(KRON) -- Looking for something fun to do in the Bay Area this weekend? We've got you covered.
KRON4 Chief Meteorologist Lawrence Karnow has 4 Fun Things going on around the Bay Area.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Shots were fired in the area of Market Street and New Montgomery Street on Friday evening, the San Francisco Police Department confirmed.
SFPD responded to the scene at 8:28 p.m. for the report of a shooting. All involved parties had fled by the time officers responded, SFPD said.
As of 9 p.m., there were no reported injuries. SFPD said multiple witnesses were present.
An entrance to the Montgomery Street BART station at New Montgomery and Market was closed due to the shooting.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call SFPD at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with "SFPD."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
(KRON) -- A two-alarm RV fire burned in Oakland on Friday evening. Smoke was visible in East Oakland, including from the Oakland Coliseum, where the A's were playing the Chicago White Sox.
Oakland firefighters said the fire started at an RV and extended into a vacant warehouse. It was brought under control at 8:05 p.m., the Oakland Fire Department said.
OFD said the address of the fire is 76th Avenue and Hawley Street. There have been no reports of injuries.
(KRON) -- A man was shot in east San Jose Thursday night on Lanai Avenue off of King and Tully Roads.
Police say the man was taken to the hospital and at this time they have no individual(s) in custody.
The cause of the shooting is currently under investigation.
This is developing news. Stick with us for updates.
(BCN) -- Deputies in San Mateo County have arrested a man in connection with the rape of a minor.
Christopher Esquivel, 23, of Redwood City, was arrested on suspicion of rape by force, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
On March 16, detectives began investigating a case of a minor who was raped by a known person. Investigators identified Esquivel as the suspect, and following the investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest, according to the sheriff's office.
On Thursday, Esquivel was located in San Bruno and was arrested. He has since posted bail and is no longer in custody, according to the sheriff's office.
Anyone with information about this case can contact (650) 363-4060. The sheriff's office is also investigating if there are any additional victims.
Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.
(KRON) -- Human remains were found in unincorporated Suisun City on Wednesday, the Solano County Sheriff's Office said. Authorities are still attempting to find the identity of the victim.
Employees of the California Waterfowl Association were evaluating vegetation in the area of Grizzly Island Road and Van Sickle Road when they found a bone inside of a jacket sleeve underneath some vegetation. A primary investigation found fully decomposed human remains below the surface.
The Chico State Human Identification Lab began a forensic evaluation on Thursday. A "partial skeletal upper" was uncovered.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death. The public is asked to avoid the area where the remains were found as excavation continues. The location is north of Grizzly Bay and south of Fairfield.
The age, race and gender of the subject are unknown. Anyone with information is asked to call (707) 784-7050.
(KRON) – The Oakland Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred near Jack London Square Wednesday night.
Just after 7 p.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 90 block of Broadway. Officers located a victim with a gunshot wound(s), however the victim refused medical care and drove to the hospital, police said.
Officers later located evidence that revealed the victim was a part of the involved party to the shooting. The individual, who was listed in stable condition, was taken into custody at the local hospital.
OPD placed a second individual, who is believed to also be involved, into custody at the scene of the shooting, police said.
(KRON) – The California Highway Patrol is investigating a shooting that occurred on Interstate 580 near El Charro Road in Dublin Wednesday afternoon.
CHP says a blue Nissan SUV may have been involved in this incident. No injuries were reported.
This incident comes as multiple freeway shootings have recently striked the East Bay. Last week, there were five shootings on multiple freeways in the East Bay within the span of a week.
(KRON) -- Four vehicles were involved in a crash Wednesday night in Vallejo at the intersection of Sonoma Boulevard and Sereno Drive.
According to the Vallejo Fire Department, one person was extracted from their car. The cause of the collision is currently unknown.
Firefighters did not say how many individuals were involved in the crash, however all victims involved were taken to the hospital.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – More people are getting their phone stolen in San Francisco. Many of the cases involve physical assaults and guns.
These violent and brazen cell phone robberies have become more frequent in the last week or so. One man says his wife recently got her phone stolen at gunpoint.
San Francisco Board Supervisor Rafael Mandelman says police are trying to find out if this is an organized crime ring.
"Some in neighborhoods I represent,” Mandelman said. “And in other parts of the city… often targeting women, often taking cell phones."
"It seems like there may be a pattern that we have seen over the last few days, and it seems like these incidents may be related,” he said.
Police logs from the last week show at least eight cell phone robberies. Some include being robbed at gunpoint or being physically assaulted. It’s happening all over the city in neighborhoods like the Mission, Tenderloin, Nob Hill and Outer Sunset.
According to the San Francisco Police Department crime dashboard, robberies overall are up 11 percent from this time last year.
"It is scary,” Madnelman said. “I don't think people should be living in fear, but also recognize we are in a city where there are people around who want your stuff."
Mandelman is reminding people to always be aware of their surroundings.
“Always be aware of your surroundings. Don't talk on your phone while you're walking down the street. Keep your phone in a place where people can't see you have it,” he said.
Mandelman says it’s also important that people report these crimes to police.
“The police look for patterns. In this case, it certainly looks like there is a set of assailants that are doing this in a couple of areas. We want to know all of the crimes that were part of this spree so that people can be appropriately charged and held accountable for what they have done. That can't happen if people don't file police reports,” he said.
When filling out a police report for a cell phone robbery, be prepared to give the model number and serial number to police. You can get that from your phone carrier. KRON4 reached out to the police to get more information on this uptick of robberies. We have not yet heard back.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – San Francisco’s office vacancy rate just hit a new high. It’s the latest example of how the economic situation in the city keeps on crumbling.
According to real estate brokerage firm CBRE, the leading firm that tracks commercial retail space, about one-third of the office space in San Francisco is not being used right now. Experts say it is going to be a long road to recovery for downtown.
CRBE says the average office vacancy rate in San Francisco has climbed post-pandemic.
“The biggest factor is people are not coming to the office. People want to come in when their colleagues are there, or what is the point of coming to the office to sit on Zoom meetings all day?” said CBRE Director Colin Yasukochi.
Yasukochi says most companies favor the hybrid work model, and enticing workers into the city five days a week is challenging.
“The more recent and systemic problems we are having around homelessness, crime, transportation and safety have been a further inhibiting thing to keep people from the office,” he said.
With far fewer people coming in, the companies with office space have the option to upgrade and save money for large leases.
“Buildings with nice views and higher quality amenities are doing better. Some lower-quality buildings are the ones that have the most vacancies,” he said.
With recent tech layoffs, inflation and economic uncertainty, CBRE predicts the vacancy rate will tick up a few more percentage points this year and then level off.
There are some different solutions, such as finding ways to convert office spaces into housing or education centers. Also, the increasing interest and development of AI could cause another boom in tech here in the Bay Area. That is a sector to watch for taking over office space.
(BCN) -- The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office will host a meeting Thursday to discuss its military equipment policy. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at 1850 Muir Road in Martinez.
The Sheriff's Office will discuss its 2022 report on its military equipment, followed by a question-and-answer session. Assembly Bill 481, approved by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021, requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval from a governing body like a Board of Supervisors to purchase, obtain and use specified military equipment.
The latest report on the types, quantities, and costs of military equipment the Sheriff's Office has acquired and used in the past year is available here.
Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.
(KRON) -- PetSmart has agreed to pay $1.46 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of overcharging customers, false advertising and unfair competition.
The lawsuit, originally filed by Santa Cruz County, includes other Bay Area counties such as Contra Costa, Sonoma, Alameda and Marin counties. San Diego, Los Angeles and Ventura counties are also a part of the lawsuit.
“The law in California is clear: businesses must be accurate in charging for goods and services," said Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton. "For customers, it’s important to monitor items scanned at a register and scrutinize your receipts to make sure you are not being overcharged.”
PetSmart will pay $1,250,000 in civil penalties, $100,000 in restitution to support consumer protection enforcement efforts and $110,000 for investigative costs accumulated by the counties, according to the DA.
PetSmart must implement additional audit and price accuracy procedures in its California stores for a three-year period to ensure customers pay the price that was posted for the item.
PetSmart has taken steps to help signage in stores in order to make sure customers are notified about the lowest possible prices along with routine audits and detailed record keeping.
(KRON) -- The City of Dublin is one of the few Bay Area cities that allows "safe and sane" fireworks. The start of fireworks being sold comes as we get closer to warmer days this week which has a direct influence on potential fires being started.
Other Bay Area cities that allow "safe and sane" fireworks, but only for a few hours on the Fourth of July, include Pacifica, San Bruno, Union City and Gilroy.
San Francisco, San Jose, and most of San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties banned fireworks completely. Those who are caught setting off fireworks in those areas could face both criminal and civil penalties.
(KRON) -- The City of Novato will start enforcing a ban of gas-powered leaf blowers starting July 1. Only complying electric leaf blowers can be used within city limits.
Properties larger than ten acres will have until July 1, 2024 to comply. The City of Novato adopted this ordinance in September 2022.
Gas-powered leaf blowers produce a significant amount of pollution, according to the California Air Resources Board.
(KRON) -- A compactor worth $13,500 was stolen from a Morgan Hill construction site, the city's police department said Tuesday. The tool was eventually recovered and a suspect was arrested.
The theft happened on June 12 at a construction site near West Main Ave. and Hale Ave. Morgan Hill Police Department officers arrived to find that the compactor, several hand tools and several power tools were missing.
MHPD said that the suspect vehicle was a Honda van, and its registered owner had a history of theft. An officer found the compactor for sale online.
After online messaging, the person selling the tool agreed to meet to near City Sports Club in San Jose. Police said a white truck circled the parking lot but eventually drove away. The truck was registered to the same person who owns the van.
Police stopped the truck, but the compactor was not in it. MHPD later executed a search warrant on a home and found the missing hand and power tools. The suspect eventually led detectives to an encampment behind City Sports, and the compactor was there.
The suspect was arrested, and their case was sent to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office for charging.
MHPD said it still does not know how the suspects transported the heavy compactor from the construction site to the encampment.
(KRON) -- The Alameda County Fire Department responded to an apartment fire on Tuesday evening on the 13700 block of East 14th Street in San Leandro.
The scene was considered active as of 8 p.m. People are asked to avoid the area.
The Red Cross is meeting with the fire department to determine how to help the impacted residents.
This is a developing story. Stick with us for updates.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Two suspects have been arrested in connection to separate but connected incidents involving an armed robbery and a shooting, the San Francisco Police Department announced Tuesday. Joseph Tagoilelagi, 34, and Bryant Gray, 35, were identified by the SFPD Night Investigations Unit and Major Crimes Robbery Detail as suspects connected to an armed robbery in the Taraval District and a shooting in the Tenderloin last month.
In the Taraval incident on May 11, officers responded to the 2300 block of 20th Avenue on a report of an armed robbery. Two victims officers met with said that two unknown suspects brandished firearms at them, stole a necklace and then fled in a getaway vehicle.
In the Tenderloin incident, officers from Tenderloin Station responded on May 22 to the 300 block of Golden Gate Avenue to investigate a shooting report. Officers found two victims with gunshot wounds. Both were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Investigators determined the shooting was the result of an attempted robbery.
Tagoilelagi and Gray were identified as suspects in both incidents. Investigators developed probable cause and obtained search and arrest warrants for both men, as well as their residences and vehicles.
Tagoilelagi and Gray were located on the 1300 block of Creekside Drive in Walnut Creek on June 15. Investigators from the SFPD Tactical Unit took them into custody without incident. Officers determined the suspects were in possession of a stolen vehicle. Following a search, two firearms were located and seized.
Officers transported Tagoilelagi to SF County Jail and he was booked for:
Gray was also taken to SF County Jail and booked for:
Police say that despite arrests having been made, the investigation remains active.
(KTLA) -- Ryan Seacrest has been appointed as the next host of "Wheel of Fortune."
The "American Idol" host made the news official in a lengthy statement on Twitter on Tuesday morning.
"I am truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak. I can say, along with the rest of America, that it's been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them," Seacrest said.
This comes two weeks after Pat Sajak revealed he'll be ending his four-decade run on the gameshow in 2024.
"Pat, I love the way you've always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease. I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition," he continued as he paid homage to Sajak.
Seacrest also noted the irony that he will be taking the helm of the big wheel.
"Many people probably don't know this but one of my first jobs was hosting a little game show called 'Click' for Merv Griffin 25 years ago," he revealed. "So, this is truly a full circle moment for me and I'm grateful to Sony for the opportunity."
While Sajak may be saying goodbye, his trusty sidekick, Vanna White, is under contract for another year. She is reportedly in talks to continue on. Regardless of what happens, Seacrest is excited to be working alongside her.
"I can't wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White," he said.
Moments before the announcement, The New York Times revealed that he would be the host according to "two people familiar with the plan."
The publication said that executives with Sony wanted to make a "swift decision" to avoid the "succession fiasco" that "Jeopardy!" experienced.
(BCN) -- Vallejo police report that two men died after being shot Monday night, according to a social media post from the department.
Officers responded to an 8:27 p.m. report of a traffic collision in the 300 block of Alhambra Avenue in the city's south end and found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Both men were taken to local hospitals where they later died.
The incident marks the 9th and 10th homicide this year in Vallejo, police said.
The victims' identities are being withheld pending next of kin notifications by the Solano County Coroner's Office.
Police urge anyone with information on this case to contact Detective Wesley Pittman at (707) 334-1274 or Wesley.Pittman@cityofvallejo.net or Detective Bradley Phillips at (707) 805-1359 or Bradley.Phillips@cityofvallejo.net.
Even with mortgage rates hovering around their 15-year highs, home prices in California edged higher for the fourth consecutive month in May, according to the latest data from the California Association of Realtors.
The median single-family home price in the Golden State last month was $836,110, roughly $25,000 higher than in April and $100,000 over February, data shows.
The San Francisco Bay Area ($1,300,000), Central Coast ($1,000,000) and Southern California ($800,000) continue to be the priciest, while the Far North region ($380,000) is the most affordable, CAR said.
Home prices are still well below the all-time high recorded in May 2022 when the average California single-family home cost $893,200.
Average Single-Family Home Prices in California
| Region | May 2023 | April 2023 | May 2022 |
| Statewide | $836,110 | $811,950 | $893,200 |
| Condo/Townhomes | $635,000 | $634,000 | $675,000 |
| Los Angeles Metro | $765,000 | $740,000 | $805,000 |
| Central Coast | $1,000,000 | $1,020,000 | $995,000 |
| Central Valley | $485,000 | $463,000 | $510,000 |
| Far North | $380,000 | $385,000 | $425,000 |
| Inland Empire | $574,990 | $565,000 | $596,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area | $1,300,000 | $1,250,000 | $1,465,000 |
| Southern California | $800,000 | $785,000 | $845,000 |
Additionally, the number of homes under contract in California rose by nearly ten percent in May after dipping in April and March.
Experts say sales volume continues to vary from month to month based not only on seasonal factors but also slight changes in mortgage rates that track with the Federal Reserve’s moves.
“Let's be realistic, we're not going to see mortgage rates of 3% anymore, or even three-and-a-half percent anymore, for a 30-year fixed rate,” Oscar Wei, Deputy Chief Economist with the California Association of Realtors, told KTLA. “So people are saying, okay, when it dips a little, let’s jump in and take advantage.”
After an initial spike in the lead-up to Congress’s debate over the debt ceiling, mortgage rates have hovered in the high 6% range. The Fed has already signaled as many as two more rate hikes this year to tame inflation.
But regardless of where interest rates go in the short term, or even long-term, Wei says the underlying reason home prices move higher in California comes down to simple supply and demand.
“The tight supply is really constraining," he says. "People are not putting their houses on the market and, of course, we're just not building fast enough."
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) – Neighbors in South San Jose say three men waved a gun in the air during a smash-and-grab spree. They are believed to have been driving a stolen car while breaking other car windows. Then, they reportedly almost ran over an elderly woman.
Several neighbors shared video from their surveillance cameras online and found out the three men were riding around swerving and wreaking havoc across several streets. One neighbor said the car they were driving might have been their own stolen vehicle.
Video above shows part of the ordeal Monday morning when, at around 11 a.m., they were seen seemingly at random breaking about four different cars’ windows.
They were seen across southside San Jose along Calero, Santa Teresa, and Cuttle Streets, and Lean Avenue. KRON4 was told at least one neighbor had their belongings stolen, while others had nothing inside but now face the financial burden of replacing their windows.
One victim said another video revealed these men, without rhyme or reason, then yelled at an elderly woman before trying to hit her with their car twice. She was able to get away and knock on a door for help.
“Neighbors say they caught the California license plate on camera from the red Mazda. They think it was stolen,” said the victim, Michelle Eliott.
Elliott said the three men were all young. One is white, another Latino, and a third Black. They all had dark hair.
One was in a white T-shirt, a red beanie and shorts. Another had on a black hoodie and shorts, and the third wore a black top and long pants.
Anyone with information is asked to call SJPD.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- An interior window broke in a San Francisco high-rise on Monday afternoon, the San Francisco Fire Department confirmed. The building is located at 301 Howard Street.
The incident was not weather related, the fire department said. Members of the SFFD and San Francisco Police Department were called in to secure the area while repairs were made.
No injuries or other damages have been reported as a result of the incident. Streets in the area around Howard and Beale will remain closed while repairs are made. There is no estimated time for the streets to reopen.
Initial reports had suggested that glass had fallen from the building. Officials later clarified that this was not the case.
Earlier this year, there were several weather-related instances that saw glass windows blown out in the upper floors of SF high-rises.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Amid peak summer travel, thousands of air travelers faced flight cancellations and delays this weekend as thunderstorms rolled in across the U.S. East Coast and Midwest.
In addition to bad weather, a technology failure also contributed to airline disruptions. The Federal Aviation Administration briefly paused operations at Washington, D.C.-area airports Sunday evening due to a problem with the communications system at a major air traffic control facility. Departures resumed after repairs were completed.
Beyond D.C., a chain of flights was also delayed or halted at other major travel hubs — including New York, Chicago and Atlanta — as thunderstorms moved across the country.
Nearly 2,000 U.S. flights were canceled on Saturday and Sunday combined, according to flight tracking service FlightAware, and more than 850 U.S. flights had been canceled as of 11:15 a.m. ET Monday. Thousands of additional travelers experienced delays.
Staying calm — and knowing your rights — can go a long way if your flight is canceled, experts say. Here’s some of their advice for dealing with a flight cancellation:
MY FLIGHT WAS CANCELED. WHAT NEXT?
If you still want to get to your destination, most airlines will rebook you for free on the next available flight as long as it has seats, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
If you want to cancel the trip, you are entitled to a full refund, even if you bought non-refundable tickets. You’re also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras.
Kurt Ebenhoch, a consumer travel advocate and former airline executive, has stressed that travelers are eligible for a refund, not just vouchers for future travel. If you do take a voucher, make sure you inquire about blackout dates and other restrictions on its use.
CAN I ASK TO BE BOOKED ON ANOTHER AIRLINE’S FLIGHT?
Yes. Airlines aren’t required to put you on another airline’s flight, but they can, and sometimes do, according to the DOT. Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com, previously recommended researching alternate flights while you’re waiting to talk to an agent. Agents are typically under a lot of pressure when a flight is canceled, so giving them some options helps.
Ebenhoch also suggested looking for alternative airports that are close to your original destination.
IS THE AIRLINE REQUIRED TO GIVE ME A HOTEL ROOM OR OTHER COMPENSATION?
No. As announced last month, the Biden administration is seeking to require that airlines compensate travelers and cover their meals and hotel rooms if they are stranded for reasons within the carrier's control — but, as of now, each airline still has its own policies about providing for customers whose flights are canceled, according to the DOT.
Many airlines do offer accommodations, so you should check with their staff. The DOT also has an online dashboard that allows travelers to compare cancellation and delay policies of major carriers.
I’M FACING A LONG WAIT TO REBOOK. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If someone in your traveling party is at a higher level in a frequent flier program, use the number reserved for that level to call the airline, Ebenhoch said. You can also try calling an international help desk for the airline since those agents have the ability to make changes.
HOW CAN I AVOID THIS IN THE FUTURE?
Ebenhoch said nonstop flights and morning flights are generally the most reliable if you can book them. If you’re worried about making it to the airport in time for a morning flight, he said, consider staying at a hotel connected to the airport the night before. And consider flying outside of busy dates.
Klee recommended comparing airlines’ policies on the DOT’s service dashboard. He also suggests reserving multiple flights and then canceling the ones you don’t use, as long as the airline will refund your money or convert it into a credit for a future flight.
ARE FLIGHT CANCELATIONS TRENDING LOWER IN 2023?
Flight cancellations trended lower throughout the spring of 2023 than last year, according to data from the FAA.
Industry officials argue that carriers have fixed problems that contributed to a surge in flight cancellations and delays last summer, when 52,000 flights were nixed from June through August. Airlines have hired about 30,000 workers since then, including thousands of pilots, and they are using bigger planes to reduce flights but not the number of seats.
Still, officials warn of lingering staffing shortages, notably among key air traffic controllers. The FAA is training about 3,000 more controllers, but they won’t be ready for this summer's travel. The agency resorted to nudging airlines to reduce flights in the New York City area this summer, and it opened 169 new flight paths over the East Coast to reduce bottlenecks.
In a government audit published last week, the Transportation Department's Office of Inspector General found that the FAA has made “limited efforts" to have adequate staffing at critical air traffic control facilities, noting that the agency “continues to face staffing challenges and lacks a plan to address them, which in turn poses a risk to the continuity of air traffic operations.”
(BCN) -- After a chilly June, the Bay Area will see temperatures start to warm up by the end of the week, forecasters said. The chance temperatures will reach 90 degrees or above is high for inland areas on Friday and Saturday, from the North Bay to Monterey County, according to the National Weather Service.
The probability is 95 percent for Livermore and 65 percent for Concord while Oakland and San Francisco face no chance, National Weather Service meteorologist Dalton Behringer said Monday. In the North Bay, Santa Rosa has a 50 percent chance of 90 degree and above temperatures while Napa has a 20 percent chance.
In Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, the risk to coastal areas is 40 percent or less while inland areas face a 70 percent or greater chance. Residents of Concord and Livermore should be careful Friday and Saturday because the risk of injury from the heat is moderate over the two days.
In Santa Rosa and Napa, the risk of injury is minor to moderate, depending on the location, Behringer said. The temperature outlook for Sunday is uncertain, he said. Temperatures could fall or just ease slightly.
Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.
(The Hill) -- Fox News has announced major changes to its weekday prime-time lineup beginning next month.
Jesse Watters's 7 p.m. program will move to 8 p.m. and take the slot previously held by former host Tucker Carlson, while Laura Ingraham will have her program moved into Watters's 7 p.m. hour.
Longtime host Sean Hannity's show will remain at 9 p.m., and late-night host and comedian Greg Gutfeld will host a show at 10 p.m.
The changes will take effect on July 17, the network said.
In a statement announcing the moves, Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said: "The unique perspectives of Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters, Sean Hannity, and Greg Gutfeld will ensure our viewers have access to unrivaled coverage from our best-in-class team for years to come.”
The overhaul of Fox's prime-time lineup comes just weeks after it parted ways with Carlson, its formerly top-rated prime-time pundit who had hosted the 8 p.m. hour since 2016.
Watters and Gutfeld, who both are members of cable news' most watched show "The Five," were each given their own eponymous programs in recent years.
All three of Watters, Ingraham and Gutfeld's shows keep their names and format. Watters and Gutfeld will remain co-hosts of "The Five."
Fox's prime-time lineup has long been ranked as the most watched slate of programming on cable news, drawing audiences consistently averaging millions of viewers each weeknight.
The network's prime-time shows have for years served as a megaphone for GOP messaging and a platform for Republicans seeking public office to reach voters and fundraise.
The changes at Fox also come amid broader concerns facing the cable news industry relating to cord-cutting and changing news consumption habits.
(BCN) -- A Santa Rosa boy was in critical condition Sunday night after being shot Saturday night.
Police received several calls at 8:04 p.m. Saturday about gunshots and a person lying in the roadway in the 2000 block of Blacksmith Way.
Officers found a 15-year-old boy in the street without a pulse. They started CPR until paramedics arrived, who were able to revive the teen and take him to a local hospital.
Police said the suspects fled before they arrived. Officers found a handgun under the victim, several shell casings, and other evidence.
Police said Sunday two groups of males in their teens and early 20s got into an argument on Blacksmith Way, near Arrowhead Drive. At least one member of each group pulled guns and started shooting.
Police said they don't believe the incident was gang related and are still trying to determine whether the shooting was related to a homicide last week. The victim was in critical condition with life-threatening injuries Sunday night, police said.
Santa Rosa police say anyone with information about the shooting can contact their violent crime team at (707) 543-3590 or at srcity.org/CrimeTips.
A $2,500 reward is being offered by the Sonoma County Alliance Community Engagement and Safety Rewards Fund for information leading to the arrest of the suspects involved in the shooting.
(KRON) -- A Bay Area mom warned others about her daughter getting sick. She believes it's from bacteria found in the water at Stinson Beach last weekend.
One mom brought her kids to Stinson Beach to enjoy the water. Over a week later, her ten-month-old is still sick.
"We have been going to Stinson Beach since I was six years old. Forever. Always gone there. Never had an issue," said one Bay Area mom.
Mandy Carter brought her son there when he was a baby. On Friday, June 16, she brought her 10-month-old baby Blyss there for her first beach experience.
"Let her play in the sand she took a scoop full of sand. None of us could stop her fast enough. Didn't think anything of it. Got it out because sand is gross," Carter said.
Little did she know, the day before the Golden Gate National Recreation Area put out a notice on Twitter.
The Marin County Environmental Health Services put out an advisory about water from the central part of Stinson Beach testing positive for Enterococcus.
This bacteria could indicate there is fecal material in the water. The levels did not meet state standards for swimming as this bacteria can make people sick.
However, there was no signage posted anywhere along Stinson Beach notifying people about this bacteria. Families like the Carters spent the holiday weekend enjoying the water.
The day after the beach, Carter says her baby became ill.
"Saturday is when her diarrhea started and a fever. By Monday, when her fever reached 104 and she started vomiting I rushed her to the ER at Kaiser."
Hospital staff thought it was a stomach bug. When the fever didn't subside, Carter took her baby to the children's hospital where she tested positive for salmonella and a UTL.
According to the CDC, salmonella is spread to people through water or food contaminated with feces from an infected animal.
"It can kill babies too. Immunocompromised, luckily she's been healthy. But immunocompromised babies, it's not good," Carter said.
After eight days, Blyss is still sick, so Carter's family started looking online. That's when they came across a KRON4 article about the bacteria at Stinson Beach.
"I thought they would be better and actually warn us, but nothing. We would not have gone at all if we had known," Carter said.
KRON4 spoke with Arti Kundu, a project manager with the Marin County Environmental Health Services.
Kundu's department is in charge of monitoring 31 beaches that get tested from April through October on Mondays and Tuesdays.
"Send the samples to the lab for analysis. Look for three different kinds of bacteria. That are related to fecal material," she said.
Results take 24-48 hours and if a beach tests positive, they send out an advisory to dozens of agencies.
"Our job is to send them the results and advisory. These beach managers are responsible for posting the advisory signage letting people know," Kundu said.
Carter says that was not done and simply posting online is not enough.
"There should at least put warning signs saying enter at your own risks, these were the bacteria that were found here. At least warn people so we can make a decision if we want to expose our children or not," Carter said.
A week later, the county tested Stinson Beach again and it tested negative for the bacteria. Kundu says there could be an array of reasons for why this happened.
"Wildlife, or maybe kids playing pooped or accident happened. And that sample was picked up at that time. Hard to find out what happened."
But Kundu says she has never seen this happen at Stinson Beach before.
An organization called Heal the Bay conducts an annual beach report that includes advisories like this…
That doesn't take away Carter's experience. She's now stuck with hospital bills and a sick baby.
"I'm never going again. That day was not worth what we are dealing with," Carter said.
Carter plans to contact marin county to make sure warning signs are put up at the beach next time. The same bacteria was recently found at popular beaches on Oahu. Levels were six times over the limit.
(KRON) -- Silicon Valley Pride returns this fall and Chief Marketing Officer Saldy Suriben joins KRON4's Stephanie Lin to share a preview of the celebration, which originally started in 1975.
Suriben explains Silicon Valley Pride celebrates in August because they believe Pride should be celebrated all year long.
(KRON) -- Marin Municipal Water District customers will start paying more for their water bill starting July 1.
The agency is increasing its rates by 20 percent. For example, if your current bi-monthly bill is $138, it will go up to $170 after this Saturday.
Rates are expected to increase every year for the next three years, according to MMWD.
(BCN) -- At least one person suffered minor injuries in the robbery of a residence in Mill Valley on Friday morning, police said.
The incident was reported on Thoreau Circle, a neighborhood off Seaver Drive near U.S. Highway 101. The home's occupants were assaulted when unknown males entered the residence and demanded money and items of value, police said.
One resident was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment, according to police. The robbery appeared to be a targeted incident and there was no evidence of a threat to the community, police said.
Anyone with home security video or who witnessed people or vehicles lingering in the area around 3:30 a.m. Friday, is asked to contact Officer Bryant Daugherty at (415) 389-4100 or bdaugherty@cityofmillvalley.org, or the police department's anonymous tip line at (415) 721-4547.
Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.
(KTLA) -- Human remains were discovered by hikers on Mount Baldy Saturday morning. At around 10 a.m., hikers contacted the Fontana Sheriff’s Station after coming across the remains in the Mount Baldy Wilderness Area.
Deputies along with the sheriff’s Emergency Operations Division responded to the scene.
The remains were transported to the coroner’s office where officials are working to identify the body.
Authorities said positive identification is expected next week. No further details were released.
Back in January, search efforts were underway when two hikers went missing in Mount Baldy including British actor Julian Sands, 65. Two hikers were also found dead in the area before Sands went missing.
One hiker, 75-year-old Jin Chung, was later found alive. Sands, however, has still not been found.
On June 19, a large search effort for Sands ended in disappointment after over 80 Search and Rescue volunteers, San Bernardino County deputies and staff searched for the actor with the help of two helicopters and drone crews, officials said.
Aviation resources conducted aerial search and assessment efforts over remote areas across the mountain and drone crews searched areas that were inaccessible to ground crews, but no signs of the actor were reported, police said.
During the winter months, authorities warned the public of the acute dangers of icy trails, gusty winds and wintry conditions along Mount Baldy hiking trails.
(KTLA) -- What appeared to be a pizza shop in North Hollywood was really cooking up illegal THC concentrates, authorities said.
The illicit “super lab” was located in the 7300 block of Radford Avenue next to a pet hospital, according to a tweet from LAPD Commanding Officer Lillian L. Carranza.
Photos posted to social media by LAPD show what looks to be a functioning commercial kitchen, but instead of pizza, there were batches of THC honey oil in the boxes and on the cooling racks.
"We've heard of secret ingredients, but this takes the pie!," LAPD posted to social media. "It seems like criminals are getting more creative by the day. From faux vending machines to pizza-making trickery, we are well aware of these sneaky things, keeping our city safe one clever bust at a time. This super 'pizza' lab won't be making any more deliveries!"
Authorities have not said whether anyone was arrested in connection with the illegal lab.
This bust comes after pounds of heroin and fentanyl along with guns and cash were sniffed out of a vending machine by an LAPD K9 on Tuesday.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) -- In the South Bay, the city of San Jose is taking a page from San Francisco’s playbook, cracking down on drug use and dealing on city streets. The mayor and the police chief say dealers will be held accountable, and users will get the help they need.
"If you come to San Jose to deal drugs, you will be arrested and prosecuted," said San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
Mahan spoke in downtown San Jose – in front of a 7-Eleven store – where complaints of people buying, selling, and using drugs, are common. This was just a few blocks from city hall and San Jose State University.
The mayor and the police chief announced on Saturday that people will be held accountable.
"Yes, we are going to crack down on the drug dealers," SJPD Chief Anthony Mata said. "We have so in the past working with our partners -- whether it be the sheriff or the district attorney's office to ensure that drug dealers are taken off the street and more importantly those who use drugs."
Mata says this is a complex problem.
"We have to change and work again with behavior health," he said.
"In the last budget cycle, I proposed concentrating on $91 million on spending on those three priorities," Mahan said. "We got 90% of what we asked for, and we need to move faster to rebuild the staffing levels in our police department and our fire department, and have got to build interim housing to get people indoors faster."
A crowd gathered to hear what city officials had to say -- among them, Brian Tsui who lives nearby.
"My wife and my son will often see open drug use and drug dealing and it's really concerning," Tsui said.
"Did the mayor address your concerns?" KRON4 asked Tsui.
"I'm optimistic," Tsui said. "I think that the way that he talks about enforcing the laws and prosecuting drug use and drug dealing and increasing staff in his budget is hopeful."
In the meantime, the public is urged to report any illegal drug activity to SJPD.
California’s famous coastline is a popular destination for residents and tourists alike, especially during the summer; however, not everyone enjoys the ocean water.
From multiple oil spills to floating debris, the Pacific Ocean off California's coastline has endured much hardship. The consequences of these events have left some people hesitant to even step foot in the water at some Golden State beaches.
Experts with Heal the Bay recently published their annual Beach Report Card, which measures the cleanliness of California’s coastal waters.
For more than three decades, Heal the Bay has assigned A-F letter grades for more than 700 beaches across the U.S., with 500 of those locations being in California, according to the organization’s website.
Some locations with failing grades, like those in San Mateo and Los Angeles counties, have been named on the organization's “Beach Bummer” list multiple times.
The “Beach Bummer” destination means that those locations are considered to be the worst in the state due to high levels of harmful bacteria in the ocean water.
1-2. Playa Blanca, Tijuana Area
1-2. Santa Monica Pier, LA County
3. Linda Mar Beach, San Mateo County
4. Marlin Park, San Mateo County
5. Erckenbrack Park, San Mateo County
6. Tijuana River Mouth, San Diego County
7. Pillar Point Harbor, San Mateo County
8. Marina del Rey Mother’s Beach, LA County
9. Poche Beach, Orange County
10. Gull Park, San Mateo County
California's "Beach Bummer" list expanded due to the state's exceedingly wet winter season, which brought multiple rain-triggered sewage spills and flushed pollutants, including bacteria, through storm drains into the ocean, the report said.
"This year, record precipitation produced major impacts on water quality across coastal California,” Tracy Quinn, CEO of Heal the Bay, said in a statement.
“Now more than ever, we must prioritize multi-benefit projects to manage stormwater as both a water quality and supply solution, all while ensuring that the public is kept informed of risks to public health.”
The increase in rainwater virtually wiped out Southern California's beaches from the honor roll list, which recognizes the beaches that have the best water quality. Beaches in the southern region of the state typically dominate the honor roll list since Northern and Central California counties don't monitor water quality year-round, according to the report.
However, some beaches like Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles County and Linda Mar Beach in San Mateo County, have been recognized for their poor water long before the recent wet winter season.
The two beaches ranked within the top three on the "Beach Bummer" list, partially due to the significant water quality challenges that contribute to the areas' high concentrations of harmful bacteria.
"In the city of Santa Monica, they suspect that the high bird fecal matter is a major contributing factor to the high bacteria levels in the area," Alison Xunyi Wu, water quality data specialist at Heal the Bay, told KTLA.
Wu said that Heal the Bay experts collect water samples from Santa Monica Pier near the birds' home and that could be the reason behind the location's poor rating.
For Linda Mar Beach in San Mateo County and other beach locations named on the "Beach Bummer" list, Wu blames their poor rating primarily on something else.
“So the reason why these beaches are usually dirty is mainly because of their limited water circulation, which leads to prolonged pollution near the shore,” Wu said.
“This means the circulation is not enough to flush away all pollution when it happens. So when we have a fecal pollution happening on these beaches, the water quality will stay bad for a long time.”
However, it's not all bad news for California beachgoers; about 95% of beaches in the Golden State received an “A” or “B” grade in prior Heal the Bay reports, according to Wu.
For example, two beaches in California made the organization’s 2022-2023 Honor Roll, Bean Hollow State Beach in San Mateo County and Point Loma in San Diego County.
For those who may be visiting the “Beach Bummer” locations during the summer, Wu says that visitors can still enjoy their time by the sea but should avoid getting into the ocean.
"Polluted waters pose a significant health risk to millions of people in California. People who come in contact with water with a C grade or lower are at a greater risk of contracting illnesses such as stomach flu, ear infections, upper respiratory infections, and rashes," according to the organization's website.
Californians can also download the official Heal the Bay app to get updates on water quality for local beaches. The app is available for both IOS and Android devices.
(BCN) -- The 2023 Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games opened Friday night with a parade of athletes, festivities, guest speakers, entertainment, and the conclusion of the region-wide Law Enforcement Torch Run.
The Summer Games, continuing through Sunday, showcase the talent, determination, and joy of the Special Olympics community of northern California. Founded in 1968, it provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The annual Summer Games is the largest local competition and features thousands of athletes and coaches. Participants compete in swimming, track and field, bocce, and tennis.
The opening ceremony was co-emceed by KRON4's Kyla Grogan and Kim Hing, a Special Olympics athlete leader, accompanied by an American Sign Language interpreter.
(Photo: KRON4's Kyla Grogan)
Hundreds of officers from across Northern California escorted the Special Olympics torch -- the Flame of Hope -- through local communities in a relay to the Summer Games in Santa Clara.
The ceremony featured a performance by Las Vegas entertainer Frankie Moreno, joined by Lacey Schwimmer of Dancing with the Stars, and had the athletes and the coaches on their feet dancing.
Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.
(KRON) – A person was arrested Friday in San Jose for an alleged armed robbery that occurred Thursday morning in Milpitas.
At 7:02 a.m., police received a report of an armed robbery at a gas station located at the 100 block of South Park Victoria Drive. According to police, the suspect threatened the store employee and took around $600 in cash from the register before fleeing the area in a black sedan.
The Milpitas Police Department identified the suspect vehicle through automated license plate readers and later identified the suspect, who is on probation for weapons violations.
The suspect was arrested Friday by MPD detectives in San Jose without incident, police said.
(Photo: Milpitas Police Department)
Police searched the suspect’s residence and found a replica firearm believed to have been used during Thursday’s robbery. The suspect was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for robbery, MPD said.
(KRON) – The San Jose Fire Department battled a four-alarm fire late Friday night, leaving over two dozen people displaced.
Just before midnight, a fire broke out in a townhouse complex located in the 2100 block of Luz Avenue. The fire took over five of the seven units within the complex, SJFD said.
A dog is deceased and over 30 residents are now displaced as a result of the four-alarm fire. No other injuries were reported.
The fire was eventually contained with the cause currently under investigation. Red Cross is assisting those displaced.
LOS GATOS, Calif. (KRON) – A husband and father is overcome by heartbreak. Last week, his wife and 12-year-old daughter died in a fiery crash in Santa Clara. The community is now coming together to help the grieving family.
“I don’t want to forget. I don’t ever want to forget. But I’m still in denial. It’s not possible,” Christopher Chambers said.
Chambers’ wife Beidi and his 12-year-old daughter Elyse died on the afternoon of June 14. Mom and daughter were on their way to the doctor’s office when their Tesla Model Y crashed into a tree and burst into flames.
What happened beforehand is a mystery.
“They had an appointment at 2:15. They left around 1:45, which shouldn’t have been an issue with getting there on time without a rush, and about 2:30 the doctor called and said they never showed up for their appointment,” Chambers said.
Confused, Chambers tried looking for their location on the Tesla app and then called their phones. There was no response.
Frustrated, he decided to take his son and drive toward the doctor’s office. Within minutes, he saw smoke, and then a horrific scene swarmed by first responders.
“The firefighters and the police were very gentle, but they wouldn’t let me anywhere near the scene,” he said. “One of the firefighters came over to me and held me and made eye contact, and he just said keep your memories. Remember them that way because if we left and you see them, then that’s something you would never forget.”
Chambers says his wife Beidi, who he met in China, was strong and smart. She always had high expectations for her family.
“She was just a very remarkable person. Always, always striving for more,” he said.
His daughter Elyse would’ve celebrated her 13th birthday on Tuesday. She was a blossoming musician and Chambers says she was genuinely nice to everyone.
“She really had a good heart and it wasn’t BS. She really was. That was just her nature. I couldn’t have forced her to be nasty or mean or anything. I just couldn’t because that just wasn’t who she was,” he said.
Chambers and his 8-year-old son Ethan have struggled to come to grips with their new reality. Without a wife, without a daughter, without a mom and without a sister.
The next obstacle is a burial, which Chambers is grateful to get help with through a GoFundMe. As of Friday night, more than $50,000 had been raised by strangers, friends and family.
He’s also hoping to get closure by learning from investigators what happened before his wife and daughter died.
“Whatever comes out of all this about how they ended up where they did, it shouldn’t have exploded, caught fire whatever you want call it, so quickly that they couldn’t get out,” he said.
For the third straight year, California's population declined amid rising housing costs and people feeling like their money just doesn't go as far as it used to.
Now, a new statewide poll shows that the trend might continue, as the financial divide in California is forcing many residents to seriously consider leaving the Golden State.
The poll, conducted by Strategies 360 in partnership with the Los Angeles Times and three community organizations, found that 40% of Californians are seriously considering moving out of the state.
More than 1,300 people were included in the poll and were asked to weigh in on several topics, including the state's diversity, economy and overall satisfaction with living in California.
Cost of living
While more than two-thirds of people polled said they were happy calling California home, 4 in 10 said they were thinking about leaving, with a large majority saying the state's considerable cost of living is the main driver.
Of those who were considering moving, 61% said it was due to how expensive it is to live in California, while 27% said they were considering moving due to the state's politics. One-third of those who said they wanted to move to a place where their political beliefs are better represented were white, the highest percentage among racial demographics to voice that concern.
Satisfaction with the California economy also took a big hit in the recent poll, dropping 12 points from a poll conducted in 2020 and 5 points since last year.
Most Californians are also feeling less financially secure in recent years, with 72% of households that make between $50,000 and $100,000 saying they can't afford to live comfortably and save for the future. Only three years ago, less than half of households in that same income bracket reported those problems.
Diversity a positive
But one way in which California is thriving, as far as those polled are concerned, is the state's diversity.
"The state’s diversity is viewed as a major benefit of living here: by a 20-point margin, residents say it 'brings people together around new ideas and vibrant communities' rather than creating 'tension and division between groups who have different needs and priorities,'" pollsters found.
The majority of those polled celebrated the diversity of the state and their specific neighborhoods and said they believed California's diversity was a major reason that they are happy to live there. Many said relationships between various ethnicities were excellent in their local neighborhoods and vastly better than the nation as a whole.
Still, many people of color who were polled say they still face race-related discrimination and are less satisfied with their access to quality jobs, safe communities, good schools and fair treatment by law enforcement.
In total, 1,354 adults in California were polled, with specific quotas to ensure that those polled accurately reflected the state's diversity in age, gender, race, location and educational background. For more on the methodology, click here.
Declining population
Since 2020, U.S. Census data shows that the California population has declined by about 500,000 people.
More than half of California’s 58 counties lost population during that timeframe, with many counties in Southern California and the Bay Area — two regions in the state that experience some of the highest costs of living in the country — seeing the biggest declines.
The results of the poll shows that while some Californians are willingly leaving the state because of politics, a drum that many conservative leaders in other parts of the nation are beating to claim that California's liberal or "woke" policies are unpopular across the state, in reality, the majority of those moving away are doing so reluctantly.
It's expensive to call California home, but the outdoor beauty, endless amenities, vibrant communities and cultural hotspots is seemingly worth it for those who can afford to make it work.
(KRON) – The City of Hayward is suing Alameda County over its failure to protect foster children at its transitional centers.
The lawsuit claims that foster kids are going missing and they are being exposed to drug use, violence and sex trafficking at the transitional centers in Hayward.
The lawsuit also alleges that after an inexplicable withdrawal of Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies, who once provided security for the centers, emergency calls have since skyrocketed.
The city is asking the court to order the county to stop all operations at the centers until policies and procedures are put in place to ensure the health and safety of the foster children in the county’s care.
(KRON) – BART’s Sunday schedule will offer a more robust service for this year’s San Francisco Pride Parade than any other past Pride parade.
According to BART, during last year’s parade, they handled over 133,000 trips which was 112% of ridership projections for a pre-COVID June Sunday. BART is set to start their service at 8 a.m. and will have five service lines until 9 p.m., BART said.
After 9 p.m., BART will run three service lines. Event trains will support service lines running from Millbrae to downtown San Francisco and Pleasant Hill to downtown San Francisco from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Event trains are scheduled to depart San Francisco Stations at 4 p.m. to Millbrae and Pleasant Hill, BART said.
Riders should expect large crowds at the Embarcadero Station before 10 a.m. and large crowds all day at the Civic Center Station along with heavy crowds to and from all downtown San Francisco stations and 16th Street Mission Station, BART said.
(KRON) -- On Tuesday officers served 20 search warrants at illegal grow sites throughout Contra Costa County including five in Antioch, three in Brentwood, two in Discovery Bay and 10 in Pittsburg.
Over $15.3 million of illegal cannabis was seized along with seven firearms and over $24,000 in cash. The investigation, led by the Department of Cannabis Control, spanned over several weeks and included agencies such as the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, the California National Guard and local law enforcement.
Investigators say the biggest giveaway that marijuana is being grown inside an illegal grow site, usually unsuspecting residential houses, is an increasingly high power bill.
"Mold is a huge issue and obviously that gets into the plant and then obviously to unsuspecting consumers who are inhaling or consuming mold," said Chief of Law Enforcement Bill Jones, Department of Cannabis Control. "None of the product from the illegal market is being tested, so at times they're using banned chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides."
Several people were detained but Jones did not specify how many arrests were made, adding that they are more focused on punishing those running the operations rather than the employees at the illegal grow sites.
(BCN) -- The BART Board of Directors unanimously approved a labor agreement on Thursday that will increase police officer salaries by 19 percent in an attempt to fill 28 vacant positions and put officer salaries on par with neighboring agencies.
The cost of these raises, agreed to by the BART Board of Directors and the BART Police Officers Association, will total around $8.54 million, according to a BART press release. These added expenses come as BART faces a $93 million budget deficit in 2025 and has warned of service cuts and layoffs without additional funding.
BART police officer pay was found to be around 20 percent lower than other regional police agencies and the agency has struggled to fill vacancies in recent years. With these pay increases, the BART Police Department looks to spend less on overtime pay, increase hiring and retention as well as recruit more experienced officers from other departments.
This contract also sets a new "minimum presence requirement" for police officers on trains. Under the new agreement, 50 percent of on-duty patrol staff must be assigned to ride trains. BART riders can expect to see an 60 percent increase in police presence during the mornings and 70 percent during the evening.
A 2022 survey conducted by BART found that police presence was one of the top priorities for riders, said David Coleman, BART's director of labor negotiations.
Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.
