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SHOW OPEN-CLIP

FISCAL CLIFF-OC

The fate of tax-cut and unemployment benefit extensions passed by the Senate early New Year's Day now lies with the House.

The so-called fiscal cliff deadline has come and gone, but the financial future of millions of Americans still hangs in the balance.

The bill is now in Republican-controlled territory where it could face more of a challenge.

FISCAL CLIFF-PKG

"The House will be in order,"

ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW YEAR IN THE HOUSE, THE STAKES ARE HIGH, AND TENSIONS ARE HIGHER.

A New Years Deal for New Years Day. Or is it Groundhog's Day

I wish I could say this was a proud moment a moment in which we started the year off right

ITS FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: TACKLING THE FISCAL CLIFF DEAL PASSED IN THE SENATE JUST HOURS EARLIER.

UNDER TERMS OF THE SENATE-APPROVED LEGISLATION:

TAXES ON THE MIDDLE CLASS WILL NOT GO UP.

INDIVIDUALS EARNING 400-THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR OR MORE, AND HOUSEHOLDS EARNING 450-THOUSAND DOLLARS OR MORE WILL SEE THEIR TAXES RETURN TO CLINTON-ERA LEVELS.

THE DEAL ALSO EXTENDS UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

DECISIONS ON THE CONTROVERSIAL SPENDING CUTS ARE PUT ON HOLD FOR TWO MONTHS.

When we can have a bipartisan vote of 89 senators start this year off, move our country forward, we should ride behind it.

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN WENT TO THE HILL TO MEET WITH THE DEMOCRATIC DELEGATION WHERE NOT EVERYONE WAS SOLD.

We are losing an opportunity for reform.

OPPONENTS OF THE DEAL SAY IT WAS DONE IN HASTE.

Senator Mitch McConnell observed quote "This shouldn't be the model for how we do things around here" end quote, and then the Senate proceeded like a bull in a china shop anyway

IF THE BILL IS PASSED IN THE HOUSE, THE PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED TO SIGN IT, KILLING THE TAX HIKES BEFORE THEY COULD CUT INTO MOST OF OUR PAYCHECKS.

RUBIO STATEMENT-OC, (2) CG, OC

THE U-S SENATE BILL PASSED BY A VOTE OF 89 TO 8.

FLORIDA REPUBLICAN SENATOR MARCO RUBIO WAS ONE OF THOSE SENATORS WHO VOTED AGAINST THE DEAL.

IN A STATEMENT, HE SAYS HE APPRECIATES THE HARD WORK THAT WENT INTO AVOIDING THE SO-CALLED 'FISCAL CLIFF'.

BUT RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB CREATION WILL BE MADE MORE DIFFICULT UNDER THE DEAL REACHED IN WASHINGTON.

HILLARY CLINTON UPDATE-VO

SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON'S DOCTORS ARE BEING MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT THE BLOOD CLOT FOUND IN HER HEAD.

THEY SAY THE CLOT IS IN THE VEIN SITUATED IN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE BRAIN AND THE SKULL. BEHIND HER RIGHT EAR.

THEY SAY SHE'S LUCKY THE CLOT DIDN'T CAUSE A STROKE AND COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL.

PASEO STABBING-OC-SOT-OC

A FORT MYERS WOMAN WHO WAS STABBED THE MORNING AFTER CHRISTMAS BREAKS HER SILENCE.

This guy broke into my house and stabbed me. He needs to be in jail for attempted murder, not aggravated battery.

SHE SPOKE IN COURT TODAY DURING HER ALLEGED ATTACKER'S FIRST APPEARANCE.

PASEO STABBING-PKG

STABBING VICTIM TRACEY MARAZZI HAS BEEN IN HIDING FOR THE LAST WEEK---UNTIL NOW.

05.50.19 "I cannot live with him out on the street."

IT WAS FOUR O'CLOCK WEDNESDAY MORNING---TRACEY WAS SLEEPING IN HER BED---WHEN SHE SAYS HER ATTACKER--JOHN MAATSCH BROKE INTO HER HOME IN THE PASEO COMMUNITY.

05.50.34 "I don't know how long he stood there and looked at me while I slept before he stabbed me in the chest. He stabbed me three times, just missed my artery, just less than a millimeter, collapsed my lung and almost killed me."

TRACEY DESCRIBED HOW SHE FOUGHT OFF HER ATTACKER TO GET HER 11 YEAR OLD CHILD AND HERSELF OUT OF THE HOUSE.

WHILE TRACEY WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL---POLICE SEARCHED FOR ATTACKER, BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.

THEN--YESTERDAY--32 YEAR OLD JOHN MAATSCH--TRACEY'S NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR WHO SHE HAS NEVER SEEN BEFORE--TURNED HIMSELF IN.

HE WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED BATTERY.

WITH HER STAB WOUNDS BANDAGED UP---TRACEY BEGGED THE JUDGE TO NOT LET HER ACCUSED ATTACKER--BACK ON THE STREETS.

05.56.14 "this should be attempted murder. This guy broke into my house and stabbed me. He needs to be in jail for attempted murder, not aggravated battery."

THE JUDGE LISTENED TO TRACEY'S REQUEST---AND MAATSCH IS BEING HELD ON NO BOND PENDING THE OUTCOME OF A DANGER HEARING.

A RULING---TRACEY CAN BE HAPPY ABOUT THROUGH HER FRIGHTFUL TEARS.

05.56.53 I'm scared, my chid is scared."

BIENAME RECOVERY-OC

A 17 YEAR-OLD FORT MYERS GIRL IS HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL FOR GOOD--

AFTER BEING HIT BY A TRUCK WHILE WALKING TO THE BUS-STOP.

BIENAME RECOVERY-PKG

THE 17 YEAR-OLD HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

BUT A NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW HOPE.

8:18 "i'm really a blessed kid to still be here."

KEISHA BIEN-AIME IS STANDING NOW,

AND CAN WALK-

BOTH HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

AFTER BEING CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR-

THE RESULT OF BEING HIT BY A TRUCK WHILE WALKING TO HER SAN CARLOS PARK BUS STOP THIS PAST AUGUST.

7:52 "i broke the left side of my pelvis- i have a screw in there now, which can be very difficult trying to get the normal hang of things."

DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS-

THE HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR CAME HOME FOR GOOD.

RIGHT NOW-

THERE ARE NO MORE SURGERIES IN KEISHA'S FUTURE,

BUT SHE'S STILL IN A LOT IF PAIN.

7:03 "life for me right now is real difficult to be honest."

TROOPERS ARRESTED 22 YEAR-OLD CHELSIE DAHLBECK FOR THE HIT AND RUN CRASH.

THEY SAY SHE ADMITTED TO VEERING OFF THE ROAD AND HITTING SOMETHING, BUT CLAIMS SHE DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS A PERSON.

9:33 "i understand accidents happen."

KEISHA TELLS US SHE ISN'T MAD AT DAHLBECK,

BUT SAYS SHE SHOULD HAVE STOPPED-

NO MATTER WHAT SHE HIT.

9:55 "you should have shown some kind of respect and pick it up if you think that's what it was. it's kind of foul play."

THE TEEN IS MOVING ON-

AND READY TO GO BACK TO SOUTH FORT MYERS HIGH SCHOOL WITH HER CLASSMATES-

7:33 "i'm just a blessed kid ready to go to school and focus on my education and catch up."

FOR THE NEW YEAR-

SHE HAS NEW GOALS,

LIKE WANTING TO DO THE SIMPLEST OF THINGS.

BIENAME RECOVERY-OC

WE DID SPEAK WITH DAHLBECK TODAY- SHE WOULDN'T GO ON CAMERA, BUT SAYS WHAT HAPPENED WAS A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.

ARCADIA OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING-OC

DESOTO COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE INVESTIGATING AN OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING.

LAST NIGHT, IN ARCADIA, A POLICE OFFICER AND TWO PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED IN A SHOOTING NEAR OAK RIDGE CEMETERY.

THE OFFICER WAS NOT HURT BUT IT'S UNCLEAR IF THE OTHERS WERE INJURED.

DEPUTIES SAY LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS SEARCHING FOR THE TWO PEOPLE.

THEY GOT AWAY AFTER THE SHOOTING.

CHILD HIT BY STRAY BULLET-VO

AN EIGHT YEAR OLD FLORIDA BOY IS RECOVERING AFTER A STRAY BULLET HIT HIM JUST MINUTES BEFORE MIDNIGHT.

IT HAPPENED IN DOWNTOWN JACKSONVILLE AT THE RIVERWALK.

THE JACKSONVILLE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THE BOY AND HIS FAMILY WERE WAITING FOR THE FIREWORKS TO START WHEN THE BOY COMPLAINED ABOUT HIS FOOT HURTING.

WHEN THE FATHER LOOKED IN THE BOY'S SHOE HE FOUND A BULLET.

LEHIGH ACRES BRUSH FIRE-VO

FIRE FIGHTERS QUICKLY PUT OUT A BRUSH FIRE IN LEHIGH ACRES THIS AFTERNOON.

IT HAPPENED ON EAST 16TH STREET JUST EAST OF JOEL BOULEVARD.

41 BRIDGE FIRE-VO

A DRIVER HAVING ENGINE PROBLEMS IN LEE COUNTY ESCAPED UNINJURED AFTER THEIR CAR BURST INTO FLAMES.

IT HAPPENED JUST NORTH OF THE 41 BRIDGE IN FORT MYERS AROUND NINE THIS MORNING.

FIRE CREWS WERE ABLE TO DOUSE THE FLAMES.

ONE LANE OF THE BRIDGE HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN FOR ABOUT AN HOUR.

FMB RED TIDE-VO

A RED TIDE BLOOM OFF COLLIER COUNTY'S COAST ISN'T SLOWING DOWN BEACH GOERS THIS NEW YEAR'S DAY.

ABC-7 LEARNED RED TIDE IS STRETCHING FROM CHARLOTTE COUNTY TO MARCO ISLAND.

THIS MAP FROM THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE COMMISSION OUTLINES THE RED TIDE.

FMB RED TIDE-SOTVO

Just recently here on the beach we've seen some dead fish wash up, a couple of small sharks.

PENN GOV SUING NCAA-VO

ALL NEW TONIGHT AT SIX.

THE GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA SAYS HE WILL SUE THE N-C-DOUBLE A ON SANCTIONS IT IMPOSED AGAINST PENN STATE IN THE WAKE OF THE JERRY SANDUSKY CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL.

GOVERNOR TIM CORBETT WILL ANNOUNCE THE SUIT OFFICIALLY TOMORROW.

THE N-C-DOUBLE A FINED THE UNIVERSITY 60-MILLION DOLLARS TO BE USED NATIONALLY TO HELP PREVENT CHILD ABUSE.

NAKED MAN WITH SWORD-VO

A BIZARRE SHOWDOWN PLAYED OUT TODAY BETWEEN OFFIERS AND A NAKED MAN WITH A SWORD.

OFFICERS IN SAN JOSE CALIFORNIA TRACKED THE SUSPECT DOWN AFTER SOMEONE CALLED 9-1-1 SAYING THE MAN HAD AN ASSAULT RIFLE.

POLICE SPOTTED THE MAN'S VEHICLE NEAR AN EXPRESSWAY.

THE MAN STOPPED THE CAR AND GOT OUT WEARING NOTHING BUT HIS BIRTHDAY SUIT AND BRANDISHING A LARGE SAMURAI SWORD.

POLICE WERE ABLE TO TAKE HIM INTO CUSTODY AFTER CHASING HIM DOWN ON FOOT.

FL MAN LEAVES BABY-VO

A FLORIDA FATHER IS BEHIND BARS, AFTER DITCHING HIS BABY ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.

EMPLOYEES AT A DAYTONA BEACH STIRP CLUB AND LIQUIOR STORE TOLD POLICE THE MAN CAME IN WITH HIS MONTHS-OLD BABY.

THEN HE ASKED A CLERK IF SHE COULD HOLD THE BABY WHILE HE WENT OUTSIDE TO SMOKE.

FL MAN LEAVES BABY-SOTVO

He asked her if she could hold the baby for a few minutes, and then we had to go and chase him down to get him to come back into the store to pick up his child. He's severely intoxicated.

POLICE SAY THE MAN THEN LEFT THE STORE WITH THE BABY, WEAVING IN AND OUT OF BUSY TRAFFIC UNTIL HE LAY DOWN ON THE GROUND.

WHEN OFFICERS SHOWED UP, HE TRIED TO HIDE BUT THE BABY GAVE HIM AWAY WHEN HE STARTED TO CRY.

THE FATHER WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH NEGLECT OF A CHILD.

NEW YEAR BABIES-VO

FOR SOME PROUD NEW PARENTS, THEY COULDN'T THINK OF A BETTER PLACE TO BRING IN THE NEW YEAR THAN IN THE HOSPITAL.

THIS IS LEVI CHARLES MERAIS.

A HEALTHY 8-POUND-2-OUNCE BOY.

HE IS THE FIRST BABY BORN IN OUR AREA, AT N-C-H IN NAPLES -- BORN AT 12:35 THIS MORNING.

NEW YEAR BABIES-(2)SOTVO-WIPE

Rachel Merais "It's exciting, it's a lot to take in but it's, the best new year's I've ever had."

Roger Merais "I can't believe how strong he is, he's got vocal cords, his eyes are fantastic, he's so alert and he sleeps like a freekin' rock star, he's awesome."

A HEALTHY BABY GIRL WAS THE FIRST BORN IN LEE COUNTY.

THIS IS MAZIL MORALES, BORN AT GULF COAST MEDICAL CENTER AT 1:32 THIS MORNING.

NEW YEAR BABIES-(2)SOTVO

Cynthia Morales "It's a blessing, it's amazing to have a baby born and the first baby born on new years."

Samuel Morales "It's going to be fun, it's going to be a long journey and just looking at her makes me smile every time."

A BABY BOY WAS THE FIRST NEW YEAR'S BABY IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY.

DANIEL LLOYD OWEN WITH HIS PARENTS TIMOTHY AND ELIZABETH.

NEXT AT 6 OPEN-CLIP

TEASE ONE

MAN OR MOUSE?

GET READY TO TAKE THE PLUNGE.

WHAT'S POSSESSING THESE PEOPLE TO KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH SOME HYPOTHERMIC HYJINX.

TZ1 A) POLAR BEAR PLUNGE-VO

TZ1 B) KEEPING NYE RESOLUTIONS-VO

JP STORMWARN OPEN-CLIP

WEATHER-PWC

NICE WEATHER AGAIN TOMORROW

We are in for another nice, warm day again tomorrow. Winds continue from the south/southeast on Wednesday and that will boost us back into the upper 70's to around 80 in the afternoon. Skies will be partly cloudy this evening with temperatures dropping only to the lower 60's by morning. There could be some fog developing tonight across parts of southwest Florida. As always, use caution in the morning when driving in areas of fog. Rain chances remain less than 10% again on Wednesday.

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE-OC

SO-CALLED POLAR BEARS PLUNGED INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO THIS AFTERNOON.

THEY'RE STARTING THE NEW YEAR WITH SOME GOOSEBUMPS ---

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE-PKG

A CHANT ON THE SHORES OF SANIBEL --- STARTS 2013'S FIRST AFTERNOON WITH A "ROAR."

1757 "We've got the jesters, clown, unicorn vikings."

THE SOUND ECHOES FORTH -- FROM THESE MIGHTY BEASTS.

THEY CALL THEMSELVES "POLAR BEARS" -- BUT THEY'RE BRACING FOR WATER FAR FROM ARTIC TEMPERTAURES.

0843 "It's about 66 degrees so i is kinda of like a sauna polar bear dip."

THE SILLY CREATURES TELL US -- ALL THE CLOWNING AROUND -- KICKS OFF 2013 IN A GREAT WAY.

1940 "What better place to start out year off. What's not to like?"

THEY'RE HUNGRY THIS AFTERNOON -- AND ON THE MENU -- IS A CHILLY RUSH.

0850 "It's a challenge. It will pucker you up a bit."

AND ONCE THE CALL OF THE WILD IS COMPLETE -- THEIR RITUAL BEGINS --

--- BY BACKING INTO THE BLUE WATER.

1401 "with hundreds of polar bears in the Gulf of Mexico, those still on the sand -- mostly Floridians are called mice"

AND IN NO TIME AT ALL -- THEY'RE OUT.

1720 "Yeah man, a little cold."

--- REACHING FOR TOWELS TO WARM UP.

1958 "it was chilly. Goosebumps."

GRATEFUL TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR -- ON THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE.

1900 "Oh, I love it. It's so much fun and quite invigorating… good way to wake yourself up."

KEEPING NYE RESOLUTIONS-VO

KEEPING NYE RESOLUTIONS-SOTVO

COMING UP NEXT OPEN-CLIP

TEASE TWO-POP

MY RESOLUTION. WATCH MORE FOOTBALL. IF THAT'S EVEN POSSIBLE. I'M SO COMMITTED I BEGAN TODAY. WHICH WAS RATHER EASY.

TZ2 SPORTS-VO

WORLD NEWS TEASE-BLK-SOT

TONIGHT AT 7 OPEN-CLIP

TZ 7 1)-VOTOPS-WIPE

TZ 7 2)-VOTOPS

SPORTS OPEN-CLIP

SARAH HANSEN POTW-VOTOPS

CAPITAL ONE BOWL-POPMON

CAPITAL ONE BOWL-VO

WE BEGIN WITH THE CAPITAL ONE BOWL IN ORLANDO. THE BIG 12 SENDING NEBRASKA AGAINST GEORGIA. THE TEAM LEFT OUT OF THE BCS PICTURE.

OUTBACK BOWL-VO

GATOR BOWL-VO

BOWL SCORES-CGFULL

PURDUE GOT CRUSHED BY OKLAHOMA STATE IN THE HEART OF DALLAS BOWL. 58-14.

WATKINS INJURY UPDATE-VO

THE GOOD NEWS LAST NIGHT. CLEMSON BEAT LSU IN THE CHICK FILA BOWL. HE BAD NEWS WAS WATCHING SOUTH FORT MYERS GRAD SAMMY WATKINS GET CARTED OFF THE FIELD WITH AN INJURY.

FSU TONIGHT-POPMON

FSU TONIGHT-VO

GOODBYE-4SHOT