♪ ♪ baby, why don't you just maremeet me in the middle ♪ ♪ in the middle ♪ so pull me closer ♪ why don't you pull me close ♪ ♪ why don't you come on over ♪ ♪ i can't just let you go ♪ ♪ oh baby ♪ i'm losing my mind just a little ♪ ♪ so why don't you just meet me in the middle ♪ ♪ middle is it safe...and is it legal? uber and lyft for kids. we go undercover to see how it )s putting your kids at risk. plus: behind the scenes of tonight )s this is us" episode. who the creators called in... to help make it so dramatic. next.

. ♪ (sighs) you guys, i just need two minutes, okay? i'm gonna step outside for two minutes. (crying): i have to tell kevin. he needs to hear it from me. so what do you think? i like it on the cloud. in the cloud. (whispering): it's inthe cloud... yeah. he's a handsome fella. there was this window in my bedroom that would always leak every time it rained. and my dad would always fix it.

and... it would happen again, and then he'd fix it. then it'd happen again... he was so patient, and he was just-just steady. he never gave up on that damn window. the night that my dad died, i thought to myself, "we're done." like, we won't come back from this. and then i thought, kay, maybe, maybethey can." (wailing) te: maybe one day, not because hey-they needed him less, but because they were built of stronger stuff than i was. and for 20 years, i thought very little of myself. and then this big, old guy with this big, old heart

-came walking into my support group. -me? and then, when i would break, he never gave up on me, over and over again, never gave up on me and made me believe in me. do you know that you... do you know that you changed my life, that you saved my life? and, oh, my god, he would've loved you. my god, i love you. i love you, too. (sighing): oh. i'm always crying. (chuckles) ♪

(on the television) ..running backs. ertz repositions and sets it up in the slot to the right and they go right to the air. and the pass is caught by nelson agholor (phone ringing) for a gain of five up to the thirty yard line. hm. hi. hey, i was just calling to check on you. did dad ever send you that laugh? no. no. he must've gotten busy. but i bet he'll send me two next year. (rebecca chuckles) yeah. you know, mom, you were really strong for us when it happened. i can't even imagine what that must've been like for you. i...

i did what i could, you know? i tried to wrap myself around you guys and protect you. but you were all so big already. but i tried. your dad never had to try. well, i have to try, too. i was getting a candy bar when the doctor told me. he told me, and i took a bite. i didn't even realize that i had done it, but it's something that haunts me to this day. that's one of the first things i think about when i think about that night, is that stupid candy bar. isn't that so strange?

where are you? i'm at dad's tree. came down to talk with him. wow. how is that? can i be honest? rebecca: always. it was really good. i didn't realize how bad i needed that talk. rebecca: that's great. -can i be really honest? -yeah. i'm not sure i'm at the right tree. (laughs) (both laugh) do you see? do you see what i mean? this year... this year, he sent me you. this year, he sent me you. (kevin laughs) (knocking on door)

come in. you okay, my princess? (randall exhales) sorry about earlier. it's a weird day for daddy. i know. i've been taking the landline off the hook. why? 'cause the social workers only call the landline. -you don't want us to foster again? -no. no. i, uh... i don't mind that. you found grandpa. and... but then you found deja. then you found a new job. it's like you want a new life. tess.

you are my entire world. -you know that, right? -i guess. you guess? hey, you never knew my dad, jack. but, oh, man, he was the best dad ever. all i ever wanted to do with my life was be half the dad he was. and i was so scared about that. that i wouldn't be good when the time came. and then you were born. and my life flipped. it did a somersault, you know? and, uh, i realized... i don't even have to try at this. i'm gonna be the best dad ever because i love this little girl so much that i don't even have a choice.

you're my number one, baby girl. you're the little girl that made my life somersault. so... even if we get another foster kid, even if we get one tomorrow... (phone ringing) ♪ watch me when you call my name... ♪ hello? oh, hi. no, no, no. i was just surprised to hear from you is all. ♪ see me flame you look very handsome. thanks. ...you will always be my number one. and you will live with me till you're 25. and even after you move out, you will have dinner with me once a week near your fancy office, and you will tell me everything. okay? okay.

i like fostering. yeah? yeah. i think it's a cool thing to do. ♪ watch me when you look my way ♪ ♪ feel me smiling ♪ be my night and day your dad is here for dinner. -thank you. -thank you, young lady. -hi, daddy. -mwah. how you doing, tess? -good. i'm good. -good. ♪ you take my words away no, right now is fine. do you need us to come get you? wait, you're here? ♪ watch me when i'm on my own ♪ ♪ see me falling

♪ like the snow ♪ come and be ♪ the things you are ♪ i'm still falling ♪ but not quite so far... captioning sponsored by 20th century fox television and toyota. captioned by media access group at wgbh access.wgbh.org ♪ i ♪ loyalty, got royaltyot inside my dna ♪ ♪ i got hustle though, ambition, flow, inside my dna ♪ ♪ i don't contemplate, i meditate ♪ ♪ then off your off your head ♪ ♪ this that put-the-kids-to-bed ♪ ♪ this that i got, i got, i got ♪

i just can't believe that i get to live with you. mrs. grey. that's me. ♪ you own this? we own this. ♪ you insist on defying me. learn to live with it. rated r. don't we need that cable box to watch tv? nope. don't we need to run? nope. it just explodes in a high pitched 'yeahhh.' yeahhh! try directv now for $10 a month for 3 months. no satellite needed.

♪

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would you send your kids -- in an uber? in the middle of freeway, he would ask me to go to the shoulder and then ask me to move up front. >> we ask a question that mp parents need to know. the news starts right now. thank you for joining us.

i'm janelle wang. >> and the party is in full swing in philadelphia. we'll show you what is happening there in a moment, but we want to start with a question a lot of parents are asking. >> is it safe to use uber or lyft for your kids? not only is it safe, but is it legal? >> children are not as protected as you think. liz wagner takes us undercover with the troubled trend. >> for the past few months, we have been digging into this. and now it is causing a problem for kids and their families. the this teenager was in a ride she had been in a few times before until the driver started to chat. >> he was asking me sexual

questions, like if i was a virgin, and how old i was when i lost my virginity. >> reporter: she did the best to ignore him until he got onto highway 101. >> in the middle of the freeway, he just pulled over to the shoulder. then he asked me to come in front. >> reporter: alone and scared, she complied. she said what happened when he pulled up to her homemade her stomach turn. >> he was like, is it wrong that i have a boehner right nboner r now? it was disgusting. >> reporter: she didn't want anyone else to experience that, she wrote. the company apologized, refunded her fare and kicked her off the app. that's because uber requires riders to be at least 18 to sign up. she was just 16. with no access to her account, for months she had no idea who harassed her. do you know if the driver is still driving? >> he could be.

>> it is frustrating that we can't take the next step. >> reporter: this sergeant says investigators couldn't find him either. uber like many companies requires a subpoena to release drivers' names. but police couldn't get one because the teen's allegations amount to a misdemeanor, not a felony. so your stuck? >> yes. >> reporter: the whole situation never should have happened. remember uber says drivers aren't supposed to pick up kids riding alone, telling us uber's community guidelines clearly outline that children must be supervised while using uber and only adults can have an uber account. but that's not stopping kids from requesting a car or requesting drivers to pick them up. the state public utilities commission oversees the rideshare, but there's no regulation stopping uber or the top competitor list from taking

unaccompanied minors. instead, it relies on the companies themselves to enforce their own rules. but if cleared, drivers are picking up underaged riders. and it's on the phc's radar. back in 2016, commissioner leann rudolph where, i'm concerned about this. when we tried to speak to her about it, she refused. so we caught up to nick van jonny, part of the enforcement division. what is the commission doing to make sure kids are safe if they happen to get into an uber? >> that is why this issue is specifically t'd up. >> reporter: this is public safety in regard to kids. shouldn't this be taken up as soon as possible? >> the commission has it teed up. >> reporter: rideshare companies

are regulated differently because partly riders are not technically on the payroll. in the teen's lawsuit, she accused uber of negligent hiring but the driver is an independent contractor, not an employee. she doesn't see a difference. >> i think they should take responsibility for what their workers are doing. >> reporter: that includes making sure kids aren't picked up in the first place. they need to cancel trips for unaccompanied minors, but that doesn't always happen. hi, are you okay taking under 18? >> yeah. >> okay. >> reporter: tonight we go undercover and expose how rideshare companies are failing to enforce their own rules, possibly putting thousands at risk. i'll see you again with that part of the story tonight at 11:00. janelle? >> looking forward to part two, thank you. if you have a story for the investigative unit, call 888-996-tips or send us an

e-mail to the unit at nbcbayarea.com. did you watch? there's a good chance you did. it is nearly midnight in philadelphia, pennsylvania, and the party is just beginning. take a look, this is shot from the nbc chopper there in philly on the streets. everyone waited a long time, at least the eagles fans, for this game. the eagles upset the patriots as you know by now to win the first super bowl in history. hopefully they can party safely tonight. now, the guy who scored the game-winning touchdown, bay area product, zach ertz, who grew up in danville. we are at the super bowl with the exclusive one-on-one interview in ten minutes. new video just into the newsroom. the chp is in full force cracking down on drunk or drug drivers as a lot of people are heading home from the super bowl parties. all available officers are out patrolling tonight. we'll have a live report tonight at 11:00 as cheryl herd rides along with officers to try to

keep the roads safe. and unsettling sightings, mountain lions near pal lo alto and 101. two sightings about two miles apart, one on sutter avenue and the other on wildwood lane. maryann favro is live with the latest. >> reporter: what is unusual is that this neighborhood is not near the foothills. it is very close to highway 101. and that first sighting was reported right here on this street last night around 8:10. >> right in front of us was this large cat walking across the street. it was about the size of and large dog. so i would say probably over 100 pounds. >> reporter: nancy shulman was in her car at the time and started hochkinking her horn wod the cat would attack her cat lima. the mountain lion jumped past her cat, jumped over the fence

and took off. three hours later, someone else called palo alto police to tell them they spotted a mountain lion about a mile-and-a-half away. >> our officers checked both neighborhoods extensively, have remain in the neighborhoods throughout the rest of the night and into this morning. >> reporter: the sighting has prompted neighbors to keep a closer eye on their pets and children after nancy posted on nextdoor about her encounter with the big cat. >> it's sort of hard to believe that a mountain lion would come into this neighborhood, but it is a little scary. >> reporter: especially since this is far from the foothills and close to a shopping center. as for nancy, she's not taking any chances and now plans to bring nema inside at night. even though there were two mountain lion sightings in two neighborhoods, they believe the sightings involve the same big cat. reporting live in palo alto,

marianne favro, nbc bay area news. a 5-year-old girl is recovering from minor injuries after a pitbull attacked her on a hiking trail at point pinole regional park in richmond before noon. both the richmond fire department and the chp helicopter responded to the call for help. we talked to the officer on board the helicopter who is a trained paramedic. >> she was bit in the chest by the pitbull. luckily when i made patient contact, i found out it was a minor injury to her chest. however, the pitbull did grab her and drag her for a significant amount of time prior to releasing her. >> fortunately, the girl was wearing a puffy winter jacket so the dog only nicked her. she was taken to the hospital as a precaution. we have reached out to animal control, which also responded to the scene. it's not clear if they took that dog into custody. okay, janelle, if you are just joining us, we have been on early with the special super bowl primetime nbc news. is it february or july?

sunset in san francisco absolutely beautiful. another day of record highs across the bay area. let's bring in our chief meteorologist jeff rinieri. it was an amazing day. >> we'll take a live look across san francisco. you can see how clear it is right now. in terms of records, unbelievable. santa rosa hitting 80 degrees for the high. that was one of the records shattered back in 2001 of 74. record highs in oakland, 70. san francisco with 74. and tying a record in san jose at 76. why is it so high? high pressure building in bringing the heat and steering the rainfall to the north. we'll let you know if there's any change in the forecast to bring us rainfall in about 15 minutes. thank you, jeff. the first investigation of many released from the wine country fires. santa rosa's fire department

released incident reports on two smaller blazes that broke out far away from the unprecedented and deadly cub fire. the findings focus on conditions rather than fault. sam broch is joining us live from santa rosa with more on what to say. sam, this is just the beginning. >> reporter: that's right, janelle. the san diego fire department responded to hundreds and hundreds of incidents between october 8th and october 9th. it's the first report that stems from incidents and fires that were manageable. as for the underlying issue here, the power lines were the source, but when was the catalyst as the report causes the lines to ripple and sent sparks flying. >> i have bad news for you, ed. i asked him, what is going on? he said, your house is going down. >> reporter: when ed gong got the news from his property manager in october that his 17-year-old property fell victim

to flames, these are pictures of what gong found in the light of day where the home once stood. the fire which also wiped out the place next door found himself feature in the first incident report filed from the santa rosa fire department. >> looking at the conditions and the interviews and the witness accounts and the evidence physically in the field itself, we're able to bring it back to ultimately the wind plain, the primary factor that comes from the utility. >> reporter: despite gripes and lawsuits pending over the maintenance of pg&e power lines, any finger pointing is abs seen from the document. his neighbor says rightly so. >> i'm not thinking it is pg&e's fault. >> you describe it as freakish, the circumstance. >> it was super freakish, yeah. >> reporter: more documented will f items will follow in the months to come. sam brock, nbc news.

and we are looking into the investigation into the wildfires. to see those results, go to nbcbayarea.com/investigation. a late-night tweet from president trump this evening congratulating the philadelphia eagles. tomorrow it's back to work. here's a live look at the capitol, both democratic and republican lawmakers speak out against the president's declaration that the republican memo clears anymore the russia investigation. this morning leaders from both sides of the aisle expressed hope that special counsel robert mueller's work listen continue without interference. yesterday you might have seen the president tweeted the classified gop memo, quote, totally vindicated him in the russia probe. but the fbi and doj have expressed serious concerns about inaccuracies and misleading information in that memo. democrats could see a vote on publicly releasing a rebuttal memo again tomorrow. supporters of a beloved san francisco teacher arrested for

child abuse continue to rally behind them. the man is accused of holding a student over the balcony in the mission district. the church community held a special mass for tulbar. the prosecution is sure this is a misunderstanding. >> we are gathering signatures and to show support and to pray. we ask everyone out there to pray with us. and we are hoping to show his moral character, the kind of person he is. he's kind and he's caring and respectful and humble. >> he's on administrative league while they conduct their investigation. last week hundreds rallied in front of the school sharing positive stories about him and demanded his return to the classroom. he's due to appear in court tomorrow. and you may have just seen it here on nbc bay area, but the dramatic episode of "this is us."

up next, with ego the scenes. and the bay area player who scored the winning touchdown. we'll have more on that, next. and pushing the pollen levels above average, trees in the high category. i'll have details on any kind of rainfall coming our way in about six minutes. fire fighting is a very dangerous profession. we have one to two fires a day and when you respond together and you put your lives on the line, you do have to surround yourself with experts. and for us the expert