Shortly before Donald Trump secured the Republican nomination last summer, his campaign chairman offered to provide private briefings on the race to a Russian billionaire with Kremlin ties, his spokesman confirmed to NBC News.

The offer appeared in emails between then campaign chairman Paul Manafort and one of his employees, some of which suggested Manafort was seeking to use his role to make money, the Washington Post reported. The spokesman, Jason Maloni, said the emails, which had been turned over to congressional committees, showed nothing improper.

The Post said the billionaire was Oleg Deripaska, an oligarch in Putin's inner circle. NBC News has reported that Manafort had business dealings with Deripaska, who was once denied entry to the United States because of alleged mafia links.

"If he needs private briefings we can accommodate," Manafort wrote in the July 7, 2016, email, the Post reported.

The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) reported one of its police cars rear-ended on Interstate 8 eastbound, where it merges into Interstate 805.

The event took place in Mission Valley at approximately 5:16 p.m., and an HOV SigAlert was issed for 30 minutes after, according to the police report.

Both vehicles are reportedly in the far right shoulder lane, according to SDPD.

Minor injuries were also reported.

No further information is available, check back for updates.

Deputies arrested the owner of an illegal marijuana dispensary in El Cajon Wednesday, months after shutting down his covert operation in Spring Valley.

The Sheriff's Rancho San Diego Crime Suppression Team and Area Detectives executed a search warrant on Windridge Drive, near Merritt Drive around 7 a.m., according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO).

Steve Tooma, 35, was arrested and charged with opening or maintaining a drug house, criminal conspiracy and possession of marijuana for sales. Deputies took Tooma into custody and booked him into San Diego Central Jail shortly after his arrest.

Last July, deputies shut down his illegal marijuana dispensary known as the Wax Room, or Spring Valley Greens, on Campo Road in Casa De Oro. Multiple residents living nearby expressed concern about the store.

Just this month, San Diego police also raided two illegal pot dispensaries claiming to be part of a Native American church in Miramar and Lakeside.

SDPD police Lt. Matt Novak told NBC 7 that police and the city attorney's office have shut down more than 60 dispensaries since March. The authorities are working to close all businesses without legal permits.

Despite their efforts, some illegal marijuana dispensaries are still making up to $15,000 a day in San Diego, without paying taxes, permitting fees or adhering to general rules, said Novak.

NBC 7 Investigates recently created a map of medical marijuana dispensaries in San Diego, showing where legal and illegal stores are currently operating.

Finding a parking spot can be a common problem in many urban neighborhoods, but one local community is dealing with an additional set of challenges.

Neighbors on some San Diego streets say travelers catching flights have been leaving their cars parked for as long as two weeks.

People in Bankers Hill are growing frustrated by the amount of street parking spaces taken up by airline passengers traveling in and out of San Diego International Airport.

Closures are planned for this weekend that will affect tens of thousands of people who use the world’s busiest border crossing.

The man shot and killed after he charged at a Chula Vista police officer and stabbed him multiple times Tuesday night had previous run-ins with the police.

David Scott, 27, was convicted of two violent felonies in separate incidents, according to court records. 

Tuesday night, Scott stabbed an officer multiple times while the officer was investigating a neighbor dispute on Monterey Avenue, near East J street. That's just east of Hilltop Middle school in Chula Vista.

A homeowner reported a neighbor had thrown a softball-size chunk of concrete over the fence, which hit him in the shoulder.

Two officers came to Scott's home to investigate and he charged at them. The officer who was being stabbed fired his handgun in self-defense, police said. 

"He was under a surprise--an unexpected extraordinarily violent assault. We are so grateful he had the proper training, strength, and wear with all to fight through and win this fight," said CVPD spokesperson Vern Sallee. 

The officer suffered multiple stab wounds--four to six times in the head and in the arm. He was taken to UC San Diego Hospital in Hillcrest.

He is a two-year veteran with the department.

Scott was hit twice by gunshots and died at the hospital.

In court documents obtained by NBC 7 Wednesday, Scott pleaded guilty in 2008 to assault with a deadly weapon. The records did not indicate whether the victim was a police officer.

In 2010, Scott was sentenced to two years in prison for driving drunk and seriously injuring two people, according to court documents.

"We saw the news and it was pretty crazy. It's just two houses see all this stuff happening," Neighbor Emilio Braito said.

Both officers who responded had operating body-worn cameras. 

Chula Vista police say the video will be downloaded and reviewed as part of the investigation.

It will be up to the District Attorney to determine whether it's released.

The officer was given more than 30-stitches to close the wounds. He was expected to be released from the hospital Wednesday.

An Oceanside woman on vacation in Mexico City is struggling to sleep after Tuesday's deadly magnitude 7.1 earthquake.

Alyne Tamir was on a small tour boat when the quake hit. Tuesday's quake struck on the 32nd anniversary of the 1985 earthquake that killed thousands. More than 200 are dead, and recovery efforts continue.

“The water just started shaking and churning and the boat started toppling and water was filling the boat, so it was very unexpected,” Tamir told NBC 7.

After about 30 seconds, the boat captain announced it was an earthquake and told everyone to remain calm.

Tamir said the fear didn’t really set in until they returned to shore.

“It was scary after the fact. When I got off the boat and onto land, and I heard all of the news of what had happened, I realized how serious it was,” Tamir said.

Cell phone and internet service have been spotty, and while on the phone with NBC 7 Wednesday, Tamir was told by officials to get off the phone due to concerns about possible gas leaks.

Although Tamir said there haven’t been any major aftershocks, she is still a little shaken.

“We're all safe, for now. But, I mean, you never know. I'm on the 15th story of a hotel, so it's not comfortable going to sleep at night, you know?"

The MCAS Miramar Air Show returns to San Diego’s skies with incredible aircraft performances this weekend, Friday through Sunday.

This air show’s theme this year is "A Salute to Vietnam Veterans" to recognize and honor Vietnam veterans for their service. The world-famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels will perform from 2:05 to 3:05 p.m., finishing each day with an F-35B demo.

The show is in San Diego’s Miramar neighborhood, located 15 miles north of Downtown San Diego.

Gates open 8 a.m. to the public with remote-control flyers and paramotors, with the action starting 9 a.m. Shows end at 4:20 p.m. every day.

General Admission is free but prices can go upwards of $235 dollars for preferred seating, depending what package you choose.

All motorists are advised to access the air show through the Main (East) Gate from the MCAS Miramar (Miramar Way) exit on I-15 or the North or West Gates from the Miramar Road exit on I-15 or I-805.

Drivers must have a valid driver’s license, current registration and proof of insurance to bring their vehicle onto the military base. If it’s a rental car, valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and car rental agreement will be required.

Security personnel will direct you from the gate to your parking area.

Bicyclists can access the show through the Main Gate via Kearney Villa Road, but the road will be is closed from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the Blue Angels, so motorists will be directed to the West Gate from Miramar Road or North Gate from Clayton Drive.

Once on base, bicyclists will be routed by traffic control to the Bicycle Parking Pavilion (BPP) near the flight line.

Attendees with certain tickets should be aware of different parking areas:

• Grandstands & Box Seat ticket holders: use the North, East/Main or West Gates.
• Preferred Parking: requires special passes and can enter from Harris Plant Rd. off of Kearny Villa Rd.
• Chalet Ticket Holders: enter through south gate.
• Handicapped Parking: Use the West or North Gate.
• Bus Parking: use the West Gate.
• Bicycle Pavilion (BPP): located near flight line Air Show Entry Gate #2. Bicyclist may enter through any gate and follow signs to the BPP.

Ridesharing and taxi pickup drop-off stations are available to ease traffic and parking.

For further information on directions, parking and an event map click here.

When San Diego native Jennifer Allen first comes on stage as Ursula, the villain in Disney's "The Little Mermaid," she makes walking and singing in her elaborate and exquisite costume look easy.

But there's a lot of preparation and work that goes into wearing the 50-pound costume for several hours on stage six days a week. 

"It's so beautiful, and it's enormous," Allen, who grew up in Bird Rock, La Jolla, told NBC 7 in her dressing room Wednesday morning. "But I put her on and I say, 'you're gorgeous.'" 

In the first act, the costume -- a detailed corset, plus a lengthy skirt and tentacles, secured on a thick belt -- weighs 50 pounds. By Act 2, it weighs about 60 pounds.

"They add an element to it," Allen explained.

And while it's challenging to sing, move and act in the costume, Allen said, it's something she prepares for. Eventually, she said, you get used to wearing it. 

"It's every day that you're on the road or doing a show that you have to plan your day that ends up to your performance at night," Allen said. "There's a lot of discipline."

Allen has been in the musical version of the popular Disney movie musical for two years now. She first stumbled upon the role by complete chance. 

She was working on a different production, a workshop of Prom the Musical, with a choreographer who later recommended her for the role of Ursula. The tour had just lost their Ursula and needed someone to quickly step in. 

"Two years later, I have an accidental job, which is always the most fun kind of thing to have happen," Allen said. "Something falls into your lap, so I'm very grateful for that."

Two years may seem like a long time to play the same role, Allen said, but the character of Ursula is such a complex and fun role. 

"I have to say, the role is that satisfying," Allen explained. "It's really fun. It can change and shift every day, there's a lot of improvisation capabilities within the role."

The musical, with music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken and book by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Doug Wright, has a book that dives much deeper into the plot than the movie does, Allen explained. 

"It goes much deeper, it has a lot of colors to it that I really enjoy finding every night in a different way with different audiences," Allen said. The relationships between Ariel, Ursula, Price Eric and King Triton are examined in greater depth.

Allen is a third generation Bird Rock resident. Her family built a home in the La Jolla community decades ago, and every time she comes home, she still drives by the house. 

Growing up, Allen performed with the San Diego Junior Theater, Starlight, the Old Globe and more. Her mother, Priscilla Allen, was a beloved San Diego actress, so acting came to Jennifer naturally. 

"It just was something that was naturally present, from probably before I can remember," Allen said. "It was the thing I could immediately do well. Not perfectly, but it was the skill set that I had."

Her mother performed at the Civic many times, Allen said, and she's seen many shows there as well.

But she's never performed on the stage, often used for touring productions, the San Diego Opera and other large productions. 

Stepping on the stage again is intense, Allen said. 

"There's a lot of intense things that connect me with my childhood here," Allen said.

Still, her extended family and family friends will all be there in the audience, cheering her on as she belts out Ursula's iconic songs.

Disney's "The Little Mermaid" is in San Diego through Sunday. For tickets, click here. 

Cutting up a credit card can feel liberating, especially if you’ve spent years diligently paying off the debt.

However, Consumer Reports says there are times when you might not want to cut that card out of your life completely. 

Like if you’re planning to apply for a mortgage because one of the things that bankers look for is your credit utilization ratio.

That’s essentially the balance you owe on your credit cards compared to the amount you can actually borrow.  Lenders like this number to be less than 30 percent. Cancel an account...you lose its available credit and your utilization ratio goes up and you’re not as attractive a candidate.

You also want to keep the card if it’s the only one you have because another thing lenders look for is diversity.  They like to see that you have various credit types like an installment loan, a credit card, a store card and if you cancel the one credit card that you have, that’s going to reduce your mix and it’s not going to look as good.

You also want to keep time on your side.

A longer credit history helps boost your credit score so if you are looking to close one of several cards you carry, you should give the ax to the one you got most recently.

In fact, the only time when you might consider closing a card you never use is if there’s an annual fee -- because that’s just a waste of money.  But as long as there’s no fee, Hutheesing says there’s really no harm in keeping those accounts open. Your best bet with a credit card is to stick it in your dresser drawer and just put it away if you’re not going to use it.

And keep in mind, canceling a credit card will have an impact on your credit score for about 6 months. So you might want to reconsider closing that account if you plan to apply for any type of loan in the next few months.

The City of El Cajon is working with San Diego County to take steps to combat one of the worst Hepatitis A outbreaks in decades.

Since the outbreak began, 16 people have died and two other deaths are being investigated as being related to Hepatitis A. There have been 444 confirmed cases with an additional 44 cases that are considered suspicious, according to county officials.

Given the incubation period of 15 to 50 days, health officials expect the outbreak to continue an additional six months.

Most of the cases have been from Downtown San Diego, El Cajon, Santee, La Mesa, and the adjacent unincorporated areas, county officials said.

The City of San Diego has been taking precautions--power washing sidewalks, setting up free vaccination clinics and putting handwashing stations at high-risk areas.

Now, El Cajon is also taking steps to combat the virus.

The city currently has 38 handwashing stations/sinks at city parks and has approved stations for the following locations:

• Prescott Promenade
• County Library
• Trolley Stations

Crews were responding to a house fire in Otay Mesa Wednesday night.

The fire began at approximately 9:45 p.m. on Vista San Francisquito across Vista San Guadalupe, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found flames and smoke coming from the home.

At this time, there is no word on injuries.

No other information was available.

Please refresh this page for updates on this story. Details may change as more information becomes available.

Short-term vacation rentals are one step closer to being regulated here in San Diego.

The hotly debated issue took center stage at a public forum in Pacific Beach Wednesday night where the City Attorney herself weighed in.

Most in attendance told NBC 7 they are feeling the effects of short-term rentals first hand.

"I own property in Ocean Beach and the slum lord next to me has made that a short-term vacation rental, which has been a nightmare for me. Barking dogs, parties, down the line," said Wayne Simnitt.

But others said they hoped for a little peace between homeowners and those using their properties for short-term vacation rentals.

San Diego City Councilmembers also weighed in on proposals on the table.

"Other councilmembers are imposing their will when they're far removed from what you and I are experiencing," said Councilmember Lorie Zapf who represents beach communities including Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach and Point Loma.

A plan, introduced this week by four councilmembers--David Alvarez, Mark Kersey, Scott Sherman and Chris Ward--would require three-night minimum stays, occupancy limits, as well as setting up a system for enforcement and keeping renters under certain rules regarding noise, trash, and parking.

Councilmembers Barbara Bry and Zapf introduced their own plan--to allow short-term rentals in owner-occupied homes. Also, limiting rentals when the owner is absent to 90 days a year and to keep the number of renters at two per guest room.  

"The policymakers ultimately make the rules and we've got policies coming forward for consideration, some of which I believe are going to be viable," said San Diego City Attorney, Mara Elliott.

On October 23, the council will discuss the proposals from councilmembers.

A vote will most likely be made during that meeting on how to regulate short-term vacation rentals and how they will be enforced moving forward.

A Coronado High School water polo coach Randy Burgess is fighting back against accusations he had an inappropriate relationship with a middle school boy back in 2011.

"It’s a ridiculous allegation. I enjoy young people. I enjoy the way they go through the process of education whether it’s the athletic arena or classroom," Burgess said. "Beyond that, no!"

The Coronado Unified School District issued a statement that reads, in part:

"When the allegations became known, the District followed policy and protocol by taking immediate action to protect the safety and security of District students and staff."

The district put Burgess on paid administrative leave in April of this year when the allegations surfaced while they investigate.

Burgess’ petition for reinstatement claims the suspension is illegal because "no criminal charges have been filed."

Court documents show the alleged incident happened multiple times in a public place.

Burgess says claims that it happened in a poolside bathroom at Coronado High a "total fabrication."

"There are scores, if not hundreds of people using the facility. It's a very obvious place," Burgess said. "Someone would recognize if an adult was going into a restroom facility with a minor."

Police issued a statement that read, in part:

"We have determined that the City is in possession of records; however, those records are exempt from disclosure...The Coronado Police Department is a division of the City of Coronado, which is subject to the Public Records Act under Government Code Section 6250 et seq. Any documents in the City's possession are subject to this Act. As a result, any information provided to the Police Department related to an investigation is generally exempt from public disclosure."

people are taking to a Facebook page named "We Side With Randy" to show their support.

Olympic silver medalist Layne Beaubien is also showing support for his former Coronado High School water polo coach.

"When I heard this whole thing, it was unfathomable. It’s not just the water polo program. He's a teacher and has been a mentor for thousands of kids," said Beaubien.

Burgess said the allegations have already hurt his reputation, costing him a job to work with a national water polo team.

He added he just wants his reputation back, as well as his job at Coronado High.

That will be decided next month on October 19.

Hackers breached the filing system of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and may have accessed "nonpublic information" for profit, the agency said in a statement late Wednesday.

The SEC, which regulates the financial securities industry, gave few details on the hack but said the hackers may have made "illicit gain through trading, NBC News reported.

It is not believed that any personally identifiable information or SEC operations were compromised, the agency added.

The hack was first detected in 2016, but the SEC didn't realize until last month that the hackers may have benefited from the data accessed.

Usually when the Padres hit five homers in one game, you figure they will win.

Wednesday was one of the exceptions.

The Diamondbacks and Padres temporarily turned Petco Park into Coors Field for one evening as they combined to hit nine long balls in nine innings.

Arizona however wound up spoiling the impromptu home run party with a 13-7 victory to avoid getting swept out of San Diego.

Unfortunately for the Friars, they could not hold a 6-2 lead and Arizona rattled off 11 unanswered runs during a crazy stretch between the sixth and ninth innings.

Hunter Renfroe certainly did his part to help San Diego position itself for a victory.

His two-run bomb in the third frame gave the home team a 4-2 advantage and helped set a new Padres record for most homer runs in a season.

Renfroe then proceeded to extend that mark when he golfed a solo shot in the fourth to make it 5-2.

But he wasn’t the only one doing damage at the plate.

Rocky Gale started the fireworks for the home team with his first career homer in the second.

Christian Villanueva, who was also promoted from Triple-A El Paso earlier this week with Gale and Renfroe, provided some more power with a solo shot in the fifth.

The Diamondbacks also proved they could touch ‘em all. Arizona hit four homers including a 3-run exclamation point in the top of the ninth which gave the visitors an emphatic 13-6 lead.

Renfroe became the first Padres rookie to ever hit three home runs in a game when he crushed an offering from Jordan Shipley in the bottom of the ninth. He now has 24 round-trippers on the season and four since joining the big league club on Monday.

Clayton Richard gets the start Thursday at home against the Colorado Rockies.

The Padres rewarded Richard with a two-year contract extension Wednesday which will keep him in the fold through the end of the 2019 season.

A majority of Americans support President Donald Trump's deal with Democratic leaders to provide hurricane relief and keep the government open for 90 days, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

More than 70 percent approve of the move. However, the same poll finds that less than 30 percent support his handling of health care, race relations and the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Meanwhile, Trump's overall job-approval rating is at 43 percent, up three points since August. The poll comes after Trump worked with Democrats on temporarily funding the government and raising the debt limit — and after two hurricanes hit U.S. states.

The NBC/WSJ poll was conducted Sept. 14-18 of 900 adults — nearly half reached by cell phone — and it has a margin of error of plus-minus 3.3 percentage points. Among the 741 registered voters who were interviewed, the margin of error is plus-minus 3.6 percentage points.

Here’s a chance for you to adopt a cat, or even two, at no cost.

County Animal Services is celebrating the start of the fall season with an adoption special, “Fall In Love.”

Beginning Friday, September 22, all cats and kittens, no matter their age, size, color or personality are free.

Hundreds of cats and kittens are available.

Each one will already be spayed or neutered.

The cats and kittens will be current on their vaccinations and flea control, and will have a microchip. 

The special runs until Sunday, September 24.

San Diego County operates three animal shelters: Bonita, Carlsbad and the Morena neighborhood in San Diego.

As Mexico City recovers from two powerful, deadly earthquakes within two weeks of each other, California residents would be wise to prepare for a similar quake, state and local officials say. 

Tuesday's earthquake was the second in just 12 days in Mexico. The first was a magnitude 8.1 quake that struck southern Mexico and killed at least 90 people. The second hit central Mexico with a magnitude of 7.1, killing at least 230 people. 

The U.S. Geological Survey considers a “Big One,” an earthquake of magnitude 8.3 or above, extremely unlikely for the San Andreas Fault. The magnitude of an earthquake is related to the area of the fault on which it occurs, according to the USGS. The San Andreas Fault is 800 miles long and only about 10-12 miles deep. 

However, quakes like the 1994 Northridge quake (6.7) and the 1989 Loma Prieta quake (6.9) killed dozens of people.

And experts now predict a 19 percent chance that a major quake of 7.0 or more will hit the south end of the San Andreas sometime in the next 30 years, according to NBC News. The chance of an 8.0-or-larger great quake in the same area is now predicted at 7 percent over the same time span. 

In fact, there is a greater than 99 percent chance that a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake capable of causing extensive damage and loss of life will strike in California, according to the most recent Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast.

Emergency management officials have increased the amount of water, food and other emergency supplies residents are suggested to store for emergencies.

Hundreds of thousands of people could be displaced in a big event, Aram Sahakian, general manager of the Los Angeles Emergency Management Department, told NBC News.

“The supply chain is going to be impacted, whether it is transportation, or medical supplies, or food. You need to be prepared to last at least five to seven days,” Sahakian said.

Earlier this year, an analysis led by San Diego researchers suggested a powerful fault system that runs from San Diego to Los Angeles could produce a magnitude 7.3 to 7.4 earthquake if the segments rupture.

The study from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego stated the Newport-Inglewood fault and the Rose Canyon fault are actually one continuous fault system which runs from the San Diego Bay to Seal Beach in Orange County, then on land through the Los Angeles Basin. 

In the last 11,000 years, there have been three to five ruptures at the north end of the fault system. On the south end, which goes through San Diego, there is evidence a quake happened roughly 400 years ago, but there is little significant activity for the 5,000 years prior, according to the study.

“Further study is warranted to improve the current understanding of hazard and potential ground shaking posed to urban coastal areas from Tijuana to Los Angeles from the NIRC fault,” the study concluded.

Surveys have shown that fewer than half of Californians have done enough to make their homes safer in advance of a big earthquake, NBC News reports.

Creating a disaster plan ahead of time is the most important to surviving a natural disaster, experts say.

The California Office of Emergency Services suggests these 7 steps to earthquake safety: 

• Fix potential hazards
• Create a disaster plan
• Create a disaster supplies kit n
• Fix your building's potential weaknesses
• During earthquakes and aftershocks: Drop, Cover, and Hold On
• After the earthquake, check for injuries and damage
• When safe, continue to follow your disaster plan

Take a look at shakeout areas for your community here and get more suggestions on what you can do in advance of a large earthquake here.