health and science editor john fowler ktvu channel 2 news. >> more details on the november 6 election. there is word results in california could be delayed because of the number of mail in ballots. they take longer to count because workers have to verify each signature and that could mean votes won't be tallied till the following day. >> be patient. >> california distributed 9 million mail in ballots this cycle. that is 20% more than were requested in 2008. it is predicted half of all california voters will vote by mail this year. >>> in a investigation pleasanton and stockton police arrested a man who is accused of killing a woman. the body was found in may in pleasanton. police identified the victim from stockton. investigators say he killed her and he has been booked on murder charges. there are reports the victim and suspect had dated in the past. >>> a tourist looking out a window made a discovery today. he called for help this morning after sighting a body in the water. the person was a white man in his mid-30s but deputies found no injuries or cause of death. they are working t

ktvu's health and science editor john fowler investigates the lessons learned and what still needs to be done. >> reporter: on a foggy morning, the harbor pilot plowed into the bay bridge, spilling 53,000 gallons of fuel oil. critics say the government response was slow. >> it was a minor spill but they allowed it to get away. >> reporter: the oil fouled shorelines in and out of the bay. 6,000 birds died. lack of data kept them from knowing the full extent of damage. >> not a lot of research so we don't know how well it was covered. >> reporter: we toured the area today for a first hand look. >> reporter: since the spill they have made changes. ships can't leave without less than a half mile visibility and oil spill notification is somewhat improved. >> i don't think that we are prepared to respond quickly enough. >> reporter: 5 years ago the port finally called in fishing boats to spread oil booms, and today says they are ready to help again but no one is organizing any volunteers and the group that saved so many old birds -- >> -- oiled birds -- >> we are running out of money. >> re

health and science editor john fowler ktvu channel 2 news. >>> plan to create new low income housing in danville is facing opposition. 150 people showed up at a meeting last night at the community center to voice their concerns. the plan includes 9 acres of housing to meet state housing requirements. another meeting is set for december 11. >>> california international guard rescue crews landed in san diego with a patient they rescued off the most of mexico. this is videof the crew leaving yesterday -- video of the crew leaving yesterday. the man suffers from serious head injuries. crews hoisted him off the ship in the pacific ocean. >>> showing rain now, heaviest in the north bay, work its way south. a significant change in a moment. what we can see right now, heavier rains. significant stuff. working all night to show you the rain forecast. here is the rain forecast tomorrow afternoon. up there in the drainage basin, 5 inches of rain. 3 inches around santa rosa. 2 inches around the bay area. this is what we can expect tomorrow. that is significant rainfall. we can handle that. speci

ktvu's health and science editor john fowler joins us how with how it works. >> reporter: doctors say pulses can undo depression. gloomy weather, shorter day light can trigger depression. >> reporter: 1-10 american adults live with major depression. >> i struggled with depression for a long time. since i was a child. >> reporter: two years of medications weren't working. >> it wreaked havoc on my life. my husband left and i had lots of terrible things going on. >> a gradual increasing down hill course with more frequent episodes and more severe. >> reporter: this summer he began this ground breaking therapy. tms. this fda approved machine focuses pulses into one area. >> when it moves over the nerves it induces activity. >> reporter: that activates the brain's system that controls mood, restoring balance and neuro transmitters. regulating depressed brain activity without drugs. >> to be more active without having to be invasive. >> changed my life. first thing that ever successfully got me to a place where it is not something i need to manage. >> reporter: the cost about $10,000 is no

ktvu's john fowler is live where the fast moving rain hit first. john? >> reporter: we are in a cool spot and clear spot. i can see stars. temperatures here 49 degrees. i want to look that lights of san francisco. you can see how clear it is. that means it will be cold. all day long we were watching rain showers through the bay area. >> series of showers pelted the bay area after yesterday's 70s. today cold and wet was a surprise. >> it just changed all of a sudden. crazy. >> reporter: do you like it? >> we need the rain. >> reporter: not these drivers who rashed on 101 this afternoon. the chp was urging drivers to slow down. traffic snarled on surface streets. rain caught drivers off guard. >> i don't think they know what they are doing. so many accidents. >> reporter: the change in weather came at a bad time for some. >> i have a cold. the rain doesn't agree with the cold. >> reporter: we found construction workers who say they got lucky. >> we got halved a day hof so we are -- half a day off so we are glad. >> reporter: right now many people told us i

john fowler. ktvu. >> the storm that sent wave across the east coast is being felt by relief agency offices in the bay area. fema's area 9 is head quartered here in oakland. so far a ten person team was sent to help with sandy relief efforts. emergency supplies from the moffet field depot could also be shipped east. 30 red cross volunteers the bay area have deployed to help and up to 100 more could leave in the coming days. the red cross is asking you to pitch in by donating blood. >> it's one of the most concrete things i can do because i graduated college two years ago and financially that's not really -- i can't give money but i can give blood. >> red cross leaders say blood is needed because power outages have forced the cancellations of blood drives on the east coast. >> we have source now spreading south out of the north bay. here we have the golden gate bridge. rain in nevado, in santa rosa, in napa. the satellite or radar loop, you can see that rain moving in over the peninsula. reports of

at drake's, john fowler. >>> san francisco is ready to celebrate should marriage become legal once again in california. the u.s. supreme court could announce as early as tomorrow afternoon whether it will review the challenge to proposition eight. that same prop says banned same- sex marriage. but if the justices decide not to hear the case then a lower court ruling that found that ban unconstitutional would stand. san francisco city hall is preparing for a rush of same- sex couples and there are also plans under way for a large celebration in the castro district on monday night. >> today house speaker john boehner rejected president obama's proposal to avoid the fiscal cliff. boehner said no progress was made. boehner accused democrats of not being serious of real spending cuts. but democrats say republicans are causing the hold up. the proposal consisted of $1.6 trillion in higher taxes, they also wanted 50 billion for infrastructure. the president in return approved spending cuts this year and legislation for saving up to $400 million for programs like medicare over a decade. >>> form

health and science editor john fowler ktvu channel 2 news. >> thank you. >>> a massive 100 car pile ups two people. hear what investigators are learning about the conditions at the time of this horrific crash. how do you do that? well, inside the brewer, there's this train that's powerful enough to carry more coffee and fresh water to make coffee that's stronger and bigger... and even hotter! actually, i just press this button. brew the coffee you love -- stronger, bigger, or hotter -- with the keurig vue. some people put everything intotheir name on the door, and their heart into their community. small business saturday is a day to show our support. a day to shop at stores owned by our friends and neighbors. and do our part for the businesses that do so much for us. on november 24th, let's get out and shop small. >>> a massive pile up in texas involving more than 100 vehicles. at least two people were killed. it happened on a foggy highway, 80 miles east of houston. 51 people were taken to the hospital, including 8 who were critically injured. investigators are looking into how it sta

john fowler. >>> more details now the new york city marathon set for sunday is cancelled.mayor michael bloomburg gave into enormous pressure and called it off today. the idea of evicting storm victims from hotels to make room for runners riled new yorkers. then there were the complaints that huge generators at the finish line could be better used elsewhere. the race was to start in staten island one of the hardest hit places in new york. the red cross is reporting a surge of donations for storm victims. nearly $34 million adds of early this morning but one official in staten island admits his cash hasn't done much for hiss borough and that people should give their money to other associations. >>> one thing is clear and must be addressed in light of frequent natural disasters. the climate is changing, there are more of these disaster so there had to be some adaptation. >> boxer also noted supplies are arriving on the east coast. the national guard has set up a staging ground for such supplies. if you want to help those on the east coast visit ktvu.com and scroll down to the

john fowler. >>> more details now the new york city marathon set for sunday is cancelled.mayor michael bloomburg gave into enormous pressure and called it off today. the idea of evicting storm victims from hotels to make room for runners riled new yorkers. then there were the complaints that huge generators at the finish line could be better used elsewhere. the race was to start in staten island one of the hardest hit places in new york. the red cross is reporting a surge of donations for storm victims. nearly $34 million adds of early this morning but one official in staten island admits his cash hasn't done much for hiss borough and that people should give their money to other associations. >>> one thing is clear and must be addressed in light of frequent natural disasters. the climate is changing, there are more of these disaster so there had to be some adaptation. >> boxer also noted supplies are arriving on the east coast. the national guard has set up a staging ground for such supplies. if you want to help those on the east coast visit ktvu.com and scroll down to the

john fowler here now with more startling pictures of the damage and also word of more evacuations. >>ter: we have just learned 700 patients new york's bellevue hospital are being evacuated right now because of flooding and power failures. late word that the airport could reopen tomorrow morning. still clearing skies today brought a sobering reality. shocking damage becoming clear today. the new jersey shore, whole neighborhoods swallowed. block after block of shattered homes, shaken survivors. >> trying to get out of a window. you are up to your neck in water. it's freezing, the wind is blowing. >> reporter: national guard troops today still rescuing thousands of displaced. >> saying two days before power and i lot of the first. >>> . >> reporter: the president and new jersey governor met with residents. >> i don't know where to go. i don't know what to do. >> reporter: many have no flood insurance. the water remains. with power out likely for days yet gas stations rationing fueln. manhattan traffic is moving but power still out at underpasses flooded. subways may reopen in a few days

. >> new at 6:00, john fowler is live at fisherman's wharf, john? >> reporter: the catch won't come in actually for five to six hours, yet, i'll tell you why. the crew here of the amigo and other boats are getting ready to bring in that catch, some 40 boats have already taken thousands out to sea. all day, bay area fishermen hurried to load their boats with these. veteran larry collins hopes for a good season. >> we are getting the gear out, set and we are going to work. >> reporter: and in spectacular weather. dropping them off shore and haul them in after midnight. our cameras were there early this morning after distributors and fishermen settled on a higher price than last year. three dollars. retail a little over $6 a pound for fresh crab for fresh crab an thanksgiving. >> >> good buy. >> a little pricey at fisherman's wharf, craig said he comes here every year. >> i drove three hours to come here and have a $32 crab because there is nothing like it. >> fresh local crab coming in. price dropped quite a bit, the crab season is really good. reunde

we want to check in now with john fowler in the newsroom. he is monitoring some of the national issues including gay marriage. >> reporter: we may have history made tonight. the first state to approve same sex marriage by popular vote could come this evening. maine is the first state to put it on the ballot. maryland and washington voters are -- asked to overturn it done by legislators. minnesota voters asked to change the constitution to define it as between a man and woman. six states have legalized it by legislation or court order. this is maryland earlier this year. 32 states have previously rejected gay marriage, proponents say they have been encouraged by national polling. 49% favor same sex marriage. maryland's turn out reported as very heavy. early returns just into the newsroom, 52% are approving same sex marriage. in maine, 53% approving it. minnesota no returns yet. the results in washington may not be known until the end of the week because of late mail in ballots. reporting live. >> now in addition to election results, reporters

at drake's, john fowler. >>> san francisco is ready to celebrate should marriage become legal once againn california. the u.s. supreme court could announce as early as tomorrow afternoon whether it will review the challenge to proposition eight. that same prop says banned same- sex marriage. but if the justices decide not to hear the case then a lower court ruling that found that ban unconstitutional would stand. san francisco city hall is preparing for a rush of same- sex couples and there are also plans under way for a large celebration in the castro district on monday night. >> today house speaker john boehner rejected president obama's proposal to avoid the fiscal cliff. boehner said no progress was made. boehner accused democrats of not being serious of real spending cuts. but democrats say republicans are causing the hold up. the proposal consisted of $1.6 trillion in higher taxes, they also wanted 50 billion for infrastructure. the president in return approved spending cuts this year and legislation for saving up to $400 million for programs like medicare over a decade. >>> former

reporting live, john fowler, ktvu channel 2 news. >> you see the bounty there in marin county. but the nation's food banks say they have less to offer this thanksgiving. in the past year, the federal government has cut its contributions to roughly a third and many food banks report that donations are down. congress is considering cuts to the food stamp program, making thousands of people ineligible. food bank volunteers say it's a perfect storm directly affecting many americans, leaving them without food. >>> about half the people receiving food stamps now are actually above the poverty rate, so we've expanded this to become more of a middle class entitlement. >> congress is expected to take up the proposed food stamp cuts after the thanksgiving break. >>> we'll take you to a san francisco thanksgiving tradition. the annual event that feeds thousands. >>> some richmond and el cerrito residents are relieved to hear that a 24-hour wal-mart grocery store is not coming to their neighborhood. a grocery outlet store will go there instead on the san pablo property. the grocery outlet

reporting live in walnut creek, john fowler, channel 2 news. >>> a new study suggests controversial u.s. mammogram guidelines could lead to a drop in breast cancer prevention. the task force recommended against routine mammograms for many women. now the study of older women on medicare find mammography tests dropped after that recommendation came out. screenings fell. some women may have dropped out of the mammogram screening all together. >>> we could receive local flu forecasts much like we receive weather predictions. scientists say they have formulated a technique to generate local forecasts of seasonal flu outbreaks. the technique is adapted from the model used in modern weather predictions and could eventually help health officials and the public better prepare for flu outbreaks. like the weather, flu conditions vary from region to region and a flu forecast could estimate local outbreaks weeks in advance. >>> the number of deliberately set fires around the country has increased around the country throughout the years. the economic downturn is partly to blame say experts. 16,000 ar

health and science editor john fowler, ktvu news. >>> agriculture inspectors have discovered a tiny insect that could harm california's citrus crop. the insect can carry a disease that has destroyed crops in florida. the department of agriculture is expected to release quarantine plans as early as tomorrow. >>> the white house has released this photo of the president and romney shaking hands. >>> over the strong objections of the united states, the u.n. voted to give rights to palestine. the united nations general assembly voted by a 2/3 majority to recognize the state of palestine. secretary of the state hillary clinton called vote counter productive. >>> a s.w.a.t. team surrounded the home of joseph francis quarry. officers rushed cory when he had come outside of his house to take in his dogs. >>> today actress lindsay lohan faces new charges. the 26-year-old faces third degree charges. showing you here lohan leaving the police station hidden under a jacket. lohan was charged for three misdemeanors in an accident where her porsche crashed. >>> the marin independent journey says a park wi

. >> that was john fowler reporting in vallejo. >> the owners of a bus company are facing federal charges of tax fraud. the three owners of quality assurance travel were charged earlier this week according to the u.s. department of justice. the indictment alleges the company reported check payments on its corporate tax returns but didn't report cash payments. >> city and state leaders within on hand to break ground on a new freeway project in the south bay. the project to overhaul the interstate 280-880 interchange. crews will widen the onramp from southbound 880 and later build a directling to the valley fair shopping center. a fly over ramp is scheduled to be complete by next summer. >> intell has launched a new more powerful chip that uses less energy. the new chip offers twice the power but uses 8% less energy while in use. intel says the chip is more reliable. the new product release didn't seem to help their stock. shares actually slipped today to close just under $21 per share. >> the santa clara district attorney's office is warning people to beware of superstorm sannie relief sca

. >> john fowler investigates cases of breast cancer in women who carry their cell phones underneath their shirts. thank you for trusting ktvu channel 2 news. #úfó when i take a picture of this check, it goes straight to the bank. oh. oh look the lion is out! no mommy no! don't worry honey, it only works on checks. deposit checks from your smartphone with chase quickdeposit. just snap a picture, hit send and done. take a step forward and chase what matters. i wish i had u-verse when i was your age. in my day, we didn't have these fancy wireless receivers. blah blah blah. if i had a sleepover, i couldn't just move the tv into the playroom. no. we had to watch movies in the den because that's where the tv outlet was. and if dad was snoring on the couch, we muscled through it. is she for real? your generation has it made. [ male announcer ] the wireless receiver only from at&t u-verse. get a free wireless receiver with a qualifying u-verse plan. rethink possible. get a free wireless receiver with a qualifying u-verse plan. [ traffic passing ] ] ♪ [ music box: lullaby ] [ man on tv, indi

john fowler is inside this unusual feast that has become a holiday tradition. >> reporter: since i first told you about this at 5, the wait here at avatar's restaurant in sausalito has now grown to about an hour. people are here for a 24-year tradition of free sit-down pre- thanksgiving meals, including all the trimmings and wine and beer as well. now, it's not quite the thanksgiving treat that you might expect. this is something very special. the family here has been doing this for 24 years. the idea is they want to give something back to their neighborhood. right now i have with me kumar. 1100 meals, and you've been doing this 24 years? >> it's been 24 years that we've been doing this, and look at what i get out of it. it's all a blessing, the people, and we're so happy. >> and you have a wonderful amount of food here. >> this is a turkey enchilada and a pumpkin enchilada, a really popular dinner with us and everybody is enjoying it. >> reporter: people really seem to appreciate it. what do you think of the meal? >> it's fantastic, absolutely fantastic! >> unbelievable here! >> reporte

ktvu health and science editor john fowler will have details on why the head of nasa is calling the discovery earth shaking. >>> thank you for trusting ktvu channel 2 news, we will see you next time news breaks, be sure to join us again at 5:00. we are always here for you at ktvu.com and mobile ktvu.com, have a happy thanks giving. send comments to comments@captioncolorado.com captions by terry james, caption colorado, llc.

health and science editor john fowler ktvu channel 2 news. [ music playing ] >>> live storm tracker 2, we see the showers and you can see in the mountains, the purple up here here, snow falling around the foothills. heavy snow and it is coming down to 3,000 feet in the next few hour. closer now. you will see the rain moving into san jose right now. the san francisco commute. we are seeing shower activity south towards san jose. it is light right now. half moon bay, showers up there as well. this scattered showers activity, this area, this area, west side of san jose swings through the bay area. more untable weather. cool air. -- unstable weather. cool air. expecting snow level down to 3500 feet. it is a cold one and not going away. i will have more details in a few minutes. >> coming up, we will take you up to the sierra where it is snowing right now. one news crew says they got stuck today because of the snow. we will hear from them in 9 minutes. >>> student protest wrapped up at university of california at berkeley today. they want tuition cut now that prop 30 passed. ktvu's sal cas

as john fowler reports, lawmakers questioned the four star general about the deadly attack at the u.sconsulate in libya. >> reporter: retired general petraeus apologized to lawmakers for his apair that led to his resignation last week. reveals a military culture of sexual corruption. >> i'm deeply, deeply disappointed in former general petraeus' actions. the jury is still out on what general allen did. but when it's happening at the top you know it's corrupting all the way down the chain. >> reporter: the investigation was questioning the attack in benghazi. specifically what the white house knew and when. >> it added to our ability to make judgments about what is clearly a failure of intelligence. >> in talking points to the un that the attacks were spontaneous. >> the key is if they were undocumenting talking points at a very early stage. >> reporter: lawmakers today said the original cia talking points refer to al-qaida as responsible that was somehow deleted. now congress wants to know who eliminated that reference and why. >>> the two women at the center of the petraeus scandal a

john fowler ktvu channel 2 news. >>> we now know the name of the fourth person who died at a sacramento county nursing home after eating poisonous mushrooms. the sheriff's office identified the latest victim at 92-year- old dorothy heart. three other seniors died from the poisonous mushrooms. sheriff investigators say the caretaker who picked those mushrooms did not know they were poisonous. >>> b.a.r.t. officials are teaming up for a modernization. a new service would include additional cars and more frequent service which could accommodate 50% more riders. it's still unclear how the modernization would be funded. one possibility would be asking vote education -- voters for more money. >>> a project to turn the bay bridge into a art project is ongoing. >> to do this technically is while it's going to be elegant it takes a lot of work. a lot of coordination. >> the money for this art project comes from private donations of the $8 million needed, 2 million still need to be raised. >>> some residents in plumas county in the sierra fear that the incoming rainstorms may cause mud slides on

tonight john fowler shows us how local researchers are in a race against time to discover the mutationsect the human race. >> reporter: it came from the sea an invisible mutant attacking marine mammals. one of the new crop of deadly viruses suddenly adapting to humans. >> that's the frightening part they're so good at it it makes it difficult for us. >> reporter: marine mammals say they have not yet detected this virus. this virus killed about 200 seals on the east coast last year. it's suspected in a current unexplained sale die off in the pacific northwest. it evolved from bird influenza virus. >> they're really good at adapts and changes over time. >> reporter: the virus can also attack human lungs. there are no confirmed cases yet and some aren't worried. >> don't end up being as serious as we were told they would be. >> reporter: with the ocean teaming with viruses most of which are completely unknown to science, it's hardly a surprise that this new one popped up. but we've learned that researchers almost daily are discovering new ways that nature is trying to infect us. >> i'm con

tonight john fowler shows us how local researchers are in a race against time to discover the mutationsand protect the human race. >> reporter: it came from the sea an invisible mutant attacking marine mammals. one of the new crop of deadly viruses suddenly adapting to humans. >> that's the frightening part they're so good at it it makes it difficult for us. >> reporter: marine mammals say they have not yet detected this virus. this virus killed about 200 seals on the east coast last year. it's suspected in a current unexplained sale die off in the pacific northwest. it evolved from bird influenza virus. >> they're really good at adapts and changes over time. >> reporter: the virus can also attack human lungs. there are no confirmed cases yet and some aren't worried. >> don't end up being as serious as we were told they would be. >> reporter: with the ocean teaming with viruses most of which are completely unknown to science, it's hardly a surprise that this new one popped up. but we've learned that researchers almost daily are discovering new ways that nature is trying to infect us. >>

health and science editor, john fowler, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> today r & b singer tre songs dawnedan apron and hair net before his big performance tonight. the singer served food at the cross roads homeless shelter. also posed for pictures. >>> well it turns out thin is in this year when it comes to christmas trees. retailers say skinny trees are just as fashionable as skinny jeans these days. the trees run as tall as 12 feet. sam's club and home depot have these slim trees for sale and the market is anything but shrepder. last year people spent an estimated $1.7 billion on christmas trees -- anything but slender. >>> today is a different kind of black friday for hockey fans. the disappointing news from the nhl and what it means for one of hockey's marquee hey, look! a shooting star! make a wish! i wish we could lie here forever. i wish this test drive was over, so we could head back to the dealership. [ male announcer ] it's practically yours. test drive! but we still need your signature. volkswagen sign then drive is back. and it's never been easier to get a jetta. that's the pow

tonight, john fowler investigates the stem cell promise and pay off. >> reporter: he says he will walk and he knows how. >> stem cells are going to get me out of the chair. i will walk again one day, because of stem cell research. >> reporter: reed, a paraplegic since a college football injury. voters believed stem cells might cure paralysis, heart disease, you name it. and gave stern 3 billion taxpayer dollars. imagine a stock of dollar bills as high as the orbiting space station. bond men to find stem cell cures. jonathan thomas told me the $1.7 billion september to date built a dozen new laboratories. funded 1200 papers on curable diseases, and lured to california, 150 top scientists. backing the seven clinical trials, but the fda has not approved even one stem cell therapy. 6 months ago, the doctors got the okay to use a canadian treatment for dying children. >> it's really the new era of regenerative medicine. >> reporter: critics say it's not whwhat voters had hoped for >> when you have, for example the head of the stanford medical school sitting on the board, and millions of dol

as john fowler reports, lawmakers questioned the four star general about the deadly attack at the u.sconsulate in libya. >> reporter: retired general petraeus apologized to lawmakers for his apair that led to his resignation last week. reveals a military culture of sexual corruption. >> i'm deeply, deeply disappointed in former general petraeus' actions. the jury is still out on what general allen did. but when it's happening at the top you know it's corrupting all the way down the chain. >> reporter: the investigation was questioning the attack in benghazi. specifically what the white house knew and when. >> it added to our ability to make judgments about what is clearly a failure of intelligence. >> in talking points to the un that the attacks were spontaneous. >> the key is if they were undocumenting talking points at a very early stage. >> reporter: lawmakers today said the original cia talking points refer to al-qaida as responsible that was somehow deleted. now congress wants to know who eliminated that reference and why. >>> the two women at the center of the petraeus scandal a

tonight in our special report, john fowler on the alarm doctors are sounding. >> it's convenient say many young women. >> it's probably the most convenient place to put it education -- especially when you go out. you put one phone in your breast and your money in the other. >> it's really easy to feel when somebody texting you. you can grab it really fast. >> maybe they should talk to tiffany france. >> i put my cell phone right in my bra. >> reporter: her mother had misgivennings. >> we never took it seriously until she was diagnosed. >> reporter: tiffany got breast cancer at 21. >> it just so happened her tumors were exactly where her cell phone had been against her skin. her bare skin for about six years. >> reporter: no genetic or other risk factor, surgeons removed tiffany's left breast. >> it's kind of coincidental that it is right where i kept my cell phone. >> reporter: donna jens also got breast cancer at 39. the dot here are where her tumors grew. this imagine shows the tumors were just under the surface of her skin. >> all in this area right here. which is where i tucked m

tonight, john fowler investigates the stem cell promise and pay off. >> reporter: he says he will walkgain and he knows how. >> stem cells are going to get me out of the chair. i will walk again one day, because of stem cell research. >> reporter: reed, a paraplegic since a college football injury. voters believed stem cells might cure paralysis, heart disease, you name it. and gave stern 3 billion taxpayer dollars. imagine a stock of dollar bills as high as the orbiting space station. bond men to find stem cell cures. jonathan thomas told me the $1.7 billion september to date built a dozen new laboratories. funded 1200 papers on curable diseases, and lured to california, 150 top scientists. backing the seven clinical trials, but the fda has not approved even one stem cell therapy. 6 months ago, the doctors got the okay to use a canadian treatment for dying children. >> it's really the new era of regenerative medicine. >> reporter: critics say it's not what voters had hoped for. >> when you have, for example the head of the stanford medical school sitting on the board, and millions of

tonight in our special report, john fowler on the alarm doctors are sounding. >> it's convenient say many young women. >> it's probably the most convenient place to put it education -- especially when you go out. you put one phone in your breast and your money in the other. >> it's really easy to feel when somebody texting you. you can grab it really fast. >> maybe they should talk to tiffany france. >> i put my cell phone right in my bra. >> reporter: her mother had misgivennings. >> we never took it seriously until she was diagnosed. >> reporter: tiffany got breast cancer at 21. >> it just so happened her tumors were exactly where her cell phone had been against her skin. her bare skin for about six years. >> reporter: no genetic or other risk factor, surgeons removed tiffany's left breast. >> it's kind of coincidental that it is right where i kept my cell phone. >> reporter: donna jens also got breast cancer at 39. the dot here are where her tumors grew. this imagine shows the tumors were just under the surface of her skin. >> all in this area right here. which is where i tucked m

john fowler ktvu channel 2 news. >>> we now know the name of the fourth person who died at a sacramentonursing home after eating poisonous mushrooms. the sheriff's office identified the latest victim at 92-year- old dorothy heart. three other seniors died from the poisonous mushrooms. sheriff investigators say the caretaker who picked those mushrooms did not know they were poisonous. >>> b.a.r.t. officials are teaming up for a modernization. a new service would include additional cars and more frequent service which could accommodate 50% more riders. it's still unclear how the modernization would be funded. one possibility would be asking vote education -- voters for more money. >>> a project to turn the bay bridge into a art project is ongoing. >> to do this technically is while it's going to be elegant it takes a lot of work. a lot of coordination. >> the money for this art project comes from private donations of the $8 million needed, 2 million still need to be raised. >>> some residents in plumas county in the sierra fear that the incoming rainstorms may cause mud slides on a hill b

john fowler, ktvu, channel 2 news. >>> american suzuki motor corporation announced today it would stopng automobiles in this country. the company filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. documents show it owes at least $100 million to at least $500 million. american suzuki said it will still sell motorcycles, all- terrain vehicles and boat engines. >>> a nonprofit presented a big check today to the widow of kenyan youngstromb. karen was in walnut creek to accept the check worth more than $26,000. the group collected donations from individuals and businesses, including chevron, and ktvu and kicu. our general manager tom mapone was among those at the ceremony. officer youngstromb was shot and killed during a traffic stop on 280 two months ago. >> how dearly loved their father was by even, not just those that knew him personally. >> one of officer youngstromb's four children will also qualify for a scholarship. the group helps families of fallen firefighters and peace officers who die in the line of duty. >>> the world trade center received some damage from hurricane sandy last week. crews repair

john fowler, ktvu, channel 2 news. >>> american suzuki motor corporation announced today it would stopling automobiles in this country. the company filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. documents show it owes at least $100 million to at least $500 million. american suzuki said it will still sell motorcycles, all- terrain vehicles and boat engines. >>> a nonprofit presented a big check today to the widow of kenyan youngstromb. karen was in walnut creek to accept the check worth more than $26,000. the group collected donations from individuals and businesses, including chevron, and ktvu and kicu. our general manager tom mapone was among those at the ceremony. officer youngstromb was shot and killed during a traffic stop on 280 two months ago. >> how dearly loved their father was by even, not just those that knew him personally. >> one of officer youngstromb's four children will also qualify for a scholarship. the group helps families of fallen firefighters and peace officers who die in the line of duty. >>> the world trade center received some damage from hurricane sandy last week. crews repa

john fowler has a closeup look at the issues and what happens next. >> reporter: in just the last few minutes my sources have confirmed that sutter delta health center has actually already implemented some of those disputed contract provisions. that's angered some of these nurses here. although it is allowed by law, four nurses have lost their health benefits. they want hospitals to drop their demands for concessions. hospitals say emergency, surgery, and patient care remain normal with replacement nurses filling in. despite noisy protests health debates say 60% of scheduled nurses came to work. at biggest hospital summit a claimed 80% crossed the picket line. strikers say it's the principle. >> everything would have changed if we accept the take aways they have put on the table. >> reporter: no free healthcare for part timers, fewer sick days off and lower pay for new hires. given today's economics the offer is fair. >> that's really in line with police, fire, teachers. >> reporter: nurses struck 10 hospitals today. two in san jose. eight are sutter. >> stub born with us and less coo

john fowler, ktvu channel 2 news. >> bald is beautiful and a prom sis meant to be kept as far as two cheerleaders are concerned. the indianapolis colts cheer leaders had their heads shaved in honor of head coach chuck pagano who has been gone most of this season battling leukemia. they promised to shave their heads if a campaign to raise money passed $10, and it raised nearly $23,000 -- $10,000, and it raised nearly $23,000. >>> a new study has found that 85 drugs may be dangerous when the user takes grapefruit juice. citrus fruits have an enzyme which breaks drugs down. so taking one tablet could be like taking five or 10 tablets with a glass of water. >>> nasa has announced the crew for it's 2015 space mission. the current record for an american is 215 days. kelly is the brother-in-law of congressman gabrielle give orders. >>> tonight one of the greatest movies of aim time is celebrating a milestone anniversary. >> you must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss. >>> casablanca was released 70 years ago today. the movie featured one of the most beloved film songs of all time, as well

health and science editor, john fowler, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> today r & b singer tre songs dawned apron and hair net before his big performance tonight. the singer served food at the cross roads homeless shelter. also posed for pictures. >>> well it turns out thin is in this year when it comes to christmas trees. retailers say skinny trees are just as fashionable as skinny jeans these days. the trees run as tall as 12 feet. sam's club and home depot have these slim trees for sale and the market is anything but shrepder. last year people spent an estimated $1.7 billion on christmas trees -- anything but slender. >>> today is a different kind of black friday for hockey fans. the disappointing news from the nhl and what it means for one of hockey's marquee location. >>> and the news today about macho camacho and it's not good news. >>> and you can watch all of our newscasts live on your mobile device. map at bank of america, we're continuing to lend and invest in the people, businesses, and organizations that call the bay area home. whether it's helping a nonprofit provide safe, affo

johner john fowler is here to explain. >> reporter: animal therapy with what can be described as play. at six flags discovery kingdom a special team of dolphins swam with 10 traumatized combat veterans. this is a first of its kind therapy session, struggling war fighters connecting with these remarkable creatures. >> the feel and the touch of them. it's kind of life altering. i probably won't think about anything bad for a couple days now and won't have bad dreams thinking about this. >> reporter: people have had this experience say there's an emotional bond of trust with these highly social penalty animals. something these warriors could benefit from. >>hey need help. people have to realize what they've gone through. we have to help them. >> reporter: muir yell snyder swam with dolphins on her 90th birthday. she arranged this event. >> it helps them to get away from some of the tragedies they've experienced. >> reporter: former infantryman served three tours in iraq. >> i have a problem with trust. just chilling with dolphins is sometimes a lot funner than hanging without people. the

ktvu's john fowler is in the news room tonight with what the general said and why we won't be hearingit. john. >> general petraeus testified during a dmraszed session of congress, a highly -charged appearance about libya and unlike previous trips to capitol hill, his wife did not accompany him. >> tight security surrounded closed-door sessions on capitol hill. retired general david petraeus apoll jiedz to lawmakers for his affair that led to his resignation last week. it's something san mateo congresswoman jackie speer today reveals a military culture of sexual corruption. >> i am deeply deeply disappointed in former general petraeus's actions. the jury is still out on what general allen did, but what is happening at the top, you know it's corrupting all the way down the chain. >> petraeus's testimony today focussed on the september 11th attack in benghazi, specifically what the cia and the white house knew and when. >> it added to our ability to make judgments about what is clearly a failure of intelligence. >> mccain and other republicans claiming un ambassador susan rice misled in

jennifer: for the record, that was senators john mccain and lindsey graham so the question is this grover norquist's last stand? here with an answer is donnie fowler. donnie of course, democratic strategist and great political operative. welcome back into "the war room." is it grover norquist's last stand? >> we can only hope. look, i think republicans should just say sign the pledge for the last election. not for this congress. it expired. there's only 39 of the 40 top senators and republicans -- six are freed. let his people go, grover. let your people go. >> jennifer: he ain't going to let them go. all of this is occurring in the context of the fiscal cliff negotiations and what lindsey graham was suggesting was that if you close some of the loopholes and deductions and revenue goes up, that's not raising taxes apparently grover norquist sees it differently but interestingly enough, there is a push then from the left as well and there are unions that have taken out ads to pressure democratic senators not to compromise. >> how do we move our country forward and reduce the deficit? by creating jobs and growing our economy. not by cutting programs