melanie michael live in tampa. thank you so much. >>> in a consumer watch still looking to book holiday travel? airline offering a 48 hour flash cell with one-way flights as low as $35. tickets must be purchased by tomorrow night. there are travel restrictions and blackout dates. you can find more information on wf la .com. >>> united will send you off for cheaper tickets but you have to give up a lot to get it it is called basic economy. passengers will not receive a seat assignment until check-in. they are also not allowed to use overhead space meaning your personal iteml you have to board the plane last. the new fare class will go on sale next year. >>> aaa calling next week the biggest inks giving rush and years. aaa's latest estimate for holiday travel predicts 48.7 million americans will travel. the number of because gasoline prices are down. this increase in travel marks the eighth year of gross -- reunite viewers with three quarters of a million dollars. we to calls for six and a half hours and thousands of

melanie michael is live on the busiest party night of the year. what's the new number one? the newest members are out from the sheriff's office, monitoring the bars of hillsborough county were duis originate. that new number one is a place called the drink, where we are right now. obviously the drinkers were a lot of people drink. if you have ever had any doubt that thanksgiving eve was the night to hit the town, just ask these folks. >> happy thanksgiving! >> reporter: yup, it's the busiest biggest ba far where people dell -- where people gobble up cocktails and talk turkey with friends. >> reporter: what is it about the night before thanksgiving that draws the biggest crowds? >> it's everybody coming back home, being with their family and friends eight they haven't seen in so long. >> reporter: but this isn't just a few buddies for a few brewskis, the wednesday before the big day has recently taken on a new name that showcases shall we say a misbehaving >> it's one of the busiest nights in the industry if not the busiest night. >> reporter: and a big battle for cops tryin

melanie michael is live at university of south florida. truck good evening. when we first broke this story last night at 11:00, we thought the outcome was bizarre and couldn't get much worse but boy were we wrong. it was the lie heard around the campus followed by the confession heard around the cop shop. a teenager with a terrifying truth, but her fear was phony and her story was the tallest all of this, according to the police chief. >> it is very frustrating and it's disappointing because the whole thing is unnecessary. >> reporter: at 19 years old, this foreign-exchange student from senegal couldn't wait to start her college career at usf, a campus known for inclusion. >> we are known for being one of the most diverse campuses in florida. >> reporter: but on election day, the diversity was destroyed according to usf police. someone shoved malicious mess door of fatou gueye and she was one of four to get those notes. >> the notes concern me because it shows not everyone is open-minded. >> reporter: fast forward from the election, a week later to the day, i

melanie michael is following this breaking story for us live. >> reporter: good evening to you. talked about a firestorm. in the last 24 hours, this story has exploded online. mike evans sitting down during the national anthem did not sit well with fans. the head coach spoke to us about his reaction, how he felt about this, calling this uncharted territory and how he >> i am disappointed for that but again i also respect mike's freedom of speech and freedom of expression. >> reporter: the coach expressed his support for the military. but also the support of the team and for freedom of expression. he wasn't the only one talking today. the fans lit up the phone lines on sports radio. this is mo look closely at wide receiver mike evans as he sits on the sidelines during the national anthem on sunday when tampa bay took on chicago. evans claims he was protesting the election of donald trump. >> a reality star can be the president? that's not good for america i don't think. i'm not going to stand for that. >> reporter: the second the story broke, the internet lit up. football fans ac

melanie michael joins us live from the campus where as they should. students should feel safe on campus.>> they absolutely should. this is truly a terrifying time for parents and for students as well. kimberly santos says she felt it in her gut, the fear that boils down to one word. >> uneasy and honestly like my stomach is in knots because i have been here at that time. >> reporter: kimberly's buddy, owes like i don't want to go out at that time anymore. >> reporter: they are among many students worried and wondering, could they be next?>> people walk at night every day after class and you feel this is a safe campus so having like a robbery at 9 pm is pretty scary. >> reporter: both lorena and kimberly can't believe a fellow student was robbed just after 9:00 on tuesday night in a well- known, popular spot on campus. a young woman told police she was being followed by and then grabbed her backpack and a necklace. >> it wasn't that late in the night so it was weird that somebody got robbed at that time but it was two random people. >> reporter: a mass

melanie michael's is live for us now in palmettos.

melanie michael's shows us the drink in south tampa is now the new number one for the -- for duis. >> reporter: if you ever had any doubt that thanksgiving eve was the night to hit the town, just ask these folks.>> happy thanksgiving! >> reporter: but this isn't just a the bar for a couple brewskis, the wednesday before the big day has recently taken on a new nickname that showcases a misbehaving and mischievous moniker. and set of thanksgiving, some call it drunksgiving. >> it's a really busy night for us, one of the busiest if not the busiest in the industry. >> reporter: a big battle for cops trying to keep duis down. the award. since then, they have cracked down. >> don't do anything shouldn't do while you're drinking. >> park your car, leave it here and get a ride home. >> you can leave it here at mckdinton's and pick it up tomorrow. >> reporter: melanie michael, news channel 8. >>> this busy travel day has already proven deadly on bay area roads. eagle 8 hd flew over the seen oner afternoon. troopers tell us the suv crossed the centerline, hitting the pickup truck head-on. the d

melanie michael live in tampa. >>> three states voted yesterday to legalize marijuana. recreational marijuana use is now approved for adults with restrictions in california, massachusetts, nevada, and maine. it's the closest the u.s. has ever come to a national referendum legalizing weed. voters in arizre overwhelming support for amendment 2, a medical marijuana measure. this expands access to medical marijuana beyond the limited therapeutic uses already allowed. the state now has to come up with the rules and that will take at least a year for implementation. >>> for a complete wrap up and breakdown of the results, go to www.wfla.com and click the news two f-18 fighter jets have collided during a training mission off san diego. militarily -- military officials say one pilot landed safely but the other ejected overwater and a search and rescue is underway to locate that second pilot. we will bring you updates as we get them. >>> still to come, he was on his way home from work when he saw a woman about to jump off the sunshine skyway. >> a pinellis county sheriff's offic

melanie michael's shows us the dedicated father took his boy jet skiing and never returned. took the last moments of billy morris's wife remain a mystery happened in the cold current ring those final minutes. >> at least the family can get some closure about what we believe is a tragic accident.>> reporter: the one thing this dad loved more than anything else was spending time with his son. as it turns out, during billy's job as an elephant trainer for barnum & bailey circus, the father shared countless adventures with his little boy. monday afternoon, the two went skiing on the alafia river as they hours later, billy was missing in his son was alone on an island in the river. the three-year-old was rescued when he managed to answer a facetime call from his worried mother. >> impressive that a three-year- old would have the whereabouts to answer the call from his mother. >> reporter: investigators are still trying to figure out what led up to the tragic accident. i spoke with early morris's wife who tells me this is incredibly family. melanie michael, news channel 8. >>> her

as melanie michael tell us one month from now they will mark a somber anniversary. >>reporter: the grief is fresh and raw for this father. december 21st, 2014 feels like it was yesterday. when he is aching to hess see his sonny visits him in the >>reporter: this former nypd officer add mets a piece of his own heart dies when he learns a foal member of law enforcement has fallen. and he has a word to describe those who take lives. >> animals that do this that don't respect come up from behind and shoot anybody come up from behind and assassinate them. >>reporter: when asked what advice he would offer to families of fallen officers. >> find a support group and enjoy the memories that you had in the past. good times. >>reporter: as the healing continues tonight this case continues to wind its way through the justice system. the man accused of killing charlie kay goes on trial next may. melanie michael in tarpon springs newly news channel 8. >> dozens of local community leaders would like tampa to become a safe haven for people in this country illegally. they called for

melanie michael in pasco county tonight, news channel 8. >>> the clouds will clear up. this was in the sky last night. if you get a chance to check out the planets, we have the crescent moon waxing, and venus the right. venus tends to be pretty bright in the fall and winter sky. our temperature is hot. temperatures running 15 to 25 degrees above normal but way out west, you can see this dip in the jet stream pushing southeast. that will help bring cooler temperatures up the road. a nice shot from vick and melissa. this just in from tonight's sunset. you do see clouds in the sunset. we have been talking about that throughout the day. at 4 pm, 84 sunshine. we will stay in this easterly flow pattern. that is where we had been of late. 82 degrees our current temperature. dew point a little higher than it was yesterday so yes the humidity is higher than it was. the dew point 65 degrees in the downtown area. this is something in the tropics we will continue to watch. things are pretty far away. not a. tropical system but the next five days, about a 20% chance of development l

melanie michael joins us to show us how the father of 3 is helping parents on this holiday . >> reporter: good evening to you and happy thanksgiving. on introduced you to a little sweetheart -- i want to she is 10 months old and she just got a brand-new heart. as she recovers at the john hopkins all children's hospital , her family staying here at the ronald mcdonald house. thanksgiving was cooked by mike erin nicole alstott. sometimes in life biggest reason to celebrate comes in the tiniest the packages. for someone's whose career was all about delivering the ultimate gift on the field, mike alstott knows what it is like to give thanks for the >> that is what the thanksgiving season is all about . being thankful for our blessings, our health and what not but again praying for each other and being together. >> for mike in a cold alstott, their kitchen game is strong and they know handling the cooking duties on a day like this when parents need it most, that is the true meaning of this holiday. >> i am thankful for so many things in my life. i'm glad i get to do this for people. blessed.

melanie michael joins us live >> here at freda's cafi and bakery they are thrilled about serving our veterans tomorrow and those who served -- those were served absolutely love it. the minute you meet jenny you feel like you have made a friend for life. she has endless energy and patriotic pride especially when she talks about her time in the navy. >> there are days that i say i really did that and it was really important because now i am a civilian.>> for generally -- for just under a decade she each year she admits she faces a bit of a battle on match day -- veterans day. >> i don't feel entitled to receive anything but when you have served you don't like that service to be question. >> on the day we recognize those who have served, jenny cannot wait until she can see veterans at local businesses being honored through local deals. because she is no longer active military and does not have an id to now instead she cares for military papers on her phone. >> it is a bond. you don't have to know the people but the minute you see a veteran they might be standing in civilian close but th

melanie michael is live on the busiest party night of the year. what's the new number one?

melanie michael joining us live the question hours with -- are we talking about an organized gun ring hear? >>reporter: certainly the million-dollar question. there is no mistake the bad behavior of these crooks was determined and deliberate. boy did they get away with the goods. one of the wildest caught on camera moments we have ever seen. watch this headlight closely and bad guys smash and crash the gun store. unleashing a fury of felonies in one big burglary. >> the type of world we are in right now with everything happening that is just crazy. people running around with a bunch of guns. >>reporter: 35 to be exact. in the end the script got what they came for. the gun store owner told us he suspects they ripped off longer guns and handguns grabbed from store shelves >> it was well thought out and the truck was the battering ram and from what i know a couple other cars waiting outside to escape. >>reporter: the big question now, where are these guns. we talked with atf agents and investigators who tell us tracking the weapons is tough as they are sold illegally online, flea markets

melanie michael's is live for us now in palmettos. are thrilled with this big break in the case. the question tonight, with a man who was arrested be behind this cruel crime ring? the details of this case are so graphic, so savage you have to wonder how could someone be this cruel? >> this is a murder. outright murder. >> reporter: a trusting and gentle horse led from his warm bed to sadistic torture -- torture. the horse was so 11 he would have gone with anyone and he did. he was lured down a long, lonely path to unimaginable pain and fear. >> once this happens, you don't get over it. >> reporter: steve stevens admits the images still haunt him. >> all you can do is envision how the horse suffered until he actually was, lost his life. justice that might ease the pain. manatee detectives have long thought this was the work of a traveling ring of butchers out of south florida, which now cops say includes this guy, manuel martinez busted for allegedly selling horse meat to undercover police. >> i would rather they still my car, truck, any of my belongings before they do that.>> rep

melanie michael live in tampa. >>> a woman in michigan disappeared while she was out jogging while in volusia county. rachel medicine, a mother of two boys had been staying with family after leaving her husband. her family now believes he had something to do with her disappearance. they claim jarvis medicine has been making threatening phone calls since she left. >> what he said every time was i will get her. you can't stop me. >> authorities in multiple states are now searching for jarvis madison and any sign of rachel. investigators are looking for a silver 2011 honda pilot with indiana plates. >>> the florida department of transportation is ramping up efforts to make roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists as we head into the holiday season. this new push puts emphasis on making sure people on the roads tonight a live tomorrow campaign. the tagline is can you see me now? >> the goal is to remind voters to pay attention, to look for pedestrians and bicyclists. you can't see what you're not looking for. and to remind pedestrians and cyclists to make themselves more visible when walk

melanie michael is at the donald trump watch party where the republican party will host a massive event for about 3000 people. congressman buchanan will be there along with other candidates from local races. location. we will be checking in for live updates on that throughout the night. >>> with technology, you often have glitches. that has been the case had a few polling precincts. 8 on your side check out the precincts where voters complained a machine was down like this one in plant city. within an hour of the machine breaking or malfunctioning, there was a backup machine or a different machine was delivered. if you have a problem at the polls, we want to hear from you. >>> important to trump and clinton is polk county right in the heart of the i-4 corrider were both candidates campaigned heavily toward the end. melissa marino continues our coverage live from lakeland. we both live in polk county. it's important to both camps for a variety of reasons. >> reporter: political analysts tell me the way polk county votes will likely be the way the i-4 corrider goes and away florida goes.

. >> and i'm melanie michael. thank you for joining us tonight. we begin with that tow truck driver who lost his life over the weekend. detectives tell us a drunk driver is to blame and now that man is in jail. >> this happened on southbound lanes of interstate 275 near fowler avenue. live tonight from the hillsborough county jail with this all too sad and familiar absolutely right, sad to say, 30-year-old leandro perez is facing dui and dui manslaughter charges. he's the third driver this year to be charged with hitting and killing a tow truck operator. department of transportation cameras captured the grizzly scene where the tow truck driver was hit and killed. authorities tell us he was helping two other motorists on i-275 southbound near fowler old leandro perez failed to move over and hit him. >> once again we lost one of our brothers to another drunk driver. >> ginger darling works in the industry and believes these accidents are preventable. >> people aren't being responsible. people aren't being considerate of other people. i was brought u

melanie michael joins us from a trump watch party. >> we have said it before, trump has to win florida if he has any hope of winning the presidency. race is going to go tonight perhaps. >> reporter: we will indeed. we're coming to you live from the hyatt hotel in sarasota where the rsvp list has grown to 3700 people expected to show up as the republican party puts on a massive event for donald trump. for some of the local races, joining me is the donald trump cochair of the party and campaign. this is a big night for you guys. you have to win florida, what is the feeling? and enthusiasm. with a record crowds at the polls today. a lot of republicans across hillsboro, pinellis, sarasota, charlotte. we're seeing record turnout. that's great news for donald trump. i expect a big victory tonight and i encourage everyone to come join us as we celebrate the night away to celebrate the election of our next president, donald j trump.>> reporter: i say it -- i saw a couple practicing a victory dance and you say the turnout has been good.>> we are optimistic t of these counties. we don't know how

. >> and i'm melanie michael. >> we are following breaking news on the cam train trail. a conclusion to the recent fbi investigation into hillary clinton's use of a personal email server. >> the fbi di two days before election day, once again, no charges will be filed against hillary clinton. director james comey released a statement that the agency reviewed a large amount of emails found on anthony weiner's computer, the estranged husband of top hillary clinton aide huma abedin. the letter did not say how many emails the fbi reviewed or what sort of material was found in the emails. >> according to the los angeles clinton is protected by a rigged statement. >> five state campaign marathon today, donald trump is trying to lockdown iowa. the nominee pledged to change washington's corruption. >> at the heart of this election is the simple question, will our country be governed by the people? or will it be governed by the corrupt political class? we're going to find out very soon. >> donald trump is michigan, pennsylvania and virginia tonight. >> this election is about doin

tarpon springs police officer charlie condeck was killed in the line of duty ar thoughts with our melanie michael today and i know you've gotten to know charles condark sr. how is he doing does time help at all? >>reporter: i have gotten to know him stacie good evening to you. he is a remarkable person and he misses his son so much. exactly one month from today he'll be marking a somber anniversary the day his son was killed. sorry that things had to be the way they were. >>reporter: for charlie condark sr. the dream is the same every time. he is helpless as he watches his son slip way. >> i have dreams of him bleeding out. i picture him shot by himself laying there bleeding out. and nobody's helping him. and it's brutal. >>reporter: the grief is h december 21st, 2014 feels like it was yesterday and when he is aching to see his sonny visits him in the cemetery. >> all i want now you know he just doesn't talk back to me. excuse me. i'm sorry. >>reporter: this former nypd officer admits a piece of his own heart dies welshes a fellow member of law enforcement has those who take lives. >> animals. an

today she shared her story with melanie michael. >> good afternoon. local businesses like greed at's cafi and bakery always look forward to treating veterans and they love it she just wishes everyone was on the same page. >> this mom has lived a life all about serving her country and hurt unity. after enlisting in the navy she was stationed in guam and avoid multiple times. she is now living life as her -- as a civilian raising her girls. each year she can't wait to see fellow veterans at local businesses as they are honored through special deals. because she is no longer active military, she tells us she is questions. on her phone sh >> i don't feel entitled to receive anything, but when you have served, you'll like that service to be question. >> in the antennae along with many of the veterans tell 8 on your side, they are grateful. they hope businesses realize that just because you are not currently servicing doesn't mean your service should be forgotten. >>> floridians overwhelmingly your employer can still say no. backers of medical marijuana tel

melanie michael has a look at this brazen crime. >> there is no doubt that the bad behavior was determined to determine and deliberate. no mistake at all because they got the goods. it is one of the wildest caught on camera moments we have ever bad guys smashing crashed their way into one crazy crime. check out what they did next. they pushed, shoved and run right into the gun store unleashing a fury of felonies in one big -- and one big burglary. >> the temple world that we're in right now, that is crazy that people are running around a guns. >> 35 guns to be exact. in the into this group, they came for. the owner tells us he su they ripped off long guns in handguns grabbed from store shelves and glass cases. >> it was well thought out. from what i know there were a couple of cars waiting outside to escaping going to the 2nd direction. >> the big question now where are the guns? we spoke to agents who tell us online, to the market and even shipped around state or to south america. >> they just wrote it through the front window, back to the truck out and about 11 people rushed in and strip

. >> melanie michael joins us now from a donald trump rally at the hyatt in sarasota. i'm imagining many are hopeful he can pull out a win across the country. good evening from the hyatt where it's been a packed house all night long. we're talking hundreds of hundreds of people at the republican watch party for donald trump. the feeling has been energetic, a lot of hopefulness. there again has been a massive crowd all evening. we've seen men, women, children, even dogs running through the ballroom literally cheering fo excited throughout the evening. congressman buchanon was here earlier with his family getting the crowd excited in a rally style atmosphere. now folks are just watching the returns very carefully and it has been a nail biter, but with some of the states we've seen going for trump i think there are going to be a lot of folks it seems to be celebrating tonight. here in sarasota a lot of people very excited with what they have seen so far. guys, back to you. >>> tonight we're joined by florida newsman brendan mclaughlin here to give his prospective as a lon

melanie michael is live at university of south florida. truck good evening. when we first broke this story last night at 11:00, we thought the outcome was bizarre and couldn't get much worse but boy were we wrong. it was the lie heard around the campus followed by the confession heard around the cop shop. a teenager with a terrifying truth, but her fear was phony and her story was the tallest

melanie michael spent the afternoon with the tiniest of patients whose family is very grateful. thanksgiving. i want to introduce you to a very special little girl, a true blessing. this is ten-month old marissa. she just got a brand-new heart here at johns hopkins all children's hospital. her parents are staying here at the ronald mcdonald house all she is getting much better after getting that transplant. today on thanksgiving the all scott family cooked dinner for their family. >> is families deserve a turkey meal, thanksgiving meal. with th cooks everything up and makes everything and we bring it over here and we try to interact with some families if they come to the door while we are here. at the hate -- at the same time we hope they can have some type a turkey meal while they are dealing with situations in their personal life. >> as you can see marissa is getting healthier by the day and pretty excited about thanksgiving dinner. alscott's, ronald mcdonald house and the children's hospital. >>> right now us troops are celebrating thanksgiving thousands of miles away from ho

melanie michaels is following this tragic story. >>reporter: good afternoon from the banks where this tragedy still remains a mystery at this hour. the search for 38 year-old billy morris was massive and nonstop. his body discovered this morning after he went missing on a jet skiing trip with his 3 year-old son. they were supposed to be gone for just an hour on return, billy's wife used face time to call them. the toddler answered the, if any, and was alone on this island in the river and billy was gone. less than 24 hours later, the dad's body found along the shoreline. right now, investigators trying to figure out what led up to this tragic accident and billy's wife tells me it's a very difficult situation for the family. and the candidate wills in a fight to win votes in florida. donald trump has taken the lead in numerous polls. >> and democrat hillary clinton is trying to take her florida lead back to let's go to news channel 8 candice where hillary clinton is on stage in dade county. high. >>reporter: good evening. clinton too

melanie michael onset to explain what her story is all about today. >>> first, the lightning back on the ice tonight. find out why this looks like a hot streak for the team next in first at 4:00 sports. >>> and you can get developments on today's biggest julie phillips and me every night on great 38 at 8:00. make your holidays more delicious. right now, when you buy $20 in gift cards... ...you get a $5.00 gift certificate for yourself. >>> now let's check on your first at 4:00 sports with dan lucas. >> a little hockey tonight. the lightning played the islanders last night. won 4-0. they have played them four times in three weeks, them 14-2 was the total score. we don't play them again this season. the lightning right back on the ice tonight against division rival detroit. ben bishop expected to be the starting goaltender which is on national tv tonight. so don't flip channels all night. bishop coming off back to back losses but i wouldn't pin them on the goalie. the bolts were sloppy early panthers. -- the sharks. a turn-over cost them against the panthers. because of the back to bac

melanie michael is following this breaking story for us live. >> reporter: good evening to you. talked about a firestorm. in the last 24 hours, this story has exploded online. mike evans sitting down during the national anthem did not sit well with fans. the head coach spoke to us about his reaction, how he felt about this, calling this uncharted territory and how he

all right, everybody, we have good news for our bag by michael's with an ornament and a decorating kit. >> anchor: good morning, washington. i'm melanie hastings. here is a check of your stop stories. the 600 block of h street in northwest is finally reopened near the verizon center, around 3:00 a.m. a man was hit by several bullets standing in fronts of a $140,000 bmw. police believe the victim's injuries are not life threatening. the transition to the new administration begins today. president obama plans to welcome his successor, president obama elect donald trump to the white house. this will happen around 11:00 a.m. this morning. after a meeting trump and vice-president elect mikepenses head to capitol hill to meet a little chilly this morning, but pleasant afternoon. here is veronica johnson. temperatures arriving out out of the 40s this morning. a little bit of chill in the air. the high of 62, seasonal for this time of year and right at average. sunshine, dry, winds picking up a bit. gusts could be around 20 miles an hour. tomorrow afternoon windy, veteran's day, the high also 62 but windy. that wind will carry into early satu

fox5's melanie alnwick has beenn following this story all morninm long and has more on the suspect want led to the shooting.g. mel? mel? >> police have identified thatda man as 46-year-old scott michael green.gr they're calling him armed andnd dangerous. right now police are pairing upg for safety while the hunt foror green continues.nu the first call came in at 10:00: sick am desmoines time for shots fired near a high school inn urban dale. found dead in his or her patrol car.ca area police then swarmed in to help. lp 20 minutes later, a second s officer was discovered. he he was one of those who hadsh rushed in to help. hp. this is video from the secondhed scene just a mile away. desmoines police cruiser ciser surrounded with crime tape and flashing lights.ig look a little closer and you can see what appears to be bullet holes in the side of the vehicle and the word sergeant right that on the quarter panel of the car. the rain poured down out while inside police were fighting back tears as they helh an early morning press press conference. they are clearly worriednfer. >> there's literal danger if you're a police officer. a pe of these guys were gunned downunnen sitting in their ca