right now in news channel 8@:38.>> i'm jennifer leigh and thanks for joining us this evening. workers in downtown tampa given a wake-up call and got a firsthand look what it would be like to be in the middle of a mass shooting. active shooter training

department and jeff patterson joins us live an wake-up call was a good way to describe it. we hate to have the training day and age. >> reporter: good evening and it can happen at any building anytime anywhere and even in tampa. today downtown office workers got to experience the sights, sounds, and smells the blank gunfire is like. it's one thing to see it on tv but completely different to be in the middle of it. wearing a mask, holding a gun, shots rang out. before people realize what is going on a second gunman enters it's a scenario based in reality as office workers in recently with a mass shooting in their workplace. or students at fsu discovered when a gunman opened fire in their library.

police enter quickly but many victims are already on the floor. >> to hear the shopton halal they are is something that you never expect. >> reporter: observers knew what to expect but still seemed caught off guard. >> it's different to see it in the video compared to actually seeing it on site. it made a lot of people think. >> reporter: organizers wanted it as real as possible. >> it's important to talk about because it's something in our life and you can never be over prepared. >> reporter: the ideas to make people think what to do what they are caught in a similar situation. >> and allows them to better plan of prepared and what they can do themselves. businesses and organizations in terms of preparation and unrealistic awareness. >> reporter: the event partnership in tampa police. complete sellout. this is a topic on a lot of people's minds.

tonight. thank you. the water emergency of flint michigan has people donating bottles of clean water from media moguls and rappers to everyday citizens to help people ravaged by a crisis. in the trunk of sam's car is the beginning of change. >> a lot of people really need water. donations or whatever we can do. >> he's a member of the university of tampa five beta sigma fraternity spearhead an effort to raise awareness for the people of flint michigan. for more than a year the people in flint, michigan lived with water not fit to drink. it was contaminated with lead on the states which the source to save money and now hope flooding in concluding from right here at ut. >> it's gotten to the point where the water supply is so deteriorated that people in

>> that's why saturday they will hold the water drive collecting as much as they can and driving back to flint michigan next week. >> we are renting a semi truck or you all and packet fall and drive it by ourselves and handed out in communities where it's needed the most. >> service to others is why they are doing what they are doing. >> service is utmost to me and everyone in my fraternity.>> water drive this saturday from 9:00 until 5:00 outside the university of tampa. coast guard record -- rescue three voters who were found on the coast. flair in the distance and notified the coast guard. no voters were injured. kathy castor wants the fcc to conduct up public interest review for the merger between charter, time warner cable and bright house networks.

important to maintain a high level of customer service for cable providers and she says customers shouldn't trade down for service. governor rick scott pushing for a $1 billion tax-cut package and getting pushback on who should reap the benefits. >> reporter: to pitch his tax- cut governor rick scott took to tossing beanbags in the capitol rotunda. he was joined by the leaders of the state's two biggest business lobbyist groups. >> it's unfair that our businesses are the only state where you pay a tax on commercial lease. >> reporter: nowhere in sight were average people who would benefit from the cuts. when you look at the breakdown almost all the money goes to businesses with 10% or 11% going to individuals. he says creating jobs will benefit everyone.

have gone up and people have jobs. >> reporter: four floors of lawmakers put the budget to a boat but only after criticism that increases in education, more than $400 million this year, come from property taxes known as the required local effort. >> i think it's certainly in play. i think it's an open discussion. it's a broad-based tax-cut. >> reporter: the senate chairman of education appropriations says $254 million should be cut from the local effort. >> that has a positive impact on at least 11 million floridians to pay property taxes. >> reporter: as for the beanbag pitching scott did as well as the elements of his tax pitch is doing. he can close a few times but hit the mark once.

>> you may be wondering what tossing beanbags has to do with tax cuts. the game is made in florida and the governor seeking a permanent tax-cut for equipment used in manufacturing. to busloads of workers from the hard rock casino spent the day lobbying lawmakers for a new gambling deal between a seminole tribe and the state@sooner rather than later. a blackjack dealer said a lack of the deal is causing many to worry. >> our jobs are at stake. our livelihood is at stake. we're here to support it to be signed once again. if it isn't the dynamic would be devastating to thousands of families. the compact provides nearly 20,000 jobs directly and indirectly to the people of florida.>> reporter: the senate promises it will roll out legislation next week and hold on hearing on the gambling deal. more problems for florida's death penalty. the supreme court ruled the state scheme of allowing a 7-5

death is unconstitutional. alabama is the only other state that allow the jury to sentence a prisoner to death without the unanimous vote. to military leaders believe women should be required to register for the draft. restriction that are women from combat jobs in the u. s. were lifted by the defense department last year. the current system requires men between 18 and 26 living in the u. s. to register for the selective service system. the last time a draft reviews was during the vietnam war. clearwater police named their officer of the year honoring a man who may have jason moore has been with the department since 2012 than last year in november he saw an armed man sneaking up behind an officer. he confronted the man and got him to drop his gun. today at the rotary club luncheon he was presented the officer of the year plaques. congratulations to him. florida state fair get started tomorrow in the bay area. >> that means food. we will show you what's new at

things you can have. we know how expensive weddings can be. find out which florida cities give you the most bang for your buck on booking the big day. warm temperatures today. we tied a record high of 84 degrees but it changes with rain and cooler air for a long period of time and forecast coming up. that and more coming up. you are watching news channel 8

now an 8 on your side consumer alert. to know that announced it will

psion was formed in 2003 to attract younger buyers but after years of slumping sales toyota decided to kill the brand. beginning in august toyota decided to kill the brand. beginning in august 2017 year model vehicles will be rebadged as toyotas. toyota dealerships will continue to service the vehicles. were getting an early look at many commercials slated for the super bowl. advertisers running for more humorous ads this year which is different from last year which featured more acceptable at heartstrings. last but by no means a risk- free way to go but play well with a broad audience at the super bowl tends to attract. >> comedy is the safe haven for beer companies and car companies. when it works it can be really effective. what if all-clad not so much. there is some risk but in general funny is a crowdpleaser for sure. >> this year's commercials cost

32nd spot. get ready for corndogs and carnival rides. the florida state fair kicks off this week with new attractions and features. mary mcguire checked the fairgrounds to give us a look what you can expect. >> reporter: the florida state fair doesn't start until tomorrow but today i got a sneak peek at the new fund you can expect this year. from cotton candy to carnival games this year state fair will feature all the classics you expect. along with new attractions and you will definitely want to see to believe. how about a selfie in the oval office? the white house experience exhibit features authentic residential memorabilia along with reproductions meant to inspire generations to learn about and love our country's political process. >> years ago 100% of the people were patriotic so what i'm

for america we have. >> reporter: and white tablecloth in china isn't your style you can feast on the plethora of new food items like funnel cake pizzas, teak -- deep-fried take off and peanut butter and jelly and bacon quesadilla. we're the first state fair in the united states so we debut all the great new rides and foods. once you've had time to digest all of that go to the midway which features more than 100 rides for every level of thrillseeker. the state fair isn't all fun and games. the 11 day advance makes a serious economic impact in tampa bay. >> it has a higher economic impact than gasparilla. >> reporter: i think that's because of the length of time. the state fair runs through february 15. in hillsborough

channel 8. >> our web team compiled everything you need to know about the state fair likes schedules of the event, food, and ours at wfla.com and look for it in the don't miss its section. some wispy looking high clouds at french cheese sometimes an indication on a cold front coming in. sometimes these high ice crystal clouds moving in ahead of rain. seeing thicker clouds across the northern part of the state. an indication of the changer in weather. 75 degrees and cold front moving through slowly thursday with rain chances. slight possibility of storms and cooler conditions with breezy north winds. low-pressure area brings light rain chance saturday night into the first part of sunday. 77 this evening and on the warm

humidity while we have it if warm conditions of partly cloudy skies in a stray shower to the north. 70 tomorrow morning low clouds and patchy fog front moves into and through the area. 75 in the afternoon and showers through the area. in view of the high clouds i was talking about made of ice crystals. this is from kathy in storm team eight wfla if you want to share on facebook. thanks for the pictures. at 7 am 70 degrees forecast low temperature still warm tomorrow morning. temps stay mild into the afternoon but changes happen tomorrow evening at the impact of the front changes the winds out of the north of brings cooler temperatures and. 83 why mama. 82 sebring. cooler on the beaches thanks to a south end southwesterly wind. mild flow from the south would air from the south into the area and breezy at times. blizzard conditions yesterday in iowa, minnesota, and

temperatures not that extreme. 35 chicago and warmer 51 degrees in boston. ahead of the cold front an area of low pressure as well. high pressure off to our east and movement of the high digging in but front chipping away at the ridge of high pressure and will push it out of here. the rain as it passes through will take its time. a few showers but nothing intense and you know all about night. we're not expecting that kind chances throughout the day especially north and central areas as the front moves in and pushes high pressure further out. thought forecast, slight possibility patchy flogging early morning hours but also the computer model picks up on the moisture associated with the front. cold front to the northwest tomorrow morning. rain in northern spots and

behind the front is cooler air and rain chances throughout the day. by friday cooler, sunnier as well. the color of blue is the chillier temperatures we're trying to represent. breezy also so different deal on friday compared to now or certainly 75 degrees tomorrow for a high tomorrow with the rain tomorrow. 68 degrees for saturday and 61 for sunday. slight rain chance late saturday into sunday. running a streak of cool temperatures we will likely carry on for a week or so so if you want the cooler air and wanted to stay it looks like this is your forecast with highs in the 60s drop this period.>> and sounds refreshing. thank you steve. there's a list of the best cities to get married in an tampa claimed one of the top spots. >> the average couple spends $26,000 to put on the perfect day from invitations, food,

wallethub found the cities with the best deal are orlando, las vegas, atlanta, tampa. hundreds of runners sprinted up a staircase at the empire state building which is 86 floors. in an elevator it takes a minute or so to reach the top. the fastest runners don't take that much longer. it took less than 10 minutes for the quickest runners to do that. empire state runoff is an annual event. >> it makes my quads hurt. >> i can't figure out what it's like. tera blake -- tornadoes carrying a cross caught on camera. >> we will show you the twisters in the destruction they left behind. >> city park west through an elderly drivers windshield as she was driving down the

what's making headlines across america. alabama residents cleaning up today after a tornado tore across the state. it was caught on camera near the town of mcmullen. officials say the tornado left the path of damage destroying dozens of homes as well as taking out trees and power lines . amazingly no severe injuries reported. in mississippi a tornado

collinsville. ripped apart homes as well as a church. town leaders say they will ask the town to be declared a disaster zone. one man describes what it was like as his family took cover in the bathtub. >> the whole pressure in the house changed. the whole house started popping and it felt like you were at the bottom of a deep pool of water. my ears, so much pressure on my ears and back. >> fortunately no one hurt there as well. uber driver recovering after a sheet of ice crashed through her windshield while she was driving. the halt of ice came from a semi truck as the 73-year-old woman drove behind it. the truck going likely unaware of what happened. the woman suffered severe facial industries. the man who told her car deals

her experience was. >> barack has no law which requires drivers to clear snow and ice off their vehicles but nearby connecticut does. locke bowman tonight after she flipped her car into a raging river outside atlanta. she's alive and lost control of her car when it went over a guardrail and into the water. she climbed out as a went downstream. firefighters helped her out of the water and health to get her car out of the river. news channel 8 at 6:00 coming your way next. here is what we're working on. a major burglary ring spanning several counties busted wide open. >> the suspect hauled in thousands of dollars worth of stuff. how investigators plan to reunite the items with their owners. and two big names in politics across the island bay area. why they believe donald trump made a big mistake. of take you inside this tampa apartment where there is a sinkhole underneath and show you why the building is so dangerous.

county with the zika virus and how the county is using mosquito traps to protect you. he's smiling here but not anymore. find out why tonight when 8 on your side investigates. those stories plus your forecast coming up on news channel 8. the station that's

right now i news channel 8 at 6:00. a public health emergency. what's being done in the bay area to prevent the spread of the zika virus. a look inside an apartment with sinkhole activity beneath it. inspectors discovered. a boxing champ on the ropes in the child support battle.