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

CLIFTON ADLIBS -- ABC7 FOLLOWS BREAKING NEWS. A VIOLENT HOME INVASION IN FORT MYERS. WE HAVE A LIVE REPORT FROM THE SCENE. WITH BRAND NEW INFORMATION ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION.

HONORING ONE OF THEIR OWN.

A NEW YORK COMMUNITY MOURNS THE DEATHS OF TWO FIREFIGHTERS.

KILLED IN A TRAGIC CHRISTMAS AMBUSH.

HOW THE MEN ARE BEING REMEMBERED.

AND *BACK TO WORK IN WASHINGTON.

LAWMAKERS CUT THEIR CHRISTMAS VACATIONS SHORT.

WITH TIME RUNNING OUT --

HL1) FM HOME INVASION-LIVE

HL2)ROCHESTER LATEST-VO-WIPE

HL3)FISCAL CLIFF-VOTOPS

WX HL-WX WALL

CLIP-BREAKING NEWS

FM HOME INVASION-TOSS TO CLIFTON

ABC7 HAS BEEN STAYING ON TOP OF BREAKING NEWS.

A HOME INVASION IN SOUTH FORT MYERS.

AND THE SUSPECT IS *STILL ON THE RUN.

IT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT IN THE PASEO COMMUNITY.

ABC7'S CLIFTON FRENCH HAS BEEN LIVE AT THE SCENE ALL MORNING.

CLIFTON -- YOU FOUND OUT A WOMAN WAS STABBED IN ALL OF THIS?

FM HOME INVASION-REM-LIVE

FM HOME INVASION-VO

HERE'S VIDEO OF THE SCENE ONLY MINUTES AFTER POLICE ARRIVED.

FORT MYERS POLICE AND THE

LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE BOTH RESPONDED.

THEY HAD DOZENS OF OFFICERS SEARCHING THE STREETS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, K-9'S AND A CHOPPER OVERHEAD.

FM HOME INVASION-SOTVO

FM HOME INVASION-REM-LIVE

POLICE HAVE NOT RELEASED THE NAME OF THE WOMAN WHO WAS STABBED, NEIGHBORS TELL ME SHE'S ABOUT 40 YEARS OLD AND LIVED IN THAT HOME WITH HER SON. WHO THEY SAY IS ABOUT 13.

BUT PEOPLE HERE ARE VISIBLY SHAKEN ABOUT THIS HORRIFIC CRIME.

WE'RE CONTINUING TO LEARN MORE BY THE MINUTE, AND YOU CAN COUNT ON US TO BRING YOU THE LATEST INFORMATION.

TRAFFIC ALERT-FDOTTOPS

ABC-7 IS ON TOP OF A TRAFFIC ALERT IN COLLIER COUNTY THIS MORNING.

TAKE A LIVE LOOK AT ONE OF OUR D-O-T CAMERAS.

ADLIB

AROUND THREE A-M --

A SEMI TRUCK CRASHED ON EYE-75,

JUST SOUTH OF IMMOKALEE ROAD IN NAPLES.

THE ACCIDENT SHUT DOWN TRAFFIC EARLIER THIS MORNING.

SO FAR -- NO REPORTS OF ANY INJURIES.

TORNADOES TOUCHDOWN-TC MON VO

OUR OTHER TOP STORY --

SEVERE WEATHER.

ON CHRISTMAS DAY, STORMS SWEPT THROUGH THE GULF COAST --

FROM TEXAS TO ALABAMA.

IT TRIGGERED MORE THAN 30 TORNADOES.

AND THOSE DREAMS OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS CAME TRUE.

CAUSING TRAVEL HEADACHES.

TORNADOES TOUCHDOWN-PKG

SCRIPT:

NATS - "Oh wow,

oh Jesus, look at that tornado."

This is just one of more than thirty reported tornados that touched down on

Christmas Day. leaving behind heavy damage.

1:07 NATS "It's been down on the ground for a minute."

This one roared through Mobile, Alabama. tearing down parts of

Trinity Episcopal Church and some downtown businesses.

NATS running water

Another twister hit Pearl River County in Missisippi

blowing insulation into trees and peeling back walls of

homes.

There were some injuries reported there but no deaths.

SOT: "Judging from the damage we've witnessed today it's a miracle

that no one was hurt any worse than they were."

NATS: "This tree got us in the truck and kept us from

being sucked up in the tornado."

Further east in the state in Stone County, Teresa Mason and her boyfriend

took shelter from a tornado inside their truck.

SOT: "It started jerking us and spinning us."

NATS

The same fast-moving storms brought blizzard conditions to parts of the

country's midsection. causing a 21 vehicle pileup in

Oklahoma City.

NATS snow

And the system is heading eastbringing with it treacherous conditions on the

day after Christmas, often a busy travel day.

NATS pushing cart

enough of a threat for some in Cleveland to stock up on supplies.

SOT: "I'm ready to go."

TORNADOES TOUCHDOWN-TAG ON CAM

THAT WAS ABC'S WENDY GILLETTE REPORTING.

THE STORMS ARE BEING BLAMED --

HENDRY CO CRASH-VO

A ONE YEAR OLD BOY IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER INVESTIGATORS SAY HIS AUNT BACKED OVER HIM AT A CLEWISTON APARTMENT COMPLEX.

IT HAPPENED AT THE HARLEM TENANTS APARTMENTS ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS NECIE LOVE WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN HER NEPHEW RAN TOWARD THE CAR AND WAS PINNED UNDERNEATH.

THE ONE YEAR OLD WAS FLOWN TO LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

ALVA SHOOTING UPDATE-VO

LEE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTIES SEARCH FOR A SHOOTING SUSPECT IN ALVA

IT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT IN THE CHARLESTON COMMUNITY PARK.

ONE MAN WENT TO THE HOSPITAL,

BUT IS EXPECTED TO BE OKAY.

AGAIN -- THE SHOOTER IS STILL OUT THERE.

ALVA SHOOTING UPDATE-SOTVO

11:01:57 6

"they was having a little get together or something and a bunch of dudes just started shooting each other"

THE LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WILL INCREASE PATROLS IN THE AREA,

ALVA STABBING UPDATE-SS

AND THIS IS THE *EXACT SAME PARK --

WHERE A WOMAN WAS STABBED ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

BUT POLICE MADE AN ARREST IN THAT CASE.

ARNULFO PEREZ WAS ARRESTED MONDAY NIGHT IN THE CHARLESTON PARK AREA.

COLONIAL BLVD XMAS CRASH-VO

FIVE PEOPLE RECOVER THIS MORNING,

AFTER A CAR CRASH IN EAST FORT MYERS.

IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON --

ALONG STATE ROAD 82 AT COLONIAL BOULEVARD.

OFFICERS TELL US --

AN S-U-V WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT.

WHEN ANOTHER CAR REAR-ENDED IT.

FISCAL CLIFF IMPACT-INTRO

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA RETURNS TO WASHINGTON TODAY.

WITH LESS THAN A WEEK --

TO AVOID THE FISCAL CLIFF.

MANY ARE BRACING FOR IMPACT --

SCARED OF THOSE PENDING TAX HIKES AND BUDGET CUTS.

DANIELLE LEIGH REPORTS ON THE INDUSTRIES THAT WILL SUFFER THE *MOST.

FISCAL CLIFF IMPACT-PKG

AMERICANS ARE ALREADY TAKING A GOOD-HARD LOOK AT THEIR WALLETS. AS CONFIDENCE THE COUNTRY WILL AVOID THE FISCAL CLIFF DIMINISHES.

"I dont think grand bargain before the end of the year, there is hope that a deal will be cut."

IF CONGRESS DOESN'T EXTEND EXPIRING TAX CUTS IN JUST DAYS-

MIDDLE INCOME EARNERS WOULD OWE UNCLE SAM ABOUT 2-000 DOLLARS EXTRA A YEAR.

MARKET RESEARCH FIRM IBIS-WORLD PREDICTS CONSUMERS WILL CUT BACK IN THREE MAIN INDUSTRIES.

AUTOMOTIVE, APPAREL AND ENTERTAINMENT.

"Once people decide to pull back on that the effect is dramatic."

THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION SAYS RETAILERS SUPPORT ONE IN FOUR AMERICANS JOBS-

AND IF THE DOWNWARD TREND INTENSIFIES- THOSE JOBS WOULD BE AT RISK.

"If retailers stop creating jobs the economy as a whole will probably stop creating jobs."

FOR THOSE INDUSTRIES- THE WAIT IS EXCRUCIATING.

PRESIDENT OBAMA VISITED TROOPS IN HAWAII OVER CHRISTMAS- AFTER A FRUSTRATING WEEK ON CAPITOL HILL- LEFT HE AND SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER A FEW HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS APART ON A DEAL.

super burned in

New York 1:02-1:08

The President was about $200 billion higher on revenues, Speaker Boehner $200 billion higher on spending cuts."

ON SUNDAY- LAWMAKERS WERE MILDLY OPTIMISTIC.

super burned in

South Carolina 1:12-1:14

"If you get 80 percent of what you want, that's a pretty good day."

FISCAL CLIFF IMPACT-TAG

DANIELLE LEE WITH THAT REPORT.

PRESIDENT OBAMA LEAVES HAWAII FOR WASHINGTON *TODAY.

AND *TOMORROW --

ROCHESTER LATEST-2-SHOT

FIREFIGHTERS GET BACK TO WORK IN ONE NEW YORK COMMUNITY.

JUST A DAY AFTER TWO OF THEIR OWN DIED IN AN AMBUSH.

A GUNMAN SET A FIRE. LURED THEM IN. THEN STARTED SHOOTING.

ANGELA HONG EXPLAINS HOW THE COMMUNITY WILL REMEMBER THE MEN,

ROCHESTER LATEST-PKG

IT'S THE FIRST OF MANY GOODBYES TO COME.

ON CHRISTMAS DAY, MONROE COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS GATHERED TO SALUTE 19-YEAR-OLD TOMASZ KACZOWKA AS HIS BODY WAS ESCORTED TO A FUNERAL HOME.

"His last actions was leaving this fire station, this was his home. He was here all the time. It was only natural after the body was released that he be brought back where it started."

KACZOWKA AND 43-YEAR-OLD LIEUTENANT MIKE CHIAPPERINI WERE BOTH WEST WEBSTER FIREFIGHTERS. THEY WERE SHOT CHRISTMAS EVE WHILE RESPONDING TO A FIRE. THE TWO MEN WERE GOOD FRIENDS.

"Tomasz was quiet. He did his job. pretty much unnoticed. Didn't look for thanks or anything like that. He just did what needed to be done. Chip was. his personality was as such that he would make you laugh…in the worst of situations, or he would find something to laugh about.and he did it naturally."

AMIDST THEIR PAIN AND GRIEF-- THE WEST WESBSTER FIREFIGHTERS RETURNED TO WORK THE NEXT DAY - ON CHRISTMAS.

"We want them to return to a point of normalcy as quickly as possible. Obviously it's not going to be quick. The first few runs they go out on, quite frankly, they may be looking over their shoulder, but. at some point in time this organization had to get back to what we do."

AND AFTER 36 HOURS OF FILLING IN FOR WEST WEBSTER AREA FIRE DEPARTMENTS LEFT AND WEST WEBSTER PULLED IN-- KNOWING IF NEEDED. THEY HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR BROTHER FIREFIGHTERS.

ROCHESTER LATEST-TAG

THAT WAS ANGELA HONG WITH THAT REPORT.

THE FUNERAL FOR LIEUTENANT MIKE CHIAPPERINI'S WILL BE HELD THIS COMING SUNDAY.

TEASE ONE-ONCAM

SEE THE PEOPLE HARD AT WORK.

PROTECTING *YOUR CHRISTMAS.

Q: "Ripping you off?"

A: "Ripping you off."

WATCHING OUR BORDERS.

TZ1 A (COUNTERFIT GOODS)-SOTVO

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

BLOOMBERG TEASE-SOT

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT-PKG TOPS

STORMWARN GENERIC CLIP-CLIP

CROSSTALK INTO WX-CAM 9 WX EST

FORECAST-WXWALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

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

A prolific storm system wreaked havoc across the Southeast on Christmas night. Prelimary storm reports estimate that the system spawned over 30 tornadoes in the Deep South on Christmas alone.

It's still a healthy weather maker as it heads toward New England, and it is still producing strong storms from Northern Florida to North Carolina.

Those storms are heading toward Southwest Florida with an ETA at 3 PM today.

As a result the Storm Prediction Center is outlining West Central Florida for the possibility of severe weather. I expect the brunt of the activity to stay north of Tampa Bay today. As the storms approach our area they'll become disconnected from their energy source and will push through with hardly a punch.

Is that to say you won't hear any thunder or see any lightning? Nope, because some of you most certainly will. However, it'll all stay below severe limits and pass over with little to show.

The line of storms will traverse Southwest Florida pretty quickly the afternoon. They'll be gone by the afternoon rush hour. Once they're gone we'll see the skies begin to clear. And cooler temperatures filter in.

Tomorrow morning we'll wake up to partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the upper 40s to lower 50s. After sunrise we'll see those clouds erode away, and we'll be left with a deep blue sky and temperatures struggling to get passed 70 during the daytime.

The pleasant pattern will continue into Friday, but conditions deteriorate on Saturday with another rain maker approaching. Highs on Saturday will be around 80, storms will bubble up late in the day, and they'll last through Sunday morning.

COUNTERFIT GOODS-2-SHOT

HOMELAND SECURITY AGENTS WORK OVERTIME THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

TO PROTECT AMERICA'S SECURITY.

*AND YOUR MONEY!

ALL YEAR -- THEY KEEP TERRORISM AT BAY.

BUT DURING THE HOLIDAYS --

THEY ALSO KEEP COUNTERFEIT MERCHANDISE FROM ENTERING OUR COUNTRY.

COUNTERFIT GOODS-PKG

ON-LINE AND MOBILE RETAIL SITES HAVE QUICKLY BECOME A MAJOR DRIVING FORCE IN THE AMERICAN CONSUMER ECONOMY.

THE US CENSUS BUREAU SAYS WE BOUGHT MORE THAN 200 BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF STUFF ON-LINE SO FAR THIS YEAR…

MORE THAN 35 BILLION DOLLARS THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON.

BUT HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIALS TELL US ALL THAT HIGH TECH RETAIL BUYING MADNESS CREATES A VULNERABILITY WHICH BAD GUYS ARE NOW RUSHING TO EXPLOIT.

IN YEARS PAST, U-S CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICERS SEIZED TENS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF COUNTERFEIT AND FAKE MERCHANDISE. ALMOST ALL OF IT BOUGHT BY AMERICAN CONSUMERS ON-LINE AND SHIPPED INTO THE COUNTRY. AND THIS YEAR THEY EXPECT TO SEIZE AN EVEN BIGGER, RECORD HAUL OF FAKE MERCHANDISE COMING IN FROM OVERSEAS.

"We have this stuff come in all the time every day…

FRANK FALCON WORKS THE INTERNATIONAL MAIL ROOM AT SAN FRANCISCO'S AIRPORT AS SUPERVISORY OFFICER FOR US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION.

"This probably is someone's Christmas present? This probably IS someone's Christmas present."

WHERE HE AND HIS OFFICERS HAVE TO SCRUTINIZE 40 THOUSAND PACKAGES A DAY.

"It looks like the real thing you go on line and buy this thinking you're buying the real thing and somebody is making a big profit off of your gift ideas."

Q: "Ripping you off?"

COST OF MILK-VO

A STALLED FARM BILL IN CONGRESS MAY MEAN HIGHER MILK PRICES IN THE COMING YEAR.

THE PRICE OF MILK COULD RISE FROM ITS CURRENT AVERAGE COST OF 3.65 A GALLON TO AS MUCH AS 7 DOLLARS A GALLON IF CONGRESS FAILS TO PASS A NEW FARM BILL.

WITHOUT LAST MINUTE ACTION, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE TO FOLLOW LEGISLATION DATING BACK TO THE TRUMAN PRESIDENCY WHICH WOULD FORCE WASHINGTON TO BUY MILK AT INFLATED PRICES.

NEW TSA PROGRAM-VO

GOOD TRAVEL NEWS THIS MORNING.

IN THE COMING YEAR --

IT'LL BE EASIER GOING THROUGH AIRPORT SECURITY.

THE T-S-A HAS LAUNCHED A PILOT PROGRAM.

THAT LETS TRAVELERS THROUGH --

*WITHOUT REMOVING THEIR SHOES OR TAKING OUT THEIR LIQUIDS.

BUT FIRST --

YOU HAVE TO GET PAST A BOMB SNIFFING DOG,

AND AN AGENT SPECIALLY TRAINED TO DETECT SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR.

TEASE TWO-ON CAM

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

THE HOLIDAYS ARE A TIME FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY -

AND FOR ONE FAMILY IN PARTICULAR - THEIR FOCUS IS ON THIS LITTLE GUY.

IT COULD BE HIS FIRST AND LAST CHRISTMAS.

TZ2 A (FAMILY RAISE AWARNESS FOR DISEASE)-VO

FAMILY RAISE AWARENESS FOR DISEASE-2-SHOT

FOR ONE FAMILY IN MISSOURI --

THIS HOLIDAY HOLDS SPECIAL MEANING.

THIS WILL LIKELY BE THEIR FIVE-MONTH-OLD SON'S FIRST AND LAST CHRISTMAS.

DOCTORS DIAGNOSED HIM WITH THE DEADLY GENETIC DISORDER.

THAT IS *EXTREMEMLY SEVERE.

FAMILY RAISE AWARENESS FOR DISEASE-PKG

We're just going to love him as much as possible while he is still here with us. Whenever he is gone, we are going to as much as we can to keep his memory alive.

TIA RUTH SAYS HER PREGNANCY WITH LOGAN WAS NORMAL UNTIL THE THIRD TRIMESTER.

We started going to labor and delivery. It seemed like almost every other week because we wouldn't feel him move."

DOCTORS TOLD HER EVERYTHING WAS FINE, BUT AS IT TURNS OUT THOSE WERE WARNING SIGNS.

In hindsight 20/20 it was actually the SMA coming to light during that time.

SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY IS GENETIC, BUT THE RUTH'S HAD NO IDEA THEY CARRIED THE GENE.

We never heard of it before there was nothing in our family lines that would indicate that we both would have the gene.

INFANTS BORN WITH THE CONDITION HAVE VERY LITTLE MUSCLE TONE, WEAK MUSCLES, AND FEEDING AND BREATHING PROBLEMS. IT WASN'T UNTIL LOGAN TURNED TWO MONTHS THAT IT STARTED TO SHOW.

Then at two months it kinda went downhill to the point where he doesn't have neck control. He's not able to sit up straight. He doesn't move his legs, he wiggles his feet a little bit. This is about the extent that he moves his arms with his elbows.

DOCTOR'S SAY LOGAN WILL DIE BEFORE HIS FIRST BIRTHDAY.

Almost every day we have what we call a five minute morbid talk where we address something in regards to his death or it coming.

WITH LOGAN'S TIME CUT SHORT, MOM, DAD AND BIG BROTHER LUCAS ARE MAKING THE MOST OF WHAT TIME IS LEFT.

That isn't not my dragon.you think about what matters.its claws are too scaly.

What are you really going to remember next week, next month next year whenever you look back on things.

TIA MADE HER SON HIS OWN BUCKET LIST FROM HIS FIRST HAIR CUT TO MEETING SANTA.

FAMILY RAISE AWARENESS FOR DISEASE-TAG

THAT WAS LAUREN POZEN REPORTING.

IN THE COMING WEEKS --

THE FAMILY WILL TAKE LOGAN TO SEE A SPECIALIST IN ST. LOUIS.

HOLIDAY EATING-VO

DIETITIANS SAY HOLIDAY MENUS ARE OFTEN PACKED WITH CARBOHYDRATES AND FATS, BOTH OF WHICH INCREASE THE BODY'S DEMAND FOR INSULIN.

THEY SAY DIABETICS SHOULD LOOK FOR SUGAR-FREE ITEMS IF THEY HAVE A CRAVING FOR SOMETHING SWEET.

OR, THEY CAN EAT BEFORE ATTENDING A PARTY SO THEY ARE NOT HUNGRY WHEN THEY GET TO THE BUFFET TABLE.

TEASE THREE-2-SHOT

AHEAD IN OUR NEXT HALF HOUR --

MILLION DOLLAR MISTAKE!

THE *WRONG TICKET.

HELPS ONE FAMILY HIT THE JACKPOT.

PLUS -- DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS.

PAUSE FOR NATS OF WEATHER

WE'RE TRACKING DANGEROUS WINTER WEATHER.

TZ3(TRAVEL WOES)-NATSVO

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIP

NY STOCK EXCHANGE OPEN-SAT 3 TOPS

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

INVESTORS ARE *BACK!

AFTER STOCKS CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS DAY.

BUT --- NO GOOD NEWS THIS MORNING.

THERE'S SO MUCH GRIDLOCK IN WASHINGTON OVER THE FISCAL CLIFF.

WITH NO END IN SIGHT.

INVESTORS WORRY THAT LAWMAKERS *WON'T REACH A DEAL BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

BUT STOCK FUTURES WERE A *LITTLE HIGHER,

TS1) FISCAL CLIFF-VO-TRX

PRESIDENT OBAMA WILL LEAVE HAWAII TODAY TO RETURN TO WASHINGTON D-C.

THE PRESIDENT IS RETURNING TO THE WHITE HOUSE TO WORK ON A FISCAL CLIFF DEAL BEFORE THE YEAR ENDS.

HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO RECONVENE THURSDAY.

TS2) HOME INVASION-VO-TRX

RIGHT NOW --

OFFICIALS INVESTIGATE A HOME INVASTION IN SOUTH FORT MYERS.

WE'VE CONFIRMED A WOMAN WAS STABBED,

AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.

IT HAPPENED IN THE GATED PASEO COMMUNITY.

TS3) TORNADOES-VO-TRX

DANGEROUS AND DEADLY STORMS MOVED ACROSS SOUTHERN STATES ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

THE SEVERE WEATHER IS BLAMED FOR AT LEAST TWO DEATHS.

IT KNOCKED OUT POWER TO MORE THAN 100-THOUSAND PEOPLE IN SEVERAL STATES.

FORECASTERS EXPECT IT TO BE A LITTLE DRIER TODAY AND TOMORROW.

TRAVEL WOES-2-SHOT

THIS DANGEROUS WINTER WEATHER HITTING RIGHT IN THE PEAK POST-CHRISTMAS TRAVEL PERIOD.

IT'S MAKING DRIVING *VERY TREACHEROUS.

WHILE CAUSING MAJOR FLIGHT DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS.

TRAVEL WOES-PKG

That large storm has been pounding not only on the Gulf Coast but everywhere

in the South -- from Oklahoma to Arkansas, to Texas.giving Dallas and

other parts of The Lone Star State a rare white Christmas.

In Lubbock, more than an inch of snow, making it difficult for some drivers

to stay on the road.

At Dallas Fort Worth airport.flights delayed as crews worked to de-ice

planes.

NATS

Oklahoma got about 7 inches of snow all over the state, making for

treacherous road conditions -- a 21-car pile-up in Oklahoma City temporarily

shut down a major roadway through the state - but no one was seriously

injured.

NATS

Even Arkansas got a Christmas Day snow storm with an estimated 10 inches

falling on Fayetteville, limiting roadway visibility.

NATS

All of that snowy weather in the South.leaving a white trail everywhere it

goes and today it's expected to bring at least 6-8 inches to the lower-

Midwest, causing potential delays at airports in St. Louis, Louisville,

Indianapolis and Cincinnati.

Those in Missouri -- right in the storm's path--tried to stock up on

supplies.

MOS -- 17;23;11;16

I don't anticipate power going out but it's always a possibility too

In Northern California, they were socked with the third storm in three days-

-dumping wet weather from the Bay area through the Sierras -- delaying

inbound flights at San Francisco International -- and causing a landslide in

Oakland, almost crushing one driver to death

MOS

I heard the thing bounce kind of directly right off my roof and I feel

TRAVEL WOES-TAG

ALEX PEREZ REPORTING.

THAT SEVERE WEATHER SYSTEM IN THE SOUTH HAS BEEN PUSHING OVERNIGHT AND IS

SUPPOSED TO MAKE ITS WAY TO THE NORTHEASTERN CORRIDOR LATE TONIGHT AND INTO

OBAMA AND TROOPS-TOPVO

AFTER SPENDING CHRISTMAS MORNING OPENING GIFTS, PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA PAID A VISIT TO THE MARINE CORPS BASE IN HAWAII.

OBAMA AND TROOPS-SOTVO

"The greatest honor I have as President is being Commander in Chief, and the reason it's an honor is because not only do we have the finest military in the world, but we also have the finest fighting men and women in the world."

KAZAHKSTAN VIOLENCE-VOTOPS-BNR

NEARLY 30 PEOPLE ARE DEAD,

AFTER A PLANE CRASH IN SOUTHERN KAZAKHSTAN.

THE MILITARY PLANE WENT DOWN TUESDAY.

AND THE COMMANDER OF KAZAKHSTAN'S BORDER GUARDS.

WAS ONE OF THE VICTIMS.

REPORTS SAY THE PLANE WENT DOWN IN BAD WEATHER,

AS IT WAS TRYING TO LAND.

TICKET SOLD IN ERROR-2-SHOT

NOW TO A STORY OF BAD LUCK.

THAT TURNED INTO GOOD FORTUNE.

AND A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR ONE NEW HAMPSHIRE FAMILY.

THEY WON A TWO-MILLION DOLLAR LOTTERY JACKPOT!

ALL BECAUSE A CONVENIENCE STORE CLERK.

SOLD THEM THE WRONG TICKET.

TICKET SOLD IN ERROR-PKG

SCRIPT:

THE BENNETTS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE HAD A VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY.HITTING IT BIG IN

THE STATE'S MEGABUCKS LOTTERY.

SOT Cathy Bennett / Lottery Winner

"Surreal like it's unreal."

track 2

AND IT WAS ALL BECAUSE OF A MISTAKE - IT TURNS OUT THE BENNETTS BECAME

OVERNIGHT MILLIONAIRES AFTER CATHY'S HUSBAND SCOTT PURCHASED THE WRONG

TICKET.

SOT Nicole Gee / sold winning ticket

23:19:59 "My mistake changed a family's life."

track 3

NICOLE GEE SOLD BENNETT HIS WINNING TICKET AT THIS

CIRCLE K.

f/s anim GFX

track 4

BENNETT ORIGINALLY WANTED TO PURCHASE A LUCKY FOR LIFE TICKET. BUT GEE

ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE MEGABUCKS BUTTON INSTEAD.THEN LOW AND BEHOLD.

SOT Cathy Bennett / Lottery Winner

"He's sitting on the couch with the ticket on one hand and the New Hampshire

lottery website on the computer just staring at both of them and. really

truly didn't believe it."

track 5

TURNS OUT THE BENNETTS TRULY WERE LUCKY AND NOW THEY'RE SET FOR LIFE. CAROL

'S HUSBAND MISSED THE PRESS CONFERENCE BECAUSE HE WAS WORKING.HE'S THANKED

GEE. BUT WHAT ABOUT A REWARD?

SOT Nicole Gee / sold winning ticket

23:23:04 "I honestly don't expect anything. That's all up to them if they

want to do that or not

track 6

GEE SAYS SHE'S SIMPLY PLEASED THE WRONG TICKET TURNED OUT TO BE THE RIGHT

ONE FOR THE BENNETTS.

SOT Nicole Gee / sold winning ticket

23:23:31 "I'm pretty happy about it just becauseI was able to help them have

a really good Christmas."

track 7

A VERY GOOD CHRISTMAS

SOT Cathy Bennett / Lottery Winner:

"It's really very overwhelming but once everything settles.I think we'll

TICKET SOLD IN ERROR-TAG

THAT WAS ABC'S JOHN SCHRIFFEN REPORTING.

THE GAS STATION GETSE ABOUT 21 THOUSAND DOLLARS --

FOR *SELLING THE WINNING TICKET,

MARINE ARRIVES HOME IN FL-VO WIPE

WE NOW KNOW A MARINE IS BACK AT HIS FLORIDA HOME AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM A MEXICAN JAIL.

JON HAMMAR HAD BEEN JAILED SINCE AUGUST FOR TRYING TO CARRY A SHOTGUN ACROSS THE BORDER.

HE WAS RELEASED UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE U-S GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING SENATOR BILL NELSON.

MARINE ARRIVES HOME IN FL-SOT VO

what was the first thing he said to you? Where are we going. And he said he'd like to go to the beach. We drove over there and we spent the night there in a hotel and he got up before sunup and went out to the beach to watch the sunrise

RESIDENTS RESCUE TURTLES-NATVO

ON MASSACHUSETTS' CAPE COD --

THE HOLIDAYS ARE A TIME FOR LIFE SAVING EFFORTS.

HELPING SICK, ENDANGERED SEA TURTLES ALONG THE COAST.

"Yeah, isn't that beautiful."

VOLUNTEERS FOUND TWO LOGGERHEAD TURTLES --

RESIDENTS RESCUE TURTLES-SOTVO

"See the eyes move a little bit, if we put our hand under the flipper - the flipper will move."

"We're out here on Bound Brook Island in Wellfleet picking up two endangered loggerhead juveniles that got cold-stunned in the bay and then blown ashore with the winds we're having right now."

EVERY YEAR BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER --

SOME WARM BLOODED TURTLES BECOME LETHARGIC IN THE COLD WATER.

THEY CAN'T SWIM, AND END UP WASHING ASHORE.

FDOT UPDATE-FDOT TOPS

AN UPDATE TO A TRAFFIC CRASH WE TOLD YOU ABOUT.

TAKE A LIVE LOOK AT ONE OF OUR D-O-T CAMERAS.

THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

BOTH VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING

SOUTHBOUND ON I75.

THE NISSAN WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED SLOW SPEED IN THE

CENTER LANE AND DRIFTED INTO THE PATH OF THE SEMI AS IT APPROACHED IN

THE OUTSIDE LANE.

NO INJURIES, ALL LANES ARE NOW OPEN

POST XMAS SALES RUSH-VO

CHRISTMAS IS OVER AND THE GIFTS ARE UNWRAPPED.

*TODAY WILL BE A BUSY SHOPPING DAY.

MANY WILL HEAD TO THE MALL --

TO RETURN OR EXCHANGE THOSE "NOT-QUITE-RIGHT" PRESENTS.

AND MANY SHOPPERS COME ARMED WITH GIFT CARDS --

TO BUY WHAT THEY *REALLY WANT.

YOU COULD FIND SOME STEEP DISCOUNTS --

HOLIDAY RETURN POLICIES-VO WIPE

TAKING BACK THOSE UN-WANTED CHRSITMAS GIFTS.

CAN SOMETIMES BE COMPLICATED.

AND HEADS UP --

THIS YEAR, SOME STORE POLICIES ARE CHANGING.

CREATING NEWS RULES AND CATEGORIZING RETURNS.

FOR EXAMPLE --

TARGET HAS TIGHTENED ITS RETURN POLICY.

YOU ONLY HAVE *30 DAYS.

INSTEAD OF 45 TO RETURN ELECTRONICS.

AND AT SEARS--

THE "EXTENDED HOLIDAY RETURN PERIOD" HAS BEEN SHORTENED.

HOLIDAY RETURN POLICIES-SOT VO

"58:40 we dont really return anything unless its broke 58:42 58:57 common sense would say do not go the day after christmas definitely not 59:01

Craig MacFarlane Doesn't Return Gifts

ALSO, BE CAREFUL OPENING PRESENTS.

SOME STORES WILL CHARGE A RE-STOCKING FEE.

*IF THE BOX IS TORN.

SEARS CHARGES 15 PERCENT.

AND OVERSTOCK DOT COM CAN CHARGE UP TO 60 PERCENT.

IF YOU'RE NOT SURE YOU WANT IT.

TEASE FOUR-ON CAM

YOUR KIDS HAVE UNWRAPPED ALL THOSE TOYS.

AND NOW WE'RE PUTTING THEM TO THE TEST!

ABC7 TAKES YOU INSIDE THE TOY LAB.

TZ4 (TOY SAFETY LAB)-VO

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

TOY SAFETY LAB-2-SHOT

YOU'VE OPENED THOSE CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

AND THIS MORNING -- WE PUT ALL THE TOYS. TO THE TEST.

MORE THAN TWO MILLION TOYS WERE SEIZED AT U-S PORTS THIS YEAR AND TESTED.

TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE SAFE *AND AGE APPROPRIATE.

TOY SAFETY LAB-PKG

NO, THIS IS NOT A TORTURE CHAMBER FOR TOYS. ITS YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK. TESTING TOYS FOR SAFETY IS A TOP PRIORITY OF THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION.

"We simulate the use and abuse with a child of that age can do."

JOHN MASSALE IS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER FOR C-P-S-C.

TOYS ARE TESTED WHEN INVESTIGATORS INTERCEPT POTENTIALLY UNSAFE TOYS AT U-S PORTS.

THIS YEAR MORE THAN TWO MILLION TOYS WERE SEIZED AND TESTED.

"So what we're going to do here is we're going to drop this toy."

THE RED LASERS SIMULATE THE HEIGHT OF A HIGH CHAIR OR A CHILD STANDING.

"What we're going to be looking for is sharp points or small parts anything that comes off of this when we drop it."

Q: "What is this machine?"

A: "This is our tension tester."

MASSALE ATTACHES THIS TOY GIRAFFE AND PULLS, SIMULATING THE FORCE OF A CHILD. TOYS MUST WITHSTAND 15 POUNDS OF FORCE.

"So that came out at 5.23 pounds which is way less than the 15 so obviously that is going to be a failure."

THE PIECE IS THEN DROPPED IN THE SMALL PARTS TUBE. IF IT FITS, THE PART IS TOO SMALL, POSING A CHOKING HAZARD.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS NEEDLE WAS PART OF A CHILD'S DOCTOR KIT. IT WAS SEIZED AT A U-S PORT. THE TEST?

"It's got a little hole in the bottom here and there's a trigger on the inside of this and so if a point is able to penetrate that hole and hit the trigger the light will go off."

WHILE IT LOOKS LIKE THIS TOY IS BEING TORTURED, THIS BENDING TEST ENSURES NO METAL PARTS POKE THROUGH AS A CHILD PLAYS WITH THIS TOY.

THIS PULL TEST MAKES SURE SEAMS ARE STRONG ENOUGH SO SMALL STUFFING PARTS DON'T ESCAPE.

ANOTHER DANGER - MAGNETS. DOZENS OF KIDS HAVE SWALLOWED MAGNETS LIKE THESE AND SUFFERED SERIOUS INTERNAL INJURIES.

THE C-P-S-C TESTS THE SIZE AND STRENGTH OF MAGNETIC TOYS

"If it's small and strong it's a hazard."

NEXT UP - A STRANGULATION TEST

"So for example this telephone cord that can easily wrap on itself we're going to wind through the test probe perimeter of 12 inches."

THAT'S THE DIMENSION OF A CHILD'S HEAD AND NECK. IF IT GOES THROUGH, THE CORD COULD STRANGLE A CHILD.

SOME HAZARDS CANT BE SEEN, SO C-P-S-C TURNS TO ITS CHEMISTRY LAB. SEARCHING FOR DANGEROUS METALS LIKE LEAD, CADMIUM AND ARSENIC. MATT DREYFUS, A CHEMIST WITH C-P-S-C CHECKS THE LEAD LEVELS OF THIS PIECE OF CHILD'S JEWELRY.

"So here we find a big hit for lead this reading 63-thousand parts per million and the limit is only 100 part per million."

THEN MORE PRECISE LEAD TESTING IS DONE. THE CHEM LAB ALSO SCREENS SOFT TOYS FOR PHTHALATES, A BANNED PLASTICIZER.

"Here it's saying that it's very likely there's a Phthalate present in this toy."

SO THE TOY GOES FOR A FULL ANALYSIS.

TOY TESTING IS AN EVERY DAY PRIORITY HERE AT THE C-P-S-C. BUT EXPERTS KNOW PARENTS MUST KEEP A CLOSE EYE.

TOY SAFETY LAB-ONCAM

LIZ CRENSHAW WITH THAT REPORT.

MORE THAN TWO MILLION TOYS WERE SEIZED AT U-S PORTS THIS YEAR AND TESTED.

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.

A prolific storm system wreaked havoc across the Southeast on Christmas night. Prelimary storm reports estimate that the system spawned over 30 tornadoes in the Deep South on Christmas alone.

It's still a healthy weather maker as it heads toward New England, and it is still producing strong storms from Northern Florida to North Carolina.

Those storms are heading toward Southwest Florida with an ETA at 3 PM today.

As a result the Storm Prediction Center is outlining West Central Florida for the possibility of severe weather. I expect the brunt of the activity to stay north of Tampa Bay today. As the storms approach our area they'll become disconnected from their energy source and will push through with hardly a punch.

Is that to say you won't hear any thunder or see any lightning? Nope, because some of you most certainly will. However, it'll all stay below severe limits and pass over with little to show.

The line of storms will traverse Southwest Florida pretty quickly the afternoon. They'll be gone by the afternoon rush hour. Once they're gone we'll see the skies begin to clear. And cooler temperatures filter in.

Tomorrow morning we'll wake up to partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the upper 40s to lower 50s. After sunrise we'll see those clouds erode away, and we'll be left with a deep blue sky and temperatures struggling to get passed 70 during the daytime.

The pleasant pattern will continue into Friday, but conditions deteriorate on Saturday with another rain maker approaching. Highs on Saturday will be around 80, storms will bubble up late in the day, and they'll last through Sunday morning.

BREAD OF LIFE MISSION-VO WIPE

HUNGRY FAMILIES ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

GOT A HOME COOKED MEAL ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

ALL THANKS TO THE "BREAD OF LIFE" MISSION.

WITH THE HELP OF VOLUNTEERS.

RESIDENTS AT THE PUNTA GORDA HOMELESS SHELTER PREPARED AND DELIVERED MEALS.

WHICH WENT TO THE NEEDY IN ARCADIA, IMMOKALEE, FORT MYERS AND PUNTA GORDA.

THE "BREAD OF LIFE" MISSION HOPES ITS RESIDENTS REALIZE THE BLESSINGS THEY HAVE.

BREAD OF LIFE MISSION-SOT VO

"that they would take time from their own families to come and volunteer and to help a stranger out, that motivates me even more. I mean I'm motivated for next year already just seeing what the volunteers do!"

METHODIST CHURCH DINNER-VOTOPS

HUNDREDS ENJOYED A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS MEAL ON THE HOUSE AT THE PORT CHARLOTTE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

FOR THE 27TH YEAR, IT HOSTED A FREE CHRISTMAS LUNCH WITH ALL THE TRADITIONAL FIXINGS.

COMMON CORE STANDARDS-ONCAM

WHEN IT COMES TO FLORIDA'S SCHOOLS-

THEY'RE ADOPTING UNIFORM ACADEMIC STANDARDS SHARED WITH MOST OTHER STATES.

THE COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP AMERICAN CHILDREN COMPETE WITH THEIR PEERS AROUND THE WORLD.

MOST OF FLORIDA'S TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND POLITICIANS LIKE THE IDEA.

FACE CHEWING ATTACK-VO

THIS MORNING -- AN UPDATE ON THAT HOMELESS MAN.

WHO'S FACE WAS NEARLY CHEWED OFF IN MIAMI.

RONALD POPPO SAYS HE WILL *NOT GET MORE SURGERY TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE.

EVEN THOUGH HE LOST HIS EYEBROWS, HIS NOSE.

AND PARTS OF HIS FOREHEAD AND RIGHT CHEEK.

THAT ATTACK HAPPENED IN MAY ALONG A MIAMI HIGHWAY.

POPPO IS NOW BLIND,

AND LIVES IN A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY.

SUN N FUN-FULLSCREEN CG

GOOD NEWS PARENTS.

IF YOU WANT TO GET THE KIDS OFF THE COUCH.

SUN-N-FUN LAGOON IS IN COLLIER COUNTY DURING THE ENTIRE WINTER BREAK

THEY'RE OPEN UNTIL JANUARY SIXTH FROM 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

THE PARK IS OFFERING A SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR THE WINTER HOLIDAY BREAK FOR COLLIER COUNTY RESIDENTS.

RESIDENTS WITH A FLORIDA DRIVER'S LICENSE SHOWING A COLLIER COUNTY ADDRESS WILL GET $2 OFF ANY ENTRY FOR THOSE 48-INCHES OR TALLER.

INDIVIDUALS LESS THAN 48-INCHES TALL ENTER FOR $5.50:

OBESITY IN CHILDREN DECREASING-VO

THIS MORNING - ABC7 BREAKS DOWN NEW NUMBERS ABOUT CHILDHOOD OBESITY.

THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION. HAS RELEASED NEW DATA.

FOCUSED ON TWO TO FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN,

IN FEDERALLY FUNDED NUTRITION PROGRAMS.

IT APPEARS THE PREVALENCE OF OBESITY AND EXTREME OBESITY.

*DECREASED SLIGHTLY BETWEEN 2003 AND 2010.

IT HAD GONE *UP EVERY YEAR. SINCE 19-98.

TEASE FIVE-2-SHOT

STRAIGHT AHEAD --

WE'LL HAVE YOUR TOP STORIES,

PLUS A FINAL CHECK OF WEATHER.

AND ONE SUPERSTAR HAD A *VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.

TZ5 A (SIMPSON PREGNANT)-VO

FINAL CHECK OF STOCKS-SAT 3 FULL

JESSICA SIMPSON PREGNANT AGAIN-VO

TOPPING ENTERTAINMENT HEADLINES --

SINGER JESSICA SIMPSON IS PREGNANT. *AGAIN!

SHE CONFIRMED THE HAPPY NEWS ON TWITTER CHRISTMAS DAY.

A PICTURE OF DAUGHTER MAXWELL.

WITH THE WORDS "BIG SIS."

RUMORS STARTED LAST MONTH.

BUT NOW WE KNOW FOR SURE.

THE WEIGHT WATCHERS SPOKESPERSON *JUST LOST ALL HER BABY WEIGHT,

TAYLOR SWIFT MOST CHARITABLE STARS-VO

"PEOPLE" REPORTS TAYLOR SWIFT MADE IT TO THE TOP OF DO-SOMETHING-DOT-ORG'S MOST CHARITABLE STARS LIST FOR 20-12.

SWIFT MADE A BIG JUMP FROM LAST YEAR'S 20th SPOT, AFTER DONATING FOUR MILLION DOLLARS TO THE COUNTRY HALL OF FAME MUSEUM.

CHRIS B AND RHIANA TOGETHER AT LAKERS GAME-VO

IT SEEMS LIKE SINGERS CHRIS BROWN AND RIHANNA.

ARE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.

THE TWO SUPERSTARS SAT SIDE-BY-SIDE --

DURING THE LAKERS-KNICKS GAME IN LOS ANGELES.

THREE YEARS AGO -- RIHANNA DUMPED CHRIS BROWN FOR BEATING HER UP.

HE EVENTUALLY PLED GUILTY TO ASSAULT,

AND IS STILL ON PROBATION.

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TS1) HOME INVASION-VO-TRX

A WOMAN WAS STABBED DURING AN EARLY MORNING HOME INVASION IN FORT MYERS.

IT HAPPENED IN THE PASEO COMMUNITY IN SOUTH FORT MYERS.

FORT MYERS POLICE ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR A SUSPECT.

TS2) SOUTHERN STORMS-VO-TRX

A SEVERE WINTER STORM BARRELED THROUGH THE SOUTH ON TUESDAY.

LOOK AT THIS VIDEO --

SHOT IN NEAR JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.

YOU CAN GET A SENSE OF JUST HOW STRONG THE WIND AND RAIN WERE.

THE GOVERNOR OF MISSISSIPPI HAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY --

TS3) FISCAL CLIFF-VO-TRX

PRESIDENT OBAMA IS HEADS BACK TO WASHINGTON TODAY.

HE'LL WORK ON A FISCAL CLIFF DEAL BEFORE THE YEAR ENDS.

HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO RECONVENE THURSDAY.

TS4) ROCHESTER LATEST-VO-TRX

IT'S THE FIRST OF MANY GOODBYES.

ON CHRISTMAS DAY --

FIREFIGHTERS IN NEW YORK GATHERED TO SALUTE ONE OF THEIR OWN.

WHO WAS SHOT ON CHRISTMAS EVE,

WHILE RESPONDING TO A FIRE.

ANOTHER FIREFIGHTER DIED IN THAT SHOOTING,

AND TWO OTHERS WERE INJURED.

CLOSE-2SH-AWS ANI

AD LIB GOODBYE

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