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

HAPPENING RIGHT NOW --

A POPULAR ACTOR AND FILM PRODUCER --

IS HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA --

MEETING WITH OTHER CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS ABOUT A NEARLY DECADE-OLD DISAPPERANCE CASE --

WE'RE LIVE IN NAPLES FOR THAT NEWS CONFERENCE..

PLUS --

QUESTIONS ARE SWARMING ABOUT PRESIDENT OBAMA'S NEW CABINET.

WHERE ARE THE WOMEN?

ABC-7 TAKES YOU TO WASHINGTON --

AND --

THIS "LION" IS GOING *VIRAL THIS MORNING --

OR IS IT REALLY A LION?

HL1) TYLER PERRY SWFL-VO

HL2) CABINET QUESTIONS-VO-WIPE

HL3) DOG LION LOOKALIKE-VOTOPS

WX HL-WX WALL

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TOSS TO DANIELLE-2SHOT

WE BEGIN AT NINE A-M WITH A LOCAL CASE.

NOW GETTING NATIONAL ATTENTION.

TWO COLLIER COUNTY MEN VANISHED NEARLY A DECADE AGO.

BUT TODAY, FAMILY MEMBERS WILL GET SOME HELP.

IN THEIR SEARCH FOR ANSWERS.

HAPPENING IN 90 MINUTES --

SOME *BIG NAMES SPEAK OUT IN SOUTWEST FLORIDA.

ABC7'S DANIELLE KOLENIAK JOINS US LIVE.

TYLER PERRY SWFL-REMLIVE

IN LESS THAN 5/4 HOURS TYLER PERRY, REV. AL SHARPTON, PRESIDENT OF THE NAACP AND COLLIER COUNTY SHERIFF KEVIN RAMBOSK WILL ALL BE RIGHT HERE-- THEY ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT IN TAKING STEPS TOWARDS THE MISSING PERSON INVESTIGATIONS OF TERRANCE WILLIAMS AN FELIPE SANTOS.

VO

WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS CASE FOR 8 YEARS WHEN WILLIAMS AND SANTOS WENT MISSING AFTER ENCOUNTERING COLLIER COUNTY DEPUTY STEVEN CALKINS.

CALKINS IS NO LONGER WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE-- HE WAS FIRED WHEN HE BECAME UNCOOPERATIVE WITH INVESTIGATORS.

take live

TODAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE WILL START AT 10:30.

WE'RE TOLD, THE OVERALL PURPOSE IS MAKING A CALL FOR NATIONAL ATTENTION AND *ACTION IN THIS CASE.

COUNT ON NBC-2 FOR CONTINUING INFORMATION ON THIS PRESS CONFERENCE AND DEVELOPING STORY.

DEADLY FLU OUTBREAK-2SHOT

TURNING TO THE LATEST ON THE DEADLY FLU OUTBREAK --

RIGHT NOW -- PEOPLE ARE FLOODING CLINICS AND EMERGENCY ROOMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SOME ARE EVEN FACING A 24-HOUR WAIT.

THIS MORNING -- BOSTON HAS DECLARED A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

DEADLY FLU OUTBREAK-PKG

DEADLY FLU OUTBREAK-OC

LINSEY DAVIS REPORTING --

BIDEN GUN CONTROL-OTS-SOTVO

THE GUN CONTROL DEBATE CONTINUES IN WASHINGTON TODAY.

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WILL MEET WITH THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

AND OTHER GUN-RIGHTS ADVOCACY GROUPS.

WEDNEDAY -- BIDEN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION IS *DETERMINED TO TAKE ACTION.

"I want to make clear that we're not going to get caught up in the notion that, unless we can do everything, were going to do nothing its critically important we act.

WHITE HOUSE SOURCES SAY --

THE PRESIDENT IS CONSIDERING EXPANDING BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR GUN PURCHASES.

HE ALSO CALLED FOR RE-INSTATING A BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS.

BIDEN GUN CONTROL-SOTVO

"Without an act of Congress, without any help from the legislature, there isn't really THAT much that the executive branch can do.

ALSO JOINING THE GUN-CONTROL DEBATE TODAY --

WALMART.

WHICH IS THE NATION'S LARGEST GUN RETAILER.

THE RETAIL GIANT HAD *ORIGINALLY SAID THE COMPANY COULD *NOT ATTEND

WE'LL HAVE ALL THE DETAILS OF TODAY'S MEETING--

FMPD COMMUNITY POLICING-SOTVO

BACK HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA --

FORT MYERS POLICE CHIEF -- DOUG BAKER -- IS UNVEILING NEW TACTICS TO PREVENT VIOLENT GUN CRIMES.

INCLUDING, MORE COMMUNITY POLICING.

1:34:25 obviously the officers can't be everywhere at once so it's important that we receive that informational info from the tips from the community 32

THE CHIEF ALSO HAS A NEW PLAN TO FORCE CONVICTED FELONS -- WHO USED GUNS IN THEIR CRIMES --

TO REGISTER WITH POLICE, ONCE THEY'RE OUT OF JAIL.

CHIEF BAKER HOMICIDES-OC-SOT-SS

THE FORT MYERS POLICE CHIEF REACHES OUT --

TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF MURDER VICTIMS.

"We have not forgotten our victims or the victims family regardless of the criminal history or what the association or motive is of those homicides those violent crimes."

WE TALKED TO CHIEF DOUG BAKER,

AFTER THE FIRST HOMICIDE IN FORT MYERS THIS YEAR.

27 YEAR OLD KRISTOPHER SMITH --

WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN FRONT OF HIS SON'S SCHOOL MONDAY.

NEW THIS MORNING-CLIP - NEW THIS MORNING

SANDUSKY IN COURT-VO-TRX

NEW THIS MORNING --

CONVICTED CHILD SEX OFFENDER JERRY SANDUSKY -- APPEARS IN COURT TODAY.

THE FORMER PENN STATE ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH -- IS EXPECTED TO ATTEND TODAY'S HEARING, IN PENNSYLVANIA.

THE ISSUE -- WHETHER HIS ATTORNEYS HAD ENOUGH TIME TO PREPARE FOR TRIAL

LAWYERS ARGUE -- THEY WERE OVERWHELMED WITH PROSECUTION MATERIALS.

AIR TRAVEL REPORT-VOTOPS

ALSO HAPPENING TODAY --

THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION -- IS EXPECTED TO RELEASE JANUARY'S AIR TRAVEL REPORT.

DEVELOPING-CLIP-DEVELOPING

MOTORCYCLE CRASH-VO

DEVELOPING THIS MORNING IN LEHIGH ACRES.

A MAN IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION --

AFTER A SERIOUS MOTORCYCLE CRASH.

IT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT,

AT ALABAMA ROAD AND NAVAJO AVENUE.

DEPUTIES TELL US THE MOTORCYCLE CLIPPED THE BACK OF A CAR.

AND THE MOTORCYCLIST FLEW ONTO THE PAVEMENT.

WITNESSES SAY THE DRIVER JUMPED OUT TO HELP THE MAN.

HE SHOUTED AND TRIED TO STOP TRAFFIC.

MOTORCYCLE CRASH-SOTVO

Lorena Mendoza Lives Nearby "Right next to the motorcycle you could see the body and then like you see all the people trying to help him but then all of sudden you see this car coming and you see everyone yelling trying to tell him to stop."

THE LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS --

THE DRIVER OF THE MOTORCYCLE IS STILL AT LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL THIS MORNING.

WE'LL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON HIS CONDITION.

THAT ROAD WAS SHUT DOWN FOR HOURS --

GGE TEMP BRIDGE-SOTVO

A COLLIER COUNTY COMMUNITY IS OUTRAGED --

THEY SAY A TEMPORARY BRIDGE --- IS CAUSING *MAJOR PROBLEMS IN GOLDEN GATE ESTATES.

Dr. Fritz Lemoine/Golden Gate Estates

"One of the big issues is we've said from the beginning that the street was barely big enough for one car."

THE RESIDENTS WERE FURIOUS WHEN TRASH DAY WENT HAYWIRE.

TRASH CANS ARE DESTROYED -- MAILBOXES RIPPED FROM THE GROUND.

TRAFFIC IS BEING RE-ROUTED THERE-- WHILE CREWS WORK ON A $1.9 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT -- TO REBUILD THE WHITE BOULEVARD BRIDGE.

THE COUNTY INSTALLED SIGNS AND SPEED BUMPS.

GGE FIRE LEADERSHIP-SS-SOTTOPS

NEW AT 11--

THE GOLDEN GATE FIRE CHIEF IS ASKING IF HE CAN QUIT HIS JOB BEFORE HIS CONTRACT IS UP.

CHIEF ROBERT METZGER SAYS IT WILL SAVE THE DISTRICT 59-HUNDRED DOLLARS, PLUS PENSION COSTS.

METZGER HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED HE'S LEAVING FOR A NEW JOB IN CALIFORNIA.

HIS DEPARTURE HAS LEFT THE DISTRICT WONDERING WHO WILL BECOME INTERIM CHIEF.

TYPICALLY--THE ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF WOULD BECOME INTERIM.

THAT WAS NOLAN SAPP, THE CURRENT ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF IN GOLDEN GATE.

AUTOMATIC FL VOTER REGISTRATION-OC

NEW THIS MORNING --

A NEW BILL WOULD AUTOMATICALLY REGISTER FLORIDIANS TO VOTE.

WHEN THEY APPLY FOR OR RENEW THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE.

UNDER THE BILL--

PEOPLE WHO DID NOT WANT TO REGISTER TO VOTE, WOULD NOT HAVE TO.

THEY COULD OPT OUT.

THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL CLAIMS THE PROCESS WOULD EASE RECENT CONTROVERSY --

LABOR SECRETARY RESIGNS-VO

MORE CHANGES IN PRESIDENT OBAMA'S CABINET.AS LABOR SECRETARY HILDA SOLIS -- ANNOUNCES SHE'S STEPPING DOWN.

SOLIS -- FORMERLY A CALIFORNIA CONGRESSWOMAN.SAYS SHE MADE THE DECISION TO RESIGN AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH HER FAMILY OVER THE HOLIDAYS.

AFGHAN PRESIDENT WASHINGTON-VOTOPS

AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI.

IS IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK.

YESTERDAY, HE MET WITH SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL.

KARZAI'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON WILL COVER TROOP PRESENCE.

FOLLOWING THE PLANNED WITHDRAWAL OF AMERICAN COMBAT FORCES IN 2014.

ALONG WITH NEGOTIATING AN END TO THE WAR.

TEASE ONE-VOTOPS

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

TABLET SURGE --

MOVE OVER LAPTOPS --

THERE'S A NEW BOSS IN TOWN --

ABC-7 SHOWS YOU THE MAJOR TREND -- THIS YEAR.

PLUS --

MONOPOLY MADNESS --

YOUR FAVORITE GAME PIECES COULD BE ON THE WAY OUT --

WE'LL SHOW YOU WHICH ONES ARE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK --

TZ1 TABLET SURGE-VOTOPS-TRX

TZ1 NEW MONOPOLY-VOTOPS

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

BLOOMBERG TEASE-SOT

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT-PKG TOPS

LOUISIANA FLOODING-VOTOPS

FLOODED STREETS --

IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA.

INTENSE RAIN STORMS SWAMPED THIS AREA.

AND SEVERAL SCHOOLS CANCELED CLASSES TODAY.

SOME PEOPLE ARE TRAPPED INSIDE THEIR HOMES.

STORMWARN GENERIC CLIP-CLIP

CROSSTALK INTO WX-CAM 9 WX EST

FORECAST-WXWALL

RECORD HEAT CONTINUES

We broke the record yesterday with a high of 88 degrees. The old record was 85 set back in 1974. That 88 also ties the all time warmest day in January.

This morning is starting off warm and through the day, we will be hot again. We'll see partly cloudy skies with only the small chance for a stray shower to come across our skies. High pressure keeps all of the big storms and cold fronts away from our area for at least the next week. It also means that southeasterly breeze will continue to send in warm, humid air. We will stay about 10 degrees above normal for the next few days. In fact, we'll be right around the record high of 86 degrees this afternoon and could tie or break that record. Through the next 7 day we'll stay warm with no good rain chances coming our way.

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

New Row 1 Ramzey Smith

We're following breaking news out of Dallas where crews are working a 4-alarm apartment fire. We're told evacuations of residents are underway. It's happening in the 3200 block of Chapel Creek Drive. No word yet on any injuries or what caused the fire to start.

DALLAS - Dallas firefighters are battling a four-alarm fire at an apartment complex just north of Bachman Lake.

The fire at the Courtney Place Apartments at 3210 Chapel Creek Drive broke out around 7 a.m.

BAMBOOZLED CONSUMERS-VIDBOX-VO

SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE RETAILERS ARE PAYING A HEFTY FINE, THIS MORNING --

FOR FALSE ADVERTISING.

AMAZON --

MACY'S --

SEARS --

AND LEON MAX -- HAVE AGREED TO PAY MORE THAN $1-POINT-25-MILLION DOLLARS IN PENTALTIES.

THIS WILL SETLLE FEDERAL CHARGES -- OF FASELY LABELING AND ADVERTISING PRODUCTS MADE OF ECO-FRIENDLY BAMBOO FIBERS.

MICROSOFT LICENSES-VO

GOOD NEWS FOR MICROSOFT THIS MORNING.

THE COMPANY HAS SOLD 60-MILLION LICENSE AND UPGRADES --

FOR IT'S NEW WINDOWS EIGHT OPERATING SYSTEM.

ACCORDING TO TOP COMPANY EXECUTIES --

THOSE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN RECORDED,

SINCE THE SYSTEM'S LAUNCH IN OCTOBER.

THIS MEANS SALES OF WINDOWS 8 ARE "IN LINE"--

WITH THOSE OF WINDOWS 7.

WINDOWS MESSENGER-VOTOPS

MEANWHILE -- MICROSOFT MAKES SOME CHANGES.

AND IT WILL LIKELY AFFECT MORE THAN 100-MILLION USERS.

MICROSOFT WINDOWS "LIVE MESSENGER" IS BEING SHUT DOWN.

AND THE COMPANY IS REFERRING USERS TO SKYPE.

IT'S THE FIRST CHANGE CUSTOMERS WILL SEE.

SINCE MICROSOFT BOUGHT SKYPE BACK IN 2011.

TABLETS PURCHASES SURGE-VO

TABLET SALES ARE SURGING.

THIS YEAR -- TABLET SALES ARE PROJECTED TO OUTPACE LAPTOPS -- BY MORE THAN 30-MILLION UNITS.

DIFFERENT SIZE SCREENS ARE A BIG DRAW FOR BUYERS.

NEW MONOPOLY-VO

CHANGES ARE COMING TO THE CLASSIC GAME OF MONOPOLY.

THOSE FAMOUS TOKENS -- ARE BEING REPLACED.

NOW -- HASBRO IS TURNING TO FACEBOOK TO DECIDE WHICH GAME PIECES ARE GETTING THE BOOT.

PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO VOTE ON WHICH TOKEN THEY'D LIKE TO SEE, SAVED.

THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME HASBRO HAS KICKED SOME TOKENS TO THE CURB.

PRETZEL BURGER-VO

WE HEAR WENDY'S IS TESTING A PRETZEL BURGER.

SELECT WENDY'S LOCATIONS HAVE STARTED SELLING A BACON CHEESEBURGER --

WITH A SLIGHTLY HEARTIER, PRETZEL-LIKE BUN.

BUT A SPOKESPERSON WOULD NOT COMMENT ON THE TEST,

OR PROVIDE ANY DETAILS.

IN THE PAST -- WENDY'S EXECS HAVE SAID THEY PLAN TO USE BETTER BREAD.

THE BURGER WAS SPOTTED AT A WENDY'S IN MIAMI.

COST OF BEING SINGLE-VOTOPS

A NEW SURVEY REVEALS THE COST AND FINANCIAL FEELING.

OF BEING SINGLE.

MORE THAN 42 PERCENT OF SINGLE U-S ADULTS --

REPORTED THEY FEEL MORE FINANCIALLY STRAINED THAN THEIR MARRIED PEERS.

MORE THAN HALF SAID THEY FEEL THEY PAY MORE IN FEDERAL INCOME TAXES.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES --

TEASE TWO-VOTOPS

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

AMERICA'S HEALTH IS ON THE DECLINE --

AND AS A NATION -- THE NUMBERS DO *NOT LOOK GOOD.

ABC-7 SHOWS YOU WHY WE'RE TRAILING OTHER COUNTRIES.

AND --

We are years away from prevention but very promising steps are being taken

THERE COULD BE A BREAKTHROUGH IN THE WORKS FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER --

TZ2 US HEALTH-VOTOPS

TZ2 CANCER VACCINE-SOTVO

clip breaking

breaking

OLD BRIDGE, N.J. - Emergency squads in New Jersey are on the scene of a crash involving a mini school bus and a commuter bus.

An assistant for the Old Bridge school district says it's believed no students were injured in the crash on Route 9.

TV footage shows the Academy Bus slammed into a tree. A branch is protruding through the roof of the vehicle.

The school bus is on its side.

CANCER VACCINE-POP

BRAND NEW IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER ---

RESEARCHERS ARE DEVELOPING A *VACCINE.

SO YOUNG KIDS COULD ONE DAY GET A SHOT.

TO POSSIBLY PREVENT CHILDHOOD CANCERS.

CANCER VACCINE-PKG

"We are years away from prevention but very promising steps are being taken in the lab - my lab."

PREVENTION IN THE FORM OF A VACCINE. DR. CAMERON TEBBI IS THE CHIEF OF PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND TREATS CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND BLOOD DISORDERS.

DR. TEBBI IS ALSO ON THE FOREFRONT OF RESEARCH INTO CANCERS AFFECTING CHILDREN AND SAYS WHILE FIGHTING FOR A CURE - HE'S MAKING GREAT STRIDES IN PREVENTION.

"We are working on a protein the lab that has the potential of identifying those who have a tendency to come with Leukemia, and hopefully one day there will be a prevention."

13 YEAR OLD CONNER HERNANDEZ IS ONE OF DR. TEBBI'S PATIENTS. WITH NO CURE FOR ADVANCED LEUKEMIA IN SIGHT. TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE OVER FOR YOUNG CONNER.

THE CHEMO IS JUST TOO HARSH ON HIS ORGANS.

NOW HIS MOTHER CAN ONLY HOPE THAT OTHER CHILDREN CAN BENEFIT FROM DR. TEBBI'S RESEARCH.

"Thank goodness because of the research are doing - there are still children passing."

BY THE WAY, CONNER WAS TAKEN OFF CHEMO BACK IN DECEMBER 2010 AND GIVEN ONLY MONTHS TO LIVE.

CANCER VACCINE-POP

GAYLE GUYARDO REPORTING.

RESEARCH SHOWS -- CHILDHOOD CANER IS VERY RARE.

HERE IN THE U-S --

IT ACCOUNTS FOR LESS THAN ONE-PERCENT OF ALL NEW CANCER CASES.

BUT CANCER IS THE *SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH --

US HEALTH-VO

ALARMING NEW NUMBERS THIS MORNING --

SHOWING THAT AMERICANS DIE SOONER AND HAVE HIGHER RATES OF DISEASE ---- COMPARED TO PEOPLE LIVING IN SIMILAR COUNTRIES.

THE INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE FINDS -- THE ISSUE OCCURS BETWEEN BIRTH AND THE AGE OF 75.

OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE ARE BIG PROBLEMS.

SICKLE CELL RESEARCH-VOTOPS

MEANWHILE -

MISSHAPEN RED BLOOD CELLS -- MAY BE USED TO HELP FIGHT CANCER.

RESEARCHERS ARE DEVELOPING A WAY TO TARGET SPECIFIC TUMORS IN MICE AND BLOCK BLOOD VESSELS AROUND THEM -- WITH THE SICKLE-SHAPED CELLS.

TEASE THREE-VO

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

AHEAD IN OUR NEXT HALF HOUR --

I heard a gunshot and ringing in this ear and then I heard another gunshot I

remember falling but I don't remember how I fell.

A FLORIDA WOMAN IS LUCKY TO BE ALIVE, THIS MORNING

ABC-7 GIVES YOU ALL THE DETAILS OF THE HORRIFIC ACCOUNT.

PLUS --

GUN BUST --

A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF GUNS -- SEIZED --

AND THIS COMES AMID A GROWING NATIONAL GUN DEBATE.

TZ3 HOTEL CLERK SHOT-TRX-SOTVO

TZ3 CHICAGO GUN BUST-VO

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIP

NY STOCK EXCHANGE OPEN-SAT 3 TOPS

ABC SEVEN GOES LIVE TO THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.

U.S. markets point to a second day of gains. as strong Chinese export data. and solid corporate earnings give investors a boost.

Ahead of the bell, all three indexes are higher.

Also happening today. A new report on jobless claims.

TS1) FLU OUTBREAK-VOTOPS

THE FLU HAS GONE FROM A SEASONAL COLD --

TO A NATIONWIDE EPIDEMIC.

RIGHT NOW -- 18 CHILDREN HAVE DIED.

AND PEOPLE ARE FLOODING CLINICS AND EMERGENCY ROOMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SOME EVEN FACE A 24-HOUR WAIT.

TS2) SANDUSKY IN COURT-VOTOPS

TS3) COMMUNITY POLICING-VOTOPS

clip breaking

breaking

OLD BRIDGE, N.J. - Emergency squads in New Jersey are on the scene of a crash involving a mini school bus and a commuter bus.

An assistant for the Old Bridge school district says it's believed no students were injured in the crash on Route 9.

TV footage shows the Academy Bus slammed into a tree. A branch is protruding through the roof of the vehicle.

The school bus is on its side.

NEW TREASURY SECRETARY-2SHOT

HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON --

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FIRMS UP HIS TEAM FOR THE SECOND TERM.

THIS AFTERNOON, HE'LL ANNOUNCE WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF JACK LEW.

AS HIS PICK FOR TREASURY SECRETARY.

BUT THAT MEANS *ALL OF THE PREMIER CABINET POSITIONS.

WILL BE HELD BY MEN.

NEW TREASURY SECRETARY-PKG

TODAY IT'S JACK LEW FOR TREASURY SECRETARY EARLIER THIS WEEK CHUCK HAGEL

FOR DEFENSE AND JOHN BRENNAN FOR CIA.

OBAMA SOT: I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THESE TWO GENTLEMEN.

AND BEFORE THAT: JOHN KERRY FOR SECRETARY OF STATE. FOUR TOP APPOINTMENTS

SINCE THE ELECTION, FOUR MEN

GRAPHIC - OVAL OFFICE STILL

AND THEN THIS: THE NEW YORK TIMES PUBLISHED THIS WH PHOTOGRAPH WEDNESDAY

SHOWING THE PRESIDENT SPEAKING WITH TOP ADVISORS IN THE OVAL OFFICE -- 10

PEOPLE VISIBLE, ALL MEN.

AND LATE WEDNESDAY, LABOR SECRETARY HILDA SOLIS ANNOUNCED SHE IS LEAVING -

THE THIRD WOMEN IN THE CABINET HEADING FOR THE EXITS.

GFX W/ MAD MEN THEME MUSIC

ALL THIS PROMPTED ONE WASHINGTON POST COLUMNIST RUTH MARCUS TO QUIP "IT'S

MAD MEN GOES TO WASHINGTON - EXCEPT PEGGY'S LEAVING."

MAD MEN NATS: IT'S TIME FOR ME TO MOVE ON

THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS SUCH CRITICISM IS WAY OFF-BASE:

CARNEY SOT: WOMEN SERVE IN KEY POLICY ROLES HERE WITHIN THE WHITE HOUSE, AS

THEY DO THROUGHOUT THE ADMINISTRATION.

AND AS THAT ALL-MALE PHOTO HIT THE NY TIMES, THE WHITE HOUSE RELEASED THIS

PHOTO OF THE DAY - WITH A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT LOOK.

OVERALL, ABOUT 43 PERCENT OF THE PRESIDENT'S APPOINTEES HAVE BEEN WOMEN -

CONSIDERABLY MORE THAN PRESIDENT BUSH. AND PRESIDENT OBAMA CHOSE WOMEN FOR

ARGUABLY HIS TWO MOST IMPORTANT NOMINEES - TO THE SUPREME COURT

SOON THE PRESIDENT WILL HAVE TO REPLACE JACK LEW AS CHIEF OF STAFF, HIS TOP

NEW TREASURY SECRETARY-OC

JON KARL REPORTING.

MEANTIME -- POTENTIAL DEFENSE SECRETARY CHUCK HAGEL.

MEELS WITH TOP MILITARY AND DEFENSE LEADERS THIS WEEK.

NEW THIS MORNING-CLIP - NEW THIS MORNING

CHICAGO GUN BUST-OTS-SOTVO

NEW THIS MORNING --

CHICAGO POLICE TEAMED UP WITH THE D-E-A --

SEIZING MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS IN GUNS -- PLUS FOUR KILOS OF COCAINE AND HEROIN.

IN THE SWEEP, THEY GOT A LOADED AK-47 ASSAULT RIFLE -- WITH A 100-ROUND DRUM MAGAZINE.

S/ Jack Riley/ Drug Enforcement Administration:12

"I know you don't hunt deer and turkey with that AK-47. I know that that handgun there was produced to do one thing and that's to kill humans."

THIS ALL COMES AS VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN CONTINUES GUN CONTROL TALKS, IN WASHINGTON TODAY.

DEVELOPING-CLIP-DEVELOPING

SWFL RECORD HIGH?-OTS-OC

DEVELOPING RIGHT NOW --

HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

WE HEADED TOWARDS DAY TWO OF RECORD HIGHS?

TEMPERATURES ARE STEAMING UP --

AND IT'S ONLY JANUARY.

NATIONALLY, WEATHER EXPERTS SAY --

LAKE MICHIGAN TROUBLE-VO

AND WEATHER EXPERTS ALSO BLAME THOSE RECORD BREAKING TEMPERATURES --

ON THE LOW WATER LEVELS IN LAKE MICHIGAN

SCIENTISTS SAY --

THE FAMED LAKE COULD BE IN DEEP TROUBLE.

BARGE TRAFFIC HAS NEARLY COME TO A STAND STILL.

AFFECTING THE TRANSPORT OF PETROLEUM, STEEL AND OTHER PRODUCTS.

THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS IS BUSY KNOCKING DOWN ROCK PENTACLES IN THE AREA --

LAKE MICHIGAN TROUBLE-SOT

"We maintain to a certain project depth and now we're two feet below the long term average on Lake Michigan and Huron. So ships are having to load two feet less than they would normally."

THE SLOW DOWN COSTS HAULING COMPANIES MONEY.

WHICH CARRIES OVER TO YOU -- THE CONSUMERS.

AND WITH UNSEASONABLY WARM WEATHER EXPECTED --

OREGON BUS CRASH FOLO-VO

ATTORNEYS FOR THE CANADIAN BUS COMPANY INVOLVED IN A DEADLY CRASH LAST MONTH -- SAY BLACK ICE PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE.

NINE PASSENGERS DIED WHEN THAT BUS SLID OFF AN OREGON INTERSTATE -- INTO A DITCH.

39 OTHERS WERE INJURED -- INCLUDING THE DRIVER.

OREGON BUS CRASH FOLO-SOTVO

Mr. Hwang was in good health and he does not use alcohol or tobacco. There is no evidence to suggest that alcohol or drugs played any role in this accident. With respect to Mi Joo tours, they have no prior history of bus accidents involving passenger injury or injury to other members of the public.

YESTERDAY -- FEDERAL AUTHORITIES BARRED THE COMPANY FROM OPERATING IN THE U-S ---- SAYING THE DRIVER WORKED 22 HOURS MORE THAT WEEK ---- THAN THE 70 ALLOWED.

FL MAN TRUCK DRAGGING-SOTVO

THIS MORNING -- A 54-YEAR-OLD CENTRAL FLORIDA MAN IS LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.

HE WAS DRAGGED HALF-A-MILE BEHIND A PICK-UP TRUCK!

DETECTIVES SAY --

HIS EX-WIFE AND HER BROTHER WERE BEHIND THE MURBER PLOT.

LUCKILY -- THE MAN ESCAPED TO A NEIGHBOR'S HOME.

He had no pants on, his underwear, that's all he was in and a T-shirt. His underwear was completely shredded, his back was bleeding. The back of his thighs were all bleeding."

DEPUTIES ARRESTED JEANETTE MORRIS AND HAROLD ANDERSON.

SHE TOLD DEPUTIES SHE WAS *UPSET --

BECAUSE HER EX HUSBAND HAD WOMAN AT HIS HOME WHILE SHE WAS AWAY.

SHE CLAIMED --

FL MAN TRUCK DRAGGING-SOTVO

"He had a bunch of little twine you would get off hay balEs, I know about hay bales and it's the same rope they wrap hay bales with."

"I didn't think it was like that. That's rare out here."

YOU CAN STILL SEE MARKS --

FROM WHERE THEY DRAGGED HIM DOWN THE DIRT.

BOTH SUSPECTS ARE CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER.

FL HOTEL CLERK SHOT-TRX-SOTVO

"It scared them. They don't want to lose their mom, who does?"

I was meant to die the

DOCTORS FOR SHANNA BOROWICH SAY -- IT'S A MIRACLE NOT ONLY THAT SHE'S ALIVE -- AFTER SURVIVING *TWO BULLETS TO THE HEAD.

IT ALL HAPPENED WHILE SHE WAS WORKING THE OVERNIGHT SHIFT AT A TAMPA HOTEL.

SHE GOT A CALL FROM DEPUTIES -- SAYING A MAN WAS CAUGHT ON SURVEILLANCE - PRETENDING TO BE A GUEST COMPLAINING OF LOUD NOISE.

FL HOTEL CLERK SHOT-SOTVO

I came back lock the door

Turning around and There he wast

HE THEN TOOK HER TO A WOODED AREA -- AND SHOT HER FROM BEHIND.

SHE managed to get TO THE front door.

FL BABY SHOT FOLO-OC

THIS MORNING --

A FLORIDA BABY IS IN HER NEW HOME,

AFTER SHE WAS SHOT WHILE IN HER MOTHER'S WOMB.

BABY SKYLER'S MOM WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD AND STOMACH IN DECEMBER.

IT HAPPENED OUTSIDE OF A CONVENIENCE STORE IN MIAMI.

A BULLET HIT SKYLER'S ARM.

AND DOCTOR'S HAD TO DELIVER HER MORE THAN A MONTH EARLY.

THE MOTHER IS STILL RECOVERING.

FL BABY SHOT FOLO-SOTVO

A lot of pictures, showing her pictures and stuff, but she hasn't gotten to see her. So. yeah, she hasn't seen her at all. So it's kind of a bitter, sad thing, you know what I mean

BABY SKYLER WILL WEAR A CAST ON HER ARM FOR A FEW MORE WEEKS --

SWFL RED TIDE-OTS-OC

RIGHT NOW --

RED TIDE IS STILL AFFECTING PARTS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

AN ALGAE BLOOM EXTENDS ALONG -- CHARLOTTE, LEE AND COLLIER COUNTIES.

PARTS OF COLLIER COUNTY HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST LEVELS.

BIG MARCO PASS AND CAXAMBAS PASS -- BOTH HAVE MEDIUM LEVELS, WHICH CAN CAUSE RESPIRATORY IRRITATION.

FORK MONITOR-OC

NOW TO A NEW WAY TO HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT!

THAT'S GETTING A LOT OF BUZZ.

A SPECIAL FORK CAN ACTUALLY TRACK YOUR EATING HABITS.

AND HELP YOU CUT CALORIES.

ABC'S ABBIE BOUDREAU REPORTS FROM THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW IN LAS VEGAS.

SHE SHOWS US THE HAPPY-FORK.

FORK MONITOR-PKG

SCRIPT:

On the hunt to find some of the coolest new gadgets at this year's consumer

electronics show.

From gangnum style vibrating exercise machines

To futuristic head massagers.

But what's that one product that really stands out.

Meet Hapifork.

22:52:29 The goal is to help people become more conscience of their eating

habits

It's being called the future of forks.A "Smart fork" that tracks how many

bites you take.and vibrates if you eat too fast.

23:14:23 - MOS its worth a try

22:41:18 MOS I think it's a very interesting idea

MOS - I think its wonderful

23:21:40

Abbie: so you're saying this fork can help you lose weight

Renee Blodgett/ Hapifork: so the idea is that we all eat too fast so eating

with the fork if you eat to fast it gives you a gentle vibration and a

reminder to simply slow it down

GFX-Hapifork'S INVENTORS SAY using IT can ACTUALLY help cut calories by 11

percent.HELP combat diabetes.and trains you over time to eat slower.

Nutritionists recommend taking a full 20 minutes for each meal.

SOT DR. Jennifer Ashton / ABC NEWS SR medical Contributor

19:39:10. People tend to eat quickly and when you eat too quickly there s a

risk of overeating

23:05:21

Stand up -Nat: Abbie: so does it really work? I'm gonna test it out here on

the convention floor, to put this fat fighting fork to the test.

A quick trip through the food court.

23:08:46

Nat: thanks

And Bon appetite!

23:35:07 Nat.if I take more than one bite in 10 seconds than this should

vibrate and tell me I am eating way too fast. So lets see.

Graphic Clock. Woah! Just vibrated.

23:36:01

FORK MONITOR-OC

THAT WAS ABBIE BOUDREAU REPORTING.

THE SMART-FORK COMES IN FIVE DIFFERENT COLORS.

AND YOU CAN ALSO GET A HAPI-*SPOON.

BUT IT'S EXPENSIVE.

TRAFFIC ALERT

TRAFFIC ALERT IN LEE COUNTY.

U-S 41 IS CLOSED IN *BOTH DIRECTIONS --

BETWEEN COLLEGE PKG AND BRANTLEY RD.

FOR DRIVERS HEADING SOUTH ON 41 -

GET OFF AT BRANTLEY TO GET TO SUMMERLIN

FOR DRIVERS HEADING NORTH ON 41 - USE WOODLAND BLVD.

LCSO IS DOING TRAFFIC CONTROL.

TEASE FOUR-2-SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

TZ4 LION DOG-SOTVO

TZ4 IN CRAWL SPACE-TRX-SOTVO

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

BUS CRASU-SAT LIVE

BRIDGE, N.J. - Emergency squads in New Jersey are on the scene of a crash involving a mini school bus and a commuter bus.

An assistant for the Old Bridge school district says it's believed no students were injured in the crash on Route 9.

TV footage shows the Academy Bus slammed into a tree. A branch is protruding through the roof of the vehicle.

The school bus is on its side.

STORM WARN GENERIC CLIP-i

CROSSTALK-CAM 9 WX EST

FORECAST-WX WALL

RECORD HEAT CONTINUES

We broke the record yesterday with a high of 88 degrees. The old record was 85 set back in 1974. That 88 also ties the all time warmest day in January.

This morning is starting off warm and through the day, we will be hot again. We'll see partly cloudy skies with only the small chance for a stray shower to come across our skies. High pressure keeps all of the big storms and cold fronts away from our area for at least the next week. It also means that southeasterly breeze will continue to send in warm, humid air. We will stay about 10 degrees above normal for the next few days. In fact, we'll be right around the record high of 86 degrees this afternoon and could tie or break that record. Through the next 7 day we'll stay warm with no good rain chances coming our way.

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

DOG LION LOOKALIKE-2SHOT

THIS NEXT STORY IS GOING *VIRAL, THIS MORNING.

RESIDENTS IN A VIRGINIA NEIGHBORHOOD -- GOT A SCARE!

THEY CALLED 911 AFTER SPOTTING A LION -- WALKING BY THEIR HOMES!

BUT AS ANNE MCNAMARA REPORTS --

THE WHOLE THING WAS A BIG MISUNDERSTANDING --

DOG LION LOOKALIKE-PKG

"911 what's your emergency?"

"I'm driving down the street right before the zoo and there's a lion that ran across the street, a baby lion."

911 calls about a lion loose near the Virginia Zoo.quickly came to the attention of the zoo director.

"At first we all looked at each other like could it be?"

Workers rushed to see if Zola and Mramba escaped. The sleeping cats hadn't moved a muscle.

"and immediately i knew the other lion in town."

"we call him our lab a lion"

When you see the face that caused all that fear, you can't help but laugh. at the labradoodle they call "Charles the Monarch."

"I bought him as a puppy. my daughter was going to ODU as a freshman and their mascot is a lion but when he grew as a puppy his fur just blew out."

And that's when owner Daniel Painter got the idea. to shave Charlie's fur and dye some of it a darker color. The goal to make the dog more popular at ODU tailgates.

"Now he turned into so much of a celebrity that its her dog again and im fine with that too"

"come home. awwww"

So the next time you see a lion on Granby Street or Colley Ave, remember, if it looks like a lion,

and it hunts like a lion.

It's probably just a dog with a funny looking haircut.

DOG LION LOOKALIKE-ONCAM

CHARLIE'S OWNERS SAY --

HE HAS HAD THE SAME HAIRCUT FOR *YEARS.

GOOD SAMARITAN-VO

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A GOOD SAMARITAN --

A LEE COUNTY MAN -- SPRINGS INTO ACTION --

AFTER SEEING A WOMAN BEING ROBBED. AS SHE WALKED DOWN PALM BEACH BOULEVARD.

DAVID MCNEAL WAS DRIVING HOME YESTERDAY MORNING -- WHEN HE SPOTTED A MAN RIP A PURSE FROM A WOMAN'S ARM --- AND TAKE OFF ON A BICYCLE.

HE QUICKLY TURNED OFF PALM BEACH BOULEVARD -- AND BEGAN CHASING HIM IN HIS CAR.

GOOD SAMARITAN-SOTVO

3:07 "he tried to run- told me let me go, let me go and i said no man- you just robbed a lady and i saw everything and i'm going to hold you until the cops get here."

LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES ARRIVED, SHORTLY AFTER -- AND ARRESTED DOMINIC GRIFFITHS- A HOMELESS MAN.

MIAMI MAN AWARDED GIVES BACK PACKAGE-SOT VO

HERE'S ANOTHER RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS --

A SOUTH FLORIDA MAN RETURNS A BAG *FULL OF VALUABLES.

I look over and see the package. It was a folder and I picked it up. I open it and it's an iPad and an envelope. I look in it and there was money. I close it right back.

THAT'S PATRICK MORGAN.

HIS CLEANING COMPANY WAS WORKING AT THE FORT LAUDERDALE AIRPORT.

AND THEY FOUND A PACKAGE ---

WITH AN IPAD AND 13-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN CASH.

MOMENTS LATER HE SPOTTED A MAN RUNNING --

MIAMI MAN AWARDED GIVES BACK PACKAGE-SOT VO

I just took off and I probably covered the 12 minute walk in about a 2-and-a half minute run.

I told him don't worry, it's okay. I feel good about it you know, knowing that I found it and he can come and claim it.

MORGAN ACCEPTED A LETTER OF APPRECIATION YESTERDAY --

IN CRAWL SPACE-OC

HAVE YOU EVER GOTTEN A CREEPY FEELING -- IN YOUR HOME -- LIKE SOMEONE'S THERE?

THAT'S THE CASE --- FOR ONE RETIRED CAREGIVER.

SHE SAYS--

SHE'S USED TO HELPING PEOPLE OUT.

BUT HAD NO IDEA SHE WAS SHARING HER HOME.

WITH A *COMPLETE STRANGER.

AND IT ALL HAPPENED FOR NEARLY A YEAR!

IN CRAWL SPACE-PKG

FOR MONTHS, THE MYSTERIOUS SIGNS WERE THERE.

"I couldn't figure it out."

BACKYARD GATES LEFT OPEN, A STRANGE SMELL SOMEHOW COMING INTO THE HOUSE.

"I can't say marijuana, I don't know what marijuana smells like, but it was worse than cigarettes."

THEN VELMA KELLEN NOTICED PARTS OF HER HOUSE WERE INEXPLICABLY GETTING COLD.

"70 is what I usually have it at."

THE FURNACE REPAIRMAN CLIMBED INTO HER CRAWL SPACE TO SEE WHERE THE HEAT MAY BE GOING.

THAT'S WHEN HE MADE THE DISCOVERY.

"He said 'Good news I got your vents fixed, but the bad news somebody's been making their home under there.'"

THAT'S RIGHT, SOMEONE HAD BEEN LIVING IN THE CRAWL SPACE OF HER HOUSE.

THEY FOUND BEER CANS AND LIQUOR BOTTLES.

THE INTRUDER EVEN CUT INTO HER HEATING DUCT TO GET WARM.

"I said, 'You've got to be kidding!'"

BASED ON THE LENGTH OF THE SMELL OF SMOKE IN HER HOUSE, THE INTRUDER MAY HAVE BEEN STAYING IN THE CRAWL SPACE FOR UP TO A YEAR.

"I'm not about to go down there."

AND NEITHER KELLEN OR HER NEIGHBORS OR HER THREE DOGS EVER HEARD OR SAW A THING.

IN CRAWL SPACE-OC

ELISA HAHN REPORTING.

THE POLICE CHIEF SAYS IT'S THE *FIRST TIME HE'S HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING.

BUT THE HOMEOWNER LEARNED HER LESSON.

TEASE FIVE-OC

TZ5 RAZZIE'S-VO

TZ5 OSCARS-VOTOPS

BUS CRASH

RAZZIE AWARDS-2SHOT-VO-?

THE OSCARS SHOWCASE THE BEST MOVIES --

BUT THE RAZZIE'S -- THE *WORST MOVIES.

"THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART TWO" WAS NOMINATED FOR 11 RAZZIES -- INCLUDING FOR WORST PICTURE.

THE FIFTH AND FINAL FILM FROM THE POPULAR FRANCHISE WAS ALSO NOMINATED FOR WORST LEAD ACTOR, WORST LEAD ACTRESS, WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR AND WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS.

THE OTHER FILMS NOMINATED FOR WORST PICTURE INCLUDE "BATTLESHIP", "THE OOGIELOVES IN THE BIG BALLOON ADVENTURE", "THAT'S MY BOY" AND "A THOUSAND WORDS."

THE RAZZIE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FEBRUARY 23RD.

OSCAR NOMINATIONS-VOTOPS

THE OSCAR NOMINATIONS WERE ANNOUNCED THIS MORNING.

STEVEN SPIELBERG'S CIVIL WAR DRAMA "LINCOLN" WAS THE CLEAR WINNER.

THE FILM RECEIVED 12 NOMINATIONS.INCLUDING BEST PICTURE, BEST DIRECTOR AND BEST ACTOR NODS FOR DANIEL DAY-LEWIS, SALLY FIELDS AND TOMMY LEE JONES.

SHIPWRECK STORY "LIFE OF PI" CAME AWAY WITH 11 NOMINATIONS.

YOU CAN SEE WHO WINS

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TS1) FLU OUTBREAK-VOTOPS

THE FLU HAS GONE FROM A SEASONAL COLD --

TO A NATIONWIDE EPIDEMIC.

RIGHT NOW -- 18 CHILDREN HAVE DIED.

AND PEOPLE ARE FLOODING CLINICS AND EMERGENCY ROOMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SOME EVEN FACE A 24-HOUR WAIT.

TS2) SANDUSKY IN COURT-VOTOPS

THE FLU HAS GONE FROM A SEASONAL COLD --

TO A NATIONWIDE EPIDEMIC.

RIGHT NOW -- 18 CHILDREN HAVE DIED.

AND PEOPLE ARE FLOODING CLINICS AND EMERGENCY ROOMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SOME EVEN FACE A 24-HOUR WAIT.

TS3) NEW TREASURY SECRETARY-VOTOPS

TS4) COMMUNITY POLICING-VOTOPS

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.