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Lost Pig Found Wandering Spring Valley

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Anyone missing a pig?

The San Diego County Department of Animal Services is searching for the owner of a pig found wandering the Casa De Oro area of Spring Valley this week.

How could you miss this little piggy?

The pig has been staying at the department’s animal care facility in Bonita since Tuesday. But animal care workers are looking for someone to bring home the bacon.

“We are looking for the owner of this little girl and the owner will need to identify what she was wearing when she came to us in order to claim her,” a Department of Animal Services Facebook post reads.

You can call the department at 619-767-2675 if you think it's your pig.



Photo Credit: San Diego County Department of Animal Services
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Car Strikes Woman Walking in Hillcrest, Injuring Her Head

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A woman walking in Hillcrest was struck by a car Friday afternoon, injuring her head, according to the SDPD Watch Commander.

It happened near the UCSD Medical Center on Bachman Place and Lewis Street at about 2:43 p.m. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital with head trauma, said SDPD officers.

The severity of her head injury was not yet clear. SDPD officers say another woman was driving the vehicle that collided with the victim.

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

How Michelle Obama Is Redefining the Role of First Lady

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First lady Michelle Obama's stump speech for Hillary Clinton on Thursday won widespread praise for running Donald Trump's rhetoric about women through the mud, with one magazine calling it "this election's most important speech."

NBC News reports that, despite initally being considered a potential liability for her husband, Obama now polls as one of the most beloved and trusted figures in the United States.

Her involvement in the 2016 campaign marks a departure from some recent first ladies, like Laura Bush and Nancy Reagan, yet her reported reluctance to become a political spouse separates her from Hillary Clinton.

"There has never been anything quite like this," said author Kate Andersen Brower, who was "stunned" by how emotional Obama's speech was and expects Obama to leave a big mark on the position for years to come. 



Photo Credit: Ivan Gonzalez
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Chargers Defeat Reigning Super Bowl Champs

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As they have in their first five games of the season, the San Diego Chargers took a substantial lead on Thursday Night Football against the Denver Broncos. This time, however, their defense made sure they did not give it up.

The Bolts put together without a question their best defensive effort of the year in a 21-13 win over the defending Super Bowl champions. It's the first time they've beaten a team with a winning record since beating the Ravens in Baltimore in November of 2014.

The Chargers took their opening drive right down the field against one of the leagues best defenses. Quarterback Philip Rivers hit rookie tight end Hunter Henry for a 5-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead. After that they did nothing but kick field goals on offense but it was enough because the San Diego D never let Denver going offensively.

The Broncos had just 60 yards of offense on the first half and an awful start to the 3rd quarter. In their first three possessions they ran eight offensive plays, got no first downs, punted twice and turned the ball over once when linebacker Korey Toomer stripped Jordan Taylor of the ball and recovered the fumble in Denver territory. That led to one of Josh Lambo's four field goals.

In the 4th quarter things (as they often do with the Bolts) got interesting. A Drew Kaser punt pinned the Broncos back at their own three yard line. Quarterback Trevor Siemian dropped back to pass and his offensive line was called for a holding penalty in the end zone. By rule that's a safety, giving the Chargers two points and a 21-3 lead.

But on the free kick, the Chargers muffed the punt and Denver had it at midfield. Siemian led them on a TD drive, hitting Bennie Fowler from five yards out to cut the lead to 21-10. After the Chargers went 3-and-out it looked like they were on their way to another late game meltdown.

Siemian hit C.J. Anderson on a short pass but the Broncos running back broke several tackles for a stellar touchdown ... but is was nullified by another holding call. Two plays later rookie linebacker Jatavis Brown smacked Pro Bowl wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, the ball popped out and San Diego avoided a fifth come-from-ahead loss.

The Chargers also snapped their 10-game losing streak against AFC West Division opponents. They also beat the Broncos at home for the first time since 2010.

The win likely preserves the job of head coach Mike McCoy, who now has 10 days to get ready for their next game, a road trip to Atlanta to face the Falcons.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

South Lake Tahoe Wildfire Forces Evacuation of 500 Homes

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Authorities say a mandatory evacuation order has been issued for about 500 homes near South Lake Tahoe because of a wildfire burning near Camp Richardson.

The Sacramento NBC affiliate KCRA reports Friday that the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says the fire broke out about 1:30 a.m. Friday in the area of Cascade Lake and Emerald Bay.

No injuries or structural damage has been reported.

The mandatory evacuations are for Spring Creek, Cathedral, the west shore of Fallen Leaf Lake, Cascade Properties and Cascade Lake.

Highway 89 is closed from Camp Richardson to Meeks Bay, the station reported.

An evacuation center has been set up at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center.

The fire is being fanned by winds of up to 50 mph. Winds could get even stronger later Friday. Rain is also expected.

Ben Carson Asks Female Reporter's Mic Be Turned Off

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Ben Carson demanded a female journalist's microphone be turned off when she continued to press him for an answer on whether he thought women who accused Donald Trump of sexual assault were lying. 

Trump's former GOP rival and current adviser said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Friday that he uses "common sense" when looking at the accusations, echoing Trump's defense that the allegations have been fabricated. He said Trump couldn’t have assaulted one of the women on an airplane in the '70s because the armrest wouldn’t have been able to move and there were flight attendants present in first class.

"The real reason women who have been sexually abused don’t come forward is precisely this, all too much they’re accused of being liars," BBC World News America anchor Katty Kay told Carson. "Are you saying these women are lying?"

"That's your characterization because you need to characterize it that way to try to make it the bad guy," Carson said. 

When Kay began to press him for a clearer answer, Carson kept interrupting: "Stop, stop stop. Hey, can you turn her microphone off please."

"No, it's a simple question," MSNBC host Joe Scarborough told him.

"It doesn't matter whether they are lying or not," Carson replied.  

After Carson left, Scarborough discussed the interview with Kay.

"I don’t think I’ve ever had anybody tell me to turn my microphone off before. That’s censorship," she said. "A form of censorship in response to a very simple question…which he never answered."

Carson said last week he didn't condone Trump's behavior in the extremely lewd 2005 video clip. Carson called Trump's vulgar comments about women "unacceptable, especially by someone who aspires to higher office."

He said Trump "did the right thing in immediately and unequivocally apologizing." Carson blamed Trump's adversaries for the video's release.

But then earlier this week, Carson went on to excuse Trump's vulgar comments as normal banter between men.

"That kind of banter goes around all the time," Carson said during an exchange with CNN host Brianna Keilar. "Is it the right kind of thing to do? Absolutely not. Is it something that I've ever done? Absolutely not."

Following the clip's release, at least four women have detailed accounts that Trump groped or kissed them without their consent. Trump has denied all accounts of sexual assault. 

Trump claimed Thursday that Hillary Clinton and the press are involved in a "concerted, coordinated" effort to find the women and publish their stories in order to distract from apparent hacked emails from Clinton aides posted on WikiLeaks. 



Photo Credit: AP
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Lil Jon Says Trump Called Him 'Uncle Tom' on 'Apprentice'

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Rapper Lil Jon responded late Friday to a report from The Daily Beast that alleges GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump repeatedly called the star “Uncle Tom” when he was a contestant on Trump’s spinoff reality show, “Celebrity Apprentice.”

The rapper confirmed the report in a statement released on his Twitter account. Lil Jon said that he “addressed Mr. Trump immediately” once he caught word of the nickname, and he said that Trump did stop using the offensive slur, which refers to a black person who is submissive to white people.

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The Daily Beast reported that several staffers who worked on Trump’s show, who spoke anonymously to the news outlet due to non-disclosure agreements, said that the then-"Apprentice" host began referring to the “Turn Down for What” singer as “Uncle Tom” during an episode in which Lil Jon donned an Uncle Sam costume for a promotion.

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A Trump spokeswoman responded to The Daily Beast's initial request for comment by saying, “This is simply untrue.” That response was sent before Lil Jon's tweet.

NBC has reached out for comment as well. 

Producers reportedly tried to nip the nickname in the bud quickly, unnamed staffers said, in particular because talk-show host Arsenio Hall, who, like Lil Jon, is black, was guest starring on the episode. Hall reportedly let staff know that he had overheard Trump using the nickname and was offended.

The Daily Beast reported that it reached out to the Trump campaign for comment and received a brief statement from campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks, saying: “This is simply untrue.”

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Photo Credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
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SF Officer Shot, Suspect in Custody

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A man suspected of opening fire at a San Francisco police officer, who a department spokesman deemed "very, very lucky" to survive, was taken into custody on Friday night.

Officers responded to a report of a mentally disturbed person in front of a GameStop at Lakeshore Plaza around 8:15 p.m., officer Carlos Manfredi said. 

When they approached him, however, the suspect, who police did not know was armed, turned around and fired several times at the officers. A bullet hit one of the officers in the head, taking him down near Sloat Boulevard and Everglade Drive, Manfredi said. 

The wounded officer's partners began to run in the suspect's direction, only to realize that their colleague had been struck and was lying on the ground. They ran back to help the still unidentified officer, who was rushed to San Francisco General Hospital.

Witnesses recalled hearing three shots and said the officer appeared alert as emergency responders treated him. Police said the officer is in critical but stable condition.

"We are very fortunate" that he did not suffer life-threatening injuries, Manfredi said. "Half an inch closer and we would be telling a different story right now."

Meanwhile, police called for citywide assistance and launched a massive manhunt to find and apprehend the suspect, who had run into and taken cover in Stern Grove park. 

Officers circulated a surveillance photo of the man, who they said was in his late 20s, had curly hair and was dressed in a gray hoodie. 

San Francisco police and California Highway Patrol officers closed the park and set up a perimeter when the suspect popped out of bushes and fled on foot. Officers shot at him, said Manfredi, who could not confirm how many rounds had been fired. 

The suspect fell onto the ground but continued to move. His handgun was "present" and being held "close to his chest," Manfredi said.

Police tweeted at about 9:30 p.m. that they "had the suspect contained" and had used a flash bang in an attempt to detain him.

They followed that with a tweet around 9:45 p.m. saying the suspect had been taken into custody by a SWAT team. 

The man refused all commands to give up his weapon and surrender peacefully so police officers were forced to use a distraction tactic to "get close to the suspect and make the arrest and gain compliance," according to Manfredi.

The suspect, who was reportedly detained near 28th Avenue and Vicente Street, was rushed to San Francisco General Hospital, which was briefly placed on lock down Friday night. Police did not confirm what condition he was in.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee was also at the hospital to visit the officer who was shot.

"He was able to speak to me," Lee said. "In fact he was calling me 'Mr. Mayor' and I told him, 'You just got shot, son. You don’t have to have that kind of respect for me.' But he was alert and he knew what happened."

The officer was taken into the Intensive Care Unit, said Lee, without commenting further on his condition. 

"I just wanted to be there and thank him for being on the spot and trying to stop the suspect," he said. 

Lee said he was accompanied by police commissioners, who, like him, are solely focused on helping the officer get back on his feet.

"I want him to really recover from this," Lee said, acknowledging that the officer can avail of top-notch medical treatment at San Francisco General Hospital.

"I have very great hope," he said.

Streets in the Sunset and Taraval districts were closed during the shooting and ensuing manhunt, snarling traffic. Police also urged residents to shelter in place.

An investigation is ongoing.



Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area
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3 Navy Ships Deploy to Middle East

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A trio of U.S. Navy ships will deploy from San Diego Friday with a combined 4,500 service members on board all bound for the western Pacific and Middle East. 

The vessels include amphibious assault ship, USS Makin Island, amphibious transport dock ship, USS Somerset, and amphibious dock landing ship, USS Comstock.

USS Comstock was the first to deploy at 8 a.m. The two other ships will leave from Naval Base San Diego at 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.

Loved ones of the thousands of Marines and sailors aboard the ships gathered at Naval Base San Diego to say their goodbyes – a very difficult day in the life of military families.

"I'm so, so proud to be marrying such a selfless, incredible man, that he's willing to give up so much of his life for our country," one woman, whose fiance boarded one the ships, told NBC 7.

"We are sad, but we are happy because we know that he's fighting for our country," another woman said of her loved one aboard one of the ships. 'He's the best; we are so proud -- all of us."

The three ships are part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, on a mission to help with maritime security operations in the Middle East and to be there in case of a crisis situation.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Trump Street Sign Stolen in Chicago

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Embattled Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s honorary Chicago street sign was reported stolen, police confirmed Friday.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and aldermen had recently proposed taking down the "Honorary Trump Plaza" sign in the 400 block of North Wabash Avenue—but Chicago police say a member of Trump Hotel and Tower security told them it was stolen sometime between Oct. 10 and Oct. 11 at 3:30 p.m.

Emanuel, speaking Thursday outside Trump Tower with Illinois Democratic lawmakers as part of a “Get Out The Vote” initiative as Election Day encroaches, acknowledged the missing sign. At the time it had reportedly been taken down by the city’s Department of Transportation.

“I understand why they wanted to take that sign down,” Emanuel said Thursday. “It didn’t speak to the values of the city that he was expressing, but more importantly than a symbolic action—the best way to make sure it’s not a symbolic action, but a real action—is to make sure that you turn out the vote in your respective communities.”

Department of Transportation officials were not immediately available for comment.

Emanuel has said he supports Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, and has said that he thinks Trump is "wrong for America," criticizing the candidate’s proposal to use stop-and-frisk tactics to fight crime in Chicago.

Trump has also recently dismissed a slew of allegations of sexual assault, calling them a "coordinated and vicious attack" from the media and Clinton campaign.

During a press conference on Oct. 5 after a City Council meeting, Emanuel voiced his support of a proposed ordinance to remove the street sign.

"We'll put the sign back up when he releases his tax returns," Emanuel said at the time.

No one was in custody Friday and Area North detectives were investigating.

American Kidnapped in Niger: US Embassy

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A U.S. citizen was kidnapped by "unknown group of assailants" Friday in the West African nation of Niger, according to the U.S. Embassy, NBC news reported.

The American was kidnapped in the region of Tahoua, which border's the countries of Mali and Nigeria. No other details, including the identity of the victim, were released.

The Associated Press reported the hostage was a longtime American aid worker. NBC News was not able immediately confirm that.

Daouda Maiga, governor of Mali's Menaka region, which borders Niger, told the AP that several armed men burst into the aid worker's house and took him after killing two others at the scene.

Foreigners have been kidnapped in Niger before for ransom, but this is believed to be the first time an American national has been taken hostage there, according to news agency Agence France-Presse.



Photo Credit: Google Maps

Northwest Braces for Worse After Twisters Slam Oregon

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The Pacific Northwest was bracing for more dangerous weather Saturday, a day after storms slammed the region and touched off two tornadoes, NBC News reported.

Forecasters warned residents from Northern California to British Columbia to prepare for the second blast powered by the remnants of a Pacific typhoon. What could be one of the top 10 strongest windstorms ever recorded in the region was set to bring blinding rain, floods and huge waves.

The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for the Greater Portland area from Saturday at 11 a.m. PT Saturday until 12 a.m. Sunday.

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Photo Credit: AP

CIA Preps Possible Cyber Strike Against Russia: Sources

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The Obama administration is contemplating an unprecedented cyber covert action against Russia in retaliation for alleged Russian interference in the American presidential election, U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News.

Current and former officials with direct knowledge of the situation say the CIA has been asked to deliver options to the White House for a wide-ranging "clandestine" cyber operation designed to harass and "embarrass" the Kremlin leadership.

The sources did not elaborate on the exact measures the CIA was considering, but said the agency had already begun opening cyber doors, selecting targets and making other preparations for an operation. Former intelligence officers told NBC News that the agency had gathered reams of documents that could expose unsavory tactics by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Vice President Joe Biden told "Meet the Press" moderator Chuck Todd on Friday that "we're sending a message" to Putin and that "it will be at the time of our choosing, and under the circumstances that will have the greatest impact."



Photo Credit: Fairfax Media via Getty Images, File
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Marine Struck by Car While Lying on Freeway Identified

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An active duty Marine fatally struck by a car while lying on the freeway last Sunday has been identified by the San Diego County Medical Examiner.

Grant Weidman, a 28-year-old Marine based in Camp Pendleton, was seen lying across the number one lane of westbound Interstate 8 in the College Area of San Diego at about 3:21 a.m. before he was killed, according to the Medical Examiner's office.

A woman driving a sedan was unable to stop her vehicle in time to prevent hitting the man, said Medical Examiner officials. After the collision, she called 911 and his death was declared when first responders arrived at the scene.

At least two cars struck the man, and one driver left the scene, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers said.

CHP officers are not sure why the man was in the freeway to begin with, as there is no reason to believe his car was broken down. No car belonging to the marine was found in the area.

An ongoing investigation is underway. Officers are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision without realizing it to come forward with information.

Ex-'Apprentice' Contestant: Trump Kissed, Grabbed Me

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While Donald Trump defiantly denied claims of sexual misbehavior Friday at a campaign rally in North Carolina, a former "Apprentice" contestant came forward with new allegations, detailing how the Republican presidential nominee “victimized her with inappropriate sexual conduct."

During a tearful press conference in Los Angeles with her attorney, Gloria Allred, Summer Zervos accused Trump of sexually assaulting her when she sought his help nine years ago.

Zervos, who competed in season 5 of the NBC reality show, said she reached out to Trump for career advice after being kicked off "The Apprentice" in hopes of working for the Trump Organization.

The alleged meetings, which Trump denies ever happened, add to a growing list of accusations against the Republican presidential nominee, who is claiming he's the subject of a coordinated smear campaign. As of Friday, NBC News counts 12 instances of public sexual misconduct allegations, including groping, sexual assault and walking in on young pageant contestants.

Zervos described a meeting in 2007 at Trump's Manhattan office, where the businessman agreed to meet her while she was in the city for a social obligation. Trump greeted her with a kiss on the lips and another when they parted ways, she said.

"I was surprised, but felt that perhaps that was just his form of greeting," Zervos said.

During their meeting, Trump allegedly praised Zervos for how she handled herself on the show and told her he would "love to have me work for him." Trump then suggested meeting in Los Angeles to discuss employment opportunities, Zervos said.

Days later, Trump was in California and called Zervos to meet for dinner at the Beverly Hills Hotel, where "he called me his 'O.C. Angel,'" she said.

At the hotel, Zervos alleges, Trump attempted to make a sexual advance on her, and she rebuffed him.

"I stood up and he came to me and started kissing me opened mouthed as he was pulling me towards him,'" she recounted. "I walked away and I sat down in a chair. He was on a love seat across from me and I made an attempt at conversation. He then asked me to sit next to him. I complied. He then grabbed my shoulder and began kissing me again very aggressively and placed his hand on my breast. I pulled back and walked to another part of the room. He then walked up, grabbed my hand and walked me into the bedroom. I walked out. He then turned me around and said, 'lets lay down and watch some telly telly.'"

Zervos said she pushed Trump away and attempted to make it clear that she was not interested. He responded by thrusting his genitals at her. 

According to Zervos, when dinner arrived, the conversation only involved business and real estate talk, and that they met the next morning at his golf course in Palos Verdes.

"I wondered if the sexual behavior was some kind of test and whether or not I had passed,” Zervos said.

After the encounter, Zervos still sought employment with the Trump Organization, she said, and believed she was not offered a job there because she had denied his advances.

"When I contacted Mr. Trump he asked me to send him a letter setting forth the jobs within his organization that I felt that I was well suited for, which I did," she said, noting that he gave her the "run around" before finally telling her "that he could not afford to hire me as he was laying off thousands of employees."

Zervos was the second woman to come forward to accuse Trump of unwanted sexual advances on Friday alone, but said she was unaware of other allegations against Trump until recent reports surfaced.

"You do not have the right to treat women as sexual objects just because you are a star," she said.

Trump released a statement after Zervos's news conference saying the actions she accuses him of are "not how I’ve conducted my life," and denying ever meeting her at a hotel.

"I vaguely remember Ms. Zervos as one of the many contestants on The Apprentice over the years. To be clear, I never met her at a hotel or greeted her inappropriately a decade ago," he said, going on to claim it was unethical for the press to give an unvetted claim of sexual misconduct so much airtime.

Later Friday, Trump's campaign released comments from a cousin of Zervos claiming that the accuser often praised Trump after appearing on his show and invited Trump to her restaurant earlier this year. Zevros "wishes she could still be on reality TV, and in an effort to get that back she's saying all of these negative things about Mr. Trump," the campaign quoted her cousin, John Barry, as saying.

The string of allegations, which the GOP candidate has denied, follows the release last week of a tape of Trump bragging about kissing and groping women without their consent during a 2005 interview with former “Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush that was caught on a hot microphone.

NBC News has not confirmed any of the allegations made against Trump.

Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, on Friday promised the campaign would soon release evidence against the women that would show Trump's innocence.

"It's coming in, frankly, probably in a matter of hours," Pence said Friday morning on NBC's "Today" show. He added, "It's astonishing to see the enormous coverage of these, of these really unfounded allegations, unestablished allegations, compared to an avalanche of emails coming out of Hillary Clinton's years as secretary of state."

Allred fired back at critics who attempt to discredit victims for not coming out sooner, noting accusers "may have thought they would not be believed against what they thought would most likely be a complete denial by a rich, powerful celebrity. Some may have feared the wrath and retaliation of Mr. Trump and some of his supporters. Some may have though they were the only ones who were victimized."

The famed civil rights lawyer isn't the only one. The hashtag #WhyWomenDontReport started to trend on Thursday, as Twitter users responded to the Trump campaign’s attempts to dismiss the latest accusations of sexual assault by questioning their timing, so close to the election.

"Access Hollywood" and "The Apprentice" are owned and distributed by NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News, MSNBC and this station.



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Congressman Darrell Issa in Tight Race with Doug Applegate

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The 49th Congressional District takes in the North County coastline from Del Mar up through Oceanside and extends, even into Dana Point.

Campaign ads targeting this area have turned into vicious attacks between the two candidates--an indication of just how close the race is.

Congressman Darrell Issa is an eight-term incumbent and the wealthiest member of congress, with an estimated net worth of more than $250 million.

But a new television advertisement from Democrat Douglas Applegate, a retired Marine Colonel,  takes aim at that wealth. The ad accusses Issa of profiting off his time in Congress.

Issa's campaign has fired back at him with a campaign mailer, accusing him of harrassing and threatening his ex-wife during a divorce and custody battle.

During the primaries, Applegate used the campaign strategy of tying Issa to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, whom Issa has endorsed.

A campaign manager for Applegate sent NBC 7 the following statement:

“Darrell Issa consistently puts his political party ahead of his country instead of doing what is right for people in his district. Supporting Donald Trump is a perfect example of that. The very same day this disgusting video came out, Issa announced he is joining Trump’s campaign. Voters in the 49th will reject Trump and Issa on Election Day.”

NBC 7 reached out to Issa's campaign but did not recieve a comment.

Issa outspent Applegate more than $600,000 in the June primary. Applegate received 45.5 percent of the vote while Issa finished with 50.8 percent.

NBC 7 reported earlier this week how the Democratic congressional campaign committee is spending millions to boost Applegate. They purchased more than $2 million dollars in television ads to air in San Diego, after identifying this district as a potential swing to replacing a House Republican with a Democrat.

Verdict Reached in San Diego Hostel Homicide Trial

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Jurors have returned a verdict in the trial of a San Diego man accused of killing a Wisconsin woman and leaving her body in a communal shower of a downtown San Diego hostel.

Jason Lewis, 41, a registered sex offender with a criminal history that includes sexual battery and felony domestic violence, was convicted Friday of first-degree murder charges in the death of Jordhann Rust.

On Dec. 15, police found Rust's body in a communal shower area on the second floor of the 500 West Hotel and Hostel at West Broadway and Columbia Street.

The 26-year-old Wisconsin woman had just arrived to San Diego with her boyfriend days before her death.

Experts determined the cause of death was blunt force injury to the head and neck and possible strangulation, according to testimony in court.

The victim’s DNA was found on pants and bed sheets found inside the defendant’s room, according to testimony from investigators.

Lewis pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. His attorney did not call witnesses to testify on his client's behalf.

Ann Nielsen, Rust's mother, testified last week and described hearing her daughter screaming on the other end of the phone on the night she died.

The  last words Nielsen heard Rust say before the line went dead were, “That hurts!”

Nielsen called the San Diego Police Department and told authorities that she heard "crashing against a wall" and her daughter saying "Ow, Ow, Ow" before their call was disconnected.

Rust’s boyfriend Cory Nowell was arrested, accused of domestic violence on December 12. He was jailed for two days and was released Monday night, Dec. 14.

In a 911 call to police, Nowell told the dispatcher he returned to the couple's room and found Rusts clothes and shoes but no sign of her.

A member of the hotel's housekeeping staff discovered Rust's body in a communal bathroom the next day. 

Surveillance video recorded Lewis purchasing a suitcase at a local store on December 14. San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Melissa Vasel said Lewis used that suitcase to move Rust's body.

On Thursday, SDPD homicide detective Louis Maggy showed jurors a suitcase found in Lewis' room at the hostel. Maggy unzipped the suitcase and testified the victim’s blood was found in the bottom inside corner and on the side of the luggage.

Nowell said the couple lived on the streets in Denver before coming to San Diego. He testified she had a history of wandering off with strangers.

Lewis faces 56 years behind bars when he's sentenced in December.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

New Branch Library Opens in Skyline

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A new public library was opened in the Skyline neighborhood of San Diego on Friday.

The Skyline Hills Branch Library, located at 7844 Paradise Valley Road, sits at 15,000 square-feet and is LEED Silver-certified. It was built using a new streamlined construction process by the city.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer was joined by other local leaders at the grand opening Friday afternoon.

"The Skyline Hills Branch Library is the result of One San Diego in action. Today we're opening more than doors to this library; we're opening doors to a better future for all of Skyline,” Faulconer said.

The more than $13 million library features a computer lab, areas for children and teens and designated study areas. There is also a 30 by 10 foot retractable glass door which opens up and connects an outdoor courtyard to a multi-purpose room—a first for any of the branch libraries in San Diego.

"The new Skyline Hills Branch Library is a community-centered facility that provides opportunities for free classes, free tutoring and homework help programs. It is going to be a vibrant community space for families and residents of all ages to gather," Councilmember Myrtle Cole said.

The old branch library was opened in 1969.



Photo Credit: City of San Diego

'Black Lives Matter' Protesters Take to Streets in El Cajon

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Protesters once again took to the streets Friday night, just a little over two weeks after the police shooting of Alred Olango.

According to the El Cajon Police Department (ECPD), the protesters were heading eastbound on Main Street in El Cajon. Officers from the California Highway Patrol were also on scene assisting with traffic control.

It's unclear what led up to the protests.

An NBC 7 reporter on scene said there were approximately 20 to 30 protestors in the streets. It appeared that they were blocking the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Main Street. The protests may be begun just after 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Olango, 38, was shot and killed on Sept. 27 during an encounter with ECPD officers Richard Gonsalves and Josh McDaniel in the parking lot of a shopping center in the 800 block of Broadway in El Cajon.

According to police, Olango was acting “erratically” and had refused to comply with the officers’ orders to remove his hands out of the pockets of his pants. They said Olango pulled a 4-inch vaping device from his pocket and pointed it at Gonsalves and McDaniel in what police described as a “shooting stance.”

McDaniel deployed a Taser at Olango while Gonsalves fired multiple rounds from his gun. 

Olango's death sparked days of protests on the streets of El Cajon, some of which were peaceful while others turned violent.

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Diver Survives After Shark Breaks Through Cage

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A video of an unidentified diver's close encounter with a shark, while the diver was inside the cage and the shark broke through, has gone viral. 

The video, taken during a diving trip off Baja near Guadalupe Island on Oct. 4, appears to show the shark chow down on bait in the water and then break through a cage where a diver was observing. People in the video appear to jump to action to help the diver, a crew member opening the top of the cage so the shark could escape.

NBC 7 spoke to an employee at a local dive shop who said the crew on that boat did exactly what they were supposed to do in these situations.

“They were all on it. They knew what to do," said Jodie Booras , marketing director at Ocean Enterprises. “You have to anticipate anything. The crew knew what to do and acted perfectly."

Video appears to show the shark flailing around, then getting out of the cage and swimming away. Crews then pulled the diver to safety.

Booras, who said she took that same boat and cage tour this past August, told NBC 7 the cage is safe.

“I’d do this before surfing in Australia or South Africa, where you're not protected," she said.

Solamar V, the touring company that offered the excursion, has an office in the Los Angeles area. They released the following statement regarding this incident:

“The cages have been inspected and reinforced while also extending our 'no bait' zone around all cages, and a meeting with other operators will take place later this month in order to work together to minimize unfortunate incidents like this one."



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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