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

THE FLU OUTBREAK SPREADS, STRAINING EMERGENCY ROOMS IN SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

IT'S EVEN AFFECTING -- LEE COUNTY RESIDENTS.

WE'LL TELL YOU ABOUT THE DEADLY OUTCOME

CHILLING COURTROOM DRAMA.

A HUGE DEVELOPMENT -

IN THE CASE OF THE COLORADO MOVIE THEATER SHOOTING.

DETAILS ON THE JUDGE'S DECISION.

AND REACTIONS FROM THE VICTIMS' FAMILIES.

PYTHONS IN FLORIDA -- HAVE BEEN GETTING A LITTLE TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT.

WE HAVE DETAILS ON A SNAKE-HUNTING COMPETION THIS WEEKEND,

HL1) LEE COUNTY FLU DEATH-VO-WIPE

HL2) HOLMES HEARING-VO-WIPE

HL3) GMA SNAKES-VO

WX HL-WX WALL

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIPTOPS

DEADLY FLU OUTBREAK-2SHOT POP

GOOD MORNING THANKS FOR WATCHING ABC-7

IM LINH BUI.

TODAY IS FRIDAY JANUARY 11TH.

AND I'M CHANCE SEALES.

THE FLU IS NOW WIDESPREAD IN MOST OF THE UNITED STATES --- AND STILL ON THE INCREASE.

HOSPITALS ARE OVERWHELMED.

VACCINE IS HARDER TO COME BY.

AND SCHOOLS ARE SHUTTING DOWN TO STOP THE SPREAD.

DEADLY FLU OUTBREAK-PKG

From coast to coast, Americans are waging a losing battle against this nasty

flu strain.

Doctors -- overrun with patients -- are running low on flu shots and tests

as the virus spreads.

SOT Dr. Randy Tartakoff, Holy Name Hospital, Teaneck, NJ

"WE ARE ALL A LITTLE OVERWHELMED. NOT ONLY THE PRACTITIONERS, BUT THE

CAREGIVERS IN GENERAL."

More than 128-million vaccine doses have been distributed nationwide.

But clinics can't keep up with the demand.

And pharmacists are struggling to fill prescription drug orders.

SOT ANDY KOMUVES, PHARMACIST

"EACH DAY / WE'RE GETTING 24 BOXES OF TAMIFLU CAPSULES. BUT / WE'RE

GETTING 40 OR 50 PRESCRIPTIONS FOR THEM EVERY DAY."

At Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, it's all hands on deck in the

fight against the flu.

NATS - dr talks to patient on stretcher

"IT'S GOING TO TAKE YOU PROBABLY TWO OR THREE WEEKS TO FEEL REALLY GOOD

AGAIN."

At Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, New Jersey, one doctor isn't even

administering flu tests, he's just handing out treatment.

This morning, schools across the country are reporting hundreds of students

out sick.

One school district in Oklahoma even cancelled class after a quarter of the

students became ill.

MOS Shirley High, Owasso, OK Resident

"IT'S HITTING PRETTY FAST. WHEN IT HITS YOU, IT KNOCKS YOU QUICK."

The flu season hasn't even hit its peak, but it's already been deadly.

Amelia Perry was hospitalized with the virus and passed away.

SOT unidentified Green County, OH Health Practitioner

"NO CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS. DIDN'T TAKE ANY MEDICATIONS. / SHE WAS A

HEALTHY 22 YEAR OLD."

It's not just the flu. Another virus -- a nasty stomach bug called

Norovirus -- is also on the move throughout the country. Doctors say it's

extremely contagious and another serious concern for hospitals.

DEADLY FLU OUTBREAK-ON CAM TAG

THAT WAS ABC'S TAHMAN BRADLEY.

*41* STATES REPORT WIDESPREAD ACTIVITY.

LEE COUNTY FLU DEATH-1 SHOT VO

TRACKING THE FLU IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

ABC-7 IS LEARNING A 65 YEAR OLD LEE COUNTY MAN -- DIED FROM FLU-RELATED COMPLICATIONS.

THE FIRST IN THE COUNTY.

LEE MEMORIAL HAS TREATED -- MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED FLU CASES, SINCE CHRISTMAS EVE…

LEE COUNTY FLU DEATH-SOT VO

MARY BRIGGS, LMHS: we are concerned and are watching its a seasonal market so people are coming down and could bring the flu down with them

DAN CUNDIFF, VNA: they come here they bring all their germs here and wham hit us all at one time

COLLIER MISSING MEN-SS VOWIPE

A COLLIER COUNTY COLD CASE GETS *ANOTHER LOOK THIS MORNING.

AFTER TWO FAMOUS NAMES OFFER A REWARD.

23 YEAR OLD FELIPE SANTOS AND 29 YEAR OLD TERRANCE WILLIAMS VANISHED NEARLY A DECADE AGO.

BUT NOW THEIR CASE IS BACK IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT.

ACTOR TYLER PERRY AND THE REVEREND AL SHARPTON --

ARE LEADING THE EFFORT.

THURSDAY IN COLLIER COUNTY --

THEY ANNOUNCED A 100-THOUSAND DOLLAR REWARD.

FOR ANYONE WITH INFORMATION LEADING TO AN ARREST.

THE LAST PERSON ON RECORD WHO SAW THE TWO MEN ALIVE --

WAS FORMER COLLIER COUNTY DEPUTY STEVEN CALKINS.

COLLIER MISSING MEN-SOTVO

THAT'S THE FORMER COLLIER COUNTY SHERIFF.

HE SAYS ATTENTION FROM THE MEDIA.

COULD SPARK NEW DEVELOPMENTS ON THE COLD CASE.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION.

CAPE CORAL STABBING VIDEO-BNR-VO

DEVELOPING THIS MORNING.

CAPE CORAL POLICE RELEASE NEW VIDEO --- TO SOLVE A BRUTAL STABBING.

THIS IS VIDEO FROM OUTSIDE SONNY'S BARBEQUE ON PINE ISLAND ROAD.

OFFICERS SAY SOMEONE TRIED TO ROB A WORKER THERE. SLASHING HIM MULTIPLE TIMES WITH A KNIFE.

THE WORKER WAS ABLE TO CALL 9-1-1.

HIS ATTACKER RAN.

BAYFRONT OUTDOOR MUSIC-NATSVO WIPE

SOME NAPLES RESIDENTS SAY THEY WANT PEACE AND QUIET.

music playing

A STRING OF CONCERTS KICKED OFF AT THE BAYFRONT COMMUNITY LAST SATURDAY.

THE "ROCKING BY THE BAY" SERIES WILL LAST UNTIL APRIL.

THE GOAL IS TO BRING HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE TO THE AREA,

AND BOOST BUSINESS.

SATURDAY'S CONCERT DID JUST THAT.

BUT SOME RESIDENTS LIVING THERE SAY THE MUSIC WAS *TOO LOUD --

BAYFRONT OUTDOOR MUSIC-SOTVO

Rosemary Russo/Bayfront Resident

33:52 "This was the most horrendous sound.and I only have 20% of my hearing. This type of music belonged at Woodstock. I don't think it would even be allowed. at the Grand Central Station."

THE CITY RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS.

AND ISSUED BAYFRONT A CITATION.

LEHIGH ACRES ACCIDENT FOLLOW-VO

THEY JUMPED INTO ACTION TO SAVE A MAN'S LIFE.

NOW WE HEAR FROM GOOD SAMARITANS -- WHO LIFTED A CAR OFF OF A MAN IN LEHIGH ACRES WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

A MOTORCYCLIST. 45 YEAR-OLD MARK CLARK. WAS DRIVING ALONG ALABAMA ROAD WHEN HE CLIPPED A CAR.

HE ENDED UP LYING IN THE ROAD. WHEN ANOTHER CAR HIT HIM. PINNING CLARK TO THE GROUND.

A GROUP OF WITNESSES JUMPED INTO ACTION. PULLING CLARK FROM UNDER THE CAR BEFORE RESCUERS ARRIVED.

LEHIGH ACRES ACCIDENT FOLLOW-SOTVO

he's gonna live. So me and the other guys saved that man's life. But hero. No. it's what any American should do for somebody. You can't stand by and watch.

HOLMES HEARING-ON CAM

THERE'S BEEN A *GIANT LEAP FORWARD --

IN THE CASE AGAINST JAMES HOLMES.

HE'S ACCUSED IN THE MOVIE THEATER MASSACRE.

LATE LAST NIGHT, A JUDGE GAVE THE GO-AHEAD FOR A TRIAL.

SO HOLMES WILL BE BACK IN COURT TODAY.

AND WILL OFFICIALLY BE CHARGED.

HOLMES HEARING-PKG

The ruling is not a surprise. Prosecutors spent three days laying out a

mountain of evidence including how Holmes allegedly amassed guns and ammo

booby-trapped his apartment with explosives even scoped out the theater

weeks before the attack. Police say Holmes even took eerie-self

portraits just six hours before the shooting started.

SOT -- CAREN TEVES, shooting victim's mother / "HE HAD BLACK CONTACT LENSES

ON. AND HE JUST LOOKED VERY EVIL. AND HE JUST SAT

IN THE COURTROOM PRETTY MUCH DELIGHTED."

Holmes is charged with 166 counts including murder and attempted murder for

last summer's massacre that left 12 people dead and dozens wounded. His

attorneys say he is mentally ill. Families of the victims don't buy it.

SOT - CHANTEL BLUNK, shooting victim's widow / "YOU HAD THAT TIME TO PLAN

IT. WRITE IT. TALK ABOUT IT. NO. YOU'RE NOT MENTALLY ILL."

STANDUP BRIDGE

Clayton Sandell ABC News Aurora Colorado

The courtroom drama is unfolding as this community is still struggling to

heal. And next week for the first time since the shooting, this theater

HOLMES HEARING-TAG

THAT WAS CLAYTON SANDELL REPORTING.

NEXT UP IN THE LEGAL FIGHT --

HOLMES MUST DECIDE HOW HE WILL PLEAD.

TEASE ONE-ON CAM

USING A PHONE IN THE CAR -- ISN'T ENCOURAGED.

BUT THAT COULD CHANGE SOON.

TZ1 A (APPS BEHIND THE WHEEL)-VOTOPS

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

BLOOMBERG TEASE-SOT

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT-PKG TOPS

APPS BEHIND THE WHEEL-2SHOT

WHEN IT COMES TO STAYING CONNECTED --

SMARTPHONES HAVE BEEN IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT.

NOW, AUTOMAKERS ARE PICKING UP THE PACE -- WITH TECHNOLOGY THAT KEEPS DRIVERS CONNECTED BEHIND THE WHEEL.

APPS BEHIND THE WHEEL-PKG

SMARTPHONES DO A LOT TO GET US WHERE WE NEED TO GO - DIRECTIONS, MAYBE SOME ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE.

FOR THE MOST PART, THAT PHONE WORKS SEPARATELY FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE NEW TREND IN AUTOS IS TO CHANGE THAT.

"The focus of this car really showcases how consumer electronics are influencing the drive. So we're seeing for the first time, things integrated that we've never seen in a car before."

Q-N-X SOFTWARE SAYS THEY'VE CREATED A "CONNECTED COCKPIT" INSIDE THIS BENTLEY. A CURVED TOUCH SCREEN THAT CAN DISPLAY TWEETS AND EMAILS, NAVIGATION INSTRUCTIONS RIGHT BEHIND THE WHEEL, AND A WEB APP THAT LETS DRIVERS LOCK DOORS OR CHECK THE GAS TANK FROM THEIR SMARTPHONE. THE COMPANY SAYS, IT COULD BE ADAPTED TO ANY PRICE POINT.

EXPANDING DASHBOARD TECHNOLOGY IS THE GOAL OF A PROGRAM LAUNCHED BY FORD AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW -- INVITING OUTSIDE DEVELOPERS TO TAKE A CRACK AT ADDING IN-CAR APPS TO THE AUTOMAKER'S SYNC APPLINK PLATFORM.

APPS BEHIND THE WHEEL-TAG

THAT WAS KARIN CAIFA REPORTING.

A KEY CHALLENGE FOR ANY CONNECTED CAR -

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.

"Spring-like weather continues"

Our spring like weather pattern will continue as the work week comes to a close with unseasonably warm weather heading into the weekend.

The air conditioners will most likely be on this morning as lows have settled into the middle and upper 60s. A few patches of fog will be possible across our inland communities with mainly clear skies as we start the day.

A strong area of high pressure that has anchored itself across the Bahamas and the western Atlantic will keep mostly to partly sunny skies in the forecast this afternoon. Daytime highs will climb into the middle 80s, which is close to 10° above the norm for this time of year.

Heading into this evening, our weather will remain dry with overnight lows slipping into the middle 60s under mostly clear conditions.

High pressure that's in control of our weather will block any weather systems or cold fronts from entering our part of the state. This will lead us to a nice, but warm weekend.

MOBILE CONCIERGE-VO

A HOTEL CH AIN GETS MORE GUEST FRIENDLY.

THE CONRAD HOTEL CHAIN IS IMPROVING ITS ROOM SERVICE.

DUBBED THE "CONRAD CONCIERGE" --

A NEW COMPUTER APP LETS GUESTS ORDER ALL SORTS OF PERKS AND TREATS.

YOU JUST NEED YOUR SMARTPHONE OR I-PAD.

THE FREE APP IS AVAILABLE IN SIX LANGUAGES.

RIGHT ON TIME-VO

THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION -- RANKS THE BEST AIRLINES -- FOR BEING ON TIME.

AT THE TOP OF THE LIST,

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES --- WHICH WAS ON TIME A LITTLE MORE THAN 93-PERCENT OF THE TIME.

SECOND ON THE LIST,

ALASKA, FOLLOWED BY AIRTRAN, DELTA AND US AIRWAYS.

SMART FORK-VO

A HIGH TECH FORK. COULD HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT!

THIS IS THE HAPI-FORK.

IT HAS A MOTION SENSOR.

SO IT VIBRATES AND LIGHTS UP WHEN YOU'RE EATING TOO FAST.

EATING SLOWER HELPS YOU FEEL MORE FULL.

BETWEEN MEALS -- HOOK THE FORK UP TO A COMPUTER OR PHONE.

THEN UPLOAD DATA ON HOW FAST YOU'RE EATING,

FOR LONG-TERM TRACKING.

BUT IT DOES NOT MONITOR WHAT YOU'RE ACTUALLY EATING.

IT COSTS ABOUT 100 BUCKS.

TEASE TWO-ON CAM

AND STICKING WITH THE TOPIC --

YOU'VE PROBABLY SKIPPED A MEAL BEFORE.

IN HOPES OF LOSING WEIGHT.

BUT YOU SHOULD ACTUALLY DO THE OPPOSITE!

WE LOOK AT HOW EATING *MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY.

TZ2 A (EAT TO LOOSE MEALS)-VO

EAT TO LOOSE MEALS-1SHOT POP

SKIPPING MEALS MAY *SEEM LIKE A GOOD WEIGHT LOSS STRATEGY.

MOST OF US ARE GUILTY OF DOING IT.

BUT IT CAN ACTUALLY BACKFIRE. BIG TIME.

EAT TO LOOSE MEALS-PKG

IF YOU BATTLE WITH YOUR WEIGHT, REMEMBER THIS: EAT BREAKFAST LIKE A KING, LUNCH LIKE A PRINCE AND DINNER LIKE A PAUPER.

Make sure you have a large hearty breakfast and then lunch should be enough to power you through the rest of the day, and at dinner have a very light dinner so you can sleep well and be restored for the next day.

BUT IF THE EVENING MEAL IS YOUR BIGGEST, OR YOU SKIP MEALS, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

I rarely eat 3 meals a day.

Maybe 2, maybe and that's about, and they're large meals

BUT SKIPPING MEALS, DOES NOT HELP US LOSE WEIGHT. PEOPLE WHO DON'T EAT BREAKFAST, FOR INSTANCE, TEND TO WEIGH MORE THAN THOSE WHO DO.

Breakfast helps to kind of rev up the metabolism it helps to jump start your body, so that you can actually burn more calories during the day.

IT ALSO HELPS KEEP OUR HUNGER LEVEL ON AN EVEN KEEL SO WE DON'T REACH FOR THE JUNK FOOD.

ALSO EAT A BALANCED LUNCH EACH DAY. MOORE SUGGESTS A LEAN PROTEIN, LIKE THE TURKEY IN THIS SANDWICH, WHOLE GRAINS AND PLENTY OF FRUITS AND VEGGIES.

AND FOR DINNER - NO MORE ROYAL TREATMENT - KEEP IT SIMPLE AND LIGHT.

EAT TO LOOSE MEALS-TAG

THAT WAS HOLLY FIRFER REPORTING.

IT'S BEST TO EAT EVERY FOUR TO FIVE HOURS.

GETTING PREGNANT AFTER WEIGHT LOSS-VO

WOMEN WHO HAVE HAD WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY.

MAY WANT TO WAIT AT LEAST A YEAR TO GET PREGNANT.

EXPERTS SO SAY PREGNANCY AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY IS ACTUALLY SAFER.

THAN PREGNANCY WHILE MORBIDLY OBESE.

AND THE MAJORITY OF WOMEN HAVE NO COMPLICATIONS.

BUT THERE IS A RISK OF BAND SLIPPAGE OR LEAKAGE.

AND SOME RESEARCH SHOWS A HIGHER MISCARRIAGE RATE AMONG PREGNANCIES.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AFTER PREGNANCY-VO

A NEW STUDY FINDS WOMEN WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AFTER CHILDBIRTH --- ARE AT RISK OF MORE COMPLICATIONS.

RESEARCHERS SAY WOMEN WHO HAD PREGNANCY-RELATED PRE-ECLAMPSIA -- ARE MOST PRONE TO POST-PARTUM HYPERTENSION --

BUT IT CAN DEVELOP IN THOSE -- WITHOUT EXISTING RISK FACTORS.

DISINFECTING ROBOT-VO

AS TECHNOLOGY GETS MORE ADVANCED --- ROBOTS ARE KEEPING UP HEALTHIER.

CHECK OUT JOHNS HOPKINS.

THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY DISINFECTS ROOMS -- AND KILLS DRUG-RESISTANT SUPER-BUGS, LIKE MRSA.

DISINFECTING ROBOT-SOT VO

"It saturates the area with the hydrogen peroxide and at that point it will micro condensate on all the surfaces in the room."

ONE MACHINE DISINFECTS THE ROOM.

ANOTHER DRIES THE ROOM.

TESTS SHOW THEM TO BE EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE.

LEHIGH MACHETTE MAN-VO

HE MAY BE OVER 70-

BUT HE'S NOT AFRAID TO FIGHT OFF A BURGLAR

FRANCISCO GARCIA LIVES IN LEHIGH ACRES.

WHEN A CROOK KICKED IN HIS FRONT DOOR --

HE SAYS HE GRABBED HIS MACHETE.

LEHIGH MACHETTE MAN-SOTVO

59:34 "told him get the out of here"

LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY KEVIN DUMAS TRIED TO HIT FRANCISCO WITH HIS GETAWAY CAR AS HE TOOK OFF.

BUT THE SENIOR CITIZEN GOT A TAG NUMBER.

AND DEPUTIES CAUGHT DUMAS NEARBY.

TEASE THREE-2-SHOT

GUN CONTROL.

A TOPIC THAT HAS SHAPED THE OPINIONS OF MANY AROUND THE COUNTRY.

TODAY VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TASK FORCE MEETS IN WASHINGTON TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE.

THE N-R-A SAYS IT'S DISAPPOINTED.

AND THAT THE WHITE HOUSE IS LESS FOCUSED ON KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE.

AND IN THE MIDST OF THE DEBATE --

ANOTHER SCHOOL SHOOTING.

A CALIFORNIA TEEN INJURED TWO CLASSMATES.

TZA (CALIFORNIA SHOOTING)-VOTOPS

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIP

NY STOCK EXCHANGE OPEN-SAT 3 TOPS

ABC SEVEN TAKES YOU LIVE TO THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.

STOCKS HAVE BEEN STRONG THE PAST FEW DAYS.

YESTERDAY -- THE S&P CLOSED AT A FIVE-YEAR HIGH.

AS FOR TODAY. WELLS FARGO PUT OUT A QUARTERLY REPORT, BEING WATCHED CLOSELY.

PLUS, IMPORT-EXPORT NUMBERS. AND OTHER CORPORATE REPORTS.

TS1) FLU OUTBREAK-TOP VO-TRX

THE GROWING FLU OUTBREAK -- IS GRIPPING ALMOST THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

41 STATES ARE REPORTING WIDESPREAD ACTIVITY.

AND AT LEAST 18 CHILDREN HAVE DIED FROM THE VIRUS THIS SEASON.

MORE THAN 128-MILLION VACCINES -- HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED NATIONWIDE.

TS2) COLLIER MISSING MEN-TOP VO-TRX

ACTOR TYLER PERRY AND THE REVEREND AL SHARPTON --

LEAD A NEW EFFORT.

TO FIND OUT INFORMATION ON A COLD CASE OUT OF COLLIER COUNTY.

23 YEAR OLD FELIPE SANTOS AND 29 YEAR OLD TERRANCE WILLIAMS.

WENT MISSING NEARLY 10 YEARS AGO.

THE LAST PERSON WHO SAW THEM ALIVE --

WAS FORMER COLLIER COUNTY DEPUTY STEVEN CALKINS.

TS3) HOLMES HEARING-TOP VO-TRX

COLORADO MOVIE THEATER SHOOTING SUSPECT JAMES HOLMES -- FACES ARRAIGNMENT TODAY.

THAT COMES AFTER A JUDGE RULED -- HE SHOULD STAND TRIAL ON *ALL 166 COUNTS AGAINST HIM.

GUN CONTROL-2SHOT INTRO

MORE MEETINGS TODAY IN WASHINGTON --

FOR VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

AND HIS GUN TASK FORCE.

HE SAYS THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO CONSIDER *ALL SIDES.

BUT THE N-R-A DISAGREED. AFTER SITTING DOWN AT THE WHITE HOUSE THURSDAY.

GUN CONTROL-PKG

TODAY VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S TASK FORCE MEETS WITH THE GAMING INDUSTRY. AFTER SITTING DOWN WITH GUN OWNERS AND THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

THE NRA'S TAKE? NOT MUCH ROOM FOR COMPROMISE:

"They said 'Oh yeah that's interesting but we really want to talk about regulating firearms themselves."

GUN OWNERS DIDN'T SEE IT THAT WAY:

"I think that it was a conversation and it wasn't a lecture."

WITH PRESSURE MOUNTING AFTER THE CONNECTICUT SCHOOL SHOOTING -- ANALYSTS SAY THE NRA FACES A TOUGH CHOICE:

"They may realize that the game is changing so quickly underneath them that they're gonna have to adjust."

BIDEN'S GROUP IS IN A RUSH TO COME UP WITH NEW REGULATIONS.

"So far, a surprising recurrence of suggestions that we have universal background checks, not just close the gun show loophole, but total, universal background checks, even including private sales."

WHILE THEY WERE MEETING, ANOTHER SCHOOL SHOOTING - IN RURAL CALIFORNIA.

A TEEN - ARMED WITH MULTIPLE ROUNDS - INJURED TWO STUDENTS:

"He had several, maybe as many as 20 rounds of shotguns in his pockets."

GUN CONTROL-TAG

THAT WAS TRACIE POTTS WITH THAT STORY.

NOT ONLY ARE GUN SALES UP --- SINCE THE CONNECTICUT TRAGEDY.

CALIFORNIA SCHOOL SHOOTING-VO

CALIFORNIA AUTHORITIES SAY A TEEN *PLOTTED* A SCHOOL SHOOTING.

THEY THINK THE 16-YEAR-OLD TARGETED STUDENTS WHO BULLIED HIM.

HE USED A SHOTGUN --

TO SHOOT AND INJURE ANOTHER TEEN INSIDE A CLASSROOM YESTERDAY.

HE AIMED AT ANOTHER BOY BUT MISSED.

THAT'S WHEN TWO STAFF MEMBERS STEPPED IN.

CALIFORNIA SCHOOL SHOOTING-SOTVO

If it weren't for this teacher and a quick response, we don't know what might have happened.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH WORSE.

MORE THAN 20 STUDENTS WERE IN THE CLASSROOM AT THE TIME.

AND ACCORDING TO POLICE --

FAU PROF ON SANDY HOOK-OC SOT VO

A FLORIDA PROFESSOR IS QUESTIONING --- IF THE SHOOTING AT SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY EVER HAPPENED.

FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY JOURNALISM PROFESSOR JAMES TRACY --- SUGGESTS ACTORS WERE SENT TO NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT --- TO DO INTERVIEWS WITH THE MEDIA.

You had 20 families that were mourning. that had to bury their children. are you concerned about that at all?"

"Well, I think the whole country mourned about Sandy Hook, but yet again the investigation that journalistic institutions should have carried out, never took place as far as I'm concerned."

FAU PROF ON SANDY HOOK-SOT VO

There's a lot of emotion involved with something like this. Is there anything you want to say to that person at home who wants to throw their shoe at the TV and say this guy is a total nut?"

"Well, I think as a society we need to look at things more carefully. Perhaps, we as a society, have been conditioned to be duped."

OBAMA MEETS WITH KARAI-2SHOT INTRO

AFTER MEETING WITH OTHER HIGH LEVEL U-S LEADERS --

AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI --- MEETS FACE TO FACE WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA LATER TODAY.

IT'S HIS *SECOND SUCH MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT THERE.

AS ED PAYNE REPORTS --

THE MOMENTOUS VISIT COMES.

OBAMA MEETS WITH KARAI-PKG

Thank you very much.I don't know if you would've had a chance to see a few days ago when President Obama announced his choice?

AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI HAS MADE THE ROUNDS IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK.HERE MEETING WITH SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON THURSDAY FOR DINNER AND A BRIEF PHOTO OP.THE TWO EVEN TRADING HEALTH STORIES ABOUT DEHYDRATION.FOLLOWING CLINTON'S RECENT MEDICAL ORDEAL THAT KEPT HER AWAY FROM WORK FOR WEEKS.

EARLIER ON THURSDAY AT THE PENTAGON, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LEON PANETTA AND OTHER TOP MILITARY BRASS WELCOMED THE AFGHAN LEADER.

SOURCES SAY PRESIDENT KARZAI ARRIVED WITH A WISH LIST OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT INCLUDING DRONES, HELICOPTERS AND OTHER HARDWARE TO ENSURE AFGHANISTAN'S SECURITY WHEN NATO FORCES LEAVE AT THE END OF 2014.

What we talked about yesterday was let's move beyond a wish list of equipment

It's fair to say that we made some very good progress on all the key issues that we discussed. Our meeting I believe will help lay the ground work for President Karzai in his discussions tomorrow with President Obama on these and other topics.

FROM THE HOUR LONG DISCUSSION, THE U-S WANTED ASSURANCES THAT THE TALIBAN WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO SET UP SHOP IMMEDIATELY AFTER U-S TROOPS LEAVE.

I can assure you Mr. Secretary that Afghanistan will, with the help that you provide, be able to provide security to it's people and to protect it's borders

OBAMA MEETS WITH KARAI-TAG

U-S COMMANDERS IN AFGHANISTAN HAVE PROPOSED --

KEEPING SIX THOUSAND TO 15 THOUSAND U-S TROOPS AFTER 2014.

TO CONTINUING PURSUING TERRORISTS,

LEW NOMINATION-VO

PRESIDENT OBAMA ADDS TO HIS LIST OF NOMINATIONS --

FOR HIS SECOND-TERM CABINET.

HE NOMINTAED JACK LEW FOR TREASURY SECRETARY.

A YEAR AGO, HE MADE LEW HIS CHIEF OF STAFF.

IF HE'S CONFIRMED, LEW WILL REPLACE TIMOTHY GEITHNER.

BUT SOME REPUBLICANS COMPLAIN --

HE'S BEEN UNYIELDING IN PAST FISCAL NEGOTIATIONS.

AND HERE'S ANOTHER REASON THE WHITE HOUSE IS TAKING ON CRITICISM --

BROWARD NAME CHANGE-VO

HOW DOES FORT LAUDERDALE COUNTY SOUND?

AN ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE IS LEADING THE PUSH -- TO CHANGE BROWARD COUNTY TO FORT LAUDERDALE COUNTY.

FORT LAUDERDALE IS THE LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTY -- AND IS A LEADING REASON TOURISTS VISIT THE AREA.

THE IDEA OF CHANGING THE NAME OF BROWARD COUNTY -- IS IN THE VERY EARLY STAGES.

MIAMI MAN SET ON FIRE PROGRESS-VO

NEW THIS MORNING. INVESTIGATORS IN MIAMI ARE RELEASING THE SURVEILLANCE VIDEO -- SHOWING THE SUSPECTS BELIEVED TO HAVE SET A MAN ON FIRE.

POLICE SAY IT SHOWS THE MEN AT A GAS STATION.

POLICE BELIEVE ONE OF THE SUSPECTS WAS INJURED -- AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL CHRISTMAS NIGHT.

44-YEAR-OLD DARRELL BRACKETT RAN OUT OF GAS.

MIAMI MAN SET ON FIRE PROGRESS-SOT VO

To set a person on fire, you'd have to be a really inhumane person, you know?

They have no conscience.

That's all can say.

I can't imagine how anybody could do that to someone.

THE VICTIM REMAINS IN THE HOSPITAL.

WESTERN STORMS-2SHOT

THERE'S A NASTY ARCTIC BLAST BLOWING FROM COAST-TO- COAST.

AND IT'S BRINGING SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN TO A *HUGE SECTION OF THE COUNTRY.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES AND WARNINGS -- ARE POSTED FROM CALIFORNIA TO MICHIGAN.

SETTING THE STAGE FOR A MISERABLE WEEKEND.

WESTERN STORMS-PKG

SCRIPT:

wsCAGrapevineSn

THE ARCTIC BLAST IS DUMPING SNOW ON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, SHUTTING DOWN

INTERSTATE FIVE NORTH OF LOS ANGELES. ROADS IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS QUICKLY

TURNED ICY.

SOT

".it's really icy up there, kinda dangerous, just making sure I chain up

before heading up."

ALONG WITH SNOW AND ICE, THE STORM IS BRINGING 45 TO 60 MILE AN HOUR WINDS

TO THE WEST.

THE GUSTY, BLUSTERY WEATHER TRIGGERED MUDSLIDES NEAR SEATTLE.

AS WET SNOW FELL ON HIGHWAYS. SLOWING DOWN COMMUTERS.

IT'S PART OF A GIANT COLD FRONT NOW SENDING A CHILL FROM THE ROCKIES TO THE

MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY.

wsSevereWxLA

STORM SURVIVORS, CLEANING UP FROM TORNADOES IN LOUISIANA, WILL NOTICE THAT

CHILL, AFTER GETTING SEVERE WEATHER MORE COMMON IN SUMMER.

SOT MOS

"Our patio flew off in the back, it's actually over here in the neighbor's

yard. And then we go outside and walked out to this."

Courtesy to "SNF FLOPAM"

SECUIRTY CAMERAS CAUGHT THIS TWISTER AS IT DAMAGED A CHEMICAL PLANT NEAR

BATON ROUGE. NO ONE WAS INJURED THERE.

.BUT THIS WEEK'S STORM DAMAGE FROM DOWNPOURS AND TORNADOES IS BAD ENOUGH

FOR THE LOUISIANA GOVERNOR TO DECLARE A STATEWIDE EMERGENCY. MORE RAIN IS

EXPECTED IN THE GULF REGION THIS WEEKEND.

MICHAEL BARR, ABC NEWS.

TEASE FOUR-ON CAM

THAT WAS MICHAEL BARR REPORTING.

PYTHONS ARE ON THE LOOSE.

AND THIS WEEKEND THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS HAVING A NATIONAL SNAKE-HUNTING COMPETION.

TZ4 A-VO

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

PYTHON ON THE LOOSE-1SHOT POP

NOW TO A WILD STORY OUT OF FLORIDA.

HUGE PYTHONS EVERYWHERE -

SLITHERING INTO PEOPLE'S BACKYARDS AND ELSEWHERE.

NOW THE STATE OF FLORIDA -

DECLARING OPEN SEASON -

INVITING PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE NATION TO HUNT AND KILL THESE SCARY PREDATORS.

PYTHON ON THE LOOSE-PKG

Natsound. Boat from Matt's piece

FLORIDA AUTHORITIES ARE DESPERATE TO GET RID OF THESE SNAKES CALLING THIS A

'SNAKE HUNTING MISSION"NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY - NO LICENSE NEEDED -- JUST

A GUN OR A KNIFE.

Natsound. Snake Byte.

BY SOME ESTIMATES, NEARLY 150-THOUSAND PYTHONS ARE LIVING IN THE EVERGLADES

ALONE.BUT THE SNAKES HAVEN'T STOPPED THERE

Lieutenant Scott Mullin. Miami-Dade Venom One Unit. "They're starting to

come back into civilization looking for easy food. Our pets and that's

typically what they're feeding on cats, small dogs."

SNAKE WRANGLER SCOTT MULLIN SAYS FAMILIES ARE NOW FINDING THEM IN PARKS,

HIGH GRASS AND EVEN BACKYARDSAND HE'S BEEN BUSY MAKING HOUSECALLS.

Lieutenant Scott Mullin. Miami-Dade Venom One Unit. "When people call about

a python it's a totally different sound on the phone that you can hear it in

their voice that they're excited, very nervous.

PYTHONS ARE NATIVE TO SOUTH EAST ASIA, BUT EXPERTS THINK THAT RESIDENTS WHO

COULDN'T HANDLE THEM AS PETS, SET THEM LOOSE.

Natsound from USGS video.

YEAR, THEY CAPTURED THE LARGEST EVER, MORE THAN 17 AND HALF FEET AND 160

POUNDS. OWNING ONE IS NOW AGAINST THE LAW.

Natsound from USGS video.

SO FAR, NEARLY 500 HUNDRED AMATUER HUNTERS HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THE

MONTH LONG "PYTHON CHALLENGE" WHOEVER CATCHES THE LONGEST SNAKE WINS A

THOUSAND DOLLARS WHOEVER CATCHES THE MOST. FIFTEEN HUNDRED.

Shawm Helfick NatGeoWILD Biologist. "Participants in this python challenge

have it cut out for them because they're going to have to go out into the

PYTHON ON THE LOOSE-ONCAM

HE THINKS THE VAST MAJORITY OF HUNTERS HERE WON'T FIND A SINGLE SNAKE.

BUT WILL FIND PLENTY OF MOSQUITOS AND ALLIGATORS INSTEAD.

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.

"Spring-like weather continues"

Our spring like weather pattern will continue as the work week comes to a close with unseasonably warm weather heading into the weekend.

The air conditioners will most likely be on this morning as lows have settled into the middle and upper 60s. A few patches of fog will be possible across our inland communities with mainly clear skies as we start the day.

A strong area of high pressure that has anchored itself across the Bahamas and the western Atlantic will keep mostly to partly sunny skies in the forecast this afternoon. Daytime highs will climb into the middle 80s, which is close to 10° above the norm for this time of year.

Heading into this evening, our weather will remain dry with overnight lows slipping into the middle 60s under mostly clear conditions.

High pressure that's in control of our weather will block any weather systems or cold fronts from entering our part of the state. This will lead us to a nice, but warm weekend.

TOSS TO JEFF-2SHOT BXS

EVERY SUNDAY MORNING -

YOU CAN CATCH "NAPLES DAILY NEWSMAKERS WITH JEFF LYTLE''.

RIGHT HERE ON ABC 7.

THIS WEEK -- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EXPANDING PALMER EYE INSTITUTE. THE MEDSTAR MELTDOWN AND KEEPING BEACHES PRISTINE.

NAPLES DAILY NEWSMAKERS-REM LIVE (2 SS)

NAPLES DAILY NEWSMAKERS-SS

Dr. Stephen Schwartz, Medical Director, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute/Naples

NAPLES DAILY NEWSMAKERS-SOT

Video clip, titled "NewsMakersClip-Hall" sent via FTP to the Naples Daily News folder.

Clip verbatim:

NAPLES DAILY NEWSMAKERS-REM-LIVE

TEASE FIVE-ON CAM

WHO RUNS THE WORLD?

ACCORDING TO SINGER BEYONCE --

IT'S GIRLS.

BUT NOW SHE'S PROVING IT!

WITH A NEW HONOR.

THE SPICY DETAILS ARE AHEAD --

TZ5A ( BEYONCE HOTTEST WOMAN)-VO

FINAL CHECK OF STOCKS-SAT 3 FULL

BEYONCE HOTTEST WOMAN OF 21ST CENTURY-VO

GQ NAMED BEYONCE -- AS THE HOTTEST WOMAN OF THE 21-ST CENTURY.

SHE GRACES THE FEBRUARY COVER -- IN A VERY SHORT ATHLETIC TEE-SHIRT, AND GOLD JEWELRY.

IT'S NOT JUST HER OUTER BEAUTY.

HER POWER AND ICONIC STATUS -- ARE MENTIONED TOO.

DESTINY CHILD NEW ALBUM-VO

SPEAKING OF BEYONCE --

SHE'S PLANNING TO RELEASE HER FIFTH SOLO ALBUM IN A FEW MONTHS.

AND THE H-B-O DOCUMENTARY SHE PRODUCED, FINANCED AND STARS IN.

DEBUTS SOON, TOO.

SHE ALSO JUST ANNOUNCED --

SHE'S PUTTING OUT A NEW SONG WITH HER OLD GROUP, "DESTINY'S CHILD."

IT'S THE GROUP'S FIRST NEW TRACK IN EIGHT YEARS.

AND WILL BE ON THEIR ALBUM OF OLD FAVORITES.

TIMBERLAKE BACK IN MUSIC-VO

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE IS DROPPING MAJOR HINTS -- THAT HE'S RELEASING NEW MUSIC.

THE SINGER ACTOR RELEASED A CLIP ONLINE -- OF HIMSELF WALKING INTO A STUDIO.

HE'S ALSO PUT OUT TWEETS - HINTING THAT HE'S GETTING HIS VOCAL CORDS READY TO PLAY AGAIN.

TIMBERLAKE HAS NOT RELEASED AN ALBUM SINCE 2006 - HE'S MOSTLY BEEN FOCUSED ON A MOVIE CAREER.

SPEARS QUITS XFACTOR-VO

T-M-Z REPORTS --

BRITNEY SPEARS WILL LEAVE THE "X-FACTOR."

SHE WILL NOT BE A JUDGE NEXT SEASON.

SOURCES SAY THE SINGER LOVES THE SHOW.

BUT WANTS TO FOCUS ON HER MUSIC.

IT'S ALSO REPORTED --

AFTER COMPLETING AN UPCOMING ALBUM.

SPEARS IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING A TOUR.

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TS1) FLU OUTBREAK-VOTOPS-TRX

THE GROWING FLU OUTBREAK GRIPS ALMOST THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

41 STATES REPORT WIDESPREAD ACTIVITY.

AND AT LEAST 18 CHILDREN HAVE DIED FROM THE VIRUS THIS SEASON.

MORE THAN 128-MILLION VACCINE DOSES HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED NATIONWIDE.

TS2) HOLMES HEARING-VO-TOPS TRX

COLORADO MOVIE THEATER SHOOTING SUSPECT JAMES HOLMES -- FACES ARRAIGNMENT TODAY.

THAT COMES AFTER A JUDGE RULED -- HE SHOULD STAND TRIAL ON ALL 166 COUNTS AGAINST HIM.

TS3) GUN CONTROL-VOTOPS TRX

TODAY, VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S GUN TASK FORCE MEETS WITH THE GAMING INDUSTRY.

THURSDAY - HE SAT DOWN WITH GUN OWNERS AND THE N-R-A.

PRESSURE IS MOUNTING AFTER THE CONNECTICUT SCHOOL SHOOTING.

THE TASK FORCE WILL LIKELY RECOMMEND BANNING HIGH-CAPACITY CLIPS.

TS4) COLLIER MISSING MEN-VOTOPS-TRX

ACTOR TYLER PERRY AND THE REVEREND AL SHARPTON -- ARE LEADING THE CHARGE FOR NEW INFORMATION ON A COLD CASE -- IN COLLIER COUNTY.

23 YEAR OLD FELIPE SANTOS AND 29 YEAR OLD TERRANCE WILLIAMS -- WENT MISSING, JUST MONTHS APART.

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.