The last Democratic primary is done, President Obama, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Oprah have all endorsed Hillary Clinton, and Sen. Bernie Sanders is increasingly out of the limelight.

With the country now focused on the race between Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, how much bargaining power does Sanders still have? Can the Democratic socialist from Vermont push the Democratic party any further toward the left?

"People are paying less attention to him with each passing day," said Seth Masket, an associate professor of political science at the University of Denver. "Without contests, without media attention, he doesn't have anything. He has every incentive to try and make some sort of deal pretty quickly."

Sanders still has not ended his campaign two weeks after Clinton became the Democrats' presumptive nominee, the first woman to do so for either major party. But in a C-SPAN interview on Wednesday, Sanders conceded, "It doesn't appear that I'm going to be the nominee."

He will address his supporters about what comes next for his campaign in a speech in New York on Thursday called "Where We Go From Here."

"Real change never takes place from the top on down or in the living rooms of wealthy campaign contributors," he said last week when he talked about continuing to press for economic and social justice. "It always occurs from the bottom on up when tens of millions of people say loudly and clearly, 'Enough is enough,' and they become engaged it the fight for justice."

Leah Wright Rigueur, an assistant professor at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, said it continued to be important for Democrats to get the support of Sanders and his backers. He will campaign energetically against Trump, she said.

Clinton met with Sanders last week and in an interview with USA Today the former secretary of state appeared to acknowledge Sanders' success in the primaries when talking about "progressive" Democrats being vetted as vice presidential candidates. Sanders said on C-SPAN that it would be a terrible mistake for Clinton to pick someone with roots in Wall Street.  

The Vermont senator could force fights at the convention over positions where he differs with Clinton -- over the U.S. relationship with Israel, whose prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, he has criticized, and the Glass-Steagall Act's banking regulations, which he would reinstate. He has called for imposing a ban on fracking and for federally administered single-payer health care, neither of which Clinton supports. He would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour -- Clinton has said she backs $12 an hour though would encourage some states and cities to go higher. And Sanders opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal Clinton championed while it was being negotiated but now is against.

Sanders has already won an unprecedented say over the party's platform. He was awarded almost as many members on the committee writing the platform as Clinton, five to her six of the 15, and among his picks are James Zogby, an advocate for a more even-handed approach to Palestinian rights, and Cornell West, who challenged former Attorney General Eric Holder on why no banks were held accountable for the economic collapse in 2008.

"His delegates to the platform committee are going to put forward a radical vision of what they imagine the Democratic Party to be," Rigueur said. "And so what happens after that is the hammering out of the platform."

But presidents are not bound by a party's platform and most voters know little about them, said Keena Lipsitz, an associate professor at Queens College in New York City. Activists use them when they try to win over lawmakers and they can show how a party has evolved over time, but ordinary people care little about what's in them.

"They don’t really matter," she said.

John Hudak, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, said that although Sanders' performance in the primaries gave him some power to seek changes, he needed to be careful not to overplay his hand.

"He is not going to get everything he wants because at the end of the day he did not win the nomination," Hudak said. "The longer that he holds out on endorsement and a sign of party unity, the less eager Democrats will be to meet whatever demands he has."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi told reporters on Wednesday that she hoped Sanders would endorse Clinton before the convention. Sanders knows what is at stake in November, she said. "Two words: 'Donald Trump.'"

Sanders persists in calling for a fundamental transformation of the Democratic Party. He wants a change in its leadership, primaries open not just to registered Democrats, same-day registration and the elimination of super delegates, the party officials and leaders who are free to vote for any candidate at the national convention at the end of July in Philadelphia.

Sanders wants the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, to be replaced. In the USA Today interview, Clinton noted that she did not choose Wasserman Schultz but also praised the congresswoman's commitment to defeating Trump. 

Masket said that he thought that the party would resist open primaries, which could enable voters other than Democrats to pick the nominee. Sanders might win a commitment for a task force to study the nominating process, maybe with Sanders as the chairman, he said.

The national party has traditionally given state parties latitude about how to conduct their primaries.

"It's not as if — and it's important for Sanders supporters to understand this —the DNC can wave a magic wand and change every nominating contest in the United States overnight," Hudak said.

That said the Democratic Party could prompt nationwide changes if it wanted to, Masket said. The national committee protects Iowa's and New Hampshire's first in the nation voting status, for example.

Eliminating super delegates could also be a sticking point, especially considering Trump's success in the Republican primaries. The Republican Party does not have super delegates.

"It's sort of a tough sell for Sanders because in one sense there's a lot of skepticism of super delegates in the Democratic Party but if you look at what Republicans are doing this year, I imagine they wish to God that they had super delegates," Hudak said. "So I think the irony might be that if anything undermines Sanders desire to get rid of Democratic super delegates, it's the Republican nominee who is standing in the way."

The Vermont senator should focus on building his movement, supporting candidates who share his views, finding a position that would allow him to further his goals, Lipsitz said. Were Democrats to regain control of the Senate, she could imagine him head of its budget committee.

"Ultimately what matters is what Bernie Sanders does with all the excitement he's created and all these people who are following him," she said. "He needs to somehow turn that into something that’s more long term."

Only about half of his supporters plan to vote for Clinton in the national election, according to a Bloomberg poll of likely voters conducted earlier this month. Some of his supporters plan to demonstrate in his favor at the convention in Philadelphia from July 25 to 28. A group called Occupy DNC Convention, whose goal is to swing super delegates in Sanders' favor, has more than 28,000 members on Facebook.

And more than a dozen former staff members from his campaign already have joined NextGen Climate, the group founded by billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer to build political power to fight climate change.

The question now for Sanders is whether he becomes an integral part of the Democrats' strategy, Rigueur said.

"Given how exciting this primary season has been, I don't think Bernie Sanders is going to walk off into the sunset and disappear," she said.

About 300 people in more than half the states have been charged in the largest crackdown to date on health care fraud, federal authorities announced Wednesday. 

According to the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services, those arrested account for more than $900 million in false billings to Medicare and Medicaid, NBC News reported. 

The crackdown ensnared 60 licensed medical professionals, including 30 doctors, officials said. The billings were for treatments or services deemed medically unnecessary — or for services that were never provided at all, including home care, medical equipment and phony prescriptions.

A man who shot a San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officer during a pursuit through City Heights in 2013, was found guilty on all charges and received the maximum sentence allowed by the court Wednesday.

Ignacio Canela was sentenced to 40 years to life plus 14 years after being convicted of attempted murder.

Canela shot five-year-veteran officer Tim Bell in the arm, leg and chest during a vehicle and foot chase that started when officers were running surveillance on Canela, who had outstanding felony warrants.

Canela shot Bell four times inside a drainage tunnel under the split between Interstate 805 and Interstate 15 during the pursuit.

He also has an extensive criminal history, having been to prison four times already.

He previously spent a year in prison for possession of methamphetamine and assault with a deadly weapon and was later charged for possession of methamphetamine for sale and possession of cocaine.

Deputy district attorney Michael Runyon read a statement from Bell's wife in court Wednesday:

“Our children were terrified and fearful that they might lose their daddy that day. I never want to see those looks on their little faces again."

Officer Bell's wife said she forgives Canela, even though she has every right to hate him.

The judge said he gave Canela the maximum sentence because of his prior convictions.

A fire is burning at a single-story commercial building in Santee, Heartland Fire confirmed. 

The fire started around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 11,000 block of Woodside Avenue. 

The Santee and Lakeside Fire Departments and CAL FIRE have responded.

There are no reported injuries, and there is no word on the cause yet. 

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 

There were no mass shootings in Australia in the 20 years since the country enacted gun law reforms, according to a study, NBC News reported. 

Researchers at the University of Sydney conducting the study said they can’t prove the measures caused the fall in gun-related deaths, but say they are worth discussing. 

Australia banned certain weapons in 1997, forcing owners to sell nearly 660,000 back to the government, according to the researchers. Another study showed that gun-related homicides dropped 7.5 percent per year following the reforms. 

The University of Sydney study was done to mark the 20th anniversary of the Australian law. It also coincides with a push in U.S. Congress to enact some reforms after the deadly mass shooting in Orlando in which 49 people were killed.

A suspect was taken into custody Tuesday evening, accused of continuously assaulting a man in Spring Valley, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department (SDSO) confirmed.

Sheriff’s deputies received a 911 call regarding a fight between two men at a 7-11 in the 2800 block of Bancroft Drive around 9:35 p.m.

Officers found an unresponsive man lying in the parking lot with injuries to his head and face.

Sean Robert Kennedy allegedly knocked the victim to the ground and continued to assault him while he was on the ground.

Kennedy fled but was taken into custody by detectives from the Fugitive Task Force.

He was booked into the San Diego Central Jail on a single count of assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury.

The victim was taken to the hospital and is in critical condition.

The littoral combat ship USS Coronado has departed for the first time from San Diego on an independent deployment to the Western Pacific.

The USS Coronado is designed to operate near the shore and around shallow water to counter mines, submarines and fast surface craft threats.

USS Coronado along with 70 sailors and crew members will participate in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) which “provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.”

"This ship will play a critical role in the fleet and in our nation's defense,” said Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, U.S. Third Fleet commander. “RIMPAC provides a good opportunity for our partner navies to work with the ship and see how it can contribute to collective regional security."

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Three (HSC-23) deployed with the ship along with the MQ-8 Fire Scout, an autonomous helicopter that works for surveillance and tracking off of the naval vessel.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has announced the release of a digital version of the 2016 California Driver Handbook.

The free digital version is available for download in the Google Play Store for Android and through the iBooks Store for iOS phones which makes it easy for users wanting to study on the go.

According to the California DMV, the digital handbook will offer users a new learning experience with interactive material to prepare them for the driver license exam. This new material includes a summary of standard road signs, safe driving tips and a comprehensive overview of the rules of the road.

The DMV has added new sections to this handbook that will help drivers understand the California traffic laws. DMV Director Jean Shiomoto stated that these new sections in the digital handbook “include information on the use of new technologies while operating a motor vehicle, distracted driving, tire safety, driving with sun glare, and other dangers."

Specifically with Mac or iOS devices, users can view videos as well as take electronic notes and share them through social media. The handbook syncs across all devices which allows users to start the handbook on one device and continue reading on another.

Printed copies of the 2016 California Driver Handbook are still available at any DMV office statewide.

PDF versions of the California Driver Handbooks are also available on the DMV website in multiple languages, viewable on any desktop, smartphone or tablet.

Fed Chair Janet Yellen said she's hopeful for economic growth, NBC News reported. 

"We are seeing a pickup in growth. There's been a sharp increase in consumer spending," Yellen told the House Financial Services Committee. "I'm very hopeful that we will see a pickup in growth. We will be watching for that as we assess the economy."         

She also rejected the idea that monetary policy is tied to boosting Wall Street's equity values — in effect a "third pillar" to go along with the Fed's dual mandate of full employment and price stability. 

The Fed has kept its interest rate target close to zero, hiking just once in the last 10 years.

Investigators from the San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit and San Diego Crime Stoppers are asking for the public’s help finding a man wanted for the murder of his girlfriend.

Krystal Mitchell, 30, was found lifeless in an apartment in Allied Gardens on June 10.

She and boyfriend, Raymond McLeod had traveled from Phoenix to visit friends in San Diego. 

Mitchell was last seen alive with McLeod who is believed to have fled to Mexico.

McLeod, 32, is a former Marine who may have access to weapons. He is described as five-feet, 11 inches tall, 245 pounds with multiple tattoos on both of his arms. He also goes by the nickname “RJ.”

SDPD Homicide Unit detectives originally said her death was suspicious, but offered little details beyond that she had trauma to her chest area.

Anyone with information on this murder or the location of Raymond McLeod is asked to call the SDPD’s Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case. Anonymous email and text messages can be sent to the Crime Stoppers website.

A Louisiana sheriff's deputy was shot and killed while making a pedestrian stop in Jefferson Parish Wednesday, and a suspect is in custody, authorities told NBC News.

The shooting took place in Harvey, a community south of New Orleans, at around 12:20 p.m., Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Col. John Fortunato said.

While making a pedestrian stop in what was described as a high crime area, the person being stopped, pulled out a weapon and shot the deputy, Fortunato said. 

The deputy, identified as David F. Nichel Jr., was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time after the shooting. Nichel, assigned to the street crimes unit, had been with the sheriff's office since 2007.

When Liz Podominick recommends sporting apparel, customers assume she knows her stuff.

The 6-foot-two discus thrower looks like an athlete.

But, rarely do they realize the retail clerk helping them inside El Cajon’s Dick’s Sporting Goods is actually one of America’s top prospects for the event in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

“They'll ask me are you an athlete? and we'll start chatting about what I'm doing and a lot of them are like what's discus?” said Podominick.

A former Division 1 college basketball player at the University of Minnesota and the state’s high school player of the year in 2003, Podominick works about 10 hours a week.

A banner with Podominick’s picture hangs inside stores across the country as part of the company’s job partnership program with Team USA which supports athletes with competitive wages while offering flexible schedules.

"People think we're professional athletes and we make a lot of money. Guess what? we're like a lot of times below the poverty line,” said Podominick.

Only a small percentage of Olympic athletes have lucrative endorsement deals.

While the top runners in Track & Field can make a comfortable living, athletes like Podomonick in the field events barely scrape by.

Most need to find a part time job to support the small amount they earn through competition prize rewards, grants, family support, and smaller sponsorship deals.

"Trying to find a job that’s flexible enough to accommodate your schedule, but then the reality of it when employers find out 'oh you're going to be gone this much', there's a lot of resistance,” said Podominick.

The job challenge often keeps talented athletes from reaching their full potential because they can earn more in the “real world”.

Podominick works nights, which typically follows a long day of training at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center.

She says sometimes the simple task of folding clothes is a nice chance to just let her mind relax.

But whether it's throwing a disc or folding a tank-top, she brings the same work ethic to whatever is in front of her.

"I’m a little bit of a type A or perfectionist when it comes to stuff," said Podominick.

She will compete at the USA Olympic Track & Field Trials in Salem, Oregon.

The women’s discus final is scheduled for Saturday, July 2nd.

Three of the five victims whose car was struck by a small aircraft said they’re struggling with mounting medical bills because the pilot was uninsured and his plane was not registered or properly inspected for years. 

One person died and five were hurt on April 3 when a single-engine, two-seat Lancair IV crashed into a car on Interstate 15 near State Route 76.

Attorneys for both the survivors and the pilot confirm that the pilot is uninsured.

“Disbelief. I’m not going to lie. It makes me angry someone can do that,” said Emily Boesmiller-Hoch, one of the people in the car.

“I don’t know if there’s the airport of FAA or somebody who needs to be regulating who’s flying around in the air,” said Jason Soule, another survivor.

FAA documents provided by the survivors’ attorney, Christian Hulburt, show that in 2013, the FAA notified Dennis Hooge his plane’s registration was about to expire. In 2014, the FAA sent him another letter saying it expired and “the airworthiness certificates no longer support the operation of the aircraft.”

“This has been one of the most disturbing cases,” said Hulburt.” Because it’s such an obvious case of clear liability, catastrophic injuries and irresponsible behavior and apparently nothing that anyone can do about it."

Hulburt said he also tried filing a claim with the victims’ uninsured driver insurances, but it was rejected.

NBC 7 spoke to the pilot’s attorney, Michael McCabe. He said the lack of insurance and registration was an oversight by his client. He said he's in the process of locating a crash witness who saw the car pull over to the side of the road. McCabe said the car on the shoulder was to blame for the accident. That's a statement the victims’ attorney said is inaccurate.

“When people are irresponsible, they need to be held accountable for what they did,” said Aaron McCann who also survived the crash.

Soule said he risks being evicted from his home because he’s unable to work and get financial support from the pilot’s insurance. A GoFundMe page has been created to help him.

The NTSB is still investigating what caused the plane to malfunction.

The founder of a San Diego-based medical tourism company has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that he stole more than $2 million from infertile clients who sought his help in finding surrogacy services.

Acharayya Rupuk, founder of Planet Hospital, acted as an intermediary between his clients and Mexican clinics that provide egg donors, in vitro fertilization and surrogates.

Rupak pocketed money from American clients that was supposed to go to clinics for various surrogacy services.

The clinics never received the money and the clients never received any services, according to the indictment.

“People who seek the help of a surrogate are on an exhausting, expensive and emotional journey,” said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy. “They shouldn’t have their dream to have a child trampled by someone they trust to help them.”

Medical tourism companies like Planet Hospital facilitate travel to foreign countries for medical procedures at more affordable prices.

Rupak, who has also used the names Rudy Rupak, Rudolph Matthews and Kevin Thomas Rudolph Matthews, made his first appearance in federal court Tuesday.

“Though the FBI investigates many types of fraud, it is concerning when victims have been taken advantage of because of their desire to start a family,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric S. Birnbaum. “The FBI will use our resources appropriately to root out fraudulent surrogacy schemes that violate the trust of the American public.”

Rupak, a Canadian citizen living in Calabasas, had business addresses in San Diego, Calabasas and Calexico.

He began offering international surrogacy services in 2008, by paying women to have an embryo transferred into her womb and bringing the child to term for another woman.

In 2009, he started soliciting international surrogacy clients with promises of discounted prices, but later charged them with additional fees.

He convinced clients to send him thousands of dollars by falsely representing that their funds would be put into escrow accounts and used only to pay for medical services.

Rupak failed to forward the clients’ funds to service providers such as egg donor companies, IVF clinics and surrogacy services, according to the indictment. The companies would then demand additional fees from the clients who had already paid for the services.

Rupak created fake websites and email addresses in the name of different clinics and physicians to cover his thefts, giving excuses or falsely claiming surrogacy procedures were unsuccessful.

He lied to his clients about success rates and falsely claimed ownership interest in two IVF clinics in Cancun, Mexico, the indictment said.

Eventually he started using funds from new clients to pay for services provided to existing Planet Hospital clients, much like a Ponzi scheme.

His bond was set at $50,000 and his next court hearing is scheduled for July 25.

NBC 7’s Derek Togerson takes a look at what the Padres might do at the MLB trade deadline in this commentary

Right after the MLB Draft ended Padres General Manager A.J. Preller took time for a lengthy 1-on-1 interview with NBC 7 SportsWrap. Among the topics discussed was the potential for making trades in the seven or so weeks left before the Major League Baseball trade deadline.

“Most teams wait to see where they are at the 60 to 80 game mark,” said Preller. “They kind of see, ‘are we really contenders or not?’ I think we’re no different than anybody else, still evaluating this club. I think a lot of those answers are going to come out in the next couple of weeks to see exactly where we are and whether we’re going to be buyers or sellers.”

Despite their current (as of Wednesday afternoon) 3-game winning streak the Friars sit at 30-42, tied with the Phillies for the third-worst record in the National League. They’re 15.0 games out of first place in the NL West but only 8.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, which doesn’t seem like a lot until you consider they’d have to leapfrog eight teams to get it.

So 72 games in to the season, right in Preller’s window, it appears the Padres are destined to be sellers at the deadline and they are already taking plenty of calls about a bunch of their pieces. Here’s a look at the guys who are going to get the most interest … and the ones who are most likely to be moved.

Jon Jay, OF

Jay is quietly having a really, really good season. He gets on base, he plays solid defense, he’s a good clubhouse guy, and perhaps most applicable here … he’s on the final year of a very affordable contract. Jay would be an immediate upgrade for a team that needs outfield help or a proven leadoff hitter. The Indians and, interestingly, the Cardinals (Jay’s former team) fill that description.
Trade Likelihood: 99%. The Padres want to get their younger outfielders in to the regular rotation so might as well get something for Jay while you can at the deadline instead of waiting for draft compensation.

Drew Pomeranz, LHP

The Marlins are reportedly among the teams who have called about the left-handed starter who is having a breakout season in San Diego. His 1.6 WAR is in the neighborhood of David Price and Max Scherzer. He also has a controllable contract (not eligible for free agency until 2019), which drives up the asking price. However, within the next three starts he will top his career high in inning pitched so nobody really knows what kind of pitcher they’ll be getting in September since there’s no track record. Still, along with the Marlins, the Orioles and Blue Jays are among a bevy of teams in need serious starting pitching help who could put together a package.
Trade Likelihood: 50%. Pomeranz is going to generate interest. The Padres want to keep him but if an offer makes the MLB club and the farm system better they will listen.

Wil Myers, 1B

We’ve already outlined the awesomeness of Myers’ season. He’s 25 years old and will likely have a .280, 30 HR, 90 RBI, 90 Runs season at Petco Park. That is the kind of piece you build around. Other teams will ask about him and Preller will listen to offers but unless the offer is something along the lines of “we’ll give you our #2 starter and our top two prospects” then A.J. will kindly thank them for the inquiry and hang up the phone.
Trade Likelihood: 3%. If he keeps this up for a whole season then does it again for the first half of next year, then he’ll start generating serious trade buzz.

Fernando Rodney, RHP

This guy has been fantastic, and not just for the numbers. He’s also a tremendous presence in the clubhouse and “We just want to rush through the 8th inning with the lead and get him out there,” said Pomeranz after Rodney saved the lefty’s most recent start against the Nationals. Having a reliable option in the back end of the bullpen is something every contender needs, if not for the saves but for the mental impact it has on a club. If, as Pomeranz says, a team knows they can make it an 8-inning game it gives them a leg up and that’s the feeling of invincibility that Rodney is bringing in 2016.
Trade Likelihood: 90%. The Rangers and Nationals are both World Series contenders who are weak in the late innings. Expect one of them to work hard to pry Rodney out of San Diego.

Ryan Buchter, LHP

A left-handed reliever who gets guys out in high leverage situations? Sure, I’ll take one of those. Buchter has figured it out in San Diego, posting a 1.71 ERA and taking the setup duties from Brandon Maurer. He’s not the most well-known name on the market but other general managers know about him.
Trade Likelihood: 45%. The Cubs have stated they want a left-hander who can handle late-inning situations and certainly have pieces to get one. They’re probably going to take a run at one of the Yankees lefties, either Aroldis Chapman or Andrew Miller, but so are about a half-dozen other clubs. Whichever teams do not land one of those big fish will almost certainly look for other options and Buchter has proven he’s a valuable (and affordable) asset.

Matt Kemp, OF

This is the guy the Padres would most like to move. He’s also the hardest piece to move. Kemp can still drive in 100 runs and if you put him in to a lineup where he doesn’t have to be THE GUY he becomes even more valuable. But the way he’s patrolled right field at Petco Park will give teams pause. It doesn’t matter as much if you can drive in 100 runs if you let in 50.
Trade Likelihood: 50%. This will be an interesting chess match between Preller and the rest of MLB. The Indians need OF help in a big way and the Giants could certainly use a right fielder to replace the injured Hunter Pence. But Cleveland doesn’t want to add much payroll (making Jay an attractive option) and the Giants need someone who’s not a train wreck defensively. It will take kicking in cash like they did on the James Shields deal but it’s worth it for the Padres to do that and get guys like Alex Dickerson or Hunter Renfroe in the MLB lineup every day.

Melvin Upton, Jr., OF

He’s having a really solid season and has been better than expected when the Padres acquired him from the Braves in the Craig Kimbrel deal. But much like Kemp his contract is problematic. Upton is superior to Kemp defensively but does not have the same power on offense. Any contending team that trades for Upton is going to do so because they need a veteran who can be a reserve starter and late-inning defensive replacement.
Trade Likelihood: 10%. I just don’t see any team wanting Upton bad enough to take on that contract, especially with numerous other options on the market.

Andrew Cashner, RHP

It’s simply not working in San Diego for Cashner. He’s currently on the 15-day Disabled List with a neck strain but is throwing bullpen sessions again and could return in a couple of weeks, which would give him a couple of “show me” starts for other teams looking at rotation help. Cashner has all the ability in the world but for one reason or another hasn’t been able to have prolonged success in the Majors. He could be one of those guys who benefits from a change in scenery and can hit the reset button.
Trade Likelihood: 49%. If he throws well coming off the DL some team will look at his potential, panic and make an offer.

Yangervis Solarte, INF

Versatility is something a contender will always look for down the stretch. Solarte is a switch-hitter who has been at least capable playing at three different positions on the infield. He also brings a fire to the lineup and his passion is something that can rub off on teammates.
Trade Likelihood: 26%. I don’t anticipate a market developing for Solarte but if a contender loses an infielder or utility guy to injury this is a guy who can step in and contribute.

Derek Norris, C

Norris has not been consistent on offense and there are concerns about his ability to call a game but he’s a veteran who’s been durable and certainly shows the kind of toughness you want from a backstop. The Padres have gotten a nice season from Christian Bethancourt in a reserve role but they really want Austin Hedges to be their guy for the next decade.
Trade Likelihood: 70%. Now that Hedges is healthy and raking at El Paso (he was hitting .342 as of this writing) the Padres are itching to bring him back to the big league club. If Preller can find anyone willing to take Norris my guess is he’ll do it.

Everybody else is either going to generate little to no interest or be a throw-in on another deal. Tyson Ross would have been on the list but his injury situation has scared off other teams for this season. Still, that’s 10 guys who will probably be actively discussed, making the next month or so awfully busy.

At the Zamorano Fine Arts Academy students showed off some of their artwork Wednesday afternoon.

“One of my pieces is right here,” a student pointed out. It is a dolphin mixed with a mermaid and is called a ‘dolphmer.’

A focus on the arts was announced last week by the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) as part of the Superintendent's priorities for the district's 2016-17 Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and 2016-17 budget.

The budget includes money for the expansion of the arts and music programs for the fall.

Educators say the arts help students learn about core content in the curriculum – for example drawing temples when the class is studying ancient China.

“Then they end up with a masterpiece and also they will have core content and they will never forget ancient China,” Caroline King, project leader of Learning Through the Arts told NBC 7.

King said the program is helping students think beyond the test score; they are learning to express themselves, take risks and feel successful.

“I feel art gives me an opportunity to channel my emotions,” one student explained Wednesday at the Zamorano Academy.

One of the fifth graders had drawn a skateboard. She said art gives her life balance and an opportunity to experiment.

“My passion is art and I’ve been here five years and I really like it because there’s no limit of what you can do with the arts,” she explained.

Another fifth grader made an image of his favorite basketball player using newspaper and magazine clips.

“All children deserve an opportunity to have arts in their lives,” King said.

King said programs in the arts, whether visual, theater or music, need not only to grow, but also to be sustained.

The school board is expected to vote on next year’s budget at its next board meeting Tuesday.

Zamorano is one of 22 schools in the district where visiting artists come to teach.

With the expansion in the proposed budget, visiting artists will come to 22 more schools.

There will also be more musical instruments available to students and band uniforms will be replaced, according to the district. 

The minimum wage for workers at small businesses in San Diego will go up by half a dollar in a few weeks.

Now, the San Diego City Council Budge Committee is focusing on educating small business owners and employees about the change coming up on July 11.

San Diegans voted by 63 percent for Proposition I during the June 7 primary, approving minimum to go up to $10.50 per hour by June 11. By January 1, 2017, the minimum wage will increase to $11.50 an hour in San Diego, making it higher than California’s minimum wage requirement.

The ordinance will also require employers to give workers a minimum of five paid sick days a year.

NBC 7 spoke with Councilman Todd Gloria on Wednesday, who authored the legislation. He said the City is working with community based organizations to let local businesses know that those who evade the law could face fines or even have their business license suspended.

San Diego’s Office of the City Treasury will enforce these rules.

But the change is not welcomed by everyone.

Co-owner of Yog-Art, Hannah Pham said the wage hike will drive up prices for services.

"We understand why it's happening but the customer will probably not be happy with the rising cost. We will have to raise our prices and things like that," co-owner of Yog-Art, Hannah Pham said.

The City has already allocated $400,000 to implement this legislation and the money will be used to staff the Treasury office as well as pay for public outreach.

Five homes and eight outbuildings have been destroyed as a 6,723-acre fire continued to scorch a rugged part of far east San Diego County on Wednesday.

As of approximately 6:30 p.m., the Border Fire was 20 percent contained, Cal Fire officials reported.

The fire, fueled by hot and dry conditions near the border city of Potrero, has rapidly grown since Sunday afternoon, prompting evacuations of 700 residents. About 950 homes and 50 commercial buildings are threatened, officials said.

On Wednesday evening, Cal Fire officials lifted the evacuation orders at 4 p.m. for the greater Potrero community.

Residents living in the following areas can return home:

• West of Potrero Valley Road at Potrero Valley
• West of the General Store located at 25125 Highway 94
• North and South sides of Highway 94
• Potrero County Park

The whereabouts of the buildings destroyed were not immediately known.

On Wednesday, crews were concerned that the fire could spread north into a canyon that leads directly to Lake Morena.

More than 1,900 firefighters were working to cut the line around the flames to stop the forward movement of the fire. They were struggling against steep terrain and shifting winds.

Nineteen helicopters, four air tankers, 200 fire engines and 33 water tenders were also providing assistance.

Crews on scene were hopeful that the conditions would turn around soon.

"It's looking better and better every day," Cal Fire spokesman Jay Smith said.

Cal Fire officials had issued mandatory evacuation orders for the following areas, some of which have since been lifted:

• Community of Potrero
• Homes along Highway 94 between Emory Road and Plaskon Road
• Forest Gate
• Star Ranch
• Cowboy Ranch
• Dog Patch
• Canyon City
• The community of Lake Morena Village, northwest of Campo. Specifically, a two-mile radius around Lake Morena Drive and Oak Drive west of Buckman Springs Road.

The community of Potrero was the first to evacuate Sunday afternoon when officials issued the mandatory order. Potrero has a total population of 693 people in 207 units, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2014 American Community Survey.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, the following roads will remain closed:

• Highway 94 at Highway 188 will have a road closure to verify residence until 6 p.m.
• Potrero Valley Road at Potrero Valley
• Highway 94 just west of 25140 Highway 94
• Highway 94 west of Buckman Springs Road
• Buckman Springs Road at Old Buckman Springs

Mountain Health, the only community clinic in Campo and the Mountain Empire Region, has opened up their community center in Campo for displaced residents. The center is located at 31115 CA-94 in Campo.

Evacuees are being directed to Los Coches Creek Middle School, where an overnight shelter was set up. The school is located on 9669 Dunbar Lane in El Cajon.

A previous emergency shelter at Campo Elementary School at 1654 Buckman Springs Road has closed.

Updates on the fire and emergency shelters can be found here.

Three firefighters have been injured. One firefighter suffered heat-related injuries while working in triple degree heat, but is expected to be okay. Another firefighter suffered heat-related injuries and another suffered a knee injury.

Marco Rubio's decision on Wednesday to run for re-election for his Florida U.S. Senate seat, at the urging of party leaders, is part of an aggressive series of moves the GOP is taking in the hopes of keeping control of the Senate, even if Donald Trump is badly defeated in the presidential race.

Key party officials, led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, passed over several Republicans who were already running for the Florida seat to implore Rubio to seek a second term, even though the former presidential candidate had spent months saying that he was leaving the Senate.

Former President George W. Bush, who has largely stayed out of politics since he left office, is holding fundraisers for Republican Senate candidates in close races, even as his aides have said that he will not attend the GOP convention in Cleveland that will nominate Trump. And groups affiliated with the conservative Koch brothers are already investing heavily in campaign ads and ground operations to win key Senate races in states like Ohio and Wisconsin.

Rep. John Lewis, 76, led a sit-in on Wednesday in a quest to force a vote on gun control.

And the Civil Rights icon has faced angry mobs hurling racial epithets, jail and a beating by cops wielding night sticks that was so brutal that his skull was fractured.

Over 50 House Democrats participated in the historic protest which went into Wednesday evening.

"This is an important moment. I never dreamed that one day, after coming to Congress, I would have to sit in on the floor of the House, sit down, occupy the well of the House," Lewis said Wednesday. "We've been waiting, waiting for a long time, for the leadership to bring a piece of legislation, or maybe more than one piece, to deal with gun violence. There are too many people, too many children, babies, teachers, our mothers, our fathers, our sisters and brothers, people going out to dance and have fun, to die because of gun violence."