some more breaking news from our live desk. more than a dozen people have been hurt after a car plowed into pedestrians in melbourne, australia. police right now calling this all a, quote, deliberate act. 19 people were injured. four of those critically. a 32-year-old australian man of afghan descent known to police has been arrested. officers say he has a history of drug use as well as mental health issues. the incident is not believed to be related to terrorism. >> we're going to have hundreds more police who will be out and about. it's a festive season. we have the carols, the boxing day test. we have no increased threat for any of those events. let's be clear, there is no increased threat. >> a second person was arrested after he was seen filming the attack. police found three knifes in that person's backpack, but they don't think at this point there's any connection between him and the driver.

back to you. >> thank you, jessica. 4:31. a quick update now on weather and traffic. we start with mike. hi, everybody. let's talk about the windchill out there. there's a little bit of a breeze so the thermometer or temperature you see where you are may feel cooler this morning. check out my accuweather 12-hour planner. temperatures from 37 around the bay to 38 inland to 46 at the coast. we'll be in the low to mid-50s at noon with total sunshine by the time the sun sets. 54 to 56 degrees, and it's going to cool with that very dry air rapidly already in the 30s by 7:00 inland. mid-40s elsewhere. we'll take a look at a freeze warning tonight, that's next. here's sue. a couple of problems to wake up on this thursday morning. to the mcarthur maze. the 80 approach coming into westbound 80 to the bay bridge toll plaza, we have an overturned vehicle. it's not showing up here.

that's exactly where it is. the accident is in the clearing phases so that's better news. for the sig alert, this is southbound 880 near the oakland coliseum. a big rig on its side. all lanes shut down. avoid the area if you can. take 580. it's all green so traffic is moving well there, and we have another sig alert on the peninsula. embarcadero. we'll update that in a couple of minutes. busy morning. thank you, sue. republicans facing a new deadline in d.c. government funding set to expire midnight friday and republican lawmakers are hammering out a plan to avoid a government shutdown. >> arlette saenz has the latest now. good morning, arlette. >> reporter: hey, good morning, natasha and reggie. republicans are now facing another deadline. with less than 48 hours to go before government funding runs out congress is in an all-out scramble. congress is barreling towards a government shutdown with no

consensus on how to avoid it. house gop leaders have presented a tentative plan to keep the government funded through january 19th. their approach provides a four-week extension for programs like flood insurance, the children's health insurance program which pays for health care for 9 million children. >> we'll do something once again before the end of the year to make sure those states don't get hit with any c.h.i.p. cuts. >> reporter: a standalone vote on a billion dollar disaster relief package. but it's not a done deal. gop leaders still have to sell the plan to their rank and file and unclear how republican leaders in the senate will react. congress will punt to the new year on protections for the so-called dreamers. >> we're trying to get as good a deal as possible, but the bottom line is we haven't seen anything. >> reporter: the shutdown scramble comes after republicans took a tax victory lap complete with a presidential fist pump.

>> it's always a lot of fun when you win. >> reporter: glowing republican lawmakers praised the president for their first major legislative win. >> you listened to voices no one else was listening to. >> you're one heck of a leader. we're all benefiting from it. >> reporter: house republican leadership hasn't indicated when they might hold a vote on the spending plan, but lawmakers are eager to avoid a shutdown before the holidays. in washington, arlette saenz, abc 7 news. >> arlette, thank you. now a live look at the san mateo bridge where it is smooth sailing now because it's 4:34 in the morning. >> rush hour a much different story, of course. the metropolitan transportation commission is crafting a proposal for you to pay a $3 toll in hopes of easing congestion and raising money to fund dozens of transportation projects. the toll hike would affect all bay area bridges except the golden gate bridge. the plan has a good shot of winning with 54% of likely voters supporting the toll

increase. >> bay area residents are sick of being stuck in traffic. they need congestion relief. >> the results were presented to the commission in san francisco yesterday. the question now is how to craf% the toll hike proposal for the june ballot. a phased-in approach seemed the most popular, $1 hike in 2019, another 2023 and 2027. commissioners will meet again on january 24th to take a formal vote. and we're doing a poll on twitter. so far we've gotten more than 1,400 responses. 95% say absolutely not. abc7news.com if you want to weigh in. >> the headline there it would be $9 to cross the bay bridge. so take that in. pg&e says it will stop issuing dividends because the company may be held liable for the north bay fires. investigators haven't determine a cause for any of the fires that broke out in october. at least 32 lawsuits have been filed against pg&e accusing it of improper maintenance that led to the fires. the company says it has $800

million in liability insurance to cover the north bay fires. city manager of hillsborough is expected to make her decision today whether to put up 16 cell phone towers. residents have complained bitterly the towers would be too tall, create noise pollution, and would decrease their property values. the towers could be as high as 55 feet. crown castle, the company that wants to build the towers for verizon says the towers would meet town and federal regulations. starting tomorrow most alameda county courts will be closed through new year's day because of the budget. east county hall of justice in dublin and the juvenile justice center in san leandro are the only place that is will remain open. there will be staff to handle emergency matters in addition to the court's normally scheduled business. all courthouses will reopen on tuesday, january 2nd. 4:36 now. happening today an honor for one of san francisco's most beloved sons. the city is expected to approve name a part of golden gate park after robin williams.

the new name in september but the parks and rec commission still needs to vote today to make it official. the meadow is where san francisco has been held for a decade. the late comedian was a longtime bay area resident and would perform and support the annual event. san francisco supervisor jane kim officially now running for mayor. >> i love what i do. i love my job. i love serving the city. running for mayor is a fantastic opportunity for me to continue the work that i've been doing on the board which is passing bold initiatives to make san francisco a better place for all of us. >> jane kim requested nomination papers from the city's election department yesterday. it's still unclear if acting mon london breed will throw her hat into the race. another possible candidate is state assemblyman and former supervisor/president david chu. angela alioto and mark leno have already filed papers to run. the special election will take

place june 5th. the big story this morning is this big rig on its side. you can see it. right behind you the oracle. southbound 880 near the coliseum and you could see the other side of the freeway is moving nicely. chp crews on scene. it is a fatal accident. all lanes shut down. this is live in oakland southbound. let me show you the backup is extending now up to oakland, so avoid the area, if you can. it is a fatal that usually takes quite some time. take 580 if you can as we take a look at 580. it is all green. you can follow the signs to oakland airport if that is your destination this morning and we also have another sig alert north 101 before the embarcadero involving an 18-wheeler partially blocking there in the clearing phases there and we have other problems. please be aware. we had an overturn in the

mcarthur maze that may be in the clearing phases as well and another accident eastbound 80. we'll check back. mike? >> wow. that's a lot already, and the weather is so quiet. hi, everybody. the cool temperatures is the big story and it will get even colder tomorrow morning. let's go to the east bay. we'll start with 35 in fremont. san leandro and union city, dress for 36. hayward 38. a little milder around berkeley, oakland, alameda and richmond. mid to upper 40s there. a look at the bay bridge toll plaza. we'll use it as the background now that it's dry to talk about today's commute planner which is also very dry. so for mass transit we're going to be chilly to cool today and then for the bay it is going to be much calmer, no small craft advisory. my 12-hour planner for san francisco starts off with 44 at 8:00 to 49 at 10:00 to noon at

53. you can see 55 at 2:00 to 9:00. on the east bay, 41 at 8:00. by noon we're at 53. we'll hang out with sunshine at 2:00 and 4:00 and 56. and then we're back in the 40s by 6:00. let's go down to the south bay. 39 this morning to 54. so a nice rapid jump there to 56 by 4:00. and let me leave you with this last nugget of information, a hard freeze coming that may kill vegetation tonight. protect the plants, the pets, the pipes especially from 1:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the morning when temperatures could drop to 25 to 30 degrees. i'll have your neighborhood lows coming up next with the accuweather seven-day forecast. hi, everyone. an explosion in hollywood overnight. there is an investigation under way right now. i will have the story next. it will help us feel more like a family working together again. >> a surprise for a family who lost their home in the north bay

wildfires. the contest they won that will help them begin to rebuild. and making room for pets

welcome back. 4:43 on this thursday and the fire danger has spread as the winds will kick up down in socal. red flag warning this morning going through possibly this

evening for about and close to the grapevine. 65 in l.a. but still breezy. a sunny 56 in monterey. a look at tahoe. we had some snow yesterday. it is over until possibly some light snow monday, tuesday, and wednesday. right now a woman is recovering after an explosion inside a hollywood restaurant and investigators are looking into it right now. they think it was all caused by a natural gas leak. the video of the damage happened last night, the saloon and grill. actually a restaurant on the first floor in a six-story apartment building and the blast blew out windows, sent glass and debris on to the surrounding streets. the woman who was hurt only had minor injuries so that's good news. that investigation expected to

last throughout the day today. reggie? >> thank you, jessica. cal fire says firefighters have been making progress on the thomas fire in southern california. winds are expected to pick up today and that progress could slow. red flag warnings are in effect to los angeles county. the thomas fire is currently at 60% containment. it has burned more than 272,000 acres making it the second largest wildfire in state history. officials fear the coming winds could make it the largest fire. san mateo county firefighters are home this morning after more than two weeks on the front lines of the thomas fire and post this had photo before leaving ventura county on tuesday night. crews say they are proud to have been called on to battle the massive fire. we certainly are proud of them and thank them. the humane society is helping shelters inundated with animals from the thomas fire. >> more on the 45 pets flown to the bay area.

>> reporter: these lucky dogs enjoyed a first class flight from southern california. marin humane welcomed them from the ventura animal shelter. >> they're a little stressed but for the most part do really well. it's not a long flight. >> these were animals in the shelters in ventura county already awaiting adoption. >> reporter: freeing up shelter space makes room for animals displaced by the thomas fire. >> so it's really important to keep a lost animal in the county in which they were lost so they're more likely to be reunited with their families. >> reporter: a pilot with wings of rescue flew a load of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs came in on a second flight. some 45 animals in all. >> these cute kittens are almost perfect. they'll be microchiped, spayed d and neutered. they'll be up for adoption in about a week, that is, if this one doesn't go home with me. they were in the same situation

during the north bay fires. >> we were housing about 350 pets of fire evacuees. >> reporter: if you'd like to adopt head to abc7news.com for more information. in novato, abc 7 news. >> big surprise for a north bay family who lost their home in october's wildfires. pthey are the winners of the 25 days of christmas tiny house giveaway. the contest was announced on "gma." they lost their home on october 9th when the tubbs fire raged through santa rosa. they've been living in a friend's rv since. the tiny house brings them hope. >> it'll be secure and safe and comfortable and will help us to feel more like a family working

together again. >> the family will be given this tiny home next month. the free form channel owned by disney which is the parent company of abc 7. that is good news. >> it is but i'm happy to see anything coming their way right now. sue hall, you're looking at major problems on the roads this morning. unfortunately, the story is this big rig on its side. you can see oracle arena in the background. all lanes blocked. it is a fatality. abc 7's amy hollyfield is on scene. she'll get us more in a little bi-. we'll have your alternate route in a second. there are reports of an accident blocking the right lane near university in the eastbound direction. that would be right in here. we do not see that yet. chp may have the location wrong. we'll keep our eye on that. back now to oakland. chp is saying you can use 580. that is a good route for you. all lanes, again, remain closed at the coliseum and big rigs are allowed to use 580 in the

interim. it is green all the way through. you can cut across to the oakland airport if that is your destination. again, probably not for two to three hours will this be cleared out. and another sig alert in the -- on the peninsula in palo alto in a couple of minutes. mike? sue, thank you very much. hi, everybody. open the weather window on mt. tamalpais, and you can see it's not bouncing as much as yesterday. calmer conditions are going to be waiting for you today am sunglasses needed. total sunshine, lighter breezes and clean air. ought to have a nice deep, blue sky compared to earlier this month with all those spare the air alerts. freezing lows not only tonight but also tomorrow night. friday morning, saturday morning, make sure you have everything protected and that christmas storm we talked how fickle it will be. will it rain or won't it rain?

right now -- i'll take a look at that in about five minutes. you can see it's breezy in a few areas. oakland 10, sfo 13. as you see the winds on live doppler 7. temperatures today about 55 to 59 degrees. santa cruz, antioch, and napa could reach 60. lows tonight, look at this, freezing cold in palo alto at 32. 43 in san francisco and that's the warm spot. my accuweather seven-day forecast. temperatures in the 50s to near 60. and even warmer saturday and sunday and then a slight chance of rain for christmas day. mike, thank you. christmas certainly fast approaching but it's not too late to give people in need a helping hand. >> and a warning if you are still shipping or expecting holiday packages. the scam to be on the lookout for. the makers of pokemon go are taking the game to the next level now. the upgraded augmented reality. first this morning's "tech bytes." today's "tech bytes," apple

admits to slowing down older iphones. >> so apple slows down the pprevent battery issues that o could cause the phones to suddenly shut down or restart. the tech giant claims it's not a ploy to get you to replace your phone. >> though it often does that, too. it appears amazon could be rolling out a rival to youtube. >> amazon tube and open tube. the filing came days after youtube's parent company google pulled youtube from amazon devices. and jiffy is out with the most used of the year. number three, the waving pug with 215 million views. >> and then the blinking guy. the second most viewed gif and the second most viewed gif and the most if yyou need to stay downeaway from it. call 911. let our first responders come out and handle it. police and fire will respond as well as pg&e. pg&e will make the scene safe. ♪

and you smell gas, your first step is to get out, travel to a safe distance until you can't smell the gas anymore, and then call 911. the first responders will come out, and they'll make it safe for you and your community. ♪ some of us may be waking up to frosty conditions this morning but more of us will be dealing with that tomorrow morning everywhere but san francisco and the coast under a freeze warning with temperatures dropping into the mid-20s, it could be a killing freeze, so make sure you protect the plants, pets, and pipes. more on the chance of rain for christmas coming up next. christmas four days away and st. anthony's in san francisco still could use your help. each year the foundation holds its christmas drive-through donation event. it couldn't be easier. pull up and drop off food,

toiletries and clothes. the drive goes from 9:00 to 4:00 today and tomorrow and then 9:00 until 1:00 on saturday and sunday. st. anthony's is taking donations through sunday, christmas eve, located on golden gate. >> that whole model is so great. you don't have to find parking, they help you with the stuff out of your trunk. >> no muss no fuss. and this is a warning if you're still shipping or expecting holiday packages. beware of what arrives in your holiday box. hackers are looking to take advantage of the last-minute rush so look out for phishing scams saying a package will not be delivered and you need to click a link in order to pick it up. >> they're going to introduce malware to your computer or another site where it says we need more information, can you give us your credit card.

[ inaudible ] >> all right, so let's talk about what's going on. sorry, sue, maybe you were having technical issues and rainfall potential for christmas day. so what we're going to deal with is the possibility of the storm as we talked about yesterday starting to come in a little bit sooner. look at this christmas eve at 3:00. if you're heading to some early services or your kids are in some of the services as they like to do, the earlier ones, just know you head through midnight masses and wet weather there. moves up to the north bay and

then by christmas afternoon it's over. a quick look at how much rain we could get, maybe a tenth to a quarter inch of rain. are you ready for return of pokemon go? this guy is. an update running on ios 11. mobile augmented reality capabilities. will blend in better with the real world after a player real world after a player activates the feature. protecting your accounts. the move a social media giant made to keep you safe from hackers. a timely bill to protect california devastating wildfires. >> the legalization of recreational marijuana. plus, we will take you back to the scene of the deadly crash shutting down southbound 80 that

shutting down southbound 80 that sue has been

♪ little girl and boy land ♪ while you dwell within it ♪ you are ever happy there daddy, it's christmas! ♪ childhood's joy land never let go of your dreams. the mercedes-benz winter event is back. lease the e300 sedan for $569 a month at your local mercedes-benz dealer. mercedes-benz. the best or nothing. ♪ [baby crib musical mobile] millions are still exposed to the dangers of secondhand smoke. and some of them can't do anything about it. but you can. protect your family. visit tobaccofreeca.com.

that breaking news is in oakland. a deadly crash there involving a fedex truck and car. all of southbound 880 is shut down right now right near 66 avenue and abc 7 news reporter amy hollyfield is on the scene. amy? >> reporter: if you look behind me you can see the fedex truck is on its side. it overturned. they have to tow that out of here. they have to investigate the accident, gather all of their evidence, and wait for the coroner. it could be a few hours before this is reopened. we are on soubo