Heavy rain and wind could linger in the South for more than two days, according to meteorologists, NBC News reported.

Parts of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma were under tornado watches Friday evening. Other parts of those states were under flash flood and flood watches and warnings, the National Weather Service said. 

Weather.com said areas including northeast Texas, southern Oklahoma and southwest Arkansas should be prepared for possible tornados Friday night. The same system will also deliver as much as five inches of rain. 

The heavy rain, expected to linger over the South until at least Sunday, may trigger flash flooding in areas that have already dealt with widespread flooding damage, according to Weather.com.

A man from Puerto Rico is the first reported zika-related death in the U.S., the Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirm Friday.

The man, in his 70s, had a severe immune reaction from the virus that led to internal bleeding.

Zika is spread mainly by mosquitos, has affected thousands in countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Up until now, doctors have been most concerned about Zika affecting pregnant women because the virus has been linked to severe birth defects, including brain damage and microcephaly.

According to recent numbers released by the CDC, 426 travelers and 36 pregnant women in the United States have Zika.

But this first zika-related death means the virus may lead to more complications than previously thought.

Dr. Nancy Crum-Cianflone, an infectious disease physician at Scripps Mercy, says we need to take Zika seriously.

“This is a very important virus that we really now need to have our radar up and take steps nationally to reduce mosquitos and do everything we can personally to reduce mosquito bites,” Dr. Crum-Cianflone said.

The news comes just one day after the Food and Drug Administration approved the first commercial U.S. test to diagnose Zika virus.

Quest Diagnostics says the FDA has given authorization to U.S. doctors to test anyone who they believe contracted zika.

Beginning Monday, patients who previously had to go through state and county health departments will be able to get tested by their doctors.

Each test cost around $500 and if you have insurance, it will cost $120. Test results usually take about 3 to 5 days.

The housing market boom in San Diego County is good news for homes sellers but not so much for first-time home buyers and renters.

In recent years, the U.S. housing market has recovered from the financial crisis but the supply is so limited in San Diego, prices are skyrocketing.

If you already own a home, good news for you since it will be worth more. But if you’re a first-time buyer, it has become even harder to afford a home in San Diego.

The process to obtain building permits is really slow in San Diego, says Mark Goldman, a real estate professor at San Diego State University. This is causing the increasing gap between supply and demand.

“In San Diego right now, when a house goes on the market, many times they're sold within days of going on the MLS, and a lot of times they don't even make it to the MLS," he says.

One first-time home buyer tells NBC 7 San Diego the experience was a lot harder and stressful that she had anticipated. Erin Glenny was bidding against 18 others for a home, and she was having to go higher and higher in her offer.

In an effort to stand out, Glenny wrote a letter to the home seller that included pictures of her family.

“You know, I had to work it on every angle," she says.

But others are not so lucky.

According to Goldman, homes prices near the coastline are the highest right now. Some homes on the market in places like Encinitas and Del Mar have gone up by 33 percent since 2004.

Since people are having a more difficult time purchasing homes, they are forced to rent, which drives up rent prices around the county. In some case, renting can be the same price or even more than a mortgage.

At least a dozen shots were heard when a fight turned into a shooting outside a Chula Vista bar early Friday.

Chula Vista Police (CVPD) were called to Rica’s Bar on Broadway at J Streets at 1:54 a.m. after a fight spilled out into the parking lot.

A group of ten people were fighting outside of the bar when one witness says he heard the initial round of gunshots.

Richard Flahive said he saw several cars pull off in different directions and then heard another round of shots down J Street.

"I’m just hoping nobody got hit. There’s people living right here," Flahive said pointing behind him. "Stray bullet could’ve gone and hit a kid or something, you know, that’s not right."

Shortly after, police officers found a car traveling northbound on Broadway without its lights on.

Officers pulled over the car near B Avenue in National City.

Three people were inside the car including a gunshot victim.

The victim was rushed to UCSD Medical Center and is expected to survive from his injuries, according to Chula Vista Police.

Officers arrested the driver of the car on suspicion of driving under the influence.

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 

Nine students have been diagnosed with chickenpox at the Dehesa Charter School’s Chula Vista Resource Center, county health officials reported Friday.

The first illness was reported on March 28 and the most recent case was diagnosed on April 25.

The kids diagnosed range in age from 6 to 15 years old, according to a news release from the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.

Eight of these students were not immunized for varicella (chickenpox) and one child had been vaccinated twice.

Health officials said the school has notified students and staffers about the outbreak.

This is the second chickenpox outbreak reported in a San Diego County school in the past two weeks.

Last week, six students at the San Diego Cooperative Charter School in Linda Vista were diagnosed with chickenpox.

Health officials said there have been 25 cases of chickenpox in San Diego County so far this year.

They recommend two doses of chickenpox vaccine. Kids should be vaccinated first between 12 and 15 months of age and a second time between 4 and 6 years old.

A man who confronted someone breaking into cars on a Rancho Penasquitos street was stabbed, San Diego Police confirmed Friday.

It was after 10 p.m. Thursday when the victim, a 39-year-old man, spotted the suspected car burglar on Socorro Street. 

The resident chased the suspected burglar to the corner of Andorra Way and that’s where the suspect pulled out a folding knife and stabbed the resident in the side, police said.

Neighbor Yuki Hall was awakened by police officers knocking on her door.

"It scared me to death," Hall said.

The stabbing happened right in front of her home where she lives with her husband and her 8-year-old daughter.

Neighbor Nancy Hazzard said she other homeowners have been sharing information about recent thefts and other issues affecting the community. 

"If you're going to be out lifting things off our cars, you need to be aware we're watching and we're going to do whatever it takes," she said.

Some homeowners have reported package thefts, she said.

A suspect was taken into custody but not identified by police.

The victim was transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries, police said.

Hazzard said thieves should be aware the Neighborhood Watch is in effect and residents are on alert.

"It's time that the people who are working hard and are doing the right thing be protected," Hazzard said.

"Get a job and go and make your own money and go buy your own things."

Two Santee brothers were in custody, accused of murder, torture, robbery and kidnapping in a beating that ultimately took a homeless man’s life, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials said.

George Lowery, 50, was beaten with "fists and feet" in an assault on Sunday that homicide investigators describe as "a very horrific event."

Lowery was found in the riverbed just west of Chubb Lane and N. Magnolia Avenue at 5:19 p.m. officials said. He and his wife lived there as part of a homeless encampment.

Lowery's wife returned from a trip to a store and found her husband unconscious with trauma to his head, deputies said. She cried out for help and someone used a cell phone to call 911.

Lowery was taken to a nearby local hospital but succumbed to his injuries five days later.

On Thursday, deputies arrested brothers Austin Mostrong, 20 and Preston Mostrong, 19, in connection with the crime.

"We don’t believe this is a random act," said Lt. Kenneth Nelson, SD County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detail. "We believe he was targeted."

Physical evidence at the scene and witness statements led investigators to the brothers, Nelson said.

On April 20, there was an altercation between Austin and another resident of the river bottom, deputies said. Investigators say Lowery did not fight with Austin but may have had some involvement in that incident.

When asked to explain charges of torture and kidnapping, Nelson said, "We believe those charges are appropriate based on movement of the victim at the crime scene."

Anyone with information about this incident can call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200.

A horse was killed and its rider was seriously injured Friday when a motorist struck the animal near a trail in Rancho Santa Fe, officials confirmed.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers and crews with the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department were called to Linea Del Cielo near La Floresta at around 9:15 a.m. after an 87-year-old man driving his 2005 Toyota Corolla accidentally hit a 61-year-old woman riding her horse.

The rider and horse were crossing the street from south to north and had made it into the bike lane of the westbound lane when the driver approached the area.

Just then, the driver, for unknown reasons, swerved into the bike lane and crashed into the horse, CHP Officer Jim Bettencourt said.

The horse – an 11-year-old male – died at the scene.

Bettencourt said the rider suffered serious injuries and was rushed to Scripps La Jolla Hospital via ambulance.

The driver of the Corolla was not injured in the collision. CHP said the accident is under investigation, but alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor.

The street where this incident happened is lined with traffic signs that show it is a horse crossing area.

When something in breaks down or needs repairs in your home, getting a hold of someone to fix the problem is your first reaction.

But not all contractors are legitimate, even if they look the part.

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) conducted a sting operation in El Cajon this week.

19 people were cited on illegal contracting charges.

CSLB says most of them had a company name to appear legitimate but none were licensed.

According to state law, unlicensed operators can only perform construction-relation jobs that cost less than $500.

CSLB says if you need to hire a contractor, do your research to see if that business is licensed.

Here is a list of some of the local businesses cited on suspicion of being unlicensed contractors.

• Benetiz Tree Service
• RG Landscape and garden
• Rosas Tree Service
• New Image Landscaping & Maintence
• Elegant Painting
• Applied Paint Ltd.
• Santiago Landscaping
• Hector’s Painting & Design
• SoCal Garage Doors
• Sierra’s Landscape & Design

You can also verify whether a contractor is licensed by visiting the CSLB website.

A classroom in Vista received a visit from one of the country's last surviving Tuskegee Airmen Friday.

Lt. Col Robert Friend, 96, visited Beaumont Elementary in north San Diego County to share his story with students in teacher Judy Parker’s fifth grade class.

During a sharing project at school, student Robert James Friend brought in pictures and told his class that his great-grandfather was a Tuskegee air pilot in World War II.

Tuskegee Airmen was a group comprised of pilots, navigators, bombardiers, and staff. They were the first African Americans service men allowed to fly for the U.S. military.

“I thought that was super fascinating,” Park said. “We talked more about it I found out that he was able to come speak to our class, so we invited him.”

Robert James invited his great grandpa to come share his experience with his classmates.

Park saw this as a great learning opportunity that would become a lifelong memory for her students. She said the kids were very excited to meet someone who played a meaningful role in history. The class did research on the Tuskegee pilots to prepare for Friend’s visit.

“It’s a huge honor to have him here,” Park said.

Friend’s great-grandson read an introduction about his great-grandfather to his classmates before playing a video about the Tuskegee Airmen.

After the presentation, Friend shared stories about his experience as an airman and signed autographs.

“He’s a wonderful man,” said Robert James. “It’s such an honor to be related to a person that was in World War II.”

Friend says he’s very proud to say his great-grandfather was one of the first African-American pilots in World War II.

A mother of six was arrested Friday after two toddlers were found chained and tied in the backyard of a Texas home late Thursday, authorities said.

Deputies went to the home Thursday night after a neighbor reported hearing a crying child and found the toddlers tied up in the backyard with no adults around. One was chained to the ground and another tied to a door with a dog leash, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

"To describe this as disturbing is an understatement," sheriff's office spokesman James Keith told NBC affiliate WOIA. "This is a sick, disturbing, horrific crime."

The mother, Porucha Phillips, was taken into custody as she and another person came home Friday morning, the sheriff's office said.

The toddlers, 2 and 3 years old, were transported to a local hospital and the six other children are in the care of Texas Child Protective Services, according to the agency.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Friday distanced himself from discriminatory laws passed recently by some states and said some people are "probably" born gay during a heated exchange with a man challenging the Republican Party’s stance on gay rights.

During a town hall-style event hosted by the Commonwealth Club of California, a 62-year-old San Francisco resident, who said he came out to his parents at age 19, asked Kasich if he believes people are born gay.

"You know Sir, probably," the governor replied. "I don’t know how it all works. Are they? In all probability they are. Okay?"

Kasich told the audience member he doesn't believe in discrimination but said "there is a balance, however, between discrimination and people’s religious liberties."

"But I think we should just try to...relax and try to get along with one another a little bit better instead of trying to write some law to solve a problem that doesn’t quite frankly exist in big enough numbers to justify more lawmaking,” he added.

Officials are searching for a missing person near the same area where a woman and her four great-grandchildren were killed in heavy rain and flooding in east Texas, NBC News reported.

A task force was searching for the person who went missing outside the city of Palestine as floods hit Anderson County, a spokesperson said. 

The bodies of 64-year-old Lenda Asberry and her great-grandchildren Jamonicka Johnson, 6; Von Anthony Johnson Jr., 7; Devonte Asberry, 8, and Venetia Asberry, 9, were discovered dead after floodwaters receded. She was their legal guardian, her son told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.

Eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and west Tennessee remained under flash flood watches on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Dole Food Co Inc said on Friday the U.S. Department of Justice was investigating a deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to packaged salad products from its processing plant in Springfield, Ohio.

Dole, the world's largest fruit and vegetable producer, said in a statement the agency recently contacted the company and "we will be ... cooperating with the DOJ to answer questions and address any concerns."

Listeria, a common bacterium that can be either harmless or pathogenic, can enter a processing facility via raw produce or other materials, and form colonies. Thirty-three people in the United States and Canada fell ill in the outbreak from May 2015 to February 2016. All were hospitalized and four died, NBC News reported.

Dole said on Jan. 22 it had temporarily suspended operations at the Springfield plant. It also issued recalls on all salad products packaged at the facility.

A Texas police chief vacationing in New York City intervened in a fight between an alleged thief and a store security officer on the street, and helped arrest the suspect, the NYPD said. 

Sean Ford, chief of the Sunset Valley Police Department in the Austin area of Texas, says he was strolling along Fifth Avenue and headed to Central Park when he encountered a scuffle near 58th Street, in front of the Plaza Hotel. 

Police said a store employee followed the suspect out of the Abercrombie & Fitch store after he allegedly swiped a fragrance bottle and chased him down Fifth Avenue. 

The suspect was swinging at the employee and no one appeared to be helping, even as the struggle became more violent, Ford said.

"Everybody was standing around taking pictures," he said. 

Ford's instincts kicked in and he helped break up the fight, holding down the suspect until police arrived, he said. 

"I got the guy, told him I was a police officer and took him to the wall, held him there until NYPD could get there," Ford said. 

"The officers that responded were amazing, as usual. Just what we would expect and what the rest of the nation looks up to." 

The NYPD tweeted a message of thanks to Ford, who now says he feels a little bit more like a New Yorker.

"I probably would not have wanted to do it this way," Ford said, laughing. "But I'm glad I was there and then I got to meet some of the great guys from New York." 

The alleged 26-year-old shoplifter was taken to the Midtown North precinct stationhouse on a larceny charge. He's expected to be arraigned overnight or on Saturday morning. 

President Barack Obama is getting one more chance to poke fun at fellow politicians, the press and himself at the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner. 

The dinner Saturday night comes amid a fierce presidential campaign that should provide plenty of material for after-dinner remarks by Obama and this year's professional comic, TV host Larry Wilmore. 

Republican front-runner Donald Trump, a regular in recent years, isn't expected to be among the host of Hollywood stars, athletes and government officials at the ballroom of the Washington Hilton. 

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders joined Secretary of State John Kerry and other government officials taking a seat in the ballroom. Film and television stars at the event included Oscar winners Helen Mirren and Jared Leto, "Breaking Bad" actor Bryan Cranston, "Independence Day" stars Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum, and actress Rachel McAdams. 

Obama has described the dinner as Washington celebrating itself. Others call it the nerd prom. 

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama enjoys the opportunity to speak at the event, in part, because so many of the other speeches he gives deal with such serious topics, and this is the unique event that allows him to share some laughs about the political process and those who participate.

Wilmore also likes to make fun of Washington. He is best known for appearances as the "senior black correspondent" on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He is now host of "The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore." 

Proceeds from the dinner go toward journalism scholarships and awards.

The Los Angeles Lakers have a new head coach and he happens to be a San Diego native. University of San Diego High School alum Luke Walton will become the 26^th coach in franchise history after agreeing to a multi-year deal Friday.

Walton, 36, was drafted by the Lakers in the second round of the 2003 draft with the 32^nd overall pick and played for 10 years in the NBA with the Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers. Walton was part of two Lakers championship clubs in 2009 and 2010. After his playing career ended he joined the Lakers as a player development coach for the Los Angeles D-Fenders for the 2013-14 season.

For the last two seasons Walton’s been the Golden State Warriors Assistant Coach and led the team to a 24-0 start as interim head coach while Steve Kerr was out recovering from back surgery. Under Walton the Warriors were 39-4.

Walton replaces Byron Scott, who the Lakers fired Sunday after two seasons. Under Scott the Lakers had the second-worst record at 17-65 this year.

Walton will join the Lakers at the conclusion of the Golden State season.

It was a rainy start to the weekend Saturday as sprinkles trickled through parts of San Diego County.

NBC 7 meteorologist Greg Bledsoe said the day would bring chilly temperatures, possible scattered showers and strong, gusty winds.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a wind advisory for San Diego County mountains and deserts, in effect until 2 p.m. NWS said some areas could see gusts of up to 45 mph, with winds diminishing by the afternoon.

Bledsoe said the cooler temps and cloudy conditions would last through Sunday, with a slight warm up by the beginning of the week.

In mid-April San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer sent a letter and 15 pages worth of questions to the San Diego Chargers asking for clarification on several aspects of their proposed citizens’ initiative for a new $1.8 billion Downtown stadium/convention center.

On Friday night City Hall got its answers.

The Chargers sent a 33-page letter responding to the Mayor’s concerns

The highlights:

•    The initiative would not impose any obligation on the City to pay for operations and maintenance and capital costs for the Convention Center Expansion and Stadium out of the General Fund. The proposed increased Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) would be deposited into the Convention Center and Stadium Fund (to be established through the citizens’ initiative) and the San Diego Tourism and Marketing Fund.

•    The initiative would not obligate the City to pay for any pre-development expenses out of the General Fund.

•    The initiative would not obligate the City to pay for operations and maintenance costs, or capital improvement costs, for the convention center expansion and stadium out of the General Fund.

•    Total square footage for the convention center expansion could be up to 385,000 square feet, in addition to other areas such as suites, boxes, club areas, concourses, and media centers.

•    The Chargers would have to sign a deal not to relocate for at least 30 years BEFORE Bonds could be issued and before funds may be used to construct the project, except for pre-development expenses.

•    If major renovations or improvements are needed inside the 30-year lease the Chargers and the City would enter in to “good faith negotiations” to see who finances the projects.

•    Revenues from non-professional football events at both facilities would be available to pay for operations and maintenance and capital costs.

•    Parking would be on a shared-use basis to avoid an oversupply that would deter mass transit use. The 1300 parking spaces required for the site would be available for Petco Park parking within the area. An Event Transportation Management Plan would be implemented to look at other parking possibilities.

•    Relocation of the Metropolitan Transit System’s Imperial Ave. Division is not specifically discussed other than to say the team looks forward to having discussions about it.

•    No timeline for construction completion is established.

•    There will be a $650 million dollar private sector contribution for construction of the stadium/convention center.

Basically the points that were really hammered home were a funding mechanism will be set up by the proposed TOT and provide protection for the City’s General Fund, and the Chargers will provide the $650 million of private funding.

There are other issues still outstanding and to those, at each turn, the Chargers said they’re looking forward to discussing with City Hall. This response puts the onus squarely on Mayor Faulconer to now make public his decision on whether or not he will support the citizens’ initiative.

To read the full letter, click here.

One rider of a motorized scooter was killed and another was injured in a crash with a duck boat in Boston Saturday, police confirm.

Authorities confirm a woman in her early 20s was operating the scooter, with a male passenger riding behind her.

Both victims were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital, where the woman was pronounced dead. The passenger is expected to survive.

"Heart goes out to the family," said Morgan Ralph of Boston. "I heard she was young, so, you know, it's even tougher."

Including the driver, there were 30 people on board the duck boat at the time. They have been taken to the Boston Police Department for questioning.

Police say the incident appears to be a tragic accident. According to Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, both vehicles were apparently on Charles Street, turning right onto Beacon Street when the crash took place.

"We'll conduct an investigation to see why the contact took place here," said Evans.

The duck boat, named Fenway Fanny, is operated by Boston Duck Tours.

"We are still trying to learn what happened," spokesperson Cindy Brown said. "It is very early in the investigation. We are cooperating fully with Boston Police and everyone involved."

This is not the first deadly crash involving a duck boat. Back in September, a duck boat crash killed five people in Seattle. In May of 2015, a Texas woman was struck and killed by a duck boat in Philadelphia.