>> now at 5, more rain and dangerous surf impacting some holiday plans for going hear from travelers hoping to escape the wet conditions. and thanks so much for joining us on kron. 4 news at 5. i'm vicki liviakis. drivers and air travelers are dashing off for what's expected to be a record-setting holiday travel season. this is the bay area braces for more rain. here's a live look outside right now with foggy conditions. as you see there on the golden gate to richmond and bay bridges. a

lot of roadway there, sfo. thousands of folks are taking off for their new year's destinations. and though let's go ahead and check in lawrence. kind break it down for us look at the next couple is going to look you know, we had a little break yesterday, vicki in a nice, dry christmas day. but now it is back to the wet weather again. >> lot of folks out there on the road right now, maybe traveling home up from their celebrations and it's slick out there right now. not a real heavy rain. >> but enough to make things went out there on the roads, said a little difficult to drive in. so plan on moving a little slow. if you're heading around the bay area this evening, the rain going to pick up as we head through the evening to temperatures out the door right now. so pretty mild in the san jose at 63 60 in oakland. 58 now in san francisco, cloudy skies and some light showers. 57 lamar, 59 in concord. 55 degrees in santa rosa. 55 also in half moon bay. well, these storms, they just took a little bit of a break yesterday, but rolling

right back in. you can see that moisture just kind of sliding right over the top or ridge of high pressure and all of a sudden we're going to get going again overnight tonight. and it's tomorrow morning with some gusty winds. some heavy rain. it's a big-time swells moving along the coastline. in fact, the showers now picking up around the bay area so far fairly light that you see some yellow sells off the coastline, even the orange and those are some heavier cells out there just off the coast. and so that will bring some heavy amounts of rainfall is a start to push on shore. so some of those rain rates will likely be picking up. that's about a 3rd of an inch an hour. so that's gonna make things pretty slick out there. as we head through the evening. well, speaking of waves, of course, we saw what happened to the santa cruz will this past weekend. guess what? we're seeing another round of large waves being generated by these storms off the coastline right at the beaches so not huge just yet, but that is likely going to pick up. you're looking at some 9 foot swells in half moon bay in the san francisco, your day near point, raise that wealthy. but just off the coastline to our north there, get some 28 foot swells. kind of give you an idea of what is to come. so that being said, a high surf warning is in effect

until sunday at 4 o'clock in the morning. best just to stay away from the media. water's edge. just too dangerous out there. you get knocked down by these waves. it could be very tragic. we'll have more on your weather coming up in a few minutes. all right, lawrence, and stay with kron. 4 on air and online as you track your holiday forecast, you can find current conditions and weather headlines on our website at kron 4 dot com. >> in the north bay, an investigation is underway after a body was discovered at a campground in bodega bay. the sonoma county sheriff says tuesday morning the u.s. coast guard call them about a possible dead body. a skeletal remains have washed up at the dunes. campground. not clear where they came from or how long they were there. the identity of the body has not been revealed. san jose police arresting a man they say was operating residential brothel. 44 year olds in wayne was taken into custody last week after a months long investigation. police say the brothel was located on south 24th street near east santa

clara street. benita park neighborhood of san jose officers found 2 women inside the residence and recovered about $10,000 in cash. police say was arrested and booked into the santa clara county main jail for pimping and pandering as california grapples with the homeowners insurance crisis ind nonpartisan state agency is releasing what it describes as urgent policy recommendations to help resolve the crisis. our capitol correspondent eytan wallace reports. >> homeowners insurance market in california is in deep, deep trouble. federal nava not mincing words about cal fornia's homeowners insurance crisis. nava is the chair of the state, nonpartisan little hoover commission and oversight agency in charge of providing policy recommendations to the legislature. the governor and most recently, california insurance commissioner ricardo, >> in the last year and a half 7 of the 12 major home insurance companies in california, including allstate, state farm and

farmers insurance have either limited their business within the state or in some cases stop selling new policies altogether for homeowners living in some of california's most fire prone areas. that resulted in some californians struggling to find any insurance coverage at all. a key requirement to carry a mortgage from home. for their part. insurance companies have said they have no other choice but to pause or stop selling policies out of concerns. they could face huge losses. should a major disaster like a wildfire destroyed homes and at-risk communities. but now the little hoover commission has released these policy recommendations, commissioners believe can help the state address the crisis we're trying to do with these recommendations say to the governor. >> the legislature into the insurance commissioner, here are some practical steps that you can take now. to provide some relief to homeowners and moving forward to provide for a more stable insurance market for all californians among the

commission's recommendations, one that would require insurance companies to incorporate a homeowner's fire mitigation efforts, one underwriting and setting rates. if you spend the money to make it on fire safe. >> and you do it based on the certain rules that have been accepted by the state of california and the insurance industry. >> to help reduce your another recommendation would allow insurance companies to incorporate the cost of reinsurance when setting rates. >> in a nutshell, reinsurance is often described as insurance for your insurance company, its the process where your insurer can transfer at least part of risk to another company to help offset any potential and then there's the recommendation to allow insurance companies to consider what's known as catastrophe. modeling with public oversight, which in a nutshell will allow them to factor in climate change and environmental risks. when setting prices. >> the ultimate goal is to get the insurance carriers to come back in and make investments and provide policies to people who are going to get this fixed. during an interview with us over the summer and charts. commissioner lot of spoke to us about his

insurance reform plan. the department of insurance recently responded to the little hoover commission with this letter indicating lot is plan includes several of their recommendations. once we have these reforms in place. >> more companies are going come back into the market and one-party state. >> and the timing is still up in the air, but a lot of hopes his reforms take effect sometime early next year reporting at the state tom wallace kron 4 news. >> over the holiday week, president biden has signed 50 bills into law, one backed by activists. paris hilton. but tax teenagers living in residential treatment facilities. another set anti-hazing standards on college campuses. another prevents members of congress from collecting pensions if they're convicted of crimes related to public corruption. biden also signing a bill making the bald eagle, the national bird of the u.s. the federal government had never designated an official bird until now. a aaa says today marks another busy day at the

nation's airports. we're taking a live look right now at sand. francisco international airport. as of this moment, flight aware is reporting more than 200 delays and more than 10 cancellations at sfo. we're also tracking flight to the east and the south bay's flightaware reporting more than 30 delays and 4 cancellations at oakland international. and about 60 delays and 2 cancellations at san jose international kron t% four's michael thomas was at oakland international airport this morning speaking with some travelers about the rush. >> it's the day after christmas in were just a few days away from new year's eve. you can imagine these airports are going to be packed. take a look. this is oakland airport. if you're heading out today or within the next few days, you can expect a lot of people to be waiting ahead of you and behind you. triple a says 119 million people are said to be traveling this holiday season, which is up 3 million from last year. and so is the number of people flying coming in at 7.9 million. but guess what else is up prices by about 4% with the average

domestic ticket costing about $830. however, oakland airport is still expecting half a million people to pass through. some of those travelers. the san leandro high school girls basketball team. take a listen to what they had to say this morning. >> you know what you got. how many of you guys are heading out what's number one travel to from goal down the line? >> i actually go well. they didn't have much advice for travelers. others did. here's some tips. jane i. going to be all going to be bring cash you're alive when she actually time because missing a place of words. >> overall, officials say arrive early. have your ids and boarding passes out. check your flight times before hand and remember no liquids over 3 ounces. and of course, pack your patients. that's the very latest here in oakland. i'm michael thomas. send it back to you live in san francisco.

thank you. michel. thousands gathered at the 46th annual national hanukkah menorah lighting ceremony in washington, d.c.. >> on the ellipse every year, thousands of people gather to kick off the start of hanukkah with the annual lighting ceremony. the event brings together the jewish community and faith leaders. meanwhile, in new york city, the world's largest menorah is lit this hanukkah season. the festival of lights was marked with the lighting of the 36 foot north dancing and music filled the area as those who attended celebrated the holiday. the massive symbol is just one of more than 15,000 public menorah scattered across the world. and today marks the start of kwanzaa. it's a week-long holiday celebrating african american heritage. kwanzaa is not a religious based holiday facilitates unity and it's based on african harvest festival. traditions from different parts of africa. it was first celebrated back in 1966. the holiday is observed until

january first when it ends with the big potluck style dinner on the final night, roughly 2 and a half percent of americans observe quonset. still ahead on kron, 4 news at 5 unemployment claims finally fall that people are staying on benefits longer. >> plus, programs that are environmentally friendly when it comes getting rid of your christmas tree. and after the break, high surf along the california coast. the warning and those big waste. a man is

dead after he was hit by a car in fairfield. the accident happened on cordelia road near

6.80. >> on christmas eve, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. police say the driver stayed to cooperate with the investigation. the national weather service again issuing a high surf advisory through sunday. the advisory is for the san francisco peninsula and north bay swells could reach anywhere between 20 and 30 feet in some areas. authorities warned that large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks and capsize. small boats near the shore. big waves also drying crowds and surfers all across southern california along the coast. there is a rare event for san diego residents to witness such high surf conditions. dan plante reports. >> as the holiday season rolls and so are the biggest waves of the year. and adrenaline rush reserved only for the elite of the surfing world, but enjoyed by all. while these waves break in here, right inside the cold like that, it's been probably 15

years or so. sometimes they break further out. he's breaking right hearings almost inside the cold. >> very rare, very rare. and when it happens, you got to get out. take advantage the san diego coast line has always been a mecca for surfers, but usually not big wave surfers that's reserved for places like northern california or hawaii. however, on a day like today, the san diego coast line is firing on all cylinders. and better be ready think about the big waves in those crazy surfer sneer. would never do it like that would not when we are driving. the waves were so big guys like they're going to engulf everybody. he's standing out and looking at but they haven't yet. good christmas miracle. is yeah. but for every person who who's in oz of the power of mother nature. >> there are also those who dive right in on afraid. and in this case. >> kind of unimpressed. so what do you think been doing out playing in the surf surf

just a few >> and just all a good way. isn't it a little frightening out there? i socialize. so this is like small, small tickets for me. >> it may be small to him, but big enough to do some additional damage to the ob pier. according to the lifeguards, it happened again. another big wave knocked off another support near the end of the pier. it doesn't really matter since it closed forever. but another reminder of the absolute power of the mighty pacific ocean. this is just awesome. this is why wake up in the morning. we don't get this kind of weather here is and very often we get and you got to get out. take advantage of a look at these people. there's hundreds thousands of people here just enjoying the service is just beautiful. is awesome. >> awesome. indeed. back here up in the bay area, we're taking a live look outside at the richmond bridge light when it comes to traffic, which was a pleasure coming in today. and the going home. chief

meteorologist lawrence karnow here to talk about the weather conditions for things get slick out right now. the storm clouds rolling back in again today and the rain >> has started all over are going to watch that. rain had a wrap it up as we head through the night tonight into early tomorrow morning. so tomorrow, think now on friday, we'll see. some showers may be in the morning and then we'll dry things out as we head toward the afternoon. but of the damage kind of being done out of pacific there. we've had these waves being generated by some large storms out there in the middle of the city. got to be very, very careful along the water's edge. not only here, but really across the state, even on part northern california. they're looking at the high surf advisors as well continuing their high surf warning in through san francisco, the monterey bay and further south all the way down to southern california, los angeles. they're seeing some of those big swells rolling on. and i means a big-time swells out there, too. so be careful if you're going to watch. you got to watch from a distance. don't go right down on the water's edge. you've got to see some of these large waves rolling. in fact, some of those waves are right now. you're seeing some large well as off the

coastline to 26 feet right now to our north. also very large waves to 27 feet further on the middle of a city, you can see all the yellow out there. those is also some large swells that continue to rotate this will be rotating toward the coastline as we head toward the next couple of days. so a big-time swells out there still yet to come and they're going to be generated by these big storms out there what we call the fetch that's distance that the wind could blow out on the open waters there. if you get strong winds over long fetch of the ocean waters, that's when you can generate those big-time swell. so we're going to see some of that continuing not only for tomorrow, but into the weekend, too. so be very, very careful. rain continuing around the bay area most at a fairly light so far to make things slick out there on the roadways. it's going to wrap up, though, as we head through the night tonight, early tomorrow morning. then it looks like we'll start to dry things out a little bit getting to the friday night. again, another round of showers begin to pop into the bay area. but we've got more rain over the weekend. in fact, maybe a bigger storm as we get toward the end of this year when you know what? yeah, a bigger storm coming our way over the weekend. we'll have more details on that do what you're scared. thank you,

lawrence. christmas tree recycling kicks off today in san francisco workers with recology. >> we'll be making stops all around the city to pick up those trees, all decorations, tinsel and stands have to be removed. flock trees in artificial trees. those won't be picked up. >> so make sure you put those trees out might occur next to your garbage bin so we can pick them out is a free program during that time frame. it ends on january. 17th. so please ensure that you put your christmas trees out important to keep our streets clean and free of debris. and we appreciate his service is healthy. let's give it the streets. >> last year, san francisco recycled 274 tons of christmas trees. residents have until january 17th to leave their tree out for the recyclers christmas trees can also be used to help the snack for goats. apparently the independence, 4 h club in sonoma county. they are asking for tree donations that's to

feed their at local farms. the organization offers tree pickups in sebastopol santa rosa and rohnert the trees are a source of vitamins, a and c which helps got health for the animals, though winds that are too dry for goat tummies are going to be returned to the soil as compost tree sprayed with fire retardants. those are not accepted because, of course, chemicals are bad for cups a tree recycling program out of kentucky is also taking the eco-friendly route. it is called christmas for the fishes. a reporter sidney davis explains how it works. how presents are unwrapped. >> and the kentucky department of fish and wildlife has an idea for those preparing to toss out their live christmas tree i'd like to see. >> 500 trees donated here at the great, not artificial trees for your decorations will be accepted at the crimes avenue transfer station for the first time in 7 years through january. 15th, we're gonna put them into like the low to mid lumber county.

>> we take them all together. get into the lake. we take 8 inch cinder blocks to act as an anchor to sink the trees. leaders say the evergreens are perfect for fish to feed reproduce in living large mouth. bass crappie and bluegill the new habitats will replace those that are disappearing due to erosion and natural. okay. we do not use this fish habitat as a means of necessarily increasing the population. it takes a lot of habitat to do that. and in time we hope that will occur. still phillips as areas with evergreen donations have shown 500% more fish than areas without the tree. drop-offs on the catch. fish off the sites and they flock to almost like the fish. sometimes gps coordinates or share the fishing lovers on their website. owensboro city residents can also wait until january second for curbside to pick up. >> still ahead on kron, 4 snow slamming this year as more families are heading up to tahoe. >> and after the break, the major retailers closing down in the near year new year.

>> a new year is fast approaching, but consumers won't be seeing some familiar store fronts come 2025. major retailers are closing some of their doors as consumer and shopping habits are changing macy's, wal-mart, starbucks and dollar tree are shutting down some of their stores next year. 500 walgreens locations will shut down across the u.s.. not clear how many or if any bay area stores will be affected and macy's also impacted by mass closures. the department store will close down 65 locations by the end of the year with the iconic san francisco union square location set to close in 2026.

businesses are attributing the shut downs to a changing industry and high operation costs. fewer people are filing for unemployment this holiday season. the number of new applications for unemployment benefits dipped slightly to their lowest levels in a month and estimated 219,000 people filed for benefits for the week before christmas. economists say it shows the u.s. still has a healthy labor market. but economists also say those who do file for unemployment are relying on benefits for a longer period of time. still ahead on kron, 4 news at 5 rain and high surf return. meteorologist lawrence karnow. >> will join us. but details on the forecast. plus, elon musk may not have an official role in trump's administration, but he in to lead the don't commission more on the budget cuts that he's proposing and recalls that could affect food for your. and the stories and more when we come back.

>> winter storm is expected to bring strong winds into the tahoe area this weekend. this is families and folks heading up for new year. celebrations little earlier today. kron 4 stephanie lin spoke with palisades tahoe for more on how they're bracing for snow. >> good to see you. good to see you. thanks having me. as really looking beautiful out there as well. madison, tell us a bit about how the holidays treated palisades tahoe have a lot more visitors. i you know, i think people are just really excited because we had a powder day on christmas is kind of a christmas miracle of skies

>> beautiful skiing. so i mean, yeah, we've had some people here coming in from the holidays with us, which is our favorite thing. yeah. love to hear that now. how are you guys preparing for this upcoming snow winter advisory? i do anticipate any lives or areas of the resort to be closed. >> yeah, with storm that's coming in. we're expecting over a foot and a half of snow by sunday. really exciting, however. yeah, it's going to be pretty windy throughout the entire weekend. so our upper mountoin lifts might be affected terms just the way. and in general. >> but we will have multiple lifts open on our larry mountains, both about pine and palace safe areas. >> okay. great. so still options for folks who want to try and head out there. in terms of safety, though, is there anything that people who are planning to visit palisades? is there anything that they should prepare for? no. i mean, just in general, you want to wear layers, especially when it's when you have your wind breaker and you know anything waterproof because of that snow elevation will be fluctuating. >> but on top of that, you know, just make sure you're driving safely. check in with caltrans before you're driving up for this year's because it could get a little bit icy out

there. and have you guys also increase staffing on your and just into anticipation of all the interest? i'm sure that's building about the snowfall. >> i mean, we are fully staffed in general. so we're just happy and excited to welcome everybody here. we always have a ton of programming going on, especially during the holidays. so, you know, we've had 11 inches of snowfall this week and all that being said, it's been some great powder skiing. and in terms of events, we've had johnnie mosley, he's going to be here for skiing both tomorrow of all the 30th. so we'll be seeing with the public. and then we'll also have fireworks live music and a torchlight parade on new year's eve. so we're ready to go ready to welcome everybody. here to fall fits fantastic. n how can people people need to get tickets or book special reservations if they want to attend any of those fun events you just mentioned. >> know most is all just for free for the public. so if you want to confuse johnny just shot, make sure you have the lift ticket. you're ready to go. >> for the torchlight parade that is sold out. but it is amazing to watch from the base