bounced from one doctor to the next. did they even send my lab work...? wait, was i supposed to bring that? then there's the forms. the bills. the 'not a bills.' the.... ”press 4 to repeat these options.” [chaotic music] [inspirational music] healthcare can get a whole lot easier when your medical records, care

and coverage are in one place. at kaiser permanente, all of us work together for all that is you. this is cbs news bay area, with elizabeth cook. >> oakland business owners have an uphill battle. how do you get people in the door, if the door has been smashed in? >> you live in oakland, you have altered your life just to be more careful. you know? it has changed. today, we are looking at the efforts to ease people's worries about safety in oakland, so they can shop local. i'm ryan yamamoto in for elizabeth cook. it is hard to shake the perception that oakland is unsafe, and that might be keeping people away. how is the city working

against that image? we will take a look ahead, but first, let's get you caught up on today's news headlines. another major shakeup at gm's autonomous vehicle unit. the company confirmed today, it is laying off 900 employees, that is about one quarter of its workforce. the news comes as the san francisco-based company faces mounting safety concerns. in a statement, cruz says the changes reflect our decision to focus on more commercialization on plans with safety as our northstar. in the meantime, calls for stronger oversight of the driverless car industry as testers gathered in san francisco. they want to see change in leadership at the state agency regulating crews. drug prices in san francisco have killed more people in the city this year than ever before. health officials say at least 752 people died of accidental overdoses so far this year. 57 in just this last month. 80% involving sentinel. the death toll surpassing the record of 712 set for 2020, with another

month to go. the health department says it has started testing wastewater for fentanyl and other deadly drugs. i hope it will allow them to track and respond to surges more quickly. the nba has suspended warriors player draymond green indefinitely for striking a player in tuesday's game. the league says it takes into account his history of enforcement like conduct. he has been ejected 19 times in his career. fans are reacting on social media. jamal hartman writing, in part, what he is doing was almost normal in nba when i was a child and it's some of the best basketball ever. not condoning it, but are we overreacting? jason burke disagrees, saying, i am glad draymond green has been suspended indefinitely. he should have counseling and a hefty fine. he has given so many violent cheap shots over the years on the court. we want to know what you think. just

use the hashtag kpix. first alert weather right now, you might want to get outside of the next couple of days because what changes are coming, meteorologist darren peck is tracking the return of rain from the virtual studio. >> it's going to start raining on sunday and it might not stop until we get towards the later part of next week but before we get to that, hazy out, with bay area air quality management district has issued a spare the air ellard for tomorrow. be cognizant of that if you have those wood-burning fireplaces. here comes the first system, the rain system stays with us on monday and then the next one comes in, that is why we are calling it a 1-2 punch. we have two separate systems. when you look at the rainfall totals, for sunday, we have a bit but monday we have more. than tuesday, there is more, and as we look into wednesday a little more, we might even have a bit of rain is still to go on thursday. it is going to be quite the active pattern. let

me show you what it looks like in the seven day forecast. you will see how the rain plays out once we look towards the middle and later parts of the week. you can see, for the next couple of days, we are doing okay. starting on sunday, the rain arrives monday and tuesday, wednesday and thursday are all telling the same story. this is another -- the first is a cutoff low and the second one will also behave that way, as well. which means, stay on top of the forecast. details will shift in terms of timing and amounts . that is where things stand for now. ryan, back to you. >> thanks. the city of oakland is working to shed a stigma of crime and violence and get more people to feel safe while shopping in the city, and they recently launched the oakland first campaign. it encourages everyone to shop local while ensuring that public safety is the main focus. opd has officers stationed in stores, some of them in plain clothes but they are hoping to prevent car break-ins, smashing grads, and business owners hope it will make a difference. >> for everyone to take it seriously, it feels like now

people are taking it seriously, and doing stuff about it. i feel like the city has heard us. >> joining us today, peter ganis, kathy adams, president of the oakland african-america n chamber of commerce. thank you for joining us. peter, let's start with you. this push to shop local in oakland, why is it so important, especially right now? >> it is very important right now, especially because we are revitalizing our neighborhoods. people are going out, and they are realizing that oakland is a great place to do their shopping. our attractions, culinary, art, and the community got together, especially with the city of oakland . let's create the next couple of weeks of thinking of oakland first, shopping local. a lot of people don't want to go to the big department stores, they want something that really impacts

small business owners and oakland is the ideal place to do that. >> i highly agree, i think that oakland is the hidden gem of the bay area. in terms of foot traffic, what are you seeing bringing people in, and what might be keeping people away? >> what is definitely bringing people to oakland are the new stores opening up throughout all the different neighborhoods, but, it is the type of items you are buying, that are not found anywhere else in the country. really, that exclusivity, oakland made , and also our entertainment period and if you are familiar with the oakland zoo, but it's one of the biggest reasons to go check it out. >> my coanchor went with her kids. >> yeah. even berland lights up over the holidays. families are coming in, and what i really like is, there is a program called five after 5:00. the garage is downtown, that are city of oakland owned our five dollars after 5:00 p.m. for all the entertainment going

on in the evening, making it affordable, and safety park, as well. >> kathy, there are a lot of great businesses in oakland hoping to get people in the doors so they can share their gift ideas. what do you have to show us, and what are some things -- we are talking, what are the things you can't get anywhere else? >> absolutely. i love the holidays. we have dorian webb, and as you can see, this is a beautiful butterfly collection . i am wearing her bracelet here, today, and also earring. this is an amazing ring. it is great gift ideas for those loved ones, and then we also have taylor j, a clothing designer, as well. she has a lot of accessories. this bag is amazing , very easy to carry, you could do it here, put it over your shoulder, and then, i love any type of african authentic attire. she has jewelry, this beautiful topic and stick this on with a pant skirt, everything. these are

all amazing vendors and retail owners that are just downtown oakland, and waiting for you all to come. >> one thing i noticed when i visit oakland, there is a different vibe in the city. there is a soul that you don't see elsewhere in the bay area. do you see that reflected in the products, also? >> i see it. when you talk about the labor of love, and you talk about a beautiful designer like dorian webb, it is not factually manufactured. these are designs that she put her love, and everything that she has interest. these are designers that are doing something unique. that is where the soul comes from, because it's from the heart. >> what do you want shoppers to know? >> i want shoppers to know that if they are looking for something unique that you cannot buy just anywhere else, oakland is the place to go. check it out for that special gift. also, giving back to your community. this is a time that our small businesses need our support . this is a time that,

if we want to go see a musical performance, go to oakland and support the artists that are there. there are several art tours we are doing over the holidays that are also great for the family, or just for a couple looking for a night out. >> absolutely. thank you for joining us. we have to get going, but if you're looking for something unique, definitely go visit oakland. thank you very much for joining us. >> proper fashion, to. >> exactly. still ahead, a business based in the east bay. how does battery factory could one day help our another growing industry. putting our spotlight on wildlife conservation, the directory of the cal academy of sciences will join us ahead for

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the city in fremont is celebrating a new lithium battery factory. we held a ceremony for the production facility. fremont mayor lily may highlighting how the city will benefit from a growing industry . >> these batteries are vital. when we look at the products that are evolving and the future of electronic mobility as we are driving towards it, literally, in our community here, i don't know if you know, some of the most unique

chargers and zip code is here in fremont. >> the company hopes to expand into the ev market in the near future. switching gears, we are coming up on a big milestone in the world of climate and conservation. later this month, it is the 50th anniversary of the signing of the endangered species act. joining me now is the director of the academy of sciences in san francisco. 50 years, how far have we, as far as wildlife conservation? >> since 1973, we have saved literally hundreds of species that would have otherwise gone extinct. we think of the bald eagle, now, as being all over the place. it was on the edge of extension back in 1973 . here in california, we have things like the condor, which went all the way down, the biggest land living bird in the u.s., it went all the way down to 23 animals. that was it come on the planet. we managed to bring them back from the edge, and they are now spreading out around

california. the humpback whale was deeply endangered in the 70s, and now it, too, is really driving. >> those three species and of course, hundreds of other species like you mentioned. are the in much better condition now than they were? 1973, it seems like direction it's not that long ago, but it is a long time ago. >> we have saved these species, but the natural world is still in a lot of trouble. even just in that same period, the sizes of the populations of species has decreased like 60%. we are really struggling from insects, to birds, to mammals, we are struggling. really, conservation and sustainability is not enough. we need to do more and regenerate . people look outside, and they think, you know, it has always looked this way, it always will. it was far more diverse even 50 years ago, let alone one or 200. we can regenerate these places and where i am at the california academy of sciences, we have taken on regeneration of the

natural world as our purpose. that is why we exist , and we are actively doing that work. >> the academy has a very visual way to draw attention to wildlife conservation. i know you want to show some of the winners here. >> yes, we have a big picture exhibit that you can come to see, it will be on until april, and it is now a world-class competition, where the best conservation photographers are out. >> what are we looking at here? >> raccoons, this is a part of the grand prize-winning story of multiple images. it is elevating the fact that more nature is it returning to cities all over the country, including san francisco. >> walking through golden gate park, you may see if you coyotes now. >> absolutely. the academy is also now collaborating with 40 other organizations in san francisco to reimagine san francisco. we started a group called reimagining san

francisco, and the idea is to think about the san francisco of the future, as a place where not just people, but the natural world can drive , so that we can increase the health of communities, which is healthier for people, and healthier for the natural world. >> you also started a program, the big picture campaign, what can you tell us about that campaign? >> the big picture campaign is all related piure exhibit, and it is about trying to use art as a tool about understanding where we are in the world in conservation, and how art can play a powerful role, telling stories including around regeneration. so, so many people think that we are effectively doomed, and the stories coming out all over the globe, now, show that is not the case. there are many amazing stories to be told. >> there is a book out now? >> we have a brand-new book called seeing at all. rhonda rubenstein, one of the academy

staff members started this, full of amazing photographs. >> what do those visual immigrant images do for people to better understand wildlife conservation? >> we only get to see a certain tiny portion of wildlife, right? to be able to bring these animals to life, and make it real for people, stimulates them to think about conservation in a different way. then, if you can tie a story to the photograph, there is a beautiful photograph there of a rhino, one of the last of its species in the world, and it makes it personal but this is not just some species that is disappearing, it is actually, these are individuals living their lives, and we have a chance to save them. >> trying to build those connections with mother nature. we have connections with humans, but making those connections to elsewhere as well. >> thank you very much for joining us. >> thanks.

we know that everyone needs help sometimes, not everyone is in a position to donate money this year . that is exactly why our bay area food banks are there. read cowin is in santa rosa with more on our food for families bay area food drive. >> food connections resource center here where the shells are stopped and our hearts are full. we want to talk to you at home, often times we talk to potential donors, but we want to talk to you right now or sometime through the year. we talked to so many people who say there is an impact on your mind, on your heart. we also want you to meet people like my friend danny with redwood empire food bank. some benefits from food assistance, what is the message that you have to somebody else watching

him a feels that they have this need. >> don't feel sad. everyone needs help sometimes, and that's okay. >> reporter: you hear the calls that come in, i have heard the calls that other food banks that come in. the last call that i heard was at 4:00, a daddy said my kids need dinner, where do i go right now? >> we get calls from different sites, we get calls asking for sr. health . all kinds of things like that, yeah. >> so many seniors and children served by the thousands here at redwood empire food bank. you know, this is your chance to get involved. you can't come here and answer the phone, right? but you can see the need here, here denny's story, here people who call in on the daily needing food and you can answer that call. go to our website, kpix.com/give or scan the qr code on your screen to find a way to find a way to connect to family. thank you. >> thank you.

coming up, it's a good problem to have. there is buzz over to key players in the mvp conversation. what about the cases for both? the red and gold report.

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we have some breaking news from san jose. firefighters are trying to put out this brushfire along northbound 280. you can see right here, this is by parkour avenue. it is not a large fire, just about one acre. firefighters say they are getting a handle on it. no structures are threatened, but if you're driving by you will definitely smell that is not. 49ers can clinch a second isc west title with a win here on wednesday. watch that game on cbs or paramount plus. there is plenty of buzz about two key players. this is the volkswagen red and gold report. >> we are headed into a major election year in 2024, but there is still one big race

this year that is too close to call. who will be the nfl mvp? let me to the candidates in santa clara. >> you're trying to get me in trouble with those two guys? that's the reason i wanted to really comment on one of them. >> the 49ers don't want to choose says, so, here is the case for brock. number one in quarterback rating, and completion percentage. third in yards and touchdowns. >> he is playing best on the team that is playing the best in the league. if it is not him, i think kristen should get it. one of them, i feel like it's a no-brainer. >> mccaffrey is the only running back over the 1000 yards this season. one in total yards and second and touchdowns. >> if any team will get mvp

is said to be christian mccaffrey. can talk about our quarterback. >> with four weeks left, who will it be? brock, or cmc? >> it's a good problem to have at the end of the day. >> there is still time for a third party to enter the race. >> you can see how special samuel is. >> with the red and gold report, i'm vern glenn. let's give a shout out to former pro bowl niners running back , who just received his degree from the university of miami obtained by the south sorta flung his sons anginal. gordon left when he was drafted by san francisco . he spent 10 seasons, played for a few other teams before announcing his retirement in 2022, but he will always be a niner. still ahead, a fast food chain branching out. the new options at taco bell willing

to travel. you can watch us anywhere, anytime at our streaming service.

bounced from one doctor to the next. did they even send my lab work...? wait, was i supposed to bring that? then there's the forms. the bills. the 'not a bills.' the.... ”press 4 to repeat these options.” [chaotic music] [inspirational music] healthcare can get a whole lot easier when your medical records, care and coverage are in one place. at kaiser permanente, all of us work together for all that is you.

off the coast of new york , this giant wind turbine is generating electricity. it is the first of hundreds planned to be built, but the industry is also facing major headwind. we will tell you about that

tonight on the cbs evening news with norah o'donnell. coming up at 5:00, literally fighting back against hate. how members of the bay area jewish community are turning to martial arts. that story and more coming up at 5:00. when you think of taco bell, coffee doesn't really come to mind. now, it is testing out frozen coffee and sweet shakes. taco bell says the drinks are inspired by authentic mexican flavors like matzek and chocolate, tilted to leche, jarreau, and spiced vanilla. for now, they are only available at two locations in southern california . that means we have to drive. all right. cbs evening news is next on kpix. local news continues on our ♪ ♪ >> norah: tonight a terror plot stopped. new information after investigators say they uncovered a hamas plan in europe. what we are learning about the heightened security at your

site.