so we just figured we would be safe. >> this is a wonderful pivot, as we like to say in this age. from the indoor event we call the great dickens christmas. >> so many of the familiar sights and sounds still available but from a safe distance in your car. >> what we all love and know so well is a christmas carol. the tableaus are set up after they place their order. >> there was food to order and pickup as well and venders too. performers and crew are back after last year's virtual event. organizers say they worried about a potential new variant this holiday season, and they ended up being right. >> we figured that by the time we made the decision in june and july, that if -- that we were thoughtful about it, there was a likelihood there was a variant that could have people concerned. come the holidays and that is exactly what happened. we are glad we're here, outdoors and safe. >> a touch of the holidays with a twist. christy smith, nbc bay area news. we have more to tell you and now. it was not all smooth sailing on day one at the dickens fair. some people waited quite a while. one woman described her experience for us. >> i haven't had it yet. i have been in line the whole time, two hours. >> ork nicers say they had a technical issue and first day challenges. again, it's first day. i have to work out automobile the bucks. they say it's a learning curve, they are working to iron it out. another find the pandemic isn't yet over. the u.s. has officially hit 49 million cases of covid-19. the increase ten days after the country reached 48 million cases. more than 790,000 deaths so far. >> here in california, the positive rate is down to 2.9%. so far, nearly 77% of californians 5 and older have had at least one dose after the vaccine. >> that as the u.s. continues to monitor omicron. we just learned this afternoon wisconsin is the 13th state to have a case. five people from alameda were infected. scientists say it will take time to figure out how different it is compared to delta. so far, two counties have debated. san francisco, the first in the nation to detect the variant. if you are still searching for a vaccine or booster, we can tem you with that. the consumer investigator chris chmura put together a how-to video. we have been watching this weekend, the king tides. all over the place. they have been filling the bay to the brim and above. the time lapse of the traffic camera in oakland. you watch and you get an idea. get an idea, the water covering up the shore in just a few hours. i think that was the wrong video. yeah, move on. >> that's okay. check this out. fun times in the port of san francisco. plenty of people came out to see the high tide. they didn't have to go too far. the water came to them. >> here is the redwood city marina. that is video we speeded up for you. you can see the water rising. to give you an idea how high it is. there is a warning from the national weather service for people to be on the look out for minor flooding. meteorologist rod mayeda, it's not just the waters we are watching, right? >> the areas you see on the green, in the inner bay, we will see a flood advisory, and the king tides come 11:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. 7 feet from ocean beach, france, and 11:38 in richmond. we will continue to see the conditions as you saw in the video. interesting changes coming our way. first, you have fok that did break up and the hazy skies to wrap up the weekend. we may briefly see unhealthy and sensitive groups in the east bay and santa clara valley. the first showers monday. not a big chance but in behind it, much colder changes and better rain chances ahead in the seven-day forecast, and a plunge of polar air. you're going to feel the winter whiplash or a preview coming our way later next week as the temperatures the down, and a snow potential. more coming up in nine minutes. >> looking forward to that. thank you. a busy traffic weekend in the bay area, there are weekend closures that impact your commute. >> here is mike in last. >> all weekend long, we hear miles canyon, it will be closed. they are tabling out a for bridge. 680 is an option before it reopens. in the north, a short section but a big impact. this is i-80 in the cordelia. the reason for the reroute. cal trans wants to you stay in the freeway that is the edsiest. but locals know that red shop road will get you around the short closure. back over to y up. the east bay, several groups are teaming up in the spirit of welcoming and giving. they are helping afghan refugees after the withdraw from afghanistan. the donation hub hosted an open house this afternoon. the goal was to showcase what they have been building and to encourage donations from welcome baskets to house hood goods. >> cook ware, clothing. many had just one pair of clothes on their back and that's it. so under garments and one of the big ticket items is mattresses. we have been give lg mattresses to people who have been sharing hotel rooms or home spaces and they don't have any where to sleep. >> the center is volunteer led. it's run out of the community center. we are just a few days aquay from the 80th anniversary on the attack on herl harbor. we caught up with a world war ii veteran who was in the neart, and put on a boat to pearl harbor. he said it's proud to be in the ceremony on a battleship. >> how do you feel when you found out you were going to pearl harbor again. >> hell, it tickled me pink. i couldn't get over it. >> couldn't wait. couldn't wait the six months to get here. >> six months. >> world war ii vet was born and raised in san jose. now, 97 years old, he says he keeps in shape, walks two miles five days a week. >> impressive. still ahead. cnn lost its long time anchor after shocking rove lucians linked to his brothers sexual misconduct scandal. what the anchor is saying tonight. plus this. we are happy to have the welcome down and have people interact with santa a little bit. it's nice to talk to people directly. santa is back in malls across america thanks to the progress made in the pandemic. however, now there is another problem that could have st. nick missing from your local mall. once again, we are watching for patchy fog in the east bay, moving west and spilling in the bay area. this and rain chances and snow in the seven-day forecast. we will come right back. the xfinity black friday sales event is happening now on xfinity mobile. now new and existing customers can get our best wireless deal of the year - up to $1,000 in savings - for a limited time only. on the most reliable network nationwide, plus nationwide 5g. act now and save up to $1,000 with xfinity mobile. so you can go all out on gifts for the family - during our best wireless deal of the year... the xfinity black friday sales event. click, call or visit a store today. we are following developing news. cnn has announced it has fired long time anchor chris cuomo. he was suspended from the network after details emerged how he helped his brother, former governor andrew cuomo, amid acquisitions. he was trying to find out how many women were accusing him of sexual harassment. in a statement on cnn, the network says, in the process of the review, additional information came to light. cuomo is speaking out on twitter tonight, saying, this is not how i want my time at cnn to end but i have already told you why and how i helped my brother. >> the parents of the oxford suspect ended in detroit. they are charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter. their son is accused of the shooting in oxford high school tuesday. late last month. james crumbley bought the gun that was used. the attorneys say the gun was locked and ethan didn't have access to it. the lawyers said they fled after the shooting because they feared for their safety. however, the judge set bail at $500,000 because they have a flight risk. meanwhile, the couple had help hiding in the building they were found. >> suffice to say we have enough early indications that clearly somebody helped them into that location and made it available to them, and it was after it was publicly announced there were warrants for them. >> he added that whoever helped the pair could end up facing charges of aiding or abetting or on just of justice. and he ramped up copy cat threats, calling the spike absurd and sad. congress could implement safety standards for products that contain button cell or coin batteries. this week, a bipartisan bill was introduced, the texas 18-month-old died after ingesting a tv remote. santa claus setting up shops at malls across the country. the health precautions you can expect, and what is behind a santa shortage that is sweeping much of the nation. >> have you been a good boy this year? >> reporter: another christmas during covid. this year shlgs thanks to vaccines, kids can see santa up close as long as they wear a mask. at westfield small, santa is no longer surrounded by plexiglas like last year. >> we are happy to have people interact with santa. it's nice to talk to people victory. >> if kids want to take off the mask quickly for the picture, this is an option. they have to set on this bench here. and they are sanitizing the set between each family. >> reporter: when it comes to seeing santa, covid safety isn't the only thing families have to think about. there is another issue. >> a tremendous shortage of santas this holiday season. >> mitch allen is the founder of santa in fort worth, texas. and they said this weir, demand for santa is up 120% over prepandemic levels but they are 15% fewer santa workers. the reasons why, it's heart breaking. >> santas are in high risk group for a negative consequence. so we lost a number of santas over 18 months. >> allen said they pivoted to doing a lot of virtual visits and giving people the option to request a vaccinated santa. december holds special meaning more than ever. >> christmas is a perhaps and a hope to kids that life's better. >> keeping hope and help top of find this holiday season. >> i can tell you, as long as they get their presents from santa, they're good. >> they're good? >> and the real santa, no question about it, he's going to be around on christmas morning. and rob's got twins. and he better be there. >> yeah, got to have a good forecast for them. keep them happy, and hopefully we will have snow later on. and what will help is the cold storm systems in the seven-day forecast that will be arriving as we head to the end of next weekend, and san francisco, and san jose and the trivalley, also seeing the low 50s. and walnut creek, 52, and watching it closely tonight, as you notice what happened in the day. we had a clearing that took place, and you see the central valley, san joaquin didn't clear out. we will head to the night time nours and we are expecting a similar storm to tomorrow. lots of fok to start and slow clearing as we head through the day. the temperatures in the mid 40s around the east bay and south bay valleys. colder or low 40s in the north bay, and highs should change from the low 60s inland around solano and contra costas counties, and south of san jose, and morgan hill, plab one more mild day. mid to upper 60s. monday is a chance for showers, a weak looking system may bring brief showers through and breezy and cool conditions as we head in the middle of the week. the best chance of rain maybe thursday. again, a real tifly cold, forecast moving storm as it's tracking inland. so the inland tracking lows, don't have a lot of rain to work with. we will get chilly air settling in, and as we head to next weekend, the stage will be set with cold air moves with potentially lowering snow levels for the seven to ten-day outlook. you go to monday and thursday weather system, the total is pretty light. we're excited about the change in the 7 to 10 day window. both of the models do have considerable amounts of rain for the weeblgd, and following weekend. the see area, you do want to see this model developing, and lead to chilly eyes and frosty lows, and cold air support taking an inland track, and a better producer, and the ten-za outlook, could have feet. >> when it comes to the weather, you have shower answers ampbld the bay area as early as monday. thursday is the best opportunity for that as we head to the week. closely watch the daytime highs. we could be in the low 50s next weekend, and woum change for rain and know, septembering up late they are week. >> a beautiful forecast. >> yeah, beautiful. >> we will be right back. from one moment to the next, our kids become the most important part of our lives. and even though the years pass, that never changes. we never stop worrying about them. that's why it's important to have health insurance. with covered california, we got a plan we could afford. it includes free preventive care, like cholesterol and blood-pressure checkups. because even though they grow up, they'll always be your baby. covered california. this way to health insurance. enroll by december 31st at coveredca.com. they are filling up buss with toys in san jose, and it's full a good cause. >> the stuff the bus toy drive, the u.s. marine corps toys for tots program. the goal is to have two to three buses by the end of the day. >> the buss are more than 40 feet long, and we often stuff them to the brim, and more than one. sometimes two or three. so it's been very successful. people are incredibly generous in silicone valley and this time of year. >> the toy drive featured a few guests such as mayor sam licardo. and collecting toys for disadvantaged toys. >> officers and santa was there at the head of the northern california championship game between the rams and the bulldogs. folks were encouraged to donate money or drop off new, unwrapped gifts. if you would like to help out there are toy drive barrels set up in every wall greens in the city. >> we are following breaking news. we have learned there is a 2.6 magnitude earthquake out of san leandro. we are getting news in the newsroom. once we get it, we will bring it to you. >> a minor earthquake in san mateo county. anthony flores? >> we are talking a major win and a major statement last night. the warriors have the best record in basketball and check out steph curry making it rain in pregames for tonight's game against the spurs. you don't want me to shoot it. stick around. ok, so maybe we're new to home improvement, but we're determined. we got an insider tip on the ultimate flooring destination. whoa. floor and decor is amazing. look at us. we're shopping alongside real-life designers and contractors. i love this tile. and this one. and, these prices! look at this, durable and water-resistant. we should do the kitchen next! oh, yeah, we found where the pros go. now, we're unstoppable. explore floor and decor in person or online at flooranddecor.com welcome back. i'm anthony flores. the warors bounce back in a big way. they sut a pend to the suns' 18-gain win streak. steph curry had 23 points and the bench was huge. jta gets everyone on their feet. look the monster jam. that deserves another look. the pride of oakland, a season-high 17 points and day yr payton, he added 19. the warriors lost to the suns in phoenix. and once again, they have the best record in the nba at 19-3. >> we haven't been in the playoffs for two years. so we're trying to catch them and we know that they're the best team in the west till somebody else noblgs them off. so it's fun to go against them and god to see the team respond. >> all right, quick turn around, the dubs are back on the court. they are under way, and they are losing by double digits. we will check out the highlights at 11:00. the 49ers will be without their best offensive weapon sunday against the seahawks. samuel will not play because of a strain. seattle is a house of horrors for the niners. they lost nine of ten in the pacific northwest. the hawks, not so hot. they are struggling. they won once at home this season. they did beat the niners in week four. despite seattle's 3-8 record, they expect a battle sunday. >> i think every time it's a pretty good game, and whether they have zero games and are undefeated, i think it's always a good game, and we're going to give each other our best shot, and i think it's going to be our toughest game of the year. >> all right, everything 49ers check out nbc sports bay area for the pregame live. and tune in after the game for reaction on the postgame show. a heart break -- my 5-year-old and i were watching this, the final four of the women's soccer. the match goes to penalty kick. santa clara had to hit the goal and it didn't happen. byu wins on penalty kicks. the broncos dream comes to an end. congratulations to byu. that is a look at sports. more news after the break. the xfinity black friday sales event is happening now on xfinity mobile. now new and existing customers can get our best wireless deal of the year - up to $1,000 in savings - for a limited time only. on the most reliable network nationwide, plus nationwide 5g. act now and save up to $1,000 with xfinity mobile. so you can go all out on gifts for the family - during our best wireless deal of the year... the xfinity black friday sales event. click, call or visit a store today. joining us right now, a 2.6 earthquake, it's a small one. if you feel it, gosh, it reminds you. >> it's one of the more populated areas around the bay area, so a 2.6, you might have thought it was a truck going down the street. northwest of oakland zoo. the red line is right there along the hayward fault. that was 6:08 this evening. you're not going to expect the bay area to feel something of that magnitude. we will see if there are smaller earthquakes in the area. back to you. >> in the east bay, we are hearing we may get reports there. thanks so much. we are back at 11:00. chris chmura: you're watching an nbc bay area news special. tonight, nbc bay area "responds." female: everybody is just on standby. chris: brace yourself, passengers. this year holiday air travel might be a mess. we're gonna help you win the rebooking race and show you how passengers are fighting back when there's money on the line. blane workie: we wanna help. and we feel good when we're able to get consumers their money back. chris: we ask and answer a thorny travel question. can a host put a camera in your vacation rental? maybe. we'll show you where they're allowed and not, plus, how to get a refund if you find a spying eye, also-- john lipschitz: well, i'm greatly appreciative of nbc and what you've done. chris: we help a covid survivor battle for long-haul care. his hospital and health insurance weren't communicating, even though they're the same company. chris: good evening, and welcome to our nbc bay area "responds" special. i'm consumer investigator chris chmura. since we started "responds" here in 2016, we've helped viewers like you save or get back more than $5.7 million right there on the tote board, and we do that by speaking up when viewers aren't