easing penalties for pot in tampa. how the move could save taxpayers money, but at what cost to the community? a horrible scene at a florida high school as a performer catches fire during a pep rally. and this is the updated design for the new pier. the big differences you'll notice from the original design. good morning and welcome to "10 news early morning." i'm allison kropff. lets get a look at #10weather with meteorologist bobby deskins.

with a small amount with a small amount soon be able to pay a fine avoiding jail time. the city council hopes the new ordinance will ease the stress on the court system and save some from a life-long criminal record. t-p-d arrested more than 18- hundred people last year for having less than 20 grams of marijuana. the city's new law would only apply to those offenders who aren't charged with an additional crime. police tell 10news reporter kendra conlon this isn't a free pass to possess pot. laroi jackson knows

smoking pot... after he says being locked up in korea.. and kicked out of the air force - more than 2 decades ago. that's the hope from the tampa city council... voting... to allow police to cite someone caught with less than 20 grams of marijuana... instead of charging them with a misdemeanor crime. the first time it's a 75 dollar fine... that goes up each time they're caught. critics say there's no mandatory drug counseling in the ordinance - and worry money won't be a big enough deterrant. and an outstanding warrant or other crime along with the pot possession will

the state attorney's office tells me the change will potentially cut down on hundreds of cases.. that won't have to be handled by the clerks office.. prosecutors... public defenders.. judges... and jail staff. exactly how much money this will save taxpayers - is yet to be seen. kendra conlon, 10news wtsp the mayor now this. the policy change to officers and be ready to enforce it in the coming weeks. st. pete is considering similar changes. right now, polk county deputies need your help finding the person who stole a car with a toddler inside! deputies say a woman who was supposed to be watching a 2-year- old boy left him in her car while she went in the mulberry pharmacy on north church avenue. she left the keys in the ignition and when she came out -- the car -- and the toddler were gone. minutes after calling 9-1-1, deputies found the car with the child still inside just down the street at an autozone. deputies need your help finding this man seen on surveillance cameras. they're calling him a possible suspect. call the polk

who he is. in sarasota county -- a firefighter faces up to 15 years in prison. investigators say 43-year-old aaron key persuaded an underage female to text him naked pictures of herself. a county spokesperson says key is still employed by the fire department, but that he is on paid administrative leave while the county investigates. the hacker group "anonymous" declared "total war" on g-o-p front- runner donald trump. "anonymous" says it's making good on its promise. the group claims it posted his social security number and cell phone number online. the stop trump movement is gaining traction among republicans. a group of conservative activists and lawmakers met behind closed doors to discuss alternatives to the gop frontrunner. trump warns any plans to derail his candidacy could lead to voter riots. on the democratic side -- bernie sanders conceded defeat in the tight missouri democratic primary. he lost by less than one-half of one percent of the total vote. sanders said that he would not seek a

today, law enforcement officers from across the country will be in the bay area to honor a hillsborough deputy killed in a wrong- way crash. 30-year-old john kotfila is being remembered as a hero. a woman driving at the time of the crash believes he put his life on the line, to save her. if you'd like to pay your respects to deputy kotfila, there will be an open visitation starting at 11:00 a-m. it's at saint timothy's catholic church in lutz. the service will follow at 1:00 p-m. laid to rest in his home state of massachusetts. this is a private funeral service, but the family has invited a camera in. if you would like to see the service, we will be streaming it on our app. around the state, cheers turn to screams at a high school school pep rally in delray beach... a performer who calls himself ricky "inferno" goes up in flames inside a packed gym when one of his stunts go terribly wrong. he was rushed to the hospital with severe burns -- but he's expected to be okay.

district says this should have never happened because they don't allow pyrotechnics on school property. seaworld is ending its killer whale breeding program and carrying out other major reforms. it's an effort to redefine its business and image. the decision is widely applauded by animal rights groups, but others say it will hinder science and conservation. the company's announcement follows backlash from the 20-13 documentary "blackfish" over its treatment of orcas. have you ever seen something like this shared all over your facebook feed? it looks too good to pass up-- two free tickets from southwest, just by logging in with your facebook account and following a few instructions. but this free ticket offer is as fake as it gets! it's really a scam, designed to get you to give up your private information. and it's not just southwest these identity thieves are copying. there are dozens of offers like that one all over social media. this week southwest airlines started a major push to keep you from falling for the fakes. our news partners in dallas went to check it out-- and learned most of them are computer- generated, so they

there are three things to look for to make sure you're dealing with a real airline facebook page. one-- check for the blue verification check mark at the top of the page. some identity thieves make their own, but if you hover your mouse over a real one, it says the page has been verified. two-- check for typos in the name, or things like extra punctuation at the end. and three-- check for outdated artwork on the a fake one could be using an older color scheme or design the real airline hasn't used in years. time now is . let's take a look at headlines around the nation and the world in 60 seconds. guinea's government says two people have tested positive for ebola. this comes months after the country was declared "free" of the virus. officials say two dead bodies tested positive for the virus, but there are three other probable cases. health authorities say they are taking appropriate

bumble bee is recalling some containers of its chunk light tuna. the company says some of it was improperly processed-- and could result in contamination and life-threatening illness. so far - no illnesses have been reported. the recall comes the same day chicken of the sea brand tuna recalled more than 107-thousand cans for spoilage. a facebook plea helps a phoenix couple track down the rightful owners of a purple heart -- they discovered at a goodwill! the couple bought the medal for five bucks. it had a name on it: eual whiteman -- a world war two veteran. they posted a photo online, and managed to track down the late veteran's nephew. he said the medal had been donated by accident. the updated design for the new st. pete pier is out. this is original design for pier park, the one you voted for. and this is the updated design. the concept is the same. there are still restaurants, boardwalks, a fishing area and an event space, it just looks a little different.

enhanced splash area, the floating docks and the water lounge might have to be cut to stay on budget. if the project stays on schedule, the new pier will be open in the fall of 2018. coming up at 5 on 10 news this morning, the f-b-i releasing new details on the student who went on a stabbing spree at the university of california last year. the dangerous terrorist group he was inspired by. dozens of passengers are safe this morning after the plane they were traveling on was struck by lightning. a sea lion invasion that has caused one oregon town hundreds of thousands dollars may be finally over. all that coming up in about 20 minutes. still ahead here on 10 news early morning, stop an attacker with a bra? the latest activewear designed for your protection. plus -- how you can get paid to travel and drink beers around the world

bobby weather cuba opens its door and in a matter

bay rays will play the cuban national team. it will be the first time a major league team has played on cuban soil since 19- 99. 10 news anchor ian reitz talked to a different tampa team who gives you a

rays can expect in cuba.. as the season swings into high gear for the university of tampa baseball team...there's one experience that a few players on the roster are still talking about. it's not a championship season...but a trip south. "to be in cuba. now opening more. that i never thought calkins was one of to cuba with the of 2014 to play a games. baseball. it. game they are ready to play the next one. not for contract, but because it's fun. they love it." bump "when we see that it reminds you why you played the game as a kid."

experieince as 'eye opening'. "we met fans in the street and they said we're rooting against you. but they said if you start to show us that you are worthy we'll root for you. really unique to see that as the game turned how they're root for us. it was a lot of fun." what also struck the team -- the unique game day atmosphere. the stadiums were built to seat 5000...but many more packed the area to catch a glimpse. "outside the stadium...hundreds of fans...watching. everyone in the block was watching the game. you could tell that's where they wanted to be. it was unbelievable." stephen dezzi also was on the team...and was later drafted by the arizona diamondbacks. he said it's the player's attitudes that impressed him most. "it really changes how i look at things. it was two years ago, but something i carry with me" so as the tampa bay rays prepare for their trip....these players and coaches are excited about what the team will find in havana. "i think it will be great for the

is like in cuba." only two of the players spoke spanish...but despite the language barrier they made connections they kept once they got back in the states...including their guide who they kept updated on their season. ian reitz -- 10 news wtsp. ian will be going to cuba with the tampa bay rays. starting sunday night, he'll bring you reports from the rays' history making game in havana and the president's visit. a woman and assault survivor has a way to keep you safe while you workout. the virginia mother invented a sports bra that does more than give extra support. 10news reporter courtney robinson shows you how it prepares you for the just-in-case. jennifer cutrona is a runner and a survivor. the mother of two was attacked during one of her daily runs. -- "i'm really excited that i got away, but i know a lot of women aren't that lucky." -- determined not to live in fear . cutrona took action and made this. it's the booby trap sports bra. there's a front pocket where you can hide a knife or a

-- "i could keep running . mess with this girl." -- "i love it. i love it." -- bobbi redman and cathy wessenberg walk together every night on the pinellas trail . a trail that's been dangerous in the past. they try to stay safe, but admit they could do more. -- cathy 555 56 now that time has changed it's light but 58 we walk a lot in the dark 5602 -- right now think about it. you're out walking or running you have a phone . keys . but not much else because it's not convenient. where do you keep this and knife or bottle of mace? -- 556 42 i don't have any place to put anything though it that i could i could put a little knife i could put mace i could carry my phone 49 -- these sports bras not only have a spot but check it out. it's also easy to get to. -- 600 14 i think it's a great idea and it will promote safety -- a simple way to help you stay safe and active. in st. pete, courtney robinson, 10news wtsp. the sports bras sell between 45 and 55 dollars. they're for sale online -- but you have

pepper spray separately. if you love to travel and love to drink beer, how would you like to get paid to do both? the florida-based chain "world of beer" is looking for three people to spend the summer drinking beer. it's not a full time job, just an internship. but you would spend about four months traveling across the country and abroad -- sampling drinks -- and documenting the experience. all your travel, meals and lodging expenses are and get this - you'll get paid 12- to drink beer! if you want to apply, the "world of beer avenue in tampa is holding interviews, next saturday march 26th from 2 to 4 p-m. coming up right after the break, quick thinking kept this child safe! why the store clerk is being called a hero here's a look at what's coming up on 10 news and c-b-s tonight. starting at 8:00, march madness continues with west virginia vs. stephen f. austin. at 9:30, notre dame vs. michigan 10 news at 11 with follow after the games. don't forget to stay up for the late show with stephen

guests helen mirren and j.j. abrams. don't forget, you can always take 10 news with you just download the 10 news app. it's a fast look at breaking news, weather and traffic - and get alerts so you won't miss a thing. search wtsp 10 news in the app store now.

there's moving... and there's moving with move free ultra. it has triple-action support for your joints, cartilage and bones. and unlike the big osteo-bi flex pills, it's all in one tiny pill. move free ultra.

store clerk's motherly intuition helps save the life of a baby! in this surveillance video out of colorado, you can see a mother holding her 7- month-old baby at the counter. the clerk said she could tell something was off -- so she grabbed the baby, seconds before the mom falls back and starts having a seizure. the mom says she couldn't be more thankful for the clerk's actions. she says she and her baby are doing just fine. coming up on 10 news this morning, what's next for marco rubio.

ending his presidential campaign, and his future plans may surprise you. and a suspicious piece of mail sent to donald trump's son. the investigation now underway. and airfest returns to macdill this weekend. we you need to know if you want to go with your family. whether you have 10 minutes or 30, we have everything you need to start your day. we'll see you back here in three

good morning and

good morning and welcome to 10 news this morning. i'm allison kropff. and i'm ian reitz. today, a funeral will be held for a hillsborough county deputy killed in a wrong-way crash over the weekend. 10news reporter emerald morrow is live at the hillsborough county sheriff's office law enforcement memorial in ybor city. emerald, there's already been an outpouring of support for deputy john kotfila and his family. -yes, it's amazing how deputies rally