tonight, a new effort to prioritize safety in downtown san jose, including an influx of two dozen recent police academy graduates who will shadow patrol officers in that area and learn on the job. good evening. thank

you for joining us. i'm dan ashley and i'm julian glover. >> that announcement of new officers was just made this afternoon. but as abc seven news reporter zach fuentes explains, not everyone is happy about it. >> positive changes are being added daily to downtown san jose. >> it's vibrant as it has not been in a long time. we're standing here at the mural that was just now opened about a week ago. >> alex cetinski, a ceo of the san jose downtown association. he said art and the many new block parties have brought vibrancy and also safety to the more foot traffic you have in an area, the safer people feel. and safety has been a concern for many downtown businesses and residents. now, the city says it's responding. 24 recent police academy graduates are now assigned to downtown san jose as field training officers. >> it's 15 years since we last saw the field training program, or fto in downtown, and i'm excited to share with all of you that our recruits are back in this area, interim chief paul joseph said. >> the program is essential for the department's downtown staffing and offers new training opportunities. while some

businesses are encouraged by the news, others have reservations. >> the thought of newly trained officers walking around, potentially if they don't have, like social workers or someone with them, to ensure the safety of the people that they're dealing with. i worry about the people of downtown. >> business owner wendy bravo said she'd like the city to invest more in social services. >> people are really struggling and we really want to see the city provide more services for people that actually do something for them, and invest that care in walking around and checking on people and making sure they're okay, and also checking on the businesses to make sure that they're okay. >> we brought up those concerns with mayor matt mehan at the announcement of the program launch. >> many of the behaviors that people observed downtown and in other parts of the city that make them feel unsafe are not always crimes. and that's why it's so important that we expand the number of treatment beds, and that when we do have folks who are committing lower level nonviolent crime that has a mental health nexus, whether it's addiction or some other

form of mental illness that we're getting people the help that they need. >> one thing everyone with a stake in downtown san jose agrees on is that they're committed to keeping and adding to its vibrancy in san jose. zach fuentes, abc seven news in the east bay the mayor of berkeley says now is the time to start thinking about what comes next for golden gate field. >> it comes ahead of the last horse race at the track this weekend. abc seven news reporter anser hassan sat down with the mayor to discuss redevelopment plans for this prize piece of waterfront property. when the last horse crosses the finish line this weekend, a new era and new opportunities will begin. >> now's the time for us to imagine something different at golden gate fields. >> berkeley mayor jesse arreguin says this is a big opportunity to develop one of the most prized properties in the entire bay area. he says the city's last plan around golden gate fields dates back to 1986, which allowed for a hotel and a composting facility. >> i think we can all agree that a composting facility is not the highest, best use so that very, very valuable real estate. so

now it's 2024. we're going to take a fresh look. >> one third of the 140 acres are in berkeley. two thirds in albany. the mayor says the two cities are working on a joint redevelopment plan. some possibilities include keeping much of it as open space, housing and commercial developments, even a hospital. but whatever they decide, there are huge obstacles ahead. >> we're going to have to amend our general plans to allow for whatever is going to be at golden gate fields. in fact, that's go to the voters in albany to approve whatever plan, even if the area is rezoned. >> there are a number of state and regional stakeholders that will be involved in the approval process. also, the cities don't own the land, although they do have regulatory approval over it, and then big challenges like traffic and in this case, sea level rise. >> all of the area that that is in berkeley and in albany, that's lowland was a marsh and it's filled it will liquefy in any kind of an earthquake. >> robert chast is with the environmental group citizens for east bay parks and the former

mayor of albany. he says it would require enormous amounts of diking to prepare and protect the land for housing. he adds. if it gets that far, it will likely end up in court. >> there would be a fight over this, and the environmental community would not be in favor of those kinds of development proposals and would would resist, and there'd be a be a knock down drag out that would it would just never happen. >> mayor argene says even if everything goes according to plan, it could be 5 to 7 years before construction even begins in berkeley, anser hassan. abc seven news. >> governor newsom in san francisco today supporting a ballot measure to amend the california constitution and change the wording of it to reaffirm gay marriage rights. abc seven news reporter luz pena was there and is live in the newsroom with the story loose. >> dan well, gay marriage is legal, but many people may not remember that in the california constitution, marriage is defined as a union between a man and a woman. that wording was a change made by prop eight, which also banned same sex marriage in

california until the u.s. supreme court overruled it. but now, as the high court becomes more conservative, there's concern that decision could be revisited. and that's why governor newsom is pushing for this amendment. 20 years ago, then san francisco mayor gavin newsom ordered the city to begin issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples in what became known as the winter of love. now, newsom is back in san francisco as the state's governor to expand on that pledge, we have a special role and responsibility to lead, and that's what this initiative is all about. governor newsom, along with several california political leaders, are supporting assembly constitutional amendment number five, or aca five, an amendment that would change the wording of what the state's constitution defines as marriage. >> this is so important and timely, especially during the month of pride, that when we celebrate, we oftentimes need to reaffirm our commitment. >> assembly member evan low

views the amendment to the constitution as vital, following the ruling by the us supreme court on abortion overturning roe v wade, two justices specifically cited the two court cases loving interracial marriage and obergefell. >> same sex protections that that is next on the chopping block. they weren't done with just reproductive freedom. they are coming for us. >> the california constitution was amended in 2008, stating that marriage was between a man and a woman. >> in 2008, the voters in california passed proposition eight, which put this discriminatory language into the california state constitution. but we know that the tide has completely shifted in california. >> the california family council was behind the passing of prop eight. now they categorize this ballot measure as deeply concerning, completely abolishes the traditional definition of marriage, not just repealing the definition of prop eight as between one man and one woman, but there is now no limit to the number of people that could get

married, the age of people that could get married, or the genetic relationship they're concerned goes beyond the california constitution. >> tragically, if we begin to abolish marriage in the state of california, we are opening pandora's box now. >> california voters will decide when they vote this november in the newsroom. luz pena, abc seven news. >> appreciate it. thank you. lose now to this new development in a series of racist, racist threats sent to a popular dog walker's home in san francisco. we got some new video here. also a screenshot released by police today. it shows a person of interest who may have some information about this case. terry williams says two threatening packages were sent to his home near alamo square in april in may, a fire destroyed the house he shares with his parents. police say that fire investigation is separate from those racist packages. >> police in oakland say a 12 year old boy is a possible accomplice in a liquor store. clerks killing. in january, a 13 year old boy was arrested and

charged with the murder of magid al-husayni at his family's orlando market in west oakland. officers tell our media partners at the mercury news that they are investigating the two boys for possible involvement in a total of five east bay robberies. they were committed within five hour span or so. on the evening of january 6th. >> and today is national gun violence awareness day. leading bay area sports teams are asking fans to wear orange bring to bring an end to gun violence every day. in the united states, 120 people are shot and killed, 200 more are wounded. you can text orange to 64433 to join that campaign. supporters are holding events in richmond, pleasanton and san jose this weekend to honor and remember lost loved ones. >> a lot more to bring you here. coming up. a's fans are at it again. we're going to take you live to the coliseum where they're getting ready for another reverse boycott before the team leaves town. abc seven news at five contin

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as police investigate a suspicious package. the closure runs from calabasas boulevard to kylie boulevard. santa clara police say they got a call about this object about 250 today. police are asking people to avoid that area. no word yet on when the road will reopen. >> a bit of a reversal for stanford now. going back to requiring undergraduate applicants to submit either the sat or act for admission to the university, a faculty committee studying the issue found that the scores were an important predictor of academic performance at stanford. stanford along with hundreds of other colleges and universities, they stopped requiring an admission exam in 2020 as the pandemic made it difficult for applicants to take the test well. since then, other highly competitive schools started to

bring back those admissions requirements once again. >> all right. to oakland now, where the die-hard a's fans behind the highly successful reverse boycotts against the team's move to las vegas are at it again. abc seven sports anchor casey pratt is out at the coliseum. joins us live with the story tonight. hi, casey. >> hey, dan. starting to get loud out here at the coliseum. parking gates are open. fans are in. i'm going to step out so you can take a quick look at what's going on behind me as the reverse boycott gets underway. but this is actually an interesting day because it's kind of a reverse boycott tour. you can't possibly top the first one, but fans have started their day at a brewery called line 51, where they held an event to celebrate themselves and have raffles and listen to a show. they put on an entire production there at that brewery. then they headed over here to the parking lot. the question becomes though, do you stay here or do you go to raymond park and watch the oakland ballers? and that is the question on everybody's mind

today. although our hearts are walking out to raymond park, uh, our butts are going to be in the seats and so we're going to be doing that. >> you know, we're not expecting a lot of people there. i mean, people here reverse boycott. >> they think that first one, nothing will be on the magnitude of that. >> i'm really hoping that they stick around because as you know, the math for our attendance really counts on them being in the parking lot because we add them to our actual stadium attendance. we also started counting dogs that we see outside the whole relocation thing. >> just i find it heartbreaking. uh- i want to throw to the reverse boycott game last year. it didn't work out this year, made it work and here i am. >> so that last gentleman you're talking, he came all the way from winnipeg. it's amazing how far he traveled to come to this event. he brought his whole family. they're going to go inside and enjoy the game at the oakland coliseum. but a lot of people will be leaving as soon as this tailgate ends. and going to raymond park to watch the oakland ballers, they feel more

comfortable giving them their money than they do. a's owner john fisher at this point in time. >> boy, so much emotion and so much determination on the part of those a's fans. thanks casey very much. >> after the break, nascar revs up for its return to sonoma raceway. we'll hear from fans and possibly even a future nascar driver. >> and don't forget the stanley cup final begins tomorrow, right here on abc seven. the florida panthers play the edmonton oilers for game one in the best of seven series. our live coverage begins at 5 p.m. then on sunday, it's game two of the nba finals right here on abc. >> seven coverage starts at 4:30 p.m. we got the mavericks and the celtics. will the mavericks regain their footing? all of that followed by after the game hosted by abc seven news sports director larry biel with special guest warriors coach ron a

raceway and die hard fans from the bay area and beyond are ready. abc seven news reporter cornell bernard was there and even caught up with a local teenage driver, who is hoping one day to turn pro >> you've got to hear it, to believe it. the sound of nascar at sonoma raceway. these supercharged racers hitting speeds of 160mph on a track full of twists and turns. >> we are expecting a full house this weekend. we've got a lot going on. three days of racing, four races we've been coming here since 2003. >> we camped right over the 50 acres. >> 50 acres is the rv camp where steve rexford and family from novato are settling in for three days of racing. >> i bring the whole family and then all my friends and my son's bringing his friends now. so there's like eight, ten of us. we just have a good time and enjoy the race weekend. i mean, come on, this is perfect. >> honestly, it's just the community here. i think that's why i love it at sonoma in

california more than anywhere else, because everyone's just here for a party and a good time . you know, you meet so many cool people in the pit. >> cars are getting a quick once over by crews before returning to battle on the track. >> we're battling for the points lead, so it's been really good for us so far this season. >> we found 13 year old cameron caraway from castro valley checking things out. we first met cam last year when he was becoming a rising star on the junior stock car circuit. he fully expects to be racing here one day. >> so far, my dream of hopefully becoming a future nascar cup series driver still going strong for it. it's always been something that i always loved my entire life. >> nascar fans know if you're coming out here, there's a couple of must haves sunglasses and ear protection because it is super loud, right? >> what? >> the engine roar just keeps us awake. >> orville mahone from vallejo brought his son oakley to experience the same thrills he had as a kid. >> i want to show him this is what i grew up with, from my grandfather to my father to my

generation, and pass it down to him that this this is america right here. >> this is america. >> freedom nascar weekend culminates with a toyota save mart 350 on sunday at sonoma raceway. cornell, bernard abc seven news. >> a three alarm vegetation fire charred 22 acres on a hillside near brentwood today. the blaze took off around 11 a.m. near alpers court in deer valley road. it quickly went to three alarms, fire officials say, burning dangerously close to at least one property there. cal fire says it took over 60 firefighters to stop the fires for progress. it's now 95% contained with no injuries and no structures lost. fire officials say the cause is under investigation, but of course, fires. >> the last few days, heat, some wind have been a factor, but at least that's eased somewhat. >> yeah, thankfully things have died down around here. let's check in now with abc seven news meteorologist frances de lauson. hey, frances. hi, dan. >> hi, julian. i wanted to show you the air quality right now, due to some of those fires around the bay area, air quality

is actually good to moderate, but we are seeing a lot of hazy skies around the bay, especially at the golden gate bridge. however these hazy conditions are due to sea spray and high pressure is trapping the salt particles at the surface. and so that's why we're seeing the haze at the golden gate bridge and as we show you live doppler seven, we also have clouds along the coast and very breezy conditions. not great for firefighters, in fact, very windy in san francisco, 35 mile per hour winds gusting to 32. in oakland and napa, 32 mile per hour, 30 mile per hour gusts. the breezes will die down, but it will pick up again tomorrow afternoon and evening. but with the windy conditions, temperatures have come down, especially for the inland areas, so we're seeing some upper 70s in concord and also livermore. yesterday their high was closer to the low 90s in san francisco. it's already cooling down to 60 degrees and also san jose 78, santa rosa 70 degrees. so here's a live look for you as we show

you the bay bridge. and what you can expect for the weather. headlines, fog and low clouds overnight tomorrow morning could even see a little bit of drizzle. then tomorrow the cooling trend continues, but we'll only be dropping by a couple degrees for many areas. we'll also see some more hazy conditions and some high clouds passing through. then it starts to warm up monday and tuesday, so we'll actually be closer to average through the weekend. the futurecast shows the clouds building in overnight, so there's a little bit of drizzle there that we could see that green there along the peninsula coast and maybe even the north bay coast. and then the high clouds will pass through. we'll start to see some breaks and some sunshine towards the late afternoon and the evening. tomorrow morning you'll wake up to temperatures in the low to mid 50s. if you wake up really early and then tomorrow afternoon, look for temperatures to come down just a little bit. so san francisco 6477. in napa it's going to be comfortable in san jose 80 and antioch 83 degrees. here's the accuweather

seven day forecast. so we have slight cooling continuing through the weekend. hazy and breezy still tomorrow and tomorrow evening. and then we'll get more sunshine sunday. but really lots of sunny weather next week. temperatures will bounce back. it's going to be the warmest day on tuesday mid 90s for the inland areas, but then we start to cool things down again towards the end of the week. so more comfortable for folks who do not like it. so hot. appreciate it. >> thank you francis. >> well, san jose park rangers are asking the public to stay vigilant after several recent mountain lion sightings. a san jose resident shared a photo of one of these cats walking in a yard. it's possible the same mountain lion was spotted at kelly park, a 156 acre city park south of downtown. mountain lions are not typically aggressive toward people, but they do have tips if you encounter one. >> if you see one, you know you want to act big, act loud, you know, stand up straight, make some noise. don't crouch over. back away slowly. we don't want

you to run away. we don't want to engage the animal's prey. instinct. >> yeah. we don't want the mountain lion to chase us down. officials say you should call 911 if you ever encounter an aggressive mountain lion. >> good advice there. still ahead, a decades long tradition in san francisco's chinatown continues today. it's all about helping feed hundreds of families. we'll tell you about that event. >> and here's your travel forecast. do you question the tradeoffs of treating? ubrelvy is another option. it works fast to eliminate migraine pain. do not take with strong cyp3a4 inhibitors. allergic reactions to ubrelvy can happen. most common side effects were nausea and sleepiness. ask about ubrelvy. my dry eye's made me a burning,

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a whole lot more with our abc seven bay area streaming tv app to search abc seven bay area and download it. >> hunter pence officially turned in his baseball bat for a trash picker today. the former san francisco giant joined a group of deloitte workers in picking up trash around the south of market neighborhood. since he retired four years ago. pence founded the healthy planet project, which aims to fight climate change by cleaning up public spaces and planting trees in the city. >> how do we impact the city with the trees? how much does it impact to pick up the trash? how much does sharing kind of the impact formation compound? so to me, that learning process, that

using the platform and going out and also getting my hands dirty last year, hunter's healthy planet project planted 38 trees, restoring nearly 5000ft■!s of habitat, and invested $70,000 into community improvement projects in the city's chinatown. >> hundreds of families in need got some food assistance today, thousands of bags filled with groceries handed out today at an event hosted by the chinese newcomer services center. more than 100 volunteers worked through the night to load up all those bags. with about $75,000 in donations, it will be enough to feed 5000 families. >> this is a lot of bags. i mean, it's an incredible amount of effort to put all these bags together, and i just want to thank all the folks that so generously donated their money, their food, their time to make sure that those within our community who would otherwise go to bed hungry are not doing so. >> the chinese newcomers service center has been hosting this giveaway for more than 20 years now, with the helping hand from the sf human services agency.

>> that's fantastic. all right, well, we have much more news ahead at 530. i'll be with you over on abc seven, bay area streaming tv. >> and if you're watching us right here on tv world news tonight with david muir is up next for francis lawson. and all of us here at abc seven news. thanks so much for joining us. i'm julie and i'm dan ashley. >> we'll see you at the stream in just a moment. and again at six. take a look at all these sea lions julian out basking in the summer sun on a friday at pier 39. >> love to see it. a slow network is no network for business. that's why more choose comcast business. and now, we're introducing ultimate speed for business —our fastest plans yet. we're up to 12 times faster than verizon, at&t, and t-mobile.

and existing customers could even get up to triple the speeds... at no additional cost. it's ultimate speed for ultimate business. don't miss out on our fastest speed plans yet! switch to comcast business and get started for $49.99 a month. plus, ask how to get up to an $800 prepaid card. call today! a power outage is looming. that's just alert, he's always getting worked up about something. flex alerts notify us of preventable power outages. that way we always know when to help stop one. ok flex, just drop some knowledge on me again. oh, ok i will - i'll turn our thermostat to 78... i'll unplug the blender. the hair dryer. - my blankie? - yep! - let's talk about it! - nope. ooo, we can save the laundry til' the morning! oh, yes please! oh! little things like this help save our power

and help save us from outages. with flex alerts, the power is ours. breaking stories as we come on the air. president biden's call to action from the cliffs of normandy to stay true to what america stands for. in the u.s. tonight, the fiery plane crash. the adults and children pulled from the small plane by good samaritans. also, the flames seen shooting from a passenger jet, the emge