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

And all of a sudden we heard a big bang, we covered our ears and we got

down,

AHEAD THIS MORNING ON THE NEWS AT NINE

THE CHILLING DETAILS -

OF A HOLIDAY SHOPPING HORROR STORY.

A DEADLY DAY AT AN OREGON MALL.

COULD MEAN A TIGHTER SECURITY FOR SHOPPERS NATIONWIDE.

PLUS -- WE LOOK AT POTENTIAL PROGRESS ON THE FISCAL CLIFF.

SECRET TALKS -- SEEM TO BE MAKING HEADWAY -- WITH BILLIONS AT STAKE.

CAN THE TWO SIDES STRIKE A COMPROMISE -- BEFROE CHRISTMAS?

AND IT'S 12-12-12.

A DAY THAT SOME CONSIDER ONE OF THE LUCKIEST DAYS EVER.

WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE NUMBER 12 --

HL1) OREGON MALL SHOOTING-SOTVO-WIPE

HL2) FISCAL CLIFF-VO-WIPE

HL3) 121212-VOTOPS

WX HL-WX WALL

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TOWERCAM LIGHTNING VIDEO-VOTOPS

A SHOW IN THE SKIES OVER SOUTHWEST FLORIDA -- USHERING IN ANOTHER DAY OF RAIN.

TOSS TO ALLYSON-RADAR

WE SAW A LOT OF RAIN OVER NIGHT BUT ITS EXPECTED TO BE A LITTLE QUIETER THROUGH OUT THE DAY LETS

MORNING 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.

THE TRAIL OF TROPICAL MOISTURE WE HAD AROUND YESTERDAY WILL STAY PARKED OVER SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FOR ONE MORE DAY, LEADING TO MORE SCATTERED SHOWERS AND STORMS ALONG WITH A MOSTLY CLOUDY SKY.

HUMIDITY WILL ALSO STAY SKY HIGH FOR THROUGH TODAY UNTIL SOME DRIER AIR BRINGS A NICE DROP IN HUMIDITY STARTING THURSDAY.

LOOK FOR SCATTERED SHOWERS AND STORMS TO FLOW IN FROM THE SOUTHWEST THROUGH THE DAY, MOVING IN FROM THE COASTAL WATERS AND BUILDING INLAND. SOME OF THESE DOWNPOURS MAY BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SOME RUMBLES OF THUNDER AS WELL AS HIGH WINDS, BUT THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER LOOKS PRETTY LOW TODAY.

THE SHOWER THREAT WILL CONTINUE OFF AND ON FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA THROUGH THE AFTERNOON, BUT BY THIS EVENING, ENOUGH DRY, STABLE AIR SHOULD SETTLE IN TO CUT DOWN OUR RAIN CHANCES THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT.

IMPROVEMENTS ARE IN ORDER THURSDAY AS THE TROPICAL MOISTURE MAKES AN EXIT. GRADUAL CLEARING IS EXPECTED THROUGH THE DAY, SO WE SHOULD EVEN BE ABLE TO MUSTER UP SOME RAYS OF SUN TOMORROW. YOU'LL NOTICE A NICE DROP IN HUMIDITY ALONG WITH SLIGHTLY COOLER TEMPERATURES AS DAYTIME HIGHS TAKE AIM AT THE MID TO UPPER 70S.

SOME VERY NICE WEATHER WILL COME OUR WAY FROM FRIDAY THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEKEND. SUNSHINE WILL BE PREVALENT, AND RAIN CHANCES WILL BE LOW AS AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES STAY COMFORTABLY CLOSE TO 80°.

FOR THOSE WAITING FOR THE NEXT SIGNIFICANT COLD FRONT TO COME SWEEPING IN, IT'S LOOKING LIKE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY COULD BE THE DAYS WE FINALLY GET SOME COOLER WEATHER MOVING INTO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA!

DEVELOPING-CLIP

MALL EVAC VIDEO-VOTOPS - 2 SHOT AT POP

INCREDIBLE VIDEO THIS MORNING --

SHOWS THE CHAOS INSIDE A MALL IN PORTLAND,OREGON.

A GUNMAN WEARING A MASK AND BULLET-PROOF VEST.

SHOT AND KILLED TWO PEOPLE,

AND BADLY WOUNDED ANOTHER,

BEFORE KILLING HIMSELF.

THIS IS VIDEO OF PEOPLE INSIDE THE MALL TRYING TO GET TO SAFETY -- THEIR HANDS UP IN THE AIR AS ARMED POLICE ESCORTED THEM OUT OF THE BUILDING. JUST HORRIFIC.

OREGON HOLIDAY MALL SHOOTING-PKG

SCRIPT:

IT BEGAN SHORTLY BEFORE 3:30 PM. CHAOS INSIDE A SUBURBAN PORTLAND MALL

CROWDED WITH HOLIDAY SHOPPERS AND KIDS WAITING TO SEE SANTA.

SOT Witness:

"And all of a sudden we heard a big bang, we covered our ears and we got

down, and all of a sudden, like five seconds later we heard rapid fire, bang

, bang, bang, bang, bang."

THE SHOTS WERE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE SHOPPING CENTER.

SOT - COURTNEY OLSEN/WITNESS

I heard gunshots, I was with my grandma. I turned around and people were

yelling and jumping and screaming and I saw the killer and he had a white

mask on.

WITNESSES SAY THE GUNMAN APPEARED TO BE WEARING BODY ARMOR AND A MASK. HE

WAS CARRYING AN ASSAULT RIFLE WHICH HE FIRED IN RAPID BURSTS.

Santa:

When I heard about 18 more shots I decided that it was a semi-automatic and

I just hit the floor.

SOME SHOPPERS TRAPPED INSIDE THE MALL, CALLED ABC'S PORTLAND AFFILIATE KATU

AS THE SITUATION UNFOLDED.

Sot -- We actually are currently locked inside of a store in the mall with

about 10 people and swat teams are currently running around the mall trying

to apprehend the suspect.

NEW VIDEO OVERNIGHT SHOWING WHAT IT WAS LIKE IN THE MALL AS THE SHOOTING

OCCURRED

NATS???

POLICE SAY THE GUNMAN KILLED TWO PEOPLE BEFORE TAKING HIS OWN LIFE. AT

LEAST FOUR OTHERS WERE INJURED.

Sheriff Craig Roberts we have a young lady at the hospital fighting for

her life right now.

AUTHORITIES ALSO CONFIRMED THAT NO SHOTS WERE FIRED BY POLICE INSIDE THE

MALL.

Sheriff Roberts:

these things aren't supposed to happen. And you know we train for them, we

pray and hope that they never do happen

THIS INCIDENT WILL LIKELY LEAD TO HEIGHTENED SECURITY MEASURES AT SHOPPING

CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY - JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

JERONE CAMPBELL DEATH FOLO-VO WIPE

IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA TODAY -- THE ENGLEWOOD COMMUNITY WILL PAY TRIBUTE TO A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER -- WHO DIED WHILE HAVING HIS TONSILS OUT.

17- YEAR OLD JERONE CAMPBELL -- WENT TO LEMON BAY HIGH SCHOOL.

THE JUNIOR DIED FRIDAY ON THE OPERATING TABLE -- AT CHARLOTTE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER DURING A TONSILLECTOMY.

THE FOOTBALL PLAYER MADE THE VARSITY TEAM THIS SEASON.

JERONE CAMPBELL DEATH FOLO-SOTVO

Josh Schulte, Lemon Bay HS Junior

12:40:53 I know he'll drive me to be a better athlete, a better person so he'll always be with me forever always in my heart.

CHARLIE BIGELOW DIES-VO

SAD NEWS THIS MORNING--

FORMER LEE COUNTY COMMISONER CHARLIE BIGELOW HAS DIED.

HERE'S VIDEO OF BIGELOW FROM LAST YEAR.

COMMISSIONER FRANK MANN SAYS BIGELOW HAD BEEN BATTLING A HEART CONDITION.

AND CALLED HIS FRIEND "ONE OF THE FINEST LEE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THAT SERVED THE OFFICE."

FLORIDA SECRETARY OF STATE FOLO-VO

A FOLLOW UP THIS MORNING--

FLORIDA SECRETARY OF STATE KEN DETZNER STOPPED BY LEE COUNTY TUESDAY -- INVESTIGATING WHAT HAPPENED AT THE POLLS THIS PAST ELECTION DAY.

DETZNER MET WITH LEE COUNTY ELECTION SUPERVISOR SHARON HARRINGTON -- FOR 3 HOURS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

AFTERWARDS, HE TALKED ABOUT GETTING MORE SCANNING MACHINES IN LEE COUNTY.

OBAMA AND FISCAL CLIFF NEGOTIATIONS-2-SHOT

IN WASHINGTON - THEY'RE MAKING PROGRESS ON THE FISCAL CLIFF -- AND TRYING TO AVOID WORKING OVER THE CHRISTMAS BREAK.

THE WHITE HOUSE AND REPUBLICANS --- HAVE EXCHANGED NEW PROPOSALS.

OBAMA AND FISCAL CLIFF NEGOTIATIONS-PKG

PRESIDENT OBAMA - ON THE PHONE WITH HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER -- REPORTEDLY OFFERED TO ACCEPT 200 BILLION LESS IN TAX REVENUE.

REPUBLICANS COUNTERED WITH A PLAN OFFERING THE SAME REVENUE. NO WORD ON WHAT'S NEW IN THEIR OFFER.

IN AN INTERVIEW AIRING FRIDAY WITH 20/20'S BARBARA WALTERS, THE PRESIDENT'S STICKING TO HIGHER TAXES FOR THE WEALTHY:

super burned in

"Taxes are going to go up one way or another. And I think the key is to make sure that taxes go up on high end individuals, like you and me Barbara we can afford it."

TIME IS RUNNING OUT. LESS THAN THREE WEEKS FROM TODAY. TAXES GO UP. AND BIG SPENDING CUTS KICK IN. CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AREN'T OPTIMISTIC:

/ Sen. Minority Leader:40-:42 quick!

"I think we're basically running out of time."

/ Sen. Majority Leader:43-:46

"I think it's going to be extremely difficult to get it done before Christmas. But it could be done."

REPUBLICANS SAYS THEY'RE WAITING FOR THE PRESIDENT TO AGREE TO MORE SPENDING CUTS. THE WHITE HOUSE FOUGHT BACK:

too quick to chyron!

"We have put forward specifics."

LIKE 340 MILLION FROM MEDICARE. AND 250 BILLION FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS. THEY'RE WAITING TO SEE IF REPUBLICANS WILL AGREE TO TAX HIKES FOR THE WEALTHY.

Arizona 1:03-1:09

"There's no question Republicans will have to make concessions, but not sure I'd use the word retreat."

OBAMA AND FISCAL CLIFF NEGOTIATIONS-OC

TRACIE POTTS REPORTING.

DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER-OC

THIS MORNING, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS FLORIDA.

LAUNCH A NEW CRACKDOWN ON DRUNK DRIVERS.

IT'S CALLED -- "DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER."

IT RUNS TODAY THROUGH JANUARY FIRST.

ACCORDING TO NATIONAL NUMBERS --

HONDA RECALL-OC CG

NEW AT NINE-

HONDA IS RECALLING MORE THAN 800-THOUSAND MINIVANS AND SUV'S.

THE PROBLEM IS -- THEY CAN ROLL AWAY - EVEN IF THE KEY ISN'T IN THE IGNITION.

THE RECALL AFFECTS HONDA ODYSSEY MINIVANS

AND PILIOT S-U-V'S FROM 2003 AND 2004.

ALSO INCLUDED IN THE RECALL -

ACURA MDX SUV'S FROM 2003 THROUGH 2006.

VANDALISM AT HARNS MARSH PRESERVE-VO

WE'RE WAITING TO FIND OUT IF TAXPAYERS WILL HAVE TO FORK OVER MONEY --- TO FIX DAMAGE AT A NATURE PRESERVE IN LEHIGH ACRES.

IT HAPPENED OVER THE WEEKEND -- AT THE HARNS MARSH PRESERVE.

VANDALS PRIED METAL RAILINGS FROM A PATHWAY NORMALLY OPEN TO VISITORS -- THEY'VE HAD TO SHUT DOWN THE AREA.

VANDALISM AT HARNS MARSH PRESERVE-SOTVO

DAVID LINDSAY, EAST COUNTY WATER DISTRICT: Lee county funds may be used to help rebuild the infrastructure make it more vandal proof until that happens its very little chance this will reopen

TODAY AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR THE VANDALS.

MICHIGAN RIGHT TO WORK-VO

A BILL LIMITING THE STRENGTH OF UNION.

HAS PASSED THE MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE,

DESPITE MASSIVE PROTESTS BY UNION WORKERS.

THE REPUBLICAN-LED STATE HOUSE HAS APPROVED A MEASURE --

THAT WOULD MAKE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR UNIONS *OPTIONAL

AND NON-UNION EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE.

WOULD NO LONGER HAVE TO PAY UNION DUES FOR NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS AND OTHER SERVICES.

SANDY CONCERT-OC BNR

A MEGA CONCERT - TO BENEFIT A MEGA STORM.

TOP PERFORMERS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY -- WILL BE IN NEW YORK CITY TONIGHT, FOR THE 12-12-12 BENEFIT CONCERT --- FOR VICTIMS OF SUPERSTORM SANDY.

IT'S THE BIGGEST MUSICAL EVENT EVER STAGED IN NEW YORK CITY -- AND COULD BE THE MOST WATCHED MUSICAL EVENT EVER.

ARTISTS INCLUDE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, KANYE WEST, BON JOVI AND ALICIA KEYS.

TEASE ONE-OC

TRUCK TROUBLES --

CAPE CORAL'S FIRE FLEET DEPERATELY NEEDS REPAIRS.

TZ1 A) CAPE FIRE TRUCKS-VOTOPS

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

BLOOMBERG TEASE-SOT

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT-PKG TOPS

GOOD MORNING,

D-V-D KIOSK OPERATOR REDBOX -- LAUNCHING A STREAMING MOVIE SERVICE!

"REDBOX INSTANT" OFFERS UNLIMITED VIDEO INCLUDING MOVIES FROM WARNER BROTHERS, PARAMOUNT, LIONS GATE FOR 6-DOLLARS A MONTH.

8 DOLLARS IF YOU INCLUDE 4 PHYSICAL D-V-D RENTALS.

FULL COMMERCIAL ROLLOUT'S EARLY NEXT YEAR.

*****

MEANTIME -- LIFE MAY BE ABOUT TO GET MORE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE WHO DRINK AND DRIVE.

THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD, RECOMMENDING "IGNITION INTERLOCKS" BE REQUIRED FOR ALL DRUNKEN DRIVING OFFENDERS, NATIONWIDE, IN ORDER TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS.

INTERLOCKS USE FINGERTIP SENSORS OR AMBIENT BREATH MEASUREMENTS TO KEEP DRUNK DRIVERS FROM STARTING CARS.

****

AND -- SHOULD YOU BE ALLOWED TO COMMUTE TO WORK WITH A GUN?

REPUBLICAN-DOMINATED LEGISLATURES IN PENNSYLVANIA, TENNESSEE, SOUTH CAROLINA AND ALABAMA, PLANNING TO CONSIDER ALLOWING EMPLOYEES TO BRING GUNS TO WORK, AS LONG AS THEY KEEP THEM LOCKED AND HIDDEN IN THEIR CARS.

AT LEAST 17 OTHER STATES HAVE ALREADY ALLOWED SOMETHING SIMILAR.

FED EX, AMONG THE BUSINESSES OPPOSED TO THE MOVE.

*****

AND COMING UP AFTER THIS --

SIGNS OF WILLINGNESS TO COMPROMISE IN FISCAL CLIFF TALKS.

OC:

FISCAL CLIFF TALKS, INCHING FORWARD!

PRESIDENT OBAMA --

SCALING BACK HIS DEMAND FOR TAX INCREASES TO 1-POINT-4 TRILLION, FROM 1-POINT-6.

BUT HE AND HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER STILL REMAIN HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS APART --

AFTER SPEAKING BY TELEPHONE YESTERDAY.

*****

HIGHER CLOSE YESTERDAY -- ON OPTIMISM THEY WOULD REACH AGREEMENTS AND AVERT THAT FISCAL CLIFF OF TAX HIKES AND SPENDING CUTS --

SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE AT THE START OF THE NEW YEAR.

******

******

DEVELOPING-CLIP

STORMWARN GENERIC CLIP-CLIP

CROSSTALK INTO WX-CAM 9 WX EST

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.

THE TRAIL OF TROPICAL MOISTURE WE HAD AROUND YESTERDAY WILL STAY PARKED OVER SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FOR ONE MORE DAY, LEADING TO MORE SCATTERED SHOWERS AND STORMS ALONG WITH A MOSTLY CLOUDY SKY.

HUMIDITY WILL ALSO STAY SKY HIGH FOR THROUGH TODAY UNTIL SOME DRIER AIR BRINGS A NICE DROP IN HUMIDITY STARTING THURSDAY.

LOOK FOR SCATTERED SHOWERS AND STORMS TO FLOW IN FROM THE SOUTHWEST THROUGH THE DAY, MOVING IN FROM THE COASTAL WATERS AND BUILDING INLAND. SOME OF THESE DOWNPOURS MAY BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SOME RUMBLES OF THUNDER AS WELL AS HIGH WINDS, BUT THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER LOOKS PRETTY LOW TODAY.

THE SHOWER THREAT WILL CONTINUE OFF AND ON FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA THROUGH THE AFTERNOON, BUT BY THIS EVENING, ENOUGH DRY, STABLE AIR SHOULD SETTLE IN TO CUT DOWN OUR RAIN CHANCES THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT.

IMPROVEMENTS ARE IN ORDER THURSDAY AS THE TROPICAL MOISTURE MAKES AN EXIT. GRADUAL CLEARING IS EXPECTED THROUGH THE DAY, SO WE SHOULD EVEN BE ABLE TO MUSTER UP SOME RAYS OF SUN TOMORROW. YOU'LL NOTICE A NICE DROP IN HUMIDITY ALONG WITH SLIGHTLY COOLER TEMPERATURES AS DAYTIME HIGHS TAKE AIM AT THE MID TO UPPER 70S.

SOME VERY NICE WEATHER WILL COME OUR WAY FROM FRIDAY THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEKEND. SUNSHINE WILL BE PREVALENT, AND RAIN CHANCES WILL BE LOW AS AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES STAY COMFORTABLY CLOSE TO 80°.

FOR THOSE WAITING FOR THE NEXT SIGNIFICANT COLD FRONT TO COME SWEEPING IN, IT'S LOOKING LIKE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY COULD BE THE DAYS WE FINALLY GET SOME COOLER WEATHER MOVING INTO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA!

NEW THIS MORNING-CLIP

GOOGLE SEARCHES OF 2012-2 SHOT FDOT

NEW THIS MORNING-

GOOGLE RELEASES IT'S ANNUAL YEAR END LIST OF TOP SEARCHES.

THEY WENT LIVE ON THIS WEBSITE AT 8'OCLOCK THIS MORNING.

THIS YEAR WHITNEY HOUSTON TAKE THE TOP SPOT.

AND NO SURPRISE HERE.

GANGNAM STYLE COMES IN SECOND.

SPORTS ON DIRECT TV-VO

ATTENTION, SPORTS FANS --

WATCHING SPORTS ON DIREC T-V IS GOING TO COST YOU MORE,

IF YOU'RE A NEW CUSTOMER.

DIREC T-V IS NOW CHARGING NEW CUSTOMERS AN EXTRA THREE DOLLARS PER MONTH --

FOR A PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES MULTIPLE REGIONAL SPORTS NETWORKS.

WHY?

BECAUSE DIREC-T-V AGREED TO PAY *MORE FOR NEW SPORTS CHANNELS.

PROVIDED BY COMPETITOR TIME WARNER CABLE.

NEW XBOX APPS-VO

VIDEO GAME LOVERS-- MICROSOFT IS ROLLING OUT DOZENS, FOR NEW APPS ON THE XBOX 360.

BY EARLY NEXT YEAR. IT'LL ADD MORE THAN 40 APPS TO ITS XBOX LIVE SERVICE --- LIKE MTV AND THE CW.

BUT THEY WON'T ALL BE FREE.

CAPE CORAL FIRE TRUCKS-SOTVO

NEW DETAILS THIS MORNING --

ABOUT THE AGING FIRE TRUCK FLEET IN CAPE CORAL.

AS WE'VE REPORTED --

BOTH THE CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL ACKNOWLEDGE THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE FLEET,

BUT WON'T AGREE ON WHO'S RESPONSIBLE.

THE FIRE UNION WANTS THE CITY TO HIRE A FIRE LIEUTENANT.

TO DO THE JOB CURRENTLY HELD BY A CIVILIAN STAFFER.

NOW, ABC7 HAS AUDIO FROM FIRE CALL,

WHERE THE WATER TANKER COULD NOT MAKE IT TO A HOUSE FIRE.

8:24 tanker 5 i could not get it to crank the battery was dead the auto ejector ejected and the battery died. again 8:33

WE'RE TOLD IN THIS CASE--

THE FIRE WOULD STILL HAVE BURNED DOWN THE HOME,

EVEN IF THE TRUCK HAD WORKED PROPERLY.

CAPE CORAL FIRE TRUCKS-SOTVO

12:24 calling to attention the lack of oversight and the lack of preventative maintenance to upkeep these expensive pieces of eq:35

THE UNION PRESIDENT TELLS US --

HE HAS NOT GOTTEN AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF SUPPORT FROM THE CITY.

TEASE TWO-OC

THERE'S A NEW THERAPY --- THAT COULD HELP PEOPLE AFTER A HEART ATTACK.

IT'S USED TO CURE PTSD.AND REQUIRES NO SURGERY.

TZ2 A HEART THEARAPY-VO

HEART THEARAPY-2-SHOT

HEART ATTACKS ARE DEFINITELY SCARY.

BUT HAVING A HEART ATTACK CAN ALSO BE TRAUMATIC.

A THERAPY THAT HAS SEEN SUCCESS WITH P-T-S-D PATIENTS --- IS NOW GIVING SOME CARDIAC PATIENTS SIMILAR RESULTS.

HEART THEARAPY-PKG

SOCIAL WORKER MARY SISE IS ALSO TRAINED IN EMOTIONAL FREEDOM THERAPY. E.F.T.. ALSO REFERRED TO AS TAPPING THERAPY.

SHE'S LEADING HEART PATIENT, PAULA MONAHAN THROUGH A SESSION OF EFT.

AS SISE EXPLAINS, THE BRAIN PROCESSES TRAUMA DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER LIFE EXPERIENCES. IN A SENSE, WE DON'T GET OVER THAT EXPERIENCE, THE ENERGY OF IT GETS BLOCKED FROM MOVING ON AND WE KEEP RELIEVING THE EXPERIENCE.

THE TAPPING KEYS IN ON WHAT ARE CALLED MERIDIANS. SORT OF TRAIN TRACKS OF ENERGY IN OUR BODIES.

"The tapping part seems to activate the meridian system which helps de-stress the body and then the energy moves more fluidly through the system. "

THE TAPPING ALONG WITH A SERIES OF EYE MOVEMENTS WORK TOGETHER TO FACILITATE THE HEALING.

"And so what it begins to do is get your brain to fire differently. The trauma then processes similar probably to how things process when you're sleeping. But with trauma you wake up and you have nightmares so the processing isn't complete."

SISE HAS BEEN USING EFT SINCE 1999 WITH PATIENTS AND SAYS SHE'S SEEN IMPRESSIVE SUCCESS RATES.

BUT THERE ARE FEW STUDIES ON THE EFFECTIVENESS. SO THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY HAS GIVEN HER A GRANT TO STUDY POST HEART ATTACK PATIENTS. SHE'S CURRENTLY RECRUITING PEOPLE LIKE PAULA - FOLKS OVER 55 WHO'VE HAD A HEART ATTACK.

"I think I was a little skeptical at first."

WHILE PAULA IS NOT PART OF THE STUDY, THE EFT THERAPY HAS FREED HER FROM LONG SEATED ANXIETY RELATING TO MEDICAL TREATMENT.

"I'm fixed."

STUDY PARTICIPANTS WILL UNDERGO 6 TREATMENT SESSIONS - THEY'LL DISCUSS THE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE AND LEARN THE TAPPING TECHNIQUE.

AS SISE EXPLAINS, YOU DON'T FORGET THE EXPERIENCE, BUT YOU STOP RELIVING IT.

"The body knows how to heal. We just have to pull it back into balance."

HEART THEARAPY-ONCAM

THAT WAS BENITA ZAHN REPORTING

SOLDIERS FAIL HEALTH TEST-VO

THERE'S A GROWING PROBLEM IN THE MILITARY --

YOUNG AMERICANS ARE HEAVIER THAN EVER BEFORE,

PREVENTING SOME MEN AND WOMEN FROM ENLISTING.

IN FACT, OBESITY IS THE TOP REASON CITED FOR INELIGIBILITY.

MILITARY DATA SHOWS --

THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE-DUTY TROOPS WHO ARE OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE.

*TRIPLED FROM 19-98 TO 2010.

AND MANY OF THEM ARE BEING DISMISSED.

THE WASHINGTON POST REPORTS --

CHILD OBESITY DOWN-VO

SEVERAL CITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES -- ARE SEEING A DECLINE IN CHILDHOOD OBESITY.

NEW RESEARCH INDICATES THAT PLACES LIKE -- NEW YORK CITY AND PHILADELPHIA ARE SHOWING SIGNIFICANT DECLINES.

IN BOTH CITIES -- IT'S DOWN FIVE-PERCENT.

TEASE THREE-2-SHOT

INCREDIBLE VIDEO THIS MORNING YOU HAVE TO SEE --

FLAMES SHOOT 75 FEET INTO THE AIR --- AFTER A GAS LINE EXPLOSION.

NEW DETAILS AHEAD AT NINE.

BUT FIRST- THE U-S ON ALERT.

AS NORTH KOREA SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES A ROCKET.

TZ3A GAS EXPLOSION-VOTOPS-WIPE

TZ3B (KOREAN ROCKET LAUNCH)-VOTOPS

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIP

NY STOCK EXCHANGE OPEN-SAT 3 TOPS

THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS MORNING.

INVESTORS ARE WAITING TO HEAR ABOUT A STIMULUS PROGRAM --

THAT IS SET TO END THIS MONTH.

BUT THEY'RE FEELING OPTIMISTIC,

SO U-S STOCK FUTURES ARE EDGING HIGHER.

TS1) OREGON MALL SHOOTING-VO-TRX

OTHER BIG STORIES WE'RE FOLLOWING THIS MORNING:

HORROR INSIDE A BUSY MALL FILLED WITH HOLIDAY SHOPPERS.

A GUNMAN, WEARING A BULLET PROOF VEST AND WHITE HOCKEY MASK --- OPENED FIRE INSIDE A PORTLAND MALL -- KILLING TWO PEOPLE -- SERIOUSLY WOUNDING ONE MORE.

THEN HE KILLED HIMSELF.

TS2) FISCAL CLIFF-VO-TRX

HOUSE MINORITY LEADER NANCY PELOSI SAYS --

A BIPARTISAN DEAL TO AVERT A "FISCAL CLIFF".

IS *MORE LIKELY IF DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS DON'T TRY TO OVER-REACH ON SPENDING CUTS.

TODAY, THE PRESIDENT WILL PUBLICLY PRESSURE REPUBLICANS TO REACH A DEAL,

TS3) SANDY CONCERT-VO-TRX

IT'S BEEN MORE THAN A MONTH -- SINCE SANDY DEVESTATED THE NORTHEAST.

AND TONIGHT, SOME OF MUSIC'S BIGGEST STARS ARE GETTING TOGETHER TO LEND A HAND.

THE "12-12-12 CONCERT" AT NEW YORK'S MADISON SQUARE GARDEN -- SHOWCASES BON JOVI, THE ROLLING STONES, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, BILLY JOEL, PAUL MCCARTNEY AND OTHERS.

FIRST WEATHER-CLIP

FIRST WEATHER-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.

THE TRAIL OF TROPICAL MOISTURE WE HAD AROUND YESTERDAY WILL STAY PARKED OVER SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FOR ONE MORE DAY, LEADING TO MORE SCATTERED SHOWERS AND STORMS ALONG WITH A MOSTLY CLOUDY SKY.

HUMIDITY WILL ALSO STAY SKY HIGH FOR THROUGH TODAY UNTIL SOME DRIER AIR BRINGS A NICE DROP IN HUMIDITY STARTING THURSDAY.

LOOK FOR SCATTERED SHOWERS AND STORMS TO FLOW IN FROM THE SOUTHWEST THROUGH THE DAY, MOVING IN FROM THE COASTAL WATERS AND BUILDING INLAND. SOME OF THESE DOWNPOURS MAY BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SOME RUMBLES OF THUNDER AS WELL AS HIGH WINDS, BUT THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER LOOKS PRETTY LOW TODAY.

THE SHOWER THREAT WILL CONTINUE OFF AND ON FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA THROUGH THE AFTERNOON, BUT BY THIS EVENING, ENOUGH DRY, STABLE AIR SHOULD SETTLE IN TO CUT DOWN OUR RAIN CHANCES THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT.

IMPROVEMENTS ARE IN ORDER THURSDAY AS THE TROPICAL MOISTURE MAKES AN EXIT. GRADUAL CLEARING IS EXPECTED THROUGH THE DAY, SO WE SHOULD EVEN BE ABLE TO MUSTER UP SOME RAYS OF SUN TOMORROW. YOU'LL NOTICE A NICE DROP IN HUMIDITY ALONG WITH SLIGHTLY COOLER TEMPERATURES AS DAYTIME HIGHS TAKE AIM AT THE MID TO UPPER 70S.

SOME VERY NICE WEATHER WILL COME OUR WAY FROM FRIDAY THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEKEND. SUNSHINE WILL BE PREVALENT, AND RAIN CHANCES WILL BE LOW AS AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES STAY COMFORTABLY CLOSE TO 80°.

FOR THOSE WAITING FOR THE NEXT SIGNIFICANT COLD FRONT TO COME SWEEPING IN, IT'S LOOKING LIKE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY COULD BE THE DAYS WE FINALLY GET SOME COOLER WEATHER MOVING INTO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA!

DEVELOPING-CLIP

KOREAN ROCKET LAUNCH-2-SHOT

THE WHITE HOUSE IS OUT WITH A STRONG REACTION --

AFTER NORTH KOREA SUCCESSFULLY TEST FIRED A LONG- RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILE.

THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION CALLS THE LAUNCH -- QUOTE-- A HIGHLY PROVOCATIVE ACT THAT THREATENS REGIONAL SECURITY.

KOREAN ROCKET LAUNCH-PKG

SCRIPT:

V/O:

In a breaking-news broadcast North Korean television announced the secretive

regime's successful test of the Eunha-3 long-range rocket from its

Dongchang-ri launch site.

It is the 2nd attempt by the North Koreans this year.

Last April, a similar test failed within minutes after takeoff.

This time, the rocket traveled directly over Okinawa before falling 180-

miles north of the Philippines, according to the Japanese government.

Japanese officials say it took place at 9:49am and exactly followed the

intended path. Debris fell in at least 3 locations.

It was detected by a South Korean warship on alert. There are also 4 US

warships in the region.

Four previous tests by the North Koreans have fallen far short of

expectations.

A key issue now is how far the rocket traveled and whether the 2nd and 3rd

stages were successfully separated.

As with the April test, the North Koreans insist its efforts are part of a

peaceful space program to place a satellite into orbit.

But the US and other key allies believe they are a disguised attempt to test

a long-range ballistic missile. With further development such a rocket *

could* one day carry a nuclear warhead and *potentially* reach as far as

California.

SU CLOSE:

A successful launch gives North Korea's leverage on the diplomatic stage -

possibly incentivising countries like Iran to further support the secretive

regime. Analysts do not believe North Korea currently has nuclear technology

neeeded to be a credible threat to the US. But today's launch is a step

forward for North Korea and it's new leader.

OBAMA AND SYRIA-2-SHOT

AND PRESIDENT OBAMA TELLS ABC'S BARBARA WALTERS --

THE U-S IS NOW OFFICIALLY BACKING THE SYRIAN OPPOSITION COALITION - AGAINST PRESIDENT BASHAR ASSAD.

DELEGATES FROM SEVERAL COUNTRIES WILL UNVEIL MEASURES TODAY --

TO SUPPORT THE NEWLY FORMED SYRIAN GROUP.

OBAMA AND SYRIA-PKG

In an exclusive interview with ABC's Barbara Walters, President Obama

stepped up pressure on Syrian President Bashar Assad by formally recognizing

the newly formed Syrian opposition.

SOT Obama

"WE'VE MADE A DECISION THAT THE SYRIAN OPPOSITION COALITION IS NOW INCLUSIVE

ENOUGH, IS REFLECTIVE AND REPRESENTATIVE ENOUGH OF THE SYRIAN POPULATION, /

/ THAT WE CONSIDER THEM THE LEGITIMATE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SYRIAN PEOPLE

IN OPPOSITION TO THE ASSAD REGIME."

The President made his announcement as Syrian opposition leaders gathered in

Marrakech on the eve of an international meeting on the Syrian crisis.

More world powers are expected to formally recognize the opposition forces.

But they will not arm rebel fighters.

World leaders are cautious about some elements of the opposition who are

affiliated with Al-Qaida terrorists in Iraq.

SOT Obama

"WE ARE GOING TO MAKE CLEAR TO DISTINQUISH BETWEEN THOSE ELEMENTS OF THE

OPPOSITION."

On the ground in Syria, shelling by rebel forces continues.

In recent weeks, the opposition has made significant gains.stoking fears

that the Assad regime might use chemical weapons to balance the scales.

U-S officials say they haven't seen any aggressive steps to use the weapons.

But they continue to monitor the situation.

The U-S has warned Assad that use of the weapons could trigger retaliatory

action.

SOT Panetta

"I'D LIKE TO BELIEVE HE'S GOTTEN THE MESSAGE. WE'VE MADE IT PRETTY CLEAR."

Also at today's meeting on Syria, we'll learn more about how the

international community intends to go about supporting the Syrian opposition

.

COWBOYS PLAYER DEATH UPDATE-VO

THE LAWYER FOR THE DALLAS COWBOYS PLAYER CHARGED IN A CRASH THAT KILLED HIS TEAMMATE --- IS DISMISSING AN EYE WITNESS ACCOUNT.

JOSH BRENT WAS DRIVING FROM A NIGHTCLUB EARLY SATURDAY -- WHEN HIS CAR FLIPPED OVER, KILLING PRACTICE SQUAD MEMBER JERRY BROWN JUNIOR.

A WOMAN TOLD OFFICIALS SHE HEARD BROWN CRY FOR HELP. AND THAT BRENT DID *NOT TRY TO SAVE HIS FRIEND

COWBOYS PLAYER DEATH UPDATE-SOTVO-WIPE

She admitted to have been drinking that evening. Her statement regarding the placement of Mr. Brown's body is inconsistent with the dashcam video.

FUNERAL SERVICES WERE HELD YESTERDAY IN DALLAS.

GAS EXPLOSION WV-VOTOPS

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS MAJOR GAS LINE EXPLOSION IN WEST VIRGINIA.

IT SENT FLAMES SHOOTING 50 TO 75 FEET IN THE AIR.

AT LEAST FIVE HOMES WERE BURNED,

ALONG A STRETCH OF INTERSTATE 77 -

FORCING OFFICIALS TO CLOSE THE ROAD.

PART OF THE INTERSTATE IS BACK OPEN THIS MORNING -

AFTER CREWS WORKED THROUGH THE NIGHT TO REPAIR DAMAGE.

AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SMOKE INHALATION.

GENDER NUEUTRAL OVEN-VO

A NEW JERSEY GIRL'S CAMPAIGN TO GET A GENDER-NEUTRAL EASY BAKE OVEN --- APPEARS SUCCESSFUL.

13 YEAR OLD MCKENNA POPE HAS BEEN INVITED TO TELL HASBRO WHY THE TOY -- SHOULD BE MADE IN COLORS OTHER THAN PINK AND PURPLE.

MCKENNA STARTED AN ONLINE PETITION TO HASBRO AFTER HER FAMILY TRIED TO GET AN EASY BAKE OVEN FOR HER BROTHER -- BUT COULDN'T FIND ONE.

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS STOLEN-VO

A REAL LIFE GRINCH.

A LEE COUNTY WOMAN SAYS SOMEONE STOLE THE PRESENTS FOR HER GRANDKIDS.

CHRIS RAHMINGS HAS EXPERIENCED MORE HEARTBREAK IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.

THAN MOST OF US CAN EVEN IMAGINE.

IN EARLY 2010, HER HUSBAND WAS KILLED IN A CAR CRASH,

WHILE ON HIS WAY TO WORK.

THEN A FEW MONTHS AGO,

HER SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER.

THIS WEEKEND- FOR THE *THIRD TIME -- A CROOK BROKE INTO HER CAR.

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS STOLEN-SOTVO

26:29 "you're dealt a bad deck of cards and you have to realize that there's someone always worse that you are."

SUNDAY NIGHT, LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY THOMAS SORRENTO ADMITTED --

TO BREAKING INTO AT LEAST 15 CARS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THEY CAUGHT HIM ON A BICYCLE-

HIS POCKETS REPORTEDLY STUFFED WITH STOLEN ELECTRONICS.

DEPUTIES DID NOT FIND ANY STOLEN CHRISTMAS PRESENTS ON SORRENTO-

TOSS TO CLIFTON-TOSS TO CLIFTON

PYTHONS HAVE BEEN INVADING THE EVERGLADES FOR YEARS.

NOW, *YOU CAN HELP GET RID OF THEM.

YOU JUST NEED A LITTLE TRAINING.

ABC7'S CLIFTON FRENCH JOINS US LIVE --

FROM THE CALOOSHATCHEE FORESTRY CENTER IN FORT MYERS THIS MORNING.

TRAINING TO MANAGE PYTHONS-REM-LIVE

18-HUNDRED OF THESE INVASIVE ANIMALS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE EVERGLADES IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, WHICH IS MORE THAN LIKELY JUST A FRACTION OF THE TOTAL POPULATION.

AND THEY ARE EATING NATIVE ANIMALS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IN THE EVERGLADES.

TRAINING TO MANAGE PYTHONS-VO-SS

PYTHON FILE

THEY WILL LEARN HOW TO NOT ONLY REPORT SIGHTINGS -- BUT ALSO SAFELY CAPTURE THE SNAKES.

AND THIS MORNING WE WILL BE ABLE OBSERVE THE TRAINING.

THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE PYTHON CHALLENGE THAT'S BEGINNING IN JANUARY.

THAT'S WHERE PEOPLE WHO CAPTURE THE MOST AND LARGEST SNAKES WILL BE PAID PRIZE MONEY.

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY TELLS US THEY WILL ALSO BE HOLDING TRAININGS FOR THAT AS WELL.

NOW, INVASIVE SNAKES HAVE BECOME SUCH A PROBLEM, CONGRESSMAN TOM ROONEY HAS RECENTLY PROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BROADEN THE BAN ON IMPORTING EXOTIC SNAKES.

I WILL REQUEST FULLSCREEN

RIGHT NOW THERE'S A FEDERAL BAN ON JUST FOUR SNAKES--

THE BURMESE PYTHON, THE YELLOW ANACONDA, AND THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN PYTHON.

TRAINING TO MANAGE PYTHONS-SOTVO

TRAINING TO MANAGE PYTHONS-REM-LIVE

OFFICIALS DON'T THINK THEY'LL EVER BE ABLE TO GET RID OF THE PYTHON, BUT HOPE THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE THE ONE TODAY, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO KEEP THE POPULATION FROM GETTING OUT OF CONTROL.

TEASE FOUR-OC

HAVE YOU CHECKED THE DATE?

IT'S 12-12-12!

AHEAD -- HOW AMERICANS ARE MARKING A DAY. THAT COMES ONCE A LIFETIME.

PLUS -- BRAND NEW RESEARCH ON HOMOSEXUALITY.

TZ4 HOMOSEXUAL RESEARCH-VO

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

121212-2-SHOT

HAVE YOU CHECKED THE DATE?

TODAY IS 12/12/12.

WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT 98 YEARS BEFORE THE DATE IS THREE IDENTICAL NUMBERS AGAIN.

SO TODAY, COUPLES ARE RUSHING TO THE ALTER.

NICK WATT IS IN LAS VEGAS --

121212-PKG

SCRIPT:

UPSOUND

I pronounce you husband and wife.

BILLY AND TIM GOT MARRIED AT EXACTLY 12 AFTER MIDNIGHT ON 12/12/12.

SOT: Billie and Tim

25:30 And you really think its gonna bring you luck, longevity, make it work

? B: Yea. T: We're hoping so.

THIS PLACE IS PACKED WITH WANNABE LUCKY COUPLES.

Don and Heidi Smith

02:01:38 N: Why are you getting married in the middle of the night in Las

Vegas? D: Well it's the earliest we could do on 121212.

DAVID'S BRIDAL CLAIMS 7,500 BRIDES WILL TIE THE KNOT TODAY: A 1,446%

INCREASE OVER 12/12 LAST YEAR.

SOT: Aurora Tower. Astrologer. It's kind of peoples last chance to do

something memorable on a date like this.

AND IT'LL BE ANOTHER 88 YEARS AND 19 DAYS UNTIL JANUARY 1, 2101: THE NEXT

DAY ALL THE DIGITS LINE UP.

SOT: Aurora Tower. Astrologer- 18:34:32- Twelve itself is a very spiritual

lucky number it's a number of completion.

DOUBLE SIXES AND SIX, SO THEY SAY, IS HOME, HEART AND FAMILY. LUCKY, LUCKY

LITTLE MCKENZIE GIBSON FROM KANSAS CITY MISSOURI, WHO PLAYS NUMBER 12 ON HER

SOCCER TEAM. TODAY SHE TURNS 12 YEARS OLD.

SOT: McKenzie Gibson- it's gonna be a really special and unique day.

PLENTY MOMS WANT WHAT MCKENZIE HAS. WE'VE HEARD REPORTS OF C SECTIONS

PURPOSEFULLY SCHEDULED FOR TODAY.

ALONG WITH 300 WEDDINGS HERE AT THE CHAPEL.

Tim and Billie after ceremony

53:09 N: If you ever forget your anniversary?! B: He's in trouble. T: I'm in

deep stuff.

SOME SAY ITS LUCKY. I SAY IT'S JUST AN IMPOSSIBLE DATE TO FORGET.

Live Close: TBC This is where Britney got married. Let's hope these ones

121212-OC-TAG

NICK WATT REPORTING.

LAST YEAR'S BIG DATE WAS 11-11-11.

AND ACCORDING TO DAVID'S BRIDAL -- 57-THOUSAND AMERICAN COUPLES GOT MARRIED THAT DAY.

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.

THE TRAIL OF TROPICAL MOISTURE WE HAD AROUND YESTERDAY WILL STAY PARKED OVER SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FOR ONE MORE DAY, LEADING TO MORE SCATTERED SHOWERS AND STORMS ALONG WITH A MOSTLY CLOUDY SKY.

HUMIDITY WILL ALSO STAY SKY HIGH FOR THROUGH TODAY UNTIL SOME DRIER AIR BRINGS A NICE DROP IN HUMIDITY STARTING THURSDAY.

LOOK FOR SCATTERED SHOWERS AND STORMS TO FLOW IN FROM THE SOUTHWEST THROUGH THE DAY, MOVING IN FROM THE COASTAL WATERS AND BUILDING INLAND. SOME OF THESE DOWNPOURS MAY BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SOME RUMBLES OF THUNDER AS WELL AS HIGH WINDS, BUT THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER LOOKS PRETTY LOW TODAY.

THE SHOWER THREAT WILL CONTINUE OFF AND ON FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA THROUGH THE AFTERNOON, BUT BY THIS EVENING, ENOUGH DRY, STABLE AIR SHOULD SETTLE IN TO CUT DOWN OUR RAIN CHANCES THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT.

IMPROVEMENTS ARE IN ORDER THURSDAY AS THE TROPICAL MOISTURE MAKES AN EXIT. GRADUAL CLEARING IS EXPECTED THROUGH THE DAY, SO WE SHOULD EVEN BE ABLE TO MUSTER UP SOME RAYS OF SUN TOMORROW. YOU'LL NOTICE A NICE DROP IN HUMIDITY ALONG WITH SLIGHTLY COOLER TEMPERATURES AS DAYTIME HIGHS TAKE AIM AT THE MID TO UPPER 70S.

SOME VERY NICE WEATHER WILL COME OUR WAY FROM FRIDAY THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEKEND. SUNSHINE WILL BE PREVALENT, AND RAIN CHANCES WILL BE LOW AS AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES STAY COMFORTABLY CLOSE TO 80°.

FOR THOSE WAITING FOR THE NEXT SIGNIFICANT COLD FRONT TO COME SWEEPING IN, IT'S LOOKING LIKE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY COULD BE THE DAYS WE FINALLY GET SOME COOLER WEATHER MOVING INTO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA!

HOMESEXUALITY RESEARCH-VO

ALL NEW TODAY

BEING GAY -- IS LINKED TO YOUR GENES.

A NEW STUDY -- SHOWS A GENETIC SWITCH, LIKELY DECIDES SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

RESEARCH FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE IS SPREADING ALL OVER THE INTERNET.

HOMESEXUALITY RESEARCH-SOTVO

Sergey Gavrilets | UT Math and Biology Researcher

"In spite of enormous effort people have put toward finding gay genes, nobody has been able to identify them."

THE NEW STUDY SAYS INSTEAD OF A GAY GENE. THERE'S SOMETHING MORE LIKE A POWER SWITCH. THAT GETS PASSED DOWN FROM PARENTS.

IT TELLS FEMALES TO IGNORE TESTOSTERONE. AND TELLS MEN TO USE THE HORMONE.

VICTORIA SECRET BLOOPERS-TC MON VO

NOW TO A VICTORIA'S SECRET VIDEO THAT'S GONE VIRAL -

BUT NOT FOR THE REASONS YOU MIGHT THINK.

OF COURSE, THE MODELS ARE *ATTRACTIVE.*

BUT THAT'S NOT WHY THIS VIDEO IS *ATTRACTING* ATTENTION.

ABC'S LINSEY DAVIS HAS THE SCOOP.

AND *THIS PROVES --

VICTORIA SECRET BLOOPERS-PKG

SCRIPT:

JUST CALL THEM DANCER.

PRANCER.

AND *VIXEN*

ONLY IT'S NOT EXACTLY THEIR NOSES THAT ARE RED.BUT THEIR CHEEKS.FLUSH

WITH EMBARRASSMENT. NOW THAT

THIS HOLIDAY VIDEO FROM VICTORIA'S SECRET IS MAKING ITS WAY AROUND THE

INTERNET. AND NOT FOR THE REASON YOU MIGHT THINK.

don we.no is it fa-la-la-la

THEY MAY SEEM.UH.WELL ROUNDED.BUT THESE BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS ANGELS

AREN'T NEARLY AS PERFECT AS THEY LOOK.AT LEAST WHEN IT COMES TO SINGING

CHRISTMAS CAROLS. JUST LISTEN TO THEM FA-LA-LA-LA-FLUBBING "DECK THE HALLS".

:31 deck the halls with boughs of jolly.of holly.:40

:48: boughs of honey.let's deck them with honey!

THE REAL "BEAUTY" OF IT ALL?

VICTORIA'S SECRET SEES THIS AS A SELLING POINT.

A COMMERCIAL LIKE THIS CAN HELP THE MODELS BE A LITTLE BIT MORE RELATEABLE.

THIS IS A WAY TO SORT OF BRING THEM DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

come on candles work with me

OF COURSE-- THE VICTORIA'S SECRET ANGELS AREN'T THE ONLY ONES WHO'VE TURNED

THEIR IMPERFECTIONS INTO ADVERTISING GOLD.

JENNIFER ANISTON LAUGHED ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK IN THIS SMART WATER SPOOF

IT'S AMAZING WHAT IT DOES RIGHT HERE

SIMILARLY, THE VICTORIA'S SECRET YOUTUBE PAGE IS BEING FLOODED WITH POSITIVE

COMMENTS LIKE THIS ONE. "WELL NOT EVERYONE CAN BE STUNNING AND GREAT

SINGERS, I LOVE THAT THEY TRIED."

LINSEY ASKING VIC MODEL IF SHE'S LEARNED THE WORDS NOW/ GET HER RESPONSE TO

ALL THE INTEREST

VICTORIA SECRET BLOOPERS-OC-TAG

LINSEY DAVIS REPORTING.

THE MUSIC VIDEO HAS GOTTEN ALMOST 200 THOUSAND VIEWS ON YOU-TUBE.

AND AGAIN -- MOSTLY POSITIVE COMMENTS.

JET FUEL MISTAKE-VO

THREE NEW JERSEY GAS STATIONS -- ARE SHUT DOWN THIS MORNING.

SOMEHOW -- JET FUEL WAS PUMPED INTO THEIR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS.

SEVERAL DRIVERS FILLED UP THEIR CARS WITH IT.

THOSE CARS LATER STALLED OUT ON THE ROADS.

THE GAS STATIONS WILL BE CLOSED -- UNTIL THE TANKS CAN BE EMPTIED AND CLEANED.

POPE TWITTER LAUNCH-VO

IT'S OFFICIAL -- THE POPE IS TWEETING!

HE JOINED OTHER WORLD LEADERS AND CELEBRITIES -

BY STARTING A TWITTER ACCOUNT LAST WEEK.

AND THIS MORNING -- HE SENT OUT HIS VERY FIRST TWEET.

IT READ "DEAR FRIENDS.

I AM PLEASED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU THROUGH TWITTER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS RESPONSE.

I BLESS YOU ALL FROM MY HEART."

THEN AN HOUR LATER --

HE ANSWERED ONE FOLLOWER'S QUESTION!

YOU CAN FOLLOW HIM "AT-PONTIFEX."

MOST REWTWEETED OF 2012-2 SHOT VO SS HFSC

ALSO IN THE TWITTER WORLD THIS MORNING -

THE SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE RELEASES THE MOST 'REWTEETED' TWEETS FOR 20-12.

AND IT APPEARS PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS THE HOTTEST TOPIC OF THE YEAR.

THE TERM "FOUR MORE YEARS" TAKES THE TOP SPOT-

ALONG WITH A PICTURE OF OBAMA HUGGING THE FIRST LADY.

IT GOT MORE THAN 810-THOUSAND RETWEETS - AND MORE THAN 300-THOUSAND FAVORITES.

JUSTIN BEIBER CAME IN SECOND -

FOR HIS TWEET ABOUT A FAN.

WHO PASSED AWAY FROM A RARE BRAIN CANCER.

THE SUMMER OLYMPICS SPIKED DURING THE SPICE GIRLS' PERFORMANCE.

OTHER BIG TALKERS:

THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE,

THE M-T-V VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS,

TEASE FIVE-OC

THE FIRST LADY -- GETS INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT.

TZ5A TOYS FOR TOTS-VO

FINAL CHECK OF STOCKS-SAT 3 FULL

FIRST LADY TOYS FOR TOTS-VO

SOME NEEDY KIDS THIS CHRISTMAS.

WILL GET GIFTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA VISITED AN AIR FORCE BASE IN WASHINGTON.

AND DELIVERED TOYS AND GIFTS TO THE MARINE CORPS' TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE.

AFTER MRS. OBAMA HELPED SORT THE TOYS,

FIRST LADY TOYS FOR TOTS-SOTVO

The military families are what inspires my work because even though all of you are dealing with your own hardships and challenges and struggles, moving from base to base every couple of years even though you've endured deployment after deployment the miraculous thing about you all and your spirit is somehow you always are the first people to volunteer for something.

THE GIFTS WILL BE HANDED OUT TO UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN --

CHRISTMAS DITTO HOUSE-VO

AN ARIZONA CHRISTMAS DISPLAY -- IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION.

THE HOMEOWNER KNEW SHE COULDN'T COMPETE WITH HER NEIGHBOR'S DISPLAY.

SO SHE PUT UP THIS SIGN -- JUST A SIMPLE 'DITTO' - WITH AN ARROW POINTING NEXT DOOR.

HER SIGN IS MADE UP OF ABOUT SIX-HUNDRED LIGHTS,

COMPARED TO HER NEIGHBOR'S 20-THOUSAND.

ROCK AND ROLL INDUCTEES-VO

THE LATE DONNA SUMMER -- WHO HAD A HOME IN NAPLES -- RECEIVES A PRESTIGIOUS HONOR.

SHE'S BEING INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME.

SUMMER WAS ONE OF THE INDUCTEES FOR 2013,

ANNOUNCED TUESDAY IN LOS ANGELES.

THE NEW CLASS SPANS THE MUSICAL SPECTRUM --

INCLUDING THE ROCK GROUP "HEART",

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TS1)OREGON MALL SHOOTING-VO-TRX

A DEADLY RAMPAGE INSIDE AN OREGN MALL FILLED WITH HOLIDAY SHOPPERS.

A GUNMAN, WEARING A BULLET PROOF VEST AND WHITE HOCKEY MASK SHOT TWO PEOPLE.

HE WOUNDED ANOTHER BEFORE TURNING THE GUN ON HIMSELF.

TS2)121212-VO-TRX

IT'S A DAY THAT HAVE MANY PEOPLE TALKING.

12-12-12.

MANY SAY IT'S A LUCKY DAY.

AND AN ESTIMATED 75 HUNDRED BRIDES WILL GET HITCHED TODAY.

TS3)KOREAN ROCKET LAUNCH-VO-TRX

KOREA ANNOUNCED THE SECRETIVE REGIME'S SUCCESSFUL TEST OF THE EUNHA-3 LONG-RANGE ROCKET FROM ITS LAUNCH SITE.

IT'S THE SECOND ATTEMPT BY THE KOREANS THIS YEAR.

TS4)FISCAL CLIFF-VO-TRX

AND PROGRESSION WITH THE FISCAL CLIFF.

HOUSE MINORITY LEADER NANCY PELOSI SAYS--

A BIPARTISAN DEAL TO AVERT A "FISCAL CLIFF" IS *MORE LIKELY IF BOTH THESIDES DON'T OVER-REACH ON SPENDING CUTS.

THE PRESIDENT WILL PUBLICLY PRESSURE REPUBLICANS TODAY TO REACH A DEAL,

MOST FASCINATING PEOPLE-SSTOPS

TONIGHT ON ABC-7.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN FOR A BARBARA WALTERS SPECIAL.

SHE'LL BE PRESENTING THE MOST FASCINATING PEOPLE OF 2012.

THAT'S TONIGHT AT 9:30 ON ABC-7.

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.