Transcripts For KNTV Today In The Bay 20151215

Youll see the orange coming in west 580 out of the altamont and clearing by the time we get over towards livermore. As we move the map out. Wider bay shot and no slowing sensors for any of the bay. We do have a concert. That is the only thing to mark on the map. No problems here. Youre just going well. Everybody is playing fine this morning so far. Back to you guys. All right. Watch what youre playing with out there, mike. New this morning, a hoverboard ignites setting an east bay home on fire. The family tells us they pot that hoverboard as a gift for their teenage daughter and when she went to plug it in to charge it, it exploded. Fortunately, she was able to move it to the front door. Now, this is just one in a string of buyers connected to hoverboards. Amazon removed them from their site and amazon is refusing to allow hoverboards on planes. Developing story now a south bay neighborhood on edge this morning. This as Police Search for a car thief for a shooter. A teenager girl was shot in the neck and the bullet crazed her neck and her shoulder area last night near coleman avenue in san jose. This as she was trying to chase down that suspect. Today in the bay Stephanie Chuang joining us live from the scene on where the investigation stands. They found the car, just no suspect. Thats right. No gunman, sam. The confrontation happening here but it started at lake park which is behind me over here. This is where police say the 17yearold girl stopped to talk with friends when she realized someone had hopped in and stole her car. Police finding that toyota about half a mile away from here. The driver side window shattered. The 17yearold had stopped again with friends around 6 30 last night leaving her car unlocked and running. Once she realized what was happening she got into her friends car confronting the thieves and investigators say thats when he pulled out a gun and shot her. Its frightening. Oh, its very quiet here. Very nice. Its just a beautiful area. Its nice. Ive been here for a long time. Its a beautiful, quiet area. So, im, im shocked. Im really surprised. Now, police so far working with a pretty vague suspect description. A young man wearing dark clothing maybe a hood. The 17yearold victim was grazed in her neck, shoulder area. The good news as the search for the gunman continues is that the victim is expected to recover. Live here in south san jose, Stephanie Chuang. Thank you very much, steph. Authorities this morning have not identified the man shot and killed last night by a Police Officer responding to a domestic disturbance call in gilroy. All unfolded about 7 00 last night at an apartment complex near gilroy high school. This is a live look at the scene this morning. Still as you see, very active. Police still investigating. They say that someone called 911 about a violent fight involving a couple. When officers arrived, they found a man and a woman in a heated dispute in the parking lot. Investigators say what happened next still not entirely clear, but one of the officers felt either his own life or the womans life was in danger and that officer opened fire. He was presented with something that he felt was life threatening and had to make a decision there. Unfortunately, particularly in this time of year, someone in the country is dead as a result of their actions. The woman is okay. The unidentified officer who fired his gun is now on paid leave while the investigation continues. This is the first Gilroy Police shooting in five years. Its 5 04 right now. Authorities investigating a salinas link to a very disturbing abuse case now unfolding. Police wearing protective gear yesterday investigated a salinas apartment tied to the discovery of two siblings found dead inside of a storage locker in reading. The victims 3 and 5 years old. Reading police also found a third young sister severely abused. She is now fighting for her life. Police have arrested a man and a woman tied to that case. They say the salinas apartment belongs to a woman who belongs to the young victims who may have had temporary custody. A murder case drawing attention to sanctuary cities. Mexican national Juan Francisco Lopez Sanchez is facing murder charges for the death of kate steinle. She was sightseeing last july when she was shot and killed. Though Lopez Sanchez has confessed to the shooting, he says it was an accident. The attorney said he found the gun on the pier and it somehow went off when he picked it up. Lopez sanchez is due in court today to get the murder charges against him dropped. And with regards to that San Francisco case, supervisors expected to vote today on requiring that weapons in cars be locked up. The idea is to keep them in the trunk of the car or in the case of a truck, a weapon would need to be in a lock box. That box would need to be secured to the vehicle somehow. Supervisors drafted the proposal after Investigative Unit uncovered the surprising number of weapons stolen from Law Enforcement officers and then used to commit crimes, even murder. Well, its a quality of life issue for many people in San Francisco and an effort that is getting under way today to do something to help the Homeless Population that continues to shock many visitors to San Francisco. Union square Business Owners hear it all the time from tourists. They want to know why there is such a problem with homelessness in the city. Coincide with the season of giving, launching something called union square cares. The twopronged approach. We hired a team member that Homeless Outreach Team Dedicated just to this area to help put people in touch with services. Well, they will also be socalled ambassadors out and about. Theyre going to hand out information about how best to help the homeless with what to donate and who to call when someone needs help. To call when you get a look at that forecast. Lets check in with kari. Kari hall. She has the numbers for us. Patchy frost this morning. Again, you have to get out the door a minute or two earlier to scrape off the frost off of the windshield. It will be breezy and sunny today. Still cool. Heres what were looking at for lunchtime. In the lower 50s and the north bay will be at 55 degrees and San Francisco 54. Well see those highs in the upper 50s all across the bay area during the ride home with breezy winds and mostly clear skies. Into the next couple of days, no major changes, but you want to make sure you stick around for this weekends forecast, especially if you have a lot of plans. Thats coming up in a few minutes. But lets see whats happening now as you head out the door with mike. Kari, right this minute were seeing a few cars. Bay bridge toll plaza, thats great. Many times during the rest of the year well see the backup starting already. So far very light traffic and its a tuesday and well see more traffic than yesterday but as we look at the Golden Gate Bridge, no major problems over there either. The Center Divide has been moved in preparation for the morning commute and the flashing light and bridge crew has cleared. North bay down to the Golden Gate Bridge for highway 101. As we look down to the peninsula, the san mateo bridge crossing over from the hayward side over westbound to the peninsula side. A smooth, easy drive across that flat section and back over to the east bay. No problems. There was the high rise and there is the high rise. Breezy conditions. Back to you. Thank you very much, mike. Were getting that right there with our cameras. 5 08. Coming up next, up for the challenge. Donald trump has some choice words for his contenders ahead of tonights debate as another challenger gains ground and is looking in the polls. Got a tip for nbc bay areas Investigative Unit . Call 1888996tips or email theunit nbcbayarea. Com. Nbc bay area. We investigate. The fifth republican president ial debate is now just hrs decision 2016. The fifth republican president ial debate now just hours away amid a shift in the polls. Donald trump still number one, but another candidate is quickly gaining ground. Oh, whats going to happen tonight . Kris sanchez tracking the numbers for us. Trump has a message to all his challengers ahead of tonights debate. As you might imagine, a very frank message from the frontrunner donald trump. He is telling challengers to ditch the debate and stay home but two have very good reason to show up. Donald trump still leads the pack nationally, according to two recent polls. He gets 27 of the vote in the latest nbc news, wall street journal poll. 41 of the vote nationally, according to the Monmouth University poll. Ted cruz is closing that poll. He now has 22 of the vote, which is now double the number of voters who chose him in october. He is gaining ground among voters in iowa and among evangelicals and hes also gaining most of the voters that ben carson is losing. Donald trump is maintaining his tone while some voters are giving cruz another look. Many of us dont have a chance. What are you doing . Go home and relax. I like cruz better than trump at this point. Trump light. Trump light and politically correct. Hes a little bit more polished and been in this arena for quite some time and i think he knows how congress works. Now, heres another dimension and shows that florida senator marco rubio, that man there, the strongest candidate against democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton in the general election. In that poll, trump loses by 0 percentage points. But that poll has a margin of error of 3 1 3 points and it all is very close. More than the poll numbers this morning, sam and laura. A lot of folks may be talking about the moment in which a trump supporter gave a salute as a protester crashed a Campaign Event and was removed last night. Well give you more about that because he may be talking about that at work today coming up at 5 30 this morning. Sam and laura. Always interesting. A lot to talk about tomorrow, as well. Thanks so much. Secretary of state john kerry in meetings in moscow right now trying to find Common Ground on both syria and ukraine. The u. S. Supports moderate rebels trying to overthrow bashar assad. In the meantime russia is one of assads staunchest allies. Aimed at propping him up. The foreign minister says todays meetings will address what he calls outstanding issues. Most of us do this, we wait until the last minute to get those Holiday Gifts. Youre smiling because you know what im talking about, laura. Why you shouldnt do that this year. I actually brought your present already, sam brock. Landon dowdy, im still looking for hers. Got to get sdwlus right thing for you, landon. Thats right. How about some coffee . That would be good. Lets get a quick check of your markets. They look to extend their gain today. Futures are higher this morning. Volatile session on monday. A tripledigit loss into a tripledigit gain thank to oil prices. Look for data on Consumer Price inflation and housing and the fed begins its twoday policy meeting today which is widely expected to raise interest rates. The dow rise raising 103 points and the nasdaq up 18 to 49. 52. Dont procrastinate until last to do your Holiday Shopping because a new study by a resulting Consulting Firm finds it is taking a week for online orders placed on cybermonday to arrive than they did last year. Retailers offer that are offering Free Shipping are choosing slower and cheaper ways to ship items. Ups and fedex who built their holiday networks to what retailers say they need are being overwhelmed by a surge in online sales. A lot of us over the river and through the woods to grandmothers house this season. Aaa estimates more than 50 million americans will travel more than 50 miles from home. Thats up 1 from last year. Rising incomes and lower gas prices. Guys, back over to you. Some of us have to drives of miles to go see grandma. Its always worth it because its grandma. Thank you very much, landon. Well, warnings right now going out this morning for the busiest time of year for carriers delivering packages. Landon was just talking about that. Authorities are suggesting you arrange deliveries when your home will require a signature for delivery and to report anything suspicious in your neighborhood. They say too many packages are end eedin eing up in the hands thieves. Many times they dont know their parcel is missing. Package was stolen and then i didnt know and Police Called me and said he had my package. Most of the time people dont actually know their packages were stolen unless you have surveillance videotapes. A lot go unreported or cold reported which means several days after the fact. What is worse than a late present . A present that never gets there at all. People are using more surveillance cameras right now to try to thieves. But police say they dont do any good if no one can identify the suspect. Keep your eyes out for that. A lot of grinches out there. Neighborhood cameras coming very handy in my neighborhood. People going up and down the street. Come find out. Thats the worst of what people have to offer, but we have the best right now. Kari hall. A great weekend. Everyone is getting those lastminute shopping things and trips and all of that stuff done right now. And into the next few days, hard to believe christmas is next week. We will have some rain moving in for this weekend. And thats when everyone will be out trying to get some of that stuff done. But as we take a live look and head out for work this morning, in the south bay, it is cold ask clear. Now, its 41 degrees in san jose and san carlos. 35 in concord and napa. You need to bundle up and make sure the kids have a couple extra layers on today. Winds coming in from the north and still feels breezy and that adds a little bit more of a chill into the air. Into the day, the winds start to calm down and still up to 20 miles an hour and then tonight well still see those winds coming in from the northwest. So, not really relaxing that much. And as we go hour by hour in oakland, well start out at 42 degrees at 00. A lot of sunshine throughout the day. Into the mid50s and maybe even a touch warmer there than yesterday. A look at all the microclimates. We will still have those highs in the mid50s and upper 50s sprinkled in here and there and maybe even hitting 59 degrees like pittsburgh and dublin looking at 57 degrees. Going into the next few days, all dry. Clear mornings and cool temperatures. And then sunny afternoons. But then well have some changes heading into late friday night and early saturday. Another system drops in and brings in a chance of some showers and then some gusty winds. Well take a break for a few hours and then see the next round moving in late sunday night into early monday morning. And as far as how much rain we can see with the storm systems, the possibility of another inch of rain, so with the ground already saturated, we may have some isolated flooding in some spots. Well keep you up to date on that and what to expect heading into the start of next week. That is coming up in just a bit. Lets see whats happening on the roadways now with mike. Just some folks driving around without a care. Thats good stuff. Look at a smooth drive for almost your whole bay. A slow down out of the altamont and new incident in dublin or san ramon area. Chp got the report for northbound 680. Over here on the east shore freeway, there is a car fire reported. Now, a car is engulfed in flames and just off the east shore freeway on central avenue. And bright enough for folks reported calling it in from the freeway itself. No lanes are blocked and as we look at the emoryville camera, turned it over from the bay bridge. The camera trembling. The camera itself is catching a breeze or two as you go across and that might be the case as you travel across that bay bridge. The north bay shows an easy drive right now. No problem. A light flow through the north bay. Back to you. Mike, thank you. Clean on the roads there, but littered on the beach. Today crews are going to continue to pick up the mess left behind from this weekends storm in pacifica. Strong waves caused a dozen shipping containers to slip from a cargo ship on friday. You probably know that. But the latest is theyre still trying to clean up that debris and locate ten of the containers which are still missing and floating somewhere off the coast this morning. Cant pick this stuff up by hand. I tried and, you know, theres too much of it. Were going to actually use leaf blowers and blow it into piles and were loading it into big, plastic bags. The National Park service closed down baker beach to facilitate that cleanup, but theres no word on when the beach will reopen. Coming up, the biggest art heist in richmond history solved. How police were able to nab the suspects months after the art was stolen. The biggest art heist in richmond history is solved. 5 24 right now. The biggest art heist in richmond history is solved and the suspect behind bars. The story youll only see on nbc bay area. 17 delicate and blown Glass Structures turned up in a dirt pile in a richmond neighborhood. Each piece worth up to 18,000. Police say 46yearold mario silva stole a trailer containing the pieces when it was parked on the street. He is now under arrest. 5 24 right now. An Investigative Unit exclusive. Drinking, smoking, even brawling. 20,000 feet in the air. Unruly passengers can cause headaches for both travelers and airlines. The Investigative Unit combed through years of flight records and found a dramatic increase in unruly passenger complaints. Disrupting a commercial flight is a serious crime. But as the Investigative Unit unkorved, many of these rowdy passengers are set free without ever facing criminal charges. Right now, too many times on an International Flight a passenger is disruptive, ruins the experience for a lot of people around that passenger. The plane lands. The passenger walks away. Later this evening, steven stock investigates a loophole that lets unruly passengers off the hook. What one group is doing to crack down on the safety threat. That story tonight at 11 00 on nbc bay area. If you have a tip for our Investigative Unit, just give us a call. 888996tips or send an email to theunit nbcbayarea. Com. A hoverboard ignites setting an east bay home on fire. The quickthinking teenager to keep those flames from spreading. A teenage girl shot in the neck as she tries to track down her own car stolen by a thief. The search for the suspect this morning. Got a tip for nbc bay area investigatives unit . Call 1888996tips or email theunit nbcbayarea. Com. Nbc bay area, we investigate. Joining us. Im sam brock. Laura 2shot and im laura garcia cannon. And a good Tuesday Morning. Thank you for joining us, im sam brock. Im laura garciacannon. Lets get a look at that forecast with kari. Very cold, again. As we go into the day, it feels a little bit better, but remember yesterday. Today will pretty much be about the same. Were starting out at 34 degrees in the north bay and 41 degrees in the peninsula and south bay. Looking at highs today in the upper 50s. Breezy wind and a lot of sunshine this weather kind of repeats through most of the week, but a big change in time for the weekend. Ill fill you in on that. Lets see whats happening on the bay bridge now with mike. This is the bay bridge. Its tuesday, 5 30 just about 5 29. Thats why we see the backup here. This is the last full week work for basically most of the businesses throughout the year. So, thats why were seeing a good volume of Traffic Building in. Expect to see a lighter commute overall this tuesday and as we look at your approach, the maze no delay and that car fire over on pierce and it was visible. Someone called it in but no slowing and no lanes there. This crash southbound 680 blocking one lane and injuries reported. So, well check that as chp gives us another update. No unusual slowing and live camera shows you a good amount of traffic and show that to you next report. Back to you. Thank you very much, mike. New this morning a hoverboard ignites another one, but this is close to home. Quite literally. Setting an east bay home on fire. The family tells us they bought the hoverboard as a gift for their teenage daughter when it burst into flames. We were telling about the dangers yesterday. Chuck copola live in brentwood where this all happened. All they did was plug it in and it exploded . Well, it did explode. I have to tell you one other thing. A magnitude measure of how big this story about exploding hoverboards catching fire is the fact that there are five live trucks parked in front of this home behind me here in brentwood. The fire happened in that home there there directly behind me. Little in the dark at this point. This all began when a parent bought two hoverboards for her daughters on amazon. Com when one of them opened her Christmas Gift early last night, charged the batteries and then unplugged it and jumped on it. This all happening shortly before 11 00 p. M. Last night. It apparently exploded and caught fire. Well these were christmas 50s for my two younger sisters and luckily we had them given early and i am really glad that my sister was able to drag it from the carpet all the way towards the front door. And on the tile where nothing would really get on fire really quickly. And basically she saved our lives. She saved the whole family. If ittant for her quick actions, our whole house would have been burned down. The fire alarm woke up the remaining eight people in the house. The girls uncle threw a pot of water on the hoverboard and now were trying to figure out what the brand is and in particulars of that. The box said smart balance wheel and the instruction. Amazon, meanwhile, has stopped listing some of its hoverboards on its website. And Major Airlines have also banned them from being transported aboard airlines. Reporting live in brentwood, im chuck coppola. Theyre a popular gift out there. Thanks a lot, chuck. It is 5 32. Now to a developing story in the south bay. A neighborhood left stunned and frightened this morning as Police Search for a car thief who shot a teenage girl in the neck and shoulder. 911 calls came from that area near coleman avenue and winfield boulevard last night about 7 00 in san jose. Stephanie chuang there live and, steph, the girl was chasing down a thief when he opened fire. Yeah, thats right, laura. This could have ended far worse. Were talking about a confrontation between the 17yearold girl and a car thief ar armed with a gun. This intersection right by the park, very popular place. Were just south and we are surrounded by homes here. Now, police found the car, the stolen car about half a mile away from here. They had the trained dogs and flashlights last night trying to pick up anything they could on the suspect. They said the girl had stopped to chat with friends around 6 30 last night. Leaving her car unlocked and running when man drove off with it. The 17yearold got into a friends car and they drove a short distance before she hopped out to try to get her car back. Police say that is when the thief pulled out a gun and shot her. It has shaken up this neighborhood so much some say theyre going to avoid coming out here at night. Its really crazy. And to happen here in this neighborhood because its really quiet and i usually walk my dog at this hour, too. So, now im like going to stay inside. Now, the good news in this is the 17yearold victim was grazed in her Neck Shoulder area. She is expected to recover. Only a vague subscription so far. A young man wearing dark clothing, possibly a hood. Police sthau car a half mile from here. This happened in a small area here in san jose. Police hoping that someone might have been here to see something and helped them to move this case forcard. Stephanie chuang today in the bay. New information coming to light about aal officers who shot and killed a stabbing suspect in San Francisco. Turns out they already face Excessive Force allegations from previous incidents. Five Police Officers opened fire on mario woods in the bay area two weeks ago after he refused, according to officer os, to drop his knife. The examiner reports two of those officers are already under scrutiny. One case involves the 2009 shooting of two men in the back when one of the officer os worked in antioch. Another case stems from a Police Beating in the bay view back in 2013 that has now become the subject of a federal civil rights case. Some activists have been calling for the Police Chiefs resignation since woods death. Police now say a vandal is to blame for a broken window across from the Islamic Center in alameda. Theyre not labeling it a hate. A crossing guard reported seeing that broken window at a building that once housed the center. Prior to fridays incident, it moved across the street, but a sign remains identifying it as the Islamic Center. Police report no problems when the center was there and they declined now to say how the window was broken. If it was the result of anything more serious than vandalism. 5 35 right now. Singled out for buying ammunition or asking for it. Thats what one east bay woman believes happened to her at a local Sporting Goods store. A store youll only see on nbc bay area. Asked about buying eight boxes of ammunition at a dicks Sporting Goods in fremont. Two Days Later Police showed up at her house saying the store clerk had alerted them. Officers quickly learned that she is a firearms instructor who is preparing to join the lapd. Im not muslim. But if i was, even if i was, i dont think that that is grounds for them to call the police on me instantly. The Police Officers have apologized since. A store manager for dicks referred our questions to its Corporate Office and we havent heard back yet. Berkeley leaders will make a Statement Today reaffirming their city as a place of refuge for people fleeing any nation experiencing conflict, including syrias. In 1971, berkeley first established itself as a city of refuge in light of recent global events, a new controversy berkeley leaders will adopt their resolution. It states refugees from syria, iraq, nigeria, mali and any other country in the midst of civil conflict are welcome in berkeley. Decision 2016. You can only imagine a lot of topics about National Security tonight as for a fifth time republican president ial candidates are squaring off and battling it out, again, in their final show down of 2015. Here they go, again. Chris sanchise has more on what we can expect. Donald trump still the frontrunner but a few opponents gaining ground this morning. A shift among all the top candidates. Donald trump telling his challengers, though, that they should really just ditch the debate and stay home. But at least two of them have reason to show up. Donald trump still leads the pack nationally, according to two recent polls. 27 of the vote in the latest nbc news wall street journal poll. 41 of the vote in the Monmouth University poll. Ted cruz is closing the gap. 22 of the vote now, which is more than double the number of voters who chose him back in october. He is gaining ground among voters in iowa and evangelicals and also gaining most of the voters that are turning away from ben carson. Donald trump is maintaining his tone, though, where some voters are giving cruz another look. Many of them dont have a chance. You say what are you doing . Just go home and relax. Go home and lax. I like cruz better than trump at this point. Trump light . Yes. Trump light and politically correct. Hes a little more polished. Hes been in this arena for quite some time. And i think he knows how congress works. Now, heres another dimension that nbc news wall street jurpal poll shows that marco rubio is the strongest candidate against frontrunner Hillary Clinton in the general election. That poll has a margin of error of 3. 3 points and really its much closer than it would appear. Poll numbers aside, this is the that a lot of folks are talking about today. Trump supporters gave a salute and protesters were removed from a rally in las vegas tonight. Well see if this comes up during the debate and what donald trump has to say about that. The depate starts at 5 30 tonight and cover it online and on air, of course. He never has anything to say, right . Thanks a lot, kris. Happening today San Francisco supervisors roll up their sleeves and get down to details of bringing the future home of golden state warriors. Supervisors approved the plan to build that mission bay arena, despite the looming threat of a lawsuit. Now, its time to hammer out the specifi specifics, including a transportation plan. That issue will be discussed today. The arena is on track to open in time for the start of the 2018 season. Okay, so, lets see that is about three years from now, which means they should have you have to save to get your tickets. Four or five losses by then and like 200 wins. 5 39 right now. How about the wins and the conditions outside. Quick check of the weather. Current temperatures with kari. Its cold out there this morning as you head out. In the mid30s and parts of the east bay and north bay. Were at 46 degrees in livermore. Thats an improvement over yesterday and highs today will be in the mid50s. A lot of sunshine and breezy winds and temperatures from the coast to the inland areas will pretty much the same. In the upper 50s for most of us. Into the next few days, well continue to have this dry weather, cool mornings and nice, comfortably cool afternoons. But then heading into the weekend, thats when the changes co come. Ill detail what to expect. Mike has a heads up for the trivalley drive. Well give the folks the update. I swung that camera around and pointing now towards the scene of the crash but that cleared a couple minutes ago. West 580 approaching the dublin interchange and the dublin grade in the distance. A lot of cars and well look at your map because that crash was able to clear relatively quickly. No major backup through livermore. More than weve seen for the last couple of days and more folks coming out of the Altamont Pass and cleared from 680 south and a smooth drive for the rest of the bay and metering lights are turned on and there is your backup, guys. Back to you. Mike, thank you very much. Collectors items and memorabilia and then theres this. Coming up next, the force awakens here in the bay area. Where you can find the largest collection of star wars memorabilia probably anywhere in the milky way galaxy. Maybe the universe. Got a tip for nbc bay areas Investigative Unit . Call 1888996tips or email theunit nbcbayarea. Com. We investigate. Childrens hospital of oakland is now facing a second lawsuit tied to the botched throat surgery two years ago 5 4 right now. Childrens hospital oakland facing a lawsuit tied to a debauched throat surgery that left a girl brain dead. Her biological father, milton mcmass has filed suit. He was mostly estranged from his daughter but this week filed a suit similar to the one already filed by her mother. Doctors declared her brain dead shortly after she suffered complications during surgery for sleep apnea. Now to an Investigative Unit exclusive. 50,000 and counting. Thats how much an east bay widow is still fighting for in death benefits after her husband died from a major injury he suffered while at work for the usps. The Investigative Unit first told us about how his tragic death prompted the Postal Service to change its rules for when employees call 911. Now, vicki wynn is back to how the government is responding to that workers family. Good morning, larnies husband, sam, died in the summer of 2014 from major head trauma he suffered during his shift in a postal facility in west oakland. No one saw how he was injured and that has led to a bureaucratic battle for his widow. Twice, the office of Workers Compensation denied her request for death benefit saying there is no evidence on how sam ended upp epe on the floor. The burden of proof is on the usps to prove sam wasnt injured at work. The legal back and forth surprised us. And led us to ask just how often workers comp claims are denied and what do the families of federal workers to prove if a loved one is injured or killed on the job. Federal data shows the office of workers comp only denied 13 of claims in the first decade. It baffled that her claim isnt among those approved. She is appealing, again. To see our full report and the amount of money the government has paid in workers comp over the past ten years, go to nbcbayarea. Com and click on the investigations tab. Guys . Thanks, vicki. If you have a tip for our Investigative Unit, give us a call. 1888996tips. Embattled former Comedian Bill Cosby now going on the offense when it comes to the drugging and Sexual Assault allegations against him. The actor and comedian filing a lawsuit against seven women. There are some of the more than 50 who have accused cosby of Sexual Misconduct dating all the way back to the 1960s. Now, cosby is suing claiming the seven in question defamed his character and purposely derailed a comedy show that was in the works. Cosby points out in that lawsuit that he has never been formally charged with a crime. Seattle is giving uber and lyft drivers to unionize. Yesterday seattle became the first city in the nation to arrive drivers of Ride Sharing Companies to unionize over pay and working conditions. The decision could cost uber and lyft big bucks. Their drivers are currently classified as contractors and do not receive benefits like overtime and health insurance. Things the union will fight to change. The companies are expected to challenge the legislation in court. If you missed the 80 billion promotions that have been on tv for the l. A. Two months. Star wars is about to come out. The Worlds Largest collection of wars memorabilia is not in a galaxy far, far away. We sent to check it out. Im just showing these folks here reporter the force clearly runs strong. You dont need to see our identification. Reporter in steve we dont need to see identification. Reporter but can he open that door without using his hands . I knew it. He has a cup star wars pieces here to show you. Try 350,000. 350,000 pieces of star wars merchandise, memorabilia, models movie props, action figures. It never ends. There are six more movies coming up. Plus fans are making new items. Reporter the walking dead the very dead, the very burned remains. This mushy pile reporter who steve resued from the set of episode one while head of fan relations for lucas films. Not as deadly as it seems. Cardboard desk towers to fill in spaces. Reporter thats just regular cardboard. It is not what it is, it is what it looks like. Thats the secret special effects. Reporter like the dinosaur bones, papiermache props from a 1975 disney movie. We all have watched numerous times. Oh, yeah. Reporter one of our dinosaurs are missing. Some original Storm Trooper boots. After steve reported on the original star wars that he smelled a winner and fell head over heels. I was buying this stuff in the 70s reporter 80s and 90s before anyone else. Now what used to be a 9,000 square foot chicken farm not far from skywalker ranch, a Nonprofit Museum opened for the guinness book of world record calls this the largest collection of its time. Why they make that cockpit so cramped. Steve wont say how much all of this memorabilia is worth, however 80 plus percent of the items that i have in the collection i couldnt even get back what i paid for at retail. Look, im 70 years old. I still feel like im 12 when i play with this stuff. Reporter in petaluma, bob redell, today in the bay. Thats a. That is a big fan. Not into conspiracy theories all im not into star wars. Hold me back here. A little bit like george lucas. Just throw it out there and let it sit for a minute. Maybe. What came first. The chicken or the egg . We do know that the weather is coming in and has been here. Its been little bit colder. Yeah, its a morning to bundle up, once again. We all are also seeing patchy frost out there, too. Mostly clear skies. Lets check out whats happening on the bay bridge and, once again, you can see the camera shaking around. Its breezy and everyones just rolling across the bridge with no problems as of yet. And into the day, we are looking at a nice, sunny day, but it will be breezy and cool. Heres a look at your lunchtime temperature as you head out for lunch, grabbing a sandwich, it will be 54 degrees in San Francisco. And in the north bay, 55 degrees. So, pretty much long sleeves all day and with highs in the upper 50s. And mostly sunny skies all across the board. Winds are going to continue to come in from the north at about 10 to 15 miles per hour. Little bit stronger along the coast at times creating some rough surf conditions. Then as we go into tonight, winds more northeasterly and picking up to about 10 miles an hour. Into the next few days, we wont many major changes, but then we head into saturday, thats when the next storm system moves in. And it arrives late saturday night into early sunday. Or late friday night into early saturday with some rain and then well have another one moving in by the end of the weekend. Which looks to linger into the start of next week. Looking at some early estimates of what we may see between the storm system on saturday and sunday. Possibly another inch of rain and the ground is already wet. So, with another inch of rain we may have the issue of some flooding, especially on some of those urban areas. And into the next three days, it will be sunny and cool and look at the peninsula. It will be up to 58 degrees on thursday. It warms a couple of degrees each day before that next storm system arrives. And then heading into the weekend, if youre planning to go to christmas in the park, it will be in the low 60s, but, once again, turning wet on saturday and sunday. Well keep you updated on that, but lets see whats happening as you head out now with mike. All right, kari. Towards san jose and the volume. We had a burst and it eased off in the last two minutes or so. As you look at your map, the sensor right through that area where our camera is shows a slower drive. On a tuesday we expect that to kick in around 6 30 and fill in quickly for the san jose area and that will last through a good portion through about 8 30, 9 00, until things ease up a little bit. It is december and we expect a lighter overall commute and seeing that coming out of the trivalley. Slowing towards the dublin interchange. We take a live look right around that area and Holding Steady right now. Backed up a bit as we had crash over near the dublin interchange and the crash cleared and the slowing not too bad over the last couple as we see some recovery through the area, in fact. A smoother drive towards the bay bridge. The bay bring media lights are in and new crash reported for 101 and live look at the camera coming up, guys. Back to you. Well check back with you, mike, thank you. tis the season to give to the neediest of people. The reason owners are giving extra for the homeless for the holiday season. [ dog barks ] [ bark ] there it is [ gasps ] oh no look, the skys awake that. Was. Epic [ bark ] exclusive. Sam ots drinking, smoking, even brawling, 20thousand feet in the sky. Right now an Investigative Unit exclusive. Smoking, drinking, even brawling. 20,000 feet in the sky. Unruly passengers can cause headaches for both travelers and airlines. The Investigative Unit combed through years of flight records and found a dramatic increase in unruly passenger complaints. Disrupting a commercial flight is a serious crime. But as the Investigative Unit uncovered many of these rowdy passengers are set free without any criminal charges. Too many times on an International Flight, a paerms is disruptive, ruins the experience for a lot of people around that passenger. The plane lands. The passenger walks away. Tonight, steven stock investigates a loophole that lets unruly passengers off the hook and what one group is doing to crack down on the safety threat. That story tonight at 11 on nbc bay area. If you have a tip for our Investigative Unit, give us a call oriocan always send us an email to theunit nbcbayarea. Com. Happening today, memorial signs for a fallen Police Officer will move one step closer to reality. San Jose City Council members are expected to sign off on new free way signs honoring michael johnson. Johnson died after responding to a call last march involving a suicidal gunman. State lawmakers in september approved designating part of highway 87 for johnson. The signs are expected to be in place by the spring. City Council Members also will discuss the ongoing transformation of the now empty plaza hotel downtown. In september, the Council Approved the plan to convert the hotel into temporary housing for the homeless. The price tag exceeds 2 million. When its done, the facility is expected to house up to 100 people in 16 units. The hotel has been shut down for seven years. Speaking of helping the homeless, an effort gets under way today to do something about the homeless problem that shocks many visitors who are coming to San Francisco. Union square Business Owners hear it all the time from tourists. They want to know why there is such a problem with homelessness in the city. So to coincide with the season of giving, i should say, theyre launching something called union square cares. Its a twopronged approach. Homeless Outreach Team dedicated right to this area to help put people in touch with services. It will be also socalled ambassadors out and about. Theyre going tee hand out information about how best to help the homeless with ideas on where donate and who to call when someone needs help. Right now at 6 00, too hot to handle, literally. A hoverboard burst into flames just hours ago setting a fire to a bay area home. If it wasnt for her quick actions, our whole house probably would have burned down. The reason why the family says things could have been a whole lot worse. A south bay teenage girl tries to track down a car thief herself but her actions nearly get her killed. A woman with a bay area business. The surveillance images of the suspect just into our newsroom. Today in the bay starts now. A very good now Tuesday Morning to you. Thanks so much for joining us. Im laura garciacannon. Im sam brock. Pleasant weather to start off our week. That will continue for now and changes in the works, kari. Nice and dry and it is chilly and some spots. We had some freezing temperatures and patchy frost. Look at the north bay. Its 37 degrees. Low 40s else where and in the valleys weve seen some spots dipping way down and todays highs brings it up into the upper 50s. 55 degrees in the peninsula. Now, mike, i brought my Christmas Tree over the weekend and you have to make sure you secure it, right . Exactly. Because i think someone didnt do that. Although it is very early in the morning to be shopping for Christmas Trees, we do have one in the lane, someone will be shopping for a new one. West 24 a tree blocking your left two lanes and still get by over on the right, folks. That will slow a bit as they send a crew to clear that and maybe trim it, as well. North bay, we talked about a crash in the san rafael. Ill show it to you. Crash south 101 not affecting the flow of traffic up here but just south of that split over towards 580. The rest of the bay coming up, but moving pretty smoothly, guys. You guys are talking about Holiday Gifts here. Theyre popular, theyre trendy and also dangerous. Hoverboards catching fire and now its happened right here in the bay area. Thats whats left of it right there. Chuck coppola live in brentwood this morning. Chuck, could have been a lot worse if it werent for the quicks of a young girl who saw it catch fire. Well, i can tell you that online retailvers stopped reliin