Transcripts For KNTV NBC 20240703

Contra costa county . A supervisor accused of putting an employees desk on the roof. We investigate. Plus, not just pg e. Another monthly bill could be going up again. I grew up in the bay area, really. Ive been here since i was 21. And i just always have loved it. And is this the end for Klay Thompson in San Francisco . His emotional News Conference today at warriors headquarters. Good evening. This is nbc bay area news tonight. Im raj mathai. Weve seen the big three do magical things for the warriors. So what now . Well hear from Klay Thompson, more from him a bit later. Lets start with the headlines we are watching. More than a Million People in the bay area could soon see their utility bills go up again. Were not talking about pg e this time. Specifically the water bill in the south bay. San jose water is asking for a 22 rate hike over the next three years. The company says the rate hikes are necessary to replace aging infrastructure and pay for new construction projects. That proposal still needs to be approved by the cpuc. Here is the breakdown if the rate hike is approved. Take a look. The average water bill would jump from 107 to 120. The next year it would go up to 125. And after, that 131. We have escalating operating expenses. We have investment in infrastructure. We ask for what we believe is just and reasonable, and nothing more than that. There is also a second and separate rate increase being proposed by valley water. Its board will vote in may on whether to raise monthly bills by about 9. Both water agencies, so san jose water and valley water will host Public Forums about the potential rate hikes in the coming weeks. Also tonight, sfpd says a 14yearold boy was responsible for setting a waymo selfdriving taxi on fire. This happened in february during a Chinese New Year celebration. The videos that we saw that night showed a crowd surrounding that driverless waymo suv. This is on jackson street in chinatown. Someone tagged the car first, and then someone set off a firework inside. Thankfully, no one was inside the car. But it was quickly engulfed in flames. Police identified the suspect as a 14yearold and served a search warrant at his home late last month. Hes now facing charges. But the juvenile Probation Department will decide if hell be arrested or appear in court out of custody. Also this evening, Alameda County District Attorney pamela price is vowing to keep an eye on cases related to those protests on 880. The demonstration shut down parts of 880. Her office is handling the arrests that were made there. She says her prosecutors are standing by and ready to receive case information. In a Statement Released today, District Attorney price says in part, while my Office Supports the essential right to protest, its important to note that Public Safety should never be compromised in exercising the First Amendment right of free speech guaranteed under the u. S. Constitution. So thats one part of the story. The other part of the story, San Francisco d. A. Brooke jenkins has directed the chp to continue to investigate the two specific charges theyre considering against the 26 people arrested on the Golden Gate Bridge protest. This also was on monday. Those charges are conspiracy and false imprisonment. For that second charge to stick, jenkins says shell need evidence from those who were actually stranded on the bridge during that protest. So she is asking people who were stuck on the bridge to contact the chp or her office to file a report in this case. We need to make sure that we have the voices of the people who were trapped on that bridge heard. People who, again, missed medical appointments, people who had other types of health situations, you know, perhaps come forward and tell their stories so that we can present that to the court. That was the District Attorney Brooke Jenkins on this very program last night. To watch the entire interview with her, just go to our website. We posted it at nbcbayarea. Com. Well, the battle continues in big cities and the suburbs when it comes to fentanyl. Today an unprecedented move made by the santa clara County District attorney. Hes charging two roommates for murder after an 18monthold girl died of an overdose. That little girl, winr died last august. Winters parents have already been charged with murder. But now District Attorney jeff rosen announced that he is also filing charges against Phillip Ortega and paige vitale. Those arent the parents. Prosecutors say the two are drug dealers who lived with winters parents and left fentanyl out in the open near the little girl. Advocates fighting against the fentanyl crisis are encouraged by this move. I am find it promising that were finally starting to see the bay area catching up with the rest of california in terms of Holding People accountable for keeping fentanyl especially around children. Other california District Attorneys, take a look here, are making similar moves. Weve seen plea dls and guilty verdicts in Placer County and Riverside County against alleged drug dealers. Other counties including sacramento, San Francisco and fresno plan to follow a similar blueprint. Joining us now is the District Attorney of Santa Clara County jeff rosen. Nice to have you back on the program. Youre certainly making headlines by charging the roommates in this specific case. Can you win this case in a court of law . Absolutely, raj. These are more than just roommates. These are drug dealers that lived with baby winter for several months, sold fentanyl to baby winters parents, sold fentanyl to other people. Left fentanyl all over the condominium where baby winter was living. Knew it was dangerous to have fentanyl around the baby, and nonetheless, continued to do that showing conscious disregard for human life, which is implied murder and why weve charged murder in this case, and why we will succeed. Reporter District Attorney rosen, im assuming here youve spoken with other d. A. s around the state, maybe even the country to gang up here and figure out a strategy moving forward . Ive certainly spoken to my colleagues throughout the country about the scourge that is fentanyl, and were all working on different ways to reduce this epidemic that weve had. One of the tools that we have as prosecutors, which is unique is that we can hold individuals criminally accountable for showing conscious disregard for human life in leaving fentanyl all around and accessible to a baby in this case. There is photographs of these individuals using fentanyl, holding the baby, joking about the baby breaking a bond that had fentanyl in it. Its really shocking and disgusting and cries out for criminal accountability. It sounds sickening. Is the word getting out, District Attorney rosen to the dealers that they could be on the hook if their customer dies of an overdose . I think its starting to. You know, in our county, when a fentanyl dealer is prosecuted for selling fentanyl, we read that person an admonishment which says fentanyl is so dangerous that even the smallest amount can kill someone. And if you continue to sell fentanyl, you will be doing so showing conscious disregard for human life and maybe prosecuted for murder. I ask as a journalist, but also a father two of kids here. Are we making progress in this fight, in the legal realm . I think were starting to get there. You know, i have to say, as a father that has two daughters that are grown now, i remember when my daughters were little and how concerned my wife and i were about their safety. You know, we locked the cabinets where there were cleaning supplies, and we had gates up to prevent them from going certain place, little bumpers on tables that had sharp edges. And what happened here with baby winter is there were four adults that were all responsible for her that had drugs strewn all over the apartment. And no one was looking out for this little child. And im saying that all of us are going to look out for children like this. And when we hold these individuals accountable, were sending a very strong message and encouraging people to be much more careful around children. We will continue to track your progress with this and the other cases. District attorney from Santa Clara County jeff rosen, thanks for your time. Have a good evening. Thank you. Have a good evening. Lets move on now. Was it a practical joke that went too far or a case of Workplace Bullying . Employees at the Antioch Unified School district say theyre being mistreated by their boss. In one instance, one of the workers says his desk ended up on the roof. Several workers shared these photos with us. The employee the desk belongs to says the districts director of maintenance, operation and facilities, ken turnage is responsible for first trashing his desk, then directing district employees to use a forklift and put that desk on the roof in the districts maintenance yard. The worker told our Investigative Unit that he believes it was done to humiliate him after he pushed back on being ordered to do work he wasnt qualified for. The desk incident happened 15 months ago. Employees tell us turnage has not been held responsible. We reached out to turnage multiple times, but he has not replied to our questions. Employees say in the meantime, the bullying has continued. He is charged up on me, thought i was going to be physically assaulted. I honestly feel like you disrespecting me. And he did this little shoulder thing and says i respect you. I say okay, thank you. I appreciate that. He stomped behind his desk, clinched his fist and did this thing, i dont respect you. I dont respect you at all. I asked him where i could put my printer, and i was told i could put it on the roof. Joining us now is our Investigative Reporter candace wynn who is leading the charge on this story. In this stage it seems that we go through so much workplace training, it seems surprising that someone can get away with this here. We know of at least ten employees who have filed complaints against turnage in the past year or so. So its been going on for several months, according to people telling you this . More than a year. That deaf Group Incident happened in january 2023. I read the employees complaint myself. Of the ten employees total that have. Could forward over the past more than a year, four of them sat down with us. You just heard from a few there. And they say they have been screamed at. Demeaned on a daily basis, and you heard a bit there, one employee even felt physically threatened by turnage he says when he felt turnage rushed him, charged him during a heated argument. Just to be clear, what do we know about ken turnage . Is he still working for the district . He is still working for the district. He still has the same title and authority. I have reached out to ken turnage multiple times, and i have not heard back. We gave him a full two weeks to get back to us on this story. As of today i have not heard a response from turnage. He has still has the current position. A few days ago he sent an email to his employees, about 80 of them saying he will no longer be their direct supervisor, although hell still hold his title and his authority over that department. I reached out to the school district. They would not say what prompted that change or tell me if that was disciplinary. And what comes next in this . We heard from the school district. We somewhat heard from ken turnage. Anything else to follow up here . We have heard from the school district, but we want more answers. So i reached out to the superintendent. She oversees the department. I went to this meeting youre seeing here. She has not responded to any of my calls or my emails. And thats why you see me here at this public meeting, trying to get answers. Her hr director told me essentially that this is the personnel matter, and that they were not commenting. They said there was action, but they wouldnt specify it because the allegations are so egregious, we really wanted to hear from the superintendent herself. There are also allegations of a close friendship between turnage as well as that superintendent. And because we have those allegations, we wanted to hear from her. And youll see this full interaction tonight at 11 00. Okay. Well see you at 11 00. We know a lot of people here are impacted according to them. Thank you, candice. Up next, is Klay Thompson done with the warriors . Or perhaps are the warriors done with Klay Thompson . His questions about his future here in the bay area. Also, not just athletes heading to the olympics. There is also horses. Yeah, for the equestrian event. How do they get to paris . Youre watching nbc bay area news tonight. Welcome back to nbc bay area news tonight. This is an emotional time for warriors fans. The big three who magically turned around this franchise more than ten years ago might not be the big three anymore. Even if steph, klay and dre Stay Together, they might not be as effective. The season ended in sacramento. The faces, the expressions say it all. The warriors were just outplayed and dominated by the kings. Final score 11894. Klay thompson right there was 0 for 10. Hes now a free agent. And yep, everyone buzzing about his future. Today he addressed questions about what comes next for him, including how his connection with this team may impact his decision. And weve been through the highest of highs and lows, whether its losing a championship, winning a championship, missing the playoffs, weve been through everything together. So that does mean a lot. And makes me grateful to have the ties that ive had with them. Like those are pretty historic stuff. Such a class act. He might stay, take a reduced salary. But again, theyre going have to rebuild this franchise. Bottom line, klay says hes not making any major decisions just yet. Last night steph curry said it. Steve kerr said it. They want that court together, the big three to Stay Together in the future years. Well, we are now 100 days out from the paris olympics, and the roster is set for the latest version of the dream team. And steph curry will be going to paris. Steve kerr is going to be the head coach of team usa. Steph will be making his olympic debut. The warriors posting on twitter or x congratulating curry. The post included a video taken back in 2022 a couple of years ago where curry talked about heading to the olympics. I havent got an olympic medal yet. Committed to the olympics in 24. You heard it here first, ghill. Save me a spot, bro. Yeah, save me a spot. Talking about grant hill who selects the team. Curry will be joined by 11 other nba superstars. Seven are former olympic gold medalist. You are a gold medalist, including lebron james and former warrior k. D. And we mentioned steve kerr is the head coach. So airlines are adding dozens of extra flights for the paris olympics. A lot of people are going to be going out there. Both for the visitors and for the 10,000 athletes who will be competing in the games. This is video from sfo in 2021 when superstar simone biles and her fellow gymnasts left for the olympics in tokyo. Many of the athletes carry on or check their Sports Equipment as baggage. But what if your baggage is a horse . Yes, equestrian athletes bring their own horses to the olympics. And right now some vip, very special arrangements are in the works to ship those horses to paris. And when we talk travel, we check in with our inhouse travel guru chrischmura. Ive done a lot of olympics. I dont think weve ever addressed how to the horses get to the olympic games. I mentioned it in the newsroom. And one of our bosses said what . Really . Thats how they do it . At first i thought they put them on a ship. But no. Many horses are frequent flyers. So i spent the past couple of days talking to people behind the scenes in the industry including a guy in florida who has been doing this since 1996. He and his team have shipped hundreds on hundreds of horses. He and the u. S. Equestrian federation shared this video. This is how it works. That is a special cargo container that fits in an airplane. Two to three horses fit in there. They load it on to a truck. And that truck makes its way on to the ramp at the airport, and they load them on to an airplane. In this case, this is video of one being loaded on the a 747. I guess this is a silly question, but is it safe . Are they comfortable . Are they attended to . They are. There are groomers on board, a vet. A whole team. Just like when humans fly, there are people there to make sure theyre hydrated. They get a snack. There are carrots on the plane. There is no first class in business economy. Actually, it depends on what you want, level of service. You can get a higher level of service when you are shipping your horse, especially if that horse is an elite horse that is going to an elite competition. Maybe you want a little extra room or extra attention. I dont know if this is at your level of hoarseness, but is there a jet lag for horses . Do they sleep . I was also in touch thats emirates. It shared a video on its twitter feed which shows the whole process when the airplane lands. Thats a 777. After it lands, the horses are in that right there. They take the boxes out and carefully take the horses out of the containers, and they go into a quarantine sometimes to make sure they meet health regulations. Sometimes, raj, this process unfolds 14 to 21 days before competition because like human beings. Jet lag situation. Horses, they have a routine. They dont like it when you mess with the routine. And when they need to compete at the highest level, well, maybe they need some rest. So that whole process might occur long before we get to the olympics. Yeah, for the horses, it might be more like 79 days until paris 2024. This is great. Our horse whisperer chris chmura. Thanks, buddy. Youre welcome. Good to see you. Lets take you outside. The Golden Gate Bridge. Welcome back. Jeff ranieri is here. Were still talking about the horse transporting to paris for the olympics. That was amazing to see the video. Gold medal for just getting them in there. If youve been around horses and you try to get them in a regular trailer, that could be a big feat. So getting them on the plane, that is remarkable. Okay. As we look at our weather forecast, we have High Pressure tomorrow. Its going to keep it dry. But well also get some clouds moving in. And if youre headed to the central valley, a slight chance of thunderstorms tomorrow and friday. Let me show you more details on the microclimate forecast. And as we head through tomorrow morning, 50s are back with some of that cloud cover and some patchy fog. Then as we head through the day for tomorrow, numbers are going to be warming back up into the 70s and also low 80s inland. So some really beautiful temperatures. 82 here in concord. Low 80s san jose to morgan hill. Over to palo alto 78. And at the coastline we still have that ocean breeze that will have us in the 60s. Now by fridays forecast, we get a storm offshore. It gets close by saturday morning. But it still looks like its going break up for dry weather saturday and sunday. Eventually, though, we could be getting some rainfall by next wednesday, thursday, and friday. Early estimates show about a quarter to half inch. Ill keep a close eye on that. Otherwise, look at that weekend forecast. 76 on saturday. 78 on sunday. Youll want to enjoy it with the 60s next week. Well just stick to this weekend right here. Thank you, jeff. As we wrap up, mario lopez just Getting Started with access hollywood. Oh, we got some major star power on tonights access. Beginning with zend zendayas red carpet. There is another superstar attending who she is nervous to see. A lot of fun speculation about her upcoming met gala look on social media. And were exactly 100 days from the start of the paris olympic games. And weve got simone biles sharing more than ever before about what caused her tough times at the tokyo games. Add to that very revealing and inspiring revelations from olivia munn about her Cancer Battle as her loving family helps her get through it. Its all Just Moments Away on access hollywood. Ck to you. Mario, thank you. Here is a lookt whats coming up in prime time here on nbc. Its the chicago night. Chicago med at 8 00, followed by chicago fire and chicago pd at 10 00. And our 11 00 news live and local. Thats going to do it for us at 7 00. Hollywood. Ladies and gentlemen, zendaya [ cheering ] im, like, oh, my are you . Yeah game, set, match, but