On the stove is to blame. We are making calls to find out how serious injuries are. The time right now is 4 01 on this friday morning. We made it. We did. And now we have really seen the colder air start to filter in. Inverness, down to 37 degrees. When you walkout side this morning, a wide range of temperatures. Polk county in the 40s. 45 in lakeland and auburndale but at the coast, upper 50s. So we know its at least colder than yesterday. 16 degrees colder in brooksville and inverness. And you thought yesterday morning felt cool, right . So 11 degrees cooler than this time yesterday in lakeland. All day the today. It wont be as windy but there will still be a breeze and well below the average of 74. I am only expecting 62 and then the coldest night of the cold snap at 42. And on weather and traffic on the 8s, i take you hourbyhour through friday so you can get which is really what i was thinking about. It is. And we have overnight construction leading into the weekend. Whats going on in pinellas county, westbound off of the gandy bridge on to gandy boulevard until about 6 00 a. M. , you will be diverted to roosevelt boulevard. They have blocked that off. It should wrap up by 6 00 a. M. Eastbound is not affected. Take a quick look at the cameras. We have construction in the distance, 275, this is right at the 54th avenue south exit. It is blocked. So exit 22nd, down u. S. 19 to 54th instead. Thats a look at weather and traffic. And now back to gene and gayle. Right now, clearwater fire rescue is dealing with another scandal. This is the second this week. This time an aassistant fire chief is accused of stealing. The accusations come after a sex scandal rocked the agency. As news channel 8s paul mueller report, city leaders are not happy. They say they are fed up and not going to the take these antics anymore. The latest case involving an assistant chief from this fire station here. And all of this has city leaders fired up. He is the assistant chief of health and safety here at the Clearwater Fire Department and now his days on the job could be numbered. Unfortunate incident. Embarrassing for the department. Reporter and thats the fire chief talking about one of his own. Jim shine accused of using the fivefinger discount for a five hour energy drink. He claimed it was an accident. This is an avoidable mistake. Reporter and the city manager getting tough too. We all make mistakes. Can we all get a Second Chance . Sometimes you cant. Reporter enough is enough he says. A series of scandals even inside the fire house. Youre ready to clean it up . In the life of an organization, youre going to have employees make mistakes. Reporter he and the chief say the department has struggled before and they have already got the message out, the jobs here to help people, not themselves. Our employees, like i say on a daily baby is do tremendous work. And for the men and women of the department, its embarrassing for them too. Reporter and check out the surveillance camera in the lobby. City leaders promise theyll be installing cameras in the common areas throughout all eight of the citys fire houses in the coming months. Paul mueller, news channel 8. Thank you. This morning we are hearing from the mom who lied to police about her 3yearold being in the backseat of a stolen car. Listen to what she had to say as she walked out of jail. Im sorry for all of this. I really do apologize to the media for making everybody worry about my child. Through and it will never happen again. Now she admitted to filing the false report that lead police on a wild goose chase to find her son. She is now face various charges including misuse of the 911 system. But during the search for the 3 yearold boy, a driver took it upon himself to go ahead and also partake in that search. He joined in on the search for the stolen car. He was swerving in and out of per hour. This is the guy right here. His name is mr. Long. I dont have his first name right now. But he told police, quote, wanted to be a Police Officer and be in pursuit as well. Driving charges. In your vote, time is ticking towards super tuesday and this morning we are hearing and reading a lot of reaction to the final republican to that big decisive day. The big talker from the night, senator marco rubio and ted trump. Marco rubio struck first. I watched him repeat himself five times four weeks ago. I saw you repeat yourself five times five seconds ago. [ applause ] i watched him meltdown on the stage like i have never seen anybody lets stay focused on the substance. Lets talk about wow. That was just one of the many exchanges between our senator and trump. News channel 8s Lindsey Mastis is in the Tampa News Center this morning. And looks like the glove are off. Reporter thats right. The gop debate is trending on twitter right now. And our florida senator marco rubio is getting a lot of attention for his performance, essentially going after trump and bringing up sore points. You are a lousy well, i dont know anything i dont know anything about starting a university, a fake university. A fake university. One at a time. Let me tell you reporter political experts believe now is the time for senator rubio to step it up against trump or just go home. Senator marco rubio isnt even winning here in his home state so he has to make a change before the primary. But first, we have super tuesday when people in a dozen states vote including senator ted cruzs home state, texas. Cruz got into similar exchanges with trump. His strategy seems to be working because according to the latest poll, senator cruz has 38 of support in texas and trump and senator rubio are battling for second place there. Other polls show trump and senator cruz neck in neck in texas. So we will keep a close eye as we get closer to super tuesday. And according to political competitors in their home thank you, lindsey. This morning people in help. They are cleaning up after this weeks tornadoes. Deep creek subdivision. He is touring the damage to determine if he can request aid for these people. One is a vet and explains he thought he was going to die. We just said, god, if this is our time, just let us be with you. Thats what we said because we thought it was that bad. We thought the winds were going to suck us up. The storm damaged dozens of homes and vehicles in charlotte county. We saw some rough weather here but now it looks like were cooling down for the weekend. Exactly. All of that was associated with a cold front. The winds have brought in chilly air. Dropping down into the upper 40s for most of us by 8 00 this morning. But its only a slow crawl back up. And i expect to feel that cool breeze from the north. 54 at 10 00 a. M. 58 at noon. Around 60 at 2 00 p. M. 62 at 3 00. Thats more than 10 degrees below average. You know its going to be a chilly night tonight. In our headline, low 60s today and tomorrow with 40s, even some 30s at night. Good thing is, a lot of sunshine all weekend and if you want it warmer, back in the upper 70s by wednesday. Look at this. 62 today. 64 tomorrow. But 77 tuesday. Lets check on traffic on the 8s to see how things are going. Its friday. It is friday. What a great way to head into the weekend. Overnight construction. Lets take a look at it. This is 275 southbound. You can see the camera is the 38th avenue south camera but in the distance, this exit where you see the bright lights here, this is the 54th avenue south exit. And its blocked. And then in the so you cant exit here. And in the future, tough skyway bridge. In the meantime, exit 22nd avenue south and take 19 down to 5 4th. And we have a little bit of overnight construction thats gandy bridge, westbound. Once you get to the big intersection here, you are diverted to roosevelt. You have to go to 275 and then get on the interstate and come eastbound not affected. Hours. Traffic. Back to gene and gayle. Thank you. Another blow for seaworld. What the theme park is now confessing to that has Animal Rights advocates mad. And a group of bay area women take on the python challenge. We will show you how they did. And a fiery scene at a historic estate. Why the fire is bringing up memories from 100 years ago. Youre watching news channel 8 a 9,000 square foot hiss or the thetic estate, look at it, it just goes up in flames. And now rhode island investigators are trying to figure out how the massive fire started. This is not the first fire at the home. A hundred years ago in 1916, a fire at the estate left only five rooms standing. Wow. Well the former bp rig supervisor is off the hook for the 2010 gulf of mexico rig explosion and oil spill. A jury found him not guilty of a pollution charge. Prosecutors accused him and another rig supervisor of botching a negative pressure test on the deep water horizon rig before it exploded. It killed 11 workers and spilled millions of gallons of oil into the gulf of mexico. This morning, the crews of a coast guard and fishing boat are safe. Look at this, the coast guard ship actually capsized while on the way to rescue the crew of a fishing boat that ran aground. This happened in new york which is close to queens. The coast guard ship flipped while being slammed by 10 to 12 foot waves. Rescuers helped the coast guard crew get out of the water and fishing boat. The coast guard crew actually swam back to shore. No one was seriously hurt. You will be hearing about this all day, this morning a troubling confession from seaworld. The company now admits employees speed on Animal Rights activists. This comes after peta accused seaworld workers of infiltrating the group to get information. Now the ceo didnt apologize but promises theyll stop. Criticism of their treatment of documentary. We will soon learn how many python hunters captured in the everglades during the python challenge. Its not only destructive but elusive. News channel 8s Lindsey Mastis shows us why its so difficult for hunters to find them. Could bag a python . I have just never wanted to touch one or anything. Reporter but after beth to do it in the wild. You think you would have to be big and strong. No, its about the technique. Once you get them there, you can live capture. Reporter she is part of team python, a group of women. They spent several weekends participating in the florida python challenge. Theyre decimating the wildlife down there. Reporter the team leader hopes the hunt will Bring National attention to the problem. We saw one squirrel, two raccoon, we didnt see one possum. Theres hardly any mammals left down there. Reporter but hunting pythons isnt as easy as it seems. Black racers, a lot of rattlesnakes but no pythons. Reporter according to florida fish and wildlife, when you see a python in the wild down there, it means you them. So these snakes are difficult to find. And we will find out tomorrow captured altogether. Health alert this morning, a warning for parents about a pesky problem that can run rampant in our schools and homes. Were talking about lice. But not just any lice, have you heard of super lice . So far, its spread to 25 states including florida. Experts explain we dont need to panic. Lice is not a Health Hazard and does not transmit disease. Its nothing to be ashamed of. We tell the kids, its not your fault, somebody gave it to you. Experts say first dont share hair brushes or hats. Wash clothing and linens in hot water. And of course, do not be afraid to ask your doctor for a prescription treatment. The university of missouri professor caught trying to intimidate journalists during a protest is fired. It all started because of this video taken last fall. Get rid of journalists. One reporter was trying to film a protest over racism when she confronted him. She is now charged with third degree assault. All right, so who can say no to a cupcake . I know i cant. Me neither. Wait till you see this, how about a cupcake atm . You heard that right. Sprinkle cupcakes is opening a bakery and atm in hyde park village this spring. Cupcake lovers just touch the screen, make the selection, swipe their card and boom, there it is. The cupcake pops right now. They are restocked throughout the day so you get them fresh. Hugely popular across the country. And we are lucky to have one here. We need the drivethru atm next. How quickly can i get my cupcake . Temperatures this morning, well, chilly morning, 49 degrees around 8 00 this morning. Jackets will be needed. Not just this morning but all day because the winds will actually pick back up. 62 at 3 00 p. M. Thats more than 10 degrees below average. Right now, we just dropped to 37 in inverness. Zephyrhills, 39. Mid40s polk county. 44 wimauma. And 59 in bradenton. And my weather watcher bob in venice, hes at 52 degrees. Winds are relatively light now. But what i expect to happen is the area of High Pressure funneling in, more cold air so the wins will get stronger, keeping us from warmer up. These are our high temperatures. 63 tampa. 64 in north port. The low, 38 in land olakes. 39 plant city. 35 inverness. 39 lakeland. We do see another cool day tomorrow but then back in the 70s starting sunday. And lets check with leslee lacey and traffic on the 8s. Thank you. And we have an issue in the sun coast area for our friends in sarasota. Heres whats going on, of 75. We have some lanes taken away on fruitville. Meanwhile, downtown sarasota, looking good. And no delays throughout the bradenton area. Of it. Eastbound i4 just past u. S. 27, we have an accident but no injuries involved but traffic its so light. And pinellas county, coming off the gandy bridge, westbound heads up, a dethe tour until about 6 00 a. M. Thats about two hours from now. Meanwhile, you are diverted on to roosevelt. And then hop on 275 and take it back down to gandy boulevard and wrap around. Thats a look at weather and traffic on the 8s. And now back to gene and gayle. All right, leslee. Vice president joe bide season heading to the oscars. Yep, still ahead, the role he will play in the allstar hollywood event. And the cost of auto insurance. The least and most expensive cars to insure. Youre watching news channel 8 today. Find me on social media, say your pet, tell me what youre doing this weekend. Get a Busch Gardens fun card now and let the fun begin. Pay for a day, dive all year, splash all year, thrill, get your fill, and celebrate all year. Climb, launch, roar, and soar all year. Pay for a day, play all year. And if you get the Busch Gardens fun card now, Adventure Island fun card for free. Limited time offer. Visit Busch Gardens tampa dot com for details. Well some new numbers this morning are giving us a idea idea of which cars are the us a good idea of which cars are the most and least expensive to the insure. And it cost an average of 1,113 a year. The most expensive, yeah, fast and furious, the dodge viper. Thats not it. Thats a van. But its the dodge viper gt which is a sports car and it cost an average of 4,048 a year. And im not surprised. Thats why you dont see a lot on the road. But you see a lot of minivans. It may seem like an odd couple but joe biden will introduce lady gaga sunday. She is set to perform her oscar nominated original song till it happens to you. Its from a vanessa murdockment rig supervisor which deals with campus rape. Biden has been very outspoken about domestic and sexual violence. Weather and traffic on the 8s is three minutes away. Plus, cracking down on gas station skimmers. Whats happening in the bay area to keep your personal Information Safe from criminals. And in the next half hour, this look behind the scenes is the video thats giving us a look at the day in the life of a tampa Police Officer. Thats coming up. music playing i feel pretty west side story not every cake can be handcrafted in store by skilled decorators layered with fresh berries and frosted to perfection like our publix bakery chantilly cake itll be remembered for all the right reasons. Publix. Where shopping it is time for weather and traffic on the 8s. 4 28 on this friday morning. Still got to get the kids to the bus stop. It will be a lighter breeze when they go out this morning but theyll need the coat. A chillier morning, 49 degrees when the bus picks them up. Now when the bus drops them off, still chilly at 62. In fact, the winds will pick back up. So emoji man says winter has returned. And in fact, it will stay for at least the next 48 hours. 62 today. 64 tomorrow. And notice the warming trend, up to 77 on tuesday. Leslee, how is traffic on the 8s . Well, we have overnight construction in the distance. Its hard to see here. We see the camera for 38th avenue south but right here is the 54th avenue south exit. And it is completely blocked. So before you get to it, exit take u. S. 19. And then you can pick up 54th. Otherwise in the distance, the skyway bridge. Lets take a look at the maps, eastbound i4 past u. S. 27 in polk county, a collision but its off to the side of the roadway. Good morning to you. Welcome to news channel 8 im gene ramirez. And im gayle guyardo. We start with breaking news. A deadly workplace shooting in rural kansas kills three innocent victims and leads to the death of a shooter. Gunfire erupted inside a plant. Employees ran, scared for their lives. Didnt matter who it was, no specific target. Just shooting anyone that got in his way. Right now, 14 people are injured. In four minute, we will have a full report explaining the