Former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner will lose $147 each month from his pension benefit under his sexual harassment plea agreement, according the San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System (SDCERS).

His monthly pension has been docked more than 8 percent, from $1,719.69 to $1,572.57.

The change retroactively applies to benefits he’s already been paid since Oct. 3, 2013. That means Filner owes SDCERS $873.24 for his Oct. through March payments.

However, the system must return Filner’s $4,476.03 contribution that he made to his account before his retirement.

• Filner: House Arrest was Time of Reflection

“SDCERS has determined that Mr. Filner made a knowing and intelligent waiver of his pension benefits, following the consideration of a totality of circumstances,” wrote SDCERS Communications Manager Christina Di Leva in a release.

Filner can appeal the SDCERS decision until April 21.

By pleading guilty to felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor battery, Filner agreed to fully forfeit his mayoral pension benefit from the time of his first offense (March 6, 2013) to his resignation (Aug. 30, 2013).

His sentence of three-months house arrest ended Sunday and, in turn, started his three years of probation.

Under the terms of that probation, Filner is required to avoid further crimes, have no contact with his victims, stay in counseling, meet with probation officers and pay fines and restitution, according to Sarah Gordon, the communications officer with San Diego County’s Public Safety Group.

Filner is also subject to drug tests and searches, and he cannot hold public office while on probation.

"Half of the time of the three-year time period -- half of the time -- he'd be watched very closely by a probation officer," said attorney Gretchen von Helms. "Half of the time the court would just monitor him on its own."

In May 2015, the former mayor can petition for non-supervised summary probation. He can apply to have his felony downgraded to a misdemeanor and later dismissed in Dec. 2016.

Sunday, Filner released an exclusive statement to NBC 7, apologizing to his vicitms and saying his house arrest was a time of reflection. 

Late night’s most distinctive redhead and Team Coco will be moving his operation to San Diego for Comic-Con International 2015.

Conan O’Brien is taking over the Spreckles Theater from July 8 to 12, 2015 to broadcast his show, which is normally taped farther north at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank.

The comic-themed episodes will mark “the first time a late-night show has broadcast from San Diego during the wildly successful event,” TBS said in a release.

While this may be a milestone for his show, Conan himself is no stranger to Comic-Con.

Three years ago, the host debuted a trailer for his “upcoming” -- though underfunded -- “Flaming C” animated movie (See video below).

So tell us in the comments: who would you like to see as guests on Conan’s San Diego shows?

Victims of violent crimes and their families gathered Monday evening for the 25th annual Candlelight Tribute for Crime Survivors event.

Top law enforcement officials also attended the event, including San Diego County District Attorney, Bonnie Dumanis and Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman.

Lisa Vidaurri was one of the speakers.

Two years ago her husband, Tony, was nearly killed by a drunk driver. The driver had slammed his pick-up truck into their Escondido home crushing Tony and barely missing their daughter.

Tony was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

• Read: Escondido Homeowner Pinned in DUI Crash: Cops

On Monday, he told NBC 7 he is still undergoing surgeries.

“I’m just one of the fortunate ones that I’m still here,” Tony Vidaurri told NBC 7. “You know obviously there are more bad endings you could say.”

“It’s been a long, long road after that,” said Lisa, “It’s still affecting our family two years later. I still relive that night.”

Michael Scharbarth was also at the event.

In 2012, his sister Kathy Scharbarth was strangled to death by her ex-boyfriend, Michael Robles, in her Carlsbad home while her daughter slept upstairs.

“I went to hug my mom and she just exploded. Really there's nothing to prepare yourself for,” said Scharbarth.

• Read: Man Hid in Bushes Before Killing Woman: DA

The goal of the tribute was to remember the lives lost, honor those who survived and remind current victims and their loved ones help is out there.

The tribute was sponsored by some of those groups including the Victim Assistance Coordinating Council, the Alliance for Community Empowerment, the Crime and Trauma Recovery Program, the District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Program, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Victim Witness Program and Mothers Against Drug Driving.

The man accused killing a Ph.D. student with his car and fleeing the scene had his first court appearance Monday.

Christopher Stockmeyer, 41, pleaded not guilty to four felony charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter, DUI, driving with a measurable blood alcohol causing injury and hit and run.

The judge set Stockmeyer’s bail at $250,000, agreeing with prosecutors that he is a danger to the community.

According to prosecutors, Stockmeyer had been drinking with co-workers at the Beachside Grill in Encinitas before getting behind the wheel on March 28. Authorities say he was speeding down Coast Boulevard in Del Mar when he fatally struck 27-year-old Rachel Morrison.

In court, prosecutors showed photos of the damage to Stockmeyer’s car. Morrison’s body broke the windshield of the Audi A4 and caused major front end damage.

Morrison, who was crossing in the crosswalk with a friend, was thrown 120 feet into nearby bushes.

Police tracked down Stockmeyer by his license plate left at the scene. Officers said he smelled of alcohol. When asked if he had hit someone, Stockmeyer reportedly told officers he didn’t remember and just wanted to go home and sleep.

As the 41-year-old engineer and father was led away in handcuffs, Stockmeyer said to his wife and sister, “Give my love to the boys.”

Nearly two dozen of Morrison’s friends packed the Vista courtroom. They wore pink roses in honor of the Ph.D. student who was studying at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography.

They also shared a statement written by the Morrison family.

“She was a scholar, an athlete and was in training for the Boston Marathon. She was planning to run with her father this year,” friend Gareth Williams said. “Her mother and father say, quote, ‘Our lives have been destroyed.’”

The defendant’s sister also read a statement.

“My brother and all of our family offer our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Rachel Morrison,” Jennifer Dinofia said through tears. “She was an incredible young lady with a wonderful future ahead of her, and it's a terrible loss. We are so, so very sorry.”

If convicted, Stockmeyer faces 15 years in prison.

Santee-based Twisted Manzanita Ales and Spirits, which celebrates its fourth anniversary this year, is seeking investors to help fund a planned expansion of its distribution both domestically and internationally.

The company sent out a missive notifying fans they can buy into the fast-growing brewery in a planned equity issue with shares going for $37, and a minimum purchase of 100 shares or $3,700.

Owner and CEO Jeff Trevaskis didn’t say how much equity he’s giving up.

Twisted Manzanita sold 26,000 barrels of craft beer last year, good enough for fifth highest among the county’s 83 breweries.

The Business Journal is the premier business publication in San Diego. Every day online and each Monday in print, the Business Journal reports on how local business operate and why businesses leaders make the decisions they do. Every story is a dose of insight into how to run a better, more efficient, more profitable business.

Here’s something that will make you scream: Today is Ben & Jerry’s 35th Annual Free Cone Day.

Whether you love Cherry Garcia or melt for Chunky Monkey, the scoop shops will be giving away free cones from noon until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8.

The tradition began in 1979 when the company celebrated its first year in business.

Ben & Jerry’s has two locations in San Diego: SeaPort Village and Horton Plaza. (If you want to pay it forward, any donations at the Horton Plaza location will go to the San Diego Humane Society.)

• Watch: Students April Fools Prank on Teacher Goes Viral

Snap a picture of your sweet treat and post with hashtag #freeconeday to join in on the fun.

An officer shot multiple times by a gunman at a Los Angeles Police Department station remained hospitalized in "great spirits" Tuesday as authorities released more details about the shooting and identified the suspect.

Police confirmed early Tuesday that the officer was not wearing a protective vest when he was shot  by a man Monday night who entered the LAPD's West Traffic Division station in the Mid-City area. Initial reports indicated he was wearing the vest, but investigators later determined that was not the case.

"Our interview with the officer determined that he was not wearing that vest, making this even more miraculous that he was not killed," said LAPD Sgt. Barry Montgomery.

• Read: Rescued Family Sends First Message

The victim who was shot in the upper body and limbs and another desk officer returned fire in the lobby and wounded the gunman, police said. The victim remained hospitalized Tuesday in "good spirits," police said.

During an interview with Force Investigation Division officers Tuesday morning, it was determined the officer was not wearing the protective ballistics vest. Officers are required to wear the ballistic vest while on duty or in uniform in the field, police said.

It's likely a "backup weapon" (pictured, right) in the officer's pocket stopped what could have been the fatal round, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said. The weapon was described as a small pistol that the officer kept in his pants pocket.

One of the rounds -- authorities have not confirmed how many shots were fired -- hit the gun instead of the officer's leg, Beck said.

• Download the FREE NBCLA News app

The gunman, identified Tuesday as 29-year-old Daniel Christopher Yealu, was taken to Cedars-Sinai in critical condition, police said. Several weapons (pictured, right) were found at the subject's home, according to LAPD investigators.

"It would be rare in the extreme to be allowed to possess any of these weapons," said Beck. "You would have had to buy them 20, 30 years ago."

LA Superior Court documents show that Yealu was convicted for a vehicle code violation in March 2006. 

• Read: Jet's Ocean Debris Depends on Angle, Speed

LAPD Cmdr. Dennis Kato said the gunman had an unspecificied complaint.

The shooter parked in a West Traffic Division parking lot and walked into the lobby, which is not equipped with a, metal detector. The shooter's semi-automatic pistol was recovered inside the lobby, police said.

• Read: Two SUVs Score High in Crash Test

A bomb squad team checked a vehicle believed to be connected to the gunman, officials said. A rifle and multiple ammunition rounds were found in the vehicle, police said Tuesday morning.

Police said a meeting was underway in a community room at the station at the time of the shooting. Usually, the West Traffic Division doors are locked at night, but the entrance was open because of the community meeting.

• Read: Baby Charged With Attempted Murder

"I ran behind a lectern, and hid my whole body behind the lectern -- everybody else hit the ground," said Daphne Brogdon, who attended the meeting. "We kept hearing shots. It was terrifying -- a bullet came into our room."

No one at the meeting was injured. Anya Adams, also at the meeting, provided the photo at left, which shows a bullet hole in the meeting room wall.

A gunman ambushed LAPD detectives last year outside the Wilshire station, the scene of Monday's shooting.

The U.S. Labor Department says women make $.81 for every dollar men make.

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama pushed equal pay for equal work Tuesday. Republicans pushed back, saying many young moms choose to work at lower pay for more flexibility.

Here in San Diego, the Lawyers Club held its second annual Equal Pay Day Leadership Luncheon downtown.

Speakers addressed gender wage disparity and its impact on women in the workforce and their families.

The keynote by U.S. Labor Department Women's Bureau Program analyst Kelly Jenkins-Pultz says there are things women can do to bridge the wage gap.

"Women need to arm themselves with information, they need to be able to talk freely about their salary, they need to be able to network, and understand how what they're earning compares in the marketplace," she said.

Jenkins-Pultz says the gap is caused by many complex factors including differences in education, work experience and hours worked.

But she says there's a portion that makes no sense except for a worker's gender.
 

A new portion of a bike path that will eventually span 44 miles from Oceanside to San Diego has been completed and is now open to bicyclists.

On Monday, SANDAG announced the completion of the $2.45 million project between Oceanside Boulevard and Wisconsin Avenue -- part of the Coastal Rail Trail.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with local leaders, business owners and community members coming together to celebrate.

The 2,000-foot segment of the Coastal Rail Trail – located along the railroad and separate from vehicle traffic – is a collaborative effort between SANDAG, the City of Oceanside and the North County Transit District (NCTD). The new segment connects with another portion of the Coastal Rail Trail at Wisconsin Avenue and provides a direct ride to the busy Oceanside Transit Center.

With grant funding from SANDAG, the City of Oceanside plans to build a bike parking station next to the transit center so commuters can have a safe place to park their bikes before catching the train or bus.

Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood and local leaders say the bike path will contribute to an enhanced quality of life in Oceanside.

SANDAG First Vice Chair Jim Janney says the path will also add to a bigger goal of making the San Diego region more bike-friendly than ever.

“By working hand in hand with local jurisdictions, we are going to make the San Diego region one of the most bike-friendly in the nation,” said Janney. “Over the next decade, we will dramatically expand regional bike networks to enable people of all ages and abilities to get around on their bikes safely and comfortably.”

According to SANDAG, the Oceanside portion of the Coastal Rail Trail is the first project completed under the Regional Bike Plan Early Action Program (EAP), an initiative adopted by the SANDAG board in September 2013 comprised of 42 projects totaling 77 miles of bike ways.

SANDAG says this bike project was funded by both federal and local sources, including $1.52 million from the federal Transportation Enhancements program.

To learn more about the new Oceanside bike path, watch the video below or click here.
 

A 16-year-old boy arrested in connection with a Coney Island fire that critically injured two NYPD officers and hurt several others allegedly said he started the fire because he was bored, police say.

The boy, Marcell Dockery, was arrested Monday on assault, reckless endangerment and arson charges following the Sunday fire on the 13th floor of an apartment building on Surf Avenue. He was awaiting arraignment Tuesday, and information on an attorney for him wasn't immediately available.

The blaze originated from a mattress in the building, firefighters say. Police say the teenager told detectives he tried to put out the fire and warn residents as the flames spread.

Officers Dennis Guerra, 38, and Rosa Rodriguez, 36, were responding to the fire shortly after noon when the elevator they were in got stuck and filled with smoke, police say. 

The officers were found unconscious and were taken to area hospitals in critical condition. Both officers, who are members of the force's housing bureau, remained in critical condition early Tuesday and are being treated for smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Five other people suffered minor injuries, including two firefighters, authorities said.

NYPD Deputy Chief Kim Y. Royster said while there is no uniform protocol for officers responding to fires, "The NYPD's primary objective when responding to any emergency is to protect life and property. In situations involving a fire, officers will warn and assist occupants in the evacuation of the building and take other actions if necessary to preserve life." 

The department is reviewing its response protocols to fires, Royster said. 

"Today is another sobering reminder of the dangers that face all our first responders," Mayor de Blasio, who appeared at a press conference with Bratton, said Sunday.

NBC 7 News Today wants to be with you every morning, all morning so we're offering free special coffee sleeves featuring the NBC 7 morning team.

Now through mid-May, you'll find the special sleeves for your morning cup of coffee at various coffee shops and breakfast eateries around the county from Oceanside to Chula Vista, El Cajon to La Jolla.

Once you pick up your sleeve, send us a picture via Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #NBC7.

• Watch NBC 7 News Today Live Stream 4:30 AM to 7AM, Monday - Friday

Here are the locations (subject to availability):

• Café Elysa, 3076 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad
• Vega Caffee, 891 Showroom Place, Chula Vista
• Downtown Grind, El Cajon Courthouse kiosk
• Golden Bagel Café, 2744 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon
• Quick Fix Blackgold, 144 Encinitas Boulevard, Encinitas
• The Quick Fix 1, 552 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas
• Busy Bee’s Bagel, 6861 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla
• Hill Street Coffee House, 524 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside
• Arely’s French Bakery Café, 4961 Clairemont Drive, San Diego
• Café Bella, 4984 Voltaire Street, San Diego
• Café Solei, 1640 Camino Del Rio N, San Diego
• Daily Bagel, 7770 Regents Road, San Diego,
• Kensington Café, 414 Adams Avenue, San Diego
• Mary’s Coffee, 6554 Ambrosia Drive, San Diego
• Milano Coffee Co., 8685 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego
• New York Bagels & Café, 16588 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego
• Old Gallery Coffee House, 641 B Street, San Diego
• Peabodys Organic Coffee, 5700 Hardy Avenue, San Diego
• Picasso Naturals, 7420 Claremont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego
• Reds Espresso Gallery, 1017 Rosecrans Street, San Diego
• Sweet Pea Coffee Cottage, 13330 Paseo Del Verano, San Diego
• Third Alarm Coffee, 16691 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego

Attorney Richard Duquette is a competitive cyclist in his spare time.

So when a North County Transit District (NCTD) bus driven by a man possibly distracted by a cell phone rear-ended three cyclists, it hit close to home.

The collision killed Udo Heinz and injured one of his riding companions. It also rattled Duquette’s sense of safety.

“It shook the confidence of the cyclists’ community,“ he said.

Eight months after the crash on Stuart Mesa road in Camp Pendleton, a settlement was announced against the bus company in favor of Duquette's client John Edwards.

Edwards was a cyclist seriously injured in the August 4th wreck.

The financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed but Duquette says it doesn't just include money.

He says the bus company will have to team with the San Diego Bike Coalition to change its safety policy when it comes to sharing the road with bikers. The details still have to be worked out.

"My client insisted on that as a term of the settlement he was concerned not just about himself, but about the public at large so this doesn’t happen again," Duquette said.

Especially when you consider the tragic wreck took Heinz, a 43-year-old father, from his two young children and loving wife, Antje.

"We were soul mates. We were best friends and we have the best perfect little family," said Heinz’s wife.

• Read: Deadly Camp Pendleton Bus Crash Investigated

Most North Transit buses have six cameras with a view of the driver, the inside of the bus and the road ahead.

NBC 7 obtained still pictures made from those recordings that were filed along with a claim for damages against the transit district and driver Gamal Mohamed Hamouda.

The photos are time stamped. They indicate four seconds before impact the cyclists are off to the right and single file with no oncoming traffic. At 12:49:41 the bus approaches the riders with still no other traffic. Then at 12:49:42 the bus collides with the riders.

The North County Transit District (NCTD) denied our request for a copy of the video tape to show what Hamouda was doing at the time of the crash.

The family involved in a rescue-at-sea has posted to social media for the first time since their ordeal. 

“We're safe and headed back to San Diego. I'll talk to the press and answer questions after we catch our breath. Some interesting emails!” Eric Kaufman, who was rescued from a sailboat along with his wife and two children, posted to his Twitter account Monday.

The Kaufmans, who were picked up by a San Diego-based Navy ship from the middle of the Pacific Ocean, are aboard USS Vandegrift and heading to San Diego after a daring rescue effort to help their sick infant. They could be back on land late Tuesday or sometime Wednesday.

Eric and Charlotte Kaufman, set sail in an around-the-world journey, with their two young daughters but had to call for help when their 1-year-old became ill and their boat lost steering and communication abilities.

The couple communicate with friends, families and other parents who live on boats with their children through social media.

Family and friends of the Kaufmans will get together Tuesday to discuss the family's return.

On Thursday, 1-year-old Lyra Kaufman fell seriously ill just as the family’s boat, the Rebel Heart, lost its communication and steering abilities.

Thursday night, the California Air National Guard dropped four pararescuemen from a plane into the ocean. Those men climbed aboard the Rebel Heart to stabilize Lyra.

Navy frigate USS Vandegrift reached the boat two days later, and Sunday morning, the Kaufmans boarded the rescue ship.

The California Air National Guard, U.S. Navy and Coast Guard coordinated rescue efforts to reach the Kaufman family about 900 nautical miles from the coast of Mexico.

Neither the Navy nor the California Air National Guard have indicated plans to seek repayment for their rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, a online fundraiser campaign set up by someone who supports the Kaufmans has raised nearly $12,000 for the family in just four days, exceeding its original goal of $10,000. As of Tuesday evening, 242 contributions to the family had been made on the website.

A San Diego County sheriff's deputy was stabbed during a confrontation near a La Mesa gas station.

La Mesa police were called to Center Drive and Jackson Drive after a radio call of shots fired was made at 9:23 a.m. according to Lt. Angela Desarro.

A deputy was stabbed in the leg while trying to apprehend a man who may be wanted on a felony warrant. The man was then shot and injured by the injured deputy's partner, officials said.

• Watch: NBC 7 Updates Scene of Deputy Stabbing

Authorities said two deputies were working on a task force alongside La Mesa police in the area when they decided to approach the suspect who was on foot at the Chevron station. 

Homicide investigator Lt. Glenn Giannantonio did not have details as to why the deputies decided to interview the man and run a check on his background.

Giannantonio said the deputies learned the man may be wanted on a possible felony warrant.

When one of the deputies attempted to arrest the suspect, a struggle started.

The suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the deputy, leaving a three-inch wound, Giannantonio said. 

Fearing for his partner's safety, a second deputy fired one shot and struck the suspect in the abdomen, officials said.

• Images: Deputy Stabbed, Suspect Shot

Both the deputy and suspect were taken to a nearby hospital. Officials said the deputy's injury was not life-threatening and he was treated and released.

The suspect underwent surgery and is expected to survive his injuries.

A woman who asked not to be identified saw the confrontation. She told NBC 7 the deputies were talking with the suspect when the man tried to run.

She said the deputies tried to grab the man and then she described hearing one gunshot.

“I felt like I froze,” the witness said. “I felt like was in a daze, staring and couldn’t believe what I had seen.”

Dondre Wells also witnessed the ordeal. He said the suspect got upset when the two deputies asked to see his backpack.

“He took one strap off like he was going to hand it to them, and he tried to take off running. One of the officers jumped and grabbed him. Then he yelled, ‘knife!’ He pulls it out and stuck the other officer in the leg. The partner just stands back and opened fire on him," Wells said.

Giannantonio said he did not have information on what made the deputies focus on this particular subject. As far as he was aware, the suspect was not under surveillance.

"Any deputy sheriff or any police officer can contact anyone out in the public," Giannantonio said.

Officials have not identified the suspect or either deputy involved.

The deputy who fired the shot was placed on administrative leave. 

Giannantonio said the suspect was carrying a six-inch blade and, according to department protocol, the deputy used an appropriate response.

The road was closed for hours as authorities conducted their investigation.

The gas station has security cameras and video that may help in the investigation, officials said. 

Ed. Note: Officials initially said the suspect was in a black Crown Victoria pumping gas but have since corrected that information, saying the driver of the vehicle was a witness and not involved.

An officer shot multiple times by a gunman at a Los Angeles Police Department station remained hospitalized in "great spirits" Tuesday as authorities released more details about the shooting and identified the suspect.

Police confirmed early Tuesday that the officer was not wearing a protective vest when he was shot  by a man Monday night who entered the LAPD's West Traffic Division station in the Mid-City area. Initial reports indicated he was wearing the vest, but investigators later determined that was not the case.

"Our interview with the officer determined that he was not wearing that vest, making this even more miraculous that he was not killed," said LAPD Sgt. Barry Montgomery.

The victim who was shot in the upper body and limbs and another desk officer returned fire in the lobby and wounded the gunman, police said. The victim remained hospitalized Tuesday in "good spirits," police said.

• Read: San Diego County Sheriff's Deputy Stabbed, Suspect Shot

During an interview with Force Investigation Division officers Tuesday morning, it was determined the officer was not wearing the protective ballistics vest. Officers are required to wear the ballistic vest while on duty or in uniform in the field, police said.

It's likely a "backup weapon" (pictured, right) in the officer's pocket stopped what could have been the fatal round, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said. The weapon was described as a small pistol that the officer kept in his pants pocket.

One of the rounds -- authorities have not confirmed how many shots were fired -- hit the gun instead of the officer's leg, Beck said.

The gunman, identified Tuesday as 29-year-old Daniel Christopher Yealu, was taken to Cedars-Sinai in critical condition, police said. Several weapons (pictured, right) were found at the subject's home, according to LAPD investigators.

LA Superior Court documents show that Yealu was convicted for a vehicle code violation in March 2006.

LAPD Cmdr. Dennis Kato said the gunman had an unspecificied complaint.

The shooter parked in a West Traffic Division parking lot and walked into the lobby, which is not equipped with a, metal detector. The shooter's semi-automatic pistol was recovered inside the lobby, police said.

A bomb squad team checked a vehicle believed to be connected to the gunman, officials said. A rifle and multiple ammunition rounds were found in the vehicle, police said Tuesday morning.

Police said a meeting was underway in a community room at the station at the time of the shooting. Usually, the West Traffic Division doors are locked at night, but the entrance was open because of the community meeting.

• Read: Baby Charged With Attempted Murder

"I ran behind a lectern, and hid my whole body behind the lectern -- everybody else hit the ground," said Daphne Brogdon, who attended the meeting. "We kept hearing shots. It was terrifying -- a bullet came into our room."

No one at the meeting was injured. The people who attended were being questioned, police said.

A gunman ambushed LAPD detectives last year outside the Wilshire station, the scene of Monday's shooting.

A California bill that sought to end killer whale shows at SeaWorld San Diego and phase out orcas in captivity has been put on hold, meaning it's dead for the year.

The Parks and Wildlife Committee held the first hearing for AB2140 Tuesday morning. At the hearing, the bill's author, Democrat Richard Bloom of Santa Monica, agreed to revisit his proposal after further study.

Bloom says lawmakers weren't ready to vote on the bill and that the discussion to date has been fueled by fear and misinformation.

The bill was inspired by the 2013 documentary "Blackfish." The filmmakers argue that captivity and mistreatment of orcas make them aggressive and has led to attacks on trainers. The bill's backers say killer whales are too large and intelligent for captivity,

SeaWorld says the animals are well-treated and help conservation through research.

• READ: SeaWorld Takes Fight to Capitol as Attendance Slips

Besides ending killer whale shows, AB2140 would have also banned captive breeding and the import and export of killer whales. Under the measure, SeaWorld would have kept its 10 orcas in a large sea pen until they died.

"If these whales had to move to a sea pen where we can’t control the quality of the water, the temperature of the water, the level of the water, not to mention all the diseases that live in the ocean, that would be possibly, potentially life-threatening," former trainer Kyle Kittleson told NBC 7 Tuesday.

In a statement released Tuesday, Chamber of Commerce President and former San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders applauded the committee's decision to table the bill. Sanders called SeaWorld a "pillar" of San Diego's economy.

"We work hard every day at the Chamber to create jobs and expand our economy. SeaWorld is an integral part of the San Diego community because of the research efforts they lead and the jobs that they create," he said in the statement.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) released its own statement. PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk said although the bill is stalled for now, the issue is still alive.

"The public has learned how orcas suffer psychologically, succumb to premature deaths, and lash out in frustration and aggression in SeaWorld's orca pits, and they've responded with lower attendance levels, public protests, and legislation," Newkirk said in the release.

Dozens of animal rights activists packed the hearing room to support the bill, which will not be taken up again until possibly sometime next year.

Some passengers aboard a cruise ship touring the West Coast are having a rough trip.

Princess Cruises confirms that 83 of the more than 3,000 passengers on its Crown Princess ship have contracted a stomach ailment called the Norovirus. It's extremely contagious.

Earlier this week, the cruise line reported 37 ill passengers, which has now more than doubled.

On Monday, the ship docked in San Francisco for several hours before leaving for Santa Barbara. After Santa Barbara, the ship is expected to arrive in San Diego on Thursday. The Crown Princess will then visit Ensenada before returning to Los Angeles April 12.

The cruise line said none of the passengers had elected to leave the ship and that everyone onboard is instructed to frequently wash their hands, a key step in stopping the spread of the virus.

The ship’s staff has enhanced the sanitation of high-touch surfaces, like railing, door handles and elevator buttons. Additionally, sick passengers confined to their cabins until they are no longer contagious.

There are a total of 3,161 passengers and 1,176 crew members onboard. At last check, 66 passengers and 17 crew members had contracted Norovirus.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) told NBC 7 that they have been in constant communication with the Crown Princess but are not planning to go onboard at this time. The CDC said it is monitoring the situation and the ship's efforts to keep the disease from spreading.

The West Coast cruise lasts seven days. The itinerary starts and ends in Los Angeles.

Geno Auriemma and Connecticut stand alone in women's college basketball, and they reached the top in unprecedented fashion.

The Huskies routed Notre Dame 79-58 Tuesday night in the first championship game featuring undefeated teams, winning their record ninth national title. Auriemma broke a tie with Pat Summitt and Tennessee for most all-time, doing it in her backyard.

Breanna Stewart, who was the AP's player of the year, scored 21 points to lead the Huskies (40-0) while Stefanie Dolson added 17 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists. Auriemma took out his senior center with a minute left, and the pair embraced in a long hug.

The victory also means that UConn is now the center of the college basketball world with both the men's and women's teams winning the championship in the same year again. The men's team beat Kentucky in the title game Monday night. This pair of victories come a decade after the Huskies became the only school to accomplish the feat.

While the names change at UConn, from Rebecca Lobo to Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore and now Stewart, Auriemma has been the constant, winning nine titles in only 20 seasons — including the last two. He's never lost in a national championship game.

"Congratulations to the UConn Huskies for winning the 2014 NCAA National Championship!," Summitt said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. "My compliments also to coach Geno Auriemma for winning his ninth national title. He has accomplished this feat in record time."

It was the fifth unbeaten season for Auriemma and UConn and the first time the Huskies went 40-0 — matching Baylor as the only schools to accomplish that feat. The victory was also Connecticut's 46th straight dating back to last season's NCAA tournament title run. It's the third longest streak in school history — well short of the NCAA record 90 straight they won.

The loss was Notre Dame's third in the title game in the past four years. Kayla McBride finished off her stellar career with 21 points to lead the Irish, who were looking for their first championship since 2001.

After proving to be no challenge for the Huskies during the first 15 years of the rivalry which began in 1995, Notre Dame had owned the series lately, winning seven of the previous nine meetings. UConn though has won the last two, eliminating Notre Dame in the Final Four last season before topping them in the championship game this year.

The two former Big East rivals, who have no love lost for each other, put on a show in a game that women's basketball hoped could transcend the sport. The coaches added to the drama of the game with their verbal sparring on Monday. But it was Auriemma who got the last word again.

Even with the loss, it was a record-setting season for the Irish.

Notre Dame lost Skylar Diggins to graduation and changed conferences to the ACC. Neither mattered as they ran through their opponents, winning by an average of 25.6 points while taking both the conference regular season and tournament championships.

The Irish lost senior Natalie Achonwa to a torn ACL in the regional final win over Baylor. Notre Dame wore warmup shirts with Achonwa's nickname "Ace" below her No. 11.

The team played inspired basketball in the Final Four win over Maryland, outrebounding the Terps by a record margin. The Irish couldn't muster a similar effort against UConn and it's gigantic front line. Stewart, Stefanie Dolson and Kiah Stokes dominated the interior. The Huskies outrebounded the Irish 54-31 and held them to a season-low in points.

After the teams traded shots early on, Stewart fueled a 16-0 run as the Huskies, who have played stellar defense all season, held the Irish without a point for nearly five minutes. Stewart's lay-in with 11:02 left made it 22-8.

A minute later, Dolson had an acrobatic tip to Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis for another layup.

The Irish stayed in the first half by hot 3-point shooting by Michaela Mabrey and Jewell Loyd. Trailing 37-25 with 4:09 left in the first half, the pair sparked a 13-6 run, hitting three 3-pointers which brought the Irish faithful to their feet.

UConn led 45-38 at the half, shooting 57 percent from the field and having 16 assists on their 21 baskets.

The Huskies closed the door on any Irish comeback scoring 18 of the first 22 points in the second half to put the game away. Stewart and Dolson had 10 points during the burst.

A man suspected of committing several crimes in the East County within the span of about half an hour was arrested Wednesday, officials said.

Kevin Knight, 43, was taken into custody around 8:30 a.m. near a Wendy's restaurant at the intersection of Campo Road and Spring Street in Spring Valley.

A deputy had been called to the area to investigate a car burglary. When the deputy arrived on scene, Knight ran away, resisting arrest, officials said. The deputy used a taser on Knight and was able to arrest him.

This wasn't Knight's first time attempting to steal a car.

During an action-packed crime spree on Tuesday, he allegedly stole four vehicles in the East County and also committed armed robberies and home invasion robberies and within a very short time span.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said Knight's spree began just after noon when he robbed a smoke shop and travel agency in the 9500-block of Jamacha Boulevard in Spring Valley.

During that robbery, deputies said Knight -- who was armed -- took a purse and car keys, stole a car and drove to the 2700-block of Lake Pointe Drive. There, he ditched the stolen car.

Investigators said the suspect then entered a home through an open door and stole keys to a second car.

He drove that vehicle to a Staples store in Rancho San Diego and left the stolen car behind. From there, he went into a Hallmark store, took another set of car keys and stole a third vehicle, driving that car to the 1600-block of Sundale Road.

Once at that location, investigators said Knight took a fourth set of car keys during a home invasion. He drove that fourth stolen vehicle two miles away from the house and ditched the car.

Witnesses gave investigators a description of Knight Tuesday, which included the fact that he has tattoos all over his chest, arms and back. Knight was caught on surveillance tape a few times during the spree, and officials released those images to the media.

Ultimately, he was caught. Officials say Knight will face multiple charges, including auto theft, robbery and home invasion robbery.

All of the cars stolen by Knight were recovered Tuesday. No one was injured during the crime spree, but investigators feared Knight could've hurt someone if he wasn't caught, as he was considered armed and dangerous.

Will she or won’t she run? Hillary Clinton appears to be inching closer to an answer.

After months of speculation and sidestepping, Clinton tackled the big question with a maybe, telling tech innovators she is "thinking” about a 2016 run.

“I am thinking about it, but I am going to continue thinking about it for a while,” Clinton said Tuesday at a conference for marketing professionals in San Francisco.

Looking very much like a presidential candidate, former U.S. Secretary of State Clinton kicked off a series of West Coast appearances with a keynote speech addressed to several thousand people at a customer conference hosted by Marketo, a Silicon Valley maker of marketing software.

• Raw video:  Hillary Clinton Says She's "Thinking" About 2016 Run

Following her speech, Clinton participated in a question-and-answer session with Marketo chief executive Phil Fernandez.

Clinton told Fernandez she’ll have to weigh some difficult questions before she decides whether to run for president in 2016.

“I’m not going to make a decision for a while because I’m actually enjoying my life,” Clinton said. “I’m actually having fun doing ordinary things like seeing my friends and going on long walks, playing with dogs.”

Back in 2011, Clinton told NBC's Today show a 2016 run for the Oval Office was not "in the realm of possibility."

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Clinton’s keynote speech included comments on clean energy, the immigration debate, and education and unemployment.

“I see the small and the large changes we can make right now that will put us on the path to the kind of success that I know awaits us if, individually and together, we make the right decisions,” Clinton said.

Clinton travels to Portland Tuesday night to speak to the World Affairs Council of Oregon. Then she’ll make a stop in Las Vegas and then it’s back to the Bay Area.

Clinton, who ran for president in 2008, is widely expected to run again in 2016.

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Political analysts say Clinton has been doing a great job keeping herself relevant and in the public eye since she left her post as secretary of state 14 months ago.

“Barack Obama showed that it was very effective to try and bring new voters into the system and to really target young voters, so I think that Hillary Clinton is following that same playbook,” said Melinda Jackson, associate professor of political science at San Jose State University, where Clinton will speak Thursday night.

Clinton is scheduled to appear on the SJSU campus as part of a lecture series featuring prominent women. As of Tuesday evening, StubHub had 67 tickets left to see Clinton at the 5,000-seat SJSU Events Center.

Clinton stepped down as secretary of state at the end of President Barack Obama's first term. Before that, she served as a U.S. Senator from New York from 2001-2009.

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She is married to former President Bill Clinton and was first lady from 1993-2001.

San Mateo-based Marketo was founded in 2006 and produces marketing automation software. Its annual summits attract thousands of participants, with 3,500 people expected to attend this year.

Lisa Fernandez, the Associated Press and Bay City News contributed to this report.