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16+ min ago (117+ words) Investigators in the East Bay are linking a child pornography scandal to a longtime Lawrence lab worker. Police say 86-year-old William Kolbe, a celebrated researcher with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, was arrested on charges of possessing child pornography. Kolbe reportedly admitted to investigators that he had been downloading the material on work and home computers for 30 years. The case against Kolbe began in 2024 when the California Highway Patrol raided his Albany home as they investigated networks where child pornography was being shared. He allegedly told officers there was more at his Berkeley work station. Police said they found hundreds of thousands of images in all. Prosecutors filed charges against Kolbe this week....

30+ min ago (206+ words) A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed following last month's drowning at a UC Berkeley frat party. A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed following last month's drowning at a UC Berkeley frat party. The parents of 19-year-old George Salinas are suing the fraternity Alpha Delta Phi. The suit alleges there was overcrowding as well as slippery substances in the pool and no lifeguard or sober monitor at the party. Investigators say the drowning happened during what they describe as an out-of-control party. More than 350 people were there. Salinas was found unresponsive by the pool on Nov. 14. He died at the hospital several days later. A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed following last month's drowning at a UC Berkeley frat party. The parents of 19-year-old George Salinas are suing the fraternity Alpha Delta Phi. The suit alleges there was…...

1+ hour, 35+ min ago (93+ words) Latino Catholics on Friday are celebrating the Virgen de Guadalupe at churches across the Bay Area. Latino Catholics on Friday are celebrating the Virgen de Guadalupe at churches across the Bay Area. A mass at Cathedral Basilica Saint Joseph was one of those celebrations on a joyous day for those who have a special place in their hearts for Our Lady of Guadalupe. The celebration honoring the Virgen de Guadalupe orginated in Mexico but is now celebrated in the U.S. and around Latin America. Kris Sanchez has more in the video above....

7+ hour ago (121+ words) The Hayward BART station closed temporarily due to a major medical emergency, according to authorities. Major medical emergency closes Hayward BART station The Hayward BART station closed temporarily due to a major medical emergency Thursday night, according to authorities. Officials said AC Transit will be providing bus service between South Hayward, Hayward and Bay Fair stations on bus #9. Watch NBC Bay Area News free wherever you are Major medical emergency closes Hayward BART station The Hayward BART station closed temporarily due to a major medical emergency Thursday night, according to authorities. Officials said AC Transit will be providing bus service between South Hayward, Hayward and Bay Fair stations on bus #9. Watch NBC Bay Area News free wherever you are...

7+ hour, 7+ min ago (304+ words) Bay Area journalist Erica Hellerstein visits Ukraine to learn about how the nation's culture of tech innovation " and its surprising ties to Silicon Valley " are fueling the country's resistance through an army of engineers, coders, hackers, and tinkerers. Bay Area-raised host Ericka Cruz Guevarra brings you context and analysis to make sense of the news. Episodes drop Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. See TV Programming Manager Emma Casley's recommendations from this month's KQED 9, PLUS and Passport schedules. The Ukraine-Russia war has been called the most technologically advanced war in history. In an episode from KQED's Close All Tabs podcast, Bay Area journalist Erica Hellerstein visits Ukraine to learn about how the nation's culture of tech innovation " and its surprising ties to Silicon Valley " are fueling the country's resistance through an army of engineers, coders, hackers, and tinkerers. Some members of the…...

10+ hour, 43+ min ago (462+ words) The country's largest beer company is closing its last Bay Area brewing facility. Anheuser-Busch announced Thursday morning it's shutting down operations at its Fairfield plant early next year. Jodi Hernandez reports. The Budweiser plant has been called the heartbeat of City of Fairfield after serving it for 49 years. Thursday, workers and the community learned it's closing for good. "Shock, shock, and surprise just very sad, sad for my coworkers sad for everybody that's already retired," said Christine Peters, a Budweiser employee. Longtime Budweiser employee Christine Peters describes how many are feeling after learning Fairfield's Budweiser brewing facility will be shuttering. Peters got the news when she came into work Thursday morning. She's worked at the plant nearly her entire career. "It's meant everything started here as a kid 20 years old. I'm a few months away from retirement," Peters said. Anheuser…...

10+ hour, 44+ min ago (634+ words) The San Francisco Fire Dept. hopes to have new uniforms available for each of its 1,100 frontline firefighters by the end of the month. The effort stems from years" long research that determined PFAS, so-called "forever chemicals" long used to bolster protection and durability within traditional firefighter uniforms, may cause cancer and other ailments. San Francisco firefighters are finally getting the new protective gear they were promised after years" long research revealed certain chemicals used in traditional firefighter uniforms can cause cancer. "What none of us could have known is that some of the very gear designed to protect us was quietly harming us," said San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen, who spoke alongside dozens of first responders on Thursday as he announced the city"s $3.6 million plan to provide protective equipment to all frontline firefighters by the end of the…...

10+ hour, 54+ min ago (298+ words) San Francisco is preparing for an annual effort that aims to get guns off the street. Christie Smith reports. This Saturday, San Francisco police and United Playaz, a local community group, will trade cash for guns. "There is a lot of organizing and planning that goes around this gun buy-back," said Rudy Corpuz, Jr. with United Playaz. United Playaz, a violence prevention and youth development organization hosts the annual event. "Saturday's gun back brings our city and United Playaz and our law enforcement partners together in a shared effort to strengthen neighborhoods and reduce gun violence this partnership is now 14 years old," said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. It's no questions asked, and all weapons turned in will be destroyed. $100 for handguns, rifles and shotguns and $200 for assault rifles. Organizers say having an opportunity like this should matter to everyone....

11+ hour, 6+ min ago (325+ words) Asia Pavicich's Essential Skills students are baking and selling "Matadogs" at Miramonte High School in Orinda At Miramonte High School in Orinda, the buzz on campus isn't just about academics or athletics; it's about dog treats. They're called Matadogs, and for special education teacher Asia Pavicich, the project behind them has been a true labor of love. Matadogs are pumpkin and peanut butter dog treats, but what makes them special isn't necessarily the flavor, though dogs seem to like them; it's the bakers. The treats are made by students in Pavicich's Essential Skills class, which focuses on teaching communication, vocational, and life skills to students with moderate to severe disabilities. "I wanted something the students could really own, something new, something exciting," Pavicich said. The project began last year when Pavicich realized her older students had opportunities for real-world work…...

11+ hour, 36+ min ago (127+ words) A preliminary 3.3 magnitude earthquake struck Thursday afternoon near San Juan Bautista, according to the United States Geological Survey. A preliminary 3.3 magnitude earthquake struck near San Juan Bautista Thursday afternoon, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake hit at about 5:20 p.m., 5.5 miles away from San Juan Bautista and about 7.8 miles southwest of Hollister, according to the USGS. This is a developing story. Details may change as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for updates. BAY AREA QUAKE CENTRAL You can take steps to plan and prepare for the next big one. Access our Bay Area Quake Tracker, the latest earthquake stories, extensive quake prep checklists, videos and many other disaster preparedness resources all in one place: NBCBAYAREA.COM/QUAKES...