Transcripts For KTVU The 20240704

Strong winds whipping in the sierra as a powerful blizzard pummels the region. Tonight, communities bracing for dangerous conditions ahead also, one step forward in the long search for a new Oakland Police chief. Tonight, the four candidates speaking directly to the community as residents hold out hope for new leadership. As long as that position has not been filled, the crime keeps going up. The city of oakland now, without a police chief for more than a year. Good evening everyone. Im mike mibach and im cristina rendon. Members of the Oakland Police Commission Held a Community Forum tonight introducing the public to the four police chief candidates, topping their list new at ten ktvu Jana Katsuyama joins us live with highlights from this meeting and what comes next. Well over the past year, it has been a battle trying to fill this position between the Police Commission and the mayor, who fired the last chief, lauren armstrong. The mayor refused to come to the meeting tonight, but many people we talked to said they were glad that they had this chance to hear from the candidates. I want to welcome you to the chief search ad hoc. About 30 people came to the Oakland Police Candidate Forum at oakland city hall. More watching online. Were offering you change agents. Look at their qualifications. Why they want to lead in oakland. Marcia peterson, chair of the commission and Ad Hoc Committee, asked each candidate to present their plans for their first 100 days. Louis molina, assistant deputy mayor in new york city, said hed begin with community meetings, a review of department policies, budget and staffing. I am an evidence based thinker. Ive worked in policing. Ive worked in the District Attorneys Office, and ive worked in corrections. Lisa davis, assistant chief of the Cincinnati Police department, said shed begin with a listening tour, talking with Community Leaders and police sergeants, who she says plays a critical public role. The way we treat people matters, and that accountability is shown. Davis said she would use precision policing data to focus on high crime locations and be a collaborator. You can be, um, propolice and be about procedural justice and police reform. You could be about all those things. Those arent mutually exclusive. Former san leandro chief abdul pridgen, a previous candidate whod been rejected by the mayor once before, said hed prioritize the budget, Police Staffing and community engagement. In my experience, the way you change culture and behavior is through accountability. I believe it starts at the top down. I ask people to hold me accountable for what i do. Floyd mitchell, former Lubbock Police chief, said he would meet with the community and the police rank and file. I think its vitally important to get feedback from the officers that have boots on the ground, uh, and determine from them where we excel and where we could do better. The forum is great. I think you should always have a forum when youre going to select somebody like a chief of police, because i wanted to see who would be over our city. We have a lot of, you know, crime out here and we need someone to help prevent it. But certainly as of tonight, its out of the four. It was very clear who my top choice would be out of the top four. And i did ask noel gallo who his top choice would be. He said he isnt ready to disclose that yet. Thats because the Ad Hoc Committee went into closed session to vote on their top choices. They plan to present their list to the mayor tomorrow morning. Christina well be following it closely. Jana katsuyama live in oakland tonight. Jana. Thank you. And the commission is encouraging oakland residents to get involved in this search. They have a survey for people to weigh in on the candidates. You can find it by visiting our website ktvu. Com web links. All right. It was a wet one for much of the bay area with rain off and on throughout the day. This is what it looked like in oakland this afternoon, not far from jack london square. But the big story definitely in the sierra. A powerful blizzard moving through the area. And its expected to bring close to ten feet of snow, possibly more, this afternoon. It was definitely coming down in tahoe city. Dangerous to impossible. Mountain travel expected really throughout the weekend. And lets give you a live look tonight along interstate 80 near castle peak roads completely covered in snow. Chain control in effect tonight for parts of 80 as well as 50. But the chp says you should not be on the roads if you dont have to. Chief meteorologist bill martin with us now. Bill, you were saying biggest winter storm of the season there in the sierra. Yeah. And it might be one of the biggest in the last decade or so. Theres some opportunities here to break some records. If we do see 12ft of snow as is projected by some of the models around here, we got some rain today, lot in the north bay, almost an inch, right. But then look at san jose 300. So it was really widely varied. Cooler system as we talked about. So its going to bring you this sort of lighter rainfall accumulation. And thats how it goes for the whole weekend. So its going to be on and off umbrellas this weekend. You can see right now where we are im going to back it up a little bit and youll see the main system go through about 2 00, 3 00. This afternoon. So there it is. Moves through. Thats the dynamic. So those are the dynamics now the cold air is in place. And were in a situation where weve got an air mass an unstable air mass thats going to linger over the bay area for the next three days. And so thats going to have the potential to get your snow on bay area peaks, scattered showers, some sun, even thundershowers and hail. So its going to be one of those kind of wild periods. But theres also going to be opportunities to get out and enjoy the day. So when i come back, well look at the models, well look at the radar, well look at the five day. Ill see you in a few minutes. All right. Sounds good bill. Thank you for that. A potential life threatening blizzard now slamming the lake tahoe area and the storm just getting started. Ktvu zac sos has been monitoring the storm, and its really effect on the resorts. The residents and visitors to the area there. Zach. Yeah mike. The storm once again, proof that for ski areas there really is such a thing as too much snow, some closing, others scaling back operations tomorrow. Meantime, visitors quickly pivoting from talk of spring skiing and t shirt weather earlier in the week to hunkering down. Donner pass inundated by snow friday evening. Earlier in the day at palisades tahoe. Its definitely coming down right now. Im getting pelted in the face. Thank goodness im wearing sunglasses. Uh, because yeah, it is definitely snowing at this point with really appreciate snow resorts spokesperson Patrick Lacey at the base as the massive winter storm began to make its way into the lake tahoe area. Only expected to intensify from here on out. Yeah, this is going to be a big one for sure. In tahoe city, plows hitting the roads, a blizzard warning in play from the National Weather service, feet upon feet of snow and dangerously high winds. Forecast for the region at the resort. The alpine side closed friday and limited operations scheduled for the palisades side. We do ask for your patience. Uh especially on the Upper Mountain lifts. Uh, this is for your safety. This is just coming all at once. I mean, this could really, really impact the season. Uh, and extend our season as well. Meantime, at heavenly mountain resort, were preparing for a big one right now. The forecast prompting the resort to shut down its gondola and Upper Mountain lifts friday. Once the storm passes, it will be great for those powder hounds, but for now, were just taking this day by day right now. And the last thing, frankly, is that we have to take a look at road conditions. Is it safe for people to get to our mountain . If you dont have to travel, if you dont have to be out, dont be out. Thats the message from truckee Emergency Services with whiteout conditions already hitting roadways in and out of the tahoe area, we are definitely hearing that, uh, people are stocking up, got groceries, going to be making stew, made sure we had eggs and stuff because you need to plan ahead and not wait for the last minute. For those who do need to hit the roads, the advice have that blanket, have food, have water and be ready to potentially have to hunker down wherever youre stuck. Yeah, the message right now from First Responders now is not the time to head up to tahoe. And if youre planning to go up after the storm, something to keep in mind. It could take days afterwards to clear up some of those roads. Mike zac sos live tonight here in studio. Zach, thank you for that. This blizzard will boost californias snowpack now going into tonight, it was slightly below average for this time of year. Californias department of Water Resources conducted its third snowpack survey of the season earlier today. It measured the statewide snowpack, snow water equivalent at 80 of average for this date. This is an improvement from 28 logged on january one. However, todays measurements are still just 70 of the peak. April first average. A critical marker for snowpack conditions. It will take several additional storms within the month of march to really get us from the current 70 of april 1st average up to 100 of average by the 1st of april, and the states six largest reservoirs are nearly 80 full, which is 114 of where theyve historically been on this date. Just a quick reminder here that you can always stay ahead of the storm with the free ktvu weather app. It does have current conditions, a live interactive radar, and it also breaks down the forecast hour by hour. New at ten. Nearly half of people cited for drug use in San Francisco were from outside the city, according to new data. 718 people were arrested or cited between march 30th, 2023 and february second, 2024, according to the city. A 47 said they lived in another county or declined to say 53 said they lived in San Francisco, 20 said they were receiving money from San Francisco countys adult assistance program. Of those, a third said they were not from the city, which the city says constitutes welfare fraud. San Francisco Mayor london breed said in a statement. Quote, over the past year, our local, state and federal Law Enforcement agencies have made a significant increase in drug seizures and arrests. But we cant let up until those dealing drugs and using them openly on the street understand that San Francisco is closed for this type of activity, supervisor matt dorsey said. The numbers further confirmed that San Francisco is too often a destination for drug tourism. He added we owe it to those struggling with Substance Abuse disorders not to enable behaviors that are deadlier than ever, and we owe nothing less to San Francisco taxpayers who shouldnt be asked to foot the bill for it. The man acquitted of murder in the high profile shooting death of kate steinle on a San Francisco pier, is expected to be deported within days, according to the new york times. Jose Inez Garcia Zarate was transferred to federal custody on february 16th and will be deported to central or southern mexico. Garcia zarate had been deported five times and was wanted for a sixth deportation proceeding. When kate steinle was shot and killed on pier 14, july 1st, 2015. He was acquitted of the homicide charges, but found guilty of firearm charges in federal court. Still to come, a list of safety issues discussed tonight at a Community Town hall in the south bay. The Major Concerns in one san jose neighborhood also, more than a dozen new officers sworn in tonight in the city of San Francisco. So the Police Chiefs message for the city, plus, when people think of black History Month, its about the challenges and struggles that our people have overcome game. And we are still fighting a lot of those challenges and struggles to this day. An oakland nonprofit says its trying to build a movement around human and civil rights for the incarcerated population. Coming up tonight at 1030. Why . They say the rights of people in prison need to be included in the discussion about black history democrats agree. Conservative republican steve garvey is the wrong choice for the senate. Our republican opponent here on this stage has voted for donald trump twice. Mr. Garvey, you voted for him twice. As your own man, what is your decision . Garvey is wrong for california. But garveys surging in the polls. Fox news says garvey would be a boost to republican control of the senate. Stop garvey. Adam schiff for senate. Im adam schiff, and i approve this message. Enforcement, blight and rising gang violence. Ktvu south bay reporter Lamonica Peters is live in san jose, with more from tonights meeting. Lamonica San Jose City Council Member peter ortiz told me that he grew up in this neighborhood, and that he thinks its been neglected for years. He says holding this town hall is just another step towards finding solutions to some of the challenges. There are gunshots over the weekend. There is an active gang here that many families are concerned about. And, you know, not just that, but theres Illegal Dumping in the neighborhood. Theres graffiti, theres a lot of blight. Community members, parents and staff gathered at rocketship cc Academy Thursday night to voice their concerns about whats happening in East San Jose. District five Council Member peter ortiz says addressing these issues is important to him because of his own history. We want to provide opportunities. We want to provide options for these individuals. Im a former gang member. Im not going to be, um, hypocritical and talk bad about these individuals. These are individuals who have lacked resources from their birth. Growing up here in the east side, and especially in dobon, ortiz says Holding People accountable for their criminal behavior is also key. He says hes formed a partnership with san jose police, the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office and educational institutions like rocketship Public Schools to reach young people as early as possible. I think this is one opportunity in one way for us to build that bridge in that community. With peter ortiz and his team, but also just empowering our families. So yo, un buen programa es con los ninos desde chiquitos Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney byron suarez also grew up in East San Jose and talked about one way he and the das office are approaching gang prevention, not wearing the suit and talking to them as somebody who grew up in this neighborhood and sharing my upbringing, the struggles my family had visiting my brother in jail and my cousins in prison , and telling them that, you know, that we dont want that for you. What can we do for you . Yeah, there were a lot of personal stories told by some of the Community Leaders tonight, and ortiz says that this weekend, on saturday, that theyre also bringing people together to do a neighborhood cleanup. Christina, im monica peters, live for us tonight in san jose. Monica. Thank you. Also in san jose, police say the two men are under arrest in a shooting that left one man dead and another wounded. Joshua bocanegra and michael carbajal, both 20 years old, are charged in the shooting that happened on december 17th, two victims were found shot and wounded in the area of snow drive and gaesti drive at about 4 00. That morning. One of them later died of his injuries. The two men were taken into custody on february 15th and booked on homicide charges. The victims name has not yet been released. The mass shooting suspect accused of killing seven farm workers in Half Moon Bay, was in a redwood city courtroom for his arraignment today. A grand jury indicted chunli zhao on seven counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. His attorney entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. Zhao also waived his right to a quick trial. Prosecutors say the Mass Shootings in january of last year at two Half Moon Bay Mushroom Farms happened after zhao had an argument with a coworker. The judge did order him to return to court in april to set a trial date. He remains in custody tonight without bail. New at ten the San Francisco Police Department graduated its 280th recruit class today. Police chief bill scott was there to lead both the graduation and swearing in ceremonies. Please join me in graduating the Newest Police officer. And among the 19 recruits, three are women, eight are bilingual, fluent in spanish, thai, arabic and cantonese. The commencement was held at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center there on 19th avenue. Chief scott says this graduation means a lot for the city. Its a really a positive thing for us to step in the right direction and we tend to continue this momentum. We have a lot of applicants right now and hopefully the next class will be even bigger, and its really great to have new officers on the streets because we need them. The new officers are now headed to their 16 week Field Training at police stations across the city. All righty. Taking a look at the big story. And that is the mountains. A winter storm warning. I mean, a blizzard warning in effect for three days along the west slope of the Sierra Nevada. And whats happening is the moisture is coming in off the pacific. Its getting pushed up against the hills, rises up and it cools and condenses. We talked about that. But what happens, too is the crest of the Sierra Nevada kind of keep that moisture in place. It sort of holds it there like a dam. And so it just keeps shoving more water like this moisture is going through here. Now its just going to get trapped in there and its going to push it up. Its going to wring out every little bit of moisture available. And thats where the big snowfall accumulations are going to come from. Its just this nonstop ringing out of the water around here. The system is cooler. Its were not we dont have those same dynamics birx we just have it passes over us. We get some drizzle, we get some sprinkles. But were not going to see those big heavy rain drops that we would see in the sort of the Atmospheric River events. The big ones that weve had this year. So the rain is falling, that main system, the main part of the system, has gone through in terms of the dynamics. Now its going to be air mass stuff, which will look like this through tomorrow afternoon. And then as we go into the evening, more scattered showers, maybe thunderstorms tomorrow night. You see that right there. But its a tough one to time out. Right. You saw how widely scattered that stuff is tomorrow. So umbrella is ready. Be prepared on the commute for wet roadways. The sun is going to come out. There might be a thunderstorm. The whole bit. So just its one of those days. So ill see you back here in a little bit. Well look at the latest models and well push it into the weekend as well as the five day forecast. All right bill thank you. This week instruction got underway to repair storm damage to the historic trocadero clubhouse in San Francisco. Stern grove, the landmark building shut down last year after a large eucalyptus tree crashed onto its roof during a storm. The citys recreation and Park Department says the 2. 5 million repair project is being funded through its general fund. As well as with reimbursements from fema. Built in 1892, the clubhouse once served as a dance and gambling hall. In modern day. Its been a popular spot for weddings and other events. It is expected to reopen by the end of the year. Coming up, a change in city rules means san jose mayor matt mehan is up for reelection, despite only being in office now for a little more than a year. Plus, President Joe Biden and donald trump at the southern border today as immigration remains a big topic this election season, their dueling visits next also, time is running out for plans to build a new city in rural Solano County. The deadline thats now here overflowing with ideas and energy. Thats the San Francisco chronicle endorsing democrat katie porter for senate over all other options. Porter is easily the most impressive candidate. Known for her grilling of corporate executives. With deep policy knowledge. Katie porters housing plan has bipartisanfriendly ideas to bring homebuilding costs down. And the chronicle praises her ideas to end soft corruption in politics. Lets shake up the senate. With democrat katie porter. Im katie porter and i approve this message. Did my legs shrink . I can move them. I mean, i knew Alaska Airlines premium class had extra legroom but this. This feels different. Okay. Crazy idea. On the count of 3. Im going to try and cross my. Ohhhhhhhhhhh boyy thats nice. Woooooo being in office for a little more than a year. San jose mayor matt mehan is now up for reelection as ktvu jesse gary reports. This comes after the city switched its election cycle to coincide with the president ial election. All right. Days before the march primary election, san jose mayor matt mehan engaging in his version of stumping for votes. An empty lot in North San Jose is an unusual but picturesque setting to showcase his accomplishments in office. I think the best way to campaign is to solve the problems facing our city. Im focused on getting san jose back to basics, getting people indoors faster and out of these tent encampments that are across the city. The familiar theme is a holdover from mahans Campaign Rhetoric of 2022, when he won the general election over cindy chavez. The city then moved its Mayoral Election to coincide with the president ial election cycle to increase voter turnout. Theyre going to have some variation from election cycle to election cycle, but but youre going to create a more diverse and representative electorate thats the idea behind the change this year. Mahans opponent is a little known political journeyman, tyrone wade. His website doesnt List Campaign stops and touts Campaign Themes of human rights, religious freedom and limited government. This raising issues that are important to him. Um, you know, its another way to get involved. Certainly in, you know, civic life is to, to run for office. And i would hope more people run for office. I think its generally a good thing. While wades impact may be muted by mahans sizable lead, the Santa Clara County registrar of Voters Office says adjusting the Mayoral Election cycle has had an impact this year. Participation in the primary election is running between 5 and 10 ahead of 2022, right now, we are approximately about a little over 10, um, in returned ballots, um, and with an estimated voter turnout for the entire election, between 45 to 55, experts say the percentage bump could grow to 35 in the coming years. If mehan secures 50 plus one of the vote on tuesday, he will win a four year terms as mayor. No need to go to the general election in november and conceivably in four years, he could run again and get another four year terms, putting him in office for most of this decade. The south bay bureau, jesse gary , ktvu, fox two news. President biden and former President Trump both traveled to the southern border today. As immigration shapes up as a Major Campaign issue. President biden called for the passage of bipartisan security legislation that would include thousands of asylum officers. They desperately need more resources. Say it again. They desperately need more resources. They need more agents, more officers, more judges, more equipment in order to secure our border. Folks, its time for us to move on. This. We cant wait any longer. The president blamed donald trump for torpedo ing the border bill as he met with federal agents in brownsville, texas. Officials say arrests for illegal crossings fell by half last month following record highs in december, 300 miles away on the same banks of the rio grande. Former President Trump was in eagle pass, where he blamed President Biden for the increase in migrant crossings. But its allowing thousands and thousands of people to come in from china, iran, yemen, the congo, syria and a lot of other nations. The United States of america is dealing with more, more deadly consequence than we have in our entire lifetime because of joe bidens policies on the border. Donald trump went to that park alongside governor greg abbott, where the Texas National guard has put up razor wire in defiance of a Supreme Court order. Trump is proposing to revive his controversial travel ban, imposing ideological screening for migrants and terminating all work permits coming up, a nonprofit in the east bay fighting for the rights of incarcerated people. The Community Movement they are trying to build. Plus is specifically about about a recall procedure. Its not about anyone. Recall at all. And a ballot measure could overhaul Alameda Countys recall process. The critical vote ahead as the current District Attorney fights an effort to remove her from office. Steph curry and Draymond Green have some fun in the big apple tonight. Jason appelbaum has the warriors story later in sports. Also a troubling sign that businesses are still struggling post pandemic. The popular San Francisco chain that is closing down for good. What do i see in peter dixon . I see my husband. The father of our girls. I see a public servant. A man who served under secretary clinton in the state department. Where he took on the epidemic of violence against women in the congo. I see a fighter, a tenacious problemsolver. Who will go to congress and protect abortion rights and our democracy. Because he sees a Better Future for all of us. Im peter dixon and i approved this message. I launched our campaign at this union hall. Lets go win this thing then we hit the road and never stopped. You shared with me your frustration at working harder to barely get by and afford a place to live. Your fears for our democracy and freedoms and your dreams for yourself, your family, and the future. It is not too late to realize those dreams. Im adam schiff, and i approve this message because together we can still get big things done. Coverage concludes with a Nonprofit Group in oakland that says its focused on building a movement. Legal services for prisoners with children says it organizes communities affected by the criminal Justice System and is fighting for the human and civil rights of incarcerated people and their families. As ktvu Claudine Wong reports, lspc says its work is an important part of the conversation about black history. There is always a hum of activity inside this building on Market Street in oakland. For robert bowden, this is a new chapter. First incarcerated at the age of 12, he spent the next 26 years in and out of the system and prison. It started off as being somewhat fun because the people i was a part of being rebellious with landed there also. Then it became miserable. Then it became confusing because i became institutionalized. Now he works at the nonprofit known as Legal Services for prisoners with children. It is the only Public Interest law firm in the country run by a formerly incarcerated person. 80 of the employees are formerly incarcerated, with a collective time served of over 200 years. Legal services for prisoners with children became one of the first organizations in the country specifically formed to support women in prison, at a time when their struggles were nearly invisible. This was back in 1978, at the height of the womens rights movement, but during that time incarcerate people were not included in the conversation. Lspc now has expanded its reach, and the conversation to the entire incarcerated population. Asian. The Group Provides Legal Services, assists with family reunification, gives bikes to children with incarcerated parents, and advocates in both the judicial and political realms. This is a population they say, that needs to be part of the conversation about black history. When people think of black History Month, its about the challenges and struggles that our people have overcame and we are still fighting a lot of those challenges and struggles to this day. According to lspc, there are more than 95,000 people currently incarcerated in california. African americans make up 6 of californias population, but account for 28 of the incarcerated population. It is a group, they say, that is often unseen and unheard. But a group that is often forced to work while incarcerated. A recent two year investigation by the Associated Press named prison to plate, found that the countrys 2 million person prison population is part of the National Supply chain in what it calls a massive multi billion dollar empire, with many prison programs in agriculture and sourced by major corporations. As the ap writing, the prisoners who helped produce these goods are disproportionately people of color. Some are sentenced to hard labor and forced to work or face punishment, and are sometimes paid pennies an hour or nothing at all. They are often excluded from protections guaranteed to almost all other full time workers, even when they are seriously injured or killed on the job, and it can be almost impossible for them to sue and its all legal in this country. We celebrate ending slavery. However, slavery is still in the federal constitution and the same way that slavery is parallel to involuntary servitude, the jails and the prisons are comparable to plantations. So our mission is to remove involuntary servitude from the constitution and the leftover vestiges of slavery, voter disenfranchisement, and all of the things that seem to still be present today from way back then, with 30 lsblk chapters in 30 states that fight for change is being waged in state legislatures across the country. In cifora, the fight takes the form of aca eight and wod amd the ste constitution to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude without exception. The group is also fighting for voting rights, a living wage, and is pushing back against stigmas. I believe the stigma is allowing one bad decision to determine their entire lifetime and be labeled as a criminal, a criminal or labeled as a bad person when oftentimes we learn from our mistakes and we should be awarded the opportunity to be able to redeem ourselves and be a contributing member in Society Without having all of these barriers that we have to overcome. And make it that much harder for us to reintegrate. And you know, contribute positively. For bowden, its being a part of that contribution with others who have walked his same steps. So to be able to come, come and be a part of Something Like this, it makes you understand who you are. All soldiers have scars or you aint never been to war in oakland. Claudine wong ktvu, fox two news and today may be the last day of february, but you can see our black History Month coverage around the clock. We have all of the stories from our last 29 days on our fox socal app. Its free to download on your smart tv. New at ten a memorial tonight in the city of richmond honoring the life of former mayor and Council Member Irma Anderson, who died last month. Dozens of former colleagues and other city leaders came in support, anderson remembered. As a loving friend and a trail blazing woman in politics, she was the first black woman to be elected mayor of a major california city, and the second black student to attend and graduate the Cornell School of nursing. Speakers remembered how andersons natural love for others influenced her public service. No matter what you did for a living, irma really cared about people and wanted to make sure people were making enough. You know, getting a fair living. So that they could provide for their families. Mayor Irma Anderson was 93 years old. Coming up at 11, californias senate race is heating up in spending for the seat is at record levels. And how money going into this campaign compares to years past. We are tracking rainfall around here. Snow in the mountains, right into the bay area weekend. The five day forecast is coming up. Up first though, it turns out one popular franchise is not exempt from californias new fast food law. The change, announced night from governor ne what do i see in peter dixon . I see my husband. The father of our girls. I see a public servant. A man who served under secretary clinton in the state department. Where he took on the epidemic of violence against women in the congo. I see a fighter, a tenacious problemsolver. Who will go to congress and protect abortion rights and our democracy. Because he sees a Better Future for all of us. Im peter dixon and i approved this message. You can make money the hard way as a bullfighter or a human cannonball. Or save money the easy way, with xfinity mobile. Existing customers can get a free line of our most popular unlimited plan for a year not only will you save hundreds but youll also be joining millions who have connected to americas most reliable 5g network. Sure is a lot safer than becoming a stuntman for money. Get a free line of unlimited intro for a year when you buy one unlimited line. Visit xfinitymobile. Com today to learn more. Is responding to allegations that Governor Newsom used his influence to carve out an exemption for the restaurant from a new state law that will require fast food chains to pay their workers 20 an hour. Bloomberg news reported that this week, panera franchisees owner greg flynn, who went to high school with the governor, used his influence to lobby for a carve out for chains that bake and sell bread. The Governors Office says newsom never met with flynn about the bill, and that a legal analysis has found that panera is not exempt from the law. Some republican lawmakers, though, are still pushing for an external investigation. Tonight, panera Franchise Owner greg flynn issued a statement saying in part, quote, to be clear, at no time did i ask for an exemption or special considerations. I also never met with Governor Newsom about this bill, though i did meet with his staff in a Group Meeting with other restaurant owners. And finally, although we attended the same high school, i never met him there and in fact didnt meet him until decades later. The clock is ticking for the billionaire backers of a planned new city in Solano County to gather signatures for a November Ballot measure. Today was the deadline for the Solano County council to give the Ballot Initiative a title and a summary. After that, the California Forever campaign will have as little as two months to gather 13,000 signatures for verification. Developers say they want to build a city that would include 20,000 new homes right near Travis Air Force base. The plan has generated opposition among some nearby residents and lawmakers, who are critical of the secrecy that has surrounded the plans. A popular deli in San Francisco is closing its doors for good. Lees deli is the latest retail shop to shutter in the citys financial district. At one time, there were dozens of delis, delis in the area, but the owner says a combination of covid high minimum wage costs, theft and a lack of people returning to the downtown area forced him to close all of the shops. Workers in the financial district say they will miss the signature deli and inexpensive treats. Work over at 211 main and you know, on the other side of market and im walking over here just actually Walking Around to see whats available in the like, broader vicinity that isnt 20 bucks to eat lunch. Those working in the area say its part of a trend of closures that has left one vacant storefront after another. Meanwhile, the city says its working to transform the area and bring people here in all hours, not just 9 to 5 and westfield mall in San Francisco is getting a new name. In a gesture to an old classic. The owners, trident pacific, announced today that the mall will now be called Emporium Center San Francisco. The company says the new name pays tribute to the First Department store that opened up in t space in 1896, called the emporium. The buildings owner says guests will start to see different branding, including a new logo. Theyre also working to bring in new food options and increase the number of events. Well, coming up, a smash and grab in in the east bay and it was all caught on camera. Also, the Oakland Police department focusing on efficiency. The new system connected to nonemergency calls and rain is back in the bay area. Chief meteorologist bill martin is tracking the latest storm system, plus the treacherous conditio across the er democrats agree. Conservative republican steve garvey is the wrong choice for the senate. Our republican opponent here on this stage has voted for donald trump twice. Mr. Garvey, you voted for him twice. As your own man, what is your decision . Garvey is wrong for california. But garveys surging in the polls. Fox news says garvey would be a boost to republican control of the senate. Stop garvey. Adam schiff for senate. Im adam schiff, and i approve this message. Fentons creamery parking lot. There on piedmont avenue. You can see a woman getting into her car when someone pulls up behind her, inches up to the passenger side, smashes the window, and then takes off with the womans purse. No word on if police are investigating this specific case. The Oakland Police department is implementing a new system to make its nonemergency calls more efficient. When people dial opds nonemergency line, a new auto attendant system will answer that call. People can choose which department theyd like to speak to based on why theyre calling. Options include issues with abandoned vehicles, a request for police records, or a request for a collision report. Mayor shengtao says the system will make it easier for residents to get support with issues that are not emergencies, but do require a prompt response from the city. Voters in the east bay have the opportunity to change recall election rules in Alameda County this upcoming election season. As ktvu henry lee reports, the vote comes amid a push to recall alameda County District attorney pamela price. Alameda county voters are not voting tuesday on whether to recall District Attorney pamela price, but what they will decide is whether to align the countys outdated recall procedures with those of the state is specifically about a recall procedure. Its not about any one recall at all. That means if passed, measure b would raise the number of signatures needed to put a recall on the ballot, give the registrar more time to count signatures, and set up a recall election. So supervisor lina tam says, as it stands now, Alameda County has a ten day deadline to verify signatures as state law allows for 30 days. We need to, uh, be practical in our ability to verify the signatures, but also call call for the recall election. Tam supports the measure, but critics said now isnt the time to change recall procedures as some recall efforts are underway. They were a concern about the timing and the potential for confusion. State law requires signature gatherers to be only 18 or over. As it stands now under the countys charter, those with petitions must live in Alameda County, but the Supreme Court has found some other requirements, uh, in other jurisdictions for circulating these type of petitions to be unconstitutional. Lets give a big hand to pamela price and an event thursday with local pastors, price said. If measure b passes and if shes recalled, then the board of supervisors would likely appoint someone to fill the rest of her terms, price says. Not only would those who voted for her be disenfranchized, but the entire electorate, every resident in this county who is a registered voter will have lost the right to choose how justice is administered in this county. Give this dear servant of the lord, this community servant, give an opportunity. Let us serve out her time. Let her complete what shes doing because her agenda cannot be accomplished overnight. The earliest any day recall election could be sent out could potentially be a month after election day. If this measure passes. Henry lee ktvu, fox two news. Yeah, 70 National Park closing due to the storm hitting the Sierra Nevada, the park announced late this afternoon it will close at midnight and remain closed through at least sunday noontime. This is video from the park last month. Visitors currently in the park are being told to leave as soon as possible. The park says it could also see several feet of snow here in the coming days. The blizzard is here and chief meteorologist bill martin is also here. Back with us now. Its, uh, its alive there in the sierra. Yeah, i just heard a pictured the shining when i thought about the ahwahnee hotel. Nobody in the valley. A couple caretakers. I mean, its going to be that kind of weekend. Its a good movie, but the snow is going to fall a lot of it, too. And yosemite valley, mammoth area, big bear, bear valley and up into the lake tahoe area, up into the shasta area as well. That cold system is making its way in now. We had showers today. Those showers are pretty much winding down, at least in consistency, but theyre going to continue for the next 2 or 3 days on and off scattered showers. Its an air mass thing. And so this cold air mass is settling over the top of us. And i said it before, were going to see a little bit of everything. So well show you the model, the forecast for tomorrow afternoon. And then somewhere around the evening tomorrow night it gets going again. Thats a nice little max of vorticity. Maximum or something along those lines. Thats going to create a bit of a squall. So tomorrow evening look for some heavier rain and even a chance of a thunderstorm. The bay bridge got some light drizzle falling out there and the rainfall accumulations have been light today. And again, that is sort of a part of this whole system. And thats a lot thats a lot of energy packed up in here. And its going to swing through over us throughout the day tomorrow and out throughout the next couple of days. The mountains, it gets trapped. We talked about that. But here its just going to glide over us and may bump into hamilton or diablo or the Coastal Range and create a shower or even a thunder shower or some sunshine or some snow. Its going to be a little bit of everything. And thats how this weekend goes for us. I think theres opportunities. Tomorrow is going to be i think tomorrow will be the nicest day on the weekend to get out and do stuff. Not tomorrow. Saturday will be the nicest day on the weekend to get out and do stuff here. Well see what the model says about that. Here we are in tomorrow morning. Then here we are tomorrow lunchtime. See, its all over the place. And then there we are tomorrow night. So thats that opportunity tomorrow night. Now here we are. Friday night again. Maybe some some stronger storms. Thats that line we were looking at earlier. And now were saturday morning. And then saturday afternoon. What do you do with that. Like i think youre still going to go make plans. Um just have an umbrella ready and just think about the roads. Not in the mountains. You cant go to the mountains. Right . Weve established that. But around here i think you can get stuff done. Right. Its. Theres not a real well organized system thats going to give us this consistent rain over a consistent period of time. Its going to be something here. And youre going to look over there and youre going to see sun. Youre going to be under sun. Then youre going look over there, youre going to see a cloud and some showers, maybe even a thunder shower. Right i think i covered everything you did. Its one of those weekends. Uh, christina. Sounds good. Bill. Thank you. Well todays date, february 29th, only comes once every four years. And so do birthdays. For babies born this day, the chances of being born on a leap day are about one in every 1400 people. And this is baby luna. She was born early this morning at sutter healths california Pacific Medical center. Her parents, Julia Pearson and edward verhey, are still trying to decide which day that they will celebrate their daughter lunas birthday. Is it going to be a february 28th or march 1st . Probably 28th . Um, or maybe she gets both days as a bonus and do something proper every fourth year because its a very special day. Babies born on a leap year are sometimes called leap lings to mark their special birthday, about 5 Million People across the world celebrate their birthday on this day. All right. Coming up in sports, the saint mary gaels do something. They have not accomplished in 12 years. Jason appelbaum has a story coming up next. Then on the 11 00 news, a well known San Francisco politician considering a run for mayor. The supervisor who could try and unseat his colleague overflowing with ideas and energy. Thats the San Francisco chronicle endorsing democrat katie porter for senate over all other options. Porter is easily the most impressive candidate. Known for her grilling of corporate executives. With deep policy knowledge. Katie porters housing plan has bipartisanfriendly ideas to bring homebuilding costs down. And the chronicle praises her ideas to end soft corruption in politics. Lets shake up the senate. With democrat katie porter. Im katie porter and i approve this message. Theyre on a nice little roll, taking on the knicks tonight without forward andrew wiggins, who missed his second straight game due to personal reasons. Steph curry loves playing at Madison Square garden. He had ten rebounds in the first half alone. Second quarter brandon pazinski kicks it out to Klay Thompson for the three pointer. Puts the warriors up by 15. Klay with 16 off the bench. Third quarter Jonathan Kuminga what a game for him. Rips down the rebound. Long pass to steph for one of his eight three pointers. Curry finished with 31 points 11 rebounds just one rebound in the second half. Good game for steph. Mid fourth knicks cut it to five gary payton on the block. Nobody was stopping kuminga tonight. Maybe his best all around game of the season 25 points eight rebounds two steals two blocks. Next warriors possession. Check out the degree of difficulty on that bucket by brandon pisemsky. Plus the foul. That was the rookies only points of the night, but they came at a great time. Warriors are fired up and they win at 110 to 99. Their seventh straight on the road and 12th of their last 15 overall. All right. With the warriors back east, College Hoops taking over the chase center usf hosting 23rd ranked gonzaga and the dons led most of the first half. Jonathan mobo working the pick and roll for the dunk 14 points, 11 rebounds for mobo. But after taking a one point lead going into the half, the zags go on a 26 to 4 run at the beginning of the second. Thats graham ike with the nice touch he led the bulldogs with 26. Gonzaga wins 8668. Usf drops to 22 and 811 and four in the wcc. Saint marys with the nations longest winning streak coming in at 15 games at pepperdine. And the first half its luke barrett with the steal pass ahead to a streaking Augustus Marciulionis 17 points, 11 assists for marshall owners Randy Bennett and the gaels. Cruise, 8357, improved to 24 and 615 and oh in the wcc to clinch the conference outright for the First Time Since 2012. How about on the womens side . Fourth ranked stanford at number 11. Oregon state cameron brink was awesome tonight, 25 points, 23 rebounds as the cardinal outlast the beavers 6763. And they win their fourth straight pac 12 title outright. And they finish the regular season saturday at oregon. And then its the pac 12 and ncaa tournaments. How about the giants . Uh, six games into their Cactus League season, still looking for their very first win, but there was a bright spot today. Jong ho lee looks like hes about to leg out a single. Is he going to beat out the single . Beat out the single . Actually, its a home run. You just cant. You just cant tell. Cant see the ball go over the fence. First home run of the spring and with the giants for jong ho lee. But the dbacks win 2 to 1. Giants dropped to zero four and two this spring. How about the as . Another one camera shoot over in mesa . Youll have to take our word for this. One. Two. Thats zack gelof, and hes going deep into the bleachers for the home run. But the padres put up four runs in the fourth and another run in the seventh, and they beat the as 5 to 3. Oakland drops to three and three. David quinn and the sharks hosting the Anaheim Ducks at the tank late second period. Sharks are down 4 to 3. You can tell the ducks are on the power play. Theyre moving the puck around and then its Adam Henrique tipping it in past kaapo kakko in for what would be the game winner. Sharks lose their fifth straight final. Their 6 to 4. Okay soccer fans, youre going to love this ktvu is expanding its partnership with the oakland roots. We will now broadcast all of their games home and away on ktvu. Plus, thats more than 30 games from march through october. And the roots, theyre a Pro Soccer Club playing in the usl championship, entering their sixth season, but theyre about a whole lot more than soccer. Their mission is to, quote, harness the magic of oakland and the power of sports as a force for social good. You know, we have a technical director, jordan farrell, whos really able to hold all these visions together and also focus into building a winning teams on the mens and womens side and, you know, we believe we can be most effective in terms of being a force for good in the community if were a winning, successful team. So thats absolutely part of it. Yeah. And youre going to hear a whole lot more from mike geddes as we go in depth on all things roots this saturday night, 9 00 on our match day special. And you can catch the Season Opener against indy 11 the next saturday followed by a one hour live special following that match. Okay, the cif state basketball championships are heating up. Sorry, mike. Got to show you this with the tape out in livermore. Granada at saint ignatius. Saint ignatius tied at 66. Thats six foot five. Senior taylor crashing the boards and puts it back for the win at the buzzer. Its heartbreak for the wildcats as they stormed the floor in livermore. Granada moving up in division one, they will face the top seeded clovis west in the regional semis. March is knocking on the door, but march madness is definitely. Its already here for the high school. Ready to go. Wow. All right jason thank you. You ready . Next at 11. We have a lot of, you know, crime out here. And we need someone to help prevent it tonight for the first time, we are hearing from the four candidates looking to be the next police chief in oakland. And the community is listening. But first, a blizzard slams the sierra, bringing heavy snow and high winds. Officials saying travel is highly discouraged over the next few days, the 11 00 news on ktvu fox two starts now with tonights blizzard, just the start of whats expected to be a hazardous weekend in the sierra. Good evening. Im christina riendeau, and im mike mibach. Lets get right to chief meteorologist bill martin, who is tracking those current conditions. Hey, bill. Hey, mike