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Bad Apple: Apple Reports 1st Revenue Drop Since '03

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Apple says quarterly revenue fell for the first time in more than a decade, as iPhone sales fell compared with a year ago. That's putting more pressure on the world's most valuable public company to come up with its next big product.

Apple sold more than 51.2 million iPhones in the first three months of 2016 — while racking up $10.5 billion in quarterly profit. That was more than many analysts expected, but still fewer than the 61 million iPhones sold a year earlier.

The company is battling perceptions that its latest iPhones aren't dramatically different from previous models, as overall smartphone sales are slowing around the world. Apple also sells iPads, Mac computers and other gadgets, but nearly two-thirds of its $50.6 billion in quarterly revenue came from iPhones.

Revenue was down 13 percent from the January-March quarter of 2015. And the company surprised analysts by forecasting another revenue drop of 13 percent or more in the current quarter. The forecast drove Apple's stock price down more than 5 percent in extended trading Tuesday, after closing at $104.35.

Despite the decline, Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri said in an interview, "we continue to believe the iPhone business is very strong." But he added that Apple is expanding its other businesses. The January-March quarter includes $6 billion in revenue from online services, apps and other software, which was up 20 percent from a year earlier, but just 10 percent of overall revenue. 

Many were hoping the Apple Watch would be the company's next big hit when it went on sale one year ago. Apple hasn't revealed sales figures for the watch, but most analysts estimate the company has sold 12 million or more, producing well over $5 billion in revenue. That's more than twice the number of iPhones sold in the first year after the company introduced its signature smartphone in 2007.

But even as some owners say they're delighted with the Apple Watch, others have voiced disappointment that it doesn't do more. And critics say it hasn't ignited consumer passions, in the way the iPhone became a "must-have" product.

 "They need to come out with that next great product," Angelo Zino, a financial analyst with S&P Global Market Intelligence, said in an interview before Apple released its earnings report Thursday. While he's optimistic about the company's future, Zino added, "Apple absolutely needs to start diversifying their revenue base."



Photo Credit: Getty Images, file

Suspect Charged in 1993 Cold Case

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Officials have arrested and charged a suspect in the 1993 shooting death of a woman. 

James Issac Blackmon, 46, was charged with one count of murder. He is accused of shooting and killing 46-year old Sumei Wei Chen on October 27, 1993.

Police say Chen was found in her car at an underground parking lot at 606 3rd Street, near Westfield Horton Plaza and Ralph's in downtown San Diego. She had fatal gunshot wounds to her body.

San Diego Police Homicide Detective worked to solve the case but the killing, but the case went cold. 

After nearly 20 years, San Diego County District Attorney Investigators (DA) and San Diego Police (SDPD) Cold Case Detectives started the investigation again after getting new information.

The agencies identified Blackmon, who was in a California State Prison at the time, as a suspect in Chen’s murder.

He will be arraigned Tuesday.



Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Previously Cleared SDPD Officer Involved in Accidental Discharge

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A San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officer cleared by the District Attoreny's office in a deadly shooting last year accidentally discharged his firearm in February, SPDPD confirmed to NBC 7 San Diego. 

Officer Neal "Nick" Browder's firearm accidentally discharged on Feb. 20, 2016 during the course of his police duties, SDPD Lt. Scott Wahl said. 

"A thorough investigation was immediately initiated, as is our standard procedure," the statement from police read. 

In the statement, police said state law prevents them from discussing specific details related to the investigation. 

February's incident happened after the DA's office cleared Browder of criminal charges related to an April 30, 2015 shooting. The discharge happened after Browder completed a mandatory Critical Incident Stress Debriefing led by a qualified police psychologist, according to the statement. 

On April 30, 2015, Browder, a 27-year veteran cop, shot and killed unarmed Fridoon Rashawn Nehad, 42, in San Diego's Midway District.

Escondido Teen Critically Injured in Rock Climbing Fall

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An Escondido teen was in critical condition Tuesday after falling more than 60 feet down a mountain in Arizona.

Makayla Castro, 18, suffered a head injury and several broken bones when she fell while rock climbing last week.

The Grand Canyon University student was in a medically-induced coma at a hospital in Arizona.

Allison and Larry Castro spoke with KPNX-TV about the daughter they described as adventurous.

"Her smile is infectious," Larry Castro said.

Makayla's parents say it's a miracle their daughter is still alive after suffering such traumatic injuries.

“We have so many people praying for her and we believe in the power of prayer,” Allison Castro said.

Friends in San Diego County will get together Thursday night for a fundraiser to help Makayla's family.

EscoGelato will host the fundraiser April 28 between 6-8 p.m. Twenty percent of proceeds will go to help the family with medical expenses.



Photo Credit: Facebook

Jahi Turner's Stepfather Arraigned in Killing

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The man accused in the slaying of his toddler stepson, Jahi Turner, pleaded not guilty and denied all charges in a San Diego courtroom Tuesday.

Tieray Jones, 37, was formally charged with one count of murder and one count of felony child abuse causing death. He denied all charges. Both carry a 25-years-to-life sentence.

Prosecutors asked for $5 million bail.

Deputy District Attorney Nicole Rooney said Jones had multiple failures to appear in court; she said Jones had assault with a firearm, drugs and theft convictions which resulted in a 5-year prison commitment.

“His ties are all in Maryland and North Carolina which is where his family is, his friends are, and we believe he would flea and go back somewhere else where we wouldn’t be able to find him," Rooney said.

The defense argued his client had cooperated in the investigation the whole time and willingly returned to San Diego. The judge ordered no bail.

After the arraignment, the prosecutor said they will not disclose any new evidence that led to the arrest at this point. 

"Cold cases are always an ongoing investigation and the homicide team never gave up on it and we finally developed evidence sufficient to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt and once we had done that we were able to file charges," Rooney said.

NBC 7 is asking a judge to unseal the San Diego Police Department's search warrant that led to Jones' arrest.

The warrant could contain details about why, after almost 14 years, law enforcement had enough evidence to arrest him.

The District Attorney is against the unsealing.

At a court hearing on May 12, NBC 7 San Diego, along with KFMB, will argue why it should be unsealed, citing the First Amendment.

Once Jahi went missing, hundreds of volunteers and police officers spent weeks searching for traces of the 30-pound toddler when he was reported missing in 2002. Law enforcement officers raked through 5,000 tons of garbage at the landfill, but came up with nothing.

The case had gone cold, but last week, the San Diego County District Attorney's office announced they had cracked the case and filed charges against the boy's stepfather. Though new evidence has been uncovered in the case, authorities have not found Jahi's body or remains, police said.

Rooney said the family has mixed feelings. 

“The family is obviously devastated that it’s confirmed their worst fear that Jahi is in fact dead, but they are happy that they are finally going to get justice and resolution," she said.

According to police, Jones told officers he was with the toddler at the park when he left to get a drink. Jones said he returned 15 minutes later and Jahi was gone.

At the time of the toddler's dissapearance, his mother was deployed aboard a Navy ship.

However, officials were unable to locate Jahi's fingerprints on playground equipment, prompting speculation the child never visited the area, authorities announced Monday.

Officers interviewed Jones several times after the boy’s disappearance but did not have enough evidence to arrest him at the time, police said.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Chernobyl Disaster Exiled Humans, Made Way for Wildlife

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Humans, it turns out, pose a bigger threat to animals than radiation. The Chernobyl nuclear reactor blew up 30 years ago on Tuesday, sending a radioactive cloud over much of Europe and prompting the resettlement of 350,000 people from the area around the plant. 

But animals thrive there, NBC News reported. 

The wolf population is actually seven times bigger than in Ukraine's official nature reserves, which indicates that the predators have plenty to feed on, said the study's coauthor Jim Beasley of the University of the Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. 

Some European bison, blissfully unaware of national borders after having been reintroduced in neighboring Belarus after a century of extinction in the wild, have also crossed into Ukraine.



Photo Credit: AP

Unanswered 911 Calls in Baby's Death Expose Dispatch Problem

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The parents of a 3-day-old baby killed by the family dog in a mauling last week twice called 911 but didn’t get an answer, and critics are calling for change.

"It's absolutely tragic and I think every parent who heard this story had their heart break a little bit," said Matt Awbry, a spokesperson for San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

Faulconer’s office responded to NBC 7’s request for information on what happened when the Mira Mesa couple tried to reach a 911 operator.

The newborn, Sebastian Caban, was with his parents and the family dog Thursday in a bed when the mother suddenly coughed, the report said.

"The dog made contact with the baby leading to traumatic injuries," Sgt. Tuu Nguyen, of the Child Abuse Unit San Diego Police Department (SDPD), said.

Shortly after the accident, the couple made two unsuccessful 911 calls, SDPD officials confirmed.

The couple called once waiting 28 seconds for an answer, police said. The couple then called again and waited 31 seconds, according to the SDPD.

They ended up driving the newborn to Rady Children’s Hospital where medical staff pronounced him dead. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office has ruled the death an accident.

The issue has been ongoing for years. The San Diego Police Officers Association say the dispatch center is not fully staffed with its operators on mandatory overtime for more than 3 years.

San Diego Police say they have been losing people to retirement, other agencies or stress leave.

Now critics are calling out city leaders saying they need to come clean about just how bad the issue is.

Mayoral candidates Ed Harris and Lori Saldana said the issue is out of control. They believe more should be done to protect the public’s safety.

Awbry said this is the first year the full staff has been fully funded in the city’s budget. He added that recruitment has been going on year-round.

"What we don't want to do is politicize it," Awbry said. "That's why Mayor Faulconer is focused on making sure we have solutions, making changes so we're actually hiring more through."

According to SDPD, between 7:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. when the family was calling for assistance, dispatch received 73 total 911 calls.

The department asked for the public’s help in making sure those with emergencies can get through on 911 by using the non-emergency line for requests for information, reports of minor theft and crimes that are not in progress.

The dog, a 2-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier is in the custody of the Department of Animal Services and under quarantine.

Any decision on the fate of the dog will be made by the department after speaking with the family.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Smoke, Flames Rise from National City Brush Fire

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Heavy white smoke rose above a small brush fire in National City Tuesday afternoon. 

National City Fire Department (NCFD) officials said the brush fire broke out on 2600 block of Rachael Avenue at approximately 2:25 p.m., northeast of the where Interstate 805 and State Route 54 meet. The location is a few blocks away from Granger Junior High School and Lincoln Acres School.

Smoke and flames were visible from a distance, officials said. Video sent to NBC 7 by a Facebook fan showed plumes of thick smoke floating from the fire. 

No evacuations were issued. 

There were no injuries. 

There is no word on any cause of the fire. 

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 



Photo Credit: Jorge Carrasco
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Brush Fire in Logan Heights

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A brush fire broke out along Interstate 15 in Logan Heights at approximately 1 a.m. Wednesday. Fire investigators are working to determine what caused the fire. The area was difficult to access for firefighters. It took a few hours to make sure all the hot spots were extinguished.

Shia LaBeouf Doppelganger Punched

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A Brooklyn man was randomly punched at a Manhattan subway station by an attacker who said it was "because you look exactly like Shia LaBeouf," Gothamist reports.

Mario Licato told the website he had just gotten off a subway train Saturday afternoon at the Delancey Street-Essex Street subway station on the Lower East Side when he was clocked.

"I didn’t even see the guy," he told Gothamist. "I just see his fist coming toward me. It knocked me, and while I was falling down the stairs, all I hear was, 'This is because you look exactly like Shia LaBeouf!'"

Licato, who told Gothamist he has been approached "at least 10 times" by people who said he resembles the actor, tumbled down the stairs and lost consciousness. He said a couple rushed to help him and called 911.  

EMTs ruled out a concussion and told him to get a butterfly bandage for his busted eyebrow, Licato told Gothamist. Police, who arrived a short time later, canvassed the area and asked questions.

Licato posted a photo of his injuries on Instagram, a bandage visible over his eyebrow and scuffs on his nose and brow.

"I wanna thank the guy who randomly decided he needed to hit me last night," he said in the post.

Licato told Gothamist he was back at work Monday but was still perplexed as to why someone would attack him for looking like LaBeouf.

"I wanna know what Shia LaBeouf did to him," Licato told Gothamist. "What did Shia LaBeouf do to him that he punched somebody that looks like him? He must have did something so mean."

The NYPD told People it is investigating the incident as an assault and no arrests had been made as of Tuesday afternoon.

NBC 4 New York has reached out to Licato and representatives of LaBeouf for comment.



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JetBlue Pilot Flew to JFK While Drunk: Feds

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A red-faced JetBlue pilot failed a breath test for alcohol after flying an aircraft from Florida to John F. Kennedy Airport with 151 passengers aboard last year, according to court papers unsealed Wednesday.

Dennis Murphy, Jr., was randomly selected for the test on April 21, 2015, after his flight from Orlando touched down at JFK Airport.

A breathalyzer revealed that Murphy had a blood alcohol content of 0.11 percent, according to the criminal complaint filed in federal court in Brooklyn.

He was given a second test 15 minutes later and registered a 0.091 reading.

JetBue stripped Murphy of his uniform and identification that day, the complaint states. He had been employed by JetBlue for less than four months.

"During the walk to the onsite testing office at JFK Airport, Murphy's face was red and he was chewing gum rapidly," according to the complaint.

Murphy later suggested that his blood-alcohol reading was caused by the gum he was chewing, the complaint states.

Murphy's co-pilot said he "observed Murphy drinking an unknown beverage" before and during two flights that day, the complaint states.

A blood-alcohol content of .10 percent or higher for the operator of a common carrier is considered under the influence of alcohol, according to the complaint.

Federal Aviation Administration regulations prohibit pilots from flying within eight hours of consuming alcohol or if they have an alcohol concentration of .04 percent blood-alcohol content or higher.

Nationwide, 10 pilots violated the FAA alcohol regulations last year, according to the agency.

“JetBlue has a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy. Following last year’s incident, the crew member was removed from duty and is no longer employed at JetBlue,” the airline responded in a statement.

Murphy was scheduled for an arraignment on Wednesday in Brooklyn's federal court. The name of his attorney wasn't immediately available.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

San Diego Taxpayers Seen At Risk In SDPD Love Triangle

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A love triangle involving police officers from two different departments could put San Diego taxpayers on the hook for sizable legal damages.

The case stems from a cellphone hacking that San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officials knew about.

The plaintiff in the case, Giocanda Hychko, is a police officer in the city of Riverside.

Her lawsuit says her then-husband, former San Diego police officer Kevn Hychko, was romantically involved with a fellow officer SDPD officer, Stephanie Audette.

Also being sued along with Audette and the city is Verizon Communications -- Audette,'s former employer -- and a current Verizon employee identified only as J.D., described as a friend of Audette's who hacked into Hychko's phone.

Verizon had blocked her phone and her husband's upon Hychko's request after she learned of the affair.

Once it was unblocked, according to the complaint, Audette accessed her home address, calling and message histories and billing information.

The lawsuit says she found out about all that from records in an SDPD disciplinary hearing into the affair, in which Audette confessed under oath to the alleged misconduct.

According to a report from the city attorney’s office, Kevin Hychko was recommended for termination from the force “based on allegations he fostered separate relationships with three women, including Audette … and that he was dishonest in response to questioning from his superiors”.

Giaconda Hychko's lawyers say the department knew what was going on long ago and hadn't put a stop to it.

“The city could find itself culpable for some of these actions,” says Chris Morris, a former assistant San Diego city attorney who’s overseen and handled numerous police misconduct cases.

"This is strange,”, Morris told NBC 7 in an interview, “only because when you take the step of actually accessing personal information from somebody who's involved in a love triangle -- now you're really going beyond the pale of what we've typically dealt with. So having it escalate to this level is not something that's typical."

On Thursday, the City Council voted unanimously not to pay for Audette's representation in the lawsuit.

The city attorney's office had recommended against it, saying her actions were "outside the scope" of her employment.

"As a plaintiff's lawyer,” Morris observed, “even though the city may be saying 'You're on your own’, the plaintiff's lawyer is definitely going to be steering the liability ... towards where the money is."

Ironically, Verizon is the city's communication provider for its employees.

As co-defendants in the case, it's not clear whether their interests might wind up at cross purposes.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Mom Who Sued Over Flint Water Crisis Fatally Shot

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A young mother who one of the first to sue over the Flint water crisis was shot and killed last week, NBC News reported.

Sasha Avona Bell was fatally shot last week, allegedly by someone with whom she had a relationship. Her 16-month-old son Matthew, who was also in the apartment, was not harmed. Police said the suspect gunned down another woman in the apartment. 

The suspect, identified as Malek Thornton, was arrested a short time after the bodies were found and is charged with two counts of first degree murder, two counts of open murder and a felony firearm charge, according to police.

Bell sued after her baby boy came down with lead poisoning. Her case was one of 98 lawsuits filed on behalf of 200 children by New York attorney Corey Stern, who said her death was not related to the Flint water crisis.



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Whistleblowers Say TSA Operates on Culture of ‘Fear'

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Transportation Security Administration employees told members of Congress Wednesday that agency officials gave hefty bonuses to supervisors who ignored security warnings and retaliation against those who spoke up was widespread, NBC News reported.

"If you tell the truth in TSA you will be targeted," Mark Livingston, a program manager with the TSA's office of risk management, said at a House Oversight Committee hearing. "I call it the Lord of the Flies — either attack or be attacked."

Dozens of TSA whistleblowers have come forward to congressional investigators to report abuses of power. Livingston says he fears TSA employees "fear their supervisors more than they fear a potential terrorist threat."

The revelations come as the agency is facing stark criticism for long lines at security checkpoints, high employee attrition rates and allegations of waste, fraud and abuse.



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Where to Eat at Petco Park

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Baseball season sure makes a fan hungry. This spring and summer, Padres devotees can take in a game while grabbing grub and drinks from several newly-opened concession spots at Petco Park in downtown San Diego.

For the 2016 season, MLB fans can enjoy everything from traditional peanuts and nachos to loaded sandwiches, ramen and, of course, local craft beer.

This season, Petco Park introduces a new, two-level social space dubbed The Craft Pier by Ballast Point and Sun Diego Beach, a lounge and bar area boasting more than 50 different tap handles of San Diego craft brews, including Coronado Brewing Co.’s Orange Wit Islander IPA and AleSmith’s San Diego Pale Ale .394 – a beer inspired by the late and beloved Tony Gwynn, aka “Mr. Padre.”

The Craft Pier is located in right-center field and includes a deck where fans can sit and watch the game while sipping on suds.

As for food, there are several new spots at the ballpark: Board & Brew, The Brigantine and Gaglione Brothers.

Board & Brew, a California chain known for its sandwiches and secret sauce, has two outposts within the stadium: Section 107 and Section 209. The eatery serves stacked sandwiches, including the Turkado (turkey, avocado) and Tom’s Choice (turkey and roast beef combo) with all the fixings. The Petco Park locations also serve many craft brews, including Ballast Point’s Grapefruit Sculpin and Wahoo.

The Brigantine, located in Section 206, serves classic, crispy seafood dishes including fish and chips, calamari strips and coconut shrimp.

The Gaglione Brothers, located in Sections 124 and 319, serves indulgent French fries, Garlic Cheese Fries and the eatery’s staple: Cheesesteaks with all kinds of toppings.

Other Petco Park additions include: Yogurtland (Sections 107 and 121); Mister Softee (various locations); Peet’s Coffee (various locations); and Estrella Cantina (Park at the Park).

For Baja-style fish tacos wander over to Rimel’s Surfer Burritos at the Park at the Park. For ramen, try Rimel’s Ramen Bowls in Section 101.

The new Bumble Bee Poke Bar in Section 107 offers its take on poke, and there’s the new Paradise Bowls eatery in Section 107, too.

Another Petco Park spot worth exploring is The Hideaway Presented by Deep Eddy Vodka, which debuted last year. Tucked in left field corner terrace in Section 222, the seating area and vodka bar also serves food, including a duck taco and lobster, chorizo and bacon taco.

For burgers, beef fans can hit any one of the Hodad’s locations scattered throughout the ballpark (Section 104; Section 133; Section 300; Section 306).

Of course, plenty of concession stands at Petco Park offer your traditional game grub, too, including hot dogs, peanuts, Cracker Jacks and pretzels.

Needless to say, Padres fans will not go hungry at the ballpark this season. For the full roster of eateries and bars at Petco Park, click here.

What’s your favorite Petco Park snack? Comment in the section below.



Photo Credit: The Gaglione Brothers/Facebook

Sewage Spill Closes Lake

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A sewage spill has led to a mandatory water closure in San Marcos.

After approximately 60,000 gallons of sewage spilled into Lake San Marcos, a water contact closure was issued advising individuals to avoid the lake until further notice.

The spill resulted from a broken sewer line, which was found late Tuesday evening at 1495 Via Entrada Del Lago.

The leak was contained several hours later by the Vallecitos Water District crews and the damaged sewer line is expected to be fixed late Wednesday.

Samples of the lake water are being collected to evaluate the environmental impact as well as determine when the water is safe again.

For up-to-date information about the water closure, click here or call the 24-hour hotline at (619) 338-2073.

Ex-LAPD Chief Willie Williams Dies at 72

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Former Los Angeles Police Chief Willie Williams, who took over as the head of the LAPD following the 1992 riots, has died, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.

Williams was 72. The Philadelphia Police Department confirmed his death via its Twitter account. Details regarding a cause of death were not immediately available.

Williams became the LAPD's first black police chief about a month after the verdict in the Rodney King beating trial, in which four white officers were acquitted. The verdict sparked a riot that lasted for six days and brought U.S. military presence to patrol LA streets.

Williams took over for Chief Daryl Gates and continued in the position until 1997.

Williams previously served as Philadelphia's police chief.

Refresh this page for updates.



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Agencies Participate in San Diego Maritime Training

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Mission and San Diego Bay will be busy for several days despite the slightly colder weather.

The crowded waters are a result of the annual Regional Maritime Public Safety Exercise taking place between April 25 and 28. The exercises allow local and federal agencies to practice trained responses to potential maritime threats.

More specifically, exercises are used to practice techniques necessary in the case of international drug trafficking, radiological material in the water, foreign fighter threats and other suspicious activity, explained Jane Andreasik, a Public Information Officer for the City of San Diego.

The four-day exercise allows the agencies to better understand how effective and prepared they are should a maritime threat ever arise. Agencies can also develop better communication and response strategies during this event.

Successful exercises and plans have the potential to impact not only coastal towns but also inland communities.

“While this specific scenario deals with incidents on the waterfront, threats can be trafficked through the maritime channels and impact the broader region,” explained Andreasik.

Two of the eight local agencies involved are San Diego Fire and Rescue Department and the San Diego Police Department while the National Guard, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the U.S. Coast Guard are only a few of the federal agencies taking part in the training.

Even though this extensive training is only once a year, departments across San Diego participate in small refresher courses throughout the year to cover topics other than maritime risks, according to Andreasik.

“The City of San Diego and regional partners are working tirelessly every day to keep residents safe,” said Andreasik.

New Report Finds San Diego Tourism Slowing Down

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A newly released report suggests tourism in San Diego may be on the decline. 

The report, released by the San Diego Tourism Marketing District Tuesday, takes a closer look at how well tourism is doing and what is ahead for San Diego. 

Tourism is the third largest source of revenue for the City of San Diego. From business trips and conventions to relaxation and beach trips, it's an industry San Diego relies on heavily. 

In the third quarter of 2015, San Diego saw more than 10.5 million visitors, a slowdown from previous quarters. 

According to the report, the third quarter of 2015 saw a 1.6 percent decline from the first quarter of 2015 in year-on-year visitation growth.

San Diego City councilmember Chris Cate says investing in marketing San Diego should be a top priority.

"We are constantly competing," Cate said. "We cannot just sell San Diego because San Diego is a beautiful city, we have the beaches, we have the bays; we are always competing with other cities."

The outlook for the second half of the year looks good, but the mid-year slowdown has lowered growth projections from of 3.3 percent to just over one percent, the report finds. 

In 2014, San Diego saw an influx of hotel visitors, so officials were anticipating slowing after that.

Officials say U.S. travelers are benefiting from low gas prices and rising wages, which should help support San Diego day visitors.

The total growth for day visitors is forecasted at just one percent for the year. Compare that to the previous projection of 4.5 percent.

Still, tourists and those working in the industry say things are still looking good.

"I've seen a constant stream of tourists from all over the world," said one local worker. 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Sanders Campaign to Lay Off 'Hundreds,' Shift Focus

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Bernie Sanders' campaign for president is shedding hundreds of staffers following four losses in Northeast primary elections Tuesday, a move the campaign says is aimed at re-sizing with only 10 states left to vote.

Sanders communications director Michael Briggs confirmed to NBC News that layoffs will be in the "hundreds." The news was first reported by The New York Times and Politico Wednesday.

Campaign manager Jeff Weaver gave the notices from the Burlington, Vermont, headquarters Wednesday, Briggs told NBC News. But the move is only part of "a posture of reality," Briggs said, as the campaign's focus shifts to the remaining contests.

“We want to win as many delegates as we can, so we do not need workers now in states around the country,” Sanders told The Times. “We don’t need people right now in Connecticut. That election is over."

Sanders hopes to bring all the staffers back into his team if he wins the primary, the report said.

But many see the Democratic nomination as a foregone conclusion after the senator from Vermont lost four of five states to Hillary Clinton Tuesday night. Sanders took Rhode Island, while Clinton won Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania, padding out an already sizable lead in pledged delegates and superdelegates.

An Associated Press analysis found that the former secretary of state can lose every remaining primary by a wide margin and still capture her party's nomination. She is 232 delegates short of the 2,383 needed to win the Democratic party's nomination at the party's convention, to be held in Philadelphia in July. Sanders is more than 1,000 delegates shy of that mark.

In reporting the layoffs, Politico noted Sanders' campaign has let its field staff go before, notably after he lost heavily on Super Tuesday.



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