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2 Dallas Window Washers Rescued

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Live video from Chopper 5 will appear in the player above. From time to time the signal may go black -- this is normal and the video should return soon.

Firefighters with Dallas Fire-Rescue pulled two stranded window washers off a high-rise building in North Dallas Wednesday afternoon.

The window washers were in distress and dangling from the Prosperity Bank building at 9330 LBJ Freeway near Abrams after their scaffolding apparently failed and fell to one side just before 2 p.m.

From NBC Dallas-Fort Worth Chopper 5, the scaffolding could be seen hanging vertically with only one set of support wires to the roof intact. It is not yet known what caused the scaffolding to fail.

After raising one of the workers to the roof, a member of the Dallas Fire-Rescue Urban Search and Rescue Team rappelled down the building and secured the second worker to another line before lowering him to the ground at about 2:50 p.m.

Attempts to raise the second man to the roof apparently failed.

Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Jason Evans told NBC 5 it appears safety equipment worn by the men worked as it should and kept them safe after the scaffolding failed.

Neither of the men were believed to be seriously injured, though the second man rescued was transported to Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas for an evaluation.

NBC 5 Meteorologist Rick Mitchell estimated winds of 10-15 mph. Mitchell noted that the wind was not severe enough to move the stranded worker or disturb the scaffolding.

Check back and refresh this page for the latest update. As this story is developing, elements may change.



Photo Credit: NBC 5 News

CAIR: Trump's Muslim Policy More Prejudice Than National Security

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Leaders with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said Wednesday any executive order targeting Muslims will not make the U.S. safer.

The organization’s leaders were joined by leaders of other faith-based groups as they condemned any attempt by President Donald Trump to restrict immigrants from Syria and six other Middle Eastern and African countries. The president was expected to sign such an executive order Thursday.

The suspension of refugee programs will send a dangerous message, CAIR leaders said, and will not do much to enhance national security or public safety.

CAIR National Director Nihad Awad said refugees often go through multiple levels of security screening by several federal agencies. The vetting process currently takes almost two years, he said.

“What do we need more? I believe it has nothing with national security. It has a lot to do with prejudice and with campaign slogans that are now becoming policies,” he said.

“As Americans we do not ban, register or deport people based on how they pray or the color of their skin,” Rabiah Ahmed, spokesperson for the Muslim Public Affairs Council said. She believes “fear-mongering” policies weaken U.S. leadership.

The group asked for members of other faiths to stand with Muslim community groups to protest the proposed action.

“Never before in our country’s history have we purposely, as a matter of policy, imposed a ban on immigrants or refugees on the basis of religion or imposed a religious litmus test on those coming to this nation,” he said.

“We cannot allow religious bigotry to affect our willingness and ability to welcome those fleeing violence and persecution,” Awad said.

Steve Martin with the National Council of Churches said the idea of banning refugees based on faith is an unbelievable development.

“We explicitly condemn any attempts to place a religious test upon refugees attempting to build their new lives in the United States,” Martin said.

CAIR said any restrictions would not only impact U.S. citizens whose families may be visiting or seeking medical care but will also create an uncaring image of the U.S. with other nations.

Reported hate crimes against Muslims in the U.S. rose in 2015 to their highest levels since those seen in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, according to FBI statistics released in November.

In 2015, there were 257 incidents of anti-Muslim bias compared to 154 incidents the prior year, an increase of 67 percent.

San Diego has been the launching point for the resettlement of 78,000 refugees, according to the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Between 2000 and 2010, the number of Muslims living in San Diego jumped 179 percent according to the Association of Religion Data Archives.



Photo Credit: AP

7 More Flu Deaths Reported in San Diego

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Seven more flu-related deaths were reported in San Diego last week, health officials confirmed Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths this season to 21. 

The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) said influenza activity has dropped from last week across the county. Those who died ranged in age from 45 to 96. The HHSA said each person – except for a 45-year-old woman and an 89-year-old woman – had underlying medical conditions.

By this same time last year, there were a total of six influenza-related deaths reported in San Diego.

Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer, said for those with underlying health conditions, influenza can be deadly. This is why health officials recommend getting a flu vaccine, as it is considered the best protection against the illness.

Health officials recommend an annual flu shot; after the vaccination, it takes two weeks for immunity to develop, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The vaccination is especially recommended for those at high-risk of experiencing complications with the flu, including people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women and people age 65 and older.

The HHSA’s latest “Influenza Watch” report, from the week ending on Jan. 14, says 5 percent of all emergency department visits in San Diego were patients experiencing flu-like symptoms.

There were 332 lab-confirmed cases of influenza for the week, down from 437 the week prior.

To date, there have been 2,106 lab-confirmed cases of the flu in San Diego. Last year at this time, there were 784.

Flu season in the U.S. occurs between December and May.

For a list of county public health centers where you can get a flu shot, click here or call 211.



Photo Credit: NBC

San Diego Gets 'D' Grade on Tobacco Control Policies

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When it comes to key tobacco control policies in 2017, San Diego is lacking – earning a “D” grade in a study compiled by the American Lung Association.

The American Lung Association released its annual “State of Tobacco Control” report Wednesday, which assigns grades to all California cities and counties on how well they protect their citizens from tobacco.

San Diego received poor marks. The study shows San Diego, like many other cities across California, struggles with comprehensive tobacco control policies to prevent and reduce tobacco use and to limit exposure to secondhand smoke.

The American Lung Association said that while the City of San Diego got a “D” in the study, unincorporated San Diego County failed, receiving an “F.” 

In San Diego County, just two cities – El Cajon and Solana Beach – received “B” grades.

San Marcos, in San Diego’s North County, was also recognized in the report. The community was listed among the “Cities and Counties on the Rise” for passing an ordinance requiring retailers to obtain a license to sell tobacco and other electronic cigarette products. San Marcos scored a “C” overall, but an “A” in the category of reducing sales of tobacco products.

The study looked at four key categories: Smoke-free outdoor air, which examined efforts by communities to adopt local ordinances that restrict smoking in outdoor areas, from parks to sidewalk, to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke; Smoke-free housing, which examined efforts to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke in multi-unit housing; Reducing sales of tobacco products, which focused on efficient ways to reduce the availability and sales of tobacco products in the retail environment; Emerging issue bonus points, which looked at how cities and counties are adopting policies in new and challenging areas to reduce the prevalence of smoking in California and to combat how the tobacco industry promotes the use of tobacco.

Dr. Julie Ryu, Clinical Director of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego and a member of the American Lung Association in California San Diego Leadership Board, said there are many health risks associated with tobacco use and leaders must learn to recognize this.

“Tobacco-related illnesses remain the single most preventable cause of disease and death in California and we urge communities to institute policies to reduce smoking rates and exposure to secondhand smoke, and to protect our children from a lifetime of addiction,” Ryu said in a press release.

According to the study, more than 50 percent of California’s population lives in communities scoring a D or F. None of the top 10 most populous cities – including San Diego – scored an “A” grade.

But it’s not all bad grades across the state.

The American Lung Association said that for the first time in the history of the report, more than 20 cities and counties received an overall “A” grade for their tobacco control policies. This year’s report also saw 12 fewer “F” grades than before.

Statewide, California was one of the most improved states in 2016 in the State of Tobacco Control 2017 report.

The American Lung Association said this is, in part, to policies passed by the Legislature and signed by California Gov. Jerry Brown in 2016 including raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21, and the passing by voters of Proposition 56, which will raise taxes on a pack of cigarettes by $2, to $2.87 per pack starting in April.

Statewide, smoke-free air policies received an “A” – up from a “B” in 2016. Level of tobacco taxes got a “B,” up from an “F” last year. However, coverage and access to services to help smokers quit tobacco was graded with an “F.”

The State of Tobacco Control 2017 report issued grades for all 482 cities and 58 counties in California. To see the full report or check out how your community scored, click here.



Photo Credit: FILE/Getty Images
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New Video Shows Size of Crowd at San Diego Women's March

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For the first time, we're getting a new vantage point of the San Diego Women's March held Saturday in downtown San Diego.

An NBC 7 user submitted video taken from the deck of a cruise ship docked along the Embarcadero.

The video shows a mass of people walking along Harbor Drive to the County Administration Building.

The march began in front of Civic Center Plaza on Third Avenue in downtown San Diego and then made its way down Broadway to the Embarcadero.

San Diego Chief of Police Shelley Zimmerman estimated 40,000 people were in the crowd.

To add yourself to the march count go to this website

44 Undocumented Immigrants Found Hiding in Boxcars: BP

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Forty six people - 44 of whom were undocumented immigrants - were found hiding inside of train boxcars near El Centro Tuesday morning, according to El Centro Border Patrol agents. 

The BP agents first learned of possible undocumented immigrants hiding in a train on 8th Street and Cruikshank Drive in El Centro around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. 

When agents arrived on scene, they found 46 people hiding in three stationary boxcars.

Forty four of those people were found to be undocumented immigrants from Mexico; of the 44 individuals, 39 were men and five were women. All individuals claimed to be in good health. 

“This is a dangerous smuggling method,” said Chief Patrol Agent Rodney S. Scott in a statement. “Our Border Patrol agents make safeguarding and preserving human life a top priority. I commend our agents on their professionalism and commitment to duty.”

The two other people found were U.S. citizens and suspected smugglers. The men were taken to the El Centro Border Patrol station for processing. 

One undocumented immigrant and the two citizens will be prosecuted for Alien Smuggling. 

The remaining 43 undocumented Mexican nationals will be processed according to El Centro Sector guidelines. 

Nearly Half-Million in Drugs Stashed in Minivan

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Images of smuggling attempts at their finest.

Photo Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Ground Breaking for Carmel Valley's One Paseo Development

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Officials broke ground on the controversial, $7.5 million mixed-use development project One Paseo Wednesday. 

The project, set on a 24-acre site across El Camino Real from the Del Mar Highlands Center, was approved 8-1 by the City Council June 2016. 

The downsized mixed-use project will include 608 multi-family units, shops, restaurants, offices and public plazas. 

"The vibe what we're looking for was always to deliver on the spirit of community, and while things have changed in square footage, things have changed in design as part of community input -- that has never changed," said Nelson Ackerly, senior vice-president of San Diego Kilroy Realty.

For several years, One Paseo was an issue that resonated far beyond its epicenter in Carmel Valley. Neighborhoods along State Route 56, as well as Del Mar and other nbearby cities, had opinions on the project. 

The initial project was cut down and later approved by the City Council. In the smaller re-design offered by the developer, Kilroy Realty, retail space was reduced by almost two-thirds, and office space by close to half.

However, some critics say what remains is still too much. Dennis Green, a Carmel Valley resident and former NFL coach, told the City Council at a June hearing that the mix of the project's size in addition to its location would make it a "very bad deal". 

Even after the redesign, there is still a pocket of opponents who feel they compromise is unworthy, if not legally suspect.

Early opponents and the Highlands Center objected to an original plan that was twice what the zoning allowed.

Their referendum drive confronted the Council with a choice between a citywide election measure -- or a do-over process.

That wound up in Kilroy’s smaller building heights, with greater "setbacks" from the streets, and a housing "element" of 608 condominium units.

The retail section of One Paseo is scheduled to open mid 2018, while the apartment homes and offices are expected to open between 2019 - 2020. 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Dogs, Drones Used in Search for Fallbrook Boy

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Armed with drones and dogs, San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputies combed the North County creek where a child was swept away during Sunday's storm.

Swift water rescue crews worked alongside deputies and prison inmates as they cut back brush and searched the banks of a creek inch by inch.

They’re looking for Phillip Campbell, 5, who was last seen clinging to a tree and surrounded by the raging waters of a rain-swollen creek.

The Fallbrook boy was traveling Sunday with 73-year-old Roland Phillips, when their car was carried away by rising water in Rainbow Creek.

Phillips' body was recovered Monday.

The search has been centered near Fifth Street along the banks of a creek that flows from east of Interstate 15 to merge with the Santa Margarita River on the way to the Pacific Ocean.

Searchers were determined to thoroughly search the creek banks and appeared to be going over the area inch by inch. The conditions are too treacherous for volunteers, deputies said.

Deputies have said this is now considered a recovery mission, not a rescue.

Campbell's family is planning a service at the Calgary Church in Fallbrook at 7 p.m. Thursday. They've invited members of the community to join them for support.


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'Un-American': Local Politicians Blast Border Wall

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Several local and state politicians are blasting President Trump’s executive order to build a border wall, with one lawmaker calling it “embarrassingly un-American.”

“Forcing police to freelance as border agents doesn’t make our communities safer, nor neither does wasting billions of American tax dollars to further divide our binational community with a border wall. This is embarrassingly un-American,” California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher said in a statement Wednesday.

The president’s proposal to build a border wall was one of his hallmark pledges during the campaign. In signing the executive order, Trump said: "When it comes to public safety, there is no place for politics."

Several other local leaders, however, expressed disdain of the plan on Twitter.

“I’ve long opposed … plans for a border wall because in San Diego, we see the border as an opportunity, not a threat,” U.S. Rep. Scott Peters, D-CA, tweeted on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, a Republican, pledged on Twitter “our binational, economic and cultural ties have my full support.”

In a statement to NBC 7 later on, the mayor said “We already have a safe and secure border in San Diego built by the federal government.”

He went on to state: “Keeping trade moving in both directions safely and securely is important to San Diego’s economy and helps create local jobs.”

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-CA, called the order a "band-aid" on immigration reform.

Local lawmakers, such as U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, who have expressed support of Trump in the past, have not tweeted or released statements on the border wall order, as of Wednesday afternoon.



Photo Credit: File--AP
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Tiger Woods Talks Torrey

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The last time Tiger Woods played in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course he was done in by “deactivated glutes,” two years later the former world number one ranked golfer returns  healthy and ready to play.

“It’s hard to remember when I was this excited. I’m looking forward to getting off, playing and trying to keep improving and getting my game better, more consistent,” said Woods at a Wednesday pre-tournament press conference.

Woods tees off the Farmers Insurance Open Thursday at 10:40am on the South Course at Torrey Pines. Woods is part of a golf super group that includes Jason Day and Dustin Johnson, between them the trio has won 14 major championships.

When asked about playing the group, Woods said, “I was excited.  You know that’s two guys that are the best in the world and they’re up there playing some unbelievable golf.  I couldn’t have asked for a better pairing.”

Woods has a history of success at Torrey Pines, winning eight different tournaments on the La Jolla course.

“For some reason I just feel comfortable here on this golf course, whether it was before the redo of the South or post redo, and hopefully post redo of the North.”

After years of injury issues, including withdrawing from the 2015 Farmers Insurance Open due to the aforementioned “deactivated glutes,” Woods is looking forward to playing competitively on the PGA Tour for an extended period.

“I miss trying to beat these guys, I really do.  It’s just fun to be competitive and fun to go out there and compete at the highest level against the best,” said Woods.

Woods admitted his golf game has a long ways to go, but wants to get himself in contention through the first two rounds, then build his way into position to have a chance to win the tournament during Sunday's final round.

The Farmers Insurance Open tees off Thursday, January 26th and finishes Sunday, January 29th at Torrey Pines.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Gymnastics Doctor Loses License Over Sex-Abuse Claims

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The disgraced doctor who treated America's top gymnasts before a sex-abuse scandal exploded this fall had his medical license suspended on Wednesday.

Michigan's licensing agency cited allegations that Larry Nassar molested a child as the reason for the emergency suspension, NBC News reported.

More than 60 women have complained that Nassar abused them under the guise of invasive procedures that his lawyers say were medically sound.

Nassar has also been named in at least five lawsuits; on Wednesday, four girls ages 10 to 17 joined a federal suit in Michigan filed by 18 other ex-patients.



Photo Credit: David Eggert/AP Photo

Man Jumps Into Water to Save Dog, Disappears

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A man jumped into the water to save his dog in Santee and then disappeared, according to Heartland Fire officials.

The incident was reported around 3:50 p.m. in the Mission Trails Regional Park on the 10,600 block of Father Junipero Serra Trail.

Officials said units are searching for the man.

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 



Photo Credit: FACEBOOK

Chicago 'Will Stay a Sanctuary City,' Mayor Says

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Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the city will "stay a sanctuary city" after President Donald Trump signed an executive action to block federal grants from such cities. 

"You are welcome in Chicago as you pursue the American dream," Emanuel said Wednesday, noting that he had not yet seen details on the executive action. 

Trump moved aggressively to tighten the nation's immigration policies Wednesday, signing executive actions to jumpstart construction of a U.S.-Mexico border wall and block federal grants from immigrant-protecting "sanctuary cities." 

"We've been talking about this right from the beginning," Trump said during a brief signing ceremony at the Department of Homeland Security. 

Later in the week, Trump is expected to sign orders restricting the flow of refugees into the United States. 

The Chicago City Council approved a symbolic resolution Wednesday that looks to protect and honor all city residents regardless of race, ethnicity, immigration status, criminal record, sexual orientation and gender identity.

The non-binding resolution was drafted as a response to a “national political climate” that has “produced fear and anxiety among many City of Chicago residents, particularly among people of color, immigrants, Muslims, Jews, and members of the LGBT community."

Ald. Ameya Pawar, a co-sponsor on the bill, claimed he was worried about Trump’s expected executive order that would temporarily ban certain Muslim refugees from entering the U.S. Pawar, the first Democrat to declare his candidacy in the 2018 gubernatorial race, also voiced concerns about Trump’s proposed Mexican border wall.

The alderman claimed this was a “scary time,” noting that Trump has behaved like a “child” and a “despot.” 

A handful of aldermen spoke out Wednesday against the president, who vowed Tuesday to send “the Feds” to Chicago if the city fails to address its violent crime crisis.

“If Chicago doesn’t fix the horrible ‘carnage' going on, 228 shootings in 2017 with 42 killings (up 24% from 2016), I will send in the Feds,” Trump tweeted.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Ald. Emma Mitts pledged her support for the resolution, but pointed to continued discrimination in the African American community.

In a report released earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice outlined a pattern of civil rights violations by the Chicago Police Department. The report found the CPD violated constitutional rights by engaging in a “pattern or practice of use of excessive force."

“We can talk about all other issues, but don’t miss that issue of how black folks have been treated in this country,” Mitts said.

Following Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Emanuel said Chicago wants to harness a close relationship with federal law enforcement agencies.

“I would welcome, always have welcomed, federal participation in working with local law enforcement to dealing with guns and gangs,” Emanuel told reporters.

The mayor also pushed for additional federal resources for police, technology, summer jobs and after-school programs.

Some CA Hospitals Went Uninspected by State Over 5 Years

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A new analysis by Consumer Union, the policy division of Consumer Reports, found that California is failing to hold hospitals accountable when they report high patient infection rates.

Some California hospitals with some of the worst infection rates have gone uninspected by the state over the past five years. See the full list by clicking here.

California law requires that hospitals are inspected every three years, but according to data from the California Department of Public Health, over 100 California hospitals have not been inspected in a recent five year period, ending in June 2016.

One of those is Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista.

According to the data, compiled by Consumer Union, the hospital also had a high rate of infection in 2014 and 2015, compared to other California hospitals.

In response, Keith Darcé Scripps Health Public Relations Manager wrote:

“Scripps Health maintains strong infection control programs at all of our hospitals as part of our commitment to the health of our patients. The California Department of Public Health reviewed hospital acquired infection surveillance and prevention practices at Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista on two occasions since September 2014.

Over the last year, the hospital has recorded improvements in all hospital acquired infection ratios. For example, the hospital has had a 50-percent decrease in the standardized infection rate for central line blood stream infections in the ICU, and it has had a 72-percent decrease in the standardized infection rate for catheter associated urinary tract infections. Additionally, the hospital has seen a 30-percent decrease in hospital acquired clostridium difficile infections.”

UCSD Medical Center was inspected in the recent five year period, but topped their list of California hospitals when it came to "worst score" - meaning the highest infection rates in the largest number of categories in the last 3 years.

Jacqueline Carr, Assistant Executive Director of Communications with UC San Diego Health sent NBC7 a statement:

“Medical literature highlights that teaching hospitals are expected to experience more infections such as central line associated infections because of the higher acuity of the patient population, higher number of transfers from other community hospitals, and specialized programs such as bone marrow and organ transplantation, complex cancer care, severe burn, and Level 1 trauma care.

UC San Diego Health strives to avoid all preventable infections. It has implemented a number of different national guidelines and process improvement measures to prevent hospital acquired infections. For example, interventions to prevent central line infections include giving patients a daily bath with a special soap, using a special material to protect central lines from becoming contaminated with bacteria, strict focus on maintaining the integrity of the insertion site and removing lines when they are no longer needed by evaluating the need of these lines daily. We have demonstrated progress in reducing our central line associated bloodstream infections as well as other hospital-associated infections, and we are committed to continual improvement efforts to ensure optimal outcomes and the safety of the care we provide our patients."

Additionally, UC San Diego Health has repeatedly participated in outside validations from the California Department Public Health (CDPH) to ensure that we are accurately reporting all health care associated infections. Not all hospitals take this measure. Our voluntary participation in validation shows our commitment to tracking, evaluation and decreasing infection rates."

Over the past four years, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, and Consumer Reports has considered UC San Diego’s central line-associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) performance as either “No different than U.S. National Benchmark” or “Better than U.S. National Benchmark.” At no point in time did CMS consider our CLABSI performance to be “Worse than U.S. National Benchmark.”

NBC 7 reached out to the Department of Health and asked them why they have fallen behind on their hospital inspections.

In response, Corey Engel, Assistant Deputy Director, Office of Public Affairs stated, “We are processing your inquiry from earlier. I will keep you posted of any developments, but I am uncertain I will have the information you requested before your deadline.”


NYC Mayor Vows to Fight Trump Executive Order as Thousands Rally

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Mayor Bill de Blasio is vowing to fight President Trump's executive order Wednesday blocking federal grants to so-called sanctuary cities that protects undocumented immigrants from authorities, while thousands of New Yorkers rally in Washington Square Park. 

"The executive order does not change who we are or how we go about doing our work," de Blasio said at a news conference Wednesday evening.

"We're going to defend all of our people, regardless of where they come from and regardless of their documentation status," he said.  

The Democratic mayor says that instead of filling its stated purpose of increasing public safety, the executive order would undermine it by damaging police and community relations, and putting cuts first and foremost on the NYPD, "taking away the resources we use everyday to protect people in this city against crime and against terrorism." 

City officials say the Republican president's order could yank over $150 million in law enforcement funding that's mainly for counterterrorism efforts, as well as protecting international dignitaries and, arguably, safeguarding Trump Tower.

De Blasio also cast doubt on the legal sustainability of the executive order, saying "there is less here than meets the eye." 

"The executive order is written in a very vague fashion," he said. "We believe that not only will it be susceptible to many legal challenges but that it will meet with tremendous public resistance all over the nation."

"We believe we are on solid ground to challenge the executive order should the occasion rise and be necessary," he added, referencing a 2012 Supreme Court ruling in which the court prohibited the federal government from the "broad-brush withholding of funds" to states. 

Earlier, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said of Trump's executive order, "We're going to strip federal grant money from the sanctuary states and cities that harbor illegal immigrants. The American people are no longer going to have to be forced to subsidize this disregard for our laws." 

But de Blasio vowed Wednesday, "We will not deport law-abiding New Yorkers, we will not tear families apart, we will not leave children without their parents, we will not take breadwinners away from families who have no one else. And we're not going to undermine the hard-won trust that has developed between our police and their communities." 

More than half a million New Yorkers are undocumented immigrants. 

"This is a city of immigrants, we always have been. That is our fundamental nature," said de Blasio. 

"The spirit of this executive order runs contrary to our character and our values as a city, and I would argue it runs contrary to our character and our values as a country," he said.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat, said in a statement Wednesday that "local governments seeking to protect their immigrant communities from federal overreach have every right to do so," and that he would fight Trump's executive order. 

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) said the executive order does "nothing to keep us safe or fix our immigration system in a humane, pragmatic and effective way." 

And Congressman Adriano Espaillat said as "once an undocumented immigrant," he supported common sense reform, and that he would challenge Trump on anti-immigration policies. 

Meanwhile, several civil rights groups were participating in the rally at Washington Square Park Wednesday night. 

Protesters chanted "Resist" and "No ban, no wall, this is our New York" as they stood in Washington Square Park on Wednesday night, listening to elected officials, advocates and other speakers. People carried signs saying "I stand with immigrant New York" and "Here to stay"

"New Yorkers will not be silent. We will not stand by and let this happen. We will stand up and be heard," Albert Cahn of the Council of Islamic-American Relations said to a cheering crowd. 

Mayors and officials in other cities across the U.S. echoed de Blasio's statements Wednesday, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. 

There's no formal definition of a "sanctuary city." The term generally refers to cities that don't fully cooperate with immigration authorities, sometimes by declining requests from immigration officials to hold onto potential deportees who would otherwise be released from jail.

New York, for example, doesn't honor such detainment requests unless there's a federal warrant and the person requested may be on the terrorist watch list or committed a serious crime in the past five years. About 170 crimes qualify, de Blasio said.

The city didn't immediately have information on how many people have been held and turned over in the last few years.



Photo Credit: NBC 4 NY

18-Year Old Girl with Disability Drives for First Time

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An Oceanside teenager with a disability was able to get behind the wheel for the first time after Make-A-Wish Foundation granted her wish to be more independent.

Erin Danzer, 18, was diagnosed with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, FOP, at 10-months-old. The disease causes connective tissues and muscles to turn to bone.

There is no cure yet.

Erin graduated from Mission Vista High School and began attending Mira Costa College. She was driven to school and the movie theater where she works by her family or relied on buses and Lyft.

According to a spokesperson for the San Diego Make-A-Wish Foundation, Danzer's wish was to be independent so she would not have to rely others to go from place to place.

Lori Danzer, Erin's mom, spoke with NBC 7 on the phone Wednesday.

She said Erin's back is locked due to extra bones and she is unable to turn her head or reach forward with her arms.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation in San Diego teamed up with Golden Boy Mobility to modify Erin's car. They added mirrors, a spinner knob on the steering wheel and a strap to the back so Erin could easily open the hatchback.

Only 800 people around the world have been diagnosed with the disease, and Erin is the only one in San Diego, her mom Lori Danzer told NBC 7. Any kind of trauma to muscles or tendons, including getting the flu or vaccinations can cause bone growth.

"It's misdiagnosed a lot," Lori said.

She added that the results of a misdiagnosis can be devastating as people may go through surgeries, get vaccines or other medical procedures without knowing it could aggravate the disease.

Lori said her daughter is ecstatic to have car she is able to drive.

“I am just so happy to see her be able to be so independent," she said.

She explained that the entire process took about a year and a half. Erin had to undergo different assessments to figure out how the car should be modified to fit her specific needs.

“Tomorrow, we don’t know what will happen, but today she can drive," she said, adding that she is so happy and thankful to Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“Everybody has worked together to help Erin gain her independence."

Lori said Erin is currently taking a gap year off from college.



Photo Credit: Jeremy Schneider (Make-a-Wish Foundation)

18-Year Old Girl with a Disability Gets Chance to Drive

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Photo Credit: Jeremy Schneider (Make-a-Wish Foundation)

How Much of SD's Ran Was Captured for Our Water Supply?

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San Diego got a lot of rain over the past few days, but how much of it was actually captured for our water supply? 

Thanks to the heavy rain throughout January, the City collected 4.36 billion gallons of local rain and runoff, according to the City of San Diego Water Department. For perspective, the City uses about 200 million gallons a day. 

That means the City could have relied on just local rain for its water supply in January. 

However, capturing rain typically amounts for just a small portion - 10 to 15 percent - of the City's water supply during an average year. The City generally imports the rest of its water. 

The impact of days of heavy rain are apparent at lakes and reservoirs around San Diego, like Lake Hodges. 

Not long ago, the pedestrian bridge at the lake spanned above just weeds and shrubs. By Wednesday, the water below the bridge had returned. 

Visitors at the lake said the progress was visible. 

Dick March, who was walking through the park on Wednesday, said he stopped by the bridge to check if there was water under the bridge after the storms. 

"That's progress, you look around you, it's green," he said. "Greener than it was last year."

The last time the Lake was this full, he said, was when they were building the bridge. 

"There are birds and ducks down there feeding, so it's a sign things are coming," March said.

Others, like visitor David Bennett, were excited to see the water return - but said the heavy rain had damaged other parts of the park. The surrounding trails, for example, needed maintenance, he said. 

"It's beautiful, brings out more birds and I just think it needs to be cleaned up a little with all these dead trees," he said.

However, he said, he could still remember the last time it rained this much, and the positive impact on the lake. He said it was great to see the water returning.

"The last time we had the heavy rains like this, it was all the way up to the top of the rocks and the top of the damn and it actually looked like a full lake again," Bennett said.

Dean Huseby, who was visiting the lake, said it was wonderful to see the water and lake come back to life. 

"It's a sign that may be the end of the drought, which I think we've all been very concerned about," Huseby said. "I know from here on out we'll have to be conserving more and more, but rain is a good thing."

San Diego Residents Split on Trump's Proposal Refugee Ban

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San Diego neighborhoods with large refugee populations are split on President Donald Trump's proposal to put a temporary ban on most refugees and a suspension of immigrants from several Muslim-majority countries. 

The decision could have a big impact on cities like El Cajon, which houses some of the country's largest immigrant populations from Iraq and Syria. 

Even the City Councilman from this district is an Iraqi immigrant.

But the feelings on Trump's proposal in El Cajon are similar to those felt around the country - mixed and emotional.

"This isn't what we stand for," said James Elia, whose family was displaced in Iraq. "We're a country that fights for moral reasons, we're a country that doesn't oppress people, we're a country that's supposed to help the less fortunate and I fear that the times we are going through now, it's not going to happen."

The Chaldean has become an advocate for refugees.

His cousin, Samia, has been displaced in Iraq for several years. Before ISIS invaded the country, she was a typical 20-year-old college student, studying liberal arts. But now, she wanders from city to city, staying with any available, surviving relative, Elia said.

"I can't even describe how many sleepless nights we're having because we can't get in contact with people," Elia said. "We'll get an email, we'll get a Facebook, something every five, six months, telling us that she's not dead."

El Cajon City councilman Ben Kalasho empathizes with Samia's story - he is an Iraqi immigrant himself.

But Mr. Kalasho says at this point, the City of El Cajon is in too much of a financial strain to support more refugees.

El Cajon now is the poorest city in County, with 28 percent of its population living below the poverty line.

"People are looking for jobs. And in this economy everyone wants jobs, I'm talking about the people who currently reside here," he said. "So when you add the element of including refugees into the mix, it really becomes a catastrophe, economically."

Councilman Kalasho added that the crime rate has absolutely gone up since more refugees have moved in. However, not all of it is violent, he said. A lot of it has to do with refugees not knowing the proper customs or laws here.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego
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