. >> i'm raj mathai. things are escalating very quickly. russian lawmakers authorize president putin to use military outside their country. and president biden placing sanctions on russian oligarchs and banks. but is it enough to stop a war. >> reporter: president biden addressing the nation. >> this is a flag rant violation of international law and demand as firm response from the international community. >> reporter: the president detailing huge new sanctions on russian banks and russian elites and cutting off russia's government from western financing. >> russia will pay an even steeper price if it continues its aggression. >> reporter: but some lawmakers argue it's past time to act with full force. >> i will not be part of an appeasement effort that had lead to further conflict. >> reporter: putin indicated his order deploying what he calls peacekeeping troops could extend into eastern ukraine. president biden announced more u.s. troops will move into the nato companies of estonia, latvia and lithuania. >> we have no intention of fighti

. >> raj mathai joins us from the stadium. it must be fun just having conversations with some of the 49ers. >> reporter: it is really fun. a lot of former raiders are here as well. the nfl says, of the expected attendance here at sofi stadium sunday, everybody watching at home, 47% will be women. that is pretty cool. it's not just the fans, but the players' wives, their girl friends, their moms, their aunts. everyone here in los angeles, even on the red carpet last night, we saw a lot of love. steve young with his wife. current and former 49ers armstead. he was here with his wife who is, what, seven months pregnant. the nfl says, yes, 47% of the people are women who will be watching, and the ads are started towards women. so we will all be watching that telecast together. let's talk about the teams. the bengals and rams, both teams practicing today. here is the bengals practice, but ten miles away from sofi stadium at the ucla campus. the bengals are slight underdogs to the ram. they're 0-2 when they went to the super bowl. i'

the black women being considered including one from the bay area you >> and i'm raj mathai. our world might be changing in a matter of hours. ukraine has declared a state of emergency and is preparing for a large scale invasion by russia. nbc's alice barr kicks off our coverage. >> reporter: a grim picture on the ground today in ukraine. the government moving to impose a state of emergency and calling up its national guard as a senior u.s. defense official says russia is as ready as it can be for an expected large-scale invasion. >> it won't be bloodless. there will be suffering. there will be sacrifice. >> reporter: the united nations general assembly meeting in new york and raining condemnation on russia's actions. >> russia and russia alone will bear full responsibility for what is to come. >> reporter: the biden administration now leveling new sanctions against the company that built a key natural gas pipeline between russia and germany. germany announced yesterday it was halting. >> it had been a prized, $11 billion investment on the part of the russian federation is su

. >> i'm raj mathai. things are changing literally by the hour. major developments unfold gs -- unfolding in ukraine. president biden recognizing two pro-russian regions. as of right now, though, there is no invasion. it is now tuesday in the 4:00 a.m. hour in ukraine's capital city of kyiv. this is a large picture right now of ukraine. russia's declaration of independence for those states is seen as a sharp escalation and possible precursor to russia invading ukraine. let's bring in nbc's alice barr with the very latest. >> reporter: in a move many experts see as a potential trigger for further violence, russian president vladimir putin today recognizing as independent two breakaway regions in eastern ukraine where russia has been backing separatist it is surrounded right now on three sides with 200,000 troops. >> you're right about that. let's call this step one. i think after this happens, he is going to take a long pause and see how the world reacts, what kind of sanctions are really put on, because the u.s. has received a lot of criticism fro

i am raj mathai. it's a hollywood ending for the rams.will take you to the super bowl. >>> the 49ers are still making headlines on this super bowl sunday. the high-tech problems they are dealing with. >>> tonight the rams are holding the lombardi trophy high, and 6,000 miles away in beijing, speed skater, the first in history. >> tonight we begin with raj mathai at sofi. raj, what a game? >> reporter: yeah, came down to the final seconds, and the party in full swing here in l.a. l.a., it pains us to say from the bay area, but the dodgers won 18 months ago, and the lakers won 18 months ago and now the l.a. rams are super bowl champions. the rams vip fans are soaking it all in, the first super bowl victory for the los angeles rams. as for what is happening outside, let's take a live look from our nbc helicopter in los angeles, fans soaking it all in. for good reason, the rams earned this and are, indeed, super bowl champions. we had a lot of vips, and the rock pumped up the whole nation watching the game on television, and then jay-z in the

>>> i'm raj mathai. next on bay area news tonight, it's something we haven't seen in nearly two months. we're talking about rain. we're about an hour away from seeing some rain arriving in the north bay, bought what about the rest of the bay area? >>> skiers and boarders, take note, the biggest snowpack in decades. is there anything we can do about it? >>> and the past may be repeating the future of the sir drake hotel. >>> and russia fighting ukraine. why it matters to the united states. >>> good evening on this president's day holiday. i'm raj mathai. tonight president putin is in the spotlight. all eyes across the globe are on ukraine. we'll break down what's happening on the russian border. the impact is happening across the world, including the stocks. before we get to that, though, let's catch you up on our local headlines this monday. we're in the middle of winter, right, but we've barely seen any rain. tonight, though, that will change. behind me our exclusive storm ranger radar, rain coming into

. >>> i'm raj mathai. next on nbc bay area news tonight the world is responding. the most military action in more than 70 years in europe. what happens next in ukraine and the bay area? plus, what it is like living on the front lines. >> we heard the sirens and the explosions. >> ukrainians describe what is developing on the ground. social media documenting the attack in real time. be warned about the misinformation. how to know what to trust. also, fighting the war online. we'll take you inside a silicon valley war room working to stop cyber attacks. good evening. this is nbc bay area news tonight. i'm raj mathai. as we come on the air there are more explosions in ukraine as we speak. russia continues its large scale invasion. keep in mind this is the biggest military action in europe in more than 70 years and the impact is intensifying not only over there but here in the bay area tonight. let's start with the live look in the capital city of kyiv just after 5:00 a.m. friday. our nbc crews on the ground in kyiv reporting missile attacks at this hour. we also have

i'm raj mathai. >> i'm jessica aguirre. closing in on kyiv. troops getting closer to to that capital city. the sound of explosions and air-raid sirens is ongoing. at least 100,000 people have left their homes. those who stayed in the capital of kyiv are taking shelter in subway stations. and the russian troops are threatening the city. a senior u.s. defense official tells nbc news that putin's forces are meeting greater resistance than expected. including blowing up blowing ukraine's own bridges. also today, the white house joining the european union in

let's talk to raj mathai. >> reporter: who's the dude in the suit? this is l.a. and santa monica. >> everyone is talking about the super bowl. right now they are talking about the beach. it feels like june or july or august here, certainly not mid february. when we arrived and right from the get-go there is a lot of love. there is a lot of people on bikes and a lot of people walking and bikinis and swim suits and the whole nine yards. this is l.a. living and the super bowl is tomorrow. right now is all about the great weather. not just the beach scene though. earlier today we spent some time with guess who and his bling as in jerry rice, the three times super bowl champion. the 1990 super bowl when he caught three super bowl passes. where ever jerry goes, the dude stops for every fan and takes photos and signs autographs. i asked him what advise would you give to the rams and bengals? >> enjoy the moment, man. this is a great time. it is going to be exciting but you got to be able to calm yourself because you can get exhausted before you run on the football field

. -- >> 6200 miles away, our raj mathai at sofi stadium in l.a. i don't think we've ever done a hand off like this, china to los angeles. here we are in the super bowl city. you know what, it's about the rams and the bengals. something happened cool for the bear. the 49ers stole the show. we'll tell you why? just a minute. let's start on the red carpet. think of this as the opening night of the super bowl and, well, let's see. the oscars, right, the academy awards for the national football league. i even walked the red carpet before all the real v.i.p.s got here. this is the nfl honors, a lot of bling, green suits, glamor, a lot of faces coming together to celebrate the super bowl kicking off here down in l.a. >> the energy. i mean, it never gets old, right. i mean, just everyone, seeing -- running into people that you have known through the years as well, and then just all the excitement. >> so, raj, i coached 15 years in college, 15 years in the pros, but this is my 17th super bowl in television. i had no idea i was even going to do this. like, w

the black women being considered including one from the bay area you >> and i'm raj mathai. our world might be changing in a matter of hours. ukraine has declared a state of

our own raj mathai are there right now.re to follow them for the latest updates during the super bowl. even though the 49ers didn't make it to the super bowl, people in the bay area are still planning to party tomorrow. with just about four days to go before california's mask mandate expires, health leaders are hoping people come together and celebrate safely. "today in the bay's cheryl hurd reports from walnut creek where one sports bar is preparing for what is being called the biggest super bowl party in the east bay. >> this is our safe space. really this outdoor beer garden has been a blessing in disguise. >> reporter: on sunday he will be taking advantage of his blessings by hosting a super bowl watch party. >> we have a is a-foot outdoor all right. e.d. screen which is something everyone loves. we have a safe outdoor space. we have 30 tables where everybody can have a good time. >> reporter: he has figured out how to combine covid safety protocol and fun. he's been hosting epic 49er watch parties here during the pande

. >> i'm raj mathai. things are changing literally by the hour.evelopments unfold gs -- unfolding in ukraine. president biden recognizing two pro-russian regions. as of right now, though, there is no invasion. it is now tuesday in the 4:00 a.m. hour in ukraine's capital city of kyiv. this is a large picture right now of ukraine. russia's declaration of independence for those states is seen as a sharp escalation

. >> raj mathai was earlier at santa monica beach, no longer. where are you? >> i'm at sofi stadium, hanging out at beach all day, got a nice tan, skin got a shade darker and we love it. exactly what they wanted in l.a amazing vibes here. what's remarkable about super bowl sunday, unofficial biggest holiday in america. everyone comes together whether in for the game, the super bowl parties or just to watch the halftime show, there's no wrong answer here. show you what happened earlier tonight in l.a., and as we speak the party continues. lot of private parties, private jets from out of town and lot of excitement. weather was to warm today and tonight, everyone flooded to the coast, ten miles from here is santa monica, hustling and bustling. lot of vips and fans, from the bengals and rams and nfl. nice, like a summer night here in los angeles. you know who we bumped into? take a look. offensive coordinator of the cincinnati bengals, brian callahan, been talking about him all week. why? he's one of the rising stars in coaching ranks of the nfl, also grew up in t

i'm raj mathai. >> i'm jessica aguirre. too cold to stay outside. that is the warning. temperatures are going to begin dropping again tonight and san francisco firefighters are concerned about the city's homeless. just last night, a fire at a homeless encampment killed a woman and left three men hurt. there's going to be changes with the firefighters going out actually to see where people are. >> reporter: yeah, there's a bunch of volunteers and staff members that give a lot of support to the homeless services here. there is a head count starting here tonight. it comes as the cold snap is creating dangerous situations for the people who are living in the streets. here in the city they are opening up three different sites as emergency cold weather shelters. at the base of the 280 freeway southbound offramp, there are reminders of a fire that took a life overnight, propane tanks and bits and pieces of a burner are things that investigators took time photographing. >> they heard people screaming for help within the overpass structure. >> reporter: fighters had to climb int

i'm raj mathai. >> and i'm jessica aguirre. was it a bullet, a rock or something else? that's the question the csp is trying to answer after a santa clara deputy said somebody shot at him while he was driving on the freeway. the deputy wasn't hurt but the incident left a lot of unanswered questions. david trujillo has a story about that highway that you'll only see here. >> reporter: the sheriff's office referred us to the chp. the chp was going to provide us with an interview this morning, but they canceled. this is the patrol cruiser at the center of a debate. tonight it's parked outside the sheriff's substation in cupertino. on the windshield is a troubling dent that some believe was left by a bullet. the chp says they believe the car was hit by some, quote, projectile, possibly a rock. >> that's a bullet that hit that, it's not a rock. >> reporter: he admits he's not a ballistics expert, but he has a lot of experience with gunfire after his own patrol car was hit by rounds of an ak-47 in 2006. it happened to him when his car was stopped. this happened to the deputy

. >>> i'm raj mathai. bay area news tonight, it's something we haven't seen in nearly two months. we're talking about rain. we're about an hour away from seeing some rain arriving in the north bay, bought what about the rest of the bay area? >>> skiers and boarders, take note, the biggest snowpack in decades. is there anything we can do about it? >>> and the past may be repeating the future of the sir drake hotel. >>> and russia fighting ukraine. why it matters to the united states. >>

>>> i'm raj mathai. he's damage control yet again. governor newsom, maskless at the 49ers game. we'll tell but his response today and why many parents are so frustrated. >>> also, where's the rain? a dry january. is there any hope of moisture in february? and why the wind in the next 48 hours could be dangerous. plus -- >> another covid-19 test before the 16-hour flight to china. >> we take you behind the scenes in beijing. what you need to do just to get into that country. the winter olympics begin this week. >>> good evening. a lot hooping this final day of january. the new covid rule that we could be seeing in a matter of weeks and some revealing comments about jimmy g, from him and the guy who is likely to replace him. that's all just ahead. let's start with the milestone. today marks two years, think about this. two years to the day when we first learned of the first covid case here in the bay area. we also got to know santa clara county health officer dr. sara cody who quickly established herself as one of the most proactive health officers in the country. >> we knew so li

i'm raj mathai. >> and i'm jessica aguirre. eyes on eastern europe as the world watches the invasion of ukraine. it has been 24 hours since fierce fighting began. the situation developing by the hour. let's look at kyiv where it's now 4:00 friday morning. you can see it's still dark. people are in the city taking shelter in subway stations. these pictures taken inside a downtown station in that capital city. russian forces are attacking by land, air, and sea. ukrainian president zelenskyy says at least 137 soldiers have been killed and more than 300 wounded. today u.s. president biden announced new sanctions against russia. those sanctions will target russian banks, garcia-cannon, high-tech sectors.

i'm raj mathai. >> and i'm jessica aguirre. all eyes on eastern europe as the world watches the invasion of ukraine. it has been 24 hours since fierce fighting began. the situation developing by the hour. let's look at kyiv where it's now 4:00 friday morning. you can see it's still dark. people are in the city taking shelter in subway stations. these pictures taken inside a downtown station in that capital city. russian forces are attacking by land, air, and sea. ukrainian president zelenskyy says at least 137 soldiers have been killed and more than 300 wounded. today u.s. president biden announced new sanctions against russia. those sanctions will target russian banks, garcia-cannon, high-tech sectors. the president promised u.s. forces will not be engaged in this conflict, though, between russia and ukraine. >> our forces are not and will not be engaged in the conflict with russia in ukraine. our forces are not going to europe to fight in ukraine. but to defend our nato allies and reassure those allies in the east. as i made

. >>> i'm raj mathai. next on nbc bay area news tonight the world is responding.litary action in more than 70 years in europe. what happens next in ukraine and the bay area? plus, what it is like living on the front lines. >> we heard the sirens and the explosions. >> ukrainians describe what is developing on the ground. social media documenting the attack in real time. be warned about the misinformation. how to know what to trust. also, fighting the war online. we'll take you inside a silicon valley war room working to stop cyber attacks. good evening. this is nbc bay area news

i'm raj mathai. >> i'm jessica aguirre and we'll take you live to beijing.an innocent victim or did he instigate the fight that landed him in the hospital? tonight we're getting new information on the bay area chef who was knocked out in a fight before the 49ers game in los angeles. police have arrested a man for that attack. ted chen has more on the charges that that man is facing and the grainy video that may tell us more about what happened. >> inglewood mayor james bud says police were able to find the suspect by using surveillance video at sofi stadium, getting his license and tracking him down. he initially refused to come and did come in after police officers went to his workplace. he was eventually arrested, and here's a photograph that police have provided of that suspect. he is identified as 33-year-old bryan alexis cifuentes russell. booked on assault by providing bodily injury. the victim is daniel luma. the suspect is claiming self-defense. the mayor saw a shoving match that went awry and there was no danger to the people coming to the super bow

i'm raj mathai. >> i'm jessica aquirre. brace yourself for windy weather and potential power outages. the national weather service has issued a wind advisory for some parts of the bay area, and it's going to happen over the next few days. pg&e says it will be all hands on deck as it gears up to respond to downed lines, power outages and potential fire danger that creeps up with every single wind gust. nbc bay area's jodi hernandez picks up the story from the east bay, one of the areas expected to get hit the hardest. >> a wind advisory is already in effect for parts of the east bay. but the wind isn't really expected to kick in until tonight. we're told the winds could get so strong that even healthy trees could topple. firefighters and pg&e say everybody needs to be on alert. this contra costa county couple spent the afternoon out hiking with their dog, coda. taking in some sunshine before strong winds start to roll in. >> that's why we're out and about now, trying to enjoy the nice greenery and everything around. >> thing

. >> i'm raj mathai. 48 hours into the russian invasion of ukraine, the fighting is intensifying. troops are moving in on the capital can kyiv. it's after 3:30 a.m. saturday morning now. explosions are being heard throughout the. anyone still there is being told to seek shelter in subway stations. ukrainian president zelenskyy is pleading for the world to help defend his country. let's show you video now posted on social media by a ukrainian official. it apparently shows a russian military plane being shot down over kyiv. people around the world are protesting this invasion,

so we know one guy excited about all the action this weekend, our very own raj mathai, been covering all things super bowl. he joins us this time from santa monica, raj, first day you're at the red carpet. yesterday you were at universal studios. today what a win. >> audrey and terry, i'm a pretty well-prepared guy. not prepared for this. i didn't know we were coming to the beach for the super bowl. it's like 75 or 80 degrees at the world famous santa monica beach here, we're rolling with it. we can handle everything. from here on the sand level, by the way, everyone inland is here on the coast enjoying the super bowl weather. still focused on the game at some point tomorrow around 3:30. let's go up to the sky, high in the sky. here's something that we will all see tomorrow right after the national anthem to celebrate the air force. this is pretty cool. a special flyover to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the air force, five different aircrafts are from the p 51 mustang to an f 35. it's the first of its kind flyover. that should be pretty cool. how about some of the players now, not

i'm raj mathai. our world might be changing in these next few hours. we want to start with breaking news overseas. within the last 20 minutes, we have learned that civilian flights in ukraine in the air space above ukraine are being restricted because of, quote, potential hazards for civilians. ukraine's president is calling for a state of emergency, preparing for a large-scale invasion from russia. behind me now, a live look at ukraine's capital city of kyiv. it's 5:00 a.m. on thursday. the president of ukraine appeared once more on national tv. this time he gave an urgent plea to the russian people saying ukraine wants to avoid war. he said he tried to call russian president vladimir putin, but his phone call was met with silence. a former u.s. ambassador to russia, michael mcfaul, who is a stanford professor now, doesn't believe sanctions will stop putin. >> tragically, he's going to go in big. this will probably be the largest war in europe since 1939. >> this is a live look in new york city at the united nations. the u.n. security council is havin

i'm raj mathai. there are two stories to tell. the optimism at home regarding covid restrictions and anxiety and near happening in ukraine. the fate of that country is being decided as we subpoenaing. that's the message from ukrainian president volodymr zelenskyy. he is pleading for the word to help defend his country and there are people in the bay area who want to go to ukraine to do that, bear arms and fight back. you can hear it. you can feel it. you can see it. this video into our newsroom in the last ten minutes. you can see it shows the heavy fighting near the zoo there in kyiv. at this hour russian troops are closing in on that capital city. this is a live look now. in just -- it's after 5:00 a.m. seattle morning. explosions continue through the night. take a look here. grocery store shelves are literally bare. people are being told to seek shelter in underground subway stations and one video shows what appears to be people rummaging through boxes of weapons. the translation of this post says, come defend your country. in

i'm raj mathai. >> i'm jessica aguirre. closing in on kyiv.sian troops getting closer to to that capital city. the sound of explosions and air-raid sirens is ongoing. at least 100,000 people have left their homes. those who stayed in the capital of kyiv are taking shelter in subway stations. and the russian troops are threatening the city. a senior u.s. defense official tells nbc news that putin's forces are meeting greater resistance than expected. including blowing up blowing ukraine's own bridges. also today, the white house joining the european union in sanctioning russian president vladimir putin. >> following a telephone conversation president biden held with european commission president ursula von der leyen and in an alignment with the decision by our european allies, the united states will join them in sanctioning president putin and foreign minister lavrov and members of the russian national security team. >> a major silicon valley chip company says it may have been hit a possible cyberattack. nvidia makes computer chips. we did reac

. >> and i'm raj mathai. we'll go live to beijing in just a few minutes. >>> but we start here at home. the numbers suggest that we have made it through the worst part of the pandemic. governor newsom now using the term "endemic" rather than "pandemic." one of the key points of an endemic is how we deal with covid moving forward. nbc bay area's damian trujillo takes us inside an innovative new lab on the peninsula that might be playing a critical role. >> reporter: well, when omicron hit, many felt that the nation was caught off guard, and how can that happen after dealing for two years with the coronavirus? well, here at summer bio, they think they've solved that problem. >> anything where you're trying to detect the genetic signal, like rna or dna, this can be easily adapted to do. >> reporter: the machines are always running at summer bio. the lab describes itself as the largest and most affordable pcr testing center in the country. they get covid test results within 24 hours with or without a surge. >> 10

i'm raj mathai. >> i'm jessica aquirre. brace yourself for windy weather and potential power outages. the national weather service has issued a wind advisory for some parts of the bay area, and it's going to happen over the next few days. pg&e says it will be all hands on deck as it gears up to respond to downed lines, power outages and potential fire danger that creeps up with every single wind gust. nbc bay area's

let's talk to raj mathai. >> reporter: who's the dude in the suit? this is l.a.ne is talking about the super bowl. right now they are talking about the beach. it feels like june or july or august here, certainly not mid february. when we arrived and right from the

good night ♪ thank you for being a friend ♪ traveled down the road and back again ♪ >>> i'm raj mathainor newsom, maskless at the 49ers game. we'll tell but his response today and why many parents are so frustrated. >>> also, where's the rain? a dry january. is there any hope of moisture in february? and why the wind in the next 48 hours could be dangerous. plus -- >> another covid-19 test before the 16-hour flight to china. >> we take you behind the scenes in beijing. what you need to do just to get into that country. the winter olympics begin this week. >>> good evening.

. >> and i'm raj mathai.ut we start here at home. the numbers suggest that we have made it through the worst part of the pandemic. governor newsom now using the term "endemic" rather than "pandemic." one of the key points of an endemic is how we deal with covid moving forward. nbc bay area's damian trujillo takes us inside an innovative new lab on the peninsula that might be playing a critical role. >> reporter: well, when omicron hit, many felt that the nation was caught off guard, and how can that happen after dealing for two years with the coronavirus? well, here at summer bio, they think they've solved that problem. >> anything where you're trying to detect the g

our own raj mathai is going to be out there enjoying the heat around sofi stadium. give you an idea, from wednesday through sunday, l.a. is expected to see 80s and 90-degree temperatures, so it's good news. sofi stadium being a mostly indoor stadium, you're going to want to stay out of that sun if you have any travel plans heading into southern california because the valleys around l.a. are going to be looking at temperatures in the 90s as we head through the super bowl weekend. so, back to the bay area, we begin with some mild temperatures, cool for the morning, 40s and 50s to start. then as we go through the afternoon, by lunchtime, look at that, already 70s around santa cruz and scots valley and san francisco over to oakland, into the 70s tomorrow, mid-70s around san jose, warmest temperatures around sonoma county, some of the valleys around calistoga could be close to 80 degrees. the band of high clouds passing by from about noon to 6:00, probably make for a nice sunset, just not the type of cloud cover that's going to bring us any rain and that's the big story

i'm raj mathai. >> i'm jessica aguirre and we'll take you live to beijing.t landed him in the hospital? tonight we're getting new