from abc seven live. breaking news. >> the city that i grew up in is the city that i'm living in, and the city that i love. and i want

to support your recommendation 100. >> breaking news out of oakland tonight, where the oakland board of port commissioners has unanimously voted to rename the airport. good evening. i'm ama daetz and i'm j.r. >> stone. the new name will be san francisco bay area oakland international airport. >> yes. abc seven news reporter anser hassan was monitoring tonight's vote. he joins us now live on. sir >> umma and gr, like you said, we don't have a new airport, but we do have a name. as j.r. mentioned, the oakland airport will now be the san francisco bay area oakland international airport. now, this is the second vote, which means this name change takes effect immediately. so why the name change? the board says the main reason comes down to location. the port says the lack of geographic awareness of where oakland is creates challenges. they argue that oakland should be serving the top 20 us markets, but it's not. they say they've conducted research that shows the name change would attract more passengers to use the oakland airport, and by letting people know that oakland is another

gateway to the bay area. >> and a name change can certainly do that. that brings the knowledge for people past the mississippi to really understand where oakland sits in the greater bay area and also internationally, really, of understanding from people from around the world of where oakland is in this greater bay area. >> now, the city of san francisco has filed a lawsuit and a statement to abc seven news. they say they will continue with this lawsuit if this name change is approved. they allege that the name change infringes on the san francisco international airport trademark. now, here's the port attorney responding. >> i authorized our port counsel to file an answer and counterclaim to be able to seek a declaratory relief action from the court. what a debt relief action is. it's seeking a declaration from the court that, number one, the name of the now board approved name of san francisco bay oakland international airport, does not infringe on sfo's mark that sfo,

nor the city of county of san francisco or anyone else has rights to trademark or use exclusively the san francisco bay or the name the san francisco bay. >> there were people who spoke out against the name change. their main concern is increased traffic will lead to increased air pollution. as you heard at the top of the show, oakland city council member noel gayo spoke as well. he says there has always been regional cooperation using names. for example, the san francisco oakland bay bridge that the san francisco 49 ers actually don't play in san francisco. so it seems like the next steps may play out in court reporting live anser hassan abc seven news. >> answer. thank you so much. a dire money problem for bart. according to the latest budget projections, the transit agency will run out of nearly $2 billion in state and federal funding in two years. so now the board of directors wants tax payers to help cover the shortfall. abc seven news reporter suzanne fong has

details on a lot of people can embark to get around the bay area. >> i can't reach my destinations within time if it's not there. >> ridership data shows more than 160,000 people use bart daily, but that's about 40% of what it was pre-pandemic. people are using it less because they don't go into the office every day because i'm 100% remote work. bart says lower ridership, increasing labor costs and declining sales tax revenues are straining bart finances. the transit agency also expects to run out of $1.9 billion in federal and state assistance by april 2026. bart directors reviewed budget projections thursday and say they're concerned for the future. >> i don't mean to be to be glib here, right? like the big, very existential issue is that we are relying on $870,000 a day in emergency assistance and, you know, we know that's not a sustainable business plan. >> bart says it'll be fine for the next two years because of pandemic relief money. but starting in 2027, they face a

major annual deficit, basically about 300 to $400 million operating deficit each year. there is a ballot measure set for 2026 that could raise $1.5 billion a year, with a number of new taxes and a vehicle registration surcharge. >> that ballot measure will be very important for funding, not just bart, but all transit in the bay area. >> senator aisha wahab and senator scott wiener are behind the legislation. wahhab issued a statement saying today, quote, multiple agencies across the region are facing financial cliffs and we're creating a sustainable funding source for public transit agencies to maintain existing services and increase the quality, safety and efficiency of those services. this bill is crucial to keeping public transit available in the bay area, even if voters approve the tax measure, the funding won't come until 2028. in san francisco, suzanne phan abc seven news. >> the summer like heat is

definitely here. this is a live look out at the conditions right now. it's a glorious day. for the details on the temperatures, let's get to abc seven news meteorologist sandhya patel. she's out there in the heat. hey, sandhya. >> hi, there. yeah. and ama, it's absolutely gorgeous out here. you can pretty much see why people are enjoying the sunshine out in their shorts. it's a good day to be out on the beach. as a matter of fact, today san francisco has hit 81 so far, the warmest day since october. so here in the city, it feels like fall in our inland areas it feels like summer. here are your temperatures at this hour 85 in brentwood it is 85. in san jose, san francisco, oakland. you've started to cool as a sea breeze is coming back in 85. in napa and santa rosa. currently 86 degrees in calistoga as we check out those winds in just a moment here. first, the temperatures, they have come up in many areas by several degrees, but the winds have pretty much relaxed except for a few gusty spots like oakland 33 miles an hour. we're

going to take a look at your planner for this evening. 6:00 if you're stepping outside. still in the 80s inland, dropping to the 70s and eventually to the 60s around the bay from the 70s to the 60s, it's still going to be nice. and along the coastline from 62 at 6 p.m, dropping off into the 50s, i will be back to let you know exactly who is going to get even warmer than today. and where relief is coming tomorrow. j.r, sandhya, thank you so much. >> we look forward to that. of course, the great weather had people flocking to the beaches. this was the scene early this afternoon at ocean beach in san francisco. we need to be out there. >> we do. it was a similar scene in pacifica at linda mar beach. you can see all the people dotted across the sand with that famous waterfront taco bell, and it was truly a perfect day to stop and smell the roses. >> just look at how gorgeous it was at the san jose municipal rose garden. >> oh, that looks great! well, in the north bay the warm weather could be speeding up the

start of wildfire season. of course, we think about that as well. abc seven news reporter cornell bernard is live in sebastopol, where things are definitely heating up. cornell >> hey, i'm hard to believe. a few weeks ago i was wearing a parka covering rain. today i'm in short sleeves. it's definitely warm here in sebastopol. check it out. this is the bank sign in downtown and it says 100 degrees. we don't know how accurate that is. probably more like in the upper 80s that sandhya just talked about, but it's definitely warm. and today we saw people hitting the beach and firefighters watching the weather. >> first hot day of the year, going to get out there and enjoy the water. >> carl schleicher and his buddies are launching their kayaks into the russian river in forestville for some fun in the sun. >> and so what are they have to brings for you guys? >> uh- water, snacks. a couple of beers and sunscreen. >> oh, we're out here to beat the crowds because during the weekend it gets really packed. >> donna sheldon and her friends

are here too, setting up camp at steelhead beach for lunch. they say it's about time things warmed up. it's been a long, wet winter and spring. >> nothing against the rain. rain is great. you know we do need it, but, i know it's getting a little bit tired of the rain. for a while, i was like, we. i'm missing the sun, so it's nice to sort of be out. >> burke's canoe and kayak rental is getting ready to open memorial day. until then, owner ted schroeder urges everyone to be safe on the river every day. >> we say it until we're blue in the face. wear a life jacket no matter what activity you're engaged in. on a river or lake, any body of water, wear a life jacket. getting ready for fire season. >> we focus a lot on training and physical fitness. >> cal fire says it's ready for prime time. fire season 250 seasonal firefighters back on duty in the north bay, while above average rainfall has slowed some hillsides from turning from green to brown, a warming trend could speed the timeline. >> the increase in temperatures in combination with the winds can help to dry out some of our

live fuel moistures seasonal firefighting aircraft is back station at cal fire sonoma air base in case it's needed. >> getting to these fires quickly, trying to keep them out of smaller size until our forces on the ground can get to them and put them out. >> and back at the beach, brandon is ready to float. >> today is the first day of summer for me, honestly, because we're going to the river. it's the first warm day that i've been out. so to me, this is like day one. summer >> yeah. you know, most beaches in sonoma county won't have a lifeguard on duty until memorial day weekend. but as the weather heats up, experts say if you're going out of the water, make sure you have a life jacket on and keep an eye on kids and pets, too. and don't forget your sunscreen. live in sonoma county tonight. i'm cornell barnard, abc seven news, cornell. >> thank you so much. today, the california public utilities commission voted unanimously to change the way p-g-and-e's call can bill its customers, starting next year, most customers will

be charged a $24.15 flat monthly fee in addition to what they pay for their actual usage. money from the fee will be used for things like grid maintenance and wildfire mitigation, commissioners say the new billing structure was mandated by the state legislature. they say it will reduce electricity rates, serving as an incentive for people to switch to electric vehicles and appliances. >> so for someone who electrifies their home and vehicle, they would save an average of up to $44 a month compared to the status quo. and the reason customers are financially better off is because the new billing structure will reduce the price per unit of electricity by roughly 5 to $0.07 per kilowatt hour. >> the utility reform network supports the changes, say they promote stability, especially in areas with more extreme weather. but its members say more needs to be done. >> turn is fighting to push the puc to adopt policies that will

actually reduce the bills, and we have legislation in sacramento that, if adopted, will reduce monthly bills. >> other critics argue that the plan needs a more thorough review, public review to determine whether it will actually deliver what it promises. >> coming up, governor newsom threatens legal action against leaders in half moon bay. how the mayor is now responding. >> plus, the accused hit and run driver arrested for injuring two people, including a child, made hifirst appearance in court

build more housing for farm workers, and he's not happy about it. abc seven news reporter luz pena explains why newsom is threatening legal action if local officials don't

speed things up in a major way. >> 555 kelly avenue in half moon bay, a house that was purchased by the city and has sat vacant for seven years, its future drawn out up front. >> we're going to have five stories here, but you will only see kind of the first four because the fifth story is set back since 2022. >> mercy housing and belinda arriaga, executive director for the nonprofit alice, has been pushing for this property to become the first senior housing for farm workers in this community after approval from the city's city council. the next step is the planning commission. >> how long will it take to get built and is there funding to manage it from an operational place already in place? >> we have committed sources thus far from the city and the state for multiple levels of financing for this project looming over this community is the lack of farm worker housing and images of deplorable housing conditions, highlighted after a

mass shooting at two mushroom farms in 2023, housing for senior farm workers is what many, like retired farm worker agustin villalobos is asking for. >> we've done a lot for this community. now it's time for the county to do something for us. after two meetings without a vote, governor newsom is now threatening to take legal action . >> we feel the support of governor newsom. it's critical and important to this project. >> in a statement, governor newsom is urging this voting body to take action soon. the half moon bay planning commission has the opportunity to move this important housing project forward next week. >> i felt like an attack. you know, half moon bay is a priority, you know, to build farmworker housing, low income housing. >> joaquin jimenez is half moon bay mayor. he views the planning commission's process as necessary. tsay you think the process is taking too long? >> it's adequate time. if it's really interested in building farmworker housing, give us

funding. we'll make good use of those fundings. >> the planning commission is set to meet again may 14th, and the governor says his team will be watching in half moon bay. luz pena, abc seven news luis put together an abc seven originals documentary called hidden crisis tragedy in half moon bay. >> you can watch it on demand on abc seven news.com and abc seven bay area app. >> a man accused in two hit and run crashes, including one that injured a child walking to school, now faces several charges. san francisco police say on tuesday, rodney jefferson hit a person in the tenderloin, then drove away. prosecutors say he returned and threw a $20 bill at the victim. police say he then hit a 14 year old student in a school crosswalk in north beach while trying to escape officers jefferson was charged today with six counts, including reckless driving, causing an injury, evading police and driving on a suspended license. >> hundreds of ucla professors and staffers take a stand in

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the resignation of the university chancellor gene block . the resignation is one of three demands submitted in a letter, with more than 800 signatures delivered to block's office today. they're upset over how he handled last week's clash between pro-palestinian students and counter-protest posters. the subsequent removal of the pro-palestinian encampment and the arrests of over 200 protesters. >> we stand committed to free speech and the right of our students to exercise nonviolent political protest, safely and without fear of retaliation. >> the other demands include dropping all charges against the protesters, full amnesty to those involved in the protest, and a report within 30 days to

fully disclose all investments to israel and at cal. >> officials are in are working to remove graffiti found on a building near the protest encampment. officials told abc seven news they will continue to do everything in their power so that every student feels safe and welcome. students began an encampment at cal on april 22nd and say they will continue until the university divests and creates a palestinian studies program at san francisco state. >> protesters marched through the humanities building earlier today, according to university officials, the group exited quickly and returned to a growing tent encampment on the quad. today's protest remained peaceful at usf. >> protesters remain on the lawn near saint ignatius church. protesters have been there since last friday. university officials say they're committed to keeping students, faculty and staff safe on campus. >> time now to talk all about that. well, you know, there's one person who got the best seat in the house today. >> i think that's sandhya patel.

sandhya. >> yeah, it's absolutely stunning out here, i can you that much for sure. so, yes, i do have the best seat in the house, jr. and as you look behind me, it is just. just blue sky behind me. and as we take a look at some of the highs so far today, it has been a warm one. santa rosa hitting 86 at the airport. same thing for san jose and concord, 81 in the city, 83 degrees in oakland. these are some of the warmest weather readings we have seen since october or the highest temperatures, i should say, since october. looking at live pictures, no matter which direction you look. clear skies right now. enjoy the sunshine. soak it up. high pressure is in control of the weather. the ridge brought us the warmth today. the warmth peaked at the coast. it will peak inland tomorrow. so you will notice that the fog is well off the coast because of the downsloping winds that we experienced, not just overnight, but today as well. right now, san francisco is at 67 degrees. the sea breeze has come back in, which is why

it's dropping so quickly. 73 in oakland, mid 80s around san jose. and it is 59.5 moon bay. as we look from our east bay hills camera out towards mount diablo, a little bit of haze in the atmosphere. mid 80s around santa rosa, fairfield, concord. here's a live view from sutro tower and a look at the forecast headlines tomorrow. hot inland cooler at the coast saturday. that heat holds inland and on mother's day it's going to be beautiful. not quite as warm as it will be tomorrow as we go, hour by hour this evening. temperatures will still be in the 70s and 80s for many of you, except near the coastline. by eight, 15, 50 to 70. on that spread and we head into tomorrow morning. starts out really mild once again and warms quickly, especially away from the coastline where 80 show up by the lunch hour. by the 4:00 in the afternoon, we start to see those 90 inland. so this is when the hottest day will occur for our inland communities along the coastline. you're not going to be quite as warm as you were

today. as we go for your morning temperatures under clear skies, except for a few patches of fog right around the southern part of our viewing area, monterey bay temperatures in the 50s and 60s tomorrow afternoon in the south bay. if you liked the weather today, i think you're going to love it tomorrow. well above average once again 88, in san jose, los gatos on the peninsula, you're looking at 84. in palo alto, pacifica, 70 degrees. i mean, this is warmer than average for a springtime san francisco, 78 degrees. so not quite the 80s of today, but still warm. and in the north bay, 86 in san rafael, up to 90. in santa rosa, heading into the east bay. temperatures in the 80s for all of you. 83 in oakland, 86 fremont inland areas 90 in concord, 89 degrees in livermore. so that's going to be summer-like inland. the accuweather seven day forecast hot inland coast cools for tomorrow. you will notice over the weekend, even though the heat holds on saturday, by mother's day, temperatures are sliding in the downward direction and you will notice

that cooling continues until monday before those temperatures slowly recover. next week. anna and j.r. thank you so much. >> love the breeze that you have up there. >> yeah. it's nice. >> thanks, sandhya. >> a new cities report is giving a look into bay area tourism levels. san jose is soaring in activity downtown, up by 28% in the last 12 months. that ended in march. mayor matt mehan attributes the boost to the unique businesses popping up lately. downtown oakland is seeing similar success, with a near 21% increase in visitors. san francisco, on the other hand, has taken a plunge. the city is down by nearly 22. it performed the worst out of all 64 cities in the university of toronto, report

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approval came last night to move the zoo permanently. it signals the end of nearly 100 years in land park. the zoo's location and aging exhibits have limited the number and variety of species they could keep. officials say they can no longer keep tigers, hippos and bears, and that list would grow if they

stay put in that location. it was a great location, though, but either way, the new space will be triple in size with new restaurants. >> all right, a new face at the oakland zoo, a 13 month old giraffe getting settled into the new life, traveling from audubon nature institute in louisiana. there are names you can choose from to help out. they're all swahili. nc means powerful. nuru. that's my favorite. means the light and kovu means scar. vote on oakland zoo social media pages. winning name will be announced monday. >> much more news ahead at 530 on abc seven news. >> bay area streaming tv. that's right. >> have a great evening. we will see you again at 6:00.

>> david: tonight, breaking news. the deadly tornadoes touching down. tonight, breaking news. the deadly tornadoes touching down. 140 miles per hour. the storms now in the east. and yet another major system, the new threat right behind this. also tonight, the passengers escaping a fiery jet crash. the flames all around them. and just in tonight, the search for the missing after an