San Diegans can expect the possibility of scattered showers into the evening and a thunderstorm overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

Isolated showers fell on parts of San Diego Monday afternoon. The chance of measurable precipitation along the coast was 70 percent through the rest of the day.

Inland communities will see mostly cloudy skies this afternoon with a lower chance of precipitation - around 30 percent, according to the NWS.

Both regions have a slight chance of thunderstorms overnight and into Tuesday morning.
 

About 300 veterans are on death row nationwide, about 10 percent of all those condemned to die, according to a report from the Death Penalty Information Center, a group that opposes capital punishment, NBC News reported. 

It's unclear how many have been diagnosed with PTSD or have symptoms, but Robert Dunham, the center's executive director, said that in too many cases, a veteran's mental scars are not examined closely enough.

The case of Courtney Lockhart, an Iraqi war veteran now on Alabama's death row, is highlighted in the report. The defense argued that Lockhart, who was dishonorably discharged, was suffering from untreated PTSD and wasn't in his right mind when he abducted, robbed and fatally shot college student Lauren Burk in 2008.

The Alabama jury rejected the prosecution's call for the death penalty and sentenced him to life. But a judge overrode the panel's decision and put him on death row.

The Death Penalty Information Center said its report was meant as a "wake-up call" to spark conversation about imposing capital punishment on trauma survivors.

A computer program designed to alert health care professions to potential drug-seeking patients remains plagued with technical problems.

“It’s very sad, and I often feel dejected by the fact that it’s taking so long,” Bob Pack said.

Pack proposed the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) in 2006. His wife and two young children were killed by a hit-and-run driver who was under the influence of prescription narcotics.

”Year after year, the costs in lives and families being torn apart just increases as everybody sits on their hands, just wasting a lot of time,” he said.

More than 1,000 Californians die every year from accidental or purposeful abuse of controlled substances.

The CURES database is administered by the state Department of Justice. It contains records of all controlled substances prescribed by California health care providers and the names of the patients who got those powerful medications.

Before doctors write a new prescription for a patient, they can check the database and find out if those patients have been “doctor-shopping” to stockpile narcotics, sedatives, stimulants and other potentially dangerous medications. If so, providers can question those patients about possible drug addiction and help them get treatment.

“If I’m aware that they’re getting multiple prescriptions, I can intervene right away,” Dr. Clark Smith, a San Diego pain medicine and addiction expert, said. “Information from CURES can also help me treat addicts before they relapse.”

In other states, health care providers are required to register for, and use, a CURES-like database. But in California, the use of the CURES system remains optional for health care providers and pharmacists.

Earlier this year the State Senate passed a bill (SB 482) that would require doctors to check the state’s narcotics database before they prescribe controlled substances for new patients. It also would require doctors to annually check the database if the course of narcotic treatment continues for the patient. In the proposed bill, doctors who don’t check the database would be disciplined.

A 2012 state law did required providers and pharmacists to register for the CURES system by January 2016. But on Oct. 11, Governor Jerry Brown approved a six-month extension on that registration deadline to July 1, 2016.

It’s unclear why the delay is necessary. Kristin Ford, a California Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson told NBC 7 Investigates “a new, state-of-the-art CURES system, ('CURES 2.0') with greatly improved infrastructure and a fully-automated paperless registration system” is ready to go.

Ford said the problem is many health care providers don’t have the high security internet browsers needed to access the CURES database. For that reason, DOJ “informally supported” the six-month registration delay.

The author of the bill that extended the registration deadline said his legislation was necessary “... because the updated version of CURES is not fully operational at this time, and (health care providers) need an additional six months to comply with statutory registration mandates.”

Pack blames the California Medical Association (CMA) for continued delays in implementing the CURES system. He said the CMA, which supported the recent six-month registration delay, “continues to oppose CURES and find ways to play defense, and deflect the objective of safety for patients.”

The CMA disagrees. The Association says it supported the legislation that required doctors and other providers to register for CURES and increased physician licensing fees to help fund the CURES database. “Physicians support the CURES database and want to have it as a tool in their clinical practice,” according to a statement from the CMA.

As of this week, Ford said there are more than 57,600 approved CURES registrants.

Consumer Watchdog, a consumer lobbying group which supports mandatory use of CURES, says it was told only 20 to 25 percent of California’s doctors are currently registered for the database.

Dr. Smith, who also supports mandatory registration and use of CURES, told NBC 7 Investigates his office has been unable to access the database since it was upgraded in July.

“If I have patients who are taking dangerous amounts of drugs from multiple providers, I can’t find out about it,” Smith said. “They could die of an overdose.”

He said he has contacted the California Department of Justice about his inability to log into CURES, but has not gotten any help from the agency. “It’s the run-around,” Smith said.

San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announced Monday her office will not file charges against the San Diego Police officer who shot a man to death in the Midway District.

Dumanis said SDPD Officer Neal Browder acted reasonably when he killed Fridoon Rawshan Nehad outside an adult bookstore on April 30. Nehad's family called the shooting an excessive and unreasonable use of deadly force.

"This is the legal question we face. At the moment he fired, was it reasonable based on the totality of evidence for Officer Browder to be in fear for his life?" the district attorney explained at a Monday news conference.

The DA's investigation, Dumanis said, determined Browder had a right to fear for his safety and should have no criminal liability.

Browder said he thought Nehad was holding a knife before he fired, but that shiny object was actually a pen. Attorneys for the Browder said Nehad failed to obey the officer's commands to stop, advanced on the officer and was just 15 feet away when the officer fired.

An independent expert outside of San Diego County examined the case. According to Dumanis, the investigator found Browder's actions were “consistent with those of a trained and reasonable officer, including using deadly force to defend against the immediate threat to his life that Mr. Nehad threatened.”

The expert said had Browder used less lethal force, it would not have protected him or the other civilians who were nearby, Dumanis explained.

She said she has prosecuted officers in the past and will do so again when charges are legally supported, which they were not in this case.

The review does not examine the officer's compliance with the policies and procedures of law enforcement, ways to improve training or any issues related to civil liabilities. 

Browder, a 27-year veteran of the SDPD, was the only officer at the time of the shooting, and it was the first time he used his gun in an officer-involved shooting, Dumanis said. Browder's failure to turn on his body camera forced the department to change its policy regarding those devices.

Because the incident was not recorded on an officer’s body camera, the SDPD had to obtain surveillance video a nearby business, which it has refused to make public. Those videos were examined by the DA's office before they decided not to file charges against Browder.

Nehad's family has filed a $20 million claim against the city and the officer which is still pending, claiming the officer used excessive force that night.

The shooting ended Nehad’s long struggle with PTSD and mental illness, his parents said in a filed complaint. While in the Afghan army, Nehad was captured by a Mujahedeen group and spent nearly two months in captivity, being tortured. He was released when his mother met face-to-face with his captors.

A man in a pickup truck has been annoying a Santee teen, following her and driving past her house multiple times, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

On Sunday morning, a 17-year-old girl saw a white Ford F150 with a silver tool box drive by her house, which sits near Magnolia Avenue and Tomel Court.

The truck was spotted passing the same home two more times through the night.

Then on Monday, the girl was jogging in her neighborhood when she saw the same truck driving slowly behind her, sheriff's officials say.

As the teen began to run, the driver picked up his speed and passed her. The girl saw the truck pass her house once more when she arrived home.

The 17-year-old describes the suspect as a man in his late 20s or early 30s with a dark complexion. He was unshaven and had dark short hair, she told investigators.

The vehicle is described as a 1997-2004, two-door Ford F150 with a silver tool box in the bed.

The truck has a dent on the passenger side between the front wheel well and the door.

If you know about the suspect or vehicle, call Detective Mateus at 619-956-0274.

All northbound State Route 75 lanes were back open Wednesday morning after an overnight water main break in Coronado.

A water main leak left more than a foot of water in traffic and bike lanes, Coronado Police said.

A Sig Alert was issued Tuesday evening for northbound State Route 75 from Fiddler's Cove to the Naval Base as crews tried to shut off the leak. Both northbound lanes at Fiddler's Cove and the Bayshore Bikeway were closed due to the leak.

The leak happened at approximately 4:40 p.m. Tuesday and was shut off less than an hour later, though the water remained for much longer. Drivers were diverted back to Imperial Beach until the water subsided.

Cal Am Water crews were able to dig down to the cast iron main and stop the flooding. There is still about 6 to 10 feet of pipe to replace before water is fully restored.

The cause of the leak is under investigation.

CPD said the leak and large quantity of water is at a dangerous place.

By 8 p.m., all northbound lanes of the Silver Strand were reopened, though the bike lane remained closed between Fidder's Cove and the base.

An undetermined number of people died after a small jet they were in crashed into an Akron, Ohio, apartment building as it was heading to Akron Fulton Airport on Tuesday, police said.

The plane crashed into an apartment complex on Mogadore and Skelton roads, Akron police told NBC affiliate WKYC. 

The owner of the private jet that crashed said that the nine people, including two pilots, who were on board were believed to have died, according to the Akron Beacon-Journal. But State Highway Patrol Lt. Bill Haymaker did not confirm the number of deaths, telling NBC News that the intense fire at the scene meant it wouldn't immediately be known how many people died aboard the Hawker H25, a small business jet that can carry as many as 10 people.

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Correction: An earlier version of this story misattributed the number of deaths in the crash to police. The unconfirmed number was being reported by a local newspaper.

Giant panda Bei Bei reached one of the biggest milestones in a young cub’s life. He took his first steps -- and the National Zoo caught them on camera. 

Under the watchful eye of his mother, Mei Xiang, the two-and-a-half-month-old Bei Bei wobbled his way onto all four paws about 4:50 p.m. Monday and made an important move toward panda adulthood, according to a tweet from the zoo. Bei Bei's accomplishment was rewarded with a congratulatory cuddle from Mei Xiang, shown in the video.

The moment was captured by the panda cam and the video was released on the National Zoo's Facebook and Twitter.  

In previous updates, the National Zoo said the panda could be seen scooting around his den and had repeatedly tried to balance on his still-stubby legs.

Now, Bei Bei will begin to wander around and leave the den on his own to explore the indoor enclosure, according to the National Zoo. 

Animal Control officers busted an illegal dog kennel in San Diego, taking more than three dozen dogs from one home.

Neighbors complained about multiple pets seen around the Encanto home on Skyline Drive, County Animal Services says, and when officers arrived to investigate, they smelled feces and urine from outside the building.

They discovered 44 small Maltese and mixed-breed Maltese dogs inside. Their owner, Matthew Fitch, was running a business called Flor Fitch Puppy Sales out of the home, according to the county.

He had the little dogs so tightly packed in cages it was hard for them to move freely, County Animal Services Deputy Director Dan DeSousa said.

“This is a backyard breeder who was more concerned about making money than providing the necessary care for the animals on the property,” said DeSousa.

Fitch agreed to relinquish his animals. He brought several to the Bonita care facility on Saturday, and the other 32 dogs were taken from his property Sunday by animal control officers.

Because only six dogs are allowed on a property, Fitch faces a charge of operating an illegal dog kennel. He was allowed to keep three pets, though Animal Services is making sure those dogs get spayed and neutered.

Animal Services says most of the other 39 dogs have minor medical and grooming problems like hair loss. Many are about one year old, though the ages range up to 8 years. Fitch requested that several of the animals be euthanized because they are aggressive.

Since none of the pets are spayed or neutered, Animal Services is scheduling surgeries for each of them, as well as grooming appointments.

All the dogs are now up for adoption because Fitch gave them up willingly. While Animal Services is closed Wednesday for Veterans Day, it will reopen Thursday.

A man was arrested after he allegedly broke into a suburban Philadelphia apartment and raped a 6-year-old girl who was sleeping in her bedroom.

Oscar Rivera Herrera, 28, is charged with rape, rape of a child, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault, indecent assault, burglary, criminal trespass, terroristic threats and simple assault.

Shortly after 4 a.m. Monday, Hatfield Township Police received a report of a burglary in progress at the Hatfield Village Apartments in Hatfield Township. An 11-year-old boy told police a man broke into his family’s apartment and may have done “something” to his 6-year-old sister. The boy said he discovered the man naked in bed with his sister and immediately alerted his parents. The man, later identified as Rivera Herrera, was being held at knifepoint by the girl’s stepfather, police said.

According to the affidavit, Rivera Herrera pleaded with the stepfather while he was being held, telling him, "Kill me! Kill me! Or let me go!"

"I have to give great credit to this 11-year-old boy who had the courage to step up and help his sister and great courage to the family for the restraint that they exercised," said Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman. 

When police arrived they found Rivera Herrera lying on the floor of the bedroom. Police determined he had broken into the apartment and sexually assaulted the girl. 

Rivera Herrera was taken into custody. During an interview he allegedly admitted to entering the apartment through a living room window and getting into the same bed as the 6-year-old girl. He also allegedly told police he had broken into the same apartment two to three months prior though no one was inside at the time.

Rivera Herrera doesn't have an official address. Neighbors say he moved out of the Hatfield Village Apartments and was known to frequent the neighborhood, often visiting the local grocery store. Crystal Dutter told NBC10 her boyfriend went to high school with Rivera Herrera in Puebla, Mexico. She also said Rivera Herrera's son is classmates in Kindergarten with her son.

"He's a really great father," Dutter said. "That's what blows my mind. He has a kid of his own that same age. How could he do something like that?"

Rivera Herrera was arraigned Monday night with bail set at $1,000,000. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19. Information on Rivera Herrera's attorney was not immediately available.

Two of the Republican presidential candidates were visibly absent from Tuesday’s GOP debate, hosted by Fox Business Network and the Wall Street Journal.

Former New York Gov. George Pataki and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham were shut out because of their low poll numbers. Candidates needed to show at least 1 percent in the polls to be eligible.

But that didn’t stop Graham from taking part. Graham took to social media site, Sidewire, to answer questions that were being put to the candidates on the debate stage.

Graham told his followers what he has to offer if he were elected to lead the Republican party during the presidential race, saying “America is looking for leadership & realistic plans to solve the problems we face.”

The South Carolina senator also cautioned candidates on making promises “that can never become reality.”

Graham, who has headlined national security as a top priority in his campaign, also referenced his stance on convincing Egyptian President Abdel el-Sisi “to resist strong-arm tactics” to keep power while fighting radical Islam.

He also took aim at rivals, calling Ted Cruz's plan to abolish the IRS a dead horse.

But unlike the other GOP candidates who were on the stage, there was one thing Graham could do that his rivals couldn’t while fielding questions: drink wine.

Pataki's social media feeds weren't active through the undercard or the main GOP debate.

University of Missouri authorities say they’re investigating threats made via social media, NBC News reported.

The university posted a message to its emergency information Twitter account that campus police was investigating reports, but that there was “no immediate threat.”

The Univeristy of Missouri Police Department said it confirmed a “phoned-in threat” made earlier on Tuesday to the Black Culture Center on campus. Police said the building was locked down, but nothing suspicious was found and no arrests were made, according to NBC News.

The threats come after students protested — prompting Tim Wolfe, University of Missouri president, to resign Monday because of harsh criticism for his response to racial incidents on campus.

It's Military Appreciation Week for the Gulls.

The Gulls will wear camouflage uniforms on Veterans Day when they kick off a 3-game homestand.

They'll also wear Camo Saturday night and after that game those special sweaters will be signed and auctioned to the fans.

With a 5-0 home record and a salute to our Armed Forces, Coach Dallas Eakins says his young team feels right at home here in San Diego.

“Well it's better than 5 losses that's for sure,” joked Eakins. “You know a big part of it too is our crowd. Our crowd seems to will us along and our fans are excellent. It's been a great start here for our organization in San Diego.”

The Anaheim Ducks’ AHL affiliate hosts the Bakersfield Condors Wednesday evening at 7:05. Then the San Jose Barracuda come to America’s Finest City for back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday.

NBC 7’s Ben Rosehart discusses why the Lakers should consider Luke Walton as the team’s future head coach in this commentary.

The Los Angeles Lakers are a mess.

The Purple and Gold are expected to miss the playoffs for the 3rd straight season which would be the first time in the franchise’s history. And after the first few weeks of the season, whatever they are doing on the court is obviously not working.

I’m predicting right now that within the next 3 years - Luke Walton, the San Diego native – will be the next good Lakers coach.

Doesn’t mean he will be the next coach. But when the Lakers turn the corner and get back on the road to relevance – I expect Luke to be in the driver’s seat.

Walton is currently earning his coaching “driver’s permit” as interim head coach of the defending champion Golden State Warriors.

This season the Lakers have an aging star in future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, who is starting his Derek Jeter-like farewell tour around the NBA in what is probably his final season.

It doesn’t take a basketball savant to realize that the Lakers’ future lies in the young players on the roster. This includes recent first round draft picks Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell and the underrated Larry Nance, Junior along with emerging star Jordan Clarkson.

But if you think current head coach Byron Scott is leading the Lakers back to relevance, you need to sit the next few plays out.

Scott has spent the past 3 decades in the league and certainly has forgotten more basketball than most of us will ever know.

He enjoyed a 14-year NBA career with more than a decade as a Laker. For all you trivia fans out there, Scott was actually drafted by the then-San Diego Clippers with the 4th pick in the 1983 draft.

After transitioning to the coaching ranks, Scott patrolled the sidelines for years as head coach with the Nets, Hornets and Cavaliers before coming full circle and returning to the Lakers. But this latest experiment has gone awry – similar to how the Lebron-less days in Cleveland were tough to watch.

Just like his teams were in Cleveland, the Lakers are stagnant on offense. There’s a lot of 1-on-1 isolation plays and rushed shots without the flow of an actual offense. If you saw that awkward backwards shot by Marcelo Huertas in their latest uninspiring loss against the Miami Heat – you know exactly what I’m talking about.

This is where Walton and the Warriors come in.

The Dubs are demolishing opponents left and right and they play beautiful, unselfish basketball.

If League MVP Steph Curry, sharpshooter Klay Thompson, and defensive antagonist Draymond Green all stay healthy, the Warriors should be well on their way for another deep playoff run.

Make no mistake, there are a lot of coaches that could look really good if they were given all the talent on the Warriors. But as is the case with many jobs, you learn by doing. If you get the reps, it gives you a chance to get into a rhythm and evolve when you put in the effort.

In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Walton said, “I believe in learning from your teachers and I’ve had some great ones. There’s things I take from Steve Kerr, things I take from Phil Jackson, things I take from [longtime University of Arizona coach] Lute Olson. There’s things I take from everyone that I’ve worked with.”

Kerr did the same as a player, broadcaster and team official. He was coached by Jackson and Greg Popovich, and has countless connections throughout the league dating back to his college days at Arizona and his time as Suns general manager.

Walton maintains publicly that he is just keeping the seat warm for Kerr to return from his back surgery issues and is relishing his current opportunity in the interim.

But he also has admitted that it’s a lot of extra stress being the final decision-maker for rotations, schemes, and other changes that are made on the fly.

It’s obvious that Walton is young enough to connect with many current NBA players and also known for being a good communicator. Look no further than NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala.

Iguodala credits his former Wildcats teammate for helping him understand his role in college and later in the pros. Walton made a name for himself by developing a high-basketball IQ despite not being the fastest or most talented player on the floor.

Eventually, Iguodala realized his full potential at the University of Arizona as he transitioned from playing as a high school star with freakish athletic ability, to a role player that focused on defense, unselfish passes and those “glue plays” that keep a championship-caliber team together.

Think about that. Defense. Unselfish passes. Glue Plays.

Iguodala was a huge reason why the Warriors won their 1st NBA title in 40 years last season, and Walton played a big role in bringing the best out of him.

The Lakers need someone that can do that as they try to reboot the system and get back into the playoffs.

Don’t be surprised if you hear Luke get his chance when that head coaching job at the Staples Center opens up. You heard it here first.

New questions are being raised about the student accused of stabbing four people at University of California, Merced.

Faisal Mohammad was carrying a "printout" of an Islamic State flag during last week's attack, a law enforcement source tells the Merced Sun Star. It was found among his belongings, which also included a handwritten two-page note.

The significance of those items remains unclear and is still under investigation, the paper reported.

Authorities believe Mohammad, who grew up in Santa Clara, was angry about being kicked out of a study group. His family released a statement Tuesday, expressing their sympathy for the victims.

Mohammad was shot and killed by a campus police officer after stabbing two students, a construction worker and a UC Merced employee.

Mohammad's family released a short statement on Tuesday, expressing sympathy for the victims, according to the Associated Press.

Family members called him a "kind and respectful young man," in their first comments since the attack last Wednesday.

In addition to thanking their friends for support in their statement, they requested privacy.

Thousands of angry protesters tried to enter Afghanistan's presidential palace Wednesday as a march over the brutal murders of seven minority Hazaras turned violent, NBC News reported.

Presidential palace guards in Kabul fired in the air in an attempt to block the protesters demanding government action to halt sectarian violence following the beheadings of seven Hazaras by suspected ISIS-linked militants.

There was no immediate confirmation of casualties, though Afghanistan's TOLO News reported eight people were injured.

The bodies of victims — three women, a child and four men — were carried through the streets of Kabul by thousands of angry demonstrators on Wednesday calling for justice and bearing grisly images of the dead.

An 8-year-old boy is being charged with beating a 1-year-old girl to death while they were left home alone as their mothers went to a nightclub, Alabama police said Tuesday, The Associated Press reported. 

The boy beat and killed 1-year-old Kelci Devine Lewis when she wouldn't stop crying, Birmingham police spokesman Sean Edwards said. The mother of the toddler, 26-year-old Katerra Lewis, also is charged with manslaughter, he said.

Police said a murder warrant has been obtained for the boy, who is now in the care of Alabama's child welfare agency. His case will go through the family court system. There is no minimum age for prosecution in Alabama, said Tobie Smith, of the Legal Aid Society of Birmingham.

The 8-year-old was the oldest of six children left alone as his mother, who has not been charged or identified, and Katerra Lewis went to a nightclub on October 11, Edwards said.

George Washington University administrators said they will not take back the honorary degree the school awarded to Bill Cosby in 1997, despite the student government's unanimous vote Tuesday in favor of revoking the diploma.

"While we are shocked and disturbed by the allegations against Mr. Cosby, it has never been the university’s practice to rescind an honorary degree," university officials said in a statement to News4.

Students are calling for the university to withdraw Cosby’s honorary degree as a result of a slew of sexual assault allegations against the comedian and television star.

"Just today, a woman sued (Cosby) for defamation. There have been several cases like this," said student government member Nick Watkins.

Student leaders told News4 the university has struggled to improve its response to sexual violence, and said Cosby represents the worst of the problem.

"An honorary degree should be reserved for someone who represents the values of our university," explained Erika Feinman, another member of the student government.

Former university president Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, who awarded Cosby the honor in 1997, said he agrees with the university’s decision.

"He’s a monster. But now that’s history. It’s pointless to retract it. Instead, do something positive," said Trachtenberg.

Trachtenberg went on to suggest even stronger emphasis on combating sexual abuse.

The student government leaders told News4 they will continue to push for action by the university.

Several schools around the country have revoked honorary degrees awarded to Cosby, including Tufts University in Massachusetts, Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, Fordham University in New York and Marquette University in Wisconsin.