elizabeth coradon reports for wjz. democrats hit a major pothole today. >> reporter: feels like every time you go to the gas station, you're paying more, you're probably right. according to triple a, the national average for a gallon of self-serve regular is $3.92. a scene finds seven in 10 people say rising gas prices are creating an economic hardship. nearly half believe they'll be paying $5 a gallon sometime this year and the majority are putting the blame on oil companies. last year, the industry raked in nearly $133 billion in profits. >> american oil is booming. the oil industry is doing just fine. >> reporter: thursday, president obama gave a final push for his initiative to end subsidies to the company's biggest oil companies. >> instead of taxpayers giving to an industry that is never more profitable, we shub giving that money to double down on investments in clean energy technologies that have never been more promising. >> reporter: senate republicans were not convinced and blocked the senate-sponsored bill.

i'm elizabeth coradon reporting. >>> right now, a gallon of regular costs about $3.96 here in marylandat's up nearly 26 cents from this time last month. and 39 cents more than we were paying this time last year. >>> barbie is shedding her gold locks for a good cause. mattel is adding a bald barbie to its lineup starting next year. the dogs will come with wigs and other accessories, to help kids suffering from cancer. but you won't find those barbies in stores because they're all going to children's hospital associations and the children's cancer foundation. >>> well, you may not know his name but you certainly know this team. -- tune. >> reporter: about a man named jed ♪ the poor mountaineer barely kept his family fed ♪ >> reporter: hall famer earl shrugs has died. he created a three-finger style of banjo playing. in addition to the beverly hillbillies, he lent his talents to the movie bonnie and clyde. he played with big names like bob dylan, elton john. he was 88 years old. >>> well, we are enjoying above- average spring temperatures outside. but hold on to your hat. the wind is gust

i'm elizabeth coradon reporting. >> reporter: some jewish organizations are taking precautions. amanda knox is free. but her parents could face prison time. kai is live in the newsroom with more on the charges they are facing in italy. >> reporter: knox's parents are charged with slander for telling a british newspaper their daughter was physically abused during interrogation. last year, an appeals court overturned their convictions. the trial for knox's parents is set to start march 30th in perugia. a man is interrogated by police should have been recorded but it was not. so proving amanda knox was abused may be difficult. >> curt knox and eta millis face three years in prison if convicted. >>> it has been five months since a woman was injured by a shopping cart hurled from a third floor mall. the victim's family is speaking out. >> reporter: the surveillance video is difficult for almost anyone to watch. but for michael hedges, it's impossible. it shows the moment his life changed forever. >> i'm quite concerned that my children never see that video. i would never like to see