPOROSIS LATER IN LIFE.

A STUDY OF OVER 200 GIRLS -- AGES 11 TO 19 -- FOUND THOSE WHO SMOKED HAD LOWER BONE MINERAL DENSITY.

ESPECIALLY IN AREAS VULNERABLE TO FRACTURES LATER IN LIFE.

EXPERTS SAY THE TEENAGE YEARS ARE CRITICAL FOR BONE GROWTH--

HEALTH CONSCIOUS FORT MYERS-VO

NEW THIS MORNING:

A CITY IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA MAKES THE LIST -- AS ONE OF THE TOP HEALTH CONSCIOUS CITIES, IN THE U-S.

ZOC-DOC. BASED THE NUMBER OF PREVENTATIVE APPOINTMENTS -- BOOKED BY RESIDENTS THIS YEAR. ON THEIR SITE --

.GET THIS --

THE *ONLY ZOC-DOC MARKET WHERE MEN BOOKED MORE APPOINTMENTS THAN WOMEN --

HEALTH CONSCIOUS CITIES-VOTOPS

MEANWHILE -- HERE'S THE LIST OF THE OTHER CITIES DEEMED THE "MOST HEALTH CONSCIOUS"

AT THE TOP OF THE LIST -- AUSTIN, TEXAS.

FOLLOWED BY ORLANDO.

THEN THERE'S DENVER.

TEASE THREE-ONCAM

A POPULAR SPORTS ANCHOR FACES BACKLASH.

AFTER VOICING HIS OPINONS ON GUN CONTROL.

IT'S EVEN GOT SOUTHWEST FLORIDIANS TALKING.

PLUS, THE U-S GOVERNMENT GETS ALARMING INTELLIGENCE.

DETAILS ON CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN SYRIA.

TZ3 A) SYRIA WARNING-VO

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIP

NY STOCK EXCHANGE OPEN-SAT 3 TOPS

LET'S GO LIVE -- TO THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.

The talks in Washington appear set to take center stage -- for investors again today.

It's the "fiscal cliff effect."

The two sides have proposed trillions is cuts -- but can't agree on how to do it, and where to get it.

TS1) FISCAL CLIFF LATEST-VOTOPS

STILL NO DEAL ON THAT FISCAL CLIFF --

LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY FROM THE DEADLINE.

ECONOMISTS WARN --

IF WASHINGTON *CAN'T STRIKE A DEAL BEFORE THAT DEADLINE.

THE ECONOMY WILL SUFFER MAJOR CONSEQUENCES,

TS2) LEHIGH VEH VS PED-VOWIPE

PART OF A BUSY ROAD IN LEHIGH ACRES IS STILL SHUTDOWN AFTER A DEADLY ACCIDENT THIS MORNING.

LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES TELL US A MAN WAS STRUCK AND KILLED IN THE AREA OF 6TH STREET SOUTHWEST AND SUNSHINE BOULEVARD AROUND 6-THIRTY THIS MORNING.

TS3) LEHIGH GROW HOUSE-VOWIPE

ALSO IN LEHIGH ACRES THIS MORNING --

FIRE ERUPTS AT A GROW HOUSE --

SENDING SMOKE HIGH INTO THE SKY.

IT ALL HAPPENED AT THE 43-HUNDRED BLOCK OF 13TH STREET SOUTHWEST

NO ONE WAS INSIDE AT THE TIME.

SYRIA WARNING-2-SHOT

CONTROVERSIAL REMARKS BY SYRIAN OFFICIALS --

PROMPTED PRESIDENT OBAMA TO STRIKE BACK.

PRESIDENT OBAMA IS SENDING A WARNING TO SYRIA'S PRESIDENT -- AFTER THE COUNTRY THREATENED TO USE CHEMICAL WEAPONS.

AS ABC'S MARTHA RADDATZ EXPLAINS --

SYRIA WARNING-PKG

THE LATEST INTELLIGENCE IS ALARMING.

OFFICIALS TELLING ABC NEWS THE U.S. IS NOW SEEING SPECIFIC SIGNS THAT THE

SYRIAN REGIME MAY BE PREPARING TO USE THE CHEMICAL SARIN AGAINST OPPOSITION

FORCES.

SARIN IS AN EXTREMELY TOXIC SUBSTANCE THAT CAN KILL A PERSON IN A MATTER OF

MINUTES.WITH ONLY ONE DROP. THE VICTIMS SUFFOCATED FROM THE PARALYZING

EFFECTS OF THE TOXIN.

THIS NEW INTELLIGENCE HAS THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION SO CONCERNED, HARSH

WARNINGS CAME FROM TODAY FROM THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF.

OBAMA SOT - LET ME MAKE THIS CLEAR TO ASSAD.THE WORLD IS WATCHING THE USE

OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS IS AND WOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE.IF YOU USE THERE WILL

BE CONSEQUENCES AND YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE

A SENIOR OFFICIAL TELLS ABC NEWS THAT THERE ARE CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR

SYRIA WARNING-ONCAM

THE SYRIAN REGIME SAID IT WOULD *NOT USE CHEMICAL WEAPONS -- UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.

BUT PRESIDENT ASSAD'S FATHER USED THEM --

AG CHIEF OF STAFF TO RESIGN-BNR-OTS-OC

NEW THIS MORNING ---

A RANKING JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL WILL RESIGN BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.

GARY GRINDLER IS THE CHIEF OF STAFF --

FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER.

REPUBLICANS NAMED GRINDLER --

IN THEIR PROBES INTO THE BOTCHED GUN-RUNNING SCHEME "FAST AND FURIOUS".

SUPERSTORM SANDY HEARING-VOTOPS

ALSO NEW THIS MORNING --

THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE -- WILL HOLD A HEARING ON SUPERSTORM SANDY.

OFFICIALS SAY, LAWMAKERS WILL LOOK THE PREPARATION EFFORTS LEADING UP TO THE STORM --

THE REPSONSE -- AND RECOVERY PLANS.

IDENTITY THEFT RISE-VO

AN ALARMING REPORT THIS MORNING --

THE I-R-S REPORTS AN INCREASE IN IDENTITY THEFT

BUT FACES SEVERAL OBSTACLES TO COMBAT IT.

CONGRESS DECREASED I-R-S FUNDING BY TWO-AND-A-HALF PERCENT.

AND THE AGENCY HAS SHIFTED MORE THAN THREE THOUSAND EMPLOYEES --

TO DEAL WITH IDENTITY THEFT ISSUES.

I-R-S OVERSEERS ESTIMATE --

THE AGENCY COULD ISSUE 21 BILLION IFRAUDULANT TAX REFUNDS.

OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

WESTERN WEATHER-WIPE-VOTOPS

CALIFORNIANS ARE GEARING UP FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF HEAVY RAIN AND HIGH WINDS, THIS MORNING.

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS VIDEO -- FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

FLASH FLOODING SHUT DOWN ROADS AND BUSINESSES,

AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS -- ARE WITHOUT POWER.

THIS IS THEIR THIRD ROUND OF WICKED WEATHER -- IN LESS THAN A WEEK.

AUTHORITIES ARE SURVEYING DAMAGE TODAY,

TEXAS APARTMENT FIRE-VOTOPS

LOOK AT THIS MASSIVE FIRE --

THE FOUR-ALARM BLAZE DESTROYED DOZENS OF APARTMENTS LAST NIGHT.

THE BUILDING WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WHEN CREWS ARRIVED.

FIREFIGHTERS *EVENTUALLY CONTAINED THE FIRE.

WHICH DISPLACED NEARLY 70 PEOPLE.

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING-VO

DEVELOPING RIGHT NOW ---

A MASS CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING IN ATLANTA. AT A SCHOOL.

FORTY-THREE STUDENTS AND AT LEAST FIVE STAFFERS AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,

WERE RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL, YESTERDAY.

FIREFIGHTERS DETECTED HIGH AND UNSAFE LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE NEAR A FURNACE.

REACTION TO BOB COSTAS' GUNS COMMENTS-SOTVO

BACKLASH GROWS THIS MORNING --

OVER A COMMENT MADE BY LEAD N-B-C SPORTS ANCHOR BOB COSTAS.

ON GUN CONTROL.

If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kassandra Perkins would both be alive today

BOB COSTAS GAVE HIS PERSONAL OPINION ON GUNS --

IN THE WAKE OF THE MURDER-SUICIDE OF A KANSAS CITY CHEIF'S FOOTBALL PLAYER.

HE WAS PARAPHRASING FOX SPORTS COLUMNIST JASON WHITLOCK.

WE ATTENDED A LOCAL CONCEALED CARRY CLASS,

REACTION TO BOB COSTAS' GUNS COMMENTS-SOTVO

3:15 guns dont kill people, people kill people:16:18 guns are a nice thing to have in the house gives you a piece of mind if someone comes in you have a line of defense to save your family:27

A HANDFUL OF GROUPS -- LIKE THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS -- DID COME OUT IN FAVOR OF COSTA'S REMARKS.

ZIMMERMAN'S BLOODY FACE-VO

WE HAVE NEW INFORMATION -- IN LAST YEAR'S SHOOTING DEATH OF TRAYVON MARTIN.

GEORGE ZIMMERMAN'S DEFENSE TEAM RELEASED THIS PICTURE, TAKEN ON FEBRUARY 26TH.

THAT'S THE NIGHT -- ZIMMERMAN SAYS HE SHOT THE UNARMED TEEN IN SELF DEFENSE.

THE PICTURE WAS PREVIOUSLY SEEN -- AS A BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOCOPY.

IN THIS ONE -- YOU CAN SEE BLOOD ON ZIMMERMAN'S FACE.

NEW CHARLOTTE FIRE BOATS-CLIP-VOWIPE

CHARLOTTE COUNTY'S E-M-S BOAT --"MARINE 2" -IS OFFICIALLY PATROLLING THE WATERS.

nat bottle break

IT'S THE COUNTYS THIRD EMERGENCY BOAT.

TWO WAS NOT ENOUGH.

IT WAS TAKING CREW 45 MINUTES TO AN HOUR --- TO GET BOATERS IN CHARLOTTE HARBOR.

NEW CHARLOTTE FIRE BOATS-SOTVO

MARINE TWO IS THE FIRST BOAT IN THE AREA -- TO FIGHT FIRES AND PROVIDE MEDICAL HELP.

IT CAN SPRAY 1,000 GALLONS OF WATER PER MINUTE.

TEASE FOUR-2-SHOT

STRAIGHT AHEAD --

THE BABY ANNOUNCEMENT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD.

IT'S OFFICIAL!

KATE MIDDLETON IS PREGNANT!

T4A) KATE MIDDLETON PREGNANT-VO

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

KATE MIDDLETON PREGNANT-2-SHOT

NOW TO THE STORY THAT'S TRENDING AROUND THE WORLD THIS MORNING --

IT'S OFFICIAL!

KATE MIDDLETON IS PREGNANT!

KATE MIDDLETON PREGNANT-PKG

A BLEARY EYED PRINCE WILLIAM EMERGED FROM THE HOSPITAL JUST AFTER 8PM -

AFTER SPENDING MOST OF THE DAY BY HIS WIFE'S BEDSIDE.

THE NEWLY ANNOUNCED MOTHER TO BE IS SUFFERING FROM A CONDITION CALLED

HYPEREMESIS 1/8HYPER-EM-ESIS like "arch nemisis" 3/8 GRAVIDARUM 1/8GRAVI-DARR-UM 3/8 ,

OR ACUTE NAUSEA.

Nat Will and Kate appearance Cambridge

NOT YET 12 WEEKS ALONG, A PALACE SOURCE TELLS ABC NEWS THE ROYAL COUPLE

DECIDED TO GO PUBLIC WITH THE PREGNANCY BECAUSE THE DUCHESS NEEDED TO BE

HOSPITALIZED.

WILLIAM AND KATE WERE SPENDING THE WEEKEND WITH HER PARENTS IN BUCKLEBURY

WHEN SHE TOOK ILL. THE PRINCE, ALONG WITH THEIR PERSONAL SECURITY TEAM,

DROVE HIS WIFE, REPORTEDLY IN THEIR RANGE ROVER, 50 MILES TO THIS LONDON

HOSPITAL, WHERE SHE WAS PLACED ON AN IV DRIP.

RUMORS THAT A BABY WAS ON BOARD FIRST STARTED SWIRLING LAST FALL, WHEN KATE

PASSED ON AN OFFERING OF PEANUT PASTETHEN THIS SEPTEMBER, WHEN SHE TOASTED

WITH WATER IN SINGAPORE. BUT SPECULATION WENT INTO OVERDRIVE LAST WEEK WHEN

THE COUPLE WAS VISITING CAMBRIDGE

William in Cambridge getting a baby onesie

A SMILING PRINCE ACCEPTED A BABY ONESIE PRINTED WITH THE WORDS "DADDY'S

LITTLE CO-PILOT"

nats - Kate at her prep school

TWO DAYS LATER KATE APPEARED IN HIGH SPIRITS WHILE VISITING HER OLD PREP

SCHOOL - EVEN TAKING TO THE HOCKEY FIELD IN HER HIGH-HEELED BOOTS

SOT/Kate 13:24:42- I hope we will be able to have a happy family ourselves.

THE COUPLE, WHO GOT ENGAGED IN 2010, HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OPEN ABOUT THEIR

DESIRE TO START A FAMILY

SOT/Prince William - I think we'll take it one step at a time. We'll sort

of get over the marriage first and then maybe look at the kids. But

obviously we want a family so we'll have to start thinking about that.

ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY WED THE WORLD WAS ON ROYAL BABY WATCH -

SOMETHING THE PRINCE SPOKE TO KATIE COURIC ABOUT IN MAY

Prince William - It is quite strange reading about it, but I try not to let

it bother me. But I'm just very keen to have a family. And both Catherine

and I, you know, are looking forward to having a family in the future.

Katie Couric - Is there anything you'd like to tell me about that?

STORM WARN GENERIC CLIP-CLIP

CROSSTALK-CAM 9 WX EST

FORECAST-WX WALL

We're on track to see another mostly sunny, warm day across Southwest Florida with pretty slim rain chances once again.

We'll start the day with a few patchy clouds, but sunshine will prevail as we go through the morning and afternoon. Our temperatures will still run a few degrees above average with highs aimed at the low 80s inland and upper 70s along the coast.

A warm breeze out of the east will keep winds up to 5-15 mph during the day, but winds won't be quite as gust as in previous days.

There's very limited moisture around Southwest Florida today, but we may see just enough to support a one or two stray showers. Aside from a couple lonely sprinkles, though, we'll stay mostly dry today.

Our rain chances are now looking slightly more promising by midweek as a result of a disturbance that's appearing a little bit stronger. This system should swing across Southwest Florida late Wednesday into Thursday morning, and as it does so, we may see some widely scattered showers Wednesday evening through Thursday morning. Don't get too excited about our rain prospects, however, as these showers should stay pretty isolated and "hit or miss."

The main side effect we'll notice from this system will be an increase in cloud cover from Wednesday afternoon through the first part of Thursday.

Once the disturbance exits Thursday afternoon, we'll get back to seeing mostly sunny and dry weather with daytime highs close to 80 and overnight temperatures dipping down to 60.

The upcoming weekend is looking very nice with partly cloudy skies and warmer than normal temperatures. We've seen some indications Saturday and Sunday might offer up a few more showers, so we'll continue monitoring this possibility over the next couple days.

In the meantime, there's no indication we'll be getting a cold front in the near future, so enjoy the warmer weather while it's here!

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

FL TEACHER REPORT CARDS-OTS-OC

IT'S REPORT CARD TIME ACROSS FLORIDA -- FOR TEACHERS.

SOMETIME THIS WEEK --- WE EXPECT TO LEARN IF FLORIDA'S TEACHERS ARE GETTING A PASSING GRADE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PLANS TO RELEASE A NEW REPORT.

RED SOX TICKET LINES-VOWIPE

RED SOX NATION IS BACK.

AND THIS TIME FANS ARE TAKING ON NEW TERRITORY -- JETBLUE PARK.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME -- FANS ARE LINING UP TO BUY TICKETS AT THE NEW SPRING TRAINING FACILITY.

LAST DECEMBER, FANS LINED UP AT THE CITY OF PALMS -- WHILE CREWS FINISHED LAST MINUTE WORK AT JET BLUE.

RED SOX TICKET LINES-SOTVO

derek dearmond, red sox fan

"All year long everybody is working but this us like a week long tailgate party for us."

NEW THIS YEAR THE RED SOX WILL DO HOURLY GIVEAWAYS, RAFFLES AND DISCOUNTS AT THE TEAM STORE.

NAPLES WATERWAY WORRIES-OC-VO

TRAFFIC JAM!

PEOPLE IN NAPLES ARE WORRIED --

THAT BOATS COULD GET STUCK OR HIT EACH OTHER.

ON A POPULAR WATERWAY.

HUNDREDS OF VESSELS NEED TO USE DOCTOR'S PASS TO GET TO THE GULF.

THE WATERWAY IS SUPPOSED TO BE SEVEN FEET DEEP,

BUT AFTER RECENT TROPICAL STORMS.

SOME PARTS ARE LESS THEN THREE FEET DEEP.

IT'LL COST 800 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO DREDGE THE PASS.

THE CITY IS CONSIDERING TEMPORARY DREDGING--

FGCU BACKGROUND CHECKS-VOWIPE

STALEMATE ON THE CAMPUS OF FGCU-

ALL OVER FINGERPRINTS.

FRIDAY, THE FACULTY SENATE VOTED -- *NOT TO SUPPORT A POLICY CREATED BY UNIVERSITY LEADERS -- REQUIRING ALL EMPLOYEES TO GET BACKGROUND CHECKS *WITH FINGERPRINTS.

ONLY *SOME EMPLOYEES -- ARE REQUIRED TO GET CHECKS RIGHT NOW.

IT'S UNCLEAR IF THE FACULTY SENATE WILL SEE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE POLICY TO GIVE FEEDBACK.

FM HOLIDAY DESTINATION-(3)HFCGRV

APPARENTLY THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE FORT MYERS FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

ORBITZ JUST RANKED FORT MYERS -- AS ONE OF THE TOP TEN PLACES TO VISIT OVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS.

THEY ANALYZED HOTEL AND FLIGHT INFORMATION--

AND RANKED FORT MYERS SEVENTH.

THE CITY EVEN TOPPED POPULAR WINTER DESTINATIONS AS CANCUN--

CHARLOTTE FILM PUSH-VO-WIPE

CHARLOTTE COUNTY. THE NEXT MOVIE LOCATION?

TO HELP PROMOTE THE AREA AS A FILMING DESTINATION --

CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HIRED A FILM DIRECTOR.

JERRY JONES HAS SPENT THE PAST 27 YEARS --

WORKING IN SIMILAR POSITIONS ACROSS THE MIDWEST.

HE SAYS THE VARIETY OF LOCALES IN THE COUNTY.

CHARLOTTE FILM PUSH-SOTVO

Jerry Jones, Director of Film, TV and Digital Media"You're trying to look at it as best you can through the eye of the director, the art designer of the cinematographer."

THE PART-TIME JOB PAYS 27-THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR.

TEASE FIVE-2-SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

PARIS GIVES BACK.

WE'RE NOT TALKING PARIS FRANCE.

PARIS, THE HILTON HEIRESS.

TZ5 PARIS HILTON ORPHANS-VO

FINAL CHECK OF STOCKS-SAT 3 FULL

PARIS HILTON ORPHANS-VO

ALL NEW THIS MORNING,

SOCIALITE PARIS HILTON MAKES HER ROUNDS.

SHE BRIGHTENED THE DAY OF SOME ORPHANS IN THE INDIAN CITY OF MUMBAI.

MONDAY, HILTON SURPRISED THE CHILDREN WITH GIFTS DURING HER VISIT.

SHE MAY HAVE SURPRISED THEM EVEN MORE --

WHEN SHE JOINED THEM IN A DANCE IN FRONT OF DOZENS OF CAMERAS.

HOBBIT HEADACHES-VOTOPS

THE HOBBITS' WIZARDRY. IS MAKING SOME MOVIE-GOERS SICK.LITERALLY.

PEOPLE WHO SAW LAST WEEK'S PREMIER IN NEW ZEALAND. COMPLAINED OF MOTION SICKNESS. FEELING DIZZY. AND GETTING MIGRAINES.

"THE HOBBIT - AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY" IS THE FIRST FILM TO BE SHOT USING HIGH-SPEED 3-D CAMERAS. CAPTURING *TWICE THE NUMBER OF FRAMES PER SECOND.

OTHER MOVIE-GOERS. CALLED THE FILM AMAZING.

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR-VOTOPS

DRUM ROLL, PLEASE.

LEBRON JAMES IS SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR.

AFTER LEADING THE "MIAMI HEAT" TO AN N-B-A TITLE,

AND WINNING THE LEAGUE'S M-V-P AWARD,

KING JAMES THEN HELPED THE U-S OLYMPIC TEAM WIN A GOLD MEDAL IN LONDON.

MAYOR FOODSTAMP CHALLENGE-OC-CG

TAKING A LOOK AHEAD ---

THE FOOD STAMP CHALLENGE KICKS OFF TODAY.

NEWARK MAYOR CORY BOOKER -- WILL LIVE ON THE EQUIVALENT OF FOOD STAMPS - ABOUT $4 DOLLARS PER DAY IN NEW JERSEY - FOR ONE WEEK, STARTING TODAY.

A TWITTER EXCHANGE LAST MONTH -- EVOLVED INTO THE CHALLENGE.

AND HE'S ALREADY STOCKED UP ON FOOD.

THE VEGETARIAN HAS ONLY SPENT $29 DOLLARS AND 78 CENTS THIS WEEK.

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TS1) FISCAL CLIFF LATEST-VOTOPS

A FINAL LOOK AT OUR TOP STORIES--

THE G-O-P'S PLAN TO RESOLVE THE FISCAL CLIFF HAS BEEN TURNED DOWN.

THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS THE PLAN DOES NOT MEET THE "TEST OF BALANCE."

IT CALLS FOR 800-BILLION DOLLARS IN HIGHER TAX REVENUE OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

TS2) LEHIGH VEH VS PED-VOTOPS

A MAN IS KILLED AFTER BEING HIT BY A CAR WHILE TRYING TO CROSS THE ROAD IN LEHIGH ACRES.

THIS HAPPENED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF SUNSHINE BOULEVARD AND 6TH STREET SOUTHWEST AROUND 6 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING.

TROOPERS WITH THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL HAVE BEEN ON SCENE INVESTIGATING FOR A GOOD PORTION OF THE MORNING.

AT THIS TIME, THE VICTIM HAS NOT YET BEEN IDENTIFIED.

TS3) LEHIGH GROW HOUSE-VOTOPS

ALSO IN LEHIGH ACRES THIS MORNING --

FIRE ERUPTS AT A MARIJUANA GROW HOUSE --

SENDING SMOKE HIGH INTO THE SKY.

IT ALL HAPPENED AT THE 43-HUNDRED BLOCK OF 13TH STREET SOUTHWEST AROUND 6 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING.

NO ONE WAS INSIDE AT THE TIME.

TS4) KATE MIDDLETON-VOTOPS

AND HAPPENING RIGHT NOW --

PRINCE WILLIAM IS VISITING HIS PREGNANT WIFE KATE IN A LONDON HOSPITAL, WHERE SHE IS SPENDING A SECOND DAY BEING TREATED FOR ACUTE MORNING SICKNESS.

ROYAL OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT KATE IS PREGNANT AND SUFFERING FROM A SEVERE FORM OF MORNING SICKNESS.

CLOSE-2SH-AWS ANI

AD LIB GOODBYE

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