5 things you need to know happening in Florida on Tuesday, May 24

TAMPA BAY, Fla. - Here are five things you need to know happening in Florida on Tuesday, May 24.

(1) Casey Anthony trial begins

The Casey Anthony murder trial gets underway with opening arguments in Orlando on Tuesday.

Judge Belvin Perry is expected to start the proceedings at the Orange County Courthouse by reading jury instructions to the 12 jurors and five alternates.

Then the prosecutors and defense lawyers will give their opening statements to try and give a base from which to build their cases that Anthony is innocent or guilty of killing her 2-year-old daughter in 2008.

Jury selection was moved to Pinellas County due to pre-trial publicity. It took two weeks for Judge Perry to find enough jurors who could be sequestered for the duration of the trial which could last up to eight weeks.

If Anthony, 25, is found guilty of first degree murder, she could sentenced to death.

(2) Arrive Alive simulator tour

Allstate and U.N.I.T.E. International are teaming up to curb distracted driving through the Arrive Alive Tour.

The seven city, two week statewide tour is stopping at Pepin Academy in Tampa on Tuesday.

The Arrive Alive program uses a high-tech simulator, impact video and other resources to educate students about the dangers of texting while driving.

The simulator allows students to experience potential consequences of distracted driving in a controlled environment.

"Teenagers listen to teenagers and the message to not text and drive has had a profound impact on all the students we've been able to talk with," Allstate Agent Mike Lia. "If we're able to save just one life with this event, it's a huge success."

Allstate also created the Save 11 campaign which is named for the average number of American teen drivers who die each day in crashes. You can find out more information about this program at www.facebook.com/save11 .

(3) 17th annual "Our Heroes" Luncheon

The 17th annual Our Heroes Luncheon is taking place at the Tampa Convention Center on Tuesday. The luncheon honors the brave men and women of Hillsborough County's law enforcement and fire rescue.

Sixteen local officers, deputies, firefighters and emergency response personnel will receive awards for their courage and bravery in the line of duty.

ABC Action News is partnering with a number of businesses to honor the Domestic Violence officer of the year. Captain Alan Hill of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is this year's recipient.

Captain Hill has been instrumental in maintaining a domestic violence program at the Sheriff's Office in coordination with The Spring. The program involves early intervention in domestic violence cases to prevent them from getting worse.

Eight children of law enforcement and fire rescue personnel will also be recognized with the Coy L. Sykes Memorial Scholarship today. The students are selected based on their academic success and contributions to the community.

ABC Action News' John Thomas will co-emcee the event with WQYK's Steve Austin. The luncheon begins at noon.

For more information and a complete list of award winners, visit tampabayheroes.org .

(4) Big East baseball championship

The 2011 Big East baseball championship tournament week begins in Clearwater on Tuesday.

Eight schools, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, St. John's and West Virginia, will be playing in the double elimination tournament at Bright House Field starting on Wednesday.

Festivities begin tonight with the opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. followed by the home run derby at 7:45 p.m.

The conference will announce the winners of the major individual awards and all-conference honors as part of the opening ceremony. Attendees can enjoy live music, autographs, food and fireworks.

Beginning on Wednesday the eight schools will be playing until just two teams are remaining for Sunday's championship game.

For a complete schedule of games or to purchase tickets, visit www.bigeast.org/BIGEASTBaseball.aspx .

(5) TECO upgrading Progress Village

Tampa Electric and Rebuilding Tampa Tampa Bay will be helping out 20 homeowners in Progress Village on Tuesday.

The houses, damaged by the tornadoes in March, will receive weatherization kits.

"Our goal is to enable homeowners to achieve long-term energy savings during these difficult economic times," said Joann Whele of TECO. "We hope residents will continue to find value in saving energy long after the severe weather that damaged these homes is just a memory."

Dozens of homes in the Progress Village neighborhood in Tampa were damaged when tornado ripped through the Bay Area on March 30. Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay has been helping homeowners over the past two months to repair their houses.

The energy conservation improvements will begin at 8:30 a.m. today.