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

UNSEASONAL WEATHER SLAMS FLORIDA

WITH REPORTS OF TORNADOS AND EXTREME WEATHER STATEWIDE.

WE''RE TRACKING THE LATEST AND BRINGING IT RIGHT TO YOU.

ELECTION DAY CHAOS --

ENDLESS LINES *FILLED WITH FRUSTRATED VOTERS.

ABC-7 IS LIVE -- AS THE SECRETARY OF STATE -- DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM LOCAL OFFICIALS.

PLUS -- TWO THINGS YOU WOULD NOT NORMALLY PUT TOGETHER.

HUMAN URINE. AND YOUR BRAIN CELLS.

WE'LL EXPLAIN GROUND BREAKING RESEARCH.

WX HL-WX WALL

HL1) TORNADO WARNINGS-VO-WIPE

HL2) FL SECRETARY OF STATE-VO-WIPE

HL3) URINE BRAIN CELLS-VOTOPS

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIPTOPS

WX TOSS-RADAR

STORMWARN 7 LIVE DOPPLER RADAR LOOKS MORE LIKE JULY THAN DECEMBER.

A VERY ACTIVE MORNING --

RAIN AND LIGHTNING ALL ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

AND THE TREND IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

STORMWARN CLIP-CLIP

RAINY MORNING-WXWALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

EDGEWATER TORNADO-BNR-VOTOPS

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS BRAND NEW VIDEO THIS MORNING.

A VIEWER IN EDGEWATER GOT VIDEO OF A LIKELY TORNADO.

THAT'S IN BROWARD COUNTY.

IN CENTRAL FLORIDA -- AT LEAST 40 HOMES ARE DAMAGED THIS MORNING.

FLORIDA TORNADO WARNINGS-2SHOT

MEANWHILE -- THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL BE ON THE GROUND IN CENTRAL FLORIDA TODAY -- TO INVESTIGATE THAT STORM.

MOTHER NATURE LEFT HER MARK ACROSS THE ENTIRE U-S TODAY --

WITH SNOW BLANKETING PARTS OF THE MIDWEST.

AND OF COURSE -- FLORIDA'S BATTLE WITH SEVERE THUNDER STORMS.

FLORIDA TORNADO WARNINGS-PKG

Monster storms wreaked havoc in the upper Midwest and parts of the South.

In the Northern Plains, residents are digging out after a record snowstorm.

MOS Brian Ferguson, Eau Claire, WI Resident

"WE JUST MOVED TO THE AREA A FEW MONTHS AGO FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, SO IT'

S A BIT OF A SHOCK."

This morning, most of Minnesota is buried in whiteafter the state got its

monthly snowfall total in just one day.

In Minneapolis-St. Paul, cars were a heavy casualty -- some were buried.

Others, like these found along emergency routes -- towed.

MOS Nate Greer, Pequot Lakes, MN Resident

"SO WE WERE JUST GOING TO MOVE OUR CAR IN THE MORNING, AND THEN IT WAS GONE.

"

The snow made driving conditions miserable. State police reported hundreds

of car crashes.

Across Wisconsin, plows were out in heavy force. But the season's first

snowfall was a welcome sight.

MOS Dennis Gross, Wisconsin winter enthusiast

"IT'S DEFINITELY GOT EVERYBODY EXCITED."

Winter was mild last year in parts of the Mid-West, so businesses like

towing companies and hardware stores gladly went to work.

MOS - VOICE OF: Darin Lind, Owner, Duke's Towing

"IT'S NICE TO SEE SOME SNOW. IT'S NICE TO SEE WINTER HERE. IT GETS BUSINESS

BACK TO USUAL."

Across the South, a different weather threatmore than a dozen tornadoes

confirmed since Sunday.

One struck the town of Baker, Louisiana where strong winds tore the roof off

a car wash, littering streets with debris.

SOT Harold Rideau, Mayor, Baker, Louisiana

"IT WAS REAL SCARY. EVERYTHING WAS JUST FLYING AROUND, JUST TOSSED AROUND."

In Edgewater, Florida, about 30 mobile homes were no match for a heavy

twister.

MOS - unidentified Florida woman

"I WAS AT WORK AND I TOOK A PHONE CALL FROM MY HUSBAND AND HE SAID IT'S NOT

GOOD, YOU NEED TO COME HOME NOW."

More severe weather is expected today in Florida with possible tornadoes

from Orlando to Tampa, Daytona Beach all the way down to West Palm Beach and

Miami.

FLORIDA TORNADO WARNINGS-OC

WE'LL BE SURE TO KEEP YOU UPDATED, THROUGHOUT THIS NEWSCAST, ON ANY SEVERE WEATHER --

BREAKING CLIP-CLIP

ZIMMERMAN IN COURT-VOTOPS

BREAKING NEWS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA --

RIGHT NOW, GEORGE ZIMMERMAN IS IN COURT.

HE'S THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH VOLUNTEER WHO SHOT AND KILLED TRAYVON MARTIN.

ZIMMERMAN WANTS THE JUDGE TO END HIS 24-HOUR G-P-S MONITORING --

WHILE HE'S OUT ON BOND.

THE DEFENSE ALSO REQUESTED A RECORDED INTERVIEW --

WITH MARTIN'S ALLEGED GIRLFRIEND.

ZIMMERMAN FACES SECOND-DEGREE MURDER CHARGES.

TOSS TO CLIFTON-2SHOT

*TODAY - FLORIDA'S SECRETARY OF STATE VISITS FORT MYERS.

TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WENT WRONG ON ELECTION DAY.

WE ALL REMEMBER THOSE *LONG LINES AROUND LEE COUNTY.

VOTERS WAITING FOR *HOURS TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

ABC7'S CLIFTON FRENCH IS LIVE OUTSIDE THE ELECTIONS OFFICE DOWNTOWN.

SECRETARY OF STATE VISIT-REMLIVE

DETZNER AND HARRINGTON ARE IN A CLOSED MEETING AS WE SPEAK.

WE MET UP WITH LEE COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS, SHARON HARRINGTON BEFORE THEY WENT INTO THE MEETING.

SHE SAYS SHE DOESN'T EXPECT TO BE CHASTISED HERE TODAY. BUT EXPECTS SOME TOUGH QUESTIONS.

SOT:

Sharon Harrington, Lee Co. Supervisor of Elections.

"They gave us a list of questions that we prepared a little bit yesterday to some of the things they will be touching on, poll watchers, poll workers, equipment issues, that kind of thing. They wanted us to be prepared and it sounds very positive."

VO:

THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME SECRETARY OF STATE KEN DETZNER HAS SPOKE ABOUT THE ELECTION DAY ISSUES.

LAST WEEK HE TESTIFIED IN FRONT OF THE STATE SENATE ETHICS AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE WHERE HE CALLED THE LONG LINES UNACCEPTABLE AND BLAMED THE LONG BALLOT.

IN THE HEARING, HE ALSO SAID FIVE COUNTIES "UNDER PERFORMED" ON ELECTION NIGHT. ONE OF THEM BEING LEE.

AT SOME OF THE WORST POLLING STATIONS, PEOPLE HAD TO WAIT UP TO SIX HOURS TO VOTE.

SECRETARY OF STATE VISIT-VO

SOT:

"The long ballot was a major, the number one factor, I think overall. because we saw good performance from almost all the counties in the other elections so you have to look at that one issue."

HARRINGTON PLANS ON ASKING FOR MORE MONEY FOR ADDITIONAL SCANNERS TO PUT IN POLLING STATIONS.

LIVE TAG:

THE MEETING TODAY IS SCHEDULED TO GO TO 11:00 THIS MORNING, WE PLAN ON SPEAKING WITH SECRETARY DETZNER AFTER IT ENDS.

ROWLES TRIAL-VO

THE DEFENSE FOR A COLLIER COUNTY TEEN -- ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS OWN MOTHER -- COULD WRAP UP AS EARLY AS TODAY.

THE STATE RESTED ITS CASE AGAINST JONATHAN ROWLES, YESTERDAY.

HE WAS ONLY 13 WHEN PROSECUTORS SAY - HE SHOT HIS MOM, KELLY-ANN, IN 20-10.

IN COURT YESTERDAY, PROSECUTORS SHOWED A TAPED INTERVIEW DETECTIVES.

ROWLES TRIAL-SOTVO

Sot:

"I was flipping it and forgot to put the safety on. It was kind of pointing in her direction and then I pulled the trigger."

THE DEFENSE IS EXPECTED TO CALL *JUST A FEW WITNESSES --

NEW THIS MORNING CLIP-CLIP

NAVY SEAL PUSH-VO

NEW INFO THIS MORNING --

ABOUT THE NAVY SEAL, WHO WAS KILLED DURING A RESCUE MISSION -

TO FREE AN AMERICAN DOCTOR FROM THE TALIBAN.

28-YEAR-OLD PETTY OFFICER FIRST CLASS NICOLAS CHECQUE --

OF MONROEVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA --

DIED DURING SUNDAY'S MISSION.

HE WAS PART OF THE NAVY'S ELITE SEAL TEAM SIX,

LEMON BAY DEATH-OTS-VO

A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER FROM ENGLEWOOD IS DEAD -- AFTER A ROUTINE TONSIL SURGERY.

AND HIS FAMILY'S IN MOURNING.

TE HEAD COACH AT LEMON BAY HIGH -- SAYS, JERONE CAMPBELL DIED DURING THE SURGERY.

THIS IS VIDEO OF THE TEAM --

YOU CAN SEE CAMPBELL WEARING NUMBER 28.

THERE'S NO WORD ON EXACTLY WHAT WENT WRONG.

HIS COACH TELLS US - CAMPBELL WAS ONE OF THE MOST WELL LIKED PLAYERS.

LEMON BAY DEATH-SOTVO

CHRIS PORTER, BOOSTER CLUB: the kids are devastated the whole football team and high school they're just coming together because they realize this is one of their own

WE TRIED REACHING CHARLOTTE MEDICAL CENTER -- BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK.

NELSON MANDELA LATEST-BNR-VO

NEW DETAILS THIS MORNING --

ABOUT THE CONDITION OF FORMER SOUTH AFRICA PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA

ABC-7 HAS LEARNED --

MANDELA IS SUFFERING FROM A RECURRING LUNG INFECTION.

AND *IS RESPONDING TO TREATMENT.

MANDELA WAS HOSPITALIZED SATURDAY IN SOUTH AFRICA.

HE'S REVERED FOR BEING A LEADER OF THE STRUGGLE --

AGAINST RACIST WHITE RULE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

CAPE BUIDLING GUIDELINES-OC-CG-OC

CAPE CORAL CITY COUNCIL HAS DECIDED TO *LIMIT -- WHAT HOMEOWNERS CAN BUILD ON THEIR PROPERTY.

UNDER NEW GUIDELINES. HERE'S WHAT'S OKAY:

SHEDS, GAZEBOS, SUN SHELTERS, STAND ALONE GARAGES,

SATELLITE ANTENNAS, PLAYHOUSES AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES -- LIKE TENNIS COURTS.

GARAGES AND CARPORTS THAT ARE A PART OF YOUR HOME.

COLLIER FINACIAL AID NIGHT-VOTOPS

TONIGHT IN COLLIER COUNTY,

STUDENTS AND PARENTS CAN LEARN ABOUT THEIR OPTIONS--

TO HELP PAY FOR COLLEGE.

GOLDEN GATE HIGH SCHOOL HOSTS A "FINANCIAL AID NIGHT."

THE EVENT IS FREE,

AND OPEN TO ALL COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENTS AND STUDENTS.

IT TAKES PLACE FROM SIX TO SEVEN TONIGHT,

TEASE ONE-OC

WHEN IT COMES TO AGING. WOMEN HAVE MEN BEAT --

TZ1 WOMEN LIVE LONGER-VOTOPS

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

BLOOMBERG TEASE-SOT

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT-PKG TOPS

TX SNOW-VOTOPS

LOOK AT ALL THIS SNOW!

THIS IS VIDEO FROM NORTHERN TEXAS YESTERDAY.

IN THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS --

TWO DRIVERS SLID OFF THE ROAD,

AND ENDED UP IN A POND.

STORMWARN GENERIC CLIP-CLIP

CROSSTALK INTO WX-2SHOT

FORECAST-WXWALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

ALL OF THE NECESSARY INGREDIENTS ARE IN PLACE FOR HIGH RAIN PROSPECTS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

HERE'S THE SETUP: THERE'S A COLD FRONT MOVING INTO THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE TODAY, BUT WELL AHEAD OF THIS FRONT, A PIPELINE OF DEEP MOISTURE IS FLOWING INTO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FROM THE TROPICS, AND THIS WILL PUT US IN LINE TO SEE NUMEROUS DOWNPOURS ALONG WITH SOME THUNDERSTORMS.

TODAY AND WEDNESDAY WILL BE GOOD DAYS TO KEEP THE UMBRELLA AND NBC2 WEATHER APP HANDY BECAUSE FROM START TO FINISH TODAY, STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE AT ANY TIME OVER ANY PLACE.

IT'S POSSIBLE A FEW OF TODAY'S STORM COULD BE ON THE STRONGER SIDE, PACKING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY RAIN, AND FREQUENT LIGHTNING.

RAINFALL WILL BE PRETTY VARIABLE ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA TODAY, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY POSSIBLE FOR SPOTS THAT GET HIT MULTIPLES TIMES TO RECEIVE 1-3 INCHES OF RAIN.

STORMS MIXED IN WITH RAIN WILL CONTINUE TO FLOW IN FROM THE WEST THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT, AND OUR HIGH RAIN CHANCE WILL CARRY OVER INTO WEDNESDAY AS WELL.

AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY MORNING, WE CAN EASILY GET THE RAIN GOING AGAIN, AND WE'LL KEEP SCATTERED SHOWERS AND STORMS IN THE FORECAST THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT, WHEN THE FRONT SHOULD START TO CLEAR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

ANOTHER THING TO WATCH OUT FOR TODAY AND WEDNESDAY IS THE POSSIBILITY OF SEA FOG-LARGE FOG BANKS FOUND OVER THE GULF. SO MARINERS, PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS IF YOU'RE PLANNING ON GOING OFFSHORE THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

ONCE THE FRONT EXITS, HUMIDITY WILL TAKE A NICE PLUNGE, AND OUR TEMPERATURES WILL BE SLIGHTLY COOLER. BEFORE WE GET THERE, HOWEVER, IT'S GOING TO BE A WARM AND HUMID NEXT COUPLE DAYS. DAYTIME HIGHS BOTH TODAY AND WEDNESDAY WILL REACH THE LOW 80S WHILE OVERNIGHT LOWS ONLY MANAGE TO COOL INTO THE LOW 70S AND UPPER 60S.

HEALTHIEST STATES-VO-SS

ALL NEW OVERNIGHT--

THE REPORT CARD IS OUT!

VERMONT TOPS THE LIST OF THE HEALTHIEST STATES -- AGAIN THIS YEAR.

THE UNITED HEALTH FOUNDATION, LOOKS AT --- LOW INCIDENCE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE, HEALTH FUNDING, NUMBER OF DOCTORS -- EVEN THE RATE OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.

ROUNDING OUT THE TOP FIVE -- HAWAII, NEW HAMPSHIRE, MASSAHCHUSETTS AND MINNESOTA.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE SUNSHINE STATE -- FLORIDA RANKED 34TH ON THE LIST.

FLORIDA HAD LOW RATES OF BOTH CANCER -- AND CARDIOVASCULAR DEATHS.

WOMEN MORE LIKELY TO LIVE PAST 100-VO

THIS MORNING -

THERE'S PROOF THAT WOMEN LIVE LONGER THAN MEN.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT BY U-S CENSUS BUREAU.

OF THE MORE THAN 53-THOUSAND AMERICANS AGE 100 AND OLDER, 80-PERCENT ARE WOMEN.

RACE AND ETHNICITY FOUND TO BE FACTORS.

THE CENSUS FOUND THE MAJORITY OF CENTENARIANS WERE WHITES, WHO LIVED IN URBAN AREAS.

SCIENTIST CREATE BRAIN CELLS FROM URINE-VO

HUMAN URINE. CAN BECOME BRAIN CELLS.

CHINESE RESEARCHERS -- RE-PROGRAMMED KIDNEY CELLS HARVESTED FROM URINE SAMPLES -- INTO IMMATURE OF BRAIN CELLS

CANCER BREAK THROUGH-2-SHOT

HUGE HEALTH NEWS THIS MORNING --

A *BREAKTHROUGH IN CANCER TREATMENT.

THE NEW PROCEDURE USES H-I-V DRUGS TO FIGHT CANCER.

ONLY A DOZEN PATIENTS HAVE TRIED IT.

INCLUDING THIS ONE LITTLE GIRL.

CANCER BREAK THROUGH-PKG

EMMA WHITEHEAD'S LEUKEMIA SEEMED UNDEFEATABLE. NO TREATMENTS LEFT. AND SHE

WAS ONLY 6.

THEN, IN APRIL, A LAST GAMBLE- USING HIV TO CURE, NOT KILL.

DOCTORS TOOK OUT MILLIONS OF EMMA'S DISEASE-FIGHTING WHITE BLOOD CELLS, THEN

USED A GENETICALLY ALTERED HIV VIRUS -- WHICH IS GREAT AT GETTING INTO

HUMAN IMMUNE SYSTEMS -- TO CHANGE THOSE CELLS INTO TARGETED CANCER FIGHTERS.

EMMA'S CELLS WENT BACK IN, AND DESTROYED THE CANCER.

DR. STEPHAN GRUPP IS A PIONEER, USING HIV TO INFILTRATE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.

GRUPP SOT - ALL OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE THE HIV VIRUS ABLE TO CAUSE DISEASE

HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS PARTICULAR VIRUS WHOSE ONLY PURPOSE IS TO PUT A

GENE INTO A CELL. / 124950 FOR ME ITS INCREDIBLE.

HERE'S EMMA JUST EIGHT MONTHS LATER - DOCTORS CAN'T FIND ANY REMAINING

CANCER CELLS.

EMMA IS COUNTING THE DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS.

NATS

TEASE TWO-OC

SANTA'S HELPERS ARE OUT IN FULL FORCE.

BRINGING CHRISTMAS CHEER TO FAMILIES WHO NEED IT MOST.

PLUS -- SEVERAL PEOPLE NEED *RESCUE,

AFTER AN APP LEFT THEM STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE.

TZ2 APPLE MAPS-VO

LAYAWAY ANGELS-2SHOT

SANTA'S HAS SOME HELPERS. AND THEY'VE GOT SOME SECRETS.

SECRET IDENTITIES!

THEY'RE GOING TO STORES,

AND ANONYMOUSLY PAYING OFF LAY-AWAY ACCOUNTS.

LIZ BRYANT INTRODUCES US TO TWO "LAYAWAY ANGELS",

LAYAWAY ANGELS-PKG

SUPERS:

L/ Monday/ East Tulsa, Oklahoma:00

S/ Kelly Price/ Layaway Angel:54-:59

Liz Bryant/ Reporting

SANTA'S GOT SOME HELPERS, AND THEY'VE GOT SOME SECRETS.

SECRET IDENTITIES!

THEY'RE GOING TO STORES AND ANONYMOUSLY PAYING OFF LAYAWAY ACCOUNTS.

LIZ BRYANT INTRODUCES US TO TWO SO CALLED "LAYAWAY ANGELS", WHO SHARED THEIR FACES, AND THEIR HEARTS, AT AN OKLAHOMA WALMART.

cash register

NITA RENEE IS IN LINE TO FINALLY PAY OFF HER LAYAWAY BILL.

"I've been off work for a year and a half so it's been kind of tight."

FOR WEEKS, SHE'S BEEN SAVING UP TO PAY DOWN THIS 215-DOLLAR BILL.

AND SHE'S NOT ALONE.

"What breaks my heart a lot more. Those who've had to come in and cancel their accounts because of tragedy or medical needs."

FOR NITA THAT WASN'T AN OPTION. HER DAUGHTER MUST HAVE A CHRISTMAS.

"She's six years old and she deserves it. She really deserves it."

AND TODAY SHE'S DESERVING.

"Your layaway's been paid off. Seriously!? Seriously!!"

TERRI AND KELLY PAID OFF NITA'S BILL.

"You're welcome. Merry Christmas."

ALONG WITH 52 OTHER FAMILIES' BILLS AT THIS EAST TULSA WALMART.

THIS SECRET SANTA DUO WORKS AT A TULSA MANUFACTURING COMPANY. THAT'S ALL THEY'LL TELL US.

"Ha ha you're not going to find out. I'm going to say it's the best company in Tulsa to work for."

THIS IS THEIR SECOND YEAR.

"We love doing it. It's my favorite part of the job."

AND THEY HAND PICK ALL THESE RECEIPTS THAT ARE CHILDREN'S TOYS, LEARNING GAMES, AND BIKES.

"Yeah they said I have until the 14th. Well you don't anymore. It's been paid off and you can pick it up anytime you'd like. Really? Really!"

"Even if those families can offer their time, or their service, or just a kind word to someone, even if they don't have the money. That in an of itself 's worth it. and that's a way to pay it forward."

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT NITA IS DOING.

STARBUCKS 450 DOLLAR GIFT CARDS-VO

IF YOU'RE A LOVER OF STARBUCKS AND YOU MISSED OUT ON THE LIMITED-EDITION GIFT CARDS --- YOU CAN NOW FIND THEM ONLINE. FOR *MUCH MORE THAN THEY ARE WORTH

ON FRIDAY, THE COMPANY SOLD FIVE-THOUSAND STAINLESS STEEL GIFT CARDS ONLINE -- THAT WENT FOR 450-DOLLARS EACH.

THEY SOLD OUT IN SIX MINUTES.

THE GIFT CARDS ARE LOADED WITH 400-DOLLARS IN STARBUCKS CREDIT.

BY MONDAY, DOZENS WERE SELLING ON EBAY -- FOR HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS MORE THAN FACE VALUE.

APPLE MAPS WARNING-VO

WE'RE REPORTED HOW THE APPLE MAPS APP CAN GET YOU LOST.

BUT IT COULD EVEN PUT YOUR LIFE IN DANGER!

IN AUSTRALIA -- DRIVERS HAVE USED THE APP TO GET TO THE CITY OF MULDURA.

BUT INSTEAD, THE APP SENT THEM TO A CITY MORE THAN 40 MILES AWAY --

IN THE DESOLATE OUTBACK!

POLICE CALL IT A "POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING ISSUE".

SEVERAL DRIVERS GOT LOST AND STRANDED IN 100-PLUS DEGREE HEAT.

AND NEEDED TO BE RESCUED.

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIP

NY STOCK EXCHANGE OPEN-SAT 3 TOPS

ABC SEVEN IS LIVE AT THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.

Trading could be quiet today -- with investors waiting on fiscal cliff negotiations in Washington. and the outcome of a Federal Reserve two-day meeting.

Investors have been reluctant to place big bets -- before lawmakers reach a compromise.

TS1) FLORIDA WEATHER-VO-TRX

SEVERE STORMS SPAWN A SUSPECTED TORNADO IN CENTRAL FLORIDA.

40 STRUCTURES IN A MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY.

WERE DAMAGED IN EDGEWATER.

SOME HOMES LOST ROOFS -- MANY TREES AND POWER LINES WERE BROUGHT DOWN.

TS2) ZIMMERMAN LATEST-VO-TRX

GEORGE ZIMMERMAN IS BACK IN COURT AS WE SPEAK.

ZIMMERMAN SHOT AND KILLED -- TRAYVON MARTIN BACK IN FEBRAURY.

ZIMMERMAN WANTS THE JUDGE TO END HIS 24-HOUR GPS MONITORING -- WHILE HE'S OUT ON BOND.

THE DEFENSE ALSO WANTS ACCESS -- TO A RECORDED INTERVIEW WITH MARTIN'S GIRLFRIEND.

ZIMMERMAN FACES SECOND DEGREE MURDER CHARGES.

TS3) SEC OF STATE VISIT-VO-TRX

FLORIDA'S SECRETARY OF STATE IS IN FORT MYERS TODAY --

INVESTIGATING ELECTION DAY ISSUES.

DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION --

FRUSTRATED VOTERS WAITED IN LINES FOR *HOURS.

STORMWARN CLIP-CLIP

WX TOSS-RADAR

RAINY MORNING-WXWALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

NYC SHOOTING-2SHOT

THIS MORNING -- ONE PERSON IS DEAD -- AFTER BEING SHOT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MANHATTAN.

THE MOB-STYLE SHOOTING HAPPENED YESTERDAY -- NEAR COLUMBUS CIRCLE, IN NEW YORK CITY.

NYC SHOOTING-PKG

ABC NEWS HAS LEARNED POLICE ARE NOW REVIEWING SECURITY CAMERA FOOTAGE AS

THEY TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHO GUNNED DOWN THIS MAN 31 YEAR OLD BRANDON LINCOLN

WOODARD A LAW STUDENT FROM L-A SEEN HERE IN A FACEBOOK PHOTO

SOT: MOS/Witness

"You couldt see blood all over his mouth and face"

"When I heard the shot i turned around and saw him dropping on the floor."

POLICE SAY THE COLD AND CALCULATED ATTACK HAPPENED JUST AFTER 2 MONDAY

AFTERNOON IN THIS BUSTLING AREA NEAR NEW YORK'S COLUMBUS CIRCLE RIGHT IN

FRONT OF A SCHOOL.

INVESTIGATORS NOW BELIEVE THE GUNMAN LAY IN WAIT FOR AT LEAST 40 MINUTES.

WHEN WOODARD WALKED BY THE SHOOTER FOLLOWED.

WITNESSES SAY THE VICTIM LOOKED DOWN AT HIS PHONE THEN TURNED BACK

INSTINCTIVELY BUT KEPT GOING

THAT'S WHEN POLICE SAY THE SHOOTER RAISED A SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL AND SHOT

WOODARD IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD.

"one loud shot we all flinched."

"we all flinched.scary."

WITNESSES SAY THE GUNMAN THEN CALMLY GOT INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF A

WAITING SILVER-COLORED LINCOLN SEDAN AND TOOK OFF.

"Absolutely gone. nowhere to be found."

THAT HE VANISHED, WITNESSES SAY, IS MADE HARDER TO BELIEVE BECAUSE HE WAS IN

AN AREA CROWDED WITH TOURISTS AND SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.

SOT BAD GARRETT - "The sheer fact that he shot him in the back of the head

tells me that this was planned and this was directed."

FRIENDS OF WOODARD SAY HE HAD AN INFACTIOUS SMILE AND WAS A FATHER OF A FOUR

YEAR OLD DAUGHTER.

SOT: Christy Rousell "Kind heart smart really good person."

BUT SOURCES TELL ABC NEWS WOODARD HAD SOME RUN-INS WITH POLICE INCLUDING A

HILARY CLINTON SICK-WIPE-VOTOPS

JOHN SCHRIFFEN REPORTING

ALSO NEW THIS MORNING --

U-S SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON.

CANCELS A TRIP TO THE MIDDLE EAST.

SHE REPORTEDLY HAS A STOMACH VIRUS.

CLINTON WAS SCHEDULED TO FLY TO MOROCCO TODAY --

FOR A MEETING WITH ALLIES OF SYRIA.

THE GROUP IS FOCUSING ON WAYS TO SUPPORT SYRIA'S OPPOSITION --

AGAINST THE REGIME OF SYRIAN PRESIDENT, BASHAR AL-ASSAD.

FL EDUCATION COMMISSIONER-OTS-OC-SS

LOOKING AHEAD THIS MORNING --

THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL INTERVIEW THE FINALIST FOR THE NEXT EDUCATION COMMISSIONER.

THE FINALISTS ARE INDIANA SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT TONY BENNETT.

MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT RANDY DUNN.

AND ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA EDUCATION CONSULTANT CHARLES HOKANSON.

THE BOARD WILL THEN VOTE AT A MEETING TOMORROW, IN TAMPA

THE NEW COMMISSIONER REPLACES GERARD ROBINSON.

FL EXECUTION-SS

ALSO TODAY --

THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS EXPECTED TO EXECUTE A FORMER POLICE OFFICER.

AT SIX P-M THIS EVENING --

56 YEAR OLD MANUEL PARDO IS SCHEDULED TO BE EXECUTED,

UNLESS HE WINS AN APPEAL.

THE FORMER SOUTH FLORIDA POLICE OFFICER KILLED NINE PEOPLE IN 19-86.

PROSECUTORS SAY, HE ROBBED DRUG DEALERS --

THEN KILLED THEM AND WITNESSES.

PARDO ADMITTED TO THE KILLINGS --

FISCAL CLIFF LATEST-VO

WE'RE JUST 21-DAYS AWAY FROM GOING OVER THAT FISCAL CLIFF.

AND STILL.TENSION SIMMERS BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND REPUBLICANS.

HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER SAYS, HE WANTS A SPECIFIC LIST OF SPENDING CUTS THE PRESIDENT CAN SUPPORT.

AT MICHIGAN RALLY YESTERDAY -- OBAMA SAID, HE WON'T COMPROMISE A TAX RATE INCREASE ON THE WEALTHY CLASS.

ROYAL HOAX CANCELED SHOW-SOTVO

BRAND NEW AT NINE --

AN UPDATE ON THE ROYAL HOAX.

THE RADIO STATION BEHIND THE PRANK.

PLANS TO DONATE MORE THAN 500-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THE FAMILY OF THE NURSE WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE.

SHE TOOK THE CALL,

WHEN TWO D-J'S PHONED IN. ASKING ABOUT KATE MIDDLETON'S HEALTH.

ALSO -- THAT RADIO SEGMENT WAS CANCELED.

"We just assumed with the voices we put on, we were going to get told off, and that was the gag -- in us"

APPARENTLY, THEIR TEARFUL AND PUBLIC APOLOGY. WAS NOT ENOUGH.

ROYAL HOAX CANCELED SHOW-SOTVO

"the bottom line on this is not only is there not criminal liability, but it is unlikely that we're going to see any civil liability arising out of this."

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER - DAVID CAMERON - ALSO WEIGHED IN.

CALLING THIS AN "ABSOLUTE TRAGEDY."

MI TEACHERS PROTEST-VO

RIGHT NOW -- STUDENTS IN TWO MICHIGAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL --

WHILE THEIR TEACHERS PROTEST THE LIKELY PASSAGE -- OF THE STATE'S "RIGHT TO WORK" LAW.

THOUSANDS OF DEMONSTRATORS WILL DESCEND ON MICHIGAN'S STATEHOUSE TODAY.

MI RIGHT TO WORK-WIPE-OC

THIS DEAL COULD BE A CRIPPLING BLOW TO ORGANIZED LABOR.

MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS OPPOSE THE MEASURE,

BUT REPUBLICANS HOLD THE MAJORITY IN *BOTH CHAMBERS.

MI RIGHT TO WORK-PKG

THOUSANDS OF PROTESTERS ARE EXPECTED AT THE MICHIGAN STATEHOUSE IN LANSING TODAY AS LAWMAKERS TAKE UP FINAL PASSAGE OF THE RIGHT TO WORK LAW.

ADDITIONAL POLICE ARE BEING CALLED IN TO HANDLE THE CROWDS AND KEEP EVERYONE SAFE.

TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS NEAR DETROIT CANCELED CLASSES BECAUSE SO MANY OF ITS TEACHERS ARE EXPECTED TO TRAVEL TO THE STATE CAPITOL.

THE BILL WOULD ALLOW WORKERS AT UNION-REPRESENTED EMPLOYERS TO OPT OUT OF PAYING DUES EVEN THOUGH THE UNION WOULD BARGAIN ON THEIR BEHALF.

CRITICS SAY IT'S A WAY TO BREAK THE UNIONS.

GOVERNOR RICK SNYDER SAYS IT WILL BE GOOD FOR WORKERS.

To be pro-worker, to give freedom of choice to give freedom of choice to our workplace and that the legislators move promptly and efficiently in moving it through the legislature and when it arrives on my desk I plan on signing it.

UNITED AUTOWORKERS UNION PRESIDENT BOB KING SAYS THE BILL IS BAD FOR WORKERS.

The data and all the facts from the right to work states show that its the right to work for less.

DURING A STOP IN MICHIGAN MONDAY, PRESIDENT OBAMA VOICED HIS SUPPORTS FOR UNION WORKERS.

What we shouldn't be doing is trying to take away your right to bargain for better wages and working conditions.

23 OTHER STATES ALREADY HAVE "RIGHT-TO-WORK" LAWS.

ADVOCATES OF THE BILL SAY IT WILL HELP ATTRACT BUSINESSES TO THE STATE.

MI RIGHT TO WORK-OC

NATISHA LANCE REPORTING.

SINCE 17-PERCENT OF MICHIGAN'S WORKERS BELONG TO A UNION --

THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST HEAVILY UNIONIZED STATES TO HAVE A RIGHT-TO-WORK LAW.

LEHIGH TRUCK AX-OTS-OC

ALL NEW THIS MORNING --

A LEHIGH ACRES TRUCK DRIVER IS THANKFUL -- HE DIDN'T DRIVE OFF A BRIDGE ALONG I-75.

THE SEMI LOST CONTROL LAST NIGHT, ON A BRIDGE IN MANATEE COUNTY.

ABC-7 IS LEARNING, THE TRUCK'S CAB WAS *HANGING OVER THE CONCRETE WALL OF THAT BRIDGE.

37 YEAR OLD JEFFREY PEABODY -- ONLY SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.

WALMART GANG-OTS-VO

A GROUP OF WELL ORGANIZED THIEVES WERE CAUGHT ON CAMERA --

POSING AS WALMART EMPLOYEES.

AND *STEALING FROM CASH REGISTERS!

THIS ALL HAPPENED IN THE *MIDDLE OF THE BUSY SHOPPING DAY.

THIS IS THE WALMART ON COLONIAL BOULEVARD, IN FORT MYERS.

A MAN AND TWO WOMEN WENT TO THREE DIFFERENT REGISTERS --

OPENED THEM WITH A KEY --

AND TOOK THE CASH.

THEY FLED WITH MORE THAN FIVE-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

INVESTIGATORS SAY THE GROUP HIT TWO OTHER LOCAL WALMARTS --

TEASE FOUR-2-SHOT

CHRISTMAS IS TWO WEEKS AWAY.

AND TODAY -- A SPECIAL EVENT COMBINES THE CAROLS WE LOVE.

WITH A WAY TO HELP OTHERS.

PLUS -- THE STORES ARE *REALLY WATCHING YOU SHOP.

233145 DANIELLE DRAGONI: CREEPED OUT A LITTLE BIT CUZ IT'S KIND OF LIKE

INVADING YOUR PRIVACY.

233150 CHAD MURMANE: I THINK IT'S KIND OF SMART ACTUALLY.

SEE THE LATEST HIGH-TECH WEAPON IN THE RETAIL WARS.

TZ4A) EXTREME HOLIDAY RETAIL TACTICS-SOTVO

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

EXTREME HOLIDAY RETAIL TACTICS-2SHOT

WHEN YOU'RE SHOPPING AT YOUR FAVORITE STORES --

YOU OBVIOUSLY CHECK OUT THE MANNEQUINS.

TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE ON.

BUT -- IT TURNS OUT -- THOSE MANNEQUINS MAY BE WATCHING AT YOU.

EXTREME HOLIDAY RETAIL TACTICS-PKG

STORM WARN GENERIC CLIP-CLIP

CROSSTALK-CAM 9 WX EST

FORECAST-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

ALL OF THE NECESSARY INGREDIENTS ARE IN PLACE FOR HIGH RAIN PROSPECTS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

HERE'S THE SETUP: THERE'S A COLD FRONT MOVING INTO THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE TODAY, BUT WELL AHEAD OF THIS FRONT, A PIPELINE OF DEEP MOISTURE IS FLOWING INTO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FROM THE TROPICS, AND THIS WILL PUT US IN LINE TO SEE NUMEROUS DOWNPOURS ALONG WITH SOME THUNDERSTORMS.

TODAY AND WEDNESDAY WILL BE GOOD DAYS TO KEEP THE UMBRELLA AND NBC2 WEATHER APP HANDY BECAUSE FROM START TO FINISH TODAY, STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE AT ANY TIME OVER ANY PLACE.

IT'S POSSIBLE A FEW OF TODAY'S STORM COULD BE ON THE STRONGER SIDE, PACKING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY RAIN, AND FREQUENT LIGHTNING.

RAINFALL WILL BE PRETTY VARIABLE ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA TODAY, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY POSSIBLE FOR SPOTS THAT GET HIT MULTIPLES TIMES TO RECEIVE 1-3 INCHES OF RAIN.

STORMS MIXED IN WITH RAIN WILL CONTINUE TO FLOW IN FROM THE WEST THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT, AND OUR HIGH RAIN CHANCE WILL CARRY OVER INTO WEDNESDAY AS WELL.

AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY MORNING, WE CAN EASILY GET THE RAIN GOING AGAIN, AND WE'LL KEEP SCATTERED SHOWERS AND STORMS IN THE FORECAST THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT, WHEN THE FRONT SHOULD START TO CLEAR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

ANOTHER THING TO WATCH OUT FOR TODAY AND WEDNESDAY IS THE POSSIBILITY OF SEA FOG-LARGE FOG BANKS FOUND OVER THE GULF. SO MARINERS, PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS IF YOU'RE PLANNING ON GOING OFFSHORE THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

ONCE THE FRONT EXITS, HUMIDITY WILL TAKE A NICE PLUNGE, AND OUR TEMPERATURES WILL BE SLIGHTLY COOLER. BEFORE WE GET THERE, HOWEVER, IT'S GOING TO BE A WARM AND HUMID NEXT COUPLE DAYS. DAYTIME HIGHS BOTH TODAY AND WEDNESDAY WILL REACH THE LOW 80S WHILE OVERNIGHT LOWS ONLY MANAGE TO COOL INTO THE LOW 70S AND UPPER 60S.

CAROL SING-OC

IF YOU LOVE MUSIC AND HELPING PEOPLE --

WHICH EVERYONE DOES --

A SPECIAL EVENT HAPPENS TODAY!

THOUSANDS WILL ATTEND THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY CAROL SING.

CAROL SING-PKG

AIR FORCE LAUNCH TODAY-VO

TODAY -- THE AIR FORCE IS SCHEDULED TO LAUNCH AN UNMANNED SHUTTLE.

THE X-37-B MINI --- IS BUILT BY AVIATION GIANT, BOEING.

THE MINI-SHUTTLE --- WILL SPEND MONTHS IN EARTH'S ORBIT - BEFORE RETURNING TO THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER.

SANIBEL CAUSEWAY VOTE-VO

TODAY LEE COUNTY LEADERS ARE GOING TO ASK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS -- TO SET ASIDE 160 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO HIRE A FIRM -- TO MONITOR THE SANIBEL CAUSWAY.

CRACKS HAVE ALREADY DEVELOPED.JUST FIVE YEARS AFTER THE NEW BRIDGE WAS BUILT.

CAPE KAYAK-VO

PUTTING CAPE CORAL ON THE MAP.

THE CAPE WILL NOW BE IN INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION --

FOR KAYAK AND CANOE ENTHUSIASTS.

THE COUNCIL APPROVED AN AGREEMENT --

WITH THE "SOUTH FLORIDA CANOE KAYAK CLUB".

TO USE CITY OWNED LAND. NEAR LAKE KENNEDY. FOR POTENTIAL TRAINING FACILITIES.

THE CLUB HAS TO PAY JUST ONE DOLLAR FOR ACCESS,

UNTIL A FORMAL LEASE IS DRAWN UP.

NFM REC CENTER-VO-WIPE

IT'S TAKEN FIVE YEARS!

BUT NOW --

NORTH FORT MYERS IS ON ITS WAY -- TO HAVING A NEARLY 10-MILLION DOLLAR RECREATION FACILITY.

CONSTRUCTION'S ALREADY UNDERWAY.

AND LEE COUNTY'S PARKS AND REC -- HELD A GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY.

IT WILL BE MORE THAN 35-THOUSAND SQUARE FEET.

WITH TWO BASKETBALL *SLASH* VOLLEYBALL COURTS. A WEIGHT ROOM AND COMPUTER LAB.

IT WILL ALSO BE USED AS AN EMERGENCY SHELTER.

5TH AVE XMAS PARADE-RDR

THIS JUST COMING INTO THE ABC7 NEWSROOM--

TODAY'S RAINY WEATHER FORCES THE CITY OF NAPLES TO RESCHEDULE THEIR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE.

TEASE FIVE-OC

BEYONCE IS USING HER POP IMAGE TO SELL, WELL, "POP".

HOW THE SINGER IS JOINING FORCES WITH A MAJOR SODA COMPANY -- IN A BRAND NEW GLOBAL MARKETING STRATEGY.

TZ5 A BEYONCE SODA-VO

FINAL CHECK OF STOCKS-SAT 3 FULL

TWITTER PHOTO ENHANCING-TOPVO

TWITTER ROLLS OUT BRAND NEW PHOTO FEATURES.

THE SOCIAL MEDIA SITE LOST THE ABILITY TO DISPLAY IMAGES FROM THE FACEBOOK-OWNED INSTAGRAM.

SO NOW TWITTER OFFERS *EIGHT RETRO FILTERS FOR ITS ANDROID AND I-PHONE APPS.

INCLUDING DE-SATURATED, BLACK AND WHITE AND HIGH CONTRAST.

BEYONCE SODA BUSINESS-VO

HERE'S SOMETHING TO TWEET ABOUT --

BEYONCE IS GETTING IN THE SODA BUSINESS, SIGNING ON WITH PEPSI.

AS PART OF THE DEAL, THE SUPERSTAR WILL COLLABORATE WITH DESIGNERS ON ALL ADVERTISING MATERIALS --- INCLUDING CANS AND BOTTLES WITH HER IMAGE.

VIGIL FOR POP SINGER RIVERA-VO

AND IN OTHER POP STAR NEWS --

FANS ACROSS THE GLOBE -- INCLUDING THIS GROUP IN PHOENIX -- MOURN THE DEATH OF LATINA MUSIC SUPERSTAR JENNI RIVERA.

THE 43-YEAR-OLD DIED,

AFTER HER SMALL PLANE CRASHED INTO MOUNTAINS IN MEXICO ON SUNDAY.

SIX OTHER PASSENGERS WERE TRAVELING WITH THE SINGER.

BUT THERE ARE NO KNOWN SURVIVORS.

MOUTH GUARD AT REF-VO

CRAZY ACTION DURING THE RAPTORS/BOBCAT'S GAME.

AMIR JOHNSON TRIES TO TAKE THE BALL AWAY FROM REFEREE DAVID JONES -- AFTER A FREE THROW.JONES DOESN'T GIVE THE BALL UP.

A SMALL STRUGGLE FOLLOWS -- AND JONES TOSSES JOHNSON FROM THE GAME.

HE'S SO UPSET WITH REFERE -- THAT HE THROWS HIS MOUTHPIECE AT HIM AS HE WALKS OFF THE COURT.

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TS1) FLORIDA WX-VOTOPS-TRX

SEVERE STORMS RIPPED THROUGH CENTRAL FLORIDA --

CAUSING TORNADO WARNINGS IN THE AREA.

40 STRUCTURES IN A MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY WERE DAMAGED IN EDGEWATER.

SOME HOMES LOST ROOFS,

AND MANY TREES AND POWER LINES WERE DOWN.

TS2) ZIMMERMAN LATEST-VO-TRX

THE MAN WHO SHOT AND KILLED 17-YEAR-OLD TRAYVON MARTIN -- IS BACK IN COURT THIS MORNING.

GEORGE ZIMMERMAN WANTS THE JUDGE TO END HIS 24-HOUR GPS MONITORING -- WHILE HE'S OUT ON BOND.

THE DEFENSE TEAM ALSO WANTS TO SEE A RECORDED INTERVIEW WITH TRAYVON MARTIN'S GIRLFRIEND.

TS3) SEC OF STATE VISIT-VO-TRX

FLORIDA'S SECRETARY OF STATE KEN DETZNER VISITS FORT MYERS TODAY.

TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WENT WRONG ON ELECTON DAY IN LEE COUNTY.

LAST WEEK, HE SAID THE LONG LINES WERE UNACCPTABLE.

AND BLAMED THE LONG BALLOT.

TS4) FISCAL CLIFF-VO-TRX

WITH JUST 21 DAYS TO GO THERE'S STILL NO SIGN OF PROGRESSION WITH THE FISCAL CLIFF

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYS HE WONT COMPROMISE A TAX RATE INCREASE ON THE WEALTHY CLASS.

HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER SAYS, HE WANTS A SPECIFIC LIST OF SPENDING CUTS THE PRESIDENT CAN SUPPORT.

CLOSE-2SH-AWS ANI

AD LIB GOODBYE

please be sure to tease our next newscast

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