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31 More Dogs Rescued from Hoarder House

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Photo Credit: San Diego Humane Society

In Trump's Twitter Presidency, Experts See Risks and Rewards

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Former President Barack Obama was the first commander-in-chief to ever send a tweet, but President Donald Trump is pioneering an approach to mass communication that may put Twitter at the center of his strategy, raising legal and security questions, NBC News reported.

In his first week on the job, Trump has used an unsecured Android phone to post tweets from his personal Twitter account, and to delete them. His staff initially used a personal email to arrange his government Twitter account, which was updated to a government email on Thursday.

Experts said these activities, while perfectly legal, create avoidable risks.

Using an unsecured phone, or personal email registration, makes the president more susceptible to hacking.



Photo Credit: AP Photo/Richard Drew, File

Crews Responding to Crash in Mission Hills: PD

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Emergency crews were responding to a crash in Mission Hills Thursday night, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) confirmed. 

The crash happened at approximately 11:13 p.m. on the 1600 block of W Washington Street.

It is unknown what led up the crash or how many vehicles were involved.

At this point, SDPD said it's considered to be a serious injury crash.

W Washington Street was shut down in both directions. MTS was also notified for potential impact to service due to the collision.

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 

Ex-Mexican Leader to Trump: 'We're Ready for the Trade War'

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Former Mexican President Vicente Fox said Mexico is ready to take on President Donald Trump's proposal to impose a 20 percent tax on Mexican imports to pay for the border wall.

"Trump has brought back a very strong Mexican spirit and we’re ready for the trade war, and we’re ready, of course, for not paying (for) that wall," Fox said Friday in an interview on NBC's "Today" show. 

In his first week in office, Trump signed executive orders to start construction on the wall, prompting Mexico’s leader, Enrique Pena Nieto, to cancel his scheduled trip next week to Washington.

Trump hasn't put out a concrete plan describing how the U.S. would fund the wall, outside of saying he would make Mexico foot the bill. On Thursday, his press secretary floated the idea of using a 20 percent import tax to pay for construction, but then later pulled back and said the tax was only one of numerous ideas the administration was considering.



Photo Credit: AP

Wind Warning Issued for San Diego

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San Diegans will experience strong winds Friday from the East County all the way to the coast.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for coastal towns like Carlsbad and Encinitas where winds were expected to pick up after 6 a.m. and continue for approximately 12 hours.

Drivers are being told to be careful along Interstate 8, while there's concern about trees being toppled over after the storms.

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In our mountain passes, winds were expected to be 20 to 40 mph with gusts expected to reach speeds of 70 mph, NBC 7's Whitney Southwick said.

"It's going to be a very windy day and not a warm one," Southwick said.

Check the NBC 7 forecast here.

Make sure to download NBC 7’s free news app. Weather alerts, like flood advisories warnings are issued through the app. There is also a local, interactive radar.

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911 Dispatcher Saves Woman Trapped in Trunk

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A quick-thinking dispatcher texted a woman using his own phone after their initial call was disconnected. The woman said she was locked in a trunk by her jealous boyfriend.

Kim Jong Un's Ski Resort for Elites Is Kept Open by Kids

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On the bumpy road to North Korea's top ski resort, work gangs hack and shovel the fresh snowfall to clear the route for busloads of their fortunate fellow citizens, NBC News reported.

There are thousands of them.

Men, women and children, red-faced from the blizzard conditions and freezing cold, wrapped up in jackets, scarves and hats, smashing the snow like metronomes with pickaxes and sticks. They the push it aside with makeshift wooden shovels.

Along the twisting mountain road, small groups of uniformed soldiers join the work, but this is overwhelmingly a civilian effort.



Photo Credit: AP

Qualcomm Stadium Service Vendor Laying off 1,130

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The concession services firm for Qualcomm Stadium is laying off 1,130 workers at the end of March, according to a recent filing with the state Employment Development Department. The job cuts follow close behind the San Diego Chargers’ recently announced departure for the Los Angeles market.

Delaware North, which operates locally as San Diego Sportservice Inc., informed the state on Jan. 24 that it plans to terminate retail, food and beverage concession workers. Delaware North, headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., was awarded a five-year contract by the city of San Diego in 2015 to provide concession services at the Mission Valley stadium, replacing longtime vendor Centerplate.

Workers are scheduled to be laid off during a 14-day period beginning March 31. The workers include bartenders, cashiers, catering servers, cooks, retail clerks, dishwashers, suite attendants and warehouse workers.

Delaware North’s filing with the state indicates that its contract at Qualcomm Stadium was contingent on the Chargers’ continued presence in San Diego. The company is evaluating other opportunities at the stadium site.

Delaware North provides concession services at sports and entertainment venues nationwide, including San Diego’s Petco Park.


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Winter Winds Slam San Diego

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A series of three strong winter storms are sweeping San Diego County. Here's a look at the wet weather.

Photo Credit: Ang Papazis

Things to Do This Weekend: Jan. 26-29

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Welcome to your weekend, San Diego! It’s a busy one: the Farmers Insurance Open takes over Torrey Pines, a boat show makes us long for our very own vessel, and art, community festivals and craft beer events remind us that we truly live in America’s Finest City. Have a great weekend!

Thursday, Jan. 26

Farmers Insurance Open
7 a.m. (Thursday through Sunday), Torrey Pines Golf Course
The Farmers Insurance Open, San Diego’s prestigious PGA Tour golf tournament played at the scenic Torrey Pines Golf Course, returns to the links this weekend. The gates open each day at 7 a.m., with fun post-play parties later in the day. Several ticket options are available for the tourney, depending on which day you want to head to the green, and what you want to do (mingling, eating, drinking) when you get there. Bonus: Tiger Woods will make his 2017 debut at the tournament.

Cowboys & Vaqueros: Legends of the American West
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., California Center for the Arts Escondido
This exhibition, on display through Feb. 26 at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, features a collection of paintings of nostalgic vistas of the American West. The art explores the Cowboy, Native American and Mexican cultures and traditions of the West. General admission is $8 for adults; $5 for students and seniors; military and kids 12 and under get in free.

Cards Against Humanity Tournament 
6:45 p.m. Duck Foot Brewing Company
It’s the perfect game night for people with a bit of a twisted sense of humor. Play a party favorite – Cards Against Humanity – as you sip on some tasty brews (including the small batch release of Coffee IPA). Each team can consist of two to eight players, and ten teams will play in total starting with a check-in at 6:45 p.m. To sign up, email lexxi@duckfootbeer.com in advance. And good news for the winner: whoever wins will take home a $100 Duck Foot Brewing gift cards. Attending is free.

Circus Vargas
7:30 p.m., Del Mar Fairgrounds
Circus Vargas’ newest show, “Steam Cirque,” inspired by the worlds of steampunk and science-fiction, continues its run this weekend at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Tickets range from $22 to $72; parking at the venue is $13. Arrive 45 minutes before show time and the kids can partake in an interactive pre-show where they can practice hands-on circus skills like juggling and balancing alongside the pros. This show continues in Del Mar through Jan. 30; In February, Circus Vargas will make its way to Mission Bay Park and Westfield Plaza Bonita in National City.

91X Comedy Show Hosted by Mike Vinn
8 p.m., The Comedy Store
This fast-paced stand-up show, presented by 91X and hosted by Mike Vinn, will include surprise special guests taking the stage at The Comedy Store. Tickets to the 21+ show cost $10 per person; a 2-drink minimum per patron is required.

John Dore
8 p.m., The American Comedy Co.
“Variety” named this Ottawa-born comedian and actor one of “10 Comics to Watch.” This weekend, John Dore will perform his stand-up act at The American Comedy Co. in downtown San Diego. Ticket’s to Thursday’s show are half-off (for a limited time) and only $6 per person; Dore takes the stage again Friday and Saturday.

Friday, Jan. 27

Home Improvement Show
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Del Mar Fairgrounds
Working on some home improvement projects around the house? Get inspired at this three-day Home Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds featuring products and services offered by local businesses. The show is at O’Brien Hall; admission is free but parking is $13. The show runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Ali Wong
7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. (Friday & Saturday), Balboa Theatre
Comedian, writer and actress Ali Wong – of Netflix’s stand-up special, “Ali Wong: Baby Cobra,” which Wong filmed while 7 months pregnant – will perform Friday and Saturday at downtown’s Balboa Theatre. Wong’s quirky brand of comedy has also been featured on the late-night talk show circuit and on Comedy Central’s “Inside Amy Schumer.” Tickets start at $39.50.

Hops on the Harbor
7 p.m., Flagship Cruises and Events
Set sail with one of San Diego’s local breweries as you enjoy sweeping views of the San Diego bay. The dinner cruise features brews from Finest Made Ales with a gourmet menu during a two-and-a-half hour cruise. In addition, there will also be music and dancing. Tickets start at $40.70.

Pancakes & Booze Art Show
7 p.m. to 1 a.m., 57 Degrees Wine & Craft Beer
This underground traveling art show makes its way to San Diego Friday night, taking over 57 Degrees Wine & Craft Beer San Diego on Hancock Street. The 21+ show will boast work from more than 60 emerging artists, plus live body painting and, as its title suggests, pancakes. A pancakes bar will serve the treats throughout the evening, and drinks will be served until midnight. There’s a $5 cover to get in.

American Riffs & Rhapsodies
8 p.m., Copley Symphony Hall
This Jacobs Masterworks Concert presented by the San Diego Symphony explores American classical music – both bold and brassy – from Henry Cowell’s hymnal music and Samuel Barber’s “Symphony No. 1” to Duke Ellington’s “Harlem.” The show’s conductor is James Gaffigan, and it stars dancer Cartier Williams. Tickets start at $20 per person.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Beer-Flavored Beer: Belgian Style Brew Tasting
1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Benchmark Brewing Company
Benchmark Brewing Company (6190 Fairmount Ave., Suite G), will host another one of its guided tasting events, this time focusing on Belgian-style brews. Patrons will get a quick tour of the brewhouse before tasting five pours. Tickets are $10 per person; space is limited so reserve your spot ahead of time.

Changing of the Barrels, 28th Anniversary Celebration
2 p.m., Karl Strauss Tasting Room
Karl Strauss Brewing Company is celebrating 28 years brewing beer (and a recent GABF award!) this year – and what better way to celebrate than the company’s annual Changing of the Barrels party. Come join the brewery and get a chance at tasting their 29th anniversary beer before it spends a year in barrels! Plus, the brewery will debut their anniversary bourbon barrel-aged Belgian quadruple after it spent a year aging in barrels. A admission ticket will get you unlimited pours of their special releases, plus small batch beers, as well as food pairings, live music and commemorative glassware. Tickets start at $30.

Disney on Ice: Worlds of Enchantment
11 a.m., Valley View Casino Center
Bring the whole family down to the Valley View Casino Center and step into the magical world of Disney. Four favorites – The little Mermaid, Toy Story, Frozen, and Cars – will take over the ice. From wheels to icy wonderlands, see your favorite Disney characters come to life.

Big Bear Snow Trip
5 a.m., Five Star Tours
It’s not winter without a trip to Big Bear to ski or snowboard. If you’re worried about the hassle of getting up there, try this tour, taking off from Downtown San Diego. A bus will take you up to Snow Summit to enjoy the fresh powder, just hours from sunny Southern California. Packages start at $80.

Santee Active Lifestyle Expo
9 a.m., Santee Trolley Square Amphitheater
Don’t let go of those New Year’s resolutions yet! Head over to the Santee Active Lifestyle Expo this Saturday to get inspired to work out in new and innovative ways. From a 370 foot inflatable obstacle course to a kid’s fun zone to a BMX trick show – there’s lots to love at this expo. Find new ideas and ways to live a healthier life. The event will take place rain or shine and is free.

12th Annual Tet Festival
Various hours, Friday to Sunday, Mira Mesa Community Park
Come out to Mira Mesa this Saturday and celebrate the annual Vietnamese New Year at this celebration. The one-of-a-kind festival features free entertainment, lion dancing, music, carnival rides, authentic Vietnamese food and more. More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the popular festival, which will welcome the Year of the Rooster. Admission is free. The festival runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. 10 p.m. om Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

San Diego Sunroad Boat Show
10 a.m., Sunroad Resort Marina
Looking for that beautiful next boat? Or just want to window shop? This annual event brings together the best of boating and marine services and products, as well as free boating seminars, rides and more, on San Diego’s bay. Find a list of exhibitors and a list of their free seminars on their website. Tickets are $12 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. The boat show will run from Thursday to Sunday. On Thursday and Friday, the show hours will be 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; on Saturday and Sunday, catch the show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 29

Plays by Young Writers
2 p.m., Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre in the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center at The Old Globe
Theatre lovers will want to attend the final day of this festival, filled with work from California’s youngest and brightest minds. The 32nd Annual Festival of Plays, by the Playwrights Project, brings together the best work from California’s youngest minds, courtesy of the project’s Young Playwrights Contest for teens under 18. The festival includes a staged reading of a play by 12-year-old Absinthe McDonald and productions from other young playwrights. Tickets start at $20. The festival runs from Jan. 19 to Jan. 29.

The Recovery Ride
7 a.m., Swiss Park Banquet Hall in Chula Vista
Bring out your bike and participate in this charity bike event to benefit Stepping Stone of San Diego and The San Diego HIV Dunding Collaborative. Pick from three route lengths – 12, 25 or 40 miles – that all start at Swiss Park in South Bay and go along the Silver Strand, to the Olympic Training Center, and beyond. You must register in advance. Registration starts at $35.

The Someday Birds Launch Adventure
1:30 p.m., San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center
Spend the afternoon in Solana Beach at the San Elijo Nature Center for the unique launch of Sally J. Pla’s new novel. Pla’s new kid-friendly novel is about self-acceptance and learning to feel more at-ease with the world. Get there a little early – at 1:15 p.m. – for an hour-long bird watching walk lead by members of the conservatory, through the lagoon. Later in the afternoon, there will be refreshments, a book discussion with Pla and a complete Q&A. The event is free.

Free or Cheap Things to Do in San Diego
Times and locations vary

Is your wallet hurting from the holidays? In San Diego, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy for free or on the cheap. Go for a hike at Torrey Pines State Park or Cowles Mountain, stroll Balboa Park, try a new craft brewery, admire the murals of Chicano Park or read a book at a downtown park. Get out there and explore America’s Finest City.



Photo Credit: Todd Strain/NBC 7

Local Business Owners Fret Over Trump's Tax Hike Idea

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Serving up ceviche is San Diego resident Juan Carlos Recamier’s passion. But, for him, President Donald Trump's idea to impose a 20 percent tax hike on Mexican imports to build a wall, feels personal.

"It hits home. I’m from Mexico City," Recamier told NBC 7 on Thursday night.

Today, Recamier lives the American dream. He opened his own business in North Park, the Ceviche House, which specializes in fresh, healthy ceviche made with local produce and sustainable seafood.

Thursday's talk of Trump's tax idea was troubling for the small, local business owner.

"Of course it hurts. It’s not an economically motivated practice," he said.

Partially because of seasonal availability, some of Recaimer's produce such as bell peppers, avocado and jicama come from Mexico.

If Trump succeeds in imposing the tax on imports, Recamier is concerned about what that may mean for his restaurant and for other members of San Diego's small business community.

"Everyone is going to have to adjust their prices," he lamented. "It’s really tough for me to talk to customers and explain I have to raise my prices because tariffs are coming."

Currently, the United States and Mexico do about $ 1.6 billion dollars a day in cross-border trade. Mexico is one of the largest suppliers of agricultural imports to the U.S.

The staff at La India Bonita, a family-owned Mexican restaurant in Chula Vista, says the eatery gets 90 percent of its produce from Mexico. Any sustained price increase would likely be served up to the customer, according to Tony Valencia.

“It’s a huge chain reaction. Unfortunately if it does happen, the only ones that suffer are the customers,” Valencia told NBC 7.

The San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) said 92 percent of San Diego's exports are sold to Mexico, employing 117,000 people. The EDC said the potential for retaliatory tariff's are troubling.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer weighed in on the matter Thursday, releasing this statement:

"We already have a safe and secure border in San Diego built by the federal government. But we also have strong economic and cultural binational ties that have my unwavering support. Keeping trade moving in both directions safely and securely is important to San Diego’s economy and helps create local jobs."



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Overturned Big Rig Blocks I-8 Lanes in Campo

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A big rig overturned on Interstate 8 in Campo Friday, blocking two lanes and prompting a traffic alert. 

The accident happened just before 11:30 a.m. on westbound I-8, west of Crestwood Road near Mountain Springs Road. California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials said a big rig had toppled on its side, blocking the No. 1 and No. 2 lanes on the highway.

Traffic was flowing through the right shoulder as crews worked to clear the big rig from the area. A heavy duty tow truck was requested, CHP said.

No other information was immediately available, including if anyone was hurt. 

The big rig overturned amid a high wind warning in that area, where gusts were strong throughout the morning. That warning is in effect through 1 p.m. Saturday.

Get traffic updates from NBC 7 here.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 



Photo Credit: Getty Image

'Hamilton' to Make San Diego Debut

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Don’t get your britches in a wad, but the biggest Broadway hit in recent memory is coming to town: “Hamilton: An American Musical” is set to make its San Diego debut at the San Diego Civic Theatre during the 2017-18 Broadway/San Diego season.

We’ll have to wait a hot minute though. The award-winning, record-setting, and headlines-grabbing play helmed by Lin-Manuel Miranda is scheduled to run one year from now: Jan. 3-28, 2018.

For the unfamiliar, “Hamilton: An American Musical” is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of one of America’s Founding Fathers Alexander Hamilton, and features an incredible score that mixes hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway for a truly masterful approach to modern theater.

Widely considered a cultural phenomenon, audiences and critics alike have unanimously raved about the production, and it reportedly took in $30 million in advance ticket sales before its official opening in 2015. It also set a Broadway box office record for the most money grossed in a single week in New York City: In November of 2016, "Hamilton" grossed $3.3 million for an eight-performance week.

While individual show tickets are not currently on sale yet, San Diego resident patrons can “subscribe” to 2017-18 season tickets at this link.

Subscribers can choose which day of the week they’d like to see each of the season’s seven shows -- which, aside from “Hamilton,” also include the Tony Award-winning 2015 smash hit “An American in Paris”; Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Love Never Dies” (the sequel to “The Phantom of the Opera”) and the fun-loving “School of Rock” romp; Emilio and Gloria Estefan’s crossover sensation “On Your Feet”; Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic “The King and I”; and Disney’s beloved “The Little Mermaid.”

Additional season events include Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” “Motown: The Musical,” “Dirty Dancing,” “Stomp” (at the Balboa Theatre), “Les Misérables,” and “The Phantom of the Opera.”

“The 2017-2018 season, in particular, is simply an embarrassment of riches,” said Joe Kobryner, Vice President of Broadway/San Diego, in a recent press release. “Six of our seven subscription shows are Broadway/San Diego debuts; along with some of the biggest mega-hits in musical theater history returning to the Civic Theatre.”

Pricing ranges from $218 to $603 per season ticket seat, with several different seating options/show times available to choose from (including much higher-priced VIP seats via the "President's Club").

San Diego County Credit Union members can take advantage of a special 20 percent discount on Tuesday night season ticket packages by calling 888-937-8995 (offer is only available over the phone using an SDCCU Visa debit/credit card, and runs until March 17, 2017).

For more information on shows, showtimes, tickets and more, visit Broadway/San Diego's official website.

Broadway/San Diego’s 2017-2018 Season

  • Sept. 5-10, 2017: “An American in Paris”
  • Sept. 19-24, 2017: “The Little Mermaid”
  • Nov. 24-26, 2017: “Cinderella”
  • Dec. 26-31, 2017: “Motown: The Musical”
  • Jan. 3-28, 2018: “Hamilton: An American Musical”
  • Feb. 9-11, 2018: “Dirty Dancing”
  • March 2-4, 2018: “Stomp” (at Balboa Theatre)
  • March 27-April 1, 2018: “Love Never Dies”
  • May 29-June 3, 2018: “Les Misérables”
  • June 12-17, 2018: “School of Rock”
  • June 26-July 1, 2018: “The King and I”
  • July 31-Aug. 5, 2018: “On Your Feet!”
  • Aug. 23-Sept. 2, 2018: “The Phantom of the Opera”

Dustin Lothspeich books The Merrow, plays in Diamond Lakes, and runs the music equipment-worshipping blog Gear and Loathing in San Diego. Follow his updates on Twitter or contact him directly.



Photo Credit: AP

Gregg Phillips, the Man Trump Says to Prove Voter Fraud

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In his continued effort to argue that massive voter fraud took place in the 2016 election, President Donald Trump gave a shout-out Friday to Gregg Phillips, who has asserted that more than three million votes have been cast by non-citizens.

According to NBC News, Phillips is a vocal conservative who founded a health-care-data company. And he's unwilling to share his illegal-vote findings to the public - at least for now.

When the fact-checking group PolitiFact looked into Phillips' claims, it said his inability to release the proof made his findings suspect.

In an interview with NBC News, Phillips said he didn't care about complaints that he has offered no public evidence.



Photo Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Woman Walks, Loses Weight After Years in Wheelchair

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When Laura LaPorta was 11-years-old she shattered her C5 vertebrae in a diving accident and became paralyzed. Seventeen years later, LaPorta's determination to lose weight has inspired her to take new steps.

Doctors initially told LaPorta she was quadriplegic, something she couldn't quite grasp.

“At 11 years old, you cannot understand what a spinal cord injury really entails,” the 28-year-old high school guidance counselor from Bergenfield, New Jersey, told "Today."

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While she worked hard to live independently, she gained weight from being confined to a wheelchair and relying on fast food. At her heaviest, the 5-foot-6-inch woman weighed 240 pounds and that gain made her realize she had to again walk.

LaPorta began training last August and progressed from small tasks, like toe tapping, to eventually being able to walk on a treadmill. What's more, LaPorta has lost 40 pounds.



Photo Credit: Courtesy Lauren LaPorta
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Not Just Golf: Farmers Insurance Open is For Mingling

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While this weekend's 2017 Farmers Insurance Open will bring legends to the links, the tournament has evolved into so much more than just golf. Today, it's a social affair filled with music, dancing, drinks and mingling against those ocean views.

The prestigious PGA Tour golf tournament runs through Sunday at the scenic Torrey Pines Golf Course.

In addition to bringing pros like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson to the green, the event draws in a lot of spectators who spend the day at the course enjoying many activities and party zones, in addition to golf.

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Strolling the areas around the course, attendees will find DJs spinning tunes, people dancing and bartenders pouring craft brews and tasty cocktails (ahem, The Torrey Mary -- a bloody mary inspired by the location).

After walking around the green all day following their favorite players, fans can even unwind in massage chairs lined up in an area away from the noise.

There has been a push over the years to not just make the Farmers Insurance Open a PGA Tour tournament but rather a social event.

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San Diegans told NBC 7 that, while they may come for the golf, they stay for the after-play parties.

"There's a lot to do -- it's so much fun," one spectator said. "It's awesome."

"It's nothing short of amazing," another man added, toasting his friend with a beer.

It's certainly not your father's golf tournament.

Spectators can purchase several ticket options for the tourney, depending on which day they want to head to the links and what they want to do when they get there. 

Several party “zones” along the course offer food, drinks and music.

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The Servpro Fan Village, for instance, is located at the convergence of three holes: behind the 15th green, adjacent to the 17th fairway and a few hundred feet from the 18th tee. Farmers Insurance Open organizers call that area the “epicenter” of the action.

That area includes a 30,000-square-foot Michelob ULTRAZone serving free samples of Michelob ULTRA, plus food offerings.

NBC 7 got a look at this zone and the views were stunning:

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That’s also where Harrah’s Resort SoCal will host the Post Party Friday and Saturday, once the last group has played through the 15th hole. The bash begins around 3:30 p.m. each day and will feature live music, food and Happy Hour drink specials. This area can be accessed by purchasing a Grounds ticket to the tournament.

There’s also a section dubbed The Fringe (on the 15th green), an open-air sports bar where Harrah’s Resort SoCal will offer artisan snacks and a premium drinks. See ticket prices for The Fringe here.

The Surf Club, an open-air venue off the 17th green and overlooking the 18th tee, boasts an outdoor patio where spectators can watch the action. Surf Club tickets can be purchase here.

Meanwhile, between the 7th and 18th fairways, spectators will find The ZTE Grove, an area where fans can recharge their mobile devices and grab a drink in some 21+ sections. The Grey Goose 19th Hole (located on the north side of the par-3 8th green) will serve Grey Goose cocktails, also with breathtaking views. The William Hill Wine Lounge (located on the south side of the 8th) will offer a bevy of wine varietals from William Hill.

The Vantage Point – located near the 1st tee and 18th hole of the South Course also offers some nice rest areas. There’s La Cantina (behind the 1st tee on the South Course, near the Pro Shop) which serves the Torrey Breakfast Burrito (egg, potato, cheddar cheese and fresh salsa), mimosas, margaritas and more.

At The Vantage Point golf fans will also find the practice putting green where they can watch the pros as they prepare to play. There’s also an autograph area where fans can meet their favorite players after the round and the Torrey Pines Golf Shop where fans can buy official swag from the tournament.

For Citi Card members, there’s also a little area on the 14th green called the Citi Card Member Club, which will feature some fun elements, too.

With food and drink vendors galore, it’s easy to spend an entire day (or the whole weekend, really) at the golf tournament. Check out the Farmers Insurance Open website for tickets, tips for planning your day at the golf course and details on who is serving what as you take in the tourney and those spectacular, unmatched ocean views that make this event a favorite among golf pros and fans alike.



Photo Credit: Todd Strain
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Tiger Woods Bumps Business, Fan Attendance at Golf Tourney

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Golf legend Tiger Woods made his 2017 debut at the Farmers Insurance Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego this week and it looks like the pro’s presence is very good for business.

How good?

Farmers Insurance Open director Peter Ripa said Friday that tournament attendance and merchandise sales are already up as the tourney heads into the busy weekend rounds.

One of the biggest bumps in business has been online.

“It’s been fantastic. There’s been a huge bump in online sales, we’ve seen an increase of 65 percent over our peak year,” Ripa told NBC7 in an on-course interview.

When asked why the increase in interest, sales and attendance? Ripa simply said it’s the “Tiger Effect.”

“It’s exciting to see the numbers that we do have out here, so operationally we’re ramping up because Friday is often our biggest day,” he explained.

Huge groups of fans have been following Tiger the past two days – fans lining up six to 10 deep on some holes. When that group of spectators comes through the course, concession stands feel it.

“The groups that follow Tiger and Phil [Mickelson], they all hit the spots, so we have some beverage carts only for those groups,” said Ripa.

As Tiger goes, so goes golf. That’s how it’s been since Tiger burst on to the PGA Tour scene in the 1990’s, and that’s how it’s going at the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open.

The golf tournament – and the many fun, social activities that accompany it – runs through Sunday.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Trump's Expanded Mexico City Policy Could Affect Fight Against Zika, HIV/AIDS

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Most presidents decide in their first week whether to keep or scrap the so-called Mexico City Policy that bans U.S. aid from going to groups abroad that provide access or information about abortion.

President Donald Trump’s executive action on Jan. 23 to bring back the policy was not itself surprising for a Republican president. But reproductive health advocates are alarmed by the rule's expansion, with some claiming that it goes against American values.

“We’re telling organizations that they can’t use their own money to advocate for supportive and more liberalized policies,” said Jonathan Rucks, director of advocacy at reproductive health champion PAI. “This is an incredible overreach on the part of the U.S. government.” 

The Mexico City Policy originated with Ronald Reagan in 1984 and has been called a political football. Whether it is enforced depends on the party controlling the White House. It was last applied under George W. Bush, before Barack Obama rescinded it in 2009. Dubbed the “global gag rule” by critics, the policy not only restricts foreign U.S. aid recipients from providing abortions, but also prohibits their staff from educating clients about abortion as a reproductive health option or publicly advocating for or against the medical operation.

Under past administrations, the policy has only impacted U.S. family planning funds abroad, which totals about $575 million, according to PAI. But under Trump’s version of the rule the revision extends the gag rule to also affect NGOs that primarily combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, Zika, cancer, tuberculosis, and other dangerous or life-threatening diseases that attack both genders and all ages.

It could influence the distribution of up to $9.5 billion if groups don't agree to change their abortion stance in return for U.S. aid, experts say. 

Françoise Girard, president of the International Women’s Health Coalition, thinks even the earlier rule was a violation of American values.

“We’re exporting our abortion madness to these countries with the intent of stifling democratic speech,” she said.

In a recent Marist poll, 83 percent of those surveyed opposed subsidizing abortions in other countries, which the U.S. has not done for decades. Previous regulations from the 1970s and '80s already forbid the allocation of foreign aid to abortion services, and the reason for the executive action is not to ban American-funded abortions abroad, but to impede discussion about the practice.  

For anti-abortion organizations, Trump’s move came as welcome news. “We’re very happy with it,” said Stephen Phelan, director of missions communications at Human Life International. “By reinstating the Mexico City Policy, a lot of lives will be saved.” 

Vice President Mike Pence addressed a crowd of tens of thousands of abortion opponents Friday at the annual March for Life in Washington, reassuring them "life is winning" because of Trump's election.

But the practical results of the rule may actually lead to more abortions. In a bulletin published by the World Health Organization in 2011, researchers at Stanford University concluded that under the Bush administration, abortion increased in sub-Saharan African regions that were affected by the Mexico City Policy. Because some international organizations refused to comply, they lost funding that had gone toward condoms and other methods of contraception. When locals could no longer prevent pregnancy, they aborted unwanted fetuses.

Sub-Saharan Africa is a big place, said Grant Miller, co-author of the bulletin. From 30 surveys in 20 countries, Miller and his team deduced that abortion rates rose from 10.4 induced abortions per 10,000 women between 1994 and 2001 to 14.5 between 2001 and 2008, when Bush instituted the Mexico City Policy. The rate in regions that were comparatively unexposed to the rule stayed stable between 1994-2008, while locations that were heavily impacted saw a significant increase in abortions.

The study may point to larger trends. In 2016, Miller collaborated on another project that studied abortion legalization in Nepal, where he found that modern contraception and abortion were used interchangeably. By giving women access to preventative forms of birth control, like those provided by most NGOs that face ramifications from the Mexico City Policy, abortion rates decrease.

Regardless of political affiliation, few Americans want there to be more abortions, said Miller. “This really shouldn’t be a partisan debate. It’s about a policy that has perverse, unintended consequences,” he added. “A policy that is having exactly the unintended effect... just seems like an unambiguously bad thing." 

Esther Vicente, president of International Planned Parenthood Federation’s western hemisphere region, started volunteering at IPPF in 2003. Unlike Trump, Bush modified his version of the Mexico City Policy to protect AIDS relief funds, but it still wreaked havoc on family planning groups like IPPF and its member organizations that relied on American grants. Because of financial strains, clinics closed on a national level.

“Though we did receive additional funding from other sources at that time, it was not enough to substitute the amount that we lost,” Vicente said. “It takes time for the other governments to commit to provide more funding.”

Now, when foreign aid is overstretched by the refugee crisis in Europe, it will be especially challenging for global health programs to survive financially. The Netherlands has announced an international safe abortion fund to counter the effects of Trump’s executive action, but their assistance may not be able to refill the void left by the United States.

When Bush was in office, Marie Stopes International ran a much smaller operation. During the Obama presidency, it has expanded to in-need areas like West Africa. MSI now receives 17 percent of its aid from the U.S. Agency for International Development, about $30 million annually.

“It’s going to be very tough to find that level of replacement,” said Maaike van Min, MSI director of strategy & development. “We’re talking to a lot of existing and new partners to see if we can manage to fill the gap.” 

“It’s probably not going to be easy to raise amounts of money that would even come close to what organization are going to lose,” echoed Girard.

Through its impact calculator, MSI has estimated that because of Trump's memorandum, there will be 6.5 million more unintentional pregnancies, 2.2 million more abortions, and 21,700 more deaths of women who would have been protected by MSI's services. 

Charles Kenny, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development, noted that with the Mexico City Policy in place, foreign NGOs are forced to choose between private and European donors, who require full access to reproductive care that includes abortion, and American aid. This cuts the overall resources at their disposal.

“You are asking them to make a choice about, ‘Are we going to let some of our clients die?’” he said. “It’s a moral conundrum that I think is horrible.”

Kenny also recognized that restricting abortions usually doesn’t stem demand. Young women without legal options tend to seek illegal, unsafe, or traditional alternatives that often lead to health complications, he said. 

“It seems a policy without any kind of empirical justification and with all sorts of terrible effects,” Kenny said. “Just google stick abortions. It’s not pleasant.”

A spokesperson for the World Health Organization told NBC the group was concerned about the policy's "potential impact on the ability of NGOs to support family planning needs globally.” When women can't access safe abortion providers, that "can lead to disability and death.”

In the past, the Mexico City Policy has made exceptions for victims of rape or incest. It's unclear whether that's still the case. 

“I do not see any mention of this provision remaining in, so those are always concerns,” said Wendy Grube, interim director of the Center for Global Women’s Health at the University of Pennsylvania.

Phelan, with Human Life International, said he hoped those provisions were no longer included. “How that person came into existence doesn’t in our case allow that person to be killed,” he explained, referring to a rape victim’s fetus.

For most NGOs influenced by the policy, abortion is not their main priority. In Vicente’s IPPF region, only one percent of non-U.S. funding went toward abortions in Latin America and the Caribbean. But after the election in November, the IPPF governing council came together and decided that it would not adhere to the Mexico City Policy because it goes against IPPF’s core values to provide women with all the healthcare they need.

“I think the United States is a democratic country,” Vicente said. “It’s a country that advocates for human rights globally. And I hope the people in power in the United States will review these policies, and take into consideration the effects that they’re having globally, and change. I hope they will change their position.”

Legislative efforts in Congress to get rid of the Mexico City Policy have failed. 

The White House has not responded to a request for comment on why Trump decided to expand it.

When asked whether it would follow the rule, a USAID spokesperson told NBC that the agency is “currently reviewing the presidential memorandum, and we are consulting with the Departments of State and other agencies regarding its implementation.”



Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images
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2017 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines

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The 2017 Farmers Insurance Open – San Diego’s prestigious PGA Tour golf tournament – runs Jan. 26 through Jan. 29 at the scenic Torrey Pines Golf Course.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Ikea Recalls Beach Chairs Due to Fall Hazard

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Ikea has issued a recall for about 33,400 units of its MYSINGSÖ beach chairs. The chairs are foldable with a wood base and an attached polyester fabric seat.

According to Consumer Product Saftey Commission (CPSC), the Swedish furniture maker has received 13 reports worldwide of incidents, including 10 reports of injuries, six of which resulted in fingertip amputations. Three of the incidents, including one amputation, were reported in the U.S.

CPSC advises consumers to immediately stop using the recalled chairs and return them to any Ikea store for a free replacement or full refund. 

The beach chairs were sold at Ikea stores nationwide and online from February 2013 through December 2016 for about $25.

The following article numbers are included in this recall. The article numbers are on labels on the wooden frame and sewn into the fabric.

Seat Fabric Color & PatternArticle Number
Light Red/Blue Striped
Light Red/Blue Striped
902.280.08
Red/Blue Striped
302.580.79
Solid White

502.851.66

Solid Red802.873.95
Solid Green002.931.40
Grey/White Chevron303.120.24
Light Blue/White Chevron503.120.23
Light Red/White Chevron003.120.25

Consumers can contact Ikea toll-free at 888-966-4532 anytime or online at www.Ikea-usa.com  



Photo Credit: IKEA
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