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

THIS MORNING, WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO THE EDGE ON THE FISCAL CLIFF.

WE'RE NOW JUST HOURS AWAY FROM FALLING OFF.

DEVELOPING ON THE NEWS AT 9,

THE LATEST ON THOSE CRUCIAL NEGOTIATIONS.

PLUS, WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR POCKET.

THE WORLD IS WATCHING.

HILLARY CLINTON IS WAKING UP IN A NEW YORK HOSPITAL THIS MORNING.

HEAR WHY THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS UNDER DOCTOR'S CARE JUST WEEKS AFTER HER LAST HEALTH SCARE.

YELLING

AN ICY LAKE SWALLOWS A DOZEN PEOPLE.

ONE BY ONE. THEY ALL FALL IN.

ALL NEW THIS MORNING,

HL1) FISCAL CLIFF TODAY-VO-WIPE

HL2) HILLARY CLINTON CONDITION-VO-WIPE

HL3) ICE RESCUE-NATTOPS

WX HL-WX WALL

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIPTOPS

CAPITAL LIVE LOOK BUMP-SAT 21

WE'RE TAKING A LIVE LOOK AT WASHINGTON.

CLIFF COUNTDOWN-MITTO

TIME IS WINDING DOWN.

THEY HAVE JUST __ HOURS UNTIL WE GO OVER THE EDGE.

FISCAL CLIFF TODAY-2SHOT

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF HOURS UNTIL WE GO OVER THE EDGE -- AND THERE'S NO FISCAL CLIFF DEAL IN SIGHT.

SENATE LEADERS WILL RESUME TALKS -- IN LESS THAN TWO HIOURS.

LAWMAKERS ARE SCRAMBLING TO PUT TOGETHER A LAST MINUTE COMPROMISE --

-- OR 20-13 WILL GREET US WITH HIGHER TAXES.

FISCAL CLIFF TODAY-PKG

As talks continued overnight, a voice of frustration erupted on the Senate

floor --

MANCHIN:

Something has gone terribly wrong when the biggest threat to our American

economy is our American congress.

The Republican and Democratic Senate leaders negotiated all weekend long.

but those talks eventually hit a brick wall -- Democratic leader Harry Reid

saying he was unable to even counter the latest Republican offer:

REID: At this stage we're not able to make a counteroffer / cut/ it

appears that there are things that stop us from moving forward.

That prompted Republican leader Mitch McConnell to call for a lifeline --

McConnell:. I also placed a call to the vice president to see if he could

help jump-start the negotiations on his side. /cut/ I want everyone to

know I'm willing to get this done, but I need a dance partner.

And with that, Vice President Biden has now emerged as a key player in the

final hours. Playing what White House officials tell ABC News is a "direct

role" in the effort to strike a last minute deal.

The key sticking points remain the same --

- The White House wants taxes to go up on those making over $250,000 a year,

Republicans want a higher income threshold --

- Republicans want to keep the estate tax from going up

- AND -- there's no agreement on what to do about automatic spending cuts

set to go into effect on January 2.

But both sides say the cost of failure is extremely high:

KYL: If we are not able to reach an agreement, it will be dire. / cut/

probably at least another million jobs lost, an unemployment rate over 9

FISCAL CLIFF TODAY-BNR

JON KARL REPORTING --

ABC SEVEN DID SOME DIGGING -- AND SET UP SOME RESOURCES, TO HELP YOU PREPARE.

TO CALCULATE EXACTLY HOW MUCH MONEY -- WILL BE TAKEN FROM YOUR SALARY,

HEAD OVER TO ABC DASH SEVEN DOT COM.

NEW THIS MORNING CLIP-CLIP

HILLARY CLINTON CONDITION-VOTOPS-OC

WE'RE FOLLOWING DEVELOPING NEWS OUT OF NEW YORK THIS MORNING.

HILLARY CLINTON IS BACK IN THE HOSPITAL.

SHE'S BEING TREATED FOR A BLOOD CLOT.

THE CLOT STEMS FROM A CONCUSSION THE SECRETARY OF STATE SUSTAINED EARLIER THIS MONTH, WHILE BATTLING THE FLU.

THE CLOT WAS DISCOVERED SUNDAY DURING A FOLLOW-UP EXAMINATION.

THE 65-YEAR-OLD CLINTON --- IS BEING TREATED WITH BLOOD THINNERS.

OR FATAL BUS ACCIDENT-TRX-VOTOPS

NINE PEOPLE ARE DEAD THIS MORNING -- AFTER A CRASH IN OREGON.

THAT'S WHERE A TOUR BUS CRASHED THROUGH A GUARDRAIL AND DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT.

AT LEAST 20 OTHERS -- SUFFERED INJURIES.

IT WAS SUNDAY MORNING WHEN THE BUS --- HEADING FROM LAS VEGAS TO VANCOUVER --- LOST CONTROL ON AN ICY INTERSTATE-84.

DEVELOPING CLIP-CLIP

FM 24TH MURDER-VO WIPE

DEVELOPING AT --

WE'RE FOLLOWING THE LATEST ON THE 24TH HOMICIDE IN FORT MYERS.

THIS IS ALREADY THE DEADLIEST YEAR ON RECORD FOR THE CITY OF PALMS.

POLICE SAY A MAN WAS FOUND DEAD, INSIDE A HOME ON LAFAYETTE STREET SUNDAY MORNING.

DETECTIVES ARE INVESTIGATING IT AS THE 24TH MURDER IN 2012.

ABC SEVEN WAS FIRST ON SCENE WORKING ALONGSIDE INVESTIGATORS

A TENANT, WHO LOST EVERYTHING IN NEARBY FIRE, DISCOVERED THE BODY.

FM 24TH MURDER-SOTVO

christina moser

10:26 i'm still in shock of the fact it even happened so close to home. Especially with the holidays and everything. It's sad

LAFAYETTE STREET FIRE FOLO-VOTOPS

POLICE STILL DON'T KNOW -- IF THAT FIRE IS RELATED TO THE MURDER INVESTIGATION AT THIS TIME.

FIRE CREWS RESCUED SIX DOGS FROM THE HOME.

RESCUERS HEARD THE DOGS -- BARKING INSIDE WHEN THEY GOT THERE.

LEHIGH BODY FOUND FOLO-TRX-VO

LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES ARE REACHING OUT -- FOR HELP IN ANOTHER HOMICIDE CASE.

A BODY WAS FOUND IN LEHIGH ACRES ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

AND THE KILLER IS ON THE LOOSE.

THEY TELL US A PASSERBY FOUND 26-YEAR-OLD GREGORY MATTHEWS' -- NEAR THIS REMOTE INTERSECTION -- HEDGEWOOD STREET AND MEADOW ROAD.

NY FIREFIGHTER FUNERAL-VO

FUNERAL SERVICES ARE TO BE HELD TODAY -- FOR A FALLEN FIREFIGHTER IN NEW YORK.

19-YEAR-OLD TOMASZ KACZOWKA --- WAS ONE OF TWO FIREFIGHTERS KILLED DURING AN AMBUSH ON CHRISTMAS EVE. SHOT WHILE RESPONDING TO A FIRE.

WEBSTER POLICE SAY 62-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM SPENGLER ---- DELIBERATELY SET FIRES TO SET A TRAP FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.

NEW YEARS EVE-2SHOT

BRING ON 2013!

IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG NIGHT -- IN THE BIG APPLE.

CREWS ARE PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON THE STAGE FOR SOME BIG NAMES TO PLAY ON TONIGHT.

NEW YEARS EVE-PKG

MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND POUNDS OF CONFETTI ARE IN PLACE.

READY TO BE THROWN OUT BY HAND FROM BUILDINGS IN TIMES SQUARE AT MIDNIGHT.

"I've seen it on TV, it looks like so much fun, the concerts, the excitement in the air. I'm not sure I'm going to cry or laugh or scream or do them all tomorrow."

"It's magic, everyone in the world wants to come to New York for New Year's."

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS WILL USHER IN THE NEW YEAR HERE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

"Australia."

"Canada."

"England"

THEY'LL SEE THE FAMOUS WATERFORD CRYSTAL BALL DROP DOWN A 141-FOOT TALL FLAGPOLE HIGH ABOVE TIMES SQUARE--- LIGHTING UP THE 20-13 SIGN.

THIS YEAR'S BALL WILL HAVE 288 NEW PANELS ENGRAVED WITH DOVES, BEFITTING OF THE THEME "LET THERE BE PEACE."

ONE OF THE PANELS WAS ALSO ENGRAVED IN MEMORY OF THE LATE DICK CLARK, WHO STARTED HOSTING HIS NEW YEAR'S SHOW IN 1974.

"I know he'd be very appreciative of this, and never expect the panel to be in the ball."

WORKERS ARE PREPARING THE STAGES IN TIMES SQUARE FOR SOME BIG NAME ACTS.

"I'm excited to see Psy do Gangnam Style."

THE YOU TUBE SENSATION WHO LAUNCHED A NEW DANCE CRAZE WILL BE HERE.PROMPTING A LOT OF THIS.

TAYLOR SWIFT WILL HEADLINE THE SHOW.

"She's just one of my idols."

BRETT ADUL AND HIS GIRLFRIEND ARE PRACTICING THEIR MIDNIGHT KISS BEFORE GOING SHOPPING FOR SOME WARMER CLOTHES

THEY'LL NEED --TO WAIT ABOUT 10 HOURS IN THE COLD.

"A hat, scarf, pair of gloves, anything to keep me warm."

NEW YEARS EVE-OC

WENDY GILLETTE REPORTING.

THE CROWD WILL STILL SHOW UP VERY EARLY - DESPITE THE COLD WEATHER.

TOSS TO CLIFTON-2SHOT

IF YOU'RE NOT HEADING TO THE BIG APPLE FOR NEW YEARS. YOU'RE IN LUCK.

THOUSANDS WILL BE IN DOWN TOWN FORT MYERS.

THE BALL WILL DROP -- AND THERE'S PLENTY OF EVENTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.

ABC-7'S CLIFTON FRENCH IS LIVE AT THE RIVER DISTRICT -- WITH MORE ON THE PARTY.

FM DOWNTOWN COUNTDOWN-REMLIVE

FROM 6 P.M. TO 2 A.M. THE EVENT WILL BE RIGHT HERE IN THE NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

BUT, THE TRAFFIC CHANGES BEGIN AT NOON.

AND THERE ARE A LOT.

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS MAP.

ALL OF THESE WILL BE CLOSED STARTING AT NOON.

EDWARDS DRIVE FROM MONROE STREET TO JACKSON STREET, BAY STREET FROM THE EXIT OF THE CITY OF PALM PARKING GARAGE TO JACKSON STREET, FIRST STREET FROM MONROE TO LEE.

MAIN STREET FROM BROADWAY TO JACKSON

BROADWAY AND JACKSON WILL BE CLOSED FROM MAIN TO BAY.

HENDRY STREET FROM MAIN STREET TO EDWARDS DRIVE.

FM DOWNTOWN COUNTDOWN-VO

FM DOWNTOWN COUNTDOWN-REMLIVE

ALL THESE CLOSURES ARE IN PLACE TO MAKE IT A SAFE NEW YEARS EVE.

THERE WILL BE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, FLORIDA'S LONGEST CONGA LINE, FOOD VENDORS, A CRAFT BEER GARDEN, PRIZES AND FIREWORKS.

ADMISSION IS FREE, BUT THERE ARE PREFERRED TICKETS AT $10 AND $15 DOLLARS AND VIP TICKETS STARTING AT $99 DOLLARS.

WE HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE, NBC-2.COM, JUST CLICK ON NEWSLINKS.

TEASE ONE-OC

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

THERE'S ANOTHER DEAL WE'RE WATCHING ON CAPITAL HILL.

BUT THIS ONE'S A LITTLE MORE PROMISING, THIS MORNING.

ABC-7 SHOWS YOU THE "DAIRY CLIFF" AND WHETHER WE'LL SEE THE UNWANTED INCREASE IN MILK PRICES.

PLUS -- YOU'LL NOTICE A FEW NEW ORDINACES THE NEXT TIME YOU DINE AT YOUR FAVORITE DINNER SPOT.

TZ1 DAIRY DEAL-VOTOPS

TZ2 RESTAURANT CODES-VOTOPS

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

BLOOMBERG TEASE-SOT

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT-PKG TOPS

ICE COVERED TREES-VOTOPS

TAKE A LOOK AT THESE TREES IN NORTHERN JAPAN -- COVERED WITH ICE!

IT'S DRAWING SOME BRAVE VISITORS --

PEOPLE WITHSTAND TEMPERATURS NEAR 20-DEGREES -- TO SEE THE LIGHT SPECTACLE IN YAMAGATA.

VISITORS SAY -- IT'S WORTH IT.

THE LIGHTS WERE SWITCHED ON FOR THE ANNUAL EVENT, OVER THE WEEKEND.

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.

Temperatures will still be on the cool side for this final day of 2012, but a warming trend actually begins today and continues as we kick off the New Year.

After starting out with temperatures in the 40s and 50s this morning, we'll warm a lot faster today compared to yesterday. By noon, temps will start to break into the low 70s, and through the afternoon hours we'll see daytime highs reach the mid 70s.

Look for plentiful sunshine this morning, and then some patchy clouds will build in this afternoon to make for a partly sunny sky.

A stiff easterly breeze will stay with us today, but winds won't be quite as gusty as yesterday. Winds will be sustained from 5-15 with some gusts up to 20 mph.

Humidity levels will stay at very comfortable levels today but will be just a touch higher than Sunday.

As we count down the final hours of 2012, the weather looks quiet and dry across Southwest Florida. Temperatures will quickly drop into the 60s after sunset, and by midnight most spots will cool into the low 60s. We'll notice a partly cloudy sky early tonight, and the clouds should slowly fade as we progress through the overnight hours.

For the first day of the New Year, temperatures will continue to climb. We'll start the day with morning lows in the upper 50s, but temps will quickly warm into the upper 70s through the afternoon. Our sky will mainly be partly sunny during the afternoon as some fair weather clouds build in from the southeast.

From Wednesday through Friday, temperatures will be on the warmer side of average. Daytime highs will warm into the low 80s, and overnight lows will cool into the low 60s. Aside from some patchy clouds, our sky will stay fairly sunny.

DAIRY DEAL-2SHOT-VO

WE'RE HOPING FOR A DEAL FROM WASHINGTON TODAY --

BUT THERE'S *ANOTHER CLIFF THAT'S BEING DODGED --- THIS MORNING.

THE "DAIRY CLIFF."

PARTY LEADERS ON THE HOUSE AND SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEES HAVE AGREED TO A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF THE EXPIRED FARM BILL -- A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD STABILIZE DAIRY PRICES.

THERE WERE FEARS MILK PRICES COULD MORE THAN DOUBLE -- IF THE GOVERNMENT DIDN'T STEP IN.

BANK REGULATOR SETTLEMENT-VO

THIS MORNING -- BANKING REGULATORS ARE CLOSE TO A $10 BILLION SETTLEMENT TO END THE GOVERNMENTS EFFORTS TO HOLD LENDERS RESPONSIBLE FOR FORECLOSURE.

THE SETTLEMENT WITH 14 BANKS WOULD COVER INCIDENTS SUCH AS FAULTY PAPERWORK AND EXCESSIVE FEES THAT MAY HAVE LEAD TO PEOPLE LOSING THEIR HOMES.

RESTAURANT CODES-VO

EATING HEALTHY -- IS GETTING EASIER.

STARTING IN THE NEW YEAR -- INVESTIGATORS WILL INSPECT RESTAURANTS, EVEN CLOSER.

CHANGES TO THE STATE'S FOOD CODE -- COULD MEAN A SAFER DINING EXPERIENCE.

RESTAURANT CODES-SOTVO

27:55 "It just makes you more aware of what you really need to do. Dating your products, making sure it's in proper rotation, making sure you are cooking it throughly." Nicole Lauber-Mcquade,GM Sandy Hook Fish & Rib House.

THE IDEA IS TO IMPROVE INSPECTIONS -- AND SAFETY CONCERNS LIKE FOOD ALLERGENS.

DRIVERS SEAT-VO

THE NEW YEAR -- COULD BRING YOU A NEW CAR.

ECONOMISTS AT "EDMUNDS DOT COM" SAY -- THEY'RE EXPECTING HALF A MILLION "MORE" PEOPLE WILL END THEIR VEHICLE LEASE AGREEMENTS IN 2013 THAN DID IN 2012.

THAT COULD FLOOD THE MARKET WITH BOTH USED VEHICLES AND DRIVERS SEARCHING FOR NEW ONES.

THE GOOD NEWS -- THIS SHOULD BRING DOWN PRICES FOR USED VEHICLES - BY A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS.

HIRINGS AND FIRINGS-VO

NEW THIS MORNING.

20-13 WILL BRING PLENTY OF HIRINGS --

AND FIRINGS.

ON CAREER BUILDER --

MORE THAN A QUARTER OF EMPLOYERS -- SAY THEY'LL ADD FULL-TIME, PERMANENT POSITIONS IN THE NEW YEAR.

THAT'S AN INCREASE FROM 2012.

BUT NINE PERCENT SAY THEY'LL SLASH HEAD COUNT.

HOLIDAY REGIFTING-VOTOPS

CHRISTMAS IS OVER -- AND THERE MAY BE A FEW GIFTS THAT YOU'LL NEVER USE.

NOW YOU'RE WONDERING --

IS IT OK TO RE-WRAP, AND RE-GIFT?

RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT GIFT RECIPIENTS THOUGHT IT WAS BAD TASTE, IN GENERAL, TO RE-GIFT.

TEASE TWO-OC

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

IN THE WAKE OF MULTIPLE DEADLY SHOOTINGS, THIS YEAR --

RESEARCHERS ARE DRAWING A CORRELATION BETWEEN VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES -- AND DISTURBING BEHAVIOR.

TZ2 VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES-VO

RECESS RECOMMENDATION -VO

A NEW STATEMENT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS -- IS ENCOURAGING SCHOOLS TO LET STUDENTS HAVE THEIR MUCH-WANTED PLAYTIME.

THE STATEMENT SAYS RECESS OFFERS COGNITIVE, PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL BENEFITS TO YOUNG CHILDREN.

THE UNSTRUCTURED PLAYTIME GIVES KIDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP SKILLS THAT CAN'T BE TAUGHT IN THE CLASSROOM,.

SCHOOL PHYSICIANS -VOTOPS

THE GROUP ALSO LOOKED AT -- SCHOOL PHYSICIANS AND NURSES.

THEY SAY EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT -- SHOULD HAVE A PHYSICIAN, AND EACH SCHOOL BUILDING A NURSE.

VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES -VO

RESEARCH SHOWS -- PLAYING VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES COULD LEAD TO AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR.

RESEARCHERS STUDIED SEVENTY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS -- WHO PLAYED VIOLENT OR NONVIOLENT VIDEO GAMES FOR TWENTY MINUTES EACH DAY, FOR THREE DAYS.

THEY FOUND THOSE WHO PLAYED VIOLENT GAMES WERE MORE HOSTILE AND AGGRESSIVE THAN THOSE WHO PLAYED NONVIOLENT GAMES.

CALCIUM HEART ATTACKS -SOTVO

NEW INFORMATION OUT THIS MORNING --- SHOWS CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS MAY LEAD TO CERTAIN HEART PROBLEMS.

CALCIUM HEART ATTACKS -SOTVO

"Patients who took calcium supplements seemed to have higher rates of heart attacks."

For now, I'm telling my patients, eat a good diet. Get all the minerals that you possibly can by eating a good diet and healthy nutrition. If you are at high risk, for low bone density, then think about the smallest amount of supplement possible.

THE LINK MAY BE -- THAT TOO MUCH CALCIUM COULD CAUSE THE ARTERIES TO HARDEN.

BENNETT SAYS YOU SHOULDN'T BE ALARMED.

TEASE THREE-2-SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON WILL BE SPENDING THIS NEW YEAR'S EVE IN THE HOSPITAL.

AHEAD AT 9-30 -- WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT WHY THE FORMER FIRST LADY WAS RE-ADMITTED LAST NIGHT --

AND WHAT DOCTORS ARE SAYING ABOUT HER CONDITION.

PLUS -- NEARLY A DOZEN ARE DEAD, THIS MORNING.

AFTER A TOUR BUS VEERS OFF A STEEP OREGON ROAD.

TZ3 HILARY CLINTON-VOTOPS

TZ3 OR BUS CRASH-VOTOPS

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIP

NY STOCK EXCHANGE OPEN-SAT 3 TOPS

ABC SEVEN GOES LIVE TO THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.

ALL EYES ON WASHINGTON.

THERE'S NOT MUCH HAPPENING ON WALL STREET -- EXCEPT FOR MAJOR NAIL-BITING.

INVESTORS ARE WAITING TO SEE IF THE COUNTRY WILL GO OVER THE FISCAL CLIFF AT MIDNIGHT.

TS1) FISCAL CLIFF-VOTOPS

NEW RIGHT NOW -- SIGNS OF PROGRESS, IN FISCAL CLIFF TALKS.

WE'RE JUST HOURS AWAY FROM POTENTIALLY TAKING A DIVE DOWN THE FISCAL CLIFF.

CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT TO COME UP WITH A DECISION,

THE SENATE RECONVENES, THIS MORNING -- LOOKING TO PREVENT STARTING THE NEW YEAR WITH TAX HIKES.

TS2) FM 24TH MURDER-TRX-VOTOPS

THE CITY OF FORT MYERS HAS REACHED ITS LARGEST NUMBER OF MURDERS, DURING ONE YEAR -- EVER.

THAT NUMBER CURRENTLY SITS AT 24.

THAT'S AFTER POLICE SAY A MAN WAS FOUND DEAD --- INSIDE A HOME ON LAFAYETTE STREET SUNDAY MORNING.

TS3) FIREFIGHTER FUNERAL-TRX-VOTOPS

ONE OF THE FALLEN NEW YORK FIREFIGHTERS WILL BE LAID TO REST, TODAY.

19-YEAR-OLD TOMASZ KACZOWKA --- WAS ONE OF TWO FIREFIGHTERS KILLED WHILE RESPONDING TO A MASSIVE HOME FIRE.

BUT THAT'S WHEN THE HOMEOWNER OPENED FIRE ON THE CREW -- KILLING KACZOWKA AND ONE OTHER.

DEVELOPING CLIP-CLIP

HILLARY CLINTON CONDITION-2SHOT

DEVELOPING THIS MORNING:

SECRETARY OF STATE -- HILLARY CLINTON IS SPENDING NEW YEAR'S EVE IN THE HOSPITAL.

SHE'S BEING TREATED FOR A BLOOD CLOT --- BUT NO WORD ON WHERE THE CLOT IS.

HILLARY CLINTON CONDITION-PKG

SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON WAS ADMITTED TO NEW YORK-PRESBYTERIAN

HOSPITAL SUNDAY WITH A BLOOD CLOT STEMMING FROM A CONCUSSION SHE SUFFERED

SEVERAL WEEKS AGO

CLINTON'S DOCTORS DISCOVERED THE CLOT EARLIER IN THE DAY DURING A FOLLOW-UP

EXAM FOR THAT CONCUSSION.

NO DETAILS OF WHERE THE CLOT IS OR OTHER CONCERNS HAVE BEEN RELEASED

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME CLINTON HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A BLOOD CLOT.

IN 1998 SHE WAS ADMITTED FOR A CLOT BEHIND HER RIGHT KNEE.

THE 65-YEAR-OLD SECRETARY OF STATE HAD A STOMACH VIRUS EARLIER THIS MONTH.

SHE BECAME DEHYDRATED, FAINTED AND STRUCK HER HEAD--- CAUSING THE

CONCUSSION.

CLINTON HAD CANCELED A TRIP ABROAD BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT FEELING WELL.

SHE THEN SHE WAS NOT WELL ENOUGH TO APPEAR ON CAPITOL HILL TO TESTIFY ON

THE SEPT. 11TH ATTACK ON THE U.S. CONSULATE IN BENGHAZI, LIBYA.

CLINTON IS BEING TREATED WITH ANTI-COAGULANTS. DOCTORS WANT TO MONITOR THE

MEDICATION OVER THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

FISCAL CLIFF LATEST-SOTVO

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE REPORTING PROGRESS FROM WASHINGTON, THIS MORNING.

ABC-7 IS LEARNING, DEMOCRATS HAVE OFFERED TO EXTEND TAX CUTS FOR FAMILIES MAKING UP TO $450,000 A YEAR AND INDIVIDUALS MAKING UP TO $400,000.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ORIGINALLY WANTED THE TAX CUTS TO BE EXTENDED ONLY FOR FAMILIES MAKING UP TO $250,000 A YEAR.

IT'S ALL THE LATEST IN FISCAL CLIFF NEGOTIATIONS --

NO DEAL AT MIDNIGHT -- MEANS KICKING OFF 2013 WITH TAX HIKES, IMPACTING ALL AMERICANS.

"If there is an ultimate compromise, there will be parts of it that I find disgusting and reprehensible which I may have to swallow in the name of finding a compromise."

DEMOCRATS WANT HIGHER TAXES ON FAMILIES -- EARNING 250-THOUSAND-DOLLARS A YEAR AND MORE.

REPUBLICANS WANT TAX RATES TO STAY WHERE THEY ARE.

FISCAL CLIFF LATEST-SOTVO

"The president is doing nothing about the addiction that his administration has to spending. He's the spender in chief."

"I offered over a trillion dollars in additional spending cuts so that we would have two dollars of spending cuts for every one dollar of increased revenue."

THE SENATE RECONVENES IN LESS THAN TWO HOURS.

TAX CALCULATIONS-OC-BNR

ABC SEVEN DID SOME DIGGING.

WE'VE SET UP SOME RESOURCES TO HELP YOU PREPARE.

THERE'S A BREAKDOWN OF HOW IT WILL AFFECT YOU.

HEAD ON OVER TO ABC DASH SEVEN DOT COM.

NEW THIS MORNING CLIP-CLIP

OR FATAL BUS ACCIDENT-OC

NEW THIS MORNING --

NINE PEOPLE ARE DEAD -- AFTER A BUS CRASH IN OREGON.

A CHARTER BUS APPARENTLY CRASHED THROUGH A GUARDRAIL ON A STEEP MOUNTAIN PASS.

OR FATAL BUS ACCIDENT-PKG

"I've been a firefighter for 20 years, and this is the first time I've ever seen anything like this."

LIEUTENANT STEVEN BROST WAS ONE OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS.

HE HELPED TREAT DOZENS OF INJURED PASSENGERS AFTER THEIR TOUR BUS CAREENED OFF INTERSTATE-84, SUNDAY MORNING.

"It appeared that most of the patients had actually been ejected from the bus as the bus went down the cliff."

THE BUS FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RAVINE.

THE ROOF WAS NEARLY RIPPED OFF.

FIREFIGHTERS SAY THERE WERE ABOUT 40 PEOPLE ON BOARD WHEN IT CRASHED ON THIS STEEP MOUNTAIN PASS ABOUT 15 MILES EAST OF PENDLETON.

"This actually happened to be in an area where there was only a 100-foot area where there was a steep embankment, so they were pretty unfortunate crashing exactly where they did."

RESCUE CREWS SPENT THE AFTERNOON USING ROPES TO PULL DOZENS OF INJURED SURVIVORS BACK UP THE STEEP SLOPE.

POLICE SAY PARAMEDICS RUSHED 26 PASSENGERS TO THE HOSPITAL IN PENDLETON.

FOUR WERE LATER AIRLIFTED TO OHSU IN PORTLAND.

THE BUS DRIVER SURVIVED THE CRASH, BUT INVESTIGATORS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TALK TO THEM, BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THE HOSPITAL.

OR FATAL BUS ACCIDENT-OC

KAI PORTER REPORTING --

AUTHORITES SAY, THE BUS IS OWNED BY A CANADIAN COMPANY.

SNOW CLEANUP-VO

MEANWHILE -- A WINTER STORM DUMPED CLOSE TO A FOOT OF SNOW --- ACROSS SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND.

CREWS HAD TO CLEAR THE GILLETTE STADIUM, YESTERDAY -- BEFORE THE PATRIOT'S GAME.

SIX TO 12 INCHES FELL IN MASSACHUSETTS, CONNECTICUT, AND RHODE ISLAND.

NEWTOWN LATEST-VO

TWO WEEKS AFTER THE DEADLY SHOOTING AT SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY -- THE SHOOTER'S BODY HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED THIS MORNING.

ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORK TIMES -- ADAM LANZA'S BODY HAS BEEN CLAIMED FOR BURIAL.

OFFICIALS DIDN'T RELEASE THE IDENTITY OF WHO TOOK THE SHOOTER'S REMAINS.

LANZA IS ALLEGEDLY RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLING 26 PEOPLE -- BEFORE COMMITTING SUICIDE.

ALLEGIANT AIR INVESTIGATION-VO

THIS MORNING -- FLIGHT OFFICIALS ARE STILL PUZZLED BY WHAT CAUSED A "CARGO FIRE LIGHT" TO COME ON -- DURING A FLIGHT TO PUNTA GORDA.

MORE THAN A HUNDRED FIFTY PASSENGERS AND CREW MEMBERS TOOK OFF FROM SOUTH BEND INDIANA -- BUT WERE FORCED OFF THE PLANE IN TEXAS.

FL CAR VS HOME-VO

A CENTRAL FLORIDA DRIVER OBVIOUSLY WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION --

WHEN HE PLOWED THROUGH NOT ONE -- NOT TWO -- BUT THREE YARDS --

*AND SLAMMED RIGHT INTO HIS OWN HOME.

THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL -- CRASHING THROUGH THREE FENCES AND NOT STOPPING UNTIL THE CAR PLOWED INTO THIS HOUSE.

A MAN WHO WAS SLEEPING IN HIS BEDROOM WAS KNOCKED TO THE KITCHEN WITH MINOR INJURIES.

FL CAR VS HOME-SOTVO

"Knocked him out of bed.against the wall. Actually knocked him into the kitchen. So.ah the fire.we did have a pretty good fire when we arrived. The fire was from-looked like the vehicle went over the top of the mattress."

INDIANA CAR VS HOME FATAL-VO

FAMILY MEMBERS SAY GOODBYE -- AFTER A SHOCKING LOSS.

THREE PEOPLE WERE KILLED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING IN INDIANA --- WHEN A PICKUP TRUCK CRASHED THROUGH A HOUSE.

POLICE SAY THE DRIVER MISSED A BEND IN THE ROAD --

AND CRASHED THROUGH A HOUSE.

A COUPLE IN THEIR 70'S DIED IN THEIR BEDROOM.

INDIANA CAR VS HOME FATAL-SOTVO

"It's very dangerous. I have lived in this particular house 60 years and we have complained and complained about the curve. And the speed that people try to take the curve

HUGO CHAVEZ CONDITION-TRX - VOTOPS

VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ HAS SUFFERED NEW COMPLICATIONS AFTER A FOURTH ROUND OF CANCER SURGERY.

VICE-PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO DID NOT SPECIFY THE NATURE OF THOSE COMPLICATIONS -- WHICH HE SAID CAME FROM A RESPIRATORY INFECTION.

GIANTS SANDY HOOK-VOTOPS

THE NEW YORK GIANTS WELCOMED 200 STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND FACULTY MEMBERS FROM SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL --TO SUNDAY'S GAME AGAINST PHILADELPHIA.

THE GROUP JOINED 50 MEMBERS OF WOUNDED WARRIORS BEFORE THE GAME.

GIANTS AND EAGLES PLAYERS -- HIGH-FIVED THE KIDS AS THEY RAN ONTO THE FIELD.

THE SANDY HOOK GROUP CIRCLED THE FIELD FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

TEASE 4-OC

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

IMAGINE BEING A STATE TROOPER --

AND RECIEVING A CALL TO DELIVER A BABY!

ABC-7 SHOWS YOU THE HEROIC STORY --

TZ4 DAD DELIVERS BABY-VO

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

DAD'S LIFE-2SHOT

THIS NEXT STORY IS FOR ALL YOU MOMS OUT THERE -- WONDERING WHAT EXACTLY GOES ON WHEN YOU LEAVE DADDY IN CHARGE.

ONE KANSAS CITY FATHER DECIDED TO RECORD A DAY WITH HIS SON, WHILE HIS WIFE WAS AWAY ON THE JOB.

DAD'S LIFE-PKG

STEPHANIE TOMEONI SAYS HER LIVING ROOM WAS SO SPOTLESS WHENEVER SHE GOT HOME

FROM WORK - SHE THOUGHT HER HUSBAND WAS LYING ABOUT HIS ELABORATE PLAY TIME

WITH SON XAVIER

SOT/Stephanie Tomeoni - When I would come home and everything was in it's

place that particular day I would say well today you guys didn't play hard

because everything is where it needs to be

BUT NOW THE TRUTH IS OUT IN THIS ULTIMATE VIDEO CONFESSION CALLED "HOME WITH

DADA" MADE BY EMIO HIMSELF

SOT/Emio Tomeoni - I put the camera in a corner and / I just wanted to

capture this moment somehow and a picture wasn't going to do it, 5 seconds

of video wasn't going to do it. So I just had to time lapse it.

TO START XAVIER MAKES QUICK WORK OF TIPPING OVER THE SMALL BASKET OF TOYS.

SO OUT COMES THE BIG TOY CHEST.THEN A QUICK DIP INSIDE.BEFORE FLYING

IN DAD'S ARMS ON THE COUCH.AND PLAYING A LITTLE PIANO

ALL THAT PLAYING WORKS UP AN APPETITE SO IT'S TIME FOR A LUNCH BREAK.AND

SINCE IT'S JUST THE BOYS WHY NOT DITCH THE SHIRTS?

AFTER SQUEEZING OUT OF THE PLAY SAUCER, IT'S BONGO DRUM PRACTICE ON THE

TABLE

FOLLOWED BY A DIAPER CHANGE AND BASKETBALL - BABY STYLE

FINALLY IT'S TIME TO CLEAN UP - THE ULIMATE LOVE LETTER TO MOM

SOT/Stephanie Ramos - I was pleasantly surprised to see that he picks up

after their playtime / it's peace of mind to know that my guys are at home

DAD'S LIFE-OC

John Muller REPORTING --

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.

Temperatures will still be on the cool side for this final day of 2012, but a warming trend actually begins today and continues as we kick off the New Year.

After starting out with temperatures in the 40s and 50s this morning, we'll warm a lot faster today compared to yesterday. By noon, temps will start to break into the low 70s, and through the afternoon hours we'll see daytime highs reach the mid 70s.

Look for plentiful sunshine this morning, and then some patchy clouds will build in this afternoon to make for a partly sunny sky.

A stiff easterly breeze will stay with us today, but winds won't be quite as gusty as yesterday. Winds will be sustained from 5-15 with some gusts up to 20 mph.

Humidity levels will stay at very comfortable levels today but will be just a touch higher than Sunday.

As we count down the final hours of 2012, the weather looks quiet and dry across Southwest Florida. Temperatures will quickly drop into the 60s after sunset, and by midnight most spots will cool into the low 60s. We'll notice a partly cloudy sky early tonight, and the clouds should slowly fade as we progress through the overnight hours.

For the first day of the New Year, temperatures will continue to climb. We'll start the day with morning lows in the upper 50s, but temps will quickly warm into the upper 70s through the afternoon. Our sky will mainly be partly sunny during the afternoon as some fair weather clouds build in from the southeast.

From Wednesday through Friday, temperatures will be on the warmer side of average. Daytime highs will warm into the low 80s, and overnight lows will cool into the low 60s. Aside from some patchy clouds, our sky will stay fairly sunny.

CA ICE RESCUE-NAT-VO

IT WAS A RESCUE ATTEMPT FIASCO --

"that is seriously not even funny.

TAKE A LOOK.

A MAN FALLS INTO A FROZEN LAKE IN CALIFORNIA --

AND WOULD-BE RESCUERS TRY TO PULL HIM OUT.

INSTEAD -- *THEY FALL INTO THE FRIGID WATER.

AND IT WAS ONE AFTER THE OTHER --

AS PEOPLE GATHERED ON THE ICE -- EVEN CHILDREN --

CA ICE RESCUE-SOTVO

"It just turned it in to a total disaster. Just panic. People falling in, people trying to save him, then trying to save themselves

IT TURNED OUT THE MAN COULDN'T SWIM.

RESCUERS TRIED THROWING ROPES -- INTERTUBE -- EVEN A SLED -- BUT WITH NO SUCCESS.

AND EVENTUALLY -- ONE ROPE FINALLY MEETS THE MARK.

AND THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL THEM ASHORE.

DAD DELIVERS BABY-SOTVO

AN ILLINOIS STATE TROOPER HAD TO DELIVER A BABY ON THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY.

IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH. THE BABY. WAS HIS NEWEST DAUGHTER!

"I used to make fun of people that had babies on the side of the road because I couldn't understand how you didn't make it to the hospital in time, but after yesterday now I understand how that truly does happen."

IT WAS 7:30 FRIDAY MORNING. WHEN MEGAN MARTINEZ SAYS HER WATER BROKE.

DAD DELIVERS BABY-SOTVO

"The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck twice. So at that point, immediately training just kicked in."

A BREECHED BIRTH!

CHAD PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF I-88.

MACI WAS BORN WITHIN MINUTES. BUT SHE WASN'T IN THE CLEAR.

MACI WASN'T BREATHING. AND SO DAD HAD TO MANUALLY CLEAR HER AIRWAY.

EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION-VO

TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT-- A SPECIAL EVENT TO COMMEMORATE THE SIGNING OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION IN WASHINGTON D-C.

THE DOCUMENT THAT DECLARED SLAVES "FOREVER FREE" -- WILL BE ON SPECIAL DISPLAY.

THIS ONLY HAPPENS A FEW DAYS EVERY YEAR.

FMPD NYE GUNSHOTS-SOTVO

FORT MYERS POLICE ARE CRACKING DOWN ON CELEBRATORY GUN FIRE THIS NEW YEAR'S EVE.

when a bullet goes up, it must come down. We don't want to see a child get struck, get killed or any individual get struck and killed with a bullet during celebratory gun fire

OFFICERS WILL BE ON THE LOOKOUT -- FOR ANYONE SHOOTING GUNS INTO THE AIR.

FMPD SAYS THEY OFTEN RESPOND TO CELEBRATORY GUN FIRE -- IN THE POINSETTIA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD.

NYE THINGS TO DO-2SH-CG

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOME WHERE TO BRING IN THE NEW YEAR HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. WE FOUND A COUPLE OF THINGS TO DO.

YOU CAN HEAD TO THE 7TH ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION AT THE CAPE HARBOUR IN CAPE CORAL.

THERE WILL BE FIRE WORKS.

ENTERTAINMENT.

AND EVEN A BALL DROPPING AT MIDNIGHT.

.

OR YOU CAN ENJOY THE DOWNTOWN COUNTDOWN RIGHT HERE IN FORT MYERS.

THERE WILL BE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ALL NIGHT.

AN INTERNATIONAL FOOD COURT.

AND IF YOU WANT TO BRING THE KIDS, THE EVENT IS AGE APPROPRIATE.

THROUGHT THE NIGHT THERE WILL BE PRIZES GIVEN AWAY AND FIREWORKS TO BRING IN 20-13

FOR MORE THINGS TO DO -- HEAD ON OVER TO OUR WEBSITE

NEW ZEALAND CELEBRATIONS-VOTOPS

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE FIRST CELEBRATION OF 20-13..

NEW ZEALAND WELCOMED THE NEW YEAR AT SIX THIS MORNING.

FIREWORKS BLASTED OFF --- OVER AUCKLAND'S SKY TOWER.

SYDNEY CELEBRATIONS-VO

MEANWHILE -- RESIDENTS IN SYDNEY ARE ENJOYING THE BEGINNING OF 20-13.

THEY KICKED OFF THE NEW YEAR AT 8 THIS MORNING.

YOU CAN SEE RESIDENTS HERE -- ARRIVING HOURS EARLIER TO GET THAT SPECIAL SPOT TO BRING IN THE NEW YEAR.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN START THE NEW YEAR WITH ABC-7 TONIGHT --

JOIN US AND RYAN SEACREST AS HE HOSTS -- "DICK CLARK'S PRIMETIME NEW YEAR'S ROCKIN EVE."

TEAST FIVE-OC

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

IF YOU WERE UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE MOVIES, OVER THE WEEKEND --

WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.

COMING UP -- A LOOK AT THIS PAST WEEKEND'S BOX OFFICE HITS.

LES MIS, DJANGO UNCHAINED, HOBBIT.

WHO WON?

TZ5 TOP FLICKS-VO

TOP FLICKS-VIDBOX

ANOTHER STRONG WEEKEND AT THE MOVIE BOX OFFICE --

WRAPPING UP A RECORD SETTING YEAR, FOR HOLLYWOOD.

"THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY" WAS THE TOP FLICK FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT WEEKEND.

"DJANGO UNCHAINED" STARRING JAMIE FOXX AND LEONARDO DICAPRIO WAS CLOSE BEHIND.

THIRD PLACE WENT TO "LES MISERABLES."

FOR THE YEAR, HOLLYWOOD MOVIES HAVE GROSSED AN ALL-TIME RECORD $10.8 BILLION.

KIM KANYE BABY-VO

IT'S THE HOTTEST ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, THIS MORNING.

KANYE WEST -- AND GIRL FRIEND KIM KARDASHIAN -- ARE HAVING A BABY.

THE RAPPER AND REALITY STAR HAVE BEEN DATING FOR ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS.

WEST MADE THE ANNOUCEMENT DURING A SHOW LAST NIGHT IN ATLANTIC CITY.

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TS1) FISCAL CLIFF-VOTOPS

NEW RIGHT NOW --

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE REPORTING PROGRESS FROM WASHINGTON, THIS MORNING.

ABC-7 IS LEARNING, DEMOCRATS HAVE OFFERED TO EXTEND TAX CUTS FOR FAMILIES MAKING UP TO $450,000 A YEAR AND INDIVIDUALS MAKING UP TO $400,000.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ORIGINALLY WANTED THE TAX CUTS TO BE EXTENDED ONLY FOR FAMILIES MAKING UP TO $250,000 A YEAR.

TS2) CLINTON CONDITION-TRX-VOTOPS

SECRETARY OF STATE.HILLARY CLINTON.IS IN A NEW YORK HOSPITAL THIS MORNING.

SHE WILL SPEND TIME THERE, AFTER DOCTORS DISCOVERED A BLOOD CLOT, STEMMING FROM A CONCUSSION SHE SUSTAINED, EARLIER THIS MONTH.

TS3) FM 24TH MURDER-TRX-VOTOPS

THE CITY OF FORT MYERS HAS REACHED ITS LARGEST NUMBER OF MURDERS, DURING ONE YEAR -- EVER.

THAT NUMBER CURRENTLY SITS AT 24.

THAT'S AFTER POLICE SAY A MAN WAS FOUND DEAD --- INSIDE A HOME ON LAFAYETTE STREET SUNDAY MORNING.

TS4) OR BUSH CRASH-TRX-VOTOPS

A HORRIFIC SCENE IN OREGON --

NINE PEOPLE ARE DEAD -- AFTER A TOUR BUS CRASHES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE UP A STEEP SLOPE.

THE BUS WAS RETURNING TO VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, FROM A TRIP TO LAS VEGAS, NEVADA -- WHEN IT FELL 100-FEET, AFTER BARRELLING THROUGH A GUARDRAIL.

DOZENS OF PASSENGERS ARE BEING TREATED AT A NEARBY HOSPITAL.

FINAL WEATHER-WX GFX

Temperatures will still be on the cool side for this final day of 2012, but a warming trend actually begins today and continues as we kick off the New Year.

After starting out with temperatures in the 40s and 50s this morning, we'll warm a lot faster today compared to yesterday. By noon, temps will start to break into the low 70s, and through the afternoon hours we'll see daytime highs reach the mid 70s.

Look for plentiful sunshine this morning, and then some patchy clouds will build in this afternoon to make for a partly sunny sky.

A stiff easterly breeze will stay with us today, but winds won't be quite as gusty as yesterday. Winds will be sustained from 5-15 with some gusts up to 20 mph.

Humidity levels will stay at very comfortable levels today but will be just a touch higher than Sunday.

As we count down the final hours of 2012, the weather looks quiet and dry across Southwest Florida. Temperatures will quickly drop into the 60s after sunset, and by midnight most spots will cool into the low 60s. We'll notice a partly cloudy sky early tonight, and the clouds should slowly fade as we progress through the overnight hours.

For the first day of the New Year, temperatures will continue to climb. We'll start the day with morning lows in the upper 50s, but temps will quickly warm into the upper 70s through the afternoon. Our sky will mainly be partly sunny during the afternoon as some fair weather clouds build in from the southeast.

From Wednesday through Friday, temperatures will be on the warmer side of average. Daytime highs will warm into the low 80s, and overnight lows will cool into the low 60s. Aside from some patchy clouds, our sky will stay fairly sunny.

CLOSE-2SH-AWS ANI

AD LIB GOODBYE

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