. >>> plus, measure problems for long time santa clara county sheriff lori smith. the new civil rights investigation just launched against her. >>> what's ahead in our forecast coming up next. >>> the fog is there for drivers as well. we're looking at chase center, warriors play tonight. 5:30 is when that opens. there will be traffic before that . that's along the 280 corridor. use the express or the shuttles help you avoid having to park. if you're hungry and you want a great deal, the super slam is your perfect meal! it's pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon and hash browns. it's enough breakfast for dinner, and it's as good as it sounds. see you at denny's. >>> right now, here's your view in the east bay as you're driving to work. our live camera in fremont picking up on that dense fog. allow some extra time to get through. we'll talk more about that in our forecast coming up. >>> that's really foggy for that fremont shot. even foggier is the golden gate bridge. light traffic. watch the visibility. we're going to get a good view. >>> good morning to you. i'm bertha ko

santa clara county sheriff lori smith is accused of corruption. sheriff of 23 years accused of willful and corrupt misconduct in office. 6 of the 7 counts traded concealed weapons permits for contributions to re-election campaigns. if she denies the accusation, case will go to trial. >> i suspect it will go to trial. there's little room for a settlement or plea bargain. if the allegations are provide true and jury is convinced, then sheriff smith is removed from office. >> san mateo county judge will preside. >>> committee investigating the insurrection wants answers from twitter, reddit, and parent companies of facebook and google have been subpoenaed. demanded records last summer and received inadequate responses from the four companies. wants records relating to domestic terrorism, spread of misinformation and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. >>> i'm chief meteorologist jeff ranieri, october 1st, how bad the drought was, but brand new update, looking a lot better. details and what's ahead for the weekend. >>> we investigate safety concern

sheriff lori smith is facing grand jury allegations of concealed weapons permits for donations. the attorney general says it's doing what's called a pattern or practice investigation and will correct any violations. >> in the days and months ahead, i promise you our investigation will be thorough. it will be impartial. it will work to ensure that the civil rights of the people of santa clara county are respected. >> santa clara county sheriff lori smith released this statement saying, quote, i have always welcomed any external review of the sheriff's office and we will immediately open any records. i have great confidence in the attorney general's office, and i believe they will provide the expertise for a fair and impartial investigation. now we remain focussed on our mission, which is to provide the highest level of public safety services. >>> a lunchtime robbery at a popular shopping mall had people on high alert, especially since the robber is still on the loose tonight. it happened in palo alto, a city which has been hit by multiple thefts in recent months. sharon katsuda s

. >>> coming up at 6:00, more trouble for embattled santa clara county sheriff lori smith. we will have more on the investigation as well as how she is responding. >>> rising sea level threat in the south bay, the work being done right now to protect the communities risk of flooding. >>> a popular bay area brewery closing its doors after more than 30 years. the news that 6:00 is coming up in five minutes. >>> still ahead here at 5:00, the bay area may be getting a new pro sport. the push to >>> here is a fun fact. did you know that cricket is the world's second most popular sport? >> i didn't know that. historically, cricket has not been popular in the united states. >> kiet do has more on why that could soon change with a new stadium here in the bay area. >> reporter: this is the first may just a major step as a santa clara county enters into an exclusive negotiating agreement with major league cricket. i can now start the planning and design process which can take a couple of years. this is far from a done deal, but at this point, it is looking pretty good. >> reporter: f

she's now scheduled to be sentenced in september. >> more problems for lori smith. today, california's attorney general opened up a civil rights investigation into the embattled sheriff. let's bring in stephen stock who has broken several stories involving sheriff smith. >> today's announcement by the california attorney general follows a request from county supervisors here last summer. they asked for a civil grand jury investigation, which they got, and which resulted in seven formal accusations issued just last month. now, the attorney general is opening his own civil rights investigation. sheriff smith has come under fire over her management of the local jails, as well as questions about whether people who gave to her political campaigns got special treatment when they apply for conceal carry weapons permits or ccws. our investigation two years ago found those campaign donors were 14 times more likely to get a permit than those who did not give to her campaign. we also reported that the sheriff has not submitted to independent oversight at her jails. including n

struck the attorney general launching a civil rights probe into the office of lori smith. smith already facing public corruption accusations from a grand jury as well as a no- confidence vote from the board of supervisors. that had to pay large settlements to mentally ill people severely injured in custody. cement therapy to truly and equitably, it increases trust. the investigation will seek to determine whether the sheriff's office engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional or unlawful conduct. >> regarding concealed carry permits. in a statement, the sheriff said she welcomed the review adding, i have great confidence in the attorney general's office and i believe they will provide the expertise for the fair and impartial investigation. we remain focused on the mission to provide the highest level of public safety services. >>> two people are dead and the third recovering after a deadly crash on a san jose street. it happened as the group was crossing the expressway tonight. they may have all been killed if not for the final action of one of the victims. >> re

in august, a unanimous vote of no-confidence in current and long-term sheriff lori smith, and, supervisors referred to information they have gathered to federal and local investors. >> i'm gratify the attorney general has stepped up and these issues look at to the attention and oversight that they require. >> reporter: bonta said it is clear there is a lack of trust in the sheriff's office. county supervisor otto lee echoed that point telling kpix 5 in a statement, he is pleased to see the ag conducting an investigation and action from the attorney general's office will begin to the store trust residents have for our sheriff department. this comes as smith fights corruption allegations in court. over the past year, numerous southbay elected officials have called for her to step down. >> this announcement has been a long time coming. but, there is still a great deal of work to be done. >> reporter: in a statement, sheriff smith tells kpix 5 she has always welcomed external reviews of her office. they will open all records immediately, and she believes the ag's office will conduct a fair and

lori smith was indicted by a grand jury in december. those filings accused her of seven corruption -related charges, including political favors, accepting unlawful gifts, perjury, and failing to cooperate with investigating authorities. the accusations were based on the testimony of 65 witnesses. a legal analyst tells us this is a unique situation because you are blending criminal with civil crimes. >> she had an option today to either make a plea, right? either deny or admit the accusation, not guilty or guilty or you know, not guilty. notice the difference? admit or deny the accusation. or she challenges the accusation. and they are choosing to challenge it. but, because of the procedure required, she has to waive her speedy trial rights because, which is a criminal right. >> at today's hearing, the judge gave more time to look over 30 volumes of the grand jury transcript. the next status hearing is set for march 15th. police are on the lookout for eight suspects who robbed a tobacco store and pistol whipped the clerk in palo alto. po

smith is facing corruption allegations from a civil grand jury. >> we are here today because there is a deficit of trust in santa clara county. there are deeply concerning allegations around potentially pervasive misconduct within the sheriff's office. our instigation will seek to determine whether the sheriff's office has engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional or unlawful conduct. >> bonta says the investigation will focus on misconduct at county jails and that they are looking into use of force. >>> in a statement, sheriff smith tells kpix 5 she has always welcomed external reviews of her office. she will open all records and she believes the ag's office will provide a fair and impartial instigation. >>> staff and students are pushing back on the universities booster mandates. nearly 2000 students signing a petition to strike down that mandate. andria borba has reasons why. >> reporter: 95% of all stanford students, faculty, and personnel has at least two doses of their 19 vaccines . starting on january 31st, the university will also require a booster shot. one student

. >>> santa clara county sheriff lori smith faced a judge virtually to answer allegations filed by a civil grand jury. even though the charges aren't criminal, if the sheriff loses her case, legal experts say state law requires she be removed from office. steven stock was allowed to follow today's public hearing on zoom but couldn't record it under the judge's order. the sheriff didn't enter a plea. her attorneys say they need more time to file objections to all seven of the misconduct allegations. six counts allege her office traded concealed weapons permits for campaign contributions. the seventh is over the transfer of an inmate who ended up with permanent brain damage by the time he reached the county jail. our investigative unit was one of the first to uncover allegations of corruption involving the sheriff's office and concealed carry permits. you can see our earlier reporting as well on our website, nbcbayarea.com. >>> a procession today with the body of david wynn transported to a funeral home. his girlfriend and sister were both there to escort his body. the 28-year-old was

smith engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional conduct. this investigation comes amidst deeply concerning allegations relating to conditions of confinement in the offices jail facilities resistance to lawful oversight and other misconduct. fanta wouldn't go into any specific details because it's a pending investigation abc 7 news item investigations into the troubled jail system date back years, including several questionable inmate deaths and just last month the grand jury accused sheriff smith of corruption and prison mismanagement. bart received a recognition today that's anything but an honor the public transit agency was awarded the california golden fleece award. the award exposes waste fraud and abuse in california government abc 7 news reporter melanie. woodrow is in the newsroom with bart's response melanie and out exactly an oscar not exactly dan. this is the independent institute's 12 such award a dishonor given to you california state or local agencies tonight bart spok. and says the report is from an anti-government think tank

smith. >> the news at 6:00 starts right now. we have key updates from our breaking news that we have been covering in downtown oakland. the federal courthouse remains evacuated after a possible pipe bomb was discovered outside. we have been covering the story for the past hour. the fbi says around 1:00, a man was seen leaving a package near the flag pole. the bomb squad is on the scene, and within the last 30 minutes, the bomb squad has rendered that package safe. so does that mean we are in the clear? le

. >>> santa clara county sheriff lori smith made her first court appearance yesterday after a civil grand jury leveled construction allegations against her. smith did not enter a plea but didway hear right it a speedy trial. a judge gave her legal team and prosecutors through april to debate the accusations. the sheriff is facing seven corruption charges. six accuse her of political favoritism. and she's accused of leveraging her control over concealed carry weapons and permits and alluding gift-reporting laws. the seventh charge accuses her of resisting probe into negligence allegations that stems from the injury of a jail inmate leading to a $10 million settlement with the county. one legal analyst told kpix what could come next? >> the next hearing, she's going to have to admit or deny the accusation and they're probably going to challenge the sufficiency of the indictment or accusation. >> and the new timeline means any trial would take place before or during the john primary elect. if found guilty, she would be expulled from office. >>> sheriff smith hasn't announced her intention to