christie smith, nbc, bay area news. christie, thanks. up next, silicon valley tech.oining the firefight are scott budman shows us how firefighters are now using ai to deal with disasters like those southern california fires. and i'm chief meteorologist jeff ranieri. i'll take a look at the rainfall season here across the state and what's happening with our rain hollywood hills, where there is a brand new fire that just started burning. this is now called the sunset fire. it is burning west of the hollywood bowl. at least ten acres have burned so far. firefighters just issued a mandatory evacuation order for those living near laurel canyon boulevard. crews have also close nearby roads. we have not heard of any structures burning, but flames are quickly approaching. homes and we are continuing our coverage of those other major fires burning in the los angeles area. the santa ana winds seem to be fueling the flames for another day and another night. the pacific fire. the palisades fire in the pacific palisades between santa monica and malibu, has grown to more than 15,0

christie smith, nbc, bay area news. all right. let's give you a live look at the state capitol. up next, a new group of state bills go into effect as of today. how some of them will help crack down on the state's ongoing battle with retail and property theft. i'm chief meteorologist jeff ranieri. there is some rain here in northern california. we'll show you when our chances increase right here in the bay area. coming up in just a few minutes. tonight, the latest on the ground from new orleans. our investigation into the man accused of killing at least ten, running them down w with his truck, an isis flag on the back. who was he? and were the barricades in pcela retail and property theft are now in effect. governor newsom signed ten of those bills at home depot in san jose last august, but they took effect today. one states that if you've stolen over $950 worth of items, even if they were from different stores and in different counties, prosecutors can add those crimes up. charge you with grand theft. another law let stores file a restraining order against you. if you've stolen

in san francisco, christie smith, nbc, bay area news. 16 years ago today, oscar grant was shot and killed by a bart officer at the fruitvale bart station in oakland. his death sparked outrage in the community, but the memory of his life also helped inspire a movement for change in oakland. lift every voice and sing. each new year's day, family and friends celebrate oscar grant. his mother said her son loved music and life. he was remembered today at an annual vigil at the fruitvale bart station, where he died on new year's day 2009. grant was just 22 years old and left behind a young daughter who is now in college in 2010. the officer who shot grant was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and served 11 months in prison. the oscar grant foundation was formed that same year and has been providing college scholarships to young oaklanders since its carrying out oscar's legacy. oscar loved people, and yet he wasn't able to live out his life the way that he wanted to because he was tragically cut. but because of that, we want to continue to carry on his legacy byelping those who need help.

christie smith, nbc, bay area news. a new round of layoffs for tech giant microsoft, this time targeting underperforming staff. the company says it's cutting a small percentage of jobs across several departments based on performance. we're told it will affect less than 1% of employees. back in 2023, the company laid off 10,000 employees, and in january of last year, microsoft's gaming unit slashed 1900. jobs. all right, difficult climate around the, you know, different things now in business a difficult climate. but here when we talk about the real climate, we're having a nice time. you know, it's been nice and clear and certainly but chilly. yeah. we've had thahat highressure that's helped keep the clear skie around. and also it's been keeping us dry as far as any rain chances go. well, we've been monitoring the forecast for that as well as winds here locally as well. so let's get right to a live look of how beautiful it looks right now in downtown san jose. now you also likely notice the warmth. that is also thanks to

christie smith, nbc, bay area news. security screeners hit the picket lines today at san francisco international airport. the screeners are contract employees who work for a company called covenant. they claim that a law was signed two years ago that required the department of homeland security to raise their wages to match. tsa employees pay, but they have not receivevd at raise. we're pushing. we're pushing to try to get the money that we deserve. you know, i mean, it's not like we're trying to get extra. we're trying to get what we deserve, what we what we've fought for, you know? what the what the rules that they've established say that we're supposed to be getting. the tsa did not comment on the security screeners wages, but did say that today's rally did not cause any delays at the airport. it's worth noting that screeners are considered essential employees, meaning they are not allowed to strike. up next, is the bay area ready? we decided to look into evacuation plans in case of a disaster like the one we're seei

christie smith, nbc, bay area news. and if you or someone you know is in need of help, you can call prevention lifeline at one (800) 273-8255 or text 988. well, the federal government may be downsizing under this next administration. president elect trump appointed elon musk and vivek ramaswamy to lead a so-called department of government efficiency. musk and ramaswamy say they aim to require federal employeeses to return to the office full time. in a wall street journal op ed published in november. the two said working from home was, quote, a covid era privilege. they expect the policy to increase resignations and retirements and say they welcome that because they aim to slash the size of the federal government. president biden awarded top members of the now defunct house january 6th committee. biden gave out the presidential citizens medal to congressman bennie thompson and former congresswoman liz cheney, who served as chair and vice chair. the medal is the second highest civilian award behind the presidential medal

christie smith, nbc, bay area news. lowry will be inaugurated at civic center plaza on wednesday, and then later that evening, the new mayor plans to celebrate in chinatown with a night market. a massive banquet nearly 800 people are expected to attend this event, and we've learned that includes three former mayors. governor newsom, frank jordan and willie brown. we caught up with organizers of the banquet who talked about why this election meant so much to the city's asian american community. the full story is on our website. just go to nbcbayarea.com and search. danielle louis oakland police are investigating the department's first officer-involved shooting of the year. it all started around 5:00 this morning on macarthur boulevard near 66th avenue. police say a sergeant confronted a man firing a rifle. the man shot at the sergeant missed and then ran during a chase. the sergeant shot and hit the man who ran into a nearby apartment building. that led to an hours long standoff. macarthur was shut down between 65th and

christie smith, nbc, bay area news. mayor elect lori will be sworn in on wednesday morning at civic center plaza, and then he will attend an evening of celebrations in chinatown. it will include a special night market along grant avenue, which will feature 18 vendors and live performances. he will then head over to far east cafe for a community banquet, and before the dinner, there will be performances with lyon dancers, dragons and 100,000 firecrackers. that is what organizers have promised. they also say nearly 800 people are expected to attend the event, and that includes three former mayors. governor newsom, frank jordan and willie brown. happening now evacuations have been lifted in san francisco's outer richmond neighborhood after a gas leak. this all started about 1130 this morning. a construction crew cut into a gas main at 47th avenue in balboa. it took crews more than an hour to stop that leak. 15 people were evacuated while crews repaired the line. more than 500 people are without power right now. pg&e expect

nbc bay area's christie smith has a look at how the bay area is jumping into action.we are decided to make a coconut layer cake that has on the top. i love la on it. we are inspired by the randy newman song. jillian lundgren, the owner of black jet baking company in san francisco, has found a sweet way to try to help l.a. wildfire victims, sharing pictures of what the cakes will look like. you order it online, all of our orders are online, and we're going to try to, you know, make as many as we can and run it through the end of the month. proceeds will be donated to restaurants care, which is organizing relief for industry workers impacted by the fire. they've created this fund that will go directly to restaurant workers, food and beverage workers to aid in food. you know, just help people to get back on their feet and down the street. today at shop summer, people came today to help in another way, filling up the store with donations. my brother lives down south in pasadena. he hasn't been evacuated, but i do know a lot of families who have been displaced. and i'm fro

nbc bay area's christie smith has more on the local efforts to help evacuees. oh. all right. jillian lundgren owns black jet baking company in san francisco. they've come up with a sweet way to try and help people impacted by the l.a. wildfires. we are decided to make a coconut layer cake that has on the top. i love la on it. we are inspired by the randy newman song and also so just trying to figure out what we can do. people can get a look at it on instagram. you order it online. all of our orders are online. and we're going to try to, you know, make a many as we can and run it through the end of the month. the proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit restaurants care, helping those in the industry who have been affected. they've created this fund that will go directly to restaurant workers, food and beverage workers to aid in food. you know, just help people to get back on their feet, pay rent. it's hard to be on social media, you know, at the moment. and it feels kind of numbing without actually doing anything. so this feels better and like we're more involved. shop somew

nbc bay area's christie smith introduces us to him. i am honored and privileged to announce that i am appointing battalion chief dean crispin as fire chief of the san francisco fire department. just days after his own inauguration, mayor daniel lurie made the announcement at city hall this morning. department veteran dean crispin will lead san francisco's fire department. battalion chief crispin brings 34 years of distinguished service and unwavering commitment as a first responder and advocate for underserved populations. crispin was joined by family department members and city public safety leaders for the big announcement. it is the honor of my life to receive this appointment. the mayor's office tells us. crispin previously served as captain of stations in north beach, chinatown and soma, as well as battalion chief. he's been formally recognized three times for bravery, and was part of the department's response team that traveled to new york after the september 11th attacks. i shall work tirelessly to protect our citizens and visit

christie smith, nbc, bay area news. families in marin county had the chance to spend the day learning about mushrooms. the fifth annual wild and marin fungus festival, held today at the mill valley community center. the event featured educational displays of wild mushrooms that grow in our region. also had vendors selling food, mushroom mocktails, and other items made from fungus. one woman told us it was her first time coming to the event, and she can't wait till the next one. we don't know very much about mushrooms, except that they grow everywhere. and then when we came here and we saw all the things that you can do with mushrooms besides just eat them or drink them, but make artwork and dyes. and it was pretty incredible, actually. and people also had the chance to listen to lectures from mushroom experts focusing on things like science, food, and music. and i bet you some of those people there today, they love going out in nature and looking at all the different mushrooms to be careful when you're harvesting, right

christie smith, nbc, bay area news.onight a tesla fire in contra costa county is being investigated as arson. it happened just before three this afternoon in a parking lot on arnold drive in martinez. investigators have not said how it started. the video shows flames and smoke coming out of the car's windows. firefighters responded eventually were able to get the flames out. no word on any injuries. oakland police are trying to figure out if a string of burglaries are connected. that video right there showing a car slamming the security gate at a smoke shop on san pablo avenue before at least six people run into the business. luckily, no one was hurt, but that was just one of three burglaries that happened overnight. the first one happened at the extra mile gas station at 17th and castro streets, and the second at the safeway at the ridge shopping center. and the final one was at the smoke shop. in all three cases, the thieves broke down the door before taking off with a cash register and other items. police are asking

thanks to christy smith for that report. >>> coming up on "today ", we ae celebrating all things hodatalking about the lasting impact she's had on the show and everyone who works on it and beyond. >> hoda is loved by every single person on our crew, in the control room, the producers, every person on the plaza. everyone. it's the hoda effect. and there's just nothing in the world like it. and everybody feels it. >> when i think about hoda, i really do think about her heart. that's who she is. that's what guides her. that's her north star. leading with her heart is everything that she's about. >> and today's week-long hoda celebration continues later this morning. five, a man convicted of a notorious bay area kidnaping now being tied to a similar crime in a different county. the update

christie. did. did jack smith leave town empty handed? >> as of now? yes.answer. but right now, i mean, this report is really his swan song, and it remains to be seen whether we're going to see it. the 11th circuit, that's the appellate court has denied the motion from trump's co-defendants in the classified documents case. they've denied their motion to block the release of the reports. but there's also an order from judge cannon, who's in the lower court saying that you have to you can't release these reports until three days after the 11th circuit has ruled. so that brings us to today. so the issue, though, is that there's been a flurry of activity this weekend. as late as this morning, where judge cannon has actually been asking for more information from doj to make sure that, in fact, there's nothing in the january 6th volume of the report that would affect these co-defendants in the classified documents case. and so it seems like she may be looking to do something else. she's been requested that she extends her injunction, but she really has no jurisd

don't want to get into the weeds on this, christie, in terms of the filings, but your take on the viability of the arguments raised by donald trump to block jack smith's not just donald trump, by the way, but his co-defendants, walt noorda and carlos de oliveira. but christie to block the release. and let's talk about volume one, which is the january 6th insurrection election interference stuff versus volume two, which is the mar-a-lago classified documents case. >> yeah. so with respect to volume one, the january 6th case, these two co-defendants don't have a leg to stand on as to why they would have any standing to block the release of that report. it has nothing to do with them, nor does it have anything to do with judge cannon. but everybody's got the memo that if you want something done for donald trump, you go to judge cannon. so that's what they did. and she obliged. she she blocked the release of both of those volumes of the report, even though she had no basis to do so, no jurisdiction to do so. so right now, those co-defendants have gone back to judge cannon, even though the 11th circuit has agreed with the government that that the reports

smith's final report on his investigations into donald trump. joining us now, msnbc legal analyst and former federal prosecutor christie greenberg, welcome, christieu think? >> this is such a mess? >> i thank you. >> you just summed up the last two years just i mean, so you've got two volumes of this special counsel report, the january 6th volume and the classified documents volume with respect to the classified documents volume. >> merrick garland kind of took himself out of it. he said, we're not going to publicly release it. and the reason is because, well, there is still this ongoing appeal of judge cannon's dismissal of the case against the classified documents, case against these two co-defendants. and so there could be some prejudice to them. so we're just not going to publicly release it. we want to just release it to a few members of congress. i mean, that's absurd. in a week from now that, you know, trump's justice department is going to dismiss that appeal. and so why don't we just drop that appeal now and go ahead and release the classified documents, report to the public? that's something that the public, i think is entitled to see fr