President Barack Obama says his nearly three-year-old program to help boys and young men of color "is just the beginning."

Addressing a daylong White House summit on the My Brother's Keeper program, Obama urged more people to become mentors and help create opportunities for young people to stay on the right path.

He says he'll be involved with the program for the rest of his life.

The president launched the program in February 2014 to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color.

Initiatives at the federal level could be undone by the Trump administration. But White House officials say much of the work will continue after Donald Trump takes office because more than 250 communities around the country are running their own My Brother's Keeper programs.

The Christmas spirit was alive and well at San Alto Elementary School on Wednesday morning.

MTS surprised about 160 students with new bikes as part of a yearly effort to bring holiday gifts to youngsters who may not be able to afford their own.

In a morning assembly at the Lemon Grove school, the students were asked to cover their eyes. Then, MTS officials, including a Santa, exclaimed: “Everyone’s getting bikes today!”

The students cheered.

In the assembly, the students learned about bike safety tips and also were gifted with helmets.

MTS has been providing bikes to San Diego County students for 12 holiday seasons. In total, 700 bikes and helmets have been donated.

Yahoo announced Wednesday that more than one billion user accounts may have been affected in a hacking attack dating back to August 2013, a revalation that may put a recent multi-billion-dollar deal with Verizon in jeopardy.

The Sunnyvale, California, says it believes information, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates and security questions and answers, may have been stolen in the breach. The company says it believes bank-account information and payment-card data were not affected.

The security breach was discovered after law enforcement officials provided the company with data files that a "third party" claimed was Yahoo user data. After analyzing the information, Yahoo concluded that the data belonged to its users.

Yahoo says it has not been able to identify the source of the hack.

"Yahoo is notifying potentially affected users and has taken steps to secure their accounts, including requiring users to change their passwords. Yahoo has also invalidated unencrypted security questions and answers so that they cannot be used to access an account," the company said in a statement. 

Yahoo is also urging users to avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from suspicious emails, and to be cautious of unsolicited communications that ask for personal information.

The tech giant says it's a different breach from the one it disclosed in September, when it reported that 500 million accounts were exposed. 

Based on the ongoing investigation, the company believes hackers accessed the company's proprietary code to learn how to forge cookies that could allow an intruder to access users' accounts without a password. The company says it has connected some of this activity to the same "state-sponsored actor" believed to be responsible for the data theft the company disclosed on September 22, 2016.

The new hack revelation raises questions about whether Verizon will try to change the terms of its $4.8 billion proposed acquisition of Yahoo.

If the hacks cause a user backlash against Yahoo, the company's services wouldn't be as valuable to Verizon, raising the possibility that the sale price might be re-negotiated or the deal may be called off. The telecom giant wants Yahoo and its many users to help it build a digital ad business.

After the news of the first hack broke, Verizon said it would re-evaluate its Yahoo deal and in a Wednesday statement said it will review the "new development before reaching any final conclusions." Spokesman Bob Varettoni declined to answer further questions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

U.S. intelligence officials believe with "a high level of confidence" that Russian President Vladimir Putin became personally involved in the covert Russian campaign to interfere in the U.S. presidential election, senior U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News.

Two senior officials with direct access to the information say new intelligence shows that Putin personally directed how hacked material from Democrats was leaked and otherwise used. The intelligence came from diplomatic sources and spies working for U.S. allies, the officials said.

Putin's objectives were multifaceted, a high-level intelligence source told NBC News. What began as a "vendetta" against Hillary Clinton morphed into an effort to show corruption in American politics and to "split off key American allies by creating the image that [other countries] couldn't depend on the U.S. to be a credible global leader anymore," the official said.

A group of San Diego small business owners will be delivering anti-hate posters with the slogans “All are Welcome Here” and “Hate Has No Business Here” to businesses in Mission Hills, City Heights and Kensington.

Juan Pablo of Super Cocina, Mikey Knab of Ponce’s and John Bertsch of Meshuggah Shack will be walking door to door in popular shopping and business districts encouraging other shops to display the welcome posters. 

The goal of the posters is to celebrate cultural diversity, making all men, women, immigrants, minorities and members of the LGBTQ community feel safe and welcome in these local businesses.

“It’s a message of openness and inclusiveness. It’s nice to celebrate the things that make us proud of ourselves, that make us feel like a positive member of the business community and the human community,” said Knab.

In light of what they called intolerant rhetoric surrounding the presidential election, these business owners thought now was the perfect time to unveil the posters.

Knab said: “Now is the time to remind ourselves and everyone that could be a guest of our establishments that we are inclusive of all people. It’s a happy message.”

Those spearheading the poster campaign hope that Kensington, Mission Hills and City Heights are just the first neighborhoods among many.

Knab said: “We’d like to see it grow from these three districts out through metropolitan area. Little Italy, downtown, then up to Encinitas, Carlsbad and down the border.”

The posters will be distributed Thursday, starting at 2 p.m.

Donald Trump has selected Ronna Romney McDaniel to lead the Republican National Committee in 2017, the RNC announced in a statement Wednesday, NBC News reported.

McDaniel, who currently chairs the Michigan Republican Party, is the niece of 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. She will serve as deputy co-chair with Trump's Ohio State Director Bob Paduchik before taking the reins from current RNC Chair Reince Priebus. Trump named Priebus his chief of staff shortly after last month's election.

"Ronna has been extremely loyal to our movement and her efforts were critical to our tremendous victory in Michigan, and I know she will bring the same passion to the Republican National Committee," Trump said in a statement.

The City of Chula Vista named its 24th Chief of Police on Wednesday—the first woman to serve in that position.

Captain Roxana Kennedy will replace current Chula Vista Police Chief David Bejarano, who will be retiring, the city said.

[[406656455,C]]

Kennedy has served in the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) for 22 years, including as a Patrol Officer, Watch Commander, and Investigative Division Lieutenant. 

She was appointed as the first woman Police Lieutenant of CVPD and then Police Captain.

“Captain Kennedy is the ideal person to lead this department forward as we work together to maintain safe neighborhoods, advance technology to fight crime, and serve the community through collaboration," Police Chief Bejarano said in a news release.

Kennedy will be sworn in on Dec. 30.

Complying with a ruling handed down by a Southern California judge earlier this year, the City of San Diego said the Children’s Pool in La Jolla will remain open during seal pupping season this time around.

On May 18, 2014, the San Diego City Council approved a decision to close the pool to the public during the period each year when harbor seals give birth to their young – from Dec. 15 to May 15. The closure had been in effect since that approval in 2014.

In May of 2016, an Orange County Superior Court ruling decided it was illegal for the controversial Children’s Pool beach area to be closed to the public during pupping season.

To comply with this most recent ruling, the City of San Diego will, for now, close area.

The city has appealed the court’s decision. On Tuesday, the city said it has also filed a motion in the Court of Appeal so that the beach closure can be implemented during the pupping season while the appeal process is ongoing.

While the beach area will remain open this season, city officials said visitors should keep a safe distance from the seals for their safety and that of the animals.

Harassing or disturbing the seals is illegal. City park rangers and lifeguards will monitor the area to make sure the public and the seals are safe. A rope line, which the city said “serves as a guide and reminder for the public to keep a safe distance from any seals” will remain in place.

The area in La Jolla is known as a prime spot to observe seals in San Diego but it is highly controversial.

Seal Conservancy advocates believe it should stay closed during pupping season to protect the animals and their pups from possible harassment by spectators who get too close in order to pose for photos. Opponents of the closure believe public access to the beach should be available all year.

The City of San Diego said Tuesday it will continue to try to resolve the longtime legal issues surrounding the Children’s Pool.

Homicide investigators are trying to determine who or what caused the death of Gregory Huser.

Huser, 66, was found dead Monday on the edge of an embankment along Park Boulevard. The road runs along the perimeter of Balboa Park and leads to the parking area of the San Diego Zoo. 

Someone called 911 at approximately 2 a.m. to report finding Huser's body in a grassy area.

He had suffered major head trauma, according to SDPD homicide investigator Lt. Mike Holden.

Huser was a transient who was killed where he was found, according to SDPD officials. There are no suspects at this time.

No other information was immediately available.

A Taylor Swift fan accused of jumping on stage during the pop star’s concert in San Diego last year and injuring a security team member has been found mentally competent to move forward with legal proceedings.

Following a Wednesday morning hearing for Christian Ewing, 27, a San Diego County court clerk confirmed Ewing was found competent and will appear in court again for another hearing Dec. 23. His preliminary trial is slated to begin on Dec. 28.

At Swift’s Petco Park concert in San Diego on Aug. 29, 2015, Ewing jumped a fence and ran onto the stage just steps away from the singer as she performed her hit, “Style.” The incident was captured on video by concertgoers.

Before Ewing hopped on stage, investigators said a security told him he couldn’t be in that part of the concert venue and tried to escort him out. Ewing allegedly ran away toward the stage, struggling with the pop star’s security guards.

Eventually, he was dragged off the stage. Prosecutors said one of Swift’s security guards suffered rib injuries in the altercation from which he had eight weeks of recovery.

When Ewing was arrested, he allegedly gave police officers a fake name.

Prosecutors said Ewing has a criminal history. At the time of the San Diego concert incident, he had an active warrant out of Florida for a theft-related offense and an assault-related offense in Georgia.

When E wing appeared in court in September 2015, just days after the incident, he was asked why he went on stage.

“I love that girl,” he said, referring to Swift.

A Pacific Beach couple said they feel taken advantage of after they say a dealership talked them into purchasing a car alarm installation for a car that already had one installed. 

Sidney Chan and his fiance Samantha Luangviseth said they thought they were getting a good deal when they purchased their 2013 BMW 528-I from South County Buick GMC out of National City. 

“It was a good car and we thought the price was fair,” Sidney said. 

Sidney said when it came down to signing the contract, him and Samantha purchased some add-ons for the vehicle, including a protective paint coating and a car alarm. 

Days later, when Samantha went back to the dealership to have the alarm installed, she said there was a problem. 

“They couldn’t do it because the alarm was already installed by the manufacturer,” Samantha said. 

The BMW already had a car alarm. Samantha said there was no need to pay $695 extra for another alarm. So, Samantha said she went back and talked to the South County Buick GMC Manager. 

“I asked them why did you sell me something that is already there? I just want a refund for that part, which is $695,” Samantha said. 

Instead of getting a refund, Samantha said the dealership tried to sell her another add-on, an additional coating for her upholstery. 

The couple said the dealership told them they would return their money. The couple waited but the money never arrived. 

In frustration, they contacted NBC 7 Responds. 

NBC 7 Responds spoke with Paul McKenna, the owner of South County Buick GMC and he promised to look into the problem. 

After weeks of going back and forth with the owner, Sidney and Samantha received a check in the mail for the full amount they had spent on the car alarm add-on. 

McKenna told NBC 7 Responds the dealership was under the impression Sidney and Samantha didn’t want a refund but instead wanted that second add-on and that’s why the refund was delayed. 

The couple said they wanted the refund money from the start.

A San Diego County Sheriff Department's (SDSO) bus carrying 31 prisoners was struck in a multiple vehicle collision on southbound State Route 163, authorities confirmed.

Two other vehicles appear to have collided with the bus at 5:51 p.m. on southbound SR-163, north of State Route 52, SDSO said.

According to SDSO, a BMW sedan crashed into a Honda utility vehicle driving in the lane next to the bus. Due to the force of the collision, the Honda was pushed in front of the bus, causing a second collision.

The bus had blocked lanes immediately following the collision, according to the California Highway Patrol officer Mary Bailey. The crash has since been cleared up to the right shoulder, with traffic still experiencing some congestion.

The driver of the BMW was identified to be a 34-year old man. The driver of the Honda was a 47-year old man.

SDSO said one deputy suffered a minor hand injury but there were no reported injuries to any inmates.

The inmates were transferred to another Sheriff's Bus.

San Diego soccer fans can see Bruce Arena’s return in a January friendly.

Arena’s first match back as the leader of the U.S. Men’s National team will come in America's Finest City.

The USMNT will begin the 2017 campaign on January 29th against Serbia in a friendly at Qualcomm Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. PT on that final Sunday in January.

Arena replaced former USMNT manager Jurgenn Klinsmann who was fired on November 21st.

Arena also led the USMNT from 1998-2006 and has also served as manager for the D.C United, New York Red Bulls, and most recently the LA Galaxy from 2008-2016.

This will be the 6th match for the USMNT at Qualcomm Stadium.

The last appearance was in July of 2013 when the U.S. defeated Guatemala 6-0.

Tickets go on sale Monday, December 18 at 10 a.m.

Covered California has extended its deadline to sign up for a health insurance plan that begins Jan. 1, 2017.

Consumers now have until midnight on Dec. 17 to enroll.

The extension comes on the heels of a huge demand.

In the last two days, more than 25,000 new people have signed up for a plan through Covered California. That's nearly double the amount that enrolled over the same period last year.

Covered California is the state's health insurance marketplace and was set up under the Affordable Care Act. It puts customers in touch with insurance companies.

“We have a lot of phone applications. And those, we’ll be pushing through on the back-end. The two extra days will give us more time to prepare for it,” said Steve Su of Amity & Elite Insurance. “On top of that, we might open extended hours just to help our clients out.

Su said his business is taking upwards of 60 calls a day. That’s more than triple its normal amount.

Open enrollment will continue to run through the end of January. Any applicants after Saturday’s deadline will have to wait for a later coverage start date.

A popular seafood restaurant is closing down its location at the Embarcadero in San Diego.

Anthony's Fish Grotto will close its doors on Jan. 31, 2017, the Ghio family announced on Wednesday. 

According to a press release, the Port of San Diego not renew the lease for the restaurant.

Founder Mama Ghio opened the first restaurant in 1946, which later moved to the Embarcadero location in 1965.

Anthony's will also celebrate its 70th Anniversary with a secret menu at its La Mesa and Embarcadero locations.

The restaurant in La Mesa will still stay open.

A man was taken to the hospital after he was injured in a hit-and-run in City Heights Wednesday night.

According to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), the man was struck by a vehicle near 50th Street and El Cajon Boulevard.

The incident occurred at 8:23 p.m.

NBC 7 spoke to a witness Anthony Hemmitt, who said the driver of the suspect vehicle appeared to be a man.

He said accidents like this are common in the area but added that the driver should have stopped.

"Like if I hit somebody I'm gonna stop, get out. It's just an accident, it's not even all that serious but when you take off... now your facing prison time and it's all from a simple accident," Hemmitt said.

He told NBC 7 that he saw the driver take off and then slam into parked cars nearby as he fled the scene.

The driver did not slow down before or after the crash, Hemmitt said.

“It’s crazy. I don’t understand it.”

Traffic going westbound on El Cajon Boulevard and Altadena Avenue was shut down.

The victim suffered serious head injuries.

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 

The body of a man killed after his car flew off the freeway in Otay Mesa wasn't found until hours later, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

The family of the driver identified him as Andrew Louis.

According to CHP, the crash occurred sometime during the morning hours Wednesday. A 2013 Chevy Malibu drove off the southbound Interstate 805 at the State Route 905 connector and landed in the backyard of a home.

Oscar Luna, the homeowner told NBC 7 that he came out to turn off their Christmas lights at approximately 10:30 a.m. and found the car.

"I saw a car in my backyard and thought 'what is this doing...what is happening here' and I rushed to take a look to see if anyone was in there," he said.

Luna said he called authorities after finding the driver inside the car. He added that he saw blood on the front bumper of the car, which he found strange.

Investigators have not determined what led up to the crash or an exact time it happened. But they do believe it was the night before Luna and his family returned home.

Meanwhile, Luna told NBC 7 that he has always been nervous about his home being next to a freeway.

He added that the trees protected his home during the crash.

"All it had to do was travel 10 more yards this way and it would've landed right in our room," he said. "And the only reason why it didn't land closer was because of this tree. It wedged itself in there."

After the crash, Luna says he worries even more.

"Now I'm fighting for a retainer wall or some sort of guardrail on the other side of the fence, so something like this will be prevented," he said.

The fight for control over the Syrian city of Aleppo continued to roar on the ground and in the skies on Wednesday into Thursday as thousands of civilians still trapped inside begged to be let out.

Among them, NBC News reported, desperate activists are turning to instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp to reach international journalists in an urgent call for help.

"'Til this moment, the bombing hasn't stopped on the besieged districts and nothing has changed on the ground," Lina Shamy, a Syrian activist, told NBC News through a WhatsApp voice message.

A plan to evacuate thousands of people — in a deal between Syrian regime and rebel forces — was delayed Wednesday but resume Thursday.

Francisco Serna, the 73-year-old man with dementia who was killed by California police this week, was carrying a crucifix, not a gun, police said Wednesday, NBC News reported. 

Bakersfield Police Chief Lyle Martin said Serna, who a neighbor described as roaming the neighborhood with a revolver, failed to comply with officers' orders to stop and show his hands. Officer Regan Selman fired seven shots. Serna then died at the scene. Selman is on administrative leave pending an investigation, along with six other responding officers.

A group gathered outside the family home late Tuesday, with one person holding a sign that read "Justice for Francisco Serna." A candlelight vigil was held in his honor.

Police confirmed to NBC affiliate KGET on Wednesday that a crucifix was later found on Serna's body — not a gun. The finding was first reported Wednesday by the Los Angeles Times.

A federal lawsuit forced an Indiana town to remove a cross from atop their Christmas tree. Now residents are putting up crosses everywhere. They're appearing in businesses, neighborhoods and places they've never been seen before in Knightstown.

The cross frenzy started on Tuesday night, when a couple of pick-up trucks with homemade crosses standing in their beds drove around the town square.

A small group of people held up smaller crosses to passing traffic. Several drivers sounded their horns in support.

The town's Christmas lighted tree stood above them all without a cross. When one resident sued the town, the council took it down.

Patricia Hutson was one of many disappointed residents.

"It makes me sad we can't express our opinion of what we want Christmas decorations to be," she said.

Hutson and friends started making crosses and giving them away - almost 600 so far.

Bill Windson grabbed four for him and a neighbor.

"It looks like the law protects the minority instead of the majority," he said.