An Encinitas student, deported after President Donald Trump’s first travel ban, is praising a federal judge's decision to put the administration’s revised travel ban on hold.

“I like what they said about the notion of targeting whole groups of people as being flawed. I think that is so important,” said Sara Yarjani.

Yarjani, 35, is an Iranian national with residency status in Austria. She said she was heading to Los Angeles when the president’s first travel ban was enacted. She was detained at LAX for 23 hours before being deported back to Austria.

She called her treatment harsh.

“I had everything taken away. I had my phone taken away and they said to take your jewelry off. I didn’t even know why,” said Yarjani.

Yarjani is in the U.S. on a multiple entry student visa. She is studying Holistic Health at the California Institute for Human Science in Encinitas.

The president’s revised travel ban would not have applied to green card holder or people holding valid visas – as is the case with Yarjani. But for Yarjani, it didn’t matter.

She said she was troubled the order targeted groups of people.

“There are so many people, nations of people and to think whole nations of people are a threat just because of where they’re from, for me, that’s strange and it doesn’t make sense,” said Yarjani.

Yarjani also had this message for anyone who may be afraid or threatened by someone from another country.

“I feel people are made to be scared of whole nations of people. I feel that if you don’t know someone from a different country, or if you don’t know a Muslim or Iranian, or someone from those countries, and you feel they’re scary, just meet one.”

Graft is a booming business in Russia, where the average bribe has grown by 75 percent year-on-year according to the country's anti-corruption tsar, NBC News reported.

Greasing the palm of a Russian official cost 328,000 rubles ($5,600) on average in 2016, leading business daily Kommersant quoted Lt. Gen. Andrei Kurnosenko as saying Thursday.

"But often the bribes are much higher," the policeman said, according to the paper.

Based on production, three San Diego breweries are ranked among the overall largest United States, with Ballast Point Brewing Co. leading the charge.

The Colorado-based Brewers Association (BA) released its annual lists Wednesday of the nation’s top 50 overall brewing companies and top 50 craft breweries for 2016, based on beer sales volume.

On the list of overall brewing companies, Ballast Point Brewing Co. ranked No. 13 in the nation, with Stone Brewing Co. not far behind at No. 17. Green Flash Brewing Co. made the cut, too, coming in at No. 46 – up three spots compared to the prior year.

Compared to last year’s rankings, Ballast Point Brewing Co. has officially surpassed Stone Brewing Co. in production. The BA’s list for overall top brewing companies for 2015 had Ballast Point at No. 17 and Stone Brewing at No. 15.

On the BA’s list of top 50 craft breweries, Stone Brewing Co. took the No. 9 spot and Green Flash Brewing Co. came in at No. 37. Karl Strauss Brewing Co. was No. 41.

The BA notes that of the 50 overall top brewing companies, 40 were craft brewing companies.

According to The Brewer’s Association, an American “craft” brewer is defined as “small, independent and traditional.” That means a company’s an annual production is 6 million barrels of beer or less; less than 25 percent of the craft brewery is owned or controlled by an alcoholic beverage industry member that isn’t a craft brewer; the majority of its total beverage alcohol volume is in beers “whose flavor derives from traditional or innovative brewing ingredients and their fermentation.”

“With such a broad range of brewers in today’s beer landscape, the leading small and independent producers have helped build the craft brewing industry to what it is today,” said Bart Watson, chief economist, Brewers Association, in a press release. “Embracing their experience and ability to thrive and overcome challenges, the top producing craft brewers will continue to inspire, innovate and influence the future of beer.”

Other well-known California companies that made the list of top 50 overall brewing companies in the U.S. include Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (No. 7), of Chico, California, and Lagunitas Brewing Co. (No. 9), of Petaluma, California. To see the full lists, click here.

In 1997, researchers from Georgia Tech linked exposure therapy with the emerging technology of virtual reality. Ten volunteers, veterans suffering from PTSD who had not responded to multiple treatments, signed up for the pioneering clinical trial dubbed Virtual Vietnam, NBC News reported.

"Think about the worst thing that ever happened to you and remember how you felt immediately afterwards," says Albert "Skip" Rizzo, a research professor at the USC Davis School of Gerontology who has worked with veterans since the mid-1980s. "Now imagine that six months later, you still feel that exact same thing with the exact same intensity. That's PTSD."

Treatment for PTSD has varied over the years, from medication to psychotherapy to simple exercise. Most now agree that exposure therapy, which seeks to relive a sufferer's trauma in a controlled, often imaginary environment, is usually the most effective prescription.

As March Madness arrives, distracted workers around the country will be paying more attention to their brackets than their work, according to a report by outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, NBC News reported.

The firm estimates that more than 50.5 million American workers, or 20 percent, could participate in office pools this year. That's up 5 percentage points from last year and 9 points from 2014.

The loss of productivity in the opening week of March Madness could cost employers nearly $4 billion in lost revenue, according to the report. And each hour of the workday wasted on building brackets or watching games will cost employers $1.3 billion.

A local resident with a confirmed case of measles may have exposed others at two Scripps Health facilities in the North County.

The resident, who had traveled out of the country, visited Scripps Health facilities in Encinitas and Vista, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) announced Wednesday.

According to HHSA, the possible exposure occurred at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Urgent Care in Vista on March 8, 7:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. and March 9 from 4 to 7:45 p.m.

The second location for the potential exposure is Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas. That may have occurred from 6 p.m. on March 9 to 8 a.m. on March 10. The second floor in-patient hospital ward may have also been exposed on March 10 from 5:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.

NBC 7 reached out to Scripps Health and received the following statement, which read, in part:

"Ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients and health care workers is our top priority at Scripps. Toward that end, we are working with the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency to reach out to those who may have been exposed to measles at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas and Scripps Coastal Medical Center Vista urgent care."

According to Scripps Health, the patient was admitted into the hospital on March 10 and was diagnosed with measles, based on lab results, on March 13.

Measles develop seven to 21 days after exposure and symptoms usually include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, according to HHSA. A red rash appears on the skin four days after symptoms. 

HHSA said the person who has contracted measles is usually contagious four days before the rash appears.

The best way to prevent measles is to get the vaccine, according to County public health officer Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H.

Scripps Health said they are reaching out to the public and to health care workers who may have been exposed.

Anyone who was at those locations during that time frame is asked to reach out to their primary care physician. 

More than $51,000 worth of methamphetamine were found inside a woman's vehicle as she attempted to cross a checkpoint with her 4-year-old daughter in the backseat.

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Border Patrol agents stooped the woman at the Highway 86 checkpoint around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The 21-year-old woman had her daughter in the rear passenger seat of her car. 

When a canine team alerted agents to the vehicle, they found approximately 16.05 pounds of methamphetamine in the rear passenger seat.

“This is an example of the lengths criminals are willing to go through in order to blend in. They will put their kids at risk by involving them in narcotics trafficking activities," said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim.

CBP said the woman, a U.S. citizen, and her child were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

A beloved African elephant who lived at the San Diego Zoo was found dead inside the facility Tuesday morning, zoo officials confirmed.

The elephant – named “Mila – was found unresponsive by the San Diego Zoo’s animal care staff. The cause of her death is unknown. The San Diego Zoo said Wednesday that the veterinary staff will perform a necropsy on Mila at the zoo’s Elephant Care Center to determine why and how she died.

The African elephant – one of many in the zoo’s herd – first came to the San Diego Zoo in November 2013, when she was 41. Before being moved to San Diego, Mila lived at the Franklin Zoo in New Zealand.

She made her mark quickly at the San Diego Zoo; staffers say she will be sorely missed by many.

According to the zoo’s website, African elephants typically live into their late-30s, up to even 50 years of age, in the wild and in zoos. African elephant females can weigh up to 8,000 pounds; African elephants are the largest mammals on land.

The San Diego Zoo’s Elephant Care Center provides care for geriatric elephants and those needing extensive medical care. It opened in 2009, and treats both Asian and African species.

San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott has issued a memo clarifying her office's position on a portion of the City's Land Development Code under debate in past months: short-term vacation rentals. 

In a memorandum sent to Councilmember Barbara Bry Wednesday, Elliott said the rentals are not legal in single family residential zones under the City's current codes. 

"This Office appreciates that the Municipal Code, as currently written, does not allow the reasonable compromise our communities seek; a compromise respectful of those who wish to enjoy the quiet enjoyment of their homes and those who wish to take advantage of the innovation economy," Elliot wrote in the memo.

NBC 7 reached out to Councilmember Bry and her office responded, saying "her priority is protect the character and safety of our neighborhoods."

Whether the rentals are even allowed under municipal code has come under question, as the municipal code does not clearly define it either way. 

According to Elliott, the City is under a "permissive zoning ordinance", meaning that any use not listed in the City's zoning ordinance is prohibited. 

"Short term vacation rentals are not specifically defined, expressly permitted, or listed in any of the zone use categories, including residential or commercial," Elliott wrote in her statement. 

Commercial services are "generally not allowed" in the residential-single unit zoning code, Elliott said. 

In a statement to NBC 7 San Diego, Jasmine Mora, Airbnb press secretary, said the following:

"The portion of the code referenced was not written with the sharing economy in mind and underscores why we need thoughtful, sensible short term rental regulations. Thousands of San Diegans rely on home sharing to make ends meet and supplement their incomes. We want to continue working with city leaders to enact clear and common-sense regulations that ensure accountability and maintain neighborhood quality."

In a statement, Councilmember Bry said she was pleased to read the memo Elliott sent her, and said she looks forward to working to find a way forward. Bry, who represents District 1, represents coastal communities such as Carmel Valley, Del Mar, La Jolla, University City, Torrey Pines and surrounding areas. 

"I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Council to determine the best way to allow property owners to participate in home sharing, while also enforcing existing City Code to protect residential communities from the proliferation of mini-hotels," Bry said in a statement.

The topic of short-term rentals has become a point of contention for many residents in the past few months. Residents in neighborhoods like Pacific Beach, Point Loma, Del Mar, La Jolla and more have mixed opinions on the issue: some say the extra income helps support them financially, while others argue the loud parties the renters throw are disruptive and noisy. 

Kimberly Wise, a Mission Beach Realtor and property manager on the Mission Beach Town Council, said she agrees there should be more regulations.

"We want vacation renters to come to Mission Beach and enjoy themselves but not at our expense," said Wise. "And that’s what happening." 

However, she added, Mission Beach residents financially benefit from short-term rentals but she does not think homeowners are doing it the right way.

"They’re not taking responsibility and vetting the people they’re renting to,” said Wise.

She said Mission Beach has more than 2000 residential properties, and out of those owners, only  about 750 live in the property year round. The zoning ordinance, in her opinion, should be modified to accommodate each community's needs. 

Resident Juan Garcia, on the other hand, believes each homeowner should be able to do what they want with their property, so long as they are no disrespecting neighbors. 

In the past, Elliott's predecessor Jan Goldsmith has been murky on the issue: he said the current code would have to be amended. 

The memo comes a week before The City Planning Department will present draft proposals for regulating the rentals, often found on sites like Airbnb and VRBO. 

However, Elliott and Bry both left the doors open for compromise after the department issues their proposals. 

Steve Penny resigned as president of USA Gymnastics on Thursday following intensified pressure on the organization for its handling of sex abuse cases.

The resignation came a week after the United States Olympic Committee's board recommended to USA Gymnastics chairman Paul Parilla that Penny should step down. Penny offered his resignation during a previously scheduled board meeting on Thursday.

Penny released the following statement on Thursday.

“For the past 18 years, it has been a privilege to serve the membership of USA Gymnastics.  There will never be enough words to describe my tremendous respect for all of the athletes who put their hearts and souls into the sport of gymnastics every day, along with the coaches, club owners, volunteers, families, and other professionals that support them with honor.

“Throughout this time there have been many amazing moments along with challenges.  My primary objectives over the last 12 years as CEO have been to raise the bar on how USA Gymnastics serves its athletes; to build relationships that provide resources to help the organization and its membership flourish; and to build a team effort that brought the sport together around common goals.

“Among the most important priorities has been Safe Sport. We all care deeply about the safety of our athletes, which is fundamental to a rewarding experience at any level of gymnastics.  It has been heartbreaking to learn of instances of abuse and it sickens me that young athletes would be exploited in such a manner.

“I applaud the United States Olympic Committee for creating a broad SafeSport platform that has brought new awareness to the importance of this issue and provided a robust solution for the National Governing Bodies to demonstrate their passion for athlete protection. The U.S. Center for SafeSport establishes an important framework for every National Governing Body to strengthen its resolve against abuse. Everyone associated with USA Gymnastics will benefit from this advancement.

“My decision to step aside as CEO is solely to support the best interests of USA Gymnastics at this time.

“I want to thank everyone for their support over the years, especially those members who have provided thoughtful feedback as to how we could improve the organization.  I am especially grateful to the USA Gymnastics staff and everyone who has served on the board of directors over the years.  These incredible people have always acted in the best interests of the organization and challenged USA Gymnastics to seek improvements that would benefit the membership it served.”

Penny joined USA Gymnastics in 1999 and was named the organization's president in 2005, overseeing one of the greatest runs in Olympic history.

Led by national team coordinator Martha Karolyi, the women's program has become a dominant force, producing each of the last four Olympic all-around champions and team golds in 2012 and 2016. The success turned gymnasts like Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson into stars and made USA Gymnastics a magnet for big-time corporate sponsors who wanted to be aligned with its healthy, winning image.

That image took a serious hit in recent months following an investigation by the Indianapolis Star that portrayed USA Gymnastics as slow to act when it came to addressing allegations of sexual abuse by a team doctor and coaches at member gyms across the country.

"The Board believes this change in leadership will help USA Gymnastics face its current challenges and implement solutions to move the organization forward in promoting a safe environment for its athletes at all levels," Parilla said in a statement.

Last fall, Jamie Dantzscher, a member of the 2000 Olympic team, filed a civil lawsuit in California against USA Gymnastics and former team doctor Larry Nassar.

The lawsuit claims Nassar -- who worked for the organization on a volunteer basis for nearly 30 years before being dismissed in the summer of 2015 -- sexually groped and fondled the gymnasts as teenagers. Subsequent lawsuits have followed, including some that name Penny, Karolyi and her husband Bela as co-defendants because they "had knowledge of inappropriate conduct and molestations committed by (Nassar) before and during his employment, yet chose to allow him to remain unsupervised where he sexually abused plaintiff."

Martha Karolyi retired last August and sold the training gyms at the Karolyi Ranch north of Houston to USA Gymnastics.

Nassar was fired by USA Gymnastics after Penny heard of an athlete's concerns about Nassar's conduct and went to federal authorities. The organization initially claimed it notified the authorities immediately but amended its timeline last month, indicating it conducted its own investigation during a five-week span before reporting Nassar to the FBI. Nassar is currently in prison in Michigan, where he worked for decades at Michigan State University before being let go last fall. He faces charges in both the state and federal system.

USA Gymnastics hired a former federal prosecutor last fall to conduct an extensive review of the organization's policies in regards to potential sexual misconduct. The report by Deborah J. Daniels is expected sometime in the spring or early summer.

The gregarious Penny -- whose booming voice and penchant for wearing eye-catching shoes during big events made him stand out in a sea of gymnasts -- has denied any wrongdoing and the USA Gymnastics board of directors had remained supportive throughout the firestorm.

That didn't stop the USOC from sending recommendations to USA Gymnastics Thursday. While the USOC does not have official authority to remove heads of national governing bodies, it can apply pressure by threatening to without funding. The USOC gives USA Gymnastics a cash grant of nearly $2 million annually.

Pressure also has been building within the gymnastics community. International Gymnastics Camp, a summer camp located in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, announced last week it was pulling its sponsorship of the organization until "USA Gymnastics must become the leading governing body in child safety considerations including National Team programs and club programs alike," camp director Brent Klaus wrote in an open letter on the camp's website.

Penny's departure is not enough for some of the women who have filed suit against Nassar and the organization. Attorney John Manly, who is representing more than 70 women currently suing Nassar and USA Gymnastics, issued a letter to USOC chairman Larry Probst this weekend asking the USOC to de-certify USA Gymnastics.

The letter pointed to the Ted Stevens Amateur Sports Act, a federal law that guarantees athletes the right to compete without discrimination. The letter pointed to misconduct by coaches as proof that USA Gymnastics "maternally inhibits these women's ability to participate in their sport."

A motorcyclist heading west on State Route 94 lost control of his motorcycle, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials. 

CHP Officer Bailey said the collision happened just after 12 p.m. on SR-94 in Mt. Hope, east of Downtown San Diego near Interstate 15. 

Preliminary reports say the motorcyclist lost control on his or her own, and then a Sedan, traveling behind the motorcyclist, struck the motorcyclist. 

He suffered major injuries and was taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital. 

No other information was available.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the homicide of 55-year-old Catherine Kennedy, killed in gang crossfire last week, Escondido Police Chief Craig Carter announced Thursday. 

Kennedy, an active member of the community, was on her way home from a confirmation class last Tuesday when she was shot and killed.

A stray bullet from a gang shootout struck her in the head as she was driving on Grand Avenue in Escondido. She lost control of her car and crashed into another vehicle.

She later died at the hospital.

A 24-year-old man and 16-year-old male have been arrested in connection with the death, Carter said during a press conference. One suspect was arrested in Escondido and the other was arrested out of the County. 

The 24-year-old will be charged with murder at an arraignment Friday afternoon, police said. The juvenile will face similar charges in the future as well. 

Carter said the 24-year-old gang member allegedly shot at the 16-year-old gang member last week when he was painting graffiti on the other gang's turf, police said. 

There are still outstanding suspects in the homicide investigation, Carter said, though he would not elaborate on when police are expecting to make additional arrests.

Dozens of tips from the local community poured in after news of Kennedy's death came out, some of which helped crack the case, Carter said. 

“Every investigative tool that you can imagine" led to the arrest of the two men, Carter said: photos from the area, tips to the police, surveillance and more.

In response to the arrest, Kennedy's husband released the following statement: 

“We would like to commend the Escondido Police Department on these arrests and ask that you respect our privacy as we continue through the grieving process in light of this new information,” said Kevin Kennedy.

After a federal judge in Hawaii blocked President Donald Trump’s new travel ban from going into effect, social media erupted with a #BoycottHawaii movement driven by Trump supporters.

Inevitably, many people used their 140 characters on Twitter to poke fun at the idea of a boycott.  

"Will Deplorables be boycotting vacationing in Hawaii before or after giving away tickets to soldout Hamilton?," one user quipped.

Meanwhile another tweet about Pearl Harbor struck a more serious chord, drawing on Trump supporters' often-discussed respect for the military.

Ed Glavin, producer for the "Ellen DeGeneres Show," was among those on Twitter asking Trump supporters to "please" #BoycottHawaii.

"It's literally the only way Hawaii gets more beautiful," he tweeted.

Another tweet took a jab at Trump’s widely disputed claims about the size of his inauguration audience, asking how supporters would #BoycottHawaii when "you couldn't even go to your boy’s inauguration."

But some tweets with a more serious tone could still be found among the jokes. One user tweeted asking for prayers for Trump "in these dangerous times," while another user called for "a few thousand refugees" to be sent to the state.

Hawaii isn’t the first to be the subject of boycotts by Trump supporters. Other things that supporters have called for boycotts of include Starbucks, the musical "Hamilton" and Budweiser. Similarly, Democrat’s supporters have called for boycotts of businesses that have backed Trump, known as the "#GrabYourWallet" campaign.

The revised travel ban comes in response to Trump's original executive order on immigration being struck down by federal courts. The new order bars travelers from Iran, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Yemen and Sudan--dropping Iraq, which was part of the original executive order. People who have visas already are not blocked from entering the U.S. 

A judge in Maryland also blocked the ban early Thursday morning. 

For a second time the San Diego Community College District Citizens Bond Oversight Committee listened to allegations of unfinished and poorly done work paid for by Proposition N money, a $870 million bond measure approved by voters in 2006.

The complaints from students and college employees ranged from allegations of sloppy work, promises for upgrades and improvements that were never delivered and the loss of valuable class time that can never be retrieved.

The alleged sloppy work includes a slanted studio floor, unfinished sound proofing and no TV cabling into the building designed to serve students studying television news.

Laura Castaneda is the former Chair of the Radio and Television News Department at City College. She resigned from her position as Chair in January, partially she said, because of the lack of response to her concerns about what she describes as poor work completed within her department by contractors and subcontractors.

“It was my understanding this committee was put together to keep track of money,” she said. “This is taxpayer money, community money, San Diego money.”

Proposition N is governed by an amendment to the California Constitution that includes provisions for accountability. The district must conduct an independent audit to ensure the money was spent for what it was intended.

“I don’t think there is a person in the room who (if they) bought a new house and the contractors didn’t do something right, you wouldn’t be on the phone the next day,” Castaneda said.

In January 2016, she said she warned the City College president at that time Anthony Beebe, there were numerous problems with the work that “has taken a tremendous toll on our enrollments.” She and students then took their complaints to the City College Board of Trustees. Not able to get a satisfactory response, Castaneda said, she and other faculty and students then reached out to the Bond Oversight Committee, twice. Their latest attempt at the January 2017 Bond Oversight Committee meeting, a year after her first warnings.

City College student James Smith joined Castaneda at that meeting, sharing concerns about how that bond money was spent.

“I got cheated out of the opportunity,” Smith, a former videographer for the Black Entertainment Television (BET) network, who has been training in City College’s radio and television program since 2010, said. “This is an award winning program that is successful in training future journalists, filmmakers and technicians, so why doesn’t it get the support due?”

During the January 9 meeting, Bond Oversight Committee members cited the most recent audit report and explained for the fifth year in a row, they have received a perfect audit.

“The Proposition N bonds were all used for the purpose they were set for,” announced the board's secretary.

Despite this, City College student John Sanders said he wonders why the warnings about poor workmanship were ignored.

“I am curious to know why nobody seems to respond to emails, questions,” Sanders said addressing the board and Constance Carroll, Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District, who attended the meeting.

“The citizens oversight committee is not the committee to bring these concerns,” Carroll said in response.

Nick Marinovich, a member of the California League of Bond Oversight Committees and Chairman of the Sweetwater Bond Committee, said he disagrees.

“There are certainly some people on the committee that could help or review the allegations,” Marinovich said. The board is “the eyes and ears of the taxpayers.”

Marinovich reviewed documents provided to him by NBC 7 Investigates about the issues at City College. The documents included copies of Castaneda’s requests to school management as well as Proposition N financial statements and the auditor's report.

“There may be something to it, maybe not, but you owe the courtesy to the public where their money is being spent, especially the people that work in the area and know the details,” Marinovich said.

As to the “perfect” audit report for Prop N spending, Marinovich said all audits are not created equal; some audits do more than others. This audit, he said was limited to the financial statements and according to the audit report “not designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control” concluding “material weaknesses may exist that may have not been identified.”

After a series of meetings with college leaders, Castaneda said some of the promised wiring upgrades will be finished this summer. Still, she said, there are other issues that will not be completed, including a slanted studio floor, unfinished sound proofing, no software programs for news editing and writing and no TV cabling in the building.

In response to questions about the allegations from Castaneda and the others, the Community College District’s public information officer Jack Beresford said the district would not be commenting.

Specifically, NBC 7 Investigates wanted to know:

• Do district leaders believe they handled the complaints in a timely manner?
• Does the district support the Bond Oversight Committee position that the committee is not responsible for responding to issues raised about construction problems?
• Does the District ever consider other types of audits to review the work done under bond projects?

Mila, the elephant found dead at the San Diego Zoo earlier this week, had no known medical issues, NBC 7 has learned.

The death of the 45-year-old elephant was sudden; zoo officials do not suspect any foul play. They are looking into the possibility she died from a stroke or a heart attack, a source close to the situation told NBC 7.

Mila was found by zoo animal care staff unresponsive inside the elephant enclosure on Tuesday morning.

A necropsy will be performed to determine the animal’s official cause of death.

Mila came to the San Diego Zoo in November 2013. Before being moved to San Diego, Mila lived at the Franklin Zoo in New Zealand.

African elephants have a life expectancy of between 40 and 60 years; those in captivity tend to live longer.

Two San Diego County school districts are being sued for negligence after a former Navy Junior ROTC instructor had a sexual relationship with a student.

The suit alleges one district recommended the instructor for a position with another school district but failed to mention inappropriate behavior with female students.

Martin Albert Gallegos pleaded guilty to statutory rape and was sentenced to one year in jail and three years of probation for having sexual intercourse with the student. She was 17 at the time of his arrest in April 2016.

The teenager said Gallegos made her feel special by lavishing her with praise, giving her rides home, bringing her lunch and texting her in the evening.

In the lawsuit, the teenager described how she showed text messages from Gallegos to a volunteer ROTC instructor. The suit states that instructor told two ROTC Master Chiefs within the Mar Vista High School program however, the volunteer instructor was told to leave the issue alone.

Once the teenager reported the relationship to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, Gallegos was arrested and charged.

The lawsuit also alleges that Gallegos' employment with Coronado High School ended because of alleged inappropriate behavior with female students. However, Coronado Unified School District did not relay this information when it offered a letter of recommendation concerning Gallegos to Sweetwater Union High School District, according to the complaint.

The teenager, who NBC 7 is not identifying because she is the victim of statutory rape, filed claims with both school districts in August 2016.

Coronado Unified School District rejected the claim in September. The superintendent was unavailable for comment on the civil lawsuit Thursday.

Sweetwater Union High School District rejected the claim in January. District spokesperson Manny Rubio said, "Because this is an ongoing legal matter it would not be appropriate for us to comment."

At the time of Gallegos' arrest, Sweetwater Union High School District officials said they were surprised at the allegations because Gallegos had passed all background checks before he was hired.  

But a school district employee told NBC 7 that Mar Vista High School did not run background checks on volunteers. The school district could not or would not provide documentation to show otherwise.

In the lawsuit filed March 1, the teenager is seeking damages for negligent supervision/failure to warn, negligent hiring and sexual harassment among other claims.

We out here: Our 2017 South by Southwest adventure continued yesterday in Austin, Texas -- with Day 2 performances by Rocket From the Crypt, Eisley, Charly Bliss, Beach Slang, Hideout and more – watch ‘em all in action now! Check out Day 1's video recap here: http://bit.ly/2nsRFJv

Locals know that the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas is one of San Diego’s many hidden treasures. Now, it's gotten noticed by Canada - a country that knows a thing or two about gardens!

The San Diego Botanic Garden has made the "Top 10 North American Gardens Worth Traveling For" list, according to the Canadian Garden Council and the American Public Gardens Association.

Garden Tourism Awards are presented to gardens that have distinguished themselves in the development and promotion of the garden experience as a tourism attraction.

Did you know more people visit gardens in the United States than go to Disneyland and Disneyworld combined?

That's according to Dr. Richard Benfield, author of “Garden Tourism” and Chair of the International Garden Tourism Network. Benfield said that Garden Tourism  is one of the largest sectors in the tourism market.

Other North American gardens that made the list are (in alphabetical order):

• Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago, Illinois

• Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Vancouver, British Columbia

• Ethnobotanical Garden, Oaxaca, Mexico

• Halifax Public Gardens, Halifax, Nova Scotia

• Hershey Gardens, Hershey, Pennsylvania

• Jardins de Métis / Reford Gardens, Grand-Métis, Québec

• Las Pozas, Xilitla, Mexico

• Longue Vue House and Gardens, New Orleans, Louisiana

• San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas, California

• Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tucson, Arizona

Right now, you can check out the space getting all this buzz.

The San Diego Botanic Garden is holding a “Garden Tapestries” art show, featuring garden-themed tapestries from the Rameses Wissa Wassef Art Center in Giza, Egypt.

The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and runs until March 31.