far in california. we're live now to talk about how you can protect yourself from the flu. >> well, larry a lot of us trying to stay healthy, steering clear of people that are sick. another culprit harder to avoid is touching surfaces like this rental bike with the flu has. >> these are some of the best weapons you have. sanitizers >> not so >> the virus is commonly spread with germs flying as far as six feet away. when sick people hope touch something you later touch. a railing, a atm. >> the virus can survive for hours on surfaces like that. >> this family physician recommends the flu shot tochlt fight the strain of the virus, it is one around before. >> they're starting to see more cases of the same h1n1 strain we saw in 2009. you know tends to affect kids and younger adults predominantly. but good news is that that is in the flu shot this year.. >> i should have gotten mine. but i didn't. i hope it's not too late. >> dr. blackman says it's not too late to get a shot. the season peaks between late december and february. >> if you have had a bout of the flu, advice is get the vaccine. because it contains coverage for multiple strains. in the meantime, wipe down that desk, wash your hands, and follow frank's lead. >> trying to get sleep and take care of myself. >> in san francisco, abc7 news. >> a man has been taken into custody after leading officers on a chase on interstate 880 in a stolen car. this is video of the scene from sky seven. the suspect was stopped after an officer maneuvered into his vehicle the driver was injured and taken into the hospital. >> a lot of tears shed this morning at alliance academy in oakland the school held a memorial for an 8th grader gunned down on new year's eve the 13-year-old lee weathersby shot while walking home from the boys and girls club. his mother spoke at the memorial. students told her how much they're going miss lee. >> lee was very popular at school. very funny kid he was tall so he stood out. everybody knows lee from that. >> he was a member of the band i school placed a plaque on a drum that he used. >> police released new information into the death of 22-year-old killed in june just moments after his car was rear ended. >> the family refuse to stop the search for the killer. tonight new information. picture of a car they believe the suspect may have been driving and a $100,000 reward for information that can lead them to him. >> we'll some day find the people who took iya way from us. >> she talked about the death of her son and the hunt for the killers. >> i cannot stress enough how beloved he still is. >> there is a push to find the gunman. he was an hour from his 23 ready birthday when shot and killed on market street in june of last year. today police along with his family and friends shared new information about the vehicle. >> this portion of the investigation needs to be released so we can move on so the next stage. >> this is the car police say was driven by the suspect the photo is grainy and difficult to make out. investigators believe it may be enough to generate leads. >> difficult for make and model. but we know it's a mid-sized car, silver, four door appears to be newer car. >> police are saying it captures from a surveillance camera. he was driving west when another career ended him. when he you will pulled over. police say two male suspects confronted him. police say one man fired a shot that killed him. >> he did the right thing he pulled over to the side of the road. >> his photo will appear throughout the city. reward is at $100,000. police have established a web site for tips at help iya.com. in oakland nick smith abc7 news. >> an attack on the parents of audrey potts. a lawyer for one defendant in the wrongful lawsuit claims layery and sheila pott are partially to blame the lawyer says the parents knew or should have known of her quote long standing and serious emotional problems before the suicide and should have sought help the parents filed their civil suit last year. >> customs officers arrested a 17-year-old boy from mexico after he tried to smuggle a gallon of liquid methamphetamine into the country on new year's eve. officers searched baggage and found one tequila bottles containing a clear liquid tests confirm that had liquid was meth. estimated street value? $500,000. >> people on alert after a woman dropping off her daughter was punched in the face >> the concern is whether the knock out game has come to the bay area. that you've probably seen it on the internet. men attack a stranger trying to knock them out with a punch. >> david louie is live now where this happened. david? >> about this time monday the woman was knocked to the ground. we're told by a friend she is in shock but going to be okay. some people in this community now say they don't feel safe. >> what surprised everyone is how fast it happened the owner of los gatos pizza raced outside to help the woman. >> the woman was crying. the >> victim just dropped off her daughter for ballet class. witnesses told police the suspect is an african american man about 59 to 6 feet tall, slender with short brown hair. shoppers say they're being more careful. >> beware of people around you. i don't have music in my ears. >> police would not do an interview but are investigating whether this is the so called knock out game. this video shows men trying to knock out victims by surprise with a single blow to the head. the vicious nature of the crime has some women taking extraordinary steps to protect themselves. >> very a couple gals have tasers they're now walking with. >> what about yourself? >> i have a knife. i hope i don't have to use it, but i have to be careful. very to do whatever measures to protect myself. it's just not a safe place, like i guess it once was. >> opponents of a new state law spells out rights of transgender students cleared a key hurdle today. state officials took a random sample of signatures collected to put a repeal measure on the november ballot and found 95% of the signatures are now valid. the law took affect january 1st guaranteeing the right to join sports teams and use rest rooms and locker rooms of the gender they identify w >> i noticed a strange phenomenon driving home. dropletts of water from the sky. >> drizzle. >> spencer christian is here now. iets sad when drizzle excites us. live doppler seven hd shows partly cloudy skies over the bay area now. here is a live view, a dramatic view of the western sky. from our camera showing you clouds drifting by. readings mid to upper 50s in redwood city. and 50 degrees camera lots of blue skies in this view southeastward, that is right. 58 degrees now in santa rosa. 57 in napa. upper 50s in fairfield, concord and livermore, downtown san jose, lots of clouds. looks like cranes trying to fix the clouds in the sky. these forecast -- this is our first forecast. mostly cloudy skies this evening with partly cloudy breaks and will be cool, drizzly and then, will be dry into afternoon and partly to mostly sunny skies, high temperatures mid-50s on the coast to low 60s inland. we've got another chance of rain coming our way. >> still ahead at 4:00 silicon valley tech company now using this new ride to get their employees across the bay. plus... >> another day of cold temperatures. the story, coming up. >> new at 4:30 a pattern connecting most pedestrian victims in san francisco in the past year. >> our first live look at the afternoon commute this, is the skyway this downtown san francisco. bright sunny skies, traffic is somewhat grim if you're heading left to right to lower deck of the bay bridge. free flowing a little bit more so heading towards 101 south on the google using private ferry boats to shuttle workers to work between san francisco and redwood city where sharter buses take them to head quarters in mountain view the ferries have gates and don't impact public ferry service. >> they presented a plan. they're a well-funded company and have a great boat certified by the coast guard they wanted to do a 30-day trial. >> each ferry holds 149 people but abc7 news counted just 20 to 30 this morning. protestors blocked charter buses and they have agreed to pay a use to use the stops. >> macy's plans to cut 2500 jobs and close five stores part of a cost reduction plan. this after a strong holiday shopping season for the chain. this move is expected to save $100 million per year >> parts of the country are still thawing out today. a warm up after days of brutal cold temperatures >> some towns have blizzard like conditions. >> warmer weather is on the way. >> bundle up, stay warm. get in and out. >> this polar vortex caused blizzard like conditions. sheets of ice could be seen for miles. >> freezing. freezing. can't feel my face. >> in indiana, fb traffic slowed to a snail's pace. >> takes about ten minutes and it's daysen -- taken me over 40 minutes >> i'm kind of over it. >> the cold caused water main breaks from georgia, indiana to iowa >> i come here and my car is started. i'm like well, not a good idea to try to move it. >> brutal weather having a big impact on wallets from gas prices to school closures forcing people to dish out more money to rising heating costs. >> in new york a thaw to end the week. temperatures here is expected to reach mid-50 saturday. the arctic blast beginning to diminish. normal operations with a few delays. about 770 flights were cancelled. >> a frosty problem in an apartment complex in hendersonville north carolina. a cascade of ice form add lonth building after a pipe burst. residents say it looks like a ladder. shelters have been set up to help those folks displaced. >> it's cool as long as you don't live there. >> right. >> people in alaska have been amused over the cold snap. there are no snow days in fairbanks administrators allow kids to play outside. there is very little sunlight and temperatures mid 20 below.. >> i tell the principal in conference going out to 20 below, they don't believe it and laugh. and say i can't wait to tell staff. it's 20 above and he have to stay inside. >> principal checks three thermometers each day before allowing kids to go outside. he says the kids love it. in alaska they may have done that interview at noon. >> it's different. >> 20 below? you're talking a risk of frost bite. >> that is what is normal for you, you know? i've been to parts of alaska. in the winter 25 below is not unusual. and wind chill is not unusual. it's unusual for me. it wasn't pleasant trips for me. but going to live there and they laugh at it. >> well, we've got feels good. partly cloudy skies and some blue skies here is a cloudy view looking, who knows where? we can't see very much except a freeze near the camera. there is a chance of rain again saturday. then, we'll have warmer weather next week. starting sunday we've got another string of sunny days coming our way. first system going to pass through tonight. and that is going to bring us spotty drizzle. this next storm will be passing through on saturday. so let's see how much rain to expect to get starting tonight, that system bringing us spotty drizzle. there could be wet spots tomorrow morning for commuters just be aware of that. then mostly fizzle. not going to be a very, very mild day. let's talk about the next sits tim. this will bring us measurable rainfall. it's going to be greater than drizzle. that will happen saturday and into afternoon and early evening hours. we'll see wet weather on saturday. probably confined to the north bay. could pop up just about anywhere. overnight tonight, spotty drizzle. low temperatures mid to upper 40s. north bay valleys lows into upper 30s. and by afternoon, drizzle giving way to partly to mostly sunny skies. low 60s around the bay and inland locations. and then, accu-weather forecast, that chance of rain is light saturday look at monday, tuesday, wednesday. sunny skies and mild high temperatures 70 degrees around the bay. upper 60s inland low to mid-60s on the coast. it's still a dry pattern. indication of the jet stream bringing us storms >> 70 is remarkable. >> thank you. >> up next burrito lovers got a new way to carry out. >> why this picture of a to those who've been waiting welcome to covered california. the place to find quality, affordable coverage, and nobody can be denied because of a pre-existing condition. enroll today at coveredca.com. >> the prince invited an old friend for a ride in the mopemobile today, greeting about 9,000 well wishers today when he spotted a priest he knows from bun yoes -- buenos aiers. >> this pope is quite entertaining. >> getting a burrito to go. >> it's called burrito box. it dispenses customized hot, melty burritos. >> it popped up to a west hollywood gas station. >> i had to see what it was and whether or not they're g it was nice we -- this is quick, tasty, cheap. >> yeah, i'll be back. >> the burritos cost $three coming in six varieties from favorites or classics all made with hormone and antibiotic free ingredients the company behind the burrito box says this will be the first of many still to come. iet just looks like a regular vending machine. i don't see it whipping it up. right? i'm confused. >> yes. this is not the first burrito you can buy from a vending machine. >> i thought we're going to see tongs and flip a tortilla around. >> you're asking for too much. carolyn, under whelmed. >> several pedestrian accidents in san francisco. which group of people is more likely to get hit by a car, and why. >> robert gates tell-all book criticizes president obama. the white house goes on the defensive. >> the daring leap former congress woman gabby giffords took today on the third soon, californians from sacramento to salinas to san diego will have equal access to quality health insurance. those who need financial assistance will get it. and nobody will be denied because of a pre-existing condition. welcome to a new state of health. welcome to covered california. we are your health insurance marketplace. enroll today at coveredca.com or call 1-800-300-1506. check it out. learning's fun now. yeah, back in our day, we didn't have u-verse high speed internet to play and learn online. all we had was that franklin fuzzypants. ah, the educational toy bear. remember when the battery went out? [ slow, deep voice ] give me your abc's. all i learned was a new definition of fear. i need some pudding. yeah, there's one left. [ male announcer ] connect all your wi-fi-enabled devices with u-verse high speed internet. rethink possible. abc7 news learned there is a gruch pedestrians at higher risk of becoming victims of traffic accidents in san francisco. >> abc7 news live at city hall with the story you will see only on abc7 news. vic? >> tonight the commander of the traffic division will talk with a police commission about the rash of pedestrian accidents. this afternoon, the mayor met with the police chief to discuss several proposals to reduce these types of accidents some are calling epidemic. >> animalingished cries of the mother of a 6-year-old who died when being hit by a car new year's eve. she was struck along with her son on the crosswalk near poke and elvis it was a terrible year for pedestrian fatalities. in 2012, 16 people died. last year, 21 fatales a third happened last month. >> we have had seven fatalities just december >> this commander tells us most victims were asian immigrants many, elderly. he says victims may have been confuse by the a traffic system >> i've been told patterns there flowed differently than grid-type patterns that we have here. people may be accustomed to a different type of pattern. >> mayor ed lee says he's had discussions in the community over this concern. >> some of the backgrounds of the fatalities of immigrants were that they were new to the country and therefore, inexperienced in the way streets are patterned and rub. >> both the mayor and commander say there needs to be more bi-lang will campaigns to educate immigrants to the american traffic system the district attorney says not only drivers but pedestrians need to be more cautious they have the right of way. >> when coming up against a vehicle weighing 2000 pounds, you're never going to be on the right end of the outcome here. >> that happened just yesterday.. a pedestrian was struck by a car when died when he jaywalked across busy van ness avenue. >> abc # news learned the uber driver accused nay fatal accident had been arrested previously for reckless driving in florida and faces charges in the new year's eve crash that killed a 6-year-old girl. uber said did he not have a passenger at the time of the accident and he had since been dismissed by uber the case has taxi drivers crying foul. drivers will bring up the issue during the san francisco police commission meeting. >> chris christy denying involvement in the case of apparent political pay back against a mayor saying he knew nudging about the decision to close down two lane and said he was misled by a top aid about her role in the controversy. e mails released today show that christy aides and appointees engineered the closer for ref e refusing to endorse krifty. today, the governor called the behavior inappropriate. >> the white house says it's hardly news the president had differing news about the and gates book he concluded the president quote doesn't believe in his own strategy and doesn't krt war to be his, for him, it's all about getting out and he also criticized joe biden. white house press secretary issued a staunch defense of biden. >> as a senator and vice president joe biden has been one of the leading statesman of his time and has been an excellent counselor to the president. >> the white house responded to gates' criticism allowing cameras to access president obama and mr. biden at lunch today for the record gates offered praise of mr. obama comparing his decision making to that of abraham lincoln. >> that is dennis rodman serenading north korean leader kim jong-un today. rodman called the game historic and said kim is his best friend. the trip has run the ire of kenneth bay, upset rodman has not used this opportunity to try to get bay released. rodman defended the incarceration during a television interview. >> today is the three-year anniversary of the deadly mass shooting in tucson, arizona that wounded former congress woman gabrielle giffords. dozens marked the area where the injured were treated. gifford was one of 13 injured when jared lee laufner opened nier a public event she hosted. gifford marked the day by sky-diving landing safe tli afternoon between phoenix and tucson. giffords blew kisses and waved to a crowd. just before the jump she tweeted this photo of herself with her husband mark kelly the caption reads thanks for the good luck call, vice president joe biden. join me next time? she tweeted it's been step by step since i was shot three years ago. i have overcome a lot, progress has come from working hard. >> that is an mazing come back. >> it is. >> still head at 4:00 why a woman is suing google for being called sexy. >> first, cool innovations at the consumer electronics show including a smart onesy. >> today's seven on your side q and a is just ahead. you can contact me on abc7 and on twitter at m finney i'll answer questions here live in a little bit. >> spencer christian now, downtown san jose camera shows clouds in the sky. there may be a little rain coming your way. >> let's take a look at traffic situation here. it's -- ugly in berkeley. yes. this is interstate 80 looking down from our camera. traffic on the righthand side heading towards berkeley, coming back towards san francisco or perhaps 580. either way, it's going to be very slow. coming right back in there are cool devices being showcased this week at the consumer electronics show. >> a bowl that can charge your mobile devices. it charges without wires. >> and other highlights include this smart woonesie, measures breathing body position, skin temperatures, sleeping and feeding patterns. parents can track them in realtime on smart phone or tablet it costs about $100 >> in ten years we'll all be wearing them. they'll be monitoring everything. like a snuggy. >> that is a funny vision i have of you in a onesy. >> probably not the direction we want to go in. >> much nicer vision, we've got clouds around now and they're going to be with us overnight. tomorrow that, brutal cold snap has just about ended. in 20s a bit of a chill we'll see 40s along the coast. showers and scattered showers here there could be light snow showers. some light rainfall here in the bay area. sunny skies into afternoon and high temperatures around or just above 60 degrees and near the bay and coast. it's starting to get milder than today and milder into the end of the week. >> remarkable. >> still ahead on abc7 news at 4:00 a random encounter that led to a live saving transplant. >> california dad become an internet sensation for this picture. >> what do you do if ok, it's time to set the record straight. covered california is how californians can take advantage. we can help you get quality health insurance right now. to sign up, call 800-787-9159 or go to coveredca.com. you can also use our website to find local, in-person help. one of the biggest questions we get here is, "does covered california offer financial assistance?" yes. covered california is the only place that gives you financial help with your coverage. millions of californians will qualify. find out if you do. all plans include free preventive care. now, you might have a question about what that means. it means free mammograms, immunizations, cancer screenings, and more. it's a big list, and it's all free. so don't wait. without insurance, even a small medical issue can cost you big. call 800-787-9159, or go to coveredca.com, and get covered. i took my son fishing every year. we had a great spot, not easy to find, but worth it. but with copd making it hard to breathe, i thought those days might be over. so my doctor prescribed symbicort. it helps significantly improve my lung function starting within five minutes. symbicort doesn't replace a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms. with symbicort, today i'm breathing better. and that means...fish on! [ female announcer ] symbicort is for copd including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. it should not be taken more than twice a day. symbicort contains formoterol. medicines like formoterol increase the risk of death from asthma problems. symbicort may increase your risk of lung infections, osteoporosis, and some eye problems. tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure before taking it. [ man ] with copd, i thought i'd miss our family tradition. now symbicort significantly improves my lung function, starting within 5 minutes. and that makes a difference in my breathing. today we're ready for whatever swims our way. ask your doctor about symbicort. i got my first prescription free. call or click to learn more. breaking news in south san francisco. a small explosion at amgen injured two people the building has been evacuated as a precaution. abc7 news has a crew on the way we'll bring you the latest at 5:00. 24-7 on twitter. a chance encounter led to a life saving surgery for a san diego man. he ended up donating a kidney to a friend they had lost contact and found themselves randomly seated next to each other at a chargers game. lynch told williams he needed a new kidney. it turns out he was a match. >> remarkable. >> baseball hall of fame inducted three new members today along with frank thomas going in. he hit 301 homers with 521 homers and 1700 runs batted in. 2006 was a huge year, 39 homers helped a's hak the playoffs. says anyone lynched to steroids should not allowed into the walk of fame. the never get close to the 75% required. >> in iowa marketing executive is suing google saying it refused to take her photo of a blog called sexy executives her corporate head shot posted to the web site but an unknown blogger with comments about appearance. she and her company are both suing google. google has not commented but legal experts say the web site may have rights to use the photo since it's on a free site. >> there is another foet yes that caused a storm today. >> check out this photo of himself with his two daughters on his blog daddy doing work. it's become quite the sensation. >> he quotes his version of dr. martin luther king junior writing very a dream people will view a picture like this and not think it's a big deal. some dads blasted him for making them look bad. >> great at multi tasking. >> yes. he is. >> now, michael finney is here answering questions and alana asking can a store refuse to cash out a gift card worth less than $ten? >> the law is clear, once it's worth less than $ten, they've got to give you your change back in cash if you ask. now, if they wanted to jerk you around they'll say we'll give you a check. >> good to know. >> must i give out my social security number or driver's license number on personal new patient paper work? before i can see a doctor? >> nope. you don't have to do it. but if you don't the doctor doesn't have to see you. this is up to the doctor. cash there is no reason for that information. but... if they refuse to take care of the patient they have that right. >> i don't put it on flchlt they ask, we have a conversation.. >> i put 000, 000. they say they only want it for identification purposes. that is it. you'll never find me. >> michael finney, difficult patient. larry asks if a store does not display a return policy are there laws i can refer to? >> this is the time of the year everybody is returning and exchanging. here in california says have you to post what your rules are at a store before someone buys so near the cash register and readable. if they don't post, there is a fall back. if they don't post it, you have seven days to give it back. >> okay. >> good to know. >> okay. >> up next, the big nush sacramento to get all 4-year-olds to attend prekindergarten classes. >> what lawmakers want governor brown to do. coming up dire straits. a dairy farmer worries how he's going to get watt for his cows. >> those mom... yes honey? dad told me that cheerios is good for your heart, is that true? says here that cheerios has whole grain oats that can help remove some cholesterol, and that's heart healthy. [ dad ] jan? ♪ here is a look at the prime time line up on abc. at 9:30 another episode and david blaine real or magic follows at 10:00. then, abc7 news at 11:00 >> this seems magical. the independent analyst estimates state will have $3 billion. >> one lawmaker proposing spending that on funding transitional kindergarten. >> we'll know more on friday when the governor introduces his budget proposal the governor wants to increase reserves. he has said we have to learn to say no when necessary. and yes when appropriate. >> this is the second year that early education school has offered transitional kindergarten. here is how it works for this school year, if a child turned five after october 1st they'd have an option to go to transitional kinder guard yevenlt next year that date moves to september 1st >> they will have down the basic skills. >> now, lawmakers have introduced bail to require all school districts to offer tk by every 4-year-old by 2020. stanford deborah stiep yek says research has shown ex-peer peer yens have long term affects on children brain that's affect their learning long into the future. >> invest in kids now. reap rewards of a better educated work force and healthier state or pay the price, later. >> speaking of a price tag, senate president pro tem asking for $200 million to fund for the first year the program expands to include all 4-year-olds, he estimates it would add $1 billion to the state general fund for now, it would come from the state's projected surplus money but only after, steinberg says, other programs are funded >> we're committed to paying down debt and to putting money in a rainy day fund. >> no state ever offered universal tk. california could be the first. >> the san mateo police department is taking a new approach to kick start its canine program. >> the department using go fund me.com police just sworn in the lone canine in the program. >> since launching the drive if you're interested go to our web site for a link and look under see it on tv. >> that is going to do it at 4:00 >> abc # news at 5:00 begins right now. >> people have pepper spray, now walking with tasers >> women in one community taking no charges >> also tonight a hospital sets up a test to handle flu >> pressure is on to hear less that have and less of this. >> it's happening now no n.south san francisco. two people have been injured in an explosion at biotech company amgen on oyster point boulevard. >> according to our media parter the building has been evacuated and views are on the scene. >> now, we'll slatest in a live report later in this newscast as soon as he arrives and on twitter. good evening, i'm dan ashley. >> now to our other top story tonight. >> one town feels like it's under siege. >> just to let everybody to know to be alert. >> women in one community are now arming themselves with weapons police say the assault may be related to a phenomenon known as the knockout game where people sucker punch folks walking by for fun. a woman was attacked in los gatos. >> that happened in this parking lot in front of the dance attack studio monday afternoon. there were plenty of witness buzz no surveillance video giving a look at the suspect and arrest the attack caught the woman off guard. next, people were coming to our rescue after she was punched to the ground. >> i found a lady on a chair. she was crying. the >> speed caught witnesses off guard. slender in a white baseball cap the ballet teacher says the woman is recovering >> just shocked and i think he megsal part is the hardest. physically, she's fine but that is it >> the los gatos community is now dealing with a crime they say they're thinking of ways to protect themselves >> i think pepper spray maybe is a good idea but if you're being sucker punched you're not going see it coming. i don't think it would be time to react. i think it's safer to walk in pairs if you can. >> police

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