Tesla has come under fire in the wake of an explosive crash in Indianapolis involving a Model S battery-electric vehicle that took the life of a young woman and her boss, NBC News reported.

The automaker had previously taken steps to prevent the lithium-ion batteries used in its vehicles from inadvertently catching fire, but the crash raises questions not only about whether Tesla has gone far enough, but whether Tesla's battery technology is inherently safe. Lithium-ion chemistry came under close scrutiny last year as a result of fires and meltdowns involving Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 smartphone.

"Had she been in another vehicle she would have been alive for me to yell at her for driving after drinking," Jon Speckman, the father of victim Casey Speckman, said during an interview with the Indianapolis Star.

In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) points to the lessons of history to show how important a free press is for a strong democracy, NBC News reported.

A group of close to 40 students at the University of San Diego is preparing for a humanitarian mission to the West African nation of Ghana this summer.

Since the Ebola crisis spawned in West Africa in late 2013, the Medical Brigade chapter of USD and other factions like it across the continent were kept out of the country for a considerable amount of time.

Now, USD’s Medical Brigade chapter is one of eight chapters under the Global Brigade umbrella cleared to return to Ghana where they will provide free medical aid and supplies to thousands throughout the country.

The group traveled to Panama last June, and a few weeks ago returned stateside from a trip to Honduras. They met once again on Saturday in an on-campus apartment to begin planning their summer trip to Africa.

“It’s very important to me because I really like working in this fluid machine and being able to help give care to hundreds of people,” said Bryce Olbert, a USD student on the leadership team for the chapter. “We’re going to possibly be seeing 1,000 people per day in Ghana just because there’s so much back-up from not having any brigades go for several years.”

While in Africa, students will provide various healthcare services to people in need and will hand out free hygiene products like shampoo and toothbrushes. They’ll even lead education efforts focusing on hygiene and personal healthcare for adults and children.

Although the Ebola crisis has calmed considerably since the World Health Organization declared the disease a world health emergency in August of 2014, concern over contracting the disease while visiting Ghana is a legitimate concern.

Olbert, though, says that he isn’t really worried.

“No, because I haven’t heard of anything recently,” He said. “And the only thing we actually have to get done is get a yellow fever vaccine because they have a lot of problems with mosquitos.”

The chapter works throughout the semester to raise money for their trip and for medication and equipment for patients.

You can learn more about the USD Medical Brigade and donate to their cause here.

Thousands of people nationwide have vowed to spend their Presidents Day Weekend protesting President Donald Trump and his policies at "Not My President's Day" rallies scheduled to take place in at least 25 cities across the country, according to NBC News.

On Saturday, more than 1,000 people marched in downtown Dallas in solidarity with refugees and immigrants.

Religious leaders, activists, and refugee resettlement agencies participated in the march which started at the Dallas City Hall and ended at JFK Memorial Plaza.

In Los Angeles, a coalition of groups and activists marched through downtown in protest of Trump's immigration policies, and to call on city leaders to make Los Angeles a sanctuary city, according to a statement about the event.

In New York City's Washington Square, hundreds attended a mock funeral for President's Day. Protesters dressed in black, listened as a eulogy was delivered for the American presidency.

On Sunday, five thousand people are expected to come together in Chicago to resist the Trump administration's agenda of "racism, sexism, bigotry, and war," John Beacham, rally coordinator, said.

In Salem, Oregon, more than 1,200 people have pledged to show up to protest on the steps of the Oregon State Capitol.

On Monday, several rallies are expected across the U.S.:

• "Not My President's Day -- Rally," Los Angeles
• "Not My President's Day -- Rally (NYC)" New York
• "Not My President's Day Rally (Washington DC)," Washington, D.C.
• "Not My President's Day -- Rally (Chicago)," Chicago
• "Presidents Day Protest KC," Kansas City, Missouri
• "Not My President's Day Rally," Denver
• "Not My President's Day March," Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• "Not My President's Day," Salt Lake City
• "ImPEACH NOW! (Not My) President's Day March," Atlanta

The two people who were killed while driving on Interstate 15 during Friday night’s rain storm have been identified by the medical examiner, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Mabel Bahena, 19, was in the passenger seat of a Volkswagen Jetta Friday night when the driver lost control and slammed into a truck parked on the shoulder of northbound I-15 just south of University Avenue.

She was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash happened around 6 p.m. The driver was taken to the hospital. The owner of the truck suffered minor injuries. Bahena was a student at UC San Diego. 

Rogelio Colchero, 68, was killed on southbound I-15 when another car lost control crashing into the car he was in. His car was then struck a second time by a minivan.

Colchero, who was a passenger in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash happened around 5:15 p.m. just south of Mira Mesa Blvd. The extent of the other victims’ injuries is unclear.

The Powerball jackpot has risen to an estimated $349 million ahead of Saturday's drawing.

That's the biggest jackpot since 20 company co-workers in Tennessee took home a combined $420.9 million right after Thanksgiving.

There hasn't been a jackpot winner in 2017, according to a list maintained on the game's website. It's been a year and a month since three winning tickets were sold for a $1.59 billion jackpot.

The odds of winning the grand prize are pretty slim, according to the game's website: 1 in 292,201,338.

Saturday's pot has a cash value of $213.1 million. The $349 million would be paid out over an annuity.

Iraq's prime minister on Sunday announced an offensive to seize control of the western coast of the city of Mosul from the terror group ISIS, NBC News reports.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on state television Sunday morning that the new push has begun. Hours earlier, Iraq's military said planes dropped leaflets into the area, urging those who joined ISIS to surrender and warning that the military would move into the western coast of the city, which straddles the Tigris River. 

"I announce today the start of military offensive to liberate the western coast of Mosul," al-Abadi said. He added, "our mission is to liberate people before land."

Sandy Vinge may have gained notoriety from her 2008 kidnapping, but listening to friends and family speak about her at her funeral Saturday, you quickly realize the octogenarian's whole life has been captivating.

“I don't know how much time you have. I could spend all evening telling you about her,” her granddaughter, Candice Allen, tells NBC 7.

Vinge’s best friend describes what a great personality she had.

“She says ‘we're not going to lunch today, we're going to Costco’. I says ‘why’? She says ‘because everybody there knows me and they'll give us doubles and triples.’”

In 2008, Vinge was choked unconscious by a door-to-door salesman. Her hands were tied with duct tape and she was thrown into the back of her own station wagon. Over the next 26 hours the suspects beat her badly and used her stolen credit cards. She was finally rescued by two deputies who stopped her captors for a traffic violation.

One of the officers who rescued her, who she called “her hero,” and the prosecutor who represented Vinge both spoke at her funeral. The prosecutor flew in from Tennessee for the event. 

“Look how many lives she's touched. You guys are all here,” the deputy spoke of Vinge.

Her son, Dan Allen, says she hated funerals. “And she made it clear she wanted no one to mourn for her at her death.”

Her son says he'd try to catch up with her and plan a time to see her. “She'd go ‘okay, wait a minute hon’. And grabs a calendar and she'd turn looking into the calendar and every day was filled. And she goes, ‘what are you doing a month from Wednesday.’”

California Highway Patrol officials are investigating after a body was found on Interstate 5 early Sunday morning. 

The body was found shortly before 3:30 a.m. Sunday on I-5 Southbound near the Sea World Drive exit, in San Diego's Mission Bay neighborhood. 

It is unclear how the person died at this time, CHP officers said. Reports indicate two cars hit a pedestrian. 

All lanes of the freeway were closed for a while as officers investigated. Since then, all lanes have reopened. 

No further details were available. 

A domestic violence incident in San Ysidro has prompted officials to evacuate nearby apartments. 

The incident happened at approximately 8:16 a.m. Sunday at an apartment near Camino De La Plaza and Willow in San Ysidro, according to San Diego Police (SDPD). 

Police did not have details on exactly what happened. 

The suspect may or may not be holed up inside the apartment. 

Police evacuated adjacent apartments as they worked. 

No other information was available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news.

A North Park resident backed her Mustang into a neighbor’s apartment building Sunday Morning, San Diego Police said. 

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The incident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. Sunday at an apartment complex on Texas Street.

San Diego Police said the woman may have accidentally hit the gas instead of the break.

The vehicle broke through the living room of Benjamin Bulanadi, the man living in the apartment. Bulanadi was not home when the incident occurred.

“Luckily I stayed over at a friend’s house last night,” Bulandi said. “It was pretty intense to come home to that.”

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Bulanadi said if he was in his living room, he could have been hit by his dresser or TV.

Bulanadi rents the apartment through Airbnb. The owner was on the scene Sunday morning and exchanged information with the Mustang driver. Bulanadi is looking for another place to stay.

Rhino Lightning arrived at the shelter last week, with a spiral notebook filled back to front with a child's notes about the dog — a "striped dream," as the adoring author put it, the Today Show reported.

Addressed to Rhino's new family, the letter says the animal's "cheeks make a lot of slobber." He is "a good dog and he loves cuddles," and is a "very amazing puppy." Rhino "hates snow & swimming," but he "loves to run around" and to sleep under the blankets.

"The family told our receiving staff the notebook was written by one of their kids," Humane Society of Utah spokesperson Guinnevere Shuster told TODAY in an email. "It was​ filled with information about Rhino for his new​ ​family​."

Two memos written by the Department of Homeland Security would expand federal authorities' powers to detain and deport undocumented immigrants within the United States, NBC News reported.

Obtained by NBC News, the new directives signed by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly provide greater detail about two of President Donald Trump's executive orders relating to his campaign promises of building a border wall with Mexico and increasing deportation efforts.

If approved, the memos would order officials to end the release of people captured at the borders while they await hearings, and direct officials to hire additional ICE and Border Patrol agents, as well as send more immigration judges and asylum officers to the border. The documents would also order officials to work with agreeable local police and sheriffs to enforce the new regulations, and allow for expedited removal proceedings for detained immigrants who have been in the U.S. for two years or less.

One victim was found trapped after their car crashed and wrapped around a tree in Rancho Santa Fe. 

The crash happened at approximately 11:22 a.m. Sunday at El Montevideo and Via De Fortuna, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials. 

The impact of the single-car crash left the vehicle wrapped around a tree. 

Two of the people in the car were okay and climbed out of the car after the crash. 

The third, a passenger, was left trapped. Officers say man is in good condition. 

CHP officers said they believe the crash was caused by high speed and wet conditions. 

No other information was available.

The San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) is facing a big budget deficit, and on Tuesday the Board will look at what to cut to make ends meet. 

NBC 7 has learned ahead of Tuesday's meeting that the Superintendent Cindy Marten and the Board will take salary cuts in order to help balance the District's budget. 

Marten told NBC 7 exclusively that in addition, there will likely be layoffs to teachers and employees in non-teaching positions. Marten stressed the cuts will not impact class size limits. 

In the week prior to the meeting, parents have been receiving emails from principals at their children's schools about those budget cuts, asking for feedback about how parents want the school to spent discretionary money the district gives to schools. 

In her exclusive interview, Marten expanded on parent’s concerns with budget cuts going forward, and offered a better look at what to expect. Read Marten's full, transcribed interview with NBC 7's Megan Tevrizian below. 

Question: "The first thing on the minds of most parents is what’s on the chopping block?"
Marten: "We made our recommendations making sure our core class size limits are not going to be increasing. That’s an important message for folks to understand that where we’re going to address this budget deficit and the solutions that we’ve developed started at the top first. So what you’re seeing is that the majority of cuts will be at the central office, and central office administrators. Making sure that those with teaching credentials will remain inside the classroom, teaching students next year. And I also have to say I’m really proud of our Board of Education, when you ask what’s being cut the Board is taking action on Tuesday to reduce their own salaries, which I want to give them credit for and I’m doing the same thing. I’m asking the Board to have them reduce my salary as well. So you’re seeing cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. Core class size limits are not going to be increasing so kids will have the same kinds of experiences that are producing the same great results San Diego Unified is currently getting today, that we’re able to mitigate financial deficit in ways that we brought solutions forward that will least impact students in the classrooms."

Question: "Will there be teacher lay-offs? If so, how many?"
Marten: "Yes, there will be teacher lay-offs and that’s the part where parents go ‘if there are layoffs, what happens to my kid’s class size’ – no the class sizes will be OK, the layoffs will be because some teachers that were not in the classroom will be going back in the classroom which creates the domino effect; so there is going to be some bumping that takes place when that happens and this is a long, complex process so when you say (how many is it going to be?), we’re just getting the conversation started now in advance of the March 15 notices, but we’re also bringing forward this week an early retirement package so teachers will have a chance to elect early retirement with the process that’s coming forward. Once the layoff process begins, lots more moving pieces will happen. We don’t know how many retirements we have, we have some vice principals that will be returning to the classroom, resource teachers that will be returning to the classrooms. All those get put together to see the final layoff notices that will happen later in the year. But we’re just starting the process now and all the moving pieces will be put together in the next several months."

Question: "The district gave teachers a raise in spite of the fact the district knew it was going to be in a budget deficit. The Board has said it did that to stay competitive, to be able to attract the best teachers, but really – was that responsible?"
Marten: "We’re looking at the labor market and we’re wanting to be a district that can attract and can retain the highest quality educators in the State of California and we want to make sure we’re paying teachers exactly what we believe they deserve to live in this market. We’re addressing the long term structural deficit and being able to address that with the type of integrity and thoughtfulness that we’re doing right now to create a long term solution, so we can continue to pay all of our employees what we know they need to be paid to live in this labor market."

Question: "What will happen to classified employees, or those who work in non-teaching positions?"
Marten: "This is a district with 17,000 employees and as we’re finding solutions for a $124 million deficit that’s 10 percent of our overall budget, 92 percent of our budget pays for people. There are people outside of the classroom, we call them the classified staff that we’re going to be making adjustments there as well. It is across the system, and we’re making the same theory of action when we’re making decisions about where we’re going to find our solutions. How do we find solutions that least impact the overall instructional program for our students. We want to stay invested in the things that are producing our 92 percent graduation rate, our increase in test scores, our attendance rates. Frankly, teachers are part of that but so are bus drivers, cafeteria workers, health assistants, all across the system we have non-teaching staff that contribute to the outcomes that we get for kids. So when we make the decisions of non-teaching staff and our school communities are looking at how do we adjust and find solutions to address and adjust this deficit to stability once and for all, all members will be impacted to some degree but at the end of the day we’ve got solutions that work for kids, we have programs that are working for kids, and we’re going to come out of this with stability, continue with achievement even though we have employees across the system being effected."

Question: "What will happen to the arts programs?"
Marten: "I want parents to understand we are very proud of our arts programs, our international baccalaureate programs, our duel language programs, those programs we consider to be essential to the core mission of our district and that’s the key message that, although we’re figuring out solutions to address this deficit, we’re holding true and staying steady with the programs that have produced the results that we know. We have a five year strategic plan for our arts that we’ve used a broad based community, strategic advisory arts council that we’re going to stay on our plan. We might have to adjust the timing of things but we have not walked away from our commitment to the arts. We know that a broad and challenging curriculum with focuses on world languages and our focus on the arts and having a robust approach that we call unlocking the genius for each and every student, we are not walking away from those things. We can actually bring forward a set of budget solutions and keep the core, the core. We know what our families expect for our kids and we’re able to do that."

More than 100 employees across the country were fired from their jobs after skipping work to take part in last week's "Day Without Immigrants" demonstration, NBC News reports.

A company in Tennessee laid off 18 employees after they participated in the nationwide demonstration on Thursday, NBC4 reported.

The company's attorney, Robert Peal, said in a statement obtained by the news station that all employees were told they risked termination if they skipped work.

Two employees in Florida claimed they were fired from their positions at Grace Community School, according to NBC2, though the head of the school insists no one was terminated.

At Ben's Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant & Caterers in Long Island, New York, 25 workers were fired Friday when they returned to work, according to Telemundo 47.

Last week's nationwide "Day Without Immigrants" protests were aimed at showcasing the impact immigrants have on the U.S. economy.

The USS Carl Vinson, which is homeported at North Island in San Diego, began routine operations in the South China Sea on February 18.

The aircraft carrier previously conducted operations off the coast of Hawaii and Guam and in the Philippine Sea along with guided missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 2.

"The training completed over the past few weeks has really brought the team together and improved our effectiveness and readiness as a strike group," said Rear Adm. James Kilby, commander, CSG 1. "We are looking forward to demonstrating those capabilities while building upon existing strong relationships with our allies, partners and friends in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region."

Carl Vinson last deployed to the Western-Pacific in 2015 where they conducted 2015 a bilateral exercise with the Royal Malaysian Navy and Air Force.

The aircraft carrier left San Diego on January 5 with 7,500 Marines and sailors.

The Trump administration has struggled with ethics vetting for Cabinet nominees and faced criticism for the president's decision to remain invested in his business empire. When Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, prepared to enter the White House, however, the administration sought to do it by the book.

That is the picture established by new emails, obtained by MSNBC, showing how Kushner's lawyers worked on a divestment plan to avoid conflicts by conferring with the Office of Government Ethics.

Walter Shaub, the ethics office director who publicly criticized Trump and drew the ire of house Republicans, appeared heartened by the plans submitted by Kushner's team.

"The process was good here," said Norm Eisen, an ethics expert who is suing the Trump administration.

Kathleen Clark, an ethics expert at Washington University Law School, agreed there was a "striking contrast" between the approach of Kushner and other Trump officials.

Here is a look at what’s going on in San Diego sports for the week for February 20^th-26^th.

PADRES: After a week of workouts the Padres play the Mariners Saturday and Sunday in Peoria. First pitch is 12:10 p.m. both days.

GULLS: It’s a double dose of hockey at the Valley View Casino Center. Friday the Gulls host the Texas Stars before the Rockford Ice Hogs come to San Diego. Puck drops 7 p.m. both nights.

SOCKERS: Saturday the Sockers play in Sonora against the Coyotes before Baja Atletico comes to the Valley View Casino Center Sunday at 5:05 p.m.

UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO TOREROS:

-MEN’S GOLF: Monday-Wednesday at The Prestige in La Quinta, California.

-BASEBALL: Tuesday KT Wiz 6 p.m. Friday vs. Notre Dame 6 p.m., Saturday USD vs. Oregon/UC Irvine 5 p.m. and Sunday Championship game 10 a.m. all at Fowler Park.

-WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Thursday at Gonzaga 6 p.m. and Saturday at Portland 2 p.m.

-MEN’S BASKETBALL: Thursday vs. Gonzaga 7 p.m. and Saturday vs. Portland 6 p.m.

-MEN’S CREW: Saturday at the City Championships 7 a.m. at Mission Bay.

-MEN’S TENNIS: Saturday vs. UC Irvine 10 a.m. and Saint Mary’s 2 p.m.

-WOMEN’S TENNIS: Sunday vs. Arizona State 12 p.m.

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY AZTECS:

-MEN’S GOLF: Monday-Wednesday at The Prestige in La Quinta.

-BASEBALL: Tuesday at UC Irvine 6 p.m., Wednesday at Cal State Fullerton, Friday vs. Tennessee 6 p.m., Saturday vs. Seton Hall 1 p.m. and Sunday vs. TBA.

-SOFTBALL: Tuesday vs. Siena 6 p.m., Friday vs. Oklahoma State 6 p.m. and Florida State 8:30 p.m. in Cathedral City. Saturday vs. Stanford 5:30 p.m. and Sunday vs. New Mexico State 9 a.m. and Utah 11:30 a.m. in Cathedral City.

-MEN’S BASKETBALL: Wednesday vs. Fresno State 8 p.m. and Saturday at Colorado State 5 p.m.

-WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Wednesday at Fresno State 7 p.m. and Saturday vs. Colorado State 2 p.m.

-WOMEN’S TENNIS: Wednesday vs. Eastern Michigan 2 p.m. and Saturday vs. Arizona State 12 p.m. both at the Aztec Tennis Center.

-WOMEN’S TRACK: Thursday-Saturday at the Mountain West Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

-WOMEN’S LACROSSE: Friday at Michigan and Sunday at Detroit Mercy.

-WOMEN’S WATER POLO: Friday-Sunday vs TBD in Irvine.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO TRITONS:

-WOMEN’S TENNIS: Tuesday vs. Eastern Michigan 2 p.m. at UCSD and Saturday at Cal State L.A. 11 a.m.

-WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Thursday at Cal State San Bernardino 5:30 p.m.

-MEN’S BASKETBALL: Thursday at Cal State San Bernardino 7:30 p.m.

-WOMEN’S WATER POLO: Friday-Sunday TBD in Irvine.

-MEN’S GOLF: Friday and Saturday at the Pioneer Shootout in Vallejo.

-SOFTBALL: Friday and Saturday at Cal State San Bernardino 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

-MEN’S TENNIS: Friday vs. Holy Names 3 p.m. at UCSD.

-BASEBALL: Friday vs. Cal State San Marcos 6 p.m. and Saturday at Cal State San Marcos 12 p.m.

-MEN’S VOLLEYBALL: Friday vs. UC Santa Barbara 7 p.m. and Saturday vs. UCLA 7 p.m. both at UCSD.

-MEN’S ROWING: Saturday San Diego City Championships 7 a.m. at Mission Bay.

-TRACK & FIELD: Saturday at the Mangrum Invitational 10 a.m. in San Marcos.

POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY SEA LIONS:

-WOMEN’S GOLF: Monday and Tuesday vs. Cal Baptist Women’s Invitational in Riverside 8 a.m.

-MEN’S BASKETBALL: Monday at BYU-Hawaii 9:30 p.m. and Saturday at California Baptist 8 p.m.

-WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Monday at BYU-Hawaii 7 p.m. and Saturday at California Baptist 5 p.m.

-WOMEN’S TENNIS: Wednesday at Concordia 2 p.m. and Friday vs. Western New Mexico 11 a.m.

-MEN’S TENNIS: Wednesday at Concordia 2 p.m., Friday vs. Western New Mexico 2 p.m. and Saturday vs. Sonoma State 11 a.m.

-TRACK: Saturday at Mangrum Invitational in San Marcos 10 a.m.