considered, by the way, a real friend to environmentalists. >> and charles lester was fired quite suddenlyis that? >> yeah. well, lester's -- two sides. lester's critics complained he had an abrassive management system and he was not responsive to questions asked by the 12 commissioners. we'll get to that in a moment. lester's defenders countered he was doing too good of a job protecting california's coast from unwanted development, and that the commissioners were meddling in lester's administrative responsibilities. two sides to the story, right. it's hard. very hard to tell. who knows which is true. because the hearing leading up to lester's dismissal was closed to the public. >> three sides to every story. the other side, the other side, and the truth. isn't it true that commission members are appointed by the governor and legislators. did they know about the firing and approved in advance? >> yeah, that's making it interesting it, isn't it under the terms of the coastal commission's organization, the governor appoints commissioners. the senate rules committee as commissioners, and the

some commissioners say charles lester is an ineffective leader. er supporters say this is a ploy to install a developer- friendly leader. >>> a man was swept to his death off a beach in pacifica. he was in the water with his wife yesterday and they were hit by a wave. she was swept out but managed to swim back to shore. >>> i'm anne makovec live in san francisco where a new use of force policy will be unveiled at the police commission meeting tonight. an integral part of the plan that's going to be introduced by chief greg suhr will likely be asking for tasers. the city has said no in the past even going just to officers trained in crisis intervention. the chief is also slated to discuss other deescalation practices to avoid use of lethal force. this is spurred by shooting of mario woods in the bayview december 2. greg suhr says if his officers had tasers that day woods would likely still be alive. >> the shooting that occurred out on 3rd street which is still under investigation may well be deemed to be -- have been lawful but certainly what it's

that motion pass the by a vote of 7-5. >> reporter: executive director charles lester was fired by themission bringing tears to the eyes of his staff members and supporters many of whom waited 11 hours for the outcome. >> my state's not what it used to be. my town's not what it used to be. dirty politics is coming in and it's not fair. [ crying ] >> reporter: lester, who served as the powerful commission's executive director for the last four years was under fire for his management style. commission members say he failed to communicate effectively with the board. >> commissioners felt that they had tried and tried to get what they wanted in the performance of the executive director and they didn't. so it has nothing to do with any outside forces. nothing to do with politics. nothing to do with developers. >> reporter: that's what environmental groups are afraid of. they think lester was ousted to bring in a more developer- friendly director who could accelerate development of the coast. >> he clashed with developers down on banning ranch where we're from in orange county. and now, thos

that motion passed by a vote of 7-5. >> reporter: executive director charles lester was fired by theommission bringing tears to the eyes of his staff members and supporters many of whom waited 11 hours for the outcome. >> my state is not what it used to be. my town is not what it used to be. dirty politics is coming in and it's not fair. [ crying ] >> reporter: lester, who served as the powerful commission's executive director for the last 4 years was under fire for his management style. commission members say he failed to communicate effectively with the board. >> commissioners felt that they had tried and tried and tried to get what they wanted. and the performance of the ed, and they didn't. and so it has nothing to do with any outside forces, nothing to do with politics, nothing to do with developers. >> reporter: that's what environmental groups are afraid of. they think lester was ousted to bring in a more developer- friendly director who could accelerate development of the coast. >> he clashed with developers down on the banning ranch where we're from in orange county and now,

the commission is considering terminating charles lester, but are not giving a reason. is coastal commission plans and regulates use of coastal land and water. lester has been the executive director since 2011. >>> people who want to protect salmon fishing are reviewing dianne feinstein's latest bill. the golden gate salmon association is still studying the bill but any proposal allowing more water to be siphoned out of the delta will harm the fishery. >>> dogs seized from animal fighting rings in california may be spared from euthanasia. currently, california law states all such dogs are labeled as vicious and put down. lawmakers in delaware, florida, and rhode island have passed similar legislation. >>> yahoo notified 107 employees in sunnyvale today they're being laid off. the cuts are part of plans to trim the worse fork by 15%. the company has been struggling to increase share of revenues. >>> uc berkeley says it is bleeding red ink and will try to reduce its deficit of $150 million. the chancellor says cuts will need to be made. he's proposing consolidating depart

protesters gathered last night at a packed hearing in morrow bay to urge commissioners to let charles lester keep his job. the public hearing lasted nearly 12 hours. about 250 lester supporters but in the end commissioners decided to fire him effective immediately. >> i've worked hard. i accomplished a lot. and hopefully that work will continue on into the future. and, so what prompted the decision to oust lester calling it a legal matter, but do say its attitude and frustration surrounding the decision. supporters believe lester's strong anti-development stance did him in which commissioners insist is not the case. >>> coming up next, freezing. a bit of history and a special birthday in the south bay. just how long a woman has kept a snowball in her freezer from a rare storm. >>> and happening now, we're staying on top of the president's bay area visit online. at our home page link to raw video of his arrival, along with more details about his stay. super bowl city already mostly a distant memory under our local headlines. a look at what crews are doing to end san francisco's road closures

>>reporter: executive director charles lester was fired by the commission bringing tears to eyes of staff members and supporters. >> my town is not what it used to be dirty politics is coming in and it's not fair. >>reporter: lester served for the last four years was under fire for his management style. commission members say he failed to communicate effectively with the board. >> commissioners felt they tried to get what they wanted the performance of the ed and they didn't. so it had nothing to do with any outside forces nothing to do with politics, nothing to do with developers. >>reporter: but that's what environmental groups are afraid of. they think lester was ousted to bring a more developer spendly director who could accelerate. >> he clashed with in orange county now those development interests want to knock him out. >>reporter: he able alaska many there were communication issues with the board. >> i offered a path forward to help deal with those issues. communication is a two-way street i feel like i am a good communicator generally speaking. >>reporter: in the coming days the c

charles lester

. >> reporter: executive director charles lester was fired by the commission bringing tears to the eyes of his staff members and supporters many of whom who waited 11 hours for the outcome. >> my state is not what it used to be of the my town is not what it use -- my state is not what it used to be. my town is not what it used to be. it's not fair. >> reporter: the executive director for the last four years was under fire for his management style failing to communicate effectively with the board. >> the commissioners feld they had tried to get what they wanted. and the performance of the ed, they didn't. so it has nothing to do with any outside forces, nothing to do with politics or developers. >> reporter: but that's what environmental groups are afraid of. they think testifies fired to bring in a more developer friendly director to accelerate development of the coast. >> he clashed with developers from orange county where we're from and now, those development interests want to knock him out. >> reporter: lester acknowledged that there were communication issues with the board but hinte

hundreds are expected at the meeting over the dismissal of executive director charles lester. lmost 1300 supporters signed a petition trying to save lester's job. under state law, he serves at the pleasure of the commission and they don't have to reveal why he was dismissed. some blame him for the slow pace of making decisions. supporters say commissioners in favor of the increased coastal development want him out. >>> the world's best surfers will be in the bay area on friday. >> that's when the legendary mavericks surf competition is held near half moon bay. a lot will be different this year as well. >> reporter: i've been looking at this background behind me and it's just beautiful out here. there will be different things this year. in years past, there's been a mavericks festival held in the parking lot of the harbor village. that's not happening this year. instead, just local businesses and restaurants and pubs will be having their own viewing parties for the mavericks competition. right now the surfers who will be competing are in hawaii for a big wave competition taking

. >> the man cleaning out his desk is charles lester. >> it's been a privilege to serve the commission for the last four and a half years. >> the decision after an eight hour public hearing. the place was packed with sav the coast signs. >> frank ager was the first person assigned to the commission in 1972. >> we're seeing it right now in pacifica. you know? buildings are dropping off the cliffs. its because they were built too close. >> speaker after speaker asked for him to stay. >> people were stunned. . >> i can't believe what is going on here today. >> environmentalists concluded it must be political. >> folks are looking to develop and at profits out there and he's been the person standing in their way. >> the commissioners continue to be tight lipped about the reasons, criticizing environmentalists and the media for bringing politics into what they call a personnel issue. >> what is not fair is characterize us as a bunch of developer hacks. >> the commissioners say it has more to do with ongoing disagreements about his management style. beyond that? >> we've been given a gag ord

. >> the man cleaning out his desk is charles lester. >> it's been a privilege to serve the commission for the last four and a half years. >> the decision after an eight hour public hearing. the place was packed with save the coast signs. >> frank ager was the first person assigned to the commission in 1972. >> we're seeing it right now in pacifica. you know? buildings are dropping off the cliffs. its because they were built too close. >> speaker after speaker asked for him to stay. >> people were stunned. . >> i can't believe what is going on here today. >> environmentalists concluded it must be political. >> folks are looking to develop and at profits out there and he's been the person standing in their way. >> the commissioners continue to be tight lipped about the reasons, criticizing environmentalists and the media for bringing politics into what they call a personnel issue. >> what is not fair is characterize us as a bunch of developer hacks. >> the commissioners say it has more to do with ongoing disagreements about his management style. beyond that? >> we've been given a gag or

expected at the meeting at 10:00 this morning in morrow bay over the dismissal of executive director charles lester300 supporters signed a petition to save his job. under state law he serves at the pleasure of the commission and they don't have to reveal the reasons for his dismissal. supporters say commissioners who want increased coastal development want him out. some blame him for a slow pace of decision making. >>> a funeral service will take place tomorrow for a man killed in a car crash. police say the crash and what led up to it are a tragic reminder of the dangers of road rage. he was killed last month in a hit-and-run crash in richmond and the alleged driver was arrested days later after investigators say he was driving at speeds up to 60 miles an hour on city streets. you can see the excessive speed there on this surveillance video. >> should have never happened. there were choices that that jackass made that he could have changed. >> there was a road rage incident on i-880 and the suspect got into an argument with another driver and decided to chase that individual. >> that suspect is be

. >> reporter: -- >>> the agency that menaces -- manages development along the coast -- charles lester today, including environmentalists and surfers, but after public comment, the commission went into a closed door session and when members emerged, leicester was quickly dismissed. under state law he serves as -- at the pleasure of the commission. people who support letter say the commissioner is in favor of coastal development -- they wanted him out. >>> taxing medical marijuana sales, it's an idea that has the potential to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars. a state senator from healdsburg introduced legislation for a 15% tax. sales of medical marijuana in california are estimated at more than $1 billion a year and in about $150 million a year for the state. >>> uc berkeley is facing a serious debt -- a serious deficit. ktvu's rob roth tells us what could end up on the chopping block. >> reporter: uc berkeley has financial problems that it is facing a $150 million deficit, 6% of its operating budget. >> we have a structural deficit, it is manageable but not sustainable. >> we d

. >> reporter: -- >>> the agency that menaces -- manages development along the coast -- charles lester today, including environmentalists and surfers, but after public comment, the commission went into a closed door session and when members emerged, leicester was quickly dismissed. under state law he serves as -- at the pleasure of the commission. people who support letter say the commissioner is in favor of coastal development -- they wanted him out. >>> taxing medical marijuana sales, it's an idea that has the potential to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars. a state senator from healdsburg introduced legislation for a 15% tax. sales of medical marijuana in california are estimated at more than $1 billion a year and if passed, this tax would bring in about $150 million a year for the state. >>> uc berkeley is facing a serious debt -- a serious deficit. ktvu's rob roth tells us what could end up on the chopping block. >> reporter: uc berkeley has financial problems that it is facing a $150 million deficit, 6% of its operating budget. >> we have a structural deficit, it is managea

charles lester found himself in the middle of special interests. one side several members of the powerful commission who want him fired. >> he crashed with developers in banning county where we're from and now they want to knock him out. >> reporter: environmentalists who see him as a strong coast protecter. an overflow crowd turned out to support him. he spoke in his own defense. >> the last few weeks have been stressful for me, the staff and i'm sure for the commission. but i wouldn't have chosen this path if i didn't believe that my leadership has been strong, focused and effective. i believe i am the right person to continue directing the existing on a path of forward. >> reporter: the coastal commission was formed 40 years ago to police coastal development and apply state law under the california coastal act on some of the most valuable real estate in the world virtually nothing getting done without its approval. but lester has been under fire by commission members for being an ineffective leader and for causing unnecessary and costly delays f

in a story you saw only on 5, charles lester was ousted two weeks ago after a very vocal and contentious meeting. commissioners have refused to explain their decision. but many environmentalists believe the move was made to accommodate developers and now two lawyers in san diego want to force the release of documents in the firing. they say lester was effective and well liked. he had an unlikely supporter, a bay area man despised by many environmentalists. for years venture capitalist vinod khosla has blocked public access to martins beach in san mateo county but in emails and letters he urged commissioners to keep him. he called him a worthy adversary and said firing him would be inconsistent with the commission's goal of protecting the coast. >>> a plan to charge people to have bonfires at san francisco's ocean beach goes up in smoke after much public outcry, the golden gate national recreation area has backed off a proposal to charge $35 for permits for the fires. the catch, bonfires will be banned entirely during the winter rest period between november and february. it coincides with

late last night the commission's board voted 7-5 to fire charles lester. as we first reported here, a big crowd turned out at the meeting in morro bay. some of lester's supporters were in tears. speakers warned that removing him would send a signal that commission staff should be more accommodating to developers. assembly speaker toni atkins was critical of the vote. the san diego democrat said let me apologize to the public. i truly thought my appointees would be better stewards of the coast. several commissioners have expressed frustration with lester's management and leadership skills. >>> well, new at 6:00, the best surfers in the world are descending upon the bay area for the legendary mavericks surf contest. it is an all boys club. but kpix 5's emily turner tells us that could change. right, emily? >> reporter: and it could be changing as soon as next year. you know, the waves that these men are surfing are huge. but what's making waves also is the fact that they may be adding women into that line-up of 24. as if the big barrel waves of mavericks wer

executive director charles lester could be fired tomorrow after criticism by some commissioners that he is not an effective leader. but environmental groups worry that's just a smoke screen to bring in someone else who may be more developer-friendly. >> i'm afraid that what's happening right now is an assault on the integrity of the commission. >> reporter: from small projects to large, the coastal commission must approve any plans for development on the coast, but the process has been called a black hole. developers say the commission drags its feet, causing unnecessary and costly delays. >> i do have friends in the development business and i think they have the patience of job because it takes them forever to do their development projects. >> reporter: but for people like paul wilkes who loves the beauty of the california coast, protecting it should be the top priority. >> we all know business has its place in the state of california. but so does our future. and i think we should be looking 1,000 years in the future instead of 20. >> reporter: tomorrow's meeting of the coastal comm

we learned the commission's executive director could be fired today and some commissioners say charles lesters an ineffective leader. for 40 years the commission has entirely controlled development along the shoreline. people have strong feelings about what a leadership change might bring. >> i'm afraid that what's happening right now is an assault on the integrity of the commission. >> do have friends in the development business and i think they have the patience of job because it takes them forever to do the development projects. >> next month the commission is set to vote on one of the largest coastal development proposals it's ever faced. project involves 1100 acres near newport beach. >>> some of the best surfers in the world will head to the bay area this week for the big mavericks surf contest. organizers just gave the green light for friday when the monster waves are expected. >> yeah. i'm so stoked. you know? it's -- it's been a long time coming. we didn't get to run it last year. and everybody is so primed. we have had such good surf all winter long. and the big wave guys are so tun

protesters gathered last night at a packed ehearing to urge commissioners to let charles lester keep his job. the public hearing lasted nearly 12 hours. 250 lester supporters spoke but in the end commissioners narrowly decided to fire him effective immediately. >> i've worked hard and i accomplished a lot and hopefully that work will continue on into the future. and, so, thank you for the honor to have served. >> commissioners won't say what prompted the deit scission to oust lester calling it a legal matter. they do say it added to the frustration surrounding the decision. they believe lester's strong anti-development stance did him in which commissioners insist is not the case. >>> the issues being uncovered months, eight months after the deadly balcony collapse in berkeley. >>> good morning, i'm bob redell. tell you what the santa clara county sheriff office is saying about human remains found just outside of gilroy. we'll take you live to the scene coming up. >>> got a tip for nbc bay area investigative unit? call 1-888-996-tips or e-mail theunit@nbcbayarea.com. nbc bay area, we

lester holt. for all of us at nbc night.for charles molineaux. former florida governor jeb bush is spending his birthday on the campaign trail in south carolina. bush held a meet and greet in florence... then visited sumter and is now in columbia. right now bush is speaking at a town hall at senate's end in the capital city. shortly before he took the stage, he spoke to charles molineaux for a one-on- o o interview. the republican candidate came sixth in iowa and then gained momentum in the new primary where he came in fourth. coming off his second place finish in new hampshire, ohio governor john kasich is making a big push in the palmetto state. john kasich spoke to supporters in pawleys island this morning. it was just one of multiple spots the gop contender made today. tomorrow, he will take part in a lunch with the south carolina chamber of commerce in columbia and will have two more events in orangeburg and bluffton. also, several of the candidates will be together in rock hill tonight. right now, ted cruz, donald trump, marco rubio and ben

i'm lester holt reporting tonight from columbia, south carolina. for all of us at nbc and i'm charles molineaux. we're one day away from the first in south republican presidential primary. republican candidates have been criscrossing the state.. and most will make their way to the midlands today. any minute now, gop presidential candidate speak at the north charleston convention center. earlier today trump got the endorsement of former south carolina ieutenant governor andre bauer. he's also now calling for a boycott of technology giant apple, he sayd the company is being disgraceful by resisting the f-b-i's order to unlock the iphone belonging to one of the san bernadino shooters. on the democratic side of the aisle-- a big endorsement from one south carolina congressman. jim clyburn announced today he'll support hillary clinton's presidential campaign. "i learned a long time ago that hillary clinton is a fighter and that's what we need in our next president. the change we seek for this great country will not come easy. we need a real fighter, and i believe hillary clinton is that fi

lester holt. for all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and good night.i'm dawndy mercer plank. and i'm charles molineaux. there's a new front-runner in the gop race for president. "for the 1st time in many months, there's a new national front runner on the republican side." that's senator ted cruz just a few minutes after a new nbc/wall street journal poll came out. it says that nationally cruz now leads the longtime republican front-runner donald trump by two percentage points. the polls in south carolina show trump holding onto his lead here. right now, trump is holding a rally in sumter. he started with a forum in

i'm lester holt reporting from our for all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and good night. >> good evening. everyone, welcome to this decision 2016 special report. i'm dawn. >> i'm charles milano. we have team coverage tonight ahead of the south carolina democratic primary. we are live at the msnbc headquarters in vista. >> will have more on the current candidates need to win the nominations. let's go where chad is where clinton is holding a rally. >> reporter: i am here outside here and i joined you at 6:00. now you can see a very big crowd awaiting the arrival of former president bill clinton to this gym here. i am told by the campaign that president clinton will be introduced by a couple of speakers in south carolina including roy brown and former governor governor jim hodgins and of course president clinton has been putting in the work here in south carolina. he stopped at alan university a couple of weeks and there have been more recent visits as well. there at alan university, told neighbors that his wife is the

charles' abilities as a ruler or quickly challenged by both parliament and his own family. ben brantley calls the play flat out brilliant. the play concludes january 1. tim smith, margo lesteroliver chris, and lydia wilson. i am pleased to have them here at this table for the first time. everyone is talking about this and january 31 is approaching and you have to get there if you can. what is it about the royal family? i do a morning television show. all are fascinated by every generation. what is it? why do we like royalty? >> it becomes increasingly unreal in the modern world. these people exist as a scene in the play where people come to the palace and say why is this still here? if you are in london and you happen to see the horse carts going down the mountain -- it is like a fairy show. it is fantastic. charlie: was interesting is the drama and all that has happened to the royal family is so fascinating. >> the whole of the diana tsonga was lived out in public and our play touches on that area. the one area -- the whole diana saga was lived out in public and our play touches on that area. you could not have made that story up. charlie: you play such an interesting figu

charles' abilities as a ruler or quickly challenged by both parliament and his own family. ben brantley calls the play flat out brilliant. the play concludes january 1. tim smith, margo lesterd lydia wilson. i am pleased to have them here