. >>> 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

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

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

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

. >>> 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